PUPIL CARE

DISCIPLINE/RULES

The school has an agreed discipline policy, which has been discussed by both staff and governors. Certain sanctions will be imposed if our school rules are broken. If detention is given, you will be notified in advance by a form sent home for you to sign and return to school.

Jewellery is not to be worn in school. It can sometimes be dangerous and we often have to spend valuable time in searching for lost pieces. Loose or sharp earrings are not allowed; only what is termed a “sleeper” may be worn. Children may keep their sleepers in, but please make certain these are small and have rounded edges. The school regulations are that only one sleeper is to be worn in each ear. Any child wearing other than this will not be allowed to participate in any school sports or even go out at playtime.

Children should not carry any loose money to school and should never leave money in the school cloakroom. Staff cannot be responsible for children’s watches.

Children must not bring any toys into school unless specifically requested by a teacher.

Our policy clearly sets out our expectations of children’s attitudes and behaviour and provides a structure to improve each child’s self esteem and tolerance of others. Incorporated within the policy are details dealing with any bullying that may occur and suggestions to staff for coping and advising on a problem. There is a set of school rules as written for the children on a separate sheet in this folder.

We also have an agreed Personal, Social and Moral Policy which again provides information for staff in various forms to aid children with any problem they may have, i.e. whom to talk to, who provides counselling and how parents can be involved.

COMMUNICATION

Good communication between the school and parents is essential. The school will send out a school newsletter on Thursday each week detailing the many activities and events that are taking place in the school, please keep a look out for this and keep it pinned up at home to remind you of dates and times. You will be kept informed about school clubs and activities via letters directly from the teachers. Usually these letters have a return slip, please return these to school as soon as possible. Communication is a two-way thing and the teachers are happy to meet with you to discuss issues relating to your children’s progress. The teachers are often very busy first thing in the morning, messages can be passed on through the school office, should you wish to meet with the teacher please make an appointment.

PARENT SUPPORT

There is a flourishing Parent Teachers’ Association and regular meetings are held to discuss various activities and fundraising generally. Names of current PTA Committee members are included on a separate sheet in this folder. We are always grateful for volunteers to help in the various organised activities.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

The authority has a policy on the provision of free school transport. It provides, for example, for free school transport where a pupil lives beyond the agreed statutory distance. The statutory distance is defined as 2 miles
for children up to (but not including) 8 years of age and 3 miles for those aged 8 and over. To qualify, the statutory distance is measured by using the shortest available route between the home and the school that serves the home address. Some pupils may be given free transport even where they live within the distance for special reasons, e.g. medical grounds. Where the authority is not obliged to provide transport – including where parents choose a school other than that which serves their home address – it is the parents’ responsibility to make arrangements for travel between home and school.

Where spare seats on the County Council’s school transport vehicles or contractors’ vehicles are available, these may be occupied by children not entitled to free school transport on the purchase of a concessionary ticket. Adequate warning will be given to parents should the concession need to be withdrawn. If parents are unhappy about a decision on the implementation of this policy, they may consult their local county councillor with a view to appealing to the School Transport (Appeals) Sub-Committee. Further information is available from the Area Education Officer (East) Tel 01392 383960 or 383956.

The Chief Education Officer has asked that parents are reminded that, where their children use school transport, it is a parental responsibility to arrange for children to travel in safety between the home and the picking-up and setting-down point. This may involve accompanying the children on the way to the picking-up point and looking after them until the bus arrives.

Please ensure that young children are met when the bus returns from school. It is important to remember that young children are often excited and forget road safety as they get off a bus. Parents are requested to wait on the same side of the road as the children alight from the bus.

If children are unaccompanied between home and the picking-up or setting-down point, make sure that they know and follow the safest routes. This may not be the shortest. Please ensure that children know the safest place and how to cross busy roads.

Please notify the Area Education Officer or the school of any changes in your circumstances that affect your transport needs. Please remember that it may not be possible to give prior notice of bad weather arrangements or vehicle breakdowns.

Parents are requested to impress upon children the need to behave properly on school transport, to show care and consideration for others and to remain seated and quiet. Parents will be held responsible for any vandalism caused by their children.

If children are under 5 years old when they start school, they will attend for half days only for a limited period. This may change in the light of different circumstances.