PARKHILL SECONDARY SCHOOL
Session 2022-23
Parkhill Secondary School Handbook
HEADTEACHER’S WELCOME
Dear Parent/ Carer,
May I take this opportunity to introduce you to Parkhill Secondary School.
This booklet will provide you with some relevant information relating to the school.
Our door is always open, and you are welcome to visit the school and meet our dedicated staff and young people.
If you wish to find out more, or arrange a visit, please contact me or any member of the School Leadership Team.
Kind regards,
Brian Leonard
Head Teacher
Important Contact Details:
Parkhill Secondary School
375 Cumbernauld Road
Glasgow
G31 3LP
Tel: 0141 554 2765
Email: headteacher@parkhill-sec.glasgow.sch.uk
Website: http://www.parkhill-sec.glasgow.sch.uk/
Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/parkhillsecondaryschoolglasgow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Parkhill375
Glasgow City Council Education Services
Mr Douglas Hutchison,
Executive Director of Education,
40 John Street,
Glasgow
G1 1JL
Tel: 0141 287 2000
Taxi Coordination Service for all transport issues.
Tel: 0800 032 4444
SCHOOL PROFILE
Parkhill Secondary School is a non-denominational school for pupils who have additional learning needs. Pupils progress from S1 – S6. Our classes contain a maximum of 10 pupils. The school is situated on Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow.
We aim to create a happy, safe school where pupils are encouraged to achieve their potential. Pupils are given the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills which will enable them to access information for everyday, independent living.
The school has regular use of Glasgow City Council Haghill Park Leisure facilities. The school has a large yard, football pitch and outside learning area. We also make excellent use of the park and local community.
Our main objectives are to equip the young people with the skills required for life, work, and continued learning. This is achieved through Curriculum for Excellence which responds to the particular needs of pupils and the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic communities in which they live. The curriculum provides realistic challenging tasks that are progressive, measurable, and understood by pupils. This motivates our young people to become successful learners who are determined to achieve high standards.
Before transfer to Parkhill, evidence of prior attainment and progress in learning is gathered. A multi-agency team supports planning for children with more complex needs. Annual Reviews involving parents, pupils and appropriate agencies form part of this process.
Our curriculum adheres to Local and National Guidelines.
Certification for all is vital and SQA verified courses exist at appropriate levels. Young people also access work experience, vocational programmes, and relevant college placements in common with all secondary age pupils.
Parkhill Secondary School - Staff List (2022/23)
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Team
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Staff Members
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Designation
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Senior Leadership Team
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Brian Leonard
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Head Teacher
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Leigh Pepin
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Deputy Head
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Mr Healy
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Principal Teacher
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Mr McGeever
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Principal Teacher
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Teaching Staff
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Mrs Cole
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Home Economics
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Mrs Coyle
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Technical
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Mrs Doherty
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Social Subjects
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Mr Fletcher
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Art
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Mr Giles
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English
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Mr Herbert
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Math
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Mr Kelly
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English
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Mrs Livingstone
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PE
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Ms Munro
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1st Year
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Mr Murdoch
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Technical
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Mr Murray
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ICT
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Mrs Payen-Roy
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Languages
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Miss Scott
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Math
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Miss Smillie
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Nurture
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Mr Smith
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Social Sub
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Mrs Stirling
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1st Year
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Mr Van Der Merwe
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Science
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Mrs Watson
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PE
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Mrs Yoneda
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Music & Drama
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Administration
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Lynda Black
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School Office
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Support for Learner Worker
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Billy Aird
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SfLW
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Sarah Downing
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SfLW
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Siobhan Gillespie
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SfLW
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Donna Granger
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SfLW
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Gillian Harkinson
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SfLW
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Angela Johnston
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SfLW
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Karen Knox
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SfLW
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Andrea Latter
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SfLW
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Audrey Murray
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SfLW
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Kirsty Scullion
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SfLW
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Jack Stevenson
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SfLW
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Angela Veigas
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SfLW
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Giulia Veronelli
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SfLW
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Iain Watters
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SfLW
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Facilities Management
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Lenny Fox
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Janitor
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Debbie Noga
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Catering Staff
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Katie Redmond
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Catering Staff
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Marie Stobo
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Cordia Cleaning
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Tracy Thomson
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Cordia Cleaning
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Michelle Begg
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Cordia Cleaning
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TBC
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Cordia Cleaning
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This is the current timetable for the school week.
