The Purcell School Parent Handbook

ThePurcellSchoolisacompanylimitedbyguarantee(CompanyNo 759327),andalsoaregisteredcharity(Charity No.312855).TheSchoolisregulatedbytheDepartmentforEducation(www.education.gov.uk)andinspectedby theIndependentSchoolsInspectorate(www.isi.net) TheGoverningBodyistheowneroftheSchool Thecurrent ChairoftheGoverningBody,DrBernardTrafford,canbecontactedthroughtheClerktotheGovernors,theBursar, AdamWroblewski(awroblewski@purcell-schoolorg)

ThePurcellSchool AldenhamRoad Bushey Herts WD232TS wwwpurcell-schoolorg

SchoolOffice&GeneralEnquiries: Tel:01923331100 Fax:01923331166 Email:info@purcell-schoolorg OR schooloffice@purcell-schoolorg

PrincipalʼsOffice: Tel:01923331104 Email:principal@purcell-school.org

Bursar: Tel:01923331127 Email:awroblewski@purcell-schoolorg

ThenameandjobtitleforallcurrentmembersofstaffarelistedontheSchoolwebsite: www.purcell-school.org/about-us/staff-list

Alistofemailaddressesandtelephonenumbersforstaffissenttoallparentsatthebeginningofeachacademic year

AtThePurcellSchoolwebelieveeveryindividualstudentisspecial,iscapableofextraordinaryachievementand hasarighttoexpectoutstandingsupportineveryaspectoftheirschoollife Wewanteveryoneofourstudentsto besafe,healthyand,perhapsmostimportantly,happy Allofourstaffarecommittedtoensuringthatyoursonor daughterhasanexceptionalexperiencehere;wewantthemtocreatememoriestheywilltreasurefortherestof theirlives! Therelationshipweformwithyouasparentsisavitalpartofsupportingstudentsandyoumustalways feelthatyoucancontactustoshareinformation,toaskquestionsand,inparticular,todiscussanyconcerns Iwill alsoberemindingstudentsthattheythemselvesshouldneverbeembarrassedorreluctanttoshareanyworriesor concernswithus;wearehereforthemandwillalwaysrespondwhenastudentasksforourhelporadvice.Iwould begratefulifyoucouldalsoreinforcethisimportantmessagethroughouttheyear

Thishandbookaimstoprovideinformationyoumightneedduringastudentʼstimeattheschool Itisnot comprehensive,butitcoversmostofthemainissuesthatusuallyariseandgivesaflavourofthehowtheschool operates Forconvenience,thelatestversionofthishandbookisalsoavailableontheSchoolwebsite: https://www.purcell-school.org/school-life/other-documents/

ThePurcellSchoolisafriendly,vibrantandhappyplace Ifyouaretheparentofanewstudent,restassuredthat theywillsoonmakefriendsandflourish Ifyouaretheparentofareturningstudent,youcanbeassuredofour continuedcommitmenttoexceptionalprovisionandcare.

PaulBambrough Principal MISSIONSTATEMENT

Mission

ThemissionofThePurcellSchoolistoprovideyoungmusicianswhodemonstratethepotentialtobecome exceptional(irrespectiveofbackground)withoutstandingteachingwithinasupportiveschoolenvironmentandto equipthemwiththeself-confidence,adaptability,maturityandperspectivetosustaintheirprofessional developmentandpersonalfulfilmentthroughouttheirlives.

Aims

● Tosustainasafe,happyandhealthyenvironmentinwhichallcanflourishmusically,academicallyand emotionally

● Todeliveroutstandingmusicalandacademiceducation

● Toprovidearangeofhigh-profileanddevelopmentalperformanceopportunities

● Todeliverpersonalisedpastoralcareandsupportsothattheindividualneedsofeachstudentaremet

● Toprovideaccesstomusicalopportunityandwidenparticipationinareaswherethisisespeciallydifficult

● Maintain(asfarasispracticallypossible)openaccessbyadmittingstudentssolelyontheability,not accordingtofinancialmeans

A1:THESCHOOLDAY

Forboarders,theschooldaybeginswithearlymorningpractice(for studentsinY7-Y11),followedbybreakfastat 8.20am.

Daystudentsshouldnotbeinschoolbefore800am,andshouldleavethepremisesnolaterthan400pm(Yrs7-8) or600pm,unlesstheyarerequiredtostayforanorganisedschoolactivitysupervisedbyamemberofstaff In exceptionalandoccasionalcircumstances,permissiontostaylateratschoolisatthediscretionofthe houseparentandmustbesoughtinadvanceandconfirmedinwriting(textoremailisfine) Daystudentsmust alwayssigninwiththeirhouseparentonarrivalatschoolinthemorning,andmustalwayssignoutfromtheir housebeforeleavingschoolattheendoftheday.

DailyRoutines(weekdays):

Classroomlessonsstartontimeandfinish3minutesearlywhenfollowedbyanotherlesson Assembliesand tutorialsstartat840am

BOARDERS

DAYSTUDENTS

Assemblies,TutorPeriod,LessonsorMusicBlock-seebelow 10.20am Break– inthedininghall 10.40am Lessons 12.40pm+1.10pm LunchinthedininghallORLunchtimeConcert Registration,byHouse,intheDiningHall 140pm Lessonsbegin 340-400pm Break–inthedininghall 4.00-5.00pm Y9-Y13:MusicBlock(MonandWeds), Lessons(TuesandThurs) Y7-Y8:Freetime,Prep

840am

6.00pm+6.30pm Supper andregistrationinthedininghall

AvisonDaystudentssignoutandleave by400pmunlessattendinga staff-supervisedactivity

SeniorDaystudentssignoutandleave by600pmunlessattendingastaffsupervisedactivity

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DAYSTUDENTSINFORMATION

ArrivingandDepartingSchool:

8am–8:40am

ArriveatschoolandregisterinHouses

1:10–1:20pm AllstudentsregisterintheirrespectiveHouses

4pm AvisonYear7-8StudentssignoutinHouseandmustbecollectedby4pm 5pm Year9StudentssignoutofHouseandmustbecollectedby5pmunlesstheyareattendinga staffsupervisedactivityandhavearrangedtostaylater 5pm Year10-13studentssignoutofHouseandleaveby6pmunlesstheyareattendingastaff supervisedactivityandhavearrangedtostaylater

BOARDINGHOUSEROUTINES

BedtimeRoutine(Monday–Friday)

A V I S O N

8.20pm Yrs7-8:Meetinthe CommonRoom→ handin electronics

Allinroomsby830pm –readorquiettime.

WeekendRoutines

Y9Freetime→handin electronics Lightsout

S E N I O R H O U S E S

9.45pm Y10/11backinhouse→ phoneshandedin →Upstairs 9pm Lightsout(Y7-8) 10.00pm Y12/13backinhouse 8.30pm930pm 945pm

10.15pm 1045pm

Y10/11 Lightsout Y12//13 Upstairs Y12&13 Bedtime

TherearenopreptimesonFriday,SaturdayorSundayeveningsandthereisnoearlymorningpracticeon SaturdayorSundaymornings

S A T U R D A Y

9.00am Breakfast S U N D A Y

9.30am Registration 9.30am–12.30pm Brunch 930am Saturdaymorningactivities -RegisterinDiningHall 1230pm Lunch 6.00pm Supper 6.00pm Supper 8.00pm Socialactivities 8.00pm AllstudentsinHouse Normalhouseevening routines

A2:THESCHOOLYEAR

Termdatesarepublishedatleastayearinadvanceandcanbefoundontheschoolwebsite.Theschooloffers longholidays,includingthreeweeksatbothChristmasandEasterandafortnightʼshalfterminOctober We thereforerequireyounottotakeyoursonordaughteroutofschoolduringtermtime.

Exeatweekendsusuallyoccuronceeachhalfofterm.Theschool(includingallboardinghouses)isclosed throughouttheexeatweekend,whichcansometimesincludetheFridaybeforeortheMondayfollowing Studentsgotoparentsorguardiansforthewholeofeachexeatweekend

Datesofexeatsfortheyearcanbefoundontheschoolwebsite www.purcell-school.org/school-life/term-dates/

Allstudentsarerequiredtobeavailableforschoolconcertsifaskedtoperform,includingthosewhichtakeplace atweekendsorduringschoolholidays Keydatesarepublishedinadvanceonourwebsite.

A3:ATTENDANCE

Allstudentsareexpectedtobeinschoolforthecoreworkinghours(Monday–Thursday,8.40amuntil5pm;Friday 840amuntil340pm)unlessgivenpermissiontobelate/absentorengagedinanorganisedschoolactivity(eg a schooltrip)

Unlessspecificpermissionhasbeengiventogohomeearly,alldaystudentsmuststayinschooluntiltheirlast commitmentoftheday Exceptionally,SixthFormdaystudentsmay,withwrittenpermissionfromtheHeadof6th Form,leavethesiteaertheirlastcommitmentoftheday

Ifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequest byemail,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org

A4:CONTACTINGTHESCHOOL

Forpastoralandhousematters,youshouldalwayscontactyourchildʼsHouseparentdirectly Forotherschool mattersduringtheschoolworkingday,youcantelephoneoremailtheSchoolOffice01923331100 or schooloffice@purcell-school.org Theofficestaffwilldotheirbesttohelp,orwilldirectyoutosomeonewho can Outsidethenormalschooldayandatweekends,pleasecontactyourchildʼsHouseparent

Parentsarewelcometoentertheschoolpremisesduringtheschooldaytodeliverorcollectitemsfortheir children,andshouldalwaysreportfirsttoReception Parentswhowishtoseemembersofstaffshouldalways makeappointmentsinadvanceandshouldreporttoReception Parentsareaskednottoenterschoolbuildings withoutcheckinginwithReceptionfirst.

ParentsofboardersareaskedtoalwaysletHouseparentsknowinadvance whencomingtovisittheirchildrenin theboardinghouseorwhentakingtheirchildrenout Whenparents/guardiansarriveattheBoardingHousethey shouldmakecontactimmediatelywiththeHouseparentortutorondutyatthetime Parentsshouldnevergo upstairstotheirchildʼsbedroomwithouttheknowledgeandconsentoftheHouseparentorTutoronduty.

Absencesduetoillnessmustbereportedimmediatelytostudentabsence@purcell-school.organdthe Houseparentbyemail

A5:COMMUNICATION

Asuccessfuleducationreliesonpartnershipbetweenschoolandparents.Webelievethatthisisbestachievedby layingdownclearlinesofcommunicationandthispolicyexplainsourapproach

SchoolPost

AnaccounthasbeencreatedforyouonThePurcellSchoolʼsʻSchoolPostʼparentcommunicationsystem The schoolwillusethesystemtosendyouemails(andoccasionallytextmessages);italsoprovidesyouwitha personalonline'mailbox'whereyoucanalwaysviewarecordofallyourmessagesfromtheschooland,where appropriate,completesimplereplyforms

Publicationswithshortmessagesfromtheschoolwillcometoyourinboxusingthisemailaddress Thiswill containalinktothefullpublicationwithanydocumentsandanopportunitytoreply

StudentFormssuchastheDataCollectionsheetcanbedownloadedfromSchoolPostandreturnedto schooloffice@purcell-school.org

Academic/InstrumentalreportingisalsocommunicatedviaSchoolPost

TheWeeklyHighlightsarenormallypublishedontheschoolwebsiteonFridayaernoonofeachweekduring termtime,andwillincludeitemsofschoolnews,administrativemattersandalistofsomeforthcomingevents. Theschoolcalendarcanbefoundontheschoolwebsite,alongwithtermdatesandexeats

Emergencyannouncements

Inthecaseofanyemergency,includingwhentheschoolisclosedastheresultofanemergency,informationto parents,guardiansandfamilieswillbepublishedinitiallyonthefrontpageoftheschoolʼswebsite www.purcell-school.org Thiswillalwaysbetheprimarysourceofsuchinformation

InitialContact

Ifyouhaveaqueryoraconcern,youshouldnormallydirectittoyoursonʼsordaughterʼs Tutor(academicmatters), HeadofDepartment(musicalmatters)or Houseparent(pastoralandwelfarematters).

NBEachhousehasaʻdutyʼmobilephonesothatmembersofthehousepastoralteamcanbecontactedatany time,andhouseteamshareaccesstothehouseemailaddress,sothatmessagescanbepickedup(and respondedto,asappropriate),bywhoeverisonduty

Wewillcontactyouifwehaveconcernsaboutyourchildʼswelfare,performanceorbehaviourwhichwethink shouldbebroughttoyourattention Allstaffcanbecontactedbyemail:emailaddressesforcurrentmembersof staffarelistedontheSchoolwebsite Alistofemailaddressesandtelephonenumbersforstaffissenttoall parentsatthebeginningofeachacademicyear

Ifyouhaveanyconcernsregardingyourchildʼseducationorwelfare,pleasedosharethesewithusassoonas possible.Itisdifficultforustoinvestigateproperlyanincidentorproblemwhichhashappenedsometimeago, andsituationscanchangequicklywithyoungpeople,soitisimperativetorespondtowelfareconcernsasquickly aspossible

DetailsoftheschoolʼsComplaintsProcedurecanbefoundattheendofthishandbook

Disciplinarymatters

WeaskparentstosupporttheschoolʼsBehaviour&SanctionsPolicy(whichcanbefoundonourwebsite).This includesagreeingthatstudentsmayoccasionallyhavetoserveadetentionaerschoolandtotakingyoursonor daughterhomeduringtermifsuspended

Wewillnotautomaticallycontactyouifyoursonordaughterisintroubleforsomethingminor However,wewill always contact you to discuss major breaches of the school behaviour code, and where school sanctions are involved

A6:COURTORDERS

IfastudentissubjecttoanyCourtOrderitisessentialthattheschoolisinformed Thisinformationisconfidential butwillhelpustounderstandthestudentʼspositionandsupportthem AcopyofanyCourtOrderwillneedtobe providedtotheSchoolandheldonthestudentʼsfile

Parentsneedtobeawarethattheschoolhasobligationsinrespectofparentalresponsibility Forfurther information,pleasecontacttheschool

A7:DATAPROTECTION

PleaserefertotheSchoolwebsitefordetailsoftheDataProtectionPolicyandspecificPrivacyStatementsfor studentsandparents.

A8:TRANSPORT

TheSchoolusesataxifirmfullylicensedandvettedbyHertsmereBoroughCouncil,thelocalauthority A1 ExecutiveTravelGroupLtdcanbebookedandpaidforviaappbyparents/guardians Pleasecontacttheschool officeforadditionalinformationorsupportregardingbookingoftransport.

AllstudentswhoseparentsarenotpermanentlyresidingintheUKarerequiredtohaveaGuardianintheUK PleaseseetheGuideforParents&GuardiansofOverseasStudentsforfurtherdetails.

