Excellent home-school relationships are at the heart of our work at Abbot’s Hill: transparent and timely communication enables a positive and rewarding school experience for our families
Your child's class teacher is there to support you and your child in their day-to-day life at School; they will be your first port of call Should you have a more substantial concern, please get in touch with a member of the Prep Leadership Team
My School Portal (MSP) has one dashboard for instant and easy access to your child’s specific information, such as:
Timetables
Medical Information
Lunch Menu
The School Calendar
Absence Requests
Sports Fixtures
Co-curricular / Music Lessons
School Messages
Bus Bookings
Key Contacts
School policies
Please update any changes to your personal information (change in address, phone, child’s medical information) via the editable ‘My Account' section in MSP:
The School Calendar on MSP is accessible on multiple devices, such as smartphones, desktops and tablets; allowing you to keep up-to-date with what is happening at School Parents can filter by Year Group, Category, Sub-category, Sports Teams, Co-curricular Activities and by your child(ren) You can also print out the information and sync it with your personal calendar
Absence Requests
All requests for absences should be made via MSP in the section ‘Absence Reporting/Requests’ You can also notify us here of any injuries or concerns
SchoolPost
We use ‘SchoolPost’ to send home School communications. The messages will go to your email inbox and are stored on MSP for easy access and searching.
We send the bulk of our messages on Thursdays at 4.30pm. Other more timely communications will be sent as needed throughout the week, with particularly urgent information via SMS.
Most of our messages are sent in memo style rather than full letters to save you time We have clearly labelled sections on actions needed and information you need to know
Newsletter
The Prep Newsletter goes out fortnightly on a Friday and acts as a positive, lighthearted round-up of recent School activity
Website and Social Media
To see exciting snippets of School life (Sport, Food, Parents’ Association and School Grounds), including our Website please click here: Abbot's Hill Social Media
Emails
If you need to contact your child’s class teacher and are unable to speak in person, please do contact them via email We will respond as soon as possible and ensure this is within two working days You can find the contact list for staff on MSP, under the 'My Children' tab
Telephone Calls
Please contact us on 01442 240333 where your call will be handled by our Main Reception Office Team. You will then be redirected to the correct member of staff if they are available to receive your call at the time. Alternatively, the member of staff will be notified and call you back as soon as possible Please be aware that this may be later in the day
Meetings
At Abbot’s Hill, we operate an open-door policy and staff are very willing to discuss your child’s academic and social progress, either informally or at a mutually agreed time
Parent Consultations and Academic Reports
Autumn Term - Parent Consultation Meeting onsite
End of Autumn Term - Written reports on core subjects are released
Spring Term - Academic Parent Consultation Meeting onsite
End of Summer Term - End of Year Reports released
The dates of these events are published in the calendar on MSP Appointments are made via MSP
Uniform can be purchased from SchoolBlazer com Alternatively, Abbot’s Hill School Parents’ Association (AHSPA) organise the selling of nearly new uniforms, and a ‘Click and Collect’ service is available The nearly-new uniform is also sold at events throughout the year, which are published in the calendar on MSP Second-hand uniform sales help to fund AHSPA's work and provide a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to purchasing new pieces
Uniform List and Equipment List
Every item must be named, please support us so we can reunite any pupil with their belongings
Reception and Year 1
Reception children wear PE Kit all year
Year 1 children start Autumn Term in their Winter uniform, they do not need their summer uniform until after the Easter holiday
Winter Uniform is worn from after the Autumn half term holiday until the end of the Spring Term at the Easter holiday
Summer Uniform is worn for the Summer term and until the Autumn half term holiday in October. **these items must be purchased from Schoolblazer/the secondhand sales
Pre-Prep (Reception - Year 2)
AHS Crested Book Bag (**this must be purchased from Schoolblazer)
Wellington Boots (any colour)
A water bottle
