Information Guide 2025

INFORMATION GUIDE 2025

Information Guide Nursery

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Information Guide

CONTENTS

USEFUL CONTACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

LITTLE ED’S NURSERY

RECEPTION

O2-04

O5-08

09-11

LOWER PREP SCHOOL FORMS 1 TO 4

PREP SCHOOL FORMS 5 TO 8

SENIOR SCHOOL FORMS 9 TO 11

12-16

17-20

21-24

Information Guide

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INFORMATION GUIDE This Information Guide is designed to give a brief introduction to the essential ingredients of life at St. Edmund’s and parents are asked to take note of and comply with the guidance, recommendations and regulations contained in this booklet.

USEFUL CONTACTS HEADMASTER

Dr AJ Walliker

HEADMASTER’S PA

Mrs J Willcox hmpa@saintedmunds.co.uk

DEPUTY HEAD

Mr S Barnes s.barnes@saintedmunds.co.uk

BURSAR AND CLERK TO THE GOVERNORS

Mrs JM Beeston bursar@saintedmunds.co.uk

HEAD OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT

Mrs A-M Burke amb@saintedmunds.co.uk

DEPUTY HEAD (LEAD DSL) AND DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL LEARNING

Dr J Carlin jc@saintedmunds.co.uk

MINIBUS ENQUIRIES

minibus@saintedmunds.co.uk

SCHOOL OFFICE

Mrs S Wassell schoolsecretary@saintedmunds.co.uk Mrs L King admin@saintedmunds.co.uk

HEALTH CENTRE

Mrs S Moxley Mrs S Elston Mrs J Johnston healthcentre@saintedmunds.co.uk

Telephone: 01428 604808 Website: www.saintedmunds.co.uk Email: schoolsecretary@saintedmunds.co.uk; admin@saintedmunds.co.uk Address: St. Edmund’s School, Portsmouth Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6BH @stedmundshindhead

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Information Guide

@stedmundsschoolsurrey

stedmundsschool

GENERAL INFORMATION Absences: If your child is unable to come to School, please let the School Office know so that the appropriate teachers can be informed. Children arriving after 8.30am must report to the School Office before they go to their Form rooms. If we have not received a message by 11.00am the School Office will get in contact. Advance requests for permission to be absent from School during term time must be made in good time to the Deputy Head, Mr S Barnes.

Academic Support: As our teaching groups are small we have plenty of opportunities to observe the children carefully. If we suspect a specific problem, we take advantage, in the first instance, of specialist advice from the Academic Support Department. A child’s needs may come to notice on admission, during lessons, through screening procedures or by an expression of parental concern.

Parents are involved from the earliest stages and parental support and views are valued. The Academic Support Department operates an open door policy for all the staff and frequently visit classes to observe children and/or to offer advice.

We are always ready to work together with professionals from other agencies to identify needs and provide the best learning opportunities for children.

Please note, individual academic support lessons are an additional cost and fees can be found listed on the website.

Chapel: St. Edmund’s has its own Chapel where regular visitors from different denominations talk to the pupils. Our Christmas Carol services are usually held at St. Luke’s Church, Grayshott.

Daily Routine: Please see individual school sections.

Divisional System: There are four Divisions (Houses) at St. Edmund’s: Arrow (Yellow), Wolf (Red), Crown (Blue) and Martyr (Green). Each term a cup and a party are awarded to the winning Division and friendly competition is fostered in a variety of ways throughout each term.

Dogs: Parents are presently allowed to bring dogs onto the school grounds on condition that: a) the dog is kept on a lead; b) the dog is supervised by an adult and not by a child; c) that any mess made by the dog is cleared up; d) dogs are not allowed inside any school buildings.

Activity Evenings: Activity evenings take place throughout the year for Forms 3 to 11 and are very popular with the children.

Bookings are made via the Parent Portal on the website.

Food: The School caterers produce freshly prepared well balanced meals for pupils on a three week rotation which changes each term. Every day there are hot options including a vegetarian choice and a salad bar. During the mid-morning break pupils are offered sandwiches or a home baked biscuit or cake, fresh fruit and a drink. During the afternoon break they are offered fresh fruit and a drink. It is the School’s policy that pupils are not allowed to bring food into School, not even items such as birthday cakes due to the risk of allergic reactions.

Calendar: The School Calendar is distributed before the start of every term and acts as a useful guide to the wide variety of events taking place during the term. Parents are warmly invited to attend all events marked with an asterisk in the Calendar.

FOSE: St. Edmund’s is very fortunate to have a supportive and enthusiastic group of parents and friends who organise social events throughout the year. FOSE

Information Guide

The School operates a ‘nut free’ policy.

If you have any queries, please contact the Health Centre.

hold regular coffee mornings at School and parents are warmly invited to attend.

To find out more about FOSE, please email the Chair of FOSE on fosechair@ saintedmunds.co.uk Grounds: The space at St. Edmund’s provides a resource for activities of all ages and abilities allowing for progression and continuity.

Teacher/child guidance is particularly important outside the classroom, but not to the detriment of exploration and discovery. With growing independence, spontaneous and co-operative play is established. External classroom situations invoke enthusiastic responses from the children, whose natural inquisitiveness is stimulated. Every aspect of the curriculum makes an easy transition to outside lessons, developing meaningful cross-curricular links.

Outdoor space allows children to move freely and regular physical activity in the early years helps to set a pattern of fitness for the rest of life. We also aim to nurture feelings of caring responsibility to the school grounds by generating positive attitudes to environmental problems in both the school and the world at large, such as litter, habitat destruction and care for plants and animals.

Holiday Club: Reception (from age 5) to Form 9. NEW provider Ultimate Activities provides fantastic programmes

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at St. Edmund’s during the holidays. Visit our website for more information and to book: St. Edmund’s School – Holiday Camp Provision

Security: All visitors to the School are required to report to the School Office on arrival.

Sports Clothes: All sports clothing relevant to the term should be brought in clean on a Monday morning – this includes swimming kit. Pupils are encouraged to take home their kit for washing on a Friday.

Where studs are worn, particularly in rugby, they must carry a kite mark. Gum-shields are compulsory for pupils playing rugby, hockey and lacrosse, and shin pads are compulsory for football and hockey. Please refer to the uniform list for the appropriate match kit for your child’s sporting activity.

Lost Property: Please do ensure that all items are named clearly. If you have any concerns about lost property, please contact the School Office.

Medical Matters: Our nursing team assists with the promotion and maintenance of the pupil’s health and well-being whilst at School. The Health Centre is located on the ground floor opposite the Puntablock.

Parents are informed of any accidents that occur and/or any treatment given.

The Health Centre is responsible for the storage and administration of medicines and we ask that medication of any type is handed in for safe keeping. The nurses provide support for families of any child with long-term medical needs and liaise with parents regarding the procedures for children who are ill or infectious. The School has an Infection Control Policy which sets out the measures taken to prevent the spread of infection and we strictly adhere to recommended exclusion periods to manage infectious diseases. The Health Centre is open during School hours and the nurses can be contacted via email or Tel: 01428 604808 – Option 3.

how to use it from the School Office in the holidays prior to your child joining St. Edmund’s. All co-curricular, mini-bus, school trips and ad-hoc events are booked on the Parent Portal. Useful documents and notices are also uploaded for parents to access. If you have not been given a login, or indeed have difficulty in opening the Parent Portal, please contact Mrs S Wassell in the School Office.

Policies and Inspection Report: There are a number of policies available for parents to access, either via the School Website, the School Office or the Parent Portal.

Music Tuition: For all enquiries regarding private music tuition, including singing School Trips: We carry out a full risk lessons and instrument tuition, please email assessment before taking children on music@saintedmunds.co.uk outings. The Assessment takes into account Off Games: If your child needs to be off the nature of the outing, and considers staff games for medical reasons, please email ratios. Parental permission via the Parent offgames@saintedmunds.co.uk before the Portal is sought for children to take part in start of the school day so that the games outings with the exception of local walks. staff can be informed.

School Uniform: All items of School Open Mornings: Each term the school uniform can be purchased from our holds an Open Morning on a Saturday suppliers, Stevensons (www.stevensons. for prospective parents. All pupils from co.uk). The uniform lists can be found on Form 3 upwards are expected to attend, the Parent Area of the website, and for unless otherwise advised. Form 11 are not new parents, the lists are included in the expected to attend Open Mornings in the joiner literature. Please make sure that all Lent and Summer terms. items of uniform are clearly marked with your child’s name.

