Frequently Asked Questions
What are the school opening and closing times?
The school gate opens at 8.45am. A member of staff will be on the school gate and will call in the children.
All children should be in school by 8.50am when the school day begins. The school registers close at 8.55am. If your child arrives after this time, they will be registered as late. Late minutes are recorded on our registration system.
School finishes at 3.30pm.
In total, our typical weeks include 33 hours and 20 minutes of school time.
What to do if my child is late to school?
If you arrive after the school gate has closed, you will need to buzz the office and then bring your child to the school reception. Your child will be marked as late and the number of minutes late will be noted on the register.
What to do if I am going to be late to collect my child?
If you are not going to be in the playground at 3.30pm to collect your child, please phone the office who will get a message to your child’s class teacher. Your child will be taken to the office to wait for you.
Can someone else pick up my child?
Yes, someone else can collect your child as long as you inform the school office or if they are given responsibility for collection on your admission forms.
Please inform the office of any changes.
How do I report my child’s absence?
Please either email the school office or telephone at 8.30am on the day of absence. You should advise the school every day that the child is absent.
How long are the children given to eat lunch?
The children in KS1 are always served first. This ensures that the younger children have around 25 minutes to eat their lunch.
Is drinking water available?
All children should have their own water bottle from home in school. There is a water fountain in the main part of the school so the bottle can be filled if necessary.
What should be in my child’s packed lunch?
According to the NHS, a balanced packed lunch should contain the following:
Starchy foods like bread, rice, potatoes or pasta.
Protein foods like meat, fish, eggs or beans.
A dairy item, like cheese or yogurt.
Vegetables or salad and a portion of fruit.
It’s my child’s birthday, can I send in treats?
We all enjoy celebrating a birthday at Dunswell but we do ask that you only send packet sweets. These should be nut and chocolate free (as per the school’s policy). We are also unable to allow food into school which ‘may contain nuts’.
What do I do if my child is prescribed medication?
If your child is well enough to be in school but requires prescribed medication, this will need to be signed in at the school office and the medication will be securely stored. This will then be administered by two members of staff.
What happens of my child has a medical/dental appointment during the school day?
You will need to inform the office about the appointment and provide them with evidence. If no evidence can be provided we are unable to authorise the absence from school.
How long before my child can return to school after an illness?
We ask that children only return to school once they are well enough. If your child has had a sickness or stomach bug, we ask that they remain at home until 48 hours after their last bout of illness.
What happens if my child has an accident at school?
There are a number of staff in the school who are first aid trained and can offer first aid and reassurance to children who may be injured. If the child receives a significant head injury, parents will receive a telephone call and we sometimes ask them to attend school to assess their own child. All other injuries will be reported at 3.15pm via a text message.
What do I do if my child has headlice?
If you find head lice at home, please do not send your child into school until they have been treated. Once treated there is no need to stay away from school. You should advise the school office so that other parents in the school can be made aware. If we find them in school, we will advise you so that they can be treated.
Can I park at school?
Parking outside the school is strictly forbidden. We ask that ALL parents park at the Sports Hall car park which is located behind China Red. The entrance is just before the school and there are enough spaces for all parents. We request, that for the safety of all children, parents and carers do not park in China Red.
Can my child cycle to school?
It is great to see children walking and cycling to school where possible. There are a small number of bike racks in the school playground where bikes can be locked up securely.
What do I do if I need to see a teacher?
If you need to speak with your child’s class teacher, please contact the office who will arrange an appointment for a mutually convenient time. We ask that you do not enter the classrooms in the morning or after school, without an appointment, when the teachers are busy preparing for the day. If you wish to see the Headteacher, please contact the school office.
How can parents get involved?
Parents are such an important part of a child’s education and we ask that they get fully involved. This should include supporting with the tasks sent home as well as reading and times tables.
Termly, parents are invited into school to work with their child in their classroom environment. We also hold termly reporting which includes two parents evenings and an end of year report.
The PTA are always looking for more members to support their fundraising to help raise money for the school. At times, we also need volunteers in school to support children with their reading
How do you communicate with parents?
Communication between staff and parents is key to ensuring everything at school runs smoothly. Across the school, an application called Seesaw is used. The office will use email and text messages to keep parents up to date. The website has all information on which you require and a newsletter is sent from the Headteacher every fortnight.
What should I do if I am worried about my child’s progress?
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, please make an appointment at the school office to see your child’s class teacher.
We ask that every single item of clothing and object bought into school is named. Any lost property which is named will be found within your child’s classroom.
We try to offer a range of after-school clubs but these often change from term to term and are dependant on staffing. They have previously included music, multi-skills, drama, team building, cooking, gardening, and many more.
How do I book after-school clubs?
Please do not try to book clubs until the letter has been sent out from the school office with the offer of available clubs. After receiving the letter, the clubs will be added to Parent Pay. These are available on a first come first served basis. The place will only be confirmed once payment has been received on Parent Pay.