12 BOOKLET - 2024/25
Welcome to the Sixth Form
Dear Parents, Guardians and new Year 12 students,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you into the Sixth Form. Your time in the Sixth Form is hugely exciting. We cannot wait to see how you will push the boundaries both inside and outside the classroom, stepping outside your comfort zones and setting your sights high on what you want to achieve. Whether it be academically, in sport, drama, music or any other aspect of life, we will be here to support you in any way possible.
We want to see you taking risks and facing new challenges and so expect the Sixth Form to embrace opportunities outside the classroom, frequently taking on leadership roles for the numerous clubs and societies on offer. You will be role models at the school, influencing younger years and encouraging them to be just as inquisitive and ambitious as you.
MISS GEORGIE NOBLE HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
About the Senior School
There are approximately 1,100 students aged 11 to 18 in the Senior School.
A small number of students join Habs in Year 12 to pursue their A Levels. As a school we believe in lessons that have both pace and rigour as defining characteristics. We believe that academic excellence is a product of our approach to active and independent learning, with practical tasks and problem solving enabling our students to develop their understanding in the deepest sense. Enthusiasm and excitement are key, as is providing the stimulus for discussion and debate.
Students love to be challenged and have an insatiable curiosity about the world around them. Parents are welcomed into the school to support the curriculum. There are Curriculum Evenings for parents to learn about our approach to particular subject areas and how they can best support their children at home; we firmly believe that children do best when school and home are working in true partnership.
Our Values
Our brand values are what we hold dear as a school, the core beliefs that we stand for. They should drive all decisions and actions.
Ambition
We are bold and ambitious – for ourselves, but also for others and for the world. This is underpinned by our altruistic and philanthropic foundation, which drives our values and behaviours. We expect everyone to give their best, to stretch boundaries, and to challenge the status quo.
We believe that ambition can be limitless. When combined with courage, curiosity and community, ambition can be a selfless and powerful lever for change.
Curiosity
We create and use every opportunity to engage with the world around us; we ask questions, challenge assumptions, and express our ideas. Alongside our academic interests and skills, we also love to exercise our imaginations, creativity and spirituality. Our broad and carefully curated curriculum leads us into experiences of awe and wonder – bringing a sense of magic and excitement to learning.
Courage
Exploring beyond our comfort zones enables us to become more self-aware, adventurous, resilient and independent. We aim high, following our dreams, but we cope well if we don’t always succeed. We understand how to balance humility and boldness when speaking out on behalf of ourselves and others. And we are unflinching problemsolvers, continually seeking to change the world for the better.
Community
Habs is one caring, respectful community on one fabulous campus. Our focus is on belonging and inclusivity: celebrating our differences, not in spite of our differences. Beyond our students and staff, this sense of collaborative togetherness extends to our families, alumni, partner schools, and even the world. We’re helping to learn from and empower wider communities – locally, nationally and globally. We bring the world to our door, but we also step through that door into the wider world.
16+ Induction Day
FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2024
8.30AM TO 2.30PM
Induction Day takes place on Friday 6 September, one day before term officially starts. On induction day, you will be given your timetable, have your photograph taken, start to find your way around the school and begin to get to know your peers.
Please arrive at Aldenham House at 8:30 where you will be met by your form tutor. Induction Day will end at around 2.30pm and you will be shown back to the coach or car park for collection.
We ask that you:
• Attend in our dress code (see page 25 of this booklet)
• Bring your school bag and bring a fully stocked pencil case
• Bring a packed lunch if you are not using the school canteen
• Bring games kit to change in to for the team building activity
Induction Day coach service for all
Any pupil can use the coaches on Induction Day, whether or not they are registered as a regular user of the service. There is no charge, but you will need to book a ticket in advance to reserve a seat for your child. Information on how to reserve a seat on this service will be sent to you by the Transport Manager during the summer break.
A bespoke coach timetable will be in operation for Induction Day covering the popular stops on our usual home-to-school service. The timetable for this service will be published in the transport newsletter which will be sent to all parents. The return service will depart from school at approximately 2.30pm and follow the bespoke published timetable.
