Parents' Handbook
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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