Prep Welcome Pack

Uniqu ely King’s Welcome to

King’s Ely

Please ensure you have completed the following within 14 days:

1. Create a Schoolblazer account for uniform Page 8

2. Express your interest in our Minibus Service (if applicable) Page 14

3. Create your My School Portal account Page 20

4. Complete ‘New Starter Forms’ in My School Portal Page 20

5. Complete the Medical Questionnaire in My School Portal Page 20

6. Complete Personal Device Contract Page 25 Before your child arrives:

7. Order School Uniform, preferably 4 weeks in advance Page 8

8. Inform Housemaster or Mistress of arrival time (Boarders only) Page 12

Welcome to King’s Ely.

Whether you are joining us for the first time or your child is moving up to a new section of King’s, you have become a lifelong part of a very special community and of our 1050-year history.

Entrusting the education of your child to King’s is our greatest privilege, our inspiration and a responsibility we take very seriously. I can promise that I, and the whole staff team here, will do our utmost to live up to that trust. We also see this as a joint enterprise: a genuine partnership between King’s, you as parents and your child, to create the best future possible for them. As such we welcome your involvement and feedback and hope you will play an active part in this journey and our community.

We want your child’s start here and the transition process to be as smooth as possible, and so I hope the information here is useful as an introduction to some key people and a guide to how things work here and some of the opportunities available.

John Attwater Principal

Simon Kibler Head of Prep

ForeHill

King’s Ely Prep Uniform

All pupils must be properly and neatly dressed and are expected to take pride in their personal appearance both in school uniform and when wearing casual dress. This is equally important when travelling to and from school.

Shirts must always be tucked in and skirts should not be too short. Pupils should always wear a jacket as part of their uniform, unless guided differently in summer months.

New Uniform

The School’s uniform is available from our online supplier Schoolblazer at www.schoolblazer.com.

Parents new to Schoolblazer will initially need to set up a new account by registering as a New Parent on the website’s homepage. Once registered, you will be required to add your child’s details; including all relevant measurements. Those already familiar with Schoolblazer will be able to add a new child to an existing account.

Nearly New Uniform Shop

Our Nearly New Uniform Shop is next to the car park near the Sports Hall. This is run by parent volunteers and is open during term time on Fridays from 3.30pm to 4.55pm. Holiday opening times will be updated on social media and communicated to parents.You are also able to email the team using the following email address kingsnearlynewuniformshop@gmail.com.

Uniform regulations (Years 3-8)

i. All students must have a named non-breakable water bottle

ii. Black polishable school shoes. No heel, no flashing lights and formal design

iii. Exaggerated hairstyles are not allowed. Hair should not be coloured. Long hair should be tied away from the face. It should be tied back completely, if longer than shoulder length, for practical subjects.

iv. Hair gels, wet-look products and hair dyes are not permitted

v. The wearing of jewellery is not encouraged at King’s Ely Prep. However, pupils with pierced ears are allowed to wear single plain studs which must be removed or taped over for Games at the pupil’s own risk.

• Please ensure all uniform and kit is securely named.

• Any item with a * is only available from Schoolblazer

• Some items may be available at the King’s Ely Nearly New Uniform Shop

Core Uniform

School Uniform

• Navy crested blazer*

• White long or short sleeved shirt or white long or short sleeved revere collared blouse

• House/Chorister tie worn with shirt

• Charcoal grey trousers/shorts or kilt

• Summer dress (Optional for Years 3-6)*

• Navy V neck jumper with regulation contrasting stripe at V (Optional)

• Navy V sleeveless neck jumper with regulation contrasting stripe at V (Optional)

• Navy knee-length socks or navy tights worn with kilt (winter)

• Dark Grey or black socks (worn with shorts or trousers)

• White socks worn with kilt or summer dress (summer)

• Navy crested coat (Years 3-6)

• Plain navy or black coat (Years 3-6). Mainly plain navy or black coat (Years 7-8)

• Navy crested beanie hat (Optional for Years 3-6)*

• Navy fleece scarf (Optional for Years 3-6)

• Navy fleece gloves (Optional for Years 3-6)

Sports Kit

• Mid-layer training top and training pants*

• Soft shell jacket (Optional)

• School Hooded top (Optional)

• Navy fitness t-shirt*

• Reversible games shirt* (Field sports)

• Navy crested sports shorts* or skort*

• Navy base layer top (Optional all years)*

• Navy base layer shorts (Optional all years)*

• Full length navy fitness leggings* (Optional)

• PE shorts (Optional all years)*

• Navy and duck egg games socks*

• Games bag*

• School navy backpack (Years 3-6)*

• Mainly navy or black school bag (Optional, only for Years 7-8).

