SSV Welcome Handbook

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.

Contents

Welcome from Headteacher - 4

Welcome to Senior School Voorschoten - 5

Staying in touch - 6

Student wellbeing - 7

Daily routines - 8

What to wear - 11

What to bring to school - 12

Digital devices - 13

Breadth of Experience - 14

Student health - 16

Promoting positive behaviour - 18

BSN Character Profile - 19

Welcoming new parents to the school - 20

General introduction Years 7 to 13 - 21

Year 7 - 22

Year 8 - 23

Year 9 - 24

Year 10 - 25

Year 11 - 26

Sixth Form - 27

SSV Community Charter - 29

Dear Students

I am delighted to welcome you to The British School in the Netherlands and to Senior School Voorschoten (SSV). I understand the mix of trepidation and excitement that you might be experiencing, which is perfectly normal at times of change. Very quickly I am sure you will feel confident and happy and you will have an incredibly positive and enriching experience with the BSN.

What makes the BSN so special are the amazing teachers and support staff, and diverse and welcoming students. You will find the quality of teaching is excellent, with a friendly and highly knowledgeable teaching body. What strikes me is how engaged and enthusiastic the teachers are for their subjects, with the experience to ensure all of you are supported and inspired to fulfil your true potential. We also have great support structures in place to help you settle in, from tutors, Heads of Year, counsellors and the Health Care Team to make sure you are happy and settled.

The BSN experience is so much more than just academic excellence, as important as that is. There is a huge variety of opportunities and activities outside of the classroom which will help you discover and develop your unique talents, creativity and interests.

Please do take these up, whether joining a sports club, getting involved in drama and creative opportunities, becoming a student leader, debating in the Model United Nations or pushing yourself through the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. I am passionate about the importance of fully embracing these opportunities; you will find something that you enjoy as well as challenges you and will rapidly help you feel part of the BSN community, cementing new friendships.

We celebrate our diverse international community, and the friendships and connections that you forge at the BSN will remain with you for the rest of life. Enjoy the experience, lean-in to the opportunities that are here and you will get the most out of your time with the BSN. If you never feel uncomfortable you know you aren’t truly challenging yourself, but at the same time make sure you are having fun.

I look forward to getting to know you over the coming months and years. Please do ask anyone for help or guidance if you are not sure about anything.

Patrick Heuff Headteacher Senior School Voorschoten

Welcome to Senior School Voorschoten

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 you 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 year are invited to attend a Welcome Day with their family on Friday 1 September 2023. They will have the opportunity to meet the Headteacher and members of staff.

The first day of the school year

On Monday 4 September 2023, staff and student ambassadors will be ready, from 08:30 in the school Atrium, to welcome new students to Senior School Voorschoten. Hopefully most new students will have attended the Welcome Day and will have a good idea of what lies ahead.

Year 7

Students joining Year 7 should go to the school hall on arriving at school for their first day, where Mr Bennett and the Year 7 Form Tutor team will be waiting to welcome them and take them to their form rooms to start the day.

Years 8, 9, 10 and 11

Students joining in these year groups will be welcomed in the Atrium and then shown to their new form room. Form Tutors will be able to answer any questions and help students to access their timetables and their lockers. New students will be supported by other students to help them settle into the school routine and guide them around the building.

Years 12 and 13

New students should meet in the Sixth Form Common Room, situated on the second floor. On the first day a student joins the Sixth Form, they will be shown to their form room and their Form Tutors will explain in more detail, how the Sixth Form operates.

Staying in touch

Day to day communication

The first point of contact for you with school will be your child’s Form Tutor. However, we have lots of other sources of information available.

Compass is the BSN’s password protected intranet. It provides direct, personalised access to Notes Home, the school calendar, approval forms for trips, the family database, 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 regular Notes Home from school to ensure you can keep up to date with news, announcements and events. If you have children in both junior and senior schools, you will receive relevant information from both schools. You will also receive a fortnightly newsletter.

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 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 Head of Year, Deputies or 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

Telephone: 071 560 2222

Email: senior.ssv@britishschool.nl

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 on next page.

