Dear Sixth Form Student,
Congratulations on your GCSE results and on your entry into our Sixth Form.
Term starts on Thursday 4th September and you should arrive in school for a welcome assembly at 9:00am. A programme for the first day will be emailed to you and I would be grateful if you would attend in full uniform.
As it is the first day, students will need to be on site for lunch (from Thursday 5th September onwards students will be allowed off site for lunch). Students may either purchase a school lunch (£3.55) or bring in a packed lunch. A Sixth Form tie (£9.00) or brooch (£2.00) will also need to be purchased on the first day, therefore, please bring either cash or a contactless card. Existing TBSHS students may use their ParentPay account to pay for a school lunch.
If you wish to rent a locker, you will need an additional £10 (see section 10.12 Lockers) which again can be paid in cash or by contactless card. This will also be available on ParentPay.
Full details of our dress code are on our website. Please read through this guide fully so that your first day runs as smoothly as possible.
In the email that you have received confirming your place, there is a link to our on-line system where you will be able to officially accept your place and, most importantly, complete all required registration information. It is vital that this is completed by Friday 22nd August. Please contact Admissions for a hard copy to be sent to you ONLY if you are unable to access the internet and complete the forms online. Please also print off the Biometric Consent Form included in your email to bring in on your first day.
Please also put the evening of Tuesday 9th September in your diaries, as that will be our Year 12 Standards Evening, which all students and parents are expected to attend. Further details will be provided at the start of term about this and other key events requiring student attendance in the Autumn Term.
Congratulations once again and we look forward to seeing you in September.
Yours sincerely,
Mr J G Munro
Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form
First Day - Reminders
Important things to remember for your first day (Thursday 4th September 2025):
- You need to come into school wearing uniform (see Sixth Form Dress Code)
- Please bring your completed Biometric Consent Form to hand in
- You will need to pay for your tie (£9.00) or brooch (£2.00), preferably by card. If you are a former TBSHS Year 11 student, you can pay on ParentPay.
- Lockers can be purchased for £10.00 (preferably by card) – this is for the full 2 years of Sixth Form
- You will need to pay for school lunch by card (£3.55 for a hot meal or sandwich meal deal), if you do not already have a VeriCool account with us. This will be setup within the first few days. Logins for ParentPay to add money to this account will also be setup within first few days and sent out by email. Please note that there is a £10.00 daily spend limit for all catering charges.
- Timetables for the first day will be emailed out in advance and you will receive your final weekly timetable the next day (Friday 5th September)
- Please bring your completed Bridging Units on your first full day (Friday 5th September)
Special Educational Needs, Disabilities and Medical Conditions
Please ensure that you have informed the school in advance of any medical conditions, Special Educational Needs or disabilities. We want your first day to go as smoothly as possible for you. Please ensure you have read the section on Special Educational Needs, Exams Access and Medication for more information.
TBSHS is a no-smoking site
Please note that smoking and vaping are not permitted within school or whilst students are outside of school wearing school uniform. Any students caught smoking or vaping will be sanctioned with external suspension from school.
Cigarettes and e-cigarettes are also banned on the school site. Any student caught in possession of these items will be sanctioned with external suspension from school.
TBSHS is a nut-free school
Due to some of our students and staff suffering with life threatening airborne nut allergies, we are a ‘Nut Free School’. An allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) can occur through ingestion of nut products, cross contamination and breathing nut dust in the air. Since this condition can be life threatening, we are asking all members of the school community for their help in minimising the risk to these children and adults to
- Avoid having nuts or nut products in packed lunches
- Avoid having nuts or nut products or snacks/bars containing nuts for break time snacks
- Avoid supplying the school with cakes or food items containing nuts for birthday celebrations, sales or events
- Avoid bringing containers such as cereal boxes for DT/Art lessons into school which may have contained produce made with nuts
Travel to School
To read about the different transport options travelling to/from TBSHS, please click here.
Parent Drop-off and Collection
Parents/carers are able to use the bus turning circle at the top of our new drive to drop children in the morning before 8:25am. Do bear in mind that school buses will be using this area, so cars will absolutely not be able to wait there for any reason.
