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When your child is absent from school please notify school, by telephone,
before 9.15 am; should notification of absence not be received by this time you
will be contacted by school to ascertain the reason for your child’s
non-attendance. I should also be grateful if you would send a note to the class
teacher explaining the circumstances. If you know that your child will be absent
from school for dental, medical reasons etc, prior notice would be appreciated.
It would also help if routine medical examinations could be arranged during
school holidays or after school. Taking a family holiday during term time should
be seen as a final option. The school however is in sympathy with parents over
this issue and request that holidays do not extend beyond two weeks and do not
clash with KS2 SATS which are usually held in May.
The school has an electronic security system connected by close circuit T.V.
to the school office. The security system is in operation from 8.50 am. In the
interests of security your punctuality in the morning would be appreciated.
If your child either has an accident or is ill at school and we feel that
he/she would be better at home, we will endeavour to contact you using the
information on the contact slip. If, however, we are unable to contact you, we
will keep your child in school or, if necessary, take the appropriate action of
contacting your family doctor or the casualty department at Furness General
Hospital. If your child receives a head injury, he/she is assessed and
monitored. A form outlining the nature of the injury will be sent home with your
child. These forms contain guidance on monitoring and aftercare.
In order to prevent damage to clothing during craft work, I would ask you to
provide Junior children with an old shirt which will act as an effective apron.
Long sleeved plastic aprons are available in school for the Infants.
In the event of severe bad weather (ie snow) we allow parents to collect
their children during the day. The school will endeavour to open at all times
and contingency plans have been made to ensure this.
There is a school bank which is run each Wednesday by the Furness Building
Society. Our aim is to encourage the saving habit from an early age and
currently well over half our children are regular savers with their own
accounts.
Amid growing concern regarding the safety issue of blade football boots being
worn for football, rugby and hockey in schools, the Local Authority issued a
policy banning their use for school activities after December 2006. Please
ensure that any new purchases of boots are round studded and not blade boots.
We regularly hold Book Fairs in school offering a wide range of children's
books for sale. The commission from such sales is used to buy new books for
school.
There are occasions when for various reasons you will need to take your child
out of school. If you wish your child to leave school early, please could you
let your child's teacher know beforehand and also, if possible, arrange to
collect your child from school.
As your child progresses through the school there are several clubs and
activities in which he/she can take part. These are held during lunchtime or
after school. The following are currently available: Netball, Football, Gym Club
and Music. We also offer the following activities at various times throughout
the year: Athletics, Infants’ Games Skills, Rounders, Cricket. These activities
may vary according to staff availability. We are also appreciative of the
contributions made by our enthusiastic parents who volunteer their time and
expertise.
If you become concerned in any way about your child's education, it is
important that you tell us about this. As a first step you should discuss your
concerns with your child's teacher. If you are still concerned after talking
with the teacher, you should arrange to meet with Mr D G Barlow, Headteacher.
Obviously, as a staff we will do all we can to resolve your concerns and to
ensure you are happy with your child's education.
There may be some occasions when parents wish to complain about matters
relating to the curriculum and collective worship which are the responsibility
of the Governing Body and/or the Local Education Authority. Special formal
arrangements exist for dealing with complaints of this kind. Copies of a leaflet
which outlines these arrangements are available from the school, as are copies
of the full arrangements themselves. Advice on how to pursue a formal complaint
is also available from:
School Places Team
Education Department
5 Portland Square
CARLISLE
CA1 1PU
Tel: (01228) 601171,606999 or 606930
We believe that the links between home and school should be as strong as
possible. We firmly believe that education is something which is shared between
home and school and that the more opportunities there are, for parents and
teachers to work together, the more effective education will be. The school has
introduced a home/school agreement in order to enhance that partnership.
Please accept a general invitation to come into school, whenever you feel
that there is a need for discussion. We would appreciate it if an appointment
was made. Regular parental consultations will take place throughout the year by
invitation. At the end of each school year, a detailed profile and report on
your child's progress is made available to you. Time is also allocated for
parents to discuss this report with the class teacher at a mutually convenient
time after school. There will be the opportunity to visit the school on an 'open
afternoon' at the end of the summer term.
We do not have sufficient space for parking of cycles and, therefore,
children are not allowed to cycle to school unless special permission is given,
or unless they are taking part in Cycling Proficiency Training, when they are
allowed to cycle to school on the day of their instruction. The school provides
Cycling Proficiency Training for Year 6 children during the summer term.
This practice is becoming more frequent and so it would be greatly
appreciated if this is carried out during the summer holiday, allowing time for
the wounds to heal. As all jewellery has to be removed during PE /
games and swimming
lessons you can appreciate the problems that may arise.
Please inform the Headteacher if there are any changes in your emergency
contact numbers.
I should be grateful if you could send a note, if for any reason your child
needs to be excused from PE / games, swimming or after school activities.
If you believe your child may qualify for free school meals, please contact
Cumbria Education Authority, Nan Tait Centre, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness
(Tel: 894400).
Each day, courtesy of the School Fruit & Vegetable Scheme, children in
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are provided with a piece of fruit or a vegetable
for their mid-morning snack.
