NEWPORT GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

ACADEMY TRUST

INFORMATION BOOKLET

FOR NEW PARENTS

ENTRY 2020

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MJS/KLM 27 April 2020

Dear Parent

Welcome to Newport Girls' High School. We hope your association with us is a long and

happy one. In fact this is the start of a seven year partnership because Newport Girls’ High

School is an 11-18 school.

Your daughter has done very well to have achieved a place at the High School, so she deserves

to be warmly congratulated on her success. This is a friendly and supportive school where

she will have every opportunity to succeed academically and to develop as a well-rounded

individual through a wide range of extra-curricular activities and by taking on responsibilities

in her form or House.

In this booklet, you will find all the information you need about how the school

operates and is organised. We hope that you will spend a few minutes reading it

and keep it safe for future reference.

There will be a meeting for all new Year 7 parents early in the Autumn Term when your

daughter will have been in school for a number of weeks. We hope you will be able to attend

this meeting when you will be able to consult with staff, and other parents who are members

of the PTA. We look forward to hearing about your daughter's early experiences of the High

School.

I hope you find the transition meeting reassuring and helpful so that you and your daughter

soon feel part of Newport Girls’ High School.

Yours sincerely

Mr M Scott

Headteacher

Follow me on Twitter @head_newport

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Term/Holiday Dates

These can be found on our website in the For Parents section.

Please do not arrange holidays in term time.

Times of the School Day

Registration 8.50am

Assembly 9.00am

Period 1 9.15am

Period 2 10.15am

Break 11.15 – 11.35am

Period 3 11.35am

Lunch 12.35 – 1.35pm

Period 4 1.45pm

Period 5 2.45pm

School Ends 3.45pm

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Student Ethos and Values

Our School is a community of learning, we value…

Respect and Equality

This is demonstrated by:

❖ Respecting each other’s right to learn.

❖ Following the school’s behaviour guidelines and showing respect for school property and

our surroundings.

❖ Valuing and celebrating each other’s contributions in lessons and other school activities.

❖ Treating one another with dignity and respect.

❖ Accepting individual differences and supporting one another with patience and

compassion.

Friendship

This is demonstrated by:

❖ Actively helping to integrate new members to the form and to school.

❖ Showing commitment and courtesy to others.

❖ Looking for opportunities to get involved in school and House activities to forge links

within the school community.

Contribution

This is demonstrated by:

❖ Putting our best effort into our studies and allowing others to achieve their potential also.

❖ Taking pride in our work and in our School overall.

❖ Following the behaviour and conduct guidelines at all times.

❖ Utilising the opportunities to show our talents and helping others to develop theirs too.

❖ Encouraging and participating in form, House and community activities.

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Partnership between Home and School

The success of any student depends upon a positive and effective relationship between parent

or carer, school and student. By making a commitment to send your child to Newport Girls'

High School, you have already indicated your support for a system founded upon excellence

and full participation.

Role of Parents or Carers

Parents or carers have a full and essential part to play in their child’s success. Their role

includes the following:

• To give time and attention to their child’s work and to ensure that it is done to the

best of their ability.

• To actively support their child’s extra-curricular activities in sport, music, drama, etc.

• To take every opportunity to communicate with the school at Consultation Events and

through the student planner.

• To organise their holidays and leisure time to allow for maximum attendance and

participation by their child at school.

• To be aware of the School Behaviour Policy and ensure that their child abides by it.

• To support the school in matters of school uniform, attendance and punctuality.

In return, the High School undertakes to play its full part in the vital role of Education.

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Pastoral Care

There are three Houses at Newport Girls’ High School:

House Title House Colour

Austen Red

Roddam Yellow

Seacole Green

The House system permeates the school’s organisation and activities. There are seven forms

that make up each House. A semi-vertical tutoring system has been developed so a mixture

of girls from different year groups combine together in one form – Years 7 and 8, Years 9 and

10, Year 11 and Years 12 and 13.

The Sixth Form have separate forms but are still attached to the House system and take on a

strong leadership role.

The Head of Years 7 and 8, Ms Capaldi, also keeps an overview of pastoral issues, attendance

and the academic progress of pupils in these year groups.

If you need to contact school you can phone or email the school office

(schooloffice@nghs.org.uk) or write a note in your daughter’s planner for her Form Tutor.

For more serious or persistent problems it may be more appropriate to contact the Head of

Year.

Mrs Davenport is our Pastoral Support Administrator who is also available to liaise between

parents and teachers to ensure any issues are dealt with promptly. She is also the lead person

for medical matters and first aid.

Mrs Danby is our Wellbeing Officer (Years 7-10) who is also available to support students and

liaise between parents and teachers to ensure any issues are dealt with promptly.

Mrs Martin is our Wellbeing Officer (Year 11 & Sixth Form).

The School also has two part-time counsellors, who can support students in times of crisis.

They provide a confidential counselling service.