It will not be possible for parents/carers to come on to site and collect children from the same area before 3.45pm, as it will be busy with buses until then.
Students driving themselves to school
Students are encouraged not to drive to school unless absolutely necessary and must sign the Sixth Form Driving Policy (this will be shared with students later). The student’s car registration details will be collected & kept on file. It should be noted that students may only request authorised absence for one theory and one practical driving test; time off for further tests during school hours may be recorded as unauthorised.
There is a student car park at the front of the school, where spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis. If there is no space, it is the student’s responsibility to find a safe and legal parking space and then walk the remaining distance to school. They must always show consideration of our local residents and park considerately, recognising their right to have ease of access to their driveways. Please note that some of the estates around the school are still private “unadopted” roads and therefore have byelaws which prevent members of the public from parking there. These roads can be identified on Hertfordshire County Council’s website.
Contacting the School
Sixth Form Administrator: 01279 869532 / christina.goan@tbshs.org / sixthform@tbshs.org
Main Reception: 01279 869531 / office@tbshs.org
Absence Line: 01279 869555 (Note: Only use if you can’t access the EduLink App – see Attendance and Punctuality)
Sixth Form Management Team can be contacted via sixthform@tbshs.org
- Mr George Munro – Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form
- Mr Simon Mariner-Goff – Deputy Head of Sixth Form (academic progress, tutorial programme, post-18 guidance)
- Mrs Katie Howe – Deputy Head of Sixth Form (student welfare, standards, enrichment and extra-curricular)
- Ms Christina Goan – Sixth Form Administrator
- Mrs Kirsten Radford – Post-18 Co-ordinator
Key Dates
Term dates for the school can be found here. Note that students do not need to attend for INSET or Occasional Days.
The school calendar can be found here.
To read about the structure of the school day, click here.
Please mark the following key dates for Sixth Form in your diary:
- Thursday 11th September 2025 – School Photographs
- Thursday 9th September 2025 7pm – Year 12 Standards Evening (for students and parents/guardians)
- Thursday 18th September 2025 – Prospective Parents Evening (school ends at lunchtime, students act as helpers)
- Wednesday 1st / Thursday 2nd / Friday 3rd October 2025 – Year 12 Teambuilding Trip at Essex Outdoors (you will attend on one of these days only)
- Wednesday 5th November 2025 – Sixth Form Open Evening (school ends at lunchtime, students act as helpers)
- Thursday 20th November 2025 – Year 12 Consultation Evening (for students and parents/guardians)
A-level Exam Results Day for your cohort will probably be Thursday 12th August 2027 (to be confirmed).
Academic Processes and Support
As a Sixth Form, we get fantastic academic outcomes because students work hard and they are given the opportunity to work hard in Sixth Form study areas. To support students deal with the transition from GCSE to A-Level, there is a significant emphasis on Independent Study.
We want all of our students to get used to being tested and complete rigorous independent study to meet the demands of Post-18 Gateway Exams and A-Level Exams. We call this approach ‘academic rigour’ and we know that this method produces successful academic outcomes.
Formal Assessments
- Autumn of Year 12 – Testing Week – to assess how students have handled the transition to A level and how well they know their Bridging Units.
- Summer of Year 12 – Post-18 Gateway Examinations – to determine what predicted grades will be used for UCAS / job / apprenticeship applications
- Autumn of Year 13 – Testing Period – to assess how students have progressed over the summer holiday and into Year 13
- Spring of Year 13 – Mock Examinations – final opportunity to practise for the summer exams
- Summer of Year 13 – Final A level Examinations – externally assessed exams.
Year 12 students will sit a variety of subject assessments throughout the year to test how they are progressing on their subject courses.
Academic Support
Students will be given support and guidance from subject staff and their tutors. The school closely monitors all students, dealing with academic concerns as they arise. We provide an Academic Support Programme (ASP) for students who require additional guidance in order to reach their target grades and achieve their potential. Students who would benefit from this guidance are identified through a holistic consideration of their teacher projected grades, examination results and other academic and pastoral information.
The ASP is designed to track the progress of students and provide help in a variety of ways including organisation, revision, examination technique and time management. During each session, students will gain specific and tailored advice and will set short-term targets to ensure steady progression towards their target grades.
