Y12 STUDENT HANDBOOK
WELCOME FROM THE HEADMISTRESS
Welcome to the Sixth Form.
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 you for the world beyond school.
Curiosity, which is one of our new 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 you and your teachers. Therefore, I encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities available at Canons, as this will be key to your success and enjoyment.
You are now at the top of the school, and I count on you to join me in leading our community with a scholarly approach to your studies, enthusiastic engagement with your extracurriculars and kindness to those around you.
I am sure you will also create many happy memories here. We are here to laugh as well as to learn. I look forward to working together with you on this final exciting chapter of your school career.
Best Wishes,
WELCOME FROM MR TOSH
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 you into the Sixth Form!
with the Senior Societies, Enrichment and Extracurricular programmes.
Vicky Bingham Headmistress
As Head of Sixth Form, my top priority is to ensure you feel happy and confident so that you can dedicate yourself entirely to making the most of your 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 their involvement
Your tutor remains your first port of call for all matters relating to your schooling. They will meet with you every day in form time and will be in touch with your parents across the first weeks of the Autumn Term to introduce themselves. Your parents will also have the chance to meet with your tutor 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 you should you need a little extra guidance over the coming two years. My office is also close to your Common Room, and my door is always open for anyone to pop in should you need to speak with me.
I am sure you will thrive when lessons get underway, and I look forward to seeing all you achieve across Years 12 and 13.
Benjamin Tosh Head of Sixth Form
WHAT MAKES NLCS DIFFERENT?
At NLCS, we believe in working hard, thinking big, and looking out for each other.
We care just as much about how you’re doing in your lessons as we do in helping you grow in confidence, stretch your thinking, and find your voice. We can’t wait to see all the things you’ll do here.
OUR VISION
An
Inspired
Investment In The Individual Fostering
SCHOOL AIMS
• 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
NLCS VALUES
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
North London Collegiate School was founded in April 1850 by Frances Mary Buss in the family home at 46 Camden Street, Camden Town.
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
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
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
Head of Year 12 Miss Sarah May SMay@nlcs.org.uk
OTHER KEY PEOPLE
• Ms Veronica Simon is in charge of the stationery room which is located on the ground floor. You may buy pencils, paper and other materials from her.
• Miss Sarah Prentice is the Attendance Officer and should be contacted by your parents at the start of the day if you are absent from School.
Head of Year 13
Mrs Amanda Whitehead AWhitehead@nlcs.org.uk
• The Librarians are on hand to support you with any research you are conducting, and to recommend texts you may require for your studies, or when reading for pleasure.
THE SCHOOL DAY
The school day at North London is divided into nine lessons of 35 minutes each, though you will have double lessons in most subjects. A timetable for the day is provided below to help you understand the rhythm of a normal day here at Canons.
You will also have study periods across the week. How many will depend on whether you study 3 or 4 A levels or the IB. Use these study periods wisely to ensure you keep up with your work.
You will likely find that, although you are studying fewer subjects, you will still have
8.15am – 8.35am Students start arriving.
plenty of materials to take with you from lesson to lesson: textbooks, stationery and other materials needed for your studies. Of course, you do not need to carry everything with you everywhere you go. You will be assigned a locker in the Old House, which is locked with a key issued to you on the first days of term. Use your locker to store valuables and materials you aren’t currently using.
Remember to keep your key safe. If any are not returned at the end of the academic year, your parents will be billed for the replacement lock!
When you come in, tap your student ID at any external door. Make sure you have the books and materials needed for the morning’s lessons by visiting your locker.
8.40am – 9.15am Period 1
9.15am – 9.50am Period 2
9.50am – 10.25am Form time / assembly
On Mondays and most Fridays there is full school assembly in the Main Hall. On Wednesdays there may be more than one assembly so listen carefully to instructions from your form tutor. You always go to assembly in silence and wait in silence for it to begin. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings you will have time in your form room for form business or year group activities.
10.25am – 10.45am MORNING BREAK
You may go to the Dining Hall if you would like a drink or something to eat. You may buy something or bring something from home. You are also free to go to your form room, relax in the Common Room with friends, or visit the Athenian Café to buy hot and cold drinks, as well as a wide range of snacks., or go to the library. Get ready for the next lesson which starts at 10.45am promptly.
