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PARENTS' INFORMATION
We've compiled lots of information here for new parents and current alike. We hope you'll find everything you need to know about day to day life and things you might need. If not, just get in touch or ask a teacher and if we don't know, we'll find out.
WHOLE SCHOOL
WHOLE SCHOOL
Follow these links for information relevant to all students from Nursery through Sixth Form.
Contacting staff: you are welcome to call or email us at any time. You can send emails to staff using the format firstnamelastname@frensham.org
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How big are your classes?We have one class per year group from Nursery up to Year 3 with small numbers to ensure individual attention. This splits into two classes per year group in Years 4, 5 and 6 with up to 18 per class. In Years 7 and 8, there are usually three tutor groups per year with 16 or 18 students in each. In Year 9, there are four tutor groups. The GCSE and A Level class sizes vary depending on the popularity of student subject choices.
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What clothes can students wear?We don’t have a uniform, we just ask our students to dress for purpose. Students are free to express their individuality through their clothes as long as it doesn’t interfere with their school day or cause any distraction or offence. Please also ensure that your child has sensible footwear, including waterproof or walking boots and everyday shoes.
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Can students have bicycles on site?Yes, from Year 7 – please make sure it is insured and in good working order with a strong lock. All students who have a bicycle at school are asked to sign a Bike Contract, which states the basic expectations on safe and considerate use of bicycles in and around school. Apart from those in the Sixth Form, all students need to wear a bicycle helmet.
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Can students bring medication to school?All medications, including over-the-counter medications, must be handed to the Health Centre on arrival for safe keeping.
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Do students need a school bag and stationery?Yes, please make sure the bag is suitable for students to carry their books around our vast site. Please also bring a pencil case, pencils, pens, erasers, colouring pencils, etc. It's a good idea to name all personal items.
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What proportion of students board?We offer boarding from Year 7 upwards - roughly 25% of the students board either as full, weekly or flexi 3 day boarders. Where we have space, students are welcome for an 'occasional night' boarding as well. This should be booked with the boarding house. During the school week there is no differentiation between day and boarding students.
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How do you handle discipline?Our disciplinary measures are based on mutual respect and self-discipline. We use discussion rather than detention and set targets for changes in behaviour. Depending on the nature of the situation, discussions will occur between the student/s and their teacher or with the Head of School, Deputy Head or Head and if the situation escalates disciplinary sanctions may be used. Aggressive language, shouting and detentions are not used by any staff at Frensham.
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Can my child take part in competitive sports?We have over 450 sporting fixtures each year for students who love competitive games. If you want your children to love sport, love going to matches and know how to win or lose well, then that’s what they’ll get here. As well as the main sports, we also offer mountain biking, high ropes, surfing trips, hill walking, rock climbing. At the end of the day, our goal is for students to be fit and healthy.
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Why do teachers use their first names?We have a very different style of relationship between teachers and students. The teachers are still authority figures, but they aren’t frightening or distant. Using first names breaks down a barrier and creates a relationship based on mutual respect rather than reverence. It helps to create a culture of open and honest communication which flows both ways and puts the students in good stead for the real world. Students are treated as equals here at Frensham and leave with the confidence to speak with adults and people in positions of authority.
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Do you have a space for my child?We fill up quickly from Year 2 upwards so it is worth registering interest as soon as possible. All students who want to be included in the entrance process for entry into all year groups must be registered in advance. Please get in touch at admissions@frensham.org or call 01252 792 561 before registering to see if we have space. The majority of students join for Nursery, Reception, Years 4, 5, 7, 9 and 12, but we welcome interest in other year groups if there is space
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Do you offer scholarships or bursaries?We offer Honorary Scholarships in Academic, Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Sport. These do not have monetary value but they recognise and celebrate excellence. Scholars have access to a bespoke enrichment programme, with events and trips organised throughout the school year. Means-tested bursaries are available. For more information, please contact admissions@frensham.org
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Do you specialise in supporting children with learning difficulties?Unfortunately, we are only able to provide support for children with mild learning difficulties as we only have a small Support for Learning team.
