7 September 2017 Dear Parent Welcome back to the new school year This year promises to be another exciting one, building on yet another record GCSE results this summer.

Despite considerable variability in school performance nationally and locally, our overall results are impressive and headlines have already been published in the local media and on our website. As well as record results in both English and Maths, there were record results in Science, Business Studies, PE, History and Geography.

Headline figures as follows:

77% of students secured 5 or more grades at A*-C, including English and Maths. This is a new school record –although this measure will no longer be published nationally.

40% of all grades awarded were at A* or A. This is a new school record.

10% of grades awarded in English Language, English Literature and Maths achieving the new Grade 9 (national average 3%). This is a new school record.

79% students secured the new standard pass (4-9) in English ¬and Maths. This is a new school record.

Over 75% of students with 9-4/A*-C grades in English, Maths and the sciences. This is a new school record.

76% of students achieve the equivalent of 5+ A*-C grades, including English and Maths. This is a new school record.

28% achieved the English Baccalaureate, although this figure is expected to increase when some late results some in.

All 218 students (100%) secured at least one qualification.

In terms of the government’s new performance measures which apply to all schools in 2017, the provisional new “Progress 8” figure shows that, on average, students at Priestlands performed a third of a grade better than might have been expected. We expect our “Achievement 8” grade to be B-.

In addition:

75 Y10 students took Leisure & Tourism. 93% achieved grades at A*-C with 33% of grades at A*/A.

3 individual Y10 students took Computer Science, Italian and Spanish respectively. All achieved A* grades.

The Department for Education performance tables are changing this year. The DfE has provided a short video to help parents understand the changes. The video can be found at: https://amp.twimg.com/v/94e0f954-4336-4c7f-b7bd-37c9a03eda53 and via our website at: http://www.priestlands.hants.sch.uk/Headteachers-Letters

New GCSEs We are now teaching the new GCSEs in all subjects. These syllabuses have no coursework and will be graded 9-1 (with 9 being the top grade). A rough guide to the changes can be found on our website here: http://www.priestlands.hants.sch.uk/Headteachers-Letters

Continued…. /2 Items with deadlines are highlighted in red

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Staffing For personal reasons, Miss Khalaf resigned at the end of last term. We wish her well in her future endeavours.

Following weddings during the summer holiday, Miss Devonshire returns as Mrs Cherry, Ms Critchley as Mrs Hartland and Miss Nethercott as Mrs Julius.

We are joined by some new colleagues and some existing staff are changing role:

Support Staff Mrs Bull changes role from Healthy Kids Co-ordinator to Achievement Support Assistant. Mr Simpson joins us as Cover Supervisor.

Art Miss Woodcock joins us a part-time teacher; she will also take over Mrs Smith’s timetable when Mrs Smith starts her maternity leave. Miss Roulston also joins the team.

Drama Mrs Okoth will join us later this month to take over Mrs Coats’ timetable when Mrs Coats starts her maternity leave.

English Mrs Pollard and Ms Stow-Monk joins the team.

Geography Miss Bradley De Silva joins the team.

History Miss Cole joins us from Bishop of Winchester Academy in Bournemouth; she and Miss Stewart become Co-Deputy Heads of History

ICT & Computing Mr Fitzgerald joins the team.

Maths Dr Burgess joins from Redbridge School as Head of Maths

Music Ms Simmonds takes over as Head of Music; she joins us from Qatar.

P.E. Mr Mitchell joins us as a part-time teacher and Mr Lopez as our Sports Leader Apprentice.

R.E. Mr Pitcher comes from Wyvern College to take over as Head of RE.

I know that new colleagues and existing staff alike look forward to the new term with energy and enthusiasm.

School Uniform Because of your continued support and co-operation, I am pleased to be able to report that the vast majority of students have again returned to school looking smart and ready to work. I know that these high standards reflect a wider commitment that will enable us to continue establishing a positive learning environment in school. I should also like to remind parents that existing students do not need to replace their current uniform with the new House coloured coded uniform until January 2019.

