Lower School Handbook 2024

LOWER 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

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

The Lower School Curriculum

In Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 the curriculum follows much of the National Curriculum but we have the freedom to teach beyond its constraints. All girls study Maths, English, Science, Geography, History, Design and Technology, Computing, Art, Religious Studies, Drama, Music, PE and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education).

In addition to these subjects the girls in Year 3 learn Russian. In Year 4 the girls learn German, in Year 5 they learn Mandarin and in Year 6 they learn French. This gives the girls an excellent grounding in how languages work. The girls can continue to learn more about these languages by joining an after school language club.

The School Day

We want the girls to feel comfortable and at home in their new surroundings as soon as possible, so the Form Teachers have a special programme to help them settle into their new classes at the start of the Autumn term. This includes taking the girls on a tour of the special places on the site, including Budge Square and Lime Avenue. They are introduced to Big Cedar too – a huge tree that dates from the time of the palace of the Duke of Chandos. Some girls may find the prospect of travelling on the coach a little daunting, and help is at hand to see that they are taken to the coach. Please make sure the Form Teacher has all the information about coach travel for the first week of term, so that coach travel can run smoothly from the start.

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

In the morning, girls who come by car are dropped off, either in the Loop Road, or near the Old House. Girls make their own way to the building.

8.15am Girls start arriving. Coats and bags are left in the designated cloakroom and girls get their things ready for the morning. All girls should be in school by 8.30am.

8.45am Lower School Assembly, Form Time or Singing Together.

9.15am Period 1

9.50am Period 2

10.25am Short Break

Girls are free to play in the grounds. Girls can bring in a small healthy snack.

10.45am Period 3

11.20am Period 4

11.50am Lunch

The Junior School have school lunch in the Dining Hall. Once lunch is finished students go back to their classrooms.

12.25pm Period 5

1.00pm Long Break

Students can play outside or visit the Library. There are also other activities such as music groups and the Junior School Orchestra. Students may also use our Adventure Trail under the supervision of the Lower School Staff.

1.40pm Period 6

2.15pm Period 7

2.50pm Period 8

3.20pm End of the day Form Time

3.25pm School day ends

Home Time

Collected by parents - Girls should be collected between 3.25pm and 3.30pm in front of the Junior School. Girls are not allowed to walk to the Loop Road or anywhere else in the school grounds until they are in Year 5.

Travelling by coach - Girls in Year 3 and above make their way independently to their coach stop on the Loop Road.

Girls who are waiting for the 4.15pm coach, older sister in the Senior School, or for their parents to collect them, may wait in the designated late room until 4pm. After 4pm, if a child is not collected, they will be taken to After School Care. You will be charged for this service.

Please ensure regular collection arrangements and any changes to usual rotas are noted in the homework diary and an email sent to Form Teachers.

After School Clubs

Girls in Years 3 to 6 may choose from a range of clubs, including gym, netball, cricket, Mandarin, dance and debating between 3.30pm and 4pm. There are also later clubs including cookery for Years 5 and 6 that end at 5pm.

Breakfast Club & After School Care

We offer a Breakfast Club each morning from 7.30am. Healthy breakfasts and activities are provided. 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 of these services.

Lunch and Snacks

All girls eat lunch together in the School Dining Hall. There are a wide variety of hot, cold and vegetarian dishes as well as sandwiches, fresh fruit and a selection of desserts. The kitchen can cater for special diets and we are a nut-free school. Girls are supervised during lunch by the teaching staff. The weekly menu is displayed on the notice boards opposite the entrances; an example is printed below. In the Lower School girls will be required to bring in a healthy snack from home for morning break. Please ensure these are named. Girls may also bring in a snack to eat after school.

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 saladCauliflower, 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 saladTurkish 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

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

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 saladCaraway 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 salad -

Red 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

Chef battered haddock, lemon wedges

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

Physical Education in the Lower School

PE lessons vary according to the season and the year groups. There are four periods timetabled each week per class (see table below).

AUTUMN

Swimming/Games/Gym and Dance/Cross-Country

Swimming/Games/Gym and Dance/Cross-Country

Swimming/Athletics/ Short Tennis/Striking and Fielding games

Hair must be tied back and no religious symbols, jewellery or watches should be worn during PE. Gym and Dance are carried out in bare feet. During the year, various sporting events take place, including a Sports Day, to which parents are invited, and a swimming gala.

