SSL Welcome Booklet

Useful dates for your calendar

School year 2023 | 2024

Autumn term

Term begins | Mon 4 Sep 2023

Half term | Mon 16 Oct to Fri 27 Oct 2023 (incl.)

End of term | Tue 19 Dec 2023

Winter holidays

Spring term

Term begins | Mon 8 Jan 2024

Half term | Mon 19 Feb to Mon 26 Feb 2024 (incl.)

End of term | Thur 28 2024

Spring holidays

Summer term

Term begins | Tue 16 Apr 2024

School Closed | Thur 9 & Fri 10 May 2024 (Ascension Day), Mon 20 May 2024 (Whit Monday)

Half term | Mon 27 May - Fri 31 May 2024 (incl.)

End of term | Thur 18 July 2024

Summer holidays

Please note: The school day ends at normal time on the last day before half term break. On the last day of term, school ends at 12:00 midday.

Welcome from Headteacher

Welcome to Senior School Leidschenveen

Staying in touch

Student wellbeing

Daily routines

What to wear

What to bring to school

Digital devices

Opportunities outside the classroom

Student health

Promoting positive behaviour

BSN Character Profile

Welcoming new parents to the school

Year 7 –

Dear Parent/ Guardian

We are pleased to welcome your family to the BSN Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL) community. Our philosophy embraces the challenges of academic excellence, responsibility, leadership, friendship and participation in a wide variety of activities while being supportive and understanding.

Our students and staff come from a wide range of backgrounds – the UK, the Netherlands and over 80 other countries. Each member of our community has experience from which we can all learn and be enriched by. Whilst we have collective aims, everyone is treated as an individual, with students being encouraged to use their initiative and develop their own skills and talents.

There will be many new opportunities and experiences that lie ahead for students during their time at SSL. Whether you are new to the Netherlands, new to the BSN or moving up from one of our Junior schools, our aim is to help both students and their families, making the transition as easy and problem free as possible. To help with this we have produced this guide to the useful things you will need to know as your child starts life at the BSN. In addition to this, students will receive a copy of our student’s guide to SSL, called Basics, at the start of term. This is issued to everyone at the Senior School and is designed to provide answers to many of the questions that students ask. In addition, each student’s Form Tutor and relevant Head of Year will ensure that they have all the information they need when they start and will support students throughout the year.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our community. For those families transferring from a different school or country, we invite you to join us at the Welcome Morning arranged just before the start of the Autumn Term, a new student induction event where families will have the opportunity to meet others in this similar situation. Students who join the BSN through the school year will be warmly welcomed when they arrive by the relevant Head of Year as well as their Form Tutor.

In September, shortly after the start of term, we hold an Open Evening for new Year 7 parents which is a chance to meet the relevant Head of Year and the Form Tutors as well as other families in your child’s form and to hear a little about life in Year 7. Other year groups have Parents’ Evenings throughout the year (please refer to Compass for details and timings) and Senior staff will always be on hand to say hello and to answer any questions you may have.

The BSN Family Association holds a regular Coffee Morning at the schools where parents are welcome to drop by to meet other families and catch up on news of life at the BSN.

We do hope that you are now looking forward to the prospect of life at the BSN Senior School Leidschenveen – we are certainly looking forward to welcoming you and your children to our thriving school community.

Kind regards,

James Oxlade Headteacher Senior School Leidschenveen

Welcome to Senior School Leidschenveen

We know that whether you are moving to a new country, starting a new school – or perhaps both –this is an exciting time. At the BSN we do all that we can to help families feel settled and at home as quickly as possible. We are experienced in welcoming newcomers; not only in September, but throughout the whole school year.

You are likely to have lots of questions about school routines and how things work, and what day to day life will be like for you and your family at the BSN. This handbook is designed to help you answer many of those questions, but please remember that if you are unsure about anything at all just need to ask – we will always do our best to help.

Welcome Day

Students who are new to the BSN at the start of the school year are invited to attend a Welcome Day with their family, on Friday 1 September 2023. New students will be welcomed by Headteacher and staff.

The first day of the school year

On Monday 4 September 2023, staff and student helpers will be ready, from 08:30, to welcome new students to the BSN. Hopefully most new students will have attended the induction morning and will have a good idea of what lies ahead.

Students will be shown to their new form room where their Form Tutors will be able to answer any questions and will issue timetables and locker instructions. New students will be paired with another student in their class who will help them settle in to the school routine.

Staying in touch

Day to day communication

Compass is the BSN’s password protected website (intranet). It provides direct, personalised access to Notes Home, the school calendar, approval forms for trips, school news and curriculum information. Compass is our key method of day to day communication with parents. We do not send paper notes home in school bags, but rather use a system of electronic notes and messages sent through this portal.

You will receive a newsletter every half term with highlights from across the campus.

If your child is moving from one of the BSN Junior schools, your Compass details will remain unchanged. Parents who are new to the BSN will receive a temporary log-in with their acknowledgement letter and a permanent, personal log-in within the first couple of days of their child starting school with us. Please be sure to log in and check for news and messages regularly.

