Parent Handbook 2023 - 24

PARENT HANDBOOK

A Guide to Life at Chinthurst School

2023–24

Welcometo the academic year 2023–24, there is so much to look forward to! From exciting learning opportunities to fun trips, lots of sport and plenty of extracurricular activities, an enjoyable year awaits the children on their return in September.

The Parent Handbook provides comprehensive information about all aspects of life at Chinthurst. There are details of routines and procedures, which will be helpful in the first few weeks of term, but I hope you also use it as a point of reference throughout the school year. The school office is also very happy to help at any time.

Cathy Trundle Headteacher

ctrundle@chinthurstschool.co.uk

ACCESSING THE SCHOOL

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3 Reception to Year 2 Classrooms

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ACCESSING THE SCHOOL

Children in the Upper School (Years 3 to 6) should access the school via the main gates on Tadworth Street. Those in Lower School (Reception to Year 2) should use the entrance gate on The Avenue. There is a separate entrance for nursery, which is located through the staff car park on The Avenue. Our site is secured by electronic gates with a keypad entry system. Parents will receive a code which opens the gates at the following times:

Morning

Afternoon

• 7.30–8.25am – main entrance, Lower School and nursery entrances (the main entrance gates are manned between 8.00am and 8.25am)

• 3.25–5.10pm – Lower School and nursery entrances

• 3.25–6.00pm* – main entrance (*5.00pm on a Friday)

Outside of these times, the code will not work. Any parents wishing to access the school site between the hours of 8.25am and 3.25pm must do so by pressing the buzzer on the main gates and reporting directly to the school office.

Please note that parents are not allowed in the changing rooms at any time, as there may be children changing in them from as early as 7.00am or as late as 6.00pm.

SITE SECURITY

To ensure the site is safe and secure:

• Do not give your child the gate code.

• Check the gates are not left open inadvertently when you are entering or leaving the site.

• Ensure unaccompanied children do not follow you in or out of the gates.

PARKING

When parking on Tadworth Street or Tower Road near the Upper School main gate, please be courteous to our neighbours by not blocking their driveways. We try to foster positive relations with our neighbours and ask that you park with extreme care. Please do not park or stop on the yellow zigzags or double yellow lines outside the gates. For Lower School, we would advise parking on The Avenue and the surrounding streets.

DOGS

Dogs brought to school should be secured in the fenced ‘doggy park’ area in the Upper School car park near the art block. Alternatively, dogs are permitted in the main entrance area of Upper School up to the wooden fence line, provided they are on a lead and under control. Dogs are not allowed in the Lower School area of the site.

BIKES & SCOOTERS

There is a covered area for bikes and scooters located on the left-hand side of the art block.

WALKING TO SCHOOL

The school promotes children walking to school whenever possible.

SCHOOL UNIFORM & BELONGINGS

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Our school uniform is purchased from Stevensons outfitters (www.stevensons.co.uk). Uniform is reviewed on an annual basis to accommodate minor changes. The full uniform lists can be found at the end of this handbook as well as on the parent portal area of the school website.

A nearly new uniform shop is run by the Chinthurst Parents’ Association. Sales are held each term, the dates of which are advertised in the Chronicle

WHAT TO WEAR & WHEN

On the days children have games or PE, they should come to school in their sports kit (see the table below). For more information about sport at Chinthurst, please refer to the Sports Handbook. The sports department will send an email during school holidays confirming requirements for the forthcoming term.

SUN CREAM

We ask parents/carers to apply a long-lasting sun cream before their child comes in to school and to also provide sun cream in a named bottle should the sun cream not be effective by lunch time. For Early Years children, parents need to let the teacher know via email if sun cream needs to be applied by the school either at the start of the day or at lunchtime. From Year 1, pupils are expected to apply their own sun cream. For further details, please read the Intimate Care Policy, which can be found on our website.

