Student Handbook

  

Philosophy & Aims

Many of our students have had challenging journeys in education thus far; at Stephenson MK Trust Post 16 Centre, we are offering our students a supportive environment in which to grow in positivity and confidence. They will have the opportunity to build on the qualifications gained at Key Stage 4, to learn about the world of work through focussed employability sessions and supported access to long-term work experience placements in a field of interest, when it is deemed appropriate.

Whatever the student’s starting point, whatever the challenges they have experienced in education previously, our aim is to ensure that for the time they are with us, they are making positive steps towards independence and building safe and secure foundations for their next steps.

We are predominantly a one-year programme designed to build confidence and offer a breadth of qualifications that can help young people then progress to college, apprenticeships or sixth forms to follow their career aspirations.  In exceptional circumstances a second year may be considered for students who may require further support. 

 

 Child Protection

Stephenson MK Trust Post 16 Centre has a “duty of care” to all students on its roll. The welfare of the young person is taken very seriously and any concerns or disclosure, whereby the student may be considered at risk, will be reported to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub in Milton Keynes, as deemed in the best interests of the child. Any referral to Children’s Services will be discussed with parents or carers prior to its submission, unless it is considered to be to the detriment of the well-being of the young person in question. Please do contact us also if you feel another student is in danger.

 

The Centre’s Designated Child Protection Officer is:

Mrs Bev Wise – Principal

 Centre Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Dr Christine Dehnel – Assistant Principal  

 

 Attendance

Stephenson MK Trust believes that regular attendance is the key to enabling you to maximise the educational opportunities available to you.  Becoming emotionally resilient, more confident and competent young adults who are able to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to your community. This is particularly important for students who are less likely to have previously attended well at school.

Our expectation for every student at Stephenson MK Trust is to have at least 85% attendance and we will work with you and your family to help you achieve this target by identifying the reasons you feel this may be challenging.  We are fully aware that this is a significant challenge for many students and, where appropriate, staged integration plans will be put in place to support students, considering any specific individual needs the student may have. The environment, class sizes and positive relationships with staff and students is something that we often see helps students at the Stephenson MK Trust Post 16 Centre to improve their attendance and feel more confident in engaging with education.

 

Below 70%	70-80%	80-90%	90-95%	95% and above
Unacceptable attendance - Attendance Plan, Local Authority involvement and/or notice to improve or leave issued.	Cause for concern – Attendance letter sent home and a plan will be put in place to improve this as quickly as possible	Key Worker to work with you to improve your attendance, identify barriers, informal support to improve	Good attendance	Outstanding attendance!

 

If, for any reason, you are unable to come to school, you, your parent or guardian need to let school know the reason; if contact has not been made, you will gain an ‘unauthorised absence’ which will impact your overall attendance score.

 If there are any doubts over reasons for absence, your key worker will contact your parent or guardian, to confirm.

 It is essential that the Centre is notified of any absence as early as possible on the day by telephoning 01908 889410 or notifying us through Studybugs on the website or app.

 If absence due to illness continues for a combined period of more than 5 school days, attendance plans will be prompted and put in place, and medical certificates from GPs, or other medical professionals, may be requested.

Students and parents/guardians are advised where possible to make medical and dental appointments outside of the school day. Where this is not possible, students should attend school for part of the day and an appointment card or note from parents/guardians should be given to school for our records.

Where there are periods of unauthorised absence school, staff will conduct a home visit to check on the welfare of the student. In the instance where school staff are unable to check on the welfare of the student and are refused access to the student the police will be asked to complete a welfare check and to feedback to the school.

Persistent absentees will be issued with warning notices for each stage of their unauthorised absence; we will work within the pastoral system to support the student to attend.

 Students who do not show an improvement in attendance after a supportive plan are putting their place at the Post 16 Centre at risk.

