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AIMS OF THE
SCHOOL
The William de Ferrers School is part of a community complex. As such, it is a School committed to establishing ties with the local community and with its neighbouring Primary Schools. The School is at all times aware of the fact that it is an integral part of the community and must reflect all that is good and worthwhile within the community. To this end, knowledge and awareness of the community must form a part of the School’s curriculum - not to the exclusion of any subject, but by incorporating aspects of the community within the subject content. The first aim of any educational process must be the preparation of an individual so that they may take a place in the community; not a preordained place, but a place worthy of their skills and ability. The School aims to expose pupils to as many areas of experience as possible in a disciplined and orderly fashion so that the learning process is controlled and monitored. For the full benefit of any education to be realised, the School and Parents must work together in harmony. The School must support and complement the learning process in the home and vice versa. The School is designed to be used by the community and must always be aware of the fact that its facilities are there to benefit all. Equally, it is hoped that the community will treat our facilities with care and consideration. The William de Ferrers School will strive to be one where the best is obtained from every pupil and the best is available to every pupil; where children will be allowed to develop their talents and be given help with their difficulties. Standards will be demanded in attitude, work, behaviour and appearance. Only by aiming for all that is good in education, will we achieve the standard that our pupils deserve.
The aim of the School is to provide a sound academic and cultural education so that pupils may develop their individual abilities and interests and be prepared as fully as possible to take their places in the community of which they are a part.
ACCOMMODATION
The School is housed in a purpose-built building opened in 1982 but expanded until September 1989, at which time it became fully operational. Among the excellent facilities available are:-
SERVICES FOR PUPILS
The School is well stocked with Audio Visual Aids, televisions, video recorders, interactive whiteboards, computers, plus an extensive range of musical instruments and equipment. This equipment is used by all subject specialism's.
PROSPECTIVE PARENTS
Prospective Parents are welcome to visit the School at any time. An appointment should preferably be made by telephoning the School in advance to ensure that the relevant member of staff is available.
Each October (this year 15th October 2008) an Open Day is held when prospective Parents and members of the local community are welcome to come into the building and view a normal working school day. A meeting is then held during the evening of the Open Day at 8.00 p.m. in the Dame Elizabeth Hall, when the Headmaster and Senior Staff meet prospective Parents and explain in detail the Year 7 admission procedures and answer any questions.
Parents should be aware that offers for places at the William de Ferrers School, will be made on behalf of the Governing Body by the LEA on 2nd March 2009. Completed application forms (as found in the Secondary Education in Essex booklet, distributed from your Primary School) must be returned to the LEA by 77th October 2008.
During the month of June prior to the September entry, a further meeting is held when the Headmaster and Senior Staff explain in detail the contents of the School’s Brochure and answer any questions.
ADMISSIONS POLICY
The School / Governing Body is responsible for the implementation and administration of the policy and places will be offered to applicants in the following order of priority:
Children with a statement of special educational needs are required to be admitted if the school is named subject to relevant legislation set out in Schedule 27, paragraph 3 of the Education Act 1996.
For applicants not awarded a place as a result of the above they may appeal to an independent statutory appeals panel established under the current regulations especially for this purpose.
The admission procedure is administered by Planning and Admissions, Essex County Council; whose service the School buys into on an annual basis.
ENTRY INTO YEAR 12:
Students will be admitted into the Sixth Form at age 16 where the school agrees it is able to offer and resource for the student, a programme of study from which he or she will benefit.
Key Stage 4 courses followed by students and their subsequent GCSE results will be discussed individually with each student prior to a place being confirmed at the commencement of the relevant academic year.
Successful applicants will sign an agreed working contract.
Entry requirements:
The maximum capacity of the Sixth Form is a total of 346 students over all three years.
For applicants not awarded a place as a result of the above they may appeal to an independent statutory appeals panel established under the current regulations especially for this purpose.
PASTORAL CARE AND DISCIPLINE
The main pastoral organisation is based on a year system. Every pupil belongs to a Tutor Group and meets with his/her Tutor twice per day.
For details of staff members please view our information pages.
Pupils attend an assembly once a week. Parents should contact the Teacher in charge of a Year in writing if they wish their child to be withdrawn from this arrangement.
Great importance is attached to high standards of conduct, dress, attitude and work. General regulations are set out in the School Brochure.
A separate booklet is produced by the School regarding the courses, conditions of entry and general requirements related to Years 12 and 13. Years 12 and 13, however, are an integral part of the whole School and many of the regulations regarding the main bulk of the School apply to Years 12 and 13.
The School makes every effort to ensure that the teaching involves pupils enthusiastically in their work, thus engendering a feeling of self-respect and active participation.
Good relationships are important and are based on discipline and the belief that children respond to the positive approach of encouragement, praise and reward. When punishment needs to be administered it usually consists of a reprimand, detention or referral to Senior Staff. On some occasions, an Assistant Headmaster or Deputy Headmaster may be involved and parents may be invited to the School to discuss particular problems.
