New to Cottesloe Information

Please our dedicated page | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/transition-support

Can I have a copy of the Meet the Tutor Presentation?

Here is the presentation

I live or am planning to move to one of the new-build estates, is The Cottesloe School my catchment school?

Please use the Bucks Council school postcode checker to find your catchment school.

What happens if I need to drop my child off before the start of the school day/ collect later than 3 pm?

Registration starts at 8:40 in the morning and the school day finishes at 3pm. Please see our wider curriculum offer for after-school activities | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/curriculum/wider-curriculum-opportunities

What is available from the canteen for lunch?

More information about food availability can be found here.

Can my child bring a mobile phone to school?

While we encourage students to leave their mobile phones at home, students may bring them to school, so long as they are switched off and in their bags before they enter the school site at the start of the day and remain there unless they are needed for an emergency and they have the express permission of a member of staff. Should you need to contact your child during the school day please contact the school office.

Will students be in the same groups for all lessons?

No, students are set for the majority of their lessons. Students will be placed in different sets for different subjects. In both KS3 and KS4 we place students in ability-based sets in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science so that learning can be effectively tailored. This setting is flexible and reviewed regularly to ensure that students are most appropriately placed.

What after-school clubs are there?

We run a range of lunchtime and after-school clubs to cater for a variety of interests. More information can be found here.

What are the term dates for next year?

Our term dates are published here and all school events can be found here https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/calendar

What will my child's timetable look like?

We operate a two-week, fifty-period timetable for all year groups. A student's Week 1 timetable is likely to be slightly different to their Week 2 timetable; as pictured below. You will find this near the bottom of the homepage.

To find out which week they are on please see this page

Can I purchase a Chromebook?

We are proud to be able to offer the opportunity for new Year 7 students to purchase Chromebooks through Tech for Schools. We will contact you with further details about when the portal opens in June. Chromebooks will need to be ordered by July to allow for delivery in September.

All information can be found here | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/students/chromebooks-for-learning

Financial support is available for those eligible for free school meals; please contact us for more information. 

Does the school have lockers?

Yes, we do, Independent Locker Solutions Limited provides lockers for The Cottesloe School students.  

The lockers are owned by Independent Locker Solutions Limited and are available for students to rent on an annual basis. Rental costs are £32 per year allowing use from September through to July. More details can be found here | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/lockers

My child is allergic to dogs/scared of dogs

We have a wellbeing therapy dog called Teddy in school so we need to make sure your child has no interactions with him. If your child is allergic to dogs there is an opt-out form (PDF) please return this form to us. 

Please see our dedicated uniform page | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/uniform-and-equipment

Please see the dedicated page | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/transport

The school operates a system for parents to drop off and collect by car during peak times. We ask all staff and Sixth Form students to not leave the site until after 3:10 pm and then only via the rear of the school (coach park gate) to reduce congestion. To remove the need for parents to park at the front of the school we have implemented the following procedure and ask all parents to abide by the guidelines set out below. 

Morning

Dropping off students: This will be done at the rear of the school, coming off the roundabout on the A418. School buses use this entrance but drop off on the far side of the coach park in the bays. Cars should take the same route as the buses and drop students near the bus shelter outside the Sports Hall. It is a busy area and buses will need to reverse so the speed will be restricted to  10mph. Please be patient and only drop students off in the designated area. This is not an area for parents to park and then come into the school. 

Afternoon

Collecting students: There will be no access to the coach park until after 3:15 pm due to the number of buses leaving the site. There is no parking by the roundabout and buses swing wide at the gate so please plan to arrive after 3:15 pm so that congestion is kept to a minimum. After 3:10 pm you will be able to drive in and collect your child(ren) from the bus shelter outside the Sports Hall. Once again, we would be grateful if cars do not travel at more than 10mph as students may be making their way to sports practice on the field. 

Staff will supervise students whilst they are being dropped off and collected. 

The coach park gates are locked during the school day and therefore parents collecting students or attending meetings during the school day should use the front school gate and use the intercom system to gain access. 

Parents are requested not to park in or near Carey Lodge or to pull up onto the pavement in the immediate surrounding areas as this causes severe congestion and is potentially dangerous. 

At The Cottesloe School, the focus of ‘Prepare, Aspire, Succeed’ is to support all our students through their  ‘Cottesloe Journey’, combining learning about and from, the world in which we live. The journey does not expect each student to follow the same path but empowers them to develop aspirations to become an excellent version of themselves, whatever their ability or background. Students gain a sense of fulfilment and success through educational and personal achievement; they aspire to achieve their best through the opportunities we offer, as preparation for becoming informed, well-educated, active citizens. 

