Junior School Parent Handbook by Queen's Gate School

JUNIOR SCHOOL

ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/22

WELCOME

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to school and I hope that you have all enjoyed a refreshing and relaxing summer. The new school year will bring new opportunities and challenges for all our girls and I hope that they will take full advantage of all that is on offer at Queen’s Gate, both in and out of the classroom. I also hope that in the year ahead, we will be able to return to our usual activities as much as possible, whilst remaining mindful of our hygiene procedures.

It gives me enormous pleasure to welcome you at the beginning of the new academic year.

Your support as parents is invaluable and the Director of the Junior School, the staff and I look forward very much to working with you in the year ahead and to seeing you at our events. Should you have any queries or concerns at any stage, please do come to see us. I wish you and your daughter every success in the year ahead. Yours sincerely, Mrs R. M. Kamaryc Principal

The start of a new year is a most exciting time and there will be a great buzz in school as timetables are investigated, classrooms are explored and pupils and teachers get to know one another. For parents, there is much information to absorb and I hope that this booklet – as well as the welcome meetings – will help you to understand the school procedures, whether you are already familiar with them or whether you are encountering them for the first time. Of course, many of our routines changed last year, and, while I am pleased that we will be returning to relative normality in many ways this September, we are conscious of the ongoing challenges posed by the Pandemic and we shall continue to be vigilant. If you have questions about any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Jackson, our School Secretary, your daughter’s Form Teacher, or me. To all parents, new and continuing, I look forward to working closely with you throughout the year. Yours sincerely, Mr J. R. Denchfield Director of the Junior School

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

MISSION STATEMENT Queen’s Gate School offers an education for life in a stimulating environment, where sound values and individuality are nurtured within a supportive atmosphere.

AIMS The aim of our school is to create a secure, happy yet stimulating environment in which each girl can realise her academic and personal potential. Our expectations of our girls are high and we are committed to achieving academic success for each, whatever her ability. We seek to inspire a love of learning, to extend individual talents and interests both in and out of the classroom and to encourage the development of self-discipline in an atmosphere where freedom of thought and ideas can flourish. We want lessons to be lively and engaging, thus encouraging girls to develop intellectually, to see learning as an exciting process and to have an inquisitive and creative attitude to their work. Teaching methods combine the best of modern technology with traditional rigour and at all stages there is great emphasis on necessary study skills, inculcating the habits that will sustain our girls throughout their time at school and later at university or college.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Spiritual guidance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Mission statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The House system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Aims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The code of behaviour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Covid-19 precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

School Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Arrangements at the beginning and end of the day. . . . . 7

Positions of responsibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Emergency contact forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Cups, awards and prize-giving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Homework and Late Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Social media and e-safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Prohibited items and dogs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Extracurricular activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Speech and Drama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ballet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Concerts and events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School outings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Physical Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Absence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Parent volunteers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Health issues and the administration of medicine . . . . . Infectious diseases (other than Covid-19) and vomiting. . . Hygiene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allergies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head lice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 10 10 10 10

Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 The Newsletter and QG News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Social media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

The Curriculum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

School policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Clothing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

15 15 15 15 15 16 16

The Parent-Teacher Association. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Homework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The School Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Monitoring of progress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The report system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Parent-Teacher consultation meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Learning enhancement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 PSHE and Citizenship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Relationships and Sex education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13 13 13 13

Parents’ workshops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 School Counsellor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS For full details, please see our Covid-19 Policy and Risk Assessment. We will no longer be operating Bubbles and our timetable will return to the pre-pandemic model. However, we continue to be vigilant and mindful of the ongoing threats.

