Chilworth House Upper School
Parent Handbook
Promoting Resilience: Developing Independence.
Contents
Contents
Contact Information .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
Staff Members ................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Safeguarding Officers .................................................................................................................................................... 2
Head Teacher ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Head of Pastoral Care.................................................................................................................................................... 2
Senior Assistant ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Deputy Head Teacher.................................................................................................................................................... 2
Assistant Headteachers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2
Pastoral Care ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Assistants....................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Vocational Centre Management ................................................................................................................................... 3
School Administrator..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Domestic Staff ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
Site Manager ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Teaching ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Staff ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Teaching Assistants ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
SENCo ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3
HLTA .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Staffing .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Schedule ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Timetable ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Term Dates 2015-2016 .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Background and Ethos....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Mission Statement ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Vision ................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Education Offered ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Admissions .................................................................................................................................................................. 10
School and Extracurricular Activities........................................................................................................................... 13
Family Liaison Officer ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
Pastoral Care ................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Home-School Links ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
Health and Safety ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
Policy ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Medication .................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Medical Guidelines ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
School Uniforms .............................................................................................................................................................. 18
Clothing Provision ....................................................................................................................................................... 18
Uniform Regulations ................................................................................................................................................... 18
PE and Games.............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Hairstyles ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Make Up and Nails ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
Jewellery...................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Identification ............................................................................................................................................................... 20
Personal Items ............................................................................................................................................................... 20
Students Should Bring:..................................................................................................................................... 20
Students May NOT Bring: ................................................................................................................................ 21
Pupil Support ................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Transportation................................................................................................................................................................. 22
School Discipline.............................................................................................................................................................. 23
Policy ........................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Restrictive Physical Intervention ................................................................................................................................. 24
Bullying ............................................................................................................................................................................ 25
Anti-Bullying Policy...................................................................................................................................................... 25
Advice for Parents ....................................................................................................................................................... 25
Code of Conduct .............................................................................................................................................................. 27
Guiding Principles ........................................................................................................................................................ 27
Questions .................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Stages of Complaint Process ....................................................................................................................................... 32
Complaints Procedure ................................................................................................................................................. 33
Safeguarding.................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Reporting Progress .......................................................................................................................................................... 34
General Procedures......................................................................................................................................................... 35
What to Do .................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Policies............................................................................................................................................................................. 36
Contact Information
Chilworth House Upper School
Grooms Farm
Thame Road
Wheatley
Oxfordshire
OX33 1JP
Telephone: (01844) 337720
Fax:
(08445) 734927
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Website:
http://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/chilworthhouse-upper-school
Witherslack Group of Schools
Group Office
14 Main Street
Kirkby Lonsdale
Via Carnforth
Lancashire
LA6 2AE
Telephone: (01524) 273131
Fax:
(01524) 273741
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Website: http://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/
1
Staff Members
Safeguarding Officers
Head Teacher
Head of
Pastoral Care
Mr Dave Stewart
(Safeguarding
Officer)
Mrs Rebekah
Langstone
(Lead
Safeguarding
Officer)
Deputy
Head Teacher
Mrs Michelle Johnson
Family Liaison Officer
Ms Hannah Burke-Smith
Senior
Pastoral Care
Assistant
Mr David Lammin
(Deputy
Safeguarding
Officer)
Assistant
Head Teachers
Mr Mark Ramsbottom
Mr Gareth Smith
Pastoral Care
Assistant
Mr Ian Banton
Mr Ollie Lynch
2
Vocational Centre
Management
Mr Andy Hemming
Domestic Staff
Mrs Jackie Snoek,
Mr Ian Bradbury,
Ms Julie-Ann Bestley,
School Administrators
Ms Amelia Perrin
Mrs Allison Tonti
Mrs Joyce Picot
Site Manager
Mr John King
Teaching
Staff
Teaching
Assistants
Mrs P Taylor
Mr F Klemencic
Mr G Smith
Mr O Herbert
Mr M Ramsbottom
Mr P Tench
Ms G Warburton
Ms R Bergum
Ms J Blyth
Ms H Groenewald
Mr J Boyce
Mrs G Aminu
Mr J Man
Ms K Doyle
Mrs C Doyle
Mr C Fisher
Ms L Gardner
Ms J Marsh
Ms S Gungadoo
Mr G Beale
Mrs K O’Neill
Ms E WatkinsBrady
Ms S Gayler
Ms S Gates
Ms J Hipgraves
Therapists
Debbie Chapel
(MH Practioner)
Sian Morcom (EP)
Maria Miton-Talbot
(SaLT)
Sarah Skinner (OT)
SENCo
Mrs Penny Taylor
Head of Key
Stage 3
Mrs Penny Taylor
Head of Key
Stage 4
Mr Gareth Smith
HLTA
Mrs I Hyde
Mr C Smith
Ms C Grace
Mr A Robinson
Mrs C Doyle
Mrs J Marsh
3
Staffing
Chilworth House Upper School is served by Teachers,
Teaching Assistants, Pastoral Care Staff, Secretarial Staff,
Domestic Staff, a SENCO, and Therapists (Mental Health
Practitioner, Educational Psychologist, Occupational
Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist) on site, as
well as being supported by Administrative and Managerial
Staff from the Group Office. All staff have undergone
stringent police checks to ensure that they are appropriate
people to be working with children. The level of staffing
meets the statutory requirement for special schools.
