For Parents
Please see the guidance below on the school day, uniform, what to bring to school, and certain school rules. Please see the guidance HERE about when you should keep your child off school.
You will find more important information in the side menus, including “Staying safe online – current advice for parents”.
School Day:
Gates open: 8.45am and close at 8.55am
School starts: 8.55am
School finishes: 3.30pm, gates open 3.20pm
Uniform:
School uniform:
There is no expectation that you have to have the school logo on items of uniform.
Mid-grey trousers, skirts, pinafore or shorts.
Green summer dresses.
Bottle Green polo shirts.
Bottle Green sweatshirts, fleece or cardigan.
A pair of black sensible shoes or plain black trainers.
Black or grey socks.
PE/Forest School uniform:
A pair of plain black tracksuit bottoms, shorts or skorts of appropriate length.
Wellies or a change of footwear for forest school, waterproof coat.
Swimming kit:
Full length swimming costumes for girls (no bikinis/tankinis or all in one suits)
Swim shorts for boys (no baggy shorts or all in one suits)
Swim hat
Googles
Towel
Extras:
Coat/Rain coat for winter.
Sun lotion and hat for summer.
All uniforms must be clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Branded uniform can be purchased from Proserve www.proservegroup.com 01395 222975.
What to bring to school:
Children need to bring a bag to school each day, containing their reading record and books, and a labelled water bottle. Every child needs a large, clear, wipe clean pencil case labelled with their name, containing HP pencils x 2, eraser, small ruler and pencil sharpener.
Why do we have certain rules?
We know that some of our routines and expectations can feel strict at times — but each one exists to help children learn, stay safe, and keep the school running smoothly for everyone. Here are a few of the common questions we’re asked:
Q: What should I do if my child is unwell before school?
A: If your child has a high temperature, is clearly unwell, or has symptoms that require exclusion, please do not send them to school. If your child has a rash or other concerning symptoms, check current NHS guidance before deciding.
If your child is slightly under the weather, tired, or not at their best but generally well, it is usually appropriate to send them to school. Please avoid making promises about going home early. Instead, reassure your child that the teacher will be informed and staff will monitor them during the day. If your child becomes worse, we will reduce expectations or contact you as appropriate.
Q: Can the school give my child Calpol or other pain relief during the day?
A: No. The school does not routinely provide pain relief such as Calpol. Pain relief should only be given in school for a specific, identified reason. If your child needs medication during the school day, parents must supply it and complete the required consent form in advance.
The school holds a very small emergency supply only, for exceptional situations (for example, if a child is injured and awaiting collection by a parent). Children should not attend school expecting to be given pain relief as part of the normal day.
Q: Can I make a dentist appointment during school hours?
A: No – please avoid this; it will only be authorised for emergency surgery. It disrupts your child’s learning and the smooth running of a busy school. The dentists are aware that schools expect appointments to be made out of school hours. Every lesson counts — and missed time soon adds up.
Q: Why do I need to pass information on at the gate?
A: As soon as the children come in, they get started on a ‘Do Now’ activity to warm up their learning for the day. At the same time, teachers are taking the register, settling the class, and preparing for the first lesson — often juggling thirty different needs at once! Passing messages at the gate helps keep the start of the day calm and focused for all.
Q: Does it matter if my child is late?
A: Yes — even a few minutes can make a big difference. Lessons begin straight away, so being late means missing key explanations and starting the day on the back foot. Ten minutes late every day adds up to almost an hour of learning lost each week. It also disrupts the class and can leave your child feeling unsettled.
Q: Why does uniform have to be uniform? And why must trainers be completely black?
A: Uniform creates a sense of belonging and equality. It helps children focus on learning rather than what they or others are wearing. Keeping footwear fully black ensures consistency and avoids distractions — simple, smart, and fair for everyone.
Q: Why is there a fee for the office booking dinners on the day for parents?
A: Not booking your child’s dinners creates additional administration for our office staff, who are already working hard to manage everything from attendance to school trips. Pre-booking meals keeps the system running smoothly and ensures every child gets what they’ve ordered.
Q: Why do I need to book Before- and After-School Club in advance?
A: Advance bookings make a huge difference. They allow us to staff the club safely and sustainably, ensuring we can continue offering high-quality wraparound care. When numbers are unpredictable, it puts pressure on staffing and risks the long-term viability of the provision. Booking ahead helps us plan properly and keep the service running for all families who rely on it.
Q: Can I collect my child early, for example at 3pm?
A: We can only allow early collection in the case of a genuine medical emergency. Allowing routine early pickups would mean staff repeatedly leaving lessons to bring children to the office, which disrupts learning for the whole class. It also comes at a time of day when we have fewer staff available to manage this safely. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping the end of the day calm and focused for all pupils.
Q: Shall I keep my child off school?
A: Please see the guidance HERE about when you should keep your child off school.