I hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year.

 

We look forward to welcoming pupils back to school on Wednesday. I am just writing with some key reminders and updates, making for a smooth start to the new term.

 

Attendance Matters

 

We want every child to be a HERO - 

Here Every day Ready On time 

(minutes late to school are minutes lost from learning) 

 

Gates continue to open at 8.35am, and it is expected every child has passed through by the time they are closed (8.45am). Children who arrive after this must enter via reception and are subsequently marked as late; parents and carers must also complete a confidential late-book entry before leaving. Registration closes at 9.00am, when unexplained absences are automatically recorded as unauthorised.

 

Please contact the school when your child is absent to explain the reason. 

 

The NHS is clear you can send your child to school with a cold, cough, headache, sore throat or stomach ache if they do not have a fever; cold sore or head lice, but please let us know, so we can look after them. If you are not sure, send them to school anyway as they often improve following registration and we would contact you should their symptoms become more concerning.

 

Lateness patterns and unauthorised absences trigger a communication from the headteacher. Failure to improve or non-engagement with the school in offering support can lead to involving the Local Authority Attendance Officer and even legal sanctions.

 

You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.

 

The guidance surrounding penalty notices has recently been changed.

 

Healthy Snacks

 

Parents and carers are welcome to send their child to school with a snack for break; however, healthy choices are strongly recommended for this point in the day. We also provide a range of fruit and veg.

 

Parking Safety

 

The carparks are solely for use by staff. No parent or carer should enter with their vehicle apart from when permission has been expressly given by the headteacher. Please avoid parking opposite the school given the dangers this poses to our children.

 

School Uniform

 

Expectations regarding school uniform have recently been clarified.

 

No child should wear hair dye, jewellery, make-up, nail varnish or temporary tattoos to school.

 

Ofsted

 

And finally, I am delighted to share with you at last our report from Ofsted. I feel it reflects our school accurately - I am especially pleased by the commendations for what has been achieved in 'recent years'.