Should you wish to access any further information
regarding the staffing at Chilworth House Upper School, for
example staff qualification and the number of staff, please
contact the Head Teacher who will supply you with any
relevant details as appropriate.
4
Schedule
Term Dates 2015-2016
Term
Term
Term
Term
Term
Term
1
2
3
4
5
6
3rd September 2015 – 23rd October 2015
3rd November 2015 – 18th December 2015
5th January 2016 – 12th February 2016
22nd February 2016 – 24th March 2016
12th April 2016 – 27th May 2016
6th June 2016 – 20th July 2016
Timetable
Breakfast Club
Period 1
Period 2
Break
Period 3
Period 4
Lunch 1
Lunch 2
Transition
Period 5
Period 6
8:45 – 9:00
9:00 – 9:45
9.45 – 10:35
10:35 – 10:50
10:50 – 11:40
11:40 – 12:30
12:30 – 12:50
12:50 – 13:10
13:10 – 13:20
13:20 – 14.10
14:10 – 15:00
On a Friday afternoon pupils have enrichment time which
runs from 13:20 – 14:45. Then they have Tutor Time from
14:45 – 15:00.
5
6
Background and Ethos
Chilworth House Upper School is one of the schools which
make up the Witherslack Group; an independent
organisation which offers education and care for children
with special educational needs associated with emotional,
behavioural and learning difficulties. It is approved by the
Secretary of State within the 1993 Education Act and is
inspected regularly by Ofsted.
Chilworth House Upper School is a co-educational special
school for up to 70 pupils aged between 11 and 18 years
and operates on a day-to-day basis for 38 weeks per year.
Chilworth House Upper School now also offers post 16
provision.
The school has excellent facilities to meet the needs of
children; good use is also made of local resources as we are
located in a beautiful countryside location.
The role of education is seen as critical and the school is
committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum,
giving access to the National Curriculum, supporting the
needs of individual pupils and widening the range of
educational experiences.
Mission Statement
Chilworth House Upper School is committed to the
following principles:
• respecting the value of all individual pupils and staff
• providing the highest standards of care and education
• ensuring safety, security and opportunities for success
7
We aspire to being an exemplar of best practice for children
locally, regionally and nationally.
We have a clear view of our purpose and practice and this
is articulated in the theoretical and philosophical basis of
our work.
The ethos of the school is geared towards providing a safe,
secure and caring environment within which personal
growth and development is promoted. Opportunities to
experience success, learn from mistakes and build trusting
relationships serve to enhance confidence and self-esteem.
Vision
Chilworth House Upper School, inspired by the unique
worth of every individual, strives to create opportunities to
achieve full potential through the pursuit of excellence in
both academic and social education.
We are committed to providing a happy, welcoming and
motivating learning environment allowing the growth of the
whole person.
The ethos of the school is very much enshrined in the
following quote made by one of the world’s leading
academics:
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
- Einstein
The leadership of the school will facilitate the realisation of
the school’s vision through the following aims:
1. to ensure a well-managed school which is focused on
high standards throughout
8
2. to
deliver
an
enjoyable,
stimulating
and
differentiated curriculum, which encourages every
pupil to achieve to their highest level, both
academically and socially
3. to provide a caring environment in which pupils feel
safe and learn to make healthy choices about their
lifestyle
4. to develop pupils awareness of moral, social, cultural
and spiritual values so that they can make a positive
contribution to the community
5. to prepare to become independent, informed and
responsible citizens
6. to work in partnership with parents, carers, and
other stakeholders to ensure pupils are given every
opportunity to achieve their full potential
Education Offered
The aim of the school curriculum is to serve the individual
needs of every pupil in the school and prepare them for the
realities of the “adult world”.
All pupils are given access to the National Curriculum.
