PARENTS > FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
4.
1. When does school start?
School starts at 8.55 am. It is very important to be on time for the start of the school day as it will help your child to settle and start the day’s learning on time. Your child is late for school if they arrive after 9:00 am. Their name will be added to the late list by the office staff as the register will already have been taken in the class.
2. What if my child needs to be absent?
If your child is absent from school for any reason please telephone the School Office as soon as possible to report the reason for this absence. If your child is arriving late at school for any reason, please let the office know, preferably the day before. Medical appointments should be confirmed with an appointment card or letter. If your child is absent for 5 or more school days then medical evidence is required. Please try to schedule appointments out of school hours if at all possible.
3. When does school end?
School ends at 3.30 pm. It is very important to be on time. If someone unknown to the school is to collect your child please advise the school office of their full name by 2:30 pm and ask them to introduce themselves to the class teacher when collecting. To ensure your child is safe we will not allow anyone who is not on your contact list to collect your child from school.
4. What should my child wear to school?
School uniform: Please ensure that your child wears full school uniform every day. It is essential that all items of clothing brought to school are labelled with your child’s name.
Your child will spend time outside each day so please ensure that they have appropriate clothing.
Children also need to have full PE kit in school for each lesson. Children will not be allowed to participate without the correct kit.
5. How are lunchtimes organised?
our child has the option of bringing a packed lunch or having school dinners. School dinners should be paid in advance using the School Gateway.
Any family more than two weeks in arrears with payment will be asked to bring packed lunch.
You may change your child’s meal choice, school dinners or packed lunch, on a half-termly basis. Please advise the office if your child has any specific dietary requirements or allergies.
If your child normally has school dinners and is arriving late at school for any reason, for instance a medical appointment please let the office know early in the morning so that a meal may be ordered for them.
If your child is entitled to free school meals, please ask for an application form at the school office. You will need to produce written evidence of such entitlement, dated within three months of your application.
6. Can my child bring refreshments to school?
Water: Your child can bring water in a bottle to school, labelled with his/her name, but NO cakes, sweets, crisps or sweet drinks are allowed.
Children in KS1 are offered a piece of fruit during morning play.
Children in KS2 are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit to have at morning play.
St. Mary Abbots Primary School has Healthy School status and we try very hard to help our pupils learn about having a healthy lifestyle.
7. How is home reading organised?
Book bag and reading books: Please ensure your child brings their book bag to school every day and that you check their bag every evening for letters from school. If they have a school reading book it should be brought to school in their book bag every day.
8. Why does the teacher ask about home life?
Please do tell your child’s teacher about developments in your child that you observe at home. Your input will contribute to our understanding of your child’s learning and development. Also, please communicate with us any changes at home that you think may affect your child’s learning. Teachers are available in the playground before and after school.
9. What if my child is taking medications?
At school we can only administer prescribed medicine. If you child requires this to be given for a particular illness or condition you must complete a medical indemnity form at the School office. Under no circumstances should medicines be given to children in their bag as they may accidentally be taken by another child. If your child requires inhalers or Epipens to be kept at school please ensure these are given to the School Office and renewed when they expire.
10. How can I talk with a member of staff?
You are able to make an appointment with staff. Parents Evening is held once a term but if you wish to meet with your child’s class teacher at any time please see them when you collect your child to book an appointment. Alternatively please speak to the School Office, who will book an appointment on your behalf.
11. What is the school needs to contact me?
Contact details: The school must be able to contact you during the day. Please ensure we have your correct address and telephone numbers and that you advise the School Office in a timely manner if these change. We use text messages as a prime means of communication so it is essential that your mobile numbers are up to date.
We need as many contact telephone numbers as possible so that if we are unable to contact you we have alternative family members or friends to call in case of emergency or illness.
12. What if I have a concern?
Any questions: Please ask any member of staff if there is anything you are unsure about.
13. How do I contact the school?
The main school number is 020 7 937 0740 and the office is staffed from 08:00am - 5:00pm each school day.
- When does school start?
- What if my child is needs to be absent?
- When does school end?
- What should my child wear to school?
- How are lunchtimes organised?
- Can my child bring refreshments to school?
