Lichfield Cathedral School

Parents’ Handbook

2015-2016 academic year

Lichfield Site: Lichfield Cathedral School, The Palace, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LH Reception: 01543 306170 Fax: 01543 306176 Email: [email protected]

Longdon Site: Lichfield Cathedral School, Green Gables, Longdon, Staffordshire WS15 4PT Reception: 01543 492782 Email: [email protected]

website www.lichfieldcathedralschool.com @LichfieldCSchl

registered charity number 1137481 company number 07302696

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 1 of 33 A Message from the Head Teacher

Welcome to Lichfield Cathedral School. In this Parents’ Handbook we have brought together some of the information you will need while your child is at the School. We hope that you will find it informative, both in terms of the School’s ethos, but also in the provision of practical guidance on day to day organisation. We are committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment which nurtures, nourishes and stimulates young minds and talents; one where the children can gain both a thorough academic foundation but also a wealth of experiences and challenges. We want the pupils to feel proud of their School. We want them to enjoy a secure and ordered framework through which they can develop their self-esteem and confidence as they mature intellectually and emotionally, and as they discover the riches of successful participation and achievement. Furthermore, we hope that, when they leave the School, they will take with them warm friendships and cherished memories that will last a lifetime. At the Cathedral School we are always seeking to improve in all that we do, whether in the classroom, on the sports field, in extra-curricular activities or in the general administration and organisation of the School. Everything is kept under constant review and the details within this handbook may change during the course of an academic year. Please do not hesitate to contact the School should you need clarification of any points. The staff on Reception (01543 306170) should be able to point you in the right direction. I hope the handbook proves to be useful to you and I welcome any suggestions for its improvement.

Susan Hannam Head Teacher [email protected]

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 2 of 33 Contents Section 1: Overview The Basics ...... 5 Heritage ...... 5 Lichfield Cathedral School Mission ...... 6 Summary Objectives ...... 6 Main Considerations ...... 7 The School’s Commitment ...... 7 Parents’ Commitment ...... 8 Contacts ...... 8 Academic ...... 8 Pastoral ...... 8 Medical ...... 8 Finance and Administrative ...... 8 Absence and Attendance ...... 9 Governors and Management Structure ...... 9 Section 2: Academic Life Teaching and Learning ...... 11 Curriculum ...... 12 Learning Support ...... 14 Homework / Prep ...... 14 Assessments ...... 15 Reporting Progress to You ...... 16 Section 3: How the School Works Locations ...... 18 Structure of the School Day ...... 20 Drop Off and Pick Up ...... 21 Minibus Service ...... 22 Before and After School Care ...... 22 What Every Pupil Should Bring to School ...... 23 Items Not Allowed in School ...... 23 School Uniform ...... 23 Communication with the School ...... 24 Things to tell us ...... 24 LCS Post ...... 24 Communication with members of staff ...... 24 Open Forums ...... 24 Letters and documents from the School ...... 24 School Calendar ...... 25 Newsletters ...... 25 Website ...... 25 The House System ...... 25 Rewards and Discipline ...... 25 The Arts ...... 26 Music ...... 26 Drama ...... 28 Art & Design ...... 28 Sport ...... 28 Educational Visits Outside the School ...... 28

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 3 of 33 Collective Worship ...... 29 Parental Involvement at School ...... 29 The Friends of Lichfield Cathedral School ...... 29 Functions, Event and Sports Matches ...... 30

Section 4: The Safety and Welfare of Your Child Health and Safety ...... 31 Pastoral Care ...... 31 Health and Wellbeing ...... 31 Medical Care ...... 32 School Meals ...... 32

Section 5: Policies and Other Useful Information School policies relevant to parents ...... 33 Parent Handbooks ...... 33 Other documents ...... 33 Online calendar ...... 33

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 4 of 33 Section 1: Overview The basics Lichfield Cathedral School (LCS) is a co-educational, independent school for children aged 3 to 18. There are approximately 450 pupils educated in two main sites: Longdon for Nursery (age 3) to Year 3 (age 7/8) children and Lichfield for Year 4 (age 8/9) to Year 13 (age 18). In each academic year there are 3 terms: Michaelmas (September to December), Lent (January to Easter in March/April) and Trinity (April/May to early July). Each term you will be provided with a printed A6 sized calendar of events. It is vital that you go through the calendar carefully and note any events such as Parents’ Evenings, sports fixtures, drama productions or concerts that relate to your child. If an event is in the calendar, you may not receive a separate reminder: we rely on you reading the calendar. Communication between the school and parents is primarily through email. It is vital that you provide an up-to-date email address and keep us informed if it changes. You will be provided with an LCS Post account which works just like Hotmail or Gmail: you can access any email you have been sent by the school at any time. We also send academic reports by email. If you wish to meet with a Form Tutor or subject teacher, simply contact the relevant reception (Longdon or Lichfield) and ask to arrange a meeting. Parents often prefer to email teachers with straightforward queries. Fees are due at the latest on the first day of each term. At the moment you are sent an invoice at the end of the proceeding term in the mail and most parents pay by cheque or by bank transfer. We are working towards electronic payment of fee invoices. Music lessons and transport to and from school on a minibus are charged in advance. Any expenses incurred during a term (e.g. school trips) are added to the next term’s bill. You will receive advance notice by email of school trips undertaken as part of the curriculum. This notice will detail the cost and any specific requirements such as particular items of clothing. Some trips are optional (e.g. annual ski trip, language exchanges). From Year 2 upwards, children are assigned to one of four different Houses: Boswell, Darwin, Garrick or Johnson. Unless there is a specific request, siblings will be placed in the same House. Inter-House competitions occur throughout the year in sport, art and music. Children who have performed or behaved well can earn House Points. Poor behaviour will incur a minus and House Points deducted.

Heritage The writings of St. Augustine and King Ethelbert describe schools of grammar and song at Lichfield in the sixth century. St. Chad died in AD 672 and tradition has it that he kept a song school, but in 1191 there is firm evidence from the Cathedral statutes of a Precentor who had full charge of the choir for admission, education and discipline. By the sixteenth century an endowment and house for the choristers had been established by the Benedictine convent at Fairwell, near Lichfield.

In 1935 the Dean and Chapter realised that the reorganisation of the choristers’ school was essential. A new prep school, called St. Chad’s, with a new constitution was to be opened on 27th January 1942 with about 19 boarders as well as some day boys, including both choristers and non-choristers.

The School prospered and in 18 months there were 50 boys, mostly boarders. In October 1942 the school was recognised by the IAPS. 1944 was an eventful year. Numbers rose to 62, all but two being boarders. The kitchens were modernised, the new playing fields came into use, the first broadcast was given and the first of many public school scholarships was won. A system of divisions, or houses, was begun which assisted competitive work. During the summer term of 1946 the school festival was graced by the presence of HM The Queen, later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who spoke to many of the choristers lined up to greet her.

In October 1953, the Right Reverend AS Reeve was enthroned as the new bishop of Lichfield and he generously offered The Palace to the School. During 1954, a School orchestra was formed with a good selection of strings, woodwind, brass and percussion, which played in the Great Hall on Saturdays.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 5 of 33 Girls were admitted to the School for the first time in 1974, and a Pre-Preparatory Department was established in St. Mary's School on the far side of Minster Pool in 1982. By 1988, the Pre-Prep had grown so much in size that it was in need of its own premises. This was provided for by the generous benefaction of former teacher Arthur Broadhurst.

Meanwhile, in 1981, the School became a financially independent Charitable Trust and took on its new name, Lichfield Cathedral School. The Dean and Chapter remained in the majority on the Governing Body, of which the Dean is Chairman, but in 2000 the number of Governors was increased to allow for a total of 15, two-thirds of whom are lay members.

In response to popular demand, the Governors took the decision in September 2004 to extend into secondary education and two Year 7 classes began their route to GCSEs in September 2005. The School acquired St. John's Preparatory School in Longdon Green in 2006, and the two schools amalgamated. The Preschool and Junior School (ages 3 - 8) is now situated on the Longdon site and the vacated space in The Close has been adapted for older year groups and specialist teaching. In 2009, the Governors decided to extend the secondary education further and create a Sixth Form, which opened in September 2010. Accommodation for the Senior School is provided in Cathedral House and the Sixth Form is located in No.13 The Close.

The School still serves its primary purpose of housing and educating the Cathedral choristers; but since 1942 it has grown from a roll of 19 boys to a pupil membership of around 450 boys and girls aged 3–18.

Lichfield Cathedral School Mission

Our mission is to be a nationally recognised school that serves its local area by creating an inclusive school community devoted to Christian ideals of learning, raising the aspirations of each of its members and fulfilling their potential in body, mind and spirit.

At Lichfield Cathedral School, pupils and those working with them flourish within a strong Christian community, achieving the very best educational standards and developing character and strength of personality.

