ThePurcellSchoolisacompanylimitedbyguarantee(CompanyNo.759327),andalsoaregisteredcharity (CharityNo.312855).TheSchoolisregulatedbytheDepartmentforEducation(www.education.gov.uk)and inspectedbytheIndependentSchoolsInspectorate(www.isi.net).
TheGoverningBodyistheowneroftheSchool.ThecurrentChairoftheGoverningBody,DrBernardTrafford, canbecontactedthroughtheClerktotheGovernors,theBursar,AdamWroblewski (a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org).
ThePurcellSchool AldenhamRoad Bushey Herts
WD232TS www.purcell-school.org
SchoolOffice&GeneralEnquiries:
Tel:01923331100
Email:schooloffice@purcell-school.org
PrincipalʼsOffice:
Tel:01923331104
Email:principal@purcell-school.org
Bursar:
Tel:01923331127
Email:a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org
ThenameandjobtitleforallcurrentmembersofstaffarelistedontheSchoolwebsite: www.purcell-school.org/about-us/staff-list
NB.
clickthe
headingsbelowtotakeyoutoeachrelevantsection.
WELCOMEFROMTHEPRINCIPAL AtThePurcellSchoolwebelieveeveryindividualstudentisspecial,iscapableofextraordinaryachievement andhasarighttoexpectoutstandingsupportineveryaspectoftheirschoollife.Wewanteveryoneofour studentstobesafe,healthyand,perhapsmostimportantly,happy.Allofourstaffarecommittedtoensuring thatyourchildhasanexceptionalexperiencehere;wewantthemtocreatememoriestheywilltreasureforthe restoftheirlives!Therelationshipweformwithyouasparentsisavitalpartofsupportingstudentsandyou mustalwaysfeelthatyoucancontactustoshareinformation,toaskquestionsand,inparticular,todiscuss anyconcerns.Iwillalsoberemindingstudentsthattheythemselvesshouldneverbeembarrassedorreluctant toshareanyworriesorconcernswithus;wearehereforthemandwillalwaysrespondwhenastudentasks forourhelporadvice.Iwouldbegratefulifyoucouldalsoreinforcethisimportantmessagethroughoutthe year.
Thishandbookaimstoprovideinformationyoumightneedduringastudentʼstimeattheschool.Itisnot comprehensive,butitcoversmostofthemainissuesthatusuallyariseandgivesaflavourofhowtheschool operates.ThelatestversionofthishandbookisavailableontheSchoolwebsitehere.
ThePurcellSchoolisafriendly,vibrantandhappyplace.Ifyouaretheparentofanewstudent,restassured thattheywillsoonmakefriendsandflourish.Ifyouaretheparentofareturningstudent,youcanbeassured ofourcontinuedcommitmenttoexceptionalprovisionandcare.
PaulBambrough Principal
MISSIONSTATEMENT Mission
ThemissionofThePurcellSchoolistoprovideyoungmusicianswhodemonstratethepotentialtobecome exceptional(irrespectiveofbackground)withoutstandingteachingwithinasupportiveschoolenvironment andtoequipthemwiththeself-confidence,adaptability,maturityandperspectivetosustaintheir professionaldevelopmentandpersonalfulfilmentthroughouttheirlives.
Aims
● Tosustainasafe,happyandhealthyenvironmentinwhichallcanflourishmusically,academicallyand emotionally
● Todeliveroutstandingmusicalandacademiceducation
● Toprovidearangeofhigh-profileanddevelopmentalperformanceopportunities
● Todeliverpersonalisedpastoralcareandsupportsothattheindividualneedsofeachstudentaremet
● Toprovideaccesstomusicalopportunityandwidenparticipationinareaswherethisisespecially difficult.
● Maintain(asfarasispracticallypossible)openaccessbyadmittingstudentssolelyontheability,not accordingtofinancialmeans.
SECTIONA:SCHOOLROUTINES&ADMINISTRATION A1.TheSchoolDay Forboarders,theschooldaybeginswithearlymorningpractice(forstudentsinYears7-11,dependingonthe dayoftheweek),followedbybreakfastat8.20am.
Daystudentsshouldnotbeinschoolbefore8.00am.Studentsshouldleavethepremisesattheendoftheday nolaterthanthefollowingtimes,accordingtotheiryeargroup:4.00pm(Years7-8),5.00pm(Year9)or6.00pm (Years10-13),unlessrequiredtostayforanorganisedschoolactivitysupervisedbyamemberofstaff.In exceptionalandoccasionalcircumstances,permissiontostaylateratschoolisatthediscretionofthe Houseparentandmustbesoughtinadvanceandconfirmedinwriting(textoremailisfine).Daystudentsmust alwayssigninwiththeirHouseparentonarrivalatschoolinthemorning,andmustalwayssignoutfromtheir Housebeforeleavingschoolattheendoftheday.
DailyRoutines(Weekdays) Classroomlessonsstartontimeandfinish3minutesearlywhenfollowedbyanotherlesson.Assembliesand tutorialsstartat8.40am.
Boarders DayStudents 8.40am Assemblies,TutorPeriod,LessonsorMusicBlock-seebelow 10.20am Break– inthedininghall
10.40am Lessons
12.40pm+1.10pm Lunchinthedininghalland LunchtimeConcerts Registration,byhouse,intheDiningHallorinhouse,asadvised 1.40pm Lessons
3.40-4.00pm Break–inthedininghall
4.00-5.00pm Y9-Y13:MusicBlock(MonandWeds)
Lessons(TuesandThurs)
Y7-Y8:Freetime,Prep
AvisonDaystudentsY7-8signoutand leaveby4.00pm,Y9by5.00pm,unless attendingastaff-supervisedactivity
5.45pm+6.10pm Supper andregistrationinthedininghall SeniorDaystudentssignoutand leaveby6.00pmunlessattendinga staff-supervisedactivity
6.15pmonwards EveningRoutines -
Assemblies/Tutor/Lessons/MusicBlockperiod(Mon-Fri8.40-9.00am)
Activity
Monday WholeSchoolAssembly-allstudents
Tuesday MusicBlock
Wednesday Y7-Y9Assembly
Thursday Y10-Y11Assembly
Friday Y12-Y13Assembly
Location
CPHall
Asperindividualtimetables
CPHall.Allotheryearsintutorial
CPHall.Allotheryearsintutorial
CPHall.Allotheryearsintutorial
A2.DayStudentRoutines ArrivingandDepartingSchool 8-8.40am ArriveatschoolandregisterinHouses
12.40-1.20pm AllstudentsregisterintheirrespectiveHouses
4pm
5pm
AvisonYear7-8StudentssignoutinHouseandmustbecollectedby4.00pm
Year9StudentssignoutofHouseandmustbecollectedby5.00pmunlesstheyare attendingastaffsupervisedactivityandhavearrangedtostaylater.
6pm Year10-13studentssignoutofHouseandleaveby6.00pmunlesstheyareattendinga staffsupervisedactivityandhavearrangedtostaylater.
Requestsforsupperneedtobemade48hoursinadvance. Youmayonlystayifyouareattendingastaff supervisedactivity.
A3.BoardingStudentRoutines DailyRoutine(Monday–Friday) Avison
6.30am WakeUp 6.45amWakeUpforEMP(Y9)
7.20am
Earlymorningpractice Y7,8,9 (Tues,Weds,Thurs)
Earlymorningpractice Y10and11 (Mon-Ellington,Fri-Sunley)
7.30am - SixthFormandnon-EMPWakeUp
8.00am - SixthFormdressedandreadytoleave→ Registration→Breakfastindininghall
8.20am Breakfast(Yrs7,8,9)
8.40am
Breakfast(Y9+EMP)
Assembly, MusicBlockORTutorials→Lessons BoardingHousesoutofbounds(exceptforSixthFormpianists),forcleaninguntil break,a erwhichSixthFormmayworkinhousewiththepermissionoftheir houseparent.
10.20am-10.40am Break– inthedininghall Break.Housesre-openforbreakonly
12.40pm+1.10pm LunchinthedininghallORLunchtimeConcerts–Registration 12.40pm-AvisonandSunley 1.10pm-Ellington
1.40pm Lessonsresume
3.40-4.00pm Break– inthedininghall
4.00-5.00pm Y9:MusicBlock(MonandWeds), AcademicLessons(Tuesand Thurs) Y7-Y8:Activity
MusicBlock(Monday/Wednesday), AcademicLessons(Tuesday/Thursday)
5.00-6.00pm AvisonPrep FreetimeORscheduledmusicactivities
5.45pm+6.10pm Supper inthedininghall-Registration 5.45pm-AvisonandSunley 6.10pm-Ellington
6.15-7.15pm Eveningpractice(Y7–Y8) Freetime(Y9)
7.00pm Registerforprepinhouses.Prepuntil8.30pm
7.15pm EveningPractice(Y9) HouseTimeYear(7-8)
BedtimeRoutine(Monday–Friday)
8.15pm
8.45-9.15pm Yrs7-8:Meetinthe CommonRoom→ handin electronics. Yr9Activitytill9.10pm Yr7&8Handintechand bedtimeroutine
Y10/11returntohouse andsignin →phones handedin Yr10/11Upstairsfor bedtimeroutine
9.15-9.30pm Yr9Handintechand bedtimeroutine 10.00pm Y12/13Returntohouse andsignin 9.45pm Yr9Lightsout 10.15pm 10.45pm Y10/11 Lightsout. Y12//13 Upstairsfor bedtimeroutine Y12&13 Bedtime
-12.30pm Brunch 9.30am Saturdaymorningmusic activities-Registerin DiningHallwithMrFong. 12.30pm Lunch 5.45pm+ 6.00pm Supper 5.45pm+6.00pm Supper Evening Socialactivities Evening Normalhouseevening routines.
TherearenopreptimesonFriday.SaturdayorSundayeveningsandthereisnoearlymorningpracticeon SaturdayorSundaymornings.
A4.TheSchoolYear Termdatesarepublishedatleastayearinadvanceandcanbefoundontheschoolwebsite.Theschooloffers longholidays,includingthreeweeksatbothChristmasandEasterandafortnightʼshalfterminOctober.We thereforerequireyounottotakeyourchildoutofschoolduringtermtime.
Exeatweekendsusuallyoccuronceeachhalfofterm.Theschool(includingallboardinghouses)isclosed throughouttheexeatweekend,whichcansometimesincludetheFridaybeforeortheMondayfollowing. Studentsgotoparentsorguardiansforthewholeofeachexeatweekend.
Datesofexeatsfortheyearcanbefoundontheschoolwebsitehere.
Allstudentsarerequiredtobeavailableforschoolconcertsifaskedtoperform,includingthosewhichtake placeatweekendsorduringschoolholidays.Keydatesarepublishedinadvanceonourwebsite.
A5.Attendance Allstudentsareexpectedtobeinschoolforthecoreworkinghours(Monday–Thursday,8.40amuntiltheend oftheschooldayrelevanttotheYeargroup(seeA1.TheSchoolDay);Friday8.40amuntil3.40pmforall students)unlessgivenpermissiontobelate/absentorengagedinanorganisedschoolactivity(e.g.aschool trip).
Unlessspecificpermissionhasbeengiventogohomeearly,alldaystudentsmuststayinschooluntiltheirlast commitmentoftheday.SixthFormdaystudentsmayleavethepremisesa ertheirlastcommitmentofthe dayprovidingtheyhavepermissiontodosofromtheirHouseparentorHeadofSixthForm.
Ifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequest byemail,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org
A6.ContactingtheSchool ForpastoralandHousematters,youshouldalwayscontactyourchildʼsHouseparentdirectly. Forotherschool mattersduringtheschoolworkingday,youcantelephonetheSchoolOfficeon01923331100oremail schooloffice@purcell-school.org. Theofficestaffwilldotheirbesttohelp,orwilldirectyoutosomeonewho can. Outsidethenormalschooldayandatweekends,pleasecontactyourchildʼsHouseparent.
Parentsarewelcometoentertheschoolpremisesduringtheschooldaytodeliverorcollectitemsfortheir children,andshouldalwaysreportfirsttoReception.Parentswhowishtoseemembersofstaffshouldalways makeappointmentsinadvanceandshouldreporttoReception.Parentsareaskednottoenterschool buildingswithoutcheckinginwithReceptionfirst.
ParentsofboardersareaskedtoalwaysletHouseparentsknowinadvance whencomingtovisittheirchildren intheboardinghouseorwhentakingtheirchildrenout.Whenparents/guardiansarriveattheboarding housetheyshouldmakecontactimmediatelywiththeHouseparentormemberofHousestaffondutyatthe time.Parentsarenotallowedupstairsexceptonthefirstandlastdayoftermtohelptheirchildwithpacking.
Absencesduetoillnessmustbereportedimmediatelytostudentabsence@purcell-school.organdthe Houseparentbyemail.
A7.Communication Asuccessfuleducationreliesonpartnershipbetweenschoolandparents.Webelievethatthisisbestachieved bylayingdownclearlinesofcommunicationandthispolicyexplainsourapproach.
SchoolPost AnaccounthasbeencreatedforyouonThePurcellSchoolʼsʻSchoolPostʼparentcommunicationsystem.The schoolwillusethesystemtosendyouemails(andoccasionallytextmessages);italsoprovidesyouwitha personalonline'mailbox'whereyoucanalwaysviewarecordofallyourmessagesfromtheschooland,where appropriate,completesimplereplyforms.
Publicationswithshortmessagesfromtheschoolwillcometoyourinboxusingthisemailaddress.Thiswill containalinktothefullpublicationwithanydocumentsandanopportunitytoreply.
StudentFormssuchastheDataCollectionsheetcanbedownloadedfromSchoolPostandreturnedto schooloffice@purcell-school.org
Academic/InstrumentalreportingisalsocommunicatedviaSchoolPost.
TheWeeklyHighlightsarenormallypublishedontheschoolwebsiteonFridaya ernoonofeachweekduring termtime,andwillincludeitemsofschoolnews,administrativemattersandalistofsomeforthcoming events.Theschoolcalendarcanbefoundontheschoolwebsite,alongwithtermdatesandexeats.
EmergencyAnnouncements Inthecaseofanyemergency,includingwhentheschoolisclosedastheresultofanemergency,information toparents,guardiansandfamilieswillbepublishedinitiallyonthefrontpageoftheschoolʼswebsite www.purcell-school.org.Thiswillalwaysbetheprimarysourceofsuchinformation.
InitialContact Ifyouhaveaqueryoraconcern,youshouldnormallydirectittoyourchildʼs
● Tutor(academicmatters)
● HeadofDepartment(musicalmatters)
● Houseparent(pastoralandwelfarematters)
NB.EachHousehasaʻdutyʼmobilephonesothatmembersoftheHousepastoralteamcanbecontacted duringboardinghours,andHouseteamsshareaccesstotheHouseemailaddress,sothatmessagescanbe pickedup(andrespondedto,asappropriate),bywhoeverisonduty.
Wewillcontactyouifwehaveconcernsaboutyourchildʼswelfare,performanceorbehaviourwhichwethink shouldbebroughttoyourattention.Allstaffcanbecontactedbyemailandemailaddressesforcurrent membersofstaffarelistedinthishandbook.
Ifyouhaveanyconcernsregardingyourchildʼseducationorwelfare,pleasedosharethesewithusassoonas possible.Itisdifficultforustoproperlyinvestigateanincidentorproblemwhichhashappenedsometime ago,andsituationscanchangequicklywithyoungpeople,soitisimperativetorespondtowelfareconcernsas quicklyaspossible.
DetailsoftheschoolʼsComplaintsProcedurecanbefoundinthishandbook.
DisciplinaryMatters WeaskparentstosupporttheschoolʼsBehaviour&SanctionsPolicy(whichcanbefoundonourwebsite).This includesagreeingthatstudentsmayoccasionallyhavetoserveadetentiona erschoolandtotakingyour
childhomeduringtermifsuspended.
Wewillnotautomaticallycontactyouifyourchildisintroubleforsomethingminor.However,wewillalways contactyoutodiscussmajorbreachesoftheschoolbehaviourcode,andwhereschoolsanctionsareinvolved.
A8.CourtOrders IfastudentissubjecttoanyCourtOrderitisessentialthattheschoolisinformed.Thisinformationis confidentialbutwillhelpustounderstandthestudentʼspositionandsupportthem.AcopyofanyCourtOrder willneedtobeprovidedtotheSchoolandheldonthestudentʼsfile.
Parentsneedtobeawarethattheschoolhasobligationsinrespectofparentalresponsibility.Forfurther information,pleasecontacttheschool.
