Welcome to St John Fisher Catholic High School Information Portal
The mission of St. John Fisher Catholic High School is to provide a process of teaching and learning, which seeks the reality of Christ. His values, ideals and teachings lie at the centre of our relationships and activities. To this end we seek to create a true community of faith and place of learning.
“EDUCATING FOR LIFE”
GOAL AND OVERALL AIMS
The school will provide opportunities for personal enrichment and development for all members of the school community. In order to achieve this goal, the school will seek to:
Aims:
1. To maintain and develop the Catholic Ethos and religious life of the school and encourage the growth of St. John Fisher as a worshipping community of faithwhere there are positive relationships and all feel valued.
2. To continue the work on raising the attainment of all pupils, whatever gender, aptitude or ability, creating a place of learningwhere achievement is celebrated.
3. To provide a supportive, Christian community in which all members feel safe and in which they are able to adopt a healthy lifestyle and develop to achieve their full potential.
4. To provide an excellent education for all pupils in an inclusive place of learning, where everyone is valued and where the learning curriculum and support meet the needs of allpupils.
5. To lead and manage the staff and utilize the resources and facilities in order to achieve the mission and goals of the school, in an efficient and cost-effective manner, but with an emphasis on learning, the needs of pupils and staff and a reduction in bureaucracy, all in the context of the supportive Catholic ethos of the school.
This enrichment and development of students in Sixth Form will be achieved within the unique, ecumenical context of the Association between St. John Fisher Catholic and St. Aidan’s Church of England High Schools.
Admissions Policy 2010 - 2011
ST.JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, Harrogate
St. John Fisher Catholic High School was founded by the Catholic Church to provide Catholic education for children of Catholic families. The school is conducted by its governing body as part of the Catholic Church in accordance with its trust deed and instrument of government, and seeks at all times to be a witness to Jesus Christ.
The governing body has responsibility for admission to this school. This responsibility is fulfilled in consultation with the Diocese of Leeds and North Yorkshire County Council Local Authority. The following policy applies to all applications received for admission dates for the academic year 2010/2011, which starts on 1 September 2010. The policy will be reviewed and re-issued for subsequent academic years.
The governing body intends to admit 196 pupils to Year 7 in the school year that begins in September 2010. This figure is referred to as the Maximum Admission Limit applicable to this year group in the school.
Whenever there are more applications than places available, admission to the school will be determined by the Governors giving priority to Catholic applicants, in accordance with the over-subscription criteria listed below.
Over-subscription Criteria
At any time where there are more applications for places than the number of places available, places will be offered in the following order of priority (without any reference to parental preference) listed below.
1. Looked after children from Catholic families.
2. Baptised Catholic children who live in the following parishes AND who go to the Catholic primary schools serving these parishes.
Deanery of Harrogate (all parishes): St Joseph, Bishop Thornton; St Edward, Clifford; St Robert, St Joseph and St Aelred, Harrogate; St Mary, Knaresborough; St Wilfrid, Ripon; St Joseph, Wetherby and Our Lady Immaculate, Pateley Bridge.
Deanery of Selby: St. Joseph the Worker, Sherburn-in-Elmet ONLY (served by Barkston Ash Catholic Primary School) and St Joseph, Tadcaster
The Governors will require evidence of Baptism or certificate of reception (See Notes)
3. Other baptised Catholic children who live in the above named parishes.
The Governors will require evidence of Baptism or certificate of reception (See Notes).
4. Other baptised Catholic children who go to the Catholic primary schools that serve the above named parishes.
The Governors will require evidence of Baptism or certificate of reception (see Notes).
5. Other baptised Catholic children who have brothers and sisters currently attending St. John Fisher Catholic High School
The Governors will require evidence of Baptism or certificate of reception (see Notes).
6. Other baptised Catholic children attending a Catholic primary school not listed above.
The Governors will require evidence of Baptism or certificate of reception (see Notes).
7. Other baptised Catholic children.
The Governors will require evidence of Baptism or certificate of reception (see Notes).
