Parent Handbook

Here at South Hiendley, we operate an open door policy.  Besides parent evenings, if you have any worries or concerns, please do come and see us because we can help and we are always pleased to see you. However, we do request that unless it is absolutely essential, teachers are seen at the end rather than the start of the School day to avoid disruption to lessons.

Each class has a ‘Meet the Teacher’ meeting at the beginning of each academic year to outline:

• Homework expectations
• Class rules
• Curriculum content
• Planned educational visits
• Information about upcoming formal assessments

School meals are served on the premises served from our School kitchen. The meals are served in the Dining Room on a cafeteria basis which allows some choice. Special dietary requirements e.g. due to cultural, religious or medical needs can be catered for by special arrangement.

• Children can bring sandwiches, although no facilities exist for warming food brought in, or for chilling food, except in exceptional circumstances.
• Water is provided to drink in the dining room or clear flavoured water from the children’s own water bottles can be drunk straight after lunch.

• For your convenience we off several payment methods on Schoolgrid. Either sign up to Direct Debit or pay by credit/debit card.  Setting up a direct debit couldn’t be easier.  Just log in, head to the ‘Account’ section, select ‘Direct Debit’ and enter the details required.
• In the event of a child being absent for whatever reason and an Academy meal not being ordered, the money will be carried forward to the following day/week.
• As staffing of the dining room is subject to the number of children having School meals we ask that, once a decision to have School meals or sandwiches has been made, you stay with that decision for at least half a term.

• If your child / children are entitled to free School meals please inform the School, in the strictest confidence whether or not you wish to take up the option. Application forms for assistance for School meals are available from the School office.
• Children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 are all entitled to universal free school meals. However, parents/carers are still encouraged to apply for free School meals based on eligibility even if their child is in Reception, Year 1 and 2 as the School can then benefit from additional funding for these pupils, which helps with the School’s funding.

• The School promotes healthy eating. Children are not allowed to bring sweets, chocolate or drinks other than water, which can be flavoured still water.
• The School is also part of the government’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, which provides a piece of fruit or vegetable for every child in Nursery and Key Stage one each day. Children in Key Stage 2 are encouraged to bring fruit to eat during morning break.
• Children are also strongly encouraged to drink water and will need a water bottle each day. Please encourage children to bring their bottle home each evening in order for it to be thoroughly washed.

In our School, we aim to provide, for all partners:

We believe that children should feel a sense of ‘belonging’ to our Academy and that they should wear their uniform with pride. We also think that children should feel equal, and a School uniform contributes to this.  Having a uniform also clearly states what the governors, staff and parents feel to be appropriate clothing for the School.

It also helps to clearly identify pupils when travelling to or from the School on School visits – a positive safety factor. It is an expectation that all children wear the official School logo jumper/cardigan and a requirement when representing the School on official visits. Our School uniform is detailed in our parent handbook below.

Please read all the information carefully and feel free to contact us on 01266 711485 or        SH-Enquiries@ipmat.co.uk  if you have any further questions.

For more information about South Hiendley Primary School – please feel free to have a browse of our website.