Your child is about to start life at King’s Ely Acremont and you will naturally have questions about the routines they will have in school and what will be required both of your child and of you as their parents. This handbook is designed to provide answers to some of these questions and to give you day to day information which will help both you and your child to settle in easily. However, please contact the school if you have any questions which have not been addressed here.
Within the caring environment of King’s Ely Acremont children are taught to work and play together in a safe and secure setting where the values of co-operation and self-discipline are encouraged. Children learn what behaviour is appropriate and to appreciate and respect the feelings of others. Although expectations are high, the children learn in an atmosphere of adventure and enjoyment. A generous staff to pupil ratio ensures that each child receives the personal attention they require.
Faye Fenton-Stone Head
School aims and objectives
The aims of King’s Ely
Energy, Courage, Integrity
In the context of a secure, stable yet dynamic environment, rooted in Christian values, King’s Ely aims:
1) To provide and maintain a culture of integrity and trust in which childhood and youth are honoured and people of all races, faiths and backgrounds feel valued and respected;
2) To promote self-knowledge and develop skills for life through an open-minded approach to education;
3) In every context to provoke high expectation, strong self-esteem, and high achievement;
4) To meet individual needs be they educational or pastoral and to allow each pupil to find a voice;
5) To cherish the heritage and history of our city and our school and to live the truths for which they stand;
6) To promote personal and social responsibility for self, the school, and for our local and wider communities;
7) To seek and embrace the challenges and opportunities life presents thereby enhancing personal development and leadership skills;
8) To foster creativity and independence of mind and incite a continuing love of learning.
The objectives of King’s Ely Acremont
The Spirit of King’s Ely
We believe that part of what makes our school a happy and rewarding place to learn and work in are the manners and mindfulness we demonstrate in our relationships each day.
Our rules are simple and place kindness and consideration at the heart of what we do. At King’s Ely there is an acceptance that we are all different, each of us shines at something and that we all need support at times.
At King’s Ely Acremont, we show our Spirit by:
• Helping each other and showing kindness to all;
• Not leaving people out or permitting any unkindness to go on;
• Working hard with all of our teachers and parents;
• Always trying our very best;
• Showing respect for those with different experiences;
• Valuing all members of our community equally;
• Working hard in support of charities;
• Making time for each other;
• Behaving well and showing respect to each other and visitors;
• Showing politeness and good manners at all times. Little things go a long way...
We hold doors open for adults and each other, we stand when a guest enters a room, we look people in the eye and greet them with a smile, we say “hello” when we see one another for the first time each day, we speak up if something is wrong, we do what we say we are going to do, we show courage when we feel challenged and we celebrate successes together...
...our actions speak louder than our words.
Golden Friendship Rules
Our ‘Golden Friendship Rules’ were chosen by pupils and created by the pupil Acremont School Council. They remind the children as they play and learn to be kind and considerate within our community and include...
All general enquiries should be directed to: Victoria Lever (Secretary) on 01353 660514 or VictoriaLever@kingsely.org
More specific enquiries can be directed to:
Head of King’s Ely Acremont: FayeFentonStone@kingsely.org
King’s Ely Prep and Senior Schools
Address: Barton Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4DB
Head of Prep School: Simon Kibler – SimonKibler@kingsely.org
General enquiries at Prep School: Heidi Jackson on 01353 660934 or heidijackson@kingsely.org
Head of Senior School: Jonathan Shaw – JonathanShaw@kingsely.org
Vice Principal (Academic) Senior School: Jane Thomas – JaneThomas@kingsely.org
General enquiries at Senior School: 01353 660500 or Reception@kingsely.org
Whole School
Principal: John Attwater
Main switchboard: 01353 660700 or Enquiries@kingsely.org
School website: www.kingsely.org
IT and database queries: Marc Hawes on 01353 660700 or MarcHawes@kingsely.org
Account queries: Fees@kingsely.org
Medical Centre: MedicalCentre@kingsely.org or 01353 662225
Admissions: Nick Tappin on 01353 660703 or NickTappin@kingsely.org