We do encourage everyone to use the Induction Day coach service to give pupils the experience of arriving and departing school from the coach park and the opportunity to meet some of our expert home-to-school coach drivers. From Monday 9 September they will become part of a 1,700 pupil strong coach community and the orientation provided by the Transport Manager on Induction Day together with the information in the Coach Code of Conduct will ensure your child is equipped for their journey on the coaches.
Students travelling to school by car
If you are being driven to school on Induction Day by your parent or guardian, please enter via the main gate on Butterfly Lane. Your parent or guardian will be directed round the one-way system where you will be dropped off. On arrival please make your way to Aldenham House where you Form Tutor will meet you. Please arrive by 8.35am. At the end of the day, parents should enter the main gate on Butterfly Lane. They will be directed to park in the Pitch 5 car park to collect you.
How we care
Sections and Houses
The Senior School is formed of three sections. Each is looked after by a Head and Deputy Head of section. These sections are:
YEARS 7 TO 8
YEARS 9 TO 11
YEARS 12 TO 13
Students will be allocated a House and you will remain in this House for the duration of their time at Habs. Students will receive a House tie that incorporates their House colour, allowing them to easily identify their house peers. These houses are all named after previous Headmasters.
Calverts
Hendersons
Joblings Russells
Meadows Strouts
Buddies
You will be paired with a member of your tutor group who will be able to help you on your first few days at Habs as you settle in.
Wellbeing and PSHE Tooled Up
You will receive fortnightly PSHE lessons with your Form tutors during morning tutor time. Workshops with specialist speakers are organised for all year groups at different times through the year, focusing on age-appropriate issues such as e-safety, physical health, mental health and relationships. Talks and/or workshops are also delivered to parents.
Our school is a ‘Tooled Up Education’ school. This means, in addition to all that we do at school to help pupils, we also care about supporting parents and families. Please use the link here to register your free account and gain access to the digital hub of evidence-based resources covering: mental health, digital life, aspiration, learning, family life and relationships.
The school’s Medical Centre is situated in Aldenham House and is open during term time from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. For home sports fixtures on Saturdays, we have external medical cover.
PHONE NUMBER: 020 8266 1790
EMAIL ADDRESS: SCHOOLNURSE@HABSBOYS.ORG.UK .
Medical Centre information Medical Centre staff
GILL MCGRATH SENIOR SCHOOL NURSE
AMELIA PITCH SENIOR SCHOOL NURSE
MARTINA MCGRATH SCHOOL NURSE
BRENDAN GRUFFERTY SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
Collection of unwell children from school
It is important that a parent or guardian is always available to collect you from the Medical Centre if you are unwell/injured. Please let the Medical Centre know as soon as possible if a parent or guardian will be unavailable for collection and provide an alternative contact number for a suitable guardian, who can act on their behalf in case of an emergency.
Request for school to dispense prescription medicines
If you require any prescription medicine to be taken at school then please complete the ‘Request for School to Dispense Prescription Medicines’ form on Firefly. You will need to bring the completed form to the Medical Centre along with the medication to be dispensed.
It is your responsibility to attend the Medical Centre to be given your medication.
General health information
Please keep us updated, via Firefly, of any changes to your wellbeing such as hospital admissions, illnesses, or new medication. Please fill in the online health questionnaire when you start school and then please keep us updated, via Firefly, of any changes to your wellbeing such as hospital admissions, illnesses, or new medication. We are always happy to talk about any existing medical conditions that you might have and how this could influence our care of you in school, e.g., food allergies/diabetes/asthma/any severe reactions you have had which require use of an AAI (Adrenaline Auto Injector). Any relevant information will be shared with the appropriate staff members if it is essential to your wellbeing. If you develop any contagious disease such as chicken pox, measles, etc. then please inform the Medical Centre as soon as possible.
If you are unwell with a raised temperature, please ensure your temperature has returned to normal before you return to school. If you have episodes of diarrhea or vomiting, please ensure that you wait 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped before you return to school.
We also ask that your parents inform us of any significant events such as divorce or bereavement which may affect you.