• Navy or white sun hat or cap

• Swimming bag (Years 3-6)*

• Plain navy or black swimming trunks or one piece swimsuit

• Trainers (designed for sport – not fashion trainers)

• Football /rugby boots for field sports.

All clothes and shoes should be clean and in good condition when pupils return to school.

* From Schoolblazer only

Boarding requirements (Years 5 - 8)

• All items brought into school must be clearly named.

• All boarders will be expected to take their belongings home or to guardians at the end of each term (some items may be stored at Christmas and Easter).

• All boarders have access to a lockable wardrobe. Boarders need to provide their own padlocks for these.

• Electrical adapters are supplied by the School for international appliances.

Bedding

Although the school does provide bedding, children may prefer to bring their own. Bedding fabrics should be of ‘easy care’ variety, preferably polyester/cotton.

This is also applicable for Flexi-Boarders.

Laundry

House staff wash some items in the boarding house and the school laundry operates a collection and delivery service twice a week. All casual clothing must be colour fast and suitable for machine washing and capable of being tumble dried. Casual shirts should be of polyester/cotton for easy care. There is no laundry charge, but items which require dry cleaning will be charged to pupils’ accounts.

Additional items for Prep Boarders

School Uniform

• 1 pair charcoal grey trousers or shorts (2 in all) (3 pairs for Choristers) / 1 school kilt (2 in all)

• 5 white shirts / blouses (6 in all)

• 1 navy V-neck jumper with regulation contrasting stripe (2 in all)

• 1 pair slip-on/Velcro fastening shoes suitable for Cathedral use (Choristers only)

Sports Kit

• 1 pair navy crested shorts / skort (2 pairs in all)*

• 1 reversible games shirt / 1 fitness t-shirt (2 in all)*

• 1 pair games socks- duck egg and navy (2 pairs in all)*

Boarding clothing

• A suitable supply of underclothes/socks/tights (we suggest seven pairs of each)

• Pyjamas/night wear (at least 2 sets)

• A warm dressing gown and slippers

• Coat hangers (at least 6 with a bar – must be named)

• 3 bath towels (with centrally placed loops for hanging up)

• Hairbrush, comb, toilet requisites

• Wash bag and contents

• An overnight bag

• Casual wear for afterschool and at weekends

• 1 lightweight waterproof coat

• 1 fleece/warm jumper

All clothes and shoes should be clean and in good condition when pupils return to school.

*Available at Schoolblazer

Travelling to King’s Ely

Home-School-Home Minibus

King’s Ely has a fleet of minibuses and employs drivers to provide a Home / School / Home minibus service, for children aged 5 and up. You may wish to consider using the service for your child.

You don’t have to commit to all journeys, morning and afternoon, from Monday to Friday. Our schedule can work around your family and work commitments. Once a seat has been booked, the seat is reserved (and charged for), for the duration of the term. A seat can be booked for any morning or afternoon journey for any day of the working week. For example, your child could be booked for only each Tuesday morning ‘Home to School’ journey and on Monday and Friday evenings for the ‘School to Home’ journey. Alternatively, you may wish to book each morning and afternoon. Generally, King’s Ely can offer whatever journeys are required, but some routes are under heavy demand.

Priority is given to existing passengers before the booking is opened to new passengers, with any spare seats provided on a ‘First come First Served Basis’. The service is not a door-to-door service, but collection and drop off points that are convenient for traffic, the schedule and most importantly, safety. That means that some parents may need to drive their children to and from the nearest arranged stop.

Our drivers are very experienced and professional, with many having worked for King’s for many years. All drivers possess a relevant driving licence, allowing them to drive the school minibuses. Our fleet of minibuses are serviced regularly and comply to all current, exacting standards.