ARRANGEMENTS AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE DAY One of the changes from last year will remain. We found that the staggered arrival time in the mornings led to a calm and orderly beginning to the day and so the girls will be invited to arrive in two groups, with older girls entering the building from 8.15 am and younger girls at 8.30 am Form

Arrival Time

Arrival Door

Departure Time

Departure Door

Preliminary

8.30

125

3.15

125

Transition

8.30

126

3.15

126

8.30

125

3.30

125

8.15

125

3.45

125

IIB

8.15

126

3.45

126

IIA

8.15

125

3.45

125

III Form

8.15

126

3.45

126

Families with siblings in other years will be able to drop off their daughters at the same time. This should be the later of the two times (e.g., if you have daughters in Transition and IA, the daughter in IA may be dropped off at 8.30 am along with the daughter in Transition. Morning registration is at 8.40 am. We start the day

promptly and, as soon as the register has been taken, we either have assembly or begin the first lesson of the morning. Some girls have early clubs (such as Strings Club and STEM Club) which begin at 8.00 am and for which entry is through the 126 door. When bringing children to school in the morning and collecting them in the afternoon, please be considerate to our neighbours and road users. Please wait in front of 125/126, and do not allow children to run up and down the pavement or play on the steps.

The ‘Keep Clear’ road signs and markings in front of the school and to the side of the building have been introduced to ensure greater safety. The signs’ instructions must be followed; you may not use this area for parking or to drop off children. If you do so, you are liable to incur a fine as there are traffic wardens on duty within this area. At the beginning of term, you will be asked to complete an emergency contact form which will include details of the arrangements that have been made for collecting your daughters. Please let us know if there is a change to the normal collection arrangements (such as a play date), either by writing in the message book or by email or letter to Miss Jackson. Children will not be permitted to leave the

building unless there is someone to meet them on the pavement.

If you employ a nanny who will be involved in dropping off or collecting your daughter, it is very important that we are certain of their identity. Please ensure that you have provided your nanny’s details to Miss Jackson and, if your nanny changes, please let us know immediately. It is also helpful if we have a photograph of your nanny in order to verify identity. Please ensure that you have your nanny’s permission and then send us a clear photograph which will be kept securely in the School Office in accordance with our Privacy Notice. Please ensure that your daughter is always collected punctually. Staff have meetings and other commitments which begin as soon as the school day ends and cannot be asked to supervise children who have not been collected. If you are likely to be running late, please give as much notice as possible. Once the pupils have left the building at the end of the day, they may not return for forgotten equipment. The cleaners begin their rounds promptly and it is unsafe to be wandering around the school unsupervised when there are trailing wires and cleaning equipment around. Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

EMERGENCY CONTACT FORMS

LUNCH

These are to be completed by all parents at the beginning of each year on QGBuzz. They should contain all the relevant contact numbers, including those of nannies. It is vital that we have accurate contact details for all parents. If parents are to be out of the country, the school should be notified in writing of the collection arrangements during parental absence; a working contact number must also be specified. If the information provided on the contact form changes, the school must be made aware immediately.

11.50 am–1.05 pm All pupils in Preliminary to IA take school lunch. Pupils from IIB upwards may bring a packed lunch if they wish. A vegetarian option is available; parents must specify in writing if they wish their children to take up this option. This year, we will return to our previous routines, with Preliminary, Transition and IB having lunch in the School Hall; all other Forms will have lunch in the Senior School dining rooms. The menu is available on QGBuzz. If your daughter has allergies, intolerances or particular dietary requirements, it is vital that you let us know.

HOMEWORK AND LATE CLUBS We intend to expand our provision for after-school care during this academic year. If you would like to enrol your daughter in an after-school club, please contact the School Secretary. Please provide as much notice as possible if using the clubs or changing your arrangements. We also require parents to ensure that their daughters are collected within the advertised hours. An additional fee will be added to the bills of those who collect after the advertised closing time of the club. The cost of Homework and Late Clubs will be disbursed from your termly account.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

CLOTHING We request your assistance in helping our pupils to develop a sense of pride in their appearance. The dress code requires smart clothing: • Smart dresses or skirts • Plain tops – shoulders should be covered in the summer • Shoes should be black or navy blue and should be well-supported; boots, open-toed sandals and slingbacks are not permitted; trainers are to be worn for Physical Education lessons and clubs only • White socks or navy, white or red tights • The only jewellery items permitted are a watch, a simple chain depicting a religious symbol and plain, stud earrings. Bracelets are not permitted • Nail varnish and make-up are not permitted; girls wearing such items will be sent to the School Secretary to have them removed

