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Balfron High School FAQ
Balfron High School FAQ
With the help of parents and carers, we have pulled together the questions that parents have asked us over time. We hope that they cover all eventualities. If your question is not covered, please get in touch. We will answer your question and add it to our Balfron FAQ. We hope that you will find this helpful.
If you would like more detail, you can access the school handbook on the website here.
Communication with the school
Communication with the school
What is the school phone number?
01360 440469
What is the school email address?
How do I communicate with teachers or the Form Class Leader?
All communication should go through the Form Class Leader or Principal Teacher Pupil Support if your child is on staged intervention.
You can phone the school or email the FCL
The office will re-direct your email to the correct member of staff
Is there a calendar of upcoming events?
Yes - on the Parent Noticeboard What's Happening at Balfron High
If your child is struggling with their classwork or elements of their classwork, will the parent be advised so they can offer additional help at home?
You will receive termly tracking reports in addition to parents' meetings. In S1-3 there will also be a Form Class Leader interview that you will be invited to.
If your child is in the senior phase and there is concern about their progress, in addition to tracking data, you may receive an attainment alert.
If you are concerned please contact your child's FCL or PTPS.
The Senior Team - Contact email links
The Senior Team - Contact email links
Head Teacher Elaine Bannatyne
Depute Head Teacher, Campsie House Phil Slavin
Depute Head Teacher, Endrick House Claire Appelquist
Depute Head Teacher, Lomond House David Braid
What are the most recent COVID mitigations?
What are the most recent COVID mitigations?
If your child is ill or has a temperature, please keep them at home until they have recovered. Her is the latest NHS advice.
There is no need to take a test. Pupil and staff should stay home if they feel unwell.
Is sanitizer available?
We no longer provide hand sanitizer. Pupils are encouraged to bring their own and keep good hand hygiene
Is fresh water available?
Yes! Two filtered water machines areavailable in the atrium.
Attendance & Absence
What is the absence number?
Pupil Absence Line: 01360 441616
How to communicate absences or dental/doctor appointments with the school?
Phone or email the school in advance.
How do I arrange to pick-up my child?
Parents are respectfully asked to phone the school in advance and pupils should be signed out at reception.
What if we are leaving School?
Please contact your child's Head of House - Campsie (Mr Slavin), Endrick (Dr Appelquist) Lomond (Mr Braid)
What if my child is late?
They must enter via the main reception. Mrs Mcallister will sign them in and update our system.
Uniform
Do young people need to wear blazers in weather extremes - too hot/cold?
Blazers can be removed in class if it is warm. Blazers are a helpful additional layer if it is cold and pupils are expected to wear them to school and in the building. Pupils are allowed to wear black cardigans or school jumpers underneath blazers.
How can I buy uniform?
Borders Embroidery:
https://www.border-embroideries.co.uk/schools/balfron-high-school.html?p=1
Balfron Parent Council:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Balfron-Clothing-Company-106817604515536
We offer annual uniform evenings in June.
Are trainers allowed?
Completely black trainers are allowed. Different trainers are recommended for PE.
Where can I get a school tie?
School ties (£8) and prefect ties (£10) can be purchased at the reception.
Where can I get blazers braided for S6?
You can contact Borders embroidery directly. This is also organised through Mrs Edwards in the school office.
Should my child be wearing school PE kit?
We recommend the school kit but currently do not insist on it.
We are currently doing a consultation with pupils on school branded kit that may be included as part of core uniform.
Where can I check for lost property?
You or your child can check with staff in the Bellrock office at reception. Lost property is held for a term and then donated to charity if unclaimed.
Wellbeing & Support for Pupils
What is the pastoral format in the school?
Every class has a Form Class Leader. This person is your first point of contact. If your child is on staged intervention, your person is the Principal Teacher Pupil Support assigned to your child.
If my child feels ill, what should they do?
Let their teacher know and go to the medical room.
What if my child needs to take medication?
Contact your child's Form Class Leader. They will liaise with Mrs Bates in the medical room. You will be given paperwork
How do I contact the school counsellor?
Call or email the school
Pupils can request time to talk or counselling via the posters through the school or by scanning the QR codes. Here is the link
Who should I contact if my child is struggling or I need to share information?
Your child's Form Class Leader or PT PS
If any teachers notice a change in a young persons behaviour, withdrawn, sad, stressed. What happens?
They will contact your child's Form Class Leader/PT PS. It is likely that they will check in with your child first and depending on how your child is make contact with the pastoral team and parents.