A9.DataProtection PleaserefertotheSchoolwebsitefordetailsoftheDataProtectionPolicyandspecificPrivacyStatementsfor studentsandparents
A10.Transport TheSchoolusesataxifirmfullylicensedandvettedbyHertsmereBoroughCouncil,thelocalauthority.A1 ExecutiveTravelGroupLtdcanbebookedandpaidforviaappbyparents/guardians.Pleasecontactthe schoolofficeforadditionalinformationorsupportregardingbookingoftransport.
A11.InternationalStudents AllstudentswhoseparentsarenotpermanentlyresidingintheUKarerequiredtohaveaGuardianintheUK. PleaseseetheInternationalStudentGuideforfurtherdetails.
AlladministrativequeriesrelatingtovisasforoverseasstudentsshouldbereferredtoMrsCarolineFletcher c.fletcher@purcell-school.org
A12.Property StudentLockers Theschoolhasorganisedlargeandsecurelockerstoaccommodategrowingdemandforstudentstorage.This significantlyreducesanypotentialrisksassociatedwithstoringinstrumentalequipmentandothervaluable day-to-dayitemsinunsafeplaces,(althoughstudentsshouldnotbringlargesumsofmoneyorothervaluables toschoolunlessabsolutelynecessary.)Studentsareaskednottoleavetheirbelongingsintheschool corridors,butinsteadtousethelockerswhichareavailable.LockersareavailabletohireforbothDayand BoardingStudentsandforlargerinstruments,aseparatearrangementcanbemadeeitherwiththeHeadof Department(HOD)orHouseparent.
WeencourageparentstorentalockerfromtheʻIndependentLockerSolutionsLtdʼ,whoadministertherental fortheschool.Theyearlycostforalockeris£35whichisspreadtermly(£10pertermand£5whenbookinga locker).Thekeyswillbesentdirectlytotheparent/guardian.Forthoselivingabroad,lockerkeyscanbe collectedfromtheSchoolOfficeatthestartoftheterm.Boardershaveasmallsafeintheirbedroom.
LostpropertyisnormallyhandedintotheSchoolOffice,althoughboardersshouldalsocheckwiththeir Houseoffice. Attheendofterm,anypropertynotreclaimedwillbedisposedof.
Studentsareresponsibleforlookinga erschoolbooksandsheetmusicissuedtothem.Damageandlosswill bechargedtoparents,aswilldamagetoschoolproperty(e.g.brokenwindows).
A13.Publicity Aspartofourmarketingstrategy,weregularlytakephotographsandmakeaudioandvideorecordingsof concerts,whichmaysubsequentlybeusedintheschoolprospectus,socialmedia,inpressreleasesoronour website.Ifyoudonotwishustousephotographs,audioorvideoofyourchildinthisway,pleaseinformthe Schoolbyemailing schooloffice@purcell-school.org.
Pleasenotethatourmarketingstrategyonlyidentifiesindividual studentsinphotographs/video/recordings whenthisiscentraltothestory,andonlythenbyfirstnameandinitial.
A14.Smoking PleasenotethatThePurcellSchoolanditscampusisanon-smokingenvironment.Parentsareaskedto respectthisatalltimes,includingoutsidebuildingsandanywhereontheschoolgrounds.Pleasenotethatour definitionofsmokingincludesvaping,e-cigarettesandʻShishapensʼ.
A15.FinancialInformation PersonalExpenses/PocketMoney Allstudents,bothdayandboarding,shouldhaveadequatefundswiththemeachdaytoprovidethemwiththe meanstomeetanylikelyexpenses(snacks,etc).Boardingstudentsshouldbeprovidedwithaccesstofunds, whichcanbecontrolledbypersonalarrangementwithHouseparentsorabank.TheSchoolregretsthatit cannotprovideloanstostudents.
StudentsReceivingExternalInstrumentalLessons Asarule,externallessonsarediscouraged.Ourfullpolicyonexternalmusiclessonsisonthewebsite;thefirst paragraphisprintedbelow.
ThePurcellSchoolprovidesworld-classspecialisttuitioninmusictostudentsthroughtheemploymentofan exceptionallywell-qualifiedandexperiencedstaff.TheSchoolalsosupportsanumberofstudentstoaccess theprovisionofferedatjuniorconservatoiredepartmentsonSaturdays.Everyyear,asmallnumberof studentswishtoreceiveinstrumentaltuitionfromaspecificteacherwhoisneitheremployedbytheschool noraconservatoirejuniordepartment.Eachrequestmustbeassessedonitsownmeritsandtheschoolmust satisfyitselfthatitisinthebestinterestofthestudenttostudywiththeproposedteacher. Insuchcases,the schoolmustthensatisfyitselfthatadequatemeasuresareinplacetoprotectthesafetyandwellbeingofthe student.
Forstudentswhoseplaceincludesaninstrumentalallowance,thecostofexternallessons(asapprovedbythe MusicDepartment),includingconsultationlessons,maybesetagainsttheallowance.Invoicesshouldbe submittedtotheFinanceOffice.
Forstudentsattendingoneofthejuniormusiccolleges,anamountequivalenttotheSchoolʼsinternal teachersʼhourlyratecanbesetagainsttheallowanceinrespectoftheindividualinstrumentallessons receivedatthecollege.ThearrangementmustbediscussedwithandapprovedbytheappropriateHoDin writingbeforethejuniorcollegecoursecommences.InvoicesshouldbesubmittedtotheSchoolFinance Officeonatermlybasis.
Externalteachersshouldsubmittheirinvoicesforlessonfeestoparentsinthefirstinstance,whoshould forwardacopytotheappropriateHoDtobeapproved.TheSchoolwillthenreimburseparentsuptothe
amountavailableintheinstrumentalallowance,a ertakingintoaccountanylessonsbeingreceivedwithin School.
AnyqueriesshouldbedirectedtoMsMHristovaintheFinanceoffice
MDSStudents-AdditionalAssistance WhereparentsofMDS-fundedstudentshavebeenpreviouslynotifiedthattheyqualifyforassistancewith travelexpensesanduniformexpenses,parentsshouldsubmitreceiptstotheFinanceOfficefor reimbursement.
SECTIONB:PASTORALINFORMATION B1.Houses
AllstudentsatThePurcellSchoolaremembersofoneofthreeHouses:
Avison(mixed,Years7-9,boardersanddaystudents)
Sunley(girls,Years10-12,boardersanddaystudents)
Ellington(boys,Years10-13/ girls,Years12&13,boardersanddaystudents)
EachHouseisunderthegeneralpastoralsupervisionofaHouseparent,assistedbyresidentAssistant Houseparentsand/oraDayMatronandResidentGraduateAssistants.Ateamofmedicalstaffisalsoonsite 24/7.AllstudentshaveaTutorwhoseesstudentsfortwoorthreeTutorialperiodseachweek,andboarding studentsadditionallyhaveaBoardingMentor.Thetutorsandmentorsareresponsibleformonitoring academicprogress,balanceofcommitmentsandpromotingstudentwelfare.
B2.ChildProtection
TheSchoolaimstokeepallstudentssafeandtocreateanenvironmentwheretheyfeelsecureenoughto discusstheirconcerns. TheSchooltrainsallstafftorecognisewhenyoungpeopleareinneedofhelp.Ifyou haveanyconcernsaboutthebehaviourofanyadultorotherstudent,youmusttellsomeoneimmediately
Thebestpeopletotellaretheschool'ssafeguardingteam;MrSzafranski,MrBurns,MsWhitty,MsShah,Mr Hoskins,MsMitchellorMrBambrough.
B3.Anti-BullyingPolicy(includingCyber-Bullying)
Theschoolisdeterminedthatnokindofbullyingwillbetolerated.Theschoolʼsanti-bullyingpolicycanbe foundontheschoolwebsite
B4.Assemblies
StudentsmeetasacommunityeveryMondaymorningforawholeschoolassembly.Comingtogetherto collectivelylearnabouttheworld,shareexperiences,andcelebrateeachotherʼssuccesseshelpstudentsand staffforgeacommunityspirit,asenseofpurposeandafeelingofpride.Inadditiontoawholeschool assemblythereareadditionalassembliesduringthetermforbothlowerandupperyeargroups.
SchoolCouncil
ASchoolCouncilisorganisedbytheHeadsofSchool,withrepresentativesfromeachyeargroup.Itusually meetseveryhalftermandstudentsarewelcometoputforwardtopicsfordiscussion.
B5.BoardingStatement
Tobereadinconjunctionwith:
● ChildProtectionandSafeguardingPolicy
● BoardingStaffHandbookandStudentHandbooks
Introduction
Theimperativeofsafeguarding,asoutlinedinKCSIESeptember2024,andappliedthroughThePurcell SchoolʼsSafeguardingandChildProtectionPolicy,underpinsourentireapproachtoboarding.Boarding Houseteamsunderstandtheyhaveaʻdutyofcareʼtosafeguardandpromotethewelfareofallstudents,and toworkinpartnershipwithstudents,staff,parents,widerpastoralteamsandexternalagencies,as appropriate,tobestfulfilthisdutyofcareandtoensurethewellbeingandpersonaldevelopmentofeach individualstudent.
ThestrongpastoralframeworkatThePurcellSchoolprovidesthefoundationforstudentstofulfiltheir potential,recogniseanddeveloptheirstrengthsindifferentareasoftheirlivesandflourishinthebeliefthat theyarevaluedandrespected.
OuraimatThePurcellSchool istoensurethattheenvironmentisonewherethefocusisonpraiseand encouragementwhereboundariesaresetclearlyandgently.Studentsareexpectedtovaluetheschoolrules andknowwhatisexpectedofthem,developinghighstandardsfortheirownbehaviour.Ultimately,wehope thatallindividualswillleaveThePurcellSchool asyoungadultswhovalueandrespecteachother,thenatural worldandmostimportantly,themselves.
WearealsomindfuloftheneedforlifeatThePurcellSchooltoupholdtheFundamentalBritishValuesof Democracy,theRuleofLaw,thepromotionofIndividualLiberty,andRespectandToleranceforthosewith differentfaithsandbeliefs.
TheSchooliscontinuallyappraisingboardingprovisiontoenableittoconstantlyimproveitscarefor boarders;theSchoolwelcomesbothparentalandstudentinputinhelpingittomeetitsaims.
TheBoardingEthosderivesfrom:
● Housecommunitieswhichpromotemutualrespect,kindnessandhonestyamongstallthestudents andstaff.
● Housecommunitiesinwhichstudentsareknownandvaluedasindividuals.
● Anatmospherebasedontrustandasharedunderstandingoftheʻdutyofcareʼ,wherestudentsfeel abletoapproachallmembersofstaffconfidentintheknowledgethattheywillbelistenedtoand treatedwithrespect.Theyknowthatstaffseektheirviewsonboardinglife,valuethemandtakethem seriously.Theyalsofeelabletosimplysharegoodthingsthathavehappenedaswellasseeking supportwhenchallengesarise.
● Anatmosphereinwhichstudentsareaccountablefortheirindividualactionsandplaytheirpartin helpingstafffulfiltheirdutyofcaretowardsthem.
● Anatmospherewhichpromotesanunderstandingofeachothersʼdifferences,inclusionandkindness–andwherebullying,harassmentandintolerancearerecognisedasunacceptable.
● Anenvironmentwhichfacilitatesastrongsenseofrespectandunderstandingforstudentsfrom differentcountriesandculturesandcelebratesdiversitywithinthecommunity,engenderingagood understandingofequalityanddiversitywithintheschoolandwidercommunity.
● Aninclusive,safespacewherethereisclearsupportforasafe,openlearningenvironmentfreeofslurs. Noinsults-verbalornon-verbalrelatedtoability,appearance,culture,genderidentity,home language,race,ethnicity,religion,sexualorientationorsocialclasswillbetolerated.These expectationsarerootedineducation,helpingtoraisebothawarenessandempathyabouttheharm donebyslurs.
● Anenvironmentwhichenablesstudentstodeveloptheiracademicandmusicaltalentsthrough well-structuredstudytime,goodroutines,thepromotionofpersonalself-disciplineandbalanced lifestyles,includingagoodunderstandingoftheimportanceof sleephygieneandnutrition.
● Anenvironmentwherearangeofactivities,hobbiesandopportunitiesforleadershipandinitiative assistinthepersonal,socialandculturaldevelopmentofeachstudent.
● Anenvironmentwhichiscomfortable,suitedtotheneedsofstudentsandwhichrecognisesthat althoughlivingtogetherinaclosecommunity,staffandpupilsacknowledgetherightofeachotherto privacy.
● Anenvironmentthatis,asfaraspossible,freefromphysicalhazardsanddangersofanysortsothatall studentsatThePurcellSchoolareallowedtothrivewithinasafeandhappyenvironment.
TheBoardingEthoswill:
● Developstudentsʼresponsibility,respectandkindnesstowardseachother,thenaturalworldandmost importantlythemselves.
● Encourageallstudentstotakeresponsibilityfortheirpersonaldevelopment.Throughregular self-reflectionandexplorationwiththeirHouseparentand/orBoardingMentorallstudents recognise wheretheirindividualcharacterstrengthslieandwhattheycandotonurturethesestrengthstofulfil theirpotential.Everyoneisalsoencouragedtolookbeyondtheirnaturalstrengthsand-ina supportiveenvironment–challengethemselvestoreachbeyondtheirlimits,takingrisksandlearning theimportanceoffailureforpersonalgrowth.
● Developstudentsʼqualitiesofleadershipandabilitytoworkproductivelyandpositivelyaspartofa teamaswellasconsistentlylisteningtoandstandingupforotherstoensuretheHouseremainsasafe andinclusivespace.
● EncouragestudentstocontributetotheneedsandwelfareofothersintheHouseandschool,aswell asthoseinthewidercommunitythroughopportunitiessuchastheschoolʼsoutreachprogramme
● Celebratethecontributionandachievementofstudentsinallareasofschoollife,individuallyand collegially.
AvisonHouse(fordayandboardingstudentsfromYear7to9) AvisonissituatedawayfromthemainSchoolinitsowngardens.Westrivetocreateawelcomingandhomely atmosphereandarefullycommittedtoprovidingstudentswithasafeandsecureHouse.Studentswillbeable todevelopbothacademicallyandsocially,becomingconfident,wellroundedindividuals.AvisonisledbyMs Hawkins,Houseparent,andAssistantHouseparent,MrCaliendo MsBilashisourResidentBoarding Assistant.WeareallheretosupportandguidestudentsduringtheirtimeinAvison,inacommunitywhere everyoneisvaluedandrespectedforwhotheyare.
SunleyHouse(forgirls,dayandboardingstudentsfromYear10–12) MsRoacheisHouseparent,MsFiskistheAssistantHouseparentandMrsHunteristheDayMatron.Withthe supportofourtwoResidentGraduateAssistantsweaimtoensurethatstudentsfeelvalued,listenedtoand respected.Wearecommittedtocreatingawarmandwelcomingcommunitythatisbasedonmutualkindness andtrust,whereeveryonelooksoutforoneanotherwhilerespectingeachother'sindividuality.TheHouse Teamisheretosupportstudentsmusically,academicallyandsociallyandwewillencouragestudentsto maintainahealthybalancebetweenthesedifferentareas.Studentwellbeingisofparamountimportanceto theHouseTeam.Wearealwaysheretosupportandassiststudentssothattheycanflourishandreachtheir potential,leavingschoolasconfident,self-awareindividuals,whoarecommittedtomakingadifference.
EllingtonHouse(fordayandboardingstudentsinYears10–13) MrDulovicistheHouseparentandalongwiththeAssistantHouseparent,MsRobinson,wewillbeonhandto providestudentswithsupportandguidancethroughouttheirtimeatPurcell.Wealsohaveafantastically talentedandsupportiveteamofResidentGraduateAssistantswhoareresidentinEllington.Weallaimto ensurethatstudentshaveasecure,comfortable,andwelcomingenvironmentinwhichtoflourish,andweare committedtodevelopingthesocialandemotionalskillsofallourstudents.Ouraimisforstudentstoleave Ellingtonasyoungadultswhovalueandrespecteachother,thenaturalworldandmostimportantly, themselves.
Ourgoalistoensurethatstudentsfindagoodbalancebetweentheirmusic,studyingandsocialising,andto createahousewhichisinclusiveforallstudentsbasedonmutualrespect,trustandkindness.
B6.MedicalInformation TheSchoolHealthCentreisrunbytheSchoolNurse,MsMorgan.Allmedicalinformationisheldinconfidence bythemedicalstaffandwillnotbedivulgedwithoutthepermissionofthestudent.Studentsareencouraged tokeepparents/guardiansinformedofanymedicalproblemsandiftheyrequireprivacyareableto
telephonefromtheSchoolHealthCentre.Parentsofnewstudentsarerequiredtocompleteamedical questionnaire.
