Williamwood High School School Handbook · prevent any direct or indirect discrimination ......

Williamwood High School

School Handbook


School Handbook

The new Williamwood High school opened in August

2006 in the private partnership with BAM. The school

has a capacity for 1750 students and is situated on

Eaglesham Road between Clarkston and Waterfoot

in the south side of Glasgow. The Street forms the

central part of the school and is used as a communal

area for dining and socialising. The building is

equipped to the highest specification throughout.

All classrooms have quality ICT facilities and there are

a high number of dedicated ICT rooms. The library is

also well equipped with ICT equipment. The music

and drama facilities in our performing arts faculty

are of the highest contemporary standard and we

also have first class physical education facilities, both

indoor and outdoor. We have a well equipped pupil

support suite and a range of specialist rooms for

students with Additional Support Needs. Our art and

design department is a particularly impressive

feature of the building. The first class facility in its

delightful green-belt location will allow us to ensure

that the learning experience we provide for our

pupils will continue to be of the highest quality.

The School Day

Warning Bell 8.40 a.m.

Period 1 • 8.45 a.m. – 9.35 a.m.

Period 2 • 9.35 a.m. – 10.25 a.m.

Interval 10.25 a.m. – 10.40 a.m.

Period 3 • 10.40 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

Period 4 • 11.30 a.m. – 12.20 p.m.

Lunch 12.20 p.m. – 1.05 p.m.

Warning Bell 1.00 p.m.

Period 5 • 1.05 p.m. – 1.55 p.m.

Period 6 • 1.55 p.m. – 2.45 p.m.

Period 7 • 2.45 p.m. – 3.35 p.m.

(Mon, Tue and Thu)

The School Roll

The School Year 2015 – 2016

First Term

Opens Thursday 13 August 2015

September Holiday:

Close Thursday 24 September 2015

Open Tuesday 29 September 2015

October Holiday:

Close Thursday 8 October 2015

Open Monday 19 October 2015

Christmas Holiday:

Close Tuesday 22 December 2015

Second Term:

Open Wednesday 6 January 2016

Mid Term Holiday:

Close Thursday 11 February 2016

Open Wednesday 17 February 2016

Spring Holiday:

Close Thursday 24 March 2016

Open Tuesday 29 March 2016

Close Friday 1 April 2016

Third Term:

Opens Monday 18 April 2016

Close Friday 29 April 2016

May Day Holiday:

Open Tuesday 3 May 2016

Local Weekend Holiday:

Close Thursday 26 May 2016

Open Wednesday 1 June 2016

Summer Holidays:

Close Friday 24 June 2016

Current Roll S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 Total

(December 2015) 275 274 296 278 291 259 1673

Estimated Future Intakes:

2016 * 280

Introduction from the headteacher 2

Vision and Values 3

Primary/Secondary Transitions 3

HMIe Inspection of Williamwood 4

Dress code 5

School curriculum 7

Religious education and observance 9

Equality and fairness for all 9

Involving parents 10

Positive behaviour 11

School code of conduct 11

Data Protection Act 12

Enrolment 12

Pupil support - pastoral 13

Pupil support – learning 13

Pupil support – behaviour 14

Enquire 14

Joint support team 14

Social justice and community 14

Reporting to parents 15

Attendance 16

Homework and study 16

Supported study 18

Library 18

Transport 18

School meals 19

Extra-curricular activities 20

Community involvement 21

Education maintenance allowance 21

Parent Council and PTA 22

Our senior management team and their remits 23

School Improvement 24

Staff list 25

Celebrating achievement 27

Medical matters 28

Information in emergencies 28

Useful addresses 29

Information for parents 30

Transferring educational data about pupils 33

Contents

Introduction from the

headteacher

I should like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in

Williamwood High School.

This handbook is designed to provide information which you may find

helpful as your son or daughter transfers to this school.

The aims and values of Williamwood are outlined here and I hope you will

gain a sense of what is important for us in the school community.

The staff value your involvement in the education of your son or daughter,

our pupils, and I assure you that you are very welcome in the school.

Together, I believe that we can work to reach the highest standards of

achievement for our young people during the time they are in

Williamwood and beyond.

William Inglis

Headteacher


Vision and Values

VISION

We shall endeavour to make Williamwood High School a caring

community.

We shall provide each pupil with an educational experience in keeping

with his or her personality, talents and mental and physical abilities.

We shall work with parents, carers and other partners to achieve the best

outcomes for our pupils.

We shall strive to ensure that each pupil’s experience will be challenging

and enjoyable and lead to successful learning.

VALUES

The values which underpin this vision,

and against which we shall evaluate

our performance, are:

• Respect

• Responsibility

• Fairness

• Integrity

• Ambition

Primary/Secondary Transitions

We have very close contact with our associated primary schools in the Williamwood Cluster.

There are regular visits by a range of Williamwood staff co-ordinated by the Senior

Management Team.

Primary 7 pupils regularly see Williamwood staff and the depute headteacher with

responsibility for next session’s S1 pupils co-ordinates a transition programme including

visits to Williamwood, to ensure that pupils feel comfortable when they start S1 in August.

Any parent who wishes to make individual contact is most welcome and should telephone the

school to arrange an appointment with the appropriate depute headteacher.

HMIe Inspection of Williamwood

page 4

A team of Her Majesty’s Inspectors inspected the

school in October 2009. This inspection involved

our young people, staff, parents and members of

the wider school community. The HMIe team

published a report of its key findings in

November 2009. You can view or download a

copy of the Williamwood inspection report on

the HMIe website by searching for Williamwood

in the secondary reports section or by using the

address shown below:

http://www.hmie.gov.uk/ViewEstablishment.aspx?id=6982&type=3

The inspection team awarded

our school ratings of

‘excellent’ in each of the five

aspects of performance which

are evaluated. We were

particularly pleased to learn

that no other secondary

school in Scotland had

achieved this standard.



Dress Code

Given that there is substantial

parental and public approval

of uniform, schools in East

Renfrewshire expect the

wearing of full school

uniform. This is outlined in

East Renfrewshire’s ‘Dressing

for Excellence: A Policy on

School Uniform’.

