Turves Green Girls’ School

Together We Succeed

PARENT INFORMATION BOOKLET

Attendance Good attendance is one of the most important building blocks for a successful school career. It is difficult to progress academically if you do not have continuity of development. At Turves Green Girls' School we place a great emphasis on regular attendance and girls are rewarded with certificates and prizes at regular assemblies if they achieve attendance targets. We also give rewards for improved attendance. The target attendance for all pupils is at least 95%. The school follows advice issued by the Local Authority to support good attendance and does not authorise absence for holiday taken through term time. Equipment All girls should have a school bag large enough to carry books. Girls should be equipped with a pencil case, pen, pencil, rubber, sharpener, ruler, protractor, pair of compasses and six coloured pencils (red, blue, green, brown, yellow and black). Please note that felt tips and tippex are not allowed. It is hoped that all girls will have their own calculator which should last for five years. For PE kit please see the uniform list. Lockers Lockers are available to pupils to share with another girl. A £5 refundable deposit is required. Rewards and Sanctions We operate a system of positive encouragement and girls will be given merit points for effort, achievement or service for which rewards are given for these. One of the sanctions we operate is detention and this takes place after school on a Tuesday and Thursday until 3.30 and a Friday until 3.45. Detentions can also take place for 10 minutes at the end of the school day without prior notice. The most common reasons for detentions being issued are:- lack of homework, disobedience, disruptive behaviour, rudeness and removal to the Time Out Room during lessons. Pupils are expected to attend detentions at the time set. Whilst we work with parent/carers as far as possible, the school reserves the right to set detentions even where parents/carers disagree with the rationale.

DETENTION SYSTEM

30 min Supportive Homework Detention

Monday and Wednesday 3-3.30pm

Net 2

30 min School Detention

Monday and Wednesday 3-3.30pm

Rm 1

45 min Senior Teacher

Detention

Friday

3-3.45pm

Rm 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

ParentMail

Communicating with parents is an important part of what we do, making sure you get the correct information about activities, events and things that really matter is something we care about. Turves Green Girls’ School use ParentMail – an online communication and payment service used by over 6,000 schools.

It is important that you register with ParentMail by activating your account when prompted to ensure you receive key information and enable you to pay online for school dinners, trips etc as we do not accept cash in school. We highly recommend you download the FREE App for the best user experience. To do this, simply search for ‘Parentmail’ in your App store. Eating and Drinking Pupils are encouraged to drink water rather than fizzy drinks and to bring water bottles to school. There are water dispensers situated in the school, where bottles can be refilled. Energy drinks are NOT permitted in school as they damage the ability of pupils to concentrate in class, please discourage your daughter from purchasing these. Please do not bring energy/fizzy drinks or hot food into Reception with the intention of passing these along to your daughter, as this undermines the school and they will be refused. Nuts - We have a number of pupils with nut allergies, pupils are not allowed to bring nuts or nut products including items containing nut traces into school. Free Breakfast All pupils have access to a free, healthy breakfast bagel every morning during form time. This is to ensure that all pupils have a healthy start to the day and are ready to learn. Absence If a pupil is absent for any reason, a telephone call to our Attendance Officer on 464 6702 is appreciated on the first day of absence. If girls need to leave school to attend an appointment then a note should be brought to school, stating both the time and nature of the appointment and official appointment letter. Pupils should always get their Year Head to sign the note before leaving school. Whenever possible, appointments should be made outside school hours. Supervision of pupils in the morning Staff are on duty officially from 8.35 am each morning. Parents should be aware that although many staff are at school before this time pupils who arrive earlier will not be directly supervised and the school does not accept any responsibility for their supervision. Lunchtimes Pupils are expected to remain on site at lunchtimes. A school dinner can be purchased in the canteen or pupils may bring a packed lunch which can be eaten in designated areas. If pupils need to leave the site, a note must be brought to school and pupils sign out at the office. Pupils can use the Library, the Canteen and Hall’s at lunch so there is always a warm place to go.

GENERAL INFORMATION cont...