HealthCentreHours AmemberoftheHealthCentreteam isroutinely availableforstudentsfrom8.30am-4.30pmMondayto Friday.Outsideofthesetimes,NurseMorganisavailableforemergencies,ʻoutofhoursʼmedicalmattersand supportforhealthandwellbeing.TheSchoolHealthCentreissituatedonthegroundfloorofDulvertonHouse.
EmergencyContact Intheeventofillnessorinjuryeveryeffortismadetocontacttheparentorguardian.Itisveryimportantthat theSchoolhasanup-to-dateandaccessiblehome/work/mobileorothercontactnumber.Untilthestudentʼs parent/guardianiscontacted,theSchoolwilltakeanyactionrequiredinthebestinterestsofthestudent.A numberoftheSchoolstaffaretrainedEmergencyFirstAidersandintheeventofanaccident,appropriateFirst Aidwillbegiven.
Intheeventofadaystudentbecomingunwellandrequiringtobesenthome,parentsarecontacted immediatelyandrequestedtocollecttheirchildassoonaspossible.StudentsarecaredforintheSchool HealthCentreuntilparentsarrive.
Physiotherapy Ourvisitingphysiotherapist,DrUpjohn,attendstheHealthCentreonWednesdays.Anystudentmayrequest anappointmentwithherthroughtheSchoolNurse.DrUpjohnofferssupportandadviceformusicianson maintainingmusculoskeletalwellbeingandavoidingplaying-relatedinjuries.
Counselling
OurCounsellor,MsMorris,visitstheHealthCentreon4daysaweektoseestudentsinstrictconfidence.Any studentmayrequestanappointmentwithherthroughtheHealthCentreorbycontactingthecounsellor directly.
Immunisations
RoutineimmunisationsaregivenattheSchoolandyouwillbeaskedpriortothesessiontoconsenttothis procedure.ThisisforHPVinYear8,BCGscreeninginYear9andDiphtheria,TetanusandPolioinYear10.
B8.InformationforParentsofBoarders Doctor-Registration BoardersmustregisterwiththeSchoolʼslocalGPpractice(informationissentwiththehealthquestionnaire onadmissiontotheschool).StudentswillundergoaroutinehealthcheckonadmissiontotheSchool, includingheight,weightandurinetest.AnystudentundersixteenrequiringaGPappointmentwillbe accompaniedbyoneoftheSchoolNursesoramemberofstaff.Theymayofcoursechoosetoseethedoctor aloneorwiththenursepresent.AllstudentswhohaveasthmawillberequestedtoattendtheGPSurgeryand beunderthecareofthespecialistpracticenursewhowillmonitortheirasthmasymptomsandensurethatthe conditionstayswellcontrolledthroughouttheSchoolyear.
HospitalTreatment/HospitalOut-PatientAppointments StudentsrequiringtreatmentatthelocalAccidentandEmergencyDepartmentatWatfordGeneralHospital, approximately2.5milesaway,willnormallybeaccompaniedbyoneoftheSchoolNursesoramemberofstaff. Everyeffortwillbemadetoinformtheparents/guardiansassoonaspossiblepriortohospitaltreatment(i.e. foranymedicaltreatment,anaestheticoroperationdeemednecessarybyamedicalpractitioner,specialistor surgeon).IfthisisnotpossiblethenthePrincipalorHouseparentactinginlocoparentiswillgiveconsent. Parentsshouldensuretheyhaveindicatedparentalconsentontheirchildʼsenrolmentform/medical
questionnaire.Boardersundersixteenwillnormallybeaccompaniedtoout-patientappointmentsatthelocal hospital.
AdmissiontotheSchoolHealthCentre Onafewoccasions,somemedicalconditionsmaymakeitnecessaryforastudenttobeadmittedovernightto theHealthCentretoallowmoreclosesupervision.Parentsorguardianswillbeinformed.
Whenstudentsareparticularlyunwell,,andhaveapersistentlyhighbodytemperatureorongoingdiarrhoeaor vomiting,everyeffortshouldbemadetoensurethattheyaresenthometoparents/guardianstorecover. StudentsmustnotreturntoSchooluntiltheyarewellandsymptomshaveresolvedformorethan48hours.
Illness Incasesofmildillness(forexample,heavycolds,migrainesetc.)studentsmaybeallowedtorecoverintheir ownrooms.Thenurseswillensurethewell-beingofthestudentbyregularsupervisionandcommunication withtheDayMatronandHouseDutyTeamconcerned.
DentalandOpticalTreatment Routinevisitstothedentistandopticianshould,wheneverpossible,bearrangedduringtheschoolholidays. Allstudentsshouldhave6-to-12-monthlydentalcheck-upsandanannualeyesighttest.Onlyemergency dentaltreatmentisavailableduringtermtime.WestronglyencourageyoutotakeouttheSchoolpersonaland dentalinsuranceplanforaminimalfeethatcoversallpersonal/dentalaccidentandemergencytreatmentfor yourchild.PleaserefertotherelevantinformationandformsentfromtheFinancedepartment.
PrivateMedicalCoverOption Allstudents,includingoverseasstudents,areeligibleformedicaltreatmentundertheNationalHealthService, whetherroutineoremergency.Thisisfreeofcharge.Parentshavetheoptionoftakingoutprivatemedical coverthroughAxaHealthcare.Studentswhohaveprivatemedicalinsuranceintheirhomecountryshould checkwiththecompanyconcernedastowhetherthisisvalid/transferableforuseintheUnitedKingdom.Ifa studentisalreadycoveredunderaUKprivatemedicalscheme,pleaseindicatethisonthemedical questionnaire.
StudentsTravellingOverseas Parents/guardiansshouldmakeanappointmenttoseetheSchoolNurseswellinadvanceoftheschool holidaysifastudentistravellingtoanareathatrequiresimmunisation.Vaccinationscanbearrangedwith parental/guardianconsentatthelocalGPsurgery,andanycostswillhavetobemetbyparents.
MedicalTreatmentduringSchoolHolidays ItisimportantthattheSchoolNurseisinformedofanymedicaltreatment,vaccinationsgiven,andof medicinesprescribedduringtheSchoolholidays[aformissentoutattheendofeveryterm]. Studentsshould bringanynewmedicationstotheHealthCentreonreturntoSchooltoensurethenursingstaffareawareof thetreatment.IfastudentneedstoseeaGPwhilstawayfromSchoolintheUnitedKingdom,itisimportant thattheyaretemporarilyregisteredwiththeGPthattheyareseeing.Parentsshouldensurewhencompleting thetemporaryregistrationformthattheirpermanentaddressisʻThePurcellSchoolʼ,otherwisetheywill automaticallyberemovedfromtheAttenboroughSurgeryfiles.Ifastudentisinthecareofaguardianovera holidayperiodandbecomesunwell,theguardianshouldliaisewiththeparentsdirectly.
Medications ItistheSchoolʼspolicythatstudentsdonottakemedicationwithoutsupervision.Nostudentisallowedtobe inpossessionofprescribedorover-the-countermedicationswithoutpriorassessmentbyamemberofthe SchoolMedicalTeam.Exceptionsareasthmainhalersandadrenalineautoinjectordevices(e.g.EpiPens)for severeallergies.ParentsshouldsupplytheSchoolwithaspare,namedinhaler/adrenalineautoinjector devicewhichwillthenbestoredinaknown,accessibleplaceincaseofanemergency,orforSchooltrips.
TheSchoolNurseispermittedtoadministersomeover-the-countermedicationsonatemporarybasisas authorisedbyanagreedlistwiththelocalGP.Somemembersoftheteaching/musicstaff/Houseparentsare authorisedtogivesimpleanalgesiaandcoughandthroatremedies. Pleaserefertothemedicationslistthatis sentwiththemedicalquestionnaireandinformtheschoolifyoudonotconsenttoyourchildreceivingany HomelyRemedies.AnymedicationsrequiredonaregularbasiswillbeprescribedbytheGP.
VisitingYourChildinTheirBoardingHouse (Outsideofbeginningandendsoftermdrop-offandcollection)
Youareverywelcometovisittheschoolatanytime;pleaseletusknowthatyouwouldliketovisitandwewill adviseastothebesttimesintermsofyourchildʼscommitmentsandtheavailabilityofstaff. Forthepurposes ofsafeguardingallstudentsattheschoolwerespectfullyrequestthat:
● parentsarenotallowedupstairsexceptonthefirstandlastdayoftermtohelpwithpacking.
● studentsstaywiththeirparent/guardianatalltimeswhilstintheboardinghouse;
● parentsusethevisitortoiletslocatedonthegroundfloorratherthanstudentsʼfacilities.
InformationfortheParentsofDayStudents DaystudentsmustattendtheirownGPwhentheneedarises.ParentsshouldadvisetheSchoolthroughout theSchoolyearofanysignificantchangesinstudentsʼhealthandthestudentwillbegivenappropriate supportinSchool.
IllnessAtHome Anystudentwhoexperiencesahighbodytemperature(38.0Corabove),diarrhoeaorvomitingmustbeabsent fromSchoolforatleast48hoursa erthesymptomshaveresolved.
A eraperiodofabsenceduetoillnessorinjury,parentsmustnotifytheSchoolMedicalTeamofany medicationormanagementthatthestudentmightrequireontheirreturntoSchool.Thismustbeintheform ofaletteroutliningtheillness/injuryandthedatesabsentfromschool.
AdministrationofMedicationonTripsOutsideSchool ItistheSchoolʼspolicythatstudentsdonottakemedicationwithoutsupervision.TheSchoolNursesorstaffin chargeofatripmayadministercertainmedicationandparentsshouldgivetheirpermissiononthemedical questionnairefordayandboardingstudents.
AsthmaandAllergies Studentswhohaveasthmaorsevereallergiesareencouragedtokeeptheirinhalers/adrenalineautoinjector devices(e.g.EpiPens)withthem. Pleasearrangeforaspare,named,inhaler/adrenalineautoinjectordevices tobegiventotheSchoolNurse.Thiswillbekeptinanallocatedareawithinthegeneralstaffroom,foreasy accessibility,andwillbeavailableforuseifastudentlosesorforgetshis/herinhaler. Itwillalsobetakenon schooltrips.
B9.Catering TheSchoolprovidesafullcateringserviceinassociationwithIFGIndependent.Boardersareprovidedwith breakfast,lunchandsuppersixdaysaweek,withmid-morningandtea-timesnacksduringtheweek.On Sunday,brunchisserveduntil12.30pmandsupperisservedat5.45pmand6.10pm.
Daystudentsmayelecttotakeluncheverydayaswellasmid-morningandtea-timesnacks.
Daystudentswhowishtohavesupper(orbreakfast)onanoccasionalbasismustsignupintheirboarding houseswellinadvance,andatthelatestbymorningregistrationofthedayinquestion.Unlesspreviously notified,thesemealswillbechargedtoparentsontheschoolbill(£3forsupper). Alternatively,daystudents maybringapackedlunch.
Wetrytoencouragestudentstoeatahealthyandbalanceddiet.Themenus(whicharepublishedeachweek onthecateringnoticeboards)arecarefullymonitoredtoensuretheymeettherequirementsfornutrition. Vegetarianoptionsarealwaysavailable.Studentswithspecialdietaryrequirementsarecateredfor.
Thecateringstaffprovideawidechoiceoffood,sothereshouldalwaysbesomethingforeveryone.
TakeawaydeliveriesmayonlybeorderedattheweekendwithpermissionfromtheHouseparent.
Ifastudenthasanyparticulardietaryneedsorallergies,theyshouldtalkfirsttotheSchoolMedical TeamwhowillliaisewiththeChef.
Bought-inproductsthatmaycontainnuttracesarelabelled,butnonutsofanydescriptionareusedinthe kitchen.Pleasealertusifyourchildhasanallergytonuts,oranyotherproduct.
Weaskparentstosupportourschoolpolicyinrespectofallergiesbynotallowingstudentstobringto schoolanyfooditemsorsweetscontainingnuts.
SECTIONC:ACADEMICINFORMATION C1.Curriculum Theaimofourcurriculumistoachieveabalancebetweenmusicalandacademicstudies.Althoughtheexact shapeofthecurriculumwillbedifferentfordifferentstudents,thebroadintentionisthatthereshouldbea progressionovertime:youngerstudentsneedalargeramountofacademictimetoensurethatthebasicskills andknowledgeareinplace,andthattheyareabletoachievegoodgradesatGCSEandIGCSE.Astheyget older,theyareexpectedtospendmoretimepractisingtheirinstruments,takingpartinchambermusicand orchestralorchoralgroups,andtheproportionoftimespentonacademicworkmaythereforedecrease. Dependingonastudentʼsageandinstrumentalcommitments,between25%and50%ofcurriculartimeis spentonmusicalactivities.
AtGCSE,studentsareadvisedtotakesevenoramaximumofeightsubjects. AllstudentstakeIGCSEMusicat thebeginningofYear11,andGCSEsorIGCSEsinMathematics,EnglishLanguageandScienceTrilogy(Biology, ChemistryandPhysics,givingtwoGCSEgrades)attheendofYear11.OptionalsubjectsincludeEnglish Literature,French,German,History,DramaandArt.AllstudentsuptoYear11haveonesessioneachweekof physicaleducation.
AllSixthFormstudentstakeMusicALevelplustwootherALevels.Somestudentsmaywishtotakeafourth subjectbutthisisnotarequirementforstudyatuniversityandneedscarefulthoughtwithregardtothe balancebetweenacademicworkandmusiccommitments.Inexceptionalcircumstancestheschoolmayagree toareducedacademicprogrammeofMusicALevelandoneALevelinYear13forthosewithaparticularly heavyscheduleorforoverseasstudentsstudyingEnglishasanadditionallanguage. EALcanreplaceoneA LeveloptionforoverseasstudentswhomayhaveadditionalEnglishlanguageneeds,followingdiscussionwith theHeadofEALandHeadofSixthForm.Subjectsonofferare:Music,MusicTechnology,EnglishLiterature, Mathematics,French,German,History,Art,Drama,Biology,PhysicsandChemistry.
Thecurriculumanditsdeliveryareunderconstantreviewandmaychangefromyeartoyear.Wecannot guaranteetheavailabilityofcoursesorparticularsubjects,asthesewilldependondemandandourabilityto provideteachingofasufficientlyhighstandard.
Theschooltimetableisdesignedforthebenefitoftheschoolasawholeandcannotbechangedtosatisfy individualrequirements.Theschoolcannotguaranteethatanyparticularteacherwill,orwillnot,teachany particularstudent.
PleaserefertothefullCurriculumPolicyontheschoolwebsiteforfurtherdetailsofcurriculum.
C2.Homework Homeworkissetforallstudentsintheschool,andnotifiedusingGoogleClassroom. Ouraimistoprovidean inspiring,well-managedhomeworkprogrammewhichhelpsstudentstodeveloptheskillsandattitudesthey willneedforsuccessfullifelonglearning.Homeworkshouldsupportthedevelopmentofindependentlearning skills.However,wealsorecognisethatstudentsneedtimetopractisetheirinstruments,attendrehearsalsand engageinothermusicalactivities.Withthisinmind,classroomteachingstaffsethomeworktaskswhichare manageable,takingintoconsiderationtheamountofpracticeexpectedfromastudentatThePurcellSchool.
SixthFormerstakeresponsibilityfororganisingtheirownwork. Homeworkcanbedoneatdifferenttimesand asstudentsgetoldertheyhavesomefreetimeduringthedayforprivatestudy. Boardersusepreptimeinthe evenings,althoughinevitablysomewillneedlongerthanthesettime.
ForYears7,8and9,ahomeworktimetableispublishedatthebeginningofeachyear. Nohomeworktaskset forasingleeveningorsessionshouldtakelongerthan30minutes.Tasksshouldbedesignedtobedoneonthe eveningtheyareset.InYear9,somehomeworkwillbeextendedsothatitcanbedoneovertwoorthree eveningsinlinewiththehomeworktimetable.
Years10and11alsoworkfromapublishedhomeworktimetable. AsstudentsʼprogressthroughtheirGCSE courses,prepwillinevitablybecomemoreextendedinsomesubjectsandmoreresponsibilityshouldbegiven tostudentstomeetdeadlines.Nevertheless,nohomeworktasksetforasinglesessionshouldtakelonger than30or40minutes. Courseworkdoneoutsidetheclassroomshouldbetreatedashomework.
SixthFormersarealmostentirelyindependentinthewayinwhichtheyorganisetheirtime.Manyhave reasonableflexibilitywithintheschooldayandmayprefertocompletethebulkoftheirhomeworkthen. Wheneverhomeworkisset,clearandsupportiveguidelinesshouldbegivenabouttheamountoftimetobe spentonit.SixthFormersareexpectedtospendbetweensixandsevenhoursoutsidetheclassroomper subjectperweek.
