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Year 7 Information September 2025

We are really excited about welcoming your children to Great Baddow High School to begin the second stage of their learning journey.

This page will be updated regularly as a useful source of information to compliment any that is sent to your home or communicated via primary schools.

Initially we would like to draw your attention to the 'Information for Parents' booklet which provides important information that you should be aware of before your child joins us in September 2025.

Arbor Parent Portal

Arbor is a simple, smart and cloud-based Management Information System, which we have introduced at Great Baddow High School to help us work faster, smarter and more collaboratively with our parents.

You can log into Arbor to see and update your child’s information, get live updates and make payments or bookings on the go!

There is an 'Arbor App' you can download on your phone and a 'Parent Portal' you can access on the internet, through which we can keep you informed about your child’s life at school in a much more accessible way.

Find out more about the Arbor Parent Portal here.

School Uniform

It is our aim that students should develop a sense of pride in their work, behaviour and dress. Therefore, a high standard of personal appearance is expected of all students.

Find out more about our school uniform requirements here.

An option to buy 'Pre-Loved' uniform is available. Further details can be found here.

Our House System

At Great Baddow High School each tutor group is attached to one of three houses. The houses are represented by three inspirational individuals who have outstanding life achievements and have given back to society;

The house each student is allocated to is represented by the letter in their tutor group:

A = Attenborough

H = Hawking

E = Ennis Hill

View more information about our House System here.

Library

Find out more about the library at Great Baddow High School here.

Reading is very important at Great Baddow High School. Our Summer Reading Challenges include reading books, activities linked to books you enjoy reading and reading to find out information.

You can do one or all of the challenges. One credit per completed challenge and five credits if all four challenges are completed (only one of each challenge per student).

Email your completed challenges to library@gbhs.co.uk (make sure you include your name and tutor group) or bring into the library when you come in September. Credits for each completed challenge.

Summer Reading Challenges Information.

Author Fact File summer Reading Challenge.

Book Cover Summer Reading Challenge.

Fun Fact Summer Reading Challenge.

Reading in Unusual Places Summer Reading Challenge.

One to One Music Lessons

At Great Baddow High School, we are pleased to offer students the opportunity to learn a variety of instruments through our team of peripatetic music teachers.

Our teachers are provided through Essex Music Education Hub or are freelance professionals we have personally appointed. The lessons take place within the school day and are taught in the music department using our facilities. Students receive weekly lessons during each school term in blocks of ten lessons. Lesson times are rotated to avoid students missing the same lesson and assessments. Students can find their lesson times one week before their scheduled lesson on the dedicated noticeboard in the music department. We also put reminders on the school registers to support students with remembering to attend their one-to-one lessons.

View more information on One to One Music Lessons here.

Free School Meals

If you are currently receiving Free School Meals, please be aware that you will need to reapply before your child starts at Great Baddow High School. It will not automatically transfer from your primary school. View information here.

Public Transport to School

Did you also know that if you are eligible for Free School Meals you may also be entitled to public transport to school?

Transport assistance can be provided if your child is attending one of the nearest three secondary schools providing they are between two and six miles from your home address by the shortest available route.

Apply on line by visiting www.essex.gov.uk/schooltransport .

School Bus

If you are interested in applying for a seat on one of the school contract buses, please contact Stephensons of Essex - view the information on our website here.

Contact Information

Should you have any questions regarding transition please do not hesitate to contact us via email through the main school office admissions@gbhs.co.uk.