Reading Blue Coat School Parents’ Information Booklet 2017-2018

WELCOME

Dear Parents

I am delighted that your sons will be starting their Blue Coat journey this September.

Starting at a new school is exciting and I hope this booklet will serve as a useful guide. Whilst there is a great deal of information to absorb, please rest assured that things will fall into place as your son navigates his first few days at the School.

If you have any questions or concerns before the Autumn Term, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our Admissions office will be open through the summer and the staff are always happy to help.

It is my experience that a close and active partnership between the School and parents is essential in order to ensure the pupils thrive. Blue Coat is a busy and purposeful place, and we enjoy welcoming parents to events such as sports fixtures, drama performances and concerts. I hope to see you at some of these events in the coming terms, and I wish your son every success at Reading Blue Coat School.

Jesse Elzinga Headmaster CONTENTS

Our Aims and Ethos...... 5

Looking after your Son...... 6

Who’s Who...... 7

Communication...... 9

Some Useful Contacts...... 12

Getting to School...... 13

Getting Ready...... 15

Starting...... 16

Up and Running...... 17

Learning...... 20

Sport...... 21

Music and Music Tuition and LAMDA...... 22

Medical Department Information...... 24

Clubs and Activities...... 26

Parents’ Association...... 27

Prayer Group...... 27

...and finally, a Letter from the Director of the Lower School...... 29

Appendix 1: Term and Holiday Dates 2017 - 2018...... 32

Appendix 2: Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2017 - 2018...... 34

Appendix 3: School Uniform...... 36

Appendix 4: School Coach and Public Bus Information ...... 38

We realise that there is a lot of information packed into this booklet, so - rather than stressing about reading and digesting each and every piece of information immediately - why not just dip in when you need it? OUR AIMS AND ETHOS

Aims

• To foster a stimulating, friendly and supportive atmosphere that enables personal growth and social development, and to provide a nurturing environment in which all our pupils feel valued and cared for;

• To encourage in every pupil the development of self discipline, responsibility, spiritual awareness and a personal moral code within a Christian framework, leading to the highest possible standards of behaviour, consideration for others and a pride in him or herself and the School;

• To encourage the growth of intellectual curiosity, creativity and the habits of learning, in order to help each and every pupil achieve his or her potential;

• To provide a well-qualified staff of varied talents and strong commitment, who will enable our pupils to thrive and enjoy their education;

• To pursue active and open collaboration with parents;

• To promote an awareness of the world outside school and a sense of service to the local and wider community;

• To prepare pupils for life after school, in particular promoting an awareness of higher education and career possibilities;

• To offer a wide range of co-curricular activities through which pupils can develop their social, sporting, cultural and intellectual abilities.

Ethos

• This School is founded on mutual respect, tolerance and courtesy. We expect all members of our community to show consideration for others at all times;

• We relish our opportunities to develop our intellectual, sporting and cultural abilities and make the most of our time both in and out of the classroom;

• There is no place for apathy and cynicism in our community. We will make the most of our abilities at all times and encourage others to do the same;

• We are an open and friendly community. We welcome guests and display politeness and consideration in all our dealings with them;

• We are proud of our fellow pupils and the School as a whole and consequently take pride in our collective achievements;

• We recognise our place in the local and wider community to do our best to develop our links with them;

• We show care, consideration and courtesy in all that we do.

5 LOOKING AFTER YOUR SON

Houses, Tutors and Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is hugely important to us at Blue Coat. On joining the School, your son will become a member of one of our four Houses: Aldworth: Malthus: Hall: Rich: Green Blue Yellow Red

Your son’s school tie will include the appropriate colour stripe.

Houses are an important focus for boys in the School and provide the framework for many sporting and cultural competitions and lots of other important activities.

Your son will also join a tutor group within the House. His tutor is responsible for his pastoral care and for supervising his progress in academic work, sport and activities throughout his time in the School. As we operate a vertical tutor group system at Blue Coat, your son will remain in the same tutor group for Year 7 and Year 8. For those joining us in Year 9, your son will join a Middle School tutor group and will remain with that tutor group until the beginning of Sixth Form. Students in the Sixth Form retain the same tutor for two years.

Tutors see their tutees twice a day, once in the morning and once after lunch for afternoon registration before lessons get underway. Your son’s tutor will write to him during the Summer term to introduce him or herself. The Year 7 pupils will meet their tutors at the Induction Evening on Thursday 15th June and new Year 9 pupils will meet their tutors at their Induction day on Tuesday 13th June.

Please try to attend the Year 7 Reception Evening for Parents and Tutors on Monday 25th September or Year 9 Reception Evening on Tuesday 19th September. This will be an opportunity for you to meet your son’s tutor on a one-to-one basis and discuss how your son is settling in. This evening is also arranged to help you meet parents of other boys in your son’s year group. An invitation will be sent at the start of the Autumn term. Academic progress will be discussed later in the term at the academic parents’ evening.

The whole School gathers twice a week for assembly in the Sports Hall and Thursday is always a themed spiritual assembly. As well as this, there is a House assembly once a week and two mornings of tutor time, one of which alternates with a year group assembly.

The Head of Year 7 will be announced later this term; the Head of Year 9 is Mrs Watmough-Starkie. They are responsible for transition arrangements from your son’s present school and for seeing that your son settles happily into his tutor group and into school life as a whole.

Please remember that your son’s tutor is your first port of call for all matters relating to him personally; his tutor can be contacted via email.

6 WHO’S WHO

When your son first arrives at Blue Coat, these are the some of the people he will come across quite regularly and who he will get to know. Mr Jesse Elzinga - Headmaster The Headmaster teaches Religious Studies and PSHE and can occasionally be seen on the river coaching rowing.

Mr Peter Thomas - Second Master Mr Thomas teaches Geology, Geography and PSHE and coaches rugby.

Mr Phil Wise - Deputy Head (Pastoral) Mr Wise teaches Geography, he coaches the 1st XI cricket team and he is the designated Child Protection Officer.

Mrs Claire Dance - Director of the Lower School Mrs Dance teaches Mathematics and PE and is Head of Girls’ Games.

Dr Kevin Magill - Deputy Head (Staff Development) and Acting Deputy Head (Academic) Dr Magill teaches Religious Studies.

7 WHO’S WHO continued

tbc - Head of Year 7

Mr Will Mitchell - Head of Year 8/9 (rolling head of year) Mr Mitchell teaches Geography, coaches rugby, football and cricket and is the School Partnership Coordinator.