External Agencies
Independent Schools Inspectorate: 020 7600 0100
Term Dates 2024-25
Michaelmas Term 2024
King’s Ely Acremont Term Begins and Nursery Opens 2nd September 2024
Fairstead House Term begins 2nd September 2024
Orientation Day for Pupils+ 2nd September 2024
All other King’s Ely pupils return to school 3rd September 2024
Exeat Weekend* 28th September & 29th September 2024
Mid-term holiday begins 18th October 2024
Mid-term holiday ends 4th November 2024
Exeat Weekend* 23rd & 24th November 2024
Term ends 13th December 2024
Nursery Closes 20th December 2024
Lent Term 2025
King’s Ely & Fairstead House Term begins 6th January 2025
Nursery Opens 6th January 2025
Mid-term holiday begins 14th February 2025
Mid-term holiday ends 24th February 2025
Term ends 28th March 2025
Nursery Remains Open 28th March 2025
Nursery closed on 18th April and 21st April 2025 for Easter
Summer Term 2025
King’s Ely & Fairstead House Term begins 23rd April 2025
Exeat Weekend* 3rd & 4th May 2025
May Day 5th May 2025
Mid-term holiday begins 23rd May 2025
Mid-term holiday ends 2nd June 2025
Term ends 3rd July 2025
Nursery Closes* 8th August 2025
All dates with an * are currently draft dates +Pupils’ Orientation Day
Orientation Day is for the following pupils:
• All new pupils joining King’s Ely Year 4 upwards;
• All pupils who will be in Year 7, Year 9, Year 11 (one year International programme) and Year 12;
• All School Prefects to assist Staff with Pupils’ Orientation Day.
School hours
Monday to Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm Wrap around care is available from 8.00am – 6.00pm
Arrival at school
School opens at 8.30am and children may arrive at school from that time. All children should be in school by 9.00am. This allows the children time to unpack and settle in before assembly.
We have staggered timings at the beginning and end of the day to reduce congestion and encourage a calm start to the day. Reception children should arrive between 08.30-08.40, Year 1 from 08.40-8.50 and Year 2 from 08.50-9.00.
Mobile telephones
The use of your mobile telephone, or any electronic device that can record images, is strictly prohibited whilst you are on school premises.
Car parking
Please note that there is very limited car parking available at the school. If you are a parent of a Nursery child/children, there are a limited number of car parking spaces to the left hand side of the drive where you can park and take your child/children into Nursery. You are able to use these spaces if you have a child/children in Nursery and also in Pre-Prep. If this is the case, parents tend to settle their child into PrePrep first and then walk around to Nursery.
If you do not have a child in Nursery, and you need to drive to school, we kindly ask that you either use car gate or park off the school premises and walk your child/children into school via walking gate.
Car gate
Pre-Prep children can be dropped off directly from your car using car gate. Parents drive up to the front door of the school where the Head and a Custodian will be on duty to help your child/children out of your car and escort them safely into school. You are allowed to pull into the main school driveway from 08.25. If there is a queue you are able to join this up until the point when the driveway is full. After this point we politely ask you to drive past, around the block and back in through the entrance when there is space for your car on the driveway. This is to avoid cars queuing on the road and blocking the entrance to the fire station.
Please note there is a 2mph speed limit on the school driveway.
Cycling
If you are cycling into school please dismount before entering the school grounds and use the entrance access to the school, not the exit access (both of these are clearly marked). The cycle shed is located to the left hand side of the school, next to the side gate entrance. Please park your bicycle here and walk your child/children into school through the side entrance gate and enter the school through the back door, which will be open from 8.30am.
Walking gate
If you are walking your child into school, please use the walking gate entrance to the left hand side of the main driveway. Parents walking their children into school should enter the school premises via the walking gate entrance and not the main driveway entrance, for their own safety. After you have entered the school through the walking gate entrance please walk across the Nursery playground and Acremont garden to the back entrance of the school, which will be open from 8.30am.
Please note that walking gate will be unlocked from 08.30 to 09.00 and from 15.35 to 16.00.
If you need to gain access to Nursery between these times, please ring the bell next to the gate or call in to the school office.