In addition to, every Year 12 student’s progress is monitored during their first four weeks at TBSHS. Subject teachers will make a judgement on how well a student has settled into the Sixth Form. Any students who are deemed to be struggling will attend Progress Check interviews with a member of the Sixth Form Management Team or another senior member of staff.
Homework
Homework is essential if students are to reach their full potential in the Sixth Form. The school uses an online homework calendar on EduLink which is compatible with all platforms including mobile devices. Students and parents will be given access and login details in September and will be able to see what homework has been set and also when it is due to be handed in.
Study Spaces
Sixth Form students have dedicated study spaces in the Sixth Form Centre and the Library, both of which are silent-study zones and supervised by staff. Occasionally, students who are academically “on track” may be given access to the Mitre Café during certain study periods, which is a more relaxed environment.
Special Educational Needs, Exams Access and Medication
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
It is vitally important that students new to the school inform the School SENCO of any SEND requirements that they have. This will help us ensure that any relevant information is passed on from previous schools so that necessary support in the classroom, in exams or around school can be provided. It is important for teachers to be informed of anything that they need to consider as they help students to adapt to more demanding A level study and our Examinations Officer and Learning Support Department will need to put in place any agreed Access Arrangements for exams.
Please ensure you have completed the SEND section of the TBSHS Application System. For any additional queries or information, please contact senco@tbshs.org.
Exam Access Arrangements
For external examinations, the school can, in certain circumstances, apply for Special Consideration for a candidate. Therefore, it is important that the school is made aware of issues, e.g. ill health, family circumstances, medical conditions for which the student receives medication and treatment, which might affect exam performance before an exam is actually sat.
In order for your child to continue to be fully supported during their exams please inform us if they had Access Arrangements for Public Examinations (i.e. GCSEs). These may include: extra-time, modified papers for poor eye sight, prompts, readers, scribes, specialist accommodation, supervised rest breaks, word processor. You will be required to provide the evidence to support this, i.e. Form 8 from previous school, medical letters, normal way of working in class. This information should be brought into school and taken to the Examinations Office within the first half term.
Please also ensure you have completed the Access Arrangements for Public Examinations section of the TBSHS Application System. For any additional queries or information, please contact exams@tbshs.org.
Medication
Please note that, in line with national guidelines, The Bishop’s Stortford High School cannot be responsible for holding any form of non-prescription medication in School.
For the small number of students who have a life-threatening condition, the necessary medication is kept in an allocated place in School (e.g. Epi-pen, diabetic control medication). This medication is kept in a safe place, in a clearly marked box and includes a medical plan. It is parents’ responsibility to ensure that this medication is provided, in date, and that the medical plan is kept up-to-date. All Epi-pen students are required to carry an in-date Epi-pen with them at all times.
If a student needs to take prescription medication on a short-term basis, you must complete form “MED 01” (linked here), which can be obtained from the Finance office and from the school website.
There may be students who need to take prescribed medication in School on a regular basis. If this is the case, please contact the finance office to discuss the circumstances as a medical health care plan will need to be completed.
Bring Your Own Device
TBSHS operates a ‘Bring your own device’ (BYOD) policy, as computers are not available in the Sixth Form study areas. Consequently, you are strongly advised to bring your own device for study. This must be a laptop or tablet, not a mobile phone.
Within school, students have access to:
- Dedicated, silent study space
- Cloud-based printing
- Free, full Microsoft 365 license (Equivalent value £120)
- Easy access to charging
- Superfast Wi-Fi network
Additionally, TBSHS is offering a rental scheme where students can rent a fully insured, 2-in-1 Windows 11 laptop with Active Pen via a Tablet Academy endorsed provider. The approximate cost will be £25 per month for 2 years with option to own the device outright when you leave. There will be subsidised cost for students in receipt of 6th form bursary (for details of the 16-19 Bursary Fund, click here).
Student Welfare and Safeguarding
Safeguarding
As a School we are totally committed to ensuring our school community is a safe place in which to learn and work. We comply with all legal protocols and best practice procedures to make sure our students experience TBSHS as a safe place to learn.
