www.theradclyffeschool.co.uk

Hunt Lane, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 0LS

Telephone: 0161 622 3200 Fax: 0161 633 2183

e-mail: admin@theradclyffeschool.co.uk

website: www.theradclyffeschool.co.uk

Headteacher: Mr H.S. Hayer B.A., M.A. ( Ed)

Deputy Heads: Mrs S. Webb B.Ed. Mrs J Wernick B.Ed.

Chair of Governors: Mr J. Greenwood

Information

Welcome

This booklet provides you with a detailed introduction to many aspects of life at The Radclyffe School. Further information is available on our website at www.theradclyffeschool.co.uk. You are also welcome to contact the school to discuss any other queries – full contact details are on the back cover.

Pride in my exercise book Respond to targets for improvement

Only use a black pen

Use a ruler at all times

Demonstrate excellent presentation (no graffiti)

Marking & Written feedback The school has a marking policy that is individualised to meet the requirements of each faculty. The frequency of assessment depends on the number of lessons in a subject and the frequency that it is taught.

Teaching & Learning

At The Radclyffe School we place a high value on staff training to ensure our lessons are of the highest standard. Staff training takes place every Wednesday afternoon. In addition during the final week of each half term students in Years 7 and 8 take part in enrichment activities on a Wednesday afternoon

We aim for our lessons to cater for individual student needs and we expect our students to show high levels of engagement, interest, resilience, confidence, independence, courtesy, collaboration and cooperation within lessons. When students start in Year 7 they follow a transition week project during their first week which aims to develop their learning skills. A variety of theme days and cross curricular projects also take place throughout the year to further enhance the learning of our students.

Ensuring progress

Our aim for each student is to do all that we can to ensure they achieve the greatest possible academic success. Consistent monitoring of how well each student is progressing enables us to share this with parents throughout each year.

Through Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8) progress is measured using National Curriculum levels. The school also reports students’ attitude to learning, measuring determination to make progress and work to the best of their ability. In Key Stage 4 the regularity of monitoring steps up, which allows us to give students an indication of progress towards a likely grade at GCSE or equivalent.

We offer our Gifted and Talented students wider opportunities to achieve at as high a level as possible. Extended courses allow them more advanced study.

Curriculum

The Radclyffe School can provide your child with a good education in a wide range of different subjects.

The Radclyffe School prides itself on the outstanding education it offers all its students. Our curriculum is personalised to the needs of each child allowing them the opportunity to fulfil their potential and prepare them for the wider world of education and work. Our formal curriculum allows students to follow many different pathways which will lead to further education, university, apprenticeships or work.

At Key Stage 3, your child’s initial ability group is determined by their performance in their Maths and English exams at Key Stage 2. We review this at regular intervals depending on your child’s performance during Key Stage 3.

The school operates a 48 period two week timetable (24 periods per week). There are 5 periods per day (4 in the morning, 1 in the

afternoon), each of which lasts for one hour, except Wednesday when there are 3 lessons in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. There is a 20 minute break in the morning between periods 2 and 3. Lunchtime is 50 minutes. At The Radclyffe School Key Stage 3 covers Years 7 and 8, and we begin our Key Stage 4 curriculum at the start of Year 9. This allows students the time to study at GCSE level in order for them to attain the highest possible final grades and thus have the best opportunities for post 16 progression and the best University places for their future careers.

Examinations School policy on examination entry is that every student is entered for examinations in all subjects they study unless there are educational reasons for non-entry. The two main reasons for non-entry are evidence that the student is most unlikely to achieve a grade in a subject, and failure to complete essential coursework. Examination fees are approximately £38 per GCSE subject and are paid by the school for all students sitting an examination. If a student fails to meet the requirements for a particular examination, either by failing to complete controlled assessments or by failing to attend a written paper, parents are responsible for reimbursing the school. The only exception to this is when there is a medical reason for missing a paper, and this must be supported by a medical certificate. Every year a few students have difficulties during the examination period due to family problems, injury, hospitalisation etc. If such problems occur, parents must contact the school as soon as possible so that all possible steps can be taken to allow a child to do him/herself justice in the examinations.

