A Rationale for the Parent Handbook

Whilst not definitive, this handbook is designed to support parents by setting out the day-to-day activities within school and how parents can support their children. If you have any questions about routines or systems at school talk with your child’s class teacher or visit the school office.

A

Absence and Punctuality

●     You must make sure your child attends school every day.

●     If your child has any unplanned absence (e.g. sickness) please notify the school office, in person or by telephone, by 9am with the reason for the absence.

●      We will make every effort to contact parents by telephone if a child is absent and we have not received an explanation. 

●     If this procedure is not followed, the absence will be recorded as unauthorised in the register and on your child’s school record.

●     The law requires that schools must notify the local authority where a pupil is absent for a continuous period of more than 10 school days or where a pupil fails to attend regularly.

●     Absence from school falls into two categories: authorised and unauthorised. A child can be authorised absent from school when prevented from attending by sickness or a medical appointment, when taking time off school for religious observance or – in exceptional circumstances – where holiday leave has been granted. Parents should note that the school is not allowed to authorise absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as a death in the family, a wedding or where a family member has returned from active duty in the armed forces and is, therefore, restricted as to when leave may be taken.

●     If you need to take your child out of school during term time for the purpose of a holiday it will be necessary for you to complete a form obtainable from the office. If parents choose to take children out of school without permission, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.

●     Fixed penalty notices may be issued to parents where children are absent or late for more than 10 unauthorised sessions.

●     The school day starts at 8.50am and registers are taken in class at this time.

●     If your child arrives after 8.50am, please enter via the school office and inform the staff of your arrival.

●     If your circumstances are causing your child to be consistently late, then please contact us so we can see if we can help.

●     Persistent lateness is classified as a failure to attend school regularly and may result in a fine.

Arriving at School

●     The school office is open to parents and children between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm on weekdays.

●     Key Stage 1 and Reception children enter via the gate on the right side of the building. Key Stage 2 children enter via the gate on the left hand side.

●     Gates are opened at 8.40am and closed at 8.50am. If you arrive after the gates have closed you should use the main school entrance and sign your child into school on the sheet at the reception desk.

●     School staff will be available when the gates open if parents have any questions, concerns or messages.

●     Parents requiring an in-depth conversation with staff will be encouraged to make an appointment at the school office.

●     We encourage children to walk to school. If you travel by car please ensure that you park in a safe and appropriate place. There is a ‘Park and Stride’ facility just 3 minutes walk from the school at the Norman Rodaway Centre (just off Heathhouse Lane). Parents are not allowed to park in the staff car park, outside the school gates or on the yellow lines outside school to deliver or wait for children.

Admissions

●     If your child joins the school part way through their primary education, we meet with parents to discuss their child’s needs, current strengths and areas for development.

●     If your child has defined SEN, we will also set up a meeting with the SENCO or QTVI.

●     We encourage children to visit the school prior to joining, in order to familiarise themselves with the layout of the school and classroom and to meet key members of staff.

●     We also liaise with the previous school, collect records, reports and assessments.

●     We follow the agreed procedures for Hampshire School Admissions – these can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/admissions

After School Provision

●     A private company – Creative Kidz – provides an after school service at the school.

●     They offer a range of play opportunities together with a drink and a snack between the hours of 3.15pm and 6pm every day.

●     Please see their website for further information -  https://creativekidz.org.uk/

Assemblies/Collective Worship

●     Assemblies take place every day.

●     Special assemblies take place throughout the year to which parents are often invited.

●     Assemblies may include a story, a song and a moment for reflection (which can be a Christian prayer). If a prayer is to be said, the children are invited to put their hands together and close their eyes.

●     If your child should not participate in collective worship due to religious observance, please inform the school so we can make alterative arrangements when assemblies take place.

●     Each class holds an assembly during the academic year which parents are able to attend.

B

Behaviour – Golden Rules

Golden Rules apply to all members of the school community and outline behaviour that demonstrates respect and caring for oneself, other people and property.

