Year 12 Parent Handbook 2025
Welcome from the Headmistress
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, particularly in these final two crucial years of her schooling.
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.
Curiosity, which is one of our school values, is at the centre of the Sixth Form experience here at NLCS. We encourage our students to be curious about the world around them, in and out of the classroom. Developing this curiosity is a joint project between our students and their teachers. Therefore, I ask you to encourage your daughter to take advantage of all the opportunities available to her at Canons, as this will be key to her success and enjoyment.
I am sure your daughter will create many happy memories here. We are here to laugh as well as to learn. I look forward to working with you on this final exciting chapter of your daughter’s school career.
Best Wishes,
Vicky Bingham Headmistress
Welcome from the Head of Sixth Form
Welcome to the Sixth Form! I know I speak for all of the tutors and teachers who will work with you across these final two years when I say we are incredibly excited to welcome your daughter into Year 12.
As Head of Sixth Form, my top priority is to ensure that your daughter feels happy and confident, so that she can dedicate herself entirely to making the most of her time here at the top of the school, both in and out of the classroom. There is so much for students to enjoy as they pursue their chosen subjects in lessons and enrich their experience through involvement with the Senior Societies, Enrichment and Extracurricular programmes.
Your daughter’s tutor remains your first port of call for all matters relating to her schooling. They will meet with her every day in form time, and will be in touch with you across the first weeks of the Autumn Term to introduce themselves. You will, of course, also have the chance to meet with them as part of our Welcome Evening later this term. Overseeing the team of tutors is Miss May, Head of Year 12. She is also available to support any students who may need a little extra guidance over the coming two years. My office is also close to the Year 12 Common Room, and my door is always open for students to pop in should they need to speak with me.
I am sure your daughter will thrive when lessons get underway, and I look forward to seeing all they achieve across their Years 12 and 13.
Benjamin Tosh Head of Sixth Form
VISION
An inspirational education
Intellectual Tradition
An ambitious academic education
Intrepid Innovation
Inspired by heritage, empowered by modernity
Investment In The Individual
Fostering wellbeing and character for life
Impact And Influence
Deeply connected to the wider world
■ 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
■ 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
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
NLCS VALUES
ASPIRATION: we aim to be our best selves
COMMUNITY: we look out for others and for our school
COURAGE: we aim to push new personal boundaries
PURPOSE: we love what we do and we want to make a difference
CURIOSITY: we strive to ask questions and be engaged in our learning
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.
The achievements of Miss Buss and her successors are celebrated each year at the end of the Spring Term on Founder’s Day.
THE STAFF TEAM
Senior Team
Headmistress
Mrs Vicky Bingham VBingham@nlcs.org.uk
Deputy Head, Pastoral
Mrs Nicola Dawson NDawson@nlcs.org.uk
Head of Junior School
Mr Richard Queripel RQueripel@nlcs.org.uk
Senior Deputy Head
Mrs Jessica Bedi JBedi@nlcs.org.uk
Director of Innovation
Mr Robin Street RStreet@nlcs.org.uk
Chief Operating Officer
Mr Tim Brown TBrown@nlcs.org.uk
Deputy Head, Academic
Mr Samy Etienne SEttiene@nlcs.org.uk
THE STAFF TEAM
Pastoral Team
Deputy Head, Pastoral
Mrs Nicola Dawson NDawson@nlcs.org.uk
Head of Middle School
Mrs Joanna Demetriou JDemetriou@nlcs.org.uk
Head of Mental Health & Wellbeing
Ms Gayle Mellor GMellor@nlcs.org.uk
Head of Sixth Form
Mr Benjamin Tosh BTosh@nlcs.org.uk
Head of Upper School
Mrs Natasha Taberner NTaberner@nlcs.org.uk
Health Care Professional
Mrs Lorna Soares-Smith LSoares-Smith@nlcs.org.uk
School Counsellor
Beatrice Fox
BFox@nlcs.org.uk
School Counsellor
April Wellesley AWellesley@nlcs.org.uk
Medical Centre phone number: 020 8951 6446
THE STAFF TEAM
The
Sixth Form Pastoral Team
Head of Sixth Form
Mr Benjamin Tosh BTosh@nlcs.org.uk
Other Key People
Head of Year 12
Miss Sarah May Smay@nlcs.org.uk
Head of Year 13
Mrs Amanda Whitehead AWhitehead@nlcs.org.uk
Ms Veronica Simon is in charge of the stationery store. Your daughter may buy pencils, paper and other materials from her.
