1
Dear Families Welcome to the Simon Balle community. This booklet is to help you to prepare to start this part of your educational journey for the next 7 years. This year is a special one for two reasons. Firstly we are welcoming 172 Year 7 students (our largest year to date) as well as 2 forms of reception children. This is a great community where although individuals matter, it is together that we can make the greatest impact. We have a very strong vision and purpose, built up upon clear un-negotiable values – honesty, trust, openness and respect for everyone. Our students need to develop skills and behaviours so that they become active citizens. We will ensure that they develop resilience; that they listen to others; are creative and flexible in their approach. Simon Balle students need to understand the importance of self-discipline; able to accept criticism and reflect upon their practice. They need to be organised, manage their time well and learn how to learn! School life is fun but should be hard work. It is demanding and challenging alongside being rewarding Transition from Primary to Secondary School We want our students to settle as quickly as possible. Leaving one familiar place and joining another can be daunting for some and cause anxiety both for the students and also the parents. Firstly, parents must be careful not to increase these anxieties or project their experiences and worries upon the young person. Secondly, we put on a number of activities and the students themselves tell us that these really are important and the key to settling quickly. So please engage and work with us before they start in September. Things to do
Go weekly to our website and discuss with your child all of the activities which have taken place in school. Talk about ‘your new school’. Read this booklet together. Come to the transition activity evenings. Attend our transfer evening event (compulsory attendance for Year 6 students and their parents) on Wednesday 8th July from 7pm. Look forward to the new clubs and activities your child may attend. Plan the journey to school to ensure it is sustainable. Ensure during the holidays that some routines are kept – students must read, write, eat properly and go to bed at regular times.
This booklet is designed to provide all the information you will need to prepare you and your child for the move to our secondary school. The pages at the front are for you to keep for your information. The forms at the back need to be completed and returned to the School Office. Please ensure this is done as soon as possible, and no later than Wednesday 6th May, so that we can enter your child’s details onto our database, order any supplies you may need before the start of term and book you onto courses that you might like to attend. I look forward to getting to know both you and your child over the coming weeks and months. Alison Saunders Headteacher
2
School Vision We have a clear vision – all students will be set challenging academic and personal targets and given the support and encouragement to succeed. An outstanding educational experience is the greatest gift that we can give our young people who will be the leaders of future generations. As the world is rapidly changing we need to ensure that all of our students go out into the globally competitive world with the skills, attributes and behaviours for twenty-first century living.
3
Before You Arrive – Key Activities and Dates Calendar of Events You are warmly welcome to any of these events DATE
EVENT
Monday 8th, Thursday 18th, Wednesday 24th and Tuesday 30th June – 6.30-8.00pm Tuesday 23rd June and Wednesday 1st July, 3.455.00pm
Transition Activities*
Tuesday 7th July – 19.00
Thursday 9th July – 08.40-15.25
Summer Concert, Broxbourne Civic Centre All new parents warmly welcome Y6 into Y7 Student and Parents’ Evening at Simon Balle* Year 6 Transition Day at Simon Balle*
Monday 13 and Tuesday 14th July – 15.30-19.00
Stevensons Uniform Sale
Wednesday 2nd September Monday 7th September
First Day for ALL Students and School Photographs* Induction for parents
Monday 14th to Friday 18th September
Activities week including 2 ½ day residential trip*
Saturday 26th September – 8.30-12.30
Open Morning for Prospective Parents*
Wednesday 8th July – 19.00
Moving On Club (by invitation)
(*Students are expected to attend these sessions by the School)
4
Term Dates 2015-2016
AUTUMN TERM 2015 Tuesday 1st September to Friday 18th December INSET 1: INSET 2: Occasional Days: Half Term:
Tuesday 1st September Monday 28th September Thursday and Friday 26th and 27th November Monday 26th – 30th October inclusive
All Year Groups start school on Wednesday 2nd September 2015
SPRING TERM 2016 Monday 4th January to Friday 1st April Half Term: Easter Weekend
Monday 15th – 19th February inclusive Friday 25th March – Monday 28th March (Good Friday - Easter Monday)
All Year Groups return to school on Monday 4th January 2016 Please note: Hertfordshire schools will have the actual Easter weekend as a short break and then the 2 week holiday will commence on Monday 4th April.
SUMMER TERM 2016 Monday 18th April to Friday 22nd July Bank Holiday: INSET 3: INSET 4: Half Term:
Monday 2nd May Tuesday 3rd May Friday 8th July Monday 30th May – Friday 3rd June inclusive
All Year Groups return to school on Monday 18th April 2016
5
Working with students and parents together before coming is an important part of our transition programme. Please read below some of the activities on offer and sign up for as many as you would like.
Transition Activities Following our extremely popular and successful sessions last year in various subjects, we are once again able to offer a variety of practical activities where parents work alongside their children who are joining Simon Balle School in September. The sessions will run for 90 minutes and parents and students can sign up for just one evening or attend all four if they prefer. If a department is offering more than one session then this will follow the same format each time. Sessions will be linked to the programmes students will follow in Year 7 and parents will be working on similar themes and developing those skills their own children will be exploring once they come to Simon Balle. It is an excellent way of students getting to know the school and for parents to understand the time constraints they work under. However parents really enjoy working alongside their children and meeting other new parents. Places will be limited and we would like you to indicate your preferred dates and sessions on the form below (Monday 8th, Thursday 18th, Wednesday 24th and Tuesday 30th June – 6.30-8.00pm). We will try and accommodate you with your first preferences however if, as last year, the sessions prove so popular we may have to restrict parents to one session each to enable us to accommodate more parents. Please indicate your interests on the form at the end of this booklet. The subjects on offer will be Art, Drama, Food Technology, English, Geography, History, IT, Library and Independent Learning, Maths, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), Music, PE, PRE and Science. Here are some of the things our current Year 7 students and parents have said about Simon Balle School and our transition programme:
We both enjoyed each event. The English event was the best for student interaction and the IT session was a real eye opener as to the level of technology that they will be using. However special mention must go to the Music event it was totally inspiring with the garage band project and lots of fun with the Samba band that followed. The activities were very good. They were fun whilst learning. My son gained a lot of confidence from these sessions. We were met by very enthusiastic pupils who were very helpful and were a credit to your school. The classes were so brilliant and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed her time, and built up her confidence, and as for me, her mum, I would really like to go back to school. We had a great time, we were made so welcome by both staff and pupils .Many thanks. Very innovative and fun. I am sure it will make my son feel more relaxed when arriving in September. Thank you to the teachers for making the effort. It also helps me to understand the technology which is being used to teach students now! The activities included in each of the sessions were really well thought out and thoroughly enjoyed by my daughter and myself. As a student starting in September, she feels as though she at least knows a little of what is to come, which in turn will make her feel a bit less nervous about starting senior school.
Moving On Club The Moving On Club at Simon Balle is aimed at those students who would benefit from some extra assistance with transition from primary to secondary education. The Club is for any students who may find transition more trying or who are the only students transferring from their primary school. The students will be identified by their primary school and invited to attend. 6
The dates for the club this year are Tuesday 23rd June and Wednesday 1st July and it will rum from 3.455.00pm. The club gives the student a chance to familiarise themselves with the school and feel more at ease and confident about their move to Simon Balle.
Year 6 into Year 7 Student and Parents’ Evening Wednesday 8th July 19.00-20.15 This is the Welcome Evening where your child meets his or her new form tutor and parents learn about the school. We expect all parents and new students to attend as important information is given out at the meeting. For the first time we will be running our annual Year 7 residential activity trip early in September 2015 (see the following page for more information). On Wednesday 8th July, parents and students will learn more about the trip and the activities; therefore it is imperative that all parents attend.
Year 6 Transition Day Thursday 9th July – 08.40-15.25 A structured transition programme is in place to ensure a smooth move from primary to secondary school and feedback from previous years has found this to be extremely successful. All Year 6 students spend a full day at Simon Balle and every feeder primary school will receive a visit from a member of our staff. The food served in our school canteen is incredibly popular and here at Simon Balle School we are totally committed to healthy eating. Students should bring between £2-4 to cover the cost of lunch (1.05pm) and a drink and snack for morning break (11am) or a packed lunch. They should also wear their primary school uniform. *********************
AND IN SEPTEMBER….. First Day at Simon Balle School Wednesday 2nd September – 08.40am All students will be starting on Wednesday 2nd September at 8.40am. Students must arrive for school, in their uniforms, with writing equipment and rucksacks or shoulder bags (no handbags). (PE kits will not be needed on the first day.) They will then spend time in their form groups, have a welcome assembly and get to familiarise themselves with the school. Lockers, smartcards and book covers will be issued during the day.
‘Moving to Secondary School’ The aim of this session is for parents to learn what it is like being a Year 7 student now, particularly for those who having a child at Simon Balle is a new experience.
Monday 7th September – An introduction to learning for Year 7 parents; subjects, timetable and lessons 7
Year 7 Activities Week 14-18 September 2015 The value of a residential trip is well documented and most schools like to run these trips as they are very beneficial to students helping them to grow as individuals. This year we have decided to change what we have traditionally offered and in September we will be combining a 2 ½ day residential trip (Monday am to Wednesday lunch or Wednesday lunch to Friday pm) with a variety of learning skills activities within school. This will offer a similar type of experience as previous trips but the reduction in costs should make it more affordable to our families. The trip will be in Hertfordshire and will form part of the induction period. It is therefore an opportunity for the students to really get to know other students within the year group and also their teachers. The venue will be Phasels Wood which is an activity centre near Hemel Hempstead and will be run by Wildchild. A representative from the company will talk at the transition evening on Wednesday 8 th July to describe the activities which will take place. There will be an emphasis both upon physical activities (e.g. climbing, high ropes, pot holing, crate stacking and much more, all supervised by qualified staff) as well as bushcraft activities (making fires, tracking, gadget making). Students will sleep under canvas in bunk beds. This type of residential visit has been running for many years in Simon Balle School and has always been enjoyable and rewarding for students. It promotes self-confidence, enables children to meet challenges and encourages them to work as part of a team. At the end of their school career, many students cite the Year 7 trip as one of the highlights. The school’s expectation is that every student will attend the visit as we feel it is so beneficial. The cost of the trip will be £182.00 per child, which includes return travel by coach, two nights’ accommodation with full board, insurance and all activities. To secure your child’s place a non-refundable deposit of £50.00 is required. If you wish your son/daughter to attend this trip please complete the slip at the end of this booklet and return it to the School Office with the other completed forms by Wednesday 6th May. Cheques are made payable to Simon Balle School however any cash sent into school will be at your own risk. It would be great to see every single Year 7 student attending the trip and reaping the benefits which we wholeheartedly feel everyone gains from this experience. The trip helps to build strong, positive relationships between tutors, students and other attending adults. Therefore we hope financial constraints will not be a reason for your child not attending. If you anticipate any difficulty in paying for this trip, please write in confidence to the Finance Office, Miss Haines; in certain circumstances, some students can qualify for financial support.
