JUNIOR SCHOOL Parent Information Pack
Session 2018-19 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 1 Contacting the Junior School
The High School of Glasgow Junior School 27 Ledcameroch Road Bearsden Glasgow G61 4AE
Helpful Contact Details: Junior School 0141 942 0158 Junior School Fax 0141 570 0020 Junior School email [email protected] Junior School Head Teacher [email protected] email Out of School Care email [email protected] (See separate booklet for Out of School Care information)
Senior School 0141 954 9628 Senior School Fax 0141 959 0191 Bursar (Mrs J Simpson) 0141 954 9628 Senior School email [email protected]
School website www.highschoolofglasgow.co.uk
The Junior School Office is open between 8:00am and 5:00pm. It would be appreciated if calls could be made between these hours. After 5:00pm and until 5:55pm, all calls will be diverted to Out of School Care. Generally information from the school is usually emailed to parents, unless we receive a specific request to send this home by pupil post. Emails sent to the whole school (Senior and Junior Schools) will come from either [email protected] or [email protected], and emails sent from the Junior School will come from either [email protected] or [email protected] so if you have any spam filters please ensure these email addresses can be received.
2 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Contents
Junior School Staff - Page 4 The School Day - Page 6 Session Dates - Page 7 Additional Notes for Parents - Page 8 Reporting to Parents - Page 11 Parking Rules and Permits - Page 12 Medical Matters - Page 14 Extra-Curricular Activities - Page 16 PE Travel Arrangements - Page 17 Swimming - Page 18 Parent Association - Page 19 School Bus Service - Page 20 Parental Concerns and Complaints - Page 21 Out of School Care Club (OSC) - Page 23 Parent Portal (3Sys) - Page 24
The contents of this booklet are also available on our school website: www.highschoolofglasgow.co.uk
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 3 Junior School Staff
Head Teacher of the Junior School Miss Heather Fuller Deputy Head Teacher Mrs. Gail Morrans Principal Teacher - Kindergarten Mrs. Julie MacLaren Principal Teacher - Junior 1 and Junior 2 Mrs. Gillian Reid Principal Teacher - Junior 3 and Junior 4 Mrs. Margaret Pollock Principal Teacher - Junior 5 and Junior 6 Ms. Diana Lamont Principal Teacher – Learning Support Mrs. Pauline Rooney
Kindergarten Staff Mrs. Laura Cowan Teacher Mrs. Alison Duncan (* Temporary/part-time) Teacher Mrs. Claire Mitchell Teacher Mrs. Margaret Moreland Teacher
Class Teachers Ms. Diana Lamont Miss Isma Rahid Mrs. Hazel Eustace/Mrs. Sally Foster Mrs. Gillian Reid Mrs. Elaine Gibson Mrs. Christine Ritchie Mrs. Heather Gill Miss Alexandra Taylor Miss Kate Hallam Miss Rona Saunders Mrs. Margaret Pollock Mrs. Suzy Ure Flexibility Teacher - Mrs. Lorna Lambie
Specialists Art Drama Ms. Lorna Boothroyd Mrs. Ali Dougherty P.E. Head of Junior School Music Mr. Jamie McCarthy Miss Elspeth Carnall Mrs. Emma McConechy French Head of Instrumental Studies Mrs. Aline Drapeau-Magee Mr. Raymond McKeown Ms. Kristelle Peron Learning Support Head of Piano Studies Mrs. Morag Gillan (part-time) Ms. Gillian Daly Mrs. Pauline Rooney Librarian Head of Percussion Mrs. Sheila McCarron Mr. Lachie Birch
Instrumental Teachers Mrs. Lynda Norris Piano Mr. Brendan Docherty Violin Miss Heather MacIntyre Violin Mrs. Fiona Osborne Violin Ms. Miranda Phythian-Adams Cello Ms. Lynette Eaton Double Bass Mr. Andrew Robinson Classical Guitar Ms. Michelle McCabe Flute Miss Rona Pollard Oboe Mrs. Rebecca Whitener Saxophone Ms. Anthea Wood Bassoon Mr. Kevin Price Trumpet Mrs. Christine McGinley French Horn / Trombone Mr. Gordon Lawrie Chanter / Bagpipe Mr. Gordon Brown Pipe Band Drums Emma Alexander Viola Pippa Reid-Foster Harp
4 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Bursar Assistant Bursar / Premises Manager Mrs. Juliet Simpson Mrs. Anne Bell
Head Teacher’s Secretary Receptionist / Cashier Mrs. Helen Currie Mrs. Liz Cowan
Clerical Assistant First Aid / Clerical Assistant Mrs. Karen Gordon Ms. Eilidh McDonald
Classroom Assistants Janitor Mrs. Rhona Gilmour Mr. George Nesbit Mrs. Lesley Grier Mrs. Jane Livingston Assistant Janitor Mrs. Lesley Perrett Mr. Martin Plommer Mrs. Lea Ross Mrs. Anne Woolard
Catering Supervisor Catering Staff Mrs. Karen Boyle Mrs. Ann Hanlon
Out of School Care Manager Out of School Care Deputy Manager Mrs. Sally Simpson Mrs. Rachel Young
Out of School Care Staff Mrs. Susan Anderson Mrs. Yvonne Hall Mrs. Karen Campbell Mrs. Lesley Harris Mrs. Satwant Cheema Mrs. Anne MacAnespie Mrs. Marsali Duncan Mrs. Ann McGrath Mrs. Sarah Gibson Mrs. Joan Pagan Mrs. Lesley Grier Mrs. Lea Ross
Cleaning Supervisor Mr. Frank Tucker
Cleaning Staff Mrs. Patricia Alexander Mrs. Yvonne McGillvray Mrs. Angelina Devlin Mr. John McSporran Mr. Raymond Lafferty Miss Patricia Quinn Mrs. Lee Main Mr. Robert Tucker
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 5 The School Day
KINDERGARTEN 8.50am 12 Noon
JUNIOR 1 - 3 8.50am 3.05pm 12.20pm 1.20pm (Lunch Break)
JUNIOR 4, 5 & 6 8.50am 3.15pm 12.30pm 1.30pm (Lunch Break)
The school door will be open from 8.00am for an 8.50am start. We would ask pupils not to arrive before 8.00am Please note term starts on Tuesday 28th August 2018 at 8.50am for pupils in Junior 1 to 6, with doors open from 8.00am The Junior School Office will be open from 8.00am until 5.00pm each day. The school starts with Assembly for Junior 1 - Junior 6 pupils from 8.55am - 9.10am Thereafter, the day is divided into periods to accommodate specialists but class teachers tend to block time for various activities.
Punctuality
A high standard is expected. Pupils who are not in school by 8.50am will be marked late.
Intervals And Lunch-Time Every pupil is expected to play outside during break-time and lunch-time. No pupil may remain indoors unless permission has been requested in writing. In very wet weather, classes are permitted to remain indoors but it is essential that pupils have appropriate clothing for showery conditions.
NO PUPILS SHOULD LEAVE THE SCHOOL AT INTERVALS OR LUNCH-TIME UNLESS PERMISSION HAS BEEN GRANTED.
6 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Session Dates 2018-2019
Autumn Term 2018 Term Starts: Tuesday 28th August September Holiday: Friday 21st and Monday 24th September Half-term Holiday: Friday 12th - Friday 19th October (inclusive) Term ends: Wednesday 19th December (Staff In-service days: Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th and Monday 27th August; Friday 12th October)
Spring Term 2019 Term Starts: Tuesday 8th January Half-term Holiday: Friday 8th - Friday 15th February (inclusive) Term ends: Friday 29th March
(Staff In-service day: Monday 7th January)
Summer Term 2019 Term Starts: Monday 15th April Easter Weekend Holiday: Friday 19th - Monday 22nd April (inclusive) May Holiday: Monday 6th May Half-term Holiday: Friday 24th - Monday 27th May Term ends: Junior School - Wednesday 26th June Senior School - Thursday 27th June
Autumn Term 2019 Term Starts: Tuesday 27th August
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 7 Additional Notes for Parents
Start Date and Time Term starts on Tuesday 28th August 2018 at 8.50am for pupils in Junior 1 to 6. Pupils should not arrive before 8.00am but school doors will be open from 8.00am for an 8.50am start.
Absence Requests for leave of absence should be kept to the minimum and should be addressed to the Head Teacher. With generous holidays and dates arranged well in advance, it would be appreciated that any requests made for leave of absence for holiday purposes made during term time should be kept to a minimum. Written notes to explain brief absences owing to illness should be addressed to the class teacher. Dental or doctors’ appointments and music exams letters should be addressed to the class teacher and permission for such absences will be automatically granted. For security reasons, a telephone call to the Junior School Office before 9.30am on each day of absence is required.
Personal Possessions No expensive toys or valuable possessions should be brought to school. No money or valuables should be left in cloakrooms or taken to the Allander Sports Centre.
School Fees Insurance Scheme This is recommended and information about the Absence from School Refunds Scheme will be issued to parents.
Insurance Every endeavour is made at all times by members of staff to eliminate accidents or loss and the school has a personal accident insurance policy for pupils and staff with a permanent disablement cover. Information about this will be sent with your fee note. It should be noted, however, that the personal accident insurance policy does not cover personal effects. It is therefore recommended that you arrange suitable additional insurance cover by ensuring that your household/ all risks policy covers school events and excursions.
8 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 House System Pupils from Junior 1 - 6 are allocated to one of four Lifeboats - Broughty Ferry, Campbeltown, Lizard and Longhope. It is the practice to put siblings into the same ship.
Child Protection At the High School of Glasgow all staff have an important role to play in Child Protection. The school has its own Child Protection Policy which provides guidelines for staff. Kindergarten Staff also follow East Dunbartonshire’s Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures. Parents should be aware that all staff are required to fulfil their obligations in relation to Child Protection and any concerns will be reported immediately. Our Child Protection Policy is available to parents on request and is also on display in the Kindergarten Entrance.
Homework All Junior 1 - Junior 6 pupils are expected to do some homework. If, however, Junior 3, 4 and 5 pupils are taking more than 20 minutes per evening and Junior 6 more than 45 minutes, the class teacher should be informed.
Discipline A high standard of discipline is expected with the school placing an emphasis on promoting positive behaviour. All pupils will be issued with a booklet about this at the start of each new session. Parents will be contacted if there are any concerns about a pupil’s behaviour.
Lunches - Junior 1 - 6 For pupils in Junior 1 to Junior 6, the school operates a cash / cafeteria service run by Beta Catering. The menu planner outlining the meals available from the school canteen is available on our website. Pupils may: (a) Have a complete lunch from the canteen (b) Bring their own packed lunch. Please note that the school endeavours to be a ‘nut free zone’ as several of our pupils are extremely allergic to nut products.
Smart Devices We would not normally expect Junior School pupils to bring mobile phones or other smart devices to school however, all phones should be switched off while pupils are inside the school buildings. They may not be used anywhere in the school before the end of the school day. Likewise pupils, unless securing specific staff permission, are forbidden to use photographic, video or sound technology contained on their mobile phone when in school or participating in an official school event or trip. If a pupil is found to be using a phone during the school day, it will be removed by a member of the SMT and kept in the School Office until the end of the day.
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 9 Instrumental Lessons In addition to weekly lessons with the Junior School Music Specialist, a number of pupils take individual instrumental lessons. A letter about instrumental lessons is normally issued to pupils in Junior 2 - 6 in May of each year.
Books All books and equipment will be provided by the school. If, however, pupils lose an item such as a recorder, they will be asked to pay for a replacement.
Private Tuition It is not generally felt that any pupil in this school should require private tuition but if it is contemplated by parents at any time, the school should be brought into the discussion.
Entrance Tests The Head Teacher should be informed in advance if any pupil is sitting an entrance test for another school.
Liaison Parents are encouraged to make appointments with class teachers, the Deputy Head or the Head Teacher at any time if they have difficulties or concerns. Teachers may also wish to talk with a parent about a specific matter and in this case, the home is contacted and a school visit arranged.
10 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Reporting to Parents
Assessment by teachers is on-going throughout the school year and may include a small test, a review of written or spoken work or practical achievements.
August - October Information Evenings for parents of pupils in Kindergarten - Junior 6 are held in September to allow teachers to give a brief outline of what the academic year holds. Confidential Parent / Teacher Interviews are arranged for one of two evenings in October.
October - December Written Reports are issued in December.
January - March A second set of Parent / Teacher Interviews
April - June Written Reports are issued in June.
A new Kindergarten Parents’ Evening is held in June prior to the beginning of the new session.
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 11 Parking Rules and Permits
Congestion in Ledcameroch Road and the consequent danger to the lives of the pupils is a matter of grave concern. Our rules are as follows:
Parking Rules No parents may drive into the school grounds except when: (a) special permission has been granted and a permission permit issued (b) a pupil has to be picked up during school hours (c) a pupil has to be picked up after an extra-curricular activity (d) they are helping out with an outing and parking space is available (e) a pupil has to be picked up from Out of School Care after 4.00pm The map opposite outlines a route which, if followed, constitutes a one-way system. This means that NO CARS should come beyond the junction of Ledcameroch Road and Ledcameroch Crescent. No cars should park on Whitehill Road. There should be no three-point turns, parking across or reversing into entrances. Please do not stop in the middle of the road in Ledcameroch Crescent and allow your children to get out of the car. This blocks the road for all other users. Ledcameroch Park should not be used as a turning area. Please ensure that pupils do not step off the pavement, walk on walls or swing on gates. Pre-school children should be properly supervised and not allowed to wander onto the road or into neighbours’ gardens. It is vitally important that ALL PARENTS cooperate in our endeavour to ensure the safety of our pupils. PLEASE ENSURE THAT GRANDPARENTS AND CHILDMINDERS ETC ARE AWARE OF OUR RULES. We do try hard to keep on good terms with our neighbours but co-operation, common sense and consideration are essential from all drivers at all times. We are aware that several families have made a private arrangement with householders to use driveways which lie beyond the junction of Ledcameroch Road and Ledcameroch Crescent. We would like to be aware of these families so that we know those who are not deliberately ignoring our rules.
Security We would urge parents to be extra vigilant with regard to valuables being left on view when they leave their cars unattended whilst dropping off and collecting their children from the Junior School. Please ensure that if someone else is dropping off your child they are also aware of this.
Parking Permits Although our rules cannot be enforced by law, it is important that all drivers, whether they be parents, grandparents, nannies or childminders, follow them closely thus supporting the school in its efforts to avoid accidents. This means that a car which does not exhibit a permit should never be driven beyond the junction of Ledcameroch Crescent and Ledcameroch Road before school, over lunchtime or at the end of the school day. Cars should also not be parked in Ledcameroch Road as pupils can suffer indirectly from the justified annoyance of parents who do obey the rules. The safety of our children is paramount and as you can appreciate, the school entrances and exits are particularly vulnerable. A limited number of Parking Permits will be issued to those parents who have legitimate reasons for parking in the school grounds or in the immediate surroundings. Reasons may include, in the long term, bringing a large musical instrument to school, having a private arrangement with a neighbour, disability or temporary disability. These permits have to be applied for in writing to the Head Teacher at the beginning of each session.
12 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 To Junior School a School permit this point without No Parking beyond to allow cars out junction clear area around this Please leave the Parking
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PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 13 Medical Matters
To facilitate the swift and effective treatment of your son or daughter in the event of illness or accident, I would be most grateful if you would complete the medical form in the administration booklet. All information received will be treated as confidential. Please read carefully the information on the following page regarding infection control and the administration of medicines in school. Thank you for your co-operation with this important information about your child’s health and well-being while at school. Please do not hesitate to contact Miss McDonald at any time to discuss any new changes in health needs or other health issues that your child may have.
14 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Diarrhoea and Vomiting: In accordance with the NHS Public Health Guidelines, your child must be excluded from school until they are 48 hours symptom free to prevent the spread of infection in school.
Please follow these instructions regarding your child’s medicines in school: As part of accepted good practice, we are asking all parents of children with a medical condition requiring administration of medicines at school to complete and sign a consent form. These are available to download from the school website or from the medical room. If your child requires to take medication at school, please ensure that you supply the medication required for routine treatment, named and in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacist and include the prescriber’s instructions for administration. In the interest of safe practice and storage, all medicines must be handed into the Junior School Office and not kept in your child’s blazer or school bag.
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 15 Extra Curricular Activities
The High School of Glasgow offers pupils a wide range of extra-curricular activities. All classes participate in outside visits connected with individual class work and parents are invited to accompany children. Our many musical activities include an Infant, Junior, Senior and Concert Choir and we have our own String Orchestra, Wind Band, Pipe Band, Guitar Group and Percussion Ensemble. Clubs held at lunchtimes or after school are wide ranging and have included clubs for Art, Bikeability, Chess, Cookery, Drum Major, Football, Gardening, Golf, Judo, Mandarin (simplified), Modern Dance, Pipe Band Drumming Practice Groups, Running, Science, Scottish Country Dance, Spanish, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and Taekwondo. Through Bearsden Ski Club, we are able to organise skiing lessons and in connection with Thorn Park Tennis Club, tennis lessons are offered both in school and at Thorn Park Tennis Club. The Parents’ Association hold several events during the session. Their Fireworks Display in November and Midsummer Madness Event in June have been enjoyed by both pupils and parents and other occasions such as a Ceilidh or Fashion Show are organised as special events during the session.
16 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Boys’ PE / Athletics / Rugby
Travel Arrangements
Junior 5 Boys will travel to the Senior School, Anniesland by bus every Thursday at 1.00pm throughout the session. They will return to the Junior School by 3:15pm.
Junior 6 Boys will travel to the Senior School, Anniesland by bus every Monday at 1.00pm throughout the session. They will return to the Junior School by 3.15pm. Boys will also travel to the Senior School, Anniesland by bus every Friday at 3.15pm. They should be picked up from the Senior School at 4.45pm.
PLEASE NOTE THAT JUNIOR 6 BOYS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY MORNING GAMES IF SELECTED.
Girls’ PE / Athletics / Hockey
Travel Arrangements
Junior 5 Girls will travel to the Senior School, Anniesland by bus every Thursday at 1.00pm throughout the season. They will return to the Junior School by 3:15pm.
Junior 6 Girls will travel to the Senior School, Anniesland by bus every Monday at 1.00pm throughout the session. They will return to the Junior School by 3.15pm. Girls will also travel to the Senior School, Anniesland by bus every Friday at 3.15pm. They should be picked up from the Senior School at 4.45pm.
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 17 Swimming J3-J6
All pupils from Junior 3 - 6 participate in weekly swimming lessons at the Allander Swimming Pool, Bearsden. They are transported to and from the pool by coach during school hours. A note is required from home if a pupil is unable to swim on their swimming day.
Tuesdays: Junior 4 leave school at 9.30am - Water time - 9.50 - 10.20am Junior 5 leave school at 10.20am - Water time - 10.35 - 11.05am Junior 6 leave school at 11.05am - Water time - 11.20 - 11.50am
Thursdays: Junior 3 leave school at 11.05am - Water time - 11.30am - 12 noon Bus returns to Junior School at approximately 12.30pm
Kit: Swimsuit / Trunks Plastic Sock and cap, if required Goggles, if required Long hair requires to be tied back Towel No valuables such as watches or money Plastic Bag
18 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Parent Association
Purpose The Parent Association acts as a focal point for the School community and is to promote co- operation and communication between the Parents, Staff Members, the School and the Board of Governors; and to act as a fund raising body.
Aims of the Association To support the School in providing the best quality education appropriate to the individual needs of the pupils and to maximise the potential of every pupil by: • Promoting co-operation and communication between Parents and the School. • Promoting social interaction between those associated with the School, in particular to offer a welcome to new parents. • Promoting projects and events intended for the benefit of the pupils or for other charitable purposes.
Events The Parent Association organises a variety of social events throughout the School year, eg. Fireworks Evening Display. If you would like to volunteer or be part of future events please get in touch at [email protected].
Fundraising Music in Hospitals (MiH) has been chosen as the charity that the Parent Association will support over the coming two years. It will replace Bobath Scotland, our most recent partner charity. At the AGM Bobath Scotland presented the Parent Association with a fundraising certificate for £23,648.82. This is a tremendous achievement and a huge testament to the fundraising activities that have gone on over the last two years. MiH is a charity which aims to improve the quality of life for adults and children with all kinds of illness and disability through the joy and therapeutic benefits of professionally performed live music in hospitals, hospices, day care centres, special schools and care homes. For further information please visit www.musicinhospitals.org.uk.
Uniform Sales We also organise the second hand Uniform Sales. These run four times a year and are handy for picking up an extra rugby/hockey shirt or cricket jumper! If you have any items of used/new sports kit, blazers, kilts, official outfitters trousers/shorts which you no longer need, please hand them into the office clearly marked “Uniform Sale”. Alternatively, email us and we will arrange collection from you. You can contact the Parent Association via email - [email protected] and can follow their Twitter account - @HSOGparentassoc.
New Parents Reception The High School of Glasgow Parent Association will hold a New Parents’ Reception on Thursday 6th September 2018, from 6.30 to 8.30pm in the Jimmie Ireland Stand at Anniesland. The evening will be an opportunity for you to meet other parents, members of the Committee of the Parent Association and some members of staff, and I hope very much that you may be able to attend. We shall write to you again about this in August, but in the meantime I should be grateful if you would put the date in your diary.
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 19 School Bus Service
Dear Parent / Guardian, As you may or may not be aware the school has a bus service which currently runs between the south side of Glasgow and the Junior School in Bearsden. The service is run by parents, not the school and aims to provide a reliable service to get your child to and from school quickly and safely. The bus service begins in Newton Mearns and covers Giffnock, Newlands, Pollokshields and Dumbreck. It then travels along the Clydeside Expressway and stops at the bus stop on Crow Road to allow Senior School pupils to get off and pupils living in the west end to get on. It continues up the switchback and takes the children directly to the Junior School parking in the school car park in a designated space at around 8.35 am. The return journey sees the bus leave the Junior School at 3.20 pm and travel directly to the Senior School parking in the Senior School car park at 3.35 pm before continuing to the south side. The bus we use is from a company called ‘Abbey Coaches’ and ranges from a 16 to 22 seater depending on demand. We are lucky enough to have an excellent regular driver, who takes a register every morning and evening and quickly gets to know the children. We currently have children using the service from Kindergarten right up to S6 and as the end of term draws near I am writing to inform you that we have a limited number of spaces available from August. Places can be booked on a weekly basis e.g. 5 mornings a week or 5 afternoons a week or on flexible basis e.g. every Monday and Thursday mornings or Wednesday afternoons. If you are interested in the bus service or would like a bit more information please contact Mrs Gillian Wilson by email on [email protected] or via her mobile on 07841 658061. Many thanks Gillian Wilson
20 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Parental Concerns Or Complaints - Guidelines For Parents
The High School welcomes suggestions and comments from parents and takes seriously complaints and concerns which may be raised. These guidelines show how to use our complaints system. A complaint will be treated as an expression of genuine dissatisfaction which needs a response. We wish to ensure that: * Parents wishing to make a complaint know how to do so. * Parents realise that we listen and take complaints seriously. * We respond to complaints within a reasonable time and in a courteous and efficient way. * We take action where appropriate.
How to complain You can talk directly to a member of staff, write a letter or telephone. Please be as clear as possible about what is troubling you. Any member of staff will be happy to help, but it may be best to start with the person most closely concerned with the issue, as he/she may be able to sort things out quickly and with the minimum of fuss. It may be that you do not wish to complain as such but that there is something troubling you. Please remember that the School is here for you and your child and that we want to hear your views and your ideas. If you have concerns you are entitled to complain and, if in doubt, you should contact the School as we would wish to help. We would welcome the opportunity to deal with a relatively minor issue in order to prevent it becoming a more serious concern.
How a complaint will be handled If you raise something face-to-face or by telephone it may be possible to resolve the matter immediately and to your satisfaction. If you have made a complaint or suggestion in writing, your complaint will be acknowledged as soon as practicable. You will be kept advised of the progress of the handling of the concern or complaint and, where possible, will be given an indication of when a decision is expected to be reached. The issue will be dealt with as quickly as possible but, in many circumstances, the person whom you contact will need to discuss the matter with a colleague and consider it further before responding. Our letter or report will tell you of the outcome of your complaint, the conclusion, the reasons for it and any action taken or proposed.
Confidentiality All complaints will be treated with respect and as confidentially as the nature of the complaint allows. It is the School’s policy that complaints made by parents will not rebound adversely on their children and that, similarly, complaints raised by pupils will not rebound on them. While information relating to specific complaints will be kept confidentially on file, we would point out that anonymous complaints may not be pursued. We cannot entirely rule out the need to make third parties outside the School aware of the complaint and possibly also of the identity of those involved. This would only be likely to happen where, for example, a child’s safety was at risk or it became necessary to refer matters to the Police. You would be kept fully informed. Action which needed to be taken under staff disciplinary procedures as a result of complaints would be handled confidentially within the School.
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 21 Referral to the Chairman of Governors We hope that you will be satisfied with the outcome of your complaint or at least feel that your concerns have been fully and fairly considered. If you are not satisfied, the Rector will offer to refer the matter to the Chairman of Governors. Alternatively you may wish to write directly to the Chairman. The Chairman will be given a full written report from the Rector and all relevant documents and these will all be copied to you. The Chairman will write to you, asking you if you wish to add to what you have said already and giving a date by which you may expect a full response from him. If you remain troubled after receiving the Chairman’s response he will invite you to a meeting, at which he will normally be accompanied by the Rector and at most one other member of staff. You will be invited to bring to the meeting a supportive friend who is not involved with the complaint. It is hoped that, after questioning and listening to you and the Rector, the Chairman will be able to find a solution.
Referral to the School’s Conciliation Committee If the solution suggested is not acceptable to you and you wish to take the matter further, the Chairman may, if he considers it appropriate so to do, refer the matter to the School’s Conciliation Committee or suggest some other course of action with a view to achieving a resolution. The Committee consists of a Convenor, who is a Governor but not the Chairman of Governors, and three other Governor members appointed by the Board of Governors. You will be invited to attend and to bring a supportive friend as for the meeting with the Chairman of Governors. You will be asked if there are any papers which you would like to have circulated beforehand. The Rector and another senior member of staff will also be in attendance. If a resolution is still not achieved the Chairman will take the matter to an early meeting of the Board of Governors whose decision shall be final. Members of the Conciliation Committee will not take part in the deliberations and decision of the Board of Governors. At the High School we recognise and acknowledge your right to complain and we will always aim to work with you in the best interests of the children and young people in our care. We hope that we will be able to satisfy your concerns.
WHISTLE BLOWING As well as our own Complaints Procedure, the Care Inspectorate has a Complaints Procedure for dealing with any complaint about a regulated care service by people using that care service, their relatives and advocates and staff. Parents and/or staff therefore, who have a complaint regarding Kindergarten or OSC, may wish to contact the Care Inspectorate directly by using the information outlined below. They will acknowledge your complaint by writing to you within 3 days. Once they have agreed the matters they will investigate, they aim to complete the investigation within 20 working days. Regional Office: Headquarters: Care Inspectorate Care Inspectorate Renfrewshire House Compass House Cotton Street 11 Riverside Drive Paisley Dundee PA1 1BF DD1 4NY Telephone number: 0345 600 9527 Telephone number: 01382 207100 Enquiries: 0845 600 9527 Website: www.careinspectorate.com Email: [email protected]
22 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 Out of School Care Club
The High School of Glasgow Junior School runs an Out of School Care Club, called The High Flyers’ Club, at the Junior School, 27 Ledcameroch Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 4AE. The High Flyers’ Club is available for children from Kindergarten to Junior 6 and is held daily during term time from 12 noon to 5:55pm and also during holiday periods, the October and February weeks’ holiday, one week at Easter and three and a half weeks in the Summer holidays (late July/August). Pupils can be booked in to the Club on a regular or flexible basis.
It is our aim to:
1. provide a welcoming and flexible service for all users where the children are inspired, creative and en- couraged to flourish.
2. promote positive friendships among children of different ages and year groups.
3. provide children with the option to make healthy lifestyle choices.
4. provide child led, appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors that promote the development of self- respect, awareness of others and independence.
5. create a caring atmosphere while establishing positive relationships between staff, children and parents as well as fostering links with the local, wider community.
6. recognise the professional role our staff have, to appreciate their expertise and knowledge, while provid- ing opportunities for development and training.
7. provide a quality of service to all individuals which is maintained and improved through regular monitoring and evaluation.
A high standard of discipline is expected with the school placing an emphasis on promoting positive behaviour. All pupils will be issued with a booklet about this at the start of each new session. Parents will be contacted if there are any concerns about a pupil’s behaviour. There is a separate booklet giving further information about the Out of School Care Club and the manager Mrs. Sally Simpson will also be happy to provide further details on 0141 942 0158 (between 12 noon and 5.55pm) or email [email protected]
PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19 23 School Portal (3Sys)
3Sys (http://3sys.hsog.co.uk/schoolportal) is the High School’s administration database. It will be used to supply information direct to parents via the Parent Portal such as pupil profiles, school reports and key documents. New parents will be given their username by Mrs Chris Castell (MIS Manager) and create their own password. Please note, for security reasons new usernames and passwords cannot be handed out via a phone call request. In the first instance, please email Mrs Chris Castell - [email protected] for all support issues.
24 PARENT INFORMATION PACK 2018-19