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.
FORMS AND LAYERS
The Senior School is divided into seven year groups or ‘layers’. The School has seven layers:
Middle School
Head of Section:
Mrs Joanna Demetriou
Upper School Head of Section:
Mrs Natasha Taberner
Sixth Form Head of Section:
Mr Benjamin Tosh
Form Tutors
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 for report readings, provide support and guidance throughout the UCAS application process and help tutees to set targets.
THE SCHOOL DAY
A Sixth Form student’s school day is exciting, varied and enriching. All students are required to be in school by 8.40am for morning registration.
If they do not have a formal lesson during period 1, they will sign in at 8.40am with a member of staff who is on duty in the Year 12 Common Room.
They can then work privately in one of the many study spaces around Canons including the ground floor of the Old House and the Ideas Hub. We meet together in forms once per day at 9.50am. This is a wonderful opportunity to check in with tutors, meet with friends and participate in a series of assemblies, activities and talks before morning lessons continue. After lunch, should a student in Years 12 or 13 not have a lesson during Period 6, they should again sign in with the member of staff on duty in the Year 12 Common Room at 1.40pm before heading off to complete private study. Students with no lessons in the afternoon
have permission to take their study periods at home and should tap out with their ID card when leaving after registering at 1.40pm.
It should be noted that Thursdays are particularly special. The weekly Senior Societies lectures take place before lunch, giving students the opportunity to hear from and connect with different external speakers every week on a wide range of topics as part of the Senior Societies Lecture programme. Indeed, many of the lectures are arranged by the students themselves via our various societies here at school. We are lucky to enjoy links with many leading figures across a whole range of industries and fields who participate in this exciting part of the weekly timetable every year.
“Any tutor can help you get a 9 in an exam, but North London has the sort of teacher who, if you see a classics book 20 years after you’ve left school, you still want to pick it up.”
Structure of the day
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
MORNING BREAK
10.25am – 10.45am
Students may go to the Dining Hall to buy drinks or snacks or they may bring something from home provided it is nut free. Sixth Form students can also relax in their dedicated spaces, the Ideas Hub, the Athenian Cafe or their Common Room.
10.45am – 11.20am Period 3
11.20am – 11.55am Period 4
11.55am – 12.30pm Period 5
LUNCH BREAK
12.30pm – 1.40pm
Before and after lunch, students may walk in the grounds, join one of the many clubs or activities on offer, or go to the Library. Sixth Form students have permission to leave the school site for lunch. Those doing so can leave after 12.30pm, and must be back in time for afternoon registration at 1.40pm.
1.40pm – 2.15pm Period 6
2.15pm – 2.50pm Period 7
2.50pm – 3.25pm Period 8
3.25pm – 4.00pm Period 9
Parents should be aware that there is no formal supervision of students who arrive in school before 8.30am, although there is breakfast available in the Athenian Café from 7.30am until 8.30am, serving a tasty breakfast including fruit salad, yogurts and cereals. Students staying after school for official school activities, for example matches or play rehearsals, are supervised by the member of staff in charge. Students not involved in such organised activities should work or read in the Library if waiting to be collected by parents or until making their way home.
ASSEMBLIES AND FORM TIME
North London Collegiate School is committed to developing the whole personality of our pupils, fostering good relationships and maintaining a community that is tolerant towards those from all backgrounds and cultures. The combination of whole school assemblies covering a wide range of issues and perspectives and separate religious assemblies, where students can meet with others of their own faith or learn about different faiths, gives opportunities for pupils to share and celebrate the richness of our multicultural community.
Mondays: Compulsory whole school assembly typically taken by the Headmistress, one of the Deputies or another member of staff.
