Year 7 Parents' Handbook 2026-27

Year 7

Parent Handbook 2026-27

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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06 Vision

08 School Values 09 History of the School

nts

07 School Aims

e Cont

04 Welcome

10 The Staff Team 14 The School Day 34 Key Dates

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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Welcome from the Head

Welcome to Year 7 and to the Senior School at North London Collegiate School.

It is exciting to imagine the journey that your daughter will go on over the next seven years.

We don’t yet know where that journey will take her, but we hope that along the way she will discover intellectual passions, friends and new pastimes. When Year 13 students leave us they often shed tears for the time they have spent at NLCS, such is the influence that this community has had on their lives.

Our vision for NLCS is to honour the school’s proud legacy of intellectual endeavour and joyful scholarship, prizing knowledge for its ability to inspire, whilst also preparing your daughter for the world beyond school. It is our vision that we should educate for heart and character as well as for the mind, and we do this in partnership with you as parents.

Thank you for choosing NLCS and welcome to our friendly community. We hope your daughter enjoys her Year 7 adventure.

Best Wishes,

Welcome from Mrs Demetriou, Head of Middle School

As Head of Middle School, I am especially looking forward to welcoming your daughter to our vibrant and warm school community here at NLCS. My priority is to ensure your daughter feels happy, secure, and confident within our school community. I am committed to encouraging them to embrace all that is on offer.

We have a strong support system in place for your daughter as they make the transition to Senior School. Your daughter’s tutor will be her key person at school and will remain their main source of support throughout Year 7 and beyond. The Year 10 buddies will also play a key role in making your daughter feel welcome, for example they will be in the Year 7 classrooms on their first day, ensuring they feel welcome and helping with any questions (such as how to get to their first lesson!).

I am sure that the upcoming academic year will be both a challenging and exciting one for the students, filled with opportunities to learn and grow, both academically and personally. I very much look forward to meeting you and your daughter and helping to ensure that the next stage of their school journey is both successful and rewarding.

Joanna Demetriou Head of Middle School

Vicky Bingham Headmistress

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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VISION

An inspirational education A whole education, for life

SCHOOL AIMS Intellectual Tradition

Investment In The Individual

An ambitious academic education

Fostering wellbeing and character for life

■ To provide an ambitious academic education to enable every individual student to make the most of her intellect and abilities ■ To nurture a team of professional teachers who inspire their students with a love of their subjects and a spirit of scholarship ■ To enable all students to recognise excellence and realise that it is attainable ■ To ensure that every member of the School feels valued, supported and encouraged ■ To foster a community built on positive relationships between staff and students and between students themselves ■ To encourage students to embrace new challenges confidently, and respond to setbacks in a resilient and determined manner

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Intrepid Innovation

Impact And Influence

Inspired by heritage, empowered by modernity

Deeply connected to the wider world

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

■ To develop an outward looking, internationally minded community that promotes respect and compassion, service to others, and active, positive participation in society and the wider world YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

NLCS VALUES ASPIRATION: we aim to be our best selves

COMMUNITY: we look out for others and for our school

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

COURAGE: we aim to push new personal boundaries

CURIOSITY: we strive to ask questions and be engaged in our learning

PURPOSE: we love what we do and we want to make a difference

COMMITMENT: we work hard, and we keep going

North London Collegiate School was founded in April 1850

by Frances Mary Buss in the family home at 46 Camden Street, Camden Town.

All the family assisted in the school including her artist/illustrator father, R.W. Buss, some of whose paintings hang in the Buss room in the Old House at Canons. Miss Buss was the Headmistress for 43 years and was a notable figure in the struggle for the education of girls in the second half of the nineteenth century. She took a leading part in the campaign for endowment for girls’ schools, for girls to sit public examinations and for girls to be admitted to university. Her school was “destined”, in the words of the Fleming Report of 1944, “to become the model of girls’ day schools throughout the country”.

