Information For Parents

Management type of school

Castlederg High School is a co-educational, controlled secondary school, catering for day pupils.


Number of pupils

In September 2008, we expect that we shall have about 375 pupils, aged between 11 and 16 years, together with about 45 pupils in Years 13 and 14, making a total enrolment of approximately 420.

Additional Information

Information about various aspects of school life is available for parents to examine and they are welcome to enquire at the school office about any of the following:

the school’s policy on:
Pastoral Care
Special educational needs
Child protection
Behaviour
Drugs education
Combating bullying
School uniform
Charges and voluntary contributions
Remissions
Other pastoral or educational issues

• arrangements whereby parents may let the school know of any concerns they may have about their child’s safety


Information on admission to schools in the area

The Western Education and Library Board supplies a copy of its booklet “Secondary Education and Changing Schools at 11 - A guide for Parents” to parents of all Year 7 pupils in Primary Schools.

If you have not been given one of these booklets by your child’s Primary School, you should contact the Transfers Department of the Western Education and Library Board.

Information about applications and admissions
Year of Admission
Number of Applications
Number of Admissions
2007/2008
81
81
2006/2007
67
67
2005/2006
71
71


Further information on the curriculum

Certain documents relating to the curriculum are kept in the school office and parents are welcome to look at any of these. If you wish to do so, please telephone to make arrangements.

These documents include:
• the current school prospectus and curriculum policy statement
• Department of Education Circulars and statutory rules
• published Inspection reports
• any scheme of work or syllabus currently used in the school
• procedures for making complaints about the curriculum.


Formal complaints procedure

There may be some occasions when parents wish to complain about matters relating to the curriculum, which are the responsibility of the Board of Governors and/or the Western Education and Library Board. Formal complaints regarding the curriculum should be made through the parents’ representative on the Board of Governors or by contacting the school Principal.

Lunch arrangements

Parents who wish their child to go home for lunch should send a note to that effect to their child’s Form Teacher at the beginning of the school year.

Pupils who remain in school may either take school meals or bring a packed lunch. A self-service cafeteria system is available for those wishing to purchase a lunch in school.

Pupils are asked NOT to bring to school any food containing peanuts, peanut extract or groundnut oil as we have at least two pupils who are allergic to peanuts. For one of our pupils, this is a severe and life-threatening condition, so it is important that we have parents’ co-operation in this matter.

Families who receive Income Support or income-based Job Seekers Allowance are entitled to receive free school meals. Those pupils who received free meals in the Primary School will automatically be contacted by WELB. Those who wish to make a new application should apply to the Awards & Benefits section of the Western Education & Library Board.


Parent-Teacher Meetings

Parent-Teacher meetings are arranged for all year groups, so that parents may discuss the educational progress of their children with class teachers. If parents wish to contact teachers at other times, they are welcome to do so and should contact the school secretary to make an appointment.