Wednesdays: Often a Sixth Form assembly (Years 12-13), or a layer assembly (just Year 12), house meet-up or separate religious assemblies. Wednesday assemblies provide an opportunity for one or more year groups to meet together. These assemblies may be taken by a member of form staff or a group of students. Separate religious assemblies are arranged by the Sixth Form students who run the religious societies. They may lead them themselves or invite a visiting speaker. There is also the option of attending a secular assembly. The students may choose which assembly to attend.
Fridays: Compulsory whole school assembly usually taken by one of the societies organised by Sixth Form students. This may be a religious society, which frequently take whole school assemblies to coincide with festivals or holy days, or an academic or interest group society who will focus on a current issue. Canonaid, the charity fundraising organisation run by the Sixth Form, also has a weekly message for the School at these assemblies.
On rare occasions this pattern may be disrupted when the Hall has to be used for major school plays, concerts and examinations. This opportunity is often used to have smaller form, layer or section assemblies which often feature drama or musical performances by the students. During the year there are occasional longer school assemblies, for events such as Remembrance and Founder’s Day.
Tuesdays and Thursdays: On Tuesday and Thursday mornings students spend time in their forms with their form tutors dealing with form business, discussing matters of the day, covering some PSHE topics and enjoying each other’s company.
THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM
North London Collegiate School has a choice of two distinct pathways to academic success in the Sixth Form:
The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB); or A level qualification.
Both programmes equally support the aims of the North London Sixth Form and offer students a coherent academic route to Higher Education, providing access to the most competitive universities and degree courses in the UK and internationally.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a linear course, with examinations at the end of the second year of study. Students study three subjects in depth (at ‘Higher Level’) and take three ‘subsidiary’ subjects (at ‘Standard Level’); the course provides for a well-balanced curriculum, while also allowing for specialisation.
Under the A level pathway, students typically study three or four principal subjects.
All students at NLCS are required to complete an independent research project. For those on the IB pathway, this is baked into the diploma in the form of the Extended Essay. A level students can choose between the externally awarded EPQ, or our
internal option, the McCabe Project which provides for greater flexibility in approach.
Regardless of the pathway your daughter has selected, she will be challenged to demonstrate a strong commitment to scholarship, both in terms of subject content and in terms of the development of the skills and discipline necessary for academic success, and to think critically and analytically about the value of what she is studying.
“In 2024, GCSE and A level were near the pinnacle of the league tables, and results for the IB – taken by about a quarter of the sixth form were second best in the country.”
HOMEWORK
Students in the Sixth Form are expected to meet homework deadlines across several subjects. Homework provides vital opportunities for students to consolidate their work in lessons, test their understanding, stretch beyond the demands of a specification and, where appropriate, complete coursework submissions.
As a general overview, the time allotted to subjects in the Sixth Form is provided below:
A level Subjects: 4 hours per subject per week
Typically 2 hours per teacher. Please note that separate arrangements are in place for Art and Further Maths.
IB HL Subjects: 3.5 hours per subject per week
IB SL Subjects: 2 hours per subject per week
This includes coursework and revision for tests.
Coursework and Homework Deadlines
Meeting deadlines is crucial for academic success and personal growth, as it helps students develop strong time management skills and a sense of responsibility.
Homework Deadlines
Extensions for homework are highly exceptional and will only be granted under extraordinary circumstances. Students must plan their work effectively and adhere to the deadlines set by their teachers. Requests for extensions must be made well in advance and will be considered only in rare, unavoidable situations.
Coursework Deadlines
No extensions will be granted for coursework under any circumstances. It is imperative that students manage their time and workload to meet all coursework deadlines.
Our goal is to help students cultivate a disciplined approach to their studies, which is essential for their success both within and beyond the classroom. By adhering to these guidelines, we aim to prepare our students for the rigours of further education and professional life.
Repeated failure to meet a deadline, asking for an extension on the day the work is due or missing a re-negotiated deadline will be communicated to the student’s form tutor so that they can check in and provide any support that may be required.
