PARENT HANDBOOK SEPTEMBER 2020-JULY 2021
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PARENT HANDBOOK SEPTEMBER 2020-JULY 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians
Welcome to our Parent Handbook. We hope that you Should you have any questions, please, do just ask - we
will find the contents useful. are here to help. Our Receptionist, Mrs Jane Holliday
is contactable on the main school number 01280
Our website is also an important source of additional 812610, Option 1, from 7.45am to 4.00pm each day.
information. In the General Information section you can She will direct you to the correct person to help with
find school policies, term dates, a link to our uniform your query or concern. The Reception is open until
supplier and our Parent Information section. You can 7.00pm and is always manned by one of our
also follow the link to the Parents’ Association pages Administration Team. Contact details for all key
which list upcoming social events. members of staff are listed in the following pages.
The school calendar is accessible from the Homepage We are delighted to be able to welcome all our
and the Parent Information section within General students back for a new term and to welcome new
Information. You can subscribe to it through iCal which members to our Thornton family. We look forward to
saves and updates all events on your own calendar. meeting you throughout the year at our various
Upcoming school events are also listed chronologically events.
with additional event information given, such as venues,
start and finish times and who is involved, whenever With best wishes
possible.
Mrs Val Holmes
Head Teacher
SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
‘TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MEET THE
CHALLENGES OF LIFE COURAGEOUSLY,TO USE
THEIR TALENTS TO THE FULL AND TO LIVE THE
VALUES OF CHRIST’S GOSPEL’
Thornton College, Convent of Jesus and Mary, was At Thornton College we aim:
founded by the Sisters of Jesus and Mary in 1917. The
Sisters are the Trustees of the school and still have a
small community living here. To fosters students’ academic, physical and
spiritual growth; in order that we ensure that our
young people are happy, confident individuals who
are well prepared for life in a rapidly changing
The school offers each student a Catholic Christian
world.
education. This aims at the formation of the whole
person - spiritual, physical, academic and social. We
To enable our students to discover their true
believe that happy children are successful children and
potential and to work towards their full
this is at the heart of what we try to achieve at development; in order that we encourage
Thornton. We try to maintain a strong sense of unity students to see themselves and what they have to
and purpose amongst the staff, students and parents so offer in the context of the wider community.
that our aims may be achieved in a happy, caring
atmosphere. Respect for others and good manners are To enable students to grow in the knowledge and
stressed at all times. The individual needs of the love of God; in order that we encourage them to
students are taken into consideration and their pastoral serve Him in others and to live by Gospel Values.
care is obviously the concern of all staff. Each student
is made to feel welcome and part of the school
community and is encouraged to develop to the full,
her potential and personal talents.
The support we have had from parents has always been
excellent. We like to contact you if there are any
concerns and hope you will feel free to contact the
School. We would also like to get to know you as
parents and hope to see you, not only at Parents’
Evenings, but at the social events organised by our
Parents’ Association, the Friends of Thornton and the
concerts, productions and displays presented by the
girls.
FIRST DAY - ARRIVAL & COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS
This may well be updated and amended following Government guideline changes.
Pre-Prep (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) - Wing safely, help with bags and hats and hand the girls
Refer to Map over to a member of the Pre-Prep staff. At the end of
the day, your daughter is escorted onto the bus by a
All children joining the Reception Class and all new and
member of staff, with her car seat and we make sure
existing Year 1 and 2 students should go directly to the
that she is strapped in securely.
Pre-Prep Department entrance. This is the normal
arrival place. Children are welcome into school from 8.00am and all
children should be in school by 8.30am. Until 8.30am
On the first day, all the Pre-Prep teachers and teaching
they are cared for by our superb teaching assistants.
assistants will be there to welcome you. For the new
There are plenty of toys to play with and the girls often
girls, drop off on the first day can sometimes be
read books to one of our teaching assistants. Form
difficult. We ensure that they will feel safe and secure
Teachers collect their girls at 8.30am for Registration at
in their new surroundings very quickly. They settle into
8.40am.
the routine extremely well - it sometimes takes a little
longer for mums and dads! Please rest assured that Prep (Year 3 to Year 6)
should there be any problems at all, we will be in touch.
All girls in Years 3 to 6 should come through the main
We will take very good care of them.
front doors on the first day back and every day
At the end of the school day, 3.30pm, Reception Class thereafter. On the first day, all girls, new and old, will
parents will wait outside the entrance foyer and Mrs go to The Expressive Arts Studio to meet with their
Jacobson will bring your daughter out to you. Parents teachers, who will then take them to their classroom
of Year 1 and 2 students will gather outside the little for registration. Parents will be asked to say goodbye in
playground adjacent to your daughter’s class room. the Front Reception and members of staff will escort
The Form Teacher will open the door and the girls will the girls through Central Hall into the Expressive Arts.
be dismissed, one at a time, into your care. From day two onwards, they will again use the main
front doors. We encourage parents to drop the girls off
Any children not collected from the Reception Form
outside the building and they walk in by themselves.
Teacher at 3.30pm will go into the Nursery to play. Any
Mrs Holliday greets each child as they arrive, checking
remaining Year 1 and 2 children are looked after by one
that all are happy and eager to start the day. The girls
of the Pre-Prep teachers until 3.55pm, at which time a
then walk through the building and either go out to
second collection is available from the entrance foyer.
play on the quad, supervised by Mrs Barnes, our School
Children not collected go to the nursery classroom to
Librarian, or attend Reading Club in the Library
join the After-School Club. As part of their transition
overseen by our Head/Deputy Head Girls.
into Prep School, Year 2 children will move over to
latestay in the St Claire building during the Lent term. The girls line up on the quad at 8.30am and are led to
The After-School ‘Latestay’ Club, which is available until their classrooms by their Form Teachers for 8.40am
6.00pm each evening for Pre-Prep students, is registration.
chargeable and needs to be booked in advance via the
At the end of the school day, 4.00pm, teachers walk
main school Reception. Of course, we are always
their form around to the side of the school building to
happy to take children in an emergency if you have not
be collected. Any children not collected are taken to
booked. The care until 4.00pm is free for those who
the After School ‘Latestay’ Club. Latestay is a
also have children in the Prep Department who do not
chargeable facility and can be booked in advance via
finish until 4.00pm.
the Front Reception. Children from Year 3 upwards can
Any children arriving by school bus in the morning are stay up to 7.00pm. Children travelling by bus will be
escorted off the bus by the driver and led to their class escorted into school by the bus prefects and are signed
room by one of the school prefects. These older bus back on to the bus at the end of the school day by the
prefects ensure that the girls get into the Thévenet member of staff on duty.