8. Other looked after children.
9. Other children who have brothers and sisters currently attending St John Fisher Catholic High School.
10. Other children who go to the Catholic primary Schools that serve the parishes listed in criterion 2. Evidence of religious practice both of the child and the parents/guardians will be requested by the Governors from the applicant’s minister of religion or an appropriate religious leader.
11. Other children who go to a Catholic primary school not listed in criterion 2. Evidence of religious practice both of the child and the parents/guardians will be requested by the Governors from the applicant’s minister of religion or an appropriate religious leader.
12. Other children of other Christian denominations or of other Faiths whose parents or carers are in sympathy with the aims and ethos of this Catholic School and whose application is supported in writing by a minister of religion, or an appropriate religious leader.
13. If all available places are NOT taken up by applicants from the criteria above, they will then be allocated to other applicants.
Catechumens are to be given priority next after baptised Roman Catholics in each of the above criteria. (See Notes)
In the event of too many applications for the places available and the limit is deemed to fall within a given criterion, there will be a tie breaking procedure to determine who within that criterion will be offered places. Places will be offered to those living nearer the school as measured by the ‘’straight line distance’ from the main entrance of the school to the home.
Application Procedures and Timetable
All procedures must be completed within the published time limits. The Governing Body cannot be held responsible for any delays in submitting applications or responding to the offer of a place. The Governors may withdraw the offer of a place if either the place is not accepted within the prescribed time-scale or if the information provided on the application form is incorrect or deliberately misleading.
A standard application form from the home Local Authority known as the Common Preference Form (CPF) must be completed and returned to the Local Authority at the address specified on that form by 24th October 2009. The school’s own Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is available from the school and should be submitted by 24th October 2009 directly to the Headteacher at the school. Parents or carers will be advised of the outcome of their applications on 1st March 2010.
Failure to provide a Common Preference Form (CPF) naming the school would mean that the application is not valid. Failure to provide a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) may mean that the applicant is placed in the last criterion.
Applications received after the published closing date will not normally be considered. If, however, the application is late for good reason, e.g. moving into the area after the published closing date, the application will be considered in line with the published over-subscription criteria.
Appeals procedure – All parents/carers, whose children are not offered a place, have a statutory right of appeal against the decision to an independent appeal panel. If parents or carers do wish to take this up, then they should write to the Clerk to the Appeals Panel, at the address given on the non-acceptance letter, within 21 days of receiving the notice that a place has not been offered.
Waiting Lists
As well as their right of appeal, unsuccessful applicants can apply to be placed on a waiting list. This list will follow the order of the over-subscription criteria set out above (and not the order in which the applications are received). It will only be applied to offer places up to the admission limit. Names are normally removed from this list on 1st January 2011, when the procedure for in-year applications applies.
Pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs
The admission of pupils with a statement of Special Educational Need is dealt with by a completely separate procedure. The procedure is integral to the making and maintaining of statements by the pupil’s home Local Authority and is set out in the 1996 Education Act. Details of the separate procedure is set out in the Special Educational Needs Code of practice.
SIXTH FORM ADMISSIONS
Existing Students
Existing students who have completed Year 11 at St John Fisher and who wish to join the Associated Sixth Form, will be offered a place provided that an appropriate course is available and the student meets the requisite entry criteria for the course, as specified in the course prospectus. Students will receive comprehensive information and guidance (IAG) on the most appropriate courses available to them.
External Students
St John Fisher has set a limit of 30 places for admission to the associated Sixth Form from external applicants. Places will be offered subject to an appropriate course being available and the student meeting the requisite entry criteria for the course, as specified in the course prospectus. Students will also need the recommendation from previous subject teachers, indicating self disciplined motivation to make the most of academic potential.
If the number of applicants exceeds 30 the over-subscription criteria for entry to Year 7 will apply. This is subject to the definite confirmation of the acceptance of 30 places, in the absence of a common post-16 co-ordinated application process.
All applicants will be asked to sign an agreement of understanding that St John Fisher is a Voluntary Aided Catholic School with a distinctive ethos. All students in the Associated Sixth Form are required to attend a religious studies lesson each week.
