1. Introduction
I am delighted that your child will be joining Fortismere. This pack contains information about Fortismere in general. You will find information about the school’s policies on presentation, routines for learning, dress code and behaviour. There is also information about the school day, attendance, homework, PE kit and music lessons. Please ensure that you have read this information carefully before your child comes to Fortismere and we encourage you to discuss it with your child. If you require further information, there is much more information on the school website. We are currently updating our protocols regarding email and will inform you about them in due course.
To help in terms of preparation for Fortismere and to ensure Year 6 find out about the subjects they will be studying, we are sending you and your child a booklet of activities to complete and an introduction to every subject. This will arrive in the next few days. There is also a ‘map book’ of the school and a book review postcard to complete in the same envelope. We’re also making short films with our key worker school - we’ll send you links so you can watch them when they’re ready. We’ll also be introducing our team of form tutors over the next few weeks.
We are aware that this is potentially a difficult time for year 6 children, who may feel anxious about current events, alongside potential excitement and/or worry about transition to secondary school. They may also feel sadness about the loss of the ‘rites of passage’ at the end of primary school, and we are working hard to prepare to support them next year.
If you have further questions, there is much more information on our website or you can contact the school.
We will be in touch again with further transition information and look forward to welcoming you to our school.
Best wishes,
Ms Brooks Acting Assistant Head (Inclusion) [email protected]
Contents
1. Coheadteachers letter 2. HoY letter 3. Home school agreement 4. Positive points and Core Values 5. Behaviour and Learning routines 6. Google classroom 7. Stationery equipment 8. Dress code 9. Attendance 10. School day 11. Wellbeing 12. Reading for pleasure and the library 13. PE Kit 14. Healthy eating 15. Extra curricular 16. Term dates 17. Communications 18. MEP 19. Fundraising 20. Music lessons form
1. Welcome from Coheadteachers
Welcome to Fortismere!
We are delighted that you are joining us at Fortismere this September. You are joining a school that is passionate about the education and well-being of all its students. This is a place of learning where students both thrive and flourish in an atmosphere where achievement and participation are valued and celebrated. We hope that in your time with us you will take advantage of the many opportunities that are open to Fortismere students.
Our goal for all of our students at Fortismere is that they experience a ‘transformative education.’ For you, this means that by being a student at Fortismere you will have opportunities that will transform your life and when you leave you will be prepared and equipped to take your place in in the world. We know that your years with us will be amongst the most important of your life and we look forward to supporting and guiding you as you progress through Fortismere.
We know that starting Secondary School can be daunting for students and during this particularly unusual time, when you have spent a lot of learning time away from your primary school, starting secondary school may be something that seems very hard to imagine. However, we wanted you all to know that we have thought long and hard about how we can create a transition experience for you that will help you get to know Fortismere really well from a distance. This will involve a combination of online conversations and virtual experiences so when you do start with us in September the school will feel familiar and you will have a clear idea what your secondary education is going to be like. If it is safe to do so, we will invite you into Fortismere to meet your tutor and visit the school before the end of term. We will let your parents/carers know if this becomes a possibility. We are sure you will feel excited to get here and start learning lots of new and inspiring subjects.
We are committed to giving you the best start possible to your new school and we very much look forward to seeing you all very soon!
Ms Davey and Ms Judge
2. Introduction from Head of Year
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am very pleased to introduce myself as your child’s Head of Year. I have been a PE teacher for just over 12 years now and have also been lucky enough to enjoy many of those years as a pastoral leader.
It goes without saying that this year continues to be a difficult and unprecedented time for all of us but we will be working hard to make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible for all students (and parents).
Fortismere is a wonderful place for your young children to grow and develop and I very much hope to be alongside them on their journey right up until year 11. I value the opportunity to build strong relationships with families and watch children flourish throughout their time here. We have a wonderfully supportive tutor team and Deputy Head of Year, Miss Turner, all of whom are here to guide and support every student day in, day out.
