Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
2012/13
Produced by Queen Elizabeth High School, July 2013
Further copies are available from:
The Headteacher’s PA
Queen Elizabeth High School
Whetstone Bridge Road
Hexham
Northumberland
NE46 3JB tel: 01434 610301 email: bshevlin@qehs.net
Or in PDF format downloadable from the QEHS website - www.qehs.net

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Aims, Ethos and Values ...................................5
Structure of School and Contacts .................5
The Hexham Partnership ...............................8
Transfer ..............................................................8
Concerns ............................................................9
Timing of the School Day .............................10
Term Dates and Holidays .............................10
Attendance .....................................................11
Absence ...........................................................11
Holidays During Term Time..........................11
Anti‑Bullying...................................................12
Behaviour ........................................................12
SIFS and STARS ...............................................12
eSafety .............................................................13
Student Planners ...........................................13
Equipment Required for School .................14
Student Voice .................................................14
Homework ......................................................15
The Learning Resource Centre ....................16
Special Educational Needs ...........................16
School Health Advisers .................................17
Parents’ Evenings and Reports ....................17
Blocked Weeks ...............................................18
Emergency Contact .......................................18
Medical Information and Medication ........18
No Smoking ....................................................18
School Uniform ..............................................19
Personal Belongings .....................................20
Lost Property ..................................................20
School Meals ...................................................21
Travelling to/from School ............................22
Road Safety .....................................................22
Parent Partnership Group ............................23
Multi‑Agency Working ..................................23
Making Payments ..........................................23
Accessibility ....................................................24
Publications ....................................................24
Policies .............................................................24
Communicating with the School.................25
ParentMail® .....................................................25
Senior Members of Staff ...............................26
Notes ................................................................27

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
• We aim to promote the intellectual, aesthetic, moral, physical and social development of all our students.
• We believe that creative and performing arts make a unique contribution to the education of young people.
• We believe that equality of opportunity is an entitlement necessary for our school community to flourish.
• We aim to develop positive relationships and to achieve an atmosphere of mutual respect.
• We believe extra-curricular activities are an essential part of school life.
• We aim to produce excellent results in all we do and to ensure students are happy and successful.
General Enquiries
Queen Elizabeth High School, Whetstone Bridge Road, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3JB
01434 610300 (email: admin@queenelizabeth.northumberland.sch.uk)
Appointments with the Federation Headteacher or Head of School
Headteacher’s PA: 01434 610301 (email: bshevlin@qehs.net)
Absence Line
01434 610310 (This number may be used between 8.30am and 9.00am for all year groups, 9-13)
The school is organised in four teams: Pastoral, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning and Business
Management.
Pastoral Team (led by Diane Harris)
The Pastoral Team is concerned with the support and guidance of young people and their general wellbeing.
Members of this team are here to work with students, and you as parents, to ensure that we work together to try to remove barriers to learning.
Any simple questions can be sent via a note in your child’s planner to their tutor. If you have any general enquiries about your son or daughter’s wellbeing and/or anything that may affect their learning, then you should contact the Learning and Guidance Co-ordinator or the Mentor for that year group. They will be able to discuss more complex issues with you and advise you with regard to appropriate strategies to support your son/daughter.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Learning and Guidance Co‑ordinators
Year 9 - David Todd: 01434 610315 (email: dtodd@qehs.net)
Year 10 - Emerson Brown: 01434 610316 (email: ebrown@qehs.net)
Year 11 - Helen Pringle: 01434 610314 (email: hpringle@qehs.net)
Year 12/13 - Gordon Whitfield 01434 610357 (email: gwhitfield@qehs.net)
Learning Mentors
Year 9 - Karen Turnbull: 01434 610315 (email: kturnbull@qehs.net)
Year 10 - Karen McNeillie/Sharon Milburn: 01434 610316 (email: kmcneillie@qehs.net/smilburn@qehs.net)
Year 11 - Libby Herbertson: 01434 610314 (email: lherbertson@qehs.net)
Year 12/13 - Steve Wilson 01434 610357 (email: swilson@qehs.net)
Special Educational Needs