All staff have regular safeguarding training and undergo enhanced DBS checks. The members of staff responsible for Child Protection are Miss Wendy Butler (Assistant Headteacher), Mr Dale Reeve (Headteacher), Mrs Natalie Miles (Assistant Headteacher) and Mr George Munro (Assistant Headteacher). If you have any concerns that you would like to share with the school, please contact safeguardingDSP@tbshs.org.
Student Welfare
For general welfare concerns, students or parents should not hesitate to contact their Form Tutor in the first instance. They can also contact the Sixth Form Management Team (see Contacting the School).
Students have 1-1 meetings with their Form Tutor each term, allowing them to discuss any worries or concerns they have (both academic or pastoral) as well as set some meaningful targets for the short and long-term.
In addition to the school’s pastoral support structure, we will involve external agencies as appropriate to help ensure all students’ well-being.
There are a small number of students who may be able to access the services of the independent school counsellor, where appropriate. Appointments to see the school counsellor are limited and can only be arranged via the Sixth Form Management Team. Please do let them know if you have any questions regarding this service.
Female Welfare
We are very proud of our diverse community in our Sixth Form. Our induction programme in September is designed to ensure the transition from Year 11 to Year 12 is as smooth as possible.
We do understand that for some of our students the transition to a new school (which only has boys in Year 7 to 11) may seem particularly daunting. We want to reassure you that there will be a lot of students (over half of the current sixth form) who are making the move from a different school.
Over a third of our students in sixth form are female. The Sixth Form has a dedicated female welfare team (made up of team of students and staff) who are there to support our female students with any welfare issue.
Please note that, in line with our safeguarding and whole school behaviour policy, the Sixth Form takes a zero-tolerance approach to sexist behaviour, sexist language and sexual harassment.
If you hear, observe or, are a recipient of any sexist behaviour or sexual harassment you need to report this to a member of staff immediately. Any reported incident will be investigated and sanctions applied in line with our behaviour policy.
On your first day in Sixth Form, you will have a welfare session to highlight the fantastic pastoral support we provide and the staff you can speak to about a range of issues. You will have the opportunity to discuss welfare issues in student-led groups. You will also be able to provide your own perspectives on current social or welfare issues in our PSHCE sessions and assemblies.
Financial Support
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is made available from the government through its funding body, the Bursary Fund, to provide assistance to students who are 16-19 years old whose access to, or completion of, education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers.
Students following government-funded full-time or part-time courses (this describes all courses on offer at our Sixth Form), who satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
- Aged at least 16 and under 19
- Are in care, are leaving care
- Are in direct receipt of Income Support, Universal Credit or have an Education, Health and Care Plan(EHCP).
- Students facing financial barriers to participation in post-16 education.
- Meet the residency requirements – TBSHS will check this.
For more information, please click here.
Attendance and Punctuality
Attendance in Sixth Form
Full and punctual attendance to lessons and registration is expected. Any absence must be authorised by the school. When a student develops a pattern of absences or a known absence is longer than expected, the school will try to resolve the problem with the Parent/Carer.
The Government considers that students with an attendance of less than 90% are deemed to be persistently absent from school. This figure has been set following research which shows that persistent absence has a direct link to poorer life chances. We, as a school, will be working to ensure that all of our students will be achieving a high level of attendance, and would ask for your support in this matter. Where attendance is less than 90%, the school reserves the right not to pay the cost of examination fees.
If a pupil has been absent continuously for at least 20 school days on unauthorised absences, we will assume they have left TBSHS Sixth Form and they will no longer be a member of TBSHS Sixth Form.
Reporting Illness on the day
Any student absence, whatever the reason, must be reported by 8.30am on each morning of absence, by a parent/carer using our dedicated school EduLink App. Please give a detailed description of the reason for absence. The school reserves the right to mark ambiguous reasons such as (ill, poorly or unwell) as an unauthorised absence. Only the school can authorise an absence. An explanation given by a parent/carer is not always sufficient for the school to authorise it.