The school outer uniform (bobble hats, boaters, blazers and coats) must be purchased from schoolblazer.com. At time of purchase, please order pre-sewn name tags if available; otherwise, please ensure that your daughter’s items are clearly labelled. All pupils are expected to wear their uniform to school, except when given permission to do otherwise. Hats must be worn and coats must be buttoned on arrival and departure. Summer uniform (boaters and blazers) is usually worn from the beginning of the Summer Term until the weather changes in the Autumn Term when it is replaced by bobble hats and winter coats. Girls who have school badges (Prefects, Officers and Tour Guides) should wear their badges to school. Please see the separate information from the Physical Education Department regarding P E kit.

LOST PROPERTY It is very important that clothes and possessions are labelled with the owner’s name so that they can be returned promptly if they go astray. Unmarked items are sent to the lost property box in the School Office. At the end of term, the box is emptied and unclaimed items are sent to charity.

The winter and summer outer uniforms

PROHIBITED ITEMS AND DOGS As well as items which are dangerous, such as sharp objects, parents are also asked not to allow their daughters to bring to school any item which might cause unnecessary distraction unless in agreement with the girl’s Form Teacher. Toys are not permitted, including ‘squishies’, ‘slime’ and Blu Tack. Scooters cannot be stored at school. If your daughter travels to school on a scooter, it must be taken away after drop-off. Dogs belonging to pupils’ families are not permitted inside the school; staff cannot be asked to look after animals and neither should dogs be left chained to the railings unattended.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

ABSENCE We value full attendance at school as a vital factor in a girl’s academic progress and in her personal and social development. Other than for health reasons, absences should be avoided and the term dates respected. We have a statutory obligation to account for all absences. However, in the light of the pandemic, we must take a cautious approach with any symptoms of illness. If your daughter is unwell, she should remain at home; if she has any of the main symptoms of Covid-19 (high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to sense of smell or taste) she should take a test for Covid-19 immediately and remain isolated at home. If your daughter is unwell, please telephone the School Secretary on 020 7761 0303 or email jssec@queensgate.org.uk before 9 am on the day of absence. Wherever possible, medical and dental appointments should be made outside of school hours. Any absences, planned or unplanned, must be reported to the school in writing. Requests for non-medical absence

should be made, in writing, to Mr Denchfield and parents should not assume that permission will be granted.

Unauthorised absence is considered truanting and will recorded as such when registers are audited.

HEALTH ISSUES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINE Health forms should be completed electronically on QGBuzz and submitted promptly at the beginning of each year; they should be updated as necessary. The School Secretary is in charge of first aid and medical care in the school, and the sick bay is next to her office on the ground floor. Medication will only be administered by the Secretary during school hours if a written request is received detailing exact dosage and is signed by a parent. Prescription medicine can only be administered if it is prescribed for the child concerned; it must be handed to the Secretary and must be clearly labelled; it must be collected by a parent at the end of the school day. If a pupil has received any treatment during the day, a note will be sent home informing parents. All staff have regular first aid training and certain members of staff, including the School Secretary and the Preliminary Form Teacher, have specialist paediatric first aid training.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