It is important that your daughter is not spending more than the allocated time on each homework task. Teachers think carefully about which tasks to set their classes, and need to know that the
submitted work has been completed to time in order to effectively understand how your daughter is progressing in her studies. Form tutors will reinforce this message, but it is so important that our students consistently receive the message that working to time is the right approach, rather than pouring too much time into every task as this is not sustainable, or conducive to their progress academically.
Thank you for your help in ensuring this message is reinforced at home. It may be that, at times, there is more of a focus required on a particular task or subject, for example, before a coursework deadline or assessment. However, if you are concerned that your daughter is continually finding it difficult to work within the time limits dictated by a teacher, you should contact her form tutor so we can work with her to address this.
Much of your daughter’s homework and classwork will be corrected with a comment but without a specific grade. This is because we want the students to concentrate on producing good thoughtful work rather than on being competitive about the marks they get. Experience and research also tells us that when a comment is accompanied by a grade students tend to ignore the comment, which contains vital information about how to progress. When there is a more formal piece of work it will be graded and your daughter’s teachers will explain the significance of these grades. Internal examinations are taken at the start of the Summer Term in Year 12 and at the start of the Spring Term in Year 13.
As a rule, homework is not set during half term breaks, or during the holidays between terms. This is to encourage students to relax and engage in other interests during their time away from school, and so that they can return refreshed when lessons resume.
Lunches
Lunchtime is a high point of the day. Often Year 12 and 13 students may be required to lead an extra-curricular club or society activity over the lunchbreak. They may also wish to attend talks, meetings with teachers and spend time relaxing with friends. With this in mind, lunch is nice and long at NLCS, running from 12.30 – 1.40pm to ensure students still have the time to sit down, relax and enjoy a meal before afternoon lessons begin. Sixth Form students have permission to leave the school site for lunch. Those doing so can leave after 12.30pm, and must be back in time for afternoon registration at 1.40pm. They must tap out with their ID card upon departure and tap back in again when they return to ensure they are correctly accounted for in the event of a fire alarm or evacuation.
Enrichment Activities
Lunchtime clubs and activities take place at 12.30pm or 1.05pm. Some, like Art Club or Science Society, are organised by students in the Sixth Form, whilst others, like the Concert Orchestra or the Netball squad are taken by specialist staff. Activities take place every day and students are encouraged to ‘dip in’ during the first few weeks and then make a commitment. A member of staff coordinates the programme and a notice board which keeps everyone up to date.
Surge is our entrepreneurship programme, giving students the tools to build their own ventures, pitch ideas, and understand how businesses start. Designed in collaboration with leading brands, ONLs and industry experts, it helps students develop a startup mindset and prepares them to lead in whichever field they choose.
Our oracy programme, Raising Voices, helps students develop confidence, clarity and originality in their communication. Sixth Formers take the lead in Brainwaves, our lecture series where they explore bold ideas and present them to the school community developing skills that serve them far beyond the classroom.
TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL
We are fortunate to be well connected to London’s transport network, and many of our students travel in via public transport. The school runs shuttle buses to and from local stations on the Jubilee and Northern lines, making journeys by tube a convenient and popular option.
Over 600 students also use our coach and minibus services each day, which are fitted with seat belts and require students to remain seated and behave appropriately. Each pupil is issued with a coach card, which must be scanned when boarding and leaving the bus.
To help reduce congestion and the school’s carbon footprint, we also encourage students to walk, cycle, or use local TfL bus routes where possible. The HomeRun app is another helpful tool, allowing parents to connect with others in their area for shared travel options—whether by coach, public transport, foot, bike or car.
Full details of transport services, including coach routes, timetables, and our HomeRun app, can be found in the ‘Travelling to School’ section of our website. If you have
Arriving by Car
We understand that some families may need to drive to school. However, local roads can become congested and there is limited parking or drop-off space on site. Where possible, we recommend using a ‘Park and Stride’ approach—parking a short distance from the school and walking the final stretch. Maps showing suitable areas, such as Dalkeith Grove (designated waiting zones) and Canons Drive (please use the school side of the road only), are available on our website. We kindly ask all families to be considerate of our neighbours and avoid blocking driveways.
