YEAR ELEVEN HANDBOOK
2015-2016
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Welcome to Oxford High School
We believe that at Oxford High School, we are experts in educating high-achieving girls.
Our purpose
We are ambitious in all areas of life. We develop self-confidence, aware of the impact of our actions on those we care about, on those in the wider world and upon ourselves. We live life to the full, proud of our past and aware of the future.
All GDST schools uphold a common set of values which are:
Girls first
Networked
Be bold
Do the right thing.
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Contents
Welcome to Oxford High School ...2
Contacting the School...4
Important Dates...5
Structure of the School Day...6
Wellbeing and Pastoral Care...7
Being Part of OHS...8
Keeping Safe...9
Curriculum...10
Reports, Grades and Exams...11-12
Extra-Curricular...12
Next Steps for Year 11...13
Housekeeping:
School Uniform...14Homework and School Planner...14
Assemblies and School Council...14
Year 11 Parents’ Meeting...15
Calendar of Important Events ...15
Trips, Visits and Exchanges...15
Drama...16
Music...16
Mobile Phones...16
Expectations of Pupil Behaviour...16
Detention...17
Looking after Personal Property...18
Lost Property...18
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Contacting the School
First Contact
Email:
[email protected]
Telephone our reception on 01865-559888
We will forward on your email to the appropriate member of staff, such as your daughter’s form tutor, head of year or our school nurse. Alternatively, you can mark your email for a specific member of staff. If your email is confidential please mark this in the email subject line as well as the name of the person you would like it forwarded on to.
Please be mindful that specific staff responses to emails are dependent on their availability on that day. Staff will aim to acknowledge any emails the same working day and will provide a fuller response (if needed) within 2 working days. Emails received during the evening or at weekends will not normally be responded to until the next working day.
Absence
Email:
[email protected]
Telephone: 01865-559888
If your daughter is unexpectedly absent from school because she is unwell, please contact the school as early as possible and by 9.15am at the latest. This is so that we know she is safe and why she is not in school. Please telephone each morning that she is unwell, unless you know she is going to be away for a set number of days and you have clearly informed us when you think she will be well enough to return to school.
Please also use the [email protected] email address concerning any orthodontist, GP or hospital appointments (permission for short absences during the day are given by your daughter’s Head of Year). If possible, please give a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for requests, except in the case of emergencies.
Please be aware that absence from school during the term for holiday purposes is not normally permitted. If you have a request for an unusual absence please email
[email protected] and your email will be forwarded on appropriately. The final decision will be made by the Head, Mrs Carlisle.
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Important Dates
Year 11 Parents – Dates for Your Diary
Wednesday 16th September 2015, 6.30-9.00pm Sixth Form Open Evening – for
Parents and Year 11 Students
Friday 2nd October 2015, 4.30-7.30pm Open Evening – all girls are asked to
attend this special evening
Thursday 15th October 2015, 4.30-7.00pm Year 11 Parents’ Meeting
Tuesday 7th June 2016, 6.30-7.30pm Head’s Reception for Senior School
Parents
Monday 27th June to Friday 1st July Y11 Work Experience Week
See also: Calendar of Important Events, page 15
AUTUMNTERM 2015
Tuesday 1st September Staff Study Afternoon (Annual
Updates) 12noon-4.00pm*
Wednesday , 2nd September Staff Study Day*
Thursday 3rd September Term starts for all
Friday, 23rd October Staff Study Day*
Saturday 24th October to
Sunday 1st November
Half Term Friday, 11th December at 2.30 pm Term Ends SPRING TERM 2016
Tuesday 5th January Staff Study Day*
Wednesday 6th January Term Begins
Saturday 13th February to Sunday 21st February
Half Term Wednesday 23rd March at 2.30 pm Term Ends
(Good Friday - 25th March,
Easter Monday -28th March) SUMMER TERM 2016
Monday 18th April Term Begins
Monday 2nd May May Day Holiday
Saturday 28th May to
Sunday 5th June
Half Term Friday 15th July at 2.30 pm Term Ends
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Structure of the School Day
Registration takes place at 8.40am. The school building is unlocked at 8.00am. Students should wait in the Crush Hall until 8.20am.