C3.RelationshipsandSexEducation ThepurposeofRSEistohelpchildrenandyoungpeopletobesafe,healthyandhappyastheygrowupandin theirfuturelives.Itteachesaboutunderstandingoftheimportanceofallrelationshipsregardlessofrace, religion,genderorsexuality,aswellasprovidinganunderstandingofphysical,sexual,moralandemotional development.RSEmustalwaysbeappropriatetopupilsʼageandstageofdevelopmentandisanessential partofsafeguarding.
AimsandObjectives ● Tobeanidentifiablepartofourpersonal,social,healthandeconomic(PSHE)educationcurriculum, whichhasplanned,timetabledlessonsacrossalltheKeyStages;
● TobetaughtbystaffregularlytrainedinRSEandPSHE(withexpertvisitorsinvitedintoenhanceand supplementtheprogrammewhereappropriate);
● Toworkinpartnershipwithparentsandcarers,informingthemaboutwhattheirchildrenwillbe learningandabouthowtheycancontributeathome;
● Todeliverlessonswherepupilsfeelsafeandencouragesparticipationbyusingavarietyofteaching approacheswithopportunitiestodevelopcriticalthinkingandrelationshipskills;
● Tobebasedonreliablesourcesofinformation,includingaboutthelawandlegalrights,and distinguishesbetweenfactandopinion;
● Topromotesafe,equal,caringandenjoyablerelationshipsanddiscussesreal-lifeissuesappropriateto theageandstageofpupils,includingfriendships,families,consent,relationshipabuse,sexual exploitationandsaferelationshipsonline;
● Togiveapositiveviewofhumansexuality,withhonestandmedicallyaccurateinformation,sothat pupilscanlearnabouttheirbodiesandsexualandreproductivehealthinwaysthatareappropriateto theirageandmaturity;
● Togivepupilsopportunitiestoreflectonvaluesandinfluences(suchasfrompeers,media,faithand culture)thatmayshapetheirattitudestorelationshipsandsex,andnurturesrespectfordifferent views;
● Toincludelearningabouthowtogethelpandtreatmentfromsourcessuchastheschoolnurseand otherhealthandadviceservices,includingreliableinformationonline;
● TofostergenderequalityandLGBT+(lesbian,gay,bisexual,trans)equalityandchallengesallformsof discriminationinRSElessonsandinevery-dayschoollife;
● Tomeettheneedsofallpupilswiththeirdiverseexperiences-includingthosewithspecial educationalneedsanddisabilities.
● ToseekpupilsʼviewsaboutRSEsothatteachingcanbemaderelevanttotheirreallivesandassessed andadaptedastheirneedschange
Provisions Asasubjectinitsownright,sexeducationisdeliveredwithinthePSHEprogrammewhichstudentsreceivein timetabledlessons.Inaddition,aspectsofsexeducationremainwithinthescienceNationalCurriculum. Parentscannotwithdrawtheirchildfromthelatter.Detailsofthecurriculuminbothareasareavailableon request.Parentswhorequesttheirchildtobewithdrawnfromanelementofthesexeducationcurriculumare madeawareofthemissedelements. Anywithdrawalofstudentsfromlessonsisrecordedinthestudentʼsfile.
C4.LearningSupport Theschooliscommittedtoachievingthebestpossibleeducationforeverystudent.Partofthisapproach involvesdealingwithspecificlearningdifficulties.Pleasetellusimmediatelyifyouknoworsuspectthatyour childmayhavesomespecificproblemwhichmayneedtobeaddressed.
Somestudentsarealreadyidentifiedashavingaspecialneedbeforetheyentertheschool,themostcommon beingsomeformofdyslexia.Othersmanifestsignsonentry,suchasdifficultieswithhand-writing,poor difficultieswithpresentation,inconsistentspellingorverysignificantdifficultieswithorganisation.
Wherethereiscauseforconcern,theHeadofLearningSupportwilldecidewhethertorecommendtoparents thatthestudentseesaneducationalpsychologisttoobtainaformalreport.TheHeadofLearningSupportwill actontheeducationalpsychologistʼsadvice.Iftheadviceisthatyourchildshouldreceiveextratuition,the learningsupportdepartmentwillifpossibleprovidethis,havingfirstdiscussedthematterwithyou.
Candidatesforpublicexaminationsmaybeentitledtoaccessarrangementsintheseexaminations,ranging fromextratimetotheuseofascribe,ortheuseofacomputer.Inordertoqualifyforaccessarrangements,the schoolmustnormallysubmitonthestudentʼsbehalfaneducationalpsychologistʼsreportproducedinthelast twoyears.ThereportshouldcontaintheinformationreferredtointheEducationalAssessmentReportformor theSupplementtothePsychologistReportform.
FurtherdetailscanbefoundinourLearningSupportPolicyontheschoolwebsite.
C5.AssessmentandReporting Academicprogressismonitoredthroughformativeandsummativeassessment.Thepatternofassessment providesfrequentbutʻlighttouchʼreportingtoparentsviaʻinterimʼreports(asingleeffortgradeand attainmentreportineachsubject)everyterm,withfullwrittenreportsprovidedinthespringtermforYear11 and13orattheendoftheacademicyearforallotheryeargroups.
Instrumentalmusicreportsareprovidedtwiceeachyear,inJanuaryandineitherAprilorJuly,supportedby anoverviewfromtherelevantHeadofDepartment.
ReportswillbesenttoParents/Guardiansbyemail.ParentsshouldinformtheSchoolOfficebeforetheendof Septembereachyeariftheywishtheirreportstobesentinsteadinhardcopybypost;however,thisislikelyto delaythearrivalofthosereports.
Eachstudentisgivengradesasindicatedbelow.
AcademicMonitoring Academicprogressismonitoredthroughformativeandsummativeassessment.StudentsaregivenInterim GradeseverytermandafullwrittenreportinthespringtermforYear11and13andattheendoftheacademic yearforallotheryeargroups.
Eachstudentisgivengradesasindicatedbelow:
Effort
E–excellent
G–good
S–satisfactory(meetingrequirementsbutneedstoimprovetoexcel)
C–concern(thisgradeisaccompaniedbyacommentclarifyingthenatureoftheconcern)
Awiderangeoffactors(classroomdiscipline,prepmanagement,motivationandengagement)cancontribute totheoveralleffortgradeaward.
Attainment
Years12-13:GradesA*/A/B/C/D/E/Uareawardedtomatchtheattainmentexpectedatthatstageofanexternal examinationcourse.
(Attainmentgradesinreportsareonlyawardedonthebasisofworksubmittedinthereportingperiod. They areNOTapredictionofafinalresult,althoughagrademayapproximatetoitinthefinalstagesofacourse, unlessexplainedbyanappropriateeffortgradeandcomment).
Years7-9:Studentsarerewardedoneofthefollowing:
● WorkingTowardsExpectedLevel(thisoptionwillincludeasupportivecommentfromtheteacher)
● WorkingAtExpectedLevel
● WorkingAboveExpectedLevel
Years10-11:Grades9(highest)-1(lowest)asaboveintermsofapplyingtoworksubmittedinthereporting period.
ThenewgradingsystemofGrades9-1isshownbelowwiththeoldsysteminbrackets:
9-8(A*) 7(A) 6-5-4
Academicdepartmentswilluseregulartrackingdatatostandardiseattainment.
Benchmarks
Years10-13:Benchmarkgrades(A*-E/9–4)appearonreportsandrepresenttheminimumstandardatwhich thestudentshouldbeworkingatthatstageofatwoyearperiod/course(Y12-13(GCE)andY10-11((I)GCSE)). BenchmarksaresetatthestartofthetwoyearperiodusingabilitydataprovidedbyMidyis/YellisandAlis testingandarereviewedfollowinginternalexaminations.
TargetGrades
Years10-13:Targetgrades(A*-C/Dor9-4)fortheendofthecourse(GCE/(I)GCSE)appearonreportsandare assignedatthestartofGCEand(I)GCSEcourses,followingdiscussionwithstudents.Targetgradesarerealistic butaspirationalandareNOTpredictions.Atargetgrademustbeatleastonegradehigherthanthebenchmark andcanbereviewedfollowinginternalexaminations.
ParentswithanyqueriesrelatedtotheaboveshouldcontactMrLong(Y10/11)orMrSzafranski(SixthForm)in thefirstinstance.
InternalExaminations
Internalschoolexaminationsarehelda erhalfterminthesummerbreakforallyeargroups,exceptthose involvedinpublicexaminations.InJanuary,mockexaminationsareheldtopreparestudentsforpublic examinations;othergroupsmayhavetestsincoresubjects.
ParentsʼMeetings Parentsʼmeetingsareheldfrom4.00to6.00pmonaFridaya ernoonforeachyeargrouponceayearwhen parentshaveanopportunitytomeetacademicstaff. Detailsofparentsʼmeetingsarepublishedintheschool calendaratthestartofeachacademicyearhereandareheldeitherinpersonoronline.
Thepurposeofthesemeetingsistogiveparentsanopportunitytodiscussstudentsʼprogresswithstaff. Teachingstaffandgrouptutorsattend;instrumentalspecialistteachersdonotusuallyattend.SixthFormers areexpectedtoattendwiththeirparents;youngerstudentsarenot.Theprecisedatesarelistedintheschool calendarandparentswillbesentanemailreminderinadvanceofthemeeting.
Ifparentsareunabletoattendaparentsʼmeeting,thestudentʼstutorcan,onrequest,collatecommentsfrom academicstaffandemailthemhome.
FurtherdetailscanbefoundinourAssessment&ReportingPolicyontheschoolwebsite.
C6.Post-ExamsServicesandAppealsProceduresinPublicExaminations Fulldetailsofresultsdaysandpost-examsservices,includinghowtomakeenquiriesaboutresults,torequest re-marksandallothermattersrelatingtoresultsinpublicexaminations,arepublishedontheschoolwebsite
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SECTIOND:MUSICINFORMATION D1.IndividualInstrumentalLessons Instrumental,singingandcompositionlessonsaretimetabledbyMrsDuce.Theinstrumentaltimetableis emailedtostudentsonThursdaya ernoonforthefollowingweek.Lessonsdonottakeplaceatthesametime eachweek,andstudentshavetobeveryorganisedandcommunicativeabouttheirplanningandschedule. Missedlessonscannotbemadeuporreimbursed,andsanctionsareplacedonstudentswhoforgettogotoan instrumentallessonorrehearsal.
Studentsmustchecktheirlessonsonthedaytheemailisreceivedandifthereisanyclashorproblemforthe followingweek,mustimmediatelyletMrsDuceknowbyemail.Thismustbedonebeforethedeadlineof 10.40amthenextdayi.e.ontheFridayoftheweekbeforelessonsareduetotakeplace. Ifnovalidreasonis given,ortheFridaydeadlineismissed,nochangecanbemadeandthestudentmustattendthelessonas timetabled.
Ifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequest byemail,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org
Whenpermissionforabsenceisgiven,thestudentisresponsibleforlettingallteachersknowcourteouslyin advance,andfulfillinganyextratasksset.
Pleasenotethatparentsarenotpermittedtoattendmusiclessons.
TeachingWeeks MusicSpecialistteachersareexpectedtoprovideupto30weeksoflessonsunlessagreedotherwisewiththe relevantHeadofDepartment(HoD).InY11andY13,slightlyfewerlessonsmaybepossible,giventhepublic examsinthesecondhalfofthesummerterm.Allinstrumentallessonsandmusicalcommitmentsdocontinue throughoutstudyleaveperiods,andabsencesfromschoolmustberequestedinadvanceasabove.
LessonDurationandAdditionalLessons Thenormalexpectationformoststudentsisthattheywillreceivebetweentwoandthreehoursperweek tuitionintotal,one-to-one.Threehoursisthemaximum;decisionsastohowmuchofthispotentialallowance isneededforeachindividualstudent,anditsdistributionbetweendifferentstudies,aremadebytheMusic Departmentaccordingtostudentsʼmusicalandacademicneeds,timetableandotheractivities.Nostudent hasanautomaticrighttothreehoursʼtuition:eachindividualwillbeofferedaprogrammeappropriateto them.
Insomecases,inconsultationwithparentsandsubjecttotheapprovaloftherelevantHoD,studentsmay choosetoreceiveinexcessofthethreehourallowance.Insuchexceptionalcases,theexcessinstrumental lessonscostsarerechargedtoparentsasʻextrasʼonthefollowingtermʼsbill.Arrangementsforadditional instrumentallessonswillnotbeputinplaceunlessparentshavegiventheirpermissioninwritingtothe appropriateHoD.
TheSchoolacknowledgesthatteachersmaygetrequestsfromstudentsandparentstocontinuelessonsasa privatearrangementduringtheholidays.Asageneralrule,theSchooldoesnotencourageoff-siteteachingout ofterm,butitdoesrecognisethatitmaybethepreferredchoiceforsomefamiliesandtheremaybesome benefitsforsomeindividualstudents.Staffshouldnotfeelobligedtoagreetoanyrequestsandshouldreport anyunduepressuretoprovidelessonstotheSchool.Equally,staffmaynotofferorseekteaching opportunitiestostudentswhereithasnotbeenrequestednorapplypressureonfamiliestoagreeto additionallessons.
D2.ChoiceofSpecialistMusicTeacher ThechoiceofspecialistmusicteacherisdeterminedbytheappropriateHeadofDepartment(HoD).Every effortismadetochoosetherightteachertomatchtheneedsoftheindividualstudent.Parentsshouldalways consultwiththeIststudyHoDinthefirstinstancewithanymusicalconcerns.
D3.ChangesofInstrumentorSpecialistMusicTeacher ChangesofTeacher
NochangesofspecialistteachercantakeplacewithoutpriorconsultationwiththeDirectorofMusic. Notice provisionswillnormallyapply–seebelowfordetails.
Starting
aNewInstrumentorComposition Thisshouldbeinitiatedbyanemailrequestfromparentstothe1ststudyHoD. Requestswillnormallybe accommodatedprovidedthatteachingisavailableandsubjecttothestudentʼsoverallworkload.
ChangestoInstrumentalLessons Anyrequestsforchangestoinstrumentallessons(e.g.additionaltime,ordroppingasecondstudy)shouldbe madeinwritingbythestudentʼsparentorguardianandsenttothe1ststudyHoD.
NoticePeriods
Forallchangestoinstrumentalteachingallocation,therewillnormallybeanoticeperiodofhalfaterm,and studentsareexpectedtocontinuelessonsastheyare,totheendofthenoticeperiod.
Change
ofFirstStudyInstrument AdmissiontoThePurcellSchoolisthroughmusicalaudition,andanyofferofaplaceismadefortheagreed specificcourseofstudy.Anyrequesttochangethefirststudyinstrument(s)mustbemadebyparents/ guardiansinwritingtotheDirectorofMusic.
Wheneverpossible,theschoolwilltrytoaccommodatetherequest.However,thefinaldecisionwillreflectthe schoolʼsprofessionalopinionofwhatisinthebestlong-terminterestsofthestudent.
D4.SheetMusicandExtras SheetMusic Mostfamiliesfinditsimplesttoordersheetmusicdirectlyonline,deliveredbyposttostudentsatschool. Wherethisisdifficultforanyreason,itmaybeorderedviatheLibrary.Thecostofthisandanymusicor equipmentsuppliedbyinstrumentalteachers,willbeaddedasextrastothenexttermlybill.Musicbelonging totheschoolmayalsobeborrowedfromtheLibrary. Whereparentsdonotwishtopurchaseaparticularitem ofmusic,anditisnotcurrentlyavailablefromthelibrary,thenarequestcanbemadeforittobeorderedfor thelibrary.Itmustbereturneda eruse.
LoansofSchoolSheetMusic StudentsareresponsiblefortakingcareofanymusiconloanfromtheSchool.Failuretoreturnmusicwill resultinachargeonthetermlybill.
Extras
Studentsareallocatedaweeklyphotocopyingallowancewhichissetaccordingtoyear-group.Itisarolling allowance;ifastudentexceedshisorherallowance,theexcesswillbechargedtothebill.Chargesare1pper copyforblack-and-whiteand5ppercopycolourA4.Chargesarehigherforlargercopies.Recordablemedia canbepurchasedfromtheMusicTechnologydepartment. Thecostofallsuchsuppliesandserviceswillbe rechargedtoparentsinthetermlybill.