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Communication between Home and School

Contacts

Main school telephone number: 01952 797550

Main school email address: schooloffice@nghs.org.uk

Emergency email address: urgent@nghs.org.uk

This will be monitored at weekends and in holidays by Mr Scott or a senior colleague in case

of a MAJOR incident, which affects one of our pupils or staff. Please only use this email to

contact us in an emergency. We hope this is helpful.

Twitter accounts:

NGHS Main Twitter @NGHS_Info

Headteacher’s Twitter @head_newport

Modern Languages @MflNghs

Sport & PE @NGHS_PE

History @NGHS_History

Geography @NGHS_geog

English @NGHSEnglish

Planner

Pupils receive a planner at the beginning of each year. This is a very important document in

which they record exact details of homework set and deadlines for completion. We also ask girls to record the exact amount of time taken to complete the homework by each entry.

This helps us monitor if too much or too little homework is being done.

The planner is the most important regular means of communication between home and

school. Teachers and form staff comment in the planner and parents are asked to comment

too where appropriate. Both praise and concerns will be recorded.

We ask parents to inspect the planner at least weekly and ideally sign it to show it has

been seen.

Newsletter

Parents receive an electronic copy of Newport News at the end of each week.

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Emails

We send as much correspondence as possible via email and would be grateful if

parents could provide us with a secure email address – this can be a work or home

account. Please check your emails on a regular basis. The email address you will

receive emails from is: SC8944364a@schoolcomms.com

Text Messages

Text messages are used to communicate while on school trips and as part of our student

absence monitoring process. Text messages will be from the number 01952 780082. Please

save this number in your mobile phone(s) so you recognise any texts as being from NGHS.

Letters Home

Correspondence which is of a personal or important nature is posted home.

Website (www.nghs.org.uk)

The website is increasingly used as a tool for parents to access information. There are also

some pastoral help guides covering a range of topics. Please visit www.nghs.org.uk

Curriculum and learning information is also provided. Parents are encouraged to

view/download the Learning Overview documents which give an idea of the topics that are

being studied each term.

SIMS Parent App

Parents will be sent a registration email in the autumn term to provide access to the SIMS

Parent App where they will be able to view information about their daughter and school

reports. Please keep your log in details safe.

The Parent App can also be used to update pupil information such as contact numbers and

email addresses. It is vital that any changes to your personal information are communicated to

the school ASAP, this can be done via the Parent App or by emailing schooloffice@nghs.org.uk.

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Financial Support for Pupils

Pupil Premium

Newport Girls’ High School receives a Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) for each child who is

entitled to receive Free School Meals (FSM) and for pupils classed as Looked After Children

(LAC) i.e. who have been in care for six months or longer.

The Pupil Premium has been extended to include any pupils who have been eligible for FSMs

at any point in the last six years.

The Pupil Premium level of funding is £935 per pupil and £2,300 for LAC. It is for the school

to decide how to allocate the Pupil Premium to the eligible pupils. The school will be held

accountable for how they have used this additional funding and performance tables will include

analysis of the achievement of those pupils covered by Pupil Premium. We do consult parents

about the allocation of funds.

Service Premium

A premium has been introduced for children whose parents are serving or have served in the

armed forces. This is currently £300 per pupil. The service premium is designed to address

the emotional and social well-being of these pupils.

Eligibility:

• One of their parents is serving in the regular armed forces;

• Is an Ever 6 service child – a pupil recorded in the January 2020 school census who was

eligible for the SCP since the January 2014 census as well as those recorded as a service

child for the first time on the January 2019 school census;

• One of their parents died whilst serving in the armed forces and the pupils is in receipt of

a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and the War Pensions

Scheme (WPS).

At NGHS:

• We ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all pupils.

• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups;

this includes ensuring that the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils are adequately

assessed and met.

As with every pupil in our care, a pupil who is considered to be ‘socially disadvantaged’ is

valued, respected and entitled to develop to her full potential, irrespective of disadvantage.

In making provision for socially disadvantaged pupils, we recognise that not all pupils who

receive FSM will be socially disadvantaged. We also recognise that that not all pupils who are

socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for FSM. We reserve the right to allocate the

Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil, or groups of pupils, the school has legitimately

identified as being socially disadvantaged.

Criteria for identification will include:

• Parental requests

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• Financial monitoring of payments for activities

• Students regularly missing trips and enrichment activities without a given reason.

Pupil Premium funding will be allocated following analysis of school data, which will enable us to identify priority individuals or groups. Limited funding and resources means that not all

individuals or groups will be in receipt of Pupil Premium interventions at any one time but as

part of our strategic plan for spending.

Provision

At Newport Girls’ High School the Pupil Premium and Service Premium Grants will be used

to support the following:

• intervention and support strategies - individual or small group activities specifically designed

to improve learning in order for pupils to reach their potential;

• curriculum trips and curriculum enrichment activities to provide equal access to the

curriculum in its broadest sense e.g. field trips for geography, art or history; theatre trips

for English; recommended revision materials and other resources and materials;

• extra-curricular and cross-curricular activities that are a regular part of school life, including

Curriculum Enrichment Week;

• support with the costs associated with participation in:

the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme or

individual musical instrument hire and tuition or

fees associated with additional sporting activities organised by the school e.g. fencing or

cricket coaching.