In promoting the wearing of uniform,

account must be taken in any proposals to

prevent any direct or indirect discrimination

on the grounds of race or gender.

Any proposals should be the subject of

widespread consultation with parents and

pupils.

There are forms of dress which are

unacceptable in school, such as items

of clothing which:

• potentially encourage factions (such as football colours);

• could cause offence (such as anti-religious symbolism or political

slogans);

• could cause health and safety difficulties (such as loose fitting clothing,

dangling earrings, shell suits of flammable material) in practical classes;

• could cause damage to flooring;

• carry advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco;

• could be used to inflict damage on other pupils or be used by others to

do so.

Under no circumstances should pupils

be deprived of any educational benefit as a result of

not wearing uniform and, in particular, pupils should

not be denied access to examinations as a result of

not wearing school uniform.

We are confident that the pupils and parents of

Williamwood High School support the wearing of our

school uniform. It is both practical and economical and

brings a sense of common identity and pride.

The uniform has been enthusiastically endorsed by the

parent representative groups, the Parent Council and

PTA. More information on our school uniform can be found on the

school website.

The uniform comprises the following:

Black blazer and badge

School tie

Shirt and blouse - white

Pullover - black, v-necked

Trousers - black (not black denims)

Skirt - knee length, black (extremes of fashion should be avoided when

purchasing either trousers or skirts. Lycra skirts are not acceptable)

Shalwar Kameez - black

Headscarf - black

Shoes - black shoes should be worn (trainers are not permitted)

Jacket - must be black and should have no obvious logo or advertising.

Outside jackets should be removed in the school building.

For physical education, the following kit is required:

Boys

Polo shirt or T-shirt – sky blue

Football short – royal blue

Sports socks – white

Suitable trainers for activity

Girls

Polo shirt or T-shirt – sky blue

Cycle shorts – black or shorts – royal blue

Sports socks – white

Suitable trainers for activity

All the above are obtainable from local school outfitters. Some items for

Physical education can also be purchased from the physical education department.

Parents may purchase all the main items of uniform at retail cost on one of

the uniform evenings – dates of which are in the school calendar - or from

the local school outfitters, Man’s World in Giffnock.

Food and textile technology

Royal blue apron with food technology logo.

This item may be purchased from the food and textile technology

department.

School curriculum

The aims of Curriculum for Excellence is that every child should know that

they are valued and supported to become a successful learner; effective

contributor and a responsible citizen. They should also experience a broad

curriculum that develops skills for learning, life and work with a sustained

focus on literacy and numeracy that encourages an active, healthy and

environmentally sustainable lifestyle. The experiences and outcomes for

literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing are embedded into lessons across

the school as well as being an integral part of the school ethos.

Parents may wish to note that in the event of the school seeking to make

major changes to the curriculum on offer, consultation will be carried out

with them and other stakeholders through the Parent Council, Pupil

Council and by other appropriate means.

Courses in S1 and S2 As a part of the broad general education, S1/S2 pupils follow a common course of

subjects, viz. art, drama, English, French, geography, history, food and

textile technology, business information and communications

technology, mathematics, modern studies, music, physical education,

religious and moral education, personal and social education, science,

technical subjects.

The curriculum at S1/S2 fully reflects the seven design principles of

Curriculum for Excellence. These are breadth, depth, challenge and

enjoyment, personalisation and choice, coherence, progression and relevance.

S3 Options programme This programme runs from January to March for S2 pupils.

The programme will include an information evening for parents and

individual interviews for students. A more detailed programme of

information will be issued at the appropriate time and can also be found

on the school website.

Courses in S3 and S4 Our S3 courses adhere to the p r inc ip les o f the

b road genera l educa t ion and cont inue to o f fe r

pupi ls exce l len t lea rn ing exper iences a t the

th i rd and four th leve l s . Pupi ls have a wide

range of in te rd isc ip l inary lea rn ing

oppor tun i t ies as wel l as a se r ies o f mas te r

c lasses . Pupi ls in S3 and into S4 will study

eight sub jec ts and a re p resen ted a t the end of

S4 a t National 3, National 4 or National 5

level. In addition, pupils also study personal

and social education, physical education and

religious studies. The subjects studied in S3/S4

provide a good basis for progression to courses in

the senior phase and beyond.

The subjects offered and the option pattern fully reflect both national and local guidelines on

curriculum structure. In addition every pupil will be offered the opportunity to take part in our

work experience programme in S4.

S5/S6 Options programme This programme runs from January – June for S4 and S5 pupils.

The programme will include an information evening for parents and

individual interviews for students. A more detailed programme of

information will be issued at the appropriate time and can also be found


Results of external examinations are not published until early August. It is

appropriate that changes can be made to S5 and S6 courses in the light of

the results. Students have an opportunity to come into school before the

beginning of the school term to finalise their courses. Information about

the process is contained in the options booklet.

Exact dates will be issued in the school calendar.

Courses in S5 and S6 For those students who intend to return for S5 and S6 options process is

carried out. All students will be interviewed by a member of the options

team during the S5/S6 option programme.

East Renfrewshire Council runs an extensive programme of vocational

options for senior students in partnership with local colleges and

universities. Pupils at this stage will have the option to apply for a place on

one of these courses. There is a range of options (including digital

photography, hairdressing and sound engineering) which can help with

career planning and preparation for life beyond school. More

information is on the school website.

While it is important that these negotiations take place with the

student, parents may contact the school to discuss option matters or

to arrange a meeting with the appropriate member of the pupil

support team and/or member of the senior management team.

Our personal and social education programmes for S4 and S5 contains

important careers information to support this subject choice exercise and

information about the range of courses available in Williamwood High

School.

Our school careers officer is available to help students at this time, as well

as being available on a regular basis throughout the school session.

More details on all aspects of the secondary school curriculum are available

on the following websites:

Pupil Council

Pupils can have a voice on decisions that will affect them through the Pupil Council. Each class will

choose class representatives who will be responsible for making their fellow- pupils’ views known and

feeding back decisions that are made. Members of the Pupil Council also take responsibility for a variety of

activities such as fundraising and issues regarding the school environment.

