Becoming Bancroft’s
Everything you need to know about joining our community in September 2025
to Bancroft’s! Welcome
Dear New Bancroftian,
As Head of Thirds, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Bancroft’s Senior School. I hope you have a wonderful summer break, and return refreshed and excited for what I am sure will be some of the most memorable years of your life.
Joining a new school, entering a new environment, is a huge step and I imagine you will be feeling a huge range of emotions. Perhaps you are a little nervous, uncertain, worried? That is perfectly natural. But I also want you to feel immensely excited about entering this next chapter of your lives, immensely proud of everything you have already accomplished by gaining a place here, and utterly determined to prove to everyone what you are capable of.
I am hoping that when you join Bancroft’s, you will very quickly realise you are not just joining a new school, you are joining a community – one that will be an integral part of your life over the next seven years as you journey from child, to teenager, to adult.
With that in mind, my very first bit of advice to you is this: work hard; make friends (friends who will remain with you for the rest of your life); and immerse yourself in as many opportunities, experiences, trips, clubs and societies as possible. Bancroft’s is an incredible place to try new experiences, meet new people, fire your curiosity and step outside of your comfort zone. You are not here just to become brilliant academic learners, you are also here to become allround brilliant individuals who will hopefully go on to achieve great things in the wider world.
It is not always going to be plain sailing. There are going to be challenges, trials and tribulations along the way. Sometimes you will make mistakes. Sometimes you will fail. That is all part of learning and developing. I want you to be resilient, bold and courageous. When you make mistakes, I want you to own them and embrace them so that when you move forward, you do so better and stronger than before. Your friends and teachers will be there alongside you, not to lead you or guide you (you forge your own path), but to support you every step of the way.
So, your first day at Bancroft’s Senior School will be on Wednesday 3rd September. This will be your second Induction Day. The rest of the Senior School will return the next day, meaning we will have the whole school to ourselves to explore, familiarise and get settled in. Please arrive smartly dressed in your school uniform. Lunch and snacks will be provided. All you will need is your pencil case, your water bottle and your school bag to carry home your brand-new iPad!
I hope you are as excited as we are!
Mr Whibley Head of Thirds
Your First Task
Tell us all about yourself!
Your first homework task is to write an introductory letter about yourself. Begin your letter with: “Dear Mr Whibley,” and then tell us what you would like us to know about you. Perhaps you could include:
1.
Your hobbies and interests – what are you passionate about? What do you most enjoy?
2. What are your biggest strengths?
3. What would you say are your weaknesses or things you would like to be better at?
4. What are you most looking forward to about joining Bancroft’s?
5. Is there anything you feel particularly worried about joining Bancroft’s?
6. What would be three words that you would use to describe yourself and why did you choose them?
7. You could add a photo of yourself - maybe somewhere interesting?
Be Kind – Making friends and treating others with respect will make school life much more enjoyable. If you don’t know anyone who is joining Bancroft’s, don’t be afraid to talk to people and try to start a friendly conversation. Your form is also a great way to make friends.
Stay Organised – Keep your school bag tidy, use folders and check your iPad regularly for homework assignments. Pack your bags the day before to stay on top of organisation. You will need to check your timetable every evening to make sure you have the correct books for the next day. You will also need to check whether you have PE or Games because you will wear sports kit instead. If you have a sports club after school you will need to bring in your sports clothes and get changed after school.
Timings – You need to be going through the school gates at 8.15 so you are in your tutor room at 8.20 for registration. There is a 5-minute walking time to get to the next class, easily enough time to get from one side of the school to the other. You will get given a map at the beginning of term to help you get around. School finishes at 3.45pm. If you are late you will need to sign in at reception when you arrive. Turning up to school on time is important, it gives you time to prepare for the day so you are ready to learn.
Join Co-Curricular clubs – This helps you build new friends, develops new skills and above all, gives you a great balance of academics, drama, sports and clubs. Don’t be afraid to try clubs that your friends aren’t in because you might make new friends that love the same thing that you do!
