Main School Parents' Handbook - September 2023

Headmistress

Miss Kate Bailey

Deputy Heads

School Development: Mrs Donna Sweeney

Pupil Development: Mrs Fiona Reynolds

Assistant Deputy Heads

Academic: Mr Paul Adams

Organisation: Mrs Rebecca Rycroft

Boarding: Mrs Michele Western-Kaye

Boarding House Parents

Walker: Ms Hayley McIlvean

Turner: Mrs Michele Western-Kaye, Mr Phillip Scriven

Highlands: Mrs Emily Whitley

Head of Upper School

Mrs Nicola Lee-Metcalfe

Head of Lower School

Mrs Hayley Humphries

Other School Contacts

Contents

Structure of the School

A Day in Main School

Godstowe's Term

Food and Nutrition

Enrichment Curriculum

My School Portal

Health Centre For School

Support at School

Reporting to Parents

Rewards and Sanctions

Homework

Sport

Music

Uniform

Friends of Godstowe

Map

Structure of the School

Our year group names are listed below, alongside their National Curriculum equivalents.

Nursery Lodge

Beginners

Kindergarten

Transition

Main School

Form I

Form II

Lower Third (LIII)

Middle Third (MIII)

Upper Third (UIII)

Fourth Form (IV)

3 to 4

4 to 7 (boys and girls)

4 to 5

5 to 6

6 to 7

7 to 13 (girls)

7 to 8

8 to 9

9 to 10

10 to 11

11 to 12

12 to 13

Reception

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7

Year 8

Main School also have Lower and Upper School Divisions. Form I, Form II and Lower Thirds are part of Lower School and Middle Thirds, Upper Thirds and Fourth Form are part of Upper School.

Within each year group, the children are put into forms. The children are in mixed ability groups in Form I, Form II and Lower Thirds, with the exception of Maths. Middle Thirds, Upper Thirds and Fourths are then in teaching groups depending on ability.

Structure of the School

On entering Main School, all girls are allocated a School House. Godstowe has four school houses, each named after inspirational women. Friendly but competitive rivalry exists between Houses, including quizzes, weekly awards and Sports Day

Adlington (red) - Rebecca Adlington won two Golds in Beijing 2008 and followed this up by winning two Bronzes in London 2012. In addition to Olympic success, Rebecca has also won Gold medals at every other major swimming meet, including the Commonwealth Games, FINA World Championships and European Championships.

Seacole (blue) - Mary Seacole (1805–1881) was a Jamaican-born British businesswoman who showed great kindness and bravery tending to sick and wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. As a dual heritage woman living in the Victorian Age, Mary was also a pioneer of her time.

Pankhurst (green) - Emmeline Pankhurst was born on 14 July 1858. As she grew older, Emmeline noticed that women were treated differently to men and became motivated to help change that. In 1903 she, along with her daughters Sylvia and Christabel, founded the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). Emmeline Pankhurst is remembered for her hard work with the WSPU in the fight to help get British women the right to vote.

Franklin (yellow) - Rosalind Franklin was born in 1920 and died in 1958. She was an English scientist who made x-ray images of DNA. Her work was very important as it led to the discovery of the structure of DNA, which is a helix shape. The Nobel Prize can only be given to living people, so she was never fully rewarded for her work.

Structure of the Day

The School Day starts at 8.15am. Any child arriving before 8.15am must go to the Library. All girls should be in school by 8.25am. Main School Breakfast Club starts at 7.30am and includes care plus a choice of breakfast This can be booked via Reception and does incur a charge. For drop-off, we operate a "kiss and drop" system.

Between 8.35am-9.05am, we have a variety of assemblies or Form time. Assemblies are focussed on certain themes each week with Friday being our "Celebration Assembly".

Breaktime starts at 10.35am and girls go outside, collect a drink and a snack. L:unchtime is from 12.30pm until 2.30pm and is staggered for the different year groups with plenty on offer. When they have finished their lunch, they are able to go outside to play or to lunchtime clubs.

