Policies and Procedures

Admissions Policy
At the age of 11, we take our students principally from the designated catchment area served by Ely St.Mary's, Ely St. John’s, Little Downham Feoffees, The Lantern Primary School, Littleport Community Primary School and Millfield Primary School, but we are free to take those who choose to come from outside the catchment area up to our
stated capacity.

Admissions are on a fully comprehensive basis up to the admission limit and are not selective in any way. For September 2010, our admission limit is 240.

The Open Evening for the September 2010 intake is on Wednesday 14th October 2009 from 7.00pm until 9.30pm. For parents who are unable to visit the College on the Open Evening, the College will be open on Thursday 15th October 2009 from 9.30am until 12.00noon.

There will be a tour of the college at 9.30 am followed by coffee with the Principal. If you wish to visit the College at any other time before making an application for admission, please telephone for an appointment and we will be pleased to show you round.

A special feature of the College calendar are the Induction Days, 7th and 8th July 2010 offered to all Year 6 students during which they get to meet newfriends in their forthcoming Year 7 tutor group, their new form tutor and Head of Year, and many others. It also helps them find their way around and stops themworrying over the summer holidays.

Child Protection Procedures
The paragraph below is taken from the Cambridgeshire County Council booklet on Guidance on Child Protection Procedures. It is published, on the Council's recommendation to all schools, so that the Principal's responsibility in this area is made clear and that no misunderstandings hinder good relations between parents and the College.

"It may be helpful to parents to know that the Authority requires Headteachers to report any obvious or suspected cases of child abuse - which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. This procedure is intended to protect children at risk and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for suspicion it is better to be safe than sorry. This doesmean that Headteachers risk upsetting some parents by reporting a case which, on investigation, proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents, appreciating how difficult it is for Headteachers to carry out this delicate responsibility,would accept that the Headteacherwas acting in what were believed to be the child's best interests."

Complaints Procedure
Section 23 of the Education ReformAct 1988: Local Arrangements for the Consideration of Complaints about the Curriculumand Related Matters, is available at the College. Anyone wishing to have sight of this document should contact the Principal.

Charging Policy
Under the terms of the 1988 Education Reform Act we are not permitted to charge for certain educational activities, and the Governing Body has therefore formulated a policy on charging, themain points of which are shown below-

The College will not charge directly for:
• examination entries, unless coursework requirements are not met, final examinations not taken (unless a medical certificate is produced), or if entry is made against the educational advice of the Principal
• materials used in practical subjects, unless the students wish to 'own' a product by contributing in cash or kind towards the materials or ingredients
• home to College transport costs, in line with current LA arrangements
• travel costs for educational visits (though visits or other activities may only go ahead if parents contribute voluntarily towards the cost)

The College will charge for:
• breakages or damage that result from irresponsible behaviour
• board and lodgings for all residential activities
• extra music tuition provided by the County's Music Agency, whether one-to-one or group tuition
• some examination fees (see above) and fees incurred by parents wanting results re-scrutinised

Any family in receipt of Family Credit or Income Support may ask for some of the charges to be remitted and should contact the bursar in the first instance.

General College Policies

The College Policies are available here for download. If you cannot find the policy you are after, please contact the Clerk to the Governors in the first instance.