Saturday 26th
Open Morning September – 08.30am-12.30pm
Following the extremely successful Open Morning last year and with the large number of families wanting to visit the School, we will hold the Open Morning once again on Saturday 26th September from 8.30am12.30pm. This is one of the most important events of our school year where every member of the school, staff and students alike, get involved showing prospective parents and their children the school and the type of work we do here. We expect students to attend to act as guides, helpers in the classrooms or as musicians performing to parents in the hall and around the school site. We would therefore ask you to ensure your child keeps that morning free to help represent the school. 8
Coming To School To and From School When you come to school dressed in your uniform, you are seen as an Ambassador of Simon Balle. You must wear your uniform correctly, be considerate of other people and behave well. Indeed if you fail to do this, there will be consequences and sanctions. Hertford is a very busy place. You must leave plenty of time to get to school. All students should be on the school site by 8.35am at the very latest. If you need to go to your locker you should be here earlier. The earliest time you can arrive is 8.00am. You can go to the Library or wait in the playgrounds. A student’s journey to school is recognised as having an impact on the student’s safety, on their health and personal development and on today’s environment. Simon Balle School has a Travel Plan which examines what could be done to reduce car travel and to encourage and increase in sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport. Our plan is there to help:
Reduce traffic congestion and pollution in and around the school
Improve road safety skills
Improve the health and fitness of students and staff
Establish safer walking and cycling routes to school
Enhance relations with the local community
We expect all parents, students and staff to actively support our travel plan. Students should behave appropriately when travelling to and from school. If you have to travel to school by car you must use the one way system and only drop off/pick up in the fenced car park and do not use the visitor spaces. No cars should come onto the school site before 3.10 pm. If you need to visit the school during the day you must park in the visitor spaces only and NOT DRIVE UP TO THE MAIN OFFICE as this area is a playground and thoroughfare for the students. Visitors who do drive up to the school office will be asked to move their cars. Bicycles Parents must ensure cycles brought to school are roadworthy and legal e.g. fitted with adequate lights and brakes at both the front and back of the bike. Cycles may be left in the cycle racks and should be locked securely however they MUST NOT be ridden on the school grounds. We would strongly advise all students to wear a safety helmet and have passed the cycling proficiency test; however we leave this to the discretion of parents and carers as they are ultimately responsible for the safety of their children when travelling to and from school.
Attendance A good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life. Children need to go to school regularly and be punctual to make the most of their educational opportunities and you, as parents or carers, have a vital role to play in making this happen. All parents of children aged 5-16 who are on a school roll must, by law, make sure their child goes to school 9
both regularly and punctually. This means you have a duty to make sure your child is in school when they should be and that they arrive at school in time for the first lesson where a registration is taken. The register shows whether the student is present, engaged in educational activity, off-site, or absent. Our target attendance for 2015/16 is 96.4%; in fact this year some Year 7 forms achieved 100% for their first term. We expect the majority of our students to achieve this unless there are specific circumstances which impact on their ability to do so. Attendance is monitored on a daily basis and weekly meetings are held with Heads of Year in order to discuss the progress of each year group, form groups or individual students. If necessary we will meet with parents and students about their attendance offering support and intervention as required. Occasionally students will be put on report to aid their attendance. Please could all parents familiarise themselves with our “What is good attendance” leaflet. Arriving on Time It is important that students arrive at school on time and we encourage all students to wear a watch! This helps them learn good time-keeping and reduces the chance of classroom disruption. If your child does arrive late, for Health and Safety and educational reasons, they MUST sign the ‘Students Signing Book’ at the school office giving the reason for their lateness. If your child needs to leave school before the end of the school day they must sign out using the ‘Students Signing Book’ and show evidence as to the reason for leaving early, e.g. medical appointment card or letter from parents confirming the time of the appointment. These records are invaluable in the event of an incident such as a fire. However, parents are encouraged to make these appointments out of school hours. We want your child to be in school, unless they are very ill. Please send them in – we can always contact you if they deteriorate. Unlike some primary schools we do not usually insist on the 48hour clearance rule. Absences If your child is absent from school for any reason it is very important you telephone us on 01992 410400 and leave a message on the Absence Answerphone giving your child’s name, form and reason for absence – please do not just say ‘unwell’. You can also send an e-mail to admin@simonballe.herts.sch.uk giving your child’s name, form, reason for absence and a contact daytime telephone number. You may also get a telephone call from the Absence Co-ordinator as we carry out a spot check and call a number of parents each day. If we do not hear from you concerning your child’s absence, it will initially be registered as unauthorised and we are obliged to investigate why. By law only the School can approve absences; it is for the School to judge whether the explanation given by parents is satisfactory justification for the absence. Authorised absence is where School has either given approval in advance for a pupil to be out of school, or has accepted an explanation offered afterwards. All other absences are recorded as unauthorised. Holidays We positively discourage parents from organising family holidays or long weekends during term time. It is well known that if students miss school their education suffers. Indeed there is a close correlation between high exam grades and high attendance. From 1st September 2013 a government change to the Pupil Registration Education Amendment 2013 states Headteachers may not grant leave of absence during term time. Therefore alongside this policy we will not be able to authorise or approve holidays in term time. Applications for extenuating circumstances, for example weddings and funerals, will be considered. If applying for extenuating circumstances parents should complete the Leave of Absence form available from the school office. For all other requests parents should write a letter to the Headteacher stating the reason for the absence request, and why this should be considered ‘exceptional’ i.e. one off request. The Headteacher will consider the student’s previous attendance history, the age of the student and the stage of their education, the time of year (particularly in respect of assessments and exams) and the nature for the absence. Requests for leave of absence must be made prior to booking the absence giving at least two weeks’ notice. If permission is not sought leave will be unauthorised - this is a similar situation to many of our primary schools. 10
Leave of absence will not normally be granted for students in Year 11, Year 12 or Year 13 and students who would be taking internally or externally set exams at that time. Parents of Year 9, 10 and 11 students will also need to be mindful of GCSE coursework deadlines and examination work which are taken throughout the year. The school wishes to discourage requests for leave of absence for a series of “long weekends” during a year; because of the nature of the secondary school timetable, such absences can be damaging to progress in subjects whose lessons happen to fall on Fridays or Mondays. The school also wishes to discourage requests for leave of absence for students who have already missed a significant amount of school for other reasons during the current year.
School Uniform “A school uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of a school and setting an appropriate tone. It instils pride; supports positive behaviour and discipline; identity, helps students to feel welcome; protects children from social pressures to dress in a particular way; nurtures cohesion and promotes good relationships.” (Department for Education) Uniform is important in our school. Recently we decided to change part of our school uniform as it was felt that the existing school skirt was no longer smart enough. From September 2015 all girls will be wearing the tartan kilt or black school trousers. Indeed we expect all students to wear our uniform correctly every day both in school and on the way to and from school. We expect parents in every year group to check that their children wear the uniform correctly. Some of the expectations and rules will be different from primary school so can I urge you to read the following page remembering: We expect Regulation haircuts; no shaving, braiding or colour. Hair below shoulder length should be tied back during practical lessons for safety reasons. Black leather shoes (polishable) – ideally with laces or a ‘bar’ No jewellery except one pair of small stud earrings and a watch Coats/jackets – not hoodies, sweaters. No visible large ‘writing’ For girls – no leggings; only black or white regulation socks or black tights during the winter months A standard school bag – satchel or rucksack No make-up or nail varnish or ‘fake’ tattoos. Acrylic/gel nails are not allowed for safety reasons. Clean hands not decorated in any way
Stevensons Uniform Sale Monday 13 and Tuesday 14th July – 15.30-19.00 th
Stevensons, the uniform supplier will be available in the school dining hall from 15.30-19.00 so that you can buy your child’s school uniform and equipment. Please note parents do not need to buy summer shirts for the boys until April 2016 as students only wear them in the summer term. Stevensons will be having another uniform sale in March/April 2016 when these can be purchased. Therefore in September 2015 we expect ALL Year 7 boys to be wearing a long sleeved white shirt, tie and green jumper.
11
School Uniform We want students to be proud of their school and to wear correct uniform, including the school jumper or cardigan at all times. The uniform is simple, but smart. It helps students to identify with each other and with the local community. Our uniform supplier is: Stevensons (Open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 5.30pm) 133-135 Victoria Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3XS Tel: 01727 853262 Fax: 01727 845123 Visa, Master Card, Switch and American Express are accepted. Uniforms can be purchased either in the shop or by mail order. All Year 7 students are expected to wear:
Boys Long-sleeved white shirt Black school trousers Maroon school tie with logo V necked jumper with school badge (green for years 7-9, maroon for years 10-11) Sensible black shoes, capable of being polished Plain coloured coat or jacket (without logos) Summer term only - white short sleeved shirt with logo (worn during the summer term only and without a school jumper or tie)
Girls White ¾ sleeved fitted blouse or short-sleeved shirt Regulation black school trousers from Stevensons (no hipsters, rivets or fashion belts) OR Regulation tartan school kilt V necked jumper or cardigan with school badge (green for years 7-9, maroon for years 10-11) Black or white regulation socks or black tights during the winter months Sensible black shoes, capable of being polished (no fashion shoes or boots) Plain coloured coat or jacket (without logos)
Clothing for PE (specialist equipment)
School white and black polo shirt with thin green piping (with school badge). Reversible green/black rugby shirt Black shorts Plain black tracksuit trousers (optional) Green rugby socks Shin pads & gum shield (compulsory for some games lessons)
School white and black polo shirt with thin piping green (with school badge). Black Skort with the option of black shorts. Black fleece with school crest Plain black tracksuit trousers (optional) Green rugby socks Shin pads & gum shield (compulsory for some games lessons)
Students need trainers which are suitable for indoor PE. As an example they can be astro boots, tennis shoes, running trainers, etc. Before going into the gym the trainers must be cleaned if they have been on the Astroturf. Students also need a pair of football/rugby boots. They can have either studs, be moulded or have blades.
The following are not permitted Any extremes of hairstyle, colour or accessories e.g. large flowers, bows Coats or jackets with logos, denim, ‘hoodies’ or sweatshirts Jewellery, except for single stud earrings and watches Body or facial piercings, tattoos or transfers Trainers—except at breaks or lunchtimes - students must change out of them for lessons. Stevensons Uniform Sales will be held in the school dining room between 15.30-19.00 on: MONDAY 13th and TUESDAY 14TH JULY 12
The School Day Students should arrive on the school site by 8.40am ready to start the first lesson at 8.45am. Students who have PE lesson 1 should come to school wearing their PE kit. Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 08.40-08.45 Arrive at school 08.45-09.45 Lesson 1 09.45-10.45 Lesson 2 10.45-11.05 Break 11.05-12.05 Lesson 3 12.05-13.05 Lesson 4 13.05-13.55 Lunch 14.00-14.25 Lesson 5 14.25-15.25 Lesson 6
Tues Only 08.40-08.45 08.45-09.45 09.45-10.45 10.45-11.05 11.05-12.05 12.05-13.05 13.05-13.45 13.45-14.00 14.00-15.00
Arrive at school Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Break Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lunch Lesson 5 Lesson 6
Students finish earlier on a Tuesday as it creates additional time for staff to meet to plan learning. During the public exams the school runs a 3/2 split with three lessons before and two lessons after lunch.
