Occasionally we may take photographs or videos of the students at school.  We use these images and videos as part of our school displays and sometimes in other printed publications like the newsletter and school sports updates.  We will also use some on our school website and social media. We would like to enlist your support in the carefully controlled and monitored use of such images and videos.

There are significant benefits in using digital images in schools. Digital video and photography are an exciting medium that can motivate and inspire students. Research has shown that using digital images in education can encourage creativity, improve communication and team working skills and enthuse students. In addition, the use of digital images provides a good opportunity to promote the work of the trust and school.

We would therefore like to assure you that the Trust takes the issue of child safety very seriously. The school’s Website Policy and the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulation GDPR (EU) 2016/679 underpins any use of student images.

The above includes images appearing in any of the following formats:

• Video
• Photograph
• Webcam
• Printed publications
• Television
• Multimedia message services
• The trust and school’s website*
• Social media*
• Optical Disk – CD and DVD

* Please note that websites and social media sites can be viewed throughout the world and not just in the United Kingdom where UK law applies.

We would therefore like to request your permission to use images of your child in any one of the formats, where appropriate, for educational or promotional purposes. Please indicate Yes/No on the Student Registration Form. Consent can be withdrawn at any time by emailing data@poyntonhigh.org.uk

When using the school’s ICT facilities and accessing the internet in school, I will not:

• Use them for a non-educational purpose
• Use them without a teacher being present, or without a teacher’s permission
• Use them to break school rules
• Access any inappropriate websites
• Access social networking sites (unless my teacher has expressly allowed this as part of a learning activity)
• Use chat rooms
• Open any attachments in emails, or follow any links in emails, without first checking with a teacher
• Use any inappropriate language when communicating online, including in emails
• Share any semi-nude or nude images, videos or livestreams, even if I have the consent of the person or people in the photo/video
• Share my password with others or log in to the school’s network using someone else’s details
• Bully other people
• Use AI tools and generative chatbots (such as ChatGPT or Google Bard):
  • During assessments, including internal and external assessments, and coursework 
  • To present AI-generated text or imagery as my own work

I understand that the school will monitor the websites I visit and my use of the school’s ICT facilities and systems.

I will immediately let a teacher or other member of staff know if I find any material which might upset, distress or harm me or others.

I will always use the school’s ICT systems and internet responsibly.

I understand that the school can discipline me if I do certain unacceptable things online, even if I’m not in school when I do them.

Parent/carer agreement: I agree that my child can use the school’s ICT systems and internet when appropriately supervised by a member of school staff. I agree to the conditions set out above for pupils using the school’s ICT systems and internet, and for using personal electronic devices in school, and will make sure my child understands these.

From July 2026 our school will be moving to a mobile phone pouch system. For a number of years, we have had a clear policy that mobile phones should not be seen, heard, or used anywhere on the school site, and we remain extremely grateful for your continued support in upholding this expectation.

You will have seen that in recent months there has been a marked change in emphasis in discussions about mobile phones and young people.  This is not restricted to the UK but is something that is being addressed across the world.  In England, the Department for Education has updated their expectations for schools and they are clear that ‘all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default’.  You will also have seen that the government launched a consultation this week on Growing up in the online world to determine issues such as an appropriate digital age of consent.  You may wish to respond to this at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/growing-up-in-the-online-world-a-national-consultation.

After careful consideration of the available evidence, we intend to meet the government expectation by introducing mobile phone pouches for students in Years 7-11.  We believe this next step will further strengthen students’ ability to focus, learn effectively, and engage positively during the school day. Research shows that even when phones are switched off, many young people continue to anticipate notifications or messages. This constant sense of alertness can significantly affect concentration in lessons and the quality of social interactions at break and lunchtime. 

Over recent months, we have visited several local schools that have already introduced mobile phone pouches. We have taken time to understand the benefits, challenges, and practicalities of the system. Their experience has shown clear improvements in student focus, reduced distractions, and a calmer learning environment. We are also working closely with other schools in the area to ensure a consistent approach so that students recognise this as a positive and supportive measure across the local community.

