All other aspects
Accessibility
Our school aims to be an inclusive school. We hope to make all our children welcome and feel happy to look forward to their school day. Every child is different and we view differences as an opportunity for adults and children alike to learn more about themselves.
If your child has a disability he or she will be treated no less favourably than other applicants for admission. We make reasonable adjustments to ensure that pupils with disabilities are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.
We aim to prevent disabled pupils in our school being placed at a substantial disadvantage. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that people with a disability are not treated differently without lawful justification. We will make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils and we will know we have succeeded when disabled pupils are participating fully in school life.
In order for effective partnership working between home and school to take place, we anticipate that parents will want to:
- Inform the school at the earliest opportunity if their child has a disability and the exact nature of that disability.
- Provide the information the school needs to plan effectively for the child to be a full member of the school community.
- Acknowledge that when deciding whether an adjustment is reasonable, one of the factors the Headteacher must consider is the effect of the proposed change on all members of the school community.
- Recognise the importance of the school and home working in partnership.
The school has a policy for supporting children with special educational needs or who are gifted and talented which is revised every year. This policy is available in the school office. Our aim is for all children to have access to all aspects of school life, as far as is reasonable and practicable.
Community Involvement
Parent, Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a thriving PTA and all parents are automatically members. A committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting, which is held each year in September.
( see PTA page )
School Governors
The Governing Body (see Appendix 5) works closely with the Headteacher in the leadership and management of the school. It meets regularly during the term with additional committee meetings to discuss individual matters, such as Health & Safety and Premises, School Improvement, Finance, Inclusion and Personnel. The minutes of the Governors’ meetings are available to all parents.
The Governors are all local people, caring for the welfare of the children and bringing their interests and experience to support the school. They play an active role in school improvement and raising standards. They are always happy to talk with you about any matters related to school and your children.
( see Governors page )
School Dress
We encourage all the children to take pride in their appearance and to wear appropriate clothing for school. The governors and majority of parents strongly support our policy on school uniform.
Our uniform is:
- School logo sweatshirts
- Grey/navy/black trousers
- Navy tunics/ skirts
- Blue/white check/stripe summer dresses
- Blue school logo polo shirts/ plain light blue polo shirts
- Plain jogging bottoms
- Plain sweatshirts
- Sensible school shoes
The clothing we consider unsuitable in school:
football kits, camouflage kit, beach wear, platform shoes, high heeled shoes/sandals, denim, mini skirts.
The school office has samples of uniform. If you would like to see some please contact the school office between 9.30 – 10.00am or 3.30- 4.00pm.
PE and Games Wear
PE dress is as follows:
- white vest/t-shirt and
- blue shorts
- indoor P.E. which will be done in bare feet.
For outdoor. games children will need:
- a warm top,
- a pair of shorts,
- socks
- a pair of trainers (not plimsolls)
- Some children will also have a pair of football boots but this is optional.
- In very cold weather jogging bottoms and a warm top are allowed to be worn over games kit.
All children need a draw-string bag for storing all PE and games kit. Anything larger is not suitable for the cloakrooms. Please ensure that your child has suitable clothing available at the beginning of the week.
Your child’s name needs to be clearly marked on all clothes and equipment that are brought in to school.
Please note that baggy T shirts are not allowed for safety reasons.
School Meals
All school meals are cooked by our own chef and catering team and are of a very high standard. We recently gained the Local Authority’s Healthy Schools Award and also the National Award. Parents are very welcome to sample school meals and discuss any food requirements with our chef.
Lunch is provided at a cost of £1.85 per day. Parents may pay by cheque (payable to Bar Hill School) for the week, half-term or term. All dinner money must be paid either on the Friday prior to the week dinners are required or at latest on the following Monday. Names and addresses should be written on the back of the cheque. The class teacher collects dinner money first thing on a Monday morning. Please will you ensure that all dinner money, cash or cheques, are sent to school in a sealed envelope bearing the child’s name and class number. Please may we also ask that payments for dinner are kept separate from any other money that may be sent in to school? For details on free school meals please see the school secretary. Any monies may be left in the locked red mailing box outside the secretary’s office.
Lost Property
If any unnamed property is found, it is put in a lost property basket at the back of the school hall. If property is not claimed after four weeks it is disposed of. Valuable lost items are kept in the school office.
Personal Property
It is not advisable for children to bring valuables or large amounts of money to school. If it is unavoidable, they need to be given to the class teacher for safe keeping, first thing in the morning. Children are not allowed to bring mobile phones, skateboards or bicycles (unless they have passed their cycling proficiency test) to school.
The school has no insurance for damage or loss and we therefore strongly recommend that all children’s personal belongings that come into school be covered by your household insurance policy.
Educational Visits
During your child’s stay at Bar Hill, he/she will participate in educational visits such as:
- Local walks around Bar Hill.
- Day visits to museums, environmental centres, art galleries etc.
- Sporting fixtures.
- Extended residential visits.
All visits are linked to your child’s current modular project and permission from parents is required for all trips out of the village. You will be required to fill in a form giving permission for local visits around the village. The Governing Body have stated that children will only be allowed to travel on coaches or minibuses with seatbelts fitted. The teachers responsible for the visits act ‘in loco parentis’ at all times and will give the care which any reasonable parent would give.
Under the Education Reform Act 1988, parents are asked to make voluntary contributions to help fund these excursions. There is a central fund to help parents if they have financial difficulties. The Governing Body has adopted the Local Education Authority’s policy on charging for non-school activities.
The Governing Body reserves the right to make a charge in the following circumstances for activities organised by the school.
Remissions
Where the parents of a pupil are in receipt of income support or family credit, the Governing Body will make a financial contribution towards any residential activity that is organised within the school day.
Extended School Day
Breakfast Club
Our breakfast club runs from 7:45 until the start of school and is open to all ages, (even parents!) The food is in line with our healthy eating policy and provides excellent value for money. The cost is £2.50 per day per child.
‘The Playstation’ After School Club. SPARC Building (Next To the School)
There is an excellent after school club for children aged 4 to 11, which operates from 3:10 – 6:00pm.
Please feel free to discuss any queries that you may have concerning the Club with Patsie Ostler on 07921 541549.
Clubs
There are many extra-curricular activities for all children. Details of clubs are sent out early in the autumn term. For any further details contact the school
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