Dear Parent/Carer

Last autumn you received the Westwood College prospectus which we hope provided you with some useful information. We are very pleased you have since decided to send your child to Westwood College. This booklet has a different purpose to the prospectus; it gives practical advice and information which will help our new students to settle effectively. Please read it thoroughly so you can get to know the college quickly. You may know already that the usual contact with the college is via the Head of Year and Tutor. We are sure you will build a strong partnership with them. Working well with parents and students has been at the heart of the success of Westwood over many years. Teachers here will do all they can to make sure that your child’s time here is a successful one.

The Grounds and Buildings The college is situated in Westwood Park, an estate which has been prized by many wealthy owners through the centuries. It was purchased in1813 by the Davenport family, who built the present Westwood Hall in 1851, planted many of the large trees and laid out the formal gardens. Today the students of the college can benefit from the exceptional beauty of these surroundings and enjoy an environment rare in the state education system. We place great emphasis on caring for the grounds and so expect students to keep to the paths and to respect the trees, plants and animals that inhabit the site. There are two main buildings at Westwood, a separate teaching block for English and Drama along with other classroom facilities. The main building Old Hall opened as a school in 1921 and has had several additions since the 1960's. New Hall which was built by the Church of England opened in1966, it was initially built as a separate school but during construction the plans changed and it became a part of the facilities of Westwood. All students use both buildings for their lessons though subject areas are allocated to areas of the school, staff may teach across the school.

CONTENTS

• Useful Information

• Curriculum

• Teaching Staff

• Pastoral Teams

• Uniform

• Student Progress

• Behaviour

• Parent information – General o Access o Attendance o College Fund o Detentions o Damage to College Property o Leave of Absence o Lunch Time o Medication o Personal Items o Students Lost, Hurt or Ill o Up to date information

• Cashless System

• Free School Meals

• Transport

• Data Protection

USEFUL INFORMATION

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Westwood College Westwood Park Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8NP Telephone Numbers:- Old Hall 01538 370930 (8.00 am - 4.30 pm) New Hall 01538 370931 (8.30 am – 4.30 pm) Student absence reporting: Extension 116 Email: wwc.office@ttlt.org.uk Website: http://wwc.ttlt.org.uk Facebook: facebook.com/WestwoodCollegeLeek VLE: www.vle.westwoodcollege.coop Start of Term: The Autumn Term starts at 8.45 am on Wednesday 2nd September 2020 THE COLLEGE DAY

08.45 am College Opens

08.55 - 09.00 Registration

09.05 - 10.05 Session 1

10.10 - 11.10 Session 2

11.10 - 11.25 Break

11.25 - 11.55 Enrichment

11.55 - 12.55 Session 3

12.55 - 13.40 Lunch

13.40 - 14.40 Session 4

14.45 - 15.45 Session 5 15.45. End of College Day

The Curriculum for students in Year 9

The curriculum which your child will be following in Year 9 is designed to be broad and balanced and conforms to the National Curriculum requirements. In this we ensure that students experience a good basic education which builds on what they have learnt at the Middle Schools and keeps all their options open in preparation for progressing to the full GCSE courses at the end of Year 9.

We also plan our curriculum so that students are able to access 1 or 2 languages where appropriate and students of all abilities are involved in the full range of the curriculum as we believe that every student is entitled to the same opportunities.

Subjects all students follow: Core English Mathematics Science Physical Education & Dance Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education ICT

Languages (1 or 2 of) French German Spanish

Humanities Geography History Religious Education

Creative Arts Art Design & Technology Performing Arts Drama Performing Arts Music

These subjects form the foundation of GCSE options at the end of Year 9 allowing students to keep a broad and balanced curriculum throughout their education at Westwood. A great deal of liaison takes place between Westwood and the Middle Schools to ensure continuity and progression. A review of student progress will take place in November, January and April where progress data will be available. The parents evening will take place around March 2021 with a written report to be published in July 2021.