The mobile phone pouch system is straightforward. Each student will place their phone into a secure, lockable pouch on arrival at school. The pouch remains locked throughout the day and can only be opened using a special unlocking device held by staff at the end of the school day. Students keep the pouch with them, but the phone remains inaccessible until they leave the site.  As now, if a parent wishes to contact a student that can be done by ringing the school. 

We understand that a small number of students may need access to their phone during the day as their phone connects to a medical device, such as those managing diabetes. In these cases, we will provide adapted pouches to ensure students can safely and appropriately access the technology they need. Our pastoral and medical teams will work directly with families to put the right support in place. We will share further details, including timelines, demonstrations before we launch the phone pouches.

Student Behaviour Expectations

As a school we conduct diagnostic testing to assess students’ cognitive abilities. This is solely for educational purposes. The testing will take place on entry in Year 7 and be repeated in Year 8 and 9. The results of the testing will be shared with teachers and leaders at Poynton High School to help improve students’ progress in learning.

Supplementary testing may be required at KS4 and KS5 for examination access arrangements. Students will sign a separate data protection notice for this testing as some results are shared with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

The testing does not require any prior learning or revision. 

Please indicate Yes/No on the Student Registration Form to give your consent for this testing to take place.

We use the Evolve system for payments of lockers, trips, resources and revision guides.

This system is also used to share emergency contact /medical information for school trips.

Once your child is on roll you will be issued with log in details.

The school has lockers for students to rent. This facility was very expensive initially and there are continuing regular replacement and maintenance demands.  The locker rental is £30 per student (non-refundable). This amount covers the cost of the same locker from year 7 to 11. There are sufficient lockers for all students.

Please indicate Yes/No on the Student Registration Form if you require a locker for your child.

Payment can be made via Evolve once students are admitted.

The school operates a cashless catering system which makes lunch-time more effective and exciting for all our students and relieves them of the need to carry money.

Years 7 – 11 use a swipe card to pay for their food. On admission each student will be issued with a lanyard and swipe card.

This system improves efficiency and keeps queues to a minimum.

• It ensures complete confidentiality for students entitled to free school meals.
• It is a unique verification.  No one else can use the student’s swipe card.
• It is an anti-bullying strategy as students do not need to carry cash.
• It ensures money provided by parents for school meals is used only for this purpose.
• It can provide parents with details of what their child is eating at lunchtime.

Money can be paid into an account via On-line Payment – MCAS.

At Poynton High School we have a first aid provision. If a student is unwell in school their teacher will contact the first aider. If a student is too unwell for school the first aid lead will contact home.

Students can not carry medication on their person except for an inhaler or EpiPen.

If a student requires medication during the school day the medication needs to be prescribed by a Doctor and a parent/carer must complete a medical form.

If a student needs a care plan to support their health in school please contact reception and ask to speak to the first aid lead.

There are a number of public buses that travel to and from our school in addition to the dedicated transport provided by Cheshire East.

Public Buses
The 833 and the 891 services travel between Hazel Grove and Stockport, and Poynton High School. Timetables and details of how to purchase tickets are available on a link through our school website.

Cheshire East Buses
A number of routes are currently in operation to transport students between Disley, Marple, Macclesfield, Handforth and Cheadle, and Poynton High School. A full list of routes, cost and how to obtain a pass, are available on our school website.

More information
Transport for Greater Manchester:
0161 244 1000
www.tfgm.com

Transport Service Solutions:
0300 123 5015 – Ask for Poynton High School Transport
schooltransport@transportservicesolutions.co.uk
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooltransport/PHS

 We would ask that you have contingency plans for the care of your children if snow or ice prevents the official transport from being used and, of course, we shall understand if this means that they are not able to be in school on that day. We hope that these arrangements can also extend to emergency supervision should we have to dismiss students early and we ask for a parent’s permission for an early dismissal in such cases on the student registration form. If you are keeping your child at home during bad weather, please authorise this absence in the usual way.

