The Board of Governors reserves the right to increase fees at any time, though parents will be given half a term’s notice in writing. The term “fees” includes the School fee and charges for extras incurred by, or on behalf of, the pupil.

 

All children attending West House School and West House Nursery are covered by the provisions of the Pupils` Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, which is administered by Holmwood’s Insurance Services. Termly premiums are incorporated within the current fee structure.

 

Fees for each term are payable before the first day of term.

A full term’s notice, in writing, (or fees in lieu thereof) is required before the removal of a pupil from the School or Nursery, other than at the conclusion of the period for which the school is registered to educate (i.e. the end of the final term of the academic year in which the pupil is required by the school to transfer). A 'full term' constitutes notice to be received before the first day of the term preceding a pupil's departure. For example, intention to leave at the end of the Spring Term must be received before the first day of the Spring Term. The receipt of such notice must be acknowledged by the School.

 

Without prejudice to the above, the School reserves the right to refuse acceptance of a pupil for any term where the previous term’s fees have not been paid in full. In the event of payment of fees being in arrears, the School reserves the right to require a surcharge to be paid at the rate of 2% per month for each calendar month for which the arrears remain unpaid.

 

Liability for the payment of fees is joint and several for parents of any pupil at the School or Nursery who have signed the Entry form, or for any person who has accepted responsibility for the pupil, save where specific written agreement to the contrary has been obtained.

School fees must be paid even in the case of absence due to injury, illness or any other cause. Voluntary insurance cover against such absence is available through Holmwood School Fees Protection Scheme. This applies to pupils in West House School only, i.e. from Reception to Year 6.

 

Fees paid by instalment are subject to a surcharge of 3%. An agreement by West House School to accept payment of fees by standing order, or by direct debit, or by any other method for payment of fees by instalment will automatically cease in the event of any default for 30 days or more.  

While the School will use its reasonable endeavours to educate pupils by means of tuition and extra-curricular activity in accordance with the traditions of the School and good practice in the education of young people, it will not be liable for any failure of a pupil to attain any academic or other standard.

 

The School reserves the right to make alterations at any time to the way in which the School is run, its situation or any part of it and to any other aspect of the School, its management or organisation, without affecting these terms and conditions.

 

Progress reports on pupils will be sent to parents/guardians three times a year. Where parents are separated or divorced, duplicate reports can be sent if specifically requested. From Year 3 (the beginning of Prep), Effort Cards are sent out at least three times a term. Information provided to parents/guardians and others concerning the character, examination and further education prospects of pupils will be given in good faith, but without liability on the part of the School.

Special learning difficulties – parents/guardians will be notified, if it appears that a pupil is falling behind in his/her studies. Extra tuition can be arranged, but the School does not undertake to diagnose conditions such as those commonly referred to as dyslexia, dyscalculia, attention deficit disorder or poor visual acuity. The School will, on request, advise parents/ guardians as to how they may, at their own expense, obtain specialist advice. The school will provide additional support for those children identified. If boys require further support, above that which is considered reasonable, additional costs may be incurred. Parents will be informed in writing of any proposed additional input and potential costs.

The Headmaster is responsible for the care and good discipline of all pupils in the School and for all matters affecting the day to day running of the School, including the fixed term and permanent exclusion of pupils. Parents/guardians and pupils are required to accept the authority of the Headmaster at all times.

 

The School attaches great importance to good manners, integrity and good self -discipline. All pupils are expected to attend regularly and punctually. They should take a full part in School activities and should contribute to the ethos of West House School. They should comply with School regulations with regard to the wearing of School uniform.

 

Pupils themselves have devised their own Code of Conduct, with which they are expected to comply. In addition, specific regulations may be made from time to time. The School has an anti-bullying policy and a policy on Pupil Discipline, copies of which may be obtained from the Office. 

Any concerns in relation to the care, discipline or progress of pupils should be addressed to the Headmaster without delay.         

 

The Headmaster must be informed in writing if a pupil has a known medical condition or an infectious/contagious disease or illness. Pupils with an infectious disease or illness must comply with the quarantine regulations as advised by the School’s medical advisor.

 

Periodically the School will provide a confidential notice to Teaching Staff outlining any pupil illnesses, allergies or other conditions of which the Staff need to be aware in order to discharge their duty of care.  

 

Parents/guardians will be informed as soon as possible if a pupil needs medical attention. In an emergency, the School, “in loco parentis”, will act in accordance with procedures laid down by a medical practitioner as necessary for the pupil’s safety and well being. Parents/guardians are required to complete a “ medical treatment in school” form when a pupil starts at West House School, together with a consent form for sight and hearing tests, a “diet” form, and an “asthma “ form, if applicable.

 

The Headmaster should be informed immediately, in writing, of any court orders relating to a pupil e.g., concerning parental responsibility, residence, contact, prohibited steps, or any situations of risk. A personal visit to the Headmaster should be made in case of urgency. A copy of the School’s Child Protection Policy is available in the Office.

 

The Headmaster should be informed, in writing, if for any reason a pupil is to be removed from School premises during the school day.

 

Pupils may not be absent from School without the prior permission of the Headmaster, except in the case of illness, when the School should be notified by telephone. Written confirmation should be handed in on the pupil’s return to School.

 

When both parents will be absent from the pupil's home for a 24hour period or longer, the School requires, in writing, the name, address and telephone number for 24 hour contact of the adult to whom parental responsibility has been delegated “in loco parentis”.

 

The School does not, unless negligent, accept responsibility for accidental injury or loss of property. All such property should be clearly marked with the owner’s name. The School undertakes to maintain such insurances as are required by law. All other insurances are the responsibility of parents/guardians. 

Pupils may remain at the School so long as the Headmaster is satisfied with his/her academic progress and general behaviour.

 

The Headmaster has the right, forthwith and without notice, to exclude a pupil on a fixed term or permanent basis where, in his opinion it would be in the interests of the pupil or the School. There will be no refund of fees for the balance of the term where such withdrawals are required, but a term's school fees will not be liable in lieu of notice.

 

The decision to exclude a pupil on either a fixed term or permanent basis, and the manner or form of any such announcement, shall be at the sole discretion of the Headmaster. Any such decision will be taken in line with the relevant school policy (e.g. the Policy on Pupil Discipline or the Anti-Bullying Policy).  Under no circumstances is the School required to divulge any information obtained during the course of an investigation or the identities of boys or others who have given information in the course of such an investigation.

 

If a pupil has been excluded from the school, he/she shall not enter the school premises without written permission from the Headmaster.

The prospectus should be read together with these terms and conditions. It is not intended to be a contractual document. Parents wishing to place specific reliance on a matter stated in the Prospectus should seek written confirmation on that matter before entering this agreement.

 

The School reserves sole copyright in the performance (including any recording of such performance) of any musical, dramatic or artistic work by the School or by pupils for purposes associated with the artistic or cultural work of the School.

 

The School is registered under the Data Protection legislation and shall be at liberty to maintain records of information relating to a pupil, his/her immediate family and his/her attendance at the School, in human or machine readable form, and to use this information for the purposes of the management, administration and promotion of the School and its associated entities.

The offer of a guaranteed place and its acceptance by the parents/guardians constitute a formal agreement between them and the School for the education of the pupil named in the Confirmation of Entry form at the School. These Terms and Conditions contain all the terms which form the Agreement.