Policies
ORGANISATION
Admission Policy
If you wish your child to be admitted to Cam Hopton Church of England Primary School, you are invited to place your child's name on the School's admission list. Please note that the date of registration of your child's name on the school's admission list confers no priority.
If there are more applications than places, the Governors have agreed the following order of priority for admission.
1. Children in Care (Looked after Children).
2. Children who will have sibblings attending the school when the younger child is admitted.
3. Children who have at least one parent who, over at least two years prior to admission, has been committed to the worshipping life of either St George's Church, Upper Cam or St Bartholomew's Church, Lower Cam i.e. has attended the principle act of worship on a Sunday at least once a month on average during the two years prior to consideration of the application. In the event that the parents have attended either of the above churches for less than 2 years because they have recently moved to the area they should also submit the name and address of their previous parish priest.
4. Children with the strongest geographical claim, measured in a direct line. This will generally be nearness to the school, but may be how easy or difficult it would be for a child to get to an alternative school.
Additional Notes
Under the new coordinated admission arrangements the places will be offered by the Local Education Authority on behalf of the Governors.
If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a place for your child in this school you have a legal right to appeal. If you wish to exercise this right, appeal forms are available from the Head Teacher, and must be returned to the Head Teacher by the last working day in May. Appeals are heard by a panel independent of the school. Information on these arrangements may be obtained from the school.
Admission Procedures
In the Spring Term of each year the LEA determine the intake for the following school year. The standard admission number is currently 30.
Parents, who are new to the district or who are considering sending their children to the school, are asked to contact the Head Teacher to arrange a visit. Parents of children due to start school are invited, during the term prior to the child's admission, to a general meeting with the Head Teacher and Infants' staff, and they have the opportunity of seeing around the school and their child's future classroom. Children, who are new to the Reception Class, attend school for at least one session on a pre-school visit. The school has a policy of initial part-time education on a staggered basis, which is one that has been found to benefit both the school and the children.
School Times
School hours are from 8.45 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
The school cannot accept responsibility for children before 8.35 a.m.
School starts 8.45a.m. Afternoon starts 1.00 p.m.
Break (Infants) 10.25 - 10.40 a.m. Break (Juniors) 10.50-11.05 a.m.
Lunch (Infants) 11.50 a.m. Lunch (Juniors) 12.05 p.m.
School Ends (Infants) 3.00 p.m. School Ends (Juniors) 3.05 p.m.
Lunch Arrangements
No hot meals are available in school. children bring sandwiches, and should have a suitable container and a drink, which should be in a non glass container. Fizzy drinks and drinks in tins are not allowed. Children entitled to free meals have a packed lunch sent in daily. Meals are supervised by a member of staff and mid day supervisory assistants.
Milk
The provision of milk for mid morning break is organised by the Cam Hopton Association. The current cost per day is 16p and this has to be paid half termly in advance.
School Uniform - The items marked with an asterisk can be purchased from the following site:
Juniors Infants
School sweatshirt/Cardigan* School sweatshirt/Cardigan*
White polo shirt/White school shirt* White polo shirt/White school shirt*
Grey trousers Grey trousers/Jogging bottoms
Grey skirt/Pinafore dress Grey skirt/Pinafore dress
Flat black/navy shoes Flat black/navy shoes
Blue and white dress (summer only) Grey shorts(not PE shorts) (summer only)
Blue and white dress (summer only)
PE Kit
White T shirt*
Navy PE shorts*
Black daps (not trainers)
Children are not permitted to bring valuables or wear jewellery to school. Children with pierced ears must only wear studs and be able to remove and replace them for all Physical Education activities (including swimming).
Emergencies
First Aid equipment is kept throughout the school and a member of staff is trained in First Aid Procedure. Please ensure that the School Office is made aware of your telephone number at home and at work, or an alternative method of contacting a parent should the occasion arise. In adverse weather conditions, the school may have to be closed because of breakdown of heating, frozen pipes etc. Sudden closure will be communicatied via local radio (Radio Gloucestershire (104.7FM), Severn Sound (102.4 FM), and Star Radio (107.2FM and 107.9FM).