Homework/Revision Club

Afterschool Homework/Revision Club - Monday to Thursday 3.05 to 5.00pm and Friday 3.05 to 4.30pm. If pupils wish to attend homework club they need to sign in by 3.15pm. Pupils are not allowed to go home and then return to the club, they also are not allowed to walk around school premises looking for teachers. The club is available on a voluntary basis, giving parents’ peace of mind in knowing that their daughters have somewhere safe, supervised and social to work on homework. The club is open for all year groups and will run in the Family Learning Room, ensuring that pupils who attend have access to computers and the Virtual Learning Facility.

Valuables and banned items

Large sums of money and valuables should not normally be brought into school. If they are, they should be given to your Form Teacher for safe keeping during the day.

The following items should not be brought into school:-

Aerosols and sprays, tippex, chewing and bubble gum, energy drinks, cigarettes and vape pens. Such items will be temporarily confiscated if brought into school.

Smoking on the school premises, to and from school is not allowed.

While we understand that some parents may want their children to have a mobile phone for communication after-school, pupils are not allowed to use mobile phones during the school day. If seen using a mobile phone, the phone is confiscated until the end of the day and the pupil receives a detention.

Apparatus

Apparatus in the classrooms and particularly in the gymnasium, science laboratories, food technology, textiles, CDT, or ICT rooms should not be touched without permission from the teacher. Windows should not be opened or closed without permission. All these apply for safety reasons.

Leaving the site

No girl must ever leave the premises without permission from the Head, a senior member of staff or Year Head. When permission has been granted, girls must sign out in the book in the Pupil Reception. Girls who come late either in the morning or afternoon, MUST report to the Pupil Reception. Persistent lateness earns a detention.

GENERAL INFORMATION cont...

PE Kit

Girls should bring their kit to all PE lessons, regardless of whether or not they are performing.

Clubs and Extra Curricular Opportunities There are a variety of clubs available to students every day of the week. Please see website for further details. Planners Each pupil is issued with a planner on arrival at school. These contain important information and homework pages. Parents are asked to sign these on a weekly basis. There will be a charge to replace lost planners. Medication

The school can only accept and administer medicines that have been prescribed by a

doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or pharmacist prescriber. The medicines should always

be provided in their original container which details the name of the child and the dosage

requirements. The parent is responsible for delivering the medication to school where a

Medicines 1 form will need to be completed. At the end of the medication period, the

parent is responsible for the collection from school any unused medicines. Any

uncollected medicines will be disposed of appropriately.

GENERAL INFORMATION cont...

MISSION STATEMENT

Our vision is to provide for our young people the very best teaching and a

Supportive environment where their talents are nurtured and insecurities

overcome. We will support the young people of our community throughout their childhoods to build their aspirations and ensure their needs are met.

We work to put our school at the heart of the community. By working together with other schools and agencies we have greater capacity for success. Through our co-operative ethos we pool our efforts, ideas and enthusiasm to support our young people and their families in ways that would not be possible on our own. As educators, learners, parents, young people and wider community, we draw upon both our own strength and the expertise of partner organisations.

We work to give parents, pupils, staff and the wider community a strong voice in the development of education and services in the area. The children in our area deserve the very best education and we will strive to deliver it. We are their champions. Together, we succeed.

Aims

1. To enable our pupils to be strong and independent—able to form healthy and respectful relationships, able to safeguard themselves and each other from exploitation and violent extremism and able to stand up for British and co-operative values.

2. To secure the highest possible academic standards and levels of challenge for our pupils and to prepare our pupils for the constantly changing challenges of life and work after school.

3. To provide a curriculum which is broad, balanced and relevant to each pupil, providing a breadth of experiences and allowing pupils to discover their passions.

4. To create a happy and positive learning environment, fostering mutual respect, consideration for others and personal responsibility.

5. To be committed to developing positive relationships with parents, promoting education as a partnership between home and school.

6. To provide a school based experience for all our pupils which promotes equality of opportunity and seeks to overcome barriers to their achievement.

7. To prepare our pupils for life after school so they are able to access the best opportunities in further education and the world of work. We achieve this by working closely with colleges and employers in addition to providing excellent independent careers advice.

