First School Handbook 2024

FIRST SCHOOL Handbook 2024

Welcome to North London Collegiate School

I am delighted that your daughter will be joining us, and hope that she is excited about being part of our wonderful school. As she embarks on her educational journey at North London Collegiate School, I am looking forward to building a long, happy and fruitful relationship between you and us.

This handbook will provide you with some of the key information about school life; we hope you find it helpful. Please keep it at hand for future reference. I look forward to meeting and working with you, as we guide your daughter through her formative educational years.

Mr Richard Queripel Acting Head of Junior

School

North London Collegiate School

Very early on in their life at North London Collegiate School, girls learn the name of Frances Mary Buss, the impressive Victorian founder of the school. Miss Buss was a woman of great vision because she felt that girls should have the same educational opportunities as boys.

In 1850, she opened the doors of North London Collegiate School to 35 girls. Some photographs of those girls and their teachers are on display in the Old House. The school was originally located in Camden Town, but in 1929 when Miss Drummond was the Headmistress, the school bought the present site, Canons, the former home of the Duke of Chandos. A modern school was added to the Old House and over the years North London Collegiate School has grown to include the Drawing School, the Music School, the Octagon Library, the Sports Complex and the Junior School. The Performing Arts Centre opened in 2007 which provides the school with a state-of-the-art theatre and auditorium for music concerts. A recent addition to facilities is the Cedar Space Wellbeing Centre, above the Indoor Teaching Space. The IDEAS Hub, due for completion in summer 2024, will empower our staff and students to bring the curriculum to life and deepen their understanding and application of learning. Practical applications of all subjects, whether scientific or artistic or, as we prefer, everything in between will be explored in the IDEAS Hub, developing our students’ creativity and dynamic approach to learning.

North London Collegiate School has always had a Junior School, but in 1988 the girls aged 7 - 11 moved to their own purpose-built site and the First School for girls aged 4 - 7 opened in 1993.

Aims of the School

The aims of North London Collegiate School are to provide an ambitious education for all its pupils and to enable each girl to make the most of her own gifts. Our highest priority is to maintain a team of professional teachers to whom each pupil is important, and who can introduce their subjects with enthusiasm and drive. We want all pupils to learn to recognise academic excellence and realise that it is attainable.

Alongside these aims of the classroom, we strive to make school a place where the whole personality can grow. We hope to foster good relations between staff and pupils, and between the girls themselves. We hope also to provide the means for girls to express themselves, to learn that education is much more than passing examinations, and to try themselves out in a variety of ways. We strive to maintain a community that is tolerant and teaches service to others.

The Junior School

The Junior School is divided into two departments: the First School which covers The Early Years and Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, and the Lower School which covers Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum.

FIRST SCHOOL

Reception Age 4-5 Year 1 Age 5-6 Year 2 Age 6-7

LOWER SCHOOL

Year 3

It is expected that girls will pass from the First School to the Lower School and from the Lower to the Senior School.

The First School Curriculum

The timetable in the First School includes a wide range of subjects.

The Reception classes follow the Early Years and Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum which is divided into seven areas of learning and development: Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts and Design; Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Communication and Language.

There are about twenty girls in each class. Each class teacher is supported in the classroom by a full-time Teaching Assistant. There is also a Teaching Assistant with responsibility for the Early Years and a Team Leader for the First School TAs. The Reception Form Teacher is your daughter’s designated key person.

Parents are provided with a class list that has the name of their daughter’s teacher and teaching assistant. This will be on the Parent Portal.

In Year 1 and Year 2 the timetable includes Mathematics, English, Science, Spanish, Topic Work, Art and Design, Computing, PE, Personal, Social and Health Education, Music and Drama.

The School Day

The school day is divided into eight lessons of approximately 35 minutes each, though some subjects such as Art and Design and Science have double lessons. Girls are primarily taught by their Form Teacher, though as they move through the School they are also taught by subject specialists, some from the Senior School.

8.15am – 8.30am

Girls who arrive by coach or who attend Breakfast Club are supervised in the First School Hall or Athenian Cafe.