The School’s educational philosophy is rooted in an understanding that each pupil has different talents and distinct qualities. Our primary focus is to nurture these talents, instill a love of learning and educate in the broadest possible sense.

We believe in educating the whole person, ensuring that when they leave us, our students have the knowledge, skills, experience, confidence and motivation to thrive in further education and beyond.

We are guided by four core principles of Learning, Leadership, Faith and Service, underpinned by the five essential attributes of Responsibility, Reasoning, Resourcefulness, Resilience and Reflection.

Summary Objectives  To create an environment in which Christian values are at the heart.  To create a stimulating, challenging and rewarding learning environment.  To provide educational opportunities for children from all walks of life.  To provide for academic excellence both within and outside the curriculum.  To provide opportunities for children to discover and develop their creative, physical and cultural interests and talents.  To provide for the pastoral and extra-curricular needs of the boy choristers and other boarders.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 6 of 33  To create an atmosphere of trust in, and care for, each other.  To engage children in the benefit of good relationships and understanding between all members of the School and wider community.  To develop every pupil’s confidence and self-esteem.  To provide for the pastoral and welfare needs of pupils.  To prepare young people for higher education.  To leave pupils with a lifelong love of learning.

Main Considerations In setting out to achieve this mission, certain considerations are paramount at the Cathedral School: This is a Christian School, built on Christian values and beliefs, which inform all decisions. Children of all denominations and faiths are welcomed, their beliefs respected and the spiritual and cultural breadth which they bring to the community appreciated. Children need to be stimulated, challenged, enthused and positively guided. Children develop at different rates, have different interests and expectations, possess different skills, adopt different learning techniques, come from different backgrounds and hold different standards and beliefs, yet have common needs. Children make most progress within an environment in which their strengths are recognised, valued and nourished and in which they feel confident, happy and secure. All children are entitled to an equal opportunity in life. A School community needs to function successfully and effectively as a whole to be of most benefit to each and every child. Good relationships and communication between School and parents are an integral part in the successful provision of a good education. The outcome of a good education will equip young people not only for work but also for leisure and pleasure. Whilst ensuring that the core of the curriculum is designed to raise all children’s skills in literacy, numeracy and scientific enquiry, the vigorous promotion of a broad education, encompassing the creative, physical, moral, spiritual, cultural, as well as intellectual, will be of benefit to all children both now and in adult life. Efficient management and wise governance is essential to the creation of an environment in which children can learn effectively.

The School’s Commitment In order to fulfil its aims and objectives, the School undertakes to: 1. Regularly review and update the curriculum and schemes of work, adopting all that is good and appropriate from the National Curriculum, but retaining independence and flexibility. 2. Provide for a wide range of subjects and activities both within and outside the curriculum. 3. Regularly review and update all academic procedures such as assessing, reporting and recording, in order to support the children’s learning. 4. Maintain small class sizes. 5. Provide for special needs, whether for the gifted or for those with learning difficulties. 6. Maintain a high staff to pupil ratio. 7. Appoint qualified and talented teachers, striving for a good balance in age, gender, interests and specialisation. 8. Keep facilities and resources in good repair and update or replace as appropriate. 9. Provide pastoral continuity from one year to the next whilst encouraging a developing maturity and independence. 10. Establish policies, procedures, routines and guidance as necessary to create a detailed framework for the welfare and development of all children. 11. Make a good education accessible to all children and young people within the School’s Admissions Policy. 12. Communicate effectively with parents to establish an educational partnership between home and School. Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 7 of 33 13. Maintain good relationships with the Cathedral and a high standard of boarding provision to support the activities of the choristers of the Cathedral Choir. 14. Maintain a strong structure of management and governance.

Parents’ Commitment 1. To help maintain high standards of behaviour, good manners and respect for others. 2. To support the school by monitoring homework, examination preparation and revision. 3. To help maintain high standards of presentation, both in academic work and appearance. 4. To ensure that children arrive punctually and prepared for school in the morning. 5. To encourage the children to become involved in extra-curricular activities, developing a sense of community spirit. 6. To endeavour to support the School and the Friends of LCS by helping at or attending functions. 7. To be involved in the child’s learning and progress in a wide variety of ways, including by attending Parents’ Evenings whenever possible.

Contacts In the first instance with any academic or pastoral query, please contact your child’s Form Tutor or individual Subject Teacher. Teaching, the curriculum, future schooling – Heads of School:  Head of the Junior School, Mrs Joanna Churton  Head of Middle School, Mrs Cara O’Donnell  Head of Years 9-11, Mrs Maria Godwin  Head of Sixth Form, Dr Andrew Watkins

Additional help in a subject - Head of Department Dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties - Head of the Learning Support, Mrs Becky Rushton

Pastoral issues: Form Teacher or the Housemother, Miss Doreen Grave, for Boarders’ issues Heads of School (see list above) School Chaplain, Revd Andrew Stead Assistant Head (Pupil Support & Guidance), Mrs Jackie Reynolds Deputy Head, Mr Andrew Harrison or Head Teacher, Mrs Susan Hannam - depending on the nature of the query.

Medical matters: Appointments at doctors, dentists etc – contact the Palace School Office on 01543 306170 or Longdon School Office on 01543 492782 Routine medical concerns – Form Teacher Specific medical concerns – School Nurse, Mrs Pam Windley via the Palace reception

Financial and Administrative matters: Fees and charges – The Bursar, Mr Joe Moody, 01543 306172 Administrative information – School Office ([email protected] or 01543 306178) To contact staff at Lichfield, please call 01543 306170 or write to Lichfield Cathedral School, The Palace, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LH. To contact staff at Longdon, please call 01543 492782 or write to Lichfield Cathedral Junior School, Green Gables, Longdon, Staffordshire WS15 4PT.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 8 of 33 Absence and Attendance: The School takes a strong line on pupil attendance and has high expectations in relation to absence. Parents who take their children out of school, unless for illness or other valid reasons such as medical appointments, driving tests or university visits are setting them a bad example and it is also unfair to other pupils, as well as discourteous to teachers. Furthermore it undermines the integrity of the school day. Absence through illness Please email or telephone the Palace Reception on 01543 306170 or Longdon on 01543 492782 before 9:00am followed by a brief letter brought in by your child on his/her return. (Please note that this is now a statutory requirement.) Pre-arranged absence from School Under the terms of the Education Act 1996 it is unlawful for a child of compulsory school age to miss school for any reason other than illness without the specific permission of the Head Teacher or her appointed representative (e.g. Deputy Head). Holidays during term-time are not allowed. A ‘leave of absence’ will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and any such requests must be made in writing and well in advance, normally by the parent with whom the child resides. The decision as to what constitutes ‘exceptional’ circumstances rests solely with the Head Teacher. Parents who permit unauthorised absence are committing an offence under the Act. Although this is not the case for parents of pupils aged 16 or over, Lichfield Cathedral School does not differentiate in its approach towards pupils. Therefore all parents are asked to observe these requirements when requesting exceptional leave of absence from the Cathedral School. The School does not permit pupils to leave school early at either half-term or the end-of-term. These days end at the times specified in the front of the School calendar as with every other day. Pupils are expected to make up the academic work they have missed as a result of their absences and will be assisted by their teachers in this regard. If an absence is prolonged, tutors may well be able to collate some appropriate work to be done at home. On return to school, a note from parents/guardians confirming the absence must be given to the relevant tutor. If you are unsure whom to contact, call the Lichfield reception on 01543 306170 and the Receptionist, Mrs Janet Holt, will direct you to the correct person.