AlladministrativequeriesrelatingtovisasforoverseasstudentsshouldbereferredtoMrsCarolineFletcher c.fletcher@purcell-school.org

A10:PROPERTY StudentLockers

Theschoolhasorganisedlargeandsecurelockerstoaccommodategrowingdemandforstudentstorage This significantlyreducesanypotentialrisksassociatedwithstoringinstrumentalequipmentandothervaluable day-to-dayitemsinunsafeplaces,(althoughstudentsshouldnotbringlargesumsofmoneyorothervaluablesto schoolunlessabsolutelynecessary)Studentsareaskednottoleavetheirbelongingsintheschoolcorridors,but insteadtousethelockerswhichareavailable.LockersareavailabletohireforbothDayandBoardingStudents andforlargerinstruments,aseparatearrangementcanbemadeeitherwiththeHeadofDepartment(HOD)ora houseparents

WeencourageparentstorentalockerfromtheʻIndependentLockerSolutionsLtdʼ,whoadministertherentalfor theschool.Theyearlycostforalockeris£35whichisspreadtermly(£10pertermand£5whenbookingalocker). Thekeyswillbesentdirectlytotheparent/guardian Forthoselivingabroad,lockerkeyscanbecollectedfromthe SchoolOfficeatthestartoftheterm.Boardershaveasmallsafeintheirbedrooms.

LostpropertyisnormallyhandedintotheSchoolOffice,althoughboardersshouldalsocheckwiththeirHouse office Attheendofterm,anypropertynotreclaimedwillbedisposedof

Studentsareresponsibleforlookingaerschoolbooksandsheetmusicissuedtothem.Damageandlosswillbe chargedtoparents,aswilldamagetoschoolproperty(eg brokenwindows)

A11:PUBLICITY

Aspartofourmarketingstrategy,weregularlytakephotographsandmakeaudioandvideorecordingsof concerts,whichmaysubsequentlybeusedintheschoolprospectus,socialmedia,inpressreleasesoronour website.Ifyoudonotwishustousephotographs,audioorvideoofyoursonordaughterinthisway,please informtheSchoolusingschooloffice@purcell-school.org.

Pleasenotethatourmarketingstrategyonly identifiesindividual studentsinphotographs/video/recordings whenthisiscentraltothestory,andonlythenbyfirstnameandinitial

A12:SMOKING

PleasenotethatThePurcellSchoolanditscampusisanon-smokingenvironment Parentsareaskedtorespect thisatalltimes,includingoutsidebuildingsandanywhereontheschoolgrounds Pleasenotethatourdefinition ofsmokingincludesvaping,e-cigarettesandʻShishapensʼ

PersonalExpenses/PocketMoney

Allstudents,bothdayandboarding,shouldhaveadequatefundswiththemeachdaytoprovidethemwiththe meanstomeetanylikelyexpenses(telephonecalls,snacks,etc).Boardingstudentsshouldbeprovidedwith accesstofunds,whichcanbecontrolledbypersonalarrangementwithHouseparentsorabank TheSchool regretsthatitcannotprovideloanstostudents

StudentsReceivingExternalInstrumentalLessons

Asarule,externallessonsarediscouraged. Ourfullpolicyonexternalmusiclessonsisonthewebsite;thefirst paragraphisprintedbelow

ThePurcellSchoolprovidesworld-classspecialisttuitioninmusictostudentsthroughtheemploymentofan exceptionallywell-qualifiedandexperiencedstaff TheSchoolalsosupportsanumberofstudentstoaccessthe provisionofferedatjuniorconservatoiredepartmentsonSaturdays Everyyearasmallnumberofstudentswish toreceiveinstrumentaltuitionfromaspecificteacherwhoisneitheremployedbytheschoolnoraconservatoire juniordepartment.Eachrequestmustbeassessedonitsownmeritsandtheschoolmustsatisfyitselfthatitisin thebestinterestofthestudenttostudywiththeproposedteacher Insuchcases,theschoolmustthensatisfy itselfthatadequatemeasuresareinplacetoprotectthesafetyandwellbeingofthestudent

Forstudentswhoseplaceincludesaninstrumentalallowance,thecostofexternallessons(asapprovedbythe MusicDepartment),includingconsultationlessons,maybesetagainsttheallowance. Invoicesshouldbe submittedtotheFinanceOffice

Forstudentsattendingoneofthejuniormusiccolleges,anamountequivalenttotheSchoolʼsinternalteachersʼ hourlyratecanbesetagainsttheallowanceinrespectoftheindividualinstrumentallessonsreceivedatthe college ThearrangementmustbediscussedwithandapprovedbytheappropriateHoDinwritingbeforethe juniorcollegecoursecommences InvoicesshouldbesubmittedtotheSchoolFinanceOfficeonatermlybasis

Externalteachersshouldsubmittheirinvoicesforlessonfeestoparentsinthefirstinstance,whoshouldforwarda copytotheappropriateHoDtobeapproved TheSchoolwillthenreimburseparentsuptotheamountavailable intheinstrumentalallowance,aertakingintoaccountanylessonsbeingreceivedwithinSchool

AnyqueriesshouldbedirectedtoMrsSuePickardintheFinanceoffice

MDSStudents-additionalassistance

WhereparentsofMDS-fundedstudentshavebeenpreviouslynotifiedthattheyqualifyforassistancewithtravel expensesanduniformexpenses,parentsshouldsubmitreceiptstotheFinanceOfficeforreimbursement

B1HOUSES

AllstudentsatThePurcellSchoolaremembersofoneofthreeHouses:

Avison(mixed,Years7-9,boarders&daystudents)

Sunley(girls,Years9-13,boarders&daystudents)

NewBoardingHouse(mixed,Years10-13,boarders&daystudents)

EachHouseisunderthegeneralpastoralsupervisionofaHouseparent,assistedbyresidentAssistant Houseparentsand/oraDayMatronandotherstaffwholivewithintheboardinghouses Allstudentsalsohavea TutorwhoseesstudentsfortwoorthreeTutorialperiodseachweek,andolderboardingstudentsadditionally haveaboardingmentor Thetutorsandmentorsareresponsibleformonitoringacademicprogress,balanceof commitmentsandpromotingstudentwelfare

B2CHILDPROTECTION

TheSchoolaimstokeepallstudentssafeandtocreateanenvironmentwheretheyfeelsecureenoughtodiscuss theirconcerns TheSchooltrainsallstafftorecognisewhenyoungpeopleareinneedofhelp Ifyouhaveany concernsaboutthebehaviourofanyadultorotherstudent,youmusttellsomeoneimmediately.Thebest peopletotellaretheschool'ssafeguardingteam;MrSzafranski,MrBurns,MsWhitty,MsShah,MrHoskins,Lady CayleyorMrBambrough

B3ANTI-BULLYINGPOLICYincludingCyber-Bullying

Theschoolisdeterminedthatnokindofbullyingwillbetolerated Theschoolʼsanti-bullyingpolicycanbefound ontheschoolwebsite.

B4ASSEMBLIES

StudentsmeetasacommunityeveryMondaymorningforawholeschoolassembly Comingtogetherto collectivelylearnabouttheworld,shareexperiences,andcelebrateeachotherʼssuccesseshelpstudentsandstaff forgeacommunityspirit,asenseofpurposeandafeelingofpride Inadditiontoawholeschoolassemblythere areadditionalassembliesduringthetermforbothlowerandupperyeargroups

SchoolCouncil

ASchoolCouncilisorganisedbytheHeadsofSchool,withrepresentativesfromeachyeargroup.Itusuallymeets everyhalftermandstudentsarewelcometoputforwardtopicsfordiscussion

B6:BOARDINGSTATEMENT

ThePurcellSchoolaimstoprovideaboardingenvironmentinwhichindividualscanfeelsecure,valuedand respected;freefromfearandanxietyandwheretheyaresupportedtoreachtheirfullpotential

ThePurcellSchoolputsSafeguardingattheheartofeverythingitdoes,andthesafetyandwell-beingofall studentsiskeytowhatwedo.Boardinghouseteamsunderstandtheyhaveaʻdutyofcareʼtosafeguardand promotethewelfareofallstudents,andtoworkinpartnershipwithstudents,parents,widerpastoralteamsand externalagencies,asappropriate,tobestfulfilthisdutyofcare

TheSchooliscontinuallyappraisingboardingprovisiontoenableittoconstantlyimproveitscareforboarders; theSchoolwelcomesbothparentalandstudentinputinhelpingittomeetitsaims

Theboardingethosderivesfrom:

● Housecommunitieswhichpromotemutualrespect,kindnessandhonestyamongstalltheirmembers, studentsandstaff.

● Housecommunitiesinwhichstudentsareknownandvaluedasindividuals

● Anatmospherebasedontrustandasharedunderstandingoftheʻdutyofcareʼ,wherestudentsfeelableto approachallmembersofstaffconfidentintheknowledgethattheywillbelistenedtoandtreatedwith respect

● Anatmosphereinwhichstudentsareaccountablefortheirindividualactionsandplaytheirpartinhelping stafffulfiltheirdutyofcaretowardsthem

● Anatmospherewhichpromotestolerance,inclusionandkindness–andwherebullying,harassmentand intolerancearerecognisedasunacceptable.

● Anenvironmentwhichenablesstudentstodeveloptheiracademicandmusicaltalentsthrough well-structuredstudytime,goodroutines,thepromotionofpersonalself-disciplineandhealthylifestyles, includingsleepandnutrition

● Anenvironmentwherearangeofactivities,hobbiesandopportunitiesforleadershipandinitiativeassistin thepersonal,socialandculturaldevelopmentofeachstudent

● Anenvironmentwhichiscomfortable,suitedtotheneedsofstudentsandwhichprovidesappropriatelevels ofprivacy

Theboardingethoswill:

● Developstudentsʼresponsibilityforself,forothersandfortheenvironment;

● Developstudentsʼqualitiesofleadershipandabilitytoworkaspartofateam;

● Encouragestudentstocontributetotheneedsandwelfareofothersinthehouseandschool,aswellasthose inthewidercommunity;

● Celebratethecontributionandachievementofstudents,individuallyandcollegially Avison

AverywarmwelcometoAvisonHousefordayandboardingstudentsfromYear7to9. AvisonissituatedawayfromthemainSchoolinitsowngardens Westrivetocreateawelcomingandhomely atmosphereandarefullycommittedtoprovidingyouwithasafeandsecureHouse Youwillbeabletodevelop bothacademicallyandsocially,becomingconfident,wellroundedindividuals AvisonisledbyDrBrookes, Houseparent;AssistantHouseparents,MrsCookandMrBrookes,andMissMcEvoy,GraduateArtistinResidence WeareallheretosupportyouduringyourtimeonAvisoninacommunitybasedonmutualtrustandrespect

NewBoardingHouse

WelcometotheNewBoardingHouse(NBH);acommunityforboardersanddaystudentsinYears10–13 MsGriggsistheHouseparent,andalongwiththeAssistantHouseparents,MsBlondandMrCubarsi,DayMatron MrsMendesdaCosta,plusateamofwonderfulstaff,wewillbeonhandtoprovideyouwithsupportandguidance throughoutyourtimeatPurcell Weaimtoensurethatallstudentshaveasecure,comfortable,andwelcoming environmentinwhichtogrow,andwearecommittedtodevelopingthesocialandemotionalskillsofallour students WewanteachstudenttoleaveNBHasastrongandconfidentindividual,readytotakeontheworld Our goalistoensurethatyoufindabalancebetweenyourmusic,studyingandsocialising,andtocreateahouse whichisinclusiveforallstudentsbasedonmutualrespect,trustandkindness

WelcometoSunley;aHouseforgirls,boardinganddayfromYear9-12

MissPriceistheHouseparentandMrsHunteristheDayMatron AlongwithateamofGraduateAssistantsweaim toensurethatyoufeelsafe,secureandathomewhileyouareatschool Wearecommittedtocreatinga communitythatisbasedonmutualkindnessandtrust,whereeveryonelooksoutforoneanotherwhile respectingeachother'sindividuality TheHouseTeamisheretosupportyoumusically,academicallyandsocially andwewillencourageyoutomaintainahealthybalancebetweenthesedifferentareas Wearealwayshereto supportandassistyousothatyoucanachievetothebestofyourabilitiesandleaveschoolasconfident individuals.

B7:MEDICALINFORMATION

TheSchoolHealthCentreisrunbytheSchoolNurses,MrsHilaryAustinandNurseCarolMorgan Allmedical informationisheldinconfidencebythemedicalstaffandwillnotbedivulgedwithoutthepermissionofthe student Studentsareencouragedtokeepparents/guardiansinformedofanymedicalproblemsandifthey requireprivacyareabletotelephonefromtheSchoolHealthCentre Parentsofnewstudentsarerequiredto completeamedicalquestionnaire.

HealthCentreHours

AmemberoftheHealthCentreteam isroutinely availableforstudentsfrom0830-1630MondaytoFriday Outsideofthesetimes,NurseCarolMorganisavailableforemergencies,ʻoutofhoursʼmedicalmattersand supportforhealthandwellbeing TheSchoolHealthCentreissituatedonthegroundfloorofDulvertonHouse

EmergencyContact

Intheeventofillnessorinjuryeveryeffortismadetocontacttheparentorguardian Itisveryimportantthatthe Schoolhasanup-to-dateandaccessiblehome/work/mobileorothercontactnumber Untilthestudentʼsparent /guardianiscontacted,theSchoolwilltakeanyactionrequiredinthebestinterestsofthestudent Anumberof theSchoolstaffaretrainedEmergencyFirstAidersandintheeventofanaccident,appropriateFirstAidwillbe given.

Intheeventofadaystudentbecomingunwellandrequiringtobesenthome,parentsarecontactedimmediately andrequestedtocollecttheirson/daughterassoonaspossible StudentsarecaredforintheSchoolHealth Centreuntilparentsarrive

Physiotherapy

OurPhysiotherapist,MrsSarahUpjohn,attendstheHealthCentreonedayaweek.Anystudentmayrequestan appointmentwithherthroughtheSchoolNurse

Counselling

OurCounsellor,MrsNickyMorris,visitstheHealthCentre on4daysaweektoseestudentsinstrictconfidence AnystudentmayrequestanappointmentwithherthroughtheHealthCentreorbycontactingthecounsellor directly

Immunisations

RoutineimmunisationsaregivenattheSchoolandyouwillbeaskedpriortothesessiontoconsenttothis procedure ThisisforHPVinYear8,BCGscreeninginYear9andDiphtheria,TetanusandPolioinYear10

InformationfortheParentsofBoarders

Doctor-Registration

BoardersmustregisterwiththeSchoolʼslocalGPpractice(informationissentwiththehealthquestionnaireon admissiontotheschool).StudentswillundergoaroutinehealthcheckonadmissiontotheSchool,including height,weightandurinetest AnystudentundersixteenrequiringaGPappointmentwillbeaccompaniedbyone oftheSchoolNursesoramemberofstaff Theymayofcoursechoosetoseethedoctoraloneorwiththenurse present AllstudentswhohaveasthmawillberequestedtoattendtheGPSurgeryandbeunderthecareofthe specialistpracticenursewhowillmonitortheirasthmasymptomsandensurethattheconditionstayswell controlledthroughouttheSchoolyear.