In situations where contacting the Form Tutor or Head of Year is not appropriate parents are welcome to contact a member of the Senior Management Team:

Headteacher | Patrick Heuff

Email: patrick.heuff@britishschool.nl

Deputy Head | Vicki Hallatt

Email: vicki.hallatt@britishschool.nl

Deputy Head | James Lloyd

Email: james.lloyd@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 (below) 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 a Parent-Teacher Consultation and regular reports during the year – but there is no need to wait for this to talk to us about an urgent matter.

Nature of message

Please bear in mind though, that staff have teaching commitments and it may be difficult for them to return calls immediately.

School counselling

In Senior School Voorschoten we also provide students with access to a Counsellor who can provide emotional support and advice. Students can make appointments through talking with their Form Tutor, by talking to a teacher, by asking parents to make an appointment, or by contacting the counsellor directly themselves.

Email: school.counsellor@britishschool.nl

A matter to do with a student’s personal wellbeing, for instance friendship issues

An academic matter, for instance about a lesson or homework

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

If you need advice on the best person to contact

The pastoral system

Senior School Voorschoten 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 and is part of a Tutor team led by the Head of Year.

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

Tutors register their form group in the morning. The form meets for a 20 minute tutor period each morning. In this period, students are helped with organisation

Relevant member of staff

The Form Tutor

The subject teacher or Head of Department

The Head of Year, Director of Sixth Form or the Deputy Headteacher

The Exams Office

The School Health Care Officer

The School Office

The Headteacher

The Form Tutor

and planning, as well as the practicalities 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 the Head of Year monitor a large range of issues including: attendance, punctuality, uniform, behaviour and students’ general wellbeing 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. If students arrive before 08:30, they are able to use the Atrium and the Student Café until the bell sounds. At this point, they can go to their Tutor Group rooms.

By 08:45 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 it with their Agenda, to ensure they remain organised. Students soon become used to knowing if it’s Week A or Week B with signs posted around the school as well as the Homepage of Compass.

The School Day

Students have six 50-minute lessons each day. After the first two lessons, students have a 20-minute break and time in the Tutor Groups. This is followed by two more lessons and then an hour for lunch from 12:5013:50. After lunch, there are two lessons before school ends at 15:30. At this point, students can make their way home or participate in the many after school Co-Curricular Activities we offer.

Assembly

Students at Senior School Voorschoten meet regularly for whole year group assembly – this is an opportunity for the Tutors and Heads of Year to consider important topics and themes, to share notices, and to highlight and celebrate students’ successes.

Breakfast, snack and lunch

We have our own cafeteria, which is open from 08:00 and provides hot and cold meals and snacks which students can purchase during the day. The school has a well-supported healthy eating programme during the day, which ensures that the food served is balanced and healthy.

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 Student Café or in the Atrium under the supervision of Student Supervisors.

Attendance

There is a strong link between levels of attendance and educational outcomes.

Students are expected to attend school for entire terms, the dates of which are confirmed 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.

If students need to leave during the school day this will only be authorised in response to a written request from parents/guardians or for another good and sufficient reason. An exception to this rule is made for students in Years 12 and 13 who, provided they sign out, may leave school at break and lunch. All students must sign in and out of school at the school reception.

If students need to attend a medical or other appointment in any year group there must be an email from home to confirm this.

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

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 Basics 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 a Co-Curricular Activity 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 (CCAs) 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 at the front of the school building – please do not stop or wait right in front of the doors to the school.

Arriving by bicycle

Students cycling to school use the rear gate and must not use the main front entrance, which is very busy at the start and end of the day. Once inside the school grounds, bikes should be pushed, not ridden. There is bicycle storage inside school grounds. 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 paramount for us. All students have a locker to store personal belongings. There is a security guard on duty during school hours and a CCTV monitoring system is in place. All visitors, including parents, are required to sign in at Reception, show photographic ID, 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 community 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. Smart uniform is important for ensuring we create the professional working environment we need to help our students to succeed.

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

You 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 in the Basics Handbook.

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

Nail varnish and make up should not be worn in school. Hair colour should be of a natural hair colour. Heads of Year will decide if styles of haircut, as well as beards and moustaches, conform to the school dress code and uniform policy.