Timetable Each student will be issued with an individualised timetable which informs students which lessons they have each day and also the rooms to which they must go. It is a good idea for parents to print out a copy of the timetable and keep it in a prominent place (e.g. the fridge door) so that they can go through the timetable each night to ensure the correct equipment is packed. We operate a two week timetable and students must check which week we are in as this will determine which equipment to bring and what homework to expect. A copy of the timetable will be emailed to students and parents through the ‘InTouch’ email system. Break and Lunch Times All students must remain on the school site during all break times. Food can be purchased at both morning and lunch times.
School Clubs We have a variety of clubs which are available for students to join. Some of them run during a particular term, others are available either at break time or after school. A comprehensive list is available on the school website but below is a list of clubs which ran during the last year for Year 7 students. Accelerated Reader Support Group Debate Club
Athletics
Book Club
Football (Boys and Girls)
Gymnastics
Hockey
Geography and History Homework Support Junior Windband
Kickboxing
Melodic Minors
Musical Theatre
Rock School
Rugby (Boys and Girls)
Strings Ensemble
Swimming
Stem (Science Technology Engineering Maths Club Warhammer
13
What to Bring (Equipment) All students must have either a rucksack, a satchel or a shoulder bag. This must have a zip or can be securely closed. It must be able to hold books, files and an iPad and a pencil case. All students should have a supply of pens (including black and red biros), pencils, ruler, rubber, pencil sharpener, highlighter pens. Pencils and colours (including felt pens) to use both in class and at home - drawing pencils HB, 2B, 4B & 6B; coloured pencils - a range of 24 colours is most useful; pastels; glue and scissors. For Maths students should have a geometry set and a scientific calculator and compass. If you are unsure which one to purchase, please speak to a member of the Maths Department at the beginning of term. Book Covers – We would like all students to have these book covers as they will protect their books and keep them in a presentable condition. They cost £2.75 for a set of 11 (enough for their books in Year 7) and can be ordered using the form at the end of this booklet. They will be given out in registration on the first day of school. Art sketchbook (£2.50) for art work. This can be ordered using the form at the end of this booklet and collected during the first art lesson.
Student Lockers We have a number of lockers available for students in Years 7-11. These are situated around the school and where possible are near the student’s form room but this is not always possible. If you would like to order a locker, please complete the form at the end of this booklet and return it to the school as soon as possible with full payment. The cost will be £35; this is for 5 years whilst the student is in Years 7-11 and includes a deposit of £10 which will be returned to you when the student hands back their locker key at the end of Year 11. Pre-ordered lockers will be allocated during the first week of term. Use Of Lockers - Conditions Please note the use of a locker is a privilege and students are expected to take responsibility for their lockers and observe the following:
Students may access lockers either before school, during morning break or during lunchtime. Lockers must not be overloaded and must be kept clean and tidy. Locker keys must be kept safe and secure. The School Office must be informed of any changes so that school records are kept up to date i.e. if you no longer require one. The school cannot take any responsibility for the things that are put in lockers. All personal items must be covered by household insurance. If you forget your locker key, the School Office may be able to open it for you in an emergency. Please note that lockers can only be opened in the presence of the locker owner. If you lose your locker key, a replacement can be ordered (cost £5.50) via the school office. All lockers must be emptied during the last week of school in July. Lockers will be checked by staff during the Summer Holidays and any contents thrown away.
14
Personal Property New Year 7 students frequently misplace their belongings. This is a large school and it is very easy to forget where you last left something. Therefore please ensure ALL equipment and clothing is clearly named.
Please do not bring any of the following into school: chewing gum, cigarettes, alcohol, illegal substances or offensive weapons. Expensive items such as jewellery etc. are not covered by the school insurance and should not be brought into school; parents must use their own household insurance if personal items are lost or damaged. Please do not bring in cash – in particular to spend on shopping before and after school.
Smartcards Purchases in the school canteen can only be made via a smartcard. When a student starts at School they are issued with a smartcard which can be credited either by our ParentPay system, by paying a cheque (payable to Simon Balle School) or by bringing in cash and topping up the card at either break or lunch times, however for security reasons we prefer either ParentPay or cheques. Students can use a maximum of £6 a day. A card in credit is a useful stand-by for a student who usually brings a packed lunch. Students should keep a close eye on their own spending as the till does not inform them if their balance is getting low. If students lose their smartcard or it is damaged a charge of £3.50 will be made for the new one. If a card is lost it is hotlisted as soon as it is reported to the Catering Manager. The old card then becomes inactive and any credit is transferred to the replacement, which is available immediately. Any queries regarding smartcards should be made to the Catering Manager.
The School Canteen School lunches are popular at Simon Balle and the majority of students from all years like to use the canteen. The range of food is both attractive and healthy. Each day a choice of two hot meals are available, one meat and one vegetarian. All are cooked on the premises and include such choices as chicken pie, a roast dinner, sausages and mash, curry, spaghetti bolognese, lasagne for meat eaters. Vegetarians enjoy tacos, lasagne, casseroles and quiches. A pudding is also available – cheesecakes, crumbles, sponge puddings and tarts. Currently the cost of the entire meal is £2.20 but this will increase in September. Equally popular is the daily pasta and sauce, jacket potatoes with fillings, panninis, soup and sandwiches and the cold service available via the Coffee Shop where students can buy sandwiches, cakes and biscuits. At break students can also buy hot and cold savouries. The eating area is bright, comfortable and modern, providing a pleasant environment where students eat and socialise. We would encourage as many students as possible to eat there and buy a school lunch.
Pupil Premium The Pupil Premium is a government initiative designed to target resources on those pupils deemed to be from a disadvantaged background. Specifically, the Pupil Premium money is provided for
those pupils who have been on Free School Meals (FSM) at any point over the past 6 years (Ever6), those children who have a parent in the armed services, those children who have been looked after continuously for at least 6 months (CLA), those children who were adopted from care, or who left care under a Special Guardianship Order those children who left care under a Residence Order on or after 14th October 1991. 15
Neither the government nor any government agencies have dictated how the Pupil Premium money should be spent, but what is clear is that the money should be used to promote strategies which narrow the attainment gap between the highest and lowest achieving pupils. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals you will need to complete the necessary paperwork as detailed below. If you think your child qualifies for Pupil Premium under any of the other categories above please indicate as appropriate on the Student Information Sheet and also contact Mrs Salter in the School Office. Evidence will need to be provided. We run a week long Summer School for all Pupil Premium children who will join us in Year 7. This year it will run from 17th-21st August. We will be contacting eligible students shortly.
Free School Meals If your child is eligible for free school meals it means they can enjoy delicious, healthy. Many children at our school are already eating free school meals, and your child may be able to have them too. School meals will give your child a real appetite for learning and help them to achieve their full potential. There is nothing healthier for your child and your family’s budget than free school meals. As professional cooks prepare the meals for your child, it saves you having to worry about the effort and expense of making packed lunches every day. Your child may be eligible to receive free school meals if you are entitled to receive one of the following: • Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 • The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit • Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190 Savings for your family If you were planning to pay for your child to have school meals or are already doing so, you could save around £350 per year if your child qualifies for free school meals. Think of the time you will save If your child is eligible and has free school meals instead of packed lunches, you could save up to 190 hours a year, which is the time needed to make packed lunches that meet the nutritional standards of school meals – that is just over a week! Our school will receive extra funding For every child registered for a free school meal, the school will receive money to spend on extra resources. It is called the Pupil Premium and is worth £935 per pupil in 2014-15. The responsibility for both application and renewal for free school meals rests with the parents. To request further information call 0300 123 4043 or alternatively apply on line at www.hertsdirect.org click on the link “How can we help.” In all cases proof of benefit is required Please note that we operate a cashless school meal system, so other students will not know who receives Free School Meals.
16
House and Rewards System Context Ofsted recognised our distinct and nurturing ethos at Simon Balle. Students were seen to be responsible, courteous and polite in the classroom and around the school. Behaviour data also shows that incidents are low and patterns of re-occurrence are rare. Aims of the Rewards System To motivate and nurture students to achieve the best possible grades. To reward and praise students in a wide variety of disciplines. To promote SMSC (Spiritual Moral Social Cultural). To allow students to gain rewards within a hierarchical structure. To monitor for consistency and analyse groups and trends. This may lead to further intervention. To link into our academic achievement software Go4Schools. To revitalise the house system for the benefit of the students. To allow students the opportunity to work with and benefit from students of all ages. To further develop the Simon Balle community and a range of skills for students e.g. leadership, teamwork, responsibility, independence, organisation. Rewards System Our rewards system is designed to recognise the talents, progress and achievements of all the students in our community. System (Please read in conjunction with the rewards pyramid) Every student can achieve a reward. Each level within the pyramid is progressive culminating in the academic ceremony. All teachers will give out (+1) when the student hits the criteria. Rewards will be logged on Go4Schools and parents will be able to access this information. There are many different rewards to enable it to be multi-faceted and inclusive. For example – postcards, Departmental Roll of Honour, Headteacher’s Commendation, Governors’ Award (Community Award) and finally the Academic Ceremony. Behaviour points will count against rewards in the total of both an individual and House score. Running alongside the pyramid are the certificates – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum Club and Diamond League. To gain a certificate students would need to achieve: Type Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Club Diamond League
Signed by Head of Year Department Head Head Governors Ceremony
KS3 50 90 120 160 200
KS4 30 60 90 130 180
KS5 25 45 60 100 150
If a student achieves platinum level they will get extra privileges e.g. lunch pass, football for astro turf etc. Academic Ceremony – each student to receive 2 tickets (calculations are for 500 to attend). Subjects to hand out books and academic and achievement prizes.
17
House System Promotion Noticeboard for houses. Senior Student Leadership Team assigned to lead houses and designated senior members of staff. Assemblies run for house teams – vertical assemblies. Form groups known by the house. Badges to identify them across the school. All staff, including support staff, assigned a house. Many house events strategically mapped across the academic year. All subjects to participate. Examples may include – volcanoes, spelling bee, handwriting, Maths challenge, essay writing, sports, music, drama, art, ICT, debating, language competition, enterprise or design. One point to house for entering and 5 points for winning. Trophies for the winning house.
Rewards System KS3
KS4
KS5
Bronze
50
30
25
Silver
90
60
45
Gold
120
90
60
Platinum
160
130
100
Diamond
200
180
150
A7 - Academic Ceremony (Annual)
A6 – Awards (Bronze ,Silver, Gold, Platinum ,Diamond)
A5 - Governors’ Award
5 pt
Community & Volunteering Award
A4 - Headteacher’s Commendation
5 pt
(Outstanding Achievement/Improvement) A3 - Departmental Roll of Honour (1 per year group per term)
3 pt
- Head of Year Roll of Honour (2 per year group per term) - 100% attendance (once per term) A2 – Department Postcards (Twice per term)
2 pt 1 pt
- Head of Year Postcards (Twice per term) A1 - Work in class, Improving quality, Homework effort, Tours, Community spirit, Assemblies, Student Council member, Student Mentoring, Club attendance, Contributions to class, Targets achieved, Speakers Corner, Librarian, etc [+1]
Behaviour We set clear boundaries and have high expectations for behaviour. We do not tolerate any bullying or rudeness (recognised as a strength in student and parent feedback). A range of sanctions are used, as appropriate, for any incident which may occur. These range from a short lunchtime detention which can be given on the same day without notice to being permanently excluded. 18
If a student receives an after school detention parents will be notified by email that a ‘behaviour’ has been added to the Go4Schools system and to obtain the time and date of the detention they will need to log on to Go4Schools. Occasionally students will receive isolation detentions, community service, evening detentions or a Saturday detention. Although not a legal requirement we do endeavour to give parents a minimum of twenty four hours’ notice. If students fail to turn up to a sanction it will result in further intervention. For serious breaches of discipline students may be given a fixed term exclusion or, in extreme cases, be permanently excluded. Our philosophy is that students need to take responsibility for their actions and the classroom climate must be conducive to learning. We endeavour for our students to grow up as rounded citizens with a holistic education prepared for the outside world.