Governors and Management Structure The Governing Body, and each of its three committees, the Education Committee, the Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Development Committee, meet once each per term. The Deputy Head attends the Education Committee meetings; the Head Teacher and Bursar attend all meetings of the Governing Body and the Finance and General Purposes Committee. To contact any of the Governors, please write c/o Lichfield Cathedral School, The Palace, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LH

Mr C Hopkins BA MBA (Chairman) Mrs C Abbott BA (Chair of Education Committee) Mr H Bishop Mrs N Dawes OBE The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield Revd P Holliday BCom MA FCA (Chairman of Finance & General Purposes Committee) Mrs J Mason (responsibility for Safeguarding) The Revd Cannon Dr A M Moore MA PhD (Cantab) Mr C Rickart BA (Hons) PGCE Mrs C Tonks BA

Strategic Leadership Team Mrs Susan Hannam Head Teacher Mr Andrew Harrison Deputy Head (Teaching & Learning) Mrs J Reynolds Assistant Head (Pupil Support & Guidance) Mrs Hilary Ghazireh Director of Studies

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 9 of 33 Mrs Joanna Churton Head of Junior School Mr Joe Moody Bursar Miss Jo Brown Director of Marketing, Development & Admissions

Operational Leadership Team

All above plus: Mr Steven Daykin Director of Music Dr J Ewington Head of Science Mrs Ruth Forbes Year 4 Teacher Mrs Cara O’Donnell Head of Middle School Mrs Jo Owens English Teacher Canon Andrew Stead Residentiary Canon and Chaplain Mrs Alison Stevens Early Years Co-ordinator Mr Paul Underwood Facilities Manager Dr Andrew Watkins Head of Sixth Form

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 10 of 33 Section 2: Academic Life

Teaching and Learning Introduction Teaching and learning is the core purpose of our School. It is the method through which we provide a curriculum that is as broad and balanced as possible. It is based to a large extent on the National Curriculum but also the requirements of a broad education available for children in an independent school. Principles of Teaching and Learning Teaching and learning is a process of cooperation between teachers and children with the encouragement and support of parents and other members of the community. We all fulfil the School’s aims and this core purpose by:  Seeing children as individuals and respecting their rights, values and beliefs;  Fostering and promoting good relationships and a sense of belonging to the School community;  Providing a well-ordered environment in which clearly stated behavioural expectations are known and understood by all;  Offering equal opportunities in all aspects of School life and recognising the importance of different cultures;  Encouraging, praising and positively reinforcing good relationships, behaviour and work;  Working as a team, supporting and encouraging each other. Aims Our aims for teaching and learning are that all children will:  Reach their potential in terms of academic achievement, aesthetic appreciation and spiritual and moral awareness;  Be tolerant and understanding with respect for the rights, views and property of others;  Develop a responsible and independent attitude towards their work and their roles in the School and wider community. Teachers aim to fulfil the School’s aims by:  Being thoroughly prepared in all realms of their teaching;  Providing a challenging and stimulating programme of study designed to enable all children to reach the highest standards of personal achievement;  Recognising and being constantly aware of the needs of each individual child according to ability and aptitude;  Ensuring that teaching is progressive and has continuity;  Being good role models – punctual, smart, courteous, well-prepared and organised;  Maintaining an up to date knowledge of their subjects and their relation to the National Curriculum and other relevant courses of study;  Having a positive attitude to change and the development of their own expertise;  Working and cooperating with other members of the school community. Pupils work towards the School’s aims by:  Trying their hardest in all areas of the curriculum;  Being punctual and ready to begin lessons on time;  Being organised with themselves and their possessions;  Conducting themselves in an orderly manner in line with the various codes of discipline;  Taking a growing responsibility for their own learning. Parents work towards the School’s aims by:  Ensuring that children attend School regularly, punctually and in good health;  Providing support for the discipline within the School and for the teachers’ role;  Being realistic about their children’s abilities and offering praise and encouragement; Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 11 of 33  Participating in discussions concerning their child’s progress and attainments;  Ensuring early contact with School to discuss matters which affect a child’s happiness, progress and behaviour;  Giving due importance to any work that is sent home for completion during term time or holidays;  Avoiding organising holidays during term time;  Allowing their children to take increasing responsibility as they progress through the School.

Curriculum We believe the most effective learning environment is achieved when the best of traditional methods are combined with tested and proven modern approaches; where children are happy, motivated, challenged and inspired. Children possess varied styles of learning: our teachers seek to adapt their teaching methods to suit individual needs. Early Years There are seven areas covered by the early learning goals and educational programmes, which are divided into Prime and Specific areas:  Prime areas: o Personal, Social and Emotional Development; o Communication and Language; o Physical Development.  Specific areas: o Literacy; o Mathematics; o Understanding the World; o Expressive Arts and Design. These learning goals include essential skills and knowledge needed for children to participate successfully in society. It is also very important that children have the time and opportunities for free play when they are able to pursue and develop their own interests, practise skills, think creatively and imaginatively, understand in a practical way the need for rules and cooperation, solve problems and investigate their world. Key Stage 1 The full range of National Curriculum subjects is provided for all pupils. There is specialist teaching in music, PE, languages, drama and dance. Key Stage 2 The full range of National Curriculum subjects is provided for all pupils. There is specialist teaching from Year 3 in music, French, PE, Games and drama, and Latin is taught from Year 5. All subjects are taught by specialist teachers from Year 5. Key Stage 3 Subjects offered are English, mathematics, science, French, Spanish or German (choice determined in Y7), history, geography, PE & Games, religious education, ICT, music, art, design technology and drama. Key Stage 4/GCSE courses Subjects offered for GCSE include English language and literature, mathematics, double or triple science, French, Spanish, German, history, geography, physical education, religious studies, ICT, business studies, music, art and design, design technology and drama. Option System English, mathematics, dual science, religious studies and one modern foreign language are compulsory (7 GCSEs). In order to provide a worthwhile programme of study for those with learning needs, individuals may be disapplied following agreement between the Deputy Head, the Learning Support Dept, parents and pupil. All other subjects above, including ICT and triple science, are provided in an option block system from which students choose 4 GCSEs. This system is reviewed each year in order to provide the maximum possible choice for students.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 12 of 33 Sixth Form A minimum of six GCSEs at Grades A*-C, or an average of five Grade Bs, is required for the Sixth Form, with A or B Grades required in the subjects to be followed at A Level. For pupils progressing from Year 11 at Lichfield Cathedral School into the Sixth Form, a minimum of five GCSEs at Grades A*-C are required. Subjects on offer include: mathematics, further mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, English literature, English language, history, geography, philosophy and ethics, business studies, economics, information and communication technology, computing, music, music technology, theatre studies, art and design, design technology, French, Spanish, German, physical education and psychology. Sixth Form students may also undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This is a standalone Level 3 qualification, carrying UCAS points. The EPQ offers students the opportunity to plan, research and carry out a project that is completely separate from their areas of study, thereby improving their independent learning, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and presentation skills. Religious Education The Christian foundation of the Cathedral School continues to shape day-to-day life. The Christian faith on which the School was founded remains the guiding principle for our collective moral and spiritual life. The School welcomes pupils of all faiths and beliefs and seeks to offer an environment which will nurture its pupils on their spiritual journeys. To this end, all pupils are expected to attend Cathedral Prayers, Chapel and Assemblies (as appropriate) during the week. The School Chaplain who is available at all times to pupils and parents. Each year a number of pupils are confirmed in the Cathedral. The Chaplain offers a course to prepare them for this during the Lent term. The School Chapel is open every day for private prayer, personal reflection or a place to simply be still during the busy school day. Religious Education is provided for all pupils and the expectation is that all will participate fully. At GCSE Level, all students will take full course RE. Sex Education The school provides sex education in the basic curriculum for all pupils, in which pupils are encouraged and guided by moral principles and taught to recognise the value of family life. A full statement of the school's sex education policy is available to parents. It has regard for the government's guidance in sex and relationships education. Political Education The promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school is forbidden by law. Political issues are introduced in a number of courses such as history and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and citizenship, and are presented in a balanced manner. PE and Games All pupils are expected to take part in the school's Physical Education and Games programme. Pupils can only be excused from PE and Games lessons for medical reasons, for which a note from a parent will suffice, or other reasons agreed with the School. The School provides careful supervision for those not able to take part in games activities. Extra-Curricular Activities The School has a wide and varied programme of cultural and sporting activities that take place outside the formal curriculum. There are a number of choirs and instrumental groups (a list can be found in the termly calendar) that perform at an increasing range of venues. Drama and sport also offer plenty of opportunities for children to participate at a variety of levels. Details of the extra-curricular activities on offer are circulated to parents half a term in advance. All pupils are strongly encouraged to take part in the activities, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme from Year 9 and the Young Enterprise Scheme in Sixth Form.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 13 of 33 Disapplication The School responds to individual needs by modifying curricular programmes at all Key Stages, to:  allow a pupil to participate in extended work-related learning;  allow a pupil with individual strengths to emphasise a particular curriculum area; and  allow a pupil making significantly less progress than other pupils of his/her age to consolidate his/her learning and progress across the curriculum. Decisions about any of the above will only be made after discussion with the pupil and parent, the Learning Support Department, the Form Teacher and the relevant Head of School.

Learning Support Lichfield Cathedral School closely adheres to the SEN Code of Practice. Any pupil displaying significant learning difficulties or giving cause for concern is referred to the Head of the Learning Support Department (HLSD) by a teacher, a parent or an external agency. The HLSD will then collate all relevant information, carry out an assessment, advise the class teacher appropriately, withdraw the pupil for learning support if necessary, and conduct termly reviews. All pupils who are subject to review will be entered in the Special Needs Register (kept in the Learning Support Department) where all appropriate details are available for staff use. Each pupil receiving learning support has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) drawn up by the HLSD. Parents and pupils are involved at all times and it is made clear to parents that contact by letter or telephone is encouraged and acted upon.