As the school grew bigger, it moved to Camden Road and then to Sandall Road. The site at Canons was bought in 1929 but the

whole school did not move there until 1939.

The new building was designed by Sir Albert Richardson whose original drawings can be seen in the Drummond Room.

North London Collegiate School began as a private school but obtained public status as early as 1870 and later became a Direct Grant school, taking scholarships from the Local Authorities. When the Direct Grant was withdrawn in 1976, the school reverted to being an independent school with charitable status. The governors are committed to maintaining the social mix of the school, offering generous bursaries and scholarships, and have raised funds through a Bursary Appeal to compensate for the loss of the government’s Assisted Places Scheme.

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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THE STAFF TEAM

THE STAFF TEAM

Senior Team

Pastoral Team

Headmistress Mrs Vicky Bingham VBingham@nlcs.org.uk

Chief Operating Officer Mr Tim Brown TBrown@nlcs.org.uk

Senior Deputy Head Mrs Jessica Bedi JBedi@nlcs.org.uk

Deputy Head, Pastoral Mrs Nicola Dawson NDawson@nlcs.org.uk

Head of Junior School Mr Richard Queripel RQueripel@nlcs.org.uk

Deputy Head (Pastoral) Mrs Nicola Dawson NDawson@nlcs.org.uk

Head of Sixth Form Mr Benjamin Tosh BTosh@nlcs.org.uk

School Counsellor Beatrice Fox BFox@nlcs.org.uk

Deputy Head, Academic Mr Samy Etienne SEttiene@nlcs.org.uk

Head of Middle School Mrs Joanna Demetriou JDemetriou@nlcs.org.uk

Head of Upper School Mrs Natasha Taberner NTaberner@nlcs.org.uk

School Counsellor April Wellesley AWellesley@nlcs.org.uk

Director of Innovation Mr Robin Street RStreet@nlcs.org.uk

Head of Mental Health & Wellbeing Ms Gayle Mellor GMellor@nlcs.org.uk

Health Care Professional Mrs Lorna Soares-Smith LSoares-Smith@nlcs.org.uk

School Nurse Ms Dionne Thomas DThomas@nlcs.org.uk

Medical Centre phone number: 020 8951 6446

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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THE STAFF TEAM Year 7 Pastoral Team

The Senior School is divided into seven year groups or ‘layers’.

In Year 7 there are six form groups.

The School has seven layers:

Other Key People Ms Veronica Simon is in charge of the stationery store. Your daughter may buy pencils, paper and other materials from her.

Head of Middle School Mrs Joanna Demetriou JDemetriou@nlcs.org.uk

FORMS AND LAYERS

Miss Sarah Prentice – Attendance Officer. Please contact Miss Prentice if your child is absent from School. Please email: absence@nlcs.org.uk, as well as your child’s form tutors. You can also call the Absence Line directly on 020 8951 6404, or follow prompts from the main school number.

The School Librarians will help your daughter to use the library both for reading, pleasure and for homework and research. The library is open from 8.15am – 5.30pm Monday – Thursday, and from 8.15am – 4.15pm on a Friday.

Year 7 Age 11-12 Year 8 Age 12-13

Middle School Head of Section: Mrs Joanna Demetriou

Year 9 Age 13-14 Year 10 Age 14-15 Year 11 Age 15-16 Year 12 Age 16-17 Year 13 Age 17-18

Upper School Head of Section: Mrs Natasha Taberner

Sixth form Head of Section: Mr Benjamin Tosh

Form Tutors Deputy Head of Middle School Ms Ana Santos ASantos@nlcs.org.uk

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

Each form has two tutors who, along with a Head of Year and Head of Section, are responsible for the pastoral and academic care of your daughter. If you or your daughter have any worries or concerns, the first person to contact will be your daughter’s tutors. The tutors also write tutor reports and arrange report reading, assist with filling in of self-appraisal forms and the setting of targets.

