Abbey Gate College Senior School Induction Booklet

Abbey Gate College An Introduction to Our Community

Learning with Courage and Compassion SELF

SERVICE

SUSTAINABILITY

INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS A Warm Welcome Mr Jenkinson Head

Welcome to our College Community.

This information booklet is intended to help you, as new parents, to be aware of and understand some of the day-to-day essentials, regarding life at Abbey Gate College for your child.

Further details are on our website and Parent Portal and, please, never hesitate to ask us directly if you are unsure of anything or simply want to know more!

We trust that your child will settle quickly in our College and we look forward to working with you in the coming years, as your child grows and develops under our shared guidance and care.

We hope you will find this booklet helpful.

With kind regards

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CONTENTS Introducing Some Key People Our Governance Abbey Gate College - A Brief Introduction Mission & Aims Communication Your Child’s First Day In Our Senior School Life At School – An ‘A-Z’ Of Basics Absence Academic Progress Arrival & Departure Assemblies & Tutor Time Bag Storage, Lockers & Valuables Bicycles Buses Calculators Calendar Classroom Essentials Co-Curricular Curriculum Daily Timings Data Protection Financial Matters Food & Drink Homework Learning Enrichment Houses

Guide for Students – FAQs

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3 4 6 7 8 10 11

Library Lost Property Medical Matters Mobile Devices/Mobile Phones Music Tuition Online Safety Parents’ Teachers’ & Friends’ Association (PTFA) Pastoral Care Prefects Rules & Code of Conduct Safeguarding/Child Protection Safety in Sport Service Speech & Drama Term Dates Trips and Visits Uniform Wellbeing

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INTRODUCING SOME KEY PEOPLE Head Mr C Jenkinson Senior Deputy Head Mr A Austen Deputy Head - Academic Mr M Booth

Finance Manager Mrs A Williams

Deputy Head - Pastoral Mrs C Houghton

Excecutive Personal Assistant Mrs K Simons

Head of Sixth Form - Academic Dr E Leatherbarrow

Admissions Manager Mrs S MacLeren

Head of Sixth Form - Pastoral Mr D Rowett

Lead First-Aider & Counsellor Mrs P Sheckley

More Able Gifted and Talented Coordinator Mr G Darbey

Heads of Year • Year 7 Mrs E Saunders • Year 8 Dr J Lloyd-Johnson/Mrs A Byers • Year 9 Mr T Baglole • Year 10 Mrs D Jenkinson • Year 11 Mrs G Thomas

Head of Learning Enrichment Mrs L Hornby

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OUR GOVERNANCE The Board of Governors at the College is a highly committed and hard working group who give their time freely to support the leadership team in delivery of the key initiatives outlined in the College’s strategic vision.

We still have on the Board a number of the founding governors and parents who took on the task of setting up the College over 40 years ago, and continue to support it to this day.

FOUNDATION GOVERNORS Governors who have served not less than 25 years may be offered the position of Foundation Governors. They are entitled to attend, but not vote at, Governor’s meetings and do not have the legal responsibilities of Governors.

All correspondence for the Chairman of Governors (Mr Andrew Grime) should be sent to the following address: Abbey Gate College Saighton Grange Saighton Chester CH3 6EN Tel: 01244 617 352 Email: clerktogovernors@abbeygatecollege.co.uk WHAT ARE THE GOVERNING BODY SUB-COMMITTEES? Abbey Gate College has the following sub-committees: a) b) c) d) e)

Curriculum and Learning Finance and Bursaries Promotions and Communities Pastoral and Wellbeing Estates and Compliance

HOW ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNORS INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOL? 1) There is an annual schedule of full meetings and sub-committee meetings, which include respective reports, updates and discussions of school business and implementation of procedures.

2) Each member has an allocated responsibility for specific regulatory policies, working alongside the College Leadership Team to provide additional support, advice and ratification whenever a policy is reviewed or updated.

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MEMBERS OF OUR GOVERNING BODY Andrew Grime

Chair of Governors

Paul Carter

Deputy Chair of Governors Deputy Chair of Education Committee

Brian Wake

Company Secretary Estates and Compliance Committee

Vanessa Brodie

Chair of Wellbeing Committee Safeguarding Governor, EYFS Governor

James Brown

Chair of Finance Committee Deputy Chair of Wellbeing Committee EDI, Careers and GDPR Governor

Fraser Crewe

Chair of Estates Committee

Roger Hoyle

Chair of Promotions Committee

James Goddard

Deputy Chair of Promotions Committee

Damian Stenhouse

Chair of Education Committee ECT, SEND and MAGaT Governor

Emma Bunting

Finance Committee Member

Tim Stanley

Finance and Bursaries Committee Member Promotions and Communities Committee Member PSHE and RSE Governor

