St Ivo School is one of the largest county comprehensive schools in Cambridgeshire with some 1,400 students in the 11 to 16 population and 340 students in the Sixth Form.
The published admission number (PAN) for St Ivo is 296. St Ivo School serves Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey, Holywell, Needingworth, St Ives and the dwellings on the Poultry Research Station at Houghton. The criteria of the Local Authority (LA) which are used for the allocation places are as follows:
Children who have a statement of special educational needs that names the school will be admitted. NB. Those children with a statement of special educational needs that does not name the school will be referred to Statutory Assessment and Resources (STAR) Team to determine an appropriate place.
In cases of equal merit, priority will go to children living nearest the school as measured by shortest straight line distance.
Please note, families of prospective Year 7 can click here to apply online for places at the school.
For further information about the admissions and transfer process to Cambridgeshire Secondary schools, please visit the Cambridgeshire County Council website from which you can download leaflets etc for transition information and advice.
Form Tutors work closely with parents/carers, Heads of Year, the Attendance Manager, the Education Welfare Officer and students to achieve a high rate of student attendance and punctuality.
What action should I take if my child is too unwell to attend school?
All absences must be reported by 9.30am on a daily basis.
How do I register an absence?
Either,
Send an email to vclarke@stivoschool.org including your child's name, tutor group, reason for absence, your name and a contact telephone number.
Or,
Telephone the 24 hr Absence Line 01480 375400 select option 2 and leave a message giving all relevant information as above.
The school should be advised of any medical condition. A doctor's certificate may be requested if it affects your child's attendance.
Do I need to send a note on my child's return to school?
An email to the email address above is sufficient or a written note on the first day back. For email this should be sent on the first day of absence.
If my child is late for school, what should they do?
Registration takes place in tutor rooms from 8.30am – 8.45am. If your child arrives after 8.45am they MUST sign in at Reception.
Persistent lateness will not be tolerated and further action will be taken. If there is a valid reason for lateness, or a change in your home circumstances that is affecting your child's attendance at school, please advise us immediately.
My child has a medical appointment?
Appointments should be made outside of school hours. If this is not possible, please notify the school in advance by email or telephone.
Can I take my child out of school for a holiday?
From September 2014 and in line with national guidelines on school attendance, St Ivo School will be introducing fines for holidays and other unauthorised absences during term time, as one of the possible consequences of parents taking their children out of school.
Application forms are available by clicking here or from School Reception. Please note permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Be assured that we take these measures purely in the interest of your child’s education.
Will I be made aware if my child is a low attendee?
Yes. If their attendance falls below an acceptable level, a meeting will be arranged with you to discuss this. If there is no improvement, the matter will be referred to the Education Welfare Officer.
Registration closes at 8.45am. Persistent lateness will be reported and may result in referral to the Education Welfare Officer.
Parents/carers are asked to support the school by ensuring that their child arrives at school on time. The school has electronic registration with a register being taken at each lesson. If a student arrives late to school he or she must sign in at reception and then go straight to their lesson. In afternoon tutor period, they will need to explain their reason for lateness and have their planner signed. Any student with several late marks, without a valid reason, will be required to attend a late detention after school.
A student who has to leave school for a medical or dental appointment or other valid reason needs an absence note. He/she reports to reception to 'sign out' of school, and 'signs in' on returning to school. Parents/carers can either telephone or email the Attendance Manager with advanced notice of any appointments. Any student without an appropriate absence note cannot be allowed to leave school.
Under the Education Act 2002 (section 175/157), schools must “make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children”.
We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.
The school will therefore be alert to signs of abuse and neglect and will follow the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures to ensure that children receive appropriate and effective support and protection.
Parents/carers should know that the law requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The school should make parents/carers aware that records of welfare concerns may be kept about their child. They should be informed that school staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with them including referrals to other agencies. However, in situations where the child is suspected to be at risk of harm, the law says that schools may take advice from other agencies without informing parents/carers.
In accordance with local Information Sharing protocols, we will ensure that information is shared securely and sensitively. Information will only be shared with other services where it is deemed necessary and proportionate to ensure that children and young people are safe and receive the right service.
Schools will seek advice from Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents/carers will appreciate that the member of staff in the school with responsibility for child protection (known as the Designated Person for Child Protection) was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.
Under Section 3 (5) of the Children Act 1989, schools or any person who has care of a child “may….do what is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare”. This means that on rare occasions, a school may need to “hold” a child in school whilst Social Care and the police investigate any concerns further.
We are all responsible for Child Protection and would ask that during periods when the school is closed, anyone with concerns should contact Cambridgeshire Social Care themselves, contact numbers are available here. However if you feel a young person is in immediate danger the police should be contacted.
