Parents’ Handbook 2020-21

Ockham Road North, East Horsley, Surrey KT24 6NS T. 01483 282329 E. admin@gleneskschool.co.uk www.gleneskschool.co.uk

2

3

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION The Admissions Procedure

Sessions

SCHOOL UNIFORM

THE SCHOOL DAY Early Birds Stay and Play Clubs Assemblies BreakTimes Healthy Eating

COMMUNICATION Secretarial staff Schoolcomms Absences from School The Business Manager

PASTORAL CARE Pastoral Care Supervision Collection from School Medication First Aid and Staff Training National Curriculum

PERSONAL INFORMATION Data Protection Parental Information Children’s Information Photographs and Filming SOLVING PROBLEMS Complaints Procedure

THE CURRICULUM National Curriculum Assessment Homework Reports

THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS The Early Years Foundation Stage The National Curriculum Curriculum enrichment and Specialist teachers Learning Support/Able, Gifted and Talented Homework Reports & Parents’ Evenings School Trips & Outings

THE SCHOOL SITE Security Parking Disabled access

HOLIDAY PROVISION Nursery & Rising Reception Reception to Year 2

SCHOOL POLICIES & PROCEDURES Website

INTRODUCTION Welcome to Glenesk School & Nursery We are a non-selective private school established in 1927, specialising in Pre-Prep education for 2 to 7 year olds. Glenesk has been part of the Cognita group of schools since 2005. ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE Following your first enquiry, parents are invited to meet the Headmistress, Sarah Bradley, and tour the school. If, after your tour you would like to register your child, the office staff will help you through the process.

• You will be asked to complete a Registration Form and pay a non-returnable registration fee of £75

• Prior to your child joining Glenesk, you will be sent an Admission Pack and requested to confirm your child’s place with a £500 deposit. This deposit will be returned when your child leaves the school.

FURTHER VISITS TO THE SCHOOL Under 2’s are welcome to visit our ‘Tots & Toddlers’ group, with a parent or carer, on Friday mornings between 10.00 and 11.30 during term-time. Older children who register are invited to visit before entry to meet their peers and Class Teacher. SESSIONS NURSERY (2-3 years) Term 1: Minimum requirement 2 sessions (2 mornings)

Max 10 sessions (Mornings & afternoons all week) Term 2: Minimum requirement 3 sessions Term 3: Minimum requirement 4 sessions Children starting on 2 sessions are expected to increase one session each term in order to build up slowly towards the Rising Reception session requirement. Children may be collected at 12.00, or stay for

5

lunch and be collected at 1.30, or do a full day until 3.30pm. Stay & Play is available until 6.00pm each day RISING RECEPTION (3-4 years) Term 1: Minimum requirement 6 sessions

(5 mornings and one afternoon or 4 mornings and 2 afternoons) We encourage you to send your child every morning in order to benefit from the numeracy and phonics taught in these sessions. Maximum 10 sessions (Full day all week)

Term 2: Minimum requirement 7 sessions Term 3: Minimum requirement 8 sessions Children should increase sessions gradually so they are ready for full time attendance in Reception Children can be collected at 12.00, or stay for lunch and be collected at 1.30, or do a full day until 3.30pm. Stay & Play is available until 6.00pm each day. RECEPTION (4-5 years) Reception children attend school full time YEAR 1 and 2 (5-7 years) Children attend school full time WRAPAROUND CARE Early Birds 7.45-8.30 Nursery through to Year 2 Stay and Play: 3.30-6.00 Nursery through to Year 2 Supercamps is available at Glenesk during the holidays www.supercamps.co.uk. Bookings for 2/3 year olds should be made by calling 01235 467300

6

SCHOOL UNIFORM Nursery and Rising Reception: Glenesk blue sweatshirt White Glenesk polo shirt Navy tracksuit bottoms or leggings Or navy shorts or skirt Gingham lunch overall Navy socks or navy tights Glenesk School coat Sensible black or blue school shoes with no laces

Reception to Year 2: Full school uniform and sports kit School Uniform is available from Alley Katz in Hersham. Orders may be made at the shop or on-line: www.alleykatz.co.uk OUTDOOR LEARNING AND PLAYTIME All children should have wellington boots and navy waterproof trousers in school every day All uniform should be clearly named KIT BAGS 3 school sports bags are required BLUE P.E. kit for ALL children (this bag is used for spare

clothes in the Nursery, plus nappies, wipes, creams and comforters if appropriate and then for gym kit from Rising Reception)

GREEN Trainers – for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 YELLOW Swimming kit – for Nursery (from Age 3) Rising

Reception, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 JEWELLERY AND WATCHES No jewellery, including facial jewellery, is permitted in school. Children in Year 2 may wear a watch, which must be clearly named.

7

THE SCHOOL DAY 7.45am School opens for Earlybirds 8.30am School Gate Opens 8.55am School bell and school gates are closed. Registration in classrooms.