We write to/email all parents to inform them of the criteria for FSM. We assure parents that

all matters regarding use of the Pupil Premium and Service Premium are treated with

discretion and in confidence.

School Trips and Visits

The school offers a rich and diverse range of experiences for students, including numerous

school trips.

It is a legal requirement that parental consent is obtained and pastoral/medical information

required for all school trips. On entry to the school you will be asked to complete a consent

form for school trips and other off-site activities.

On entry to the school you will be asked to complete a Confidential Information Form. The

information provided will be entered on to the school’s database.

Medical and emergency contact details provided will be used for school visits. If circumstances

change in the course of the year, please let the office know and amendments will be made.

We will remind parents in each piece of correspondence about school trips/visits that we are

using medical and contact details submitted at the beginning of the academic year.

Trips or visits offered wholly or mainly during normal teaching time and/or as part of the

curriculum will be available to all pupils regardless of parental ability or willingness to help

meet the cost. Voluntary contributions are invited, however without these it may not be

viable to run the trip/visit.

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Charges may be made for optional trips or visits wholly or mainly out of school hours.

The school arranges a variety of out of school activities. Some of these are very much an

integral part of the daily/weekly routine of the school whilst others take place less frequently,

generally to places farther afield, and of longer duration.

Those forming part of the regular routine of the school are as follows:

• Sports fixtures;

• Music events;

• Visits to local schools;

• Visits to local town and businesses.

For other trips, not listed above, detailed information will be sent to parents concerned at the

planning stage of each trip.

The school’s insurance policy covers all trips/visits in and out of school.

When requested, expression of interest slips for trips should be returned to the school office

by the date indicated. Payments for trips should be made online with a debit/credit card. This

is the school’s preferred method of payment; details will be issued in September and parents

will receive unique login details. If you are unable to pay online, please contact the Finance

Office at school. Receipts are not usually issued but parents may request one if they so wish.

Parking Restrictions

As a health and safety precaution, the school car park is not accessible from 8:15am – 4:05pm.

In exceptional circumstances e.g. medical appointments it is acceptable to use the car park

during this period. We request that parents wishing to collect their daughters at the end of

school make alternative parking arrangements. Access to Moorfield’s car park will be

restricted by a barrier system which is also in place at the High School. Parking in neighbouring

roads at the end of the day causes bad relations with neighbours. Please encourage your

daughter to walk to school if possible.

School Crossing

It is essential that girls use the crossing to cross Wellington Road, which can be dangerous at

the beginning and end of the day. We would be grateful if parents would support the school

in insisting upon this health and safety precaution. Girls should also use the pedestrian exits

at the front of the school and avoid the car park and vehicle entrance and exit.

Personal Property

If your daughter brings personal property into school such as mobile phone, cash, jewellery

etc. it is her responsibility to look after it. Valuables may be deposited in the office for safe

keeping.

Electronic Devices

All pupils are issued with the ICT Acceptable Use Policy and Mobile Phone Acceptable Use

Policy. Mobile phones must be switched off during the day. Other mobile technologies are

not acceptable in school until the Sixth Form. If pupils are found using them in or out of

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lessons, they will be confiscated. If any item is confiscated three times, parents will be

contacted and asked to collect the device.

Medication in School

If your daughter needs to take medication during school hours, parents should complete a

Medical Care Plan Form (Med1) or inform school in writing with details of the medication and

doses required.

Parents will be asked on the Confidential Information Form whether you consent to the

provision of paracetamol for pain relief in school. Consent will also be sought, where

appropriate, for the school to use its Emergency Salbutamol inhaler (only if the pupil has been

diagnosed with asthma and prescribed a reliever inhaler) and the Emergency Auto-Injector

(only where the pupil has been diagnosed with an allergy and has been prescribed the use of

an Auto Injector).

Any pupils with medical conditions e.g. asthma, anaphylaxis, must ensure they have their

medication with them at all times and that it is in date. A second inhaler/epipen should be

kept in the school office. Pupils must take their inhaler/epipen with them on any out of school

activity or trip.

Parents should ensure that inhalers and epipens are in date and replaced prior to

their expiry. Such items held in the school office should be in a waterproof

container, clearly identifying the student (usually with a photograph and their

name). These are also required for school visits and trips.

The member of staff responsible for medication and medical matters is Mrs F Davenport.

School Nurse

Students are able to access the school nurse for confidential support and advice on a range of

topics – either through the weekly “Healthy Drop-In” Session or through a conversation with

our Pastoral & Safeguarding Administrator, Mrs Davenport.

The Counselling Service and Community School Nurse Sessions are designed to complement

the strengths of the pastoral system by offering additional personal support to students who

may benefit from the opportunity to work with a professional counsellor. It is a confidential

service to enable pupils to make the most of opportunities offered for their social and

academic development in school. The cost of this service is not currently passed on to parents.

If you have any reservations about your daughter accessing these services please do not

hesitate to contact us.

