Sixth Form Parents' Information Booklet 2022/2023

Parents’ Information Booklet

12 - 13

Page 5: Our values

Page 6: Safeguarding statement

Pages 7-11: Communication between home and School

o Contacting us

o Keeping us informed of a change of address

o Parental Responsibility

o Communication with Parents: written correspondence from us

o Communication with parents: Parents’ Conferences

o Reports

o Calendar

o Pupil planner

Pages 12-13: Pastoral Organisation

o Buddy system (Years 7 and 12)

o Houses

o PSHE

o School Forum

Pages 14-16: Timing of the School Day, Registration and Absence

o The School Day

o Travel to and from School

o Registration and punctuality

o Absence

Page 17: Term Dates

Page 18: Lunches, co-curricular activities

Page 20: Instrumental and vocal tuition

Page 21: Speech and Drama Tuition

Contents (continued)

Page 22: Educational visits consent arrangements

Pages 23: Homework and Internal Examinations

Page 24: Special Educational Needs

o SEN

o Girls with disabilities

Pages 25-26: Dress Code and Sportswear

o Sixth Form Dress Code

o Sportswear

o Sportswear Supplier

Pages 27-29: Property, BYOD, Mobile Phones, Lockers

o Girls’ property

o Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

o Mobile Phones and other devices

o Lockers

o Lost Property

o School Property

o Money

o Borrowing money in emergencies

o Water bottles and drinking water

Contents (continued)

Pages 30-33: Medical Issues and the School Nurse

o School Nurse

o Medical Records and Health Checks

o Illness and Accidents

o Medication in School

o Prescription medicines

o Asthma

o Health Care Plans

o PSHE

o Counselling in School

o External Agencies

Page 34: Policy Information

o Pupil Code of Behaviour

o ICT Acceptable Use Agreement

Page 35: List of policies available

Pages 36-37: Pastoral Information in planners and where to turn to for help

Our values, Mission, and Values

Vision

Our vision is to be champions of excellence in all-girl education, empowering girls to be leaders, trailblazers and world shapers.

Mission

Newcastle High School for Girls is committed to offering an outstanding all-girl education from age 3 to 18, that promotes happiness and well-being, allowing every girl to flourish academically. Creating an environment where girls learn without limits supported by the opportunities arising from being part of the GDST family.

This is strongly underpinned by our values:

Excellence

In all endeavours, both academic and wider aspects of life and experience. Being the best we can be.

Integrity

Doing what is right, caring for others and ourselves. Collaborating and being good citizens, friends, mentors and leaders.

Individuality and family

Respecting every pupil for herself, and supporting her to grow in confidence as her own person, within a strong and friendly community.

Opportunity

Embracing the future with excitement. Nurturing the courage to question, challenge and explore.

Community

Reaching out to play an active role in our local community and beyond. Recognising that bringing out the best in each other brings out the best in ourselves.

Safeguarding

Newcastle High School for Girls is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and believes that all pupils, regardless of age, special needs or disability, racial/cultural heritage, religious belief or sexual orientation have the right to be protected from all types of harm and abuse. This Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy forms a fundamental part of our approach to providing excellent pastoral care to all pupils, including young people who may be over the age of 18 years.

The full policy is available for parents to consult on the School website.

Communication between home and School

Contacting us

School Contact Details

Newcastle High School for Girls Tankerville Terrace Jesmond

Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3BA

Telephone

Telephone number: 0191 281 1768

Email: seniorschooloffice@ncl.gdst.net

The Senior School Reception is open from 8.00 to 18.00. Staff are available to answer the telephone during these hours. If you telephone outside these hours you will be able to leave a message on the answer-phone. The telephone number is 0191 281 1768.

In person

There is someone on duty at Reception from 8.00 until 18.00. We ask all parents (and other relatives or family friends) to enter School via Reception.

Telephone messages for your daughter

The School Office is able to pass on messages to your child in exceptional circumstances, or if you are unable to contact her by another means. Please remember that pupils in Years 7-10 should not be using their mobile phones during school hours, and should not contact you directly if they feel unwell or need to speak to you for a specific reason. Under these circumstances, pupils should speak to the office staff, the School Nurse or their Head of Year who will contact home on their behalf

Email

You are able to email the office on seniorschooloffice@ncl.gdst.net or individual members of staff.

Please bear in mind that teachers have a wide range of duties during the school day, including, of course, timetabled lessons, and are not generally ‘office-based’. We ask our teachers to check their emails at least once a day during term-time, but this may mean that there is a delay between receipt and reply.

In addition, outside the normal school day, we appreciate that our teachers will be managing their marking, lesson preparation and other school commitments alongside family and personal life. We therefore have a policy which requires our teachers not to send or respond to work-related emails between 19.00 in the evening and 07.00 on the next school day. We hope that you will be understanding of this policy and not expect teachers to have read or to respond to emails during these hours.

In school-holiday time, teachers check their emails on a more infrequent basis. Therefore, if your request requires urgent attention please telephone the school office.

Staff email addresses consist of their first initial, stop, surname plus @ncl.gdst.net, for example a.staffmember@ncl.gdst.net, etc.

Communication between home and School (continued)

Contacting specific members of staff

Pastoral Concerns

If you need to discuss pastoral concerns, your first port of call should usually be the Form Teacher. The Form Teacher may be contacted in writing, by telephone, by email, or in person if he/she is free when you come into School. You can also contact Mrs Harrison, Director of Sixth Form, h.harrison@ncl.gdst.net in the same way.

If the concern relates to medical issues, please contact our School Nurse, Vicki Wilson: v.wilson@ncl.gdst.net

Academic Concerns

If the concern relates to a specific subject, it is usually best to contact the Subject Teacher in the first instance. Depending on the nature of the concern, it may then be appropriate to involve the relevant Head of Department as well.

If you are concerned that your child may have a special educational need that you want to discuss, please contact our SENDCO, Mrs Grayson: l.grayson@ncl.gdst.net

Mrs Hardie (Deputy Head, Academic) would also be happy to speak to you or see you regarding any academic issues if you feel that there is a significant concern or a concern of a particularly sensitive nature: a.hardie@ncl.gdst.net

Safeguarding Concerns

If you have a safeguarding concern, you should contact Mrs Franks-Doyle as the Designated Safeguarding Lead. If it is an emergency and Mrs Franks-Doyle is not immediately available, you can contact one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads in Senior School: Nurse Wilson, Mrs Hardie, Miss Penny, Mrs Harrison, or Mr Tippett.