There are many squad teams (increasing as the girls go higher up the School) which compete against other schools in sports such as netball, swimming, cross-country, cricket, athletics, badminton and gymnastics. Many recreational sports clubs are offered as part of the extra-curricular clubs programme such as running club, dance, gymnastics, and football. Colour team competitions, like the Netball Colour Team League as well as the colour team cross country run, are scheduled throughout the year in both lesson times and long break times.

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 Lower School may travel to and from school by coach.

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 about your daughter’s specific coach route, 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 across 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 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 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. To ensure student safety, all school buildings and gates are accessed via coded pass entry. All Lower School students will be issued with wrist bands that they can use to gain access to the Sports Centre and Indoor Teaching Space (ITS) for PE, as well as the Music School, the Dining Hall and the Junior School buildings.

For those parents who wish to drop off or collect their daughters, the doors to the Junior School Reception 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 and After School Care are held in the Athenian Cafe in the Performing Arts Centre. After 4pm, girls will be based in the Junior School Science 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, other than registered assistance dogs, to be brought to the site for hygiene and safety reasons.

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 (Lower 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). 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.

Each girl has a PAT (Personal Appointment Time) with her Form Teacher. At these meetings the girls reflect on their learning and progress and consider future targets. The girls continue this self evaluation in their profile books.

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 Golden 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.

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), she should carry two, either on her person or in her bag, which should be always kept nearby. Alternatively, we can store two named spare auto-injectors in the Medical Centre.

If your child is asthmatic, she should either carry an inhaler with her or have a spare inhaler kept in the Medical Centre. It is essential that parents ensure asthma inhalers and autoinjectors remain in date.

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.

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 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 during the Autumn and Spring terms when you are given the opportunity to discuss your daughter’s progress with her Form Teacher. The appointments are spread over two evenings and because of the numbers involved, strict time keeping is essential. Any matter requiring extended discussion should be dealt with on another occasion by appointment. During the course of the evening, coffee and tea are served in the reception area and the Head of Junior School, Deputy Heads and Non-Form Teachers are available to speak to parents.

You are of course most welcome to speak to your daughter’s Form Teacher or the Deputy Head on an informal basis at the end of the day. If you do wish to make a longer appointment with the Form Teacher, please send in a note or write a message in the homework diary.

Appointments with the Head of Junior School are made by contacting the Junior School Office.

Reports are written at the end of the Summer term. Assessment is ongoing throughout the year and staff may contact you at any time to update you on your daughter’s progress.

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 or email the Junior School Reception 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

Homework is set most evenings and varies in length from 20 minutes to 40 minutes per night according to year groups. Years 3 and 4 homework tasks are set Monday to Thursday. In Years 5 and 6, weekend homework is also set.

Homework should be clearly recorded in the homework diary which must be brought to and from school everyday. The homework diary also provides a place for parents and staff to communicate brief but important messages.

Homework is carefully prepared in class but girls may seek guidance and help with finding out information. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if your daughter has difficulty with the work set, or cannot complete it within the given time. Girls should have a quiet comfortable space in which to do their homework.

Some homework activities may ask the girls to access applications and websites from home. At North London Collegiate School pupils have access to Microsoft Teams. Every girl will have her own individual login and the girls may access this platform to view or submit homework tasks when required.

Junior Music Department

In the Junior School, we aim to provide a broad range of musical opportunities for all students and strive for ambitious music making. We encourage pupils to develop skills as performers irrespective of level and offer a wider variety of musical experiences both within and beyond the curriculum.

Every pupil has twice-weekly class music lessons, whole school singing together, and two choir sessions. Approximately 150 instrumental lessons are taught at school each week by over 28 distinguished visiting instrumental and vocal specialists in our purpose-built Music Department. Many pupils take ABRSM and Trinity music exams and some have achieved the highest Grade 8 by the end of Year 6. Several current pupils are studying at the Royal College of Music and Guild Hall Junior Department and play for the National Children’s Orchestra, participating in national and international competitions.