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/Williamwood/departments/

http://www.ea.e-renfrew.sch.uk/curriculinks/

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/Williamwood/departments/

http://www.ea.e-renfrew.sch.uk/curriculinks/

Religious education and

observance The school regularly meets as a

community for our religious

observance events which are led by

our chaplains. The chaplains meet classes

as part of our personal and social

education course, and may meet

with individuals on request. There

are also frequent meetings of the year

groups to maintain the school’s sense

of good conduct and direction. These

meetings are not specifically Christian

and take account of the various faiths

to which our pupils belong.

Parents of children of ethnic or

religious minority background may request that their children be

permitted to be absent from school in order to celebrate recognised

religious events. Appropriate requests will be granted. The pupil will

be noted as an authorised absence in the school register.

Equality and fairness for all

We are committed to the

following principles:

Every pupil should be helped

to develop a sense of personal

and cultural identity that is

confident and open to change,

and that is receptive and

respectful towards others.

Pupils should develop the

knowledge, understanding and

skills that they need in order to

participate in Britain’s multi-

cultural society.

Involving parents

The support of parents is vital to the success of Williamwood High School.

We believe, therefore, that we should do everything possible to provide

parents regularly with information and opportunities to visit the school to

learn of matters that relate to their child’s education. At present, contact

with parents takes many forms including:

newsletters

pupils’ reports (full reports and tracking reports)

meetings to discuss pupils’ progress

consultation at times of transition

information evenings

workshops

conferences

meetings to consult with parents e.g. about school

uniform and future school improvement

contact by pupil support staff (letter,

telephone call or individual interview)

Parent Council and PTA

school website and twitter

Flying Start initiative

Parents are also invited to get in touch with us

about any matter concerning their child’s

education; we encourage parents to do so and

shall do our best to resolve any matters of

concern.

Parents hard at work during an evening

workshop on study skills.

Parents and

pupils at the

annual careers’

evening.

Positive behaviour

In Williamwood we expect very

high standards of behaviour

and we have agreed a code of

conduct with our pupils to help

maintain good order so that

effective learning and teaching may

take place.

School policy on discipline is based

very firmly on this agreed

code of conduct and on

achieving good relationships

between pupils and staff. Advice

has been given to teachers on

ways of dealing

with breaches of discipline when they occur, ranging from a quiet word of

censure to potential exclusion from school. Copies of the school policy on

discipline are available to parents on request.

In dealing with repeated misbehaviour, the support of parents is vital.

Should a pattern of misconduct emerge, parents will be invited to discuss

the situation with a member of staff.

Much attention has been focused in recent times on bullying and schools

throughout the country have been required to create a climate in which

bullying is frowned upon and to take firm action when bullying occurs. We

support these national efforts to eliminate the scourge of bullying, which

brings such misery for pupils who are subjected to it and for their families.

Bullying also strikes at the very heart of what this school stands for and

cannot be tolerated. Any parent who believes that her/his child is being

bullied should contact us immediately, confident that the matter will be

dealt with firmly, sensitively and at the highest level in the school.

School code of conduct

We believe that teachers and pupils, by their words, actions and concern

for each other, can ensure that we grow as a caring community.

Williamwood has a code of conduct which sets out our expectations of

pupils’ behaviour.

Our code of conduct:

• Respect each other, your teachers, other members of staff and

visitors to the school.

• We are all equal. Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.

• Take care of your own health and safety and the safety of others.

Behave reasonably at all times, in school and on the way to and from

school.

• Be proud to be a Williamwood pupil and observe the school’s dress code

at all times.

• Refrain from eating or drinking in school, except in the cafeteria or

social areas. Keep the school clean and tidy. Take proper care of books

and equipment.

• View your schoolwork as a challenge not a chore.

• Attend school regularly and be on time for classes.

Data protection act

Information on pupils, parents and carers is stored on a computer system

and may be used for teaching, registration, assessment and other

administrative purposes. This information is protected by the Data

Protection Act 1998 and may only be disclosed in accordance with the

Codes of Practice. For further information please contact the school.

Enrolment

The majority of pupils enrolling in

Williamwood High School come from

our associated primary schools –

Busby Primary School, Carolside

Primary School and Netherlee

Primary School.

Parents of Primary 7 pupils are invited to attend an information evening in

June when they will have the opportunity to meet the headteacher and

other key staff and see the school’s accommodation at first hand.

Arrangements and details of this meeting will be communicated to parents

by letter via the primary schools.

From time to time during the session, families move into the area served

by Williamwood. Parents of such families, considering enrolling their child

in this school, should contact the school by telephone or letter. If

appropriate, a visit to the school can be arranged with the relevant depute

headteacher.

If parents living outwith the catchment area of Williamwood wish to

make a placing request for their child to attend this school, they too

should contact the school for information. Please note, however, that the

placing request should be lodged not with the school, but with the

Education Offices.

Pupil support – pastoral

Williamwood High School has a number

of promoted teachers responsible for pupil

support. Their key purpose is to ensure that each

pupil knows and is known personally and in some

depth by at least one member of staff. Pupil

support teachers will help young people to make

informed and responsible decisions at key stages in their careers and to

make available to pupils and parents all the services which the school has

to offer. Pupil support teachers, therefore, are engaged in a number of

important tasks in addition to their teaching duties, including:

• Care of new admissions

• Monitoring the academic progress of all pupils

• Giving advice on course choices

• Checking on attendance and timekeeping

• Care of pupils facing difficulties – emotional, physical, academic

• Preparation of reports on pupils – for employers, universities, colleges

etc.

• Contact with parents of individual pupils – by letter, telephone,

interview, meeting

• Links with supporting agencies such as the careers service, social work

department, community organisations etc.

At the start of each session, your child’s pupil support teacher will make

contact with you and will advise you on the most suitable times to contact

him/her; this will ensure that the pupil support teacher is not in class or

does not have another appointment when you contact the school. Parents

are encouraged to keep in regular contact with their child’s pupil support

teacher and not to hesitate to telephone about any matter of concern. In

an emergency, parents should of course contact the school immediately,

and arrangements will be made to have the matter dealt with.

Pupil support – learning

In Williamwood High School we have a team of

teachers and other staff, who provide specialist

support to pupils who may experience difficulties in

their learning.