Fortismere is an incredibly diverse school that is rich in opportunities to allow every student to excel in whatever they are passionate about. I am looking forward to seeing the huge variety of talented academics, musicians, artists and of course sportsmen/ women who will join us in September.
Kind regards,
Miss Williams
3. Home / School Agreement
The Student I will:
Attend school regularly and on time and bring the equipment I need every day. Wear my lanyard every day. Follow the school rules as made clear by the Behaviour Policy and any other appropriate school policies, including the Dress Code. Do my best to achieve my full potential. Involve myself in additional opportunities provided by the school.
The Parent/Carer I/We will do my/our best to:
See that my/our child attends school regularly, on time and properly equipped. Ensure that my/our child achieves a minimum of 97% attendance throughout the school year. Make the school aware of any concerns or problems that might affect my/our child’s learning. Support the school’s aims and policies. Ensure that my/our child abides by the school’s Dress Code. Regularly check and encourage my/our child in homework and other opportunities for learning. Register with ParentMail in order to receive communications from the school Attend parents’ evenings and other discussions about my/our child’s progress. Become actively involved in supporting my/our child’s life at school.
The School We will:
Be open and welcoming at all times and offer opportunities for you to become involved in the life of the school. Care for your child’s safety and well-being. Respond to your concerns in a timely manner. Keep you informed about general school matters via regular school wide communications. Keep you informed about your child's progress. Support your child to achieve high standards of work and behaviour through building good relationships and developing a sense of responsibility. Work to develop your child’s potential. Provide a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum. Set and mark appropriate homework and provide facilities in school to support learning.
4. Positive points and Core Values
Core Values
Students are given Positive Points for demonstrating one of Fortismere’s four Core Values. Parents are notified by email that their child has been given a Positive Point at the end of the day. Students accumulate Positive Points to gain rewards and recognition in their year group, college and the School.
Consistently meeting all expectations This is for students who regularly display the positive behaviours expected by the school • Engaging in learning or demonstrating initiative • Always punctual, handing homework in on time, wearing a lanyard • Respecting the school and its community • Making progress with reading book • Positive attitude and always reading to learn
Outstanding effort This is predominantly over a shorter period of time • Finishing work set and working on the extension • Trying hard to overcome an obstacle • Extra effort in homework • Helpful to staff or students Role model • Leading the learning of others • Courtesy to members of the school community • Helping different year groups • Exceptional behaviour in the school community • Reaching out to our community • Befriending vulnerable students • Helping with class organisation
Extra Curricular Commitment • Attending non-compulsory catch up lessons • Being a Student Ambassador • Representing the school • Positive achievement outside of school • Attending clubs regularly • Charity work • Extending your learning outside of school
5. Behaviour and Learning routines
THE FORTISMERE FOUR
6. Google Classroom
We use Google Classroom to set homework for students. All students have a login to Google Classroom which they are given in their first ICT lesson. This is the same username as they use to log in to the school computers, but followed by @fortismere.school. The password is the same as for their login for the school computers. Students can see all the work that is set for them on a calendar or on their To-do page.
Once your child starts in Year 7, an email will be sent to the address you have registered with the school inviting you to receive email summaries from Google Classroom. Once you click “accept”, you will receive a weekly email listing the work that has been set for your child. Google Classroom is a free and unlimited virtual learning environment. As well as setting homework, teachers can upload resources and announcements. Students can use it to upload their work and teachers can use it to give feedback to students. Google classroom has been used successfully for remote learning, alongside other Google applications such as Google Meet.
7. Stationery
All children should have a pencil case in their school bags containing the following: - Two black or dark blue pens - One green pen - A pencil and sharpener - A rubber - A ruler - A calculator - A glue stick - A protractor All of these items can be purchased in the school library, at cost price.
