Kings Monkton School

Parent Handbook Secondary School

Independence, Inclusion, Industry, Innovation, Inspiration General Information

Acting Principal Julia Horton

School Address 6 West Grove Cardiff CF24 3XL School Telephone 02920 482 854 School Fax 02920 490 484 School Email [email protected] School Website www.kingsmonkton.org.uk Facebook Kings Monkton Twitter @kings_monkton

The school is part of Heathfield Independent Schools.

Mission Statement

‘At Kings Monkton we are committed to giving young people an education that will equip them for life in a changing world, set within the firm foundations of an inclusive and supportive community’

Aims  To provide each pupil with the greatest possible individual attention in a school small enough to provide a caring, inclusive community  To enable each pupil to achieve the highest and most appropriate academic qualifications and skills of which he or she is capable.  To ensure that each pupil has the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team  To develop the self-image and self-confidence of a pupil by finding something at which he or she can excel  To give each pupil an awareness of the modern world and the opportunity, knowledge and experience to develop their own spiritual understanding  To ensure that all pupils gain a rich and deep understanding of, and involvement in their local community, culture and heritage

 To provide an excellent education at an affordable and competitive cost thereby making the benefits of a Kings Monkton education accessible to the widest possible community.

 To work in partnership with parents in order to achieve our aims.

Absence Notification For a pre-arranged absence (e.g. medical appointment) please inform the school beforehand, by letter addressed to the office. If your child will be absent from the school due to illness then please telephone the school on the first and each subsequent morning or an absence before registration at 8.45 am.

On returning to school following an absence, please send a letter, addressed to the office, confirming the dates and reason for absence.

After School Club The provision of out of school care at Kings Monkton School offers a facility where boys and girls from the ages of 2-14 are looked after in a safe, relaxing and stimulating environment. The purpose of this facility for out of school care is to meet the needs of those families where both parents/ guardians are working and would find it difficult to drop off or collect their children at normal school times. The Out of School Care provision at Kings Monkton School is registered with the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales.

The school offers out of school care to children of different age groups during the following hours and in the following locations on the school premises:

8.00 a.m. – 8.30 a.m. Before school supervision (5 – 11 years old) School Dining-Room 3.30 p.m. – 6.00pm. After School Club (5-11years old) School Dining Room After School Club (11-14years old) School Computer Room

Before school supervision is free, however our After School Club is charged as follows and is invoiced from the school office:

Individual £1.75 per half hour With siblings £1.25 per half hour

Places do not have to be booked in advance, although we do ask parents to let us know if they will be using this service regularly so that appropriate staffing can be arranged.

Fees (2012/13) School Fees may be paid termly or monthly (over 12 months) by standing order through the bank.

Senior (Year 7 – Year 13) £2,819 per term (£704.75 per month x 12)

The Following sibling discounts apply in the senior school:

£70 discount for the second child £210 discount for the third child £280 discount for the fourth child

Scholarships, worth up to 50% of fees, are available at 7+, 11+, and 16+. Scholarships are based on the school’s scholarship examination which is normally held in the last week of January or the first week in February.

GCSE Courses (Years 10 – 11) In year 10 students are asked to make subject choices for GCSE. These are made with guidance from both staff and parents to ensure that each student is confident working towards these exams. Currently the course can be outlined as follows although this is subject to change year on year:

Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Science*, Games, PSHE

*Science is offered in 2 options. Either:

a) Chemistry, Biology, Physics or ICT; or b) Science, Additional Science (2 GCSEs) and ICT

Optional Subjects: Students can choose from the following options:

 French  Art  Music  Sports Science  Geography  Design Tech  History

Holiday Requests The school will judge each holiday request individually, taking into consideration:

 the time of year for the proposed trip  if it is close to any exam dates  your child's overall attendance record  any holidays already taken in the school year  the age and stage of education of your child  the ability of your child to catch up the work that they have missed  the reason why you are taking the time off during term time

There is a strong statistical link between attendance and attainment; pupils with high attendance levels tend to have high levels of attainment but those with low attendance levels tend to have low attainment levels. There is strong evidence that every 10% drop in attendance equates to a drop of one grade at GCSE or A- level.

Student’s attendance records are passed on through all their schools and to prospective employers/colleges. In addition, the school is held accountable for its attendance figures by the Governing Body, CfBT, Estyn inspectors and annual census figures are published to the Welsh Assembly.

