At Belmont Academy we work within the framework of the values promoted by South Ayrshire Council:
• help for those who need it most • service to others
• commitment to quality public services • lifelong education
• pride in the community • partnership
Building on these we have as a school, developed our own aims and these are:
1 To promote and develop enquiring minds by providing
• the most effective learning and teaching for all pupils
• a wide range of study and activity programmes for all pupils
• challenging and well resourced courses to stretch and motivate all pupils
• a climate which encourages success and a sense of achievement for all
2 To be a purposeful and caring community by creating
• both value and praise cultures for everyone in the school
• strong pastoral support for all pupils through the Guidance structure
• good and dynamic relationships between pupils, staff and parents
• a code of conduct which encourages responsible behaviour
• a positive and stimulating working environment where values, responsibilities and expectations are shared
• a stimulating and positive environment where all flourish
• opportunities for staff to develop, personally and professionally
3 To prepare our pupils to fulfil their potential by giving them
• the necessary intellectual and practical skills for a secure place within society
• a lasting appreciation of health and fitness and the pursuit of artistic and cultural activities
• the confidence to cope with the demands and pressures of popular culture
• involvement in the wider community and an understanding of the needs of
society, tolerance, respect and equity in relationships with other people
• the intellectual and personal confidence to allow them to take advantage of all opportunities open to them as individuals and citizens
CONTENTS
Welcome to Belmont Academy 1
General Information 7
Associated Primary School, The School Day, The School Year, Accommodation, Enrolment, Attendance, Latecomers, Discipline, Clothing and Kit, Transport,
Placing Requests, Health and Medical Care, Religious Education and Observance,
Information in Emergencies, Data Protection Act 1984
The Staff 17
Teaching Staff, Non-Teaching Staff
Duties of Senior Staff
The Guidance System 22
Careers Guidance
The School Board 24
Links with Parents 26
Parent-Teacher Association Meetings
The Curriculum 27
Courses and Class Organisation - Years S1 and S2, Years S3 and S4,
Years S5 and S6, Pupils with Learning Difficulties, Assessment,
Reports to Parents, Prize-Giving Ceremony, Homework, The Library
Examinations 37
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Awards,
Other Results and Achievements
School/Community Links 41
Important Addresses 42
Appendix 1: Statistical data provided by Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED)
Transferring Educational Data about Pupils, Pupil Attendance & Absence,
Attendance Data, Budgeted school running costs, Examination results,
Leavers Destinations, 5-14 Attainment levels
THE BELMONT EXPERIENCE
Headteacher: Mr Alan Moir
Belmont Academy is a successful and exciting secondary school which is committed to getting the best from and for its young people.
The school has a great deal to offer -
• a hardworking and committed teaching staff
• a broad and challenging curriculum
• an all pervasive Guidance system which supports every pupil and establishes strong home school links
• a high level of success in national examinations and the realisation of everyone’s personal potential
• a wide range of sporting and non sporting extra curricular activities
• a strong sense of identification by the pupils with the school
• a culture of success and achievement within the whole school community
All of this contributes to what we believe is the “Belmont Experience”. Everyone in the Academy is proud to be part of it - the high level of uniform wearing (for which we are grateful) is a testament of this - and is working to ensure that Belmont Academy continues to be one of the leading schools in Scotland providing an education of the highest quality.
We are certain that once pupils are part of that community they will feel valued members of it and that, by taking up what the Academy has to offer, their potential will be realised, their ambitions met and their secondary education will prove to be a most positive one. That is the “Belmont Experience” and one we are working constantly to maintain and develop.
In August 2001 the Quality and Standards Report of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of School was published. This followed the whole school inspection which took place in March and April 2001.
In the report the key strengths of the school were identified as:
· The school’s courteous and polite pupils and their response to their teachers’ high expectations of standards of work and behaviour.
· The wide range of extra-curricular activities, educational visits and fund-raising for various charities.
· The very good links with parents and the local community.
· The high levels of attainment in Standard Grade and Higher Grade examinations.
· The pastoral care of pupils.
· The support of pupils within the learning support department.
· The commitment and influence of the headteacher and his depute.
THE PUPIL PERSPECTIVE
Year Councils and the School Council
Mr Moir has already given an introduction to the school’s handbook, however as School Captains we thought we would add a little something.