Canon Rosie Woodall

Wellbeing Committee Member

Derek Bunting

Foundation Governor Finance and Bursaries Committee Member

Noel Dutton

Foundation Governor Estates and Compliance Committee Member

Jane Robinson

Foundation Governor Estates and Compliance Committee Member

Key: ECT: EDI: EYFS: GDPR: MAGaT: PSHE: RSE: SEND:

Early Career Teacher Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Early Years Foundation Stage General Data Protection Regulation More Able, Gifted and Talented Personal, Social and Health Education Relationships and Sex Education Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

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ABBEY GATE COLLEGE Our wonderful Senior School and Sixth Form are enviably located in the historic Saighton Grange buildings, with stunning views across beautiful countryside towards the Welsh mountains and the Cheshire sandstone ridge.

Our College is a unique, inspiring, and memorable place to learn and grow, where our caring and committed teaching and support staff will do all that they can to help our students to be the best that they can be.

OUR STUDENTS Our students are highly motivated, hardworking, well-mannered and a pleasure to teach. Examination results at GCSE and A level are consistently good, with strong value added. One of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching at our schools - and one often commented on by new members of staff - is the happy and respectful relationship between our teachers and our students.

OUR STAFF We operate professionally as a close and mutually supportive team, with a shared enthusiasm for working with young people and bringing out the best in them. Our staff give willingly of their time and this is recognised and appreciated by our students and their parents. Our teachers have a passion for their subject, a belief in young people, good humour, energy, initiative and a genuine sense of teaching vocation, which is fully rewarded by working at the College.

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MISSION AND AIMS MISSION We are committed, within our safe and caring community, that each one of our pupils will become the best that they can be, and have the self-belief to go forward into this changeable world with courage and with compassion.

AIMS We pursue our whole College mission, guided by three defining and aspirational aims: SELF, SERVICE AND SUSTAINABILITY

SELF Each pupil cares for their mental and physical wellbeing; learns and achieves to their individual potential; and is content, comfortable and confident to be who they are in our diverse and inclusive College.

SERVICE Each pupil makes a positive difference to the lives of others in our College, as well as in our local and in wider, global communities.

SUSTAINABILITY Each pupil contributes towards preserving and protecting the planet we all inherit and share, and has the opportunity to be creative and innovative; to help further humanity’s progress in the future.

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COMMUNICATION We believe that the education of all our students is the shared responsibility of our students, their parents and our staff. We hope that you will never hesitate to contact us on any matter concerning your child’s work or welfare, and we shall make every effort to keep you informed about your child’s progress as well as life at our busy school.

IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT US In the first instance the first point of contact should be the Form Tutor of your child.

1) By Email: If you wish to contact a member of our staff, please email into admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk marking who the message is for and our Admin team will forward this on to them. We would ask all parents to respect, however, that staff will only respond to emails during professional hours of work. We would also ask parents not to use email if you wish to raise any concerns; we would much prefer to talk with you in person and would encourage you to contact your child’s Form Tutor or Head of Year.

2) By Telephone: Our Office is open during term time from 08.15 until 17.00 on 01244 332077; someone will take your call and try to help. If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, please contact us immediately, at any time, and leave a message on the Senior School absence line (01244 332077 – press 1 for Seniors, then 1 for attendance; 2 for admissions; 3 for Reception).

IF WE WISH TO CONTACT YOU 1) By Telephone: please ensure that we always have correct contact numbers, including for emergency contact. Please let us know immediateif any details need updating.

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2) By Email: almost all school letters and other information are sent to you electronically (with a summary bulletin sent every Friday). Please check your email account on a regular basis and let us know if you are not receiving anything or if we need to update your email address.

3) By text: occasional, urgent messages are sent by SMS only, or by SMS and email. Again, please do let us know if your mobile device number changes at any time, so that the details we hold are always correct.

COME IN AND TALK WITH US Notwithstanding all the alternative options, our preferred way to communicate with you is in person. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to arrange a meeting with one of us to discuss the matter, and we shall do our best to help.

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PARENT PORTALS iSAMS Parent Portal enables you to log on securely via the iSAMS app or the internet.

Within this portal you will be able to see up-to-date information about your child (or children) and also be kept informed of relevant school information that we hope you will find useful.

Using the portal, you will be able to see your child’s: • Timetable • Attendance • Academic reports for download • Term and event dates • Fee Invoices • Rewards & Sanctions (Senior School only) • Exam Schedules (Senior School only) Firefly VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) enables you to log on securely to access your child’s scheduled homework, along with a storage hub of messages from the school relevent to your child.

If you encounter any technical problems, please do not hesitate to contact us.