BSN Insight

BSN Insight magazine provides an overview of some of the many events, activities and work that has been taking place across the school. The magazine is delivered by post to each BSN family approximately once a year and is available online via the BSN website.

General enquiries

The School Office is at the heart of our busy school–for general questions or for any messages that you need to pass on, the Office staff will be able to help you. Feel free to phone, call in at any time or email us.

If the Office is not able to help you, you’ll be put in touch with someone who can. When noone is available to speak to you, there is an ‘out of hours’ messaging service operating from 16:30 every day – calls are logged as emails and passed on to the appropriate member of staff – we do our best to respond to questions as quickly as possible.

Larger issues or concerns

If your concerns or questions are more serious or confidential in nature, you are welcome to contact the relevant Key Stage Coordinator, Head of Year, Assistant or Deputy Headteacher who will help you as quickly as possible. You can contact the School Office to arrange an appointment or email them directly.

School Office contacts

Office Manager | Ronel Venter Office Administrators | Ronel Pohlmann and Elzaan Botma

Telephone: +31 70 218 3023

Email: senior.leidschenveen@britishschool.nl

Student wellbeing

Parent/teacher communication

The school operates an Open Door Policy for all parents who want to get in touch with the school to discuss any issues or problems. Please refer to the table on the next page to establish who is the most relevant member of staff to contact with a query or concern. In turn, we will contact families if we have concerns.

We have regular Parents’ Evenings throughout the year – but there is no need to wait for this to talk to us about an urgent matter. Please bear in mind though, that staff have teaching commitments and it may be difficult for them to return calls immediately. When leaving a message with the office, please leave a number and the times when it is convenient for a member of staff to call back. You can also email teachers directly. You can find their email addresses on Compass.

We want to encourage a partnership with parents, particularly in relation to your child’s academic learning and personal development. For this reason staff email addresses are open for parents to communicate with individual staff members. We ask you to ensure that your message is sent to the most relevant person – see the table below.

In situations where contacting the Form Tutor or relevant Key Stage Coordinator is not appropriate parents are welcome to contact a member of the Senior Leadership Team:

Headteacher | James Oxlade

Email: james.oxlade@britishschool.nl

Deputy Headteacher | Duncan King

Email: duncan.king@britishschool.nl

Assistant Headteacher | Kevin Sandeman

Email: kevin.sandeman@britishschool.nl

Nature of message

An academic matter, for instance about a lesson or homework

A matter to do with a student’s personal well-being, for instance friendship issues

If a matter is of a serious nature and warrants escalation

Technical examination questions

Medical matters, for instance information about an allergy

Administrative matters, for instance to do with school transport or lost property or sickness absence

A strategic or policy matter

The pastoral system

SSL aims to provide a safe and caring environment in which students will thrive, and an important part of this is the pastoral system. When students join the school they are placed in form groups – each Form Tutor has responsibility for up to 24 students.

The Form Tutor plays an important role in the students’ pastoral experiences and is the first point of contact for students.

Tutors register their form group in the morning. The form meets for a 20 minute tutor period during the day. In this period students are helped with organisation and planning, as well as the practicalities

Assistant Headteacher | Kimberley Jackson

Email: kimberley.jackson@britishschool.nl

Key Stage 3 Coordinator | Dave Wilson

Email: dave.wilson@britishschool.nl

Key Stage 4 Coordinator | Leah Smith

Email: leah.smith@britishschool.nl

Head of Year 12 | Lea-Elyse Adkins

Email: lea.adkins@britishschool.nl

Relevant member of staff

The subject teacher

The Form Tutor

Key Stage Coordinator, Head of Year 12, Assistant Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher

The Exams Office

The School Health Care Officer

The School Office

The Headteacher or the CEO (Heath Monk)

of school life. Tasks are undertaken based on relevant, topical issues, ranging from information about the trips to advice about subject options and careers and university advice.

Form Tutors and Key Stage Coordinators monitor a large range of issues including: attendance, punctuality, uniform, behaviour and students’ general well-being in school.

Homework and academic progress will also be monitored and students will be encouraged to set their own targets and evaluate their outcome over the year. Tutors work closely with other teachers to ensure an enriching and enjoyable educational experience for the students in their form.

Daily routines

The start of the day

The school building is open for students from 08:00 onwards, with most arriving between 08:20 and 08:40. Students arriving at school by bus will be dropped off in the school grounds.

By 08:40 students are expected to be in their form rooms for registration. Late arrivals are required to report to the office and sign in there – if your child’s school bus appears to be running late, there is no need to alert us – the bus company will do this automatically and your child will not be marked as late or absent. A student is deemed late for school if they are not present in their form room by 08:45.

Two-week timetable

The timing of the day and students’ timetables span a two-week period – known as Week A and Week B. At the start of term, students receive their timetable and are encouraged to keep a copy in their locker, as well as a screenshot on their Surface Pro., to ensure they remain organised. Students soon become used to knowing if it’s Week A or Week B.