SCHOOL UNIFORM & BELONGINGS

PUPIL BELONGINGS

Nursery (Little Chicks & Kindergarten)

Nursery children have their own peg for their coats and bags. A change of clothing should remain at school on their peg and will be sent home in the book bag for washing if it is used. Waterproof clothing and wellies (in a drawstring bag) should remain at school.

Reception

Each child has a peg of their own for blazers, coats, bags and a change of clothes (in a bag to be kept at school). Wellies, indoor trainers and waterproof trousers should also be kept at school.

Years 1& 2

Each child has their own peg for blazers, coats and bags in the Lower School changing room. The children need a pair of indoor trainers, which should be kept at school. Wellies are not needed.

Upper School

Each child has a space for blazers, coats and school bags in their classroom.

STATIONERY

Early Years & Lower School

All stationery is provided for children in Early Years and Lower School.

Years 3& 4

Pupils are required to provide a pencil case, HB pencils, coloured pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, glue stick and a 15-cm ruler.

Years 5& 6

Pupils are required to provide a pencil case, a handwriting pen, HB pencils, coloured pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, glue stick, scissors (blunt-ended) and a 15-cm ruler.

Year group teachers will email families during the summer holidays to confirm requirements for the forthcoming year.

ELECTRONIC ITEMS

Electronic devices such as hand-held gaming consoles are not permitted in school. Pupils must take mobile phones to the school office in the morning, where they will be kept safely until they are collected at the end of the day.

Please ensure all your child’s belongings are CLEARLY NAMED.

THE DAILY ROUTINE

Morning bell sounds at 8.25am. All pupils (with the exception of Little Chicks and Kindergarten) line up with their form teachers before going into school. Upper School children line up in front of the swimming pool. Lower School children line up in the Lower School playground. Little Chicks and Kindergarten children should be taken by their parent/carer directly to the entrance of nursery, where they will be greeted by their child’s teacher. At the end of the school day, the children should be collected from their teacher, who will take them to either the nursery gate, Lower School playground entrance or Morris House entrance for dismissal.

NURSERY (Little Chicks & Kindergarten)

7.30 – 8.00am

8.00 – 8.25am

8.25am

12 noon

3.30pm

3.30 – 6.00pm (Monday to Thursday)

3.30 – 5.00pm (Friday)

Breakfast club (charge)

Morning care – supervision in designated classroom

The morning session begins

The morning session ends

Full day ends

Lower School aftercare provision for potty-trained children (charge)

LOWER SCHOOL (Reception – Year 2)

7.30 – 8.00am Breakfast club (charge)

8.00 – 8.25am

8.25am

Morning care – supervision in designated classroom

Bell is rung to line up outside for registration

3.30pm End of school

3.30 – 6.00pm (Monday to Thursday)

3.30 – 5.00pm (Friday)

Co-curricular clubs (charges may be applicable) and Lower School aftercare (charge)

UPPER SCHOOL (Year 3 – Year 6)

7.30 – 8.00am

8.00 – 8.25am

Breakfast club (charge)

Morning care – pupils supervised in the playground or dining hall (if wet)

8.25am Bell is rung to line up outside for registration

4.00pm End of school

4.00 – 6.00pm (Monday to Thursday)

4.00 – 5.00pm (Friday)

Co-curricular clubs (charges may be applicable) and Upper School aftercare (charge)

THE DAILY ROUTINE

SCHOOL LUNCHES

School lunches are freshly prepared and cooked each day on site by our catering team in the school kitchen. We operate a three-week rolling menu, which can be found on the parent portal. Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily. If your child has specific allergies or you have any dietary concerns, please contact the school office. All children (including Nursery children staying for the afternoon) eat lunch in the dining hall.

BREAK TIMES

All pupils have a morning break of 25 minutes and a lunchtime break of approximately 1 hour (including time to eat lunch). Reception through to Year 2 also have an afternoon break of 10 minutes.

