POLICIES

CHARGES FOR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

POLICY STATEMENT

The Government Body keep under review a changing and revised policy The following school policy is based on that recommended by the Education Department of Bucks County Council. a) That where activities take place in school session time, such as an educational visit, external experience or visiting speaker or groups, parents will be invited to make voluntary contributions towards the cost of the activity on a pro rata basis, but that a pupil will not be debarred from taking part in that activity because his/ her parents cannot, or will not, contribute. This does not affect the rights of parents to withdraw pupils from such activity, from personal choice or reasons.

However some activities can happen only if the total level of voluntary contribution covers the cost. NOTE - The Governing Body of Waddesdon Village Primary School will, at the start of the school year, decide: • an acceptable level of parents’ voluntary contributions which should allow planned educational activities to take place, and • the extent to which school financial resources or other available funds may be used to meet the balance of costs not covered by parents’ voluntary contributions. b) That where activities take place outside school session time, charges continue to be levied, where appropriate. c) That any application for a full or partial remission of charges be considered by the Headteacher. d) That appropriate charges will be made for ingredients and materials where parents have indicated in advance that they wish to own their child’s finished work. e) Those parents may be required to meet the cost of breakage and damage where this is the result of their child’s behaviour.

f) A charge will be made for music tuition.

EQUIPMENT

The younger children require a book bag which can be purchased from the office. All children need a school bag and pencil case and it is very helpful if parents would provide their children who are in Key Stages 1 and 2 with the following and encourage them to look after their own possessions: pencils; writing pen (blue ink) - fountain or fibre tip pens are preferred (biro type pens are not allowed); eraser; pencil sharpener; 30cm ruler; coloured pencils; glue stick. Each child is issued with a reading diary, a homework exercise book and other exercise books. Loss or damage to any of these items will result in parents being charged for a replacement. Likewise parents will be charged for any lost or damaged library or reading books.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

The children are encouraged to look after and be responsible for all their personal belongings. As far as is practicable, all children’s belongings should be clearly named. The school does not accept any responsibility for the loss of or damage to any personal property or money. Any money, which is brought to school, should be in a clearly marked envelope. Money envelopes are available for purchase from the school office. Children in Reception and Key Stage 1 are asked to leave their toys at home for safe-keeping. Toys and equipment are available for the children to use at playtime.

PHOTOGRAPH / WEBSITE POLICY

We often take photographs and videos of our pupils on different occasions - whilst working in classrooms or in the computer suite; on sports days; at special events; at school productions; and on school trips. These photographs are used on displays around the school, in portfolios, on the website and in school publications. Photographs may also be used by the local media to publicise events and to celebrate the successes of the pupils. On joining the school you will be asked to complete a consent form to indicate if you prefer your child not to feature in photographs or videos.

The Governors, Head Teacher and Staff believe that a school uniform fosters a sense of identity, belonging and pride, and sets a high standard of appearance for all. A school uniform policy only works well if everyone knows what is acceptable and what is unacceptable. It is worth stating the key principles we insist upon: • No jewellery except small, plain studs for pierced ears and wrist watches - both of which must be removed for PE.

• Skirt length no shorter than just above the knee. • No high-heeled shoes over 3cm. • Trainers only as sports shoes. • No fashion items, e.g. boot leg trousers, mini skirts or designer sportswear. • Socks and tights should be plain coloured, no patterns or cartoons.

• All clothing, including coats and shoes must be labelled with the pupil’s name. We encourage our children to take responsibility for their own appearance, to look clean, smart and tidy at all times. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure their child is properly attired for school. Members of the school staff have responsibility for promoting the school’s uniform policy by reminding children about the rules relating to appropriate dress. If a problem arises the Head Teacher or Deputy will, in the first instance, contact parents. However we anticipate all parents will fully support the uniform policy.

