Woodlands_School_Prospectus_2020

We would love to see you at Woodlands.

“The thing I really like about being at Woodlands?

The teachers are very encouraging as they take the time to help you with the work and the lessons are really interesting.

It’s really good!”

David – Woodlands student

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CONTENTS 5 Welcome 6 Our Values and Aims 7 Our Performance 8 Location and facilities 13 Enhancing Learning 15 From Primary to Woodlands 16 Case Study 18 Life at Woodlands 20 Admissions Policy 22 22 22 22 23 23

Teaching and Learning Years 7–9 GCSE (Years 10–11) The Sixth Form (Years 12–13) Further Education Special educational needs

24 24 24 25 25

Our Expectations Behaviour Attendance and punctuality Code of Conduct Rewards and sanctions

26 26 27 27

Care and Guidance Child Protection Medical Support Complaints

28 School Uniform and PE Kit 30 Keeping you informed 30 Progress Files 30 Homework and Student Planner 31 Extra curricular activities 33 The School Day 34 School Term & Holiday dates 35 Contacts

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WELCOME At Woodlands we pride ourselves on the warm and friendly atmosphere of the school. Relationships are important and our aim is to ensure that every student feels safe and happy.

We strive to provide the best for them and believe that every young person deserves the chance to feel successful at school.

Our motto, ‘Aspire and Achieve’, sums up our hopes and expectations for every student who is part of our school community. We want all of our students to excel and recognise that, for this to happen, they must aspire to achieve ambitious goals and work hard to reach these.

But, we know that having aspiration can be tough; after all, if you dream big, there is a chance that you might not always reach your goal.

This is why we are here as well-qualified and committed staff to both support and challenge all young people to aspire, to dream of what might lie ahead and to work hard to make an ambitious goal possible.

When aspiration and hard work are combined, people achieve amazing things. That is what we strive for at Woodlands: to see every student aspire to reach or exceed their potential and work hard towards that goal. In turn they will receive excellent teaching and support to achieve it and to feel a sense of self-worth and pride in doing so. We want our students to be good citizens, demonstrating leadership, awareness of global issues, regard for others and courage when faced with challenge.

Our success is built on a strong partnership between students, parents/carers, staff and governors; a partnership which flourishes in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

You will see on page 6 how ‘Aspire and Achieve’ is woven in to the fabric of our school through our vison, values and aims that everyone, students, parents/carers, staff and governors have contributed to.

It is a touchstone for how we want to be as a community and is under constant review to maintain this focus.

We are lucky to be a thriving school with a growing intake, a broad curriculum and are proud to provide superb extra-curricular opportunities in sports, technology and the creative and performing arts as well as possessing tremendous facilities. This continues through to A level where our sixth form gives the opportunity for further study in preparation for university or apprenticeship.

If you would like to know more, take a good look at this prospectus, visit our website or speak to those who know us best – our students and parents/carers – and visit us to find out for yourself and get a feel for what Allestree Woodlands School is all about.

Gemma Penny Headteacher

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OUR VALUES AND AIMS

‘Aspire and Achieve’ Woodlands is a place where people matter

Vision

Values

For all students to have an excellent, enriching experience of education and development so they can fulfil their potential to learn and thrive, both now and in the future.

1 exceptional education and achievement for all

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School provides high quality facilities, resources and activities, cultivating a safe environment and a first-rate education through mutual hard work.

1 Governors are supportive and ambitious, exercising rigour to secure excellent outcomes for students 1

Staff are committed to achieve professional excellence, embracing opportunities to develop their practice in a collaborative and cooperative environment.

1 Students flourish as individuals and contribute positively to school and community 1 Parents are engaged and actively involved in the life of the school

1 celebration of achievement and success 1 full involvement in education of all students, staff, parents/carers and the wider community 1 respect for equality and diversity 1 mutual respect and self-worth 1 enjoyment of education

Aims As a result of these values we aim to: 1 inspire and equip students to be confident and independent learners 1 develop first rate learning environments that meet the needs of all students 1 offer a wide range of learning opportunities for all students and staff 1 establish partnerships with parents/carers and the wider community to cultivate these values 1 sustain a school community where all activities speak of courtesy, thoughtfulness and hard work 1 instil a culture of excellence in everything we do

All members of the school community have been involved in drawing up these values and aims.

Adopted by the Governing Body and reviewed annually.

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OUR PERFORMANCE

Students are making good and sometimes outstanding progress and reach standards that are well above national averages. Ofsted Year 11 GCSE 9 – 1 Subject Results 2019 Strong Pass

9’s %

Standard Pass

9–7% 9–5% 9–4% 9–1%

Art

14.9

29.9

53.7

67.2

100

Biology

9.3

27.8

74.1

88

99.1

Business Studies

2.7

23

59.5

71.6

100

Chemistry

5.8

26.9

76.9

90.4

98.1

Computing

3.6

17.9

53.6

67.9

100

D&T

6.9

20.7

56.9

65.5

98.3

Drama

0

4.3

26.1

60.9

95.7

Eal Polish

40

80

100

100

100

English Language

2.7

16.6

56.5

75.3

98.7

English Literature

1.8

18.9

54.1

70.7

97.7

Food & Nutrition

0

11.8

41.2

52.9

100

1.4

2.9

26.1

46.4

95.7

Geography

7

27.2

59.6

74.6

95.6

German

0

6.4

38.3

53.2

97.9

History

0.8

17.4

43

50.4

95

Maths

1.8

20.2

51.6

76.2

98.2

Music

0

0

23.1

53.8

100

PE

3

28.4

56.7

68.7

100

Physics

7.4

23.1

65.7

85.2

96.3

RE

2.4

29.3

61

65.9

100

Science

0

2.2

31.4

59.7

100

Spanish

0

8.2

34.7

44.9

98

French

Creative Media Health & Social Care

It is also vitally important that we encourage our students to accept greater responsibility for their own learning. To support this we operate a Progress File system which builds a profile of a student’s educational and extra-curricula experiences and achievements.

