GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION

The School Day

Staff are on duty from 8.45 a.m. Children should not arrive on the school premises before then. Children are expected to arrive at school between 8.45 and 8.55 a.m.

The whistle is blown at 8.55 a.m. and children go straight into class and begin work. It is essential that children are punctual. All latecomers must go to the main reception.

Arrival and departure from school
If you are dropping children off without leaving your car please continue to drive into the tarmac area directly in front of the school, taking a clockwise circle before leaving again. Please do not go into the school with your child or hold up those behind you by leaving your car where it might obstruct the free passage of other drivers.

Parents who wish, for whatever reasons, to come into the school, please do not drive onto this area at all but leave your car either on the road or in the parking spaces in front of the Village Hall.

Please do not park your car, even for a short time, anywhere within the tarmac area in front of the school. Anything which impedes the forward circular flow may make other drivers have to reverse and manoeuvre around you at a time when there are many very young children in the area.

The school day finishes at 3.15. In the afternoon, children should be collected from the back playground area, where the children and their teachers will be waiting. By doing this, we can ensure that your child is given to you. It will also give you the opportunity to speak with your child's teacher if you wish. There are bollards to mark the designate parking area for the school buses - please do not park in these spaces. If your child is being collected by someone else, please let us know either in writing or by phone.

Please do not park at any time on the grass, as villagers are understandably concerned about the inevitable damage which is done to the village green by cars parking.

Break times
During the morning break, children spend the time socialising and playing with others. We have a playhouse for the younger children and an adventure playground. All children are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit/vegetable for the break.

Lunch times
Children are required to bring a packed lunch and drink to school. This should be in a plastic container clearly labelled with the child's name. The school nurse recommends that the meal should be balanced, comprising sandwiches/savoury snack, fruit and a dessert such as a yoghurt or muesli bar. Fizzy drinks, chocolate and sweets are not allowed. If you feel you may be entitled to free school meals, please talk to the Headteacher in confidence.
 

Attendance, Punctuality and the Role of the Education Welfare Officer
We ask parents to work with the school to make sure that their children attend school regularly and arrive on time.

If your child is absent from School please ring the office that morning to inform us. If we are unsure where your child is we will call you. We would be grateful if you would give the relevant dates on any follow up notes you send us. If we do not have a reason for the absence it is treated as unauthorised absence and recorded as such. Unauthorised absences are automatically brought to the notice of the Education Welfare Officer (EWO). The role of the EWO is to establish close links between home and school. It is his/her responsibility to ensure that all children receive full- time education and to carry out procedures that may result from consistent lateness and non-attendance.

Holidays during term time are discouraged. When booking a holiday we ask that you do not arrange to go away in term time.

Transport arrangements
Children living over two miles from the school and in the catchment area (see map) are entitled to free school transport, arranged by Bucks County Council.

Pastoral Care

Communication
Do not hesitate to contact us if there is any matter that you wish to discuss or if you are concerned in any way. Always contact your child's class teacher first; this can be done in the playground at the end of the day or ring the office to make an appointment. The Headteacher is always pleased to see parents but an appointment is advisable as she may be teaching. For an appointment with any member of staff please ring the school office.

Communication and Partnership
School is a partnership and we try to be inclusive at every level, with a thriving School Council and regular communication with parents on both a formal and informal basis. 

•       We send out a fortnightly newsletter from the Headteacher to parents to keep everyone in touch with all that is happening at the school.

•       Information on the curriculum is sent out every term.

•       We have two consultation evenings per year where parents can discuss their child's progress with the class teacher.  This is summarised at the end of the year in the child’s Annual Report, after which teachers are available for discussion with parents if required.

•       Governors produce a newsletter to inform parents about the activities and priorities of the School’s Governing Body.

•       At the beginning of each academic year classroom teachers organise an ‘induction session’ on the forthcoming year for parents.

•       We undertake an annual parents’ survey.

•       We have an open door policy and are happy to receive feedback or answer questions at any time. 

School is a partnership and we welcome your participation in school life. There are many ways in which parents can help:

•      Helping in a classroom under teacher supervision
•      Helping with clubs
•      Helping in the school library
•      Accompanying classes on school trips
•      Helping with practical tasks e.g. painting, sewing, improving the environment.
•      Attending school functions eg. parent consultation evenings, social functions.
•      Raising funds.
•      Consider becoming a parent Governor.

If you would like to contribute in any capacity please speak to your child's class teacher or the Headteacher.

Medical Health

Routine medical and health checks are made through the primary years and parents are contacted if further action is needed.

Please note we are advised not to administer medicines; however if you think you have an exceptional case please contact the office and this can be discussed.

First aid
The school has trained staff who are able to administer first aid. In an emergency, parents will be consulted as to the course of action that should be taken. In the event that we are not able to contact you we will consult a doctor or the hospital. It is vital that we have an emergency number so that parents or a close relative can be contacted if such a first aid emergency arises. Parents are asked to update the school secretary with any information regarding health or contact numbers.

Child Protection Policy
Schools are required to follow procedures for protecting children from abuse. In addition each educational institution must have a Designated Senior Person responsible for child protection, who must be appropriately trained. 

The school governors have adopted the Bucks Child Protection Policy, which includes procedures to be followed if we believe a child is at risk.   Parents should be aware therefore that as part of this policy any concern or disclosure is required to be reported by the school immediately to the Designated Senior Person who has a duty to refer, if they believe that the child or other children may be at risk of significant harm. 

A full copy of this policy is available from the School Office.

Complaints

Please contact us at any time if you have a worry or a concern, even if you think it is minor. The procedure if difficulties arise is:
. In the first instance, talk to the class teacher
. If not resolved satisfactorily, talk to the Headteacher
. Then contact the Chair of Governors
. And finally, contact the Area Education Office, via the school

Charges

Please note the School has no allocated money for trips or any activities which enhance the curriculum but are not basic necessities.

This is our policy on charging:

• . Voluntary contributions will be asked from parents for activities taking place during school hours - these activities can only take place if there are sufficient funds.
  
  There may be charges for:
• Activities taking place outside school hours
• Journeys and visits which take place during school hours
• Ingredients, materials etc. for something your child makes and then takes home
• Any breakages or damage caused by a child (especially those brought about by unacceptable behaviour)
  
  In all instances discretion will be exercised in cases of proven financial hardship.

Charging and Remissions Policy
The school wishes to provide for all pupils the best possible educational opportunities available within the funds allocated by the Education Authority. The law states very clearly that education during normal school hours is to be free of any compulsory charge to parents, and the school warmly endorses the principle and is committed to upholding the legal requirements.

It is recognised, however, that many educationally valuable activities have been and will continue to be dependent on financial contributions in whole or in part from parents. Without that financial support, the school would find it impossible to maintain the quality and breadth of the educational programme provided for pupils. The school's concern is to keep financial contributions to a reasonable minimum and to ensure as far as possible that all children are able to take part, irrespective of their circumstances.

Therefore, in accordance with the requirements of the Education Reform Act (1988), the Governors have adopted the following policy in relation to charging for some activities:

Parents will be asked to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of certain school activities (e.g. swimming, educational visits). Dependent on the level of contributions made, such activities may or may not take place. However, no child will be denied participation in such activities should his or her parents be unable to make such a voluntary contribution.

This policy will be reviewed in September each year.

Transfer to secondary school

At eleven years of age each child has the opportunity to participate in the Buckinghamshire County Secondary Selection Procedure, which determines whether a child is best suited to a Grammar School or an Upper School. Parents will be invited to a meeting before the 11 + Selection in order to receive details about the selection procedure and the application procedure.
 

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