Kitty Graham 01434 610329 (email: cgraham@qehs.net)
Jean Barnett 01434 610329 (email: jbarnett@qehs.net)
Curriculum Team (led by Andy Byers and John Hill)
The Curriculum Team is responsible for raising achievement and for the academic events in school relating to curriculum, achievement and progression, including:
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•
•
•
•
• co-ordinating the work of subject departments reviewing and organising the curriculum and timetable guiding students onto the courses that are right for them providing support for students in their applications for higher education communicating targets for academic achievement and progress supporting teachers and departments with strategies to raise achievement, or intervene if a student’s progress falls below target
If you have a general enquiry about your child’s progress in lessons it should be directed, in the first instance, to their subject teacher via a note in the planner or a telephone call/letter. More complex subject based issues can be dealt with by contacting the curriculum or subject leader.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Curriculum subject leaders are listed below:
Pam Vennart
Ruth Platts
Michael Wilde
Peter Elliott
Dave Jones
Sharon Platt
Lindsey Bevan
Charmian Baring
Simon Mawson
Richard Tattersall
Amanda Fletcher-Woods
English
Maths
Technology
Geography
RE
Business Studies
Languages
Classics
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Nina Blight
Robin Hodnett
Martin Hoile
Lesley Kerr
Emily Macdonald
Sarah Morgan
Sheenagh McIntyre
Steve Mullins
John Hill
Oliver Williams
Andy Hedley
Health & Social Care
History
Music
Social Sciences
Drama
Dance/Performing Arts
Art
PE
Economics
IT
PSHE
The Curriculum Team can deal with enquiries relating to the curriculum, options and higher education applications, and complex academic issues which cannot be resolved by curriculum leaders or the SENCO. To speak to a member of the curriculum team, contact Joanne Ballantyne (Admin Assistant Curriculum Team on
01434 610312 or email: curriculum@qehs.net). Alternatively, you can email directly
Michelle van den Berg - Curriculum Advisor (email: mvandenberg@qehs.net)
Rebecca Ruddick - Curriculum Advisor (email: rruddick@qehs.net)
Sue Boath - Data Manager (email: sboath@qehs.net)
James Rainford - Data Assistant (email: jrainford@qehs.net)
Teaching and Learning (led by James Andriot)
This team aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning through a process of continuing professional development.
The Business Management Team (led by Susan Hope)
Business Management provides all support functions within the school which includes school catering, site and facilities management, the Learning Resource Centre, exams administration and finance.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
The school’s official catchment area is a large one, extending north/south from Humshaugh to Blanchland and east/west from Riding Mill to Hexham. A significant number of students from outside this area also attend the school. The Hexham Partnership is a strong one.
The Partnership consists of the following schools:
First Schools (Years 0‑4):
The Sele First, Hexham East First, Acomb First, Beaufront First, Broomhaugh Church of England First, Chollerton
Church of England First, Corbridge Church of England First, Humshaugh Church of England First, Slaley First, St
Mary’s RC First School, Whitley Chapel Church of England First School, Whittonstall First.
Middle Schools (Years 5‑8):
Hexham Middle School, Corbridge Middle School, St Joseph’s RC Voluntary Aided Middle School.
High School (Years 9‑13):
Queen Elizabeth High School
QEHS is federated with Hexham Middle School. Both schools are led by Neil Morrison, Federation Headteacher.
There is one governing body for both schools.
The transition between Year 8 and Year 9 is very important. Senior staff and the Year Team visit each middle school to talk to students. Parents are invited to transfer meetings in Year 7 to find out about the transfer process, the curriculum and the pastoral support systems.
Students are invited to a transfer day in July when they meet their form tutor and spend time with their tutor group.
Mid‑year admissions
Once a successful application to Northumberland County Council has been made, you will receive a ‘Mid-year admission’ pack from the school. The pack will contain all relevant documents and order forms for uniform and sports clothing.
You will be invited into school, along with your son or daughter for an informal tour which will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions. If your son or daughter is in Year 10 or Year 11 we will endeavour to provide a curriculum that is as close as possible to the one studied previously. However, please be aware that we may not be able to offer the same courses.
Also, please be aware that new timetables for all year groups begin after summer half-term, rather than
September.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Staff and governors of our school wish to work co-operatively with parents and other members of the community to ensure the school provides a high quality of service. As a consequence we are very keen that any initial concerns are brought to our attention so that they can be dealt with quickly and effectively.
To help direct initial concerns to the appropriate member of staff the following guidance should be followed in the first instance: a) b) c) d)
A concern about your child’s progress or experience in a particular subject – contact the Curriculum
Leader of the subject. The main school office can help identify the appropriate person.