Access to the school is controlled by our Marshals:
■ Canons Drive: 7.00am to 7.00pm
■ Dalkeith Grove: 7.00am to 8.00pm (or later if there is a school event)
Please note: between 3.45pm and 4.20pm, no cars are permitted on the Loop Road due to coach departures.
If using the Canons Drive entrance, you
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
The reception is in the Ideas Hub and can be accessed via the Dalkeith Grove entrance to the school site.
Visitors to the Headmistress will continue to report to the Old House via Canons Drive. Parents who are visiting the school to meet a teacher or go to an event should either report to the School Reception, or go directly to the area where the event is taking place, as instructed on the relevant invitation. School Marshals will always be available to help direct you. If you are coming to the School to watch your daughter play sport, this will usually take place in the Sports Centre or on the outdoor pitches. Please refer to SOCS on the website for details of individual matches. (Password NLCS1850*)
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.
PASTORAL CARE
The Buddy System
All students joining NLCS in Year 12 will be assigned a buddy. If your daughter is assigned a buddy, she will be a student who has been at the school for some time and is joining Year 12 from our Upper School. They volunteer to be part of the team and are integral in helping our new students settle in nice and quickly. Buddies are in the same form together, so they meet at least once daily, even if they don’t study the same subjects.
Buddies will ensure new students know how to get around the school site, help to get them set up on the school IT systems, and provide a listening ear should they have any questions they feel more comfortable asking of a peer rather than a member of staff. Often, buddies remain good friends once the year gets underway.
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 and 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.
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 our Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing and they are all based in the Cedar Space, which all students will get a chance to visit.
The Cedar Space offers a calm and quiet environment in which to seek support or have some quiet time. The Cedar Space is also a place where some clubs and student voice/group sessions are run.
With parental permission, the counsellors offer individual appointments to support students and help them deal more positively with thoughts, feelings and issues and experiences relating to a range of topics. These sessions are confidential meaning that what your daughter discusses with the counsellor stays between the two of them unless there is a safeguarding concern. These are by appointment and following a referral from a member of staff via The Head of Year, Head of Section or Ms Mellor, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The counsellors also run drop in sessions and students will see information on these in tutor notices throughout the year. These sessions do not require parental permission.
OUR EXPECTATIONS
We expect that each student will contribute in a positive way to life in our community, making best use of her talents.
Courtesy is the backbone of all relationships and care and consideration of others underpins all actions. Students take responsibility for their own actions and communicate with others when there are problems.
A unit of lessons on good relationships is included in the Personal, Social and Health Education programme (PSHE). The unacceptable nature of bullying is introduced into form discussion, assemblies and into lessons where suitable, e.g. through drama improvisation. One of the Founder’s Day prayers talks of ‘much being expected of those to whom much is given’ and our community thrives on this expectation. Bullying of any sort is unacceptable, and the
School will investigate and address all incidents thoroughly and carefully. If you become concerned that your daughter is experiencing any difficulties you should contact her form tutor straight away.
All academic departments will make it clear as to the behaviour expected in their area of the School, whether it is a laboratory, art studio, history room, workshop or Sports Hall. When students are taken on school trips the same standards of behaviour apply as in school, so that everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. It is always appreciated by the members of staff accompanying trips that students thank them on their safe return to school.
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.
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.
To access the library, visit www.tooledupeducation.com and log in with the school code: NLCS0907.
School Code of Conduct
School rules exist to make life pleasant for everyone rather than being dictatorial for their own sake. This means we care about punctuality to morning and afternoon registration and to lessons; we expect doors to be held open for those following behind. For their own safety students must not use the ground floor windows as doors. We appreciate all possessions being named so that the duty team can return them to their owners.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones must always be kept out of sight. Whilst younger students are required to lock their phones in Yondr pouches upon arrival, Sixth Form students are simply asked to keep their phones out of site at all times during the school day. They must not use their phones anywhere in school other than in the Common Rooms or when given permission to do so by a member of staff. It is important phones are switched off as this can disrupt lessons if left to ring in a locked locker.