Senior Students Existing Students
New Students Existing students should enter by the black side door as
usual and make their way, with their bags, to their Form
All new students should arrive into the Front Reception
Room to be welcomed by their Form Tutor and Head of
at the front of school. Arrival can be from 8.00am.
Year. There will be a Welcome Assembly for all Seniors
From here they will say goodbye to parents and be
later in the day.
taken to their new form room by a ‘buddy’ from their
class. Any new girls travelling in by bus on this first Normal end of day arrangements, will apply.
morning, will be shown to Reception by the other girls
Sixth Form Students
on the bus. They will be collected from here in a similar
manner. New Year 12 students should go directly to the Friends’
Café upon arrival. Tutors will meet you there. Year 13
At the end of the school day, 4.00pm, girls will exit the
should go to the Tower Common Room.
school by the side door at the back and be met by
parents at the front of school. Girls travelling home by End of day for Sixth Form is 4.00pm. See Sixth Form
bus will be registered by the member of staff on duty handbook for further details.
and checked on to the bus. See following page for
After School Club details.
Senior student Entrance to
Entrance (black Pre-Prep Nursery &
side door) Pre-Prep
Thévenet Wing
car parking
The
Friends’ Collection for
Café School Bursary
Year 3 to 6
Arrival students (at School Drop off for
point for 4pm). Students Reception Year 3 to 13
attending the Prep & Senior /
Year 12 and collection
Entrance for Sixth Form
on first After School for Year 7 to
Year 3 to 6 overflow Parent
day back Clubs should be 13
every day and parking on
collected from
for all new gravel
the school
Seniors on the
Reception
first day back
WRAP-AROUND CARE AND OCCASIONAL BOARDING
Day students, from Year 3 upwards, can join us as Breakfast Club for Year 3 and above provides a
early as 7.45am for breakfast and stay as late as choice of hot and cold breakfast each day.
7.00pm after supper. Reception to Year 2 Breakfast is served between 7.45am and 8.00am,
students can arrive from 8.00am and join our is pre-booked and £3.50 per day is charged in
After School Club until 6.00pm each day. The arrears. ‘Early Birds’ Children in Reception to Year
system is flexible to suit busy working parents. 2 may only arrive from 8.00am and are supervised
Many families use it on a regular basis; others use free of charge until the start of the school day.
it occasionally. There is a charge for this service Any arrivals prior to 8.00am are charged for
which goes towards the cost of staffing and breakfast. Study & Supper from 6.15pm until
catering costs. 7.00pm for Year 3 and above is available at a
daily charge of £6.50 per day, which will be billed
Our standard After School Care runs until 6.00pm. in arrears to your account.
A snack will be provided at the end of the school
day for Prep students. Senior students will also Ad-hoc Wrap-around Care for Reception to Year 1-
receive refreshments. You will be asked to book 2 should be booked with Mrs T Kniebe in the
this towards the end of the previous term. A nursery by email tkniebe@thorntoncollege.com or
booking form is included in your forms booklet for phone her direct on 01280 820408.
sessions required in the Michaelmas term 2020.
The charge is made termly, in advance. You may For Years 3 and above (and from Lent term, Year
drop off and collect your child at any time within 2), bookings should be made through the school
these hours. Any additional sessions, outside of Main Reception by email,
your regular booking, will be charged in arrears at office@thorntoncollege.com or phone 01280
a cost of £8.75 per day. It is more cost effective to 812610.
book into a regular slot as follows:
Ideally, 24 hours notice should be given but we try
to accommodate all requests.
Reception to Year 11 In addition to the Wrap around Care, depending
on bed availability, we offer weekly and flexi-
1 day per week £77 per term
boarding for students aged 7+. Students may
board with us for stays lasting from one night to a
2 days per week £154 per term whole term. Charges for flexible boarding are
billed in arrears and equate to £42 weeknights and
£160 over the weekend. Fees for permanent
3 days per week £231 per term
weekly and termly boarding are detailed on the
Fees Structure.
