academy prospectus

Torquay Community College ‘A Learning Community’ Prospectus 2009 - 2010

People Whom You May Need To Contact Principal Miss G M Battye Vice Principal Mr E Pugh Vice Principal Mr J Tasker Assistant Principal Mrs K Bestwick Assistant Principal Mr M Bindon Assistant Principal Mr M Lamble Assistant Principal Mr G Penrice Year 7 Learning Mentor Mrs C Corry Year 8 Learning Mentor Mrs C Corry Year 9 Learning Mentor Mrs L Bougourd Year 10 Learning Mentor Mr R Thomson Year 11 Learning Mentor Miss V Risk Principal's P.A. Miss L Rutherford / Mrs A Thompson Governors Mr M Gurney Chair (Community governor) Mrs L Critchlow Vice Chair (LA governor) Miss G M Battye Principal Mrs C Meredith Community governor Mr P Preece Community governor Mrs A Rochford Community governor Mrs K Bestwick Staff governor Mrs C Maling Staff governor Mrs D Carrasco Parent governor Mrs S Nicette Parent Governor Mrs G Poore Parent Governor Mrs J Willder LA governor Mr R Horne LA governor Miss C Hickley Associate governor Mr R Allen Associate governor Useful Numbers Torquay Community College: Tel: 01803 329351 Fax: 01803 316297 E-mail: [email protected] Student Absence Line Tel: 01803 317102

Always contact the Form Tutor or Learning Mentor in the first instance on the above numbers or by e-mail

Chair of Governors (Mr M Gurney): 01803 607212

TORQUAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROSPECTUS 2

Aims Torquay Community College is a good place to be. It exists to provide the opportunity for all who attend to work and to learn. At Torquay Community College we aim to:-

Meet everyone’s needs so that all can succeed

Provide an enjoyable, exciting and safe environment

Develop respect for ourselves, for each other and for the community

Celebrate all achievement Code of Conduct So that everyone at Torquay Community College, students, staff and visitors, can have the best possible chance to succeed, we believe that everyone should follow these guidelines. As members of the College community we all have both rights and responsibilities.

Treat others with respect

We should all have the right to be treated with courtesy and consideration and have the responsibility to treat others in that way.

Respect the Environment

We should have the right to work in a pleasant environment and all share the responsibility to care for it.

Always try your best

Students have the right to a good education and everyone has the responsibility to work hard in order to take the best advantage of the opportunities on offer.


Admission to the College For All Students: College admission policies are adopted in consultation with the Local Authority (LA). For all applications the home address is taken as the address of the person with parental responsibility for the child, and with whom the child lives, at the time of application, or in the case of a child in public care, the address of the carer. A sibling is taken as another child of the same family unit and living in the same household. Torquay Community College admits children of all abilities. If too many pupils apply for the available places, then the following order of priority is used to decide who is offered a place: Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs which names the school on the Statement will have automatic entitlement to a place at the College. 1. Children in Care. 2. Children who will have a sibling on roll at the school at the time of admission and living in the

area served by the school. 3. Other children living in the designated area served by the school. 4. Children who will have a sibling on roll at the school at the time of admission and living outside

the area served by the school 5. Other children living outside the designated area. Should it be necessary to further distinguish between applications within any of these categories, priority will be given to those living closest to the school. (Distances will be measured in a straight line from the front of the home address to the nearest official entrance to the school). The designated postcode areas for the College are parts of TQ1 West of the Teignmouth Road and TQ2. In the event that applicants cannot be separated using the distance tiebreaker (i.e. they live identical distances from the school), the allocation of a place will be by lot. Casual Admissions (Mid-phase admissions) Casual admissions are progressed by staff in the Admissions & Student Services Team at the LA in conjunction with the College. The priority order for casual admissions is contained in the TIPS4 booklet which can be obtained from the authority. College Procedures (Mid-phase admissions) All admissions initially come from the LA who pass on details of all students wishing to attend the College. The students are invited into the College on a Tuesday morning for assessment purposes. The following tests are used: • CATs (Cognitive Abilities Test) • Spelling and Reading Test The College uses the information collected from these assessments to find out the strengths and weaknesses of each student and for target setting. Reports from previous schools are followed up and the students are not allocated a place at the College until this information is received. When this information is received, students offered places are admitted on the following Monday morning, where they follow an Induction Programme with Mrs Watling, Induction Mentor. This includes a tour of the school and how the College runs. Students are monitored on an individual basis and Mrs Watling is available to support students daily.


