General Information

At present the school works an 8-period day which begins at 8.50 am and ends at 3.15 pm.

A cafeteria system is used for dining and pupils pay for what they eat. Provision is made for those who prefer to bring a packed lunch. Very few children go home for lunch but in these cases a letter of notification is essential as we need to be able to account for all pupils during the lunch hour.

Information concerning FREE meals may be obtained from the Chief Education Officer, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND. Telephone: Shrewsbury (01743) 254368.

Parents are requested to ensure that their child arrives punctually for school. Every pupil is required to produce a note of explanation signed by parent/guardian when returning to school following an absence. Absences are regularly monitored by Form Tutors and the School Welfare Officer. Once registered, pupils may not leave the school without a written request from parents. This is a safeguard for both your child and the school.

Pupils wishing to come to school on a bicycle must first obtain a permit to do so from the Head. The school cannot be held responsible for the bicycle whilst it is on the school premises and so a lock should be used to secure the cycle.

Sometimes it is necessary for parents to take their holidays during term time and so absence from school is inevitable. It is preferable for pupils to have continuity of attendance. Holidays are registered at school on a holiday form and a maximum of 10 days is permitted in any one year. The only exception to this is a holiday taken in Australia and special permission should be requested for an extension to the 10-day ruling.

Each pupil has access to a cloakroom peg or may rent a locker where coats and school bags can be left during the school day. Pupils are discouraged from bringing money and valuables to school unless they are essential. Money and valuables should be kept on the person except during PE/Games lessons and sports’ lunchtime activities when they should be handed in to the teacher for safekeeping. All property must be clearly marked with the pupil’s name. Although we do our best to help in cases of lost property, the school is not insured for such an eventuality, and the ultimate responsibility lies with the pupil. When pupils lose valuable property we would ask parents to contact school immediately so that the disappearance can be investigated. Mobile phones and walkmans are not necessary at school and we actively discourage them being brought to school.

Schools are requested to inform parents of their punishment policy. Our main forms of punishment are lunchtime detention and community service in school. In certain instances, we may wish a pupil to be given an after-school detention, subject to parents receiving 24 hours notice. For persistent offences a pupil faces a fixed term exclusion or ultimately permanent exclusion. It has to be emphasised that the successful school should not need to make excessive use of formal punishment procedures. Nevertheless, we do apply them when appropriate. The Mary Webb School has expectations of high standards of behaviour from all of its pupils.

HOMEWORK POLICY

It is the school policy that homework is set regularly for all pupils. A homework timetable is published in September each year and is distributed to all pupils so that they can take it home for their parents’ perusal. Each pupil is provided with a homework diary into which all homework should be recorded. These diaries are checked by staff.

As a school we believe that homework is of value because it:

§ Represents a practical link between home and school

§ Reinforces and extends work undertaken in the classroom

§ Allows pupils to pursue work in greater detail

§ Can highlight problems which may not be apparent in class and with which the subject tutor can help after the homework is submitted

§ Offers pupils an opportunity to be responsible for their own learning

§ Fulfils the demands of the examination system which necessitates the completion of homework.

Many subjects have been given a specific “slot” on the homework timetable. However, the nature of some subjects means that a specific slot may be inappropriate and in this event homework will be set as required. Some homework may not be of a written nature.

Pupils are frequently involved in the research and preparation of long-term assignments and some of the assignments will be prepared over a period of weeks and homework will be set once, with consideration being given to the amount of time expected to be spent on the work by the individual pupil. This type of study demands a high degree of organisation and self-discipline.

Most work to be prepared at home in Years 7-9 will be approximately 30 minutes per subject each time a homework is set. Homework in the Upper School will take longer and we would reasonably expect students to spend 45 minutes to 1 hour per subject. These time allocations are only guidelines and, as in the whole matter of homework, there is always room for flexibility.

Any queries or difficulties regarding homework should be referred to the Learning Mentor.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Pupils living in the school’s designated area, but more than 3 miles away, travel to and from the school on transport arranged by the Education Authority. Such pupils are issued with a free pass which, on each journey, must be shown to the bus driver. Pupils outside the school’s designated catchment may travel on school buses on payment of a termly fee, subject to seats being available. There is a strict code of conduct on the buses. Pupils who ignore the guidelines may have their passes withdrawn by the LEA.