The six basic golden rules are:

★    Be kind and helpful

★    Work hard

★    Always listen

★    Look after property

★    Be honest

★    Be gentle

The golden rules are reinforced through a variety of strategies including:

-       The weekly celebration assembly

-       Class discussion in Circle Time

-       Individually with children as appropriate

-       Use of Merits, Team Points, Weather Charts and other rewards

-       Giving verbal praise for individual achievement

-       Adopting a “You can do it!” approach

-       Listening to children and understanding their needs and expectations

-       Understanding the individual needs of our children

-       Developing a shared value of being a good role model across all members of the school community

Behaviour – Rewards

The school rewards positive behaviour through:

●     Team points – used for following the Golden Rules. They are totaled each week and each half term, the winning team receives a special treat.

●     Merit awards – given for achievement and effort in learning. These are collected from the Headteacher and celebrated in assembly. Every time a child achieves a multiple of 10 Merits, they receive a special certificate in the celebration assembly.

●     Golden Time – is a special, organised activity at the end of the week where children are rewarded for following the Golden Rules. Children can receive up to a maximum of 20 minutes each week.

●     Class weather charts – this is another tool that is used to praise children for following the Golden Rules. If a child reaches the top of the chart, they may receive a ticket to inform parents of the rules they have been following. The sunshine represents the minimum high expectations we have for behaviour.

Behaviour – Sanctions

●     If a child breaks one of the Golden Rules they will be given a reminder of the appropriate behaviour.

●     If behaviour does not improve, the child will lose one minute of their Golden Time.

●     If behaviour continues to deteriorate or does not improve, additional sanctions (including Headteacher and parental involvement) may be used.

●     The school community will work together if a child consistently struggles to follow the Golden Rules and investigate the causes behind such behaviour.

●     Extreme, violent or dangerous behaviour is always referred directly to the Headteacher and parents will be informed.

Breakfast Club

●     Breakfast Club runs between 8am and 8.40am.

●     After children have eaten, a selection of different activities will be on offer for the children to take part in before school begins.

●     The service currently costs £3 per child per day (or £2.50 per child if more than one child from the same family attends).

●     Payments need to be made at the time of booking and long-term bookings must be paid in advance.

●     Details of available places, registration and booking arrangements can be obtained from the school office.

British Values

According to Ofsted, 'fundamental British values' are:

●     democracy

●     the rule of law

●     individual liberty

●     mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.

These are covered during PSHE lessons, circle times and in assemblies.

Bullying

• At Kings Copse, we define bullying as repeated behaviour over a period of time intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally. Bullying takes many forms and can include physical assault, teasing, making threats, name-calling and cyber-bullying.
• If you suspect your child if being bullied, please talk to the class teacher in the first instance. If such behaviour is uncovered, the school will act decisively and involve parents, and if warranted the school will introduce sanctions.

C

Charging

• We try hard to make our curriculum as engaging as possible through visits, trips and visitor workshops throughout the school year.
• We may ask for voluntary contributions for these activities.
• No child will be excluded from any such activity on the basis of non-contribution - support is available towards part or all the cost of activity where there are financial difficulties or the family is in receipt of particular benefits.
• If children lose or damage reading books or other resources loaned to them by the school, then parents may be asked to fund replacements.
• Further details can be found in our Charging Policy.

Clubs/Extra-Curricular Activities

• Clubs over a half term or longer.
• A wide range of clubs are available each term for a variety of children’s interests.
• Club letters are usually available at the beginning of each term so parents can give written permission.
• Clubs usually run for ten weeks.
• We also invite a range of external providers to offer additional activities – there may be an additional charge for this.