If students are found to be using their mobile phone inappropriately during the school day, a member of staff will confiscate it and take it to Reception for safe storage.
Students can collect confiscated phones from Reception at 4.00pm before heading home.
If students need to contact home during the school day, they can use the phone at Reception.
If parents need to contact their daughter during the school day, they can call Reception who will pass a message on.
Banned Substances
We do not allow chewing gum in school because inconsiderate people might deposit it on their lunch trays, under desks or on chairs.
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 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.
Service to Others
Every student in the Sixth Form has an area of responsibility within the school. One responsibility organised by senior students is the raising of funds for charity - Canonaid. The school nominates and votes for local, national and international charities as well as supporting specific campaigns in cases where emergency aid may be required.
We host a number of Taster Mornings and Open Events for prospective pupils and their parents, which your daughter may be asked to help at. The girls really are our greatest advocates, and we appreciate the time and effort that they contribute to such events.
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 and News for Parents:
■ Urgent 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.
■ School news is shared on the website and social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram: @nlcs1850).
Absence from School
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.
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.
Reports
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.
■ 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.
Sports fixtures and team lists are posted on SOCS. Students are responsible for checking their selections, but parents are encouraged to stay informed.
Parents’ evenings are held from 4.45pm – 7.15pm. The Year 12 parents’ evening takes place following the release of your daughter’s grades in the internal examinations.
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.
Government attendance expectation is 96%. Attendance below 90% triggers contact from the school; below 70% may lead to a local authority referral.
■ Medical appointments: approved by form tutors.
■ Absences up to two days: approved by Heads of Section.
■ Longer absences: approved by Deputy Head (Pastoral).
Religious absences should be requested annually via a Microsoft Form sent to parents separately.
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.
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
The school year commences with a welcome reception for Year 12 parents in September. It is a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet each other. We begin with refreshments in the dedicated Sixth Form area, the Old House and then separate into form groups with tutors to share good practice about helping your daughter manage the demands of Sixth Form life. Parents comment that they find the evening most helpful and we hope to see you there.
In the Summer Term, we stage our annual Canons Follies performance, led entirely by the Big Six (our Senior Committee, NLCS’ version of prefects). All Year 12 students take part in the performance, working together to craft a humorous look back on the year so far, playing their favourite teachers in sketches and dancing with peers and
teachers in group musical numbers. It is always a real highlight of the calendar and we look forward to seeing you there. All money raised from ticket sales for this event are donated to Canonaid, the School’s charity organisation which works with a range of local and international charities selected by the students.
Throughout the year there will also be many informal occasions when you will be invited to school, for example to watch your daughter play in a netball match, perform in a musical concert or model her design in the Fantasy Fashion Show.
Whatever the occasion and whether or not your daughter is involved, you are always most welcome.
We also run a programme of parental talks across each academic year. Recent talks for parents have focused upon topics such as how to encourage healthy emotional dialogues at home, safer internet use and how to support your daughter in developing healthy working strategies. Details of upcoming parental talks will be available in the school calendar within the Parent Portal each term.
SUPPORTING YOUR DAUGHTER’S UNIVERSITY AMBITIONS
Most NLCS students progress to leading universities in the UK, US, Canada and Europe. Others pursue competitive degree apprenticeships or take a structured gap year. Whatever her path, your daughter will receive expert, individualised support throughout the Sixth Form.
From Year 7 onwards, we nurture independent thinking and academic curiosity. In the Sixth Form, this becomes more focused. Our enrichment programme, Senior Societies, and symposia with other schools help students lead lectures, debate big ideas, and engage with visiting academics — giving them valuable experience and confidence ahead of university applications. Each student is matched with a specialist mentor who offers one-to-one support on subject choices, wider reading, personal statements, entrance tests, and interview preparation supported by ONLs. A comprehensive mock interview programme ensures students feel fully prepared, even where interviews are not required.
Offers from top UK, US and European universities reflect not only our students’ ambition, but the depth of their preparation and the culture of intellectual rigour at NLCS.