Presentation of Work - PROUD Even the best thought out work can be spoilt by being poorly presented. At The Radclyffe School we encourage all students to take pride in their written work. In every subject they study we are developing a consistent approach to presentation – writing neatly and legibly, using a ruler to underline and developing good habits. Students are set targets to show their improvement, they need to show two examples of well-presented work, and then consistently show more examples until all their work is of a consistently high standard. To support the improvement, we ask for parents’ help. Please take time to look at your children’s written work and encourage them to present it in the very best way they can. The techniques are simple, and we reinforce this with students using the acronym PROUD

Teaching staff provide feedback verbally and in writing. This may take the form of self- or peer assessment and targets may be set to assist progress. Make a Difference (MAD) time is embedded in lessons to help students.

Homework Homework is part of the National Curriculum and is related to classwork. It provides opportunities for independent learning, allowing students to take responsibility for organising their own work, and also helps to develop literacy, numeracy, thinking and organisational skills. Homework will prepare students for future lessons and GCSE examination preparation/ revision.

Students are expected to complete a minimum of 30 minutes of homework per subject every 2 weeks for KS3 and 1 hour for KS4. Doing so they develop their independent learning skills by completing varied activities. Students must ensure that they model the teacher’s high expectations and meet their homework deadlines. They can submit homework in a variety of different media. Teachers are expected to set a minimum of 30 minutes of meaningful and challenging homework per subject every 2 weeks for KS3 and 1 hour for KS4. This will provide the opportunity for students to show progress through the activities they set.

2

SEN/Disability Catering

“ We do our very best to make the

change to secondary school as easy as we can.

Homework and feedback given to students as outlined in

Assessment for Learning Policy and the Marking Policy. Teachers will reward students for successful homework with Praise Postcards,

VIVOs and certificates, and follow the Homework Detention policy for homework that is not handed in on time, or is incomplete or

insufficient.

If a student does not meet their homework deadline they will be given

a second opportunity to hand it in the next morning, if this is not met students will automatically be given a 15 minute Teacher Detention.

Should the student fail to hand in the homework following the Teacher

Detention a letter will be sent home to parents to explain that their child has a

30 minute Faculty Detention. Students will have the opportunity to complete their homework during this time.

Students failing to hand in the homework after this stage will be redirected to SLMT

for a Head Teacher’s Detention.

We encourage parents to discuss homework with their children and help them plan its

completion on time. At KS4 parents will be kept informed with coursework deadlines and have the opportunity to discuss homework at Parents’ Evenings as well as KS4 Consultation

Evenings.

Parents can contact their child’s Subject Teacher, Head of Faculty or Year Manager if they are concerned about any aspect of homework.

At The Radclyffe School we place the child at the centre of all we do. The Learning Support Department aims to ensure that all students have the opportunity to unlock and fulfil their potential in all aspects of school life. The department prides itself on its access and liaison with everyone involved with our students, always working in partnership with other staff within school, parents and other relevant stakeholders to achieve the school’s vision of “Working Together for Excellence”. It is our strong belief that students must be enabled to be independent learners, and we work hard to provide your child with the skills necessary for adult life, so they can progress seamlessly into further education, employment or training. There is a strong emphasis on students learning in mainstream classes whenever possible, by providing adult assistance where appropriate. We take particular account of your child’s individual needs in setting the structure for academic subjects and by offering opportunities for additional support within our resourced bases. As a school designated for young people with physical disabilities, we have been privileged over the past four years to have a number of student wheelchair users. The admission procedure is the same as for all students, as is their access to extra-curricular activities. We follow National Guidelines and the school’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Policy, together with the Accessibility Plan, reviewed and updated annually. If your child has a special educational need, we invite you to contact Ms Melia, Head of the Learning Support Department, to discuss how we may be able to help.