Mrs Nicola Watmough-Starkie - Head of Year 9/8 (rolling head of year) Mrs Watmough-Starkie teaches Music and runs the junior choir.

Mr Scott Yates - Director of Middle School (Years 9, 10 and 11) Mr Yates teaches ICT and Computing and coaches basketball.

Mrs Sarah Berry - Head of Learning Support Mrs Berry teaches French.

Rev. Kate Toogood - Chaplain Rev. Toogood teaches Mathematics.

Further staff profiles can be found on our website: www.rbcs.org.uk

8 COMMUNICATION

As mentioned before, your son’s tutor is your first point of reference when you need to contact the School. Tutors work closely with the Head of Year and subject teachers and may well suggest getting in touch directly with one of them.

Calendar Booklet At the beginning of each term, your son will be issued with a copy of a pocket-sized calendar booklet, which contains details of the term’s events and activities. This booklet contains information outlining the staff responsible for each school activity.

Email Email is one of the most effective ways for you to communicate with tutors and staff. Although teachers are encouraged to respond promptly, the nature of their responsibilities and duties may make an instantaneous response unlikely. Please also note that during holiday periods we cannot guarantee that teaching staff will access their school email.

A full list of staff email addresses is available in the calendar booklet.

You may also send messages via Reception. Please remember to indicate in the Subject space for whom the message is intended, e.g. Attn: Mr Bowler re music rehearsals.

Messages home

A weekly email is sent to all parents each Friday to keep you up to date with events and other important information such as examinations, sports fixtures, rehearsals and upcoming trips.

Mobile devices Pupils are permitted to bring mobile phones and iPods (or the equivalent) into school. They are not permitted to make recordings (picture, film, sound) of pupils or staff without the direct instruction of a member of staff. Our mobile device policy is currently under review, but the current guidelines make clear that pupils are only permitted to use their phones in the Common Room at break and lunchtimes. Further details will be sent to you once the policy has been finalised.

My School Portal™ The School is introducing My School Portal™ as its online communication platform with parents. Further information will be sent to parents in due course.

9 Parents’ Evenings and reporting At Blue Coat, each pupil receives a formal written report once a year. In Year 7, this is at the end of the Summer Term, in Year 9 it is before half term in the Spring Term and in Year 12 it is at the end of the Spring Term. They also receive grades every half term based on their attainment, effort, behaviour and organisation. Full details of the School’s Assessment, Marking and Reporting Policy are available to view on the School’s website.

Student Planner Your son will be given a student planner on his first day of term. He will record all homework in here and you are asked to check and sign this each week. You may also write messages in here for the tutor, who will also check your son’s planner each week. Rules and regulations are also set out in the planner – your son should familiarise himself with these.

Social Media You can follow us on Twitter @ReadingBlues, Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/ReadingBlueCoatl/ for more updates on events in School. We also have a Pinterest page https:// uk.pinterest.com/ReadingBlueCoat/, where we post many more photos of school events and trips; and have recently started an Instagram page: readingbluecoatschool.

Schoolssports.com All sports training and fixture information, match reports and results are available on Blue Coat’s page on Schoolssports.com which you can access from the homepage of the School’s website.

Blues News Your son will bring home a copy of the Blues News at the end of each term. This publication highlights the events and successes of the school term.

Photography It is customary for us to include photographs or images in the School’s promotional materials such as the prospectus and website. We would not disclose the home address of any pupil without the parent’s consent. If you do not want your son’s photograph or image to be used, please ensure your son is aware of this and send formal notification to the Headmaster.

We are always grateful to parents whose photographs have

10 helped liven up our publications and social media. If you are a good photographer and have a fantastic shot to share, please send it to Marjie Thorne, our Marketing and Communications Officer, at [email protected]. uk.

Messages Please do not try to telephone or text your son between 08:45 – 13.00 and 14:10 – 16:10. If something is really urgent, please call main Reception on 0118 944 1005 and we will get a message to him as soon and as appropriately possible.

Contacting other parents The School and Parents’ Association belong to classlist.com, a virtual school gate community to enable you to contact other parents in the year about anything from lost property to play dates, lift shares etc. Further details will be sent to you when we are up and running but, in the meantime, you may wish to visit the classlist website: www.classlist. com Please note this facility is optional for you to join.

Please note that changes to our parent communication platforms are under review and may be subject to change over the summer.

11 SOME USEFUL CONTACTS

Main Reception 0118 944 1005 [email protected]

Mr Jesse Elzinga Headmaster [email protected] tbc Headmaster’s Secretary [email protected]

Mr Peter Thomas Second Master [email protected]

Mrs Louise Howard Second Master’s Secretary [email protected]

Mrs Debbie Weger Academic Secretary and Registration Secretary [email protected]

Mrs Pratima Errawalla Senior Accounts Administrator [email protected]

Mrs Claire Dance Mrs Sarah Berry Director of Lower School Head of Learning Support [email protected] [email protected] Mrs Watmough-Starkie Sister Geraldine Montgomery Head of Year 8/9 School Nurse [email protected] [email protected] Mr Scott Yates Miss Claire Knight Director of Middle School Librarian [email protected] [email protected] Mr Will Mitchell Head of Year 8/9 [email protected]

12 GETTING TO SCHOOL

Buses any direction given by our Traffic Attendants. Vehicles All of our school bus services are operated by external should not wait in any yellow cross-hatched areas. At the operators and as such you should contact them to arrange end of the school day, traffic on the site is often busy so if a seat on the relevant route for your son. Please see you are able to stagger your pick up time, this can help Appendix 4 for areas covered and who to contact. ease congestion. Please be patient and particularly careful The buses drop off and pick up from the Berkshire Sports when manoeuvring as pupils in particular are not always and Social Club car park opposite the main school gates. very good at observing moving vehicles! Please do not use Buses leave promptly at 16:20 each day. Some services the car park opposite the School as this can hamper the offer a later pickup at 18:00. Please check bus operator coach arrivals/departures and is not permitted under the websites for travel details. terms of our lease. Please do not use your mobile phone while driving on the School site. Dropping off or picking up by car Pupils may be dropped off or picked up at the dedicated Bicycles drop-off/pickup lane. Please do not drop off pupils in Pupils may leave their bicycles in the storage racks the main car park or outside the Sports Hall. Please opposite the main reception. Pupils will need their own enter the site carefully and be aware that the pupil crossing bike padlock and must also wear a helmet when cycling to is close to our front entrance gate. Please adhere to the and from school. speed limit on site and observe the one way system and