WEBSITE: abbeygatecollege.co.uk Our website is updated with all the daily news and stories about life in our busy school.

It also has a lot of other information, which we hope you will find helpful. For example, in our Useful Links section, you will find access to a selection of some key policies, including: Admissions Policy Academic Performance Statement Anti Bullying Policy Behaviour Policy Bursary Policy Careers Policy Complaints Policy Curriculum Policy Employers Liability Insurance Exclusion Policy First Aid Policy Health and Safety Policy More Able, Gifted and Talented Policy Online Safety Policy (incl. Pupil Acceptable Use) Privacy Notice Provision of Information PSHE and RSE Policy Safeguarding Policy Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Policy Vision, Mission and Aims Statement

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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS YOUR CHILD’S LIFE AT OUR SCHOOL AN ‘A-Z’ OF BASICS Absence a) Absence through illness - If your child is unwell and unable to attend school, please contact us immediately, at any time, and leave a message on the Senior School absence line (01244 332077 – press 1 for Seniors, then 1 for attendance;). Alternatively you can email the school at: attendance@abbeygatecollege.co.uk b) Absence other than illness - If there are exceptional circumstances and you wish to request leave of absence for your child, please write well in advance directly to the Head, Mr Jenkinson.

Please avoid taking children out of school during term time for holidays or social occasions, since this type of absence can impede academic progress and has a disruptive effect on the life of the school. c) Absence from sport - If your child is not fit to take part in sport on a particular day, please send a note to the teacher in charge of the activity.

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Academic Progress The learning and attainment of each individual student will be carefully monitored by subject teachers throughout the year, based upon work in class, homework as well as regular tests and assessments.

Early in the term all Year 7 students will take a computer-based aptitude test, as well as some computer-based reading and spelling assessments, the results of which will assist teachers in checking that each student is making the right amount of progress. Feedback is an integral part of the teaching and learning process; feedback will primarily provide advice on what to do to improve further and students will be encouraged to follow the advice given to them.

Three school reports are issued in each academic year: • Two progress cards (that contains attainment and attitude to learning grades) • One full written report (that contains attainment and attitude to learning grades plus written comments from the teachers and Form Tutor).

Year 7: In the Autumn Term we shall invite you to meet with your child’s Form Tutor to discuss how your child has settled in, their overall effort and initial progress.

In the Spring Term we shall invite you into school again to meet with all subject teachers.

As a school, we put a lot of time and effort into monitoring each child’s personal academic progress and may contact you at any time if we have concerns.

Come In And Talk With Us Arrival & Departure Please note that for reasons of pedestrian safety, students travelling to school by car should be dropped off outside the College, and walk onto the College site.

At the end of the College day (3.50pm), students will make their way to the entrance and should be collected from there; please do not drive onto the school campus for drop-off or pick-up.

Parents should only use the school car park to collect students following after-school activities.

The buses will collect students from the designated stops in the morning and drive on to the College site to drop them off. At 3.50pm students will finish lessons and board their buses, which will leave the site at or soon after 4pm.

If a Senior School student is collecting a sibling who attends the Infant and Junior School, and who has been dropped off at the Senior School by the shuttle bus, they will do this from the Senior School Library.

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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Assemblies & Tutor Time All students will attend a whole school assembly each week, in addition to regular House or Year Group assemblies. On the remaining days, pupils spend time with their Form Tutors on a variety of activities, including discussions and quizzes.

Our school assemblies have a moral message. They are led by members of staff, visiting speakers and students, as appropriate. These gatherings of our school community are intended to be accessible to pupils and staff of all faiths, and none, and core themes will often reference a wide range of religious, cultural, and philosophical contexts.

Bag Storage & Valuables Students sometimes have to carry quite a lot of materials and, therefore, should think carefully about what they should bring into school each day.

Bag storage is available for all students. Students should take special care to look after any mobile or computer devices, and the school accepts no liability for any loss or damage to any such personal equipment.

Please note that games kit should be carried separately from schoolbooks in small robust bags. Students should not bring valuable articles or money to school.

However, when valuables are necessarily brought to school they may be handed into the office for safe keeping.

Bicycles Due to the nature of the roads surrounding College, very few students cycle to school but for those who do, they should secure them in the designated areas.

Parents are asked to note the frame number (usually under the saddle on the upright column) and to insure the bicycles.

The school is not responsible for any damage or loss.

Buses Details of the routes are listed on the website and are available from the Finance Department. If you are interested in using any of these services, please contact the Finance Department on 01244 332 077.

There may be occasions when pupils may need to use the service on an occasional basis. Parents are requested to contact Reception in advance to agree the dates or, alternatively, the pupil can pay for aad-hoc ticket, available from Reception on the day of travel, before 4.00pm. Ad-hoc tickets are not available for some routes.