Safeguarding and Child Protection In line with the Children’s Act (2004) and the Education Act (2002) The Radclyffe School fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection and safeguarding the needs and welfare of all children in our care. The Radclyffe School is committed to following the procedures set out by the Oldham Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) and guidance issued by the Department for Education (Working Together to Safeguard Children (March 2013) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (April 2014) and our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2014 reflects this. Parents/Carers should be aware that the school has a duty of care to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of students. Where a member of staff is concerned that a child may be maltreated, neglected or abused they will refer to The Local Authority Social Care Services -Multiagency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Parents who wish to raise a specific concern should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead as the senior member of staff for Child Protection.

Residential and Day Visits We are very proud to offer extensive, high quality extra- curricular activities, many of which are away from school. We recognise the importance of learning outside the classroom in broadening your child’s experience of school life. All year groups have the opportunity to experience these visits throughout their time at The Radclyffe School. Amongst our residential trips is an annual visit to Normandy and visits to outdoor pursuit centres in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Most subject areas have arranged visits to a wide variety of destinations, including universities, museums and art galleries, sporting venues, theatres and businesses.

Café Mojo is our school dining area, offering a wide choice of healthy, nutritious food and drinks. The cashless payment system is safe, secure, quick and easy to use. Our modern dining room, called Café Mojo, offers delicious hot and cold food before school, at break and lunchtimes. The Radclyffe School has achieved the ‘Healthy Schools standard’. Café Mojo operates a cashless biometric system. Each student has their own Café Mojo account. This system recognises each individual through a fingerprint scanner, and records how much money is received and spent. It will also record what food and drink is purchased and at what time of day.

Free School Meals If your child had free school meals at their primary school, make sure they continue to get them at The Radclyffe School. You need to let the Welfare Benefits Team know; call them 0161 770 6688. If your circumstances haven’t changed this will be a quick and simple process. If you don’t let them know, your child will not get free school meals at The Radclyffe School. If your child has not previously received free school meals and you think they should be entitled, you can download an application form at Oldham Council’s website www.oldham.gov.uk or contact the Welfare Benefits Team on 0161 770 6688 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Transition We understand that the move from primary to secondary school is a very important event in a child’s life. At The Radclyffe School we do our very best to make the change to secondary school as easy as we can. We try to ensure that new students and their parents have the opportunity to get to know us, and that we get to know you and your child. We try to do this in several ways: Before choices of school have been made, we encourage parents and children to visit us on our Open Evening. This event is organised so that parents and children can talk, informally, to staff, students, governors and the parents of students who already attend the school; We are happy to show parents and their children around the school during the working day;

Several of our staff work in local primary schools and help in the teaching of subjects such as Modern Languages, Science, Music and Physical Education; Students from primary schools are invited to the school to take part in classes in Science, Humanities, P.E., Design Technology and to watch dramatic productions; We visit all the primary schools from which we draw our students. During these visits we try to answer their questions and meet their teachers; We organise a visit to the school by our future Year 7 students during July, that they can meet their new Personal Learning Guides; Early in the Autumn Term parents of Year 7 students have the opportunity to discuss, with their child’s Personal Learning Guide, how their child has settled into our school; Your child will need your support. You, as parents, will be needed to listen, to encourage, and to help with homework. Together we can ensure that your children make the most of the many opportunities the school offers.

4 5

“

Oldham Local Authority Secondary School Admissions

If you live within the Oldham Council boundary you must complete an Oldham online application. If you do not live in Oldham you must apply to the Local Authority that you pay your council tax to even if you wish to apply for a school in Oldham. Your home Local Authority will pass on your request for a place to Oldham for consideration in line with the co-ordinated admissions scheme.

Starting Secondary School Information Booklets will be distributed to your child’s primary school.

School Transport Our school is easy to get to from most parts of Oldham, Middleton and north Manchester. The building is located on Hunt Lane, Chadderton, very close to the A663 Broadway/ A669 Middleton Road junction.

Public Transport - Our site is well served by public transport. Bus services run within 400m of the school, Metrolink trams are just 1 mile away and there is a dedicated Yellow Bus service that caters for students at the start and end of the school day, linking the school with Werneth, south Chadderton and Moston.