This timetable was setup as a result of consultation between staff and students.
The aim was to enhance the effective teaching time and broaden our curriculum.
We believe this strategy has been effective and productive.
OUR VISION
Parkhill Secondary is a non-denominational school. Within our school community there is a wide diversity of beliefs and culture, hence:
Learning, Respect and Responsibility are at the heart of Parkhill Secondary School.
We aim to create a safe, inclusive environment that allows every person to achieve and fulfil their potential.
OUR VALUES
We at Parkhill Secondary place emphasis on all stakeholders contributing to establishing shared values within our school as we believe values underpin all we do.
We believe that what we do improves the lives of our pupils, parents, and staff.
Our school values are:
AIMS
At Parkhill Secondary we aim to provide a learning environment
- Where learners’ needs are met through providing innovative, high quality learning experiences
- Which offers a challenging and dynamic curriculum which has breadth, pace and depth
- Which provides an outward-looking school which, as a matter of policy, seeks opportunities for social inclusion and mainstream experience for pupils and teachers
- Where all practitioners are working cooperatively and collaboratively to make the school attractive, successful and well managed
- Where fairness and equality for all permeates through all aspects of school life
- Where staff skills and expertise is continually enhanced through high quality CPD
- Where creativity and enterprise is actively promoted
- Where pupils develop skills to become Confident Individuals, Successful Learners, Effective Contributors and Responsible Citizens
GENERAL INFORMATION
Health and Medical Care
Immediate care is provided by support for learning workers (SFLW’s). A number of staff have First Aid qualifications. The named First Aider for the school is Angela Johnston (SFLW)
If a child becomes ill in school their parent/guardian will be telephoned. If the parent/guardian is unavailable, the emergency contact person will be telephoned. This information will be supplied by parents and updated annually, and it is important that it is kept up to date – please contact us immediately with any changes.
Medical examination and immunisation are provided by the School Health Board and parents give written authority in all cases. Parents should be aware of the necessity to inform the school of any medical requirements.
Information in Emergencies
We make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on some occasions, circumstances arise which lead to disruption. Schools may be affected by, for example, severe weather, and temporary interruption of transport, power failures or difficulties of fuel supply. In such cases we shall do all we can to let you know about the details of closure or re-opening. We shall keep in touch by using letters, notices in local shops and community centres, announcements in local places of worship and announcements in the press and on local radio. Information is available through Glasgow on-line and Twitter.
Data Protection
We collect information about children attending school (and also about parents/carers, emergency contacts etc. provided in the annual data check) to allow us to carry out the Council’s functions as the education authority for the City of Glasgow. This may sometimes involve releasing personal information to other agencies and other parts of the Council, particularly in relation to child protection issues or criminal investigations, and it may also be used for research purposes (see the link below for more details regarding this).
Information held by the school is, in legal terms, processed by Glasgow City Council. The Council is registered as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998 (number Z4871657) and all personal data is treated as confidential and used only in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the Information Use and Privacy Policy approved by the City Council. For more information on how we use personal information, or to see a copy of the Information Use and Privacy Policy, see www.glasgow.gov.uk/privacy.
MEDICATION
Should your son/daughter require medication during the school day an adult should bring the medication to school with clear written instructions regarding administration.
In situations where an adult is unable to deliver the medication a phone call should be made to the school prior to the pupil’s arrival giving advance notice that the pupil has medication in their possession. Written consent is required in all cases.