General/Miscellaneous Concerns

For any general queries or concerns, or if you are not sure who to contact, please contact the School Office in the first instance and they will direct you to the appropriate member of staff: seniorschooloffice@ncl.gdst.net

Contacting the Head

Mr Tippett (Head) is also happy to communicate with parents about particular issues if required. However, in most cases it would be more appropriate to follow the communication routes set out above, as these are the staff best placed to deal with specific issues, and it is likely that he would need to ask another member of staff to look into your concerns in the first instance.

Keeping us informed of changes of address or contact details

Please inform us immediately of any changes of address or telephone contact numbers at home, work/daytime numbers and emergency numbers and email contact.

Communication between home and School (continued)

Parental Responsibility

In the interest of your daughter’s welfare and for legal reasons, the School must have accurate and up to date records of the following:

who lives with your daughter and which of these people have parental responsibility whether there are any other people with parental responsibility for your daughter who live apart from her whether there are any court orders which may have made changes to those who have parental responsibility or which impose restrictions on the exercise of parental responsibility

If there are any changes to the above following your daughter’s admission to the School, please notify Mr Tippett immediately.

If you are going away and leaving your daughter in the care of family or friends, please advise us of the details, including emergency contact arrangements. Please also make sure that your daughter knows the contact names and numbers of the person(s) she is staying with.

If an arrangement of this type is going to be for 28 days or more it may be classed by law as Private Fostering if the person your daughter is staying with is not the parent, does not have parental responsibility and is not a close relative (step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt). Parents and private foster carers are legally required to inform the local authority about a proposed placement (i.e. your daughter staying with someone other than relatives as listed above) at least 6 weeks in advance. Professionals who come into contact with the child also have a duty to ensure the Local Authority is aware of the arrangement by making a referral.

Communication with Parents: written correspondence from us

Most correspondence is sent to parents by email, which is why it is important that we have an accurate email address for you. We rely on parents being in the habit of checking for emails from us on a regular basis. It is therefore best that the email address you provide to School is one that you are likely to check regularly. We try to streamline the process for you by sending out nearly all our correspondence giving information, in particular about trips and events, on a Friday, in our ‘Friday bulletin’. You may hear about PE fixtures and trips at other points during the week, and staff may still contact you directly at different times concerning academic or pastoral issues.

Communication between home and School (continued)

Communication with Parents: Parents’ Conferences

Each Sixth Form Year Group has one Parents’ Conference each year, plus an Invitation Only Parents Conference, following on from internal examinations.

Girls in all years are invited to attend the conference with their parents. Parents’ meetings are a form of verbal “full report” and dialogue and we do encourage you to make every effort to attend your daughter’s conference, even if this take place virtually.

The conference gives you and your daughter the opportunity to discuss progress with subject teachers and pastoral staff, such as Form Teacher and Director of Sixth Form. The Parents’ Conference for your daughter will usually be in a different term from the full report.

Prior to the Covid pandemic, Parents’ Conferences took place face to face, but we took the decision to move these online over the past two years. Parents’ Conferences generally run from 16.15 to 18.30.

We also run Pastoral Issues meetings for parents in all year groups at different times of the year, such as Mental Health Awareness, Digital Safety and Eating Disorder Awareness events. These events may take place online or face to face.

Communication with Parents: Reports

Parents also receive regular information about their daughter’s progress through regular reports.

Termly Pupil Progress Reports

Every term, pupil progress in each subject is reported in terms of grade and effort. These are discussed with Form Tutors in individual PDP sessions during registration.

Annual full reports

In addition to the half-termly work and effort grades, every girl receives one full report each year. This report contains work grades and a written comment for each of your daughter’s subjects including a section on achievements and a section containing targets. There are also contributions from her Form Teacher and Head of Year.

Calendar

The dates of Parents’ Conferences, meetings, reports and events are listed in our new online calendar which can be found both on the new Firefly Parent Portal or on the school website www.newcastlehigh.gdst.net The new online calendar will be available by the beginning of the Autumn term.

Pupil Planner, merits and demerits

At the beginning of the Autumn term your daughter is provided with both a Sixth Form planner and a Study Guide. In the planner, she records her homework for each lesson and any other deadlines or useful

Communication between home and School (continued)

information. This is especially useful in the Sixth Form as it details key dates for university applications, external examination deadlines as well as hints and tips for successful study.

The planner is also used as part of our ‘Behaviour for Learning’ system. This system includes merits which are awarded for excellent work and other outstanding positive contributions to many aspects of school-life. Staff show girls the merits they have awarded by putting a merit-stamp on their work or writing a note to say they have achieved a merit. Staff then record the merits electronically in our SIMs system and printed reports are then generated at intervals for Form Teachers to be able to see how many merits each girl has received and offer praise or encouragement accordingly when they share these lists with them. In Sixth Form, these can also be exchanged for a hot drink in the Sixth Form Deli Bar.

Demerits are a low level sanction which staff award by writing ‘Demerit’ in the calendar pages of the planner. The imposition of demerits is designed to help the girls reflect on what they have done wrong.

Under certain circumstances such as continued lateness, not adhering to the dress code or not completing set work, Sixth Form girls may be asked to attend a Friday night detention session which is from 4pm-5pm.

Sixth Form girls are also issued with a Study Guide which allows them to plan their work load and also record the outside reading and study that they complete necessary for successful study at A Level. Information regarding this extra reading is available on Firefly and is updated as necessary, following the scheme of work being studied in each subject. It is really important for girls to record the extra reading and study that they carry out as this is discussed with Form Tutors during registration.

Pastoral organisation

Buddy System

Every girl in Year 7 is assigned a Year 12 Buddy who will meet regularly with her and help to ensure she settles quickly into the School.

Houses

Each girl is a member of one of the four Houses: Acadia Carpathia Mauretania Turbinia

House events are held regularly throughout the year and many opportunities are offered for the girls to get to know and work together with members of the House in different Forms from them and different Year Groups.

The Houses are led by members of the Sixth Form Leadership Team and girls in each year have every opportunity to put themselves forward as a House Rep.

Merits and House Points

Every 5 merits a girl achieves counts as a Gold Merit and as well as these being awarded to the individual pupil each Gold Merit counts as one House Point. Gold merits are tallied each half-term and the Gold Merit Cup is awarded to the House whose members have gained the highest number of merits during the preceding half-term.

