Ffôn: 01248 712287 • E-bost: post@ysgoldavidhughes.org
Policies
The Governing Body has adopted the above policy for Ysgol David Hughes.
The policy embodies:
- Leading Principles
- School practice and policies
- Dealing with racism
- Responsibilities
- Policy at work
- Information and Resources
- Religious Preservation
A full copy of the policy can be seen by contacting the school.
Our full title and address for sending requests for any documents is: Ysgol David Hughes, Pentraeth Road, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5SS
The person responsible for maintenance of this scheme is: Mrs Mari Roberts, Headteacher
What is a Publication Scheme and The Reason for its Development
One of the aims of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (which is referred to as FoIA in the rest of this document) is that public authorities, including all maintained schools, should be clear and proactive about the information they will make public.
To do this we must produce a publication scheme, setting out:
- The classes of information which we publish or intend to publish;
- The manner in which the information will be published; and
- Whether the information is available free of charge or on payment.
The scheme covers information already published and information which is to be published in the future. All information in our publication scheme is [either available for you on our website to download and print off or] available in paper form.
Some information which we hold may not be made public, for example personal information.
This publication scheme conforms to the model scheme for schools approved by the Information Commissioner.
Categories of Information Published
The publication scheme guides you to information which we currently publish (or have recently published) or which we will publish in the future - this is split into categories of information known as 'classes'. These are contained in section 5 of this scheme.
The classes of information that we undertake to make available are organised into four broad topic areas:
- School Prospectus - information published in the school prospectus.
- Governors' Documents - information published in the Governors' Annual Report and in other governing body documents.
- Pupils & Curriculum - information about policies that relate to pupils and the school curriculum.
- School Policies - information about policies that relate to the school in general.
How to Request Information
You can request a copy of the information you want from Dr Brian Jones
If the information you're looking for isn't available via the scheme [and isn't on our website], you can still ask if we have it. You can contact the school by telephone, fax, email or letter.
Email: pennaeth@davidhughes.anglesey.gov.uk
Tel: 01248 712287
Fax: 01248 713919
Contact Address: Ysgol David Hughes, Pentraeth Road, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5SS
To help us process your request quickly, please clearly mark any correspondence "PUBLICATIONS SCHEME REQUEST" (in bold CAPITALS).
Homework is another method of continuously assessing a pupil’s progress and is an essential element of each pupil’s programme. It entails various activities, including written work, learning work and research.
A timetable has been prepared for each class, at the same time every pupil has a homework journal in which every assignment should be recorded, and parents are asked to sign the book each week.
A homework handbook has been published by the school and a copy will be given to each pupil.
The Board of Governors has approved the following policy statement on Sex Education as required by Section 21 of the Education Act, taking note of the Welsh Assembly Government guidelines as set out in circular 11/02 and the LEA circular regarding Sex Education and Relationships policies in schools.
Sex Education forms part of the compulsory common entitlement curriculum for all pupils. The programme delivered helps pupils develop knowledge which is appropriate to their age, understanding and development.
Aims
The aim of the Sex Education and Relationships programme is to assist and support our young people during their physical, emotional, moral and spiritual development from childhood to adolescence and then to adulthood. The programme ensures that students are able to make sensible decisions based on their knowledge. Pupils are encouraged to respect themselves and others as they prepare for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. There will also be an opportunity to develop attitudes, values and skills that will influence their behaviour.
Objectives
Students will:
- Understand the importance of stable and loving relationships
- Develop skills in order to build successful relationships with friends and the wider community
- Learn about the nature and significance of marriage and its importance in raising children
- Learn about sex, sexuality and sexual health, including the law regarding these
- Develop confidence, awareness and self-esteem
- Develop understanding of diversity within society, promote equal opportunities and challenge prejudice
- Know where to seek advice on relevant issues
- Be given opportunities to discuss matters openly.
Equal Opportunities
In keeping with the school policy on equal opportunities, all pupils will have access to the programme set out by the school on sex education and will be taught in mixed ability groups.
