Information for new starters

Welcome to Shipbourne Primary School! We are always delighted to receive new children at the school and look forward to helping developing your child’s potential. We want to make the journey into school life as smooth as possible and all our staff will do their best to ensure that this happens.

If at any time you or your child have concerns, especially at this early stage, please let your form teacher know. We will work together to find the best solution for your child. You may find some of the information below useful as you join our school. The school prospectus also contains a summary of this information.

School Hours

We encourage children to be ready to start the day from 8.55am. Staff will be available to take the children from 8.45am. Parents are required to be at school by the time school ends and to thereafter take full responsibility for their ensuring that all school rules are observed while the children are on the premises.

If you are delayed for any reason, from collecting your child, please telephone the school as soon as possible to let them know. Your child will then be asked to wait inside school until you arrive. No child will be left in the playground unsupervised.

School Uniform

The wearing of school uniform is encouraged to give the children a sense of identity, a sense of equality through a common standard of dress and to encourage good behaviour.

Winter

Summer

Garments garments carrying the Shipbourne logo* are available from school. The office makes a termly uniform order and sometimes has items in stock. You can complete the uniform order form and return it to the school office.

All other items are widely available.

Sensible footwear is encouraged, with minimal frills and properly fitting. Children should have good levels of hygiene – please ensure the children are kept clean, check their nails are short and clean and regularly check hair for lice or nits, particularly in KS1.

From time to time parents may be invited into school to discuss any aspect of their child’s footwear or clothing.

In addition each child will need:

• PE shoes (plimsolls)
• PE shorts (navy)
• PE bag*
• Trainers (Juniors only)
• PE shirt (white T-shirt)*
• A navy jogging suit or something similar for winter wear.

ALL THESE ARTICLES MUST BE NAMED.

The wearing of jewellery is discouraged as it can not only be distracting but can also be dangerous when worn for PE, games etc.

School Lunches

We are able to offer children a choice of two possibilities at lunchtime: school meals and packed lunches. School meals are currently provided by Initial Catering Services. From September 2006, the menus will conform to the latest Government nutritional guidelines recommending a high proportion of fresh and local produce. Where packed lunches are chosen, we would encourage parents to provide “healthy” options, which may include snacks such as fresh fruit and yoghurt. We would discourage parents from providing heavily processed sugary or salty foods or foods with high levels of hydrogenated fats, which can have long term negative health effects. Although fine for one-off treats, providing crisps and sweets every day is not considered healthy practice.

Please decide at the beginning of each half term which choice you will be making.

Water Bottles, Milk & Fruit

Children are allowed to bring water bottles into school. Please make sure that the bottles are taken home and refilled ready for the next day. KS2 children are allowed to bring in a piece of fruit for breaktime. KS 1 children get fruit free of charge under a funded scheme. The school also participates in the “Cool Milk at School” scheme. (www.coolmilk.com). NB Paying for milk online earns money for the school.

Dinner Money

Dinner money may be paid weekly or for the half term by cash or cheque, made payable to Initial Catering, the amount to be brought being advised before each holiday.

Pupils' Progress and Development

Early Years Profile

Parents of new entrants are invited to attend a consultation appointment to discuss their child with their new class teacher. Records are completed with the help of parents and their children and this is a start of an individual profile that is developed as the child progresses through the school. You can make an appointment at any time with your class teacher to discuss your child’s individual early years profile.

Reporting to parents

Consultation interviews are held twice a year in KS1 and KS2 for parents to discuss their child’s progress and development at the school. In the summer term we hold an open afternoon for parent to look at their child’s work and a full written report is issued. Year 5 parents will have a further meeting with the school to discuss secondary options towards the end of the summer term.

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Please telephone the school before 9.15 am every day your child is absent unless you have already notified us in writing or sent in a medical certificate. On your child’s return to school please send in a letter (if you have not already done so) confirming the absence and the reason. Our attendance record is exemplary, and occasional absences are discouraged. Children should feel that attending school has first priority. Doctors certificates are required for longer absences and the Head Mistress or Chair of Governors must approve any other absences in advance on a form that can be obtained from the school office.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

There are always plenty of activities going on at school and we like to encourage a family atmosphere at the school. In addition to the multitude of PTA events, the school directly organises other activities throughout the year and many have become embedded in the traditions of the school. Although the format can change year on year, parents are usually invited to watch or help with the following events or activities. Keep an eye out in the newsletters!

• Harvest Festival celebration and distribution to our elderly neighbours
• Craft workshops, making items for the Christmas Bazaar
• Bauble making for the school Christmas tree
• Nativity Celebrations, format varies
• Trinity Theatre visit at Christmas
• Festival for Schools
• Offsite Class visits
• Community events, format varies
• Sports Day, Shipbourne Common
• Leavers Service, Shipbourne Parish Church
• Open afternoon, for parents to view their child’s work and tour the school.
• Open day (usually January)
• Swimming at Tonbridge Pool, every Thursday
• Eco-schools
• Healthy Schools
• School Governance
• Lunch time supervision
• Help in the classroom (eg with reading)

If you have any special skills or contacts that the school can use for the benefit of the children’s education, please let the head mistress know. We are constantly on the lookout for ways to enrich our pupil’s education from the world around them!

Parking & Transport

Please do not park on the double and yellow zigzag lines in Back Lane. This can cause danger to the children when arriving and leaving school. It can also cause congestion when turning into Back Lane from the main Shipbourne Road. Please also show courtesy to our neighbours by not parking in front of their entrances. We positively encourage car sharing for car users. For more information refer to our travel plan.

Voucher schemes

We usually participate in most schemes, Tesco, Nestle, Sainsburys, Persil. Keep an eye out in the Newsletters.

Sun Cream & Sun hats

Please remember to apply sun cream liberally every morning during the hot weather. Staff are not permitted to apply the sun creams, but we like to take advantage of the summer months and go out as much as possible, so protection is important. Please ensure that your child has a sun hat.

School Policies

There are many formal policies in place across the range of subjects. Please refer to the Governors section to see these.