The following gives you an overview of all our key policies. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require to see a full copy of any policy.

Safeguarding

The Community Science College @ Thornhill is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, we expect all learners, staff, governors and visitors to share this commitment.

Mrs B James, Assistant Head Teacher is the college’s Designated Senior Person for Safeguarding and Mr J O’Hara, Assistant Head Teacher is Deputy Designated Senior Person for Safeguarding 

Our Admissions Policy

Kirklees LA has a detailed admissions policy for schools in the area, which can be obtained from Margaret Hamby in Schools Admissions, Oldgate House, 2 Oldgate, Huddersfield, telephone 01484 225007.

The criteria for admission to our College are as follows:-

1. children in public care (Looked after children)
2. children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs which names the College
3. children living in the College’s priority admissions area who have an older brother or sister attending from the same address at the date of admission other children living in the College’s priority admission area
4. children who live outside the priority area who have an older brother or sister attending from the same address at the time of admission
5. children who live outside the priority area.

If places remain available, the LA then offers places to children who live outside our priority admission area but who wish to take up a place at our College.  Places are offered up to our annual Published Admissions Limit of 180 per year group.

Curriculum Statement

In Years 7 – 9 (Key Stage 3) all students follow the same broadly based curriculum which is fully in line with National Curriculum requirements. For teaching purposes, students will be placed in ability groups for most subjects once they have settled in and progress has been assessed.  Tutor Groups or forms, are mixed ability and students are likely to stay with that social group for five years until leaving college.

All students will take NFER Cognitive Ability Tests to give the College an indication of their educational potential at GCSE level. This is set alongside information gathered from junior schools and allows us to track students’ progress and set challenging targets in all subjects.

In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) all students will study courses in a ‘core’ of subjects as follows: English, Mathematics, Science, PE, Religious and Social Issues, ICT and PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health, and Citizenship Education). There is also a full range of optional courses available, for example, History, Geography, Design & Technology, Drama, Urdu and Business Studies.

Engagement of Parents

Every term, all parents will receive a report on their child’s progress.  In addition, there is an annual meeting with the Form Tutor and a traditional Parents’ Evening when all subject teachers will be available.

The college has an ‘open door’ policy for parents/carers to discuss any aspect of their child’s academic progress and/or welfare.

The college provides access to the SIMS Learning Gateway via the internet which offers parents the following:

• Instant access to their child’s attendance and achievement information.
• Real-time information on their child’s progress.

Our College Day

• 8.40 am until 3.05 pm.
• Lunch either 11.45 am or 12.35 pm.  
• A supervised ‘Early Morning Club’ runs every morning in College.  The club will meet in the dining hall from 8.00 am until 8.30 am and students attending will be able to purchase a healthy breakfast from the canteen if they wish.  The club gives students the opportunity to socialise with friends in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.  The highest standard of behaviour is expected from those students attending the club.

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to supervise students in College before 8.00 am.  Therefore students will not be allowed to enter the College buildings before this time.

• College begins with a twenty-minute tutor period and/or assembly at 8.40 am.

• Morning lessons begin at 9.00 am and there is a fifteen-minute morning break when drinks and snacks are available.

• At lunchtimes, an excellent selection of meals and balanced snacks are provided.

It is particularly important that standards of behaviour are very good during lunch breaks and students who cannot behave well may be sent home for lunch.

Supervised homework rooms and library facilities are available at lunchtimes, as is a varied range of lunchtime clubs and activities, including sport, music, and outdoor pursuits.

During the lunch period students are under the supervision of a team of lunchtime staff, supported by senior staff, who patrol inside and outside our buildings to ensure students are safe and behaving sensibly.  Students are expected to stay on site unless they have specific permission to go out of College.  Permission will be given at the request of parents who wish their son/daughter to go home for lunch.  Students should not go to local shops.

• Afternoon lessons run from either 12.35 pm or 1.25 pm to 3.00 pm without a break followed by afternoon registration until 3.05 pm.