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SEND Provision

Teachers, in all subject areas, plan and use differentiated materials in order to help individuals

learn. It is our aim that all pupils will receive excellent teaching and therefore will make

progress as a result.

If this is not enough to help your child to make progress, any additional support needed is

classed as special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.

SEND provision can take many different forms and will be tailored to suit the needs of your

child. Examples include:

• Different materials

• Special equipment

• Additional training for staff

• Individual or small group support from external agencies

The school works closely with parents and monitors pupils carefully to ensure that SEND

provision meets the needs of pupils.

Please inform the school if you have any concerns about your child or if your child has any

special educational needs or disability.

Careers Service

The careers service at Newport Girls’ High School offers a bespoke range of opportunities

and experiences for all year groups. As pupils enter the school in Year 7, through to Year 8,

the focus is on getting to know one’s preferences and existing skills sets, whilst keeping choices

wide and open. The majority of the careers offer for these year groups is delivered through

PSHE but increasingly the school is providing opportunities externally which develop skills and

enable students to interact more with employers.

In Year 9, with the beginning of GCSE level study, the school looks to offer opportunities

which help students refine their future choices, from subjects of study through to careers.

This includes an NHS careers competition.

In Year 10, the focus shifts more firmly to employer interaction, with the work experience

week and associated activities in PSHE around preparing a curriculum vitae, applications and

interviews. This invaluable work experience week enables students to see first-hand the

environment of the workplace and expectations, which assists their ongoing decision making.

In Year 11, we look to refining the careers input even more with one to one interviews with

a careers advisor which helps inform A-level or alternative options, and opportunities to meet

with the careers advisor also continue into sixth form.

At sixth form, opportunities to undertake volunteering and work shadowing are offered

throughout the year and there is also a six month NHS placement scheme running for any

students who are interested in working in the health sector. This relationship is quite unique,

with only four schools in the borough currently offering it.

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The school works very closely with Telford and Wrekin Council to ensure we benefit from

the support, networks and ideas held within the schools liaison team and their employer

contacts. This culminates in careers based experiences for the whole school community such

as speed networking events, where students engage with nine or more employers from a

variety of sectors locally and access throughout the year to careers based software.

We also have a school employer mentor who supports the school from a business perspective

and also offers a number of employees from different parts of the business to deliver talks.

Therefore, the careers offer is varied and enriched, targeted at all the careers needs of our

students.

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Grade Sheets and Reports

All students receive at least two progress reports per year. These are monitoring forms which give

parents information about their daughter's progress.

All reports include:

• ‘traffic lighted’ aspects of learning

• target grades in each subject for the end of the appropriate Key Stage

• forecast grades in each subject for the end of the appropriate Key Stage

• attendance data

Aspects of learning provide a snapshot overview of behaviour, effort and quality of work. Target

grades are set using external assessments from Key Stage 2 and the results of the entrance test.

Target grades are set at an aspirational level to provide sufficient challenge. The forecast grades are

projections from formalised assessments taken at various times throughout the school year.

However the first report in Year 7 does not include any data relating to grades. All grades used

throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 are the new GCSE 9 to 1 grades. Grades in Key Stage 5 are the

traditional A* to E grades.

One report per year includes detailed written feedback on a recent assessment with targets for

improvement. This report also includes a self-written student comment which details their

involvement in various activities.

All reports are accessed online via the SIMS Parent App and all new parents will be sent a

registration email in the autumn term. Any parents who are unable to access the reports via the

internet may request a paper version.

In addition, pupils could keep a progress file in which they collect a record of achievements in and

out of school (academic, sporting, musical etc.). Please do share your daughter’s achievements

outside of school with us.

Parents’ Evening takes place once a year when parents meet subject staff to discuss work and

progress.

Parents may always contact the school if they have a particular concern about their daughter. The

first point of contact should be the school office.

House Points, Commendations & Behaviour

House Point System

House Points are awarded for pupil effort, achievement and participation in school events. These

are recorded electronically and monitored by Form Tutors and Heads of Year.

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Girls can record house points in their own planner.

At the start of each term, Heads of Year hold Rewards Assemblies to celebrate Achievement

Awards of Gold, Silver or Bronze which are presented to the pupils with the highest number of

House Points in each year and the Cup is presented to the Form with the most House Points overall.

Behaviour Monitoring

Students at NGHS are known for their high standards of behaviour and conduct. The ethos and

values of the school support the notion that all students should show respect to everyone else

within our community. The School is an environment where learners should thrive without

distractions relating to themselves or others.

Whilst it is rare to have to address matters of poor behaviour at NGHS, there is a robust behaviour

policy which is available to view on our website. This covers conduct in lessons, around school and

if a student’s actions bring the school into disrepute. The School takes care to follow the policy and

apply any sanctions fairly in line with its aims.

Students are reminded of the need to behave sensibly when travelling to and from school on public

transport and when representing the school on an educational visit. A separate trips and visits

behaviour policy, which is signed by students and parents, is used for this purpose.

