Morning Session: 8.45am to 12.15pm 

Afternoon Session Years R, 1 and 2: 1.15pm to 3.15pm

Afternoon Session Years 3, 4, 5 and 6:1.15pm to 3.20pm

In the Autumn Term, the Reception classes attend for the morning session only and are collected at 12 noon.

Children in Years R, 1 and 2 must always be collected from school by an adult. If parents are unavoidably delayed when coming to collect their children they are required to inform the school as soon as possible. Please stress to your child that they must always wait with their class teacher until their grown-up arrives to collect them. If the arrangements for collection of your child are altered, please could you inform your child's class teacher?

Older children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 do not need to be accompanied by an adult.

Mid – Morning break and Milk

Free milk is available for children under 5 and at a small cost thereafter. The milk is supported through the "Cool milk" scheme thanks to an E.U. subsidy. Please ask for a registration form if you would like milk provided for your child.

Children aged four to six receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day under the Government’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. The aim is for the children to have a positive and enjoyable experience of fruit and vegetables, so promoting healthy eating. Older children may bring a small snack of fruit (fresh or dried), to eat during morning playtime. (Sweets, chewing gum or bubble gum are NOT allowed at all).

Lunchtime Arrangements

 Children need to bring a packed lunch in a small NAMED container.  Drinks should be provided in a container that is unbreakable and leak proof, with a cup or straw if needed.  The children are supervised at lunchtime by Supervisory Assistants.  There is always a Senior Midday Supervisor on duty at lunch times.

As part of the Government drive to Healthy Eating, we intend to start serving hot meals by January 2009, when your child will be at school full-time. Further details will be given to you nearer the time.

If behaviour at lunchtimes becomes unacceptable, a pupil can be excluded from the school during the lunch period.

If you think your child may be eligible for free school meals (i.e. you are in receipt of Income Support or Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance) you are asked to contact the school secretary who will give you the necessary form to complete in strictest confidence. If you are unsure, please ask.

2.

ADMISSIONS

Children have a statutory right to start school at the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday.  Children younger than the statutory age are admitted on a part time basis.  This is Dorset County policy.

All children are admitted to school in the September following their fourth birthday and will attend full time from the beginning of the spring term in January.

The school is organised on a class basis, with the children spending the majority, if not all, of the school day with their class teacher in the early years. A timetable is necessary for the use of the hall, library and ICT Suite.  Children will be taught individually, in groups and as a whole class depending upon the activity and the needs of each child.  Great emphasis is placed on the needs of the individual child who will develop and progress at his or her own pace, supported by members of staff in the most appropriate way.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

Conifers Primary School has a website containing information about the school with examples of work produced by the children. Newsletters and dates of school terms and events can be found on the site together with some information about our pre-school and after school club. There are links to sites which may be found useful by parents, teachers and children. We are continuing to develop the website and plan to add more children’s work, information about the local area and reports on school activities. You can find our website at www.conifers.dorset.sch.uk. Any comments on whether you found it user-friendly and useful would be welcomed!

EMERGENCY CLOSURE

It is our policy to remain open if at all possible in the event of bad weather. However there are occasions when it becomes necessary to close the school.  If a decision is made to close the school at the beginning of the day, a notice will be posted at the school gate and Wessex FM Radio (frequency 97.2) will be informed.  We would ask that you tune into the radio if you are unsure whether the school will be open as it is essential for the telephone line to be clear.  Should it be necessary to allow children home early we would always do our best to inform parents.  Therefore we must have either a home or contact telephone number and also an alternative emergency number.  Children will never be sent home on their own, parents or contacts will always be telephoned if the children need collecting.  As at all other times our main concern is for the safety and well being of your child.

NEED HELP OR ADVICE

The Education Social Work and Attendance Service is there to help you and your child with:

·         Problems with starting school

·         Difficulties attending school

·         Advice on free school meals                    

Our school’s Education Social Worker is:

Moira Denholm –  Tel:  01305 851306

The School Nurse is always available to help with:

            Problems with hearing, vision. Bed wetting, height and weight

            Any other health problems affecting your child

Our School Nurse is:

Claire Hallett - The Bridges Medical Centre; Tel: 01305 255207

3.

WELFARE

All absences from school must be accounted for by letter or a telephone call on the first day of absence. We would like to know that you know where your child is!.  Constant lateness and irregular attendance will be followed up by the Education Social Worker.

If your child becomes ill while he/she is at school, every effort will be made to contact you.  We also require a contact name and address and telephone number of someone who would be prepared to take responsibility for your child, if you are not available.  To make this possible it is essential that we have as up to date information as possible and are informed of any relevant changes.

