For Parents
Click here to view the school newsletters
Click here to view the school prospectus
School Policies:
The School anti-bullying Policy
Is my Child being bullied?
The School Uniform Policy
School Uniform Letter
The School Discipline Policy
The Classroom code
The Classroom Code of Conduct: Your Choice
After School Detention Procedures
Complaints Procedure
Data Protection Information
Click here to access the Freedom of Information Act
Privacy Notice. Data Protection Act 1998
Click here to view the school critical incident recovery plan
Click here for an overview of the School Impovement Plan
Click here to view the school calendar
Mobile Phones
We take in the morning several mobile phones and give them back at the end of day. All phones are named and kept safe within the school office. This prevents the sorry tale we have where phones have gone missing. Any student caught with a phone during school hours will automatically have it confiscated. This is then kept in the school safe and can only be collected on the last day of term or sooner by a parent or responsible adult.
Jewellery
The procedure for confiscated jewellery is exactly the same as for mobile phones.
Borrowed Money for Lunch / Bus Fare For Years 7 8 & 9 ONLY
Money is still being borrowed and not returned. We now have to write home to parents. Although we try to be accommodating here, we have limited funds, please remind students we are not able to lend for cake sales and drinks etc, this money is for emergencies only! If, after repeated requests, money is still not returned the pupil in question will no longer be eligible to borrow again. It costs us more to retrieve the money by writing home and reminding parents than it does to lend it in the first place. If this continues, we will no longer be lending money.
Click here to view the home school agreement
THE HOME SCHOOL AGREEMENT
As a school, we will do our best:
• To fulfil our mission statement and uphold the values of the Catholic Church
• To provide a broad and balanced curriculum and keep parents informed termly about their son/daughter’s progress
• To keep parents informed of any serious problems that may arise in school, i.e. concerns about work, behaviour or bullying
• To monitor use of homework diaries and respond to parental concerns expressed therein
• To deal with parental concerns promptly aiming to make an initial response within twenty four hours
• To provide a quality teaching and learning experience for each student
• To maintain an open door policy for teacher/parent discussion
• To apply the school’s policy* on rewards and sanctions fairly and keep parents informed.
• To provide parents with a half termly newsletter and all relevant information regarding school life
• To set, mark and monitor homework effectively
• To ensure a safe, secure learning environment
• To provide equality of opportunity for all students
• To listen to the students and provide opportunities for them to contribute to school life through the student council
• To provide a range of extra curricular activities and opportunities for out of school hours learning
As parents/carers we will do our best:
• To support the mission statement and uphold the values of the Catholic Church
• To ensure our son/daughter attends school regularly and punctually
• To telephone the school on the first day of absence by 10.00 am and on return send a written explanation
• To ensure that our son/daughter arrives at school in correct school uniform and properly equipped
• To undertake not to request leave of absence in term time except in exceptional circumstances
• To keep the school informed about changes in home address, telephone number and other contact information
• To keep the school informed about any concerns or problems which might affect my son/daughter’s work or behaviour, e.g. bullying, family concerns
• To actively support my son/daughter with homework and sign the homework planner each week
• To respond to all school concerns promptly and effectively
• To support the school’s disciplinary policy, including evening detentions. I am aware of school policy that possession of illegal drugs in school will usually lead to permanent exclusion
• To attend parent/teacher consultation evenings and other relevant meetings
• To support the Nicholas Breakspear School Association where possible to encourage my child’s active involvement in extra curricular activities
As a student at Nicholas Breakspear School I will do my best:
• To work within our Mission Statement and respect the needs and rights of others. I shall under no circumstances bully other students.
• To arrive at school each day on time, in full and correct school uniform and with the correct equipment
• To show respect for and co-operate with all members of the school community
• To follow the NBS Code of Conduct
• To accept fairly applied sanctions including evening detentions
• To behave well on journeys to and from school
• To record all homework in the homework diary and complete it on time
• To make sure any letters/messages between home and school are delivered promptly
• To work to the best of my ability and respect the right of other students to learn
• To take pride in my school and become actively involved in school life, including extra curricular activities where possible
• To respect school property and help keep the school free from litter and graffiti
Ofsted have reported back provisionally and we have their draft findings. We will make the full report available to you as soon as it is received.
The School Ofsted Report 2009
The report describes many strengths of the school and judges it to be good with a grade 2 in three categories and satisfactory with a grade 3 in three categories. The areas judged to be good were the school's curriculum, the school's personal development and well-being, and students' care, guidance and support. The areas judged to be satisfactory were students' overall achievements and standards, teaching and learning, and overall leadership and management.
The judgement of satisfactory in three categories is slightly disappointing, given the enormous efforts made, and the success achieved, in raising academic standards over the past three years. The report does note the impressive increase in the proportion of students gaining success in five A*-C grades at GCSE and demonstrates the schools' sound capacity to secure further improvement.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend grateful thanks to all parents for their support, and particularly those who were kind enough to return the questionnaire. We look forward to working with you in the future as we continue to strive for excellent standards at Nicholas Breakspear School.