Bicycles - We are keen to encourage students to cycle to school. However, we are also conscious that we must try to ensure the safety of our students. The school’s travel plan has clear guidelines for their safety if they choose to cycle to school. You can obtain a copy of the parental agreement letter from the school which must be completed and returned before a student can cycle to school.

Cars - If you wish to transport your child to school by car, please use the ‘drop off’ facility at the Student Entrance. At the end of the school day there are a limited number of car park spaces available in the car park at the Student Entrance. Please be aware that the school gates will be closed between 3pm and 3.20pm to allow students to exit the building safely.

Caring for the Individual Year Managers

Each year group has a Year Manager assigned to them over the duration of their time at The Radclyffe School.

Together they form the Achievement and Access Team and are responsible for ensuring that your child is able to achieve their own personal excellence at the school, so giving each young person leaving school the best possible advantage.

This ensures that students settle in well, that they are committed to their own education and that they face their responsibilities with confidence.

Year Managers have no teaching commitment and are available to students throughout the school day, they deal with any student issues as and when they arise.

The team is committed to making your child feel safe and secure. We want to help your child come to school to achieve and we will endeavour to help your child get the most out of The Radclyffe School.

Behaviour, Discipline and Rewards Our Behaviour for Learning Policy seeks to ensure that students’ behaviour is well managed and controlled.

The Radclyffe School is a Rights Respecting School and we acknowledge that it is the responsibility of all staff, students and community members to respect the rights of each other in and around school by adhering to The Five Respects.

The Radclyffe School Respect Charter outlines the responsibilities of everyone in school. We believe that in order to enable effective learning and teaching to take place, good behaviour in all aspects of school life is necessary. We seek to create a safe, caring, learning environment in the school by: • promoting good behaviour; • promoting self-esteem, self-discipline, proper

regard for authority and positive relationships based on mutual respect; • ensuring fairness of treatment for all; • encouraging consistency of response to both positive and negative behaviour; • providing a safe environment free from disruption, violence, bullying and any form of harassment; • encouraging a positive relationship with parents

and carers to develop a shared approach, involving them in the implementation of the school’s policy, associated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

and The Respect Charter; • seeking appropriate support from external agencies

to ensure that the needs of all students are met. All stakeholders have a responsibility to promote The Radclyffe School Respect Charter.

• The Governing Body will support the school in

maintaining high standards of behaviour. • The Headteacher is responsible for the school’s

policy and procedures and may delegate aspects of its day-to-day implementation and management to members of the SLMT.

• All staff are positive role models and are responsible for ensuring that the policy is followed, and consistently and fairly applied.

• Parents and carers will be expected to take responsibility for the behaviour of their child both inside and outside the school. They will be encouraged to work in partnership with the school to assist the school in maintaining high standards of behaviour.

• Students will be expected to take responsibility for their own behaviour on or off the school site and be made fully aware of the school policy, procedure and expectations. Students also have a responsibility to ensure that incidents of disruption, violence, bullying and any form of harassment are reported.

A school ethos of encouragement is central to promoting good behaviour. We seek to motivate students to realise that good behaviour is valued Using Vivo, the online school rewards platform, we can improve the motivation of our students, improve their attainment levels and attendance records. All staff award Vivos for a variety of reasons; from producing good pieces of work and homework to respecting the environment which supports the school’s five Respects. Since the beginning of the initiative in 2012, there has been a noticeable improvement in students’ motivation, learning, work and behaviour. All students have an individual log in to access their account on the website vivomiles.com. They can then order prizes automatically online through the vivo shop. We’re pleased to say that all students who attend The Radclyffe School have been awarded Vivos! At the end of each year we hold a Celebration Evening, acknowledging the achievements of each year group, and there is a more formal recognition of achievement at the school’s Presentation Evening held in the Autumn term at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham.

Uniform At The Radclyffe School we insist that school uniform is worn by all students during school hours, whilst travelling to and from school and on all other school occasions. The school uniform approved by Governors is:

Boys Black school blazer with school badge. Black school tailored trousers (corduroy/denim is not acceptable).