The School does not make unreasonable requests of students and relies on the full support of

parents if a conduct matter has to be addressed.

The member of staff with overall responsibility for behaviour and conduct is Miss H Clarke, Assistant

Headteacher. The Heads of Year oversee the team of form tutors who check whether any behaviour

points have been given and follow these up with students as and when appropriate.

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Attendance and Absence from School

Reporting Student Absences

Planned absences:

• Students should request a Leave of Absence form from the school office, this should be

completed and returned at least a week prior to the date of the requested absence.

• Completed forms will be passed to the Headteacher to authorise.

• Authorised forms will be returned to students via their register.

• Where the Leave of Absence is not authorised, a letter will be sent home explaining the

reason why.

• Medical/dental appointments do not require a completed Leave of Absence form,

however a note, email or the appointment card should be sent in advising us of the

appointment prior to the absence.

Unplanned absences:

• Parents should notify the school as soon as possible, and by 9:30am at the latest, of any

unplanned absences e.g. illness, by telephone: 01952 797550.

• Where an absence is unexpectedly extended e.g. delayed flight or continued illness,

parents should contact the school, as soon as possible, on each continued day of

absence.

Pupil Illness During the School Day

If your daughter is ill during the school day, she must report to the First Aid Room. If Mrs

Davenport is not in her office your daughter should go to Reception. The first-aiders will

decide whether girls should go home and the office will contact parents accordingly. Parents

are requested to insist that their daughters observe these important procedures. They

must not text or call parents to ask to be collected. Similarly, if parents need to

contact their daughters during the day, they should do so via the office.

School Closure (due to bad weather)

This will only happen in very severe weather conditions and regular announcements will be

made on Radio Shropshire and the school’s website. If pupils are already in school and a

decision is made to close, parents will receive a text message to notify them. Please do not

telephone the school if the weather is very severe as there may be no-one here to answer

your call.

Holiday in Term Time

Good attendance is crucial for effective learning so we ask you to adhere to the stipulated

times for family holidays and other occasions. Please do not take time off during term time

unless unavoidable. We have been increasingly troubled by pupils taking time off school for

holiday purposes, and often cannot accede to those requests. For those rare occasions, we

operate a Leave of Absence request system (see following examples). These are available

from the office on request.

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Guidance Notes for Parents Requesting Leave in Term Time

1. Parents wishing the school to consider granting leave of absence in school term time

should read these notes carefully and then complete and send to the Headteacher the

request form (forms available from the school office). This form should be sent to the

school in time for the request to be considered well before the desired period of

absence. Parents are strongly advised not to finalise any holiday booking arrangements

before receiving the school’s decision on their request. In any event the request form

must be received by the school at least four weeks before the departure date to allow

sufficient time for appropriate consideration.

2. The granting of leave of absence in school term time is, by law, a matter for consideration

and decision by the school. There is no automatic right to any leave in term time. The

Department for Education (DfE) and Telford & Wrekin Local Authority (LA) policy is

that family holidays should not be taken in school term time. Where such requests are

made, for the leave to be granted, the Headteacher should decide if there are

exceptional circumstances.

3. Each case will be considered individually and on its own merits. Parents need, therefore,

to consider very carefully before making any request for leave of absence the demands

of the National and wider School Curriculum especially at the examination or assessment stage. In considering a request, the school will take account of:

• the exceptional circumstances stated that have given rise to the request;

• the age of the child;

• the stage of the child’s education and progress and the effects of the requested

absence on both elements;

• the overall attendance pattern of the child;

• the nature of the trip.

• students on examination courses will not normally be granted leave of absence.

4. Where parents have children in more than one school a separate request must be made

to each school. The Headteacher of each school will make their own decision based on

the factors relating to the child at their school. It is possible that because of these factors

different decisions may be made. It is hoped that if this situation arises parents will be

persuaded to accept the reasons for refusal given and, thereby, withdraw any other

requests.

5. Where requests for a grant of leave of absence are received from only one parent the

response letter – agreeing or refusing – will be either addressed to both/all parents

where they live at the same address or to each where they do not. This is to ensure,

particularly in the case of a refusal, that both or all ‘parents’ are fully aware of the

consequences of ignoring a refusal as the refusal letter clearly states that each parent will

receive a penalty notice.

6. Should the school decide to grant leave of absence but, the child does not return to

school at the time she was expected to (i.e. following the expiry of the granted

leave of absence period) and, no information is available to the school to explain the

continuing absence or, make known the whereabouts of the child, her place at the

school could be lost.

7. Should the school decide not to grant leave of absence and parents still take their

child out of school the absence will be recorded as unauthorised and reported to

the local authority who may issue a Holiday Penalty Notice.

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Request for Leave in Term Time from School

Date……………………..........

To: The Headteacher of:………………………..……………………………..…………………….(School)

I request permission for leave in term time from school for my child:

(full name) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

from (date) ..……………….…..… to (date) ……………………...... for …….. school days.

