Frequently Asked Questions

What time does my son/daughter need to be in school?

Registration begins at 8.50am and students will be marked late if they arrive after 8.55am. Any student who arrives after 8:50am, will be marked as 'late' and will be placed on detention at break time. The lateness will be recorded in the student's planner. Failure to attend detention, or persistent lateness will result in the student being placed on detention by the Head of Year, at which point parents/carers will be contacted to arrange to attend an 'attendance meeting' in which targets for attendance will be set.

What should my son/daughter do if they arrive late to school after registration?

Up until 09:10am, students should go to their tutor room. They will be marked late and issued with a detention, as described above.

Students who arrive after 09:10am must sign in at the main reception. Students who attend school after 09:10am without an appropriate reason (for example a medical appointment, supported by a letter or appointment card) will be placed on detention at lunchtime, by the Head of Year.

What number do I ring if my son/daughter is ill?

Please ring 01527 830730 by 9:30am on the day your son/daughter is ill and telephone again for any subsequent day's absence.

What do I do when my son/daughter returns to school after an illness?

Please provide a signed absence note on the first day your son/daughter returns to school after an illness. Your son/daughter should give this to his/her form tutor.

Who do I write to if I need to take my son/daughter out of school for medical reasons?

Please send a note to your son/daughter's form tutor requesting absence for medical/dental appointments 48 hours in advance.

Who should my son/daughter see if they have to leave school for an appointment?

Your son/daughter needs to sign out at the main reception. They will then be given a permission slip authorising them being out of school for the appointment.

What am I looking for in the planner? When should I sign it?

All homework tasks and their deadlines should be recorded in the planner. Subject teachers and tutors also use the planner as a way of communicating with parents/carers. The planner should be signed on a weekly basis by parents/carers and form tutors.

Who should I contact if personal details change?

If your personal details change you need to write to your son/daughter's Head of Year giving the new information.

How do I speak to my son/daughter's form tutor?

Please telephone the main reception. A message will be sent to the form tutor. Alternatively, you could send in a letter or write in your son/daughter's planner. Please note that it may not always be possible to speak to the form tutor immediately due to teaching commitments but we will contact you within 24 hours

Who should I contact first if I want to discuss a confidential matter about my son/daughter?

Please contact your son/daughter's form tutor to discuss the matter in the first instance. If it is highly confidential or of a sensitive nature, please contact your son/daughter's Head of Year or Pastoral Manager. Please note that it may not always be possible to contact the Head of Year immediately due to teaching commitments but we will contact you within 24 hours.

Who should I contact first if I want to discuss my son/daughter's progress in a subject?

Please contact your son/daughter's subject teacher to discuss the matter in the first instance. A message will also be sent to the relevant Head of Department. Please note that it may not always be possible to contact the subject teacher or Head of Department immediately due to teaching commitments but we will contact you within 24 hours.

What if I need to pass on an urgent message to my son/daughter?

Please contact the school switchboard (01527 523088) and we will pass the message on immediately.

What notice will I receive if my son/daughter is placed in an after school detention?

If your son/daughter is placed in an after school detention we give parents/carers 24 hours notice. The member of staff issuing the detention will write in your son/daughter's planner when the detention is to take place. We ask that you sign where requested in order to acknowledge the detention.