Sixth Form dress code

Our Sixth Form students are not required to wear a school uniform. This privilege is balanced by a responsibility to wear clothes which are smart, clean, respectable and appropriate for a professional working environment. Shorts, skirts and dresses should be of an acceptable length and style. Detailed guidance for Sixth Form dress code can be found in Basics: a student’s guide to the Sixth Form – students will receive this digitally at the start of term.

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. The Trutex website sells labels and name tapes.

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 about purchasing school uniform.

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 pens

● Coloured pencils

● Pencil sharpener

● 30cm clear ruler

● Eraser

● Scissors

● Glue stick

● Highlighter pens

● Protractor

● Set of compasses

● Scientific calculator

PE bag

Students may use any suitable sports bag. However, PE bags are available from the Uniform Shop. PE kit is generally brought into school on the appropriate day and then taken home again for washing on the same day.

Water bottle

We recommend students come to school with their own 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 around SSV.

Digital devices

Digital tools are widely used to enhance learning at SSV. 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 SSV 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 child 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. We run regular Parent Sessions to help parents navigate these conversations 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!

Breadth of Experience

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

At the start of the school year, the Senior School holds a Co-Curricular Activities Fair. This event takes place during the school day, and students will have the opportunity to visit various information stands and find out more about the range of activities on offer at the school. 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.

Please contact us if you would be interested in volunteering to support our CCA Programme - you may have skills or knowldge to share or just want to help with supervising a club which is already running.

Student Voice

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

Music

The BSN offers lessons on a wide range of instruments, and also voice. In addition to taking instrumental lessons, there are many different ensembles to join. These include:

● Senior and Lower School Choirs

● Performance Choir

● Jazz, Funk & Soul Band

● Acoustic Guitar Ensemble

● Rock Bands

● Orchestra

● Showstopper Performing Arts Group

● Ukulele Group

● Step Up Theory

● BSN Sessions Record Label Club

Many students also form their own rock bands.

If interested, please contact a member of staff in the Music Department.

Sports tournaments

Students of all ages have the opportunity to participate in competitive sport and represent the school at both local and international tournaments. Students have the chance to participate in a wide range of sports. As students progress through the school, students have a number of opportunities to represent the school against other schools from across Europe and the Middle East competing for the BSN. The school has an excellent reputation for its sporting success and is an active member school of ISSA and ISGA tournaments.

School trips

As part of our school curriculum, there are a range of trips, visits and experiences arranged throughout the year. These link to different subject areas or develop aspects of the character profiles as part of our curriculum content. In addition, we run a range of optional trips - you will receive information about these via Notes Home during the year. 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. The school support four charities with which they have developed strong links.

Service Learning / Community Action Service (CAS)

We encourage all members of our school community to engage in service learning activities - to volunteer and contribute in many different ways to give something back to our community. CAS is a compulsory Core component of the IB Diploma Programme run in our Sixth Form and, while these students often take the lead, we want everybody to be involved. Programmes run in our Sixth Form, all students in Years 12 and 13 are encouraged to volunteer and contribute in many different ways to give something back to our community.

Student health

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

Each of the BSN’s school campuses has School Health Care Officers on site during the day. Their primary role is to look after the health of our students during the school day, and be 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.

The Health Care Office

Our school Health Care Office is open from 08:30–16:30 each school day and is accessible for students who sustain an injury, become ill or need a listening ear whilst in school.

If an illness or injury has occurred outside school hours then your huisarts should be contacted for medical consultation 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.

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 eg; peanuts or milk etc.

All parents are asked to complete a Student Health Record Form on behalf of their son or daughter –it is really important that we have an accurate understanding of the mental and physical 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 diarrhoea, 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 Office staff, 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 Head of School.

● 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.

Let us know ...

Please inform the School Office via ssv.absences@britishschool.nl before 08:45 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 Senior School students are issued with Basics: a student’s guide to Senior School Voorschoten – this handy booklet contains everything students need to know about life at the BSN SSV.