Settling children into Pre-Prep
If you are using car gate, your child/children will be escorted by the Head and/or a Custodian into school and helped to put their coats and bags away and walk into their classroom.
For parents who are walking their children into school, we kindly ask that you encourage your child/ children to be as independent as possible as they start their school day, and say goodbye in the playground. Here, the children are greeted and welcomed in by a member of staff. Reception children are supported to be more independent and so they are ready to put their belongings away by themselves as the year progresses.
In our Reception classes, we host regular ‘step into the classroom’ experiences for parents to familiarise themselves with class routines.
Collection from school
We have a staggered end to the school day at Pre-Prep. Reception children can be collected from 3.303.40pm, Year 1 children from 3.40 - 3.50pm and Year 2 from 3.50 - 4.00pm. Those children not collected at these times will be placed in wrap around care and parents will be charged accordingly (please see page 10 for more details).
Collection of Pre-Prep children
Due to the limited number of car parking spaces at the school, parents are asked to either use walking gate (walk or cycle to the school or park off site and walk in) or use car gate. There is no capacity within the confines of the school car park for parents of Pre-Prep children to park their car and walk from the car park to collect their child/children from walking gate.
Walking gate is situated just outside the Nursery building behind the picket fence. Children are escorted from Pre-Prep by members of staff where their parents wait to receive them. From here, children can either use the walking gate side door to walk home or to walk to their car or through the side gate to the bike shed if they are cycling. Please note that no cycling is permitted on the driveway. Parents and children are asked to walk with their bicycle until they reach the exit of the driveway before mounting.
If using car gate, Pre-Prep children can be collected directly from the school front door. Parents are asked to pull up to the front door of the school where a member of staff will be on duty to help your child/ children into your car. To enable this system to operate as smoothly and quickly as possible, please remain in your car. Should your child not be able to strap themselves in, please pull over to allow other parents to pass. It is essential, to prevent long queues (which are both dangerous and an irritant to our neighbours), that parents do not arrive on the drive before 3.20pm. If there is a queue, you are able to join this up until the point when the driveway is full, after which time we politely ask you to drive past the entrance and round the block to avoid queuing on the road outside of the school.
If collecting by car, it is most helpful if the surname of the child/children being collected is clearly displayed, ideally on the sun visor, so that staff on duty can quickly identify the car. Patience is requested at all times on the drive, particularly as new parents and children familiarise themselves with procedures. It is also important that grandparents or anyone else collecting your child is briefed on the ‘collection’ system.
This system allows for parents who are driving to school to remain in their car and have their child brought to them.
Please be considerate to our neighbours at all times and note that parking at the Church opposite is for members of the congregation only.
School minibuses
The school operates a number of minibus routes into school for children from year 1 onwards. At present there are three routes to and from Acremont: Newmarket/Dalham area, Huntingdon and Cambridge. If you are interested or would like more information please contact Andreas Elia in the first instance on: 01353 660700 or AndreasElia@kingsely.org.
Reporting absence and changes to drop off and pick up arrangements
If your child is unable to come to school because they are sick, or for any other reason, please let the school know as soon as possible by contacting Victoria Lever, either by phone or email using the contact details at the beginning of this booklet. Parents can also report any absences via the Parent Portal.
At the start of term we ask parents of Pre-Prep children to let the class teacher know how their child/ children will be collected from school by writing this information into their school planner. Any daily alterations to collection routines can also be recorded in the school planner but should also be communicated directly to Victoria Lever.
After school clubs
A wide range of after school clubs are on offer to the children in King’s Ely Acremont, starting at 15.30 and finishing at 16.00. Typically, over the year, these would include forest school, science, programming skills, board games, recorders, dance, book club, tag rugby, football, golf, tennis and cricket. There is a charge for clubs run by external providers.
Wrap Around Care
The school operates a comprehensive wrap around care service for you and your child/children, as detailed below. Charges for wrap around care are added to your fee account in arrears.