HospitalTreatment/HospitalOut-PatientAppointments

StudentsrequiringtreatmentatthelocalAccidentandEmergencyDepartmentatWatfordGeneralHospital, approximately25milesaway,willnormallybeaccompaniedbyoneoftheSchoolNursesoramemberofstaff Everyeffortwillbemadetoinformtheparents/guardiansassoonaspossiblepriortohospitaltreatment(ie for anymedicaltreatment,anaestheticoroperationdeemednecessarybyamedicalpractitioner,specialistor surgeon).IfthisisnotpossiblethenthePrincipalorHouseparentactinginlocoparentiswillgiveconsent.Parents shouldensuretheyhavecompletedtheyellowconsentform Boardersundersixteenwillnormallybe accompaniedtoout-patientappointmentsatthelocalhospital

AdmissiontotheSchoolHealthCentre

Onafewoccasions,somemedicalconditionsmaymakeitnecessaryforastudenttobeadmittedovernighttothe HealthCentretoallowmoreclosesupervision Parentsorguardianswillbeinformed

Whenstudentsareparticularlyunwell,andhaveapersistentlyhighbodytemperatureorongoingdiarrhoeaor vomiting,everyeffortshouldbemadetoensurethattheyaresenthometoparents/guardianstorecover StudentsmustnotreturntoSchooluntiltheyarefitandwellandsymptomshaveresolvedformorethan48hours

Illness

Incasesofmildillness(forexample,heavycolds,migrainesetc)studentsmaybeallowedtorecoverintheirown rooms Thenurseswillensurethewell-beingofthestudentbyregularsupervisionandcommunicationwiththe DayMatronandHouseDutyTeamconcerned

DentalandOpticalTreatment

Routinevisitstothedentistandopticianshould,wheneverpossible,bearrangedduringtheschoolholidays All studentsshouldhave6-to-12-monthlydentalcheck-upsandanannualeyesighttest.Onlyemergencydental treatmentisavailableduringtermtime WestronglyencourageyoutotakeouttheSchoolpersonalanddental insuranceplanforaminimalfeethatcoversallpersonal/dentalaccidentandemergencytreatmentforyourchild Pleaserefertotherelevantinformationandformsentfromthefinancedepartment

PrivateMedicalCoverOption

Allstudents,includingoverseasstudents,areeligibleformedicaltreatmentundertheNationalHealthService, whetherroutineoremergency.Thisisfreeofcharge.Parentshavetheoptionoftakingoutprivatemedicalcover throughtheBUPASchoolsScheme Studentswhohaveprivatemedicalinsuranceintheirhomecountryshould checkwiththecompanyconcernedastowhetherthisisvalid/transferableforuseintheUnitedKingdom Ifa studentisalreadycoveredunderaUKprivatemedicalscheme,pleaseindicatethisonthemedicalquestionnaire

StudentsTravellingOverseas

Parents/guardiansshouldmakeanappointmenttoseetheSchoolNurseswellinadvanceoftheschoolholidays ifastudentistravellingtoanareathatrequiresimmunisation Vaccinationscanbearrangedwithparental/ guardianconsentatthelocalGPsurgery,andanycostswillhavetobemetbyparents

MedicalTreatmentduringSchoolHolidays

ItisimportantthattheSchoolNurseisinformedofanymedicaltreatment,vaccinationsgiven,andofmedicines prescribedduringtheSchoolholidays[aformissentoutattheendofeveryterm] Studentsshouldbringanynew medicationstotheHealthCentreonreturntoSchooltoensurethenursingstaffareawareofthetreatment.

IfastudentneedstoseeaGPwhilstawayfromSchoolintheUnitedKingdom,itisimportantthattheyare temporarilyregisteredwiththeGPthattheyareseeing Parentsshouldensurewhencompletingthetemporary registrationformthattheirpermanentaddressisʻThePurcellSchoolʼ,otherwisetheywillautomaticallybe removedfromtheAttenboroughSurgeryfiles Ifastudentisinthecareofaguardianoveraholidayperiodand becomesunwell,theguardianshouldliaisewiththeparentsdirectly

Medications

ItistheSchoolʼspolicythatstudentsdonottakemedicationwithoutsupervision Nostudentisallowedtobein possessionofprescribedorover-the-countermedicationswithoutpriorassessmentbyamemberoftheSchool MedicalTeam Exceptionsareasthmainhalersandadrenalineautoinjectordevices(eg EpiPens)forsevere allergies ParentsshouldsupplytheSchoolwithaspare,namedinhaler/adrenalineautoinjectordevicewhich willthenbestoredinaknown,accessibleplaceincaseofanemergency,orforSchooltrips

TheSchoolNurseispermittedtoadministersomeover-the-countermedicationsonatemporarybasisas authorisedbyanagreedlistwiththelocalGP Somemembersoftheteaching/musicstaff/Houseparentsare authorisedtogivesimpleanalgesiaandcoughandthroatremedies Pleaserefertothemedicationslistthatis sentwiththemedicalquestionnaire Anobjection/exclusionformaccompaniesthisforcompletion Any medicationsrequiredonaregularbasiswillbeprescribedbytheGP.

Visitingyourchildinher/hisboarding-house(outsideofbeginningandendsoftermdrop-offand collection)

Youareverywelcometovisittheschoolatanytime;pleaseletusknowthatyouwouldliketovisitandwewill adviseastothebesttimesintermsofyourchildʼscommitmentsandtheavailabilityofstaff Forthepurposesof safeguardingallstudentsattheschoolwerespectfullyrequestthat:

● parentswishingtoentertheupstairs(residential)areasoftheboardinghousesmustmakecontactwith thememberofhousestaffondutyinthefirstinstance Thehousedutystaffwillmakeanoteontheduty log

● parentsmayonlyvisitupstairsareaswiththeexpresspermissionofhousestaff,notbefore9amoraer 9pm

● studentsstaywiththeirparent/guardianatalltimeswhilstintheboardinghouse;

● parentsusethevisitortoiletslocatedonthegroundfloorratherthanstudentsʼfacilities

InformationfortheParentsofDayStudents

DaystudentsmustattendtheirownGPwhentheneedarises.ParentsshouldadvisetheSchoolthroughoutthe Schoolyearofanysignificantchangesinstudentsʼhealthandthestudentwillbegivenappropriatesupportin School.

IllnessAtHome

Anystudentwhoexperiencesahighbodytemperature(380Corabove),diarrhoeaorvomitingmustbeabsent fromSchoolforatleast48hoursaerthesymptomshaveresolved

Aeraperiodofabsenceduetoillnessorinjury,parentsmustnotifytheSchoolMedicalTeamofanymedication ormanagementthatthestudentmightrequireontheirreturntoSchool Thismustbeintheformofaletter outliningtheillness/injuryandthedatesabsentfromschool

AdministrationofMedicationontripsoutsideSchool

ItistheSchoolʼspolicythatstudentsdonottakemedicationwithoutsupervision TheSchoolNursesorstaffin chargeofatripmayadministercertainmedicationandparentsshouldgivetheirpermissiononthemedical questionnairefordayandboardingstudents.

AsthmaandAllergies

Studentswhohaveasthmaorsevereallergiesareencouragedtokeeptheirinhalers/adrenalineautoinjector devices(eg EpiPens)withthem Pleasearrangeforaspare,named,inhaler/adrenalineautoinjectordevicesto begiventotheSchoolNurse Thiswillbekeptinanallocatedareawithinthegeneralstaffroom,foreasy accessibility,andwillbeavailableforuseifastudentlosesorforgetshis/herinhaler Itwillalsobetakenon Schooltrips.

B8:CATERING

TheSchoolprovidesafullcateringserviceinassociationwithIFGIndependent Boardersareprovidedwith breakfast,lunchandsuppersixdaysaweek,withmid-morningandtea-timesnacksduringtheweek OnSunday, brunchisserveduntil1230pmandsupperisservedat6pm

Daystudentsmayelecttotakeluncheverydayaswellasmid-morningandtea-timesnacks

Daystudentswhowishtohavesupper(orbreakfast)onanoccasionalbasismustsignupintheirboarding-houses wellinadvance,andatthelatestbymorningregistrationofthedayinquestion.Unlesspreviouslynotified,these mealswillbechargedtoparentsontheschoolbill(£3forsupper) Alternatively,daystudentsmaybringapacked lunch.

Wetrytoencouragestudentstoeatahealthyandbalanceddiet Themenus(whicharepublishedeachweekon thecateringnoticeboards)arecarefullymonitoredtoensuretheymeettherequirementsfornutrition Vegetarian optionsarealwaysavailable Studentswithspecialdietaryrequirementsarecateredfor

Thecateringstaffprovideawidechoiceoffood,sothereshouldalwaysbesomethingforeveryone

Ifastudenthasanyparticulardietaryneedsorallergies,theyshouldtalkfirsttotheSchoolMedical TeamwhowillliaisewiththeChef.

Bought-inproductsthatmaycontainnuttracesarelabelled,butnonutsofanydescriptionareusedinthe kitchen Pleasealertusifyourchildhasanallergytonuts,oranyotherproduct.

Weaskparentstosupportourschoolpolicyinrespectofallergiesbynotallowingstudentstobringto schoolanyfooditemsorsweetscontainingnuts.

C1:CURRICULUM

Theaimofourcurriculumistoachieveabalancebetweenmusicalandacademicstudies Althoughtheexact shapeofthecurriculumwillbedifferentfordifferentstudents,thebroadintentionisthatthereshouldbea progressionovertime:youngerstudentsneedalargeramountofacademictimetoensurethatthebasicskillsand knowledgeareinplace,andthattheyareabletoachievegoodgradesatGCSEandIGCSE Astheygetolder,they areexpectedtospendmoretimepractisingtheirinstruments,takingpartinchambermusicandorchestralor choralgroups,andtheproportionoftimespentonacademicworkmaythereforedecrease Dependingona studentʼsageandinstrumentalcommitments,between25%and50%ofcurriculartimeisspentonmusical activities

AtGCSE,studentsareadvisedtotakesevenoramaximumofeightsubjects AllstudentstakeIGCSEMusicatthe endofYear10,andGCSEsorIGCSEsinMathematics,EnglishLanguageandScienceTrilogy(Biology,Chemistry andPhysics,givingtwoGCSEgrades)attheendofYear11 OptionalsubjectsincludeEnglishLiterature,French, German,History,DramaandArt AllstudentsuptoYear11haveonesessioneachweekofphysicaleducation

AllSixthFormstudentstakeCambridgepre-UMusicandtwoALevels(orpre-UMusicandoneALevel) Some studentsmaywishtotakeafourthsubjectbutthisisnotarequirementforstudyatuniversityandneedscareful thoughtwithregardtothebalancebetweenacademicworkandmusiccommitments Inexceptional circumstancestheschoolmayagreetoareducedacademicprogrammeofMusicpre-UandoneALevelinYear13 forthosewithaparticularlyheavyscheduleorforoverseasstudentsstudyingEnglishasanadditionallanguage EALcanreplaceoneALeveloptionforoverseasstudentswhomayhaveadditionalEnglishlanguageneeds, followingdiscussionwiththeHeadofEALandHeadofSixthForm. Subjectsonofferare:Music(pre-U; Cambridge),MusicTechnology,EnglishLiterature,Mathematics,French,German,History,Art,TheatreStudies, Biology,PhysicsandChemistry

Thecurriculumanditsdeliveryareunderconstantreviewandmaychangefromyeartoyear Wecannotguarantee theavailabilityofcoursesorparticularsubjects,asthesewilldependondemandandourabilitytoprovide teachingofasufficientlyhighstandard

Theschooltimetableisdesignedforthebenefitoftheschoolasawholeandcannotbechangedtosatisfy individualrequirements Theschoolcannotguaranteethatanyparticularteacherwill,orwillnot,teachany particularstudent

PleaserefertothefullCurriculumPolicyontheschoolwebsiteforfurtherdetailsofcurriculum.

C2:HOMEWORK

Homeworkissetforallstudentsintheschool,andnotifiedusingGoogleClassroom Ouraimistoprovidean inspiring,well-managedhomeworkprogrammewhichhelpsstudentstodeveloptheskillsandattitudestheywill needforsuccessfullifelonglearning Homeworkshouldsupportthedevelopmentofindependentlearningskills

However,wealsorecognisethatstudentsneedtimetopractisetheirinstruments,attendrehearsalsandengagein othermusicalactivities Withthisinmind,classroomteachingstaffsethomeworktaskswhicharemanageable, takingintoconsiderationtheamountofpracticeexpectedfromastudentatThePurcellSchool

SixthFormerstakeresponsibilityfororganisingtheirownwork Homeworkcanbedoneatdifferenttimesandas studentsgetoldertheyhavesomefreetimeduringthedayforprivatestudy Boardersusepreptimeinthe evenings,althoughinevitablysomewillneedlongerthanthesettime.

ForYears7,8and9,ahomeworktimetableispublishedatthebeginningofeachyear Nohomeworktasksetfora singleeveningorsessionshouldtakelongerthan30minutes Tasksshouldbedesignedtobedoneonthe eveningtheyareset InYear9,somehomeworkwillbeextendedsothatitcanbedoneovertwoorthreeevenings inlinewiththehomeworktimetable.