Holidays in Term Time It is important to realise that time off school for family holidays is not a right. There is however a discretionary power to allow leave of absence for up to 10 days in any academic year (September to the following July) for the purpose of annual family holidays, provided there are special circumstances pertaining to such requests. Most applications for holidays during term time are likely to be refused. After considering previous attendance records and with regard to a student’s particular stage of study, Kings Monkton School may agree to authorise “holiday leave” in special circumstances such as:

a. for service personnel and other employees who are prevented from taking holidays outside term-time if the holiday will have minimal disruption to the pupil’s education; and

b. when a family needs to spend time together to support each other during or after a crisis.

Holidays should not be taken in term time for the following reasons, and these are likely not to be authorised by the school:

• Availability of cheap holidays; • Availability of the desired accommodation; • Poor weather experienced in school holiday periods; and • Overlap with beginning or end of term.

Kings Monkton terms are 177 days long as compared with 190 days in the maintained sector. The extra days of holiday mean we can extend holidays at Easter, Christmas and summer. This should give all families plenty of opportunity to arrange family holidays that does not disrupt their child’s education.

Instrumental Tuition We currently offer a wide range of instrumental tuition for piano, keyboard, brass, woodwind, strings and percussion either on an individual or small group basis with the County Music Service, and Guitar and Voice lessons with Cardiff & Vale Music Services. Lessons take place during the school day but every effort is made to accommodate senior pupils outside of lesson times.

With the County Music Service, where appropriate, groups will be established at the start of each term and parents will be invoiced once the size of the group is known. Parents are always free to opt for individual lessons according to the availability of the tutors. Lessons are 30 minutes long and tutors will be able to advise on hire or purchase of an instrument. The County music service is able to supply musical instruments for purchase at a substantial discount. The scale of charges is as follows:

Individual: £16.25 per lesson Group of 2 £8.50 per lesson Group of 3 £5.50 per lesson

Fees are payable termly and are invoiced by the school. If you wish to cancel instrumental tuition then a terms notice is required in writing, otherwise you will be liable for the full terms fees.

Guitar and Voice tuition is provided by Cardiff and Vale Music Service (CAVMS). This is invoiced directly from CAVMS and a separate leaflet detailing services and costs will be sent to you on application. The scale of charges is similar to County Music Service.

KS3 Curriculum (Years 7-9) The secondary school offers a broad and well balanced curriculum to all of its pupils. All of the following subjects are pursued until the end of year 9, at which stage pupils are offered guidance on the choices available at GCSE (see section on GCSE Courses): English Mathematics French History Geography Biology Art Physics Technology Chemistry Computer Studies French Music PE RE PSHE

Minibus Service We currently have 3 minibus routes available which serve a large area of Cardiff and the surrounds. These are flexible any may be subject to change to accommodate pupils. Prices for minibus use are currently £18 per week, payable on invoice, and parents are asked to complete the enclosed minibus request form in order to book this service.

Lunch Vouchers We introduced lunch vouchers some time ago as a way of paying for school meals without pupils having to carry cash. The vouchers are available in books of 20 costing £52.00 per book and can only be exchanged for a main meal (hot or cold) so that you can be sure they are having a balanced meal. The daily hot option will be one of the dishes of the day, followed by dessert or fruit and juice. The cold option will be a baguette/sandwich, piece of fruit or dessert and juice. Weekly menus are sent out by Parentmail and are available throughout the school.

Lunch voucher books are perforated and numbered with a counterfoil to enable each book to be traceable to the purchaser. They are not printed with a date so carry forward from term to term and are always valid. Books of vouchers are available from the school office and can be paid for by cash, cheque or credit card.

ParentMail2 As part of the school commitment to being Green, we try to deliver the majority of school news and correspondence by email, including a weekly newsletter from the office. We use a system called Parentmail and parents can register free for this service by logging on to www.parentmail2.co.uk and following the prompts. The only information required is your name and email address. The service is secure and none of your details are passed to others.