When we first started Belmont, the range of subjects that we encountered was excellent. However, over the years the foundation of subjects has been built on to include a more prominent IT course and a superb Home Economics course where the facilities have just been refurbished. Belmont also offers the opportunity for pupils to go on to study such subjects as: Economics, Graphic Design, Accountancy and Business Studies, all subjects that have increasing popularity. As pupils who have gone through the Belmont Experience, we feel that every academic need is catered for.
First year at secondary school can be a daunting experience for many. However at Belmont we take this on board, and give our new first years a chance to voice their opinions. This consultation continues throughout their time in Belmont and takes place in the form of Year Councils. Each register class elects two representatives to serve on the School Council, which we as School Captains chair. At all these councils the pupils’ views are expressed and taken into account, giving the pupils a chance to make a difference.
Although we both have different strengths in the academic curriculum, we can both say with confidence that our potential has been maximized. We are certain that this will be your experience as well.
Rebecca Bernklow - Head Girl
Mark Rackham - Head Boy
GENERAL INFORMATION
The school address is: Belmont Academy, Belmont Road, Ayr, KA7 2PG
The School Telephone Number is: Ayr 01292 281733 while the School Fax Number is 01292 611113
The Scottish Qualification Authority centre number for the school is 8235732
Belmont Academy is a 6 year co-educational, non-denominational, comprehensive secondary school with an agreed capacity of 1645.
School Roll at August 2003 was
1st Year 222
2nd Year 230
3rd Year 215
4th Year 236
5th Year 167
6th Year 129
Total Roll 1199
Currently there are 81.2 staff in post (full time equivalent)
The likely First Year Intake for August 2004 is 230. Over the next three years the estimated rolls are:-
2004-2005 1210
2005-2206 1212
2006-2207 1215
The Academy enjoys close links with its four associated primary schools:
Alloway Primary School Doonfoot Primary School
16 Doonholm Road Abbot’s Way
AYR AYR
KA7 4QQ KA7 4HJ
Head Teacher: Mr Michael Hunter Headteacher: Mrs Linda Nicholson
Telephone 01292 441802 Telephone: 01292 443208
Holmston Primary School Kincaidston Community School
Holmston Road Cranesbill Court
AYR Kincaidston
KA7 3BB AYR
KA7 3YP
Head Teacher: Mr Tom Burnett Head Teacher: Mrs Carol Shearing Telephone 01292 264938 Telephone 01292 266686
Pupils also come to the Academy from other primary schools through Placing Requests, forms for which may be obtained from the local primary school or the Department of Education, Culture & Lifelong Learning at County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr.
The School Day
The Academy operates on a 30 period week with 6 periods every day. The school day is:
Registration 8.55a.m. - 9.05a.m.
Period 1 9.05a.m. - 10.00a.m.
Period 2 10.00a.m. - 10.55a.m.
Interval 10.55a.m. - 11.10a.m.
Period 3 11.10a.m. - 12.00p.m.
Period 4 12.00p.m. - 12.50p.m.
Lunch 12.50p.m. - 1.45p.m.
Period 5 1.45p.m. - 2.40p.m.
Period 6 2.40p.m. - 3.35p.m.
We have six Houses in the school – House Assemblies are held on a fortnightly cycle:
Week 1 Tuesday - Arran Week 2 Tuesday - Bute
Wednesday - Craig Wednesday - Lomond Thursday - Cumbrae Thursday - Kintyre
Mr Moir conducts each Assembly at which there is a Bible reading or appropriate poem or story followed by the Lord’s Prayer and announcements.
Classes not at Assembly go to their registration rooms with their register teacher for morning registration and at this time they are given the information provided at Assembly in the Main Hall.
Every Friday one of our chaplains – Mr Alistair Simmons of the Riverside Church or Rev Peter Park of Castlehill Parish Church take a joint assembly of S1 to S3 of three Houses. Thus these year groups all meet the chaplain every second Friday.