13 14 GETTING READY

Please complete and return all the documents sent with this included with the tabs). information booklet by Friday 16th June. Please note that the School policy is to use legal forename, If you have any questions about the forms, or need advice, second name (if there is one) and surname. Double-barrelled please contact Ms Fernandes in the Admissions Office on surnames will use the first initial. Please remember to recycle 0118 933 5806 who will be very happy to help you. these labels when replacing kit that is outgrown as new tabs will not automatically be sent to you every year. You can order school uniform online via Hair www.stevensons.co.uk Hair must be appropriately cut and tidily worn. It must be School Uniform of a uniform, natural colour, without excessive differences between light and dark. Hair cut shorter than Grade 2 is not Our School uniform is supplied by: Stevensons, based at permitted. Excessive differences in long and short hair length, 11-12 Market Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2EG. especially with a marked change or step, are not permitted Contact telephone number: 0118 959 6462 either. email: [email protected] Shopping Hours: Normal opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 09:00-17:30 In addition to his uniform your son will also require the Summer Hours: 26 June - 13 August: following items: Monday-Friday: 09:00-20:00 (09:00-11:00, 17:00-20:00 appointments) • A dark coloured school bag which is large enough Saturdays: 09:00-17:30 to carry a lever arch file and other school books and Summer Hours: 14 August - 3 September equipment. Either a back pack or cross-over strap style Monday-Friday: 09:00-19:00 (no appointments) will suffice. Apart from the ones required for the current Saturdays: 09:00-17:30 lesson, books should be kept in lockers to keep the Sundays (27/8 and 3/9): 11:00-17:00 weight of their bags to a minimum during the school day. Bank Holiday (28/8): 11:00-17:00 • A separate bag for sports kit to be brought in to school on the days that it is required only. A full uniform list is available in Appendix 3. • A pencil case including pens, pencils, coloured pencils, pencil sharpener, protractor, eraser and a Your son’s school clothes must be clean, tidy and clearly 30cm ruler. named. (We are amazed and disheartened by the sheer vol- • It is easier for all boys to have the same model of ume of items we collect in Lost Property but cannot reunite calculator so all boys in Year 7 will be issued with a with their owners because they are un-named). calculator when they start in September and the cost of this item will be added to your school bill. Boys joining in Your son will be expected to wear his school uniform Year 9 may use their existing calculators. correctly to and from school, and when taking part in any • A mouth guard. This is mandatory when playing event or activity connected with the School, unless he has rugby (played in the Autumn Term). If your son been given permission to wear other clothing. already has one, please check it still fits. If not, we have an arrangement with a local dental company, Additional items that are not part of the school uniform (such ‘Protectasmile’, who will fit boys with mouth guards as hoodies, coloured t-shirts under a white shirt, earrings, during the Induction Day on 6th July for new Year 7 studs, jewellery and badges) must not be worn. pupils, and in the first Games lesson in September for all other new pupils. All mouth guards will be imprinted A supply of initial tabs in your son’s House colour will be with your son’s name and you may choose from various sent to you later in the summer term. These tabs are to be colours, designs, etc. used on sports kit (full details of where to apply them will be 15 STARTING Tuesday 5th September 2017 Year 7 - Please drop your son off in the drop-off zone at 08:35. He will be met by School Prefects who will accompany him to the Sports Hall. Your son should be wearing casual clothes and should bring a spare set of clothing. He will not require his sports kit. Please collect him at 17:15. Year 9 – Please drop your son off in the main school car park at 13:00 (boys will have lunch with their Tutors). He will be met by School Prefects who will accompany him to the Sports Hall. Your son should be wearing his full School uniform. He will not require his sports kit. Please collect him at 15:30.

Wednesday 6th September 2017 This will be the first full day for the whole School. Pupils should arrive in time for an 08:35 start.

The School Day 7:30am Earliest time of arrival for boys 7:30am - 8:30am Breakfast available in the Dining Hall 8:00am Reception, Switchboard and Library open 8:35am Bell 8:45am - 9:05am Registration, Assembly or Tutor Time 9:05am - 9:40am Period 1 9:40am - 10:15am Period 2 10:15am - 10:35am Long Break - tuck available from The Wharf (Years 7 & 8), Middle School Common Room (Years 9-11) or Sixth Form Centre Years 12 & 13) 10:35am - 11:10am Period 3 11:10am - 11:45am Period 4 11:45am - 11:50am Changeover time 11:50am - 12:25pm Period 5 12:25pm - 1:00pm Period 6 1:00pm - 2:00pm Lunch. Activities and Library open 2:00pm - 2:10pm Tutor Time 2:10pm - 2:20pm Registration 2:20pm - 2:55pm Period 7 2:55pm - 3:00pm Changeover time 3:00pm - 3:35pm Period 8 3:35pm - 4:10pm Period 9 4:10pm End of School 4:20pm School buses depart from Berkshire Sports and Social Club car park 4:10pm - 6:00pm Activities and Library open 6:00pm Activities finish. Reception, Switchboard and Library close

16 UP AND RUNNING Student Planner in at the Deputy Heads’ Office in the Messer Building. Your son will be given a Student Planner at the beginning Your son must obtain a signing out form from his tutor in of each year. This planner contains details about school advance. rules and procedures and we would encourage you to go through this with your son when he first brings it home. All boys will be given a map of the school on their first day. The planner is where your son will record the homework he has been set and we ask parents to sign this each week Absence throughout the school year. Parents must notify absence on the first day by email to the Registration Secretary, Mrs Weger, at [email protected], Lockers and preferably before 08:00. Alternatively, parents may Your son will be allocated a locker and key on his first day. telephone Mrs Weger on 0118 933 5890 before 09:30, but The locker should be used to store books, which can be this must be confirmed in writing or by email to Mrs Weger swapped over at break times, and personal possessions when your son returns to school. such as mobile phones, iPods, wallets etc. These items must not be left in the changing rooms as these are not Medical/dental appointments should be confirmed via a secure areas and the School cannot be held responsible parent email or letter to the Registration Secretary, ideally for the loss of such items. 24 hours before the appointment or earlier if possible. However, we would ask that emails from parents to the Registration Registration Secretary are sent at the latest by 08:00 in Pupils are expected in school by 08:35. They must leave order to request leaving early for a medical appointment. their Common Room no later than 08:40 in time for a prompt start to tutor period or assembly at 08:45. Please Permission for any other absence must be obtained from do encourage your son to arrive early enough to sort out the Headmaster. Please note that the Headmaster will not his books before Registration. authorise any holidays during term time (and promises not to take a holiday of his own in term time). Your attention In the afternoon, pupils must be in their form room for should be drawn to our term dates on Page 33 in this registration at 14:10 or on some afternoons by 14:00 for booklet. additional tutor time. Off Games/Illness If a pupil misses registration, they must go straight to Pupils unable to participate in Games must bring a signed the Deputy Heads’ Office in the Messer building and parental letter from home to the Nurse. complete a late slip before going to lessons. Arriving at school after 08:45 is considered late. Persistent offenders Biometric System will be required to sign in at Reception by 08:30 for one The School operates a biometric system for purchases week. Parents will be notified of this sanction by the Head in the Dining Hall and the School Shop (The Wharf), of Year. although pupils may still use cash in The Wharf.