Students with Disabilities The College continues to make improvements and provision for the full inclusion of students with a disability defined by their Statement of Special Educational Need. There is a programme of reasonable adjustments in place to avoid disabled people suffering less favourable treatment related to their disability. The positive action taken so far includes: provision of compliant ramps to access areas of the college provision of compliant car parking spaces near the main entrance/temporary Reception –

visitors with special access needs can use the call bell outside temporary Reception and will access the building via the south-west student entrance, assisted by staff if required

colour contrast has been improved for the visually impaired improved nosings and lighting on stairs lift available to all floors in main building improved hand rails improved toilet provision reviewed fire strategy provision of induction loop for people with hearing difficulties provision of specialist ICT equipment in conjunction with the Local Authority provision of coloured screens as required for specific learning difficulties

The new school will be fully DDA compliant and a full DDA plan for the new school is available on request.


Curriculum The Governing Body have agreed a curriculum which meets the statutory requirement of the National Curriculum. As required by the National Curriculum, Years 8 and 9 students will follow a common course in English/Literacy, Mathematics/Numeracy, Science, Religious Education, Geography, History, Physical Education, Technology, Drama, Music, Art, Careers Education, PSHE/Citizenship, Modern Languages and Information Technology (ICT). Most of our students follow these courses through individual subject tuition. Year 7 Thematic Curriculum – Transition In Year 7 to facilitate a smooth transition from Primary to Secondary learning, the College implements a thematic curriculum. Students will receive discrete lessons for the Core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science. The majority of the curriculum is taught through a carefully planned integrated approach; one teacher delivers the subject areas through a series of thematic projects. This enables students to develop their subject knowledge and skills for learning with additional support for literacy and numeracy. It also ensures the smooth transition from Primary to Secondary School. In Year 10, students are offered a more personalised curriculum for their final two years. Students follow courses in English (English & Media or Language & Literature), Mathematics, Science, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Religious Education, PSHE/Citizenship & Careers Education & Guidance, Physical Education and Enterprise Work Related Learning. Additionally, there is an element of subject choice. The courses are explained to parents and students prior to the selection of subject preferences. Guidance is provided by the teaching staff and representatives of the Area Careers Service/Connexions and other providers as appropriate. Below are the subjects currently offered to Year 10 & 11 students in addition to those National Curriculum subjects listed above. All subjects lead to qualifications at the end of Year 11. Entries are the result of staff assessment and consultation with parents.

ο Additional Science ο Business and Finance Diploma ο Applied Health and Social Care ο BTEC First Certificate in Art & Design ο BTEC First Certificate for ICT Practitioners ο BTEC First Certificate in Music ο BTEC First Diploma in Sport ο BTEC Science ο Design & Technology - Food ο Design & Technology – Product Design ο Design & Technology - Textiles ο Drama ο Geography ο History ο ICT ECDL level 2 ο ICT functional skill qualification level 1 & 2 ο Modern Foreign Languages – French ο Modern Foreign Languages - Spanish

TORQUAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROSPECTUS 6ο Wider Key Skills/COPE/Skill Force


Vocational based courses in conjunction with other providers leading to accreditation qualifications, including:

ο Animal Care ο Childcare ο Construction ο Engineering ο Hair and Beauty ο Hairdressing ο Hospitality and Catering ο Land-Based Studies ο Motor Vehicle Maintenance ο Outdoor Education ο Public Services