Communication

• Curriculum newsletters are sent near the beginning of the autumn, spring and summer terms. These give information about upcoming topics, what the children will be learning and should inform parents about how they can support their children’s learning.
• •   The Headteacher sends out a weekly newsletter each Friday to keep parents and children informed of school news and upcoming events. Parents can choose to receive a paper copy or can have a copy sent to them via email.
• You may also receive other letters informing you of other events that may be taking place (e.g. trips and visits).
• Club letters are also available at the start of each term from the school office. The dates for when these are available will be advertised in the weekly newsletter.
• Other communications, including the school diary is available on the school website.
• School dates are also available via the school office and a list of key events, including INSET days, is distributed at the start of the year.
• We also hold a Parent Forum each half term which parents can attend to give feedback on aspects of the school and help support future developments.
• We also use text messaging to keep parents informed of upcoming events and urgent announcements

E

Emergency Contacts

●     Each academic year, parents are given a copy of their child’s record sheet to be checked and amended if necessary.  These should be completed and returned as soon as possible in order that our records can be updated to enable us to make contact with you.

●     Please notify us as soon as possible if any of these details change during the course of the school year.

eSafety

●     At the school, we teach eSafety at an age-appropriate level to each year group each year.

●     The school has a firewall to protect children’s access to the Internet. This is checked regularly by Hampshire County Council.

●     Further information and guidance can be found in our e-safety policy and a useful guide for parents can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

Educational Visits (School Trips)

●     These include day and residential visits, field studies, investigations conducted in the local area, sporting events and music and drama productions.

●     The school works hard to ensure that the cost of each visit is value for money.

●     A letter will be sent to parents to inform them of the dates of the visit, any particular clothing or equipment they may need and to seek parental permission.

●     All excursions require specific consent forms to be completed by the parent or guardian. No child is allowed on a trip unless the parent or guardian’s consent has been given.

●     All visits are risk assessed and approved in line with Hampshire County Council’s guidance.

F

First Aid

●     School staff have basic first aid training which is renewed regularly. We also have named paediatric first aiders on site.

●     All accidents are recorded in the Accident Book held in the school office.

●     If a child bumps their head, the child will be sent home at the end of the day with a letter detailing their injury. Depending on the circumstances, a phone call home may be made.

●     If a child’s injury needs hospital attention, the emergency services will be contacted in the first instance. Following this, parents will be contacted. If no contact can be made with parents or the nominated next of kin, a staff member will take the child to the hospital and stay with them until a relative can be contacted.

G

Governors

●       Governors play an important part in school life and act as a ‘critical friend’ to the headteacher. 

●       The Governors role is to ensure high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school by:

- Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction

        - Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils

        - Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

H

Handwriting

●     A cursive style of handwriting and letter formation is taught from Reception onwards.

●     Our letter formations are as follows:

Headlice

●      Advice can be found at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth6-15/Pages/Nits.aspx

●      A child will not be sent home from school if they have head lice. However, parents are encouraged to act rapidly to reduce the spread of the conditions to other pupils or your family.

●      The school appreciates a message to inform us if a child has had headlice so teachers can be alert to any possible problems in class

Holidays in Term Time

●     The legal regulations regarding holidays in term time make it clear that a school is not allowed to grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances as outlined in the Hampshire guidance.

●     Further information about this can be found at: www3.hants.gov.uk/education/hias/learning-behaviour-attendance/attendance-guidance-for-parents.htm

Home Learning

●     Children in Years 1 to 6 are given spellings, times tables and reading for homework each week.

●     Year R pupils are encouraged to read and learn their key words each week.

●     Children are also encouraged to complete a set of different homework projects over the course of a  half term.

●     Your child should have a set of reading books in their bag to promote reading for pleasure at home. Please support by listening to your child read at home and ask them questions on what they have read.

●     If you notice a book has been in your child’s bag for a period of time, please let us know so we can ensure the book can be changed.

●     Homework may be rewarded with merits or team points according to the effort a child has made.

Home Time

●     The school day ends at 3.20pm.

●     Key Stage 1 children will be picked up from their classroom doors. Key Stage 2 children will be walked around the school and may be collected from the front of the school.

●     If you expect to be delayed or another adult is picking your child up, please ensure that the office is informed.

●     KS1 classes also have signs outside the door so parents can inform teachers of who will be picking up or whether children will be attending after school club.

