Governors Policy Statements
Policy Statements below were approved by the Governing Body at its meeting in July 2010
Statement of Policy on Charging for School Activities
Charges
The School will apply any charges levied by the LA and Diocese for services which are provided and also the remission arrangements which those bodies consider appropriate. The School reserves the right to levy a charge in any circumstances permissible under the Education Reform Act.
Voluntary Contributions
Parents may be asked to make voluntary contributions for any visit or journey organised by the School and approved by the Governors. Although the matter of a voluntary contribution will not be a factor in deciding whether a student is allowed to participate in an activity to be financed by voluntary contributions, the School reserves the absolute right to determine whether the level of voluntary contributions is sufficient to enable the activity to take place.
Remissions
The Governors will apply the statutory minimum remissions to any charges which they make: that is in respect of students whose parents are in receipt of family income support.
Breakages
The Governors reserve the right to ask parents to contribute to the cost of replacement items incurred as a result of breakages, loss or damage, to books, equipment, or material other than normal wear and tear.
Charging in Kind
Where parents indicate in advance that they wish to own the finished product of a practical activity they may be asked to provide or pay for ingredients, materials, equipment etc. needed. No student will be at a disadvantage because of a parent’s unwillingness or inability to contribute in this way.
School Trips
Disabled students who attend School trips should not be expected to fund the additional cost created by additional facilities. Where reasonable the additional costs should be built into the overall cost for the trip and funded accordingly.
The Governors delegate power to the Head Teacher to make reasonable final decisions in all cases above and may, at any time, refer cases to the Governors for advice.
Curriculum Statement
We offer a broad, balanced curriculum throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, and provide as great a degree of choice as possible in Years 12 and 13. Our intention is to fulfil all the requirements of the National Curriculum and beyond, and to cater for the needs of students of all abilities.
In Years 7 and 8 students share a common curriculum:
Mathematics
English
Science
Design and Technology
Geography
History
French, Spanish or German
Art
Drama
Music
ICT
Physical Education
Religious Education
Personal, Social and Health Education.
In Years 9, 10 and 11, students follow a common core curriculum of Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, a Modern Foreign Language, Physical Education, Digital Applications (ICT) and Life Skills (PSHE). Every student studies Science. They are able to do just Single Science with Art or choose Additional Science. Through Additional Science the three separate Sciences may be available, dependent on the student’s progress. In addition students can choose an additional three subjects from the following list:
Art, Drama, Music, Geography, History, Business Studies, ICT, Physical Education, Dance, Media Studies, extra Foreign Languages in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, Design Technology in any of Catering, Electronics, Food, Graphics, Resistant Materials and Textiles, and Applied GCSE in Business and Leisure and Tourism which is equivalent to 2 GCSEs. College courses may also be available in Auto Engineering, Construction and Hairdressing for suitable candidates. Applied Diplomas, which are taught at other schools within the Wokingham Secondary Federation. are available in the following subjects: Construction, Creative and Media, Engineering, Information Technology, Society Health and Development, Business, Environmental and Land-based Studies, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality, Manufacturing and Product Design.
The vast majority of students are entered for ten GCSE examinations, including Religious Studies.
In Years 12 and 13, we offer Applied A levels in Business and ICT. At ‘A’ level, we offer twenty eight subjects, and twenty nine subjects are available at AS level. We also offer a Level 3 course in Football Coaching.
Our total teaching time, excluding time for tutorial sessions and assemblies, is 24 hours and 10 minutes per week.
Parents who wish to see schemes of work or syllabuses for any subject are invited to contact the Head Teacher or the Deputy Head (Mr K Harley), who is responsible for the curriculum.
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Examinations Entry Policy
In Year 11 students are entered for examinations in all the GCSE subjects they have studied provided that they have completed the required classwork and coursework during the two years. Students retaking a GCSE course in Year 12 or 13 are expected to pay for their entries.
Those taking new courses in Years 12 and 13, GCSE, BTec, NVQ or GCE A level, are entered with the same requirements as for GCSE in Year 11. Details of subjects and examining groups are included in the Prospectus.
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Sex and Relationship Education Policy Statement
At The Piggott School, Sex and Relationship Education is concerned with:
- Attitudes and values
- Personal and social skills
- Knowledge and understanding
In relation to ourselves and others, we ensure that Sex and Relationship Education:
- contributes to the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural education
- is provided for all our registered pupils, including those with physical, learning or emotional difficulties
- encourages the exploration of values and moral issues about sexuality, sexual health, stable relationships and family life
- develops self-esteem, self-awareness, a sense of moral responsibility and the skills to avoid and resist unwanted sexual experiences
We endeavour to support each pupil academically and pastorally at a level appropriate to their needs, enabling our pupils to develop the skills to enable them to take control over their own sexual health and identity, and become responsible and informed citizens.
Schemes of work are presented in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner, set within a clear framework of values and an awareness of the law on sexual behaviour. We acknowledge that some pupils may come from backgrounds that do not reflect all such values or experiences. However, a strong emphasis is placed on helping all pupils to feel a sense of worth and raise their own aspirations.
We respect the legal right of any parent wishing to withdraw their child from any/all Sex and Relationship Education which is not part of the National Curriculum (Section 405). We will make available a copy of this statement to parents who request one for inspection.
The broad programme of sex and relationship education at The Piggott School seeks to promote those values, which are common to all faiths and societies with a respect for human life and dignity.
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Statement of Policy on Collective Worship
Collective worship is planned and organised within the broad traditions of the Church of England. The main aims of collective worship are to help students to reflect upon their own experience and existence and those of others; to be aware of commitment and to think about their own commitment and belief; and to develop a sense of community.
The arrangements for worship are made by the Governing Body after consultation with the Head Teacher; the day-to-day management of these arrangements is delegated to the senior and pastoral leaders of the School. The content and conduct of collective worship are integral to the ethos of the School. Staff and students share in developing this ethos and, by worshipping together, help to promote Christian values in the School.
It is the School’s expectation that students will participate in acts of collective worship. Nevertheless the School respects the religious views of each individual and parents should be aware of their legal rights to withdraw their children from acts of worship. Records of all acts of worship held in the School are available to parents on request.
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