Sexual Health and Relationship Education The College provides a setting in which young people can be offered appropriate teaching about Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SRE). The programme aims to present information and the facts in an objective and balanced manner, so as to enable students to comprehend the range of sexual attitudes and behaviour in present day society with an emphasis on delay and the promotion of healthy relationships. It also aims to assist young people to prepare for adult life by supporting them through their physical, emotional and moral development. The delivery and planning of the SRE programme will be co-ordinated by a senior member of staff in collaboration with the school nursing service and SRE co-ordinator for Torbay, using the bay wide approach 'Torbay's Sex & Relationships programme of study'. Students will be taught through the PSHE, Science and Religious Studies programme of study. Additional Extended Learning Support Additional enrichment activities are set for students who are expected to complete the additional work within the given time either at home or in additional classes at College. A student planner is provided for all students to record additional work. The Library is open until 4.15 pm to allow students to complete additional work. Additional learning support booklets are provided for Years 7, 8 and 9 each term. Specific work to be completed at home is given through individual subjects in Years 10 and 11. Learning Support The Learning Support Department is committed to supporting students of all abilities. We assess students on arrival at Torquay Community College to give staff a clear picture of those students who have difficulties and to define the precise nature of the problem. We have a team of Teaching Assistants, all of whom have valuable experience and training in a variety of teaching strategies and resources in small groups and within many areas of the curriculum, to help students improve their basic skills. Students with literacy difficulties have access to Successmaker computer programmes and a range of literacy strategies are taught across the curriculum. All learning needs are supported by an Individual Education Plan, with targets for improving learning discussed and agreed with their tutor and reviewed on mentoring days. All teachers work to ensure that the needs are met of students of all abilities, gifts and talents.


The Wider Curriculum The opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities outside the classroom plays an important part in the development of young people. Opportunities are linked to raising the standards of achievement across the curriculum, providing a range of experiences. GCSE revision classes are held to allow students the opportunity to clarify their learning,

complete or improve coursework, and practise examination techniques. Enrichment activities vary year on year. A new programme will be available in September, e.g.

Science Club, Instrumental Clubs, Sports Clubs etc. There are a wide variety of college teams and related activities, drama and music presentations

and productions. Our library is open from 8.00am to 4.15pm to allow for access to computers and for

independent study. Personal, Social & Health Education Throughout their time at the College, students follow a programme of Personal, Social and Health Education. This is a planned programme of teaching and learning that promotes pupils’ personal development and well-being. It helps to give children and young people the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. Citizenship Citizenship is a curriculum subject for all students taught at Key Stages 3 and 4. It enables students to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to become informed, active and responsible members of the local, national and global communities. The programme of study for Citizenship is delivered through a variety of approaches including tutorial-based activities, assemblies, specialist days and subject-based lessons, with discrete Citizenship lessons offering a GCSE short course qualification at Key Stage 4.


Work Related Learning – Enterprise Curriculum Economic Well-Being and Financial Capability Work related learning is: “a planned activity that uses the context of work to develop knowledge, skills and understanding useful in work, including learning through the experience of work, learning about work and learning the skills for work”. Students: learn through work, by providing opportunities for students to learn direct experiences of

work (for example through work experience or part-time jobs, the variety of enterprise activities in schools, or learning through vocational contexts in subjects);

learn about work, by providing opportunities for students to develop knowledge and understanding of work and enterprise (through, for example, vocational courses and careers education);

learn for work by developing the key skills for enterprise and employability. Vocational work related learning and enterprise are appropriate for all learners at all stages in their learning. They contribute to the personal and social development of young people by encouraging greater responsibility for learning. By learning to work and learn in different kinds of groups and from a wider range of people, students build confidence, self-esteem and a sense of self-worth. Young people can, in this way, enhance employability and learning in other areas through developing transferable skills, attitudes and behaviours needed in adult life. The College has been awarded Investors in Work Related & Enterprise Learning (IIWREL), a national recognition of the excellent standard of work in this area. Religious Education It is a statutory requirement that arrangements are made for children to attend college assemblies and periods of Religious Education, but it is open to parents to request that their child should be wholly excused from either or both of these activities. Government guidance is that parents have a right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and Collective Worship. The government asks that the Principal seeks to clarify religious issues about which you, as the parent, would object to your son/daughter being taught. The Principal should be informed, in writing, of the parent’s intent to withdraw their son/daughter from Religious Education. Religious Education in LEA maintained and controlled schools is given in accordance with a syllabus agreed by the Authority on the recommendation of a Standing Advisory Council and Syllabus Conference, which includes representatives of the Authority and the teaching profession. There are discrete lessons for Religious Education in Years 9-11. Religious Education is a Component of Integrated Humanities in Years 7-8