8. To encourage our pupils to be creative, resilient and independent learners.

MISSION STATEMENT

9. To establish effective working relationships with other professionals for the benefit of all.

10. To promote Turves Green Girls’ School as part of the wider community, through our implementation of our co-operative values, specifically our commitment to democracy.

11. To provide a safe and caring environment in which all pupils can make a positive contribution to their learning, school and community.

12. To provide the best possible environment and inspirational teaching by using current technology and new approaches in the classroom.

Values

1. Every child and every member of staff at Turves Green Girls’ School matters. We recognise that staff are best able to support children when their workload is realistic and they are happy in their role.

2. We continually strive to promote and nurture the health and well-being of our pupils and our staff.

3. Our commitment to democracy means that we believe all stakeholders should have a say in how we run our school. We believe that making a better school for our pupils arises from a co-operative approach, respecting the views of our stakeholders.

4. We actively promote the sharing of good practice both within the school and through extended partnerships to provide the very best opportunities for our pupils. We share the co-operative value of self-responsibility—we take responsibility for our actions.

5. We actively promote the school as a community which aspires to gain experience beyond our geographical horizons.

6. We strive to combat gender stereotyping and aim for our pupils to be fully prepared to take active roles in their future. We share the co-operative values of equality and equity—equal rights and benefits according to contribution and striving to be fair and unbiased.

7. We share the co-operative value of solidarity—we support each other and those in other co-operatives.

MISSION STATEMENT cont...

WHY IS HOMEWORK IMPORTANT?

Homework is valuable for the following reasons:

• It can help pupils to make more rapid progress in learning.

• It can allow pupils to develop the practice of working on their own without the con-stant presence of the teacher or other pupils on the one hand and the external disci-pline of the timetable, bells etc. on the other. This way of working is vital at the later stages of secondary education and for lifelong learning.

• Work at home can provide the quiet and private conditions needed for creative and thoughtful work of all kinds.

• It can allow reinforcement of work and practice of skills learned in the classroom.

• It can allow pupils to use materials and other resources of information that are not always available in the classroom.

• It can involve parents in the pupil’s work for their mutual benefit.

• It can give the opportunities for long term research.

• It can form an important part of the pupil’s notes.

• It gives pupils valuable experience of working to deadlines, developing good study habits.

• It facilitates staff with their marking schedules and enables the setting of realistic targets.

• It forms a link with the methods of study crucial to success.

• It provides time to revise effectively.

THE NATURE OF THE HOMEWORK

Pupils will need to take responsibility for spreading homework out throughout the week.

The task selected by the subject teacher is commensurate with the ability of the pupils. Each homework may involve the following:

• Written work

• ICT

• Completing a particular task set in class

• Completing an exercise to practise, enforce or apply aspects of classwork.

• Reading

• Speaking and listening preparation

• Learning or revising

• Carrying out a project. This may involve research, surveys, collection of information for an individual or group project.

• Watching a T.V. programme or listening to a radio programme

• Drawing, illustrating, mapwork

• Practical tasks

HOMEWORK

HOW DOES THE SCHOOL HELP PUPILS ORGANISE THEIR HOMEWORK?

• All pupils are given a planner at the beginning of each academic year. This contains homework diary pages to record all homework set and the time it takes to complete, it also contains other information about the school.

• Parents are asked to sign these diary pages on a regular basis. Form staff are also asked to check the diary at least every two weeks.

• Form tutors should alert the Head of Year to any concerns they may have regarding homework setting/recording.

• The library is open to all students at break time and lunch time and after school on Thursdays and Fridays until 4.00 pm.

• ICT rooms are available at lunchtime for research. Access to these facilities is also possible before and after school.

• Staffed Homework Club after school every night in Net 3 in West Block—Monday to Thursday until 5.00 pm and Fridays till 4.30 pm.

HOW CAN PARENTS OR GUARDIANS HELP WITH HOMEWORK?

• Check that homework details are filled in clearly and regularly in the homework diary.