D5.Ensembles AllfirststudykeyboardplayersattendaweeklyPianoClass;singershaveaweeklySongClass;composershave weeklyseminars;chambermusicisorganisedbothwithinandoutsidetheschooltimetable.Orchestralplayers willplayinoneormoreoftheschoolensemblesandorchestras,andtheserehearseonceortwiceweekly; therearealsomoreintensivecoursesoccasionally,dependingontheconcertprogramme.Jazz,popand commercialbandsalsorehearseeveryweek.ThereisaChamberChoir,aJuniorChoir,aSixthFormChoirand furtheropportunitiesforchoralsingingwithinandoutsidethetimetable.
Rehearsals
Mostrehearsalstakeplaceduringtheschoolday(seeA1.TheSchoolDayforendofdaytimings,dependingon studentsʼyeargroup).However,thereisanhourbetween5pmand6pmwhichmaybeusedforensemblesand forextrarehearsalsclosetoconcerts.Boardersareencouragedtoarrangetheirowninformalmusicalactivities intheevening.
Studentsshouldarriveateveryrehearsalontime,withinstrumentandmusicifrequired,andwithapencil.Ifa studenthasaclashwithanotherrehearsal,instrumentallessonorotherevent,theyshouldspeaktothe memberofstaffinchargeoftherehearsalwellinadvance.
Ifastudentisnotneededforarehearsalforanyreasonandhasnootherscheduledcommitments,thisistime forpractice,home-work,readingorlistening–studentsareexpectedtousethetimeprofitably.
D6.
ConcertsProcedure Lunchtimeconcertstakeplacefourtimesaweek,andthereareperformanceclassesinthetimetableforyears 7-11.Allstudentsinyear9andaboveshouldaimtoperforminatleastonelunchtimeconcerteachterm, ideallymoreo en.Studentsshouldplanrepertoireanddateswiththeirteacher.Concertsaremanagedby theConcertsCoordinator,whoworksintheMusicOffice.Thereareformstocompletewithdetailsofthe programme,andstudentsmustarrangerehearsalswithoneoftheschoolaccompanists,DebbieShahand DanielSwain,orafellowstudent,unlesstheyareplayingunaccompanied.
Eveningconcertstakeplacemostweeks,andstudentsareinvitedtotakepart,basedontheirreadiness, willingness,generalpreparationandworkethic.Anystudentwhofeelsthattheyarenotbeinggivenenough opportunitiestoperform,shoulddiscusswiththeirteacher,HeadofDepartmentortheDirectorofMusic.
AttendanceatLunchtimeConcerts
Eachstudentisrequiredtoattendatleastoneconcertonceaweekandregistersaretaken.
ExternalConcertsArrangedbytheSchool Therearealotofconcertsoutsideschool,somemoreformalandhigh-profilethanothers.Theseare programmedbytheDirectorofMusicandHeadsofDepartmentinconsultationwithinstrumentalteachers. SeeAppendix2fordetailsofConcertDress.
D7.CompetitionsandConcertswithOtherOrganisations OutsideConcerts StudentsareencouragedtotakepartinmusicalactivitiesoutsideSchool,particularlyattheweekendand duringschoolholidays.Eventsthatclashwithschooldaysarenotencouraged,becauseourtermsareshort andourdaysarebusy,andwealreadymanageacomplextimetableofclashesbetweenmusiclessonsand academiclessons.Permissionmustberequested,andwillonlybegivenwhentheprosandconshavebeen consideredbytheDirectorofMusic.
Ifastudentwishestomissschoolforanyreason,aparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequest byemail,14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org
Whenplayinganywhere,studentsareaskedtoacknowledgeThePurcellSchoolinconcertprogrammes;for example,“SamSmithstudiesatThePurcellSchool”.
StudentsmaynotusetheschoolʼsnameorlogotoadvertiseanexternalprivateconcertwithoutthePrincipalʼs permission.
Competitions Competitionsaresometimesagoodidea,butnotalways,andshouldbeundertakenonlyveryexceptionallyin termtime.StudentsmayonlyapplyforcompetitionswiththeagreementoftheirteacherandHeadof Department.Aswithexternalconcerts,permissionforabsencewillonlybegivena erconsiderationbythe DirectorofMusic.
Accompanists AccompanistsareprovidedforSchoolconcerts(internalandexternal),andforAssociatedBoardexaminations organisedbytheschool. Anyotherrequestforanaccompanistismadebyprivatearrangement. Accompanists arenotprovidedformusiccollegeauditions.
D8.AssessmentProcedure PlacesattheSchool,togetherwithGovernmentandPurcellSchoolscholarships,areawardeda eraudition andaresubjecttosatisfactoryprogressandconduct.Progressismonitoredcontinuouslyandreportedto parents.Ifthereareseriousdoubtsaboutconductorprogress,parentsorguardianswillbecontactedmore formally.
Studentswhodonotmakeexpectedprogresswillbeadvisedonareasinneedofimprovement,andspecific targetswillbeset.Ifthesearenotmet,parentsmayberequiredtowithdrawtheirchildfromtheschoolatthe endoftheyear.Advicewillbegiventoenablestudentstofindsuitablealternativeschooling.
D9.StoringInstruments Instrumentsshouldbekeptinlockersorasafealternativeplace.Allinstrumentcasesshouldbelabelledwith thestudentʼsname,schooladdress,anditshouldbeclearwhethertheinstrumentbelongstothemorison loanfromsomebodyelse.
D10.SupervisedPracticeandNotebooks Allstudentshaveregulartimetabledpracticesessions,andLowerSchoolstudentsareoverseenbyateamof practicesupervisors.AllboardersuptoYear11havesupervisedpracticetimeearlyeveryweekdaymorning.
Itisimportanttorememberthatpracticedoesnʼtnecessarilymakeperfect:itcanreinforcebadhabitsifnot carefullyconsidered.Studentsshouldspendafewminutesatthestartofeachpracticesessionplanningwhat theyaregoingtodo,settingrealisticandachievabletargets;warmupbeforetheystart;takeregularshort breaks;a ereachpracticesessionspendafewminutesthinkingaboutwhattheyhavedonesuccessfully,what theyhavenotmanagedtodo,andusethattoplanthenextpractice.Musicianscanalsopractisevery effectivelywithoutaninstrument,byimaginingthattheyareplaying.
Studentswillfinditusefultokeepanotebookinwhichtheycanmakenotesaboutlessons,practiceand repertoire.Teachers,students,parentsandotheradultsmaywanttocommunicatewitheachotherviashort messagesinthisbook.
D11.SaturdayProgramme ThereisamusicalprogrammeforboardersonSaturdaymornings.Itincludesaregularperformanceclass, scheduledpractice,andopportunitiesforstudentstoruntheirowngroups.
D12.ABRSM/ExternalExaminations AssociatedBoard(ABRSM)examsaregenerallyofferedintheSchoolatleastonceduringtheyear,usuallyin theSpringterm.OnjoiningtheSchool,studentswhohavealreadytakenAssociatedBoardTheoryGrade5 shouldbringacopyoftheirresulttotheLibrarian;thiswillbeeithertheoriginalmarkformprovidedbythe AssociatedBoardoracopyofthecertificate.ThedocumentwillbekeptsafelyattheSchooluntilthestudent leaves,sothatitisavailableforusewhenthestudententersanyAssociatedBoardexamaboveGrade6.
D13.Biographies Studentswillbeaskedtowriteashortbiography(50-100words)detailingwheretheywereborn,whenthey firststartedplaying,andperhapswhattheylikeaboutmusicorotheroutsideinterests.Anyfinancialsupport thatyoureceiveshouldalsobeacknowledged.Thebiographyshouldbehandedintothemusicofficeatthe startoftermoremailedtotheConcertsCoordinator.
D14.InstrumentalInsuranceandLoans Parentsmustensurethatallpersonalinstrumentsareinsuredandthatinstrumentsarecoveredfortravelto andfromschoolandwhenstudentsareperformingoutsideofschool.Schoolinstrumentsmaybelentto students(subjecttoavailability).Asmallhirecharge(£50perterminthecurrentacademicyear)maybelevied forlongtermloans
D15.StudentsReceivingExternalInstrumentalLessons Asarule,externallessonsarediscouragedandparentsmustinformtheschooliftheywishtostartthem,orif theyarealreadytakingplace,andkeepusupdatedofanychanges. Ourfullpolicyonexternalmusiclessonsis onthewebsite;thefirstparagraphisprintedbelow.
ThePurcellSchoolprovidesworld-classspecialisttuitioninmusictostudentsthroughtheemploymentofan exceptionallywell-qualifiedandexperiencedstaff.Externalmusiclessonsarediscouraged,asstudentsbenefitso muchfromlearninginschool.TheSchoolsupportsasmallnumberofstudentstoaccesstheprovisionofferedat juniorconservatoiredepartmentsonSaturdays.Occasionallyastudentmayreceiveinstrumentaltuitionfroma specificteacherwhoisneitheremployedbytheschoolnoraconservatoirejuniordepartment.Anexamplemight bewheretheschooldoesnotcurrentlyemployateacherofthatinstrument,orifa2ndor3rdstudyʻhobbyʼisto becontinuedwithateacherathomeattheweekendsorintheholidays.Eachrequestmustbeassessedonits ownmeritsandtheschoolmustsatisfyitselfthatitisinthebestinterestofthestudenttostudywiththe proposedteacher.Insuchcases,theschoolmustthensatisfyitselfthatadequatemeasuresareinplaceto protectthesafetyandwellbeingofthestudent.
PleasecontacttheMusicOfficeifyouhaveaquestionaboutamatternotcoveredhere.
BacktoContents
SECTIONE:BEHAVIOURS E1.Introduction TheSchoolRulesaredesignedtoencouragestudentstobehaveinathoughtfulandresponsibleway,toensure thattheyreceivethemaximumbenefitfromtheireducation,tomaintaintheschoolʼsexcellentreputation,and tohelpthewholeschoolcommunitytolivetogetheramicably.
TheSchoolRulescanbefoundasAppendix1tothishandbook,aswellasontheschoolwebsite.Theyarealso issuedtoallstudents.
YoushouldalsoreadtheschoolʼsAnti-BullyingPolicy,BehaviourandSanctionsPolicy(whichexplainsrewards andsanctionsusedattheschool),DrugsandAlcoholPolicy&theICTAcceptableUsePolicy.Summariesof thesepoliciescanbefoundbelow/elsewhereinthishandbook,andthefullversionscanbedownloadedfrom ourwebsite.
E2.PrinciplesandExpectations ● ThePurcellSchoolencouragesthegoodbehaviourofitsstudentsatalltimes.Theschoolattaches greatimportancetocourtesy,integrity,goodmanners,gooddisciplineandrespectfortheneedsof others.TheSchoolRulesandtheschoolʼsAnti-BullyingPolicymakeclearourexpectationsinthis regard.
● Theguidingprincipleisthattheschooltrustsstudentstoknowhowtobehaveandtoactatalltimesin theirownbestinterestsandthoseofthewholeschoolcommunity.Onlywhenstudentsbreachthis trustwillsanctionsberequired.
● Whensanctionsareunavoidable,studentsandparentshavetherighttoexpecttheschooltoapply thispolicyfairly.However,thisdoesnotmeanthatsanctionswillinvariablybethesameforeach offence,astheremaybedifferingcircumstanceswhichmaybetakenintoaccount.Inotherwords, everyincidentwillbeviewedonitsownmerits,usingthispolicyasguidance.
● ThePurcellSchooldoesnotusephysicalpunishmentofanysort.Thereisnocorporalpunishmentand nopunishmentisintendedtohumiliateorintimidateanystudent.
● TheschoolʼsBehaviourManagementStrategyisagradedscalecoveringbothrewardsandsanctions, intendedtoencouragestudentstowardsanacceptablelevelofbehaviour.Acopycanbefoundasan appendixtotheschoolʼsBehaviourPolicyonourwebsite.
E3.RewardsandSanctions Rewards
Studentswhodoparticularlygoodworkrelativetotheirability,ormakeapositivecontributiontothelifeof theschool,receiveaCommendation.TheCommendationcardisissuedbyateacher,TutororHouseparent; thestudentshouldtakeittothePrincipalforrecording,beforetakingithometoshowtohisorherparents.
Attheendoftheschoolyear,prizesareawardedforeffort,forachievementinacademicsubjects,for commendationsawarded,inmusic,andforgeneralcontributiontothelifeoftheschool.
Sanctions TheschoolʼsBehaviourManagementStrategyprovidesarangeofsanctionsinagradualscaleofincreasing severitydesignedtoencouragethestudenttowardsanacceptablelevelofattainmentorbehaviour.Possible sanctionsforminoroffencesorpooracademicworkincludedetentions,gating(i.e.notbeingallowedtoleave theschoolpremisesor,forboarders,theHousea ertheschoolday),academicreportorsupervisedprivate study.
Seriousmisbehaviour,orpersistentacademicindiscipline,mayresultinaSchoolDetention,whichusually takesplaceonaFridaya erschool.ThestudentwillalsobeinterviewedbytheVicePrincipaltodiscussthe offenceandtheirfutureconduct.Forcertainoffences,thePrincipalmayrequireastudenttoserveaPrincipalʼs DetentiononaSaturdaymorning.APrincipalʼsDetentionisonestepshortofsuspensionandstudentsneedto understandhowseriousitis.
Suspension Seriousorrepeateddisciplinaryoffencesmayresultinthestudentʼssuspensionforbetweentwodaysandtwo weeks.Whilesuspended,thestudentisexpectedtoremainathomeduringtheschoolday,andworkwill, wheneverpossible,beset.Asuspendedstudentmaynotattendanyschoolfunction(e.g.concert)orsocial event.(Astudentmayalsobesuspendedwhilstaninvestigationintoanallegedseriousincidenttakesplace.)
Incertaincases,astudentmaybeputintoʻinternalsuspensionʼ,wheretheywillberequiredtoworkinschool undersupervisionduringfreetimeandwithotherprivilegessuspended.
Followingasuspension,thestudent(andifpossiblehisorherparents)willberequiredtoattendaninterview withthePrincipaland/ortheVIcePrincipaltodiscusshis/herfutureconduct.Afinalwarningmayalsobe issuedatthisstage.
Expulsion InthemostextremecircumstancesthePrincipalreservestherighttoexpelastudentfromtheschool. Althoughthestudentʼsbestinterestswillbetakenintoconsideration,theinterestsofthewholeschool communityandthenatureoftheoffencewillbeofparticularsignificance.Insuchcircumstances,parentshave arightofappealtotheschoolgovernors.Aseparateprocedurecoveringtherightofappealisavailablefrom thePrincipalʼsoffice.
ParentsʼattentionisdrawntotheschoolʼsTermsandConditions,paragraph7(b),whichstatesthat:
ThePrincipalmayattheirdiscretionrequireyoutoremoveormaysuspendorexpelyourchildfromtheSchoolif theyconsiderthatyourchildʼsattendance,progressorbehaviour(includingbehaviouroutsideSchool)is seriouslyunsatisfactoryor(atthePrincipalʼssolediscretion)foranyotherreasonifinthereasonableopinionof thePrincipaltheremovalisintheSchoolʼsbestinterestsorthoseofyourchild,otherchildren,stafforparents.
ThePrincipalisrequiredtoactfairlyandinaccordancewiththeprinciplesofnaturaljustice.ThePrincipalwill makeadecisiononacase-by-casebasis,willexpelastudentfromtheSchoolonlyasalastresortandwillnot expelastudentotherthaningravecircumstances.
WithdrawalofRighttoBoard Forrepeatedboardingoffences,orwherethecontinuedpresenceofthestudentisfelttobedetrimentalto goodorderintheHouse,aboardingplacemaybewithdrawneithertemporarilyorpermanentlyatthe Principalʼsdiscretion.
E4.DrugsandAlcohol ThisisasummaryoftheschoolʼsDrugsandAlcoholPolicy,whichcanbefoundontheschoolwebsite.
ControlledDrugs TheSchoolʼspolicyisthatThePurcellSchoolshouldbefreefromdrugscontrolledundertheMisuseofDrugs Act1971/2001.Webelievethatinvolvementwithcontrolleddrugsisalwayswrongforthefollowingreasons:
● Itisillegal.Usingcontrolleddrugscanleadtoacriminalconvictionwhichwillaffectemployment prospects,forexamplebymakingitimpossibletovisitcertaincountriesincludingtheUSA.Thiscould haveseriousimplicationsforanycareer,butparticularlyinmusic.
● Drugshaveharmfulphysicalside-effects.Someoftheseareunpredictableandimmediateandaccount foranumberofprematuredeathsamongstyoungpeopleeachyear;allarenowassociatedwithlonger termhealthproblems.
● Asmallnumberofyoungpeoplequicklydevelopsomeformofdependencyondrugs.