I

Illness and Medication

●     Guidance for sickness and diarrhoea, can be found at:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea/Pages/Introduction.aspx

●     If a child has sickness or diarrhoea, the following procedures must be followed:

-       The child should be collected from school

-       Children are not allowed to return to school until they have been clear for 48 hours

-       Children should not be brought into school if sickness or diarrhoea first occurs at home

●     Medical records are kept securely in the school offices. Members of staff are made aware of children with serious medical conditions or allergies.

●     Parents will be sent a medical form annually to enable school records to be kept up to date but please keep us updated if there are important changes.

●     If a child needs a prescribed or non-prescribed medicine administered, please see the school office to fill out the appropriate form.

●     All medicines, including inhalers and epi-pens, are kept in the school office and are administered by school staff.

●     Please ensure all medicines are clearly named.

●     It is the duty of parents to check that medicines are kept in date and replenished if necessary.

●     If a child becomes unwell during the day and is unable to stay at school, parents will be contacted.

J

Jewellery

●     With the exception of plain stud earrings and a watch, children are not allowed to wear jewellery in school.

●     It is recommended that children remove stud earrings for PE after the holes have healed.

●     Surgical tape is provided for children to cover any piercings that are worn.

L

Library

●     As well as daily guided reading sessions, children visit the library regularly to browse the books and to issue new texts to take home.

●     The library is also open after school for parents to help scan out books with their child and to look at the books that we have in school.

Lost Property

●     Please ensure that all of your child's clothing, belongings, their lunchbox and water bottle are clearly marked with their name.

●     Lost property boxes are located in the entrance hall.

Lunchtime Meals

●     Lunchtime happens between 12pm and 1pm.

●     Children can choose between a school dinner or a packed lunch brought from home.

●     Hot school meals and school packed lunches are provided by Hampshire County Council’s Catering service (HC3S) and cost £2.15 per child per day.

●     The menu is on a three week cycle. The current menu can be found at www3.hants.gov.uk/hc3s/hc3s-primary/primarymenu.htm

●     Where practical, the catering team can also adapt meals if children have a particular dietary requirement (such as an allergy to a particular ingredient). Please see the school office. All meals are nut free.

●     Payment for meals should be made in advance at the school office or online. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free school meals.

●     Free school meals are available to children whose parents/guardians are in receipt of certain benefits. Please ask the at the school office for an application form or visit the HC3S website: www3.hants.gov.uk/hc3s/freeschoolmeals.htm for further details.

●     Parents are encouraged to pack a healthy range of foods for packed lunches from home.

●     Please ensure that nut products (such as peanut butter and Nutella) are not used to avoid the possible transfer of nut traces that could trigger allergies in other children.

M

Milk

●      Children under five years of age are legally entitled to free milk daily. Within Reception, after they are five years old, we continue to provide access to milk for a fee.

●      Parents will need to register for free milk at www.coolmilk.com. Alternatively a registration form may be collected from the school office.

Money

●      The school operates an online system to pay for dinner money, music tuition and trips. In order to access the online payments system, you will need to obtain a Pupil Link Code from the school office. Once you have this, you can create an online account by visiting www.scopay.com/kingscopse

●      Should you have to send money into the school office for trips, you must ensure that it is placed in a sealed envelope with the following information:

-your child's name

-their teacher's name

-the amount of money enclosed

-what the money is for 

●      Financial support is available in certain cases where hardship is making it difficult for children to participate in school activities.  Please do not hesitate to contact the school office to arrange an appointment with the Headteacher should you wish to discuss this matter at any time.

Music Lessons

●      We can offer peripatetic music tuition for pupils in Year 2 and above. There is an annual charge/termly? for these sessions and letters are sent out in advance notifying you of the cost and how to apply if you wish to do so.

●      Currently, we offer lessons in guitar, drums, recorder and woodwind.

●      The sessions are run by members of the Hampshire Music Service who visit the school weekly.

●      For further details, please contact the school office.

P

Photography

●      Photography is used for the school website and blogs; if parents do not wish their child’s image to be used please inform the school office.

●      Teachers and other staff will always check the list of children whose image must not be published.

