Contents Page
Holiday Term Dates / 4
School Vision / 5
School Reception / Student Services / Lockers / 6
School Gateway / WisePay / 7/8
Access / I.D Cards / 9
Sports Centre / 10
The Behaviour for Learning Team: Year Leaders / 11
Tutor System / 12
The Curriculum / 13
Special Educational Needs / RE / Marriotts Life Skills / 14
Sex and Relationships Education / Homework – Show My Homework / 15
Reporting and Understanding Data / 16
Attendance and Punctuality / 17
The School Day / Transport to School / 18
Extra-Curricular Activities / School Trips / 19
Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices / Equipment for School / 20
Dress Code / 21
Uniform / PE kit / Participation in PE lessons / 22
Behaviour (Respect) and Behaviour for Learning (Attitude) / Teaching and Learning / 25
Student Charter / 26
Home School Agreement / 27
Working Together / Frequently Asked Questions / 28
How you can help your child ? / 29
Contact Us / Message from the Headteacher / 30
Welcome to Marriotts School and the Marriotts Family
W
e are delighted that you will be joining us in September 2016 and look forward to working with you at this exciting time in the school’s development. We are fully subscribed and are thrilled to have over 200 new Year 7’s joining us on our journey to be the best possible school for our students. We have a wonderful team of staff, fantastic students and our new school building has the space, equipment and facilities needed for 21st Century learning. The new Marriotts: why go anywhere else?
Improvements in academic performance and other areas of school life continue. As we continue to expand we continue to improve. Last years’ exam results were the best in the school’s history with English results above national averages. We expect further improvements of 5 x A*-C including English and Maths results this summer. We will continue to see achievement improve at a pace thanks to our great teaching and rigorous tracking systems. The school is recognised by both the community and official bodies (Arts Council, Investors in People and Sport England) for the excellent education we provide.
We remain a comprehensive community school committed to delivering a broad, balanced and appropriate curriculum of the highest quality to our students. In the area of PE, Performing Arts and Community Sport we innovate, lead and provide resources and training for the whole county and beyond as part of our specialist status. Our partnership with Stevenage FC is adding to our specialism and many of Stevenage FC’s elite players are now educated here.
We are now part of the Meller Educational Trust Family of Schools. As such, we are part of a group of very successful schools who are working together to share resources and expertise in order to continually improve and to widen the opportunities that we can offer our students. David Meller, Chair of the Trust brings his outstanding business expertise which will put our students at the cutting edge when they are considering their future careers. Through our other partner, The University of Hertfordshire, we will ensure our students have the best possible advice, guidance and support as they move on to higher education.
We know that as students and parents you will become positive and active members of our school community. As students, you will make new friends and learn new subjects and skills. We want you to feel safe, secure and happy and importantly, to make the most of the opportunities that the school provides. We want every student to achieve their full potential and to understand that our key focus is learning. You must be proud of your school and work to make it better. Your individual commitment in terms of energy, enthusiasm and engagement is vital to the success of the school as a whole.
As parents there will be a number of opportunities to become involved with your child’s education and the school. We look forward to getting to know you all and welcome your thoughts and ideas about how we can move forward. If we all work together, we will be able to give students a great education, wonderful opportunities and the best examination results.
Our students have so much to offer and deserve the best possible education to help them to achieve their goals and to develop the skills they need to live good, successful lives.
Ms B Honnor Mrs T Perschky Mrs A Taylor
Headteacher Year Leader – Year 7 Assistant Headteacher – SEND & Inclusion
Holiday Term Dates 2016 - 2017
Year 7 students start on Friday, 2nd September at 11.00am until 2.00pm.
Autumn Term 2016
Friday, 2nd September to Wednesday, 21st December 2016
Half Term
Monday, 24th to Friday, 28th October 2016
Christmas Holiday
Thursday, 22nd December 2016 to Wednesday, 4th January 2017
Spring Term 2017
Thursday, 5th January to Friday 31st March 2017
Half Term
Monday, 13th February to Friday, 17th February 2017
Easter Holiday
Monday, 3rd April to Monday, 17th April 2017
Summer Term 2017
Tuesday, 18th April to Friday 21st July 2017
Summer Half Term
Monday, 29th May to Friday 2nd June 2017
Please note: Inset days and an occasional day have yet to be published. We will inform you of these days via the SchoolComms Communication system and our school website.
All school dates will be provided at the start of term and will be announced in Parents Newsletters.
Please also see our website for more details.
www.marriotts.herts.sch.uk
School Vision
Our Vision is to ensure that every single student reaches and exceeds their potential and leaves us with the qualifications, skills and attitudes that they need to move on to the next stage of their lives.
Student Mission Statement
Aim high. Work hard. Be kind.
Education changes everything: your horizon, your enjoyment and your economic situation. Everyone has a right to an education that will allow them to succeed and to live a good and successful life. To help us ensure we deliver the right education for your child we have four wildly important goals that are at the heart of everything we do.
Wildly Important Goals
1. 100% of students achieve their personal best.
Every student needs to make progress according to their starting point, their individual ability and their particular strengths. It is our job as a school to challenge and support students to be the best that they can be, to track their progress carefully and to intervene when it is not good enough.
2. Every lesson, every day, good or better.
In order for students to make good progress and achieve well, they need good teaching every lesson, every day. At Marriotts we work closely with all of our teachers tracking their performance, sharing good practice and providing the training needed to ensure teaching is always good.
