St James C of E Primary School

TEACHING AND LEARNING

SCHOOL TRIPS

How do I found out if my child is going on a school trip?

We plan school trips as far in advance as possible in order to co ordinate venue exhibitions or workshops with curriculum topics and transport available to us.  We put the trip date and class in the diary section of the newsletter and also on the website calendar.  We will send a class email out approximately 3-4 weeks before your child’s trip date.  This email contains information about where and when they are going, what time they leave/get back, what your child needs to bring and the cost of the trip. 

We try to make it clear that unless we have your consent, your child cannot go on the school trip.  You also need to fill out a medical form too, however we have streamlined this process so you will only ever need to fill out one medical form and one consent form per school year, no matter how many trips your child goes on. 

It is really helpful for us at school if you can return the consent form to us as soon as possible in September. Payments for trips can be made online via ParentPay.

School journeys are slightly different.  We try and give you at least 5-6 months’ notice and split payments over this time period.

How do I volunteer to help on a school trip?

At the same time we send you trip details, we ask whether you would like to be considered to help on the trip if needed.  If you would like to come, you need to circle this option on the trip form.  Each trip form has a ‘return by’ date on it and we wait until this date (approx. 1 week before the trip) to pick, out of a hat,  The names of the parents who have expressed an interest in going.  We have found this is the only fair way to give all parents an equal chance.  We will notify you if you have been selected by email and then send you the parents agreement form to read , sign and return.  If by chance you are now unable to come, we ask you tell us as soon as possible so we can offer it to someone else.

ABSENCE/LATENESS/ILLNESS/MEDICINES

What happens if my child is absent from school – either with an illness or has a medical/dental appointment?

If your child is not in school through illness or because of an appointment you can do two things.  Either email the School Office with the reason for their absence or call us ideally before 10am

If you do neither you will be sent an email asking you for the reason as we must have a reason for your child’s absence from you in writing.  For persistent absences or lateness you will be sent a personal letter or email asking you to come in for a meeting to discuss the matter further.

What do I do if my child arrives late to school?

If your child arrives after 9am their class register will be closed.  If that is the case you must come via the School Office, sign your child in and fill out a late form. This means that the register can be updated centrally and your child included.

What do I do if I am running late to pick up my child after school?

We know this happens on occasion, so please phone the School Office and we will be able to let your child know so they don’t worry.

What do I do if I want to take my child out of school in term time?

You should email the Office.  Mrs Williams will consider each application at an individual level.  Please note, a request for a holiday in term time will not be approved.

What happens if my child is ill at school?

If your child is unwell - if they have been sick or have a temperature - we will call you immediately.  To do that we use the child information form that you have filled in.  It is really important that this contact information is completely up to date – so if you change a phone number or address, please let us know as soon as possible. 

If we cannot get through to you we will leave a voicemail and try the second contact name and number you gave us on your child’s information form.  If we are unable to get them, we will keep on trying until we reach you by phone.  Your child will be looked after and kept comfortable until you can come and pick them up.

If your child has an accident at school, we will call you immediately.  If we think it is serious we will also call for an ambulance.  If this is the case, we will let you know immediately and keep you abreast of the situation until you are able to get here.

For more information on what to do if your child is unwell at school during COVID 19 period, please click here

Why do I do if my child needs medicine at school?

We are only able to administer medicine that has been prescribed by a doctor.  You need to bring the medicine into the School Office and fill out a medical form (which includes information such as when to administer it and how much to give).  The Office will then pass the information sheet and medicine on to the qualified first aiders in school who will make sure your child has it at the right time.  If you need to collect medicine at pick up, please come to the School Office and they will fetch it for you.  If it needs to be given over a few days, then please bring it each morning to the Office.  You will only have to fill out a form once.  Please remember that children are not allowed any form of medicine in their bags including Calpol, throat lozenges etc.

FINDING OUT ABOUT EVENTS IN SCHOOL

How do I find out then my child’s class assembly is?

The timetable for class assemblies is drawn up in the first week of the term.  Once agreed, the dates and times are published on the website calendar.  They are also published in our newsletter.  If we have to change a date at any time we try to give you as much warning as possible and we will group email the class to let you know.  Class assemblies are on a Friday from 9am – 9.20am in the school hall and parents of that class are very welcome to attend.

Where do I find out about term dates and holidays?

All our term dates for the next year are on the school website under Term Dates and on the website calendar.  INSET days when school is closed are also marked in red and highlighted in the newsletter.  

If, for any reason such as snow, and school is closed at short notice, you will receive a whole school text alert from us.  We do not send these often so if you do receive a text from us, you know that it is important and time sensitive and that you should read it as soon as you can.

How do I find out about other school events that may be happening?

We let you know about events happening in school via the school newsletter.  These may be things like dressing up for World Book day, harvest festival, school photographer, parents evening etc.  If the event affects just your child’s class such as workshop etc, you will be emailed direct with the details.  If it is a whole school event, we will do our best to send a reminder a day or two before by email, but the newsletter every Friday is often the best way to know what is coming up.  Please remember though that if you are ever unsure about what or when something is happening, you can always email the Office or come in and ask.

You need to contact your class reps for information on events that are organised by the Friends, such as the Christmas or Summer fair.

SCHOOL LUNCHES

How do I find out about school lunches?

If you want to know what food is on offer on a particular day or week you can look on the school website or the menus which are posted on the front door or outside the Office.

Children in Reception – Year 2 are entitled to free school lunches .  If your child is in Year 3 upward you will receive an email from the School Office every term asking if your child would like a school lunch.  It will also contain information on the cost and the deadline to pay by. If your child does not intend to continue with school lunches and is switching to packed, please let the Office know. 

If your child would like to switch from packed to school or school to packed lunches half way through a term, please give the Office one weeks’ notice.

What if my child has an allergy or a religious reason to avoid certain food?

You MUST fill out a lunch allergy/preference form letting us know what your child CANNOT eat.  This will be passed on to the lunchtime staff to monitor and the school’s first aiders

OTHER THINGS YOU MAY LIKE TO KNOW

Where can I order school uniform?

Our uniform supplier is Braggs Clothing in East Finchley.  You can order uniform direct from them via their website at www.braggschoolwear.co.uk or over the phone on 0208 445 3945 or in person at their shop at 341 Ballards Lane, North Finchley, London N12 8LJ.  You can download Bragg's price list from our website.

White polo shirts, grey trousers, shorts, skirts or dresses are available from most retailers such as M&S, Tesco, Asda etc.

You can order book bags and house T shirts (for Years 3 - 6) from the School Office:  Uniform order forms for these are available to download here or outside the school office.  Please fill one out and we will put the payment onto ParentPay for you. When your uniform order is ready we will send it home via your child's class.

How do I arrange music lessons for my child?

You can do this direct with Haringey music services via their website. 

How do I find out about after school clubs?

These are all on the school website with times and days they run.  To apply for a place for your child you need to contact the after school club organiser direct.  Their contact details are on the same web page.

How do I find out more about applying for pupil premium?

Please email us at the School Office and we will send you all the information you need.

How do I find out more about the Governors?

The Governors have their own page on the website with details of who they are, what they do and what committees they sit on.  In addition they send out a newsletter and from time to time they may garner parent’s views via a survey or questionnaire.  In the Autumn term they write to all parents about the school’s voluntary maintenance contribution.  They are present at most of the school events from church services to the Summer fair and from the new parents evening to sports day.  You can contact them at any time by emailing them at governors@stjamesprimaryschool.co.uk. or use the suggestion box outside the School Office