Assemblies
Throughout the week, we have various assemblies that last approximately 20 minutes. On Fridays, we offer a variety of religious assemblies and we actively encourage pupils to attend different ones throughout the year. We also have the Headmaster’s assembly for those not wishing to attend a faith assembly. Our available religious assemblies are:
BUDDHIST
CHRISTIAN HINDU
HUMANIST
JAIN
JEWISH
SIKH
MUSLIM
Student Voice
The Student Council is comprised of two students from each year group, elected by their peers. The Council is overseen by Senior School staff and we have seven Sixth Form directors who manage the day-to-day operations. The Student Council plays an important role in life at Habs, providing development opportunities for all pupils.
In the last couple of years, our Student Council has achieved Silver Eco-School status, led a highly successful Christmas foodbank appeal and has been awarded the UNICEF UK OutRight Certificate.
Academic support
Academic support at Habs is available to all of our Senior School students. From Year 7 to Year 13, we are here to help you with all things academic. Click here for more information.
Mobile phone usage
Click here for our mobile phone policy.
How we stay in touch
Communication
We are always happy to answer any questions that you have, big or small. You can call Reception on 020 8266 1700, who will direct you to the relevant member of staff. The School Nurse can also be contacted through Reception. If you have any pastoral or academic concerns please contact staff in the following order:
• Your child’s Form Tutor via Firefly
• Head of House
• Deputy Head of Sixth Form - Mr Basil Letts (letts_b@habsboys.org.uk)
• Head of Sixth Form – Miss Georgie Noble (noble_n@habsboys.org.uk)
• Deputy Head Pastoral, Designated Safeguarding LeadMrs Claire Shooter (shooter_c@habsboys.org.uk)
Letters
We upload parent information letters to Firefly every Friday.
Emails
We encourage an open dialogue but also we politely request that teachers are given time to respond. In an emergency please contact Miss Noble and she will respond as quickly as she can.
Parents’ Evening
There is a Parents Evening each year when parents and students meet with teachers to discuss academic progress. You will also receive one written report each year while, progress grades provide a snapshot of academic progress at regular intervals throughout the academic year. If you have any concerns during the school year, do not hesitate to contact your child’s Form Tutor.
Progress grades
Students are given progress grades according to the schedule that will be published at the beginning of the Autumn Term. You can access these via Firefly. These grades allow Form Tutors to track your progress.
Individual needs
The aim of our Individual Needs Policy is to ensure that every child at Habs enjoys personal and academic success. We prioritise sustaining a close partnership with parents and providing appropriate support. The Head of Academic Support co-ordinates a team consisting of specialist teachers, senior academic and senior pastoral staff.
Support is delivered through various staff and programmes eg; the Form Tutor, Head of House, Deputy Head of House, subject teachers, study support sessions and learning skills programmes. Our Individual Needs policy is available on the school website.
It is important to make us aware if you have any identified specific learning needs (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, hypermobility, visual impairments and hearing impairments) so we can provide the best support for you.
Homework
If your parents have questions about the time you spend on homework (either too little or too much), please have them get in touch with your Form Tutor. We do not want you to spend all evening working, as it is important you should have time to relax.
Important websites
FIREFLY: HABSELSTREESCHOOLS.FIREFLYCLOUD.NET
The Parent Portal contains a host of important information and is where you or your parents can email the school or form tutors regarding absences or any other matter. The portal holds all school reports, progress grades, letters, school timetable, school calendar, school blog, and coach service bookings.
PARENT PAY: WWW.PARENTPAY.COM
This website is where your parents pay for your school lunch. Once they have set up a login, they will be able to view what you eat every day and how much you have spent.
SOCS: SOCSCMS.COM/LOGIN/129
This is the website where you can sign up for co-curricular clubs.
SPORTS FIXTURE WEBSITE: SPORTS.HABSBOYS.ORG.UK
This website is where you will find out about upcoming sports fixtures, times and locations. The password is gogoats.
EVOLVE: EVENT BOOKINGS
This website is used for all event bookings, for parents to give consent and pay for events.
