Parent/Carers Information

Pastoral Care & Behaviour Standards at Roundwood School

Effective pastoral care is essential to the way we work at Roundwood School and our approach ensures each student has a Form Tutor. Form Tutors fulfil a role that goes beyond that of the Form tutor in a mainstream school, by personalising their responses and work with students.

Form Tutors will complete the following with students –

• Engage with the induction programme for new arrivals to Roundwood School. They establish early positive relationships with students, for whom they are to be the  Key Worker
• Act as the main contact for parent/carers, students and other professionals
• Actively communicate progress to parents/carers and other agencies
• Work proactively with students to secure best outcomes
• Track progress against key success indicators, including:

1. Attendance,
2. Punctuality,
3. Behaviour,
4. Well-being,
5. Achievement,
6. Progress,
7. Destinations

Form Tutors will also request additional support as appropriate through our in-house Inclusion Team and/or external agencies. They will meet regularly with students, individually or as a group as appropriate, utilising time made available within the school day .

All students at Roundwood School will be part of a Learning Family, led by a Form Tutor.

• Mentoring/ Counselling:

All students will have the opportunity to access mentoring and counselling any day of the week. These sessions will be specifically designed to support students with SEMH needs and other challenges that may have a long lasting impact on their health and well-being.

Our Learning Families are named after inspirational people, who have shown our School Values throughout their lives.

Our Learning Families are –

• Nelson Mandela
• Rosa Parks
• Bob Marley
• Benjamin Zephaniah
• Khaled Hosseini

We have the highest expectations for student conduct.

We will always work proactively with students to challenge low-level disruption, bullying or disrespect. We do not tolerate it, and we ensure that our students understand this behaviour and can begin to break habits.

We know students benefit from a calm and well-ordered harmonious climate for learning. Our systems, structures and routines ensure that students can learn in a safe and happy learning environment.

Roundwood Merits will be awarded for the following actions.  These actions reflect our values. Merits will be added up on a weekly basis and awards given out in the whole-school assembly.

• I have shown myself respect, by trying hard to do my best.
• I have shown respect for my environment at school or in the community.
• I have shown respect for others in the school community.
• I have shown respect for others outside the school community.

All Key Stage 3 and 4 students must be dressed appropriately during school hours.

Roundwood School will provide a navy jumper and Polo shirt, with our logo on it, for all students. The first set is free of charge. Parents who request extra uniform will be charged £10 per jumper - £10 Polo shirt.

Parents/Carers will ensure students are appropriately dressed for school. This means wearing dark tracksuits or dark jogger bottoms and tops. This will support students with their learning as they will complete physical activities every day, including Sports, Drama activities and Arts. There is no tie with our uniform. Please note that large and/or offensive logos are not permitted. Leggings are not allowed.

Footwear is either black shoes or black trainers, with no obvious logo. Students will be involved in practical activities most days, so it is acceptable to wear shoes to school and change into black trainers for activities.

Hoodies/ jeans should not be worn. Please note students should not arrive in inappropriate footwear such as crocs and sliders/ slipper type shoes.

Coats/ jackets/ school bags should be dark and will be handed in at reception at the start of the day.

Only religious headscarves may be worn and these must be navy blue or black. Other headscarves, caps and du-rags cannot be worn in school. These too must be handed in if the student comes to school with them.

Students may wear a stud in each ear. Other jewellery is not safe because we place an emphasis on practical activities and we do not want students to be injured by wearing chains or large ear-rings. 

Students are wanded on entry for the safety of everyone. During this check, we ensure that the student's respect and dignity is at the forefront. 

Mobile Phones and electronic devices may not be used or worn around the school. These will be handed in on entry. All phones and devices will be returned to students at the end of the day. This is for the safety and protection of all students and their equipment.

*Please note that students should not arrive to school with long nails or eyelashes. Students who do not adhere to school uniform rules may be sent home to change.

**Students are prohibited from bringing vapes, cigarettes, lighters, drugs/ drug paraphernalia, or sharp objects into the school building. Students will have these confiscated where they will be disposed of and not returned. Students will be issued a warning and parents/ carers will be informed. Students who persist with bringing such items could be issued with higher sanctions, such as a suspension. Please support the school by ensuring your child understands the above.

 

Roundwood has developed its timetable over time to support the needs of the students but to also bring out their strengths. The school day is compressed but remains fluid and has movement breaks to ensure the students remain focussed and engaging. We continue to work holistically supporting both students and families. 

Core subjects are taught in the morning to ensure that students are accessing their learning with a higher focus and a drive for re-engagement.

Great emphasis is placed on meal preparation and eating together during Learning Family Time in order to build the sense of community and trust within the school. This time is also dedicated to the development of PSHE and target setting and review.

• Therapy, counselling and other support groups take place throughout the school day.
• Counsellor - Tuesday
• Speech and Language Therapy - Wednesdays
• Music Therapy - Thursdays
• Mentoring throughout the whole week
• Mentor/outreach/ Family support - Tuesdays and Fridays

*The Timetable may change slightly if needed to reflect changes and support students and their needs.The timetable is attached below.

