The beginning of the school day is a very busy time for children and parents.
In the interests of the safety of the children, we ask you to walk to school
if at all possible. Many families are all trying to access the school at the
same time; this can cause congestion and chaos if everyone tries to drive.
If you are driving a car, can we ask that you do not cause an obstruction in
the road by inconsiderate parking, it is better to walk a few metres - even
in the rain - than risk a child’s life.
The school grounds are for staff only parking, and should not be used as a pick-up or drop-off area apart from the School Bus, which obviously needs access to the school entrance for the safety of the children. An obstruction puts those children at risk.
Please give consideration to the residents in the school area when driving and parking.
The School pursues a ‘Walk to School’ policy with enthusiasm and is constantly seeking ways to encourage this to happen. This is part of our Travel Plan for which the School has received a Travelwise Award.
Devon County Council has a policy on the provision of school transport. It provides, for example, for free school transport where a pupil of compulsory school age lives beyond the statutory distance from the school designated by the Local Education Authority to serve the home address. The statutory distance is defined as two miles for children up to eight years of age and three miles for those aged eight and over. The statutory distance is measured by using the shortest available route between the home and the school.
Free transport will also be provided if requested to pupils registered at a school that is nearest to their home where this is not the designated school.
There are exceptions to this policy. Some pupils may be given free transport for special reasons when they live within the statutory distance - for example, on medical grounds.
It is a parental responsibility to arrange for children to travel in safety
between the home and picking-up and setting-down points. They are also responsible
for their children while they are waiting for transport and when they leave
the transport at the end of the day.
If spare seats on the County Council school transport vehicles or contractors'
vehicles are available, these may be occupied by children not entitled to
free school transport on the purchase of a concessionary ticket. Adequate
warning will be given to parents should the concession need to be withdrawn.
If parents are unhappy about the way in which the policy has been applied, staff at the Divisional Education Office will be willing to discuss any concerns. An appeal procedure exists.
Further information is available from the Divisional Education Office. A full
policy statement is available from the Divisional Office.
School Meals are cooked and served on the premises and offer a choice of a vegetarian or non vegetarian main course and sweet at a current charge of £1.60 per day. Lunch tickets are available to purchase on Monday and Friday mornings only from the office and may be paid for by cheque ( payable to Devon County Council). Tickets must be bought in multiples of 5 but do not have a time limit and can be used at any time. Tickets should be clearly marked with your child’s name. If your child prefers to bring a packed lunch to school we encourage children again to make healthy choices.
Children are encouraged by staff to drink still water throughout the day. Following dental advice, only water should be drunk constantly in class, as both the sugar and acid within juices will damage young teeth if sipped over a period of time. Milk is available to buy at a discounted rate for breaktimes . If juices are to be drunk it should be during the break or lunchtime.
Children should not bring into school foods which we regard as unhealthy or unsafe e.g. sweets, chewing gum, lollipops, and drinks in glass bottles. Fruit or a plain biscuit is an appropriate playtime snack.
The children who are entitled to free school meals are those children (other
than looked after children) who live with a parent or guardian who is in receipt
of Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (income-based) or Child Tax Credits
(income of less that £13,230 and not receiving working tax credit). A
TC602 must be provided as evidence.
Free school meals are authorised by the Local Education Authority.
To claim free school meals the first step is to ask for an application form,
which can be obtained from the school or the Divisional Education Office.
Our School Nurse is Mrs Bridget Ashplant and our School Doctor is Dr Sarah Hannington. The School Administrator and Head teacher know when they will be attending the school.
The School Health Service provides advice on the health of children as it relates to their educational needs. The School Nurse offers health interviews to all parents at school entry. She also carries out hearing and vision tests. A referral can be made for a child to the School Doctor if deemed necessary.
In all the above the School Health Service works closely with General Practitioners and other health professionals. It also supports teachers in those parts of the school curriculum concerned with health education.
Simple injuries in school are dealt with in the first instance by the school’s qualified first aiders who have the support of the School Health Service so far as advice and training are concerned. The School Nurse is the point of contact with the School Health Service. Parents and children are encouraged to contact her if they have any concerns regarding their child’s health at school.
Medicines in School
Any medical drugs a child may need may only be brought to school and administered
with parental consent, on completion of the appropriate form (ED1S) according
to our administration of medicine procedures.
Links with other Agencies
a) Crediton Learning Community
Crediton Learning Community consists of the Head Teachers or their representatives
from all the feeder primary schools to Queen Elizabeth's Technology Community
College in Crediton, the Head Teacher of QECC and the Head of the Lower School.
