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Parent/Carer

Reception Handbook

2020-21

St Nicolas C of E Infant School, Portsmouth Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4YD 01483 561639

info@st-nicolas.surrey.sch.uk http://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/

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Contents

School personnel Page 3

Children’s visits to school, home visits, start dates Page 3

Emergency closures Page 4

School uniform Page 4

What to bring… Page 4

Drinks, snacks & lunches Page 5

Health and Safety Page 6

The journey to school Page 6

Home Time Page 7

Attendance Page 7

The Library Page 8

Home and School Links

Communication Page 8

Parent Staff Association (PSA) Page 9

Breakfast / After School Club Page 9

Local Parish Churches Page 9

School Office Page 9

Clubs Page 9

School Trips Page 10

Homework Page 10

Annual events Page 10

School Council Page 10

Policies Page 10

Complaints procedure Page 10

Tapestry Page 11

Privacy Notice Page 11

Values Page 11

Parent Staff Association (PSA) Welcome Page 12

Term dates Page 13

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Emma Smart Headteacher

Welcome Welcome to our school. We hope you and your family will have a happy and successful time with us. This handbook has been devised to help you get to know us and settle in as quickly as possible – please let us know if there is any other information that would be useful to include in future editions.

If ever you are unsure about anything or have a concern, please do ask – we are here to help you and your child.

We look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure that your child’s time here is a happy one. Please remember we are part of a team; you, your child and us. Together we want to offer the very best for your child’s education and we want everyone to enjoy their ‘journey’ through St Nics’ Infant School.

Children’s Visits to School Our Reception children will be invited to come into school twice to begin to get to know the classroom environment and staff, towards the end of the summer term.

Home Visits Our Reception children and their parents/carers are also offered an optional visit to their home by the class teacher and the teaching assistant early in September. Experience shows that children benefit greatly from the staff visiting them on their ‘home ground’ before coming to school. The visit provides opportunities for staff to show photos and talk about a typical school day, and for children and parents to ask any questions they might have.

Starting Dates The reception children start slightly later than the rest of the school to accommodate home visits. On the first day of school the children stay from 8.50am-12.00, the second day until 1.10pm (to include lunch) and full time from the third day. As a result transition from pre–school and home to school runs smoothly and happily.

Term Dates

A copy of the term dates for the year ahead can be found on the last page of this Handbook but is also on the Calendar on the website. Termly diary dates can be found on the weekly newsletter and calendar on website. The school will be closed on five additional days throughout the year. These are known as INSET days (in-service training days for teachers). Parents are given as much notice as possible about these dates so that you can plan ahead. The dates can be found on the school website: https://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/

School Personnel Headteacher Emma Smart

Office Administrator

Aimee Gilchrist

School Business Manager

Stephanie Morgan

Caretaker Sean Brophy

Senior Teacher

Jessica Staniforth

SENDco Ali McClure

DSL Emma Smart

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Emergency Closures

On very rare occasions the school has to be closed. If this is necessary we carry out the following procedures:

our school website will inform you.

a Classlist message will be sent.

Eagle Radio will make announcements about school closures and put on their website www.964eagle.co.uk

all school closures are listed on the Surrey County Council website www.surreycc.gov.uk

School Times

7.30am: Breakfast Club opens

8.50am: School opens

12.00: Lunchtime

3.00pm: End of school

3.00-6.00pm: Energy Kidz

School Uniform

Uniform can be ordered via Kids-Biz and will be delivered free of charge to the school. Online orders can be made via https://www.kidsbiz.co.uk/My~School/St~Nicolas.nav Items marked * must be ordered from Kids-Biz that have the school logo.

Items not supplied by Kids-Biz can be bought in Marks & Spencer, Next or supermarkets. Second Hand Uniform is available through PSA sales throughout the year.

It is essential that all clothes are named. Our youngest children need to be able to dress themselves easily – no complicated laces or fastenings. It is important that the children always look smart so please note trainers are not part of our school uniform. Long hair needs to be tied back, jewellery is not allowed.

What to Bring

On your first day at St Nics’, please remember to bring:

St Nics’ Book Bag.

A named bottle of water.