TOOLED UP: PARENT RESOURCE TOOLEDUPEDUCATION.COM
Our school is a ‘ Tooled Up Education’ school. This means, in addition to all that we do at school to help pupils, we also care about supporting parents and families. Students will be given a school email account on which teachers and school staff can email them. They will receive login in details and further information once they start at Habs.
Students will also have a Microsoft Teams accounts.
Attendance
When you are ill or will be absent from school, please ensure your parents follow this procedure:
• Contact your Form Tutor and Absences (absences@habsboys.org.uk) on the day you are ill. You can do this via Firefly or you can call the Senior School switchboard (020 8266 1700).
• If you arrive late or leave early, you must sign in or out at Aldenham House reception.
• If you wish to request absence for religious observance please write to us, giving at least seven days’ notice.
• If possible, doctor and dental appointments should be made during the holidays. If this is not possible, please write to your Form Tutor, asking permission to be absent. This is known as an ‘exeat’
• If the planned absence is for more than half a day, please write to Miss Noble at noble_g@habsboys.org.uk. If the planned absence is for more than one day, please write to the Headmaster at HM@habsboys.org.uk.
• We request that absences are kept to a minimum.
Sports fixture attendance
If you are unable to attend a fixture then please let the Sports Centre Administrator (sportsadmin@habsboys.org.uk) know with at least seven days’ notice. If you are ill on the day of the game, you or your parents/guardians should email the Director of Sport or the team coach directly. Your parents are warmly invited to watch as many fixtures as possible.
School Life
Term dates
All our dates have been agreed and co-ordinated with the Girls’ School
Click here to view term dates on our website.
Curriculum
You will choose either three or four A Levels in discussion with the Head of Sixth Form or a senior member of staff, who will guide you in this important decision. The following subjects are available to you:
• Art
• Classical Civilisation
• Classical Greek
• Computer Science
• Drama
• Design and Technology
• Economics
• English Literature
• English Language
• Geography
• History
• Latin
• Maths and Further Maths
• Music
• PE
• Philosophy
• Politics
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• French
• German
• Spanish
• Russian
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
You will have at least one subject taught in a co-educational group. This means that for that subject there will be students from both the Boys’ School and Girls’ School in your lessons. The lessons for this subject could be based at either school. For example, you may have Maths in a co-educational group at the Girls’ School which means that all your Maths lessons would be taught at the Girls’ School but your other subjects are in single sex groups and are taught at the Boys’ School.
Click here to read about our exciting Habs Diploma.
The School day Habs Diploma
The school day runs from 8:35am to 4pm each day, with the grounds opening from 8am and shutting at 5.15pm. Only students attending a supervised activity may stay after 4pm.
At the end of the day, coaches depart at 4.15pm and 5.30pm. After school activities, which finish at 5.15pm, leaving plenty of time for students to get the last coach of the school day. It is important for you to know that the 4.15pm and 5.30pm coach routes often differ and may not include your usual stop.
If your parents or guardians intend to collect you, please meet them at the Pitch 5 car park which is next to the AstroTurf pitches.
Please ensure to be ‘car aware’ in all circumstances. This includes not listening to devices when walking on the pavement. During the winter months, we would also recommend putting reflective strips on your bags and coats.
School timetable
Timetable
REGISTRATION 8.35AM TO 8.45AM
PERIOD 0 8.45AM TO 9.15AM
PERIOD 1 9.15AM TO 10.15AM
BREAK 9.15AM TO 10.35AM
PERIOD 2 10.35AM TO 11.35AM
TRAVEL TIME 11.35AM TO 11.40AM
PERIOD 3 11.40AM TO 12.40PM
LUNCH 12.40PM TO 1.55PM
PERIOD 4 1.55PM TO 2.55PM
TRAVEL TIME 2.55PM TO 3PM
PERIOD 5 3PM TO 4PM
PERIOD 6 (CO-CURRICULAR) 4.15PM TO 5.15PM
Lockers
All students will be allocated a locker at the beginning of the academic year with, either, a combination padlock or a keypad lock, depending on its location. These will both come with instructions to set your own code with your Form Tutor. You must write this code down somewhere safe and remember not to pass it on to anyone else.