Specific Issues
Teachers who are approached by a pupil for specific advice on sex/contraception should, wherever possible, encourage the pupil to seek advice from his or her parents and, if appropriate, from the relevant health service professionals.
Confidentiality
When being taught in groups, pupils will be made aware of being discreet in their personal exchanges with their peers. It is hoped that the pupils have the confidence that their teachers will listen to them, support them and respect their confidence. Teachers must, however, warn a young person who wishes to confide in them that they cannot promise confidentiality where child protection is an issue. The procedure set out in the ‘Child Protection Policy’ is followed.
Clinic
The school works with the health service to provide a drop-in clinic.
Child Withdrawal Procedures
Even though a programme of sex education is part of the planned school curriculum, parents may exercise the right to withdraw their child from part or all of the programme by writing to the Headteacher. This right does not include withdrawal from those elements required by the National
Curriculum Science Orders.
A full copy of the policy can be seen by contacting the school.
1. INTRODUCTION
The strategy ‘Tackling Substance Misuse in Wales: a Partnership Approach’ (2000) declares that ‘Misusing substances in Wales is a complex, dynamic and multiphasic problem’. One of the main aims of the strategy is to help children and young people refuse to misuse substances in order to fulfil their full potential in society.
This policy should be read and used in conjunction with The Welsh Assembly Government Circular 107/2013 ‘Substance Misuse: Children and Young People’ which replaces circular 17/02.
2. DEFINITION OF SUBSTANCE
For the purposes of this policy, the word ‘substance’ includes every substance which changes mood and performance, legally and illegally, and includes prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco and solvents (including
e-cigarettes).
Many drugs will be carried legally as medicine. There is a clear policy on administering medicine. If pupils supply prescription drugs to other pupils in the school, they are acting illegally and therefore this policy will be implemented.
3. IMPLEMENATION
The Head and Governing Body have the final responsibility of implementing the Substance Misuse Policy.
At Ysgol David Hughes, the member of staff who has the responsibility for Substance Misuse is the member of the SMT responsible for welfare.
The school’s Governors will review this policy according to the policy review timetable. Also it is possible that the Governors will take part in disciplinary steps, as required.
3.1 AWARENESS
The Substance Misuse Policy should be familiar to all members of staff who could make the first contact with the police. Usually such contact should be limited to:
• The Head
• The Deputy Head or Assistant Head
• Child Protection Officer
3.2 LINKS WITH THE MEDIA
Ysgol David Hughes staff will not generally report incidents and/or matters to do with Substance Misuse to the media and local press. The Head, in consultation with the LEA and Governors, will deal personally with every matter concerning the media. Every enquiry by the media will be referred to Anglesey County Council’s Press Officer.
The Governing Body has adopted a policy of charging pupils for:
- Board and lodging costs on educational visits;
- Activities outside school hours;
- External examination for which the school has not prepared the pupil during that school year;
- Examinations when the pupil fails to complete the requirements or fails to attend the examination without a proper reason;
- Intentional damage to school property or for losing school property.
A voluntary contribution is requested from parents when it is not possible to charge for an activity but no pupils will be excluded from taking part when their parents cannot contribute. It is possible that some activities will not be held without sufficient voluntary contributions.
Further details are available at the school along with information about the provision for needy children.
PRINCIPLES
Ysgol David Hughes has a pastoral duty towards its pupils and it plays an important part in preventing abuse
and neglect through creating and maintaining a safe atmosphere for children and young people. The school’s
teachers and auxiliary staff have an important role in identifying signs of possible abuse and neglect. Because
of our daily contact with children, members of staff are in a good position to notice any external signs of
abuse and respond appropriately.
Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. The school will attempt to ensure that it
plays a part in enabling every pupil to achieve the following:-
Be as healthy as possible physically and mentally.
Get the best possible benefit from good quality educational opportunities.
Feel that they are respected and valued, and are supported by a reliable network within
the school.
Develop into an independent individual who is able to look after themselves.
Have a positive image of themselves and a secure sense of identity, including culture and
race identity.
Develop good interpersonal skills and confidence in social situations.