School Photographs As usual, I have arranged for Cardwell & Simons Photographers to come into school to take individual portrait and tutor group photographs of all students. I have also arranged for the photographer to take group portraits of family members and friends. Based on previous years’ experience, some Y11 students request photographs of friendship groups. I am happy to book these in, provided that the request is agreed by a parent.

The photographs will be taken on Wednesday 13th and Friday 15th September. I expect proofs to be available by the end of September and orders to be fulfilled before half-term, well in time for Christmas presents for grandparents!

If you would like a family or group photograph, please email photos@priestlands.hants.sch.uk or complete the slip at the end of this letter and return it the school office, by Wednesday 13th September. These photos will be taken on Friday.

Friends of Priestlands School (our PTA) The Friends of Priestlands School (formerly PTA) would like to welcome all parents (particularly new parents) back from the summer break. The mosaic funding tree is now up in the Main Hall and those families / businesses who have sent through donations to the school for forthcoming funding projects are currently being added to the tree.

Continued…. /3

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Alongside funding for school projects this year the Friends have re-launched the 1000 Club. Details of both are available on the school website using the following link: http://www.priestlands.hants.sch.uk/PA.

The first Friends’ meeting of the year will take place next week on Monday 11th September at 7:00pm in the Walhampton Arms. Last year, we had many new parents join at our relaunch and we hope this year more parents will come along to support the school. There are a number of events we are currently investigating; 80s disco, quiz nights, art & craft workshops….

If you have thoughts and ideas and would like to be a part of the Friends please come along to the Walhampton Arms next week.

Schools have tighter constraints on their budgets and now, more than ever before, the role of the Parents’ Association is important for funding those additional events / projects that schools alone cannot fund. The current funding projects we are raising funds for are; buying a new minibus; updating the school library; building a new sports pavilion; and creating a school amphitheatre. If you have any further questions please contact Lea Hampton, Secretary of the Friends of Priestlands School on the email: staff.HAMPTON@priestlands.hants.sch.uk.

Groupcall Xpressions App As you know, we frequently send out text messages to parents to alert them to future events, safeguarding tips, parents’ evenings and the like. We have been told that if we continue doing this, we can expect to pay nearly £10,000 over the next 12 months.

You can help us save money at no cost to yourselves. All you need to do is install the Groupcall Xpressions app free of charge. We can then send you messages via the app at no cost to the school. This app is completely free of charge to you and can be installed on your mobile phone or tablet. It currently supports both Apple iOS and Android devices (with Windows mobile to follow) and you’ll be able to see information for your children. Over 200 parents have now successfully installed the app.

Once you have installed the app and successfully logged in, it will probably take 24 hours or so before you see your child(ren)’s information. Once running, you will be able to see the following information:

Free messages sent by the school delivered directly to the app Attendance records and absences Timetable School calendar

We are currently working to make assessment information available.

Please ensure we have your correct mobile number and email address on our school database to ensure you can use the app. Simply email your details to the school at staff.woodcock@priestlands.hants.sch.uk. You’ll need to make sure you keep these details up to date in future to maintain access to the service. If you have received this letter by email you are at least half-way there!

We are aware that reviews of the app are not all positive and that there were some teething difficulties in installing the app and accessing information. We understand that these issues have now been resolved. If you do experience difficulties using the app, please let us know via staff.woodcock@priestlands.hants.sch.uk; we will then contact Groupcall on your behalf and ask them to resolve the issue.

Show My Homework The school continues to invest in an online service for homework. Teachers now set homework in class and post it online. All students have been issued letters giving them their own login details and the login details for parents. The site can be easily accessed via the shortcut on every page of the school’s website. This service allows parents to track their children’s homework and gain access to the tasks set and the associated resources.

Continued…. /4

Did you know … just registering your child for Free School Meals means that the school gets extra money?

Register now to make sure we don’t miss out.

The Government is giving money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best. This funding is called a ‘Pupil Premium’.

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Student Record Book (SRB) This year, we have dispensed with the usual A5 planner format for SRBs. Instead, we have issued very student with a pocket diary which contains all of the same information. We do not expect students to record homework in these diaries but they are useful for reminders and as a means of communicating non-sensitive messages between home and school. For this reason, even though it is no longer used to record homework, we ask that you continue to check and sign diaries weekly.