Further details about merits can be found in the Behaviour for Learning Policy on Firefly or summarised in your daughter’s planner.

Pastoral organisation (continued)

PSHE Programme

A programme of Personal, Social and Health Education is delivered to all girls in Years 12 and13. These are weekly sessions usually led by your daughter’s Form Teacher.

Occasionally the sessions will consist of whole Year Group assemblies or other activities with outside speakers.

The aim of PSHE is to help pupils to develop in such a way as to prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life; they are encouraged to develop skills in listening to others and confidence in putting forward their own view in accordance with our belief in giving every girl a voice.

Forum (School Council)

In NHSG, the School Council and the structures that support it are known as “The Forum”.

All girls are involved in the Forum through regular Form Councils, Year Councils and the Forum meetings themselves, as well as feedback assemblies to each Year Group. In addition to this cyclical system there are regular Sub-groups, open to everyone, on a range of issues.

The Forum provides structured opportunities for all girls to have their say on almost every aspect of school-life, including teaching and learning, diversity and inclusion, sustainability issues, the School’s approach to mental health, or the updating of school policies such as those relating to behaviour.

Timing of the School Day, Registration and Absence

Timing of the School Day

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning 8.35 Registration & Assembly or Form Time 9.05 Period 1 10.05 Walking time 10.10 Period 2 11.10 Break 11.30 Period 3 12.30 Lunchtime afternoon 13.35 – 13.40 Afternoon registration 14.40 Walking time 14.55 Period 4 15.50 End of day

Tuesday morning 8.35 Registration 8.40 -9.10 PSHE (30 minutes) 9.10 Walking time 9.15 – 10.10 Period 1 (55 minutes) 10.10 Walking time 10.15-11.10 Period 2 (55 minutes) 11.10-11.30 Break

Then as Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

The School opens at 8.00.

The school day starts formally with registration at 8.35 and ends at 15.50, during which time all pupils in Years 7 to 11 are expected to remain on the premises. Sixth Form pupils are able to leave school at 14:45 if they have a study period last lesson – they MUST sign out at reception.

The only exceptions to this are if your child is out of School ‘officially’, such as on a schooltrip or fixture, or examination study leave for older Year Groups, or in response to formal requests from parents received by staff in School and approved in advance.

At the end of the day, pupils may work quietly in the Sixth Form Library until 18.00.

Timing of the School Day, Registration and Absence (continued)

Travel to and from School

Newcastle High School for Girls is proud to be a ‘green’ school, so we try wherever possible to promote more sustainable modes of transport. Our Senior School is located at the south end of Tankerville Terrace in Jesmond and is easily accessible by Metro from either Jesmond (4-minute walk) or West Jesmond (5-minute walk) metro stations. We run a number of daily bus services to both Senior School and Junior School and run regular shuttle services between our Senior School and Junior School sites.

Full details of the transport options available for travel to and from our School can be found by following this online link. https://newcastlehigh.vectare.co.uk/

Registration and Punctuality

All girls in Sixth Form are expected to be present in time for registration at 8.35. They will receive late marks if they are not punctual.

Attendance and absence

Regular attendance is vital because any absence has the potential to affect the quality of your daughter’s learning and, at times, her social integration and interaction with her peers.

Your daughter will benefit most from the opportunities offered by NHSG by always attending school and so 100% attendance is expected.

We monitor attendance closely, with Form Teachers and the Director of Sixth Form scrutinising the figures actively to look for patterns. The girls are informed of their attendance percentage at the end of each half-term, and a comment may be made relating to this in her annual Full Report.

An average attendance figure of below 95% causes us concern as it is the equivalent to one session – either morning or afternoon – off school each fortnight; 90% represents one morning or afternoon off each week; and then every 5% drop in the figures represents the equivalent of another half-day off school each fortnight. In cases when attendance does drop, we follow a protocol in School which will usually include making contact with you to discuss the situation and next steps. We may also inform the Local Authority if there is no improvement in your child’s attendance following these initial discussions, in keeping with the national Safeguarding requirements that all schools must adhere to.

Unplanned absence

We understand that unplanned absence does occur, related in particular to illness. Please see below for the procedure to follow should such an absence be necessary. We would ask you, though, to exercise judgement about whether your daughter needs to be off for minor ailments: although there are particular protocols to follow around illnesses connected to vomiting and diarrhoea – keep the student off school until 48 hours have elapsed since they have become symptom-free - otherwise most students will cope in school with most minor issues.

Timing of the School Day, Registration and Absence (continued)

Planned absence

We would ask that planned absence be kept to a minimum, with medical and other appointments arranged around the school day if possible, to reduce the amount of time off school which might be needed.

Term-time leave of absence or holidays

Similarly, it is our expectation that parents will not take their children out of School for holidays which fall within our published term-dates. We are required to follow the Department for Education’s ‘School attendance Guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools and local authorities’ (August 2020), which states that ‘Head teachers should only authorise leave of absence in exceptional circumstances’. Term-time holiday would not normally be regarded as ‘exceptional circumstances’. Therefore it will be unlikely that the School would be able to authorise requests for term-time holiday, other than in truly exceptional circumstances.

Term dates for the following academic year are normally set and published by the end of November of the preceding academic year. Parents are asked to note these dates and share them with partners and relatives who may be booking holidays on their behalf so that bookings during term-time may be avoided.

All requests for leave of absence in exceptional circumstances should be made in writing to the Head for pupils in Years 7-13. All requests should be made in advance and in good time for the Head to make a considered response.

Should a pupil have leave of absence from School, whether authorised or unauthorised, teachers will not normally set personalised work but the pupil will need to take the initiative to obtain work and to catch up.

Absence procedures

Unplanned absence

If child is not well enough to come to School in the morning (including days when she is due to go out on a school trip or visit), it is helpful if you can notify the School before 9.00 by emailing SeniorAbsence@ncl.gdst.net or telephoning Reception. If a pupil is absent on a given morning without explanation and no information has been received, parents will be contacted by Reception, on the morning of the first day of absence, and subsequent days if notice of absence has not been provided by parents.

When your daughter returns to School after the period of absence, the Form Teacher, may request an additional email or telephone call confirming details about the absence to supplement information provided over the telephone.

Planned Absence

If the absence is planned because of a medical, dental or other appointment, you should inform School in writing, by email (seniorabsence@ncl.gdst.net) or telephone (0191 281 1768) in advance.