At the end of the day, all girls return to their Form rooms to be signed out. The official end of the day, when the girls are ready for collection, is 4.10pm.

Each year group has a different collection point:

Form I and Form II - Link corridor

Lower Thirds and Middle Thirds - "Bus Stop" by their cloakrooms

Upper Thirds and Fourth Form - Main School Reception

At 4.10pm, for those girls staying at school for an activity, will go for a snack before the activity starts at 4.30pm. Main School Enrichment

Curriculum runs from 4.30pm-5.30pm and 5.30pm-6.30pm. Clubs and prep are offered free of charge and can be booked via My School Portal. Clubs that require an external instructor incur an additional charge.

Structure of the Day

Registration

We are legally required to maintain full attendance registers and we would appreciate your cooperation so that this can be as simple and efficient as possible Every day the girls are registered twice, once in the morning between 8.30am and 8.40am and again at the end of the day between 4.00pm and 4.10pm.

If your daughter arrives at school later than 8.40am, then she must register herself at Reception.

Absences

If you need to take your daughter out of school, for any reason, then you must request this via the "Leave of Absence" request form on My School Portal.The Headmistress will review each request. You must sign your daughter out at Reception and in again upon her return.

If your daughter is unexpectedly absent due to illness, you should call Reception between 8.00am and 8.20am. Your phone call should then be followed up with an email to her tutor or Reception. You can find all relevant email addresses on My School Portal.

Structure of the Term

Exeats and Half Terms

Generally there are two fixed Exeats each term, occurring either side of Half Term. On an Exeat, all children must go home or to a guardian. There are no activities, only supervised prep until 5.30pm This is the same for Half Terms. All Exeats and half terms start at 4.10pm, with Boarders able to leave from 3.40pm. All boarders must return on Sunday evenings.

School Calendar

A live, up to date school calendar is available on My School Portal. You are able to export this to your laptop or device.

A typical year at Godstowe

Autumn Term

Harvest Festival

Autumn Concert

Activities Day

Christmas Fair

organised by "Friends of Godstowe"

Christmas Lunches

Carols by Candlelight

Carol Service

Spring Term

Spring Concert

Activities Day

Careers Day

Residential Trips

Summer Term

Residential Trips

Activities Week

Summer Fair or Ball, organised by "Friends of Godstowe"

Summer Concert

Sports Day

Speech Day and Prize

Giving

Food and Nutrition

At Godstowe, we are proud to be working with CH&Co for our food from Nursery to Fourths.

"At CH&Co, we know that children directly benefit from good, wholesome and interesting food during the school day. We start with fresh ingredients, sourced from the right suppliers, which are seasonal and British wherever possible. We introduce modern food styles but retain traditional cooking methods.

The focus of our menu development is on quality and variety; they are designed to be attractive and appetising and to appeal to different age groups. It is critical to understand that eating habits change as we grow and that the needs of girls and boys are different. Using only the freshest ingredients dishes will be cooked from scratch. Pupils will be able to choose from a range of filled breads, freshly prepared salads, a selection of street food dishes, varied main meals from around the world, desserts, and homemade cakes and tray bakes."

There is a choice of a hot main course, vegetarian and vegan options, jacket potatoes, homemade soup, a fantastic salad bar, dessert, yoghurt, fresh fruit. We also mark special dates for our international boarders in the calendar with culinary events like a Chinese New Year meal.

Girls in Main School also receive a snack during morning break and at the end of the day if they are staying for prep or an activity.

Food and Nutrition

As well as Meat free Mondays, we have launched "Help the World Wednesdays" in a bid to help the planet. Reduction of meat consumption has many benefits and it is a significant action we can take to help our environment by reducing household gas emissions, deforestation and soil degradation.

Menus are rotated every three weeks and changed each term. They are available on My School Portal for you to view.