Pupils need to attend between 9.30am and 12.30pm wearing clean and tidy Second-hand Uniform: We are grateful school uniform. Request for absence from to our parents who run the St. Ed’s Open Morning must be given with as School Uniform Buy and Sell Facebook much notice as possible in writing to the page where second hand uniform is sold.

Deputy Head, Mr S Barnes.

Search Facebook for St. Ed’s Uniform Buy and Sell. FOSE also run a second Parent Portal: The Parent Portal is accessible via the School Website, and you hand uniform shop, please contact will be given a log in and instructions on 2ndhanduniform@saintedmunds.co.uk

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Information Guide

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Sports Equipment: These may be brought into school and rooms are set aside for their storage. Please make sure items are clearly named.

Social Media and the Arrow: The School Newsletter ‘The Arrow’ is issued online each term. St. Edmund’s also has its own Facebook page, Instagram and LinkedIn account so you can keep up to date with everything that is going on in School. Find us at: Instagram: @stedmundsschoolhindhead Facebook: stedmundshindhead LinkedIn: stedmundsschool Travel, Pick-up & Drop-off: The main entrance to the School is from the A333 Portsmouth Road which may be used to enter the School site. A one way system operates and the exit from the School site is via Crossways Road when departing the School. Drivers are requested to ensure that they maintain a slow and safe speed when driving on School property.

Transport: If you are interested in your child using the minibus to get to and from school, please have a look at our minibus website (saintedmunds.vectare.co.uk). Bus routes are looked at each year and every attempt is made to ensure that stops are in the safest and most convenient locations.

Return minibuses are available on most routes with departure from School at 5.40pm to allow children to benefit from supervised prep and 4.40pm on Fridays.

For further information, please email minibus@saintedmunds.co.uk Website: The School website is regularly updated with photographs and news reports relating to the pupils activities and is located at www.saintedmunds.co.uk

LITTLE ED’S NURSERY

INFORMATION GUIDE

This section is designed to give a brief introduction to the essential ingredients of life at St. Edmund’s in Nursery.

Absences: If your child is unable to come to school, or a late arrival is anticipated, please let the Nursery know directly on 01428 772351. If we have not received a message by 11.00am, the School Secretary will call. If your child is going to be away from Nursery for a holiday, please give advance notice to Mrs K Bailey, Head of EYFS. Admissions: Before a child is admitted to St. Edmund’s, we seek information which ranges from who has parental responsibility and legal contact with the child to emergency contact numbers. Once a child has enrolled for Nursery, they are automatically enrolled for a place in the school. A notice period of a term is required if you intend to remove your child from the Nursery or school. If you would like to reduce your sessions at Nursery, then a notice period of 4 weeks is applicable. As well as requiring written parental permission for medical treatment, we also seek information about health and developmental problems, food allergies, and any special dietary requirements.

After School Care: Children may stay for our After School Clubs, including “Stay and Play” until 4:20pm (Mon-Fri) and “Little Ed’s Picnic Club” until 5:30pm (Mon-Thurs).

All the provision is held within the Nursery buildings. Those that stay until 5.30pm are given a picnic supper. We maintain a 1:6 ratio. For details of After School care charges/booking please see Fees information. All bookings can be made via the Parent Portal.

Information Guide Nursery

OUR AIMS FOR THE EYFS

Our Mission statement: Children who attend Little Ed’s are given the confidence to make the most of their abilities, to be independent learners, to have the opportunity to develop their skills within a nurturing environment and the expectation that everything and anything is possible with the right encouragement and support.

WITHIN THE EYFS AT ST. EDMUND’S SCHOOL OUR AIM IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH:

A secure, welcoming and friendly environment with a variety of challenges and experiences each day. Opportunities to be independent and make choices in their own learning and play.

Providing the best opportunities to gain the early skills that are necessary to build their foundations to learn.

Opportunities to explore their surroundings and to learn in the great outdoors.

An introduction to and securing values such as being kind, being helpful, listening to each other, sharing and looking after their environment.

Provision of a platform to enable them to develop at their own pace and level. A setting where the children feel respected, valued and where their voice is heard.

Outstanding staff who are positive role models, who know the children well and are familiar with their individual needs.

An environment providing the children with a sense of belonging.

HEAD OF EYFS

Mrs K Bailey kb@saintedmunds.co.uk

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Classes: Our classes are arranged as follows: Nursery 1: 2-3 years Nursery 2: 3-4 years Movement between the Nursery classes is dependent upon both the children’s ages and their general development.

We consider each child’s needs before they transfer from class to class. Equally, the number of sessions that each child attends depends upon the requirements of individual families. As the year progresses, more children stay for full day sessions thus benefiting from the full range of activities on offer. Children generally make any move or increase their sessions at the beginning of a term but changes can be requested during the course of a term. In Nursery 1 (2-3yrs) we maintain a 1:4 adult to child ratio. In Nursery 2 (3-4yrs) we maintain a 1:8 adult to child ratio.

Communication: The Nursery teachers are always ready to discuss individual children’s progress and the provision that we offer. Appointments can be easily arranged after school directly with the Nursery teachers or the Head of EYFS, Mrs K Bailey. The children’s happiness is very important so do always tell us of problems as they arise. Parents are also able to log in online to view their child’s learning journey and photos via a secure system.

Internal communication with parents is via email so please do keep the School Office up to date with any changes to contact details. Regular emails and newsletters will also come from the Nursery to keep parents up to date and informed.

Curriculum: We follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework, that allows the children in Nursery to develop confidence, become independent learners, enjoy their school life and acquire skills to allow smooth transition to the next stage of their education. The provision for our Nursery classes incorporates the seven areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Communication and Language, Mathematics, Physical Development, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design.

We believe that young children should learn through their play. Small classes mean that our staff develop a close working relationship with our pupils and

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Information Guide Nursery

our environment equips the children with the skills necessary for their future education at St. Edmund’s. Through play, we enable pupils to practise, consolidate and extend their previous learning and experiences. Our planning is ‘child led’, focusing on children’s current interests and allowing for flexibility.

Daily Routine: Our Nursery children are welcomed into their classrooms from 8.00am. The Nursery day begins at 8.15am with morning sessions ending at 12.30pm, after lunch. Afternoon sessions begin at 12.30pm and end at 3.15pm.

A full day session starts at 8.15am and finishes at 3.15pm.

Our After School Clubs allow children to stay at Little Ed’s until 5:30pm (MonThurs) and 4:20pm (Mon-Fri).

and learning through exploration and our Forest School enhances this experience for our youngest children. Sessions with a specialist forest school leader are provided half termly.

Grounds: Children at Little Ed’s benefit from their own specifically designed garden area – and they also enjoy regular use of all the school grounds. From tree climbing, to bug hunts – we love learning outdoors! EYFS children also have their own dedicated Forest School within our school grounds.

Holiday Club: Little Ed’s Holiday Club is available for parents to book throughout most of the school holidays. The day runs from 9.00am to 4.00pm. Please see the Parent Portal and the Head of EYFS for dates and more information.

Literacy: Early literacy is a part of the EYFS framework and starts with our Food: The School caterers produce 2-year-olds in the form of listening to well balanced meals with the choice of stories, looking at books, naming pictures vegetarian and fresh fruit on offer every day. and objects and following rhythm. This Milk, water and sandwiches, healthy snacks progresses using the ‘Letters and sounds’ or fruit are provided mid-morning and programme throughout Nursery 2 and mid- afternoon. We also offer toast to the then on into main school. Early Phonics children that arrive early in the morning. sounds are introduced in Nursery 2, according to the individual child’s interest Forest School: Children in the EYFS and ability. Other literacy skills such as department have their very own mark making, pencil control and listening dedicated Forest School area within the skills are all part of our daily provision. school grounds and the children access All these skills are introduced in a fun this area regularly throughout the week and inviting way for the children without with the Nursery staff, whatever the weather. We are passionate about play formal expectation.

Information Guide Nursery

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Medical Matters: All Key staff in the EYFS hold their paediatric first aid qualification and are able to administer prescribed and emergency medicines in the absence of surgery staff.