4 days per week £308 per term
5 days per week £385 per term
Senior Management
Chair of Governors Please address correspondence: - Thornton College,
Thornton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0HJ
Sister Helen Mary Haigh RJM
Mrs Val Holmes Telephone: 01280 812610
Head Teacher Email: vholmes@thorntoncollege.com
Dr Louise Shaw Telephone: 01280 812610
Deputy Head
Email: lshaw@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Prep School
Mrs Jane Sanders Telephone: 01280 812610
Bursar Email: jsanders@thorntoncollege.com
Mr Peter Fahy Telephone: 01280 812610
Assistant Head Email: pfahy@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Religious Studies /Chaplaincy
Catholic Life and Ethos
Ms Tracey Wilks Telephone: 01280 812610
Assistant Head (Safeguarding) Email: twilks@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Jenny Walker Telephone: 01280 812610
Development and Marketing Director Email: jwalker@thorntoncollege.com
Main Reception Office: Telephone: 01280 812610
Between 7:45am and 8.00pm Email: office@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Lynne Tipping Telephone: 01280 812610
Head’s PA Email: ltipping@thorntoncollege.com
Boarding Team Telephone: 01280 812610
Mrs J Tisdale – House Mistress Email: jtisdale@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs H McIlvean—House Mistress Email:hmcIlvean@thorntoncollege.com
School Health Centre Telephone: 01280 820403
Medical Team Email: healthcentre@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Alice Ho Telephone: 01280 812610
Marketing and Admissions Officer Email: aho@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Lesley Try Telephone: 01280 812610
School Secretary Email: ltry@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Marta Clark Telephone: 01280 820411
Finance Manager Email: mclark@thorntoncollege.com
Heads of Year—Senior School Miss Beth Rigby Telephone: 01280 812610 Head of Year 7 Email: brigby@thorntoncollege.com Mr Anthony Barraclough Telephone: 01280 812610 Head of Year 8 Email: abarraclough@thorntoncollege.com Ms Paige Cronje Telephone: 01280 812610 Head of Year 9 Email: pcronje@thorntoncollege.com Mrs Frances Gabriel Telephone: 01280 812610 Head of Year 10 & 11 Email: fgabriel@thorntoncollege.com Mrs Ruth Coates Telephone: 01280 812610 Head of Sixth Form Email: rcoates@thorntoncollege.com Mrs Hayley Mallendane Telephone: 01280 812610 Assistant Lead Sixth Form Email: hmallendane@thorntoncollege.com
Teaching Staff
Name Main Responsibility Email
Art, Craft & Design
Mr Christopher Taplin Head of Art ctaplin@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Joanne Dix Teacher of Art & Photography jdix@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Design Technology -
Ms Suzanne Crawford scrawford@thorntoncollege.com
Textiles
Mrs Karen Reid Art Technician
Business and Economics
Head of Business &
Ms Suzanne Kurze-Kinton skinton@thorntoncollege.com
Economics
Digital Learning
Mr Jeremy Hepworth Head of Computing @thorntoncollege.com
English
Head of English
Mrs Ruth Coates rcoates@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Sixth Form
Teacher of English
Mrs Frances Gabriel fgabriel@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Years 10 & 11
Teacher of English
Ms Paige Cronje pcronje@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Year 9
Head of Drama
Miss Beth Rigby brigby@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Year 7
Government and Politics
Head of Politics
Ms Tracey Wilks twilks@thorntoncollege.com
Assistant Head, DSL
Humanities
Mr Des Coltman Head of Geography dcoltman@thorntoncollege.com
Ms Kay Quainton Teacher of Geography kquainton@thorntoncollege.com
Mr Howard Hoare Head of History hhoare@thorntoncollege.com
Deputy Head
Dr Louise Shaw Head of Prep School lshaw@thorntoncollege.com
Teacher of History
Head of Sociology
Mr Alexander Meredith ameredith@thorntoncollege.com
Teacher of HistoryTeaching Staff
Name Main Responsibility Email
Mathematics
Mrs Lisa Fletcher Head of Mathematics lfletcher@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Ellie Wilson Teacher of Mathematics ewilson@thorntoncollege.com
Teacher of Mathematics
Mr Anthony Barraclough abarraclough@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Year 8
Mrs Sarah Donwa Teacher of Mathematics sdonwa@thorntoncollege.com
MFL
Mrs Samantha Ferreira Thornton Head of Modern Languages sferreirathornton@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Nathalie Waddell Teacher of French/Spanish nwaddell@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Susan Green Teacher of Spanish/French sjgreen@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Helen Kokotka Head of EAL hkokotka@thorntoncollege.com
Music
Mrs Anna Broad Director of Music abroad@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Lou Readman Teacher of Music lreadman@thorntoncollege.com
Performing Arts
Head of Drama
Miss Beth Rigby brigby@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Year 7
Mrs Katie Spink LAMDA Co-ordinator kspink@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Ana Iversen LAMDA Teacher
Physical Education
Miss Stephanie Bates Director of Sport sbates@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Julie Tisdale Teacher of Physical Education jtisdale@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Gemma Dean Teacher of Physical Education & Dance gdean@thorntoncollege.com
Teacher of Physical Education
Mr Anthony Barraclough abarraclough@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Year 8
Mrs Michelle Johnson Teacher of Dance mjohnson@thorntoncollege.comTeaching Staff
Name Main Responsibility Email
Preparatory
Pre Prep Teacher
Miss Bronte Daley bdaley@thorntoncollege.com
(Forest School Co-ordinator)
Prep Teacher
Mrs Joanne Hall (Science Co-ordinator, Computer jhall@thorntoncollege.com
Science Co-ordinator Year 5-6)
Prep Teacher
Mrs Charlotte Harris charris@thorntoncollege.com
(Literacy Co-ordinator)
Prep Teacher
Miss Amy Haynes (Creative Curriculum and Humanities ahaynes@thorntoncollege.com
Co-ordinator)
Prep Teacher
Assessment, Recording & Reporting
Mr David Holmes dholmes@thorntoncollege.com
Prep School
(Mathematics Co-ordinator)
Pre Prep/ Reception Teacher
Mrs Felicity Jacobson fjacobson@thorntoncollege.com
Head of EYFS
Prep Teacher
Miss Kirsty Law klaw@thorntoncollege.com
(MFL Co-ordinator)
Prep Teacher
Mrs Susan Olejnik solejnik@thorntoncollege.com
(RE Co-ordinator)
Miss Rebecca Riley Teacher of English rriley.@thorntoncollege.com
Prep Teacher
Mrs Leiba Sablon lsablon@thorntoncollege.com
(PHSEE Co-ordinator)
Pre-Prep Teacher Year 1
Mrs Caroline Thomas (Computer Science Co-ordinator cthomas@thorntoncollege.com
Year 1-4)
Prep Teacher
Mrs Helen Willis (Science Co-ordinator, Computer hwillis@thorntoncollege.com
Science Co-ordinator Year 5-6)