A concern about your child’s general welfare – contact your child’s form tutor, mentor or Learning and
Guidance Co-ordinator.
A concern about matters other than the above – contact the school’s main office who will be able to allocate the concern to the most appropriate member of staff.
If having tried (a), (b) or (c), the concern still exists then please contact the Head of School.
Our Complaints Procedure is available on the school’s website - www.qehs.net

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Period 1
Registration
Period 2
Break
Period 3
Lunch
Period 4
Period 5
8.55am
10.00am
10.15am
11.20am
11.40am
12.40pm
1.20pm
2.20pm*
End of school day 3.20pm
* School finishes at 2:20pm on the following Tuesdays for staff training
Autumn Term Spring Term
10 September 2013 21 January 2014
1 October 2013 4 February 2014
Summer Term
22 April 2014
6 May 2014
15 October 2013 25 February 2014 20 May 2014
12 November 2013
26 November 2013
17 December 2013
11 March 2014
25 March 2014
10 June 2014
24 June 2014
15 July 2014
Start of Autumn term
Last day of half-term
Return to school
Last day of term
Start of Spring term
Last day of half-term
Return to school
Last day of term
Start of Summer term
Last day of half-term
Return to school
Last day of term
Dates correct at July 2013
Tuesday 3 September 2013
Thursday 24 October 2013
Monday 4 November 2013
Friday 20 December 2013
Monday 6 January 2014
Thursday 13 February 2014
Monday 24 February 2014
Friday 4 April 2014
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Friday 23 May 2014
Monday 2 June 2014
Friday 18 July 2014
Staff Training Days
Monday 2 September 2013
Friday 25 October 2013
Friday 14 February 2014
Public Holiday
Monday 5 May 2014

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Full attendance is a vital part of academic success. Students are also able to keep track of their own attendance using the attendance chart in their student planners. Attendance should be as close to 100% as possible.
Missing lessons can have a big impact on KS3 and GCSE grades. Excellent attendance improves learning and success. If a student’s attendance falls below 85% you will be contacted and a meeting at school may be necessary. You should note that any further absences may not be authorised by the school. This will depend on the circumstances. A doctor’s note may be requested if there is persistent absence due to illness.
If your son/daughter is too ill to attend school, please contact the Pastoral Office on 01434 610310 (between
8.30am & 9.00am). When calling please provide as much information as possible including: the student’s full name, the nature of the illness, name of the person calling. Please remember, the school is responsible for authorising the absence, not parents, so there may be follow up calls from Year Team staff.
Please provide a note when your son/daughter returns to school. This should be given to their form tutor.
We aim to contact all parents of students on the first day of absence if no contact has been made. This is done via a text message asking parents to confirm the reason for absence.
Please try to make appointments for the dentist and doctor out of school hours.
Please ensure that holidays are taken during school holidays. Please speak to the Learning and Guidance
Co-ordinator before booking a holiday during term time.
Headteachers have discretionary power to grant leave of absence but it is only in exceptional circumstances
(generally due to the parent’s/carer’s occupational requirements) that leave will be granted. The statistics speak for themselves and it is worth noting that a child who is absent for a fortnight’s holiday will only have a maximum of 95% attendance during that school year.
Please refer to the Hexham Partnership Policy document for Family Holidays during Term Time which is available on our website - www.qehs.net

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
We have an Anti-Bullying Policy that provides effective procedures for dealing with problems. The full
Anti-Bullying Policy is available on the QEHS website - www.qehs.net. Students also have more information and advice regarding bullying in their student planners.
Please inform the Year Team if you have any concerns regarding bullying.
All students have information regarding behaviour in their student planners titled ‘Your Behaviour Your
Choices’.
The full Behaviour Policy is available on the QEHS website - www.qehs.net.
STARS
STARS are St udent A chievement R ecords. They are given to report on positive actions, such as good work, progress, taking responsibility, positive contributions. STARS are recorded electronically and the student’s aim is to build up as many of these as possible. Further rewards can be achieved depending upon the number of
STARS students attain.
SIFS
Whenever a student chooses to behave in a way that is unacceptable despite having been warned (i.e. stage
3 onwards – ‘Your Behaviour Your Choices’ in students’ planners) SIFS – the S tudent I nformation F eedback
S heet, will be recorded electronically and seen by their Tutor, the Curriculum Leader and their Learning and
Guidance Co-ordinator. In this way the school can monitor how the student is getting on. These SIFS can also be seen by parents on ePortal as a record is kept electronically of all SIFS received. Further action is taken when SIFS are given. See ‘Your Behaviour Your Choices’ – Staged Process in student planners where more detailed information is given. Parents will be contacted when the number of SIFS becomes a concern.