Consideration is given to pupils with specific learning
difficulties. New pupils are assessed on admission and, if
required, specific programmes are written to support their
individual needs. Every pupil has an Individual Care and
Education Plan, which sets out targets to be achieved in
the forthcoming year.
9
Senior pupils are given access to external examinations
which includes a range of GCSEs and entry level courses
and those in their final year follow a Leavers’ Programme
which includes Work Experience, careers guidance and
certificated independence awards.
Every pupil leaves school having successfully completed a
range of external examinations. If you wish to access
further information on academic performance please
contact the Head Teacher, Mr D Stewart or the Deputy
Head, Mrs M Johnson.
As part of the curriculum, pupils are given access to
Religious Education (PSHE) and Sex Education. If you do
not wish your child to partake in these, or would like to
discuss their participation, please contact the Head
Teacher. You have the right to withdraw your child from
religious education and collective worship.
If you wish to exercise this right then alternative
arrangements will be made for your child when they will be
given the opportunity to complete other studies which
further support another subject area.
Admissions
Initial enquiries and informal visits are welcome. Formal
application for places can be made by Children’s Services
and/or Education Authorities and should be accompanied
by the Statement of Education Needs and associated
reports. A social history report should also be included if
available. If initial assessment of the documentation
suggests that needs can be met, an interview will be offered
which afford the pupil, parents and other relevant
representatives the opportunity visit the school.
10
A decision on placement will be conveyed usually within
one week of interview.
11
Examination Courses at Chilworth House Upper School
(Students will be able to study a combination of these examination subjects, depending on option choices)
Subject
Courses available for Year 10
2015/2016
Courses available for year 11
2015/2016
English
Edexcel ELC
Edexcel FS level 1/2
WJEC GCSE
Edexcel ELC
Edexcel FS level 1/2
WJEC GCSE
Maths
Edexcel ELC
Edexcel FS level 1/2
Edexcel GCSE
Edexcel ELC
Edexcel FS level 1/2
Edexcel GCSE
Science
OCR ELC
OCR GCSE 21st Century Science
OCR ELC
OCR GCSE 21st Century Science
OCR GCSE Additional Applied Science
Computing
Edexcel ELC
Edexcel FS level 1/2
Edexcel Certificate in Digital
Applications GCSE level 1 and 2
Edexcel ELC
Edexcel FS level 1/2
Edexcel Certificate in Digital
Applications GCSE level 1 and 2
Design Technology
OCR ELC
BTEC level 1 award and certificate in
Engineering
OCR ELC
BTEC level 1 award and certificate in
Engineering
Construction
BTEC Construction level 1/2
BTEC Construction level 1/2
Food technology
Edexcel GCSE in Food Technology
Edexcel GCSE in Food Technology
Art
AQA ELC Art
AQA GCSE Art and design.
AQA ELC Art
AQA GCSE Art and design.
Preparation for working life
AQA ELC Preparation for working life
AQA GCSE Preparation for working
life
AQA ELC Preparation for working life
AQA GCSE Preparation for working
life
Uniform public services
ASDAN CoPE Award
ASDAN CoPE Award
PSHCE
ASDAN & COPE
ASDAN
Geography
Edexcel GCSE Geography A
Edexcel GCSE Geography A
Music
Personal tuition available in
enrichment time.
PE
BTEC Sport level 1/2
BTEC Sport level 1/2
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School and Extracurricular Activities
The original school building was a small farm and stables
to which other buildings have been added to create further
classroom facilities. On-site facilities include a Science
laboratory, Design and Technology area, Home Economics
area, all-weather pitch, indoor sports hall and games field.
All pupils have free time with staff at hand to ensure adult
attention and correct supervision. Pupils are given
appropriate levels of choice, depending upon the weekly
colour status awarded for their performance in class. Each
pupil’s preferences will be taken into account and ageappropriate activities will be on offer.
Family Liaison Officer
The Family Liaison Officer will be the person who takes
you around the school when you first come to visit. She
also does a home visit, either with regards to welcoming a
new pupil to the school or to address attendance issues.
The Family Liaison Officer monitors attendance on a daily
basis and is there to offer support to families with getting
their child into school. The school has a legal obligation to
ensure a child is coming to school on a regular basis and if
this is not achieved through support, will also get outside
agencies involved.
The Family Liaison Officer is there to support families with
any concerns they may have with regards to their child and
is always there at the end of the phone if needed.
13
If you would like any advice or support with regards to
your child, please feel free to contact Hannah Burke-Smith
on 01844 337720 or email at [email protected].
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care Team take care of all social/welfare
areas of pupils lives whilst at school. They are the ones to
communicate with about medication, uniform, health and
wellbeing, dietary needs and any safeguarding concerns.