Breakfast Club (08.00-08.30)
Should you need to drop your child off earlier than 08.30, they can be looked after at Breakfast Club from 08.00. The club is held in the KEA Hall and breakfast is available until 08.20. The children are supervised by staff and are taken over to the school building by them for 08.30. When dropping off for Breakfast Club please park in the area to the left hand side of the school, which is normally designated for Nursery parents, and walk your child into the school hall.
Regular and occasional bookings for Breakfast Club can be made online at the King’s Ely website (www. kingsely.org) – click on the School Portal’s tab within the menu and then KEA and KEAN wrap around care. However, if you require Breakfast Club at the last minute please bring your child/children along to the KEA Hall on the day and we will almost certainly be able to accommodate you.
The charge for Breakfast Club (including breakfast) is listed on the school website under Fees and Charges.
After School Care
There are a variety of options available to help accommodate those parents who cannot collect between 15.30 and 15.45. They are:
Late Stay: 15.30 – 16.00
Owls: 16.00 – 17.00
Nightingales: 17.00 – 18.00
Regular and occasional bookings for after-school care can be made online at the King’s Ely website (www.kingsely. org) - click on the School Portal’s tab within the menu and then KEA and KEAN wrap around care. However, if you require after-school care at the last minute please contact Victoria Lever, in the main office by 12.00 on the day.
Wrap around care information and changes to bookings can be made via: VictoriaLever@kingsely.org. Details of charges and late pick-up charges can be found on the Fees and Charges section of our website.
Holiday Club
A Holiday Club runs for specific weeks during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays and is open to children who attend KEA. Dates for these will be published on the website and in the weekly newsletter. The clubs are open to children from Reception to Year 2 and offer an exciting programme of creative and sporting activities.
Sessions run from 08.30-16.00 and may be booked on a daily or weekly basis. Children need to bring a change of clothes, their water bottle, wear suitable clothing, and apply sunscreen and sun hats when necessary. Bookings and details of charges can be found on the school website.
Security
The safety and security of your children is of paramount importance. All gates into the school are fitted with combination locks and the front door of school is locked at all times. All visitors wear badges for easy identification by staff and children. Should you be visiting the school at any time during the day, please use the front door and ring the bell to the left hand side of the door. The Pre-Prep building will be locked from 16.00.
School day
08.00 Breakfast Club opens
08.30 Children begin arriving at school
09.00 School assembly
10.30 Snack, followed by morning break
12.00 School lunches begin
12.30 Afternoon school starts
14.30 Snack followed by afternoon break
15.30 School day ends
18.00 After School provision ends
Assemblies
Assemblies are held every day (apart from Thursday) and provide a good opportunity for the whole school to come together. Weekly worship is led by the school Chaplain, and the Head of Vocal Studies leads a singing assembly each week.
Merit certificates, the singing, kindness and creativity cups are awarded in assembly, as is the much prized House Cup (see positive behaviour for more information). The Golden Crown is awarded to children to celebrate achievements in class.
We are always interested to hear about the children’s achievements outside of school and invite children to bring in any cups, certificates or medals so we can share these successes with the whole school during assembly.
Snacks
Before morning play the children will be offered a piece of fruit/vegetable with a different carbohydrate option each day alongside their water bottles. Before afternoon play the children will be given a piece of fruit and water.
Lunch
Lunches are cooked on the premises and served in the school hall. Each class teacher sits and eats with their class. Table manners, correct use of a knife and fork and social skills are encouraged, in addition to gentle encouragement to try new foods and eat a sustaining, healthy lunch. A range of dietary options are always available. Menus are displayed on the school website. Please advise us of any intolerance your child may have and ensure that this information is kept up to date.
Water bottles
Each child is supplied with a water bottle which should be taken in to school daily. This will be filled at the start of the day and children are encouraged to refill their water bottles during the day.
Lost property
Lost property is kept in the main office. Parents are invited to look for any items that your child/children may have mislaid. Please ensure that all items of uniform are clearly named as invariably named items find their way back to their owners much quicker.
The creative curriculum
Throughout King’s Ely Acremont, adventurous learning is inspired by teaching a varied and exciting creative curriculum. Creativity is often primarily associated with the arts (Music, Art, Dance and Drama) however, creativity is equally fundamental to advances in Science, Mathematics, Technology and all aspects of everyday life. Creativity can be defined as behaving imaginatively, with a purpose, and geared towards an objective whilst generating something original.