PE bag with all clothing items named. Leave your PE bag on your peg until half term when it can go

Win

ter

Un

ifo

rm

White polo shirt

Grey trousers, skirt or pinafore

*St Nics’ sweatshirt or cardigan

Grey or red tights

Grey or white socks

Black shoes

Su

mm

er

Un

ifo

rm

White polo shirt

Grey shorts, trousers or skirt, or red and white checked dress

*St Nics’ sweatshirt or cardigan

Grey or white socks

Black shoes

PE

Kit

in n

am

ed

*St

Nic

s’ P

E B

ag

*White St Nics’ T-shirt

Red shorts

Grey track suit bottoms

Plimsolls

*St Nics’ PE bag

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home to be washed. Please bring it back on the first day after every holiday.

…on a rainy/snowy day!

If it is cold, raining or snowing don’t forget to come in named, warm clothes:

A warm, waterproof coat

Gloves, hat, scarf

Wellington boots

Waterproof as we go out in the rain!

…on a hot, sunny day! On a hot, sunny day make sure you:

Bring in a named sunhat

Apply a long lasting sunscreen before leaving home, for extra protection on sunny days.

School Lunches

Lunches are cooked freshly on site each day.

Hot school meals are provided free for all Reception and Year 1 and 2 children.

There is also provision for those children who prefer to

bring a healthy packed lunch (no fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolate bars). Please note, we are a NUT FREE ZONE which includes peanut butter.

It is not possible for children to swap from packed lunches to school meals on a daily basis or mid-week. We require one weeks’ notice

If your child has any special medical dietary requirements please let us know by completing the form in the Induction Pack.

Pupil Premium – Free School Meals

Please let us know if you would have qualified for free school meals (e.g., if you are in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or, in certain cases, Child Tax Credit) as the school is able to claim additional funding (Pupil premium). Children with a parent in the armed forces and children adopted from care or who left care under a special guardianship order or residence order also qualify for Pupil Premium (see separate form in the Induction Pack or on our website under forms).

Fruit and vegetable scheme

We participate in the Free Fruit and Vegetable Scheme that supports our Healthy Schools Programme. This enables children in the Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 to have a free piece of fruit each day. The fruit and vegetables are given out during playtime. Please don’t send other snacks into school.

Water Please provide your child with a named water bottle and ensure they bring it in every day. The water bottles are accessible in the classrooms throughout the day and they are taken out to morning and lunch playtimes. The children are encouraged to drink water regularly throughout the day. It is a healthy thing to do and it can enhance learning through reducing sluggishness and dehydration – particularly in the afternoons!

Cool Milk Scheme Milk is available to all our children, at a subsidised price, and free to those under 5. Further information and application forms are available from the School Office or you can register online at www.coolmilk.com. It is delivered daily and stored

Why Milk? Dentists recommend milk and water

as the safest drinks for teeth. “Milk is the most nutritionally

complete food… in particular it is essential for the development of

strong, healthy teeth and bones in young children”

Food Standards Agency. One 189ml carton at break time can provide up to half the recommended

daily allowance

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in a fridge. We encourage participation as part of our Healthy Schools Programme.

Health and Safety

Sun safety: During warmer

and hot weather we encourage children to wear sunhats during playtime to protect themselves from the sun.

Earrings: We have a no

jewellery policy for the children which includes earrings.

First Aid: Our staff are First

Aid trained. All accidents are written in the Accident Book, however minor they may seem. Your child will also bring home a First Aid Form in their book bag and wherever possible the class teacher/ teaching assistant will inform parents / carers verbally at the end of the school day.

Serious head injuries are reported to the parent/carer by telephone and this telephone conversation is noted in the Accident Book.

Parents/carers must inform the school if their child suffers from asthma or an allergy.

All prescribed medication that the school needs to hold (i.e. EpiPens or inhalers) need to be provided to the school office and the appropriate documentation completed. Medication will be taken on educational visits and to PE lessons if necessary. EpiPens, are kept in the First Aid cupboard in the school office and in the class (if 4 are supplied. If 2 are supplied they are stored in the classroom). An Allergy Action Plan must be provided by the child’s healthcare professional for all allergies, any other medical conditions including intolerances will need to have a completed Individual Healthcare Plan (IHCP) that

the school will provide a template for use.

Antibiotics: No child can

be given medicine without a Medicine Request Form being completed by the parent/carer. The medicine must be delivered to the office by an adult and be clearly labelled with the child’s name, dosage and time to be administered. All medicine is looked after by the office staff. Please do not ask the teaching staff to administer or look after it.