All pupils (except Early Years who have their own supervised play areas) are supervised in the playground, on the Astro or on the school field (weather permitting). ‘Wet breaks’ are spent in the classroom where the children are supervised by teachers on duty. Children requiring first aid are taken to the school office, where all the staff are trained as first aiders.

SNACKS & WATER

All children are required to bring a named water bottle to school each day. Please note that Chinthurst is a nut-free school to protect those who suffer with nut allergies, so any snacks brought in from home must be free from nuts. We also request that snacks are healthy, so please do not send in sweets, chocolate or crisps. There is always fresh water available for pupils.

Nursery children are provided with a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack of fresh/dried fruit or vegetables, crackers and bread sticks, free of charge.

Lower School children from Reception to Year 2 are required to bring a morning and afternoon snack. The morning snack should be small to encourage them to eat lunch and can be fruit, dried fruit and vegetables.

Upper School children may have a morning snack of fruit and vegetables, a small sandwich or fruit loaf, cereal bars/flapjacks (these must not contain chocolate), plain breadsticks, rice cakes or crackers, plain popcorn, smoothies.

After-school snacks:

Children participating in active co-curricular clubs would benefit from a snack before taking part. This can contain bread sticks, a small sandwich, rice cakes, fruit or vegetables.

The Early Years pupils may also have milk, which is provided free of charge until the month of their fifth birthday. You will need to register your child directly with Coolmilk (www.coolmilk.com).

WRAPAROUND CARE

BREAKFAST CLUB

7.30 – 8.00am

This is a paid-for service available to all pupils from Little Chicks to Year 6, which must be booked via SchoolsBuddy at least 24 hours in advance . Please contact the school office for further information.

MORNING CARE

8.00 – 8.25am

For those parents who need to drop their children before the bell rings, we provide morning care in Early Years and Lower School. These are held in a Lower School classroom (please check the room rota displayed on the main door to Lower School). This service is free of charge and does not need to be booked in advance. Pupils from Year 3 upwards may stay in the playground from 8.00am where there are teachers on duty to supervise them until the bell rings at 8.25am.

LOWER SCHOOL SIBLING CARE

3.30 – 4.00pm

Sibling care is a free service open to any children from Little Chicks to Year 2 who have an older sibling in Upper School due to be collected at 4.00pm. Children are taken by their form teacher to the designated Lower School classroom, where they are supervised. Parents must collect their child directly from the classroom by 4.00pm.

Please note: those wishing to remain at school later than 4.00pm must book into Lower School after care instead of using sibling care.

CHARGES

All charges for wraparound care are added to the next fee bill.

LOWER SCHOOL AFTERCARE

3.30 – 6.00pm (Mon–Thu) / 3.30 – 5.00pm (Fri)

Lower School aftercare is open to any children from Little Chicks to Year 2. Children may go straight to aftercare at 3.30pm. They are taken by their form teacher to the designated area, where they are supervised. Parents should collect their child directly by 6.00pm (Monday to Thursday) or 5.00pm (Friday).

Please note: all aftercare sessions must be booked via SchoolsBuddy at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact the school office for further information. Any child collected after 6.00pm (Mon–Thu) or 5.00pm (Fri) will be fined £25. Little Chicks and Kindergarten children must be potty trained in order to attend early morning care or aftercare.

UPPER SCHOOL AFTERCARE

4.00 – 6.00pm (Mon–Thu) / 4.00 – 5.00pm (Fri)

Upper School pupils may go straight to aftercare at 4.00pm. Children are taken by their form teacher to the designated area, where they are supervised. Parents should collect their child directly by 6.00pm (Monday to Thursday) or 5.00pm (Friday)

Please note: all aftercare sessions must be booked via SchoolsBuddy at least 24 hours in advance. Please contact the school office for further information. Any child collected after 6.00pm (Mon–Thu) or 5.00pm (Fri) will be fined £25.