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Calculators We ask that students bring a calculator to their Maths lessons. Whilst we encourage mental maths skills, there will also be occasions when it is necessary or more efficient to use a calculator and it is important that pupils practise using the different calculator functions.

We recommend the Casio FX-85GTCW, although any similar model will be suitable, as long as it is a scientific calculator, rather than one with only the basic operations.

Students will also need a geometry kit with ruler, protractor and compasses.

Calendar The termly calendar for all school events is posted on the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Although it is helpful to read this on a regular basis and note key entries, we do send out specific invitations and reminders nearer the time of most events.

Classroom Essentials We would ask that each pupil bring the following basic stationery items to lessons: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Pencil case Black or blue pens Pencils Eraser, pencil sharpener

5) 6) 7) 8)

Coloured pencils Pair of compasses Calculator, protractor and set square Ruler

Exercise books are provided as well as access to all textbooks or other resources.

Co-Curricular There is a wide range of activities, clubs, and societies and we actively encourage students to join one or more and develop their interests and hobbies.

The co-curricular side of school life, both sporting and cultural, forms an important part of the Abbey Gate College programme. At the start of the academic year there will be a ‘co-curricular fair’ for students to visit and sign up for the activities which interest them. Further details about what is available are on our website in the School Life, Co-Curricular activities section.

Students selected for school teams, whether on school days or Saturdays, are expected to play, throughout their school career, and we would ask that school representation is given priority, please, over other personal commitments. Students wishing to be excused for any reason must bring a parental note to their PE or games teachers well in advance of the fixture.

Similarly, students selected to represent the school at music, drama or in other areas outside of school hours are expected to show full commitment. As for sport, if a student needs to be excused on any occasion, this must be covered by a parental note in advance of the scheduled event.

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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Curriculum Our Curriculum Policy is available through the school website and this sets out exactly what we teach and at which stage, in your child’s education with us.

Students are taught in one of 3 teaching groups (which are comprised of a third of each Form group) and in independently setted groups for English and Mathmatics.

If you would like to know more about the actual topics being studied in each of these subjects, we have placed overviews on our website in the School Areas, Senior School, Curriculum section.

All students also have a weekly lesson in PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education), which includes content on citizenship and also RSE (Relationships and Sex Education). Full details of what is taught and when are available in our PSHE Policy, which is available on our website.

Daily Timings There is a six-period day and students change classrooms at the end of each period.

Students should be in school for 8.30am, before registration at 8.35am.

The school day will end after Lesson 6 at 3.50pm.

Lessons last 50 minutes each with scheduled movement times and the vast majority of lessons are singles.

The morning break is 20 minutes and starts at 10.35am.

Lunchtime is 1 hour and starts at 12.40pm.

Data Protection As a school, we take our responsibilities with regard to Data Protection very seriously.

Some information pertaining to this is included in our Terms and Conditions, but fuller detail is provided in our local Privacy Notice, which is accessible in the Policies area of our school website.

Financial Matters Should parents wish to discuss any financial matter, they should contact the Finance Department in the first instance as follows: Mrs A Williams at anna.williams@abbeygatecollege.co.uk

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Food & Drink We are proud of the consistent quality and range of food on offer, all of which is freshly prepared in our own kitchens daily by our dedicated catering staff and managed by Chartwells Independent.

College lunch is compulsary for all students and is taken in The Stables Refectory at staggered intervals per year group; if a student requires an early lunch due to participation in a lunchtime club then they are issued with a lunch pass to get in first.

Lunch fees are added to the termly bills for all parents.

Students should bring a water bottle with them that they can fill at one of the water stations throughout the day.

If a student brings in a snack for break time please ensure that it is nut-free.

Homework Through homework we encourage and establish good habits of independent learning and private study. Homework may include written work, reading, research and learning.

The purpose of homework is to encourage independent study skills, to consolidate and reinforce knowledge and understanding developed at school, to extend school learning, and to manage particular demands, such as assessments. We would ask parents to support the school in enabling pupils to work in a quiet location at home, with appropriate resources, with sufficient time to complete all homework tasks to the highest standard.

We would actively encourage parental interest in homework.

All homework is set on the VLE where students and parents can view all the tasks.

Parents should contact the Form Tutor immediately if they have any concerns about homework.

Please see our Curriculum Policy on the website for further information.

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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Houses The House System provides students with the opportunity for personal development, representative participation, involvement with different year groups, and leadership through a wide range of organised competitions and events.

Students and staff are grouped by tutor group into three Houses, named after former Abbots of Chester: Hastings, Marmion and Ripley.

Each House has a Head of House (staff) and House Captains (pupils).