Every opportunity is taken to establish the nature and extent of a pupil’s

learning difficulty as soon as possible: close liaison with our associated

primary schools means that information on individual pupils is available to

us before the pupils join us in August. For other pupils, already in

Williamwood, individual subject teachers monitor closely the performance

of pupils and are able to request additional support for any pupil from

learning support staff.

Pupils experiencing difficulties with their learning may be helped in a

number of ways:

• Providing direct one-to-one help from a learning support specialist

teacher

• Allocation of an additional (co-operative) teacher to the class

• Advice to classroom teachers by learning support staff

• Referral to specialist services, e.g. Psychological Services

• Arranging a case conference for pupils with additional support needs

• Providing specialist resources

• Agreeing with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for special

examination arrangements to be made where appropriate.

Enquire

The Scottish advice service for additional support for learning

Operated by Children in Scotland, Enquire offers independent, confidential

advice and information on additional support for learning through:

A telephone helpline – 0845 123 2303

An e-mail enquiry service – [email protected]

An online enquiry service

Two websites – www.enquire.org.uk (for parents/carers and practitioners)

and www.enquire.org.uk/yp (for children and young people)

Enquire also provides a range of clear and easy-to-read guides and fact

sheets explaining everything from ‘additional support in the early years’ to

‘what planning should take place for moving on from school’.

Pupil support – behaviour

Our approach to establishing good order and discipline is to be found in

other sections of this handbook. To provide additional support for those

pupils who have behavioural difficulties, we have a team of teachers whose

specialism is in behaviour management. This team of teachers, and other

support staff, is led by a promoted member of staff and works closely with

certain pupils, their parents and their teachers to bring about an

improvement in the pupils’ behaviour. This is a recent innovation in Scottish

schools and is a feature in all of the secondary schools in East Renfrewshire.

Joint Support Team (JST)

The Joint Support Team is made up of representatives from the school

senior management team, pupil support staff, teaching staff, social work

department, Psychological Services, Careers Service, and any other

appropriate agency. It is co-ordinated by a member of the senior

management team. One of the important functions of the JST is to

develop and implement strategies to help our young people.

Social justice and community

We are determined to make sure that every pupil is supported throughout

school, fairly and equally, regardless of circumstances. We call this social

justice and it’s about making sure that all pupils are given an equal chance

to reach their potential. It is still the case that some young people can be

at risk of missing out on education while others can leave school with no

clear plans to enter further education, employment or training.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.enquire.org.uk/

http://www.enquire.org.uk/yp

We aim to keep finding ways to inform and involve young people and

their families in all aspects of school life through social justice and

community activities, complementary to pastoral, learning and behaviour

support. This can help to reinforce and assist young people to actively

engage in all school support systems. Every young person deserves the

chance to succeed and we support young people to meet their specific

needs through individualised programmes.

Reporting to parents

Reports no longer consist of percentage marks and class averages. Each

department is now expected to list the skills being taught and to report to

pupils and parents on the extent to which each pupil has mastered these

skills.

Reports will also give details of a pupil’s strengths and areas for

development in each subject as well as, where appropriate, performance in

standardised tests. This ensures parents have a clear indication of their

child’s progress through the experiences and outcomes of the Curriculum

for Excellence programme.

We are required to report to parents once per session, but it is our policy in

this school to issue up to three reports per session (one full report and

one/two tracking reports).

S5/S6

Report & parents’ evening : November

Tracking : January

Tracking : March

S4

Tracking : October

Report & parents’ evening : January

Tracking : March

S3

Tracking : October

Tracking : January

Report & parents’ evening : June

S2

Tracking : November

Report & parents’ evening : February

S1

Tracking : October

Report & parents’ evening : May

Attendance

page 16

East Renfrewshire has a clear policy on attendance, and this is set out

below:

Section 30 of the 1980 Education Act lays a duty on every parent of a

child of ‘school age’ to ensure that their child attends school regularly.

Attendance must be recorded twice a day, morning and afternoon.

Regulation 7 of the Education (School and Placing Information) (Scotland)

Amendment, Etc. Regulations 1993 requires each child’s absence from

school to be recorded in the school register in four different ways:

• as authorised: i.e. approved by the authority and this includes sickness,

religious observance, bereavement etc.

• as extended leave with parental consent i.e. when the family moves

abroad for a short time

• as unauthorised: i.e. unexplained by the parent (truancy) or most family

holidays during term time

• as temporarily excluded from school.

Every effort should be made to avoid family holidays during term time.

If you have a question about the categorisation of attendance or absence

please contact the school.

The pupil support team investigates all unexplained absences. If

unexplained or unjustified absences persist, the matter is then referred to

the Reporter to the Children’s Panel or to the local Attendance Council,

which is made up of members of Parent Councils in the area.

If parents believe that their child may be truanting from school, they

should not hesitate to contact us. Early contact may remove the parent’s

fears or may help us to catch the problem at an early stage. Pupil absence is

monitored each period and parents may be contacted by the school via a

telephone call or text message to confirm pupil absences.

Homework and study

Homework and study are important to successful learning. It is no surprise

that pupils who have good study habits and complete their homework, as

well as working hard in class, go on to achieve academic success.

The amount and type of homework set by teachers will vary from year to

year. We expect to see all subjects set pupils homework at all stages.

The work to be done at home should be worthwhile and should not be set in

an unthinking way. Some exercises may be set to reinforce what has

been taught in class; on other occasions pupils may benefit from guided

reading, from researching materials in books, newspapers and magazines,

or from being directed to watch a programme, film or play on TV etc. We

remind pupils that homework need not be confined to written exercises

and that they should read over notes, engage in private reading etc.

All pupils are issued with a study planner. Pupils are encouraged to use

these planners to record their homework assignments and plan their

studies. Parents are invited to check their child’s planner on a regular basis

and are able to comment in it. The headteacher, senior management team

and pupil support staff routinely examine these planners to ensure that

pupils are receiving appropriate homework and that they are developing

good organisational skills.

Parents may access a copy of the school policy on homework and home

learning on the school website.

We have always been keen to

discuss and explain our homework

arrangements and to suggest ways

in which parents can help their

children to organise their studies

profitably.

A record of homework is kept by

the teacher. A record is also kept of

pupils who fail to do homework

exercises. Such records are helpful

in dealing with enquiries or

complaints from parents.