Years10and11alsoworkfromapublishedhomeworktimetable. AsstudentsʼprogressthroughtheirGCSE courses,prepwillinevitablybecomemoreextendedinsomesubjectsandmoreresponsibilityshouldbegivento studentstomeetdeadlines Nevertheless,nohomeworktasksetforasinglesessionshouldtakelongerthan30or 40minutes Courseworkdoneoutsidetheclassroomshouldbetreatedashomework

SixthFormersarealmostentirelyindependentinthewayinwhichtheyorganisetheirtime. Manyhave reasonableflexibilitywithintheschooldayandmayprefertocompletethebulkoftheirhomeworkthen

Wheneverhomeworkisset,clearandsupportiveguidelinesshouldbegivenabouttheamountoftimetobespent onit SixthFormersareexpectedtospendbetweensixandsevenhoursoutsidetheclassroompersubjectper week

C3:RELATIONSHIPSANDSEXEDUCATION

ThepurposeofRSEistohelpchildrenandyoungpeopletobesafe,healthyandhappyastheygrowupandin theirfuturelives Itteachesaboutunderstandingoftheimportanceofallrelationshipsregardlessofrace,religion, genderorsexuality,aswellasprovidinganunderstandingofphysical,sexual,moralandemotionaldevelopment RSEmustalwaysbeappropriatetopupilsʼageandstageofdevelopmentandisanessentialpartofsafeguarding

AimsandObjectives

● Tobeanidentifiablepartofourpersonal,social,healthandeconomic(PSHE)educationcurriculum, whichhasplanned,timetabledlessonsacrossalltheKeyStages;

● TobetaughtbystaffregularlytrainedinRSEandPSHE(withexpertvisitorsinvitedintoenhanceand supplementtheprogrammewhereappropriate);

● Toworkinpartnershipwithparentsandcarers,informingthemaboutwhattheirchildrenwillbelearning andabouthowtheycancontributeathome;

● Todeliverlessonswherepupilsfeelsafeandencouragesparticipationbyusingavarietyofteaching approacheswithopportunitiestodevelopcriticalthinkingandrelationshipskills;

● Tobebasedonreliablesourcesofinformation,includingaboutthelawandlegalrights,anddistinguishes betweenfactandopinion;

● Topromotesafe,equal,caringandenjoyablerelationshipsanddiscussesreal-lifeissuesappropriateto theageandstageofpupils,includingfriendships,families,consent,relationshipabuse,sexual exploitationandsaferelationshipsonline;

● Togiveapositiveviewofhumansexuality,withhonestandmedicallyaccurateinformation,sothatpupils canlearnabouttheirbodiesandsexualandreproductivehealthinwaysthatareappropriatetotheirage andmaturity;

● Togivepupilsopportunitiestoreflectonvaluesandinfluences(suchasfrompeers,media,faithand culture)thatmayshapetheirattitudestorelationshipsandsex,andnurturesrespectfordifferentviews;

● Toincludelearningabouthowtogethelpandtreatmentfromsourcessuchastheschoolnurseandother healthandadviceservices,includingreliableinformationonline;

● TofostergenderequalityandLGBT+(lesbian,gay,bisexual,trans)equalityandchallengesallformsof discriminationinRSElessonsandinevery-dayschoollife;

● Tomeettheneedsofallpupilswiththeirdiverseexperiences-includingthosewithspecialeducational needsanddisabilities

● ToseekpupilsʼviewsaboutRSEsothatteachingcanbemaderelevanttotheirreallivesandassessedand adaptedastheirneedschange

Provisions

Asasubjectinitsownright,sexeducationisdeliveredwithinthePHSEprogrammewhichstudentsreceivein timetabledlessons. Inaddition,aspectsofsexeducationremainwithinthescienceNationalCurriculum. Parents cannotwithdrawtheirchildfromthelatter Detailsofthecurriculuminbothareasareavailableonrequest Parentswhorequesttheirson/daughtertobewithdrawnfromanelementofthesexeducationcurriculumare madeawareofthemissedelements Anywithdrawalofstudentsfromlessonsisrecordedinthestudentʼsfile

C4:LEARNINGSUPPORT

Theschooliscommittedtoachievingthebestpossibleeducationforeverystudent.Partofthisapproachinvolves dealingwithspecificlearningdifficulties Pleasetellusimmediatelyifyouknoworsuspectthatyourchildmay havesomespecificproblemwhichmayneedtobeaddressed.

Somestudentsarealreadyidentifiedashavingaspecialneedbeforetheyentertheschool,themostcommon beingsomeformofdyslexia Othersmanifestsignsonentry,suchasdifficultieswithhand-writing,poordifficulties withpresentation,inconsistentspellingorverysignificantdifficultieswithorganisation

Wherethereiscauseforconcern,theHeadofLearningSupportwilldecidewhethertorecommendtoparentsthat thestudentseesaneducationalpsychologisttoobtainaformalreport TheHeadofLearningSupportwillacton theeducationalpsychologistʼsadvice Iftheadviceisthatyourchildshouldreceiveextratuition,thelearning supportdepartmentwillifpossibleprovidethis,havingfirstdiscussedthematterwithyou

Candidatesforpublicexaminationsmaybeentitledtoaccessarrangementsintheseexaminations,rangingfrom extratimetotheuseofascribe,ortheuseofacomputer.Inordertoqualifyforaccessarrangements,theschool mustnormallysubmitonthestudentʼsbehalfaneducationalpsychologistʼsreportproducedinthelasttwoyears ThereportshouldcontaintheinformationreferredtointheEducationalAssessmentReportformorthe SupplementtothePsychologistReportform

FurtherdetailscanbefoundinourLearningSupportPolicyontheschoolwebsite

C5:ASSESSMENTANDREPORTING

Academicprogressismonitoredthroughformativeandsummativeassessment Thepatternofassessment providesfrequentbutʻlighttouchʼreportingtoparentsviaʻinterimʼreports(asingleeffortgradeandattainment gradeineachsubject)everyterm,withfullwrittenreportsprovidedinthespringtermforYear11and13oratthe endoftheacademicyearforallotheryeargroups

Instrumentalmusicreportsareprovidedtwiceeachyear,inJanuaryandineitherAprilorJuly,supportedbyan overviewfromtherelevantHeadofDepartment

ReportswillbesenttoParents/Guardiansbyemail ParentsshouldinformtheSchoolOfficebeforetheendof Septembereachyeariftheywishtheirreportstobesentinsteadinhardcopybypost;however,thisislikelyto delaythearrivalofthosereports.

Eachstudentisgivengradesasindicatedbelow

AcademicMonitoring

Academicprogressismonitoredthroughformativeandsummativeassessment StudentsaregivenInterimGrades everytermandafullwrittenreportinthespringtermforYear11and13andattheendoftheacademicyearforall otheryeargroups.

Eachstudentisgivengradesasindicatedbelow:

Effort

E–excellent

G–good

S–satisfactory(meetingrequirementsbutneedstoimprovetoexcel)

C–concern(thisgradeisaccompaniedbyacommentclarifyingthenatureoftheconcern)

Awiderangeoffactors(classroomdiscipline,prepmanagement,motivationandengagement)cancontributeto theoveralleffortgradeaward.

Attainment

Years12-13:GradesA*/A/B/C/D/E/Uareawardedtomatchtheattainmentexpectedatthatstageofanexternal examinationcourse

(Attainmentgradesinreportsareonlyawardedonthebasisofworksubmittedinthereportingperiod Theyare NOTapredictionofafinalresult,althoughagrademayapproximatetoitinthefinalstagesofacourse,unless explainedbyanappropriateeffortgradeandcomment)

Years7-11:Grades9(highest)-1(lowest)asaboveintermsofapplyingtoworksubmittedinthereportingperiod

ThenewgradingsystemofGrades9-1isshownbelowwiththeoldsysteminbrackets:

9-8(A*) 7(A) 6-5-4 (B/C) 3(D/E) 2(E/F) 1(G)

Academicdepartmentswilluseregulartrackingdatatostandardiseattainment

Benchmarks

Years10-13:Benchmarkgrades(A*-E/9–4/D1–P3)appearonreportsandrepresenttheminimumstandardat whichthestudentshouldbeworkingatthatstageofatwoyearperiod/course(Y12-13(GCE)andY10-11((I)GCSE))

BenchmarksaresetatthestartofthetwoyearperiodusingabilitydataprovidedbyMidyis/YellisandAlistesting andarereviewedfollowinginternalexaminations

TargetGrades

Years10-13:Targetgrades(A*-C/Dor9-4)fortheendofthecourse(GCE/(I)GCSE)appearonreportsandare assignedatthestartofGCEand(I)GCSEcourses,followingdiscussionwithstudents Targetgradesarerealisticbut aspirationalandareNOTpredictions Atargetgrademustbeatleastonegradehigherthanthebenchmarkand canbereviewedfollowinginternalexaminations

ParentswithanyqueriesrelatedtotheaboveshouldcontactMsStevieMitchell(Y10/11)orMrSzafranski(Sixth Form)inthefirstinstance

InternalExaminations

Internalschoolexaminationsareheldaerhalfterminthesummerbreakforallyeargroups,exceptthose involvedinpublicexaminations InJanuary,mockexaminationsareheldtopreparestudentsforpublic examinations;othergroupsmayhavetestsincoresubjects

ParentsʼMeetings

Parentsʼmeetingsareheldfrom400to600pmonaFridayaernoonforeachyeargrouponceayearwhen parentshaveanopportunitytomeetacademicstaff Detailsofparentsʼmeetingsarepublishedintheschool

calendaratthestartofeachacademicyear:https://www.purcell-school.org/news/calendarandareheldeither inpersonoronline

Thepurposeofthesemeetingsistogiveparentsanopportunitytodiscussstudentsʼprogresswithstaff. Teaching staffandgrouptutorsattend;instrumentalspecialistteachersdonotusuallyattend SixthFormersareexpected toattendwiththeirparents;youngerstudentsarenot. Theprecisedatesarelistedintheschoolcalendarand parentswillbesentanemailreminderinadvanceofthemeeting

Ifparentsareunabletoattendaparentsʼmeeting,thestudentʼstutorcan,onrequest,collatecommentsfrom academicstaffandemailthemhome

FurtherdetailscanbefoundinourAssessment&ReportingPolicyontheschoolwebsite

C6:POST-EXAMSSERVICESANDAPPEALSPROCEDURESINPUBLICEXAMINATIONS

Fulldetailsofresultsdaysandpost-examsservices,includinghowtomakeenquiriesaboutresults,torequest re-marksandallothermattersrelatingtoresultsinpublicexaminations,arepublishedontheschoolwebsite:

D1:INDIVIDUALINSTRUMENTALLESSONS

Instrumental,singingandcompositionlessonsaretimetabledbyMrsDuce,whoworksintheMusicOffice The instrumentaltimetableisemailedtostudentsonThursdayaernoonforthefollowingweek.Lessonsdonottake placeatthesametimeeachweek,andstudentshavetobeveryorganisedandcommunicativeabouttheir planningandschedule Missedlessonscannotbemadeuporreimbursed,andsanctionsareplacedonstudents whoforgettogotoaninstrumentallessonorrehearsal

Studentsmustchecktheirlessonsonthedaytheemailisreceivedandifthereisanyclashorproblemforthe followingweek,mustimmediatelyletMrsDuceknowbyemail Thismustbedonebeforethedeadlineof1040am thenextdayi.e.ontheFridayoftheweekbeforelessonsareduetotakeplace. Ifnovalidreasonisgiven,orthe Fridaydeadlineismissed,nochangecanbemadeandthestudentmustattendthelessonastimetabled

Ifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequestby email,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org

Whenpermissionforabsenceisgiven,thestudentisresponsibleforlettingallteachersknowcourteouslyin advance,andfulfillinganyextratasksset

Pleasenotethatparentsarenotpermittedtoattendmusiclessons

TeachingWeeks

MusicSpecialistteachersarerequiredtoprovide30weeksʼoflessonsunlessagreedotherwisewiththerelevant HeadofDepartment(HoD) Allinstrumentallessonsandothermusicalcommitmentscontinuethroughoutany studyleaveperiods,andmissedlessonscannotberefunded

LessonDurationandAdditionalLessons

Thenormalexpectationformoststudentsisthattheywillreceivebetweentwoandthreehoursperweektuitionin total,one-to-one ThreehoursisthemaximumthattheMusicandDanceSchemescholarshipmayfund;decisions astohowmuchofthispotentialallowanceisneededforeachindividualstudent,anditsdistributionbetween differentstudies,aremadebytheMusicDepartmentaccordingtostudentsʼmusicalandacademicneeds, timetableandotheractivities Nostudenthasanautomaticrighttothreehoursʼtuition:eachindividualwillbe offeredaprogrammeappropriatetothem

Lessonsbeyondthe30weeksofteachingandduringholidayscanbeofferedonlywiththepermissionofthe relevantHoD Insomecases,inconsultationwithparentsandsubjecttotheapprovaloftherelevantHoD, studentsmaychoosetoreceiveinexcessofthethreehourallowance Insuchexceptionalcases,theexcess instrumentallessonsarerechargedtoparents(atcost)asʻextrasʼonthefollowingtermʼsbill Arrangementsfor excessinstrumentallessonswillnotbeputinplaceunlessparentshavegiventheirpermissioninwritingtothe appropriateHoD

D2:CHOICEOFSPECIALISTMUSICTEACHER

ThechoiceofspecialistmusicteacherisdeterminedbytheappropriateHeadofDepartment(HoD) Everyeffortis madetochoosetherightteachertomatchtheneedsoftheindividualstudent Parentsshouldalwaysconsultwith theIststudyHoDinthefirstinstancewithanymusicalconcerns

ChangesofTeacher

NochangesofspecialistteachercantakeplacewithoutpriorconsultationwiththeDirectorofMusic. Notice provisionswillnormallyapply–seebelowfordetails

StartingaNewInstrumentorComposition

Thisshouldbeinitiatedbyawritten/emailrequestfromparentstothe1ststudyHoD Requestswillnormallybe accommodatedprovidedthatteachingisavailableandsubjecttothestudentʼsoverallworkload

ChangestoInstrumentalLessons

Anyrequestsforchangestoinstrumentallessons(eg additionaltime,ordroppingasecondstudy)shouldbe madeinwritingbythestudentʼsparentorguardianandsenttothe1ststudyHoD

NoticePeriods

Forallchangestoinstrumentalteachingallocation,therewillnormallybeanoticeperiodofhalfaterm This appliesregardlessofwhennoticeisgiven:eg fornoticegivenduringthesecondhalfofthesummerterm,the noticeperiodwouldbethefirsthalfoftheautumnTerm,andteachingwouldstart(orstop)aertheAutumnhalf termbreak IfnoticeisgivenonedayaerthebeginningoftheAutumnTerm,thenoticeperiodwouldbethe secondhalfoftheAutumnTerm,andteachingwouldstart(orstop)inJanuary

ChangeofFirstStudyInstrument

AdmissiontoThePurcellSchoolisthroughmusicalaudition,andanyofferofaplaceismadeforthestudyof specificinstrumentsand/orcomposition Anyrequesttochangefirststudyinstrument(s)mustbemadeby parents/guardiansinwritingtotheDirectorofMusic.

Wheneverpossible,theschoolwilltrytoaccommodatetherequest However,thefinaldecisionwillreflectthe schoolʼsprofessionalopinionofwhatisinthebestlong-terminterestsofthestudent

D4:SHEETMUSICANDEXTRAS

Sheetmusic

SheetmusicmaybeorderedviatheLibrary Thecostofanysuchitems,andofmusicetc suppliedby instrumentalteachers,willbeaddedasextrastothenexttermlybill Musicmayalsobeborrowedfromthe Library Whereparentsdonotwishtopurchaseaparticularitemofmusic,anditisnotcurrentlyavailablefrom thelibrary,thenarequestcanbemadeforittobeorderedforthelibrary Itmustbereturnedaeruse

LoansofSchoolSheetMusic

StudentsareresponsiblefortakingcareofanymusiconloanfromtheSchool Failuretoreturnmusicwillresultin achargeonthetermlybill

Extras

Studentsareallocatedaweeklyphotocopyingallowancewhichissetaccordingtoyear-group Itisarolling allowance;ifastudentexceedshisorherallowance,theexcesswillbechargedtothebill. Chargesare1ppercopy forblack-and-whiteand5ppercopycolourA4 Chargesarehigherforlargercopies Recordablemediacanbe purchasedfromtheMusicTechnologydepartment

Thecostofallsuchsuppliesandserviceswillberechargedtoparentsinthetermlybill

D5:ENSEMBLES

AllfirststudykeyboardplayersattendaweeklyPianoClass;singershaveaweeklySongClass;composershave weeklyseminars;chambermusicisorganisedbothwithinandoutsidetheschooltimetable Orchestralplayers willplayinoneormoreoftheschoolensemblesandorchestras,andtheserehearseonceortwiceweekly;there arealsomoreintensivecourseoccasionally,dependingontheconcertprogramme Jazzensemblesalsorehearse everyweek

ThereisaChamberChoir,aJuniorChoir,aSixthFormChoirandfurtheropportunitiesforchoralsingingwithin andoutsidethetimetable.