Lesson and break times

We do not operate a school bell system and students soon adapt to the routine of moving between lessons quickly and efficiently. The end of break and lunch is signified by a whistle blow from the member of staff on duty.

Assembly

Students at the Senior School meet regularly for whole year group assembly – this is an opportunity for the Tutors, the Key Stage Coordinators, Head of Years and Senior Leaders to share important notices and to highlight and celebrate students’ successes.

The School Day

Registration 08:45–08:50

Lesson 1 08:50–09:40

Lesson 2 09:40–10:30

Tutor Time/Break 10:30–10:50 Break (Yrs 7/8/9)

Tutor Time/Break 10:50–11:10 Break (Yrs 10/11/12)

Lesson 3 11:10–12:00

Lesson 4 12:00–12:50

Lunch 12:50–13:50

Lesson 5 13:50–14:40

Lesson 6 14:40–15:30

Catering

The Senior School has its own cafeteria, which provides hot and cold meals and snacks which students can purchase throughout the day. The school has a well-supported healthy eating programme which ensures that the food served is balanced and healthy. Information regarding menus and payments can be found on Compass.

Water is freely available at all times and students are encouraged to have their own refillable water bottles for use throughout the day.

Many students bring their own packed lunch and snack – this is eaten in the lunch space or outside under the supervision of daytime supervisors.

Attendance

If students need to leave during the school day this will only be authorised in response to a written request from parents or guardians or for other good and sufficient reasons. All students should sign in and out of school at the school reception.

If students need to attend a medical or other appointment in any year group they must complete the absence form on Compass from home to confirm this at least 24 hours in advance of the absence.

If a student is unwell at school, they must see the School Health Care Officer before leaving the premises.

Students are expected to attend school for entire terms, the dates of which are published in January for the following September. Leave of absence will be granted only for compassionate or other urgent reasons. Requests for leave of absence must be made as far in advance as possible.

School Bus Service

The school operates a comprehensive bus service for students – various options are available, including a door-to-door service. The bus service works independently of the school and has a strict behaviour policy. Further information on the school bus service is on Compass and the school website.

For more information on the Bus Service, please refer to your Essentials handbook, or Compass. The Transport Department can be contacted on: 070 315 4083 or bsn.transport@britishschool.nl.

The end of the day

At the end of the day, students make their way to their lockers to organise the books and files they need for homework and then move on – either onto the school bus, to Co-Curricular Activities (CCA), the library, or home. Students can be collected by car, but access at this busy time of day, negotiating buses, cars, cyclists and pedestrians, can be a challenge and students must take care.

Going home by school bus

Buses leave promptly, 15 minutes after the end of the school day. Students must always have their bus pass with them. If a student accidentally misses the bus, they will be able to call from the School Office to make alternative collection arrangements with parents and guardians.

After school activities

Please note that students participating in after school Co-Curricular Activities need to have made alternative, independent travel arrangements or be collected from school at the appropriate time.

Parking and drop off

Please be aware of the legal parking signs on the roads around the school. Parents are requested to park sensibly and consider pedestrians at all times. Parents bringing children to school should use the drop off zone next to the school building – please do not stop or wait right in front of the entrances to the school.

Arriving by bicycle

Students cycling to school use the Senior School bicycle racks, which are busy at the start and end of the day. Once on school property, bikes must be pushed, not ridden. There is bicycle storage inside school grounds alongside the Sports Halls. Bicycles must be locked during the day and are the sole responsibility of the owners.

Security information

The security of our students and staff is important to us. There is a security guard on duty during school hours and a closed circuit monitoring system is in place. All visitors, including parents, are requested to sign in at Reception and wear the appropriate badge issued upon sign-in.

In an emergency, such as fire or evacuation of the school, parents will be sent an emergency text message. For this reason, it is vital that the school has up to date mobile phone details for all parents and guardians. Further information and our policy for use of the Emergency Text System can be found on Compass.

What to wear

The Senior School uniform helps to promote a shared feeling of equality amongst our students – a particularly important consideration as we welcome students from a wide range of countries and work to provide them with a sense of belonging. The uniform changes as students move through the Senior School and is compulsory for everyone in Years 7–11. Please take particular note of the regulations regarding footwear. Details of the uniform required can be found on the website and on Compass.

Appearance

Students should wear appropriate school uniform (other than students in Years 12 and 13). The school uniform guide can be found on the uniform page and also in the Basics Handbook.

The School reserves the right to make the final decision as to whether the uniform regulations have been breached.

Years 12 and 13 (The Sixth Form) are not required to wear school uniform. This privilege is balanced by a responsibility to wear clothes which are smart, clean and respectable. The guiding principle is clothing should be appropriate for a professional working environment. Detailed guidance on this for the Sixth Form can be found in their student guide which they receive at the start of the year.

Nail varnish and make up should not be worn in school.