Supported Study

page 18

The school offers a range of supported study sessions which may take place

after school, on a Saturday or during the Easter break.

This provision is a valuable addition to learning and teaching within the

school. The help of parents in encouraging their children to take

advantage of this programme is greatly appreciated.

Library

The library contains PCs for staff and student use, a scanner, fiction, non-

fiction and reference books, periodicals, CD-ROMS and videos.

The school library uses the same automated management system as the

East Renfrewshire community libraries. This means the school can tap into

the vast resources of the community libraries.

Technology is an important part of all school libraries. As well as the

resources mentioned above, the Internet and on-line careers information

can be accessed on computers in the library. The librarian has the

appropriate I.C.T. skills to help students use these resources.

The careers library is part of the school library and the librarian will help to

provide information for students in conjunction with the careers officer

and pupil support staff.

Transport

The Education Department currently has a policy of providing free

transport to secondary school pupils who live more than three miles by the

recognised shortest walking route from the local school. This policy is

consistent with that required by law and applies to all secondary schools.

Pupils who consider that they are eligible should obtain an application

form from Customer First or the Barrhead Council offices. These forms

should be completed and returned by the end of February for those pupils

commencing school in August to enable the appropriate arrangements to

be made.

Where free transport is provided it may be necessary for pupils to walk a

certain distance to the vehicle pick-up point. Walking distance, in total,

including the distance from the home to the pick-up point and from the

drop-off point to the school in any one direction, will not exceed the

Authority’s limits (see above paragraph). It is the parents’ responsibility to

ensure that their child arrives at the pick-up point in time. It is also the

parents’ responsibility to ensure that the child behaves in a safe and

acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in and alighting from the

vehicle. Misbehaviour may result in your child losing the right to free

transport.

The Education Department does not provide transport for those pupils in

receipt of a placing request other than in exceptional circumstances.

For pupils who participate in classes out with Williamwood e.g. at

St Ninian’s, special transport arrangements may be provided.

Transport arrangements are provided for pupils travelling to college as

part of the vocational programme.

School meals

Williamwood operates a cashless

cafeteria. This means that pupils, staff

and visitors have a PIN to use for

purchasing items from the cafeteria.

For pupils, this takes the form of their

National Entitlement Card, containing

a code number and photographic

identification. The card may also be

used for obtaining discounts for local

services.

Information and application forms for free school meals may be obtained

from the school office or from Customer First staff at Council Offices,

Barrhead (0141 577 3001). Although application may be made at any time, it

is helpful if forms are completed in April for applications which are to take

effect from the beginning of the following session. A new application must

be made each session.

If pupils require special

diets, their parents should

obtain a diet sheet

from their doctor or the

hospital dietician and send

it to the School Meals

Supervisor. The Supervisor

will then contact the

Catering Manager at the

school and the matter will

be dealt with discreetly.

Pupils who bring packed

lunches to school may use

the cafeteria to eat them.

Extra-curricular activities

page 20

Our range of

activities includes:

Athletics

Basketball

Book Club

Cheerleading

Chess Club

Choirs

Christian Union

Computer Club

Creative Writing

Cross Country

Cycling

Dance

Debating

Drama

Duke of Edinburgh

Fairtrade

Film Club

Football

Golf

Gymnastics

Hockey

Netball

Newspaper

Orchestra

Photography

Public Speaking

Rowing

Rugby

School Show

Skiing

Table-Tennis

Volleyball

Warhammer

We strongly believe in the value of extra-curricular activities as a means of

enriching the education of our pupils.

In Williamwood there are many opportunities for pupils to be involved in

activities outwith the timetabled school day. These may occur at lunchtime, or

at the end of the school day, or they may involve day visits or residential visits

either at home or abroad. The school also has an ever expanding

activities day, “The Big Day Out”, during the last week of the summer

term. Pupils have the opportunity to participate in a range of one day

events and an increasing number of 2-3 day activities including golf in

St Andrews, watersports in Millport and rock climbing in the Cairngorms.

An up to date list of all activities on offer can be found on the school website.

Parents are asked to recognise that teachers in charge of parties away

from home have assumed considerable responsibility in accepting

supervision of the well-being of all in the party. Accordingly, parental

support is asked for in ensuring that the normal school rules are followed

by their children, not only in school but whenever parties are out of

school.

Community involvement

page 21

The school has well-established links with

the community, through our work and

support of local charities and through

more direct involvement with organisations and

groups such as the Isobel Mair School (IMS).

Our contact and links with commerce and

industry are maintained through pupil

placements with local firms as part of work

experience programme, which allows every S4

pupil to be given a work experience placement.

Education maintenance

allowance

Senior pupils who remain at school beyond the statutory leaving age of 16

may apply for an Educational Maintenance Allowance (E.M.A.).

It is a means tested allowance made on a sliding scale, which takes into

account family income and other circumstances. Pupils’, parents and the

school draw up a learning agreement, breach of which will result in

withdrawal or deferment of the allowance.

Parent Council

Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006:

School Boards were replaced in August 2007 by a new system of Parent

Councils. The Act makes provision for all parents to be members of the

Parent Forum at a school, and to have their views represented to the

school, education authority and others, through a representative Parent

Council for the school.

The legislation supports parental involvement in a much wider sense than

before. It aims to help all parents to be:

• Involved with their child’s education and learning

• Welcomed as active participants in the life of the school

• Encouraged to express their views on school education generally and

work in partnership with the school

The Parent Council also has a role in the appointment of headteachers and

depute headteachers.

The headteacher and local councillors may attend all meetings as advisors to

the Parent Council and have the right to speak although, not being

members of the Parent Council, no right to vote. Parents may find out

more about the Parent Council via the school website.

Parent-Teacher Association

(PTA)

The Williamwood High School PTA is a very active group which is made up

of volunteer parents and teachers. It is a recognised Scottish Charity,

SC036644.

It aims to raise funds to be able to complement the school curriculum

which will benefit students to enhance their educational experience. The

PTA organises various fundraising events throughout the year such as:

S1 Freshers’ Disco Christmas Shopping Night

Quiz Night

The PTA newsletter is published throughout the year.