Bullying: No Tolerance, No Excuses Bullying is: ‘Behaviour by an individual or group usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally’. Incidents may involve: • Physical Assault. • Damage to property • Bullying • Harassment • Verbal abuse • Insults • Offensive graffiti or messages Bullying can be: Emotional Physical Racist Sexual Homophobic Verbal Cyber
being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures) pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence racial taunts, graffiti, gestures unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments abusive comments of behaviour focussing on the issue of sexuality name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing all areas of internet ,such as email & internet chat room misuse threats by text messaging & calls misuse of associated technology , i.e. camera &video facilities
If you feel that you are being bullied Remember that it is not your fault. Nobody deserves to be bullied. Try to stay in a friendly group. Try to be confident even if you do not feel it and remember walking away is not cowardly. If you are worried or frightened you can speak to someone that to trust. Keeps a diary recording what happened, when, where and with whom. Who you should tell: Your form tutor Your Head of Year A member of staff you feel happy to talk to, or feel you can trust. Your parent, carer or anyone at home. Your friend In an emergency tell the nearest adult.
19
Student Voice Students’ opinions play a central role in the decisions of our school. Our restructured student voice system has received County recognition and achieved some notable successes:
Designing and introducing a summer shirt and new style of skirt Helping to adapt the menu in the school canteen Having a key voice in major school decisions and staff appointments Feedback on teaching and learning in the school Developing House Competitions and House Captain elections
We aim to provide opportunities for all students to develop skills which will enable them to actively engage in the local and global communities, to do this we will...
Provide realistic and supportive contexts for students to be able to take their ideas forward Create opportunities so that students can work with a broad range of people, including those older and younger than themselves, both within school and the local community Develop situations whereby students can act as ambassadors for the school Provide realistic responsibilities which have clearly defined outcomes Welcome students as a driver for improving learning Enable students to reflect upon their own learning, their skills as an individual, a member of the team and within their leadership role
Students are invited to get involved in many ways including: Standing to be form group representatives on the Year Council Standing to be year group representatives on the School Parliament Becoming a Senior Student Leader Voting in elections Leading or joining a range of clubs, societies and events identified and set up by, and designed for, students. This year students have led such activities as house and charity events, developed our Journalism Society and played an important part in developing teaching and learning across the school. ‘Speakers Corner’ held every Friday in the library is an innovative opportunity for students to develop their oracy and presentation skills to a live audience. Students from Year 7 to Year 13 have taken part and made this a popular and fascinating insight into the wide range of interests of our students. Further to this we support our students who wish to put themselves forward to represent their peers at a County level, which has led to one of our students sitting on the National Youth Council and being well represented on the Hertford Youth Town Council.
Digital Technologies, iPads and the School Network During the past year we have ‘piloted’ the use of iPad for learning for all students in Years 7 and 10. We have learnt many lessons and we are convinced that this is the way forward to maximise learning. The use of digital technology across all subject areas is increasingly an essential part of good teaching. Instant access to a world of resources gives a greater freedom for students and teachers alike. It is therefore important that students and parents understand the significant investment the school is making. The iPads are on loan – they belong to the school. Therefore we expect students to treat them with great care and respect. We will check how students use them. We will confiscate them for inappropriate use. Whilst our networks at school have certain controls, it 20
is essential that parents monitor use and site access at home. In order for students to use the iPad and take them home so they can use them for learning we are asking that parents purchase a warranty for the iPad and a case. The cost of the warranty, which is a high specification theft, accidental damage and fault policy, is £79.95 for three years cover. This can be paid in one lump sum or in two payments. It is of course possible that you already have mobile device coverage and, assuming it is sufficiently comprehensive to ensure that there is a quick repair or replacement should the need arise, could be used instead of this scheme. A case can be purchased from the school, which will be a basic, low-cost option. However students may wish to purchase their own case, available from a variety of retailers and suppliers in order to personalise/identify their iPad. Cases which are purchased outside of school must meet a minimum
specification to ensure they do not invalidate the warranty. Further details about cases will be issued in September. We recommend that students have an Apple iPad Mini 16GB, although for some it may be necessary to have a larger iPad. Further details about the scheme will be made available in September and guidance distributed about safely setting up an iTunes account, standard apps to download and much more. There is a form at the end of the booklet about the insurance and case which needs completing and returning along with all the other forms. At Simon Balle School we understand the responsibility to educate our students on eSafety issues, teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies, in and beyond the context of the classroom. The technologies we are referring to are – Websites Email and instant message Blogs and wikis Video broadcasting Gaming Video and web functionality
Learning platforms and virtual learning environments Chat rooms and social networking Podcasting Music downloading Mobile/smart phones with texts Other web devices with web functionality
We are very proud of our network and hope students will enjoy using it. There are three large ICT suites and other PCs and wireless laptops are available around the school for students during lessons. In addition to formal ICT lessons students are able to use PCs at lunchtime in the library and at the homework club. Students will be issued with a unique network account and password, a school email account and will be asked to agree online to the Acceptable User Agreement, a copy of which is below for your information. The purpose of email is to improve communication between staff and students. Staff can email work to a class which can be returned electronically and homework is set on showmyhomework. We also use email in conjunction with InTouch to keep parents and students fully informed – we strongly advise you to sign up for this. We take eSafety very seriously and know that the accounts offer a high degree of protection and sent emails are traceable and blocks inappropriate and offensive words. The internet is now such an integral part of children’s lives and opens up so many educational and social opportunities, giving them quite literally a world of information and experiences. As you would protect your child in the real world online safety skills are just as important. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so, particularly from those people who might seek them out to harm them. To protect your child it is important to understand the internet and what the risks are. A useful site to visit for further information is www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/. eSafety is a growing concern and we encourage parents to ensure children use all forms of communication 21
technology correctly. The school will investigate and take action against any improper use. In fact in one of our workshops for Year 7 parents in September we will discuss how you as parents can ensure your child is safe on the internet at home. There are guidance papers about eSafety for all key stages on the school website. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact the Network Manager (networkstaff@simonballe.herts.sch.uk) or by ringing the school. A copy of the school eSafety Policy is available in the school office.
ICT Student Acceptable Use Agreement
I will only use the ICT systems in school, including the internet, email, digital video, mobile technologies etc. for school purposes. I will not download or install software on school technologies. I will only log onto the school network/learning platform with my own user name and password. I will follow the schools ICT security system and not reveal my passwords to anyone and change them regularly. I will only use my school email address. I will make sure all ICT communications with students, teachers and others is responsible and sensible. I will be responsible for my behaviour when using the internet. This includes resources I access and the language I use. I will not deliberately browse, download, upload or forward material that could be considered offensive or illegal. If I accidently come across any such material I will report it immediately to my teacher. Images of students and/or staff will only be taken, stored and used for school purposes in line with school policy and will not be distributed outside the school network without the permission of the School Manager. I will not give out any personal information such as name, phone number or address. I will not arrange to meet someone unless this is part of a school project approved by my teacher. I will ensure that my online activity, both in school and outside school, will not cause my school, the staff, students or others distress or bring disrepute. I will respect the privacy and ownership of others’ work online at all times. I will not attempt to bypass the internet filtering system. I understand that all my use of the internet and other related technologies can be monitored and logged and can be made available to my teachers. I understand that if I exceed my allocated number of printer credits I will be required to purchase more from the Network Office. I understand these rules are designed to keep me safe and that if they are not followed school sanctions will be applied and my parent/carer may be contacted.
ICT, including the internet, email and mobile technologies etc. has become an important part of learning in our school. We expect all children to be safe and responsible when using any ICT technology. Please read and discuss these eSafety rules with your child. If you have any concerns or would like some further explanation please contact the School Manager. If any student violates these provisions, access to the Network and/or internet will be denied and the student will be subject to disciplinary action. Additional action may be taken by the school in line with existing policy regarding school behaviour. For serious violations exclusion may be imposed. Where appropriate police may be involved or other legal action may be taken.
22
Homework www.showmyhomework.com –
Access to your child’s homework calendar
We have tried to make homework more transparent to parents by utilising digital technology. Having listened to feedback from staff, students and parents we have introduced a new system called ‘Show My Homework’. You will see a link on the home page of the school website (right hand side under ‘Web Apps’) which takes you straight to the Simon Balle homework calendar. You can search this by year group, subject, teacher or class. The calendar shows homework on the day it is set in green with the number of says until it is due. Homework due is shown in grey with a red border. This means you can access homework without logging on to the system just by visiting the web page. When your child starts in September they will bring home information about logon details for them and for you as parents which personalises the system. Logging on automatically removes all homework not specific to the student. A ‘to-do’ list is created listing tasks in the order in which they are to be submitted. You will notice that exams, tests and other announcements to do with individual lessons/ classes will also appear. When you log in to the system for the first time (using the details your child brings home) you will be asked to change your password. When you have done this we advise you to keep your details safe and secure. By clicking on ‘Visit the Help Centre’ when logged in you are able to access support materials including a screencase of how to use the system. As each homework is set, information will be given about what is required, how long the teacher estimates it should take, how it is to be submitted plus any supporting materials (worksheets, weblinks, videos etc). Getting homework completed on time and spending the right time on work often proves to be one of the biggest challenges to Year 7 students. It is parents’ responsibility to support their child with homework. Please ensure that:
You send out a clear message that homework must be completed and to a high standard. Students realise they should take a pride in their work. If a student cannot do the work, help them to sort this out. Check showmyhomework as resources and guidance will be included. They may need further clarification from the teacher before the deadline. Staff can be emailed (surnameinitial@simonballe.herts.sch.uk). You help your children to organise homework. Each night ask them what they have and how and when they will do it. You support us if a Study Support session (Wednesday 3.30-4.30) is given for missing homework. Check ShowMyHomework so you know what they are doing and ask to see their work. This provides an excellent way of you encouraging your child in their learning.
We expect all parents to promote this. In order to provide additional support in school we run a homework club for students. This will take place at lunchtimes. Please look out for notices informing you where this will be. The school library is also open from 8am to 5pm every day, with access to ICT and other learning resources. Homework may take many forms. Typical tasks may include writing, research, investigation, design, posters or learning by heart. Learning in different subjects happens in different ways; a short task, designed to take around fifteen minutes or less, may be to learn some vocabulary or a key idea for a test. A regular homework task is designed to take around half an hour of sustained effort. An extended task may be designed to be completed over a period of several weeks with different skills and sections to work on. We avoid setting ‘overnight’ homework tasks as we know these do not encourage students to plan and manage their time effectively. If you find your child is suffering from ‘overload’ or an imbalance of subjects, please let us know via email and we can help. As a rough guide, your child should be receiving homework in two or 23
three subjects per night, with no more than half an hour’s worth of work for each subject. Homework may be important that is required for the next lesson.