Medication must be handed to a member of staff who will store this securely.
CLOTHING/UNIFORM
Given that there is substantial parental and public approval of a dress code, schools in this authority are encouraged to develop a school dress code. In encouraging a dress code policy, account must be taken in any proposals to prevent any direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race or gender. Any proposals will be the subject of widespread consultation with parents/guardians and pupils. Against this background it should be noted that it is in the policy of the Education Services Committee to encourage schools to develop an appropriate dress code policy.
There are forms of dress, which are unacceptable in school, such as items of clothing which:
- Potentially encourage faction (such as football colours).
- Could cause offence (such as anti-religious symbolism or political slogans).
- Could cause health and safety difficulties, such as loose-fitting clothing, dangling earrings.
- Are made from flammable materials.
- Could cause damage to flooring.
- Carry advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco.
- Could be used to inflict damage on other pupils or could be used by others to do so.
Glasgow City Council is concerned at the level of claims being received regarding the loss of pupils’ clothing and/or personal belongings.
Parents/Guardians are asked to assist in this area by ensuring that valuable belongings and unnecessarily expensive items of clothing are not brought to school.
Parents/Guardians should note that the authority does not carry insurance to cover the loss of such items and any claims submitted are likely to be met only where the authority can be shown to have been negligent.
Please also note that excessive and visible piercings are not acceptable in school and that pupils may be asked to remove these.
Parkhill School Uniform
- Blue shirt/school tie
- Dark trousers or skirt
- Dark Shoes
- School jumper with school badge
- School Blazer
PE Kit
- Black shorts
- Black T-shirt with school badge
Items with school badge can be purchased from the school
Clothing Grants
Clothing grants of up to £150 per child are available to eligible students who attend Primary, Secondary and Additional Support Needs establishments
If your child attends a school managed by Glasgow City Council and you are currently in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax reduction in a Glasgow property, there is no need to complete an application. You will be automatically entitled and will receive payment (for all eligible dependents) in July (except for school returners who will be paid from August upon confirmation from the school)
If you are not in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax reduction but are in receipt of another qualifying benefit and you received a clothing grant last year, you will automatically receive a declaration form in June for completion.
Previous applicants - all awards will be paid by BACS directly into your bank account, therefore if your details have changed, please email CBSgrantservices@glasgow.gov.uk
and your details will be updated accordingly.
If you previously received your award via Paypoint, you will have been issued a letter requesting your bank details. If you have not received this letter, please email CBSgrantservices@glasgow.gov.uk
Please note you will still need to complete an application in the following circumstances: -
- If you are not in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax reduction but are in receipt of another qualifying benefit (see 'do I qualify' below) and did not receive an award last year
- If you live out with Glasgow and attend a school in Glasgow
More information on clothing grants can be found at the following address:
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17885
Mobile Phones
The use of mobile phones is not permitted during school time.
Mobile phones in use will be confiscated and kept in school until collected by parent / carer.
All phones should be switched off whilst in school. In the case of any emergency parents will be able to make contact via the school office.
Bikes
There is a dedicated secure area for bikes. Those pupils who travel to school may secure their bikes in the appropriate bike shelter in the school playground. No responsibility will be accepted by the school or Glasgow City Council for damage or loss.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast is provided free of charge for all pupils and is served in the school café between 8.30 and 8.50am every morning.
School Meals
Information and application forms for free school meals may be obtained from schools and from Grants Section at Education Services Headquarters.
School meals have improved significantly in recent years with the emphasis being placed on healthy eating. A range of main meals and healthy snacks are available along with homemade soup, yoghurts, and fresh fruit. All young people who are entitled to free school meals and those who pay the current daily rate of £1.50 can have a balanced healthy meal.
Pupils may bring packed lunches if they prefer. These are taken in the dining hall with the rest of the school.
TRANSPORT
General Information
Most pupils travel to school by taxi or school bus. Senior pupils who travel independently are provided with a travel pass which gives free school travel on First buses.
