Hoe Bridge Senior School Handbook

Welcome to Senior

I am delighted that Hoe Bridge is the school of choice for your child and we look forward to working in partnership with you for the best possible educational experience on offer. Our aim is to create a family community where each child is encouraged to develop their full potential whilst being happy, confident and achieving to their best of their ability.

You will find all of the day to day information that you need in this section and the answers to many of the questions that you may have. My colleagues and I always welcome the opportunity to talk to you if you have a queries, with your child’s Form Teacher being the first port of call should you require advice or assistance. We encourage a strong relationship between parents and school to best serve the progress of your child through collaboration and a high level of trust. You will receive a weekly Bulletin covering items of news and events across Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior and our Parent Zone provides you with instant information about timetables, messages, school trips or visits to the school.

We look forward to welcoming your family to the Hoe Bridge community and for many happy years working together with your child at the forefront of our minds.

Best wishes

Chris Webster

Executive Headmaster

Our Ethos & Aims

Happiness   -  Confidence   -  Achievement

Mission

To inspire in children a passion for lifelong learning, where an exceptional education, beyond factual learning, fosters unique life skills, creativity, knowledge and wellbeing.

Vision

A dynamic school community where everyone is encouraged to achieve their true potential through a broad, challenging and diverse curriculum. We enable and foster a passion for lifelong learning, whilst embracing and valuing individuality within the school community and wider society.

Rationale

To shape future citizens who have the academic, personal and social skills to make informed choices as well as being empathetic, resilient and responsible members of society fully embracing British values. A dedicated, caring and well qualified staff provide a varied curriculum, within and beyond the classroom, giving opportunities and challenging abilities to develop independent thinking young people. An engaging, broad, progressive education based on Christian principles and enriched with stimulating and varied opportunities to develop creativity, curiosity and innovation.

Senior School Values

Code of Conduct

On joining Hoe Bridge School a pupil, teacher or parent becomes part of our school community. Each member of the school has a role to play within it and responsibilities towards others and their property. All members of the school community are expected to respect the Code of Conduct and it is to be followed at all times whilst anywhere on the school premises: children are rewarded for doing so. Outside of school children should wear their school uniform with pride and, as ambassadors of the school, behave according to our Code of Conduct.

We believe that everyone, pupil or adult, should be able to come to our school and receive or deliver an education in a way that is free from humiliation, oppression or abuse. The Excutive Headmaster has the right of the ultimate sanction of temporary or permanent exclusion. Our Code of Conduct is discussed at the beginning of each term and in assemblies; a copy of the Code of Conduct is displayed in each classroom. Children, parents and staff can contribute to it at any time; we are always looking for ways to keep our school a happy and purposeful place for everyone.

All children should know the following:

Basic Rules

• No running inside or around the school
• Be properly dressed
• Follow the Bridge Values
• No mobile phones

Manners

• Hold doors open
• Greet staff/parents e.g. ‘good morning’
• Put hand up and wait to answer a question

Lessons

• Be punctual
• Be prepared- have correct books and stationery
• Wait quietly outside the classroom before lessons
• Move around the school quietly and in an orderly manner between lessons

Uniform

• Wear blazers to arrive and leave school
• Keep shirts tucked in
• Keep top buttons and ties done up
• Keep shoe laces tied
• Keep trousers pulled up
• Wear jumpers to keep warm inside
• Sports Half Zips may be worn for extra warmth outside (and in extreme circumstances inside decided by Executive Headmaster)
• Long hair to be tied back, off the collar and out of the eyes
• No gel or dyeing

Behaviour 

Follow both the Senior Behaviour Policy and the Make Up & Jewellery Policy.

Daily Registration

Registration is at 8.15 am and 4.15 pm in form rooms. Pupils must be registered or sign in at the front desk if registration is missed. 

Excellence in Behaviour

Excellence in behaviour is celebrated by awards both individually and on a group basis. Good behaviour and manners are recognised throughout the school day. In addition each teacher will devise rules for the classroom which are explained to the class and all children are expected to abide by the rules.

Consequences of Breaking the Rules

Deviation from the Code of Conduct is not tolerated and failure to follow it may result in the following sanctions as laid out in the Senior Behaviour Policy. Bullying, in any form, is not tolerated and any incidents of bullying will be dealt with according to the Anti-Bullying Policy.