Children who are unwell should not be sent to school and parents are asked to remember that sending children back to school too soon after illness can mean that the illness is passed on to other children.  In particular we ask parents not to send children to school for 24 hours after sickness/ stomach upsets.

Sometimes children have an accident in school. First Aid is given to those with minor injuries, but if the injury is more serious or further treatment is considered necessary, parents will be contacted and/ or advice sought from medical authorities.

Whilst we wish to be as helpful as possible concerning administering medicines, I am sure that you will understand that we have to very careful.  If it is absolutely necessary for your child to take medication prescribed by the doctor during school time, (i.e. at least four times daily), please ensure that the container is clearly labelled with the child’s name and the dosage and that it is handed in at the office.  We ask that parents fill in a daily medical form so that the administration of medicines is made easier.  No child is allowed to keep medication in his/her own possession.

We also ask parents of children who suffer from asthma to complete a school asthma record and ensure that the child has a reliever inhaler in school in case it is needed.

It is felt that generally it is better for children to get fresh air and exercise at playtime.  If there are exceptional circumstances please discuss these with the Headteacher.  If your child is fit enough to attend school, in most cases he/she is fit enough go out at playtime.

Medical and dental inspections are carried out at intervals during the time your child is at school.

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

All absences from school have to be reported to the DCFS and the LA. They are classed as authorised and unauthorised.

Absence will be authorised for:

·          Sickness

·          Unavoidable medical/dental appointments

·          Days of religious observance

·          Exceptional family circumstances

Absence will not be authorised for:

·          Shopping

·          Looking after family members

·          Minding the house

·          Birthdays or similar events

HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME

Parents are asked to avoid taking their family holidays in term time. Parents may request leave of absence; however, it is at the Headteacher’s discretion as to whether the time off will be authorised. The school cannot agree to a child missing more than 10 school days for a holiday in any school year.

Holidays will not be authorised for Year 2 or 6 pupils during May as this is the time when they undertake SATs  (Standard Assessment Tasks/Tests)

During the past year:

Authorised absence 6.0 %

Unauthorised absence totals   0.7%:

These figures are above the Dorset average. We hope you will help us to lower these percentages by ensuring your children arrive at school on time for registration and providing letters explaining absence from school.

4.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

There is a uniform at the school, and we do encourage parents to send their children to school in uniform, as this develops a sense of identity with our school.

Boys:    Yr R, 1 and 2                                        Yr 3, 4, 5 and 6

            Grey trousers/shorts                                        Grey trousers/shorts

            Plain white polo shirt                            White shirt (winter) with a tie

            Navy blue v neck sweatshirt                  Short sleeved white shirt (summer)

            Plain black shoes (not trainers please)   Navy blue v neck sweatshirt

                                                                        Plain black shoes (not trainers please)

Girls:    Yr R, 1 and 2                                        Yr 3, 4, 5 and 6

         Grey skirt, trousers or pinafore dress      Grey skirt, trousers or pinafore dress

         Plain white polo shirt                               White blouse (winter) with a tie

         Navy blue cardigan/V neck sweatshirt     Navy blue cardigan/V neck sweatshirt

         Summer- small check dresses in navy        Summer – check dresses in navy 

         sleeved white polo shirt                          Short sleeved white polo shirt or                                                                      short sleeved white blouse

                                  Sensible black shoes (No high heels or trainers)

We ask that all children wear a sun hat at playtime and lunchtime during hot weather.

For Physical Education your child will need

Boys:    Yr R, 1 and 2                                        Yr 3, 4, 5 and 6

            Shorts (preferably black)                     Shorts (preferably black)

            White T-shirt or polo shirt                    White T-shirt or polo shirt

             Plimsolls                                              Trainers for outdoor games

            Spare pair of socks                               Shin pads (optional for older children)

                                                                        Spare pair of socks

               Tracksuit (preferably navy blue or black, useful in cold weather)

These items will need to be kept in a suitable bag, which will hang on a peg.

All children are expected to do dance and PE in bare feet unless there is a medical reason why this is not possible.

NB Children in Year R will not need plimsolls until the Summer Term.

All items of clothing and belongings need to be clearly marked with your childs’ name so that lost items can be returned quickly to their owners.

When purchasing items of clothing to be worn at school, we ask parents to bear in mind the child’s age and ability to dress and undress.  We consider that the uniform is as simple as possible so that parents can buy the best value for money. (A small grant is available, biannually to parents who are on Income Support/Income based job seekers allowance, please contact the school office for further details.)

We do not encourage children to wear jewellery to school, as it can be dangerous, particularly in PE and at playtimes.  Only single stud earrings are acceptable for those children with pierced ears. Watches may be worn but the school will not be held responsible for any loss or damage.