This Academic Council improves liaison between schools and receives and responds
to local and national educational initiatives.
b) Queen Elizabeth Technology Community College
As well as links within Learning Community the school has a planned transfer
routine for all children who at the age of eleven move to QETCC. For more
information about QE Technology Lower School, visit www.goingtoQECC.co.uk
c) Links with pre-school groups
The school enjoys close links with the local Playgroup and Parent and Toddler
group, and the Four Plus group meets in the school.
d) Links with other village organisations
To fulfil its role as a community primary school, there are strong links to
various village organisations e.g. football – Bow Eagles, Bow Historical
Society, Gardening Club, visits from the local churches representatives.
e) Partnership with University of Exeter Initial Teacher Training Programme
The school works in partnership with the University to mentor and provide experience
for training teachers.
A school Uniform is preferred as follows: -
Boys - Grey/black trousers (royal blue, black or grey shorts may be worn in summer). White polo shirt /White shirt/ School T-shirt or sweatshirt or blue pullover.
Girls - Grey/black skirt, pinafore or black trousers, simple blouse/ white polo shirt/ school t-shirt. Blue cardigan or school sweatshirt. Blue/white checked/striped cotton dress (summer) or blue and white checked/ black cropped trousers.
Black shoes are preferred in school. If trainers are worn, again black is preferable. Trainers must be laced safely and pupils should have a change of footwear for PE activities. Sensible sandals may be worn in the summer. If children who wear shoes would like to change to trainers during lunchtimes this is fine.
Jewellery is not allowed for safety reasons, the only exceptions being a wristwatch and only studs in ears.
New School sweatshirts and Bow School coats can be purchased from Mrs Celia Westrip Tel: 82536. Second hand sweatshirts can be obtained from Mrs Liz Sandom Tel: 82727. Bookbags can be purchased from school at £3.50.
We do require children to be appropriately dressed for the following activities:
1. Art and Craft - Please provide an aprons or an old shirt.
2. Games (outside) - Navy Blue Sweatshirt, Black Shorts/cycle shorts, white t shirt and trainers* Children should have a complete change of clothing (KS2) and an old towel in case they get wet. In cold weather a track suit may be worn over the kit.
3. P.E. (indoors) - Black shorts/cycle shorts and white round neck t-shirt . KS1 Plimsolls for summer/ trainers. It is important that the footwear is a change from the footwear worn throughout the school day.
4. Swimming (summer) - Costume, Swimming Hat (provided) and Towel.
* Below ankle training shoes are required for outdoor sporting activities
PLEASE MARK ALL CLOTHING CLEARLY WITH CHILD'S NAME.
Whilst children are in school the local authority's insurance cover will make payment in respect of loss or injury only if negligence on the part of the school can be proved. Accidents in school are rarely the result of negligence and there are insurance companies who will insure your child against accident or permanent injury from whatever cause.
Illness – We ask that parents should notify us as soon as possible if
a child is not attending school through illness. Please telephone by 9.30 am
on the morning of the first absence to inform us of the reason and then for
further days, send a letter of confirmation stating the reason when the child
returns. (When phoning, please leave a message on the answer phone if you don’t
get through to a member of staff stating the child’s name, class & reason).
The School is required by law to keep a written record of any absence of children.
Children who are sent home from school through ill health should not return
to school that day unless accompanied by a letter from a doctor confirming
fitness.
Hospital/Clinic Appointments – Advance notice of any appointment that
will keep a child out of School must be given to the office or class teacher.
Parents are requested to report to reception, where the child can be ‘signed
in or out’.
In the interest of the child could you please make sure that the school is
informed of any condition eg medical, domestic, physical or emotional that
we need to take into account to enable us to provide the best possible care
and education.
Holidays/Special Occasions – Parents are requested to give careful thought before taking their children out of school, for non-educational reasons. The school suggests that, for the sake of the child’s education, holidays are best taken during the school holidays. If parents wish to take a family holiday during term time a holiday form should be completed; these forms are available from the school office. All requests to take children out of school for family holidays should be made to the Headteacher with as much advance notice as possible.
The following criteria will apply:
1. The attendance level of the child is consistently good, unless there is
good reason eg illness.
2. The family have extenuating circumstances.
3. That is does not fall within SAT’s week or the first three weeks of
the academic year.
4. The time requested does not exceed 10 school days in any one academic year.
Requests that fall outside of this remit will be taken to the Governors for careful consideration on an individual basis. Governors will apply the above criteria. If the request is refused and absence is taken the Headteacher will notify the EWO.
To clarify a timetable of events within the school calendar, parents will
be notified of term dates, SAT’s dates and termly governors meetings.