Year-round, Whole School Uniform (Ages 4-11) • White shirt, polo shirt or blouse (not T-shirt) available with school logo. • Grey trousers • Grey skirt/pinafores • Royal blue jumper, cardigan or sweatshirt (sweatshirts and cardigans with school logo available) • Royal blue zip up fleece (available with school logo), for wearing outside • Plain black school shoes with low heels • Black/navy/grey/white plain coloured socks • Black/navy/grey plain coloured tights

Physical Education

• Black PE shorts • White T shirt - plain or school logo • Black plimsolls or trainers (outdoor games only) • Plain tracksuits may be worn outdoors for games during cold weather

Summer Options

• Blue gingham dresses • Smart grey tailored shorts • Royal blue baseball hats or plain white or royal blue brimmed hats (optional)

All uniform items are available to purchase from either www.schooltrends.co.uk or Tesco at https://waddesdon-village-pri.schoople.com/uniformeasy Water bottles are available from the school office.

HOMEWORK POLICY

We believe in the importance of homework as an extension or reinforcement of work done in the classroom. It is also an opportunity for children to develop the skills and practice of independent study. A Home-School Agreement has been set up whereby the school and parents undertake to work with one another to give the children the best possible support with all aspects of their work, especially homework. Homework is set on a regular basis by the teachers, the amount and type varying according to the age of the children. Details are given out, by the teachers, at the beginning of each term. We ask parents to support the school by making sure that homework is done carefully and in the best possible conditions. There are many ways that parents can help children with homework: working with the children, giving positive encouragement and support; checking presentation, handwriting and spelling; listening to them reading; asking them to go through and explain what they have been studying. Children will of course work at different speeds and so homework will take longer for some than for others. If there is a problem over homework, parents are asked to get in touch with the class teacher. Similarly, we will contact parents if we think that there are frequent problems over homework which parents could help to resolve.

At Waddesdon Village Primary School we have a clear policy on behaviour which is understood and implemented by all staff and pupils. We believe that children learn best when they are in a safe and happy environment where they are expected to behave well towards each other, their teacher, the other adults who work here and their parents. We prefer to co-operate with parents in order to encourage children to develop as fully as possible and we expect parents to support us in promoting the highest standards of good manners, respect and care to help our children grow socially, emotionally and spiritually as well as academically. We believe that good behaviour needs to be carefully developed as it is too important to be left to chance. At our school we think that children learn best where there are clear expectations and a consistent framework and where adults model the highest standards of behaviour. Parents and their children are requested to sign the Home School Agreement to reinforce this.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Bullying can be described as being ‘a deliberate act done to cause distress solely in order to give a feeling of power, status or other gratification to the person bullying. It can range from ostracising, name-calling, teasing, threats and extortion, through to physical assault on persons and/or their property. It can be an unresolved single frightening incident which casts a shadow over a child’s life, or a series of such incidents.’

At Waddesdon Village Primary School staff, parents and children work together to create a happy, caring, learning environment. Bullying - verbal, physical or indirect - will not be tolerated. It is everyone’s responsibility to aim to prevent occurrences of bullying and to deal with any incidents quickly and effectively. Consequently, the governors have approved this policy. Bullying can be brought to the attention of staff by the person being bullied their friend(s) and their parent(s) or by other interested people. “Circle Time” is held on a regular basis and forms a crucial part of the school’s curriculum planning. During these sessions issues concerning bullying may be highlighted. This time provides a structured opportunity for dealing with these, or any similar problems. The full policy document outlines procedures to be followed once bullying is reported and possible sanctions to apply depending on the severity of the bullying. These include the possibility of permanent exclusion from school for the most serious persistent bullying. This policy has been produced by Waddesdon Village Primary School as a response to the Administration of Medicines to Pupils - Code of Practice as well as the Code of Practice for Asthma dated July 2001. It is designed to ensure that the standards required by the codes are met and that all staff, governors and parents/ carers are aware of their responsibilities. Each Code describes the school’s duties under the law and the recommended safe working procedures. It should be recognised that the school is under no obligation to administer medicines. Parents/carers can be requested to attend in order to see to their child’s needs. Employees involved in the administration of medicines are covered by the Authority’s employer’s liability insurance provided that they have acted in accordance with this policy and the Codes of Practice. In order to comply with the Codes of Practice our policy is as follows:-

• Only medicines prescribed by a doctor will be administered in school. In most cases, for instance where three doses are needed per day, medicine can be administered at home outside school hours, (before school, after school and bedtime). If in doubt please check with your doctor.

