Welcome to The Grange School (Gowy)

Welcome to The Grange School

An Independent School for children aged 4-18 in the heart of Cheshire

We are so excited to welcome you and your family to our school community and hope that you are just as excited to join us.

I know that some of you may be feeling nervous about starting school. That’s okay! Everyone feels nervous sometimes. Just remember that you’re not alone. We’re all here to help you succeed. You are about to embark on an amazing new adventure. One where you are going to learn so much, meet new friends, and have many wonderful experiences.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you start the new school year:

Be yourself

There’s no one else in the world like you.

Be respectful

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Be curious

Ask questions and learn new things.

At The Grange, we are committed to providing a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment where all students can thrive. I believe that every student is unique and has something special to offer. We are confident that you will find a home at our school and I can’t wait to see all that you accomplish.

This welcome pack should provide you with all of the information you need about our school, however if there is anything that you are unsure about, or have questions on then please contact the School Office or speak to your Head of Year.

Dr Lorraine Earps Head, The Grange School

Your first week

Autumn Term starts for all students on Thursday 31st August, however you will be taking part in our Year 7 Activity Residential to Bewerley Park from 31st August until 2nd September. You and your parents or guardians should now have all of the details for this trip, but if there is anything else you need to know you can contact the Head of Year 7, Mr Cusick. His contact details can be found on page 15.

When you arrive at school on Monday 4th September, you will be welcomed at the main school entrance and taken to your form room for registration. Spend some time familarising yourself with this map of the school, as it’ll help as you find your way around in the first week.

Bradburns

BradburnsLane

Main school entrance

Dining Hall

Abi and Bede’s Garden

Ground Floor

First Floor

Timings for the school day

Morning Registration 8.45am

Form Period or Assembly 8.50am - 9.10am

Period 1 9.10am - 9.50am

Period 2 9.50am - 10.25am

Morning Break - 10.25am - 10.45am

Period 3 10.45am - 11.20am

Period 4 11.20am - 12 noon

Lunch Break - 12pm - 1.10pm

Period 5 1.10pm-1.50pm

Period 6 1.50pm - 2.25pm

Travel time 2.25pm - 2.30pm

Period 7 2.30pm - 3.05pm

Period 8 3.05pm - 3.45pm

Afternoon Registration 3.45pm - 3.50pm

What do I do at break time?

After the end of Period 2, you will have a morning break. During this time you can choose what you want to do:

• Spend time in your form room where other members of your form might be.

• Visit the school canteen to pick up a snack which you can eat there or underneath the canopy.

• Spend some time outdoors - there are benches by Abi and Bedes Memorial Garden, or outside the Sports Centre.

What about lunch?

There are lots of enrichment activities to get involved with and this is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and have fun. As we start each year, we recommend that you embrace the opportunity to try out a range of different activities - you can always decide that they are not for you and refine your choices later on. Some activities are scheduled over the lunch break, so you can make the most of the time between lessons.

You can also choose to spend time in your form room, get outdoors for some fresh air or head to the library to read. Whatever activity you choose, you will also need to make time to eat. There are a few options for lunch:

• ‘Grab and go’ food, such as ready made sandwiches are available from the theatre foyer.

• Hot food is available in the canteen and the menu changes daily. So whether it’s a baked potato and salad, a helping of freshly made lasagne or a warming bowl of soup, you will find something to fuel you for the afternoon. If you choose food from the canteen then you will need to eat it there.

• You can bring a packed lunch and this can be eaten either in the school dining hall or outside underneath the canopy.

What happens at the end of the school day?

The school day finishes at 3.50pm and after you have been to registration you can:

• Get involved in one of the enrichment activities that take place after school - if so, head straight to the activity and enjoy!

• If you travel home on a school bus, head towards the outside canopy to wait. Buses that have already arrived will be listed on the board and you can go to the front of the school and board your bus. Members of staff will be on duty to guide you. Buses leave at 4pm prompt so it is important to keep a close eye on the time.

• If you don’t catch a bus then you’re free to make your way home.

• If you are being picked up later, then you are welcome to wait in the library. Mr Neilson, the school’s Librarian will be there to supervise until 6pm. This is a quiet space so provides a good opportunity to get ahead with your homework. If there is a problem with pick up, your parents/guardians can contact Reception until 5pm to let a member of the leadership team know.