HOLIDAY CLUBS

Camp Beaumont operate exciting activity camps at Chinthurst during the school holidays for children aged from 3 to 11 years old. Current parents receive a discount when booking. For full details and to book, please visit their website: www.campbeaumont.co.uk

CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS

There is a wide variety of co-curricular clubs. Some are run by teachers and teaching assistants and some by third-party specialists. A list is sent out by the school office to all parents before each new term. Some clubs are charged for and others are not. They can be booked via SchoolsBuddy prior to the start of each term.

MUSIC & DRAMA LESSONS

Our Head of Music co-ordinates the peripatetic music lessons in the school for children in Year 1 and above. Please contact either Mrs Parsons directly by email (chsmusic@chinthurstschool.co.uk) or the school office for further information. Additional LAMDA lessons are also on offer. Please contact our Head of Drama, Mrs S-T directly by email (estricker@chinthurstschool.co.uk).

SWIMMING LESSONS

Reception to Year 2 children swim weekly all year round. Children in Upper School swim in the autumn and summer terms (for half a term) and our swimming clubs run throughout the year.

DAY TRIPS & EDUCATIONAL VISITORS

Each year, pupils take part in educational school trips and benefit from educational visitors to the school. The cost of these trips is extra to the term’s fees and is added to the termly fee bill. The charge for each trip varies, but generally ranges from between £20 to £35 each.

RESIDENTIAL TRIPS

Children from Year 4 upwards have the opportunity to take part in annual residential trips. The cost of these trips is extra to the term’s fees and is charged in advance. All pupils are expected to attend the annual residential trip for their year group.

ASSEMBLIES

There are two main assemblies each week attended by children from Reception upwards. A whole school assembly on a Monday morning takes place in the sports hall. Church assembly is on a Friday morning at the Church of the Good Shepherd on The Avenue. Each class from Year 1 upwards takes an assembly each term and Reception take an assembly for one week in the summer term. Parents are invited to attend on the week when their child’s class is leading it.

PROMOTION OF VALUES

The school promotes a set of values which are discussed in assemblies and integrated into the curriculum for all pupils throughout the year groups. There is a focus on a specific value each half term on a two-year rotation. Examples are courage, love and appreciation.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

The school council provides a forum for children to debate and discuss issues that concern them. Two representatives are drawn from each class in Year 1 through to Year 6 and meet each term as a group. In the past, they have provided feedback on school lunches and selected new toys and games for play time.

ECO COMMITTEE

Children complete a variety of different projects to help improve their environmental awareness and help to champion eco initiatives around the school.

PRIZE GIVING

Effort, progress and achievement prizes are awarded at the end of each term (Reception–Year 6).

HOMEWORK

From Reception onwards, homework may be set on Seesaw (https://web.seesaw.me). We aim to set homework that supports children in their learning in a positive way and not be a negative or onerous experience for either the child or parent. We consider that homework should not be excessive or completed just for the sake of it. Children at Chinthurst have a busy and stimulating day. After careful and detailed consideration the following guidelines have been set:

Reception Activity related to class focus, reading every day (10 mins)

Year 1 Maths activity (10 mins over a weekend), spellings (related to phonics work, 5 mins a day), reading every day (15 mins)

Year 2 Maths activity (10 mins over a weekend), times tables (spring and summer 5 mins a day), spellings (related to phonics work, 5 mins a day), reading every day (15 mins)

Year 3 1 x maths activity per week (15 mins), 1 x English activity per week (15 mins), times tables every day (5 mins), spellings every day (5 mins), reading every day (10 mins)

Year 4 1 x maths activity per week (15 mins), 1 x English activity per week (15 mins), times tables every day (5 mins), spellings every day (5 mins), reading every day (15 mins)

At Chinthurst, we encourage the children to read a variety of texts whenever possible, and it is important they read every day right up to the end of Year 6. Children should read with an adult, but as they approach Year 6 they should read with greater independence. Reading should be recorded in your child’s reading record book. From Year 3 upwards, this also serves as a homework diary, with the homework itself set on Seesaw.