New terms in the Pre-Prep start with a ‘wow’ day to introduce a new topic: a stimulation that inspires curiosity and fires the children’s natural interest and enthusiasm. Learning is brought to life by hands-on experiences, visits from experts and carefully planned trips.
Learning Habits
Embedded within all of the learning at King’s Ely Acremont is the need to develop the skills that support and enhance our learning. We particularly focus on resilience, collaboration, curiosity, creativity and reflective learning. Creatures that depict these characteristics are regularly used during daily school life and are featured on this page.
Curriculum Evenings
Early in the Michaelmas Term parents are invited to a ‘Curriculum Evening’, when your child’s class teacher will explain the subjects being taught and the areas covered over the course of the year. As the curriculum is always evolving, it is important to attend these evenings. In addition to this, at the beginning of each term, a detailed curriculum summary is sent home, further explaining the areas of study for that term.
Reception
There are seven areas of learning and development that shape the educational programme in Reception. Three of these areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn and thrive. These are:
• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development
These ‘Prime Areas’ are strengthened and supported through four more ‘Specific Areas’, namely:
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design
In addition to these seven areas, Dance and Drama, French, Games, PE and Music are taught by specialist teachers.
From the start, the children in Reception are given ‘phoneme activities’ and each day a new sound is added. The sounds are sent home, allowing you to practise the sound of the day with your child. When reading, children will alternate between a word box and a book to read. Towards the end of Reception and in preparation for Year 1, children will be set an optional weekly homework task.
Chester the Cheetah
Buzzbee the Bee
Cara the Chameleon Otis the Owl
Years 1 and 2
An enhanced National Curriculum is taught in Years 1 and 2, however, it is delivered through the creative curriculum.
French, Dance and Drama, Music, Games and PE are taught by specialist teachers.
Children in Years 1 and 2 are encouraged to read to an adult each evening. In addition, weekly spellings are introduced, supporting the phonics teaching of the week, as well as weekly homework for Mathematics or other theme-related activities.
Trips and visits
We organise several school visits per year group across the academic year. These are designed to help the children develop skills and knowledge in relation to the topics being studied, acquire a basic understanding of our traditions, of the natural world and of the importance of other cultures. We will send you a Kingspost in advance, informing you all about every visit and whether it involves an extension to the normal length of the school day.
Recent trips and visits include a palaeontologist workshop, an immersive day in a Victorian classroom, an expedition to the Tower of London and an exciting trip to Banham Zoo.
PE and Swimming
Children are taught PE, Games and Dance by specialist teachers, in order to develop running, jumping, throwing and catching skills, as well as balance, agility and co-ordination. Children participate in simple team games, learning tactics for attacking and defending.
All children in Pre-Prep have swimming lessons during the Summer Term. The children are accompanied by their teachers, however, are taught by specialist swimming coaches.
Library
We have a well-stocked library which each class visits weekly. Children are able to choose a book each week which is then checked out electronically. Please help by ensuring that the book is returned before their next visit.
Music lessons
From Year 1, children are able to start individual music lessons with peripatetic music teachers from King’s Ely Prep and King’s Ely Senior School. These will normally take place during the school day in King’s Ely Acremont.
In Year 2, taster sessions for stringed instruments are arranged for the children and provide an excellent opportunity for them to try out the violin and cello.
Learning Support, Enrichment and Extension
At King’s Ely Acremont we aim to develop all children intellectually, socially and emotionally, and to provide them with a challenging and enriched curriculum. We foster a learning community in which knowledge is valued and talents are recognised, respected and celebrated. We endeavour to provide all pupils with appropriate enrichment and extension activities, and to give them the opportunity to develop skills and interests beyond the curriculum. Provision will be made for our emerging able pupils within the normal class teaching, and on occasions they may be provided with extra sessions to promote their individual skills and talents.
