Thursday 5th July 2012

Information for students and parents / carers

Building Our Future

Contents• Principal Welcome - page 5• Transition and Start of Autumn Term 2012 - page 6• Important Dates / Calendar - page 7• People to Know - page 9• How Rainford is Organised - pages 10 to 13 - Tutor Group - Year Group - Lower and Upper School - Rainford College - Houses - School Council - Subject Groups - The Curriculum : Key Stage 3 - Homework - Planners - Assessment and Reports - Social and Leisure Activities• Practical Matters - pages 14 to 18 - School Uniform 2012-13 - School Equipment - The School Day - Changes of Circumstances - Security of Possessions - Lost Property - Breaktime - Lunchtime - Facilities for Students - Sources of Information - Code of Conduct• What To Do If - pages 19 to 22 - Something is worrying you - You are absent - You need to leave school part-way through the day - You feel ill during a school day• Every Child Matters – Keeping Safe - pages 23 to 24 - Before and After School - Site Security - Use of Photography• Anti-Bullying Policy - page 25• Are You Being Bullied? - page 26• Inter-Personal Skills in the Workplace - page 27

Welcome to Rainford High Technology College. We are delighted that you have chosen our school for your child’s secondary education. This is the beginning of a partnership between school, students, parents and carers that by working together will ensure that every child achieves their maximum.

Every student that comes to Rainford High Technology College is expected to achieve the highest standards of behaviour, personal responsibility, learning and achievement.

To support your child in achieving their very best you can expect us to deliver:

• High quality teaching and learning in every lesson that engages and challenges your child to ensure that they make good progress.

• Personalised support and guidance for your child from all our staff.

• Opportunities and encouragement to enable your child to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities.

• Guidance to prepare them for the challenges they will face in the future.

I look forward to working with you over the next seven years in preparing your child for their future as a lifelong learner.

Ian YoungPrincipal

5th July 2012

5. Welcome to our new Year 7 Students, Parents and Carers

Friday 13th July 9.30am - 2.15pm

Year 6 Students will spend this time at Rainford High Technology College.

• They should report to the Reception on arrival.• Those coming as a school group will return with their school staff.• Those who are being brought by parents should be collected from the Reception at 2.15 pm.

No child will be allowed to leave the premises without an adult.

Wednesday 5th September

Year 7 Students will report to their Form Tutor in their Tutor Room. On their first day in school, new students will spend some time with their Form Tutor getting to know the other members of their tutor group. They will also meet some of their subject teachers and begin lessons.

If your child is unable to attend either the New Intake Day on 13th July or their first day on Wednesday 5th September, please contact: Mrs Hill on 01744 887320

School Transport from September 2012

School transport arrangements should be made directly with St Helens Education Authority and not with the school.

6. Transition and Start of Autumn Term 2012

7. Important Dates / School Calendar Academic Year 2012 / 2013

AUTUMN TERM

Staff INSET Day (School Closed): Monday, 3rd September 2012Staff INSET Day (School Closed): Tuesday, 4th September 2012 Re-Open after the Summer Holiday on: Wednesday, 5th September 2012Year 7 Welcome Evening: Thursday, 4th October 2012

Half Term:

Close for the October Half-Term on the evening of: Friday, 19th October 2012 New Building decant for staff (School Closed)* Monday, 29th October 2012New Building decant for staff (School Closed)* Tuesday, 30th October 2012Re-open after October Half-Term on the morning of: Wednesday, 31st October 2012Autumn Assessment Published on : Monday, 26th November 2012Close for the Christmas Holiday on the evening of: Thursday, 20th December 2012

SPRING TERM

Re-Open after the Christmas Holiday on the morning of: Monday, 7th January 2013

Half-Term:

Close for the February Half-Term on the evening of: Friday, 15th February 2013 New Building decant for staff (School Closed)* Monday, 25th February 2013New Building decant for staff (School Closed)* Tuesday, 26th February 2013Re-open after February Half-Term on the morning of: Wednesday, 27th February 2013Spring Assessment Published on: Monday, 11th March 2013Close for the Easter Holiday on the evening of: Thursday, 28th March 2013

SUMMER TERM

Re-open after Easter Holidays on the morning of: Monday, 15th April 2013 May Bank Holiday (School Closed): Monday, 6th May 2013

Half-Term:

Close for the Half-Term on the evening of: Friday, 24th May 2013Re-open after Half-Term on the morning of: Monday, 3rd June 2013Year 7 Reports Published on: Monday, 24th June 2013Year 7 Parents Evening on: Thursday, 27th June 2013Close for the Summer Holiday on the evening of: Friday, 19th July 2013

The School Day Starting at Rainford High may seem a little daunting at the beginning and you’ll want to know what you will be doing each day.

Here’s what your timetable will look like in Year 7:

DAILY TIMETABLE

START TIME EVENT

8.50 Registration

9.10 Period 1

10.10 Break

10.25 Period 2

11.25 Period 3

12.25 Lunch

13.15 Period 4

14.15 Period 5

15.15 END OF DAY

8. Daily Timetable

It is a two week timetable and lessons are one hour long.

