A Leading Edge School
A Guide For Parents
Going to Secondary School Moving from primary to secondary school is an exciting and significant event in your child’s life. It is also a very worrying time for both you and your child. Your child may be worrying about getting lost, being bullied, forgetting books and equipment, not making friends, completing homework and getting into trouble. You will probably be worrying about all of the above, as well as wondering how best to support and reassure your child whilst at the same time encouraging them to be more independent. You may also be concerned about knowing what they should wear, what they can do for lunch, what you should do if they are ill and most importantly who to contact if there is a worry or problem now that they have so many teachers!! This booklet aims to provide all the information you will need to support your child in making a smooth and problem free move from primary to Alsager School.
SCHOOL MISSION AND AIMS STATEMENT An Achieving School : A Caring Community An Achieving School : Excellence in all we do. Our School believes that it is a place where pupils and staff excel in all aspects of school life. Among our achievements we include excellent performance by pupils in public examinations and we recognise that the pupils’ successes are also successes for their teachers. High expectations coupled with a motivated and well qualified staff play the most significant part in allowing pupils to thrive and succeed. We have equally high expectations for the personal and social development of pupils. This allows us to set and meet high standards of individual and group behaviour. Achievement includes so much more than examination results. We pride ourselves on our achievements in sport, the arts, including drama and music, and the full range of extra-curricular activities which are on offer. A Caring Community : We put people first. We play a significant role within the community. The School prides itself on having a caring outlook. It matters to us that people, whether they be pupils, staff, governors or visitors, are treated properly and with respect. As a caring school we value people for themselves, and provide equality of opportunity. We also look to develop both pupils and staff to their full potential. Alsager is a Co-operative Trust school forming part of Alsager Community Trust. We are committed to working with partners from the Trust and Cheshire East County Council. Our aim is to ensure we provide opportunities for our students and staff to learn or work within the community and to contribute to community life. Quote from the Ofsted Report: The school was judged to be outstanding in a number of key categories including attainment, achievement and care/guidance/support. The school was praised throughout the report with phrases like: “Exemplary and offers excellent support” “high levels of attainment” “pupils relish opportunities”.
Communication Good communication between school and home helps your child do well at school. How do we communicate with you? •
School Website – As we are trying to become more eco-friendly we put more
information on the website, so log on and find out! The website address is www.alsagerschool.co.uk •
Reports – You will get two reports per year about your child’s progress. One is
a report with individual subject comments and the other is a grade and effort mark. •
Parents’ Meetings – During the year there will be opportunities for you to
meet with teaching staff to discuss your child’s progress. Parents of Year 7 pupils will have an opportunity to meet with their child’s Form Tutor during the first half term to get an update of how well they are settling into school life. Parents of Year 7, 8 & 9 pupils will be invited to attend a “Pupil Progress Day” where parents, pupils and their form tutor will meet to discuss in detail the pupil’s progress across the range of subjects. If there are still concerns at the end of this meeting there will be an opportunity to attend an additional meeting to see individual subject teachers at a Parents’ Evening. Parents of Years 10-13 are invited to Parents’ Evenings where they will discuss the progress of their child with individual subject teachers. It is always advisable for students to attend the meetings with their parents to ensure they are involved in the process. •
School Matters – This is the school magazine which comes to you via your
child each term.
Letters - We will always try to keep in touch with you about what is going on in school – the problem is that some of this information disappears to the bottom of your child’s bag or blazer and only appears again when it’s too late! So it is important to ask or check regularly if there have been any letters from school. Important letters and reports will include a reply slip.