These lockers should be used to store possessions at the start of the day, allowing you to carry the few items needed for each lesson. They can return to their locker at break and lunchtime to swap items to avoid having to carry a heavy bag all day.
On sports afternoons, sports kit can be stored in the Medburn lockers, for which you can sign out a key with Medburn reception staff. You can also use the McGowan changing rooms where lockers require a self-selected key code.
If you have any questions, please email office@habsboys.org.uk.
Catering
Our catering services are provided by Holroyd Howe who offer a wide range of catering options available to pupils at breakfast, breaktime and lunchtime.
Bates Dining Room is available at breakfast offering a cooked breakfast, continental breakfast, as well as a yoghurt bar and a selection of fruits. During breaktime you can enjoy fruit, a hot snack, cakes, crisps and drinks. At lunchtime you can enjoy a choice of hot meals along with a wide selection of salads plus a daily soup and desserts.
In addition to Bates, there is a Grab and Go outlet available at breaktime and lunchtime, providing an easy grab meal option. This includes a hot option allowing you to attend lunchtime co-curricular. A wide range of sandwiches and baguettes are available, including kosher sandwiches.
All menu offers include a plant-based option which has reduced allergens. An experienced team of allergy champions are always on hand to support any dietary and allergen requirements. It is essential that you inform the school of any dietary or allergen requirements to ensure the catering team can accommodate and provide a suitable, nutritious and balanced meal.
You will also be allowed to use Joe’s Café, which is located in the Medburn Centre. It is available for all Year 12 and Year 13 students during free periods, at breaktime and during lunchtime. Hot and cold drinks, snacks and lunch options are available.
The Bates Dining Room is open at the following times:
Breakfast
Breaktime
Lunchtime 8am to 8.35am 10.15am to 11am 12.40pm to 1.55pm
Dress codeSixth Form
Click here to view the uniform price list.
The school is very proud of the smart appearance of its Sixth Form students and request that they adhere to the detail outlined in this code. Sixth Formers at Habs Boys are distinguished by the wearing of formal, smart and business-like suits as follows:
• A suit of traditional formal style and cut. No loud stripes or checks. Suitable colours include black, grey or dark blue. A skirt suit may be worn in consultation with the Head of Sixth Form
• A pale-coloured shirt, plain or with discreet stripes or checks. Top buttons are to be done up. Black or strong colours are inappropriate
• A tie of choice. Students must avoid garish designs and colours
• If a pullover is worn, it must be v-neck, plain, fitted in style and of dark colour. It must not have zips, buttons, logos or a hood
• Black or brown formal shoes. No casual shoes, trainers or boots
• One small stud earring may be worn in each earlobe. Discreet rings, bracelets and necklaces are permitted. Other facial or bodily piercings and tattoos are forbidden. All jewellery must be removed for games lessons and sports matches
• Hairstyles are required to be business-like and of a natural colour. It should look smart at all times, which may mean tying up longer hair
• Students may have facial hair but this must be of even length and kept smart. Business-like should be the guiding factor for what is appropriate
• On joining, you will be given a purple student lanyard. This must be worn at all times when on site
Uniform list - Sports Kit
Pictures below are for Sixth Form PE
OR
AND
House t-shirt with school logo
Mid layer with sublimated piping. Embroidered with school logo
Tracksuit bottoms with sublimated piping and school logo
T-shirt - sublimated, with school logo Shorts - sublimated, with school logo Socks
Reversible rugby jersey sublimated, with school logo Rugby shorts sublimated, with school logo Socks - navy/blue loops
Fees
Academic year 2024 /25
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in Advance Scheme.
Please click here for information regarding out Fees in Advance Calculator.
Please click here for information regarding our School Fee Plan.
Please click here for information regarding our Coach prices.
Fees refund scheme
Please click here for more information on our Fees Refund Scheme.
Student device provision
Students from Year 7 to Year 12, will each receive a digital device. When joining Year 12, you will receive a Microsoft Surface Pro 10 for Business. The charge for the device rental is £125 per term (£375 a year) and this charge will be itemised on your termly invoice.