Students are supervised throughout the school day for their safety.

Roundwood provides remote learning – face to face and online learning for students who are unable to attend school for various reasons. There is also the option of blended learning, where students can access face-to-face learning part-time and come into the building part-time. This will be subject to a review and a meeting with student and parents.

TRANSPORTATION:

Please note that Roundwood School is not responsible for organising or providing transport for students. This would be set up between the Local Authority (BRENT & HARROW TRANSPORT HUB) and the family. 

The Harrow and Brent (HB) Transport Hub has two phone numbers: 020 8424 1443 and 020 8424 1751. The hub is a joint service provided by both councils, with its operations managed by Harrow. 

Student Voice at Roundwood School will be much more than a Student Council.

In such a small, family environment as ours, every student will have the opportunity to speak and discover more about themselves and the community they live in.

We firmly believe in the Voice of the Child. By developing this voice, we are:

• empowering the student
• actively listening to each other
• looking at the impact of our voice on others
• building a student’s competency to make decisions
• building a student’s understanding of their life experiences
• supporting the child in understanding that with their wishes comes responsibility.

Every week, a group of students will meet with the Headteacher and members of staff to discuss Roundwood School. They will learn to create the agenda for the meeting and to eventually lead the discussions.

All students will have a turn in being part of these Student Voice meetings.

It is our intention to extend this voice to the student users of the Community Centre as soon as this is viable.

Unlike a mainstream school, our main success indicators are not solely examination and test results. They are firmly anchored in what happens to a student after they leave us. Examination success and the gaining of qualifications are important to us. We recognise these are crucial and we invest in activities designed to ensure students achieve the best possible qualifications whilst on roll with us.

We believe that good qualifications are only worthwhile if, together with other achievements, they lead to a sustainable and secure future.

So, as well as qualifications, we put great emphasis on the importance of Personal Development and CEIAG (Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance) – and we ultimately rate ourselves as having succeeded only if each student moves on from their time with us to a successful future.

Whilst the above particularly applies to Key Stage 4/Year 11 students, we will also ensure that all students being reintegrated into a mainstream setting in Years 7- 10 will return with the following package of information in order to best support their continued learning and development.

These include –

• an up to date Reading Test
• an up to date Numeracy Test
• an up to date CATS test

Students will be assessed on entry, and where they are with us long enough, they will be re-assessed prior to leaving us. Progress will be tracked and fed back to the home school.

Schools will liaise with an appropriate member of staff from our team in order to best support reintegration and to ensure transitions remain smooth.

Careers Information, Guidance and Work Experience

Roundwood School is committed to meeting the statutory requirement for Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance. This includes work related learning and in doing so we are preparing students for working life.

Roundwood School has high quality careers advice and guidance, to support our ambitious students. This is developed throughout a student’s time at the school and is always supportive of their aspirations, strengths and skills.

The exposure to work experience is a crucial step in preparing young people for adult and working life. Roundwood School aims to develop the personal and social skills of students as well as the key skills they will need for the world of work.

Student Entitlement

All students are entitled to:

• find out about technical education and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides the full range of education and training.
• to hear from a variety of local providers
• to access our Roundwood School independent careers advisor for advice
• to be supported and understand how to make the relevant application
• a personalised pathway that includes work placement if suitable at key stage 4

Gatsby Benchmarks

At Roundwood School, we will provide Careers Information, Advice and Guidance to all key stages. The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision and will be the cornerstone of our provision. These 8 guidelines are listed below for your reference and we will monitor our provision against these.

We will aim to provide:

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. A curriculum linking learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

Work Experience – It is our aim to provide an opportunity for Year 10 students to spend two weeks with an employer.

Work Placement – It is our aim to provide an opportunity for Key Stage 4 students to attend a work placement for a period of time. This time can vary but is reviewed regularly.

Support for Roundwood School students on Work Experience or Work Placements

• Work experience is an integral part of the Careers Education and Guidance Programme. Roundwood School will work with students to identify suitable opportunities and placements
• Students can find their own placement which will then be vetted.
• All students regardless of culture, gender, ability social background or physical ability must have equal access to work experience and to all available placements. However, health considerations and disability may make some placements unsuitable for some students.
• Students will be advised and supported on appropriate behaviour, dress code, punctuality and the importance of observing Health and Safety guidelines appropriate to their particular placement.
• Staff visiting students on their placement are fully informed of procedures for their visits to the workplace.
• All employers complete a standard feedback form which assesses their progress on their work placement/work experience. This happens when staff members from Roundwood School visit the student.
• Employers and parents are kept fully informed of the legal requirements and Health and Safety regulations of the placement by the work related learning co-ordinator.
• Special needs learners, and LAC children are carefully matched to an employer and effectively supported during their placement.
• Employers are given all relevant information about any special needs or medical conditions the student may have and which might impact on the health, safety and welfare of the student in the placement, co-workers and the public.

There is a full student evaluation completed when students return to school and this is shared with all students to reflect on what they have gained from the experience.