School Meals The traditional meal price will remain at £2.15. This means that, for students receiving free school meals, their entitlement will also remain at £2.15. There will continue to be an emphasis on healthy eating.

We remain with Hampshire County Council Catering Services (HC3S). This is a Hampshire-owned company that ploughs any profits back into school.

Free School Meals eligibility Children whose parents receive the following support payments are entitled to receive free meals:

Income Support (IS)

Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)

Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)

Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, and have an annual income, as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190. Parents who receive Working Tax Credit in addition to Child Tax Credit do not qualify for free school meals.

Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

Children who receive IS or IBJSA in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals.

If you qualify under any of the above rulings, please collect a free school meals application form from the school office and return the completed form, together with the relevant documentary evidence (Income Book, or Tax Credits Award Notice Form TC602). If you are unsure, please ring the school office.

Online payments (“Parent Pay”) The school also uses an online payment system (Tucasi). This system allows parents to make payments to our school using the internet. A shortcut to the Tucasi website can be found at the top of every page of our website.

Parents of all existing students have already been sent a letter with full details. Parents of new Y7 students will receive their letters next week. These letters give instructions on how to create an account to use for online payments. Family accounts can be linked either at our school or other schools but each child must have their own account.

We would encourage parents to take advantage of this service – amongst other things, it will stop students carrying money or cheques which could be lost or forgotten at the bottom of a bag!

If you have received a letter but lost it and need a replacement letter, please contact the Finance Department.

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Absence Line: 01590-613440 We have a dedicated phone number to report student absence: 01590-613440. Please use this number which has a voicemail service outside school hours.

Attendance Thanks to everyone’s support, most students’ attendance last year was excellent.

The law relating to absence seems to be changing all of the time. However, all local authorities have a Code of Practice for Attendance which all schools must still follow. For us, this means:

Unless the issuing of a Penalty Notice would conflict with other intervention strategies in place or other sanctions already being processed, we will have to issue a Penalty Notice where the student has been:

absent without authorisation for 10 or more half-day sessions in a 10-week period – these do not need to be consecutive; or

late on 10 or more occasions in any 10 weeks – again, these do not need to be consecutive; or

absent for 1 or more sessions during a public exam or formal school assessment or test, where dates are published in advance.

We will not normally approve any request for absence where a child’s attendance for the previous 12 months is below 95%.

Each penalty notice carries a fine of £60 if paid within 21 days of the penalty notice being posted. If the fine is not paid within 21 days the penalty is automatically increased to £120 if paid within 28 days. If the fine remains unpaid the Hampshire County Council will consider prosecution for the non-attendance. Separate penalty notices are usually issued to both parents.

First Aid in School The school employs staff to administer emergency first aid to students. They also carry a small supply of feminine hygiene products. However, parents should be aware that the medical room is staffed by qualified first-aiders, not by fully qualified nurses. They are not able to deal with out-of-school non-emergency queries and do not hold supplies of medicines. To avoid confusion with the Primary Care Trust school nurse, we call our staff “Matrons”.

The School Nurse Service (not the school’s own ‘matrons’) The health services who work with young people of school age (including the School Nurse attached to Priestlands) offer support regarding health or medical matters as well as a confidential service within their professional code of practice. The School Nurse has asked us to provide her with a list of the names and contact details of all of our students so that she is able to respond quickly should a request for support be received. If, as a parent, or as a student aged 16 or over, you do not want the School Nurse Service to receive this information from us, you should let me know in writing by Friday 15th September.

Nut allergies We have a number of students who have nut allergies. For some, even the smell of nuts can trigger a life threatening allergic reaction. For this reason, we ask that students do not bring nuts or products containing nuts onto the school site.

Measles, Chicken Pox and Shingles Please may we ask for your cooperation with an important matter? We have students and staff who are receiving medical treatment for cancer. This puts them at risk if they are exposed to measles, chicken pox or shingles. Please let us know immediately if anyone in your household is suspected of having any of these illnesses.