8. Dress Code Policy
The school aim is to prepare our students for all aspects of life beyond Fortismere. Whilst we value individuality, students and parents / carers need to recognise that appropriate dress, along with basic etiquette, are common requirements in the workplace and professional settings.
Guidelines
1. No see-through clothing or strapless tops including sheer leggings
2. No visible underwear/swimwear
3. Shorts / skirts to be minimum fingertip length
4. No deliberately ripped or torn garments (e.g. jeans with rips)
5. No clothing with offensive / inappropriate slogans or images
6. No coats on in any lessons, including Tutor Time and assemblies
7. No hoods up or hats on in any school buildings
Students found to be inappropriately dressed will be expected to put on clothing provided by the school over their own clothes for the remainder of the day.
Students repeatedly failing to comply or not following teachers’ instructions to rectify their dress will be given a more serious sanction.
Sixth form students will be asked to leave the school site to change.
If there is any doubt about whether a particular item is acceptable, parents/carers should check with the school before purchasing. The school reserves the right to ban certain unforeseen items that may come in as fads or fashion items, e.g. leg warmers, and therefore aren’t specifically stated in our dress code. The Headteachers reserve the right to refuse entry to the School to any student failing to observe any of these dress regulations, and to rule on the acceptability of variations not covered by the regulations.
Safeguarding dress code
Students’ lanyards must be on display at all times. If a student’s lanyard is not clearly visible, with the card in a card holder facing up and in good condition, the student will be challenged and may be issued with a detention. Any damaged card will need to be replaced by the student by the next school day. All students must wear the right colour ribbon for their respective year groups.
9. Attendance
Regular and punctual attendance at school is key to the academic and social development that will improve the life chances of children and young people. Students who attend school regularly and punctually are less likely to be at risk, both in terms of engaging anti-social behaviour and in terms of their own health, safety and welfare. Parents and carers have a duty to ensure that their children attend school regularly and punctually in order to get the most benefit from their schooling. We are committed to supporting children and young people, schools and families to achieve and maintain good attendance at school.
Absence due to illness
In the case of a student being absent from school due to illness parents/carers should email [email protected] (please copy in your child’s form tutor) each morning, before 8:35am, of the absence or leave a clear message clearly stating the student’s full name and college, spelling any more complex words, on the school's absence line, 020 8365 4429. If a message is not received it will be assumed that the student has returned to school. If a student is absent for more than three days, the school may request medical evidence, for example, a doctor's certificate.
Lateness
All students arriving later than 8.35am must enter the school via South Wing. Their names will be recorded and the student will receive a detention. Students are exempt from this punishment if parents have provided an explanation for their child's late arrival.
10. Timings of the school day
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:35 – 9:35 Lesson 1 9:40 – 10:00 Vertical Tutor Time 10:00 – 10:20 Break 10:20 – 11:20 Lesson 2 11:25 – 12:25 Lesson 3 12:25 – 13:15 Lunch break 13:15 – 14:15 Lesson 4 14:20 – 15:20 Lesson 5
Wednesday
8.35 – 9.35 Lesson 1 9.40 – 10.40 Lesson 2 10.40 – 11.00 Break 11.00 – 12.00 Lesson 3 12.05 – 13.05 Lesson 4 13.05 – 13.55 Lunch 13.55 – 14.55 Lesson 5
Sanctions for lateness
There is a five minute “travelling time” between lessons because of the size of the site. We know that even this is fast for some of the journeys that students have to make and so there is no sanction for a student arriving from a previous lesson until they are five minutes after the lesson’s official start time. For example, a student will receive a detention if on a Monday they arrive at lesson 3 after 11:30 which is 10 minutes after the previous lesson ended. But new Year 7s do not need to panic! We know we have a big site and students will have time to get used to finding their way around and where all their classes are without worrying about a late detention.
11. Wellbeing and Inclusion
With the Covid-19 pandemic, wellbeing support will be an even more significant aspect of our pastoral curriculum on transition. Alongside our nurturing wellbeing curriculum, we also offer other services for students who are experiencing difficulties and challenges and may need extra support.