Principal Mr I Young yng@rainford.org.uk

Vice Principal Mr T Rigby rgt@rainford.org.uk

Office Manager (Transition) Mrs J Hill janeth@rainford.org.uk

Director of Student Care, Support and Guidance

Mrs J Calvert-Williams janicec@rainford.org.uk

The Key Stage 3 and 4 Pastoral Teams:

9. People to Know

Progress Leader for Key Stage 3 Miss J Harrison hrj@rainford.org.uk

Year Group Manager 7 Mrs W Pennington pnw@rainford.org.uk

Year Group Manager 8 Mr M Pendlebury pnm@rainford.org.uk

Year Group Manager 9 Miss E Bibey bbe@rainford.org.uk

Progress Leader for Key Stage 4 Miss C Fawley fwl@rainford.org.uk

Year Group Manager 10 Ms B Wood wdb@rainford.org.uk

Year Group Manager 11 Miss M Swift swf@rainford.org.uk

Contact:First point of contact should be with your Form Tutor or the Year Group Manager, Mrs Pennington

Heads of Subject

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator: Mr G Williams wlg@rainford.org.uk

English: Ms C Jump jmp@rainford.org.uk

Maths: Mrs H Hudson hds@rainford.org.uk

Science (Acting): Ms C Harrison hrc@rainford.org.uk

Art: Mr D Boak bkd@rainford.org.uk

Music: Mr N Reeve rve@rainford.org.uk

Drama: Mrs G Press prs@rainford.org.uk

History: Mrs C Turton trt@rainford.org.uk

Geography: Mr J Halewood hlw@rainford.org.uk

Modern Foreign Languages (Acting): Mr A Sanders snd@rainford.org.uk

PE: Mr G Makin mkn@rainford.org.uk

Technology: Mr A Simpson smp@rainford.org.uk

ICT: Miss J Burgess brg@rainford.org.uk

RE: Mrs H Dack dkh@rainford.org.uk

Social Sciences: Miss S Trivedi trv@rainford.org.uk

Business Studies: Mrs M Whittle wht@rainford.org.uk

10. How Rainford High Technology College is Organised

Tutor GroupWhen students start school in Year 7 they will be in a registration group with a Form Tutor who will mark the register each day. Students will also be registered in each lesson. As a general rule, the Form Tutor will continue to be your son/daughter’s Form Tutor throughout their school life and so will become a very

important person and someone they will be able to turn to if there are things they need to know or if they need help in any area of their life in school. Their Form Tutor will also be involved in monitoring their academic progress.

Tutor Group Tutors Name Email

7 BKD Mr Boak bkd@rainford.org.uk

7 CLD Mr Calderbank cld@rainford.org.uk

7 HNE Mrs Hindley hne@rainford.org.uk

7 HRR Mrs Harrison hrr@rainford.org.uk

7 HYE Miss Hoey hye@rainford.org.uk

7 PRL Miss Purcell prl@rainford.org.uk

7 PTT Miss Putt ptt@rainford.org.uk

7 SMT Miss Smith smt@rainford.org.uk

7 TMS Mrs Tomsett tms@rainford.org.uk

7 WNT Mr Wainwright wnt@rainford.org.uk

Year GroupIn addition to the Form Tutor there will be two other people who will be particularly interested in what happens to each student within the Year Group in the school. In Year 7 these will be Miss Harrison, Progress Leader and Mrs Pennington, Year Group Manager. These two people will look after each Year Group as a whole and lead the team of Year Tutors.

Lower and Upper School• Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 (Key Stage 3) are members of the LOWER SCHOOL. • Students in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) are members of the UPPER SCHOOL. • Students’ ties indicate their Year Group and Key Stage 3 or 4 (see uniform page). Each year will keep its coloured stripe as it moves through the school.

Rainford CollegeStudents in Years 12 and 13 (Key Stage 5) are members of RAINFORD COLLEGE housed in a separate College building.

11. How Rainford High Technology College is Organised

HousesIn the Tutor Group there will be people from all four Houses: Derby, Holland, Lathom and Muncaster. Students will have the opportunity to take part in Inter-House competitions such as football, rugby, hockey, netball etc.

During these competitions your son/daughter will meet and work with students from other Tutor Groups within their Year.

School CouncilThere is a School Council which is made up of staff and students. Students will be able to vote for a student to represent their views on this Council.

Student Grouping and Timetabling At Rainford we group our students by abilityso that they may best be supported and challenged to reach their potential. In Year 7 there will be nine groups that will be divided for timetabling into two bands with five groups in one and four in the other. In Year 7 they will be grouped by their Maths and English ability based mainly on their KS2 SAT scores. For Science they will be in their Maths groups and all other lessons in their English groups. For health & safety reasons Technology has a larger number of groups and so will alter the English groups accordingly. In Physical Education the students will be grouped by gender. In years 8 & 9 they will, in addition, be grouped by their abilities in Science, Modern Foreign Language and Technology. For all other subjects they will be in their Modern Foreign Language groups. Grouping is kept under regular review and movement between groups will take place when required.