Feedback from parents has always been very positive. Comments include that they ‘find the service reliable’ and that it ‘complements their hectic work schedules’, as well as ‘giving peace of mind’, allowing them to make the most of their working day, knowing that their child will arrive home or at school, safe and secure.

Using the Minibus Service could help reduce carbon emissions and congestion. With all seats filled, the School’s and your family’s, carbon footprint, will be enhanced. Less cars on the road is definitely good for everyone!

For our most up to date routes and prices, please refer to our website (kingsely.org). If you would like to know more about the service or wish to book a seat/ travel pattern, please contact our Transport Manager, Andreas Elia via minibus@kingsely.org.

Travelling by train

Over 100 of our students travel to Ely by train, meaning that there is usually someone around to help offer support on most routes into school.

Ely Station is located within a very short walk of the school and the excellent train service from King’s Lynn, Thetford, Downham Market, Waterbeach, Cambridge, Royston, Audley End and beyond makes the train a convenient way for many students to travel.

Abellio Greater Anglia offers King’s Ely students a Discounted Student Travel Season Ticket when travelling to and from school. Those students aged 5-15 inclusive will receive a 10% discount off the child rate and students aged 16-19 inclusive will receive 50% off the adult rate. Families should contact the train operator for further details. The scheme is not run by the school.

For the most up to date information on Trains to Ely, please check the National Rail website:

National Rail Enquiries - Station facilities for Ely

Cycling

Secure bike racks are located near to the main entrance of King’s Ely Prep and there are also bike racks located at the Old Palace and the 4 Day Houses. It is strongly recommended that students who cycle to school wear cycle helmets and appropriate clothing. Bicycles may not be ridden to the Amherst Field and extreme care must be taken when riding to and from school and down Back Hill in particular. Scooters and skateboards are not allowed on pavements in/around school.

Drop off

Please refer to your section handbook for specific information on drop off/pick up. These are sent out separately, via email, towards the end of the summer term.

Airport Transfers

International arrivals requiring airport transfers to King’s Ely, please contact transport@kingsely.org at least 4 weeks in advance giving flight arrival details.

What3Words school locations

Old Palace: ///navigate.packing.liquid Acremont: ///changing.grips.finger Prep: ///instead.steam.resist

Nursery: ///squeaks.pursuit.unusable

Main Reception: ///chef.clerk.thrillers

Hayward Theatre: ///shining.boxer.prefect

Monastic Barn: ///curries.rang.tango

Priory House: ///scale.composts.punters

Medical and Pastoral

Health and Wellbeing Centre

The Health and Wellbeing Centre is staffed by three Registered Nurses and one Assistant covering 24 hours a day care, including an out of hours on call service. Our professional team deliver a high standard of care to all of our pupils; day and boarding, meeting the physical and emotional health needs of pupils of all ages. Our School Doctors from St Mary’s Surgery run a GP clinic in the School Health and Wellbeing Centre three times each week for our boarding pupils. If something medical arises in the course of the day or your child has prescribed medicine that needs to be taken during the school day, this will be overseen by the Health and Wellbeing Centre. However, day pupils with no medical needs should continue to be directed to their own GP. If a pupil requires a dental visit, this is an extra charge to the fee invoice

Please complete the medical questionnaire form within your My School Portal (details of how to access your account are in the ‘Communicating with you’ section of this pack). We will use the information you provide on this form to help us develop any individual health care plans needed to keep your child safe and well in school. This signed form also allows us to register your child with St Mary’s GP Surgery (boarders only). It is essential that you complete this form before your child comes to King’s Ely.

Pastoral

The first port of call for pastoral issues should be your child’s Form Teacher or Tutor (KEA/KEPrep) and Housemaster/mistress for KES.

King’s Ely offers a counselling service which aims to provide a specialised, professional layer of support, complementing the pastoral support offered by Tutors, Teachers, Housemasters and Housemistresses.

Pupils who need it may access up to six counselling sessions per academic year, free of charge. Referrals may be received from parents, staff or directly from the pupil. The counselling service is confidential apart from the rare occasions when there is a safeguarding concern which would be passed onto the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Communicating with you

King’s Ely uses predominantly electronic means of communication to parents. There are many benefits in this system, which suits the majority of parents, and allows for immediate and interactive contact.