Arriving after 09:30 is classified as an absence and, as such, Each pupil has a photocopying allowance with which to an email or letter by way of an explanation will be required complete their educational activities. Each pupil is issued from parents. with a PIN code to authorise photocopying.

No pupil may leave the school Grounds during school Parents have the option to add credit to their son’s account hours (08:45 - 16:10) unless special permission has been using ParentPay™ (see p.18). This credit can then be used given. In cases where permission has been granted, e.g. to purchase tuck, stationery, breakfast or ad-hoc lunches. medical appointments, the student must sign out/sign Breakfast is available from 07.30 in the Dining Hall.

17 If your son is entitled to lunch, no credit has been added your son wishes to have a school lunch. to their account so they cannot purchase other items on it until cash is credited to it. Any credit left on the pupil’s Our caterers, Sodexo, provide students with a broad choice account at the end of their final term will be refunded on of nutritious food. There is always a selection of hot meat, their final bill. fish and vegetarian main dishes available along with a variety of tempting salads, jacket potatoes, pasta bar and a ParentPay™ selection of delicious hot and cold desserts or fresh fruit to The School uses the online payment system, ParentPay™, complete the meal. as its preferred means for parents to pay for trips, events, ad-hoc lunches and shop purchases. ParentPay™ is a Whole School Assemblies convenient and highly secure web payment system for Whole School Assemblies are held twice a week on payments to be made 24-7 using a Debit or Credit card. Mondays and Thursdays at 08:45 and are led by the Payments made in the morning will be available for the Headmaster and Chaplain respectively. pupil to spend over lunchtime through an automatic link to the school’s till system. Section Assemblies Section Assemblies are held weekly and run by the Head Prior to the start of term, you will be sent a letter explaining of Year for each year group. how to use ParentPay™ and containing the activation username and password that will enable you to set up your Textbooks and stationery online account and top up your son’s school account. If you We issue all textbooks and exercise books in Years 7-11 already have a ParentPay™ login, your child can be linked without charge, unless your son loses or deliberately into that. damages a textbook and needs a replacement. Most textbooks are collected at the end of the school year Making a payment is straightforward and ParentPay™ holds for re-issue in the Autumn Term and we have to place a payment history for you to view at a later date; no card orders for any replacements shortly after the end of the details are stored in any part of the system. Once you’ve Summer Term. There is a charge for any books that are activated your account, you can make online payments not returned by the last day of the Summer Term. Please straight away. Events, trips and the pupil top-up account be aware that the average cost of a year’s set of books is appear as items that you put in your basket and purchase currently well in excess of £200. at the checkout in the normal way.

There is helpful information on the ParentPay™ website www.parentpay.com.

Food The Dining Hall is open for breakfast from 07:30 to 08:30 and for lunch between 12:30 and 14:00. Pupils can purchase breakfast using the biometric scanning facility or by cash.

The Wharf is also open each day between 16:10 and 16.30.

Lunches are charged on a termly basis, depending on the number of school days in a term, at £3.88 per day (£4.35 when purchased if a pupil has forgotten their packed Library lunch). Please complete the enclosed application form if Located on the first floor of School House, the Library is

18 open daily from 08:00 to 18:00 during term time. The Rewards and Sanctions Library is in constant use throughout the day, and is also Commendations – these are awarded for work of available before school, at break and lunch time and after excellence, accumulation of high quality work or exemplary school for independent study or reading. conduct. Form tutors keep a record of commendations given and Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates are awarded The Main Room contains print non-fiction, classic and as the number of commendations received increases. young adult fiction, DVDs and study places; the Reading Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates are awarded by the Room is a more relaxed area with beanbags and window Headmaster and Gold Certificates in a School Assembly. seats for quiet leisure reading; and the Resources Room is Report Cards – These are for pupils where there are dedicated to computer use. concerns about academic performance. This is not a punishment. Report cards are signed and a comment The Library Catalogue is available online on the intranet, made by the teacher at the end of each lesson to indicate and every pupil is issued with a borrower number and whether the pupil’s work has been completed to an PIN to access his own area on it. The Library intranet page acceptable level. Behaviour can also be monitored in this is updated regularly with the latest news, competitions, way. reading initiatives, book-to-film trailers and much more. Green Slips – these may be issued by a subject teacher if For younger pupils, puzzles and games are available at work is regularly handed in late or is repeatedly below the certain times in the Reading Room, and a jigsaw puzzle is standard expected. usually on the go on the Reading Room table. Pink slips – these may be issued by a member of staff where behaviour in class is below the standard expected or Year 7 pupils have timetabled classes in the Library once a there is inappropriate behaviour around the school. week and there is a wide variety of fiction to suit all tastes Punishments and abilities. • Cautions may be given by a prefect or teacher for minor infringements and are held daily from 13:50 – ICT 14:05 The School has a comprehensive intranet system, which • Lunchtime detention – issued by a prefect or teacher allows pupils to log in to services - such as their school • After school detention – normally Friday 16:15 – 17:15. email address, home folders and teaching resources - from Issued by a teacher and endorsed by the Head of Year. home. Pupils are encouraged to create their homework Parents are given at least 24 hours’ written notice. digitally so they can submit it electronically to their • Saturday morning detention – 09:30 – 11:30. Issued by teachers. All Year 7 pupils have IT lessons, and are taught a member of the Senior Leadership Team for serious how to access and use the School’s IT systems in their first infringements of School Rules. Parents are given at few lessons. least two days’ written notice.