The Talentum Learning Trust: WESTWOOD COLLEGE 2020 - 2021

Executive Principal: Andrew Shaw

WESTWOOD TEACHERS

Headteacher: Matthew Taylor (TYL) Assistant Headteacher: Janette Reader (RDR) Assistant Headteacher: Stuart Jones (JNS) Assistant Headteacher: Chris Spragg (SPG) Assistant Headteacher: Tracey Lewis (LWS) Director of Sixth Westwood Campus: Sam Wallinger (WAL)

HEADS OF YEAR Head of Year 9: David Morgan (MGD) Head of Year 10: Tori Hargreaves (HAR) Head of Year 11: Tom Edwards (EDW)

SUBJECT STAFF

Business Studies (and CEIAG) Subject Leader: Karen Percival (PER) Creative Arts (Design and Technology + Visual Arts) Subject Leader: Brent Rushton (RUS) Sophie Hilton (HLN) Janette Reader (RDR) Jane Rylands (RYL) Drama Subject Leader: Sally Hansell (HNS) English+ Media Subject Leader: Jacqui Dunn (DUN) Joanne Beckensall (BCK) Elora Chakma (CHK) Tom Edwards (EDW) Pammi Mandair (MAN) Naomi Oakden (OKD) Joanne Whitehouse (WHS)

Geography Subject Leader: David Lawton (LAW) Dionne Timony (TMY) History Subject Leader: David Morgan (MGD) Sam Wallinger (WAL) ICT Subject Leader: Haroon Khan (KHN) Mathematics Subject Leader: Tracy Lewis (LWS) Amanda Halsey (HAL) Stuart Jones (JNS) Jayne Kueres (KRS) Cara Tissandier (TSS) Mark Turnbull (TUR) Laura Williams (WLM)

Languages Subject Leader: Simon Phillips (PHL) Caroline Clark (CLK) Hannah Loft (LFT) (Maternity Cover) Heather Davies (DVS) Christopher Spragg (SPG) Music Subject Leader: Stephanie Burns (BNS) Natural Sciences Subject Leader: Daniel Smith (SMT) Chris Cottam (COT) Victoria Hargreaves (HAR) Dawn Heywood (HWD) Luke Owen (OWN) Shaun Pimblott (PBT) Physical Education Subject Leader: Anne Moore (MOR) Matthew Ashton (ASH) Jake Birch-Machin (BRM) Jenna Hulme (HLM) Social Sciences Subject Leader: Elizabeth Maunders (MND) Gemma Partington (PRT) Jo Vickers (VCK) Laura-Jo Simcox (SMC)

Health and Social Care Subject Leader: Paula Hemmings (HEM) Special Educational Needs Subject Leader: Mark Turnbull (TUR) Assistants SENCO: Susan Shea (SHE) Teaching Assistants: Debbie Bradburn (BRD) Rachel Brown (BRW) Elaine Davis (DAV) Gillian Fernyhough (FRN) Helen Keeling (KLG)

Please Note: Teachers are listed according to their principal subject; some do contribute to more

than one department

PASTORAL TUTORS 2020/2021

Head of Year 9: David Morgan - Room 134

New Hall Old Hall

9W2 D Timony 216 9W1 S Phillips 112

9W4 J Birch -Machin 246 9W3 S Pimblott 123

9W6 M Halsey 220 9W5 N Oakden 119

9W8 L Williams 218 9W7 J Beckensall 302

Head of Year 10: Tori Hargreaves - Room 212

Head of Year11: Tom Edwards - Room 211

Head of Sixth - Westwood Campus S Wallinger - Room 133

Westwood Sixth Tutors

Year 12 Year 13

WS1 D Allen 208 WS6 S Hansell 101

WS2 E Maunders 308 WS7 S Burns 136

WS3 A Moore 229 WS8 P Hemmings 179

WS4 J Kueres 219 WS9 C Cottam 151

WS5 H Davies 140 WS10 G Partington 310 WS11 E Chakma 404

New Hall Old Hall

10W2 H Khan 217 10W1 J Vickers 120

10W4 S Hilton 247 10W3 K Percival 110

10W6 B Rushton 239 10W5 L Owen 153 10W7 D Heywood 121

New Hall Old Hall

11W1 D Lawton 215 11W5 H Loft 137

11W2 J Rylands 245 11W6 J Whitehouse 403

11W3 J Hulme 240 11W7 D Smith 150

11W4 M Ashton 209 11W8 P Mandair 402

College Uniform and Physical Education Kit Uniform The Westwood College Uniform for students will be as follows:

• Black Blazer – with the school badge

• Charcoal Grey Trousers or

• Single style Grey Skirt with solid black tights

• White Shirt

• 2 Colour (Black and Red) diagonal clip on Tie

• Solid Black shoes: Not canvas, Vans Style, sports trainer fabric/style and no visible logo

• Optional to wear Grey V neck jumper (with red and black stripe in the V neck) In addition to items of clothing, we would like to include other relevant information regarding students presenting in school. We do not allow students to have visible facial piercings, to wear acrylic fingernail extensions or have hair dyed a non-natural colour. We would ask you to note that, in order to avoid confusion, the following items are not to be worn:

• Cardigans/Other coloured tops of any type.

• Patterned black tights or leggings.

• Short stretch skirts, ‘skinny’ tight fitting trousers.

• Coats with logos or pictures and words that are inappropriate to wear at the college.

• Shorts of any style (unless the school has identified and designated a specific item)

• Hoodies The college has the right to ask students to remove any items of jewellery or accessories that are not deemed appropriate, such as oversized earrings, bangles, bracelets or coloured belts. This list cannot be exclusive as fashion trends and styles change frequently. We request that Parents/Carers ensure that students only have the correct items of uniform. We ask students to adhere to all aspects of our uniform code, as the correct appearance is an essential element in helping the college maintain the high standards we expect of our young people. Specified Items of uniform are available from local suppliers:

Supersport Hope Silk Mill Macclesfield Road Leek Phone: 01538 386226

Generic items such as the white shirts and the grey school trousers are available from a range

of retail outlets (such as the supermarkets) locally and on-line

Games and Physical Education Kit: Please see separate information sheet

Student Progress Check (SPC): For Year 9 10 and 11

Throughout the year you will regularly receive information that tells you how well students are

progressing in their subjects. This information will be published for students to take home and will

be available on the College VLE. This will help students keep track of their own progress, and

inform you as parents. The progress information for each subject will be presented as follows;

The ‘Going to’ Grade Staff will record a working at grade. This is a grade that the student would be expected to be achieved at the end of Y11 (or Y13) provided that the student continues to work in a similar vein as at the time the report is generated. The ‘Target Grade’ – For Years 9 to 11 this grade is produced using prior data from KS2. For Years 12 and 13 target grades are based on prior GCSE data

The ‘Effort Grade’ - The 4 effort grades that can be awarded to students are:

1. ‘Excellent’- For students who participate fully in their learning, both alone and with other students. Classwork is completed with attention to detail and pride and all homework’s have been handed in on time. The student displays very high levels of engagement, courtesy, collaboration & cooperation in lessons. Behaviour is consistently exemplary.

2. ‘Good’– For students who participate fully in their learning, both alone and with other students, most of the time. Homework is completed on time and to a good standard and the student displays good levels of engagement is typically considerate, respectful and courteous in lessons. Behaviour is consistently exemplary.

3. ‘Inconsistent’ - For students who can work well but need input from the teacher to stay on

task. The student may answer direct questions but not always be fully engaged in the lesson. Classwork may be brief with less concern for detail or presentation. Homework is not always handed in on time or to a good standard. They regularly forget to bring appropriate equipment to the lesson.

4. ‘Unsatisfactory’ - For students that are not making an acceptable effort to improve their

performance. The student may need regular input from the teacher due to a lack of concentration. Homework may frequently be late or not completed. The student is responsible for behaviour that distracts the teacher from teaching and other students from learning.

Attendance – This will be reported per subject, and as an overall figure.

Behaviour for Learning

Below are the core values that we hold with regard to how our staff and students are expected to conduct themselves (behave). Introduction Behaviour for Learning covers all those aspects of the college that contribute to a positive educational environment. The core purpose is to establish practice and expectations of both students and teachers that allows students to learn and teachers to teach. Students who able to be independent learners can be successful, and can make informed personal choices about their future. Students can contribute greatly to outstanding learning if their behaviour supports learning. Below are our expectations:

Students:- • Be punctual; arrive in college prepared for all lessons.

• Follow directions and actively contribute to the lesson.

• Where appropriate enter into discussion, ask questions and answer questions.

• Arrive to lessons expecting to learn, to work hard and to be challenged.

