SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION and GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 Purpose of the Handbook This Handbook Has a Dual Purpose. It Is Designed To

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Purpose of the Handbook

This handbook has a dual purpose. It is designed to act as an induction document for new staff. It is also designed to be an 'aide memoire' for longer-serving staff, both in terms of refreshing memories on the more philosophical aspects (Mission and Ethos Statement, Aims of the School etc.), and in terms of providing check lists for particular information and procedures.

It is put together in such a way as to allow for easy and regular updates. Suggestions for additional inclusions will always be welcome and should be passed to the Executive Assistant.

All staff are expected to be familiar with the contents of this handbook, to take personal responsibility to ensure this, and must be aware that this forms important information for their employment, alongside the Contract of Employment/Terms & Conditions of Employment. The Heads of Department (HoDs) and Heads of Divisions are also required to check, at least once a year, that their departmental/divisional members are familiar with the contents of this Staff Handbook; the line manager for a new HoD carries this responsibility. Please note that, whilst some policies are printed in Section 10, the complete set of policies is only available on the K:drive.

This handbook remains the property of New Hall School Trust and must not be copied or shown to any third party without the express consent in writing of either the Principal or the Head of HR. The handbook may be viewed on the K:drive, Staff Room Files, Staff Handbook. All new staff will be given access to the Staff Handbook and induction training on its content on starting employment at the School. You will be notified of any significant changes made within the year either by an announcement at a staff meeting, by email or by referring you to the updated section available. The School accepts no liability for your actions if your actions are a direct result of your failure to take into account relevant updates of which staff have been notified.

1.2 Information Booklets and Handbooks at New Hall

The following booklets/handbooks also exist and should be referred to as appropriate:

Whole School  Staff Handbook (including Employment Manual)  School policies  Annual School Development Plan (1-SDP)  3-Year School Development Plan (3-SDP)  New Hall Telephone Directory  School Prospectus (including Useful Information Booklet updated annually)  The Instrument of Government of New Hall School  Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) Guidelines for Governors  New Hall School: a true School of virtuous demeanour by Tony Tuckwell (the history of New Hall)

Boarding  Resident Handbook  Hawley House Boarding Booklet (girls Years (3-10)  Dennett House Boarding Booklet (girls Years 11-13)  Petre House Boarding Booklet (boys Years 3-10)

Section 1/Page 1 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN)  Campion House Boarding Booklet (boys Years 11-13)  Boarding Information Booklet for Agents (Admissions Department)

Nursery  Nursery Code of Conduct booklet  Parent Information Booklet  Pre-Prep Division  EYFS Handbook  Preparatory Divisions Code of Conduct booklet

Preparatory Divisions  Preparatory Divisions Code of Conduct booklet  Parent Information Booklet (Years 1-6)  Co-Curricular Activities Booklet (issued termly)  Behaviour Policy

Senior Divisions  Senior Divisions Code of Conduct  Parent & Student Information Booklet (Boys)  Parent & Student Information Booklet (Girls)  Year 7 & 8 Curriculum Booklet  Year 9 Curriculum Booklet  Co-Curricular Activities (issued termly)  Key Stage 4 Options Booklet (Years 10 & 11)  Department Handbook (for each specialist subject)

Sixth Form Division  Sixth Form Information Booklet  Sixth Form Handbook  Department Handbook (for each specialist subject)  Co-Curricular Activities (issued termly)  Higher Education Guide

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1.3 School Mission & Ethos Statement

New Hall, a Catholic boarding and day School, provides the best start in life, enabling students to meet confidently the challenges of the wider world.

Here academic excellence is achieved in surroundings where relationships are based on care, trust and respect.

We welcome students from many traditions, building a Christian community that has at its heart prayer and service to others. (First draft 1993; revised 2016)

1.4 Ethos of the Charity

At New Hall, the ethos is inspired by the founding Religious Community, Canonesses of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The Community’s spirituality, rooted in the Augustinian tradition, has a special emphasis on the Resurrection, prayer, community life, hospitality and service to others. The faith which lies at the heart of this foundation remains essential to the character of the charity today.

