School Prospectus - Miscellaneous Information

Medication

Like most schools, we do not - unless very special circumstances arise - give medicine to children. It is essential that parents/carers inform the school about particular medical conditions which may affect their child's work or conduct in school - for example hearing or visual problems, asthma or severe allergies.

Children's inhalers - which they will use themselves, under supervision by First Aiders - must be clearly labelled with their name. These may be kept centrally in the school medical room or arrangements can be made for them to be kept with the child at all times. We are happy to discuss these issues with parents/carers.

Emergency Contact

It is essential that the school has a telephone number where a parent or other adult may be contacted during the day in the event of an illness, accident or emergency.

Contact forms are supplied prior to admission and should be completed and returned to the school office as soon as possible.

Road Safety

Your child’s safety is of paramount importance to us. We therefore ask for your co-operation in ensuring that children always cross the road at the correct point where they can be supervised by our warden, directly opposite the school gates.

You are also requested to observe the parking restrictions outside the school gates and not to leave cars in a position, which might endanger our children or inhibit the Crossing Patrol Warden in the safe execution of her duty.

Parking is strictly prohibited on the tarmac area directly in front of the school and on the yellow zig-zag lines along Abbey Lane on either side of the crossing point.

Parent's Meetings

We invite parents/carers into school early on in the school year to inform them about the work that children have been engaged in during that term and to answer any questions that may arise. There are separate meetings for each year group.

There are currently two 'open evenings' per year, when parents/carers are invited to make an appointment with staff to discuss their child's progress in confidence. These are usually held in February and July.

Parents/carers are reminded, however, that they are welcome to speak to the Head or staff at any other time of the year, preferably by appointment.

A written report on every child is sent to his/her parents/carers at the end of each school year. This contains detailed assessments of what the child has learned in each subject, their rate of progress and performance and - perhaps most crucially - what needs to be done next in order to improve. S.A.Ts (test) scores for appropriate year groups are also included, so each parent will be able to see where the child’s attainment exists in relation to children nationally.

This report can be discussed with the class teacher by appointment.

School Meals

School meals, cooked in our own kitchen, are available to all children. We request that money is sent on Monday morning for the week ahead. Children should bring money in an envelope clearly marked with their name and the days they will stay for lunch. Alternatively, meals can be ordered for a half-term or whole term in advance - cheques payable to ‘Sheffield City Council’.

If you think your child may be entitled to free school meals, please contact Mrs Somerset in the office.

Special diets can be catered for and our cook will be happy to discuss menus.

Alternatively, children may bring a packed lunch. No glass bottles or containers are allowed and fresh fruit juice (not fizzy) or water is encouraged.

Children may bring their own fruit to eat at playtime but sweets, crisps, chocolates and biscuits etc. are not allowed, except as part of a packed lunch to be eaten in the hall at lunchtime. (Reminder that ALL KS1 pupils will be given a piece of fruit every day)

Milk

Milk is provided free of charge for all pupils under the age of five.

Pupils whose parents/carers are in receipt of Income Support are no longer eligible for free school milk.

All pupils up to the age of eleven including children entitled to free school meals will be able to purchase school milk. Parents/carers will be notified of the cost of milk each term. Payment in full should be made at the beginning of each term and cheques should be made payable to Sheffield City Council, and NOT to the school.

Children who do not require milk can bring a bottle of water to drink at break times.

Community Use of School

Our facilities are available for hire for a variety of functions; all lettings must be approved by the governing body. Please ask for Lettings charges if you require further information.

Charging Policy

Under the 1988 Education Reform Act, schools are no longer allowed to demand a charge from parents / carers for activities which take place during school time but can ask for voluntary contributions. An exception to this is music tuition and residential activities.

Any such requests from school to home will make it clear that there is no obligation to contribute and that no pupil will be treated differently according to whether or not parents / carers have made a contribution.

However, such visits are dependent upon sufficient income being received from voluntary contributions. In the event of insufficient funds being received the trip may have to be cancelled.