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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THE SCHOOL DAY Structure of the day The school day is divided into nine lessons of 35 minutes each, though many subjects in the Middle School have double lessons.

As your daughter will move around the building from lesson to lesson it is important that she does not try to carry all her possessions with her. All students are issued with a student ID card, which they MUST carry with them at all times. This allows them to gain entry into school buildings as they move around the site. Your daughter will have a locker for books and materials. It is important that all her possessions are kept secure and we require lockers to be secured with a durable padlock.

“Lessons are planned and taught well by skilful teachers who are passionate about their subjects”.

8.15am – 8.35am

Students begin arriving

8.40am – 9.15am

Period 1

9.15am – 9.50am

Period 2

9.50am – 10.25am

Form time / assembly

10.25am – 10.45am

ORNING BREAK M Students may go to the Dining Hall to buy drinks or snacks or they may bring something from home provided it is nut free.

10.45am – 11.20am

Period 3

11.20am – 11.55am

Period 4

11.55am – 12.30pm

Period 5

12.30pm – 1.40pm

LUNCH BREAK Before and after lunch, they may walk in the grounds, join one of the many clubs or activities on offer, or go to the Library.

1.40pm – 2.15pm

Period 6

2.15pm – 2.50pm

Period 7

2.50pm – 3.25pm

Period 8

3.25pm – 4.00pm

Period 9

There is no formal supervision before 8.30am, except at the breakfast club (7.30–8.30am) in the Performing Arts Centre. After school, students in activities (e.g. matches or rehearsals) are supervised by the member of staff in charge; others should wait quietly in the Library until collected.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2024

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM All Year 7 pupils study a broad range of subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Design and Technology, French, Latin, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Drama, Art & Design, Computing, Computer Science, Sport, Religious Studies & Philosophy, and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education).

ASSEMBLIES AND FORM TIME North London Collegiate School develops pupils’ character, encourages positive relationships, and promotes tolerance.

Assemblies provide time to reflect on important values in both whole-school and small groups.

Fridays: Compulsory whole school assembly typically led by a Sixth Form society. These may focus on religious observances, current issues, or charitable initiatives such as Canonaid, the school’s fundraising organisation.

Mondays: Compulsory whole school assembly, usually led by the Headmistress, a Deputy, or another staff member.

Occasionally, this schedule may change due to school events, and smaller assemblies or performances may take place. Special extended assemblies are held for occasions like Remembrance and Founder’s Day.

Wednesdays: Assemblies may involve Middle School (Years 7–9), individual year groups, house meetings, or separate religious assemblies. These may be led by staff or students. Religious assemblies are organised

by Sixth Form societies and may include guest speakers or a secular option.

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Students meet in their forms for pastoral time with tutors, covering form business, PSHE topics, and daily discussions.

In Years 8 and 9, pupils continue with these subjects, with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics taught separately, building on the general Science course from Year 7. Pupils also choose two modern languages from French, Spanish, German, or Mandarin.

Guidance on making this selection will be provided later in the year.

Homework At the start of the Autumn term, students receive a homework diary to record any work set, which form tutors check regularly.

Parents are encouraged to support this by reminding their daughters to use the diary.

It is important your daughter spends no more than the allotted time on each task. Teachers set work with this in mind to monitor progress accurately. Form tutors reinforce this message, and we appreciate your help in encouraging time management at home.

If your daughter is finding it too difficult to work within the limits of the homework timetable, please feel free to get in touch with her form tutor so we can support her.

Students are given a homework timetable, usually completing two assignments each evening, about 30 minutes each. Homework gradually increases as students progress through the school. Year 7 has no homework for the first two weeks to help students settle in and explore activities.

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Much of your daughter’s work will be marked with comments rather than grades, to encourage thoughtful effort over competition. Research shows students benefit more from feedback than from focusing on marks. Formal pieces of work will be graded, with teachers explaining what the grades mean.

TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL Coach Services We’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint and encourage students to use school coaches, local buses, walk, or cycle instead of being driven. This helps ease local congestion and limited parking.

Examinations take place in the Summer Term, with Years 7, 8, and 9 exams held the week before half term. Homework is generally not set during half-term or holiday breaks, allowing students time to relax and pursue other interests before returning refreshed.

Lunches

Enrichment Activities

Lunchtime is a highlight of the day and a great chance for students to relax and socialise. Years 7 and 8 often have extracurricular clubs during the first half of lunch, then eat from 1.10pm. We expect all students to have time to sit down and enjoy their lunch and to take part in only one extra-curricular activity per lunch break.

Lunchtime clubs run daily at 12.30pm or 1.05pm and are led by Sixth Form students or specialist staff. Students are encouraged to try different activities before committing.

A staff member coordinates the programme and keeps the notice board updated.

If a Year 7, 8, or 9 student needs to eat earlier because of a music lesson or club, they can ask their tutor for an early lunch slip to show to staff at the Dining Hall entrance.

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We have launched the HomeRun App which helps parents connect for safe shared travel by bus, train, cycling, walking, or car sharing.

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

Over 600 students use our coach and minibus services daily, including shuttles to Jubilee and Northern line stations. Coaches have seat belts, and students must stay seated, wear belts, and behave responsibly.

Students must use their Student ID passes to scan on the device every time they board and alight the coach.

For more details, visit the ‘Travelling to School’ section on our website or you can email the Zeelo customer care team on contact@zeelo.co or by phone on 0330 808 3306.

Access to the school site by car We understand some parents need to drive to school, but local roads can get congested.

We recommend parking and walking the last half mile. Park and Stride maps on our website show suitable areas, including Dalkeith Grove (in designated zones) and Canons Drive (please park only on the school side to keep access clear for deliveries and

emergency vehicles). Please avoid driveways and be respectful to our neighbours.

School Marshalls control site access from 7am to 7pm (Canons Drive) and 7am to 8pm (Dalkeith Grove), or later during events.

Between 3.45pm and 4.20pm, no cars are allowed on the Loop Road because of coach departures. During this time, please use ‘Park and Stride’ or enter via Canons Drive.

If you enter via Canons Drive, you may drive on site but cannot access the area in front of the Old House, which is reserved for deliveries and staff. You will need to turn right before the second barrier and may drop off your daughter by the steps near the tennis courts (South Courts). To protect the grounds, we kindly ask that you do not pull onto the grass verges, as this causes significant damage.

Station shuttle bus service We operate shuttle buses between the School and Edgware and Stanmore tube stations in the mornings, and Edgware and Canons Park tube stations in the afternoons.

Evening late shuttles run Monday to Thursday to Harrow on the Hill and Harrow & Wealdstone stations.

A new ticketing system requires students to scan their Student ID passes each time they board and alight, similar to the coach service.

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Access to the School Buildings Your daughter will be given a student ID card which will allow her to move freely around school by giving her access to the school buildings. If she loses this card, she will be able to request a new one via mypass@nlcs. org.uk. A third or subsequent new access card will be charged at £10.

If your daughter has limited mobility and needs access to the lifts, please inform the Estates Team (estates@nlcs.org.uk) and they will set the appropriate permissions on her access card.

Any pupil who has a travel card for the coaches can also use this for access to school buildings so that she does not need a separate card.

Visiting the School ■ School Reception is in the Ideas Hub (access via Dalkeith Grove).

■ Visitors to the Headmistress should report to the Old House via Canons Drive.

■ Parents meeting a teacher or attending an event should go to Reception or directly to the event location as per the invitation.

■ School Marshals are available to assist with directions.

■ Sports fixtures are usually at the Sports Centre or outdoor pitches – check SOCS on the Parent Portal for details.