In Year Admissions
In-year applications will normally only be considered if the roll for the relevant year group is below the published admission limit. The exception to this will be made for baptised Catholic children, including traveller children, moving into the specified parishes named in the over-subscription criteria.
In-Year Fair Access protocol for hard to place children
The school will operate its own In-Year Fair Access Protocol. In addition the school will participate in the LA area protocol even when the admission of such children involves admitting children above the published admission limit.
Families of children who are seeking admission to St John Fisher Catholic High School must be fully aware of the aims of the school in seeking to implement the Catholic Church’s mission in Catholic Education and should be fully supportive of the distinctive Catholic ethos of the School.
Notes (these notes form part of the over-subscription criteria)
Catholic means a member of a church in communion with the See of Rome. A certificate of baptism in a Catholic church, or a certificate of reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church, will normally evidence this. This includes the Eastern Catholic Churches.
Catechumens are those children who have expressed an explicit desire to be baptised into the Roman Catholic Church and who are currently preparing to receive the same by regular participation in Sunday worship and a recognised programme of preparation. A letter from the Catholic priest preparing the child is required.
Looked After Child has the same meaning as in section 22 of the Children Act 1989, and means any child in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by them (e.g. children with foster parents).
Siblings (Brother and Sister) includes children with brothers and sisters (including step-brothers or sisters residing at the same address) of statutory school age, living at the same address, in attendance at the same school, or school on the same site, on the date of admission. Applications from siblings in the same year group will be treated as a single application.
Parish Boundaries are as shown on a map available for inspection at the school.
KEY FACTS
YEAR 11 CONSISTED OF 204 STUDENTS (99 BOYS AND 105 GIRLS) IN 2008
v 84% of students in the year achieved 5 or more grades A*-C. (85% in 2007)
v 81% of students in the year achieved 5 or more grades A*-C, including En and Ma (72% in 2007)
v 99% of the students achieved 5 or more A*-G grades. (98% in 2007)
Grades as a percentage of entry
|
|
A* |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
U |
|
2008 |
14 |
26 |
27 |
19(86) |
9 |
3 |
1 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
2007 |
13 |
22 |
22 |
24(81) |
13 |
3 |
2 |
0.5 |
0.3 |
|
2006 |
12 |
24 |
24 |
22(82) |
12 |
4 |
1 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
|
2005 |
14 |
21 |
22 |
23(80) |
12 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
2004 |
10 |
23 |
29 |
20 (82) |
11 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
2003 |
7 |
18 |
24 |
27(76) |
13 |
6 |
3 |
0.8 |
0.6 |
|
2002 |
10 |
20 |
24 |
24 (78) |
12 |
6 |
3 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
2001 |
9 |
21 |
22 |
25 (77) |
13 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
0.2 |
(% A*-C)
Year % 5+A*-C Average Points Average Grades
2008 84 475 AAA/BBBBBBBB
2007 85 466 ABBBBBBBBB
2006 81 472 AABBBBBBBB
2005 79 427 BBBBBCCCCC
2004 84 60 BBBBBBBBBB
2003 80 55 BBBBBCCCCC
2002 81 54 BBBBCCCCCC
2001 81 55 BBBBBCCCCC
2000 71 51 BCCCCCCCCC
SUMMARY GCSE AND KS3 TARGETS AND RESULTS
GCSE Results and Targets |
SJF Target |
SJF Result |
SJF Target |
SJF Result |
SJF Target |
% pupils achieving 5+ A*-C (or equivalent)
|
85 |
85 |
85 |
84 |
85
(inc Eng & Ma) |
% pupils achieving 5+ A-G (or equivalent)
|
98 |
98 |
98 |
99 |
98 |
Average GCSE points score per pupil
|
444 |
466 |
492 |
475 |
492 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
KS3 Results and Targets |
SJF Target |
SJF Result |
SJF Target |
SJF Result |
SJF Target |
% pupils achieving level 5 and above
|
English
|
95 |
94 |
95 |
93 |
95 |
Maths
|
95 |
94 |
95 |
93 |
95 |
Science
|
94 |
92 |
94 |
91 |
95 |
|
ICT (TA)
|
87 |
88 |
88
|
92 |
90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRANSPORT TO AND FROM SCHOOL
More information and revised schedules will be available at Year 7 Intake Meeting in the Summer Term. Contact numbers below:-
Ø WETHERBY & DISTRICT (Metro - telephone 0113 3481122) operate services from a number of locations, picking up pupils on the way.