Each pupil in school has a Keyworker and the Pastoral
Care Team will ensure that your child has regular
opportunities to meet up with their Keyworker for chats.
These sessions are really important and give your child a
bit of time and space to discuss any worries or concerns as
well as providing Keyworkers an opportunity to praise and
encourage your child for things they have done well in.
14
Home-School Links
The Home-School diary is the main link between home and
school and should be filled in each day. You are also free to
telephone the school at appropriate times to speak to the
Family Liaison Officer, Pastoral Care team, Teachers and
Teaching Assistants or to visit the school in person in order
to speak to them. Home visits will be conducted when
necessary in order to ensure optimal pupil progress.
Events such as open days, parents’ evenings, and reviews
will also take place, and progress reports and newsletters
will be sent home with each pupil.
You can always access the school’s website as well,
at
http://www.witherslackgroup.co.uk/chilworth-houseupper-school
Health and Safety
Policy
Chilworth House Upper School is committed to providing:
• clear, effective leadership in our Health and Safety
policy
• clear direction and purpose in our chosen structure
and strategy for carrying out Health and Safety Policy
• appropriate information, training and development of
staff to enable them to carry out their duties healthily
and safely, including advice on policy, relevant health
and safety issues and welfare facilities such as first aid
requirements
• a mechanism for regular audit of Health and Safety
together with a reporting procedure to Senior
15
Management,
evaluation
to
enable
regular
monitoring
and
Medication
If your child is taking regular medication, e.g. for ADHD,
the school will work closely with the consultant who is
currently monitoring your child and the student’s GP. Our
procedure for this follows that produced by the
Government’s National Institute for Clinical Excellence
(N.I.C.E.) Guidelines. We can give you a copy of our
procedure if you wish to have one. You will have been
asked for any information you have about your child’s
medication when you attended the interview or during the
home visit. This enables us to contact the consultant and
make arrangements to provide information which will help
when decisions are being made about your child’s
medication needs. CAMHS appointments must be met
regularly as the NICE guidelines state that some
medication cannot be prescribed without regular
monitoring. Please inform us of any appointments you
have so that we can prepare information to be sent. Please
also ask for any changes to medication to be sent to us in
writing so that we can act upon these. Without written
confirmation we are not able to act on changes.
Should you have any concerns related to medication, your
child’s GP will be able to help.
Medical Guidelines
If your child is feeling unwell, it is often difficult to know
whether to send them to school. Should you decide to keep
your child at home due to sickness please make sure you
call school before 9am in the morning so as to ensure their
16
absence is correctly recorded on the attendance register.
The following are government guidelines, supported by the
school, which might be helpful.
Head Lice
If you suspect your child has head lice, please inform your
child’s teacher. There is no need to exclude your child from
school if they have head lice. The most effective way to
treat your child’s hair is to wash and use conditioner on
the hair. If you comb through the hair whilst still wet, with
a fine-toothed comb, this will dislodge the eggs. Once the
hair is clear of head lice, continue to use conditioner on
the hair and comb through with the fine-toothed comb
every third day. These combs are available from most
chemists and are designed to treat this condition.
Sickness and Diarrhoea
Children should be kept away from school until they have
been symptom-free for 24 hours. Even if your child has
only vomited once overnight, it is usually best to let them
spend the day at home while you check they do not
continue to be unwell.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly infectious bacterial skin infection. Your
child should remain away from school until the lesions
have crusted over. Antibiotics are normally required and
have a significant effect after just 48 hours.
Chicken Pox
From the onset of the rash, children must be excluded for
5 days, from the onset of the rash. Again, please inform
17
your child’s class teacher if you child has been in contact
with measles.
Measles and Rubella (German Measles)
Children must be excluded for 5 days, from the onset of
the rash. Again, please inform your child’s class teacher if
your child has been in contact with measles.
Asthma
There is no exclusion at all for asthma but please can you
send in a spare, named inhaler if your child is asthmatic
and it will be kept in the room in case your child forgets or
loses theirs.
School Uniforms
Clothing Provision
All pupils are provided with a school uniform, consisting of
a polo shirt, jumper and PE kit. Specialist clothing for
outdoor education is also provided by the school.
It is important that you mark your child’s clothing with a
suitable marker, or labels, to enable us to identify any lost
property. We are not able to accept responsibility for lost
clothing that has not been appropriately labelled.
Uniform Regulations
Chilworth House Upper School seeks to promote the selfconfidence and self-esteem and positive self-image of each
18
child through the wearing of a school uniform that is
attractive and appropriate to a diverse range of school
activities. All pupils at Chilworth House Upper School are
expected to wear uniform throughout the school day.
