Key Information
Getting to School
The school day starts with registration at 8.30am. All students are expected to be in school and ready for lessons by then.
School buses
School buses are provided free of charge provided students have a Puffin Pass. All full time students in Guernsey can travel for free with a student puffinpass. These can be applied for at the Kiosk at the Town terminus. Students may use either the CT Plus dedicated school buses or travel on the service buses. See 'Which schools does it serve' to see if there is a CT Plus school bus for your catchment. There are other operators and these can be contacted separately. Any child wishing to use the bus service is required to carry a Puffin pass. Please click on these links for further details – Puffin Pass application form; School Bus Routes. The buses are operated on behalf of The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure by CT Plus, Island Coachways, Island Taxis & Lambourne Taxis. Please click here to view a full list of Les Varendes High School and Sixth Form Centre buses.
In addition to the school bus services provided, any school pupil is able to catch a public service bus free of charge providing they are in possession of a student "Puffin Pass", which can be applied for at the Information Kiosk at the town bus terminus.
Should you have a general query with regard to School bus transport, please contact Driver & Vehicle Licensing's Public Transport Section on Tel: 202227. See details of school bus services here: https://www.gov.gg/buses.
Registration
Students are registered in every lesson they attend, including Tutor Time, using an electronic registration system.
What to do if a student is unwell
Please let us know if your child is unable to attend for any reason by telephoning the school office on 226571 or emailing office@grammar.sch.gg before 9.00 am on the first and any subsequent days of absence. Students who arrive after 8.30am should sign-in at Reception.
Illness during the School day Students must report to reception if they feel unwell. A decision will be made by the office staff if the student needs to be collected and go home.
COVID-19 guidance
It’s important to remember that COVID-19 has not disappeared and current measures are intended to enable us to live responsibly with the virus.
A reminder that the latest COVID-19 guidance is available here.
Diarrhoea and vomiting – in these cases a person must be symptom free for 48 hours before they return to work or school.
Leave of absence
Parents and carers are advised that family holidays taken in term time can have a serious impact on learning, progress and wellbeing. In accordance with the Island Attendance Policy, absences for the purposes of holiday will be unauthorised. Requests for Leave of Absence should be made to the Principal using the Leave of Absence Request Form, which is available here. Please allow as much notice as possible and at least two weeks for any known intended absence.
Attendance at the school is excellent with an annual average of over 96%. Attending school regularly and on time is crucial for your child’s development and wellbeing.
Uniform
Year 7 - 11
All students in Years 7 – 11 wear school uniform. Please click here to view the full requirements. All articles must be clearly labelled.
Clothing grants are available according to particular circumstances. For information please contact the Education Department directly. All requests are treated confidentially.
Motorcyclists and pedal cyclists should wear suitable protective clothing.
Books and equipment are carried in a substantial dark coloured bag.
Summer uniform is worn during the Summer Term.
No makeup, no facial or body piercing. The wearing of jewellery with uniform is inappropriate.
Hair colour should be natural and hair should be worn off the face and in a smart sensible style. Hair wear should be appropriate and in school colours only i.e. burgundy, grey, white or black
Sixth Form Dress Code
Sixth Form Students
Sixth Form students are not required to wear a school uniform. In order to prepare our young people for a formal and professional working environment the following dress code applies:
A blazer or suit jacket, a shirt with a collar (ties optional), smart trousers or a midi or maxi skirt. Suits are encouraged.
Please click here to view the full dress code requirements.
Morning Assembly
Whole school assemblies will be held at various times during the week and these are non-denominational but broadly Christian based. They are regarded as important and valuable occasions for exploring spiritual and moral concepts, environmental and social issues, and highlighting international concerns. They also enable the school to meet as a whole community and to celebrate individual and collective success.
The assemblies are led by staff, visiting speakers and the students in Tutor Groups. A senior member of staff coordinates the programme each term. Students can be withdrawn from assembly on the wishes of their parents; however they are expected to join in for the notices which follow.
What is Independent Study?
At Les Varendes High School and Sixth Form Centre learning that is undertaken beyond the confines of the timetable is known by the term ‘Independent Study’. These are activities and routines which enable all our students to develop a positive Attitude to Learning and to make progress in their subjects.
Independent Study enables progress and we value it as an important part of our curriculum. Independent Study will inform our reporting on Attitude to Learning. It will also aid teacher assessments of subject progress.
Independent Study is set differently amongst our departments/faculties within the school. Some prefer to set regular activities which harness and practice skills from the lesson. Others require a more reflective approach without the need for constant practice.
Independent Study should be communicated via the school planner or through Google Classroom. Students have the opportunity to work in our Independent Study room during the lunch hour and also in the ICT rooms. Both are staffed during these times.
Independent Study will be phased in over the first few weeks of Year 7. From then on students will be provided with activities to complete. They can record them in their planner. However an increasing number of teachers are now using Google Classroom to set activities.
How do I communicate with teachers?
At the heart of our student review and reporting system is an emphasis on active communication between teacher, student and parent and we encourage discussion as much as possible.
We believe the role of the partnership between school and home is key in the support and development of students.
We provide three written progress reviews per year. We will notify you by text that your child has been issued with a Progress Review to share with you at home.
Following each Review we will invite you to speak further with subject teachers if required.
We are keen to establish a dialogue between parents and teachers and would encourage you to contact subject and progress tutors if you have any feedback or information that will contribute to your child’s development whilst they are with us.
How is my child rewarded?
We aim to provide and maintain a happy, secure and caring learning environment in which students and teaching staff enjoy their right to work and learn together effectively.
There is a clear Attitude to Learning Policy which drives outstanding attitude at all levels from our students. Unacceptable behaviour and effort will not be tolerated.
Please click here.
What do I do if I have a query, difficulty or complaint?
Parents/Carers may wish to consult with members of staff at times other than scheduled Parents’ Evenings. They are always welcome to do so but it is requested that all such queries go through the School Office.
Parents and carers should not hesitate to contact the school so that they can be put in touch with the appropriate person to help.
The Principal and Senior Leadership Team are always pleased to see parents but it may be more appropriate, if you have an enquiry relating to school work, to meet the Tutor or a Subject Teacher.
Any complaints should be addressed, in the first instance, to the Principal by emailing, kieran.james@education.gg. You can
View further information on raising a concern or making a complaint via the Education Service.