The Basics booklet contains our school expectations and time is set aside at the start of the school year for all students to read and understand this document. Our high expectations are intended to promote self discipline and develop a considerate regard for everyone in our community. We expect good behaviour and respect for others.

The BSN Behaviour Policy 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, lunchtime or after school.

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

● no student should have a mobile phone in view while moving around the school.

● 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.

● mobile phones should never be in view at any time during lessons and tutor times.

● 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

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.

Welcoming new parents to the school

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 uniforms.

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.

What Year Group and Key stage is my child in?

Baseline Testing

During the first term of each Key Stage, all students take a baseline skills test. This assesses key skills that are helpful for progress across the curriculum, such as vocabulary, numeracy, proof-reading and identifying trends and patterns. New students take the test soon after joining. The purpose of baseline testing is...

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

● to provide data for the school to monitor student progress and ensure students are fulfilling their potential.

● to give feedback to Year 10 and Year 12 students on their strengths and areas for development in their learning skills

● to provide a reliable, objective and realistic way of measuring our school’s performance by looking at the progress students have made during their time at SSV.

The tests take approximately one hour and are completed online. 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.

Reports and Parents’ information Events

In September, we will hold Welcome Evenings for all year groups which will serve as introductions to the year ahead.

Over the course of the year, you will be invited to a parent-teacher consultation, as well as receiving a full written report and two shorter interim reports to help you keep up to date with your child’s progress.

In addition to these, we will invite parents into school for a range of activities including performances, yearspecific and social events, and information sessions on topics such as How to support your child in their studies to keeping young people safe online.

Year 7

Head of Year 7

Mark Bennett

mark.bennett@britishschool.nl

Getting started and staying in touch through Year 7

Welcome to Year 7 at SSV – this will be an exciting and full year. You will soon learn that SSV is a very busy place and we want you to make the most of all of the opportunities on offer.

Being organised is a very good way to help you to settle in quickly!

You will make new friends and tackle new subjects that will be delivered by lots of different teachers – this will be a big change for most students. Your Form Tutor will be your main contact if you need to discuss any issues or concerns, or if you want to celebrate your successes!.

The first day of term

Students joining Year 7 should go to the school hall on arriving at school for their first day, where Mr Bennett and the Year 7 Form Tutor team will be waiting to welcome them and take them to their form rooms to start the day.

During the first half term of Year 7, we hold a Welcome Evening for parents. This is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s Form tutor and Head of Year, as well as some other Year 7 parents. Around this time, you will also receive a Settling-in Report which will give you an early indication of how your child has managed during the first weeks of Year 7.

If you have any concerns or worries, please remember that you can always email your child’s Form Tutor in the first instance. The Head of Year will also always be available to support you and your child.

Year 8

Head of Year 8

Kimberley Boersma

kimberley.boersma@britishschool.nl

The first day of term

Welcome to Year 8 - Another exciting year awaits you in Key Stage 3 where you are able to try new things, challenge yourself and develop your learning.

The routines and day to day life at SSV will quickly become familiar to you; allowing you to develop social relationships, build on your prior academic progress and become more involved in the life of the school. We especially encourage you to seek out and try new activities as part of our Co-Curricular Programme.

I know you will have a fantastic time in Year 8. Remember your Form Tutor is your main point of contact. It is important you use their support to your advantage, asking questions, seeking their advice and discussing any concerns you may face.

We are looking forward to a successful and exciting year and I hope you are too.

Students joining Year 8 should wait in the Atrium on arriving at school for their first day until at 08:30. At this point, they will be met by some representatives from Year 8 and Mrs Boersma to help direct them to their new Tutor Group. Form Tutors will help new students by pairing them up with other students who can help them to settle into school routines and guide them around the building.

Staying in touch through Year 8

We will hold a Welcome Event for Year 8 parents in the first two weeks of school in September. Parents are welcome to contact their child’s Tutor at any stage of the year, as part of our Open Door Policy. We encourage you to keep in contact with your child’s Form Tutor. At SSV, Form Tutors see their tutor groups twice a day and are the key adults in our students’ school lives. They can help reassure and work with your child or, if necessary, help them to access support from other members of the SSV team.

