FAQ's

What are the school hours?

Pre-School 8.30 am to 3.25 pm

Main School 8.40 am to 3.30 pm

Registration for all children is at 8.45 am. The children must be in their classrooms by this time. Following registration and first lesson there is a simple non-denominational service. This service may be conducted by the children, the staff or by a visiting minister.

What is the school discipline policy?

A high standard of discipline is expected of the children, both in their school work and in their behaviour. Politeness, good manners, self discipline and awareness of others is an important virtue and the school expects Parents to support them in the maintenance of good discipline.

There is a well tested system of disciplinary action in the school and one which the children understand. Misbehaviour will be dealt with by anything from a small community service through to de-merits and detentions.

Repeated breaches of discipline will be dealt with by the Headmaster initially and in consultation with the Parents where necessary.

What is the school homework policy?

Homework is used to reinforce the class work of the day or to test whether a child has retained a process learned at some previous time. Homework begins in Nursery with reading practice and is gradually increased as the children progress through the school. Each subject set should take no more than 30 minutes. Homework is not an optional subject on the curriculum and must always be returned within the time period set. The discipline learned by completing regular homework will stand the children in good stead for the rest of their academic lives.

Tuck -

For all classes in the Pre-Prep we would ask parents to name the tuck or the container that the tuck is sent in each day. Young children like the security of knowing that they have the tuck that their parents packed for them and can get stressed if they think that somebody else has their tuck, even though one red apple is pretty identical to the next one!

The school tries to encourage healthy eating habits and would ask parents to support this with the type of tuck they send in. Good tuck choices include fruit, raw vegetables, cheese, yoghurt, snack bars with dried fruit and cereal bars. Whilst nuts are healthy please remember that we are a NUT - FREE school. Please only send in water for your children to drink, not squash or fruit juice (Pre-School, KG and Form I all get a mid-morning drink in their classroom). There is a tuck shop which is run by the older children offering a range of healthy tuck options and children will need to bring money in daily if they wish to purchase anything.

Please do not send in chocolate / chocolate-coated items or sweets unless it is for a special occasion and has been agreed with the office first.

Lastly, please remember that tuck is meant to be a mid-morning snack to keep children going until lunchtime. They will then be ready for their lunch and eat a good meal.

 

What should I name?

Please name EVERYTHING ! As well as the main uniform please also name the following items :-

1. Socks.
2. Shoes and trainers / plimsolls.
3. Bags.
4. Pens & pencils etc.
5. Any personal item that may be brought in to be discussed in the lesson.
6. Art aprons.
7. Any books bought for using in school i.e. Tables book.

 

 

How can I find out about my child's progress?

The staff are available most mornings from 8.25 - 8.40am if parents have a quick query that they wish to ask. However if you feel that you need more time to discuss your concerns then please make an appointment to see your child's teacher at the office. This will give you undisturbed time to discuss your child and any concerns more thoroughly with the teacher.

There are annual Parents Evenings held for each year where you will receive an appointment to come and see all the staff that teach your child. There will also be an opportunity to have 'Tea with the Head' in your child's classroom (with the pastoral teacher too) and informally chat about your child's year and school life.

Kindergarten and Form 1 write termly reports on your child's progress and Forms II-VI send home mid-year and end-of-year reports.

The school operates an 'open door' policy for all parents and would always urge you to talk to us about any small concerns rather than worry and let them build into big ones.

 

Can children bring toys into school?

As a rule the answer to this is no. However there are a few exceptions:-

1. Pre-Prep classes may have a 'Show and Tell' day when this is acceptable.
2. On the last day of term children may bring games in to play with their friends - no PSP's, Gameboys etc please!
3. Skipping ropes may be brought in anytime and footballs are allowed for children who use the top playground.
4. Trump cards and football trading cards may be brought in - however from time to time the Head may impose a temporary ban on them if any problems arise.

 

Should I wait with my child in the morning?

The school doors open to the children at 8.15am but the school does not take responsibility for the children until 8.30am. Parents are welcome to wait until the bell rings at 8.40am before leaving or may feel as their child becomes more confident that they are happy to leave them sooner.

If it is raining parents may take their children into the classrooms but should wait with them until the class teacher arrives. Children should always have their rain macs in their bags ready for these days.

 

I'm their parent - shouldn't I always be told if they have misbehaved?

Most children have moments when they overstep the mark and staff will pull them up about it. Everybody makes mistakes and children deserve the opportunity to prove that they have learnt from it without having to worry about their parents knowing. Staff will now be aware of what happened and be keeping an eye on them. If any unacceptable behaviour continues it may result in lost stars, detention or a visit to the Head to discuss it. Parents will be appraised of the situation and how the school are planning to handle it. Parents may wish to view the Behaviour and Discipline policy for greater detail.

 

What happens to my child's work each term?

Over the course of a term your child will produce a range of written and artwork. It will either:-

1. Come home to you at the end of term on the penultimate day (parents should provide a large named plastic bag for these items to come home in).
2. Be filed in your child's National Curriculum folder as part of their body of work during their time at the school.
3. Be entered into a competition - we regularly enter both accademic and art competitions.
4. Remain in school for completion during the next term.