Psychology & Health & Social Care
Head of Psychology
Mrs Hayley Mallendane hmallendane@thorntoncollege.com
Assistant Lead Sixth Form
Teacher of Psychology
Mr Anthony Barraclough abarraclough@thorntoncollege.com
Head of Year 8RE & PHSEE Teaching Staff
Name Main Responsibility Email
Mr Peter Fahy Head of Religious Studies & PHSEE pfahy@thorntoncollege.com
Assistant Head
Catholic Life and Ethos
Mrs Elizabeth Peck Teacher of Religious Studies epeck@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Selina Moore Teacher of Religious Studies smoore@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Marie-Louise Lewis Teacher of Careers/PSHEE mllewis@thorntoncollege.com
Science
Mr John Shippen Head of Science jshippen@thorntoncollege.com
Mr Ahmed Badiko Teacher of Science agbadiko@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Tracylyn Stinson Teacher of Science tstinson@thorntoncollege.com
Dr Vernon Trainor Teacher of Science vtrainor@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Rabia Qayyum Teacher of Science rqayyum@thorntoncollege.com
Dr Rachel Connall Science Technician rconnall@thorntoncollege.com
Support Studies
Mrs Annette Woodruff Head of Learning Development awoodruff@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Dawn Allen Teaching Assistant dallen@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Joanna Callaghan Teaching Assistant jcallaghan@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Ruth Corboy Teaching Assistant rcorby@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Shiva Staten Cover Supervisor sstaten@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Sophie Holmes Teaching Assistant sholmes@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Philippa Mackenzie Teaching Assistant pmackenzie@thorntoncollege.com
Teaching Assistant
Mrs Jo Scott jscott@thorntoncollege.com
Careers and Enterprise Leader
Mrs Angela Sinnott Teaching Assistant asinnott@thorntoncollege.comTeaching Staff
Name Main Responsibility Email
House Mistress Medical Team — HealthCentregroup@thorntoncollege.com
Dr Tracey Largent School Doctor
Mrs Juliet Dixon School Nurse jdixon@thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Susie Morris School Nurse smorris@thorntoncollege.com
Boarding Team
Mrs Jules Tisdale Housemistressnewwing
New Wing
House Mistress @thorntoncollege.com
Mrs Hayley McIlvean Housemistressbachelorandfacade
Bachelor/Facade
House Mistress @thorntoncollege.com
Miss Sophie Holmes Boarding Assistant sholmes@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Rebekah Riley Gap Year Boarding Assistant rriley@thorntoncollege.com
Miss Fern Smith Gap Year Boarding Assistant fsmith@thorntoncollege.comTERM DATES 2020-2021
Term Dates for the Academic Year Sep-
tember 2020-2021
Michaelmas Term 2020
Inset Day Tuesday 1st September 2020
Inset Day Wednesday 2nd September 2020
Boarders return From 5.00 pm Wednesday 2nd September 2020
School opens Thursday 3rd September 2020
School closes Half Term Friday 16th October 2020
Boarders return From 5.00 pm Sunday 1st November 2020
School opens Monday 2nd November 2020
School closes Christmas Holiday Wednesday 16th December 2020
Lent Term 2021
Inset Day Wednesday 6th January 2021
Boarders return From 5.00 pm Wednesday 6th January 2021
School opens Thursday 7th January 2021
School closes Half Term Friday 12th February 2021
Boarders return From 5.00 pm Sunday 21st February 2021
School opens Monday 22nd February 2021
School closes Easter Holiday Wednesday 31st March 2021
Trinity Term 2021
Inset Day Monday 19th April 2021
Boarders return From 5.00 pm Monday 19th April 2021
School opens Tuesday 20th April 2021
School closes Half Term Friday 28th May 2021
Boarders return From 5.00 pm Sunday 6th June 2021
School opens Monday 7th June 2021
Friday 9th July 2021
School closes Summer Holiday
12.00 noonTIMINGS OF THE SCHOOL DAY
PREP SENIOR SIXTH FORM
8.30am Arrival for school
8.40-9.00am Form Time / Registration / Assembly
9.00-9.40 9.00-9.40 9.00-9.40
Period 1 Period 1 Period 1
9.40-10.20 9.40-10.20 9.40-10.20
Period 2 Period 2 Period 2
10.20-10.40
BREAKTIME
10.40-11.20 10.40-11.20 10.40-11.20
Period 3 Period 3 Period 3
11.20-12.00 11.20-12.00 11.20-12.00
Period 4 Period 4 Period 4
12.00-12.40 12.00-12.40
12.00-12.40
Period 5 Period 5
Period 5
Prep Lunch Sixth Form Flexi Lunch
12.40-1.10 12.40-1.10 12.40-1.10
Prep Activity Lunch/Activity Sixth Form Lunch
1.10-1.50 1.10-1.50 1.10-1.50
Period 6 Period 6 Lunch/ Activity Period 6 Lunch/Activity
1.50-2.30 1.50-2.30 1.50-2.30
Period 7 + Registration Period 7 + Registration Period 7 + Registration
2.30-3.10 2.30-3.10 2.30-3.10
Period 8 Period 8 Period 8
3.10-3.50 3.10-3.50 3.10-3.50
Period 9 Period 9 Period 9
Dismissal 4.00 Dismissal 4.00 Dismissal 4.00ATTENDANCE
Principles
Students are expected to attend school every day. A signed note or parental email. If no contact is made, a
student should only be absent if the reason is member of the office staff will contact the parents.
‘unavoidable’. We are required to record every half Girls with planned appointments to the doctor, dentist,
day absence from school as either authorised or
etc. should give a note to their Form Teacher at least
unauthorised, hence information about the cause of three days in advance. In these circumstances it is not
each absence is always required. Authorised absences necessary to telephone the school on the day of
are morning or afternoon sessions away from school
absence.
with good reason, (for illness or other unavoidable
cause). Unauthorised absences are those which the If a student is absent from school for reasons other than
school does not consider reasonable and for which no ill health, this must be discussed with the school on
‘leave’ has been given. each separate occasion. Leave may be granted in an
emergency (e.g. bereavement) or for medical
Procedures appointments which are necessary in school time,
Thornton College applies the following procedures in provided a written explanation is received. Please
deciding how to deal with absences: direct this correspondence to the Head, Mrs Val Holmes
email vholmes@thorntoncollege.com
Illness or other legitimate absence
If girls are ill and unable to attend school, parents are Holidays
requested to contact the school before 8.30am on the Please note that we ask parents not to make holiday
first morning of absence, giving an indication of the arrangements that require their daughters to miss days
possible duration of the absence. This can be done during term-time. Holiday leave in term time will not
using the email address of the Form Tutor or be granted unless circumstances are exceptional. Our
office@thorntoncollege.com (Main school email terms are short and intensive and a relatively long
address) or via the switchboard number: 01280 period of holiday is available.
