July 2009

Dear Parent/Guardian

I have enclosed several items that parents will need for next year.  I have also set out below important information that you should be aware of in advance of the new school year.

Attached enclosures include:

• Dates for your Diary
• Behaviour Expectations and Standards
• Data Processing Information (this requires a return to school)
• School Uniform Guidance: school uniforms & PE items, can now be purchased from either: Rawcliffes in Hull, 9/11 Paragon Street, Hull, HU1 3RJ – Tel No: 01482 223539 or Cottingham Sports in Cottingham, 24 Finkle Street, Cottingham, HU16 4AZ – Tel No: 01482 844826.

School Bus Passes

Information relating to students eligible for free school bus passes for students living in the East Riding area only is available from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council: Tel No: 01482 887700.

School Lunches

In September 2009, students in Years 7-9 are not allowed out of school at lunchtime unless they are leaving the site for an agreed medical appointment or absence.  Students in Years 10 and 11 will only be allowed out of the school site if their behaviour is not a cause for concern, this will be checked using the student’s current behaviour data in school.  This privilege will only continue as long as the school receives no complaints about behaviour from members of the public or shopkeepers.  This policy has been agreed with the Governing body and a parental consultation that gave strong support to this policy. 

In line with Local Authority recommendations and increased overall costs, the school will increase the price of a set school meal and the value of the free school meal to £2.10 a day from September 2009.

Examination Results

Students collecting GCE results should attend school on Thursday, 20^th August, between 10.00am – 12.00 noon.  Students collecting GCSE results should attend on Thursday, 27^th August between 10.00am – 12.00 noon.

Cottingham High School Smoke Free Policy

 From the 1^st July 2007, the school revised its non-smoking policy in line with Government legislation and East Riding Council’s smoke free policy.  The key areas of the revised policy that parents need to be aware of is below:

Cottingham High School does not permit smoking anywhere on the extended school site (buildings and grounds) by any person at any time including staff, students, visitors, parents, contractors and other agencies sharing the site.

 Smoking is not permitted in Cottingham High School vehicles or any vehicles being used on the school site.

 If visitors to the school breach this policy and if they refuse to follow the requirement not to smoke on the school site they will be asked to leave the site.  If this is a regular occurrence, they will be banned from using the school site.

 Your cooperation in this is appreciated.

 School Parking

 If you are dropping or collecting students at the school, please collect them outside the school gates.  The school car park adjacent to Harland Way is for 6^th Form and Year 11 students’ use and Parents should not drive onto the school site to use this car park.  With effect from September 2009, there will be controlled entry and exit barriers for this student car park.  If you are bringing a student with walking difficulties, or delivering a large project/Musical instrument please contact Reception at the barrier who will lift the barrier to allow you to drive to the main Reception car park.  These are the only circumstances where parents should be driving onto the school site.

 School Holiday Dates/Attendance

 The attached sheet of holiday and closure dates 2009-2010 is designed to help parents avoid clashes of family holidays with school times.  You should be aware that the school takes a firm stance on requests for holidays in term time and is not prepared to authorise holidays for students in Year 11 and Year 13 because national research statistics show that extended absence from school will have a damaging effect on exam performance.  There is an additional opportunity to take holidays after the end of the Summer examinations for Year 11 and Year 13 students.

You are required under the Education Act (1996) to ensure your son or daughter attends regularly.  There is a discretionary power to allow leave of absence for up to 10 days in any academic year for the purpose of a family holiday, but this is not an entitlement and the school does not support such requests as a matter of course.  Any requests for holidays for Year 11 and Year 13 during term time will not be authorised by the school.  Unauthorised absence from school may result in legal proceedings against a parent in the form of a Fixed Penalty notice.  The East Riding’s Education Welfare Service supports the school’s stance to reduce the amount of holidays taken in term time.

 The school asks for your support in encouraging good punctuality and attendance.   This is an area that is often commented on in your son or daughter’s work/college reference from school and is therefore extremely important for their future.          

 The school will be closing early to students on Friday, 17^TH July 2009 at 2.30pm.  Please note buses have been arranged accordingly.      

Students return on Tuesday, 8^th September 2009, Year 7 and 12 students will start at 8.50am.  Year 12 students (will attend am only) and will be with their tutor and Pastoral staff.  Year 12 lessons begin on Wednesday 9 September at 9.10 am. Years 8, 9, 10, and 11 students start at 11.30am on Tuesday 8 September.  Year 13 re-enrol on 9 September.  Their lessons begin on Thursday 10 September.  Consortium students begin their lessons on Thursday 10 September.  The bus companies have been made aware of this and will organise an additional bus run on Tuesday, 8^th September.

 On behalf of the school, can I wish you and your family a relaxing summer holiday.

 Yours sincerely

 

T Darbyshire

Headteacher