Untitled Design

HUXLOW ACADEMY STAFF HANDBOOK

Section 1 - Introduction to Huxlow

Our Vision and Mission:

At Huxlow Academy we create the conditions for everyone that walks through our doors to ultimately achieve our vision of ‘Thriving Through Excellence’.

Our mission is to achieve this by building a learning community of aspirational, successful and responsible citizens. Huxlow is an inclusive school where every student matters. Students come to Huxlow from a variety of backgrounds and quickly become a part of the Huxlow family.

Alongside high-quality teaching, we provide a wide variety of effective support, and our success is achieved by knowing every student as an individual and caring for them personally and academically. Students are prepared to successfully navigate the many opportunities and challenges that are presented by the modern world.

Our Values:

To fulfil our mission we work, study, and collaborate by placing a focus on three core values.

AMBITION - we strive hard to achieve our very best in all that we do, and we celebrate achievement and excellence. We enable our students to fulfil their academic and personal purpose.

RESPECT - We pride ourselves on being a school that fosters relationships in an atmosphere built upon empathy, mutual respect, dignity, equity, diversity, and fairness.

PRIDE - Huxlow is at the heart of our local community and pride in all we do, both from within school and across the wider community, is at the core of our actions. Our students go on to become successful adults and we enable our students to develop the pride and character we need them to have in the future

The idea behind gamification is to hasten the learning process through incentives and friendly competition.

Section 2 - Our Partners

Huxlow Academy is proud to be a part of the Tove Learning Trust.

Tove Learning Trust comprises a range of primary, secondary and special schools sharing best practice with one another in order to strengthen their skill set, deliver outstanding teaching and to enhance the outcomes of students.

Tove Learning Trust champions the unique differences and identities of all their students, seeing this as a positive attribute to build upon. Their aim is to make each school a safe environment for the students, equipping them with the confidence they need to be successful, resilient and respectful members of society. Tove Learning Trust recognises that each of their schools are unique with their own personality, values and ethos. As a trust they support and nurture this, ensuring that their core individuality and beliefs remain the same.

Tove Learning Trust has established an Academy Improvement Board to drive rapid improvement at Huxlow Academy. The role of the AIB is to drive up standards of teaching and learning, improve behaviour and raise attendance as well as ensuring that students are kept safe and happy. AIB members are appointed by Tove Learning Trust and they bring significant expertise and skills to address the priorities of the school. The SIB will provide regular updates to parents to share details of the progress being made. In the longer term, once the AIB has secured the right level of improvement a Local Governing Board will be established. The Local Governing Board will be a larger group and will include elected parent Governors.

Section 3 - Map

Section 4 - General Information

The School Day

Term Dates

Section 4 - General Information

Staff Training Days

All teaching and support staff attend four training days on site. The remaining days have been disaggregated.

Disaggregated sessions this year will almost all be dedicated to our SYCOL School Improvement Programme. These are compulsory for all teachers and optional for any other member of staff who wishes to attend. ALL STAFF who attend these sessions do not need to attend the training day on Tuesday 3rd January.

Section 5 - Staff Structure

Senior Leadership Team

Headteacher - Paul Letch

Deputy Headteacher - Kim Isaksen

Senior Assistant Headteacher - Laura Gauvrit

Assistant Headteacher - Helene Huchet

Assistant Headteacher - Andrew Johnson

Assistant Headteacher - Zoe Correa

Assistant Headteacher - Laurence Knowles

Business Manager - Ashley Northway

Teaching Staff

English

Hayley Barker - Head of English

Laura Staley - Second in English

Lou Cory - Teacher of English/Head of Year

Joanne Murphy - Teacher/Head of Year

Matthew King - Teacher

Angela Foster - Literacy - HLTA

Maths

Richard King - Head of Maths

Samuel Brewin - Second in Maths

Matthew Coutts - Teacher

John Ironmonger - Teacher

Matthew Keating - Teacher

Johanna Brabant - Maths HLTA

Monique Eyre-Smith - Intervention Teacher

Section 5 - Staff Structure

Science

Clare Woodward - Head of Science

Karl Whiting - Teacher/Head of Year

Chloe Warboys - Teacher

Sue Mott - Teacher

Matthew Winter - Teacher

Ben Dickens - Teacher

Thomas Brown - Teacher

Humanities

Michael Yewman - Head of Geography

Matthew Davies - Head of History

Jackie Holmes - Director of Sixth Form, Learning and Careers and Teacher of History

Jessica Samples - Teacher of History

Hannah Bocking - Teacher of Psychology (Maternity Leave)