3. High quality professional development for all staff.
It all starts with a good teacher. We work hard to attract the best possible teachers and to ensure that they, and all members of our staff teams, receive the training that they need to excel in their roles.
4. 360o of care, support and challenge for our students and their families.
We are committed to pastoral care, personal, social, moral, health and spiritual education and to removing barriers to students’ learning. We have a strong team of pastoral and inclusion staff whose role it is to ensure that all students and families at Marriotts are supported.
Conclusion
Marriotts School is a vibrant, happy learning community, which is committed to raising achievement through continuous improvement. We strive for excellence in all we do.
We are very proud of our school and have high expectations of those who join us.
School Reception/Student Services
School Reception
The School Reception is open to the public from 8.00am until 4.30pm, Monday to Thursday and from 8.00am to 4.00pm on Fridays. The office is manned throughout this time. Our staff are able to help you with any questions or enquiries that you may have and will endeavour to assist you as promptly as they can.
On Tuesdays at 10:00 am the school office is closed for an Admin Team Meeting. Emergency calls will be taken by other staff members, but please avoid visiting or contacting Reception during this time.
Students Services
Student Services offers a wide variety of services to students. It is located next to the café on the ground floor.
Student Services is open at the following times:
Before school 8.00am – 8.30am
Break time 10.55am – 11.15am
Lunchtime 1.20pm – 2.00pm
After school 3.00pm – 4.00pm (3.30pm on a Friday)
All lost property will be stored at Student Services. Should your child lose an item of clothing, equipment etc. whilst at school they should check at Student Services to see if it has been handed in. Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly marked with your child’s name so that in the event of an item being lost, we can return the item to your child as soon as possible.
If your child loses their timetable we can print a new one. If timetables are repeatedly lost, a small charge will be made for a new one.
Students may make phone calls home from Student Services in an emergency, calls cannot be made to make social arrangements.
Student Services holds a stock of school aprons and basic stationary which can be purchased by students at a reasonable price at any of the times above.
Any problems with a student’s access card should be reported to Student Services.
If a student has forgotten their lunch, or money for lunch, they should speak to Student Services as they can arrange for an emergency lunch ticket.
Student Services also maintains the Biometric system, if you have confirmed we are able to use your child’s biometrics, they need to go to Student Services to have their Index finger scanned.
Non-emergency medical care is only available at the times listed above.
Lockers
Lockers are available for hire at a cost of £5.00. This hire is valid for the whole time your child is at Marriotts School. If you are in receipt of Free School Meals the locker is free. In both cases if the key is lost a replacement will cost £5.00. If your child loses their key they need to contact Student Services.
School Gateway Communication
Marriotts use an electronic communication system called School Gateway. School Gatewayallows two-way communication between the school and the parent/carer via text messaging or email. In order for you as the parent/carer to receive the maximum possible benefits from this new system we require a valid email address and mobile telephone number for the Priority 1 contact.
The School Gateway App allows you to view your child’s attendance and you are able to notify the school of any absences regarding your child. You will be able to see their timetable showing you which lessons they have, achievement - showing you how many achievement points your child has accumulated in the current academic year and medical details, showing you the medical information we have on our system for your child. You are able to message back from the App with any changes to your own or child’s details i.e. update Mobile phone number or change of address.
School Gateway is monitored throughout the day by the Admin staff at Marriotts, so if you were to send a message, a response would be received shortly after.
If you experience any problems either with the App or School Gateway, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Goff on who will assist is resolving any issues.
By downloading the App from Schoolcomms, it will allow Marriotts to communicate with you via text free of charge!
The set-up process is simple and will take no more than a couple of minutes:
1. Search for “School Gateway” in the Apple App Store/Google Play or on your phone go to www.schoolgateway.com/apple (Apple) or www.schoolgateway.com/android (Android).
2. Install the app and if you are asked, say yes to “Allow Push Notifications”.
3.When you launch School Gateway for the first time, please select ‘New User’ and enter the email address and mobile telephone number you have registered with the school.
4.The system will send a PIN code to your phone; please enter this PIN code and the App will be activated for you.
As soon as you have the system set-up, all text messages we send you will appear in the App; you will receive notifications/alerts as normal.
You may find the following SchoolGateway contact numbers useful:-
Absence Text Number: 01438 300121
This is the virtual mobile number from which absence alert SMS text messages are sent to parent/carers, you can also text this number to report your child absent or inform the school of medical appointments etc.
Absence Hotline Number: 01438 726999 (Select option 1 and then option 2)
This is the number parents/carers call to access the automated absence hotline to leave a voicemail message.
Attendance Email Address:
Please inform the school by 8.30am everyday your child is going to be absent from school.
WisePay
Marriotts uses WisePay to collect money for school trips online. WisePay can be accessed via the Marriotts school website under the “Parents” section. WisePay is a secure system, which eliminates the need for students to bring cash into school. Cash in school is discouraged and so we ask if you are unable to use WisePay that cheques are used as an alternative. There are several benefits to using WisePay, such as it creates a record of all your payments in your user account called ‘MyWiseAccount’ and refunds can be made via electronic payment rather than a cheque.
Your user name and password are e-mailed out every time there is a school trip, so you simply need to ensure that you have registered your e-mail address with the school and we will do the rest.