If students are late in or they have to be absent during the day for a medical appointment they will need to sign in or out at Reception. All students are expected to leave their form rooms by 4.05pm so that the cleaners can work efficiently. Only students doing recognised supervised school activities remain in school. However, all girls can work in the Library until 5.00pm as long as they sign in at Reception so that we know they are in the Library. By 5.00pm all girls should have left school unless they are in a supervised activity.
8.00 am Doors open; girls allowed in Crush Hall only 8.20 Girls go to form rooms: staff on duty
8.40 Registration
8.45 Assembly or form time 9.00 – 9.35 Lesson 1
Move to next lesson
9.40 – 10.15 Lesson 2 10.15 – 10.35 Morning break 10.35 – 11.10 Lesson 3
Move to next lesson
11.15 – 11.50 Lesson 4 11.50 – 1.05 Lunchtime 1.05 – 1.40 Lesson 5
Move to next lesson
1.45 – 2.20 Lesson 6
2.20 – 2.30 Afternoon break
2.30 – 2.35 Afternoon registration and move to next lesson 2.35 – 3.10 Lesson 7
Move to next lesson
3.15 – 3.50 Lesson 8
3.50 Return to form rooms for tidying up 3.55 Dismissal and go home
4.05
All forms rooms empty, students wait in Library or Crush Hall.
4.20 Only those students doing recognised supervised school activities remain in school. However girls can work in the Library until 5.00pm (4.30pm on Fridays), providing they have signed in at Reception.
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Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Team: Mrs Judith Carlisle, Head; Dr Peter Secker, Deputy Head – Students and Staff; Mrs Emily Bowden, Head of Year; Form Tutor; School Nurse; and SENCO. Each member of the Pastoral Team is ready to discuss day to day concerns with students. A complete list of all teaching and support staff can be found under: ‘About Us’ on our school website www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
Head of Year: Mrs Emily Bowden looks after the whole year group and monitors progress through this year as well as meeting parents, participating in some tutorial sessions and attending to routine matters of discipline.
Form Tutor: The Form Tutor is an important figure in every student’s school life. They are ready to listen to everyday concerns as well as to help and advise over bigger issues. The Tutor (or Assistant Tutor) sees the Form at registration twice each day and at dismissal. Two long registrations are specifically set aside each week as form time when girls can talk to their Tutor. They also deliver the majority of the PSHCE programme. Academic tutoring helps students to set and achieve targets. The emphasis in Year 11 is on keeping students settled and focussed during the GCSE years.
School Nurse: The School Nurse gives help, support and advice to all OHS girls. In addition to medical advice and treatment she is also available to discuss the physical and emotional changes inevitably experienced by students in this age group. She always encourages girls to speak to parents and liaises with parents and outside agencies (where appropriate).
Note: We offer the opportunity for all girls at Oxford High to see one of our two part-time counsellors in school, should the need arise. A girl may refer herself, or a member of the pastoral team may suggest it, and all referrals will go via the School Nurse. Further information on school counselling can be found under: ‘Pastoral Care’ on our website www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
Learning Support: Ms Alison Hughes provides our learning support and she can offer advice concerning the management of mild special educational needs in school. When there is a need, 1-1 or small group learning support is available to students – they may take a 35 minute lesson, once a week, in their free periods or during lunch. These sessions cover a variety of academic skills and strategies and are highly individualized lessons based on the students’ needs.
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Being Part of OHS
We are proud of the integrated lifestyle at OHS.
Houses: Each girl belongs to a House (Ares, Athena, Poseidon or Zeus). There are a number of House events each year including Sports Day, House Choir Competition, and House Drama, where girls across the year groups work together in Houses. Some PSHCE lessons are also taught in vertical House groups.
Sixth Form Assistant: Each Year 11 form has a form assistant who will work alongside the girls to help with assemblies, charity projects, tutorial sessions and with social events.
Prefect responsible for Year 11: A member of the Prefect team is attached to Year 11. She attends school events and girls should contact her with ideas for the year group.
Form Leaders: Form leaders are elected twice a year, in September and February. This position is an excellent way of developing skills outside the classroom, and is highly valued by the school. The Form Leader is expected to set the standard of their form’s tidiness, helpfulness and behaviour. She meets with the Head of Year and can voice concerns raised by her peers. This is a good opportunity to develop leadership skills.