10.45am – 11.20am Period 3
11.20am – 11.55am Period 4
11.55am – 12.30pm Period 5
12.30pm – 1.40pm LUNCH BREAK
Lunch runs from 12.30-1.40pm and is split into two halves. This ensures you have a good break in the middle of the day, allowing you to enjoy a proper lunch in one half and attend a club or society in the other. We rely on our Sixth Form students to run most of our extra-curricular offerings when you are appointed to your roles of responsibility later in Year 12. Still, you must maintain this balance to be properly fuelled for the rest of the day. You can, of course, relax in the Common Rooms or the Athenian Café with friends during lunch too. Sixth Form students have special permission to take food from the Dining Room and can eat in the Athenian Café or Common Room.
1.40pm – 2.15pm Period 6
2.15pm – 2.50pm Period 7
2.50pm – 3.25pm Period 8
3.25pm
4.00pm
HOMEWORK
Students in the Sixth Form are expected to meet homework deadlines across several subjects. Homework provides vital opportunities for you to consolidate your work in lessons, test your 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 deadlines, asking for an extension on the day the work is due or missing extended deadlines will be communicated to a student’s form tutor so that they can check in and provide any support that may be required to help you get things under control academically.
You must not spend more than the allocated time on each homework task. Your teachers will make clear how long a homework task should take and how it should be submitted (electronically via a Teams Assignment or hard copy in lesson time, for example). 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 find that you are continually finding it difficult to work within the time limits dictated by a teacher, you should speak with your form tutor so that they can help you.
All homework tasks will be set in lessons, giving you time to ask questions before you leave.
GRADES AT NORTH LONDON COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
You may be surprised to find that much of your homework and classwork is corrected with a comment but no grade is put on it. This is because the teachers want you to concentrate on producing good, thoughtful work but not on being competitive about what mark you get. When there is an important piece of work it is graded and your teachers will let you know the significance of these grades.
SELF-ORGANISATION
Organisation is incredibly important in the Sixth Form. Although you will be studying fewer subjects, the demands on your time will be greater, given the level of study you are conducting. You will find there are more independent tasks to complete and that you may be required to juggle multiple deadlines simultaneously alongside your extracurricular commitments. You will be given a student planner at the start of the year. Ensure you use it to note deadlines and commitments, or use an electronic version (your Outlook calendar is a great choice as it will link to your NLCS email account and is accessible from a wide range of devices).
Remember to use your locker in the Old House to keep your valuables secure and store any learning materials you don’t need presently.
If you find organisation to be challenging, please speak with your form tutor, who will be able to help.
“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.”
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
There is a huge range of extracurricular activities and societies for you to enjoy in Years 12 and 13. Indeed, you will have the opportunity to lead many of these clubs and societies when you are appointed to the various leadership positions available to all students in the Sixth Form towards the end of Year 12. Every student receives at least one leadership position. You are of course welcome to continue attending any club, society or activity even if you are not
appointed to be a member of its leadership team. Involvement with clubs and societies is an excellent way to stretch beyond the confines of your exam specifications, meet new friends and develop new skills.
A list of the clubs and societies currently operating in the Sixth Form are listed here. If you would like to start a new society, please speak with Mr Majithia, who can explore this with you.
• Afro-Caribbean Society
• Animal Welfare Society
• Art & Design Society
• Canonaid & Community Service
• Classics Society
• Computing Society
• Creative Writing Society
• Crossroads Christian Society
• Culture & Anthropology Society
• Debating Society
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
• Economics & Finance Society
• Engineering Society
• Environmental Awareness Society
• Feminist Society
• Film & Media Society
• Geography Society
• Hindu and Jain Society
• History Society
• Human Rights Society
• Humanist Society
• Jewish Society
• Law Society
• LGBTQIA+ Society
• Literary Society
• Mathematics Society
• Marketing Society
• Medical Sciences Society
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Society
• Middle Eastern Society
• Model United Nations
• Music Society
• Muslim Society
• Neurodiversity Society
• Oriental Society
• Performing Arts Society
• Philosophy Society
• Photography Society
• Politics & International Affairs Society
• Polyglot Society
• Psychology Society
• Public Speaking Society
• Pure Sciences Society
• Sikh Society
As well as a full suite of sports activities, squads and teams
EATING AT SCHOOL
DINING HALL
Food plays a vital role in keeping you energised and fuelled for a busy day at school, which is why we create exciting menus using seasonal ingredients, and the freshest produce to provide you with a healthy balanced meal that tastes great.
