General Information for Parents

**A copy of the school's Travel Plan can be found by clicking on the 'Documents' tab on the left hand menu**

Information relating to the school's progress, priorities and performance is contained in the School Profile which can be accessed via a link which can be found under the 'Links' tab on the left hand menu.
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The following topics are covered below:
Term Dates
School Session Times
Admission Policy
Dress Code and School Uniform
Absence from School
School Meals
School Rules
Role of the Parents
Welfare
School Association


Term Dates

Please click the 'Calendar' tab on the left hand menu to see dates for terms and events.

School Session Times

Key Stage 1:
Morning session 8.55 a.m. until 12 noon
Afternoon session 1.00 p.m. until 3.10 p.m.

Key Stage 2:
Morning session 8.55 a.m. until 12.15 p.m.
Afternoon session 1.15 p.m. until 3.15 p.m.

Admission Policy

The school admits boys and girls of all ability ranges deemed able to benefit from main stream schooling.

Pupils enter school on a full-time basis at the beginning of the term in which the child becomes five until the end of the school year in which the child becomes eleven.  Children who have their fifth birthday between January and April are entitled to one term in the Foundation class, before starting their full-time education.  Those with their fifth birthday between May and August are entitled to two terms part-time in our Early Years Foundation Stage classes.

Children from within the school's catchment area and who indicate that this is their first preference are offered places first. Their parents should register them by completing a simple form at the school office.

Children from beyond the catchment area may be admitted if space permits. Intending parents should complete a form, available from the school office, which is then sent to the Area Education Manager who, after consultations, gives a final decision. This decision is subject to appeal by parents if they are not satisfied.

Information for parents and carers about Suffolk schools and the admissions process is contained in the guide 'Schools in Suffolk' available from the school office.

Dress Code and School Uniform

Children are required to have available P.E. and sports kit, i.e. plimsolls, plain black shorts, plain white T-shirt and for the older children, outdoor trainers.  During the swimming season children will also need one piece swimming costume (girls), swimming trunks (boys).  P.E. items should be kept in a bag and be available for use throughout the week and not only on those days when P.E. is timetabled.  The wearing of any jewellery for P.E. is not allowed.  Studs or earrings must be removed or covered during P.E. / Games events.  No earrings can be worn whilst swimming - please remove earrings for your child before school if they are unable to manage this themselves.

The school Governors believe that the wearing of school uniform encourages a sense of belonging to the school community, aids identification on visits and at external events (concerts, etc.) and encourages children to take pride in their school.

For these reasons, parents are requested to follow the uniform code:
- Official scarlet school sweatshirt / cardigan bearing the school logo

  (no other jumpers/sweatshirts / cardigans may be worn)
- Grey / black school trousers*, grey skirt / pinafore or scarlet gingham dress
- Plain white collared shirt or blouse (polo or button-through)
- Grey or white socks or tights
- Sensible shoes, preferably black (low heeled - not trainers)
- After the Easter holiday, sandals may be worn if they are a plain colour (without   decorations such as flowers etc.), low heeled and sufficiently protective of feet.

- Optional black sweatshirt bearing the school logo (Year 6 only)

*Girls may wear straight black school trousers only if suitable grey trousers cannot be found.

Official sweatshirts and other items are available from our on-line stockist at

www.yourschooluniform.com

Absence from School

We ask parents to inform the school of the reason for absence by 9.30 a.m. for each day the child is absent from school. Please also send a note addressed to the class teacher when a child returns to school after an absence. During a long absence a note of explanation would be appreciated after three days.

We recognise that it is difficult to make appointments with doctors and dentists outside school hours but would urge you to do this when at all possible.

Parents are encouraged to take their children on family holidays during the school holidays so as to minimise the disruption to their children's education.  Requests for leave of absence during term time should be made on the appropriate form avalable from the school office.  Absence during term time will usually only be authorised in the most exceptional circumstances in accordance with the Attendance Policy agreed by the Headteachers and governors within the local area and by the Local Authority.

School Meals

Two course cooked midday meals are prepared on the premises.  The price of a school meal is currently  £1.90 per day (£9.50 per full week) - this will rise to £2.00 per day on 2nd November.  School meals are well balanced and are appealing to the children. The cook provides a vegetarian option daily and, very often, a choice of desert which always includes fruit.  Salads and fresh bread are also prepared on a daily basis. 

Dinner money must be received on the Monday morning of the week that dinners are to be taken.  We can no longer allow children to have meals in advance of payment.  If you think your child might have a meal/meals, then it is best to send in the payment on Mondays and if the meal is not taken, payment will be carried forward to be used in the following week/weeks.  If sending cash, please send in the correct amount.  Cheques should be made payable to "Suffolk County Council".  These should have the name and address of the signatory, together with the child's name and class on the back.

Separate envelopes (and cheques) will be required for each child.  Money should not be taken directly to the school office.  Dinner money will always be collected on the first day of a new term or half term even where this does not fall on a Monday.

We also offer an on-line payment facility - payment should be made at least two days in advance of the day the meal is required i.e. for meals from Monday, payment should be made on the Friday the week before at www.myschoollunch.co.uk/suffolk

Free school meals are available to chose children whose parents are receiving Income Support.  To apply, it is necessary to obtain a form from the school office or the Area Education Office.  When completed, the form should be sent to the Area Education Office where it will be dealt with in strictest confidence. 

School Rules

The following rules are designed to ensure the health and safety of all who work in the school.

- Children who are on the school premises before 8.50 a.m. and after 3.15 p.m. on school days must be supervised by a parent or guardian*;

- Cycling, roller skating, skate boarding etc. are not allowed on the school premises;

- Valuable items must not be brought into school;

- If ear-rings are to be worn in school, they must be either "studs" or "sleepers" and be removed/covered for P.E., games and removed for swimming.

- Children must change into suitable clothes for P.E., games and swimming;

- All children must use the pedestrian entrances (not the car park entrance) when entering or leaving the school;

- Once a child has arrived on the premises, they must not leave unless with a parent or guardian*;

- Fizzy drinks and sweets must not be brought to school*;

- Dogs are not allowed in the school grounds.

- Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the school site.

* Except when a prior arrangement has been made.

Role of the Parents

Parents are responsible for making sure their children understand the basics of school life, the importance of obeying safety rules and following the Code of Conduct** for Children. They are also responsible for making sure their children attend school on a regular basis and for collecting them from school (or arranging for them to be collected).

** Each class has an agreed Code of Conduct based on the following principles:

- Treat others as you would like to be treated;

- Allow others to learn and the teacher to teach;

- Be aware of other people when moving calmly about the school;

- Respect those leading assemblies;

- Be responsible for your own behaviour in the playground;

- Respect all property.

Welfare

If a child becomes ill during the day, teachers decide whether the child can be cared for adequately in school or whether a parent should be called. For this reason it is essential that we know home and work telephone numbers or means of contacting parents and, if necessary, another adult who might take care of the child. Any changes in this information should be notified to the school.

An Education Welfare Officer serves the area and visits the school every half term in order to track pupil attendance and punctuallity.

There are established links with the appropriate agencies concerned with child protection.  The first point of contact in any such matter is the Child Protection Co-ordinator or the Headteacher.

The administration of medicine at school is discouraged as recommended by the Local Authority.  The school is not able to administer antibiotics, or courses of medicines, other than those required by children with long term conditions.  In such circumstances parents / carers will be asked to complete an appropriate Administration of Medicines and Disclaimer forms.