Open Classrooms and Consultation Evenings

Open Classrooms and Consultation Evenings are held at least twice a year. Children are able to show parents the learning they have been doing in the classroom during the after school Open Classrooms and then parents are able to discuss their child's learning with the class teacher where advice can be offered, plus the chance to ask any questions. At the end of the year - or at the end of the term in which a Nursery child transfers to the Reception Class - parents will receive a written report about their child's progress.

Assessment Results

The school is required to publish the results of the National Curriculum Assessment of 7 and 11 year olds. In the Foundation Stage we use the Foundation Stage Profile, as do all schools nationally, and we assess where they are at the end of the Reception year. At the end of Year 2 parents will receive with their child's report, levels of achievement as assessed by the class teachers during Years 1 and 2. During Years 3 - 5 parents will receive notification of any Optional SATs results, which indicate how their children are progressing along with teacher assessments. At the end of Year 6 children will sit the KS2 SATs during May, and parents will receive with their end of year report the results of the SATs tests and their teacher's assessment of their achievement. However it must be remembered that test results are based only on those aspects of learning which have been included in the relevant tests while the results of Teacher Assessment are based on the work your child has done since entering school. Teacher assessment gives the full picture; test results show a single 'snapshot in time'.

Absences

If your child is absent from school or going to be late for any reason, we ask you to contact the school on the morning of the first day of absence. A telephone call (01473 823268) between 8:15 and 8:45 will be enough, although we also ask that you send in a note on your child's return to school. Unless we hear from you, we have to record that absence in the register as 'unauthorised'. These may be followed up by our Education Welfare Officer.
Similarly, if your child needs to visit the doctor, dentist or hospital during school time, please ensure that the class teacher is informed. The Headteacher has the discretion to grant up to ten days absence in a school year for a family holiday; although it is not the right of parents to take their children out of school for this purpose. The pyramid schools have agreed the following principles for granting absence for a family holiday:

1. Absence will only be granted if parents are unable to take a holiday at any other time (e.g. agricultural workers, or where a parent has just returned from a long period away from the family).
2. Absence will not be granted simple because holidays are cheaper or because it is more convenient.
3. Absence will only be granted for a family's main holiday - not for a second holiday in the year.

Every application for a holiday in term-time will be considered on its merits. Headteachers will consider every application individually, but leave of absence will not be granted where it coincides with SATs.

We are pleased to report that attendance at St Mary's School is excellent. The strong home/school partnership combined with a happy and productive school life leads to a very positive attitude to school attendance.

Behaviour

Our behaviour policy emphasises clear boundaries, clearly understood by children, with the emphasis being on a positive reward system, including stickers, weekly merits and class rewards. Through our Personal, Social, Heath Education we aim to produce children who see the need to behave as being part of their role in the world around them.
We have few major behaviour problems here at St Mary's. Nevertheless, we have a behaviour policy that deals with a range of behaviour problems. It is the staff's responsibility to lead and guide children so that they develop into caring, courteous and responsible adults.
Tolerance, self-discipline and consideration for others are values that should be fostered in the children. Our main school rules are as follows:

1. Concentrate and work hard in lessons.
2. Be polite and thoughtful to all others - children, adults and visitors.
3. Look after your own and other people's property.
4. Walk everywhere in school.
5. Use acceptable language at all times.
6. No bullying or racism.
7. Play sensibly without hurting anyone else.
8. Use playground equipment for its proper use.

These rules apply to all school activities, whether on or off site. We wish to convey the message that we are a community that has high standards of behaviour wherever we are.
Bullying, racial or social harassment incidents will be taken very seriously and will be dealt with immediately. Parents will always be contacted as soon as possible. Despite the vigilance of staff, it is possible that an incident may not be witnessed, so we all need to impress upon our children that they need to share knowledge of a problem with staff straight away.

Emergency Contact

The school maintains the register of emergency contacts for each child's family. Please notify us of any changes without delay. It is vital that we have the right contact number in case of emergencies.

Lunchtimes

High quality school meals are prepared in our kitchen by our school cook. We are always seeking to make our school lunches even healthier for the children, working alongside Suffolk County Catering who provide the meals. There is a three week rota of menus which is made available to parents. Children pay in advance on Monday morning for the week, or for the days in the week, they require lunch.