As required by the 1988 Education Act, there is a curriculum complaints procedure, through which parents or carers can register a complaint that the school is failing to meet its statutory obligations in teaching the National Curriculum. In addition, parents and carers are able to contact the school on any aspect of their child’s education or welfare.
| Curriculum i.e. any questions, concerns or information to do with your child’s studies |
Pastoral i.e. any questions, concerns or information relating to your child’s general wellbeing, e.g. health, behaviour |
|
| 1st Contact | Subject Teacher | Form Tutor |
| 2nd Contact If first contact not available or un-able to help, or if unsure who to contact |
Head of Subject | Head or Deputy Head of Year |
| 3rd Contact If not satisfied with response |
Headteacher | Headteacher |
The full complaints policy can be found on the policies page.
Pens (blue/black), pencils, ruler, rubber, pencil sharpener, protractor, compasses, calculator and glue stick.
All the above items can be purchased from the school Business Centre at cost price. In addition students may purchase other items such as art sketch books and revision booklets.
Many students find it useful to have the following items: coloured pens/pencils and a USB pen.
Students will need a sturdy bag in which to carry equipment and books. They will be issued with a number of text books, which should be looked after and returned in reasonable condition. All students are allocated a locker, which may be shared with one other. Students provide their own padlock and key which can also be purchased at the Business Centre.
There is no insurance policy to cover compensation for accidental injury during normal school time; for example, there is no compensation for injury sustained on the sports field unless that injury arises through negligence. Parents/carers requiring such cover should take out a policy for themselves. There is also no insurance for personal property lost or stolen in school; particularly valuable items should not be brought to school.
Personal property belonging to employees, students, or members of the public is brought onto the premises at the owner’s own risk. The school cannot accept any responsibility for items of value and is not insured for any loss incurred. Staff are advised to include any valuable items brought to school on their own insurance policies.
To this end staff, students and visitors are advised to leave items of value at home, or where possible in a secure facility, such as a locker or locked desk.
Loss or theft of staff property should be reported immediately to the Head. Loss or theft of students’ property should be reported immediately to the Head of Year.
Possessions should be identifiable by name wherever possible. If lost property is handed in and has a name tag or identifier it is far easier to contact the owner for collection. If no name tag or identifier is obvious, the item will go through the lost property procedure.
The local police visit the school periodically to security etch staff/students’ bicycles with the owners’ postcode. You will be informed in advance of this facility.
Staff should not be expected to spend their time seeking such lost items on behalf of stu-dents. It is the responsibility of individual students to look after their own possessions.
A monthly updated list will be available for the students/parents to view on the IvoOnline portal. Please note that items will not be kept for more than a month. Unclaimed items will be disposed of in an appropriate way.
Perishable items will be disposed of after 24 hours for Health and Safety reasons. Used towels/swimwear will be disposed of within 48 hours.
Any mobile phones/electronic devices will be held in the Finance Office for safe keeping. Glasses, watches, jewellery and other small valuables will be kept at reception.
Parents/carers are asked at the beginning of the year to indicate whether their child will go home (not to town) or remain in school at lunchtime. Any alteration to this arrangement should be notified to the school in writing.
The school dining hall is open before school, at break and at lunchtime, and sells a range of hot meals as well as filled rolls and snacks. Those on free meals are currently allowed to spend up to £2.35, and this is ample to buy a main meal of the day with dessert. Drinking water is provided on the tables. We operate a cashless card system, which has a daily limit set by parents. We also provide vending machines that take cash, and offer a variety of food and drinks.
There is a medical officer in attendance during school hours to deal with emergencies and health problems that occur during the school day. We ask all parents/carers to give, in confidence, information about illnesses, infirmities or disabilities. This should include children with nut or any other severe allergies and if they require an Epipen or any other medication in school, which needs to be supplied by the parents. It should be emphasised that the medical officer should not be regarded as a substitute doctor and children who are unwell should not be sent to school.
The medical officer can arrange hearing screening for any child if parents/carers so request. We cannot express too strongly the need for parents/carers to contact their family doctor to arrange anti-tetanus protection for students before they take part in environmental courses or activities involving animals.
Essential PE kit - ALL students need:
Maroon polo shirt with St Ivo logo*
Maroon rugby/football/hockey socks*
Trainers (non-marking)
White socks
Boys also need:
Plain black shorts with St Ivo logo*
Swimming trunks (not Bermuda type) and towel
Rugby/football boots (due to use of 3G astroturf, no metal studs or blades please)
Maroon reversible rugby shirt*
Girls also need:
One piece swimsuit (any colour, no two piece swimsuits) and towel
Lighht blue hoodie with St Ivo logo*
Maroon matching 'Skort' OR plain black shorts with St Ivo logo*
Optional PE kit:
Tracksuit bottoms (for outdoor work at discretion of PE staff)
Towel (shower facilities are available for all students)
Gum shield* - recommended for rugby and hockey
Shin pads* - recommended for rugby, football and hockey
All clothing and equipment should be clearly marked with the owner's name. Items followed by * are available from the St Ivo Business Centre.