The School Year
FIRST TERM: Teachers return to duty Monday 16 Aug 2004
Pupils return Wednesday 18 Aug 2004
Local holiday Friday & Monday 17 & 20 Sept 2004
MID TERM: Close Friday 15 Oct 2004
Teachers (In service) Monday 25 Oct 2004
Re-open (Pupils) Tuesday 26 Oct 2004
Close Wednesday 22 Dec 2004
SECOND TERM: Re-open Thursday 6 Jan 2005
MID TERM: Close Thursday 10 Feb 2005
Local holiday Friday & Monday 11 & 14 Feb 2005
Teachers (In service) Tuesday 15 Feb 2005
Pupils return Wednesday 16 Feb 2005
Close Friday 24 Mar 2005
THIRD TERM: Re-open Monday 11 Apr 2005
May Day Holiday Monday 2 May 2005
Teachers (In-service) Thursday 26 May 2005
Local holiday Friday & Monday 27 & 30 May 2005
Close Friday 29 June 2005
SESSION 2005/06 Teachers return to duty* Tuesday 16 Aug 2005
Pupils return* Wednesday 17 Aug 2005
*Provisional dates
Accommodation
The Belmont Academy Campus consists of four main teaching blocks:
A Block - 4 floors
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Art, Business Studies, Technical.
B Block - 4 floors
English, Modern Languages, Music, Science, Lecture Theatre, Drama Studio, Medical Suite, Guidance Staff Offices, Conference Room and Registration Room and the office of Mr Anderson and Mr McPhail
Main Building - C Block - 2 floors and part 3 floors
Assembly Hall, Sixth Year Common Room, Library, Dining Hall, Departments of History, Geography, Computing, Modern Studies, Home Economics, Religious Education, English, Learning Support, Mathematics, Conference Room, two Science Labs, the Careers Base, the Main Office, the DMR Office and the offices of Mr Moir, Mr Thomson, Mrs Parker and Mr Dunlop.
Technical Workshops
A separate single storey building, situated between A Block and the P.E. Complex.
P.E. Complex
Games Hall, 2 Gymnasia, a Fitness Room, Changing Rooms and Showers, all on the ground floor level and are linked to the Social and Recreational Wing. The playing fields are situated adjacent to the P.E. Complex and provide areas for football, rugby, hockey, athletics, etc.
Community Social and Recreational Wing
Lounge, Staff Office, Communal Area, Canteen, Toilets - is used by Pre-Nursery Groups, Senior Citizens and for adult education and recreation.
The letting of school premises is arranged through the Community Education Offices, Wellington Square, Ayr.
Enrolment
Parents of children offered or seeking a place in the school are invited to an open evening in June when, after a short address by the Head Teacher, parents may visit the various departments, meet with Senior Curricular and Guidance Staff and see something of the facilities available in the school. Arrangements and details for this meeting will be sent out via our partner Primary Schools or by letter to individual families.
Attendance
Section 30 of the 1980 Education Act lays a duty on every parent of a child of “school age” to ensure that their child attends school regularly. Attendance must be recorded twice a day, morning and afternoon.
Regulation 7 of The Education (School and Placing Information) (Scotland) Amendment, etc, Regulations 1993 requires each child’s absence from school to be recorded in the school register as authorised that is approved by the authority, or unauthorised that is unexplained by the parent (truancy) or temporarily excluded from school.
In the case of illness, the school should be informed as soon as possible of a pupil’s absence by a telephone call to the main office informing the secretary of the name, class, cause of absence and possible duration of absence. On the day the pupil returns, the Register Teacher should receive a parent’s note stating the reason for absence and dates. The School Attendance Officer will investigate any unexplained absences and the Attendance Committee has the power to write, interview, or prosecute parents, or to refer to the Reporter to the Children’s Panel if necessary.
Every effort should be made to avoid family holidays during term time as this both disrupts the child’s education and reduces learning time. Parents should inform the school by letter, before going on holiday, of the dates. Such absence will be authorised only where attendance is otherwise satisfactory. Clearly, where attendance is unsatisfactory absence is unauthorised.
Parents may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school to make an extended visit to relatives. Only written requests detailing the destination, the duration and the provision that will be made for their continuing education will be granted and the pupil noted as an authorised absentee in the register.
Clearly with no explanation from the parent, the absence is unauthorised.
Latecomers
Pupils arriving after 9.05am and thus too late for registration are expected to report to Mr Anderson/Mr McPhail’s office in B Block to register their presence at school, otherwise they will be marked ABSENT. Latecoming is recorded and persistent offenders are seen by the Housestaff.
Information about Belmont Academy’s Attendance rate is printed in the Appendix .