Upon school entry a questionnaire and consent form will be sent from the
School Health Service to each child. Reception children are then assessed within
the school setting, and their height, weight and distance vision recorded and
parents informed of the results. Further routine screening is not performed, but
requests can be made should you have any concerns about your child’s health. The
School Nurse, Mary Hazzard, holds a Drop In clinic in school every half term for
parents who wish to discuss any concerns about their child’s health, or related
issues that may impact on their child’s learning. The School Nurse may be also
be contacted at Ulverston Health Centre (Tel: 583093). The School Nurse is also
involved in the delivery of PSHE in Year 6.
All children are given homework on a regular basis in line with our Homework
Policy and ranges from 1 hour per week for younger children to 30 minutes per
night for upper juniors. Your general support of school work is always highly
desirable and I would emphasise that, as reading is essential to everything we
do in school, an active interest on your part, either listening to your child
reading, or reading aloud to your child every night, would be of the utmost
assistance. We do allow children to take reading books home but request that
they are returned the following day. To ensure homework is kept dry the PTA
provide each child in school with a homework bag.
The Cumbria Policy is as follows:
As a general rule the Authority will not accept responsibility for the
loss of, or damage to, personal property, including clothing, and it is stressed
that the responsibility for safeguarding personal property rests with the owner.
Personal Accident Insurance is not provided by the County Council and their
statement is as follows:
Some parents wrongly assume that if a child is injured at school, the
County Council is held responsible regardless of the circumstances, and that its
insurance will automatically apply. This is not so - the County Council's
responsibility is strictly limited to cases where there was negligence by them -
or their staff. Accidents can happen in school, on the school field, or during
school visits, when the County Council or its staff are not in any way at fault
and are, therefore, not responsible.
The provision of personal accident insurance is considered to be the
responsibility of parents. Parents who are interested in this form of insurance
can contact their local insurance broker.
Please ensure that all items of your child(ren)’s property are named. This
includes all clothing, footwear, lunch boxes, drinks containers etc. Failure to
name property can cause confusion and be very distressing, especially for
younger children (and staff)! Toys, games etc. should not be brought into school
unless required for a school topic or by prior arrangement with the class
teacher.
In order to raise funds, the PTA run a weekly lottery at a cost of 50p per
person (per week). Prizes of £20, £10 & £5 are awarded weekly and once a month
we have a £50 prize. You are very welcome to join. Forms are available from any
member of the PTA Committee or from school.
Facilities are available for children to bring their own packed lunches, but
we would be grateful if all food and drink containers are of unbreakable
material (no cans please) and clearly marked with your child’s name.
In order that we may maintain up-to-date records, will you please advise the
Headteacher, in writing, if there are any changes in your child(ren)’s medical
health e.g. allergies, asthma, problems with hearing or vision etc.
Children should not be given tablets or medicine to bring into school unless
prior arrangements have been made with the Headteacher or Class Teacher either
by letter or telephone. In such cases, written instructions for administering
medication should be given and only the correct dosage sent to school. Teachers
must be informed of those children who need to carry an inhaler at all times.
Please ensure these are clearly marked with your child's name.
This is available as part of the EU milk subsidy scheme. Cartons of whole or
chocolate flavoured milk is available on request and is served at lunchtimes.
Payment for milk is collected from parents termly and is non refundable. Milk is
free for children under 5 years of age.
We welcome parent helpers in school. If you feel you are able to spend some
time in school listening to children read, helping with art and craft, etc,
please contact the Headteacher.
In the interests of safety could all parents please ensure that they park
responsibly when transporting their child(ren) to and from school. Vehicles
should not stop on the zigzag lines, nor turn in the residents’ parking area
directly opposite the school entrance.
Clothing required for PE consists of:
- Boys: Shorts & T-shirt
- Girls: Shorts & T-shirt / blouse, or leotard
Shorts should be of a sensible style allowing free movement and hygiene.
There is a school T-shirt available if desired. Children will do PE in bare feet unless you have any objections.
At Key Stage 2 the children have Games outside on one afternoon a week and
for this activity additional clothing is required:
During cold weather jumpers and tracksuits may be brought into school and
worn when necessary.
All clothing must be clearly marked with your child's name and a shoe bag,
also clearly marked, should be provided for plimsolls and should have strings which allow
it to hang from a peg.
All items of jewellery, including ear-rings and studs, must be removed prior
to any physical activity place. Children should be able to remove and replace their own
ear-rings/studs as teachers are not allowed to do this. It would be appreciated if any ear
piercing could take place during the summer holidays to avoid children being unable to participate. Long hair should be tied back.
The school believes in the value of 'fair competition' in team sports and
children are often invited to represent the school in a variety of competitions.
Once a year, a local photographer comes into school to take photographs of
your child, with your permission. These are available for sale with a percentage
of the sales being given to school to assist our funds.
Parents are requested that children arrive at school by 8.45 am each morning
in readiness for registration at 8.50 am.
The school operates a road safety waistcoat loan scheme, which is available
to both children and parents. If you would like to take part in the scheme
please see your child’s class teacher.