To achieve this, The Cottesloe School has a progressive, deep and knowledge-rich curriculum that is well planned, sequenced and imaginative, encompassing the widest range of disciplines; Arts, Sciences,  Humanities, Technologies, Maths, Literacy, Languages and Sports. With clear milestones and high expectations for all students, our curriculum allows character to develop. This is promoted through healthy relationships and the 6Cs; inspiring curiosity and developing independent thinking. These skills help create well-rounded, resilient, confident young people.

Curriculum Intent | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/curriculum/curriculum-intent

Curriculum Overview | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/curriculum/curriculum-overview

Subject Info | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/curriculum/subjects

Wider Curriculum Opportunities | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/curriculum/wider-curriculum-opportunities

Please check back in Summer Term 2023

Students who are happy and feel safe and secure in their school setting are more motivated and therefore make more progress. My role at The Cottesloe School is to ensure that every child makes good progress in each subject that they are studying. I regularly visit lessons to evaluate. The progress that is being made daily, as well as meeting with a range of students to discuss their academic progress and any further support that they feel would be appropriate. This is vital in empowering students to take responsibility for their learning.  In working closely with the Senior Leadership Team,  SENDCo, Heads of Year, Heads of Department and parents, I regularly review the data on each cohort to identify the key issues in the school and to ensure that the right academic support and interventions are in place to give every student the right opportunities to excel. Additionally, each Head of Year audits the performance of their Year Group, as does each curriculum area, to identify these individual students that are underperforming. We then intervene as necessary to ensure that students remain on track to achieve their expected levels of progress and beyond. 

We carefully track and monitor the performance of our students with special educational needs, those who receive the pupil premium and our more able students. We have a comprehensive academic mentoring system to support students through their school journey and we have created a range of bespoke literacy,  numeracy and other programmes to ensure that across all years we are supporting the right students with the right personalised curriculums. We have a wide range of additional support programmes in place which directly cater for the academic and pastoral needs of those students who require such personalised provision to be in place to effectively support them in the school environment. 

For you to be able to evaluate how your child is performing you will receive regular progress reports throughout the year, identifying their current levels, targets and attitude towards learning from teachers.  Please contact me with any questions regarding order progress so that I can pass information to the right individuals who can respond quickly to any issues that might arise throughout the academic year. As well as this we welcome parents to meet with teachers and Heads of Year to discuss any progress concerns that there might be so that we can respond with appropriate support for each child.  

With such a wide range of strategies in place, we hope that each child will feel secure that they have the best possible teaching and support so that they are performing to reach their goals and aspirations. 

Mr A Passaro l Assistant Headteacher - Equality and Outcomes

Our term dates are published here and all school events can be found here https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/calendar

In March 2021 we launched our Chromebooks for Learning Scheme with the ambition of taking our student’s learning experience to a new level. In daily life, our students are surrounded by technology which they openly embrace and use as part of their learning and development. We are now extending the scheme across the whole school so that all students have the same opportunity to enhance their learning. The success of this has been overwhelming and almost every Year 7 student now has access to a Chromebook to use both in lessons and at home, which brings enormous educational benefits. The ultimate goal is for all students to either purchase their Chromebooks participate in the various loan options available.  

If you have been successful in securing a place at The Cottesloe School, then we would expect you to become part of this scheme and benefit from the opportunities that this brings to enhance your child’s education and help them on the learning pathway to success. You will be sent details of how to do this through the school but are welcome to purchase your independent device, although please note this should be a Chromebook rather than a laptop. There are various payment and support options which you will be sent nearer the time.

All information can be found here | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/students/chromebooks-for-learning

Please see our dedicated page for SEND | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/send

Please see our dedicated pages:

Safeguarding |  https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/safeguarding

Wellbeing | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/safeguarding/emotional-wellbeing

TEAM Hub | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/safeguarding/team-hub

Anti-Bullying Ambassadors | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/students/bullying

For more information and menus can be found here | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/school-meals

Payment System

We use a cashless catering system, which is being provided by Nationwide Retail Services, the leading supplier in the UK for such systems. It is a system that incorporates the latest technology and eliminates the need for students to carry cash. It is also biometric so there is no need to carry a payment card as the system will recognise the thumb of your child at the till. Students with entitlement to free school meals will have their daily allowance automatically added to their accounts. If you have any issues please contact finance@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

As part of the Induction Days in July, your child will have the opportunity to have their thumb scanned.  This will allow us to generate an account number and logging on details for ParentPay. You will receive an ‘activation’ letter after this with your login details and you will then be able to access your account, via the School’s website. If you refuse permission for biometric scanning or do not return your Admission  Forms before Induction Day, the School will not scan your child and will issue a PIN,  which can be used at the till to make payments. We can arrange for your child to be scanned at a  later date if you provide written consent.

