Starting a new school can be a daunting time for both parents and children alike. We want everyone connected with our school to feel ‘at home’ with the services we provide and to settle quickly and happily into our community. We hope the following information will help you get to know our school. Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office or speak to your class teacher.

What are the school times?

School begins at 8.55 but the bell is rung a few minutes before this to ensure children are in class ready to start as near to this time as possible.  Playtime is 10.30 to 10.45 and lunch starts at 12.00 for lower school and 12.10 for upper school. Afternoon lessons begin at 1.05 and school finishes at 3.05 when we ask you to meet your children promptly in the playground. Should you be delayed for any reason please let the office know as soon as possible.

After school care club runs from 3.05 until 5.30. (£7.50 per session, concessions for siblings)

We also have early morning activity clubs run by outside providers from approximately 8.00 until 8.50, when booking please check club details for exact times. (Details available from the office)

After school activity clubs also run from 3.05, again check individual club finishing times.

Club details go out every ½ term and are listed on our website.

Where can I park?

We have an agreement with The Village Inn whereby parents etc can use the pub car park so as to avoid parking on School Lane. We strongly discourage cars being parked outside of the school as this is a very busy road and we are situated on a bend reducing vision for drivers and pedestrians alike. Parking on this road is considered to be irresponsible.

What can my child/ren wear?

Please refer to the school uniform policy.

We ask that PE kits remain in school during the week as PE lesson days may change and sometimes kit is needed for other lessons.

In dry weather children play outside in their trainers, on wet days children wear wellingtons for playtimes so it is important that these are available every day. School shoes are worn at all other times – not trainers.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL UNIFORM IS CLEARLY NAMED.

In winter please provide your child with appropriate hat, scarf and gloves. Likewise in summer a sun hat is needed and a long sleeve cotton top to protect skin from the sun.

What can my child eat / drink during the day?

Fruit is provided for all children at morning play.

We send all parents a lunchtime menu and the current weeks is always available on the website. A choice of hot meals is available, one being vegetarian and there is also a packed lunch alternative.

If you provide your child with a packed lunch please be aware that we have achieved the Healthy Schools Award and therefore ask that home packed lunches are healthy ones and do not contain sweets including chocolate bars. Some of our children also have nut allergies therefore please ensure that foods containing nuts are not brought into school. Fizzy drinks and glass bottles are not allowed.

Please provide your child with a named water bottle as we encourage children to sip water throughout the day. Children have access to a water unit and can therefore top bottles up during the day.

What do I do if my child is ill / has an appointment / needs time off school?

If your child falls ill please inform the school on the morning of the first missed day before school starts. On your child’s return we ask that you put in writing the reason for absence. If your child suffers sickness or diarrhoea the secretary will let you know the current guidelines regards the number of days you need to keep your child off school.

We request all appointments to be made outside of school hours; however we do recognize that this is not always possible so ask that you give the school good notice of any impending appointments in writing.

We discourage taking children out of school for holidays and will only authorize this in exceptional circumstances. County is concerned about the number of absences due to holidays and the effect that this has on children’s education. Please read our Attendance Policy. A request form is available on the website or from the school office.

How is classroom discipline managed?

Behaviour at Little Melton Primary is considered to be outstanding (Ofsted Report)

Please read our Behaviour Policy in the policies section of our website.

Within each class there is a 3 step system. If behaviour is not acceptable a warning is given, if this results in no change to the behaviour the child’s name is moved to step 1 (in all but Eagle Owls these are written on pegs and attached to classroom mobiles) The peg is moved back to base at the start of each afternoon and morning session thereby giving the child a ‘fresh start’. On the rare occasions that behaviour continues to be unacceptable and the peg is moved to the 3^rd step then a visit will be made to see the headteacher.

We find that by recognizing and praising good behaviour any misdemeanors are soon rectified.

Is homework given?

Please refer to our Homework Policy for greater detail.

We firmly believe that a homework routine is valuable but also recognize the importance of children taking part in clubs and family activities and therefore endeavor to achieve balance in the amount and type of homework given. Should you feel the need for more homework the class teacher can make suggestions as to suitable websites. If you find your child is finding homework challenging to complete then do not hesitate to speak with the class teacher.

Reception children are encouraged to develop a love of books and families are encouraged to both read to and with their children on a daily basis.

Each class from year 1 upwards receives homework according to Government guidelines. We do encourage lots of reading and sharing of books which we ask to be recorded in a reading diary provided by the school.

Maths and English homework are set regularly. Research activities can also form part of homework routines.

Children are encouraged to note down homework given and date due in the diaries provided by school.

How does the House System work?

