30^th September 2022

 

Dear Parents/Carers,

Following a three-week period of trialling our new drop-off and collection arrangements, we have reviewed the impact of these on the children, staff and families.

We are really pleased with how independent our Key Stage 2 children have been while walking themselves down to the new site and with how understanding parents have been along the way.

We have, however, had a number of issues arising which have resulted in some changes being made. 

With immediate effect we will be making the following changes.

Drop off:

We will continue to operate a soft start in the mornings. The pedestrian gate will open at 8.30am to reduce congestion outside the school gate. Children can be dropped off into classroom any time between 8.40 and 8.45 but must be in their classroom by 8.45 at the latest. Children are still the parent/Carer’s responsibility until they are dropped at the classroom door or at the top of the path to Silver Birch site. Please do not allow children to use the path to Silver Birch site until it is opened by a member of staff.

For children on the Grove Road site, parents will be able to drop their child at the classroom door as usual.

Please remember, for children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the new site (Silver Birch site), children are to be left at the beginning of the path to the new site on the edge of the school field. They will then walk themselves down to their classrooms where their teachers will be waiting for them. There will be a member of staff ready to greet the children at the top of the path and staff in the new site playground directing children to their classrooms to ensure their safety at all times as usual.

Lateness:

If your child arrives at school after 8.45am when the doors are closed, your child will be admitted by staff in the front office at Grove Road. You will be asked to sign your child in stating the reason for the lateness. This will be logged and monitored by the Attendance Officer, Miss Gow and you will be invited into school to meet with the Attendance Officer for improvement. If there is no improvement, you will be invited into school to meet with the Headteacher and a Governor.

If your child arrives at school after 9.15 am, your child will be recorded with a U code, which means Unauthorised Absence for the morning session.

Lateness and Unauthorised absences will be taken into consideration at the end of term when the Attendance Awards are issued. Please be aware, children who are constantly late or have unauthorised absences will not receive their Attendance Award. It is important to note that consistent lateness may also result in a fine.

Collection at the end of the day:

The pedestrian gates will open just before 15.25 for parents to enter the school.

For children on in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, the school day will finish at 15.25 and children need to be collected by parents/carers at 15.25 at the classroom doors as usual.

For children in KS2 (Year 3, 4, 5 and 6), on the new site, the school day will finish at 15.30 and children will need to be collected by parents/carers at 15.30 at the classroom doors. Children who walk home alone will be allowed to leave from their classroom doors. They will be responsible for walking themselves through the school grounds to the main exit on Grove Road. Children who live on the Linmere development will exit via the Silver Birch Pedestrian gate. 

For parents who do not have children in KS2, we ask that you leave the site promptly to allow for the remaining parents to have a congestion free exit from the school.

Please note that children who are under 16 years of age cannot collect a sibling from our school. We will always challenge and not release a child into their care. Instead, they will be taken to after school club until a parent or someone of responsible age collects.

Can we kindly ask that children and parents use the path between the two sites rather than the grass. This will ruin very quickly and is not necessary to use.

We thank you for your cooperation and patience.

 

Strategic Leadership Team