INFORMATION ==> POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1. Absences
Communications between home and school are vital. Please contact the school as soon as possible if you know your child will be absent on any day. If you know in advance that your child has a medical appointment and will not be in school please send a note or phone to let the school know. If you are taking your child on holiday during term time, this must be requested in advance and is not a given right. In any event the school may not authorize more than 10 days per year. Absence forms are available from the school office or below.
Open/download Pupil Absence During Term Time form here
If your child is unexpectedly ill or unable to attend for any other reason, then again, please also contact the school immediately. It is important that both the school and you know the whereabouts of your child. If your child walks to school unaccompanied by an adult it is vital you let us know. Should your child then fail to arrive without the school knowing why, you will be contacted to check on their safety. Please help the school to keep your child safe.
We are required to inform the Education Welfare Service if a child is repeatedly absent without authorisation.
2. Admissions
Admissions are covered in our About Us section.
3. Behaviour and Discipline
The school has a well developed behaviour policy (see below) and behaviour throughout the school is of a very high standard. Everyone is expected to treat all other members of the school, staff and pupils alike, with respect and kindness and we aim always to recognise and praise good behaviour, thereby encouraging other pupils to be guided by their example. The school places great importance on helping all children understand what appropriate behaviour is, and we work hard and consistently to help children to behave in a thoughtful, caring way towards one another and with property by following a set of “Golden Rules” (see below). A consistent set of rewards and sanctions help children to be suitably rewarded and guided. This is mainly through the practice of rewarding all pupils each week with a period of ‘Golden Time’ where children can choose to do favourite activities. Where the reward is not deserved some of the Golden Time is with-held, though it can be won back if the behaviour improves again.
Open/download current Behaviour Policy – Guidance for Parents here
Open/download Golden Rules here
Occasionally, however, a pupil’s behaviour gives cause for concern, and we work with the individual to help him or her improve their behaviour. It is important that a child understands why their behaviour is unacceptable and how this affects not only him or herself but everyone else around them as well. Initially support is given by the class teacher and their assistants, followed by the headteacher and the individual needs co-ordinator, in conjunction with the parents/guardians. At some point it may be necessary to draw up a pastoral support programme, with clearly agreed expectations along with rewards and sanctions which will help the pupil to raise his or her standard of behaviour. In all cases, the aim is to encourage and support the pupil, enabling him or her to work and play happily within the school.
4. Complaints
Under the Education Reform Act we are required to inform parents how to make a complaint about the curriculum or religious worship. Any such complaints should in the first instance be addressed to the Head teacher. Governors are then available to assist should the concerns not be addressed, following which the Local Authority may be asked to help. Parents are always encouraged to discuss any concerns with staff. Anything which troubles a child is serious enough for the school to help with
5. Curriculum
Our aim is to provide a broadly based curriculum throughout the school, within which there is an emphasis on the learning of the basic skills in Language (speaking, listening, reading, writing and spelling) and Mathematics, relevant to the needs of a continually changing society. We endeavour to develop the full potential of the individual in all aspects of school life, along with a fundamental and continual striving to raise standards in all areas.
Open/download curriculum aims here
The National Curriculum covers English, Maths, Science, Information and Communications Technology, Design and Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education. Religious Education is also taught in school. We work extremely hard to meet the demands of the National Curriculum, monitoring and assessing children very carefully, planning accordingly and setting realistic but challenging targets for all children. Personal, Social, and Health Education (including Citizenship), Business and Industry, Environmental Education and Multi-Cultural Education are all included within each child’s education.
Homework is set, closely linked to and supporting class work, following guidelines set by the Department for Children, Schools and Families which are that KS1 children should spend about an hour a week on homework rising to about 2.5 hours per week for children in Years 5 and 6. Parents are encouraged to support their children in completing homework and ensuring its return to school.
Further details can be found under Curriculum, Class Links
6. Emergency closures
Open/download Emergency Closures Guidelines for Parents here
7. Home-School Agreement
The Home-School Agreement is covered in our About us section.
8. Jewellery
The only items of jewellery permitted are two plain gold or silver ear studs (plain and small), NOT LOOPS. No face jewellery is permitted. An inexpensive watch may also be worn as long as the wearer can make use of it (tell the time!). Rings, chains, bracelets and necklaces should not be worn, as they can be a hazard in practical subjects. Furthermore, the loss of any of these items can cause a child considerable distress. The school will not be held responsible for any loss of items which should never have been brought into school.