9.00am Assembly 9.20am Lessons commence 10.30am Break Time and snack 11.00am Lessons resume 12 noon Nursery and Rising Reception morning sessions end 12.00pm Nursery & Rising Reception lunch 12.25pm Lunch: Rec, Years 1&2, followed by breaktime 13.30pm Nursery/Rising Reception after lunch collection

Afternoon lessons begin 15.30pm School ends for Nursery, Rising Reception and

Reception 15.30pm Stay and Play begins 15.45pm School ends for Year 1 and Year 2 15.45pm Clubs 16.30pm Pick up from After School Clubs 18.00pm Stay and Play ends

8

REGISTRATION AND LATE ARRIVALS

• On arrival children move to their classrooms for registration

• Nursery children are dropped off and picked up at the Nursery door

• After 8.55am children should enter via the school office so the register may be amended

EARLYBIRDS

• Earlybirds begin at 7.45am

• There is nominal charge per individual session or paying a termly fee will enable your child to attend Early Birds whenever you choose

• Classrooms are open from 8.30am STAY AND PLAY

• Stay and Play is open from 3.30pm to 6.00pm and is open to all children

• High Tea is at 4.30pm

Charging periods

3.30 - 6.00pm 3.30 – 4.30pm

4.30 – 5.00pm

4.30 – 6.00pm

Charges for each session will be shown in the app upon booking CLUBS Clubs are available for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 both before and at the end of the school day

• Activities vary termly

• Some clubs are offered by our Glenesk staff and others by independent specialists

• Costs vary between clubs dependent on the activity – sign-up will take place on our new school app to be launched before September

9

ASSEMBLIES Whole school Assemblies for Reception, Year 1 and 2 take place every day of the school week. Rising Reception children attend on Fridays Monday Mrs Bradley’s Assembly Tuesday Class teacher’s Assembly Wednesday Miss Powell’s (Deputy Head) Assembly

Thursday Mrs Philpot’s (Music teacher) – singing Assembly

Friday Mrs Bradley’s Star Awards’ Assembly

HEALTHY EATING Snack at Break Time Children are offered

• milk or water at break time

• a piece of fruit

• vegetable pieces

• protein snack

Water during the day All children must bring in their own named water bottle and are encouraged to drink water during the school day. Lunch We provide a healthy, well balanced lunch at school each day

• Termly menus are displayed on the school notice board and on the school website

• We pride ourselves in removing processed sugar from the school diet wherever possible

10

COMMUNICATION Good communication is a two way process and vital to the happiness and success of the school. The School Secretarial staff The School Office staff are always happy to help with any queries, no matter how trivial they may seem. Appointments with the Headmistress and Class teachers

• Appointments may be made through the school office

• Please be aware that pick up and drop off times are not appropriate for anything other than very short conversations with class teachers

• Teachers e-mail addresses are available although it is preferable to call the office with any emergency messages or to make an appointment to see staff for a longer discussion

Cognita Connect

• Glenesk uses our Cognita Connect mobile phone App to convey general messages to the parent body as a whole via the app or via email.

• It is also used in case of school emergencies such as closure due to bad weather

The School Calendar

• The School calendar will keep you in touch with each term’s forthcoming events.

• It is normally available on the app at the end of the previous term, to help you plan.

The Glenesk Newsletter

• The weekly newsletter will be emailed to you at the end of each week and it will keep you informed about school activities and any forthcoming events.

11

Class Timetables

• Class timetables are sent out at the beginning of each term by the class teacher

• It will help you keep in touch with your child’s busy week ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL Absence due to illness

• Please telephone school before 9.30am if your child is unable to attend due to illness

• This information will be passed on to your child’s class teacher and the School Register will be marked accordingly

• Government guidelines now advise that your child should not return to school for at least 48hrs if they have had a temperature, diarrhoea & vomiting, or are clearly unwell.

Absence for other reasons

• Permission for absence from school for reasons other than illness may be granted in exceptional circumstances

• It is a legal requirement that the Headmistress’ consent be obtained for any absence, except those for routine medical appointments

• Written requests for a child to be granted absence during term time should be sent to the Headmistress. An absence form is available from the school office

The Business Manager Financial aspects of the school are run by Megha Rajani, our Business Manager

• Parents of 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to receive the Government Nursery Grant (15 hours)

12

PASTORAL CARE We take pride in our pastoral care.

• We encourage good behaviour, good manners and self respect

• We learn how to make friends and how to be a good friend SUPERVISION Children are supervised by the correct ratio of staff throughout the day

• They are encouraged to tell the teacher if something has upset them

COLLECTION FROM SCHOOL Children are handed over to their parent/carer at the end of each day by their class teacher

• If children are to be collected by anyone other than their parents or known carer, please inform the class teacher in writing. Children will not be released to an unknown adult.

MEDICATION

• Should a child need to take prescribed medicines during the school day, the medicine must be given to the School Office with full written instructions for administration

• A medical form must be filled out. Forms are available from the School Office

• Non-prescription medicine is not allowed to be administered in school.