•
•
Phone calls - Teachers or form tutors may contact you by phone to let you
know about your child’s progress, good and bad! It is important to keep your phone contacts up to date and give us a number where we can reach you during the day in an emergency. •
E-mail - You can e-mail your child’s College Manager by using their e-mail
address detailed overleaf. Other e-mails can be sent to admin@alsagerschool.co.uk
How can you communicate with us? If you have a concern or query about your child’s education or welfare then contact your child’s Head of College Dod College 7ET 7AM
Head of College
Mrs Rawlins 871103
Email – dod@alsagerschool.co.uk
Royce College Head of College Mr Clegg 7MH 7CP Email – royce@alsagerschool.co.uk Lovell College 7LJ 7SS
Head of College
871111
Miss Gamwell 871108
Email – lovell@alsagerschool.co.uk
Moreton College Head of College Ms Wells 7MW 7HC Email – moreton@alsagerschool.co.uk
871109
If you are not sure who you need to speak to then contact School Reception who will be happy to direct your call to the right person. Tel: 01270 871100
Fax: 01270 871139
The main reception is open from 8.00am until 4.00pm daily. We would urge parents not to contact school outside these hours except in an emergency. Organisers (Two Way Communication) Your child’s Organiser is a great way to communicate with school. You can put in absence notes, put in notes for individual teachers and keep a track on what is going on with homework. It is also a good way for form tutors and subject teachers to communicate with you, so you can see how well your child is doing in class. Make sure you check your child’s Organiser regularly. Attendance If your child is too ill to come to school then please ring into school before 9am to let us know. We are sure that you want your child to attend a school where the number of unauthorised absences remains very low.
Be Prepared One of the biggest changes for your child when moving to secondary school is going from one teacher to lots of teachers (e.g. some pupils can have more than 10 teachers) with different classrooms, books and homework to remember. This can be scary and confusing for both you and your child! Here are a few tips to help make sure your child is well prepared for lessons: •
Make a copy of your child’s timetable (it will be in their Organiser) and keep it on display so you and your child can refer to it.
•
Make sure your child has somewhere to keep their books, a box is good, so they know where to find them.
•
Encourage your child to pack their bag the night before as PE kit and cooking ingredients are hard to assemble during the morning rush! Cooking ingredients are always written in your child’s Organiser at least a week in advance.
•
Make sure your child brings their Famous Five every day; this is a pen, pencil, ruler, eraser and calculator. A Famous Five Checklist is in their Organiser and is regularly checked by your child’s form tutor.
•
Putting a plastic wallet in your child’s bag can prove useful for storing homework sheets and keeping letters and notes all in one place.
•
A good start to the day is important to set your child up for the day. Breakfast is an important part of a good routine. Breakfast Club is available in Learning Support from 8am each day.
•
If you want any more advice on how to support your child in school then please log onto the website, go to the VLE and click on the Learning Support page where there are advice sheets on supporting homework, reading, spelling and boosting your child's memory.
Homework Your child will receive homework regularly. Homework should be written in the Organiser with a due date so your child knows when they have to hand it in. Homework can become a battleground between you and your child. The tips below may help you to avoid this. Make sure your child has somewhere quiet and suitable for completing homework.
•
Try to establish a homework routine so that both you and your child know what has to be done and when they are going to do it. Your child might not want to start their homework as soon as they get home but it is also not a good idea to leave it too late either. Negotiate with your child so you are both happy and the homework gets done!
•
Be prepared to invest time at the start in helping your child establish a good homework routine. Be available to help them with their homework and help them to organiser deadlines and ensure that they pack the right homework for the right day. This will save you time in the future! •
If your child is spending lots of time on homework and seems to be struggling to complete all the work set, then contact your child’s Head of College or College Manager who may be able to offer some more help or advice.
•
Homework can be done in school either by going to the LRC or attending Homework Club. Homework Club runs Monday to Wednesday from Learning Support from 3.15pm until 4.15pm and Thursday from 3.00pm until 4pm. The LRC is open until 4pm Monday to Thursday.
Finally by checking your child’s Organiser regularly, you will know if they are completing the homework set and whether they are coming to school well prepared for lessons.