The School runs a wide range of co-curricular activities which are run by staff and members of the 6th Form. These activities take place before school, at lunchtime or afterschool. Every term we produce a co-curricular timetable which is communicated to pupils and parents. Details are also given via Year Group Teams and announcements during Form Times and assemblies.

Information about our co-curricular programme or a comprehensive list of all activities will be available through SOCs (an electronic calendar system) and details will be sent to you in due course.

Instrumental and vocal tuition, 2022-2023

In Newcastle High School for Girls we have enormous opportunities to study a plethora of musical instruments. These are taught by our peripatetic tutors, all of which are carefully selected. We are proud to have some of the region’s finest musicians teach in our department. Pupils who learn instruments then have the chance to participate in NHSG’s wonderful, high class ensembles, including Orchestra, Jazz Band, Choir, Chamber Choir and Rock and Pop Ensemble. It is impressed upon pupils that when they learn an instrument they also attend an ensemble to maximise their involvement.

In Years 7-9 pupils are taught on a rota to avoid missing the same lesson too frequently, a system which is highly successful. In Years 10-13, pupils will be taught during lunchtimes and before and after school, to avoid missing lessons. Pupils will be required to inform teachers of their lesson times and to take responsibility for having their planner signed by their instrumental teacher to ensure that all parties are aware of when a pupil needs to leave class.

This is a fabulous opportunity for the pupils here to gain a skill that could last the rest of their lifetime and provide them with endless enjoyment, as well as many opportunities. These include playing in the wide range of instrumental and vocal ensembles that NHSG has to offer and taking advantage of numerous performance activities both internally and externally.

Further to that, as each pupil begins to achieve grades in her instrument, this is something which will prove a valuable addition to a CV or UCAS Personal Statement, with the higher grades even providing additional UCAS points. Instrumental ability is highly regarded by all universities, as it shows a commitment to regular practice, use of the intellect, and a high level of co-ordination.

The following instruments can be studied at NHSG:

Piano Flute Classical Guitar

Violin Oboe Trumpet Electric Guitar

Viola Clarinet Trombone Bass Guitar

Cello Saxophone Bassoon Singing Drums Acoustic Guitar

Lessons last for 30 minutes, and are generally taught individually. Some teachers may take on pairs or even groups at their discretion (generally only if similar ability students are available). Lessons during 2022-23 will be charged at £205 for a series of ten, payable at the start of each term direct to the teacher. Ten lessons’ notice (or ten lessons’ fees in lieu) is required to terminate lessons. If a teacher misses a lesson it will be made up at a later date. Unfortunately, teachers cannot undertake to make up lessons missed by girls who are absent from School, or who fail to attend for any other reason.

Instrumental and vocal tuition, 2022-2023 (continued)

To register to begin lessons in any of the instruments listed, please confirm your requirement by completing the section in the electronic information forms we have asked you to complete by Friday 1st July.

We cannot guarantee a September start for girls whose forms are returned after this date.

If your child already has lessons at NHSG Junior/Senior School, you do not need to reapply using the enclosed form; lessons will continue automatically unless you have given your child’s teacher the appropriate written notice of cancellation or unless the peripatetic teacher will no longer be working at NHSG Senior School.

If your child’s teacher is not listed and you would like them to continue lessons on their instrument please complete the electronic form referred to above.

The following staff will be giving Instrumental and Vocal tuition in NHSG from September:

Ms Alessandra Amorino (flute)

Ms Annie Ball (piano)

Mr Gary Cowey (saxophone, clarinet, piano)

Ms Amy Robson (singing)

Ms Emma Hughes (guitar)

Mr Alistair Lord (brass)

Mr David Lourie (Drum Kit)

Mrs Alison Northey (piano)

Mr Jonathon Trevor (violin, viola, piano)

Mr Andy Watt (guitar)

Ms Penny Kempson (violin/viola)

Any questions regarding instrumental and vocal tuition should be directed to Mr Newey, Director of Music, d.newey@ncl.gdst.net

Speech and Drama tuition, 2022-23

Speech and Drama lessons are open to every pupil in the School, both those who have previous experience of (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations, and those who have not chosen to have lessons in previous years. The lessons are open to all, regardless of their ability or experience.

Speech and Drama lessons place emphasis on the individual needs of students in Public Speaking and Acting. These individual lessons ensure that every pupil is given the very best in vocal training and acting. Pupils are given one private lesson per week which lasts for 30 minutes. It is also possible for pupils to have a shared lesson with another student if they would like to perform duologues.

In order to disrupt curriculum lessons as little as possible, Speech and Drama lessons operate in a similar way to Music tuition; they work on a rotation system and we aim to offer lunchtime slots to girls who also have Music lessons.

Pupils are offered the opportunity to sit LAMDA examinations in which they are able to gain graded qualifications leading to Bronze, Silver and Gold awards which can be used to gain UCAS tariff points.

Should your child wish to enter the LAMDA examinations there will be a fee of approximately £40 per examination.

It is possible for pupils to take lessons without ever entering into the LAMDA examination system, for example if they wish to develop their skills in public speaking and voice control in order to help them in their future careers.

Lessons are taught by a specialist Speech and Drama teacher, Mrs Maggie Childs.

Lessons during 2022-23 will be charged at £205 for a series of ten, payable at the start of each term direct to the teacher.

Payment for lessons is made at the start of each term directly to the Speech and Drama teacher. There is an additional fee for LAMDA or RADA examinations.

To register to begin lessons, please confirm your requirement by completing the section in the electronic information forms we have asked you to complete by Friday 1st July.

If you have any questions about Speech and Drama tuition please contact Mrs Dobson, Director of Drama, by telephone or email to a.dobson@ncl.gdst.net.

Educational Visits: consent arrangements

Girls in joining Year 12 will need to complete and return the Educational Visits Consent Form (EV Form) prior to joining the school.

Girls are not permitted to go on any trips in a given academic year if the completed, signed Educational Visits Consent Form is not held on file at School.

Once this consent form is in place, however, you will not be asked to consent to your daughter’s participation in other local trips and visits or day trips within the UK, although you will be informed by letter/email of when they are taking place and given the opportunity to withdraw your consent if you wish.

You will be asked to complete an ‘Update Consent Form’ – which allows you to pass on any changes to your contact details or information about your daughter, such as medical or dietary issues - shortly in advance of every trip which includes an overnight stay. This is because our procedures require both the EV Form and the Update Form to be in place for all residential visits.