HOMEWORK

Your child will benefit from a desk where homework is completed away from distractions. All homework is thoroughly discussed in class by the teacher and each pupil should be able to complete homework without additional help, unless specified by the teacher. Children who receive SEND support in school may still need additional help at home, even with the differentiated work that is provided.

Homework reflects our core aims to extend each individual child and provide support where necessary. Encourage your child to always do their best, maintain a high standard of presentation and to take advantage of optional activities where they occur. Homework should be completed in a concentrated session. Therefore, we advise that you stop your child when they have completed the set amount of minutes of work, or if they are struggling. A short note to the relevant teacher via Seesaw or in the homework book would be helpful and save unnecessary worry on the part of your child.

HOME & SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

NURSERY

The Communication Book – This is used as the main channel for home-to-school communication about routine matters. Notes about your child can be written in this book, which will be reviewed daily by the teaching team.

In Person / By Email – Please do speak to any member of the nursery team should you have any concerns about your child that you would rather discuss in person. We are very happy to have a brief chat at drop off or pick up but if you would like to talk for longer, please send an email to Mrs Skinner or the school office and this will be arranged for you. Please email Mrs Skinner directly if there is a change to collection arrangements . Online Learning Journal (Nursery & Reception) – Each child in our Early Years will have a digital learning journey, which is called LearningBook. This records photos, observations and comments in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, to build up a record of your child’s experiences during their time with us. Parents have password access to this.

RECEPTION – YEAR 6

In Person / By Email – If you have any concerns about your child, please do contact the teaching team via direct email or the school office email (staff email addresses can be found at the end of the parent handbook). Teachers are also very happy to have a brief chat at drop off or pick up or to arrange a time to talk longer with you. Reading Record Book (Reception – Year 2) – Please record your child’s reading here. It will be regularly reviewed by their class teacher.

Homework Diary (Years 3 – 6) – Homework will be detailed here. Please also record your child’s reading here. Homework will also be available on Seesaw. The teaching team will check the homework diary regularly. Via Seesaw – Homework is set on Seesaw and there is an option to comment or give feedback on each activity. The teaching team will check Seesaw regularly for comments or messages.

REPORTS & PARENTS’ EVENINGS

Reporting includes both verbal and written feedback to parents about their child’s progress. This takes place at regular intervals throughout the year. In addition to receiving a written report and having verbal feedback on Parents’ Evenings, parents may ask to have a meeting with their child’s teacher to discuss progress and recorded assessments at other times if they wish.

NURSERY

There are no Parents’ Evenings for Nursery children. Instead, parents are invited to regular progress meetings with a member of the Early Years team. Reports on the three core areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (personal, social and emotional development, communication and language, and physical development) are sent out at the end of the autumn term. A report is sent out at the end of the spring term focusing on these and also maths and literacy. The end-of-year report covers all seven areas of learning in the EYFS.

AUTUMN TERM

Lower School

Reception Parents’ Evening – focusing on how the children have settled into the new term and observations made about their development within the seven areas of learning.

Parents’ Evening for Years 1&2 – focusing on English and maths with the children’s form teachers. Reports for Years 1&2 – written reports are issued before the half-term break, with report cards sent out at the end of term.

Upper School

Parents’ Evening for Years 3&4 – focusing on English and maths with the children’s form teachers.

Parents’ Evening for Years 5&6 – focusing on English and maths with the children’s form teachers and some specialist subjects with specialist subject teachers.

Reports for Years 3–6 – written reports are issued before the half-term break, with report cards sent out at the end of term.

Lower School

SPRING TERM

Reception Parents’ Evening – focusing on their further development within the seven areas of learning.

Parents’ Evening for Years 1&2 – focusing on key stage 1 curriculum with the children’s form teachers.

Reports for Years 1&2 – written reports are issued before the half-term break, with report cards sent out at the end of term.

Upper School

Parents’ Evening for Years 3&4 – focusing on English and maths with the children’s form teachers.