My School Portal

My School Portal (MSP) is a single and secure platform that collates and displays student information in one place. From a phone, tablet or desktop device parents and guardians can access child specific information, including timetables, fixtures, bookings, and reports.

Please visit My School Portal https:// kingsely.myschoolportal.co.uk/login where you will be asked for your email address and password. Please use the Forgot My password link to reset your password.

Once you have reset the password, please click on the tab ‘New Pupil Forms’. This will give you access to all the forms we require you to complete within 14 days. These include the Pupil Medical Questionnaire, individual instrumental lesson requests, and local mini-bus service bookings. It is important for you to complete these forms within 14 days.

Please provide and submit an answer to all forms (even if you do not require the service) so that your responses are forwarded to the school.

KingsPost

You will automatically have a KingsPost account created for you on our system. Once your child starts school, all routine publications from the school will be published to you electronically via email. Weekly newsletters, information about school trips and forthcoming school events will all come via KingsPost.

My School Portal – FAQs

I have forgotten my password

My School Portal uses the same login credentials as KingsPost. At the login window click on ‘Forgot your password?’ and an email from My School Portal will be sent to you with instructions.

I need to notify the school that I have changed my phone number

From the home page click on ‘My account’ from the Welcome box at the top. Use the V arrow to expand the ‘Parent’ tab and click on ‘Edit Parent Details’. Amend the number in the ‘Phone’ field, hit ‘Request Changes’ and confirm the change on the pop-up window. The school will receive a notification email and then process your change in our management information system after which the parent portal will subsequently be updated.

You can edit the details, such as medical information, which we have on file of your children in this section too.

I need to notify the school that my child is ill

From the home page click on ‘Absence Forms’. Click on ‘Medical/Illness Absence form’ on the left hand side, tick which child/children you are requesting leave for as applicable and complete the details. An email will be sent to the school and your child’s form and house master/mistress.

I need to send a request for Leave of Absence or Off Games

From the home page click on ‘Absence Forms’. Click on ‘Leave of Absence and Off Games

Requests’, tick which child/children you are requesting, select the ‘Reason’ from the dropdown (Leave of Absence or Off Games) and pick a start and end date you would like to request leave for.

How

do I sync events to my own calendar?

In the ‘My Calendar’ section, you can view, subscribe and sync events with your personal device. First use the ‘Filter’ button to select your chosen Year Group, type of event e.g. Categories > Music and so on, and hit ‘Apply’.

Then choose the relevant option from the ‘Subscribe & Exports’ dropdown to subscribe to the events. They will then sync with your device’s calendar. Please note that the frequency of the calendar refresh depends on your device.

• ‘Mobile Phone’ will use the default option on the device so if you are accessing My School on your phone, select this option.

• The option ‘Outlook’ works for Microsoft and Windows devices. Alternatively view the tutorial video ‘Outlook Calendar’

I want to see information on my children

In My School Portal you can toggle between each of your children to see their relevant information. For example: on the home page you can see each of your children’s specific emails and their events, and in ‘My Children’ you can toggle between e.g. Attendance, Timetable, Teacher Contacts, Rewards and Sanctions and Reports for each of your children.

How do I book Parents’ Evening appointments?

In the Parent Portal you can book your parents evening appointments. Enter the ‘My Children’ section > Parents’ Evening. Further information will be sent via KingsPost well in advance.

I want to view my child’s timetable

Enter the ‘My Children’ section > Timetable. The timetable shows the lesson time, the subject name, teacher and period number for each lesson.

The timetables are organised by weeks, if available you can see the timetable for last week, this week and next week and can switch between them using the buttons in the top right corner.

You can print off the timetables so you can have a paper copy if needed, timetables print off in day view.

I want to view my child’s homework.

Enter the ‘My Children’ section > Homework (Teams Assignments). Click on the link according to the section of the school that your child belongs to. You will need to ask your child to enter their username and password to enter. Once you are in, please click on Tasks at the top of the page.

I need to view my emails

If you are on the home page of My School Portal, click on the subject line in the ‘My Latest Emails’ section or click to ‘My Email’ icon in the top right. This will then take you to ‘My Email’. Here you can click on the + symbol (to the right of each mail) to expand the message where you can then view any corresponding attachments or reply forms at the bottom of the message.