• Meet challenges with determination and perseverance.

• Ask for help when it is needed, check your understanding with the teacher.

• Avoid behaviour which is likely to distract other students from the lesson. Others:-

• Listen sensitively to others, be polite and show courtesy

• Be prepared to support your peers, question them politely and critique their work sensitively.

• Help others to remain focused by reminding them to be on task when their attention wanes.

• Be respectful of others and the college environment. Teachers will support students Behaviour for Learning by:

• Having very high expectations of behaviour and will not allow poor behaviour to affect the learning of other students.

• Planning lessons that are structured, relevant, and engaging.

• Expecting all students to engage themselves with the tasks presented in the lesson.

• Finding ways to build students’ confidence and self-esteem.

• Providing regular and useful feedback on the progress made by students.

• Recognising the efforts and achievements of each individual.

Following a review of the impact and behaviours of students with regard to the access of mobile

phones when on the school site and prompted by recent government advice around the

significant distraction and pressure on-line activity brings (Particularly involving social media

sites) a new code of conduct regarding the use and access to personal mobile technology has

been introduced. Our expectation is that:

• Students ensure that Mobile Phones/Smart Watches/all types of Headphones are not to

be visible (including being kept in pockets) when in any area of the school buildings, at

any time of the school day. (This includes corridors, before and after lessons).

• Students ensure that all Mobile Phones/Smart Watches/Mobile Technology devices are turned off, and kept in a school bag.

• No remote access speakers are brought into school for any reason, including the use on public transport when travelling to and from school.

Students who fail to adhere to our expectations with their mobile technologies will have any

devices confiscated by a member of staff. The item will be taken to the nearest reception and

kept securely and sanctions applied.

We do appreciate that mobile phones can be very effective learning tools, therefore in a lesson;

a classroom teacher may permit students to get their phones out of their bag in order to use

them for a particular task. This will only be for that allotted session and event, students will be

expected to turn off their phone and return it to their school bag before leaving the classroom.

Parents and Westwood College – General Information We welcome and encourage your involvement in your child’s education. Good links between home and college bring positive benefits for all of us. Whenever you wish to contact the college please use the details found at the front of this booklet to contact your child’s Form Tutor or the relevant Head of Year.

• How can you help your child? o Make it clear that you want him/her to do his/her best at college o Take an interest in your son/daughter's work and life at Westwood. o Look regularly at work and praise good marks. o Provide a quiet atmosphere at home for homework to be done. o Support your child in sports and performing arts activities. o Contact the college if you think there is a problem. o Attend Parents' Evenings. o Support college events, especially those involving your children

The "Home/College Contract, a copy of which is in the college Planner, is intended to emphasise these points. The College Planner is issued at the start of the academic year. Please read and sign the contract. Your son/daughter’s tutor will sign it on behalf of the college.

Access to the College We do regret that for safety reasons we must ask that parents who bring their children to college by car NOT TO DRIVE INTO THE OLD HALL OR NEW HALL STAFF CAR PARKS between 8.45 and 9.00 am or between 3.45 and 4.00 pm as it is not possible for vehicles to turn without delaying or endangering others. Students can be dropped or collected at convenient points in Westwood Park Avenue or the bus park. An exception will, of course, be made if a student is temporarily or permanently disabled, but not if he or she is merely late.

Attendance and Punctuality A student’s education should have the minimum of interruptions. If your child is ill PLEASE TELEPHONE THE COLLEGE BY 9.30am ON EACH DAY OF ABSENCE ON EXT 116. If we have not received a message from you by this time, and your child has not registered at college, we will try and contact you. Our prime concern is safety and if a student has not arrived at college we feel sure that you would wish to be informed at the earliest opportunity. Please confirm with your child’s Tutor the reason for their absences as this allows us to support students on their return and keep accurate records of attendance. The College will use the services of external agencies which may involve a visit to the home to enquire about extended or persistent unexplained absence. Punctuality to school is a core expectation, students should be on site and in their tutor room by 8.50 am. This is to ensure we are able to register students and move to lessons without delay or disruption. We recognise that there are occasions where circumstances beyond our control can cause difficulties getting to school, however these are usually rare and will impact on a number of students. Students who are late persistently will be given a range of sanctions that are deemed appropriate and parents contacted.

