Reception children are normally admitted at the beginning of the Autumn term. However, children whose fifth birthday falls between 1 September and 31 March start full time, and children whose fifth birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August attend for mornings only until January. Older children can normally begin attending the school, numbers permitting, at any time during the school year, by arrangement with the Headteacher.

The school has a standard admission number of 11 in each year group. We are allowed to admit children beyond this number if they live in the school's catchment area.

Children leave at the end of the school year in which their eleventh birthday occurs. The designated secondary school for the area is The George Ward School, Melksham. Details of schools and arrangements for transfers are sent to parents during their child's final year at our school. Should you move out of the area we will make every effort to transfer educational and medical information to your child's new school, so that an easy transition may be made. Should your child move into the school during the academic year, we will expect to receive records from the previous school, and any examples of work that you have will be most welcome.

If your child is taken ill at school it is vital that we have at least two emergency contact numbers for parents. We will endeavour to make your child comfortable and contact you to collect your child if he or she is very poorly. In the unlikely event of an emergency, and if you cannot be contacted, a teacher will accompany your child to hospital while we continue to try to locate you. The staff are not allowed to administer medicines to children but, if they are needed during the day, parents may call into school to administer these.

Unfortunately, verrucae and head lice tend to be a common occurrence in all schools. Please check your child regularly and inform the teacher if necessary. Advice for treatment is available from the school or your local pharmacist.

Please let us know of anything that will help us to care for your child.

Sodexo Catering provide our hot lunches which are cooked on the school premises. These can be ordered for all or part of the week, provided the orders and payment are received on the Monday. Alternatively, parents wishing topay by cheque may do so weekly, monthly or half-termly in advance. Current costs and details for cheques are available from the catering manager.

Those children not having school lunch may bring a packed lunch with a non-fizzy drink in a plastic container with your child's name on.

Two Midday Supervisory Assistants are on duty at lunchtimes, with teaching staff available to assist in emergencies. Children who go home for lunch should not return until the start of afternoon school at 1.30 pm (1 pm on Mondays).

We believe it is most important that the children become excited and involved with their own learning, and we go on as many educational visits as our budget will allow. At least once during their time at the school, usually in Year 5 or 6, the children will also have the opportunity to go on a residential field study trip.

The Local Education Authority does not fund educational trips, and parents are asked to contribute to the cost of these. If the educational trip takes place within school hours, donations will be requested, but a direct charge can be made for those taking place outside school hours although it is our policy to try to assist anyone in difficulty.

It is our policy not to exclude a child from an educational trip because a donation has not been made. However, if we regularly fail to meet the cost, the number of such trips will have to be curtailed.

All parents are given an individual appointment with the class teacher twice a year to look at each child's work and to discuss his or her progress. Once a year, you will also receive a written progress report.

We will not hesitate to contact you should we have concerns, or praise, that cannot wait until the next formal opportunity. Please also contact us before any minor concerns develop into problems.

Talking to teachers is the most immediate and effective way to communicate and can best take place at the end of the day. If you need a longer discussion please make an appointment with the teacher.

The Headteacher is also available on the same basis. Please send in notes informing us of anything that may be useful for us to know, which may affect your child's day in school.

If there is a need for special help, staff will do their best to give extra support within school, and parents will be consulted at all stages. The school has a Special Needs Policy, which describes arrangements more fully, and copies are available from the office.

Shoes - These should be safe and sensible, suitable for both indoor and outdoor wear, and in a dark colour (preferably black or navy). Fasteners should be appropriate for the age of the child. No boots, trainers, heels or flimsy sandals.

Hair, Nails, Jewellery - Hair should be kept clean and tidy. Hair that falls around the face hinders concentration and should therefore be tied back or worn with a hairband. Jewellery, other than watches, should not be worn, although children with pierced ears may wear one pair of ear studs. Nails should be kept short and clean, without nail varnish.

PE and Swimming Kit - A blue uniform PE T-shirt and black/blue shorts are available. These, and plimsolls/trainers,need to be kept in school all week, in a suitable bag which can be hung on your child's coat-peg.

Children will also need a swimsuit and towel for weekly swimming lessons in Autumn and Spring terms. These should be in a waterproof bag which can be hung on your child's peg. Please avoid larger sportsbags and holdalls as cloakroom space is very limited.

ALL UNIFORM AND SPORTSWEAR SHOULD BE MARKED
CLEARLY WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME

For this reason, we fully support the DFES initiative to have a written agreement between home and school, which details the responsibilities of both the parents and the school, and what we all expect of our pupils. Your Home-School Agreement will be sent to you when your child starts school. Meanwhile, please ask if you would like to see a copy in advance.

These are prominently displayed in each classroom and the central hall:

Each year there are five 'Teacher Development Days' when the school is closed to the children. Parents are notified of these dates as early in the year as possible. To reduce any disruption to children or parents we try to arrange these for the first or last day of a term.

Unless prior notification is received from a parent, no child will be allowed to leave the school during lessons, playtimes or lunchtimes.

Supporting individual or small groups of children in the classroom.
Assisting staff with after school clubs or sporting events.
Accompanying staff and children to swimming/gym lessons or on day trips.

Some parents have also reduced our maintenance bills by helping with decorating and minor repairs. We very much appreciate the various ways that parents and friends help our school! Newcomers are always welcome. Further information and guidance is available from the school office or the parent governors.