The charity, in accordance with its objects, founding ethos and aims, seeks to support students, and those in the wider community, in their faith development. The charity also seeks to live out its Christian beliefs and values through community work, hospitality and voluntary and charitable service to those in need. Particular examples of how the charity provides public benefit through its values and aims are: running a Multi-Academy Trust (NHMAT) that sponsors a primary school academy; the provision of a Chapel and parish centre for the Catholic parish of Springfield; the voluntary work of New Hall Voluntary Service (NHVS), helping those in need in the local and wider community; the provision of bursaries for those who would not otherwise be able to attend the School; and the sharing of the charity’s beautiful heritage campus and first class facilities with educational and religious groups in the wider community, these facilities often being provided either without charge or at cost.

When setting the objectives and planning the work of the charity for the year, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary guidance on the advancement of religion, advancing education and fee charging.

1.5 Aims of the School

The School aims:

1. To give students an experience of life in a Christian community:  affirming each individual as a unique part of God’s creation, and nurturing in each person a sense of dignity and self-worth.  fostering caring relationships, a sense of team spirit, and respect for others.

2. To inspire students to develop their God-given gifts and talents to their full potential:  intellectual  spiritual  social and emotional

Section 1/Page 3 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN)  aesthetic and physical

3. To provide a broad and balanced education, rooted in the School’s Catholic foundation, which is responsive to and supportive of the needs and aspirations of the individual:  fostering intellectual curiosity, a desire to seek truth, and a life-long love of learning;  enabling students to discover their own strengths and weaknesses, to learn from ‘failures’, and to develop the self-discipline and determination to persevere, in order to pursue their goals in a rapidly changing world.

4. To enable staff to be aware of the values and vision of the School and to give them support and encouragement to carry out their professional duties and responsibilities in the pursuit of excellence, with pride and commitment.

1.6 Outline of the History of the School

Founded in 1642, as the oldest Catholic girls’ School in England, New Hall School has a long and rich history; today the School educates 1,200+ girls and boys, boarding and day, from ages 3-18. The founding Religious Order, the Canonesses of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, is one of the most ancient in the Church and was established in Europe long before the English Religious Community was founded in 1642.

During Penal Times, an English woman, Susan Hawley, went to the Low Countries and was trained in the Religious Life of the Holy Sepulchre. On making her profession, she left that Religious Community to found an English Religious Community in Liège; from these earliest days, girls were sent to the nuns to be educated. The Community’s spirituality, rooted in the Augustinian tradition, has a special emphasis on the Resurrection, prayer, community life, hospitality and service to others. The faith which lies at the heart of this foundation remains essential to the character of the School today.

Initially the School offered a Catholic education to girls who were denied this in England in the Post-Reformation period. In 1794, the French Revolutionary Wars forced the nuns to leave the Low Countries. The School reopened on its present site in 1799.

With the exception of years during the Second World War, when evacuation to Newnham Paddox near Rugby was forced on the Religious Community and School, New Hall has been the environment in which the School has thrived and grown. School developments have included, for example, the Eaton Block Theatre and Gymnasium, which was completed in 1925 with a stage and greenroom at one end and a studio above. The old theatre at New Hall was last used for the performance of ‘O what a lovely war’, in December 1986. The refurbished Eaton Theatre was reopened in September 2008, with new tiered seating. ‘Larkrise’ was the first performance in the refurbished theatre.

Section 1/Page 4 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN) The Senior School girl pictured on the vault is Sister Margaret Mary Horton CRSS, current Prioress General of the Association of the Canonesses of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

History of the New Hall Estate

Approached from a mile-long tree-lined avenue, the main building occupies the magnificent former Tudor palace of Beaulieu. The main building is Grade I listed and the grounds and avenue of trees are also a listed historic park and garden. New Hall School Trust has a commitment to maintain and enhance the heritage buildings and setting of New Hall, not just for the students but for the wider community and public interest. New Hall is ranked by English Heritage in the top 2% of heritage buildings in the country.