 

 Behaviour

The Post 16 Centre accepts students from a wide range of backgrounds all with their own challenges and we believe that no one should be made to feel they are not accepted at school.  Therefore, we have a zero tolerance to bullying policy and staff will challenge unacceptable language both in lessons and during social times.  We want to provide a safe space for all students to study and grow as young adults and so we will uphold the following:

The use of mobile phones is prohibited during academic times of the day. Mobile phones should be placed in students’ allocated lock box slot by 8:45am when school begins, and they can be collected at lunch for use and then the end of each school day. Those that do not follow this basic expectation will be asked to go home on the day

• No energy drinks are to be brought onto site.
• Students are to treat staff and peers with respect and expect the same. We will not accept discriminatory, sexist, racist, or offensive language towards staff or peers.
• Aggressive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated – and this includes play-fighting.
• Coming into the Post 16 Centre under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not acceptable – nor is bringing these items on site.
• If you choose to smoke or vape – then you must only do this during lunch time when students are allowed off-site, and this must be done away from the buildings at Manor Road Campus. Smoking and/or vaping onsite or in-between lessons is not permitted, and the toilets are alarmed to deter this.
• Positive behaviour and effort will be recognised and celebrated by staff and peers weekly in assemblies, and termly.

 

 Mental Health Assessments / Hospital Discharges

In the instance where a student has self-harmed significantly on-site or repeatedly displayed self-injurious behaviour, presented to A&E for a Mental Health Assessment, or been discharged from an Inpatient Unit,  a 24-48+ hours rest period will be advised and actioned.

 

Before returning to school, where appropriate:

• A home visit must be completed by school staff, or parents or carers attend a meeting at school
• The risk assessment is updated, with pre-agreed home-school strategies for support
• The Community Care Plan has been discussed and planned for
• A short-term reduced timetable has been agreed by the school, the student and their parent/guardian should there be a need for this.

 Communication

It is essential that good communication is maintained between home and Stephenson Trust Post 16 Centre.  This enables all adults involved with the young person to work co-operatively in order to meet their needs.  Post 16 recognises that having a key worker assigned to make all communication home helps to build a working relationship to help support your child’s year with us.

 

Home Visits

Staff may occasionally wish to visit you at home to discuss an issue or simply to keep a regular contact or after a period of absence to conduct a welfare check.  Such visits will always be with your agreement and arranged in advance.

 

Telephone Calls

Staff at the Centre may call parent/carers on a regular basis to pass on information or simply to talk about the young person’s day.  Equally, you may wish to speak to staff at the centre, or your child’s key worker about any concerns.  If the member of staff you wish to speak with is engaged with an intervention or teaching, please leave a message so that they can return your call at the end of the day.

 

Emails

Please contact the young person’s key worker in the first instance, and they will respond or redirect the email as necessary. Always copy in the centre’s main email address in case the Key worker or form tutor is absent:

info@bridgeacademy.org.uk

 

 Medication

If a young person is taking medication for any reason, the Centre must be notified to ensure it is on their Individual Health Plans. Students should not have, or carry any medication on them, unless this has been discussed with centre staff and is being brought in to be kept locked in the office for administering by a trained member of staff.

 If medication needs to be dispensed during the school day, it must be handed in to the main office by a parent or carer, accompanied by written instructions of when and how the medication is to be taken.  This applies to prescribed medication as well as over-the-counter medicines.  All medication needs to be submitted in its original prescribed packaging with the student’s name clearly displayed.

You will be notified if your child is unwell or has an accident/injury during the school day.  It is essential that staff are able to contact you during school hours, so you will be asked to provide two emergency contact numbers in addition to your own.

 

Transport

Stephenson MK Trust do not provide transport to school from the home address.

Parents/carers can apply for transport through their council if this is a particular need. If agreed then a free bus pass, MKConnect, or school transport taxi, for the journey could be provided. We hope that as part of their goals towards independence, all students will work towards being able to use public transport efficiently and independently. It is important that students are made fully aware of the expectations of their behaviour when travelling to and from the centre; we treat our students as young adults and will expect them to behave as such in public.