Medical: If your child has a

sickness or a tummy bug/upset, parents/carers should not send him/her back to school until they have been ‘clear’ of the bug for 48 hours. This procedure is in place to consider the health of the other pupils.

Child Protection: We

are committed to the safeguarding of our children. The Headteacher is the Designated Safeguarding Leader (please see page 10 of this Handbook) NB in the interest of health and safety, no smoking or dogs, except for guide dogs, are allowed anywhere on site.

The Journey to School

St Nics’ can be accessed by 2 pedestrian walk ways: one from the Portsmouth Road and via a lane from The Mount. All St Nics’ parents can apply for a URC (United Reformed Church) parking permit when joining the

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school. This is only for use at drop off and pick up times. The drive is not for pedestrian use and there is no parking on site for parents.

As part of our Healthy Schools Programme, we encourage families to walk to school as much as possible. Children may also come on their scooter/bike.

During the day there is a security system on each gate so please use the buzzer to talk to the office.

Home Time

Parents/Carers must inform us if another adult is going to collect your child from school. We will not allow the child to be taken off the premises without your permission, even if the adult is known to us. Note: whenever you arrange for someone else to collect your child, you are responsible for your child once they leave the school premises. Please use the clipboard located outside the class to record any change of arrangement for that day and sign your permission – this will enable the class teacher to refer to the clipboard at the end of the day to ensure safe delivery of children to the correct adult. If there is a change of arrangement after you have left school in the morning, please ring the school to notify us of your permission for another adult to collect your child. At the end of the day, please collect children from outside the classroom. The teacher

will send them out to the adult known to be collecting them. Please ensure that you arrive in plenty of time to collect your child. The school office closes at 3.15pm. If your child is going to After School Club, they will be taken to the hall by a member of staff. Thank you for your co-operation with this matter as we wish to ensure the safety of our children at all times.

Attendance

It is vital that parents/carers notify the school of any planned child’s absence in order for it to be authorised by the school.

Please do ensure that your child arrives on time to school. We open the doors at 8.50am and the register is taken at 9.00am. All absences and late arrivals to school are regularly monitored by the school and the Inclusion Officer (IO), from the Local Authority. Any

unexplained absence is recorded as ‘unauthorised’. We are required to refer any concerns regarding a child’s attendance or punctuality to the IO.

If your child’s attendance drops below 90%, which the DfE defines this as ‘Persistent Absenteeism’, you will be contacted by the school to agree on how to improve. Persistent absence may require evidence of a medical appointment or prescription.

If your child is sick, please telephone the school every day your child is absent. As part of our safeguarding procedures, the school will contact you if we do not hear from you. Please make medical, dental or other appointments out of school hours wherever possible, but if you need to collect your child early please inform the school office. Any children leaving school early or being dropped off late will need to sign them in/out at the school office.

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Please refer to our Attendance Policy which can be found on our website.

NB we do not authorise any holiday in term time.

Safeguarding St Nics’ C of E Infant School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we take our duties very seriously. To help ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children, a DBS check is carried out for all members of staff and volunteers. Collectively all staff, volunteers, visitors, parents and learners have a responsibility for child protection and safeguarding. Currently we have one Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL): Emma Smart (Headteacher). Please report any concerns you have to Mrs Smart. Our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy is available on the school website or on request from the school office.

E-Safety

As children are growing up in a society full of computers and electronic devices, computing is an important part of children’s learning and the curriculum. In class, children have the opportunity to learn new computer skills, develop those skills they already have and use computers as a tool to help them learn in other areas of

the curriculum. All children in the school have access to either classroom computers, laptops or tablets. As these computers have access to the internet, e-safety is of high importance. The school takes the following steps to make sure children are safe when using computers and electronic devices:

All internet access is filtered.

E-safety is discussed regularly with the children as part of the computing curriculum.

All parents are asked to sign an e-safety form.

All staff adhere to the school’s e-safety policy which is monitored by senior staff and governors.

The Library

Class library sessions take place regularly each week. The children visit the library in small groups during this time and each child is allowed to borrow one book per week and should return it the same day the following week.

The children are encouraged to use their library time to browse books even if they have forgotten their book that week.