Megan Hayes - Teacher of Psychology/Head of Year

Design Technology

Andrew Turner - Head of Design Technology

Mike Horden - Teacher of Computing

Lauren Pollock - Teacher of Art

Shannon Knighton - Teacher

Andrew Meadowsmith - Teacher

Nobhule Dube - Teacher

Section 5 - Staff Structure

MFL

Charlyne Maubert - Head of MFL

Helene Huchet - Assistant Headteacher

Laura Gauvrit - Assistant Headteacher

Bongyong Fanso - Teacher

Julie Crepin - Teacher

PE

Sam Letts - Head of PE and Vocational Studies

Anthony O'Connor - Second in PE

Kendria Letts - Teacher

Georgia Roberts - Teacher

Stephanie Donald - Teacher

Helen Sghendo - Teacher/Head of Year

Expressive Arts

Rachel Runnells - Teacher of Music

Rachel Kirk - Teacher of Drama

Health and Social Care

Sue Mott - Teacher

Jo McDougall - Teacher

Other responsibilities

Anna Burdett - SENDCo

Jo McDougall - Assistant SENDCo (PT)

Rosie Facey - Teacher of Business Studies (PT)

Section 5 - Staff Structure

SUPPORT STAFF STRUCTURE

Kerry Hughes - Headteacher's PA and Administration Manager

Chantel O'Brien - Finance Manager

Sonya Earby-Martin - HR and Communications Coordinator

Alison Ward - Data Manager

Lisa Gidney - Exams Manager

Julia Hardcastle - Governance Professional/Clerk

Administration Staff

Suzanne Porter - Librarian

Lorna Freeman - Finance Clerk (PT)

Amanda Reynolds - Finance Clerk (PT)

Sue Lucy - Curriculum Assistant

Rachel Neuville - Curriculum Assistant

Heather Avey - Sixth Form Curriculum Assistant

Tracy Davis - Receptionist (PT)

Kerryann Parker - Receptionist (PT)

Linda Glasby - SENDCo Secretary

Learning Centre

Elisa Gubitosa - Behaviour Mentor

Karen Jackson - Family Support Worker

Lorretta Tebbutt - Learning Mentor

Behaviour Support

Lindsey Maskell - Behaviour Support Manager

Eve Williams - Behaviour Mentor/Learning Support

Tilly Finch - Behaviour and Inclusion Mentor

Billie Price - Behaviour Mentor/Learning Support

Orla Gibbard - Behaviour Support Administrator

Section 5 - Staff Structure

Cover Supervisors

Louis Venn - Cover Supervisor

Rachel Rogers - Casual Cover Supervisor

Exam Invigilators

Keith Green - Exam Invigilator

Jo Green - Exam Invigilator

Jill Jackson - Exam Invigilator

Pat Lawman - Exam Invigilator

Pinella Valentino - Exam Invigilator

John Wakefield - Exam Invigilator

Jean Crampton - Exam Invigilator

Amanda Bentley - Exam Invigilator

Martin Keable - Exam Invigilator

John Ireland - Exam Invigilator

To be appointed - ICT Manager

Luke Plows - ICT Technician

Technicians

Jodie Mellon - Senior Science Technician

Ashley Hensman - Science Technician

Clare Clutterbuck - Art & Design/Food Technician

Robert Boyles - Design Technology Technician

Section 5 - Staff Structure

Education Support

Beverley Westwood - Teaching Assistant

Michelle Kitson - Teaching Assistant

Shirley Jarvis - Teaching Assistant

Denise Sturdy - Teaching Assistant

Maria Garcia-Plummer - Teaching Assistant

Keeley Moth - Teaching Assistant

Careers Advisor

Gerry O'Callaghan

Aspens Catering

Heather Buxton - Head Cook

Lynda Clark - Assistant Cook

Amanda Bentley - Catering Assistant

Sarah Munns - Catering Assistant

Carina Marvin - Catering Assistant

Site

Lee Griffiths - Site Manager

Shannon Smith - Site Assistant

Bernie Copson - Caretaker

Alison Brudenell - Cleaner

Marlene Garrett - Cleaner

Denise Jones - Cleaner

Ashley Hensman - Cleaner

Tracey Franklin - Cleaner

Lynn Krumfort - Cleaner

Zara Clark - Cleaner

Helen West - Cleaner

Julie Cockings - Cleaner

Emily Ball - Cleaner

Section 6 - Staff Duty Information

Staff duties follow the published roster. This will mean being on duty for one day a week.

