New Lower School Joiners Form

It is recommended that your child has a dental check up and any work needed is completed before any trips abroad take place.

As part of our First Aid and Medical Conditions Policy, the school requires a current Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) for your daughter’s medical condition. You are therefore required to contact your GP or Medical Practitioner to update your daughter’s plan and provide a copy to the school. The IHP must include the following: Name of the child, DOB, Medical Condition /Allergy, Parent/carer contact details, Triggers/signs/symptoms, Actions required, Review date. If your daughter’s IHP stipulates that medication is to be administered during school hours, the school must be in possession of those medicines. They must be clearly labelled and kept in date by the parent. However, medication should be administered at home and outside of school hours where possible. Please can we ask that you read the school’s First Aid and Medical Condition Policy, which can be found on the school’s website. Please complete the following, giving consent for the school to administer any necessary medication (supplied by you), and to share the care plan information with the emergency services if required. The school has available a spare Adrenalin Autoinjector and Ventolin (Blue) Inhaler which can be administered, (if relevant), by a member of staff to your child. Please indicate on the form if you give permission for us to do so, in an emergency. If your daughter no longer requires an IHP, this needs to be confirmed in writing so her medical records can be updated.

Please advise the Lower School Office if these travel arrangements change.

At St Mary’s, our vision is to empower girls to thrive at St Mary’s and beyond. Using our expertise in educating girls and the latest research, we empower girls by inspiring them to see the world as one of limitless possibilities and by equipping them with the knowledge, experiences and skills needed to thrive at St Mary’s and beyond. We do this in an environment designed specifically for girls; one that is safe in every respect - to experiment and question, to take risks and follow passions, to innovate and lead - one that is free from judgement and stereotypes, and full of respect and support. We believe in a strong partnership involving the pupil, parents and the School. This document sets out the expectations we have as a School and our commitment to your child. The School undertakes to provide: • A safe environment where pupils feel secure and listened to. • A high standard of education, which acknowledges the requirements of National guidelines, within a balanced curriculum. • The expectation that all pupils should make progress in line with their own abilities. • Regular opportunities for parents to discuss their child’s progress with their Form Tutor, Class Teacher and/or Subject Teachers. • Regular updates on progress (verbal or written) throughout the academic year. • A PSHE programme including careers education, acquiring study skills, and providing opportunities to reflect upon making appropriate choices across a range of moral, social and health related matters. • Offer opportunities for pupils to participate in extracurricular activities to broaden their learning experiences. We expect parents to agree that they will do all they can to ensure that their child: • Understands that the school expects them to give their best at all times. • Attends school at all required times and is not absent for reasons other than ill health or for circumstances previously agreed with the School. • Always arrives at School punctually unless extenuating circumstances prevent this. • Complies with the School uniform requirements and is in full school uniform on her journey to and from home. • Always maintains the highest standards of behaviour. • Completes home learning / homework to a high standard in an environment of calm. • Develops a positive attitude towards their peers regardless of gender, race, culture, belief, value, age and need. • Arrives at school with the appropriate books and equipment (including that required for PE). • Respects school equipment and uses it appropriately and with care. • Contributes to the wider School life by involving themselves in extra curricular activities and participates in the promotion of the School through events. We ask that parents also: • Inform the relevant School office by 8.30am on the first day of any unexpected absence their child may have, explaining the nature of the of the absence and the length of time their child is likely to be away from school. • Support the School’s policy regarding expectations of pupil’s behaviour and conduct. • Ensure that all letters concerning School events that require a parent’s consent are responded to promptly. • Ensure that School books are kept in good condition and that all books are handed back in good condition at the end of the academic year, or when requested. Parents will be asked to reimburse the School for any damaged or lost books. • Avoid taking holidays during term time. • Seek written permission at least 48 hours in advance from the Principal or Vice Principal, as appropriate for any absence required from school, stating the reason. • Sign up to the School’s communications app prior to their child starting at the School. • Adhere to the contents of the Parent Code of Conduct. • Raise any concerns in a timely manner through the appropriate channels.