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Do you follow a curriculum? A timetable?We do follow curriculums and class timetables throughout the school. The difference at Frensham is that we can breakaway from the lesson plan if the students aren't truly absorbed, if a different approach is needed - or head outdoors if it will enrich the lesson. Our classrooms are set up for discussions and group work rather than in a linear, face-the-front arrangement and we don’t have a traditional hierarchical system among teachers or students, but there is a strong underlying structure to all aspects of the school.
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Why don't you have uniforms?Young people need an opportunity to express themselves and to become who they want to become. Don’t be frightened by the non-uniform policy, we haven’t had a school uniform for over 40 years and our students don’t feel the pressure to show off, they simply want to be comfortable. We do have standards and importantly we do have expectations, but it allows students to express themselves and also prepares them for the real world, whether it be university or professional life. In essence, wearing their own clothes helps children feel more at ease and therefore in a better frame of mind to learn.
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Would your school be suitable for a very academic child?We have a lot of very academic children. We offer a balanced curriculum where students are exposed to traditional academic subjects alongside the creative and performing arts and physical and outdoor education. We encourage students to learn for themselves, to think independently rather than simply study for results. If your child is very academic, open-minded and self-motivated, they will thrive here.
A message from the Director of Support for Learning
If your child has had a previous or current specialist teacher, speech and language therapist or occupational therapist’s report, can you please ensure that we have this information in the Support for Learning Department. Equally, I would be grateful if you could please send in a copy of any Educational Psychologist’s report that you may have for your child. These reports are vital in informing class and subject teachers of relevant needs.
- Beverley Wrigglesworth
Director of Support for Learning
A message from the Head of Boarding
Full, weekly, 3 day flexi and occasional boarding are available to all our students from Year 7 upwards.
Occasional boarding is adhoc on a first come, first serve basis - 2 days equivalent per week/per term for Years 7-9 and 1 day for Years 10 and up. The occasional boarding rate is £87.60 per night.
We also offer a two week boarding experience to day students once in their time at the school. The cost for this is £600.
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-Sian Owens
Head of Boarding
A message from the Frensham Heights Library
Find amazing people: come to the library. This busy environment has a full-time librarian and is found in a light and airy skylit, recently refurbished gable space of Flottage. The reading club meets here weekly and the rooms are frequently used for teaching. The walls are lined with nearly 14,000 books, magazines and DVD’s, with a strong bias towards Young Adult Fiction. There are also digital resources and ebooks available.
Visitors can sink in to the leather armchairs or sofa or make use of the seating/workspace for 34, including networked workstations. Wifi is available throughout. Students and staff can also make use of the mini café and the enquiry station where anyone can search the web-based library management system.
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- Noel Rasmussen
Librarian
JUNIOR SCHOOL
JUNIOR SCHOOL
KEY CONTACTS
Junior School: 01252 797408 | click to email
Main School: 01252 792561
After School Club: 01252 797431
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Head of Junior School: Nick Oram-Tooley
Junior School Administrator: Olivia Hannon
SIXTH FORM
KEY CONTACTS
Main School: 01252 792561
Roberts House: 01252 797490
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Head of Sixth Form: Charlie Bennett
Head of Roberts House: Will Paskell
Sixth Form Pastoral Lead: Pippa Gaut
Sixth Form Progress Lead: Alison Bundy
Deputy Head of Roberts House: David Lloyd
Houseparent of Roberts House: Colette Hill
SIXTH FORM
BOARDING
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How big are your classes?We have one class per year group from Nursery up to Year 3 with small numbers to ensure individual attention. This splits into two classes per year group in Years 4, 5 and 6 with up to 18 per class. In Years 7 and 8, there are usually three tutor groups per year with 16 or 18 students in each. In Year 9, there are four tutor groups. The GCSE and A Level class sizes vary depending on the popularity of student subject choices.
-
What clothes can students wear?We don’t have a uniform, we just ask our students to dress for purpose. Students are free to express their individuality through their clothes as long as it doesn’t interfere with their school day or cause any distraction or offence. Please also ensure that your child has sensible footwear, including waterproof or walking boots and everyday shoes.