Staff must wear a hi-vis jacket and collect a walkie-talkie from the First Aid Room

Staff are on duty to ensure the sensible, safe behaviour of students and care for the premises e.g litter

The performance of duties is a legal requirement. Staff should therefore ensure that if they are unable to undertake the duty for any reason, they should arrange an exchange/replacement and inform the team leader.

Food must not be eaten in classrooms, corridors or between lessons. All canteen purchases are to be eaten in the hall. Packed lunches can be eaten in the hall and outside seating areas. In the first instance staff should deal personally with student behaviour, but seek a senior staff member if the student fails to cooperate.

Staff on duty should also report all concerns on Go 4 Schools, setting behaviour points for ask and tell with sanctions if required. Major problems eg smoking or vandalism, should be referred in writing to SLT or the Behaviour Team.

Staff should arrive on bus duty promptly at the end of the day to ensure the sensible, safe and orderly queuing for, and boarding of buses.

The SLT Lead will allocate duty team members to the duties required. These duties may remain fixed or may rotate.

Lunchtime duties, over the whole lunch period are carried out by a Lunch Duty Leader and four other staff

Section 6 - Staff Duty Information

These are paid duties and the roster is organised by Laura Gauvrit.

Please see Laura if interested in undertaking a duty.

Duties cover

The Hall and Canteen

The Hall corridor and circulation around the site (Team Leader)

Expressive Arts area from the corridor behind the stage, outside between Art and the Hall and inside around the Drama Hall.

The field, tennis courst, and vocational area.

The back of the school from the field to the mobile classrooms

The gate and front of the school by English and the road by Maths to the Tennis Courts

Humanities, DT and to the Quad.

Section 7 - Services and Booking

Curriculum Support

Administrative support, including typing, photocopying, ordering, help with trips and any other reasonable requests can be provided by our Curriculum Assistants.

Displays can be organised within the curriculum team via Kerry Hughes or within the department if you have curriculum support. Please contact the curriculum team to organise display materials.

All other curriculum requests must be sent to :

teachassist@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

Requests must adhere to a set of guidelines and these will be monitored by Kerry Hughes. Requests could be rejected if guidelines are not followed. For this reason, it is important to check your emails in case your request is rejected.

Please do not send curriculum support job requests directly to Sue Lucy or Rachel Neuville - use the email address above. Please do not give paper copy tasks directly to the department - electronic requests only.

Guidelines

A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for all curriculum support requests - including letters, course bookings, printing, ordering laminating, etc.

Print requests should only be sent it is requires more complex print setups

Section 7 - Services and Booking

Guidelines cont.

Large print requests eg 150 booklets require a minimum of 72 hours notice.

Please plan ahead for this work to allow sufficient time for staff to comply with deadlines.

ICT Support

Technical support is available throughout the school.

All requests need to be made via email - support@tovelearning.org.uk. Please include as much detail as possible to allow us to deal with your request appropriately.

Urgent calls will be dealt with at the discretion of the Business Manager.

To support the ICT team, colleagues with laptops are required to log into the school system at least once a week to allow virus and software updates to apply.

Bookings

To make a minibus booking, you need to invite the minibus via your own calendar for the entire time you will have the keysminibus@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

This also applies when booking the Conference Room in the Sixth Form Centre. You will receive a notification if there is a conflicting booking.

Meeting rooms should not be used without a prior booking. Meeting rooms can be booked through the Outlook Calendar or via reception.

Section 7 - Services and Booking

Bookings cont:

Classrooms, can be booked with Alison Ward Ext 1227 (a.ward@huxlow.northants.sch.uk)

Audio visual equipment eg Hall screen and projector should be booked via reception.

Refreshments and Catering

Einstein's is our canteen facility and you are able to purchase food between

08:20 - 08:50 - Breakfast

11:15 - 11:35 - Break

13:35 - 14:10 - Lunch

Any refreshments required for visitors must be agreed with Kerry Hughes.

Refreshments can be booked using the request form in the Admin Office.

Site Facilities

Site maintenance issues must be booked using the email addresssite@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

Urgent health and safety issues should be reported to Reception on 1200 and they will radio an appropriate member of the team.

If you need to cancel an assembly, please let the site team know in advance.

Please, where possible, vacate your classrooms by 5.30pm, unless you have made prior arrangements with Site.

Section 7 - Services and Booking

Course Bookings

Staff must follow the booking procedure in to order to access courses and training.

Please check the staff calendar first to see if there are other staff out or events taking place on that day.

A blue course form must be completed prior to booking any course. These are available in the staff room and Admin Office.