Examination success is only one of the indicators of a good school.

We recognise, however, that it is of major importance and that a student’s success depends not only on his or her own efforts but on the quality of teaching received. Much of our energy is, therefore, directed towards ensuring that your child receives the best possible teaching and learning in the classroom in every lesson of every day at school.

We are proud of our examination success but we seek to do even better.

We are never complacent.

BTEC Subject Results 2019 Music

Here at Woodlands we are focused on helping our students achieve their full potential.

To track how well we are doing this, all our students are assessed at regular intervals and the results are used to encourage motivation. In most subjects in Years 10 and 11 these continuous assessments contribute in part towards their final GCSE mark.

Students following examination courses will also have practise examinations in order to prepare them for the final examination in the summer term of Year 11.

D* %

D*– D %

D* – M %

D*– P %

0

0

100

100

8.3

8.3

41.7

95.8

0

0

3.1

56.3

I am sure you will find the information opposite useful.

It details the examination success of students who took public exams at GCSE (Year 11) in 2019.

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LOCATION AND FACILITIES

A beautiful and functional space for everyone joining Woodlands.

In September 2016 we opened our brand new school buildings. Over 85% of the school was rebuilt and renewed.

We now have wonderful facilities including science laboratories, specialist classrooms, a Learning Resource Centre, music rooms, drama studio, technology rooms and an Atrium with CafĂŠ.

All the classrooms are spacious with good natural light and equipped to a very high standard.

Our priority is always to have a safe and secure school environment. To that end we have recently completed an enhanced security package with the intention to safeguard the student community.

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LOCATION AND FACILITIES Our school is named Woodlands for a reason – we are surrounded by trees and green spaces.

A high quality learning environment is very important to us, and we strive to maintain our grounds, buildings and facilities to high standards.

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In addition to our new facilities, we have a modern sports hall, fitness suite, swimming pool, two floodlit all-weather pitches, extensive sports fields and state-of-the-art meeting, dining & theatre facilities – all of which we also use to support our partner primary schools and the surrounding community.

Our classroom facilities are excellent across all our curriculum areas and we are constantly upgrading our ICT provision.

We further enhance our teaching and learning with a well-stocked library, manned by dedicated library staff within the new Learning Resource Centre.

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We have a relentless focus on educational achievement.

But we also have a strong belief in developing well-rounded individuals.

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ENHANCING LEARNING I am delighted to have taken up the headship of Allestree Woodlands School and am a passionate believer in the importance and power of education to unlock opportunity and enable a happy and successful life. I have been a teacher for 30 years, having taught in Spain and Thailand as well as the United Kingdom. I am committed to ensuring the best education for all Woodlands students and see that as encompassing academic rigour as well as a rich offer in terms of sports, creative thinking and how we develop into thoughtful citizens able to make a positive contribution.

Our school is all about ensuring that all our students learn well and fully achieve the academic qualifications that they are capable of. We focus relentlessly on working with each of our students to make sure they keep on track to succeed in all their exams which then enables them to move on to university, apprenticeships or jobs with training.

In recent years the Governors have invested heavily in bringing our facilities up to date.

We now have a modern, well equipped theatre, studios, multi-use areas, dining facilities and bright and fresh fit-for-purpose classrooms for all our students to enjoy.

Our modern student dining facilities are ably managed by a fully qualified chef who provides rich, varied and healthy food options each and every day of the school year. This expertise is also transferred to many of our students who enjoy studying catering and who increasingly provide splendid hospitality at many school events.

Our sports facilities are almost second to none – certainly the best of all the secondary schools in Derby – and are fully used by our students and extensively enjoyed by many members of our local community.

In September 2016 we were immensely proud to see our brand new school buildings open for the first time. Our facilities truly enhance all that we seek to do as a school and we are sure you will be very impressed by them.

We are a very inclusive school and have specialist 13

ENHANCING LEARNING – continued facilities for around 20 students who have varying degrees of hearing impairment. This specialist support has been enhanced by the recent creation of ‘The Hub’ – a well-resourced enhanced learning unit catering for all students with special educational needs.

Since its creation in 2011 the new school Theatre has been the scene of many musical triumphs from a gala concert to celebrate its opening, to ‘Woodlands Got Talent’, ‘Songs from the Shows’, ‘Les Miserables’, Beauty and the Beast as well as several collaborative music concerts with local primary schools.

Recently we have seen several imaginative

curriculum innovations from off timetable sessions to allow students more in depth experience of healthy living options and the chance to explore many career aspirations.

We are realising ‘anytime, anywhere learning’ through whole school wi-fi and a highly innovative staff and student tablet device programme.

We certainly believe in developing the whole child, from the moment they join us as young 11 year olds, to the moment they leave us at 18 as confident young adults, ready to take advantage of all that the world has to offer.