Student Information Sheet What is homework? Homework is any work or activity which you are asked to do outside lesson time, either on your own or with your parents/carers. Why do you get homework? The main reasons are: you learn how to plan and organise work; it helps you learn how to work on your own, and to think and try things out for yourself; it helps you learn how to use time effectively and to meet deadlines; it gives you the chance to practise what you have done in class, or to learn things you will use in the next lesson; it encourages you to use resources that can be found outside school; it involves people outside school in your work: parents and others can work with the school and help you make progress in your learning; you learn more! Research shows that doing homework regularly adds an extra year’s worth of learning to your education. Homework is set in line with the published homework timetable. If you have not been set homework for some reason (e.g. the teacher was away), this does not mean that there is no work to do. You must take responsibility for your own learning and progress by spending time reading round the subject. Check your emails regularly as teachers may send you extra resources and reminders. Here are some ideas to help you do your homework successfully: Before you do your homework: Make sure you know what you are meant to be doing and why you are doing it. Homework is set on showmyhomework which has a link from the school website. Both you and your parents can access it and you will have access to resources and links you need. If you think you are going to struggle to do the work set, talk to your teacher about it or ask for help at the Homework Club. If you have a number of things to do, ask yourself which is important to do first, second and so on, and plan your time carefully. Teachers should not set you homework to do for the next day; you will have a few days so you can spread things out evenly. You might get short learning homeworks for a test, a task that will take about half an hour, or longer projects. A guide to how long your homework should take will also be included. Choose a suitable time and, if possible, make sure you have all the books and equipment you need when you sit down to work. Try to work somewhere where you will not be disturbed or distracted. Remember the library is open from 8am to 5pm every day, if working at home is tricky or you do not have internet access. While doing your homework: If your work is taking a long time, give yourself a short break, and go back to it with a fresh mind. If it is taking much longer than was intended, stop at a suitable point and get your parent/carer to write a short note in your planner explaining why you could not complete the work. Take pride in all your work! Do not do the bare minimum in the shortest possible time!
24
After doing your homework: Check it! Hand it in on time! Every day: Check the exercise books you have used during the day, stick in any loose sheets and finish off any underlining, dates, titles etc. whilst the lessons are fresh in your mind. Every Weekend: Make a list of anything you need to bring for each day during the coming week (e.g. work to hand in, PE kit, musical instruments, ingredients, library books). Homework Tips: Plan your time to make sure you are not rushing homework the night before it is due in. Stick the homework timetable on the fridge so you are always reminded of what you should be doing! If you forget or are unable to do your homework tell the teacher, before the lesson if possible, or bring a note. Use the school Homework Club at lunchtimes or Study Support on a Wednesday after school. Take regular breaks so your mind stays fresh. If you do not understand the task set ask the teacher and check on showmyhomework. You can also email your teachers. Write your homework in your planner clearly. Check you have completed homework needed for the next day before going to bed. Ask a parent to sign your planner each week. Pack your school bag the night before going to bed. Only bring what you need for the next day. Use the library to find the resources you need. It’s open from 8am to 5pm every day and someone will help you if you need it.
Help! What should you do when…….. You are late Go to Student Reception and sign in the Students Signing Book and then go straight to your lesson. You have forgotten your smartcard If you forget your smartcard, do not worry. Speak to your form tutor or someone in the canteen: they will help you You are sick and cannot come into school Get your parent to telephone the school informing us why you will not be in. A message can be left on the school absence answerphone giving name, form, reason for absence and when you expect to be back in school. Please do not just say ‘unwell’. Your parent can also send an email to admin@simonballe.herts.sch.uk You feel ill during the school day Ask your teacher if you can go to the School Office for advice. Where necessary a parent/guardian will be contacted and asked to collect you from school. You will not be able to make your own way home. You MUST NOT contact your parents yourselves on your mobile phone. You need to bring medication into school Ask your parents to give you a letter explaining what and when it needs to be taken and give the medicine to the School Office. Go back to the School Office at the agreed time. 25
You have forgotten something Get your parent to bring it into school and leave it with the School Office (at Student Reception) in a bag with your name and form on it. It is up to you, the student, to go to Student Reception to collect it. You forget your homework or cannot do it See your class teacher before the lesson and explain the circumstances. You cannot do PE lessons Bring a note from home explaining why. If there is a sustained injury you will need to get a doctor’s note.
Starting Secondary School – Advice to Parents Moving to secondary school can sometimes be as daunting for parents as for students. At Simon Balle we genuinely value our relationships with parents and you will have lots of opportunities over the years to learn how to help us to help your child make the most of their opportunities. But here to begin with are some tips on how to make the move successfully. Do come along to every session offered by the School to find out about how you can help and work with us. Preparing Your Child For School Your child may be feeling very insecure about the move so give them lots of reassurance. Establish a routine before school starts, and check they are sleeping and eating well. Before term starts review with your child what they do well and where they might have difficulties, so that they become focussed and realistic. Find out about fun activities outside of school such as sports, scouts, guides, drama; these help children to develop new skills and relationships, and to put school life into perspective. Be sure that you are both clear about the practical issues such as uniform, kit, equipment needed, lockers, times etc. Help them choose and buy a suitable bag. Various forms of shoulder bag are popular now, and they are easier to carry: they could be carrying a considerable weight around! Check about transport to and from school. A dummy run beforehand is often useful. Make sure that everything is marked…especially uniform and all kit, including bags. Go into the School website regularly so they are used to doing this. Forming Friendships Reassure them that students come from many different primary schools and a wide area both in Hertford and outside and that some students will not know anybody when they start. Explain to them that worthwhile friendships take time and effort, and that sometimes they just do not work out. Tell them that they are welcome to invite friends over. This will make school seem less distant. Try not to pass your anxieties onto your child; they will have enough of their own. Be relaxed and supportive…though this may not be easy if they are wound up like a top! When They Start Ask about their day. If they have difficulty finishing homework, inform the teacher via showmyhomework or email. Read again the advice in other sections of this booklet. Expect them to be very tired: there is a lot to take in during the first few weeks. If you feel there is a problem that goes beyond initial nerves, contact the school: this early contact should be with the form tutor or head of year. Encourage them to join in with the extra-curricular activities. Attend extra-curricular events: sports fixtures, plays, music concerts, Parent Staff Association functions. Keep in contact with the school; do not let worries build up. 26
Makes lists of what equipment is needed on each day according to their timetable. Put the list onto a prominent surface e.g. fridge door. Make sure they know the names of all their teachers.
Communications with Parents We keep parents informed of what is happening at Simon Balle and the Headteacher produces an information letter called ‘newSBytes’ approximately twice a term as well as a blog both available on the school website. If parents are not able to access this they can request a paper copy of newSBytes’ from the school office. We also send information through our database system via email called InTouch including letters, timetables etc. Please clearly complete your email address on the Student Information Sheet at the end of this booklet. There are a number of opportunities for you, as parents, to come into school to review your child’s work and progress. In addition we welcome you to a wealth of events ranging from concerts, plays, musicals, information and celebration evenings. You are always welcome in school. If you have any queries or wish to share information with us, do contact us. Equally if we have any praise or concerns about your child, we will contact you. We see this as an important partnership. We have an active and very supportive Parents’ Staff Association (The PSA) of which all parents are automatically members. We encourage you to join in their activities as they raise considerable funds for the school. Our website is an important tool for us to communicate with you. We see it as the ‘window’ for our community to look at what we are doing, which is why for most of the information you do not need a password etc. Please check this regularly to catch up on what is happening – news from clubs, lessons and other events is continually updated.
Communicating with Parents - InTouch As a school we communicate with parents as frequently as possible so that everyone is kept informed. However sending written information home can be rather ‘hit and miss’ with letters often going missing on the way! We are also increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the amount of paper we use. As a result we use an email system called InTouch which links with our school database and enables us to send home information including newsletters, Parents’ Evening letters, some trip information, student timetables and student exam timetables. We have found the results of using this service have been very successful, particularly notifying families about any disruption caused by snow or the occasional strike action, and hope that you will receive information from the school in a more reliable and efficient manner, and that you will no longer need to trawl through the contents of your children’s school bags Our school messages will be sent from the email address 9194067@capita-intouch.co.uk.. Please make sure you add this address to your email address book (or approved sender list) in order to prevent messages being blocked by your SPAM/JUNK filters. Please also check your JUNK/SPAM folder regularly in case messages go there.
27
Other Key Areas The School Library The vision for the Library to be at the heart of the School has been realised since its remodelling a few years ago. Not only do students and staff come straight through reception and into the modern learning space but all Key Stages use it regularly for independent study, homework and reading. Our Library supports teaching and learning throughout the School and has invested heavily in trustworthy, online subscriptions, available 24/7, covering up to date Non-Fiction. There are a number of zones in this space which allow different break out groups to work simultaneously on different projects. Our large Fiction zone is continuously utilised by Year 7 and Year 8 students for their Accelerated Reader programme. This computerised scheme with online quizzes is now embedded in the curriculum and the Library works closely with the English Department to improve literacy and encourage a passion for books in all their formats. The annual Book Week each Autumn Term focuses on reading and writing skills and is run in conjunction with local booksellers. Over the week all students hear a published author and take part in book related competitions etc. In addition we run the ever popular ‘Speaker’s Corner’ or weekly lunchtime talks given by students and staff who are passionate about their hobbies, travels etc. Both of these events featured in the School’s recent OFSTED report and were highly praised. We continue to reach out to our local primary schools and build on our relationship with the British Library. All students may use the Library before and after school as well as during Break and Lunch times. We are normally open 8am-5pm Monday to Friday and all Year 7 students receive a Library Induction in September. If you have any queries please ask our trained Library staff, ably assisted by a team of Student Librarians. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Simon Balle Music Department Welcome to Simon Balle Music Department. Ours is a vibrant department renowned for the quality of our music and ensembles. All students are seen as part of our musical family. Here, anyone can learn a musical instrument and can start at any time. There are certain conditions attached to having instrumental lessons – please see the application form. We offer lessons on many instruments, including piano, jazz piano, voice (singing), keyboard, drums, electric, bass or acoustic guitar, trombone, trumpet, ‘cello, violin, viola, double bass, bassoon, flute, saxophone, clarinet and oboe. All Simon Balle musicians, whether they learn an instrument in school or not, are expected to take part in at least one of our ensembles – it is part of learning the instrument! A full list of all our ensembles can be viewed on our website at www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk. If you learn an instrument out of school please complete the application form even if you will not be having lessons in school so that we can include you in one of our ensembles. Our ensembles are an important part of the music curriculum and help foster commitment and hard work in the musicians. We have high expectations and are pleased that our students respond to our expectations! If you would like your son/daughter to learn an instrument at Simon Balle….. Complete, sign and return the enclosed application form as soon as possible (making particular note of the contract details on the back) – DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY AS YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INVOICE ONCE YOUR CHILD HAS STARTED LESSONS. Your application will be dealt with and the Music Administrator will contact you before the end of the Summer Term. Lessons are rotated throughout the time the teacher is 28
in school, so the same school lesson is not missed each week. If asking for guitar lessons, please state electric or acoustic. If you have any questions, music@simonballe.herts.sch.uk. Mark Taylor, Director of Music
please
contact
the
Music
Department
via
at
Reporting on Progress – Go4Schools When your child joins Simon Balle School you will be able to access information about their achievement, behaviour and attendance online as well as viewing reports when these are issued. After 2nd September you will have access to the system and be able to set-up your account using the email address you give us when you complete the New Student Information Sheet later in this booklet. Each parent can login individually if we have both email addresses. To logon to the system you need to visit the website at www.go4schools.com. You need to click on the Parent button on the top right of the screen. A logon screen will appear and you might want to add this address to your favourites. The first time you logon you need to go to the ‘First Time User’ section of the page, enter your email address and click the ‘Send me a Password’ button. A password will be generated and sent to your email address. Using this information on the logon screen will give access. You can change the password using the ‘My Settings’ tab near the top of the page. Help information is available on the site and you can also contact the School for advice using the email address: reports@simonballe.herts.sch.uk. Guidance can also be found on the parent guidance section of the school website. Initially there will be little information on the site, but this will increase as the year progresses. LEGAL GIVEN NAMES – Please note that as reports are formal documents we use the legal given name of your child, although this may not be the name used at home or in school.