Continued…. /6

– 6 – Peer Mentors Miss Jamieson, our ELSA, has trained a team of Y11 students, who are on duty every lunchtime from 1:00pm to 1:30pm, with bases in the Hub. Peer Mentors also attend drop-in clubs and offer help with homework. They are easily recognisable by their purple polo shirts and badges. We hope that any student needing someone to talk to or seeking advice will feel comfortable approaching one of our dedicated team who are there to support their peers.

Lost Property Several bags of lost property were brought to the Matrons’ office during the holiday period. Similarly, a range of items was left in lockers that were cleared during the summer break. Notes have been sent to the owners of all named items, to ask them to collect their property.

There will be a sale of all unclaimed property shortly before half-term. We will let parents know the date of the sale via text message and the school website. Anything not bought will be donated to charity.

Cycles and Scooters More students are now seeking to cycle or “scooter” to school. This is something we are happy to support. Cycle routes are being created along more of our local roads and this will improve safety.

Students must use the school cycle storage areas next to the Technology Building or between Gurney Dixon and the Performing Arts Centre. They must not use the Health and Leisure Centre cycle racks.

I remind parents that students cycling to school must wear appropriate safety helmets. The same applies to students who wish to use scooters. Students will not be able to bring bikes or scooters into school unless they are wearing safety helmets. Please note that the school cannot accept responsibility for checking that cycles are roadworthy.

Skateboards There is no appropriate area in school where students can use skateboards safely and staff are not able to look after these bulky items during the school day. Therefore, students should not bring them into school.

Behaviour Last year, behaviour in school was excellent. Thank you to parents for your continued help and support. Nonetheless, maintaining these standards and improving the behaviour of the minority will always be a priority for us. We expect all students to take responsibility for their own behaviour and be aware of the school’s procedures and expectations. These are clearly set out on our website and in the SRB. In return, staff offer much praise, support and encouragement to students.

Full details of our approach to behaviour management can be found on our website. This includes the Governors’ Statement of principles to promote good behaviour at Priestlands school at: http://www.priestlands.hants.sch.uk/MainFolder/Governors/Policies/Governors-Statement-2017.pdf

and an outline of the Behaviour Charter and day-to-day operation at: http://www.priestlands.hants.sch.uk/MainFolder/Governors/Policies/Behaviour-Policy-January-2017.pdf

Detentions Most students will complete their school career without being placed in detention. Last year, we adopted a very simple procedure. If staff issue a child with a detention, they will write a note in the SRB. The school will also send a reminder text message the day before the detention is due to take place.

The message is simply a reminder. Staff will re-organise detentions only in exceptional circumstances.

Continued…. /7

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Electronic Devices We prefer students not to bring electronic devices into school, but understand that some parents feel happier knowing their child has a phone with them. Unfortunately, they can be easily damaged and, if lost, are difficult to find.

The school cannot take responsibility for electronic devices that are lost or stolen and, whilst we would assist with any investigation, we could not promise to invest substantial amounts of staff time. I strongly advise parents to ensure that devices are covered by home insurance policies and would suggest that, if it is absolutely necessary for a student to bring one into school, they bring a cheap, basic model.

I shall be reminding students of our policy and asking staff to enforce it:

Mobile phones and music players need to be switched off, out of sight and not checked during lessons unless use of the device is specifically required for that lesson.

We trust students to use their devices appropriately. Any student who uses a device inappropriately will be banned from bringing it into school. Examples of inappropriate use include:

Using a phone in a lesson (including receiving calls or texts). This includes students who receive calls from parents!

Unwelcome photography, filming, recording, texts, phone calls or use of the internet.

Using a phone to contact parents, or anyone else, to ask to go home or report incidents instead of talking to staff first.

Music players are not to be used other than at break-times and lunch-times. Headphones should not be visible at all in lessons, even if music players are switched off.

Car Park School car parking facilities are limited and the main car park is not provided for the use of parents. If parents are simply dropping into school for a short while, there will not normally be a problem, but there are difficulties for Health and Leisure Centre customers when parents fill up or block the car park, especially at the beginning and end of the school day.

The school does have a number of disabled students and there can be particular problems if parents wait for their children in front of the disabled parking spaces.

