Your first day starts in...

FAQs and Useful Information

We've compiled some of the most common questions we get from our new starters below. You may find it useful to have a look through these before you start with us in September.

If you have any further questions that are not answered within our New Starters Information Portal, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Transition Team: transitions@ths.uk.net

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the timings for Induction Day & Meet the Tutor Evening

Students should arrive for Induction Day on Wednesday 2 July 2025 at 8.30 am. The day will finish at 2.25 pm.

Please arrive at 5.30pm for Meet the Tutor Evening. Here, you will have the opportunity to attend our Headteachers Presentation and meet your child's new tutor. The evening will finish at 7.00 pm.

Further information regarding these events will be emailed to you in June.

How will I receive communication from Tanbridge House School?

We use email to communicate with families, which we send through Bromcom, our data management system. These are sent to your named contact number one, plus any other contacts who have requested communication if they have parental responsibility for your child.

These emails will come arrive in your inbox from 13398@bromcomcloud.com. We recommend adding this email address to your contacts to avoid missing any important updates or announcements.

You may also receive emails or phone calls from individual teachers/members of staff where appropriate i.e to discuss matters relating specifically to your child. These will come from a staff member's individual THS email addresses or the school phone number.

Who should I contact if I need to speak to someone about my child?

If you wish to discuss a matter relating to the Transition process, please email the Transition team at transitions@ths.uk.net.

Once your child has started with us, we recommend getting in touch with their tutor or one of the Year 7 team as the first port of call.

You can find more information about the year group team through our Key Contacts page. Alternatively, a list of all staff contacts can be found on our Staff Contact page.

Who should I contact with any medical queries?

We have a dedicated Medical Suite staffed by qualified first aiders. The team are happy to discuss and advise on any medical matters relating to your child.

Please email medical@ths.uk.net or call 01403 263628 and ask for the Medical Suite.

How do students purchase food in the canteen?

Like many schools, we use a cashless system (ParentPay) for students to pay for their food in the canteen. Families credit their child's ParentPay account and students can then purchase items using scanners which read the unique patterns on their fingertips.

All new students are registered for ParentPay automatically (unless you have opted out) and all parents/carers are required to complete a Biometric Consent form in order for students to use this service - this is part of the admission form that you will complete when you accept your child's place at THS.

How do I sign up for a Parent Pay account?

In July, we will email all new starters with a ParentPay activation letter. This will contain your unique username and password and full instructions on how to set up an account.

What is Operoo?

Operoo is the system we use for to collect information from you - it replaces the need for physical paperwork/forms and minimises the risk of losing letters and consent forms in the bottom of bags! It also ensures we always have a record of the consent and information you provide.

We use Operoo right from the start of your journey with us, as you will need to complete your Admission form through Operoo when you accept your child's place with us. It is also used to provide consent for trips and in school activities and to collect medical information.

Any information you provide through Operoo is completely secure and is only visible to administration staff within the school.

How will my child know which applications or websites to use to access schoolwork and homework?

As well as some guides that we have created to help families get to grips with the different apps and platforms that we use at THS, new Year 7 students will also have at least two IT lessons which are dedicated to helping them get started with IT at THS.

These lessons will help students get started with things like Microsoft 365 (Outlook for emails, OneDrive for storage), the Bromcom Student Portal (for accessing set homework), the THS Student Portal (lots of useful information for students) and more.

Teachers will also provide full instructions for students if they need to access certain apps to complete their homework (Seneca, Maths Watch etc)

How does the school set their tutor groups?

Before students start with us in September, we ask their primary school to give us three friendship choices for each student. Every student is placed in a tutor group with at least one of their friend choices when they start at THS so everyone will have someone they know in their tutor group.

Students are spread across three bands, T, H & S. In each band there are four tutor groups with approximately 25 students in each. Classes are taught within these bands, so students will always be taught with other T, H or S band students (this does change as they start to study options subjects in Year 9).

When will I find out which tutor group my child is in?

Students will find out their tutor group at the start of Induction Day, when they arrive.

At the beginning of Induction Day, students will be registered and informed of their tutor group before they are taken to the Main Hall for our Headteacher’s assembly.

Students will then spend the day with their tutor group and they will bring home a letter to confirm their tutor group, band, house/tie colour and language option (see below).

What languages will my child learn in Year 7?

All students will study French alongside either German or Spanish.

In September 2025, two bands (see above) will be studying German alongside French, and one band will study Spanish. Students will be notified which language option they will be studying in Year 7 on their Induction Day in July.

If you have completed a compelling reason statement for your child to study a specific language, then where possible your child will be placed in the band based on your language choice.

How can my child rent a locker?

All students have the opportunity to rent a locker for their five years with us at THS. Lockers are useful for storing heavy books, PE Kits etc.

Lockers cost £5 to rent for students' and this covers their entire five years at THS. Details of how to secure and pay for a locker will be emailed out in July. Students will then receive their locker key at the start of term (September).