Celebration Evening
This takes place annually. Students are nominated by their year team and subject teachers to receive awards for their hard work, effort and commitment.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
QEHS takes eSafety very seriously. We have a detailed eSafety policy (available via the school website - www.
qehs.net) that covers all aspects of electronic safety and it is reviewed at least annually.
We aim to educate everyone connected with our school community. In order to maximise the extent of this education, we:
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• have annual training for all staff; deliver education to the students through the PSHE/assembly programme; have a dedicated section on the school website - www.qehs.net, which includes the ability to report suspicious online behaviour direct to CEOPs (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre).
All internet access is logged. Filtering occurs at two levels, firstly by the county-provided ISP (DurhamNet) and secondly within school, maintained by our Network Manager. We find that with this dual layer of filtering we are better placed to respond to unsuitable online sites.
Policy Central Enterprise software which monitors use of desktop PCs by students and provides reports to senior staff will be fully commissioned for September 2013. All students/parents and staff are required to sign the Acceptable Use Policy. This covers aspects such as internet use and equipment use within the school.
Students can bring laptops into school provided parental permission is given. Personal laptops can only be used in lessons with permission from the subject teacher.
Students also have guidance notes on eSafety in their planners which they are required to sign. This contains information on the Acceptable Use Policy, mobile phones and laptops. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Students are given a planner at the start of each academic year. The planner is an important way of communicating between home and school. Students should use the planner to record homework and parents should read and sign it on a weekly basis. The planner will also be signed by the form tutor.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
It is expected that students should have the appropriate equipment to carry out their lessons at school / activities after school, this includes:
• a bag - large enough to carry an A4 file and other books, etc. NOT a handbag.
- the bag should be brought to school every day.
• the bag should contain
- planner
- pens
- pencils
- ruler
- rubber
- calculator
- and any other equipment necessary for students’ option subjects
This equipment is essential for students to learn effectively. Tutors will check if students have equipment and follow up with sanctions should there be a persistent problem.
Each form class elects two representatives who meet as part of the Year Council. The School Council is made up of two members of each year group, elected from the Year Council.
Students have played a valuable part in raising money for charity, posed questions to the Town Council, had input into school policies and been involved in the appointment of many members of staff. An annual
‘Student Voice Conference’ involving all schools in the Partnership also takes place.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Students are provided with a student planner in order to help them manage and organise their homework.
Homework timetables will be issued at the start of the autumn term but will follow the guidelines below:
Key Stage 3 (Year 9)
Students will receive between 60 and 90 minutes homework each day as follows:
Subject
Maths
English
Science
Technology, History, Art,
Drama, 2nd Lang
Geography, RE, Music,
French
Approx. Time
1 hour per week
1 hour per week
1 hour per week
1 x 1 hour per fortnight
1 x 1 hour per fortnight
When Set?
The exact timing of this homework will be determined by class timetables and through discussion with curriculum leaders.
Students will be notified at the beginning of the year.
Q Band Week 2 / E Band Week 1 (to be completed for the following week)
Q Band Week 1 / E Band Week 2 (to be completed for the following week)
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11):
Students will receive between 90 and 120 minutes homework each day as follows:
Subject
Maths
English
Science
Up to 4 option subjects
Approx. Time
2 hours per week
2 hours per week
2 hours per week
1 hour per week per subject
When Set?
The exact timing of this homework will be determined by class timetables and through discussion with curriculum leaders.
Students will be notified at the beginning of the year.
Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13):
There is an expectation that homework will be set at the end of most post-16 lessons.
The full Homework Policy is available on the QEHS website - www.qehs.net.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is situated on B Floor in the lower school building. The LRC supports teaching and learning within the school by offering access to a range of relevant printed and electronic resources. The LRC encourages the development of independent learning as well as promoting reading for pleasure.
All students at QEHS can use the LRC. Sixth formers can use it in their study periods. Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 may use the LRC in class with their teachers or individually with permission from their teacher. All students receive an induction into the LRC at the beginning of Year 9.