BREAKFAST CLUB
Each morning we run a breakfast club in the Performing Arts Centre from 7.30am until 8.30am so you can kick start your day the right way with a tasty breakfast, whether you fancy cereals or pancakes, fruit salad or yoghurt.
MORNING BREAK
At 10.25am, you can purchase a snack to keep you going until lunch. The shop in the Dining Hall is open to all students across Short Break. The Athenian Café is available for Sixth Form students only. There are healthy options like fruit and smoothies, sweet treats like freshly baked pastries, savoury snacks such as toasties and sandwiches, and drinks such as hot chocolate and coffee.
LUNCH
Lunch for Year 12 usually commences at 12.30 to ensure you have time to get something to eat before heading off to a club, society or meeting. You can find the entire week’s menu displayed outside the Dining Hall, so you know when your favourites are being served. Every day, we serve a hot lunch (including a vegetarian option) and an amazing choice of desserts from the counter. We also have a great selection of salads on our salad bar, where you can eat as much as you like. Sixth Form students can also buy hot and cold food from the Athenian Café. Sixth Form students have special permission to take food from the Dining Hall or Athenian Café to eat in the Common Rooms if they wish. Students in Years 12 and 13 can also leave the school site to get lunch at the shops and restaurants in
the local area. Anyone leaving the school site during the school day must tap out with their ID cards and tap back in again upon returning using the sensors at the Gate Huts on Dalkeith Grove or Canons Park.
SMART FOOD
With health and wellbeing as our number one priority, we have developed “smart food” to help guide our food and drink offer in a healthy direction. We do this by ensuring there is at least one “smart food” recipe available daily, which can take the form of a main dish, side or salad. These recipes have been developed by our expert nutritionists and help us to ensure we are providing fresh, seasonal, nutritious food that helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes you might only fancy a light lunch from the ‘Express Bar’ where you can choose a sandwich or baguette and homemade cake or a selection of fruit. A water fountain is located at the back of the Dining Hall, so you can stay hydrated whilst you enjoy your lunch.
The Dining Hall is a place for you to relax and spend time with friends, but we do ask that you clear your trays to the trolleys nearby to help us keep it neat and tidy.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
We understand that there may be some foods that you cannot eat, whether it is because of an intolerance or a religious belief, we will always try our best to cater for you. If you do feel like you need something else or are unsure please come and talk to us or contact us at catering@ nlcs.org.uk.
If you do have any questions or feedback about anything food-related during lunch, please ask one of the catering team on duty, as we are always happy to help or you can pop a note in our suggestion box.
EXAMPLE OF A WEEK’S LUNCH MENU
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Jamaican style
jerk chicken, yellow rice (Halal option available)
Vegetable mince Bolognese, penne pasta, garlic bread
Thai style vegetable and Quorn curry, rice
Moroccan style falafel, rice, red cabbage and raisin slaw, vegan yoghurt dressing
BIG bowl saladCauliflower, potato, chickpea salad, choice of protein toppers
Piri piri chicken wrap
Halal chicken shawarma wrap
African style chicken Yassa
Four cheese ravioli, tomato sauce, garlic bread
Vegan aubergine and pepper, black bean sauce, rice noodle salad
BIG bowl salad – chickpea, beetroot and avocado salad, choice of protein toppers
Lyonnaise potatoes
Halloumi shawarma wrap
Margherita pizza slice and toppers
Vegetable paella Quorn fillet spiced wrap
Mexican style veggie taco cups
Chef battered haddock, lemon wedges
Cod fishfingers
Roasted sweet potatoes
Selection of three seasonal vegetables
Lemon cake, whipped cream
Pancakes, berry compote
Selection of three seasonal vegetables
Summer pudding
The bar; toasted paninis
BIG bowl salad – Quinoa, fresh mint, lemon, choice of protein toppers
Cajun curly fries
Mexican style vegetable and bean burrito
Vegan sausage roll
Banana and chocolate waffles
BIG bowl salad, Greek style salad, choice of protein toppers
Parmentier potatoes
Selection of three seasonal vegetables
Strawberry vanilla layered cake
Sugar ring doughnuts
Selection of three seasonal vegetables
Very chocolatey cake, chocolate sauce
Sticky toffee pudding, custard
BIG bowl salad
– Turkish style mixed rice and avocado salad, saffron vegan yoghurt dressing, choice of protein toppers
Chips, curry sauce
Selection of three seasonal vegetables
Eton mess
White chocolate and raspberry blondie
PASTORAL CARE
SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT
North London Collegiate School aims for a relaxed and happy atmosphere, but with over 800 students and more than 80 staff, there are some rules that we would like you to follow to make life more pleasant for everyone:
• Be organised and arrive on time for your lessons.