Headteacher:
Mr David Black
Chair of Governors:
Mr Ian White
Deputy Headteachers:
Mrs Jill Bristow Ms Sonia Cross
Assistant Headteachers: Mr Neil Williams Mrs Andrea O’Neill Ms Katie Phelan Ms Heidi Thurland Mrs Ellen Walton
Complaints Procedure We sincerely hope that you won’t feel the need to complain. Equally we know that we won’t get everything right for everyone. Most parents will find that it is usual to contact the school first to discuss any issues or concerns they may have. There are a number of people in school who should be able to resolve your complaint. However, should this fail, you can put your complaints in writing to the Chairman of the Governing Body care of the school.
Alsager : ‘ An Achieving School: A Caring Community ‘
Learning
Teaching
Environment
People
Arrive on time prepared to learn.
Listen and do not talk when the teacher is speaking to the class.
Take pride in our school.
Take responsibility for our own actions.
Work to the best of our ability.
Follow instructions.
Care for our school environment.
Value all people within school.
Allow others to learn.
Cooperate fully within the classroom.
Treat all property with care.
Care for our school community.
RESPECT
8.40
Wed
Fri
Thurs
8.40
Tues
8.40
8.40 Registration Citizenship
8.40
Mon
1
Period
9.45
9.30
10.45
10.30
10.45
10.45
9.45
9.45
10.45
Break
9.45
Period 2
11.05
10.50
11.05
11.05
11.05
Period 3
12.45
12.30
12.05
12.30 Moreton and Dod
12.10
12.45
12.45
12.45
[Lunch KS3] Form Time KS4
Lovell and Royce
11.50
12.30
12.30
12.05
12.05
12.30
LUNCH
12.05
[Lunch KS4] Form Time KS3
13.10
12.50
13.10
13.10
13.10
Period 4
14.15
13.55
14.15
14.15
14.15
Period 5
15.15
14.55
15.15
15.15
15.15
School Ends
School Day Pattern 2009/10
Uniform SCHOOL UNIFORM GIRLS A black school blazer with cloth school badge. Badges are available from school. No other badges should be worn unless they are connected with school-based awards. School polo shirt in blue (only available from school) A plain white t-shirt may be worn underneath. A black skirt of knee length. A pair of plain black trousers. A plain black fine knit, V-neck jumper, or black school fleece be worn under blazers. The fleeces are available from school. Black or white plain socks or tights. A sensible pair of plain black shoes. Make up is not permitted, nor is jewellery, with the exception of a wrist watch. Earrings are not allowed but ear studs may be worn. Nose studs or eyebrow studs are not permitted on health and safety grounds. Hair ornaments should be practical rather than ornate and hair colour should be natural. PE KIT GIRLS White poloshirt with school logo Navy blue shorts (football style) with school logo Navy blue fleece with school logo White socks Shinguards Trainers Swimming costume and towel
As it is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to have a tattoo we do not expect any of our students below this age to have a tattoo.
SCHOOL UNIFORM BOYS A black school blazer with cloth school badge. Badges are available from school. No other badges should be worn unless they are connected with school-based awards. School polo shirt in blue (only available from school) A plain white t-shirt may be worn underneath. A pair of plain black school trousers A plain black fine knit, V-neck jumper, or black school fleece be worn under blazers. The fleeces are available from school. A sensible pair of plain black shoes. A wrist watch may be worn but jewellery is not permitted. Earrings are not allowed but ear studs may be worn. Nose studs or eyebrow studs are not permitted on health and safety grounds. Hair colour should be natural and no shaved designs are allowed. PE KIT BOYS White poloshirt with school logo Rugby shirt – reversible red/black Black shorts (football style) with school logo Black football socks Short white socks Shinguards Trainers Football boots Swimming trunks and towel
As it is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to have a tattoo we do not expect any of our students below this age to have a tattoo.