College Fund Every year we ask each family to make a contribution to the College Fund of £5. The contribution is entirely voluntary and we understand that some families may not be able to afford to contribute. We also hope that some Parents or Carers will want to make a larger contribution. The fund is used to support all aspects of college life which are not provided for by normal funding routes.

Detentions Occasionally it is necessary to detain students as a punishment, for poor behaviour, to complete work which ought to have been done or because of lateness to college. This can take place during the school day or at a specified time as arranged by a teacher. We do reserve the right to impose a same day detention for students with persistent poor behaviour or following a significant issue which can be referenced to the College Behaviour Code. In the rare event this is necessary we will contact you. Parents or Carers are responsible for making proper travel arrangements for detained students.

Damage to school property It is our practice to require payment for damage done to college property. If the damage is accidental, but caused by reckless behaviour, then a contribution to the repair is required. If the damage is deliberate then the whole cost is charged, unless parents prefer the police to be involved.

Leave of Absence Please avoid arranging medical appointments, where possible, during college time as this is detrimental to your child’s progress. Requests for a leave of absence, for reasons other than illness, should be made to Mrs Janette Reader, Assistant Headteacher, please note that we only have discretion to grant leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. In the event of students taking time away from college they are required to catch up the work missed and we welcome support from parents for this policy.

Lunch Time All students are supervised at this time and must remain on the site to have a college meal or have sandwiches; for reasons of safety and wellbeing they will not be allowed off the site to visit local shops or amenities. Any parent, who wishes their child to go home for lunch, as they live within an appropriate walking distance from the college, should seek permission from the college in writing. Only students who live within a very short distance of the college, and are able to go home and return within the time available for lunch will be given permission to leave the site. If a student needs to leave the site for any other reason, or at any other time of the day, a letter or contact from a parent or carer is required students then must sign out via reception.

Medication For safety reasons should your child need to take medicines during the college day (e.g. to complete a course of antibiotics) please do not allow your child to bring more medication to college than they require for the day. All Medicines should be clearly labelled with your child’s name, the dosage, time and frequency of administration. Where appropriate we encourage students to be responsible for and to manage their own medication. If this is not a sensible option we ask that parents/carers discuss this with their child’s Tutor or Head of Year as soon as possible. STUDENTS WHO HAVE ASTHMA MUST ENSURE THAT THEY CARRY THEIR INHALER WITH THEM ATALL TIMES. IN ADDITION, A SPARE INHALER CLEARLY NAMED MUST BE HANDED INTO BOTH RECEPTIONS. PLEASE COMPLETE THE ASTHMA CARE PLAN DOCUMENT IN THE NEW ADMISSIONS BOOKLET. If your child has diabetes, epilepsy or a history of severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis please ensure that you discuss the appropriate medical action required with their Tutor or Head of Year and provide this information in writing, in the form of a Care Plan. May we reassure you that all medical information regarding your child will be treated with sensitivity and only disclosed to members of staff who would need to know the medical history of your child, so as to be able to take the appropriate action in the event of an emergency.

Personal Items The college accepts no responsibility for loss/damage to personal items brought onto the college’s premises.

Cycles Students coming to college on bicycles should enter by the New Hall entrance and leave them in the available area opposite the front of the building. Please note we do not have any lockable bicycle sheds. We advise that Bicycles be locked and accessories removed. The college accepts no responsibility for bicycles left on the premises. For safety reasons students must not ride around the site on their bicycles.

Students who are Lost, Hurt or Unwell Anyone who is lost - go to the reception office of the Hall that you are in (anyone can help you to find it). The receptionist will deal with your difficulty. If a student feels unwell or has an injury that needs attention they need to report to either Old Hall or New Hall reception. Once in reception the staff can look to support the student, this may involve first-aid and or a discussion with a senior member of staff who will make the decision as to what action is required and whether parents/careers should be contacted We are aware that as the vast majority of students have mobile phones students do occasionally contact relatives themselves without any discussion with the staff at the college. Should this happen can we ask that you a contact the college to discuss what is required before making any arrangements for a student to be collect

Up-to-date information Information about the college can be found through the following routes The College website: http://wwc.ttl.org.uk, Facebook: WestwoodCollegeLeek or the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): www.vle.westwoodcollege.coop. These are regularly updated with news and forthcoming events. As a Parent or Carer you will be issued with a unique username and password for the VLE early in October which will enable you to view the specific information regarding your child’s attendance and progress.

