SCHOOL GUIDELINES

The School Day

The School Day
8:35am - 8:40am Staff Briefing
8:40am - 8:45am Move to Morning Registration
8:45am - 9:00am Registration/Assembly
9:05am - 10:05am Period 1
10:05am - 10:25am Morning Break
10:25am - 11:25am Period 2
11:30 - 12:30pm Period 3
12:30pm - 1:10pm Lunch
1:10pm - 1:15pm Pupils Register in Class
1:15pm - 2:15pm Period 4
2:20pm - 3:20pm Period 5

The Right To Withdrawal

The Education Act of 1993 gives the right of parental withdrawal of their children from Sex & Relationship Education Lessons, and it is at this stage that the right will be offered, for which parents should contact the school. Under Section 241 of the Act parents have a right to withdraw their children from any or all aspects of SIRE other than those elements which are statutory requirements of the National Curriculum Science Order.

Child Protection

Along with all caring schools, we have appointed a senior member of staff as our Child Protection Coordinator. We follow the Area Child Protection Committee's procedures and we also work closely with the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society. The School's Child Protection Policy is available on request to parents.

Complaints Procedure

The school has a complaints procedure to deal with both general and curricular related complaints. In the first instance all complaints should be directed to the Headmaster and a copy of the complaints procedure can be obtained from the school.

School Fund

This is an annual donation requested from parents. As a Voluntary Aided School the Governors must pay 10% of all building and development work. Whilst Governors do well in raising monies through lettings and the Parishes, it is not possible to provide the level of development they would wish without the School Fund contribution from parents.

The contribution from current parents and parents of the past have allowed the school to develop into the fine school it is today — Ofsted May 2007 classified the school as "Outstanding". Such an accolade would have been impossible without the School Fund contributions from parents that have provided building developments and vital resources —buildings and resources that benefit our pupils now. School Fund donations are crucial if the school is to continue to develop and grow.

Works completed this financial year include:

  • The completion of the new Reception and Administrative area for Bede House along with the development of the ground floor of Heenan House to provide a new Design & Technology Suite and two new Science Laboratories (£400,000 approx)
  • Refurbishment of classroom Palmer1
  • Work to trees
  • Improved fencing
  • Creation of new IT server/technician room
  • Work to roof of chapel area
  • New modern PE teaching room and changing rooms (220,000 approx)
  • New careers room

So parents can see the school is not a static entity. The pupils of today benefit from the contributions of the past. It is imperative that these contributions continue to support your son/daughter's education. In simple terms — for every £10 donation the governors can carry out £100 of capital works. In addition, the completion of a Gift Aid declaration will allow every £10 donated become £12.82 — at no extra cost to you.

The Schools Data base and the Data Protection Act

The school now has a computerised file of pupils' records which contains information such as name, date of birth, address, form groups etc. The Governing Body is satisfied with the method of organisation and data security of the computerised records. The data held for each student on the computer file is no different from what would normally be held in school on one or more index files. It can only be as accurate as the information supplied to the school by pupils and/or parents/guardians. The Data Protection Act of 1998 seeks to protect individuals against misuse of personal data held on computer files.

School Rules Framework

  1. In school pupils are expected to be sensible and courteous and to treat others as they would like to be treated. This is to be understood to involve getting on with their own work seriously and helping others, whether teachers, visitors or fellow pupils, do likewise.
  2. On their way to and from school, pupils are expected to behave in the way they are expected to behave in school.
  3. All pupils must wear full school uniform on all occasions. Trainers are not school uniform. Non-uniform items are not allowed and children may be sent home to change if necessary. The school uniform is designed to be practical and as inexpensive as possible. All items apart from ties and badges can be bought in a number of chain stores. Blazer badges and school ties can be purchased from the School Office or Lucilla's in Cranbrook Road, Ilford.
  4. Homework is compulsory. Parents are expected to check whether homework is being done, via the logbook, and to communicate with the school if they are unsure about whether it is being done.
  5. There are a number of sanctions used in school including extra work, detention, Community Service, daily reports and exclusion. However, it is always our intention that by timely intervention and positive encouragement the need for sanctions should be reduced. Twenty-four hours notice is always given for a detention if it is to go beyond 15 minutes at the end of the day.
  6. Pupils may not leave the school premises during the day without permission. Pupils who go home for lunch, at the written request of their parents, will have their logbooks stamped with a pass.
  7. If a student is absent the parent/carer must ring the school before 10.00am. In the event of pupils missing school (or being late) for whatever reason, a written note of explanation from the parents is required. This should arrive when the pupil returns to school, or prior to this, if the absence is over 3 days. Usually only illness is a satisfactory reason for missing school. Pupils who require taking medication of any kind, in school, must have a letter from their parents confirming this.
  8. The school can accept no responsibility for the loss of pupils' property unless, as in the case of valuables and money which must be brought to school for some reason, it is handed in officially to the school office. The only jewellery that pupils may wear are inexpensive, unobtrusive crosses or medals. Girls may wear one pair of small plain studs (no larger that 3mm) if they have pierced ears.
  9. Pupils are not allowed to have anything in school which is unsuitable to a school situation, or which is in any way dangerous. The Headmaster's decision on this is final. The following list of forbidden items shows what we consider unsuitable but is only a selection, and not exclusive: Matches, Knives, Skateboards, Roller-skates, MP3 Players, Unroadworthy Vehicles, Cigarettes, Fireworks, Tippex, Chewing Gum, Mobile 'Phones and Laser Pointers/Pens.