Free School Meals 

Free school meals are available for all students in full-time education. If you think your child/ren may be eligible, please contact the school office for advice on how to apply. There are several ways the school can support those students eligible for free school meals so if your circumstances have changed please consider applying. 

Students who are eligible also attract Pupil Premium funding to the school. This funding pays for initiatives and interventions designed to support students' learning and achievement. 

Please contact office@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk if you require any assistance. 

Detailed School Map (PDF)

Simplified School Map (PDF)

The lockers are owned by Independent Locker Solutions Limited and are available for students to rent on an annual basis. Rental costs are £32 per year allowing use from September through to July. Please note all bookings terminate at the end of the school year in July.

To guarantee a locker please book online at our website www.ilsschools.co.uk Lockers for September 2022 to July 2023 will be available online from 1 June.

For more detail please see our dedicated page | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/lockers

Please see our dedicated page | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/medical-needs

The Student - I will: 

• Show respect and behave with care, courtesy and concern for other students, staff and visitors.
• Abide by the School rules/systems and look after the school environment. 
• Wear the correct uniform and take pride in my appearance. 
• Arrive punctually to the lessons ensuring that I have the correct equipment with me.
• Allow teachers to teach and students to learn. 
• Behave quietly and courteously at School, and on the way to and from school, in a way, that enhances the reputation of the School. 
• Do my Independent Learning and work hard in lessons. 

Parent/Carer - I will: 

• Ensure that our child’s attendance is good and that they arrive punctually at School and are properly equipped. 
• Support the School’s policies and guidelines. 
• Ensure my child abides by the School’s behaviour and uniform policies. 
• Support and encourage my child to complete their Independent Learning on time and to the required standard. 
• Inform the School of any problems or concerns that may affect my child’s work, behaviour or uniform at School. 
• Attend parents’ meetings, key events and other discussions regarding my child.
• Show an interest in my child’s life at school. 

The Cottesloe School - we will: 

• Create an environment in which students feel safe, secure and happy. 
• Create an environment that is conducive to learning. 
• Do our utmost to ensure that students make progress in line with their potential.
• Treat all students with respect, considering their views and opinions. 
• Allow students to take part in extra-curricular activities. 
• Enable students to take responsibility for their learning and personal development.
• Contact parents if there is a problem with attendance, punctuality, uniform or equipment.
• Lets parents know about any concerns or problems affecting their child’s welfare, work or behaviour.
• Emphasize rewards rather than sanctions to achieve high standards of behaviour. Send home regular assessments and progress reports. 
• Arrange parent consultation meetings during which their child’s progress is discussed.
• Keep parents informed about school activities through regular communications. 
• Enforce appropriate use of the internet as agreed in school policy. 

Please complete the appropriate section on the Parental Consent page of the accompanying Electronic School Admission Forms. 

Library opening times:

• Years 7 and 8 | Mondays and Wednesdays 
• Years 12 and 13 | All week 
• Years 9 and 10 | Tuesdays and Thursdays 
• Year 11 Fridays  

(other times on request) 

All students may borrow up to two books for two weeks. 

Computers are available for school work: research, homework, printing.

Curriculum support and advice are available to all students.

The internet, email, mobile technologies and online resources have become an important part of learning and life.  We want all pupils to be safe and responsible when using any IT. It is essential that pupils are aware of online risk,  know how to stay safe and know where to go to report problems and access support. 

Students are expected to read and discuss this agreement with you and then sign the appropriate section of the accompanying Admission Form Booklet and follow the terms of the agreement. Any concerns or explanations can be discussed with their form tutor in the first instance. 