Careers Education and Guidance Students are entitled to careers education and guidance. This is delivered in the following ways: as part of the PSHE programme through work experience by the Connexions service Careers conventions and visits

The PSHE Programme The PSHE Programme supports economic well-being and financial capability. Work Related Learning All students at Torquay Community College are entitled to at least one week of work experience at the end of Year 10. This provides the opportunity to “test the water” of working life. It may occasionally lead to employment opportunities but, more importantly, helps students decide on career and training pathways post-16. The College collates a large database of employers who are willing to take students for work experience and students are given the opportunity to choose from this list. Alternatively, students may use their initiative to find their own placement. The Devon Education Business Partnership ensures that all work places have an up-to-date health and safety check. Parents are sent all the information about the work placement and parental consent is always obtained prior to the student attending work experience. Work Experience offers students a chance to work in a new environment and to develop their personal and communication skills. Connexions Connexions caters to the universal entitlement of all young people to careers, education and guidance. At Torquay Community College, the Connexions adviser interviews and gives guidance to students in Years 9, 10 and 11. Where appropriate, more intensive ongoing guidance and support is given. This can extend beyond 16 through to further education and employment. In addition, the adviser will work with groups of students, for example, through assemblies and the PSHE programme, to make them aware of what the Connexions service offers both in and out of school. The Connexions adviser also attends the transition reviews of all statemented students in Years 9 and 11, careers evenings and parents’ evenings. Our Connexions advisers are Ms Laureen Wardle and Ms Sara Davison who can be contacted at the College or at the Torquay Connexions Centre. The College has been awarded Investors in Careers, a national recognition of the work in this area.


Parents’ Evenings, Reports and Assessments Parents are, of course, welcome to contact the College at any time to discuss matters affecting their child; similarly, the College will contact parents of a student at any time if it is felt to be desirable. Please contact the Form Tutor or the designated Learning Mentor for each year group in the first instance. The formal programme of college-parent contacts, however, is summarised below and dates can be accessed through the College Calendar, sent at the beginning of the year: There is a Parents’ Consultation at a designated time during the college year for Years 8 to 11, which is by appointment. A formal Report is sent home which includes grades for both effort and achievement, together with a full comment by each member of staff teaching the student indicating progress in each subject. Due to the nature of the Thematic Curriculum for Year 7 the Parent Consultation is with the Form Tutor through the Mentoring Programme. In the terms in which a full college report is not issued, a progress report is sent home giving a check on the student’s work during the term. This type of Report gives grades/levels for effort and achievement. Parents will note that, increasingly, the format of reports throughout the College is being changed to give more detail of the courses being followed and to allow staff, student and parent comments. At all times we try to ensure that parents are fully informed about the progress of their son/daughter. The College’s Progress File Scheme has been approved and accredited by Torbay Council. Each student will leave at the end of Year 11 with their Progress File. Any parent who does not receive the above information should contact the College, referring, in the first instance, to the student’s tutor. Mentoring Further support is given through the Mentoring Programme. Mentoring enhances the reviewing and monitoring of the progress of our students. The reviews are a very important part of monitoring progress and setting targets for future improvement and self-evaluation, for teachers and students. It is important that parents are involved in this process as well. Documents available for parents to borrow: This prospectus cannot give the full details of all the curriculum work in the College and therefore, there is a library of material for the parents and the public. These include: Subject schemes of work in current use in the College. All syllabuses of the various examination groups. The Authority’s agreed syllabus for Religious Education. The Governing Body’s reports and School Profile. The complaints procedure relating to the curriculum.

All items are available on loan from the Administration Office for up to one week.