8.30am – 8.45am Girls arrive, unpack their bags and remain in their classrooms.

The Library is open Mondays to Thursdays for Y1 and Y2 girls (and Fridays during Golden Time).

8.50am Registration

9.00am Morning lessons begin. The girls are involved in a range of small group and whole class activities.

10.25am – 10.45am Morning Break

Girls will be provided with a small snack, such as fruit or plain biscuits, to eat during short break. They should bring a small named bottle of water from home.

During break times girls enjoy playing with a variety of equipment in the First School playground, and they always make good use of the playground toys and bikes and the playhouse known as “Canons Cottage”. They use the adventure playground regularly at break and during the school day under the supervision of First School staff.

10.45am – 11.45am Lessons

11.45am – 12.20pm Lunch

Lunch is eaten in the School dining room. The girls are offered a choice of well-balanced hot meals. From Year 2 girls can choose from the sandwich bar. There are various desserts on offer including yoghurts and fresh fruit. Drinking water is available at each table.

12.25pm – 1.00pm Lessons

1.00pm – 1.40pm Playtime (Long break)

1.40pm – 3.10pm Lessons

3.20pm School ends

Parents and carers should wait in front of the First School or in the link corridor. When the bell rings girls should be collected from their classrooms.

Girls using early coaches or attending After School Care are collected from form rooms.

Lunch

The weekly menu is displayed in the First School Hall and staff closely supervise the girls to ensure that they eat a well balanced meal. There is always baked potato and pasta available for First School girls. A sample menu is printed below.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Jamaican style jerk chicken, yellow rice

(Halal option available)

Vegetable mince bolognaise, penne pasta, garlic bread

Thai style vegetable and Quorn curry, rice

Moroccan style falafel, rice, red cabbage and raisin slaw, vegan yogurt dressing

BIG bowl salad -

Cauliflower, potato, chickpea salad, choice of protein toppers

Roasted sweet potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Lemon cake, whipped cream

Pancakes, berry compote

Piri piri chicken wrap

Four cheese ravioli, tomato sauce, garlic bread

Vegan aubergine and pepper, black bean sauce, rice noodle salad

BIG bowl saladChickpea, beetroot and avocado salad, choice of protein toppers

Lyonnaise potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Summer pudding

Banana and chocolate waffles

Halal chicken shawarma wrap

Halloumi shawarma wrap

Vegetable paella

Mexican style veggie taco cups

The bar; toasted panini’s

BIG bowl salad -

Greek style salad, choice of protein toppers

Parmentier potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Strawberry vanilla layered cake

Sugar ring doughnuts

African style chicken Yassa

Margherita pizza slice and toppers

Quorn fillet spiced wrap

BIG bowl saladQuinoa, fresh mint, lemon, choice of protein toppers

Cajun curly fries

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Very chocolatey cake, chocolate sauce

Sticky toffee pudding, custard

Chef battered haddock, lemon wedges

Cod fishfingers

Mexican style vegetable and bean burrito

Vegan sausage roll

BIG bowl salad -

Turkish style mixed rice and avocado salad, saffron vegan yogurt dressing, choice of protein toppers

Chips, curry sauce

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Eton mess

White chocolate and raspberry blondie

Piri piri chicken burger

Persian style vegetable burger

Available with homous, lettuce, tomato, slaw and tahini yogurt salad

Gochujang and miso tofu

ramen

BIG bowl salad -

Spicy rice, red bean salad, choice of protein topper

Potato wedges

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Apple and rhubarb

crumble, custard

Lemon tart, raspberry sorbet

Southern fried chicken (halal option available)

Falafel and beetroot slaw wrap

Chickpea and potato curry, naan bread

BIG bowl salad -

Caraway roasted carrot, beetroot, chickpea salad, choice of protein topper

The bar; toasted panini’s

Lyonnaise potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Chocolate sponge slice

Homemade strawberry cheesecake, berry coulis

Sausage bar; Pork sausages

Halal chicken sausages

Meat free sausages

Gluten free gravy

Mexican style chicken quesadilla

Vegetable lasagne, garlic bread

BIG bowl saladGreen lentil, rocket and tomato salad, choice of protein topper

Home made garlic mashed potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Jam doughnut