Homework and Internal Examinations

In addition to set homework, girls in the Sixth Form are expected and encouraged to carry out independent further reading and study in each of their ‘A’ level subjects. It is recommended that the girls spend approximately 20 hours per week studying outside of lesson time to achieve top grades at this level.

When homework is not submitted...

Teachers will give girls who have failed to hand in homework on the due date the opportunity to hand it in the following day. They will also issue a demerit. If the homework does not come in on the following day, the teacher may issue a further four demerits and girls will be asked to attend detention on a Friday evening between 4pm and 5pm.

Office 365

At Newcastle High School for Girls our ICT infrastructure is supported by the Microsoft Office 365 suite of applications. This means that your child will have her own OneDrive, which is securely backed up in the cloud to store all of her work. This also means that we can approach their daily education in innovate new ways using technology in the classroom to enhance the delivery of subjects. Although every department will use these technologies in their own way to supplement the nuances of their courses, one whole school approach is that work is hosted and distributed via Microsoft OneNote, whilst homework is distributed and collected via its Classroom Notebook feature. This has many benefits such as automatically adding information to calendars, allowing feedback and for results to be centralised. This will be introduced to new Y7 pupils in their first week with us, supported further in their first term of ICT lessons, and parents will be invited in during the Autumn Term for a demonstration of how this works, and discussion of how you can support your child with this technology at home.

Internal Examinations

Internal school examinations are held in both Years 12 and 13. If your daughter is absent from a school examination, the staff will decide if/when she should take the examination. As it is difficult to supervise examinations outside the set period, papers may be given to your daughter to be done at home, in any free time at School, or, by agreement with the Director of Sixth Form.

Year 12 internal examinations take place in the summer term, the results of which are used as a basis for UCAS (university) applications. Year 13 internal examinations take place in November with mock examinations taking place in February.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

At NHSG we aim to provide high quality teaching and learning experiences which enable and inspire all girls to achieve across an incredibly wide range of activities. In order to ensure academic success, girls with Specific Learning Difficulties or learning support needs are offered appropriate advice and assistance to ensure that their experience of school is successful and happy. We identify and provide appropriate, specific support through close liaison between the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), parents, the girl concerned and the teaching staff.

The Senior School has a designated Special Educational Needs Coordinator, in line with the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice. The SENCO works closely with a Learning Support teacher. In order to inform teachers of how best to support pupils with specific learning needs in the classroom, the Learning Support Team works with each girl to produce a Personal Learning Plan. This plan details and describes the difficulties the girl concerned faces and outlines individual support strategies that she and her teachers can implement to help address these difficulties. In order to assist with early identification of support needs, parents of new entrants to the School should forward any existing assessment documentation (e.g. dyslexia screening reports, psychological assessments, letters from medical consultants) and any other relevant information directly to the SENCO.

Parents will be informed by the SENCO or Head of Year of any concerns or difficulties their daughter may be experiencing and this will be monitored by subject teachers and supported through differentiation of classroom activities. As part of our continuous assessment, staff may assess whether a pupil has an underlying learning difficulty that could be hindering the learning process. In some cases it is necessary to involve the expertise of outside agencies and the SENCO will advise parents if further professional assessment or support is required. The GDST advises that any additional costs incurred by the use of external agencies must be met by parents and are not part of the fees paid to the School.

All the staff at NHSG work together in liaison with parents to ensure that all the girls in our care are given the best possible advice and support to enable each individual to reach her full potential across all activities in school.

Pupils with Disabilities

It is our policy to make reasonable adjustments for pupils with disabilities. If your child does have any special requirements, or the nature of her existing requirements change, please contact the SENCO or School Nurse depending on the nature of the disability.

Sixth Form Dress Code and Sportswear

2023

The NHSG Sixth Form seeks to combine responsibility with freedom in the pursuit of high standards in every aspect of life. We take great pride in our girls, and look to them to embody the values and character of the School and to justify the trust we place in them. We also rely on parents’ help in ensuring the smart appearance of the girls, particularly with regards to skirt length and maintaining a smart/casual appearance.

Whilst there must be an appropriate balance between smartness and the need to express individual style we expect Sixth Form girls to dress appropriately as ambassadors of the School to the outside world. They should be suitably dressed for the School day with a responsible eye for the tone they set to younger girls, and for how they may be perceived by all members of the School community. In creating a casual yet smart look, girls should note the following specific requirements:

Sixth Form girls may wear

Trousers/Culottes

Denim jeans of any colour including ‘jeggings’ providing there are NO rips or deliberate distressed patches on them

Thick Black leggings (NOT Sport style)

Skirts of a length no more than FOUR inches above the knee

If skirt is denim – NO fraying or distressed style is allowed

Dresses/Pinafores of a length no more than FOUR inches above the knee

Tops/Jumpers that cover your middle if not tucked in

T-Shirts without slogans (Brand names, cartoon characters are acceptable)

Shoes, Ballerinas, Sandals, Boots, Trainers with the caveat that shoes and boots must not have high heels or open toes if being worn in any Science Laboratory (trainers may be stored in lockers to change into for Science classes)

Sixth Form girls may not wear

Sports leggings or tops anywhere other than the Gym or Fitness Suite

Velour or other lounge/track suits (unless in the Gym)

Skirts/Dresses shorter than FOUR inches above your knee

Shorts or Skorts of any kind

Ripped or frayed denim (or other) jeans/trousers

Tops with any ‘cut-outs’ including shoulders, back, chest

Tops with shoulder straps less than THREE inches wide

Tops with deep scooped necklines or backs

Flip-flops or Sliders (these are a trip hazard)

Political or similar slogan T shirts

Hats of any kind in-doors

In addition

Makeup should be discreet and hair a natural looking colour

Earrings and one small nose stud are permitted

No visible tattoos

Sixth Form Dress Code and Sportswear (continued)

The following items will be required by girls in Year 12 and 13.

Midlayer top* (for those who represent school teams) Teal with school crest from Schoolblazer

Training pants* (for those who represent school teams) Black with school crest from Schoolblazer

Fitness T shirt*

Teal with school crest from Schoolblazer OR

T shirt Plain black from supplier of own choice

Fitness leggings* Black with school crest from Schoolblazer OR

Leggings Plain black from supplier of own choice

Appropriate Sports Trainers (no fashion shoes)

If pupils have existing NHSG PE kit they can, of course, continue to wear it.

All items marked with a * are exclusively available through our uniform supplier, Schoolblazer

New Uniform

Web: www.schoolblazer.com

Email: customerservices@schoolblazer.com

Helpline: 0333 7000 703

Monday - Friday 9.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m., Saturday 9.00 a.m. -5.00 p.m.