Parents’ Evening for Years 5&6 – focusing on English and maths with the children’s form teachers and some specialist subjects with specialist subject teachers.

Reports for Years 3–6 – written reports are issued before the half-term break, with report cards sent out at the end of term.

Written reports for all pupils, in all subjects, throughout the school.

SUMMER TERM

THE CHILDREN’S CODE OF CONDUCT

Every form room displays a copy of our Children’s Code of Conduct to remind children of the school’s expectations of behaviour. Namely:

• You will always try to understand other people’s point of view.

• In class, you make it as easy as possible for everyone to learn and for the teacher to teach.

• You move sensibly and quietly about the school.

• You always speak politely to everyone.

• You are silent when you are required to be.

• You keep the school clean and tidy.

• You remember the school’s reputation depends on you when you are outside the school.

Pupils are also asked to remember the golden rule:

• Everyone will act with courtesy and consideration to others at all times.

GOLDEN TIME

Golden time is a reward of free time for the children who have not broken the school’s rules over a set period of time. The children start with the maximum amount of free time of 20 minutes – the child’s aim is to keep as many of these minutes as possible. If a child breaks one of the rules they will be given a warning that if they do not correct their behaviour they will lose a minute. If the child does not correct their behaviour and has to be spoken to again, they will lose one minute of their golden time. The form teacher will check to see how many minutes each child in their class has and when the class has golden time they will be allowed that amount of time of free choice i.e. a child with minus 6 minutes will have to sit in silence for 6 minutes and then will be allowed 14 minutes of golden time.

For more serious misdemeanors, there may be a loss of break time when a pupil may either complete a worksheet or write a letter of apology, as appropriate. Parents will be contacted and kept informed of any incidents. Should a pupil’s behaviour continue to be poor, they will be seen by a member of the senior leadership team and parents will be asked to come into school to discuss the way forward.

MARBLES

From Reception and above, each form has a marble jar which the pupils endeavour to fill each half term. The class can earn a ‘treat’ (determined by the teacher) through good behaviour when the jar is completely full.

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

Chinthurst has a House system which adds an excellent pastoral element to the school and rewards individual and group achievement. House points are awarded for a range of things including good work, improvement, helpfulness, initiative, etc. The House points are totalled each week and the winning House is awarded the House cup for that term. Year 6 pupils are appointed as termly House captains.

HEADS OF HOUSE

Pegasus (Blue): Mr Foster

Phoenix (Red): Miss Gilmore

Griffin (Yellow): Mrs Atkinson-Hunt

Dragon (Purple): Mr Beadle

HOUSE COMPETITIONS

A variety of House competitions take place throughout the year. These include performing arts, football, netball, sports day and swimming. All pupils from Reception upwards are involved in House activities which add to the final House scores culminating in the much-anticipated Quest Day at the end of the summer term.

HOUSE MEETINGS

Take place every fourth week during term time, led by the Head of House and House Captain. Pupils can focus attention on the House, discuss forthcoming events, fundraising ideas, successes and possible areas for improvement. These take place during normal school assembly time.

CHINTHURST PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION (CPA)

Chinthurst has an active parents association (CPA) which organises a number of exciting fundraising events throughout the year. These events are always well attended by Chinthurst families. Popular events include a quiz night, a Christmas fair, a summer fair and the annual Chinthurst ball.

The principal activity of the CPA is fundraising to enhance the children’s school life. The CPA are always delighted to welcome new members to the team. You can contact the CPA directly by email: chinthurstparentsassociation@gmail.com.

The CPA use Classlist to contact parents and keep them up to date with forthcoming events. Details of these events can also be seen in our weekly Chronicle and in our termly calendar. Parents also use Classlist to stay in touch with each other and to organise coffee mornings, play dates and end-of-term parties. You can register your details at www.classlist.com

SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS

THE CHRONICLE

The school newsletter (known as the Chronicle) is sent by email weekly on a Friday during term time to keep parents up to date.