Initial approval must be sought from your Line Manager and then Kim Isaksen. Approval must also be sought from the Data Manager to ensure no-one else is out that day. Once the form is completed, give to Sue Lucy to process.

No member of staff will be allowed to attend any course before October half term.

Release to attend a course will depend on the relevance of the course, therefore courses that do not link to Performance Management Objectives or the School Improvement Plan will be declined.

Section 8 - Policies and Procedures

All staff must ensure they are aware of and understand our policies and procedures.

All of our policies can be found HERE. https://huxlow.sharepoint.com/sites/hschumanresourcesservice/Policies%20and%20Procedures/Forms/AllItems. aspx

Our statutory policies and procedures and other polices that we make available to the public can be found here.

If you have any questions regarding any of our policies and procedures, please contact the Governance Clerk, Julia Hardcastle.

Section 9 - Uniform & Equipment

Students are expected to attend Huxlow Academy wearing the following uniform in full:

Uniform

Black tailored skirt (knee-length - no tube skirt) or black tailored trousers (trousers should not be casual, denim, jeans, leggings, jeggings, chinos, corduroy or elasticated pull-up - the final decision on what is appropriate will be made by the school);

White collared shirt

House tie

Navy blue, white or black socks

Black low heeled polished shoes (ie less than 6cm), not boots or trainers. Leather and polish -look shoes such as Air Force must have the tag removed if they are worn in school.

Navy blue blazer with Academy logo (compulsory for all students)

Navy blue V necked sweatshirt with the Academy logo - (optional - to wear under the blazer, not as a replacement)

Sportswear

Navy blue PE shorts embroidered with Academy sports logo

Navy quick dry polo with Academy sports logo

Black or white trainers

White sports socks

Football boots

Navy blue socks

Navy or black tracksuit bottoms with or without Academy logo

Navy or black leggings with or without Academy logo

Navy skort with or without Academy logo

Navy PE half zip top with Academy logo

Rugby shirt with Academy sports logo

Navy PE sweatshirt with Academy sports logo and hoodie with Academy logo - these are no longer available to purchase and can only be worn in PE lessons.

Section 9 - Uniform & Equipment

Jewellery

Jewellery is not considered suitable for school with the exception of a watch, a single pair of sleeper or stud earrings (one in each ear) and one plain signet ring. Body and facial piercing is not acceptable. Visable body and facial piercing is not acceptable and students will be asked to remove these. If students have body and/or facial piercings they will be expected to wear clear studs.

Hair

Extreme hair styles are not acceptable. Hair may only be dyed to a naturally occurring hair colour. The school reserves the right to judge what is, in its opinion, extreme. Hair should be tied back if requested for health and safety reasons during PE, Science and DT lessons.

Make Up

Years 7 & 8 - Make up is not acceptable to be worn at school.

Years 9,10 & 11 - A reasonable amount of lightly applied make up is permitted; the school reserve the right to judge what is a reasonable amount is.

Nails (Varnish or false nails)

False nails, gel and nail extensions are not acceptable for reasons of health and safety; These must not be worn during term time. Visable nail varnish is not to be worn.

Hats/cover-up/hoods on

Students cannot wear any cover-ups including hoods on site.

Exceptions to the Uniform Policy for cultural or religious reasons should be discussed with the Headteacher before being worn to school.

Section 9 - Uniform & Equipment

On site, students are expected to attend Huxlow Academy wearing the full uniform as follows:

Huxlow Academy students wear the full Academy uniform each day; unless the Headteacher issues written notification of any exceptional circumstances.

The Academy blazer must be worn at all times unless otherwise directed by the Headteacher during the Summer term. Students may take their blazer off if they are hot in lessons, however, they must leave with their blazers on.

Shirts must be tucked in at all times

Academy house tie must be worn at all times

We encourage the wearing of suitable coats during cold periods. Coats may be worn in the school building and taken off as soon as entering the classroom.

Hoodies or branded jackets or clothing items are not acceptable to be worn in school.

Exceptionally, students who study BTEC Sport and GCSE Dance in years 10 and 11, may attend school in their Huxlow Academy PE uniform on the days that they have these lessons. This is due to changing room restrictions. The half-sip PE top may be worn around the Academy site on the days that they study these subjects. All other legacy jumpers and hoodies, that are Huxlow branded, may only be worn during BTEC Sport and GCSE Dance lessons.

Academy staff reserve the right to make judgement what is, and is not, acceptable on all items of uniform, make up and jewellery.