Online Learning Journey Software: On-going informal recording of celebrations and achievements are part of our provision and may be recorded online via a secure software system specifically for our Early Years children across Nursery and Reception so the transition to our Reception class is very smooth. Parents also receive a login for the online system, and we welcome photos and input from home.

Outings: EYFS children are regularly out in the school grounds and woods. We maintain strict staff ratios whilst out and have a mobile phone to take with us in case of emergency. We will occasionally make local visits to Grayshott village or the Devils Punchbowl and will give parents prior notice of this.

Policies: We have specific EYFS policies and procedures that we will make parents aware of as your child starts with us.

Reporting to Parents: Our dedicated Nursery staff are always pleased to meet and chat with parents either before or after a Nursery session and we host a parent’s evening in the Summer term for a more thorough update on each child’s development. A written summary report is provided in the Michaelmas and Lent term via the online software system for EYFS. To ensure continuity, a designated member of our Little Ed’s team becomes each child’s key worker who will interact and relate with them every day, promoting their confidence and independence.

Security: All visitors to the school are required to report to the School Office.

Parents are required to let EYFS staff know who is collecting their child each day from Nursery. We ask that anyone other than a parent collecting a child is given a secure password – previously agreed with us by the parent.

We also ask you to complete an ‘All About Drivers are requested to ensure that they Me’ information sheet for your child so maintain a slow and safe speed when that we know as much about them and driving on school property. their home life before they start.

Well Child Procedure: Children should only be kept off school if they are unwell.

Social Media: As well as the school Instagram and Facebook page, we have Definition of a well child a Nursery and Facebook page where • A child who is not reliant on Calpol or we post news and developments. Media similar medication sharing permission is sought from all • A child who is not running a temperature parents at the point of registration. of over 37.5 degrees Sport and timetabled Activities: Nursery 2 children benefit from a weekly sport session with sports staff.

All Nursery children have a weekly music lesson with one of our music teachers.

Nursery 2 children enjoy a weekly French lesson with a specialist language teacher Nursery 2 children also enjoy weekly dance workshops with an external dance teacher.

Throughout the year EYFS children also enjoy visits from external providers including an annual farm visit, Zoolab, Fire Brigade, Forest School, Music sessions and craft activities.

Swimming: Swimming lessons are available outside of Nursery hours for Nursery children.

• A child who is well enough to participate normally in all areas of nursery and school activities • A child who has their normal bowel functions • A child who does not require a one to one ratio with staff • A child with their normal appetite

What you need to provide for Nursery: • We ask you to provide a clearly named water bottle for your child to keep at Nursery.

• A Nursery bag containing a full set of spare clothes.

• Wellies – clearly named please! We use our wellies a lot at Nursery.

• Nappies and wipes that you child may need.

• Sun cream if your child requires a specific one to be used.

• A named Nursery sun hat and winter hat depending on the term.

• All uniform clearly named with labels.

• Your completed ‘All About Me’ form prior to your child starting with us.

Teaching Staff: Key Nursery staff hold a minimum Level 3 childcare qualification and hold a paediatric first aid certificate.

Settling In: Children settle into Nursery in lots of different ways. Some children will In addition to the nursery team, children walk confidently into their classroom as soon are taught by a variety of subject specialists from the Prep School. as they arrive and other children may be anxious about leaving their parents or carers.

Travel and Parking: Nursery and We will offer at least three settling in visits Reception parents have a dedicated EYFS for your Nursery child, and these can be parking area located on the right-hand side We look forward to welcoming you to increased according to individual needs. directly in front of the Nursery building.

Little Eds!

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Information Guide Nursery

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RECEPTION

INFORMATION GUIDE This section is designed to give a brief introduction to the essential ingredients of life at St. Edmund’s in Reception.

After School Clubs: Children in Reception can stay with us for longer than 3.15pm by joining our after-school clubs.

A healthy snack and drink is provided at 3.30pm, and optional pick up times are available. Booking is done via the Parent Portal, and children must be pre-booked in advance. There is a small extra charge for Little Ed’s Picnic Club which is added to your school invoice.

Fun for Free: 3.15pm to 4.20pm (Mon-Fri) Little Ed’s Picnic Club: 4.20pm to 5.30pm (Mon-Thurs) Arrangement of classes: In Reception the children attend full-time and they move from class to class with their year group each September.

Assemblies: We appreciate prompt arrival at 8.15am on the days where Reception have an assembly.

Being Independent: Proficiency in self-care skills can make life much easier for our younger children as they join the Reception class. Any steps taken towards independence at home will really help your child as term begins, particularly with skills such as dressing themselves and using a knife and fork. Independence is encouraged throughout the Reception year, ensuring your child is given the essential self- help skills they will require as they progress through the Lower Prep School.

Books: Children in Reception take their reading books home daily and we ask that parents or another adult hear the children read most nights. The children are also encouraged to choose and take home

Information Guide Reception

OUR AIMS FOR THE EYFS

Our Mission statement: Children who attend our Reception class are given the confidence to make the most of their abilities, to be independent learners, to have the opportunity to develop their skills within a nurturing environment and the expectation that everything and anything is possible with the right encouragement and support.

WITHIN THE EYFS AT ST. EDMUND’S SCHOOL OUR AIM IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH:

A secure, welcoming and friendly environment with a variety of challenges and experiences each day. Opportunities to be independent and make choices in their own learning and play.

Providing the best opportunities to gain the early skills that are necessary to build their foundations to learn. Opportunities to explore their surroundings and to learn in the great outdoors.

An introduction to and securing values such as being kind, being helpful, listening to each other, sharing and looking after their environment.

Provision of a platform to enable them to develop at their own pace and level.

A setting where the children feel respected, valued and where their voice is heard.

Outstanding staff who are positive role models, who know the children well and are familiar with their individual needs.

An environment providing the children with a sense of belonging.

HEAD OF EYFS

Mrs K Bailey kb@saintedmunds.co.uk

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books from our library during weekly library sessions. We know that each child will progress towards reading at their own pace and it is important that they have a sound understanding of early phonics sounds before they can start to read.

Therefore, the first books your child brings home may only contain pictures to talk about – or be ones to read together. The most important thing is to encourage children to really enjoy books and stories, as this will develop into a love of reading when they are ready.

Communication: Whilst written reports and parents’ evenings are important, the Reception teacher is always ready to discuss individual children’s progress and the provision that we offer. Appointments can be easily arranged after school directly with the teachers. The children’s happiness is very important so do always tell us of problems as they arise however trivial they may seem. Parents are also able to log in online to view their child’s learning journey and photos. One of St Edmund’s strengths is its feeling of community.

Regular emails and newsletters will also come from the Reception teacher, Mrs D Cozens and Head of EYFS, Mrs K Bailey to keep parents up to date and informed.

Curriculum: We aim to provide a curriculum that allows all the pupils to access a broad and balanced timetable so that the children can develop confidence, become morally aware, enjoy their school life and acquire skills to allow a smooth transition to the next stage of their education. Small teaching groups mean that our staff develop a close working relationship with our pupils. The EYFS curriculum is designed to allow children to be independent in their learning and we adopt a child led, individual approach to our planning and the environment.

Each day resources and opportunities are provided for the children across the seven areas of learning:

ICT (using the interactive whiteboard).

Reception children also benefit from additional activities on their timetable which include: French, swimming, sport, dance and music. These are all taught by specialist teaching staff from the Prep and Senior School so the children are in good hands! The Reception children also benefit from regular outdoor learning opportunities by accessing our school grounds and woods – plus the use of their own decking area outside.

The School also has an EYFS Curriculum Policy which is available upon request from the Head of EYFS, Mrs K Bailey.

Daily Routine: Children can arrive at school from 7.45am, with all form groups welcomed into their classrooms at 8.15am with registration promptly at 8.20am. Children who arrive in school before 8.15am are expected to wait in the Jubilee Hall where they will be supervised prior to a member of staff taking them to their classroom. The Reception day ends at 3.15pm but may be extended to 4.20pm by participation in after school activities.