In the event of not being able to access the EduLink App, then please call the Attendance Line Number – 01279 869555
Illness during the school day
If any student falls ill during the school day, they must go to the medical room to be seen by a first aider who will then decide, in conjunction with a member of SFMT, whether to contact a parent/carer to arrange collection. The student is not to contact home first or leave site of their own accord.
If a student is ill during the evening and then feels fine the following morning, then they should still attend school in the morning. The Bishop’s Stortford High School does NOT operate the “48 Hour” rule used by some schools.
Requests for Planned Absence
Apart from unforeseen circumstances or illness, requests for absence, such as for driving tests or University visits, should be made in writing to sixthform@tbshs.org in advance of the actual event and as soon as the date is known. A screenshot of the confirmation of appointment will also need to be included in the email. For routine absence requests for appointments such as doctors or dentist, the EduLink App can be used and a screenshot of the appointment confirmation included.
The school will assess any requests for absence on a case-by-case basis and make a decision whether this will be marked as authorised or unauthorised.
Holidays during term time
The Government has directed that all holidays taken during term-time will be unauthorised unless there are exceptional circumstances that are discussed with, and approved by, the school. If your child is absent from school because of a holiday which has not been agreed, this will be classed as an unauthorised absence and you may be fined by the Local Authority. We hope you appreciate that it is in your child’s best interests to be in school during the school term.
Students should arrive at School at least five minutes before morning registration, so that they can get to their form room on time. Students arriving at Reception after 08:28 may receive a sanction, as this is too late to make it through school to their form room on time.
Late Arrival/Missed Registration
Any student missing a form-group registration, either morning or afternoon for any reason, should sign in late at the main reception. If they do not do so, then an unauthorised absence may remain on their record and parents may be unnecessarily notified of absence. If parents/guardians are aware of a reason why their child will arrive late on any occasion, they should notify the school using the EduLink App.
Signing Out
Signing out is done at the main reception area. Any student needing to leave during the School day for an appointment etc., must have already requested this absence via the EduLink App.(see above). Students without an authorised request already marked on their register will not be allowed off site until contact has been made with a parent/carer.
Students are permitted to go off site during lunch, but they must sign out first. In short, students must sign out whenever they leave the site (other than at normal end of the school day at 3.30pm) and all departures must have been authorised in advance.
Rewards and Sanctions
Rewards
Whilst we expect our Sixth Form students to be self-motivated and willing to go that extra mile for their own benefit, we also praise the efforts of Sixth Formers in a number of ways, such as:
- House points
- Formal “Thank You” letters and emails
- Announcements in assemblies
- Commendation Teas for outstanding academic performance
- School Colours
- Honours Boards and School Prizes.
Sanctions
Subject teachers and Form Tutors may issue detentions for missed deadlines and sub-standard work.
The Sixth Form Management Team may also issue a Standards Detention to students who fail to meet the general expectations and behaviours of Sixth Form.
In extreme circumstances, a student may be internally suspended and asked to work in isolation for the day or even externally suspended from school
Please refer to the school’s behaviour for learning policy for more detailed information.
Catering
Cashless Catering
Please note that TBSHS catering is cashless, with the exception of the Mitre Café, where students can use credit/debit cards in addition to their cashless balance. Please see the section on ParentPay for more information.
Breakfast
Breakfast is available in the Servery from 7.30 am and baguettes, paninis and additional savoury items can also be purchased at break. Only drinks made from fruit juice and mineral water are available.
Lunch
School meals at TBSHS provide wholesome and appetising nourishment, good value and a wide variety of choice. We hope Sixth Form students will enjoy them but students are allowed to sign out at lunchtime if they wish to go off-site for lunch.
Sixth Form have priority in the lunch queue ahead of the younger year groups.
Meal-Deal Price (main meal and dessert) = £3.55.
Student maximum daily spend is £6.00.
Many students are vegetarian and vegan we have a selection of suitable alternatives every day. We encourage all our non-vegetarians and our more conservative eaters to try some of the vegetarian options or more unusual dishes.
There is also a self-service salad bar and students can choose from a range of cold meat, fish or quiche to have with their salad. Students can also choose to replace the vegetable option from their main course with a serving of salad. This option has proved very popular with staff and students alike.
