Expectations and Opportunities

We articulate four core expectations to all our students.  These are the day-in-day-out behaviours that form the basis for a happy, inclusive and successful school.  We are transparent and open about these expectations; they are on display in every classroom around the school.  When students exhibit these behaviours, we praise and celebrate them.  Likewise, it is with reference to these expectations that we conduct behavioural conversations and articulate the standards that all members of the school community are required to uphold. 

These expectations are to: Be kind, Aim high, Work hard, Take responsibility. You can read more about each of these expectations, and how you can support them, here.

Students are expected to attend school in the correct uniform.  A visual guide to the details provided below can be viewed here.

School uniform upper body

Compulsory VX3 Churston quarter-zip.  This specially-designed garment has the school crest embroidered onto the chest.  In an innovative and unique development, this quarter-zip also includes integral reflective print on the front, back and arms enhancing student visibility and safety.

Compulsory VX3 polo shirt. This garment is in the school blue, with white detail and the crest embroidered onto the chest.   Students may choose to wear a white vest or t-shirt underneath the polo shirt.

Optional VX3 gilet.  Although the quarter-zip is a warm garment, and there is the possibility of wearing a vest underneath the polo shirt, some students feel the cold more than others.  For those who want to wear it, there is the option for a blue gilet with the school crest embroidered, as an additional layer.  This is the only additional outer layer permitted to be worn in classrooms and corridors.

School uniform lower body

There are three options for the lower body.  Students may wear a black pair of tailored school uniform shorts, a pair of black school uniform trousers or a black school uniform skort.  Black tights may be optionally worn with the skort.  These items are all purchasable from a range of high street providers. Leggings are only permitted for PE and games lessons.

Shoes

Shoes should be sensible, comfortable and exclusively black, without stripes or additional colours.  Students should wear grey, black or white socks.  If you choose to wear socks with black tights, these should be black to match the colour of the tights.    

Hair, jewellery and nails

Student safety is our primary consideration when it comes to jewellery.  Students may wear a single stud earring in each ear, a nose stud, one small bracelet, and one small necklace.  

The school does not permit unnatural hair colouring or the use of coloured nail varnish and /or extensions.

PE and Sport

Compulsory VX3 Tee Shirt.  A specially designed Tee Shirt with the school crest printed into the fabric.  This is the only compulsory, single-supplier item of PE kit.  Further items of required and optional kit are available from VX3 in cost-saving bundles, but they are also able to be purchased from alternative, high street providers.

Required items for all students

A pair of navy blue knee-length sports socks; a pair of navy blue sports shorts.

Optional items 

A pair of navy blue tracksuit trousers; a pair of navy blue leggings (girls); a long-sleeved navy blue base layer to be worn under the compulsory VX3 Tee Shirt.

In accordance with the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 and the DfE’s statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools (in force from 1 September 2026), Churston operates as a mobile phone-free environment by default, throughout the whole school day. Students in Key Stages 3 and 4 are not permitted to use mobile phones or smart devices at any point during the school day, including lessons, movement between lessons, breaktimes, and lunchtime. Devices must be switched off and kept out of sight in either a bag or a locker.

Wearable and personal devices with communication, recording, or internet-connectivity functions (including smartwatches, AI-enabled glasses, and earbuds) are prohibited on the same basis as mobile phones. They must not be used to bypass school network filtering, capture unauthorised media, or access restricted content during school hours.

The only exception to this rule is for students with a documented medical condition or SEND need requiring monitoring or assistive technology (for example, diabetes glucose monitoring). Such exceptions must be authorised and recorded by the SENDCo in consultation with the DSL.

Sixth Form students (KS5) are permitted restricted use of mobile devices within designated Sixth Form study areas, consistent with the flexibility afforded to post-16 provision under the statutory guidance. Any misuse results in immediate loss of privileges.

At Churston Ferrers Grammar School, the safety and wellbeing of our students in the digital world is a top priority. We have updated our Online Safety Policy to reflect the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2026), the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2026.

Key Policy Highlights:

• Statutory Safeguarding Standard: Online risks are managed across four areas: Content, Contact, Conduct, and Commerce. Our filtering and monitoring systems (Smoothwall) proactively log and protect students across all school devices and networks.