Ø HARROGATE & DISTRICT (North Yorkshire Education Transport - telephone 01609 535693) operate services from a number of locations, picking up pupils on the way.
DRESS CODE POLICY
It is the policy of the School Governors that all pupils wear school uniform. The school’s dress code is part of the ethos of values and expectations which contribute to an ordered and effective learning environment. Pupils are expected to maintain smart, conventional and business-like standards in ALL aspects of their appearance.
The Governors expect that, in choosing St John Fisher, parents accept and will support this dress code for their children.
All pupils: Must wear a navy blazer with school badge, regulation blue shirt (worn tucked in) and a school tie (worn up to the neck).
Boys: Must wear black trousers; black, navy or grey socks; black flat shoes (no deep treads or trainers).
Girls: Must wear the school kilt (knee length) or regulation navy or black trousers; navy or black opaque tights; black/navy flat shoes (stiletto or kitten heels are forbidden). Please note that the black trousers MUST be of the same material and style as the regulation navy ones.
Hairstyles Are expected to be smart and conventional and of reasonable length. Hair must be worn in a style that does not impair vision and allows the pupil’s face to be visible.
Jewellery As a safety measure no jewellery is to be worn by pupils in school. However those with pierced ears may wear one small stud or sleeper in each ear – these must be removed for P.E. No other piercings are acceptable, eg nose studs or tongue studs.
Trainers Are NOT part of school uniform, but may be worn whilst playing outside at break or lunchtime.
Make-Up Any pupil wearing make-up deemed inappropriate for school will be asked to remove it. No nail varnish to be worn.
Outdoor Wear
Whilst the school does not specify a type of coat or rainwear for pupils we do expect them to reflect the school ethos. This means that denim, ‘hoodies’ or garments inappropriately decorated with logos likely to cause offence are not acceptable.
ALL PUPILS ARE TO WEAR FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM GOING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
PE Kit : Years 7-11 MUST have the following PE kit.
Boys: Rugby top – reversible (Navy blue/green), navy blue football socks. Navy blue shorts – shadow stripe, white polo shirt, white football shorts – shadow stripe, white sports socks, football boots, shin pads, training shoes, gum shield (for rugby).
Girls: Sky blue aertex t-shirt, navy blue shorts – shadow stripe, navy blue PE knickers, navy blue netball skirt, long navy blue socks, white sports socks, trainers, football boots. Optional: Navy blue sweatshirt top/light blue sweatshirt top, navy blue track suit bottoms, navy waterproof jacket.
Order forms for APC, our school uniform supplier, have been issued to pupils and are available from school reception.
For those pupils who come to school not in correct uniform, we do have a supply of spare items, including black plimsolls, that they will be expected to wear. Pupils who do not conform to the dress code will face appropriate sanctions and parents may be asked to collect their child from school.
THE SCHOOL DOES APPRECIATE AND WILL REWARD THOSE PUPILS WHO WEAR CORECT UNIFORM APPROPRIATELY
DRAFT VERSION 2
St John Fisher Catholic High School
Whole School Food Policy
St John Fisher school food policy sets out the school’s formal commitment to serving healthy food. It links this to education and life skills in order to promote optimal health, to develop social skills and to ensure maximum educational attainment of all students.
The Governors seek to ensure that all aspects of food and nutrition at St John Fisher promote the health and well being of pupils, staff and visitors to the school, supporting individual needs (cultural, ethical and medical) as appropriate.
The Governors will ensure the creation of partnerships between staff; pupils, parents and other relevant groups so that all those involved in food at St John Fisher have the opportunity to plan, implement, deliver and evaluate the St John Fisher Catholic High School catering enterprise.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
- Strategic planning involving caterers, education, health, parents and pupils.