Homework – There is a homework timetable that the teachers have to stick to. This means you will get approximately 1 hour per night. Homework is not allowed to be set for the next day – so you get to organise yourself and choose when you do it. Try to do Homework as soon as possible rather than leaving it to the last minute.
Finding your way around – Moving up a year or starting a new school can feel daunting but remember that everyone is in the same boat. You will get lost at the beginning – that is expected. Be brave and ask for help. Teachers and older pupils will help you find where you should be going.
Ask for Help – Teachers and older pupils are there to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t understand something. Tell the teacher if you haven’t completed your homework.
A
note from the
Lower School Congress
Lower School Congress would like to welcome you to the Senior School and hope you have a great time here at Bancroft’s. We are a group of students representing the lower school pupils.
We have included tips and what to expect from pupils who have gone through the Thirds.
Making Friends
Switching from Year 6 to secondary may be a bit of a jump but the teachers here try to make it an easy change. You will have lessons with lots of different people in different groups.
• You have the same group for all of your academic classes such as History, RS, English and Geography.
• You will be with another group of people for your creative subjects – Art, DT, Drama, Music and Computing.
• You will also have your languages lessons with another group of pupils!
This is therefore a great time to make new friends and try out new opportunities. In the first term, the teachers don’t give you masses of homework so you can focus on exactly that.
Experiences
There are many experiences that we get to enjoy in the Thirds. You get to enjoy an adventurous trip to Hindleap Warren in the first term. On this trip, you get time to make new friends and have lots of fun with your form class. You participate in many activities such as orienteering and a variety of teamwork challenges. You also have a Harry Potter Week where you take part in a variety of games against the other Houses. The challenges include: Herbology, Quidditch, Potion Making and many other fun and exciting tasks. We hope you enjoy the various activities as much as we did!
Sport Enjoy Yourself
Sport is a huge part of school life here at Bancroft’s. There are lots of sports clubs that you can take part in, along with fixtures and after-school training sessions. Some of the many sports clubs on offer include badminton, table tennis, weight-lifting to something more traditional like football or netball. In PE you will also be playing basketball, gymnastics, swimming… the list goes on!
During Games sessions, girls will be starting with hockey then go to netball and have a choice of cricket or tennis in the summer. Boys will start out with rugby then go onto hockey and also have a choice of tennis or cricket in the summer.
Another thing that you might hear is that you should just enjoy yourself; this is good advice. You must complete your homework but if it becomes overwhelming, you can always talk to a teacher because they want to help us. Bancroft’s offers us lots of clubs to join at lunchtime. There is also time to just hang out with your friends because if they make you smile, that’s all you need to make your day brilliant.
So, when you come here in September, remember to relax, enjoy yourself, and remember you can chat to anybody.
I hope you enjoyed our little introduction to the Thirds and we cannot wait to meet you. Enjoy the rest of your summer holiday and we will see you in September!
Lower School Congress
Ask For Help
Bancroft's offers many fun experiences for pupils. However, as with any new setting, there can be some difficult moments. The truth is, our teachers are very kind, especially the House Mistresses and your Tutors who look out for everyone’s well-being. When you come to Bancroft’s, you’ll find many teachers who will be able to help you in times of distress.
The House System and Pastoral Care
We have four Houses: North, East, West and School, with every pupil belonging to one of these.
In Thirds, each House has a Junior Housemistress responsible for the pastoral care of the pupils in their House.
North House
House Mistress: Miss Grimwood
East House
House Mistress: Miss Cresswell
West House
House Mistress: Miss Wainwright
School House
House Mistress: Mrs Nadasan-Mead
So, what is Pastoral Care?
It’s just a fancy way of saying how we look after your wellbeing – making sure you feel safe, happy, and supported at school.
At Bancroft’s, we want everyone to feel confident and ready to do their best. Your House is like your school family. You’ll get to know older pupils too – and they’ll help you feel part of things and look out for you.
