What if I have a complaint?
Make it! You will be treated courteously and your complaint will be taken seriously. Often, things have been misunderstood and your contact allows the School to explain fully what has happened. When the School is in the wrong, it will say so and will try to put things right. However, if you remain dissatisfied after you have spoken to school, you should address you complain to the Assistant Education Officer, Education Office, County Hall, Herefordshire.
Do parents have to pay for school activities?
The 1988 Education Act states that parents should not be asked to pay for any activity which is considered to be an essential part of the curriculum. From time to time the School organises activities which it believes will be of great benefit to students even though to take part in them may not be essential. In such cases, the Governors have agreed that parents will be asked to make a voluntary contribution to help meet the costs involved. No student will be unable to take part in the activity because her/his parents do not make a voluntary contribution, but the activity may not take place where the School does not have sufficient funds to meet costs.
What support is available for my child?
A wide range of support is available for students. We try to ensure that the same Tutor stays with each group as they move through the school. This helps Tutors get to know students really well. Lower School Heads of Year stay with Year Groups in Years 7 & 8 and Upper School Heads of Year do the same in Y9,10 & 11. Subject staff also have student welfare at the top of their priorities. Our Special Needs Co-Ordinator leads a large team of Teaching Assistants for in-class support.
In addition we have embraced the Government’s recent Extended Services agenda. As part of “wrap-around” care we have trained First Aid staff, Attendance officers and access to wider, multi-agency services. These include counselling, bereavement advice, school nurse service, behaviour and learning support teams and health care. The “Forus” clinic, for example, offers confidential access to a GP on-site on Wednesday lunchtimes. See Ross Extended Services for more details. The school often hosts meetings for a wide range of services engaged in student support. This led OFSTED to say that “The students’ personal development and well-being, and their care, guidance and support, are oustanding”.
If you still have any questions unanswered or would like to discuss any questions you have in any detail with the school, please do not hesitate to get in touch – our details are on the bottom of this page and someone will always be prepared to help you.