From a safety perspective, it is important that an adult is aware of where you are. You must be in one of the locations above - please do not walk off the school site and then return later on.

What enrichment activities can

I get involved with?

We offer an array of enrichment opportunities covering a wide range of interests. There are opportunities to help raise money for the school’s chosen charities, sharpen your debating skills with the Model United Nations, experiment at the science clubs, grow your own veg with the gardening club or scale new heights over at the climbing club, to name a few!

A priority timetable for Drama, Music and Sports will start up quickly, giving you chance to get stuck in right away. The enrichment options are launched at SocFest which happens in the second week at school. This is a fun event that takes place in the Senior Hall and is an opportunity for you to find out more about each of the different enrichment options from members of staff.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for then we encourage students to set up their own activity club - these are often very successful. Past examples have included a ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Card Game Club and Lego Club. If you are interested in setting up a club, or activity, then speak to your form tutor or Mrs Hackett who is the Director of Enrichment and Outreach at the school.

Who do I talk to if I have a problem?

The Grange is a friendly school. If you get lost or need help, do ask anyone - a student or a teacher - and they should be able to help you. Whilst we want you to be happy at school, there are times when things might not go according to plan. If this happens, it is important that you talk to someone:

• Your Form Tutor - they should be your first port of call as they will be best placed to guide you through what to do, or what happens next.

• Mr Cusick, your Head of Year.

• Peer support - this is a group of trained, older students who will be able to offer advice.

• Pupil support - this is an area where you can get specific advice.

• Mrs Eaton (Deputy Head) or any member of the leadership team.

Mobile phone policy

The use of mobile phones is not permitted at The Grange School. Studies have shown that the presence of a mobile phone can be a distraction from learning as attention is pulled away from the learning or task at hand. We encourage all of our students to be more independent of technology rather than relying on it.

We are also very aware that every interaction that you have online shapes your longterm ‘digital footprint’. As a school we are committed to supporting you to create the best digital footprint for future university, training and career prospects.

All students from Year 7 to Year 11 are required to hand in their mobile phones to form tutors at the start of the school day. These should be switched off but clearly labelled with your name. Mobile phones are stored in a locked safe in your form room throughout the day and when you finish lessons at 3.45pm you will return to your form room for afternoon registration and will have the opportunity to collect your phone before the end of the school day at 3.50pm.

If you know that you will be leaving before the end of the school day, for example for an appointment or a sports fixture, then you should hand your mobile phone in at the school’s Reception desk. This will be kept there securely for you to collect before you sign out and leave the school site.

Should they need to get a message to you, parents can still contact the school office during the school day and equally, if you wish to get in touch with your parents then you can do so through the school office or by reporting to your Head of Year who has access to a telephone in their office.

It is worth considering whether a mobile phone is needed in school at all. If you are concerned that you need a phone for before and/or after school for arranging pick up or for safety purposes then there are non-smart mobile phones available to buy from various retailers for less than £20.

House System

We want to help every child feel part of our community, to develop as people and to be able to make the most of the many fabulous opportunities on offer. Here at The Grange this comes in the form of the House system.

Our House system gives all students the chance to compete in creative, academic and sporting arenas and joins students and staff together across year groups. Each House is named after a Cheshire river and has its own mascot and personality. The four houses are Bollin, which is represented by a blue bear, Dane which is symbolised by a red dragon, Weaver who’s mascot is a yellow wolf and Gowy who are represented by a goat.

Your house is...

Gowy, with their new Head of House, Mr Smith, have made a complete turnaround, they have been battling away moving between first and second place for the House Shield this year.

The Gowy Goat values knowledge, self-enlightenment and truth, all virtues that have stood the House in good stead in the race for the House Shield this year.

What’s on offer?

There’s a wide range of competitions and activities to get involved in. If you enjoy sport you can get involved in friendly competitions in Football, Netball, Hockey, Rugby, Ergo, Tennis and many more. All for the glory of your House!

If, however, sporty endeavours are not your cup of tea, you can also get involved in more ‘cerebral’ competitions such as chess, scrabble or Sudoku. Or form part of the team in the ever-popular House Quiz event.

We also give you the opportunity to display your creative side through House Art, House Cookery and the House Literary competition. Whilst there are House competitions nearly every Thursday, there are some bigger “set-piece” events that happen every year.