Governors Charging Policy

The Governors of Canon Palmer School wish it to be known that their charging policy as required under the Education Reform Act 1988 (DES Circular 2/89) is as follows:

1. Education during school hours

The basic principle underlying this provision is that any form of education provided during the school day must be free of charge subject to the exemptions below:
Charging in kind: The school may charge for the supply of materials, e.g. in CDT if parents have indicated in advance their willingness to own the finished product.

2. Education outside school hours

No charges will be made for education or associated incidentals where the education is provided to fulfill the requirements of a specified public examination syllabus, e.g. Field Courses in GCSE Biology and Geography and GCSE A-Level Biology and Geography. The only charge which may be made will relate to the cost of board and lodging on residential visits.

3. Voluntary contributions

The provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988 do not in any way prohibit or restrict the school from seeking voluntary contributions to support school visits and activities. The Governors wish it to be known that they will continue the practice of requesting parents to make voluntary contributions to support school activities which by tradition have taken place partly or wholly during the school day, e.g. Renewal days at Walsingham House, Theatre, Museum and other educational visits of a similar nature.

4. Breakages and fines

The Governors wish parents and pupils to know that they may require parents to pay the full cost of replacing broken windows or defaced, damaged or lost equipment, including text books.

Public examinations

The Governing Body will pay the costs for entering each pupil for their initial public examinations at GCSE, AS and A2 levels. However, parents/guardians will be asked to pay the costs of entry in the following circumstances:

  1. Where a parent/guardian requests that part (e.g.an individual module or paper)or a whole exam is re­taken.
  2. Where a parent/guardian requests a pupil to be entered for an exam for which the pupil has not been prepared by the school.
  3. Where a parent/guardian requests an examinations script to be re­marked and/or reviewed.
  4. Where a pupil fails, without good reason, to complete the examination requirements. Failure to complete coursework requirements and/or failure to set final examination paper. The costs for re-sit examinations must be paid in full before examination boards are notified.

School Uniform — General

  1. School uniform is compulsory and must be worn at all times in school and on the way to and from school; when representing the school and at ay other time specified by the school. Any temporary deviation from school uniform must be explained by a dated note from parents in the Logbook.
  2. All uniform and property brought into school must be clearly marked with the owner's name. The school cannot be held responsible for any Private property.
  3. Jewellery, except watches, may not be worn. Girls with pierced ears may wear one pair of small (i.e. no more than 3mm diameter) studs. Unobtrusive crosses and medals may be worn. Boys do not wear earrings under and circumstances.
  4. Make up, including nail varnish; false nails, may not be worn.
  5. Hair for boys and girls should be neat and tidy. Only the secure extensions in original hair colour are allowed. Extremes of hairstyles and colours are forbidden.
  6. A suitable brief-case or holdall is necessary for carrying books. Plastic bags and handbags are not suitable.
  7. Pupils are required to come to school wearing their shoes NOT trainers. They will be allowed to change into trainers only during the lunch break in school or for PE/Games/Drama.
  8. Shirts and blouses are to be worn tucked in except for uniform summer shirts. Ties must be worn in the proper manner, displaying at least 5 stripes.

School Uniform — Girls

Winter Uniform

White standard shirt, school tie, navy cardigan or navy v-necked jumper, navy box-pleated skirt.
Fashion skirts are not permitted. Skirts must be knee length at shortest. Navy or white-knee length socks (worn to the knee) or navy/black no patterned tights in the Lower School, ordinary plain tights optional in the Upper School. Navy blazer with the school badge, plain navy or black anorak or top coat which must cover the blazer and optional scarf which must be navy/black. Shoes must be black leather and flat, able to be polished, and below the ankle (not over; heel), no sling-backs or open toes, no stiletto heels, no canvas shoes.

Summer Uniform is optional.

Winter uniform may be worn during the Summer Term. Summer white open-necked school regulation shirt with badge may be worn. Fashion skirts are not permitted. Skirts must be knee length at shortest. Navy blazer with school badge, plain navy or black anorak or top coat which must cover the blazer and optional scarf which should be navy. Navy, white, black plain knee-length or ankle socks. Shoes as for winter uniform. No jewellery except watches and unobtrusive crosses and medals may be worn. Only one pair plain (no more than 3mm diameter) studs if ears are pierced. Hair slides/bands, if worn, are to be navy or black. Make up is not permitted.

Girls PE Kit

Canon Palmer black or white polo T Shirt, black shorts, black sweatshirt top, black jogging bottoms, available at Lucilla's. HAIR STYLES must be suitable for school, no extremes and no primary/rainbow hair colours allowed.

School Uniform — Boys

Winter Uniform

White standard shirt, school tie, navy v-necked jumper, dark grey trousers (no jeans) grey socks, black shoes, navy blazer with school badge. Plain navy or black anorak or top coat which must cover the blazer. Optional scarf which should be navy. Shoes must be black leather and flat, able to be polished, and below the ankle. Fashion boots are not allowed. Summer Uniform is Optional. Winter uniform may be worn in the Summer Term. Summer short sleeved white school shirt with badge, dark grey trousers, navy blazer with badge. Shoes as for winter uniform. No jewellery except watches and unobtrusive crosses and medals may be worn. Earrings may not be worn under any circumstances.

Boys PE Kit

Canon Palmer black or white polo T Shirt, black shorts, black sweatshirt top, black jogging bottoms, available at Lucilla's
HAIR CUTS should be suitable for a formal school, no extreme and no primary/rainbow colours allowed.Note: In the interest of hygiene and PE equipment, it is essential that the same footwear, socks and underwear are not used for both PE and normal wear.
NB:Boxer shorts are not suitable for PE. Drama — trainers are worn for Drama, pupils should change into shoes before going home, and this also applies after PE/Games.