Gifted and Talented Students

The college supports the abilities, personal qualities and talents of all children through its Gifted and Talented programme.  Projects include subject enrichment, visiting speakers, career information and visits to Universities.

Our College Uniform

College uniform must be worn.  The main part of the outfit can be purchased at shops of your choice.  However, certain items (marked R) can only be purchased at Rawcliffe’s in Dewsbury.

The uniform colour is navy-blue and our full uniform is as follows:

All students must wear black sensible shoes. The wearing of trainers throughout the College day is inappropriate and is not allowed.  Any student wearing trainers and unable to provide proper shoes will have to wear College pumps. Refusal to do so will result in Isolation.

Summer Uniform:

For the summer term only, as an alternative to the above uniform, a plain, white short-sleeved polo shirt – with the College logo embroidered – may be worn. (R)

Hairstyles

Students are expected to have an ordinary, acceptable hairstyle.  Natural colours please (no red, blue green etc) and no decorative hairstyles e.g. shaved patterns, Mohican cuts.

Students failing to comply with this will be isolated for a period of time.

Make-up

Key Stage 3 students (Years 7, 8 and 9) are not allowed to wear any make-up.  If a Key Stage 3 student arrives at College wearing make-up, they will receive a negative comment in their Planner and be sent to remove the make-up

Key Stage 4 students (Years 10 and 11) are allowed to wear natural make-up e.g. discreet foundation, concealer, blusher and black/brown mascara.  Brightly coloured eye shadow, mascara or lipstick is not allowed.  We reserve the right to ask students with excessive or inappropriately coloured make-up to remove it.

Jewellery

Whilst we accept that jewellery is fashionable and that many young people like to wear it, it is neither necessary in College, nor in many circumstances, safe. For this reason we would prefer students not to wear jewellery of any kind at any time.

However we have decided that the following jewellery will be acceptable:-

-                     one small stud earring in each ear

-                     one small ring

-                     a watch

Students and parents need to be aware that we will insist that students remove any other items of jewellery, or any jewellery that we feel is inappropriate or dangerous.

We ask parents and students to cooperate with us where the wearing of jewellery is concerned.  Parents please note that if any jewellery worn in College is lost or stolen, neither the College nor the Authority can accept responsibility for the loss. This applies even if jewellery is given to a member of staff.

Any items of jewellery worn must be removed during certain lessons, for example P.E.

Coats

Winters can be very cold and students are encouraged to wear a warm coat to College, However, coats must be removed as soon as students enter the College buildings.

Please note that:

• No coats, or outside clothing (e.g. scarves, gloves, hats) may be worn inside the buildings at any time. They must be placed inside students’ lockers, or in bags, out of sight.  Any student wearing any of these items inside the College building will have them confiscated until the end of the College day and a negative comment written in their planner.  Repeat offenders will face detentions and possibly a period of isolation.

Physical Education –Dress Requirements

Addition to PE Kit

The only outdoor jacket which can be worn in PE lessons is a Nike waterproof jacket with the College logo on which can be purchased through Rawcliffe’s or directly from College.

All students require a towel for showers after games and PE lessons.  Showers are optional however for cleanliness and health reasons we encourage students to shower.  It is also advised that students wear shin pads for both football and hockey, and gum shields for rugby.

Students are also required to bring PE kit even when they are excused with a note.  Students will still be involved in the lesson in some capacity e.g to umpire, recording scores etc.  The only exception to this is when students have difficulty changing e.g. with a broken arm.

The Equipment Students Need

Students need to bring certain equipment to College every day.  All students are expected to have pens, pencils, and rulers with them at all times, along with their Student Planner.  They must bring the specific equipment needed for certain lessons e.g. P.E. and Food Technology.  We also recommend that all students have good quality dictionaries and calculators.  Books and equipment need to be carried in proper bags which are large enough to carry them without damaging them.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are not allowed in College.  Emergency calls will be made via the Year Leader.  Please help us to enforce this ruling.  If mobile phones are used/heard in College they will be confiscated and handed in to the Year Leader where they need to be collected by a parent/guardian.