Cashless System Westwood College has a fully cashless system. All financial interactions – paying for food at lunch times, contributions for school trips and visits, purchasing subject revision guides etc. are made through The ‘Trust-e Cashless Solution’ this allows us to provide a robust, efficient and secure service both in how the canteen facilities operate in school and in the receiving of payments. The cashless system incorporates the latest technology and can eliminate the need for students to carry cash at all. It is a very convenient way for parents/carers to transfer funds to pay for their child’s lunch school trips etc. We use a Biometric method of identifying an individual person. Biometric is simply an algorithm based scan, which reads between 50 & 130 points on the finger/thumb. All new students are given training on how to use the system. A daily ‘spend limit’ of £10 in the canteen which is programmed into the system. This can be increased or decreased for an individual student by making a written request to the college’s finance office. A minimum deposit of £11 is required when adding money into a student’s account and any money spent on food and drink or other purchases will be deducted on a daily basis. There are two payment options available to you:-

• Online payments through the Web based ParentPay portal

• PayPoint which is available at nearby locations in the town (list enclosed).

ParentPay ParentPay offers you the freedom to make secure payments online using your credit or debit card whenever and wherever you like - safe in the knowledge that the technology used has the highest internet security available. You may already have an account, you will be able to continue to use this account when your child joins Westwood College as the account details are linked to the unique reference number that follows a student through their education. If you need to open a new account when you join Westwood College we will provide you with the information to set up your online account which is activated using a unique username and password; you will be prompted to change these, and to keep them safe and secure. If you have more than one child at college, or children at other ParentPay schools, you can create a single account login for all your children. Making a payment is straightforward and ParentPay holds a payment history for you to view at a later date; no card details are stored in any part of the system. Once you have activated your account you can make online payments straight away. Monthly or termly payments are helpful as they keep down costs. For further information on ParentPay, please visit www.parentpay.com.

PayPoint Parents/Carers who need to continue making payments by cash may do so using the PayPoint network at local convenience stores. PayPoint payments are recorded by ParentPay and can be seen by logging into your ParentPay account and viewing your payment history online. The nearest PayPoint stores to the college are given on the enclosed list. Please notify the Finance Office if you wish to use the PayPoint facility. A plastic card will be issued to you to make cash payments for school meals at local PayPoint stores. The first card is free of charge; however, any lost or damaged cards will be charged at £2.00 each. Payment cards take about two weeks to arrive but we can issue a barcode letter as an interim measure. As per current legislation we operate an ‘Opt In’ policy for the cashless system with our canteen facilities and therefore require you to give your permission. The permission request is part of the ‘admissions booklet’ already distributed (If you have not received a booklet please contact the College). If you choose not to have your child registered on the Biometric System a 4 digit PIN Code will be allocated. Please note that PIN codes do not have the same level of security and it will be your child’s responsibility to remember the code and keep it secure at all times.

How do ‘free meal’ entitlements work? All Free School Meal Entitlements are entered on to the system automatically. The Cashless Catering System will, on a daily basis, automatically allocate the appropriate accounts with the free meal amounts. Students with Free School Meal Entitlements remain anonymous at all times, as all account types are accessed in the exact same manner regardless as to whether paid for or not. Please note any monies not spent from the daily free meal allocation will not be carried over to the next day.

Parent Pay Once you have received your activation letter from the college, with your activation login details you will be able to activate your account and start making payments. This letter will be sent to you soon by the college. ParentPay accepts MasterCard and Visa credit cards, and Maestro, Switch, Delta, Electron, Solo and Visa debit cards. Some schools may limit the use of credit cards for some transactions; you will be informed by the college directly of any such restrictions. ParentPay holds a very limited amount of information about you and your son/daughter solely for the purpose of administering your account; however ParentPay does not use your personal information other than for supporting the college. We do not share or give information to any other organisations. We operate under strict guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act 1998. ParentPay will NEVER contact you by phone, email or mail and ask you to divulge confidential information like passwords or card numbers. If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be from ParentPay, please contact immediately on 0845 257 5540. For more information please visit www.parentpay.com PayPoint Locations in Leek. A & G Lyford Ltd 37 Derby Street Leek Staffordshire ST13 6HU ASDA Supermarket Springfield Road Leek Staffordshire ST13 6EN