Apple cinnamon puff, vanilla ice cream

Spaghetti with meatless balls, tomato sauce, garlic bread

Chinese vegetable egg noodles

BBQ pulled pork or pulled BBQ jackfruit in Bao bun

Piri piri Quorn, pitta bread

BIG bowl saladRed pepper, sunflower seed, mustard slaw salad, choice of protein topper

New potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Coconut macaroon tart, whipped cream

Meringue nests, mixed berries, cream

Cod fishfingers

No catch of the day, fishless taco

Moroccan style spiced

‘Heura’ plant based, Kobetz flat bread, salad

BIG bowl saladLebanese style Fattoush salad, toasted pitta chips, choice of protein topper

Chips, curry sauce

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Home made

jam roly poly, custard

Baked double chocolate cookie

Chef battered haddock, lemon wedges

Home Time

Children are only dismissed into the care of their parent, carer or coach chaperone. Please ensure that you keep your daughter with you once collected. In the event of a child going ‘missing’ in the grounds, please inform the nearest member of staff who will alert the estates and security team.

Please ensure regular collection arrangements and any changes to usual rotas are noted in the message book and an email sent to Form teachers. We will not allow a girl to leave until we are satisfied with the arrangements.

If you are waiting for a Lower School child, please wait quietly in the link area so that the end of Lower School lessons is not disrupted.

If a child is not picked up, parents will be called, and the child may be taken to After School Care. This service will be charged.

Breakfast Club & After School Care

We offer a Breakfast Club each morning from 7.30am. Healthy breakfasts and activities are provided. Girls can be dropped off in the Athenian Cafe. Breakfast Club can be booked on the Evolve app, and drop-offs are also welcome.

Our After School Care runs from 3.20pm to 5.30pm. Girls have a light supper and there is a full programme of activities. A supervised homework room is available for older girls.After School Care bookings should be made at least a day in advance on the Evolve app. For late bookings, please email AfterSchoolClub@nlcs.org.uk and junioroffice@nlcs.org.uk.

There is a charge for both these services.

Travelling to School

COACH & MINIBUS SERVICES

We are committed to reducing the School’s carbon footprint and encourage students to use our coach services or to use the local TfL buses and tubes, to walk or cycle, rather than being driven to school. Local roads get very congested and there are limited parking spaces and drop off facilities on site.

Pupils in the First School may travel to and from school by coach (once settled). Girls travelling by coach must be accompanied by an older girl known as a ‘coach pal’. The ‘coach pal’ will accompany your daughter from the coach and take her to the adult First School Escorts who will be waiting to collect her at the bus shelter. The First School Escorts will then take your daughter from the Loop Road to the First School Hall.

Assistance will be given to parents with the arrangement of a coach pal for morning coaches. The School provides an adult chaperone for girls travelling home on the early afternoon coach services. All coaches are fitted with seat belts and girls are expected to remain in their seats and to behave appropriately. Girls are issued with coach travel cards which they must use to scan when boarding and leaving the coach. This is an important safety measure and also allows parents to monitor the coach journey using the Kura App.

For more information please see the ‘Travelling to School’ section on our website: www.nlcs.org.uk/admissions/travelling-to-school. If you have any further questions, please contact the Operations Team: 020 8951 6490 / travellingtoschool@nlcs.org.uk

ACCESS BY CAR

We recognise you might not want your daughter to use the coach, in which case we recommend that parents consider car sharing. To assist parents, we suggest using the HomeRun App. This enables parents to connect with other families in their area, so that their daughters can safely travel to and from school together, whether by school bus, train, cycling or walking or by car sharing.

Access to the School site is controlled by the School Marshalls from 7am to 7pm (Canons Drive) and 7am to 8pm (Dalkeith Grove), or later if there is a school event.

Parents may drive onto the Loop Road via the Dalkeith Grove entrance in the mornings to drop off their daughters by the path in front of the Sports Centre, or they may park on Dalkeith Grove in the designated waiting zones and use the pedestrian gate (by the side of 25 Dalkeith Grove). Please give consideration and respect to our neighbours by not parking over driveways. The code for the pedestrian gate changes from time to time and you will be notified nearer the start of the Autumn term.