As well as supporting your child through our Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) lessons, tutor time and assemblies, our Year 7 Enrichment lessons teach students how to build resilience and how to organise themselves and to study independently. In the second term of Enrichment, students take part in the First Give programme, which encourages social awareness and making links with the wider community. Students work in teams to win £1000 for a charity of their choice. In the third term, we run a mindfulness programme for students.
In the first instance, we encourage students who are experiencing issues to do with mental health and well-being to speak to their form tutor who can offer pastoral support. We also have other professionals working in school who can provide further support
Our Learning Mentors specialise in programmes to remove barriers to learning and run workshops and mentoring for students who are vulnerable. Our Behaviour Mentors have a similar role in supporting students to improve their attitude to learning, and help with self-regulation. Students are referred to these mentoring teams by their Head of Year.
We are also fortunate to be able to provide the services of Place2Be. This organisation offers regular timetabled support for students who need counselling. These are one-to-one weekly sessions. We also offer Place2Talk, a lunchtime drop in service; without an appointment, students are able to talk to a counsellor.
For students who are struggling with organisation or homework, the LINC (Learning and Inclusion) department runs after school workshops from Monday to Thursday.
Another professional available to support students’ welfare is our School Nurse. She is available to support young people around their physical and emotional wellbeing. She can meet with students and also offers a drop-in service. In addition to this, there is always a trained first-aider in both wings of the school.
LINC also provides support for parents and children through our Parent and Student Engagement Officer; our EAL co-ordinator offers one-to-one support for students for whom English is an Additional Language; and careers advice is available to students in Key Stage 4. Workshops for parents on wellbeing topics are held regularly, and all parents are invited to attend. If your child has an additional need, please ensure you have shared this information through Applicaa. Alongside support from different departments, the LINC department identifies students who would benefit from targeted interventions and runs regular groups in, for example, reading comprehension, speech and language, social skills, as well as dyslexia lessons. TTRS, a typing course, is available as an after school club for students who qualify for laptop use in school. Access Arrangements are assessed and applied for in school by our coordinator.
There is further information about our different policies to keep your child safe on our website. We encourage you to check the safeguarding page of our website which contains much more detailed information and advice. This covers safeguarding in general, self-harm, mental health, sexual relationships, radicalisation and extremism, online safety and child exploitation. Go to the school’s homepage, click on “Our School” and then select “Safeguarding”.
12. Reading for Pleasure and the Library
The importance of students enjoying reading in their own time cannot be overstated. At Fortismere we believe that reading is fundamental to learning and that literacy is a direct effect of reading for pleasure and purpose. It links to wider academic, social and emotional development. For this reason, we prioritise reading for all age groups and across all subject areas, and work at developing confident, knowledgeable, strong readers who can engage fully with a challenging secondary curriculum.
We aim to embed this approach as soon as students arrive at Fortismere. We expect them to have their reading book with them at all times and to read for at least half an hour every day at home. We use Accelerated Reader, with its quizzes, recommendations and rewards in Years 7 and 8 to motivate and monitor progress and we continue to check reading ages and progress in Years 9 and 10.
We are lucky to have a flourishing, well-stocked library over two floors with three professional librarians who support and assist all students and staff. They are always on hand – between 8am and 5pm - to give personalised recommendations for your child’s next reading book, to help with any aspects of research or homework and to provide a safe, calm and pleasant space for all. Comics, graphic novels, audio books, dyslexia friendly publications, parallel text language books and non-fiction are available in the library alongside a vast range of new and classic fiction, so there is something for everyone. There is a huge variety of activities, visiting speakers, outings and reading clubs for all age groups (including parents) and a library lesson is timetabled once a fortnight for Years 7 and 8. The English department and LInc work closely with the library to ensure help is immediately given to any student who is struggling.