Communication Parents/carers and reception staff have direct, informal access to each other daily for quick questions/exchange of information or for arranging appointments during the first few minutes before

registration. If they have any concerns, parents/carers can arrange to see the class teacher at a time convenient to them both, arranged via the school office.

Our online communication tool is called Classlist. All new parents will receive an email inviting them to join. Please accept this invitation as this will enable us to send messages, announcements and letters to you online and via the Classlist app. The PSA and Class Reps also use Classlist to communicate to families. For further info

https://classlist.com/

The class teacher sends a termly Topic Plan home which can also be found on the class pages of the school website: http://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/class-pages/ There are parent /teacher consultations in the autumn and spring terms. Reports go home in the summer term and it is possible to make an appointment to see your child’s teacher to discuss these if required. The school sends home a fortnightly Newsletter via Classlist on Friday’s which can also be found on the school website. For further information please see the school website https://st-nicolas-guildford.secure-primarysite.net/home-school-communication/

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Pupil Post Any reminders or additional letters are communicated via Classlist, but occasionally we do put some in the children’s book bags – do please check them regularly. If you feel you have missed any communication, further copies are always available from the school office or on the school website.

Curriculum Workshops These are held from time to time during the school day or in the evening to help parents/carers support their child’s learning. In the first term we run a Tapestry Workshop and Phonics/Reading Talk.

Parent Staff Association: PSA The Parent Staff Association at St Nics’ (PSA) aim to organise events which are not only enjoyable, but also raise money for the school throughout the year. Each class has 2 parent reps who organises social events for the parents in the class so everyone gets to know each other. Communication from the PSA also comes via Classlist. Class groups are set up to enable informal; communication to take place between families and for Class Reps to post reminders etc. (See page 12 of the handbook for more information)

Breakfast Club Energy Kidz run our Breakfast Club each morning from 7.30am till 8.50 am in the school hall. Bookings may be made on a regular basis or ‘ad hoc’, directly with the club.

For more information on the Breakfast Club or to make bookings please contact info@energy-kidz.co.uk (0333 577 1533) www.energy-kidz.co.uk

Clubs

At St Nics’, we offer a choice of 1 hour activities which take place after school. These are paid for by parents direct to the provider. The clubs we currently offer include: Green Crafts, French, Boogie Pumps, All Star Choir, Multi-Sports and Football. Reception children are welcome to join these clubs from the spring/summer terms.

After School Club

Energy Kidz run an After School Club, which operates daily between 3.00pm and 6pm. The club is staffed by qualified personnel whose primary aim is to provide stimulating but safe and secure care for children out of school hours. This provision is much appreciated by our parents and the children have a very enjoyable time.

For more information on the After School Club or to make bookings please contact info@energy-kidz.co.uk (0333 577 1533) www.energy-kidz.co.uk

Local Parish Church links We enjoy strong links with the local churches within our Parish.

The vicar from St Nicolas’ Church along with Liam Rowlings, Children and Families Worker, take assemblies on a regular basis in our school and we hold some services and events in both St Nicolas’ Church and the United reformed Church throughout the course of the year.

School Office The school office is open daily from 8.15am until 3.15pm and is staffed by Mrs Morgan, School Business Manager and Mrs Gilchrist, Office Administrator. Each morning Mrs Gilchrist is at the entrance to take

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messages, collect any admin, and to provide general office assistance.

Trips

We recognise the value of educational visits and their holistic value to the development of children. We believe that outdoor learning enriches the curriculum and can improve attainment. We ask for voluntary contributions from parents to finance these.

Homework

Homework provides an opportunity for you to work with your child at home, supporting their learning in school and contributing towards their progress.

Homework in reception includes:-

Reading daily

Practising phonics (letter sound)

Learning key words

Topic activities

Annual events Autumn Term Harvest

Parents Evenings

Whole School Theatre trip

Advent Pause Day

Christmas play/lunch

PSA Christmas Fair

Christmas Nativity

Christmas Service

Spring Term Parents Evenings

World Book Day

Easter Pause Day

Easter Service

Summer Term Pentecost Pause day

PSA May Fair

Sports Day

Leavers Assembly

Whole School Trip

End of Year Reports

Policies A copy of policies and procedures are available on our website http://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/

or by hard copy from the school office upon request.