On rare instances where students are transported by school transport taxi, they are required to:

• Wear a seat belt
• Be polite to the driver or escort
• To enter the centre when they are dropped off at the gates

When using the centre’s transportation, the same code of behaviour is expected.

To keep transport costs to an economic level for Milton Keynes Council, students may be required to share school taxi transport with other students travelling to the Post 16 Centre.

Students should be aware that consistent and regular refusal to follow staff instructions during educational trips and visits will impact on the student’s ability to access trips and visits provided by the school.

 

Code of Conduct

The Centre’s Code of Conduct assists students to behave in a way that shows respect for themselves and an awareness of their responsibility to other people in the Centre.  This comprises a set of agreed rules based on the rights and responsibilities of everyone in the Centre. Students are expected to follow the Post 16 Centre code of conduct and make appropriate choices in their behaviour.

 

Code of Conduct

Be ready

Be respectful

Be safe

 

Students are not allowed to smoke or vape anywhere near, on or around, or in sight of the school grounds/building.

Students need to be aware of the proximity to surrounding students from other centres.  Students’ behaviour and attitude should show their position as young adults and we will expect them to set a high standard in modelling the Post 16 Centre code of conduct.

As such, any communication and interaction should be appropriate with younger students. No banned items should be shared with younger students, or ‘left’ around the premises.

Any student that does not follow the centre’s Code of Conduct will have privileges removed and be on staged sanctions with their key worker and the Assistant Principal.  If there are serious breaches, parents may be called in for a meeting, behaviour contracts explored or suspensions from the Post 16 Centre.

 All students begin on a 4-week behaviour contract to ensure clear expectations to be able to reach their full potential with us, or we can help find an alternative pathway for them.

 

Team Teach

Team Teach offers a teambuilding approach to enable individuals and organisations to develop a full range of effective and flexible supports and encouragements for students who exhibit unsafe behaviour, becoming a risk to themselves or to others.

Team Teach emphasises a spectrum of gradual and graded responses to reduce the probability of unsafe behaviour escalating towards aggression, frustration, or violence.  When these approaches are insufficient, there are risk-reducing physical interventions (positive handling plans) which reflect the concept: ‘I care enough about you to keep you safe’.

 

The Best Interest Principle

All Team Teach training emphasises this principle, which is at the centre of the Children’s Act 1989 and the Human Rights Act 1998. All actions must be taken with the best interests of the child or adult service user as the paramount consideration; it is the first thing we think about.  Our first priority is always the safety and care of our students and staff.

 

Taking Care of Students – Positive Handling Statement

Trained staff may implement the Team Teach positive handling techniques:

• When there is imminent risk of injury or action is necessary in self-defence
• Where there is a developing risk of injury, or significant damage to property
• Where a student is behaving in a way that is compromising good order and discipline

If a student leaves the premises without permission, it may be necessary for the police to be informed and also the parent or carer to be contacted.

 

 Dress Code

The Stephenson Trust Post 16 Centre does not have a uniform as such but students are required to be clean, and should wear ‘smart/casual’ clothes. 

 Wearing pyjamas into the Post 16 Centre is not permitted.

• Jeans and joggers are permitted.
• Clothing should not be too revealing (i.e. no strappy tops, cropped tops or underwear on show)
• Wearing hoods up or hats is not permitted in the centre
• No flip flops, sliders or crocs to be worn for health and safety reasons as we carry out catering and gym lessons throughout the week.
• Where possible, comfort items should be left at home or may be asked to be left in reception or their locker as the Post 16 Centre attempts to emulate a work place environment for students.

Regular reminders of appropriate dress are sent throughout the year, therefore those that arrive inappropriately dressed will be asked to return home to change and will not be allowed into the Post 16 Centre.

