Welcome to Sherburn High School.
Moving up to high school is an exciting and daunting time for both
your child and for you. It is an important milestone in life which
marks the change from dependence to independence and the
increasing need for organisation and significant life skills.
When a child starts secondary school, they are expected to cope with a whole
variety of new experiences and changes, a lot of which demand skills and abilities
that they have not had to use before.
Unfortunately these skills do not magically develop in the six week summer break
before your child begins secondary school! Instead, they need to be taught and
children need support in developing them.
Your role in the transition process is really important and whilst it’s always helpful
to remember the key rule of ‘never do anything regularly for your child that they
are capable of doing for themselves’ it is also essential that your child knows that
they can count on you for support in learning and developing the skills essential in
high school.
In the first few months, your child is likely to need lots of help from you in order
to get used to life at high school, so it’s important that you feel you have the
knowledge of the systems in place at Sherburn High so that you can support your
child when necessary.
Along with basic information about the school, you will find in this guide some
simple tips for you to try to show your child that you understand what they are
having to deal with in this transition process.
Indeed, by the end of the autumn term, most students feel completely settled and
will probably be happy to cope with things on their own. However, your continuing
support is essential in helping your child reach their full potential at Sherburn High
School.
I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming years of your child’s time at
Sherburn High.
Hayley Wilkinson
(Head of House & Responsible for Transition).
Children often have to travel further to high school than they did to their primary
school. In some cases this will involve travelling to school independently for the first
time – and for some, travelling by bus.
They may have to wear full school uniform for the first time and have lots of new rules
to consider and remember.
Instead of one teacher they will be taught by thirteen or fourteen teachers and have to
get to know a whole range of adults in different roles in the school.
The school site will be much bigger than their primary school and they will have to find
their way around, carrying their belongings with them.
They will have to use and understand a complex timetable that runs over 2 weeks.
Perhaps for the first time, they will be completely responsible for ensuring they have
the correct books and equipments for 5 different lessons per day.
They will be given complete responsibility for recording homework and for completing it
and handing it in on time.
Teaching and learning styles may be very different. They will be expected to write
more frequently and for longer.
Break and lunch time will see less adult supervision than in primary school (although
adult supervision is still there) and they will have more independence in terms of getting
to lessons on time.
From September 2011 students will no longer spend registration time in
horizontal year group forms (i.e. forms made up of students only from their
year group).
Instead, the 20 minutes of morning registration will be spent in a vertical
form which contains a small number of students from every year group from
Year 7 to Year 13.
The philosophy behind this is to foster a greater sense of community in the
school. Research has shown that children who are placed in vertical tutor
groups feel more settled and comfortable in the school environment, as
younger students have older role models to look up to and older students have
younger students to mentor. Additionally, form tutors have smaller tutor
groups and are thus able to spend more time with individual students.
The school will be split into 4 Houses, each containing 10 forms with
approximately 20 students. Each House will be led by a House Achievement
Leader with a House Achievement Coordinator and a linked member of the
Senior Leadership Team.
Community, competition, but above all friendship and sense of belonging are
our key aims in this vertical tutoring system.
Once registration is over, students go into normal lessons containing students
only from their horizontal year group (i.e. Year 7).