St Mary’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects everyone to share this commitment. At St Mary’s School, we are extremely fortunate to have a supportive and friendly parent/carer body. Our parents/carers and guardians recognise that educating pupils effectively is a process that involves partnership between parents/carers, guardians, staff and the wider school community. As partners, our parents/carers and guardians will understand the importance of a good working relationship to equip pupils with the necessary skills for adulthood. For these reasons we continue to welcome and encourage parents/carers and guardians to participate fully in the life of our school. The purpose of this document is to provide a reminder to all parents/carers and guardians about the expected conduct. This is so we can continue to flourish, progress and achieve in an atmosphere of mutual understanding. Guidance As a school, we have clear high expectations of our pupils and similarly we expect excellent behaviour from our parents/carers and guardians. The following details our expectations: • Respect and model the caring ethos of our school whenever on school premises or when communicating directly with the school. • Grievances or concerns should be raised directly with the school in a timely manner to seek a resolution and avoid excessive negativity amongst the parent/carer and guardian body and the wider community • Understand that school staff and parents/carers and guardians need to work together for the benefit of all • Demonstrate that all members of the school community should be treated with tolerance and respect and, therefore, set a good example in their own speech, conduct and behaviour. • Seek to clarify a pupil’s version of events with the school’s view in order to bring about a peaceful solution to any issue. • Correct own pupil’s behaviour, especially in public, where it could otherwise lead to conflict, aggressive behaviour or unsafe behaviour. • Approach the right member of school staff to help resolve any issues or concern. There are clear guidelines about which staff member to contact about specific issues in our school communications. • Adhere to the School’s Attendance Policy & Procedure with regards to maintaining acceptable attendance at School, reporting absences due to illness and requesting leave of absence for reasons other than sickness absence. In order to support a peaceful and safe school environment, the school cannot tolerate parents/carers or guardians exhibiting the following behaviour: • Turning up to the school unannounced and expecting staff to be available. • Demanding immediate meetings during the school day. • Disturbing school staff and trying to speak to them whilst they are supervising pupils. • Refusing to leave the premises when asked to. • Breaching school security procedures, e.g., entering school doors without using the intercom system when another parent/carer or guardian is leaving or entering. • Attempts to gain entry to any part of the school in disregard of procedure or without permission and appropriate supervision. • Disruptive behaviour which interferes or threatens to interfere with the operation of a classroom, an employee’s office, general office area or any other area of the school grounds including at team matches. Using loud or offensive language, swearing, cursing, using profane language or displaying temper. • Threatening to do actual bodily harm to a member of school staff, governor, visitor, fellow parent/carer, guardian or pupil regardless of whether the behaviour constitutes a criminal offence. • Damaging or destroying school property. • Abusive, persistent or threatening e-mails or text/voicemail/phone messages or other written communication. • Defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments regarding the school or any of the pupils/parents/carers/guardians/staff, at the school or on Facebook or other social media sites or platforms. Any concerns you may have about the school must be made through the appropriate channels using the school’s escalating staff hierarchy so they can be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned. • Deliberately invented or malicious allegations against a member of school staff. • Using any language or acting in a manner which breaches our commitment to Equality and Diversity, for example, but not exclusively, sexist, racist or homophobic comments/actions. • The use of physical aggression towards another adult or pupil. This includes physical punishment against your own pupil on school premises. • Approaching someone else’s child in order to discuss or chastise them because of the actions of the pupil towards their own child (such an approach to a pupil may be seen to be an assault on that pupil and may have legal consequences). • Smoking, vaping, taking illegal drugs or consuming alcohol on school premises (alcohol may only be consumed during authorised events). • Dogs on school premises (other than assistance dogs). • Frequently flouting requests at the Senior School not to drop off or pick up children on site. • Parking irresponsibly, in a way that might block/obscure movement on the school site or endanger children/pedestrians. Should any of the above behaviour occur on, or off school premises (for a school activity, e.g., games match) the school will take actions as outlined under “breaking the code”. We trust that parents/carers and guardians will assist our school with the implementation of this code of conduct and we thank you for your continuing support of the school. Social Media - Statement of Intent St Mary’s School understands the benefits of using social media; however, if misused, the school and the school community can be negatively affected. This code of conduct sets out clear procedures for how we expect parents/carers to conduct themselves on social media and when using messenger apps, such as WhatsApp. On social media or messaging platforms, please do not name other children or share information about them as the data/information may not be yours to share. E-safety and Social Media Conduct St Mary’s School expects parents/carers and guardians to behave in a civilised nature online and will not tolerate any of the following behaviour online: • Posting defamatory ‘statuses’ about fellow parents/carers, guardians, pupils, the school or its employees. • Complaining about the school’s values and methods on social media. The school has a Complaints Procedures Policy in place that should be used instead of parents/carers or guardians broadcasting grievances online. Breaches of this code of conduct will be taken seriously by the school and, in the event of illegal, defamatory, or discriminatory content, breaches could lead to legal action being taken. Parents/carers or guardians must not attempt to ‘friend’ or ‘follow’ any member of staff on social media. Parents/carers or guardians are instructed not to post anonymously or under an alias. St Mary’s School retains the right to request any damaging material to be removed from social media websites or platforms. Online Messaging St Mary’s School parents/carers or guardians may, of their own volition, use messaging apps such as WhatsApp to communicate with one or another. The school will not intervene if disputes occur online between parents/carers or guardians. The Principal however may suggest that ‘group chats’ are closed down should any problems continue between parents/carers or guardians or parental bodies. The school will intervene if it becomes aware of abusive messages being sent about members of staff within the school or if abusive messages are sent to members of staff. If this occurs, legal advice will be taken by the school and St Mary’s will respond accordingly. Breaking the Code Without prejudice to the rights the School has under the Parent Contract, in the first instance as a result of a breach of the Code of Conduct, the school will invite the parent/carer or guardian to a meeting to try and resolve the issue. If the parent/carer or guardian refuses to attend the meeting, then the school will write to the parent/carer or guardian and ask them to stop the behaviour, advising that failure to do so could result in a ban from the school premises. For certain breaches of the Code of Conduct, an incident may be referred onto appropriate external bodies (such as the police). Please note that in more serious cases more decisive action may need to be taken, where there is not sufficient time, or it would be inappropriate to hold a meeting before action is taken. Site bans will normally be limited in the first instance or may be a temporary measure whilst further investigations are undertaken and are done as a neutral act. This code of conduct does not prevent parents/carers or guardians from raising a complaint. In most cases, we hope that all complaints and concerns can be resolved through open dialogue with teachers or other members of staff as appropriate. Where parents/carers or guardians are not satisfied with the responses they receive, they may then follow the Complaints Procedure as laid out in our School Complaints Policy. This is available on the school’s website.