Plain white shirt that has a collar suitable for wearing a tie, worn inside trousers. Black and red striped school tie. Black V neck pullover with red stripe around the neck. This may be worn under the blazer but not instead of it. Plain black or grey socks.

Low heeled PLAIN black shoes (internal heel below 2 inches). Shoes with coloured soles or markings, sandals, trainers or canvas shoes are not acceptable. Footwear extending above the ankle is only acceptable for journeys to and from school in bad weather. Students must change into approved footwear in the school buildings.

Boys’ Physical Education Kit The Radclyffe School red polo shirt. Black shorts. Plain black sports socks/football socks. Training shoes and football boots for football/rugby. Plain black tracksuit bottoms (in cold weather). The Radclyffe School black sweat top for outdoor PE only (optional). The Radclyffe School black tracksuit top (optional).

A school ethos of encouragement is central

to promoting good behaviour.

6

“

Girls

Our Mission Statement ‘Working Together for

Excellence’ underpins everything we do

We would like you to know that:

• an inexpensive wrist watch is the only item of jewellery

allowed. Earrings, ear and nose studs, chains, bracelets and

finger rings are not allowed and if worn by students will be

confiscated;

• mobile telephones, pagers and other electronic equipment

are not allowed in school and if seen or heard will be

confiscated;

• a school bag is essential, we expect all students to bring one

to school each day.

• denim, cardigans, football shirts; hooded and leather jackets

or coats with large offensive emblems on them are not

acceptable;

• make up incl. false lashes, is not to be worn in school or to

and from school;

• aerosol deodorants and fragrances are not permitted;

• hair should be kept to a reasonable length. Exaggerated

styles and colours will not be permitted eg Mohican or

Mohawk haircuts, shaved heads, shaved patterns or colours

that are not natural hair colours;

• nail polish and acrylic nails are not

permitted;

• a plain black headscarf can be worn;

• students should not bring into school any items that may be

a threat to the health and safety of themselves or others, eg

laser pens, knives or imitation guns. If students are found in

possession of a dangerous item they risk exclusion;

• low heeled PLAIN black shoes are to be worn. Shoes with

coloured soles or markings, sandals, trainers or canvas

shoes including pumps are not allowed. If any student

attends school wearing incorrect footwear they will be

provided with plain black regulation school plimsolls to

wear during the day. Please note that all confiscated items are available at the school office to the student after six school weeks or they can be collected at any time during school office hours, by the student’s parent only.

Attendance & Holidays in term Your child’s school attendance is extremely important. Attendance is directly linked to progress with learning. Students are required to attend school for 190 days each year. If students do not attend school every day they are compromising their education and potential achievement.

Admissions Policy The Radclyffe School is a ten form entry school for girls and boys aged 11-16 years. Our mission statement is “Working Together for Excellence” which underpins everything we do. The Radclyffe School is a member of The Radclyffe Cooperative Learning Trust, working with the following associate partner schools:

• Bare Trees Primary

• Christ Church C of E Chadderton

• St Matthews C of E Primary School, Chadderton

• Freehold Primary

• Mills Hill Primary

• St Luke’s C of E Primary

• St Anne’s C of E Primary Royton

• Stanley Road Community Primary

• Thorp Primary

• Whitegate End Primary and Nursery. There is no guarantee of a place but children attending an associate partner school will be prioritised for admission in Criterion groups 3 and 4. The Local Authority is Oldham Council, which will co-ordinate the applications. The published admission number (PAN) is 300. The policy fully complies with the School Admissions and Appeals Code (2012) and all relevant Education Acts and Regulations. Children who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs will automatically be allocated a place where The Radclyffe School has been named in the statement.

Oversubscription Criteria 1: Children in care or children who have previously been looked

after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order will be given the highest priority for admission.

2: Children who are considered to have an exceptional medical

or social reason as to why they should attend The Radclyffe Black school blazer with school badge.

Black school skirt (at least knee length and without a split hem) or school tailored trousers (corduroy or denim

material, tapered and straight leg trousers, tight fitting and/or short miniskirts are not acceptable).

