Practical Information

When schools, parents and carers share information, everyone has a really good understanding of how they can help children to learn. Communicating with each other and sharing information enables you, your child and the school to work together as partners in your child’s education. The better the information you receive and the more information you can share with the school, the better you can support your child’s learning – and so can the school, helping your child to feel confident, happy and thus improving their chance of success.

ABSENCE – Unexpected

On each day of your child’s absence, please telephone the school, using the absence line number – 01453 540755. Alternatively, leave a text message on 0790 8661525 or report the absence through EduLink One. Leave details of your child’s full name, tutor group, reason for absence and expected duration.

If the absence is expected to be long term, you will need to make an appointment with the tutor to discuss what can be done to support learning and your child’s return to school.

ATTENDANCE

Registers are taken during morning registration and at the start of every lesson during the day. Registration is used for a variety of reasons which include student safety, fire safety, Government Legislation and internal school reports.

All students arriving late who miss morning registration must sign in the late book in Main Reception prior to going to lessons and they will receive a late mark.

BULLYING

The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy and does not condone any form of bullying. If you suspect your child is being bullied, please contact the tutor or Community Support Officer for an initial confidential discussion.

BUSES

A number of buses bring children to and from school:

1. Applegates (T: 01453 810314) Routes:
   • Eastington, Stonehouse, The Stanleys, Frocester, Claypits, Cambridge, Rednock School
   • Slimbridge, Cambridge, Coaley, Rednock School
   • Heathfield, Berkeley, Sharpness, Halmore, Rednock School

Some parents may be eligible for assistance with transport costs. For detailed information on Home to School Transport contact the Admissions and Transport Team at Gloucestershire County Council on 01452 425390 or visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooltransport.

For more information please see the Transport page of our website.

CAR PARKING

Car parking is at a premium on the school site. There are visitor parking bays in the Main Car Park; otherwise there may be spaces available in the car park at the rear of the school by the Sports Centre. Please do not park on the school site to collect children at the end of the day. Please do not do U-turns in the entrances; please park considerately in areas outside the school and do not obstruct residents’ access to their properties.

CLUBS

There are a number of lunchtime and after-school clubs; information is posted on student noticeboards and on the school website under the ‘Student’ tab > ‘Extra Curricular Clubs’.

COMPUTERS

There are many computers and laptops that can be used in school. An ICT Club is available at lunchtime for students to use computers to carry out research and complete homework. Computers are also available in the LRC which is open until 4.00pm.

CONTACTING STAFF

You can either call our reception on 01453 543618 or email our admin team at [email protected]

If you have a query regarding your child’s well-being, please email [email protected]

If you have a query about your child’s learning then you may wish to speak to a specific teacher. Telephone contact can be made at any time but please be aware that, due to teaching commitments, it may not always be possible for you to speak to the teacher immediately. Reception will ask if you wish to leave a message or to email and the staff member will endeavour to respond as soon as possible and normally within 48 hours.

CURRICULUM

The school follows the National Curriculum for England. Further details can be found by clicking here.

CYCLING

We realise that a number of parents would like their children to cycle to school. However, it is strongly recommended that children should have taken a cycling proficiency course before considering cycling to school. This recommendation should be seriously considered as, ultimately, cycling to school by children is the parents’ responsibility. Parents need to decide as to whether their child is competent to negotiate such hazards as may present themselves on the route from home to school and back. We ask that students adhere to the following guidelines;

1. Students are advised to attend a Cycle Training Scheme (Bikeability), or cycle with a responsible adult if they have not had training;
2. Students are expected to maintain their bicycles and ensure they are in good working order;
3. A cycle helmet (which meets current regulations) MUST be worn when cycling;
4. Students should be encouraged to wear bright, easily visible clothing;
5. All cyclists must dismount when entering the school premises and push their bike to the bicycle racks;
6. The security of bicycles is the responsibility of the parent and student and measures should be taken to protect against theft;
7. The school accepts no responsibility for the safety of the bicycle while on school premises.

DETENTIONS

The School’s Behaviour Policy sets out the standards of behaviour that we expect around school. If your child’s behaviour falls below these standards then they may be issued with an after school detention.

For a detention that is to take place out of normal school hours, the school will notify you so that travel arrangements can be made. We will tell you why the detention was given and for how long your child will have to stay at school.

DROPPING OFF STUDENTS BY CAR

You should drop your child off outside the school site at a convenient and safe place. We wish to restrict the number of vehicles entering the school site at this busy time so that all students remain safe. Please refrain from dropping off or doing a U-turn in the entrances.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE

In the unlikely event of school closure due to heavy snowfall or some other unforeseen occurrence, the school will communicate the closure quickly and clearly with parents via the following channels:

Gloucestershire County Council website – http://www.glosclosedschools.com
Rednock School website
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/rednockschool.org.uk
BBC Radio Gloucester – 104.7FM
Heart Radio Station – 102.4FM
Text | Email Alerts

END OF TERM

The school normally closes at lunchtime on the last day of the Term 2 and also on the last day of the Term 6. Please check your communications from the school to confirm this.