Above all, our aim is to create a culture of reading for pleasure, and to – with the assistance of parents/carers - encourage students to see reading as enjoyable as well as beneficial.
13. PE Kit
Students must have a PE kit and bring it to school on days when they have a PE lesson or when they are attending an extra curricular activity. Our PE kit provider is School Trends. You can buy this kit online at www.justteamsports.co.uk
• Elite polo
• Elite shorts
• Panelled reversible PE shirt
• Pair of socks
Costs £45
Girl’s Bundle:
• Elite fitted polo
• Elite skirt / shorts
• Performance wear fleece
• Pair of socks
Costs £45
Your child will need appropriate footwear. This is trainers for the majority of activities and studded boots for lessons on the field. Boys will have a large number of lessons on the field and must have studded boots. Students are welcome to purchase additional items of clothing from Justteamsports that are not on the “compulsory” list. For example, boys can wear fleeces and girls may wear the approved leggings (or shorts instead of a skirt). There are also Hoodies available for a wide range of specific sports.
Shorts are compulsory for all Boys PE lessons and extra-Curricular activities. For outside lessons, during the cold months, students can wear Gloves & Hats as well as thermal tops underneath their PE shirt.
Please make sure that all items of PE kit are labelled. Students without correct kit need a letter from home explaining the reason why and should also bring an alternative kit (shorts/tracksuit and a top) to ensure they can still participate. If a student loses any kit, it is their responsibility to check with lost property. There is a lost property in both receptions (North Wing and South Wing).
14. Healthy Eating - update from Harrisons Catering Services
The catering service at Fortismere School is provided by Harrison Catering Services, an independent, family-owned company founded in 1994. Harrison prepare and cook top quality meals on site made with fresh ingredients.
Harrison understands that what young people eat affects their health and their ability to learn and perform in the classroom. At Fortismere School, our catering team provides nutritious, balanced meals. Our goal is to instil a love and understanding of fresh, healthy food at a young age that will positively influence them throughout their lives.
Our focus on fresh food means that only minimal amounts of fried foods appear on our menus – generally in the form of much-loved British favourites like fish and chips. We also aim to maximise access to fruit and vegetables by offering a choice of vegetables, salads, healthier snacks and fresh fruit daily. Every egg we use is British-sourced and free range and the majority of our meat is British-sourced as well.
Please see on the following page for a sample menu. Menus are frequently reviewed. In addition, the following items are available daily:
Seasonal Vegetables, Mixed Salad, Jacket Potato with a Selection of Fillings, Variety of Sandwiches, Baguettes and Wraps, Salad Boxes, Shaker Pots, Fresh Fruit Pots, Dessert Pots, Yoghurt Pots and Drinks
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Week Beef Chilli Pasta with a Roast Pork Chicken Fajitas Battered Fish 1 with Rice Chicken, with Roast and Chunky Bacon and Potatoes and Mixed Bean Chips Vegetable Rich Tomato Gravy and Pepper Curry with Sauce Fajitas Margherita Rice Mature Pizza Vegetable Cheddar, Leek Lemon Drizzle Chocolate Pasta and Broccoli Cake Oaty Apple pudding Bolognaise Quiche Flapjack
Eton Mess Plum and Cherry Crumble with Custard Week Sweet Chilli Beef Lasagne Honey Roast Coconut Battered Fish 2 Chicken with with Garlic Gammon with Chicken Korma with Chunky Egg Noodles Bread Creamy with Rice Chips Mashed Vegetable Roasted Potatoes Vegetable Roasted Chow Mein Vegetable Curry with Rice Vegetable and Pasta Macaroni Tomato Pasta Apple Cheese Bake Bakewell Tart Crumble Bake with with Custard Lemon Sponge Cake Garlic Bread Rhubarb Shortbread with Custard Chocolate Crumble with Mousse Custard Week Sausage with Pasta Steak Pie with Sweet and Battered Fish 3 Mashed Bolognaise Roast Sour Chicken with Chunky Potato and Potatoes with Noodles Chips Gravy Roasted Vegetable Vegetable Vegetable Roasted Quorn Enchilada Burger with Chow Mein Pepper and Sausage with Roast Tomato Mashed Strawberry Potatoes Sticky Toffee Flatbread Potato and Cheesecake Pudding with Gravy Apple Crumble Butterscotch Carrot Cake with Custard Sauce Jam and Coconut Sponge with Custard
15. Extra-Curricular
Fortismere offers a rich variety of opportunities in dance, drama, music, art, reading, film, theatre, mathematics competitions, robotics and science. We expect students to take part in extra-curricular activities. The school has a proud tradition in sport with particular strengths in athletics, cricket, crosscountry, soccer and tennis. The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze award for older students. In addition to a massive range of sport and music, this year clubs we have run include Robotics, chess, Latin, creative writing and Key Stage 3 art. The times and opportunities change each year. Once your child starts at Fortismere, use the extra-curricular page of the website to see what is available and encourage your child to take part!