Resources and Facilities
There are approximately twelve thousand books in the LRC. These are divided into fiction and non fiction. The fiction books are shelved in alphabetical order of author’s surname and the non fiction books are arranged in subject order using the Dewey Decimal Classification system. The LRC also holds a range of magazines and newspapers, DVDs and Study Packs. There are eighty study spaces in the LRC.
There are sixteen PCs in the LRC which are available to book. Year 9, 10 and 11 students may book a computer before school, during lunch and after school. There is a black and white printer, a colour printer and a photocopier in the LRC.
The LRC has a careers section which holds information on opportunities for employment, training, further and higher education.
Staff
Staff are available to help at all times. The LRC welcomes student volunteers and anyone who is interested should speak to the Librarian, Mrs Smith.
Opening Times
The LRC is open from 8.30am – 4.30pm on Monday – Thursday and 8.30am – 3.30pm on Friday.
The Individual Studies department at QEHS offers support to students, parents and teaching staff to help all our students access the school curriculum. We have teaching assistants who work in lessons with teaching staff or individually with students to meet a range of educational needs from general to specific learning difficulties. As well as supporting and monitoring students who have been identified to us at time of transfer, we also assess students referred to us by teaching staff as well as parents.
ASD Provision
In response to an increase in the number of students identified as being on the autistic spectrum, the department now incorporates provision for these students. A relaxed and supportive environment is offered in The Base at break and lunchtime as well as small group or individual sessions to help students access and cope with the demands of the mainstream curriculum.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
The school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCo) are Kitty Graham and Jean Barnett.
Our School Health Advisers, Sarah Lambton and Kath Ibberson, provide an additional support service for students in school. Sarah is in school every Wednesday and Kath every Tuesday. If students are worried about their own physical, mental or emotional health, or about someone else, or would like information about any aspect of health then they can book an appointment with Sarah or Kath (tel: 01434 636939) or via their tutor
/ mentor.
Parents will receive an annual written report and at least one progress report from each subject teacher.
Data about each student’s progress is collected from their subject teachers; the student will then discuss their strengths and their areas for development with their subject teacher. Together, specific targets will be identified for the student which will be reviewed at their next review. Details of the targets set, review dates and also target grades for each subject will be recorded in student planners. We hope that this will ensure students will achieve their potential in all that they do.
Parents’ Evenings
Year Group & Band Date
Year 13 Monday 30 September 2013
Year 9Q
Year 9E
Wednesday 20 November 2013
Thursday 28 November 2013
Year Group & Band Date
Year 11Q Thursday 6 February 2014
Year 11E
Year 10Q
Wednesday 12 February 2014
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Year 12 Tuesday 3 December 2013 Year 10E Thursday 1 May 2014
Reports
Year Group
Year 11
Year 13
Year 10
Year 9
Year 12
Date
Friday 25 October 2013
Friday 6 December 2013
Friday 24 January 2014
Friday 14 February 2014
Friday 28 March 2014
Dates correct at July 2013
Reports are available to view online and all parents will receive a username and password to allow them to log in and access their child’s report. Parents will be given the opportunity to opt out of online reporting if they wish to receive reports by post.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
In addition to our normal timetable there are five weeks in the year when the normal timetable will be suspended and students receive a different timetable. In Years 10, 12 and 13 students will spend 1 full day on each of their option subjects. In Year 11 students will spend an extended period of time on English and
Science (this is to ensure that there is enough time for students to complete controlled assessments and practical exams in these subjects). In Year 9 students receive a slightly different timetable with some extended blocks of time in some subjects, allowing different types of learning activities in these subjects. Please note also that in blocked weeks, school will finish at 3.20pm on Tuesdays. The blocked weeks for 2013/14 are as follows:
• Week commencing Monday 23 September 2013
• Week commencing Monday 4 November 2013
• Week commencing Monday 9 December 2013
• Week commencing Monday 13 January 2014
• Week commencing Monday 30 June 2014
It is vital that we have an up to date contact number for parents and an emergency contact for those occasions when a parent cannot be reached. The parents/carers of new Year 9 students should have already been sent an emergency contact information form to complete.
If your son/daughter has a medical condition or if they may be required take medication during school hours
(e.g. prescription tablets, asthma inhaler), please ensure that the school is informed so an appropriate medical plan can be put in place.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the school site. The school’s no smoking policy is available on the
QEHS website - www.qehs.net or from the Hydro Office.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
School Uniform Policy
The key principles upon which the uniform code is based are as follows.
