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setion of the website contains an online version of the School prospectus.
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| How Large is Driffield School? |
This coming September there will be about 1,700 boys and girls in the school aged from 11 to 19 years. They are based in three separate buildings on the same site and cared for by more than 90 teachers and many non-teaching and ancillary staff.
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| How will my child be placed in a class at Driffield School? |
We take great care in placing all pupils. We are in close touch with all of our local primary schools and we make sure that, where possible, all children have someone in their class from their old school. Naturally, we keep together pupils who have a history of working well with one another and we take advice from our primary colleagues. We also work closely with parents to meet the needs of particular children. Please contact us if you feel there is something we should know about your child or which you would like to discuss.
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| Who is my contact when I speak to the school? |
If you are telephoning, please ask to be put through to the Lower School secretary. She will put you in touch with Mr Greenlaw, the Head of Year 7, or the Deputy Head of Year Mrs Carr, either of whom will be pleased to help with your enquiry. If your child is in Year 8, then please ask for Mr Bemrose, the Head of Year or the Deputy Head of Year, Mrs James. Mr Hughes, the Head of Lower School, is also available to assist you or to deal with emergencies. A message can be left for any of these staff if none of them is available.
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| How can I keep in touch with my Child's progress? |
Your child will have a Record of Achievement for each of their subjects. This will reflect the work which has been done and, where they apply, which of the National Curriculum attainment targets your child has achieved. Each child is given a Planner, not only to record homework but to reflect upon their learning. It is also an effective means of communication between home and school. You will receive an annual report, summarising your child's achievements and setting targets for further development. We also recognise the many and varied achievements of our pupils through a well established ‘merit system’.
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| Is there a Parents Meeting? |
Yes. We hold a parents' meeting early in the Spring Term of Year 7, to which you will be invited, so that you can discuss progress with the staff who teach your child. In the meantime, you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s Form Tutor at an informal get-together in early November. We hope you will be able to attend each of these important occasions. In Year 8 we hold our parents’ meeting early in the Summer Term. Please do not hesitate to contact the school at any time if you have any concerns over your child’s progress.
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| Does the school set homework regularly? |
Yes. All our pupils can expect regular homework as part of their learning. We think homework is important and we operate a flexible timetable so that departments are able to make it an integral part of their programmes of study. Your child will be issued with a homework timetable early in the Autumn term.
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| What should my child do about Lost Property? |
Items which have been found in school are normally taken to the office in the building concerned. To help us return lost property it is most helpful to have all clothing, and as many personal possessions as possible, marked with the name of the owner.
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| Are there any items which my child should not bring to school? |
Yes. We do not encourage children to bring valuable items such as computers, radios, cassettes, personal stereo or "Walkman" players, rings or jewellery. The school also has a policy of no chewing gum, aerosols, Tipp-Ex or other solvent-based product in school. There are obvious reasons for our adopting this ruling, based on health and safety and consideration for others. If it is necessary to bring a large sum of money to school we ask the pupils to hand it to their Form Tutor for safe-keeping.
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| Insurance |
Early in the Autumn term you will receive information about a Personal Accident Insurance Scheme which we make available every year to all of our students. The cost is very small for this cover but the cover is also very limited. It only provides benefits in the case of serious injury, permanent disablement or death. We have found that parents appreciate having this cover but sometimes they also imagine that it covers loss or damage to personal property. Unfortunately it does not. In particular, you should perhaps consider those items which might be brought to school, such as bicycles, musical and sports equipment and any personal valuables. As there is no insurance through the school to cover risks to such items, we strongly advise that you check to see if such things come under any property insurance scheme you may have. Whilst every reasonable care is taken to help students look after their own property around the school, we are not able to accept liability for any loss or damage if it should happen. Fortunately, such instances are extremely rare but it is often better to be safe than sorry, where there is any risk at all.