Records

Major or habitual incidents are recorded in the school’s incident data base online. Discussions with parents are also recorded. The incident database is monitored on a termly basis to identify trends and the school will respond accordingly.

Key Contact Information

Executive Headmaster | Chris Webster 01483 760018 | headmaster@hoebridgeschool.co.uk

Executive Headmaster’s PA | Vicky Sturgess 01483 760018/65 | headspa@hoebridgeschool.co.uk

Assistant Head Academic | Alex Arnold 01483 760018 | alexandraarnold@hoebridgeschool.co.uk

Assistant Head Pastoral | Oliver Holland 01483 760018 | oliverholland@hoebridgeschool.co.uk

Reception | 01483 760018/65 | senior@hoebridgeschool.co.uk

Bursar | Hannah Davies 01483 760018 | bursar@hoebridgeschool.co.uk

Chair of Governors | Ian Katté 01483 760065

Staff Booklet

Senior Staff Photo Booklet 2026

The School Day

Lunch and Break Time

Lunches are supervised by the Senior Management Team. Good manners are always expected.

Our Caterers provide an attractive and well-balanced menu and there are alternative choices of food available. If health or religion dictates our caterers will provide an appropriate meal; vegetarian, Halal and special diet alternatives are available daily.

During break time pupils are outside unless it is raining. They use the hard surfaces and the Court Yard during the two winter terms and on the fields during the Summer Term. They have a drink and a home-made snack or fruit at break-time and members of staff are on supervision duties. In hot, sunny weather, please ensure children have school sun hats and that a high factor sun screen has been effectively applied before arriving at school.

Curriculum Overview

Academic

The Year 9 curriculum comprises English, Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Languages, Latin, History, Geography, Religious Studies (RS), Art, ICT, Design & Technology, Music, Drama and PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education), PE & Games. The Year 9 Autumn term sees the introduction of some GCSE work and discussion about all-important options, which will be decided in Year 10, where we also start to discuss future career options. A weekly Critical Thinking lesson is also added from Year 9, as are weekly enrichment afternoons covering a multitude of activities and skills development.

The Year 10 curriculum comprises English, Mathematics, Sciences, PE & Games plus three GCSE subject options. Critical Thinking lessons are replaced by a bespoke Life Skills scheme of work.

Forms and Form Tutors

The Form Tutor is responsible for the registration of his or her Form each morning. The Form provides a ‘home base’ with form time each day. The Form Tutor co-ordinates the pastoral care of each pupil in their Form as well as monitoring general academic progress. If you have any general questions, please liaise with the Form Tutor initially.

In Year 9 pupils are academically streamed for the majority of subjects and set for English, Maths and French. In Year 10 pupils are in academic sets for English, Maths and Science.

Timetable & Curriculum Plans

Timetables will be given out to the children at the beginning of the new school year. Timetables and Curriculum Plans will also be found in My School Portal.

Educational Visits

From time to time, visits are arranged for the children to enhance their learning. Parental consent is needed for all off-site educational visits and this is done via an e-form that will be sent to parents prior to the visit. Children without parental permission will not be allowed to join the visit.

Homework

In Year 9 and 10, pupils are given a 'golden hour' to complete some homework in school. This will take place during their independent study sessions. During this time, subject clinics are available in Maths, English and Science and pupils will be supported by the academic team. Any remaining homework should be completed at home.

Reports & Parents’ Evenings

Parents’ Evenings are scheduled at various points troughout the year and involve all those who teach your children. Some teachers will teach all children in a year, others teach sets. A communication will be sent prior to each evening, outlining that particular evening and booking is done via My School Portal.  

The Arts

In Year 9, Art, Design & Technology, Music and Drama are all timetabled subjects and play an important part in the daily life at Hoe Bridge. In Year 10, they are all optional GCSE subjects.

Art and Design & Technology

A wide variety of skills are taught during Art, including painting, sculpture, ceramics and printmaking alongside the story of Art and Architecture. Design & Technology focuses pupils through design briefs involving mechanical and electrical systems. Pupils also study textile and package design and research into various areas of industry, such as air transport, consumer products and telecommunications.

