Westonbirt Parent & Guardian Handbook 2023-24 by Westonbirt School

Parent & Guardian Handbook 2023/24

Contents Introduction

Communication and Information

5-6

Term Dates

The School Day

8-9

Important School Dates

Absence

School Bus

Key Members of Staff

14-16

Staff List

16-17

Tutors

18-19

Keeping Track of Academic Progress

20-

- Prep

21-22

- Reports and Assessments, Parents' Evenings

23-25

- Examinations

26-33

- Scholarships

27-29

- Learning Support

30-31

- English as an Additional Language

32-33

Extracurricular / Co-Curricular Activities

34-56

Global Programmes

57-61

Uniform and Dress Code

62-71

Other Items – What to bring to school

Pastoral

73-79

- Meals and food allergies - Health and Wellbeing

- The Westonbirt Pupil & House System - Behaviour and Sanctions The Boarding Community

80-89

Introduction Dear Parents and Guardians, Thank you for taking time to read this Handbook. The purpose of this is to provide you with information about our senior school policies and how they are implemented at Westonbirt. It should also provide a clearer insight into the daily running of the school, to enable us to work together to ensure the wellbeing of your child. The Handbook is updated annually.

Inevitably, a number of the documents detailed here concern safety and discipline and you should be aware that they are implemented only when necessary. We believe that parents should be clear about how we react to problems and difficulties which arise in school and that transparency about our policies can only benefit everyone involved. Your child is introduced to these policies by their tutor and the pastoral staff, and they are readily available on our website as well as the parent portal. Information and guidance for pupils on all aspects of life at Westonbirt is also contained in the Student Handbook and for older pupils, the Sixth Form Handbook. I must emphasize that there are clear lines of communication available to you and we are always happy to directly discuss developments or issues that may arise through the year. We welcome parent involvement in the life of Westonbirt and value your support in our aim to achieve the school’s purpose of helping all students to fulfil their potential academically; to make the most of the enriching, extracurricular opportunities but most importantly, to do both of these as an engaged and wellmotivated members of the Westonbirt community.

Mrs Natasha Dangerfield Headmistress

COMMUNICATION Effective communication is one of our main priorities in school. General telephone enquiries should be directed in the first instance to the Senior School Receptionist (main school number) +44 1666 880 333. This telephone line is manned between 8:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday during term time and between 9:00 and 16:00 during the school holidays. Messages may be left at other times and will be checked regularly. Parents are encouraged to contact members of staff by email wherever possible. The email format follows the convention firstname.surname@westonbirtschool.uk For example, Paul Holland becomes: paul.holland@westonbirtschool.uk If you wish to contact The Headmistress, please use head@westonbirtschool.uk or contact her PA, Mrs Mitford via amy.mitford@westonbirtschool.uk

Once your child has started at Westonbirt, in the first instance please direct any communication to their form tutor or their houseparent. When emailing a tutor or houseparent, please allow up to 24 hours for a response, as staff can be teaching throughout the school day. If your matter is urgent, please contact Reception on 01666 880333 or email office@westonbirtschool.uk

Working with Parents We hope that you and your child will quickly feel part of the Westonbirt family and enjoy all we have to offer. You may be interested to know that we run a ‘Working with Parents Committee’ which meets with the Headmistress on a regular basis. Each year group has a parent representative, who will be in touch with you once term begins and then throughout the school year.

Should you be keen to represent your year group, or simply put a point forward to be raised at the next committee meeting please contact Mrs Amy Mitford, PA to the Headmistress at: amy.mitford@westonbirtschool.uk The representatives for 2023-24 are: Year 7: Mrs Rosa Brooks - rosawright25@yahoo.co.uk Year 8: Mrs Kerry Munson - kerry.munson@yahoo.co.uk Year 9: Mrs Rachel Jefferies – rachelbryson@hotmail.com Year 10: Mr James Robinson – jrrobinson@doctors.org.uk Year 11: Mrs Ruth Howell – rutheihowell@outlook.com Year 12: Mrs Maria Poll – pollmaria@aol.com Year 13: Mrs Helen DiMauro – hdm@curzonexec.com

Parent Directory If you wish to connect with other parents, you can use the parent directory feature of the parent portal. Navigate to https://westonbirt.myschoolportal.co.uk/showme/my-account and then to the Parent Directory tab under Personal Details. Opt in and then select from the options. For example, you can choose to show your email only, or to show your details only to users with children in your child's year group or tutor group. 5

INFORMATION Up to date information about school life, events and activities is provided via:

The Parent Portal https://westonbirt.myschoolportal.co.uk/ The parent portal is our secure parent website and allows you access to your child’s profile,including their timetable, school reports, sign-up forms, bulletins and announcements. Various useful documents are also stored here for your information. You will be sent your personal login details for the Parent Portal shortly before your child joins Westonbirt. Useful sections of the portal include: My Children – your child's day planner, timetable, house point and attendance record, homework (prep assignments) School Information – including the calendar, sports fixtures, documents, bulletin and newsletter links School Calendar – It is possible to view by day, week, month or term, in list or calendar view, and to filter by category, year group or events concerning your child.

Sports Results & Fixtures – details of fixtures and team sheets Parent Information – Parents' evening appointments, absence, leave requests and other forms. Clubs & Activities – sign up for extracurricular and weekend activities KS3 / KS4/5 Academic Information – subject summaries, revision guides and examination information

Billing Portal https://westonbirt.parents.isams.cloud/api/homepage/ The billing portal enables you to view your school fees and charges statements and pay invoices online.

The Weekly Bulletin A weekly update from the school office is sent via email to parents and guardians. This is an important source of information for the week ahead and includes letters pertaining to specific year groups.

The Weekly Newsletter This is a weekly celebration of news, awards and commendations. Staff nominate pupils four times a term for our celebration notices. These mail outs are also stored on the parent portal for reference.

The school website https://westonbirt.org/key-information/

TERM DATES 2023-24

THE SCHOOL DAY THE USUAL SCHOOL DAY ARRIVAL Day pupils should arrive by 8:10 each morning (8:35 on Saturdays) to register with their tutor group at 08:15.

Tutor group registration is an important part of school administration as well as a legal requirement. We therefore ask for parents’ cooperation in ensuring their child arrives on time. Any pupils arriving later than 8:20 should sign in at Reception. If a pupil fails to register by 9:00, the School is obliged to call the parents/guardians to ascertain the whereabouts of their child. Pupils should be dropped off and picked up in the Picadilly car park at the front of the main house, where the school buses also drop off. In order to manage traffic, the school operates a one-way system at drop-off and collection. Please enter the school grounds by the Main Gate (Bath Road) and exit at the East Gate (Bowldown Road). COLLECTION The end of the school day is 17:30 (school buses leave at 17:40). Parents and Guardians of students in Years 711 have the option to collect early (at 16:30) if pupils do not have an activity or other commitment, but we must have advance notice via the Early Collection Form

TIMINGS OF THE SCHOOL DAY

FIRST DAY OF TERM – NEW PUPILS New boarders should come to school on Tuesday 5th September (arriving by 5pm) to attend the new student induction on Wednesday 6th September. If parents are dropping off by car, you are welcome to have tea at school between 4pm and 4.30pm. All new Y7 and Y12 students should attend school on Tuesday 6th September at 9am. There will be a coffee morning for all parents of new students with the chance to meet key members of staff.

FIRST DAY OF TERM – CURRENT PUPILS Current boarders should arrive by 5pm on Wednesday 6th September. On Thursday 7th Sept term begins. From 8-8:10, all pupils should arrive at school, enteringvia Yeoman's Door or the Sixth Form Arch. The end of the school day is 17:30 (16:30 for those that have requested to leave early).

IMPORTANT SCHOOL DATES The school year is divided into three terms, each of which has a half-term break. There are also two fixed exeats each term. If your child is a boarder, he/she is also welcome to go out with friends and family when invited at weekends, providing school commitments have been met. The school term dates can be found on our website. https://westonbirt.org/key-information/ The full school calendar is available to parents and guardians to view on the parent portal. / https://westonbirt.myschoolportal.co.uk/login Exeats An exeat is a weekend on which pupils who are boarders leave school to spend time with their parents or guardians. There is no Saturday school on these weekends. There are two fixed exeats each term during which the school closes and all pupils must leave. The dates are given on each term’s school calendar. Exeats start at 4.30pm on Friday and boarding pupils should return between 17:00 and 19:00 on Sunday.

Boarders have the option to remain in school for exeats if they are unable to go to theirparent or guardian; please organise via the Head of Boarding. Obligatory Events As a school we are very proud of our history and, therefore there are some annual events, some of which are held on a Saturday, that we insist upon every pupil attending. These are specifically Open Days (7th October, 16th March), the Christmas Carol Service (13th December) and the prize giving ceremonies (Speech Day) at the end of the academic year (6th July). From time to time the Headmistress may deem other specific dates to be days of obligation for pupils and will endeavour to give as much advance notice as possible of these events.

ABSENCE Notification of absence due to illness should be made via the portal absence form or by email to

office@westonbirtschool.uk . The Senior School Reception telephone number is 01666 880333, but please note Reception can be very busy in the mornings! The telephone is not manned on Saturdays. LEAVE REQUESTS Requests for routine absences such as dental appointments should be made to the school office via the leave request form on the portal. Parents are strongly requested not to take their child out of school for any but the most necessary appointments.

For any other type of absence, permission must be sought from the Headmistress via the leave request form.

SATURDAYS The majority of our sports fixtures take place on Saturdays. All students have the opportunity to take part in the boarding activities programme, with sign up on the portal. A number of students will be asked to attend on Open Mornings and Key Stage 4 and 5 are expected to attend Speech Day at the end of the summer term.

SCHOOL BUS The school operates bespoke routes to and from Westonbirt. Each year, parents are contacted in advance so that routes can be planned according to requirements, and we therefore ask you to submit your request for school transport as soon as possible in order to assist with this.

Please be aware that routes run according to demand and therefore cannot be guaranteed from year to year. Please note: The school bus service does not operate on Saturdays. Transport is priced according to zone. No discount or refund can be given for any days when school transport is not used. Costs for school transport are invoiced termly, and a half term’s notice is required to terminate use of the service. Our school bus routes, flyer with costs, Bus Procedures and Code of Conduct can be found on our website. https://westonbirt.org/key-information/ The Transport Manager, Miss Clair Wilkinson, can be contacted through the following means, direct line 01666 881329, mobile 07919235410, or email: transport@westonbirtschool.uk clair.wilkinson@westonbirtschool.uk

Westonbirt Staff

KEY MEMBERS OF STAFF Mr Myles Nash Deputy Head (Pastoral) Myles joined Westonbirt in January 2024. With a rich background in boarding and the independent sector spanning two decades, Myles brings valuable experience to our community. As Deputy Head Pastoral, Myles believes in a taking a values-led approach to pastoral work, drawing on his understanding of the diverse experiences of students, both inside and beyond the classroom. The cultivation of character stems from the intricate tapestry that we create as a school community, enabling our students to become the best versions of themselves.

Mr Simon Balderson Deputy Head (Academic) As Deputy Head Academic since 2019, Simon is responsible for all academic matters. Simon has a particular interest in Artificial Intelligence and teaches Computer Science at Westonbirt. Simon lives with his wife, Lucy, and two boys, Toby and Rupert in Wells, Somerset.

Mrs Nicola Gill Assistant Head (Designated Safeguarding Lead) Nicola has been Safeguarding Lead since 2018. She joined the school in 2005 as Head of Geography and has also held the post of Head of Key Stage 3. Nicola’s role of Safeguarding Lead means that herpriority is the wellbeing of everyone in our community. To achieve this, she has an open-door policy allowing everyone to share their concerns.

Ms Helen Rogerson Assistant Head (Educational Operations, Staffing & Strategic Planning) Helen joined the school in 2012, holding the positions of Head of Science and Head of Key Stage 4 before becoming Assistant Headteacher in 2019. Helen enjoys discussing pedagogy with her colleagues or passing on her knowledge about how we learn best to Westonbirt students. Within the school, Helen leads the construction of the timetable and is the person to speak to about GCSE and A-level options and subject choices.

Mrs Lisa Bradbury Assistant Head (Boarding) Lisa is responsible for the coordination, and development of the school’s boarding and pastoral provision, including safeguarding matters. Lisa is also a teacher of art and lives on site with her family. Lisa believe in empowering pupils to help them become confident individuals with sound values. Lisa and her team provide a homely and secure environment 14 for boarders to thrive here in our care.

KEY MEMBERS OF STAFF (cont.) Miss Sarah Jane Rhead Head of Lower School (KS3) Sarah-Jane joined the school in September 2021. She oversees pastoral and academic progress for all pupils in Years 7-9, working with the Heads of Year and a strong team of tutors. Sarah-Jane is a maths teacher and believes that happy students are successful students! Sarah also leads the weekend activity programme.

Mr. Somen Chatterjee Head of Key Stage 4 (years 10-11) Mr Chatterjee joined in September 2020, bringing with him a wealth of experience. As the Key Stage Four Lead, Mr Chatterjee plays a pivotal role in overseeing the pastoral and academic progress of all pupils in Years 10 and 11. Working collaboratively with the Heads of Year and a dedicated team of tutors, he ensures that every student is supported in their journey towards becoming confident learners. Mr. Chatterjee also serves as the Head of Maths at our school, contributing his expertise to the enhancement of the mathematics curriculum and the overall academic experience of our students.

Mrs. Hannah Ash Head of Sixth Form Hannah Ash joined us in September 2021 as Head of Business Studies and Head of Careers. With 15 years of Sixth Form experience, Hannah is very passionate about developing all round young adults, ready for the real world in all aspects, from academics to co-curricular to life skills. Hannah has also re-introduced A Level Economics and Young Enterprise since arriving and is excited to see all aspects of her responsibilities grow. She grew up in Westonbirt and is committed to helping promote and develop the abilities of our young people in the local area.

Mrs Sally Price Deputy Head of Sixth Form Mrs Price has been at Westonbirt since September 2016. Mrs Price teaches English.

Miss Lisa Allen Head of Behaviour and Belonging Miss Allen joined Westonbirt in 2018. She is Head of Behaviour and Belonging and Housemistress of Badminton, the junior boys' boarding house. Miss Allen also teaches Religious Studies. 15

KEY MEMBERS OF STAFF (cont.)