Enrichment Curriculum and Activities

Pupils are able to take part in clubs or other activities during their lunch break or after school. Each activity will be specific to particular year groups and may have limited numbers.

Supervised prep is available for both sessions, 4.30pm-5.30pm and 5.30-6.30pm. This can be booked via My School Portal..

Individual Music Lessons can also be booked via My School Portal. There is a wide variety of instruments available, including piano, violin, double bass, harp, bassoon, trumpet and many many more.

Each term there is an Activity Day. This is often a trip out of school. Some previous trips have included The Natural History Museum, Warwick Castle, Harry Potter Studios, Cadbury's World, RAF Northolt, the Jewish Museum and Whipsnade Zoo.

There are also lots of "in house" activities including Ancient Egypt Day, W hearsals and an inflatable

My School Portal

My School Portal is available for all parents and guardians to access. On the portal you will find:

School Communications

Attendance Records

School Timetables

Fixtures

Enrichment Curriculum

Exam Reports Reports

Invoices

You are also able to keep all of your contact details up to date via the Portal.

If your daughter requires time out of the school day, then please complete a "Leave of Absence" request form. If she requires medication throughout the day, please complete a "Dispending Medication" form.

All School Communication will be emailed to you via our School Office as and when needed. If you are not receiving these, please contact our IT department, itsupport@godstowe.org.

Health Centre

We have a qualified nurse available onsite at all times during the school term. The nurse on duty covers Lodge, Main School and the children that board with us. In addition, the majority of our school staff are qualified first aiders

Before your child starts at the school you will be asked to complete a medical information form, one of the nurses may need to call you to discuss information you have provided. It is also important that you update us with any new conditions/allergies and injuries so we can keep your child safe in school.

When your child starts at the school we will ask you to register for an app called "Medical Tracker" which not only allows us to inform parents/carers of first aid incidents and medication administered by email, it also allows us to keep track of any long term medical conditions and care plans. When a child becomes unwell during the day, a member of staff will send them to the Health Centre, via Reception. The nurse will communicate with the child's parent or guardian if they are too unwell to remain in school.

If your child is well enough to be in school but not able to participate in sports they will need a written letter addressed to their Form teacher and Director of Sport.

Medication

The Health Centre keeps a stock of age appropriate paracetamol, cough lozenges or syrup and hayfever remedies, so you do not need to send these in with your child. You will be asked to complete a consent to treatment and medication form on admission.

Health Centre

If your child has been prescribed medication short term (eg antibiotics) or long term (eg ADHD medication) you will need to complete a "Dispensing Medication" form via My School Portal. All medication must be handed directly from the parent to the school receptionist or to the nurse on duty. For safety purposes no child is allowed to carry their medication with them during the school day (unless they require an inhaler, epipen or the child has diabetes).

Inhalers

If your child has been prescribed an inhaler for asthma one of the nurses will contact you to discuss their individual needs.We will require the inhaler in school which will either be carried by the child or stored but easily accessible in Reception. Relevant staff will be made aware of their health needs. We also have emergency inhalers onsite and will ask you to complete a consent form. It is school policy that if we have been informed a child requires an inhaler they have it with them when they go off site for sports fixtures or trips. If your child does not have their inhaler they will have to remain at school.

Health Centre

Adrenaline Auto injector pen

It is imperative that we are aware of any allergies your child may have. Our catering company has requested that we have a medical letter to confirm your child's allergy We are an allergy aware school and practise a 'No Nut' policy, please do not allow your child to bring in nuts eg. in a cake or picnic. If your daughter has been prescribed an Adrenaline Auto Injector pen due to a risk of anaphylaxis, we require two in school that are clearly named. We also have emergency pens in school and staff have received training on the use of them. The nurse will contact you to discuss your child's individual needs and staff will be informed of your child's allergy. Again, It is school policy that if we have been informed a child requires an autoinjector they have it with them when they go off site for sports fixtures or trips. If your child does not have it they will remain at school.

