Parent Information
Being happy and healthy
Our team of first aiders in the office are prepared to deal with the bumps and scrapes of the playground as well as taking very good care of anyone who feels under the weather! We also do lots to look after the mental health and wellbeing of all - please see our wellbeing page for more details.
For children to learn successfully they need to grow up in a healthy and happy environment. As a "Healthy School" we work hard to provide an environment that is healthy for their bodies and minds but we can't do it without your help.
Parental Involvement
We always aim to work closely with parents. Formal consultation times are arranged each term: fairly early in the Autumn term for ‘first impressions’, towards the middle of the Spring term and at the end of the Summer term for a look at the year’s work. In addition to these pre-arranged opportunities to come into school, you are encouraged to get involved in life at the school in any way you can.
There are many areas of life in school which would be almost impossible without your help. We never refuse an offer, either for regular help or just on an occasional basis. Help covers such things as activities involving the library and resources, art and craft, drama and cooking and particularly language, reading and comprehension work. We are extra keen to get dads in, as well as parents from the many different cultural backgrounds which make up our school. Grandparents are also very welcome.
We especially encourage you to get involved in the focus weeks we hold from time to time, such as our reading festival week and local history week.
Teachers are keen to see a parent if a problem arises. Contact is often made just before or after school for a brief word, however, please do be mindful that the teacher's priority will be focused on starting the children's learning at the start of the day, so if you feel you need a longer appointment, perhaps if you have a concern about something, it is better to make that arrangement in advance, either directly with your child’s teacher or through the school office. Should you still be concerned, do make an appointment with the Head Teacher.
We often run “Keeping up with the Children” classes which help you develop your own literacy and numeracy skills whilst hearing what and how your child is taught.
Shared Reading
We welcome parents and carers of children in KS1 in to the school on a weekly basis, please see the calendar page for details. Children love to read with their families and friends and this is a chance to spend a bit of time in school with your child. Parents and carers can bring a book to read or choose one from the many that will be on offer in the child's classroom.
Sickness, Absence, Accidents
It is essential that you provide the school with details of your child's medial history on the personal details form issued when you child enters the school. This should include any physical weakness or allergy, asthma, hearing or visual impairments, and any regular medication your child takes, which may impact on your child while they at school. Minor accidents will be treated in school by qualified first aiders. If a child requires external medical attention, parents are informed immediately. If parents are not immediately available, a child who has to go to hospital will always be accompanied by a member of staff.
Please make sure we have TWO up to date telephone numbers and addresses where you or an emergency contact can be contacted during the day.
Although we do like to see the best attendance possible, the welfare of other children and staff is an important factor to be considered. In cases of illness, you are asked to keep your child at home until fully recovered. If a child needs to be absent from school for any reason, parents should inform the school by telephone on the day, followed by a letter when they return to school, without this the absence will not be authorsised. Persistent absence is taken very seriously and we may ask for medical evidence of on-going or repetitive absence due to illness.
Medical appointments
Where possible,appointments should be made out of school time. If the appointment is within the school day, children will not be allowed to leave school unless collected by an adult who can show an appointment card to the office.
Absence in term time
Parents are informed well in advance of holiday dates and should take all their annual holiday during school holidays. A family holiday will not be considered a reasonable reason to authorise an absence. Parents requesting permission for an authorised absence must do so in writing on the Application for Leave of Absence form, available on request from the school office or downloadable from the school policies section of the website. Governors have agreed the policy not to approve absence for any reason, although all cases are considered on their own merit.
Medicine
Children are not allowed to have medicine in school (with the exception of inhalers for asthma, EpiPen Children will have their inhaler kept for them in the classroom or the office medical room. All inhalers and other medicine must be labelled with the child’s names.
Please see our first aid policy for more information.
Snow and Bad Weather Procedure
Every winter brings the possibility of snow and ice and on a rare occasion we may have to close the school, but we will only close the school if the building and grounds are not safe enough for the children to be in.
An email will be sent to parents as early as possible, usually around 7.30am if we intend to close the school. It will also be posted on our website.
Teachers are prepared to switch to remote learning at very short notice so the children’s learning should not be affected but don't worry, we always leave space in the home school curriculum for playing in the snow!
Teachers will communicate with you via Marvellous Me and the class emails.
Car Parking
In the interest of the safety of the children, the Governors request parents do not drive on to school premises. Pathways are provided for children to walk safely into the school. Please respect the parking restrictions and our neighbours by parking with consideration and care.
Passport Applications
Staff are often asked to sign applications for passports on behalf of children. This has become increasingly time consuming and may later involve resolving queries with the passport office. Parents are asked to bear in mind that this is not an entitlement or part of a teacher’s job; it is something teachers do in their own time if they feel it is appropriate.
When signing an application the teacher is confirming that they know the parent not the child, if the teacher has not personally known YOU for the required amount of time please do not ask for a signature.
A £10 contribution to the school is requested for each passport application.
Five ways to help your children make good progress at school:
Healthy Eating
The brain needs lots of “brain food” to learn It is proven that successful learners:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat their “5-a-day” fruit and vegetables
- A healthy breakfast
They don’t eat….
- Too many fatty foods, junk foods or sugary foods – they all stop the brain working at its best.
It’s good to talk….
Talking is how children explore their world and start to understand it. Talking to your child about what they’ve done at school, showing an interest in what they are doing, who their friends are and encouraging them with praise is an essential part of creating good learners.
Sleep on it….
Sleep is an essential part of learning - a tired child simply cannot learn!
Children aged 3 -6 need between 11-13 hours sleep to learn well. Children aged 7-11 need 10-11 hours sleep to learn well.
Watch it… (much less)!!!
Entertainment on a screen (TV, computer, Playstation, XBox, iPad, phone etc.) is no substitute for real life activity, real friends and real conversation. Encourage children to get enough sleep & active play by limiting their screen time. Make sure they don’t retreat into a private world by keeping them involved in family life, watching WITH the family (not alone).
Never allow children to watch TV in their bedroom - it has such negative impact on their sleep patterns and quality of sleep. A BOOK BEFORE BED is a much healthier way for children to relax before sleeping and it has an enormous impact on their attainment at school too!
Healthy play
Outdoor play is an essential part of a healthy development for children.
- Children who play in a safe place outside get lots of exercise
- By playing without an adult they learn to co-operate and take risks, develop social skills and friendships.
These are essential skills for life