Hair colour should be of a natural hair colour and the style of hair cut as well as beards and moustaches are judged appropriate by the relevant Key Stage Coordinator.

Jewellery

Students with pierced ears are permitted to wear small stud earrings, but these must be removed or covered during PE lessons. Piercings are not allowed on any other part of the body and tattoos must not be visible. Jewellery should not be worn in school.

Marking and labelling

All items of clothing and equipment should be clearly marked with your child’s name.

Where to buy your uniform

The BSN school uniform is supplied by Trutex and is available to purchase on the Trutex website: www.trutex.com/eu

Orders can be delivered to your home address in the Netherlands or to your child’s campus. Before you make your first purchase, you will need to set up your personal account on the Trutex website and enter a specific code for your child’s campus. Please visit Compass for a list of codes and further information

What to bring to school

One of the best ways to ensure that your child feels happy, confident and settled when they start school is to make sure that they have with them all the equipment that they need – your assistance in getting them organised helps greatly. Please make sure that all items are clearly named and labelled.

Equipment

● Pencil case

● Blue/black pen

● Pencils

● Pencil sharpener

● Ruler

● Eraser

● English dictionary

● Pack of colouring pens/pencils

● Scissors

● Glue stick

● Highlighter pen

● Set of low-cost in-ear headphones

Mathematics

● Protractor

● Pair of compasses

● HB or harder pencil

● Scientific calculator (we recommend Casio fx-82MS)

Art

● Coloured pencils

● Small set of watercolours

Design Technology

● Hair band to tie back long hair

● 2B, HB and 2H pencils

● Set of coloured pencils

● Protractor

● Pair of compasses

PE bag

Students may use any suitable sports bag. However, PE bags are available from the Trutex Website (www.trutex.com/eu). PE kit is generally brought into school on the appropriate day and then taken home again for washing on the same day.

Water bottle

In line with the school environmental policy, no paper cups are provided at school. Proper hydration helps to improve concentration levels and water is freely available within the Senior School Leidschenveen.

Digital devices

Digital tools are widely used to enhance learning at SSL. These range from electronic textbooks to virtual field trips, and from instant quizzes to opportunities for students to create digital products. We use technology to support learning of subject content and to develop students’ own digital skills.

Each student at SSL is provided with a Microsoft Surface Pro for their own use. This device functions as a two-in-one tablet and laptop, thanks to a touch-screen, stylus and detachable keyboard with trackpad. Digital tools are used frequently in lessons across all curriculum areas, so Surface Pros must be brought to school, fully charged, every day. Students’ own digital devices may not be used during the school day.

The Surface Pro is provided on a loan basis and must be returned in good condition when your son or daughter leaves the school. A case is supplied to help to protect the device and must be used at all times. Each student is responsible for the care of their Surface Pro. This includes restarting the device daily, installing regular updates when notified and seeking support from IT Services promptly if any problems arise.

We talk with the students about digital responsibility, staying safe online, managing screen time and getting enough sleep. It is really helpful if parents can reinforce the same messages at home. The Surface Pro must be charged overnight to be ready for school the next day, and is for educational use only: no gaming!

Opportunities outside the classroom

Throughout the year there are many events and activities that take place outside the classroom. These vary according to the age group, and also from year to year. Each opportunity provides students with the chance to take on more responsibility, learn new skills or develop existing ones, and assists students to get to know one another and have fun. We encourage all students to take advantage of what BSN has to offer.

Co-Curricular Activities

We have a wide range of activities available, running during lunchtimes and after school. The exact programme of Co-Curricular Activities varies from term to term, but includes choirs, instrumental groups, drama, debating, creative clubs, numerous sporting opportunities and much more. If there is nothing that takes your fancy, it is also possible for new activities to be run if there is sufficient demand from students.

Music

The BSN offers lessons on a wide range of instruments, and also voice. These include:

● Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Baritone, Euphonium, French Horn, Tenor Horn, Tuba

● Guitar: Classical, Folk, Electric, Bass

● Piano

● Singing: Classical, Pop, Jazz

● Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

● Woodwind: Oboe, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet

● Drums

Student Council

During the school year, students have the opportunity to serve on the School Council. This is a great chance to represent the views of the form group and discuss ideas about how to make the school better. The representatives gather ideas and suggestions from their class to take to the meeting, debate these and then feedback to their classmates. Students have the opportunity to meet with members of the Senior Leadership Team every half term to share ideas and discuss developments.

Sports tournaments

Students of all ages have the opportunity to participate in competitive sport and represent the school at both local and international tournaments. Girls hockey, basketball, swimming, girls gymnastics and football are among the sports regularly participating at this level. As students progress through the school the number of such opportunities increases as athletes travel to other international schools around Europe to compete for the BSN. The school has an excellent reputation for its sporting success.

School trips

There are a number of trips and visits arranged throughout the year. Students benefit from a range of experiences which are allied to different subject areas. A summary of all the trips run by the BSN can be found on Compass.

Charity events

During the year students are encouraged to spend time organising and supporting fundraising events to raise money for a charity. These events include bake sales, sponsored events and a variety of performances.