Mrs Pilar Lop Gargallo Head of Year 7

Mr Daniel Gilravey Head of Year 8

Mr Lucas Slowik Head of Year 9

Ms Beth Mortimore Head of Year 10

Miss Josie Stockwell Head of Year 11

STAFF LIST 2023-24 SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

SUPPORT STAFF

Headmistress Mrs Natasha Dangerfield Deputy Head (Academic) Mr Simon Balderson Deputy Head (Pastoral) Mr Myles Nash Assistant Head - Head of Boarding Mrs Lisa Bradbury Assistant Head & Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs Nicola Gill Assistant Head, Operations, Staffing & Planning Mrs Helen Rogerson

HEADMISTRESS's OFFICE PA to the Headmistress Mrs Amy Mitford Receptionist Mrs Kate Austen SCHOOL OFFICE Data Manager Mrs Aliya Fleming School Secretary Mrs Danela Adams Pastoral Administrator Mrs Clare Morton School Administrator TBC Seamstress Mrs Irene Smith

MIDDLE MANAGEMENT TEAM Head of Lower School Miss Sarah-Jane Rhead Head of Year 7 Miss Pilar Lop Gargallo Head of Year 8 Mr Daniel Gilravey Head of Year 9 Mr Lucas Slowik Head of KS4 Mr Somen Chatterjee Head of Year 10 Ms Beth Mortimore Head of Year 11 Miss Josie Stockwell Head of Sixth Form & KS5 Mrs Hannah Ash Deputy Head of Sixth Form Mrs Sally Price PASTORAL TEAM Head of Boarding Mrs Lisa Bradbury Dorchester House Dorchester Housemistress Miss Sally Gould Dorchester AHM Miss Lottie Hill-Trevor Beaufort House Beaufort Housemaster Mr Giles Cuddy Beaufort AHM Mr Paddy Hyams Badminton House Badminton Housemistress Mrs Lisa Allen Badminton AHM Miss Scarlett Jones Gloucester House Gloucester Housemistress Mrs Andrea Westmoreland Gloucester AHM Miss Maisie Wills Ilsom House Ilsom Housemistress Mrs Diana Lambert Ilsom AHM Mr Lucas Slowik Health and Wellbeing Centre Mrs Rachel Hope Johnstone Mrs Jacqueline Ferguson Miss Hunny Grainger Chaplain TBC

ADMISSIONS Director of Admissions Mrs Patricia Stevenson Senior School Registrar Mrs Briony Armstrong Prep School Registrar Mrs Rachelle Taylor Admissions Officer Ms Victoria Lowe EXAMS Examinations Manager Mrs Nicola Cook Examinations Officer Mrs Jo Baker FINANCE OFFICE Director of Finance Mrs Joanna Scott Finance Manager Mrs Claire Mustoe Financial Controller TBC Finance Assistants Mrs Kate Birt Miss Sophie Pollard Miss Poppy Harris ESTATES & OPERATIONS Director Estates & Services Mrs Alexandra Cornell Grounds Manager Mr Anthony Clarke Operations Manager Mr Mark McNally Operations Coordinator Ms Rachel Weaver Operational Compliance Officer Martyn Humphreys HUMAN RESOURCES HR Officer Miss Michelle Andrews HR Assistant Miss Jenna Lock PR & MARKETING Director of Marketing Mrs Amanda Walton Marketing Executive Mrs Shelby Wilson Marketing Assistant TBC CATERING & HOUSEKEEPING General Manager Catering (Holroyd Howe) Mr Michael French Housekeeping Manager Mrs Marie Harrison TECHNICAL SERVICES IT Technician Mr Rob Ellis IT Service Transformation Manager Mr Sam Osman TRANSPORT Transport Manager Miss Clair Wilkinson WESTONBIRT LEISURE AND EVENTS Commercial Manager Mr David Runciman Commercial Executive Miss Camilla Fry

Discover Activity Club Manager Mrs Isabella Nicolaou Director of Summer Schools Mr Andras Sztrokay

TEACHING STAFF LIST 2023 Art, Product Design & Photography Mrs Amy Downer Mrs Anna Gage Mrs Lisa Bradbury Miss Amy Cooke (maternity leave) Miss Catriona Crowley Mrs Celia Evans Mrs Alexandra Wynn Ms Clare Underwood Art and Design Technician Mr Richard Baines Business Studies & Economics Mrs Hannah Ash Miss Naomi Catley Mr Andy Naish Children's Play, Learning & Development Mrs Angela Enel Classics & Latin Mr Paul Holland Miss Imogen Morris Computer Science Mr Mark Minghella Mr Ben Pitman-Jones Drama, Dance & Performing Arts Mr Andrew English Miss Miriam Ayling Miss Madeleine Hudson Mr Luke Williams English as an Additional Language Mrs Angela Enel Mrs Kathryn Alevizos English and Media Studies Miss Tabatha Sheehan Mrs Hana Brierley Miss Charlotte Butterfield Ms Madeleine Hudson Mr Alex Mew Mrs Nina Millar Mrs Sally Price Miss Maisie Wills Food, Hospitality & Leith’s Mrs Debs Sheehan Miss Charlotte Kay Humanities

Mrs Judith Owen Geography Mrs Nicola Gill Miss Bethan Webster History Miss Josie Stockwell Mrs Judith Owen Learning Support Ms Polly Reuter Mrs Elizabeth Spyvee Mrs Christine Butterfield Mr Simon Gibson Mrs Joanne Wood Miss Emilia Spyvee

Mathematics Mr Somen Chatterjee Mrs Serena Churchill Mrs Chloe Menzies Mrs Caroline Pople Miss Sarah Jane Rhead Mr Piers Watkins Modern Languages Mrs Elizabeth Holman Mrs Valerie Fabre-Mills Mr Daniel Gilravey Mrs Rosa Marka Music Mrs Nicola Atwell Mr Laurie Jones Miss Lucy Marsh Philosophy & Religious Studies Ms Beth Mortimore Miss Lisa Allen Mr Giles Cuddy Physical Education Mr Nicolas Sesterat Mr Andy Blaylock Mr Giles Cuddy Mr Paddy Hyams Ms Scarlett Jones Mr David Morton Miss Adele Potts Miss Anna Stephens Mr Pete Wilson Psychology Mrs Lindsey Pegg Science Mr David Hopkin Miss Pilar Lop Gargallo Mrs Bex Harris Mrs Kate Leafe Mrs Helen Rogerson Mr Tim Sisson Miss Sophie Smith Dr Jane Stimpson Science Technicians Miss Rachel Cox / Mr Alex Bye PSHE and RSE Ms Andrea Westmoreland Miss Catriona Crowley Mrs Lisa Bradbury Mr Alex Mew Speech and Drama Mrs Shirley English Mr Luke Williams Careers, VocationalGuidance, IAG Mrs Hannah Ash Mr Simon Balderson University Guidance Mr Alex Mew *Bold denotes Head of Department

Keeping Track of Academic Progress 19

THE TUTOR SYSTEM – Key Stage 3 All pupils are assigned a tutor, who will help them manage and balance their academic work and extracurricular activities. The tutors for September 2023 are listed belowwith their email addresses. Once your child has started at Westonbirt, in the first instance please direct any communication to their form tutor or their houseparent. Head of Lower School Miss Sarah Jane Rhead sarahjane.rhead@westonbirtschool.uk Head of Year 7 Ms Pilar Lop Gargallo pilar.lopgargallo@westonbirtschool.uk Head of Year 8 Mr Daniel Gilravey daniel.gilravey@westonbirtschool.uk Head of Year 9 Mr Lucas Slowik lucas.slowik@westonbirtschool.uk

TUTORS Year 7 7AST - Anna Stephens 7BHA/AWY - Bex Harris / Alexandra Wynn 7CCR – Catriona Crowley 7HBR – Hana Brierley 7SEC – Serena Churchill Year 8 8AEN – Angela Enel 8DHO – David Hopkin 8ELH – Elizabeth Holman 8JOW – Judith Owen 8PWA – Piers Watkins Year 9 9CEV/KPY - Celia Evans/Katie Pyne 9CME – Chloe Menzies 9NSE – Nicolas Sesterat 9LMA – Lucy Marsh 9MAB/MAY – Andy Blaylock/Miriam Ayling 9VFA – Valerie Fabre Mills

THE TUTOR SYSTEM – Key Stage 4 and 5 All pupils are assigned a tutor, who will help them manage and balance their academic work and extracurricular activities. The tutors for September 2022 are listed below with their email addresses. Once your child has started at Westonbirt, in the first instance please direct any communication to theirform tutor or theirhouseparent. Head of Key Stage 4 Mr Somen Chatterjee somen.chatterjee@westonbirtschool.uk Head of Year 10 Miss Beth Mortimore beth.mortimore@westonbirtschool.uk Head of Year 11 Miss Josie Stockwell josie.stockwell@westonbirtschool.uk Head of Sixth Form & KS5 Mrs Hannah Ash hannah.ash@westonbirtschool.uk Deputy Head of Sixth Form Mrs Sally Price sally.price@westonbirtschool.uk

TUTORS Year 10 10ACE/AGA - Andrew English/Anna Gage 10ANA/PWI - Andy Naish/Peter Wilson 10MAH – Maddie Hudson 10SSM – Sophie Smith 10NMI - Nina Millar Year 11 11ADO – Amy Downer 11BWE – Bethan Webster 11CKA/AGA - Charlotte Kay / Anna Gage 11DMO – David Morton 11RMA – Rosa Marka Sixth Form VIAME – Alex Mew VICBU/JST - Charlotte Butterfield/Jane Stimpson VICPO/NCA - Caroline Pople/Naomi Catley VIIMO – Imogen Morris VILPE – Lindsey Pegg VIMMI – Mark Minghella VIPHO – Paul Holland VITJS – Tabatha Sheehan VITSI – Tim Sisson

ACADEMIC PROGRESS HOMEWORK (PREP) - Key Stage 3 At Westonbirt homework is referred to as Prep. Pupils are set prep weekly according to a prep timetable and are expected to work independently to complete it to the best of their ability. Prep helps students develop academically by supporting their memory and developing independent study skills and time management.

The table below sets out the prep expectations for each subject in key stage 3. However, this is the maximum, and we will build towards this from Year 7, working carefully to ensure prep is set to extend and reinforce knowledge. Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Subjects

Lessons per week

Prep time per week (mins)

Lessons per week

Prep time per week (mins)

Lessons per week

Prep time per week (mins)

Art

Computer Science

Drama

English

French

Geography

History

Latin / Classics

Maths

Music

3D Design / Food

PE/Games

Science

PHSE/RSE

Spanish

2 20

2 30

ACADEMIC PROGRESS HOMEWORK (PREP) - Key Stage 4 and 5 At Westonbirt homework is referred to as Prep. Pupils are set prep weekly according to a prep timetable and are expected to work independently to complete it to the best of their ability. Prep helps students develop academically by supporting their memory and developing independent study skills and time management.

Key Stage 4 The table below sets out the prep expectations for each subject in key stage 4.

SUBJECTS

LESSONS Per Week

PREP TIME Per Week (Mins)

English

105

Maths

105

Science

180

Each Full GCSE Subject

Sport

PHSE

Careers

Totals

Variable from pupil to pupil

Key Stage 5 In year 12, students are expected to do 5 hours of independent study per A -level subject, some of this will be set by the teacher, but students are also expected to work independently reviewing notes and reading around their subject. In year 13, students are expected to do 6 hours of independent study per subject.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORTS AND ASSESSMENTS Written reports and grade cards focusing on your child’s current level of attainment and effort in all their subjects are published via the parent portal throughout the year. Pupils discuss these reports with their tutor in order to set targets and develop an action plan for improvement. Attainment Grades For Years 7-9, these are awarded on a scale of 1-9 (9 is the highest) where grade 4/5 means a pupil is working at the average level expected of someone in that year group. For Years 10 and 11, these will be the grades a pupil will be expected to achieve in each BTEC or GCSE qualification, if they continue to work as they are currently. For Years 12 and 13, these will be the grades you are expected to achieve in the final qualification if you continue to work as you are currently. In Year 10 –13 attainment grades are not usually awarded for subjects where students are not working towards a qualification. Effort Grades These are awarded in three areas: organisation for learning, behaviour forlearning and attitude to learning. Your child will be graded, outstanding, very good, good, satisfactory or requires improvement. Organisation for learning Pupils will be graded according to the following criteria: - how punctual to lessons they are - how regularly they bring all the equipment needed to lessons - the amount of care they take with the organisation of resources and presentation of class work and prep - how regularly they complete prep on time and meeting other deadlines, like coursework deadlines Behaviour for learning Pupils will be graded according to the following criteria: - how well they pay attention in class, listening to and following instructions - how well they work independently over a period of time - how much of their behaviour is purposeful and contributes well to a positive working environment - how well they work with your peers during lessons, in such a way to promote good outcomes for any group work they take part in. Attitude to learning Pupils will be graded according to the following criteria: - how consistently they are challenging yourself to do their best - how regularly they produce work completed to a high standard - how curious they are, including tour readiness to ask questions and engage in wider study - their willingness to reflect on their understanding, use feedback to work on weaknesses, and improve understanding of the subject For each area your child will be awarded one of five descriptors below: Outstanding will be awarded to a pupil who is consistently striving towards always meeting the highest expectations across all criteria. Very good will be awarded to a pupil who is consistently meeting expectations against the majority of criteria most of the time. Good will be awarded to a pupil who usually meets expectations across most of the criteria. Satisfactory will be awarded to a pupil will be variable in meeting expectations across a range of criteria. Requires improvement will be awarded to pupils who only sometimes meet these expectations and have had consistent reminders and support interventions in some of these areas 24

REPORTS AND ASSESSMENTS (cont) Written reports and grade cards focusing on your child’s current level of attainment and effort in all their subjects are published via the parent portal throughout the year. Pupils discuss these reports with their tutor in order to set targets and develop an action plan for improvement. Please see the following reporting schedule.

October 2023

Year 11 & 13

Easter 2024

Grade card

December 2023

Year 7

Grade card

Year 8

Grade card

Year 7

Grade card

Year 9

Grade card

Year 8

Grade card

Year 10

Target card

Year 9

Full report

Year 11

Full report

Year 10

Grade card

Year 12

Exam results and target card

Year 11

Tutor report

Year 13

Full report

Year 12

Target card

July 2024 Year 13

Tutor report Year 7

Full and exam report

Year 8

Full and exam report

Year 9

Full and exam report

Year 10

Full and exam report

Year 12

Full and exam report

PARENTS' MEETINGS Parents of each year group have the opportunity to meet with their child's tutors and subject teachers once per year. These meetings are organised at times to support the transitions that pupils will be undertaking during their school career. Year 11 and 9 students and parents also meet with heads of departments during options evenings. The times and dates of these appointments are published in the school calendar and parent portal. Individual appointments for parents' meetings are made from two weeks prior to the date via the parent portal / parent information / parents evenings. Parents will be reminded about parent evening dates in the weekly bulletin email. If you have an individual concern about your child then it is always possible to arrange a meeting with an appropriate member of staff, usually their tutor or subject teacher in the first instance, at any point during the school year.

