Bellemoor School | Southampton

Home to School Transport

Children qualify for free transport or travel expenses on public transport from home to school if:

• a) they attend their designated school (or school nearer to their home than the designated school) and
• b) the distance (measured by the shortest practible walking distance) is more than three miles.

If parents name a school other than their designated school as their first preference, and are unsuccessful in their application, and then do not get a place at their designated school, the child will not be entitled to free transport/travel expenses on public transport, even if he/she attends a school which is more than three miles from home. Parents will have had the opportunity of a place at their designated school, including entitlement to free transport as outlined above, and will have made the decision not to take up this opportunity, so foregoing the entitlement to free transport. Parents are responsible for their child's attendance at school, whether or not public transport is provided.

Public Transport

A high standard of behaviour is expected at all times from boys using public transport.

The Arts

All pupils are encouraged to take part in The Arts. There is a range of extra curricular activities in drama, art and music. The school organises visits to exhibitions, plays, concerts and musicals and has links with the Southampton Art Gallery and Art at Hilliers Gardens. Performances are often taken to local schools and there are curriculum links with Tauntons College, City College, Regents Park School, and local feeder  schools. All styles of music are studied from Classical to Rock and ethnic music. In Art pupils study sculpture, print making and computer art as well as painting and drawing

Drama

Drama is central to the life of Bellemoor School. Boys are encouraged to perform. We hold regular performances in school for parents, friends and pupils, and in our feeder schools. In addition to the excellent curriculum we offer a very popular Drama Club. Drama also makes an immense contribution to personal and social development.

Careers

 Careers education commences in Year 7 and in Year 9 a Looking Forward Day is held when the boys meet representatives from the Careers Service, Tauntons College and Hampshire Learning and Skills Council. Careers education intensifies in Year 10 and every pupil will undertake a two week Work Experience which is arranged through Project Trident.

Spending time on Work Experience enables pupils to develop their appreciation of work and economic and industrial understanding and helps them to make the transition from school to work. The school has a close relationship with the Careers Service, who are represented at parents evenings, as well as being available to Year 11 pupils on a regular basis. There is a well-equipped careers section in the school library. A careers assistant and specialist staff are also available.

Personal, Social, Citizenship andHealth Education

P.S.C.H.E. is now delivered as part of the currculum by a team of specialist teachers, covering a wide variety of relevant issues. The main focus is the development of each individual as he moves through the school, concentrating on aspects of selfawareness, healthy living, developing relationships and citizenship. The schools drug education and sex education policies are promoted in this curriculum area providing up to date information for all pupils and their parents, allowing the individual to make informed decisions about a healthy and safe lifestyle. Having made P.S.C.H.E. a compulsory subject for all pupils, we feel we are showing that we are  ommitted to helping boys develop into young men.

We aim to help them avoid the pitfalls of modern living. Citizenship is given in accordance with the National  urriculum Guidelines. It is seen as a way of laying the foundation for the future, where pupils will feel confident in being part of the wider Community. Citizenship  ducation is about helping pupils understand the rights and responsibilities they have as members of society. The programme of study throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, develops the pupils awareness of the world in which they live, helping them to acknowledge and appraise issues that affect them both now and in the future. The teaching is a progression throughout both Key Stages and is designed to develop the three strands of Citizenship education, knowledge, skills of enquiry and  ommunication and participation and responsible action. A balanced programme over the five years ensures that pupils obtain the skills that are essential to becoming active citizens.

Medical Matters

The school has assistants who are responsible for both first aid and the maintenance of medical records. Medical inspections are arranged from time to time.Parents should let the Headteacher know on entry if there is any special medical history which may affect their son. If any special medical treatment has to be given regularly throughout the day, arrangements must be made for the medicine to be in the safe keeping of the Welfare Assistant and full details of the necessary reatment given. If a boy becomes ill at school, he will be taken to the Welfare Assistant in the General Office. Whenever necessary, parents are contacted and arrangements made for the boy to be returned home.

Opportunities for Improved learning for boys with Special Needs

In accordance with Government Policy, extra opportunities for improved learning have been offered to pupils with the greatest special and social needs. An Inclusion Centre has been open since September 2000. (Bellemoor Inclusion Centre). The centre has a very high staff to pupil ratio and pupils are given intensive intruction, especially in the basics. Behaviour modification programmes are followed. The National Curriculum is taught, and guidance for progress in learning and socially acceptable behaviour given.