House Music and House Drama

These events happen alternately each year. Each House performs a piece which is directed by Sixth Form students and anyone can, and does, join in whether they want a leading role or to be part of their House’s back stage crew. The final student-created spectaculars are then performed in the school’s Theatre in front of live audiences of fellow students and parents.

Sports Day

One of the final events of the school year is Sports Day. The atmosphere is always one of fun and friendly rivalry as students compete in the various athletic endeavours. With plenty of points on offer for the different events, this can often be where the House shield is won or lost!

Supporting is just as important as participation

You will attend weekly House meetings where you can find out about upcoming events and competitions. However, just as important as the participants in the competitions are the students who come to enthusiastically support their friends. So, whether participating as a competitor, or cheering-on from the side-lines, the message is “come along and get involved!”

Homework

In Year 7 you will receive two or three pieces of subject homework each evening. Each piece of homework should take about 20 minutes. Homework is currently uploaded onto Firefly so that it can be accessed using your device.

Lost property

Please ensure that your uniform and property is clearly named. You should report missing items in the first instance to your Form Tutor who will check the Lost Property log. At the end of term all items that have been named will be returned to the appropriate form tutors. Anything that remains unclaimed at the end of term will be sent for recycling.

Books and Stationery

Text and exercise books, as well as paper, are provided by subject departments within the School. Pupils are recommended to bring with them the following items:

• An approved electronic device - more details on this will follow

• A Scientific Calculator – recommended versions can be ordered via the Bursary

• Black or blue handwriting pens

• Pencils and rubber

• Coloured pencils

• 30cm ruler

• Highlighters

• Geometry set including set square, set of compasses

• Felt-tip pens

• A reading book

• You will also require a Lab Coat for Science and a striped navy apron for Food & Nutrition.

Medical information

The Grange School has an onsite nurse. If you feel unwell then you must visit the medical room to see the nurse or a trained first aider before being sent home sick. Please do not contact your parents yourself and ask to be collected. Your parents will have already provided us with details of any known medical conditions, which the nurses are able to access.

All pupils at the Grange carry their own emergency medication if deemed old enough and competent enough to do so. Please make sure that if you are carrying your own emergency medication, then you know where it is and how to use it. It is school policy that pupils with asthma must carry an emergency rescue inhaler (usually blue ventolin/ salbutamol) at all times.

The School cannot give out paracetamol or other painkillers without parental consent; therefore if you require painkillers while in school, a nurse or first aider team member will seek your parent or guardian’s consent by telephone before administering medication.

We are an Allergy Aware School and as such you must not bring any nuts or nutbased products into school (including pine nuts/pesto). If you have been diagnosed as anaphylactic or at high risk of anaphylaxis and carry emergency adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs), then you are required to have two in school at all times.

Small cuts and grazes can be dealt with by teachers using first aid kits located all around the school.

Term Dates

2023-2024

AUTUMN TERM – 2023

Term Starts Thursday 31st August 2023

Bewerley Park Thursday 31st August - Saturday 2nd September

Half Term Monday 16th October – Monday 30th October inclusive

INSET Monday 30th October 2023

Term Ends Wednesday 20th December 2023 (full day)

SPRING TERM – 2024

INSET/Entrance Exam Thursday 4th January 2024

INSET Friday 5th January 2024

Term Starts Monday 8th January 2024

Half Term Monday 19th – Friday 23rd February inclusive

Term Ends Thursday 28th March 2024 (full day)

SUMMER TERM – 2024

INSET Monday 15th April 2024

Term Starts Tuesday 16th April 2024

May Day Monday 6th May 2024 (Bank Holiday)

Half Term Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May inclusive

Term Ends Friday 5th July 2024 (full day)

Useful Contact Details

The Grange Senior School

Bradburns Lane

Hartford

Northwich

CW8 1LU

Main school number is 01606 533431

Email office@grange.org.uk

Head of Year 7

Mr Cusick

Ncusick@grange.org.uk

Head of Senior School

Mr Oakes

Roakes@grange.org.uk

Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Mrs Eaton

Heaton@grange.org.uk

School nurse

Nurses@grange.org.uk

You can follow school news on the school website and social media

www.grange.org.uk

Twitter

https://twitter.com/Grange_Cheshire

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/GrangeCheshire

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/grange_cheshire

YouTube

@TheGrangeSchoolCheshire