INFECTIOUS DISEASES (OTHER THAN COVID-19) AND VOMITING If your daughter has vomited, either at home or at school, she should wait 48 hours from the cessation of symptoms before returning to school. Parents should notify the school immediately if a child has an infectious illness, such as chicken pox or scarlet fever. A letter will be sent out to other parents to alert them to the risk of infection. Please do not send your daughter to school if you suspect that her illness could be transmitted to others. Parents are asked to be particularly vigilant when returning from holidays overseas. HYGIENE Hygiene standards are very high at school. Please refer to the Covid-19 Policy for specific details. Girls are instructed to sanitise and/or wash their hands frequently, and younger pupils are supervised as they do so. Bathrooms are cleaned before lunch and again every evening. Classrooms are stocked with disinfectant, hand sanitiser, hygienic bins and other protective equipment. ALLERGIES Like any school, we have several girls and some members of staff with severe allergies. Please bear this in mind when providing your daughter with food to bring to school. In particular, please note that food containing nuts cannot be brought to school – this is particularly relevant if supplying cakes on birthdays or for cake sales. Some girls also have severe allergies to other foods, such as sesame seeds. To be certain that food brought in does not pose a risk to pupils, please liaise with your daughter’s Form Teacher. HEAD LICE This is a perennial problem which requires vigilance on the part of all parents if it is to be kept at bay. Please inspect your daughter’s hair on a regular basis and treat any infestation immediately. Form Teachers should be informed so that they can send out notification to other parents. If head lice are discovered on a pupil while she is at school, her parents will be asked to collect her. An external company is used periodically to check all girls for head lice.

THE CURRICULUM

READING

Details of the curriculum for each year appear as an insert at the back of the handbook. We are proud to offer a broad and enriching curriculum which includes increasingly diverse subjects; however, we prioritise Mathematics and English which are taught every day in most forms. As well as covering all of the core subjects, we also address spiritual issues, health and sex education, and personal, social and citizenship education.

It is vitally important that girls are encouraged to read at home. This will be monitored at school, and a book list is provided to each girl in IB, IA, IIB, IIA and III Form to help in the choice of suitable reading material. Each Form has a library of works of fiction, but girls should also make use of their local library.

HOMEWORK Homework increases steadily as children move up through the school. It is hoped that parents will provide a quiet atmosphere in which work can be completed. In addition to assigned tasks, we ask parents to assist with the learning of times tables, with the informal exercise of mathematical skills (number bonds, the four basic operations, etc) and with reading every day. If a girl has experienced trouble with the completion of her homework (for example, it has taken an excessive amount of time), parents should write an explanatory note to the Form Teacher. It is very important that pupils are allowed to work independently on their homework with parents acting as an encouraging audience rather than active participants. Any assistance given should be recorded in the homework diary so that the girl’s teacher can assess her level of comprehension accurately.

When children are just beginning to read, it is important not to force the pace as this can lead to difficulties later on, not least in the enthusiasm for reading, which we are seeking to promote. Class teachers and assistants in the younger years make careful decisions when prescribing books from our reading schemes and we ask that your daughter follows her assigned programme in the first instance, moving on to extension reading once she has completed her allotted texts successfully.

THE SCHOOL LIBRARY The Library is a bright, L-shaped room with over 4,000 books available to borrow for research or for pleasure. Refurbishment is taking place in the Autumn Term which will enhance the experience of the girls further. Fiction books are housed in the front section and are organised alphabetically according to the authors’ surnames. Nonfiction books can be found in the back section and are organised using the Dewey Decimal Classification System. It is a fun and inviting place to read, study and play games. The Librarians, Mrs Scott and Miss Podavitte, run timetabled library sessions with classes, as well as competitions and special events.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

PARENT-TEACHER CONSULTATION MEETINGS These meetings are held at least twice each year, either in person or by video call. The dates are advertised on the calendar and parents sign up for appointments online approximately two weeks beforehand. We ask that these appointments take place on the designated days and that parents do not take more than the allotted time as this may cause difficulty for other parents who are waiting their turn.

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT MONITORING OF PROGRESS Within a few weeks of entering the school in Preliminary, each child is assessed using the BASE assessment system. There is a follow-up assessment at the end of the year. Thereafter, there is regular assessment of reading and spelling ages, and also verbal and non-verbal reasoning, along with weekly tests in mental Mathematics, spelling and times tables, where appropriate. This ensures that each child is making appropriate progress and fulfilling her potential. It also enables us to diagnose learning difficulties at an early stage. Assessment results are used to set targets for the coming year. Informal testing happens discreetly in lessons throughout the term. However, it is important that the girls have more formal periods of assessment in order to prepare them for the examinations that lie ahead. In the Autumn and Spring Terms, IA–III Form have formal tests in Mathematics, English and Science. In the Summer Term, they will also have tests in other subjects.