AttendanceAt Rainford High Technology College we encourage all students to gain 100% for their attendance. Each half-term you will receive a colour coded letter with an individual certificate. The colour coded letters are broken down into the following percentages:

• 95% - 100% - Green• 90% - 94.9% - Amber• 89.9% and below - Red

12. How Rainford High Technology College is Organised

HomeworkHomework is a very important part of the work of the school and all students are expected to do homework regularly. The amount set depends on their age. In Year 7 they will eventually build up to approximately one hour per night by the end of the first term. By Year 11 this may well increase to about ten hours per week plus coursework. In Years 12/13 to some fifteen to twenty hours per

week. In many cases when homework is set students could be given more than one night to complete a task. Parents should also feel free to support their sons and daughters,if necessary, in the completion of their homework.

Subject Year 7 Year 8 Year 9

EnglishMathsScience

Once per week Once per week Once per week

MFL Once per week Once per fortnight Once per week

Technology Once per fortnight Once per fortnight Once per week

HistoryGeographyRE

Once per fortnight Once per fortnightOnce per fortnightOnce per fortnightOnce per 4 weeks

ArtMusicICTDrama

When appropriate to current topic, on average once per fortnight

When appropriate to current topic, on average once per fortnight

When appropriate to current topic, on average once per fortnight

Homework TasksThese are many and varied, including:

• Independent learning/research/reading• Practice – learning by doing• Interviews• Collecting• Drawing/Designing• Recording• Completion of coursework assignments• Past examination questions • Guided revision tasks• Learning Log

Homework will be differentiated so that it is appropriate to the age and ability of the student. Wherever possible, it should be personalised to meet the needs of the student. Homework will be set at an appropriate point in the lesson, NOT at the last minute.

PlannersStudents will be provided with a special Rainford High Planner in which they should record the homework set. The Planners are also intended to support students throughoutthe year in setting targets and recording achievements. They are very important and must be looked after properly, brought to every lesson and used fully. If the Planner is lost, students will be expected to buy a replacement.

The Form Tutor will advise students about the best use of their Planner. Parents can see the work that sons or daughters will be doing; they should feel free to note any comments that they wish to bring to the attention of their son’s or daughter’s Subject or Form Tutor. Parents/carers are asked to sign the Planner at the end of each week and this is monitored by the Form Tutor.

Assessment and ReportsIn each of the first 9 terms of Key Stage 3 you will receive an assessment report that will detail how your son/daughter is progressing towards his/her target in each subject and how he/she is responding to the demands of that subject. Your son/daughter will use these assessment reports to set targets for themselves for the next term.

In July 2013 at the end of Year 7, you will receive a full report detailing his/her achievements in all subject areas with an estimate of their current level.

A similar pattern of assessment reports take place over Key Stage 4. Students and parents will also be invited to attend a Parents’ Evening. Dates appear in the School Calendar and in the student planner which is issued at the start of the School Year but letters of invitation with details of where to find teaching

staff will be sent prior to the evening.

Social and Leisure Activities Students will have the opportunity to play sports of all kinds including football, rugby league and union, cricket, hockey, netball, badminton, tennis, basketball, athletics, dance, rounders and trampolining/gymnastics.

Musical activities abound – choir, rock bands, junior orchestra and a variety of performing opportunities. Many students enjoy mixed ensembles, learning to play a musical instrument on an individual fee-paying basis with visiting tutors. All strings, brass and wind varieties are covered, plus piano and keyboard.

Drama takes many forms in the life of the school/college. Students are frequently offered the chance to be involved in theatretrips, drama clubs or school productions. We work closely with Music and Art to produce school performances - you may have attended some of them in the past... Beauty & the Beast, School for Scandal, Grease, Tales of Hoffman, The Wizard of Oz or you may have heard of our ‘Shakespeare Show’. Students will need to keep their eye on the notice boards for information. There are many school trips abroad: skiing, language study and practice, educational school visits to name but a few as well as those which are organised as part of the curriculum. Theatre trips, field trips, visits to museums and places of historical interest, industrial visits and many others take place.

In school, at lunch-time and after school, many other groups meet who have common interests, including Drama and Music. The Library and Computer facilities are also available at lunchtime and after school.

13. How Rainford High Technology College is Organised

School Uniform 2012-131. Plain white shirt appropriate for the wearing of a tie.2. Clip on school tie – available only from school stockists. Key Stage 3 – Years 7 and 8: Mid-grey tie with coloured stripe as follows: • Year 7 – Yellow (Clip-on tie) • Year 8 – Blue • Year 9 – Green Key Stage 4 - Years 9, 10 and 11: Black tie with coloured stripe as follows: • Year 10 – Red • Year 11 - Yellow * Students keep their coloured stripe as they move through the school.3. Trousers: Standard school mid-grey tailored trousers, full length, straight-legged. Skirt : Plain, mid-grey and knee length in a style appropriate for school.4. Sweater (optional) plain mid-grey, with burgundy stripes around v-neck. Cardigans are not to be worn.

At KS4 students are allowed to wear black trousers, skirts and jumpers along with their black tie to denote that they are in Upper School.

Charcoal grey or black trousers, skirts or sweaters will not be allowed in Years 7, 8 and 9.