We have a School Fund which is raised through various activities taking place
in school throughout the year. No regular payments are made but your support for
our activities is always welcome. The School Fund is used to subsidise prizes,
books, extra equipment, visits etc.
Children in Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 are permitted to bring a small snack of their
choice for mid-morning break, however, we have been concerned in the past that
children have been bringing in snacks of chocolate, packets of sweets etc. which
do little to encourage healthy eating. In the interests of your children’s
future health could you please encourage healthy snacking?
At Key Stage 2 all children receive one half-hour swimming lesson each week
for two terms per year at Dalton Leisure Centre. Lessons are given by a
qualified instructor assisted by a life-guard on duty throughout the lesson.
Children are given opportunities to develop confidence in water. They are
taught: the principles and skills of water safety, how to rest in water, how to
float, how to develop effective and efficient swimming strokes, survival skills
and to evaluate their own abilities. Children are given the opportunity to
pursue the Amateur Swimming Association Awards (ASA) up to Honours standard.
It may be necessary for your child to wear a pair of armbands in order to
learn to swim or improve stroke techniques. These are provided at the swimming
pool.
In order to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and to safeguard the
health of pupils, parents are asked to adhere to the following rules:
a) Each child should bring a towel, swimming costume, comb, handkerchief,
warm clothes and waterproof container to carry wet apparel. Children with long
hair should bring a bathing cap. If necessary these can be purchased from the
Leisure Centre.
b) Deodorant sprays and talcum powder are not permitted.
c) No child will be allowed to enter the pool with severe colds, cuts, septic
spots, ear complaints, a bandaged wound or if advised by the doctor not to do
so. If your child has a verruca or athlete's foot a guard sock must be worn.
These can be purchased from the Swimming Pool. Alternatively the verruca can be
treated with an ointment called BAZUKA.
d) Costumes or trunks should not be worn to travel to the pool.
e) No food or drink must be taken on to the Leisure Centre premises.
f) Jewellery must not be worn in the water or on the poolside.
g) If your child has asthma and uses an inhaler then it is important that
this accompanies them to the pool.
Should your child be unfit to swim, an explanatory note is required. Those
children remain at school. It is important that all children take the lessons
provided unless the above reasons apply.
As the local authority no longer funds school swimming, the governing body
requests a voluntary donation each session to cover the cost of pool hire,
tuition and transport.
The school co-operates with the University College of St. Martin's, in the
training of students to become teachers. Students may spend several weeks in
school learning the basic skills of teaching whilst our pupils benefit from
having additional adults to work with. Students on Nursery or Teaching Assistant
NVQ courses at Kendal and Barrow Colleges of FE carry out placements in school
from time to time.
As we are unable to accept responsibility for loss or damage to toys, it
would be appreciated if your child did not bring such items to school unless
requested. The Infants, particularly the Reception children, are often asked to
bring items to school to reinforce a letter of the alphabet currently being
taught.
In order to reduce the costs of Educational Visits, we appreciate any offers
of help from parents to transport the children by car. However, it is necessary
for drivers to hold their own insurance cover for this purpose. This should be
written into the agreement. All children travelling in cars will, by law be
required to wear a seat belt. It is the policy of the Governing Body that any
coaches hired for the purposes of an educational visit should be fitted with
either lap or seat belts. A distinction is only made when 'service' buses are
used for transport to and from the swimming baths.
Children are expected to come to school clean, tidy and appropriately
dressed. We do have a school uniform and although it is not compulsory we
actively encourage it. The uniform consists of:
- Navy sweatshirt with school logo
- White polo shirt with small logo
- White T-shirt with navy logo
All the above can be purchased through school with a percentage of the sales
given to PTA Funds. Adult sweatshirts are available on request.
Children may wear grey or navy skirts/pinafores/shorts/trousers. In summer
blue check or striped dresses may be worn. Please refer to sections on
PE / games and swimming for items of clothing and footwear required for these areas
of the curriculum.
As we are unable to accept responsibility for loss or damage, it would be
appreciated if your child did not bring valuable items into school. In order
that swimming money etc. does not get mislaid, could you please ensure that any
money brought to school comes in either a purse or a sealed envelope bearing
your child's name and a note of the amount of money inside. These guidelines
also apply to children bringing money to the school bank. As a general rule the
Authority will not accept responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, personal
property, including clothing, and it is stressed that the responsibility for
safeguarding personal property rests with the owner. Items of personal property
and all clothing, especially wellingtons and plimsolls, should be clearly marked
with your child's name or initials.
Frequently we have visiting speakers invited in to school to talk to the
children, show slides etc. We believe it is important children are given the
opportunity to listen to and talk to other adults within the wider community.
Disclaimer
 The information supplied on this web page is in accordance with
information at present available. In particular, nothing herein prejudices the
right of the Education Committee or any of its sub-committees, or the Governors,
or the Head of the School to make any decision relating to the School as it sees
fit without regard to whether this will affect the accuracy of any matters
contained in this publication. Further, neither the Governors, nor the School,
nor the Education Authority, nor any members of the authority of the School, nor
the Website Publisher, is deemed responsible for any erroneous information
supplied on this web page.
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