Immunisations

We work closely with the Bucks Immunisation Team and offer annual onsite flu vaccines (for relevant year groups) and the Year 8 HPV vaccines

Vision and Hearing screening checks

We have started using an outside company for vision and hearing screening. They will visit the school annually and you can book with them directly for a small fee if you would like your child tested.

For School

Stationery, Books and Equipment

The school provides all exercise books and paper. Parents are asked to provide pupils in Main School with the following:

A large, clearly named pencil case

15cm ruler

Pencils

Around 10 colouring pencils

Fountain Pen (LIII upwards)

A good roller ball tip pen (ball point pen and biros should not be used)

Rubber

Glue Stick

Scissors

Pencil Sharpener

Two highlighter pens

Protractor (LIII upwards)

Support at School

It would be unrealistic to imaging that all girls will go through school without meeting any setbacks. Temporary difficulties with a subject, examination worries or friendships can cause anxiety. If there are concerns or problems, whether academic, social or emotional they need to be identified and dealt with before they become serious. Girls are encouraged to talk to their Form Tutor, a member of staff or the ELSA.

If you feel that there is a problem, please speak, email or write to any of the following: Form Teacher, Boarding Housemistress, Head. of Lower School or Upper School, Deputy Heads or Headmistress.

Special Educational Needs and Learning Support

Those children identified as having learning difficulties in acquiring specific skills will initially be given support within the context of the classroom or within a small group. Assessment results will be monitored to ensure the child's progress. If difficulties persist, the =school, in consultation with the parents, may suggest further assessment, either in school by the Learning Support department, or by an external specialist. A child with such difficulties may receive individual learning support from specialist staff within the school.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

We provide support to those girls whose English is a second language. We help them with their general reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar and listening, in order that they can study more effectively within the main stream curriculum. EAL lessons generally take place instead of French and some other subjects.

Reporting to Parents

Examinations

School examinations take place for all pupils in LIII, MIII and UIII during the Summer Term with Common Entrance for IVs in June. Form I and Form II pupils are also assessed during the Summer Term

Reports and Grade Cards

Full reports are written for all girls, except for IVs, at the end of Autumn Term. The IVs receive their first full report at half term of the Spring Term following their mock Common Entrance examinations. All girls receive a further report at the end of the Summer Term.

Grade cards are sent to the parents of all girls in Main School. They give detailed information about the girls' progress across the full range of subjects throughout the year. As the year progresses, the card is gradually completed and a copy of the updated card is sent to parents every half term, via My School Portal. At the end of the Summer Term the final card provides a complete record of each girls' progress throughout the academic year.

Parents' Meetings

Formal Parents meetings are held at the following times:

Form I and Form II - October and March

Lower Thirds - Spring Term

Middle Thirds - Autumn Term

Upper Thirds - Spring Term

Fourths - Autumn Term

These are held in person. In Form I and Form II you will meet with your daughter's Form Tutor. From Lower Thirds upwards, you are able to meet with your daughter's subject teachers.

Rewards and Sanctions

Rewards

Rewards are given for both good work and behaviour. Each reward contributes towards the House points for the School Houses.

The points are added up and a colour shield is award to the winning House each week. At the end of the term, the points are all added together and the winning House is awarded a "mufti day" the following term.

Sanctions

When children's behaviour falls below an acceptable standard, a range of sanctions may be used to encourage better behaviour.

Staff will give a verbal warning first, however if the behaviour continues they will give a 'minus' which results in the girl losing a point for their house.

If the behaviour continues or escalates, the sanction will also escalate.

For further details, please read our Behaviour and Expectation policy found on our website.

Homework (or Prep)

Pupils in Form I and Form II are expected to spend a minimum of 10 minutes reading every day. They are also expected to spend a further 20 minutes consolidating their work they have learnt in class and practising their skills.

