Cardinal Griffin Catholic College11-16 Prospectus

Intellectual formation Pastoral Care Giving each child more Religious formation Creating men and women for others

2018 - 2019

Michael BurrowesHeadteacher

Welcome to Cardinal Griffin Catholic CollegeAMDG. Educating other people’s children is simultaneously a huge privilege and a significant responsibility. Parents want their children to thrive and reach their potential academically. But they also want their child to be cared for and nurtured as an individual; to grow, not just intellectually, to be the best that they can be.

The Governors, Leadership Team and Staff at Cardinal Griffin Catholic College have worked relentlessly to ensure that our College is a place where we would be confident to send our own children. So, of course we value academic performance, it is at the core of our mission to provide world class Catholic education. Our GCSE

results in 2017 are among the best in the area, and in English the propotion of students achieving grade 9 (the toughest grade to achieve) was double the national average. But, we care about more than your child’s academic achievement - we call this ‘Magis’. This translates as ‘more’. It is the ‘er’ in great and best’, the ‘greater and better’. It means that we always seek ways in which we can improve. We are relentless and restless to improve in all that we do. We care about student’s strengths and interests, as well as their moral and spiritual development. Our students leave, not only having achieved great academic success, but having been challenged to think deeply about the type of person they want to be, and how they can contribute to society. We seek to educate Boys and Girls who become ‘Men and Women for Others’.

Choosing a secondary school for your child will likely shape the direction of their entire life, not only academically, but in terms of the development of their character. An ideal Cardinal Griffin Catholic College child leaves with good results, and also with the tools for life.

I very much hope that you will enjoy finding out more about us. If you have any further questions, please do get in touch with us. We will be very happy to answer them. LDS

Michael BurrowesHeadteacher

Twicethe national average proportion of grade 9 grades in English in 2017

7 in 10pupils achieved a level 4 grade in Mathematics in 2017

8 in 10pupils achieved a level 4 grade in English in 2017

“Teachers know the students well and ensure the school is one where they are cared for as individuals and where success is celebrated. Students express great pride in their school. Parents and carers and staff agree that students behave well and that the school keeps them safe.” - OfSTED, 2013

Mathematics

Mathematics gives students a fundamental understanding of the world around them, from economics to architecture and from engineering to the wonder of the universe. The subject also helps students to manage their personal finances and to understand how Mathematics is used in every day contexts. We teach our students to be able to make sense of financial jargon and make good financial decisions.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, students follow an innovative 5-year Mastery Curriculum which is designed to prepare them more thoroughly for the demands of the GCSE course. We have a passionate team of Mathematics specialists who make learning in Mathematics exciting and enjoyable for students.

Students in Rudiments (Year 7) are taught the fundamentals that will allow them to better access the learning that they will encounter in the rest of the years at Cardinal Griffin Catholic College. They will develop skills and broaden their understanding of key concepts, alongside starting to develop all-important problem solving and communication skills.

As they progress, students will continue to develop their understanding and application in Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics in a manner that they can apply the concepts to solve complex real life problems.

To enhance and extend learning, we provide revision and booster sessions, subscribe to online learning websites, and we also take part in local and national Mathematics competitions.

English

The ability to communicate effectively is a vital life skill. Studying English enables students to develop powerful communication skills which can be used in both work and play. It also offers a chance to become familiar with and develop an interest in literature, which broadens the imagination.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, students follow an exciting and innovative curriculum, stimulating independent learning and catering for different learning styles. Students are given the opportunity to explore all aspects of English—Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening Skills. We work closely as a team to create an innovative and enjoyable learning experience for all students.

We cover a variety of texts such as ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘War Horse’ and ‘Dracula’, covering not only the written and spoken language but also encompassing moving image. Students in Rudiments (Year 7) also participate in the Accelerated Reading programme, a highly individualised programme of reading exercises in order to build upon foundations of reading.

As they progress, students study ‘Macbeth’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘An Inspector Calls’ and Power and Conflict poetry. Students are encouraged to develop as independent learners, completing both written and spoken tasks.