Students are awarded House Points for good work, effort, co-curricular achievements, being kind and courteous etc, and these contribute to the termly tally of House points.

Learning Enrichment We have a highly qualified and experienced Learning Enrichment Department, and our Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Policy is available through the school website.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs L Hornby our Head of Learning Enrichment, at admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk Library The School library is open Monday to Friday and we run a range of themed weeks and activities for students.

Lost Property All losses should be reported immediately to the Form Tutor.

Students should ask at Reception if they have misplaced any particular item, in the first instance. We strongly recommend that all items are clearly named.

MAGaT We recognise that all pupils are individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses, gifts and talents. Excellence in all areas is encouraged and celebrated throughout all students’ school careers, whilst developing and supporting their future beyond our College. Provision for any individual pupils who are identified as more able, gifted and talented is an integral part of the personalised approach to teaching and learning in every lesson at Abbey Gate College, while also providing specific pastoral support and intellectual extension as appropriate and applicable.

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Medical Matters At Abbey Gate College, we have a full time Lead First Aider, who can be contacted directly at admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk. In addition, a large number of members of teaching and non-teaching staff are qualified in First Aid. If there is anything that relates to your child’s medical wellbeing, about which you think we should be aware, please do tell us.

If your child feels unwell at school, they are asked to go to the Medical Room or, if it is not manned, go to Reception where a member of staff will make any arrangements necessary. Please do not attempt to contact your child directly at school, if they have a mobile device; all communication should be through school Reception.

As a school, we are bound by strict regulatory procedures with regard to medicines, in order to minimise the risk, among others, of a student taking too much medication during the school day and becoming unwell.

It is also our legal duty to ensure as much as possible that any medication on the school site is kept securely, so that it cannot be taken by student who should not take it.

Our policy sets out clearly how medication can be administered during the school day, but there is due procedure to be followed for the protection of both staff and students.

We would appreciate your support in adhering to our policy.

This includes, for example, not sending children into school with Paracetamol or other products containing Paracetamol, to take during the day.

Mobile Devices/Mobile Phones Students may bring personal mobile devices into school, but their safety remains the pupil’s responsibility.

In accordance with our Acceptable Use and Behaviour Policies, students must not use their mobile phone or smart watch under any circumstance while on school premises between 8.35am and 3.50pm, unless directly authorised to do so by a member of staff.

We would ask for your support in this, by not trying to ring, text or otherwise contact your child at school through their mobile phone; if parents wish to communicate with their child, they should contact Reception, who will pass on any message.

Our full policy regarding mobile devices is included in the Online Safety Policy.

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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Musical Tuition Abbey Gate College has a variety of instrumental ensembles including a Concert Band and Jazz Group.

We encourage students to learn an instrument as it is not only another skill, but when they join an ensemble they meet pupils from other year groups and of different standards of performance.

In September, we will again be offering our successful instrumental scheme for Year 7 students where they can learn an instrument for free, for 6 weeks.

More information will follow about this in due course.

After half term, if the student wishes to continue with the instrument, lessons will revert to individual tuition at the school rate, currently £17.50 per half hour.

Should you wish to discuss this, or indeed any other matter relating to music at Abbey Gate College, please do not hesitate to contact Mr J Andrews, our Head of Music, at admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk Online Safety We all share the responsibility for ensuring that your child learns how to use the Internet safely and sensibly. Advice and guidance on this are incorporated into our PSHE curricula and the school’s Acceptable Usage policy; further information will also be given to all parents during their child’s school career.

However, in the first instance we would strongly advise that your child does not have unsupervised Internet access at home; the recommendation is for Internet access to be from a computer in a family room, which enables reasonable supervision of how the Internet is being used by your child.

It is also worth bearing in mind the following regarding social networking: Students should not: • have social media accounts before the age specified by the particular company.

• give out personal details to friends online. Personal information includes their messenger ID, email address, mobile number and any pictures of you, your family or friends.

• open files that are from people they do not know. They will not know what they contain – it could be a virus, or worse – an inappropriate image or film.

• believe, reply to, or use SPAM/ Junk email and texts.

Students should realise that: • if they publish a picture or video online – anyone can change it or share it.

• some people lie online, both about who they are and what they believe to be the truth

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Online Safety (cont.)

• • •

it is better to keep online friends online. They must not meet up with anyone they ‘meet’ online. it is never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable. there are people who can help. Pupils can talk to someone in school, their parents or report their concerns online at www.ceop.gov.uk or the AKS help button on the website.

**SEE OUR COLLEGE ONLINE SAFETY INFOGRAPHIC AT THE END OF THIS BOOKLET**

Parents, Teachers and Association (PTA) and Year Group Representatives The PTA exists to enable parents to meet socially, build our community and to provide valuable financial support for our school.