5.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Where appropriate, the school aims to give special help to children with specific or general learning difficulties, and to very able children.  All children will have access to the whole of the curriculum.  However, the work set will match individual pupils’ needs and abilities and children with learning difficulties will also receive individual attention.  Children with learning and or behavioural difficulties may, with parental consent, be referred to the Educational Psychologist or other support services, as relevant.  Parents will be kept fully informed of any difficulties that their children may be experiencing and teachers will work co-operatively with parents to help children make the best possible progress.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR OFF-SITE EDUCATIONAL VISITS

As part of the curriculum children are involved from time to time in leaving the school premises to visit the local environment.  We consider the “first hand experience” gained in this way to be a very important and valuable contribution to your child’s education, supporting work carried out in the classroom.  From time to time your child will also have the opportunity to make visits further afield.  We are legally obliged to have your permission for your child to be involved in any educational outings.  If you wish your child to take part in such activities it will be necessary for you to complete a consent form; without your written consent your child will not be able to take part in such visits.

In the past, fund raising has enabled the purchase of a school minibus. This is obviously used for local visits.

Some school activities will only be possible if parents make a voluntary contribution towards the cost.  Where this is the case parents will always be informed at the outset.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The safety of our children is of paramount importance. The school has a secure entrance. During school hours there are strict entry procedures. The identity/business of any stranger is ascertained before they are admitted to school. All visitors in school (anyone who is not a member of staff) must report to the office on arrival, sign the visitor’s book and collect a badge to wear. No child is allowed to leave during the school day unsupervised and parental permission is always sought for any outing away from the school site. When school is in session the gates at the front entrance are kept closed to prevent reckless vehicular access.

6.

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Kids’ Club

The Kids’ Club is open to all children aged from 4 years - 11 years of age, who attend Conifers Primary School .

The sessions are :

If you wish to register your child or would like any further information, please contact Westhaven Pre-School and Kids Club on 01305 782727.

Stay and Play

Have you got a child that is below school age? Sure Start is running a ‘stay and play’ session every Friday morning at this school from 9am. No need to book just turn up with your child.

PRE-SCHOOL GROUP

Our Pre-school caters for children in their pre-school years. The children learn through play and first hand experience which are provided in the group sessions. A close relationship is maintained with the school, with visits from the Reception Teachers and attending assemblies. Pre-school is a registered organisation with the Nursery Grant Scheme.

The group provides an excellent opportunity for children to become familiar with our school and the teachers with whom they will spend their first years of school life.  It is an ideal introduction to school and certainly helps settle children into school quickly and without anxiety.

Sessions are :      All day  - 8am – 6pm

                          Morning – 9am – 12.30pm

                          Afternoon – 1.00pm – 3.30pm

To contact the Pre-school please phone 782727.

7.

DISCIPLINE

It is our aim to encourage children to develop a respect for others around them, and for books, equipment and the school as a whole.  We hope that children will become caring members of our school community.  We expect polite and courteous behaviour; bullying, aggressive or anti social behaviour will not be tolerated.  Children will be made aware of our “Golden Rules” when they start at the school, and they will be expected to act within these rules.  Where children break school rules a variety of sanctions may be used, from the loss of free time and in very extreme cases, exclusion.  It is obviously hoped that teachers and parents will be able to work together to prevent such action becoming necessary.  The school’s behaviour policy is available on request.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

We hope that any complaints that parents may have can be resolved by the school.  Complaints should therefore in the first instance be made to the Classteacher.  It is hoped that in most cases complaints will be dealt with at this informal level.  If the problem cannot be resolved satisfactorily, the parent may need to go to the Headteacher. However, if attempts to solve matters at this level fail, there is an agreed Complaints Procedure that should be followed, details of which are available on request from the school office.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parents are always welcome in school.  We believe in a strong home – school partnership, which will enhance your child’s education.  There are a number of ways that parents can help in school, for example with reading or library work, making games for use in the classroom, working on the computer, cooking or assisting with school trips.

Parents are invited into school on a regular basis e.g. to our Family Assembly on a Monday morning at 9.10am.

We are most grateful for any help that parents might be able to give the school as we do rely very much on parental support.  We would be very interested to hear of any particular talents or interests you have, that you would like to share with the children, or if you would like to assist with extra-curricular clubs after school.

Remember we are all working together for the benefit of your children.

THE FRIENDS OF CONIFERS PRIMARY

All parents are automatically members of “The Friends” Association.  The object of the group is to advance the education of the pupils in the school by developing more extended relationships between staff, parents and others associated with the school, and by engaging in activities which support the school.  The association has raised funds to provide many extra facilities and resources for our school and we are most grateful for the enthusiasm and support of so many of our parents.

8.

DATES FOR 2008/2009