Rehearsals

Mostrehearsalstakeplaceduringtheschoolday,whichendsat340pmforyears7-8andat5pmforeveryoneelse However,thereisanhourbetween5pmand6pmwhichmaybesometimesbeusedforensemblesandforextra rehearsalsclosetoconcerts Boardersareencouragedtoarrangetheirowninformalmusicalactivitiesinthe evening

Studentsshouldarriveateveryrehearsalontime,withinstrumentandmusicifrequired,andwithapencil Ifa studenthasaclashwithanotherrehearsal,instrumentallessonorotherevent,theyshouldspeaktothemember ofstaffinchargeoftherehearsalwellinadvance

Ifastudentisnotneededforarehearsalforanyreasonandhasnootherscheduledcommitments,thisistimefor practice,home-work,readingorlistening–studentsareexpectedtousethetimeprofitably

D6:CONCERTSPROCEDURE

Lunchtimeconcertstakeplacemostdays Asaguideline,allstudentsinyear9andaboveshouldexpectto performinatleastonelunchtimeconcerteachterm,ideallymoreoen Studentsshouldplanrepertoireand dateswiththeirteacher ConcertsaremanagedbytheConcertsCoordinator,whoworksintheMusicOffice There areformstocompletewithdetailsoftheprogramme,andstudentsmustarrangerehearsalswithoneoftheschool accompanists,DebbieShahandDanielSwain,orafellowstudent,unlesstheyareplayingunaccompanied.

Eveningconcertstakeplacemostweeks,andstudentsareinvitedtotakepartinmostofthem Anystudentwho feelsthattheyarenotbeinggivenenoughopportunitiestoperform,shoulddiscusswiththeirteacher,Headof DepartmentortheDirectorofMusic

Attendanceatlunchtimeconcerts

Eachstudentisrequiredtoattendatleastoneconcertonceaweekandregistersaretaken Regularfailureto attendwillresultinvarioussanctions

ExternalConcertsarrangedbytheschool

Therearealotofconcertsoutsideschool,somemoreformalandhigh-profilethanothers Theseareprogrammed bytheDirectorofMusicandHeadsofDepartmentinconsultationwithinstrumentalteachers.

SeeAppendix2fordetailsofConcertDress.

D7:COMPETITIONSANDCONCERTSWITHOTHERORGANISATIONS

OutsideConcerts

StudentsareencouragedtotakepartinmusicalactivitiesoutsideSchool,particularlyattheweekendandduring schoolholidays Eventsthatclashwithschooldaysarenotencouraged,becauseourtermsareshortandourdays

arebusy,andwealreadymanageacomplextimetableofclashesbetweenmusiclessonsandacademiclessons Permissionmustberequested,andwillonlybegivenwhentheprosandconshavebeenconsideredbythe DirectorofMusic

Ifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequest byemail,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org

Whenplayinganywhere,studentsareaskedtoacknowledgeThePurcellSchoolinconcertprogrammes;for example,“SamSmithholdsascholarshipundertheGovernmentʼsMusicandDanceSchemeatThePurcell School”

StudentsmaynotusetheschoolʼsnameorlogotoadvertiseanexternalprivateconcertwithoutthePrincipalʼs permission

Competitions

Competitionsaresometimesagoodidea,butnotalways,andshouldbeundertakenonlyveryexceptionallyin termtime StudentsmayonlyapplyforcompetitionswiththeagreementoftheirteacherandHeadof Department. Aswithexternalconcerts,permissionforabsencewillonlybegivenaerconsiderationbythe DirectorofMusic

Accompanists

AccompanistsareprovidedforSchoolconcerts(internalandexternal),andforAssociatedBoardexaminations organisedbytheschool. Anyotherrequestforanaccompanistismadebyprivatearrangement. Accompanistsare notprovidedformusiccollegeauditions

D8:ASSESSMENTPROCEDURE

PlacesattheSchool,togetherwithGovernmentandPurcellSchoolscholarships,areawardedaerauditionand aresubjecttosatisfactoryprogressandconduct Progressismonitoredcontinuouslyandreportedtoparents If therearedoubtsaboutconductorprogress,awarningletterissenttoparentsorguardians

Studentswhodonotmakeexpectedprogresswillbeadvisedonareasinneedofimprovement,andspecific targetswillbeset Ifthesearenotmet,parentsmayberequiredtowithdrawtheirchildfromtheschoolattheend oftheyear Advicewillbegiventoenablestudentstofindsuitablealternativeschooling

D9:STORINGINSTRUMENTS

Instrumentsshouldbekeptinlockersorasafealternativeplace Allinstrumentcasesshouldbelabelledwiththe studentʼsname,schooladdress,anditshouldbeclearwhethertheinstrumentbelongstothemorisonloanfrom somebodyelse

D10:SUPERVISEDPRACTICEANDNOTEBOOKS

Allstudentshaveregulartimetabledpracticesessions,andLowerSchoolstudentsareoverseenbyateamof practicesupervisors AllboardersuptoYear11havesupervisedpracticetimeearlyeveryweekdaymorning

Itisimportanttorememberthatpracticedoesnʼtnecessarilymakeperfect:itcanreinforcebadhabitsifnot carefullyconsidered Studentsshouldspendafewminutesatthestartofeachpracticesessionplanningwhatthey aregoingtodo,settingrealisticandachievabletargets;warmupbeforetheystart;takeregularshortbreaks;aer eachpracticesessionspendafewminutesthinkingaboutwhattheyhavedonesuccessfully,whattheyhavenot

managedtodo,andusethattoplanthenextpractice Musicianscanalsopractiseveryeffectivelywithoutan instrument,byimaginingthattheyareplaying

Studentswillfinditusefultokeepanotebookinwhichtheycanmakenotesaboutlessons,practiceand repertoire. Teachers,students,parentsandotheradultsmaywanttocommunicatewitheachotherviaveryshort messagesinthisbook

D11:SATURDAYPROGRAMME

ThereisamusicalprogrammeforboardersonSaturdaymornings Itincludesaregularperformanceclass,some visitswithworkshopsfromguestmusicians,scheduledpractice,andopportunitiesforstudentstoruntheirown groups

D12:ABRSM/EXTERNALEXAMINATIONS

AssociatedBoard(ABRSM)examinationentriesareco-ordinatedthroughtheMusicOffice Examsgenerallytake placeintheSchool OnjoiningtheSchool,studentswhohavealreadytakenAssociatedBoardTheoryGrade5 shouldbringacopyoftheirresulttotheRegistrarintheMusicOffice;thiswillbeeithertheoriginalmarkform providedbytheAssociatedBoardoracopyofthecertificate ThedocumentwillbekeptsafelyattheSchooluntil thestudentleaves,sothatitisavailableforusewhenthestudententersanyAssociatedBoardexamaboveGrade 6

D13:BIOGRAPHIES

Studentswillbeaskedtowriteashortbiography(50-100words)detailingwheretheywereborn,whentheyfirst startedplaying,andperhapswhattheylikeaboutmusicorotheroutsideinterests Anyfinancialsupportthatyou receiveshouldalsobeacknowledged Thebiographyshouldbehandedintothemusicofficeatthestartofterm oremailedtotheConcertsCoordinator

D14:INSTRUMENTALINSURANCEANDLOANS

Parentsmustensurethatallpersonalinstrumentsareinsuredandthatinstrumentsarecoveredfortraveltoand fromschoolandwhenstudentsareperformingoutsideofschool Schoolinstrumentsmaybelenttostudents (subjecttoavailability) Asmallhirecharge(£25perterminthecurrentacademicyear)willbeleviedforlongterm loans

D15:STUDENTSRECEIVINGEXTERNALINSTRUMENTALLESSONS

Asarule,externallessonsarediscouragedandparentsmustinformtheschooliftheywishtostartthem,orifthey arealreadytakingplace,andkeepusupdatedofanychanges Ourfullpolicyonexternalmusiclessonsisonthe website;thefirstparagraphisprintedbelow

ThePurcellSchoolprovidesworld-classspecialisttuitioninmusictostudentsthroughtheemploymentofan exceptionallywell-qualifiedandexperiencedstaff Externalmusiclessonsarediscouraged,asstudentsbenefitso muchfromlearninginschool TheSchoolsupportsasmallnumberofstudentstoaccesstheprovisionofferedat juniorconservatoiredepartmentsonSaturdays.Occasionallyastudentmayreceiveinstrumentaltuitionfroma specificteacherwhoisneitheremployedbytheschoolnoraconservatoirejuniordepartment Anexamplemightbe wheretheschooldoesnotcurrentlyemployateacherofthatinstrument,orifa2ndor3rdstudyʻhobbyʼistobe continuedwithateacherathomeattheweekendsorintheholidays Eachrequestmustbeassessedonitsown meritsandtheschoolmustsatisfyitselfthatitisinthebestinterestofthestudenttostudywiththeproposed teacher.Insuchcases,theschoolmustthensatisfyitselfthatadequatemeasuresareinplacetoprotectthesafety andwellbeingofthestudent

PleasecontacttheMusicOfficeifyouhaveaquestionaboutamatternotcoveredhere.

E1:INTRODUCTION

TheSchoolRulesaredesignedtoencouragestudentstobehaveinathoughtfulandresponsibleway,toensure thattheyreceivethemaximumbenefitfromtheireducation,tomaintaintheschoolʼsexcellentreputation,andto helpthewholeschoolcommunitytolivetogetheramicably

TheSchoolRulescanbefoundasAppendix1tothishandbook,aswellasontheschoolwebsite.Theyarealso issuedtoallstudents

YoushouldalsoreadtheschoolʼsAnti-BullyingPolicy,BehaviourandSanctionsPolicy(whichexplains rewardsandsanctionsusedattheschool),DrugsandAlcoholPolicy&theICTAcceptableUsePolicy. Summariesofthesepoliciescanbefoundbelow/elsewhereinthishandbook,andthefullversionscanbe downloadedfromourwebsite

E2:PRINCIPLESANDEXPECTATIONS

● ThePurcellSchoolencouragesthegoodbehaviourofitsstudentsatalltimes Theschoolattachesgreat importancetocourtesy,integrity,goodmanners,gooddisciplineandrespectfortheneedsofothers The SchoolRulesandtheschoolʼsAnti-BullyingPolicymakeclearourexpectationsinthisregard.

● Theguidingprincipleisthattheschooltrustsstudentstoknowhowtobehaveandtoactatalltimesin theirownbestinterestsandthoseofthewholeschoolcommunity Onlywhenstudentsbreachthistrust willsanctionsberequired

● Whensanctionsareunavoidable,studentsandparentshavetherighttoexpecttheschooltoapplythis policyfairly.However,thisdoesnotmeanthatsanctionswillinvariablybethesameforeachoffence,as theremaybedifferingcircumstanceswhichmaybetakenintoaccount Inotherwords,everyincidentwill beviewedonitsownmerits,usingthispolicyasguidance

● ThePurcellSchooldoesnotusephysicalpunishmentofanysort Thereisnocorporalpunishmentandno punishmentisintendedtohumiliateorintimidateanystudent

● TheschoolʼsBehaviourManagementStrategyisagradedscalecoveringbothrewardsandsanctions, intendedtoencouragestudentstowardsanacceptablelevelofbehaviour Acopycanbefoundasan appendixtotheschoolʼsBehaviourPolicyonourwebsite.

E3:REWARDSANDSANCTIONS

Rewards

Studentswhodoparticularlygoodworkrelativetotheirability,ormakeapositivecontributiontothelifeofthe school,receiveaCommendation TheCommendationcardisissuedbyateacher,TutororHouseparent;the studentshouldtakeittothePrincipalforrecording,beforetakingithometoshowtohisorherparents.

Attheendoftheschoolyear,prizesareawardedforeffort,forachievementinacademicsubjects,for commendationsawarded,inmusic,andforgeneralcontributiontothelifeoftheschool

Sanctions

TheschoolʼsBehaviourManagementStrategyprovidesarangeofsanctionsinagradualscaleofincreasing severitydesignedtoencouragethestudenttowardsanacceptablelevelofattainmentorbehaviour.Possible sanctionsforminoroffencesorpooracademicworkincludedetentions,gating(ie notbeingallowedtoleavethe schoolpremisesor,forboarders,thehouseaertheschoolday),academicreportorsupervisedprivatestudy Seriousmisbehaviour,orpersistentacademicindiscipline,mayresultinaSchoolDetention,whichusuallytakes placeonaFridayaerschool ThestudentwillalsobeinterviewedbytheVicePrincipaltodiscusstheoffenceand theirfutureconduct.Forcertainoffences,thePrincipalmayrequireastudenttoserveaPrincipalʼsDetentionona

Saturdaymorning APrincipalʼsDetentionisonestepshortofsuspensionandstudentsneedtounderstandhow seriousitis

Suspension

Seriousorrepeateddisciplinaryoffencesmayresultinthestudentʼssuspensionforbetweentwodaysandtwo weeks.Whilesuspended,thestudentisexpectedtoremainathomeduringtheschoolday,andworkwill, wheneverpossible,beset Asuspendedstudentmaynotattendanyschoolfunction(eg concert)orsocialevent (Astudentmayalsobesuspendedwhilstaninvestigationintoanallegedseriousincidenttakesplace)

Incertaincases,astudentmaybeputintoʻinternalsuspensionʼ,wheretheywillberequiredtoworkinschool undersupervisionduringfreetimeandwithotherprivilegessuspended.