5. School Blazer (burgundy) with badge - available from school stockists (please note that badges are no longer sold separately).6. Socks or tights in ‘plain’ grey, white or black. (Not patterned). Only grey or black socks may be worn with trousers.7. Footwear - plain black flat heeled shoes (high heeled shoes are dangerous in school). Trainers, canvas shoes/pumps or boots of any description are not acceptable. 8. Outdoor coats appropriate for school (sweatshirts with or without hoods are not acceptable).9. No jewellery is permitted in school with the exception of a wristwatch.10. No make up to be worn.11. Hair should be of a natural colour without any designs shaved into it. All items should be clearly marked with the student’s name.

14. Practical Matters

15. Practical Matters

PE UniformGIRLS Indoor: White short-sleeved polo shirt with school logo Plain Black Football Shorts with school logo Training Shoes Sports Socks (White/Black) Outdoor: Black/Burgundy Games Jersey with school logo White short-sleeved polo shirt with school logo Plain Black Football Shorts with school logo Burgundy Football Socks Training Shoes Black Tracksuit with school logo (optional) Black hooded sweatshirt with school logo (optional) Shin Pads* Optional: Black Netball Skirt with school logo Black ‘Knicker Shorts’ Mouth Guard*

BOYS Indoor: White short-sleeved polo shirt with school logo Plain Black Football Shorts with school logo Training Shoes Sports Socks (White) Outdoor: Black/Burgundy Games Jersey with school logo Plain Black Football Shorts with school logo Burgundy Football Socks Football Boots Training Shoes Black Tracksuit with school logo (optional) Black hooded sweatshirt with school logo (optional) Shin Pads* Optional: Mouth Guard* Head Guard* (rugby)

* The use of Shin Pads, Mouth Guards and Head Guards are highly recommended for team games.

Uniform StockistsSt Helens: Mr Singh’s (Bridge Street); Golden Child (St Mary’s Market); Primrose Fashions (St Mary’s Market); Marks & SpencersWigan: Slaters

16. Practical Matters

School EquipmentBeing ready to learn, means having the right equipment. Here’s a checklist of what students will need at the start of term and to bring to Rainford each day.

• Black ink pens• Pencils and coloured pencils• Eraser• Clear 30cm ruler• An Oxford pocket dictionary is recommended • Mathematical instruments (compasses, protractor,) scientific calculator). Students will not be able to borrow these from the Maths Department • An atlas for Geography will be provided in class by the school • A school bag to carry books

NO felt tipped pens, marker pens of any kind nor white correcting fluid should be brought into school.

Changes of CircumstancesIt is very important that our records are kept up-to-date in the event that your son /daughter should be sick or should there be an emergency.

Please remember to notify school of any changes in circumstances, i.e. changes of address or contact telephone numbers. Also, if there are any changes to your son / daughter’s medical record, please ensure that we have this information. Forms will be available from the Key Stage 3 Office or from our website www.rainford.org.uk

Security of Possessions and Lost PropertyAll items of personal property brought to school should be clearly marked with the student’s name as school cannot guarantee

their safety. Students are strongly advised to keep their bag & coat with them at all times and not leave these out of sight at break and lunchtimes.

In every school it is inevitable that property will sometimes go astray. Should this happenplease go to the relevant Key Stage Office and contact the PE office for all PE lost property. The governing body accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to property brought in by students.

Students must not bring into school aerosol sprays, including deodorants or any other dangerous or inappropriate objects.

DetentionsWe recognise that the large majority of our students get things right in school and their behaviour is good or even excellent. If behaviour is an issue, the classroom teacher will use a range of strategies to resolve the matter. However, occasionally behaviour is such a concern that a detention may be issued. The issuing of a detention is an indication of just how seriously the behaviour is seen and a student receiving a detention would be expected to recognise this and improve. Detentions may take place at break, lunchtime or after school and are a part of the school’s discipline policy. Failure to attend a detention is a serious matter and will result in further sanctions. Parents/carers will always be informed if their child is to be kept after school. However, school does not need parental consent to detain any student after school as long as reasonable notice has been given. Transport for such students is the responsibility of their parents/carers.

Mobile Phones and Other Electronic EquipmentWe wish to be pragmatic and positive in our response to student use of mobile telephones and other electronic equipment and to the rapidly expanding educational possibilities for personal technological devices.

Nevertheless, there exists some concernabout the possibilities of disruption to lessons caused by the use of mobile phones and other electronic equipment in school. Telephones with the capability to take photographs and digital cameras themselves can (and have) been misused so as to infringe the right to personal privacy. The possession of mobile telephones and other types of electronic equipment can jeopardise candidates’ positions in public examinations. All Examination Boards threaten disqualification from all subjects for students found with any electronic equipment in an examination.

Mobile TelephonesAs a consequence of the issues raised above:

• Mobile telephones must not be used or be visible during the school day unless a member of staff gives permission.• Students will be allowed to use mobile telephones before and after school.• No photographs are to be taken on school premises by students without permission. This means that no photographs can be taken with mobile telephones at any time either inside or outside of the building.• We accept that there will be times when parents feel it is desirable for their children to contact them or be contactable by them. If parents wish to contact students during the school day, they should telephone the school and a message will be sent to the child. If students wish to contact parents, they will be allowed to

use the telephone in the relevant Key Stage Office.• Mobile telephones used during the day with out permission will be confiscated.• The period of confiscation will be for one day initially and five days for any subsequent misuse.