Uniform requirements should:
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• be simple, clear and unambiguous ensure student comfort
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•
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• be practical ensure health and safety of students help promote a school identity help promote school community cohesion
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• help maintain a positive public image and reputation be affordable prevent inequality of opportunity
Girls
Boys
General
• School sweatshirt
• White polo shirt (collar to be worn outside sweatshirt)
• Plain black school type skirt or trousers (no miniskirts, denim or leggings)
• Plain black footwear (no logos)*
• Tights, if worn, should be plain black
• School sweatshirt
• White polo shirt (collar to be worn outside sweatshirt)
• Plain black school type trousers (no denim)
• Plain black footwear (no logos)*
• Jewellery – watches and stud earrings are acceptable.
• Make‑up – a reasonable amount is acceptable.
• Small plain black belts are acceptable.
• Uniform should be appropriate both with regard to the policy and in the judgement of the
senior leadership team.
* For health and safety reasons students will be expected to change their footwear for PE lessons.
Further Guidance
In order to assist parents and students to comply with the school’s uniform code, further clarification is given below.
School Trousers/Skirts
School type trousers do not include black jeans or black canvas trousers of any type. The trousers should not have any rivets/studs in the pockets. Trousers should also be full length and not rolled up at the ankle and leggings of any type are not acceptable. Skirts should be of a respectable length.
School Sweatshirt
- students must wear/bring a school sweatshirt to school every day
- no other sweatshirts must be worn
- no cardigans or jumpers must be worn

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Jewellery
‑ no jewellery associated with any piercings (e.g. nose, eyebrows) is allowed
- stud type earrings does not include wearing expanders
Footwear
‑ as well as black uppers, soles of shoes should be black
- there should be no coloured/white logos or other markings; logos may be coloured black with permanent
marker
- laces must be black
- socks/tights must be plain and black
Hairstyles
‑ extreme hairstyles are not allowed
- hair colouring must be in natural hair colours only
Buying Uniform
During term time, students can collect an order form from the lower school office, forms can also be downloaded from the school website - www.qehs.net. Once completed, the form and payment should be sent to the Finance Office on D floor of the Hydro building. Uniform is then issued via the student’s form tutor.
Please be aware that not all items are held in stock. Orders are placed fairly regularly with the supplier but we cannot guarantee immediate delivery. In the summer term, forms will be issued to all current students to order new uniform for September. Parents can collect these orders on specified dates (notified in advance) during the summer holidays.
Personal belongings are the responsibility of students. Outdoor clothing should be removed in all lessons.
Hats should be removed before entering school.
Students should not bring valuables or large amounts of money into school. Mobile phones, ipods/MP3 players are allowed in school but must be switched off and stored in school bags at all times. These items are not allowed to be used in corridors/social areas and may be confiscated if they are used in school. If this is the case they can be collected only at the end of the school day.
Please note that the school is not responsible for any personal belongings that are lost or stolen on the premises.
It is easier to trace the owner of lost property if it is clearly labelled. However, lost property can be collected from the main school office.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Please remember not to bring large amounts of money or other valuables to school. We cannot take responsibility for the loss or damage of any expensive items (e.g. iPods, mobile phones).
School meals are provided by QEHS school meals staff. There is one lunch break and three main serving areas:
Year 9
Years 10 & 11
Years 12 & 13
Hydro Building Cafe and Winter Garden
Lower School Main Hall
The serving times at each dining area are as follows:
(The Kitchen)
Lower School Sixth Form Cafe
(Zone 9)
(The Café)
Main Kitchen (Lower School)
Morning Break Service 11.20-11.35am
Lunch Service 12.40-1.20pm
Zone 9 8am- 1.20pm (Breakfast service for all school 8am to 8.40am)
The Café 8am-2pm (Breakfast service for all school 8am to 8.40am)
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•
•
•
All food must be eaten in the students’ respective dining areas with the exception of the breakfast service.
Alternatively, students can bring a packed lunch and use the dining areas for their year group.
Students wishing to leave school at lunchtime to return home for lunch must bring a letter from a parent.
A pass will be issued.
Students are not allowed to leave school at lunchtime, with the exception of the previous point.
A pre-ordering system for lunch is available for students. An order can be placed at breakfast or break time and picked up from the dedicated point at lunch time. Packed lunches are also available, ordered in advance, for school trips, visits and sporting fixtures.