9. Medicines
As a general rule we would wish parents to give medicines to children at home, as in school they can be a potential danger. However, if your child needs to take them in school time, the parent should hand them to the class teacher and be responsible for collecting any medication at the end of the day. All medicines are securely locked in a central location. We have to have authorisation from you to give your child any medicine whatsoever. Therefore a ‘medicine in schools’ form must always completed and signed BEFORE we are able to administer the medication. This is available at the school office or
Open/download medicines in school form
The exception to these regulations is for asthmatic children where, after completion of the usual ‘medicine in schools’ form, inhalers are kept securely in the teacher’s desk for quick and easy access. We have a School Asthma Policy and encourage children to be responsible for managing their own treatment where appropriate.
For health and safety reasons medicines should be limited to antibiotics, cough medicines, etc, and not eye drops, ear drops or creams where there could be a strong risk of spreading infection to other children in the class.
Because of the difficulties of providing adequate supervision, we have a problem with those children whose parents wish them to stay in at playtime or be excused from PE lessons. As a general rule we feel it is better for the children to get some fresh air and exercise. If this would adversely affect them then perhaps they would be better staying in the warmth of their own homes. Similarly, children are expected to attend all swimming lessons arranged for them during Years 3 and 4 unless they are absent from school. When the weather is unsuitable for an outside playtime, arrangements are made for all children to be supervised indoors.
10. Pastoral Care
The welfare of children is of prime importance to all staff. We are therefore vigilant in ensuring that children are happy, secure and progressing well. We aim always to deal with concerns sensitively and constructively, involving parents/guardians wherever appropriate. Likewise we encourage parents/guardians to discuss with staff any issues which are causing them concern. We will always do everything we can to help.
The school works closely with the following professionals:
School doctor
School dentist
School nurse
Health Visitors
Educational Psychologist
Local Authority Advisors,including Special Education Needs
Teacher of the Deaf
Teacher for the Visually Impaired
Speech and Language Therapist
Our staff make a home visit to all children starting in our Minpins.
Parents are advised to inform the school of any medical history, which may affect the child at school, e.g. epilepsy, diabetes, poor eyesight or hearing difficulties.
It is vital that we have a telephone number should we need to contact a child’s parent or guardian during the day. Please always remember to inform us immediately by telephone or letter if there are any changes to contact numbers or addresses or
Open/download change of details form
11. Racism
The school has a clear policy regarding the unacceptability of racism and racist attitudes, either exhibited by staff, pupils or parents. Any incidents should be reported immediately to the headteacher upon which the matter will be treated in accordance with the policy.
12. Religious Education and Collective Worship
We are a non-denominational school. We endeavour to foster attitudes of tolerance, respect and care for others. This we attempt to achieve in RE lessons, Collective Worship, and Personal, Social and Health Education as well as in our daily contact with children.
We would like to draw your attention to the notes concerning withdrawal of pupils from religious worship or instruction in line with Section 25 of the 1988 Education Act: A parent has the right to withdraw a pupil from attendance at religious worship and/or religious instruction at any county or voluntary school.
If suitable religious instruction cannot be given in the school, the parent may provide it elsewhere and the pupil may be released from school for that purpose. This should not be at the expense of any other element of the curriculum. Please do come and discuss this matter should you wish to consider this option.
13. Reporting to Parents
Parents are always welcome to visit the school at any time (preferably by appointment) to discuss any matter relating to their child.
In addition to this we hold parent/teacher meetings early in the Autumn Term where the class teacher and parents/guardians can share relevant information. In particular, teachers benefit from hearing how parents/guardians feel their child has settled into their new class. This establishes the partnership between home and school which is so important for every child. A further meeting takes place in the Spring Term, continuing the giving and receiving of information between home and school. Towards the end of the Summer Term everyone has an opportunity to look at their own child’s work and, where possible, to visit the classroom and teacher allocated to their child for the following year.
Written reports are sent to parents towards the end of each academic year and parents are welcome to meet and discuss the report with the class teacher should they so wish.