No stationery needed in Pre-Prep
Navy Crested Stormproof Coat**
No Blazer
Winter (Year 1 & 2)
Black Watch Tartan Pinafore**
Navy Crested Polo Neck Jumper ** or a Long-
Sleeved White Revere Collar Blouse
Navy Cardigan (purchased from any provider) or a
Bottle Green V Neck Jumper**
Navy School Shorts or Navy Classic Fit Trousers
(to be worn with a White Revere Collar Blouse)
Navy Socks and tights
Navy, dark green or black hair clips, ties, bands (hair accessories)
Black School Shoes (not slip-ons or boots)
Earrings can be worn but must be small circular studs and will need to be removed or taped up for sport
Prep (Year 3 - Year 6)
AHS Crested School Rucksack (**this must be purchased from Schoolblazer)
Wellington Boots (any colour)
A water bottle
A pencil case in school fully stocked with:
Pencils
Writing pen (cartridge blue ink pen with blue ink or blue handwriting pen)
A set of colouring pencils
A rubber/eraser
A pencil sharpener
A glue stick
Scissors
15cm ruler (not a bendy or hinged one) to be stored in the pencil case
30cm ruler (not a bendy or hinged one) to be kept in their school tray
Navy Crested Stormproof Coat**
Navy Crested School Blazer**
Winter
Black Watch Tartan Pinafore or Black Watch
tartan kilt skirt **
Navy Crested Polo Neck Jumper** or a White Revere Collar Blouse (long or short sleeved)
Navy Cardigan (purchased from any provider) or a Bottle Green V Neck Jumper**
Navy School Shorts or Navy Classic Fit
Trousers (to be worn with a White Revere Collar Blouse)
Navy Socks or tights
Navy, dark green or black hair clips, ties, bands (hair accessories)
Black School Shoes (not slip-ons or boots)
Earrings can be worn but must be small circular studs and will need to be removed or taped up for sport
Summer (Year 1 & 2)
Blue and white dress** (to be worn with Navy Cardigan if preferred)
White Socks or tights
Light blue and white hair accessories
Navy school shorts and white blouse
School Shoes (not slip-ons or boots)
Earrings can be worn but must be small circular studs and will need to be removed or taped up for sport
Summer
Blue and white dress** (to be worn with Navy Cardigan if preferred)
Navy Crested Blazer (**this must be purchased from Schoolblazer)
White Socks or tights
Light blue and white hair accessories
Navy school shorts and white blouse
School Shoes (not slip-ons or boots)
Earrings can be worn but must be small circular studs and will need to be removed or taped up for sport
Formal Wear: For public formal events (including Prep Speech Day, Open Days and the Carol Service), formal wear must be worn: White Revere Collar Blouse with the tartan pinafore, skirt or navy trousers, navy blazer (if in Year 5 or 6) and polished shoes
Pre-Prep pupils to wear PE kit on PE days and have a Drawstring Bag of spares to be kept in School Prep pupils bring their Games Bags in on Mondays and sent home to wash as needed throughout the week
Pre-Prep (Reception - Year 2)
Navy AHS Crested Drawstring Bag
Navy AHS Crested PE Shorts/PE Skort
Navy AHS Crested Training Pants
White Sports Socks
Navy AHS Crested Polo Shirt
Navy AHS Crested Sports Jumper
Trainers (any colour)
Sports / racer back Swimming Costume (plain navy)
Navy Swim Hat
Towel and Swim bag
Swimming Goggles (any colour)
Optional Items (for all children):
Prep (Year 3 - Year 6)
Navy AHS Crested Games Bag
Navy AHS Crested PE Shorts/PE Skort
Navy AHS Crested Training Pants
White Sports Socks
Navy AHS Crested Polo Shirt
Navy AHS Crested Sports Jumper
Navy AHS Crested Active Sports Jacket (Optional)
Navy, Coral, Light Green and White Hooped Long Football/Hockey style socks (for matches)
Trainers (any colour)
A fitted gum shield (this can be any colour and be one fitted at home or professionally)
A pair of Shin Pads (any colour)
Football Boots (any colour with non-metal studs)
Sports / racer back Swimming Costume (plain navy)
Navy Swim Hat
Towel and Swim Bag
Swimming Goggles (any colour)
Navy / dark green gloves, scarf, ear warmers, winter hat
Black Watch Tartan Scarf
Navy AHS Crested Summer Hat/Cap
Clan
At Abbot’s Hill, the children will be assigned a ‘Clan’ They will be given a Clan Polo Shirt when they start Clans - Cameron (Red) MacDonald (Blue) Macneil (Green)
Lost Property
We do our best to reunite pupils with their lost belongings We ask that every item belonging to your child is named (SchoolBlazer offer a sewn name tape option ) Pre-Prep Lost Property is located in the Boot Room and Prep Lost Property is located outside the Year 5 classrooms
Abbot's Hill School Parents Association (AHSPA)