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

The ‘Buddy’ System Every student in Year 7 will be allocated a Year 10 buddy from the same House. The buddy role is optional, but the majority of our Year 10 students choose to take it up and they genuinely enjoy looking after the younger girls. Your daughter will meet her buddy at the Welcome Event in June. Her buddy will be there to support her during the first week of school and beyond. We organise several buddy meet‑ups across the year, giving your daughter plenty of opportunities to get to know her buddy and build a supportive relationship.

The Medical Centre When a student feels unwell in school she will visit the School Nurse, who will make a medical decision as to whether she should stay for a short period in the Medical Centre, or call her parents to collect her from school. Please note that other than life-saving medicine (epipens & inhalers) girls must not carry medication on them, any pupil requiring prescribed medication during the school day should hand this to the medical centre. In emergencies, or in the case of serious illness or injury, parents will be informed, an ambulance will be called and if necessary the student taken to hospital. Please ensure that you make us aware of any changes to your daughter’s medical condition.

Please note we do not allow any dogs to be brought to the site for hygiene and safety reasons. For out-of-hours events, School Marshals will assist with parking, but we encourage parents to use alternative transport where possible, as parking is limited.

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PASTORAL CARE The Medical Centre are available to help your daughter with a wide range of topics.

You can contact them on 020 8951 6446.

The Cedar Space April Wellesley and Beatrice Fox are our school counsellors, and Ms Gayle Mellor is our Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

All are based in the Cedar Space, which all students will have the opportunity to visit. It offers a calm environment for support, quiet time, or attending clubs and group sessions.

With parental permission and a staff referral, students can access confidential one-toone counselling unless there’s a safeguarding concern. The counsellors also run dropin sessions, which don’t require parental permission. Details are shared in tutor notices throughout the year.

“Older pupils are trained to act as peer mentors for younger pupils”.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2024

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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Tooled Up Education Tooled Up is an evidence-based platform offering resources on parenting, education, and family life for parents, pupils, and schools. As a Tooled Up school, we work closely with founder and Head of Research Dr Kathy Weston.

Parents and staff have access to the NLCS Tooled Up Education Library, an online collection of articles, podcasts, webinars, worksheets, and videos organised by topic and age group. The library is regularly updated to reflect new research and the evolving needs of young people.

To access the library, visit www.tooledupeducation.com and log in with the school code: NLCS0907.

School Code of Conduct

Banned Substances

Our rules help make school a safe and pleasant place for everyone. We expect students to be punctual, hold doors open for others, and never use ground floor windows as exits. Please ensure all belongings are clearly named to help us return lost items.

We do not allow chewing gum in school because inconsiderate people might deposit it on their lunch trays, under desks or on chairs.

Mobile Phones Students in Years 7 and 8 are not permitted to bring a smartphone to school. However, they may bring a simple “brick‑style” mobile phone if needed. Your daughter will receive a Yondr pouch on the first day of term.

Phones must be switched off and stored in the Yondr pouch during the school day.

If a phone is used during school hours, it will be confiscated and kept at Reception for safe storage until 4pm. Students can use the Reception phone to contact home during the school day, and parents can leave messages there.

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Dr Weston also visits NLCS regularly and hosts online talks on various topics, such as adolescent sleep, bereavement, resilience, and social media trends. Details of these events are shared via the Parent Portal calendar and email.

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

The school and grounds are non-smoking areas and students who smoke or vape on campus, or on the way to or from school are in serious breach of school rules. Education about smoking, vaping, alcohol and illegal drug use is included in the Years 8 and 9 PSHE syllabuses and re-visited at regular intervals as the students progress through the school. The School’s policy is to educate about the health risks and to make clear that misuse of such substances is unacceptable behaviour in school and may risk suspension or expulsion. This policy also extends to school trips.

OUR EXPECTATIONS We expect every student to contribute positively to our community by using her talents and showing courtesy, care, and respect for others. Responsibility and open communication are essential.

Good relationships and anti-bullying are covered in PSHE, form time, and assemblies.