Gemma Penny Headteacher

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FROM PRIMARY TO WOODLANDS

We all remember how daunting it was to move from primary to secondary school! At such an important time we pay careful attention to the needs of our new children and we build on the good education they have received at their primary school. Every effort is made to make the change as smooth as possible.

We have a strong programme throughout the year to enable new and existing parents to meet with staff and establish progress of students.

You are also very welcome to visit the school during a normal school day and appointments for such visits should be made through the school office.

In order to make the transfer to secondary education as easy as possible for your child, consultation takes place between the staff of the primary schools and us. In addition your child will be involved in the following transfer programme:

Primary School Visits A number of our staff go to each of the primary schools to meet with prospective new students and with primary staff.

New Intake Day Towards the end of the Summer term, before transfer to Woodlands, all new students spend a full day at the school so that they can meet their future Head of House and Form Tutor, find their bearings and generally get to know what will be their new ‘home’ the following September.

The aim of this day is to give new students a taste of a typical secondary school day.

New Intake Evening An information evening is set aside for those children transferring to us, and their parents.

This takes place in July.

Our Year 7 students are also given an information booklet about their first year at Woodlands to help them make a smooth transfer from their primary school.

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CASE STUDY

“What was the best thing about being at Woodlands?

Realising how well prepared I was to study at a top five university” Tom Lewsley, former Allestree Woodlands School and Sixth Form student, graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Politics from the University of Warwick. After leaving university Tom went to work for a Swiss Investment Bank in the City of London. He now works in their New York office in Manhattan.

Why did you do your A Levels at Woodlands?

In many ways, completing my A levels at Woodlands was the obvious choice for me. I lived a short walk from school and had already studied in the main school for five years. Perhaps most importantly though, I knew that with Woodlands I would have access to knowledgeable teaching staff, a solid support network, and a track record of sending students to good universities. I had seen older students make the step into A level studies successfully and this gave me a level of comfort that I could follow a similar path.

How was it different from the main school?

Even as part of the main school I had a sense that A level students were treated differently.

Everybody enjoyed having more independence and being trusted to manage their ‘personal study periods’, but in reality the changes are more fundamental. Class sizes are smaller and students have all opted into a small number of subjects which they are passionate about.

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This creates an atmosphere where students go beyond the surface level of their subjects and begin to push each other academically. I found myself learning almost as much from my classmates as the teaching staff, because we began to develop strong opinions which we proactively debated in class. The biggest difference for me personally though, was that I found an immediate goal to focus on. With university only two years away, I felt like I had a blank slate and a manageable time window to push myself and get the grades I needed to progress. Being in close proximity to Year 13s was helpful in this respect; I was able to learn from them throughout the university application process. This served me well when it was my turn the following year.

What did you find difficult?

I remember that the academic step up from GCSE to AS Level was significant. Perhaps not so much from a content perspective, but certainly in terms of working style and how you are expected to contribute. The first term in Year 12 was all about adjusting to smaller class sizes, contributing more actively in discussions and providing more thoughtful and analytical written and verbal responses. The good news is that all your peers are going through the same process and collaborate actively to bring each other up to speed. The other key to overcoming these challenges is having a smart and knowledgeable teacher who understands your needs throughout the process. I can say with confidence that the teaching staff at Woodlands provide effective support, whilst continuing to push you to the academic levels required.

How did Woodlands prepare you for university?

After completing my A levels, I enrolled at the University of Warwick to study a degree in Politics.

Given Warwick’s position as a top five University, I always had a slight concern that I might end up being ‘bottom of the class’ in my new environment.

Soon after joining however, these concerns vanished and I realized just how well prepared I was. I found that many of my peers at university had been taught the content required to pass their A level exams, rather than how to use a set of core problem solving skills to adapt to the task at hand.

At Woodlands I was exposed to a balance between these approaches. Towards the end of Year 13, teachers often set us challenging problems that were ‘beyond the standard required for A level students’. I didn’t quite believe it until I first arrived at university to study a completely new subject. Without any content knowledge to fall back on, I realised just how important these core skills are for succeeding in unfamiliar environments. In this respect, Woodlands prepared me incredibly well.

What was University like for you?

Overall, a fantastic experience which has opened so many doors. Warwick is made up of 25% international students, so I met people from all over the world and from a wide range of backgrounds. After graduating, everybody spread out across the globe and I found myself with an amazing network of friends across geographies. Three years is too much to cover here, but I had an opportunity to test myself against intelligent people, to try new sports and societies and to work for a range of exciting companies. I can’t recommend it enough.

What advice would you give the students of today?

I think my advice would change depending on where you are in the process.

For A levels, it’s all about working hard academically and focusing on the immediate goal of getting into a good university.

Start looking at your options early on and work out what you need to achieve in order to succeed. You can’t aim too high, so don’t rule anything out in your first year. Once you’re at university, it becomes about getting involved in as much as possible. Meet people, build your network and apply for work experience and internship positions starting in your first year – otherwise you are already a year behind other proactive students. I found the easiest way was to find someone who had been through it all before and learn from their experience, these people always have helpful advice and offer a constant reminder that your goals are achievable.

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LIFE AT WOODLANDS

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ADMISSIONS POLICY Allestree Woodlands School is an Academy School (11-18) with enhanced resource facilities for hearing impaired students. It does not select on the basis of ability.

Standard Admissions Number: 240 Applications for a place at Allestree Woodlands School should be made by stating the school as a preference on the common application form available from Derby City Education Authority. This common application form must be returned to Derby City Council - not the school, by the closing date.