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| What is the school's policy regarding mobile phones? |
We do not encourage pupils to bring a mobile phone to school but, reluctantly, we have had to accept that they are carried routinely by more and more people. If a mobile phone is brought to school it must be completely at the owner’s risk, be switched off during lessons and only used outside lesson times. Phones which interrupt lessons will be confiscated until the end of the school day. We will write to the parents of any pupil whose phone is causing us problems to ask that it is not brought into school again. Please note that illness whilst at school must be dealt with by staff. We will always telephone you if we consider that your son or daughter is unfit to complete their school day. Pupils must not, therefore, use mobile phones to ask parents to take them home.
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| What should I do when my child has been absent from school through illness? |
If your child's absence is likely to be longer than three days, we would very much appreciate a telephone call to keep us in the picture. Because we are expected by law to monitor absence, we require a note explaining the reason for it on the morning when the child returns to school. We must have a note, even if you have telephoned previously for every single absence. We are always prepared to set pupils work if their absence is for more than a few days. Please let us know if you would like us to do this.
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| What should I do about appointments with such people as the Doctor or Dentist? |
Where possible please try to arrange appointment times outside school hours. When this is not possible, please provide your child with a note and details of the appointment and the time. This should be shown to the Form Tutor and taken along to the office, so that the appointment can be entered in our "Out of School" book. If your son or daughter returns to school after the appointment, he or she should report to the office to register their return before rejoining their class.
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| What is the position on holidays during term-time? |
Government regulations place clear responsibilities on parents in arranging holidays during term-time. These regulations also place firm requirements on schools, in the way they are expected to enforce these regulations. I am quoting below the LEA’s statement to parents which clearly sets out the position. Naturally, I hope you will do everything in your power to abide by these regulations, so that your sons and daughters do not miss out on their educational opportunities and so that we do not enter into awkward and unfortunate conflicts with parents over the enforcement of these regulations. Lea Statement: Family holidays in term time “As you know, pupils of school age must, by law, attend school regularly. If your child is to be away from school you need to ask the school to approve the absence, which they will do when there is a good reason. You cannot yourself authorise a child’s absence. Please do not plan a family holiday in term time if you can avoid this. If you do have to ask permission to take your child out of school for a holiday, try not to ask for absence when your child is preparing for or taking examinations and important tests (your class teacher can give you advice on this); and give at least two weeks’ notice that your child is going to be away. Schools do not have to agree to absence for a holiday, although they have the power to do so. But they cannot legally authorise more than ten school days absence in a school year unless there are exceptional circumstances. Schools will consider every request for leave for a holiday individually. The most important consideration is the effect an absence would have on your child’s education. If your trip is a long one, a teacher may set work for your child to do while away. If the school does agree to a holiday in term time it is very important that your child comes back to school promptly. Where a pupil fails to return within ten school days of the agreed return date, and there is no good reason for this, such as illness, the school may remove your child’s name from the school roll. This means your child would no longer have a place at this school. A pupil’s absence during term time can seriously disrupt their learning. Not only do they miss the teaching provided on the days they are away, they are also less prepared for the lessons after their return. There is a consequent risk of underachievement which the school, and you, must seek to avoid. This is likely to prevent your child from achieving their best”. School’s Advice: Pupils are allowed up to 10 school days in a calendar year to "accompany their parents on their annual holiday". This is to help parents who simply cannot take their holiday during the normal school holidays. If you need to make use of this facility, please obtain a holiday form from us. When considering your holiday arrangements, please try to avoid examination periods and the first few weeks of the Autumn term. The regulations make it clear that holiday forms cannot be used to cover occasional absences and we are required to record a day’s shopping trip with parents or a ‘family day out’ as ‘unauthorised’ absence.
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| What equipment will my child need at school? |
In order to be prepared for school each day, we would ask that your child has:
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| What can I do to help my child? |
Please check that your child leaves home each morning properly equipped for school. A timetable displayed at home will help you to make sure that all the necessary books, pens, pencils and games kit are safely in the school bag! Some children may also need a gentle reminder to pick up their dinner money and bus pass before they leave home. Of course, we would very much hope you will take a continuing interest in the work your son or daughter is doing at school and that you will discuss things as they crop up in their studies. You will be able to offer particular encouragement (and help, where appropriate) in the homework which is set. We always welcome the support which parents are able to give to their children outside school hours and feel sure you will want to be very closely involved.