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will be thoroughly investigated. If you have concerns about your daughter, please contact her form tutor immediately.

Lessons start with a formal greeting. At the end, students stand, tuck in their chairs, and leave quietly. Each academic department sets clear behaviour standards for their spaces, including labs, studios, and sports halls.

School trip behaviour must match school standards to ensure everyone enjoys the experience. Staff appreciate students thanking them upon returning safely.

Year 7 students receive an ID card to access school buildings by tapping sensors at doorways. All students must tap in and out on arrival and departure. If arriving late or leaving early, students should tap their card at Canons Park or Dalkeith Grove gates to be correctly registered.

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COMMUNICATIONS The main school communications are sent via SchoolPost on Wednesdays. You’ll also receive updates through the Schoolbase Parent Portal app, which includes a Notice Board for urgent messages.

Parent Portal The Parent Portal allows you to manage correspondence and access key information such as timetables, sports updates, letters, term calendars, and coach travel details. You can also update your contact information to keep records current.

Notifications alert you when new letters or information are available on the portal.

Information and News for Parents: ■U rgent messages, such as school closures, are sent by text. Please ensure your contact details are up to date by updating them on the Parent Portal.

■ S chool news is shared on the website and social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram: @nlcs1850).

■ S ports fixtures and team lists are posted on SOCS. Students are responsible for checking their selections, but parents are encouraged to stay informed.

Service to Others Every student has a responsibility within the school, including helping raise funds for charity through Canonaid, which supports local, national, and international causes. Your daughter will also be invited to help at Taster Mornings and Open Events where students are valued ambassadors of the school.

Each week, one of the forms in the Middle School is on a ‘duty rota’ to welcome visitors and manage lost property, teaching students about community and teamwork. For Year 7, this duty begins towards the end of the Autumn term.

Parents’ evenings run from 4.45pm to 7.15pm, with the Year 7 event held in the Spring Term.

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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Absence from School

Reports

If your child cannot attend school, please email absence@nlcs.org.uk and cc their Form Tutors before the school day starts. First lesson and registration begin at 8.40am. For planned absences (e.g. medical or music exams), advance notice is required to avoid unauthorised absence.

Each term, every year group receives either a full report, a progress report, or an invitation to a parents’ evening. This ensures regular feedback between home and school throughout the year.

Alternatively, call the Absence Line by 9am on 020 8951 6404, leaving your daughter’s full name, form, and reason. If a student is unaccounted for, the Attendance Officer will contact parents.

Unless otherwise stated, absence is assumed to be for one day. Please notify us each day your child is absent.

Term dates are published early; please avoid booking holidays during term time. Early departures disrupt the school community and may result in missing important events.

Any exceptional planned absence needs Head of Section approval and should be requested well in advance.

■ Full reports include detailed comments from every subject teacher and your daughter’s tutor.

■ Progress reports provide brief updates from each subject.

■ Parents’ evenings offer the chance to discuss your daughter’s progress directly with her teachers.

Dates for reports and parents’ evenings are published in the school calendar. Teachers and tutors are also happy to discuss your daughter’s progress outside the scheduled times. To contact staff, please speak to your daughter’s tutor first, who can facilitate this.

Government attendance expectation is 96%.

Attendance below 90% triggers contact from the school; below 70% may lead to a local authority referral.

■M edical appointments: approved by form tutors

■ Longer absences: approved by Deputy Head (Pastoral)

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

We offer a broad range of musical experiences for all students, encouraging them to develop their skills as performers at every level. We especially encourage Year 7 students to take up an instrument, including rarer ones like the bassoon or French horn.

Students can join various choirs, orchestras, and ensembles, with performance chances at school concerts, prestigious events like the Old House Concert Series, and external venues, including international tours to places like Lake Garda and Singapore.

Each week, over 30 visiting music specialists provide around 450 individual lessons across a variety of styles, from classical to popular and world music.

