Latest Newsletters
ABSENCE & ATTENDANCE
We urge all parents and families to avoid taking children out of school during term time.
School term dates are published a year in advance.
There is a clear link between students’ achievement and their level of attendance at school. We want your child to achieve the very best they can and for this they need to be in school regularly.
Please take a look at our Attendance/Absence Poster, Absence Flowchart and advice from the DfE.
- Attendance falls below 90%- “Unsatisfactory” – 95 learning hours lost
- Attendance falls below 95% – “Cause for Concern” – 47.5 learning hours lost
- Attendance is 96% – 98% – “Good”
- Attendance is 99% – 100% –“Excellent”
PRIMARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Please find our Admissions Policy on our Policies and Reports web page. If you are not successful in obtaining your first choice, this video clip offers useful information.
SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Essex Information Booklet for Parents Secondary Admissions 2019/2020
PARKING!
PARENTS AND CARERS – WE NEED YOUR HELP AT DROP OFF AND PICK UP TIMES
In order to keep our children as safe as possible and to ensure that emergency vehicles, buses and farm traffic can get through, please follow the parking advice below. Please be aware that we have asked the Highways Agency, the North-East Parking Partnership and local police for advice. The Highway Code clearly states that:
You MUST NOT wait or park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers, on school entrance markings
DO NOT stop or park:
- near a school entrance
- anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
- opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
- near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
- in front of an entrance to a property
- on a bend
Our Parking Advice:
- avoid parking opposite another parked car wherever possible (thus narrowing the road)
- use the village car park or the recreation field car park and enjoy a short walk with your child
- do not park near or opposite the Whalebone junction
- avoid 3-point turns near the school (drive further on to turn)
- remind children of the Green Cross Code and how to exit a car safely
In school we promote road safety through assemblies and lessons. We use the ‘THINK‘ resources, run by the Department for Transport, to support us.
Clubs
We offer a wide range of clubs which change each term. Most take place after school and a few take place at lunchtimes. Clubs often include dance, art, football, netball, chess and homework club. The majority of clubs are aimed at Year 2 upwards.
Information on this term’s after school clubs is here including a consent form: After School Clubs
We also offer “BAA” club every day which is an after school provision, managed by Mrs Jane Page.
BAA club focuses on nurturing your child’s interests and friendships. The main activity is adapted to facilitate all age groups. Children do not have to participate. They have the freedom of choice. If an activity they desire is unavailable it will be organised during the session if possible.
Prices for each session:
3.00pm-4.15pm – £4.50
3.00pm-5.00pm – £8.00
Please contact the Office Team for further details on booking your child’s session.
Uniform
In order to encourage being part of a team and to feel proud that they belong here, we have a uniform for pupils which is smart yet comfortable and practicable. We urge all parents and carers to remember that some lessons will be outdoors, no matter what the weather (within reason), and ask that pupils always come to school prepared for the weather that day.
Dress Code:
- suitable, practical shoes – blue, black or brown; suitable boots or wellingtons in snowy weather
- royal blue sweatshirt, ‘V’ necked jumper or cardigan
- pale blue polo shirt with school logo
- grey skirt or grey pinafore dress/pale blue and white striped or checked summer dress in warmer weather if wished
- smart grey trousers/smart grey shorts in warmer weather if wished
- white, grey or black socks or tights
- warm coat with hood, gloves, scarf in winter; waterproof coat/anorak in rainy weather
- sun hat and sun cream applied before school in summer
Indoor P.E. Kit
- school P.E. shirt with school colours/logo
- black shorts
- black plimsolls
- white P.E. socks
Outdoor P.E. Kit:
- blue / black jogging bottoms
- blue/black sweatshirt
- trainers
We ask that children use a school book bag to carry their books to school in which are available from the school at a cost of £4.20 each. We discourage big school bags or rucksacks as we have a problem with storing these in school during the day. Children only need to bring their reading record, reading book and homework to school.
PE drawstring bags are also available.
For safety reasons, we strongly advise against any form of jewellery being worn by children while at school. If children have pierced ears, we prefer that they do not even wear studs during school time, but if this is not possible we accept the wearing of simple studs until it is possible to do without. These must be removed before any P.E. activity. Long hair must be neatly tied back with plain hair bands in school colours. Nail varnish is not to be worn in school.
School uniform can be purchased from School Trends
PTA
We have a very active PTA team. They hold a number of events throughout the year, including a Christmas Fayre, School Discos & an Easter Egg Hunt.
The PTA have supported the school in many ways, including purchasing the following:
2016-2017: PA system for school shows/productions and netball posts
2017-2018: scooters and tricycles, small world equipment to enhance play and communication skills, beanbags for the library, child friendly seating for the reception area
2018-2019: playground equipment, a creative workshop (dance and drama based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), gardening trugs for the balcony, Christmas meal for pupils, leavers’ hoodies
Following a recent AGM the following members have been voted in:
Chair – Sam Jefford and Sarah Brice
Treasurer – Shelley Andrews and Claire Duffy
Secretary – Vicky Ward
Year Group Representatives:
Year R: TBC
Year 1: Holly Leapard
Year 2: Kat Patel
Year 3: Tracey Tanner
Year 4: Jo Roxby
Year 5: Hina LeBoutillier
Year 6: Kerry Stainer
Treasurer’s Report 31st July 2016
Treasurer’s Report September 2017
Treasurer’s Report September 2018 PTA Newsletter September 2018
Online Safety
How confident are you at ensuring your child is safe when using the internet? These links should help:
The National Crime Agency Guides for Parents