• Do not leave school at any time during school hours without permission, unless by prior arrangement. If you feel unwell go to the school nurse, and she will decide whether you should go home.
• Mobile phones must always be kept out of sight. Whilst students in Years 7-11 must lock their phones away in Yonder pouches during the day, we appreciate that Sixth Form students rely on their school emails and Teams more than other students. With this in mind, students in Years 12 and 13 do not need to use Yonder pouches but must keep their phones out of sight at all times (this includes when walking around the school site!), only using them in the Common Rooms or when a teacher gives permission for them to do so.
If students are found to be using their mobile phone 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.
• Keep your form rooms, locker and the Common Rooms tidy. Do not leave your bag or other possessions in the corridors or main lobby. The intention is to develop a self-contained approach to working so that everyone is equipped and ready to start work at once.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The NLCS Code of Conduct has been designed to ensure safety, happiness and well-being for all members of our school community. Central to the code is that we all treat each other with kindness and respect.
We should aspire to:
• Show consideration, care and courtesy for others.
• Value and be inclusive of all members of our school community; listen to the opinions of others with tolerance and thoughtfulness.
• Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Maintain uniform and appearance expectations.
• Respect and follow the expectations of our code of conduct at all times.
Tutors will go through the full Code of Conduct with you at the start of the year
• Students are encouraged to be kind and respectful to their peers. All forms of unkind behaviour and bullying will not be tolerated and will be dealt with under the school’s Anti-bullying Strategy that can be found on the school website.
• Students must respect each other’s personal space and there should be no unwanted physical contact between students.
• Students should show respect for the environment, and classrooms and lockers should be kept tidy.
• Students should not leave their bags or other possessions in the corridors or other public spaces. Students should walk around the building calmly and quietly and keep to the right-hand side of stairs and corridors.
• Students in Years 12 and 13 are not required to wear uniform, but should ensure they are dressed appropriately for a formal learning environment, and should wear appropriate clothing when partaking in physical activities/exercise.
• Students should be punctual for form time and all lessons.
• Students should tap in using their student IDs at the start of the day at any external door when they get to school. If for any reason a student arrives late to school, they should tap their student ID in at Canons Drive or Dalkeith Grove gates to register their arrival.
• Sixth Form students may not leave school anytime during school hours other than if they are heading out for lunch. All students must be back on site for afternoon registration at 1.40pm. If students feel unwell, they should go to the school nurse, who will decide whether they should be sent home. If a student has permission to leave school during the day, they should tap out at one of the gate huts as they leave the site.
• Food may only be eaten in the Dining Hall. Sixth Form students also have permission to eat in the Common Rooms or Athenian Café, but should ensure they keep these spaces clean and tidy.
• Chewing gum is not permitted on site.
CEDAR SPACE
The Cedar Space, located in the Indoor Teaching Space (ITS), offers a calm and quiet environment in which to seek support or to have some quiet time. The Cedar Space is also a place where some clubs and student voice / group sessions are run, such as yoga, mindfulness, and peer mentor sessions for example. The counsellors, who are based here, offer individual appointments to support students to deal positively with thoughts, feelings and issues and experiences relating to a range of topics. These are by appointment and following a referral from a member of staff via the Head of Year, Mr Tosh or Ms Mellor (Head of Mental Health & Wellbeing). The counsellors also run drop in sessions and you will see information about these in tutor notices throughout the year.