New members are welcome at any time.

Website: www.williamwood-pta.org.uk

The Scottish Parent Teacher Council is the national organisation for PTAs

and PAs in Scotland and runs an independent helpline service for all

parents. You can contact it by telephone/fax on 0131-226-4378, by e-mail on

[email protected] or write to SPTC, 53 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2HT.

http://www.williamwood-pta.org.uk/


Our senior management team

and their remits for 2015/16

HEADTEACHER William Inglis

Functions Management of the school

Curriculum - overview

Policy development School improvement plan

Reporting on Standards and Quality

School agreement

Quality assurance

Staff development and Leadership programme

Analysis of performance in national examinations

Discipline - overview

Child protection officer

Communication with parents

Adviser to the Parent Council

School fund School calendar

Liaison with

Parent Council

PTA

Teachers’ associations (EIS and SSTA)

Links with departments

English

Modern Languages

DEPUTE HEADTEACHER Shirley Gibson

Functions

S2

Support for pupils (pastoral, learning, behaviour)

PSHE curriculum Child protection co-ordinator Options co-ordinator Awards ceremonies Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme Citizenship education and volunteering Pupil voice Liaison with cluster schools (3-18 co-ordinator) Fund raising and charities

Certain aspects of the school budget

Deputising for the headteacher when required

Liaison with

Ekwendeni Girls’ School, Malawi

Classroom assistants

HE, FE, UCAS and Careers Scotland First aiders and health visitors

Extended pupil support team

Links with departments Pupil support

Biology and science

DEPUTE HEADTEACHER Claire Raeburn

Functions S4

Curriculum-overview

Broad general education (CfE)

Tracking progress in the broad general education (support)

Assessment - overview

Development of National Qualifications (S4-S6)

ICT provision and management

ICT co-ordinator (learning and teaching and GLOW)

Student teachers and probationer teachers

CPD co-ordinator

PRD co-ordinator

Certain aspects of the school budget


Liaison with

School librarian ICT technician (ERC)

Links with departments Social subjects

Performing arts

DEPUTE HEADTEACHER Kate Sinclair

Functions

S1

Raising attainment - strategic overview

Support for departments in raising attainment

Supported study and Easter school

Homework, home learning and study skills

School transport

End of term activities (Big Day Out)

Reporting and tracking

Timetable and accommodation (support)

Certain aspects of school budget


Liaison with Principal teachers (Development)

School office

Links with departments Mathematics

BICT

DEPUTE HEADTEACHER Ian Fisher

Functions

S5

Management of the school budget

Maintenance of the school’s inventory

Burseries, Educational Maintenance Allowance

Co-ordinator of SQA and internal examinations

Equality and anti-bullying co-ordinator

Religious observance Statistical returns

Freedom of information requests Certain aspects of the school budget


Liaison with School chaplains


Food and textile technology

Physical education

DEPUTE HEADTEACHER Sandy Hannah

Functions S6

SEEMIS co-ordinator and registration

Timetable and accommodation (lead)

School building, facilities and letting

S4 work experience programme

Co-ordinator of educational excursions

Visitors to the school and placement requests

Health and safety, school security

Emergency plan and evacuation procedures Certain aspects of the school budget


Liaison with

School technicians

Facilities management (BAM and ERC)

Community Police


Design and technology

Chemistry

DEPUTE HEADTEACHER (Acting) Laura Cheyne

Functions S3

Learning and teaching – overview

Leadership for learning strategy

Environment for learning and display of pupils’ work

School uniform

Recognising achievement

Tracking progress in the broad general

education (lead)

Publicity (including school website, Twitter account and

liaison with media)

School handbook Certain aspects of the school budget


Liaison with Principal Teachers (Development)


Physics

RMPS

School Improvement

At Williamwood, we are an ambitious school who constantly strive to further improve on the

high quality education experienced by our pupils. Every year we devise a school improvement

plan which highlights the key focus areas for the coming academic term.

A copy of this year’s School Improvement Plan as well as previous plans can be found on the

school website.

Abbreviations used:

• DHT – Depute Headteacher

• PTC – Principal Teacher (Curriculum)

• PTPS – Principal Teacher (Pupil Support)

• PTD – Principal Teacher (Development)

• NQT – Newly Qualified Teacher

CA – Clerical Assistant

Staff list 2015/2016

Headteacher

Design & Technology Food & Textile Technology Physics

Mr W Inglis

Miss K Gallagher PTC Mrs H Fulton PTC Mr T Ferns PTC

Mr S Hannah DHT Mrs H McKelvie

Mr J Honeyman

Depute Headteachers Mr S Atkins

Mrs D McPeake

Mr P McLaren Mrs L Cheyne (acting) Mr A MacLean

Mrs H Rogers

Mr D Sudding

Mr I Fisher

Mr R McCallum

Mr D Worton Mrs S Gibson

Modern Languages

Mr S Hannah

Mrs S Hugh APTC

Mrs C Raeburn

English

Mrs A Alford

RMPS Mrs K Sinclair

Miss L MacRobert PTC Miss N Bonini NQT Mr D Ralston PTC

Mrs J McKirdy

PTPS (V) Mr S Crawford

Mr C Brown

Mrs N Penman

PTPS (T) Miss C Hutcheson

Miss B Campbell

Art & Design

Mrs G Emans

Mrs C Jackson

Mr J Mackie NQT

Mrs M Coggans PTC Mr J Getty

Mrs M Pierre-Harkins

Mr R Ramanujam Mrs J Carenduff

Ms J Gourley Miss F Reid

Mr A Robb

Ms H Clelland

Miss P Harley

Miss N Varenne

Ms L Small APTC

Miss F Cook

Mrs J Hoy PTPS (W) Mrs J Yates

Mr A Tierney

Miss M Halliday

Mrs E Maciver Mr A Taylor

Mr N Mackay

Performing Arts

Social Subjects

Miss A MacKinnon

Mrs C Selbie PTC Mrs L Neeson APTC

Ms J Martin

Mrs L Brodie

Mrs C Raeburn DHT

BICT

Mr A McDonald NQT Mrs F Dippie

Mrs L Cheyne ADHT

Ms V Martin PTC Mrs L McDonald

Mr M Gibson NQT Mr JP McCabe NQT

Mrs D Cohen

Mr S McFadden APTPS (X) Miss L Harkins

Miss M McCallum

Mr A Head

Mrs J McGuigan

Mrs M McGowan

Miss H McCandless

Mr I Henderson

Mr S McGuigan

Miss E Morrison NQT Mr C McKenna PTPS (Z)