Drama

Drama lessons provide children with a wonderful opportunity to express and project themselves, building self confidence, teamwork and responsibility. Each year group has a Drama Presentation to parents once a year so that they can understand more about the Drama curriculum. Drama is supported by our after school activities programme which has a wide range of dance, musical theatre and drama activities on offer.

Music

As well as general music lessons throughout the school, all pupils are encouraged to take up a musical instrument. 

Instrumental Tuition

Instrumental peripatetic teachers provide individual instrumental tuition each week. The fees for instrumental tuition at Hoe Bridge are set by the instrumental teacher for a half hour lesson. Individual instrumental music lessons are taught during the school day on a strict rotation basis. Please note a child can take up more than one instrument and if so they will be fixed with only one on rotation.

If you would like your child to start instrumental tuition please contact Sarah Ward in our music department via email to musicadmin@hoebridgeschool.co.uk.

Ensembles and Performances

Pupils learning instruments or singing can join one of our ensembles across choir, strings, brass, woodwind and percussion. The Bridge Theatre provides an outstanding space for both Music and Drama. In addition to our regular concert programme below pupils can also sign up to play during Monday and Friday assemblies and ensembles are regularly invited to perform at other schools.

Sport

PE & Games

All children are taught skills and game play with the National Curriculum as a guide. Sport lessons take place two times a week.  

Core sports played:

Teams

Matches against other schools are played at U14 and U15 age level. The fixture list can be found in the calendar or on the website under the Sports Fixtures tab on the website. Pupils are selected for teams on merit. It is the intention to include as many children as possible in matches and as many matches in each age group are arranged whenever possible. A child can be selected to play for an older team if the school believes that the child would benefit from playing at this age level.

It is expected that children selected to play in teams and weekend tournaments, honour the commitment to school. Please check fixtures list in advance for dates and consider the likelihood of your son or daughter being selected. If in doubt please contact the PE Department. Team selection will be made close to the event and and published on SOCS website. 

Sports Fixtures

We have a Sports Fixtures website which can be accessed via the school website at the top navigation or by clicking HERE. The password to access team sheets is: TeamHoeBridge

Full instructions on navigating the Sports Fixtures website can be found HERE.

Other Sporting Activities 

We also have competing teams for equestrian, skiing and golf who compete across the country. Please contact Reception if you are interested in learning more about any of these activities and you will be directed to the right person.

Safety in Sport

Mouth guards for protection of the teeth and jaws must be worn by all children whilst playing hockey and contact rugby. It is highly recommended for TAG or TouchRugby. Any child without a mouth guard will be fitted with a basic mouth guard, the cost of which will be added to your end of term bill.

Games Kit

Please check the uniform list and ensure all games kit is named correctly. Games kit is taken home on Fridays for laundering and brought back on Monday morning. During times of bad weather kit might need to be laundered more regularly.

Trainers & Football Boots

Trainers should be appropriate for multi sports. Football boots are worn for football, rugby and cross-country. Any make of boot or stud configuration may be purchased - please check on a regular basis that the studs have not developed sharp edges. Should this happen it is important that the sharp edges are sanded down or the boots replaced.

Sports Equipment

All equipment required for PE & Games is provided by the School, except hockey sticks. Pupils may bring their own equipment if they wish, but please make sure it is clearly named.

Off Games

An email must be sent to Reception and the School Nurse excusing a child from PE or Games by 9.00 am on the day.

Rewards

Absence

Illness 

If your child is unable to attend school, please complete the 'Report Illness' form on My School Portal by 8.30 am on each morning of absence explaining the reason(s) for absence. Children must be fully recovered before returning to school. If your child has had sickness or diarrhoea, they must not return to school for 48 hours after the last incidence as advised by the Health Protection Agency. Please notify us of any contagious diseases to enable us to inform other parents.

Absence Requests

Please only request an absence if absolutely necessary, as missing lessons can significantly impact a child’s learning and development - every lesson missed can disrupt progress in subjects that build on previous knowledge. Time away from school can also affect a child’s social and emotional wellbeing, as they miss out on shared experiences, friendships, and the routine that supports growth. These experiences help develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging within the school community.