My child will be accompanied during the leave by:

(parent/carer) ………………………………..… and (parent/carer)…..……………………………………

The exceptional circumstances and reason for this request are:

I have (an)other child(ren) in (an)other school(s) as follows:

Child(ren) (full name(s) ………………………………. School(s) ......………………………............

…………………………………………………………… ……….……………………........................

................................................................................... …………..................................................

Name of 1st Parent/Carer(s) ………………………… Signed ……..................................................

Current address ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mobile No:……………………………………………….

Name of 2nd Parent/Carer(s) ………………………… Signed …....................................................

Current address………………………………………………………………...………………………………

Mobile No:……………………………………………….

Please return the completed form to the school office. The school will write to you and inform you of the decision on

whether your request is authorised or not. Please do not confirm any holiday booking until you have confirmation of

permission for the leave in term time from the Headteacher.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Pupils at all levels are expected to involve themselves in extra-curricular activities from which there

are many to choose. These vary from year to year but include sport, music, drama, debating, crafts

etc. Extra-curricular involvement is an essential accompaniment to academic work and we place

considerable emphasis upon it. This means being prepared to make a time commitment at lunchtime,

after school and sometimes at weekends. The proposed timetable of extra-curricular activities is

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updated each term and is available on the School’s website. This may be subject to minor changes at

the start of the autumn term and is updated at the start of each term.

Instrumental/Voice Lessons in School Time

Information for singing and piano lessons is available from the school office.

Music lessons for string, woodwind, keyboard, guitar, brass and drum instruments are organised

through the Telford & Wrekin Music Service (Tel. 01952 380981).

Pupils are released from lessons to attend instrumental/voice lessons on the understanding that all

work is made up in the subject lessons missed. It is the pupil’s responsibility to ensure they look

regularly at the music notice board for details of lessons and ensure no subject lessons are missed on

consecutive weeks.

Since time and accommodation is made available by the school for pupils to pursue their musical

interests, they are expected to join at least one or more of the music groups and attend

rehearsals. There are several music events throughout the year when they are expected to

participate. Dates for these events will be available from September.

Participation from pupils receiving music lessons outside of school are also welcomed at all school

music events.

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Assembly

Whole school assemblies take place on Fridays from 9:00 – 9:15am. Assemblies are focussed on

weekly themes and delivered by Senior Staff, pupils, House and Form groups and are of a high standard

and increasingly led by pupils from all years. All students attend except those withdrawn by their

parents. House Meetings take place regularly. Form period takes place when there is no assembly

which include a range of form activities.

Aims of assemblies:

a) to explore social, moral and spiritual values

b) to consider and celebrate the richness of Christianity and other faiths

c) to develop a sense of community

d) to develop individual interests

e) to raise awareness of topical issues in the wider world

f) to encourage compassion for the needs of the world community

g) to complement the work of the RE curriculum

h) to offer opportunities for enquiry, reflection and meditation

i) to celebrate collective and individual achievements

j) to provide a forum for year groups to share views and experiences with the wider school.

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Uniform Policy for Years 7 - 11

Our uniform policy and dress code has been drawn up in consultation with students, parents, staff,

governors and members of the local community, including faith groups.

Aims

A high standard of personal appearance is expected of all students. Through our uniform and dress

codes we aim to:

• Encourage pride in the school

• Support teaching and learning

• Enable students to be comfortable, safe and secure

• Ensure that girls of different social, religious and ethnic groups feel welcome

• Encourage a sense of equality and cohesion

• Protect students from social pressures to dress in a particular way

In this way, the uniform and dress codes contribute to the overall aims of the school.

Uniform

Regulation items of uniform should be purchased from the school stockist, Mary’s Tots and Teens,

Newport. The current list is as follows:

• Regulation blue and white checked collared blouse (no ties).

• Regulation v-neck grey sweater embroidered with school badge (other jumpers may not be

worn).

• Regulation grey skirt, worn close to the knee.

• Regulation grey trousers, waist fitting, contemporary or classic fit.

• Grey blazer with embroidered school crest

• Plain black or white socks or black or flesh coloured tights.

• Black flat/low heeled shoes suitable for wearing during the day and to and from school.

• Plain, suitable coat for cold/wet weather (denim, brightly or multi-coloured coats, leather and

suede jackets are not permitted).

• Outdoor clothing, including coats, hats and scarves, must be removed on arrival at school.

• When hair is tied back, a scrunchie, hairband, clip or ribbon that is plain grey or black or in a

colour that naturally blends with the hair should be used. Hair must be tied back for practical

activities.

• Beading and unnatural hair colouring are not permitted, the interpretation of ‘unnatural’ is as

follows:

- a colour that is not found within the natural hair colour spectrum, i.e. bright, extreme or vivid

colour

- a combination of colours that is easily visible or stark in contrast.

• Jewellery is not permitted; however, a lightweight gold or silver chain with a small religious

symbols is permissible.

• One single small stud in each ear is permitted; the stud must be worn in the lower part of the

earlobe and should be removed for PE and games; students wearing studs in their ears, other

than in their lobes, will be expected to remove them.

• Other body piercings are not permitted.

• No tattoos that are visible whilst wearing school uniform or PE kit.