ParentPay: an online payment system Simon Balle School lets you make online payments using your credit and/or debit card using a very secure internet gateway called ParentPay and you are able to pay for items such as school trips, music lessons, revision guides and school dinners. Very quickly you will realise the advantage of this payment method and how easy it is to use ParentPay. Your child will no longer have to carry money and you have the choice of making payments whenever you want making all money transactions much safer. In April you will be issued with a personal username and password which will give you access to your individual family account in ParentPay. You will need to activate your account and you will then be able to pay online for the following items: Yr 7 trip to Phasels Wood, iPad Insurance, locker hire, book covers and art book. You will be able to choose a new username and password once you have logged on for the first time. If you have any concerns regarding ParentPay, please contact the Finance Office.
29
Child Protection and Safer Recruitment Teachers and school staff have a duty to protect children from child abuse. The safety and welfare of the child is of paramount importance and includes protecting children from physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect. All school staff are trained in child protection and a register is kept. Mr Brown is the Designated Person for Child Protection. Staff have successfully received accredited training in safer recruitment procedures. The school operates a recruitment process which aims to:
Attract the best possible applicants to vacancies Deter prospective applicants who are unsuitable for work with children or young people Identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable for work with children and young people
Simon Balle School is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check – previously CRB). All visitors to the school, including parents, must report to reception, based in the school office, sign in and wear a badge. This is just one aspect of safeguarding and we strive to introduce enhancements all the time.
Parking on the School Site Walking to school will be the normal expectation and positively promoted from the outset for the whole school community. This approach also supports our specialism in sport which will promote healthy lifestyles and physical fitness for children and their families. Encouraging walking also increases awareness of the local environment, independence and social opportunities. The school will be actively promoting car free travel. In some cases there may be a legitimate reason why a family has to drive to school however parking on the school site is limited and parents must use the one-way system. If you need to visit the school during the day you must park in the designated visitor’s spaces and not drive up to the main office. Please adhere to all the traffic signs on site.
Emergency School Closure ‘Closing the school may be the right decision where the judgement is that students or staff face significant risk of serious injury in school or travelling to school. But remember that every lesson counts and consider whether it is reasonably practical to keep open.’ (DCSF) ‘Unless specifically told otherwise, staff will be expected to use their best endeavours to attend work without putting themselves or others at risk. When the police and motoring organisations, such as the AA, recommend that motorists undertake only essential journeys this is considered to include travel to work and school.’ (HCC) The Headteacher, School Manager and Premises staff assess the situation in terms of health and safety. We also consult with other local schools. If conditions pose a significant risk, the school will close. There is a robust system for notifying families which includes – School website (www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk) InTouch (please complete your email details on the Student Information Sheet at the back of this booklet) 30
Herts Direct (www.hertsdirect.org) If a substantial amount of snow falls during the day senior staff may decide that the school day should be shortened so that staff and students can leave the site in order to get home in the daylight. School day times may alter – open later, have a shortened lunch and leave earlier. When we remain open risk assessments will be undertaken to ensure the health and safety of staff, students and all site users. Our premises staff have formulated an action plan which includes clearing and gritting paths and walkways. There are a number of options which may be adopted, in the case of severe weather, to ensure continuity in teaching and learning for example –
Certain classes may be asked to stay at home in a specific Key Stage The school is closed and all students will be given work using ICT, the work will be sent to staff for marking. School is open but there is a reduced number of staff. Classes may be reorganised with priority being given to exam classes For students not on site e-learning may be used. In advance departments will prepare work which can be delivered virtually.
The decision to close the school is complicated and not taken lightly. Hopefully the above will show some of the strategies which will be used in the event of snow but we sincerely wish that there will be no snow this winter.
Image* Opt Out Form – Photographs At Simon Balle School we have a clear vision to provide the very best learning experience for all of our students. We have much to celebrate; our academic standards are high, students tell us they are very happy at school and many parents are keen to recommend the school to others. Every day so much is happening which is worthy of note from subject lessons, trips and activities, to clubs and fixtures. Our website tries to capture and share this; it is our window for the outside world and images* of this great school are crucial if we are to publicise, communicate and celebrate our life in school. What sort of images/photos do we take? We only take positive images and these are closely vetted. We take pictures of what is happening in lessons which usually comprises of a group or class image. House plays and House sports, concerts, sports champions, guest visitors and activity trips all provide other opportunities for us to capture the learning and personal development that takes place at our school. How do we use these images/photos? We use them for displays within school. Visitors always praise us for our stimulating learning environment and the students themselves feedback just how much they enjoy looking at the range of activities which take place. The Y7 trip board is perhaps one of our most visited displays. This celebration of events can increasingly be seen on the website and occasionally we manage to get an article in a local newspaper. In addition, we use images of students taking part in activities for promotional and publicity purposes. Most schools have a paper or e-prospectus, which contain images of students. Increasingly short podcasts are also being used. We know that most parents are happy with schools taking images and using them in this way. We are always very careful in what we take, how we use it and how we label photos. The school has guidelines, user agreements and policies to ensure we fulfil our Data Protection and E-safety. If you are happy with the above statements you do not need to take any further action. 31
However, we understand that a small number of parents may not want their child to have their image taken or used in this way. For those parents we therefore ask, if you do have concerns, to opt out by signing and returning the contract at the end of this booklet. *Images may be photographic or filmed
Data Protection Act 1998 – Privacy Notice We, Simon Balle School, are a data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act. We collect information from you and may receive information about you from your previous school and the Learning Records Service. We hold this personal data and use it to:
Support your teaching and learning; Monitor and report on your progress; Provide appropriate pastoral care, and Assess how well your school is doing.
Information about you that we hold includes your contact details, national curriculum assessment results, attendance information1 and personal characteristics such as your ethnic group, any special educational needs you may have and relevant medical information. If you are enrolling for post 14 qualifications the Learning Records Service will give us your unique learner number (ULN) and may also give us details about your learning or qualifications. Once you are aged 13 or over, we are required by law to pass on certain information to providers of youth support services in your area. This is the local authority support service for young people aged 13 to 19 in England. We must provide the names and addresses of you and your parent(s), and any further information relevant to the support services’ role. However, if you are over 16, you (or your parent(s)) can ask that no information beyond names, addresses and your date of birth be passed to the support service. This right transfers to you on your 16th birthday. Please tell Mrs Salter, Database Manager, if you wish to opt out of this arrangement. For more information about young people’s services, please go to the National Careers Service page at https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/aboutus/Pages/default.aspx Some of the information you supply will be used by the Skills Funding Agency to fulfil its statutory functions, issue/verify your Unique Learner Number (ULN) and update/check your Personal Learning Record. The Skills Funding Agency may share your ULN and Personal Learning Record with other education related organisations, such as your careers service, school, college, university, Government Departments and public bodies responsible for funding your education. Further details of how your information is processed and shared can be found here. http://www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/30EE21D9-0C384A67-85D9-923C052F2999/0/PN02PrivacyNoticesstudentsandlearnersversion13aug2012.pdf Other Institutions involved in collaborative delivery. Where secondary schools are involved in collaborative delivery with other schools / colleges and learning providers, pupil information may also be shared to aid the preparation of learning plans and use of data to achieve the objectives identified above. We will not give information about you to anyone without your consent unless the law and our policies allow us to. We are required by law to pass some of your information to the Local Authority and the Department for Education (DfE) and, in turn, this will be available for the use of the LA.
32
If you want to see a copy of the information we hold and share about you then please contact Mrs Salter. If you require more information about how the Local Authority (LA) and/or DfE store and use your information, then please go to the following websites: http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/privsch/ and http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/datatdatam/b00212337/datause If you are unable to access these websites, please contact the LA or DfE as follows: Data Protection Team, Information Governance Unit, Room C1, County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13, email: dataprotection@hertscc.gov.uk Public Communications Unit, Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1) 3BT, Telephone: 0370 000 2288 Website: www.education.gov.uk email: http://www.education.gov.uk/help/contactus
33
Simon Balle Student Information Sheet Notes for Completion
Student’s Legal Surname and Legal Forename
Preferred Surname Preferred Forename Student’s Home Address Ethnicity First Language
Home Language Medical Information Contact Details
Email address for InTouch
Relationship Absent Parent
It is vital that names entered here are those stated on the student’s birth certificate. They are used for external examination purposes as well as reports on Go4Schools, throughout their years at school. Students must be registered under the names which appear on the birth certificate, unless evidence is produced that their name has been legally changed by adoption, certificate of deed poll, etc. If the name has been changed please attach a copy of the necessary evidence. Please let us know the preferred surname by which you wish your child to be known whilst at Simon Balle if different from their Legal Surname Please let us know the preferred forename by which you wish your child to be known whilst at Simon Balle if different from their Legal Forename, i.e. shortened version This is the address your child normally lives at during term time. Please note, this is about your family origin/heritage, NOT about nationality. Please specify as appropriate. A first language other than English should be recorded where a child was exposed to the language during early development and continues to be exposed to this language in the home or in the community. Please specify the main language spoken at home. Please give brief details and complete the Student Health Questionnaire later in the booklet with full details. Please give details of all persons who have parental responsibility and anyone else you wish to be contacted in an emergency. Please give full telephone numbers and place the contacts in the order you wish them to be contacted in an emergency. Please write email addresses clearly, particularly when using underscore (_) or hyphen (-). Email contact is used for newsletters, detentions, students timetables and many other forms of communication Mother, Father, Stepmother, Stepfather, Guardian etc. If a parent does not live in the family home please tick the absent parent box.