812610, Option 2. (The school has a dedicated line for
absences). Please direct this correspondence to the Head, Mrs Val
Holmes email vholmes@thorntoncollege.com.
After any absence, when the student returns, she
should bring a note written and signed by her parent
addressed to the Form Tutor, specifying the reason and Before Registration
dates for each period of absence. Absence cannot be The table below outlines the daily arrival routine. It is
authorised without written or emailed documentation. important that all girls are in their form rooms by
As written confirmation of absence is required, all 8.40am each day for registration. If a girl arrives after
telephone calls must be followed up with either a 8.45am, she should enter via Reception and sign in.
Form Arrival Point Assembly Point
Reception – Year 2 Pre Prep Department Group Room
Year 3 – Year 6 Main School Reception Quad for play with friends
Dining Room 8.00-8.30am
Seniors Black Side Door
Form Room 8.30am
Sixth Form Common Room 8.00 - 8.30am
Sixth Form Black Side Door Tutor Room by 8.40am
Late Arrivals Main Reception for
Main Reception
(after 8.45am) signing inLateness Please...
Students must attend registration on time in order to Do use the Front Door when visiting the school
be marked as present for that session. Parents are and report to the Reception desk, where a
expected to ensure that their daughters are present at Visitor’s Security Badge will be issued. Please do
registration. not enter the school site without a security
badge.
Leave of Absence In order to ensure the health and safety of all
Regular school attendance is essential if students are to children, we would be grateful if parents would
maximise their educational opportunities. Interruptions place their children in their vehicles as soon as
in school attendance disrupt girls’ education as it is they have collected them. Siblings who do not
hard for them to really understand the work missed. It attend the school should remain in the car or
can also affect a girl’s social life within the form and the with their parents at all times.
school. To collect your daughter for an appointment
during normal school hours, please come to the
main school Reception and your daughter will be
Publication of Attendance Information
brought to you.
Parents have a duty to ensure that their daughters To collect a child from Year 3 upwards from
attend school. Thornton College has a legal duty to After School Care, parents should enter through
promote attendance and to publish its absence figures, Reception and wait for their daughter to be
if required by the Department of Education. brought to Reception. Girls in Reception to Year
The School is usually asked to disclose information on 2 can be collected directly from the After School
attendance and punctuality when writing references for Care in the Pre Prep Department. In the Lent
girls. term, Year 2 children will be collected from the
main reception following their move to the St
The School is committed to working with parents to Claire building for latestay.
achieve as high a level of attendance as possible.
Please display your parent security pass in your
car window.
Please do not hesitate to contact the School if
you have any concerns.STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Christ is the heart of the Jesus and Mary community. We follow His teaching to find fulfilment and use our talents
in the service of others. Christ taught us that everyone is special. We should value one another and treat others as
we would wish to be treated ourselves. This Code of Conduct has been developed by the students of Thornton
College, Convent of Jesus and Mary and has been approved by Parents, Teachers and Governors. All members of
our community agree to abide by this code.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS RESPECT FOR LEARNING
Think before you speak or act. Respect other people’s right to learn.
Respect other people’s beliefs, opinions, ideas Take your own learning seriously and work to the
and belongings. best of your ability.
Be kind and considerate to all. Be organised and prepared for lessons.
Be honest and treat people fairly. Set yourself targets, identify weaknesses and
Never allow people to be bullied. seek help to improve.
Listen and concentrate well.
SELF RESPECT RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Behave sensibly and be responsible for your Look after the rooms, furniture, all equipment
actions. and grounds.
Develop your talents and make the most of your Leave all areas as you would wish to find them.
opportunities.
Use resources wisely and recycle wherever
Make sure that you always look neat and
possible.
presentable.
Put your litter into a bin.
Eat and drink only in the correct areas.
We ask all parents and girls to sign the Code of Conduct
in their school diaries, as an indication that they
recognise its importance and of their agreement to obeyHOME / SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Communication with Form Tutors School Diaries
Your daughter’s Form Teacher is your first point of All girls from Reception Class to Year 11 are issued
contact regarding any academic or pastoral concerns. with a school diary. Both parents and teachers are
encouraged to communicate using the diary whenever
Pre-Prep necessary and your daughter will use the diary to
record homework which is also recorded on Firefly,
Parents of children in the Pre-Prep are able to see their target grades, reminders etc. For parents of children in
daughter’s Form Teacher after school during pick up for the Pre-Prep the diary is used more as a parent/teacher
very quick queries. One of our teaching assistants is communication tool. Parents and Form Tutors should
also always on hand to help with any queries for sign the diary weekly.
parents who drop off early each morning. To discuss
anything in more detail, please contact your child’s The School Website
Form Teacher by email to arrange an appointment.
The School Calendar can be accessed from the
Prep homepage on the school website or at
www.thorntoncollege.com/media/calendar.
Your daughter’s Form Teacher will be in her room at
8.30am each day and will bring your daughter round to The School Calendar is regularly updated and should be
the side of the school at the end of each day. You are used as your information hub. You can download the
welcome to catch Form Teachers after school with any calendar into your outlook using iCal. Simply go to the
very quick queries or contact them by email to arrange Calendar and click ‘Subscribe to iCal’ in the top right
an appointment to discuss anything in more detail. menu bar. Your outlook calendar will be updated with
any additions or changes.
Seniors
We post all the latest news and events on the website,
Senior School Form Tutors and Head of Year are always so please do visit often. All our FaceBook, Twitter and
available to discuss concerns with you by email or by Instagram posts are fed into the media pages -
phone. The best way to contact a member of staff is to thorntoncollege.com/media.
email them (address on the contact page at the front of
this handbook). Staff cannot take calls during teaching Emailed information
periods but check their emails every day and will
respond to you within 24 hours, during the working We try, as far as possible to send emails, text messages
week and more quickly if the issue is urgent. Please do and letters home on a Wednesday and Friday evening.
let the member of staff know if you would prefer to talk This includes the Head Teacher’s weekly letter.
to them by phone or arrange an appointment to come
in to see them.