You have been placed in a House with a Form Tutor, who you will see once a day for morning registration at 8.20am. Your form tutor is the teacher you’ll see every day – kind of like your class teacher at primary school, even though you might not have lessons with them. They’re there to support you, whether it’s helping with schoolwork, joining in activities, or just making sure you're settling in and feeling good.
In registration time, you will have the opportunity to work closely with your peers on many projects, from House events to year group projects. Morning registration is quite long to allow for Assemblies and Chapel and for pastoral support if you need it. You’ll also have Learning for Life lessons, where we chat about all sorts of useful things – from friendships and feelings to staying safe online and making good choices.
One of the most important things to remember: if something’s not going right, talk to someone. That could be your tutor or any teacher you trust. Whether you're finding a lesson tricky or having a friendship wobble, we’re here to help – but we can only do that if we know about it!
Your House provides a community in which you can grow and develop by participating in the many House events such as House Performing Arts and House Family Evenings, these are charity events when pupils perform to parents and other pupils in the House.
Each House supports a charity during the course of the year and there might be a House event to raise money for this: perhaps a sponsored event, a House Concert or a Family Event to which you can invite your parents and friends.
During the year you will get the chance to represent your House in Inter-House Sports (all the major sports have a competition) and be awarded House colours which can be sewn onto your sports hoody. Teachers also award Green Slips (House Points) for good work or effort and these are all added up at the end of the year: the winning House gets a trophy.
Our Heads of Pastoral
Sport
At Bancroft’s, we pride ourselves on offering a sports programme that is diverse, inclusive and fun. As a Bancroftian, you will get so many opportunities to try your hand and showcase your talents in a range of sports, including swimming, hockey, netball, athletics, tennis, cricket, rugby and more.
Taking part in such activities will not only help to improve your physical well-being, it will also help you to develop close friendships, as well as build your confidence and resilience. The Thirds have Games on a Friday afternoon, as well as three 50-minute PE lessons per fortnight which includes swimming, basketball, and gymnastics.
As you move up the school, the number of options grows greatly, to include rowing, boxing, climbing, CrossFit and yoga. We expect pupils to contribute fully to our sports, including representing the School in sports fixtures both during the week and on Saturday mornings.
For girls, hockey takes place in the Autumn Term and netball is in the Spring Term after Christmas. Boys play rugby and then hockey. Usually, we get the opportunity to play fixtures against other schools every week throughout the term. If you want to work on improving your skills, there are clubs after school for all the different sports. We also encourage you to play for a club outside of school to further enhance your skills.
We also get the opportunity to play in tournaments, including The London Youth Games where we represent Redbridge, competing against all the other London Boroughs. Lots of our pupils represent their county in Essex teams.
In the Summer Term, we play cricket, (there are boys’ and girls’ teams for cricket), athletics and tennis. In athletics, we do sprints, long distance, hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put… the list goes on. You also get the chance to compete and cheer on your House at Sports Day.
There are also chances to go on sports tours: our Thirds boys have played rugby in Wales and the girls have played netball in Manchester and cricket in Ipswich. We have also seen Junior hockey tours to Holland, where hockey is a really popular sport, and to Barcelona.
There are many teams, meaning you can represent the School no matter your level or experience. Our primary goal is always to help you become a fitter, healthier, more resilient individual who contributes positively to your team and the wider community.
Drama
Pupils can engage in all aspects of drama, whether on stage as performers or behind the scenes in technical roles such as sound and lighting design. In the Lower School, Drama Club runs all through the year, giving pupils opportunities to explore a range of different dramatic techniques and scenarios. Everyone is encouraged to get involved with House Performing Arts, which is run by the Sixth Formers in the Autumn Term. This involves a wide range of performances including drama, dance and music. The Lower School Production takes place in the Summer Term.
Lower School Productions
Every year, in the Summer Term, we have a Lower School Production switching between musicals and plays. Many pupils get involved in working backstage, whether running the lighting and sound, stage managing or designing and implementing the hair and makeup of the actors. We also welcome pupils who wish to contribute creatively by sourcing and constructing sets and props for our productions, bringing each performance to life with their craftsmanship and artistic vision. These productions give pupils the opportunity to work in a team, as well as make friends from a wide range of year groups. In the past, Lower School productions have included Bugsy Malone (with working splurge guns!) Brilliant the Dinosaur, Arabian Nights, and Wendy and Peter (in which some of the cast got to fly!). All pupils are encouraged to audition and these are usually large cast productions to ensure we truly showcase the full range of talents at Bancroft’s.