All styles of music are taught in the Junior Music Department from classical and popular to world music genres. Pupils are encouraged to participate in a range of auditioned and non-auditioned musical activities, comprising choirs, orchestras and various ensembles from percussion to trombone ensembles. Choral music is a particular specialism of the school and we offer five choirs. Every pupil belongs to at least one choir, such as the Year 3 and Year 4 Choir or Young Singers. Each year Canons Choir, an auditioned choir for Years 5 and 6, enter many external choral competitions and music festivals. They have won titles such as the National Music for Youth Junior Choir Competition and Barnardo’s National Junior Choir of the Year. Many Canons Choir members have gained a place at the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

Pupils have numerous performing opportunities, ranging from our all-inclusive end of term concert and our special concerts dedicated to solos and smaller ensembles to regular breakfast busking at assembly. External music workshops are organised throughout the year to inspire and broaden pupils’ musical horizons. Pupils have a chance to work and perform with professional musicians, such as the internationally recognised composer and conductor Paul Smith, Lin Marsh, Douglas Coombes, Ralph Alward, Emily Barden and Rachel Staunton. We have music partnerships with VOCES 8 Foundation, Royal Academy of Music, Harrow Music Service, National Youth Choir Great Britain, London Youth Choir, Rodolfus Choral Foundation and English Touring Opera Company.

Drama in the Junior School

The aim of Drama in the Junior School is to support every girl in the development of their confidence and performance skills, regardless of ability.

Casting is undertaken with this is mind and there is generally an audition process before a production. During this audition process the Director takes into account a large range of considerations, including the girls’ preferred choice of role, their acting ability, ability to learn lines, commitment, projection and confidence in front of an audience. When assigning roles, we take into account a pupil’s existing strengths whilst giving her the opportunity to develop new skills. We support those who are less confident by allowing them to take smaller steps forward whilst still gaining a sense of achievement. Casting is done by the play’s Director, sometimes in liaison with the Junior School Director of Music and is always approved by the Form Teacher before being publicised.

Involvement in productions is similar to playing in an orchestra. The focus is on collaboration and working as a ‘company’ rather than a question of counting lines and identifying ‘lead roles’. Each role will have its own challenge, such as developing comic timing, a particularly emotional scene, portraying a complex character or a role with lots of stage time or that involves movement. Line counting is not a useful way to identify the type of challenge a pupil has been given. We encourage every girl to be supportive of others, regardless of the nature of their role and to respect the valuable contribution made by every member of the cast.

We believe that annual participation in a year group production is an exciting and enriching part of school life and encourage every girl to take full advantage of the many opportunities they will have in the Junior School and beyond.

Canonaid

The Junior School holds a weekly collection on a Tuesday for a charity chosen by the School, with an emphasis on small but regular contributions.

On other occasions the Canonaid fund is boosted by non-uniform days, when girls wear their own casual clothes and bring in a small donation, and through cake sales which are always popular.

Money in School

Money should be brought into school only for a specific purpose, such as Canonaid, Book Clubs, Christmas Fair, pocket money for outings and cake sales. However small a sum, it should be kept in a girl’s zipped pocket. It must never be left in the cloakroom or in a desk.

During Games lessons the purse and any other valuables, such as a wristwatch, should be handed to a member of staff for safe keeping.

Mobile Phones

We appreciate that many of you want to give your daughter a mobile phone to help with coach collection. However, we ask that the phones are handed in to the Form Teacher, switched off at the beginning of the school day. It is also sensible to avoid the latest iPhone! Apple watches or smart watches are not allowed in the Junior School. Girls bring mobile phones to school at their own risk.

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 vice-chairs 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 Lower School:

Curriculum Evenings

Book Week/Curriculum Focus Week

Harvest Festival

Year 3 Production

Winter Concert

Christmas Fair

Parents’ Evenings

Christmas Party

Autumn Term: Spring Term:

Summer Term:

Parents’ Evenings

Year 4 Production

Instrumentalists Concert

Poetry Recitation competition

Exhibition Saturday

Founder’s Day with Year 5 Founder’s Day Play

Year 4 residential trip

Year 5 residential trip

Year 6 residential trip

Focus Week

Sports Afternoon

Summer Concert

Swimming Gala

‘NLCS Has Got Talent’ Show

Junior School Parents’ Guild Summer Event

Year 6 Production

Trips and 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.