ARRANGEMENT OF FORMS
Starting your studies in Year 12 at NLCS sees a reset of all form groups. All students, whether joining us from the Upper School or another school, will be in an entirely new form group. This is an exciting, fresh start for everyone! Of course, as we are now in the Sixth Form, no lessons are taught in form groups. However, you will still meet together in form time, once a day, at 9.50am.
Forms are organised “vertically”, meaning there is a mix of Year 12 and 13 students in each group. There are normally 6 or 7 Year 12 students and 6 or 7 Year 13s. You will have at least 2 form tutors, but you may have more if any of your tutor team work part-time in the school or have other responsibilities.
One of the tutors is designated as your Lead Tutor. They will be the member of staff you meet with regularly for 1:1s and see at Parents’ Evenings. However, the other member(s) of staff in your tutor group are also there to help and support you, so please speak with them too should you have any questions or concerns.
BUDDIES
WHAT IS THE BUDDY’S ROLE?
All students joining NLCS in Year 12 will be assigned a buddy. Your buddy 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 of buddies 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 you know how to get around the school site, help new students get set up on the school IT systems, and provide a listening ear should you have any questions you feel more comfortable asking of a peer rather than a member of staff.
TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER
At NLCS, we encourage a safe and supportive learning environment where everyone feels comfortable. You will have Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons once a week for a third of the year in both Years 12 and 13.
During these lessons, which are led by members of the Sixth Form Pastoral Team, including your Head of Year, Mr Tosh and Mrs Dawson, you’ll cover a wide range of topics, such as healthy relationships, career pathways, using the NHS, budgeting and emotional wellbeing.
From time to time, form time activities will supplement the work you do in PSHE lessons to ensure you are prepared to look after yourself and those around you as you ready yourself to move on beyond Canons.
Bullying, either verbal or physical, is unacceptable and will be firmly dealt with. We foster a policy of good relations with everyone. If you are worried or upset about anything, or anyone, talk to your form tutor or another adult at school. We will help you.
To create a comfortable environment we ask every student to think about the best way she can contribute. Here are some suggestions that students in the school have come up with:
• Listen to others and include them in your conversation.
• Don’t save seats on coaches or in the dining room – be friendly and welcoming to everyone.
• Make sure you ALWAYS wear your seatbelt when travelling by coach or minibus.
• Don’t interrupt while someone else is talking.
• Try to accept and understand other people’s views.
• Don’t gossip about classmates or repeat things they’ve said in confidence.
• Most of all, SMILE. Everyone at NLCS wants to be friendly.
Surge is our entrepreneurship programme, giving students the tools to build their own ventures, pitch ideas, and understand how businesses start. Designed in collaboration
Our oracy programme, Raising Voices, helps students develop confidence, clarity and originality in their communication. Sixth Formers take the lead in Brainwaves, our
PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE
As you begin your Sixth Form journey at NLCS, you’ll find a wealth of support and opportunity to help you shape your next steps, whether you’re applying to university in the UK, US, Canada or Europe, exploring competitive apprenticeships, or considering a structured
Our approach combines academic stretch with personalised guidance. You’ll take part in a rich programme of enrichment, lead and participate in academic societies, and engage with visiting speakers and symposia alongside other schools. These opportunities are designed to deepen your thinking and give you confidence in articulating your interests and ideas.
You’ll also be paired with a Higher Education Mentor in your subject area to guide you through every stage of your application: from choosing courses and extending your reading, to writing your personal statement and preparing for interviews or entrance tests where required. Mock interviews, many run by ONLs and subject specialists, help ensure you’re fully prepared.
Students in the Sixth Form go on to study a wide range of courses at some of the most selective universities, equipped with the insight and experience to make thoughtful decisions about where and what to study.
PATHWAYS BEYOND THE UK
Around 20 students apply to US universities each year, supported by SAT/ACT preparation, individual mentoring, and visits from leading institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Stanford.