Registration for instrumental lessons is handled via Compass under the Co-Curricular tab.

Student health

Good health is vital to enable children and young people to fulfil their potential.

Each of the BSN’s school campuses has a School Health Care Officer on site during the day. The Health Care Officer’s primary role is to look after the health of our students during the school day, and is responsible for the provision of first aid, health promotion, and administration of necessary medication. For general medical advice, parents should contact their family doctor (Huisarts).

The School Health Care Officer also provides support to students with chronic or complex medical needs. When such issues are identified, they will ensure that procedures are promptly put in place to ensure that the child is not disadvantaged by their condition. This enables those students to develop and flourish, along with their peers, to achieve their full potential in all aspects of school life.

Health Care Office

School Health Care Officer | Ingrid GustafssonHilberink

Email: SSL.Healthteam@britishschool.nl

Our school Health Care office is open from 08:30 each school day and is accessible for students who sustain an injury, become ill or need a listening ear whilst in school.

However, consultation with the Health Care Officer is not appropriate if an injury or illness has occurred outside of school. A medical examination and advice should then be obtained from your doctor in the first instance. If you wish to consult with the Health Care Officer about a medical issue which may be having an impact on your child’s health and schooling you are welcome to ring to arrange an appointment.

Please ensure that you keep the Health Care Officer up to date with any changes with your child’s health. In particular, if they have been injured or sustained a concussion, it is important that the Health Care Officer is aware to ensure their safety in school.

Health record

As soon as a new student joins the BSN, it is vital that the School Health Care Officer is notified of all healthrelated issues such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and allergies – especially if these are related to foods e.g. peanuts or milk etc.

All parents are asked to complete a Student Health Record Form on behalf of their child – it is really important that we have an accurate understanding of the health of all our students and in particular of any specific medical issues. All health information given to the school on this form is treated with the strictest confidentiality and only shared on a need-to-know basis.

What to do if your child is ill

To help us ensure that the school is a healthy environment in which your child can thrive it is essential to follow these guidelines:

● students should not attend school if they are unwell or not fully recovered from an illness.

● in the case of vomiting or diarrhea, students must be kept at home for 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.

● it is important that any change in medical information is given to the Health Care Officer, who will discuss more complex situations with parents.

● notify the school if your child is diagnosed with an infectious disease e.g. scarlet fever, impetigo, whooping cough etc. The information will remain confidential whilst allowing us to notify others and minimise further spread of infection.

● collect your child promptly, once the school has contacted you. Refusal to collect a pupil who has been assessed by the Health Care Officer to be unfit for school will be passed on to the Headteacher.

● if your child is unable to take part in sports lessons because of injury or illness, a letter must be sent to the PE Department detailing the reasons. The School Health Care Officer cannot supply this letter on the request of the student.

● it is vital that any change of address or telephone number is given to the School Office – enabling the school to contact parents promptly in times of illness or injury during the school day.

● in the event of your child being taken ill at school, we will telephone the primary contact on our student information system. If this person is unreachable, we will contact the secondary contact.

Use of crutches

It is important to notify the Health Care Officer if your child has to move with the aid of crutches – they will then ensure that procedures are put in place to assist the student to move safely around the school. This is also very important in the event of any incident which may require the building to be evacuated.

School counselling

In Senior School Leidschenveen we also provide students with access to a counsellor who can provide emotional support and advice. Students can make appointments through the Health Care Office, by talking to a teacher or by asking parents to make an appointment.

Let us know ...

Please inform the School Office via Compass absence form before 09:00 if a student is absent due to sickness.

If no notice is received, the school is required to contact you and, if unsuccessful, to record the absence as unauthorised. Requests for absence due to personal reasons, must be made to the Headteacher in writing in advance. Please refer to the school policy on absence during term time on Compass.

Promoting positive behaviour

At the start of the year all students are issued with Basics: a student’s guide to Senior School Leidschenveen – this handy booklet contains everything students need to know about life at the BSN Senior School Leidschenveen.

Among other things, Basics contains the BSN’s school rules, to which all students are expected to adhere –time is set aside at the start of the school year for all students to read and understand this document.

The BSN has developed a Behavioural Code by combining ideas from staff and students – this can be found on Compass and is the responsibility of us all to ensure that it is carried out. Our Senior School rules are intended to promote self-discipline and develop a proper regard for everyone in our community. We expect good behaviour and respect for others.

Around School we expect students to:

● treat all members of our school community with respect and courtesy at all times.

● contribute to the high quality of the learning experience by ensuring that you are punctual, correctly dressed, well-equipped and behave appropriately.

● be responsible for your own safety and that of

others by behaving calmly and sensibly when moving around the school building and grounds.

● respect the environment of the school and the property of others.

In the Corridors, remember the following:

● as we live in the Netherlands – we drive on the right so we walk on the right.

● only go to your lockers before registration, at break time, lunch time or after school.