The school has its own minibus which is used for taking pupils on visits, for school sports activities and field courses. The cost of running this is met largely out of school fund. The minibus is fitted with seat belts which all passengers use and each member of staff who drives the bus has passed a safety assessment.

WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY CLOSURES

On very rare occasions, when extreme weather conditions are experienced the school may have to make an emergency closure. Parents are advised to organise contingency plans in case the rare occasion does occur.

In the Autumn Term parents are reminded of the severe weather emergency procedure. In the unlikely event of closure, information for parents will be broadcast via Radio Shropshire and Beacon Radio.

The LEA prefers schools to remain open and we would do everything possible to ensure that this school does so.

SCHOOL FUND

All parents are invited to make a token contribution towards the school fund which, together with money raised through special events during the year, is used to maintain and run the school mini-bus and to provide items which are purchased for the benefit of the pupils.

FRIENDS OF THE MARY WEBB SCHOOL (Members of NPTA)

Membership of the Friends of the Mary Webb School is open to all parents/guardians of pupils and all staff of the school.

The Committee meets every half term and consists of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and a representative group of parents and staff.

The aims of the group are:

u To support and foster the welfare of the school;

u To provide opportunities for informative evenings and discussions on educational subjects;

u To organise various social activities;

u To promote a rapport and a working relationship between school and parents.

OUT OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

The school participates in a wide range of sporting activities:

Pupils have represented the County in most of the above sports.

In addition to these sporting activities further opportunities for outdoor activities are encouraged through the Annual Ski Trip, Year 7 School Camp, Years 8/9 activities’ visits and Year 10/11 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

The English and Drama Departments arrange many theatre visits in the course of the year, both during and outside normal school time. We also host drama productions by professional companies.

The Music Department offers opportunities for pupils to participate in various musical activities and music groups. We have several instrumental ensembles as well as choral groups. Pupils receive instrumental lessons from visiting music specialists.

The Modern Language staff arrange visits and foreign exchanges.

The Science, Geography and History Departments arrange Field Study trips.

The Art Department arranges for visits by professional artists who work with pupils in the department. Pupils are taken to art exhibitions and galleries.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

The school’s current admissions policy is operated by the Shropshire County Council, which is the Admissions Authority for all Community and Controlled Schools within Shropshire. Full details of the policy, together with information about arrangements for admission, are set out in the “Parents’ Guide to Education in Shropshire”. Copies of this booklet are held in school for the reference of interested parents, in local libraries and are available on request from the Admissions Team, Children and Young People’s Services Directorate, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.

The school has an admission number of 120 for the Year 6 intake in 2006. The allocation of places for the year commencing September 2005 was made on 1^st March 2005 at which date the number of preferences received and places allocated was as follows:

Date of Allocation	Admission Limit	Number of 1^st Preferences Received	Total Places Allocated	Number of 2^nd Preferences Allocated	Number of 3^rd Preferences Allocated
March 2005	120	103	112	2	0

Parents of Year 6 children living in Shropshire will be required in the Autumn Term prior to the school year of transfer from primary to secondary school to complete an LEA application form stating preferences for up to three schools. The closing date for applications will be 4^th November 2005 and allocation letters will be sent to parents on 1^st March 2006. If there are more applications for places than are available within the admission limit, then priority will be given based on:

§         Residence in catchment area

§         Sibling connection

§         Proximity of home address to school

§         Medical circumstances or Statement of Special Education Needs

Close links have been formed with our local Primary Schools and even before your child enters the school, staff themselves will have visited the Primary Schools and made themselves known. Your child will also have spent a day at the Mary Webb School and a special Pre-Entry evening is held for new pupils and their parents in the Summer Term. There are Cross-Phase Activities Days and a Sports Day.

Parents are asked to note however, that these “Taster Days” have no relevance to admissions and the allocation of places. They do not give any guarantee of a place being offered to your child. Such days are entirely separate from the “Induction Days” which will be held in the Summer Term prior to entry for those children who have been offered a place at the school by the LEA.

For children transferring to the Mary Webb School from local Primary Schools there is an agreed procedure to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.

