Additional opportunities to develop talents, skills and abilities

►Responsibilities in the School Community

►The School Council

►The Prefects

►The School Receptionists

►Lunchtime and Evening Activities

►School Visits

►Cultural visits

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►Charging for visits

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►Responsibilities in the School Community

It is the policy of the school to provide ample opportunities for all children to play a constructive part in the school community. During the course of a typical school year, various school and community occasions allow many pupils to assume representative responsibilities - e.g. showing visitors around school, serving as car park attendants on open days etc. Beyond this there are three especially important fixed roles.

The School Council meets once every two weeks for one hour to discuss a number of issues affecting the pupils. In the past year these have included school meals, homework, bullying and the school travel plan. We are committed to involving the council in many areas of the school and so they are involved in the interview process of all teachers - this is an example of the influence of the school council. School Council members are elected democratically by the pupils and consist of two boys and two girls from each year group.

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►The School Council

Pupils apply to become prefects towards the end of Year 10 and are appointed following the monitoring of strict criteria of behaviour and attainment. Prefect Leaders are appointed through a process of democratic voting and a final interview panel consisting of representatives' pupils and governors. Unsuccessful applicants are informed of the ways in which they must improve if they wish to succeed at a later date; successful applicants are expected to continue to maintain high standards if they wish to remain in office. Prefects make an invaluable contribution to the ethos of the school, undertaking a wide range of responsibilities. Each Year 9 pupil has the opportunity to serve as school receptionist for at least a full school day. This is an immensely important job as receptionists are usually the first points of contact for any visitors to the site. Their performance is monitored and feedback is given.

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►The Prefects

The following list gives an idea of the opportunities for both additional study and recreational activities, which have been available either at lunchtime or after school this year:
private study
library facilities
revision classes
individual music lessons
careers library
panto or musical evening rehearsals
additional lessons (extension classes)
computer facilities
workshop facilities
badminton
softball
basketball
volleyball
indoor hockey
netball
tennis
dance
soccer and soccer fixtures
athletics
5 a-side
trampolining
rounders
The above list will change in line with changes in staffing. However, parents and pupils may be assured of our commitment to providing the widest possible range of activities to complement and extend the curriculum of the school.

The extremely popular skiing trips, foreign language trips, and Euro-Disney visits have been a feature of school life for many years.

During the last school year every Year 10 pupil was invited to attend a week long activity at Kingswood Residential Centre at Scout Dike. The outdoor education activities enable pupils to complete key assignments towards GCSE qualifications.

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►The School Receptionists

Cultural visits -  to the Houses of Parliament, museums, galleries, the theatre, the cinema  etc, are organised by various staff to complement lessons and to enrich the children's experience. Personal challenges  may involve leaving the site to engage in a wide range of activities - e.g. environmental improvement activities, working with community groups, abseiling, canoeing, ice-skating, or helping at a nursery, special school or residential home. Back to top

►Lunchtime and Evening Activities

The law prevents the school from charging for any such activities occurring during the school day, yet the school generally has no resources to pay for them itself. Parents are invited to make voluntary contributions to cover the costs. Without these many activities would have to be abandoned.
However, it has always been school policy that children should not be excluded from school activities because their parents are unable to pay.

 

If you find yourself in this situation in respect of a proposed visit (especially if your receive FIS, FC or the LA's Scheme of Aid), please contact the Headteacher. The matter will be treated in strict confidence and, if at al possible, support will be found.

 

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►School Visits

 Trips Abroad

The extremely popular skiing trips, foreign language trips, and Euro-Disney visits have been a feature of school life for many years.

 

Residential Visit

During the last school year every Year 10 pupil was invited to attend a week long activity at Kingswood Residential Centre at Scout Dike. The outdoor education activities enable pupils to complete key assignments towards GCSE qualifications.

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►Cultural visits

Cultural visits - to the Houses of Parliament, museums, galleries, the theatre, the cinema etc, are organised by various staff to complement lessons and to enrich the children's experience.

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►Charging for visits

The law prevents schools from charging for any such activities occuring during the school day, yet the school genrally has no resources to pay for them itself. Parents are invited to make voluntary contributions to cover the costs. Without these many activities would have to be abandoned. However, it has always been school policy that children should not be excluded from school activties because their parents are unable to pay.

 

 

If you find yourself in this situation in respect of a proposed visit (especially if you receive FIS, FC or the LA's Scheme of Aid), please contact the Headteacher. The matter will be treated in strict confidence and , if at all possible, support will be found.

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