Personal Music Devices and Other Electronic EquipmentProblems arise in connection to personal music devices. Some students listen to these inappropriately, for example during lessons. Many of these devices are very expensive and provide a temptation to some students or are easily lost. As a consequence:

• We advise students not to bring personal music devices or other electronic equipment, which is excessively expensive to school.• Students must not use personal music devices in lessons or when moving between lessons.• Such devices will be confiscated for one day initially, then for a period of five days if they are visible to a member of staff during lessons or lesson changeover.

Digital CamerasStudents must have the permission of a teacher to take photographs in school. With digital cameras the possibility of photographs being doctored or posted on the internet is an additional concern. Digital cameras also tend to be expensive and there are issues relating to security. As a consequence:

• Students should not have digital cameras in school unless at the direct request of a teacher. There are digital cameras in school for use in lessons and projects.• Any unauthorised digital camera which is visible to a member of staff will be confiscated for a period of five days.

17. Practical Matters17. Practical Matters

BreaktimeStudents have the opportunity to use the cafeterias to purchase food and drink.

LunchtimeAt lunchtime you can:

(a) Have a meal in one of the school cafeterias.(b) Bring sandwiches and eat them in one of the sandwich rooms provided.(c) Return home if you live close enough to school.

Only those students who live in Rainford and who go home to eat may leave school premises. Students must be in possession of a pass in order to leave school at lunchtime.

Facilities for Students1. The school Library/Learning Resource Centre is open before school, at break and at lunchtime to students.2. IT rooms are available for student use on Monday to Friday lunchtime and Monday to Thursday 3.15 - 4.15 pm.3. A limited range of refreshments is available at morning break in the Dining Rooms (correct change is appreciated).4. School Council - The School Council exists for students. Each Year Group has a representative on the School Council. Members come from every section of the school and have the important job of discussing issues raised by students and staff. It is through the work of the School Council for example that break time refreshments have been provided. Students have a voice and should make sure their views are heard through their Form Representative.

5. Prefects – Prefects are attached to each year group and are there to support staff and students during lunch and form time.6. Peer Mentors – Year 11 students have been selected to work with every form in Year 7 to raise awareness of Literacy and Numeracy, whilst supporting students to settle into their secondary environment.

Code of ConductI WILL

• Attend school every day fully equipped for lessons and activities• Be in my correct uniform and wear it correctly• Move around school sensibly and calmly, following one way systems• Take responsibility for my own valuables and respect others property• Put my litter in the bins provided• Take care of our displays and keep walls and furniture clean and unmarked• Maintain the good name of my school by behaving sensibly on my way to and from school• Make sure that my phone is switched off and out of sight• Only listen to my iPod at break and lunchtimes

Respect myself, others and my environment

I WILL NOT

• Behave in any way that is racist, sexist, aggressive, violent or abusive• Bring drugs, weapons, alcohol, cigarettes or racist or sexual literature into school• Eat outside of designated areas/times• Chew gum

18. Practical Matters

19. What to do if...

Something is worrying a studentWe are very proud of our reputation for caring for every individual in our school. We firmly believe we must all care for and respect ourselves, each other and the environment. We expect everyone to show tolerance, and be kind to one another, to behave responsibly and, of course, to work hard.

Sometimes there are good reasons why a student is not working as hard as usual. A problem at home or an illness, a difficulty with friends or something which may be bothering them can prevent them from doing their best. It is at times like these that they may like to talk to someone else. There are lots of people who will help them; their Form Tutor, their Progress Leader or Year Group Manager or Learning Mentor, the Inclusive and Personalised Learning Manager or any member of staff who they feel confident talking to.

We want students to enjoy their years as a student at Rainford and we expect everyone to be kind to each other and care about each others happiness. Anyone who is discovered to have been making someone else unhappy by any form of unpleasantness at all will be dealt with severely. If your son/daughter is made to feel unhappy or uncomfortable because of someone elses thoughtlessness or deliberate unkindness then please tell us and we can then do something about it.

Some students are worried that bullying might be a problem at Rainford High. We would like to reassure you, that we take bullying seriously. The school has very clear procedures for dealing with bullying and staff will act on this issue very quickly, sensitively and confidentially if it occurs. Our Anti-bullying Policy is printed in our Policy Booklet.

We are sure, however, that the high expectations we have of every student who joins Rainford High, will mean that their future years with us will be as happy and successful as they can possibly be.

We aim to ensure that we are able to provide a caring environment for every student within which education can flourish.

Therefore, to enable every student:

* to enjoy learning* to enjoy leisure and relaxation* to be safe

Students and staff will:

* treat every member of our school with care and understanding* respect individuals and their right to be different* ensure nothing they do will cause pain or upset to someone else

Parents should be aware that the school will take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of its pupils. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a student may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse staff have no choice but to follow safe guarding procedures and inform the Children and Young Peoples Service.

20. What to do if...

Students are absentResearch shows that children who attend school regularly are more likely to be successful – in their exams, their careers and adult life. A youngster who misses a day of school each week misses the equivalent of 2 whole years of school life.