All exceptions to the Uniform Policy for cultural or religious reasons must be requested in writing, to the Headteacher and in advance of being worn.

The final decision on what is appropriate will be made by the school.

Section 9 - Uniform & Equipment

Equipment

All students are expected to provide the following essential equipment:

A suitable bag (large enough to carry books and PE kit)

Pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, coloured crayons, a pocket calculator and a reading book.

Section 10 - Communications

Internal Communications

The Meeting Cycle

Mondays (3:15pm - 4:15pm) - Full staff, leadership, department, teams

A copy of all meeting minutes must be kept by Head of Department and shared with SLT oversight. Minutes should state decisions made and colleagues responsible for actions.

Morning Briefings - 08:30 am - 08:45 am- School Hall. Briefings are held on a Monday and Wednesday morning. These will rotate between Staff/Student briefing and T4L sessions.

Pastoral meetings take place on Thursday mornings.

All information is updated regularly on the staff page on SharePoint - click here.

Most staff are issued with their own email address. These must be checked regularly and used in compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy. If you are a line manager and any of your team do not have their own email address, you are responsible for sharing all relevant correspondence with them as appropriate.

Section 10 - Communications

Meetings with the Headteacher

All meetings with the Headteacher must be arranged via Kerry Hughes (Headteachers PA) Ext 1201/k.hughes@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

External Communications

Communications with individual parents/carers:

Telephone or Letter

Pupil details can be found on SIMS and Go 4 Schools. Under no circumstances should SIMS be left open where students can access it.

Email:

Some parents prefer electronic communication. To comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, only school email addresses should be used to contact parents.

Colleagues are reminded that care should be taken with email and usual college rules are followed. The email system is managed by Ashley Northway (Business Manager) Ext a.northway@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

A standard email footer is one element of the school brand and details can be found in the "Brand Guidelines" document. Staff are responsible for personalising the footer and using it on all email correspondence. If you require help with the email footer, please contact Sonya Earby-Martin Ext 1229/s.earby-martin@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

Acceptable Use

It is not acceptable practice for staff to call parents using their own mobile phone or email using their private email addresses. All students have college based email addresses and can be contacted this way. For trips and visits, the school provides a mobile phone.

Section 10 - Communications

Communication with multiple parents/carers and the wider community;

Huxlow Academy "Brand Guidelines" are an essential element of the school's brand identity and all staff are responsible for using this set of style rules consistently in all external communications. The documents and related files can be found in the shared drive P:\StaffOnly\Huxlow Logo and Templates. If you need help, please contact Sonya Earby-Martin Ext 1229/s.earby-martin@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

Staff are also requested to set up the Huxlow email footer template with Huxlow logo and standard details; as below:

MyEd App

In line with our current Educational Visits Policy, all school trip information and consent forms are sent home by printed letter. For all other letters and messages, the MyEd app is our preferred method of communication with parents/carers.

It can be downloaded on any Android or Apple smartphone. A secure area of the app is only accessible to the phone of one parent/carer who is recorded as a student's first point of contact. It retrieves information from SIMS about their child's attendance, achievements and timetable. All communications from the school are sent to this secure area (i.e brief urgent messages that were previously sent via text or printed letters that were previously sent home to students.) Parents/Carers are asked to ensure that notifications from the app are allowed so they receive updates immediately. In some cases, we ask for parents/carers to respond via the app.

Pupil absences can be reported through the secure area or by phone on 01933 650496 Option 1.

Section 10 - Communications

Communications are also sent via email to parents who provide their email addresses.

All communications through the MyEd app are managed by Kerry Hughes (Headteachers PA) Ext 1201/k.hughes@huxlow.northants.sch.uk with the exception of student absence which is managed by Elisa Gubitosa/e.gubitosa@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

For parents/carers who are unable to download the MyEd app for any reason, we send brief urgent messages via text and printed letters via students. All communications will also be posted on the website.

The website is used to attract and help secure new students, staff and partners and provide information to all school stakeholders. The information provided must comply with statutory requirements and be timely, accurate, sufficiently detailed and easily accessible.

Key documents can be found on the website such as policies, procedures, curriculum information, financial statements etc. It is also regularly updated with key information such as the school calendar, exam timetables, letters home to parents etc. All vacancies are advertised on our website in addition to other advertising methods.

We use the website, alongside other social media, digital and printed publications, to publish photos and information about student experiences such as trips, visitors in school and extra curricular activities; this is vitally important in communicating to all our stakeholders, the variety and quality of experiences we offer to our students.

Please take time to check the website/social media regularly and submit contributions to it as appropriate.