Followingasuspension,thestudent(andifpossiblehisorherparents)willberequiredtoattendaninterviewwith thePrincipaland/ortheVIcePrincipaltodiscusshis/herfutureconduct Afinalwarningmayalsobeissuedatthis stage

Expulsion

InthemostextremecircumstancesthePrincipalreservestherighttoexpelastudentfromtheschool.Although thestudentʼsbestinterestswillbetakenintoconsideration,theinterestsofthewholeschoolcommunityandthe natureoftheoffencewillbeofparticularsignificance Insuchcircumstances,parentshavearightofappealtothe schoolgovernors AseparateprocedurecoveringtherightofappealisavailablefromthePrincipalʼsoffice

ParentsʼattentionisdrawntotheschoolʼsTermsandConditions,paragraph7(b),whichstatesthat:

TheHead[nowknownasthePrincipal]mayathis/herdiscretionrequireyoutoremoveormaysuspendorexpel yourchildfromtheSchoolifhe/sheconsidersthatyourchildʼsattendance,progressorbehaviour(including behaviouroutsideSchool)isseriouslyunsatisfactoryor(attheHeadʼssolediscretion)foranyotherreasonifinthe reasonableopinionoftheHeadtheremovalisintheSchoolʼsbestinterestsorthoseofyourchild,otherchildren,staff orparents

ThePrincipalisrequiredtoactfairlyandinaccordancewiththeprinciplesofnaturaljustice ThePrincipalwill makeadecisiononacase-by-casebasis,willexpelastudentfromtheSchoolonlyasalastresortandwillnot expelastudentotherthaningravecircumstances

Withdrawalofrighttoboard

Forrepeatedboardingoffences,orwherethecontinuedpresenceofthestudentisfelttobedetrimentaltogood orderintheHouse,aboardingplacemaybewithdrawneithertemporarilyorpermanentlyatthePrincipalʼs discretion

E4:DRUGSANDALCOHOL

ThisisasummaryoftheschoolʼsDrugsandAlcoholPolicy,whichcanbefoundontheschoolwebsite

Controlleddrugs

TheschoolʼspolicyisthatThePurcellSchoolshouldbefreefromdrugscontrolledundertheMisuseofDrugsAct 1971/2001 Webelievethatinvolvementwithcontrolleddrugsisalwayswrongforthefollowingreasons:

● Itisillegal Usingcontrolleddrugscanleadtoacriminalconvictionwhichwillaffectemployment prospects,forexamplebymakingitimpossibletovisitcertaincountriesincludingtheUSA Thiscould haveseriousimplicationsforanycareer,butparticularlyinmusic

● Drugshaveharmfulphysicalside-effects Someoftheseareunpredictableandimmediateandaccountfor anumberofprematuredeathsamongstyoungpeopleeachyear;allarenowassociatedwithlongerterm healthproblems

● Asmallnumberofyoungpeoplequicklydevelopsomeformofdependencyondrugs

● Involvementindrugculturetendstodrawyoungpeopleawayfrommoreworthwhileactivitiesandoen resultsinafallingawayofacademicperformance

● Involvementwithcontrolleddrugsisdamagingtotheschoolcommunityasawhole

Anystudentsuspectedofbeinginvolvedwithillegalorotherharmfuldrugswhileunderschooljurisdiction eitheronoroffschoolpremisescanexpecttobesuspendedfromschoolandmaysubsequentlybyexpelled dependingonthecircumstances. Theschoolreservestherighttoinformthepolice

Legaldrugs

Theschooloperatesaʻnosmokingorvapingʼʼpolicyatalltimesthroughoutthebuildingsandgrounds This policyappliestostudents,employees,parentsandvisitors,andincludestheuseofe-cigarettesandʻShishapensʼ.

ThePurcellSchoolisanunsuitableinstitutionforthosewithanestablishedsmokinghabit

Studentsarenotpermittedtobeinpossessionofalcohol,orundertheinfluenceofalcohol,onschoolpremisesor whenunderthejurisdictionoftheschool(eg onschooltrips) Nostudent,includingthoseoflegalage,mayenter licensedpremises,includingoff-licences,duringtermtime

AtthediscretionofthePrincipal,alcohol(beer,wineorsimilar)maybeofferedtoSixthFormstudentsatstaffed schoolfunctions,whereparentshavespecific,individualpermission Noalcoholwillbeservedtostudentsbelow theSixthFormonanyoccasion AlcoholmaynotbeconsumedinSchoolwithoutpermissionfromthePrincipal anddrinkmaybetakenonlyinthepresenceofamemberofstaff

E5:ICT:ACCEPTABLEUSEPOLICY

TheSchoolʼsICT(InformationandCommunicationTechnology)AcceptableUsePolicygovernstheuseby studentsoftheSchoolʼscomputernetworkandanycomputerandperipheralequipmentconnectedtoittogether withtheuseofanystand-aloneICTequipment

TheuseoftheSchoolʼsnetworkandequipmentisaprivilegeandnotaright

TheSchooltakesreasonablesteps tocontrolandmonitortheuseoftheinternetandotherelectronicmeansofcommunicationwithout unnecessarilyordisproportionatelycompromisingtheprivacyofboardersortheirabilitytocommunicatewith theirparents,guardiansoroutsideagencies TheSchoolwillthereforedetermineappropriateuseandmonitor useraccountsandfileserverspaceasnecessary Inappropriateuse,includingcontraveningtherulesand conditions,willresultinwithdrawaloftheprivilege;studentsshouldbeawareofthepersonalandacademic consequencesthatmayensuefromsuchawithdrawal Failuretoadheretothispolicywillalsoberegardedasa breachofSchoolRulesandmaythereforeresultinothersanctions.

Thefullpolicycanbefoundonourwebsite:wwwpurcell-schoolorg/about-us/policies/underICTAcceptableUse Policy(Students&Guests)

TheSchoolhasawirelessnetworkand,aercompletingtherelevantpaperwork,studentsareallowedtoconnect theirownpersonaldevicestothenetwork TheschoolnetworkprovidesaccesstoSkypeandtosocialnetworking sites,althoughaccessmayberestrictedtocertaintimesofday.

ParentsʼattentionisalsodrawntotheSchoolRules(Appendix1),Section15,regardingtheuseofmobilephones andotherdevicesinschool

F1:SCHOOLTRIPS

Aspartoftheeducationweoffer,studentsarefrequentlygiventheopportunitytomaketripsorexcursionsoutof school.Thesewillrangefromshort,one-daytripsforawholeclasstoalocalsiteofinterest,oreveningsoutto playsorconcerts,tooccasionaloverseasconcerttourswhichtakeplaceduringholidaytime Yourpermissionwill besoughtforanytripwhichtakesyoursonordaughteroutofschool,withtheexceptionofconcertsatwhichyour childisperformingandthedetailsofwhichhavebeenpublishedintheschoolcalendar

Theschoolcarriesoutcomprehensiveriskassessmentsforanytripswhichinvolveastayovernight,andall relevantdocumentationwillbemadeavailabletoparents

F2:COMPLAINTSPROCEDUREFORPARENTSANDGUARDIANS

ItishopedthattheSchoolwillcontinuetomaintainexcellentrelationshipswiththeparentsandguardiansof studentsattendingthePurcellSchool Nonetheless,theremaybeoccasionsduringastudentʼstimeatThePurcell Schoolwhenparentsmayfeeltheywishtomakeacomplaint Ifso,pleasefollowthisprocedure

Pleasetellusofyourconcernassoonaspossible Itisdifficultforustoinvestigateproperlyanincidentor problemwhichhashappenedsometimeago. Pleasestateyourproblemorconcerncourteously:itdoesnothelp stafftoresolveissuesifintemperateoraggressivelanguageisused,eitherinwritingorinperson

Wewillnormallytrytoresolveanycomplaintswithin10workingdaysofthembeingraised,exceptwheretheyare raisedinschoolholidays,inwhichcasewewilltrytoresolvethemwithin10workingdaysofthestartofthenew schoolterm.

ChildProtection:ConcernsregardingChildProtectionareoutsidethescopeofthisprocedure Ifyouhavea concernregardingChildProtection,pleasecontacttheschoolʼsDesignatedSafeguardingLead,MrZiggiSzafranski (HeadofSixthForm),directlybytelephoningtheSchoolOffice(01923331100)

Appealsagainstexpulsion:Theseareheardunderadifferentprocedure,detailsofwhichareavailablefromthe PrincipalʼsOffice.

Stage1(Informal)

1 Itishopedthatmostcomplaintsandconcernscanberesolvedquicklyandinformally Oenthereisa misunderstandingwhichcanbeeasilyresolved Ifnot,wewillgiveyouachancetoexplainyourconcerns andwilltrytoresolvethem Ofcourse,thisdoesnotmeanthatineverycasewewillcomeroundtoyour pointofviewbutitwillhelpbothyouandtheschooltounderstandbothsidesofthequestion Itmayalso helptopreventasimilarproblemarisingagain.

Financialmatters

Bursar Ifyouarenotsurewhomtocontact,pleasecontacttheSchoolOffice(info@purcell-schoolorg)

3 Ifyouwishtodiscusstheproblemfacetoface,therelevantmemberofstaffwillusuallybeabletoseeyou onaschooldaybeforeoraerschool Pleasecontactthembyemailinadvancetomakeanappointment Pleasedonotsimplyturnupatschoolandexpecttoseesomeone,astheymaynotbeavailable

4 Ifthematterisnotresolvedtoyoursatisfaction,orifyouhaveaseriouscomplaintwhichyoufeelcannot bedealtwithbythepersonabove,youshouldthenproceedtoStage2ofthisprocedure

Stage2(Formal)

1 Ifyoubelievethatyourcomplaintissufficientlyserious,orifthematterhasnotbeenresolvedatStage1 above,youcanmakeaformalcomplaintdirectlytothePrincipal Thismustbemadecourteouslyin writing,statingthatyouaremakingaformalcomplaint ThePrincipalwillacknowledgereceiptofyour complaint

2. ThePrincipalwillusuallydelegateresponsibilityforundertakinginvestigationofthecomplainttothe DeputyPrincipaloranotherseniormemberofstaffasappropriate Thedesignatedpersonmayaskto meetyouforadiscussionoftheproblem Youcantakeafriendorrelationtothisappointmentwithyouif youwish,whoshouldnotbelegallyqualified,andlegalrepresentationwillnotnormallybepermitted The designatedpersonwillthenconductafullinvestigationofthecomplaintandmayinterviewanymembers ofstafforstudentsinvolved Awrittenrecordwillbekeptofallmeetingsandinterviewsheldinrelationto thecomplaint

3. Followingtheinvestigation,thePrincipalwilldecide,aerconsideringthecomplaint,theappropriate courseofactiontotake Youwillbeinformedofthisdecisioninwriting ThePrincipalmayalsoaskto meetwithyoutoexplainthedecision

4 IfyourcomplaintisaboutanactionofthePrincipalpersonally,thenyoucanreferitinconfidencetothe ChairmanofGovernors Youcancontacthimbywritingtohimc/otheBursarorbyemailtotheBursar (a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org),statingclearlythatyouaremakingaformalcomplaint.

Stage3(Appeal)

1. Ifthematterisstillnotresolvedtoyoursatisfaction,youmaywishtoproceedtoStage3,andaskforyour complainttobereferredtoahearingpanel Theappealmustbemadeinwriting,statingthatyouare makinganAppeal.

2 YourappealshouldbeaddressedinconfidencetotheChairmanofGovernorsandsenttohimc/othe BursarorbyemailtotheBursar(a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org).TheBursarwillacknowledgereceipt ofyourcomplaint

3 Youmustlodgeyourappealwithin10workingdaysofthedateoftheSchoolʼsdecisionmadein accordancewiththeStage2Procedure Youshouldprovidealistofyourcomplaint(s)madeagainstthe schoolandwhichyoubelievenottohavebeenresolvedsatisfactorilybytheStage2Procedure,alongwith theremediessoughtinrespectofeach Youshouldalsostatewhetheryouwishtoattendthehearing,or whetherthepanelmaydealwiththematterbasedonlyonwrittensubmissions

4. TheChairmanofGovernorswillthenconveneapanelconsistingofthreeindividuals,twogovernorsand onememberwhoisindependentofthemanagementandrunningoftheschool,noneofwhomwillhave beendirectlyinvolvedinthemattersdetailedinthecomplaintandsowillbeabletogiveitafresh assessment Thepanelwillconveneassoonaspossible,normallywithin10workingdaysofthereceiptof yourappeal

5. Ifyouhaverequestedtoattendthehearing,youwillbeinvitedtoattendandspeaktothepanel;youmay bringafriendorrelativewithyou,whoshouldnotbelegallyqualified,andlegalrepresentationwillnot normallybepermitted.ThePrincipalwillnormallyalsoattendthehearing,andmaybringacolleague (normallythepersonwhohasinvestigatedthematterunderStage2above)

6 Aerdueconsiderationofallthefactstheyconsiderrelevant,thepanelwillreachadecision,andmay makerecommendations,whichitshallendeavourtocompletewithin10workingdaysofthehearing The decisionreachedbytheComplaintsPanelisfinal Thepanelʼsfindingswillbesentinwritingoremailto theparents,thePrincipal,theChairmanofGovernorsand,whererelevant,thepersoncomplainedabout.

Theletterwillstateanyreasonsforthedecisionreachedandrecommendations(ifany)madebythe ComplaintsPanel Therecordoftheoutcomeofthehearingiskeptinschoolinconfidence,availableto thePrincipalandtheChairofGovernors

FurtherdetailsoftheComplaintsPanelprocedureareavailablefromthePrincipalʼsOffice

Welfareofboarders(inaccordancewithNationalMinimumBoardingStandard5.8)

Boardersortheirparentswhohaveacomplaintabouttheirwelfarewhichtheyfeelhasnotbeenansweredbythe schoolʼsnormalprocedurescanwritetotheIndependentSchoolsʼInspectorateat:ISI,FirstFloor,CAPHouse,9-12 LongLane,LondonEC1A9HA,ortoinfo@isi.net

Alternatively,theymaycontacttheLocalAuthorityDesignatedOfficeron03001234043

Recordkeeping

Confidentialwrittenrecordsofallformal(Stage2)complaintsandtheiroutcome(includingwhethertheywere resolvedatStage2orproceededtoapanelhearing)willbekeptinasecurefilebythePrincipal Therecordscan bereadonlybythePrincipalandtheChairofGovernors

Parentscanbeassuredthatallcomplaintsandexpressionsofconcern,whetherraisedinformallyorformally,will betreatedseriouslyandconfidentially Correspondence,statementsandrecordswillremainconfidentialexcept wheretheSecretaryofStateorabodyconductinganinspectionundersection162Aofthe2002Actrequests accesstothem,orwhereanyotherlegalobligationprevails

F3:WHISTLEBLOWINGPOLICY

Purpose

Intheinterestsofopennessandaccountability,theSchoolencouragesanyonewithseriousconcernstocome forwardandvoicethem Thisappliestoconcernsabouttheactivitiesofstaff,governorsandexternal organisationsintheirdealingswiththeSchool

Thispolicy:

● Providesthebasisonwhichstudents/parentscanraiseanysuchconcernsandreceivefeedbackon actiontaken,

● Allowsstudents/parentstotakethematterfurtheriftheyaredissatisfiedwiththeSchoolʼsresponse,

● Givesprotectionfromreprisalsorvictimisationfor“whistleblowing”ingoodfaith

Existingpoliciesandproceduresareinplacetoenableemployeestoraisegrievancesorforparentsandstudents tomakeroutinecomplaints. Thispolicyisintendedtocoverconcernsthatfalloutsidethescopeofindividual grievances Theconcernmaybeaboutsomethingthat:

● Isunlawful,

● Iscontrarytotheschoolʼspolicies,

● Amountstoimproperconduct,

● Seemslikelytoharmsomebodyortheenvironment,

● Representsunsatisfactoryconcealmentoftheseissues

Safeguards

TheGoverningBodyrecognisesthatthedecisiontoreportaconcerncanbeadifficultonetomake,notleast becauseofthefearofreprisalsfromthoseallegedlyresponsibleforthemalpractice TheSchoolwillnottolerate harassmentorvictimisationandwilltakeallpossiblemeasurestoprotectthosewhoraiseconcernsingoodfaith

Confidentiality

Wherepossible,theSchoolwillprotecttheidentityofanyonewhoraisesconcernsanddoesnotwanttheirname tobedisclosed Itmustbeappreciated,however,thattheinvestigationmayrevealthesourceoftheinformation, andstatementsmademayberequiredaspartoftheevidence. TheSchoolencouragestheconcernedindividual toputtheirnametoallegationsmade Concernsexpressedanonymouslyaremuchlesspowerful,buttheywillbe consideredatthediscretionoftheSchool

Inexercisingthisdiscretion,thefollowingfactorswillbetakenintoaccount:

● Theseriousnessoftheissueraised,

● Thecredibilityoftheconcern,

● Thelikelihoodofconfirmingtheallegationfromattributablesources,

● Thepossibilityofuntrueorunsupportedallegations

Ifanallegationismadeingoodfaith,butisnotconfirmedbytheinvestigation,noactionwillbetaken However,if allegationsaremadethataremaliciousorvexatious,furtheractionislikely

Howtoraiseaconcern

Theearlieraconcernisraised,theeasieritistotakeaction

Asafirststep,parentsshouldnormallyraiseconcernswiththePrincipalortheChairmanofGovernors This depends,ofcourse,ontheseriousnessandsensitivityoftheissuesinvolvedandwhoisthoughttobeinvolvedin themalpractice TocontactamemberoftheGoverningBody,parentsshouldwritetotheSchoolcareoftheClerk totheGovernors,markingtheenvelopeʻPrivateandConfidentialʼandtheletterwillbepassedon. Ifparentsfeel theycannotapproacheitheroftheabove,theyshouldapproachtheGovernorwithresponsibilityforChild ProtectionandSafeguarding,DrRebeccaMooney

Concernsarebestraisedinwriting Thisshouldsetoutthebackgroundandhistoryoftheconcern,givingnames, datesandplaceswherepossible,andthereasonforconcernaboutthesituation. Ifparentsfeelunabletoputtheir concernsinwriting,theymaytelephoneoraskforameetingwiththeappropriateperson

HowtheSchoolwillrespond

TheactiontakenbytheSchoolwilldependonthenatureoftheconcern Themattermay,forexample,be investigatedinternallyoritmaybereferredtothepoliceoranappropriatestatutoryagency Inordertoprotect individualsandtheSchool,initialenquirieswillbemadetodecidewhetheraninvestigationisappropriateand,if so,whatformitshouldtake. Someconcernsmayberesolvedbyagreedactionwithouttheneedforinvestigation. Assoonaspossibleand,atthemost,withintwoweeksofaconcernbeingreceived,theChairmanofGovernorsor theappropriatememberofstaffwillrespond:

● Acknowledgingthattheconcernhasbeenraised,

● Indicatinghowitisproposedtodealwiththematter,

● Wherepossible,givinganestimateofhowlongitwilltaketoprovideafinalresponse,

● Advisingwhetherfurtherinvestigationswilltakeplaceandifnot,whynot

Whenameetingisarranged,parentsmaybeaccompaniedbyacolleagueorfriend

Subjecttolegalorcontractualconstraints,parentswillalwaysreceiveinformationabouttheoutcomeofany investigation

Takingtheissuefurther

Individualswhoarenotsatisfiedwiththeactiontakenasaresultofaninvestigation,andfeelitisrighttotakethe matteroutsidetheSchool,aredirectedtothefollowingpossiblecontactpoints: Relevantprofessionalbodies,

● TheDepartmentofEducation,

● Thepolice,

● ThecharityPublicConcernatWork(telephone02074046609)

F4:FUNDRAISINGANDSPONSORSHIP

Aswellasbeinganeducationalestablishment,ThePurcellSchoolisalsoaregisteredcharity(Number312855) andneedstofundraise.

AlthoughthegovernmentʼsMusicandDanceSchemeprovidesfundingfor143oftheSchoolʼsstudents,financial supportisrequiredfortheremaining20%ofstudents PartoftheFundraisingDepartmentʼsroleistosecure scholarshipsandbursariesforthesestudents

Parentsareaskedtoassistwiththisworkby:

● BeingambassadorsfortheSchoolandrecommendingitforsupporttotheirfriends,colleaguesand businesscontacts

● NotmakingrequestsdirectlytotheSchoolʼsbenefactorsforfinancialassistancefortheirchildren,either whilsttheyareatschoolorwhentheymoveon TheFundraisingDepartmentisresponsibleformaking approachestofundingsourcesonbehalfoftheSchoolandcanadviseonsourcesoffinancialsupport availablefortertiaryeducation.

ForfurtherinformationabouttheworkoftheFundraisingDepartment,Scholarships,Bursariesandfundraising activities,pleasecontacttheDirectorofDevelopmentManager

APPENDIX1:SCHOOLRULES

Theserulesaredesignedtoencourageyoutobehaveinathoughtfulandresponsibleway,toensurethatyou receivethemaximumbenefitfromyoureducation,tomaintaintheSchoolʼsexcellentreputation,andtohelpus livetogetherasaschoolcommunity

YoushouldalsoreadtheschoolʼsAnti-BullyingPolicy,BehaviourandSanctionsPolicy(whichexplains rewardsandsanctionsusedattheschool),DrugsandAlcoholPolicy&theICTAcceptableUsePolicy

1.ATTENDANCE

a Youmustregistereveryschooldayby840aminHouses Itistheschoolʼslegalobligationtorecordyour attendanceinthisway. Ifyouarrivelateinthemorning,youmustsignineitherinyourboardinghouseoruse theelectronicsigninginsystem,InVentry

b Aernoonregistrationistakenintheboardinghousesatlunchtimebetween1pmand120pm;ifyoutakean earlyorlatelunchduetocommitmentsandmissregistrationyoumustsignininyourboardinghouse

c Daystudents:Youshouldnotbeinschoolbefore800am,andyoushouldleavethepremisesby600pm (400pmforAvison)unlessyouarerequiredtostayforanorganisedschoolactivitysupervisedbyamemberof staff(eg arehearsal) Inexceptionalandoccasionalcircumstances,permissiontostaylateratschoolisstrictly atthediscretionoftheHouseparentandmustbesoughtatleast48hoursinadvanceandinwritingfrom parentsorguardians Daystudentsmustalwayssigninwiththeirhouseparentonarrivalatschoolinthe morning,andmustalwayssignoutfromtheirhousebeforeleavingschoolattheendoftheday.

d Youareexpectedtobeinschoolforthecoreworkinghours(840amuntil340pm)unlessgivenpermissionto belate/absentorengagedinanorganisedschoolactivity(e.g.aschooltrip).Unlessspecificpermissionhas beengiventogohomeearly,alldaystudentsmuststayinschooluntiltheirlastcommitmentoftheday Day studentsinAvisonmaynotleavethepremisesattheendofthedayuntilcollectedbyanagreedadult

e Youareexpectedtoattendalltimetabledlessons,assemblies,tutorsessions,rehearsals,concertsandother activitiesunlessillorinjured Ifyoudonothaveataughtlessonduringtheworkingday,youshouldeitherbe doingpracticeorprivatestudy

f Ifyouneedtomissanacademiclesson(orothertimetabledactivity)foraninstrumentallesson,youmust excuseyourselffromthatlessonbyspeakingtothememberofstaffconcerned Permissiontomissalessonfor anextraordinaryrehearsalcanonlybegivenbytherelevantHeadofDepartment(HoD) Permissiontomiss GameswillnormallybegivenonlyifaletterhasbeenbroughtfromparentsortheSchoolNurse.

g IfyouareinYear10andaboveanddohavepermissiontoleaveschoolduringtheday,youmustsignoutof yourboardinghousewhenyouleave,andsigninagaininyourboardinghousewhenyoureturn,sothatwe knowwhoisonsiteatalltimes IfyouareinAvisonandhavepermissiontoleaveschoolduringtheday,you mustgototheSchoolOffice

h SixthFormdaystudentsmayleavethepremisesaertheirlastcommitmentofthedayprovidingtheyhave permissiontodosofromtheirHouseparentorHeadofSixthForm Thisprivilegemaybewithdrawnatany timeasasanctionforinappropriatebehaviouroracontraventionoftheschoolrules

2.WHATTODOIFYOUAREILL

a DayStudents:Ifyouareillathome,yourparents/guardiansmustphonetheSchoolOfficeoremail studentabsence@purcell-school.orgonthefirstmorningofabsence,explainingthereasonforyour absence Thisshouldberepeatedeachdayuntilyoureturntoschool

b Ifyouareillwhileatschool,youmustalwaysreportimmediatelytoamemberofstaff Duringtheschoolday, youshouldreporttotheSchoolOfficewhereyouwillbeseenbytheNurseoraqualifiedfirst-aider Underno circumstancesmayyouleavetheschool,evenwithyourparents,withoutsigningout Boarderswhofeelill

before900amoraer430pmshouldreporttoHouseStaff

c Boarders:Ifyoufallillwhileathomeandneedtoreturntoschoollate,yourparentsorguardiansshould informyourHouseparentassoonaspossible

3.SPECIALABSENCE

a Ifyouwishtobeabsentfromschoolforanexternalmusicalcommitmentsuchasaconcertoracompetition, youshouldfirstdiscussitwellinadvancewithyourHeadofInstrumentalDepartment Yourparentorguardian mustmakeadetailedabsencerequestbyemail,atleast14daysinadvance,to studentabsence@purcell-school.org

b Ifyouwishtomissschoolforanyotherreason,yourparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequest byemail,atleast14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org

c Detailsgiveninanyabsencerequestmustincludedetailsofhowyouwillbetravelling,includingflightortrain information,andarecordoftheadultwhowillberesponsibleforyouduringthistime.

d Whenpermissionforabsenceisgiven,youareresponsibleforlettingallteachersknowcourteouslyin advance,andfulfillinganyextratasksset.

e Boarders:Tobeabsentforanyperiodoutsidetheschoolday,parentsorguardiansmustsubmitanexeat requestthroughOrah(previouslycalledBoardingware)toobtainpermission.

4.BOUNDSANDLEAVINGTHESCHOOLSITE

a Thefollowingareasareoutofbounds

-Anywoodedareaaroundtheschool

-Thelowerfieldatthebackoftheschoolaerdusk

-BusheyHallGolfClub

-TheLincolnsfieldCentre

-BusheyMillLaneaerdusk

-HartspringMeadow

-TheMetropolitanPoliceClubandGrounds

b BoardersinYear7-9

-YoumaynotleavetheSchoolsiteatanytimeunlessaccompaniedbyamemberofstaff,parentorguardian

c BoardersinYears10and11

-Providedyouhavenoscheduledlessonsoractivities,youmaysignoutofschoolbetween3.40and6.00pm MondaytoFriday(1200noonto600pmatweekends) Youmustgoinagroupofatleastthree Youmust alwayshavepermissionfromyourHouseparent,statewhereyouaregoing,becontactablebymobilephone andbebackinschoolby600pmforsupper

d SixthFormBoarders

-Providedyouhavenoscheduledlessonsoractivities,studentsmaysignoutofschoolbetweenthetimes indicatedbelowandmustbepresentforsupperat6pm: Monday 4.00-6.00pm Tuesday 400-600pm Wednesday 400-600pm Thursday 400-600pm Friday 400-600pm 815-945pm Saturday 1200-945pm

Exceptionsgrantedinspecialcircumstances viaDirectorofBoarding Sunday 12.00-8.00pm

-YoumustalwayshavepermissionfromyourHouseparent(ordutymemberofstaff),statewhereyouare going,andbecontactablebymobilephone Returntimesabovemustbestrictlyobserved -Notethatpermissiontoleaveschoolintheeveningsisaprivilegewhichmaybewithdrawnforreasonsof

poorbehaviour,work,attendanceatlessons,orbreachingtheaboveconditions

e SaturdayMusicCollegeJuniorDepartments

-IfyouwishtoattendtheJuniorDepartmentofanyoftheLondonMusicCollegesonSaturdays,youmust ensurethatyourparentshavediscussedarrangementswiththeDirectorofMusicandHeadofDepartment 5.SAFETY

a Youmustensurethatyourbehaviourdoesnothingtoharmorendangeryourselforothermembersofthe school,stafforpublic,ordodamagetoproperty Thisincludestamperingwithelectronicorcomputer equipment

b Youmaynotenteranypartofthemaintenanceworkshops,roomswhereequipmentisstored,orboiler rooms Youmaynotclimbonanyrooforoutofanywindow Youmaynotremovetherestrictorsonwindows, whicharethereforyoursafety,withoutpermissionfromamemberofstaff

c.Youshouldnotrunincorridors,onstaircases,orinthedininghall.

d Youshouldnotenteranyschoolcarparkwithoutgoodreason Youshouldtakeparticularcareoftraffic enteringandleavingthesite.

e Ifthefirealarmsounds,remainsilentandfollowstaffinstructions,walkingquicklyandsilentlyviathenearest exittotheassemblypoint.

f Youmustnottamperwithanyfirealarmequipment Settingoffthefirealarmorfireextinguishersdeliberately willberegardedasveryseriousoffences.

g Youmaynotcarrywithyouanymedicines,exceptinsulin,epipens,asthmainhalersorsimilaremergency items.AllothermedicinesmustbehandedtotheSchoolNurseorHouseparentsinthefirstinstancefor safe-keepingandadministration

6.ROOMSINBOARDINGHOUSES

a OnlySixthFormstudentsmayusetheirroomduringthedayforpracticeandprivatestudy

b Boysmaynotvisitstudies/bedroomsorcorridorsinSunley,orthegirlsʼsideofNewBoardingHouseor Avison Girlsmaynotvisitstudies/bedroomsorcorridorsontheboysʼsideofNewBoardingHouse Ifyoubreak theserulesyoumustexpecttobesuspendedfromschool

c Youareexpectedtokeepyourroomtidyandtoputyourbelongingsaway Occupantsofuntidyroomswillbe requiredtotidythemintheirfreetime

d Allroomsmustbeemptiedattheendofeachterm,oratanyothertimeifrequestedbyyourHouseparent

7.EVENINGROUTINEFORBOARDERS

a Allboarders(andanydaystudentsstillinschool)mustregisterfordinnerwithdutystaffintheDiningHallat 600pm

b Preptimesexisttoenableyoutocompleteworkoutsidelessons PrepforstudentsinYears7-8isfrom400pm to500pmMondaytoThursday,andforallotheryearsfrom715-845pm(Year9prephasanearlierstarttime) MondaytoThursday Allboardersarerequiredtoobservetherulesforprepbelow

c AvisonboardersaresupervisedduringprepintheHouse AvisonboardersinYears7-8haveorganisedpractice timefrom6.30-7.30pm.