A prospectus containing information about the school for parents of prospective students will be available at our Open Evening in September 2019.

All parents/carers will be notified regarding their application for a place by Derby City Council.

Where applications exceed the number of places available the following criteria are applied by the Governing Body Admissions Committee in the order set out below to decide which students to admit: 1. A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (see the definition in section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).

2. Children who are both living in the normal area served by the school and have brothers or sisters still attending the school at the time of their admission. Brothers and sisters are classed as having one or both natural parents in common, are related by a parent’s marriage or are adopted or fostered. Brothers and sisters must be living at the same address.

3. Other children living in the normal area at the time of admission.

4. Children who do not live in the normal area served by the school but who have brothers or sisters

attending the school at the time of their admission. Brothers and sisters are classed as having one or both natural parents in common, are related by a parent’s marriage or are adopted or fostered. Brothers and sisters must be living at the same address.

5. A child with a parent/carer who is employed at Allestree Woodlands School 6. Other children whose parents have stated Allestree Woodlands School as a preference on the common application form.

7. Children whose parents stated Allestree Woodlands School as a preference on the common application form but did not return the form to Derby City Education Authority by the closing date.

In categories 2 to 5, when choices have to be made between children satisfying the same criteria, children living nearest to the school, measured by a straight line between their residence and the school, have priority. In category 7, places will be allocated in the same order of priority as for categories 2 to 5.

Where children in category 7 have equal priority, places will be allocated to those living nearest to the school, measured by a straight line between the home address and the school using the National Ordinance Survey Set Points.

Note: The Governing Body Admissions Committee reserves the right to verify information and, if misrepresentation is confirmed, refuse or cancel the place.

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Fair Access Local Authorities are required to have ‘Fair Access Protocols’ in order to make sure those unplaced children who live in the Local Authority, especially the most vulnerable, are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible. This includes admitting children above the published admissions number to schools that are already full.

Right of Appeal Should the Governing Body Admissions Committee be unable to offer places to all students who have applied the parents/guardians will have the right to appeal to The Independent Appeals Panel, c/o Allestree Woodlands School, Blenheim Drive, Allestree, Derby DE22 2LW Parents will be given this information in the letter informing them of a Governing Body Admissions Committee’s decision regarding places.

Waiting List If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available a waiting list will be established and maintained until the end of September by Derby City Council using the above criteria.

Applications Made Outside of the Normal Round of Admissions An application for a place can be made at any point during the school year by stating Allestree Woodlands School as a preference on the common application form obtained from and returned to Derby City Council.

The Governing Body Admissions Committee will consider the application against the above criteria and a place will be offered by Derby City Council and/or the school if one is available.

Approved by the Governing Body of Allestree Woodlands School.

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

We will pursue the school’s commitment to equal opportunities policies in the belief that all young people are entitled to equality of access to the curriculum throughout their time at Woodlands.

Years 7–9 The first three years at Woodlands are the years for establishing a strong and broad foundation for further study. Students are taught in a variety of different ways, dependent on their needs and abilities.

The curriculum at KS3 includes the CORE subjects of Mathematics, English and Science; and the FOUNDATION subjects of: 1 Art 1 Design and Technology 1 Drama 1 Geography 1 History 1 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) 1 Modern Foreign Languages (French, German or Spanish) 1 Music 1 Physical Education (PE) 1 Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) 1 Religious Education GCSE (Years 10–11) Year 10 and 11 students follow a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, PSHCE and PE. In addition to these subjects students will choose from further GCSE courses including Art, Business Studies, Computing, Creative Media, Design & Technology, Drama, Engineering, Food & Nutrition, French, Geography, German, Health & Social Care, History, Philosophy & Ethics, PE, and Work Related Learning.

Students will be placed in the most appropriate teaching group for each subject, although opportunity exists for moving from one group to another, depending on the progress made. We are very focussed on ensuring that our curriculum is flexible, broad and balanced to the current and future lives of our students.

The Sixth Form (Years 12–13) A full and exciting range of Advanced Level courses are available in our Sixth Form and we have a separate prospectus available on request.

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Planning for life after Woodlands – Further Education and careers We understand how important it is that our students are well informed about the options open to them after school. Using a wide variety of resources including outside speakers, industry links, and careers services such as Connexions, we support our students to become informed about their future choices.

Careers education formally starts in Year 9, when students also have the opportunity to meet the school’s Connexions Service Advisor. We also host a Curriculum and Careers Evening for parents/carers and students, where each curriculum area provides an exhibition of its work and syllabuses for Year 10 and 11.

This also provides an opportunity for parents/carers, friends of the school, representatives from industry and commerce to present occupations e.g. ‘Work in Engineering’, ‘Work in Finance’, ‘Working with People’, ‘Working in the Arts’. We think this helps our students get a truly broad taste of the diverse and exciting careers options available to them! It also helps them to see the potential implications behind their Year 10 option choices.

Throughout the year groups, students have a full and extensive programme of careers action planning interviews, organised by the careers service Connexions. Our school Careers Development Advisors also play an active role at Parents’ and Information Evenings, and every student has access to our internet linked Careers Library.

One of the most interesting and exciting opportunities happen in Year 10, when all of our students enter into the world of work with the school’s ‘Work Experience’ module in the Summer Term. Then our Year 11 students are challenged by our industry partners on a ‘World of Work Day’ with real interview experience and job application information.