● Involvementindrugculturetendstodrawyoungpeopleawayfrommoreworthwhileactivitiesand o enresultsinafallingawayofacademicperformance.
● Involvementwithcontrolleddrugsisdamagingtotheschoolcommunityasawhole.
Anystudentsuspectedofbeinginvolvedwithillegalorotherharmfuldrugswhileunderschooljurisdiction eitheronoroffschoolpremisescanexpecttobesuspendedfromschoolandmaysubsequentlybyexpelled dependingonthecircumstances. Theschoolreservestherighttoinformthepolice.
LegalDrugs Theschooloperatesaʻnosmokingorvapingʼʼpolicyatalltimesthroughoutthebuildingsandgrounds..This policyappliestostudents,employees,parentsandvisitors,andincludestheuseofe-cigarettesandʻShisha pensʼ.ThePurcellSchoolisanunsuitableinstitutionforthosewithanestablishedsmokinghabit.
Studentsarenotpermittedtobeinpossessionofalcohol,orundertheinfluenceofalcohol,onschool premisesorwhenunderthejurisdictionoftheschool(e.g.onschooltrips).Nostudent,includingthoseof legalage,mayenterlicensedpremises,includingoff-licences,duringtermtime.
AtthediscretionofthePrincipal,alcohol(beer,wineorsimilar)maybeofferedtoSixthFormstudentsat staffedschoolfunctions,whereparentshavespecific,individualpermission.Noalcoholwillbeservedto studentsbelowtheSixthFormonanyoccasion.AlcoholmaynotbeconsumedinSchoolwithoutpermission fromthePrincipalanddrinkmaybetakenonlyinthepresenceofamemberofstaff
E5.ICTAcceptableUsePolicy TheSchoolʼsICT(InformationandCommunicationTechnology)AcceptableUsePolicygovernstheuseby studentsoftheSchoolʼscomputernetworkandanycomputerandperipheralequipmentconnectedtoit togetherwiththeuseofanystand-aloneICTequipment.
TheuseoftheSchoolʼsnetworkandequipmentisaprivilegeandnotaright. TheSchooltakesreasonable stepstocontrolandmonitortheuseoftheinternetandotherelectronicmeansofcommunicationwithout unnecessarilyordisproportionatelycompromisingtheprivacyofboardersortheirabilitytocommunicate withtheirparents,guardiansoroutsideagencies.TheSchoolwillthereforedetermineappropriateuseand monitoruseraccountsandfileserverspaceasnecessary. Inappropriateuse,includingcontraveningtherules andconditions,willresultinwithdrawaloftheprivilege;studentsshouldbeawareofthepersonaland academicconsequencesthatmayensuefromsuchawithdrawal. Failuretoadheretothispolicywillalsobe regardedasabreachofSchoolRulesandmaythereforeresultinothersanctions.
ThefullpolicycanbefoundonourwebsiteandunderICTAcceptableUsePolicy(Students&Guests).The Schoolhasawirelessnetworkand,a ercompletingtherelevantpaperwork,studentsareallowedtoconnect theirownpersonaldevicestothenetwork.TheschoolnetworkprovidesaccesstoSkypeandtosocial networkingsites,althoughaccessmayberestrictedtocertaintimesofday.Parentsʼattentionisalsodrawnto theSchoolRules(Appendix1),Section15,regardingtheuseofmobilephonesandotherdevicesinschool. BacktoContents
SECTIONF:OTHERMATTERS F1.SchoolTrips Aspartoftheeducationweoffer,studentsarefrequentlygiventheopportunitytomaketripsorexcursionsout ofschool.Thesewillrangefromshort,one-daytripsforawholeclasstoalocalsiteofinterest,oreveningsout toplaysorconcerts,tooccasionaloverseasconcerttourswhichtakeplaceduringholidaytime.Your permissionwillbesoughtforanytripwhichtakesyourchildoutofschool,withtheexceptionofconcertsat whichyourchildisperformingandthedetailsofwhichhavebeenpublishedintheschoolcalendar.
Theschoolcarriesoutcomprehensiveriskassessmentsforanytripswhichinvolveastayovernight,andall relevantdocumentationwillbemadeavailabletoparents.
F2.ComplaintsProcedureforParentsandGuardians ItishopedthattheSchoolwillcontinuetomaintainexcellentrelationshipswiththeparentsandguardiansof studentsattendingThePurcellSchool.Nonetheless,theremaybeoccasionsduringastudentʼstimeatThe PurcellSchoolwhenparentsmayfeeltheywishtomakeacomplaint. Ifso,pleasefollowthisprocedure.
Pleasetellusofyourconcernassoonaspossible.Itisdifficultforustoinvestigateproperlyanincidentor problemwhichhashappenedsometimeago. Pleasestateyourproblemorconcerncourteously:itdoesnot helpstafftoresolveissuesifintemperateoraggressivelanguageisused,eitherinwritingorinperson.Wewill normallytrytoresolveanycomplaintswithin10workingdaysofthembeingraised,exceptwheretheyare raisedinschoolholidays,inwhichcasewewilltrytoresolvethemwithin10workingdaysofthestartofthe newschoolterm.
● ChildProtection:ConcernsregardingChildProtectionareoutsidethescopeofthisprocedure.Ifyou haveaconcernregardingChildProtection,pleasecontacttheschoolʼsDesignatedSafeguardingLead, MrSzafranski(HeadofSixthForm),directlybytelephoningtheSchoolOffice(01923331100).
● Appealsagainstexpulsion:Theseareheardunderadifferentprocedure,detailsofwhichareavailable fromthePrincipalʼsOffice.
Stage1(Informal) 1. Itishopedthatmostcomplaintsandconcernscanberesolvedquicklyandinformally.O enthereisa misunderstandingwhichcanbeeasilyresolved.Ifnot,wewillgiveyouachancetoexplainyour concernsandwilltrytoresolvethem.Ofcourse,thisdoesnotmeanthatineverycasewewillcome roundtoyourpointofviewbutitwillhelpbothyouandtheschooltounderstandbothsidesofthe question.Itmayalsohelptopreventasimilarproblemarisingagain.
2. Thepersonbestplacedtodealwithanyconcernandcomplaintwilldependonthesubjectofyour complaint,asfollows:
SUBJECTOFCOMPLAINT PERSONTOCONTACT Generalacademicorpastoralmatters DIrectorofTeachingandLearning,Tutor
Otheracademicmatters,includingthe curriculumandspecialeducationalneeds
DirectorofTeachingandLearning, HeadofSixthFormorVicePrincipal
Specialistmusicteachingorthemusic curriculum DirectorofMusicor AppropriateHeadofDepartment
Pastoralcare,includingboarding Houseparentsor DirectorofBoarding
Financialmatters Bursar
Ifyouarenotsurewhomtocontact,pleasecontacttheSchoolOffice(info@purcell-school.org).
3. Ifyouwishtodiscusstheproblemfacetoface,therelevantmemberofstaffwillusuallybeabletosee youonaschooldaybeforeora erschool.Pleasecontactthembyemailinadvancetomakean appointment.Pleasedonotsimplyturnupatschoolandexpecttoseesomeone,astheymaynotbe available.
4. Ifthematterisnotresolvedtoyoursatisfaction,orifyouhaveaseriouscomplaintwhichyoufeel cannotbedealtwithbythepersonabove,youshouldthenproceedtoStage2ofthisprocedure
Stage2(Formal) 1. Ifyoubelievethatyourcomplaintissufficientlyserious,orifthematterhasnotbeenresolvedatStage 1above,youcanmakeaformalcomplaintdirectlytothePrincipal.Thismustbemadecourteouslyin writing,statingthatyouaremakingaformalcomplaint.ThePrincipalwillacknowledgereceiptofyour complaint.
2. ThePrincipalwillusuallydelegateresponsibilityforundertakinginvestigationofthecomplainttothe VicePrincipaloranotherseniormemberofstaffasappropriate.Thedesignatedpersonmayaskto meetyouforadiscussionoftheproblem.Youcantakeafriendorrelationtothisappointmentwith youifyouwish,whoshouldnotbelegallyqualified,andlegalrepresentationwillnotnormallybe permitted.Thedesignatedpersonwillthenconductafullinvestigationofthecomplaintandmay interviewanymembersofstafforstudentsinvolved.Awrittenrecordwillbekeptofallmeetingsand interviewsheldinrelationtothecomplaint.
3. Followingtheinvestigation,thePrincipalwilldecide,a erconsideringthecomplaint,theappropriate courseofactiontotake.Youwillbeinformedofthisdecisioninwriting.ThePrincipalmayalsoaskto meetwithyoutoexplainthedecision.
4. IfyourcomplaintisaboutanactionofthePrincipalpersonally,thenyoucanreferitinconfidenceto theChairmanofGovernors.Youcancontacthimbywritingtohimc/otheBursarorbyemailtothe Bursar(a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org),statingclearlythatyouaremakingaformalcomplaint.
Stage3(Appeal) 1. Ifthematterisstillnotresolvedtoyoursatisfaction,youmaywishtoproceedtoStage3,andaskfor yourcomplainttobereferredtoahearingpanel.Theappealmustbemadeinwriting,statingthatyou aremakinganAppeal.
2. YourappealshouldbeaddressedinconfidencetotheChairmanofGovernorsandsenttohimc/othe BursarorbyemailtotheBursar(a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org).TheBursarwillacknowledge receiptofyourcomplaint.
3. Youmustlodgeyourappealwithin10workingdaysofthedateoftheSchoolʼsdecisionmadein accordancewiththeStage2Procedure.Youshouldprovidealistofyourcomplaint(s)madeagainst theschoolandwhichyoubelievenottohavebeenresolvedsatisfactorilybytheStage2Procedure, alongwiththeremediessoughtinrespectofeach.Youshouldalsostatewhetheryouwishtoattend thehearing,orwhetherthepanelmaydealwiththematterbasedonlyonwrittensubmissions.
4. TheChairmanofGovernorswillthenconveneapanelconsistingofthreeindividuals,twogovernors andonememberwhoisindependentofthemanagementandrunningoftheschool,noneofwhom willhavebeendirectlyinvolvedinthemattersdetailedinthecomplaintandsowillbeabletogiveita freshassessment.Thepanelwillconveneassoonaspossible,normallywithin10workingdaysofthe receiptofyourappeal.
5. Ifyouhaverequestedtoattendthehearing,youwillbeinvitedtoattendandspeaktothepanel;you maybringafriendorrelativewithyou,whoshouldnotbelegallyqualified,andlegalrepresentation willnotnormallybepermitted.ThePrincipalwillnormallyalsoattendthehearing,andmaybringa colleague(normallythepersonwhohasinvestigatedthematterunderStage2above).
6. A erdueconsiderationofallthefactstheyconsiderrelevant,thepanelwillreachadecision,andmay makerecommendations,whichitshallendeavourtocompletewithin10workingdaysofthehearing. ThedecisionreachedbytheComplaintsPanelisfinal.Thepanelʼsfindingswillbesentinwritingor emailtotheparents,thePrincipal,theChairmanofGovernorsand,whererelevant,theperson
complainedabout.Theletterwillstateanyreasonsforthedecisionreachedandrecommendations(if any)madebytheComplaintsPanel. Therecordoftheoutcomeofthehearingiskeptinschoolin confidence,availabletothePrincipalandtheChairofGovernors.
FurtherdetailsoftheComplaintsPanelprocedureareavailablefromthePrincipalʼsOffice.
WelfareofBoarders(inaccordancewithNationalMinimumBoardingStandard5.8)
Boardersortheirparentswhohaveacomplaintabouttheirwelfarewhichtheyfeelhasnotbeenansweredby theschoolʼsnormalprocedurescanwritetotheIndependentSchoolsʼInspectorateat:ISI,FirstFloor,CAP House,9-12LongLane,LondonEC1A9HA,ortoinfo@isi.net
Alternatively,theymaycontacttheLocalAuthorityDesignatedOfficeron03001234043.
RecordKeeping Confidentialwrittenrecordsofallformal(Stage2)complaintsandtheiroutcome(includingwhethertheywere resolvedatStage2orproceededtoapanelhearing)willbekeptinasecurefilebythePrincipal. Therecords canbereadonlybythePrincipalandtheChairofGovernors.
Parentscanbeassuredthatallcomplaintsandexpressionsofconcern,whetherraisedinformallyorformally, willbetreatedseriouslyandconfidentially.Correspondence,statementsandrecordswillremainconfidential exceptwheretheSecretaryofStateorabodyconductinganinspectionundersection162Aofthe2002Act requestsaccesstothem,orwhereanyotherlegalobligationprevails.
F3.WhistleBlowingPolicy Purpose
Intheinterestsofopennessandaccountability,theSchoolencouragesanyonewithseriousconcernstocome forwardandvoicethem. Thisappliestoconcernsabouttheactivitiesofstaff,governorsandexternal organisationsintheirdealingswiththeSchool.
ThisPolicy ● Providesthebasisonwhichstudents/parentscanraiseanysuchconcernsandreceivefeedbackon actiontaken,
● Allowsstudents/parentstotakethematterfurtheriftheyaredissatisfiedwiththeSchoolʼsresponse,
● Givesprotectionfromreprisalsorvictimisationfor“whistleblowing”ingoodfaith.
Existingpoliciesandproceduresareinplacetoenableemployeestoraisegrievancesorforparentsand studentstomakeroutinecomplaints. Thispolicyisintendedtocoverconcernsthatfalloutsidethescopeof individualgrievances. Theconcernmaybeaboutsomethingthat:
● Isunlawful,
● Iscontrarytotheschoolʼspolicies,
● Amountstoimproperconduct,
● Seemslikelytoharmsomebodyortheenvironment,
● Representsunsatisfactoryconcealmentoftheseissues.
Safeguards TheGoverningBodyrecognisesthatthedecisiontoreportaconcerncanbeadifficultonetomake,notleast becauseofthefearofreprisalsfromthoseallegedlyresponsibleforthemalpractice. TheSchoolwillnot tolerateharassmentorvictimisationandwilltakeallpossiblemeasurestoprotectthosewhoraiseconcernsin goodfaith.
Confidentiality Wherepossible,theSchoolwillprotecttheidentityofanyonewhoraisesconcernsanddoesnotwanttheir nametobedisclosed. Itmustbeappreciated,however,thattheinvestigationmayrevealthesourceofthe information,andstatementsmademayberequiredaspartoftheevidence. TheSchoolencouragesthe concernedindividualtoputtheirnametoallegationsmade. Concernsexpressedanonymouslyaremuchless powerful,buttheywillbeconsideredatthediscretionoftheSchool.
Inexercisingthisdiscretion,thefollowingfactorswillbetakenintoaccount:
● Theseriousnessoftheissueraised,
● Thecredibilityoftheconcern,
● Thelikelihoodofconfirmingtheallegationfromattributablesources,
● Thepossibilityofuntrueorunsupportedallegations.
Ifanallegationismadeingoodfaith,butisnotconfirmedbytheinvestigation,noactionwillbetaken. However,ifallegationsaremadethataremaliciousorvexatious,furtheractionislikely.
HowtoRaiseaConcern Theearlieraconcernisraised,theeasieritistotakeaction.Asafirststep,parentsshouldnormallyraise concernswiththePrincipalortheChairmanofGovernors. Thisdepends,ofcourse,ontheseriousnessand sensitivityoftheissuesinvolvedandwhoisthoughttobeinvolvedinthemalpractice. Tocontactamemberof theGoverningBody,parentsshouldwritetotheSchoolcareoftheClerktotheGovernors,markingthe envelopeʻPrivateandConfidentialʼandtheletterwillbepassedon. Ifparentsfeeltheycannotapproach eitheroftheabove,theyshouldapproachtheGovernorwithresponsibilityforChildProtectionand Safeguarding,MsSophiaColes.
Concernsarebestraisedinwriting. Thisshouldsetoutthebackgroundandhistoryoftheconcern,giving names,datesandplaceswherepossible,andthereasonforconcernaboutthesituation. Ifparentsfeelunable toputtheirconcernsinwriting,theymaytelephoneoraskforameetingwiththeappropriateperson.
HowtheSchoolWillRespond TheactiontakenbytheSchoolwilldependonthenatureoftheconcern. Themattermay,forexample,be investigatedinternallyoritmaybereferredtothepoliceoranappropriatestatutoryagency. Inorderto protectindividualsandtheSchool,initialenquirieswillbemadetodecidewhetheraninvestigationis appropriateand,ifso,whatformitshouldtake. Someconcernsmayberesolvedbyagreedactionwithoutthe needforinvestigation. Assoonaspossibleand,atthemost,withintwoweeksofaconcernbeingreceived,the ChairmanofGovernorsortheappropriatememberofstaffwillrespond:
● Acknowledgingthattheconcernhasbeenraised,
● Indicatinghowitisproposedtodealwiththematter,
● Wherepossible,givinganestimateofhowlongitwilltaketoprovideafinalresponse,
● Advisingwhetherfurtherinvestigationswilltakeplaceandifnot,whynot.
