Your Questions Answered
Does my child have to wear school uniform?
We prefer parents to send their children to school wearing the school uniform as follows:-
- School red sweatshirt with printed logo - for sale in school office.
- Plain shirt/blouse
- Grey or black skirt/trousers/shorts.
- In summer the girls have the option of wearing a red and white check/striped school-type dress.
All garments need to be labelled with the child’s name
What should the P.E. kit consist of? |
For Infants: |
School T-Shirt (for sale in the school office)
Shorts (preferably with elasticated waist)
Slip on Plimsolls (not trainers)
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For Juniors: |
School T-Shirt (for sale in the school office)
Shorts
Plimsolls – for indoor use
Trainers – for outdoor use
Football shirt and boots, where appropriate
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All contained in a waterproof draw-string bag and named |
Is there any additional clothing/equipment I need to provide?
Yes, an Art apron - to protect clothes when painting/gluing etc. - An old shirt cut down to size with elasticated cuffs is ideal.
What time does school start?
The Infants (at the Damerham site) start at 9.00 a.m. There is a member of Staff supervising in the playground from 8.50 a.m.
The Juniors start at 8:55 a.m
Where can I park/avoid traffic congestion
Both sites of our school become very congested at the beginning and end of the school day. There is a voluntary one-way system at the Damerham site as follows:
- Approach the site through the village, following the School signs.
- Exit along Church Lane and past the Church.
This avoids a great deal of congestion but parents are also encouraged to car-share and/or walk from the village wherever possible. Parking is very limited - there is a lay-by in front of the school and there are four parking spaces along the access road, but please bear in mind that the minibuses need access to the rear playground. For safety reasons parents are not permitted to park or turn in this playground.
Can my child have free transport to school?
Hampshire County Council provide free transport for children in YearR to Year3 if they live more than two miles from the school and for children in Years 4 to 6 if they live three miles from the school. Inter-site transport is also currently provided for Infants who live in Rockbourne and Juniors who live in Damerham and siblings of Junior children. To apply for free transport you will need to complete a form - if there is not one in your envelope, please ask Mrs. Crowson in the office.
If my child normally travels on school transport, can I come to School to collect him/her myself sometimes?
Yes, but please let us know in the morning, preferably in writing, if you wish to change the arrangements for the afternoon. If you have a taxi and your child will not be travelling on a particular day, please let the taxi firm know.
What happens if we are late for school?
You will need to ‘sign your child in’ in the school Office.
What happens if my child is ill during the day?
If your child is taken ill during the day, we will phone you. We try the home number first and then the alternative numbers/contacts you have given us. It is important that you keep us informed when your phone number/workplace etc. changes.
Will the school give medicine to my child?
If your child has prescribed medication which needs to be taken four times each day - the Staff may agree to supervise its administration - provided you send in a letter taking full responsibility and that it is a measured dose clearly labelled on the container with the name of your child, and the name of the medication.
My child has asthma - what do I need to do when he/she comes into school?
You need to complete an asthma card - available in the school Office - and obtain an inhaler for us to keep in school.
What do I do if my child catches head lice?
Nurse Evans from Community Child Health will be attending the meeting we hold for parents of new entrants (in September) and will explain about head lice in detail! In the meantime please check your child‘s hair on a regular basis and let us know if you find any head lice.
Will my child have a medical?
Nurse Evans from Community will explain Child Health issues when she visits our meeting.
Do I need to let the school know if my child is ill?
A letter giving details of illness should be sent into school on their return. If he or she is due to be absent for a long time then the school should be notified by telephone of such an absence. The school should be informed if your child is going to be absent due to a doctor’s hospital/dental appointment. Any unexplained absences be entered in your child’s annual report - and an annual total of such absences has to be sent by every school to the Department for Education.
Can I take my child out of school for our annual holiday?
Parents are reminded that ten school days is the maximum time, in law, that a child may be absent during any one school year, but we would appeal to you not to take your holiday in term time if it can possibly be avoided. We view every school day as vital to your child’s education and to the standards they achieve.
How can I help with my child‘s schooling?
Ways in which you can help will be explained during the meeting we hold for parents of new entrants. We also sell a publication called ‘Help your child to succeed’ by Bill Lucas and Alistair Smith. It recognises that you are your child’s first teacher.
How do I know how my child is progressing?
We hold parents’ afternoons/evenings when parents can look at their child’s work and discuss their progress and every child ‘s parents receive a full written report once a year.If however, you have any worries or concerns, please ask for an appointment to see the Teacher.
How do I order school lunches?
If you wish your child to have school lunches, please see Mrs. Crowson in the Office. The cost is £1.80 per day, payable either weekly or half termly in advance. Please put the money in a named envelope on a Monday morning and take it to the Office.
Will my child be going on school trips? - and who pays?
Yes, all children are taken on educational visits, but we need your permission. Each letter you receive giving details of a visit will have a permission slip which needs to be completed and returned to school. Parents will be informed in advance of the overall cost to the school per child for each visit or activity which is being arranged in school time, and they will be invited to contribute this cost.
Do the children ever leave the school site?
Yes, we have the use of the Village Hall for some of our P.E. lessons - the rota for which year groups use the Village Hall changes from term to term, but when it your child’s class on the rota please make sure he/she has a waterproof coat and sensible shoes. All groups are accompaniedby a Teacher and another adult. We need your permission to take your child ‘off-site’ so we will be sending home ‘off-site’ permission slips at the beginning of each academic year. These permission slips also cover visits to the local village area and to Rockbourne for Church Services etc.
Can children bring a snack for playtime?
Yes, Western Downland has a ‘healthy snack’ policy which is part of our healthy eating policy.
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