Our new uniform items will be available from Schoolblazer at the above link (alongside some of our legacy uniform items that are only subtly different from the new ones which will be continue to be sold at a discount to the new items until all stocks are exhausted).

NHSG preloved school uniform shop

You can purchase good quality preloved uniform items from our online shop: newcastlehighschool.square.site

Property, BYOD, Mobile Phones, Lockers, Drinking Water

Pupils’ Property

All property, including articles of clothing, PE kit and other equipment, musical instruments, purses, watches, etc., must be clearly marked with the owner's name.

Items of a high monetary or sentimental value (including designer clothes, shoes and bags) must not be brought into School except in exceptional circumstances (see Money).

Please do not allow your daughter to bring hair straighteners or other electrical appliances into School. We are aware that girls sometimes go directly from School to stay with friends or other family members, but please bear in mind that locker space is very limited in School and the rule about valuable property still applies. Such sources of heat must not be used in school except under the supervision of a member of staff.

Please note that School cannot take responsibility for loss of or damage to personal items.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

In September 2019, we introduced our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programme throughout the Senior School. The requirement for all pupils will be for them to bring an internet-enabled laptop or tablet with keyboard to school each day. Their device will become an essential route to access the best possible learning experiences. It will also become essential for managing and organising their work, and their workload.

Parents will receive a separate letter and leaflet explaining more about the BYOD programme including full details of specifications for devices, software required and policy and procedures. Briefly, girls should:



Have their own device available for every lesson. Devices should be insured and should be carried in a protective case for transportation between home and school, and between lessons.



Devices should be fully charged at the beginning of each day. If battery power will not last the whole day, then girls can use their own chargers in the sockets around school to charge their devices between lessons.

Girls need to take the utmost care to ensure their device is kept safe through the day. They should keep their device safely in their bag, or leave it securely locked in their locker, when it is not needed.



Girls will be given training on how to get the best out of their devices to support their learning early in the academic year. They will receive support in school for configuring their device, installing necessary software and fixing technical issues that might arise.



It is worth noting that all of the software that needs to be installed onto every device is provided free with the GDST’s and the school’s various software license agreements. All of the essential software for BYOD is therefore available for no additional cost. That said, anti-virus software is not provided. Free options do exist and girls will be sign-posted to use these, but you may wish to consider purchasing the required virus protection for your daughter’s device

Property, BYOD, Mobile Phones, Lockers, Drinking Water (continued)



It is also worth noting that part of the Year 7 induction will include the setup of the girls’ devices, so there is no requirement for parents to configure accounts or install software unless they wish to.

If you have any questions after reading the additional letter and leaflet regarding BYOD, please contact Mr Lee Wills, Head of ICT (l.willis@ncl.gdst.net).

Mobile Telephones and other electronic devices

Every girl in Sixth Form should have an internet capable laptop or tablet with keyboard with them every school day. The prime purpose behind our BYOD approach is to ensure that every girl has immediate access to important on-line learning opportunities when and wherever needed. BYOD is our approach to using technology to support learning, but girls may wish to have other devices in school, most specifically their mobile phone.

Our expectation is that girls will not need their mobile phones during lessons. Of course, they should keep their devices safe, but during lessons, phones should be put away in a pocket, a bag or locked safely in a locker, with ringers disabled or phones set to Airplane mode. There will be occasions when mobile phones will have a place in lessons, but this will only be when directed by a teacher that this is the best way to support what is going on in the lesson.

We are sure you will understand that the School cannot take responsibility for the safe use or care of any mobile phone or similar device. It is the responsibility of the individual pupil to look after their own equipment in school, and when travelling to and from school or when on any school trip. Pupils should ensure that their mobile phone is stored safely when not in use and locked in their locker during PE lessons, or at other times when they cannot keep their phones with them.

Lockers

Each pupil has a locker which should be secured with a padlock. Parents/pupils should provide their own padlock (we recommend 32mm-40mm in width), but the School offers for sale a suitable padlock if you would to prefer to purchase it from us at a cost of £5 from Reprographics.

Please note that at times, rarely and in exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for staff to search lockers along with other possessions such as bags and clothing: this will only be during school time with the pupils who are affected present at the search. School staff can search for any item with the pupil’s permission or for prohibited items, which may not be brought into School, without the pupil’s consent. Prohibited items are: knives or weapons; alcohol; illegal drugs; vapes; stolen items; tobacco, cigarettes and papers; fireworks; pornographic images; other dangerous items. Prohibited items may be confiscated, disposed of, or handed to the police.

Lost Property

If a pupil loses something, she should search thoroughly for it, then ask about it at Reception. She should inform her Form Teacher if the item cannot be found.

Property, BYOD, Mobile Phones, Lockers, Drinking Water (continued)

School Property

Damage to school property must be paid for by the pupil who causes it.

Money

If girls do carry money and cards, it must be in a named purse.

We prefer girls to bring only minimal amounts of money to School. No money should be left around the School in unattended bags or unlocked lockers. If sums over £5.00 must be brought to School, they should be given to Reception for safe--keeping. The School will accept responsibility for sums of money.greater than £5.00 which are handed to Reception for safe-keeping but will not accept responsibility for the loss of money under any other circumstances.

Borrowing money in emergencies

The Finance Office is able to lend money to girls who have lost or forgotten money so they can pay for travel home, but we ask that this is repaid the following school day.

Water bottles and drinking water

Pupils may bring a re-usable water-bottle into School, which may be filled from the drinking fountains and mains–supply during the day. Pupils are permitted to take a drink of water at any time of the day, including during lessons, if they feel the need. The school actively discourages the use of single-use plastics. Re-fillable water bottles can be purchased from the reprographics office.

The exceptions to this rule are in the laboratories, the LRC, and the ICT suites, where food and drink are not permitted for Health and Safety reasons or to protect the books and equipment.

No hot drinks may be brought into School.

Medical Issues and the School Nurse

The School Nurse may be contacted during the School Day via Reception (telephone 0191 2811768), or email v.wilson@ncl.gdst.net. The Nurse is situated near Reception on the ground floor of the Dame Catherine Cookson Building on the Tankerville Terrace site. The Nurse’s role is to provide a clinically effective, high-quality service of nursing care to all pupils to support their health and well-being.