US, EU AND DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS
Around 20 students apply to US universities each year, supported by SAT/ACT prep, guidance from specialist staff, and visits from institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Stanford.
Interest in European universities is also growing, with recent offers from Heidelberg, Thessaloniki and Valencia. A dedicated
We also support students applying for degree apprenticeships in sectors such as law, finance and computing. Our Apprenticeships Lead provides expert advice on this competitive but increasingly popular alternative to university.
University Preparation Timeline at NLCS
YEAR 12 Autumn Term
■ Introductory lectures introduce students to the range of future academic and career pathways.
■ SAT/ACT preparation for US applicants begins via UES, delivered during Enrichment sessions.
■ Students interested in applying to the US meet regularly with the Head of US Applications to begin early preparation and discuss potential early-round choices.
YEAR 12 Spring Term
■ Enrichment time is used to explore two possible degree choices in depth, helping students understand what undergraduate study entails.
■ US applicants continue developing their profiles through meetings with the Head of US Applications.
■ Preparation begins for admissions tests (e.g. UCAT, LNAT, TMUA), where applicable.
YEAR 12 Summer Term
■ Students choose one subject-specific Enrichment session per week to support their proposed degree.
■ Admissions test preparation continues with tailored sessions and mock papers.
■ UCAS Day takes place, including:
■ Building UCAS profiles.
■ Meeting Higher Education Mentors.
■ Attending the UK Universities Fair (led by recent ONLs).
■ Students complete a draft of their Personal Statement, reviewed by their mentor before term ends.
YEAR 13 Autumn Term
■ Students finalise Personal Statements in early September and meet with mentors for final review.
■ One-to-one meetings with the Assistant Head: University Guidance and Careers:
■ Final checks on Personal Statements and qualifications
■ Strategic advice on university choices
■ All students encouraged to submit applications early to focus on academic work.
■ Mock admissions tests may take place, depending on course timelines.
■ US applicants continue refining applications, letters and university choices in regular sessions with the Head of US Applications.
YEAR 13 Spring Term
■ Students receive university offers and begin planning firm and insurance choices.
■ Follow-up meetings with the Assistant Head: University Guidance and Careers ensure informed decisions are made.
OTHER INFORMATION
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 in the ‘About Us’ section, along with the most recent ISI inspection report.
The School’s telephone number is 020 8952 0912 (Junior school 020 8952 1276), and the registered postal 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
KEY DATES
AUTUMN 2025
Monday 1 September
Tuesday 2 September
Staff INSET Day
Staff INSET Day
Wednesday 3 September Pupil orientation day
Thursday 4 September Autumn Term begins
Monday 20 October – Friday 31 October Autumn half term holiday
Friday 14 November 7+ entrance examination (holiday for Y3-Y6)
Thursday 4 December 11+ entrance examination (holiday for Y7-Y13)
Thursday 11 December Autumn Term ends for First School*
Friday 12 December Autumn Term ends for Lower and Senior School*
*Term ends at lunchtime
SPRING 2026
Monday 5 January
Tuesday 6 January
Wednesday 7 January
Staff INSET Day
Spring Term begins for Senior and Lower Schools
Spring Term begins for First School
Monday 16 February – Friday 20 February Spring half term holiday
Thursday 26 March
Friday 27 March
*Term ends at lunchtime
SUMMER 2026
Monday 20 April
Monday 4 May
Friday 22 May
Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May
Friday 19 June
Tuesday 7 July
Wednesday 8 July
Wednesday 8 July
*Term ends at lunchtime
**Term ends in the afternoon
Spring Term ends for First School*
Spring Term ends for Lower, and Senior School*
Summer Term begins
May Day Bank Holiday
Staff Marking Day
Summer half term holiday
Staff INSET Day
Summer Term ends for First School* and Lower School**
Summer Term ends for Senior School*
Staff INSET Day for Junior School Staff
Senior School: 020 8952 0912
email: office@nlcs.org.uk
website: www.nlcs.org.uk
North London Collegiate School, Dalkeith Grove, Stanmore, HA7 4SQ