Sixth Form
Sixth Form Tutors are best communicated with via
email. They will respond within 24 hours, during the
working week and more quickly if the issue requires
more urgent attention. Please see the contact page at
the front of the handbook for email addresses.THE PARENT PORTAL
We have a Parent Portal, which is a secure area within
our school website, accessible only to Thornton
parents.
The Portal has been configured so that you can view
your daughter’s timetable, school reports and any
rewards she has received. You can even see if she is
handing in her homework on time!
To access the Portal you first need to go to our school
website www.thorntoncollege.com
On the homepage you will see a little padlock and
PORTAL written in white text in the top right hand
corner. Click this link to access the Parent Portal.
A new window will open up where you can enter your
login details to access this secure area.
Your login details (a registration number and
registration password) will be sent to you by the Head
of Computer Science to the email address we have for
you on the school database.
The home page:This is the page which opens when you hover over ‘Portal’ and click ‘Parents
Login’ from the Homepage of the school website.
You will be emailed a Registration Number and Registration Password. Have these to hand when you first access
the Portal. As a first time user, you need to click ‘Register using an Activation Letter’ - on the right hand side of the
login page. Once you have registered you will login using the Username / Email and Password boxes on the left.
After clicking ‘Register using Activation letter, you are directed to the page below.
Enter your
Registration
Then click
Number and
‘register’
Password
hereYou will then be directed to a page which will ask you
for your email and your own, chosen password. This is
what you will use to log in, in future.
Once you have logged in you will see the page below.
You can use the ‘Quick Links’ to jump to Timetable,
Rewards and Conduct and School Reports. Once in
these sections you can use the ‘School Profile’ tab at
the top of the page to navigate around. If you have
more than one child at the school, you can switch
between them under the ‘My Children’ links.
School Profile tab
Quick Links
‘My Children’ linksEDUCATIONAL VISITS PHOTOGRAPHY
Thornton College has a strong commitment to the During the course of the year, your daughter may be
added value of learning beyond the statutory school photographed or recorded (Audio/Video) in school for a
day and beyond the school premises. Each year the variety of purposes. In addition to official school
school will arrange a number of activities that take photos and photography for the school prospectus and
place away from the school site and/or out of school promotional materials, girls may be photographed to
hours, which support the aims of the school. The support news stories which appear on our school
Governing Body has given its approval to the following website, social media pages and in local newspapers
types of activities being arranged in support of the and magazines. School sports teams also have team
educational aims of the school:- photos taken and staff may take photos of the girls for
displays around the school. Photos are also taken of
school productions and during school trips and
Out of hours clubs (music, art, drama, sport etc)
events. Externally (website and newspapers etc), only
School teams your daughter’s first name and initial will be used when
Regular nearby visits (Places of worship, farms, supporting a news story. You will receive an email
country parks) shortly after your daughter joins the school asking you
Day visits for particular year groups or subject to give your consent, you may withdraw this consent at
groups any time.
Residential visits
Overseas visits CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Adventure activities such as Duke of Edinburgh
and World Challenge
There is a wide variety of co-curricular activities,
available in school. Each term new clubs and activities
The full policy is available on the school website or on are added to the already busy timetable! Each term’s
request from the school. co-curricular programme can be accessed from the
‘Outside the Classroom’ section on the website.
Due to Covid 19 there may be limited school trips. Copies will also be emailed home.
There are opportunities for students to have lessons in
HOUSES Music, Speech and Drama and Ballet with peripatetic
staff. The instruments currently available for study
The School has three Houses, Ingleton, Tyrell and are: Piano, Guitar, Violin, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone,
Cavendish, named after famous families who resided at Cello, Oboe, Trumpet, Drums and Singing. The
Thornton in former centuries. Director of Music needs to know as soon as possible if
you wish your daughter to commence any of the extra
Every student, both day and boarding, is placed in one lessons.
of these Houses. Inter-house competitions in sport and
other co-curricular activities regularly take place. Please note that no girl may begin music lessons after
the rotas have been published during the first week of
Houses are responsible for organising charity fund- term, and that a half term’s notice in writing to the
raising events which involve the whole school. These Bursar is required to withdraw from the lessons.
events are a great deal of fun and raise money for our
chosen school charities. Each year the students select
one local and one international charity to support. The
international charity is linked with the Sisters of Jesus
and Mary’s missions in some of the poorest and war
torn parts of the world. This charity work is all part of
our commitment to the service to others.SCHOOL HEALTH CENTRE
All medical forms must be returned to the Health Centre
prior to the student starting school.
During the current Covid-19 pandemic we are taking been vomiting or has had diarrhoea she should be well
extra precautions to prevent cross infection and the for 48 hours before returning to school.
spread of the virus. Hand hygiene, safe disposal of
The School Medical Officer visits the school every week
tissues etc. and social distancing are a priority in school
for boarders’ consultations. For this reason we need
and we encourage a partnership with parents to
Medical Cards in order to have the girls registered with
reinforce this at home under the current times. Any girl
the Doctor. She does not treat day girls - they should
or their family members that develop symptoms must
be taken to their own Doctor. In cases of real
not come into school and should seek advice from their
emergency, for example an accident while in school, we
GP.
take the girls to Milton Keynes General Hospital; this
applies to all girls unless parents of day girls prefer to
PHE advice may of course change prior to September.
collect them from school.
As a school we have a commitment to the all-round SCHOOL POLICIES
health and wellbeing of our students. Our Health
Centre is run by a qualified nurse. Girls may have the School policies are available on the school website in
opportunity to meet with a wellbeing coach. Students the General Information section.
are referred and meetings are by appointment.
SCHOOL CATERING
In addition to overseeing the medical care of our
boarders, the Health Centre takes care of the day to Harrisons is proud to work in partnership with Thornton
day medical needs of all students. The team dispense College in delivering the catering services. The health
any regular and one-off medication and take care of and wellbeing of the girls is of paramount importance
girls who may fall ill during the working day. to us and we understand that good nutrition on is vital
in helping the girls to achieve their best both in and
If your daughter is on long-term medication or needs us
outside of school.
to administer her medication on a short-term basis, a
medical form must be completed by parents. All of our food is made fresh from scratch, every day.
