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Handbook of information for parents and students

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Induction Contents

1 Statement of Aims

2 Staff Contact details

3 Trafford High School lesson times

4 Daily Routine at Trafford High School

5 Transport Arrangements

6 How to get to Trafford High School

7 Dress code / Uniform / Use of Make up

8 Absences

9 Security of Personal belongings

10 Personal Stereos

11 Use of Telephones

12 Health and Safety

13 Fire Drill

14 Medication

15 Accidents

16 Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking

17 Confidentiality and Child Protection

18 Equal Opportunities / Intervention / Positive Handling Strategy

20 Participation in External Activities / Trips

21 Trafford High School Behaviour for Learning Policy

22 Home-School Agreement (Behaviour Code and Ground Rules) 23 Current Ofsted Report Summary

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Statement of Aims

The aims of Trafford High School is to support pupils, families and schools in order to make sure educational placements can be continued, or appropriate placements can be sought. Trafford High School works with pupils who are permanently excluded or at risk of being permanently excluded because of the challenging behaviours they display. The staff members at the school attempt to identity the causes of a pupil’s behaviour and apply strategies they feel may be effective in managing and resolving negative behaviour. These strategies and ways of working are then communicated to both school and parents/carers so that there may be some long term, sustainable progress.

2. Staff

Executive Headteacher

Lynda Thompson

Headteacher

Linda Bennion Teaching Staff Jasmin Boyes Kerry Kirkham Paul McKay Pervin Nadim John O’Brien

Mentors Lorraine Ballintine Neil Hessing Geraldine McHugh Teaching Assistants James Barker Toni Grainge Julie Watson

Administrative Staff

Susan Carlton Deborah Smethurst

School Contact Number: Telephone: 0161 912 1479 / 912 5214

Fax: 0161 202 9273

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3. School Lesson Times

Trafford High School is located in Lydney Road, Flixton, Manchester M41 8RN. The School is staffed from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday.

If you are invited to attend lessons at the School, lesson times are usually as follows:

Morning

Lunch

Afternoon

Monday*

8:45 – 12.15

12.15 – 12.45

12.45 – 2.45

Tuesday*

8:45 – 12.15

12.15 – 12.45

12.45 – 2.45

Wednesday

8:45 – 12:15

12.15 – 12.45

12.45 – 1.45

Thursday*

8:45 – 12.15

12.15 – 12.45

12.45 – 2.45

Friday*

8:45 – 12.15

12.15 – 12.45

12.45 – 2.30

*Lunch is provided in line with healthy eating guidelines and lunch breaks are supervised by staff.

Break time is available to all students subject to individual targets being met. Outside breaks are subject to parental/carer’s permission having been granted.

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4. Guidelines to the daily routine in school for staff and students As per timetable – please see attached

5. Transport Arrangements Pupils may be entitled to a concessionary bus pass during their time at the School. An application form is available from the pupil mentor. If a ticket is lost, pupils will not be able to reclaim money. 6. How to get to Trafford High School by Public Transport

From

Bus or Metro How often

Altrincham 245 30 mins approx...

Broomwood 11 / 245 60 mins. / 30 mins. approx

Old Trafford 256 10 mins. approx.

Partington 255 / 247* 30 mins / 30 mins. approx...

Stretford 15 30 mins. approx...

Woodsend Circle to:

Altrincham 245 30 mins approx.

Broomwood 245 / 11 60 mins / 30 mins. approx.

Old Trafford 256 10 mins. approx.

Partington 247 30 mins / 30 mins. approx...

Stretford 15 30 mins .approx. * Please note that there is a 10 minute walk from Woodsend Circle to the school. Links to timetables:

245 - http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedfiles/Services/North_West/NWWY245_270113_130113.pdf

247 - http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedfiles/Services/North_West/NWWY245_270113_130113.pdf 256 - http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Timetable_28170_256.pdf

15 - http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Timetable_28145_15.pdf

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7. Dress code / Uniform / Use of Make up

Students attending Trafford High School are required to wear their school uniform. Pupils not currently on the roll of a mainstream school are required to wear black trousers / skirt and black school shoes. Such pupils will be loaned a Trafford High School sweatshirt for use during their stay at the school.

When attending gym or playing sport, trainers and sports clothes should be worn. For Health and Safety reasons, protective clothing will be provided and must be worn for practical lessons. The use of make up is not encouraged – please note that pupils will be asked to remove excessive make up.

8. Absences

If a pupil is ill and unable to attend any of their lessons, please contact the school before 9:00 a.m. on the morning of absence 0161 912 1479. A letter from a parent/carer should follow any sickness absence. If a pupil does not attend without a valid reason from a parent/carer, this is recorded as an unauthorised absence.