Every day we offer a choice of hot or cold desserts, including yogurts and fresh fruit. For students with lunchtime sports and clubs to attend, we can offer a packed lunch, comprising a sandwich, some fresh fruit and a yogurt with fresh fruit juice. These must be ordered at the Servery by 9.00 am on the day required.
Mitre Café
Sixth Form students also have access to the Mitre Café, where they can purchase hot and cold drinks, snacks and sandwich meal-deals.
Nut-free School
Due to some of our students and staff suffering with life threatening airborne nut allergies, we are a ‘Nut Free School’.
An allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) can occur through ingestion of nut products, cross contamination and breathing nut dust in the air. Since this condition can be life threatening, we are asking all members of the school community for their help in minimising the risk to these children and adults:
- Do not have nuts or nut products in packed lunches
- Do not have nuts or nut products or snacks/bars containing nuts for break time snacks
- Do not supply the school with cakes or food items containing nuts for birthday celebrations, sales or events
- Do not bring containers such as cereal boxes for DT/Art lessons into school which may have contained produce made with nuts
Catering in school is also ‘nut free’.
We understand that many foods are labelled as ‘may have been produced in a factory handling nuts and cannot be guaranteed to be nut free’. Such items are allowed as it would be unreasonable to expect these to be kept out of school.
ParentPay
ParentPay is an online solution specifically designed for schools that enables the secure collection of payments for School meals, trips and music lessons. Payments are made using a credit or debit card and parents are issued with a username and password once registration has taken place in September.
ParentPay fingertip recognition technology enables each student to place their enrolled finger on a fingertip scanner to make a payment for food. No cash or swipe card is required. During the enrolment process the software captures a digital signature of the student’s middle fingertip, which is broken down into data points, similar to reference points on a map, this is then turned into an alpha numeric string which is encrypted and stored on our own School server. It is important to point out that the finger-tip recognition system does not take or store a fingerprint. The information collected will be solely for school use and only held on school systems where consent has been given by the parent/carer or the student (if aged 18 and over).
The benefits of the system are many:
- Parents are able to see what is being spent
- Lunch money does not have to be provided in cash
- Each student’s allowance is allocated in the same way, including those eligible for free School meals (FSM), thus alleviating any stigma. Students entitled to FSM can still add cash to their account but the system will ensure that their daily FSM allowance is only used during the lunchtime service
- Students are less likely to make purchases off site at local shops
- All transactions are recorded by day, terminal, student, food type etc., showing what has been chosen and when
An upper limit on the amount of money that can be spent in one day will be set by the School to ensure students cannot purchase excessive amounts of food on any one day. This may be increased or decreased on parental request. The school is unable to allow an account to go overdrawn; therefore, it is the responsibility of both students and parents to ensure they have enough money on the account each day, to save embarrassment at the tills.
Cash is not accepted at the food counter tills.
Parents of students new to TBSHS in Year 12 will receive a letter with instructions and parent/carer logins during the first two weeks of joining the school.
Post-18 Support
Whether students want to continue to further study at university, an apprenticeship, enter the field of work or develop during a gap year, the Sixth Form Team will provide them with comprehensive support throughout Year 12 and Year 13 to help them make the best post-18 choices. Our broad programme of advice and guidance includes visits, independent advisors and external speakers from all walks of life, complementing our strong academic and extra-curricular provision so that students develop their skills, interests and talents against a backdrop of study and career path knowledge.
Our support includes:
- Off-site University visits
- On-site Academic and Industry speakers
- Advice from former students
- Dedicated Post-18 Co-ordinator and Careers Advisor
- Careers Resources including software tools, e.g. Unifrog
- Detailed university admissions guidance, e.g. UCAS
- Personal Statement and CV Preparation
- Tailored support for Oxbridge and other competitive entrance courses such as Medicine
- Mock Interviews
- Post-18 Bulletin disseminating full range of post-18 opportunities including apprenticeships, job vacancies and alternative training routes
Each student will be given the tailored support and help they need to aspire and reach their personal goals as they progress into adult life.