• Mobile-Free Environment: In line with statutory expectations, Key Stage 3 and 4 operate as mobile phone-free environments throughout the school day. Devices—including smartwatches and wireless earbuds—must remain switched off and out of sight. Approved medical and SEND assistive exceptions are managed through the SENDCo and DSL. Restricted mobile access remains in designated post-16 study areas for Sixth Formers.

• Generative AI & Data Privacy: We embrace technology safely through school-managed Google Workspace tools (Gemini, NotebookLM) using a clear Red / Amber / Green traffic-light system for coursework and study. Students are strictly prohibited from uploading personal or sensitive data into AI tools, and AI chatbots must never be used for mental health advice.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Data Protection Officer (DPO) is David Lewis.

At Churston, we recognise that AI is the defining technology of our age and that it is evolving at an incredible speed. Our primary goal is to educate our students to thrive in an AI-shaped world as critical thinkers, independent learners, and responsible digital citizens. We believe these tools, when harnessed correctly, can enhance creativity, clarity, and memorisation.

Our Approach to AI

The Traffic-Light System  

To safeguard deep learning and prevent AI from "stealing the struggle" that makes learning meaningful, we utilise a traffic-light system to guide student use:

• Green tasks: AI can be used as an educational tool to support learning with critical awareness.

• Amber tasks: AI can be used at specific points in the learning process, only as explicitly directed by the teacher.

• Red tasks: AI must not be used. The value of these tasks lies in students completing the work entirely themselves.

Student Responsibilities and Protocols

Students have been instructed on several core protocols to ensure they use these tools effectively:

• Fact-Checking: Students must cross-check all AI-generated outputs against established sources to verify accuracy and identify potential "hallucinations" or fabrications.

• Acknowledgement of Use: Whenever AI use is permitted, students must clearly reference and cite the tool, including the name of the tool, the date of use, and an explanation of how it was used.

• Data Security: We have specifically prioritised Google Education tools because they offer improved data security and protection. Students have been strictly instructed never to upload confidential or sensitive material, such as personally identifiable information, into any AI tool.

Academic Integrity and NEAs

It is vital that students understand the risks of AI misuse in Non-Examined Assessments (NEAs). Copying or paraphrasing AI-generated content without appropriate acknowledgement constitutes malpractice. Such misuse risks severe sanctions from examination boards, including receiving zero marks or total disqualification.

Wellbeing and Safety

We have also emphasised to students that AI tools are machines, not humans, and lack emotional nuance. They are not equipped to offer therapy or mental health support and can sometimes give dangerous advice. Support for student welfare remains a human-led priority through our tutors, teachers, and student services team.

Our enrichment programme is designed to empower our young people; to support them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, and build confidence. Through the challenges, the triumphs, the frustrations, and the laughter, our students’ personal development journey plays a significant role in their education at Churston. It is the quality, breadth, and depth of our experiences - cultural, social, and physical - that help us to understand who we are and what we might become.  We produce an annual guide to our Enrichment Programme, and we also keep an interactive record of all active clubs and societies.  Clubs and activities are registered in Arbor, so you can see what your child has signed up for and is attending.

Instrumental lessons are available to students at Churston on the following instruments: Flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, guitar, bass, piano, keyboard, percussion, violin, brass and voice. If there is an instrument for which you would like lessons but which is not listed, please get in touch with the Music Department and we will do our best to find a tutor.

Tuition is provided by visiting tutors who deal directly with parents over billing arrangements. Your agreement is with the tutor, not the school. All our teachers have a good deal of experience, are DBS checked and have excellent success rates.

Lessons take place during the school day with timetables designed to minimise regular disruption to lessons.  33 lessons are taught during the school year. Parents can opt for a lesson length of either 20, 30 or 45 minutes on most instruments.

Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up but lessons missed by the student will only be made up under exceptional circumstances. The tutor should be advised of any absences known in advance; it may then be possible to rearrange a lesson.

Students can be entered for public examinations where appropriate and reports will be issued annually. Weekly attendance registers are also kept.

However good the lessons may be, students will not make good progress without regular practice. Parents can help their children by ensuring that daily practice is possible at home.

Students learning an instrument should take advantage of the various music groups in school to help improve their skills and enhance their experience. Ensembles currently on offer are: Orchestra, Funk Band, Choir and String Group.