-
Can students have bicycles on site?Yes, from Year 7 – please make sure it is insured and in good working order with a strong lock. All students who have a bicycle at school are asked to sign a Bike Contract, which states the basic expectations on safe and considerate use of bicycles in and around school. Apart from those in the Sixth Form, all students need to wear a bicycle helmet.
-
Can students bring medication to school?All medications, including over-the-counter medications, must be handed to the Health Centre on arrival for safe keeping.
-
Do students need a school bag and stationery?Yes, please make sure the bag is suitable for students to carry their books around our vast site. Please also bring a pencil case, pencils, pens, erasers, colouring pencils, etc. It's a good idea to name all personal items.
-
What proportion of students board?We offer boarding from Year 7 upwards - roughly 25% of the students board either as full, weekly or flexi 3 day boarders. Where we have space, students are welcome for an 'occasional night' boarding as well. This should be booked with the boarding house. During the school week there is no differentiation between day and boarding students.
-
How do you handle discipline?Our disciplinary measures are based on mutual respect and self-discipline. We use discussion rather than detention and set targets for changes in behaviour. Depending on the nature of the situation, discussions will occur between the student/s and their teacher or with the Head of School, Deputy Head or Head and if the situation escalates disciplinary sanctions may be used. Aggressive language, shouting and detentions are not used by any staff at Frensham.
-
Can my child take part in competitive sports?We have over 450 sporting fixtures each year for students who love competitive games. If you want your children to love sport, love going to matches and know how to win or lose well, then that’s what they’ll get here. As well as the main sports, we also offer mountain biking, high ropes, surfing trips, hill walking, rock climbing. At the end of the day, our goal is for students to be fit and healthy.
-
Why do teachers use their first names?We have a very different style of relationship between teachers and students. The teachers are still authority figures, but they aren’t frightening or distant. Using first names breaks down a barrier and creates a relationship based on mutual respect rather than reverence. It helps to create a culture of open and honest communication which flows both ways and puts the students in good stead for the real world. Students are treated as equals here at Frensham and leave with the confidence to speak with adults and people in positions of authority.
-
Do you have a space for my child?We fill up quickly from Year 2 upwards so it is worth registering interest as soon as possible. All students who want to be included in the entrance process for entry into all year groups must be registered in advance. Please get in touch at admissions@frensham.org or call 01252 792 561 before registering to see if we have space. The majority of students join for Nursery, Reception, Years 4, 5, 7, 9 and 12, but we welcome interest in other year groups if there is space
-
Do you offer scholarships or bursaries?We offer Honorary Scholarships in Academic, Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Sport. These do not have monetary value but they recognise and celebrate excellence. Scholars have access to a bespoke enrichment programme, with events and trips organised throughout the school year. Means-tested bursaries are available. For more information, please contact admissions@frensham.org
-
Do you specialise in supporting children with learning difficulties?Unfortunately, we are only able to provide support for children with mild learning difficulties as we only have a small Support for Learning team.
-
Do you follow a curriculum? A timetable?We do follow curriculums and class timetables throughout the school. The difference at Frensham is that we can breakaway from the lesson plan if the students aren't truly absorbed, if a different approach is needed - or head outdoors if it will enrich the lesson. Our classrooms are set up for discussions and group work rather than in a linear, face-the-front arrangement and we don’t have a traditional hierarchical system among teachers or students, but there is a strong underlying structure to all aspects of the school.
-
Why don't you have uniforms?Young people need an opportunity to express themselves and to become who they want to become. Don’t be frightened by the non-uniform policy, we haven’t had a school uniform for over 40 years and our students don’t feel the pressure to show off, they simply want to be comfortable. We do have standards and importantly we do have expectations, but it allows students to express themselves and also prepares them for the real world, whether it be university or professional life. In essence, wearing their own clothes helps children feel more at ease and therefore in a better frame of mind to learn.
-
Would your school be suitable for a very academic child?We have a lot of very academic children. We offer a balanced curriculum where students are exposed to traditional academic subjects alongside the creative and performing arts and physical and outdoor education. We encourage students to learn for themselves, to think independently rather than simply study for results. If your child is very academic, open-minded and self-motivated, they will thrive here.
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