Any appointment e.g. dentist, should be made outside of lesson times. However, if there is a need to attend an appointment during lesson time, this will count as an authorised absence provided confirmation is received from a parent/carer. If a pupil is late they will automatically receive an after school detention. The length of the detention will depend on the degree of lateness. Parent/carers will be informed of these detentions and we hope that you will support us in implementing them.

A referral to the Education Welfare Service may be made if there are too many unauthorised absences or occasions of lateness. This could lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice (currently £50) being served for persistent unauthorised non-attendance.

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9. Security of Personal Belongings Personal belongings are the responsibility of the owner. Please do not bring expensive items or large amounts of money to the school. If

anything is lost or stolen during a lesson; it is the responsibility of the owner. school staff members accept no responsibility for lost or stolen items/money. If a pupil has to bring a valuable item into the school, e.g. mobile phone, it should be handed to a member of staff for safekeeping. Items will be placed in a container and stored in a secure cabinet until the end of the school day, when the item will be returned.

10. Personal Stereos (CD and MP3 players) and Mobile Phones

If students bring a personal stereo/MP3 to the school, they will be expected to hand it to staff to store in the secure cabinet until the end of the school day. They are not to be taken into lessons. A pupil will not be allowed to enter a lesson if they have not handed the item to a member of staff for safe keeping first.

11. Use of Mobile Phones and Telephones

Pupils are not allowed to have their mobile phones with them in the class and lessons under any circumstance. A pupil will not be allowed to enter a lesson if they have not handed the item to a member of staff for safe keeping first. Urgent calls to parents/carers will be made on behalf of a pupil by school staff. Please note that staff members are not permitted to allow students to use school phones for personal calls.

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12. Health and Safety

Health and safety is the responsibility of all staff and students. Pupils are asked to be mindful of their own health and safety as well as that of others. Pupils are asked to inform a member of staff of anything that could be a danger to the health and safety of them or other people.

13. Fire Drill

If a pupil notices a fire or smoke during their lesson they are asked to tell a member of staff immediately. In the event of a fire, everyone must evacuate the school immediately and congregate in the designated area as indicated by school staff. Procedures in the event of a fire are displayed in all areas of the school and fire drills are scheduled to take place during each half term.

14. Medication

If medication needs to be taken for a medical problem whilst a pupil attends the school, providing a medical consent form has been completed, then storage and administration will be overseen by school staff. Please note that we are not allowed to administer any drugs (even those available over the counter at a pharmacy) consequently, we do not have any on the premises. Responsibility remains with the parent / carer to ensure that medication provided to school staff for administration is in date.

15. Accidents

Accidents, however minor, must be reported to a member of staff, who will attend to the situation accordingly and complete a Trafford Borough Council Accident or Dangerous Occurrence Report Form. Trafford High School currently has three trained First Aiders who will be called upon if necessary.

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16. Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking

If any member of The Trafford High School staff suspects that a pupil is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the parent/carer will be asked to collect the pupil from the school as they could be considered a hazard in the work place and could cause problems to them or others. The parent/carer will be informed immediately and consideration given to informing the Police. A pupil would be expected to make up the time missed at a later date, in line with the school’s time-out policy. No young person is permitted to smoke on or near the school. In accordance with government legislation the school is a smoke free environment.

All Trafford buildings operate a no smoking policy

17. Confidentiality and Child Protection

Trafford High School abides by Trafford Borough Council ‘Support for Children and Families Confidentiality and Recording of Information’ policies.

Staff members are legally bound to report any Child Protection concerns they may have regarding a young person to the Child Protection Officer to decide if further investigation is necessary.

18. Equal Opportunities

Trafford High School works in complete compliance with Trafford Borough Council ‘Equal Opportunities Policy’ and has its own Equal Opportunities and Racial Equality Policy.

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19. Physical Intervention/Positive Handling Strategy

Trafford High School staff members comply with Trafford Borough Council ‘Physical Intervention and Positive Handling Policy’. This means that in situations involving risk of harm to a person (other students or staff) or in the event of criminal damage or in the need to maintain good order and discipline, staff would be prepared to physically intervene. All relevant staff are trained in de-escalation and diversion techniques as well as positive handling strategies. CCTV is in operation throughout the School and all incidents are recorded. The police are notified in some instances.

20. Participation in External Activities / Trips

Before a pupil participates in any external activities, other than those covered in the Home School Agreement, a consent form detailing any medical problems, medication or relevant medical history must be completed and signed by a parent/carer. Prior notification detailing such activities will be sent to parents/carers.

21. Trafford High School Behaviour for Learning Policy

If a student’s behaviour is becoming disruptive beyond the scope of the ground rules, then he/she will be asked to leave the lesson or activity for a period of ‘time out’, based upon the mentor / teacher assessment of the situation. During this time, usually conducted in a separate room, a mentor/behaviour assistant will sit with the young person and discuss any problems or issues, which are causing the disruptive behaviour. When the situation is resolved, the student will rejoin the lesson or activity.