It would be helpful if parents would avoid driving onto the school site at the beginning or end of the day. I know that this is not ideal, but it would also be greatly appreciated if parents are able to arrange to meet their children elsewhere or can arrange to collect their youngsters after the 3:15 to 3:30 pressure point.

Continued…. /8

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Vacancies Parents may be interested to know that we will shortly be advertising for the following roles. Information on these will appear on the Vacancies page of our website by the end of next week. Please note that applications must be submitted on a completed Priestlands Application Form.

Full-time teacher of English

Lunchtime Supervisors – (1 hour per day, term time) we would be delighted to hear from anybody interested in joining our team.

Information documents You can find the following documents on our website as attachments to this letter:

Statement on Bullying

Information about Growth Mindset

Guidance on the operation of our Behaviour Management Policy

Summary of our Complaints Procedure

Statement on Confidentiality

Rough Guide to the New GCSEs

Parents’ Guide to the Internet

Privacy Notice

I look forward to another successful year for all members of the school community.

Yours sincerely

C A Willsher

Headteacher ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please return to the Front Office by Wednesday 13th September

PRIESTLANDS SCHOOL - FAMILY / GROUP PORTRAITS If you wish to have a family/group portrait taken at school by Cardwell & Simon Photographers, please list below all involved siblings/friends at Priestlands.

Name of student ………………………………………………………………. Tutor Group: …………………….

Name of student ………………………………………………………………. Tutor Group: …………………….

Name of student ………………………………………………………………. Tutor Group: …………………….

Name of student ………………………………………………………………. Tutor Group: …………………….

Signature: …………………………………………………....…….. Parent Date:

Autumn Term: Monday 4th September – Thursday 21st December 2017 Monday 4th September All day Inset Day 1

Tuesday 5th September All day Inset Day 2

Wednesday 6th September 8.45am Year 7 start at 8.45am

Thursday 7th September 8.45am Years 8-11 start at 8.45am

Monday 11th September 7.00pm Friends of Priestlands meeting at the Walhampton Arms

Wednesday 13th September All day School Photos – portraits and tutor groups

Wednesday 13th September 6.00pm Year 7 Information Evening

Friday 15th September Morning School Photos – portraits and tutor groups

Wednesday 20th – Friday 22nd September All day Year 7 Residential Trip to Fairthorne Manor

Wednesday 20th September 6.00pm Year 11 Information Evening

Tuesday 26th September 6.00pm Year 10 Information Evening and Work Experience Parents’ Briefing

Tuesday 3rd October All day Inset Day 3

Tuesday 3rd October 7.00pm Priestlands’ Open Evening

Wednesday 4th October All day Inset Day 4

Friday 7th October 9.15am Priestlands’ Open Morning

Tuesday 19th October 7.00pm Priestlands Baccalaureate Presentation Evening (1)

Autumn Half-term: Monday 23rd – Friday 27th October 2017

Wednesday 22nd November 4.30pm Year 7 Parents / Tutor Evening

Thursday 23rd November 6.30pm Music Recital with Year 10 & Exam students

Wednesday 29th November 4.30pm Year 10 Parents Evening

Friday 8th December 1.30pm Senior Citizens’ Tea Party hosted by Year 9 students

Wednesday 20th December 6.30pm Carol Service at St Thomas’ Church, Lymington

Spring Term: Wednesday 3rd January – Thursday 29th March 2018 Wednesday 3rd January All day Inset Day 5

Wednesday 10th January 4.30pm Year 11 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 25th January 7.00pm Priestlands Baccalaureate Presentation Evening (2)

Thursday 1st February 7.00pm Priestlands Baccalaureate Presentation Evening (3)

Wednesday 7th February 6.00pm Year 11 GCSE Exams Information Evening

Half-term: Monday 12th – Friday 16th February 2018

Wednesday 28th February 4.30pm Year 7 Disco

Wednesday 7th March 4.30pm Year 9 Curriculum Choices Evening

Wednesday 14th March 4.30pm Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Monday 19th – Wednesday 21st March 9.00am Year 11 GCSE Food & Nutrition Practical Exam