For more information, please click here.
Insurance cover information
AXA Students Healthcare Scheme
Getting involved
Co-curricular information
At Habs, we offer a full and varied co-curricular programme. We enjoy seeing students explore a range of clubs and activities. If there is a club that you want to see, we will support you in every way possible to set it up. These opportunities provide fantastic opportunities for you to continue learning outside of the classroom. Click here for a sample of our co-curricular timetable.
Drama
Drama at Habs is an inclusive and thriving community that develops the skills and instincts of our students as performers, storytellers and artists. Working collaboratively, inside and outside the classroom, we develop pupils as theatre-makers encouraging them to take creative ownership of the work and to take risks and be playful in doing so. As one of the most vibrant and diverse drama programmes in the country, process sits at the heart of everything we do. Students have the opportunities to work with a broad range of professional artists both to support the curriculum and to create new and ambitious work that is playful, relevant and socially conscious and sits alongside other leading Youth Theatre companies.
Our work ranges from adaptations of books, graphic novels and classic texts to new plays devised by the company or created alongside professional writers. Each year there are at least three major school productions, as well as participation in the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival and the National Theatre New Views Programme. Alongside this, there are numerous other opportunities, including house events, masterclasses, improvisation workshops and writing mentorship groups with the aim of engaging as diverse a range of students as possible. We are also excited to be developing our film making provision - giving students the opportunities to train in all aspects of film making and produce their own film projects.
We frequently collaborate with the Girls’ Schools and the music department as well as partnership projects with other schools and companies. This is a really exciting time for Drama at Habs, as we look to take more work outside of the school and collaborate with some really exciting partners and there is a place for any student to be involved regardless of experience.
Music
Music is central to life at Habs, exceptional in both its quality and breadth of opportunity. With over 70 ensembles rehearsing every week, over 20 major concerts per year, and lunchtime performance opportunities every week, our musicians are part of one of the most vibrant and diverse music programmes in the country.
It is an exciting time for music at Habs. We are working together with the Girls’ School on more and more projects, raising the potential of what we can offer even further. We visit concert halls in London several times a year, curate projects through recording (our Big Band recently recorded at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios), collaborate with drama to produce new work, run music partnership programmes in the community, host several summer schools a year, and much more. Alongside our outstanding orchestral programme, the pinnacle being our combined Habs Elstree Symphony Orchestra, we have an exceptional jazz department, sending students every year to leading conservatoires in London and beyond. Since 2022 we are delighted to offer tuition in Indian Classical Music, on instruments such as Tabla, Dhol, and Harmonium. We have prodigious young songwriters, rock bands, composers, improvisers, one of the largest guitar orchestras in the country - all genres and styles of music are given equal platform, we want our leading musicians to guide our course of study, allowing them to impact the shape of what we offer with each generation that passes through the school.
For any young musician who wants to discover their potential, whilst experiencing a breadth of styles and opportunity through the process, Habs is the perfect place. Together with our talented young students we are immensely excited about what the future holds for Habs music.
We are proud to have an exceptional team of Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) who provide expert tuition on a wide range of instruments. Whether you would like to continue an instrument you have already started with, or whether you’re curious to try something new, click here to find out more and to apply for lessons.
We offer lessons on the following instruments:
Sport
Sport is an integral part of school life at Habs and we encourage students to engage in a variety of sport and physical activities. We offer all students the opportunity to represent the school and they have the chance to get involved in Inter House events, social activities, Inter House events, social activities or competitive fixtures with other local schools. We also encourage a healthy relationship with sporting and exercise, helping to develop an understanding of how exercise can positively affect wellbeing, cultivate team spirit, positive relationships and pride in both individual and team achievements.
Participation rates are exceptionally high with students embracing the opportunity to get involved with our broad and diverse sporting programme.