PARENTS' MEETING SCHEDULE 2023-24

EXAMINATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS Pupils will find they have different types of examination at Westonbirt, internal quizzes, assessment and tests for our own records of a pupil's progress (these results are reflected in end of term reports). They also have end of year internal examinations in years 7-10 and 12, and external examinations in BTECs, Cambridge Nationals and Technicals as well as GCSEs and A-levels for Year 11 and 13 pupils (and some pupils in Year 9, 10 and 12) Pupils take a variety of qualifications here at Westonbirt, suited to their interests and ambitions. We offer A-levels, GCSEs, iGCSEs, BTECs and Cambridge Nationals and Technicals. GCSEs and A-levels will have a high exam content in most subjects, where BTECs and Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals will have a greater focus on coursework. Information about the assessment of each of the courses is available in the choices booklets on the school portal, where you will also find the name of the examination board offering that qualification.

Pupils have internal tests and assessments in their subjects on a regular basis throughout the year, the results are shared with pupils to help them understand their own current performance. They also have end of year examinations in the summer term. Year 7 & 8 pupils have exams in the week before the May half term holiday and Year 9, 10 and 12 pupils have exams in the week after the May half term holiday. The results of these exams are published to parents in the final end of year report and for those pupils who need grades to return to education in their home country, these assessments form a significant piece of evidence towards this. Year 11 and 13 have mock examinations in January to help prepare them for what to expect that summer. Results are published to them and their parents via the portal. Parents' evenings follow soon after so that progress and 'next steps' can be discussed with both the pupil and parents to ensure they maximise their potential in the external exams. The main examination time is the summer term. External qualifications are examined between May and June. If your child is in due to sit an external examination, there will a timetable provided to them and information about the routines and regulations pupils should follow. The exception to this is iGCSE maths, which can be sat in a November exam series and there is also an opportunity to resit BTEC business exams earlier in the school year. There is a cost associated with entering pupils for external examinations and this is passed on to parents. Pupils who wish to withdraw from a qualification or change their tier of entry must do so before February of the year they will sit the examination, or there can be an increased charge.

ACADEMIC COACHING Where possible, we offer individual coaching to reinforce classroom teaching in mathematics, and science. Each lesson lasts 35 minutes and the cost of each lesson is POA. Heads of department will be pleased to discuss your child’s requirements with you and arrange for the extra tuition if agreed. Occasionally heads of department may contact you directly if it is felt that extra tuition would benefit your child. They will also be able to give an indication of the number of sessions required. If you would like further guidance as to whether extra tuition is necessary, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant head of department or the school office (01666 880333). If an agreed number of lessons have been prearranged, then please note that parents are asked to give a full halfterm’s notice in writing if the lessons are to be discontinued. 27

SCHOLARSHIPS Westonbirt is proud to offer a range of awards supporting the breadth of our education and recognising excellence in these areas. All scholars are expected to maintain high standards within their areas of specialism and all awards are dependent upon continued effort, good work and conduct and are reviewed annually.

Scholarships are awarded to pupils entering Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. If your child was awarded a scholarship in Year 7, this will last until the end of Year 11. Scholarship Application Form If you would like to know more about scholarships for Y7, Y9 or Y12 2023, please find further information on the school website: https://westonbirt.org/admissions/ and the Scholarship Booklet, contact your child’s tutor, or the Admissions team: admissions@westonbirtschool.uk

Assessment Date/s Sixth Form Scholarship

13th – 15th November 2023

Application Deadline 20th October 2023

Year 7 Scholarship (except Sport)

9-11th January 2023

1st December 2023

Year 9 Scholarship (except Sport)

31st January-1st February 2023

1st December 2023

A pupil awarded a scholarship is expected to lead their peers in their particular area of expertise. Each department takes part in a range of external challenges, competitions and enrichment activities and we expect scholars to contribute to these, representing their specialism and the School.

ACADEMIC The Westonbirt Academic Scholars' Programme is designed to champion the individual pupil and promote analytical and inquisitive thinking, creating a well-rounded Scholar with the necessary skillset for success. The Academic Scholars' Programme is delivered through weekly meetings with the Head of Academic Enrichment, encouraging scholars to expand their knowledge holistically beyond the classroom and providing curious students with the tools needed to become fully independent thinkers and learners. Scholars are also invited to academically enriching and cultural trips, including visits to lectures, exhibitions and festivals. Scholars are allocated a staff mentor who offers support in their development and in achieving their personal goals. They can then, in turn, become an academic mentor to a younger student to cultivate their own leadership skills. Scholars are expected to take advantage of the various activities on offer, such as Model UN, Science Olympiads, the Socratic Society, Tea & Politics, and Debating, to practise articulating their ideas, as well as help lead subject-specific activities. 28

ART Those who receive an Art award are given an artist's portfolio case and take part in a weekly workshop to create Art pieces for local, National and International Competitions. They will be given the opportunity to work with media and resources outside the normal curriculum and work collaboratively with their Scholar peers throughout the varying age range, being inspired by the older Scholars and coaching the younger pupils. Art scholars are expected to represent the School within Art and Design, for example, helping on Open Days, curating exhibitions and other events run by the department. They will have the opportunity to attend artists talks and trips to extend their Art experience. Scholars are expected to engage with the subject well beyond the bounds of the standard curriculum, developing their own creative style and setting exemplar work for their peers.

DRAMA and PERFORMING ARTS Scholars are expected to be ambassadors within the school, demonstrating the value of drama and the performing arts. Scholars are expected to perform in school productions and to enter external competitions. This is discussed with the Head of Performing Arts to ensure talent in this area is utilised in the best way. Westonbirt performing arts scholars frequently go on to further study in this area beyond school.

MUSIC and CHORAL Music scholars are expected to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in music, both academically and with regards to performance. There are numerous concerts throughout the year at which scholars are required to perform and lead, demonstrating the value of music both within and beyond the school community. We expect to see scholars taking a leading and supporting role in one of our music ensembles and they will be allocated one at the start of the academic year. On occasion scholars, will also be required to be part in a scholar's ensemble. Scholars meet weekly with the music department during Friday break. Alongside the range of choirs, bands and quartets offered as part of the Co-Curricular programme, the Music Department also offers activities to develop knowledge in music theory, composition and technology.

SPORT Students in receipt of a sports award are offered athlete profiling and monitoring, halftermly workshops, personalised sports skins, gym induction sessions and private opening hours, performance sport training programmes and access to the staff mentor programme. The focus for Performance Sport Scholars is holistic development as an athlete: psychologically, nutritionally, and through strength and conditioning.

Sports scholars are expected to represent the school in sports fixtures and to act as mentors for other students.

LEARNING SUPPORT The Learning Support Department offers support on a 1:1 or small group basis to meet the needs of pupils and curriculum timetables. If there has been an indication that your child may require learning support, then we liaise with parents and the pupil’s current school through the admissions procedure. We will send to each school and parents a simple form to complete giving both the opportunity to share the child’s strengths and learning profile and we will request at this stage that relevant documents be passed on to the LS department if they have not already been done so. Any relevant support to help your child feel confident and achieve at Westonbirt will then be discussed prior to entry. At various times during their school career pupils are given a range of assessments to identify any potential difficulties. On arrival in year 7, year 10 and year 12 whole year screening takes place. If any scores raise a concern and after investigation with subject teachers, the LS Department will contact parents to discuss the next step. The next step may be the need to monitor a pupil, to put into place access arrangements or to suggest that a pupil would benefit from additional LS lessons and /or further assessments. At all stages, the LS Department endeavour to liaise with parents, subject teachers and house-parents, to ensure difficulties are identified as early as possible. Information from internal school assessments and outside agents (Educational Psychologists, Speech Therapists etc.) are disseminated to all teaching staff during INSET at the beginning of term. Using information gained from assessments, parents and staff, an Individual Educational Profile is created for pupils who have an EP report ( or equivalent diagnostic assessment) and / or lessons. This document is revised and updated regularly for teachers to refer to when differentiating in the classroom. This IEP can be shared with parents on request. Pupils are also strongly encouraged to be involved directly in target setting and developing strategies to be employed to support their learning. Pupils who attend 1:1 lessons have their own folders which record lesson content, ongoing short- term targets and programmes of study used. Learning Support produce reports alongside those written by other departments and learning support provision will be reviewed at the end of each term to ensure that we continue to provide the correct ongoing assistance to support their needs. If more regular feedback is required, then the individual LS teacher organises this directly with the parent/carer. Ultimately, the aim of the department is to equip our pupils with the confidence and skills to become independent learners and to provide an environment where their true ability can be expressed, and progress shown and celebrated. All teaching staff in the Learning Support Department have been trained to assess and/or teach pupils with specific learning difficulties.

Access Arrangements: In partnership with other teaching staff, we monitor all pupils to ensure that if they reach the criteria for access arrangements in external examinations, we assess, apply for and, in conjunction with the Examinations Officer, implement the necessary special arrangements. It is important to note that the criteria for access arrangement recommendations is different at senior school and is assessed strictly in line with the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ). Any concerns regarding this please contact our Access Arrangement Coordinator Mrs. Liz Spyvee. elizabeth.spyvee@westonbirtschool.uk

LEARNING SUPPORT (cont.) Fees: If it is agreed that pupils require learning support fees will be added to your child’s account. The fees include: • Tuition on a 1:1 or group basis. • Preliminary assessments in addition to learning support sessions. • Application for access arrangements for external examinations, if appropriate. • Provision of readers, scribes, transcribers and invigilators for external examinations. • Some supported prep sessions and provision of readers and scribes in internal examinations. Please note that external examination access arrangements are not charged . Fees for 2022/23 can be obtained from the school bursary for the following services: • 1:1 Learning support sessions. • In-class and shared learning support sessions with TAs and teachers. Full diagnostic assessments can be carried out on request by our staff or a CRB checked outside professional for an additional cost.

Communication: The table below is given as a general guide of communication channels for parents of pupils with identified Specific Learning Difficulties. However, we are aware that the nature of a pupil’s profile and of the required contact will vary greatly so it is important that parents identify with the department and the individual LS teacher and TA early on desired communication requirements . Concern

Contact – e mail

Difficulties relating to subject lessons and in class progress

Subject teacher Tutor LS Teacher

General prep concerns and organisation

Tutor LS Teacher/ TA

Access Arrangements

LS Teacher and/or Mrs. Spyvee

Pastoral issues relating to pupil profile

Tutor LS Teacher

It is important that your child has the best start to school life at Westonbirt and we would welcome any queries, be it an informal chat or a request for a formal meeting. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact the Department directly on 01666 881341 or by email: polly.reuter@westonbirtschool.uk elizabeth.spyvee@westonbirtschool.uk simon.gibson@westonbirtschool.uk christine.butterfield@westonbirtschool.uk Jo.wood@westonbirtschool.uk Ms Polly Reuter, Head of Learning Support Department

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE - EAL DEPARTMENT The EAL Department is dedicated to all pupils whose first language is not English. With widely experienced English Language teachers, the department is structured to deliver a range of Cambridge proficiency exam training classes throughout a pupil's academic career here at Westonbirt. These specific English language exam training classes will in turn help to develop comprehension, literacy and fluency which nurtures their ongoing wider command of English necessary to: 

Follow a full academic programme according to their year group.



Gain access to higher education in English speaking countries and/or to jobs for which a good all- round working knowledge of English must be demonstrated.



Gain internationally recognised qualifications in English Language



Develop not only language skills but also the social skills to make friends and participate fully in all aspects of school life.

Our specialist EAL lessons will assess class objectives and class levels every term to make sure that each student is reaching and achieving their target, this fluid movement means that the best is always being sought after and success in their given exam pathway is guaranteed. The EAL department operates small group lessons as well as teaching a more bespoke one to one format. Each pupil’s EAL programme is determined by their placement tests and a suitable Cambridge proficiency exam course will be chosen for them. Usually if a student is of a lower ability and find a particular subject challenging then a subject specific language lesson can also be added into the programme.

All overseas students whose first language is not English are required to take EAL lessons until they have acquired complete proficiency in all the skills and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the language. Our sixth form students are also required to undertake an Academic IELTS course of study until they achieve at least 6.5 in their IELTS test with no lower than a grade 6 in every component. A successful study programme in IELTS ensures students broaden their knowledge sufficiently to cope with the academic rigours of higher education as well as achieving the necessary entry requirement for university. Cambridge Proficiency as well as IELTS training classes are predominantly 70 minutes per week and the focus largely is exam technique, vocabulary and grammar building as well as improving and working on techniques in reading and writing skills. While your child is in years 7-13, this training will be critical in helping access the curriculum and importantly they will achieve a medley of English language proficiency certificates as they journey through secondary school. This will not only allow them a formal recognition of the high standard of English language attainment but will also be necessary to gain entrance into further education establishments. All international students are challenged and encouraged to continue to improve throughout their course of English language study. With usually just one double lesson timetabled, the grade attainment does depend substantially on the pupil’s willingness to work independently outside of class, as well as taking advantage of the many wide and various opportunities to socialise and to be part of clubs at school.