At the end of the school day, parents can only to wait or park in the designated areas on the Loop Road between 3pm and 3.35pm to pick up their daughters. Year 5 and Year 6 girls may walk unaccompanied to the Loop Road, but younger girls must be collected from the Junior School.

Please ensure that you leave the school grounds promptly. There is no access for cars on the Loop Road between 3.45pm - 4.25pm, while our school coaches are departing with students from both the Junior and Senior School.

If you use the Canons Drive entrance you will be required to turn right before the second barrier and you may drop off your daughter by the steps opposite the tennis courts from where they may access the School via the terraces. You may then follow the loop road to the exit and back onto Canons Drive. We ask that you do not attempt to pull over onto the grass verges as this causes considerable damage.

You may also park on Canons Drive. Please give consideration to our neighbours’ driveways and park on the school side of the road only. This ensures that we can maintain clear access for delivery vehicles and the Fire Service.

Security and Access to School Buildings

At North London we have a beautiful open site where your daughters, when they are older, can roam around freely and enjoy the extensive grounds. First School girls have a designated supervised play area and will always be escorted from the Junior School to other buildings for activities such as PE and lunch.

For those parents who wish to drop off or collect their daughters, the doors to the First School building will be opened at 8.30am and 3.20pm so you will be able to pop in to meet staff at that time. For Lower School parents, the doors to the Junior School Reception will open at 8.15am.

At all other times, we ask that you sign in at the Junior School Reception. The exception will be for events when we will give you specific directions to the doors that will give you direct access to the event location.

Visiting the School

Parents who are visiting the school to meet a teacher or go to an event should either report to the Junior School Reception, or go directly to the area where the event is taking place, as instructed on the relevant invitation. School Marshalls will always be available to help direct you.

Breakfast Club is in the Athenian Cafe in the Performing Arts Centre. After 4pm, girls will be based in the Junior School dining room and should be collected from the external door. All girls must be collected by 5.30pm.

Please note we do not allow any dogs to be brought to the site for hygiene and safety reasons unless a special arrangement has been made.

For events out of hours, the Marshalls will be able to show you where to park, although we do encourage parents to use alternative means of transport as much as possible as parking is always limited.

The happiness and general welfare of the girls is of prime importance to us and all members of staff are involved in pastoral care. We encourage a safe and supportive learning environment in which everyone can feel comfortable. Your daughter’s Form Teacher is the first person for girls and parents to contact if there is a concern, and the Head of Junior School, Deputy Head (First School), the School Medical Team and the School Counsellors are closely involved in providing support.

Throughout the School there is a structured programme of Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). This aims to build self-esteem, develop personal skills and inter-personal relationships and raise awareness about important health-related issues, including sex education, drugs and alcohol, at an appropriate level for each age group.

Girls have regular sessions of circle time which establishes a forum in which girls can discuss issues of common interest and help one another. As part of the pastoral programme, it helps to enhance self-esteem, develops social skills and initiates collective responsibility.

In addition there is a “challenge of the week” which is presented to the girls by our Teaching Assistants. The challenge is usually connected with keeping the Golden Rules and wrist bands are given to those who have made special efforts. Certificates for personal achievements are regularly awarded too.

GOLDEN RULES

Throughout the First and Lower Schools we have an agreed set of “Golden Rules” which all girls and members of staff aim to adhere to. These encourage positive behaviour and they provide life skills.

The rules are as follows:

We are gentle

We are kind and helpful

We listen

We are honest

We work hard

We look after property

The girls are rewarded for keeping the Golden Rules in different ways as they move up through the Lower School. During their Golden Time they are allowed to pursue their own chosen activity or an extra special whole class activity which the Form Teachers organise. If a girl breaks a ‘Golden Rule’ she may lose some of her Golden Time.

Girls are rewarded positively for good behaviour and are also made aware of the fact that actions have consequences. If necessary, sanctions are imposed as appropriate.

