Hexham Middle School - Northumberland County Council

Aims of the school

The aims of our school have been formulated through discussion and with reference to the five outcomes of Every Child Matters. For all those who work and learn at Hexham Middle School we aim to:

Be healthy by providing a secure and happy environment wherein our broad, balanced curriculum is enriched and enhanced by a variety of activities and experiences.
Stay safe by nurturing good behaviour and respect for ourselves, for others, including those from different cultures and with different beliefs, and respect for the environment.
Enjoy and achieve by encouraging all learners to have enquiring minds, strive for excellence and show resilience.
Make a positive contribution by supporting the activities within and beyond the classroom.
Achieve economic well-being by working with parents, governors and the community including other schools

Joining the school

The school primarily serves Hexham and the surrounding areas of Acomb, Barrasford, Beaufront, Chollerton, Chollerford, Humshaugh, Lowgate and Whitley Chapel, but will accept students from outside of this area if places are available. Students attending Hexham Middle School normally go on to Queen Elizabeth High School when they reach the age of transfer, although there is no guarantee of a place for students who reside outside of the catchment area.

If you are considering sending your child to the school, the Head Teacher will be delighted to show you around and discuss the curriculum or other matters with you. Please do not hesitate to contact the school to arrange a convenient time either in or out of school hours.

Parents wishing to request a place for a child at the school must complete a school request form and forward it to Northumberland County Council at County Hall, Morpeth by 19th October 2007 or, if joining the school after the start of the school year, as soon as it has been agreed that a place is available.

School organisation

When they first come into the school, students are placed in mixed ability teaching groups and usually remain in these for the four years. In these classes, students may be taught individually, as a member of a group, or as a whole class. Sometimes students are grouped by ability for specific purposes; this usually takes place in Mathematics. In Years 5 and 6 pupils may also be taught in smaller groups for Core subjects - English, Maths and Science - and for Technology. In Years 7 and 8, depending on numbers, pupils are sometimes organised into smaller mixed ability groups for practical subjects.

Pupils therefore have the opportunity to work in a range of different groups while still retaining the stability of a class base.

Each Year Group is made up of a team of teachers carefully selected to offer a balanced range of curriculum expertise. Heads of Year have a delegated responsibility to oversee the academic and pastoral arrangements for all students in their year and class teachers are responsible for the education and care of the pupils on a day-to-day basis. They are normally the first point of contact for parents should problems arise.

Sport in school

The school has a gymnasium and a school hall, which are used for physical education and dance. Both these areas have associated changing and showering facilities.

There are pitches for football, hockey and rugby, which serve as athletics areas and rounders pitches in the summer. There is also a cricket pitch with an all weather wicket.

The sporting aims of the school are met through a regular programme of physical education for all students, a wide-ranging extra-curricular programme and through close links with sporting clubs in the local area.

The school takes part in a number of county and regional sporting events throughout the year in addition to regular fixtures against local schools.

Instrumental Tuition

Students with sufficient enthusiasm will be encouraged to learn a musical instrument through lessons provided by peripatetic music teachers in school time. Parents will receive full information concerning application for tuition in the Autumn term. In Year 5 most pupils commence lessons after Christmas. Students who have received tuition in their previous schools will normally continue to receive tuition at the middle school without a break.

The school has set up a Music Fund for the enhancement of music throughout the school. Parents of all students receiving instrumental tuition are required to contribute a fixed fee prior to the child receiving tuition for that term, although exceptions can be made in cases of need.

When students have attained a basic level on their instrument they will be invited to join the school orchestra without further financial implication.

Caring for students

Great importance is placed upon the needs of the individual student. The personal and social well-being of your child is of prime concern. The school is particularly aware of the needs of pupils transferring from small rural schools, and special attention is paid to try to ensure that such students settle quickly into their new school. Through Life Skills classes an emphasis is placed on the formation of good relationships based on a need for all members of the School to act with courtesy and consideration for others.

We need to know about any particular health or medical problems that exist, or about any worries or anxieties that your child may have. We appreciate that these are of great concern to children and need to be dealt with as serious matters.