Complaints Procedure If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, development, behaviour or treatment you must always speak to the class teacher in the first instance. If you wish to discuss the matter further, Mrs Smart (Headteacher) is always happy to arrange an appointment for you. Should you feel the matter has not been resolved satisfactorily there is a complaints procedure to assist both you in resolving difficulties.

Helping in Class We welcome parent helpers in school and also have Reading Volunteers that help weekly. We have found that helping in a different class, not the one your child is in, works better. Sometimes children find it hard to ‘share’ mum or dad with other children. All regular helpers must be DBS checked.

Handwriting At St Nics’ children learn a cursive style of handwriting as soon as possible. The letters all start at the same point which makes the formation of letters easier to learn. Please adopt the same style at home when your child is ready and remember capital letters only needed at the beginning of their names! When teaching phonics (letter sounds) the children will be taught any digraphs (2 letters one sound e.g. sh, th, ch) as a joined up combination of letters.

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Values We are a Values Based Learning School which means we teach the children 6 explicit values throughout the year through weekly assemblies, circle times and lessons. Values are an integral part of our school ethos and we as adults model our Values every day for the children. As parents we ask you to support us in instilling these Values at home. We send home Values newsletters which includes stories and suggestions on how to do this. http://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/values/ https://www.valuesbasededucation.com/

Tapestry

As many early years settings, we use Tapestry as our online learning journal for our children. This invaluable tool enables us to capture the many magical moments of a child’s first year at school and

to share them with you at home. We will be running a Tapestry Parent Meeting early next term to explain in more detail how this works but do see the website below for some initial information. https://tapestry.info/

Personal Details Please let us know immediately if any of your personal details change, particularly your mobile number. Independence

We encourage children’s

independence in all matters.

You can help us in this task by:

Teaching your child to undress and dress themselves and avoiding belts and shoes with tricky laces (we love Velcro!)

Ensuring you child can use the toilet without help (if there are issues here please let us know).

Encouraging your child to use a knife and fork – help is always available.

Letting your child take responsibility for their own coat, and book bag at the start of the school day. As soon as your child is

settled into class life, saying

goodbye at the door and

letting him or her enter the

classroom on their own.

Certainly by the start of the

second term, this should be

happening as a normal part of

your child’s school routine. If

you need to talk to the class

teacher first thing, you are

most welcome to come in, but

please encourage your child

to take responsibility for their

belongings at the start of the

day.

Privacy Notice St Nicolas Infant School is the Data Controller for the purposes of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We collect information from you and may receive information about you from any previous school. We hold this personal data and use it to:

Support learning

Monitor and report on pupil progress

Provide appropriate pastoral care

Assess how well the school is doing

To protect pupil welfare

To comply with the law regarding data sharing

You will find our Privacy Notice on our website http://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/school-policies/ or feel free to contact the school office for a paper copy.

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Welcome from the PSA

A very warm welcome to the St Nicolas’ Parent Staff Association (PSA)

All staff, parents and carers who join the St Nicolas’ infant school community, are automatically

members of the PSA. The PSA is a registered charity and our two core objectives are:

*To contribute to building and maintaining effective relationships within our special school community

and,

*To work in partnership with the school to help give our children the best possible infant school

experience.

As such, the PSA have two main roles – to organise social events for both adults and children, and to

fundraise to provide resources, facilities and opportunities that the school may not otherwise be able

to afford. We also contribute towards developing a more environmentally aware and active school

community.

The PSA Core Team is made up of seven parent volunteers who oversee the running of the charity, and

Mrs Smart, who represents the staff. The Core Team is supported by a team of class representatives,

and then by a large group of wonderful parent and carer volunteers who get involved with individual

events and projects. We have regular open meetings for members at which all, including younger

siblings, are welcome.

As a PSA, we encourage each member of the community to get involved in a way that works for them

and their family at that time. That might mean, for example:

*Taking on a core role or volunteering your time for individual events

* Attending a PSA event or taking part in a PSA activity

* Donating money (https://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/donate/), or items for tombolas and

raffles

Sometimes you might feel that you are at capacity and might be able to help at a future time - we

understand and are very grateful for whatever support you can offer – it really does make a huge

difference.

So, once again, welcome to St Nics’ and we very much look forward to meeting you and your child,

Best wishes,

Your PSA Team

Meet the team: https://www.st-nicolas-guildford.com/parent-staff-association-psa/

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Term Dates 2020/21 (5 INSET days to be confirmed)