Plain white shirt or blouse that has a collar suitable for wearing a tie, worn inside skirt/trousers.

Black and red striped school tie. Black V neck pullover with red stripe around the neck. This may be

worn under the blazer but not instead of it. Plain black or white socks or black or flesh-coloured tights.

Low heeled PLAIN black shoes (internal heel below 2 inches). Shoes

with coloured soles or markings, sandals, trainers or canvas shoes are not acceptable.

Footwear extending above the ankle is only acceptable for journeys to and from school in bad weather. Students must change into approved footwear in

the school buildings.

Girls’ Physical Education Kit

The Radclyffe School red polo shirt. Black shorts. Plain black tracksuit bottoms. Plain black sports socks. Training shoes.

The Radclyffe School black sweat top for outdoor PE only (optional). The Radclyffe School black tracksuit top (optional).

Oldham Council has a target that students should be at school at least 95% of this time, but even this means missing nine days or 2 weeks, which is 50 lessons of School Absence.

The Radclyffe School has a zero-tolerance policy towards unauthorised absence. Please refer to The Radclyffe School Absence Authorisation Procedures on our website for information on how to ensure your child has no unauthorised absence. Recent changes in the law have come into force regarding requests for leave of absence during the school year. From 1st September 2013 the law gives no entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Any activity, holiday or event should be arranged during the 13 weeks of school closure. Leave of absence will have a detrimental impact on your child’s educational achievement. If leave of absence is taken during term time parents/carers will receive a Penalty Notice from the Local Authority for taking a child out of school without the school’s permission. From 1st September 2013 Penalty Notices cost £60 per child, per parent if paid within 21 days increasing to £120 per child, per parent if paid between 22 and 28 days.

School (Parents will be required to submit evidence to support their application under this criterion).

3: Children attending a named associate partner school in The

Radclyffe Co-operative Learning Trust (Bare Trees Primary; Christ Church C of E Chadderton; St Matthew’s C of E Primary School, Chadderton; Freehold Primary; Mills Hill Primary; St Luke’s C of E Primary; St Anne’s C of E Primary Royton; Stanley Road Community Primary; Thorp Primary; Whitegate End Primary and Nursery) who will have a sibling attending The Radclyffe School in September 2015.

4: Children attending a named associate partner school in The

Radclyffe Co-operative Learning Trust (see Criterion 3) who will not have a sibling attending The Radclyffe School in September 2015.

5: Children who do not attend a named associate partner school

and who will have a sibling attending The Radclyffe School in September 2015.

6: Children who do not attend a named associate partner school

and who will not have a sibling attending The Radclyffe School in September 2015.

8 9

Tiebreak Criterion If, in any category, there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of proximity to the school. This will be determined by the home to school distance measurement by the Local Authority.

Distance will be calculated by the straight line measurement from the child’s permanent home address location to the centre point of The Radclyffe School.

An intention to change address cannot be considered by the Local Authority (LA) until such a move has actually taken place and proof is available to substantiate the change of address. Proof of change of address will be accepted up until the latest reasonable date prior to the final allocation of school places on 1st March 2015.

Twins or Triplets -

If Parents/Carers are claiming that there are exceptional medical or social reasons why their child should be prioritised above other applicants, they must give reasons for this claim, which must be supported by evidence. A panel of at least three senior officers will assess that evidence.

The School Admission and Appeals Code 2012 states that admissions authorities must not give higher priority to children under this criterion if the required documents have not been produced. If parents are submitting an online application form claiming that there are exceptional medical or social reasons, the supporting evidence must be sent by post or handed in to;

The Admissions Team, Level 6, Civic Centre, PO Box 40, West Street, Oldham

In cases where twins, triplets, or other multiple birth siblings are split when allocations take place, they will be allocated a place over the Published Admission Number.

Flats - In the event of two or more children living an equal distance from the school, e.g. blocks of flats, and there being only one place available, the place will be decided by random allocation (lottery).

