General Information
This section of the website contains information specifically aimed at parents of pupils of Babraham School.
Information on specific areas can be accessed via the links on the right-hand side of this page. You may also wish to visit the news pages for up-to-date information on what is going on in and around the school and in the individual classes. General school information is listed below.
School Hours:
9.00 am to 12 noon and 1.00 to 3.20 pm with a lunch break between 12 noon and 1 pm. There is a morning break for all children from 10.30-10.45 and an afternoon one, for Infants only, at approx 2.30 depending on work in progress.
Children should arrive between 8.40 and 8.55 am, allowing time to be ready for a prompt start at 9.00 am. A member of staff will be on duty from 8.40 am. We can not normally provide supervision before that time or after 3.20 pm. Please note that our registers close at 9.05 am and your child may be recorded as an unauthorised absence if we have no message or explanation.
Collection arrangements are the responsibility of parents. Please let us know if normal arrangements have to be changed. Please notify the school office if your child arrives or leaves the school (with a parent or carer) during the school day. Class 1 children should be collected from the gate by the Foundation Stage Play area. Class 2 should be collected from KS1 library and Class 3 from their door leading out to the playground. If your child goes to the Children's (After School) Club, the staff will collect your child from the main building.
School Behaviour Policy and Practice
Our policy and practice are based on our philosophy and ethos. We emphasise positive behaviour in an atmosphere where all members of the school can feel safe, respected and appreciated. We have a code of behaviour called our 'Golden Rules', which the children have drawn up. We encourage high standards of mutual respect for all members of the school community.
Rules are for everyone's safety and are known to parents and pupils. Pastoral care is shared by all the staff and discipline is maintained by reasoning and/or appropriate sanctions. The school community has a no tolerance policy towards bullying in whatever form and is committed to helping both victims and perpetrators although such behaviour is very rare.
A behaviour policy, including a statement on bullying, has been drawn up by staff and governors and is available to anyone who wishes to see it.
Meals at School
Nutritionally balanced school dinners, including a vegetarian option, are available for any child who would like them. We operate 'family grouping' at lunchtime so that older children can help younger ones. Meals are prepared by Cambridge Catering Services and finished in our school kitchen. The cost is currently £8.75 per week, or £59.50 for the half term, payable in advance to Cambridgeshire County Council.
Alternatively children may bring a packed lunch that should be packed in a strong container with your child's name on it. No glass containers or canned drinks please. If a child forgets a packed lunch, they will be provided with a cooked meal and the money requested from you the following day.
Health Issues
We ask you to notify us in writing of any medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes etc) that affect your child, so that we can be aware of, and be supportive of, their needs.
We can only administer prescription medicines (after consultation with parents) or the completion of courses of antibiotics. We do not administer painkillers. If your child needs to have medicines administered during the school day a member of staff may do this on a strictly voluntary basis. Please ask the school secretary for an administration of medicines form that must be completed by a parent or carer. All medicines are stored in a locked medical cabinet in the school office. In case of accidents, first aid is administered by trained staff members. Parents will be notified either through our accident book or directly by phone.
We have a link nurse who offers advice. She also supports health issues including related work in school e.g. our sex education programme. The school dental service make regular visits to school. Other health care professionals can be contacted if and when necessary, after consultation with parents.
School Dress / Uniform
Children are encouraged to wear our uniform colours, which are:
White or navy polo shirt Grey trousers, skirt or pinafore Navy jersey, cardigan or sweatshirt Summer dresses in red or blue checks or stripes
Items of school clothing, attractively embroidered with the school logo, are available from school. Please see the school administrator to order these.
We ask that children who do not wear school uniform come suitably dressed for school. No denim jeans, baggy trousers or shorts, sports or inappropriate casual clothing such as shoestring vest tops should be worn. The wearing of jewellery, except watches or small stud type earrings, is not allowed nor is the wearing of make up or nail varnish. Children should not wear shoes with heels more than 2 cm high as these are dangerous.
Please ensure that your child has a PE kit in school every day. It should consist of:
A plain, fitted T shirt (preferably white) A pair of sports shorts (preferably navy blue) Plimsolls. (black with elastic insets) A drawstring cloth bag or plastic carrier bag that can be easily hung on their peg.
Children may wear tracksuits in cold weather for PE outside.
If your child wishes to join any of the after school sports clubs, the appropriate equipment will need to be provided.
During the summer term, all children in years 1-6 will need swimming kit in a waterproof bag:
Swimming costume and towel Hat (if worn) Warm jersey
An apron or other suitable 'cover-up' is needed for art and technology work.
ALL CLOTHING SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE PUPIL'S NAME.
Lost property is kept in a box in the cloakroom area and regularly shown to pupils. Please check this if you can not find belongings.
Admissions Policy
We follow the County guidelines on admissions, with children living in Babraham or attending Babraham Nursery having priority after medical recommendation and naming of the school on a statement of special needs. (Babraham is our catchment area but as it is a very small village, we usually have plenty of room for children from other areas).
Our published admission number (PAN) is 12. Children beginning school start in the September of the school year during which they attain the age of 5 years. However children of any age may be accepted at the beginning or during the school year subject to the schools admissions policy.
Parents have the right of appeal to the Local Education Authority against a decision made by the school in relation to an admission.
Arrangements for starting school
You will be notified of your child's place at Babraham at the end of the April before admission in September. We have an induction programme in the summer term when children are invited into Class 1 for two half days and there is also a 'new' parents evening.
All reception children born before 31st December usually start full time in September. Other reception children may also start full time in September or we can be flexible about part time attendance during the first term if, after discussion with school, you or we feel this is more suitable.
The school year runs from 1st September to 31st August. We have a liaison programme with Babraham Nursery and other local nurseries and playgroups that runs throughout the school year. |