Parents are encouraged to ensure their daughter has had their pre-school booster immunisations and health check before commencing school.

You will be required to fill out health and medical information (including dietary requirements) on the Parent Portal for the School Medical Department. Other staff within the school may be informed of your child’s medical conditions. Informing other staff is done in consultation with parents and only as necessary to ensure your daughter receives the best possible care.

The Medical Department should be kept informed of any change in your daughter’s medical condition that may impact on her while she is in the care of the school. This should be updated on the Parent Portal.

The Parent Portal also asks if you consent to your daughter being given over the counter medications such as paracetamol, antihistamines or creams. Parents of girls in the Junior School will be contacted before any medication is given.

If you require your child to be given medication during school time, please email us at medical@nlcs.org.uk to advise us. The Medical Department will send you a form to complete asking for details of time to administer, dosage, reason for medication and parental consent. Any medication sent into the school with your daughter must be in date and in the original container in which it was dispensed. Your daughter’s name should be clearly written on it too.

The medical staff are available throughout the day for the treatment of illness and accidents. If an injury requires hospital treatment, the nurse will contact you or the child’s guardian, and ask you to take your child to hospital. If immediate treatment is required a member of staff will accompany the child to hospital. The school will then inform you or the child’s guardian.

If your child requires an auto-injector (EpiPen), two named spare auto-injectors should be given to the Medical Centre staff where they will be safely stored. It is the parents’ responsibility to replace any out of date autoinjectors. The Medical Centre staff will contact parents to remind them of the expiry date and when they will need to be replaced.

If your child is asthmatic, two named spare inhalers should be given to the Medical Centre staff where they will be safely stored. It is the parents’ responsibility to replace any out of date inhalers. The Medical Centre staff will contact parents to remind them of the expiry date and when they will need to be replaced.

If your child is unwell during the night or first thing in the morning, please do not send them to school. The child should stay at home for 48 hours after any vomiting or diarrhoea.

If your child gets head lice, please contact the school immediately. We will inform the whole year group so parents can check their daughter’s hair and treat at the same time to prevent recurrence.

The medical staff are usually available during the day to discuss any queries you may have so please do make contact if you have any concerns or worries.

Keeping in Touch

MESSAGE BOOK

Every girl is given a message book which should travel to and from school every day in their bags. This book should be checked and initialled daily by parents. Notes in this book form a vital link between home and school.

READING RECORD BOOK

We have a shared reading scheme and the reading record book is the means by which teachers and parents can communicate about pupils reading. Any comments about the books, difficulties encountered, and, above all, successes should be recorded in this book. It should be kept in the reading folder with the reading book and returned regularly to school as required by the Form Teacher.

LEARNING DIARY

Reception girls have a learning diary from January where they are encouraged to share their activities at home and at school.

Communications from School

Letters, information and communications from the School will come to you primarily via the Schoolbase Parent Portal. The portal is an efficient way for you to manage all correspondence relating to your daughter, and you will receive notifications via the app when we send through new letters or information. There is also a ‘Notice Board’ feature for immediate or urgent messages. In addition, you can use the portal online to update the details we hold about you, such as home address or contact phone numbers. Correspondence relating to school trips will be communicated to you via a separate platform called Evolve. You will receive login instructions and a user guide when your daughter starts school. Further support is available via the Junior School Office.

In addition, a Junior School Bulletin is sent biweekly on a Wednesday which gives important notices and information about North London Collegiate Junior School.

The School’s website is the main source of news about the school: www.nlcs.org.uk. The website reflects a real flavour of the fun and opportunities enjoyed at North London Collegiate throughout the whole school.

Parents can follow the Junior School’s Twitter (X) account @NLCS1850 and instagram (nlcsjuniorschool), where news and photographs of the girls’ school activities are regularly posted.

Parents’ Evenings and Reports

Parents’ Evenings are held each year in the Autumn and Spring terms when you will have the opportunity to discuss your daughter’s progress with the Form Teacher. Individual appointments are made and strict time-keeping is essential. For this reason, any matter requiring extended discussion should be dealt with on another occasion by appointment.

