FAQ
FAQ For New Parents
We’re used to new parents having all kinds of questions. It is, after all, only natural that some have concerns as their child moves to a new environment. So we’ve prepared this list of frequent questions and answers which should offer you the guidance and assistance you require. Please contact us if you have additional questions or the answer you are looking for isn’t here:
Bootham School uses its own historical names to describe each of the year groups from aged 11 to 18. These idiosyncratic names are used in all school information and communications to parents and students. The year group names are explained below:
Schoolrooms: | ||
---|---|---|
Lower Schoolroom | Year 7 | Ages 11-12 |
Middle Schoolroom | Year 8 | Ages 12-13 |
Upper Schoolroom | Year 9 | Ages 13-14 |
Seniors | ||
---|---|---|
Lower Senior | Year 10 | Ages 14-15 |
Upper Senior | Year 11 | Ages 15-16 |
College (Sixth form) | ||
---|---|---|
College One | Year 12 (Lower 6th) | Ages 16-17 |
College Two | Year 13 (Upper 6th) | Ages 17-18 |
Children are given a list of all activities to look through in advance. Sometimes they will sign up for their new terms activities at the end of the previous term.
How long does it take on choice night and when do they do it?
Activity booklets are sent home for parents to look at with their sons and daughters, the weekend before Activities are chosen. The Activity choices can also be found on the website under ‘Life at Bootham/Extra Curricular Activities’. Activity sign up day should be should be listed on the school calendar.
In term time the Nearly New shop is open most Saturday mornings during ‘Coffee and Croissants’. It is also open for the New Schoolroom Parents’ Coffee Morning which is held in June. The shop takes cash or cheque donations
We are always pleased to receive good condition uniform items that your children have grown out off – please hand laundered items to Reception, clearly marked for Nearly New.
Email is great – but not if you’re a busy classroom teacher! Please only email teaching staff with specific queries which only they should answer. Absences through sickness should be directed to the School Secretary either by phone or email schoolsecretary@boothamschool.com. Planned absence should be directed to the form Tutor (and Boarding House Master/Mistress) – here the convention for email is firstname.lastname followed by @boothamschool.com e.g. john.smith@boothamschool.comor a note delivered to school.
The ‘Christmas Meeting’ is a popular event – there’s usually coffee before and a long queue! – and then for those requiring lunch you’ll need to book. All the information will be sent in the ‘End of Term Arrangements’ which usually arrive in the penultimate week of term.
Parents’ Day is a great event! It is in fact a weekend starting on Friday evening and running through to Saturday afternoon. You will be sent an invitation and programme in advance. Check the website too. Most parents aim to attend the Main Meeting on the Saturday morning to hear addresses from the Head Reeves (head girl and boy) and the Headmaster. There are concerts, drama events, art displays and House matches plus a big fundraising auction of promises after lunch.
Membership of the BSA allows for use of the sports facilities at certain times.
Please try to drop off and pick up outside the grounds wherever possible. The one-way system (in via Portland Street and out via Bootham Row) will operate between 8.00 am and 9.00 am, dropping off at the back of chemistry. At other times, cars may also exit via Portland Street, as Bootham Row exit will only be open between 8.00 am and 9.00 am and between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm. After school (between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm) you may drive into the playground whilst waiting for your child/children (engine off please). You may also park in the playground on Saturdays between 11.30 am and 3.30pm in order to collect your child/children or stay for lunch. Playground parking may occasionally be permitted at other times for various school ‘events’, and for visitors attending Open Mornings. Such occasions will be advertised in advance on our website and in the weekly newsletter.
We currently run a mini bus service to and from the Junior and Senior Schools. This covers the following areas: Appleton Roebuck, Bolton Percy, Acaster Malbis, Copmanthorpe, Bishopthorpe and Tadcaster Road. Other bus routes may be considered if there was sufficient demand.