• Help your daughter organise her time to best advantage so that things are not all left to the last minute or even forgotten.

• Try to make sure that there are suitable working conditions at home.

• Take a positive and active interest in your daughter’s work at home.

• Let us know if there are problems with homework that you cannot resolve.

HOMEWORK cont...

Every pupil has a right to receive an education free from bullying and at our school it is the responsibility of all to see that this is the case.

Bullying is any behaviour which is deliberately intended to hurt, threaten or frighten another person or group of people. It is usually unprovoked and is often repeated and can continue for a long period of time. Bullying behaviours are aggressive although they may not seem so.

Bullying can include a wide range of behaviours. These may be:

• Physical abuse

• Threats of physical harm

• Verbal abuse

• Teasing

• Theft

• Damaging property

• Making someone act against their will

• Isolation from group

• Cyber/Social Media bullying

• Racism

Sometimes, the bullying can take very subtle forms, such as a nasty look, which are difficult to detect by adults but are still terrifying for the pupil on the receiving end because they imply what might happen. Most bullying is well hidden and carefully disguised. Pupils may have disagreements with each other. This is not a form of bullying and will be dealt with within our ‘Behaviour for Learning’ framework.

What can I do as a pupil?

There are no innocent bystanders when it comes to bullying. If you witness an incident

you must do something to help. If you are bullied tell someone – a peer, your teacher,

form teacher, or Year Head. Tell your parents.

You can help to prevent bullying by:

fetching help and telling someone, showing disapproval, giving support to those bullied

being careful about teasing and personal remarks. Think about how you like to be spoken

to and treated by those around you.

What can I do as a parent?

Watch for signs of distress, e.g. unwillingness to attend school, requests for more money,

frequent illness, pretending to be ill, etc. Take an active interest in your daughter’s

friendships. If you think your daughter is being bullied inform school immediately.

With help from school try to devise strategies that will support your daughter.

Do not give in to bullying. Be prepared to contact the school again should it be necessary.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

All pupils are required to wear the school uniform. We feel that high standards of dress are important.

• Jewellery is not permitted in school, with the exception of one set of small ear studs in each ear (silver or gold coloured) and a wristwatch. Body piercing e.g. nose-studs, tongue studs, eye-studs or other facial piercing is not permitted for school. If you choose to allow your child additional piercings, we recommend this is done in the first week of the summer holiday, to allow them to heal before the school year starts and should be removed on the first day back.

• Make-up and coloured contact lenses are not permitted for school.

• Nail polish and false nails are not permitted.

• Hair bands should be plain, in blue or black and unobtrusive. Bandanas are not permitted. Hair should be of a natural shade and not brightly coloured, brightly highlighted or dip-dyed. Excessive hair decoration, such as beads and hair gel are not acceptable for school.

THE SCHOOL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT WITH REGARD TO HAIR, JEWELLERY AND UNIFORM MATTERS. APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS WILL FOLLOW FOR THOSE PUPILS WHO PERSISTENTLY DEFY THE SCHOOL’S UNIFORM REGULATIONS

LOWER SCHOOL UNIFORM (Years 7, 8 & 9) • Navy skirt - knee length, allowing ease of movement (not tight fitting ‘stretchy’ skirts).

• White polo shirt with school logo.

• V-neck navy sweatshirt with school logo.

• Sensible flat dark brown/black shoes - the following styles are not suitable for school:- sandals, sling-back shoes, open-toed shoes, boots, ankle boots or trainers, heels no higher than 2”. Boots are not part of the school uniform, but will be tolerated when there is snow on the ground.

• Plain white, black or navy socks or plain black or natural tights.

• Medium/dark plain navy trousers - the following trouser styles are not considered suitable for school wear:- cord/jean type trousers, leggings, very tight fitting trousers, hipsters, ‘hareem’ trousers, chinos and linen trousers. Trousers with denim jeans-style studs at the top of the pockets are not acceptable. Trousers should be smart, traditional and allow ease of freedom of movement.

• Black or dark blue plain headscarf/hijab permitted only for religious reasons.