● respect the school building and keep it clean and tidy; do not drop litter.

● walk quietly without running and remember good manners and hold open doors for staff and visitors coming the other way.

In the Classroom

● arrive on time with the correct equipment.

● be attentive and follow instructions as they are given.

● enjoy your work and complete it to the best of your ability.

● hand in all homework punctually.

● verify anything you are uncertain of or need making clearer.

● enter each lesson on a positive note.

The BSN Character Profile

We give our students the opportunity to develop:

● Courage

● Perseverance

● Creativity

● Curiosity

● Digital responsibility

● Compassion

● Environmental integrity

● Collaboration

CHARACTER PROFILE

ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY COMPASSION

We are proud that our students demonstrate wellrounded characteristics that enable them to succeed in all aspects of their lives. The BSN Character Profile (below) defines eight attributes that we believe are truly important for a BSN student to develop at the school. Courage, Perseverance, Creativity, Curiosity, Digital Responsibility, Compassion, Collaboration and Environmental Integrity are characteristics embedded throughout our curriculum irrespective of age, year group or campus. Our Character Profile is a powerful tool that not only binds us together as a community, but equips us with invaluable life skills.

DIGITAL RESPONSIBILITY

The BSN Family Association

The Family Association (FA) is the backbone of our community and is run by parents, for parents. They are here to welcome, support, and help you and your family make the most of your time at the BSN. Moving to a new country or a new school system raises many questions and it can be an overwhelming experience. The school can provide a vital community link, offering a chance to quickly make friends and establish an important support network.

The FA includes several teams:

Welcome Team welcomes you and makes the integration into our community as easy as possible. With team members on each campus, they will help answer questions related to everyday living in the Netherlands. Some questions can be covered by the school, and others are better addressed by parents.

Social Team offers a wide variety of informal, social events and activities/workshops to cater to all interests.

Secondhand Uniform Team runs a shop and holds sales throughout the year to help parents acquire affordable uniform.

in the Netherl

Family Association

The International Team aims to make contact with new parents of the same nationality or personal language. A list of representatives from the team can be found on Compass.

By joining the BSN, you are automatically a member of the Family Association and can join any event or activity throughout the year. The weekly parent coffee mornings are a great place to start! The FA also runs Facebook Community groups where you can connect with other parents online. You can find more information about the FA and their activities on Compass, in the Community section.

Proficient-level Speaker Language Programme in Year 7

If your child’s personal language is French, German or Spanish then your son or daughter will be offered one lesson a week with a language assistant. In these lessons, the assistant will give special attention to their particular needs and will provide lessons that assess their current level in each skill. These tasks will help them to prepare for our Personal Language Programme (PLP) that will start in September of Year 10 and will allow them to sit a GCSE in Year 11.

If your child’s personal language is Dutch, then they will normally be placed in the top Dutch set.

Proficient-level Speaker Language Programme in Year 8 and Year 9

If your child’s personal language is French, Spanish or German then we provide a special bridging course for your child. This course is taught by Proficient speaker foreign language assistants and is normally taught at lunchtime or after school. The course will allow them to keep the current level of their personal language so that you can join our PLP in Year 10 that will allow them to prepare for GCSE in Year 11.

If your child’s personal language is Dutch, then they will normally be placed in the top Dutch set.

Year 7 Reporting and progress

An overview of what you can expect for every Senior School year group can be found in the Curriculum Information handbook which can be found in the Year Group information pages of Compass.

Welcome evening

For Year 7 parents, we hold a Welcome Evening in early September. This is important as it gives you the opportunity to make contact with Form Tutors and the Head of Year and other staff.

Settling-in

During the first term in Year 7 we issue a Settling-in Report, which gives parents an early indication of how their child has managed the first few weeks. This is given to parents in October a week before a Tutor Consultation Evening where parents have a chance to meet and talk to Tutors about any issues or concerns.

Reporting

An Assessment and Progress report will be sent out at the end of the first term which will be followed by a Parents’ Evening which we expect students to attend. This is a formal opportunity for parents/guardians to discuss their child’s progress with their teacher.

A second Assessment and Progress report will be sent out toward the end of the Spring Term and a full report (a longer report with comments from teachers) is issued at the end of the year. Another (Invitational) Parents’ Evening is held early in the summer term. Parents and students are only invited to attend if there are specific issues arising allied to subject areas; if parents do not receive an invitation to attend, there should be no cause for concern.

MidYIS Testing in year 7

During September, Year 7 students will take part in MidYIS Tests. The purpose of these tests is threefold:

● to help us assess a student’s potential more effectively.

● to provide data for the school to monitor student progress.

● to provide a reliable, objective and realistic way of measuring our school’s performance by looking at what ‘value’ we have added during a given period of education.

The tests take approximately 50 minutes and are made up of seven elements: Mathematics, vocabulary, perceptual speed and accuracy, cross-sections, proof reading, block counting and picture tests. As they are not related specifically to the curriculum, there is no need for revision and no need to be unduly concerned about them. The results are used internally and are not published.