Games and Activities: The school’s aim is that all pupils should enjoy games and sport. We are fortunate to have an indoor heated pool where children Personal, Social and Emotional in Reception have weekly timetabled Development Literacy Forest School: Children in the EYFS swimming lessons and the oldest Communication and Language department have their very own dedicated established Prep School golf course in Mathematics Forest school area within the school the country. Reception have weekly PE Physical Development grounds. All Nursery and Reception lessons with our specialist sport teachers, Understanding the World children access this area regularly a dance lesson with an external dance Expressive Arts and Design throughout the week with the nursery teacher and a swimming lesson. As they progress through the school they have Phonics is also included in the daily routine, staff, whatever the weather. Sessions the opportunity to develop their skills in a as well as some teacher guided learning in with a specialist forest school leader are provided half termly. wide range of sports. areas such as numeracy, art and craft and

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Information Guide Reception

achievements, as this signifies the end of the EYF and a report is given.

School Trips: We carry out a full risk assessment before taking children in Reception away on outings. The assessment takes into account the nature of the outing, and considers whether it is appropriate to exceed our normal staff ratios. Parental permission via the Parent Portal is sought for children to take part in outings, with the exception of local walks to, for instance, the village library on Boundary Road or to St Luke’s Church, Grayshott.

For boys, hair should be cut above the eyebrows, ears and collars. Girls must keep their hair tied/clipped back if it reaches their shoulders. Hair ties/ribbons should be simple and navy. If in doubt, please refer to the Headmaster prior to obtaining a particular hairstyle. Pupils are not allowed to wear jewellery, nor hair products such as gel or wax.

Handwriting: The children are initially taught to write in print and a handwriting guide is sent home with Reception children who may wish to practice their letter formation at home.

Security: Parents are required to let Reception staff know who is collecting their child each day from school. We ask that anyone other than a parent collecting a child is given a secure password previously agreed with us by the parent at the start of the academic year.

Sports Clothes: All sports clothing, including swimming kit should be brought in clean on a Monday morning and hung outside the classroom. We request jogging bottoms are provided all year round for use in Forest School.

Travel, Pick-up & Drop-off: EYFS Carpark: Reception Drop-off and 3.15pm and 4.20pm Pick-up is at the Reception decking gate.

Nursery Building: Collection at 5.30pm.

Well Child Procedure: Children should Holiday Club: Open for a further 13 weeks only be kept off school if they are unwell. during the year for all Reception children.

Definition of a well child • A child who is not reliant on Calpol or Online Learning Journey Software: similar medication We use ‘Tapestry’ as an on-going • A child who is not running a informal recording of celebrations and temperature of over 37.5 degrees achievements within our EYFS provision.

• A child who is well enough to Parents also receive a login for our online participate normally in all areas of system specifically for our Early Years, and nursery and school activities we welcome photos and input from home.

• A child who has their normal bowel Weekly music lessons are also part of the Policies: In addition to the various functions timetable and provide the opportunity for policies available to parents via the • A child who does not require a one to singing, learning about rhythm and different Parent Portal we have specific EYFS one ratio with staff musical instrument. Reception are part policies and procedures that we will • A child with their normal appetite of an annual showcase performance with make parents aware of as your child Forms 1 and 2. starts with us.

Grounds: Reception use the grounds Reporting to Parents: Parents are regularly and are encouraged to explore invited to meet with the Reception and learn about the environment. teacher in the Michaelmas term while Haircuts & Jewellery: Haircuts must at the end of the Lent term, parents will always be sensible. Latest fashions, hair receive a written report. A separate in the eyes, shaved or very close cropped meeting is held at the end of the Summer term to feedback the Early Learning Goal cuts, spiked or dyed hair are not allowed.

Information Guide Reception

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Information Guide Lower Prep School Forms 1 to 4

LOWER PREP SCHOOL

FORMS 1 TO 4

INFORMATION GUIDE This section is designed to give a brief introduction to the essential ingredients of life at St. Edmund’s in Forms 1 to 4.

After School Clubs: Children can stay until 5.30pm every day of the week by joining our After School clubs. For children in Forms 1 and 2 staying for clubs, a healthy snack and drink is provided at 3.30pm. Optional pick up times are available after Fun for Free at 4.20pm and at 5.30pm after Late Club.

Booking is done via the Parent Portal and children must be pre-booked in advance otherwise your child may not be included in the planned activity that day. There is a small charge for The Late Club which is added to your termly fee accounts.

Fun for Free: 3.30pm to 4.20pm.

(Forms 1 and 2) Late Club: 4.20pm to 5.30pm.

(Forms 1 and 2) Activity or Prep: 4.20pm to 5.30pm.

(Forms 3 and 4) – no booking required.

Arrangement of Classes: In Lower Prep the children attend full-time until 4.20pm and move from class to class with their year group each September. Only in very exceptional circumstances do children move out of their chronological year group.

Assemblies: Lower Prep have their assemblies on Friday mornings. Children taking part in an assembly may be asked by their Form Taker to arrive at a specific time so that they are in place ready to start promptly at 8.30am. Parents are welcome to attend their child’s assembly.

Being Independent: Proficiency in selfcare skills can make life much easier for our younger children as they join Form 1. Any steps towards independence taken at home really help the children when they arrive at

Information Guide Lower Prep School Forms 1 to 4

DEPUTY HEAD (ACADEMIC)

Mr RMA Taylor rmat@saintedmunds.co.uk

DEPUTY HEAD (PREP PASTORAL)

Mr H Bowen-Perkins hbp@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEADS OF FORMS 1 TO 4 (LOWER PREP)

Mrs K Taylor kt@saintedmunds.co.uk Mr J Church jmc@saintedmunds.co.uk

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the beginning of term e.g. using cutlery and getting changed in and out of their uniform for games lessons.

Books: Children in Lower Prep take their reading books home daily and we ask that an adult hear the children read most nights. The children in Forms 1 and 2 are also encouraged to choose and take home books from our library during weekly library sessions.

Communication: Whilst written reports and parent evenings are important, St. Edmund’s also recognises the significance of the Form Taker for Forms 1 to 4 as they also act as a Tutor to their Form.

The Form Taker is the first point of contact for parents.

Appointments can be easily arranged for after school and an email is the preferred choice of written communication. The children’s happiness is very important to us so please do tell us of any problems as they arise, however trivial they may seem.

Curriculum: We aim to provide a curriculum that allows all our pupils to access a broad and balanced timetable so that the children can develop confidence, become morally aware, enjoy their school life and acquire skills to allow a smooth transition to the next stage of their education. Small teaching groups mean that our staff develop a close working relationship with their pupils. Structured play in Forms 1 and 2 enable the children to practise, consolidate and extend their previous learning and experiences. All pupils receive lessons in the following subjects within their weekly timetable: (Forms 1 and 2) English, Mathematics, Science, Sport, LOTC (Learning outside the classroom), French, ICT, Topic Work, Art, RS (Religious Studies) and Music.

(Forms 3 and 4) English, Maths, French, Science, RS, History, Geography, ICT, DT (Design & Technology), LOTC, Drama, Food Technology, Art, Music and Sport Forms 3 and 4 have a story with the Headmaster every Friday afternoon. Each Form also has PSHE lessons (Personal, Social & Health Education). This covers a huge variety of topics ranging from manners to moral and health education.

The Lower Prep Forms are composed as mixed ability groups and the year groups are mixed every new academic year.

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Daily Routine: Children can arrive from 7.45am and can go to a designated room to be supervised until 8.15am when they can go to their Form rooms. Registration is at 8.20am.

For Forms 1 and 2 the school day ends at 3.15pm but there is the option to join “Fun for Free” and stay until 4.20pm at no extra cost. Children can also stay until 5.30pm by joining Late Club at a small additional charge.

For Forms 3 and 4 the school day ends at 4.20pm with an optional finish time of 5.30pm. From 4.20pm to 5.30pm every day the children may participate in a wide range of after school activities or prep. The school buses depart at 5.40pm each day except on a Friday when they leave at 4.40pm. Please notify the School Office if you are unexpectedly delayed for 5.30pm pick-up.

Examinations: All children from Form 1 upwards are assessed using GL Progress tests and from Form 2 upwards they are assessed using CAT4. Other tests for monitoring progress are also used on a regular basis.

Games and Activities: In the Lower Prep, the focus remains on the enjoyment of sport but there is more emphasis on developing the skills and techniques for our core sport,s as well as continuing the

Information Guide Lower Prep School Forms 1 to 4

development of the children’s motor skills.

Through a progressive curriculum, pupils are introduced to core sports such as football, netball, hockey, rugby, and cricket, gradually honing their skills and understanding of game strategy. Emphasis is placed not only on individual development but also on fostering teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship.