The school must be informed and a school protocol initiated if a child has a life threatening allergy. FIRST AID AND OTHER STAFF TRAINING Staff at Glenesk attend termly training sessions on a broad range of topics from Child Protection and Safeguarding to Teaching and Learning methodology

• Full time staff are trained in First Aid

13

THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS THE EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE Nursery, Rising Reception and Reception are called “The Early Years”. They follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum.

• Staff formally observe each child to assess their progress against developmental and educational milestones

• These observations are recorded on “Tapestry”, our Assessment and recording programme and these are emailed to parents to keep you in touch with your child’s progress

• Nursery and Rising Reception parents will need to set up a password for Tapestry during the first week of term with their class teacher

THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM Year 1 and 2 are called Key Stage 1. They follow the National Curriculum. We use it as a base and a guideline

• Children are assessed on a termly basis by their class teacher to ensure we measure each child’s progress

Curriculum enrichment and Specialist teachers The Curriculum is further enriched by specialist teachers;

• Gymnastics

• PE and Games

• Music

• Dance and Drama

• Forest School

• Swimming

14

LEARNING SUPPORT/ABLE, GIFTED AND TALENTED Jenn Caverhill, our Special Educational Needs co-ordinator organises extra learning support when necessary

• This may be in the form of Speech Therapy or Occupational Therapy

• Parents are always fully consulted before any support takes place

• Teaching staff run weekly intervention groups for children needing support in Maths and English and for those who are deemed Able, Gifted and Talented.

HOMEWORK

• Homework begins with Reading. In Reception and sometimes in Rising Reception children bring home sets of letters to practise and later a Reading Book to read to a parent

• As they progress through school, homework may include, spellings, maths or a written piece of work. It is expected that children would complete homework with adult supervision

REPORTS and PARENTS’ EVENINGS Autumn Term: Parents’ Evening and short written report Spring Term: Parents’ Evening Summer Term: Full end of term written Report Information Evenings Each year, in the summer term, parents are invited to an Information Evening where the Form Teachers outline the curriculum and daily routine for the new school year. SCHOOL TRIPS and OUTINGS Children from Reception, Years 1 & 2 usually go on at least one outing each term, in addition visitors with particular interests eg: the rainforest, wildlife centre and various professional parents come into school to support the topics within the curriculum

• Consent for travel is given when parents sign the Acceptance form / Parents’ Terms & Conditions on entry to Glenesk

15

THE SCHOOL SITE SECURITY Our school is a secure site

• After 9am the only entry is through the main door

• CCTV cameras are strategically situated around the school grounds.

PARKING Car parking and traffic management is run by our Caretaker, David Morrison. Parents are asked to follow his instructions to ensure the smooth running of the school forecourt

• Parents should drive at 5mph and take great care when entering the school forecourt

• Please ensure engines are turned off on the forecourt

• Parking is restricted to three rows of parked cars allowing for a ‘freeflow’ lane directly in front of the ‘drop off zone’ and pedestrian walkway

• Pupils in Reception, Years 1 & 2 should be dropped off at the school gate to walk into school independently

• When delivering or collecting children, please park with respect for our neighbours and show consideration to other parents, especially if you are parking for any length of time

DISABILITY ACCESS The school office should be informed if any visitor to the school has specific requirements for disabled access.

16

HOLIDAY PROVISION

• Our Holiday Club provision is run by Supercamps who work with our highly qualified Glenesk staff to provide a multi activity holiday camp for all our children from age 2 upwards.

• Holiday provision is available for the whole school during every half term and school holiday

• Places may be booked via Supercamps(www.supercamps.co.uk)

• Bookings for 2/3 year olds should be made by calling Supercamps on 01235 467300). A member of Glenesk Nursery staff will be on site each day.

PERSONAL INFORMATION DATA PROTECTION All personal data is kept secure in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and to ensure that all relevant legal obligations of the school are complied with PARENTAL INFORMATION Your address, telephone number and email address

• Parents are requested to update their personal information each year to ensure that all addresses and telephone numbers are current

17

CHILDREN’S INFORMATION It is important to keep the school updated with your child’s details especially medical information as this can change from year to year Photographs and filming

• Parents who do not wish their child’s photograph/image to appear in any promotional material must inform the school

• Filming/Photograph taking is permitted at school plays and other school events but must be for personal use only and should not be placed on any social media sites.

SOLVING PROBLEMS Problems may arise at any time and can usually be resolved by rapid and clear communication between school and parents. Please contact us if you are concerned in any way about your child’s welfare or progress. We are very proud of our record of care and we make every effort to see that no problem is left unsolved for longer than necessary, however a copy of our Complaints Procedure is available on the school website. SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES School policies and procedures are available on the school website: www.gleneskschool.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming

you to Glenesk School

18

19

Useful contact details

Headteacher

Sarah Bradley

admin@gleneskschool.co.uk

01483 282329

School Office

Chantal Ingham

admin@gleneskschool.co.uk

01483 282329

Bursar

Megha Rajani

Megha.Rajani@gleneskschool.co.uk

Marketing Manager

Emily Collins

marketing@gleneskschool.co.uk

20

Glenesk at play