Attendance
During the academic year, 2002/3, authorised absence was recorded as 3.7% of total registration marks and unauthorised absence as 0%.
Our attendance rate is well above the national average. It is extremely important that children attend school regularly and on time. This sets good habits and ensures that children do not miss out on vital elements of their learning programme. Parents are asked to notify the school with reasons for any absences, reminders will be sent if this is not forthcoming. Children who are absent for more than 5% of sessions in a school year will receive a letter from the school. Where this is above 10% parents may receive care calls from the school following up absences.
We do not expect parents to take their children on holiday during term time. The Secretary of State for Education is very clear that it is disruptive to a child's education and does not promote good habits. The majority of parents are able to take their children away in appropriate holiday periods. However, we do recognise that for some parents with difficult working patterns this is not possible. In these circumstances a form is available from the school office requesting leave of absence and should be filled in at least two weeks prior to any planned holiday.
School Day
All children should be in school, ready to begin their day by 8.55am. They may arrive from 8.45am and go to their classroom where there will be work set. School gates are closed at 9am and children arriving late must go to the school office. It is very disruptive for the class when children arrive late and unsettling for the child who may miss important introductory points. School finishes at 3.15pm and parents are asked to wait by the white gate or around the gazebo.
Home / School Partnership
We recognise that parents are their child's first teacher and our aim is to build on this relationship by working with you to educate your child. At this stage in their education, mastering the basic skills of reading, writing and number are most important and the work we ask you to do with your child at home is centred around this.
Reading: Initially this may involve learning some sight vocabulary. Children are then given a book from a graded reading scheme to read with you at home. We have produced some guidelines to help you with this. These are available at the induction meeting held before your child starts school, in the prospectus pack or from the school office. Our expectation is that all children will read for a short while every day to a parent or carer.
Spelling: Your child may bring some spellings home to learn or may be given a spelling investigation or task to carry out. We have produced a leaflet to help you with this, available as the reading booklet above.
Number: If children know all the combinations of numbers that make ten (9+1, 8+2, 7+3 etc) it makes it much easier to learn number facts above ten. Children have regular practice in these number bonds.
Your help with these tasks is invaluable and cannot be underestimated. The work the teacher plans is dependant on these elements being carried out regularly at home. You make a commitment to this effect when you sign our home/ school agreement. Our commitment to you is that these tasks will be followed up and a dialogue kept with you about progress.
Walk to School
The school is very lucky to have a team of dedicated parents to carry out the School Travel Plan. Children are issued with passports if they walk to school and this is stamped on a daily basis. Children work towards medals and other incentives.
On selected routes children may register to join a walking crocodile. Children who use the crocodile wear bright tabards, follow a safety code and are accompanied by trained escorts.
The school campus can become very congested and parents should walk or cycle where ever possible. A map is available from the office which shows a clear 'exclusion zone' around the school. Parents who have to drive should park outside this zone and walk the rest of the way. We ask that parents respect this exclusion zone at the end of the day and not bring cars onto the campus.
Friends of John Hampden
This is a parents' organisation which is administered by an annually elected committee. It's aim is to support the school by fund-raising but also to provide social and social recreational facilities for the enjoyment of parents and children. This is a very active group and its work is much appreciated by staff.
Wise Owl Bookshop
On Tuesdays, stamps ranging in value from 10p to £1 can be bought and saved up to spend in our regular book fairs.
Complaints
The school enjoys good relationships with parents and welcomes comments on all aspects of school life. If there is something you are not happy with you should talk to your class teacher initially. If the issue is not resolved you should talk with the head teacher. If you are still not happy you should talk or write to the Chair of Governors, c/o the school.
A formal complaints policy is maintained as required by section 29(1)(a) of the Education Act 2002.
Charging Policy
The school has a charging policy, in line with statutory requirements, which is reviewed annually by the governing body and sent to parents regularly.
In order to provide motivating and inspiring experiences, each year group has an annual budget which helps provide extras like cooking ingredients, art and craft materials and visiting performers. Parents are asked to contribute a fixed termly amount to this budget. While it is hoped that parents would contribute, it is voluntary and records of contributions are not kept.
Occasionally it may be necessary to seek further voluntary contributions for school performances, visits etc. No child will be treated differently because of a non-contribution, although activities may have to be cancelled if there are not enough contributions to make the activity viable.
School Meals
All children have packed lunches. Parents in receipt of income support or certain tax credits are entitled to free school meals and, in these cases, a balanced packed lunch is delivered by a catering contractor. Even if this entitlement is not taken up parents should complete forms so that accurate records can be kept. Parents whose children are entitled to free school meals may seek assistance with charges made for residential visits. |