As the pupils reach Forms 3 and 4, they have the opportunity to participate in matches against other schools every week on a Thursday afternoon. We are fortunate to have an indoor heated swimming pool and children in Forms 1 and 2 have weekly timetabled swimming lessons while Forms 3 and 4 swim regularly in their games lessons.

Beyond the regular curriculum, afterschool clubs and extra-curricular clubs offer additional opportunities for pupils to explore their interests. At St. Edmund’s we offer various sports clubs: swimming, tennis, athletics, basketball, team games and cross country, as well as judo, golf, tennis and mountain biking which parents can book at an additional cost on the Parent Portal at the start of term. Chess Club, Lego Club and Coding Club are also offered as after school activities. The school swim squad and run club train on chosen afternoons at 4.40pm. For more information on these please visit the Parent Portal or email the School Secretary.

Haircuts & Jewellery: Haircuts must always be sensible. Latest fashions, hair

in the eyes, shaved or very close cropped cuts, spiked or dyed hair are not allowed.

For boys, hair should be cut above the eyebrows, ears and collars. Boys and girls must keep their hair tied/clipped back if it reaches their shoulders. Hair ties/ribbons should be simple and navy. Pupils are not allowed to wear jewellery, nor hair products such as gel or wax.

so we recommend you check before you travel or make after school arrangements.

If your child is playing a fixture against another school they may be collected and taken home after the fixture provided that they do not have any further School commitments. In the case of a ‘home’ fixture the children are free to leave after the opposing team have departed, at approximately 4.20pm. In the case of an Earrings should not be worn in the ‘away’ fixture pupils are free to leave after Lower Prep.

Match Tea. Please ensure that you inform Children are allowed to wear a watch if it has the member of staff responsible for the a digital or numbered face. Smart watches team that you are taking your child home. are not allowed to be worn in School.

Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are not Homework: In Forms 1 and 2 we allowed in the Lower Prep. If children encourage the children to do reading need to contact their parents during the and spelling revision at home. In Forms School day they should go to the School 1 to 4 the children learn spellings and the Office for assistance. older children practice their multiplication Music & Drama: There is great scope tables. During holidays Forms 3 and 4 for the children to participate in Music in may receive optional homework tasks to keep their skills sharp. Show-ups and plus the Lower Prep School. In Forms 1 and 2, children have a music lesson each week points are often awarded as rewards. and individual instrumental tuition can Matches (Forms 3 and 4 only): Sports also be arranged. matches against other schools in Forms 3 Pupils in Forms 3 and 4 can take part and 4 take place on Thursday afternoons. in Music Technology, as well as join the In order to see whether your child has numerous choirs and orchestras available. been chosen for a team, you will need Our esteemed Little Chapel Choir, ‘The to access SOCS, our sports app, via the Probationers,’ is made up of our Form 3 School website under the Sports section.

Details of fixtures, including the time, and 4 pupils. Individual music and voice location and teams are updated regularly lessons can be taken with peripatetic

Music teachers who visit the school and are taken on a rolling two-week schedule to avoid the children missing the same lesson every week. Booking information for lessons is sent out to parents at the beginning of every term.

Forms 3 and 4 have Drama lessons where they prepare for productions that take place during the year.

LAMDA (London Academy of Musical and Dramatic Arts) is also offered as a co-curricular option from Form 3. Private lessons are available by arrangement.

Please email Mrs J Darrington on j.darrington@saintedmunds.co.uk for more information.

Playtimes: Play is a vital part of our younger children’s education but can be daunting for our younger children so children in Forms 1 and 2 have different play areas from the rest of the Prep School. Outdoor toys are available to ensure that playtimes are fun. Forms 1 and 2 also have their own protected time on our newly installed adventure playground.

Reporting to Parents: The pattern of reporting at St. Edmund’s is as follows: Forms 1 and 2: Parents receive a written report at the end the Michaelmas and Summer terms. Parents are invited to meet with their child’s Form takers and specialist music and language teachers during the Michaelmas and Summer terms.

Forms 3 and 4: Reports are published each academic year on the Parent Portal. These take the form of: ‘Symbols’ which are issued every half term and include effort grades and targets from the teachers of the major subjects. This information is used by a child’s Form taker who acts as their Tutor to discuss progress with them and to set appropriate targets.

The effort grades and the Tutor’s targets are recorded on the children’s Divisional Cards.

Reports are published on the Parent Portal and include details of general progress academically and pastorally as well as a brief résumé of the child’s activities so far that term.

Parents are invited to attend two parents’ evenings per academic year for Forms 3 and 4. Parents are informed when time slots are released for booking, with instructions on how to book.

Information Guide Lower Prep School Forms 1 to 4

15

Rewards and Sanctions: A Divisional card system is used for both rewards and sanctions. Rewards are called ‘plus points’ and are awarded by members of staff for academic work, effort, sporting achievement and participation, and for displaying an excellent or helpful attitude outside the Form room. Pupils in Forms 3 and 4 carry cards with them to record the plus points.

When a pupil has collected ten plus points on their card they are awarded a ‘star’.

They then present this to the Headmaster and receive a sticker (Form 1 and 2), a ball in their Divisional colour which goes down a ball tube and a treat known as ‘stodge’; alternatively they can opt to donate their stodge to charity. Children in Forms 3 & 4 can also opt to receive tokens to spend in the Headmaster’s shop.

Similarly, pupils in Forms 3 and 4 can be awarded a ‘minus’. A minus is given when a child has not behaved as is expected at School. Five minus points make a stripe, which must also be presented to the Headmaster and the points are deducted from the Divisional total. Stripes are a rare occurence.

Divisional cards are handed in every fortnight when a new set of cards is distributed.

Saturday Activities: Saturday Activities normally runs every other week and booking is open from the Wednesday beforehand for children to sign up to join a range of activities which take place between 9.30am-1.00pm. The variety of activities changes throughout the term but regularly includes woods and camp craft, swimming, archery, cookery, wide

games, model making, and mountain biking.

Children attend in their home clothes and a tuck shop is available during the break where they can spend a maximum of £2.

Sports Clothes: All sports clothing should be brought in clean on a Monday morning and hung outside their classroom for Forms 1 and 2, or in the appropriate changing room for Forms 3 and 4. This includes swimming kit. Pupils must take their kit home for washing on a Friday evening. Studs on boots must carry a safety kite mark. Gum-shields are compulsory for pupils playing rugby and hockey and shin pads are also compulsory for football and hockey.

Stationery: All pupils in each year group use a St. Edmund’s school bag for their books and stationery which can be purchased from Stevensons, our uniform supplier.

Reception, Forms 1 and 2: The school provides all necessary stationery with reading, spelling and library books kept in School book bags.

Forms 3 and 4: The school provides all exercise books and folders. Pupils should bring to school coloured pencils and at least two HB pencils, a rubber, pencil sharpener in a named pencil case and a 30cm ruler.

Children in Forms 3 and 4 will also need a named 2ltr Tupperware container for Food Technology lessons to be brought to school on the day of the Food Technology lesson.

Travel, Pick-up & Drop-off: The School operates a ‘kiss and drop’ procedure for morning drop-offs, whereby parents should remain in their car and drop off their child at the relevant point. Parents should also remain in their car and follow the loop for pick-up from the relevant location at 4.20pm or 5.30pm.

In brief, these pick-up/drop-off locations are: Forms 1 & 2: Puntabout car park for dropoff and EYFS car park for 3.15pm pick-up.

A member of staff will be present in the EYFS car park.

Forms 3 & 4: Puntabout near Puntablock Please notify the School Office if you are unexpectedly delayed for drop-off or pick-up.

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Information Guide Lower Prep School Forms 1 to 4

Back to contents

PREP SCHOOL

FORMS 5 TO 8

INFORMATION GUIDE This section is designed to give a brief introduction to the essential ingredients of life at St. Edmund’s in Forms 5 to 8.

Communication: The role of the Form Taker from Forms 5 to 8 is to register the pupils at 8.20am every morning. In Forms 5 and 6 the Form Taker is also the child’s personal Tutor who is responsible for their tutee’s academic and pastoral needs and is the first point of contact for parents.

Pupils in Form 7 and 8 have another member of staff who is their personal Tutor.