Some unacceptable reasons for absenceHolidays, shopping, Birthday treats and trips, looking after other children at home, non urgent medical appointments.

If students are away for any reason the school must be informed by contacting the Key Stage 3 Office and speak to Mrs Pennington, the Year Group Manager, by telephone, on the first day with a brief explanation of their absence. When they return to school please send in a letter to explain their absence.

The letter should show clearly:1. Student Name 2. Form3. Parents/ Carers Name4. Reason for their absence from school with dates.

When students have a prolonged absence or when we are unaware of the reasons for irregular attendance, the Year Group Manager may visit you at home.

Time out of school for holidaysThe Governors of this school have decided that taking a holiday during term time is detrimental to the education of students. If there are exceptional circumstances as to why a holiday needs to be taken in term time, permission must be requested from the Principal in writing before any booking are made. The school has the right to refuse permission for absence. Absences for

holidays which have not been authorised will be referred to the Education Welfare Office who may issue Penalty Notices which will involve the payment of a fine. Please think carefully – if your child misses two weeks of school due to holidays, they will miss:

10 hours of Maths10 hours of English30 hours of other lessons

Leave for term time holidays will therefore not be granted unless the Principal decides that there are exceptional circumstances which might justify it. If you believe that there are exceptional circumstances which necessitate a holiday in term time the procedure is as follows:

• You must be the parent/guardian with whom your child normally resides.• You must apply to the Principal in writing and IN ADVANCE of booking your holiday.• Each request will be considered on an individual basis and take into account: • The time of year (leave will NOT be granted during examination periods regardless of circumstances. • Your child’s attendance record (it is highly unlikely that leave will be granted if this is below 95%). • The progress your child is making, his/her educational needs and his/her ability to catch up with missed work.

Should the school not agree to grant leave and you take your child on holiday, then this will be counted as unauthorised absence and you will be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

21. What to do if...

Students need to leave school part-way through the daySigning out of school for appointments

• Students must bring a letter from home explaining why they need to leave school during the day.

• the letter must be shown to and signed by a Progress Leader or Group Manager.

• if the student has no letter they must see their Progress Leader or Group Manager for permission to leave school.

If the student needs to leave school during a lesson:

• the student must show the letter to the member of staff at the beginning of the lesson so that the member of staff is aware the student will be leaving during their lesson.

• the student must take the letter to Reception where they will need to sign out.

• show the admin staff the letter which has previously been signed by a Progress Leader or Group Manager.

• if the letter is not signed by a member of staff the student will be asked to go to their KS3/ KS4 office for permission before they can be allowed to sign out.

• if the student has no letter or note they must see their Progress Leader or Group Manager for permission to leave school

• once the letter has been seen the student will be asked to sign out in the signing out/in book.

• if the student is coming back into school the same day, the student must return to school via the main Reception Area and enter the time in the book where they have previously signed out.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS PROCEDURE IS FOLLOWED FOR THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT OUR INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENTS ON SITE IS ACCURATE AT ALL TIMES.

Students feel ill during a school dayWe have a number of qualified first aiders who are able to administer basic first aid. Students who feel unwell should report to their Key StageOffice. It will then be decided what treatment is required and inform parents if necessary.

1. We are not equipped for the care of students who are very poorly so, if they are feeling seriously unwell before leaving home, the best advice is to stay at home (with parents/carers consent of course!) until they are well enough to cope in school.

2. If, however, a student starts to feel ill during the school day, there is a routine they MUST follow for their own safety and security.

3. During a lesson, the teacher in charge will decide whether it is necessary to send a student to the Key Stage. If students are moving on to their next lesson, they should let the teacher know when they arrive if they are feeling unwell.

4. If students have a headache, sore throat, stomach ache or similar, they should be aware that no-one is allowed to give them tablets of any description. Students are responsible for looking after their own medicines. a. Completion of Medical Form 2 by a parent/carer gives permission for a member of staff to administer any medicines.

5. Students who need to use INHALERS OR EPI-PENS need to keep possession of them during the day. A spare Inhaler or Epi-Pen can be kept in the Key Stage Office these must be clearly marked with the students name and form.

6. Because of the very limited facilities in school, we will call parents/carers to come and collect students if it is necessary. Students should understand that (partly because of insurance problems) no teacher is under any obligation to transport students home if they are unwell. Students must NOT telephone their parents/carers to ask to be collected as we MUST know if they are unwell and WE can then take any necessary action.

7. If students are unwell outside of lesson time, they must see their Year Manager or go to their Key Stage Office.

8. Accidents can be genuine emergencies but if it is suspected to be serious, we have to contact parents/carers immediately. We cannot take students directly to hospital as parents/carers consent is needed for treatment. Of course, if it is extremely urgent and very serious, an ambulance would be called to school and parents/ carers notified. Please make sure we have up to date telephone numbers for emergency contacts.

This routine is IMPORTANT and it is ESSENTIAL that it is followed for the students own safety and security.

22. What to do if...

23. Every Child Matters - Keeping Safe

Before and After School• Students need to be in their Form rooms by 8.50 am so sufficient time to meet this deadline safely needs to be allowed when travelling to school i.e. walking or by car.

