School Information

Select from the following for further information about The Westminster School:

1. Admission Procedure
2. School Terms & Holidays 2009 / 2010 Academic Year
3. School Terms & Holidays 2010 / 2011 Academic Year
4. Dates for Inset Days
5. The School Day - Key Stages 3, 4 and Post-16
6. Uniform / School Dress
7. Lunchtime Arrangements
8. Free School Meals
9. Security
10. Medical Facilities
11. The Curriculum

1. Admission Procedure

The Local Authority (L.A.) is the Admissions Authority for a Community Special School. All admissions to The Westminster School are as a result of the LA determining that this is the most appropriate educational provision.

Pupils are accepted who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs (S.E.N.) agreed by Sandwell LA which specifies Moderate Learning Difficulties (M.L.D.).

Parents/Guardians/Carers will have been involved with the process of statementing and will have had the opportunity to visit the school prior to their child being admitted.

Pupils are accepted into The Westminster School throughout the year. We provide education for pupils deemed to have Moderate Learning Difficulties plus one, or more, of the following:

Emotional/Social/Behavioural Difficulties
Autism
Visual Impairment
Hearing Impairment
Speech and Language Difficulties

Children's artwork from The Westminster School

The school is officially designated for 120 pupils on roll plus Post 16. At the time of writing there are 87 pupils on roll (including Post 16). The school has been funded April 08 - March 09 for 113 places (including Post-16).

Inclusion, or admission to, The Westminster School's Post 16 provision will be arranged with parents/guardians/carers and the school/LA through the Transitional, and Annual, Review Processes with an agreement by the LA Special Educational Needs Service.

We value the co-operation from parents/guardians/carers in the education of their children, and we look for parental support in all matters of discipline.

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2. School Terms & Holidays 2009 / 2010 Academic Year

The Westminster School Terms & Holidays 2009-10

2009 / 2010 Academic Year NOTES:

Good Friday:
Friday, 2nd April 2010
Easter Monday:
Monday, 5th April 2010
May Day:
Monday, 3rd May 2010

Pupils to attend school on 190 working days within the overall arrangements determined by the Schedule

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3. School Terms & Holidays 2010 / 2011 Academic Year

The Westminster School Terms & Holidays 2010-11

2010 / 2011 Academic Year Notes:

Good Friday:
Friday 22nd April 2011
Easter Monday:
Monday, 25th April 2011
May Day:
Monday, 2nd May 2011

Pupils to attend school on 190 working days within the overall arrangements determined by the Schedule

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4. Dates for Inset Days

September 2009 - July 2010
(School Closed to Pupils)

Friday 23rd October 2009 - (to be traded – teachers only)
- Assessment and Curriculum (teaching staff)
(Manual Handling (non-teaching staff)
Friday 18th December 2009 - (to be traded – teachers only)
- Building Schools for the Future (teaching staff)
Learning Support Staff – Displays/Resources Administrative, Technical and Premises staff – usual working day.
Monday 22nd February 2010
- Business and Enterprise (teaching, learning support and technical staff)
Administration and Premises Staff – usual working day
Friday 28th May 2010 - (to be traded)
Learning Outside the Classroom staff)
Skillsoft (non-teaching staff )
Friday 23rd July 2010 - (to be traded)
ICT (teaching staff)
Skillsoft (non-teaching staff)

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5. The School Day - Key Stages 3, 4 and Post-16

Key Stages 3

Core Subjects

English
Mathematics
Science

Statutory Subjects

Art and Design
Citizenship
Design and Technology
Geography
History
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Music
Physical Education (P.E.)
Religious Education (R.E.)
Careers Education
Sex and Relationship Education
The effect of Drugs

Non-Statutory Subjects

Personal Well Being
Economic Well Being and Financial Capability

Key Stages 4

Core Subjects

English
Mathematics
Science

Statutory Subjects

Citizenship
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Physical Education (P.E.)
Careers Education
Sex and Relationships Education
Work Related Learning
Religious Education (R.E.)

Non-Statutory Subjects

Personal Well Being
Economic Well Being and Financial Capability
Work Related Learning

Entitlement

Arts (comprising Art and Design, Music, Dance, Drama and Media Arts).
Design and Technology
Humanities (comprising Geography and History)
Modern Foreign Languages

Admissions

Admissions will be decided through the Transitional Review process for students stated as MLD+ and then considered by the LA.

Facilities

To meet the individual needs we offer:
Extra Curricular clubs
Study support group
College / training provider placements
Business links through 'Team Enterprise' activities
Recreational Activities

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6. Uniform / School Dress

All pupils are expected to wear school uniform.

We hope that when buying clothes for their child to wear for school that parents/carers find the following recommendations helpful:

Girls
Skirt or Trousers = plain black or grey
Blouse (shirt type) = plain white
Jumper or cardigan = plain black or grey

Boys
Trousers = plain black or grey
Shirt = plain white
Jumper or cardigan = plain black or grey

Footwear should be strong, sensible and low heeled. Black shoes are preferred. We discourage fashion shoes and trainers for health and safety reasons.

Trainers or pumps are encouraged for P.E. but give little protection to the feet in some areas of the school. i.e. technology.

Coats should be plain dark colours. We discourage patterned or logoed multicoloured coats.

PE Kit

T-shirt = white
Shorts = black
PE shirt/leotard = black
Sports socks
Tracksuit (optional)
Pumps and trainers
Swimming Trunks/Swimsuit
Towel
Soap
Shampoo
PE Bag

School Equipment
Pupils are encouraged to bring the following in a pencil case:
Pen, Pencil, Ruler, Rubber, Sharpener, Coloured Pencils
Suitable bag for carrying school equipment

Parents/Carers are asked to try to ensure that personal property is clearly marked with their child's name.
You may be entitled to claim clothing allowances. Details are available from the School Office.
(Form SCH 11c Application for Assistance Towards School Clothing)
The school appreciates the help and co-operation parents/carers give in helping to maintain high standards of dress.

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7. Lunchtime Arrangements

The school provides a meal service in the school hall. This operates on a cafeteria system where pupils have a choice of meal.
The cost per day is £1.65.

There is also provision for pupils to have packed lunches.

Pupils who remain on the school premises during lunchtime are supervised by staff.

Years 10, 11 and Post-16 pupils may leave the premises at lunch time with written permission from their parents/guardians plus permission from a member of the Leadership Group.

Childre's artwork from The Westminster School

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8. Free School Meals

You may be entitled for free school meals for your child. Details and application forms are available from the school offices.

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9. Security

The school takes security very seriously and Governors have recently invested in increased security measures, including monitored C.C.T.V. systems. Measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of pupils, staff and visitors, plus the security of sites, buildings and facilities. Security is reviewed regularly.

All visitors to the school must report to the school office, where they will be asked to sign in. Visitors will be given a badge to wear whilst in school.

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10. Medical Facilities

Parents will be requested to fill in form 'SS12' upon admission and at the start of each academic year.

Medication
If your child requires medicines or tablets to be given in school, then the following instructions must be followed:

Parents/guardians must give us written permission to give the medication, stating the required dose and frequency of the named medication.
The tablets, medicine or creams must be in the original container that has the pupil's name, the dosage and the date on the label.
If parents'/ guardians' instructions and the label do not agree on dosage then we will be unable to give the medication. Pupils must hand in any medication to the school office, upon arrival.
Pupils who need inhalers should always have one locked in the school medical room with their names on and know when to use them. They will also need to take their inhalers with them if they are out of school on visits, college or field trips.

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