As part of school life at Habs, we have a weekly 3.5km community run. This is HabsDash and it takes place every Tuesday lunchtime with a route that takes students around our school grounds. The run is open to all members of the Habs community – students and staff, at both the Boys’ School and Girls’ School. To take part, students need to go to the Medburn Centre at 12.40pm on Tuesdays and get changed – the run starts at 12.50pm.
The school produces results sheets each week so students can track their progress and work towards running a half marathon, a marathon or even further.
We also run pre-season rugby and football sessions. Students will need to bring boots, trainers, shinpads (football) and mouthguards (rugby) to each session, along with some light snacks and plenty of water. Further details will be shared by the Sports Administrator in due course.
Sport
A selection of some of the sports available to students:
ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETICS
BADMINTON
BASKETBALL
CLIMBING
CRICKET*
CROSS COUNTRY
FITNESS
FOOTBALL
* Priority sport
GAMEPLAY
GOLF
GYMNASTICS
HABSDASH
HOCKEY*
RUGBY*
RUGBY SEVENS
SOFTBALL
SPIKEBALL
SQUASH
SWIMMING
TABLE TENNIS
TCHOUKBALL
TENNIS
TOUCH RUGBY
WATER POLO
Mouthguard information
For pupils taking part in a sport that requires a mouthguard, such as rugby or field hockey, parents can order from Opro. We would recommend a high or pro impact mouthguard. You can choose any design, including a Habs branded version.
Leadership opportunities
There are multiple leadership opportunities that you can undertake during your time in the Sixth Form, furthering your skills and giving you examples for those all-important job interviews and personal statements.
Leadership opportunities include whole school initiatives such as the Student Council, which is made up of Lower Sixth students, or the School Prefect team, who are selected towards the end of the Lower Sixth year.
In addition to the whole school roles there are numerous other opportunities to take on the responsibility of leadership through the broad range of co-curricular activities on offer.
Travelling to School
Coaches
The School Transport Manager, Ms Emma Summers, will be pleased to answer any parental questions regarding travelling to and from Habs. She and her team can be contacted by email on transport@habselstree.org.uk or on 020 8266 1920.
Parents are responsible for their children until they board the school coach. When travelling by coach, all pupils must have with them a working and in-credit mobile phone.
Coach tickets are available for regular travel or single journeys. Single journey coach tickets can be purchased from the School Office, subject to availability, for the day in question.
Should your child lose an item on the coach and it is found by the coach company, it will be placed in the lost property racks in the Coach Park. If it is of high value, such as a musical instrument or a mobile phone, it will be taken to the Transport Manager’s Office and can be retrieved by asking a member of staff on duty in the Coach Park.
There is a Code of Conduct for the Coach Service which all parents, guardians and pupils must follow when using the service. The Reception booklet has a section for Important Websites.
To book your child’s coach seat for September 2024 please complete the online booking request form.
Driving in - students
We encourage you to take the school coach, as this is a more reliable option. If you have passed your driving test, you may drive to school and park at Aldenham Country Park. However, this is strictly at your own liability. There is no parking available for the Sixth Form on school grounds at any time.
Driving in - parents
At drop off and pick up at 4.15pm, there will be a one way system in place. Marshall’s will direct you to our drop off zone behind the Aske Building, opposite our AstroTurfs.
Parking
The security barrier on Butterfly Lane is lowered at 5.30pm Monday to Friday. If your parents or guardians need access after 5.30pm then they can still enter via Butterfly Lane and park in the North Drive car park. The routine drop-off and pick up point for students is the Pitch 5 car park, next to the AstroTurf pitches. For evening events, such as parents’ evening or concerts, parents can park in the North Drive car park after 6pm.
Your future beyond Habs
University and careers
When it comes to thinking about life after Habs there is a wealth of support on offer. From early on in the Sixth Form, you will be encouraged to think about the myriad of options open to you after school. As Head of University Applications, Mrs Turbett, will take the lead on guiding you through the UCAS process while Mrs Wheeler will be there to support those looking to apply to US and other overseas universities. If you are thinking about a degree apprenticeship or want to get advice about careers, please reach out to the Head of Careers, Mrs Nash (k_nash@habsboys.org.uk).
