FAQs

We currently offer a flexible entry to school from 9am - 9.15am. This is in line with current COVID guidelines however it has proved to be a very positive way of welcoming children each morning and ensuring a settled start. These arrangements will be subject to change in the new term. Please be reassured that this information will be shared with you prior to August.

Both P1 classrooms have their own door which opens directly onto the P1 playground. Children enter through their P1 classroom door in the morning and leave from there at the end of the school day . The class is taken out by their class teacher at the end of the day and children wait in line to be dismissed one at a time from the P1 gate. The children waiting in line to be picked up remain in the fenced area ensuring their safety at what is a very busy time. At the end of the day we ask parents to stand on the concrete on the opposite side of the fence. We encourage parents/carers to stand in the same spot each day and share where this spot is with their child as this allows your child and their class teacher to immediately see who is there to collect them.

We are so grateful for your patience at the end of the day on the first few weeks as we get to recognise familiar faces and where to look for them!

Many of our children attend BofA O.S.C which is run by Lecropt Nursery. If your child is registered to attend O.S.C. then the staff will come and collect them from their class at the end of the day. You can find out more information on the out of school care provision by emailing bofaosc@btconnect.com . In addition, many children at Bridge of Allan get picked up by childminders, our community childminders are familiar faces to us and are well practiced in the P1 end of day arrangements.

Please keep us informed with who is picking up your child. We get to know many faces at pick up over the year including grans, grandads, aunties, uncles, friends, neighbours & childminders !

The answer to this question is dependent on COVID restrictions . We will ensure the day is as special as possible. To give you an idea, last year we couldn't have parents in the classroom however we set up an outdoor classroom where parents could see their children engaging in activities and having fun before leaving them in the safe hands of their class teacher. Our outdoor classroom was complete with banners, balloon arch and photograph frame. We know what a special day it is and will ensure every effort is made to make it feel that way and create a lovely memories. Prior to COVID restrictions, we had staggered start times on the first day and invited parents to bring their child into the classroom and to stay for a few minutes while they settled. Further information on Day 1 of P1 2021 will be shared closer to the time.

• Water bottle

• School bag

• Wellies (We would really appreciate it if a pair of wellies could be left in school to allow us never to miss an opportunity to jump in puddles)

• Children come to school wearing their gym kit on their gym days. Gym days for P1 in August have still to be confirmed.

• Packed lunch (if not having a school lunch)

• Morning snack

• Fruit snack for the afternoon

All children in P1-3 are entitled to a free school meal. There are 3 choices most days and the children choose their lunch each morning with their class teacher. We are very grateful if parents/carers take the time at home the morning or night before to choose a suitable lunch option with their child. The lunch menu can be found on Stirling Council website and also on the school app. Children may also choose to bring a packed lunch. Please note that we have several children in our school with severe nut allergies and therefore are a nut free school. Please keep this in mind when providing snacks and packed lunches.

Follow the steps below to download and access the School App.

1. Search for School App for Parents in app store (it has a green logo with white and yellow writing)

2. Download the App

3. Search for Bridge of Allan Primary

4. Login: bofaps@stirling.gov.uk Passcode: 8320

Of course you will. All children who have enrolled and live within our catchment area and all those outwith our catchment area who have been success in their placing request will be involved in transition regardless of what nursery they currently attend.

Miss McPherson has contacted all nurseries and childcare providers who have children transitioning to us and will continue to ensure we link during this important time.

Please don't worry. Our intake each year comes from up to 12 different nurseries. This is something our P1 teachers are aware of and very much used to here at Bridge of Allan. I know it's easy for us as grown ups to say 'Don't worry, your child will make friends' but our very own current P1 children and those now moving up through the school can confirm that regardless of the nursery/childcare setting they attended they have made so many friends that it would be impossible to tell which children came from which ELC setting.

We know that our younger children often don't give us a lot of warning before they need the toilet! Children who need the toilet are allowed to go. Children should simply ask their class teacher who will let them go. Children are encouraged to go to the toilet at breaktimes and lunchtimes as we recognise they don't want to be missing out on learning that is happening in class.

Children have access to the toilet at outdoor breaktime and lunchtime. They can simply let the adult playground helper know that they are going.

If your child is not well enough to attend school please notify us at the earliest opportunity via email bofaps@stirling.gov.uk or you can call us on 01786 832050.

If your child feels unwell during the school day we will contact you to ask you to come and collect them. Please ensure our office has the most up to date contact details for you and your nominated emergency contacts.

We will look after them. Trips, scrapes, bumps and bruises can happen during the school day and your child will be cared for and given the necessary first aid. Your child will also be given a first aid slip to take home to inform you of the details of the accident and treatment received.

We phone home for all head bumps and for injuries which need further investigating or are causing distress.

We would love to help you and by asking us directly you can be assured that information is accurate. If you have a general question please click this link and post your question for it to be answered. We are sure others will be grateful you have asked!

If your question is specific to your child then you can email Miss McPherson mcphersonf@stirling.gov.uk