- Supporting school-based partnerships through the School Wellbeing group, School Council, the healthy schools group or other alternatives.
The Policy takes full account of the Government Nutritional-based Standards for school lunches that have to be in place by September 2009 for Secondary Schools and the Government school food regulations. Responsibility for meeting these regulations lies with the School’s Governing body. D Barker (School Bursar) has overall responsibility for the implementation of the School Food Policy.
The school is fully committed to ensuring that all pupils stay safe, adopt healthy lifestyles and enjoy and achieve in their education. The school acknowledges that parents are the prime educators of their children and have the main responsibility for their diet. However, the school actively supports healthy eating and drinking throughout the school day, and ensures that all aspects of food and nutrition in school promote the health and well-being of pupils, staff and visitors to the school.
A good diet is important for good health. A healthy and varied diet can help maintain a healthy body weight, enhance general well-being and reduce the number of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. Healthy eating also promotes achievement. In this context, the school’s commitment to healthy food is essential for the school to meet its overall goals and ensure the health and well-being of its students.
Catering
The principal objective of the Catering service at St John Fisher Catholic High School is to provide a first class and efficient service, which meets the needs of all prospective customers.
The Catering Service aims to:
1. Identify and implement best practice recognising the need to provide a valued, varied and attractive catering service
2. Provide a self-financing and all-embracing service available throughout the working day
3. Continue to develop to support the school in meeting the needs and well-being of all learners
The potential customers include: -
Ø pupils from Years 7 - 11
Ø students from the 6th Form.
Ø staff
Ø parents, Governors and visitors
The service will be available for:
v pre-school breakfast: from 8.15 a.m. for all students/staff.
v Whole day snacks: for staff/visitors and 6th Form Students.
v Morning Break: for all students and staff.
v Lunch time: for all students, staff and visitors.
v After school service: for all students and staff. To include a snack
service for all after school clubs/teams/ensembles
v Staff/Parents meetings: for all evening meetings
to provide a range of refreshments.
Links to the Curriculum
The school aims to establish clear links between what is being taught in the curriculum and what is offered for consumption to students in school. The school must provide consistent messages to young people, at the same time as creating an interest in food and nutrition.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
· A planned curriculum to which ensures that information relating to food and nutrition in different lesson areas is consistent and provides opportunities to learn about different food types in the context of a balanced diet. There will be learning opportunities in how to plan, budget, prepare and cook meals understanding the need to avoid the consumption of foods high in salt, sugar and fat and the increase the need for consumption of fruit and vegetables
- The development of appropriate new curricular materials, as required
- Training for all staff on the school’s food agenda, school food regulations and up to date healthy eating messages
School Meals
School meals should be nutritious, varied and appeal to students. For a significant proportion of students, school lunch may be the only freshly cooked meal of the day. School meals should help create an interest in food by offering pupils a range of new food experiences. School meals should also provide an opportunity for the development of social skills
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
· Ensuring a school lunch service that meets or exceeds current Government Nutritional standards
- Ensuring a welcoming eating environment that encourages the positive social interaction of students. This includes the display and labelling of food, promoting healthy eating, and making adequate time available for students to purchase and eat their food.
- Improving the food preparation facilities
- Ensuring there is easy access to free, clean and palatable drinking water in school
- Providing opportunities to enable pupils to learn about how to grow fresh fruit and vegetables
- Providing parents with information about healthy eating
- Encouraging all students to eat a healthy balanced diet and to understand the importance of diet to health, academic performance and well being
- Encouraging all students to minimise the amount of food wasted
Morning Break
Morning break plays an important role in school. It contributes to short-term health benefits by providing access to healthy food at break times and should primarily reinforce the key whole school food message.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
- Ensuring that the morning break offers a range of healthy choices including sandwiches, freshly prepared bread products, fruit, yoghurt and healthy drinks
Water
Research has shown the value to pupils of gaining regular access to fresh, chilled drinking water throughout the school day. Intake of water is linked to good health, better concentration and increased attainment. We currently operate four chilled water units in school. Pupils are expected to fill water bottles at break and lunchtimes.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
Installing and maintaining units to supply fresh chilled drinking water.