●      In the interests of safeguarding our children, please do not take photographs or video during performances or assemblies which you attend. We often provide opportunities for parents to take group shots at the end of the performance but please share these responsibly.

Physical Education

●     All children must take part in PE lessons unless they have a doctor’s note (or a note from a parent) excusing them. If a child does not bring kit – and the activity can be completed safely in school uniform – then children should still take part in bare feet.

●     Up to Year 5, all children will change in the classroom. From Year 5, girls and boys may wish to change separately. Should any child not wish to get changed in the classroom, then an agreed area outside the classroom will be used.

Playtimes

●     We aim to keep the children outside during playtime as much as possible throughout the school year.

●     Please ensure your child has suitable clothing for the weather conditions throughout the year. This means a waterproof warm coat during cold or wet weather and a sunhat, and sun cream if the weather is warm.

●     If the weather is too wet or windy for children to go outside, children will spend playtime in their classrooms.  However, in all other circumstances, it is always better that the children get some fresh air.

Pupil Voice

●      We value the contribution of our pupils and the impact they have on the school community. We encourage this in a variety of ways. Children support the community through:

- School Council

 - Fairtrade Steering Group

- Junior Road Safety Officers

- ‘Buddies’ to support the learning of other children

- Sports Crew leaders

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

●      We are lucky to have a very active PTA who help support many events across the school year.

●      They are a registered charity and their funds are used to support many different projects which the school would usually be unable to fund.

●      Events which are held include discos, fairs, family fun days and a range of seasonal activities.

●      They are also heavily involved in school life including providing refreshments at productions and Sports Day.

●      If you would like to join the PTA, then please contact the school office.

R

Reporting to Parents

●     We provide opportunities for you to be informed about your child’s progress each term.

●     In the autumn and spring terms, this will be in the form of a parents’ meeting where you will receive a copy of the main targets which your child is working on.

●     In the summer term, you will receive your child’s annual school report.

●     If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s progress at any time, please speak to their teacher.

S

Safeguarding and Child Protection

●      Our first priority is the welfare of our pupils.

●      We are committed to the highest standards in protecting and safeguarding the children entrusted to our care. We recognise that some children may be victims of neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse and that staff within school are well placed to identify such abuse and offer support to children in need.

●      Several named staff are trained Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSLs) who staff inform immediately of any safeguarding concerns.

●      All staff receive regular training to ensure that they are up to date on any changes to safeguarding procedures.

●      If at all concerned about a child’s wellbeing, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The named DSL at the school is Hayley Ferguson (Headteacher). 

Special Educational Needs

●     At Kings Copse Primary School, we aim to enable all children, including those with Special Educational Needs to enjoy a well-balanced and broad curriculum.

●     We pride ourselves in supporting pupils to develop their confidence, independence and positive self-esteem in a secure and caring environment.

●     Our Special Educational Needs or Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCo) is Mrs Clare Darling-Chalke while the Teacher in Charge of the Resource Provision for Visually Impaired Pupils is Mrs Bernie Stout (QTVI).

●     Every Local Authority is required to publish information about services that are available in their area for children and young people from birth to 25 who have Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and also services outside the area which children and young people can use. This is known as the Local Offer. All schools have completed an SEN Information Report that will contribute to the local offer.

●     A copy of our Local Offer and SEND policy can be found either via our website or from the school office.

●     We promote an inclusive environment where pupils with SEND are part of class provision as much as possible. We have a wide range of support and intervention which is provided to help pupils in class.

●     If your child is experiencing social or emotional difficulties, a variety of support is available such as access to our ELSA, FEIPS, Drawing and Talking Therapy, Parenting Support or counselling. Please see us if you would like to find out more about these programmes.

Staff

●      A list of current staff members can be found on the school website: www.kingscopse.hants.sch.uk

●      Your child may be taught by a number of teachers and other adults over the course of a week, term and year.

●      Your child will have one class teacher (or two if the class is taught as part of a job share arrangement).

●      Other teachers – such as specialists in PE or music or PPA (Planning, Preparation, Assessment) cover teachers will also teach your child at some point during the week.

