Year 8 Information

Welcome to Plume Academy and Mill Road Campus. As Assistant Headteacher, I am honoured to lead our campus community in fostering an environment where Ambition, Respect, Resilience, and Community are at the heart of everything we do.

At Plume, we believe in:

Ambition: Encouraging every student to reach for their highest potential and dream big.
Respect: Cultivating a culture of mutual respect among students, staff, and our wider community.
Resilience: Equipping our young people with the skills to overcome challenges and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Community: Building strong partnerships within our school and beyond, recognising that we achieve more together.

My commitment is to ensure that these values are not just words but lived experiences for every member of our school community. Together, we will create an inspiring learning environment where every student can flourish academically, socially, and personally.

We aim to provide regular communications with our families to help prepare and guide your child through their time in year. In the meantime, should you have any further questions relating to the ongoing transition process, please do not hesitate to contact me and the Year 8 Pastoral Team on the emails listed below.

I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and ambitious students as we continue to build on Plume Academy's legacy of excellence.

Year 8 contact details

Please see the contact details for the Year 8 pastoral team

MRC Campus Lead: Mr M. Owen - m.owen@plume.essex.sch.uk

Mr J. Chauhan - j.chauhan@plume.essex.sch.uk

Mrs K. Rhodes - k.rhodes@plume.essex.sch.uk

Head of Year and Assistant Head of Year 8: Mr J. Chauhan and Mrs K. Rhodes - year8support@plume.essex.sch.uk

Reporting

All parents and carers will receive a report on their child’s progress three times within the year. Again, the report will provide all parent and carers with your child progress in Year 8 to date attitude to learning.

SEND

Meetings and Visits: For some families, this process is already well under way, and we will continue to meet with you throughout the forthcoming months. The SEND Team will be in touch directly with families with regards to key dates and details.

Mrs H. Hills SENDCo h.hills@plume.essex.sch.uk

Mrs J. Farmer SEND Student Progress Manager (MRC) j.farmer@plume.essex.sch.uk

Mrs S. Archer Second in Charge of SEND, SEND Manager (FRC) s.archer@plume.essex.sch.uk

Extra Curricular PE Timetable

MRC Clubs Timetable

Mr J Chauhan (Head of Year 8)
Welcome to Year 8 – Mill Road Campus, Plume Academy

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Mill Road Campus (MRC) of Plume, Maldon’s Community Academy. This year marks an exciting new chapter for your child, and I am genuinely thrilled to be working alongside you to support their transition into Year 8. Together, we aim to ensure they are well-prepared for their journey into Year 9 at the Fambridge Road Campus. At Plume, we understand how important it is for students to begin Year 8 with confidence and a strong foundation. That’s why we are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive, and enriching environment where every student can thrive. Our core values—Respect, Ambition, Resilience, and Community—are embedded in every aspect of school life. These values shape our culture and guide our actions, helping students grow into confident, responsible, and compassionate individuals. We also place great importance on building strong relationships with our students. The transition to Year 9 at Fambridge Road is a key part of this journey, and we will keep you informed through regular updates and communications. This ongoing dialogue will help you feel connected and reassured as your child settles into life at Mill Road Campus.

We look forward to a successful and rewarding year ahead.

Mrs K Rhodes (Assistant Head of Year 8)

Welcome to Year 8!

As the Assistant Head of Year, my role is to ensure that every student receives outstanding support throughout their journey at Plume. We place great importance on student wellbeing and are fully committed to creating a safe, calm, and nurturing environment. Here, students can access expert guidance and care from our dedicated pastoral team. I also serve as the Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead for the year group. Our school ethos is rooted in the core values of Respect, Ambition, Resilience, and Community. These values are expected to be upheld by all members of the Plume community—staff, students, and families alike. They form the foundation of our culture and empower our students to grow into the best versions of themselves.

Year 8 tutor time (what the LG are expected to do on each day)

Monday - Equipment and Uniform Checks

Tuesday – Careers

Wednesday - Assembly

Thursday – Question the works around us.

Friday – Form Quiz

Extra-Curricular Opportunities at Mill Road Campus (MRC)

At Plume Academy, we are proud to offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities designed to enrich the educational experience of our Year 8 students. Whether your child is interested in the arts, sports, or academic support, there is something for everyone.

We actively encourage students to explore their interests, discover new talents, and build resilience through participation in:

School Productions
Sports Competitions
Christmas Concerts
Educational Trips

Home Learning at Mill Road Campus

We recognise the vital role that home learning plays in reinforcing classroom learning and fostering independent study habits. At Mill Road Campus, our approach to home learning is designed to:

· Strengthen students’ understanding of key concepts

· Encourage personal responsibility and time management

· Support long-term academic progress

Home learning tasks are primarily set via our Satchel One platform. This system provides:

· Clear instructions for each task

· Estimated completion times

· Submission deadlines

· Access for both students and parents/carers

By engaging with home learning, students develop into independent, reflective learners who take ownership of their educational journey.

Year 8 Key Dates

Parents’ Evening is a valuable opportunity to receive feedback on your child’s progress and the positive impact they are making at school. It is very important that you attend and book appointments with as many of your child’s teachers as possible.

Key dates will be confirmed soon.

In addition, we will be holding our Mini-Options event after the New Year. This is an important phase in your child’s Year 8 journey, and we will provide you with full details in due course.

Mrs Rhodes Assistant Head of Year 8

Mr Chauhan Head of Year 8

Mr Owen Head of Mill Road Campus