THE REPORT SYSTEM All pupils receive reports termly. In the Autumn and Spring Term, these are quick reference reports; in the Summer term, a longer report is provided with comments from all subject teachers.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

The progress of each child is monitored very closely and additional help is organised if it is thought necessary. If there is any cause for concern, then a child will be assessed by the Learning Enhancement Department. Sometimes, an assessment with an educational psychologist may be recommended in order to obtain more information regarding the nature of a child’s difficulty, and for further advice as to how we can help her to achieve her potential, including recommendations for a child to receive help from outside agencies, such as a speech and language therapist or an occupational therapist. Additionally, we employ a teacher of English as an Additional Language. Girls for whom English is a new language may be offered weekly lessons to support their studies. There is normally a charge for Learning Support lessons in school.

PSHE AND CITIZENSHIP

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

This stands for Personal, Social, and Health Education. All classes have discreet PSHE lessons and in other subjects when cross-curricular links are made. There is additional input from outside speakers such as Transport for London and St John’s Ambulance who assist us in the addressing of the citizenship element.

Our School Counsellor is able to have one-to-one sessions with pupils who would benefit from emotional support. Parents should contact the Director of the Junior School if they would like their daughter to access this service. The Counsellor will then call parents to discuss the child’s situation before meeting with them at school. All referrals are confidential.

Mrs Julie Johnson, our PSHE consultant, visits the school once per term to run Circle Time sessions on key issues. SOCIAL EDUCATION During PSHE lessons, teachers follow a planned syllabus but also respond to events and trends affecting the class through circle time. Friendship is an important element of school life and brings with it much happiness but also tensions as the girls find their places within social circles. Kindness and tolerance are core values but we also seek to build resilience and gradually prepare girls to become more confident when dealing with conflict. HEALTH EDUCATION Health education is dealt with in PSHE and in related subjects such as Physical Education and Science, where sensible diet, exercise and hygiene issues are discussed. We encourage girls to bring healthy snacks to school and to avoid too much sugar on a daily basis which can affect concentration and energy levels; however, we also believe that girls should enjoy their food. Cakes for special occasions, as long as they do not contain ingredients which might trigger allergies, are perfectly acceptable. RELATIONSHIPS AND SEX EDUCATION RSE is compulsory in all schools. Issues relating to physical and emotional development and relationships are dealt with sensitively and in an age appropriate way throughout the school, usually arising from questions asked by pupils. Relationships Education occurs throughout the school; Sex education lessons are given to girls in IIB, IIA and III Form. Parents are informed prior to the lessons taking place and permission is requested.

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE The school was established as a Christian Foundation, but non-denominational. We welcome children of all faiths and nurture respect for all religions in our religious education lessons and in our assemblies. It is hoped that all children will attend assembly which we believe to be a valuable way to start the day, as it enables us to address moral and spiritual issues, and helps to foster a sense of community. We sing a hymn or religious song and say the Lord’s Prayer and the Grace. Children who are not Christian may say their own prayers quietly to themselves. Whole-School assemblies take place twice weekly; we have an assembly for Key Stage 1 each week. Individual Forms take assemblies throughout the year and special assemblies celebrate Harvest Festival and Remembrance Day. At 11 am on Armistice Day, we observe the two-minute silence.

THE HOUSE SYSTEM There are two Houses: Victoria (blue) and Elizabeth (red). Pupils in IB and above receive House Points through Merits (one House Point) and Commendations (three House Points) for good work or special effort. Order Marks are given for minor misdemeanours and Conduct Marks for a serious offence. These are recorded on each child’s individual record sheet. In Preliminary, Transition and IB, there is a different system of rewards and sanctions (also counting towards House totals). The winning House is awarded the Weldon House Cup at the end of each term.