Homework / Prep Homework is an integral part of the curriculum and is planned and prepared to complement work done in class. Sometimes it is used as an opportunity to reinforce a lesson and sometimes it involves research in preparation for new topics. Teachers set homework that is appropriate to the age, ability and circumstances of the pupils, taking into account special educational needs. Tasks are wide-ranging and structured and their purpose explained to pupils. Homework is coordinated and monitored by the subject departments and regularly marked in line with School marking policies. The quality of completed homework is monitored and reviewed by class teachers and heads of department. The School offers study support activities for children who need additional help. This is sometimes organised through the Learning Support Department and sometimes by individual departments or teachers. Boarders are given supervised prep time each, according to their age, and also have dedicated music practice time. All pupils are expected to record and ensure their understanding of the homework tasks and to demonstrate a commitment to spending the allocated time doing the tasks set and handing the work back on time. Parents or guardians are asked to encourage their children to complete homework conscientiously. They are also asked to monitor homework and inform the Form Teacher, through the homework diary, if an issue arises. From Monday to Friday at the Lichfield site, Prep Club runs from 4pm to 5pm. This enables pupils either to complete, or make substantial progress with, their homework under the supervision of teaching staff. We broadly follow the Government recommendations for all children in terms of time devoted to homework. We have to bear in mind that the School day ends at 16:00, later than the majority of schools. For younger children, reading can be done as part of the homework. Years 1 and 2 1 hour per week Years 3 and 4 1.5 hours per week Years 5 and 6 30 minutes per day Years 7 and 8 45 to 90 minutes per day Year 9 1 to 2 hours per day Years 10 and 11 1.5 to 2.5 hours per day During Years 12 and 13 the amount of homework will depend on the student's individual programme of A Levels. Guidance will be provided on what has to be achieved and how much time it might take to achieve the required standard. Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 14 of 33 Assessments Junior School Teacher-based assessment is continuous from the time when children first visit the Nursery/Reception Classes. A Baseline Assessment is carried out in the first few weeks of term in Reception and the Foundation Stage Profile is completed at the end of the year. Children’s achievements are recorded regularly and passed on to the next class teacher, and to the Middle School when appropriate. Middle and Senior Schools Assessments of English, Mathematics and sometimes Verbal Reasoning, as appropriate, are given as part of the Admissions process from which decisions are made concerning special provision for those who require it. Baseline testing and tracking of academic progress We use measurement tools that provide information about children’s attainment, progress and attitudes. We use the baseline tests to predict a pupil’s grades at different ages (Year 7, Year 11 and Year 12) and track progress throughout each academic year. The information provided is used to personalise learning for pupils, e.g. provide support, extension or intervention where needed. We can also use the information to aid school self-evaluation - to measure the value added to a child’s attainment by the school’s input. MidYIS (the Middle Years Information System) provides new and innovative tests widely used in the UK and elsewhere, forming a baseline for Value Added measures in secondary schools. Currently operating in over 1500 secondary schools, these baseline tests for Year 7 give predictions and value-added measures to Key Stage 3 and GCSE subjects. YELLIS (YEar 11 Information System) is a value-added monitoring system that provides a wide range of performance indicators for students aged 14-16. Pupils in Year 10 sit these tests to inform predictions for GCSE. The Advanced Level Information System (ALIS) provides performance indicators for post-16 students across all sectors of education and includes analysis of A level, AS level, Advanced GNVQ exams and now AVCEs. ALIS is the original member of the family of value-added monitoring systems run at the Curriculum, Evaluation and Management Centre (CEM Centre) at Durham University. It has grown from only 12 schools in the northeast of England in 1983 to cover over a third of all A-Level entries in the UK and international schools sitting UK exams in this present year. The value-added approach provides fair comparisons between the progress made by students and the large sample of similar students in the ALIS project. In order to make these comparisons, all students need to be measured against a common baseline representing their ability before starting their post-16 courses. The average GCSE score is the baseline for ALIS. This has repeatedly been found to be the best single indicator of post-16 performance. Examinations and Assessments All year groups are assessed within lessons throughout the academic year as a normal part of the learning process. In addition, more thorough assessments are given, as appropriate to the age and subject, prior to consultations or the writing of reports. Pupils in Year 11 are given Mock GCSE examinations in the first week of the Lent Term, the results of which inform targets set for the full GCSEs in the Trinity Term. In the Summer Term (see below for further details):  the Foundation Stage profiles are completed and analysed,  Year 2 children takes KS1 SATs in the first weeks of term,  Year 6 children take KS2 SATs usually in the third week of term,  all pupils in Years 4 – 10 have formal examinations in the second week after Half Term. Marking and Grading Policy Staff follow clear guidelines for grading according to the age of the child. The guidelines are published for parents on the Interim Reports which will be received at the end of the Michaelmas Term, and on the Trinity Report forms. Good work may be rewarded with house points, and pieces of work of an exceptional standard may be recommended to the Headmaster for a “Gold Award” which is also given 3 house points. The Gold Awards are normally awarded in morning assemblies; they are recorded and noted in the weekly Updates.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 15 of 33 Public Examinations  Year 2 pupils take national SATs exams in Literacy and Numeracy; these are marked and moderated internally.  Year 6 pupils take SATs exams in English and Mathematics (Science was withdrawn nationally in 2009), and some take entrance or scholarship exams to 11+ schools.  Year 11 sit GCSE exams in the Trinity Term.  Year 13 sit A Level exams in the Trinity Term. Parents are informed of the results of examinations as soon as the information is available. GCSE and A Level examination results are released in August.

Reporting Progress to You Written progress reports Teachers write reports on pupils in accordance with the Lichfield Cathedral School reporting schedule which can be found on the School website, in the Parent Documents section. The schedule is emailed to all parents at the beginning of the academic year. Full reports provide a detailed analysis of your son or daughter’s approach to learning, and his or her progress. Marks are awarded for both effort and achievement. Full reports include a consolidated appraisal by your son or daughter’s Form Teacher and include observations by the Head Teacher. Reports are emailed to parents via LCS Post. Individual music tuition reports are included.

Parents’ Consultation Meetings We hope that you will contact your son or daughter’s Form Teacher at any time if you have concerns or worry about his or her academic progress (or any other concerns). There will be a number of occasions for informal meetings throughout the year; but please be assured that we will always contact you and invite you into the School if we have a worry about your son or daughter’s work. We very much hope that parents/guardians are able to attend the formal parents’ evenings which are held not less than once a year during a child’s time at the School. These occasions provide you with the opportunity to meet all of your son or daughter’s teachers, to have a detailed conversation with each of them about his or her progress and to review his or her strengths and weaknesses both objectively and positively. We believe that it is important that your son or daughter accompanies you to these meetings (if he or she is in Year 9 or above) as they provide an invaluable opportunity for him or her to learn to assess his or her performance in a mature and objective manner. We have a second annual meeting for parents of pupils at each of the following stages:  Years 5-6: to explain how secondary education works at LCS  Year 9: to discuss GCSE options  Year 11: to discuss subject choices for A Level and their implications for choice of career References We undertake to provide honest and unbiased references on your son or daughter on request for other schools, further education colleges, universities and higher education institutions in the UK and overseas and for potential employers. It is intended that the great majority of Sixth Form pupils at Lichfield Cathedral School will proceed to leading universities in the UK. We understand the importance of the UCAS reference and/or accurate predictions of overall achievement, and expend considerable effort in ensuring the best possible outcome for your son or daughter. All the staff who will be involved in preparing UCAS references and in predicting grades are highly trained and experienced. More detail is given to parents at the Year 12 parents’ meeting, and in our policy on universities, examinations and careers, and we are always pleased to answer individual queries at any time on this important topic. References on former pupils Our former pupils form an important part of the Lichfield Cathedral School community. We are always happy to provide references on our former pupils.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 16 of 33 Access to References All pupils over the age of 12 are entitled to see any reference or report on them that has been written by the School. All parents and legal guardians are entitled to see their son or daughter’s reports and references. (More details are given in our Data Protection Policy, which also covers the exceptional circumstances when disclosure is not permitted).

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 17 of 33 Section 3: How the School Works

The School comprises a Junior School (ages 3-7) based at Longdon Green, a Middle School (ages 8-13) and a Senior School (ages 14-18), both based around The Close in the heart of Lichfield. Relatively small class sizes (around 20) enable teaching staff to focus on individuals to greater effect.