Although the classes are not set academically, differentiated Maths and English activities are taught within each class. At King’s Ely Acremont, our Learning Support department provides qualified specialist intervention to teach and support children with specific learning difficulties or those who are in need of a ‘catch up’. It may be appropriate for your child to receive this specialist help, in which case arrangements will be made for an initial assessment to be carried out. Following a meeting with parents, extra help with the Learning Support teacher may then be implemented. Support for teaching English as a second language and speech and language can be arranged as a privately funded arrangement.
Behaviour
Positive behaviour
At King’s Ely Acremont we believe that every child has the right to expect to be cared for, and to learn, in a supportive and safe environment. Every child has the right to feel liked and valued. We believe strongly in developing every child’s self-esteem, through a positive approach to the development of interpersonal skills, and through having a high expectation of behaviour. Kindness and consideration are central to our ethos and to our expectations. At King’s Ely Acremont positive behaviour is publicly recognised, and rewarded at every opportunity. Good manners, courtesy and consideration are of great importance and children are taught and reminded of these values in class ‘circle times’ and daily assemblies. A kindness cup for each year group is given out weekly in assembly, reminding the children of our high expectations of them. Merit certificates are given out regularly for a wide range of achievements, in both the classroom and around school.
Each child is welcomed into a school ‘house’ when they start at Pre-Prep (Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune and Mercury). Houses are a focus for creative, sporting and cultural activities, and house points are awarded for effort, achievement, kindness and courtesy in school.
Bullying
Bullying can be defined as repeated unwelcomed, detrimental and unwarranted behaviour and it is not tolerated in school. Should any incidents be reported, strategies would be put into place in class and in assemblies to tackle this (the behaviour policy is available on the school website).
Safeguarding (including child protection)
‘Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children’ is defined as:
• Protecting children from maltreatment;
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
• Ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm, including radicalisation, child sexual exploitation or female genital mutilation. The school policy sets out how the governing body discharges its statutory responsibilities relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are pupils at King’s Ely and applies to all staff (paid or unpaid), pupils (boarding pupils, day pupils and those in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)), parents, guardians and governors.
For more information please see the policy on the School website: Safeguarding policy (including child protection).
King’s Ely Designated Safeguarding Officers
Charlie Fisher, Deputy Head of Senior (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
01353 660591
Extension 3591
CharlieFisher@kingsely.org
John Attwater, Principal 01353 660701
Extension 3701
principal@kingsely.org
Faye Fenton-Stone, Head of Acremont 01353 660515
Extension 3515
FayeFentonStone@kingsely.org
Lucy Holden, Deputy Head of Early Years/ EAL and Equal Opportunities Co Ordinator 01353 660518
Extension 3518
LucyHolden@kingsely.org
Simon Kibler, Head of Prep (Prevent Lead) 01353 660732
Extension 3732
SimonKibler@kingsely.org
Heather Strudwick, Head of Early Years and Reception Class Teacher 01353 660515
Extension 3515
HeatherStrudwick@kingsely.org
Harriet Gervasio, Deputy Head of Acremont 01353 660519
Extension 3519
HarrietGervasio@kingsely.org
Communicating with Parents
Reporting takes place in the following ways:
Informal discussions – The Head and staff will always be happy to discuss any problems or queries you may have. However, first thing in the morning is not always the best time to catch a teacher who is welcoming their class into school. A note in the planner or an email is the best way to convey nonurgent information. For a more serious concern, please contact Victoria Lever to arrange a meeting with either your child’s class teacher or the Head.
Parents’ Evenings take place once each term. Appointments are booked via an online form, details of which will be provided by the school secretary.
Written Reports are sent out at the end of the Summer Term. In Reception, an interactive online journal enables you to access information regarding your child’s progress. You will be able to access their school portfolio, their achievements and learning aspirations.
Information Evenings – Speakers are invited to present on relevant topics such as e-safety, phonics awareness and supporting transitions. These are held in the hall and refreshments are served. Dates for these can be found in the Almanack and reminders are given in the weekly newsletter.
‘At Homes’ – These are casual, coffee mornings, giving you a chance to meet other parents in your child’s year group and provide an opportunity for parents to chat to Faye Fenton-Stone. The dates for these are in the Almanack and, again, reminders are given in the weekly newsletter.