In exceptional cases, the Headmaster can exclude a pupil for up to, but not exceeding, 45 school days in any school year or pending the decision of the Governing Body where longer term exclusion is proposed. Parents have a right to make representations to the Governing Body at any meeting called to consider the exclusion.
RETURN AFTER ABSENCE
A letter explaining the cause of absence is required on the first day back, however short that absence may have been.
MEDICINES IN SCHOOL
While we can arrange for medication to be given in School, we must receive a written authorisation which states clearly the quantity and frequency of administration. Such medicines must be sent in a properly labelled container stating the name of the prescribing doctor, name of drug and expiry date as well as the name and address of the student.
Illness / Accidents at School
While minor accidents will be attended to at school, more serious injuries are dealt with by a Hospital Casualty Department. Wherever possible we do try to contact Parents by telephone at home or at work, and that is why it is essential that we have up-to-date information regarding emergency telephone numbers. We would appreciate immediate notification if this important information were to change.
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
As a School, we have always sought to care for the individual. Obviously bullying in any shape or form is totally contrary to this ethos.
It may be helpful for Parents to know that in our anti-bullying policy, we define bullying as: “any action that seeks to threaten or frighten or humiliate in any way.”
At the William de Ferrers School, we will speak out against bullying on every possible occasion, never underestimating the damage it can do. We would ask our students and our Parents to do the same. There are no good reasons for remaining silent.
THE CURRICULUM AND ITS ORGANISATION
KEY STAGE THREE
On entry to the School, pupils are allocated to a Tutor Group under the supervision of a member of staff who tutors the group on a daily basis. These groups contain a complete range of ability, as every effort is made to continue and extend the skills introduced in the Primary School and to ensure a gradual transition into the work and atmosphere of a Secondary School.
In these groups pupils are taught the following subjects:-
A Modern Language from French / German / Spanish
In the various aspects of Technology and in Art, pupils are taught in smaller groups. However, these groups still contain pupils of all levels of ability. Pupils who have not achieved Level 4 in English and Mathematics will be provided with catch up lessons or materials specifically designed to support learning and improve progress.
In Year 7, pupils are allocated a language by the School unless parents write a letter to state a strong preference for a language with a reason.
The same basic structure continues in Years 8 and 9 with the exception of Mathematics, English, Modern Languages and Science where some setting occurs from Year 8 onwards. In Year 8 some pupils are selected, on ability, to take a second foreign language, in addition to their first.
Pupils with learning difficulties receive help in the classroom and by schemes of individual work which are carefully monitored. Work is also differentiated to extend the more able.
Where it is required, subjects conform to all the content requirements of the National Curriculum.
CURRICULUM YEARS 10 AND 11
KEY STAGE FOUR
In Years 10 and 11 pupils are, to a considerable extent, grouped in accordance with their academic ability and the majority of the courses lead to examination. The examination course followed is G.C.S.E. In the main, all pupils follow 7, 8 or 9 subjects to this level, satisfying the National Curriculum requirements. There is a compulsory core of subjects which comprises of English, Mathematics, Double Science, and short courses in Physical Education, Religious Education and Information Technology. Pupils then choose a further three subjects to take on to GCSE level, and a wide range of subjects are available from which to choose. The only constraints on choice are that pupils and Parents are guided to choose subjects that produce a broad and balanced curriculum. There is a detailed programme of consultation prior to the selection of subjects and a Careers Convention is organised to assist pupils and their Parents in their choice. Full details of what is known as the School’s 'Option Scheme' are available from the School.
Since September 2002, selected pupils in Year 9 have been offered the choice of following a programme of Alternative Education at KS4 (GCSE). Pupils participating in this programme spend two days in school following a normal curriculum, one day in college following a VGCSE (equivalent to 2 GCSEs) or an NVQ (Vocational Qualification) and two days on a work placement linked to their college course.
To give pupils this opportunity, we have formed a partnership with Chelmsford and Writtle Colleges and currently have six pupils participating on the scheme. We hope to increase the number of pupils involved year on year, finances permitting, to give those pupils, who we feel would benefit from alternative curriculum provision, the opportunity to do so.
VOCATIONAL COURSES
We are continuing to develop our curriculum at both Key Stages 4 and 5 offering an increasing number of vocational courses. Those currently on offer at GCSE level include Engineering and Business Studies.
CURRICULUM YEARS 12 AND 13 - The Sixth Form
The School also offers a very comprehensive range of subjects for students who wish to extend their education into Years 12 and 13. The School offers a wide range of ‘AS’, ‘A2’ and vocational courses. Where necessary, pupils may re-sit English and Mathematics GCSE. Full details of the curriculum for Years 12 and 13 and conditions of entry into Years 12 and 13 are contained in a separate booklet, which is available from the School and can also be downloaded from the Sixth Form section on the website.
HOMEWORK
All pupils are expected to do homework, but the amount will vary according to the age of the pupil.