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The following statements give an indication of our belief and our commitment in providing for special educational needs:
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| Who do i talk to in school if my child has a problem? |
The Head of Year, the Form Tutor or the Head of Learning Support.
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| Who will help? |
All the staff who teach your child will give all the help they can.
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| Who else can give my child special help? |
To support the teaching staff within the school, our Learning Support Team of assistants can be made available to offer extra help, both within the classroom and through more individual programmes outside the classroom, directed by the Head of Learning Support and according to the level of needs identified. Students in Year 12 also offer their support and help with pupils.
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| Can my child get round the school building easily? |
The school has ramps for wheelchairs, toilets for the disabled in Middle and Upper school, grab rails in Lower, Middle and Upper school on some stairs. We are always seeking to improve our facilities, in co-operation with the Education Committee. Some staff help students move around the site between lessons.
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| How will the school know if my child has a problem? |
By listening and discussing the situation with parents; talking to and visiting his or her last teachers; by working with your child and from the results of any tests.
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| How will you teach my child? |
In Year 7 and 8 your child will be in mixed ability groups for most of his or her lessons. Sometimes it is necessary to offer extra help in the classrooms. This is arranged by requests from the teachers and dependent upon the SEN assessment stage of the student. Sometimes we offer withdrawal lessons in the Learning Support Base in Middle School; these are only carried out with the agreement of the pupil, a parent and a teacher.
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| What will teachers use to help my child? |
In the Learning Support Base there are a range of specialist materials available; these are mainly to help with reading, writing, spelling and listening skills. There are computers, tape recorders, word processors, computer laptops, spellmasters and a language master. Some of this equipment is loaned to other sections of the school when requested. Some students, particularly those with Dyslexia, Sensory or Learning Impairments, may be entitled to special arrangements when external examinations occur eg, Year 9 SAT’s and GCSE’s. The school will monitor this closely, but please contact the school if you require further information about these special arrangements.
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| How will teachers find out how well my child is doing? |
The teachers assess the work of your son or daughter and achievement lesson by lesson. They would be able to tell you about progress. There are also National Curriculum tests which your son or daughter takes at the end of Year 9 which may give further information. You will also have an idea how you think your child is performing.
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| How will I find out how my child is doing? |
The school has a system of reporting to parents at Parents Evenings and through a report system once a year. Twice a year the progress of students with special educational needs is reviewed; a summary of this information is sent home to you as parents and your responses are most welcome. However, if you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact the form tutor who will help with any concerns you may have. The school may contact you by phone or letter to keep you informed or updated on any changes in your child’s progress. We use the homework diary part of our student planner to help record information. Please ask your son or daughter to show you this every week.
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| When will you tell me how my child is doing? |
The annual school reports will tell you how your child is doing; in addition there is the SEN review process as stated above. Should there be any difficulties then we will let you know and invite you to visit school to talk about this. In some instances your child will have an individual plan to work twoards and there will be an opportunity for you to be involved and share in this process. There will be extra meetings held in school to discuss these individual programmes with you and your child.
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| Who else from outside school may help my child? |
These services may give extra help if it is needed:
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| How can Ihelp? |
Be prepared to listen to your child, show an interest in his or her work and offer praise and encouragement. Keep us informed and contact us if you are not sure about anything. Ask your child to show you his or her books and school planner. Come to meetings or arrange another time if it does not suit your convenience; school is always willing to make alternative arrangements.