UNIFORM SUPPLIERS
The following companies will be stocking our school uniform this year, although certain items of the uniform can be bought at major chain stores like BHS and M&S. The blue polo shirts are only available from school. Blazer badges can also be purchased from the School Office. The following stores will be stocking our P E Uniform:
M.C.S. Uniforms Sandbach Market - situated near to the Public Library (during summer months and the first few weeks of September) Telephone: 0161 445 7740 Hightown Menswear 9a Hightown, Sandbach. Telephone: 01270 767755 National Schoolwear Centres 99/101 Stafford Street, Hanley. Telephone: 01782 272991 We hope that all parents will support our efforts to maintain a good standard of dress at school.
Lunches Our external caters, Aramark, provide school lunches which are very good and always have a big range of filling and healthy options. Details of menus and service times are included opposite. About £2.50 pays for a full meal and a drink. Aramark will be using a cashless system which will involve a finger imprint to access each child’s account. More information will be given to you to let you know how you can top up and add money to your child’s account. An information sheet is enclosed with this booklet. Laura Bennett, the Catering Manager, is happy to discuss any special dietary needs (01270 877294). There are places to eat for pupils who want to bring their own lunch. Year 7 must stay on campus during lunchtimes. Years 8 - 11 need parental permission to go off campus. There is a permission slip for you to sign in your child’s Organiser. There are water dispensers in school for pupils to use. It would be helpful for your child to bring a plastic bottle. This can cut down the cost of lunch!
Service Times Breakfast 8.00 -10.15am Full English breakfast, a selection of hot breakfast sandwiches with hot and cold drinks.
Morning Break 10.30 – 11.10am We will be serving a selection of hot and cold snacks and drinks.
Lunch 12.10pm – 1.10pm International Choice of dishes from around the world. Dishes include Lamb Madras with Boiled Rice. Traditional Our traditional choices known and loved by all. Dishes include Roast Pork, Boiled Potatoes, and Vegetables. Vegetarian For our vegetarian guests dishes include Vegetable Lasagne. Zest A range of freshly prepared sandwiches, baguettes, wraps, and bagels are available from our Zest area. Also available in this area are pasta dishes, baked potatoes.
Steak and Onion Pie
TRADITIONAL Chicken Fajitas
VEGETARIAN
Mushroom Stroganoff with Rice
VEGETABLES Broad Beans Cauliflower
POTATOES Parmentier
COLD SWEET Vanilla Cheese Cake Yoghurt Fresh Fruit Bowl
HOT DESSERT Jamaican Ginger Cake Custard Sauce
Herby Cottage Pie
TRADITIONAL
Pork Goulash with Sour Cream & Rice
VEGETARIAN
Pesto Roasted Vegetables with Tagliatelle
VEGETABLES
Courgettes Diced Swede
POTATOES
New Potatoes
COLD SWEET
Assorted Fruit
Fresh Fruit Bowl
HOT DESSERT
Apple & Sultana Crumble
Custard Sauce
Yoghurt
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
Custard Sauce
Chocolate Sponge
HOT DESSERT
Fresh Fruit Bowl
Apple Caramel Bar Yoghurt
COLD SWEET
Mustard Mash
POTATOES
Sweet Corn Carrots
VEGETABLES
Broccoli Leek and Pasta Bake
VEGETARIAN
Cumberland Sausage in Onion Gravy
TRADITIONAL
Chicken Curry with Rice
WEDNESDAY
TUESDAY
MONDAY
Jam Sauce
Rice Pudding
HOT DESSERT
Fresh Fruit Bowl
Chocolate Mousse Yoghurt
COLD SWEET
Roasted Baby
Custard Sauce
Cabinet Pudding
HOT DESSERT
Fresh Fruit Bowl
Orange Muffin Yoghurt
COLD SWEET
Chipped
POTATOES
Mixed Vegetables
Green Beans
POTATOES
Mushy Peas
VEGETABLES
Quorn Curry with Rice
VEGETARIAN
Deep Fried Battered Cod
TRADITIONAL
Southern Style Chicken
INTERNATIONAL
FRIDAY
Cauliflower
VEGETABLES
Vegetable Paella
VEGETARIAN
Charred Bacon Steak with pineapple Chutney
TRADITIONAL
Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding
INTERNATIONAL
THURSDAY
Health Matters What should I do if my child is ill? Children are sometimes taken ill when they are at school and we have trained staff to deal with this. If your child is too unwell to stay at school then you will be contacted so that your child can be sent home. However, please do not send your sick child to school in the hope that there will be treatment available. There may be a need for us to contact you in an emergency during the day so please let us know if your personal details (phone numbers, home, mobile and work and address) change. Contact School Reception on 871100 to do this. What should I do if my child has an existing medical condition? If your child has a serious medical condition such as a nut allergy or asthma which may require