While most of our drama productions are led by staff, we take great pride in offering student-led opportunities as well. Notable examples include TAAL and House Performing Arts which showcase the talent, leadership, and creativity of our students both on and off the stage.
I enjoy playing in the flute group because it gives me more time to practice an instrument I love. In the group, we play interesting pieces that help improve my flute technique.
Ms. Fitzgerald, our teacher, is very nice and makes playing in the flute group enjoyable and inspiring.
Pragnya, 3rds (flautist)
Music
The music department is a vibrant place to hang out if you love all things musical. We have an extensive co-curricular programme and we really hope that there will be something for you to get involved with.
You don’t have to take music lessons in school to be involved with our bands, orchestras, ensembles and choirs, so please make sure we know what you can do!
There are plenty of choirs, orchestras and ensembles to get involved with here at Bancroft’s, all working towards lots of different performances both in school and at Drapers’ Hall. We offer lessons in all orchestral instruments, piano, singing, pop vocals, drum kit, and acoustic and electric guitar. There is also a weekly music theory class. Some of you may already be signed up to take individual weekly music lessons at Bancroft’s. The music department is very busy with a team of 29 visiting music teachers and over 400 individual lessons are taught every week!
We hope that you sign up for something musical but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s are some of the things our pupils have said about Music at Bancroft’s:
I enjoy being part of orchestras at Bancroft’s because it is a great opportunity to play alongside other instruments and pupils from other year groups.
It is fun as we play a wide array of pieces and it is a great feeling to be part of a musical community.
Shalen, 3rds (bassoonist)
The Thirds’ choir is always encouraging us to embrace our voices. It’s a welcoming environment where all of us can participate and sing our hearts out. We practice beautiful songs and it’s so amazing when we hear all of our voices in harmony, it always puts a smile on my face.
Ella, 3rds (singing)
The Library at Bancroft’s
We are fortunate to be blessed with an excellent library at Bancroft’s, and our fantastic Librarians will be on hand to further engage and develop your love of reading.
The Librarians will reserve books for you, recommend books based on your interests and even order books for the Library if requested.
We have regularly updated reading lists to allow you to explore more titles and our fiction books are separated into junior and senior fiction to make browsing even easier!
The Library staff often run competitions and challenges to encourage Bancroftians to read more. We organise special events to inspire you to read, and maybe even write for yourself. These may include visits from authors. Illustrators or storytellers, themed event weeks, and activities for World Book Day. The library is open before school from 8am and after school until 6pm every day, and it is a good, quiet place to get ahead with your homework.
Co-Curricular Clubs
Within our vibrant community, we strive to cater for the passions and interests of everyone, ensuring a balance between academic and co-curricular life.
We have designed our school day to enable plenty of activity, enrichment and exercise to take place while all the children are here: lunch is almost an hour and a half so that eating, chatting, playing and attending a club can all happen.
An impressive array of 240 clubs and societies are held throughout the year… and the count is ever increasing. Some clubs start at 7am and continue onto 6pm in the evening.
Here is an expansive overview of the clubs on offer...
Model United Nations
Debate global issues and develop diplomacy skills.
Isaac Physics Club
Advanced problem-solving for physics enthusiasts.
TechSoc Explore cuttingedge technology and coding.
Headline Hustlers
A student-run journalism and media club.
Geoguesser Society
Test geographical knowledge in an interactive way.
Finance Society Learn about investing, stocks, and financial literacy.
Market Minds
Discuss economic trends and market movements.
Economix Explore economic concepts beyond the classroom.
Sustainable Fashion Society Combine creativity with sustainability in fashion.
Cryptic Crossword Club
Sharpen your mind with challenging puzzles.