WEBSITE & PARENT PORTAL

The school has a parent portal attached to our website: www.chinthurstschool.co.uk. The parent portal is a single reference point for useful documents and communications – a place where parents can easily locate relevant information rather than trawling through old emails. New parents will be given their unique registration code and password by the school office on their child’s first day with us.

SPORTS WEBSITE

Sports fixtures and team lists can be found on our dedicated sports website. Parents can subscribe to individual team calendars. By doing this, fixtures are automatically added to their online diaries. A password is required to access the site, which is supplied by the school office. https://sports.chinthurstschool.co.uk

TERMLY CALENDAR

Each term, the school issues a printed copy of the school calendar, which contains major planned events and fixtures for the term. A digital version is also uploaded to the parent portal. Any changes or additions will be notified in the Chronicle as well as via email or text message though the school’s iSAMS system.

SEESAW

This is a remote learning platform that is used for setting and submitting homework from Reception upwards and as a method of communication between form teachers and parents. A useful year-group specific ‘Week Ahead’ is posted on the platform weekly with information about upcoming events and reminders.

SCHOOLSBUDDY

SchoolsBuddy is an online system that can be used on desktop or via the mobile app for:

• Booking and cancelling wraparound care, including Breakfast Club and aftercare

• Booking and payment for co-curricular clubs

• Consent for school trips

Payment for bookings other than clubs is added to the school fee bill automatically. Towards the start of term, new parents will receive an activation email from SchoolsBuddy to set up your account.

iSAMS COMMUNICATIONS

The school uses iSAMS, a specialist school management information system to alert parents by text or email to forthcoming events and changes to the calendar. It is important to keep the school office up to date with any changes to your mobile phone number or email address.

SOCIAL MEDIA

We encourage parents to like and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the many activities that the children are involved in.

chinthurst.school

@ChinthurstSchool

@ChintSchool

PARENT COMMUNICATIONS

POINTS OF CONTACT

If you have any queries or concerns about your child at any time, please speak either to the school office or to your child’s form teacher in the first instance. The office team or form teacher will alert the appropriate person to assist you.

PASTORAL CARE

The form teacher should always be the first point of contact for concerns regarding social or academic matters. The form teacher has overall pastoral responsibility for the children in their class. If issues need to be taken further, form teachers will involve Mr Thomson as Head of Pastoral Care, then Mrs Winchester as Deputy Head and Miss Trundle as Headteacher beyond this. For any SEND matters, the form teacher may put parents in touch with Lara Bland (Early Years) or Mrs Winchester (Year 1–6). However, the form teacher should always be the first port of call so that they are always informed and kept at the centre of any discussions.

FORM REPS

Each form has a parent who takes on the responsibility of Form Rep. As well as arranging informal gatherings for the children and parents of the class, the form reps act as a useful point of contact and a welcoming presence for families new to the school.

CLASSLIST

Due to data protection controls within the school, we cannot produce form lists with contact information for Form Reps to circulate. Instead, we encourage parents to register with www.classlist.com. This secure site enables parents to manage and update the information they wish to share with others in their own class, year group or the whole school. Emails and event invites can be managed through the site, as well as school community groups being set up to discuss fundraising, social events, etc.

REPORTING TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE

FIRST AID, MEDICINES & DIETARY

All staff are trained in basic first aid and receive regular refresher training. Other staff working in the Early Years setting and the sports department are qualified in paediatric first aid and emergency first aid at work, respectively. Staff working in the school office have received the full first aid at work training, which includes the use of a defibrillator.

Children should not carry any medications on their person or in their school bag at any time. All medicines must be taken and kept in the school office with the appropriate medicine administration form signed. Most pupil inhalers and epi-pens are kept in the school office. There are instances where second epi-pens/inhalers are also kept in the relevant classroom with the teacher. On leaving the school site for a trip or a match, the staff will ensure all the correct medication is taken off site with the child. It is the parents’ responsibility that all medicine (prescribed or otherwise) is in date and replaced, as required. The school has a dual-use (adult/child) defibrillator and generic/spare epi-pens and inhalers, which can be used in an emergency. The school caters for a large number of children with special dietary needs to ensure each child has a diverse, well-balanced and nutritious meal each day.