Co-op Picton Street 34 Picton Street Leek Staffordshire ST13 8AX Bargain Booze 2 The Avenue Cheddleton Staffordshire ST13 7JB

Thoroughgoods 69-71 Queens Drive Leek Staffordshire ST13 6QF One Stop 173 Cheadle Road Cheddleton Staffordshire ST13 7HN

News Market 82 Broad Street ST13 5NS

Financial Difficulties From time-to-time families can face acute financial difficulties. Where possible we are willing to help in such circumstances. Assistance is available through contact with the Head of Year with the cost of, specified resources (such as revision guides) educational visits and, in some circumstances, uniform and P.E. kit. With the assurance that any help remains confidential.

Free School Meals Parents claiming some benefits can claim Free School Meals for their child if they are registered at a Staffordshire school. School meals are a good way to ensure that your child eats well at lunchtime, and you can save yourself time and money. Even if you do not want your child to have the meals, claiming them helps the College. The more eligible parents who claim Free School Meals, the more funding the College receives.

Who can get Free School Meals? You can claim Free School Meals for your child if you are in receipt of any of the following benefits:

Income Support Income based Job Seekers Allowance Income based Employment and Support Allowance Child Tax Credit and not Working Tax Credit and the household income of less than £16,190. The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Apply online This is the quickest and easiest way to apply at:- https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/education/educationalawardsbenefits/FreeSchoolMeals/home.aspx It’s really easy and quick to apply – an online application can be made through the website. You will need to have your date of birth and national insurance number or national asylum support service number, along with your address and the children’s details with you when you apply – you can apply for several children at a time on one application even if they are all at different schools. They will check your information and give you an immediate answer and the chance to print a confirmation if you want to start taking meals as soon as possible, if you are entitled. They will also make regular checks using the same information you have provided to confirm your ongoing entitlement – you need do nothing further apart from notify them and the school if any details change (for example you move address or no longer receive the qualifying benefit).

The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 If you are receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, please contact us, and we will give you more details of how to claim free meals for your child.

Further Information If you would like to apply for Free School Meals please contact us at the address above or telephone 01785 854990 or email freeschoolmeals@staffordshire.gov.uk

Free School Transport for Under 16 The details provided in this section only applies to Staffordshire residents; if you do not live in Staffordshire, you should approach your own council for transport assistance. If you are looking for information for students to travel in Year 12 and above please visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk post 16 transport pages. What type of transport assistance will be offered? The organisation of school transport is the responsibility of The Local Authority. Transport assistance will normally take the form of either:-

• A place on a contracted vehicle hired by the Authority

• A travel pass for public transport

• The payment of travelling expenses (this might include the reimbursement of bus or train fares, or a petrol or cycling allowance at a rate determined by the Local Authority)

• Staffordshire County Council may change the type of assistance offered to make the best use of resources

Generally, students may be required to walk (or be accompanied if a parent feels it is appropriate) up to one mile to or from a designated pick up/drop off point. It is for Parents/Carers to decide if a child needs to be accompanied and make any arrangements they feel are necessary. The Local Authority will determine which type of transport assistance will be offered, and may change the type of transport provided from a seat on a hired school bus, to a seat on a public service bus or train, or vice versa.

Who is entitled? Statutory age college students (up to and including Year group 11) are normally entitled to free home to college transport if they:

• Reside in Staffordshire, and

• Live beyond the walking distance from the college that they attend which is also their registered base, and Live within the designated catchment area of the college or are attending the nearest suitable school, as determined by the Local Authority.

To check the catchment school for your address please use the localview website. Walking distance is defined as up to three miles for students over eleven years of age at the start of the college year. The distance is measured using the shortest available walking route from the students’ address, to the nearest open gate to the college site, using the Geographic Information System (GIS) held within School Organisation, Admissions and Transport, and is calculated based upon the road and pathway network held at that time. This may change over time as the network is updated and new roads and paths are added. The location of the home address is calculated using the property seed point as defined by the National Land and Property Gazetteer.