PARENTS’ WORKSHOPS These are run by Mrs Johnson, our PSHE consultant, and to help parents with issues such as managing behaviour, selfesteem and addressing matters to do with growing up. They have been found to be very helpful, not least because they provide the opportunity for parents to meet other parents from different year groups and share their experiences. These workshops are organised through the school each term.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

THE CODE OF BEHAVIOUR 1. Respect other people (a) Speak and behave kindly to everyone (b) Be inclusive; make sure that all are welcome at all times (c) Listen to your teachers and follow instructions (d) Be polite and show good manners (e) Help to maintain a peaceful atmosphere around the school

2. Respect property (a) Be prepared with the correct equipment for your lessons (b) Be tidy and organised (c) Respect other people’s property and leave their belongings alone (d) Look after all school equipment and furniture

SCHOOL COUNCIL This is a very important forum in which children are able to discuss the concerns, ideas and requests brought before the council by representatives from forms IB to III Form. Elections take place each term. The children wishing to stand for election produce a manifesto to present to the class. Elections are done by secret ballot. A staff representative is also elected. The Director of the Junior School, Head Girl and Deputy are non-elected members. The girls hold office for the whole academic year. Meetings generally take place twice each term.

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY We encourage children to take on responsibility within the forms, and around the school. In Preliminary and Transition leaders are chosen on a daily basis. From IB to III Form, Form Captains are chosen each term. In III Form a Head Girl and Deputy are chosen by the staff as well as House Captains, Sports Captains, Prefects and Officers. From IIA, girls are invited to become Tour Guides and Library Officers and are awarded badges.

3. Be safe (a) Walk around the school slowly and carefully (b) Follow instructions and use common sense when outside the buildings (c) Take responsibility for yourself (d) Follow all health and safety regulations

CUPS, AWARDS AND PRIZE-GIVING At the end of each term a Progress Cup is awarded to the pupil achieving the best all-round improvement in each Form. Certificates are also awarded in Literacy, Numeracy, Citizenship and Attendance at the end of each term. Throughout the term, awards are presented for PE and Music. At the end of the academic year we have a prize giving ceremony at Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road, at which the major awards are presented and a distinguished speaker makes a speech. At school we present further awards for achievement and progress in all subjects.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Girls in all Forms are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities. Some activities are free; for others there will be a charge. Application forms for LAMDA and peripatetic lesson are available from QGBuzz. A term’s notice (in writing) is required if a pupil is to be withdrawn from such an activity.

Please note that, in general, clubs do not run during the first or last weeks of term. This includes Homework and Late Clubs.

SOCIAL MEDIA & E-SAFETY The possibilities of the digital age are endless and we take full advantage of digital communication at Queen’s Gate. However, we are very conscious of the harm that excessive screen time, and exposure to unsuitable content, can do to children. For that reason, we insist that our pupils respect

the minimum age requirement provided by social media platforms. Being as this is thirteen for the majority of sites and apps, we ask that no pupil subscribe to any social networking facility, including Instagram, Whatsapp,

TikTok, Twitter and Snapchat.

We teach our pupils how to stay safe online during their computing and PSHE lessons and we welcome outside speakers who share their knowledge and advice with pupils and parents.

MUSIC A wide range of instruments may be taken as extra subjects. Pupils are prepared for Associated Board Examinations. All girls in Preliminary and Transition belong to the Little Piccolos choir, and girls in IB and IA belong to the Queen’s Gate Junior singers. There is also a Junior School choir, a chamber choir, and instrumental ensembles. Regular outings are arranged to concerts. Girls have the opportunity to perform in concerts throughout the year; the invitation to perform is open to pupils who learn at school and those who have lessons outside of school. SPEECH AND DRAMA (LAMDA) Girls are prepared for the LAMDA speech and acting examinations. This is an optional subject for girls from IB upwards and incurs a charge. A drama club for girls in IIA and III Form meets weekly after school, its members usually participating in the School Play. At the end of the school year, we enjoy a LAMDA concert to which parents are invited. BALLET Ballet classes are run by the Chelsea Ballet School and take place after school on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please note that all communication regarding these lessons should be made directly with the ballet school (chelseaballet.com · 020 7351 4117) and not through the School Office. CONCERTS AND EVENTS We enjoy several concerts and performances each term and, in usual circumstances, we are always keen to welcome parents to attend, either at school, at Holy Trinity or at at the Chelsea Theatre. We are hopeful that we will be able to invite parents to attend our events throughout this academic year.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