- How is home reading organised?
- Why does the teacher ask about home life?
- What if my child is taking medication?
- How can I talk to a member of staff?
- What if the school needs to contact me?
- What if I have a concern?
- How do I contact the school?
1. When does school start?
School starts at 8.55 am. It is very important to be on time for the start of the school day as it will help your child to settle and start the day’s learning on time. Your child is late for school if they arrive after 9:00 am. Their name will be added to the late list by the office staff as the register will already have been taken in the class.
2. What if my child needs to be absent?
If your child is absent from school for any reason please telephone the School Office as soon as possible to report the reason for this absence. If your child is arriving late at school for any reason, please let the office know, preferably the day before. Medical appointments should be confirmed with an appointment card or letter. If your child is absent for 5 or more school days then medical evidence is required. Please try to schedule appointments out of school hours if at all possible.
3. When does school end?
School ends at 3.30 pm. It is very important to be on time. If someone unknown to the school is to collect your child please advise the school office of their full name by 2:30 pm and ask them to introduce themselves to the class teacher when collecting. To ensure your child is safe we will not allow anyone who is not on your contact list to collect your child from school.
4. What should my child wear to school?
School uniform: Please ensure that your child wears full school uniform every day. It is essential that all items of clothing brought to school are labelled with your child’s name.
Your child will spend time outside each day so please ensure that they have appropriate clothing.
Children also need to have full PE kit in school for each lesson. Children will not be allowed to participate without the correct kit.
5. How are lunchtimes organised?
our child has the option of bringing a packed lunch or having school dinners. School dinners should be paid in advance using the School Gateway.
Any family more than two weeks in arrears with payment will be asked to bring packed lunch.
You may change your child’s meal choice, school dinners or packed lunch, on a half-termly basis. Please advise the office if your child has any specific dietary requirements or allergies.
If your child normally has school dinners and is arriving late at school for any reason, for instance a medical appointment please let the office know early in the morning so that a meal may be ordered for them.
If your child is entitled to free school meals, please ask for an application form at the school office. You will need to produce written evidence of such entitlement, dated within three months of your application.
6. Can my child bring refreshments to school?
Water: Your child can bring water in a bottle to school, labelled with his/her name, but NO cakes, sweets, crisps or sweet drinks are allowed.
Children in KS1 are offered a piece of fruit during morning play.
Children in KS2 are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit to have at morning play.
St. Mary Abbots Primary School has Healthy School status and we try very hard to help our pupils learn about having a healthy lifestyle.
7. How is home reading organised?
Book bag and reading books: Please ensure your child brings their book bag to school every day and that you check their bag every evening for letters from school. If they have a school reading book it should be brought to school in their book bag every day.
8. Why does the teacher ask about home life?
Please do tell your child’s teacher about developments in your child that you observe at home. Your input will contribute to our understanding of your child’s learning and development. Also, please communicate with us any changes at home that you think may affect your child’s learning. Teachers are available in the playground before and after school.
9. What if my child is taking medications?
At school we can only administer prescribed medicine. If you child requires this to be given for a particular illness or condition you must complete a medical indemnity form at the School office. Under no circumstances should medicines be given to children in their bag as they may accidentally be taken by another child. If your child requires inhalers or Epipens to be kept at school please ensure these are given to the School Office and renewed when they expire.
10. How can I talk with a member of staff?
You are able to make an appointment with staff. Parents Evening is held once a term but if you wish to meet with your child’s class teacher at any time please see them when you collect your child to book an appointment. Alternatively please speak to the School Office, who will book an appointment on your behalf.
11. What is the school needs to contact me?
Contact details: The school must be able to contact you during the day. Please ensure we have your correct address and telephone numbers and that you advise the School Office in a timely manner if these change. We use text messages as a prime means of communication so it is essential that your mobile numbers are up to date.
We need as many contact telephone numbers as possible so that if we are unable to contact you we have alternative family members or friends to call in case of emergency or illness.
12. What if I have a concern?
Any questions: Please ask any member of staff if there is anything you are unsure about.
13. How do I contact the school?
The main school number is 020 7 937 0740 and the office is staffed from 08:00am - 5:00pm each school day.
