Information for New Year 7

The pastoral care students receive at LJFS is truly first class. No young person goes unnoticed and the needs of each individual young person lies at the heart of everything that we do. The Year 7 pastoral team will work to ensure that your child makes friends, enjoys school and achieves their full potential. You will have the opportunity to meet the team during the information evening.

Mr Semmens Year 7 Form Tutor

Mr Semmens will be the Year 7 Form Tutor, He will be working alongside the pastoral team and Student Liaison for Key Stage 3 Mrs Aibi to ensure students are happy and making progress.

Mrs Aibi – Inclusion Manager & KS3 Student Liaison

Mrs Aibi is your point of call for any queries or concerns that are not academic. Mrs Aibi will answer questions or will arrange for the relevant member of staff to give you a call. She can be contacted on 0113 2930578. Mrs Aibi coordinates support to ensure high levels of attendance and punctuality are maintained across the school.

New Year 7 students should arrive by 8.10am. Please do not drive onto the school site. All students should be smartly dressed in their new school uniform, with no jewellery etc. They will need their pencil case and writing equipment. They will not need PE equipment on the first day. (please refer to the other booklet for equipment and the website for uniform).

There are a number of statutory documents which parents must read before students join us in September. These can be found in the ‘Key Information’ section of our website.

We expect all students to either to use the school restaurant or buy their own lunch from the Zone. (the Zone is independent of LJFS). Students can also bring their own Kosher packed lunch (see Kosher Code of Conduct). In addition, students have access to free water from our water cooler located in the school.

The cost of school meals

We provide a variety of Kosher meal deals which are priced at £3.75

Free school meals

We encourage all families to check if they are eligible for free school meals. Your Local Authority will be able to help you with information on whether you are entitled and will be able to provide you with an application form. Please note: contact the Local Authority in the area that you live.

Students must have the correct equipment for all lessons. They must bring a pencil case with pens, purple pen, pencils, a sharpener, rubber and a dictionary. In addition, students should bring a protractor, a calculator, a ruler, and a mathematical compass.

Illness

We understand that on occasions students may have to miss school due to ill health. We ask that parents:

• Adopt a bracing approach to illness. Please only keep students off school when it is absolutely necessary.

• Provide a written explanation for the absence for your child to bring to Student Services on the day of return.

• Provide supporting medical evidence if the absence exceeds 5 days

Medical Appointments

Medical/dental appointments should be made out of school hours to prevent disruption to learning. Where this is not possible please write in to Student Services with the appropriate evidence e.g. letter/appointment card. We will require this in order to authorise the absence.

Holidays

Holidays must not be taken during term time. School holiday dates are published a year in advance. The Government has recently made amendments to the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006, which came into force on 1st September 2013. The amendment states Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence for holidays during the term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Parents needing leave of absence for exceptional circumstances should apply to the Headteacher. A form is obtainable from Student Services. The exceptional reason should be outlined in detail and evidenced. Holiday cost, climate and availability will not be considered by the Headteacher. We may look at other factors when deciding whether to authorise an absence request including the students’ record of attendance and whether they will miss any examinations.

Parents who take their children on holiday without permission will incur unauthorised absence for their child. These remain on the child’s record and will be monitored.

Religious Observation

Jewish and Christian holidays are already covered by the school’s holiday schedule. Any additional requests for other religious holidays should be made in writing in advance to the Headteacher. Such requests will only be granted where the day is exclusively set apart for religious observance by the religious body to which the parent(s) and/or child belong.

Punctuality

Good punctuality is also essential for students’ progress. Being just 5 minutes late a day is equivalent to missing 3.4 school days per year. When a child arrives late to school it can be very disruptive not only to your child but also to the teacher and other children in the class. If your child is late (after 8.20am) they will be marked as late on the register and issue with a detention. . They will be expected to attend a same day detention. If your child arrives after 9.00am without good reason they will be marked as absent for the morning session. The absence will be unauthorised and will affect their attendance record. They will also be expected to attend a same day detention. We understand that school buses are sometimes late. This will be taken into consideration when issuing punishments/fines.

Part-time Employment

Part time employment cannot be accepted as a reason for non-attendance at detention or failure to do homework. Parents are reminded that no child under the age of 13 may be employed and that for children of 13-16 full details must be sent to the Local Education Authority by the employer within four days. For any queries contact your local authority.

How We Will Support You in Encouraging Good Attendance

• School reports will show your child’s level of attendance and punctuality record. We will clearly indicate if it is a cause for concern;

• In school all students will be given up to date information about their attendance / punctuality and form tutors will praise students with excellent attendance 100% – 99% and will hold coaching conversations with those that need improvement;

• Parents will be informed by letter / phone call if we have concerns about attendance and punctuality levels.