Whenameetingisarranged,parentsmaybeaccompaniedbyacolleagueorfriend. Subjecttolegalorcontractualconstraints,parentswillalwaysreceiveinformationabouttheoutcomeofany investigation.
TakingtheIssueFurther Individualswhoarenotsatisfiedwiththeactiontakenasaresultofaninvestigation,andfeelitisrighttotake thematteroutsidetheSchool,aredirectedtothefollowingpossiblecontactpoints:
● Relevantprofessionalbodies,
● TheDepartmentofEducation,
● Thepolice,
● ThecharityPublicConcernatWork(telephone02074046609).
F4.FundraisingandSponsorship Aswellasbeinganeducationalestablishment,ThePurcellSchoolisalsoaregisteredcharity(Number312855) andneedstofundraise.
AlthoughthegovernmentʼsMusicandDanceSchemeprovidesaleveloffundingforthemajorityofthe Schoolʼsstudents,financialsupportisrequiredfortheremaining20%ofstudents. PartoftheFundraising Departmentʼsroleistosecurescholarshipsandbursariesforthesestudents.
Parentsareaskedtoassistwiththisworkby:
● BeingambassadorsfortheSchoolandrecommendingitforsupporttotheirfriends,colleaguesand businesscontacts.
● NotmakingrequestsdirectlytotheSchoolʼsbenefactorsforfinancialassistancefortheirchildren, eitherwhilsttheyareatschoolorwhentheymoveon.TheFundraisingDepartmentisresponsiblefor makingapproachestofundingsourcesonbehalfoftheSchoolandcanadviseonsourcesoffinancial supportavailablefortertiaryeducation.
FriendsofThePurcellSchool ParentsarewelcomeandencouragedtosupporttheSchoolʼsfundraisingefforts.Theycandosobybecoming aFriendofThePurcellSchool-acommunityofindividualdonorsgivingaregulargi atalevelwhichsuits them.
Donationsgotowardsprovidingessentialfinancialsupportfortalentedstudentswhowouldotherwisebe unabletoattendtheSchool,makingatangibledifferencetothefutureofthearts.
Fromaslittleasjust£5permonth,wecangiveaccesstoaworld-classmusicaleducationtothenext generationofmusiciansandprovidesupporttoourextraordinaryyoungpeopleintheirpursuittofulfilltheir talent.Inreturn,membersreceiveexclusivebenefitssuchas50%offconcertticketsandexclusive performances.
Irrespectiveoftheamount,aregulargi toThePurcellSchoolwillmakeaninstrumentaldifferencetothe futureofthearts.
TojoinasaFriendofThePurcellSchool,pleasevisitourwebsite.
ForfurtherinformationabouttheworkoftheDevelopmentDepartment,Scholarships,Bursariesand fundraisingactivities,pleasecontacttheDirectorofDevelopmentatdevelopment@purcell-school.org.
BacktoContents
APPENDIX1:SCHOOLRULES Theserulesaredesignedtoencourageyoutobehaveinathoughtfulandresponsibleway,toensurethatyou receivethemaximumbenefitfromyoureducation,tomaintaintheSchoolʼsexcellentreputation,andtohelp uslivetogetherasaschoolcommunity.
YoushouldalsoreadtheschoolʼsAnti-BullyingPolicy BehaviourandSanctionsPolicy(whichexplains rewardsandsanctionsusedattheschool),DrugsandAlcoholPolicyandtheICTAcceptableUsePolicy
1.Attendance 1. Youmustregistereveryschooldayby8.40amlatestinHouses.Itistheschoolʼslegalobligationto recordyourattendanceinthisway. Ifyouarrivelateinthemorning,youmuststillsigninto your boardinghouse-asthisiskeycentralrecordofyourpresenceinschool.
2. A ernoonregistrationtakesplaceinthedininghallatlunchtime,12.40-1.30pm;ifyoutakeanearlyor latelunchduetocommitmentsandmissregistrationyoumustsigninatyourboardinghouse.
3. Daystudents:Youshouldnotbeinschoolbefore8.00am,andyoushouldleavethepremisesby 6.00pm(4.00pmforAvison)unlessyouarerequiredtostayforanorganisedschoolactivitysupervised byamemberofstaff(e.g.arehearsal).Inoccasionalcircumstances,permissiontostaylateratschool isstrictlyatthediscretionoftheHouseparentandmustbesoughtatleast24hoursinadvanceandin writingfromparentsorguardians.Daystudentsmustalwayssigninwiththeirhouseparentonarrival atschoolinthemorning,andmustalwayssignoutfromtheirhousebeforeleavingschoolattheend oftheday.
4. Youareexpectedtobeinschoolforthecoreworkinghours(8.40amuntil3.40pm)unlessgiven permissiontobelate/absentorengagedinanorganisedschoolactivity(e.g.aschooltrip).Unless specificpermissionhasbeengiventogohomeearly,alldaystudentsmuststayinschooluntiltheir lastcommitmentoftheday.DaystudentsinAvisonmaynotleavethepremisesattheendoftheday untilcollectedbyanagreedadult.
5. Youareexpectedtoattendalltimetabledlessons,assemblies,tutorsessions,rehearsals,concertsand otheractivitiesunlessillorinjured.Ifyoudonothaveataughtlessonduringtheworkingday,the expectationisthatyouaredoingpracticeorprivatestudy.
6. Ifyouneedtomissanacademiclesson(orothertimetabledactivity)foraninstrumentallesson,you mustexcuseyourselffromthatlessonbyspeakingtothememberofstaffconcerned.Permissionto missalessonforanextraordinaryrehearsalcanonlybegivenbytherelevantHeadofDepartment (HoD).PermissiontomissGameswillnormallybegivenonlyifaletterhasbeenbroughtfromparents ortheSchoolNurse.
7. IfyouareinYear10andaboveanddohavepermissiontoleaveschoolduringtheday,youmustsign outofyourboardinghousewhenyouleave,andsigninagaininyourboardinghousewhenyoureturn, sothatweknowwhoisonsiteatalltimes.IfyouareinAvisonandhavepermissiontoleaveschool duringtheday,youmustgoviatheSchoolReception.
8. SixthFormdaystudentsmayleavethepremisesa ertheirlastcommitmentofthedayprovidingthey havepermissiontodosofromtheirHouseparentorHeadofSixthForm.
2.Whattodoifyouareill
1. DayStudents:Ifyouareillathome,yourparents/guardiansmustphonetheSchoolOfficeoremail studentabsence@purcell-school.orgbefore8.30amonthefirstmorningofabsence,explainingthe
reasonforyourabsence.Thisshouldberepeatedeachdayuntilyoureturntoschool.
2. Ifyouareillwhileatschool,youmustalwaysreportimmediatelytoamemberofstaff. Duringthe schoolday,youshouldreporttotheSchoolOfficewhereyouwillbeseenbytheNurseoraqualified first-aider. Undernocircumstancesmayyouleavetheschool,evenwithyourparents,withoutsigning out.Boarderswhofeelillbefore9.00amora er4.30pmshouldreporttoHouseStaff.
3. Boarders:Ifyoufallillwhileathomeandneedtoreturntoschoollate,yourparentsorguardians shouldinformyourHouseparentassoonaspossible.
3.Specialabsence
1. Ifyouwishtobeabsentfromaschooldayforanexternalmusicalcommitmentsuchasaconcertora competition,youshouldfirstdiscussitwellinadvancewithyourHeadofInstrumentalDepartment. Yourparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsencerequestbyemail,atleast14daysinadvance,to studentabsence@purcell-school.org
2. Ifyouwishtomissschoolforanyotherreason,yourparentorguardianmustmakeadetailedabsence requestbyemail,atleast14daysinadvance,tostudentabsence@purcell-school.org
3. Detailsgiveninanyabsencerequestmustincludedetailsofhowyouwillbetravelling,includingflight ortraininformation,andarecordoftheadultwhowillberesponsibleforyouduringthistime.
4. Whenpermissionforabsenceisgiven,youareresponsibleforlettingallteachersknowcourteouslyin advance,andfulfillinganyextratasksset.
5. Forboarderswhowishtobeabsentfromschoolforanevening/nightegtoattendaconcert,please discussinthefirstinstancewithyourhouseparent;parentalpermissionwillbeneededtoo.
4.Boundariesandleavingtheschoolsite
A. Thefollowingareasareoutofbounds
a. Anywoodedareaaroundtheschool
b. Thefieldatthebackoftheschoola erdark
c. BusheyHallGolfClub
d. TheLincolnsfieldCentre
e. BusheyMillLanea erdark
f. HartspringMeadow
g. TheMetropolitanPoliceClubandGrounds-exceptforthosestudentswhoaremembersofthe MetClubGym,whocansignouttousethefitnesssuite,havingregisteredtheirmembershipin advancewiththeirhouseparent.Studentsshouldsignoutintheusualway.
B. BoardersinYear7-9
YoumaynotleavetheSchoolsiteatanytimeunlessaccompaniedbyamemberofstaff,parentor guardian.
C. BoardersinYears10and11
Providedyouhavenoscheduledlessonsoractivities,youmaysignoutofschoolbetween4.00pmand
6.00pm, MondaytoFriday(12.30pmto6.00pmatweekends).Youmustgoinagroupofatleastthree. Youmustalwayshavepermissionfromyourhouseparent,statewhereyouaregoing,becontactable bymobilephoneandbebackinschoolby5.45pmforsupper.
D. SixthFormBoarders Providedyouhavenoscheduledlessonsoractivities,youmaysignoutofschoolbetweenthetimes indicatedbelowandmustbepresentforsupperat5.45pm(Sunley)and6.10pm(Ellington):
Monday 4.00-6.00pm
Tuesday 4.00-6.00pm
Wednesday 4.00-6.00pm
Thursday 4.00-6.00pm
Friday 4.00-8.00pm
Saturday 12.00-8.00pm*
*laterthan8.00pmby specialpermissiononly
Sunday 12.00-6.00pm
Youmustalwayshavepermissionfromyourhouseparent(ordutymemberofstaff),statewhereyou are going,andbecontactablebymobilephone.Returntimesabovemustbestrictlyobserved.
Notethatpermissiontoleaveschoolintheeveningsisaprivilegebasedonthetrustthatexists betweenseniorboardingstudentsandthosewhoareresponsibleforlookinga erthemin school.Housestaffextendthetrustthatseniorboardersareuptodatewiththeirwork,will behavealwaysinawaythatbringscredittothemselvesandtheschool,andmeettheschoolʼs expectationswithregardtorules.Theprivilegemaybewithdrawnifthattrustisbreached.
E. SaturdayMusicCollegeJuniorDepartments IfyouwishtoattendtheJuniorDepartmentofanyoftheLondonMusicCollegesonSaturdays,you mustensurethatyourparentshavesignedtheofficialschoolForm(availablefromthePrincipalʼsPA), beforeyourfirstvisit.
5.Safety A. Youmustensurethatyourbehaviourdoesnothingtoharmorendangeryourselforothermembersof theschool,stafforpublic,ordodamagetoproperty.Thisincludestamperingwithelectronicor computerequipment.
B. Youmaynotenteranypartofthemaintenanceworkshops,kitchens,roomswhereequipmentis stored,orboilerrooms.Youmaynotclimbonanyrooforoutofanywindow.Youmaynotremovethe restrictorsonwindows,whicharethereforyoursafety,withoutpermissionfromamemberofstaff.
C. Youshouldnotrunincorridors,onstaircases,orinthedininghall.
D. Youshouldnotenteranyschoolcarparkwithoutgoodreason.Youshouldtakeparticularcareof trafficenteringandleavingthesite.
E. Ifthefirealarmsounds,remainsilentandfollowstaffinstructions,walkingquicklyandsilentlyviathe nearestexittotheassemblypoint.
F. Youmustnottamperwithanyfirealarmequipment.Settingoffthefirealarmorfireextinguishers deliberatelywillberegardedasveryseriousoffences.
G. Youmaynotcarrywithyouanymedicines,(otherthaninsulin,epipens,asthmainhalersorsimilar emergencyitems),norhavemedicinesinyourroomifyouareaboarder,exceptwherespecific permissionhasbeengivenbytheMedicalStaff. Allmedicinesmustbehandedtoamemberofthe MedicalStafforHouseparentsforsafe-keepingandadministration.
6.RoomsinBoardingHouses A. OnlySixthFormstudentsmayusetheirroomduringthedayforpracticeandprivatestudy.
B. Boysmaynotvisitstudies/bedrooms/commonroomorcorridorsinSunley,orthegirlsʼsideonthe EllingtonorAvison.Likewise,girlsmaynotvisittheboysʼsideofEllingtonorAvison.Ifyoubreakthese rulesyoumustexpecttobesuspendedfromschool.
C. Youareexpectedtokeepyourroomtidyandtoputyourbelongingsaway.
D. Allroomsmustbeemptiedattheendofeachterm,andpossessionstakenhome.Thereissome storagefortheuseofinternationalboarders.
E. Daystudentsmaynotgoupstairsintheboardinghouses.
7.EveningRoutinesforBoarders A. Allboarders(andanydaystudentsstillinschool)mustregisterfordinnerwiththeirhousedutystaffin theDiningHallat6.00pm.
B. AllboardersinYears10-13mustregisterinhouseforprep.
C. Preptimesexisttoenableyoutocompleteworkoutsidelessons.PrepforstudentsinYear9isfrom 6.15pm-7.15pmMondaytoThursday,andforthoseinYears10-13 from7pm-8.30pmMondayto Thursday.Allboardersarerequiredtoobservetherulesforprepbelow.
D. AvisonboardersaresupervisedduringprepintheICTroom.AvisonboardersinYears7-8have organisedpracticetimefrom6.15-7.15pm.
E. BoardersinSeniorHousescompletetheirprepintheirownrooms.Ifyouwishtoworkelsewhere(e.g. intheMusicTechnologystudioorArtRoom)youmusthavepermissionfromthememberofhouse staffondutyandremaininthatspaceduringprep.
F. IfyouareaSixthFormer andareuptodatewithyourwork,youmayrequesttobeallowedtopractise duringpreptime.ThiswillbeauthorisedatthediscretionofyourHouseparent. Sixthformstudents mayalsomakeuseoftheMusicTechnologyandArtresourcesduringpreptimeiflinkedtotheir currentcourseworkneeds.
G. Houseparentsmay,attheirdiscretion,occasionallyallowyoungerstudentstopractiseduringprepif theyarepreparingforspecificimportantmusicalactivitiesandareuptodatewiththeiracademic work.
H. Takeawaydeliveriestotheschool maynotbeorderedduringtheweek.
8.VisitingHouses A. AvisonstudentsshouldnotvisitanyotherHouseunaccompanied.
B. MembersofSeniorHousesmaynotvisitAvisonexceptwiththespecificpermissionofthe
Houseparent.
C. Seniorstudentsvisitingotherhousesmustaskforpermissionfromdutystaffiftheymaysignintovisit andusetheVisitorsʼBooktosignin.
9.Bedtimes Itisimportantthatyougetsufficientsleepeachnighttoenableyoutomeetallyouracademicandmusical commitments.Inyourowninterests,bedtimesforboardersareasfollows:
10.UseofSchoolRooms A. Youmayonlyusepracticeroomsforindividualpracticeorensemblerehearsals.Youareexpectedto takecareoffurniture,equipment,pianosorotherinstrumentsintheserooms. Youshouldalways leavetheroomtidyandreadyforuse,closewindowsandturnofflights.Emptyclassroomsmayalso beusedforpracticeonthesamebasis.Unlessrehearsing,onlyonestudentmayoccupyapractice roomatanyonetime.
B. Roomsmaynotbeʻreservedʼandstudentsshouldnotleavebelongingsinroomsduringtheschool day.Ifyouareusingapracticeroomandareleavingtoattendalesson,breakorlunchtimeyoumust takeyourbelongingswithyou.
C. TheMusicLibraryisavailablethroughoutthedayforquietprivatestudy. Youmaynotbringfoodor drinkintotheMusic Library.AllbooksormusicremovedfromtheLibrarymustbesignedfor.
D. TheICTRoomisavailableforuseatcertaintimesforquietprivatestudy.YoumustfollowtheICT AcceptableUsePolicy,whichwillbegiventoyou.YoumaynotbringfoodordrinkintotheICTroom, andyoumustnottamperwithanyequipment.
