Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I order the uniform from?

School uniform is now available to order on line from Anglia Sports and Schoolwear.

It is no longer possible to purchase uniform in school. However, we do hold samples of the following items so that they can be tried for size:

sweatshirt
cardigan
fleece

Uniform Policy March 2022

What happens during severe weather?

Adverse Weather Closures

If we do decide that we need to close the school as a result of bad snow or bad road conditions this is not a decision that we take lightly. Adverse weather really does mean ‘severe’ as opposed to a slight flurry. If circumstances are such that you think there is a possibility that we may be forced to close either first thing in the morning or during the day, we would please ask you to check the following:

Come to this school’s website to see if a message has been posted on the home page.

Radio Broadcasts

You can tune into the local radio stations listed below where closure information will be broadcast on a regular basis (note that BBC Essex’s website is updated before any broadcasts). However, it can take us up to 20-30 minutes to get connected, and then the message will only be broadcast in the next ’round’ of announcements.

BBC Essex: 103.5 FM / 729 AM

Dream 100: 100.2 FM

Early Closure

If weather conditions should deteriorate badly once the children are already in school please first check the school’s website to check for any new message that has been posted on the home page. Please try to avoid calling the school office for information. It is very difficult to function with such a high volume of incoming calls.

If we decide we must close early, we will inform the radio stations (again, BBC Essex will update their website before any broadcasts take place) and also text & email parents.

Snow

If there is snow, please refer to the below map that shows the paths and roads that will be gritted around the school site.

Two Village Snow Plan

What are the school opening times?

Arrival – gates are open from 8.30 am until 8.50 am

Registers open at 8.30 am and close at 8.50 am

Lunch time – 12.00 – 1.00 pm

End of school day – 3.00 pm

Is there parking at the school?

Limited parking for parents is provided close to our school. Please keep our children safe at all times by parking responsibly and adhering to road markings. Please do not use the car park in the adjacent Windmill Childrens’ Centre. This is a completely separate institution, and the spaces are for their visitors only.

Parking for ‘Blue Badge’ holders is available with prior arrangement via the school office.

DO NOT park on the zebra crossings or block access gates.

Please could we remind parents/carers again that the staff car park should not be used by anyone who is not a member of staff. Children should not be dropped off in the car park in the mornings, including children who are attending Breakfast Club. The car park is often still in use by staff until 8.15am therefore it is not safe for children to be in this area. In order to keep everyone safe, pedestrians should not enter the school site through the car park gates as this is for vehicular access – not pedestrian access. We would also like to point out that, as Breakfast Club starts at 8.00am, no children should be left alone on the school site before this time.

It has also been brought to our attention that some parents are parking at the rear of the school around Lodge Close area, parking on the field area and walk way of the rear access path. This is a concern as children often use this path and could be hit by a car using this area. We we would urge everyone to think very carefully about where they are parking.

Failure to adhere to this invalidates our risk assessment.

We thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

What is your Lateness Procedure?

How we manage lateness:

The school day starts at 8.30 am when children can begin to come into school. Registers are taken at 8.50 am and your child will receive a late mark ‘L’ if they are not in by that time. Children arriving after 8.50 am are required to come in to school via the school office if accompanied by a parent or carer, the parent/carer will sign them into our ‘Late Book’ and provide a reason for their lateness which is recorded. The school may send home ‘late notes’ in order to keep parents and carers informed. From time to time the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher will undertake a ‘Late Gate’ check, greeting late arrivals at the main entrance to the school.
At 9.20am the registers will be closed. In accordance with the Regulations, if your child arrives after that time they will receive a mark that shows them to be on site ‘U’, but this will not count as a present mark and it will mean they have an unauthorised absence. This may mean that you could face the possibility of being issued with a Penalty Notice if the problem persists. If your child has a persistent late record you will be asked to meet with the School Welfare Officer and/or Child and Family Support Worker, but you can approach us at any time if you are having problems getting your child to school on time. We expect parents and staff to encourage good punctuality by being good role models to our children and celebrate good class and individual punctuality.
If leave of absence is authorised, the school will not provide work for children to do during their absence. Parents are however advised to read with their children and encourage them to write a diary while they are away.

What is your Absence Procedure?

If a child is absent from school the parent/carer must follow the following procedures:

Contact the school on the first day of absence before 9.20 am. The school has an answer phone available to leave a message if nobody is available to take your call, or call into school personally and speak to the office staff
Contact the school on every further day of absence, again before 9.20am
Ensure that your child returns to school as soon as possible and you provide any medical
evidence if requested to support the absence.

If your child is absent we will:

Telephone or text you on the first day of absence if we have not heard from you however it is your responsibility to contact us
Write to you if your child’s attendance is below 95%
Invite you in to school to discuss the situation with our School Welfare Officer, Child and Family Support Worker or Headteacher if absences persist
Refer the matter to the Local Authority for relevant sanctions if attendance deteriorates
following the above actions

My child is sick. Should they still come to school?

NHS Poster – Advice on Childhood Illness

Local NHS experts have joined forces with Essex County Council to produce an at-a-glance guide to 17 childhood illnesses including Chicken Pox, Glandular Fever, Ringworm and Tonsillitis.

The poster above highlights key symptoms of common illnesses which are traffic light colour coded to indicate whether children should go to school or stay at home.

Illnesses in the green category – for example colds and conjunctivitis – are those where children should continue to go to school.

The amber category is when an illness could be catching and there are some restrictions on school attendance.

Children should not go to school and should see a GP if the illness falls into the red category. Red category illnesses are German measles. Impetigo, Measles and Whooping Cough.

The poster also advises parents on where they should first seek treatment, either from their local pharmacist or their GP.

There is guidance on when to consult a GP if symptoms persist and advice on when it should be safe for a child to return to school if they have a particular illness.