Permanent Address - The only address we will consider is the permanent home address of the child. The permanent home address is considered to be the address of the adult/s with whom the child is permanently resident. Where a child stays with another parent for part of

“ Parents’ Evenings for

OL1 1XJ Definition of Exceptional Medical Need -

“Exceptional medical need” means that the child’s health and welfare would be best served if they attended The Radclyffe School. Parents/Carers would need to provide medical evidence in the form of a letter or report from a doctor to support their case.

The evidence would have to establish that The Radclyffe School is the best/only school to serve the child’s needs. The evidence would also need to state why other schools could not provide the appropriate support for the child.

Definition of Exceptional Social Need - “Exceptional social need” means that the child’s welfare would be best served if they attended The Radclyffe School. Parents/ Carers would need to provide evidence in the form of a letter or report from a social worker or other professional in the area of children’s welfare to support their case.

The evidence would have to establish that The Radclyffe School is the best/only school to serve the child’s needs. The evidence would also need to state why other schools could not provide the appropriate support for the child.

Sibling Link - We accept that in some family units (one or two parents or carers and children) the children may not be natural brothers and sisters. Older children from the same family unit, living at the same family address, can be considered as a sibling link under this criterion.

A sibling is your child’s brother or sister (including half-brothers and sisters, stepchildren and fostered children living with the same family at the same address). Please note that cousins do not count as siblings.

the week, further enquiries may be made in order to determine where the child is predominantly resident.

Childcare Arrangements - If a childminder, grandparents, or other family member cares for the child on a daily basis at another address, we cannot consider this address for the purpose of The Radclyffe School admission process.

Parents & School Communications We appreciate the importance of keeping all parents informed about what is going on in school. Each student receives a Planner, which provides valuable information, records their timetable, homework and targets set. The Radclyffe Newsletter is issued twice a term to report on students’ activities and achievements and communicate information of interest to parents. Parents’ Evenings for each year group take place through the year. This is a valuable time for parents to discuss their child’s progress with subject teachers. The dates of all these meetings are published in the newsletter in September. If you are not able to attend the relevant meeting but would like to talk about your child’s progress, you can arrange an appointment to speak with a member of staff by contacting the appropriate Year Manager. The school website www.theradclyffeschool.co.uk provides a host of information for parents and students.

Clubs & Societies We encourage all our students to take advantage of a large number of clubs and other extra-curricular activities. Organised by members of staff, these are available during lunchtimes and after school, offering opportunities to learn or develop talents, to volunteer and take on leadership roles in the life of the school.

each year group take place through the year. This is a valuable

time for parents to discuss their child’s progress with subject

teachers.

Sport We offer an innovative and appealing range of sporting activity organised by our award winning PE staff. The school has a very strong sporting tradition and regularly achieves success in inter- school competitions. The PE provision has been recognised by Oldham School Sports as outstanding.

Music & Drama Students can take advantage of individual tuition in playing a musical instrument, with brass, strings, woodwind and percussion available. For students who enjoy singing, we have two vocal groups that give performances both in school and in the community.

Library and Digital Resource The Library and Digital Resource on Level 3 is available to all students where they can access hundreds of books, newspapers, magazines and DVDs. Many resources are available for loan. 36 computers are available for student use. Staff and students can use the Library before school, opening at 8am, at break (10.50am – 11.05am) and lunchtimes and after school until 3.45pm.

Lockers We offer all students a locker in which they can store belongings. All lockers are

the property of the school and are loaned to students, who sign an agreement that outlines the terms of the loan. A £5 deposit is required from students for their locker key. This will be refunded when they key is returned with the locker in good condition. Should a locker key be lost the student will be required to pay a further £5 for a replacement key. The school will have master keys which will allow us to open all lockers. Any locker can be inspected if a student assigned to that locker is reasonably suspected of having harmful items in it. The student whose locker is to be searched will be told of the search before it takes place and will be given the opportunity to be present at the time of the search. However the school reserves the right to search lockers without notice. The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen items from school lockers. Students are strongly advised not to leave money or valuable items in lockers.

10 11