Complaints Procedure Where parents wish to make a complaint concerning the curriculum within the College, they should first arrange an appointment to discuss the matter informally with the appropriate member of staff or member of the Senior Leadership Team. Should the matter not be resolved, then there is a procedure by which the matter may be taken further. Full details of this procedure are available on request. It has been found that matters can, in most cases, be amicably settled through discussions with staff in the College. Student Welfare and Support Our pastoral care is based on the belief that students achieve their best when motivated and where there is mutual respect and trust and where help and support are always at hand. On arriving at Torquay Community College, students are placed in tutor groups, with a personal tutor, and introductions are made to the peer mentors and prefects within the College. We employ a first-aider and a youth worker/counsellor who are available to students during school hours, together with an on site community police officer, visiting School Nurse and Connexions Advisor. All adults on site have a duty of care towards students in the College, collectively promoting a safe environment and the leading of a healthy lifestyle. Students also have a duty of care to themselves and each other.


Promoting Positive Student Behaviour At Torquay Community College we aim to maintain a disciplined, orderly and friendly atmosphere within which everyone in the College treats each other with courtesy, tolerance and respect. We believe in the importance of encouraging students to behave in a caring, co-operative and self disciplined manner. Students are expected to develop a clear sense of right and wrong. Our College is a centre for learning and for leisure, used by many different groups of people. Through the learning behaviour policy, our aim is to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of those using it are protected and upheld, and that the school buildings are well cared for by all users. Core Beliefs: 1. Quality of learning, teaching and behaviour in schools are inseparable issues and the

responsibility of all members of the community.

2. Poor behaviour cannot be tolerated as it is a denial of the rights of students to learn and teachers to teach. To enable learning to take place, preventative action is the most effective but where this fails, we must have clear, firm and intelligent strategies in place to help students manage their behaviour and to support their learning.

3. There is no single solution to the problem of poor behaviour. We have the potential to raise

standards if we are consistent in implementing good practice in learning, teaching and behaviour management.

4. Respect has to be given in order to be received. Parents, students and teachers need to operate

in a culture of mutual regard and respect.

5. The support of parents is essential for the maintenance of good behaviour. Both parents and ourselves need to have a clear understanding of our rights and responsibilities.

6. All members of the learning community have a critical role in establishing high standards of

learning, teaching and behaviour. REWARDS Developing a positive ethos is a very important part of our work at Torquay Community College. The College has a statement of aims which includes a commitment to celebrate the achievement of all members of the community. We use a range of rewards to recognise achievement, good attendance, and acts of service to the College and surrounding community. Praise Points (KS3 & KS4) Praise points are awarded to students in recognition of their achievement in:

• providing a good piece of work • continued good attitude and effort • improved attitude and effort

Awarding of Certificates Learning Mentor Assistants will monitor the number of praise points awarded on a weekly basis. A letter and certificate will be generated and sent to parents once the required number of praise points has been reached.



Commendation Cards (Year 11) Student achievement in Year 11 is recognised through subject commendations and are recorded in student’s Record of Achievement. Awards are presented annually at the Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly.

Special Certificates of Achievement These can be awarded to any student at any stage for a special achievement, i.e. taking part in a school production, winning a cup final for a sports team etc.

Attendance Good attendance rewarded by A5 certificate each term:-

90% - 93% Bronze certificate of attendance 94% - 96% Silver certificate of attendance 97% - 99% Gold certificate of attendance 100% Platinum certificate of attendance

SANCTIONS All staff in the College are urged to ensure that the sanction used, fits the misdemeanour and that it is a purposeful way of making amends. Parents should always be informed of incidents which are of a serious nature, to enlist their help in ensuring the future good conduct of their son or daughter. Sanctions currently in use in the College are as follows:

Verbal reprimand Extra work Completion of tasks e.g. community service, tidying etc. Withdrawal of a teacher’s approval Cooling off for a few minutes outside the classroom door (within sight of teacher – students

must not be outside a teacher’s direct supervision for excessive periods of time i.e. beyond 5 minutes)

Parking – removal to another classroom or teacher Telephone call to parents Letter home to parents Meeting with parents On report Whole class report (to be used only in very specific cases) Detention during break and/or during lunchtime Detention after college Mentoring Internal exclusion (2TEN Centre) Fixed term exclusion On a contract Permanent exclusion

The vast majority of students support the code of conduct and behave responsibly but when this is not the case, the College has to use sanctions to remind the individual of their responsibilities and to protect the community. Most minor problems are dealt with by a verbal reprimand from a member of staff. This may be supported by a period on ‘report’ to help focus attention on short-term targets to improve aspects of behaviour.