Year 9

Head of Year 9

Suzanne Hallett

suzanne.hallett@britishschool.nl

Staying in touch through Year 9

Parents are welcome to contact their child’s Tutor at any stage of the year, as part of our Open Door Policy. We encourage you to keep in contact with your child’s Form Tutor. At SSV, Form Tutors see their tutor groups twice a day and are the key adults in our students’ school lives. They can help reassure and work with your child or, if necessary, help them to access support from other members of the SSV team.

Year 9 is such an important year: it’s the end of KS3 and the year when you prepare to choose your GCSE options. The timetable will be similar to Year 7 and 8 but from this year you will study Single Sciences rather than Combined Science. The whole Year 9 team will work together to make sure this year goes well and that you enter Year 10 confident in your GCSE choices and prepared with good study skills ready to start your new courses.

You will have a great time in Year 9. Your Form Tutor is your main point of contact if you need to discuss any issues or concerns throughout the year. Please remember you are also welcome to come to the Head of Year office at any time for a chat or advice.

We are really looking forward to working with you this year.

The first day of term

Students joining in this year group will be welcomed in the Atrium and then shown to their new form room. Form Tutors will be able to answer any questions and will issue timetables, agenda and locker instructions. Newcomers will be paired with a student in their class who will help you settle into the school routines and guide you around the building.

GCSE Options Process

At the beginning of term, in September, we will hold a Welcome Event for Year 9 parents. During the first term of Year 9, our students will engage in a series of formal and informal activities to help them to make the best choices of subjects to study for GCSE in Years 10 and 11. This culminates in our GCSE Options Evening. At this event in January, there will 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.

Year 10

Head of Year 10

Amy O’Neil

amy.oneil@britishschool.nl

Staying in touch through Year 10

How exciting! Year 10 will provide you with lots of new challenges, fresh opportunities and the start of your GCSE programme. This is a time when you complete important work towards your final GCSE qualification and build the crucial foundations for future examination success in Year 11. You will also have the exciting opportunity to work with many students across different tutor groups and embrace opportunities that enrich your experience beyond the classroom and in the Co-Curricular Porgramme –from Young Enterprise, Music, Drama, Sports and The International Award. There is something for everyone and I trust you will find something that you would like to be a part of.

It is important that you approach this year and your studies seriously, remain organised and always ask for help when it is needed. You can seek help from your teachers, your Tutor and your Head of Year. Remember, we are all here to support you and please try to reach out to us should you have any concerns or issues throughout the year.

We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

The first day of term

Students joining Year 10 should wait in the Atrium on arriving at school for their first day until 08:30. At this point, they can make their way to their new form rooms. If they are not sure where to go, they should wait in the Atrium and we will help them get to the right place. Form Tutors will help new students by pairing them up with other students who can help them to settle into school routines and guide them around the building.

Parents are welcome to contact their child’s Tutor at any stage of the year and we encourage you to keep in contact with your child’s Form Tutor. At SSV, Form Tutors see their tutor groups twice a day and are the key adults in our students’ school lives. They can help reassure and work with your child or, if necessary, help them to access support from other members of the SSV team.

In addition to other progress information throughout Year 10, you will also receive a Settling-in Report which will give you information on the start your child has made to Year 10. Please remember that you do not need to wait for these. If you have a concern, please contact the subject teacher or your child’s Form Tutor.

We will also hold a Welcome Event for Year 10 parents in the first two weeks in September to help you understand more about life in Year 10.

Year 11

Head of Year 11

Nicola Gulliver nicola.gulliver@britishschool.nl

Staying in touch through Year 11

Year 11 is an important year, full of challenges – the year of your GCSEs. It is also such an exciting year as you make your Options choices for what you will study in the Sixth Form.

We will support you and encourage you to be really organised, give you strategies for revision and remind you to continue to balance your academic life with activities beyond the classroom and in the Co-Curricular Activities Programme.

The key to a successful exam year is to stay on top of your work, be organised, focused and remember to ask for help, either from your subject teacher, or your tutor. Your Form Tutor is your main contact if you have any issues or concerns at any point during the year.

We are really looking forward to working with you this year.