Vocal and instrumental tuition is offered during the school day on all orchestral instruments, drums, guitar (acoustic, electric and bass), voice (all styles), piano (jazz, popular and classical) and theory. If you know you would like your child to take music lessons from September, the application form is included in the pack.
Lessons are scheduled half termly. Therefore your child can start lessons in September or half termly thereafter if you request lessons in advance. Ensembles take place at lunchtimes and after school. All are free of charge and without audition.
In addition, the school runs its own unique music centre (Fortismere Music Centre / FMC) on Saturdays in the music block. Instrumental and vocal tuition and theory, for local children and adults, are offered between 9pm and 4pm. If you are interested in Saturday lessons, please contact [email protected].
16. TERM DATES (2020-21)
Autumn Term 2020
Wednesday, 2 September 2020 INSET DAY - School Closure Thursday, 3 September 2020 Years 7 & 12 (10.00am for a 10.20am start) Friday, 4 September 2020 All Year Groups (8.35am start)
Thursday, 3 September 2020 Autumn Term (1) Friday, 23 October 2020
Thursday, 8 October 2020 INSET DAY - School Closure
Monday, 26 October 2020 Half-Term Holiday Friday, 30 October 2020
Monday, 2 November 2020 Autumn Term (2) Friday, 18 December 2020
Monday, 21 December 2020 Christmas Holidays Friday, 1 January 2021
Spring Term 2021
Monday, 4 January INSET DAY - School Closure
Tuesday, 5 January 2021 Spring Term (1) Friday 12 February 2021
Monday, 15 February 2021 Half-Term Holiday – Friday, 19 February 2021
Monday, 22 February 2021 Spring Term (2) Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Thursday, 1 April 2021 Easter Holidays Friday, 16 April 2021
Summer Term 2021
Monday, 19 April 2021 Summer Term (1) Friday, 28 May 2021
Monday, 31 May 2021 Half-Term Holiday Friday, 4 June 2021
Monday, 7 June 2021 Summer Term (2) Monday, 26 July 2021
Friday, 2 July 2021 INSET DAY - School Closure
Monday, 26 July 2021 INSET DAY – School Closure
Tuesday, 27 July 2021 Summer Holidays
INSET DAYS - (SCHOOL CLOSED)
Wednesday, 2 September 2020 Thursday, 8 October 2020 Monday, 4 January 2021 Friday, 2 July 2021 Monday, 26 July 2021
BANK HOLIDAYS
Christmas Day – Friday, 25 December 2020 Boxing Day – Monday, 28 December 2020 New Year’s Day – Friday, 1 January 2021 Good Friday – Friday, 2 April 2021 Easter Monday - Monday 5 April 2021 May Day Bank Holiday – Friday, 3 May 2021 Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 31 May 2021 August Bank Holiday – Monday, 30 August 2021
17. Communicating with the school Pastoral Social and emotional wellbeing; attendance and absence; behaviour in general; and extra-curricular information.