IdentiTEA Discussions on identity, diversity, and inclusion.
Drama Society Explore different aspects of drama and theatre.
Classical Films Watch and discuss cinematic classics.
New Views Playwriting
Write and develop your own plays.
Psychology Club
Explore the science behind human behaviour.
Aspiring Authors Club
A space for budding writers to hone their craft.
DocSoc For those interested in medicine and healthcare.
Competitive Coding
Advanced programming and problem-solving challenges.
Senior Robotics Society
Hands-on experience in robotics and engineering.
VEX Robotics Compete in national and international robotics competitions.
Film Soc Watch, discuss, and analyse films.
Microbit Coders
Coding and programming using Micro:bit.
Animation Club Learn how to create animations and bring ideas to life.
Creative Content Club
Explore digital media creation.
Rock/Pop Band Practice
A space for musicians to collaborate and perform.
Barbers (Vocal Group)
A vocal group specialising in close-harmony singing.
Girls’ Voices A choir specifically for female voices.
Bancroft’s Big Band Play jazz, swing, and big band music.
Sinfonia A high-level orchestral group.
Figure Drawing Develop artistic skills in sketching the human form.
Design Drawing & Sketching Explore technical and creative drawing skills.
Bio-Dissect Club
Hands-on dissection for biology enthusiasts.
Junior Science Club Fun and interactive science experiments.
Arduino Programming Learn to program microcontrollers for real-world applications.
Weightlifting Club Strength training and fitness improvement.
5-a-side Football
Fast-paced and exciting small-team football.
Senior Basketball
Competitive training and matches.
Removes Indoor Cricket Cricket training in an indoor setting.
Swimming Club
Improve swimming techniques and stamina.
Badminton Club
Senior Squad Advanced badminton training.
L4th-U6th Fitness Suite
Open gym sessions for fitness and conditioning.
Warhammer Club
A mix of strategy, creativity, and model painting.
Board Games Club Play and strategise in a relaxed setting.
Sustainability Society
Engage in environmental initiatives.
Christian Union
Discussions and activities around faith.
Hindu & Sikh Society
A cultural and religious society for students.
Being Bancroft’s
Diploma
At Bancroft’s, we actively encourage pupils to immerse themselves fully in all aspects of school life. During your time in the Lower School, you will work towards completing your BeingBancroft’s Diploma, a programme designed to help you develop key skills that will enrich your personal and academic growth.
To complete the first two years of Being Bancroft’s, pupils must provide two pieces of evidence per strand each year. The five strands are:
• Community
• Futures
• Scholarship
• Creativity
• Physical Activity
Throughout the year, you will be required to present evidence of your progress, demonstrating your engagement and commitment. Those who achieve the diploma to an exceptional standard will be invited to a special celebration in recognition of their hard work and dedication.
Trips and Celebrations
Adventures for All
Our trips programme plays a key role in enriching our pupils’ lives, broadening their horizons socially, culturally, and emotionally through new experiences and adventures.
We offer trips for all budgets, from local curriculumlinked outings at no extra cost, to international experiences further afield. Annual trips include language exchanges to Spain, France and Germany, a History trip to the Battlefields, and UK-based sports tours. Pupils also take part in Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, CCF camps and European ski trips.
Our sports tours continue to thrive, with recent destinations including Barcelona, Argentina and South Africa, along with the first ever Bancroft’s football and golf tours.
For older pupils, there are life-changing opportunities to volunteer abroad. Last summer saw a memorable trip to Peru, followed by a successful volunteering experience in Morocco earlier this year.
Hindleap Warren
We understand that starting Senior School is a big step, so we ensure new joiners feel confident and connected from the outset.
Early in the first term, all Thirds pupils travel to Hindleap Warren for a weekend of adventure, tackling obstacle courses, building shelters and rock climbing. Evenings by the campfire, complete with marshmallows, provide the perfect mix of fun and reflection, setting the tone for a positive transition and new friendships.
Harry Potter Week
Our library team organises Harry Potter Week for the Thirds at the end of the first half term.