We operate a biometric cashless system for the payment of school meals. This allows students to purchase food and drinks using biometric thumb recognition or by PIN number. Monies can be added to each student account by:
• Cheque made payable to NCC QEHS. Please use the envelopes provided and secure boxes located outside the Lower School main kitchen and the corridor outside the Zone 9 Café in the Hydro Building
• Cash using an evaluation machine. These machines are located in the Hydro Building, Main Foyer, Lower
School Main Hall, and A Floor Corridor.
Students must have money credited to their account to allow them to purchase a lunch. The cost of a school meal or a meal deal is £2.45 and there are lots of other individually priced healthy options. More details on

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14 menus etc are available on the school website - www.qehs.net.
If a student qualifies for free school meals the monetary value of £2.45 per day is automatically added to the student account.
An online payment system via ParentMail2® will be available in the autumn term. This is for parents who prefer to pay online for school supplies (school meals, uniforms, resources, trips and visits). More detailed information wil be sent to parents when the system is ready to go live.
School Buses
All students travelling to school by bus organised by the Integrated Transport Section of Northumberland
County Council will receive a bus pass. The bus pass must be shown to the driver.
Currently buses drop off and pick up from both Whetstone Bridge Road and the Hydro Drive. You will be informed by the Integrated Transport Unit of your child’s pick up point for the beginning and the end of the school day.
Sixth Form Cars on Site
Students are not allowed to park their cars on school premises. Students parking their cars in the neighbourhood of the school must take care not to block access to roads or houses.
Students must drive with extreme caution within the vicinity of the school. The speed limit is 20 mph on the roads around the school.
The police will be informed immediately if any student is seen to be speeding or driving without sufficient care or attention.
Other Modes of Transport
Students can cycle to school. A covered bike shelter is available. Students are responsible for their bike security and it is left at their own risk.
Whetstone Bridge Road and Allendale Road can become very congested at the start and the end of the school day. Help us to ensure the safety of students entering and leaving school by dropping off or collecting your son/daughter a short distance from school. Please note that additional restrictions to parking and speed on
Whetstone Bridge Road have been put in place by Northumberland County Council.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
We value the quality of the relationships between staff, parents and students. The Parent Partnership Group
(PPG) is an informal forum for parents to express their views on a wide range of issues linked to raising achievement within school.
Meetings are held at the school.
We aim to provide exceptional support for students and their families/carers. We work in partnership with other schools and agencies, including voluntary and community organisations, signposting to existing services where appropriate. We consult widely with all our stakeholders including students, families, our staff and the wider community to identify priorities and needs.
We have close working relationships with a wide variety of agencies including our Locality Inclusion Support
Team (LIST) which includes our Education Welfare Officer, Educational Psychologist, Behaviour Support
Teacher and Worker, Inclusion Support Worker and Communication Support staff. We also work closely with the School Health Advisors, Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS), the Youth Service, the local police, the
Children’s Centre, Children’s Services (social workers) and voluntary and community sector organisations e.g.
Hexham Youth Initiative, Tynedale Hospice and SixtyEightyThirty, to co-ordinate support for our students and their families/carers depending on their needs.
We firmly believe the school is part of the community and our student support work reflects the needs of the community. Regular multi-agency meetings take place to ensure effective working across the organisations and professionals involved. Prevention and early intervention is a key focus of this work.
Parents will be contacted when it is felt a multi-agency approach may be beneficial to their son/daughter.
Parents can contact their son/daughter’s Learning and Guidance Co-ordinator or Mentor should they wish to discuss any issue where they feel additional support may be required.
Resources / Educational Visits / School Uniform
All payments for resources, educational visits or school uniform should be handed in at the Finance Office on
D floor of the Hydro building. All payments should be in a sealed envelope with student name, tutor group and what the payment is for clearly marked.
A receipt (if required) will be passed to the student via their form tutor.

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Show Tickets and Performances
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Lower School Office and students will be informed when this facility is available.
All payments should be made payable to: NCC - QEHS. Online payments for parents will be available during the autumn term. Information will be sent to parents when this facility goes live.
The school is committed to equality of opportunity. We intend that every member of the school community feels a sense of belonging and is valued.
QEHS produces a number of publications which are posted on our website - www.qehs.net. These publications are available in alternative formats on request. Our website has a high visibility version available.
There is access to the school for those with physical disability. Should anyone require assistance they should ask at reception. Alternative venues in school can be found for visitors if there is a problem with accessibility to certain floors of the building.
