After school activities:

The after hours activities are almost as varied as the scheduled College day … after 16:05 students can try out new hobbies, continue studying or make use of computer suites or the library.

Drama, dance, sport, creative writing, reading groups and art activities all start after the formal College day has ended.

The groups are well attended and many students prefer to remain on site until the main College closes at 18:00. The College library remains open until 20:00 Monday to Thursday and until 16:45 on Fridays.

Students staying in other departments after 6 pm do so under more rigid supervision arrangements and by agreement with staff.

Trips and visits

Whether for work, rest or play the College undertakes trips to all corners of the globe – plus a few locations nearer at hand …

Residentials

The Year 7 students are exposed to the hands-on ethos of Brooke Weston very early, as they spend four days at Fairthorne Manor, an outward bound centre, abseiling and zip-lining around the forest. This annual event is just the start of a career of trips and outings; all designed to educate, foster lasting relationships and give a taste of the opportunities available outside the College's walls.

Year 8 to Year 12 students have the chance to go and participate in more culturally diverse residentials. Recent destinations have included Greece, America, France, Spain and Germany – all supervised by staff.

Curricular trips

There have also been many trips to help students with their studies. For example, geography fieldwork and study visits for science and media students.

Tutor group trips

Part of what makes this College special is our tutor/student bond, which is forged, not only by term-time activities, but by out-of-hours trips and visits. Our teachers have organised a wide range of trips to West End shows, theme parks, restaurants, cinemas and ice rinks. These social occasions, as well as being a lot of fun, increase contact and trust between members of tutor groups.

The role of the tutor

We have an innovative system of pastoral care, administered via personal tutors and backed up by specialist staff to guide and nurture our students.

Each student is allocated to a tutor group with a personal tutor. Tutor groups spend time together, meet at assembly and tutor time, as well as participating in out-of-hours activities. The tutor acts as an advocate on behalf of his or her individual students, monitoring and supporting the student's progress through their College career, as well as being a point of contact for parents; a home/school partnership being actively encouraged.

The College expects a high standard of behaviour from its students. Discipline is based upon a belief that we all need to live together in a well ordered society with respect for each other. Staff at Brooke Weston are committed to working in partnership with students at all times and students reciprocate by their excellent conduct and attitude to work.

The College day

The College is open for students from 07:30 onwards. Formal lessons begin at 08:35 and students should arrive in good time in order to make a prompt start. There are five learning sessions, each lasting one hour and fifteen minutes which are punctuated by two breaks, one for breakfast and one for lunch.

College remains open until 6 pm Monday to Thursday for those students wishing to use the facilities. On Friday, the College closes at 16:20.

Supervision of students before 08:15 and after 17:00 is informal and students are expected to behave responsibly. Those students unable to behave appropriately will be denied access during these times.

View the timetable of the College Day.

Smart cards

These cards, used by all staff and students, are integral to the smooth running of the College. Personalised with a photograph and magnetic strip they allow students to register through the turnstiles in the morning and check out again if they need to leave the College during the day.

The cards are also used as:

• Coach pass for College transport.
• Personal identity.
• Payment for College meals.
• Loan of library books.

Organisation & Care

When students remain after school for any organised or informal purpose they are expected to log in on the College web site so that the College has a record of their presence in the case of emergency or parental query.

Registration

Students must register in the morning using their smart card and, if they leave for whatever reason during the College day they must report to the receptionist detailing why and where they are going.

Parents of students who are absent and have not notified the College will be contacted as soon as possible by telephone, seeking an explanation for their child's absence. This ensures that the whereabouts of every child is known every day.