Please draw your son’s attention to the Acceptable Usage Open Days Policy, which can be found on the School’s intranet pages. There is an expectation that when required pupils attend school on Open Mornings to assist in departments and act Printing as tour guides for prospective families. Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 The School runs a printing credit system and jobs are boys are asked to act as tour guides. The scheduled Open charged according to whether they are black and white Mornings for 2017/18 are: Saturday 7th October 2017 or colour. Pupils are encouraged to think green when they and Saturday 28th April 2018. Please reserve these dates print. The School provides a free allocation at the start in your son’s diary. of each year, based on the amount of printing that each year group is expected to do. If the free allocation is used up, pupils must then purchase new credits from the ICT Department.

19 LEARNING Programme of Study The subjects studied and numbers of lessons allocated per week within the framework of the school day for Year 7 are:

English (6) Mathematics (5) Science (5) French (3) Spanish or German (3) History (2) Geography (2) RS (2) Activities (2) PE (2) Games (3) ICT (2) Art (2) Music (2) PSHEE (1) DT (2) Reading (1)

PSHEE Curriculum German/Spanish) and one for all other subjects, except The PSHEE curriculum covers a broad range of issues PE and Games. Homework is expected to take between ranging from internet safety to resilience. As well as this, 20 and 30 minutes to complete. A similar pattern exists in there is a diverse programme of speakers talking to the Year 9, except here each of the separate Science subjects students on topics such as drugs, disability and alcohol. sets one piece of homework. Each piece of homework in Year 9 is expected to take 30 minutes to complete. Homework Further information on the School’s Homework policy is In September each year, pupils are given a homework available via the School Intranet. timetable for their year group, which runs from Monday to Friday. Within the timetable, different classes and option Learning Support groups will be set different homework on each night and Early identification of any learning difficulty is crucial if your so, under the guidance of tutors, pupils are expected to son is to develop his full potential. If you have not already produce their own bespoke homework timetable, a copy done so, please flag up any known educational needs as of which should be made available for parental use. soon as possible. If you have any concerns subsequently, Pupils in Years 7 and 8 should have two pieces of please discuss them in the first instance with Mrs Sarah homework per week for English, Mathematics, Science Berry, Head of Learning Support. and both Modern Foreign Languages (French and

20 SPORT

Games and Physical Education Boys have separate sessions for PE and Games. During PE lessons boys will participate in a range of different activities through the year, including swimming, cross country running, badminton, athletics and basketball, amongst others.

Kit details can be found at the back of this booklet. If in any doubt, your son should bring PE kit and swimming trunks to his first PE and games sessions.

Games Options The main winter sport is rugby, the main spring sport is football and the main summer sport is cricket. As boys move through the School we offer further options, such as rowing and tennis. Parents are always welcome to attend fixtures, both home and away.

School Teams There are many opportunities to represent the School across a wide range of sports.

Selection for teams is based on ability and all boys must be available for fixtures if selected. All fixtures are published in the calendar and on SchoolsSports.com, where results are also published: www.schoolssports. com.

If you have any queries please contact the Director of Sport, Mr Bill Voice. His email address is [email protected]

21 MUSIC and MUSIC TUITION and LAMDA We have a large and hugely energetic music department. instrumental lessons. Mr Jonathan Bowler is our Director of Music, and he will be available at the Induction Evening for Year 7 on Please note that one full term’s written notice, to the Thursday 15th June. Director of Music, is required before the termination of individual music lessons. We hope that you and your son will enjoy and benefit from the many activities and concerts organised by the Music There are a number of instruments available to hire Department. Activities include the Chamber Choir, String through the School. Maximum period of hire is two terms. Ensemble, two wind bands, two jazz bands, saxophone ensemble, numerous rock and pop groups and various Tuition is available in the following: chamber ensembles. • Piano, Electric Keyboard Termly concerts, both formal and informal, take place • Organ (the School possesses two organs; pupils are in and out of school. There is a major annual musical recommended to have passed Grade 4 on piano) production in the Autumn Term. A Music Festival, • Guitar: Acoustic, Electric and Bass – Classical, Jazz adjudicated by a distinguished musician, is held biennially, and Pop with trophies and prizes being awarded to winners in • Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon and Saxophone each section. Professional musicians are invited in to give • Violin, Viola, ‘Cello, Double Bass master classes or to lead workshops. • Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone and Tuba • Drums – Rock and Jazz styles There is a large School Choir, which enjoys an excellent • Singing local reputation. The Treble Choir rehearses once a week • Jazz improvisation (any instrument) and sings a wide variety of music. If your son would like to receive individual music tuition, During their first few weeks at school, all boys in Year 7 please complete the application form. are auditioned, and approximately 30 boys are selected for the Treble Choir. Not only are the boys’ voices trained, LAMDA but singing enhances the development of the ear, eye and memory. Vocabulary is also built up as some songs The School is able to offer LAMDA classes for individuals are in foreign languages. Above all, the whole experience or pairs. The cost of these are £230 per term for individual of singing with a large choir and professional musicians is lessons and £145 per person per term for shared lessons. enjoyable and a wonderful opportunity. Application forms are included in the induction pack.

Individual Music Lessons Many of our pupils learn to play a musical instrument with one of our specialist team of visiting instrumental teachers, who give tuition on a wide range of orchestral, band and keyboard instruments.

The charge for instrumental lessons is £23.00 per 35-minute lesson, and there are approximately 10 lessons per term. Lessons are taught on a rotating timetable to ensure that boys do not miss the same subject too often.

The Music Department strongly recommend that pupils purchase their own ear defenders/plugs for use in their 22 23 MEDICAL DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

The Medical Department is staffed by the School Nurse, Confidentiality will be breached by the Nurse only: Sister Montgomery (RGN), and her assistants. • With the pupil’s consent • By order of a court • Where the Nurse deems it in the public interest to disclose confidential information However, where there is evidence that a pupil is at risk, the School Nurse must seek advice and clarification (in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Council) from the “The Designated Nurse for Child Protection” for West Berkshire. On the advice given, further disclosure to the School’s Child Protection Officer (or in his absence the Headmaster), may be recommended. In all cases and at all stages of the procedure, the pupil concerned will be informed that the confidentiality is being breached and the reason why. The pupil will be fully supported throughout the process.