Families who are in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance from the DSS will be entitled to free meals for their children. We can supply the forms in the strictest confidence.

Alternatively children can bring a packed lunch. Children who forget their packed lunch will be given a school meal if parents cannot be contacted in time. Payment can be brought into school the next day. Currently all full time pupils stay at school during the lunchtime. The social contact with children and adults at lunchtime is very beneficial. After their lunch, children are supervised on the playground and field by our team of Midday Staff. When the weather is poor, children remain indoors with supervision and take part in 'wet play' activities.

Playtime Snacks

At present all children in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 receive free fruit as part of the national fruit scheme. Children in Key Stage 2 can bring in their own piece of fruit.

Safety of children

All visitors to the school are requested to report to the school office. We have a security system which operates into the main part of the building and visitors will either be taken to see the member of staff or will wait in the main entrance to be met. Children are expected to be brought and collected by a responsible adult known to them. If there is any change to your normal arrangements, please let us know.

St Mary's Support Group

The Group exists to support and advance the quality of education our pupils receive at the school. All parents and guardians of children attending the school are automatically members and everyone is welcome to attend the meeting publicised in the newsletters. There is no membership fee, but the donation of your time and enthusiasm would be very welcome.
The Group aims to arrange a series of fund raising and social activities and would be grateful to hear of any new ideas that have worked well in other places.

Before and after school care

There is a Breakfast Club, Rise and Shine, which is held in school between 8:00 and 9:00am and is run by qualified staff from the school. Breakfast is available if required. Maximum numbers are 25 children per morning. Further details are available from the school office. There is an after school club, OSCAH (Out of School Club Association of Hadleigh) which meets at Hadleigh High School. Leaders from the club meet children at the end of the day and walk them up to Highlands Road. Full details are available from the school office.

High School Education

Children leave St Mary's on 31 August following their eleventh birthday. The majority proceed to Hadleigh High School, which caters for 11 - 16 year olds (Tel 01473 823496). A very close working relationship exists between St Mary's and Hadleigh High School. The process of transfer of children is made naturally and smoothly and this is achieved by visits to the High School by Year 6 children; discussion between Heads and teachers of the two schools and consultation with parents.

Charging

The governors of the school have a charging and remissions policy; a copy of which may be seen at the school. The policy means that charges will not be made for any activities which form part of a prescribed examination syllabus, or are in fulfilment of National Curriculum requirements. However, we will invite voluntary contributions towards the cost of events or visits. If the level of contributions means that the school would be unable to cover the remaining cost, then the activity may have to be cancelled.
Activities which take place outside normal school hours are not covered by the policy as parents have the right to choose whether their child should take part.
In the past, parents have been extremely supportive of these activities and the Governors are grateful for that support. It is hoped that we will continue to receive your support in order that the children can continue to participate in the special activities for their own benefit.
The Governors may have to modify the charging policy if circumstances necessitate it.

Lost Property

Every effort will be made to trace lost article, but property can only be identified when clearly named. We request that ALL items of clothing, including socks, are clearly labelled with the child's name and that you regularly check that such labelling is still in place. Lunchboxes need to be clearly labelled in waterproof ink.

Bicycles

Children may bring their bicycles to school if they have passed the Young Cyclist Award. All children cycling to and from school must wear an approved safety helmet. There is no covered accommodation for bicycles and all bicycles need to have a secure lock.
Permission may be withdrawn in the event of misbehaviour by any child whilst cycling to or from school. The school cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to bicycles.

No Smoking

It is against the law to smoke on these premises.

Complaints Procedure

If you are unhappy about any aspect of your child's education or experience at school you should see the class teacher.
Discussing the matter with the teacher is usually sufficient to solve any problem. However, if you are still unhappy and wish to take the matter further you should see the Headteacher. If after discussion with the Headteacher the matter remains unresolved you should tell the Headteacher that you wish to make a formal complaint. You may also apply to the Chair of Governors to hear your complaint.
The Headteacher will give you a copy of the Complaints Procedure, the name and address of the Clerk to the Governors of the school, and the name of the person to write to at the local authority. It will then be for the Governors to decide whether the complaint is justified, and what you should do about it.