Academic Education (homework, exams, progress, curriculum); a specific behaviour issue (eg a detention in a lesson) or subject field trips or visits.
Special Educational Needs Access arrangements; inclusion; disability affecting learning; learning mentors; special educational needs; students with an Education, Health and Care plan.
Administration General admin: [email protected] School Site and security: Business Manager (Site) [email protected] ParentMail: Ms. Patel: [email protected] School Catering: Ms. Keogh, Business Manager (Finance) [email protected] Parents’ Forum: [email protected] Finance: [email protected] Fundraising: [email protected] Past students: [email protected]
Governors Clerk to the Governors: Ms. Murray [email protected]
Headteachers Executive PA: Ms. Haines [email protected]
18. Mandarin Excellence Programme
Fortismere, as one of the leading schools in the country for Mandarin, was one of the schools selected for the first cohort of the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP). This DfE programme is delivered by the UCL IOE Confucius Institute in partnership with the British Council, with the aim of producing 5000 speakers of Mandarin with a high level of fluency. Next year will be our fifth year of the programme, following four very successful cohorts.
The programme involves a lot of hard work and commitment on the students' part, but the final outcomes will make the effort worthwhile. Students will be expected to study Mandarin for 4 hours per week outside of lessons, and we will provide 4 hours of teaching a week, including lunchtime clubs and the possibility of after-school sessions in years 8 and 9. By the end of Year 11, participants will have a high level of Mandarin and will gain not only a GCSE but also the HSK qualification at level 4 or 5. HSK is held in high regard around the world and enables students to apply for university places and scholarships in China. There are also summer courses and residential trips to China throughout the 5 year programme.
Normally the selection process takes place during the transition programme, with all students being taught an introductory lesson to Mandarin and students who are interested in the programme then doing a Mandarin aptitude test. Obviously this cannot happen this year so we will begin the selection process in September and start the course a little later than we normally would. You will have received an email relating to the MEP and the opportunity to potentially participate in the programme. Please make sure you reply to us ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.
It is important to note that participating in the course means that students will be expected to continue with the programme until Year 11, and will not get the opportunity to study French or Spanish at Fortismere. I would also like to stress at this point that not taking part in the MEP programme does not preclude your son or daughter from learning Mandarin at Fortismere. We will still offer students the opportunity to learn Mandarin up to Year 13 as part of the Modern Languages curriculum.
We look forward to teaching your son or daughter next year.
Yours faithfully, Peter Rainey Head of Modern Languages
19. Fundraising at Fortismere School
“Expecting schools to meet pressures from a combination of core government funding and their reserves does not, for many schools, look feasible even in the short term.” Education Policy Institute ‘School funding pressures in England’ (Andrews and Lawrence, March 2018)
Like so many state schools in England and particularly in the borough, Fortismere is currently facing a significant funding gap. The gap represents the difference between the money the state gives the school as a cost per student (which is called capitation) and the outlays the school has to make in order to operate, which for Fortismere, as for most large secondary schools, is mainly teaching staff wages and associated costs such as the annual pay settlement, workplace pensions and now also, the Apprenticeship levy.
“The Department of Education estimates that mainstream schools will have to find savings of £3.0 billion (8.0%) by 2019-20 to counteract cumulative cost pressures such as pay rises and higher employer contributions to national insurance and the teachers’ pension scheme.” National Audit Office ‘Financial sustainability in schools’ December 2016.
In addition, Fortismere faces unique maintenance challenges because of its wonderful, open 22 acre space and the nature of having, in effect, three schools on one site: North Wing and South Wing (built in the 1950s) and the Sixth Form/Learning and Inclusion and Wellbeing block called Tetherdown (built in the early 1900s).