Absences
Parents are required to notify the school of their child's absence initially by telephone, with confirmation in writing when the child returns to school. At present the law allows parents to have 10 school calendar days a year when their child can be away on holiday. (Absence forms are available from the office). If your child has to leave school early for any reason, please inform the class teacher in advance and make sure the child is signed out at the school office. No child should leave the school premises during school hours unless accompanied by a parent or authorised adult.
The school recorded the following rates of absence in 2005.
Authorised Absences: 4.9% Unauthorised Absences: 0.1%
Transfer to Secondary School
At the end of your child's fourth year in the Junior Department he will be prepared for moving to secondary school. In the majority of cases this is Rednock School, but parents have the right to express a preference for a school other than Rednock.
Children will leave the close and secure atmosphere of this primary school, where the class teacher knows them very well indeed, for a much larger school where they are likely to meet several teachers in a day.
Staff from Rednock School visit the school regularly throughout the year to get to know the Year 6 children, give them information about Rednock and to discuss any matters of transfer with the Year 6 staff and Head Teacher. The children spend a day at their new school, and an evening meeting is arranged where parents are invited to visit Rednock School to meet the Head and First Year staff. Before transferring, children will complete a Verbal Reasoning Test - the results of which are made available to Rednock School as are the results of the end of Key Stage Assessments (SATs). Other details of the arrangements for transfer to secondary school are sent to parents during the Autumn Term of their child's final year in this primary school.
PASTORAL CARE
Discipline
School rules are kept to a minimum, but those we have we expect the children to adhere to. This is for their own safety and welfare and the smooth running of the school.
We seek to promote a positive attitude towards both behaviour and work , and our ultimate aim is that of self discipline and self motivation.
Children who do not conform to the expected standards are dealt with firmly, but fairly, and in consultation with the parents if this is considered necessary.
Individual and Team Awards
To encourage positive attitudes the school operates a system of weekly awards. Certificates are awarded by the class teachers.
In addition the pupils are divided into teams, Edward Jenner, Francis Hopton, William Tyndale and Robert Lister. Team points are awarded to individual pupils for good performance, academic or social, and the Team shield is awarded to the team with the highest total at the end of the week. All presentations take place in over Collective worship on Monday and Friday mornings.
Health Care
Regular visits are made to the school by both the School Doctor and School Nurse. All new children have a medical in their first term and older children may also be medically examined at the request of their parents. Parents are asked to be present during these medicals. Once a year the School nurse checks the sight of children in Years 1 & 6. A dental inspection is also carried out each year. Parents may then decide whether they wish the school dentist to treat any problems, or refer the matter to the family dentist.
Medicines in school
If a child brings medicine to school it MUST be sent to the SCHOOL OFFICE, clearly marked with details of when it is to be given to the child. At no time should children be in possession of tablets or medicine.
It is important that the school is kept fully informed of any changes or developments in a child's medical condition. Not only may their performance be affected, but we may need to take precautions in certain cases, such as asthma, epilepsy, allergies etc.
CHARGING POLICY FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
School Visits
1. Day Visits
For visits occurring during school time, including swimming, the school will invite a voluntary contribution from parents to meet the costs. For visits outside school time parents will be charged for all allowable costs.
Allowable costs include:
a. The pupils travel and subsistence costs.
b. Non-teaching staff.
c. Costs of teaching staff where separately engaged under contract for services for the visit or activity.
d. Entrance fees to museums, castles, theatres etc.
e. Insurance costs.
Charges may be waived or reduced for children whose parents make application to the Head Teacher.
2. Residential visits during school time
The school will invite voluntary contributions from parents to meet costs other than children's board and lodgings. Parents will be charged the full cost of children's board and lodgings. Charges may be waived or reduced for children whose parents make an application to the Head Teacher.
Instrumental Tuition
For any tuition provided during school hours parents are expected to pay for the hire of the musical instrument and for tuition. The charge is waived for instrument hire in respect of children whose parents are in receipt of Income Support or Family Credit.
Classroom Materials
No charge will be made for materials or equipment. However for certain practical activities (technology, cookery etc.) parents may be invited to provide materials or ingredients on a voluntary basis. Where parents would like to possess the finished product, the school reserves the right to charge the cost or require the supply of the necessary materials.