Mr R Hendry

Miss A Rhodes

Ms C Parker

Mr R Metcalfe

Miss D Moir

Mrs L Simpson

Mrs G Rodgers

Mrs K Monaghan

Mrs S Simpson

Mr T Smart

Mrs L Timmons

Mr G Moore

Mr B Smith

Ms B Williams

Miss N Mowat

Miss H Murray NQT

Mathematics

Music Instructors

Miss L Smith APTD

Biology

Mr B Stewart PTC Mrs J Anderson

Mrs L Fadzean PTC

Mrs K Sinclair DHT DHT Mr G Doherty

Mrs S Gibson DHT Mr M Falconer

PTPS (S) Mr K Blackwood

P S (Learning)

Mrs F Ali

Mrs L McLaughlin

PTPS (R) Mr J Finnigan

Mr J Moffat PTPS (Y)

Mrs K Elliott

Mr C Gallagher

Mr T Gordon

Mrs J Hoy PTPS (W)

Miss J McBride

Mr B Harrison APTD Mrs B Roberts

Miss M Burns

Mr C Morrison

Mrs M Honeyman

Ms E Rose

Mr G Laird

Miss N Mortimer PTD Dr J Kerr

Mr S West

Mrs A McKinlay

Ms A Regan

Mrs N Koltcheva NQT

Mr J Moore Mrs R Rose

Miss C Lewis

Physical Education Mrs E Morris

Mrs B Watson

Mr D MacDonald

Mr P Madden PTC Mrs C Reid

Mr R McAllister PTD Mr I Fisher DHT Ms A Spence

Mr S McFarlane

Mrs L Chambers

Chemistry

Miss L McNally

Mr P Cuthbertson Mrs M-L Gibson PTC Mrs L Morgan-Smyth

Miss K Dickson

P S (Behaviour)

Mr R Allan

Mrs K Munro

Miss E Foster NQT Mr A Muirhead PTPS (Y1)

Ms C Boyle

Mrs J Otley

Ms F Heslop

Mrs I Gilmour

Mr J Cowans

Mr S Maclachlan Ms L-M McLaughlin

Mr A Thomson

Mrs J McMorran

Mr P Thomson

Office Staff

Mrs M Sinclair Office Manager

Mrs J McBride Snr Clerical Asst

Ms L Carr Clerical Asst

Mrs A Forrest Clerical Asst

Mrs S Hillhouse Clerical Asst

Ms J Sloss Clerical Asst

Mrs N McLean Clerical Asst

Mrs J Ogilvie Clerical Asst

Mrs K Stephen Clerical Asst

Ms J Tasker Clerical Asst

Mrs J Taylor Clerical Asst Mrs G McKenzie Clerical Asst

Pupil Support Assistants

Mrs A Bell Mr C Edenborough

Mrs M Dorran Mrs P Drewett Mrs P Fennessey Mrs L Wishart

Mrs R Gilbert Mr A Wyllie

Mrs J Gillies

Mrs F Hannah

Mrs A Iqbal

Mrs V MacLean

Mrs M McCredie

Mrs L McDonald

Mrs V McKay

Mrs V Marshall

Mrs I Patrick

Mrs S Smith

Mrs A Smyth

Mrs F Tod

Mrs L Watt

Technicians

Mr G Sweeney

Mrs C Marsh Corporate IT

Mr S Alexander Snr Science Technician

Ms L Macdonald Science Technician

Miss M Ralston Science Technician

Mrs F Scales Science Technician

Mr J McDade Science Technician

Mr G McMillan Tech Technician

Multimedia Technician

Librarian Mrs A Adams

This staff list is correct

at January 2016.

Celebrating Achievement

Pupils at Williamwood are involved in a wide variety of different activities both within

and out with school. Parents can also inform us about their child’s achievement through

the school website. Information on specific subject achievement criteria can be viewed


As a school, we celebrate achievement in a variety of different ways such as:

• Departmental achievement boards

• Classroom and corridor displays

• Colours ties and badges (physical education and performing arts)

• Departmental and school website (newsfeed and pages)

• Twitter

• Teacher praise

• Art Calendar of work

• Reward stickers/stamps/certificates/letters * Achievement working group

• Parents’ evenings/reports/tracking * Wall of achievement

• Homework planners * BGE ceremony and certificate

• Pupils Profiles (S1-S3) * Assemblies (achievement slot)

• Plasma screens * Achievement tab on the website

• Pupil bulletin * Tell us of your achievement

• Pride of Williamwood * PR team - deputes and prefects

• Awards ceremonies (junior and senior) - departmental links

• Accredited awards (Saltire, Diana, Duke of Edinburgh etc…)

• Merit badge schemes (maths and science)

• References

• Dux, proxime accessit

Medical matters

page 28

We do not have a full-time nurse, though we do have trained First Aiders.

For pupils who are ill during the day, the pupils’ rest room is the only

facility we have; there are strict regulations limiting the first-aid we are

allowed to render, e.g. we are forbidden to administer dispirin or aspirin.

In cases of serious illness, arrangements are made to contact the parents

and to have the pupil taken to hospital.

In cases where the pupils are so distressed that it is unwise for them to

remain in school, e.g. influenza, contact is made with the parents with a

view to having the pupils taken home. Fortunately most cases are

straightforward and pupils are restored to classes as soon as possible after

receiving first aid.

When pupils are involved in accidents, arrangements may be made to have

them taken or sent by ambulance to hospital. Every effort is made to

contact the parents.

It is in the interests of pupils that we ask parents to inform us of any

medical problem or condition affecting their children. Such information is

helpful, for example to teachers of physical education, and enables us to

take prompt and appropriate action if a pupil is suddenly taken ill. Details

of this nature are of course handled with sensitivity and in confidence.

Routine medical examinations are carried out from time to time by the

school doctor and nursing staff. Parents are informed when these

examinations are to take place.

