Good to know...

Our school day

The school building and playground are open from 8:30am, no children should be on site before this time, unless they are attending Early Birds club.  Children are welcome to drop their bags in the class cloakroom, before heading to the lower playground for 'Wake and Shake!'

In the case of wet or icy weather, the children should gather in the central area of the school from 8:30am and will be able to enter the classrooms from 8:40am.

Playtime snacks

Key Stage 1 children have fruit snacks provided for them and eat them in the classroom.  Key Stage 2 children should be provided with a healthy snack, such as fruit or vegetables to be eaten on the playground.  We ask for healthy snacks as we are very proud of our 'Healthy Schools Plus' award and encourage the children to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

School and packed lunches

Our delicious hot lunches are provided by Figs Catering.  These are available to all children, and are ordered on a half termly basis.  Each daily meal includes either a meat based or vegetarian main meal, followed by a choice from two desserts.

See an example menu here.

Visit the Figs Catering website here

Alternatively children are able to bring a packed lunch, to be eaten in our school hall.  The children from Key Stage 1 eat their packed lunch, whilst hot lunch children are also eating, followed by the Key Stage 2 packed lunch children eating theirs in a separate sitting.

Absence

If your child is ill and absent from school, we ask that parents inform the school office by email or phone as soon as possible.  Absences are recorded and this information is documented on your child's annual school report.  This report will also state whether the absences have been 'authorised' by the Headteacher.

Following new Government guidelines, we are now unable to authorise holidays during term time, unless there are specific, exceptional circumstances.  For any term time absence a holiday form should be completed and returned to the school office.  The school Attendance Policy can be viewed here.

Rewards systems

Our school believes wholeheartedly in a system of positive praise to encourage children in both their learning and behaviour.  In line with this we operate a House system.  Children are sorted on entry into the school into one of four houses; Montacute, Longleat, Barrington or Stourhead.  When children work particularly well or are especially well behaved adults may reward them with a house point.  Each child's house points are added to their house total each week and the house's achievements are celebrated each week in our Certificate Assembly.

Homework

Homework is an important part of children's learning, and an opportunity for parents and family members to take an active role in their children's education.  All children are expected to read on a daily basis.  Homework expectations vary from class to class.  For precise details of our homework expectations, see the school Homework Policy here.

Severe weather

In the case of severe weather the school occasionally needs to close.  Many of our staff drive a significant distance to get to school, and cannot be expected to make such journeys  if they would be at risk of harm.  In the case of a school closure this will be shown on the school website by 8:00am.

Complaints procedures

We hope that any concerns or complaints that parents have can be resolved informally by the school. Therefore any concerns, in the first instance, should be made to the Headteacher. Failing this, reference may be made to a Governor who will raise the matter on your behalf. If the complainant still feels that the complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily after following these procedures, they should then follow the procedures detailed in the Complaints Policy on the school website at www.keintonmandevilleschool.co.uk .