Pupils meet with their personal Tutor several times a week between 8.30am and 8.50am before lessons start.

Individual subject teachers, Form Takers or Tutors can be contacted either via the School Office, or by email. If you need to see a member of staff, a formal appointment should be made beforehand. A child’s Tutor should be the first port of call for any academic or pastoral matters.

Internal communication with parents is via email so please keep the School Office upto-date with any changes to contact details.

Curriculum: Pupils have lessons in the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Food Technology, French, History, Geography, Spanish, Religious Studies, Drama, Art, Music, Technology (incorporating Information Technology and Design Technology), Classical Civilisation, (Form 6 upwards), Computer Science (Form 7 upwards), Latin (Form 7 upwards) as well as Physical Education and Sport Science (Form 8 upwards). All subjects are taught by subject specialists.

Forms 5 to 8 are mixed ability and they are reorganised each academic year to foster social interaction. From Form 5 all

Information Guide Prep School Forms 5 to 8

DEPUTY HEAD (PREP ACADEMIC)

Mr RMA Taylor rmat@saintedmunds.co.uk

DEPUTY HEAD (PREP PASTORAL)

Mr H Bowen-Perkins hbp@saintedmunds.co.uk

DIRECTOR OF GIRLS

Mrs S Richardson s.richardson@saintedmunds.co.uk

HEAD OF GIRLS FORMS 5 & 6

Mrs S Penfold s.penfold@saintedmunds.co.uk

HEAD OF GIRLS FORMS 7 & 8

Mrs M Morrissey m.morrissey@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD OF FORM 5

Mr S van Oudtshoorn svo@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD OF FORM 6

Mrs K Lyall k.lyall@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD OF FORM 7

Mr P Messina pmm@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD OF FORM 8

Mr P Chichester pc@saintedmunds.co.uk

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teaching is by subject specialists and pupils are taught in academic differentiated sets for core subjects and not their Form groups. The use of academic setting increases as the children progress further up the School. Setting allows the children to receive their teaching at a pace appropriate to their ability and learning style. Each pupil has a bespoke timetable.

Each Form has Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) during the term. This subject covers a huge variety of topics ranging from manners to moral and health education. St. Edmund’s has its own Statement of Academic Policy which is available on request from the Deputy Head (Prep Academic).

Daily Routine: All Form groups are welcomed into their classrooms from 8.15am with registration promptly at 8.20am. Pupils who arrive in school earlier than 8.15am (from 7.45am) will be supervised in a designated area of the school.

The school day ends at 4.20pm with an optional finish time of 5.30pm. From 4.20pm to 5.30pm every day the children may participate in a wide range of after school activities or prep.

The school buses depart at 5.40pm each day except on a Friday when they leave at 4.40pm. Please notify the School Office if you are unexpectedly delayed for 5.30pm pick-up.

Examinations: At certain points in the school years, there are exams for pupils in Forms 5 to 8. The timings of these are communicated to parents via the School Calendar, and more specific information is sent out to parents in the weeks beforehand. St. Edmund’s does not, as a matter of policy, release actual or practice examination papers (except when set as part of homework or revision) and ask that parents do not purchase practice papers for use at home without consulting first with the relevant Head of Department.

Games and Activities: In the Prep School, games lessons are structured to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for team sports but also to instil a deep enjoyment and love for physical activity. All pupils in Forms 5 to 8 have games lessons four days a week, with competitive matches played on a Wednesday afternoon for all pupils.

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Information Guide Prep School Forms 5 to 8

As well as our core sports, pupils also have the opportunity to try a wide variety of activities such as basketball, swimming, athletics, rounders, American football, triathlon, trampolining and gymnastics.

There is also the option available to receive coaching from external specialists in golf, judo, tennis and mountain biking.

These sessions take place in the Friday games lesson. Additionally, our afterschool clubs offer opportunities for further skill development and enjoyment, allowing pupils to pursue their interests in specific sports outside of regular curriculum hours.

Haircuts & Jewellery: Haircuts must always be sensible. Latest fashions, hair in the eyes, shaved or very close cropped cuts, spiked or dyed hair are not allowed.

For boys, hair should be cut above the eyebrows, ears and collars. Boys and girls must keep their hair tied/clipped back if it reaches their shoulders. Hair ties/ribbons should be simple and navy. Pupils are not allowed to wear jewellery, nor hair products such as gel or wax.

Skirts for girls in Forms 5-8 should be no more than 1 inch above the knee.

If girls desire to get their ears pierced, it is expected that this is arranged within the summer holidays so that studs can be removed for school in September. Earrings should not be worn at School in Forms 5 and 6 and only a small round gold or silver stud may be worn at School in Forms 7 and 8.

Matches: Matches generally take place on Wednesday afternoons. In order to see whether your child has been chosen for a team, you will need to access SOCS, our sports app, via the School website. Details of fixtures, including the time, location and teams are updated regularly so we recommend you check before you travel or make after school arrangements.

Children in Forms 5-8 should come into school in their match kit on a Wednesday morning If your child is playing a fixture against another School they may be collected and taken home after the fixture provided that they do not have any further School commitments. In the case of a ‘home’ fixture the children are free to leave after the opposing team has departed, at approximately 4.20pm. In the case of an ‘away’ fixture pupils are free to leave after Match Tea. Please ensure that you inform the member of staff responsible for the team that you are taking your child home.

Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are not allowed in the Prep School. If children need to contact their parents during, or at the end of the School day they should go to the School office for assistance.

There are some circumstances whereby permission may be granted for a child to bring their mobile phone into school with them for safeguarding reasons; for

Choir participate in a choir tour once Reporting to Parents: The pattern of every two years, other local musical festivals reporting at St. Edmund’s is as follows: and competitions and on local radio.

Symbols are issued every half term and include effort grades, achievement grades Form lessons for Drama are included and comments from teachers of the major in the weekly timetable and LAMDA subjects. This information is used by their is available as a co-curricular subject.

Children work towards Form productions, Personal Tutors to discuss progress with Music/Drama/Dance: For children individual pupils and to set appropriate participate in Drama workshops, prepare in Form 5 upwards, there are lots of targets. The effort grades and the Tutor’s for their class assemblies and learn about choirs and orchestras available to join. targets are recorded on the children’s theatre productions. All children have Participation in the most selective choir, the the chance to participate fully in School Divisional cards. You will be notified by the Chapel Choir, requires success at audition. productions. These productions involve School office when Symbols are available to view. the close cooperation between the Drama All pupils who learn an orchestral and Music departments since they are instrument in Forms 5 to 11 are invited Reports are usually published at the end usually musicals or musical theatre pieces. of term on the Parent Portal area of the to be part of the School orchestra, a large ensemble that rehearses weekly. All children Private LAMDA (London Academy of School website but different Form groups Musical and Dramatic Arts) lessons are are encouraged to join one of our choirs, have different reporting structures each available by arrangement. Please email and individual music and voice lessons are term. Please contact Deputy Head (Prep Mrs J Darrington on j.darrington@ taken with peripatetic Music teachers who Academic), Mr R Taylor for further details. saintedmunds.co.uk for information. visit the school and are taken on a rolling two week schedule to avoid the children Rewards and Sanctions: A Divisional Parent’s Evening: There is a formal missing the same lesson every week. card system is used for both rewards Parent’s Evening for your child every other Booking information for lessons is sent out term to discuss their work with their subject and sanctions. The rewards are called to parents at the beginning of every term.

‘Plus Points’ and are given by members teachers. If, however there is a particular of staff for academic work, effort, problem you wish to discuss, please do The children have the opportunity to sporting achievement and participation not hesitate to make an appointment at an perform in regular choral and musical concerts both to the School community alternative time with the teacher concerned, and for displaying an excellent or helpful attitude outside the classroom. and often to a wider audience. The Chapel or your child’s Personal Tutor. example lone walking to school/bus stop.

If permission is granted, your child must sign in their phone with the School office on arrival. To obtain permission for your child to bring a mobile phone into school with them, please email the Deputy Head, Mr S Barnes.

Information Guide Prep School Forms 5 to 8

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Studs on boots must carry a safety kite mark and gum-shields are compulsory for pupils playing rugby and hockey. Shin pads are compulsory for football and hockey for both boys and girls. Pupils must wear clean and tidy match kit for matches as they are representing the school against other schools. Children in Forms 5 to 8 should come into school in match kit on a Wednesday morning ready for matches that day but must also have a spare change of kit in case of bad weather.