Our experienced Visiting Music Teachers offer about 10 individual lessons per term. To apply, contact Mrs Degnan at ldegnan@nlcs. org.uk. If a place isn’t available immediately, your daughter will join a waiting list.

All styles of music thrive at North London Collegiate across classical, popular and world music genres.

■A bsences up to two days: approved by Heads of Section

Religious absences should be requested annually via a Microsoft Form sent to parents separately.

MUSIC AT NLCS

Some instruments are available for hire, and ample storage space is provided. Please label all instruments with your daughter’s name and form.

“Pupils achieve well in public examinations”.

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2024

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Parents’ Guild All parents are automatically members of the Parents’ Guild, which organises a number of social and fundraising events during the year. The Guild has its own section on the School website and also a Facebook group: NLCS Parents’ Guild.

Events We begin the year with a welcome reception for Year 7 parents in mid-September. At the event, parents meet with tutors to discuss supporting the transition from primary school. Parents’ Guild representatives also attend to share ways to get involved.

Traditionally everyone finds the evening most helpful and we hope to see you there.

In the Autumn Term, all Year 7 students take part in a dance display. Throughout the year, parents are invited to informal events such as netball matches, concerts, and the Fantasy Fashion Show.

We also run a programme of parent talks across the year to support your daughter on topics like emotional wellbeing, internet safety, and effective study habits.

Upcoming talks: Students ■Y 7 Road awareness (Autumn) ■Y 7 Childnet (Autumn) ■Y 7 Girls on Board ■Y 7 Lean in Girls (all year round) Parents ■Y 7 Childnet (Autumn) ■Y 7 Andrew Hampton Girls on Board (Autumn)

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UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT Uniform

Uniform 2026-2027

PE Uniform and Equipment

Our uniform is designed to be smart, comfortable, and practical.

Years 7 – 9

All items may be sourced from Uniform4Kids unless otherwise indicated.

■ L acrosse gloves and goggles (Hattersleys)

COMPULSORY ITEMS

■ S chool boot bag

All PE uniform must be regulation unless specified – Please refer to the full list which is available on the Parent Portal.

■ S ummer athletics vest (available from school supplier)

Students may wear a skirt or trousers. One pair of stud earrings is allowed, and long hair must be tied back. Hair bands can be any colour, but no extensions or unnatural hair colours are permitted.

Shoes must be low-heeled and not trainer-style. Trainers may only be worn as part of the non-sports uniform with a letter from parents confirming an injury or medical condition.

Skirt

Brown pleated

Trousers

Brown

Blouse Pullover

Shoes

Uniform stockists: ■ Uniform4Kids: 48 Church Road, Stanmore, HA7 4AH – 020 8954 3850 ■U niform4Kids: 1103–1107 Finchley Road, Temple Fortune, NW11 0QB – 020 8209 0999 ■O nline orders: www.uniform4kids.com/ collections/north-london-collegiateschool Mail and phone orders are available from both suppliers.

Tights or socks Coat

Blue open neck, short or long sleeved Brown V-neck with sky blue trim Dark brown or black. They must be below the ankle and not be trainer-style leather or suede shoes. No logo should be visible. They must have a low heel, not a flat crepe or rubber sole.

No ballet pumps.

Plain brown (socks can be knee or ankle length in the summer) Any plain dark coat, anorak or raincoat

■A stroturf boots

■ Sky blue polo shirts (at least two)

■ S ideline jacket (for squad players in Autumn/Spring)

■ Navy skort or shorts

SPORTS MOUTHGUARDS

■ Navy midlayer and tracksuit bottoms

Mouthguards are compulsory for all lacrosse lessons, practices, and matches.

They protect teeth, gums, and help reduce the risk of injury. We recommend a custommoulded mouthguard from either your dentist or Opro (www.opro.com). As a reserve, it is possible to obtain a temporary self-mould guard from any decent sports shop and mould at home, or we have a small supply of emergency use mouthguards in the PE office for a small charge.