PHYSICAL EDUCATION There are opportunities to join a number of sports clubs which take place before school, during the day and after school: cross country, running, rock climbing, gymnastics, yoga, dance, netball, cricket, hockey, tennis, swimming, fencing, cricket, rowing and athletics are typically offered. Competitive fixtures are arranged with other schools each term. Please see the separate documentation on Queen’s Gate’s Physical Education provision. If you have queries about PE, please contact the Department directly on pe@queensgate.org.uk rather than Miss Jackson.

SCHOOL OUTINGS A variety of educational visits are organised by the staff to enhance and enrich the teaching which goes on in school. Full advantage is taken of the facilities offered by the museums, art galleries and theatres of London. Each visit has a clear aim, with follow-up work on the subject studied. A field trip involving an overnight stay is organised for girls in IIB (New Barn, Dorset), IIA (The Isle of Wight) and III Form (Norfolk). We are always grateful for parent helpers on school outings, if appropriate. Parents who are able to participate are asked to contact their daughter’s Form Teacher. When letters are sent home, or permission slips are requested on QGBuzz, it is essential that replies are prompt as children are only permitted to attend trips if we have received the necessary documentation.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

PARENT VOLUNTEERS We are very grateful to our parents who give of their time freely to assist us. In addition to volunteering to help on school outings, some of our parents run clubs and take on other tasks of supervision. If supervising pupils either without staff supervision or on a regular basis, volunteers will be required to complete a DBS check and basic safeguarding training.

COMMUNICATION Important notices will always be sent by email (using the SchoolPost email facility) or through QGBuzz and so it is vital that parents read emails carefully. The Director of the Junior School usually sends a message to all parents at the end of each week. In this, important notices for the week ahead will be given. Similarly, it is important that parents check the school calendar regularly for events. The calendar is available on QGBuzz on the main dashboard page, once one scrolls down. Occasionally, letters are still sent as paper copies and given to pupils to pass to parents. Please check your daughter’s bag regularly for information that has been sent.

THE PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION We greatly value the support of parents through the PTA. Each Form has two representatives on the committee, who serve for a fixed period, and this provides an additional link between home and the classroom. A committee meeting is held each term in school and various fundraising and social events take place. The purposes of the PTA are to raise funds for the school and for charity, and to provide a support network for parents. If parents have concerns about their daughters or have general school queries, they should address them to the Form Teacher or the Director of the Junior School; it is not appropriate to bring them up in PTA Form meetings or at PTA Committee meetings.

If you would like to make contact with any member of staff via email, please send your correspondence to jssec@queensgate.org.uk and the Secretary will pass your message to the relevant parties. Form Teachers cannot be in direct contact with parents over email.

Coffee Mornings for each Form are held once per term. These provide a useful opportunity for parents to raise points pertinent to the year group and to hear the views of staff.

THE NEWSLETTER AND QG NEWS

SCHOOL POLICIES

The digital QG News is sent out once a term, usually in the first week of holiday time and is a round up of everything that has happened during term time. Our digital weekly newsletter, the QG Weekly, is emailed on a Friday to parents and staff.

Please see QGBuzz for our School Policies. In particular, please spend time familiarising yourself with our Covid-19, Anti-Bullying, Pastoral Care, Homework, Marking and Rewards and Sanctions Policies.

SOCIAL MEDIA In addition to our website, QG Weekly, QGBuzz and the QG News, the school has Instagram, and Twitter accounts, including a Junior School only Twitter account, which are used as important communication tools for members of the QG community. Parents are invited to follow the school’s accounts.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

NOTES

Queen’s Gate Junior School Parent Handbook 2021/22

Queen’s Gate Junior School 125–126 Queen’s Gate London SW7 5LJ 020 7761 0303 jssec@queensgate.org.uk queensgate.org.uk @queensgateschool @QueensGateSch /QueensGateSch