In 1517, the estate was acquired by King Henry VIII, from Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII greatly enlarged and enhanced the building and called it Beaulieu. The Royal Arms of Henry VIII are now to be seen in the School Chapel. For many years the home of Mary Tudor, New Hall was subsequently granted to the Earl of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth I. Oliver Cromwell later procured the estate for 5 shillings.

A view from the front of the Palace of Beaulieu, commonly called New Hall in Essex, built by King Henry VIII. The northern side of the quad (opposite the towers) survives as New Hall’s main building.

On 16-18 February 2009, Channel 4’s Time Team came to New Hall to film for a special feature length documentary called Henry VIII’s Lost Palaces. The documentary was shown on Channel 4 on Easter Monday 13 April 2009 and repeated on Saturday 2 May 2009.

Jon Willers summarises the significance of the archaeological dig at New Hall as follows:

When Henry came to the throne in 1509 aged eighteen, he inherited several palaces from his father, including Richmond, Greenwich and Woodstock. The documentary set out to explore why, seven years into his reign, he felt the need to build the Palace of Beaulieu, now known as New Hall.

Section 1/Page 5 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN) Henry certainly set out to make a statement. The palace was huge - contemporaries describe it as having eight courtyards with a 550-foot wide facade and at the centre of this splendour stood two massive gatehouse towers. In 1516, Catherine of Aragon gave birth to Henry's first child, Princess Mary (later to become Bloody Queen Mary). At the time, Mary was Henry's only heir and it seems that as far as he was concerned, she was to get the very best of everything. Just a month before her birth, Henry ordered the construction of Beaulieu Palace. And nearly 500 years later, Time Team would uncover exactly how far Henry went when it came to lavishing luxury on his firstborn. The western range shown on later plans of the palace interested landscape surveyor Stewart Ainsworth because it overlooked the fancy privy garden - a prime spot. It was clearly intended for someone very important.

In fact, the results were more intriguing than anyone had expected. At the end of three days, the team had revealed an intricate series of Tudor drains where the western range would have stood, pointing to a kitchen or laundry area. The question was raised that if this was such an important part of the palace, why have a separate laundry here away from the main service areas? As architectural historian Jonathan Foyle suggested, this wing was meant for someone special, someone who needed a lot of care and attention. It looked like the team had inadvertently stumbled across the nursery for young Princess Mary.

Time Team was beginning to uncover a different side of Henry VIII: a doting father who thought nothing was too good for his new daughter and elsewhere in the palace, the team were discovering what else was important to the young Henry. A trench over the imposing gatehouse towers revealed the scale of the front of the palace. This was a building intended to impress and it was certainly built in the latest style, based on a series of 'perfect squares' - architectural ideas that were beginning to come across from Rome. Beaulieu Palace was the first in a long line of major building projects undertaken by Henry VIII, and even at this early stage in his reign we can see what was important to him: family and magnificence. It was much later that these concepts would take on a life of their own and result in the fantasy palaces of Henry's later reign.

History of New Hall Preparatory Divisions

The Preparatory School was founded in 1947 at Goodings, near Newbury, with just 14 pupils. The School thrived under the leadership of Sister Magdalen John Earle CRSS as Headmistress. When the roll reached 100 pupils, the School had to be relocated in 1953 to a bigger campus, at Denford Park, Hungerford. All the time there was a Religious Community living at the School. Sister Pauline CRSS (30/06/1949- 18/04/2014), was a pupil at Denford Park. The School remained at Denford until 1967, at which time there were 150 pupils, including many boarders and some boys as well as girls. Section 1/Page 6 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN)

In 1967, the Preparatory School at Denford Park was closed and all resources were put into the development of New Hall Senior School. As a result, from being a boarding School of around 140 in the 1960s, New Hall became by the 1980s a large boarding and day Senior School for over 500 girls. In 1994, the Preparatory School was re-established on the campus at New Hall. Opening with 40 pupils, the School grew rapidly over the following years. In 2003, the Preparatory School welcomed its first boarders and now offers boarding for boys in Years 3-6 in Earle House and for girls in Years 3-6 in Magdalen House. By 2016, the Preparatory School roll had reached 337. A new Pre-Reception for pupils aged 3-4 opened in 2004 and a nursery is planned to open in September 2019.