Note: There are also several other elected Posts of Responsibility including Deputy Form Leader, Charity Rep, Magazine Rep, Green Rep, IT Rep and School Council Rep.
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Keeping Safe
Safeguarding and Child Protection
We are committed to ensuring that all our students are healthy, safe, able to enjoy and achieve, able to make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. We follow Oxfordshire and GDST Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures and aim to work together with parents and other agencies that support children and families. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available under ‘Useful Info’ on the school website www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
We are required to be watchful for signs and symptoms of: physical abuse; emotional abuse; sexual abuse; neglect. Parents should be aware that in urgent and/or repeated incidents of suspected abuse, the school is obliged to discuss with and/or refer these incidents to other agencies.
The Director of Sixth Form is (at the time of writing) the Senior School’s Designated Person with responsibility for the implementation of Child Protection procedures. She will liaise fully with the Head. The Head of the Junior School is the Deputy Designated Person for the Senior School.
Fire Drill and Stay Put Procedure
There is a termly Fire Drill and weekly testing of the alarms. We also have a Stay Put Procedure which is tested periodically.
Visiting School: Parents should report to Reception on arrival. All visitors are requested to ‘sign in’ and given a name badge. Identification may be asked for. Security System: There is a security key pad system on all external doors. Girls will be told the code in September and should not share this code with anyone else. School Policies
The following OHS school policies can be found under: ‘Useful Info’ on our school website www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
Safeguarding Policy (and Procedures)
First Aid Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy (our Anti-Bullying Code is also in each student planner)
Educational Visits Policy
Other school policies, including Health & Safety, Discipline and Behaviour for Learning, and Self-Esteem Policy are available on request to parents so please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information.
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Curriculum
The compulsory core subjects (leading to GCSE or IGCSE) are:
Additional core studies (not leading to GCSE) are:
English and English Literature
Mathematics
Additional Award Science (worth 2 GCSEs) and tailored enrichment/ enhancement programme
A Modern Foreign Language
Complementary Studies (Modular)
Physical Education
Religious Studies (general): if not doing the GCSE course
Tutor period/PSHCE
Three or four optional subjects are also studied; they are chosen from option blocks that vary from year to year depending on student choice. Full information is given at the appropriate time.
SUBJECT
CORE/ OPTIONA
L
PERIODS 40 MIN (per subject
per week)
HOMEWORK (minutes per subject per week)
Biology core 3 2 x 30
Chemistry core 3 2 x 30
Complementary Studies core 2
English and English Lit core 4 20, 60
Mathematics core 4 20, 20, 30
Physical Education - Sport core 2 (practices and
matches)
Physics core 3 60
Religious Studies (General) core 1 -
PSHCE core 1 -
Ancient
Greek/Russian/German/ Spanish/French/Mandarin
optional 3 (+1 conversation per modern language) 15, 15, 40
Art and Design optional 3 60
Art: Textiles optional 3 60
Design Technology optional 3 2 x 30
Drama optional 3 60 Geography optional 3 30, 40 History optional 3 2 x 30 ICT optional 3 2 x 30 Latin optional 3 15, 15, 40 Music optional 3 2 x 30
Religious Studies (GCSE) optional 3 2 x 30
Total periods/time per week varies according to number of options taken max: 38-40 approx. 9h 40min to 11h 10min An outline of the curriculum for each subject can be found under: ‘School Life, Curriculum’ on our school website www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
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Reports, Grades and Exams
Reports: Reports are emailed to parents of Year 11 in the Spring Term. Staff comment on academic progress and the development of study habits. Students evaluate their own progress and write a personal review reflecting on the term or year as a whole. Each girl has a mentoring session with her tutor after reading her subject teachers’ comments; her tutor then adds a further comment. Parents are given the opportunity to respond to the report.
Grades: Grades are issued each term and emailed to parents. In each subject there is a grade for study habits and a grade for attainment. The grades are awarded using the criteria in the table below:
Criteria for Grades
Study Habits Attainment
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She takes the initiative to find things out for herself and approaches problems independently. Her approach to learning is creative and
adventurous.