Stationery: The School provides all exercise books, folders and prep diaries. Pupils should bring to School a blue handwriting pen or blue ink fountain pen (not a biro), coloured pencils and at least two HB pencils, a rubber, pencil sharpener, Pritt stick and 30cm ruler. In addition, departmental requirements are: Maths: Forms 5 & 6 require a basic calculator, Forms 7 & 8 require a pair of compasses, a protractor and a scientific calculator (eg. the Casio Classwiz FX83 GTCW or FX85 GTCW.) Food Tech: Forms 5 to 8 require a named 2ltr Tupperware container for Food Technology lessons.

When a pupil has collected ten ‘Plus Points’ on their ‘Card’ they are awarded a ‘Star’, which they present to the Headmaster who gives them a ball in their Divisional colour and a treat (‘stodge’). ‘Stodge’ can be traded for ‘Headmaster points’ and used to buy things from the ‘Headmaster’s shop’ or to make a donation to Charity. The balls are added to the total in the Divisional tubes in the Playroom (the area outside the Chapel).

The cards are taken in after a fortnight and a new set of ‘Cards’ is distributed. The children carry their ‘Cards’ with them at all times.

Similarly, a pupil can be awarded a ‘Minus’ point which is given when a child has not behaved as is expected at School. Five ‘Minus’ points create a ‘Stripe’ which must also be presented to the Headmaster, the points are deducted from the Divisional total and an explanation of the infringements are sent home for parental signature.

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Information Guide Prep School Forms 5 to 8

Back to contents

Saturday Activities: Saturday Activities normally runs every other week and booking is open from the Wednesday beforehand for children to sign up to join a range of activities which take place between 9.30am-1.00pm. The variety of activities changes throughout the term but regularly includes woods and camp craft, swimming, archery, cookery, wide games, model making, and mountain biking. Children attend in their home clothes and a tuck shop is available during the break where they can spend a maximum of £2.

Sports Clothes: All sports clothing should be brought in clean on Monday morning – this includes swimming kit. Pupils must take their kit home for washing on a Friday but it should be in school every day. Swimming kit must also be in school every day.

Travel, Pick-up & Drop-off: The main entrance to the School is from the A333 Portsmouth Road which may be used to enter the School site. A one way system operates and the exit from the School site is via Crossways Road when departing the School. Drivers are requested to ensure that they maintain a slow and safe speed when driving on School property.

The School operates a ‘kiss and drop’ procedure for morning drop-offs, whereby parents should remain in their car and drop off their child at the relevant point.

Parents should also remain in their car and follow the loop for pick-up from the relevant location at 4.20pm or 5.30pm.

In brief, these pick-up/drop-off locations are: Forms 5 & 6: Puntablock near Auden Building Form 7 & 8: Netball Courts Parents will be notified if these locations change. Please notify the School Office if you are unexpectedly delayed for drop-off or pick-up.

SENIOR SCHOOL

FORMS 9 TO 11

INFORMATION GUIDE This section is designed to give a brief introduction to the essential ingredients of life at St. Edmund’s in Forms 9 to 11.

Academic Clinics: Academic Clinics run Monday to Thursday from 4.40pm to 5.30pm during term time. Pupils will either be asked to attend by their teacher, or may choose to attend for additional support.

Academic Planner: All pupils in Forms 9 to 11 will receive an Academic Planner.

This is where pupils will record Targets and Merits. It also contains key school information for pupils.

Clubs and Activities: During the week there is a timetabled activities session, where pupils will take part in a variety of activities to enrich and supplement their academic learning. These range from outdoor opportunities, community projects, study skills sessions and survival skills. There is also a comprehensive ‘clubs programme’ on offer for Senior pupils, including: Run Club, Rugby 7’s, Tennis, Girls Football, DT, Drama, Art, STEM Club, Rock Choir and Fitness Bootcamp.

Communication: The role of the Form Taker is to register the pupils between 8.15am and 8.20am every morning, as well as lead the teaching of PSHE and the preparation of some in-class events.

The most important person for you and your child is their Personal Tutor. They are responsible for having an overview of a pupil’s academic and pastoral needs and is the first point of contact for parents. Tutor groups are usually 10 pupils in size and meet twice a week. If there is an issue for a pupil which requires further attention, one of the Deputy Heads or the Headmaster will assist.

For Senior Pastoral matters please contact

Information Guide Senior School Forms 9 to 11

DEPUTY HEAD (SENIOR PASTORAL)

Mrs J Weetman j.weetman@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD (SENIOR PASTORAL)

Mr S Woodger s.woodger@saintedmunds.co.uk

DEPUTY HEAD (SENIOR ACADEMIC)

Mr S Hyett sh@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD (SENIOR ACADEMIC)

Mrs K Newens k.newens@saintedmunds.co.uk

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL LEARNING

Dr J Carlin jc@saintedmunds.co.uk

DIRECTOR OF GIRLS

Mrs S Richardson s.richardson@saintedmunds.co.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SENIOR GIRLS

Mrs S Le Guyader s.leguyader@saintedmunds.co.uk

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Mrs J Weetman and for Senior Academic matters please contact Mr S Hyett.

Enrichment: From the start of Form 9 until the January of Form 11, pupils take part in a varied Enrichment Programme Individual subject teachers, Form Takers (which focuses on Sports, Community, or Tutors can be contacted either via Hobbies, Outdoor Opportunities and the School Office or by email. Internal communication with parents is via email so Life Skills). The Enrichment Programme recognises that preparing young people for please keep the School Office up to date the world today requires more than just a with any changes to contact details. string of excellent exam results. As a tightknit community we seek to develop pupils’ Daily Routine: All Form groups are individual strengths and help them acquire welcomed into their form rooms from the qualities needed for success: resilience, 8.15am with registration promptly at resourcefulness, adaptability, ambition and 8.20am. Pupils who arrive at school earlier than 8.15am (from 7.45am) are emotional intelligence. expected to wait in their form rooms Examinations: There are examinations where they will be supervised. The school for pupils in Form 9 in the Michaelmas timetable runs to 5.30pm with an optional and Summer terms. All pupils are finish time of 4.40pm if preferred. From assessed using the CAT4 test in the 4.40pm to 5.30pm every day, the pupils Michaelmas term. Other tests for may remain in school for supervised prep diagnostic and/or monitoring progress are and /or Academic Clinics. also used on a regular basis. In Forms 10 and 11, examinations take place in the Duke of Edinburgh: Form 9 pupils will Lent and Summer terms. St. Edmund’s be invited to take part in completing does not, as a matter of policy, release the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. actual or practice examination papers For those pupils who pass their Bronze (except when set as part of homework Award they will be invited in Form 10 to or revision). complete their Silver Award.

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Information Guide Senior School Forms 9 to 11

Future Schools: References for Sixth Form and Future Schools are arranged through the Deputy Head (Senior Academic), Simon Hyett.

Games: In our Senior School, games lessons are designed to offer a diverse range of options alongside the core sports. All pupils in the Senior School have games lessons four days a week with matches played on Tuesday afternoon.

While football, netball, hockey, rugby, and cricket remain integral components of our curriculum, we also provide opportunities for pupils to explore alternative activities such as tennis, basketball, waterpolo, athletics, swimming, and even nontraditional sports like ultimate frisbee or capture the flag. This inclusive approach ensures that every pupil can find a sport or activity that resonates with them, fostering a sense of enjoyment and fulfilment in being active.

Additionally, we offer elite level sport and scholarship training programmes for pupils who demonstrate exceptional talent and dedication in sport, providing them with specialised coaching and support to reach

their full potential. We are fortunate to have both an indoor heated pool and one of the oldest established school golf courses in the country, the mountain bike trail, astroturf and Farley Hall all enhance the sports facilities that we have here on site.

Grayshott Visits: Pupils are permitted to visit Grayshott village during their lunch break on two occasions per half term. In addition, each time a pupil accumulates three Merits, they are awarded an additional village pass. Pupils must abide by the school rules for visiting Grayshott at all times during their visit, and must sign out and in with the member of staff on duty. Poor work or behaviour may lead to the removal of this privilege for a period of time.

Haircuts & Jewellery: Girls • Should wear only the approved uniform, from Stevensons, the school outfitters.