EQUALITY

The school supports the Equality Act 2010 and we strive to make all our procedures compliant with the Equality Duty. School policies are available here

EXAMINATIONS / REDNOCK REVISE

Please follow this link for useful information to help prepare/support your child for their examinations.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

If you are in receipt of Income Support or certain other allowances, there may be an entitlement to free meals, school transport, etc. Current guidelines are available to view at:
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/free-school-meals/apply-for-free-school-meals/  or contact Gloucestershire County Council on 01452 425000.

Please see ‘Uniform’ for information about uniform grants for students transitioning to secondary school.

FIRST AID

If your child becomes ill or is injured during the day, the school First Aiders will make a judgement about their condition. A short period of rest may be all that is required. Medicines should only be brought into school when essential and must not be carried by students (except by prior arrangement). Medicines are stored in the First Aid Room. Please contact the School Office for a form to authorise this.

If it is considered necessary to send your child home, you will be asked to arrange collection. If an ambulance has to be called, a member of staff will accompany your child until you arrive.

FOOD AND DRINK (see also Lunch Time)

The school has a Main Dining Room and a Café for Sixth Form students. A catering facility is available in the Main Dining Room before school, at break and lunch and again after school. The Café is open to Sixth Form students throughout the school day.

Menus are displayed in the Dining Room and on noticeboards around the school. A wide selection of choice is available. Students may bring their own packed lunch if they prefer. The Main Hall is available at lunchtime for students with a packed lunch. Drinking water is available in various areas around school. Students should bring their own water bottle.

The school operates a cashless catering system with biometric technology. As per current legislation, we operate an ‘opt in’ policy: if you wish to opt in, please sign your consent in the Admission Data Collection Form. If you choose not to have your child registered on the biometric system, a PIN code will be issued to your child. Further details regarding biometrics and cashless catering can be found on the school website.

GOVERNORS

The school is supported by an active Governing Body, made up of parents, staff and members of the local community, who hold regular Full Body and Committee meetings: full details can be found on the school website. For any further information please contact the Clerk to the Governors, Mrs N Morrissey – [email protected]

HOLIDAYS

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, requests for holidays during term time will be turned down. If parents still decide to take their children out of school, then we have no choice but to mark the absence as unauthorised. Unauthorised absences are dealt with according to County guidelines: if a student has ten unauthorised sessions (equivalent to 5 full school days) a warning letter may be issued by the school’s Attendance Officer. If there are subsequent unauthorised absences in the following 15 days, a fixed penalty notice may be issued.

If you need to take your child out of school for a special event (e.g. wedding), please complete the Leave of Absence Request form (which can be found on the school website under ‘policies’) well in advance, for consideration by the Headteacher.

HOME SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

The school’s usual method of communication is via email. Copies of communication sent to parents are also posted on the school website. The school also uses EduLink One as a means of communication between school and home and we recommend all parents / carers download it.

EduLink One is a web and app-based application that integrates different systems into one single solution. Through a secure system, you can access a wide range of information relating to your child, including:

• Viewing your child’s timetables, achievement and behaviour records;
• Viewing attendance information and the ability to report absences to us;
• Instant access to student reports and exam timetables;
• Accessing links to useful school resources and our website;
• Receiving notification messages and the ability to communicate with your child’s teachers from within the app.

HOMEWORK

Homework to be completed is recorded on the Satchel: One app. Marks can be seen in books and some pieces of work may be retained for assessment. Failure to complete homework without a valid reason may result in an after-school homework detention or catch-up session being set.

LOCKERS

All students are issued with a personal locker in the first week in September. Lockers are located around the school in various locations. All lockers must be emptied at the end of the summer term. Lost locker keys must be replaced at a cost of £5 per key.

LOST PROPERTY

Property that is identifiable will be returned to the student. Valuable / small items are stored in Reception.

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE (LRC)

The LRC is a place for students to engage with their own research and independently grasp their learning using the resources available to them such as the library, computer workstations, classroom space and a quiet space to work.

LUNCH TIME

The school operates a ‘must remain on school site all day’ policy. Only Sixth Form students are allowed to leave site during lunch time.

MEDICAL | DENTAL APPOINTMENTS ETC

If you need to make a medical appointment for your child, please try to make it outside of school hours. If this isn’t possible, please call, text or email the attendance officer with the date, time and type of appointment. We will make a note on your child’s register for that day to inform the relevant members of staff, without this information they will not be allowed to leave school without permission from a parent/carer.

MEDICAL FORM

If your child has an ongoing medical condition our First Aid Team need to be aware of please complete and return this form.

MEDICINES

If your child has to regularly take medication, you should inform us as we have strict procedures to follow. Please contact the school office on 01453 543618 and ask to speak to a First Aider, you will need to complete this form before bringing any medication into the school. All medication must be stored in the First Aid Room; students are not permitted to carry medication in school.

MOBILE PHONES AND MP3 PLAYERS

Students are allowed to bring a mobile phone to school for the following circumstances: a) travelling to and from school by themselves; b) young carers who need to be contactable. Mobile phones are not to be used in school – they must be switched off and stored in bags or lockers. Should you need to contact your child in an emergency during the school day, please call the Main Reception and we will get a message to them. Please refer to the school’s Mobile Phone Policy for further details.