Section 10 - Communications

Social Media

Social media is used to share useful information and give reminders about school events (eg parents evenings) and to allow us to celebrate students' achievements and successes with parents and carers.

Social media is not to be used at the main method of communication between the school and parents/students; it supplements the MyEd app, website and newsletters. It is not to be used as a forum for discussion about the school or a means of asking and answering questions which should be done by phone or email.

Some departments have their own Twitter accounts and some residential trips have their own Facebook/Twitter pages.

All vacancies are also advertised on social media.

Huxlow has its own LinkedIn company page where staff news and vacancies are published. All staff are encouraged to share these vacancies with their networks. Please follow us!

Use of social media across the school is continually being developed. If you wish to use it, you must first contact Sonya Earby-Martin (HR and Communications Coordinator) Ext 1226/s.earbymartin@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

WisePay

We encourage all staff and parent to use WisePay, our secure online payment system. Payments can be made for the canteen (which is cashless), trips and tickets. New staff will be sent a username and password to access WisePay. They should then visit Heather Buxton (Head Cook) to be set up on the system.

Section 10 - Communications

The WisePay link can be found here. If you have any questions regarding WisePay, please contact Chantel O'Brien (Finance Manager) Ext 1202/bursar@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

Consultation

The views of students, staff, parents/carers, governors and/or the wider community may be sought for a variety of purposes. The Huxlow website or Microsoft Forms may be used to run online surveys. This is an efficient method of consultation allowing detailed analysis of submissions without the need for data entry.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

Leave

Unplanned Absence

Please call the Data Manager before 07:30am on Ext 1229. You must also call your line manager. Cover work must be emailed to cover@huxlow.northants.sch.uk and to your line manager and Head of Department.

Unless it is clear at the outset that the sickness absence will last for a considerable time, the reporting procedures should apply on each and every day of absence. If possible, staff should notify the school by 2.30pm if they will not be in the next day.

On their return to work, even for one day absences, the employee should see their line manager or nominated member of SLT to inform them of their return and to hand in the relevant medical certificate.

The monitoring of absence due to sickness will be based on a system called "The Bradford Score" This recognises the greater disruption caused by frequent short term absences as opposed to less frequent longer absence.

The Bradford Score is calculated as follows: Bradford Score = (E x E) x D where E = number of events (defined as periods of absences) and D = total number of days. This information is held confidentially by the HR Coordinator and can be requested by an employee at any point.

The Bradford Score will only include unexpected absence and exclude all categories covered in the Special Leave of Absence policy or unavoidable medical appointments.

The Bradford Score will run on a rolling 12 monthly basis though the records of previous absences will be stored.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

The Bradford Score will be used to help identify employees who require support with the management of their absence rates. The following trigger points will be used, although individual circumstances will be taken into account.

Informal sickness absence review: 60+ points in a single term or 125 + accumulated points will lead to an informal initial sickness absence interview with a school senior leader.

Stage 1: 60+ points in a term or 300+ accumulated points will trigger stage 1 - the first formal stage - of the Management of Frequent Absence.

Stage 2: 600+ accumulated points will trigger stage 2 - the second interview with the Headteacher.

Stage 3: 900+ accumulated points will trigger stage 3 - Formal hearing before the Governors Dismissal Panel

The process of support is outlined in Section 19 of the "Management of Sickness Absence" Policy. The underlying principle of this support will be to ensure that staff are supported in achieving a level of absence that is acceptable and fair.

Cover Work

It is the responsibility of staff to contact the school if they are going to be absent from work. This must be done before 07:30am to allow time for the Data Manager to organise cover for the day.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

Cover Work

In order to support the Cover Supervisors taking the class, the member of staff or Head of Department must complete a cover form for each lesson that is being covered. This will need to give the Cover Supervisors as much detail as possible to be able to deliver the lesson. The Cover Supervisor will then complete the form and make notes so that they can update the member of staff on their return.

It is not acceptable for cover work to be sent in late or have insufficient detail. Please support the Cover Supervisors by giving as much detail as you are able or giving your Head of Department adequate time to complete the cover sheets fully.

Planned Absence (Special Leave)

For all absences that are capable of being planned in advance, the Special Leave Policy must be followed. A copy of the policy be found here. Copies of the peach coloured "Special Leave" forms can be found in the staff room and the admin office.

Reference Requests

All staff reference requests from the school be sent to Sonya Earby-Martin for processing. All staff should be aware when giving personal references that no mention must be made of the candidates role or workplace. Personal references must not be given on Huxlow Academy headed paper or using your Huxlow email address.