Requests for pupils to be Off Games/PE/Activities for We aim to staff the Medical Department between the Medical Reasons hours of 08:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday, term time only. If medical staff are absent, the duty First Aider will be Years 7 - 11 - All requests for pupils in Years 7 to 11 to be off on call. sport for medical reasons are processed by the School Nurse, not tutor or sports staff. Pupils should bring a letter School trips are overseen by trip leaders and therefore, in from parents, addressed to the School Nurse, outlining order to ensure that each trip leader is fully informed of the reason for the request. Please do not send in e-mails your child’s up-to-date medical information, parents will with these requests as the Nurse needs to see the pupil in be asked to complete a consent form sent by the School person. The pupil should deliver the letter to the Medical office for each individual trip. Department. The letter will be exchanged by the Nurse for an “Off Games” slip, which the pupil can then show to The function of the Medical Department is to care for the sports staff. The parental letter will be held on file by the pupils and staff of RBCS at the onset of injury/illness and Nurse. while they are on the School premises. It does not provide an alternative to the pupil’s G.P. and therefore illness/ Years 12 and 13 - The same procedure applies as above, injuries suffered away from school or continuing beyond but pupils should take their parental letters from home to the date of onset, should seek treatment/advice from the the Sixth Form office, where the Heads of Year 12 and 13 will G.P./Accident and Emergency Department in the usual process the requests. way. Pupils’ Medication The School Nurse is a member of the Pastoral Team. Legally the School Nurse must respect a pupil’s request Pupils may not carry any medication on them, apart from for confidentiality, particularly over sensitive health issues. emergency asthma inhalers and adrenaline auto injectors.

24 The School Nurse keeps a stock of over-the-counter Any new pupils joining the school in Year 10 and above remedies so pupils do not need to bring these into school. should seek clarification from their GP on how to access However, if pupils are taking specific “prescribed medication these immunisations. for regular or occasional use” (e.g. hay fever remedies), parents should send in a supply of this medication to be Health Record Form stored in the Medical Department for the pupil’s use. The medicine should be delivered to the Medical Department Enclosed you will find a Health Record Form for you to in its original dispensing box, clearly labelled with the pupil’s complete. It includes a section requesting immunisation name, dispensing instructions and expiry date. A signed dates. You can obtain this information from your G.P. and letter of instruction from the parent should accompany the the form should not be returned without these dates. medication. Should there be information of a medical nature that you wish to remain confidential, then this should be sent to the Pupils requiring short term medication (i.e. a course of School Nurse under separate cover and marked “Private antibiotics) need to bring in only a “lunch time dose” if the and Confidential”. prescription is for administration more than 3 times daily. PLEASE DO NOT SEND PUPILS WHO ARE UNWELL Prescriptions for 3 x daily administration can be INTO SCHOOL administered at home thus: This request comes not only with your child’s interests in • before school mind, but also to limit the spread of infection in the School • at the end of school day generally. All pupils who have suffered with a temperature, diarrhoea or vomiting should not return to school until they • before bed have had 24 hours clear of symptoms. Pupils who become All medication being brought into school must be delivered unwell during the school day should report to the Nurse to the Medical Department before the start of school, i.e. who will decide whether or not a pupil should be sent 08:00 – 08:35. home. Pupils need to be collected promptly, as the school sick bay facilities are limited in this respect. Please ensure Immunisations that the School Secretary has your up-to-date contact telephone number at all times. Parents of pupils in Year 9 will be sent a consent form by the School Nurse, inviting their son(s) to take up the offer of FINALLY, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS attending an immunisation session here in school for two TO INFORM THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF ANY routine childhood vaccines: HEALTH ISSUES AS THEY OCCUR WHILE THE PUPIL IS AT READING BLUE COAT SCHOOL - AND TO UPDATE • Tetanus, diphtheria and polio immunisation YOUR SON’S MEDICAL AND DIETARY RECORDS VIA THE SCHOOL PORTAL. • Meningitis ACWY immunisation Geraldine Montgomery, School Nurse We cannot offer this service to older pupils who are joining the school after Year 9.

IT IS, HOWEVER, ESSENTIAL THAT ALL PUPILS HAVE UP- TO-DATE TETANUS COVER.

25 CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

The School offers an extensive co-curricular programme and your son will be encouraged to make the most of the many exciting and challenging opportunities that are on offer to him. Details of each term’s activities are included in the calendar booklet. Please remember that once your son has agreed to take part in an activity, he must then make practices and rehearsals a priority.

A selection of activities that took place last Autumn term is detailed below:

Amnesty International Group Film Club Rugby referee course Archery Fitness Club (Y12-13) Rugby training Art Club Hockey training Saxophone Ensemble Badminton Club Junior Band Senior Expedition Group (Y11-13) Basketball (Y11-13) Junior Expedition Group (Y8-9) Singing Workshop Brass Group Lacrosse Science Club Chamber Choir Lifesaving Club (Y11-13) Sports Leaders (Y12-13) Charities Committee Media/Journalism String Ensemble Chess Club Mountain Biking (Y11 and up) Swimming Club Climbing Club Netball (Y12-13) Swing Band Combined Cadet Force (Y9 and up) Photography (Y11-13) Table Tennis Concert Band Photoshop Editing Tennis Creative Writing Club Politics Club Ultimate Frisbee (Y11-13) Cross Country Primary Placement (Y12-13) Yoga Design Technology Club Public Speaking Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Y10 and up) Rowing training (Y9-13)

26 PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

From the first day, your sons are made to feel very much a Parents’ Association of £30. This amount will be added to part of a community. The Parents’ Association (PA) feels the first term’s fees invoice. that the same should apply to parents and to that end their principal aim is to act as a social focus for parents. The PA holds meetings at least once a term, to which all parents are warmly invited. However, if evening meetings The PA organises a number of events, both large and small are difficult for you to attend, we also will communicate (such as a Barn Dance in October), where you can meet activities by email. There are plenty of ways to become each other and also members of staff and students. For involved. many, secondary school is different in that no longer do you get to meet fellow parents while standing at the school The Chair of the Parents’ Association is Mrs Katie Herbert, gates, so these events are an essential part of that process. who can be contacted at [email protected] or 07780 547955. All new families are charged a one-off subscription to the

PRAYER GROUP

The Prayer Group is a group of parents that meet once each half term, for about an hour, to pray and give thanks to God for the School. If you would like to join, please contact: Lindsay Lillie on 07973 128381 or email [email protected].

27 28 ... AND FINALLY, A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF LOWER SCHOOL

Starting Year 7 New subjects

Coming to Reading Blue Coat School will be a new In Year 7, students will be introduced to subjects they experience for your son. The School is likely to be much haven’t experienced before, and other subjects may bigger than the primary or prep school he has just left have a different approach and emphasis from primary and he may feel lost and insecure at first. Instead of being school learning. Your son will also be expected to be more a senior in a small school, he is now a beginner in a big independent, self-reliant and self-motivated than in primary school. school. Lessons will often be more student-centred and teachers will become resources and guides, rather than From Day One, there will be many changes to which he will instructors. Much of your son’s progress will depend on need to become accustomed, including having a number initiative, work and ambition. of different teachers and different classrooms, often spread across a large campus. The day is intense and fast-paced. Set The timetable class periods on particular subjects may also be of a longer duration than in primary school. Your son will be required to To keep track of all the lessons and classrooms, your son carry around notes and books, sometimes heavy, from class will be given a timetable with his subjects, times and room to class. Please be aware that, during these first few weeks, locations listed. He will be required to check his timetable he may be very tired. each night to make sure he has the correct books,

29 equipment and completed homework for the next day’s to Year 7 students - finding people they like and who share classes. Reading and understanding timetables takes some their interests helps motivate them and increases their self- getting used to, and moving from room to room might esteem. It’s a good idea for you and your son to talk every unsettle and tire him, but every child masters this obstacle day about his new school experiences, the people he’s met very quickly. Starting a new school is somewhat like starting or observations he’s made - that way there is an awareness a new job, so it’s normal for your son to feel unsettled in the of difficulties when they arise rather than when it’s too late. If beginning. Teachers at Blue Coat are always very supportive your son is taking a while to ‘find his place’ and his new set of and understanding, and tutors are always available for pupils friends in the School, it is important for you to reassure him and parents. that it will happen.

New friends Peer pressure

Making new friends is perhaps one of the most daunting Making new friends and the desire to fit in sometimes forces tasks for Year 7 students. Separate from coping with the new students to do things they might not normally do - just so senior school routine, this can prove to be a sensitive issue they can be liked or be one of the crowd. Making your son for some children and a bad experience can hinder their aware of the fact that he doesn’t have to do everything his progress and attitude towards school. peers do, is an important way of ensuring the friendships he makes are genuine and positive and not based on pressure Many students will be in tutor groups where they don’t know or conformity. Telling him that a real friend is someone who any other people, or they may know children from their old likes him for who he is, is a valuable message. primary school only. Fitting in is often extremely important

30 The difference between homework and study charities or the Second Hand Uniform shop (which is run by the PA). The homework set will vary in amount and type because of the number of lessons your son has in that subject, but Property which is lost typically takes a number of days, most students will need to do some homework each night sometimes much longer, to reach the lost property store - whether it be a review of the day’s lesson, completion of and so students are encouraged to make return visits to see exercises or starting an assignment that is due down the if their property has been recovered. Opening times for the track. Then there needs to be study time - which is separate lost property shed are posted on the door. The store is open from completing homework. Your son should go over the every day. day’s work, read his text-books or notes and try to increase his understanding, and remember concepts touched on in These additional points can really help the efficient return of the class. The normal homework allocation in Year 7 is 20- students’ property: 30 minutes per night per subject and your son will normally be set three homeworks every night. • We would suggest that all property is clearly named. The majority of all lost property currently Your son will need a quiet place to study. It is important in school is unnamed. that you find a place that is not distracting; for example, if • A simple rule to remember – if they can mislay it, he is easily distracted, he should not study near a television. label it! Instead, choose a quiet room and monitor the online usage. Technology will be part of your son’s learning but more often than not, he will still need to use pen and paper! The Headmaster advises against any screens in bedrooms; while your son is at this young age, these are more of a distraction than an aid.

Homework Planner

Your son should bring the homework planner to each lesson and write homework clearly in it. You should sign it each week and your son’s tutor will sign it in tutor time. Your son should record Commendations in his planner.

Celebrating Achievement

We take every opportunity to celebrate achievement. This may take the form of presentations of awards and certificates in assemblies, the display of exceptional art work, and acknowledgement in the local press and parent newsletters. We have a Commendation system in school for Years 7-11.

Lost property

If items are labelled, it makes it easier to return lost property. All unnamed items are kept for approximately four weeks. After this time, any unnamed items may be donated to local

31 APPENDIX 1

TERM AND HOLIDAY DATES 2017 - 2018 Autumn Term 2017 Term begins Wednesday 6 September 8.35 am Half-Term begins Thursday 19 October 4.10 pm Term resumes Tuesday 31 October 8.35 am Open Day Holiday Friday 24 November Term ends Thursday 14 December 1.00 pm

Spring Term 2018 Term begins Thursday 4 January 8.35 am Half-Term begins Friday 9 February 4.10 pm Term resumes Monday 19 February 8.35 am Term ends Thursday 23 March 1.00 pm

Summer Term 2018 Term begins Wednesday 11 April 8.35 am Public Holiday Monday 7 May Half-Term begins Friday 25 May 4.10 pm Term resumes Monday 4 June 8.35 am Term ends Friday 29 June 12.00 pm Prize Giving Saturday 30 June 10.30 am Malthus Leavers’ Service Saturday 30 June 2.30 pm

32 33 APPENDIX 2

SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2017- 2018

School Fees £5,373 per term School Lunches £3.88 per day (£4.35 per day when purchased on an ad hoc basis) Students’ Personal Effects Insurance £10.08 per term Pupil Absence Insurance Scheme 0.84% of pupil’s fees Denshield Dental Insurance £4.99 per term Rowing subscriptions, which includes the British Rowing Y9/J14 £15 per term (spring and summer terms subscription only) Y10/J15 £40 per term Y11/J16 £40 per term Y12/J17 £50 per term Y13/J18 £50 per term

Please note the following: • Full details of the business relationship that exists between Parents and the School are set out in the Terms and Conditions document that was issued with the Headmaster’s original offer of a place. • The Governors normally give a term’s notice of any increase in fees, although they reserve the right to amend fees at any time in exceptional circumstances. No remission of fees can be made by the School for any reason whatsoever. • In line with many schools, non-means tested discounts have been reduced and the money put into means-tested bursaries. Old Blues and parents with more than one child at the School do not receive discounts but may apply for bursarial support if needed.

Payment of Fees

All parents are required to pay their school fees by Direct Debit. Fees are due on the first day of each term, unless parents opt for the Termly Instalment Scheme, which commences in July 2017.