EAL DEPARTMENT (cont.) Cambridge Proficiency Examinations explained The department prepares and enters pupils for Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations at the following levels: Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET), Cambridge English: First (FCE) and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE). In exceptional circumstances, pupils will be prepared for Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE). Generally, PET will be taken at the end of Year 9, FCE at the end of Year 10/Y11 and CAE in Year 11. In Year 12 and Year 13 the focus moves to Academic IELTS to fulfil the entry requirements for UK university study. Please visit the Cambridge website for more information about these examinations – and please note and external exam fee is charged by the test centre http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/

New students arriving in Sixth Form Students arriving in Year 12 or 13, directly from overseas, will require an Academic IELTS English Language qualification to enter university. All international students are required to have an IELTS grade of at least 6.5-7.0 to sit alongside their A-level qualifications at the end of their study in Year 13. More linguistically demanding courses, such as Economics, Medicine and Law, and higher-ranking universities will require at least a Band 7 score overall. To study at Art College, a foundation course will normally require Band 5.5, depending on the institution. As part of your child’s Sixth Form commitment, it is therefore necessary to undertake IELTS training classes in preparation for university entrance. Training for IELTS begins immediately on arrival with the aim of achieving the required score towards the completion of Year 13 or before. IELTS training classes are predominantly 70 minutes per week with a 1:1 focus largely on exam technique, vocabulary building and on improving accuracy. While your child is in Year 12, there will be a foundation laid of concepts and skills covered; by Year 13 we would expect most students to reach a more advanced level of study and the aim will clearly be to attain an overall grade of 6.5-7.0 or higher for their chosen university entrance by the Spring term of Year 13. Please visit the IELTS website for more information about this examination and please note an external exam fee is charged by the test centre - http://www.ielts.org

We are a very diverse department, but small enough to cater for the individual needs of each pupil. Meetings are held regularly with representatives of all nationalities to discuss any issues or problems they may be experiencing. Our door is always open – please feel free to contact us directly by email angela.enel@westonbirtschool.uk or by telephone +44 (0)1666 881310.

Mrs Angela Enel Head of the ELT Department EAL Policy

3 5

Co-curricular Programme

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME An additional co-curricular programme is run at Westonbirt with clubs such as the Debating Club, Astronomical Society, Breakfast and Politics, Science Clubs, Cricket Nets, Duke of Edinburgh, Running, Rounders, History of Art, Calligraphy, Eco Club, Programming, Yoga and Mindfulness taking place at lunchtimes and in the final period of the school day (P11). Pupils are expected to select at least three balanced activities each term and commit to attending them each week. Pupils will be emailed an electronic form to choose their activities before the start of each term. These activities are then added to pupils’ timetables, which can be viewed on both the pupil and parent portals. Any pupils in years 7-11 that have not selected an activity for the last period of a day have the option to be collected early (at 16:30), but we must have advance notice via the Early Collection Form. Otherwise, pupils will be expected in supervised prep in the room allocated to them in their timetable.

SPORT Sport is an important part of life at Westonbirt. All students take part in physical activity at many levels and in a wide variety of sports. Students are encouraged to develop their individual talents, while learning the value of cooperation and teamwork.

The school's 210 acres of parkland grounds provide the perfect platform for sporting excellence, with a nine-hole golf course, lacrosse, hockey, cricket, football and rugby pitches (grass and astro), tennis and netball courts. The leisure centre boasts a 25m indoor pool and full fitness suite. Westonbirt is proud to play lacrosse, netball, tennis, cricket and rugby up to senior first team standard. In addition to this, we compete in swimming, athletics and the school also boasts an impressive equestrian team. We therefore have a busy fixture list matches each week, with the majority played on Saturdays. Details of fixtures are published via SOCS and the Portal and notifications of fixtures and team selections will be published to relevant parents. If a pupils is not available for a fixture, they should let the relevant member of the PE department know in plenty of time to allow for a replacement to be selected.

Teams are selected from those pupils who show commitment and progress in the weekly training sessions, matches and lessons. Pupils who wish to represent the school must sign up to training and practice sessions relevant to their year group/standard through the cocurricular programme. In these sessions, students gain an understanding of team tactics, play mini games and develop specific skills for upcoming matches. Sports clubs and team training sessions run predominantly on weekdays during the lunch break and after-tea activity period. Pupils who are part of the teams are able to represent the school at national competitions, and we have had recent success in lacrosse (reaching the senior team reaching championship division) and cricket (ISA U15 champions).

A regular sports tour takes students to the US, competing in rugby and lacrosse. Pupils are encouraged to represent the county, region or country if selected, with Westonbirt students competing at national and international level in athletics, equestrian and lacrosse in recent years.

SWIM SQUAD Keen swimmers can join our swim squad sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Monday mornings (7am), anyone is welcome to attend. This is a session to work on technique, including dives and tumble turns. Students also use kickboards, pull buoys and ins as well to build on technique and strength. Swimming stamina is built by completing repeated 25m sprints, 50m or 100m intervals. Senior swimmers are also encouraged to attend for fitness.

The Wednesday morning (7am) "elite" sessions are for more competitive swimmers. Work is more specialized, focused on improving speed in all strokes and including individual medley. The total length of swim completed in this session varies but is usually greater than 2000m. Students can take part in events such as swimming galas and aquathlons.

EQUESTRIAN TEAM Westonbirt's equestrian team is open to all, at any riding level, to students with their own pony, or pony available to them to compete on. We take part in many NSEA competitions in dressage, showjumping, arena eventing and eventing. We're a friendly, growing team who welcome any new members. Please contact Jo Baker at jo.baker@westonbirtschool.uk to be put in contact with our other parent volunteers if you have any questions, or are interested in taking part. To register interest, please complete the sign-up form: Equestrian Team

PERFORMING ARTS We have an extensive co-curricular programme in performing arts that offers opportunities to all students to perform or be involved in performance throughout the year. We are producing three co-curricular performances this year; the KS3 production (Years 7 – 9), the spring play (Years 10 – 13), and the summer production (open to all years). The KS3 production this year will be Frozen Jr. . In addition to production rehearsals, drama runs a Theatre Design Club for those interested in drama but not the performing side, assisting with the technical and back-stage elements of a production, including lighting, props, hair and make-up.

There is an expectation that pupils will commit to the shows and there are a number of weekend and evening rehearsals necessary to ensure that the cast are ready to give their best performances. Being 'off book' by a certain date is a necessity for those who have principal parts. Auditions and the schedules for them are published to the pupils and they may have to learn lines, a song and/or a dance depending on the part and the production. Music offers the following music activities: Flute Ensemble, Sax Ensemble, Westonbirt Band, Senior String Group, ‘Weston Winds’ (Beginners Band – open to KS3 only), GCSE Folk Group, 6 form Choir and Chamber Choir and we will be introducing more lunchtime concerts and recitals in Palm House. In the spring term, we will be offering a KS3 choir in place of Frozen. th

Any pupil that learns a musical instrument is expected to be in one of these clubs as part of developing their musicianship and ensemble skills at Westonbirt.

Dance offers a dance club to KS3 and KS4 and a Musical Theatre Club in Terms 2 and 3.

Outside of productions and performances, pupils also have the opportunity to take private music, singing, speech & drama and speech improvement lessons, testing their knowledge via Trinity, ABRSM and LAMDA exams. Every year, a large group of students participate in the Mid-Somerset Festival.

EXTRACURRICULAR COACHING 2023-24

EXTRACURRICULAR TUITION AND ACTIVITIES EXTRACURRICULAR TUITION AND COACHING Individual and group coaching in a number of additional extracurricular activities, as listed below, is available at an additional charge. Further information and links to the sign-up forms can be found via the following pages.

Many of these subjects are taught by visiting staff, and thereforea full halfterm’s notice is required if an extra subject is to be discontinued. If an additional extra subject is required during the year, please request this within a week of the end of the previous term.

Music Lessons and Singing

Speech and Drama / Speech Improvement Golf Coaching Horse-riding

Polo Tennis Coaching

Tennis Coaching

Tennis Coaching Specialist tennis coaching is offered to all students at Westonbirt, all year round. What’s offered: Specialist teaching by full time LTA Qualified Licensed Coaches. We cater for all levels from beginners to International Junior level. Programmes can be individually designed to incorporate specialist strength and conditioning, nutrition and tournament preparation. Tennis coaches can also support filming for the practical element of GCSE PE and BTEC Sport. Facilities: 7 hard courts and 1 Indoor court in the sports hall. Achievements: The Senior Girls team reached the regional semi-finals of the Aberdare cup 2022, U13 and U15 girls teams made the semi-finals of the Gloucestershire county schools LTA team event 2022.

Coaches: Steve Johnson, LTA Licensed Level 4 coach, full-time teaching professional for 26 years, Previously Head Coach at David Lloyd, Bristol for 10 years, Head Coach at Bridgwater LTC for 6 years and Head Coach at Sodbury for 8 years. He has coached several boys to top national level, has been on National training squads and a Winner of a European U14 girl's singles event. Steve represented Lancashire and North-West of England as a junior before playing professionally in Spain for a year. He then joined the RAF and became RAF champion and British Forces Tennis champion. Steve currently still plays Masters Tennis for Gloucestershire, the RAF and British Forces Masters teams. Kerry Marshal is an LTA Licensed Level 4 coach with over 20 years teaching experience. She has coached Avon County LTA girls' teams and played national level as a junior. Julie Hatton is an LTA Licensed Level 4 coach. She currently plays county veteran tennis. Chris Butcher is an LTA Licensed Level 3 coach. He currently plays for Sodbury men’s 1 st team.

To sign up for tennis coaching, please complete the form/s linked below: Senior School Tennis Coaching Prep School Tennis Coaching

Bronze Package (Social Player) Package comprising one lesson per week, to choose from: Individual Coaching Lesson (30 mins) £24 2 players sharing a lesson £13.50 (per pupil per week) 3 players sharing a lesson £10 4 players sharing a lesson £9 Silver Package (Competitive Player) £40 (per pupil per week) Set package of 4 sessions a week comprising: 1 Individual Coaching Lesson (30 mins) 2 Group lessons (30 mins) 1 Match Play Session (30 mins) Gold Package (Elite Player) Bespoke programme of coaching and match play sessions £POA (dependent on how many/the type of sessions). A full half term's notice is required if lessons are to be stopped. 43

Golf Coaching 44

Golf Coaching Westonbirt is proud to offer private golf coaching to prep (7+) and senior school students. Lessons are available individually or in groups of up to 4 students. Lessons take place during lunch times, break time (prep and senior) or during free periods for senior school pupils. Facilities: Westonbirt School has its own 9-hole golf course set within the parkland grounds surrounding the school, offering an enjoyable round for both beginners and the more experienced golfer. There are also practice facilities both at the school and the golf course. Coach: Wayne Hill has over thirty years' experience in the golf industry and is a qualified PGA Golf Professional. Wayne has extensive experience coaching all levels of golfer, from beginner to professional, and previously held managerial positions at golf clubs including Head Teaching Professional, General Manager and CEO.

Coaching is available at Westonbirt at an additional charge, as outlined below. Price per pupil per session Individual lessons 30 minute £25 45 minute £35 60 minute £45 Pair (2 pupil) sessions 30 minute £13.50 45 minute £12.50 60 minute £25

Small group (3-4 pupils) 30 minutes £10 45 minutes £12.50 60 minutes £15

To sign up for golf coaching, please complete the form/s linked below. Senior School Golf Coaching

Prep School Golf Coaching

4 6

Horse-riding & Polo

Horse-riding Riding sessions take place at Barton End Stables, a friendly riding centre a short distance from the school, on Wednesday and/or Friday lunch times (12:45).

30 minutes small group (maximum 4) lesson - £39/rider/lesson A small additional fee is applicable to cover transport and consumables, and this is charged separately.

To sign up for riding (senior school only), please complete the riding registration form. Lessons will be charged for unless a minimum of 24hrs notice is given for genuine illness/injury or obligatory school activity. Where possible, if numbers allow, days can be swapped to accommodate schedule clashes. Please note that booked lessons will take place regardless of bad weather as the stables have covered arenas.

A full half term's notice is required if lessons are to be stopped. If additional lessons are required during the course of the year, please make your request at least a week before the end of the term before you wish lessons to begin. For more information, or if you wish to discuss extra lessons and coaching, please contact Mrs Power: becks.power@westonbirtschool.uk

Polo Polo sessions take place at Beaufort Polo Club in Westonbirt and are charged at approximately £67 per lesson (TBC by Beaufort). A small additional fee is applicable to cover transport and consumables, and this is charged separately. To sign up for polo (senior school only), please complete the polo registration form. A full half term's notice is required if lessons are to be stopped. If additional lessons are required during the year, please make your request at least a week before the end of the term before you wish lessons to begin. For more information, or if you wish to discuss extra lessons and coaching, please contact Mrs Johnson: lizanne.johnson@westonbirtschool.uk 47

Music & Singing

MUSIC LESSONS At Westonbirt, pupils are actively encouraged to learn an instrument or take up singing lessons, as we consider this a hugely important part of a child's musical development. The benefits of individual music lessons are considerable and will provide skills and engagement that can last a lifetime. Pupils are never too old to sign up for music lessons, so what better way to start a new academic year than to start learning a new instrument! Pupils gain further by being able to play in our many school ensembles. Lessons & Teachers Music Lessons are available on the following Instruments:

Piano

Cello

Jazz Piano

Viola

Organ

Bassoon

Clarinet

Classical Guitar

Bass Guitar

Flute

Electric Guitar

Double Bass

Oboe

Drums

Trumpet

Saxophone

Percussion

Violin

Musical Theatre Singing

Classical Singing

Contemporary Singing

If you would like your child to sign up for an instrument not on this list, please contact a member of the music department. Applications for individual lessons are made to the music department via the online application form: Music Lessons Senior Once an application has been made, pupils will then be allocated an appropriate instrumental teacher. In September, the noticeboards should be consulted for details of starting time and day and the peripatetic teacher will also inform parents and pupils when their lesson will be. There is a general undertaking that approximately 30 lessons will be given during the academic year, which is split into three terms: 12 weeks in the Autumn, 9 weeks in the Spring and 9 weeks in the Summer. Sometimes the number of lessons for the term will not have been given e.g. through teacher or pupil absence/illness; in such cases, lessons will either be 49 made up or not charged for.

MUSIC LESSONS (cont.) Lessons are taught in 30-minute blocks, and we recommend those studying above Grade 5 to have a 45 minute to 1-hour weekly lesson so that all examination content can be covered. Pupils in Key Stage 3 will be put on a weekly rotation (lessons can be fixed depending on the teacher’s availability). In Key Stage 4/5, fixed slots will be timetabled, where possible. Practice The music practice rooms are available throughout the day for pupils to come and practice their instruments.

Students in Years 10 - 13 are considered responsible enough to make their own practice arrangements but must inform a member of the music department staff in order for sessions to be added to their timetable. Parents and pupils are expected to order their own music/sheet music as requested by the individual music teacher. Boarders can order their music books/sheet music through the music department which will then be charged onto the end of term bill. As part of the instrumental and vocal provision at Westonbirt School, pupils will be allocated an appropriate school instrumental or vocal ensemble which they are expected to attend. Rehearsing and performing as part of a group supports progress and musical development. Pupils are expected to catch up with any classwork they have missed to attend a music lesson and to hand homework in at the earliest possible opportunity. They are expected to practice weekly and prepare for music lessons just as they would a normal class lesson. Pupils are expected to respect the practice rooms and music facilities. Music should be tidied away and instruments should be stored neatly in the instrument store room. If pupils are unable to attend a music lesson it is their responsibility to contact their Peripatetic teacher who will, where possible, rearrange their lessons.