Alumni network
Graduation marks the end of your school days but not your connection to the school. As an alumni, you will remain an important part of the Habs community throughout your life.
Graduates of either school - Habs Boys or Habs Girls - are known as Old Haberdashers. As an Old Haberdasher (OH, for short) you become part of a career and social network of thousands of alumni worldwide. The Alumni Office within the Habs Elstree Schools Foundation is here to help Old Haberdashers’ connect with each other, the school and their former teachers. As Old Haberdashers you will be invited to meet-ups, reunions and professional networking events throughout the year. There will also be opportunities to come back to Habs and help current students, as you may have been helped yourself during your time at the school. This might include giving advice on choosing a university or course of study or, later, career talks and tips. Questions? Contact the Alumni Office any time: foundation@habsgirls.org.uk.
Parental Professional Expertise
As a school, we benefit hugely from the professional expertise and generosity of Alumni.
Governors and Parents
In this increasingly competitive environment, we recognise the need to complement the school’s rigorous academic approach and develop the students’ understanding of the skills that will be required of them when they enter the workplace. We run a number of events and initiatives to support students in this area, and there are many ways in which parents may be able to contribute.
Special events
Networking breakfasts
We hold careers networking breakfasts jointly with the Girls’ School across a range of sectors. These give Sixth Form students the opportunity to talk informally to representatives from a variety of professions within their field of interest. Breakfast sessions run in fields such as Medicine, Law, Finance, Media & Creative industries, Public Sector, STEM and Entrepreneurship. We are always delighted to hear from parents who would like to represent their profession at one of these sessions. Breakfasts run from 8.30-9.15am at the Boys’ School.
Careers Convention
The Careers Convention runs every other year for students in Years 10 and 11. It is a careers fair style set-up, and also includes talks and panel sessions. We are very interested in hearing from parents who may wish to represent their field of work – the next convention will be in March 2025.
Habs Dragons’ Den
Our in-school entrepreneurship competition, Habs Dragons’ Den, takes place every other year in alternate years to the Careers Convention. This is an extremely popular event for students in Years 10 and 11 across both schools, in which we encourage them to work in teams to develop their creativity and entrepreneurial flair. Teams who make it to the Final will have the opportunity to pitch to a highprofile panel of judges in front of their peers, parents and governors. We give teams plenty of support along the way, with sessions focusing on how to write a brief, costing a business and pitching skills. If you would be interested in working with our students to support them with this process, we would love to hear from you.
Employability sessions
To support our students with the skills they will need as they embark on their careers, we run various employability talks and workshops and would love to hear from anyone who would be happy to deliver sessions on topics such as graduate recruitment, digital interviews and online assessments, interview skills, transferable skills; and assessment centres.
Work experience
Please let us know if you would be willing to accommodate one or more of our students for a work experience placement. This might be for two days or two weeks, and can be online, in-person or a blend of both. Placements are hugely appreciated by our students, helping them to develop skills outside of the classroom as well as gain an insight into a career they may be interested in.
Mock interviews
Could you carry out a mock work-based interview and provide feedback? Each year an increasing number of our students consider applying for degree apprenticeship programmes, so any support with mock interviews is extremely useful. If you can help with one or more of the above, please contact Mrs Kerry Nash (nash_k@habsboys.org.uk).
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
Habs Boys’ Parents’ Guild (HBPG) is run by both Prep and Senior School parents, HBPG is a strategic partner for the Boys’ School to enrich and enhance the education of students across all year groups and creating opportunities for engagement with the wider school community.
As a parent or guardian of a pupil at Habs Boys, you are automatically a member of the Guild. The Guild is a great way for parents and guardians to get more involved in school life – enabling you to get to know other parents across the year group and within your child’s class and House in the Prep and Senior School.
The school have established a committee of 15 parents, representative of the school community. Alongside this, the Guild have established a network of House reps in the Senior School and we also have the existing network of class reps in the Prep School. The reps across both the Prep and Senior School will communicate most of the Guild’s messages via established class/House WhatsApp groups.
Click here to find out the Parents’ Guild objectives and how they work. We look forward to getting you involved!
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