■ House t-shirt ■ Navy shorts or cycling shorts ■ Navy football socks and white sports socks ■ Black leotard (school or own) ■ S wimming costume, hat, bag, and any colour towel ■T rainers with non-marking soles that support your feet ■ L acrosse boots (football boots with studs) ■N etball dress (Netball Squad only) ■ L acrosse stick – details about purchasing this has been sent to you. See www.hattersleysonline.co.uk for further information ■ L acrosse mouthguard (see mouthguard section) ■ S chool kit bag (navy with pale blue logo) ■T ennis racket (Summer term) DESIRABLE ITEMS ■N avy leggings and long-sleeved baselayer (available from school supplier)

Please ensure your daughter starts school in September with a properly fitted mouthguard.

LACROSSE EYE PROTECTION It is highly recommended for all students to wear eye protection whilst playing lacrosse in lessons, practices and matches.

JEWELLERY No jewellery (including earrings) is allowed in sports lessons. Earrings cannot be taped over. Please avoid ear piercings during term time or within six weeks of term starting.

■ S ide-line coat and sky blue splashproof fleece-lined top (available from school supplier)

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OTHER INFORMATION School Policies and Information The following information is available for all parents on the school website: ■T he aims of the School ■T he School’s policy to safeguard and promote the welfare of our pupils

■ The School’s concerns and complaints procedure

■T he School’s policy and arrangements for admissions

■ The School’s health and safety policy ■ The School’s first aid policy

■T he School’s policy regarding Relationships and Sex Education

All of these documents are posted on the school website in the ‘About Us’ section, along with the most recent ISI inspection report.

■T he School’s policy to promote good behaviour (including sanctions and arrangements for discipline and exclusions) ■ P articulars of education and welfare provision for students with EHC plans and English as an additional language ■T he School’s curriculum policy ■T he School’s policy to prevent bullying

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

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

The School’s 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 Bingham) or the Chair of Governors may do so at this address or via office@nlcs.org.uk YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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KEY DATES AUTUMN 2026 Tuesday 1 September

Staff INSET Day

Wednesday 2 September

Staff INSET Day

Thursday 3 September

Pupil orientation day

Friday 4 September

Autumn Term begins

Monday 19 October – Friday 30 October

Autumn half term holiday

Friday 13 November

7+ entrance examination (holiday for Y3-Y6)

Thursday 3 December

11+ entrance examination (holiday for Y7-Y13)

Friday 11 December

Autumn Term ends for First, Lower, and Senior School*

*First School to finish at 11.30am (coaches depart at 11.45am); Lower and Senior School to finish at 12.15pm (coaches depart at 12.30pm).

SPRING 2027 Monday 4 January

Staff INSET Day

Tuesday 5 January

Spring Term begins for Senior and Lower Schools

Thursday 7 January

Spring Term begins for First School

Monday 15 February – Friday 19 February

Spring half term holiday

Thursday 25 March

Spring Term ends for First, Lower, and Senior School*

*First School to finish at 11.30am (coaches depart at 11.45am); Lower and Senior School to finish at 12.15pm (coaches depart at 12.30pm).

SUMMER 2027 Monday 19 April

Summer Term begins

Monday 3 May

May Day Bank Holiday

Friday 28 May

Staff Marking Day

Monday 31 May – Friday 4 June

Summer half term holiday

Wednesday 16 June

Staff INSET Day

Friday 9 July

Summer Term ends for First School* and Lower School**

*First School to finish at 11.30am (coaches depart at 11.45am); Lower and Senior School to finish at 12.15pm (coaches depart at 12.30pm).

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YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

YEAR 7 Parents’ Handbook

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Senior School: 020 8952 0912 email: office@nlcs.org.uk website: www.nlcs.org.uk North London Collegiate School, Dalkeith Grove, Stanmore, HA7 4SQ