Adult Dress Code

The main message of the Adult Dress Code is "neat and smart"." A full copy of the policy can be found here.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

Employee Assistance - Counselling and Advice Helpline

This helpline offers you counselling and advice on a variety of personal, family or workplace issues. The service is provided by an independent mental health company, Wellbeing Solutions. There is no cost to you and all calls are confidential.

You and any member of your family (living at your address and aged over 16) can contact the Employee Assistance Helpline 24 hours day, 365 days a year on 0800 328 1437 (From outside the UK: +44 (0) 1482 661 814. As an alternative to calling, you can book an appointment online: employeeassistance.org.uk (Access Code: Tove)

Section 11 - Finance and HR

Performance Management

All teachers and support staff undertake a Performance Management Programme. The teachers' performance management programme is linked to the Teacher Standards. A copy of the Appraisal Policy can be found here.

For more information on the Performance Management Programmes, please contact Sonya Earby-Martin or Kim Isaksen.

Salary Information

Salaries are paid on the last working day of each month via BACS into your bank account. This is the same for every month - there is no early pay day for Christmas.

Our payroll is processed externally via Education Personnel Management (EPM).

Payslips are issued electronically. New staff will receive an automated email containing your unique e-payslip username and link to complete the registration process. Please check your spam or junk folder in case it has been received there. You will need your National Insurance number and DOB to validate your identity. It is important that you activate this link promptly to prevent re-registering. You will be issued with a document for detailed guidance.

If you have any questions regarding your salary, please direct them in the first instance to Chantel O'Brien Ext 1202/c.obrien@huxlow.northants.sch.uk

Overtime Forms

Claims for overtime can only be made if authorisation has been given prior to the work being carried out.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

Authorisation can only be given by your line manager who should check there is sufficient budget to complete the work. Claims should be made on an overtime claim form and submitted by the second working day of the month following the hours being worked.

It is the employees responsibility to complete and sign the form and to pass to their line manager for authorisation.

A copy of the Pay Policy can be found here.

Raising Orders

We operate an electronic ordering system through our Finance System, Access. Budget holders are set up to raise and authorise orders. Your head of department will provide information on how to order resources for your area.

Under no circumstances can staff order items via telephone or any means without having first raised an official order.

All new Budget Managers will receive training on the system by the Finance Team.

Best value should always be sought on any purchases. For orders between £1000 - £5000, two quotes must be sought and retained. For orders between £5001 - £20000, three quotes must be sought and retained. Orders over £40,000 are subject to tender.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

Travel Expenses

Subject to the conditions outline in the Travel Expenses Policy, most travel expenses incurred in the normal course of staff duties will be reimbursed provided they have been properly authorised.

Expenses will not be paid unless the appropriate supporting eveident is submitted (original receipts with the date and time of the transaction/s)

Claim forms must be approved by your Line Manager and submitted to the Finance Department

All mileage claims will be paid via the payroll system on the regular monthly pay date, provided they have been submitted by the relevant deadline. Failure to adhere to the deadline will result in the claim being paid the following month.

All other claims for reimbursement, such as expense claims for parking train tickets etc. must be on the appropriate form and correctly authorised by Line Manager and submitted to the Finance Department. These expenses will be paid via electronic transfer on the next available payment run.

Expense claims, including mileage claims, must be submitted within 3 months of the expense being incurred. If a claim is submitted outside of this time period, then the Line Manager must provide written approval for any such claim to the Business Manager informing that an extension has been approved, giving the reason. The school may reject an expense claim if it is completed incorrectly or lacks supporting evidence.

Staff are required to provide HR with copies of their insurance certificate (business use), valid full UK driving licence and confirmation of current, valid MOT and road tax.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

Business Insurance

Members of staff who drive on work related business (i.e to other schools or venues for meetings, training, events, home visits etc)must ensure their car insurance policy includes cover for business use. Business use insurance enables you to drive your vehicle as part of your job.

It is your responsibility to seek clarification from your car insurance broker or providers as to exactly what you are covered for. Alternatively, you could check your driver’s insurance certificate to identify if you have the correct insurance

Pensions

All teachers are automatically enrolled in the Teachers' Pension. Contributions will be deducted directly from your salary. For further information, please visit the website where there are dedicated resources available and the ability for you to register for online access to your pension account. Individual and employer contributions will be made. Information on the contribution rates can also be found on the Teachers Pension website.