The Education Authority has a policy of providing free transport to secondary pupils who live more than 2 miles from their local school by the recognised shortest walking route. This policy is more generous that the law requires. This means that the provision of transport could be reviewed at any time. Parents/Guardians who consider that they are eligible should obtain an application form from the school or Education Services. Their forms should be completed and returned by the end of February for those pupils beginning the school in August to enable the appropriate arrangements to be made.
Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year but may be subject to delay whilst arrangements are made. The appropriate offices have discretion in special circumstances to grant permission for pupils to travel in transport provided by the authority, where spare places are available, and no additional costs are incurred.
Pick-up Points
Although most pupils are picked up from home, where free transport is provided it may be necessary for pupils to walk a certain distance to the vehicle pick-up point. Walking distance in total including distance from home to the pick-up point and from the drop-off point to the school in any one direction will not exceed the authority’s 2 miles.
It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to ensure that their child arrives at the pick-up point on time.
It is the parent /carer’s responsibility to ensure the child behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in, and alighting from the vehicle.
Poor behaviour could result in your child losing the right to free transport.
Placing Request
The Education Authority does not provide transport for those pupils in receipt of a placing request other than in individual exceptional circumstances and where appropriate legislation applies.
PASTORAL CARE
Effective Pastoral Care is an integral part of Parkhill’s ethos, and we strive to meet the requirements of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).
All teachers have a responsibility to ensure that the young people are:
- Safe
- Healthy
- Active
- Nurtured
- Achieving
- Respected
- Responsible
- Included
In Parkhill Secondary our aim is to provide a framework of pupil support in order to achieve a holistic approach to supporting the needs of our young people. All teachers have a key class and a responsibility for the pastoral care of the pupils within that class. In addition, Year Heads meet with the DHT /HT on a regular basis to monitor and review practice and to ensure that the personal, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of our young people are successfully met.
In addition, we also work with a variety of partner agencies to ensure that our pupils experience an accessible and appropriate curriculum.
CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE
The school aims to develop a curriculum to equip students with the skills and self-confidence to achieve their potential and leave school for a positive destination. The school is committed to providing students with opportunities to meet the requirements of the four capacities within Curriculum for Excellence by developing their skills as:
- Successful learners
- Confident individuals
- Responsible citizens
- Effective contributors
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is the curriculum in Scotland which applies to all children and young people wherever they are learning. It aims to raise achievement for all, enabling young people to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to succeed in learning, life, and work.
Curricular areas included in Curriculum for Excellence are:
- Expressive Arts – including art and design, dance, drama, and music
- Health and Wellbeing – mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing, PE food and health, substance misuse and relationships, sexual health and parenthood
- Languages – listening and talking, reading, and writing in literacy and English and modern languages, plus classical languages and literacy and Gaidhlig/Gaelic learners (where available)
- Mathematics – including analyzing information, solving problems, and assessing risk
- Religious and Moral Education – (denominational and non-denominational) – learning about Christianity, other world religions, and developing values and beliefs
- Sciences – understanding important scientific concepts across plants earth, forces, electricity and waves, biological systems, materials, and topical science
- Social Studies – understanding people, place, and society in the past and present including history, geography, modern studies and business education
- Technologies – including computing science, food, textiles, craft, design, engineering, graphics and applied technologies
In addition, there are three key areas which are covered by all teachers/practitioners:
- Literacy across learning – talking, listening, reading, and writing (including using digital communications)
- Numeracy across learning – including money, time, and measurement
- Health and Wellbeing across learning – includes making informed choices for a healthy lifestyle
From S1-S3 your child will have the opportunity to experience a Broad General Education (BGE) i.e., a curriculum which encompasses all these areas.
S4-S6 is called the Senior Phase and at this point decisions are made regarding subject options, college, and work experience placements.
