Frequently Asked Questions

Try not to worry too much, the teachers are prepared to be ready to play 'catch up' with the children's learning in September. Your child will not be the only one. We will start with where your child is at and are working hard to draw up specific plans for 'bridging the gap'.

As always, good attendance and completion of home learning tasks will help your child to put their best foot forward on return to school.

We have many stringent risk assessments and guidelines in place to reflect government guidelines. We are reflecting on these as advice changes.

You are likely to see, amongst other things:

• Protective Bubbles

• Increased hand washing

• Social distancing

• Increased cleaning

• Staggered start and end times

• Changes to playgrounds and toilets

• Limited and individualised resources

Talk to your child's class teacher as soon as possible and they will be happy to signpost support and to look at ways of providing additional nurturing support in school.

All children in KS1 are eligible for universal free school meals, in line with Government provisions. Some families may also be eligible to receive Free School Meals status, which also has the added benefit of cost reductions on some other school related costs and free meals for their children who are eligible in KS2. It is important that families that may be eligible apply for KS1 children, despite already receiving a free meal, as it will help to support your child in school through associated school funding.

Apply online at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals or download a form from the website and hand into the the school office.

Your child will need to bring the following items daily:

• A water bottle containing water

• School uniform

• Sun hat for warm weather.

• Reading packet, including a book and reading diary. (Covid-19 allowing)

We discourage:

• Toys

• Snacks

• Juice

• Their own pens and pencils

• Rucksacks to carry their daily items.

We ask that they leave the following in school:

• Inhalers and epipens.

• Change of clothes if they are prone to toileting accidents.

We ask that all medication is administered at home. If the medication is prescribed by a doctor, is required 4 times daily or more and you cannot administer it at home, you may wish to speak to the school office to see how we can assist you.

We recommend that normal sickness is followed by a 48hour stay at home. If you child has symptoms of Covid-19 please follow the current government guidelines.

Firstly it is always best to talk to the class teacher who may refer you to another member of staff. If you feel that you have still not received the support that you require you may ask to speak to Mrs Burrows, the Key Stage One Manager then the Headteacher.

Always talk to your child's class teacher with any concerns. They may refer you to Mrs Goodall, our Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

Talk to your child's class teacher to see if they also have concerns. Try to make your observations clear and listen to what they have seen in school. Sometimes children are quite different in school to how they are at home. Sometimes the questions that we ask make us worry about the children. Try to focus on a positive mindset, thinking about the good friends that they have, the subjects that they enjoy and the praise that they have received. Let them know that it is good to share worries but also use talk that focuses them on the positive.

Were you on your own again today? (All children with have moments of alone time in the day, instead ask, 'Which friend was the most fun to play with today?'...)

Did you get your work all right today? (That is a high bar instead ask, 'What went well today?', 'What mistake helped you to learn today?')

Were you good today? (What does that mean? Instead try, 'What were you given a reward or praise for today?', 'Who did you make smile/laugh today?', ' Who did you help today?')

Sometimes sadness associated with school can be due to separation anxiety. This is often seen when children are sad on entering school but happy throughout the day, once mum or dad have left and it can be really common in young children, but really distressing for their carers. If you think this might apply to your child the following tips may help:

Ensure that you are talking to them positively about school, whilst listening to their worries. At the end of the school day try to avoid:

I missed you so much today! (This implies that being apart is a bad thing instead try, I had a great day but I am really happy to see you now that you have finished school. I did this today and it reminded me of you and made me smile. I thought about you having a nice time at school and it made me feel so happy to know that you were trying your best at school.)

If after trying these tips you are still concerned, or if you are worried about bullying talk to the class teacher again.

Please contact the school office who will be happy to organise duplicate reports and parents evening notifications. We may ask you to provide stamped addressed envelopes to send items to you by post. The office staff can also discuss any other support that you may need.

Please contact the office or class teacher to inform of any changes to your normal collection routine, in person if possible. If you contact via the telephone, they may ask you some security questions to verify your identity.