Children may take home various things they have made in school, such as baking, needlework and models, on receipt of a voluntary contribution from parents/carers. The amount charged would vary according to the cost of materials used.

Complaints

Complaints made about the school will be investigated according to guidelines set out in section 23 of the 1988 Education Act.

It is intended that any complaints should be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible. There are three levels at which this may be done:

• by the headteacher or staff of the school
• by the school's Governing Body
• by the Local Education Authority.

After the first stage any further complaints should be addressed to the Chair of Governors c/o the school.

School Uniform

We expect children to wear the uniform as we believe it helps reinforce the view that school is a place where they are expected, primarily, to work. It also eliminates some of the problems which occur when children are competing with each other to wear the latest ‘designer clothes’.

It consists largely of polo shirt or sweatshirt bearing the school logo in ‘winter emerald’ colour and plain black/grey skirts and trousers and plain black shoes. (See the uniform page on this site for more details and to download an order form).

Pupils should not wear any of the following for school:

• any jewellery, except for watches and one pair 'studs' (i.e. no rings, bangles, bracelets, ear-rings etc.)
• make-up, nail-varnish or 'transfers'.
• replica sports team kit.
• shoes with high heels or flashing lights

Any of the above might be seen as a distraction from the prime reason for your child's presence in school - to work and learn.

A copy of the full uniform requirements can be obtained from the school office or see the uniform page on our site.

Please help us by clearly labelling all articles of your child’s clothing, particularly school sweatshirts and t-shirts and P.E. kit with tags or with indelible marker pen on the actual clothing label. Also label their bag and sandwich box where necessary.

P.E. Kit

All children are required to change for P.E. lessons and we like them to have a plain white top and black shorts or black leotard; black plimsolls or pumps are also required, though children may occasionally work in bare feet.

Whenever possible, children will have a weekly outdoor games lesson and may, at certain times of the year, need extra clothing, such as a sweater, or track-suit bottoms.

Again, all P.E. equipment should be clearly labelled with the child's name, and may be kept in school in a P.E. bag, also clearly named.

* Please note that all jewellery should be removed before any sporting activity.

Personal Belongings

From time to time pupils’ personal belongings go missing or get broken, thus causing distress to both child and parents / carers. Problems often arise when children have similar or identical toys, which may lead to a dispute over ownership; children occasionally agree to "swaps" involving articles of quite differing values; toys and games are accidentally broken; occasionally, we must conclude, theft occurs.

We try to sort out problems as and when they arise but this is not always possible and can distract us from our prime purpose of educating your child.

The school and governors cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or theft of personal items. Insurance cover is not provided by the Education Committee or the school against loss, theft or damage with regard to personal property of pupils, except where this has been specifically caused by the negligence of the council or its employees.

Attendance

Please telephone us promptly if your child will be absent that day due to illness. Written requests must be received for all other absences, giving the date(s) of the absence and the reason. This may or may not be authorised and any absence which has not been requested and authorised in this way shall be regarded as unauthorised.

Children who wish to leave the school premises during the day (other than going home for lunch) must have written permission in advance from home and be collected by a responsible adult. Parents / carers should always come to the school office first, rather than collect their child directly from the yard or classroom.

It is essential that we have a telephone number so that parents/carers can be reached during the day in the event of any accident or emergency.

Please note that it is preferable for your child to arrive late at school than not at all, though it is even better to arrive on time. Reception pupils will be admitted any time from 8.35 to allow them to settle in gradually. All other children should be in the yard at 8.45 when the bell is rung, ready to come into school. Lateness can result in your child becoming upset, missing out on the start of lessons, and causing extra administrative work with alterations of registers and dinner books.

Holidays in Term Time

The school governors are not in favour of any absence during term time and will regard holidays not approved by the Headteacher as unauthorised. It is essential that permission is sought for such absences but it should not be assumed that authorisation will be granted. Only where a working parent / carer has no control over holiday dates should permission for such absence be sought.