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| What happens when my child leaves this school? |
During the last 2 years at school there are many chances to come in and talk about what will happen. The careers service visit school regularly to talk to the students and an appointment can always be made at the careers service to talk to someone if you are not able to come into school. The Head of Learning Support meets and talks to the teachers at Bishop Burton College, Beverley College of Further Education and East Yorkshire College and shares with them any special needs your son or daughter may have and any special arrangements they may have received during their time at school. This means that the college can continue with the help. We want to work with you to help your child. We hope that these few points have answered some of your questions. If you have had any concerns about the Special Needs provision available at the school. If you want to know more, please contact the Head of Learning Support:
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| What should I know about my child's journey to and from school? |
If you live in Driffield your child will probably walk or cycle to school. The number of people converging on the site in the morning and leaving it in the afternoon means that it becomes very congested. Walkers should keep to the footpaths and, along with cyclists, if they enter the site from Manorfield Road they should turn left alongside Middle School, making their way to Lower School across the Middle School playground. This keeps them away from the buses and other traffic in our narrow main drive. Cycles should be roadworthy and equipped with working lights in the winter months. They can be left in the cycle rack between the Upper School staffroom and canteen during the day and a secure bike lock is an essential precaution. Parents should ensure that bicycles are covered by their household contents insurance. If you intend to bring your child to school by car, please do not bring your car onto the school site. It eases congestion considerably if children are allowed to alight in Manorfield Road or on Bridlington Road at a safe distance from the islands or bollards. We would very much appreciate similar arrangements at the end of the day.
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| What about pupils who travel by Bus? |
If you live three miles or more from Driffield School, your child is entitled to a free bus pass. Pupils who live less than three miles from Driffield receive a different type of bus pass which enables them to travel at half the adult fare. Pupils who do not have a bus pass, or have either lost or forgotten it, are expected to pay the full adult fare to school. Please remind your children of the need for good behaviour on the school buses.
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| What should I do if a bus pass is lost? |
All Humberside County Council travel permits can be replaced free of charge through the Lower School secretary.
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| Whom should I contact about problems with school transport? | Mr Harris deals with matters relating to school transport. He will be pleased to help, support or advise you as necessary. |
| What First Aid Facilities does the school have? |
The school has a well-trained and fully qualified first aider who deals with minor injuries and any arrangements necessary for pupils who have been taken ill during the day. Although many of the teachers have first aid qualifications, the school has no one who is medically qualified. All matters which go beyond basic first aid or resuscitation have to be referred to the hospital or family doctor as appropriate. The current regulations on giving paracetamol tablets only allow us to give one tablet to any girl who is suffering from period pains. In such cases, our First Aider or our office staff will ask appropriate questions about previous use of paracetamol and, where necessary, contact parents and check school records for any noted allergy. If there are any special needs for administering medication or any other kind of regular medical treatment we would like you to let us know about this as early as possible so that we can consider whether we will be able to make the necessary arrangements. It is very important that you inform us immediately of any change of address or phone number so that we are able to contact you quickly in the case of an emergency involving your child.
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| What happens if my child requires Hospital Treatment? |
A child with minor injuries is normally transported to the Alfred Bean Hospital by car, but in the case of more serious injuries or unconsciousness an ambulance would be summoned. Under present arrangements, more serious injuries are treated at Hull Royal Infirmary or Scarborough Hospital. We will always make every effort to contact you in these circumstances, but, to help us in this it is vital that you keep us well informed about where we can contact you and that you make us aware on our registration form of any medical details which might be vital to hospital staff in considering the appropriate treatment for your child. Our prime concern on these occasions is the well-being of the child and we fully recognise your desire to be at the hospital to offer moral support to your child, give consent for any further treatment which may be required, or simply to arrange transport home.
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| Is there a school uniform? |
Yes. The use of a recommended uniform is something that parents, teachers and governors have found desirable. The standard of turn-out in the Lower School has always been excellent and we would very much like to maintain this level of support from our pupils and their parents. We clarified our position on school uniform last year after extensive consultation with governors and parents. We continue to do all we can to ensure that parents have a wide choice in how they source most items of uniform and that the cost is kept as low as possible. Uniform is a very important part of the identity and working atmosphere of the school and we should be very glad of your co-operation in maintaining this tradition.
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| The Recommended Uniform |
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| Assistance with School Clothing and Meals |
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council gives assistance to parents in providing school clothing and free school meals in cases of need. Parents who believe that they may be entitled to this should contact County Hall in Beverley. The telephone number is 01482 887700.