On occasions, Upper Thirds and Fourths will be sent music projects, and the 'extra prep ' sessions in the activity programme can be used for the completion of those. Girls in Fourths are expected to spend time finishing work, working on scholarships or reading.

Prep is an occasion when children are expected to work by themselves and independently, as far as possible. Girls should write the instructions for prep carefully in their planners.

For detailed information about prep and the curriculum, please visit My School Portal.

Sport

There is a large range of clubs, team practices and activities organised by the PE Department each term. They are detailed on the enrichment curriculum, which is sent home each term.

In Autumn and Spring terms, some of the sports your daughter will try are:

Netball

Hockey

Swimming

Lacrosse (for Upper School only)

Football

In Summer term, we swap our lacrosse pitch for an athletics track, along with:

Tennis

Cricket

Swimming

Track and Field disciplines

If a child is unwell or injured and unable to participate in PE lessons, day girls must arrive at the lesson with a note signed and dated by a parent or guardian; boarders are expected to have seen the School Nurse who would then provide a note.

All children must have correctly named PE ket. All jewellery, including earrings, must be removed for all sporting activities (we do not allow tape over earrings) Parents are requested not to have their daughter's ears pierced during term time, but only at the start of the Summer holidays.

Music

Music is strong at Godstowe. All girls in Main School have a music lesson a week where they learn some music history as well as the opportunity to play the ukelele, or percussion or piano.

For Main School girls, they can be a part of choirs, ensembles and the Godstowe Symphony Orchestra. More information can be found in our Enrichment Curriculum booklet.

Instrumental and Voice Lessons

Girls are able to learn a wide range of instruments, including:

Strings - violin, viola, cello

Harp

Brass - trumpet, french horn, euphonium

Woodwind - flute, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon

Percussion - timpani, drums, xylophone

Singing

Piano

If you are interested in your daughter learning an instrument, or two, you will need to complete the 'Individual Instrumental Lessons' form on My School Portal.

The girls are entered for the Associated Board Examinations (ABRSM) at the discretion of their teacher. Girls who learn an instrument outside of school are able to take their exams at Godstowe.

Uniform

Pupils should arrive and leave looking neat and tidy wearing the correct school uniform.

Hair must be neat and worn away from the face Shoulder length hair must always be tied back. Girls may have red, brown or black ribbons, hair bands or scrunchies.

A green overall (for Science, DT and Art) should be kept in school at all times. For Autumn and Spring term, the Winter uniform must be worn. Red tights for Form I, Form II, LIII, MIII and UIII. IVs are able to wear black tights. Summer Uniform may be worn after the Easter holidays. Boaters should be worn with Summer Uniform for Form I, Form II, LIII and MIII.

Makeup and Nail Varnish are not appropriate to wear with school uniform. Jewellery is not allowed with the exception of a plain religious symbol which may be work under school uniform.

Girls who have their ears pierced are allowed to wear plain gold studs only, but these must be removed for PE lessons. Parents are politely asked not to have their daughter's ears pierced during term time, but only at the start of the summer holidays.

Uniform

All items of clothing and other possessions should be clearly marked. Watches, preferably analogue, must be named, and all shoes and trainers must be labelled. Everything should be clean and in good repair Hanging loops are required on games clothes, cloaks, blazers, coats and overalls. Any new clothes sent during term time should also be clearly labelled.

Girls should have black school shoes, which should be well-fitting and supportive. No ballet pumps, suede or patent leather shoes are permitted.

Uniform can be purchased from the onsite Uniform Shop (until October 2023). It can also be purchased online at www.thedirectclothing.co.uk. Scan the QR code below to be taken to the Godstowe page.

Uniform ordered online can be delivered to school free of charge. The deliveries will take place on Wednesdays during term time only. Alternatively, the uniform can be delivered to your home address for a cost.

You are able to return your item using the delivery note included with your order. You can find out more information via My School Portal.

Good quality, nearly new uniform is sold in our Second Hand Uniform shop on site. The shop is open on Mondays and Fridays during term time.