We are very grateful for the support we receive from our parent body AHSPA organise wonderful events (fireworks display, Summer Ball and Christmas Fair) throughout the school year for parents and to raise money for charitable causes and the school AHSPA are always looking for support and help from parents If you can support in any way they would love to hear from you Please contact AHSPA at: ahspa@abbotshill herts sch uk
Parent Ambassadors
There are many opportunities for parents to support Abbot’s Hill A group of Parent Ambassadors represent the School at Open Events and participate in surveys, discussions and other school activities; please contact Marketing if you wish to take part: marketing@abbotshill herts sch uk
Parent Contacts
If you want your telephone number and address available to other parents, please opt-in on MSP AHSPA has a parent representative from each year group who compiles a class list of parent contact details to support parents in holding events such as play dates and birthday parties
Breakfast and Arrival to school Breakfast is from 7 40am until 8 10am This is booked on MSP and chargeable
All pupils: Registration 8 15am
Entrance Time
Nursery Gate From 7.40am
If attending Breakfast Club (7.40am - 8.15am)
Reception, Year 1 and 2
If NOT attending Breakfast Club (arrival from 8am only)
Attending Breakfast Club (Main Dining Hall)
Reception: Nursery Gate
Year 1 and 2: Hollies Gate From 8am
You will stay on the PrePrep play area until 8.15am with your friends, and then your teacher will come to greet you
Walk up path towards Dining Hall From 7.40am
Years 3 to 6
If NOT attending Breakfast Club Hollies Gate From 7.40am
From 8am, you will be make your way up to the Prep
Food
Fabulous lunch and break time snacks are provided We request that you do not send food in with your children Please inform your Form Tutor and The School Nurse of any allergies or intolerances
Departure
The school day ends at:
Pre-Prep - 3 20pm
Prep (Year 3 and 4) - 3.30pm
Prep (Year 5 and 6) - 3.45pm
After School Provision
Pupils can stay at school until 6pm if required After-School Care sessions (charged separately)
Expectations are that pupils should be present and on time during the term Attendance and engagement enable students to benefit from rich learning experiences
Authorised Absences
Unexpected circumstances (illness, unforeseen events): Inform through the online absence reporting system in MSP
Planned absences (medical appointments etc): Submit in advance on MSP as early as possible
Planned absences (funerals, weddings etc): Submit a request for absence and it will be reviewed by the Head of Prep whether this is authorised or unauthorised
Unauthorised Absences
Holidays during the term will be recorded as an unauthorised absence apart from in expectational circumstances (these are submitted as a request on MSP and the Head of Prep will review)
Pre-Prep Prep
Learning at home builds from Reception to Year 2.
Reception:
Children are encouraged to read at home to consolidate their phonics learning Online Maths games are suggested to support their mathematical development
Year 1 and 2
Children are encouraged to read regularly and practise their spellings Literacy, Maths and Thematic learning is developed with related tasks to complete at home
The pupils in the Prep School are expected to complete English, Maths and Science tasks weekly with occasional short tasks in the foundation subjects such as History or Music, when appropriate, to consolidate and enhance their learning across the curriculum
Year 3 and 4 homework is shared via our online learning platform
We expect the children to complete their homework tasks over the course of the week and weekend to fit around family life and commitments beyond the school day
At Abbot’s Hill School, we are committed to establishing a safe and caring environment, in which each child can realise their full potential in every aspect of school life All adults and pupils act with courtesy and consideration for others The school rules which are encapsulated in our Code of Conduct are intended to encourage the development of the school ethos through our core values We have a promoting positive behaviour policy that details how we do this which can be found on our School Website We use Class Dojos for individual rewards and Clan point tokens for ‘community spirit’ We have Celebration Assembly each week celebrating the wide range of achievements across the School (including academic certificates, sporting awards and achievements out of school)
Class Teacher
Your child’s class teacher is there to support pupils in their daily life within school. There is also a Teaching Assistant and other trusted grown ups that they will see throughout the course of the day.
