Day-to-day arrangements

Illness

On returning to school following any period of absence, parents/guardians are requested to write an explanatory note in the pupil’s Contact Book, or if preferred, to contact the school reception directly by telephone on 01554 745100.

Home School Agreement

All parents are asked to be aware of our Home School Agreement which defines the responsibilities of students, parents and the school respectively.  This can be found in the pupil’s Contact Book.  The ‘Standards in the School’ section at the front of the book explains the school’s expectations of pupils and highlights parental responsibility.   It also refers to the school E-safety policy.   This offers parents the opportunity to actively engage in the education of their children.

Communication with parents

All parents are urged to contact the School regarding any matter relating to their child’s progress.  A school calendar is circulated to parents every September highlighting important events.   The school website (www.ysgolystrade.cymru) promotes the school beyond the local community.

Praise and reward

We consider praise and reward to be a key element in a child’s education:

  • Praise is regularly given for any work of high standard/effort produced either orally or written in exercise books or in Contact Books.
  • Good work and good attitude and behaviour are recorded in the School Reports.
  • Other successes and achievements are acknowledged during pastoral lessons, year and whole school assemblies.
  • Pupils’ work is exhibited whenever possible.
  • The opportunity to praise and reward pupils is welcomed by the Headteacher, the Deputy and Heads of Standards.
  • Pupils are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities.

When punishment is necessary it is administered in the following ways:

  • Break and lunchtime detentions.
  • On report.
  • Removal from lessons for a period of time.

Disciplinary problems are dealt with in the following ways:

  • Everyday, less serious problems: Form tutor, Head of Standards.
  • More serious problems: Senior Leadership Team followed by the Headteacher if no improvement is evident.

The Authority allows the school to exclude pupils from the school for a fixed period in exceptional circumstances.

School Uniform

Girls

  • Navy skirt – 4 gore with side zip pocket or navy trousers without flares (not too short nor too tight)
  • Green blouse
  • Navy blue jumper with woven badge
  • School tie
  • White or dark blue socks or thick navy tights
  • Black shoes
  • A plain, dark coloured raincoat

Physical Education:

  • Red polo shirt with badge
  • Skort
  • Gym shoes
  • Grey sweatshirt.

A new sixth form uniform was introduced in September 2015.

Boys

  • Navy blue jumper with woven badge
  • Dark grey trousers
  • White shirt
  • Grey or black socks
  • School tie
  • Black shoes
  • A plain, dark coloured raincoat

Physical Education:

  • White shorts
  • White polo shirt with badge
  • White gym shoes
  • New school rugby jersey
  • Red socks

A new sixth form uniform was introduced in September 2015.

Pupil Welfare

Upon admission to the school, in most cases a pupil transitions from being in a comparatively small unit, in which as a senior member, he or she has imported status and position, into a much larger organisation, both in term of number on roll and extent of building.

Consequently, in the first instance,  he or she may experience a sense of insecurity or feel ‘lost’.  Hence, this sense of ‘belonging’ has to be adequately catered for and must be given prime consideration, particularly as the school continues to increase in size.

A Form Tutor is responsible for his or her Form Group.  He or she is responsible for morning and afternoon registration and for monitoring the progress and welfare of all boys and girls in the group.  Heads of Standards are responsible for co-ordinating the work of the Form Tutor.