The first day of term

Students joining Year 11 should wait in the Atrium on arriving at school for their first day until 08:30. At this point, they can make their way to their new form rooms. If they are not sure where to go, they should wait in the Atrium and we will help them get to the right place. Form Tutors will help new students by pairing them up with other students who can help them to settle into school routines and guide them around the building.

Parents are welcome to contact their child’s Tutor at any stage of the year, as part of our Open Door Policy. We encourage you to keep in contact with your child’s Form Tutor. At SSV, Form Tutors see their tutor groups twice a day and are the key adults in our students’ school lives. They can help reassure and work with your child or, if necessary, help them to access support from other members of the SSV team.

Sixth Form Options Process

During the first term of Year 11, our students will engage in a series of formal and informal activities to help them to make the best choice of Pathway for study in Years 12 and 13. A key time for this is our Sixth Form Options Evening. At this event in November, there will a presentation for parents to explain more about our Sixth Form. 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 choices in January – this allows us to make appropriate timetable and staffing plans for the following September.

Years 12 & 13

Head of Sixth Form

Helen Andrews-Wouters

helen.andrews-wouters@britishschool.nl

Assistant Head of Sixth Form

James Kelsall

james.kelsall@britishschool.nl

The Sixth Form offers students a wide range of opportunities to get involved in leadership roles and contribute to the BSN and wider Dutch community in a really positive way.

University preparation

The two years spent in the Sixth Form are an exciting and challenging time when students are able to concentrate on subjects which they truly enjoy, whilst developing their own ideas and opinions. The Co-curricular Activities Programme for our Sixth Form has a lot to offer – both academically and in terms of music, drama, sport and many other exciting opportunities.

Students are encouraged to participate in a range of activities whilst achieving a balance with their academic studies. The Sixth Form team will help students make the transition from GCSE to the Sixth Form by providing a clear academic structure, while encouraging an openness between Tutors and students. Students are treated as the young adults they are becoming, and we expect high standards in return.

If you or your son or daughter has any issues or concerns throughout the year, their Form Tutor will support and advise, and students are welcome to come and see us in the Sixth Form Office.

The first day of term

New students should meet in the Sixth Form Common Room, situated on the second floor. On the first day a student joins the Sixth Form, they will be shown to their registration room and their Form Tutors will explain in more detail, how the Sixth Form operates.

All Sixth Formers receive a copy of Basics: a student’s guide to the Sixth Form – which contains extensive detail about the school and daily routines. More detail about the range of support offered to Sixth Form students is available on Compass.

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. The Careers programme is designed to ensure that students fully understand all the options open to them and are confident in the decisions they make. Our Careers Department is experienced in supporting applications to destinations all over the world.

Signing in and out of school

Sixth Form students must sign out when they leave the school premises, for whatever reason. If a student has a medical appointment which means they are late for school, or has to leave during the day – a note or phone call from their parents is essential. Without this confirmation, the student will be marked down with an unauthorised absence.

Dress code

As a Sixth Former, students are not required to wear a school uniform. This privilege is balanced by a responsibility to wear clothes which are smart, clean, respectable and appropriate for a working environment. Skirts and dresses should be of an acceptable length and Shorts are permitted only in the summer term and the first half of autumn term, and must be of an appropriate length for a working environment. Detailed guidance for Sixth Form dress code can be found in Basics: a student’s guide to the Sixth Form – shared with students on the first day of term.

Home study

In the Sixth 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.

Keeping in Touch in the Sixth Form

The Form Tutor is the first point of contact for any enquiries or concerns parents might have. Tutors see their groups at morning registration and again at Tutor Time each day.

Parents will receive regular progress information throughout a student’s time in the Sixth Form. However, parents should not feel they have to wait for these. If parents have a subject-specific concern, the best person to contact is the teacher or Head of Department. For more general concerns, parents should contact the Form Tutor.

Have you got a UCI number?

If students have been registered to take exams at their previous school, they will have been issued with a Unique Candidate Identifier (UCI) number. If this is the case, please inform the Exams Office and bring a copy of your GCSE statement of results which contains this information. If you have any queries regarding Exams, please contact the Exams Coordinator at exams@britishschool.nl.