Here are the answers to some common questions parents may have. If you cannot find what you're looking for please contact us so we can both help you and share the answer with other parents.

… Order a Uniform

Some items of school uniform can only be purchased from our approved supplier, Sportswear International.  A brochure giving details of sizes and prices can be obtained from the school office.  The order will need to be sent directly to Sportswear International and the order can either be delivered to your home or into school for collection. 

Many items of school uniform, ie. shirts, blouses, skirts and trousers, can be bought from any high street retailer.  When buying these items please take not of the guidelines on our uniform checklist.

… Contact or Arrange a Meeting with a Member of Staff

There will be a number of occasions when you will need to make contact with the school.  The first point of contact is your child's tutor.  He or she will soon put you in touch with the right person.

On rare occasions an issue may seem so important that you must see someone fairly quickly.  While it is usually essential to phone for an appointment, should this not be possible, the school will do what it can to arrange for you to speak with someone able to help on the day of your request.  It is inappropriate to turn up, expecting someone will be able to see you.  Those wishing to speak with the Headteacher or one of her deputies must make an appointment.

… Report Absence

Good attendance is essential for a pupil to progress well in school.  Parents should, therefore, avoid any plans, which mean a child misses lessons.  Please consider carefully before you agree to a routine doctor’s or dental appointment in school time.

Where absence from school is due to illness or some other reason that could not have been anticipated please let the school know the reason for absence by telephone between 8am and 10am on the first day of absence.  Direct Dial – 01606 333313.  Where no explanation has been received by this time, we will attempt to contact you by phone to establish the reason for the absence.  Where an illness causes prolonged absence, please contact the school to discuss work that might be appropriate.

… Apply for Free School Meals or transport

Several students are eligible for free meals and/or free transport. This is your right and it is easy to register but if you would like help to apply, please contact the Family Support Worker in school. Click for more details of eligibility for free school meals and transport.

… Gain Permission for a Family Holiday during Term Time

Holiday absences should be avoided wherever possible.  Where parents' leave from work necessitates a term-time family holiday, we would ask that key dates in the calendar be avoided.  This is particularly important for formal examination periods and GCSE assessment dates in years 10 and 11.  Please remember that, on return, children will find they have an appreciable amount of work to catch up.  Requests for absence for family holidays may be granted for up to 10 working days in any one-year after which absence is unauthorised. 

Please note that holiday absence is not a right. 

In particular, where there has been considerable absence in the past, requests for holiday absences will not be approved.

… Arrange for my Son/Daughter to have Music Lessons

The school has a strong musical tradition.  We are pleased to make available to our pupils a wide range of instrumental music lessons.  The governors encourage participation in this programme, not least by subsidising the cost.  An 11 session block of lessons costs £70 this school year.  Pupils wishing to take part in this programme should speak to our Head of Music, Mrs Curry.

… Pay for a School Trip or Event

Payment for school trips can be made to at the Pupil Payments Office.  We ask that you do not send your son/daughter into school with large amounts of cash; a cheque is far more secure.  All cheques for school trips should be made payable to The County High School, Leftwich.  Please place the cheque and signed reply slip in an envelope with your child’s name on the front.

… Arrange for my Child to have a Locker

At the beginning of each academic year a letter can be obtained from the Pupil Payments Office regarding the allocation of lockers.  We currently charge £10 for the Locker each year, plus a deposit of £2.50 for the key.  Due to lack of space, there is a limited number of lockers and are therefore allocated on a first come, first served basis.