The Marches School Parent Guide

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Parent Guide 2019/20

marchesschool.co.uk

Parent Guide 2019/20

This guide will give you the information you need to know as the parent or carer of a child about to start at our school. It outlines important policies and procedures and will ensure that you know how to find any further information needed. Further details are available on the School’s website: www.marchesschool.co.uk We are a forward-thinking, innovative school.

As a proud member of the Marches Academy Trust, we benefit from being part of a strong and outward-looking community with common goals and fundamental core values.

We strive to ensure that our young people make the very most of their learning adventure and are equipped with the skills required to prosper in the 21st century.

We know that a successful partnership between home and school is essential and very much look forward to working with you over the years ahead.

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The move• The move from primary to secondary school is an important milestone in a child’s life, and most children need some help to make the transition successfully.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

The key differences that children will experience at secondary school are: • Travelling to and from school independently, probably for the first time.

• Moving around a bigger building, from room to room, between lessons.

• Many new adults, each of whom have different roles and responsibilities.

• Being responsible for books and equipment and making sure the correct items are packed for each activity during the day.

• Noting down homework, completing it independently and handing it in on time.

• Making new friends.

Your child’s Form Tutor will have daily contact with them and is there to help them to deal with any worries they may have.

If your child seems to be struggling in their new environment, please contact their Form Tutor as there are many ways in which we can help.

We do encourage the students to become independent as quickly as possible but it can be helpful to: • Display a copy of their timetable somewhere prominent at home. This will be issued at the start of the year.

• Establish a routine for homework and preparation for the next day.

• Encourage them to sign up for extra-curricular activities as these are a particularly good way for children to make friends.

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The school day• The beginning of the school day can be a rush for everyone and helping your child to establish a routine in the morning and evening will help the day start smoothly and with minimum stress.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Encourage your child to: • Pack their school bag and lay out their uniform before going to bed each evening. Does your child need their PE kit or cooking ingredients? Checking these things the night before will help avoid early morning panic and items being forgotten.

• Always eat a good breakfast as this provides essential energy and will help him or her perform better at school.

• Allow plenty of time to get to school and build extra time into the morning routine so that if there are transport problems they will not be late.

Students should arrive no later than 8:30am ready to start the school day on time.

We have a thorough extra-curricular programme which invites students to take part in a range of activities during and after the school day. Students will be given information on what is available at the start of the autumn term.

Timetable: 08:40 – 09:05

Tutor Time

09:05 – 10:00

Period 1

10:00 – 10:55

Period 2

10:55 – 11:10

BREAK

11:10 – 12:05

Period 3

12:05 – 13:00

Period 4

13:00 – 13:40

LUNCH

13:40 – 14:05

Reading/House Groups Assembly

14:05 – 15:00

Period 5

15:00 (finish)

End of School Day

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Transport, lunch, payment• 06

Parent Guide 2019/20

Transport Students currently travel to school using a variety of means including school minibus, bus, car, taxi, bike and on foot.

For detailed information on our school minibus routes, please visit the website.

For information on public transport options, please visit: • Arriva Buses – www.arrivabus.co.uk or call 01691 664661 • Tanat Valley Coaches – www.tanat.co.uk or call 01691 780212 • Parish Coaches – 01691 656222

Lunch A range of hot and cold food is available from the restaurant at both break and lunch. Students queue in year groups in clearly defined spaces. Food is purchased using the biometric finger system meaning money can be added to an account in cash that morning, by cheque or by ParentPay, and the child uses their registered finger to use funds.

Students in receipt of free school meals have a fixed amount, loaded onto their account each day. Any sum not spent from this amount is lost at the end of each day and so it should be used in full each day where possible.

Payments We use ParentPay, a cashless system that enables parents to pay for extra activities, school lunches and trips. You will receive an email detailing your unique login with information on how to proceed at the beginning of the autumn term.

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Academic matters•

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Class groups and settings In Year 7, students are taught in both set attainment groups and mixed attainment groups, depending on the subject area.

Specialist teaching or support is made available to those students who need it through our highly experienced team.

In Years 7 and 8, students follow the Key Stage 3 (KS3) curriculum, moving up to Key Stage 4 (KS4) in Year 9. In December of Year 8 they will pick the subjects they want to study at KS4, with Year 9 being a transition year where they will still study key subjects such as ICT, food and nutrition.

Student books and folders All students are responsible for the text and exercise books given to them. In the event of loss or damage, the cost of replacement must be borne by the students. Student Planners are issued to all students to record homework and important information. They are vital to the learning process and parents and carers are asked to check and sign them on a weekly basis.