Other reasons transport assistance is considered You can also apply for transport assistance under any of the following categories if you are eligible.

Low income families - income assessed transport Low income groups are defined as those who are entitled to, and registered for, Free School Meals or are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.

Moving address When moving address Parents/Carers should give consideration to the transport arrangements for their child. If your child already receives transport, and you move address, please return the travel pass to the Integrated Transport and Planning Unit, Wedgwood Building, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH. If your child will still be attending the correct catchment or closest school for your new address, please make a new application. If a student moves address and no longer attends the catchment or closest school for their new address, the student is no longer entitled to free transport. However, if your new address is within Staffordshire, your move was due to exceptional circumstances and the student was attending the catchment or closest school for your last address, the Local Authority may consider offering transport assistance - an application should be made and you must attach evidence of your exceptional circumstances.

Medical reasons Transport assistance may be provided if your child is attending their correct catchment or closest school and is unable to walk to school due to a medical reason. You will need to provide supporting written medical evidence from your GP or hospital that they are unable to walk to school and the likely period of incapacity, transport assistance may be provided. Where transport is provided on medical grounds the case will be reviewed on a regular basis and continued supporting medical evidence will be requested.

Special circumstances Individual consideration will be given to students who do not meet the criteria set out above. You must provide written details of any special circumstances that you want to be considered. Please note individual family work commitments are not normally taken into account when considering eligibility for transport assistance.

Walking route unavailable If you feel that transport should be provided, as you consider that the walking route is unavailable, please be aware that a route is assessed on the basis that the student will be accompanied by an adult as necessary. You will find below the walking route assessment criteria which is used by the Local Authority when considering if a route is available. If you consider that a walking route is unavailable then you must provide full details of the particular sections of the route that you feel are unavailable and the reasons why. The Local Authority will only consider eligibility for free transport on the basis of an unavailable route if it is your closest or catchment area school.

Privacy Policy – GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) 2018 Under GDPR 2018 Westwood College is the data controller. We collect information from you, and may receive information about you from your previous school and the Learning Records Service. We hold this personal data and use it to:

• Support your teaching and learning

• Monitor and report on your progress

• Provide appropriate pastoral care

• Assess how well you are doing This information includes your contact details, National Curriculum assessment results, attendance information and personal characteristics such as your ethnic group, any special educational needs and relevant medical information. If you are enrolling for post 14 qualifications we will be provided with your unique learner number (ULN) by the Learning Records Service and may also obtain from them details of any learning or qualifications you have undertaken. We will not give information about you to anyone outside the college without your consent unless the law and our rules allow us to.

We are required by law to pass some information about you to the Local Authority and the Department for Education (DfE). Where appropriate we will send to relevant National Health Service personnel (e.g. school nurses, the NHS Health Informatics Team) information on individual students changing school (or address) to ensure continuity of health care. If you want to see a copy of the information about you that we hold and/or share, please contact Mrs C Williams, Talentum Business Director, at the college. If you require more information about how Westwood College, The Local Authority (LA) and/or DfE store and use your information, then please go to the following websites:

• http://wwc.ttl.org.uk

• http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/health/childrenandfamilycare/yourdata/Yourdata.aspx

• http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/datatdatam/privacynotices/b00212337/datause

If you are unable to access these websites you can receive a hard copy of this information. Please contact the Local Authority (LA) or Department for Education as follows (DfE): Information Governance Unit Staffordshire County Council St Chad’s Place Stafford ST16 2LR e-mail: foi@staffordshire.gov.uk

Public Communications Unit Department for Education Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT Website: www.education.gov.uk email: http://www.education.gov.uk/help/contactus Telephone: 0370 000 2288

Once you are aged 13 or over, we are required by law to pass on certain information to providers of youth support services in this area. This is the Local Authority support service for young people aged 13 to 19 in England. We must provide both your name and address and your parent/carer’s name(s) and address, and any further information relevant to the support services’ role. However, if you are over 16, you (or your parent(s) can ask that no information beyond names, address and your date of birth be passed to the support service. Please inform Julia Shenton, HR Manager and PA to the Headteacher if you wish to opt-out of this arrangement. For more information about young peoples’ services, please go to the Directgov Young People page at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/index.htm or the LA website shown above.