I need to book Wrap Around Care (KEA/KEAN/KEPrep)

When entering the Wrap Around Care page on the portal, you will need to select an available booking type from the drop down, ad hoc or regular. Once you have selected a booking type option, there may be further information required before you are able to book the wrap around care.

Once you have done this, a list will be displayed. Following that you can then select the required wrap around care option and click add to basket. If there is an activity fee this will appear on the right-hand side under price. A total price will also appear below the club list with the calculated price of all the wrap around care and children you have ticked.

Once you have done that it will then take you to the “My Basket” page where there will be a summary view and payment options.

I

need to book an after school or holiday club (KEA/KEAN/KEPrep)

In the Parent Portal you can book your after school or holiday clubs when these are made available. Enter the ‘Home’ section > select the tile called either KEA After School and Holiday Clubs or KEPrep Activities according to the section of the school that your child belongs to.

Can

I view my child’s sports fixtures and results?

You can access your child’s fixtures by clicking on the ‘School Information’ section and using the side bar, which will take you to the Sports Results landing page.

Once you have found the fixture you are looking for you will be able to see information such as time of fixture, result or a match report. If there are any further details these can be viewed by clicking the ‘View Details’ button, which will then bring up all the details of the event. Also, you can use the ‘filter for results’ or ‘filter for fixtures’ buttons to display content for that sports team.

How can I access the Parent Directory?

You can access the ‘Parent Directory’ in different ways depending on the setup of your portal.

The ‘Parent Directory’ is tailored to show the information for each of your children. There are three different views; show all, show contact information for your child’s year group, or show contact information for your child’s form. If you have more than one child, you can change this in the sidebar to access the relevant information.

There is also a filter bar, which can be used to narrow down findings, to remove the filter applied, simply delete the text and click the filter button again.

Each record has the ability to hold the child’s name, which will display as a header, the guardian’s name, email address, home address, home phone number and mobile number. These details will only display if that parent has shared that information.

To share your contact details in the ‘Parent Directory’ you need to opt-in. This is done by clicking on the link in the directory page if you haven’t already done so.

To edit any of your information that is displayed on the ‘Parent Directory’ section simply click on the my details section. Within this section, you can also optout of the parent directory at any time.

For further support:

If you need further assistance, please do get in touch by contacting:

Director of ICT Systems: Marc Hawes –Marc has overall responsibility for all IT matters: MarcHawes@kingsely.org or 01353 660913

IT Arrangements

What you will need

We ask that all students who will be coming to King’s Ely from Year 7 upwards to bring in a laptop or similar device, which can connect to our network.

A keyboard is essential. Apple Macbooks are not required, despite what students may tell you! The variety of laptops suggested here would be suitable if your child does not have a device: www.microsoft. com/en-gb/education/devices/overview/ learn-anywhere

Students will have their device enrolled on our network and we will give help adding school email and the free Microsoft 365. Students use One Note (provided free as part of Office 365) to organise their notes and accessing the internet for research.

The following pages include device requirements and the link to the agreement for you and your son/daughter to sign.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Why Bring Your Own Device to King’s Ely?

King’s Ely is dedicated to providing modern instruction to all its students. We seek to provide an environment that fosters and encourages the development of IT skills and provides a learning environment where students actively engage in the interactive curriculum, have access to information and apply it to solve problems and enrich their learning experience.

Our students live in a world where they have immediate access to information anytime and anywhere. We allow those students with personally owned devices to use them appropriately to help them learn in their own style and at their own pace. We prepare our students for higher education or to face the new and ever-changing workforce by embracing the opportunities new technologies offer them.

BYOD supports the learners who wish to make use of technology and, where appropriate, teachers will encourage the use of devices. We require all King’s Ely students in Years 7 to 13 to bring their own device to school. This is in line with our phased introduction of personally owned devices over recent years. Students in Year 5 and above can opt to bring in personally owned devices if they wish.

Please complete the Personal Device Contract form at:

http://tinyurl.com/KingsElyBYOD

You will not be permitted to use a personal device in school until this form has been submitted.