Fees, Absences & Discontinuation of Lessons Music lessons are taught by a team of specialist musicians who teach on a self-employed basis. This means that parents have direct contact with the music teacher and bills are paid directly. Payment will be made in advance and will be billed either half-termly or termly. If your child is an international boarder, then payment can be added onto the school bill. Queries or matters arising should be addressed directly to the individual music teacher. Peripatetic teachers require at least one week’s notice should a pupil have a clash or cannot attend their music lesson due to sports fixtures, trips or personal reasons. This lesson will be charged for unless a week’s notice has been given. If a pupil is absent and misses their lesson due to illness, this lesson will also be charged for. Music lessons can only be started or terminated with parental consent. A notice period of half a term is required in writing or by email, to the peripatetic teacher, should the pupil wish to cease lessons, otherwise fees for the remainder of the term will be due. 50

MUSIC LESSONS (cont.) The fees for individual lessons are set out on the form. Fees are always charged in advance and will be charged termly or half-termly. Parents may request a double lesson, and these are highly recommended for pupils working towards the higher grades (5 - 8). Where a student is absent from a lesson and the teacher is present, the lesson is regarded as having taken place. If a lesson is missed for medical and dental appointments made by parents in school time, the lesson will be charged for as normal. Teachers will try to make up lessons missed for medical reasons, but this cannot be guaranteed. A student must give notice of absence when an event involving him/her appears on the school calendar, or when he/she is required for a specific assessment - it must not be assumed that the teacher is aware that he/she will be involved. If a student misses a lesson due to a clash with a pre-planned school event, parents are not charged for that lesson, providing one weeks’ notice has been given. Examinations Students are normally entered for practical examinations by mutual agreement between themselves, their teachers and parents when they have reached the appropriate level. The cost will appear on the end of term account. We reserve the right not to make an entry, even at parents’ or students’ request, if the teacher considers it ill-advised. Students learning instruments outside of school are also welcome to take their examinations at school.

Practical examination sessions are held towards the end of each term. If a student is unable to take an examination through illness or injury, a doctor’s certificate covering the day of the examination must be provided immediately. A portion of the examination fee might then be recoverable at the Board’s discretion. There is no refund for any other absence. If a pupil seems likely to fail the examination, the teacher will discuss with parents/guardians whether he/she should withdraw. Beginner’s theory, Grade 5 theory and aural classes are provided by the school. Pupils are strongly encouraged to attend these well before the examination is taken. For instrumental and vocal examinations, accompanists are provided, plus rehearsals free of charge. It is not essential that a student takes music examinations; if he/she and their parents prefer learning without that pressure, this is quite acceptable. If you need any further information or would like to discuss taking up an instrument or singing lessons, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the music department.

Mrs Nicola Atwell Director of Music nicola.atwell@westonbirtschool.uk Miss Lucy Marsh Teacher of Music and Visiting Music Teacher Coordinator lucy.marsh@westonbirtschool.uk

Speech & Drama

SPEECH & DRAMA Speech and Drama has always been a strong option at Westonbirt, and helps to give our pupils not only the enjoyment of plays, poetry and literature, but development of confidence and the effective communication so important in life today. We offer the opportunity to enter LAMDA Speaking in Public in the Autumn term, where pupils present speeches on topics of their own choice and develop communication skills. LAMDA Performance examinations are held in school twice a year in the Spring and Summer terms, and pupils can choose to enter for Speaking of Verse and Prose, Acting, Devising Drama, Speaking in Public, and Reading for Performance. High grades from this examination board are awarded UCAS points, which can strengthen university applications, as the points available are equal to GCSE and A-level examinations. We encourage pupils to enter the Mid-Somerset festival in Verse Speaking, Acting and Prepared Readings to build confidence when performing in public. Westonbirt pupils have also performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Bath & Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts.

SPEECH IMPROVEMENT Speech Improvement tuition is intended for students for whom English is a second or acquired language, or students for whom English is a first language, who would prefer to focus on Public Speaking rather than Speech & Drama. Lessons focus on learning how to use English expressively and effectively, improving diction and accent, and encouraging confidence when speaking in public. In order to gain recognition of their skills, students have the opportunity to enter the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) Speaking in Public examinations. High grades from this examination board are awarded UCAS points, which can strengthen university applications, as the points available are equal to GCSE and A-level examinations. Pupils can take tuition as an individual learner, in a shared lesson (pair) or in small groups (subject to interest).

To register interest in lessons, please complete the online form: Speech & Drama / Improvement (Senior) If you have any questions, please contact Mrs English: shirley.english@westonbirtschool.uk 53

COMBINED CADET FORCE Westonbirt's CCF section is currently RAF only, but the long-term plan is to also include Army and Navy. The CCF curriculum is designed to assist pupils in developing teamwork, leadership, and outdoor skills, providing plenty of opportunities for adventurous activity. We will be in touch again with further details.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Every year, approximately 300,000 young people across 130 countries take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award; about half of them go on to complete it. All our Year 9 students start the Bronze DofE Award in the Autumn term and roughly 90% of the year go on to completion. Students then get the option to advance to Silver and after that Gold, each level introducing new challenges. The expedition is what DofE is known for and, if you have ever spent enough time in places like the Breacon Beacons, the Mendips, the Pennines, Yorkshire Moors, or the Lammermuir Hills in the Scottish borders, you will no doubt have seen group after group of bedraggled teens passing through, sporting heavy and often lopsided bags. However, there are other challenges to pass before you gain your reward: you must spend some time volunteering; you must be able to prove that you take part in a sport or physical activity of some kind on a regular basis; and you must choose a skill to work on and be able to prove that you have increased your capability over a period of time. At Gold level, you are also expected to complete a residential course. Mr Paton will be in touch with further details at the start of term.

Weekend Programme All students are welcome to join the Boarders for weekend activities. A programme will be released in time for the start of term. Weekend events and trips in the Autumn are set to include: Westonbirt Arboretum Westonbirt Wander in to Tetbury, followed by a barbecue Oxford (day trip) Bristol (air hop/ice skating/shopping) Warwick Castle Ninja Warrior (Gloucester) Harry Potter World (booking already open) Cheltenham (pantomime/crazy golf/Christmas shopping) London (sightseeing, shopping, Christmas lights) Gifford Circus Enchanted Christmas (Arboretum) Parents and Guardians can book their children on to activities via My School Portal / Clubs & Activities / Weekend Activities

5 8

Global Programmes

Westonbirt School – Global Programmes An alumni perspective by Lucy Featherstone, Class of 2019 and member of the founding Southern India Project to Goodwill Homes Orphanage

What are the strongest memories you have from school? Although many of us might want to admit it was the hours spent in the classroom, I guarantee that it was the excitement of a school trip. Experiencing life outside of the school grounds is an eye-opening opportunity. One that will have lasting impressions on students and will give them memories that will be with them for the rest of their lives. Travelling is a unique experience and has many advantages on both a personal and professional level. At a student’s most impressionable time in life, travelling whilst at school comes with a variety of benefits. With the global programs Westonbirt offers; students will be exposed to different cultures, individuals from all walks of life and then feel how these experiences influence and impact them on a personal level. Everybody learns differently and a benefit of travelling as a student is that it brings subjects to life. Whether it’s learning about different geological processes in Iceland or playing lacrosse on the pitch in America; travelling whilst at school brings to life the subjects you learn about in the classroom. Being physically involved in different cultures opens doors for students to experiences they have never had before. Visiting different countries around the world is key for students to develop interests and boost their confidence.

With travel comes the opportunity for students to expose themselves to countries and job sectors they may wish to explore further once they have completed their academic career. Our global service trips have inspired previous students to consider careers in the international development sector and political relations industry. By experiencing poverty first-hand in Nepal, Sierra Leone (soon to be Kenya), and India, it illustrates the global issue of extreme poverty and opens doors to how different and less fortunate lives are led, rather than watching it through a television screen. These sorts of opportunities not only support others, but can inspire students and make them think about their future careers and further education. Travelling is also a fantastic way of making connections and networking with people in the industry or sector a student may wish to explore. This is particularly relevant for students in Sixth Form when thinking about their next steps and potential career paths. Being able to draw on opportunities they have had and gaining work experience from professionals in the field, students can enhance their CV and have the confidence to talk about how these trips changed their perspectives and even skills and knowledge that they have gained because of the trips Westonbirt offers. Taking students out of the classroom and allowing them to interact with the world around them is a great way for them to develop inter-personal skills and strengthens their knowledge of the world around them. Be brave – dig in, the world has not gone away!

GLOBAL PROGRAMMES There are a variety of trips that Westonbirt School has to offer students. As a school we encourage students to explore the world that has now opened up to them again after Covid19. SERVICE PROJECTS Westonbirt School offers a variety of Global Service trips. From a new project in Kenya, to Nepal in Central Asia. Our Global Service Trips provide students will a greater understanding of the countries they visit in terms of social, environmental and economic factors. Forthcoming trips are:

• • •

India – October 2023 Nepal – March 2024 Kenya – October 2024 (tbc)

Global Service Trips are for the older members of the school community from Year 11 - Year 13. They require funds to be raised in order to be able to support the in- country project as well as an expectation to raise part of their own air fare with a long lead in. We also require students to demonstrate their commitment to the project and their willingness to participate in voluntary activities.

GLOBAL PROGRAMMES cont. EXCHANGES To share experiences with new faces allows us to develop new and unexpected friendships and a greater appreciation of difference. The exchange programmes are designed with this in mind and are open to all at varying points in the school career. The US Leadership Exchange students are encouraged to develop fundamental leadership skills such as collaboration, communication and problem-solving. Our partner school, Lancaster Country Day School (LCDS) located in Pennsylvania present an opportunity for students to be hosted and for students to directly host back. A collaborative 3 weeks sees our selected Y11 or 12 pupils join LCDS students on day excursions to cultural attractions in the UK. This is quickly followed by Westonbirt students heading out to the States, with the opportunity to attend LCDS school as well as being able to visit Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia. Our Japanese exchange programme is a more formal exchange and each pupil travelling from Westonbirt will spend 10-14 days in our fellow school in Tokyo. This trip is open to Year 10 or to Year 11 and requires some courage. It has a strong foundation as is held in huge respect with our partner school, Fujimagoaka. Pupils from Japan will be hosted in school as they remain with us for the full term but families are encouraged to get to know them. Our connection to Plook Panya in Thailand opens the door to a team exchange where we are hosted by an independent school north of Bangkok with a similar ethos to our own. Trips are scheduled to run in the Spring Term of 2025 and 2027. • Japan – Y10 or 11 – October 2023 (booking complete) • USA – Y11 or 12 - March 2024 • Thailand – Y8 - October 2025

Application for all of our exchange programs is based on character, behaviour and a potentially successful and equivocal match, although there is some room here for shift. All global trips have set expectations for behaviour and costs do need to be covered by the individual. Each trip will be led by a member of our school team and each leader is well briefed and well prepared for the trip they are taking. Full details will be made to parents in advance with plenty of time for discussion before final decisions are reached. The school does reserve the right to refuse some trips to individuals where they believe that to be the correct response to a request to travel. This will always be carefully discussed.

GLOBAL PROGRAMMES cont. SPORTS TOURS The Sports Tours Westonbirt offers are generally on a rotational basis. Pupils with a strength or passion in their sports will be encouraged to join in, allowing them to interact with students from schools around the world and represent the school whilst playing their chosen sport. Students are also encouraged to embrace local cuisines and cultures whilst on the sports tours, as well as forming new connections with host families and schools. Sports Tour excursions may also inspire students to consider further education in other countries and open doors for students in the future

• • • • •

Italy - Skiing – December 2023 Ireland – Football/Netball Snr – February 2024 Kenya – Rugby Y7&8 – March 2025 USA – Lacrosse Y8-12 – March 2026 South Africa – Rugby Y11&12 – March 2026

CULTURAL TRIPS Westonbirt's Cultural Trips offer students exposure to a variety of different experiences and opportunities. They aim to bring subjects to life for students and to expand their worldviews. Some of our most recent excursions have seen students visit Iceland to learn about geothermal power and different geological processes which occur in this fabulous landscape. We also visit the United Nations Office in Geneva, to gain a greater understanding of the world's biggest intergovernmental organisation. St Ives and Greece also form an opportunity to inspire further passion in Art and Classics while a new link with the Global Schools Alliance in underway in Morocco and promises great integration with a range of school students. • St Ives – Art - June 2024 • Iceland – Geography – October 2024 • Greece – Classics – February 2024 • Morocco – Global Schools Alliance – March 2024 • Switzerland – UN Visit – June 2025

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT The Language Trips the school offers bring languages to life for students and allows them to practise those skills they learn in the classroom. There is no better way to reinforce learning than by immersing yourself in the country and being surrounded by the language. Our language trips are open to all year groups from Year 7 - Year 13 and occur on an annual basis all throughout the year. • Madrid – KS4/5 – March 2024 • Paris – KS4/5 – March 2024 • Barcelona – Y8 – June 2024 • Normandy – Y7 – June 2024 62

Uniform and Dress Code 63

UNIFORM and DRESS CODE All personal possessions and items of uniform should be clearly and permanently marked with your child’s name. Name tapes, large and small, are available from the School Uniform Shop, and we also offer a naming service with the school Seamstress. The school can take no responsibility for the loss of any item and parents are advised to ensure anything valuable is covered by their own insurance.

All uniform must be correctly worn and in a good state of repair. If hair touches the shoulders, it must be tied back when in uniform, and at all times in the dining room. Hair ties should be black or maroon. House staff check uniform on a regular basis. No valuable jewellery should be brought into school other than a watch, which should be engraved with the owner’s name. No jewellery may be worn with uniform except a cross (or religious equivalent) and plain stud earrings. Make-up and nail varnish are not allowed. Pupils must keep their games clothing in school, except when taken home for washing. Games kit may be worn only for gym or games. All games kit must be clearly labelled inside.

After Lessons Boarding pupils may change out of uniform into jeans/trousers/skirt and a top, with comfortable and safe footwear.

Formal Occasions – Sunday Chapel, Theatre, etc. For more formal occasions, such as Sunday church services, theatre trips, etc., pupils are expected to dress smartly in either dress, skirt or trousers. They should wear shoes, not trainers.

