Parents’ Evenings and Reports

We regard Parents’ Evenings as a very important point in your child’s year, as this provides an opportunity for you to discuss your child’s progress with each of his or her teachers.
We find this dialogue very helpful indeed – if we can work together this really does improve your child’s chances of success.

Full reports are sent home once per year plus a half year interim report which informs you whether we believe your child is on target to realise their full potential.

Target Setting

At The Derby, we believe it is crucial to monitor your child’s progress.
We set targets for every child based on a measure of their ability and potential when they arrive in Year 7.
Our students are then encouraged to meet a realistic target – or go beyond it.
All students are given one key goal – to achieve their potential. This is not about competing with others, it is about competing with themselves and achieving their own personal best wherever possible.

Reports and Parents’ Evenings are important points in the school year when we can keep you updated on your child’s progress in respect of the personal targets.

What to do about Lateness or Absence

At The Derby High we know how important punctuality and regular attendance are for success at school and we are grateful for parents’ and guardians’ support in making sure that their child can get the best from school by being present and on time. If lateness or attendance is unavoidable please follow this procedure:

Lateness: 

Students who are late for morning or afternoon sessions must report to the student reception to sign in. We would also welcome a note from parents or guardians.

Absence:

If your child is ill, or away from school for any other reason, please telephone the school on the first day of absence and send a note to his or her form tutor when he or she returns to school.

Leaving school during the day:

We do not allow students to leave the school premises without prior permission. To obtain this permission, students should normally bring an appointment card or a note from home to their tutor and then they must sign out at the student reception at the appropriate time.

Going home to dinner:

Only students whose parents have given written permission are allowed to leave the school at lunch time. This written permission must be formally ratified by the school.

We feel it is very important that students develop good habits of punctuality and attendance whilst at school and we are very proud of our excellent record of good attendance.
Attendance and punctuality are closely monitored. If we have any concerns about your child’s punctuality or attendance, e.g. if we have not received any contact from home and your child is not in school, our Home School Liaison Officer may get in touch.

Accident and Illness

So that we can provide the most effective service to parents and guardians in case of accident or illness at school we ask every parent and guardian of a child starting at The Derby to help us to fill in a medical questionnaire. This includes emergency contact numbers and information about any medical condition that a child may have and about which we need to know. We also ask parents and guardians to keep us informed of any new medical conditions so that we can do our best to help your child. It is also essential that the school is notified of any changes to telephone number or address.

The Derby High School Science and Arts College Newsletter

The Derby High School is a vibrant community that is bursting with life and energy. We are very proud of the ‘extras’ we offer. There is always something happening that is newsworthy, be it a new project, a trip out of school, the visit of a local MP or news of success in some field or other. (We have a particularly good track record in winning competitions!). We want you to share in the life of our community and we hope you will enjoy reading our newsletter which is published every term.

The Derby High Parents’ Association

The Derby High is well supported by a lively and active Parents’ Association. This team of parents help the school in many ways, including raising funds and supporting key events. The Parents’ Association also help us to keep in touch with the views of parents; we discuss a whole range of things from school meals to reports! We are delighted to welcome new members some of whom will be active at every opportunity, whilst others may offer help on specific occasions. If you feel you would like to get involved in any way please contact the Deputy Headteacher, Rob Margolis, who will be very pleased to hear from you.

Complaints Procedure

Parents and guardians have the right to raise concerns with us and to complain about any aspect of the school they feel is unsatisfactory. In this event, an appointment should be made to visit the school and discuss the matter, at which time documents describing the complaints procedure will be made available if requested.