The importance of our school’s electronic communication system, Kingspost, cannot be over emphasised. We try to send these messages out on Fridays; however, should a club have to be cancelled or a last minute trip planned, we would advise you in this way.
An Almanack of events for the term is distributed before the beginning of each term, giving you essential information about the term’s events and activities, as well as future holiday dates. We recommend that you read through this carefully, highlighting the relevant items for King’s Ely Acremont.
Weekly newsletters are sent electronically on a Friday evening informing you of future events and arrangements, as well as providing highlights of the children’s learning for the week. It is very important that you read these newsletters, as most of our communications are conveyed in this way.
The Curriculum Evening, in the Michaelmas Term, is an opportunity to find out about the topics being covered in the year and also the routines and expectations of the class.
Each child has a planner, which allows for brief daily communication between parents and the class teacher. It also acts as a reading record for your child.
Email – Staff check their emails at the beginning and end of the day. Please be aware that emails are unlikely to be responded to in the daytime; however, we aim to respond to all emails within 24 hours. Email addresses are at the back of this booklet.
The school website (www.kingsely.org) – This is frequently updated, and you will find school policies on the site.
Change of personal circumstances – Parents should notify Victoria Lever of any change in personal circumstances, to add or amend email addresses, telephone numbers or emergency contact numbers.
Cathedral Services – You will see in the Almanack that there is a whole school Cathedral service at the beginning and end of each term. You are very welcome to attend these services; however, the end of year service on the penultimate day of the Summer Term is specifically for Acremont children and families.
King’s Ely Acremont Nursery
We have an outstanding Nursery at King’s, accommodating children from the age of two to four years old. There are different options available to Nursery parents which include a term-time only offering as well as a full year (provision for 47 weeks of the year). If you have a younger child of Nursery age, please do come and have a look around.
FoKSE
The Friends of King’s Ely (FoKSE) is an association embracing all those with an interest in the school who wish it well – former and current parents, staff and pupils, and anyone who would like to support our aims. FoKSE was started in January 2006 with the aim of enhancing the educational experience of King’s Ely pupils by harnessing the resources of our membership.
FoKSE activities include:
• supporting new parents via a parental network;
• celebrating pupils’ charitable efforts through the FoKSE awards;
• supporting the school with various initiatives including pupil career development;
• and arranging the very popular Historic Buildings tours to which local groups are invited.
The committee organise events where friends can meet and enjoy each other’s company and promote good community relations between the school and its neighbours.
They offer support to new parents via a strong network of parent representatives. FoKSE contact new parents prior to their children starting King’s Ely to welcome and advise them so that they settle into the King’s Ely community with ease. A representative from Acremont, Prep School or Senior School should be in touch with you prior to your child starting at King’s to answer any questions you may have.
For your FoKSE representative details please contact FoKSE@kingsely.org.
Health
In cases of illness, please ensure that your child remains at home until they are completely recovered, as infections are easily spread in school. In cases of diarrhoea or sickness, when accompanied by a high temperature and or repeated, this must be 48 hours after cessation before your child returns to school. The school medical staff have stressed the importance of keeping the school updated with any relevant information relating to your child’s health. This is particularly important with regard to infectious diseases, immunisation, vaccinations and lengthy medical or dental treatments, especially if any of these have occurred during the holidays.
Medicine policy
Staff members are not normally permitted to administer medicines. Exceptions to this are asthma inhalers and emergency anti-allergy treatments, which are prescribed for the child and provided by the parents. These may be administered by trained staff members only. Medicines are named and stored in a locked medicine cupboard out of reach of the children. It is the advice of the School Medical Officer that medicines required three times a day may be given before and after school and at bedtime. Should more than three doses be required, medicines may be given by staff members, at the parent’s request, only when the medicine permission form has been completed and signed. Should a child be in need of Calpol or equivalent, they should be at home, except if prescribed for an injury. Medical permission forms can be obtained from Victoria Lever in the school office.
Sun cream
When the weather dictates, please apply a long lasting sun cream before school. If your child has been swimming in the morning, children are encouraged to reapply their own sun cream if necessary.