Vending
Vending can be an important aspect of access to food and drink in school. Vending machines can extend choice and address some of the problems of queuing by offering alternate food outlets at peak times of the day. In many schools vending machines extend service availability allowing access to food and drink outside the conventional school day and at times when the wider community uses the school.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
- Continued provision of healthy, competitively priced drinks through vending machines
- Exploring alternative vending choices
Packed Lunches
The Governors recognise that choice is a key element of healthy eating and the school’s role is in educating students to make informed choices about healthy eating. Some students may choose to bring a packed lunch to school. Parents are responsible for the provision of packed lunches for their children. However, the school recommends that packed lunches should follow guidelines issued by the School Food Trust (available on their website). Information is also available at parents evenings or on request from the School Catering Manager.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
- Ensuring that students can purchase a healthy packed lunch in school
- Ensuring that students choosing to have a packed lunch are provided with a suitable eating environment conducive to social interaction and enjoyment of the mealtime experience
- Students choosing to have a packed lunch will have free access to fresh chilled water
After School Activities
It is recognised that many activities take place in schools but outside the conventional school day. These activities are aimed at both school pupils and the wider community. Some of the activities are organised by the school itself but others through independent groups based in the local community. It is vital that the school gives a consistent message to children and the community at large and that all aspects of the school's activities reinforce key healthy eating messages.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
- Requiring, where possible, that all after school activities follow the principles of healthy eating.
Partnership with Parents and Wider Community
Parents need to be aware of the whole school food policy and how they can support it in other areas of their children's lives. A successful whole school food policy can and will impact on the wider community.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
- Developing stronger partnerships between parents, the school and catering staff.
- Communicating with parents on all aspects of food in school including information and advice on healthy packed lunches and snacks
- Developing dialogue with food suppliers to look at ways in which healthy eating activities initiated by the school can be maintained.
Monitoring and Evaluation
It is important to monitor progress and evaluate outcomes against this policy.
St John Fisher Catholic High School is committed to:
St John Fisher Catholic High School Catering Service – Our Commitment
- Meals will be freshly prepared on the premises.
- Menus will change each week and will be published on the website and notice boards.
- Cakes and biscuits served in the canteen will be prepared on the premises
- No MRM (mechanically recovered meat) will be used in preparation of school meals.
- Fresh and frozen vegetables will be used for school meals. Some exceptions, e.g. baked beans.
- Vegetables or salad will be served with all cooked meals
- Fresh fruit, fresh fruit salad and low fat, artificial additive-free yoghurts will always be available at break and lunch times.
- Fresh milk will be used for custards etc.
- Fat, sugar and salt contents of food and drinks will be limited, in line with the Government nutrient based regulations for school lunches.
- Food will be sourced from local suppliers where possible. This integrates the school into the local economy, reduces food miles and encourages links with the local, rural community.
- Hot and cold healthy snacks will be available during break every day.
- A full menu will be available throughout the lunchtime period every day. This should allow better use of the canteen space and less of a rush at the beginning of the period.
- Teachers will use healthy alternatives to sweets as incentives/rewards where possible and will not supply sweets to students as incentives on a regular basis
- The school will not accept sponsorship from companies associated with unhealthy foods.
- School catering will be managed to break even. Any profits will be re-invested in the catering service and environment.
- A cashless payment system will be used to promote uptake of healthy options.
- The school will be open to developments, especially new ways of serving healthy food e.g. sandwich vending, different hours of opening.
-
The school will continue to offer breakfast and after school catering provision.
-
Staff training:
– Customer service – the school will treat our students as valued customers
– Presentation of food and the serving/delivery of food will be of high quality
- Catering skills including nutrition, food hygiene and health and safety will be addressed
-
The layout of the dining areas and kitchen will continue to be further upgraded, to improve throughput, comfort and efficiency and raise the overall profile of the catering environment. The scope and timing of change is dependent on financial resources.
We invite you to contribute your comments on this draft policy as parents and students. Please email back to us:
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