Locations

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 18 of 33 Lichfield Cathedral School, The Palace, The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LH Reception: 01543 306170 Fax: 01543 306176 Email: [email protected]

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 19 of 33 Lichfield Cathedral School, Green Gables, Longdon, Staffordshire WS15 4PT Reception: 01543 492782 Email: [email protected]

Structure of the School Day Junior School (Longdon Green) Foundation Stage 08:30 - 08:50 Arrival 08.50 - 09.15 Registration/ Assembly 09.15 - 10.45 Morning lessons 10.45 - 11.05 Break 11.05 - 11.50/12.00 Morning lessons for Pre-School/Reception respectively 11.50/12.00 - 13.00 Lunch 13.00 - 14.15 Afternoon lessons 14.15 - 14.30 Break 14.30 - 15.00/15.20 Afternoon lessons 15.00/15.20 School ends 15.20 - 16.00 Reception Extra-curricular clubs and activities (Lent and Trinity terms only) Years 1 and 2 08.30 - 08.50 Arrival 08.50 - 09.15 Registration/Assembly 09.15 - 10.45 Morning lessons 10.45 - 11.05 Break 11.05 - 12.15 Morning lessons 12.15 - 13.15 Lunch 13.15 - 14.15 Afternoon lessons 14.15 - 14.30 Break 14.30 - 15.20 Afternoon lessons Years 1 and 2 15.20 School end for Years 1 and 2 15.20 - 16.00 Years 1 and 2 Extra- curricular clubs and activities

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 20 of 33 Years 3 and 4 08.30 - 08.50 Arrival 08.50 - 09.15 Registration/Assembly 09.15 - 09.45 Lesson 1 09.45 - 10.15 Lesson 2 10.15 - 10.45 Lesson 3 10.45 - 11.05 Break 11.05 - 11.35 Lessons 4 11.35 - 12.05 Lesson 5 12.05 - 12.35 Lesson 6 12.35 - 13.35 Lunch 13.35 - 14.05 Lesson 7 14.05 - 14.35 Lesson 8 14.35 - 14.50 Break 14.50 - 15.20 Lesson 9 15.20 - 15.50 Lesson 10 15.50 School ends 15.50 - 16.50 Extra-curricular clubs and activities

Middle & Senior School (The Close) 08:45 – 09:00 Registration plus Assembly / Form Period / House Meeting 09:00 – 09:35 Lesson 1 09:35 – 10:10 Lesson 2 10:10 – 10:45 Lesson 3 10:45 – 11:00 Break 11:00 – 11:35 Lesson 4 11:35 – 12:10 Lesson 5 12:10 – 12:45 Lesson 6 12:45 – 13:40 Lunch 13:40 – 14:15 Lesson 7 14:15 – 14:50 Lesson 8 14:50 – 15:25 Lesson 9 15:25 – 16:00 Lesson 10 16:00 School ends 16:00 – 17:00 Extra-curricular clubs and activities, including Prep Club

Drop Off and Pick Up The process of dropping off and picking up your child is different at the Longdon and Lichfield sites. Drop off / pick up is always busy, but goes more smoothly if everyone co-operates. At Lichfield Car parking is not available at the Lichfield site. The nearest car parks are the Pay & Display car parks at the Angel Croft (almost directly opposite The Close on Beacon Street) and Bird Street. Years 5 to 13 are dropped off and collected from The Close. Please drop off / pick up your child from the designated area, not School House. All children are dropped off at the Black Gate, where staff and Prefects will be on duty. Everyone is picked up from the same place, except Year 5 & 6 who are picked up from half-way down The Close, outside the cream coloured house. A member of staff will always be present during drop off / pick up. Please make sure your child is ready to go with all bags/musical instruments when being dropped off. If you are dropping your child off for Early Birds, please ensure they are handed over to a member of staff—do not leave them unaccompanied at The Palace gate. When picking up, if you reach the front of the queue and your child is not ready, please drive around The Close and join the back of the queue. Your co-operation is very much appreciated!

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 21 of 33 At Longdon A similar system operates at the Junior School, although the greater availability of car parking means that parents are able to park and take their children into School. All Nursery and Reception children need to be brought into School by their parents.

Minibus Service The School has a responsibility to children and parents to operate buses in as safe a manner as is practicable. The Cathedral School minibuses are well equipped having passenger seat belts, fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Drivers are properly trained, and make themselves and their passengers familiar with the location and operation of safety items, especially the use of emergency exit doors. Passengers’ seat belts are to be fastened at all times, and no loose packages are allowed. The minimum age for a driver of a minibus is 21 but the School bus will not be driven by anyone who is under 25 and has not held a full driving licence for at least 3 years. Journeys substantially longer than 2 hours in any one direction, or those with prolonged motorway driving, will have an additional adult on board as a replacement driver. A mobile telephone will be carried in the minibus whenever on longer trips away where journey times may be changed due to circumstances outside the staffs’ control. The actual bus routes are designed each year, in the Trinity Term, so that the collection and delivery bus stops are the most convenient for the pupils using the service. The procedure is to contact the Bursar’s Department to ascertain current routes and timetables. The Bursar will follow up in writing to confirm acceptance. The current minibus routes are listed on the School website.

Before & After School Care For those children requiring before school care at the Lichfield site, a Breakfast Club operates from 07.30 until 08.45. Children are able to undertake activities before the start of the School day; some of these include arts and crafts, jigsaw puzzles and a variety of games. However, for those children who prefer to relax and reflect a quiet corner is provided. A member of staff then escorts the younger children from the Palace Library to the minibus for transfer to the Junior School. The Cathedral Badgers Club at the Longdon site runs from 07.30 until the start of school and includes breakfast. When school finishes at 16.00 at the Lichfield site, a free prep club runs from 16.00 to 17.00 and includes a light snack. After school care is available from 17.00 to 18.00. After a busy school day the children are able to relax and let off steam by participating in a variety of activities such as art and crafts, baking, 3D modelling, board games, outdoor games and much more. The Cathedral Badgers Club also runs after school at the Longdon site until 18.00 and includes a light snack. Staff will administer basic first aid for treatment of minor bumps and bruises. Parents will be informed of any accident and asked to sign the accident book. All contact details and names of those responsible for picking up the children are required before a child can be accepted into before or after school care. Bookings are made via the relevant Reception or in an emergency direct to the appropriate lead person – details can be found in the front of the termly calendar. It is recommended that parents apply well in advance as there is a limit on the number of pupils who can be accepted. Full details of fees are available on request.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 22 of 33 What Every Pupil Should Bring to School Years N-3: School bag Book folder PE Kit (this is left in School and taken home at half term and at the end of term) A water bottle with your child’s name on it

Years 4-11: School bag In a named pencil case: 2 fountain pens (named) with blue cartridges Pencil Rule Rubber Colouring pencils A4 homework folder, plastic Reading book

Items Not Allowed in School Mobile Phones Year 5-11 day pupils are not allowed to bring mobile phones to School, except in unusual circumstances where contact with parents at the beginning or end of the day will be required. On such occasions mobiles must be left for safe-keeping throughout the School day with the Palace Reception. Under no circumstances are mobile phones allowed to be brought into class or any School activity. Sixth Form students are allowed to carry their mobile phones with them, but must not use them in class. In an emergency, a telephone will always be provided by the Staff, at the Palace Reception or Longdon office. Boarders are allowed to have mobile phones at School, but the times at which they can be used are restricted. Sweets or Chocolate Pupils are discouraged from bringing sweets or chocolate into School unless special permission has been given for the following reasons:  To eat whilst travelling home on the School minibus. These snacks should not be eaten until the minibus has left the School premises.  To eat or share as a special treat, e.g. a birthday or as Christmas presents on the final day of term. The sweets should be handed to the Form Teacher at the beginning of the day who will distribute them at an appropriate time (morning break or after lunch). Parents should note that the School operates a nut-free policy, as several children are susceptible to allergic reactions to nuts. Games, Toys and Other Items Pupils should not bring any expensive or precious games, toys or mobile devices (e.g. iPods, MP3 players) to School. However, small inexpensive games (card games, marbles, etc) that may be played within the playground can be brought in providing that they are stored safely in bags, are named and are only used during morning or lunch breaks. Occasionally items may be brought in as props for drama, but pupils are advised not to bring in valuable or precious items and should take care to store everything safely.

