Frequently Asked Questions

The school encourages the wearing of uniform and proper black shoes and it is hoped that parents will continue to support this policy as recognised in the Home School Agreement

We ask that the red crested sweatshirt or cardigan is worn with dark grey or black trousers, skirts or pinafore dresses. In the summer, red summer dresses (small red check or thin red stripe) or dark grey or black tailored short trousers may be worn.

It is essential that all personal property and clothing is marked clearly with the child’s name. This helps us to match lost & found items with their owner.  The school cannot be responsible for property that is not recovered.

Please read our School Uniform Policy updated May 2018

Uniform can be purchased from Anglia Sport and School Wear 

When we refer to severe winter weather, we really do mean ‘severe’ snow rather than a ‘slight flurry’. If we do decide that we need to close the school as a result of bad snow or bad road conditions this is not a decision that we take lightly. If circumstances are such that you think there is a possibility that we may be forced to close either first thing in the morning or during the day, we would please ask you to check the following:

Come to this school’s website to see if a message has been posted on the home page – but bear in mind that if the admin team cannot get into school then the website will not be updated so this is not the most reliable method.

We will also endeavor to contact our parents and carers via the ‘T2P’ text and email service.

Buses and Taxis

Our bus contractors to Point Clear and our contract taxis have the right to make their own decisions about whether or not their transport will run, so please be aware that even if school is open as normal, there is a possibility that the contract transport may not come to some areas of our catchment.

Early Closure

If weather conditions should deteriorate badly once the children are already in school please first check the school’s website to check for any new message that has been posted on the home page. Please try to avoid calling the school office for information. It is very difficult to function with such a high volume of incoming calls. Parents will receive an email and text message through the ‘T2P’ text service.

If we decide we must close early, we will inform parents and carers via text & email.

Radio Broadcasts

You can tune into the local radio stations listed below where closure information will be broadcast on a regular basis (note that BBC Essex’s website is updated before any broadcasts). However, it can take us up to 20-30 minutes to get connected, and then the message will only be broadcast in the next ’round’ of announcements.

BBC Essex: 103.5 FM / 729 AM

Dream 100: 100.2 FM

Early Closure

If weather conditions should deteriorate badly once the children are already in school please first check the school’s website to check for any new message that has been posted on the home page. Please try to avoid calling the school office for information. It is very difficult to function with such a high volume of incoming calls.

If we decide we must close early, we will inform the radio stations (again, BBC Essex will update their website before any broadcasts take place) and also text & email parents.

The school day

Morning Session:  

Key Stage 1   8.45am – 12.10pm   (break 10.30am – 10.45 am)

Key Stage 2   8.45am – 12.20pm

Afternoon Session: 

Key Stage 1   1.10pm – 3.05pm

Key Stage 2   1.20pm – 3.05pm

The bell rings at the start of morning and afternoon school and at home time.

Punctuality

• School doors open at 8.30 am. Morning registration is at 8.45 am. This is the time your child must be in the classroom, so you need to ensure your child is coming through the school gate before this time.
• It is important to be on time as the first few minutes of the school day are often used to give out instructions or organise schoolwork for the rest of the day.
• After the close of registration your child will be marked as unauthorised absence in line with the Department for Education guidance.
• We will let you know if we have concerns about your child’s punctuality.
• Children who remain uncollected at the end of school time will be referred to a place of safety if not collected or the school contacted by school closing time.

As a school we aim to:

• Maintain an attendance rate of a minimum of 96%
• Maintain parents’ and pupils’ awareness of the importance of regular attendance.

Good attendance is important because:

• There is a direct link between under-achievement and poor attendance
• Children with high attendance make better progress, both socially and academically
• Children with high attendance find school routines and school work easier to cope with
• Children with high attendance find learning more satisfying
• Children with high attendance have an easier transfer to secondary school

As a parent you can help us by:

• You should call on the first morning of all absences with the reason and tell us when the child will return. The telephone number is  01255 820823.
• Dental and doctor’s appointments should be booked out of school hours or during school breaks
• Provide a note explaining the reason for absence on your child’s return to school after an illness
• Keep us updated by telephone or letter if your child has an extended period of absence due to illness

We shall:

• Follow up unexplained absences by phone calls and letters as soon as possible
• Inform parents of the importance of regular attendance and punctuality in newsletters, the school brochure and the Home-School agreement
• Publish our attendance rate in the school prospectus
• Reward good attendance
• Publish your child’s attendance rate on her/his annual school report
• We will let you know if we have concerns regarding your child’s attendance
• If we continue to have concerns we will make a referral to the Education Welfare Officer

Each year we publish our school attendance figures on our website.

Authorised Absence

Some absences are allowed by law and are known as “authorised absences”. For example: if a child is ill, family bereavement, religious observance.

We realise that there are rare occasions when there might be a particular problem that causes your child to be absent. Please let us know and we shall try to deal with it sympathetically.

Unauthorised Absence

There are times when children are absent for reasons, which are not permitted by law. These are known as “unauthorised absences”. Examples of unauthorised absence are:

• “I’m waiting on a delivery.”
• “I’m shopping/going for a hair cut.”
• “We are going for a family day out.”
• “It is my child’s birthday.”
• “We are sleeping in after a late night.”
• Holidays during term
• If there is no explanation for the absence or where the reason for the absence is considered unsatisfactory

Unauthorised Absences have to be reported to the Local Authority. The EWO (Education Welfare Officer) may contact you and consider taking legal action against you if your child has unauthorised absences.

Term Time Leave of Absence

As from 1st September, 2013 the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 have been amended. All references to family holidays and extended leave have been removed, together with the right for parents to apply for up to 10 days.

Therefore, the school will no longer be permitted to grant leave of absence during term time, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to your child’s educational progress. A pupil who takes 10 days absence will only attain 94.7% attendance in the year. 10 days absence also means the pupil will miss 50 hours of education.

If the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken the case will be referred to the Education Welfare Service which could result in a fine.

Please remember that the more time your child misses from school, the more difficult it is for them to catch up with their work. Valuable learning time is lost.

NHS Poster – Advice on Childhood Illness

Local NHS experts have joined forces with Essex County Council to produce an at-a-glance guide to 17 childhood illnesses including Chicken Pox, Glandular Fever, Ringworm and Tonsillitis.

The poster above highlights key symptoms of common illnesses which are traffic light colour coded to indicate whether children should go to school or stay at home.

Illnesses in the green category – for example colds and conjunctivitis – are those where children should continue to go to school.

The amber category is when an illness could be catching and there are some restrictions on school attendance.

Children should not go to school and should see a GP if the illness falls into the red category. Red category illnesses are German measles. Impetigo, Measles and Whooping Cough.

The poster also advises parents on where they should first seek treatment, either from their local pharmacist or their GP.

There is guidance on when to consult a GP if symptoms persist and advice on when it should be safe for a child to return to school if they have a particular illness.