UNIFORM

LOWER SCHOOL PE KIT (Years 7, 8 & 9) • Royal Blue Polo Top with TGGS badge and pupil’s initials

• Navy Blue or Black shorts, joggers, leggings or tracksuit bottoms (Please note: shorts, joggers, leggings or tracksuit bottoms do not display school badge and any brand can be purchased from any stockists).

THESE ARE COMPULSORY ITEMS AND MUST BE WORN TO EVERY PE LESSON

OPTIONAL ITEMS This is optional and not compulsory, however would be useful, especially in the winter months for outdoor use.

• Hoodie - Royal Blue Hoodie with school badge and pupil’s initials - No school uniform jumpers are permitted to be worn.

UPPER SCHOOL UNIFORM (Years 10 & 11) • Black skirt - knee length, allowing ease of movement (not tight fitting ‘stretchy’ skirts).

• White polo shirt with school logo.

• V-neck black sweatshirt with school logo.

• Sensible flat dark brown/black shoes - the following styles are not suitable for school:- sandals, sling-back shoes, open-toed shoes, boots, ankle-boots or trainers, heels no higher than 2”. Boots are not part of the school uniform, but will be tolerated when there is snow on the ground.

• Plain white, black or navy socks or plain black or natural tights.

• Black trousers - the following trouser styles are not considered suitable for school wear:- cord/jean type trousers, leggings, very tight fitting trousers, hipsters, ‘hareem’ trousers, chinos and linen trousers. Trousers with denim jeans-style studs at the top of the pockets are not acceptable. Trousers should be smart, traditional and allow ease of freedom of movement.

• Black or dark blue plain headscarf/hijab permitted only for religious reasons.

UPPER SCHOOL PE KIT (Years 10 & 11) • Black Polo Top with TGGS badge and pupil’s initials

• Black plain shorts, joggers, leggings or tracksuit bottoms (Please note: shorts, joggers, leggings or tracksuit bottoms do not display school badge and any brand can be purchased from any stockists).

THESE ARE COMPULSORY ITEMS AND MUST BE WORN TO EVERY PE LESSON

OPTIONAL ITEMS This is optional and not compulsory, however would be useful, especially in the winter months for outdoor use.

• Hoodie - Black Hoodie with school badge and pupil’s initials - No school uniform jumpers are permitted to be worn.

UNIFORM cont...

Procedure for those who do not bring kit

• Pupils are expected to bring kit every PE lesson, even if they have a note to excuse them. This is so they can take part as a coach/manager etc.

• Pupils who do not bring kit are expected to borrow.

• Pupils who forget kit more than twice in a half term will have an after school detention after school for half an hour each time they fail to bring kit. Parents will be notified of this by ParentMail the day before.

For pupils who face financial difficulty, we keep a stock of good quality second-hand uniform in school.

UNIFORM & PE KIT SUPPLIER DETAILS

KIDS ESSENTIALS 762 Bristol Rd South, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2NN

www.kids-essentials.co.uk - Tel : 0121 477 0736

CLIVE MARKS SCHOOLWEAR 38 Popular Road, Birmingham, B14 7AD www.clivemark.co.uk - 0121 444 7623

COLLIERS SCHOOL UNIFORM SUPPLIERS 1 Chatham Road, Birmingham, B31 2PH

0121 475 7874

MY CLOTHING www.myclothing.com (Years 7 & 8 only)

UNIFORM cont...

• Follow directions from all staff straight away.

This applies to all staff including supply staff, dinner supervisors.

• Be polite, helpful and supportive to everyone at all times.

Think about the way you talk to each other. In particular remember that we do not

tolerate swearing.

• Move around school quickly and quietly.

Do not drape over each other, walk in single file. Do not lean against displays and be

aware of how you are carrying your school bag so that you do not knock into others.

• Make sure your appearance is appropriate at all times.

This includes keeping to our rules about make-up, hair colour, jewellery and trainers.

• Bullying is unacceptable - never suffer, tell someone.

You can ask for help from PALS, Form Teacher, Year Head, a Faculty Head, Learning

Mentor, Behaviour Support Manager or a member of the Senior staff.