We offer extra-curricular activities such as theatre trips, workshops and external competitions and events. We have two book clubs and a Patron of Reading.

Last year we had a visit from a Crime Scene Investigator to help students perfect their mystery writing and we invited Charlie Higgs to speak about his new books.

Religious Education

Religious Education is a chance to learn about faith and deepen our understanding of religion. Students get a chance to explore the bigger questions of the world, such as ‘why are we here?’ Religious Education is about promoting tolerance, understanding and friendships amongst all.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, we engage students in exciting and challenging activities which allow students to be well prepared for their GCSE examinations whilst also developing their spiritual and moral compass. As a result, students engage well with the subject and achieve strong GCSE results.

Students will be introduced to the College with a topic on the Jesuits. As our college is affiliated with the Jesuit tradition, students will get a chance to learn about the history and teachings of the Jesuits. We also introduce students to a ‘Christianity basics’ part of the course, which allows all students to be able to access the content of the specification.

As students progress towards GCSE they will be studying both Judaism and Christianity. Lots of revision sessions and the chance of one to one tuition with students is available to prepare them for exams.

Cardinal Griffin Catholic College students get to participate in a huge range of activities linked to Religious Education. We organise retreats in the College so that every single student from Rudiments (Year 7) through to Rhetoric (Year 13) has the opportunity to embark on a day retreat in which they will gain skills such as teamwork and a chance of reflection. We organise trips to Soli House and also to Rome which we encourage students to take part in.

Science

Science gives students the ability to investigate, understand and explain why things are the way they are. By learning the scientific method, students can develop skills of critical analysis which are important in decision making, evaluating ideas and testing evidence. Science also offers students the chance to understand things as broad as the nature of the universe through to the process of global warming.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, students follow a curriculum designed to engage curiosity and build practical skills. The Science department staff work together to ensure that students of all ages and abilities both enjoy and gain maximum success in Science.

In Rudiments (Year 7), students follow the two year AQA activate scheme of learning to maintain students’ natural curiosity in Science. This is done, in part, by adopting a wide ranging and open ended investigative approach to each of the topics. There is a key focus on literacy and reciprocal feedback within the department. During the course students develop their investigative, observational and analytical skills.

As they progress, students develop practical skills which are key to GCSE. Upper Grammar (Year 10) students opt for Separate Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Combined Sciences.

Science Club, held during Magis hour, on a Thursday is a great success, students are encouraged to explore their curiosity of science by engaging in a range of activities from bath bombs to exploding volcanoes! This year we had external visitors, including the exotic zoo.

The department also runs trips and visits including an annual trip to CERN, Geneva, York University and the Big Bang Science Fair.

History

History is WHAT happened way back WHEN. It is WHO made it happen. It is WHERE we started. History is WHY something happened and HOW we have learned from it. Studying History helps our students know where we came from, how the past has shaped us, and how we can shape the future. History enables our students to become all-round individuals who have a balanced understanding of both the past and present.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, we have both new and experienced staff who are passionate about our subject both in and outside the classroom. As a consequence we are able to offer a wide range of topics to our students, both at GCSE and A Level. These include Medieval Crime and Punishment right through to the ending of Apartheid in South Africa.

In Rudiments (Year 7), we offer our students the chance to solve historic murder mysteries, to travel through time and participate in battles that have changed the course of British history. We do this through teaching our students essential historical skills, our unit on ‘Settlements through Time’ and the study of ‘Medieval Realms’.

As they progress, students study a dynamic curriculum which includes ‘Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000-present’, ‘Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88’, ‘Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91’ and ‘The USA, 1954-75: conflict at home and abroad’.

We believe that History is more than just a subject to study in the classroom; it needs to be ‘lived’ through experiences. These experiences include visiting the battlefields of World War One and the Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum. Our aim is to enable each student to have such an experience during their time at Cardinal Griffin Catholic College.