Formal sanctions include the use of College Detentions if a student’s behaviour is judged to be interfering with the progress of a lesson and preventing other students from learning. Parents are given 24 hours notice of any detention and are always informed by letter and by phone if this sanction is to be used to ensure students attend. If it happens repeatedly, parents are invited to come into the College to discuss behaviour management with their child’s tutor or Learning Mentor. Parents must support the College Detention Process. 2TEN Centre 2TEN is the name for Torquay Community College’s Behaviour for Learning Centre. The centre is used in conjunction and alongside all current behaviour systems in the College. The core purpose of the centre is to work with students who are not complying with the College Code of Conduct and those who could be at risk of fixed term exclusion. Whilst in the centre, the TAs and staff will work with each student to evaluate and modify their behaviour in order for them to return to their normal timetable. Students work in isolation from their peers and take break and lunch at different times from the rest of the College. Students will be expected to work within the classroom rules of 2TEN and the College Code of Conduct. Some students who experience difficulties in managing their own behaviour will be offered a range of support including help and support from specialist college staff in our learning support centre and from external agencies. The formal process of exclusion from the College is used in extreme situations. Parents are always contacted if this sanction has to be used. Before the student returns to the College, an inclusion meeting is held and a PSP (Pastoral Support Programme) is drawn up to set out the conditions for re-admission and the support that is available for the student. Students will have a planned re-integration package. Students will be set behaviour and learning targets which, when met, will lead to full re-integration to mainstream. Parents are expected to attend this inclusion meeting to agree the range of support and strategies to enable their son/daughter to be successful in the College.

Classroom Rules Be on time to your lessons, registration and assemblies.

Do as you are asked when you are asked.

Take the required equipment to each lesson (including pen, pencil, ruler and student planner).

Work safely, use equipment properly and look after the classroom.

Put up your hand and wait silently if you want to speak.

Do not use foul or abusive language to fellow students or staff.

Pack up only when told to do so by the teacher.

Always follow the Code of Conduct.

Hats and caps are not acceptable and must not be worn at any time.

Mobile Phones and Personal Music Players Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are allowed on the College site but must only be used outside the College

buildings. This includes use of phones as music players. Mobile phones must be turned off during lesson times. Mobile phones may only be used during break or lunchtimes outside the College buildings. Obscene images must not be stored as a screensaver. No photographs must be taken on site with mobile phones. If they are being used inside the College buildings or ring during lessons times, they will be

confiscated. (If a phone is confiscated it will be placed in an envelope in Reception to be collected at the end of the school day).

If a mobile phone is lost or stolen we take no responsibility for such loss. Students bring mobile phones to College at their own risk.

Personal Music Players: All types of personal music players are banned from the College. Any players found on the College site will be confiscated.


College Uniform Uniform is worn as a sign of commitment to the College Community and its ethos. The College is judged on the appearance of its students and, therefore, we expect parents and students to co-operate with us to promote the highest standards of appearance, manners and behaviour. The uniform has been designed so that all items can be bought locally, including the College sweatshirt, which is a specific colour and design and can be bought from Riviera Schooldays, 134 Union Street, Torquay (01803 293650). All students must wear the College sweatshirt. Please contact the College if you have any problems finding items of uniform. Official College sweatshirt embroidered with the College logo – available exclusively from

Riviera Schooldays (no other sweatshirts are acceptable) White polo shirt with fold down collar and no logos Black shoes which must be of a sensible design

(NB Training shoes of any type & flip-flops/backless shoes are not acceptable) A suitable sized bag to carry equipment, learning diary, exercise books and PE kit etc. Hats and caps are not acceptable and must not be worn at any time

Boys: Girls:

Plain black full length trousers (not black jeans)

Plain black full length trousers (black jeans and ¾ length trousers are not acceptable)