School Uniform The uniform is available from www.schoolblazer.com. They have an exceptional customer service team who are happy to help parents with special requirements with regard to sizing (e.g. a longer kilt). All items of uniform should be named. The full uniform list is available on the School website. The Friends of LCS run a second hand uniform shop at the Longdon site on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8.30am to 9.15am.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 23 of 33 Communication with the School We welcome and actively encourage parental involvement with the School and to achieve this, regular communication is essential. Things to tell us We hope your child will be very happy at the School: the well-being of all pupils is extremely important to us. Please let us know if you think anything is concerning him/her, however trivial it may seem and whether the source is at School or at home. We will then be able to work with you to give the right kind of support and encouragement. It is important to let us know of any changes, large or small, in family circumstances, for instance: illness or bereavement; separation, divorce or remarriage; births or moving house. Do also let us know about things which might not seem worth mentioning, but which might still be unsettling – a pet’s illness, your change of job. If you or your child is worried, please talk to us as early as possible. Teachers at the School are very experienced at helping young children, and will, of course, discuss fully with you the best course of action to take. We may wish to encourage your child to deal with the situation independently, with quiet support from the Form Teacher, Head of School, Chaplain, Deputy Head or someone else, or we may wish to intervene in a more direct way. We regard the privacy of the children and their parents as extremely important. All information you give us is treated sensitively and we will discuss with you how widely to circulate it. We never release the addresses and telephone numbers of parents or staff without prior permission. LCS Post We are mindful of our responsibility to make the best use of the resources available to us and to minimise harmful impacts on the environment. To this end, we use forms of communication that are electronic (e.g. email) rather than paper-based. We use a system called LCS Post that was designed for schools to communicate with parents by email, text messaging and voicemail. However, the success of this system is dependent on you: 1. Providing us with accurate and up-to-date contact details for you and any other person regularly involved in the care of your children (e.g., grandparents, nanny). 2. Checking your email regularly and responding in a timely fashion where appropriate. We may still send certain documents to you in the post. The following sections detail some of the ways in which communication flows between you and the School: Communication with members of staff If you wish to talk to your child’s Form Teacher, please contact them via email or via the relevant Reception (either Longdon or Lichfield) to arrange an appointment. In addition, there is space in your child’s homework diary for you to write messages to the Form Teacher or subject teachers. If you would like to talk to any other member of staff, please contact the relevant Reception either by telephone or by email. Open Forums Open Forums are held regularly to discuss relevant matters with the Head Teacher and senior staff. They take place either in the Hall at Longdon or in the Old Library in the Palace at Lichfield – the dates are noted in the School calendar. You are welcome to come along and discuss anything. Letters and documents from the School You will receive letters, documents and reply slips from various members of the School, including the Head Teacher, your child’s Form Tutor, Heads of School, Heads of Department, the Director of Music and the Head of Sport and other people. As far as possible, these documents will be emailed to you, including those requiring your reply. If multiple messages are prepared and sent to you by different people on a given day, these messages are grouped together and you will receive one email at 5pm summarising the mails awaiting your attention in the LCS Post system. Simply click on the link contained in the email to open your LCS mailbox.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 24 of 33 School Calendar This is an important source of all information regarding the day to day activities of the School as well as providing other important information. Many activities take place in the evenings, such as concerts and drama performances. The calendar for the following term is issued to all parents at the end of the term. As well as a full list of activities for that term, the calendar includes:  A complete staff list  A timetable for the day  Contact details for the School  Term dates for the coming academic years  Contact details for the Friends of the Cathedral School (our parents’ association) Newsletters During term time, two Weekly Updates are published on a Friday – one for Pre-School and Juniors, the other for Middle and Seniors. The relevant Update is emailed to you in the form of a PDF document and are also placed on the School’s website. The Updates contain news about the School, achievements by individual pupils and teams, reviews of recent concerts, plays and events, match reports, poetry and artwork created by pupils and useful notices. In addition, there is a schedule for the following week which may contain recent changes (e.g. changes to sports matches). We welcome your contributions to the Updates, for example, information about your child’s achievements outside of School - please email [email protected] Website The School website is: www.lichfieldcathedralschool.com contains a range of information and documents that may be useful and parents can access the newsletter and termly calendar with username “parent” and password “stchad”.

The House System From Year 3 onwards, each pupil is a member of one of four Houses: Boswell (Blue), Darwin (Red), Garrick (Green) and Johnson (Yellow). The House system brings a vertical aspect to School life by encouraging interaction between older and younger pupils, which is vitally important for their social education. Older pupils develop leadership skills, while younger pupils gain immeasurably from their senior role models. The House system fosters a spirit of healthy competition both academically, through the House Point system, and in team games (football, boys’ and girls’ hockey, netball, athletics and swimming) as well as events such House Art and House Music competitions. Leaders and contributors are all expected to support each other and learn the value of teamwork. Competition demands the discipline to follow rules and conventions, at the same time as encouraging our pupils to win modestly and lose graciously. There are regular House Meetings. House points are awarded for hard work, good work, effort, helpfulness and courtesy. These are credited to an individual but each individual’s score contributes to the weekly, termly and yearly House totals. Minuses are given for poor behaviour, anti-social offences, persistent forgetfulness, etc., and when a minus is collected the pupil is seen by the Head Teacher or the Deputy Head. At the end of the academic year, final scores are calculated; the winning House receives a trophy and the highest individual scorers are awarded prizes in the final assembly.

Rewards and Discipline The Head Teacher has responsibility for maintaining discipline in the school, which will include making rules and provisions for enforcing them. The Head Teacher has drawn up and reviews periodically a positive and constructive set of School rules that will:  recognise the different approaches to discipline required by different year groups;  promote self-discipline and proper regard for authority among pupils;  encourage good behaviour and respect for others, and prevent all forms of bullying among pupils;  ensure pupils’ standards of behaviour are acceptable;  regulate pupils’ conduct. Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 25 of 33 The Head of the Junior School has responsibility on a day to day basis for the discipline of children in Years N - 4. Similarly with the Head of the Middle School for Years 5 – 8 and the Head of Years 9-11. The Housemother has responsibility outside School academic hours for the discipline of the boarders, but will work in conjunction with the Head of Middle School on disciplinary matters for boarders during the day. Form Teachers will be the first reference point for any minor disciplinary matters which a class/subject teacher wishes to pass on or pursue. House Tutors will, on a weekly basis, be concerned for the House Point system of rewards and punishments. Before and after School, and at weekends, discipline is the immediate responsibility of the member of staff on duty. All staff are expected to encourage good behaviour and respect for others, and to apply all rewards and sanctions fairly and consistently. Wherever possible, teachers use reward systems to encourage good behaviour and good attitudes to learning within their classroom and in all other areas of the School. The rewards used by the School are:  Verbal praise  House points, mentioned in assembly and mentioned in house meetings  Note in prep diary to parents  Memo to form teacher and/or tutor  Head Teacher’s Award (every Friday) in the Junior School  Gold Award for exceptionally good behaviour, effort or work in the Middle and Senior Schools  Award of a position of responsibility (Form/Vice Captain, Team Captains, House Captains, Computer Assistants, Chapel Stewards, Librarians, Prefects, Head Boy and Girl, etc.) The Pupil Discipline and Rewards Policy and Guidance can be found on the School website.

The Arts Music Given our long tradition of educating choristers, it is no surprise that music is our speciality. We have 20+ dedicated music teachers providing 300 music lessons per week on instruments that range from voice to violin, and from the electric guitar to the grand piano. We average 40 performances a year at the School and in professional venues around Lichfield. Boy Choristers We are proud of our status as a Cathedral School, and we enjoy working in close partnership with Lichfield Cathedral. The Boy Choristers sing (almost) daily in the Cathedral as part of the Cathedral Choir and they enjoy a national and international reputation, built on highly successful concerts, CD recordings, broadcasts and tours at home and abroad. The Boy Choristers board at the School and live particularly full and busy lives; consequently, they are often among the most committed and high achieving of pupils within the wider context of School life. All Boy Choristers benefit from generous scholarships from the Cathedral Chapter, which opens the doors to those for whom the advantages of an independent school education might not otherwise be possible. Boys audition in Year 2 or 3 with a view to becoming probationers (in training) for one year, before being installed as full choristers. There are 4 places available in each year group for boy choristers. The boys sing until the end of Year 8, or until their voices change, at which point they are encouraged (if appropriate) to join Cantorum (see below). From September 2016 all boy choristers will be day pupils. Girl Choristers Girl Choristers were installed in the Choral Foundation in September 2012, for the first time in its 800 year history. The Girl sing Choral Evensong weekly and take part in many other rewarding concerts, activities and events, including the hugely successful outreach programme MusicShare. Supported by their Patron, soprano Emma Kirkby OBE, and their Director, Cathy Lamb, the girl choristers benefit from scholarships from the Cathedral Chapter. Auditions are held for girls currently in Year 5 with a view to them starting as probationary choristers at the start of Year 6. Each year there are four places available in Year 6; there may be one or two places available in other year groups, but only in the highly unusual circumstance of a girl leaving the school (e.g. relocating abroad). The girl choristers are all day pupils. After a probationary/training period of usually one year, the girls are installed as full