Geography

Geography is exciting - it’s about the fast-changing world that we live in! Everyday something on the news links directly back to Geography, an earthquake in Mexico, hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, or the new i-phone as a globally recognised product supporting the creep of globalisation. Geography calls on a wide variety of different skills. Geographers are well-prepared for any challenge. They can read and research, plan an investigation, collect data and analyse it, reaching conclusions. They can evaluate their performance, make modifications, and think how to do it even better next time.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, Geography is taught in a way which reflects the world that we live in. We consider topics as diverse as climate change and global warming on one hand, and globalisation and refugee crises on the other. Discussing the issues we face in an increasingly globalised and ‘shrinking world’ makes us ask questions and keeps our natural curiosity alive!

In Rudiments (Year 7) students study a broad range of exciting topics including: ‘Maps skills’, ‘The UK,’ ‘Rivers’, ‘Glaciation’, ‘Africa and the Horn of Africa’. We then build on these in Figures (Year 8) and Lower Grammar (Year 9), making links back to prior learning and showing how themes link together.

As they progress students consider topics such as ‘Landscapes and Physical Processes’; ‘Rural-urban Links’; ‘Tectonic Processes and Landforms’; ‘Hazard Management’; ‘Development and Resource issues’ and ‘Environmental Challenges’.

Geography is all about experiencing the world we live in, so we have a strong focus on getting to see the things we are studying. We run trips to Stratford-upon-Avon to investigate tourism issues; Criccieth in Mid Wales to investigate coastal processes; Ashes Hollow and Little Stretton to investigate the changing river profile; Holderness to investigate coastal erosion and Liverpool to investigate ‘rebranding’.

Modern Foreign Languages

The rewards of learning a foreign language go far beyond the obvious ones associated with travel and improving a person’s career prospects. Language learning also helps students to develop their literacy skills in their own language and to solve problems and think logically.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, languages are taught by staff who are all real language and travel enthusiasts and we are committed to communicating this to our students. All students study French up to the end of Lower Grammar (Year 9), and then have the option to continue to study a language. Our focus is on making learning languages an exciting and vibrant experience for students, something which they enjoy and therefore wish to continue.

In Rudiments (Year 7), our first unit of study is a transition unit which aims to take account of any prior language learning whilst at the same time supporting any students who have no prior experience of French. We aim to give pupils the confidence in languages that will encourage them to continue to learn.

Learning focuses on developing students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing and is also based on developing their understanding of grammar. Our learning has a strong practical element to it so that students are able to use what they have learned.

We are committed to extending language provision beyond the classroom. We have organised some memorable visits to France and this has always proved a popular and very rewarding experience amongst our students. Last year we embarked on a joint visit to Paris with the Art Department which was very successful.

Physical Education

Students study PE for a variety of reasons. They may have a keen interest in sport, personal health or in promoting sport to others. Many of our students plan to become PE Teachers, Fitness Instructors, Sports Nutritionists and Professional Coaches. Our courses offer a breadth of information surrounding human anatomy, sport psychology, sport leadership and practical performance.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, our staff are hugely enthusiastic and make learning great fun, alongside an extensive range of extra-curricular activities amd clubs. Students have countless opportunities to access sport through morning, lunchtime and after-College clubs, alongside competitive fixtures. We compete or provide clubs in Football, Rugby, Netball, Rounders, Cricket, Softball, Handball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Trampolining, Gymnastics, Hockey, Badminton, Fitness, Dance and many more. We have a state-of-the-art 4G astroturf facility, huge playing fields, a fitness suite, a dance studio, sports hall and a gymnasium. We are extremely lucky to work with professional trainers who are involved in sports at local, regional and national level, and our students gain enormously from working with these professionals.

In Rudiments (Year 7), students get a full curriculum of sporting opportunities. Within these lessons, students will begin to look at improving their skills and applying this to a competitive scenario. Simultaneously, they begin to learn about the human body, nutrition and fitness to ensure they can lead a healthy active lifestyle.

As students progress, they choose either GCSE or BTEC PE depending on whether they wish to take an academic or vocational route. Both offer opportunities to play sport and learn about countless topics that allow and effective trasition into Sixth Form study.