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.

All items must be clearly marked with your daughter’s name.

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 studs may be worn in pierced ears.

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

Lower School Uniform

All items must be regulation unless specified:

Girls need

Wrap-around blue overall with name across the front

NLCS school rucksack available from the school outfitters

Sling purse or belt purse (optional)

WINTER

Brown tunic

Trousers (optional)

Blouse

Jumper

Socks or tights

Shoes

(Girls in Year 5 and 6 only may wear a skirt)

Dark brown cord trousers

Blue long sleeved, open neck

Brown V neck

Plain brown

Brown or black lace-up, Velcro or buckled shoes, with low heels. (No slip-on or backless shoes. No boots)

Coat Brown coat with school logo

Hats and scarves

Hairbands

Brown skirt

SUMMER

Summer dress

Trousers (optional)

Shorts (optional)

Shirt

Cardigan

Socks

Shoes

Brown and blue knitted hats and scarves

All hair bands and hair ties must be brown, black or blue

Pleated skirt may be worn in Year 5 and 6 only

Blue and white striped

Dark brown cord trousers

Brown tailored

Blue short-sleeved open neck

Light blue with summer dress

White

Brown or black lace-up, Velcro or buckled shoes, with low heels. (No slip-on or backless shoes. Boots are not to be worn). Brown bar sandals may be worn during the Summer term.

Year 6 (optional) Brown skirt may be worn in the Summer in Year 6 only.

Stanmore Pullen have arranged with a local printer for names to be printed on PE bags and T shirts. This will take between 10-14 days and there will be an extra charge.

Physical Education

Navy kit holdall with logo

Black leotard

Navy midlayer

Sky blue polo shirt

Predominantly white trainers (with non-marking soles)

Navy skort with school logo

Navy tracksuit trousers or

Training Pants

White games socks

Navy shorts

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT FOR PE LESSONS

Navy NLCS swimming costume

Swimming cap – any colour is acceptable

Towel - any colour is acceptable

Waterproof bag – pale blue and brown and named

Colour team T shirt - girls will be notified which team they will be in

Base-layer leggings (optional)

Navy base-layer top (optional)

Navy football socks with NLCS logo

All PE uniform must be regulation unless specified – a full list is available from Uniform4Kids

YEAR 5 AND ABOVE

Tennis racquet (optional) - needed only for summer term

ALL WATCHES, EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED

ALL PE EQUIPMENT MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED

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.

Equipment

Exercise and text books are provided by the School but girls are asked to supply the following:

Pencil case, named, containing:-

Pencils

Rubber

15cm ruler

A second small pencil case of choice, named, containing: Packet of coloured pencils

Scissors

Glue stick (such as Pritt Stick)

A4 Homework folder

All contents of pencil cases should also be named.

Parents should check the pencil cases weekly to sharpen pencils and renew supplies

Items of stationery are available from our Parents’ Guild online stationery shop: https://www.nlcs.org.uk/about/parents-guild/

In addition, from Year 4:

A fountain pen with a medium nib – clearly named. We recommend Parker Vector and Lamy pens as these are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Washable blue ink cartridges.

An erasable blue roller ball type pen may also be used when the girls are learning to write in ink.

In addition, from Year 5:

180 degree protractor

Set squares

Pair of compasses

Calculator

Small dictionary and thesaurus suitable for desk (It would also be helpful to have editions of these at home for girls to use for homework.)

Electronic Equipment

If girls bring in Kindles or personal hand-held devices, they do so at their own risk.

THESE MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED

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 8.00am) to notify of absence and if the illness is prolonged.

....Your daughter forgets her wristband?

Your daughter can access the school buildings via the Junior School Reception.

.…Your daughter has lost her wristband?

She must report this to the Junior School Reception. They will arrange a replacement. A charge of £10 will be made if she loses a second or subsequent wristband.

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

Write a note in the message book or email the teacher or telephone the PA to the Head of the Junior School to make an appointment.

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

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: 07721 022807.

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 via 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).

School Map