School Policies All of our school policies are available for you to browse on our school website. Hard copies are also available from the school office. The current list of policies available is:

Admissions policy Health and safety policy Assemblies and Collective Worship KMS business continuity plan Policy 2009 KMS educational visits policy Attendance policy KMS pandemic flu policy Child protection policy Library policy Complaints policy Medical needs policy Curriculum policy Minibus policy Data protection policy Mobile phone policy Disability inclusion policy More able and talented policy Disabled accessibility access plan Pastoral Policy 2009 2009-2012 Photographic policy Disaster policy Planning Policy 2009 Education for ethnic diversity policy Primary and secondary school liaison Equal opportunities policy transition Fire safety plan Primary assessment recording First aid policy reporting policy Health and safety management Primary discipline and anti-bullying system policy Primary homework policy Secondary homework policy Primary school rules Secondary pastoral care policy Record keeping policy Secondary school rules Scholarships policy Sex education policy Secondary policy Snow Policy Secondary assemblies’ policy Special needs policy Secondary discipline and anti- Teaching policy bullying policy

Details of the number of formal complaints registered during the past 12 months (if any) are also available from the school office.

School Rules The following is a list of school rules which we expect all students to know and adhere to. 1. Pupils should behave in a manner which is considerate of others well- being, safety and comfort 2. Pupils must be polite and courteous at all times 3. Correct school uniform must be worn at all times. The regulation school blazer should be worn to and from school including the final public examination period in Year 11. All pupils should have the correct sportswear. Please note that this also applies in the pupil’s final year of school 4. Pupils must arrive punctually for the start of school and for the beginning of lessons 5. Pupils must not leave the premises during school hours 6. No outlandish hairstyles (dyed hair, highlights or tram lines are not acceptable). The Principal will decide what constitutes an acceptable style and he should be consulted if there is any doubt about the suitability of a proposed hairstyle 7. No make-up, nail varnish or false nails. No piercings or tattoos. No aerosol sprays 8. No chewing. Chewing gum must not brought to school 9. No smoking in school or at any time while wearing school uniform or when representing the school 10. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted in school or at any time while wearing school uniform or representing the school. No alcoholic drinks are to be brought on site unless sanctioned by the school for a school event. Pupils must not return to school having clearly consumed alcohol elsewhere. 11. Music players of any description must not be brought to school 12. Pupils should keep money with them at all times. Large sums of money should not be brought to school. In exceptional circumstances money should be deposited with the office for safekeeping. 13. No items should be brought into school for the purpose of buying and selling 14. Pupils must not deface property, including school buildings, furniture and books 15. Pupils must not enter laboratories /Technology Workshop rooms during the lunch time or break-times without permission from a teacher 16. No jewellery, including earrings. Items which are worn contrary to school rules will be confiscated for an appropriate period of time. The school will not take responsibility for items which are worn contrary to school rules 17. Textbooks are on loan from the school and pupils must take responsibility for them. Losses will be charged to the pupil / parent 18. Homework should be submitted punctually 19. A homework diary, recording assignment details and submission dates, should be kept by each pupil 20. Pupils are not allowed to bring mobile phones into school unless a genuine case for possession has been made by the parent / guardian and the approval of the Principal given. Mobile phones must be switched off during the school day. Mobile phones should not be used to take pictures on the school premises except by permission of the Principal. If pupils abuse the use of a mobile phone in school they will forfeit the right to have them in their possession. 21. Pupils should not carry sharp implements on them. This includes penknives, craft knives and scissors. Any pupil found in possession of such an implement, other than for use in the classroom, will be liable to immediate suspension / expulsion dependent upon the circumstances 22. Any pupil found guilty in the possession and/or supply of drugs or other harmful substances will be severely punished. The school has a policy of zero tolerance in this area and reserves the right to expel a pupil in such circumstances

Term Dates SPRING TERM 2013 Staff Days Thursday/Friday 3rd/4th January 2013 Term Begins Monday 7th January 2013 Half Term Monday to Friday 11th – 15th Feb 2013 Term Ends Friday 22nd March 2013

SUMMER TERM 2013 Staff Day Friday 12th April 2013 Term Begins Monday 15th April 2013 May Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2013 Half Term Monday to Friday 27th – 31st May 2013 Term Ends Friday 12th July 2013

AUTUMN TERM 2013 Staff Days Monday/Tuesday 2nd/3rd September 2013 Term Begins Wednesday 4th September 2013 Half Term Monday to Friday 28th Oct – 1st Nov 2013 Term Ends Friday 13th December 2013

SPRING TERM 2014 Staff Days Monday/Tuesday 6th/7th January 2014 Term Begins Wednesday 8th January 2014 Half Term Monday to Friday 24h – 28th February 2014 Term Ends Friday 4th April 2014