Information and Communication Technology

Mastering the use of computer software and software development skills is key to preparing students for the modern workplace. Most jobs now require a good standard of digital literacy and the courses delivered at Cardinal Griffin Catholic College will equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to handle a wide range of digital issues, both at home and in the future workplace.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, the ICT Department comprises two subject specialists, who are all graduates / postgraduates in the fields of IT or Computer Science. All ICT and Computer Science lessons are taught in specialist computer classrooms that feature the most modern of hardware components and software packages. We provide remote access to our network so that students can work at home. Every pupil is able to have a free copy of Office 365, and we are introducing parental purchasing schemes for portable learning devices.

In Rudiments (Year 7) students first consolidate the ICT and computing skills that they learned at primary school and then study the important topic of how to stay safe online. Subsequent learning topics involve the study of the components of a modern computer system, the history of the world’s first computers and how to create animation on PC.

As they progress students can choose to study ICT in Computer Science (Academic) or ICT (Vocational) forms. Both courses comprise examination components and controlled assessment assignments. Our aim is to equip students with the highly sought after skills required for a modern IT environment.

The ICT Department delivers courses from a wide field of computing specialisms, including how to improve the productivity of a business through the use of commercial office applications and how to program computer games.

Design Technology & Art

Design Technology and Art is all about being creative and developing practical skills in a range of mediums such as Wood, Metal, Paint, and Food. Students enjoy making things, using their hands as well as their minds and producing an end product which shows the development of their skills. Our department encompasses Art and Design which means that pupils experience a very broad range of disciplines.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, we have committed, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and caring staff who have a passion for teaching and are prepared to go the extra mile to help students achieve their goals in our department. We have superb facilities including commercial standard ovens which give our students the experience of what cooking in a commercial kitchen would be like.

In Rudiments (Year 7), students will develop and practice skills in Art, Metal and Textiles, learning new things and methods of working with a range of tools and equipment. We focus on completing practical projects which result in items which students can take home and be proud of.

As students progress, they choose to specialise in a discipline chosen from Art and Design, Food and Design and Technology. Students undertake courses which have a strong practical element to them.

We encourage our students to go on educational visits, such as, to the Clothes Show or to visit real life engineering facilities in order to see how the skills they are learning can be applied in a work environment. We balance traditional skills with the latest technology to enhance both the enjoyment and learning experience of our students.

Performing Arts

Studying Performing Arts is a great way to gain confidence and work in a fun environment. It is a practical subject that allows students to experience Music, Dance and Drama in a supportive environment. Performing Arts encourages collaboration and communication which are key skills that can be used across other subjects.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, we put on a range of plays, musicals and concerts across the year which are enjoyed by friends and family in the local area. There is an opportunity for everyone to get involved. We also work closely with ENTRUST who provide excellent music tutors who are a great addition to our department. They also provide music lessons to those who wish to pursue a musical instrument. In Rudiments (Year 7), students study an exciting programme of Dance, Drama and Music on a rotation system; which means every student gets to experience each discipline equally across the year. The Rudiments (Year 7) programme of study involves lots of collaborative performance work whereby students strengthen their relationships with their peers and use creativity and imagination across all three disciplines.

As students progress, they may choose to study Performing Arts through to GCSE and A-Level. Our focus is very much on the practical skills of performance in each discipline.

Watching, or taking part in, live performance work is something we are passionate about here at Cardinal Griffin Catholic College. Students find this to be a fun and rewarding experience which also helps them to gain confidence. We offer theatre trips to Lichfield and London, opportunities for musicians to perform and a huge range of extra-curricular clubs and activities, shows and performances.

Vocational Education

Vocational Education offers learners an engaging introduction to life and work in a vocational sector. Students develop knowledge and understanding by applying their learning and skills in a work-related context. Taken as part of a balanced curriculum, vocational education provides a tried-and-trusted progression route to further study, to an apprenticeship or into employment. BTEC is considered the Gold standard of Vocational learning so that’s why here at Cardinal Griffin Catholic College we choose BTEC and offer BTEC qualifications in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, our aim is to provide a real-life vocational experience for our students. We have formed mutually beneficial relationships and developed some excellent links within the local community. These links become really important when applying the theory in practice to real –life situations. This gives our students a feel for what a particular job role, or profession is really like.