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 26 of 33 choristers from Year 7 until the end of Year 10. From Year 11 onwards, former Girl Choristers are expected to join Cantorum (see below). Cantorum Cantorum is the full SATB (Soprano Alto Tenor and Bass) youth choir for talented, trained singers. Entry is by audition only and members benefit from a 10% scholarship. Cantorum was founded to provide former boy and girl choristers with continued musical training as they progress through the Senior School and Sixth Form and to prepare students for Choral Scholarships at university. Choirs, Orchestras and Ensembles The number and membership of our choirs and instrumental groups constantly changes in response to the interests of our pupils and students: Choirs: Junior Choir (Years 1-4) School Choir (Years 5-13) Harmonics (vocal harmony group) Barbershop (male) Cantorum (by audition only) The Palace Singers (staff, parents and friends of LCS – see below) Groups : Symphony Orchestra Jazz Fusion Longdon Ensemble (Years 1-4) Junior Strings Senior Strings Recorder Ensemble Junior Flute Group Senior Flute Group Brass Ensemble Saxtastic Percussion Ensemble

We offer individual music tuition from age 3 in all orchestral instruments, piano, singing and contemporary instruments, such as the electric guitar and drums. All lessons are held in specialist music rooms either at Longdon or in Dimble House at the Lichfield site with expert teachers and practitioners. We also offer the state-of-the-art music technology to support composition and musical recordings. Students are entered for ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall and Rockschool examinations. There are a wide range of opportunities to perform in front of an audience, whether in a school year group concert for parents or in a professional venue in support of a whole school musical or drama production. Students have performed at Symphony Hall, Birmingham; the LG Arena; Lichfield Cathedral; the Lichfield Garrick Theatre; Birmingham Town Hall and in theatres in Germany (Black Forest Tour, 2012). In 2016, we will be presenting two nights of La Belle Helene by Jacques Offenbach on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd July at the Rugeley Rose Theatre. The Palace Singers: Your Invitation to Join The Palace Singers is a choir made up of parents, staff and friends of LCS. They have performed a huge range of music at a variety of venues. We regularly sing at school services, concerts and other performances and often join with other choirs and music groups. We are a non-audition choir and welcome singers of all abilities and levels. For us, singing is an evening of relaxation and pleasure in a shared enterprise. We also hold social events throughout the year. We meet during term time on Wednesay evenings in the School Chapel from 7.30pm-9.00pm. Our annual fees are £25 - this is our music-buying fund. All voices are welcomed, with the usual pleas for more altos, tenors and basses. For further details, please call Ailsa on 07876 500991 or come along to our next practice on Wednesday evenings. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our love of singing.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 27 of 33 Drama Drama is about producing a learning environment where pupils can explore the world and their relationship to it, develop their self-awareness and understand others through fictional contexts. Pupils are encouraged to develop on a social, moral, linguistic and creative level. The majority of this work is carried out in lessons, where drama is used as a learning medium and the work is part of an on-going experience not intended for public display. Drama is embedded in the curriculum and creates an environment in which pupils can push personal boundaries and channel their creative energies. Some of the work involves developing stagecraft skills so that drama materials can be polished, rehearsed and presented to a larger formal audience. Younger year groups stage at least one production per year either in the hall (both sites) or in the Drama Studio at the Lichfield site. We have a strong relationship with the Lichfield Garrick Theatre both as a performance space (using either the 130 seat Studio Theatre or the 480 seat Main Stage) and as an extremely valuable resource for GCSE Drama and A Level Theatre Studies. Students also have the privilege of performing in professional venues across the county. The annual large scale, whole school play/musical is performed at theatres such as the Lichfield Garrick Theatre or the Rugeley Rose Theatre. Other productions take place in the Great Hall, Cathedral House and the Cathedral. Art and Design Pupils are taught to express and record personal ideas by developing skills in using two and three dimensional materials. They learn how to investigate possibilities through observation, analysis and experimentation. Pupils learn how to understand the world of art, craft and design and relate it to their own work. Pupils are taught a co- ordinated approach to aesthetics and artistic creation. Whether working with pencil and paint, ceramics, textiles or mixed media, pupils are taught the skills required to achieve pleasing results in the expression of their creative talents. Educational visits are undertaken to art galleries and museums, as well as making use of progressive technologies, such as 3D printers and laser cutters, at creative hubs. We host an annual Art Exhibition in the Great Hall, usually in May, to display the work of GCSE and A Level art and design and product design students, alongside the work of younger pupils and the art club.

Sport We see the teaching of skills in a wide variety of sports as an essential foundation for pupils’ long term development of a healthy lifestyle. Outdoor activity leads to a refreshed and active brain, ready for academic work. Therefore, we combine a ‘sport for all’ philosophy with the promotion and pursuit of excellence. Through sport, our pupils learn about teamwork, reliability and commitment. Inter-House and inter-school matches provide experience of success and defeat, joy and disappointment. Mature young people need to be able to cope with all of these with both generosity and grace. We are proud of our record of sporting achievement and even count Olympians among our former pupils. Several of our pupils are members of county, regional and national teams. Boys take part in rugby, cricket and football; girls play hockey, netball and rounders. Everyone has the opportunity to get involved in swimming, cross-country, athletics, martial arts and many other sports. In order to provide the best possible professional-level equipment and facilities, we have established good relationships with Lichfield Cricket & Hockey Club and Lichfield Rugby Club, where we make regular use of their professional standard facilities. We hold an annual Sports Day appropriate to each year group. Our own extensive playing fields, set next to Stowe Pool in the heart of Lichfield and surrounding the Longdon site, provide a beautiful location for cricket, rugby, rounders, netball and athletics. With a busy fixture list and close links with the local sporting community, there are plenty of opportunities to become involved.

Educational Visits Outside the School Parents’ consent is requested for all events that take the children out of School. Some of these are charged as extras, particularly where there is a cost for admission to the event. In order to reduce the time spent on administration both at School and at home, parents will receive a consent form for each child at the beginning of each year. Parents will continue to be informed about the cost of each trip and will be asked to contact the School in

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 28 of 33 writing only if they wish to withhold consent for any individual outing. When an outing is arranged after the Calendar has gone to print, individual permission will be sought from parents. All trips are conducted with the utmost care for the safety of the children. Risk assessments are carried out on every individual trip, excluding visits for games matches to other schools which the organising member of staff has visited before with teams.

Collective Worship Lichfield Cathedral School is a co-educational, inclusive, creative, vibrant educational community that values understanding, respect and empathy in young people. Pupils, staff and parents of all faiths are welcome. Our School is a faith community that celebrates religious, cultural and ethnic diversity and encourages dialogue and understanding. As an integrated School we believe that we can all learn from each other. We believe that Collective Worship is an educational entitlement for all. In worship we explore what God is doing in each of our lives, and what he is saying to us in the communities in which we live. In regular acts of formal worship in the School Chapel and Cathedral we have the opportunity of offering up to God all that he has done and giving thanks in the Eucharist. Our acts of Collective Worship are in accordance with the religious character of our Christian foundation. For more information, please read the Collective Worship Policy on our website. The Right to Withdraw? The right of withdrawal was established in the Education Act 1944, re-enacted in the Education Reform Act 1988. Whilst Lichfield Cathedral School is an Independent School, it is worthy to note that parents have a right to withdraw their children from Collective Worship in State schools. Whilst parents do not have to give a reason for such requests of withdrawal it should be noted that during the School’s admission process it will be made clear to parents that the Christian ethos of the School is viewed as being of the utmost importance and that Collective Worship, in all its variety and inclusivity, is an essential part of School life. If a parent asks for their child to be wholly or partly excused from attending Collective Worship at Lichfield Cathedral School, the Chaplain will guide such parents on how to make their wishes known to the Headmaster and Governors. It would be most unusual for such a request to be honoured, given that such acts of Collective Worship are seen to be a vital part of School life. Should the Governors consider any requests for withdrawal to be honoured, then the School remains responsible for the supervision of any pupil withdrawn from Collective Worship. In 2010 the School will be admitting children into the Sixth Form for the first time. At this age pupils have the legal right to determine for themselves whether they participate in Collective Worship, but membership of the School requires each pupil to recognise and value the ethos of the School and, therefore, it will be expected that all Sixth Formers attend all assemblies and acts of Collective Worship as appropriate. If any parents object to their Year 12 or Year 13 child attending assemblies or acts of Collective Worship, then the procedure outlined above will be followed at the Governors’ discretion.