Personal Music Players etc:-

At all times we wish to maintain an atmosphere around College which encourages a work ethic.  We therefore do not allow items for personal music – walkmans/ personal CD/MP3 players etc. – inside the buildings at any time.  If members of staff wish from time to time to play music as part of their lessons, they will take responsibility for using a single player for a whole class.

If any personal music players are used inside the buildings, they will be confiscated.

Attendance

We believe that regular attendance is vital if students are to take full advantage of the educational opportunities at The Community Science College @ Thornhill.  We therefore ask all parents to make every effort to ensure their children attend College at all times, unless they are genuinely too ill to attend.

Student attendance at our College is very good.  We seek to work with parents on all attendance issues, and major problems only come from that small handful of students whose parents appear to condone their absences.  It is important that a note or telephoned explanation is given for each absence.  We would prefer a note as this can be checked for authenticity.  Parents are asked to use the Student Planner for writing absence notes and to send such notes to us the day of the child’s return.

We strongly disapprove of students being taken on holiday in term-time as this can seriously affect their education.  We are very worried about the increasing tendency of families to choose to take holidays during term-time in order to take advantage of reduced prices.  If, in exceptional circumstances, families are forced to take a holiday in College time, the procedure is to write, in advance, to the Head Teacher to ask permission for students to miss College.  If permission is not sought, this will result in “unauthorised attendance” (truancy) marks being given.

Religious and Social Issues

This is provided for all students through Humanities lessons in Years 7 to 9.  Lessons generally follow Kirklees Multi-Faith Agreed Syllabus.  In Years 10 and 11, students follow a GCSE Religious Education short course, results in which are very pleasing.

In addition, a room is set aside for lunchtime prayers or personal reflection. 

Collective Worship

Students participate in one assembly each week based on a theme or a thought for the week.  These thoughts form the basis for a daily period of quiet reflection.

Student Welfare

The welfare system at The Community Science College @ Thornhill offers support when a student’s personal problem begins to affect some aspect of College life.  The Form Tutor is usually the first person to become involved.  If the case is long-term or more complex in nature, the Form Tutor will then work with the Year Leader.  If problems are not resolved in College we are able to ask for support from several outside agencies.  Our Education Social Worker, Mr Khan can be contacted by making an appointment through College.

We have limited amount of first aid and accommodation for sick students when emergencies arise during the day.  If a student is too ill to remain in College we will contact parents to ask them to make arrangements to transport their child home.  However, we do hope that no child will be sent to College when sick. We therefore ask you not to use our first aid facilities as an alternative to your own doctor.  We can only offer advice, not diagnosis.  Please note that the College is unable to dispense any medication to students including paracetemol.  If you need to make us aware of any medical needs that your child has, Mrs Nelmes is our Medical Officer.

If your child needs hospital treatment we will contact you and ask you to come to College to travel with the ambulance.  If it is more convenient, you may wish to go directly to hospital.  Please note that there may not always be a member of staff available to travel with your child in the ambulance.

Positive Discipline

The Positive Discipline Policy is intended to:

• Ensure that there is a regular, consistent and public recognition of and reward for, all students who work and behave in the appropriate manner.
• Ensure all students are fully aware of our expectations of behaviour at The Community Science College @ Thornhill.  They must take responsibility for their actions and accept that they have the opportunity to improve if they are failing to behave in the way that is expected.  However, they must accept the consequences if they fail to do so.

Positive Discipline consistently recognises and rewards students in a number of ways, namely stamps, credits, certificates, postcards and phone calls home, meetings with members of the College’s Senior Leadership Team, Awards Ceremonies and an annual Rewards Trip.

A pyramid of sanctions is also implemented consistently throughout the College.  If students fail to adhere to our expectations of behaviour, both in lessons and around the College, the sanctions procedure will be implemented.  In line with rewards, there is a hierarchy of sanctions; verbal warning, written warning(s), removed from the classroom and moved to another teaching area, after College detention, isolation, written contract, fixed and permanent exclusions.

