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Home > Governors
Governors
School Policies | Working with Parents | Discipline | Rewards | Punishment | Governors | Policy Statements | School Uniform | Financial Support | Parents' Association | Sports Hall | Terms of Reference | Minutes
School Policies
Please find below some of the school policies which are available to download. There are further policy statements relating to many areas of school life and parents are welcome to ask for copies through the school office.
Working with Parents
Parental interest and support are crucial factors in enabling the school to provide the best possible education for all its students. It is important, therefore, that the link between home and school is a two-way process and that parents feel welcome to make comments, ask questions and pass on information about their children.
Discipline
Students are expected to behave in a courteous manner at all times and to do their best to make the school a place of which they, and everyone else, can be proud. They are encouraged to develop a sense of self-discipline within a framework of rules made for the well-being of the whole school community.
Rewards
In Years 7-11 Commendations are given by form tutors and subject teachers in recognition of active participation and special effort. These are recorded and count towards an Award which in turn counts towards a Good Work prize. These are presented each term in House assemblies. Details of the regulations affecting all aspects of the life of the school are contained in the Handbook for Parents which is given to all new students.
Punishment
Students whose conduct has become unacceptable are punished in a variety of ways. Formal school detentions are held after school and a special detention is held on Saturday mornings for serious offences. Persistent refusal to accept the authority of the
school may lead to exclusion.
Governors' Policy Statements
a) Sex Education
The Governors believe that, whilst parents have a primary responsibility in this area, sex education should also be an integral part of the school curriculum. Sex education in St. Bartholomew's takes place in Science and Tutorial lessons.
The Governors fully subscribe to the suggestion in the 1986 Education Act that sex education should always encourage students ‘to have due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life'. Parents who have any queries about sex education should contact the school. A copy of the school's policy is available on request.
b) Charging
Under the Education Reform Act 1988, no charge may be made for activities which occur within school hours (or when 50% or more of the period spent on the activity occurs during school hours).
There are the following exceptions:
a) part of the cost of field work associated with public examinations.
b) cost of individual tuition in a musical instrument.
c) examination entry fees for re-takes.
There will be remission of these charges for students whose parents are in receipt of Family Credit or Income Support. It will be possible, however, for activities taking place in whole or in part within school hours, to be financed by voluntary contributions to the Further Activities Fund.
This is the way in which the school has, in the past, financed a wide range of activities which the Governors consider valuable for students' education, and it is their hope that parents will continue to support these activities. No student whose parents have not made a contribution for a particular activity will be disadvantaged but this does mean that, unless the majority are willing to make contributions, the activity cannot take place.
There are two other matters relating to charging. The first relates to breakages. The Governors reserve the right to ask parents to contribute to the cost of breakage, loss or damage to books, equipment etc. other than normal fair wear and tear. Secondly,
where parents indicate in advance they wish to own the finished product of a practical activity, e.g. in the Design & Technology faculty, they may be asked to provide or pay for the ingredients or materials. No child will be disadvantaged if a parent does not contribute in this way.
Parents who have any questions about charging for school activities are asked to contact the Headteacher.
c) Curriculum
The Governors have an agreed Statement of Policy for the Curriculum. Copies of the document are available at cost from the school office. As required under Section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988 the school has established a Curriculum Complaints procedure. This covers both the National Curriculum and R.E. Parents who have a concern should in the first instance contact the Headteacher.
School Uniform
All students are required to wear school uniform and full details are contained in the Handbook for Parents. All girls in Years 7-11 require a black blazer and bespoke black skirt or trousers. Girls in years 7-9 require a white shirt with school tie, and a grey pullover with school motif to be worn under a blazer.
Girls in years 10 and 11 require a bespoke white blouse with revered collar and a black sleeveless jumper with school motif to be worn under a blazer.
Plain black, grey or white socks or tights and black shoes, a dark coloured coat, not to be worn in the school buildings, complete the uniform.
All boys in Years 7-9 require a black blazer, a white shirt with school tie, bespoke black trousers, plain white or black socks and black shoes. Boys may wear a grey V-necked pullover with the school motif under the blazer. Years 10 and 11 have the same uniform as for years 7-9 except that the student may replace the grey pullover with a black, sleeveless school pullover.
The nature of the Sixth Form uniform helps to express the relationship between the Sixth Form and the rest of the school, while offering the privilege of a wider range of styles and items
For the boys a dark suit or jacket and trousers are worn with a shirt and tie. Sixth Form girls wear a black, navy blue or grey skirt with a blouse and, if they wish, a black, navy or grey cardigan or sweater. Formal, dark shoes are a requirement for all..
Financial Support
The school is maintained by public funding. In addition, the Foundation Governors provide financial assistance and the Parents' Association organises a number of fund-raising activities for the benefit of the school. Parents also contribute to the Further Activities Fund, which helps to finance the school minibus and a wide range of out of classroom activities. The suggested level of contribution at present is £5 per child per term and parents are most generous in their support.
The increasing demands placed on schools by the Government and by industry mean that present sources of income are proving inadequate to finance the developments which must now be undertaken. The Governors have, therefore, established the St. Bartholomew's Trust Fund to enable parents, former students,
local industry and other friends of the school to contribute by to the school's development and for the school to benefit from charitable giving. It is very much hoped that all parents will want to support the fund and details will be given to new parents when their children join the school.
Free school meals are available to those families in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Child Tax Credit (but not entitled to a Working Tax Credit and annual income does not exceed £13,200) or National Asylum Support. Support can sometimes be given with uniform items and
with visits. Parents are asked to contact the Head of House if a need arises.
Parents' Association
All parents are automatically members of the Parents' Association and are regularly kept informed about forthcoming events through the school's newsletter, Bartholonews.
The Association is a lively and enthusiastic organisation which has two aims, firstly to provide social events for parents, staff and friends of the school and secondly to raise funds in order to provide additional facilities for the school and its students. The most successful and rewarding events are those which effectively combine these two aims, enabling all participants to enjoy themselves and also raise a large amount of money in the process.
The annual Summer Fête, which calls upon parents, friends and supporters of the school, is a prime example of this. It is hoped the Fête will raise over £8,000.
There are many other events apart from this - Dances; Quiz Evenings; Car Boot Sales, the annual Gift and Craft Fair and regular Discos for Years 7 and 8 students. As many people as possible are involved in the organisation and running of these events - many hands make light work!
St Bart's Fete and Food Festival is coming soon, click here to find out more.
Sports Hall
In a typical year the PA donated £10,000 to the school for items such as picnic benches, computers, library equipment and support for Special Needs.
Terms of Reference
Minutes
Please find below the latest minutes from our range of Committees:
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