DEFINITIONS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Someone can abuse or neglect a child by causing them harm, or through failing to act in order to
prevent harm.
A child or young person up to 18 years old can suffer abuse or neglect and as a result they will need to be
protected through the Isle of Anglesey Inter-Agency Child Protection Plan.
1. Physical abuse - hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating
or causing physical harm in any other way to a child.
(Physical harm can also be caused when a parent or carer fakes health symptoms.)
2. Emotional abuse – continuously treating a child badly, causing serious and continual damaging
effects to a child’s emotional development.
3. Sexual abuse – force a child or young person to take part in a sexual activity, whether the child is
aware of what is happening or not.
4. Neglect - a continual failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs.
5. Risk of significant harm – a combination of the categories above.
We fully acknowledge our contribution to the protection of children at the school.
Our policy is divided into three aspects:-
prevention through education and the pastoral support offered to the pupils
procedures for identifying cases or suspicion of abuse and reporting them
support of pupils who may have been abused.
Our policy is relevant to all members of staff and volunteers working in the school, and to the governors.
Learning assistants, lunchtime supervisors, carers, auxiliary staff, as well as teachers may be the first people
that the child discloses information to.
It is the duty of the Governing Body and Headteacher to promote equal opportunities and good relations at the school to all its workers and pupils. The school has implemented a policy to this end. This policy is the basis for many decisions taken within the school. A full copy of the Equal Opportunity Policy can be seen by contacting the school.
MISSION STATEMENT
To offer every pupil the best and most relevant bilingual education and to create an open society which respects the standpoints, aspirations and hopes of all those who are a part of the school.
The School’s Language Category
The Welsh Assembly Government have defined categories of schools according to the amount of Welsh used in teaching and learning and in the day to day conduct of the school. Ysgol David Hughes comes under Category 2B – “At least 80% of subjects (excluding Welsh and English) are taught through the medium of Welsh but are also taught through the medium of English”.
The Aim of the Language Policy
The aim is to ensure that all the county’s pupils possess an age-related balanced bilingualism to enable them to become full members of the bilingual society of which they are part. By “age-related balanced bilingualism” it is meant that pupils possess the appropriate linguistic skills in both Welsh and English. In the secondary sector this means that pupils study Welsh and English as subjects until the end of Year 11. Everyone is expected to sit a language examination in Welsh and English at a level which is appropriate and which reflects progression and continuity in their linguistic development. Pupils will also take a literature examination where relevant.
Welsh Medium Provision
Provision is made for teaching various subjects through the medium of Welsh and English. The following subjects may be taken through the medium of both languages, and so work towards the linguistic balance stated in the Education Authority’s Language Policy: Religious Studies, History, Geography, French, German, Music, Technology, Mathematics, Science, Drama, Environmental Studies, Media Studies, Art.
The aim is that proficient learners should share their time between Welsh medium work and English medium work. The language levels of these courses have been adapted to correspond with the pupils’ proficiency in the language. Much of this work will be done with the Humanities and Performing Arts.
It is our wish to ensure the bilingual development of the pupil. This means that pupils with parallel age related competencies in Welsh and English will take some subjects, or parts of them, through the medium of English and that proficient learners on the other hand, study modules through the medium of Welsh in some subjects. Basic learners, in order to extend their proficiency in Welsh, spend a proportion of their time working through the medium of Welsh. This includes the statutory Welsh lessons which account for 12% of the time.
This policy has proved to be very successful in the past and we hope to build on this in the future.
Administrative Language
Welsh will be used to communicate with pupils and staff where appropriate and natural. Any written information from the Headteacher to staff and parents will be in Welsh as well as English. The morning assemblies for each year group will be bilingual. Staff and pupils are asked to ensure that all notices, posters, signs and official documents are bilingual.
Privacy Notice: What the School, Local Authority and Welsh Assembly Government does with information it holds on Pupils
Subject
To meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, schools are required to issue a Privacy Notice to pupils and/or parents summarising the information held on record about pupils, why it is held, and the third parties to whom it may be passed.