Please complete all the other forms in this booklet and return to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May enclosing any money as appropriate. Thank you
34
Simon Balle Student Information Sheet Please Read the Accompanying Notes BEFORE Completing The Form
STUDENT’S DETAILS:
Legal Surname*: ……………………………Legal Forename: …………………………. Middle Names: ……….………… Preferred Surname*: ……………...……….. Preferred Forename: ……………………… Date of Birth: ……………………. *(If different please supply a copy of the appropriate document) Gender: …………… Ethnicity: …….…………...... First Language: ……………......... Home Language: …………….…….. Student’s Home Address: ….………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………..…… …………………………………………………………….Post Code: ………………….. Home : …………………………….. PARENT DETAILS: Please give details of ALL persons who have parental responsibility and anyone else you wish to be contacted in an emergency. Place them in the order you wish them to be contacted in an emergency. If a parent does not live in the family home please tick the absent parent box. PLEASE WRITE THE E-MAIL ADDRESS CLEARLY (particularly ‘-‘ and ‘_’)
PARENT/CARER (CONTACT 1)
Name: Relationship to child: Parental responsibility: Y/N Home Address (if different):
Absent Parent: Y/N:
Home : Work : Mobile : e-mail address for InTouch: CONTACT 2
Name: Relationship to child: Parental responsibility: Y/N Home Address (if different):
Absent Parent: Y/N:
Home : Work : Mobile : e-mail address for InTouch: CONTACT 3
Name: Relationship to child: Parental responsibility: Y/N Home Address (if different):
Absent Parent: Y/N:
Home : Work : Mobile : e-mail address for InTouch: Parents’ marital status (i.e. married/divorced/separated/single/other): ……………………………………………………….. If parents are divorced/separated, who is the student’s legal guardian? ……………………………………………………… Is there a Court Order in operation with regard to the child? YES/NO
(PLEASE COPY SUCH DOCUMENT TO THE SCHOOL )
Is the student in care? YES/NO If YES, please give the name of the Care Authority and start date: …………………… 35
Is either parent in the Armed Services? YES/NO If YES please give details. ……………………………………………… Is the student currently in receipt of Free School Meals? YES/NO Has the student been in receipt of Free School Meals at any time in the last 6 years (your child may be eligible to receive help from Pupil Premium)? YES/NO If YES please give start and end dates …………………………………… Which parent does the student live with? MOTHER/FATHER/BOTH/OTHER (Please specify)…………………………………….. If there are any family circumstances which you feel the school should be aware of please inform your child’s Head of Year Names of any brothers or sisters attending Simon Balle School ………………………..……………………………………… MEDICAL DETAILS:
Surgery Name: ……………………………………………….………………………………: ………………………..………… Address: ………………………………………………………………………………… NHS Number: ………………………….. Medical Information, Allergies and Special Dietary Requirements: ………………...………….……………………………… ……………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... TRANSPORT DETAILS:
Please tick how your child usually travels to school. If more than one mode of travel is used, the longest element of the journey by distance should be recorded, e.g. a student travelling 5 miles by car and then walking 1 mile should tick Car/Van. Please Tick One Box Only
Walk
Train
Cycle*
Car or Van
Taxi
Public Service Bus
Car Share (with a child/children from a different household)
Other
*Please attach cycling proficiency certificate & parental permission letter
EDUCATION DETAILS:
Previous Primary School: ……………………………………….………………………………: ………………………….…… Address: …………..………………..…………………………………………………………………..……………………..……... Has your child been excluded from another school? (If YES, please give details) ………………...……..………….……… If not Primary to Secondary, what is the reason for transfer? …………………………..…………..…………………………..
I undertake to co-operate with the school in ensuring that my child attends school, wears the correct uniform and observes the school rules.
Parent/Carer ………………………………………………………………………… Date: ………………………………………
PLEASE RETURN TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY 2015
36
Ethnic Background Record Form Student Name :…………………………………………………………………………..……(please print) Our ethnic background describes how we think of ourselves. This may be based on many things, including, for example, our skin colour, language, culture, ancestry or family history. Ethnic background is not the same as nationality or country of birth. The DFE recommends that those with parental responsibility decide the ethnic background for students. The Information Commissioner (formerly the Data Protection Registrar) recommends that young people aged over 11 years old have the opportunity to decide their own ethnic identity. Parents, or those with parental responsibility, are asked to support or advise those children aged over 11 in making this decision, wherever necessary. Students aged 16 or over can make this decision for themselves. Please study the list below and tick one box only to indicate the ethnic background of the student named above. Please also tick whether the form was filled in by a parent or the student.
(a) White British Irish Traveller from Irish heritage Gypsy Roma Any other White background Italian Turkish
(b) Mixed White and Black Caribbean White and Black African White and Asian Any other mixed background (d) Black or Black British Caribbean African Any other Black background
(c) Asian or Asian British Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Any other Asian background
(f) Any Other Ethnic Group
(e) Chinese I do not wish an ethnic background to be recorded This information was provided by: Parent
Student
Please return the completed form to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 Any information you provide will be used solely to compile statistics on the school careers and experiences of students from different ethnic backgrounds, to help ensure that all students have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. These statistics will not allow individual students to be identified. From time to time the information will be passed onto the Local Education authority and the Department for Education to contribute to local and national statistics.
37
First Language Record Form A first language other than English should be recorded where a child was exposed to the language during early development and continues to be exposed to this language in the home or in the community. If a child was exposed to more than one language (which may include English) during early development the language other than English should be recorded, irrespective of the child's proficiency in English. In the case of an older student who is no longer exposed to the first language in the home, and who now uses only another language, the student or parent can determine which language should be recorded. Tick one Box only English
Afrikaans Akan/Twi-Fante Albanian/Shiqip Amharic Arabic Armenian Bengali (Sylheti) Bengali (Any other) Bosnian Bulgarian Caribbean Creole English Caribbean Creole French Chaga Chinese (Cantonese) Chinese (Hakka) Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua) Chinese (Any other) Chichewa/Nyanja Croatian Czech Danish Dutch/Flemish Estonian Filipino Finnish French Gaelic/Irish German Greek (Cyprus) Greek (Any other) Gujarati Hausa Hebrew
Do not wish First Language to be recorded (Refused)
Hindi Hungarian Igbo Icelandic Italian (Sicilian) Italian (Any other) Japanese Kannada Kashmiri Katchi Kikuyu/Gikuyu Kinyarwanda Kirundi Konkani Korean Kurdish Latvian Lingala Lithuanian Luo(Kenya/Tanzania) Marathi Malayalam Malay/Indonesian Ndebele Nepali Pahsto/Pakhto Pahari(Pakistan) Panjabi (Gurmukhi) Panjabi (Mirpuri) Panjabi (Any other) Dari Persian Persian/Farsi (Any other) Polish
Portuguese (Brazil) Portuguese (Any other) Romanian Romany/English Romanes Russian Serbian Shona Sindhi Sinhala Slovak Slovenian Somali Sotho / Sesotho Spanish Sundanese Swahili / Kiswahili Swedish Tagalog Tamil Telugu Thai Tigrinya Traveller Irish / Shelta Turkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese Welsh/Cymraeg Wolof Xhosa Yoruba Zulu
Other Language:…………………………………………………….Please complete if language is not included in the list above Student Name:……………………………………………………………………………………..Class/Form………………………………… This information was provided by: Parent Student
(Any information you provide will be used solely to compile statistics on the school careers and experiences of pupils from different ethnic backgrounds, to help ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. These statistics will not allow individual students to be identified. From time to time the information will be passed on to the Local Authority and the Department for Education to contribute to local and national statistics. The information will also be passed on to future schools to save it having to be asked for again).
Please return the completed form to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 38
Consent Form for School Trips and Other Off-Site Activities
Please sign and date the form below if you are happy for your child, a) To take part in school trips and other activities that take place off school premises; and b) To be given first aid or urgent medical treatment during any school trip or activity. Please note the following important information before signing this form:
The trips and activities covered by this consent include; o all visits (including residential trips) which take place during the holidays or a weekend o adventure activities at any time o off-site sporting fixtures outside the school day, o day trips/visits. The school will send you information about each trip or activity before it takes place. You can, if you wish, tell the school that you do not want your child to take part in any particular school trip or activity.
Written parental consent will not be requested from you for the majority of off-site activities offered by the school – for example, year-group visits to local amenities – as such activities are part of the school’s curriculum and usually take place during the normal school day. Please complete the medical information section below (if applicable) and sign and date this form if you agree to the above. MEDICAL INFORMATION Details of any medical condition that my child, suffers from and any medication my child should take during off-site visits: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………… Student’s Name:…………………………………………………….. Form (if known): ………………. Signed (Parent/Carer): …………………………………………….……………………………………… Parent/Carer’s Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………... Date: …………………………………………………. Please return the completed form to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015
39
40
Student Health Information Please return this form to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 STUDENT NAME: ____________________________________________________________ National Health Number: ______________________________________________________ Name and address of Doctor: __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
IMMUNISATION: Which of the following has your child received? Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio ___________________ Whooping Cough ________________ Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) _____________ Pre-school Booster _______________ Rubella ________________________________ Meningitis C _____________________ Other (e.g. BCG) _________________________ DETAILS OF ILLNESSES: Has your child ever had any serious injury, illness or operation, or attended any hospital (if so, please give details)? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
DOES YOUR CHILD SUFFER FROM ANY OF THE PROBLEMS BELOW/OVERLEAF? 1.
Vision problems (Please state, e.g. Colour vision/glasses)
_______________________________________
2.
Ear/hearing Problems
_______________________________________
3.
Dental
_______________________________________
4.
Severe Headaches/Migraines
_______________________________________
5.
Allergies
_______________________________________
6.
Asthma
_______________________________________
7.
Hayfever
_______________________________________
8.
Skin Problems
_______________________________________
9.
Heart Problems
_______________________________________
10.
Urine Infections
_______________________________________
11.
Bowel Problems
_______________________________________
12.
Eating/Dieting Problems
_______________________________________ 41
13.
Fits or Convulsions
_______________________________________
14.
Emotional/Anxiety or Depression
_______________________________________
15.
Problems with muscles/bones/joints
_______________________________________
16.