Membership of the PTA is open to all current parents and staff in Abbey Gate College and they entitled to join in and attend all events. The Committee welcomes new members, with the only requirement being some of your time and lots of enthusiasm!

PTA meetings are held regularly throughout the year. Dates of all meetings and social events appear in the school calendar and on the PTA page under the About Us tab of our website.

The College is currently working to establish Parent Representatives for each year group to act as a point of contact in addition to the work of the PTA. More information regarding this will be with you at an appropriate time.

Pastoral Care We have an extremely well-developed pastoral care system.

In addition to your child’s Form Tutor, who will see your child every day, each year group has a Head of Year who oversees all students in their year group.

A member of our College Leadership team has specific responsibility for all matters pastoral.

Each member of teaching and non-teaching staff also has a pastoral duty of care, and we all work closely together to maintain our school’s happy atmosphere.

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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Pastoral Care (cont.)

We also offer an anonymous reporting platform to all students called Whisper. This allows people to pass on information, a concern or comment (via a link on the VLE).

They then receive a personal response from a member of the College safeguarding team, with help and advice relevant to the comment you have raised. The option to add your name if you wish and all issues with be dealt with within 24 hours.

Prefects The Heads of School and Senior Prefects apply and are selected because of their leadership qualities and their character; to be chosen for one of these positions is a significant honour, and the selection process includes consideration of the opinions of all teaching staff.

The Prefect body supports our teaching staff and assists in the smooth running of the school.

Rules & Code Of Conduct The School Code of Conduct is there to ensure that we have an orderly and courteous community in which our students can thrive.

Further guidance is given in the Rules, Rewards & Sanctions handbook, as well as in our Behaviour and Exclusions Policies, which are available on our website in the Policies section. **SEE OUR COLLEGE CODE OF CONDUCT INFOGRAPHIC AT THE END OF THIS BOOKLET**

Safeguarding/Child Protection The school’s approach to the care of our children is intended to ensure that they feel safe, that they are able to talk, and that they feel that they will be heard.

The PSHE curriculum plays a crucial role in this process. Although this formal curriculum is important, the culture of the school, the strength of the tutorial system, and the positive relationships formed between children and teachers all enhance our overall level of care and increase the likelihood that our children will feel able to confide in us, and that we will be aware of any causes for concern.

Our day-to-day contact with the children means that we are well placed to observe any child protection issues.

The Children Act (1989) requires that all school staff pass on to The Head and/or the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from non-accidental injury, neglect, emotional or sexual abuse. The school will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with parents and, where possible, seek their consent for any referral to the Social Services Department. However, this can only be done where such discussion and seeking of agreement will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm.

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Safeguarding/Child Protection (cont.)

In all such matters, the school is bound by, and willingly complies with, its legal obligations and, with regard to the above, the school follows the procedures set out in our Safeguarding Policy, which is available on the school website.

All members of staff, including volunteers, are DBS cleared to Enhanced Level.

Safety in Sport Your child will be participating in activities at Abbey Gate College for which it is strongly advisable to wear a mouth guard. Furthermore, the governing bodies of rugby and hockey strongly recommend the wearing of custom fitting mouth guards, made to a specific standard by a dental surgeon. The school policy is to follow these guidelines.

The self-mouldable mouth guards that are available in most sports shops no longer meet the minimum standard required and do not hold the ‘CE’ mark of approval.

Sub-standard mouth guards not only fail to provide adequate protection for your child, but are potentially dangerous as they can be easily dislodged and in extreme cases can cause choking.

Thank you in anticipation of your support. If you require further information please contact our Head of PE at admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk Shin pads for participation in football and hockey are also a mandatory item of protective equipment.

Service Through our House system, every year the College nominates and fund-raises for local charities, as well as supporting larger national events such as Children in Need and Red Nose Day. A range of events takes place throughout the year and students are encouraged to get involved and take the lead in all fundraising activities.

Abbey Gate College also has a long-running partnership and service project with the Mlindzini community in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). We have been working with the Mlindzini High School and its two feeder primary schools since 2013.

Speech & Drama The Drama Department offers speech and drama tuition in Acting, Verse/Prose, Reading for Performance, Public Speaking and Mime.

Through Speech and Drama students benefit enormously, improving their knowledge of literature and theatre, whilst developing their communication skills and also their personal confidence. In so many aspects of life where individuals are required to present themselves confidently in public, speech and drama tuition allows the foundations to be laid very firmly indeed.

If you have any questions regarding Speech and Drama, please contact: performingarts@abbeygatecollege.co.uk

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A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Speech & Drama (cont.)

Individual tuition can be arranged, students receive 10 half hour lessons per term.