SUMMER TERM 201 Staff Day Friday 25th April 2014 Term Begins Monday 28th April 2014 May Day Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2014 Half Term Monday to Friday 26th – 30th May 2014 Term Ends Friday 15th July 2014 Uniform Trampolining Shoes* Please note that all Uniform must be purchased from the school shop unless marked with an asterisk (*)

Senior Boys Senior Girls Blazer Blazer White shirt*(Autumn/Spring) School blouse White short sleeved shirt* Grey skirt (Summer) Black tights*(Autumn/Spring) School tie School jumper (Autumn/Spring) Grey trousers* Black shoes* (plain & no heels) Grey socks* Black/navy coat* School jumper (Autumn/Spring) Bag* Black shoes* White Socks* (Summer) Black/navy coat* School t-shirt* Bag* School fleece School t-shirt School track pants White shorts Trainers* School rugby shirt White ankle socks* School rugby socks Netball skirt Black shorts Cycle shorts White ankle socks* Trainers* Primary Girls School fleece Blazer School track pants School blouse Studded rugby boots* (Years 5-13) School pinafore dress (Foundation – year 2) Primary Boys Grey skirt (Years 3 -6) Blazer Summer Dress White shirt*(Autumn/Spring) Black tights*(Autumn/Spring) White short sleeved shirt* School jumper (Autumn/Spring) (Summer) Black shoes* (plain & no heels) School tie Black/navy coat* Grey trousers* Bag* Grey/black socks* White Socks* (Summer) School jumper (Autumn/Spring) School t-shirt* Black shoes* School fleece Black/navy coat* School track pants Bag* Trainers/plimsolls* School t-shirt White ankle socks* White shorts Netball skirt Black shorts (Years 3 -6) Cycle shorts School rugby shirt (Years 3 -6) White shorts School rugby socks (Years 3 -6) School baseball cap White ankle socks* School swimsuit Trainers/plimsolls* Swimming cap* School fleece School gym bag (Foundation – year School track pants 2) Studded rugby boots* (Years 5-6) School kit bag (Years 3-6) School baseball cap Towel* School swimming trunks Swimming Goggles* School gym bag (Foundation – year Trampolining Shoes* 2) Hair Bands/scrunchies (black/school School kit bag (Years 3-6) colours)* Towel* Swimming Goggles* Uniform Price List 26 19.00 28 20.00 BLAZERS 30 21.00 Size 0 (22) 41.00 32 22.00 2 (24) 42.00 34 25.50 4 (26) 42.50 36 27.50 6 (28) 43.50 38 29.00 8 (30) 44.00 40 30.50 10 (32) 44.50 12 (34) 50.00 NURSERY 14 (36) 50.50 POLO SHIRT 10.00 16 (38) 51.00 SWEAT CARDIGAN 13.50 18 (40) 53.00 20 (42) 53.00 BAGS 22 (44) 55.00 Book Bag 6.00 24 (46) 55.00 Gym Bag 6.00 26 (48) 57.50 Backpack 11.00 Black Holdalls 11.00 BLOUSES Sizes 20 15.50 NETBALL SKIRTS 14.50 22 16.50 CYCLE SHORTS 10.00 24 17.50 26 19.00 BLACK RUGBY SHORTS 28 20.00 All sizes 12.00 30 21.00 32 22.00 RUGBY SHIRTS 34 23.50 Size 26/30 15.00 36 24.50 32/38 18.00 38 24.50 40/44 20.00 40 24.50 42 24.50 RUGBY SOCKS 7.50

SKIRTS – SENIOR FLEECES Size Waist Length Small 19.50 22 22 20.00 Med/Large/Xlarge 22.00 22 24 20.00 24 24 21.00 TRACK PANTS 24 26 21.00 Junior/Senior 18.50 26 24 21.00 26 26 21.00 T-SHIRTS 28 26 23.50 Size 26 & 28 8.50 28 28 25.00 30 & 32 9.00 30 28 25.50 34 & 36 9.50 32 28 25.50 38 & 40 10.00 42+ 11.00 SKIRTS - JUNIOR Size Up to waist 24 14.50 SHORTS – WHITE 8.00 Waist 26 upwards 18.00 SWIMWEAR PINAFORE DRESSES – INFANTS Girls All Sizes 15.00 All sizes 14.50 Boys All Sizes 13.50

TIES Infant (elasticated) 4.50 Junior 5.50 Senior 5.50 JUMPERS Size 24 18.00 BASEBALL CAPS (early years) 5.00