This Privacy Notice provides information about the collection and processing of pupils’ personal and performance information by the Welsh Assembly Government, Isle of Anglesey Local Authority (LA) and YSGOL DAVID HUGHES.
The Collection of Personal Information
The school collects information about pupils and their parents or legal guardians when they enrol at the school. The schools also collect information at other key times during the school year. Information is also received from other schools when pupils transfer.
The School processes the information it collects to administer the education it provides to pupils. For example:
- the provision of educational services to individuals.
- monitoring and reporting on pupils’ educational progress.
- the provision of welfare, pastoral care and health services.
- the giving of support and guidance to pupils, their parents and legal guardians.
- the organisation of educational events and trips.
- planning and management of the school.
Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and Local Authority
The Welsh Assembly Government receives information on pupils normally as part of what is called the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC). The Welsh Assembly Government uses this personal information for research (carried out in such a way that ensures individual pupils cannot be identified) and for statistical purposes, to inform, influence and improve education policy and to monitor the performance of the education service as a whole.
Examples of the sort of statistics produced can be viewed at www.wales.gov.uk/statistics
The LA also uses the personal information collected via PLASC to do research. It uses the results of this research to make decisions on policy and the funding of schools, to calculate the performance of schools and help them to set targets. The research is carried out in such a way that ensures individual pupils cannot be identified. In addition WAG and LAs receive information regarding National Curriculum assessment and Public Examination results and attendance data at pupil level.
Personal Information Held
The sort of personal information that will be held includes;
- personal details such as name, address, date of birth, pupil identifiers and contact details for parents and guardians.
- information on performance in internal and national assessments and examinations.
- information on the ethnic origin and national identity of pupils (this is used only to prepare summary statistical analyses)
- details about pupils’ immigration status (this is used only to prepare summary statistical analyses).
- medical information needed to keep pupils safe while in the care of the school.
- information on attendance and any disciplinary action taken.
- information about the involvement of social services with individual pupils where this is needed for the care of the pupil.
Organisations who may share Personal Information
Information held by the School, LA and the Welsh Assembly Government on pupils, their parents or legal guardians may also be shared with other organisations when the law allows, for example with;
- other education and training bodies, including schools, when pupils are applying for courses, training, school transfer or seeking guidance on opportunities.
- bodies doing research for the Welsh Assembly Government, LA and schools, so long as steps are taken to keep the information secure.
- central and local government for the planning and provision of educational services.
- social services and other health and welfare organisations where there is a need to share information to protect and support individual pupils.
- various regulatory bodies, such as ombudsmen and inspection authorities, where the law requires that information be passed on so that they can do their work.
Pupils have certain rights under the Data Protection Act, including a general right to be given access to personal data held about them by any “data controller”. The presumption is that by the age of 12 a child has sufficient maturity to understand their rights and to make an access request themselves if they wish. A parent would normally be expected to make a request of child’s behalf if the child is younger.
Notification to Parents/ Pupils
If you wish to access your personal data, or that of your child, then please contact the relevant organisation in writing. Details of these organisations can be found on the following website (www.ysgoldavidhughes.org) or for those pupils/ parents where this is not practical, a hard copy can be obtained from the school’s Headteacher.
Pupils Aged 14 or Over
The information you supply will be used by the Chief Executive of Skills Funding, to issue you with a Unique Learner Number (ULN), and to create your Personal Learning Record. Further details of how your information is processed and shared can be found at http://www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk/learnparent
Other Information
The Welsh Assembly Government, LA and school place a high value on the importance of information security and have a number of procedures in place to minimise the possibility of a compromise in data security.
The Welsh Assembly Government, LA and School will endeavour to ensure that information is kept accurate at all times. Personal information will not be sent outside the United Kingdom.
Your rights under The Data Protection Act 1998
The Data Protection Act 1998 gives individuals certain rights in respect of personal information held on them by any organisation. These rights include;
- the right to ask for and receive copies of the personal information held on you, although some information can sometimes be legitimately withheld.
