2018-19 Welcome to Llanidloes High School
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2018-19 Welcome to Llanidloes High School I am delighted to welcome you to Llanidloes High school a caring school where pupils enjoy a happy and rewarding experience. I am proud and privileged to be the Head teacher and work in partnership with enthusiastic pupils, committed staff and supportive governors. The school environment is positive, supportive and purposeful and designed with one thing in mind: that our pupils fulfil their potential. We are an 11-18 co-educational community comprehensive school and take great pride in the care that we offer our pupils and the opportunities that are available for them to develop their sporting, cultural, social and lifelong learning skills. Teaching and Learning is a priority in the school and this is reflected in the school motto GOFAL - ‘Giving Opportunities For All To Learn’ and is the Welsh word for CARE. We have committed, hard working and dedicated staff who regularly go above and beyond to ensure that our pupils are safe and enjoy their learning. Our most recent Estyn inspection (April 2016) judged the schools current performance to be ‘Good’ with prospects for improvement also ‘Good’. It recognised that ‘the school has effective support systems that promote and encourage pupils’ wellbeing, attendance and academic progress’. The school has seen a gradual improvement in nearly all key indicators over the last four years and is on a continuous journey of school improvement. Our aim is ‘Excellence’ in all areas and staff are excited at the opportunities that are planned for the future – for example being a Lead Creative School. The school will be working with the Arts Council of Wales together with our partner primary schools on this exciting project with the aim of providing creative learning through the Arts. Your child will mature into an adult during the years spent at High School. We recognise the significance of this process and strive to provide a safe, caring, structured environment in which pupils enjoy a happy and rewarding adolescence. Children flourish in an environment which provides safety, order, regular routines and a structured day. We provide such an ordered framework, incorporating opportunities for creativity, growth and sporting excellence. To support pupils’ progress, a list of school rules is established and these are supported by our credits and sanctions scheme. A special feature of the rewards scheme is the Year 11 Prom which is held annually and celebrates the five years that the pupils have spent with us. At Llanidloes, we set high standards and expectations. We expect each pupil to work to the highest possible standard, to care for each other and to show courtesy to all. 1 AIMS OF THE SCHOOL 1. To create a caring environment where, as far as it is humanly possible, pupils enjoy a happy and rewarding experience. 2. To value all pupils equally and educate each pupil to his or her maximum potential. This includes extending the more able pupils and giving special support to those who are in need. 3. To offer pupils a curriculum that is broad, balanced and relevant to their needs and those of society providing a preparation for adult life. This will include fulfilling all the requirements of the National Curriculum and of the 14-19 Learning Pathways programme. 4. To foster excellence in both academic study and personal standards, showing courtesy to others at all times. 5. To continuously reassess the aims and objectives of the school with a view to a constant refinement and improvement of the quality of education provided. Parents, knowing that co-operation between home and school boosts children’s chances, are extremely supportive. We appreciate this and the co-operative atmosphere produced. A Home- School agreement is sent out to pupils in Year 7 and parents are asked to read the agreement with their children, sign and return it to school. The purpose of the agreement is for the learner, parent and school to agree to common expectations and principles from all sides of the school partnership. The signed agreement lasts for the duration of your child’s time with us in school. Our new school uniform is a source of pride (a list is included with this prospectus) - we believe pride in appearance will result in pride in pupils work which will in turn raise standards. We are grateful for the excellent standards parents help us to achieve. If you are either a prospective parent or a new pupil, we hope that you will find this prospectus useful. This however, is only the beginning. It is, of course, by participating in the progress of our school that you will fully appreciate the quality of education and experience that we offer. I would like to encourage you to come and visit us during the school day so that you can experience the qualities and strengths of our