Medical Records and Health Checks

For every pupil, a Pupil Health Assessment Form should be completed and signed by a parent or guardian and returned to School. This is sent to all parents when girls join the School or when they transfer between Year 6 and 7. These forms should be completed and returned prior to admission.

All pupils have a health-check in Year 7. During these checks general health and welfare is discussed; height and weight are also monitored. If there is anything you wish to discuss with the Nurse before your daughter is seen, the Nurse is very happy to speak to/meet parents. You will be notified prior to the health assessments taking place.

Illness and Accidents

It is assumed that all girls attending School are healthy and fit enough to cope with the School day without leaving lessons for medical attention. The School Nurse and first aid qualified staff are there for accidents, emergencies and illnesses that occur during the course of the School day. For minor injuries and ailments, in the first instance the girls will be cared for by the designated First Aider in the area in which they are working. This will enable them to receive prompt treatment without the need to locate the Nurse, and reduce the amount of time they are absent from lessons.

If your child has been absent from School because of vomiting or diarrhoea, please note that it is school policy that she stay away for 48 hours after she has become symptom free, to prevent cross infection.

If a pupil is too unwell to remain in School then the Nurse or first aid trained staff at reception will contact her parents so that she may be taken home, or inform parents if the girl needs to be taken to hospital. Any pupil who has had an accident requiring urgent medical treatment will be taken to the RVI in Newcastle.

In addition to the normal First Aid cover available in school, the Nurse will usually be available in the Medical Room for general consultation at the following times (unless she is off-site at Junior School or elsewhere):

Morning break 11.10 - 11.30

Lunch times 12.30 -13.35

Generally healthy pupils attending school should be able to manage their day around these times, without the need to leave lessons.

So, whilst the Nurse will deal with serious medical issues such as allergic reactions, accidents, breathing difficulties, breaks/sprains, etc., epilepsy and hypoglycaemia, girls will not be allowed to

Medical Issues and the School Nurse

ask to leave lessons to get paracetamol for cramps, headaches, etc. or because they feel vaguely and generally unwell. Headaches should normally wait until the recognised times or until the pupil returns home. Exceptions would be a headache coming on suddenly causing a pupil to become distressed, and then help should be sought.

NHSG is committed to teaching and building resilience in the girls and an important part of that is encouraging girls to take care of their own health as they grow and to develop essential coping skills. We do not encourage girls to take unnecessary medication in School; however, the girls are permitted to carry small quantities of paracetamol or other simple pain relief medication, for their own personal use. In addition, they are also encouraged to seek out simple strategies and alternatives to medication, such as fresh air, gentle exercise and drinking sufficient quantities of water.

Girls should not telephone parents to ask to be picked up because they are feeling unwell. Instead contact will be made by a member of staff such as the School Nurse, or other designated First Aiders including Reception. We will try not to send your daughter home during the School day unless she is genuinely unwell and unable to cope with lessons.

The Nurse supports girls to deal with various health conditions and wellbeing issues, such as asthma, diabetes, mental health and sexual health issues. The Nurse works with the School Pastoral Team, families and external agencies in order to support each girl’s health needs and enable her to attend School.

Medication in School

If at all possible, medicine should be given at home and not in School. However, in certain circumstances there may be occasions when a pupil requires prescription medicine during the school day. Parents are asked to complete the Administration of Prescribed Medication in School consent form which can be issued on request by the School Nurse. Pupils can carry their own medications such as inhalers, insulin pens, antihistamine or Epipens for anaphylactic shock. They are also permitted to carry paracetamol or simple pain relief medication, for their own personal use, and self-administer only when necessary.

Parents are responsible for monitoring whether their child has taken medication during the School day. When you sign the health assessment form/medical consent form, you are giving your consent to the School Nurse or another designated First-Aider to administer over the counter medicines when appropriate. Medication given in School will be documented in your child’s planner, and on the School’s electronic system. Spare emergency medications must be left at Reception. Parents are responsible for providing the emergency medication and need to note the expiry date and replace the medication when necessary.

Prescription Medicines

These should be in a dispensed container with the girl’s name, name of medicine, directions for use and the date of dispensing. Non-prescription medicine should also be in the original container with instructions.

Medical Issues and the School Nurse (continued)

Pupils with asthma are encouraged to participate in all school activities and for their asthma to be well managed. Please ensure that pupils have their inhalers with them at all times, clearly marked with their name. Please provide a spare, named inhaler, to be kept at main Reception. Parents are responsible for providing the inhalers to be kept in School and need to note the expiry date of the inhaler and replace it when necessary.

From 1st October 2014 the Human medicines (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2014 allows schools to buy salbutamol inhalers, without prescription, for use in emergencies. The emergency salbutamol inhaler should only be used by children for whom written parental consent for use of the emergency inhaler has been given, who have either been diagnosed with asthma and prescribed an inhaler, or who have been prescribed an inhaler as reliever medication. Information and consent forms will be sent to parents who have informed us their daughter has an inhaler.

Nut allergies

Nuts should not be brought in to School, as there is a risk to pupils who suffer severe allergic reactions.

From 1st October 2017 the Human medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 allows schools to buy Adrenaline Auto Injectors, without prescription, for use in emergencies. The emergency Adrenaline Auto Injector (AAI) should only be used by children, for whom written parental consent for use of the emergency AAI has been given, who have been diagnosed with anaphylaxis and prescribed an AAI. Information and consent forms will be sent to parents who have informed us their child has an AAI.

Health Care Plans

Health Care Plans detail the level of support that School may provide for a pupil who has significant needs resulting from a medical condition or illness, particularly in an emergency e.g. Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes and Epilepsy. These are arranged with the parent, School Nurse, health professional and School as necessary.

Immunisations

The School works closely with the NHS Community Team on immunisation programmes such as the HPV vaccination programme for girls in Year 8, and Diptheria/Tetanus and Polio, and Meningococcal ACWY in Year 9.

Mental health in School

NHSG and the GDST are aware of the challenges faced by young people, and the impact on their mental health. There are several events over the school year to increase awareness of mental health, as well as regular training for staff on mental health. The school nurse, the school counsellor and staff support pupils with mental health concerns, as well as supporting parents to access appropriate external support and advice.

Medical Issues and the School Nurse (continued)

have demonstrated sufficient maturity and are Gillick competent. Pupils will always be encouraged to talk to their parents/guardians. Any safeguarding concerns disclosed in a confidential setting will be reported according with the safeguarding policy. There is more information on this

service on the following link: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/sexualhealth/c-card/

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)

The Nurse supports the teaching staff by being involved in PSHE. She covers a range of subjects including sex and relationships, hygiene and healthy eating. We also work with external agencies to provide relevant PSHE sessions.