Ear Piercing Pupils are allowed to wear one stud in each ear which must be removed or taped over for games. As most reputable jewellers will not pierce the ears of children below the age of eighteen years without parental permission, we ask that you, as the parent or guardian, personally arrange for the piercing and accompany your child whilst they have a piercing done. We advise that this may be best left until the holidays when you can supervise the six-week period following the piercing, when infection is most likely to occur. However, should you decide to allow your child to have their ears pierced during term time, please inform your child’s Houseparent (boarders) or tutor (day pupils) that you have given permission. It is also very important that the Health and Wellbeing Centre is made aware so that they can monitor the piercing. A member of staff will ask pupils to change if the items they are wearing are unsuitable.

SCHOOL UNIFORM (Years 7-11) Stevensons is Westonbirt school uniform supplier. All uniform is sourced through Stevensons: Tel : 01727 815700 Website : www.stevensons.co.uk

Parents ordering on the website will have the option to request delivery to home or Westonbirt. Second-hand Uniform Shop The Westonbirt school uniform shop stocks samples of uniform for sizing checks and has a limited supply of second-hand uniform. Second-hand uniform may be purchased by cash, cheque, card or debited (with parents’ permission) to the end-of-term account. The shop is run by Miss Gould, in conjunction with the school suppliers Stevensons. She may be contacted by email: sally.gould@westonbirtschool.uk or64 by calling 01666 881399

GIRLS UNIFORM (Years 7-11) * = Branded or regulation uniform which must be obtained from the suppliers # = stocked with suppliers, but may be bought elsewhere

Quantity

Item

Sizes

√

6/8

White Blouses Long Sleeve (revered collar) #

28 30 32 34 36 38

White Blouses Short Sleeve (optional) #

28 30 32 34 36 38

Wine V-Neck Pullover *

32 34 36 38 40 42

Westonbirt Skirt Tartan *

22 in 20L and 22L 24 in 22L 26 in 22L and 24L 28 in 20L, 22L and 24L 30 in 22L and 24L 32 in 22L and 24L 34 in 24L

Westonbirt Senior Coat Black *

Age 11/12 13/14 S, M, L

Westonbirt Senior Gilet Black (optional) *

XS, S, M

Westonbirt Senior Scarf Stripes (optional) #

Westonbirt Senior Bookbag Y7-9 (own choice Y10+) *

5 Pack Black Ankle Socks #

Zip Bag Assorted Hair Accessories Black #

70 Denier Tights Black #

White Mesh Wash Bag #

Art Apron Year 7-9 ONLY (available from School Uniform Shop)

12/3½, 4/7, 7/11

11/13, Teens, S/M, L/XL

72 Woven Name tapes assorted # 144 Woven Name tapes assorted # 50 Iron On Name tapes assorted # 1

Pair plain black leather low-heeled appropriate school shoes (via supplier at www.schoolloafer.com/westonbirt) #

The School offers a (charged) naming service for your child's uniform. Please get in touch with Mrs Irene Smith: irene.smith@westonbirtschool.uk if you would like to use this service. We recommend sew-on, rather than stick-on name tapes. https://cashsnametapes.co.uk/collections/wovenname-tapes 65

GIRLS SCHOOL UNIFORM for Years 7-11 continued

Sportswear * = Branded or regulation uniform which must be obtained from the suppliers # = stocked with suppliers, but may be bought elsewhere

Quanti ty

Item

Sizes

XXV Westonbirt Senior PE Top Black/Maroon (with allocated number) *

30, 32, 34, 36, 38/40, 42/44

XXV Westonbirt Skort Black *

24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34

XXV Westonbirt Senior Tracktop Black/Maroon *

34, 36, 38/40, 42/44

XXV Westonbirt Senior Hoody Black/Maroon *

34, 36, 38/40, 42/44

XXV Westonbirt Senior Trackpants Black/Maroon *

24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34

Nylon Lycra Cycle Shorts Black (optional) #

XS, S, M, L

Westonbirt Senior PE Socks Black/Maroon *

3/6, 7/11

Westonbirt PE (Y3-11) Bag Black *

Medalist Swimsuit Black #

26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42

Westonbirt Baselayer Top Black #

XS, S, M, L

Westonbirt Baselayer Leggings Black #

XS, S, M, L

Westonbirt Bootbag (Y3-11) Black *

3 Pack White Sports Socks #

Westonbirt Swimming Hat (available from School Uniform Shop)

Pair of Swimming goggles #

Pair of football boots for Lacrosse (moulded studs) #

Pair of white tennis shoes with non-marking sole (not raised) #

Pair of laced trainers with non-marking soles (not raised) #

Lacrosse Stick (available from School Uniform shop) #

Pair of Lacrosse goggles (available from School Uniform shop) #

Tennis Raquet #

Swimming Towel

Netball Dress (Compulsory if playing in North Team)

Pair of athletic spiked shoes for summer (optional)

Mouth guard- see information sheet provided in New Pupil Pack Basic Mouth guard available from Uniform Shop

12/3½, 4/7, 7/11

Opro fitting at start of Autumn 67 term

√

BOYS UNIFORM for Years 7-11

Quantity

Item

Sizes (in inches)

White Shirts Long Sleeve *

28 30 32 34

White Shirts Short Sleeve (optional) #

28 30 32 34

Westonbirt striped tie *

Wine V-Neck Pullover *

32 34 36 38 40 42

Long dark grey trousers

32 34 36 38

Westonbirt Senior Coat Black *

Age 11/12 13/14 S, M, L

Westonbirt Senior Gilet Black (optional) *

XS, S, M

Westonbirt Senior Scarf Stripes (optional) #

Westonbirt Senior Bookbag Y7-9 (own choice Y10+) *

5 Pack Black Ankle Socks #

Art Apron Year 7-9 ONLY (available from School Uniform Shop)

√

12/3½, 4/7, 7/11

72 Woven Name tapes assorted # 144 Woven Name tapes assorted # 50 Iron On Name tapes assorted # 1

Pair plain black leather low-heeled appropriate school shoes (via supplier at www.schoolloafer.com/westonbirt) #

BOYS SCHOOL UNIFORM for Years 7-11 (cont.) SPORTSWEAR * = Branded or regulation uniform which must be obtained from the suppliers # = stocked with suppliers, but may be bought elsewhere

Qua ntity

Item

Sizes

XXV Westonbirt Senior Polo shirt Black/Maroon *

30, 32, 34, 36, 38/40, 42/44

XXV Westonbirt Rugby shorts Black *

24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34

XXV Westonbirt Rugby Jersey Black/Wine stripes *

Age 11/12, 13, 14/15, S, M

XXV Westonbirt Senior Tracktop Black/Maroon *

34, 36, 38/40, 42/44

XXV Westonbirt Senior Hoody Black/Maroon *

34, 36, 38/40, 42/44

XXV Westonbirt Senior Trackpants Black/Maroon *

24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34

Swim Jammers Black #

XS, S, M, L

Westonbirt Senior PE Socks Black/Maroon *

3/6, 7/11

Westonbirt PE (Y3-11) Bag Black *

Westonbirt Baselayer Top Black #

XS, S, M, L

Westonbirt Baselayer Leggings Black #

XS, S, M, L

Westonbirt Bootbag (Y3-11) Black *

3 Pack White Sports Socks

Westonbirt Swimming Hat (available from School Uniform Shop)

Pair of Swimming goggles #

Pair of Rugby boots with moulded studs #

Pair of white tennis shoes with non-marking sole (not raised) #

Pair of laced trainers with non-marking soles (not raised) #

Tennis Racquet #

Swimming Towel

Pair of athletic spiked shoes for summer (optional)

Mouth guard- see information sheet provided in New Pupil Pack Basic Mouth guard available from Uniform Shop

√

12/3½, 4/7, 7/11

Opro fitting at start of Autumn term 70

Sixth Form Uniform Sixth Form students are expected to be dressed in smart business dress from Monday to Friday and at various school events. Clothing options Blazer – black, blue or grey, plain or very subtle stripes/checks Suit – smart, business wear in black, blue or grey, plan or very subtle stripes/checks Trousers – must be smart, no leggings/jeggings/jersey material/velvet etc Chinos, if worn, must be with a smart shirt, tie and blazer. Smart dresses and skirts should be no shorter than just above the knee Blouses/shirts - any colour, long or short sleeved, subtle patterns allowed Jumpers – any colour, smart with no holes, must be a good length (cover the waist), no quarter zips Tie – does not need to be plain, but must be subtle Tights – black or skin colour, without holes or ladders Socks – black/grey/blue/white Shoes: smart black shoes only. No trainers, open toes, flipflops, sliders, crocs or AF1's! Coats – should only be worn when outside. They must be smart with subtle colours and styles 71 Blazers must be worn when moving around campus, for assemblies/chapel/talks/tours and lunch time. You may remove blazers when you are in the sixth form only spaces and in lessons. You may wear a jumper under your blazer when it is cold.

SIXTH FORM SPORTS KIT Sixth Form are required to wear school sports kit in PE lessons and at any Westonbirt sporting events. This can be current kit (Stevenson's) if they have moved up from the Senior School or selected from the new Halbro site below.

It is not required to purchase everything but students need at least one set of kit to play in. Students are able to personalise their kit; choosing to have their initials sewn onto the garment which is greatly encouraged for minimising mix up and lost kit! We request that only full surnames or first names are used. HALBRO: https://halbro.com/product-category/your-store/westonbirt-school/westonbirt-schoolsixth-form-sports-kit/ STEVENSONS: https://www.stevensons.co.uk/ Sixth Form will have a selection of the following activities or sports to elect to take part, or possibly represent the school in: gym, yoga, swimming, golf, rugby, football, basketball, badminton, volleyball, netball, lacrosse, hockey, tennis, cricket or athletics.

The table below identifies the basic kit required for lessons/representation. students BOYS in Sixth Form will have a selection of the following GIRLS activities or sports to elect to take part, or possibly represent the school in: gym, yoga, swimming, golf,bottoms rugby, football, basketball, Black tracksuit bottoms (Stevensons or Halbro) Black tracksuit (Stevensons or Halbro) badminton, hockey, tennis, cricket or athletics. Black t-shirt (Halbro) volleyball, netball, lacrosse, Black t-shirt (Halbro) Black hoody/half zip/jacket for warmth Black hoody/half zip/jacket for warmth (Halbro) (Halbro) Black shorts gym & all sports (Halbro)/rugby Black shorts gym & all sports (Halbro)/rugby (Stevensons) (Stevensons) Socks Socks Trainers/Boots Trainers/Boots Astros (for 5-a-side or hockey) Astros (if club hockey or training for lacrosse) Additional items if representing: Additional items if representing: Rugby/hockey shirt (Stevensons) Skort (Stevensons) Football shirt (provided by school) Rugby shorts (Stevensons) Playing shirt (Stevensons) School socks (Stevensons) School socks (Stevensons) 72 Gum guard for rugby Gum guard for lacrosse

Other Items All items should be clearly marked with your child's full name. • Westonbirt School Bag (Y7-9) 1x maroon Food apron (Y7-9) 1x blue & white checked food apron (Y10-11 GCSE Food students (available from school uniform shop) iPad/laptop and protective case Water bottle, named (there are several refill stations around the school) Pencil case, including pencils and pens (a black handwriting pen is required for public exams in Key Stage 4 and 5), an eraser and pencil sharpener, ruler, scissors and a glue stick. Geometry set including a protractor and compasses Scientific calculator Music instrument and case (insured under your home policy) Tennis racket and other equipment for private lessons Art Equipment See next page • Games Kit Pupils must keep their games clothing in school, except when taken home for washing. Games kit may be worn only for fitness or games. All games kit must be labelled. • No valuable jewellery should be brought into school other than a clearly named watch. No jewellery may be worn with uniform except a cross (or equivalent) and plain stud earrings. All watches must be engraved with the owner’s name. Make-up and nail varnish are not allowed. Mobile Phones Mobile phones are not allowed during the school day and the school sees no reason for them to be in at all, as there are plenty of phone lines students can use in the case of an emergency. If phones are brought to school, they should be left in students' lockers or boarding room and may not be used between 8.15 – 1730. In the main school, mobiles must be handed in to house staff at bedtime and may be collected during morning inspection.

Art & Design Materials Art Equipment All pupils in years 7-9 and those studying Art at GCSE or A-level:

1x black Art & Design apron (available from school uniform shop) A box for storing materials A range of drawing pencils A set of watercolour paints A set of brushes in a range of sizes Basic accessories such as scissors, eraser, ruler, glue stick and sharpener For pupils studying GCSE and A-level: Art: Small palette and A1 portfolio (available from department) Photography: A digital SLR camera Product Design: A portfolio folder (available from department) Textiles: A sewing kit consisting of a range of needles, threads, drawing chalk, un-picker and scissors

Using Personal Devices at School From September 2023, our recommended device is a Surface Go 3 for pupils in Year 7 (with keyboard/typecase and Surface Pen for digital inking) and a Surface Pro 9 or above for pupils in Year 9 and above (with a Surface Pro keyboard/typecase and Surface Pen for digital inking). Students must bring their device to every lesson. It must be charged and ready to use. Students must make sure there is enough space to install apps required by their subjects. Outside of lesson times, students should store their device safely and securely. Students will able to send and receive emails on their device using their school email address – accessed via http://outlook.office365.com or added to an email client of their choice. Students' email addresses follow the format firstname.lastname@westonbirtschool.uk (I.e., if their name is Joe Bloggs their email will be joe.bloggs@westonbirtschool.uk).

Any work on their device should be in a Microsoft app (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc) and the files stored in their school OneDrive account. Students will need to connect their device to the “Westonbirt Personal” Wi-Fi network and log in with your username (in the format firstname.lastname) and password. The first time they log on to the school Wi-Fi, they will need to install a certificate onto your device – instructions via the IT Helpdesk or https://wishford.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/101000251571/page/3

IT Support at Westonbirt •

IT Support at Westonbirt School is provided by Wishford IT, a dedicated group of professionals who are here to help you with all of your IT needs. Whether you have a technical question, need help troubleshooting a problem, or just want to learn more about how to use a particular piece of software, we are here to help.

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We understand that having reliable IT support is essential to keeping a school functioning properly; that’s why we provide our schools with rapid response service, ensuring minimal downtime. Our team is available all year round, Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5.30 pm. So don't hesitate to reach out to us – we are here to make your life easier and more productive!

