School Notices

Absence
If your child is away from school please let us know the reason as soon as possible.  A telephone call or brief written message by 9.30 a.m. is essential so that we are sure that your child is safe.  The School number is 01454 867474 or leave a message on the answer phone 01454 867475.   If you do not contact the school, a member of staff will ring home to ensure your child's safety. Failure to notify the school of any absence may mean that it is recorded as an unauthorised absence and the school welfare officer may be notified.

Please note that a child is only allowed 2 weeks (10 school days) as holiday in one academic year.  If this is exceeded the absence has to be marked as unauthorised. Please make sure that any holiday taken is not booked in SATs time in May.  Holiday forms are available from the school office.

The school has a statutory duty to report levels of authorised and unauthorised absences.  This information is published in the prospectus, the governors' annual report to parents, in individual children's annual report and is also made available to the Department for Education and Employment (DFEE).

Attendance from September 2006 until 25th May 2007 was as follows:
Total attendance - 57389/60228 sessions
Authorised absences - 2839 sessions
Unauthorised absences - 0 sessions

The high number of unauthorised absences is due to a few parents taking their children out of school for additional holidays.  This absence is not encouraged and has to be recorded as unauthorised, we are being recommended by the Educational Welfare Office to issue Penalty Notices that will result in a fine.

The percentage of attendance is - 95.3%
The school target is - 95%

Accidents
If a child has an accident during school time, a member of staff may administer first aid. It is common practice to notify parents by note or sticker at the end of the day if it is a minor accident. However, it is school policy to inform parents at the time of more serious accidents or illness. Often no action is required but if we are unable to contact you we will take any action we think necessary, such as taking the child to a doctor or hospital. If you have any objections to this on religious grounds, you must inform the head teacher in writing. It is important that an up to date contact slip is kept in the school office. Please notify us straight away of any change of details such as address, telephone number and medical information.

Asthma
Many children suffer from asthma. We have an asthma policy and children can keep their inhaler safely on their person. Clearly labelled inhalers may be kept in the school office, or in the classroom cupboard. It is sensible to ask your doctor for two inhalers so that one can be kept in school at all times. All children on long term medication will need a Health Care Plan. Please If your child has asthma please ask for a copy of the asthma policy.

Holidays
A child may be excused school for up to 10 school days in any year for the family's annual holidays. Please complete a holiday form as early as possible.  Absence for holidays will not be authorised during the time the children are taking SATs, this is normally in May and at the beginning of terms. There are separate guidelines for parents.

Home - School Agreement
Home-School agreements are drawn up in the interest of the child to promote partnership between home and school.

Homework
Learning at home can reinforce learning in the classroom and help to develop skills and attitudes that children need for successful life long independent learning. Class teachers will provide more detailed information. All children will have a 'Home-School Diary'.

INSET
During the school year there are 5 in-service (INSET) days when the school is closed to children for staff training. We will try to arrange training dates to run consecutively with a school holiday or weekend to help parents with child minding difficulties.

Medicines
Schools are discouraged from administering medicines to pupils, and children are not allowed to carry or administer their own medicine. The only exception to this is in the case of inhalers, and parents must fill in a Health Care Plan so that the staff are aware of the child’s needs. We are able to administer medication to children who have long term illnesses and who would not be able to attend school otherwise. In this case a Health Care Plan will be drawn up in consultation with the school nurse and the parents giving clear instructions on dosage and frequency of medication. In these circumstances such medication must be stored safely and a record of administration kept.

The school has a responsibility for your child's health and safety. It is important for your child and for us to know anything that might affect this while in school.

Milk
All children under 5 years old receive free school milk. The school operates a milk scheme for all other children in conjunction with School Milk Services Ltd. Order forms are available from the school office, and payment made directly to the dairy. Please order milk well in advance of the school term as it takes at least 2 weeks for the dairy to process the orders and payments.

Fruit
Under the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, all Infant children are given a piece of fruit every day. Key Stage 2 children are welcome to bring fresh fruit to school. Vicky the school cook also runs a tuck shop at break times where the children can purchase fresh fruit or toast.

Pre-school to Infant and Junior to Secondary Transfer
We have good relationships with the local nurseries, pre-school groups and feeder secondary schools.  At the time of transfer, arrangements will be made for the younger children to visit us and the Year 6 pupils to visit their chosen secondary school.  Further details are sent at the appropriate time.

Punctuality
We are legally required to record in the register and the 'Late Book’ all latecomers.  Please ensure that your child arrives at school in adequate time.  Late arrivals will need to enter through the main entrance as cloakroom doors are locked for security reasons.

Swimming
Opportunities for Key Stage 2 children to go swimming will be provided subject to confirmation.  More details will be provided.  We welcome parental support for activities such as this.

School Security
The school has locks on all external doors. These, in the main, are kept locked but are easily opened from inside by children and adults in the event of an emergency. The front door is fitted with a door entry security system. This is to ensure the safety of the children and staff.

Please let us know if there are any changes to the arrangements for picking up children.

All visitors to the school must sign the visitor’s book on arrival and departure. This book is located in the foyer.