Supporting and Developing our Students We strive to ensure our students are healthy, well-rounded, tolerant and confident citizens.

Throughout their time at Woodlands all students take part in activities and learning, to support these aims.

Some of this will take place in curriculum areas such as Physical Education (PE), Religious Education (RE) and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE); but we also hold regular assemblies where at least once a week students gather together for a formal school assembly often taken by senior staff and outside speakers. These assemblies engender a community spirit, encourage achievement and offer an opportunity to put across shared values and promote social cohesion.

In the often sensitive areas of relationship and sex education, our staff and governors believe that all children are entitled to responsible and relevant information. The teaching in this school seeks to be complementary to, and supportive of, the role of parents/carers and also seeks to reflect the range of cultural, religious and moral ideals held by families. Importantly, it should be shared enterprise between home and school.

Students with special educational needs At Woodlands we have a skilled Enhanced Learning Faculty called ‘The Hub’ which supports our students with all manner of special educational and emotional needs. Most of this support takes place in the classroom, primarily by Teaching Assistants ably led by a team of fully qualified Special Needs Teachers. Where appropriate, students leave mainstream lessons for specific programmes mostly in Literacy, Numeracy and study support in Key Stage 4.

If you would like more information, our Special Needs Policy based on the Code of Practice is available on request.

Enhanced resource facility for students with hearing impairment A facility where highly qualified Teachers of the Deaf and Communication Support Assistants work closely with these students.

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OUR EXPECTATIONS Behaviour We cannot learn effectively if we are working in a disruptive environment – nothing worthwhile socially or educationally can possibly be achieved. We each have a responsibility to share in creating and maintaining an environment at Woodlands where people matter. To achieve this, we expect behaviour of the highest standard in and out of the classroom; to and from school.

We will not tolerate bullying, racism, vandalism, hooliganism, illegal items, illegal substances, illegal practises, or bad language. We have included a guide for parents/carers and students in the Student Organiser, explaining our expectations and our response to unacceptable behaviour.

Attendance and Punctuality If students are late or absent - they cannot learn! We want everyone to benefit from the opportunities at Woodlands. Our attendance rate is excellent. If your child is absent for any reason then please telephone the school office on each day of absence. When your child returns to school, please send a written note to confirm the reasons for absence. We would very much appreciate appointments with the dentists or opticians to be made outside of school hours. Family trips and holidays should be taken in school holidays – that is what they are for! Every lesson counts and all time missed can affect a student’s progress and we are sure you want to support your child’s learning in every way possible.

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Code of Conduct At Woodlands we have a large community of over 1500 staff students and staff. We should all show courtesy, consideration for others and use our common sense. Students are expected to follow a simple Code of Conduct which helps to produce a sense of order and calm and to make sure that worthwhile and effective learning and teaching can take place: 1 1 1 1 1 1

Show consideration to all people working in the school and to all visitors Move around the school site in a calm and quiet way Look after the school – litter and vandalism make life unpleasant and are unacceptable.

Attend and be punctual to school and every lesson Work hard and complete class work and homework to the very best of your ability Take great pride in your appearance, work and achievements

We have few written rules in school. Those we have are usually with the health and safety of your children in mind. Students must not, therefore, bring chewing gum, matches, lighters, cigarettes, knives, glass bottles etc into school. Students are allowed to use mobile phones and personal music players at break and lunchtime. However they will be confiscated if used at any other time during the school day. It is our strong advice NOT to bring these items into school. If they are brought in it is entirely at the student’s own risk.

Books required for school use are provided free in the first instance but students are responsible for their own books and are expected to keep them clean and in good condition. Students are also expected to provide a suitable bag for books, PE kit and other personal belongings. All students should bring pens, pencils, a ruler and calculator to every lesson. All items of clothing and equipment should be clearly marked with the student’s name.

The school does not accept any responsibility for the loss or damage of personal items.

Rewards and Sanctions We celebrate and reward achievement and good behaviour, placing great emphasis on self reliance and self discipline. Positive attitudes promote positive behaviour and we look at a variety of ways of rewarding our students, including house points, merits, certificates, badges, cups, trophies and prizes. You may even receive surprise praise postcards through your letterbox!

Unfortunately we do sometimes have to use detentions to deal with unacceptable behaviour. We don’t have to give you notice to detain your child where necessary, but we will endeavour to inform you where possible. This could be via the Student Organiser.

If your child persistently or deliberately disrupts a lesson and prevents others from working, they may be withdrawn from a lesson or even a whole day and supervised by a senior member of staff.

Very occasionally a student is placed ‘on report’. This means that after every lesson each teacher signs the student’s report, commenting on behaviour, punctuality, effort as appropriate and the student then shows it to his/her parent/carer every evening.

Although the need is likely to be rare, in the event of a serious incident or persistent disruption, a child may be excluded. In these cases the child will be sent home for a specified length of time. Work will be provided by the school but it is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure that the excluded student is not in a public place during school hours. This is a legal requirement and the details of this will be provided at the time of the Exclusion.

It is the Governors’ policy that any student using an illegal item or substance and/or bringing it onto school premises will face permanent exclusion.

We do hope and expect that parents/carers and students accept our Code of Conduct and will join us in rewarding positive attitudes and behaviour.

Thank you for your support.

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CARE AND GUIDANCE

Students feel safe and display a clear sense of right and wrong and understand the nature of cultural diversity in the local and wider community. Ofsted When students arrive at Woodlands they become members of a House Tutor group for registration. The Head of House and Tutor have overall responsibility for the day to day life of the students, assemblies and their general welfare. In normal circumstances the form group stays together for the full five years.

The school has access to the advice and services of the Educational Psychology service and a School’s Medical Officer. The Education Welfare Service works closely with the school in order to ensure good attendance and to offer advice and support to families when a student has problems with attending school.

If you have an enquiry concerning your child’s welfare at school it should, in the first instance, be communicated to your child’s Form Tutor and Head of House.

It is important that this is the first point of contact because, with the very large number of students in the school, it is essential that your enquiry is dealt with by those members of staff who know you and your youngster best.

Child Protection At Woodlands we take the protection of children in our care very seriously. All adults working in the school are police checked through the Criminal Records Bureau.

Parents should be aware that the school is required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of its students. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, our Headteacher is obliged to follow the Child Protection procedures established by Derby City Council and inform Social Services of any concerns.

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Medical Support

Charging and Remissions Policy

Illness/accident within School Woodlands provides First Aid support. Students who fall ill at school or who are involved in an accident, are attended to by a First Aid trained member of staff.

The Governing Body recognises the valuable contribution that the wide range of additional activities, including clubs, trips and residential experience can make towards students’ personal and social education.

If your child is feeling unwell they will be given some rest time to see if they are then fit to return to class. If they have sustained a minor injury then First Aid treatment will be given. If illness or injury indicates your child is unable to return to class we will contact you and ask you to collect your son or daughter. In emergencies, an ambulance will be called and you will be contacted. We are unable to send a member of staff to accompany your child, so it is essential that we are able to contact a parent/carer or nominated person to travel with, or meet the ambulance at the hospital.

Please ensure that if any of your contact numbers change that you inform us in writing. Please note that we are not allowed to dispense medication e.g. Paracetamol.

Additional Medical Services The school has access to a medical health team and in special circumstances can arrange for your child to have an appointment with a doctor or nurse.

The medical health team also carry out the usual school health checks and immunisation programmes.

School Complaints Procedure Where you have concerns about the school curriculum or other matters these will be discussed, as far as possible, with informal contact and meetings with the appropriate teachers, senior staff or the Headteacher. It is hoped that your concerns can be resolved speedily and amicably.

Where a particular difficulty cannot be resolved a complaint can be registered with the Chairman of the Governing Body who can be contacted via the school.

The school follows a complaints procedure that follows local and national guidelines.

If you would like a copy of our complaints procedures please contact the school office or access it on our website – www.woodlands.derby.sch.uk Allestree Woodlands School is committed to promoting a safe and healthy workplace culture, and will take a positive approach towards tackling the problem of bullying and harassment at work.

The School will not tolerate violence, threats of violence or abusive language or behaviour towards our staff (including Governors and others who provide services to and for the School). If this happens legal action will be taken.

The Governing Body aims to promote and provide such activities both as part of a broad and balanced curriculum for the students of the school and as additional optional activities.

Charges The Governing Body reserves the right to make a charge in the following circumstances for activities organised by the school: School journeys in school hours – The board and lodging element of residential activities deemed to take place within school hours. Parents are required to meet the full cost except those who receive income support / family credit.

Activities outside school hours – The full cost to each student of activities deemed to be optional extras taking place outside school hours.

Individual music tuition – The cost to the students for providing individual music tuition provided by outside tutors.

Charging in kind – The cost of materials, ingredients, equipment (or the provision of them by parents) for practical subjects. The Governing Body may charge for ingredients and materials or require them to be provided if the parents have indicated in advance that they wish to own the finished product. Parents/carers will be expected to replace or reimburse the school for lost items or damage to school property.

Examination fees If you wish your child to be entered for a prescribed public examination for which they have not been prepared by the school, the Governing Body may make a charge for the cost of entering them for the examination, as they can for entries to non-prescribed examinations whether or not prepared by the school.

On occasions parents/carers and students may elect to re-sit a public examination or to request that an examination paper be re-marked. Under these circumstances a charge will be made to parents in order to cover all costs incurred.

If a student fails without good reason to complete the examination requirements for any public examination for which the school has paid (or is liable to pay) an entry fee, then the Governing Body may recover the fee from the parent/carer.

General The Governing Body may, from time to time, amend the categories of activity for which a charge may be made.

Nothing in this policy statement precludes the Governing Body from inviting parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of providing education for students.

Remissions If you are in receipt of income support or family credit, the Governing Body will remit, in full, the cost of board and lodging for any residential activity that it organises for the student if the activity is deemed to take place within the school hours or where it forms part of the syllabus for a prescribed public examination or the National Curriculum.

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SCHOOL UNIFORM AND PE KIT

ALL STUDENTS AT WOODLANDS WILL WEAR SCHOOL UNIFORM

Boy’s Standard Uniform

Physical Education Kit

Tailored Plain black of full length (no jeans, chinos Trousers or tight-fitting trousers) worn around the

waist with plain black belt if worn

Outdoor Kit

Shirt Plain white with collar (must be suitable for wearing a tie and long enough to be

worn tucked in) *Tie

School House tie

Pullover Plain black fine gauge ‘V’ necked waist

length pullover or cardigan (Optional) Footwear Smart leather plain black shoes

(No trainers, pumps, canvas shoes

or boots. No logos) Blazer

Plain black with School badge

Coat

Dark coloured coat with small logo only.