• Make up and nail varnish are not permitted.

• Fingernails must be short and nail extensions of any kind may not be worn.

• Garments covering the face or whole body are not permitted.

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• Muslim students who wish to wear the hijab (headscarf) may do so, provided that the fabric is

plain, lightweight and dark grey or black.

Cost of Uniform

We want to ensure that the cost of uniform does not deter any girl from applying to the school,

nor leads to students feeling socially excluded or unable to afford other necessities. All regulation

items provided by the school stockist compare very favourably with other providers. Parents

who are unable to provide their daughter with the required items of school uniform should contact

the school. Such approaches will be handled with discretion and sensitivity. The uniform suppliers,

costs and quality of the uniform are reviewed annually to ensure that parents are provided with

good quality clothing at an affordable price.

Enforcement of the Uniform Policy

It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their daughter comes to school in the correct

uniform (see the Home School Agreement). Form tutors are responsible for monitoring uniform;

all staff have a responsibility for ensuring that students are correctly dressed in class and elsewhere

on the school site.

A student wearing non-uniform clothing will be sent to the office to change into uniform clothing

for the remainder of the day. In the event of repeated uniform infringements or unacceptable hair

colour, parents will be contacted and the student will risk being sent home. In the case of jewellery

and other accessories, the student will be asked to remove the item, which may be confiscated.

Issues Arising from the Policy

Parents should raise any issues relating to school uniform, dress codes or other aspects of

appearance with the Headteacher. Requests to vary the uniform requirements for particular

reasons, such as medical needs, will always be carefully considered.

Students should raise issues with their tutor and Head of Year; they may also request that uniform

matters, including proposals for change, be put onto the agenda of Year and School Council

meetings.

Policy Reviews

Our uniform regulations are reviewed regularly and parents, pupils and staff will be

consulted; the review includes consideration of uniform items, supply, cost and value

for money.

PE & Games Kit

Navy polo shirt with school logo

School navy skort

School fleece tracksuit top

School tracksuit bottoms

Trainers

School navy football socks with NGHS writing

Gym shoes or pumps (only for use if problem with bare feet)

All items of sports kit are available from Newport Sports, 99 High Street, Newport, TF10 7AY (tel.

no. 01952 272722). Order forms need to be completed and given to Newport Sports by 1st August

2020.

ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE MARKED WITH THE

STUDENT’S NAME

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ADVICE ON BULLYING?

Bullying is any form of behaviour that is deliberately intended to hurt, threaten or frighten another

person or group. It is usually unprovoked, persistent and can continue for a long period of time. It

always reflects an abuse of power and it is difficult for those being bullied to stop the process.

Bullying can take many forms. It can be subtle or blatant, direct or indirect.

• PHYSICAL; physical violence, pushing, hitting, kicking, spitting etc.

• VERBAL; name-calling, gossiping, spreading rumours, persistent teasing.

• EMOTIONAL; tormenting, humiliating, ignoring, excluding, mocking, taunts, graffiti, gestures.

• SEXUAL; unwanted physical contact, comments of an unwanted sexual nature.

• CYBER; harassment, alarm, distress or humiliation that uses internet-related and telephone

technology.

• RACIST; gestures, taunts, graffiti, physical violence, mocking.

• HOMOPHOBIC; name-calling, being beaten up, making offensive remarks.

• SILENT; isolation, rude gestures, exclusion of young people from group activities.

RECOGNISING THE SIGNS OF BULLYING

As a parent you can help us to detect potential bullying by being aware of some of the indications,

which could be:

• A change in your child’s personality, not as happy as usual.

• Reluctance to go to school.

• A decline in the usual standard of work.

• Obvious distress, but your daughter refuses to explain why.

One sign does not always mean your child is being bullied, but you may wish to contact the school

anyway.

WHAT CAN YOU AND THE SCHOOL DO TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD?

• Encourage your daughter to be open with her Form Tutor and/or Head of Year.

• Contact Form Tutor, Head of Year, Pastoral Administrator or Wellbeing Officer. Raise your

concerns.

• Don’t wait for the problem to get out of hand before reporting it.

To deal with it, we need to know about it.

CONTACT US ON: 01952 797550

Equally, if the school becomes aware of an issue that needs resolving (your child being bullied/or

bullying), we will contact you to discuss it together.