• Shoes should be plain black with a heel of no more than an inch. Ballet pump style shoes are not permitted.

• Skirts should be worn on the waist and not rolled over. The length should be no shorter than 1 inch above the knee.

• Should wear navy blue tights (40 denier or above) or navy blue ankle socks.

• May wear one pair of plain, small, stud earrings in the bottom of the lobe of their ear. These must be removed before playing sport. No other piercings are allowed.

• May wear a watch.

• Hair should be out of the eyes and kept tidy at all times. Bright or gaudy hair accessories of any kind are not permitted. Any hair colours/highlights should be in natural shades.

Boys • Should wear only the approved school from Stevensons, the school outfitters.

• Should wear plain black shoes, with a heel that is distinct from the sole (trainer style or Velcro fastening shoes should not be worn.)

• Should wear only plain black ankle socks.

• May wear a watch.

• Shirts must be tucked in, top buttons on shirts done up and ties pulled up at all times (in warm conditions, this may be relaxed as appropriate).

• Haircuts should always be sensible.

It should be cut above the eyebrows, ears and collar. Latest fashions, dyed,

Information Guide Senior School Forms 9 to 11

shaved or very close cropped cuts are not permitted. Gel or wax should not be used to create unnatural looking hair styles.

• Clean shaven.

Boys and Girls The following are not allowed: • No rings or bracelets (with the exception of medical bracelets) may be worn.

• Facial or body piercings.

• Charity bands or any other form of fashion accessory.

• Badges or brooches of any kind apart from those awarded by school.

• Tattoos.

• Fake tan.

• Make-up, false eye lashes, nail varnish, gel or acrylic nails.

• Hair extensions, braided hair, with beads or fashion accessories.

Any unauthorised jewellery worn to School will be confiscated. Anyone wearing make-up will be asked to remove it. The guidelines for dress and appearance are in the pupils’ Academic Planner and a detailed Uniform Policy is available from the School Office.

Mobile Devices for Learning: Senior pupils are required to purchase a specified Microsoft Surface device to use in lessons when they enter the Senior School in Form 9. Please contact Dr Carlin, Director of Digital Learning, jc@saintedmunds.co.uk for further information.

Mobile Phones: Pupils may bring their mobile phones to school, provided that they and their parents have signed and returned the Acceptable Use Policy. The phones are signed in with their Form Taker each morning and signed out when the pupil leaves for the day. Mobile phones are not permitted in lessons. If pupils need to contact their parents during the school day, they should go to the School Office for assistance. Any abuse of mobile phones will lead to appropriate sanctions which are likely to include the confiscation of the mobile phone for a period of time.

Parents’ Evening: Seniors have a formal Parents’ Evening every two terms Parents are expected to attend with their child. If, however, there is a particular problem you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to make an appointment at an alternative time with the teacher concerned, your

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child’s Tutor or one of the Senior School Deputy Heads.

Prep: Pupils will normally be set prep in every subject every week. Each prep is expected to take 20-30 minutes in Form 9, 30-45 minutes in Form 10 and 45-60 minutes in Form 11. At least 48 hours will be given to complete them. Prep is set on MS Teams and there is a prep schedule that indicates which nights are allocated to each subject; however, pupils are free to organise their own study time to work around any other commitments they may have as long as the work is handed in on time. Pupils will be able to stay at school every day between 4.40pm and 5.30pm to complete prep in a supervised session, but it is the expectation that some work will need to be completed at home each night. If your child regularly struggles to complete their prep within the time set, please inform the Subject Teacher or the Personal Tutor.

Reporting to Parents: The pattern of reporting for Form 9 to 11 at St. Edmund’s is as follows: Parents are updated on pupil progress every half term. This takes the form of a written report or a Parents’ Evening.

Reports are not provided in a half term where a Parents’ Evening has taken place.

Written reports include effort grades and comments or targets from teachers.

From July of Form 9 onwards, “Challenge Grades” and “Working At Grades” for I/ GCSEs are also given to indicate current progress and what teachers believe pupils can potentially achieve. Written reports are published via the Parent Portal on the School Website and come in two formats, Progress Reports and End of Term Reports.

Progress Reports are issued after the first half of a term. If there is no end of term report for that form due to a parents’ evening Tutors will comment on details of general progress academically and pastorally as well as a brief resumé of the pupil’s activities so far that term.

Grayshott as a reward for sustained good behaviour, effort and/or achievement.

Sanctions may take the form of a restriction of privileges, discussions with the Teacher, Tutor, one of the Deputy Heads or Headmaster. A digital ‘Blue Slip’ system operates to record poor behaviour, late or sub-standard work.

In some cases, pupils may receive a detention or be placed on report. Poor work will need to be redone so that it meets the standards expected. Blue Slips are monitored initially by Tutors and then by the Deputy Head (Senior Pastoral).

Senior Academic Workshops: On designated Saturdays pupils in Forms 10 and 11 may attend Academic Workshops, End of Term Reports are issued at the end covering a range of subjects over the of the 2nd half of term and are longer course of the year. The session runs from more detailed reports. End of Term 9.30am to 1.00pm with four 50 minute Reports comment on attainment, exam sessions including a short break. Pupils results, effort and targets for improvement. do not have to wear uniform but must Leavers Reports replace the End of Term dress appropriately for a productive report in the Summer term of Form 11. work atmosphere with no revealing or inappropriate clothing.

Rewards and Sanctions: Outstanding work or other achievements will be Parents will be advised by the School recognised via a Merit recorded in the Office when they can sign their child up on Academic Planner. A digital reward the Parent Portal for the relevant sessions. system operates for good work or Whilst we are delighted for pupils to positive behaviour known as a ‘Green attend, please do let us know in advance Slip’. Five Green Slips are equivalent to so that teachers can ensure they have a Merit and these are collated by Tutors. planned their workshops and resources for Pupils are able to visit the nearby village of the appropriate number of pupils.

Stationery and Equipment: The school provides all exercise books, folders and academic planners. Pupils should bring to school a black or blue handwriting pen or a black or blue ink fountain pen (not a biro), coloured pencils and at least two HB pencils, a rubber, pencil sharpener and 30cm ruler. Please note all I/GCSE exams require a black pen. Senior pupils use a school rucksack for their books and stationery which can be purchased via Stevensons. In addition a pair of compasses, a protractor and a scientific calculator (we recommend the Casio Classwiz FX83 GTCW or FX85 GTCW) and a 30cm ruler is required for Maths.

Food Technology: GCSE Food Technology pupils require a named 2ltr Tupperware container for Food Technology lessons.

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Information Guide Senior School Forms 9 to 11

Back to contents

Main School House Main School W.H. Auden House (Prep School) W.H.Alliss Auden (Prep (Lower School) Prep) 32 The Building 3 The Alliss Building 4 Hunstanton (Senior(Lower School)Prep) 4 Hunstanton (Senior School) 5 Nursery Nursery 65 Jubilee Hall 6 Jubilee Hall 7 Staff Offices 22 22 7 Staff Offices 8 Dining Hall Dining HallPool 98 Swimming 12 12 Swimming 9 10 Top Fields Pool 10 Astro Top Fields 11 11 Science Astro Labs 12 66 12 SciencePitch Labs 13 Rugby 77 13 DT Rugby Pitch 14 Suite 14 Hard DT Suite 15 Courts 15 Music Hard Courts 16 Rooms 44 16 Lower Music Rooms 17 Fields, Football Pitch and Cross-Country Course 17 The Lower Fields, Football Pitch and Cross-Country Course 18 Woods 18 Main The Woods 19 Entrance 19 Nursery/Reception Main Entrance Car Park 20 20 Visitors Nursery/Reception 21 Parking Car andPark Match Day Car Park 21 The Visitors Parking and Match Day Car Park 22 Puntabout 22 The Puntabout 23 Music Room 23 Farley Music Room 24 Hall (Sports Hall, Music & Drama Studios) 24 Main FarleyEntrance Hall (Sports Hall, Music & Drama Studios) 25 (A333) 25 Main Entrance (A333) 26 Crossways Road Exit 26 Food Crossways Road Exit 27 Tech Room 27 Forest Food Tech Room 28 School 28 Farley Forest Hall School 29 Coach & Car Park 29 Farleycourse Hall Coach & Car Park 30 Golf 30 Chapel Golf course 31 31 Chapel

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