These quotes are taken directly from the recent Ofsted report, crown copyright Ofsted 2009
Overall effectiveness of the school
" A focus on improving outcomes for middle attaining students in Key Stage 4 has led to a greater proportion of students attaining five or more higher grade GCSEs, including English and mathematics."
"The good curriculum provides students with a wide range of academic and vocational courses in the main school. Initiatives implemented through the school's sports specialism are contributing effectively to the curriculum and students' personal development."
"Students' personal development and well-being are good, as are the care, guidance and support they receive. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good, enhanced by the school's Catholic ethos and values. The school assembly seen during the inspection was outstanding, raising awareness of cultural diversity and promoting spiritual reflection and community cohesion. It provided students with an inspirational start to the day."
"Students enjoy school. Attendance is above the national average. Relationships between all groups are particularly impressive. The great majority of students behave well."
"Students' have a good understanding of how to keep safe and their contribution to the school and wider community is impressive and preparing them well for adult life."
Effectiveness of the Sixth Form
"The pass rate at A level is above the national average."
"Students' personal development and well-being are good. They make a good contribution to the whole-school community and they relish opportunities to take on responsibilities offered."
"Students are also very active in charity work and a significant number work as Red Caps on the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes."
"The sport specialist status has enabled students to have access to a wide range of extra-curricular provision, and the on-site farm adds to students' opportunities to explore environmental issues."
"Students speak highly of the strong pastoral support they receive."
"High quality teaching leads to standards that are well above the national expectations in physical education"
Personal Development and well-being (Good)
"Behaviour, both in lessons and around the school, is good. Students are courteous to their peers, to staff and to visitors. Students assert, and school research clearly shows, that bullying is rare."
"Students have a good understanding of different cultures. They are well prepared for living in our diverse society. The school has extensive sporting, cultural and charitable links with both the local and global communities."
"The school's sports specialism contributes much to the students' good healthy lifestyles."
"The school council provides an effective student voice. It plays a full part in school decision-making, including having a regular role in the appointment of members of the teaching staff. This, together with the many enrichment activities provided through the curriculum, helps students to develop self-confidence and other skills that prepare them well for their futures."
Quality of Provision Teaching and Learning
"Good relationships permeate lessons and set a positive climate for learning. Teachers share the learning objectives with students from the outset so they are generally clear about the purpose of the lesson. Good subject knowledge enables teachers to explain key ideas well."
"In the best lessons teachers use challenging questioning and a range of approaches that ensure students are active learners who share ideas and show initiative. Students clearly enjoy these lessons."
Curriculum and other activities (Good)
"Good provision in the main school meets the needs and aspirations of students and their parents very well, particularly at Key Stage 4. An increasing emphasis on personalised programmes ensures that almost all students follow their preferred options. Triple science, French and German, and English language and literature are on offer for students pursuing academic qualifications. An increasing number of vocational courses, such as Business and Technology Education Council and college courses in construction, are improving opportunities for a wider range of studies for 14- to 19-year-olds."
"Large numbers of students take part in a wide range of enrichment activities including hobbies, educational trips and opportunities for the gifted and talented."
"Over 50 students participated in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the past academic year."
"Sports College status makes an outstanding contribution to curriculum provision within PE."
"The curriculum is responsive to the interests and needs of students."
"A core 'aesthetic' option, whereby students learn dance, trampoline and self-defence, has been introduced with a view to promoting long-term healthy lifestyles."
Care, guidance and support (Good)
"At the time of the inspection, the school met all safeguarding, child protection and health and safety requirements. Indeed, it maintains them in an exemplary manner. Students feel safe around the school and in the local environment. Should they have a problem, they are confident about finding an adult to help them resolve it."
"Attendance is good, supported by the work of the attendance officer who makes an outstanding contribution to maintaining it at this level"
"The school has a comprehensive programme to ensure that students know their targets and that these are reviewed and updated."
"Strong links with primary schools ensure a smooth transfer to Year 7."
"Students in Year 11 are equally well supported with specialist help and careers guidance"
Leadership and Management
"The increasing effectiveness of the sports specialism and the impressive increase in the proportion of students' gaining success in five A* to C grades at GCSE demonstrate the school's sound capacity to secure further improvement."
"A real strength of the school are the steps it takes, both within its own community and beyond, to promote community cohesion. Partnerships with other agencies, including local schools and colleges, are also good."
"Over the last three years increasing numbers of students gained five or more higher grade GCSEs, including English and mathematics, because of the additional support provided by the school."
"The great range of sporting and outdoor activities (and) the school's strong Catholic ethos supports spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well."
"(The school makes) an effective contribution to the school, local and global communities. Staff give good care, support and guidance and pupils value their support."
"Senior leaders are committed to securing a good education for everyone."