Everyone throws themselves with enthusiasm into the lunchtime and after school events. Our Bancroft’s Houses are renamed after the Hogwarts’ Houses and it all gets quite competitive with everyone wanting to win points for the various trophies.
Every morning there are tutor group quizzes and puzzles. Lunchtime activities include debating Severus Snape’s fate with eloquence, rushing around the sports hall on broomsticks for Quidditch, showing your knowledge of all things Potter for Mastermind and making magical potions.
The week even extends into the curriculum, so you might get a chance to design and make your own wand in DT. There are also after school activities such as a school treasure hunt and herbology sessions.
On the final day, everyone gets a chance to dress up as Harry Potter characters. We always see some fantastically inventive costumes especially from the Tutors and Junior House Staff who seem to enjoy dressing up even more than the Thirds. One of the highlights of the week is a visit from some of the magical creatures. You get to learn all about these magnificent creatures and watch them fly around the Great Hall.
BeingBancroft’s Festival
In the final week of the year, the whole school steps away from the usual timetable to take part in our BeingBancroft’s festival. It’s a week packed with activities, community service, new experiences, exploring London, and it all wraps up with a music festival that has been known to sell out in just a few hours!
Daily Routine
A day in the life of a Bancroftian
The school opens at 7.45am and breakfast is available to purchase in the servery. Most pupils arrive between 7.45 and 8.15am, whether that’s by bus, tube, car, cycling or walking. You’ll head to your form room and get ready for the day.
TOP TIP:
Don’t worry if you’re a few minutes early – it’s a great time to chat with friends, get organised. Pupils may stay after the end of School in the Library until 6pm and there are many after-school clubs available.
Your form tutor will take the register, share any important messages, and check in with how everyone’s doing. Sometimes there’ll be form activities like quizzes, games, or short discussions. Depending on the day, you might have an Assembly or Chapel. Your tutor will make sure you go to the right place.
At the end of the day, you’ll pack up and head off – unless you’re staying for a club or activity. You can stay in school till 6pm – some pupils choose to get their homework out of the way in the library before going home.
When you leave at the end of the school day you do not need to wait for a teacher to let you go. You are becoming a young adult so are trusted to get yourself home.
Bancroft’s runs a two-week timetable: this means there is a Week 1 timetable and a different timetable for Week 2. You’ll have a mix of subjects throughout the day – everything from English and Maths to Science, Art, and Languages. You will also have a handful of new subjects, such as Enrichment and Learning for Life. Your timetable will be given to you on the first day. Lessons are 50 minutes long.
Below is an example of a Week 1 timetable:
Week 1
P
Reg am Registration 3Wb Reg Mr Meale 102
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6
Physical Education 3ab Pe1b Mr Meyers SH
Religious Studies 3b Rs Ms Khera 110
3Wb Reg Mr Meale 102
3b En Mrs Ford 208
TOP TIP:
Carrying six sets of books can be seriously heavy! It’s much better to use your locker and only bring what you need for the next two lessons at a time.
You’ll move around the school to different classrooms. Don’t worry about lesson timings and being late to lessons in the first few weeks. Teachers understand Bancroft’s is a large building that may take you a while to remember how to get around.