Students can opt to study Vocational Education from Upper Grammar (Year 10) onwards. The Vocational Education department offers BTEC level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) and Level 3 qualifications (Equivalent to A-Levels) in Sport, Health and Social Care, Travel and Tourism and Performing Arts. This allows students to opt for an alternative route into their further career choices Post 16, ready for Sixth Form, College or an Apprenticeship.

Students have many opportunities to apply their learning in a practical way. An example of this would be the Senior Citizens Christmas party which is planned and organised by our BTEC Health and Social Care students. It is an example of how putting the theory of their assignment into practice makes learning realistic and fun. The opportunity to apply transferable skills is one of the major appeals of vocational learning.

The Magis Hour and Extra Curricular opportunities

At Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, we believe educating a child is about giving them more that just a strong intellectual formation. We introduced the Magis hour in 2014 to ensure that every student had additional opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities. The hour runs on a Thursday between 3pm and 4pm.

In addition to the Magis Hour, we offer a range of lunchtime and evening clubs throughout the week.

Activities include:

A range of sports including: Football, Rugby, Netball, Rounders, Cricket, Softball, Handball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Trampolining, Gymnastics, Hockey, Badminton, Fitness, Dance and many more.

A range of musical and Performing Arts clubs including: Irish folk band, Concert Band, Peripatetic Music lessons, Plays, Cabarets, Shows and gigs.

Cycling club, Cookery club, Magic club, Chess club, Art Club.

Duke of Edinburgh Award, Arrupe Award and Young Ambassador Award.

College Council, Charity Fundraising and Volunteering Opportunities.

The Combined Cadet Force.

National and International Trips including Rome, France and Peru.

And many more...

Homework

Homework should be used to consolidate learning within the classroom resulting in more rapid student progress over time. Homework can take many forms and should be both stimulating and challenging to students. Homework should be viewed as an extension of the learning process and seen as an opportunity for students to develop their ability to work independently, to research and to extend their learning. However, homework can also be used to re-write work, upgrade work, or to consolidate the learning that has taken place in the lesson.

It is the students responsibility to ensure they have completed the required number of hours per week, even if the homework has not been set. It is important that good work routines are established in Rudiments (Year 7) and maintained throughout, rather than pupils having to learn new ones when it is too late towards the end of Syntax (Year 11).

The amount of homework expected to be set by departments is roughly in proportion to curriculum time. It is not expected that every subject sets homework every week, but that it averages out over time.

All homework is set on our online platform showmyhomework. This is then available to view for both pupils and parents via their website or smartphone app.

The College DayMonday - Wednesday

08:40 Registration Bell08:45 Period 109:45 Period 210:45 Breaktime11:05 Period 312:05 Period 413:05 Lunchtime13:40 Tutor Time14:00 Period 515:00 End of Day

Thursday

08:40 Registration Bell08:45 Period 109:45 Period 210:45 Breaktime11:05 Period 312:05 Period 413:05 Lunchtime13:40 Tutor Time14:00 Period 515:00 Magis Hour16:00 End of Day

Friday

08:40 Registration Bell08:45 Period 109:45 Period 210:45 Breaktime11:05 Period 312:05 Period 413:05 Lunchtime13:40 Period 514:40 End of Day

Breaks and LunchtimesThrough our partnership with Shire Services, we offer a superb selection of different food options for students at breakfast, breaktime and lunchtime. Full meals are available at a reasonable cost, as well as a range of sandwiches, light bites, street food, fruit and cakes. We are keen to encourage pupils to eat healthily as well as offering treats. Parents should encourage their children to maintain a balanced diet from the selections available.

Our food reflects the kind of offer which students might see on the high street, but is produced in a way which makes it healthier. We have a selection of street food which includes Asian, Indian, Mexican and Pizza selections; Deli sandwiches and a main hot meal service where a full meal can be purchased.