It may be helpful for parents/carers to know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which raises concern that a child may be at risk from non-accidental injury, neglect or emotional or sexual abuse.
This procedure is intended to protect children and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for concern it is better to be over-cautious than to risk a child's safety. In some cases they therefore have an unavoidable duty to contact Social Services without reference to parents. On other occasions, the school will contact parents prior to contacting Social Services.
Occasionally, this duty on headteachers means that they must risk upsetting some parents/carers by reporting a concern which, on investigation, proves to be unfounded. In these circumstances, it is hoped that parents/carers will appreciate how difficult it is for schools to carry out this delicate responsibility and accept that the headteacher was acting in good faith and had to take these steps in the best interests of children. The designated member of staff with responsibility for child protection is a senior member of staff.
| 8.00 | Resource Centre opens |
| 8.30 | Tutor period |
| 8.45 | Period 1 |
| 9.45 | Period 2 |
| 10.45 | Break |
| 11.05 | Period 3 |
| 12.05 | Period 4 |
| 13.05 | Lunch |
| 13.55 | Registration |
| 14.00 | Period 5 |
| 15.00 | Period 6 - for some students |
| 17.30 | Resource Centre closes (17.00 on Fridays) |
Adult Learning & Skills classes run on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Bus transport for students is arranged by the Local Education Authority. Students in Years 7 - 11 whose homes are three or more miles from the school and in the school's designated catchment area are currently entitled to free transport. Free transport is available for secondary school students from low income families to one of the three nearest qualifying schools where they live more than two miles, but not more than six miles. Students qualify on the grounds of free school meals or where parents are in receipt of maximum level Working Families Tax Credit. Please note that a new application has to be made each year. For further information parents should contact the Social & Education Transport Team at the County Council.
Subject to the availability of seats, children who travel from Hemingford Grey, can purchase tickets from the Local Education Authority, for the Hemingford Service.
When students bring cycles into school, they should observe road safety rules and maintain their brakes and lights frequently during the winter months. Helmets are strongly recommended. Bicycles can be left in the racks provided for cycles in the school grounds. They are left at the owner's risk and students should lock them and remove possessions from them. The police inspect the bikes from time to time. Riding of cycles in the school grounds is not allowed. Students should not leave their bikes at the Leisure Centre.
If you bring your child to school by car, please do not bring the car on to the premises. The best place to drop your child off is in the Leisure Centre car park, to avoid congestion in the streets around the school. Please do not drop off your child at the roundabout at the top of High Leys. Visitors cars are not allowed onto site between 8.10 and 9.00am in the morning and between 2.45 and 3.30pm in the afternoon.
Why we have this policy?
We believe that looking smart and dressing smartly for school is an important part of school life. Our Uniform Policy intends to make clear what students must wear, must not wear, and the areas in which they may exercise choice (such as socks under trousers). Staff do not wear school uniform but are expected to dress smartly, in line with the School Dress Code for Staff.
Parents/carers may also wish to access the uniform benchmarking information and uniform information pack.
Uniform List
All students in Years 7 to 11* must wear:
Jewellery and valuable items
Valuable items should not be brought to school, as far as possible. If they are, they remain the responsibility of their owner to look after them at all times. There is a separate policy covering mobile phones and other electronic devices but, in brief, these may be brought to school at their owners’ risk but they must not be seen or heard during lessons or between consecutive lessons such as between Periods 1 and 2 and between Periods 3 and 4. They may be used during students’ free time, such at break-time and lunchtime but must be switched off at the end of those breaks.
The following items of jewellery, only, may be worn:
Jewellery must be removed for PE lessons.
Facial piercings (other than the ear-studs) and other visible piercings must not be worn.
Make-up
Students in Years 7 to 10 are not permitted to wear make-up (including nail varnish) in school. Students in Year 11 may wear a small amount of make-up, discreetly. Year 11 students unsure about how much make-up counts as discreet should seek advice from the Head or Assistant Head of Year 11.
Hair
Extreme hair-styles, such as Mohicans and words and patterns shaved into the hair, are not permitted.
If hair is dyed, it must not be dyed a colour that could not be achieved naturally. In other words, hair may be dyed blond, since blond is a natural colour for hair, but not bright blue or green etc… because these are not natural colours for hair.
Additional information
* Students in the Sixth Form do not wear school uniform but have their own dress code.
All clothing and equipment should be clearly marked with the owner's name. Very expensive items should not be brought to school.
