What should I do if my child is going to be absent from school?
If your child can not attend school for any reason, you must let us know by calling the main office by 9.30 am so that a note can be made on the register. This will ensure that a member of staff does not make enquiries as to the whereabouts of your child during the daily attendance checks.

What happens if my child is absent for a long period of time?
If your child is absent from school for more than 10 sessions which equates to one school week, a referral will be made to the Education Welfare officer at Hackney Learning Trust who may issue a fine.
If your child is absent from school for two weeks they may be taken off role and their place could then be offered to another child.

Can I take my child on holiday during term time?
PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST HOLIDAY LEAVE DURING TERM TIME. The Government does not allow us to grant holidays during the school term under any circumstances. The school has the right to administer a fine to both parents of a child for a family holiday. This could far exceed term time holiday savings.
If your child is absent from school for more than two weeks they may be taken off role; a referral will be made to the Educational Welfare Officer. The place could then be offered to another child.

My child is going to be late for school. What should I do?
Parents and carers should make every effort to ensure that their child arrive at school promptly before 8.55 am. Any child that arrives at school after this time will be given a late mark against their name. Being late for school and missing school through absence can have a detrimental effect on a child’s education.

My child is unwell, what should I do?
Unfortunately the school is unable to authorise pupil absences due to temperatures, coughs and colds, sore throats or other general seasonal illnesses.
If your child has had sickness or diarrhoea, you should keep them at home for 24 hours after the last bout of either symptom.

My child has a medical appointment to attend, what do I need to do?
Where possible, medical appointments should be arranged for outside of school hours as absence can have a negative impact on a child’s education.
We understand that this is not always possible; in these circumstances, proof of the appointment should be presented to the office so that a copy can be kept on the pupils’ individual record.

What is Universal Free School Meals?
Since September 2014, ALL children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals under the Universal Infant Free School Meals Initiative.

Can my child have a packed lunch?
Pupils are able to have a packed lunch but we do ask that children remain on these for a full half term. Switching between school meals and packed lunches mid-term can cause a large amount of confusion for the kitchen team who would need to constantly change the numbers that they are catering for.

How do I apply for Free School Meals?
We ask that all parents who are in receipt of state benefits complete a Free School Meals Application as the school may be able to claim additional funds from the Government which can be used to support their academic attainment. These can be collected from the main office.

How much do school meals cost?
School meals cost £2.00 per pupil per day. This totals to £10.00 per week. Payments should be made to the main school office on a weekly basis to avoid the build up of unnecessary debts. You can also make payment using our online payments system. Please see the main office for details on how to register for this service.

What happens if my child has an accident at school?
Any child in need of First Aid will either be taken to the medical room, or will be dealt with in the playground as all nominated first aiders carry a first aid kit with them during both play and lunch times.
The children are told to use adults in the playground as a first port of call. However, in the event of a more serious incident, children will be brought to the office/medical room where they will receive further treatment by a first aider.
All incidents are recorded in our First Aid book and a copy of this will be sent home with the child. In the event of a head injury, staff will make phone calls to parents to inform them of the incident.
In the event of more serious accidents, parents may be asked to collect the child from school.

My child is asthmatic, what should I do?
If your child suffers with asthma, you must inform the main office so that our records can be updated. Children’s inhalers will usually be stored in the office, unless requested by the child’s GP.
If children are able to, they will administer their own inhalers under the supervision of a first aider who will also record the number of puffs taken for each administration. This record is kept in the child’s individual inhaler pouch inside of the medical cupboard.

My child has been prescribed medication, what should I do?
If your child is required to take medication while they are at school, you must inform the main office.
It is desirable that a parent or carer administers medication whist the children are at school as school staff are not permitted to administer medication. If the child is able to, they may administer their own medication under the supervision of a first aider.
You will be given a medical consent form which you must complete before any medication is able to be administered in school. Only medicines which have been prescribed by a doctor may be brought to school.
All medication will be stored in the medical room clearly marked with the child’s name, date and how to administer. The Pastoral Support Manager will carry out half termly checks of the medical cupboards to determine whether medicines are still required and are within date.

What is safeguarding?
At St John and St James’, Safeguarding runs through everything we do. Our policies all reference the government’s document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (2014).
Safeguarding is not only about protecting children from abuse and neglect. It is also about doing what is best for children to ensure that they are provided with opportunities to become successful adults.
Safeguarding children is everybody’s responsibility and children have a right to be safe in all environments, for example, at home, school, on the street and even on the internet. It is therefore the role of teachers, learning mentors, doctors, nurses, social workers, police officers, faith leaders, sports coaches and all other adults to ensure that children are safe from harm.

Who should I speak to if I have a child protection concern?
Child protection involves taking steps to safeguard vulnerable children and young people who have suffered or are at risk of suffering from physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect.
At St John and St James’ our Designated Safeguarding Officers are:

Lead: Maisie Adamsdale, SEND Lead
Deputy: Jo Smith, Headteacher
Deputy: Sharon Rees, Family Liaison Officer

If you have any concerns about a child, please contact one of our designated officers. Please always be mindful of confidentiality.

What does the school do to ensure that suitable adults are employed to work in our school?
Our school follows strict guidance, such as adhering to strict checking and vetting procedures. At least one member of staff and governor on each interview panel will have received specific ‘Safer Recruitment Training’. In this way, we ensure that all adults we recruit are safe.
All adults working with our children will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS. Visitors must also show photo ID. If a visitor has photo ID, but cannot show valid DBS clearance, they will be supervised at all times.

Who should I speak to if I have concerns about a Looked After child?
Our school has a designated Looked After Child Officer, Mrs Maisie Adamsdale (SEND Lead). If you have any concerns about a looked after child, you should make an appointment to speak with her as your first port of call. You can do so by visiting the main office and requesting a meeting with the ‘Designated Looked After Child Officer’.
Mrs Adamsdale works on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s.

What homework should my child be receiving?
Writing
A weekly writing task is set for all children from years 1 to 6 by a senior leader. This task supports a weekly whole school focus, this may be linked to a religious event, a value the school is learning about or a current point of interest.

Maths
Weekly Maths homework tasks are set by the class teacher using the My Pals homework books. Maths homework will always link back to the learning that has taken place during that week’s maths lessons.

Reading
Home readers are changed twice weekly for all children and more regularly for children in need of reading support. Parents are encouraged to read for 20 minutes with their child every day.

All homework is checked by a member of the class team and praise comments and stickers are given for effort and attainment. If homework is not completed regularly the class teacher will usually request a meeting with parents.

Does the school offer any homework support to the children?
At St John and St James’, we welcome parents to our school and encourage them to be involved in as many ways as possible. Some of these are as follows:

• Reading at home and supporting your child with their homework
• Marvellous me! This is a school app that sends positive push notifications about your child direct to your Smart phone. These may be for gold, silver and bronze learning awards, photos of children’s work, videos of learning or school activities etc. When you receive these you can then respond by ‘hi fiving’. When you have sent a ‘hi five’ back to us, the class teacher can see this. Watch this space, as we will be looking out for and rewarding the classes who have sent the most notifications and received the most ‘hi fives’ back…
• Whole School Community events:
  • Black History month celebration
  • Multicultural Evening
  • Reading and maths breakfasts
  • Parent Workshops
  • Class assemblies on a Friday at 9.00 am.

You can get involved in the following ways:

• Trip volunteers for class outings – speak to the class teacher
• PTA – volunteer for our events
• Parent forums – have your say!

Remember to keep an eye on the newsletters and the website for upcoming dates and ways to help!