To make sure the transition into our Reception Class is as happy as possible we operate a staggered entry. Even if your child is used to completing a whole day at Nursery or Playgroup a whole day at school can be tiring and quite daunting. Therefore in the first  week children will be at school for half a day including lunch. The second week children will be in full time. 

Week 1: Mon 2nd September & Tues 3rd September                 Inset Days

                    Wed 4th September - Fri 6th September                        8:40am – 13:30pm 

Week 2: Mon 9th September – Fri 13th September                    8:40am – 15:10pm

From Monday 16th September, we will continue with a normal school day from 8:40am - 3:10pm Mondays to Fridays. 

A book bag, a water bottle they can keep in school (if they would like to).

At the start of Autumn term, we will ask you to send a named pair of wellington boots into school. We are very lucky to have outdoor play which includes exploring the woodland on school grounds and a good pair of wellington boots and a waterproof coat are essential. We learn through exploration! 

Please also ensure when the weather becomes colder that you send your child in with hat, gloves and scarf and a sun hat / sunscreen  for the warmer months. 

Please provide a spare set of clothes in case of little accidents - Uniform preferred.

We know your child may want to bring a toy in from home, however, to prevent things getting lost or broken in school, it is better for these to stay at home where they are safe. If your child wants to bring something in to show the class - a special artefact, photograph, book for story time, project etc - we are always happy for this to happen but please pass it directly to a member of the Early Years Team so that it can be stored safely until the right time. 

Your child will be in our Reception/Year 1 class and will work closely with their own class teacher Mrs Groves. However, due to the way Early Years works your child will also work support staff that are in the setting. The children have access to their classroom and the outside space at different points during the day.

The school day starts at 8:40am and finishes at 3:10pm Monday to Friday. During the week children will have phonics lessons with a member of the Early Years Team, complete some small group maths and writing activities and have several opportunities to learn in the indoor and outdoor environments. Children are also given opportunities during the day where they can explore their own interests, socialise with their peers and develop independent skills. 

In  Reception we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and tailor our teaching to support the individual needs of each pupil.  At Offa's Mead Academy,  we recognise that children learn to be confident and independent from secure relationships. Children will be part of a 'Family Group' led by their 'Key Person' where they will sing songs, listen to stories and engage in activities to develop confidence in speaking and listening and build social skills. Teachers and support staff aim to read one-to-one with every child each week. We teach phonics daily in small groups and following a short writing or maths input form the class teacher,  we have lots of activities, both inside and out, for the children to develop and practise their new skills in different contexts. We actively encourage phonics support at home and will help you understand how to help your child.

Children in the Early Years spend time independently exploring the indoor and outdoor learning environment and planning their own learning. They ‘choose’ the area that they would like to explore. The adults then facilitate and/or extend the learning taking place. Sometimes the ‘choosing play' will be play in which the children are exploring feelings such as empathy; sometimes they may act out scenarios in a safe environment; they may negotiate and form friendships; or develop understanding about how to share and compromise. These are just some examples of how ‘choosing’ develops important skills for lifelong learning. 

Yes! We love school trips in the Early Years and  at Offa's Mead Academy. These range from local visits on foot to day trips out on a coach. Wherever we go, we ensure that your child’s safety is our top priority.  

The Reception and Key Stage 1 children all receive free school meals.  We have a full kitchen in school and provide a choice of hot, healthy and nutritious lunches every day, as well as a selection of fruits they can enjoy.

Your child will eat their dinner in the Main Hall. The Reception and Key Stage 1 children eat first before the older children in school. They will be supported by a member of the Midday Supervising team but will also be encouraged to build their independence. 

After they have eaten their lunch, the children will go outside to play on the school playground. During this time, they will be able to meet and play with children from the Year 1 and Year 2 classes.

We have an outside space for Reception that your child will be able to access every day. To ensure that children can go outside, regardless of the weather conditions, we ask parents/carers to make sure that children are sent with named suitable clothing to allow this to happen. As well as lunchtime outside, children will be able to go outside for Forest School and also during Choosing Time.

All children will be provided with free daily fruit. Children are also entitled to milk daily until they reach the age of 5 years old, when parents can then choose to pay for milk if they wish. There will also be water available at all times for the children, however, some children prefer to bring in their own water bottles from home. 

We must ask that no other snacks are brought into school. 

We don't offer a breakfast club but we open our doors for working parents to drop off children from 08:30. 

Tea Birds which runs between 3:20pm to 6:00pm  and costs £7.50 per session. 

Places MUST be booked a week in advance and paid for using Parent Pay.

Spaces are limited, so please check availability with the school office. We will ask that you fill out a week in advance. If you need to add your child to be added to the list for the day, please make the office aware as soon as possible using the forms provided. 

Our wraparound care is non-profit making.

Uniform is an important part of life at Offa's Mead Academy and we expect ALL children to wear our uniform at all times. Click Click here to buy the uniform and to view the Uniform Policy.  Please name your child's uniform - we collect many unnamed items every day and it can cause distress to the children and expense to families if items go missing.

With respect to our Uniform Policy, please be mindful that wearing trainers is not appropriate and we ask that your child wears smart, black school shoes. Affordable school shoes can be found in most supermarkets and clothes stores.

We do have a selection of high quality used jumpers and cardigans at a cost of £1.00 per item. Please call the office with your child's size and we will select garments for you to collect at an agreed time.

All absence requires a telephone call, answer machine message or a conversation with the office staff explaining the absence. This is needed on every day of absence. Attendance is very important and Offa's Mead Academy encourage 100% attendance to ensure academic, social and emotional progress. Attendance really does matter.

A Doctor's letter / Hospital letter should be provided upon your child’s return. Please note that following a case of diarrhoea or sickness, your child is not permitted to return to school until they are clear of symptoms for 48 hours.   NHS Advise 

We cannot keep medicines in the classroom. If your child needs to take medicine or antibiotics that are prescribed four times a this can be administered from the school office, all medicines must be left with the school office.

Please make us aware of your child's medical needs and their care plan, as well as fill in a form available at the school office.  The medicine will be kept locked in our First Aid cabinet (or in the refrigerator if it must remain cool). We are only able to administer current medication prescribed by a doctor and clearly labelled with your child’s name. If your child needs an inhaler, please provide one that can be kept in school. If your child needs a hearing aid, please provide batteries that can be kept in school.

We keep a record of the date and time of all administered medication. Please ensure that we have an adequate stock of medication for your child's needs at school. Please keep in contact with the school office to make sure we have good levels of medication for your child's needs in the school. 

Please inform the school office if you need to collect your child from school or leave early for an appointment - wherever possible we ask to see an appointment card / letter. On the day of the appointment, please buzz at the school gate and your child will be escorted from the school to meet you, we will ask you to sign your child out. 

If you are late to school, you will need to buzz and wait for school administrators to acknowledge you have arrived. Your child will be marked as present once they are in class. We understand that lateness can happen and morning routines can be disrupted  - however, please can you ensure your child arrives on time as much as possible to avoid missing out on crucial registration time and daily instruction. Lateness does affect attendance.

We encourage all parents to take an active role in their child’s school life. This includes:

• Excellent attendance 

• Reading at home with your child

• Encouraging good behaviour and respect for all staff and pupils at school

• Attending Parent Workshops and Express Events (where possible and when social distancing allows) 

• Attending Parents' Evening (virtual parents evenings if social distancing is not possible)

• Keeping the school up to date with any changes in circumstance 

• Most importantly, making sure your child is prepared for the school day, e.g. having a good sleep, eating a healthy breakfast. 

• Being on time every day

Please check here for a copy of the calendar and term dates for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.