In accordance with The Education (Information about Individual Pupils) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007, school is now required to indicate whether any pupil with a parent, step-parent, parent’s civil partner or a person with parental responsibility, is a current member of the ‘regular’ armed forces and has been assigned Personal Status Category 1 or 2 by the Secretary of State for Defence or one of their parents died whilst serving in the armed forces and the pupil receives a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pensions Scheme or pupils with a parent who is on full commitment as part of the full time reserve service are classed as service children.

If this applies to your household, please indicate Yes/No on the Student Registration Form. We are then required to pass this information onto Cheshire East Local Authority.

Our Privacy Notice is on our website, please click here to view.

School uniform can be purchased from the following stockists:

F R Monkhouse - The Shopping Centre, Cheadle Hulme 0161 488 3410  www.monkhouse.com

Ann Taylor - P.S.U. of Poynton Ltd. –  01625 876 885
School Shop Opening Times - Tues night 7pm to 8:30pm 

Term-time only, open during summer holidays by arrangement.

Order online at www.phs.uniform4you.co.uk (Password – Yewtree1)

School Uniform - Compulsory Items

	Item: A navy blazer with the school badge on the top pocket Available from: PSU or Monkhouse Note: The blazer sleeves must not be worn rolled up
	Item: A navy school badged skirt - Minimum length 20 inches. Available from: PSU (code 3596) or Monkhouse (Poynton Navy Skirt) Note: The following are not allowed - a very short or tight skirt with splits in the seams. Any skirt that is not a school badged skirt.
	Item: Black tailored trousers worn to the waist. Available from: PSU (code 3832), Monkhouse (Banner trouser) or similar can be purchase at M&S, Tesco, Asda, Next etc. Note: The following are not allowed - hipsters, joggers, jean-style, frayed, clingy jersey/Lycra material, or decorated trousers.
	KS3: A blue school style shirt KS4: A white school style shirt Available from: PSU, Monkhouse (Banner shirt/blouse) or similar can be purchase at M&S, Tesco, Asda, Next etc. Note: They can be short, ¾ or long sleeved. Shirts must be buttoned to the neck and tucked in. They cannot have an open neck, a visible t-shirt or an exposed midriff.
	Item: School clip-on tie – house colour Note: non-clip-on ties are not allowed
	Socks: Plain black or white ankle socks Tights: Plain black or flesh-coloured tights Note: The following are not allowed - coloured or patterned socks, trainer socks or patterned tights.

 

School Uniform – Optional Items
 

	Item: V-neck navy jumper Available from: PSU, Monkhouse and M&S, Tesco, Asda, Next etc. Note: It can be with or without the school logo. The M&S jumper has a soft touch. The following are not allowed – Crew necks. Anything in sweatshirt style material, anything with a hood, zips or buttons, cardigans, not even under your blazer or on the way to and from school.
	Item: A plain, narrow (2.5cm or less), black belt with a buckle Note: the following are not allowed - Coloured belts, belts with embellishments, or wide belts. No scarves

Plain coats can be worn to and from school. Coats are not allowed to be worn inside the classrooms.

Hair

• Allowed: Natural hair colours only
• Not allowed: extreme styles including tramlines

Make-up

• Allowed: Subtle, unobtrusive makeup

Jewellery

• Allowed: One set of small studs
• Not Allowed: Hoop earrings, stretchers, facial piercings of any description

 

Compulsory Items PE
 

	PHS Sports Tee-Shirt
	Plus at least one from: Navy blue sports leggings Navy blue football shorts Navy blue skort Navy blue jogging bottoms Navy blue football socks (All must have limited branding)

 

Optional Items PE
 

Plain navy blue sweatshirt which can only be worn for PE PHS branded ¾ top PHS branded sports leggings PHS branded football shorts Extra Info Trainers required for PE lessons Suitable footwear for the field when have lessons on there (boots, older trainers) We recommend gum shields for Rugby If your child wears glasses, it is recommended that they wear prescription ‘sports glasses’ for PE lessons

 

Suitable School shoes
 

 

Unsuitable shoes

• No canvas or fabric
• No boots or high tops