Wednesday 21st March 6.30pm Year 8 Curriculum Choices Evening

Wednesday 28th March 6.30pm Charity Music Concert

Priestlands School Key Dates for 2017-18

Summer Term: Monday 16th April – Friday 20th July 2018 Tuesday 17th April All day Year 11 Group Photograph

Wednesday 18th – Thursday 19th April All day Year 11 GCSE Art Exam

Thursday 19th April 4.30pm Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Tuesday 24th – Thursday 26th April All day Year 11 GCSE Photography Exam

Friday 27th April All day Inset Day 6

Wednesday 9th May 4.30pm Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Monday 14th May – Friday 22nd June Year 11 GCSE Examinations

(These dates are provisional and will be confirmed as soon as we know. GCSE practical exams and oral exams usually take place throughout April and May therefore parents should avoid taking Year 11 students out of school throughout April, May and June. Full information will be provided at the Year 11 Information Evening.)

Half-term: Monday 28th May – Friday 1st June 2018

Monday 25th – Friday 29th June Activities Week for Years 7-9

Monday 25th June – Friday 6th July Year 10 Work Experience Fortnight

Thursday 28th June 9.30am Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly

Thursday 28th June 7.00pm Year 11 Prom

Monday 2nd – Friday 6th July Literary Festival Week

Wednesday 4th July 6.30pm Inter-house Music Competition

Tuesday 10th July Year 6 Intake Day & Evening

Friday 13th July 9.00am Sports Day

Win up to £240

every month in the

Friends of Priestlands School 1000 Club

Help us to help Priestlands School by joining the Friends of Priestlands School 1000 Club.

For just £1.00 a month you can have the opportunity to win up to £240 every month.

Just think, that’s one in 1000 chance of winning the Friends of Priestlands School’s lottery compared to one in a 14 million chance of winning the National Lottery!

Each month the Club will run a Lottery. From the proceeds,

60% will be given out in prize money and 40% will go to the Friends of 2.Priestlands School.

No money will be spent on administration.

Rules & Regulations 1. The Club shall be known as Friends of Priestlands School 1000 Club.

2. A number will be allocated to each £12.00 contribution per year.

3. The 1000 club is a private lottery and is open to all parents, carers, staff and friends of

Priestlands School. Anyone age 16 and over can join.

4. Membership will be renewed on an annual basis.

5. Each number will be eligible for one prize only per month.

6. One month’s notice must be given to cancel membership.

7. Any member may be allocated more than one number provided that the member pays

£12.00 per number per annum.

8. A draw will take place each month on the last day of each month except for the month

of December when it will be drawn on the 15th.

9. Prizes will be awarded worth £600 per month, subject to 1000 members, otherwise

60% of the total until a 1000 membership is achieved as follows:

First prize: 24% of the prize money to a maximum of £240

Second prize: 16% of the prize money to a maximum of £160

Third prize: 9% of the prize money to a maximum of £90

Fourth prize: 6% of the prize money to a maximum of £60

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

Consolation prize: 1% of the prize money to a maximum of £10

9. Prize numbers will be posted in the school office each month and in the school’s termly newsletters. Winners will receive their prize through the post within five days of the draw.

10. Any queries or disputes may be referred to the Friends of Priestlands School Committee whose decision shall be final and binding.

Priestlands 1000 Club

Standing Order Instruction

Please print out this form, complete the boxes and send to: Priestlands 1000 Club, Priestlands School, North Street, Pennington, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 8FZ

We will send you a confirmation acceptance letter along with your membership number

If you want to pay by annual cheque (£12.00 per share), all we need is your contact details.

STANDING ORDER DETAILS

Recipient: Priestlands Association Bank CAF

Name: Priestlands Association 1000 Club

Sort Code: 40-52-40 Account Number 00030827

How often: Monthly Date 1st of each month

First payment date: 1st October 2017 Monthly Amount £

YOUR DETAILS

Your name:

Your Bank & Branch:

Sort Code: Account Number:

Reference: (To be completed by Priestlands Association)

Your telephone number:

Your email address:

Your address:

I authorise you to debit my/our account, in accordance with the above details. I am over 16 years of age.

Signed:

Date: