Times

A Homework Club runs in the school Library each evening until 5:00pm (4:30pm Friday).

Bells

Breaks and Lunchtimes

Lunch breaks are arranged as follows:

Years 7 and 8	Years 9 - 13
Lunch: 12.20	Movement to tutor bases: 12.20
Movement to tutor bases: 13.20	Assembly/tutor time: 12.25
Assembly/tutor time: 13.25	Lunch: 12.45

Students in Years 7 – 11 are not allowed off the school site during break and lunchtime.

The school grounds include an area of woodland, commonly referred to as ‘the copse’.  We feel privileged that our students are able to enjoy such an area at break time and lunchtimes, and also walk through it to attend activities at the Sir David English Centre and the school field. This area is secure, with no public right of way; however, there may be litter, fallen trees and poisonous plants.  The area is patrolled by staff and prefects, but it is important that students

• do not use the area on their own;

• inform staff of any identified potential hazards;

• contact the Student Hub should there be an accident;

• are aware of the potential risk of slippery mud or ice, uneven ground, fallen trees and litter;

• are aware of both poisonous plants and those that are normally harmless but may cause an allergic reaction;

• treat the area with respect.

Working in Partnership

A partnership between the school, parents and students based upon mutual trust, respect and understanding is key to enabling all students realise their potential within a positive and safe school community. 

The School commits to:

•   provide a curriculum which meets the needs of all students;

•   inform you regularly of your child’s progress and attendance;

•   ensure that your child feels that they are a valued member of the school community;

•   care for the well-being and safety of every student;

•   develop and maintain clear lines of communication;

•   encourage success and recognise effort and achievement;

•   treat parents and students with courtesy and respect;

•   promote the highest expectations of conduct and achievement to ensure students continually strive to fulfil their potential;

•   provide a range of opportunities which allow your child to develop and grow academically and personally.

The Parent commits to:

•   ensure that my child attends school daily and is on time;

•   ensure that my child is properly equipped;

•   follow the communication process for contacting staff;

•   support the school’s behaviour policy, uniform code and use of sanctions;

•   attend parents’ evenings, information evenings and meetings to discuss my child’s progress;

•   avoid taking holidays during the school term;

•   monitor the use of the internet at home, especially social media sites or apps;

•   treat staff with courtesy and respect;

•   read the newsletter to keep in touch with school events and issues;

•   encourage and allow my child to be responsible for their learning;

•   work constructively and cooperatively with the school to resolve any concerns about attendance, punctuality, behaviour or progress. 

The Student commits to being:

READY
•   Attend all lessons punctually, fully equipped and in school uniform
•   Demonstrate a positive attitude to learning 
•   Make the most of extra-curricular opportunities 
•   Accept all challenges and seek help when needed
•   Complete all work to the best of our ability

RESPECTFUL
•   Be respectful to all members of the school community
•   Take pride in ourselves and be ambitious
•   Support the school community in eliminating low level disruption
•   Treat the school environment and the property of others with respect

SAFE
•   Behave with consideration at all times
•   Use mobile devices appropriately
•   Report any incidents of bullying immediately

Attendance

Good attendance at school is vital for your child to achieve their full educational potential.  It is a legal requirement that schools keep accurate records of student attendance.

Please help us by:
•    ensuring that your child arrives at school on time each day;
•    ensuring that your child only misses school for reasons which are unavoidable or justified, such as illness or days of religious observance;
•    talking to your child’s tutor or Head of Year if you are concerned that your child may be reluctant to attend.

What does your child need to do?
•    attend school daily and register in their tutor group promptly;
•    sign the late book at reception if he arrives in school after the register has closed;
•    if it is essential for your child to attend a medical appointment during the school day he must bring a parental letter or note in the planner or an appointment card to show to their tutor. He must also sign out at reception and be accompanied off the site. 

If your child is ill and unable to attend school:
•    you should inform school by telephone or email (using the “Report an Absent Student” button on the school website) by 9.00am on the first day of absence giving their name, tutor group and a brief reason for their absence;
•    when he returns to school confirm the dates of absence along with an explanation for the absence in writing (this may be an email to office@bournemouth-school.org);
•    they must speak to their form tutor and subject teachers in order to catch up and complete all work missed;
•    if absence is clearly going to be for an extended period of time, you should contact the form tutor to discuss how your child can be supported in their work. We may request a medical certificate to explain extended absences. 

 

Request for Absence

The law gives no entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time.  Any application for leave must only be in exceptional circumstances and the Headmaster must be satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional and warrant the granting of leave.  The Department for Education (DfE) have stated that Headteachers would not be expected to class any term time holiday as exceptional.

Bournemouth School and the Local Authority may issue warnings and Fixed Penalty Notices under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996 (amended regulations 2013).  This is an alternative to the prosecution of parents/carers/guardians for failing to ensure the regular attendance of a compulsory school age student where they are registered or at a place where alternative provision is provided.

Further advice and guidance on this matter can be located through the DfE website entitled ‘School attendance and absence’.

Each request for authorised absence will be considered on its merits; exceptional circumstances might include the following:

•    a parent, grandparent or other close relative is seriously/terminally ill and the holiday proposed is likely to be the last such holiday;
•    there has recently been a death or significant other trauma in the family and it is felt that an immediate holiday might help the child concerned better deal with the situation.
The financial factor - when a parent claims that they are unable to afford to book a holiday during the school holidays when prices may be significantly higher than in term-time - will not be taken as constituting an “exceptional circumstance”.

Similarly, the nature of the proposed holiday - whether, for example, it is a fortnight visiting Rome or a fortnight in a caravan at the seaside - will not be taken as constituting an “exceptional circumstance”.

We will not grant leave, even in exceptional circumstances, if:

•    a student’s attendance record over the previous 20 week period is less than 95% - even if any previous absence was due to unavoidable causes such as illness; or
•    the period of leave coincides with the start of term, or is near to, or coincides with, tests, exams or other significant events in the school calendar;
•    a period of leave has already been granted that academic year.

Application for Leave of Absence should be made by letter to the Headmaster in advance of any booking and other than in the most exceptional circumstances, the request for leave should be made at least 4 weeks in advance of the proposed leave date, and before entering into any travel commitment.