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The IT Team are based on site at Westonbirt, to support your children with any IT issues they experience. We also have an extensive knowledgebase and helpdesk to support students remotely.

Pastoral 76

MEALS, SNACKS & SPECIAL FOOD NEEDS The Weekly Menu An interesting, varied and healthy menu is always available from our in-house caterers Holroyd Howe. The current week’s menu is displayed on notice boards outside the upper and lower dining rooms, giving details of breakfast, lunch and supper. In addition to the main hot menu, which includes vegetarian and vegan options, at lunch students also have the options of soup, jacket potatoes/sweet potatoes, pasta and a selection from the salad bar. There is something different for every meal every day and repetition is kept to a minimum. Special Requests If your child has a special dietary need, such as an allergy to or dislike of a particular dietary preference, please complete the food allergy and intolerances form and/or the food preferences form in advance of the beginning of term. The catering team will then arrange for your child to be served a balanced diet, taking this need into account throughout the term.

Food Allergy Policy How Main Meals are served All meals are served from hot and cold counters with a combination of buffet and service from our catering team. Children are expected to eat well, with good manners, and to clean-up after themselves and occasionally others.

The Food Committee A group of pupils meet the head chef twice a term to discuss the menu. Your child will have the opportunity to contribute their ideas via food reps before the meeting, even if they do not join the committee themselves.

HEALTH & WELLBEING CENTRE (HWC) INFORMATION The Health and Wellbeing Centre is situated in the main building, and we provide medical and nursing care for your child. A Registered Nurse is available on a drop-in basis during ‘surgery times’. Pupils can find these times on the boarding house notice boards and in the Health and Wellbeing Centre. The Health and Wellbeing Centre has seven beds in three dormitories, a kitchen and a living room available to pupils who are unwell. Boarders who are unwell may stay overnight where they will be cared for by the Nurse on duty. Day pupils are expected to be taken home if they are ill but will be cared for in the Health and Wellbeing Centre until they can be collected. Meals and drinks are provided. SERVICES

1. Doctors Boarders are registered with the school doctor based at Phoenix Surgery, Tetbury. The Doctor holds surgeries on Wednesdays from 1-2pm. Appointments to see the doctor are made at the HWC. Day pupils are asked to see their own GP, flexi boarders may be registered with the school Doctor if requested. If your child needs to see a Doctor outside these times, an appointment will be made at Phoenix Tetbury. If it is an emergency or outside normal working hours the emergency doctor will be contacted, and appropriate action taken. The nearest out of hour’s surgery is at Cirencester Hospital. Accident and Emergency Departments/Minor Injuries Units are at Tetbury, Cirencester, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol and Bath. In the event of an emergency, every effort will be made to contact you. Your child will always be accompanied by a member of House staff if they need to visit the doctor or hospital. 2. Physiotherapist A private physiotherapist visits the HWC once a week or when required. Individual care is provided for a range of ailments and sports injuries. The cost is divided between the pupils receiving treatment; this reduces the waiting time for an appointment and time spent out of school. Parental permission will be gained before a pupil is seen and any costs are incurred.

3. Counsellor The school counsellors offer several sessions a week, to which all pupils have access, if required. A waiting list is in operation. Pupils can refer themselves to them directly or make an appointment through the HWC. Dealings with the counsellor are strictly confidential between the pupil and the counsellor, unless it is felt that a pupil is harming themselves or others and not to pass on information could be detrimental (please see our Confidentiality Policy for more details). Counselling information is on notice boards throughout the school. 4. Listener The school listener offers drop-in sessions at various times throughout the week or pupils can make an appointment via listener@westonbirtschool.uk Administration You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire for your child before they start school. It is important that as much detail as possible is included in order to deliver the best care. For the start of each term an update form is sent out, this requires completion only if there have been any medical updates during the holidays. 78

Medication You will be asked to sign a form to say whether medicines can be given to your child. Medication is kept locked in the Health and Wellbeing Centre and is administered when necessary. Nonprescribed medicines administered are those that are readily available over the counter. Repeat prescriptions can be ordered through the Centre staff for those pupils registered with the school doctor. PLEASE NOTE THAT IN LINE WITH LEGISLATION, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ADMINISTER MEDICINES FROM OVERSEAS THAT ARE IMPORTED INTO THE U.K.

Confidentiality & Consent The Health and Wellbeing Centre operates under a strict code of confidentiality. Medical information is not shared with anyone else in the school without permission from your child and/or you. Your child is legally entitled to receive medical advice and treatment without your knowledge if they are deemed medically competent. Every effort will be made to encourage your child to share this information with you. Information will be shared if there is any risk of harm to them or others, but we would inform pupils we are doing so as a duty of care/safety. Immunisations All vaccinations that form part of the Childhood Immunisation Programme will be offered to your child, free of charge at the school. The Flu vaccination is offered annually by the school doctor for a fee. Information regarding other vaccinations is available from the Health and Wellbeing Centre. Written consent is required for all vaccinations. Holidays If your child requires medical treatment during the holidays, this can be obtained as a temporary resident with the local GP. Please notify the school via the Student Update Form or by telephone/email if your child has been in contact with any infectious disease during the holidays, in order that our quarantine regulations may be fulfilled. Please inform the Centre if your childhas received any vaccinations, medical, surgical or dental treatment during the holidays. If your child is bringing back any medication (prescribed or non-prescribed), please inform HWC staff. They will then know exactly what your child is taking, and they will decide best how to store safely and administer it. Supplies A variety of supplies including tissues and personal hygiene products are available for your child to purchase from the HWC. These items will be added to their end of term account.

Transport Transport for boarders to attend medical and dental appointments is provided by an approved local taxi firm. The pupil will be accompanied by one of the House Staff. The taxi will normally charge for ‘waiting time’. The costs will be added to your end of term bill. If your child is over 16 and happy to attend their appointment independently, they will be allowed to go without an escort. An escort is always available if required and for all pupils under the age of 16.

HEALTH &WELLBEING CENTRE OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday

Saturdays

Sundays

8am - 8.45am 11.10am - 11.35am

On call as required.

12.45pm - 13.40pm

16.10pm - 17.00pm EMERGENCIES WILL BE SEEN AT ANY TIME

We are here to ensure the health and wellbeing of your child during their time at Westonbirt. We can make appointments for the boarders to see opticians, doctors, dentists, hospital, orthodontists etc. We provide first aid treatment, health promotion and a listening ear. Pupils are encouraged to come to see us and we aim to provide a peaceful and welcoming sanctuary to those in need, whatever their requirement. We also have very good links with external agencies for advice and referral for pupils and staff. Please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns over your child’s health or wellbeing. Equally, we will always do our best to keep you informed.

Health & Wellbeing Centre Contact Details T 01666 881304 / 07799 110030 F 01666 881389 E san@westonbirtschool.uk

THE WESTONBIRT PUPIL

At Westonbirt, all pupils develop to be: • Independent, able to make their own decisions and to be responsible for themselves. • Confident to engage with new life challenges and to learn to thrive in a safe environment, pushing their own boundaries positively.

• Compassionate towards those around them and their environment. • Resilient, secure in their abilities and prepared to meet the challenges ahead. • Tolerant, embracing life and work in a global community. • Respectful of others socially, culturally and spiritually. • Dignified in their attitude towards others, confident in their own beliefs and welcoming of those whose cultural values may be different from their own.

• Reflective, thinking carefully about their actions and supportive of others. • Intellectually curious, interested in the world and desiring to achieve academic excellence. • Leaders, with opportunities for all to develop leadership skills and take responsibility.

• Determined and driven, passionate about learning and confident in their future.

Behaviour and Sanctions Students who do not behave in a way befitting a Westonbirt pupil can expect the following sanctions: Sanction

Types of Offence

DEBIT (minus house point)

Debit

Poor behaviour, lateness, missed prep, lack of equipment, incorrect dress etc.

Letter to parents

Accumulation of five debits in a term.

DETENTION

Key Stage Lead Detention

More serious offence / repeated debits, as appropriate. Poor work standards. Repeated debits over the course of a term, or three debits in a week.

Deputy Head Pastoral and Academic Detention

More serious offence / repeated debits, as appropriate. Missed academic lesson, prep., games, activities. Rudeness and anti-social behaviour. Repeated debits over the course of a term.

Saturday Detention

Saturday detentions may be given for repeated or more serious misdemeanours.

3. REPORT CARD

Offences of more serious nature than the above, or persistent infringement. Smoking Unsupervised drinking (Sixth Form) Serious Anti-Social Behaviour Missing Lunchtime or Saturday detention. Repetition of detentions. Rudeness to members of staff. Bringing the School into disrepute. Dangerous behaviour.

4. SUSPENSION

Significant instance of poor behaviour. Drinking alcohol (Years 7 to 11) Unsupervised drinking involving excessive consumption or supply (Sixth Form) Vaping, smoking. Insolence or insubordination to members of staff. Bullying. Theft. Excessive physical violence. Significant abuse of IT facilities. Significant dangerous behaviour.

5. PERMANENT EXCLUSION

Sustained bullying or any serious act of bullying. Consumption of illegal drugs. Any offence deemed by the Headmistress to be incompatible with membership of the School.

SUPPORT CARD

A support card will be issued if it is felt a pupil would benefit from regular feedback and assistance if their behaviour requires. A support card is 82 not considered a sanction.

The Boarding Community 83

Boarding at Westonbirt School – the general structure of pastoral care Westonbirt School has a long history of boarding, and we believe that the community atmosphere of the school is greatly enhanced by the presence of boarders. Boarding is offered to those pupils (from the UK or overseas) who wish to either full board, weekly board or flexi board. Boarders are an integral part of life at Westonbirt; they represent the heart of the school. There are five houses; each house has a dedicated live in Housemistress, an Assistant Housemistress or Housemaster and a team of associated tutors, whose pastoral work is essential to maintain the smooth running of the boarding community and to enhance the quality of life of the pupils whilst they are in school. Boarding at Westonbirt School is overseen by the Head of Boarding Mrs Lisa Bradbury.

Importantly, when a pupil boards at Westonbirt School, they don’t just join a House, they become part of an extended family. Pupils will feel a sense of belonging and know that they are accepted as an individual; problems will be shared and triumphs celebrated. Living and working within a caring community provides a safe training ground within which to develop critical life-skills, such as the importance of communication, consideration and compromise; lessons that cannot be taught as effectively in the classroom. Boarding at Westonbirt aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the welfare of each individual and encourages their all-round development. It is a place where every pupil feels comfortable and accepted and where everyone is encouraged to discover and reach their full potential. The Houses are central to this ethos and are places where pupils feel secure and are properly looked after by well qualified and experienced staff. Through boarding, pupils receive an enhanced education, which offers greater access to school facilities and a wide variety of activities. Boarders form a cooperative, tolerant and purposeful community where valuable skills such as leadership and teamwork are developed.

Our aim is for every pupil to develop the confidence, independence and selfawareness needed to enable them to play an active and positive part in an ever-changing world. Through a great sense of community spirit, they develop a deeper cultural awareness and a greater respect for others. Their social skills develop and improve quickly, enabling each of them to gain friends for life. 84

The Boarding Community Through boarding, pupils receive an enhanced education, which offers greater access to school facilities and a wide variety of activities. Boarders form a cooperative, tolerant and purposeful community where valuable skills such as leadership and teamwork are developed. Our aim is for every pupil to develop the confidence, independence and selfawareness needed to enable them to play an active and positive part in an everchanging world.

Aims •To encourage, challenge and value everyone; promoting honesty, openness, tolerance and understanding. •To maintain a happy, disciplined and structured environment and to promote dignity, equality and respect. •To cultivate self-confidence, independence and responsibility, with pupils being encouraged to always think about others. •To support the growth, development and needs of the whole person.

In Boarding we promote these aims by: •Producing an open and trusting ethos in which every boarder feels able to approach any other member of the community, staff or pupil, confident in the knowledge they will be treated and respected as an individual. •Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of each boarder, by providing an environment that is safe and secure.

•Providing accommodation that is suited to the needs of boarders, according to age and maturity, that provides adequate levels of comfort and privacy. •Providing a stimulating, enriching and forward-thinking environment for all pupils, where achievement, enterprise, creativity and leadership are nurtured and developed. •Providing pupils with the opportunities and structure in which to develop their own moral, spiritual and social values. •Providing a range of activities, hobbies and opportunities related to age and maturity that will assist in the personal, social and cultural development of each boarder. •Providing opportunities for leadership and responsibility within the boarding house.

In order to achieve our aims, we provide:

• Appropriate staffing levels in all boarding houses, comprising a Housemistress, Assistant Housemistress and Tutors, with regular pastoral INSET and meetings of House teams to promote and ensure an understanding of topics relevant to the pupils under their care. • An extensive range of extra-curricular, weekend and House activities. • Clear and effective policies and procedures for Academic and Pastoral matters, Health and Safety concerns and Safeguarding and Child Welfare issues.

• A wide range of opportunities for pupils to adopt leadership roles, at all levels, within the school and to contribute to the development of policy and change at House and school level. • Age-appropriate, well-equipped living and sleeping accommodation.

• Effective communication systems, including wireless internet, to enable pupils to maintain regular contact with parents, guardians and extended families. • High quality medical, welfare and administrative support systems.

• Efficient methods for reporting and addressing maintenance matters. • High quality catering services and access to drinking water at all times, with an opportunity for boarders to input directly with the school’s service over food issues, implementing changes where feasible/desirable. • A carefully planned and managed induction procedure, with close monitoring of systems to ensure continuity of care as appropriate. • A broad and balanced curriculum to meet the needs of all pupils, with particularly close monitoring of EAL.

BOARDING AT WESTONBIRT - KEY MEMBERS OF STAFF Mrs Lisa Bradbury Assistant Head (Boarding) lisa.bradbury@westonbirtschool.uk

Miss Sally Gould Dorchester (Girls 7-11) Housemistress sally.gould@westonbirtschool.uk

Miss Lisa Allen Badminton (Boys 7-10) Housemistresslisa.allen@westonbirtschool.uk

Mr Giles Cuddy Beaufort (Boys 11-13) Housemaster giles.cuddy@westonbirtschool.uk

Ms Andrea Westmoreland Gloucester (Girls Y12) Housemistress andrea.westmoreland@westonbirtschool.uk

Mrs Diana Lambert Holford (Y13) Housemistress Diana.lambert@westonbirtschool.uk

DORCHESTER HOUSE Housemistress, Miss Gould

I have been at Westonbirt for 29 years, and it seems so much shorter! I have a real passion for my role as Houseparent and the school as a whole. My Springer Spaniel, Strumble, and I live in the middle of the boarding house, and he loves nothing better than a walk around the lake with the boarders.