The Head of Year has overall responsibility for the pastoral care of each student within the year. This is delegated on a day-to-day basis to the Class Teacher who is the member of staff who should know your child most intimately. If there is a need for the school to contact home, this would normally be done by the Class Teacher. Also, should you wish to speak to someone about your child, the Class Teacher would usually be the first point of contact although you are, of course, free to get in touch with any member of staff should you feel the need. You, as a parent, are welcome to come into school at any time, but it is not always possible for teachers to be available without a prior appointment.

The issue of bullying is taken extremely seriously at this school, because of the physical and psychological damage that can be caused to young people through such unacceptable behaviour. The staff at Hexham Middle School are genuinely committed to ensuring that our students spend their time at school in a safe and secure environment. The school runs an anti-bullying campaign at regular intervals and addresses the issue at other times through Life Skills classes and school assemblies. A promise is given to all students that if bullying is reported it will be dealt with as a serious matter.

A 'Helpline Box' is located in the reception area in Fellside. This is to allow students to report anonymously any unacceptable personal behaviour through the completion of a slip. The box is emptied each week and students are seen and counselled if necessary.

An Education Welfare Officer (EWO), based on the school site at the Gatehouse, will visit homes on behalf of the school or at the request of parents, should you wish to discuss school welfare. You may contact the EWO by telephoning (01434) 605973.

An educational psychologist visits the school regularly in order to consult with teachers. The Education Psychology Service has a major role to play in statementing students with special needs and providing staff with support in meeting those needs. The school is also able to provide counselling for individual students should they feel a need. The school nurse and doctor also visit regularly and are involved in the delivery of Health Education.

Discipline

At Hexham Middle School we believe that discipline is best maintained through the positive approach of praise, encouragement and incentives and to this end we have adopted a policy of Positive Behaviour Management, which stresses the positive recognition of good behaviour balanced by a series of sanctions. Our aim is to create a secure and pleasant atmosphere in which students feel able give of their best without disruption.

In order to recognise and reward positive behaviour, teachers will use general and individual praise regularly. Rewards will include comments in the Home-School Planner, the issue of a raffle ticket for a termly draw, the issue of a House merit award and a termly behaviour certificate.

The vast majority of students respond well to the behaviour policy. Where students fail to display an acceptable standard of behaviour, despite all encouragement to do so, sanctions are available to staff. We now operate a system of warnings and red and yellow cards which in turn lead to the involvement of the Class Teacher, Year Head or senior member of staff. Staff are encouraged to contact parents early should there be any cause for concern. We believe that these problems are best resolved through full consultation with parents. Poor behaviour often stems from personal problems or difficulties. When sanctions are being taken we feel it is important that the child understands fully that it is the behaviour which is unacceptable and not the child.

Persistent misbehaviour will be referred to the Year Head or senior member of staff and contact will normally be made with home. Pupils may be placed on a report which should be taken home each evening and parents are asked to support the school by going through the report in detail with the child, reinforcing the comments made by teachers.

Violence between students is rare, but, when it does occur, it is dealt with as a serious matter. Students are told that fighting will not be tolerated. We also stress that no student should have to suffer the pain or indignity caused by bullying and that all cases should be reported to staff. Every incident of bullying will be investigated and appropriate action taken. Please do not encourage your child to retaliate, as this is against the instructions given to students by the school.

It is important that students are aware of the importance of not leaving the school premises without permission for any reason and we need your co-operation in ensuring your child understands the dangers of doing so.

Detention

The school operates a system of detention to punish persistent or serious misbehaviour. Detention normally takes place on Wednesday or Friday evening. Parents will be informed of a detention by letter at least 24 hours before the detention takes place. Detention is not optional - the letter is sent home for information and we ask that it is returned signed by the parent.

It must be stressed that if a child is detained after school and you are concerned for the safety of the child returning home at a later time, it is your responsibility to provide supervision. Students will not be excused evening detention because they travel to school by County arranged transport but should there be any difficulties, please contact the school.