In exercise books, our expectation is that students will always write in black pen, draw in pencil and underline the title and date.

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LORIC Students are empowered to face the future with a forward-looking attitude, excellent communication skills and a resilient, positive attitude. Our LORIC strategy encourages students to develop attributes in: • Leadership – not everyone is a born leader but these skills can be refined and encouraged • Organisation – vital in everyday life, especially as they progress through the school • Resilience – how to learn from a setback and to move forwards • Initiative – being self-motivated and independent • Communication – how we present ourselves to the world, whether verbally or non-verbally

Literacy and reading We want our students to leave us with the necessary skills for them to be able to choose their future. Literacy is fundamental to our students’ wellbeing, enabling them to function in their everyday lives whilst giving them the lifelong skills to be able to communicate and create, articulate their ideas and understand and interpret the ideas of others.

The simplest definition of literacy is the ability to read and write, but in total there are four strands of literacy: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

‘Reading School’ initiative We believe that literacy begins with reading. At the heart of our approach is ‘reading for pleasure’. We expect all of our students to read in their own time and to bring their current reading book to school each day. We promote reading through a range of events and, most importantly, through our ‘Reading School’ initiative. We talk to our students about what they are reading and what, as staff, we are reading. Studies show that having adults as literacy role models is essential to a child’s development. We will also be providing reading recommendations for both students and parents to help develop our shared love of books.

Our Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is at the heart of both the school and of literacy. It is an outstanding resource where students can borrow a wide range of reading material and find a space to work and read. They will also have access to our online ‘Reading Cloud’ library system which will allow them to explore our catalogue online and post recommendations, reviews and access wider suggestions for reading to enhance our culture of reading for pleasure.

Reading ages and spelling ages To help us monitor progress in reading and spelling skills we use a software package called Lucid Exact. Following a short online test, Lucid Exact analyses students’ skills in reading comprehension and spelling and provides us with accurate levels of literacy ability. This information will help us to identify any students that may require further support as they make their transition into the secondary curriculum. This testing will be repeated at various points through the academic year to determine what progress is being made, and if any further support is needed.

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Improving writing The quality of written communication is a key part of the assessment of some courses at GCSE and A Level. Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) has been implemented in the assessment of some qualifications in KS4 and KS5 to develop upon the work and testing that students now complete in KS2.

Developing and improving writing skills will continue to be a focus of our School Development Plan. Further information will be shared in September about resources, activities and specific aims for improving writing to coincide with the launch of our new Literacy Strategy.

Assessment, reporting and recording We have developed a whole school assessment policy for all children. GCSE minimum expected grades are used in all years to help parents and carers have a clear picture of the outcomes for their child.

Regular formal assessment should result in a level or a grade being shared with students. All students should be clear about what their minimum expected grades are and which grade they are currently working at, as well as the steps they need to take to move their work on.

You will receive three school reports across the academic year.

All of these reports will show the progress your child is making towards their minimum expected grades. Reports are published for all year groups in the last two weeks of each full term – Christmas, Easter and July.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Home learning From September 2019, students and parents will be able to use Class Charts to access home learning tasks. We also use this system for rewards, seating planner and detentions.

You and your child will be issued with your own login which will allow access to the Class Charts app. This function allows staff to set home learning tasks that can be viewed by students and parents, allowing you to see when assignments are set, due and have been completed.

All home learning will be linked to the curriculum/exam specification depending on the year group. The purpose of home learning is to promote independence, develop the skills needed to ensure students meet their potential and to build their resilience.

Staff mark and monitor home learning on a regular basis, with feedback highlighting areas for improvement to be addressed during reflection time in class.

Extra-curricular activities There is an extensive range of extra-curricular clubs and activities to suit every child. These take place during lunchtimes and after school and range from Choir to Rugby (boys and girls) and from History to Art with many more besides. Please see the website for more details.

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Trips and visits We run a wide variety of trips including local, national and international during the school year and aim to publicise them at the start of the autumn term to allow parents and carers to plan and choose where appropriate. We are always conscious to provide affordable trips and offer payment options where possible.

Exams The secret to doing well in exams lies in planning. You can help your child to create a clear revision plan and method of studying that will make them feel in control of their work. Guidance for what topics to revise is sent out by subject teachers.

Tips for revision planning: • Work out a revision timetable for each subject.

• Break revision time into small chunks – hour-long sessions with short breaks at the end of each session often work well.

• Make sure your child has all the essential books and materials beforehand.

• Condense notes onto postcards to act as revision prompts.

• Go through school notes with your child or listen while they revise a topic.