Trips and Activities

During the year the school suspends the timetable for individual trip and activity days and again in July for a trips and activities week for all students in Year 7. These off-timetable events are designed to support and enrich the curriculum.

Year 8 Reporting and progress

Senior School Leidschenveen operates an Open Door Policy. Parents are encouraged to contact the school with any concerns or questions through the year –please don’t wait for a Parents’ Evening. An overview of what you can expect for every SSL year group can be found in the Curriculum Information handbook which can be found in the Year Group information pages of Compass.

Reporting

An Assessment and Progress report will be sent out towards the end of the first term which will be followed by a Parents’ Evening which we expect students to attend. This is a formal opportunity for parents and guardians to discuss their child’s progress with their teacher. A more detailed, full report with comments from teachers is issued at the end of the Spring Term and a further Assessment and Progress report is issued at the end of the Summer Term.

MidYIS Testing in Year 8

During September, Year 8 students who have not been tested at the BSN before, will take part in MidYIS Testing. For more details please refer to the beginning of this page.

Trips and Activities

In July and at various points during the year the normal school timetable is suspended and there are opportunities for all students in Year 8 to partake in trips and activities that aim to support and enrich our normal curriculum.

Year 9 Reporting and progress

Senior School Leidschenveen operates an Open Door Policy. Parents are encouraged to contact the school with any concerns or questions through the year –please do not wait for a Parents’ Evening. An overview of what you can expect for every Senior School year group can be found in the Curriculum Information handbook which can be found on the Year Group information pages of Compass.

Options evening

This normally takes place at the end of January, and takes the form of a presentation on how to make wise GCSE subject choices. This will be followed by the opportunity to talk to specialist GCSE teachers about the content of their course to help students make the right decisions. Students will have some time to consider their options before advising us of their subject choices in February – this allows us to make appropriate timetable and staffing plans for the following September.

Reporting

Students are assessed continuously whilst at Senior School and we aim to regularly talk to parents and students about their progress. Students will talk to their Form Tutors and subject teachers and, at certain times, we send home reports and invite parents with students, to discuss how they are doing.

A full report will be sent in December. Parents and students will then be able to attend an Parents’ Evening in January. This is followed by an Assessment and Progress report at the end of the second and third term.

Our Invitational Parents’ Evening is held early the Summer Term. Parents and students are invited to attend and discuss specific issues allied to key subject areas; if you do not receive an invitation, there should be no cause for concern.

MidYIS Testing

During September, Year 9 students who have not been tested at the BSN before, will take part in MidYIS Testing. For more details about MidYIS Testing please refer to the Year 7 information on page 21 of this handbook.

Trips and Activities

During the year the school suspends the timetable for individual trip and activity days and in again in July for a trips and activities week for all students in Year 9. These off-timetable events are designed to support and enrich the curriculum.

Yellis Testing

During the Autumn term, Year 10 and 11 students will take part in Yellis Testing. The purpose of these tests is threefold:

● to provide extra data to monitor student progress more effectively and ensure students are fulfilling their potential.

● to provide information to help the students make evidence-based judgments about appropriate GCSE target grades that they set for themselves.

● to provide a reliable, objective and realistic way of measuring our school’s performance by looking at what ‘value’ we have added during a given period of education.

The tests take approximately one hour and consist of both a numerical and verbal section. As they are not related specifically to the curriculum, there is no need for revision and no need to be unduly concerned about them. Results are published to students and parents and are used by the students to inform the target grades they set for themselves.

Careers

As students work on their GCSEs, it is important to maintain a focus on further and higher education and careers options. Careers forms part of the Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) programme and the school runs a Higher Education and Careers Fair during the year, to which students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are encouraged to attend. In past years, Universities present have been from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain and the USA.

Trips and Activities

In July and at various points during the year the normal school timetable is suspended and there are opportunities for all students in Year 10 and 11 to partake in trips and activities that aim to support and enrich our normal curriculum.

Proficient-level Speaker Language Programme in Year 10 and Year 11

If your child’s personal language is French, Spanish or German then we provide a special two year bridging course. This course is taught by proficient speaker language assistants and is preparation for taking the GCSE at the end of Year 11. Students are expected to attend regularly throughout the two years. For each two-week timetable cycle, one lesson happens at lunchtime (or after school) and the other during one of the PE lessons.

If students’ personal language is Dutch, then they will normally have PSHE lessons taught in Dutch.

Year 10

Reporting and progress

Senior School Leidschenveen operates an Open Door Policy. Parents are encouraged to contact the school with any concerns or questions through the year –please do not wait for a Parents’ Evening. An overview of what you can expect for every Senior School year group can be found in the Curriculum Information handbook which can be found on the Year Group information pages of Compass.

Students will have the same Form Tutor and Key Stage Coordinator for these important two years as students tackle their GCSEs.