She wants to know why things are true and challenges received ideas.
When she is working with others, her actions promote learning.
She evaluates and takes responsibility for her own progress, setting herself appropriate goals.
She has a sophisticated understanding of all concepts and techniques studied. She can handle unfamiliar situations
with skill and confidence.
She is able to explain her reasoning fully and coherently both orally and on paper.
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She hands her homework in on time, is punctual to lessons, and is generally well organised. She participates well in lessons, concentrates, and
asks questions when she does not understand. She works well with other students.
She is determined and tries to do the best she can.
She has a good understanding of most concepts and
techniques studied.
She is skilful in the application of knowledge.
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Her homework is sometimes late or she is sometimes late to lessons. She struggles with organisation.
She is not fully focused in lessons or there are times when she ought to ask questions to help her to understand and she does not.
She understands a significant proportion of the concepts and techniques studied. There is a lack of detail or precision in
her work.
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There are significant problems with her organisation.
She is not engaged in lessons.
There are considerable gaps in her understanding.
1 Her approach is a barrier to learning. Little of the material studied has been understood.
Notes for table:
1. An even number signifies a mixture of neighbouring criteria.
2. There is a relationship between attainment grades and the level of work a class is doing: if the work becomes more challenging, the attainment grade may go down.
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Exams: Year 11 mocks take place during the first two weeks of January in the Spring term. Year 11 students start study leave in May and sit their GCSE exams from May until late June.
Extra-Curricular
An Extra-Curricular Activities Booklet is published each term and is emailed to all parents and students, and displayed in school. You can find out more about clubs under: ‘School Life, Clubs’ on our school website www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
Activities may include:
Art and Art History DT Architecture Club Netball
Athletics Ecology Club Orchestras
Bridge Club English – Creative Writing Pi Club
Chess Club French Club Rounders
Classics Club Gym Club Sailing
Crossfire (Christian Union) Knitting Club Science Club Debating Society Library – Book Worms Swimming
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Next Steps for Year 11
A Level ChoicesIn the Spring term we invite the girls to choose their Sixth Form subjects. Every effort is made to accommodate girls’ choices but we cannot guarantee every possible combination of subjects. Choices may be changed, for example once GCSE results are known, provided the new combination is allowed for in the timetable and there is room in the classes.
Work Experience
Year 11 girls undertake work experience in the first week of July. Advice about placements, applications and procedures is given by the Head of Careers, Ms O’Neill and Form Tutors.
Parents are involved at an early stage in helping with planning and confirming that they are aware of this important week. Work experience is a vital ingredient of the UCAS application in Year 13.
Sixth Form Open Evening
Year 11 girls look forward to continuing their school career in our exciting Sixth Form. The Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 16th September 2015
(6.30-9.00pm) provides an opportunity for students and parents to discuss AS subject options. During the course of the Autumn term there are also opportunities to find out more about various aspects of life in the sixth form. After GCSE exams, students are invited back for 1-2 days of team building activities.
Transfer into the Sixth Form
Transfer to the Sixth Form is automatic unless in the opinion of the Head the pupil has not attained a sufficiently high standard of work to enable her to benefit from continuing her education at the school. If transfer is not desirable then no less than one term’s written notice will be given by the Head to the Parent of the standard to be attained in the GCSE exams to qualify the pupil for entry to Sixth Form.
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Housekeeping
School Uniform 2015-2016
Please see our latest school uniform list under: ‘Useful Info’ on our school website
www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
Homework and School Planner
Planners: A School Planner is given to every student and includes: dates for the school year; advice on study skills; forms needed for return during the year (e.g. Open Evening plans); guide for parents on use of the homework and contact diary; homework agreement - to be signed by parent and pupil; school rules; structure of the school day; security, health and safety; school uniform; target setting advice.
Homework: Oxford High School has a home-school system to monitor homework and study skills. The homework timetable is devised carefully at the beginning of the year. Parents are requested to check it and sign it. You are also urged to check the planner to make sure that your daughter is working in the time set.