Network Access

King’s Ely provides access to a filtered, secure wireless network. Pupils may, at the school’s discretion, connect to this network using their own wireless and/or portable electronic devices that include, but are not limited to, existing and emerging mobile communication systems, smart technologies (including watches), portable Internet devices, tablet devices, e-readers, laptops, net books, MP3 players, or any new device that is deemed appropriate to the goals of the school.

However, it should be noted that personal “Internet of Things” devices (e.g. Google Home or Amazon Echo) or personal routers, wi-fi range extenders or switches are not allowed to be connected to the school’s network.

The school has the ability to electronically manage or filter a student’s use of the Internet whilst on our wireless network, but not whilst accessing the Internet via the phone/tablet provider’s 4G/5G or other mobile/network technologies data network connection. We may ask students to install a school application to limit access to certain applications during the school day. We require students to be familiar with the King’s Ely E-Safety Guide for Students and we promote the safe use of ICT through PSHE/PD sessions.

Secure Storage

For pupils in King’s Ely Prep (KEPrep), each child has an assigned storage box/drawer in which they can store their device. In KEPrep classrooms a storage box will be available for all devices to be placed in during lessons, from where, when a teacher wishes students to make use of their device, they can be retrieved

BYOD Requirements/Minimum Specification

Personal devices should be capable of:

• Web access: Any Web-browser;

• Wireless communication: Wi-Fi;

• Weight: less than 3.2Kg;

• Battery life: minimum 6 hours;

• Screen size: no bigger than 15” x 11”; no smaller than 7.87” x 5.3”;

• Physical Protection: by a suitable cover;

• The device must be less than 3 years old;

• The device should have and be using the latest antivirus protection (e.g. Windows Defender);

• The device must use an English Language Operating System that is still supported (e.g. Windows 10);

• For those using their device for GCSE/A-Level study (Years 10 -13), a non-wireless, physical keyboard is required;

• Recommended specification:

• CPU: At least Dual Core – 2.3GHz;

• RAM: 8GB;

• Storage: minimum 256Gb Hard Drive (ideally SSD);

• Please be aware that the lower specification Windows devices are normally supplied with the Windows 10 S Operating System (OS). This only allows Apps from the Windows Store to be installed, so this type of OS would prevent printing on school printers and several other issues. Therefore, Windows S is not recommended.

Please note:

Electronic devices need to be charged prior to bringing them in to school and capable of running from their own battery whilst at school (during lessons, charging points are not available to students);

• The personal device is the responsibility of the student. The school is not responsible for the loss, damage or theft of any personally owned electronic device brought to school by a student. All devices must be stored securely and properly insured;

• Students will not bring desktops, towers or games consoles to school unless they are boarders and have received permission from the school and the device has been PAT tested.

The school is currently looking at the introduction of a device leasing scheme. If you would like to register your interest in the scheme or to request further information, please email your details to Mr Daniel Everest (Head of Prep Computing and Digital Innovation) on danieleverest@kingsely.org

BYOD Support

• We will always do our utmost to provide the necessary level of support but as the School has not provided the device, support outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

• Support can only be provided to those devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) that have an English Language Operating System and English Language keyboard layout.

• Where any installed applications/VPN connections interfere with connectivity/usability/virus scanning/Filtering capability on our network, we will remove/block use of those Applications on those devices/our network.

• The School’s IT Support Team cannot be held liable for any software/data loss on BYOD devices if the Support team are asked to support a child’s personal device.

• The IT Support Team will only be able to support devices where any restrictions result in the school’s IT team not being able to access any of the software or device controls (e.g. access to the devices “control panel” being blocked).

• We can only support the following applications on BYOD devices:

• The School’s MS Office 365 apps and related material

• School Email

• School Sharepoint (Intranet)

• School “Follow Me” Printing

• Connecting to the School’s wi-fi

• Any other application required by the school for educational/information requirements

• For any other device issue such as Operating System issues or hardware issues, the owner must contact the manufacturer/place of purchase or other support entity as appropriate.

