Information compendium
ST MICHAEL’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL, PLAYDEN
Tel: 01797 280277 Email: office@playdenschool.com
Website: www.playdenschool.com
COMPENDIUM : ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Meet the staff
Class 1 (Reception/Year 1) is taught by Miss Holly Newton
Class 2 (Year1/2) is taught by Miss Catherine Palmer
Class 3 (Year 3/4) is taught by Mrs Kate Davies
Class 4 (year 5/6) is taught by Mr Toby Cook
Mrs Helena Bennett teaches music in all 4 classes on Wednesdays.
Mrs Bristow is the school Bursar/Secretary.
Our teaching assistants are Mrs Tina Cook, Mrs Sarah Cope, Ms Miranda Heighton and Ms Nicole Ryding.
Mrs Gail Dodson is our Midday Supervisor, Mrs Julie Ennis our Kitchen Assistant and Mr Derek Crafer our caretaker.
Meet the Governors
Our Parent Governors: Fiona Osborne, Dawn Penfold, David Rhys-Jones, Tim Roche and Denise Shepperd.
Our Staff Governors:
Mr Greenway and Mr Cook
Our Community Governor is Darryl Wall, who is also the Chair. Our Foundation Governor is Peter Challans.
School session times
9.00-11.45 (11.50 Key Stage 2)
1.10-3.30: Key Stage 1
12.45-3.30: Key Stage 2
Daytime contact
Please ensure that the office has up-to-date information regarding your daytime phone numbers and that of a relative or friend as an alternative. Please return the data information form to the office.
Attendance
If your child is absent please contact the school before 9.15am by phone or in person on the first day of absence. If a child does not arrive at school and there is no message from parents we will attempt to make contact by phone.
Parents are expected to send a signed note in respect of any absence and this needs to identify clearly the reason for the absence. The school is not able to accept verbal messages from other children as authorisation for an absence.
Absences for holidays during term time will not be authorised. However, if you do decide to take your child on holiday you will need to fill in a ‘holiday’ form, available from Mrs Bristow. The Headteacher does have discretion to authorise some absence on compassionate grounds so please discuss this with him if appropriate.
Absences will be regarded as authorised when a note has been received from the parent of the child concerned explaining his/her non-attendance at school.
Lateness
If a child arrives after the start of the school day the s/he has to be registered with a “late” mark. We believe punctuality to be very important, both in instilling good habits into children and also ensuring that they are present for the introduction of the day’s work by the teacher. Arrival after the register has been taken constitutes unauthorised absence.
It is a legal requirement that schools should notify the local authority of infrequent or irregular attendance, or continuous absence of two or more weeks that are not supported by a medical certificate. In these cases the school has to involve the Educational Welfare Officer, who visits the school on a regular basis to check the registers.
Emergency closure arrangements
In the event of the school having to close unexpectedly parents will be contacted by phone if this is during the school day. If severe weather is likely parents are advised to listen to local radio stations. Information will also be posted on the school’s website: www.playdenschool.com
School meals
School meals are steamed on site and must be pre-ordered. Mrs Bristow will be able to provide you with menus and further information. Meals cost £1.87. If you think your child qualifies for free school meals please see Mrs Bristow.
School visits
Parents will be informed if we are proposing to take children out of school and will be asked for permission at the time. Parents are usually asked to make a voluntary contribution to the cost of the trip.
Quite often we rely on parents to help with transport on local trips. If you are likely to offer help with transport please check that your insurance covers you for this purpose and sign an official form available from the office. You will also have to show us your driving licence and insurance certificate.
Homework
The school has a Homework Policy which is distributed to all parents in September. We greatly value the way in which parents support their children in carrying out homework.
Parents’ consultation evenings
These meetings take place in Terms 2 and 4 and are designed to share information on children’s progress, including ways in which parents may help their child at home. Parents are also invited to share concerns or any other relevant information regarding their child.
The PSA (Playden School Association)
All parents are automatically members of the PSA, which meets throughout the year to organise fund-raising and social events. Please DO get actively involved. You will be kept well-informed regarding these meetings.
After school clubs
These vary from term to term. Brighton & Hove Albion currently run weekly coaching sessions for boys and girls in both key stages, and there is a dance club open to all children.
Medicines
The school can administer only those medicines prescribed by a doctor. However, we require written consent from parents before we can follow this procedure. Alternatively parents are welcome to come into school to give medicine to their child at the appropriate time. In the event of long-term, regular medication being necessary please contact Mr Greenway.
Accident reporting
If a child receives an injury or is taken ill at school we shall administer first aid. If we feel it is necessary we shall always contact parents, explaining what we have done, particularly when there is an injury to the head.