• The Headteacher has the final responsibility for agreeing to requests to administer medication and it is often delegated to a Qualified First Aider or a

Teaching Assistant.

• Medicines can only be administered with written consent of the parent/carer. When a parent requests that the school should administer or supervise the administration of a medicine prescribed by a doctor, they should provide the following:

• A signed form available from the school office. • The School will only accept prescribed medicines that are in-date, labelled, provided in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include instructions for administration, dosage and storage.

• No variations may be made to the instructions printed on the label of prescribed medicines.

• The dose given will be entered into a Medicines Record

Book kept in the Office.

• All medicines will be stored in the first aid cupboard or the fridge in the staff room.

There is a separate Code of Practice for Asthma, which specifies the following responsibilities of the parents and the school:-

Parents/carers are requested to:

• Inform the school if their child suffers from asthma, however mildly. • Inform the school in writing, using the request form, stating how and when the inhaler(s)/volumiser should be used.

• Inform the staff if their child is particularly wheezy at any time and is likely to use their inhaler more frequently than usual.

• Mark asthma inhalers/volumisers clearly with the child’s name if, taken into school.

• Take responsibility for checking that the inhalers are working and not empty.

It is the responsibility of the school:

• To make arrangements as necessary for the children to have easy access to their inhalers and volumisers. • To arrange for the inhalers of children in the school to be kept safely in the classroom. The class teacher will look after them where they will be ready for immediate use.

• To inform parents/carers when a pupil is observed to be using his/her inhaler/volumiser more frequently than usual.

USE OF THE INTERNET

As part of the curriculum children in the school are taught how to use the Internet and to use email. All the computers within the school are protected by virus and firewall security systems to prevent children accessing unsuitable material. Children are not permitted to use the Internet within school without adult supervision. We cannot guarantee that a child who deliberately attempts to circumvent the normal security procedures would not be able to view unsuitable or offensive material. We therefore require children to adhere to appropriate use of the Internet. Websites visited are logged in the history. Parents will be informed if any pupil is found to be using the Internet inappropriately. Parents are requested to ensure that suitable child safety protection exists on any home computer that your child accesses. E-safety is of primary importance and the children are taught about the dangers of using the Internet and how to deal with any issues. The care and development of the children is the concern of all members of staff. Each teacher is responsible for giving the security of pastoral care for each individual child within the class. Teaching Assistants and the Head Teacher support the teachers in this. In all our considerations, the health, safety and welfare of the child are of paramount importance. Older children are encouraged to take on extra responsibilities and to set a good example to younger children. Children in Years 5 and 6 meet with children in Year R and 1 for friendship Partners. The activities they do together foster strong bonds between the older and younger children and actively encourages responsibility and friendship. At no time do we consider fighting, swearing, racial abuse, rough behaviour or bullying to be at all acceptable and this includes when travelling to and from school. It is the aim of this school to have zero tolerance of bullying of any kind. The school recognises that all children at some point are susceptible to bullying and as such all children should be taught, and given guidance, as to how to deal with bullying. This also requires that children do not tolerate bullying and that they too play an active part in reducing the incidents of bullying. Parents need to be actively supporting these aims too, for them to be effective.

Parents who think that their child may be a victim of bullying should contact the Head Teacher immediately so that the matter can be investigated and firm action taken, if necessary. In very rare cases it may be necessary to exclude a child from school, either temporarily or permanently. This will only ever be done after all other possible ways have been considered and tried. Very careful arrangements will be made to make sure that any child who is allowed to return to this school after a period of exclusion is helped to behave appropriately.

SCHOOL RULES

Rules are made known to the children on entry to the school and are reinforced periodically by reference to and discussion of specified points as they arise. Each class agrees rules at the start of the school year and all the children are expected to adhere to them.