Or plain black skirt

Students who are not in correct uniform will be educated in a separate room to their peers until they are in the correct uniform

Technology/Art Protective clothing, e.g. old shirt or apron

Jewellery The only items of jewellery which are approved in the College are a symbol of the student’s religion, e.g. crucifix, St Christopher or Kara, a watch, one ring and one pair of stud earrings in the ears and one small nose stud. No other piercings are allowed. Extremes of fashion (including hair), jewellery and make-up are NOT acceptable and students are strongly advised not to wear expensive items. PE Kit (available exclusively from Riviera Schooldays):

Indoor Lessons: Outdoor Lessons:

Burgundy polo shirt Burgundy reversible shirt for team games Black shorts Black shorts

Burgundy socks Burgundy socks Non-marking trainers Football boots (boys)

Non-marking trainers Black tracksuit bottoms (optional)

A towel should be brought for use after PE and games

N.B. Burgundy polo shirts are NOT to be worn as day to day uniform

Torbay Council no longer issues a uniform grant, although the Inclusion Officers based in the College may be able to assist in cases of exceptional hardship.


College Meals At lunchtime, students may have a college lunch or eat a packed lunch in the Dining room. Students are not allowed off the premises without written permission from parents. The permission is for students to return home for lunch, they are not allowed to use local shops or catering facilities unsupervised. Once this permission has been received, students will be allocated an “off site” pass for lunchtimes. Eating other than in designated areas is not allowed. Parents are asked to inform the College of lunchtime arrangements via the Student Planner. A letter to obtain permission to go home at lunchtime is issued by the College. Students who stay for lunch must remain on the College premises for the whole of the lunch break as the College is responsible for their safety. The Dining Hall runs what is termed a “cashless” system using biometric technology. The system involves the capture of biometric fingerprint data. The fingerprint is converted into a string of numbers which relates to the information on the SIMS database. The school does not store fingerprints. Once the initial data is taken, it is stored as numbers. It cannot be reverse engineered into a fingerprint. All data protection systems remain secure. This recent improvement to the system provides a quicker and more efficient service and means that students do not have to carry a card with their photograph on it to access the system. The students place their finger on the reader in the Dining Hall to purchase food. Credit may be obtained via the cash loaders, which will work in the same way, or by cheque sent to the College daily, weekly, monthly, termly or yearly (cheques payable to Torquay Community College). Students on concessionary meals are entitled to £1.80 worth of food from the Dining Hall and their credit will be adjusted accordingly.


Attendance for Learning It is a legal requirement that students regularly and punctually attend College. Every student should aim to achieve 100% attendance, with a minimum of 94%, each year to maintain progress. Regular attendance helps your child to: learn progress establish good habits be supervised and safe prepare for the future

The College is taking part in the Government initiative called “Fast Track to Prosecution”. This means that parents of any student whose attendance falls below 75% with some absences being unauthorised, will be liable to prosecution. Should your child’s attendance fall into this category, you will be asked to attend a meeting to see whether any immediate steps can be taken to avoid legal action. The College has a computerised record of every child’s attendance. Only the College can authorise an absence. The following are authorised (acceptable) reasons for absence:

The following are unauthorised (not acceptable) reasons for absence:

illness truancy medical/dental treatment birthdays days of religious observance shopping interviews house minding work experience looking after members of the family

holiday without prior permission The College has to be given reasons for every absence. Please ring the direct line (01803 317102) or write and give a specific reason. Try to make doctor and dentist appointments outside school hours. Persistent lateness may count as unauthorised absence. We ask that parents consider very carefully before asking to take their son/daughter out of school for any reason, including holidays. Parents are reminded that leave of absence for the purpose of a holiday is not granted as of right. Consideration for a request of leave for holiday will only be considered following a fully completed holiday request form. Failure to do this could lead to the absence being recorded as unauthorised. Retrospective approval is not acceptable. Truancy Call The College has an automated system for contacting the parents of students on their first day of absence, where no reason has been received for that absence. This automated system calls parents up until 8.00pm in order to notify parents of a students’ absence and to ascertain a reason for the absence. If, on the second day of absence the College still has no reason for absence, then a letter is sent and a follow up phone call is made. Failure to notify College of the reason for a student’s absence will lead to the involvement of the Educational Welfare Service and could result in penalty notices and/or prosecution. The parents of students who have 10 or more unauthorised absences, where the College has received no reason for absence, are liable to prosecution. Punctuality It is important for students to arrive at school on time for Registration as well as ensuring they reach all of their lessons on time. Letters are sent home and detentions are given for incidents of persistent lateness. Lateness after the register has closed is an unauthorised absence. TORQUAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROSPECTUS 20