Enrichment and Extra-curricular
Sport at TBSHS
TBSHS is proud of its sporting provision for all students. Our aim is to provide a pathway for all students to aspire to improve and develop their physical abilities and personal interests across a broad range of sporting activities. We also pride ourselves on being a supportive and understanding environment for pupils on elite-pathways in any sport.
Students studying PE or BTEC Sports Studies will be involved in a wide range of sporting activities through the curriculum but all Sixth Form students are encouraged to participate in physical activity whatever their abilities. This could be during Wednesday afternoon Enrichment sessions or in our extra-curricular clubs which cover a wide variety of sporting areas.
The Sixth Form successfully fields both male and female teams that represent the school and play regular fixtures against other schools, for example in Netball, Cross Country, Rugby Union, Football, Cricket, Athletics, Table Tennis and Swimming. This has led to recent success on a regional and national level.
Sport develops vital personal and social skills. We work very hard to encourage fair play, honesty, dedication and personal application within every competitive sport. Students are expected to pride themselves in wearing the Black and Gold when representing TBSHS and buy into the total involvement ethos that permeates both the sports clubs and the school itself.
Enrichment
Students are offered many opportunities to develop their all-round education and abilities at TBSHS.
In addition to academic study, there will be the chance to take part in sporting, travel, intellectual, creative, charitable and other activities as a way of adding to skills and life experience beyond the classroom. As well as helping provide work-life balance, this also enhances a student’s CV in the competition for university places and employment.
All Sixth Form students engage in an enrichment activity on Wednesday afternoons and many other activities take place at lunchtimes and after school. On-site activities have included: most team sports, weights, Interact (Sixth Form Charity), drama, music, Model United Nations, debating, board games, stage lighting and sound, Medical, Law, Literature and Physics Societies and many more.
As a rule, Year 12 students will be expected to take part in an on-site enrichment activity. The key to enrichment is to find an activity that either, boosts one’s physical or mental health, or, enables to one to complete some volunteering.
Policies
Before attending TBSHS, we ask that you read and familiarise yourself our policies, which can be found here. In particular, you will be asked electronically to confirm your agreement with our:
- Acceptable Use of IT policy
- How we use your information (GDPR) policy
- Photo Consent policy
- Sharing your information with Youth Services policy
You will need to bring your completed Biometric Consent form on your first day.
You will also be asked to accept our Black and Gold Charter for Sixth Form students and parents.
Opportunities to Support TBSHS
Charity – Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA)
Charity Name/Number: The Bishops Stortford High School Parents Teachers And Friends Association 293966
The School has a lively and flourishing PTFA committee that organise various fund-raising events throughout the year. The PTFA is a registered charity that raises substantial and very important funds for the students and the School.
*** As a Parent/Carer of a child at TBSHS, you are automatically a member of the PTFA ***
The Parent Teacher and Friends Association of The Bishop’s Stortford High School would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child.
The PTFA forms a very important part of the Parent/Carer community within the School, organising various social events throughout the year whilst raising money to benefit our children. Using raised funds, the PTFA have brought many items.
The school’s PTFA has worked to provide many major additions to TBSHS, including light panels for the Art Department, a new set for our Drama Studios, keyboards, an immersive production from a Military Historical Education Officer, and multiple emotional literacy resources.
We are a friendly group and joining us is a great way to meet other parents, carers, and staff and to really feel involved in your child’s school. Your contribution to the PTFA can be large or small. Whether helping at an event or serving refreshments at an open evening, every little helps!
One way to support TBSHS is through The 300 Club:
- For £24 per year, you have the chance to win £100 each month (excluding August) and in December we have a “super draw”, which has 3 prizes – 1st £150, 2nd prize £100 and 3rd prize £50.
- There are no administrative costs involved and all profits go into PTFA funds.
To learn more about us, please visit the PTFA website or email us.
We do hope to meet you at one of our events.