• Time your child’s attempts at practice papers.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Providing all-round support A way to support your child during the stress of revision and exams is to make home life as calm and pleasant as possible.

It helps if other members of the household are aware that your child may be under pressure and that allowances are made for this.

Make sure there are plenty of healthy snacks in the fridge and try to provide good, nutritious food at regular intervals. Encourage your child to join family meals, even if it is a busy revision day – it is important to have a change of scene and get away from the books and computer for a while.

Also encourage your child to take regular exercise which can help clear the mind before the next revision session.

It is important to get a good night’s sleep before an exam, so discourage your child from staying up late to cram. Eating a good breakfast on the morning of the exam is essential.

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Student support• It is a fundamental principle of our school that every child is important and our central aim is for all students to reach their full potential. For this to happen, not only are is quality teaching and learning essential, but each child needs to feel safe, secure and supported.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Academic and pastoral support Your child’s Form Tutor is your first point of contact for any issues, concerns or questions about your child in school.

Our pastoral support system exists for these key reasons: • To monitor each student’s progress and help them to be actively involved in their own learning by setting targets and planning how they can best improve.

• To ensure that each student has, in their Form Tutor, an adult that they can turn to if they have problems.

• To provide opportunities for students to be involved in a full range of school activities, including competition.

• To give a structure in which good behaviour and successes can be rewarded and negative issues such as poor behaviour or attitude to work, problems with attendance or punctuality or lack of progress can be addressed.

Each year group has a Head of Academic Progress, with an assistant. There is also a dedicated member of the Leadership Team who focuses on pastoral care and safeguarding, working alongside a team of Wellbeing Leaders and a Head of Wellbeing and Behaviour. These members of staff work within the different year groups to offer additional support.

Finally, for students in need of more intense support, we have our Return Centre, which works to support students with behaviour management issues to return to a full programme of lessons and success in the main school setting.

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Tutor mentoring system Form Tutors meet with your child on a one-to-one basis throughout the year to discuss any concerns, strengths, achievements and their academic progress to ensure they are happy and getting the most from their time at school.

Learners with Special Education Needs Details of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services are available for download from our website. We make special provision for those students with additional needs and aim to provide high quality teaching and in-class intervention where needed.

A dedicated team of staff help ensure that students receive an outstanding level of care at all times in our SEND Hub. Our facilities provide quiet, calm, positive environments, to enable staff to work on a one-to-one basis with students when required.

There is a wealth of information regarding groups/activities/ organisations and services that can support professionals and parents in Shropshire at shropshire.gov.uk/the-send-local-offer.

More able students We are continually developing individual learning programmes to challenge our more able learners and use setting from Year 7 to enhance the provision we can offer. As well as within the classroom, there are many opportunities for our more able students to take part in national competitions such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) challenges. Older students are encouraged to take part in university workshops and conferences.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Pupil Premium We consistently strive for equity of opportunity at our school.

A comprehensive overview of our strategy to ensure all students succeed can be found on the main website (Pupil Premium Summary). Students that are in receipt of free school meals may be able to obtain additional support to attend school trips and with essential equipment. We recognise the value in playing an instrument and will support students with lessons and, where possible, with the loan of instruments. All students that take music lessons will join the school band and have the opportunity to perform.

Free School Meals Free school meals can only be awarded if you or your partner are claiming any of the following benefits: • Universal credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).

• 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 pension credit.

• Child tax credit (provided you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190).

• Working tax credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit.

To apply for Free School Meals you can use the following link: https://shropshire.gov.uk/free-school-meals/apply-forfree-school-meals/. You will need your National Insurance number to hand.

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What we expect of you••• 20

Parent Guide 2019/20

Uniform Uniform shows that you are part of a community. Wearing it with pride is important and we are consistent in our expectations.

All students should be in correct uniform for school. Our uniform rules, which also appear on our website and in the student planner are to be adhered to.

Any student who arrives at school with incorrect uniform will be given uniform from our stock to wear for the day.

Further information on our uniform can be found on our website.

School attendance and absence We want all students to receive a full-time education, maximising the opportunities for them to realise their true potential. All school staff will work, with students and their families, to support them in meeting their legal duty to ensure that their children achieve maximum possible attendance and that any problems which may impede full attendance are acted upon quickly.

If your child is unwell, please call the school absence line no later than 8.30am leaving a message stating your child’s name, tutor group and a brief explanation of the nature of the illness. A call is requested for every day of absence unless you have spoken directly with the Attendance Officer.

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Please try to avoid medical/dental appointments in school time as far as possible. If this is unavoidable, please send your child to school with a note in their planner stating the reason they need to leave school and the time you wish to collect them. The note should be handed in at Reception. A signing-out slip can then be prepared.