Family changes (including bereavements/separation)
____________________________
Has your child ever had a serious allergic reaction to anything? __________________________________________________________________________ Does your child take any regular medication (including inhaler)? Please specify __________________________________________________________________________
Has your child had frequent absences from school in the past year? __________________________________________________________________________
Is your child happy with school life? _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Is there anything specific we need to know about your child’s health? __________________________________________________________________________
Signature: (Parent/Guardian) __________________________ Date: ___________________
42
Year 7 Trip to Phasels Wood Please return this form to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 I give permission for …………………………………………………..……………………………...…(please print) to participate in the Year 7 Trip to Phasels Wood in September 2015
PAYMENT OPTION 1 I agree to pay in full now (including a non-refundable deposit of £50.00)* And I have paid £182.00 through ParentPay* or I have enclosed a cheque/cash* to the value of £182.00 (payable to Simon Balle School)* PAYMENT OPTION 2 I agree to pay a non-refundable deposit of £50.00 now, and then two instalments as detailed below* And I have paid £50.00 deposit through ParentPay* or I have enclosed a cheque/cash* to the value of £50.00 (payable to Simon Balle School)* Instalments Deposit 1st Payment 2nd Payment
by by by
06/05/2015 08/07/2015 02/09/2015
£50.00 £66.00 £66.00
(*delete as appropriate) Any cash sent into school will be at your own risk
Signed (Parent/Carer) …………………………………………………………………………………………………... Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Date: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
43
44
Year 7 – iPad Insurance Please return this form to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 Child’s name: ……………………………………………….………. Form Group (if known) ………………..….. I have read and understand the information about the roll-out of iPads for Year 7 from September. Please circle as appropriate the options under each heading below. Warranty 1. I would like to purchase the warranty via the school in September with one lump sum of £79.95 2. I would like to purchase the warranty via the school and would like to pay in two termly payments one of £40.00 by 23rd October and one of £39.95 by 12th February. 3. The iPad will be covered under my comprehensive theft and warranty policy I/we have, and I/we will be responsible for replacement or repair Case 1. I will wish to purchase a low cost model case from the school in September for the iPad. 2. I will be arranging for the purchase of a case outside of school which will meet the Simon Balle School specifications and will not invalidate the warranty. iPad Model By default students will receive an iPad Mini 16 GB Wi-Fi model. Please indicate below if and why you think that your child would require the larger iPad 4th generation 16 GB Wi-Fi model. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………… Parental signature Signed (Parent/Carer) …………………………………………………………………………………………………... Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Date: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
45
46
Student Supplies Please complete this form and return it to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 Student’s Name ……………………………………..……………………….(please print)
I would like to order the following:
Number 1
Item Description Art Sketchbook (will be given to student at first Art lesson)
Tick as appropriate
Cost £ 2.50
1
Set of 11 transparent book covers (7 small, 4 large to be given out on first day of term)
£ 2.75
1
A school locker for use by named student from Year 7 to Year 11 in accordance with the conditions previously detailed in the booklet
£35.00
TOTAL – if all items ordered (or amend accordingly)
£40.25
I have paid £………………………..through ParentPay* or I have enclosed a cheque/cash* to the value of £………………. (payable to Simon Balle School)*
Parent/guardian signature: …………………………………………………………
Date:……………
Print Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
(* delete as appropriate)
47
48
Transition Activities Following our extremely popular and successful sessions last year in various subjects, we are once again able to offer a variety of practical activities where parents work alongside their children who are joining Simon Balle School in September. The sessions will run for 90 minutes and parents and students can sign up for just one evening or attend all four if they prefer. If a department is offering more than one session then this will follow the same format each time. Sessions will be linked to the programmes students will follow in Year 7 and parents will be working on similar themes and developing those skills their own children will be exploring once they come to Simon Balle. It is an excellent way for students to get to know the school and for parents to understand the time constraints they work under. However parents really enjoy working alongside their children and meeting other new parents. Places will be limited and we would like you to indicate your preferred dates and sessions on the form below (Monday 8th, Thursday 18th, Wednesday 24th and Tuesday 30th June – 6.30-8.00pm). We will try and accommodate you with your first preferences however if, as last year, the sessions prove so popular we may have to restrict parents to one or two sessions each to enable us to accommodate more parents. Please indicate on the form below by writing which subject you would like in the corresponding box. The available subjects are Art, Drama, Food Technology, English, Geography, History, IT, Library and Independent Learning, Maths, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), Music, PE, PRE (Philosophy, Religion and Ethics) and Science. If you are interested in taking part in these free sessions, please complete the form and send it to the school office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 as places are limited. PLEASE SUPPLY AN EMAIL ADDRESS AS YOU WILL BE EMAILED TO CONFIRM YOUR PLACE ON THE COURSE BY FRIDAY 22nd MAY 2015
49
Transition Activities Please return this form to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 Parent Name: ………………………..……………………. Signature:……………………………………. Student Name: …............................................................. Date: ……………………………………......
Please follow the Example below to complete the form correctly. EXAMPLE Monday 8th June Subject Drama Choice (number)
2
English
Food
Library
Maths
PRE
1
3
4
6
5
Please complete the sessions you would like to attend. You do not need to attend them all. (Please remember to check your child is not away on a primary school trip) Monday 8th June Subject Art
Drama
English
Food
Library
Maths
PRE
Choice (number) Thursday 18th June Subject Food
Geography
History
MFL
PE
PRE
Science
Choice (number) Wednesday 24th June Subject English
Food
IT
Library
MFL
PRE
Choice (number) Tuesday 30th June Subject Drama
Food
IT
Maths
Music
PRE
Choice (number) (IT = Information Technology, MFL = Modern Foreign Languages, PRE = Philosophy, Religion and Ethics)
Contact email address………………………..…………………………………………………………………………. PLEASE PRINT EMAIL ADDRESS CLEARLY
50
Simon Balle School – Tuition on a Musical Instrument Please print Name of Student................................................................................................................... Name of Parent(s) ................................................................................................................. Address ................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................. Post Code ................................. Home Tel No ........................................................................................................................ Daytime Contact No .............................................................................................................. E-mail………………………………………………………………………………………………... Primary School…………………………......................................................................... Student’s mobile phone number: ………………………………………………………………… I wish my child to receive tuition in .................................................................................(instrument) (Please fill out separate forms if lessons in more than one instrument are required) * I am prepared to pay for (current prices – may alter in September 2015)
Individual Tuition
(½ hour weekly)
= £191.00 for 11 lessons
Individual Tuition
(20 minutes weekly)
= £132.15 for 11 lessons
I am eligible for Remission of Fees (Income support/family credit) and have telephoned the Call Centre at Stevenage on 0300 1234048 and confirm that my application is being processed. Please be aware that lessons cannot commence until the Remission of Fees has been confirmed.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY – YOU WILL BE SENT AN INVOICE (It may not be possible to allocate your child to the preferred option but we will try to meet your requests.) * Status of Student My child is a complete beginner in this instrument.
My child has been learning this instrument for ......................(current teacher)………………… My child has already passed grade ....................... in this instrument. My child is also having lessons in ....................... (other instrument(s)).
* Instrument My child has an instrument of his/her own.
We are willing to rent an instrument - please send details of rental schemes (does not apply to guitars)
We are interested in purchasing and would like some advice. (* Please tick the appropriate boxes.) 51
Cont./........
UNDERTAKING I understand and accept the following conditions: 1. That any instrument used by my child will carry a label with his/her name and address inside the case AND some readily identifiable EXTERNAL mark - a logo sticker or similar - since many instrument cases look alike and mistakes are sometimes made in collecting them. Most instruments carry an identification number - this should be noted in case of loss.
2. *That I must give at least eleven lessons’ written notice of an intention to discontinue lessons at the end of the term. I am still liable for payment for this notice period, even if lessons are not attended. 3. That I will pay tuition fees (and examination fees, if and when entries are made) by the deadlines specified. (Any delay causes unacceptable extra work in the school office.) 4. That a termly bill will be for 11 lessons and that if, for any reason, this number of lessons is not offered, then the following (Summer Term) bill will be adjusted accordingly. 5. That attendance at instrumental lessons is primarily the student's responsibility and that credit will not be allowed for lessons lost by student's non-appearance at the times designated. 6. Only lessons missed by reason of a teacher's absence or a school-sponsored event (examinations, trips, etc.) will be credited, unless the teacher makes arrangements for an alternative lesson time.
Signed: (Parent) ................................................................................................. Date: ...................... Parent’s Name (Please Print) ……………………………………………………………………………... Seen by Director of Music Signed by teacher Date lessons commenced (date and number out of 33) and time of first lesson. * PLEASE NOTE THE NOTICE PERIOD IS 11 LESSONS
52
Image* Opt Out Form - Photographs
ONLY COMPLETE IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE THEIR PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN I do not want my child to have their image/photograph taken. This means that they will take responsibility themselves by: removing themselves when images/photos are taken at any school events e.g.: House plays, House sport sporting events music concerts trips lessons clubs etc. informing the teacher that they are unable to have their image/photo taken as this will affect how students are grouped, want to celebrate sports and musical events etc.
Name of child……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Parent signature ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Parent name (print) …………………………………………………………..………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..
53
54
Simon Balle School Parent Staff Association A Registered Charity “Raising money to benefit all our students” As a parent or carer of a child at our school, you are automatically a member of the Parent Staff Association. Our aim is to raise money to provide facilities and equipment which benefit all the students at Simon Balle. Our big vision is to modernise as many of the ‘commonly’ used areas of the school ensuring that 1950s buildings are bright and fit for 21st Century education. Last year we made a multiyear pledge to support the replacement of the school minibuses, one of which has wheelchair access. In the past we have supported the refurbishment of the school hall, library, and lecture theatre. These common areas are used daily by all students and therefore every single child benefits from our work. We raise money through a busy programme of activities throughout the school year which includes events such as our Christmas auction, quiz nights, pamper nights, annual fun run and organising refreshments for school concerts and plays. For further information on all our activities please visit our website at www.simonballepsa.org.uk. Interested in getting involved in some way? Being part of the team which organises and runs PSA events and activities can be great fun – and you give as much or as little time as you wish. Our Annual General Meeting takes place early in the autumn term, and this is a good time to find out more about what we do. It is also when we elect the PSA Committee, agree the focus of the forthcoming year’s fund raising and discuss ideas for future events. Own your own business? Can you help support the PSA by donating your time or services Does your employer offer community grants or other support to local charities? Whatever help you can give - please return the form below to the school office and a member of the PSA Committee will get in touch with you. We are looking forward to hearing from you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Balle School Parent Staff Association Please complete this form and return it to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 I am interested in finding out more about how I might get involved in PSA fundraising. Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Telephone Number: …………………………………………… Student’s Form: .…………(if known) e-mail address: …………………………………………………………………………………………… I may able be to help the PSA with the following support, services or fund raising: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
55
56
Careers Education and Work Experience Careers education and work experience gives students the opportunity to sample adult working life, develop key/core skills and gain first-hand knowledge of a particular work situation and associated job activities. It forms one part of our commitment to preparing our students for the world of work. Many of our lessons also develop the key skills/awareness necessary, this can be viewed on our school website. Simon Balle and Hertfordshire Careers Service Ltd (HCS) liaise with companies to identify suitable placements.
YEAR 12 STUDENTS We see careers education and work experience as an important part of our student’s development whilst they are on the threshold of choosing a suitable degree course and potential career. We encourage students to be aware of the demands of their chosen field and to plan for these. Work Experience is seen as a necessity when applying for courses such as medicine, nursing, law, teacher training, pharmacy, veterinary science, business, media and more and can be used when making a UCAS application. We are always seeking new placements and if you feel your company may be able to offer a placement to a student or would like to find out more information, please return the slip below and a member of staff will contact you.
Careers Education and Work Experience Please return to the School Office by Wednesday 6th May 2015 My company may be interested in offering a Careers Education and Work Experience Placement. Name: ……………………………… Company Name: …………………………………………………… Address: ……….……………………………………………………………………………………………… Contact Telephone Number: …………………….…………………………………………………………. e-mail address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………. (Student’s Name and Current Form: ……………………………..……………..…………………………)
57