TBSHS PTFA
https://www.tbshsptfa.org/
ptfa@tbshs.org
How To Help
If you are making a payment of £6 a quarter or £24 per year, please fill in the “TBSHS PTFA 300 Club Form” and return to the School Reception. [The Prize Draw means that Gift Aid is not possible].
| Regular Standing Order for
£24 per year or one-off donation to: |
Account Type: Business
Account Name: The Bishops Stortford High School Parent Teacher Assoc Registered Charity No 293966 Alt-Name: The Bishops Stortford High School Hertfordshire Sort Code: 60-02-36 Account Number: 63834537 |
| One-off donation via: | PayPal Giving Fund
https://www.paypal.com/GB/fundraiser/charity/3157988 |
| When shopping via: | The Giving Machine
https://shopandgive.thegivingmachine.co.uk/causes/the-bishops-stortford-high-school-tbshs/ |
To help us match up prize draw entries, when asked for a Payee Reference please use the following format:
“Your Mobile Number Dash Your Surname” with no spaces (18 characters max), for example 07000123456-SMITH.
For further details, please see the “Charity – Sign Up Instructions” section.
Charity – Sign Up Instructions
These details are provided for those considering pledging financial/other support to one or more of the TBSHS Charities as well as assisting in-branch/Internet/Smartphone banking users wishing to set up standing orders or one-off payments.
To help administer the Prize Draws for both the PSA and PTFA charities, every Parent/Carer has to use their own Unique Payee Reference. If you sign-up to any of the PSA and PTFA charities using the suggested Unique Payee Reference format and win a prize, the charities will be able to contact you to ascertain how you would like to receive your prize.
If you wish to contribute/donate and NOT take part in the prize draws, you do not need to use the suggested Unique Payee Reference format.
You can create your own “Unique Payment Reference” using the following format: “Your Mobile Number Dash Your Surname” with no spaces (18 characters max), for example 07000123456-SMITH.
The inclusion of your mobile number in your Unique Payment Reference” will help us to contact you in the event of winning a prize.
If you change mobile number in the future, you can update your standing order Unique Payment Reference to reflect this and you will then remain contactable. It is also helpful to tell the relevant charity/charities as well.
When donating to the PSA/PTFA charities, if you want to receive occasional updates about their activities, please contact them via their email addresses (listed below) with your “Unique Payment Reference” mentioning that you are donating and would like updates. Similarly, if you want to tell them that you want to be in their draw and providing contact details.
If you are already a member of either/both of the PSA/PTFA charities and were previously assigned a “Club Number”, your “Club Number” is still in use and you do not need to change anything. The Unique Payee Reference system was introduced for new members signing up from September 2021 onwards.
The Mitre Fund is eligible for Gift Aid and a copy of the Gift Aid form can be found at: https://library.tbshs.herts.sch.uk/public-downloads/forms-charities/TBSHS-Mitre-Fund-Gift-Aid-Form-Sept2025.pdf .
If you have any questions and/or wish to offer additional help, please do not hesitate to contact the individual charity email addresses shown below.
All three accounts are based at The National Westminster Bank plc, 7 North Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2LE.
| Charity Name/Number: | The Bishop’s Stortford High School Mitre Fund 1155759 |
| Bank Account Type:
Bank Account Name: Alternative Name: Bank Sort Code: Bank Account Number: |
Business Account
The Bishops Stortford High School Mitre Fund The Bishops Stortford High School Mitre Fund 60-02-36 63832925 |
| Suggested Amount: | £10 (or more) a month |
| Contact: | mitre@tbshs.org |
| Charity Name/Number: | The Bishop’s Stortford High School Parents Sports Association 1144671 |
| Bank Account Type:
Bank Account Name: Alternative Name: Bank Sort Code: Bank Account Number: |
Business Account
The Bishops Stortford High School Parents Sports Association The Bishops Stortford High School Hertfordshire 60-02-36 92801307 |
| Suggested Amount: | £15.00 a quarter or £60.00 per year |
| Contact: | psa@tbshs.org |
| Charity Name/Number: | The Bishops Stortford High School Parents Teachers And Friends Association 293966 |
| Bank Account Type:
Bank Account Name: Alternative Name: Bank Sort Code: Bank Account Number: |
Business Account
The Bishops Stortford High School Parent Teacher Assoc Registered Charity No 293966 The Bishops Stortford High School Hertfordshire 60-02-36 63834537 |
| Suggested Amount: | £24 per year |
| Contact: | ptfa@tbshs.org |