Our College Council have been extremely instrumental in ensuring the food and the prices meet the needs of our students, and that the food is healthy and nutritious. We also offer a Food Pod on our playground where ‘grab and go’ food can be purchased.

College TransportFor students who have a distance to travel, we offer a range of both coaches and minibuses. The service was developed in consultation with parents, who expressed a wish for pupils to have dedicated transport services as opposed to using public transport.

We offer services to Rugeley, Hednesford, Norton Canes, Chase Terrace, Burntwood, Chasetown, Rawnsley, Wimblebury, Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay areas. We prioritise seats for Rudiments (Year 7) students.

The cost of transport is offered at a reduced rate for families with more than one child at the College. Students who attended St Josephs and St Theresas Catholic Primary School have the cost of their transport funded by Chasetown Civil Engineering.

AttendanceStudents’ learning depends heavily on them attending College every day. We aspire for every child to achieve 100% attendance. Any absence from College is cause for concern and efforts will be made to ensure your child catches up on any learning missed.

Our Attendance Officer monitors students’ attendance and will make contact with you if your child is not shown as being registered in lessons. We use a text messaging service so that parents can be notified quickly. Just 5% of lessons missed is equivalent to two whole weeks’ education a year, which is 50 lessons. We endeavour to assist parents in ensuring attendance is good.

We ask that parents let us know if their child is unable to attend College due to illness. We ask that you notify us each day that your child is ill, so that we can ensure they are safe. We do not authorise holidays during term time.

Pastoral Care

What makes Cardinal Griffin Catholic College distinctive is the strength of our Pastoral system. This means that the behaviour of our students is Outstanding. This doesn’t happen by accident, but by design. Our pastoral system has been developed to maximise the number of staff involved in ensuring students well being.

Every student is part of vertical tutor group which will include students from every year group from Rudiments (Year 7) to Syntax (Year 11). This helps create cohesion between all year groups. In addition to the tutor group every student will be part of one of our six Houses. Each student will therefore have both a House Tutor and a Head of House who will be focused on their pastoral care. Houses celebrate Masses together and have a House day once a year, which gives every student a strong sense of belonging.

We encourage parents to make contact with both Tutors and Heads of House to discuss any concerns they have about the child. We also have have specialist staff who will actively support students’ pastoral needs, such as the Lay Chaplain, the SENDCo, the Inclusion Manager and our Pupil Services Department.

In addition to the pastoral structures, every student is part of a year group which has a Raising Standards Leader. The role of the Raising Standards Leader is to ensure that every student is making the academic progress of which they are capable. The Raising Standards Leader will support your child to ensure that any barriers to their learning are removed and will work with the House Tutor and Head of House on any pastoral issue which are impacting learning. Consequently, our students say that they feel extremely safe and supported in our College community.

Religious Formation

One of the distinctive features of our College is our foundations in Catholic values and Ignatian teachings. As such, we believe we have a responsibility to educate students not only in academic disciplines, but to also assist them in developing their religious and moral character.

We have both a College Chaplain and Lay Chaplain who play an active part in ensuring that we have a thriving chaplaincy. We encourage students to become involved in the chaplaincy.

Throughout the year students will participate in assemblies, Masses and celebrations which are linked to the Catholic calendar. Our role is to challenge students to think about spiritual and moral issues for themselves and to guide them in their thinking. We challenge students to follow the Jesuit Pupil Profile and to become ‘Men and Women for Others’. We want our students to leave the College able to make a valuable contribution to society.

Every student will participate annually in a spiritual retreat which is a chance to reflect and to consider spiritual issues. In addition, each student will be part of our House structure and will celebrate a House day in which they will learn about the Cardinal from whom the name of their house is taken and their contribution to the world.

We have strong links with our parishes and offer all students the opportunity to attend a Mass at St Mary’s parish church at least once during the year. We also offer a weekly Mass on a Wednesday lunchtime.