House Achievement Leader – Mrs Ann Tomlinson (Head of Key Stage 4)
House Achievement Coordinator – Mrs Lorraine Geldard
House Senior Leadership Team Link – Mr Martyn Sibley (Headteacher)
House Colour - Purple
House Leadership
House Achievement Leader
House Achievement Coordinator
Mrs Tomlinson
Mrs Geldard
ann.tomlinson@sherburnhigh.co.uk
lorraine.geldard@sherburnhigh.co.uk
House SLT Link
Mr Sibley
martyn.sibley@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form Tutors
Form 1
Form 6
Mrs Naylor
Mrs Bedford
dawn.naylor@sherburnhigh.co.uk
justine.bedford@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 2
Form 7
Mr Brennan
Mr Bagshaw
paul.brennan@sherburnhigh.co.uk
john.bagshaw@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 3
Form 8
Mr Brookes
Mr Childs
james.brookes@sherburnhigh.co.uk
george.childs@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 4
Form 9
Mr Wilson
Mrs Abbot
mervyn.wilson@sherburnhigh.co.uk
clare.abbott@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 5
Form 10
Mrs Landon
Mrs Arrand
helen.landon@sherburnhigh.co.uk
katy.arrand@sherburnhigh.co.uk
House Achievement Leader – Miss Emma Smith (Head of Key Stage 5)
House Achievement Coordinator – Mrs Andrea Liversidge
House Senior Leadership Team Link – Mrs Jane Summers (Assistant
Head)
House Colour - Blue
House Leadership
House Achievement Leader
House Achievement Coordinator
Miss Smith
Mrs Liversidge
emma.smith@sherburnhigh.co.uk
andrea.liversidge@sherburnhigh.co.uk
House SLT Link
Mrs Summers
jane.summers@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form Tutors
Form 1
Form 6
Ms Dumaine
Miss Robinson
sol.dumaine@sherburnhigh.co.uk
sue.robinson@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 2
Form 7
Mr Snowdon
Miss Bradley
neil.snowdon@sherburnhigh.co.uk
vicki.bradley@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 3
Form 8
Mr Fulton
Mrs Elmer
nick.fulton@sherburnhigh.co.uk
kate.elmer@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 4
Form 9
Mr Patchesa
Mr French
ben.patchesa@sherburnhigh.co.uk
neal.french@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 5
Form 10
Ms Crane
Mrs Britton
julia.crane@sherburnhigh.co.uk
anita.britton@sherburnhigh.co.uk
House Achievement Leader – Miss Ruth Marsh (Head of Years 8 & 9)
House Achievement Coordinator – Mr Josh Levitt
House Senior Leadership Team Link – Mr John Ralphs (Deputy Head)
House Colour - Green
House Leadership
House Achievement Leader
House Achievement Coordinator
Miss Marsh
Mr Levitt
ruth.marsh@sherburnhigh.co.uk
joshua.levitt@sherburnhigh.co.uk
House SLT Link
Mr Ralphs
john.ralphs@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form Tutors
Form 1
Form 6
Mrs Fielding
Mr Morrison
corrie.fielding@sherburnhigh.co.uk
paul.morrison@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 2
Form 7
Mr Padgham
Mrs Hannam
dan.padgham@sherburnhigh.co.uk
ann.hannam@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 3
Form 8
Mr Askins
Miss O’Leary
paul.askins@sherburnhigh.co.uk
laura.oleary@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 4
Form 9
Mr Jackson
Miss McIntosh
rob.jackson@sherburnhigh.co.uk
claire.mcintosh@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 5
Form 10
Miss Laws
Mr Dunnill
heather.laws@sherburnhigh.co.uk
john.dunnill@sherburnhigh.co.uk
House Achievement Leader – Miss Hayley Wilkinson (Head of Year 7 &
Transition)
House Achievement Coordinator – Mrs Jill Smith
House Senior Leadership Team Link – Mrs Maria Williams (Deputy
Head)
House Colour - Red
House Leadership
House Achievement Leader
House Achievement Coordinator
Miss Wilkinson
Mrs Smith
hayley.wilkinson@sherburnhigh.co.uk
jill.smith@sherburnhigh.co.uk
House SLT Link
Mrs Williams
maria.williams@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form Tutors
Form 1
Form 6
Mr Hall
Mrs Dunnill
graham.hall@sherburnhigh.co.uk
rosemary.dunill@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 2
Form 7
Mrs Walker
Mrs Bell
jane.walker@sherburnhigh.co.uk
liz.bell@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 3
Form 8
Mr Pringle
Miss Simpson
mike.pringle@sherburnhigh.co.uk
emma.simpson@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 4
Form 9
Mr Walker
Ms Wright
phil.walker@sherburnhigh.co.uk
gillian.wright@sherburnhigh.co.uk
Form 5
Form 10
Mrs Barton
Mr Latham
angela.barton@sherburnhigh.co.uk
trevor.latham@sherburnhigh.co.uk
During the time students are with us at Sherburn High we believe that it is very
important that a spirit of trust and co-operation is built up between teachers, parents
and young people. This agreement sets out some of the specific ways in which we can
all play our part to achieve this positive atmosphere expressing the willingness of all
concerned to work together for the benefit of all young people in the school.