We encourage students to listen carefully when homework is set so that they understand the aim of the task and the length and depth expected. The comment box is for parents and tutors alike – you can indicate to the Form Tutor how the homework timetable is working. We hope that potential problems, like lack of organisational skills or over-zealous, time-consuming copying out, will be pre-empted and help and advice given. The Homework Planner is a good working notebook. Students record homework as set.
Assemblies and School Council
School Assembly is an opportunity for everyone of whatever conviction to share readings, presentations and talks. The ideas explored are thought-provoking, reflective and ironic in turn. An important part of Assembly is sharing information about school charities, school visits and celebrating achievements.
Year 11 Assembly takes place weekly. Students reflect on matters particularly relevant to them and inform each other of current projects. Year 11 take responsibility for some assemblies during the year.
School Council is the forum at which pupils are able to make suggestions and comments to do with routine school affairs. Some major successes have been: voting for a school charity (ROSY); keeping the school informed about ecological issues; and initiatives for clubs.
Through the School Council the student population can comment on the development of school policies e.g. the Anti-Bullying Policy; developing the School Planner; planning how to spend the annual £1,000 given to School Council, and reviewing PSHCE and IT.
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Year 11 is well represented on the various sub-committees of the council which is chaired by Prefects. The sub-committees are: Facilities, Food, Charities, Uniform, IT and Health and Welfare. A full School Council meets half-termly.
Year 11 Parents’ Meetings
The Year 11 Parents’ Meeting will be held on Thursday 15th October 2015, 4.30– 7.00pm. Appointments with subject staff are made by your daughter who will then give you a timetable (she can use the appointments table provided in her planner). Calendar of Important Events
SEPTEMBER
Election of School Council and Form Leaders; Careers Interviews
Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 16th September 2015OCTOBER
Parents’ meeting
Open Evening
Y11 Sixth Form DayJANUARY
Sixth Form Scholarship Applications
GCSE Mocks
Post Mock Year 11 Trip FEBRUARY
Post Mock Reports
Careers Event MAYMAY-JUNE
Study leave before start of GCSEs GCSE examinations JUNEJUNE-JULY
Sixth Form Introductory Days Work Experience Book Returns for Year 11Text books are returned at the end of June, after the final GCSE exams. Students are asked to return their books and past papers to all the different departments (preferably after their final exam for that subject). A bill will be sent for the replacement costs of non-returned books.
Trips, Visits and Exchanges
The Curriculum is consolidated by visits to museums, the theatre, historic sites and religious centres and by field trips. Please be aware that it is vital that contact and health details for your daughter are up to date so staff can care for the girls both in school and on trips. An annual consent form for day trips is collected in June each year. Information about each trip will be given to parents via email or letter. Payment for curriculum day trips and visits is collected in the fees.
Residential Expeditions: At OHS we are committed to providing as many extra-curricular opportunities as is practicable. We are well aware of the cost implications of such visits for parents, and understand that planning is vital. You will be informed of all the trips, including any costs, well in advance of the date by letter or email. If it is not a curriculum trip you will have the option of not giving permission for your daughter to take part. Payment is made through each parent’s ‘Extras Account’. Major expeditions for whole year groups that we encourage students to participate in (and their approximate costs for the academic year 2015/2016) are:
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Year 7 Kilve Adventure Expeditions (5 days) approx. £460 Year 8 Purbrook Fort Study Week (5 days) £380
Year 11 Post Mock Outing – shopping and theatre c. £80 Year 13 Post Mock Outing – shopping and theatre c. £65
Other major expeditions are subject choice and activity dependent e.g. Year 10+ Art/Textiles visit to European City
Year 10+ Classical Studies visit to Bay of Naples
Year 10+ Exchanges and language study visits – cost dependent on destination Year 9+ Duke of Edinburgh Bronze or Silver Expeditions
Y9-10 Mandarin Trip to Beijing Years 10-13 Geography Trip to Iceland
Years 12-13 Politics and Economics Trips (USA and/or Europe) Drama
A Lower School production is held in the Summer Term.
Individual Speech and Drama tuition is also available. Some tuition takes place during lesson time.
Music
There is a Senior School Concert each term as well as informal lunchtime and tea concerts. All the choirs sing at the traditional Carol Service in December.