●      Learning Support Assistants, student teachers, the Headteacher and visiting professionals may work with your child from time to time.

T

Toilets

●     Children are encouraged to use the toilet during playtime and lunchtime rather than during lessons.

●     If a child wishes to use the toilet during lessons, they will be expected to ask permission.

●     If your child has specific toileting needs, then please talk to a member of school staff so we can make arrangements for this.

Transition Arrangements – New Starters (Reception)

●     At Kings Copse we try to offer support with the transition into school by offering several sessions for parents and children to explore the school environment.

●     In June of each year we hold an information evening for parents of new starters.

●     Following this initial session, parents and pre-school children will visit school and take part in activities alongside some of our existing Reception children.

●     Further details for transition meeting arrangements are found in the transition packs given to new parents

Transition Arrangements – Secondary Education

●     Local secondary schools will visit the Year 6 team during the summer term and children will have the opportunity to spend the day at their chosen secondary school.

●     Parents of Year 6 children will have the opportunity to attend meetings at the secondary schools.

Transition Arrangements – Within School

●     Before children move to their new class, teachers meet to discuss every child individually.

●     Children spend a morning with their new teacher during the latter part of the summer term in their new classroom to familarise themselves with staff and the new environment.

●     The SENCO and QTVI are also involved in this process to ensure that SEN information is checked and shared.

●     If you have particular concerns about your child moving to the next year group, please contact us to discuss your worries further.

U

Uniform

●     We take pride in our children wearing school uniform and representing Kings Copse in the wider community.

●     The following items of clothing are recommended as suitable and practical for school. All uniform is available from www.skoolkit.co.uk

School Uniform comprises of:

➢   Grey or black skirt or pinafore dress

➢   Blue and white striped or gingham checked summer dress / playsuit

➢   Full length grey or black trousers or shorts

➢   Mid-blue sweatshirt or cardigan with school logo

➢   White or pale blue short sleeved polo shirt with or without a school logo

➢   Children should wear suitably sturdy and sensible flat shoes for school. Toes should be covered and trainers should not be worn unless we are notified of a particular medical need.

School Uniform for PE (which should be stored in a simple drawstring PE bag) comprises of:

➢    Shorts – plain, dark coloured

➢    T shirt – plain t-shirt in their house colour

➢    Plimsolls or trainers

➢    Tracksuit bottoms (for the winter season)

➢    Hair bobbles for tying long hair

●     Please support us with maintaining high standards of uniform and presentation. High presentations of uniform will help support high standards of learning in the classroom.

●     If you wish, your child can also have a spare pair of pants and socks in their PE kit in case they need to change into them. The school can provide spare pants and socks if a child requires them during the school day.

V

Valuables

●     Toys and valuables should not be brought into school as if they are lost, broken or stolen it may cause great upset.

●     Children who bring mobile phones into school should take it to the office in order that it can be stored securely and safely during the school day.

●     The school will provide children with all the equipment they need so pencil cases are not necessary

Visual Impairment

●     The school has a resource provision for children with visual impairments. The number of children with a visual impairment (VI) is usually around 10 pupils with approximately two children in each class.

●     The Oasis is a room where children access braille, touch typing and sensory activities as part of their provision.

●     We promote an inclusive environment where pupils with visual impairments are part of class provision as much as possible. The children are supported by a specialist LSAs.

Volunteers in School

●     We provide many opportunities throughout the school year for you to work alongside your child.

●     Parental support is also always welcomed on school trips and visits.

●     Many parents, grandparents and friends of the school often offer to come in to help support children with learning key words and listening to children read.

●     If you would like to help in school, then please see your child’s teacher. All adult helpers must undergo a police check before they can help in the school.

W

Water

●     We promote and encourage children to drink water regularly throughout the day. Pupils are allowed a water bottle to keep in class and this can be refilled through the day.

●     Please support your child with taking their bottle home each day to be cleaned.

●     Water bottles are available from the school office for a small charge. We also sell replacement lids.