school. Please do not hesitate to phone or email to arrange a visit. We look forward to welcoming you to Llanidloes High School very soon. Mr D. Owen Headteacher GOFAL Giving Opportunities for all to Learn Note The information contained in this prospectus is correct at the time of publication, but circumstances may require us to make changes during the coming year. 2 Timing of the school day Amser / Time Gweithgaredd / Activity 08:55 am – 09:55 am Gwers / Lesson 1 09:55 am – 10:55 am Gwers / Lesson 2 10:55 am – 11:20 am Egwyl / Break 11:20 am – 12:20 pm Gwers / Lesson 3 12:20 pm – 1:20 pm Gwers / Lesson 4 1:20 pm – 2:05 pm Cinio / Lunch 2:05 pm – 2:35 pm Cofrestru / Registration 2:35 pm – 3:35 pm Gwers / Lesson 5 Year Leaders Ms. B. Harrison Year 7 Leader Mr. A. Morel Year 8 Leader Mr. J. Jones Year 9 Leader Ms N. Davies Year 10 Leader Miss E. Palfrey Year 11 Leader Use of Mobile Phones Electronic devices (including mobile phones), whilst allowed in a student’s bag for use to and from school, are NOT allowed to be seen or turned on during the day except break and lunch times. The school will not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to any electronic device brought into school. The school’s full electronic device policy is available on the school website. There are clear sanctions for pupils who refuse to follow the rules regarding electronic devices which includes confiscation. Closing the school because of adverse weather e.g. snow If a decision is made to close the school because of adverse weather then the following procedures will apply; 1. Notification posted on Powys County Council’s website – www.powys.gov.uk 2. Notification posted on the school’s website – www.llanidloeshighschool.co.uk If possible this will be done by 7.30 am or the day before if we are caught in the middle of a particularly bad period of adverse weather. Please check the Powys website regularly for updates. Closing the school during the school day Sometimes it is necessary to close the school early on a school day based on decisions taken by the bus companies. If this is the case our policy is to ensure that all pupils contact home by text or phone before they are released by us. If a pupil is unable to make contact then our policy is to keep them with us in school until 3.35 or until contact can be made with parents and arrangements made for their collection. 3 SCHOOL CALENDAR 2018 – 2019 Autumn Term 2018 No of School Days Non-Pupil Days Wednesday 5th September 38 Monday 3rd September To Tuesday 4th September Friday 26th October Half Term – Monday 29th October to Friday 2nd November Monday 5th November 35 To Wednesday 21st December Spring Term 2019 No of School Days Non-Pupil Days Tuesday 8th January 34 Monday 7th January To Friday 22nd February Half Term – Monday 25th February to Friday 1st March Monday 4th March 29 Friday 12th April To Directed Teacher Day Thursday 11th April Summer Term 2019 Monday 29th April 19 To Friday 24th May Half Term – Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May Monday 3rd June 35 Monday 22nd July To Friday 19th July Good Friday Friday 19th April 2019 Easter Monday Monday 22nd April 2019 May Day Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2019 Spring Bank Holiday Monday 27th May 2019 Royal Welsh Show Monday 22nd July to Thursday 25th July 2019 4 SCHOOL UNIFORM All pupils must wear the prescribed school uniform, details of which are given below. One time only grants may be available to parents of pupils entering Year 7 only who are eligible for free school meals. Application forms are available from the school and Powys Local Education Authority (Telephone 01686 614040). The deadline for applications is January 31st after pupils enter the High School in September. School Uniform White shirt Maroon jumper with school motif School Tie Black blazer with school motif Black tailored trousers for boys * Black tailored trousers for girls or Black knee-length skirt * Black socks or plain tights * No denim or denim-like material, skinny leg trousers or leggings are allowed. Shoes should be low-heeled, plain black with no coloured laces. Jewellery - No brooches, chains, badges, bracelets or colourful hair ornaments are to be worn and no facial piercings. Hair should be of a natural colour. A plain finger ring and small stud ear-ring may be worn.. PE KIT Boys Girls Short sleeve shirt with school motif Short sleeve shirt with school motif Rugby shirt – Reversible Amber PE Sweatshirt Black shorts Black skorts Amber socks Amber socks Swimming trunks [not Bermuda shorts] Swimsuit [One-piece] Training shoes or equivalent Training shoes or equivalent Football boots Football boots Shin pads Shin pads Gumshield Gumshield Optional PE Sweatshirt Black shorts Zip up rain coat Running leggings Zip up rain coat All pupils are required to take part in regular PE activities unless excused for medical reasons.