additional help or support in school then please contact the Medical Coordinator, Mrs Preen, who will advise you on how we can help and may arrange to meet with you to set up a care plan with the County School Nurses. Her contact number is 01270 871126. What should I do if my child needs to take medication in school? If your child needs to take medication on a long or short term basis e.g. antibiotics, then please refer to your child’s Organisers which has detailed advice on what to do in these circumstances. If in doubt then please contact Mrs Preen on 01270 871126. Please not ALL medications held in school must be in their prescription labelled box. What should I do if my child has an accident outside school? If your child suffers a serious injury such as breaking an arm or leg then please contact the school as the Inclusion Centre will be able to support your child so that they do not miss out on valuable lesson time. Laptops can be borrowed to take to lessons and pupils with mobility issues can access lessons from the Inclusion Centre which is located on the ground floor. Please contact your child’s Head of College if you need to use this facility, before your child returns to school. For peace of mind, in the event of a serious accident, we are able to offer you a young person’s accident insurance scheme at a considerable discount. This gives all year cover both in and out of school. You will be sent details each September. You will find an application form and details enclosed in this booklet.
Frequently Asked Questions Can my child bring a mobile phone to school? Mobile phones are a useful tool for keeping in touch and letting parents know of any last minute changes. Pupils are allowed to bring mobiles to school but they must be kept switched off and in their bags during lessons. Failure to do this will result in the mobile being confiscated until the end of the day. Mobiles are brought to school at the pupil’s own risk and the school cannot accept any liability if mobiles are lost or damaged. If you need to contact your child during the school day then please ring the School Reception who will pass on a message for you. Can we book a holiday during term time? Legally you are allowed to take your children on holiday for up to two weeks in each school year. We discourage this because we feel that it interferes with learning. If you do want to take your child away from school for a holiday, a request form must be obtained from the College Manager before going away. Do check about external exam dates before booking a holiday. Information about school holiday dates is available in the Parents’ Information section of the website. How can I support school? Many parents, ex-parents and staff want to support the school. There are two convenient ways of doing this. We have a Gift Aid Scheme by which you make a small contribution each month and the school can increase this by claiming back the taxation. This additional income means that it is the very best way of helping us help our pupils. For the more competitive, we have been running a 200 club for 25 years! Parents take out membership at £1 per month and cash prizes are paid out every month. All income from both schemes directly benefits our pupils. Forms are enclosed in your booklet.
How do I get a bus pass for my child? Sometimes Cheshire East-based children will be eligible for a bus pass. If you think your child may be eligible then please contact County Transport at the address below. The County Transport Co-ordinator (School Transport) Rivacre Business Centre Ellesmere Port Cheshire L77 3TL Tel: 01244 603942 Encourage your child to take care of their bus pass as they are expensive to replace (about £10). If your child does lose their bus pass then you need to contact County Transport. How do I find my child’s lost property? Like other authorities Cheshire East will not accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal possessions on its premises. Please check your domestic insurance policy if you want to be sure you’re covered. You can help us look after your child’s property by making sure that everything is marked with your child’s name and encourage your child to take care of their things! Also encourage them not to bring valuables into school. Pupils can have lockers. Ask at the School Reception for details. Despite this we deal with large amounts of lost property. This is sorted weekly and claimed from the school office. What should I do if I think my child has special educational needs? Contact the Head of Learning Support, Mrs Edmonds, who will discuss your concerns with you. Contact her on 01270 871100