All girls join together in our relaxed dining hall to eat
All medication to be taken during the school day must
each day. We warmly welcome feedback from the girls
be left in the surgery, with the child’s name and
and work with them to encourage healthy eating.
instructions for administration attached; to be collected
Using the finest ingredients our chefs create a wide
from the Surgery by 4.00pm. No student may carry
variety of exciting, nutritious and delicious meals, with
medication around the school, other than students
a selection of soups, traditional meals, vegetarian
who need to carry an epi pen and asthmatic students,
dishes, pasta, jacket potatoes, salads, freshly baked
who should carry their inhaler with them. Each inhaler
breads, desserts and fresh fruits from which to choose.
or epi pen should be clearly marked with the student’s
name, and a spare inhaler/epi pen should be left in the Girls enjoy an outstanding choice on a daily basis. We
Health Centre. also cater for a wide range of special dietary
requirements.
If a day girl should fall seriously ill during the day, she
will be in the Health Centre and if it is considered Please note the school is a NUT FREE ENVIRONMENT,
advisable for her to go home during school hours, therefore any snacks brought into school need to
parents are contacted by telephone to discuss the comply.
situation. The Health Centre telephone number is
We encourage healthy eating and healthy snacks, such
01280 820403 and is open between 8.00am and
as fruit , carrot sticks etc.
5.30pm. Please make sure that the school is kept fully
up to date with your contact numbers so that we can
quickly make contact with you should the need ever
arise.
Please do not send your daughter to school if she is ill.
Bugs can spread in schools very quickly. If a child hasEQUIPMENT
Prep School — Years 1 - 6
Yr 6 Yr 5 Yr 4 Yr 3 Yr 2 Yr 1
Blue Uni-ball Insight free flowing Ink pen 07 fine
Pencils - 3 X HB
Coloured Pencils (Fine) 10 Pack
Fine-Liners 10 Pack
*Eraser – soft white
Ruler – 15 cm graduated in millimetres, white, not flexible
*Protractor Clear
Dictionary Pocketsize (Collins or Oxford)
Dictionary Pocketsize—French
*Hymn Book (Plastic) Laudate
Pencil Sharpener with integrated holder for sharpenings
*Pritt Stick – medium
Named Water Bottle (to fill from water fountain)
*Whiteboard Pen
* items available from the school shop
Senior School
Fountain Pen plus black cartridges *Pilot Hi-Techpoint V5, V7 – Art (Black)
Coloured Pencils Pencils – 2 x HB, 1 x 2B, 4B, 6B
*Eraser, Scissors, *Pritt Stick, Highlighter and Pencil
*Hymn Book (Plastic) Laudate
Sharpener
*Ruler – 30 cm ruler graduated in millimetres *Calculator – Scientific
Dictionary – French – from Year 7 *White-board pen (fine tip)
Dictionary – Spanish – from Year 7 *Compass and Protractor
Dictionary (Pocket Size) Water Bottle – Named
Thesaurus * Items available from school shopSCHOOL & SPORTS UNIFORM THE NEARLY NEW SHOP
Our School Uniform supplier is Schoolblazer.com. The Friends of Thornton, FOT, are our Parents’
Schoolblazer stock both school uniform and our Sports Association. This team of parents is responsible for
Kit. A full and detailed list of uniform requirements organising social events at school, including our School
including regulation school shoes, follows. Fete. They also run our excellent Nearly New Uniform
Shop.
All items with an *asterisk must be purchased from
Schoolblazer.com. Schoolblazer is an on-line shop, and The Nearly New Shop shares the space with our school
has an excellent intelligent sizing system. Simply shop and is open throughout the school year.
register then enter your daughter’s measurements.
In addition to purchasing the nearly new uniform items,
They suggest the correct size for each of your items
you can purchase hair accessories, school equipment
with advice on whether this size will still fit in a years
such as the hymn book and calculators. We also hold
time. All items come labelled with your daughter’s
samples of the Schoolblazer uniform, so your daughter
name - no more sewing name tags!
can try items on in addition to using Schoolblazer’s
Due to Covid 19 labels cannot be sewn into your school intelligent sizing system. Our Prep School summer
uniform by Schoolblazer, but they will provide you with dresses are also stocked here.
names labels freee of charge for you to sew in
Normally the Nearly New Shop is open on specific
Regulation shoes for Years Reception to Year 11 and Mondays and Fridays and for longer periods during the
should be plain black with no lights or unnecessary Trinity Term.
decoration. All shoes must have either laces or straps
Due to Covid 19 we would like you to make an
(no ballet pumps permitted). Traditional school shoes
appointments with the Nearly New Shop so that we can
rather than fashion shoes are the expectation.
organise social distancing. This will be in operation for
Michaelmas term only. Please contact by email to :
Winter or Summer uniform can be worn until October nearlynew@thorntoncollege.com.
half term. After October half term until Easter, Winter
During the summer holidays, a member of our Admin
Uniform must be worn. From Easter until May half team would be very happy to take you in to the shop if
term, girls can wear Winter or Summer Uniform. From you are unable to make any of these official dates.
May half term, Summer Uniform must be worn. Girls Please call 01280 812610 to make an appointment.
must choose to wear a complete uniform i.e. if they
wear a summer dress they must wear white ankle socks
(not grey tights) and if they wear the Winter Uniform
they must wear grey/black socks/tights not white ankle
socks. Hair accessories (Reception to Year 11) in red
please or accessories in our school tartan are available
from our school shop. Girls may also wear accessories
which match their hair colour.SCHOOL & SPORTS UNIFORM
Reception, Year 1 & 2 Sports Kit - Years 1 & 2:
Winter uniform: Black shorts*
Red blazer with Thornton logo * Black & red games polo with Thornton logo *
Tartan pinafore dress * Black & red tracksuit top with Thornton logo *
White roll neck top or white shirt long sleeved
(optional)
Plain black swimming costume (Year 1 & 2 only)
button to neck.*
Black & red hoodie with Thornton logo *
Grey cardigan with red trim *
Black tracksuit bottoms with Thornton logo*
Charcoal grey tights or charcoal grey knee length Trainers
socks White sports socks
Black waterproof/fleece-lined jacket *
Grey felt boater with hatband with Thornton Reception Sports Kit:
logo* Children entering Reception may wear the items above
Summer uniform: if they are tall/big enough.