3Wb Reg Mr Meale 102
3Wb Reg Mr Meale 102 Registration 3Wb Reg Mr Meale 102
Studies 3b Rs Ms Khera 110 Art 3r Ar Mrs O’Sullivan AR2
Geography 3b Gg Miss Burridge 212 ICT Skills 3b IT Mr Gillary 119 Science 3b Sc Dr Ahmed S4
Science 3b Sc Dr Ahmed S4 History 3b Hi Mr Whibley 104
Learning for Life 3Wb LFL Mrs Nadasan-Mead 114
Music 3r Mu Mrs Whitbread A3
Mathematics 3P MaRMT Mr Tse 122
3b En Mrs Ford 208 Mathematics 3P MaRMT Mr Tse 122
French 3P Fr2 Mrs King 120
Science 3b Sc Dr Ahmed S4
Spanish 3P Sp3 Mr Smith 108
Enrichment 3P Enrich1 Mr Dickinson 102 Technology 3r Te Mr Bugg G09 English 3b En Mrs Ford 208 Mathematics 3P MaRMT Mr Tse 122
Drama 3r Dr Ms Entwistle PAC1
Geography 3b Gg Miss Burridge 212
French 3P Fr2 Mrs King 118 Spanish 3P Sp3 Mr Smith 108
Technology 3r Te Mr Bugg G09
History 3b Hi Mr Whibley 110
Games 3 Ga1
Miss Cresswell SH
Games 3 Ga1
Miss Cresswell SH
Our Values & Expectations
We are incredibly proud of the courtesy and conduct exemplified by our pupils at Bancroft’s School, and we have six core values that underpin everything we do here: excellence, curiosity, balance, kindness, courage, integrity.
Whenever and wherever you demonstrate your commitment to these values, you will gain Green Slips for your House. Some pupils even manage to gain more than 50 Green Slips in a year – this is a truly amazing achievement and one we are hoping each of you will strive towards. Other awards include Head’s Commendations, Head of Year Shout-Outs, Kindness Awards, and the BeingBancroft’s Diploma Awards at the end of the year.
Of course, there will also be times when you make mistakes. You will mess up and you will probably occasionally do things that you did not mean to and wish you hadn’t. We are all human, and that is part of life. There are, however, sanctions and repercussions for those incidents if and when they do occur.
Persistent lateness on three separate occasions will result in a Yellow Slip.
If you fail to complete a piece of homework, forget important equipment needed for learning, or complete work that is well below the standard that we know you are capable of, your teacher will issue you with a Blue Slip.
For more serious infractions, such as poor behaviour or unkindness, you may be issued with a Red Slip or possibly a detention.
These are all monitored by your House Mistress, Head of Year and your parents, and more than anything are used to build an overall picture of how best to support you in your Bancroft’s journey.
Far more important than any sanction, however, is how you choose to respond to it. We expect you to make mistakes, but we also expect you to take responsibility for those mistakes, to reflect on them and react in a manner that will help you to learn from them, so that you ultimately move forward a better person than before.
School Uniform
There are two main points on school uniform – on days that you have Games and PE you are allowed to come in your Games kit or PE kit. Through the rest of the week, you are expected to be in full school uniform and change for sports clubs during lunch and after school. We have a no coats policy inside the School building, so you must store your coat in your locker throughout the day until the end of school.
Ipads
You must attend classes with your iPad and arrive at school with it fully charged. Again, this will require you to be organised at home the night before school. Your iPad should only be in used in lessons where the teacher has permitted you to use it. Not all lessons require its use at all times.
Transport
Many pupils live close to Bancroft’s and may walk home with friends, but for many others, public transport, particularly the bus, is the primary way home. There are two bus stops conveniently located outside the school. We encourage you to consider an environmentally friendly way to travel to and from school. Please note that cars are not permitted on the front drive, so plan accordingly. Parking on the gravel at the front of the school is also prohibited and regularly monitored by parking attendants. If you are driven to school, please ensure your parents park off-site, and you walk the rest of the way.
School Bus
We also have a school bus run by ‘Zeelo’, you can find more information via our website.
Mobile Phones
Whilst pupils are permitted to bring their phones to School, these must be switched off and securely locked away in lockers from 08:15 to 15:45. Pupils are not allowed to use their phones unless permitted by a member of staff. If you want to access your timetable, this needs to be printed and kept in your bag, on your iPad, or locker so you can keep a track of where you need to be. All use of devices, whether using the School WIFI or data, is subject to the School’s ITCharter, which is signed by all pupils. Sometimes, there are instances where pupils may fail to comply with our school rules about mobile phone and WIFI usage and so they may receive a sanction and have their phone confiscated until the end of the day.
Notes
Becoming Bancroft’s
I look forward to welcoming you and witnessing your journey at Bancroft’s. Good luck!”
Mr Frazer Head