- the right, in some circumstances, to prevent the processing of personal information if doing so will cause damage or distress.
- the right to ask for wrong information to be put right.
- the right to seek compensation if an organisation does not comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and you person suffer damage.
in some circumstances a pupil’s parent or legal guardian may have a right to receive a copy of personal data held about a pupil in their legal care. Such cases will be considered on an individual basis where the individual is deemed to have insufficient understanding of their rights under the Act.
You also have the right to ask the Information Commissioner, who enforces and oversees the Data Protection Act 1998, to assess whether or not the processing of personal information is likely to comply with the provisions of the Act.
Seeking Further Information
For further information about the personal information collected and its’ use, if you have concerns about the accuracy of personal information, or wish to exercise your rights under the Data Protection Act 1998, you should contact;
- the school on 01248 712287
- your LA on 01248 752900
- the Welsh Assembly Government’s data protection officer at, The Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ
- the Information Commissioner’s office help line can be contacted on 01625 545 745
- information is also available from https://ico.org.uk/
Any person wishing to make a complaint should in the first instance contact the Head teacher. If the matter is not resolved then the complaint can be referred to the Chair of Governors, which can be contacted via the school. The Governing Body has the ultimate and statutory responsibility for hearing complaints, judging and deciding on the steps to take. A full copy of the Complaints Policy can be seen by contacting the school.
Like it or not, the internet has opened up a whole new world of opportunities. Used properly, it can enhance our children’s education and provide a wealth of learning resources. Used inappropriately or naively it can lead to children placing themselves and others at risk.
Ysgol David Hughes takes seriously the need to educate pupils about being sensible when using the internet. For example, all year 7 pupils undertake an Information Technology module which exposes the dangers of on-line chat and ‘grooming’, and similar issues are dealt with in PSE and Health-and-Social lessons later on. We also employ specialist software to restrict the websites that pupils can access whilst using the school computer network and this includes a ban on all interactive services such as chat rooms, e-mail, SMS and Instant Messenger etc.
However, we do know that many pupils engage in chat-line and/or messaging activities whilst at home, and many have built their own web-sites, often containing information of a personal nature, using internet sites such as bebo.com, myspace.com, youtube.com etc. Understandably, home usage does not always have the same level of supervision that school does (one of the difficulties being that ‘they’ often know more than we do!) but it is important to try to develop ‘safe and responsible’ behaviour in our children`, particularly when using the internet.
We know that as parents you will want to support us in this, and the purpose of this letter is to make you aware of just some of the many help sites available on the internet which have resources and ideas to encourage an interactive dialogue between parents and their young children.
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) – is the national internet safety centre. You can visit their website at https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Another CEOP website that allows adults and children to report to police the suspected illegal activity of online grooming can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Childnet International – a charity established in 1995 to make the internet a safer place for children - has a website which gives a good overview or how young people are ‘chatting’ using a range of interactive media, including chatrooms, instant messaging, mobile phones and online games. Childnet has also produced other advice including leaflets, a parents’ presentation and a CD ROM, which can be ordered from their website, http://www.childnet.com/
A resource kit for pupils and parents from http://www.childnet.com/resources/kia, named ‘Know IT All’, describes how to evaluate websites and mobile phone safety.
Childnet’s Chatdanger website (http://www.childnet.com/resources/jennys-story) contains lots of personal stories and advice. There is an online contact form if children have specialist questions to ask of Childnet staff. Childnet have also produced Jenny’s Story – a short film based on a real story about a teenager who chats to a stranger on the internet. The film shows how, through chatting online, Jenny reveals personal information which results in her being contacted in real life and ultimately hurt.
www.smartsurfers.co.uk
ww1.netsmatz.org
www.kidsmart.org.uk
www.gridclub.com/cybercafe/teachers
www.disney.go.com/surfswell
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/stay-safe
Additional information for parents is available from:
www.parentscentre.gov.uk/usingcomputersandtheinternet
Finally, on a positive note:
The internet is not all bad – to see positive ways in which young people have expressed themselves - visit http://www.childnet.com/
