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Penryn College

FAQs

Where do I find out the school term and closure dates?

The school term and closure dates are listed on the school website and are also featured in the school calendar.  If school has to close early due to weather for example, you will be alerted via ClassCharts.

Where can I buy school uniform?

Uniform is available from Castle Sports & Uniform Ltd - situated on High Street, Falmouth. Purchases can also be made on Castle Sports & Uniform Ltd's website: Castle Sports Penryn-college. If you wish to purchase sports kits, please visit Macron stores penryn-college.

What do I do if my child is ill and cannot attend school?

In order to ensure the safety and whereabouts of our students, we require parents/carers to contact the Attendance Officer before 8.30am on the day of absence, if your child is going to be absent from School for either all, or part of the day.  We have a 24-hour dedicated line, so messages can be left at any time, day or night. Absence Line – 01326 372379 or email attendance@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk or it can be logged directly on Class Charts (24hr answer machine)

When leaving a message, you will be asked to state:

  • Your name
  • The name of the student
  • Their Tutor Group (this is important as we often have two children with the same name)
  • A reason for the absence
  • An expected date of return, if possible.

Please contact our Attendance team on 01326 372379 (press 1) or e-mail attendance@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk

What happens if my child is ill during the school day?

If your child is unwell during the school day, they must tell their class teacher. The class teacher will contact a member of our First Aid team and decide the next steps. You will be contacted if your child is unwell and needs collecting.

What happens if my child is going to be late into school

  • It is very important that your child is on the School site before 8.40am
  • Students arriving after this time without an acceptable reason or parent note will be marked as late.
  • If you are aware your child is going to be late please telephone the Absence Line – 01326 372379 or email attendance@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk or it can be logged directly onto Class Charts (24hr answer machine)
  • If your child arrives late to School they must sign in at Student reception before they go to their first lesson.

What happens if my child needs to take medication during the school day?

Students are not permitted to carry medication around with them during the day. Please complete a Medication Consent Form on the school website here Parents Letters and bring it to Reception with the required medicine. The medicine will be kept with the Medical Lead and EST (Educational Support Team). During lessons, an EST member will take the medication to the student. During break time students can go to the EST Hub and ask for their medication.

What happens if my child has an appointment during the school day?

If your child requires a medical or any other appointment during the school day, please contact attendance@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk or call 01326 372379 ext. 0777, in the first instance, preferably one week in advance. Then, on the day of the appointment, please let your child know the time they should meet you for collection in Reception, where they will be required to sign out.

What if my child has food allergies?

Our menus change daily, therefore, each day, our catering staff complete a chart identifying all allergens in the food that is offered. This information is available on request and any students that need further information can speak to our canteen staff who will be able to advise them on what each dish contains, and which food options are free from specific ingredients. There are also posters in the canteen area reminding students to speak to staff who can advise them on the day's menu.

Detentions

Detentions are issued by teachers when behaviour expectations are not met, and are an integral part of our behaviour system. Only a small minority of students receive detentions, and they serve as a clear opportunity to make positive changes.
How detentions are communicated:

  • All detentions (date and time) are recorded in ClassCharts
  • Students can visit EST to check
  • Parents/Carers can access this information via the ClassCharts app
  • Tutors remind students to check ClassCharts regularly
  • Students can request a reminder slip from their tutor

KEY REMINDERS:

  • Check ClassCharts regularly – both you and your child should monitor upcoming detentions
  • Attend all scheduled detentions – this prevents escalation through the behaviour system
  • Provide medical evidence if your child has a genuine appointment conflict
  • Contact the Head of Year if you need support or have concerns

What is the RESET Room?

The RESET Room is an area where a student goes to due to extremely poor behaviour or if they repeatedly refuse to follow the instructions of a member of staff. The aim of the RESET Room is to allow the student an opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and discuss this with a member of staff. The hope is that the end result will have explored how the student can make better choices and to see if they need any further support to help them get things right next time.

Updating your contact details

If any of your contact details have changed, please email enquiries@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk and they will provide you with a secure link to an online form.

I have forgotten or misplaced my login details for ParentPay

Please go to the ParentPay login page and enter your e-mail address, then click on the 'forgotten password' link. If you need support with accessing ParentPay, please contact finance@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk

What do I do if my child has lost or forgotten their swipe card?

If your child has lost their swipe card, you can purchase one via ParentPay upon request. If your child has forgotten their swipe card and needs lunch, as long as there is still money on their card, they can go to the canteen, where staff will help them purchase food.

How can I get in direct contact with my child’s tutor?

