Parental Information - Policies

- Charter of Rights - Anti Bullying - Anti Racism - Child Protection - Rewards - - School Uniform - Attendance - Punctuality - Complaints Procedure -
- Charging Policy - Collective Worship -

Charter of Rights

In Halewood College we believe -

  • Every student has the right to learn

  • Every teacher has the right to teach

  • We all have the right to feel and be safe

  • We all have the right to dignity and respect

Students, parents/carers and school staff all have responsibilities associated with these rights.

Expectations for All

I WILL:

  • Treat everyone with respect

  • Be punctual to all lessons

  • Wear correct uniform at all times

  • Bring all relevant equipment to lessons

  • Work to the best of my ability

Students have a copy of the home/school contract in their planners which they and their parents are asked to sign and agree to support.

Any behaviour which is a cause for concern is dealt with through resolution meetings. Parents are kept informed and are expected to help the school maintain its high standards.

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Anti - Bullying

At Halewood College, we take the issue of bullying seriously. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, all students should be able to tell and know that the incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively, we are a TELLING school. This means that anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff. The form tutor is the first point of contact to provide support for the victim as well as helping to resolve the problem.

What is Bullying?

Bullying can be defined as any repeated words or activities, which are aimed at causing someone to feel frightened, miserable and helpless in school.

Bullying is:

  • deliberately hurtful

  • repeated over a period of time

  • difficult for victims to defend themselves against

If you are concerned that your child is being bullied then:

√ Talk calmly to your child

√ Make a note of what is said – who involved, where? When? What: happened, who else was there and the frequency

√ Reassure telling that was the right thing to do

√ Explain any further incidents must be reported to a teacher

√ Make an appointment to come in to school to see the form tutor

√ When talking to teachers, keep calm, Remember this may be the first the teacher has heard of the problem.

√ Be specific and use your notes

√ Make a note of the school action

√ Ask for help, support strategies to use at home

√ Keep in touch – let the school know about improvements as well as continuing problems

√ Feel confident that the staff will deal with any bullying issues in affair and reasonable way

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Anti - Racism

We are strongly opposed to racism and condem all racist attitudes, either through comment or conduct. We expect that parents and students think it right to adopt a similar attitude and provide support for the school and its anti-racist policies.

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Child Protection

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for every child’s life and learning in school.

The school upholds every child’s right to the care and protection that promotes his/her human growth and sense of personal warmth and dignity. We aim to provide a place where children feel confident to talk openly and be sure of being listened to. Parents will always be informed of concerns unless staff are certain that the safety of the young person will be prejudiced by their doing so. Parents are made aware that the school will take reasonable action to ensure the safety of its young people. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that young person may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, staff have no alternative but to follow Knowsley Area Child Protection Committee procedures and inform Social Services of their concern.

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Rewards

In order to motivate as many students as possible and to recognise and reward hard work and good behaviour we have introduced a new rewards system than enables students to achieve recognition for their endeavours in a simple, quick and effective manner.

There are three main ways that students can gain rewards.

1) Merits

2) Good News Postcards

3) Privilege Card

Merits

All students who satisfy the following criteria will receive a merit in each of their lessons:-

1) All necessary Equipment present

  • Satisfactory attempt at learning objectives
  • Attend lessons on time
  • Acceptable behaviour

Merits are recorded on computer and information is relayed to form teachers, progress leaders and curriculum leaders.

Prize draws are held at the end of each half term and at the end of each full term.

Prizes vary from cinema tickets to expensive items like mountain bikes etc.

Special prize draws are also held at various times when particular prizes become available e.g tickets for European matches at Anfield, concert tickets, and even a ski holiday.

Parents are kept fully informed regarding the rewards their children receive.

All information regarding rewards is used to help complete a Progress File for each student.

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School Uniform

In September 2005 the school name and uniform changed. Currently year 7 are using the updated uniform and all other year groups will have changed by September 2006. Students have responded in a very positive manner, and wear their uniform with pride. Together with the full support of the governors, ‘Friends of HC’ and parents we intend to maintain these high standards. John Lewis in Liverpool stock the full range of our uniform and organise an evening in the summer term at school for our September intake. Small quantities of ties and badges are available from school.

Boys

Girls
Black blazer with badge Black blazer with badge
Black trousers Black skirt
White shirt White shirt (not open neck blouse)
School tie School tie
Black ‘V’ neck jumper Black ‘V’ neck jumper
Dark shoes not trainers Dark shoes not trainers
Dark coat Dark coat

Girls’ and Boys’ P.E. KIT

Awaiting changes for September 2006. Parents will be informed after Easter 2006.

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Attendance

Good attendance is essential to ensure that students make consistent progress and achieve their full potential both academically and in extra-curricular activities. Parents are asked to contact the school on the first day of any absence and to send a written note addressed to the form tutor on the day the student returns to school, or write a note in the student planner.

Taking a student on holiday in term time is extremely damaging to the educational progress of that child . Experience has shown that on their return to school they never really catch up with the other students.

For this reason we strongly discourage parents from doing this.

The school has a number of strategies in place in order to encourage good attendance:

  • The Attendance Officer, is responsible for maintaining attendance records.

  • First day response involves the school telephoning parents of absent children.

  • Attendance and punctuality is recorded electronically every lesson.

  • Attendance and punctuality figures are sent out to parents on a regular basis.

  • Students with poor attendance are encouraged to set targets for improvement in personal targets.

  • Close liaison with The School Attendance Service ensures that no student misses school unnecessarily.

  • The Knowsley Mayor’s Award is achieved for 100% attendance.

  • A system of rewards involving letters/certificates and trips is used.

Attendance Statistics September 2004 – May 2005

The total number of students on roll Years 7 – 11 = 1291

The % of half days missed through authorised absence = 7.0%

The % of half days missed through unauthorised absence = 1.5%

The number of students achieving 100% attendance continues to improve year on year. In 2005 the school achieved its highest attendance and best unauthorised figures.

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Punctuality

This is also vital and the number of lates are recorded in the morning and afternoon. Parents are informed by letter if lateness becomes unacceptable.

Please encourage your child to appreciate the importance of good punctuality.

Students have to be on the school site by 8.45am and 12.55pm each day.

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Complaints Procedure

The vast majority of complaints are dealt with informally. However if a Parent/Guardian wishes to make a formal complaint this must be in writing and addressed to the ‘Headteacher’ and marked ‘Confidential’. An acknowledgement will normally be received within 5 days and within 15 days (usually less) a formal written response will be made, following investigation by the Headteacher.

If the complainant feels it is necessary to make a further complaint, this must be made in writing within 5 days of receiving the Headteacher’s response. It should be addressed to the ‘Chair of Governors’ and marked ‘Confidential’. The Chair of Governors will then investigate and normally respond within 15 days (usually less).

In exceptional circumstances Parent(s) / Guardian(s) may wish to write to the Chair of Governors at the very first stage.

If the complainant is still dissatisfied, the ‘School Complaints Committee’ of the School Governors will deal with the complaint, assuming the prior involvement of the Headteacher / Chair of Governors. Beyond this, a complaint may be taken to the Secretary of State for Education, or Ombudsman.

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Charging Policy

Parents are asked for a voluntary contribution to cover costs of travel and admission on visits.

Collective Worship

All students will be involved in an act of collective worship during the school week. Parents have the right to withdraw their son/daughter from this by giving advance notice to the school.

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