Absence from school
Should your child be unable to attend school please telephone or email Victoria Lever, before 9.30am if possible, giving the reason for absence. Prior notice is required for medical or dental appointments which require the child to leave school during the school day. Parents can also report absence via Parent Portal.
Parents are asked not to take children out of school to go on holiday. The days of actual teaching subsequently lost by children cannot be replaced, and generally holiday work is not appropriate for children of this age. If holidays in term-time really are unavoidable, please send a letter or email, addressed to the Head, in advance requesting permission for absence from school. We do stress that these absences can be very disruptive in term time.
Sometimes, parents have to be away from home and therefore children may be looked after by other people. It is essential that we are advised in advance of these arrangements. In the case of an emergency, we must be able to contact an adult of your choice. Young children may be upset when a parent is away and, if we are forewarned, we can support them.
Social media policy
Parents are reminded that it is not appropriate to use social networking sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, to comment openly on school issues. If at any time you have a concern or complaint, your first port of call should be your child’s class teacher. If the issue remains unresolved then please consult the Head or the Principal of King’s Ely, John Attwater. If you are still dissatisfied then you should put your complaint, in writing, to the Chairman of Governors. The complaints procedure is on the school website.
Furthermore, any conversation that is not protected by a high privacy setting is open to the world. Any negative remarks on these sites can be seen as defamation of character, harassment or libel, which means that those responsible for posting such comments could be sued by aggrieved persons or even prosecuted by the police.
The school also advises parents not to upload photographs or video clips of their children which include other children, on to social networking sites, without the permission of their parents.
Uniform list
Uniform is available from the online service, Schoolblazer.com. Their secure online ordering service allows you to shop for schoolwear at your convenience. They are committed to making your preparations for the new term as easy and pain-free as possible.
If you have any questions or require help, please contact their helpline on 0333 7000703 or email Schoolblazer at customerservices@schoolblazer.com
Summer/winter uniform
As the terms vary in length and, of course, no two summers start at the same time, we will let you know in the newsletters when summer or winter uniforms should be worn.
Trouser uniform
School uniform
• Navy crested blazer (worn with shorts only)
• White shirt
• Navy cord trousers (Winter only – optional)
• School tie (velcro)
• Navy cord shorts
• Navy v-neck jumper with duck egg stripe at v and/ or Duck egg v-neck jumper with navy stripe at v
• Shoes should be navy or black in a polishable material (‘slip on’, ‘flashing’ shoes, trainer style or open toed sandals are not appropriate for school)
• Watches may only be worn in Year 2
• Wellington boots in any colour
• Navy swimming trunks
• Swimming cap (comfortable)
• School bag
• PE bag (ordered by school and added to your account)
• Swimming bag
School provides all stationery and equipment.
Pinafore and dress uniform
School uniform
• Navy crested blazer
• Pinafore
• If a child would like to wear trousers then they should access the trouser uniform
• White revere long sleeved blouse
• Navy cardigan with duck egg stripe v (worn with the summer dress)
• Navy v-neck jumper with duck egg stripe at v and/or
• Shoes should be navy or black in a polishable material (‘Slip on’, ‘flashing’ shoes, trainer style or open toed sandals are not appropriate for school)
• Jewellery and earrings (including studs) and nail varnish should not be worn in school
• Hair accessories should be in school colours
• Watches may only be worn in Year 2
• Wellington boots in any colour
• Navy swimming costume
• Swimming cap (comfortable)
• School bag
• PE bag (ordered by school and added to your account)
• Swimming bag School provides all stationery and equipment.
Staff list
Mrs Faye Fenton-Stone Head King’s Ely Acremont
Ms Harriet Gervasio Deputy Head King’s Ely Acremont
Mrs Heather Strudwick Head of Early Years, RSW
Mr Andrew Hart 1AH
Mr Simon Dean 2SD
Mrs Gretta Funnell RCF
Ms Ellie Cullum RCF
Miss Leah Wheatley 2LW
Mrs Helen Monk 1HM
Mrs Rebecca Menzies
Learning Support Coordinator and Wellbeing Advisor