EYFS profiles are compiled for all Reception children. Parents are invited to discuss them with the TA with responsibility for EYFS.

Any immediate concerns over your daughter’s progress should, of course, be discussed with the Form Teacher at the earliest opportunity. Do please pop into school to see her at the beginning or end of the day or arrange a time for discussion via a note in the message book.

A full written report is issued in June. North London Collegiate School is exempt from the reporting requirements of the EYFS.

Contact Details

At the beginning of the year you will be asked to provide your contact numbers should we need to get hold of you during the day, and any other contact numbers for emergencies. Please let us know the details and the phone numbers of anyone who is looking after your child while you are away from home for a period of time.

The emergency contact number in the event of a serious incident involving your daughter occurring at a time when the school is not open is 0772 102 2807.

Absence from School

Please write to or email the Form Teacher in advance if your daughter will be absent for any reason, for example, a religious holiday or a dental or hospital appointment.

If your daughter is going to be absent from School due to illness, please telephone the Junior School or email junioroffice@nlcs.org.uk after 8am and before 9am on the first day of absence. A quick call on each day of absence is also required. If your daughter has a contagious illness, please inform School so we can inform other parents.

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO AVOID TAKING YOUR DAUGHTER OUT OF SCHOOL FOR HOLIDAYS.

Projects are started at the beginning of term and many important events are held at the end of term for which the girls have worked hard and which they anticipate with pleasure. It is very disruptive for children to miss school and to be out of step with their classmates. If exceptional one-off circumstances do occur, permission for absence should be sought in writing in advance from the Head of the Junior School.

If you need to collect your daughter during the school day go to the Junior School

Reception so that your daughter can be brought to you and the register marked appropriately.

Important Information

HOMEWORK

The girls have regular reading and spelling practice each week and other homework appropriate to their year group. Form Teachers give exact details at the curriculum evening in September.

FIRST SCHOOL LIBRARY

The First School Library houses a good collection of fiction and non-fiction books, which is updated throughout the year. Year 1 and Year 2 have a weekly library lesson, during which time they borrow and return books, listen to stories and learn library skills. Additionally, the library is open for Year 1 and Year 2 girls to exchange books between 8.30am and 9am most mornings and during Friday’s Golden Time. The library is run by the Junior School Librarian assisted by a team of parents. Volunteers are always welcome.

MUSIC

Music is an integral part of First School life. The girls receive two music lessons a week from a music specialist. The entire First School join together once a week for group singing, and also sing a song in weekly assembly. There are termly performance opportunities for every class to build skills and confidence. In year 2, girls can learn the recorder as part of a small group. At the end of year 2, girls can choose a music instrument to begin individual lessons in year 3.

DRAMA

The aim of Drama in the First School is to support every girl in the development of their confidence and performance skills. As well as weekly Drama lessons, all pupils perform in one assembly a year to an audience of their parents and perform in the annual First School Play. Year 2 also perform a Founder’s Day Play at the end of the Spring Term. There is generally an informal audition process before a production.

When assigning roles, we take into account a pupil’s existing strengths whilst giving her the opportunity to develop new skills. The focus is on collaborating and working as a ‘company’ and we encourage the girls to be supportive and to respect the valuable contribution made by every member of the cast.

ASSEMBLY

This is a non-denominational form of worship that takes place several times a week. It is taken by different members of staff from both the First and Lower School. The First School girls often participate in assembly and we also enjoy watching assemblies presented by Lower School classes.

Parents’ Guild

Our Parents’ Guild organises social functions for girls and parents, fundraises for added extras for the girls and supports many school events. It is largely run by parents with support from teachers and staff. All parents are automatically members. The Guild is chaired by the Headmistress and vice chaired by two parents.

Parents from the Junior School branch provide help in the Library, on School Open Mornings, School In Action mornings and on assessment and interview days. The Guild hold regular ‘pop-up’ shops, as well as online Good As New Uniform and Stationery shops, which can be accessed via the Parent Portal. The Guild also organise a Christmas Fair and a Summer Fair.