This means that Fortismere currently faces a funding gap of around half a million pounds (£500,000) per year. You can find more information about how Fortismere plans to manage and reduce this gap going forward on the school website under ‘our school/financial planning’.
Parents and carers of students at the school are given the chance to help the school fill the gap by making voluntary contributions of around £50 per family, per term, or a sum of their choice, via the school payment system, Parentmail PMX. As a Foundation Trust School, Fortismere is also an exempt charity, and this means that the school can claim additional gift aid of 25% on any donations made to the school by UK tax paying parents and carers.
The governors of the school are keen to stress that such contributions are not obligatory. Students’ experiences at Fortismere (for example, ability to participate in workshops, trips etc) will not be influenced by whether a voluntary contribution has been made by parents/carers. But for those parents, who feel they can spare a regular contribution of any sum, the school community and the governors are very grateful and it makes a real difference to the day to day learning experience of our students. Past voluntary contributions have enabled the school to add to the teaching resources budget, which pays for non-staff departmental items like books, software and content licensing, printing and copying, trips and external speakers and educators.
Fundraising and Development department
Fundraising
Fundraising and Development is a new department at Fortismere, set up to raise additional funds for the school alongside the funds generated from the school events.
The department’s aim is to help fill the 5% gap in state funding that the school is currently facing as well as help with longer term investments.
To achieve this, the department is approaching specialist funders for specific priority projects and looking for ongoing sponsorship from corporates and businesses.
The department is also building and re-connecting with the school alumni base(s), dating back to the start of Tollington School on the current site in 1901, and includes alumni from William Grimshaw, Creighton and more recently, Fortismere School.
If you would be interested discussing match funding opportunities; in making a larger one off donation and becoming one of our major donors; or if you can donate gifts of time or you have any useful contacts with businesses or funding organisations who might also be interested in helping the school, please get in touch with Ms. M Demetriou, Head of Communications, Fundraising and Development at [email protected] or [email protected], or call her on 0208 829 4402.
Application Form for Instrumental and Vocal Lessons (Mon-Fri)
STEP 1: Complete this form in BLOCK CAPITALS and return it to Ms Mel Izzet, Music Administrator, South Wing Office. School reception: 020 8365 4400 Email: [email protected].
STEP 2: We will post you an invoice if we are able to offer you lessons (10 lessons per term)
STEP 3: On receipt of your payment and proof of eligibility for reductions, your child will be timetabled for lessons. Your child must check the music noticeboard for times/ dates of lessons at the start of each half term. We email timetables and notices to parents if an email address is entered below.
STEP 4: If you wish to hire an instrument, please contact MPAC (Music & Performing Arts Centre) 0208 489 8960. If you wish to buy an instrument for lessons at Fortismere you may be eligible through the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme. Please contact MPAC for further details.
STEP 5: If you wish to hire a school instrument locker located in North Wing, please contact [email protected]
Full name of child: ______
Date of birth: ______Tutor Group: ______
Full name of parent or carer: ______
Home address ______
Full postcode ______Contact telephone No: ______
Email address of parent/ carer: ______
Please tick in the box if you agree for your child to be photographed. This may be for any school publicity such as the school prospectus, concert programmes or classroom display.
1. Please tick boxes to show your choice of lessons required; you may tick more than 1 box
Trumpet/cornet Acoustic guitar Bassoon* Cello Piano
French horn* Bass guitar Clarinet Violin Jazz piano
Trombone* Electric guitar Flute Viola Aural GRADE______
Tuba* Oboe* Double bass* Voice Theory GRADE ______
Orchestral percussion Recorder Saxophone Drumkit
*A discretionary subsidy may be available for one term only (10 lessons and hire of instrument) depending on school funds
2. Please tick your preferred length of lesson: 30 min individual 20 min individual
3. Your child has opted to study: GCSE/ BTEC Music Y10/11 AS/ A level Music/ M Tech Y12/13
Signed (parent/carer) ______Date ______