The uniform consists of:
• black trousers or black skirt
• royal blue polo shirt
• navy blue sweatshirt
• black shoes or trainers and dark socks
In general the wearing of jewellery is not allowed. However,
children are allowed to wear a watch and one small
discreet pair of stud earrings if they so wish.
No aspect of a pupil’s appearance should deliberately draw
attention to himself/herself. The school reserves the right
to exercise discretion over any aspect of a pupil’s
appearance and the Head Teacher reserves the right to
refuse admittance to any child not wearing the correct
school uniform.
PE and Games
All children taking part in PE and Games wear PE shirt
and shorts/trousers provided by the school and should
bring in suitable footwear for that day. Children may wear
their own trainers at the discretion of the school. The
uniform will be provided by Chilworth House Upper School,
except for socks and shoes which must be provided by the
child’s parents/carers.
Hairstyles
Hairstyles are very personal matters and a certain amount
of individuality is desirable. However, hair must be kept
19
clean, tidy, off the face and of a reasonable length and
style. Hair colour, even if dyed, should be natural colour.
Make Up and Nails
Natural, subtle and basic make-up may be worn to cover
skin complaints. Nail varnish may be worn but fingernails
must be short and nail extensions of any kind are not
permitted.
Jewellery
The school policy for jewellery for a young person attending
Chilworth House Upper School is:
• one stud earring per ear
• one plain ring on each hand
• one wrist watch
Body piercing can represent a significant risk to the health
and safety of our children and is not permitted (apart from
the aforementioned ear piercing).
Identification
All students’ clothing must be marked with name tapes.
Footwear must be marked in permanent ink or tapes.
Personal Items
Students Should Bring:
 home/school diary
 completed homework
 a smile and friendly attitude
20
Students May NOT Bring:
×
×
×
×
×
×
×
×
×
chewing or bubble gum
sweets
crisps
canned drinks
money (unless your teacher has specifically asked
you to do so)
mobile phones (if these are brought into school they
must be switched off and handed in to the pupils
form tutor. Alternatively pupils may keep them
switched off and out of site in their bag. If phones
are seen or used by pupils during the school day,
they will be confiscated and returned at a later date)
any electrical equipment (e.g. games, machines,
music or toys) apart from those used in the taxi to
and from school; these must be handed in to the
school office on arrival or left with the taxi driver
anything to swap
anything valuable which may get damaged
Pupils will sometimes be asked to bring something special
in on the last day of term.
Pupil Support
There are a number of structures in place to support
individual pupils. Upon admission, every pupil is
monitored by a Keyworker, whose responsibility it is to
ensure that the pupils settle in to the school’s routines.
After six to eight weeks, the school holds an initial review,
to which parents are invited, in order to discuss the pupil’s
placement. At the internal review, the pupil’s educational
and care needs are examined, an Individual Care and
21
Education Plan is written and a permanent Keyworker is
allocated. Keyworkers and pupils meet on a regular basis
and the Keyworker will maintain regular contact with
home.
All new pupils are also assessed by the special needs coordinator for learning support. If learning difficulties are
indicated, then the co-ordinator for learning support will
set up a programme to meet the individual needs. This
could be in the form of in-class support, 1-1 support, the
writing of differential material, or a mixture of all of these.
In order to promote good communication, continuity of
care and to plan for future needs, the school works with
Educational Welfare Officers, Social Workers and Careers
Officers. Where appropriate, pupils may also have access
to the Chilworth House Upper School therapist and other
visiting professionals. Your child may be referred on to
outside agencies, e.g. CAMHS if this is felt to be
appropriate.
Transportation
Pupils travel to and from school from several different
regions in taxis and mini buses. Taxis are arranged by
their Education Authorities. The school is committed to
providing safe and reliable transport on all official
journeys, where it has taken responsibility for such
provision.
If pupils are absent or journey pick-up/drop-off points are
to be changed, it is the parental responsibility to ensure
that this is communicated to the transport companies.
The school will ensure that placing Authorities are kept
fully informed of all transport arrangements which are
22
made to enable those agencies to satisfy their own
responsibilities.
School Discipline
Policy
Chilworth House Upper School has high expectations of its
pupils in terms of their behaviour.
All pupils are given clear guidelines on acceptable and
unacceptable behaviour. Pupils’ behaviour and learning is
monitored and recorded; each aspect of the school day is
scored on a points scale of 0 to 3, given for both learning
and behaviour. At the end of each week, points earned for
behaviour and classwork are totalled and every pupil is
given a colour. This is then used to determine students’
choice of activities, amount of Vivo Miles earned and other
privileges depending on age. Pupils may receive merit
awards for work and behaviour above normal expectations,
and these merits are also counted towards their Vivo Miles.