Students may receive lessons singularly or join together for duologue or small group work.

Lessons take place during the school day and normally operate on a rotational system to ensure students do not miss the same academic lesson each week.

Timetables are clearly displayed in the drama department and new students are given full guidance as to how these work.

Ultimately, students will work towards taking a graded examination and the school runs as a New Era Academy Examination Centre at two opportunities throughout the year. Please note that entering students for Speech and Drama examinations will incur additional fees. Costs are billed separately from termly school fees.

Should you wish to cancel your child’s Speech and Drama lessons at any point, written notice must be given by half term to terminate lessons from the start of the following full term.

Term Dates Term dates for the academic year can be found on the College’s website under School Life, Term Dates.

Trips and Visits We offer a wide range of trips and visits, many of which are part of the Curricular and Co-curricular Programme.

These range from local trips for fieldwork to residential overseas trips which may take place either in term-time or in the holidays.

In the Summer, for example, students take part in an ‘Activities Week’ where a range of different events are planned.

Information on trips will be sent to you as appropriate and payment is made via a portal called ParentPay. Uniform We place great importance on personal appearance and expect all pupils to adhere to the school dress regulations. Details are available on the College website in the School Areas, Senior School, Uniform section.

Please note that all new items of clothing, including games kit, must be clearly and indelibly marked with the owner’s name.

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Wellbeing At Abbey Gate College, wellbeing is a way of being – a context for who we are and how we are. Students in our ‘Self’ committee work alongside us, as teachers and leaders, in developing our understanding and practice in relation to wellbeing.

The beautiful, natural surroundings of our Senior School, together with the historic buildings, and general sense of calm and community – all contribute to our daily perspectives and mindsets. Additionally, we organise specific events and sessions, which raise further awareness and also enable our pupils to have some fun and enjoy each others’ company in activities beyond the classroom.

We encourage our students to be reflective and, for this reason, within the planner they all receive is room for them to use as they see best fit.

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A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS JOINING THE COLLEGE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Where do I go first thing in a morning when I arrive in school?

On your first day in September go straight to Reception and you'll be shown to your Form room. After this you should go straight to your Form room and wait for your other classmates and your Form teacher to arrive to take registration. Registration begins at 8.35am every morning. We will let you know which is your Form room – don’t worry.

What do I do if I get lost?

You could ask another student who is close by, or go into a classroom where there is a teacher – apologise for interrupting them but ask them politely if they could show you the way to the room you are trying to find. If you don’t want to do either of these then go to the main Reception and the staff there will help you. Note that, on your first day in school, you will be grouped with people in your Form so there'll always be someone to go to lessons with.

What are the timings of the school day?

Please see below for the structure and timings of the school day as they currently are:

8.00am 8.35am

-

8.45am

Registration

8.50am

-

9.40am

Period 1

9.45am

-

10.35am

Period 2

10.35am

-

10.55am

Break

10.55am

-

11.45am

Period 3

11.50am

-

12.40pm

Period 4

12.40pm

-

1.40pm

Lunch

1.40pm

-

2.00pm

Tutor Time/Assembly

2.05pm

-

2.55pm

Period 5

3.00pm

-

3.50pm

Period 6

3.50pm

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College opens to students

School day ends

Will I get in trouble if I am late for lessons?

In the first few weeks your teachers will know that you are still getting used to where you have to be and at what time so they will be very understanding.

After this if you are still turning up late for lessons, then they might start to wonder if you are doing it deliberately!

Either way, if you are late, knock politely on the classroom door, enter and apologise for being late.

Where do I go if I arrive late for school?

If you arrive in school after 8.45am when first lesson has started, go straight to the Attendance desk in Reception and speak to one of the staff who will make sure you are marked in as present.

What is the difference between my Form group and my teaching group?

Your Form group will be the group of students in the same year group who you will have registration and Form time with throughout the year.

Your Form group will be part of one of the 3 Houses in College (Hastings, Marmion or Ripley) and you will see your Form Tutor and your friends twice a day.

For some lessons you will be taught in slightly different groups, called teaching groups. Here you will be with some of your friends from your Form group but you will also be mixed with students from the other 2 Form groups.

This helps you to make even more new friends across the year group.

What do I do if I forget my homework?

Sometimes students ask Reception to ring home to ask someone to bring in the work they have forgotten but most of the time you should go and find the teacher before the lesson and explain that you don’t have the work with you.

You could then let them know when you will be able to hand it in.

What do I do if I can’t do my homework?

You could ask someone in your house if they can help. You could phone one of your friends to see if they can help you. If you have access to the internet, then you might find the answers you need on here or on the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) .

If you are still unable to do it then you should go and see the class teacher and explain why you found it difficult and then they can help you.