New Hall School Today

The first lay Principal of New Hall School, Katherine Jeffrey, was appointed in 2001. In 2005, New Hall School Trust (NHST) was established as a new registered charity (1110286) and limited company (05472420), registered in England at New Hall School. The principal objective of NHST, as set out in the Memorandum & Articles, is “to advance the Roman Catholic religion by the conduct of a Roman Catholic School”. The Religious Community now have a new main house in Colchester: 74 Howe Close, Colchester, Essex CO4 3XD Tel: 01206 867 296.

In April 2005, the announcement was made that the Senior School would be embarking on a period of further expansion, to create a distinctive ‘diamond model’ School, with co-education in the Preparatory School, a separate Girls’ Division (11-16) and Boys’ Division (11-16) and a co- educational Sixth Form. The Senior School now accepts boys and girls throughout the 3-18 age range and there are 3 boys’ boarding houses fully established, in addition to the 3 girls’ boarding houses. The whole School roll now stands at its greatest ever, with over 1,200 students.

From 2 September 2013, New Hall School launched the New Hall Multi-Academy Trust (NHMAT) and became the sponsor of a primary academy, Messing Primary School, near Colchester. A special partnership has existed between the two schools since early in 2012, when New Hall became the first independent school nationally to agree to sponsor a maintained primary school. The schools work closely together to enhance opportunities for students and staff, to share resources and ideas and to assist each other with achieving the goals in the school development plans.

The School belongs to the following professional associations:  Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS)  Independent Schools Council (ISC)  Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference (CISC)  Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA)  Brentwood Diocesan Secondary Heads’ Association (BDSHA)  Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference (HMC)

Section 1/Page 7 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN) 1.7 Structure of Responsibility and Accountability 2019-20

Board of Governors i.e. Trustees Clerk to Governors & Company Secretary

PRINCIPAL (also a Governor)

Deputy Principal Vice Principal (Curriculum, Vice Principal Growth & Innovation) (Boarding & Operations)

NHVS Manager Head of English Estate Reception Manager Head of Theology & Chaplaincy Director of Studies Director of Studies Manager Marketing Manager Head of French Head of Learning Health Centre Manager Head of Hawley House, Reception Manager Head of Spanish Development Director of Vertical Head of Petre House, Estate Team; Head of Art, Design & Technology Houses Head of Dennett House, Estate Administrator; Catering Manager Head of Campion House, Senior School teachers; Head of Geography Head of Mathematics Domestic Facilities Head of Biology IT Manager Health Centre Manager, Science Technicians Head of History Manager Head of Chemistry Events Officer Catering Manager Head of Classics Head of Physics EPQ Co-ordinator Head of Computer Cover Supervisor Science Head of EAL Examinations Manager

Head of Head of Pre-Prep Head of Girls’& Head of Sixth Head of Executive Assistant & Priest Nursery Preparatory Division Boys’ Divisions Form Finance Clerk to Governors Chaplain Manager Division Head of Year 12 Finance Team Administrator (Data & Cover), Head of Year 13 Nursery Head of Year 3-6 Class Pupil Head of Middle Director of Girls’ Director of Administrator (Co-curriculum) Director of Head of Business Team HR Teachers Support School (Girls), Sport & Head of Development & Administrator (Pastoral) Teaching & Head of Dance Manager Head of Middle Academic PE Enterprise Administrator (Sixth Form) Learning Head of Drama (line manages School (Boys), Director of Boys’ Sports Facilities Administrator (Academic & Head of Economics Head of Music, Head of Upper Sport & Head of Manager Careers) Director of Music Welfare Assistants; Subject Leaders) School (Girls), Rugby PA to Principal (Senior) Head of Politics AFSC Manager, Head of Upper Librarian PA to Principal (Prep) Head of Psychology HR Officers; Midday Manager School (Boys) Marshalls (Midday Admissions Registrar (Senior) Careers Leader HR Assistant; Supervisors) Admissions Registrar (Prep) HR Administrator Student Support Manager Counsellor Those marked in red are members of the Senior Leadership and School Management Team Section 1/Page 8 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN) School Development Plan (SDP)

The School has a 3-year School Development Plan (3-SDP), approved by Governors. At least once a year the School Management Team (SMT) reviews the progress against targets. In addition to the 3- SDP, the Preparatory Divisions and the Senior Divisions have 1-year Development Plans (1-SDPs), which complement the 3-SDP.