• With the large number of parents who drop students off at school in the morning, it is far safer if parents would drop off in the lay-by facing towards Crank, at least a third of the way along, allowing for the buses to drop off so that the risk of cars colliding as they cut out of the lay-by to cross on-coming traffic is avoided.

• From time to time visitors wait around the school gates at the end of school. For their own safety, students should always be prepared to follow the instructions of staff on duty particularly if they are asked not to engage with the visitors.

• Students who travel to school by bus need to heed the following points to ensure their own safety:

• they should wait sensibly by the bus stop in the morning ready to board the bus safely • they should sit down and remain seated throughout the journey to and from school • they should leave the bus sensibly without rushing or pushing • having alighted the bus at school students should go immediately onto the school site and not be tempted to wander into Rainford • at the end of school, students must line up at the designated area for their specified bus. For safety reasons it is not acceptable for students to go directly to the front of school

• students must line up in an orderly manner for buses and when directed make their way sensibly behind the member of staff to their bus at the front of school • students should always carry their bus pass for quick identification

Please note that students are only insured if they travel on their allocated bus.

Use of PhotographyIn order to keep our students safe it is important that we emphasise our policy on the taking of photographs. No photographs should be taken of general classroom activities or of students moving around the school site by other students. From time to time school staff will take photographs which can be used in a controlled way but it is unacceptable for photographs to be taken randomly when the resulting images could be misused or used without permission.

Our students do not always recognise the seriousness of images being made freely available and we would be grateful if parents /carers would reinforce the seriousness of students misusing the photographic capabilities of their mobile phone.

24. Every Child Matters - Keeping Safe

Site SecurityThe entire school site is surrounded by a six-foot fence to ensure that students are protected during the school day. Once school commences, the gates, which are level with the front building, are locked which limits access to the school site. Visitors can only enter the site via the main entrance reception. Students who are late for school also enter via the main entrance.

Rainford will be implementing a new biometric identification system. This is a method of identifying an individual from a scan of their finger. We hope to introduce this technology in September 2012 for printing and school access and upon completion of the new dining facilities for cashless catering in September 2013.

We would like to make it clear that Rainford will comply fully with the Data Protection Act and with the guidance given by the Information Commissioner’s Office regarding the use of biometric data.

Fingerprint images will not be taken nor will they be stored on the system. A simple set of coordinates is translated into a series of numbers and then securely encrypted, this is all that is stored. The encryption method used by the system is of an industrial standard. The data held could not be used to recreate a fingerprint image, nor could it be used in any forensic investigation.

Schools are required to obtain consent from one parent to allow us to use biometric systems.

A further security measure intended to protect our students is the use of CCTV. This helps us to monitor visitors entering or

leaving the site as well as the behaviour of our students on site. In the past year this has proven invaluable in ensuring that students are safe whilst on the school premises.

25. Anti-Bullying Policy

Bullying is not tolerated at Rainford High Technology CollegeBullying can take a number of forms including physical abuse, mental cruelty, name calling and isolation. Bullies increasingly use mobile phones and the internet as tools for bullying. Any kind of bullying is a totally unacceptable form of behaviour and the School will not tolerate it.

It is possible to be bullied by one person, a small group, or even a whole class or year. Bullying causes unhappiness and it can interfere severely with student learning and personal development. We all believe that everyone has a right to feel safe at school.

The School does not tolerate bullying.

ObjectivesThe staff and Governors are resolved to making Rainford High Technology College a bully free school. We will do this by:• Making all members of the School Community (Governors, Teaching and Support Staff, Students and Parents) aware that bullying is not tolerated at the School. • Helping every member of the School Community to understand what bullying is and what damage it does to its victims.• Telling every member of the School Community what procedures the School is undertaking to eradicate bullying – these procedures will be sent to every pupil, parent/carer etc. at the start of each academic year. • Continuing to improve those procedures in the light of experience.• Providing resources and appropriate levels of support to help those who feel they are victims of bullying.• Imposing sanctions as appropriate on those who clearly bully other members of the School Community.

• Developing programmes and activites to help bullies to see what is wrong with such behaviour and to help improve levels of self esteem and respect for others. The school will try as far as possible to remove the causes of bullying behaviour.

Actions• Staff will point out clearly that bullying is totally unacceptable behaviour.• The School will make it easy for those who feel they are the victims of bullying to tell someone and to discuss particular incidents.• The school will make it as easy as possible for pupils to report incidents of bullying. Pupils are encouraged to report any incident to a member of staff. They can also reports incidents via the “Bully Box” in the library or by emailing incidents to stopbullying@rainford.org.uk• Records of each reported incident will be kept and each reported incident will be investigated fully.• Where appropriate and in most cases, a parent/carer of all the students involved will be contacted following an incident of bullying. • If necessary, further sanctions may be applied: • Parents of offenders invited into school to discuss the problems with relevant Pastoral Staff • Referral of offenders to a Vice Principal or to the Principal for appropriate action • Serious or persistent offenders will face fixed term or permanent Exclusion

Outcomes1. If appropriate, bullies and victims will be reconciled.2. Support will be given to help bullies change their behaviour.3. After the incident(s) each case will be monitored.