European university applications are also growing in popularity, with recent destinations including Heidelberg, Thessaloniki and Valencia. A dedicated European Universities Lead supports students through each step of the process.
For students applying to degree apprenticeships, which combine paid employment with academic study, our Apprenticeships Lead provides targeted guidance, with recent student successes in law, finance and technology.
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.
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.
■ 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 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.
ENRICHMENT
MUSIC AT NORTH LONDON COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
We provide a broad range of musical opportunities for all students and strive for ambitious music making. All styles of music thrive at North London Collegiate, whether you’re interested in classical, popular or world music. We have a busy calendar of musical events for you to get involved with throughout the school year, and a range of choirs, orchestras and ensembles for you to join – a great way for you to have fun making music and new friends. Many of these groups take part in our spectacular end of term concerts in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). There are also concert opportunities for playing solos and in smaller groups in our Old House Concert Series.
We provide individual tuition in all the major instruments and singing, and if you are interested in learning an instrument at any time,
please speak to Mrs Degnan (the Performing Arts Administrator) or your class Music teacher. If you are receiving lessons, information about lesson times will be posted on noticeboards which you will need to check regularly. Timings for the week ahead will be finalised before the following week, and if there are any subsequent last-minute changes these will be conveyed to you and your parents by email as well as on noticeboards. You are therefore expected to check your emails regularly for any updates to lesson times.
Please remember that it is your responsibility to inform teachers in advance of the academic lesson you will be missing. On the day of your lesson, please make every effort to try to remember your instrument and keep an eye on the clock, especially during double lessons! Do keep an eye on the noticeboards for details of any orchestras, ensembles and choirs you can join, or speak to your class Music teacher. We look forward to making music with you in September!
WELCOME TO THE MCLAUCHLAN LIBRARY
The school library (The McLauchlan Library) is open from 8.15am until 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and until 4.15pm on Fridays. You can use the library before and after school, and during break and lunchtime.
RESOURCES
• There is a wide range of non-fiction and fiction books, journals, online resources and DVDs, both for reading for pleasure, and for reading for information to help with your studies.
• You may borrow four items at any one time, for a two week period, and renew items once.
• The library computers, as with other school computers, can be used to access the library catalogue, emails and the Internet, and we ask you to observe the school rules on the proper use of computer facilities
ACTIVITIES
Regular activities take place in the library,
LIBRARY MONITORS
If you would like to help in the library we run a short training scheme to become a library helper, and you can help with displays, library events and hosting visiting authors.
BOOK CLUB
The Middle School Book Club (called Mad Hatters) is run by a committee of Year 12 students, and meets every week. All students from Years 7 to 9 are invited to join in, and the aim is to have fun while discussing and exploring books and reading more generally. The sessions are varied and exciting. Recent examples include creating word stories and book themed cake decorating. During your school career you will come to the library with your class or form, but you will also visit us in your own time. We hope that you enjoy using the library, and you can ask any one of us for help in finding information, using library facilities, or even just for an idea of a good book to read.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IF…?
YOU ARRIVE LATE FOR SCHOOL?
Upon arrival, tap your ID card on the sensor at either the Canons Park or Dalkeith Grove gates to register your arrival. You should then head directly to your lesson and explain to your teacher that you are late.
YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE DENTIST/ DOCTOR/HOSPITAL ETC?
Ask your parents to email your tutors, and absence@nlcs.org.uk to explain that you have an appointment. They will then reply to give permission for you to miss school. When leaving for your appointment, you should tap your ID card on the sensors at either the Canons Park or Dalkeith Grove gates to register yourself as absent.
YOU ARE TOO ILL TO COME TO SCHOOL?
Ask a parent/ guardian to ring the Absence Line on 020 8951 6404 or email school at absence@nlcs.org.uk before 8.30am on the first day of absence.
YOU HURT YOURSELF OR YOU ARE FEELING ILL?
Ask your form tutor or subject teacher if you may go to see the school nurse, in the Medical Centre. Go yourself if it is break or lunchtime. You may be sent to lie down in the sick room, or if you are very unwell, or if you need medical attention, the school nurse will ring your parents. It is important that you do not leave school without the permission of a member of staff.