Pupils can also earn Vivo Points for their attendance.
Pupils can access their Vivo Miles account at any time to
see how much they have accrued and also to choose things
off the Vivo Miles Shop.
As well as rewarding appropriate positive behaviour,
inappropriate behaviour may be sanctioned. All sanctions
are ‘approved’ in accordance with school policy and involve
the removal of privileges. The school does not approve of
corporal punishment. All major incidents of poor behaviour
are monitored in written reports which are followed up by
senior staff and the Head Teacher. In extreme cases,
violent or aggressive pupils may have to be controlled by
23
staff if the pupil’s behaviour is endangering the safety of
themselves, staff or other pupils or if they are wilfully
damaging property. This may involve physical management
of the pupil. All staff are given training in controlling
behaviour safely and they work within strict Team Teach
guidelines. There are school policies which are in place to
support the work of staff with respect to behaviour
management. These policies are available on request from
the Head Teacher. Team Teach is our preferred method of
positive handling should this become necessary and
guidelines are outlined in our Positive Handling Policy.
Restrictive Physical Intervention
We pride ourselves at Chilworth House Upper School on
providing a safe learning environment for our pupils.
Sometimes, some of our children may get anxious or
agitated – we will do our best to help pupils to calm down
using communication skills, distraction techniques and
removing triggers where possible.
However, there may be times when children need more
help to calm down. This may require the use of restrictive
physical interventions. It is legally defensible for staff to
use restrictive physical interventions when it is required to
prevent:
• self-harming
• injury to other children or staff
• damage to property
• an offence being committed
• any behaviour prejudicial to the maintenance of good
order and discipline with the school or among its
pupils
24
At Chilworth House Upper School, we have adopted the
Team Teach approach for managing challenging behaviour.
All of our staff have been trained in the use of this
approach and we have a tutor in school who carries out
initial training, on-going refresher training, and advises
staff on managing behaviour.
All incidents where restrictive physical intervention is used
with children in order to help them to calm down are
recorded in school and parents are informed as a matter of
course. All of our pupils have a Positive Handling Plan
which is consistently followed by all school staff.
If you have any questions about how we manage behaviour
at school, or about the Team Teach approach, please
contact school and speak to Dave Stewart (Head Teacher).
Bullying
Anti-Bullying Policy
Chilworth House Upper School does not accept bullying.
Staff are vigilant at all times and any complaints are fully
investigated and dealt with in an appropriate manner. All
children are made aware of the school anti-bullying policy
and how to use it. Further details can be found in the
school’s Student Handbook.
Advice for Parents
If your child is being bullied:
• encourage your child to talk about his or her feelings
• tell your child that you are willing to listen
25
• do not overreact even if you are furious; it might
frighten your child into stopping talking
• find out how fearful your child is and make sure he or
she feels safe and protected
• sort out the bullying as quietly and constructively as
possible by contacting your child’s Keyworker, teacher,
or a member of the senior management team
Although you may want immediate solutions, have
confidence in the staff who will deal with the situation as
quickly as possible. Try to give the situation time to
change, but if you are still concerned, contact the Head
Teacher (Mr Dave Stewart).
If your child is the bully:
• ask your child if he or she can explain what has
happened and why
• talk to your child to see if you can sort out the problem
together
• explain to your child that the bullying MUST stop and
how frightening it must be for the victim
• contact your child’s Keyworker, teacher, or a member
of the senior management team
• try to discuss ways in which you, your child and the
staff member can work together to stop this behaviour
• attempt to praise any good behaviour, even if it is
something small
The school’s anti-bullying coordinator is Mrs Doyle she
more than happy to discuss any concerns, but feel free
to contact any member of staff.
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Code of Conduct
The purpose of a code of conduct is to set the stage for
managing behaviour of all persons on the school premises.
Guiding Principles
• All participants involved in the school system – pupils,
parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers, teaching
assistants and other members of staff are included in
this code of conduct whether they are on school
property, off-site or at school authorised events or
activities.
• All members of the school community are to be treated
with respect and dignity, especially persons in
positions of authority.
• Responsible
citizenship
involves
appropriate
participation in the civic life of the school community.
Active and engaged citizens are aware of their rights,
but more importantly, they accept responsibility for
protecting their rights and the rights of others.
• Members of the school community are expected to use
non-violent means to resolve conflict. Physically
aggressive behaviour is never a responsible way to
interact with others.