To request an absence, complete the 'Request Absence' form in My School Portal. When completing the form, please complete the ‘comments’ box giving full details of the absence request. Please also attach details of the reason of the absence, e.g. image of the hospital appointment letter. If the absence that you are requesting takes place during a school day (e.g. a dentist appointment), please state what times your child will depart and is expected to return to school (if applicable). Once you submit this form, you will receive an email to authorise or refuse the request. A member of school staff may also contact you to request further information. Unauthorised absences will be recorded as such on the school register. Please note that absences for family holidays during term time are not authorised. 

Drop Off

Morning Drop Off

Pupils can be dropped from 7.50 am and must be in form by 8.15 am. Please do not drop pupils at school before 7.50 am unless they are coming in for breakfast.

Afternoon Collection

Pupils are picked up from the front of school and it is very important that it is free flowing. Once pupils have been collected from school, parents are responsible for their safety and good manners whilst on the school premises. Pupils must not go into the school car park without an adult or play on the playing fields after school. 

Collection Arrangements and Changes

If a different person is collecting your child please either telephone or email Reception. Children will not be given to an unauthorised person. In the event of late collection, a member of staff will stay with the child whilst efforts are made to telephone parents or the emergency contact number. If you are doing a regular share of pick up then please inform Reception by email of your arrangements and they will inform the relevant teachers.

Parking

Please do not arrive on site more than 15 minutes before the designated pick up time and cars should be parked in the designated spaces at the school - parking on the grass verges is forbidden. Double parking is by mutual agreement only and engines must not be left running in unattended cars. Please observe yellow lines and ‘No Parking’ signs. Please do not leave your car parked on site during the day without prior agreement with the Executive Headmaster.

Pick-up times for Monday - Thursday are as follows:

5.30 pm

Pick-up times for Friday are as follows:

4.30 pm. Those staying for independent study on a Friday are picked up at 5.30 pm.

Communication

All communications are sent via our parent portal, My School Portal. My School Portal is accessed either via a desktop or mobile app. Other communications are via The Bulletin, our weekly newsletter and the termly printed school diary booklet. Staff are of course always available for individual consultations at mutually convenient times throughout the day. 

Please download the instructions to activate your My School Portal account for the first time HERE. As a new parent, you will be unable to activate your account until two weeks before your child's first day.  

Co-Curricular Activities

Co-Curricular Activities

We offer a wide range of activities throughout the year after school. These vary on the time of year and details are sent out at the end of the term allowing you to book for the next term via My School Portal. Activities include drama through LAMDA, Stagecoach, chess, science, musical theatre, dance, martial arts, debating, computers, art and a variety of sports. There is an extra charge for Co-Curricular Activities. 

You are able to book Co-Curricular Activities via My School Portal on our Booking Portal. Payment is made by credit card or childcare vouchers/ tax free childcare at the time of booking. If you are signing up for the Booking Portal for the first time please download the instructions HERE.

Breakfast Club

Please find details of our wraparound care services and pricing here.

Booking Process

At the end of the school term the system moves over to the next term to allow you to book for the following term over the holidays. Bookings can be made termly or ad-hoc bookings by 12 noon the day before for Breakfast Club or by 1.00 pm on the same day for After School Care.

Any child that is not collected within five minutes of the end of their session will be charged in full for the next session. A late charge of £10.00 will be made for any child collected after 6.30 pm.

You are able to book Co-Curricular Activities via My School Portal on our Booking Portal. Payment is made by credit card or childcare vouchers/ tax free childcare at the time of booking. Charges will apply according to the sessions booked, even if your child leaves early or is unable to attend. 

Holiday Camp

We offer holiday camps through our sister brand Hoe Bridge Camps. These are open to all Hoe Bridge children from Nursery Twigs to Year 9 and to children from other schools from Reception to Year 8. Hoe Bridge parents have priority in booking each season.

Camps run for two weeks over the October half term, one week in the Christmas holidays, two weeks in the Easter holidays and four weeks in the Summer holidays. We off a range of camps including a general multi-activity camp and specialist camps including football, cricket, cooking and coding.

For more information on holiday camps, upcoming dates and to book please visit www.hoebridgecamps.co.uk 

Medical

Accidents & Illness

When a child visits the medical room with an injury or illness it will be recorded on Medical Tracker. Email notifications will be sent home for head injuries, nosebleeds, or treatments involving over the counter medication being administered. A telephone call will be made home for serious injuries and illness. If you would not like your child to receive over the counter medication at school without a telephone call first please email schoolnurse@hoebridgeschool.co.uk. 