Any kind of bullying is totally unacceptable. Bullying can take a number of forms including hurting someone, name calling or isolating someone. It is possible to be bullied by one person, a small group, or even a whole class or year. Bullying causes unhappiness and stops people from learning. We all believe that everyone has a right to enjoy all aspects of school life in a safe environment, where they can achieve their full potential.

Are you being bullied?• Then tell someone. Tell your parents, tell a Form Tutor, tell Year Staff, or tell any member of staff you feel you can approach. You can also discuss any bullying incidents with peer listeners. Make sure the School knows there is a problem and we will help you! If you do not tell someone, the problem will not just go away.• Members of staff take bullying very seriously. Whoever you approach will listen carefully to what you have to say. He or she will want to know how you feel, how you have been hurt, who else was involved.• To make sure everyone is treated fairly, the School needs to make notes about what has happened – everyone involved should have their say.

How can the school support you? • The School can provide opportunities for you to develop skills which will help prevent you being bullied, such as building your self-confidence, your communication skills, your self-assertiveness.• After a bullying incident has been dealt with, the pastoral team will continue to monitor the situation.• Staff will try to find out what is causing the bullying and also will help bullies to understand how their actions affect other people and support them in changing their behaviour.• The School will act to punish all bullies and to prevent them upsetting others by contacting home, involving senior staff and if necessary excluding the bully from School for either a fixed

period or, in very serious cases, permanently.Good web sites to visit if you or a friend is being bulliedwww.bullying.co.ukwww.kidscape.org.uk

What is bullying and what does it include?Bullying can take many different forms including:• people calling you names• making things up to get you into trouble• physical bullying, e.g. hitting, pushing, kicking• damaging your belongings• taking things away from you• turning your friends away from you• posting insulting messages on the internet, or by IM (Cyber bullying)• spreading rumours• threats and intimidation• making silent or abusive phone calls• sending you offensive phone texts• bullies can also frighten you so that you don’t want to go to school, so you pretend to be ill to avoid them

Signs and SymptomsSometimes you can tell if someone is being bullied if he or she:• is frightened of walking to or from school• doesn’t want to go on the school / public bus• changes their usual routine• is unwilling to go to school (school phobic), possibly resulting in truancy• becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence• starts stammering• begins to do poorly in school work• has possessions which are damaged or “go missing”• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay a bully)• has dinner or other monies continually “lost”• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable• starts bullying other children or siblings• stops eating• is frightened to say what’s wrong• is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone

26. Are you being bullied?

REMEMBER: If you are being bullied, or you know of another student who is being bullied, you MUST tell someone straight away...

27.Inter-Personal Skills in the Workplace

An important part of student development is for them to gain an understanding and appreciation of what is deemed appropriate behaviour with colleagues in the workplace. It is clear that oVften when students fail to meet our expectations in terms of their behaviour, it is because they fail to differentiatebetween what may be accepted within a small social group and what is appropriate in the larger context of the workplace with work colleagues. These interpersonal skills with colleagues in the workplace are essential for our young people to learn. The school is our workplace and the following points outline what is considered appropriate conduct:

• We all need to respect other people’s personal space. Jostling and pushing is inappropriate and, in extreme cases, becomes bullying and intimidating.• We need to be aware that inappropriate and unwanted contact with other students is a serious error of judgement which any workplace will deal with effectively. Physical contact which is aimed at hurting a fellow student is clearly an assault but equally inappropriate is contact that could be interpreted as having sexual connotations. None of this can be seen as playing or messing about and none is appropriate.• It is important that whatever our choice of language in the privacy of a personal conversation, our young people need to learn that they must recognise what is appropriate language in a public arena. Language that may cause offence to any of our work colleagues is not appropriate and therefore we would not expect to hear swearing or abusive language in school.

• Abusive terminology which is racist, homophobic or offensive to any group of people is totally inappropriate and will always be challenged at Rainford.• It is important we recognise that in our exchanges with others the tone and volume which we use is extremely important. A reasoned calm presentation of a viewpoint is more appropriate than a loud, aggressive bullying voice. This is not always easy for our young people to recognise.• We need to respect the property of others by not interfering with it unless we feel it is lost in which case we take it to a place of safety.• One of the most difficult interpersonal skills for our young people to learn is that of respecting other people’s views and opinions, particularly difficult when we do not agree with their views.• It is important that all of our young people learn that if they are to function effectively in the workplace they need to earn the trust and respect of their work colleagues.• We want our students to take into account the feelings, thoughts and views of others.• We need, as an institution, to show support for those who are treated inappropriately by individual members of the institution.• We need to behave in a way that shows we are tolerant of those with views different to our own but not intimidated by them. Mutual respect is the goal.

These very basic points outline our most fundamental views on how we work together as colleagues at Rainford. We will be reminding our students of these issues and challenging them if we believe that their behaviour is not conducive to a pleasant, effective, tolerant place of work.

REMEMBER: You can also report incidents of bullying via the “Problem Boxes” in the Library & Year Rooms, by texting 07624814084 or by emailing stopbullying@rainford.org.uk

We welcome individual appointments, please contact us:Rainford High Technology College, Higher Lane, Rainford, St.Helens WA11 8NY Tel: 01744 885914 info@rainford.org.uk www.rainford.org.uk