We are fully committed to discharging our equalities duties for students, staff and visitors to the school site.
We continue to strive for a curriculum that is inclusive to all students. The Equality Policy is on our website - www.qehs.net.
Prospectus
The school Prospectus can be downloaded from the QEHS website - www.qehs.net.
Other Publications
The school also produces a number of other publications including a Community and Leisure Programme,
Arts Publications and Subject Options Programmes. Some publications are available to download from the
QEHS website - www.qehs.net. Alternatively contact the school directly on 01434 610300.
Many of the school policies are available on the QEHS website - www.qehs.net,
Alternatively please contact the school direct:
Susan Hope - Business Manager: 01434 610369 (email: shope@qehs.net)
Barbara Shevlin - Headteacher’s PA: 01434 610301 (email: bshevlin@qehs.net)

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Appointments with Staff
If you would like to meet with a member of staff outside of the Parents’ Evening schedule please contact the main office on 01434 610300. Please be aware that if you arrive at school without an appointment it may not be possible to speak to the member of staff you want to.
Visitors to the School
All visitors to the school should sign in, either at Reception in the Lower School or at the Hydro Reception.
Visitors will be issued with a name badge to wear whilst on site. When leaving the school the visitor should sign out and return the name badge.
Website
The school website can be found at www.qehs.net and includes information on:
•
• school news policies
•
• publications student work
•
• course information school calendar
Twitter
You may follow us on Twitter. Our account is @QEHSHexham.
•
• resources reports and results
Queen Elizabeth High School has used ParentMail® for a number of years now and we currently have over 75% of parents/carers registered to use this facility. It allows you to receive letters and reminders from school direct into your home and/or work e-mail account, helping us to communicate more effectively.
We now use ParentMail2® which has a lot of extra features and will eventually allow you to make on-line payments for dinner money, school trips etc.
This new version of ParentMail® requires the parent or carer to log in and set up their own account. Once we have the students registered on the database, you will receive a letter and an activation code along with details of how to set up your account. If you already have a student at Queen Elizabeth High School, the activation code will allow you to connect your existing account to the student joining us.
ParentMail2® is designed for the parents/carers to keep their own account up to date, so after the initial registration by the school, it is then up to you to keep your account up to date with any e-mail changes.
If you have any queries regarding ParentMail® please contact Susan Boath, Data Manager, on 01434 610338 or email sboath@qehs.net

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14
Neil Morrison (Federation Headteacher)
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•
•
•
•
•
Overall strategic leadership and development
Budget planning and monitoring
Staffing
Monitoring and evaluation of school performance
School Development Plan
Strategic community links
Andy Byers (Head of School)
•
•
•
•
Day to day management
Leave of absence (staff / students)
Facilities/buildings - strategic development
Communications strategy
•
•
Middle leader development
Leadership of Curriculum Team
- Curriculum
- Achievement and standards
- Monitoring and evaluating department and
student performance
- Staff deployment
- Oversee production of timetable
- Leadership and management of curriculum
leaders and staff in curriculum team
Diane Harris (Senior Deputy Headteacher)
•
•
•
•
Staff welfare
E-safety
Middle leader development
Leadership of Pastoral Team
- Behaviour and attendance
- Student guidance and support
- Co-ordinate outside agencies’ support
- Child Protection lead
- Children looked after lead
- Leadership and management of LGCs and
staff in Pastoral Team
- Monitoring provision
of additional educational needs
Further information is available on the QEHS website - www.qehs.net
James Andriot (Assistant Headteacher)
• Leadership of Teaching and Learning Team
- Co-ordinate department teaching and learning
reviews
- Monitoring and improving the quality of
teaching and learning
- Lead CPD and co-ordinate CPD activities in
school
- Monitoring provision for newly qualified and
trainee teachers
John Hill (Director of Studies / Sixth Form)
• Assistant leadership of Curriculum Team
- Curriculum
- Progression (including advice, guidance and
systems for managing applications to higher
education)
‑ Transition
- Options (Y9 into 10 / Y11 into 12)
- Curriculum links with middle schools
- Curriculum enrichment activities
- Sixth form networks
Susan Hope (Business Manager)
• Leadership of Business Management Team
- Budget planning and finance procedures and
systems
- HR systems and management
- Administration systems
- IT network / infrastructure
- Facilities management
- Health and Safety
- Exams
- Community Education
- School Catering

Parents’ Guide 20 13 /20 14

2012/13
2013