Useful websites: www.kidscape.org.uk

www.thinkuknow.co.uk (for e-safety)

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Teaching Staff List

Subjects Responsibilities

Senior Leadership Team

Mr M J Scott MFL/Music/EPQ Headteacher/Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Rev S Walters Mathematics/RE Deputy Headteacher

Miss H Clarke PE/PSHE Assistant Headteacher/Designated

Safeguarding Lead//Head of Y11

Miss A-M Davies History Lead Practitioner (Teaching & Learning)

Mrs K Gill Geography/PSHE Associate Senior Leader & Head of Careers

Mrs K Jones Associate Senior Leader (Data & Admissions)

Mrs J Barker RE

Mrs A Benoit Art SENDCo

Ms D Branson MFL MFL Faculty Leader & Internationalism

Ms J Capaldi English Progress Manager/HOY 7 & 8 Mr A Carey Chemistry

Dr S Catalan Physics Science Faculty Leader

Mrs J Chandler Art

Mrs A Chapman Music

Miss R Crevis MFL

Mrs S Dainty Biology

Mrs T Fujii MFL

Mrs H Furnival MFL

Mrs H Goodall PE/PSHE Head of Year 10 & House Coordinator

Mrs K Griffin History/Politics/PSHE Head of Sixth Form

Mr A Heighway Mathematics/Computing Maths, Numeracy & Tech. Faculty Leader

Mrs L Kearne Economics/PSHE EPQ Coordinator

Mr M Ley Computing

Mr A Mason Design Technology

Mrs R Narasimhan Biology

Mrs R Patel Mathematics

Mrs L Payne MFL

Mr J Pimm Geography Humanities Faculty Leader

Mr O Pointon Psychology/RE

Mr D Postle English English, Literacy & Arts Faculty Leader

Mrs C Reeves Physics/PSHE

Mrs L Roberts Mathematics/PSHE

Miss A Rosbach MFL

Mrs A Seys History/Geography Head of Year 9

Mr C Tolley Chemistry/Biology

Miss S Tomkinson English Head of Year 11

Mr J Wade Chemistry/Science

Mrs K Wallace Mathematics

Miss T Wells Design Technology

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Support Staff

Mrs K Jones Admissions/Data Manager (Associate Senior Leader)

Mrs K Machin Finance & Facilities Manager

Mrs K Moore Human Resources Manager

Mrs A Bailey Sixth Form Administrator

Mrs K Danby Wellbeing Officer (Y7-10)/Deputy DSL

Mrs F Davenport Safeguarding & Pastoral Administrator/Deputy DSL

Mr R Farrell ICT Network Technician

Mrs J Lane Finance Assistant & Trips

Mr T Lewis ICT Apprentice

Mrs D Martin Wellbeing Officer (Y11-13)

Miss S McCleary PE Apprentice

Mrs J Morris Receptionist/Attendance Officer

Mr M Scott Caretaker

Mrs L Stan Senior Science Laboratory Technician

Mr P Summers Assistant Caretaker

Mrs K Taylor Cover Supervisor/Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator

Vacancy Science Laboratory Technician

Mrs J Wallace Examinations/Data Officer

Mrs V Worthington Reprographics Technician

Headteacher Profile

Mr Michael Scott joined NGHS in January 2018 following almost ten years

on the senior leadership teams of two other girls’ grammar schools in

northern England and five years in a mixed comprehensive. He studied

German and Music at the University of Exeter before teaching for two

years in Germany. A keen linguist and musician, he likes to ensure that

students have the opportunity to succeed both in and outside the

classroom with a range of extra-curricular opportunities for each student.

Upon his appointment, Mr Scott commissioned a full parental survey which led to a school

development plan to meet the emerging needs of pupils and parents. This included widening the school’s participation in the local community (in particular primary schools in and around Newport),

improving pupils’ attendance and continuing to ensure students succeed highly in their academic

lives. To ensure this latter point, Mr Scott created two new Wellbeing Officer posts in 2019 which

are filled by non-teaching staff to balance students’ wellbeing and mental health needs with success

in the classroom. Along with a staff wellbeing charter and policy which he devised in the summer of

2019, these plans were praised by Ofsted during their October 2019 visit to NGHS, as a result of

which the School retained its outstanding status and took the title of West Midlands Secondary

School of the Year for 2020.

Mr Scott lives in north Cheshire with his wife and two primary school age children. He enjoys

travelling in Europe and researching life in the former German Democratic Republic. He is also

Musical Director of a local semi-professional theatre company. Mr Scott is proud to be Head of such

an outstanding school and the 90+ minute journey to school (and back) each day justifies this!

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The Governing Body

The following people serve on Newport Girls’ High School Academy Trust Governing Body:

TRUSTEES

Mr Edward Lewis Chair of Governors

Community Governor

Mr T Brown Vice Chair of Governors

Community Governor

Mrs P Dower Community Governor

Mrs J Doyle Parent Governor

Mrs K Evans Community Governor

Mrs J Harris Community Governor

Mrs C Hughes Community Governor

Mr D Postle Staff Governor

Mrs J Macpherson Community Governor

Mrs L Peters Community Governor

Mrs C Rodrigues Parent Governor

Mrs A Seys Staff Governor

PTA Committee

Committee Officers:

Julie Harris

Tony Brown

Tracy Garner

Carol Rodrigues

Vicky Simms

School representatives:

Mr M Scott

Mrs J Morris

Mrs K Gill (PTA Link Team)

Election of new committee members takes place at the AGM in the Autumn term. If you are

interested in joining the PTA or any of its sub-committees, either email us (PTA@nghs.org.uk),

or come along to a PTA event and speak to a member of the committee.

Policies

Policies are accessible on the website: https://www.nghs.org.uk/about-us/policies/