Parents are invited to the Annual General Meeting when the Headmistress makes a report on the school year. The Parents’ Guild has its own section on the school website: https://www.nlcs.org.uk/about/parents-guild/ and a Facebook page: NLCS Parents’ Guild.

If you would like to become actively involved in the Guild please contact one of the vicechairs or leave a message with the Junior School Reception.

Parents in School

We are proud to have a very close working relationship with our parents at North London Collegiate School and there are many opportunities for parents to be involved in school life. For example:

Working in the Library

Helping with costumes for school productions

Joining us on outings

Helping at Open Mornings.

Events

There are many varied events during the school year. The following occur annually in the First School:

Curriculum Evening

Harvest Festival

Autumn Term:

First School Play

Christmas Fair

Christmas Party

Nativity

Spring Term:

Summer Term:

Exhibition Saturday

Founder’s Day Assembly

Rainbow Sports Afternoon

Grounds Day

Year Group Assemblies

Junior School Parents’ Guild Summer Event

Expeditions

Outings are regularly organised to support various aspects of the curriculum. Girls normally wear school uniform unless this is not appropriate. A packed lunch should be brought from home. This must be “nut free”. Full details will be given before each outing and you will be asked to complete an online permission slip. We often need parental help on outings. If you are able to accompany the girls please inform the Form Teacher who will try to ensure that as many different parents as possible help the class on trips. Risk assessments are completed before each trip and are distributed to all accompanying adults. Potential hazards such as arrangements for medical incidents or children going missing are covered in this paperwork. There is always a qualified pediatric first aider on outings.

School Uniform

The School stockist is Uniform4Kids, the nearest stockist to school is Stanmore Pullen of 48 Church Road, Stanmore, telephone 020 8954 3850 where all items can be obtained. There are also shops in Temple Fortune and Northwood or you can order online.

All items must be clearly marked with your daughter’s name. You are strongly advised to order name tapes.

All girls must have brown or black shoes.

All long hair must be securely tied back using brown or black hair scrunchies or slides.

Blue and white scrunchies are acceptable with summer dresses.

No jewellery may be worn except for religious symbols. Small plain gold studs may be worn in pierced ears.

Y2 girls are permitted to wear a basic analogue watch with a plain black or brown strap.

Stanmore Pullen visit school each Friday during term time. They will deliver to school any item that you wish to order by telephone beforehand, or via their website www.uniform4kids.com and items will be delivered to your home address.

First School Uniform

All uniform must be regulation unless specified – a full list is available from uniform4kids

Polo shirt

Tunic

Trousers

Summer Dress

Cardigan

Jumper

Socks and tights

Shoes

Overall

Coat

Hat and Scarf

Pac a Mac

Waterproof trousers

Wellington boots

Plain blue, long sleeved with collar

Plain brown - pull on style, zip front

Brown cord for cold weather (optional)

Blue and white striped

Blue - to be worn with summer dress

Brown V-neck - to be worn with winter uniform

Plain brown or fawn socks/tights

(White socks with Summer dress)

Brown or black lace-up, velcro or buckled shoes

(No slip on or backless shoes and no boots please)

Regulation blue front Velcro fastening - name on the front in large letters. Loop in neck by which it may be hung on your daughter’s peg

Brown school coat with school logo

Brown with a light blue stripe or plain brown (optional)

With school logo, for warmer weather

Navy

Any colour, clearly named is acceptable

Reception girls will be issued with a regulation school cap at the beginning of the Summer term.

Toys and items of personal value should not be brought to school unless specifically requested by the teacher. Please name all items clearly.

Physical Education

Girls have 3 PE lessons per week. They will have swimming lessons throughout the year. In the winter and spring the PE curriculum includes games and movement lessons and in the summer the girls do athletics and field games.

PE Kit

All PE uniform must be regulation unless specified – a full list is available from uniform4kids

Black Leotard

Athletics shorts

White T-shirt

Training Pants

Midlayer

White Plimsolls

Socks - ankle

Swimming Costume

Year 2 upwards

Navy blue

Round neck, short sleeves

Navy with school logo

Navy with school logo

White plimsolls or predominantly white trainers (slip-on or velcro style only, no laces)

White

Navy with school logo

Swimming Cap Any colour is acceptable

Towel Any colour is acceptable

Waterproof Bag

Navy with school logo

What else do I need?