Termly Instalment Scheme

At the School’s discretion, a particular year’s fees may be paid in instalments by Direct Debit or other agreed method. This scheme is known as the Termly Instalment Scheme. Under the Termly Instalment Scheme, the dates and amounts of each instalment for that particular year’s fees will be set out in a separate agreement. No administration charges, interest or other charges are included in the Termly Instalment Scheme. The School reserves the right to withdraw or amend the terms of the Termly Instalment Scheme at any time by giving you notice in writing before the beginning of a new school term. No agreement to accept payment on deferred terms will be valid unless it provides for no more than four payments within a 12 month period. For more information on the Termly Instalment Scheme please contact the Senior Accounts Administrator, Mrs Pratima Errawalla.

34 Students’ Personal Effects Insurance

The School does not accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, the personal property of pupils, but we do use an insurance scheme offering cover on an “All Risks” basis within the UK, rather than whilst on school premises. Details of cover are enclosed with the induction pack. If you require Students’ Personal Effects Insurance, please complete the application included in the flyer and return it to the Bursary department.

Pupil Absence Insurance Scheme

If pupils fall sick and are off school for a length of time, the School cannot refund any fees. However, the School participates in a Pupil Absence Insurance Scheme, which enables some refund of fees when illness or accident leads to absence from school. There is also an accidental death insurance cover for the School Fee Payer. Details of cover are enclosed with the induction pack. If you require Pupil Absence Insurance, please complete the application included in the flyer and return it to the Bursary department.

Denshield Dental Insurance

The School participates in an insurance scheme operated by Denplan. Existing insurance policies do not necessarily cover all the costs that could be incurred in the event of injuries to the mouth. While the policy itself will not prevent injuries, it would help soften the often heavy financial burden of any necessary, and often costly dental treatment. Details of cover are enclosed with the induction pack. If you require Denplan cover, please complete the application form, enclosed with the induction pack and return to the Bursary department.

35 APPENDIX 3 All boys are required to possess the clothing listed below. Key: • Available only from Stevensons o Available from Stevensons or any high street retailer ∆ Available only from high street retailers Uniform - Boys Year 7 - 11 Items Information Supplier RBCS Blazer This is a compulsory item for pupils in Year 7 to 11. • RBCS House tie The appropriate House tie is compulsory for • pupils in Year 7 to 11. White shirts White shirts are compulsory. Long or short o sleeved in any term. Charcoal trousers Compulsory for pupils in Year 7 to 11. o 5-pack charcoal grey socks Compulsory for pupils in Year 7 to 11. o Woven or iron-on name tapes All uniform must be named. o Shoes Formal black leather shoes are compulsory. Not ∆ suede or boots. School bag Dark in colour without offensive slogans. ∆ Rucksack or single-strap bag. Optional items RBCS sweater A popular optional item, especially in winter for • pupils in Years 7 to 10. Black sweater A popular optional item, especially in winter; for o pupils in Year 11 only. RBCS beanie hat This is an optional item. • RBCS scarf This is an optional item. • Sportswear - Boys Year 7 - 11 Items Information Supplier RBCS Games jersey A compulsory item worn for rugby, hockey and • football in Years 7 to 10. RBCS Senior sports shirt A compulsory item worn by Year 11 and Sixth • Form boys only. RBCS navy sports shorts A compulsory item. • RBCS rugby shorts A compulsory item worn for rugby. • RBCS white polo shirt A compulsory item worn in all terms. • RBCS track top A compulsory item for Year 7-11. Matches the • RBCS trackpant. RBCS track pant A compulsory item worn in all terms. • RBCS hooped singlet A compulsory item. • Swimming trunks A compulsory item. o

36 RBCS School sports socks Pupils require one pair of School socks for team • matches. House socks One pair of the appropriate House sports socks for • training and games lessons. Sports boots As required for rugby, football, hockey and cricket. ∆ 2 pairs of trainers 1 pair for indoor use i.e. light-soled; the other for o outdoor activities. RBCS sports holdall The RBCS sports holdall is optional but all boys require o a holdall for their kit. Shin pads Compulsory for hockey/football. o Boil-and-bite gum shield A gum shield is mandatory for rugby and hockey. For ∆ new Year 7s, arrangements have been made for fitting personal gum shields at the School at the Induction day on 6 July. If they are absent on that day, they can have their gum shield fitted in September. All other new students will have their gum shield fitted in September. Until then, pupils are asked to attend School with a boil-and-bite gum shield. Optional items RBCS weatherproof top An optional item. • RBCS sports hoodie This is a popular optional item, which is not for general • wear but for sports use only. RBCS cycle shorts An optional item worn under rugby shorts by some • pupils and for rowing. RBCS bootbag An optional item. o RBCS cricket cap Compulsory for pupils who play team cricket matches. • RBCS cricket shirt Compulsory for pupils who play team cricket matches. • RBCS cricket sweater Compulsory for pupils who play team cricket matches. • RBCS cricket trouser Compulsory for pupils who play team cricket matches. •

37 APPENDIX 4

SCHOOL COACH INFORMATION

Key Routes Bus company Contact Bracknell/Warfield/Ascot/ Fernhill Travel Fernhill Travel Windsor www.fernhill.co.uk/school-contracts (01344 421 423) 318 - Hook/Fleet/Wokingham/ Horseman Coaches Horseman Coaches Emmbrook/Winnersh www.horsemancoaches.co.uk/services2.html (0118 975 3811) 338 - Burghfield Common/ Mortimer/Riseley/Swallowfield/ Spencers Wood/Shinfield/Earley 348 - Camberley/Crowthorne/ Barkham/Winnersh 294 - Marlow/Bourne End/ Cookham/Maidenhead 328 - Shiplake/Henley 283 - Boulters Lock/Bray/ Maidenhead/Knowl Hill Pangbourne/Purley/Tilehurst/ Kingfisher Jenny Harris, Office Manager Caversham www.kingfisherminicoaches.com (0118 931 3454; [email protected]) Benson/Woodcote/ Kingfisher Jenny Harris, Office Manager Checkendon/Stoke Row/ www.kingfisherminicoaches.com (0118 931 3454; Sonning Common/Caversham [email protected]) Please Note: It is necessary to make an early application to reserve your place.

PUBLIC BUS INFORMATION (Courtney Buses - www.courtneybuses.com)

Bus Route 129 Reading to Wokingham via Sonning and Twyford

128 Reading to Wokingham via Woodley, Sonning and Twyford

127 Reading to Maidenhead via Sonning (Saturday only)

38

Reading Blue Coat School Holme Park, Sonning Lane, Sonning-on-Thames, Berks RG4 6SU 0118 944 1005 • www.rbcs.org.uk • @ReadingBlues