Assessment is crucial to tracking progress, planning next steps, reporting, and involving parents and learners in learning. Evidence of progress can be gathered by learners themselves, by fellow pupils (peers), parents, teachers, and other professionals. Regular discussion of learning will take place between professionals and young people. Review meetings will be held annually as well as Parents Nights to discuss pupil progress with parents and carers.
ENTERPRISE ACADEMY
The Enterprise Academy is a vibrant new initiative aimed at supporting young people with Additional Learning Needs into positive and sustained destinations. At Parkhill we always ensure we focus on the individual needs of our young people. The Enterprise academy allows us to build on the interest and aspirations of our pupils, helping them to develop new skills for work and future career choices.
The Enterprise academy was formally opened by Baillie Cameron in February 2017 and classes began in August 2017 with young people attending from across the city. At present courses are focused on 3 key areas where there is evidence of employment routes for young people with Additional Support Needs.
- Hospitality
- Horticulture
- Customer services and Administration
Several rooms were transformed as part of the development with a professional kitchen, café area, hotel bedroom, and Office completed between 2016 and 2017. These areas allow the school to offer realistic work environments where young people can develop skills for learning, life, and work.
Courses are delivered by Parkhill staff in conjunction with staff from City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Kelvin College.
Communication with Parents
At Parkhill Secondary School we use a variety of ways to keep in touch.
Open Door Policy – the senior leadership team are available for all parents and carers at any time providing they are not teaching or in another meeting. Please either pop in to the school office or phone for an appointment.
Pupil Diaries – will let parents know what homework has been set and is also used to communicate between the class teacher and parents.
Newsletters – will be sent out on a regular basis to keep parents informed about the work of the school.
Letters – further information which requires a response may be sent out in letter form.
School website/Twitter/Facebook – will contain a great deal of information about the school. It is a good idea to check this regularly. Please follow us on Twitter for all our latest news.
Website: http://www.parkhill-sec.glasgow.sch.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Parkhill375
Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/parkhillsecondaryschoolglasgow/
Text messaging – You may also receive text reminders about events/school closures etc.
Meetings - Parents and carers are welcome in the school to discuss any aspect of their child’s development and progress. To avoid disappointment, it is advisable to make an appointment.
Annual Reviews- Reviews are held once a year for parents to discuss their child’s progress in school.
Parents’ Evenings - There are two parents’ evenings per academic year when parents can discuss their child’s progress with the subject teacher and view the child’s work.
Reports – Two written reports will provide clear information and feedback on a child’s progress and how well she/he is doing against agreed expectations. These will be sent home twice a year.
Comments & Complaints
In Parkhill Secondary School we aim to have positive relationships across our school community. However, if you have a comment or complaint about any aspect of school life, please contact the Headteacher in the first instance.
Glasgow City Council complaints procedures are available:
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16133
Customer Care Team
Customer & Business Services
Glasgow City Council
City Chambers
Glasgow G2 1DU
Tel: 0141 287 0900
E-mail: customercare@glasgow.gov.uk
Information on data protection and freedom of information can be found HERE.
School Holiday dates session 2022-23
October
- In-service Day #3:
- October Week:
- Monday, 17 to Friday, 21 October 2022
December
- Christmas and New Year:
- Schools close at 2.30 pm on Thursday, 22 December 2022
- Friday, 23 December 2022 - Tuesday 3 January 2023
January
- Schools return on Wednesday 4 January 2023
February
- Mid Term Break:
- Monday, 13 February 2023
- Tuesday, 14 February 2023
- In-service Day #4
- Wednesday, 15 February 2023
April
- Spring Holiday (Easter)
- Schools close at 2.30 pm on Friday, 31 March 2023
- Monday, 3 April - Friday, 14 April 2023
- Schools return on Monday, 17 April 2023
May
- May Holiday
- In-service Day #5
- May Weekend
- Friday, 26 May 2023 and Monday, 29 May 2023
June
- Summer Break
- Schools Close at 1.00 pm on Friday 23 June 2023