YOU HAVE LOST SOME BELONGINGS?
Ask at Reception if any valuables have been handed in. School uniform and PE kit can be found in the lost property cupboard near the sports lockers.
YOU ARE NOT WELL ENOUGH TO GO TO GAMES?
Bring a note from your parents for your Games teacher to excuse yourself. They will tell you what to do during the lesson.
YOU MISS THE COACH OR THE PERSON WHO COLLECTS YOU IS LONG OVERDUE?
Up to 5.30pm you can wait in the Senior School Reception in the Old House. After 5.30pm you will need to contact your parents / guardians to make arrangements for you to get home. You can go to the Sports Centre where the staff will be able to call your parents if you need them to.
Never be afraid to ask – everyone here at NLCS wants to help you.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR BELONGINGS
In the Sixth Form you will be moving around the building during the course of the day as you go from one lesson to another – carrying your possessions with you. Even if you have been with us in the Middle and Upper Schools, you will be moving into new areas of the school, and using new classrooms so it is important to remain organised. There will be lots for you to remember, including resources you need for lessons as well as your personal belongings. Taking responsibility for your belongings and helping your friends to remember their possessions is a manageable task if you follow these simple guidelines:
• Mark every item you own with your name. This may be a tedious task, but it is vital if you want to retrieve lost property.
• Keep your locker key safe, and use your locker effectively across the school year. Remember to return your key at the end of the school year, else your parents will be billed for a replacement lock and key.
• Use the breaks within the school day to change the books in your rucksack. This way
• Carry your student ID with you at all times. All students must tap in at least once per day upon arrival using the sensors at Dalkeith Grove and Canons Grove, or one of the other sensors around school.
• Do not bring large sums of money or items of value to school.
• If you do have something with you that is valuable, take it to Reception and it will be looked after for you. You should make sure your phone and any other devices you bring with you (laptop/tablet etc.) is safely locked away in your locker throughout the day.
• Before you rush off to your next lesson, lunch, or break, check that you have not left anything behind. If you notice that one of your classmates has left something behind be sure to pick it up and give it to her.
• If you find an item that appears to have been lost, perhaps a pen that has fallen out of someone’s bag or a calculator left on a desk, give it to the next member of staff that you see, or take it to Reception.
HOUSE SYSTEM
KEY DATES
Space exploration captures the spirit we want our houses to embody – we want the house system to inspire you all to push boundaries, demonstrate courage, embrace a spirit of adventure – trying out things that may be different or new and to take a leap into the unknown. Importantly, by adopting an unusual twist on the Buss ship and our history, we want our house system to spark creativity and to bring the whole school community together in shared adventure and fun.
MINERVA
Named after the Roman goddess of wisdom and science, and connected to ESA’s groundbreaking Project Minerva which introduced the first European female astronaut class. Minerva represents academic excellence, strategic thinking, and the power of knowledge to break barriers.
KALPANA
Named after Kalpana Chawla, the first Indianborn woman in space and accomplished aerospace engineer. She is inspiring for her groundbreaking achievements, academic excellence, and dedication to discovery.
ARTEMIS
Named after NASA's groundbreaking programme to land the first woman on the Moon and the Greek goddess of the Moon. Artemis symbolises a commitment to future achievements and the expanding horizons.
ENDEAVOUR
The Space Shuttle that saw Eileen Collins become the first female pilot in 1995. Endeavour embodies the spirit of discovery and represents how determination can overcome traditional boundaries.
JEMISON
Named in honour of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space and a physician, engineer, and educator. Her achievements in science, medicine, and education embody an ambitious, holistic and wide-ranging approach to life.
AUTUMN 2025
Monday
Tuesday
SPRING 2026
SUMMER 2026
Term dates and key events are published on the NLCS website and shared regularly via parent communications. If you have questions about anything in this handbook, your form tutor will be happy to explain more in September.
WE CAN’T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU.
Senior School: 020 8952 0912
email: office@nlcs.org.uk
website: www.nlcs.org.uk
North London Collegiate School, Dalkeith Grove, Stanmore, HA7 4SQ