Music and Speech and Drama Lessons: individual tuition may take place during lesson time. An individual timetable ensures that girls do not miss the same lesson more than twice per term.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones should be switched off and locked away. Phones will be confiscated if they are misused. Students in Years 7-11 may check their phones during afternoon break in their form rooms only, to pick up any messages from home, for example about transport. Sixth form students may use mobile phones in the Sixth Form Common Room. Parents are requested not to send urgent messages to their daughter at other times during the day. For urgent messages, parents should phone Reception and a member of staff will ensure that the message is passed to their daughter. If a student needs to make an urgent phone call she may do so from Reception or from the Head of Year’s office.
Expectations of Student Behaviour
Please see our ‘Discipline and Behaviour for Learning Policy’ under ‘School Policies’
on the school website www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net.
Our aims are:
To be responsible and cooperative
To be polite and considerate
To be patient and understanding
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To appreciate the value and efforts made and the success achieved by each individual – students and staff
To show respect for each other’s possessions, the school environment and equipment, helping to keep the school tidy
We trust that by trying our best in these ways we shall:
Grow in personal integrity
Develop our capacity to learn and be confident about doing new things
Make the school a friendly, inviting and well-ordered place
Behaviour in lessons
All pupils are expected to display behaviour which shows a respect for their own learning and the learning of others. This includes arriving for lessons (and registrations and assemblies) on time, equipped for learning. In class they are required to demonstrate positive learning attitudes and to allow others to learn free from disruption. In line with the school’s belief in positive reinforcement, pupils who display positive learning behaviour should receive praise and recognition.
Detention
Detentions are rare, however if they are needed, the Deputy Head – Students and Staff, or another member of staff at his request, takes detention, during the lunch period (detention is usually 12.00-12.30pm). Girls may be put in detention for a range of misdemeanours such as persistent missing of work deadlines; chewing gum; poor punctuality; minor infringements of school rules; eating in areas not designated for eating - eating is allowed only in the Dining Room (whole school), Sixth Formers may eat in the Common Room.
The Deputy Head will inform the girl of the detention. Students are required to do some form of community service during this time.
After school detention - this detention exists for more serious offences and the application of an after school detention will be decided by the Head of Year and Deputy Head – Students and Staff. Parents are given written notice of an after school detention so that transport can be arranged. The Deputy Head – Students and Staff will be responsible for overseeing after school detention.
“On Report”: this is a means of close monitoring of behaviour in order to try to improve it and parents will be informed. It is a means of dealing with behaviour such as disruptive behaviour in lessons. The student may also be put on monitoring, (e.g. for persistent lateness to lessons or registration) which is a more gentle form of observation than ‘on report’.
Parents will be informed by subject staff if homework deadlines are missed. The school’s expectations about appropriate behaviour apply on trips and visits.
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Looking after Personal Property
Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their possessions. This means
naming them clearly and permanently, and putting them away in securely locked lockers during the school day. Art/textiles boxes should be stored in the Textiles Department.
Lockers - Each girl has a locker to ensure the safety of her belongings. It is a school rule that lockers are shut and locked. Failure to do this may lead to access to a locker being withdrawn.
Money - Large amounts of money should not be brought to school. If this is necessary, girls should take it to Reception for safe keeping during the day. Students should not bring MP3 Players, digital cameras, iPhones etc. into school.
Musical Instruments - These should be stored in the Music Block during the day, not left in the classrooms or in the Crush Hall.
Sports Kit - This should be stored in the lockers provided. It must not be left in the changing room at any time.
Swimming Kit - Should be in a named bag.
Pencil Cases - Should be clearly named and put away in lockers when not needed.
Bicycles - Bicycles should be locked in the bicycle park. Lost Property
We try and return named property to its owner directly or via her form tutor. Unnamed uniform is donated to the Nearly New Uniform Shop and unnamed non-uniform that is not claimed after it has been listed in INFO and displayed in school is donated to charity shops.
FOxHS Friends of Oxford High School
This is a parent teacher body of which all parents are members. FOxHS organises many social occasions and fund-raising activities throughout the year. Recent events have included a Fireworks Display, a Bingo night, Quiz Night and Garden Tours. Money raised is given to the Annual Fund.
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