• The possession, use or threatened use of any object to
injure another person endangers the safety of oneself
and others.
• Alcohol and illegal drugs are addictive and present a
health hazard. Schools will work cooperatively with
police and drug and alcohol agencies to promote
prevention strategies and, where necessary, respond to
school members who are in possession of, or under the
influence of, alcohol or illegal drugs.
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• Insults, disrespect and other hurtful acts disrupt
learning and teaching in a school community.
Members of the school community have a
responsibility to maintain an environment where
conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner
characterised by respect and civility.
Complaints
We wish to make sure that:
• parents wishing to make a complaint know how to do
so
• we respond to complaints within a reasonable time and
in a courteous and efficient way
• parents realise that we listen and take complaints
seriously
• we take action where appropriate
Questions
“How should I complain?”
You can talk directly to any member of staff, write a letter,
or telephone. Be as clear as possible about what is
troubling you.
“I don’t want to complain as such, but there is something
bothering me.”
The school is here for you and your child, and we want to
hear your views and your ideas. You can contact the Pupil
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Liaison Officer or any other member of staff you may wish
to speak too, as described above.
“I am not sure whether to complain or not.”
If, as parents, you have any concerns, you are entitled to
express them. If in doubt, you should contact the school,
as we are here to help.”
“What will happen next?”
If you raise something face-to-face or by telephone, it may
be possible to resolve the matter immediately and to your
satisfaction.
If you have made a complaint or suggestion in writing, we
will contact you within five working days, to respond to
your concerns and explain how we proceed.
Parents or carers who are unhappy about any aspect of
their child’s education or experience at the school should
make an appointment to see the Head Teacher or his/her
delegate.
The Head Teacher or his/her delegate will discuss the
complaint with parents/carers and involve other staff
where appropriate.
Any complaint will be properly, sensitively and carefully
investigated by the Head Teacher of his/her delegate
according to the procedures described within the
Complaints Policy. Usually, because of close-working
relationships with parents/carers, problems or worries can
easily be sorted at this stage.
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However, if after discussion with Head Teacher or his/her
delegate the matter remains unresolved the formal
complaints procedure will be initiated.
The complainant will be given a copy of the Complaints
Policy and the Director of Education and Care for the
Witherslack Group will also be contacted.
In many circumstances, the person you contact will need
to discuss the matter with colleagues and consider it
further before responding. You will be given a date by
which time you will receive a response.
If a detailed exploration of the issues is needed, a letter or
report will be sent to you as quickly as possible. This will
tell you of the outcome of your complaint. It will explain
the conclusion, the reasons for it, and any action taken or
proposed.
“What happens about confidentiality?”
Your complaint or concern will be treated in a confidential
manner and with respect. Knowledge of it will be limited to
the Head Teacher and those directly involved. It is the
school’s policy that complaints made by parents should not
rebound adversely on their children.
We cannot entirely rule out the need to make third parties
outside the school aware of the complaint and possibly
also the identity of those involved. This would be likely to
happen very rarely where, for example, a child’s safety was
at risk or it became necessary to refer matters to the
police. You would be fully informed if this were the case.
While information relating to specific complaints will be
kept confidentially on file, anonymous complaints may not
be pursued.
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Action, which needs to be taken under staff disciplinary
procedures as a result of complaints, would be handled
confidentially within the school.
The school recognises and acknowledges your entitlement
to complain and we hope to work with you in the best
interests of the young people in our care.
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Stages of Complaint Process
Express concern to staff
member
Satisfactory outcome
reached
YES
NO
No further action
Refer to Head Teacher
Make written complaint to
Head Teacher
Investigation conducted
and reported to
complainant
Satisfactory outcome
reached
YES
No further action required
NO
Make formal complaint
within 28 days to the Board
of Directors via the Chief
Executive
Complaints panel meeting
convened (Complainant
and Head Teacher attend)
Complainant and Head
Teacher notifed of panel's
findings and
recommendations with 7
days
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Complaints Procedure
There is a comprehensive complaints policy which operates
in school and offers recourse to a wide range of agencies in
the event of an official complaint. Our complaints policy is
available on request.
If you have any concerns or complaints about any
practices in school, please do not hesitate to contact staff
to discuss them.
In the event of your complaint requiring further
investigation it will be passed on to the senior staff team
and/or Head Teacher to be recorded in the complaints log,
along with the appropriate action to be taken. Once the
investigation is complete you will be formally notified of the
outcome. If you are unhappy with the outcome then you
should contact the Head Teacher who will take your
complaint further by passing it on to the Board of Directors
and/or the Chief Executive.