BYOD Guidelines for Use

• Pupils in Years 7 to 13 may use personal devices at school, subject to the device being registered with the school and a Personal Device Contract being in place;

• Pupils may be encouraged to make use of personal devices at school for a variety of purposes, including: within boarding houses; for those with a learning plan which suggests that use of a personal device is part of their learning support; for learning activities where devices may be permitted at the teachers’ discretion; for communication purposes when travelling away from school for fixtures or to and from school each day;

• Personal devices may not be used to cheat on assignments or tests and may only be used during lesson times, at the teacher’s discretion, to access applications or internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to respond to tasks set in multiple ways to accommodate their varied learning styles, however, the teacher will determine when personal devices are to be used. Additionally, pupils should check that it is appropriate for a device to be used in a lesson when they are working independently. At all times the device must be switched to silent;

• Pupils should refrain from social messaging on any device, or via any platform or App, during the school day;

• The students must not use the devices to record, transmit or post still or moving images of a person or persons at school without the express permission of a teacher;

• Users bringing personal devices into school must ensure there is no inappropriate or illegal content on the device;

• Pupils should not lend, borrow or take a device without the agreement of a teacher;

• All students, irrespective of whether they are using their own devices, school devices, school network or other data network connection must abide by the requirements of key school policies and procedures (the breach of which may result in disciplinary sanctions).

Finance

The team:

Chief Financial Officer: Fiona SandersHewett – Fiona has direct responsibility for: Finance, ICT, HR, Transport and Data Protection. fionasandershewett@kingsely.org or 01353 660721.

PA to Chief Financial Officer: Lisa Weller – Lisa is the initial point of contact for all enquiries concerning insurance. lisaweller@kingsely.org or 01353 660712

Finance Manager: Paulina Lowe – Paulina can be contacted about Childcare Vouchers/Government Tax Free Scheme, school trip payments or anything else relating to financial matters. paulinalowe@kingsely.org or 01353 660714

Fees Invoices: Alison Cree – Alison is your first point of contact for all matters relating to school fee invoices and answering any school bill queries. fees@kingsely.org or 01353 660761

Financial/Fee related items:

Terms and Conditions. The T&Cs are on the website. This is an important document referred to within the acceptance process, which is updated as legislation changes. The T&Cs, along with the Acceptance Form is the parent/school contract.

School Fee Accounts. School fees are payable termly in advance with any ‘extras’ charged retrospectively. Fee accounts are sent by email as a pdf attachment to the email addresses registered with each child’s fee account at least two weeks before payment is due. The payment due date is always one week before the start of the term. If fees are not paid on time, we will send a polite reminder, followed by a slightly more forthright reminder. Late fees payment incurs a charge of up to 2% per month, accruing on a daily basis. Charges are applied to late fee accounts with effect from the date the fees were originally due. After three reminders, the course of action could result in exclusion of your child for non-payment of fees. If you are facing difficulties, please do communicate with us as early as possible.

Fees in Advance Scheme (FIA): We operate a scheme whereby funds towards school fees can be paid in advance attracting a small discount. The information is on our website under the fees section and further details can be obtained from the Chief Financial Officer.

Payment of School Fees. Please see the fees section on our website. Our overwhelming preference is to receive payments direct into our bank account. For UK bank account holders, please make a payment via on-line banking, or by visiting a branch of Barclays bank. Our account details are on each fee account invoice. We do not accept cash payments to settle any fee accounts.

There is an option of paying your school fees in monthly instalments from a UK bank account via Direct Debit using School Fees Plan, a credit company set up specifically for payment of school fees. Interest rates vary but are set for each academic year (presently [September 2022-August 2023] the interest rate is 3.10%). Details of the scheme, how it operates and the application process can be found on the School Fees Plan website (https://www. myschoolfeeplan.com/KingsEly-CB7)

By introducing School Fees Plan as a possible method of settling your school fees, King’s Ely is acting as a credit broker and is an Appointed Representative of Premium Credit Limited. Premium Credit Limited is the lender which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. School Fee Plan is a trading style of Premium Credit Limited.

Combating Bank Fraud. Our bank is Barclays Bank PLC. We have no plans to change our bank account. Our bank details are on each invoice. Our bank account number ends in xxxxx576. If you receive any correspondence from anyone purporting to be from King’s Ely informing you of a change in bank details that has not come via our own KingsPost, or a note with a different bank account number, please treat this with extreme suspicion and get in touch with one of our team. Ideally please contact us by telephone via the published main switchboard number. Paying by Flywire from overseas avoids any such attempted fraud/scam.