We have 4 houses – Citrine, Topaz, Garnet and Emerald. Families are allotted to a house and children can gain points for their house through good manners, achievements, kindness, progress and general attitude etc

Each week the winning house is announced in assembly and at the end of the school year a cup is awarded to the overall winner. Your child/ren will be told which house they are in within 2 weeks of starting school.

How will my child be taught to read?

We use the Read Write Inc Scheme (RWInc) which teaches reading skills and sounds in a fun and interactive way. Sounds are taught in a set order and skills introduced as this knowledge develops. Children are taught in small groups according to their needs, regular assessment takes place and groups change accordingly. We recognize the importance of ensuring that early learning  of the different sounds and words is well established and we do this by sending home the actual reading ‘tool’ we use in class – a  ditty or a small book containing a simple story which allows lots of practice of the important sounds and words taught. Of course this does not take the place of the sharing of other books which children may choose from the school library OR those you have access to at home.

You will be invited to a meeting with the class teacher during the first half term so that the process can be shared with you and there will be an open morning in November when you can see our RWInc teaching in action.

How is home / school communication managed?

Red Books in lower school and Diaries in upper school – Both parents and teachers are encouraged to make comments in these books. In lower school these are checked daily but from year 3 onwards it is the child’s responsibility to hand this to the adult if a message has been written in the book for them. Comments can be about anything of interest – achievements, minor concerns, homework, praise, general queries etc.

Once finalized a class timetable is put into these books.

Weekly newsletter –this is e-mailed out on Thursdays and contains important news and a diary of forthcoming events – to keep updated please make sure you read this each week.

Texting service to parents – this is used to inform parents of cancelled clubs, school closures and general reminders. It is therefore important that you ensure we have up to date contact details.

School website – This is regularly updated and contains lots of information about the school.

Basket system – Each class has their own basket into which children deposit dinner money, trip money, and letters / reply slips etc – anything which is to go to the office. This system helps to encourage children’s independence and ensures teachers and office staff are free to deal with other important matters.

The Headteacher or a member of staff is available in the playground each morning and can deal with general queries and messages.

You are most welcome to speak with the class teacher after school or if not possible please telephone the office to make a mutually convenient appointment. Where possible we discourage unarranged meetings with class teachers at the start of the school day as it is the teachers’ duty to be ready to receive her class and be fully prepared to start the school day promptly.

Letters – the school sends out both class and individual information in letter form. We do try to send out most letters on a Thursday with the school newsletter. You can send information / requests in this way addressed to the appropriate person. You can also e-mail the office with general enquiries.

Telephone – as a small school our telephone is not always manned although we do strive to keep such occurrences to a minimum. You can leave messages and the answer phone is checked regularly.

Parents Evenings – We have 2 formal evenings where you are invited in to discuss your child’s progress / achievements.

Parent information evenings; recently these have included Sex and Relationships Education presentation and one on the VLE (virtual learning environment).

Open afternoon / evening where you can come in and look at work across the whole school and meet all teachers.

Special assemblies – families and friends are invited to attend special assemblies and events where the classes will showcase some of their work and achievements.

How can I get involved in school life?

Attend school events which are all advertised in the newsletter or the Friends newsletter.

The Friends – This group of parents, grandparents and friends raise funds for the school via social events, a very successful May Fair and other fundraising activities. They provide transport for school trips, additional equipment and Christmas entertainment, disco’s etc for the children. Without their support and hard work we would not be able to provide as many wonderful experiences for your children. The friends are always looking for additional help – even if you cannot attend meetings regularly there may be other thing you can help with. Please let the school office know if you are willing to help and we will pass on your contact details. Look out for The Friends newsletter and visit their part of our website and please try to attend their AGM in September.

Governors – we do occasionally have vacancies on the Governing Body. These will be advertised to all parents.

Helping in school – some parents help on a regular basis with things like reading, art classes, or general classroom support etc. Others help by sharing their skills eg dental hygienist has spoken to the children; story teller provides occasional entertainment, dressmaker helping make costumes. Please speak to the class teacher or headteacher if you would like to help in any way.

What if I have a complaint?

If you have cause for concern this must be raised as soon as possible with your child’s teacher. We usually find that most things can be resolved at this stage if reported early enough. Parents and staff alike all want their children to be happy and make the best possible progress.

Please read our complaints policy.

Should you find the matter cannot be resolved then please make an appointment to speak with the Headteacher.

All concerns are taken seriously, will be investigated promptly and outcomes reported back to you.

We also ask that you let us know if we do something particularly well – like children, we love praise as well as welcoming your ideas on how to become even better!