It must be able to be worn over the blazer.

Hoodies are not acceptable and you will be asked to remove it.

*Black ¼ zip shirt (girls) Black shorts (boys) *Black Skort (girls) Red knee length football/hockey socks (boys/girls) Training shoes and football boots (boys) Training shoes (Girls do not need to buy boots as hockey is played on the Astroturf pitch) Shin pads for hockey/football We highly recommend that parents/carers purchase mouth guards for hockey and rugby.

Optional Tracksuits during winter (PE staff discretion) Indoor Kit

Girl’s Standard Uniform

White shirt, with collar (boys/girls)

Trousers Plain black tailored trousers of full length

(no hipsters, lycra, jeans, leggings or jeggings) with plain black belt if worn

Black shorts (boys/girls) – not cycling/fitness type and not Navy

*Skirt

School approved skirt with black or flesh coloured tights. (NB. if girls do not wear skirts appropriately we will insist that they wear trousers)

Blouse Plain white with collar (must be suitable for wearing a tie and long enough to be

worn tucked in) *Tie

School House tie

Pullover Plain black fine gauge ‘V’ necked waist

length pullover or cardigan (Optional)

White socks Swimming Swimming costume or trunks (any colour) Swimming hat Towel for swimming and showers NB – All PE kit must be labelled with pupils name

Blazer

Plain black with School Badge

* These items and the School badge can only be purchased from the school’s OFFICIAL uniform supplier, Morleys Schoolwear, who can be contacted via our website.

Coat

Dark coloured coat with small logo only.

It must be able to be worn over the blazer.

Hoodies are not acceptable and you will be asked to remove it.

Hats, hoodies, caps and other headwear are not part of school uniform and must not be worn. All items of school wear must be labelled with student’s name.

Footwear Smart leather plain black low heeled shoes

(No stiletto heels, sandals, pumps, trainers,

canvas shoes, boots or Ugg boots)

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*Red rugby shirt (boys)

School Dress Requirements All students will wear school dress when attending school or participating in school organised activities (unless advised otherwise)

Health and Safety issues Jewellery – Single ear studs, a simple necklace and a single, simple ring only are acceptable. These must be removed for PE and any other lesson where the member of staff considers there to be a health and safety risk.

Following guidance issued by Derby City Council Health and Safety Advisors, the wearing of all other jewellery and body piercing is not allowed. Exceptions are made for religious jewellery and items worn for medical reasons. If you fall into this category please inform the school.

Pictured above is the Woodlands skirt adopted in 2017. This is the only skirt that will be accepted and has been introduced to maintain a consistent and appropriate standard.

Body Piercing – A student attending school wearing other jewellery or body piercing will be told to remove the item(s). If the item(s) cannot be removed they may be prevented from attending lessons and you will be contacted.

Hair – NO exaggerated hair styles are acceptable. Long hair must be tied back particularly in practical subjects. Boys must be clean shaven.

Makeup – NO makeup should be worn in Years 7, 8 & 9.

Makeup for Years 10 – 13 should be discrete.

No false nails or nail varnish should be worn.

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KEEPING YOU INFORMED

Allestree Woodlands School is committed to the achievement of consistently high standards and, to that end, we regularly evaluate and monitor both the curriculum and the student’s work.

As well as examinations and written reports we have additional systems for monitoring students’ progress.

Students are assessed on the effort made in every subject. This assessment allows the Form Tutor and Head of House to see at a glance whether or not a student is working satisfactorily. If there is cause for concern, parents are informed and discussions take place as to how the situation can be rectified.

We are always looking to build upon success and to that end we often contact parents/carers in order to recognise positive effort of students. We also run a House Point and Merit award system.

Each teacher monitors the progress of students in their subjects through continuous assessment.

This will form the basis of profiling which will eventually form a Progress File for each student.

All students will receive their completed Progress File at the end of Year 11. The Progress File will be a record of a students’ achievements both within and outside school. Students will be actively involved in the compilation of their Progress File throughout their five years at Woodlands.

Homework and the Student Organiser 1

We regard homework as being vital. It gives students the experience of working without supervision and provides practise of the skills and processes learned in class.

1

All students from Year 7 to 11 receive a Student Organiser in which they enter their homework timetable and the actual homework set for each subject.

1

Parents/carers are asked to sign the Organiser at the end of each week and to provide encouragement and the necessary conditions for the homework to be completed.

This does not mean that you cannot see a member of staff at any other time. You are positively encouraged to contact your child’s Form Tutor or Head of House if you have any queries of any kind.

1

Any queries about homework set should be made in the Parental Comments section of the Organiser. You will then be contacted by the most appropriate person to deal with your query.

Newsletter and ‘Education Extra’

1 The Student Organiser is also used to record rewards and achievements.

If during the term any member of staff feels worried about the performance or behaviour of any student the Form Tutor and/or the Head of House will ask his/her subject teachers to give a written report. In the light of the final full report, appropriate action is taken and this will involve consultation with parents/carers.

Parents’ Evenings are held to provide an opportunity for parents to consult with individual members of staff about the progress made by their children in all subjects studied. These are run on an appointment system.

We publish weekly newsletters and separate monthly newsletters on the school website.

At the end of each term we publish ‘Education Extra’ – a magazine that celebrates the rich variety of activities and achievements that take place at the school.