Children’s medical needs may be broadly summarised as being of two types: • Short-term: affecting their participation in school activities whilst they are on a course of medication.

• Long-term: potentially limiting their access to education and requiring extra care and support (deemed special medical needs).

Please refer to our policy on Supporting Children with Medical Conditions for specific advice and guidance for your child. We have a manned medical desk in school, with trained staff who can help you with any queries.

Behaviour We use the Lee Canter Assertive Discipline model and restorative approaches. We promote positive behaviours and work with students who get things wrong to allow them to make the right choices in the future. Please see our full policy on the school website for further details.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Student SMART Way

All students should respect and be proud of their school.

We encourage, and expect, them to do all they can to make the school one where everyone is treated politely. Everyone should be familiar with our policies on behaviour and discipline and the rules below are designed to be practical guides to make life easier for everyone.

• I will arrive SMART to my lesson before the bell.

• I will always keep to the left whilst walking around school and behave in a calm manner whilst lining up outside the classroom.

• I will enter the room calmly, store my bag safely and place my planner and equipment on my desk.

• I will give my full attention throughout the lesson by displaying good listening behaviour and following instructions.

• I will use positive words at all times to encourage others’ and my learning and uphold our high expectations by achieving at least a grade 2 in my lessons.

• I will work cooperatively to support a productive learning environment where everyone feels able to learn.

• I will stand behind my chair and leave in an orderly fashion when asked.

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marchesschool.co.uk

Bullying Bullying is not tolerated and will be dealt with immediately and severely. Please refer to the website for our full policy.

Sanctions We expect high standards of behaviour at all times. Where these are not met we reserve the right to apply a number of sanctions.

For more details please refer to our website.

Rewards Our Rewards Points system is extremely popular and students thoroughly enjoy accumulating them throughout the year.

Our website has full details.

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Phones and technology Devices are only permitted for use inside lessons under the control and instruction of the class teacher. Unless a teacher has given permission for devices to be used as an integral part of the learning process, they are not permitted to be seen in school and may not be carried on a student’s person.

All devices must be switched off at all times and kept in the bottom of bags, out of sight unless otherwise instructed by the class teacher.

Devices are not permitted to be used outside lessons at any time.

If devices are used incorrectly, students will be challenged and devices will be confiscated. Parents/carers will be asked to collect the device directly before 4pm, or send their child with a letter for its return, which will be directly to the student after 3pm on the day that a letter is received.

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marchesschool.co.uk

The future•

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Work experience During Year 10 and Year 12, students undertake a work experience placement to give them a way of learning about the world and the workplace environment. We find it helps students develop their interpersonal skills and promotes an interest in a range of careers.

Careers education, information and advice Good quality careers education raises the aspirations and ambitions of our students. We provide a comprehensive programme that includes workshops, university application forums, apprenticeship advice, workplace training options and higher education course information.

Sixth Form opportunities In addition to their academic courses, students in the Sixth Form are encouraged to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities and additional qualifications. These provide opportunities to make new friends, learn new skills and will help to give their future applications (university, apprenticeship or employment) ‘the edge’, an important element in today’s competitive market.

Whether that is through leading a sports team, ‘going for gold’ in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or being a member of the Student Council, our programme will help to enrich students’ learning adventure and equip them with the essential skills for success.

Alumni We are always delighted to hear from past students and learn of their experiences and life adventures since they left school.

Through the development of an active alumni database, the school is aiming to coordinate a range of events and activities, including inviting past students back to the school to share their experiences.

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marchesschool.co.uk

Quick reference

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Parent Guide 2019/20

Academic support.............................................. 17 Alumni.................................................................... 27 Assessment........................................................... 12 Attendance and absence.................................. 21 Behaviour............................................................... 22 Books and folders................................................ 09 Bullying................................................................... 24 Extra-curricular activities................................ 13 Home learning..................................................... 13 Literacy and reading.......................................... 10 Lunches.................................................................. 07 Mentoring.............................................................. 18 More able students............................................. 18 Pastoral support................................................... 17 Payments............................................................... 07 Phones and technology................................... 25 Pupil Premium..................................................... 19 Reading ages........................................................ 11 Rewards.................................................................. 24 Sanctions................................................................ 24 School day............................................................. 04 Sixth Form and beyond.................................... 27 Special Educational Needs.............................. 18 Spelling ages......................................................... 11 Transport................................................................ 07 Trips and visits..................................................... 14 Uniform.................................................................. 21 Writing.................................................................... 12

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