Is there a prayer space or reflection room in the school?
We have a prayer space with running water for young people and staff at key times Eg Eid
Homework
Homework
How do parents get easy and clear access to see homework assignments and due dates?
You are invited to Guardian via email. The office are currently updating these.
How does Google Classroom work?
Google Classroom is accessed by learners not parents or carers. It is important that this space replicates an in-person classroom and is offered the sensitivity and confidentiality that comes with that.
Attainment & Achievement
How do National Qualifications Work?
Pupils embark on NQs formally in S4.
Assessment data in the BGE helps inform the level that your child will study at NQ. Eg N4 or N5
How have courses changed this year?
What about gaps in knowledge?
Each team has extensive revision materials that pupils are directed to.
Courses have been modified to help address this.
How will I know if my child is struggling?
Check-in with your child. Ask them about what they are learning.
We will share tracking information on progress regularly.
Parents Nights 2024-25
Some of these will be on line, others in person.
S1 8/5 (in person)
S2 15/1 (in person)
S3 25/11 (in person)
S4 10/10 (in person) 20/2 (online)
S5/6 6/11 (in person) 5/3 Tues (online)
Form Class Leader Meetings S1-3
S1 - weeks beginning 30 September & 7 October
S2 - weeks beginning 13, 20, & 27 March
S3 - weeks beginning 13, 20, & 27 March
You will be invited via email.
Reporting/ Tracking Times
Reporting/ Tracking Times
In addition to parents meetings, we send tracking reports home via email as follows:
S1 2/12/2024 & 10/3/2025 S4 30/10/2023, 16/12/2023, 17/2/2024, 31/4/2024 (SQA estimates)
S2 23/9/2024, 2/12/24 & 10/3/2025 S5/6 30/10/2023, 16/12/2023, 17/2/2024, 31/4/2024 (SQA estimates)
S3 28/10/2024 & 24/3/2025
General Organisation
How does my child get a locker?
This is organised through Ms Atkinson in the school office.
How long is the locker theirs?
£15 for the duration of their time at Balfron High
Where should my child store their musical intrument during the day?
There is a store that musicians can use in the music area
Will my child get a Young Scot Card?
Yes, applications are usually manged in S1 through their Form Class Leader with the support of our Youth Services link, Emma Harvey.
What if my child loses heir bus pass?
Contact Stirling Council transport to arrange a replacement
It is helpful if Mr Braid (DHT) is also made aware. He liaises with the bus companies and Stirling Council Transport
Lunches & Breaks
Lunches & Breaks
How does my child pay for lunch?
Pupils are given a card with an individual number. The number is used to pay for their snacks/drinks and food. This can be topped up through parent pay.
What if my child loses their lunch card?
They should buy a replacement replacement card from Bellrock.
We really need pupils to have the cards so they can be swiped. This is much quicker and helps keep the queues moving.
What food is on offer?
hot food (including vegetarian/ vegan option)
panini
baked potatoes
sandwiches
salad bar
soup and baguette
What are the school day times?
What are the school day times?
When will school trips be starting?
We run day long excursions & residentials
We offer international trips including the senior ski trip.
Is Duke of Edinburgh being offered this year?
Yes!
Mrs Smith is scoordinating Duke of Edinburgh in school.
The BAG group are continuing to offer Bronze expeditions and training nights/weekends.
How do you get home from after school clubs?
Bus service
Will there be inter-school swimming this year?
If competitions run, we will always try to take part.
Transition To Balfron High
Transition To Balfron High
What should S1s do on first day?
What should S1s do on first day?
Information is generallly shared by Dr Appelquist.
We meet pupils from the buses on the first day and give them info from there.
What should my child do on a first day if joining mid-school year?
Dr Appelquist (or another Depute) meets new pupils at the reception at 10am. This gives time to help orientate and settle new pupils in.
Do you offer taster days at Balfron High?
Only to P7 pupils from associated primary schools.
Link for placing requests
Expectations and school rules
Expectations and school rules
Can my child have a phone in school?
To avoid disruption to learning, we insist that all young people to keep their phones on silent and in their bag while in class.
Is there a social media policy?
We use Twitter to share information but do not promote use of social media. We encourage young people to take breaks from social media.
If there is bullying online or in person, we pick it up as soon as we are made aware.
If you think your child is being bullied or is involved in some way in bullying, please contact the Depute in charge of your child's House.
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