Payments from a non-UK bank account:

We have partnered with a company called Flywire. For further information about Flywire, please see here: How It Works - International & Domestic Payments - Flywire Flywire legal allows transfers above some financial limits set for personal and direct international currency transfers in several countries. Flywire is our preferred method of payment from overseas as it is fast, secure, trackable and has significant protection against fraud.

Childcare Vouchers: (closed to new applicants from 5 October 2018) can be used for payment towards childcare up to the start the academic year the child turns six years old, and for any after school wrap around care, after school clubs (that are on school premises) and/or towards the boarding element for children aged between 5 and 15 years old (16 years if registered disabled). Please consult your Childcare Voucher provider for more information. For example, EdenRed’s and Computershare’s FAQs are available on their website.

The UK Government Tax-Free child care scheme can be used for Nursery provision but once a child is in Reception Year onwards, this scheme can only pay towards care that is outside of school hours, for example after school clubs or breakfast clubs. This scheme does not allow towards paying school fees. To qualify, your child must be under 11 years old and usually live with you. Any child stops being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday.

Please contact Alison Cree if you wish to start making payments via either of the child care schemes or have any queries.

Fees

in Lieu of Notice

(FILON):

Your contract with the school asks that if you wish to withdraw your child from school, you provide at least one term’s notice. Likewise, if parents wish their child to change between being a boarding and day pupil, one full term’s notice is also required. Unless there are extenuating circumstances where we might agree to waive such fees in full or partially, parents who do not provide a term’s notice will be charged a full term’s school fees as Fees in Lieu of Notice. This applies to all parts of the school except after completion of Year 13 and any child on a short-term/one year course agreed at the time of Acceptance.

Insurance

Personal Possessions (automatic – included within the fees): The T&Cs are clear that parents are responsible for ensuring pupils’ possessions are insured whilst at school. Most UK household policies provide for such circumstances, but it is parents’ responsibility to check. We presently provide basic insurance against loss and theft for all students’ possessions (maximum £250/item, up to £500 per pupil with a £50 excess payable by parents).

Travel Insurance (automatic – included within the fees): We ensure travel insurance is in place for all overnight educational/extra-curricular trips organised and hosted by King’s Ely. Since Covid, there might be some elements of trip cancellation not covered or some pre-existing medical conditions needing to be declared (if travelling overseas) or not covered for children outside of Europe. High risk trips (mainly Ely Scheme) might incur extra insurance related charges, but these will be included within the overall cost of any trip.

Pupils’ Personal Accident Insurance (automatic - included within the fees):

Presently all pupils are covered for personal accidental at any time if they are members of the school. The sum insured depends on the nature of the injury, up to a maximum £600,000. The premium for this policy is paid by the school so there is no additional charge. Please find the link to a fact sheet from Hettle Andrews here:

Pupils-Personal-Accident-Insurance-£600000max-benefit.pdf (kingsely.org)

Michaelmas Term 2024

King’s Ely Acremont Term begins Monday 2nd September 2024

Pupils’ Orientation Day * Monday 2nd September 2024

All other pupils return to school Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Exeat weekend (for boarding students) Saturday & Sunday 28th & 29th Sept 2024

Mid-term holiday begins Friday 18th October 2024

Mid-term holiday ends Monday 4th November 2024

Exeat Weekend (for boarding students) Saturday & Sunday 23rd & 24th November 2024

Term ends Friday 13th December 2024

Lent Term 2025

Term begins Monday 6th January 2025

Mid-term holiday begins Friday 14th February 2025

Mid-term holiday ends Monday 24th February 2025

Term ends Friday 28th March 2025

Summer Term 2025

Term begins Wednesday 23rd April 2025

Exeat Weekend (for boarding students) Saturday & Sunday 3rd & 4th May 2025

May Day Monday 5th May 2025

Mid-term holiday begins Friday 23rd May 2025

Mid-term holiday ends Monday 2nd June 2025

Term ends Thursday 3rd July 2025

*Pupils’ Orientation Day

Orientation Day is for the following pupils:

• All new pupils joining King’s Ely in Year 4 upwards;

• All pupils in Year 3, Year 7, Year 9, Year 11 (One Year IGCSE) and Year 12;

• All School Prefects to assist Staff with Pupils’ Orientation Day