Pupils with medical/dental appointments during the school day should

bring the appointment card to their pupil support teacher to be recorded.

Information in emergencies

We make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on some

occasions circumstances arise which lead to disruption.

Schools may be affected by, for example, severe weather, dislocation of

transport, power failures or difficulties of fuel supply. In such cases we shall

do all we can to let you know about the details of closure or re-opening.

We shall keep in touch by using twitter, letters, school website and

announcements in the press and local radio.

Useful addresses and Information

If you have any enquiries or concerns about your child, or their education, please contact the school using

these details:

WILLIAMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Eaglesham Road

Clarkston

East Renfrewshire G76 8RF

Tel: 0141-577-2500

E-mail: [email protected]

School website: http://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/Williamwood/

Twitter: @WilliamwoodHS

CAREERS SCOTLAND 160 Main Street

Barrhead

G78 1SL

Tel: 0141-881-2886

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Education Department

East Renfrewshire Council

211 Main Street

Barrhead

East Renfrewshire G78 1SY

Tel: 0141-577-3000

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT East Renfrewshire Council

Council Headquarters

Eastwood Park

Rouken Glen Road

East Renfrewshire G46 6UG

Tel: 0141-577-3000

East Renfrewshire councillors may be contacted at:

East Renfrewshire Council Headquarters

Eastwood Park

Rouken Glen Road

Giffnock

East Renfrewshire G46 6UG

Tel: 0141-577-3000

EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL

More information and relevant policies can be found on the East

Renfrewshire Council’s website:

http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/


http://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/Williamwood/

http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/

Information for parents

page 30

Percentage of the relevant September S4 roll achieving:


WILLIAMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Leaver Destinations Number Of Pupils Leaving In School Year 2014/2015 And Percentage With Destination As:

Total Number of Leavers (=100%) 313

Higher Education 67

Further Education 13

Training 1

Employment 15

Other Known 0

Not Known 4

Examination Results (within Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)


By

end

of S4

5+ @ level 3 or better 5+ @ level 4 or better 5+ @ level 5 or better

2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015

97 97 97 96 94 97 77 77 87

By

end

of S5

1+ @ level 6 or better 3+ @ level 6 or better 5+ @ level 6 or better

2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015

87 85 85 71 71 76 38 50 54

By

end

of S6

3+ @ level 6 or better 5+ @ level 6 or better 1+ @ level 7

2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015 2013 2014 2015

71 80 79 53 63 69 35 39 42

For Information:

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels:

Level 7 Advanced Higher at A-C

Level 6 Higher at A-C

Level 5 National 5 at A-C

Level 4 National 4 Pass

Level 3 Access 3; National 3 Pass

Transferring educational data

about pupils

Education authorities and Scottish Government have collected data about

pupils on paper forms for many years. We now work together with

schools to transfer data electronically through the ScotXed programme.

Thus Scottish Government has two functions: acting as a ‘hub’ for

supporting data exchange within the education system in Scotland and the

analysis of data for statistical purposes within Scottish Government itself.

Why do we need your data?

In order to make the best decisions about how to improve our education

service, Scottish Government, education authorities and other partners

such as the SQA and Careers Scotland need accurate, up-to-date data

about our pupils. We are keen to help all our pupils do well in all aspects of

school life and achieve better examination results. Accurate and up-to-

date data allow us to:

• plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of all pupils;

• plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of specific groups

of pupils;

• better understand some of the factors which influence pupil

attainment and achievement;

• share good practice; and

• target resources better.

Data policy

The ScotXed programme aims to support schools and Local Authorities by

supporting the collection, processing and dissemination of statistical

information required for planning, management and monitoring of

Scottish education services.

A subset of this information is passed to Scottish Government for research

and National Statistics publications. Education data within Scottish

Government are managed effectively by secure systems and are exploited

as a valuable corporate resource, subject to confidentiality restraints. As

part of its data policy, Scottish Government will not publish or make

publicly available any information that allows individual pupils to be

identified, nor will data be used by Scottish Government to take any

actions in respect of individuals. Data are held securely and no

information on individual pupils can or would be published by Scottish

Government.

The data collected by Scottish Government are used for statistical and

research purposes only. We hope that the explanations contained on the

ScotXed website will help you understand the importance of providing the

information.

Your data protection rights

The collection, transfer, processing and sharing of ScotXed data are done in

accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). We also comply with the

National Statistics Code of Practice requirements and other legislation

related to safeguarding the confidentiality of data. The Data Protection

Act gives you the right to know how we will use your data. This message can

give only a brief description of how we use data. Fuller details of the uses of

pupil data can be found on the ScotXed website (www.scotxed.net).

Scottish Government works with a range of partners including HM

Inspectorate of Education and the SQA. On occasion, we will make

individual data available to partners and also academic institutions and

organisations to carry out research and statistical analysis. In addition, we

will provide our partners with information they need in order to fulfil their

official responsibilities. Any sharing of data will be done under the strict

control of Scottish Government, which will ensure that no individual level

data will be made public as a result of the data sharing and that these

data will not be used to take any actions in respect of an individual.

Decisions on the sharing of data will be taken in consultation with relevant

colleagues and individuals within and outwith Scottish Government.

Concerns

If you have any concerns about the ScotXed data collections you can email

the Senior Statistician, Peter Whitehouse, at

[email protected] or write to

The ScotXed Support Office, Area 1B, Victoria Quay, Leith, EH6 6QQ.

Alternative versions of this page are available, on request from the

ScotXed Support Office, in other languages, audio tape, braille and large

print.

Want more information?

Further details about ScotXed are available on the ScotXed website,

www.scotxed.net which contains a section on ‘frequently asked questions’

at https://www.scotxed.net/jahia/Jahia/lang/en/pid/220.


http://www.scotxed.net/

http://www.scotxed.net/jahia/Jahia/lang/en/pid/220

Williamwood High School Eaglesham Road Clarkston

East Renfrewshire

G76 8RF

Phone: 0141 577 2500

Fax: 0141 577 2545

Website: http://www.williamwood.e-renfrew.sch.uk/

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.williamwood.e-renfrew.sch.uk/

http://www.williamwood.e-renfrew.sch.uk/


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