Red blazer with Thornton logo * These items are performance sports wear and do not
Summer dress – available from the school shop come in very small sizes. A specific Reception PE kit has
(not schoolblazer) been developed in smaller sizes which consists of:
White ankle socks (plain – no frills) White polo with Thornton logo *
Straw boater with hatband * Black shorts (same as Yr 1 & 2) *
Red sun hat – available from the school shop Black tracksuit bottoms *
All year: Red Sweatshirt with Thornton logo *
Black regulation school shoes Trainers or plimsoles
Red PE bag with Thornton logo - available from Plain white sports socks.
the school shop
Red book bag with Thornton logo - available from
The above list is also the optional Nursery Uniform, so if
the school shop - optional children are transferring from the Nursery, they can
Red rucksack with Thornton logo - available from continue to wear this uniform as their PE kit in the
the school shop - optional Reception Class.
Art overall *
Wellington boots for play outside when grass is
wet
All school uniform must be named.
* Available through schoolblazer.comYears 3 & 4 Years 5 to 11
Winter uniform:
Winter uniform:
Red blazer with Thornton logo * Red blazer with Thornton logo *
Tartan pinafore dress * Tartan kilt * to be worn at knee length
White rollneck top * or Grey jumper (or cardigan for Year 5 & 6) with red
White shirt long sleeved button to neck * trim *
Grey cardigan with red trim * Grey school tie with Thornton logo *
Charcoal grey tights or charcoal grey knee length White shirt long sleeved button to neck *
socks Black tights or black knee length socks *
Grey felt boater with hatband * Year 10 & 11 may choose to wear skin colour
15 denier tights
Summer uniform:
Red blazer with Thornton logo * Summer Uniform
Summer dress – available from our school shop Year 5 & 6
(not Schoolblazer.com) Summer dress – available from our school shop
White ankle socks (plain – no frills) (not Schoolblazer.com)
Straw boater with hatband * White ankle socks (plain – no frills)
Red sun hat – available from the school shop Straw Boater with hat band (optional) *
Year round: Year 7 and above:
Black waterproof/fleece-lined jacket with Red blazer with Thornton logo *
Thornton logo * Tartan kilt (same as winter uniform) *
Black regulation school shoes White short sleeve shirt with revered neck *
White ankle socks (plain – no frills)
Sports Kit: Year 10 & 11 may choose to wear skin colour
Black & red skort with Thornton logo * 15 denier tights
Black & red games polo with Thornton logo *
Black & red hoodie with Thornton logo * Year round:
Year 5 & 6—Black waterproof/fleece-lined jacket
Black tracksuit bottoms with Thornton logo *
Black & red tracksuit top with Thornton logo * with Thornton logo *
Black regulation school shoes
Plain black swimming costume
White sports socks
Red hockey socks with ‘Thornton’ *
Additional items:
Trainers
Football boots
Art overall (required for Years 5 & 6 only) *
Shin pads
Wellington boots (required for Years 5 & 6 only)
Mouth guard
Suitable school bag
Black & red games bag with Thornton logo *
Yr 11 school tie *
Additional items:
Red book bag with Thornton logo - available from
the school shop (optional). All school uniform must be named
Suitable schoolbag
Art overall * * Available through schoolblazer.com
Wellington boots for play outside when grass is
wetYear 5 to 11 Sports Kit & Equipment: Sixth Form Uniform
Black & red skort with Thornton logo * The Sixth Form uniform is a smart business suit of the
Black & red games polo with Thornton logo * students’ choice. It can be black, grey or navy and
Black & red hoodie with Thornton logo * consist of trousers and matching jacket or skirt and
Black tracksuit bottoms with Thornton logo * matching jacket. This should be worn with a smart,
Black & red tracksuit top with Thornton logo * cotton, pastel coloured shirt. Skirts should be of an
Plain black swimming costume appropriate length.
Black/red games bag with Thornton logo * Make-up and jewellery can be worn but must be
White sports socks tasteful and have a professional appearance.
Red hockey socks with ‘Thornton’ * Shoes should be suitable for the business environment
Trainers – indoor and outdoor and students should avoid high heels.
Football boots
Shin pads Sports Kit & Equipment—Sixth Form:
Mouth guard
There will be a sports afternoon each week with sport
Hockey stick (Michaelmas term)
and activity options. Students new to Thornton for
Year 12 can assess what is required once they select
Optional items:
their sports options. Initially, please just purchase a
White base layer top with Thornton logo * games polo top and tracksuit bottoms. If you play for a
White/red PE polo for tennis * school team, additional items will be required.
Athletics vest with Thornton logo *
Black cycling shorts
Full Kit:
Black base layer leggings
Black & red skort with Thornton logo *
Black & red games polo top with Thornton logo *
All school uniform must be named Black & red hoodie with Thornton logo *
Black tracksuit bottoms with Thornton logo *
* Available through schoolblazer.com Black & red tracksuit top with Thornton logo
(optional) *
Plain black swimming costume
White sports socks
Red hockey socks with ‘Thornton’ *
Trainers – indoor and outdoor
Football boots
Shin pads
Mouth guard
Hockey stick (Michaelmas term)
Optional items:
White base layer top with Thornton logo *
White/red PE polo top for tennis *
Athletics vest with Thornton logo *
Black cycling shorts *
Black base layer leggings *LEADING INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
PREP † SENIOR † SIXTH FORM
THORNTON COLLEGE, CONVENT OF JESUS AND MARY, COLLEGE LANE, THORNTON, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, MK17 0HJ
TEL.: 01280 812610 EMAIL: OFFICE@THORNTONCOLLEGE.COM
WWW.THORNTONCOLLEGE.COMYou can also read