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Progress files

1 Staff will also write notes home in the Organiser and if necessary, it is used to give 24 hours notice of an after school detention.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Woodlands has a wide extra curricular programme in Sport, Music, Dance, Drama, Technology, and Science to name but a few.

We hold school and inter-house activities including: netball, hockey, rugby, soccer, basketball, athletics, cricket, tennis, swimming and triathlon. Other clubs include swimming and gymnastics where students have an opportunity to improve their skill level.

Students are also encouraged to join outside clubs and many achieve area and county standard.

Where possible we arrange trips to demonstrate how working hard can lead to excellence e.g.

Wimbledon, Lords, Wembley and Pride Park.

We have exclusive local sports club links including:

Other clubs and groups include:

1 Cooper Netball, Derbyshire Netball Association.

1 British Sign Language Club

1 Woodlands Hockey Club.

1 Quarndon Cricket Club, Allestree Cricket Club 1 Woodlands Tennis Club.

1 Derby Rugby Club.

1 Allestree Juniors Football 1 Derbyshire TT Association and Woodland TT Club 1 Derbyshire Junior Badminton Association

1 KS3, GCSE and A Level Surgeries 1 Chess Club 1 Drama (House Plays) 1 Choir 1 Sports Clubs including Basketball, Trampoline,Football, Cross Country and Table Tennis

A wide range of trips and holidays are arranged in addition to an annual activities day.

These include: 1 Theatre trips 1 Student conferences 1 Paris 1 Berlin

1 Folk Groups

1 Annual Ski trip

1 Jazz band

1 Houses of Parliament

1 Cheerleading/Dance 1 School Magzazine 1 Youth Theatre

Woodlands also provides the

1 Lego Robots

facilities to run a Swim School.

1 Science Clubs

Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted well, they value the many additional activities which are available to them. Ofsted 31

“The best thing about being at Woodlands?

It’s really friendly and not too strict.

The rules that we follow make sense and mean that the school feels smart and safe.”

Naomi – Woodlands student 32

THE SCHOOL DAY All students will receive a personal timetable at the beginning of the school year. There are five lessons each day and students need to arrive by 8.40am at the latest to be in time for morning registration.

The timings of the school day are as follows: 8.45am – 9.05am Registration,tutor time or assembly 9.05am – Period 1 10.05am – Period 2 11.05am – Break 11.25am – Period 3 12.25pm – Lunch 1.10pm – Period 4 2.10pm – Period 5 3.10pm – End of School

Lunch Arrangements All students may have a school lunch. The catering service at school is provided by a private company called ‘Catering Academy’. A wide selection of healthy hot and cold meals and snacks are available each day.

As an alternative, students may bring their own sandwiches, which can be eaten in designated areas provided for this purpose.

All students MUST stay on the school site at break and lunchtimes. This is for Health and Safety reasons.

If you wish your child to come home for lunch then written permission must be requested from your child’s Head of House. We do not allow students to roam the streets or visit local shops as an alternative to going home.

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SCHOOL TERM AND HOLIDAY DATES 2020 – 2021 Autumn Term 2020 INSET Day

Tuesday 7 September 2020

(School closed to students) School opens

Wednesday 8 September 2020

School closes for Half Term Friday 23 October 2020 Half Term

Monday 26 October to

Friday 30 October 2020

School opens

Monday 2 November 2020

School closes for Christmas Friday 18 December 2020

Spring Term 2020 School opens

Monday 5 January 2021

School closes for Half Term Friday 12 February 2021 Half Term

Monday 15 February to

Friday 19 February 2021

School opens

Monday 22 February 2021

School closes for Easter

Friday 31 March 2021

Summer Term 2020 School opens

Monday 19 April 2021

May Day (School closed)

Monday 3 May 2021

School closes for Half Term Friday 28 May 2021 Half Term

Monday 31 May

to Friday 4 June 2021

School opens

Monday 7 June 2021

School closes for Summer

Tuesday 23 July 2021

Bank Holidays 2020 – 2021

Inset Days 2020 – 2021

May Day – Monday 3 May 2021

Monday 7th September 2020 Monday 4th January 2021 Thursday 1st April 2021 Monday 26th July 2021 Tuesday 27th July 2021

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Headteacher: Mrs G Penny Deputies: Mrs R Middleton-Lee Mr S Roe House Teams: Cedar: Miss L Colley and Mrs C McEntee Maple: Mrs E Pitter and Mr D Hammond Oak: Miss H Smith and Mr A Swift Rowan: Mrs H Curr and Mr M Kenny Assistant Headteacher/Head of Sixth Form: Miss C Mills Assistant Head of Sixth Form: Mr A Forsyth Chair of the Governing body: Mr R Travis

The information given in this brochure is as accurate as possible at the time of publication. Any changes will be reported to parents/carers in the school’s newsletter and published on our website.

It should not however be assumed that there will not be any changes before, during or after the school year 2020– 2021.

All images © Allestree Woodlands School, Hannah Fox and Lindsay Pilkington. © Allestree Woodlands School Designed and produced by foxcreate.com

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Be part of the Woodlands community Go to the school’s website at www.woodlands.derby.sch.uk for information about the school, or for daily updates you can follow us on Twitter @woodlands_derby A L L E ST R E E WOO D L A N D S S C HOO L Blenheim Drive, Allestree, Derby DE22 2LW. Telephone: 01332 551921 Fax: 01332 553869 Email: the.office@woodlands.derby.sch.uk or headteacher@woodlands.derby.sch.uk