Uniform

The below list applies to all Main School, differences are listed. Quantities are those required for boarders.

Autumn and Spring Terms

1 cloak

2 grey skirts (knee length, to four inches below)

3 grey and white figured blouses

2 red v-neck jumpers

4 pairs grey knee-high socks

4 pairs of plain red tights; IVs only black 40 denier tights

Summer Term

1 straw boater

3 summer dresses; MIII upwards - separate skirt and blouse

2 red cardigans

6 pairs of plain white ankle socks

All Terms

*1 pair of black leather shoes (patent leather or pumps not acceptable)

1 red blazer with badge

Red or black hair accessories

1 green overall for Science and Art

1 Godstowe prep bag (Form I-UIII, Medium; IVs, Large)

1 Godstowe games bag

1 black jacket

Uniform

Games (all terms):

1 coloured team polo shirt (red, blue, yellow or green)

2 games tops (one with velcro, one without)

1 pair of black tracksuit bottoms

1 mid-layer

*1 pair of outdoor trainers

*1 pair of indoor non-marking trainers

1 pair black cycle shorts

1 red baseball cap

1 pair gloves with palm grips

1 black and red leotard

1 pair of black footless leggings

2 pairs of red short socks

*1 tennis racquet

1 black and red Godstowe swimsuit

1 red Godstowe swim cap

1 Godstowe swimming towel

1 red swimming bag

1 pair of swimming goggles

Player Layer top

Player Layer bottoms (optional)

1 skort (Form II upwards)

*1 lacrosse stick (MIII upwards)

*1 pair of lacrosse boots (regular football boots) (MIII upwards)

Uniform

Boarders items:

1 hairbrush/comb

Lots of hairbands

6 pairs of underwear

1 pair of slippers

1 warm waterproof jacket

1 dressing gown

2 pairs of pyjamas

Toiletries bag

2 face cloths

2 toothbrushes

2 tubes of toothpaste

2 bath towels

1 shower cap

1 carry-on holdall for exeats and half terms

2 suitcases, one of which must fit inside the other

1 pillow and 2 pillow cases (not white)

1 duvet

2 duvet covers

1 small purse

1 smart outfit

Suitable casual clothes

1 rucksack for day trips

1 white laundry net

1 black laundry net

1 laundry bag

1 boarders fleece

Uniform

Dress code for Boarders

The following is a guide to the type of clothing that may be worn when girls are not in school uniform. All clothes must be machine washable and suitable for the tumble dryer:

Smart Formal

To be worn on formal occasions. Skirts/tops or dresses of an appropriate length and style for a form occasion. Home shoes or school shoes may be worn.

Smart Casual

To be worn on occasions such as theatre trips and socials. Skirts/tops, dresses, smart trousers (not jeans), school shoes or sensible home shoes.

Casual

To be worn on informal occasions such as after school and weekends. Dresses, skirts/tops, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, jumpers, etc.

Guidelines

Casual clothes: dresses and tops should not be short or revealing. Shoes: home shoes are optional on all occasions, but should be appropriate to the occasion and should not have a heel of more than one inch. to help with storage, boarders should not have more than two pairs of shoes and one pair of casual boots.

Friends of Godstowe

Friends of Godstowe, or FoG, is a group of volunteers who organise social activities and events for the school. Through these events, we aim to ensure that all Godstowe children, parents and guardians feel, and enjoy being, a part of our school community

We are parents who volunteer to help the school provide exciting opportunities for our children. Along with the main FoG committee, there are individual representatives, known as Class Reps, for each form within the school.

We have helped the school achieve incredible new heights, including:

Donation to the refurbishment of the Swimming Pool

New sandpits and play equipment for Lodge

New school mini bus

Chrome tablet computers

Sound equipment for the JK Theatre

Games for the Boarding Houses

Laser cutter for DT department

The list is never ending and else we can achieve. If you would like to friends@igodstowe.org.