Rewards Days 2024
We are super excited to launch the summer term with the exciting opportunities in store for our annual Rewards Days for students in Years 7-10 & 12!
We appreciate that no options are going to appease all audiences, but we have listened to student feedback, and are really proud to have such wonderful staff willing to organise and run a varied mix of activities to reward students who are consistently ready, respectful, and responsible.
We continue to be mindful of the financial burden on families. Therefore, we have worked hard to negotiate the best cost with our transport providers, and the price of the package booking for your child which includes entrance fees, transport, and travel insurance, is lower than the cost you would pay for the ticket alone if paying the on-the-gate price when going as a family. In addition to this, we have a variety of free activities available each day, so there’s no obligation to spend anything at all!
Letters launching the Rewards Days trips will be given to students over the next few days, and the answers to most questions as well as the booking form can be found on the letter, but you can download a replacement copy of the letter here (students can collect replacement paper copies of the letter from Student Services too, if that’s easier).
The answers to most other frequently asked questions can be found here…
How do I pick my child’s activities?
Please carefully read through the letter and booking form, and select one option for each of the Rewards Day. Please ensure your child’s name and Tutor Group is added to the top of the booking form along with their choices, sign and date the form, and have your child return it to Student Services. Please note that some trips have a limited number of places available, as these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, we recommend returning the form as soon as possible.
The deadline for all selection forms to be handed-in to Student Services is Monday 29th April 2024, we cannot accept bookings after this date.
How do I pay for trips?
Once Student Services have received and processed your form, any trips that you have selected that involve a cost will appear on your ParentPay account for payment (please allow 2 working days for it to show on ParentPay after submitting the form).
The deadline for all payments is Monday 3rd June 2024, we cannot accept any payments after this date. If you have any issues with ParentPay, please contact us here.
Who can take part in Rewards Days trips?
These trips are open to students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12. These amazing opportunities are a reward for students with a positive Rewards balance (the number of Q-Points minus any behaviour points that they have incurred over the academic year). Students can see their Rewards balance in the ClassCharts Student app, on the ‘Rewards’ tab. If the balance is currently negative, we encourage students to still sign up to the trips and use them as a motivational aim – earning lots of Q-Points over the summer term can turn that negative balance in to a positive one! If we have concerns regarding the behaviour of individuals, or their balance remains negative, closer to the time of a trip, we will remove the individual from the trip and a refund will be provided in these circumstances.
How do the free activities work?
If you select an activity in the Academy, then students should arrive to be registered at 9:30am on the day and they finish at 2:30pm. If you select an activity from a Sandwell provider, please note that the Academy do not staff these events; parents/carers are responsible for their child if participating in these activities, and for booking the activity with the provider.
What do students wear?
Students may wear their own clothing for all Rewards Days activities. Check the weather forecast and ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions; they should also be modestly dressed in suitable attire for the activity (i.e. wearing heeled shoes to a theme park is not suitable where there is lots of walking involved and uneven surfaces).
What should they pack?
Ensure that your child has a bottle of water to remain hydrated throughout the day and a packed lunch/snacks if they’re not planning on buying these there. We recommend that students do not bring any valuable items as these remain the responsibility of your child; if they are lost, damaged, or stolen they are not covered by our insurance. All of the theme parks have security measures in place, so bag and body searches and/or x-ray machines are in use; any student carrying a prohibited/age-restricted item will be excluded from the trip, and have an appropriate sanction imposed which may also include a ban from any future off-site visits or trips.
Can students buy food/drink on trips?
Yes, but students are responsible for any money that they bring, so must keep it safe. They may purchase food and drink from retailers, but are responsible for sharing any of their dietary requirements or allergies at the point of purchase. Most locations welcome payment by card as well as cash, some locations no longer accept cash (such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort). Where cash is not accepted, students can enquire at guest services to load cash onto a gift card for use around the park; we recommend that students only load a small amount of cash on at a time, as refunds of unspent credit are not always permitted.
What time do trips depart from and return to the Academy?
We know it helps with planning to know departure and return times in advance. However, we do not receive confirmation of these until much closer to the time owing to the logistics in transporting so many students to different places. We provide the following times as a guide to help with planning, but please note that times are provisional and many need to change. We will of course communicate any changes closer to the departure date.
Rewards Day 1 – Monday 22nd July 2024
|
Activity |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
Barmouth Beach |
Depart at 8am |
Return at 5:30pm |
|
Alton Towers |
Depart at 8:30am |
Return at 7:30pm |
|
West Midlands Safari Park |
Depart at 9am |
Return at 4pm |
|
Attend the Academy |
Arrive at 9:30am |
Finish at 2:30pm |
|
Sandwell Holiday Activities |
Students do not attend the Academy, but partake in activities as arranged by parents/carers. |
|
Rewards Day 2 – Tuesday 23rd July 2024
|
Activity |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
Blackpool Pleasure Beach |
Depart at 8am |
Return at 8pm |
|
Thorpe Park |
Depart at 8:30am |
Return at 8:30pm |
|
Cadbury World |
Depart at 10am |
Return at 3pm |
|
Attend the Academy |
Arrive at 9:30am |
Finish at 2:30pm |
|
Sandwell Holiday Activities |
Students do not attend the Academy, but partake in activities as arranged by parents/carers. |
|
We ask that students arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before their departure time to avoid congestion. The drop-off zone at the front of the Academy is out of use on Rewards Days as full access is required by the coaches. We strongly recommend if you are dropping your child off/picking your child up from the Academy, that you arrange a meeting point within walking distance from the Academy as to reduce congestion owing to the volume of coaches.
Students must not enter the Academy nor board a coach without confirmation from a member of staff. Staff will be on hand to register students directly on to coaches at their departure times.
Return times are approximate and will be dependent on traffic and other factors, staff on each coach will endeavour to keep students informed of the most accurate ETA throughout the journey, so that they may keep you updated.
What terms and conditions are trips booked under?
Please note that all trip bookings are subject to our terms and conditions for educational visits, available here.
How do I book Sandwell Holiday Activities?
As a reminder, students who are participating in Sandwell Holiday Activities are the responsibility of parents/carers for the duration of these activities. A range of activities will be available in due course here.
What if I have a question that isn’t answered here?
If you have any questions regarding trips then please do not call the Academy, enquiries are dealt with by an email helpdesk strictly in the order in which they are submitted here.
Please note that in line with trip terms and conditions, we are unable to make any amendments to bookings once they have been paid, and any cancellations cannot be refunded. All bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.