At the start of the term you will be given a homework timetable and this will help you to organise your time. You may get a couple of pieces of homework each night and these should take you approximately 15/20 minutes to complete each.

You should not be spending more than an hour and a half on homework in an evening and it is important not to leave it all until the last minute to complete.

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What do I do if I forget my PE kit?

You could ask Reception to ring home to see if someone can bring in your PE kit in time for the lesson. If this can’t happen then you should find one of the PE staff to apologise and explain you have forgotten your kit.

Where do I go if I feel ill?

If you feel ill during the school day then you should speak to your teacher if you are in a lesson and they may send you to the First Aid Room to speak to one of the staff there.

If you are ill at break or lunchtime, then you should head straight to the First Aid Room for help.

How will I know which bus to catch?

If you are coming to school on a bus, then your parents/carers will have been sent details of which bus stop you should wait at in the morning and at what time.

If you are leaving school on a school bus, there will be staff available at the end of the school day to help you find the correct bus.

All of the buses wait in the school car park outside the sports hall. Most of them have a sign on the front to say where they are going and one tip is to check with the bus driver before you sit down that he is going to your bus stop.

You will also get to know quickly what bus company does your school bus journey and which other students are on your bus.

How will I know when it is my turn for lunch?

The lunch rota is displayed by the Refectory on the cobbled yard. Students go in to lunch with the rest of their year group so if you stay with your friends then you will all go in at the same time.

If you have a club on a particular lunchtime then the member of staff in charge will give you a pass so that you can get in first.

Where do I go at break and lunchtime?

You will have chance to use the toilet and there are sometimes snacks available to buy in the Refectory and some students head in to here.

Students will then meet their friends, play on the all-weather pitch (if you are wearing the correct footwear and are playing ball games) or go and wait outside the room for their next lesson.

Lunchtime is similar but in addition there are a number of extra-curricular clubs and therefore after eating lunch they go to these (whether these are indoors or outdoors). If the weather is nice you will be able to go into some of the College gardens to sit quietly and chat with friends and some pupils may go to the all-weather pitch to play ball games.

You will be allowed to use a designated room indoors.

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Will I get a detention?

You will only get these if you haven’t done what you should have! If you behave well, are kind to people and complete all your tasks then you will be fine.

Students receive many, many more positive housepoints than detentions.

You get positive housepoints for all sorts of things including trying really hard, producing your best work or being courteous and kind.

What clubs are there to join?

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in sport, music and drama as well as many other clubs such as Young Engineers, Science Club, Computing Club, Library Club and many more. At the start of term we have a lunchtime co-curricular event where you will be able to learn all about the clubs that are running and you will be able to sign up to their activities.

What if my school uniform doesn’t arrive in time to start at the College?

If for any reason you have a problem with school uniform then ask your parents/carers to contact your Head of Year (admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk), and we will be able to work out what you can do while you are waiting for it to arrive.

If we have missed anything or you still have questions, then please contact school.

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MISSION AND AIMS MISSION We are committed, within our safe and caring community, that each one of our pupils will become the best that they can be, and have the self-belief to go forward into this changeable world with courage and with compassion.

AIMS We pursue our whole College mission, guided by 3 defining and aspirational aims:

SELF

Each pupil cares for their mental and physical wellbeing; learns and achieves to their individual potential; and is content, comfortable and confident to be who they are in our diverse and inclusive College.

SERVICE

Each pupil makes a positive difference to the lives of others in our College, as well as in our local and in wider, global communities.

SUSTAINABILITY

Each pupil contributes towards preserving and protecting the planet we all inherit and share, and has the opportunity to be creative and innovative; to help further humanity’s progress in the future.

Learning with Courage and Compassion

-SOCIAL MEDIA -

BEFORE YOU PRESS SEND

CODE OF CONDUCT POST IMPACT?

We always aim to: Care for our own Wellbeing

Will your post negatively affect someone’s wellbeing (either physically, emotionally, or both)?

Give of our best in learning, perseverance and participation

TRUTH OR LIES?

Uphold our high standards of appearance, behaviour and manners

Does your post contain lies (or statements you suspect are not true)?

Be kind, friendly and respectful to all people Make a positive difference to the lives of others

RIGHT OR WRONG?

Respect what belongs to others and care for the environment we all share

Do you know your post is wrong?

Learning with Courage and Compassion SELF

SERVICE

SUSTAINABILITY Image: Flaticon.com'. This poster has been designed using resources from Flaticon.com

Think first...

Think kind...

SELF

SERVICE

SUSTAINABILITY

Saighton Grange Saighton CH3 6EN 01244 332077 admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk

abbeygatecollege.co.uk Image: Flaticon.com'. This booklet has been designed using resources from Flaticon.com