14. School meals and snacks
Children eat either a school meal (hot or a packed lunch meal) purchased at school, or bring a packed lunch. The school operates a cash cafeteria system providing choice as well as a focus on healthy, balanced food. Meals are prepared on site and staff work hard to ensure that children’s likes and dislikes are taken into account – let us know if your child has specific needs regarding their diet. We do encourage parents to apply for free school meals if eligible (ask at the office for further details). This is totally confidential and we organise the system in a way that does not identify any child as having a free meal – they are ‘pre-paid’ meals rather than free. Your child may then have a meal on any day, even if you usually offer them a packed lunch.
Healthy eating is an important aspect of encouraging children to develop a healthy lifestyle and your help in this area is appreciated. The ‘Playtime Picnic’ scheme is hugely successful in developing the social skills of sharing and co-operation and in encouraging children to eat a range of fruit and other healthy snacks. Water is always freely available.
Open/download details of Playtime Picnic contributions
Please inform the school if there are medical reasons why your child should not be offered any specific foods.
15. School clothing
The school uniform consists of: -
Boys: Grey/black trousers, Royal blue pullovers, Grey or white shirts, No ties
Girls: Grey/black skirts, pinafores or trousers, Royal blue pullovers or cardigans, White or grey blouses, White socks, No ties, Blue/white checked summer dresses
Black tops or any clothing with logos, other than the school logo, are not permitted. Clothing, with the school badge embroidered on, can be ordered from the school secretary. Please call at the office for further details or see link below. All children (with the exception of Minpins children) are expected to wear school uniform and will be asked to explain if they are not wearing it. We appreciate your help in ensuring that your child is suitably dressed for work!
Open/download school uniform order form
All footwear should be black in colour, of a practical and safe nature, and well fitting. Heavy boots, high heels, platform shoes, flimsy sandals etc can all cause problems when children run around at playtime or sit together on the floor. Please do consider this when choosing your child’s footwear.
Headwear should be kept to a minimum (unless worn for religious reasons). Very ornate or fancy scarves and decoration can be a distraction to the child and others around them and this can get in the way of their work! For similar reasons, we would appreciate your support in ensuring that children do not have radical hairstyles or strongly coloured hair and that long hair is tied back at all times.
PE. Children require a pair of shorts, a plain T-shirt top and plimsolls for PE. These items should be kept in a named PE bag in school, and available at all times. There should be no large logo or message of any kind on the T-shirt.
16. Secondary school transfer
Details can be obtained from the Local Authority: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/cypf/index.cfm?articleid=33123
17. Sex and relationships education
The programme for Sex and Relationships Education forms an important element of the Personal, Social and Health Education programme. It is carefully integrated to form part of the work on Growing and Changing, and develops from an understanding of families, growth from baby to child to adult, and the different stages in a person’s life, to understanding the physical and emotional changes that take place during puberty. Children are given opportunities in Years 5 and 6 to ask questions and realise the responsibilities related to reaching puberty. At the same time issues such as resisting peer pressure and making sensible choices are discussed. Parents are welcome to discuss this programme more fully, and are also permitted to withdraw their child(ren) from these lessons.
18. Special educational provision
Any parent who wishes to discuss their child’s individual needs should contact their class teacher in the first instance.
19. Spiritual, moral, cultural and social education
The school gives very high regard to the spiritual, moral, cultural and social development of every child. Within an ethos where everyone is valued and respected, we provide opportunities for children to look beyond the National Curriculum at themselves and their peers, how they interact with one another, care for and support each other. These aspects of a child’s development are given an extremely high priority at Indian Queens School, permeating everything we do and enjoy at school, as well as being developed within the Personal, Social and Health Education programme of work, which runs from Minpins through to Year 6.
20. Swimming
During the course of their education here at Indian Queens, a swimming programme is organised for all children in Years 3 - 4. Voluntary contributions to help with costs are invited. It is hoped that all children will be able to swim at least 25 metres by the end of Year 4. Those who do not are given a further opportunity to achieve this in Year 5.
21. Toys and Games
Children should not bring toys or personal items to school as they can be lost or damaged, causing all sorts of problems. This can be very distressing to your child and distract him or her from their learning.
The exception is when your child’s class has Golden Time (see behaviour and discipline
above) when inexpensive games and toys may be brought in (no electronic toys or games). The class teacher will have a system for ensuring these items are kept safe – they may only be used during Golden Time.
On the very last day of term children may also be invited by their class teacher to bring in a game or toy – your child will be informed of this at the time. Whilst we will do everything we can to ensure the safety of these items, nothing of any value should be brought in and the school will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage
|