The 1-SDPs include detail to the level of individual departmental targets. Every specialist department is expected to have annual targets and to review these at the year end. The 1-SDPs is held on the K:drive, Staff Room Files, Development Plans.

The School also has a Performance Management Policy (PMP), which requires all staff to have annual targets. These targets are expected to complement the 3-SDP and the SMT may choose certain targets for departments (e.g. to achieve a certain % of A*-B grades at GCSE).

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Appendix 1/A

GLOSSARY OF KEY ABBREVIATIONS AT NEW HALL

1-SDP 1-year School Development Plan 3-SDP 3-year School Development Plan AGBIS Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools ALIS Advanced Level Information System Assistant HoB Assistant Head of Boarding BCCS Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society BDSHA Brentwood Diocesan Secondary Heads’ Association BSA Boarding Schools’ Association CAE Certificate in Advanced English CAFOD Catholic Agency for Overseas Development CES Catholic Education Service CISC Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference CLG Curriculum Leaders’ Group CPD Continuing Professional Development CPE Certificate of Proficiency in English DfE Department for Education DBS Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DSL Designated Safeguarding Lead DDSL Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead DoS Director of Studies EAL English as an Additional Language ECC Essex County Council EVC Educational Visits Co-ordinator EYFS Early Years Foundation Stage F&GP Finance & General Purposes (sub-committee of Governors) FCE First Certificate in English f/t full time GSA Girls’ Schools Association HC Health Centre H&S Health & Safety HoB Head of Boarding HMC Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference HoDs Heads of Departments HoSF Head of Sixth Form HoYs Heads of Year HoY7/8/9 etc. Head of Year 7/8/9 etc. HR Human Resources IELTS International English Language Testing System IEPs Individual Education Plans INSET In-Service Education and Training (for staff) ISC Independent Schools Council ISI Independent Schools Inspectorate ISCis Independent Schools Council Information Service IStip Independent Schools Teacher Induction Panel ICT Information & Communication Technology IT Information Technology

Section 1/Page 10 of 11 Updated:16/09/2019 (AFA; EMU) 14/06/2017 (CGD); 21/03/2017; 20/07/2016 (CGN) KET Key English Test KS1/2/3/4/5 Key Stage 1/2/3/4/5 LA Local Authority LAMDA London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art LD Learning Development LDD Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities LSA Learning Support Assistant LTA Learning & Teaching Assistant MAT Most Able & Talented MidYIS Middle Years Information System ML Modern Languages NASEN National Association for Special Educational Needs NHMAT New Hall Multi Academy Trust NCSL National College of School Leadership NHA New Hall Association NHMAT New Hall Multi-Academy Trust NHSE New Hall School Enterprises NHPA New Hall Parents’ Association NHST New Hall School Trust NHVS New Hall Voluntary Service NPQH National Professional Qualification for Headteachers NQT Newly Qualified Teacher PATOSS Professional Association for Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties PET Preliminary English Test PIPS Performance Indicators in Primary Schools PLG Pastoral Leaders’ Group PMP Performance Management Policy PSHE Personal, Social and Health Education PSLT Preparatory School Leadership Team p/t part time PR Public Relations Q&A Questions & Answers QTS Qualified Teacher Status RA Risk Assessment RDA Riding for the Disabled Association SDP School Development Plan SEN Special Educational Needs S/he She/he SLT Senior Leadership Team SSLT Senior School Leadership Team SLMT Senior Leadership & Management Team SMT School Management Team SORP Statement of Recommended Practice SoW Scheme of Work SSC Staff Social Committee SCRC Staff Common Room Committee UKBA UK Border Agency VMTs Visiting Music Teachers Yellis Year 11 Information System

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