I have lots of different interests including History of Art, classical music, and the theatre in all its forms. I love nothing better than a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival every year. Strumble and I spend our free time in Pembrokeshire, and he has already learned to chase the seagulls off the beach!

I look forward to welcoming you to Dorchester House where I foster a sense of living as a family. If you have any questions prior to your arrival, please do not hesitate to email me. sally.gould@westonbirtschool.uk 89

BADMINTON HOUSE Housemistress, Miss Allen

I have worked at Westonbirt for four years, both as a Religious Studies teacher and Head of Key Stage Three. I am delighted to be the Housemistress for Badminton Junior Boys boarding, years 7-10. In boarding, the boys are encouraged to develop a sense of independence and responsibility. I think food, friends and fun are the order of the day for the boarders! I live in Badminton House with my own two children Scarlett and Jude. I love to spend time outside, and in my spare time to holiday in Cornwall especially Padstow. I look forward to welcoming you to Badminton House. If you have any questions, please contact me on lisa.allen@westonbirtschool.uk

BEAUFORT HOUSE Housemaster, Mr Cuddy

I grew up in North London, (but I call West Wales home) and began my education at Christ’s College Finchley, before going on to read Ancient History at the University of Wales, Swansea. I pursued careers in travel, finance and medical devices where I developed my passion for coaching and education. I studied for my PGCE at the University of Buckingham while teaching history at Stowe School and was involved in both boys and girls boarding there for seven years. The pastoral side of education is where my passion lies and the drive to provide the best possible environment for all students is my goal, after all, pupils spend more time out of the classroom than in it. The boarding experience for every pupil is central to their happiness and enjoyment of education, providing a safe and inclusive community, where everybody's voice is heard is key. A fun and fair environment to grow, study and make lifelong friends is the focus of the best possible boarding experience that we strive to provide in Beaufort House the (senior boys house) .

I love the outdoors and I am thrilled by the amount of space Westonbirt has for pupils to enjoy daily. The extensive grounds and playing fields and the ability to practice adventure training in the outdoors is a luxury most schools cannot compete with. My wife and I both love to travel, near and far, and enjoy exploring the local countryside and villages as well as our bigger travels abroad. When I'm not in the boarding house or the classroom or roaming the countryside, I am invariably at the sports fields, both my wife and I come from competitive sporting backgrounds and while we both love rugby, I am often found on a lacrosse field with a whistle or a stick in hand. I am a passionate fan of the game and have coached both men's and women's lacrosse at school, university, club and national levels. 91

GLOUCESTER HOUSE Housemistress, Ms Westmoreland I joined the Westonbirt community last year with my partner Mr. Giles Cuddy, Beaufort House Parent, and our dog Pippin, the Cardigan corgi. I have been actively involved in Boarding for five years in various roles ranging from Assistant Houseparent to Sixth Form Tutor. I am looking forward to running Gloucester House and providing the perfect blend of community and care to allow the boarders to thrive and develop. Alongside Houseparenting, I will be leading the Westonbirt PSHE department; I am passionate about mental health and wellbeing and aim to ensure that all boarders feel included, listened to and that they have a voice within both the Boarding and wider Westonbirt community. I was born and raised in Southern California and spent several years living throughout the United States. I attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where I enjoyed being a student athlete. In 2018 I began my life in the UK. I love to travel to destinations both near and far, I am art lover, a foodie, a podcast enthusiast and an avid reader. I can often be found in a coffee shop or wandering in a garden. I enjoy planning events and I am looking forward to bringing the boarding community together for celebrations and socials throughout the year. At Westonbirt, staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can feel confident your child is in supportive and safe hands. I look forward to welcoming your child to Gloucester House, if you would like additional information or have any questions or concerns, please contact me. andrea.westmoreland@westonbirtschool.uk

HOLFORD SIXTH FORM HOUSE Housemistress, Mrs Lambert Joining the boarding team at Westonbirt in January 2024 is an exciting new venture. Having grown up in Gloucestershire, I have spent much of my career to date in the North of Scotland, but have also lived and worked in South East Asia and schools in England. My English teacher’s hoard of books has moved with me, as has my cat, Rosie, who will love the glorious and expansive gardens of Holford House. I have a particular love for poetry and the theatre, and a passion for the outdoors, whether walking, cycling, skiing or gardening!

Holford House is a Year 13 mixed boarding house in Tetbury; South facing and sitting in a 9 acre site and bordered by a vineyard, it is little short of idyllic. The off-site accommodation is the perfect preparation for our seniors before they prepare to depart for further study, adventure, or the world of work. Pastoral care and the understanding of every pupil as an individual has always been central to my personal ethos, but is, I believe, what has made Westonbirt a very special place to board. My aim is to ensure that the Holford community provides a stable, secure and happy environment from which the students can achieve of their very best in school, thus fulfilling their potential. To achieve this, teamwork sits at the heart of creating our community: the team of staff here at Holford, the pupils themselves and collaboration with home will help us to send happy and confident young adults into the next stage of their lives.

Assistant House Staff Miss Scarlett Jones Badminton Assistant Housemistress scarlett.jones@westonbirtschool.uk

Miss Lottie Hill-Trevor Dorchester Assistant Housemistress lottie.hilltrevor@westonbirtschool.uk

Mr James Monteith Beaufort Assistant Housemaster James.monteitgh@westonbirtschool.uk

Miss Maisie Wills Gloucester Assistant Housemistress maisie.wills@westonbirtschool.uk

Mr Lucas Slowik Holford Assistant Housemaster lucas.slowik@westonbirtschool.uk 94

Facilities and Opportunities The boarding houses are upgraded and developed on a rolling programme. All houses have their own separate recreation spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. The boarding staff provide an extensive programme of activities for the boarders during evenings and weekends and boarders have access to the impressive sports and recreation facilities within the main school campus. Boarders also regularly enjoy cultural activities such as celebrations of the Chinese New Year as well as, for example, organise and attend their own quiz nights, or arrange trips out for meals, entertainment or shopping. The Cotswolds naturally lend themselves to the outdoors and as a community, we certainly make the most of the activities available in this county, particularly at the weekends. Boarders can also participate in a flourishing Duke of Edinburgh programme and will be supported to attend any other extracurricular activity they would usually attend at home.

Welfare Pupils are provided with three very good meals each day when boarding and the sixth form also have access to the information environment of the school’s café. Drinks and snacks are also readily available in all of the houses, at break times and any help can always be sought through: class tutors, Heads of Year and Key Stage leads, as well as through the medical team in the Health Centre. Spiritual guidance is provided by the Chaplain. We have our own counsellor as well as a listener. Overseas pupils also have access to EFL lessons during the week. At Westonbirt School we also pay much attention to the ‘pupil voice’ through house meetings, committees, surveys and regular feedback.

Our Boarding Team All our boarding staff live within the boarding houses and the majority also teach at Westonbirt School. They help to provide a sense of community in a homely environment and are there to personally support pupils to give them the guidance they require right through until Sixth Form. Our boarding house staff are all trained in first-aid and work alongside our school nurses to provide day-to-day medical requirements.

TRAVEL INFORMATION BOARDERS

Parents or guardians are asked to make travel arrangements for boarders for the beginning and end of term, for exeats and half term holidays. All travel arrangements should be made to coincide with the school’s term dates, which are published a year in advance. All pupils are expected to be in school for the start of each term.

Parents or guardians wishing to make travel arrangements at any other time, please contact our Travel team with the details and they will try to accommodate your request. The transport manager, Ms Clair Wilkinson, can be contacted through the following means, direct line 01666 881329, mobile 07919235410, or email at transport@westonbirtschool.uk     

It is the responsibility of parents to book flights well in advance Pupils may not return late or leave early unless prior permission has been obtained from the Headmistress. Where transport is requested for travel to an airport, the return details for travel back to the UK must be provided at the same time. Parents are requested to check that Passports, Visas and International Health Certificates are up to date. Pupils holding non-British Passports, and who attain the age of 16 years during a term, will require 2 copies of their passport photograph for official registration if required by the Immigration Department. Girls will also be issued with a letter from the school indicating their attendance at Westonbirt.

LUGGAGE

Trunks Pupils travelling long distances may leave trunks at School during the Christmas and Easter holidays. Pupils who are resident abroad may leave trunks at School during the summer holidays. Arrangements will be made for clothes to be washed or cleaned and the cost charged to the pupil's account. Trunks must be clearly and permanently named on the end and on the lid. Suitcases and Hand luggage Please ensure that your child is aware of the weight limits for airport baggage allowances; any excess baggage charges must be paid by pupils and cannot be charged to school accounts. Pupils using school minibuses will only be allowed to travel with one piece of hand luggage and one suitcase.

BEGINNING & END OF TERM Please note all travel and return arrangements must be with your child’s Houseparent no later than ten days in advance of the end of term. This allows good time to ensure safe and efficient transfer between school and home. Pupils are required to return to school by 5pm at the beginning of term. Please allow time for security checks at the airport and travel back to school when booking your flights. Train Transport is available by taxi to and from local railway stations at Kemble, Cheltenham, Chippenham, Gloucester and Bristol on request.

Flights First Day of Term Pupils will be met as near to their arrival time as possible, at the exit from the customs hall in the terminal at which their flight arrives at the terminal meeting points – so long as the information has been submitted to the school in advance. Pupils must remain at the terminal until the staff escort collects them. End of Term Please ensure that departures are after 8.30pm where possible. Where school finishes at lunchtime, please ensure that flights are booked no earlier than 4.45pm. Pupils are taken directly to the airport, and the staff escort remains on hand to assist with check-in if needed. To enable us to ensure the safety of pupils, FULL details of arrival and departure flights must reach the school no later than ten days before the end/start of each term. Details should be emailed to transport@westonbirtschool.uk and to the Houseparent. Heathrow Airport Heathrow is the major airport for all international flights to the UK and is only an hour and a half from the school. All information for the airport can be found at www.heathrow.com

Other Airports Bristol International airport is the local airport to Westonbirt School. There are daily flights to most European, and some longer haul international flight destinations provided by most airlines including budget operators. Destinations and airlines that fly to them can be viewed at www.bristolairport.co.uk

Birmingham and Gatwick are also options for flights but transfers to each will be more costly as fewer pupils use them on a regular basis. HALF TERM & EXEATS At Exeat weekends and half terms, the school can arrange transport to the local train station or airports. Details of departure and return travel must be provided at least two weeks prior to travel. Requests for transport should be emailed to the Housemistress and a copy sent to transport@westonbirtschool.uk. Pupils are required to return to school by 8.00pm – so please allow time for security checks at the airport and travel back to school when booking your flights. Boarders can stay at school for exeats, but this must be prearranged with the Head of 97 Boarding.

Boarding House Rules The boarding house is run mainly on trust and respect; hence the boarding rules are simple and straightforward, but it is important that they are followed correctly. Boarders need to keep all areas of the house clean and tidy regardless of whether they are communal areas or personal bedrooms. The staff will do regular bedroom checks. The boarders will also be required to join a kitchen rota for tidying away dishes.

Boarders can only enter another pupil’s bedroom when the pupil is present, or they have express permission from the pupil to enter the room. After activities/prep (P11), boarders can choose to follow a programme of activities devised for all boarders that includes going to the gym, sports hall, swimming pool etc. This programme is advertised in the house every term.

Weekend arrangements must be clarified in advance and the correct permission must be sought from both the parents of the boarder, the house staff and the parents of the pupils whose house they may be visiting. Under no circumstances must any boarder travel in a car, except for their family car, without the express permission of their parents and Housemistress. Boarders should ensure that they wash their bedding regularly and maintain their own high standards of personal cleanliness. The House signing out book must be used by boarders whenever students leave the school building in the evening or at weekends, e.g., to go to the Sports Centre, the tennis courts or out with parents. Students may only leave the school premises once they have received permission from House staff, and only then in groups of three or more. The main school is locked after supper, and students should then use the clock tower door.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU All items must be clearly named or labelled.

Home Clothes 1 smart outfit for formal occasions 2 tops 2 pairs of trousers or jeans 2 jumpers Underwear and socks Pyjamas, a dressing gown and slippers Clothing appropriate to the term's weather (warm coat, scarf, hat, gloves and boots, waterproof jacket, shorts and trainers Name tapes (extra)

Accessories 1 linen bag for laundry 2 mesh wash bags for underwear laundry 1 duvet 2 duvet covers, visibly named on outside corner 2 bath towels 2 hand towels 1 mug 1 medium sized 'tuck' box for storing personal items 1 small suitcase or bag for weekend travel 1 hot water bottle 2 plug adapters (overseas students) Toiletries (deodorant, shampoo, shower gel) 1 hairbrush, a shower cap and hairbands/ties as appropriate 1 nit comb (nitti gritti) Family photographs Pocket money!

Accessories for school 1 iPad, laptop or similar for schoolwork 1 iPad or laptop case (we recommend a bumper case) Music instrument and case (insured under your home policy) Water bottle (there are several refill stations around the school) Stationery, writing paper, pens and pencils, scissors, a ruler, eraser and a glue stick Geometry set including a protractor and compasses Scientific calculator

Tuck A small amount of tuck may be brought to school or purchased from the school shop.

Permitted Electrical Items iPads/laptops and their chargers Mobile phones and their chargers Personal music players/speakers Small clocks Hairdryers and hair straighteners Small travel adapters

NOT permitted* Desk lamp Oil filled radiator Fan heater Travel kettle Rice cooker Travel iron Electric blanket Mini fridge *though the school may lend as required 99

POCKET MONEY

Pupils are encouraged to use their pocket money for purchases in the school bookshop and tuck shop. The amount varies according to the age and parents’ wishes; however, the guidelines published in the student handbook are as follows:

Year 7 Years 8 & 9

Years 10 & 11

£50 Resident in the UK

£75

Resident abroad

£100

Resident in the UK

£75

Resident abroad

£100

The bursary regrets that it cannot provide cash advances to be added to end of term accounts and parents are advised that those who wish their child to have additional pocket money may contact the bursary and request the following: •Pay the money directly into the school’s bank account: Westonbirt Limited Sort Code: 309589 Account Number: 54344060 •Send a cheque made payable to Westonbirt Limited. Please note on the back of the cheque that this pocket money and your child’s full name.

100

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