The school will…
•Provide a caring, safe, supportive environment in which each individual is valued;
•Provide a full and balanced curriculum which, as far as is possible, educates each
student to the best of his/her ability;
•Provide records and information about each child’s educational progress as well as
the child’s development in other areas of school life;
•Arrange regular meetings with each child’s teachers and be available at other times
when concerns or questions arise; keep parents informed about problem areas.
Parents will…
•Ensure that their child attends school regularly and punctually, avoiding wherever
possible holidays during term time and providing school with a note to cover any
absence;
•Support and work with the school and encourage a positive attitude to education;
•Support the discipline procedures of the school;
•Support the ethos of homework, discussing it with their child when signing the
student planner each week;
•Ensure that their child meets school requirements regarding uniform and general
appearance and has appropriate equipment for each day;
•Let the school know of any concerns about their child’s education, attend meetings at
school to discuss progress and to learn about the work of the school; inform school of
any factors which may affect their child’s performance in school.
All students in Years 7 to 11 must wear full school uniform
Form tutors are expected to be vigilant in checking uniform is correctly worn and
reporting any students not adhering to the codes of dress to their House Achievement
Coordinator.
The school uniform comprises…
Blazer with Badge
Black
V Neck Pullover
Black
Shirt
Plain white (long or short sleeves)
Tie (only available through the school)
Scarlet Red or Black
Stripe for Yr10/11
Trousers/Skirt (see note below)
Plain Black
Sensible shoes (not boots, trainers or pumps)
Black (please see our school
website
for
photographs
of
suitable footwear)
www.sherburnhigh.co.uk
Short/three quarter socks
Black or white
Tights
Neutral or black
Outdoor coat
To be worn
appropriate
outside
and
only
Red
as
NB Skirts must be worn at a reasonable length, i.e. neither too short, nor too
long.
Other essential items…
Protective clothing
Strong apron for Technology, old
shirt or overall for Science and
Art.
Staff are asked to pay particular attention to the following:
Blazers: All students should arrive and leave lessons wearing their blazers. If
permission is given by the member of staff students can remove their blazers during
lessons.
Boots/Trainers/Pumps: Are not allowed.
Blouses/Shirts: Must not be worn outside trousers/skirts.
Outside coats: Are not allowed to be worn in school and students should remove them
on entry into school buildings. Coats should either be put in bags or hung up on the
cloakroom pegs provided in classrooms. It is not advised that students leave coats in
the cloakroom.
Jewellery: No jewellery should be worn in school. One pair of stud earrings is allowed.
Confiscated jewellery can be given to the House Achievement Coordinators. Body
piercing is strongly discouraged. Plasters should be used to cover such piercings until
they have healed and then the jewellery must be removed. Form Tutors are expected
to monitor this situation, recording when piercings can be removed. If students do not
conform to wearing plasters, the item of jewellery will be confiscated.
Make-up: No make-up or nail varnish is allowed.
Hair: If hair is long, it should be tied back for practical lessons. Students are
expected to present a neat and tidy appearance, not following extremes of fashion.
Post 16 students are not required to wear uniform but their personal dress should
conform to the high standard expected of young adults setting an example to younger
students.
How can you help?
Ensure that you are fully aware of the uniform requirements – this could save lots
of time and money if your child comes to school in the wrong clothes or footwear.
Name everything, even shoes! A marker pen is as good as labels.
Have spares of essentials at home to alleviate panic when things get mislaid.
PE and Games Wear…
Boys
White PE vest/t-shirt
Red and black fully reversible rugby shirt
Plain white cotton shorts
Plain black cotton shorts
Gym or training shoes (non-marking soles and not boots)
Rugby or soccer boots (with rugby union BS kite marked studs)
White short socks
Red football socks
Swimming trunks
Shin guards (football)
Towel
Boys Optional Items
Tracksuit of a subdued colour (without hood)
White cricket trousers and boots
Running spikes
Gum shield (strongly recommended for rugby)
Girls
White shirt, Aertex type with collar
Black drawstring shorts (not cycling shorts)
Gym or training shoes (non-marking soles and not boots)
Rugby or soccer boots (with rugby union BS kite marked studs)
White short socks
Red hockey socks
One piece swimming costume and cap
Towel
Hockey boots (not trainer boots)
Girls Optional Items
Black pullover
Tracksuit of a subdued colour (without hood)
Running spikes
How can you help?