Charges and Remissions for College Activities The objectives of the charging provisions are: to maintain the right to free education. to establish the activities offered wholly or mainly during normal teaching time should be

available to all students regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to help meet the cost. to emphasise that there is no statutory requirement to charge for any form of education or

related activity, but to give LAs, schools and colleges the discretion to charge for optional activities provided wholly or mainly out of college hours.

to confirm the right of LAs, schools and colleges to invite voluntary contributions for the benefit of the College or in support of any activity organised by the College, whether during or outside college hours.

to set out those circumstances in respect of in-college and out-of-college activities for which charges may be levied.

The Governing Body of Torquay Community College will operate in accordance with the provisions of the 1996 Education Act. It is therefore College policy:- to invite voluntary contributions from parents in support of in-college activities whenever

permitted by the legislation. to make charges for any in-college or out-of-college activities for which a charge is permitted

under legislation. to remit charges to families in receipt of Income Support where required, and to remit charges in

individual cases as appropriate. to invite parents to pay in cash or ‘in kind’ for materials used in College where parents have

indicated a wish to own the finished article incorporating those materials. to take steps to recover the costs incurred by the Governing Body or LA in respect of entry for

public examinations where a student fails without good reasons to complete the examination requirements in respect of coursework and/or attendance.

The costs of activities not covered by charges or voluntary contributions may be met from public monies allocated to the College or from private or voluntary unofficial funds (e.g. College Fund). The full Charges and Remissions Policy is available from the College.


Insurance Students are insured against injuries or loss caused by accidents or incidents which occur as a result of negligent acts or omissions by the Authority or its employees. Students attending the Authority’s schools and colleges are not insured for non-negligent accidents against personal injury or accident while on education premises or taking part in recognised activities outside the College. Students involved in full time or part time study are covered by a school journey insurance, which provides cover similar to a standard holiday insurance policy, for trips or excursions not exceeding 31 days provided the activities are off-site and approved by the College. Exchange visits and work experience placements approved by the school are included in this cover. Torbay Council expects all students and staff to accept full responsibility for their personal possessions including money, and you are advised to consider taking out insurance to cover any loss risks. Transport The Authority will provide free transport in accordance with its policy to students who live beyond the statutory distance, measured by the nearest available route, from the nearest appropriate school, and to students living within that distance where transport is necessary for other reasons, e.g. medical grounds. In other cases, it is the parent’s responsibility to make arrangements for travel between home and College. Whenever spare seats on transport are available, these may be occupied by children not entitled to free transport on the purchase of a concessionary ticket. Adequate warning will be given to parents should the concession need to be withdrawn.


Timings of the College Day Staff Briefing 08:20 – 08:30 Registration/Assembly 08:30 – 08:45 Period 1 08:45 – 09:35 Period 2 09:35 – 10:30 BREAK 10:30 – 10:50 Period 3 10:50 – 11:40 Period 4 11:40 – 12:35 LUNCH 12:35 – 13:15 Period 5 13:15 – 14:05 Period 6 14:05 – 15:00 Term Dates for 2009/2010 Students Only: Autumn Term: Thursday 3rd September 2009 – Wednesday 16th December 2009* Half Term: Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October *This remains flexible for move into new build Spring Term: Wednesday 6th January 2010 – Wednesday 31st March 2010 Half Term: Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February Summer Term: Monday 19th April 2010 – Wednesday 21st July 2010 Half Term: Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June N.B. There may be some minor adjustments to the dates relating to training days and the move into the new school. Examination Results A table of GCSE results for 2009 appears in the Appendix at the end of this Prospectus.