Parental Involvement with the School The Friends of Lichfield Cathedral School (parents’ association) All parents are automatically members of the Friends of LCS and receive regular information about their activities. The Annual General Meeting is held early in the Michaelmas Term and you are cordially invited to attend and express your views at the AGM or any of the regular meetings held throughout the School year (details can be found in the School calendar). The Friends form a valuable link between parents and the School, and provides an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest. One of the important roles is to raise money for the School for purchase of equipment, etc., and such contributions have added much to the enhancement of the children’s environment. Social functions are organised throughout the year (e.g. Christmas Fayre, Family Disco, film nights) and the major event is the Festival Weekend, including the Summer Ball, held in Trinity Term. We very much hope that you will give your fullest support to their activities. The aim of the Friends is to enrich the life of the School and those who are associated with it. If you would like to know more or get involved, please contact: Chair: Lisa Sim – [email protected] Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 29 of 33 Functions, Events and Sports Matches Parents are warmly invited to support a wide range of school events, functions and activities, including concerts, plays, Chapel Services, Sports Days, Speech Day, special services in the Cathedral, etc. This includes School matches, both at home and away: we very much welcome the encouragement which parents’ support brings to our teams. Refreshments are provided and a very warm welcome is extended. Parents’ Guide to Representative matches: 1. Selection of teams – this is carried out by the member of staff who runs the team. Once the teams are chosen the names are written on the team sheet and displayed on School Notice Boards having been published at least 48 hours before a match. Naturally, most pupils are excited at the prospect of representing the School and feel proud and honoured to have been chosen. Nevertheless, it is important to stress that being chosen for the School team is a School commitment from which pupils are released neither lightly nor at short notice. When pupils are asked to take on the task of touch judge, scorer or team substitute, the same commitment applies. It is the pupil’s responsibility to inform their parents that they are in the teams and the anticipated time of collection. 2. Kit – LCS teams always play in official School kit. Pupils playing for the School at whatever level are expected to arrive with a clean kit so that they look smart, both on and off the field. 3. Travel arrangements – Pupils travel to away matches on either hired coaches or the School minibus. Supporting parents make their own way to the game. Instructions are available to guide parents to away match locations. If you need this assistance, please ask your child to collect the information from the Team Coach. It can also be obtained from the School Office or via our website.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 30 of 33 Section 4: The Safety and Welfare of Your Child

Health and Safety The Bursar is the School’s Health and Safety Officer and Fire Officer. The Health and Safety Committee meets approximately once per month to review all policies and procedures, including the results of any risk assessments undertaken as a result of any incident/accident or planned activity. In addition, all staff are given the opportunity to contribute any concerns for Health and Safety matters. Parents with any concern may write to the Bursar at any time. If the matter is urgent it will be dealt with immediately by the Bursar in consultation with the Head Teacher; if less urgent it will be submitted to the Health and Safety Committee. Our comprehensive Health and Safety Policy may be viewed by parents on request. Our duty of care to your children extends beyond the limits of a rigid enforcement of health & safety and we encourage children, within a safe environment, to experiment and learn to assess the sorts of calculated risks they will encounter in the wider world.

Pastoral Care Pastoral care is so important because only happy pupils will flourish. Our excellent teaching and support staff work hard to develop their most powerful resource: a strong rapport with the children. This is done both formally through our strongly established system of Form Tutors and Heads of School, and informally through the School Chaplain, the Housemothers, the School Nurse and the positive relationships our pupils are encouraged to build with all adults in the School. It is a complex web, but it has a shape that everyone understands and is the basis of the personal development of each child in our care. Each Form has a member of staff who is pastorally responsible for the pupils in that Form. The Form/Class Teacher is there to keep an eye on the general well-being of your child, to promote a positive atmosphere within the Form, and to deal with any organisational, emotional, educational or behavioural problems that may arise. If there is any problem that you wish to discuss about your son/daughter, the Form Teacher will be the first person to whom you turn. For the first few weeks of a new child’s first term, he/she will be looked after by a child of similar age who has already completed a year or two here. It is the ‘shadow’s’ job to ensure that the new child knows exactly what to do and where to be. In many cases, the ‘shadow’ and the new child become close friends throughout their time at School. There are also many other members of the School community who will be interested in your child’s general welfare. All members of staff are ready to assist where needed; the Housemothers have particular responsibility for the boarders; and the Head Teacher will always consider a matter pertaining to the happiness of your child to be a priority. Perhaps most important, however, are the children themselves; they look after one another, and the senior children are encouraged to offer help and let the staff know if they see a younger child that is troubled. Our twice-weekly staff meetings ensure that any problems that do arise are brought to everyone’s attention as soon as is sensible, and the problem can be ‘nipped in the bud’. Happily, such occasions are rare, but rest-assured that a system is in place to help out where help is needed.

Health and Wellbeing Medical Care A School Nurse (fully qualified Registered Nurse) is on duty each day at the Palace; trained First Aiders are on duty at both sites. The Nurse and First Aiders provide care for illnesses or accidents, while the School Nurse maintains medical records. Any child who requires medical assessment or attention will be seen either by the Nurse, a Housemother or a First Aider. If we are concerned in any way about the health of your child, we will contact you by phone. All children who attend the School are offered a School medical. Parents are invited to attend the medical and as such it provides an opportunity to discuss any other health related issues that may be off concern. All boarders must have medicals. The medical is carried out by the School Nurse. Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 31 of 33 All new parents of children attending the School are required to complete a medical form giving details of their child’s medical history, allergies and immunisations. These records are kept by the School nurse and certain information is entered in the School’s data base system, which is subject to restricted access. The Catering staff are informed and keep a record of all children with specific food allergies. Day children  Every care is taken that children are kept safe and well.  No medicines are given to day children without written consent being given by the parents, unless parents cannot be contacted.  If parents cannot be contacted, then medication may be given at the School Nurse’s discretion, and a note sent home.  Children will be sent home if the School Nurse considers that they are unfit to remain at School.  In the case of an accident requiring urgent medical attention, the School Nurse or a First Aider will decide on the immediate course of action, including calling an ambulance if necessary. (All accidents and incidents are recorded, and the Health and Safety Officer, the Bursar, informed. If necessary a risk assessment is conducted in order to establish new procedures.) Boarders’ Health  Most boarders are registered with the School Doctor, unless they are already registered with a local doctor, who understands that the children are resident at School.  All regular medicines are listed and dispensed by the School Nurse or Housemother.  Children are taken to the doctor as necessary without prior consent from parents.  Other minor ailments are dealt with by the School Nurse or Housemother.  The School Nurse or the Housemother informs parents of any illness other than minor ailments. Prescribed medicines for day children  It is hoped that these will be dispensed at home whenever possible. If a pupil needs a dose during school hours, the School Nurse at Lichfield or the Head’s PA at Longdon will keep and dispense the medicine.  All medicines are kept in a locked cupboard in the PA’s office at Longdon or in the Nurse’s office at Lichfield.  Some children who suffer from asthma may need to carry an inhaler with them for emergency purposes.  Children with severe allergies who need access to Epipens are clearly identified and staff are informed of their potential need. Staff are trained in the use of Epipens and the School Nurse is qualified to train School staff in the use of such equipment. Head injuries No medication is given to pupils who have sustained a head injury. They are carefully observed with action taken if necessary, and a note will be sent home to parents. If necessary, parents will be contacted immediately. Pupils with special medical needs An individual policy will be drawn up, agreed to and signed by the parents and the school, so that in the event of any incident the appropriate action may be taken immediately. If your child requires to be given any medication during the school day, it should be given to either the Head’s PA at the Junior School or the School Nurse, along with a letter of permission, detailing exact dosage and time it should be given. Please note that no child is allowed to self administer any medicine except for their inhaler. You should update our medical records, held by the School Nurse in the event of any changes to the medical history of your child. An extra inhaler should be sent into the Form Teacher as appropriate. School Meals The catering is provided by Brookwood. We provide lunch for all pupils which includes a selection of hot and cold foods. If your child has any dietary requirements, please ensure that we have notification of these so that we can tailor the meal to your child’s circumstances. We ensure as far as possible that our meals are healthy and offer a balanced diet. Staff on duty ensure that your child is making a healthy choice. We will contact you if we have any concerns. We promote healthy eating while remaining a NUT FREE ZONE.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 32 of 33 Section 5: Policies and Other Useful Information

There are a range of policies and handbooks available for parents accessible via our website: www.lichfieldcathedralschool.com Simply use the following information to log into the website and go to the Documents section: Username: parent Password: stchad

Parent Policies LCS Safeguarding (child protection) Policy and Guidance LCS Admissions Policy LCS Attendance Policy LCS PSHE Policy LCS Homework Policy LCS Educational Visits Policy LCS Policy on the Safe Use of Children’s Photographs LCS Assessment and Reporting Policy LCS Pupil Discipline Policy and Guidance LCS Anti-Bullying Policy LCS First Aid and Health Policy LCS Sex and Relationships Policy LCS Consumption of Alcohol and Tobacco Policy LCS Illegal Substances Policy LCS Exclusions Policy LCS Data Protection Policy LCS School Rules

Parent Handbooks LCS Parent Handbook (this document) LCS Boarding Handbook (for parents of boarders)

Other documents LCS Uniform List and School Rules 2015-2016 Programme of Study

Online Calendar The online version of the school calendar contains links to venues for away matches and provides the most up-to- date information available. Please check this regularly to see changes that have been made since the termly calendar was printed.

Lichfield Cathedral School Parent Handbook 2015-2016 Page 33 of 33