Encourage your child to show you their timetable so that you are also aware of when they
need to bring their PE kit to school.
Also talk to your child about what they are doing in PE so they can explain to you the
different types of PE kit they need at different times of the school year.
Sherburn High School runs on a 2 week timetable. This means that the lessons your child has
on a Monday in an A Week will be different to the lessons they have on a Monday in a B Week.
Sample timetable…
A Week
Period 1
9:0010:00
Period 2
10:0011:00
Period 3
11:1512:15
Period 4
1:00-2:00
Period 5
2:00-3:00
Monday
Maths
Life Skills
English
German
Drama
Tuesday
History
Science
PE
Music
English
Wednesday
Life Skills
English
RE
DT
Art
Thursday
Geography
IT
Music
Science
Maths
Friday
German
RE
PE
DT
Geography
B Week
Period 1
9:0010:00
Period 2
10:0011:00
Period 3
11:1512:15
Period 4
1:00-2:00
Period 5
2:00-3:00
Monday
English
Drama
Science
Life Skills
Maths
Tuesday
DT
Science
PE
Art
Maths
Wednesday
PE
German
History
English
Maths
Thursday
History
Maths
IT
Science
English
Friday
German
Life Skills
Geography
DT
Science
How can you help?
Make a copy of your child’s timetable and keep this on display so that you and your
child can refer to it.
Encourage your child to learn what lessons they have on which days so that they can
become more independent.
Get your child a watch.
Key pieces of essential equipment…
•A school bag, hold-all or briefcase to carry and protect exercise books.
•Pencil case containing 2-3 pens, pencils, a rubber, ruler, pencil sharpener, a pair of
compasses, protractor and a set of crayons.
•NB: Correction fluid is not allowed in school.
How can you help?
Help your child organise their home working space so that they have a place for
everything to do with school.
A box file or folder is useful at home as each file can be labelled with the name of
the subject and all books and worksheets are ready to pull out and put in their
school bag when necessary.
Get into a routine where your child empties their bag at the end of each day and
organising their books and homework appropriately.
Encourage them to pack their bag the night before, using their timetable as a
checklist for books and equipment.
If you know your child has food technology, check their planner for a note on
ingredients that they need to take to school.
Your child’s planner is one of the most important methods of communication between
school and home. Teachers will often write notes in planners and parents are
encouraged to do the same where necessary.
Parents are also required to sign their child’s planner on a weekly basis to ensure
that your child is keeping on track in high school. Whilst it is your child’s
responsibility to remind you to sign their planner, it is essential that this is done as
your child will be reprimanded if his/her planner goes unsigned for a number of
weeks.
Students are expected to write all their homework into their planner, including the
subject that has set the homework and the date it is due in.
Each department has its own homework policy, but as a rule you should expect to see
at least one piece of homework being written in every day. If you are concerned
that your child is not being set enough homework in a particular lesson, you are
encouraged to contact your child’s subject teacher.
How can you help?
Agree a routine for homework with your child. Life can become a constant nag if
you don’t start this from the beginning.
A good time for homework is after a short break when your child returns home
from school. If it is out of the way early it leaves the rest of the evening free.
Agree with your child that TV, computer games and socialising will only be possible
after homework has been completed.
Try to ensure homework is completed on the night set (unless it is a large project)
to avoid a build-up.
how consideration to everyone in school.
ave all the necessary equipment.
nter school buildings safely and sensibly.
espect the property of other people.
e dressed appropriately in school uniform.
se every opportunity to learn.
emember to listen before speaking.
otice and appreciate each other’s achievements
Often, the easiest way to contact the school is via email or telephone. If your
query is general you will need to get in touch with the school office. If your
query is relating to lessons you should get in touch with your child’s subject
teacher. If it is an emotional/social issue to do with your child you should speak
to your child’s form tutor (for basic issues) or your child’s House Achievement
Leader / Coordinator (for more serious issues).
You are welcome to request a meeting with any member of staff, but we please
ask that you either ring or email first to arrange this as we are unable to meet
parents who simply turn up at reception.