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Key Information
Essential information for Parents
Please find below useful information about the day-to-day running of the school. You will also find our prospectus with details regarding all aspects of school life.
Admissions
Somerset Local Authority is responsible for co-ordinating all first admission applications (starting school). The Starting School booklet ‘A Guide for Parents’ is available on the Somerset County Council website. This sets out the primary admission application process and a range of information about all schools and academies in Somerset. School place applications can be made online at www.somerset.gov.uk/admissions or on paper application forms which must be returned to the School Admissions Team at Somerset County Council. These can be downloaded from the website address above or obtained by calling Somerset Direct on 0300 1232224. Parents are responsible for ensuring they make a school place application by the closing date which is 15 January each year.
The address for Somerset County Council Admissions Team is:
Admissions & Entitlements Team, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY.
Countess Gytha Primary School converted to become an academy in February 2019 and therefore currently use the Somerset Local Authority admission arrangements which can be viewed here;
Organisation of the School Day
- Schools gates open at 8.30am for parents to bring in children onto the playground.
- The playground is staffed from 8.45am
- Classroom doors open at 8.50pm
- Start of school: 9.00 am
- Morning Break: 10.30–10.45am
- Lunchtime: 12.00 – 1.00pm
12.00-12.30 Key stage 1 first sitting, 12.30-1pm key stage 2 second sitting.
- KS1 Afternoon break: 2.30pm – 2.45pm
- End of school: 3.30pm
All children arriving late to school must report to the office.
Anyone arriving after 9.20 will be recorded on SIMs as ‘late’.
Playtime Snacks:
In an effort to promote healthy eating, we only allow fruit, vegetables and healthy cereal bars to be brought into school for morning playtime. Children in Reception and Key Stage 1 receive a free piece of fruit each day. Milk is also available free of charge for under-fives. Parents of children over five who wish to pay for milk for their child can do so by contacting CoolMilk
Registration:
Parents should inform the school office by telephone by 9am if their child is absent from school and give the reason why. They should then send a note in on return to school stating the reason for absence.
Attendance:
Attendance is monitored closely, if a pupil’s attendance falls below 85% a standard letter from school will be sent home, to make parents aware that their child’s attendance is being monitored and continued absence may result in referral to the Local Authority if attendance does not improve.
(This does not apply to children with long term or chronic medical conditions who may have a lot of time off school).
Please refer to our Attendance policy
Communication
The current newsletter is sent out via an email. It is also uploaded to the website. If a paper copy is required please speak to the office. This includes news about special events, school activities, children’s achievements, PTFA notices and information regarding important developments in school.
Uniform
The school colours are navy blue, white and grey with navy and green striped ties. A number of items with the school logo, including jumpers, cardigans and polo shirts, can be ordered from our suppliers School Wear and more, who are based in Yeovil. Uniform is stocked in the shop where it can be tried on, alternatively they also support internet and phone orders for delivery and collection.
Daily wear
- All Children – White Shirt/Blouse (plain) with Tie
- Navy Logoed Sweat V Neck or Logoed Cardigan
- Grey Trousers/ Shorts
- Grey Skirt/ Pinafore
- Navy, grey or white socks or tights
- Black School Shoes (Black Boots can be worn during the winter months)
KS1 – Logoed Bookbag
KS2 – Rucksack (medium size)
PE Kit
- White Logo Polo Shirt
- Navy Shorts
- Navy jogging bottoms for winter
- Plimsolls/ Trainers
Optional
Navy PE Bag with Logo
Blue Summer Dress
(Easter – October half term)
School Logo-ed Fleece
School Logo-ed Coat
Baseball cap with logo
Navy Beanie winter hat
Creating a Positive Ethos
The Behaviour Policy at the school aims to encourage children to develop a respect for others around them and their environment. There are a few simple rules which are based on the need for their safety, health and well-being and consideration for individuals in the community.
We are a supportive school with a caring ethos and we have a number of systems in school which reward and celebrate achievement and good behaviour. These include:
- Weekly ‘Golden Time’
- Additional group and class awards
- Extra privileges
- Certificates
- Older children should always be aware of the needs of those younger than themselves and be prepared to help them when necessary.
- All children are expected to help to keep the school environment tidy and litter free.
Please refer to Behaviour Policy for more information including whole school and individual class reward systems
Parents in School
We enjoy and encourage parental involvement in school. Parents help in a variety of activities and have skills that they can share with the children. We are always looking for support of this nature. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school if you wish to help, with any aspect of school life.
Should a teacher, at any point, be concerned about your child’s educational or social development, we will contact you. In return, we invite you to contact the Headteacher, or the class teacher if you or your child has any concerns.
However, your visits need not only be confined to times of concern. If, for example, children have produced work of which they are especially proud, please feel welcome to come in and share it with them. The partnership between home and school in your child’s education is vital, and there is no doubt that when a good relationship prevails, progress is more smoothly and quickly achieved. We aim to deal with matters concerning the children in a courteous and constructive manner and expect parents to approach the school in the same way.
Reporting Progress to Parents
Autumn Term: Parent’s evening
Spring Term: Parent’s evening
Summer Term: Annual reports will be sent to parents giving them an opportunity to make an appointment to discuss issues raised on the report if they so wish.
Extra- Curricular Activities
We pride ourselves on being able to offer a range of extra- curricular activities. If you would like to help or run one yourself please speak to the headteacher about the organisation and management of such activities.
Homework
The school has a Homework Policy that is available on request from the office.
Children throughout the school are encouraged to read at home. In addition, multiplication tables and spellings are sent home regularly for older children.
Parental Complaints
We hope that any concerns or complaints that parents have can be resolved informally by the school. Therefore any concerns, in the first instance, should be made to the Headteacher. Failing this, the school Complaints Policy (available on the website) explains the procedures parents should take.
Severe Weather and other Emergency procedures
In the event of severe weather or any other emergency preventing the opening of the school, the school will send a message to the Local Authority, notification will be put onto the front page of the school website and local radio stations will be informed.
Pre-School Links
The majority of our Children transfer to Countess Gytha from our on site pre- school. However the school does have links with other local Pre-school and Nursery settings. For further information please telephone the school office.
Health and Safety
As a school we are responsible for the health and safety of the children in our care. We follow the guidelines laid down by the Local Authority. See our policies for our Health and Safety Policy.
Our Catchment area
Additional Information
Additional information about the school including, admissions, Published admission Number (PAN), the most recent OFSTED report, the school curriculum, End of Key Stage 2 Assessments and performance tables, Pupil Premium and Sports Grant Funding expenditure can be found on the schools website.
Useful Websites and Telephone numbers
Somerset Direct: 0845 456038
Postal Address:
Countess Gytha Primary School
West Camel Road
Queen Camel
Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 7FF
E-mail: office@countessgytha.ppat365.org
Tel: 01935 850345