Illness

If your child is unable to attend school, please complete the 'Report Illness' form on My School Portal by 8.30 am on each morning of absence explaining the reason(s) for absence. Children must be fully recovered before returning to school. If your child has had sickness or diarrhoea, they must not return to school for 48 hours after the last incidence as advised by the Health Protection Agency. Please notify us of any contagious diseases to enable us to inform other parents.

Vaccinations

We ask parents to keep up to date with vaccinations, for further information please refer to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/childhood-vaccines-timeline

Medicines

The School Nurse will only give out prescribed medicines if full information is provided and a Pupil Medication Request Form completed. Please request a form from the School Nurse if required.

Uniform

Please download your Uniform Checklist below

Senior Boys

Senior Girls 

Senior Cafe

The Senior Café will feature a selection of refreshments which will be available at morning break at an extra cost. Purchases will be cashless, requiring pupils to use child debit cards like GoHenry or Monzo to enjoy their treats. The café will be managed daily by our current catering team from Holroyd Howe, ensuring seamless continuity with our established catering standards.

Laptops

Laptops

Senior pupils use 360 Flip laptops to enable them to explore their subjects and a stronger grasp of key concepts. While these devices will be an invaluable addition, traditional books and pens will continue to play a vital role in the learning journey.

Other Information

Bags & Stationery

There is no official Hoe Bridge school bag so pupils can use satchels or backpacks. Please ensure that your son or daughter has their own black handwriting pen, a pencil, a rubber, pencil sharpener, a 30 cm ruler, a compass, protractor, scientific calculator, scissors and glue stick in a named pencil case. They will also need a pair of headphones. They will need these for all lessons. For exams, pupils must bring their equipment in a clear pencil case.

Change of Address or Contact

If you change any of your contact information especially emergency contact details during the school year please inform our Senior School Secretary and Data Manager immediately by email.

Charity

We like to encourage the children to think of those who are less fortunate than they are. Each year we choose one national and one international charity to support and a proportion of all our fundraising goes to these two charities throughout the year. The children vote on which charities to support following a presentation and we hold specific charity days each term to raise money.

Complaints Procedure

Should you have any complaint to make against the School, there is a Complaints Procedure which should be followed. This Complaints Procedure is available on the website under Policies and a copy is kept in the School Office. It is available to any parent should they wish to see it or make use of it. Ofsted may be contacted directly on 08456 404045 or at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

Dogs

As a school we are dog friendly however dog walking is not permitted as not all children love dogs! If your dogs want to come and watch sport, their support is welcome and we ask that all dog owners keep their dogs on leads and clear up after them. 

Hoe Bridge Social Committee

This is a combined committee made up of parents and staff from the Senior, Prep and the Pre-Prep which organises a termly social event. All school events are very relaxed, hugely enjoyable and are strongly recommended.

Mobile Phones

Children are not permitted to bring mobile phones or non-wifi or data enabled smart watches to school and parents are also asked not to use mobiles in and around school buildings.

Parental Rights to Take Photographs

Parents are permitted to take photographs and videos at school events for private use only. These photographs and/or videos must not be published in any format including print or online. Without consent of the other parents whose children may be captured on film you would be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Photographs

Each Autumn Term an individual photograph is taken with an opportunity for siblings to be taken together and orders are processed in time for Christmas. A whole school photo is taken bi-annually with class photos being taken in the other year.

Policies

All documents are available to read on our website under Policies.

Safety

Parents are responsible for the safety of their children before and after school whilst on the school premises. 

Security

During the school day, all visitors are required to report to the Senior Reception before entering the School where they will be signed in, given a visitors badge and signed out again upon leaving. We will not expect parents to wear badges at drop off, pick up, match tea or school functions. It is accepted that you may be in the school buildings at drop off either to help with equipment or to talk to staff. However, after 8.30 am please report to Reception, to sign in and sign out.

Valuables

We discourage children from bringing any valuables to school. Watches and all stationery should be clearly marked. The School’s Insurance Brokers can arrange individual personal effects insurance and details may be obtained from the Bursar.