Please e-mail your child’s teacher firstinitialsurname@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk  Find their name on Class Charts 

Or email enquiries@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk or call Reception on 01326 372379 and leave a message, which will be passed on to the tutor.

When can I meet with my child’s teachers to discuss their progress?

There are Subject Review Evening dates, which take place at different time across the year depending on your child’s year group. Please check the school website and newsletter for upcoming dates.

Who do I contact if I have concerns regarding bullying?

We would advise you to firstly contact your child’s tutor. If there is a significant concern, the tutor will contact the Head of Year, the Anti-Bullying Team, and the Assistant Head in charge of behaviour. Our anti-bullying policy is available to view on the 'Policies' page of the website.

How do I find out what's happening at school if I have shared parental responsibility?

We can add more than one parent/address or e-mail address to our system if you have shared parental responsibility. Please complete this information on the Data Collection Sheets we send to you. If you would like to be added to our system or our e-mail mailing list to receive our weekly communications, please e-mail enquiries@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk

As a parent/carer, how can I get involved with Penryn College?

Any person with parental responsibility of children at Penryn College is welcome to join our Parents' Forum. The aim of the Forum is to make us more aware of the parents’/carers' perspectives, and to provide a meeting ground for parents/guardians and teachers.

Parents are also regularly consulted on development plans, new initiatives and changes. If you would like to attend the Parents' Forum please contact the school via parents@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk 

How do I know what homework my child has been set?

This information is available to view on the Virtual School. As a parent/carer you can also sign up to a weekly e-mail. You will be sent this e-mail every Friday, with details of homework, behaviour, achievements, attendance and any upcoming key dates for the diary.  If you would like to be added to receive our weekly communications, please e-mail enquiries@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk

How do I get help with iPads or accessing the Virtual School?

If your child is having any issues with their iPad, they can let their tutor or class teacher know in the first instance. You are also welcome to contact ICTSupport@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk

What do I do if I need to contact my child during the school day?

You should only try and contact your child in an emergency. If there is an emergency, please call Reception on 01326 372379 and they will pass the message on.

How do I keep updated with information about clubs, including if they are cancelled?

The Clubs & Activities list is always on the school website and available on all pupils' iPads as a live document. If a club is cancelled, the teacher organising the club will contact pupils who have attended previously. We will also share this via social media, Facebook and Instagram

Where is lost property situated?

Lost property items are situated behind Reception, please ask your child to visit Student Services during break or lunchtime. We advise that all uniform is named, as we are then able to return these items to your child. We keep all lost property at Reception for one term, before taking unnamed items to a local charity shop.

How can my child get a locker in school?

All students are allocated a locker for personal use. There is no charge for this. Lockers are placed in designated areas near classrooms and common spaces for easy access. Lockers are large enough to store books, PE kit, and a coat, but not oversized items.

The student provides the lock (lock and key, or combination).

Lockers are secure, but we recommend not storing expensive items like phones or laptops.

Is my child eligible for Free School Meals?

Please contact the local authority: cornwall.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools-and-colleges/school-meals.

How do I find out more about transport?

Please contact the Local Authority: cornwall.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools-and-colleges/school-transport.

What do I do if my child has lost their bus pass?

If your child has lost their bus pass, please ask them to go to Student Services at Reception during lunchtime, where they can be issued with a temporary bus pass. This is valid for one week, and includes details about how to get a permanent replacement.

How can I help my child prepare for their exams?

Your child will be given lots of support in lessons to help prepare for their examinations, and many students will also be confident revising. However, we have made some useful downloads available on the 'Exams and Exam Timetables' section of our website.

How do I know when my child is sitting exams?

Internal Mock Exams and Semester Tests will be available for students to view on their Virtual School page.  
 
Autumn term: Year 11 Walking Talking Mock Exams and Year 10 End of Semester 1 Tests
 
Spring term: Year 11 Mock Exams and Year 10 End of Semester 2 Tests
 
Summer term: Year 10 End of Semester 3 Tests; Year 10 and Year 9 End of Year tests
 
External Exams -  GCSEs (summer term - May onwards) will also be available for students to view on their Virtual School page.  A provisional timetable for the GCSE exam period will be available on the school website from February. This will also be given to Year 11 and Year 10 students, as appropriate, and copies will be available from the Exams Office.
 
Specific venues and seating details will be available on the Virtual School from April onwards; however, we do ask that students regularly refresh their Virtual School page for the most up-to-date information.

How do I collect exam results once I have left the school?

If you would like to collect exam results once you have left Penryn College, you will need to contact the Exams Team via examsteam@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk. Penryn College will retain the certificates only for a certain time. Information about individual time periods is shared with students and parents/carers via email.