Open Door Policy
We are a welcoming and friendly school and encourage parents to play an active part in their children’s education. If you have any queries, no matter how small, then please come in and speak to a member of staff. Mr. Jonathan Smith, the Headteacher, is always willing to meet with parents and you do not have to make a formal appointment to see him. Teachers have more time at the end of the school day to meet with you, but you will also be able to speak to them briefly during the morning drop-off. You are more than welcome to pop in to see members of staff after school for an informal chat or if your child wants to show you something they have been doing. We endeavour to ensure that there will always be someone available for you to speak to throughout the school day if you have any queries or concerns.
Our School Day
We meet the Department for Education's requirement that all children should access 32.5 hour of education in school each week. The school doors open at 8:40am and the school day begins at 8:45am. There is always a member of staff on duty in the main yard from 8.40am to answer any questions you may have.
The gates to the playground are locked at 8:50am. Any children arriving after this time must enter the building through the main entrance and office area. Mrs. Robison will record children arriving after this time.
Morning break takes place from 10.30am to 10.50am. Children may also have an afternoon break depending on the planned learning for the day.
Children go for lunch by year group between 12noon and 12.10pm and afternoon sessions start at 1.10pm.
At hometime, children line up on the ramp in the main playground with their teacher. Children are permitted to leave only when their adult is seen. Full-time nursery children leave at 3.00pm and the rest of the school at 3.15pm. If your child is to be picked up by someone other than yourself then please inform the class teacher. We cannot allow anyone else to take your child unless we have your permission. If you have to alter arrangements due to unforeseen circumstances on a particular day, then please inform the school office.
Drinks and Snacks
Children may have a carton of milk and a piece of fresh fruit during the morning. Milk is free to 4-year olds and ordered through the school office in the term of your child’s fifth birthday. Fruit is free until your child is in Year 3 and again, it can be ordered through the school office from this point. Your child may bring in their own piece of fruit if you prefer.
We encourage children to drink water throughout the day so please provide a named water bottle or cup. School water bottles can be purchased from the office.
Lunch
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free school meals under the Government’s Universal Free School Meals Initiative. However, should you prefer to provide a healthy packed lunch instead, then please let us know (no sweets, chocolate or fizzy drinks please). Children in Year 3 and Year 4 can pay £2.20 for a school meal (unless your child is eligible for free school meals) or bring in a healthy packed lunch. You will be provided with a menu to see what your child has each day and there is always a choice of main courses. Having a school lunch provides excellent learning opportunities for trying new foods, using cutlery and developing table manners.
Children from families who receive certain benefits are entitled to free school meals. Schools receive pupil premium (currently £1345 per pupil) for each child who is eligible and this funding forms a vital part of our school budget. We are accountable for ensuring that this money is used to benefit children who are eligible for the premium. It is really important that families register their children for free school meals, even for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 who already receive free meals under the Universal Free School Meal Initiative. Registering is a simple process. Please contact the school office or the free school meal office at Northumberland County Council (via the County website or telephone 01670 623 592) for further information.
Uniform
Our school uniform consists of:
- Yellow polo shirt
- Blue sweatshirt or cardigan
- Black or grey trousers or skirt
- Sensible shoes
- Blue and white or yellow and white checked dresses for warmer weather.
Uniform with the school logo is available from our Online Supplier.
The majority of our children wear a school sweatshirt. However, any other plain clothing in the school colours is acceptable.
Our PE kit consists of:
- White t-shirt
- Blue or black shorts
- Trainers.
PE kit should be put in an appropriate bag and hung on your child’s peg so that it is available every day. It can be taken home half termly to be washed.
Jewellery, apart from watches and stud earrings, should not be worn to school. Earrings cannot be worn for PE. Please do not send your child into school wearing earrings on PE days unless they are able to remove these themselves. Long hair should be tied back on PE days.
Year 3 and Year 4 will need to bring a bag containing a one piece costume or close fitting shorts/trunks (which finish above the knees) for swimming lessons. A pair of swimming goggles may also be useful.
*Please remember to label all clothes and shoes with your child’s name.
Book Bags
School book bags can also be purchased from our online supplier. All children should have a suitable book bag which needs to be brought into school on a daily basis. This is used to keep school reading books and home school diaries in. Letters and other communication will be placed in book bags for safe delivery to parents and book bags should be checked on a regular basis. Bags can also be used to send money (in clearly labelled envelopes) and return slips into school.
Illness and Medication
Please telephone the school if your child is absent for any reason at your earliest convenience. If there is no-one available to answer the phone then please leave a message on our answering machine. If no reason is given for an absence it has to be recorded as unauthorised. Absence can be authorised by the school for illness, medical/dental appointment or religious observance.
Any sickness or diarrhoea must be followed by 48 hours absence.
If your child becomes ill at school we will contact you to collect them. Please make sure your contact details are up to date.
If your child has any medical needs, please let us know. We can only administer medicine prescribed by a doctor if a consent form has been signed. Medicine must be clearly labelled with your child’s name and must be accompanied by the instruction leaflet or dosage label. If you require us to administer any prescribed medication, please complete this form by clicking this linked text.
Head lice are common. Please check regularly and treat as needed.
Further details regarding medical needs can be found in the ‘Policies’ section of this website.
Accidents
If your child has an accident at school it will be recorded in our accident file. Parents are informed via an accident form and we also endeavour to tell you verbally at the end of that day. You would be contacted immediately if your child had a serious injury. Please make sure your contact details are up to date.
School Assemblies
We hold an assembly every day, which is either whole school or class based. Assemblies are carefully planned to develop pupils spiritually, morally, socially and cultural and are often centred around a high-quality text. During assembly time, we also celebrate attendance, and House Points, and we discuss the value of the week.
Homework
We encourage parents to support their children’s learning in many ways. These are outlined on class half termly newsletters and details regarding homework are also provided at our September parent welcome meetings and parent teacher meetings. Homework may include maths activity booklets, Talk time books in the Early Years, weekly homework sheets or work set via computer based learning. You can help your child by:
- Listening to your child read their school reading book on a regular basis
- Helping your child learn letter sounds/spelling patterns and practise using these for reading and writing
- Helping your child learn to spell key words
- Encouraging your child to practise letter formation and handwriting
- Helping your child learn key maths facts, including times tables
- Ensuring your child completes the homework his/her class teacher sets.
Young children learn by practising skills little and often and parents who support their children at home will really help their child make progress.
Parental Involvement
Extra pairs of hands are always welcome! We appreciate the help of parents/family members in many different ways, whether to support activities in the classroom, listening to children read, preparing resources or volunteering to assist with school trips. If you have a particular skill or area of expertise that you feel could benefit the school in any way then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Friends of Broomhill
The school is grateful to have an enthusiastic ‘Friends’ committee who help the school to raise funds for extra resources and activities which enhance the school experience for our pupils. Fundraising events are very well supported and have been extremely successful over the years. If you would like to join the committee or are prepared to help at a specific event then please let us know.
If you have any queries regarding the above or require further information then please do not hesitate to contact the school. Each class teacher also produces an information booklet which is handed out at parent welcome meetings and also to the parents of children who join us during the school year.
