Home- school agreement

The home-school agreement contains the following commitments and expectations.

Parent/carer commitments

• Support the school’s DARE values of determination, aspiration, respect and equality.

• Support the school’s policies and behaviour expectations.

• Ensure that they are aware that all detentions are served on the day that they are issued, unless the detention is issued after period 4, in which case the detention will be served the next day.

• Ensure that they are aware of the school’s list of banned items, and the consequences if their child brings in a banned item.

• Work co-operatively with the school to ensure their child can achieve their potential.

• Interact with school staff in a polite and respectful way.

• Ensure that their child attends school regularly, with a minimum of 97% attendance and that holidays and other non-urgent and non-hospital appointments are arranged outside of school time.

• Ensure that their child arrives at school, by 8.35am every day (for year 10-13).

• Ensure that their child arrives at school, by 9.40am every day (for year 7-9)

• Ensure that they are aware of the school’s rules on mobile phones. Mobile phones seen or heard anywhere on the school grounds will be confiscated as per section 5 of the school’s behaviour policy.

• Ensure that their child is in full school uniform every day and this includes: no trainers or footwear other than smart shoes, no piercings other than one pair of studs, no jewellery other than a religious symbol worn under the school shirt, no nail varnish or nail extensions and only light natural face makeup may be worn (eg. foundation), no lipstick, lip gloss or eye makeup. Hair should only be of natural colours and extreme haircuts are not permitted.

• Monitor and support their child with the completion of homework.

• Attend parents evening and other relevant school information events.

• Let the school know of any circumstances affecting their child’s welfare or any change in circumstances.

Student commitments

• Follow the school’s DARE values of determination, aspiration, respect and equality.

• Demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour at all times,

• Understand that all detentions are served on the day that they are issued, unless the detention is issued after period four, in which case the detention will be served the next day.

• Do not bring to school any banned items.

• Attend school every day.

• Arrive at school by 8.35am every day (for year 10-13).

• Arrive at school by 9.40am every day (for year 7-9)

• Ensure mobile phones in bags or lockers and turned off. Mobile phones seen or heard anywhere on the school grounds will be confiscated and a detention will be issued.

• Understand that being in full uniform also means: no piercings other than one pair of studs, no jewellery other than a religious symbol worn under the school shirt, no nail varnish or nail extensions and only light natural face makeup may be worn (e.g. foundation), no lipstick, lip gloss or eye makeup. Hair should only be of natural colours and extreme haircuts are not permitted. No trainers or footwear other than smart shoes.

• Complete all homework and classwork to the best of your ability.

• Attend all detentions.

• Students should inform a member of staff if they feel upset, worried or scared or if they know of another student who is feeling this way.

School commitments

• Prioritise the safety and well-being of all students at all times.

• Provide excellent pastoral care.

• Provide a world class curriculum.

• Provide a high quality learning experience that aims to meet the needs of all students.

• Provide support and guidance for post 16 education.

• Provide students with opportunities for work related and careers education.

• Provide students with opportunities for learning outside the classroom.

We recognise the important role of parents/carers in supporting the school to promote excellent student behaviour. We are committed to excellent standards in home-school communication to keep parents/carers informed of their child’s behaviour. These are some of the ways we will communicate with parents/carers about behaviour:

• Regular communication from the student’s head of year and/or behaviour mentor if a student’s behaviour does not meet expectations across several subjects and around the school.

• Individual members of staff will contact home to discuss behaviour issues relating to specific lessons and subjects.

• An email by 2.00pm if your child has a daily whole school detention.

• All parents should have a 'My Child At School' app, which allows parents/carers to track their child’s achievements and behaviour record at any time.

• Parents/carers will be notified by phone if there is a serious incident process involving their child.

• Parents/carers are invited to attend meetings if their child reaches behaviour trigger points.

• Letters of praise and recognition are sent when their child reaches the various thresholds for achievement points.

We welcome parental feedback and we will always work with parents/carers to resolve any concerns. Parents/carers who wish to raise a query or concern about a behaviour or sanction related matter should follow these steps:

• Parents/carers wishing to raise a query should make contact with their child’s head of year, who will respond to discuss the concern and arrange a meeting if needed.

• Parents/carers wishing to make a formal complaint should submit their complaint in writing, following the steps in our complaints policy, which can be found on the school website.