Section 11 - Finance and HR

All support staff who are employed on a contract for 3 months or more, and who are under the age of 75, will automatically become a member of the scheme although have the right to opt out of the scheme. Those employees on a contract for less than 3 months have the right to opt into the scheme, but will not be automatically entered into the scheme unless their contract is extended beyond 3 months, in which case they will automatically become members of the scheme from the date the contract is extended. For further information, please visit the website. Individual and employer contributions will be made.

Information on contribution rates can also be found on Local Government Pension Scheme website.

Support staff who do not fall within these parameters will either have the option to join the pension scheme (where they make individual contributions) or be opted in (where individual and employer contributions are made. For further information, please contact Chantel O'Brien.

Section 12 - GDPR

The Data Protection Officer role is undertaken by WLS DPO Service on behalf of Huxlow Academy. Heather Avey is your GDPR contact.

If you are considering new projects that involve sharing data, eg setting up new supplier, learning applications, working with other schools, please speak to Heather Avey before you enter into negotiations to ensure that obligations are GDPR compliant.

Personal information - any information relating to an identifiable living person, e.g. name, contact details, ID numbers, attendance and assessment information, financial information etc.

Sensitive Personal Data - includes information that reveals someone ' s ethnic origin, political opinions, religion, sexuality or health. In our school, it also means safeguarding information, and whether a child is looked after, has SEND, or is eligible for free school meals. DO:

Remember that data protection laws do not stop you from reporting safeguarding concerns.

You must still report to the relevant people if you are concerned about a child. You do not need anyone ' s consent to do this.

Only collect the information you actually need.

When you are requesting information (for example, consent forms, admissions forms or surveys) ask yourself "Do I really need this?" "

What will I use it for?"

If you don't need it or only want it "just in case " , don't ask for it.

If you ' ve already collected personal data that you don't require, delete it.

Keep personal data anonymous, if possible.

For example, if you are emailing a colleague about accommodating a pupil's religion, or about managing a pupil's medical condition, don't name the child if you don't need to.

This is particularly important with photographs for external use - if you have an image of a child, don't attach a name unless you have explicit consent to do so.

Section 12 - GDPR

Think before you put information up on a wall

If your display is an essential part of teaching and learning, or helps to keep pupils safe, it's fine. This might include medical information, or a list of parents evening appointments, Only display the information that you really need to.

If your display is non-essential, promotional or there may be a safeguarding risk, either ask for the pupil or parents consent first or don't display it.

Take care when you are taking personal information home with you. Sign documents containing personal data out and in from the school office.

Keep physical documents in a secure, closed folder along with your contact details in case the folder is lost.

Store the documents in a safe place at home - don't leave them in a car or a friends house.

Practice good ICT security.

Passwords should be at least 8 characters and include upper, lower case letter and special characters.

Password protect documents and email attachments that contain personal data.

Always double check that you are emailing the correct person. Use BCC when you are emailing a group of people who don't have email addresses for everyone else in the group - eg parents/volunteers.

DON'T

Leave personal data out on your desk.

Keep your desk clear, so people cannot see information about others accidentally. This also applies to personal data written on post-it notes, on top of the printer or an unattended computer screen.

Take any sensitive personal information home with you.

If the information is confidential, sensitive or risky, it is best to leave it on the school site or computer systems, where there are security measures and processes in place.

Use memory sticks - if you really do need to use one speak to IT first.

Section 12 - GDPR

If you think personal data has been lost, stolen or wrongly disclosed, report immediately to Heather Avey. This is so we can quickly take steps to mitigate the impact of the breach.

You should also speak to Heather Avey if:

You have any concerns about keeping personal data safe. You are introducing a new process or policy that involves using personal data.

Anyone asks to see the data that we hold about them. This is called a "Subject Access request" and the person is entitled to this information.

Section 13 - Wellbeing

Huxlow Academy are committed to the wellbeing of their staff. We are at the forefront of initiatives that focus on well-being and are continually reviewing their offerings to ensure they are having a positive impact.

The Well Being Group meet regularly to review the actions they are taking and discuss new opportunities. Individual members work separately on projects to introduce to the school. The Well Being group are always looking for new members to help and support on a voluntary basis.

Some of the initiatives are:

The Workplace Challenge

Full Reports removed

Data Collection reduced

Regular Wellbeing Surveys

Shared staff lunch on training days

Working on an action plan to help end the stigma around mental health and provide support for mental health in the workplace

Tea and Toast Tuesday

Wellbeing Walks

Social Committee

Wellbeing Buffets

If you would like to get involved, contact Sonya Earby-Martin (s.earbymartin@huxlow.northants.sch.uk)