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| Physical Education and Games Lessons - Essential Kit |
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| Swimming |
One-piece
swim-suit and towel for girls. In both gymnasia and the Sports Hall footwear must be clean and have soles which do not mark floors. Training shoes may be worn outside on hard surfaces such as playground and tennis courts.
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| Where can i buy School Clothing and PE Kit? |
Many items of school clothing and PE kit can be obtained in any clothing store. However, our embroidered sweatshirts, polo shirts and school tie can only be obtained from Drury Sports, Phillips Sports Shop or the Yorkshire Trading Company. Plain sweatshirts and polo shirts can also be obtained from First Choice. Please note that if you prefer to purchase these plain items, Marley Print Promotions are able to heat seal the school logo onto the garment for £1. Alternatively, a high quality embroidered logo is available from Mr Harris at the school, priced at £1.40, for you to stitch onto the garment.
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| Protective Clothing |
Some form of apron is ideal for protecting school clothing in practical subjects and may be obtained from the Design and Technology Department. For Art an old shirt worn back to front is excellent.
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| Marking School Clothing |
May we make a further plea that all clothing be clearly marked with your child's name? Young people sometimes tend to be careless with their property and unmarked items are difficult to trace.
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| Is there a way in which parents can support the school? |
Yes! The school has a flourishing association which organises many activities throughout the year. The Driffield School Association will be represented at each of our Open Evenings and you will be kept in touch with all the events they propose. For further information please contact the Secretary of the Association, Mr Paul Atkinson, here at the school.
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| Does the school have a list of rules? |
The school has a clear list of basic expectations which we display in classrooms and discuss from time to time with all students. We present a copy of this, for your information, at the end of this section of the prospectus and hope that you will feel able to support us in maintaining these standards. In all situations, we expect pupils to behave in a responsible way with due regard for the rights and property of others. We do not accept anti-social behaviour and we will not hesitate to contact you if there is something you should know or if we need your support. In this, and in other important areas of education, we feel it is most helpful to work in partnership with parents. The school has a well-developed policy on ‘Relationships, Behaviour and Discipline’ which covers a range of situations and offers guidance to staff. It also includes detailed advice to staff about how to deal with bullying, based on extensive training and expertise in this area, provided by our own specialist staff and from national and international advice and research on bullying. The school has a high level of commitment to resolving such cases and our staff feel confident in the success that they achieve in helping students in times of difficulty, whatever the cause or nature of distress. Our ‘Home–School Agreement’ is sent to you and to all other parents, in line with government policy. You will receive your copy in September and be asked to sign and return it. The agreement sets out what we expect of our pupils and how you can help us ensure that your child receives the best possible education. It certainly represents a strong commitment to working together as partners in your son or daughter’s education and we hope you will always feels able to support us in this.
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| If difficulties should occur |
Difficulties can arise from time to time and, in such circumstances, we would ask you to talk to us. We will always do our best to explain our approach to you and give you reasons for the judgements we make and the actions that we take, in the best interests of your own child – and also in the interests of the school more generally.
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| School Drug Policy |
The school, like all others throughout Britain, has a drug policy. This outlines its position on drug related matters. A summary is included with this prospectus. The full policy is far more detailed and relates more closely to specific guidance for staff. The school is committed to a well-developed drugs education programme, which is delivered through guidance lessons and other parts of the curriculum. We have continually taken an active part in regional initiatives to develop effective strategies for drug education and feel confident that all students at Driffield School are well-equipped to make sensible decisions about their lifestyles. They are never short of information and advice and we sincerely hope they will all make use of this wisely throughout their personal lives. We are always happy to work supportively with parents, if they have questions or concerns.
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When was the school last inspected by OFSTED? |
The school was inspected last year. The first paragraph of the report summed up the experience. “This is a good school with some very good features. The ethos is very good. The school makes a distinctive contribution to the community”. A summary of the findings of the inspection is available from the school on request. (Or follow the link left).
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| What we expect of you. |
These are the things which will help you to be successful at school:
Make sure you behave sensibly and considerately on your way to and from school. Remember, travel by bus can be refused if behaviour is unacceptable.
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