It is the goal of NCBIS to provide a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and to offer opportunities in which all students may realise their academic potential. Therefore you are expected to:

• Arrive to class on time.

• Enter and leave classes in a quiet and orderly manner.

• Obey the specific safety rules displayed in practical rooms and science laboratories.

• Sit in silence when waiting for the teacher to begin the lesson, when the teacher is talking and whenever the register is being called.

• Get your equipment out straight away and then place your bag neatly on the floor, safely out of the way.

• Obtain the teacher’s permission before talking or moving from your place.

• Tidy up the tables and chairs at the end of each lesson, ensure that no rubbish has been left behind and then wait silently to be formally dismissed by the teacher.

For study periods, students are to report to the appropriate member of staff who will take the register and then supervise the student during the period. Students are expected to be punctual and organised, as with all lessons and an atmosphere of quiet study will be maintained (walkmans are not allowed).

A Sixth Former can be placed in supervised study periods for some or all of his/her non-contact time if his/her attitude, effort or grades are below the expected levels or if he/she is failing to make the most of such time. It can also be used as a sanction for other issues.

Brain Friendly Learning & Study Skills

Learning should be a fun way to expand your mind.  Long gone are the days of sitting in silence for hours listening to the teacher.  At NCBIS we believe that learning is most effective when it is interactive and relevant for all students therefore, teaching encompasses visual, kinaesthetic and auditory approaches to appeal to all learning styles.  Whatever your preferred type make sure you use it when studying at home!

Revision Strategies:  

Where and when?

• Use a table so you can space out your work.

• Find a quiet place with good lighting.

• Don’t leave it too late – early evening is best.

• Revise in short 15-20 minute blocks, then take a 5 minute break.

• Spend time making a revision timetable to help organise your time.

How?  Here are some ideas.

• Read – Cover – Write – Check.  Read a double page of notes, then cover and see what you can remember, then try again!

• Mind Maps (the mapping out of great ideas) – use lots of colour, key words and pictures to trigger your memory.

• Make revision cards – consolidation of information.

• Highlight key points or key words.

• Make a key word chart, or put them on post-it-notes!

• Get some one to test you.

• Make up rhymes or songs.

• Record your notes onto tapes and listen to them on the bus.

• Look at past papers.

Attendance

Good attendance is essential for effective learning, particularly in Years 10-13.  Therefore, travel during term time should be kept to a minimum and must be approved in advance (a minimum of 14 days)  by the Head of School.

• The school requires at least 85% attendance throughout a course to guarantee entering that student for any external exams.
• Lessons continue until the last day of each term so please avoid early departures. 
• Reports or grade sheets are handed out at the end of each half term so if a student has received permission to leave early they should organise the collection of such papers in advance with the Head of School.
• If a student is absent they must arrange for work to be sent home by contacting the Secondary School Secretary.
• Any leave of absence that has not been granted by the school or applied for will be treated as unauthorised.

The School Day

Registration                   8:00am-8:10am

Period 1                        8:10am-8:50am

Period 2                        8:50am-9:30am

Period 3                        9:35am-10.15am

Period 4                        10.15am-10.55am

Break                            10:55am-11:20am

Period 5                        11:20am-12:00pm

Period 6                        12:00pm-12:35pm

Lunch                           12:35pm-1:15pm

Period 7                        1:15pm-1:55pm

Period 8                        1:55pm-2:30pm

Punctuality

• All students must be in their tutor room by 8.00 am. 
• If a student is ill, a parent or guardian must phone between 8.05-8.35 am to inform the school.  Upon return, the student must hand a signed note from their parent or guardian to their form tutor, explaining the absence.
• Students who arrive late to school must sign in at the Secondary School Office and then proceed to class.
• Reoccurring lateness will result in first a break time detention, then an after school detention.

End of Day Procedures

At the end of the school day students are expected to leave the school premises as soon as possible.   Only students involved with an ECA are permitted to remain at the school until 4.00pm.  Students who are collected by private transport should wait with the security guard at the entrance to the school.

Homework

• Homework is important for all students to ensure they maximise their learning and become active and independent thinkers.  A homework timetable will be distributed to all students in Key Stage 3 at the beginning of the academic year.
• Homework will be given each day and should be recorded in their planner.
•  Homework can take many forms so even if it is a reading task it must be written down and homework completed thoroughly.
• Homework must be finished by the deadline.  If a deadline is missed a warning will be given, if this occurs again a detention will be issued.
• Home study should take place in a quiet venue with good lighting and a desk.
• In KS3 & 4 homework must be checked by a parent or guardian and planner signed once a week to acknowledge this has been done.

Homework Guidelines

• Year 7, 8 & 9            1-2 hours, 4 nights a week plus 2-4 hours at the weekend.
• Year 10 & 11            2-3 hours, 4 nights a week plus 4-6 hours at the weekend.
• Year 12 & 13            1 hour minimum for every double lesson of contact time.

Students can expect the workload to rise in the period leading up to exams.

School Buses

Students will be given a bus schedule at the beginning of the academic year.  They will be informed in advance if there are any changes to this.

Students must remember the following when travelling on a school bus:

• Be punctual!  The bus will not wait for late students as it will affect the whole bus route.

• Behave as you would in school!

• Help younger pupils if they travel on your bus.

• Use your seat belt.

• Report any problems to the bus monitor.  If problems remain, inform the Head of  Pastoral.

If there are problems with a student on the bus then the following procedures will take place:

First time                  a warning

Second time            a second warning and a phone call home

Third time                a phone call home and a day off the bus

Fourth time              a phone call home and a week off the bus

If the problems continue to occur the school has the right to exclude a student from school transportation.

If a student wishes a friend to travel home with them a letter from the parent or guardian must be given to the Head of Pastoral at least 48 hours in advance.  Permission will not always be granted, but the student will be informed in advance of the decision.