Transition from primary school
Congratulations on getting a place at Co-op Academy Manchester!
We are delighted to welcome you to our school community, and look forward to embarking on this 5-year journey together.
Starting secondary school is a significant milestone. We are committed to ensuring the transition from primary to secondary school is as smooth and positive as possible.
Our culture is built upon the Ways of Being Co-op, which guide everything we do:
-
Be yourself, always: We celebrate the unique talents each child brings to our school.
-
Do what matters most: We focus on high-quality learning and personal growth.
-
Show you care: We foster a supportive environment where every student feels safe.
- Succeed together: We know that the best outcomes happen when school and home work in partnership.
Useful academy information
Attendance & Reporting Absence
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
Important dates
Event |
Date |
Details |
| Accept your place with us | As soon as possible | Don't forget to call us to accept your child's place – 0161 795 3005 |
| Online admissions form | Monday 20 April | Please complete your online admissions form by this date. |
| Transition Information Session | Monday 29 June | A dedicated session for parents and carers, ahead of the Student Induction Days. |
| Student Induction Day | Week beginning Monday 29 June | Your child will be invited to the academy for a full induction day. We will share further details in due course. |
| First day of school | Wednesday 2 September | Year 7 only - this is day 2 of their induction programme. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my child's uniform?
To support our families and ensure every student feels a sense of belonging from their first day, we will provide each new student with their first blazer, a school tie and a PE top.
We will share further information soon about how to order and collect these.
From September, there will be some changes to our uniform:
Our uniform
- Black academy logo blazer
- Black academy logo v-neck jumper (optional)
- School tie
- Traditional white shirt with a collar
- Plain black tailored trousers
- Plain black smart shoes
PE kit
- Black PE T-Shirt
- Plain black tracksuit bottoms or plain black football shorts
- Trainers
A note on jewellery and hairstyles
Please be aware of the following rules regarding jewellery and hairstyles:
- a watch and 1 or 2 small pairs of stud earrings (a maximum of 2 in each lobe) are the only jewellery to be worn in the academy.
- ear ‘gauging’ (stretched ear lobes) is not allowed.
- hair bands are to be discreet and either black or dark navy blue.
- no facial/body piercings are allowed.
- for health and safety reasons, all jewellery must be removed during PE lessons, and hair tied back.
- hair colour must be of a ‘natural’ colour with no extreme haircuts/styles.
It's a good idea to label all items of uniform in case they get misplaced. One of the biggest changes when moving from primary to secondary school is movement around the building between lessons. It is quite common for Year 7 students to leave items behind! Labelling them means they can be reunited with their rightful owner.
What will my child need on their first day?
On their first day with us, we will provide all new Year 7 students with a pencil case containing the equipment they need.
Students must bring a bag to store books, equipment and revision materials in.
We recommend bringing a water bottle that can be refilled at break or lunch.
Year 7 will not need to bring a PE kit on their first day.
What equipment does my child need?
Each day students need:
- A black/blue pen, a red pen, a pencil and a ruler.
- All students must bring a bag to store books and revision materials in.
- It's a good idea to bring a water bottle that can be refilled at break or lunch.
How will the academy communicate with me?
We use Arbor to communicate with parents and carers. All messages are sent as In-app messages or by email.
Once your child starts with us in September, it is essential that you register on the Arbor Parent Portal ➡️ coopmanchester.uk.arbor.sc
Once registered, we recommend that you download and sign in to the Arbor app to enable push notifications:
Download the app for iOS (Apple/iPhone) | download the app for Android (Google Play Store)
This will help you stay up-to-date with important school information.
From the Arbor App/Parent Portal you can:
- Message us for free
- View your child's timetable
- Update your contact information
- View your child's attendance
- View your child's rewards and behaviour data
- Top up your child's lunch account
- Consent for your child to take part in school trips
- Book appointments for Progress Evenings
How do I pay for my child's lunch?
We are a cashless school.
Lunch accounts should be topped up online using Arbor. Arbor allows you to see your child’s lunch balance and transactions.
More information about our lunch and break time offers can be found here: Lunches
How do I apply for Free School Meals?
If your child was eligible for Free School Meals during their time at primary school, this does not automatically continue into secondary school. You must apply again for Free School Meals before your child joins us in September.
If you're not sure whether your child is eligible for Free School Meals, you can check here: Free School Meals | Eligibility Checker
Further information regarding Free School Meals, and how to apply, can be found on the Manchester City Council website: Free School Meals | Manchester City Council
What time does school start & finish?
The academy offers a free breakfast for all students from 7.30am.
From September, our school day is changing.
- 8.15am: school doors open
- 8.20am: all students should be on site, making their way to form time
- 8.25am: school starts
Finish times: from September:
- Monday–Wednesday: 3.15pm (note – on a Monday & Tuesday, Year 11 only will finish at 4pm)
- Thursday & Friday: 2.30pm
Is there a school bus?
The academy has a dedicated school bus service, the 708, operated by Travel for Greater Manchester.
More information can be found here: Travelling to school
Will my child get homework?
We expect every student to complete homework, every day.
The way we set homework is changing. Updates will be found here: Homework