SCHOOL BAG

The regulation school bag will be available for Reception girls at school at the New Parents’ evening. No other carrying case is necessary.

SPARE CLOTHES

All girls should have a set of spare uniform or PE Kit in school (including a spare pair of knickers and socks in their PE bag, clearly named).

Lost Property

PENCIL CASE

All girls should have a pencil case containing:

4 sharp pencils

A rubber

12 coloured pencils

Scissors

A Pritt stick type glue

Felt pens

PLEASE NAME EVERYTHING THAT COMES TO SCHOOL and check regularly whether names have rubbed off your daughter’s shoes. Lost Property cupboards are located in both entrance lobbies of the Junior School and in the First School Hall.

Items that are not claimed after a reasonable amount of time are given to the Parents’ Guild for resale.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IF...

....You have to take your daughter to the dentist/doctor/hospital?

Please email the Form Teacher or write a note in the message book. Report to the Junior School Reception and sign your daughter in or out of school.

....Your daughter is too ill to come to school?

Please email the Form Teacher or ring the Junior School Reception (020 8952 1276 after 8am) to notify of absence and if the illness is prolonged.

....Your daughter needs to bring money to school?

Very occasionally it may be necessary to bring money to school in which case it should be carried in a named envelope in the message book.

....You need to see the Form Teacher, the Deputy Head (First School) or the Head of the Junior School

Please email or write a note in the message book asking the teacher to ring you or telephone the PA to the Head of the Junior School to make an appointment.

....Your daughter has lost some belongings?

Ask your daughter’s Form Teacher or Teaching Assistant. All named items can be returned quickly. There are small lost property baskets in the Lower School cloakrooms and a basket in the First School Hall.

....You are unavoidably delayed/ do not arrive to collect your child?

Please ring the Junior School to warn us so your daughter does not become anxious or upset. If the delay is expected to be more than a few minutes, your daughter will be taken to After School Care, which will incur a charge. After School Care can be contacted via email at Afterschoolcare@nlcs.org.uk or on 07827 919155 during hours of service (3pm to 5.30pm).

.... You need to change your normal coach arrangements for a one off occasion?

Please email travellingtoschool@nlcs.org.uk with the detail, copying in the junioroffice@nlcs.org.uk and Form Teacher, by 12.30pm.

.... I need to contact school in an emergency out of school hours?

The emergency contact number, in the event of a serious incident involving your daughter occurring at a time when the school is not open is: 0772 102 2807.

School Policies and Information

The following information is available for all parents on the School website:

The aims of the School

The School’s policy to safeguard and promote the welfare of our pupils

The School’s policy and arrangements for admissions

The School’s policy regarding relationships and sex education

The School’s policy to promote good behaviour (including sanctions and arrangements for discipline and exclusions)

Particulars of education and welfare provision for students with EHC plans and English as an additional language

The School’s curriculum policy

The School’s policy to prevent bullying

Details of the School’s academic performance in recent public examinations

The School’s concerns and complaints procedure

The School’s health and safety policy

The School’s first aid policy

All of these documents are posted on the School website at https://www.nlcs.org.uk/ about-nlcs/school-policies/nlcs-school-policies, along with the most recent ISI inspection report and the most recent Evaluation Report (annual review).

The School telephone number is 020 8952 0912 (Junior School 020 8952 1276), and the registered address of the School is North London Collegiate School, Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7RJ.

Parents who wish to contact the Headmistress (Mrs Vicky Bingham) or the Chairman of Governors (Mr Robert Hingley) may do so at this address or junioroffice@nlcs.org.uk

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for the whole school is the Senior School Deputy Head Pastoral (Mrs Nicky Dawson) and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads in the Junior School are Mr Queripel (Acting Head of Junior School) and Mrs Bartram (Deputy Head, First School).

Senior School: 020 8952 0912

Junior School: 020 8952 1276 Email: office@nlcs.org.uk Website: www.nlcs.org.uk