Special help for children

The role of the Learning Support Team is to identify and assess students with Special Educational Needs, to support students with learning difficulties, and to advise teachers in the best ways to meet students' needs. Learning difficulties may include general learning difficulties, specific learning difficulties, (e.g. dyslexia), emotional and behavioural difficulties, physical and sensory impairments.

Students who are identified as needing extra help may be placed on a register of Special Educational Needs. This ensures that their progress is closely monitored and, in many cases, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be drawn up. The IEP sets targets for the child to achieve, and outlines what the school will do to help the student. We ask parents to be involved as well.

Extra help may take the form of differentiated activities provided by the class teacher, in-class support by an additional member of staff in the classroom, or through the student being withdrawn from normal lessons for a period of time to follow a structured programme to improve their reading, writing, spelling, number or social skills.

Please make initial contact with your child's class teacher or Head of Year should you have any concerns.

Students with physical disabilities

The school, being in the main single storey buildings, is able to admit students with physical disabilities.

The school has ground level access to all buildings and has a disabled toilet in the Orchard and a showering facility in the Beaumont Building. All areas are accessible to wheelchair bound students with chair lifts installed where necessary.

The admission arrangements for such students would be the same admission arrangements applying to all other students with the exception that any specialised facilities or equipment would need to be determined prior to entry. Students with disabilities receive, as an entitlement, the full curriculum. Provision is limited only by the student's disability.

School House System

A house system operates throughout the school to allow for and encourage competition within the school. Students are allocated to one of the four houses:

ALN (Blue), COQUET (Red), TWEED (Green), WANSBECK (Yellow).

A system of merit awards operates which provides for a measure of parental involvement in the house system. Deserving students are awarded a "House Plus". This is a printed card, which will be completed by the teacher and will explain the reason for the merit award. This card is brought home for parental signature, returned to school for display in the student's classroom, and a point is added to the house score.

Absence

One of the most important factors affecting the rate of progress of students is regular attendance. Please let us know as soon as possible if your child is likely to be away from school (01434 602533). We do need a note or telephone call to explain any absence on the day of return. If your child is reluctant to come to school please let us know immediately.

Students are not allowed time off school for any reason other than illness, treatment, external examinations, or in cases of emergency or exceptional circumstances. The school discourages absences as they can seriously affect the progress of the student. Parents are allowed to withdraw their child from school for the purpose of an annual holiday for a period not exceeding two weeks in any school year. The school requires a form to be completed and permission granted by the Headteacher before the start of the absence. Permission will only be granted should the Headteacher be convinced that the holiday could not be taken out of term time. Parents are asked to obtain this permission before booking a holiday.

Arrangements in case of accidents or sickness

A student involved in an accident or suffering sickness will be dealt with by a School Secretary with appropriate training. Minor complaints will be dealt with by the school, but, if necessary, students will be referred to Hexham General Hospital. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible should the child need further treatment or need to be returned home. It is therefore essential that we have up to date contact numbers. We will make every effort to act as caring parents in these matters. Should there be any doubt as to the seriousness of any complaint we will err on the side of caution.

Parents should be aware that we are unable to administer any medicines at school. Should a child be required to take medication during the school day (i.e. medicine needs to be taken on more than three occasions each day), medications should be sent in to the school office on arrival. The child may then take the medication under supervision. Pupils should retain any inhalers for asthma on their person at all times.

School Health Service

The School Doctor no longer carries out routine medical inspections on all children, but visits school at least every half-term to meet teaching staff to advise them on health matters, and to talk to any children who are causing concern to their teachers or parents. The School Doctor will be happy to meet any parents in school during these visits, should there be any concern about a child's health.

Immunisation against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Tuberculosis and Rubella is offered to specific groups of students at the appropriate time. At times the School Doctor may ask to see particular students but this will not happen without the parents' consent.

If you wish to consult the School Doctor please contact her at the following address: Dr J Wildmore, School Health Department, West Locality Office, Hexham Business Park, Tanners Burn House, Burn Lane, Hexham NE46 3RU. Tel: 01434 610625 ext 129

School safety and security

The school has implemented a policy whereby only the main entrance to the school is open during lesson times. Time locks have been fitted to external doors and the system has been running successfully for a year. Staff and others who need access during lesson time have a fob that will enable doors to be opened.