 

 Privileges

Students are allowed to bring mobile phones to the Sixth Form Centre but these are expected to be placed into our mobile lockbox while on site in our learning environment.  Students are allowed their phones at lunch and are allowed to leave the site at lunch provided they return on time for afternoon classes. Students that cannot manage returning to site on time or become disruptive in the community may have this privilege withdrawn. 

 

Student mobile phones are brought in at their own risk.

If devices are damaged, lost or stolen, the Stephenson Trust bears no responsibility.

Lockers will be provided to all students at the start of the school year with a £5 deposit to ensure the key is returned.  Should a student lose their locker key there is a £5 replacement charge.

 

Food and Drink

Students are supplied with a choice of a hot lunch or sandwich onsite daily however students are welcome to bring their own packed lunch into school if that is their preference.

In addition, there is also an onsite tuck shop for students to buy snacks and drinks using our School Money payment system to top up their accounts. 

Water and squash will be available to students throughout the day, and fruit is often available with toast or bagels for breakfast.  We ask that all students do not consume food or drinks in their lesson classrooms.   

 

Please note: No energy drinks are permitted in the Post 16 Centre, due to the negative impact these can have on attention and health.

 

Timetable & Curriculum

Students will study a range of Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications depending on their pathway which is discussed at the interview stage, attending either Tuesday-Friday or Monday-Thursday.

Individual timetables will be organised for students who need bespoke plans for English/Maths or both if they have achieved a Grade 4+.  Or for those who have not yet achieved GCSEs, interventions to support this progress will be developed.

 

Students may also choose to sign up for:

• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
• Emergency First Aid in the Workplace training
• Additional learning via our online platform: Training Express

 

Work Experience

Students, when ready, will be invited to take part in work experience placements, which will enhance their CV and enable them to have a realistic understanding of the world of work, in a supportive environment.

 

Students may wish to work with a family member or friend. If this is the case, the student will need to inform their key worker as soon as possible, as health and safety checks need to be completed for a work experience placement to go ahead.

 

Students will have help through the Post 16 Centre to prepare for work experience. There are options to trial a placement before committing to it and extended placements can last for a whole working day, one day per week for up to a year.  Students will need to fill out application forms for this and will experience an interview - all good practice for their next steps.

 

 Term Dates

We will send home letters about our start dates in September, which tends to be the second week of September – mirroring college start times.  We then follow the Trust Calendar as outlined below for our School Holidays – however we do cut the summer term short, finishing in June after the summer exam series.  We send reminder texts and letters home with regards to our breaks to remind parents and carers throughout the year.

Please note these are our site opening dates, but individual timetables are produced to indicate if your child will attend Monday-Thursday (lunch time) or Tuesday to Friday (lunch time)

 

 Progress & Assessment

Students at the Stephenson Trust Post 16 centre are assessed regularly to check on progress and development; there are both informal and formal methods of assessment at various points through the year.

 

Parents and Carers will receive Progress Check data in the Autumn term and Spring term, with a full portfolio record of their achievements presented to them at our graduation in June.  In addition, it is possible to meet subject teachers, and other staff, at any point throughout the year for updates on their progress.  Key workers will be in contact regularly about how your child is doing at Post 16 both socially and academically.

 

 Fire Regulations & Lockdowns

We have regular fire drills and lockdown procedures.  When the alarm sounds all students and visitors are expected to remain calm and follow the directions of staff.  In the case of a fire alarm, students are to make their way to the exits as directed by staff and congregate at the allocated area for a register, which is the car park at the back of the school. 

 

 School Closures

School closures are often unforeseen and communicating closures to parents can be difficult.  We attempt to minimise any disruption this may cause and therefore would like to inform all parents/carers of the best route to find out what is happening.

 

If you think we may be closed, for example, when there is heavy snowfall or bad weather, you can find out in the following ways:

 

• Check the school website
• Log into the www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/schoolclosures
• Local radio: Listen to Heart 103.3 Radio or BBC Three Counties Radio
• Contact reception via the website details

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