The Clan Council
The Clan Council is made up of Prep School Pupils and led by the Year 6 Clan Councilors is a forum for active and constructive input into the school's daily life There are elected representatives from each clan; one from each year group, to discuss issues raised by pupils or staff on how to improve the lives of all at Abbot’s Hill
Girls On Board
Abbot's Hill is a 'Girls on Board' school Girls on Board is an approach which helps girls, their parents and their teachers to understand the complexities and dynamics of girl friendships The language, methods and ideas empower girls to solve their own friendship problems and recognises that they are usually the only ones who can ‘Girls On Board’ ambassadors within the School facilitate a ‘Girls on Board’ session when necessary to help the children to navigate ‘getting on and falling out’ type situations
The Peaceful Pod and The Rose Bud
At break and lunchtimes, we play outside (in all weather) but we also have two wonderful rooms available to the children called ‘The Peaceful Pod’ and ‘The Rose Bud’ that they can visit at various times over the week. In the Peaceful Pod, Mrs Lopez Bernal (our Assistant Head - Pastoral) offers a quiet space for children to talk to her about any worries, relax with their friends, do some mindful colouring, play a collaborative game or read a book The Rose Bud is run by Mrs Enock (our SENDco and specialist teacher) who offers a time to chat about any learning they are working on that they might need some tips and help with, play some learning games and support them with any extra-curricular learning tools they are using
Tooled Up
We wish to support parents as much as possible We will occasionally host seminars and webinars to support parents In addition to this, the school subscribes to Tooled Up Tooled Up provides research-based resources for parenting that you can access anytime Abbot’s Hill Pin Code for parents: AHS0103
Pupils are able to choose from an exciting and extensive co-curricular offering. The majority of clubs are included in school fees, but there is also a range of externally run clubs that incur an extra charge A list of clubs will be circulated via School Post at the end of each term for you to book your child’s preferences Confirmed clubs can be found on your child’s timetable on MSP Individual music and LAMDA lessons can also be booked via MSP
All pupils have the opportunity to participate in an exciting array of visits These could include trips to the Hampton Court, Celtic Harmony, Museums, outdoor adventure residentials and includes excellent specialist visitors to the School such as the Planetarium or Puppet Theatres which all form as an integral part of their learning and enrichment in various subjects You will be notified about any upcoming extra curricular trips and activities via School Post
Traffic
The front drive is one-way at all times from the public road The back drive is a public road; therefore, you may encounter two-way traffic at anytime Please do not use the back drive as an entrance to the school
If you are arriving by car, please use the drop-off only area at the top of the drive or park in the lower car park Car sharing is encouraged
Pupils should wait at the bus shelter by the Davidson Building or to one side of the Prep School steps for collection after school.
You should park in the lower car park when you visit the school.
Site Security
All parents must report to Main Reception if they are visiting the school apart from at Pick up and Drop off You will be accompanied around the site by the member of staff they are visiting, and under no circumstances should you enter buildings unaccompanied All visitors will be asked to wear a Red visitors’ lanyard The only exceptions to this are if you are visiting a prearranged event (e g sports fixtures, performances etc) Our AHSPA committee wear a purple lanyard as they are DBS checked and safeguarding trained by the School.
Fees
The fees list can be found on the school website and MSP
Fees are usually updated annually in September and are taken termly by direct debit on the first day of each term We are unable to offer payment by instalments or credit card If you wish to pay by instalments, there is an option to use an external company
Any fees received after the first day of the term automatically attract interest at the rate of 2% per month, which will be added to your next bill
For any fee issues, please contact the Finance Manager: 01442 240136 or via email at fees@abbotshill herts sch uk
Fees Refund Scheme
You are entitled to opt into the Fees Refund Scheme provided by Marsh Ltd. If you apply for the scheme, the cost is included on your termly fee bill and will provide insurance against the time your child misses from school if they are ill or have been injured Full details of the cover and an application form can be found on MSP
Personal Accident insurance
This insurance is provided for your child via Marsh Ltd and included at a charge of £3 15 per term in addition to the school fees Inclusion within this scheme is compulsory for all pupils Full details of the cover are provided on MSP
Fees in Advance Scheme
You are entitled to opt into the Fees Refund Scheme provided by Marsh Ltd If you apply for the scheme, the cost is included on your termly fee bill and will provide insurance against the time your child misses from school if they are ill or have been injured Full details of the cover and an application form can be found on MSP
Personal Accident insurance
The School runs a scheme so that fees (excluding extras) can be paid in advance at a discount that is currently set at a flat (not compound) rate of 4% based on the current fee rate excluding the first term The level of discount calculated by the School is final
b The payment in advance will produce a credit against each term’s fees The prepayment scheme will not include increases in termly fees over the chosen period
As you are aware, inflation and other factors will affect fees and these increases must be paid with extras in the usual way by the beginning of each term.
c. The scheme can be entered before 31 July each year, and provided the fees are paid by this date the fees will be discounted for the second 2 terms of that year, plus any future pre-paid years following this date. The scheme cannot be entered into at any other point in the year.
d. If the child leaves School before the period for which fees in advance have been paid, a refund will be made, to take account of the remaining unused term of the agreement
e If the scheme runs for more than a year, either the parent or the School may cancel the scheme after one year has expired by giving a full term’s notice - a refund will be made, to take account of the remaining unused term of the agreement
f The scheme can run for a minimum of one year and a maximum of 7 years
g The School has the right to set-off any credit balance against unpaid fees for other children of the parent(s) at the School
h If your child is currently at the Prep School and you join the scheme and pay for years which include the Senior School, this does not guarantee you a place at the Senior School A refund will be given (less any outstanding amounts) if your child does not progress to the Senior School
i This Board of Governors reserve the right to make changes to this scheme
j As mentioned in clause c, payment must be made by the 31 July of the first year for which the scheme is to apply, via bank transfer to our bank account