To protect pupils in our care and to comply with the
requirements of the Department of Education, the school
has a duty to refer any concerns about the wellbeing of its
pupils to the local Safeguarding Team via the school
safeguarding members of staff (Mrs R Langstone, Mr D
Lammin and Mr D Stewart).
Please contact the school if you wish to access further
information in relation to the school’s complaints
procedure, including details of the number of complaints
registered under the formal procedure during the preceding
school year. If you are not satisfied with the way your
complaint has been handled, then you may contact Ofsted
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on 08456 40 40 40 and they will be happy to investigate
further on your behalf.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding the pupils in our care is of utmost
importance. To achieve this, Chilworth House Upper
School provides a safe, welcoming, supporting and
listening environment. Our safeguarding policies and
guidelines are available on request. Chilworth House Upper
School is committed to enabling members of staff to carry
out their safeguarding responsibilities by providing
appropriate training, supervision and support to staff
engaged in safeguarding work, whilst also providing staff
with a level of training which will enable them to identify,
prevent and respond appropriately when faced with
safeguarding issues. If the school have a significant
concern about a child’s safety and/or wellbeing then we
may contact Social Care to ensure that parents/carers
have appropriate support.
Reporting Progress
Pupils’ progress is reported to parents at reviews and by
the use of home liaison through Keyworkers and regular
progress reports.
New pupils undertake assessment procedures which
provide information from which initial educational targets
can be set. Further assessments take place after an
induction period of twelve weeks, when an Initial Review is
held and an Individual Care and Education Plan drawn up.
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All pupils are reviewed under the statutory requirements of
the Education Acts of 1981 and 1993. These yearly reviews
are held formally with the involvement of parents, local
authority staff and other interested parties.
Should parents wish to check on progress informally,
please contact Mr Dave Stewart (Head Teacher), Mrs
Rebekah Langstone (Head of Pastoral Care) or Mrs Penny
Taylor (SENCo).
General Procedures
What to Do
If your child is absent from school due to illness:
• Please telephone the school between 07:30 am and
8:45 am to inform us of the absence, indicating how
long your child will be off school.
If your child is unable to take part in sport/swimming:
• Please write a note in the Pupil/Parent diary to the
class teacher requesting that your child be excused
from sports for that session.
If your child has a doctors/dentists appointment:
• Please inform the class teacher or the office that your
child will be late into school or will be leaving school
early on the given day.
If your child is unwell before school:
• Please keep your child at home if they are not well
enough to attend school. You will be notified
immediately should your child become unwell or need
treatment during the course of the day. We will of
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course care for any child who becomes ill at school,
and return them home should it be necessary. It is
important that you keep us up to date with changes of
telephone and mobile numbers so that we can contact
you in these circumstances.
If your child needs to take medication:
• All medicines must go to Mrs R Langstone (Head of
Pastoral Care) to be looked after. Medicines should be
accompanied by a note stating your child’s name, the
dosage and times for it to be administered.
• Before administering prescribed drugs/medicines,
written parental consent should be given to Chilworth
House Upper School and confirmation will be sought
by the school from the family GP.
Policies
The following policies are available in school on request.
These are available as written documents but can be made
available in alternative formats if required, e.g. electronic
copy, audio copy, large print or Braille.
Please find below the available policies:
• Statement of Purpose
• Access to Pupils and Visitors to the School Site Policy
• Admissions Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Assessment Recording and Reporting Policy
• Attendance Policy
• Clinical Services Intervention Policy
• Collective Worship Policy
• Complaints and Representations Policy
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Confidential Reporting Code
Control and Discipline Policy
Curriculum Policy Statement
Customer Service Policy
Day Pupils Policy
Disability Discrimination Accessibility Plan
Educational Visits Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy and Guidelines
Evening Activities Policy
Exclusions Policy Statement
First Aid Policy
HIV Policy
Homework Policy
Internet and E-Safety Policy
Medical Care Policy
Medicine Administration and Control Policy
No Smoking Policy
Offensive Weapons Policy Procedure and Guidelines
Performance Management Policy
Personal Possessions Search Policy
Positive Handling Policy
Privacy and Confidentiality Policy
Racial Equality Policy
Recruitment and Selection Policy
Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy Statement
Residential Provision
Safeguarding Policy & Staff Code of Conduct
Sanctions and Consequences Policy
Sex & Relationships Education Policy
Special Educational Needs Policy
Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development Policy
Substance Use & Misuse Policy
Use of School Vehicles & Personal Vehicles Policy
Health & Safety Policy
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Other information
• Parent Handbook
• Pupil Handbook
• Ofsted Report
• School Prospectus
• Staff List
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