d BoardersinYears10-13maydoprepintheirownrooms Academicworktakespriorityandtheremustbeno practisingwithoutpermissionfromtheHouseparentordutystaff.Ifyouwishtoworkelsewhere(e.g.inthe MusicTechnologystudioorArtRoom)youmusthavepermissionfromthememberofstaffonduty

e.IfyouareaSixthFormerorinY11andareuptodatewithyourwork,youmayrequesttobeallowedto practiseduringpreptime ThiswillbeauthorisedatthediscretionofyourHouseparentwiththeagreementof theDirectorofMusicandyourHoD

f Houseparentsmay,attheirdiscretion,occasionallyallowyoungerstudentstopractiseduringprepiftheyare preparingforspecificimportantmusicalactivitiesandareuptodatewiththeiracademicwork

g VisitorstoBoardingHousesmustsignin(andout)withdutystaff

8.VISITINGHOUSES

a AvisonstudentsshouldnotvisitanyotherHouse

b MembersofSeniorHousesmaynotvisitAvisonexceptwiththespecificpermissionoftheHouseparent

c Seniorstudentsvisitingotherhousesmustaskforpermissionfromdutystaffiftheymaysignintovisit

9.BEDTIMES

Itisimportantthatyougetsufficientsleepeachnighttoenableyoutomeetallyouracademicandmusical commitments Inyourowninterests,bedtimesforboardersareasfollows:

INHOUSE

INROOM

LIGHTSOUT

Years7&8 7.30pm 8.30pm 9.00pm

Year9 830pm 930pm 945pm

Year10 945pmlatest 945pm 1015pm Year11 945pmlatest 945pm 1015pm

Year12 1000pmlatest 1015pm 1045pm Year13 1000pmlatest 1015pm 1045pm

10.USEOFSCHOOLROOMS

a.Youmayonlyusepracticeroomsforindividualpracticeorensemblerehearsals.Unlesspracticingwithothers, practiceroomsaresingleoccupancy Youareexpectedtotakecareoffurniture,equipment,pianosorother instrumentsintheserooms Youshouldalwaysleavetheroomtidyandreadyforuse,closewindowsand turnofflights Emptyclassroomsmayalsobeusedforpracticeonthesamebasis

b Roomsmaynotbeʻreservedʼandstudentsshouldnotleavebelongingsinroomsduringtheschoolday Ifyou areusingapracticeroomandareleavingtoattendalesson,breakorlunchtimeyoumusttakeyour belongingswithyou

c TheLibraryisavailablethroughoutthedayforquietprivatestudy Youmaynotbringfoodordrinkintothe Library AllbooksormusicremovedfromtheLibrarymustbesignedfor

d TheICTRoomisavailableforuseatcertainpublishedtimes YoumustfollowtheICTAcceptableUsePolicy, whichwillbegiventoyou YoumaynotbringfoodordrinkintotheICTroom,andyoumustnottamperwith anyequipment.

11.ACADEMICRULES

a Youshouldensurethatyoualwaysarrivepromptlyforlessons,andhaveallthecorrectbooksandmaterials

b Youmustbringyourplannertoalllessonsandrecordallhomeworkinit

c Allhomeworkmustbecompletedontimeasrequiredbyteachers Courseworkandcontrolledassessment tasksmustbecompletedaccordingtotheinstructionsofteachers,andmustbeyourownunaidedwork

d Duringlessons,youshouldshowrespectforyourteacherandfellowlearnersby:

-Listeningandconcentratingwhenyourteacheroranotherstudenttalkstothewholeclass.

-Answeringquestionsproperly,withtheaimoflearningandhelpingotherstolearn

-Workingsensiblywithyourfellowstudents,andavoidinganythingtodistractorannoythem.

e Youshouldcarryoutanyreasonablerequestfromateacheratonceandwithoutargument

12.DRESSCODE

Thereisnoschooluniform,butitisimportantthatyouareclean,wellturnedoutanddecent,inclothingthatis appropriateforpurposefulacademicandmusicalwork HouseparentsortheDeputyPrincipalwillbethearbiters ofwhetherclothingisacceptable,butthefollowingexamplesgiveguidanceastowhattoavoid:

-Extremesoffashionandill-fittingclothes,croptopsorveryshortshorts,garmentswithoffensiveslogansor pictures,clothesthataretornorrippedorsee-throughmaterialswhichexposeunderwear

-Ostentatiousjewelleryorextravagantbodypiercing

-Visibletattoosunlessverysmall

Forreasonsofsafety,flip-flopsarenotacceptableindoorfootwearduringtheschooldayandyoumayberequired totieanylonghairoutoftheway(eg insciencelabs)

SeparaterulesonConcertDressareissuedbytheMusicDepartment

13.CATERING

a Allstudentsmayhavelunch,morningbreakandaernoonbreakintheDiningHallfromMondaytoFriday

b Breakfastandsupperonweekdays,andallmealsatweekends,areforboardersonly Daystudentswhowould likesupper(orbreakfastthefollowingday)mustdiscussthiswiththeirHouseparentatleastthreedaysin advance

14.RESPONSIBILITYFORPROPERTY

a Allpersonalpropertyshouldbeclearlymarkedwithyourname

b Donotbringlargesumsofmoneyandothervaluablestoschoolunlessabsolutelynecessary Ifso,boarders shouldkeeptheminthesafethatisprovidedintheirbedrooms Ifyouregularlyneedaccesstolarge amountsofmoney,youshouldhaveacashcardsothatyoucanwithdrawitwhenyourequireit Donot leavecash,mobilephonesorothervaluableslyingaround.

c Youareexpectedtotakesensibleprecautionstokeepyourpropertysafe Weencourageyourparentstorenta lockerfromtheʻIndependentLockerSolutionsLtdʼ,whoadministertherentalfortheschool.Thekeyswillbe sentdirectlytoyourparent/guardian Forthoselivingabroad,lockerkeyscanbecollectedfromtheSchool Officeatthestartoftheterm Youshouldrequestalockerofasuitablesizeforyourinstrument Forlarger instruments,aseparatearrangementcanbemadeeitherwithyourHeadofDepartment(HOD)ora Houseparent

d Youareresponsibleforschoolpropertysuchasbooks,equipment,instrumentsorsheetmusicloanedtoyou Youwillbechargedifyoulosethem

e Reportbreakagesordamagestothepremises,schoolequipmentorthepropertyofothermembersofthe schoolimmediatelytoamemberofstaff Youwillnotbechargedifitisagenuineaccident,butyoushould expecttopayfordeliberateorcarelessdamage.

f Bagsandinstrumentsshouldbeleintheplacesprovidedandnotaroundschoolwheretheyarelikelyto causeanobstacleordangertootherpeople,orinvulnerableplacesnearexitsfromtheschool.

g Donottamperwith,handleorinterfereinanywaywithotherpeopleʼsproperty,includinginstruments,except underclearinstructionsfromamemberofstaff.

15.MOBILEPHONES

a Youmaybringmobilephonesandsimilardevicestoschool However,theymustbeswitchedoffandkeptout ofsightduringassemblies,concerts,rehearsals,lessonsandpreptimes,unlessrequiredforacademicwork Boardersmayberequiredtohandinmobilephonesorsimilardevicesduringpreptimesorovernight

b AllboardersuptoandincludingYear11willberequiredtohandinmobilephones,tabletsandlaptops overnight DeviceswillbereturnedtoY9-11aermorningpracticethenextday StudentsbelowY9willhave theirdevicesreturnedattheendoftheschoolday

c Anyuseofmobilephoneswhichinvolvesbullying,theinvasionofprivacy,thecirculationoflibellousor pornographicmaterials,orthephotographyofotherindividualswithoutpermissionisconsidered unacceptable.Thisincludesreadingtextmessagesoremailsonanotherpersonʼsphonewithouttheir specificconsent

d.Youmustensurethatyouruseofamobilephoneorotherdevicedoesnotdisrupttheworkoftheschoolor disturbotherstudents,forexamplebydeprivingthemoftherighttosleep

e.YouareremindedthattheExaminationBoardsspecificallyforbidtheuseofmobilephonesinexamination rooms;ifyouarefoundinthepossessionofamobilephone,youriskbeingdisqualifiedfromallyour examinations

f Theschoolreservestherighttosearchand/orconfiscateyourmobilephoneifwehavegoodcausetobelieve thatithasbeenusedillegallyorinamannerthatwouldbreaktherulesdetailedabove

g YoumustatalltimesonlyusemobiledevicesaccordingtotheschoolʼsResponsibleandAcceptableUse Policy

16.TRAVELLINGBYMINIBUS

a Whentravellingbyminibus,youmustwearaseatbeltatalltimesandsitquietly

b Foryourownsafetyandthatofotherpassengers,youmustnotdistractthedriverordoanythingwhichmight endangerthevehicle Studentswhomakeitdifficultforthedrivertodrivesafelymaylosetheirprivilegeto usetheminibus

c Onschooltrips,youshouldlistencarefullytotheriskassessmentdetailswhichwillbereadoutbythegroup leaderbeforeyouleavetheminibusorcoach

17.GENERALBEHAVIOUR

a.Youareexpectedtobepoliteandhelpfultootherstudents,staffandvisitors.Thereisnoexcuseforrudeness, disrespectorinsolencetowardsothermembersoftheschoolcommunity

b.Youareexpectedtoobeyanyreasonablerequestorinstructionfromteachingstaff,boardingstaff,support stafforprefects

c.YoumustsignandobservetheICTAcceptableUsePolicy.

d Youarenotallowedtosmokeorvapeontheschoolpremisesoranywhereelseduringtermtime Youmust notbringcigarettes,e-cigarettes,Shishapens,tobacco,matches,orlighterstoschool.Youmustnotbring candlesorjossstickstoschool

e.Youmustnotbeinpossessionofalcohol,orundertheinfluenceofalcohol,orvisitlicensedpremisesatany timeduringtheschooldayorduringschoolactivities StudentsinYears12and13mayonoccasionbe allowedalcoholicdrinksatschooleventswithparentalpermissiontobemembersoftheSixthFormClub andthespecificpermissionofthePrincipal,ortovisitrestaurantswherealcoholisserved,withthe permissionoftheirHouseparents SeetheDrugs&AlcoholPolicyforfurtherdetails

f Youmustnotbeinpossessionorundertheinfluenceofanycontrolleddrugs SeetheDrugs&AlcoholPolicy forfurtherdetails

g Youmustnothaveinyourpossessionanyrealorreplicaweapons,hazardouschemicalsorfireworks

h Youmaynotentergamblingpremisesorbookmakersduringtermtime;gamblinginschoolformoneyis forbidden

i Sexualintimacy,physicalrelationshipsorpublicdisplaysofaffectionarenotappropriateinaschool Students engaginginsexualactivitycanexpecttobesanctionedasthisbehaviourwillnotbetolerated

j Youmustnotpublishinprintedorelectronicformat(eg onwebsites)anymaterialwhichisoffensiveor derogatoryabouttheschoolorindividualsconnectedwithit

k Youmaynotdriveacar,mopedormotorbiketoorfromschool,orwithintheschoolgrounds,withoutthe expresspermissionofthePrincipal SeetheStudentCarPolicyforfurtherdetails

l Youareexpectedtohelpkeeptheschoolandgroundsfreefromlitter Pleaseplacelitterintothebins provided Youmustnotbringchewinggumtoschoolatanytime

m Studentsarenotpermittedtoorderfoodtobedeliveredtoschool

Intheinterpretationofalloftheaboverules,thePrincipalʼsdecisionwillbefinal.Theserulesmaybe amendedfromtimetotime.

DressCode-Duringtheschoolday

Thereisnoschooluniform,butitisimportantthatstudentsareclean,wellturnedout anddecent,inclothingthat isappropriateforpurposefulacademicandmusicalwork HouseparentsortheVicePrincipalwillbethearbiters ofwhetherclothingisacceptable,butthefollowingexamplesgiveguidanceastowhattoavoid:

● Extremesoffashionandill-fittingclothes,garmentswithoffensiveslogansorpictures,croptopsorvery shortshorts,clothesthataretornorrippedorsee-throughmaterialswhichexposeunderwear

● Ostentatiousjewelleryorextravagantbodypiercing

● Visibletattoosunlessverysmall

Forreasonsofsafety,flip-flopsarenotacceptableindoorfootwearduringtheschooldayandyoumayberequired totieanylonghairoutoftheway(eg insciencelabs)

PhysicalEducationandGamesClothing

Boysandgirls: Nonrestrictivesafeclothingsuitableforphysicalactivity(nothoodiesorjeans) Appropriate footwearsuchastrainers

SixthFormstudents:Ifyouintendtoswim,usingthelocalleisurefacilitiesandinyourowntime,pleasebring appropriateswimwear

FormalConcertDress

Ourintentionistokeepconcertdressassimpleaspossible Purcellstudentsshouldperforminclothesthatmake themfeelcomfortableandabletoexpressthemselvesmusicallywithoutdistraction Audiencesexpectalevelof professionalismfromus,andclothingshouldbeclean,smart,andappropriatetothemusicalactivity,settingand occasion Studentswillbegivenspecificguidanceinadvanceofexternalconcerts(particulardresscode,changing andstoragespace,likelyvenuetemperatureetc)

Ingeneral"allblack"willbetheconcertdressforalmostallevents,andstudentsshouldhavethefollowing,asa minimum Thiswillbeenoughformostorchestral,choral,house,classorgroupperformances:

Whenperformingsoloorinsmallgroups,studentsmayoccasionallyprefertobeinsomethingmorecolourful, appropriatetotheoccasion.Thefollowingmaybewornwhenappropriate,butitisnotessentialtohavethem: Whitecollaredshirts/blouses(NBmustbelongsleeved)

Ingeneral,youngmusiciansknowwhattheyliketowearwhenperforming,followingtheexampleofrespected professionals TheSchoolwillonlyinsistonaparticularuniformifitisinthestudent'sinterests,orwherea consistentstagepictureisrequired

InformalConcertDress

Ourlunchtimeconcertshappeninthemiddleofabusyschoolday,andwedonotexpectstudentstodressup formallyforthese,buttheymayiftheywish Theexpectationof"clean,smartandappropriate"stillapplies regardless

APPENDIX3:INDEXOFPOLICIES

Thefollowingschoolpoliciescanbefoundontheschoolwebsite:

A1Curriculum

H1Health&Safety P3SelfHarmPolicy

A2Assessment&Reporting H2EducationalVisits P4Behaviour&Sanctions

A3Homework M2ComplaintsPolicy P5Boarding–PrinciplesandPractice

A4LearningSupport M4Admissions P6SchoolRules

A5SexEducation

M5ExternalMusicLessons P7 StudentCarPolicy

G1Equality P1ChildProtection P8Drugs&Alcohol

G2DataProtection&PrivacyStatements P2Anti-BullyingPolicy