HEALTH AND SEX EDUCATION
Health and Sex Education is an important part of the total provision of the School. Hygiene and the physical and moral aspects of sex education are included in the programme which covers more than the minimum National Curriculum requirements. The provision starts in Year 7 and continues through to Year 11. Pupils in Year 9 will also be involved in a peer led sex and relationships education programme. If they so wish, Parents can withdraw their children from all aspects of sex education except that which is part of National Curriculum Science. A booklet is available upon request from the School showing the subjects that contribute to this provision, which has been approved by the Governing Body. Parents of Year 7 pupils are advised concerning the content of lessons during the course of the school year via a letter sent home.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS
General Complaints
Parents and others can find out about the arrangements for dealing with general complaints to the Governing Body by writing to the Headmaster.
Formal Complaints about the Curriculum
Parents should contact the School who will provide a copy of the Curriculum Complaints procedures
CHILD PROTECTION
Our first priority is to your child’s welfare and, therefore, there may be occasions when our concern about your child means that we have to consult other agencies before we contact you. The procedures we follow have been laid down by the Essex Safeguarding Children Board. If you want to know more about this procedure, please speak to the Headmaster.
STATEMENT OF POLICY ON SUBSTANCE USE AND MISUSE
In response to our shared concerns at a local and national level, we wish to state that as part of its care for the welfare of its pupils, the School has a duty to inform and educate young people on the consequences of drug use and misuse. The School takes a pro-active stance on this matter, believing that health education is a vital part of the Personal Social and Health Education programme of every pupil.
Fundamental to our School's values and practice, is the principle of sharing the responsibility for education of young people with Parents, by keeping them informed and involved at all times. Effective communication and co-operation is essential to the successful implementation of this policy.
Whilst we acknowledge that the numbers of young people who use and misuse substances is rising nationally, it is seen as important to recognise that larger numbers of young people are choosing not to use or misuse substances.
We believe and support the following educational aims in respect of substance use and misuse:
These aims are fulfilled through aspects of the pupils' experiences in the taught curriculum and the informal curriculum. We deliver in the taught curriculum mainly through Science and PSHE, but other opportunities to reinforce learning will occur in other parts of the teaching programme, such as Drama, English and RE. The School actively co-operates with other agencies such as the Police, Social Services, LEA and Health and Drug Agencies to deal with incidents of substance use and misuse.
THE ROLES OF THE HEADMASTER AND GOVERNING BODY
The Headmaster takes overall responsibility for the policy and its implementation, for liaison with the Governing Body, Parents, LEA and appropriate outside agencies and for the appointment within the school of a Health Education Co-ordinator, who will have general responsibility for handling the day to day implementation of this policy.
A School cannot knowingly allow its premises to be used for the production or supply of any controlled drug, or the preparation or smoking of cannabis or misuse of other substances. Where it is suspected that substances are being sold, used or pupils are found in possession of such substances on the premises, details regarding those involved together with as much information as possible, will be passed to the Police. Parents will be informed of any action the School takes.
If a young person admits to using substances off the premises, the Teacher in charge of that Year should be informed, who in turn should inform the Headmaster, who will inform the Parents. There is no legal obligation to inform the Police, though they may be able to give relevant support and advice.
If a young person admits to supplying substances off the premises, the Headmaster should be informed. This will be reported to the Parents, Police and the Teacher in charge of that Year.
In instances involving substance misuse on the premises, the pupil will be given a fixed term exclusion, the incident investigated and a meeting with the Parents arranged. The School recognises that a variety of responses will be necessary to deal with such incidents. The School and the Parents can then work together to support the young person involved.
In instances involving the supply on the premises, the pupil will be given a fixed term exclusion, the incident investigated and a meeting with the Parents arranged; the matter will be reported to the Police. If the incident is proved, the School will recommend to the Governing Body permanent exclusion for the young person involved.
N.B.: Within the context of this policy the word "supply" refers to the distribution of substances to other people, not necessarily for monetary gain.
PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS POLICY
The School will enter pupils for external examinations at the end of the 11th Year and at the various external examination sittings throughout Years 12 and 13.
Payment of examination entry fees is the responsibility of the Governing Body. However, the examination must be an approved one, administered by an accredited examination board, and each pupil is in the main only allowed one entry per subject or module, at a particular level.
The vast majority of pupils will, at the end of Year 11, be entered for G.C.S.E. (General Certificate of Secondary Education), and thus regulations regarding entry and fees are reasonably straightforward. It is possible, however, that some pupils may be entered for non- G.C.S.E. subjects; Parents will be consulted in these cases.
In the main, it is probable that most examination entry fees will be paid by the Governing Body. Parents will be fully consulted regarding examinations entered and what fees, if any, may be required.
It must be noted that once a pupil has been entered for an examination, if they fail to attend that examination for no good reason, Parents will be charged the fees paid for that examination. Also pupils in Years 12 & 13 re-sitting 'A' Level Modular examinations will be charged the appropriate fee.
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Last Updated: 18 July 2009