Both the rewards and sanctions are cumulative.  Therefore, students have a clear understanding of how both positive and negative behaviour will progress through the appropriate pyramid.

Specific details of the Positive Behaviour Policy are summarised in student planners.

Our Policy for Special Educational Needs

Students with special educational needs are supported within the classrooms by our Education Teaching assistants and occasionally are withdrawn to receive additional help with specific learning problems.

The College aims to ensure that all students who have special educational needs – whether these are physical, emotional, behavioural, or learning – will have these needs recognised and provided for.  All students, with or without a statutory assessment of special educational needs, have the right to a broad and balanced education and will be taught as far as possible in mainstream classes.

The College follows the guidelines set down by Kirklees Authority and the code of Practice on the identification and assessment of Special Educational Needs.

We particularly value the partnerships between parents and the College and between the College and support agencies, which are vital in securing effective assessment and provision for students with special educational needs.

The close links we have with our local feeder schools ensures continuity of provision for our students.  The progress of all students is closely monitored and parents are regularly consulted.

A more detailed copy of our Special Needs Policy is available from the college.

Steps taken to ensure that disabled students are not treated less favourably than other students

All students at The Community Science College @ Thornhill have access to a broad and balanced curriculum.  However, where it is agreed that a student would benefit from an alternative curriculum, this is arranged and monitored through the provision of an Individual Education Plan.  The College takes into account the guidance and requirements of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 in planning learning experiences both within College and through extra-curricular activities.

Existing facilities to assist access to the College by students with disabilities

The majority of site is on one level, with designated disabled toilets throughout.

The Accessibility Plan

The Community Science College @ Thornhill has an Accessibility Plan which details the access arrangements for students who have disabilities.  A copy of this document is available from the College on request.

Promotion of Race Equality

The college aims:

• To promote a shared vision of racial equality in The Community Science College @ Thornhill.

• To give a clear message that The Community Science College @ Thornhill is committed to equality of opportunity.

• To identify racism in all its forms and actively strive against it.

• To eliminate any discrimination within The Community Science College @ Thornhill.

• To counter prejudice and stereotyping and promote self-esteem, mutual respect and positive role models.

• To celebrate cultural diversity in order to prepare students for life in a multicultural society.

• To promote a climate of understanding, tolerance and harmony.

• To address the under representation of ethnic minority staff in the College.

Equality, Diversity and Community Cohesion

The college promotes social inclusion, community cohesion and equality that respect diversity and which challenges and acts upon discrimination and inequality including bullying. 

We will work towards eliminating all discrimination, on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexuality (including sexual orientation), age, religion and belief. We believe that all students, employees and visitors should be treated with dignity and respect at all times and we will not tolerate bullying, harassment or victimisation of any groups or individuals. 

Cars

Parents who bring their children to College by car are asked to ensure they arrive well before registration time and not later than 8.35 a.m.

Students should be dropped off at either the Glebe Gate entrance or the Edge Lane entrance.

Students are not allowed to enter or exit College through the main gate on Valley Drive.

Cycles

If students wish to cycle to College, this may be arranged when written notification from the parents is received.  A pass is then issued.  Students cycling to College must follow all traffic regulations on our site.

Results

Our Governing Body

Ours is a flourishing Governing Body with members who are elected for periods of four years.  Governors have a large measure of control over the appointment of staff, financial affairs, and broad College policy.  They meet as a large group about six times a year and have several smaller working groups e.g. for curriculum, staffing and financial matters.  Governors also visit the College regularly, both formally and informally.  This helps to ensure good communication and understanding of College matters.  We would be pleased to hear from parents who might like to become parent governors.

Our current Chair of Governors is Mr B Hagger

For further information relating to college policies and general information, including the annual achievement and attainment tables, published reports of recent college inspections and open days please contact us on 01924 324890.