The Tutors and Key Stage Coordinator are there to help students through problems which may arise, as well as sharing successes and achievements. Tutors meet their classes first thing every morning for registration, as well as for 20 minutes each day for tutor time. Newcomers will be paired with a student in their class who will help them settle into the school routines and guide them around the building.

Reporting

Students are assessed continuously whilst at the Senior School and we aim to talk regularly to parents and students about their progress – this is particularly important in Years 10 and 11, critical exam years. Students will talk to their Form Tutors and subject teachers and we send home reports and invite parents with students, to discuss how they are doing.

During the first half term in Year 10 we issue a Settling-in Report, which gives parents an early indication of how their child has managed the first few weeks of the GCSE courses. There follows a Consultation Evening where parents have a chance to meet and talk to Tutors about any issues or concerns.

An Assessment and Progress report will be sent out at the end of the first term which will be followed by a Parents’ Evening in the second term where we expect students to also attend. This is a formal opportunity for parents and guardians to discuss their child’s progress with their teacher.

A second Assessment and Progress report will be sent out towards the end of the Spring Term and a full report (a longer report with comments from teachers) is issued towards the end of the year.

Year 11 Reporting and progress

Parents are encouraged to contact the school with any concerns or questions through the year – please don’t wait for a Parents’ Evening. An overview of what you can expect for every Senior School year group can be found in the Curriculum Information handbook.

Year 12 Options Evening

This is scheduled for November and takes the form of a presentation on how to make wise IBDP and IBCP subject choices. This will be followed by the opportunity to talk to specialist teachers about the content of their course to help students make the right decisions. Students will have some time to consider their options before advising us of their subject choices in December – this allows us to make appropriate timetable and staffing plans for the following September.

Reporting

Students are assessed continuously whilst at the Senior School and we aim to talk regularly to parents and students about their progress – this is particularly important in Years 10 and 11, critical exam years. Students will talk to their Form Tutors and subject teachers and we send home reports and invite parents and students to discuss how they are doing

Students will be given a Full Report in November, designed to keep students on track for their Mock exams and of course their GCSEs. The Mock GCSE Exams are in January, after the Winter holiday and an Exam Report follows in February and is accompanied by a Parents’ Evening, where you will be able to discuss next steps as your child heads into a period of revision. The actual GCSE exams occur in May and June, and students are provided with a timetable when the exact schedule is published by the Examination Boards.

Year 12 Reporting and progress

Senior School Leidschenveen operates an Open Door Policy. Parents are encouraged to contact the school with any concerns or questions through the year; please don’t wait for a Parents’ Evening.

An overview of what you can expect for every Senior School year group can be found in the Curriculum Information handbook which can be found on the Year Group information pages of Compass.

Reporting

For parents in Year 12, there will be a Welcome Evening early in the Autumn Term, followed by an Assessment and Progress report later in the term. Around this time, you will also be invited to attend an online Parent Consultation Evening. We run these over SchoolCloud (guidance on how to use this is available via Compass) and this will give a formal opportunity for parents to discuss their child’s progress. There is another Assessment and

Careers

Consolidating and developing students’ personal and academic profiles prior to university application is a key element in careers education and guidance in the two Sixth Form years. As students work on their IB pathways, it is important to maintain a focus on further and higher education and careers options.

Careers forms part of the Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) programme and is designed to ensure that students fully understand all the options open to them and are confident in the decisions they make. The school runs Higher Education and careers fairs during the year, to which students in Year 12 and 13 are encouraged to attend. In past years, universities present have been from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain and the USA.

Our Careers Department is experienced in supporting applications to destinations all over the world.

Trips and Activities

In July and at various points during the year the normal school timetable is suspended and there are opportunities for all students in Year 12 to partake in trips and activities that aim to support and enrich our normal curriculum.

CEM IBE Testing in Year 12

During the Autumn term, Year 12 students will take part in CEM IBE Tests. The purpose of these baseline tests is threefold:

● to provide extra data to monitor student progress more effectively and ensure students are fulfilling their potential.

● to provide information to help the students make evidence-based judgments about appropriate IBDP/ CP target grades that they set for themselves.

● to provide a reliable, objective and realistic way of measuring our school’s performance by looking at what ‘value’ we have added during a given period of education.

The tests take approximately 50 minutes and are made up of seven elements: Mathematics, vocabulary, perceptual speed and accuracy, cross-sections, proof reading, block counting and picture tests. As they are not related specifically to the curriculum, there is no need for revision and no need to be unduly concerned about them. The results are used internally and are not published.

Home study

In the Sixth Form Form students are expected to continue to develop as independent learners. Sixth Form students are offered the option to have Home Study periods. The amount, and time varies according to the year group.

Please note: students must stick to the Home Study period agreed and always sign in and out of school.

Students in Year 12 will be entitled to one home study period a week dependent on their timetable. In Year 13, students may be able to have two Home Study periods per week. Students must earn their entitlement to Home Study periods and the time, once set and agreed, does not vary – permission for Home Study leave can be retracted if necessary.

Please note, Home Study periods may not be possible due to a student’s timetable of subjects taken.