The admission of pupils in other year groups is arranged initially via application to the LEA and, if there is a place in the year, an appointment is arranged at school with the Head.

CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PUPILS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS

The Home School Agreement is a partnership between school and home where co-operation and understanding is of the greatest importance. All pupils and parents sign the agreement, a copy of which is held at school.

HOME SCHOOL AGREEMENT

As a parent/parents I/we will ~

ensure that my/our child attends school regularly, on time and dressed correctly and equipped for lessons;
inform the school promptly of the reasons for any absence;
inform the school of any concerns or problems which might affect the work, welfare or behaviour of my child;
encourage my child to make the most of the educational opportunities offered by the school and to give support and encouragement in school work and homework;
endeavour to attend parents’ evenings and work with the school to help my child’s progress;
support the school’s efforts to maintain proper order and discipline so that the school will be a safe and secure place for pupils and staff;
recognise that detention is part of the school’s disciplinary procedures and that my child may be required to attend lunchtime and/or after-school detentions as appropriate;
encourage my child not to take expensive and inappropriate items to school, eg mobile phones, MP3 player.

Signed: ______________________________ Parent/Guardian

As a school we will ~

ensure that children are taught well, cared for and treated fairly;
identify and help and encourage children to make constructive use of their talents;
provide an orderly, secure and happy environment in which children can learn and grow up;
inform parents about the work children will be doing, offer advice on how parents can help and keep parents informed of children’s progress;
listen to and act upon parents’ concerns and anxieties;
keep parents informed about school activities and the opportunities to participate in them;
treat all pupils as individuals.

Signed: Headteacher

Chairman of the Governors

As a pupil I agree that I should at all times ~

treat others with courtesy, consideration and respect;
attend regularly and arrive on time;
have relevant equipment for lessons;
tackle all the work set as well as I can, including homework;
treat the school’s property with respect;
observe the school’s guidelines for code of conduct;
attend lunchtime and/or after-school detentions as directed;
wear uniform correctly as outlined in the school prospectus;
be responsible for personal property and leave all (unnecessary) expensive items at home.

Signed: ______________________________ Form: ______

Name: ______________________________ Date: __________

The only form of discipline which is lasting and effective is one which stems from within a person. It is this self-discipline that we, as a school and with the help and support of parents, seek for the pupil.

Self-discipline cannot be gained from a long list of rules and routines but from the understanding of what is acceptable in different situations. It is through discussions in tutorial time that this school aims at that understanding. The Home School Agreement is considered by the school to encompass the guidelines for all students.

The Governors expect that most complaints will be satisfactorily dealt with by the Head of the school. A dissatisfied complainant has access to the Chair of Governors, Governing Body or an appropriate Education Officer. The information necessary to pursue a complaint may be obtained from the School Office.

In order that the school curriculum is enriched by additional trips and activities, it is sometimes necessary for us to seek voluntary contributions to help with costs. In accordance with the 1988 Education Act, pupils who are unable to make such payments are not treated differently from those who do. However, should the level of contributions to a particular trip or activity render it unviable, it may be necessary for it to be cancelled.

When an activity takes place outside normal school time, it is customary to make charges to cover costs. Where this causes hardship we would encourage parents to contact the Headteacher in confidence.

The full text of the Sex Education, Homework, RE and Worship Policies are retained by the school. Parents may view or obtain a copy of the documents by contacting the Headteacher.

The Annual Report of the Governing Body is presented to parents during the Summer Term and is available on request.

On occasions photographs are taken of school activities and may be published in the school prospectus or local newspapers. Parents are asked to let the school know if they would prefer their children not to appear in published photographs. This information will be treated in a confidential manner.

The school facilities are used by the local community as we have a Further Education Centre based at the school. Courses and activities take place during the day and evenings. Saturday Workshops are also organised. The Sports facilities are hired out to clubs and groups from the local community.

The Community Education Co-ordinator organises a wide range of courses and activities. Further information can be obtained on Shrewsbury (01743) 790311.

Assembly/Registration

Break

Lunch

Period 8 KS3

As a parent/parents I/we will ~

As a school we will ~

As a pupil I agree that I should at all times ~