11.AcademicRules A. Youshouldensurethatyoualwaysarrivepromptlyforlessons,andhaveallthecorrectbooksand materials.
B. Allhomeworkmustbecompletedontimeasrequiredbyteachers.Courseworkandcontrolled assessmenttasksmustbecompletedaccordingtotheinstructionsofteachers,andmustbeyourown
unaidedwork.
C. Duringlessons,youshouldshowrespectforyourteacherandfellowlearnersby:
1. Listeningandconcentratingwhenyourteacheroranotherstudenttalkstothewholeclass.
2. Answeringquestionsproperly,withtheaimoflearningandhelpingotherstolearn.
3. Workingsensiblywithyourfellowstudents,andavoidinganythingtodistractorannoythem.
D. Youshouldcarryoutanyreasonablerequestfromateacheratonceandwithoutargument.
12.Catering A. Allstudentsmayhavelunch,morningbreakanda ernoonbreakintheDiningHall,Mondayto Friday.
B. Breakfastandsupperonweekdays,andallmealsatweekends,areforboardersonly.Day studentswhowouldlikesupper(orbreakfast)mustdiscussthiswiththeirHouseparentatleast threedaysinadvance.
13.ResponsibilityforProperty A. Allpersonalpropertyshouldbeclearlymarkedwithyourname.
B. Donotbringlargesumsofmoneyandothervaluablestoschoolunlessabsolutelynecessary.Ifso, boardersshouldkeeptheminthesafethatisprovidedintheirbedrooms.Ifyouregularlyneed accesstolargeamountsofmoney,youshouldhaveacashcardsothatyoucanwithdrawitwhen yourequireit. Donotleavecash,mobilephonesorothervaluableslyingaround.Houseparents canstorepassportsandothertraveldocumentsifrequired.
C. Youareexpectedtotakesensibleprecautionstokeepyourpropertysafe. Weencourageyour parentstorentalockerfromtheʻIndependentLockerSolutionsLtdʼ,whoadministertherentalfor theschool.Thekeyswillbesentdirectlytoyourparent/guardian.Forthoselivingabroad,locker keyscanbecollectedfromtheSchoolOfficeatthestartoftheterm.Youshouldrequestalockerof asuitablesizeforyourinstrument.Forlargerinstruments,aseparatearrangementcanbemade eitherwithyourHeadofDepartment(HOD)orahouseparent.
D. Youareresponsibleforschoolpropertysuchasbooks,equipment,instrumentsorsheetmusic loanedtoyou. Therewillbechargesforlosses.
E. Reportbreakagesordamagestothepremises,schoolequipmentorthepropertyofother membersoftheschoolimmediatelytoamemberofstaff. Youwillnotbechargedifitisagenuine accident,butyoushouldexpecttopayfordeliberateorcarelessdamage.
F. Bagsandinstrumentsshouldbele intheplacesprovidedandnotaroundschoolwheretheyare likelytocauseanobstacleordangertootherpeople,orinvulnerableplacesnearexitsfromthe school.
G. Donottamperwith,handleorinterfereinanywaywithotherpeopleʼsproperty,including instruments,exceptunderclearinstructionsfromamemberofstaff.
14.MobilePhones
A. Youmaybringmobilephonesandsimilardevicestoschool.However,theymustbeswitchedoff andkeptoutofsightduringassemblies,concerts,rehearsals,lessonsandpreptimes.Boardersin Years7-11 arerequiredtohandinmobilephonesorsimilardevicesduringtheschoolday,prep
timesandovernight.
B. AllboardersuptoandincludingYear11willberequiredtohandinmobilephones,tabletsand laptopsovernight.DeviceswillbereturnedtoY10&11a ermorningpracticethenextday. StudentsinYear9andbelowwillhavetheirdevicesreturnedattheendoftheschoolday.
C. Anyuseofmobilephoneswhichinvolvesbullying,theinvasionofprivacy,thecirculationof libellousorpornographicmaterials,orthephotographyofotherindividualswithoutpermissionis consideredunacceptable.Thisincludesreadingtextmessagesoremailsonanotherpersonʼs phonewithouttheirspecificconsent.
D. Youmustensurethatyouruseofamobilephoneorotherdevicedoesnotdisrupttheworkofthe schoolordisturbotherstudents,forexamplebydeprivingthemoftherighttosleep.
E. YouareremindedthatExaminationBoardsspecificallyforbidtheuseofmobilephonesinexam rooms;ifyouarefoundinpossessionofamobilephone,youriskbeingdisqualifiedfromallyour examinations.
F. Theschoolreservestherighttosearchand/orconfiscateyourmobilephoneifwehavegood causetobelievethatithasbeenusedillegallyorinamannerthatwouldbreaktherulesdetailed above.
G. YoumustatalltimesonlyusemobiledevicesaccordingtotheschoolʼsResponsibleand AcceptableUsePolicy.
15.TravellingbyMinibus
A. Whentravellingbyminibus,youmustwearaseatbeltatalltimesandsitquietly.
B. Foryourownsafetyandthatofotherpassengers,youmustnotdistractthedriverordoanything whichmightendangerthevehicle.
C. Onschooltrips,youshouldlistencarefullytotheriskassessmentdetailswhichwillbereadoutby thegroupleaderbeforeyouleavetheminibusorcoach.
16.GeneralBehaviour
A. Youareexpectedtobepoliteandhelpfultootherstudents,staffandvisitors.Thereisnoexcuse forrudeness,disrespectorinsolencetowardsothermembersoftheschoolcommunity.
B. Youareexpectedtoobeyanyreasonablerequestorinstructionfromteachingstaff,boardingstaff, supportstafforstudentleaders.
C. YoumustsignandobservetheICTAcceptableUsePolicy.
D. Youarenotallowedtosmokeorvapeontheschoolpremisesoranywhereelseduringtermtime. Youmustnotbringcigarettes,e-cigarettes,Shishapens,tobacco,matches,orlighterstoschool.
E. Youmustnotbeinpossessionofalcohol,orundertheinfluenceofalcohol,orvisitlicensed premisesatanytimeduringtheschooldayorduringschoolactivities.StudentsinYear13mayon occasionbeallowedalcoholicdrinksatschoolevents,withparentalpermission,andthespecific permissionofthePrincipal,ortovisitrestaurantswherealcoholisserved,withthepermissionof theirHouseparents.SeetheDrugs&AlcoholPolicyforfurtherdetails.
F. Youmustnotbeinpossessionorundertheinfluenceofanycontrolleddrugs.SeetheDrugs&
AlcoholPolicyforfurtherdetails.
G. Youmustnothaveinyourpossessionanyrealorreplicaweapons,hazardouschemicalsor fireworks.
H. Youmaynotentergamblingpremisesorbookmakersduringtermtime;gamblinginschoolfor moneyisforbidden.
I. Sexualintimacy,physicalrelationshipsorpublicdisplaysofaffectionarenotappropriateina school.Studentsengaginginsexualactivitycanexpecttobesanctionedasthisbehaviourwillnot betolerated.
J. Youmustnotpublishinprintedorelectronicformat(e.g.onwebsites)anymaterialwhichis offensiveorderogatoryabouttheschoolorindividualsconnectedwithit.
K. Youmaynotdriveacar,mopedormotorbiketoorfromschool,orwithintheschoolgrounds, withouttheexpresspermissionofthePrincipal.SeetheStudentCarPolicy(website)forfurther details.
L. Youareexpectedtohelpkeeptheschoolandgroundsfreefromlitter. Pleaseplacelitterintothe binsprovided. Youmustnotbringchewinggumtoschoolatanytime.
M. Studentsarenotpermittedtoorderfoodtobedeliveredtoschool,exceptwiththepermissionof theDirectorofBoarding/Houseparentsatweekends.
Intheinterpretationofalloftheaboverules,thePrincipalʼsdecisionwillbefinal.Theserulesmaybe amendedfromtimetotime.
BacktoContents
APPENDIX2:DRESSCODE 1.DressCode-DuringtheSchoolDay Thereisnoschooluniform,butitisimportantthatstudentsarewellturnedout anddecent,inclothingthatis appropriateforpurposefulacademicandmusicalwork.HouseparentsormembersoftheSLTwillbethe arbitersofwhetherclothingisacceptable,butthefollowingexamplesgiveguidanceastowhattoavoid:
● Extremesoffashionandill-fittingclothes,garmentswithoffensiveslogansorpictures,croptopsor veryshortshorts,clothesthataretornorrippedorsee-throughmaterialswhichexposeunderwear.
● Ostentatiousjewelleryorextravagantbodypiercing.
● Visibletattoosunlessverysmall.
● Forreasonsofsafety,flip-flopsarenotacceptableindoorfootwearduringtheschooldayandyoumay berequiredtotieanylonghairoutoftheway(e.g.insciencelabs).
2.ClothingforPhysicalEducationandGames ● Boysandgirls:Sportswearkitsuitableforphysicalactivityduringbothsummerandwinter.Please bringasparekit.Trainers(non-marking)willbeneeded.Footballbootsareneededifplayingfootball asco-curricularintheevenings.SwimwearisrequiredforAvisonstudents.
● SixthFormstudents:Ifyouintendtoswim,usingthelocalleisurefacilitiesandinyourowntime, pleasebringappropriateswimwear.Footballisapopularco-curricularactivitysofootballbootsare recommendedforthoseintendingtoplay.
3.FormalConcertDress Ourintentionistokeepconcertdressassimpleaspossible.Purcellstudentsshouldperforminclothesthat makethemfeelcomfortableandabletoexpressthemselvesmusicallywithoutdistraction.Audiencesexpecta levelofprofessionalismfromus,andclothingshouldbeclean,smart,andappropriatetothemusicalactivity, settingandoccasion.Studentswillbegivenspecificguidanceinadvanceofexternalconcerts(particulardress code,changingandstoragespace,likelyvenuetemperatureetc).Ingeneral"allblack"willbetheconcert dressforalmostallevents,andstudentsshouldhavethefollowing,asaminimum.Thiswillbeenoughfor mostorchestral,choral,house,classorgroupperformances:
● Smartblackshoes,blacksocks/tights
● Blackcollaredshirts/blouses/tops
● BlacktrousersORlongskirtORlongblackdress
● Optional:Blackjacketor'dinnerjacket'/otherappropriateconcertwear
Whenperformingsoloorinsmallgroups,studentsmayoccasionallyprefertobeinsomethingmorecolourful appropriatetotheoccasion.Thefollowingmaybewornwhenappropriate,butitisnotessentialtohavethem:
● Whitecollaredshirts/blouses(NBmustbelongsleeved)
● Colouredshirts/blouses
● Smartcolouredsuits;ties,bowties
Ingeneral,youngmusiciansknowwhattheyliketowearwhenperforming,followingtheexampleofrespected professionals.TheSchoolwillonlyinsistonaparticularuniformifitisinthestudent'sinterests,orwherea consistentstagepictureisrequired.
4.InformalConcertDress Ourlunchtimeconcertshappeninthemiddleofabusyschoolday,andwedonotexpectstudentstodressup formallyforthese,buttheymayiftheywish.Theexpectationof"clean,smartandappropriate"stillapplies regardless.
APPENDIX3:INDEXOFPOLICIES APPENDIX4:KEYADMINISTRATIVECONTACTS ADMINISTRATION
MainSchoolOffice
MrsSGraham
MsNVallance
MrsCFletcher
MsMHristova
MsCMurphy
Telephone:01923331100
schooloffice@purcell-school.org
ExecutiveAssistanttothePrincipal s.graham@purcell-school.org
ExecutiveAdministrator/ Admissions
admissions@purcell-schoo.org
InternationalStudentCoordinator c.fletcher@purcell-school.org
FinanceManager
ExamsOfficer
finance@purcell-school.org
c.murphy@purcell-school.org
MsJMitchell DirectorofBoarding j.mitchell@purcell-school.org
TermtimecontactdetailsforBoardingHouses:
EllingtonHouse
MrMDulovic
SunleyHouse
MsORoache
AvisonHouse
MsKHawkins
Office:01923331155 Mobile:07340998670
ellingtonhouse@purcell-school.org
EllingtonHouseparent m.dulovic@purcell-school.org
Office:01923331142 Mobile:07340998436
sunleyhouse@purcell-school.org
SunleyHouseparent o.roache@purcell-school.org
Office:01923331122 Mobile:07531361404
avisonhouse@purcell-school.org
AvisonHouseparent k.hawkins@purcell-school.org
● ForgeneralSchoolmattersduringtheSchoolworkingday,pleasecontacttheSchoolOffice.
● Foracademicmatters,pleasecontactyourchild'stutororacademicteacher.
● Formusicalmatters,pleasecontacttheHeadofDepartmentofyourchild'sfirstinstrumentalstudy.
StudentAbsence:
Anyrequestsforstudentabsenceshouldbeemailedtostudentabsence@purcell-school.org14daysin advance.
Anyabsencesduetoillnessshouldbereportedtostudentabsence@purcell-school.organdalsotothe houseparentimmediately. BacktoContents
APPENDIX5:WHOʼSWHO Belowisalistofsomeofthestaffwhoyouaremostlikelytomeet.Theemailaddressofanymemberofstaffis initial.surname@purcell-school.org,e.g.t.burns@purcell-school.org. †=part-time
JOBTITLE SeniorLeadershipTeam
Principal
Vice-Principal
Bursar
DirectorofMusic
DirectorofSixthForm
DirectorsofBoarding
DirectorofOperations
DirectorofTeachingandLearning
MusicDepartment
HeadofKeyboard
HeadofStrings
HeadofWind,BrassandPercussion
HeadofAcademicMusic
HeadofJazz,HeadofPopularand ContemporaryMusic
HeadofComposition
HeadofMusicTechnology
ConcertsandEventsManager
ConcertsandEventsAssistant
TimetableCoordinator
Librarian
AcademicStaff
HeadofArt
HeadofDrama
HeadofEnglish
HeadofEAL
HeadofModernForeignLanguages
HeadofHistory
HeadofScience
HeadofMathematics
PE
AcademicSupportStaff
HeadofLearningSupport
MusicTechnician
ScienceTechnician
ArtandDesignTechnician
AdministrationandNon-TeachingStaff
ExecutiveAssistanttothePrincipal
ExecutiveAdministrator
SchoolOfficeAdministrators
NAME EMAILADDRESS MrPBambrough principal@purcell-school.org
MrTBurns t.burns@purcell-school.org
MrAWroblewski a.wroblewski@purcell-school.org
MrPHoskins p.hoskins@purcell-school.org
MrZSzafranski z.szafranski@purcell-school.org
MrsJMitchell j.mitchell@purcell-school.org
MrsEmmaBantock e.bantock@purcell-school.org
MrMLong m.long@purcell-school.org
MrWFong w.fong@purcell-school.org
MrARedington a.redington@purcell-school.org
MrMCavanagh m.cavanagh@purcell-school.org
MrAWilliams a.williams@purcell-school.org
MrSAllen† s.allen@purcell-school.org
MsACox† a.cox@purcell-school.org
MrAGoetzee a.goetzee@purcell-school.org
MsSHonda s.honda@purcell-school.org
MsBMenday b.menday@purcell-school.org
MrsFDuce f.duce@purcell-school.org
MrRBunce†&MrAJohn r.bunce@purcell-school.org a.john@purcell-school.org
MrsVSamuel v.samuel@purcell-school.org
MrZSzafranski z.szafranski@purcell-school.org
MrMLong m.long@purcell-school.org
MissKKozak k.kozak@purcell-school.org
MrRMatthews r.matthews@purcell-school.org
MsVHill v.hill@purcell-school.org
MrsAMehta a.mehta@purcell-school.org
MsAStone a.stone@purcell-school.org
MrsHNoonan h.noonan@purcell-school.org
MrsSWhitty s.whitty@purcell-school.org
MrJEccles j.eccles@purcell-school.org
MsHOsman h.osman@purcell-school.org
MrsHThomas h.thomas@purcell-school.org
MrsSGraham s.graham@purcell-school.org
MsNVallance n.vallance@purcell-school.org
MrsLGriffith,
MrsMLynch&
MsSSenguttuvan schooloffice@purcell-school.org
InternationalStudentCoordinator
FinanceManager
HeadofDevelopment&Philanthropy
PR&CommunicationsManager
IT&NetworkingManager
SchoolMedicalTeam
Physiotherapist
MrsCFletcher
MsMHristova
MrCHarbour
MrsSCurran†
MrSKingsbury
c.fletcher@purcell-school.org
m.hristova@purcell-school.org
c.harbour@purcell-school.org
s.curran@purcell-school.org
s.kingsbury@purcell-school.org
MrsCMorgan medical@purcell-school.org
DrSUpjohn
s.upjohn@purcell-school.org
