ARRIVING AT AND LEAVING SCHOOL

Children in the Nursery, Reception, Yr 1 and 2 must be brought into school and collected from staff at the end of the day by a known adult.  They cannot be released to walk out of school on their own.

Children in Years 3 to 6 may come to school and leave school on their own if you wish. Bicycle and scooter racks are also available for children to use in the Stars Building. There is a separate  pupil entrance for the children to use at the start and finish of each day.

Doors will open at 8.45am in both buildings. There will usually be a “start of the day activity” posted on the whiteboard or in your child’s morning book.  Parents of younger children may wish to stay and settle their children into their classes.

Please note that there is no playground supervision for children before or after school. The school accepts no responsibility for use of the playground and playground structures such as the pirate ship at these times.

Car Parking Facilities; The car parks at school are restricted to use by staff and official visitors only. Disabled Parking is available at the top entrance to the Moon Building and in the Stars Building car park.

At the Stars Building, because the children have to cross the car park in order to access the school, the double gates will be closed at 8.30 – 9.10 am and again from 3.00 – 3.40 pm. Unfortunately access to Disabled Parking spaces is restricted at these times.

IF YOUR CHILD IS LATE

If your child arrives at school after 9am they must be signed in at Reception so that they can be marked on the register. 

ABSENCE

If your child is absent from school please inform us as soon as possible.  This can be done by text message using the School Gateway or telephone call (01226 288676). 

If we do not receive notification for safeguarding reasons the following procedure will be followed:

• Text sent to prime contact at 9.30am
• If no response received at 10am a telephone call will be made to contacts in order of priority order.

Please be aware that if your child is late and does not report to reception to be marked on the register, the above procedure will still be followed.

TAKING YOUR CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL

Only the school can grant leave of absence.

The reasons for authorised absence may include the following:

• illness – reported by parents either on the first day by telephone, letter or email before 9.30 a.m.
• family holidays – ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
• exclusion
• education off-site
• emergency dental/medical treatment (to be confirmed by an adult)
• study leave
• religious observance
• bereavement
• special occasions (depending upon circumstances and advance notification)

Family holidays

No parents can demand leave of absence for the purpose of a holiday as a right. The head teacher can only authorise leave in exceptional circumstances and will also determine the amount of leave.

Parents are informed that they must request leave of absence to take their child on holiday during term-time directly from the head teacher or deputy head teacher. This request must be presented in writing. School carefully considers each case on its merits. No blanket approval will be given. Parents are informed in writing about the outcome of their request, and whether the absence will be recorded as an authorised or unauthorised absence.

Pleas note;

• Parents must apply for and request permission in advance of the holiday, and not inform the school as of right or seek retrospective approval on their return.
• On most occasions, where possible, teachers will provide work for the child to do if requested by the parents.
• children who are absent in excess of the period agreed by school, will have absence recorded as unauthorised.

NB: The Anti- Social Behaviour Act (2003) allows the LA and school the right to issue penalty notices for unauthorised holidays in term time where a parent has chosen to take their child on holiday without the authorisation of the school – The fines are £60 per child if paid within 21 days or £120 if paid within 28 days.)