• Keep any food or drink items for use at the proper time and space.

You do not eat or drink in the corridors. Our school is a gum and smoking free zone.

Keep our school litter and graffiti free.

• Keep your classroom tidy.

A copy of these rules will stay on the form notice board.

If you choose to break any of these rules, you can expect to be penalised.

As a school we have decided to adopt a new approach to discipline. We believe that if we are all following the plan, you will feel more secure because everyone will be treating you in the same way. Here are the rules for the classroom:

• Arrive on time prepared to work This means bringing the correct equipment to the lesson - including pens, pencils, rulers, homework and planners. It means being punctual and leaving conversations until break.

• Listen to the teacher and follow instructions

This means pay attention straight away and don't talk when the teacher is talking.

• Respect others and their work Listen to others, everyone's views or answers count - they are worthwhile. Allow others to do their work without distraction. Leave the room how you would like to find it. Clean up, putting everything back in its correct place.

• Focus on the lesson and give 100% effort Try your best at all times, working to the best of your ability. Try to contribute - get involved in the lesson, don't sit back and let others do it. Listen, work and contribute.

• Take responsibility for your behaviour

It's your choice, rewards or sanctions?

RULES AROUND SCHOOL

CLASSROOM RULES

BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING

• Your achievement is key to our school’s success.

• We offer opportunities for everyone to participate.

• Everyone should feel included in everything we do.

• It is important that everyone understands why we have rules and why we insist on everyone.

AT THE START OF THE LESSON • Remove your coat.

• Sit down in the seat assigned by you teacher and take out all your correct equipment: planner, exercise book, pencil case and any special equipment required by the subject.

• Place your bag on the floor under your desk.

AT THE END OF THE LESSON • Pack away all equipment.

• Make sure you have tidied around your seat.

• Stand behind your seat.

• Leave the room when the teacher tells you.

• Move sensibly and purposefully to your next lesson.

CONSEQUENCES 1 AND 2

1. Consequences 1 (C1) – You will be warned.

If you choose the following types of

behaviours: making unnecessary noise,

answering back, chewing

gum, eating, talking without permission,

dropping litter, calling out, lack of

equipment, planner, not doing required

Work.

2. Consequence 2 (C2) – Repeated warning.

If you choose to repeat any of

the type of behaviours shown above.

CONSEQUENCES 3 AND 4

3. Consequence 3 (C3) – Lunchtime detention.

If you choose to repeat the behaviours for C1 and C2. If mobile phones are visible this will result in a lunchtime detention and it will be confiscated.

4. Consequence 4 (C4) – Time out room.

If you choose to continually fail to follow

instructions or a serious one off incident

such as swearing, verbal abuse and other forms of anti-social behaviour. An after school detention will follow a C4 referral.

REWARDS • Verbal praise

• Merits

• Vouchers

• Special events

• Sweets/Chocolate

• Praise postcards

• Positive referrals

• Letters/phone calls home

Mr N Jones Headteacher

Ms J Hall Deputy Headteacher

Mr S Conlon Assistant Headteacher

Mrs C Prescod Strategic Development Lead

Mrs E Reeves Assistant Headteacher

Mrs K Southall Behaviour Manager/Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs E Reeves Head of Year 7

Mr S Smedley Head of Year 8

Mrs S Summers Head of Year 9

Mrs R Simcox Head of Year 10

Mrs S McAuley Head of Year 11

Mrs N Davies SENDCO

Mr L Atkinson Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead/Senior

Learning Mentor/Attendance

Mrs S Murphy Senior Learning Mentor/Behaviour KS3

Miss J Hall Senior Learning Mentor/Behaviour KS4

Mrs P Cund Attendance Officer

To report any pupil absence, please contact The Attendance Officer, on: 0121 464 6702

CONTACT NAMES

Turves Green Girls’ School

Northfield, Birmingham, B31 4BP Tel: 0121 464 8346 Fax: 0121 464 2318 enquiry@turvgng.bham.sch.uk

@TGGSnews