If the situation cannot be calmed down it may be felt that the only solution is for the young person to leave the School as a fixed term exclusion for that day. The issues are discussed with parents/carers. This may involve arranging a meeting with a parent/carer or other relevant agencies before the young person rejoins lessons. Parents/carers will be informed immediately. In these circumstances, it would be up to the young person to make their own way home. School staff would ensure that the young person had sufficient funds for public transport home if necessary.

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If a pupil leaves the School without staff permission, they will not be allowed back into the School that day. Parents/Carers will be informed immediately. This course of action is to ensure that pupils follow staff requests and do not create prolonged disruption to the teaching environment. An appropriate sanction will be applied and work will be caught up.

If a student’s behaviour is endangering staff or other students and cannot be managed by staff, and he/she refuses to leaves the School when required to, then the police would be called and the young person’s parents/carers informed. In cases of seriously disruptive behaviour, where other students/staff members are at risk, the Trafford Borough Council’s ‘Accident and Dangerous Occurrence Report Form’ (HS1) would be completed alongside the School incident sheet. A copy of these documents is then sent to Trafford Borough Council Health and Safety Unit.

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22. Home – School Agreement By accepting the placement of your child in the School, you agree to the following expectations:

The School will: 1. Provide high quality teaching in core

curriculum subjects including numeracy, literacy and science.

2. Prepare your child for a planned return to

the most appropriate educational provision. 3. Support your child through the delivery of a

personal, social, health education and citizenship curriculum.

4. Invite you to participate in all reviews and

the preparation of Integration Plans in respect of your child.

5. Respect the right of your child to have a

safe, secure and fulfilling educational placement.

6. Send you a copy of all reports relevant to

your child.

Parents agree to:

1. Ensure your child attends the School regularly and punctually for the allocated sessions. In the event that a pupil is late an after school detention will automatically be received. The length of the detention will depend on the degree of lateness. Parent/carers will be informed of detentions and we hope that you will support us in implementing them.

2. Encourage and support your child in completing any project work or homework set by School staff.

3. Attend and fully participate in all scheduled reviews appertaining to your child.

4. Communicate any concerns you have about your child’s frame of mind to the School staff before your child arrives at the School.

5. Inform School staff by telephone of any sickness absence and contact the allocated taxi firm as soon as possible and confirm in writing.

6. Ensure your child attends the School dressed in his/her mainstream school uniform or School jumpers and is prepared to conform to the published School rules.

7. Make available a contact number and emergency contact number where you can be contacted if necessary.

8. Be prepared to respond to requests from School staff for urgent backup when extreme difficulties arise.

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Trafford High School √ or X

A. I have been given a copy of the home/ School agreement and agree to abide with its principles and objectives.

B. I have had the rules of the School explained to me and agree that they are a reasonable

expectation of pupil behaviour.

C. I give my permission for my child to be seen by any member of the multi-disciplinary team as required e.g. Educational Psychologist, Health Visitor etc.

D. I give my permission for my child to take part in planned educational activities and outings as outlined.

E. I have had the School’s positive handling procedures explained to me.

F. I give my permission for a referral to Education Welfare to be made when there are issues concerning attendance.

G. I give my permission for my child to take part in Collective Worship and the study of R.E. unless I notify the School staff in writing that I wish to withdraw them.

H. I give my permission for my child to take part in sex education lessons as part of Science/ P.S.H.E. / Art Therapy programmes unless I notify the School staff in writing that I wish to withdraw them. I. I give may consent for artwork to be photographed for recording purposes J. I hereby give my permission for my child to be referred to and receive tuition from The Trafford

High School Pupil Referral Unit and for them to contact other agencies to seek professional advice/ data exchange regarding my child, including Youth Support Services

incorporating Connexions. K. I give my permission for my child to take part in reward trips where applicable.

L. I give permission for my child to access the internet as part of planned curricular based Activities

M. I give my permission for my child’s photograph/image to be used for display, media / film footage / promotional purposes whilst attending the Trafford High School. Please see attached ‘Using images of Children’ form for full details N. We, ……………………………………………….. and………………………………….…………… of …………….…………………………………………………………………………….. (address) do hereby undertake to reimburse Trafford High School for the full financial cost of any repair or replacement work required to remedy any physical or technical damage caused directly by any acts committed by (name and DOB of pupil) within the buildings and grounds of Trafford High School. Such reimbursement shall be fully made to Trafford High School within 28 days of receipt of a reasonable invoice(s) to which shall be attached documentary evidence of the details of the invoiced repair or replacement cost. Signed: _________________________________ Date: ____________ Parent / Carer 1 ___________________________ Date: _______________ Parent / Carer 2 Pupil Name: …………………………………………………..

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– Trafford High School

16

Lydney Road

Flixton Manchester

M41 8RN

Telephone No: 0161 912 1479 Fax No. 0161 202 9273

Website: http://www.traffordalternativeeducation.co.uk