Counselling in School

We have our own School Counsellor who works with the pupils three days a week. The counsellor sees pupils for a number of reasons, and this gives pupils the opportunity to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and structured environment. More information is available from the School Counsellor or the School Nurse, and also on Firefly.

Confidentiality in School

The school nurse and school counsellor follow their professional codes of practice (BACP and NMC) and are able to provide confidential support and advice to pupils over the age of 13, provided they have sufficient maturity. Pupils will always be encouraged to talk to their parents/guardians. Any safeguarding concerns disclosed in a confidential setting will be reported and follow the safeguarding policy.

External agencies

The Nurse often works with external agencies and parents to provide additional support to those pupils who require it.

Policy information

Pupil Code of Behaviour

The pupil Code of Behaviour is part of the Discipline and Behaviour for Learning Policy.

All pupils have a summary of the Code of Behaviour in their planner. At the beginning of the academic year, and at other times, staff go through the Code of Behaviour with the

girls so they are fully aware of its contents. This includes our system of sanctions and rewards.

Pupils who breach the Behaviour for Learning Policy and Pupil Code of Behaviour whilst on school business, will be dealt with in the same manner as if the incident had taken place in School.

For incidents that take place outside of School and not on school business, these policies will still apply if there is a clear link between that behaviour and maintaining good behaviour and discipline among the pupil body as a whole. This includes bullying behaviour within the school community, behaviour in the immediate vicinity of the School or on a journey to or from School, or online or using other electronic devices such as mobile phones.

A copy of the Discipline and Behaviour for Learning Policy and the Pupils’ Code of Behaviour is available on the School website.

ICT Acceptable Use Agreement and related policies

The ICT Acceptable Use Agreement is issued to all new pupils on entry to the School and to current pupils whenever it is revised and updated by the School or GDST. It contains guidelines concerning the use of ICT in and out of School. Any infringement of the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement is taken seriously and may result in sanctions being imposed.

Although not connected to school business, behaviour out of school hours which breaches the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement – such as nasty messages sent by text, email or through social media - will be dealt with in the same way as if the behaviour had taken place in school hours.

We ask you to monitor your daughter’s use of electronic communication and all messaging and social networking sites.

Policies

The following policies are available on Firefly and the external website:

Admissions

Anti-bullying

Complaints Procedure (GDST)

Equal Opportunities Statement

Exclusions (GDST)

English as an Additional Language

First Aid

Health and Safety

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Safeguarding Procedures

Discipline and Behaviour for Learning

SEND Policy and Procedures

Pastoral Information from the Pupil Planner: where to turn for help…

We all need extra help at times and this page is designed to give you some ideas about how you might find that help.

If you have an accident or feel unwell during the school day

Go to the known first-aider in the area of the School you are in, this will usually be the Faculty Technician. If they feel you need further treatment, they will advise you to see the Nurse. When the Nurse is off-site, teaching or in other meetings, Reception will contact a first-aider. If, during lessons, you feel seriously ill, speak to your teacher, who will seek help from a first-aider or send you to the Medical Room to see the Nurse. You should not ask to leave lessons to get paracetamol for cramps, headaches, etc. or because you feel vaguely or generally unwell. As long as your parents are aware and happy for you to take paracetamol, you may bring a small quantity in for your own personal use, without the need to see the Nurse.

If you have an accident or feel unwell during break and lunchtimes you can go to see the Nurse in the Medical Room. Alternatively you can go to Reception who will contact a first aider.

If you are not well enough to stay in School your parents will be contacted and asked to collect you. You should not telephone your parents directly.

NHSG encourages you to take care of you own health as you grow. We encourage you to seek out simple strategies and alternatives to medication, such as fresh air, gentle exercise and water.

The Nurse is available to talk to, offer advice and discuss problems or worries regarding health concerns or other issues, such as friendship issues, relationships and healthy eating.

If you need help or have worries about friendships or bullying

We want you to be happy and enjoy your life at NHSG. However, there may be times when you feel worried or unhappy about something. It doesn’t matter if it is something to do with the School or another part of your life. You might want to talk to your friends but if not you can talk to any member of staff you trust or feel comfortable with. This may be your Form Teacher, Subject Teacher, Year Head, or any other teacher; it may also be the School Nurse, Mrs Franks-Doyle, or Mr Tippett. The staff have experience in dealing with these sorts of problems and all of them will be able to offer you help if you approach them. The Head Girl, Sixth Form Leadership Team, Sixth Form Buddies, and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors will also be happy to help you or to find the best person to talk to.

You could also arrange to see the School Nurse at a time agreeable to you both. All problems brought to the School Nurse are confidential between you and the Nurse but sometimes may need to be shared with others. The Nurse will always discuss this with you before making any disclosure to a third party.

Pastoral Information from the Pupil Planner: where to turn for help

School counselling

NHSG has a qualified counsellor who works in School three days a week. Counselling offers a safe place to help you understand your thoughts and feelings, and find ways of coping. The counsellor can help with various issues such as stress over exams, friendship difficulties, family issues and difficult feelings. Please see the School Counsellor or the School Nurse for more information.

The School has a Safeguarding Policy, which is set out to help and guide staff to safeguard your welfare in any area of your life.

Useful websites and numbers, which could be of help, if you do not feel able to share your worries at home or at School:-

Useful websites and numbers

Childline

0800 11 11 www.childline.org.uk

Eating Disorders Youth Line 08456 34 76 50 www.b-eat.co.uk

Papyrus (Youth suicide prevention) 0800 068 4141 www.papyrus-uk.org

Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 www.samaritans/org.uk Text: 07725 909090

Self-injury support

Streetwise

www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk Text: 07800472908

www.streetwisenorth.org.uk

Young minds www.youngminds.org.uk Parent Helpline: 0808 802 5544

Winston’s Wish 0808 020 021 (for bereaved children) www.winstonswish.org.uk

If you want to make a complaint

Sometimes you may wish to complain if you feel you have been unfairly treated or if you have suffered bullying, verbal or physical abuse. Perhaps you may feel your privacy has not been respected or maybe you have had something stolen or damaged.

If so, you may complain to any member of staff and take a friend with you if you wish. You may also make a written complaint to your Head of Year, Mrs Franks-Doyle or Mr Tippett.