• I will only use school IT equipment for school purposes. 
• I will not download or install software on school IT equipment. 
• I will only log on to the school network, other school systems and resources using my own school user name and password. 
• I will not reveal my passwords to anyone other than a parent/carer.  
• I will not use my personal email address or other personal accounts on school IT equipment.
• I will make sure that all my electronic communications are responsible and sensible.
• I understand that everything I search for, access, post or receive online can be traced now and in the future.  
• My activity can be monitored and logged and if necessary shared with teachers, parents/carers and the police if necessary. I know it is essential that I build a good online reputation.  
• I will not browse, download, upload or forward material that could be considered offensive or illegal. If I  accidentally come across any such material I will report it immediately, to a member of staff if I am in school or a parent/carer if I am not in school. 
• I will not give out my own or others’ personal information, including name, phone number, home address,  interests, schools or clubs or any personal image. I will report immediately any request for personal information, to a member of staff if I am in school or a parent/carer if I am not in school. 
• I understand that not everything I see or hear online is true, accurate or genuine. I also know that some people on the internet are not who they say they are and may have ulterior motives for assuming another identity that will put me at risk. I will gain permission from parents/carers before arranging to meet someone I only know on the internet. 
• I should never post photographs, videos or Livestream without the permission of all parties involved
• I will not upload any images, videos, sounds or words that could upset, now or in the future, any member of the school community, as this is cyberbullying. 
• I will be respectful to everyone online; I will treat everyone the way that I want to be treated. I will ensure that all my online activities, both in and outside school, will not cause distress to anyone in the school community or bring the school into disrepute. 
• I will not respond to hurtful behaviour online but will report it. I have the right to block and will say no to any inappropriate or upsetting request.  
• I will respect the privacy and ownership of others’ work online and will adhere to copyright at all times.
• I will not attempt to bypass the internet filtering system in school. 
• I will not assume that new technologies can be brought into school and will check with staff before bringing in any device. 
• I will not lie about my age to sign up for age-inappropriate games, apps or social networks. 
• I understand that these rules are designed to keep me safe now and in the future. If I break the rules, teachers will investigate, I may be disciplined and my parents/carers may be contacted. If I break the law the police may be informed. 

Please complete the appropriate section of the accompanying School Admission Forms. 

Attitude for Learning 

Expectations of all students within the School: 

1. Move around the building sensibly, considering others. 
2. Be in the right place at the right time. 
3. Follow instructions from ALL staff straight away. 
4. Help to keep the School clean, tidy and contribute to making it a ‘greener’ place to learn.
5. Wear the correct uniform at all times. 

Lesson Rules

1. Arrive on time. 
2. Bring the correct books and equipment to all lessons. 
3. Be quiet and orderly when entering or leaving the classroom. 
4. Gain the attention of the teacher appropriately. 
5. Show respect for all persons and property. 
6. Respect the right of others to listen, work and learn. 

Additional Rules 

• Students are not allowed out of School at lunchtime unless they live in Wing and have the Headteacher’s permission to go home for lunch. Students must carry a pass which will be provided by the School. 
• Make sure that all personal items, including clothing, are marked with the student’s name. ? Mobile phones, MP3 players and other devices are not allowed to be seen, heard or used during school.  
• If students need a mobile phone it must be switched off and out of sight at all times and handed in, along with valuables, during PE lessons. Students misusing mobile phones will have them confiscated and handed into student reception for safekeeping, where they will be available for collection at the end of the school day. 
• Chewing gum is not allowed in School. 
• Students misbehaving whilst travelling to and from School including on the buses or whilst representing the school will be dealt with under the School’s Behaviour for Learning policy. 

For school absence procedure please see our dedicated page | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/parent/absences

All our school policies can be found here | https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/about/policies

Attendance Officer | studentabsence@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

General Enquiries | office@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

School Uniform Shop | shop@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk 

Safeguarding | safeguarding@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

Child Protection Issue 

• The school’s safeguarding  team
• Assistant Headteacher Mrs C Hankin safeguarding@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

Pastoral Issue

• Form Tutor 
• Head Of Year 
• Assistant Headteacher 
• First Point Of  Contact

Subject Issue 

• Subject Teacher 
• Curriculum Leader 
• Assistant Headteacher With Department  
• Responsibility

Thank you for your interest in Peripatetic Music Lessons at The Cottesloe School. We are delighted to share with you the musical opportunities that are available to all of our students, which are taught by specialist instrumental teachers.

The Government recognises the many transferable skills that learning an instrument instils, as it engages every aspect of the brain all at once. Benefits range from developing spatial intelligence, improved memory, achieving better grades and enhancing social and cultural interests.

If you wish to take up or continue lessons in an instrument, please contact the relevant teacher directly, or, if you have any questions please contact a member of the Performing Arts Team.

We hope your son/daughter will enjoy the opportunity to learn an instrument and join one of our many extra-curricular ensembles.

Click the image below to see our full offering.