The School Day

All pupils should arrive at school before 8.30 am each day, when registration takes place in Houses. Pupils should not generally enter the school site before 8.00 am. There is no official supervision prior to then and therefore we require that pupils are not on site, unless they are in a supervised activity.

Attendance and Absence

If your son or daughter is ill, please leave a message on the School’s absence line - (01905 721704) or email absence@ksw.org.uk - on each day of his or her absence - copying in the relevant Year Group Tutor if emailing.

If your child has a medical appointment which cannot be arranged outside school hours please email their Year Group Tutor in advance.

If a pupil needs to miss school for any reason, such as a family holiday in term-time, family event such as a wedding or funeral; public performance or participation in sport, parents and guardians must contact the Headmaster, in plenty of time and well before arrangements are finalised. The Headmaster will take into account the pupil’s prior attendance record and the reason for the request. Please be aware that he is not legally or contractually bound to grant the request. Any absence of more than ten days may only be granted in exceptional circumstances under the terms of the legislation about compulsory school attendance.

Travelling to and from school Bicycles can be brought to school. They can be kept at the rear of the Choir House building during the day and must always be locked when left on school premises.

Please impress upon your son or daughter the need to walk safely but quickly to school either from home or after a journey on public transport. We advise that pupils should use public routes when they walk to and from school and that they should always walk with friends.

Please be aware that if a pupil misses school without prior permission, or if he or she stays away for longer than the agreed term, this absence will be recorded as unauthorised. In some instances, the school will seek advice from the local Education Welfare Officer if pupils are missing school for unauthorised reasons.

All pupils must arrive for registration by 8.30 am. Afternoon registration takes place at 2.25 pm in their P7 lesson. If pupils arrive after 8.40 am they will be marked ‘Late’. If a pupil is frequently late, his or her parents and guardians will be informed.

Catering

Breakfast and hot and cold snacks may be purchased from the Dining Hall before and after school.

The School offers a lunch with choices of soup, hot main courses, salads, sandwiches/wraps, jacket potatoes, pasta dishes, desserts and fruit. There are, of course, vegetarian, vegan and halal options.

It is assumed that pupils will be having a school lunch unless confirmed before the start of term that your child will bring a packed lunch (which will be eaten in the Dining Hall) and return any lunch pass issued. If pupils forget their lunch pass, they will need to go to the Finance Department to get a temporary pass.

If your son or daughter has allergies or special dietary requirements, please contact your child’s Year Group Tutor or the Catering Manager (01905 721793). Items containing nuts are clearly marked and the School is used to catering for special diets.

Valuables and Lost Property

If your son or daughter loses something, he or she should check bag racks and the changing rooms (particularly at the fields) before then going to Lost Property. Valuable items (such as wallets or mobile phones) will be kept in the School Office if handed in. Please ensure that your son or daughter names all items of uniform, sports kit and other possessions (such as watches, books, shoes, bags, calculator and mobile phones). Unnamed items are taken to the Lost Property Store in the Annett building. Pupils can ask the School Office for the key.

If a pupil suspects that an item of theirs has been stolen, they should inform their ear Group Tutor, who will contact the Senior Deputy. The School keeps a register of such incidents.

Money and items such as mobile phones should be kept in bags or in their blazer pocket. During Games lessons, all valuables must be kept in bags or blazer pockets. Parents and guardians need to be aware that pupils are responsible for the security and safe use of all their personal property and for property lent to them by the School.

Open Mornings

Open Mornings are held on three Saturdays each year from 9.30 am until 1pm; there are two Open Mornings in the Autumn Term, the second one being for potential Sixth Form entrants (including our own Fifth Form) and one at the start of the Spring Term. We believe that pupils derive a significant benefit from showing their school to others: the process enhances their communication skills and fosters pride in their achievements. We therefore request that pupils are available on these days.