College UniformWe are very proud of our College uniform and believe that it should be worn consistently and proudly. We have deliberately ensured that the uniform is affordable and we have a number of local stockists to provide options for parents on where they purchase it. We ask parents for their support in ensuring that the uniform complies with our uniform policy.

Our uniform consists of:

An official black blazer with a Cardinal Griffin badgeAn official School Tie (Clip on)An official sleeved or sleeveless jumper with trimOfficial plain grey trousers (Boys or Girls) or pleated skirt (Girls only)Plain white shirtPlain black / Navy overcoat or AnorakSensible black leather shoes (Boys) with a small protruding heel - Trainers are not acceptableSimple black heeled leather shoes (Girls) with a small protruding heel - canvas, suede, patent, ‘balletstyle’ and soft shoes are not acceptable Grey, Navy blue or Black socks (Boys)White or Black tights (Girls)

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT:Writing Pens, Coloured Pencil Crayons, Rubber and Sharpener, Ruler, Calculator, Protractor, Compass. Dictionary and Catholic Good News Bible.

HAIR STYLE AND LENGTH:Boys’ hair should should not exceed collar length and should not be cut too short (no 1 or less)Facial hair is not permittedTram line or shapes cut into the head are unacceptableStudents are permitted to dye their hair only using natural colours

Further guidance on our uniform policy is availalble on our College website.

Uniform and Equipment checks are undertaken at the start of every lesson.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The College offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award at both Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. We have around 50 students participating in the Award every year and we strongly encourage students to get involved in the scheme.

The Award consists of four sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. Each section provides its own challenges in which students develop confidence, responsibility, leadership skills and demonstrate commitment and resilience in order to achieve the award.

Bronze and Silver expeditions are completed in the Peak Distrcit supervised by our team of staff, who are qualified to run the programme. Recognised nationally by employers, it is rated the number one school based acvtitity for employability.

Safeguarding

Get involved

The safety and well-being of our students is of paramount importance to us. Therefore, we have designated senior staff who are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of students who attend our College. The names of these staff are displayed throughout the College.

Where any safeguarding concerns arise, we deal with these sensitively, but robustly. The procedures which we follow are laid down by the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board, and we work closely with Staffordshire County Council and other agencies to ensure our children remain safe.

We encourage parents to raise any concerns they have with us at the earliest opportunity.

Many parents want to get involved with the College to support their child’s education. One of the ways parents can make a substantive contribution is to become a member of the Cardinal Griffin Association, the College’s Parent Teacher Association.

The Cardinal Griffin Asssociation meets termly and plays and active part in supporting College events. It generates funds which are in addition to the Government funding the College receives, which provides for additional resources for students. The meetings are short and informal, and we do not require a huge commitment, just some enthusiasm!

Historically the association has funded Rugby and Music uniforms, dance trips, honours boards and building works to improve the College environment for students.

We recognise as a College that parents now communicate in a variety of ways and have updated our own communication channels to reflect this. The College operates its own Facebook page, a Twitter feed, website and YouTube channel. We also utilise text messaging systems to communicate with parents and offer an option for parents to receive our weekly newsletter, The Griffin, electronically by email.

www.cardinalgriffin.staffs.sch.uk

https://www.facebook.com/CardinalGriffin

@GriffinCardinal

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNyWI8YqCxZJclv2fC-PnJA

The College strongly encourages parents to closely supervise their children’s use of social media. We strongly endorse Facebook’s and Twitter’s policies of not allowing children under the age of 13 to be account holders. We have a zero tolerance policy towards cyber bullying or the abuse of social media. We advise parents to put in place internet filtering software and to set appropriate privacy settings on their child’s social media accounts.

We also remind all users of social media that messages posted about the College or individuals are subject to normal libel and slander legislation and advise that messages should be factually correct and in no way defamatory in nature.

Cardinal Griffin Catholic CollegeCardinal WayStafford RoadCannockStaffordshireWS11 4AW

Tel: 01543 502215Fax: 01543 574929admin@cardinalgriffin.staffs.sch.ukwww.cardinalgriffin.staffs.sch.uk