All visitors to the school are directed to the reception area by signs on entering the school site. If a visitor has permission to stay on the site they are 'signed in' and issued with a badge. On leaving the school visitors hand back the badge and are 'signed out'. Staff are requested to challenge any visitors without a badge and to direct them to the reception area.

Road Safety Policy

Although not statutory, road safety education is incorporated in the curriculum of this school. Students are taught general road safety principles, and this is done through both planned and informal ways which are designed to develop road safety awareness in the minds of students.

Elements of road safety have always been included in work in Science and are now incorporated in National Curriculum Science. Topics developed jointly by the Education and Road Safety services in Northumberland are in every first and middle school in the County and are in general use. In following this policy, the school supports the County Council's aim to reduce road casualties.

Lunch in school

The school, through a Direct Services Organisation, is able to offer a low cost selection of meals in a cafeteria system whereby students choose from a variety of main courses and desserts. Vegetarian and salad options are available. We are very concerned that the pupils have access to have a healthy, balanced lunch and recent changes to the menus reflect this. We now operate a cashless system, which will have been explained to you in a separate leaflet. If you require further details, please contact the school canteen on 01434 606633. Pupils pay for their meal with a card so there is no indication that a child is receiving a free meal. If you feel that your child might be entitled to free meals, please contact the school.

Packed lunches should be brought to school in unbreakable named containers for both food and drink. Pupils are responsible for the safekeeping and storage of their lunches. Pupils eat their packed lunch in the canteen and clear up after themselves.

Students are only allowed off the school premises during the lunch-break if parents or another person in loco-parentis is supervising them.

Water

Recent research has suggested that avoiding de-hydration can be important in aiding learning. Students may bring in a small bottle of still water (not fizzy drinks) to keep with them in the classroom to drink during the day. There is a water fountain in the canteen where bottles can be re-filled.

Transport arrangements

Transport is the responsibility of the Local Education Authority and students entitled to free transport are able to use one of the following services:

Acomb (Tyne Valley Coaches) - 8.32a.m.

Colwell (Tyne Valley Coaches) - 8.00 a.m. calling at Barrasford, Chollerton, Humshaugh

Stagshaw (Snaith's Coaches) - 8.30 a.m. via Oakwood

Whitley Chapel (Northumbria) - various routes

All transport leaves from the main School Gate at 3.40 p.m.

The school is not directly responsible for the supervision of students using school transport. However, it is acutely aware of the damage done to the reputation of the school through poor behaviour on school buses, and will deal with any such incidents which occur. It should be stressed that students who are unable to behave in a reasonable manner may be banned from using the transport. Students and parents are asked to let the school know should there be any problems over behaviour on the bus.

It is important that parents who drop off and pick up students by car do not enter the school site as this can create problems for the safety of students. Parents meeting their child from school are welcome to walk onto the school site to wait.

Parents should contact the Local Education Authority or the local Education Welfare Office on Hexham 605973 should there be any other queries concerning school transport.

Parental help

We are delighted to welcome a number of parents who come into school on a voluntary basis for various purposes. We are keen to recruit more parents to listen to children read, to help in the libraries, to supervise the School Bank and Shop, to accompany students to the swimming pool or on other school visits or to help generally about the school. Please contact the school if you feel able to give a part of one day each week or even more time, and we shall provide you with further details.

School hours

Years 5 & 6

Mornings - 8.50am to 12.15pm Afternoons - 1.15pm to 3.30pm

Years 7 & 8

Mornings - 8.50am to 12.30pm Afternoons - 1.35pm to 3.30pm

Your child should normally arrive at around 8.45 a.m. at which time supervision is provided by the school. Students are encouraged to arrive and start coming into their teaching areas 3 minutes before the start of a session. Students may remain after school hours only under the supervision of a teacher and with the knowledge of the parent.