MUSIC LESSONS

The school offers extra-curricular instrumental tuition on a range of instruments, details of which can be found here on the school website. Students can participate in String / Guitar / Flute ensembles, the Orchestra and Swing Band and all perform at school concerts or as a backing for school productions. They also perform out of school at certain events and have opportunity to take part in music tours abroad.

ONLINE PAYMENTS

The school has an online payment system, ParentPay, for school meals, trips, books, etc, which enables you to pay for these items via a secure website. In September we will send you an activation letter containing your activation username and password to enable you to setup your ParentPay account.

OPENING HOURS

The school is open to students from 08:20 to 4:00. Students are allowed to remain in the LRC for study from the end of lessons until 4:00. They should not be in any other part of the school unless supervised by a teacher.

PARENTS’ CONSULTATION MEETINGS (PCMs)

These events, which may be held online or in person, provide a good opportunity to find out how your child is doing and to ask teachers what you can do to help. PCMs are held at least once a year for each year group with all subject teachers. We recommend that your child attends with you; subject teachers will be keen to involve them in the discussion about their progress.

Appointments are made via an online bookings system and parents will be notified by email in advance of the PCM date along with their login details for the system.

PE AND SPORTS KIT

Details of the school PE kit can be found in the Uniform section of the website.

RECEPTION

To comply with our procedures for the safeguarding of children, all parents and visitors to the school must sign in at Main Reception. They will then be issued with a visitor’s badge, met and escorted by the member of staff they are meeting.

REGISTRATION (see also Absences, Attendance and Holidays)

Students are required to be registered in the morning. All students arriving late who miss morning registration must sign-in at Main Reception prior to going to lessons and they will receive a late mark.

REPORTS

Academic reports are issued three times a year to each year group. These reports will contain information about your child’s attainment, attitude and behaviour in each of their subjects, as well as official attendance figures. At the end of the year, a more detailed report will include a written comment from your child’s tutor.

Please feel free to contact the school to discuss any issues that arise from reports with the relevant member of staff.

REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES

The school has a Behaviour Policy which brings rewards and consequences. Downloads of policies are available from the school website.

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

A counsellor is in school two days each week, to support students who are struggling emotionally in or out of school. Students can request a referral by asking their Community Support Officer or Community Leader. All requests for referrals and all discussions are confidential.

SCHOOL DAY TIMINGS 2024/2025

Starting in September 2024, our school day will be extended by 10 minutes, with the school
day ending at 3:10 pm. Click here for full details on the change.

School Day 2024-25

SCHOOL OFFICE

The Main School Office is open from 08:00 to 4:30 during term time and 09:00 to 4:00 during holiday periods, except for Bank Holidays and Christmas week when the school is closed.

SMOKING / VAPING

The school buildings and grounds are non-smoking and non Vaping areas.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN) | STUDENT SERVICES

For support in this area, you are advised to speak to the SENCO at the earliest opportunity and in full confidence.

SPORT AFTER SCHOOL

There are a number of sporting fixtures that take place after school. A fixture list is produced and displayed on the PE Notice Board. Students will be informed if there is a cancellation. The teacher in charge will ensure that all students have arranged a lift home and students may stay in the Reception area until collected.

SPORTS CENTRE AND ALL WEATHER PITCH

The school has use of the Sports Centre and its facilities during the school day which is available for Community use thereafter. The school’s All Weather Pitch is also available for Community use outside of school hours. Further information on hiring the pitch is available from the school website.

TRIPS

The school recognises the importance of these events.  A variety of trips are organised each year and information regarding each one is sent home individually.

UNIFORM

All students are expected to wear the correct uniform and be neat and tidy at all times. It is the outward face we present to the community and we expect students to wear sensible and appropriate dress without fashion accessories – this includes hairstyle and footwear. If your child arrives dressed incorrectly they will be asked to change into correct uniform in school, where supplies are available for short term loan. A full list of our uniform requirements is also available to view on our school website. All uniform should be clearly named.

Low-income families with students transferring to secondary education are entitled to apply for a uniform grant. An application form can be found here.

VISITORS

To comply with our procedures for the safeguarding of children, all parents and visitors to the school must sign in at Main Reception. They will then be issued with a visitor’s badge, met and escorted by the member of staff they are meeting.

WELL-BEING

Student well-being is at the heart of everything we do at Rednock School. The pastoral team work alongside outside agencies to support your child’s well-being. Tutors and CSOs should be contacted in the first instance if you or your child have any concerns about their well-being. If you have any concerns about the safety of a child, you should contact the school and ask to speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

YOUR CONTACT DATA

Please keep the school office informed of changes to personal data – address, phone contacts, email, doctors, medical conditions, etc.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Letting your child’s tutor know about what your child is doing out of school can also be useful. Teachers will be able to build on your child’s experiences and skills when at school e.g. hobbies and sport, achievements. It is also important to let them know about any unexpected changes, illness or bereavement so they can support, if necessary.

Please do let us know if there is anything you feel we have missed, or if anything needs more careful explanation, by emailing [email protected] for the attention of Mrs C Winter.