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s medical and dietary requirements, please contact the school office to have an individual health care plan drawn up for your child, should this be considered necessary.

PUPIL ABSENCE

Absences should be notified each day by telephone or email to the school office before 8.00am. If emailing, please also inform your child’s form teacher. If your child is absent on a day they are due to take part in a sports fixture, then please also email Mr Mussellwhite or Mrs Atkinson-Hunt.

Any child who has been sick or who has had diarrhoea must not return to school within 48 hours of the last episode occurring, as per the Guidance on Infection Control in Schools, which can be found online. Absences other than for sickness during term time should be avoided. However, in exceptional circumstances where absence is unavoidable, permission must be requested in writing in advance from the Headteacher.

Any child arriving late to school (after 8.25am) must report to the school office immediately and prior to going to their classroom.

SAFEGUARDING & GENERAL REMINDERS

PERMISSION FOR TRAVELLING HOME ALONE – YEARS 5 & 6

If a parent would like their child to travel home by themselves, either walking or using public transport, they must supply written permission to that effect to the form teacher.

CHILD PICK UP

For safeguarding reasons, our policy is that you must inform your child’s form teacher or email the school office if another parent/adult will be collecting your child from school.

If it is after midday, please call the school office to ensure the message is received by the form teacher. Please note that this policy applies to normal pick-up time and also collection from co-curricular clubs and aftercare.

SCHOOL POLICIES

School policies can be found on our website or are available on request from the school office.

ACCESS TO PUPIL RECORDS

Parents may have access to their child’s records, however, a request must be made in writing to the Headteacher.

FIRE DRILLS

Fire drills are held regularly and all pupils are instructed on what to do in the event of fire.

WHO’S WHO SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Miss Cathy Trundle Headteacher

Mrs Antonia Burton Head of Lower School

Mrs Jenny Blanks Operations Manager

Mrs Lia Winchester Deputy Head

Mr Scott Thomson Head of Pastoral Care

School Office

Miss C Trundle – Headteacher

Mrs L Winchester – Deputy Head

Mrs A Burton – Head of Lower School

Mr S Thomson – Head of Pastoral Care

Mrs L Hughes – Admissions Registrar

Mrs J Blanks – Operations Manager

Mr S Mussellwhite – Head of Sport

Mrs N Parsons – Head of Music

SEND: Mrs L Winchester (Years 1–6)

Mrs L Bland (Early Years)

Finance Website

01737 812 011 | office@chinthurstschool.co.uk

ctrundle@chinthurstschool.co.uk

lwinchester@chinthurstschool.co.uk

aburton@chinthurstschool.co.uk

sthomson@chinthurstschool.co.uk

lhughes@chinthurstschool.co.uk

jblanks@chinthurstschool.co.uk

smussellwhite@chinthurstschool.co.uk

nparsons@chinthurstschool.co.uk

lwinchester@chinthurstschool.co.uk

lbland@chinthurstschool.co.uk

finance@chinthurstschool.co.uk

www.chinthurstschool.co.uk

USEFUL CONTACTS SCHOOL GOVERNORS

The Chair of Governors is Mark Elsey who can be contacted through the Clerk to the Governors, Steve Douty by email to sdo@reigategrammar.org or the via the main Reigate Grammar School telephone number 01737 222 231.

You can access an up-to-date list of the full governing body and school staff on the school website: www.chinthurstschool.co.uk or request a printed version from the school office.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH US

Chinthurst is an extremely busy school with a host of activities happening throughout the year. To keep up to date with school news, please visit our website or join us online:

chinthurst.school

@ChinthurstSchool

@ChintSchool