Headteacher's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
This half term has flown by! I have really enjoyed my (second!) first half term with you all, your children are a delight and it has been really fabulous getting to know everyone again. The new curriculum is beginning to really become embedded across the school, the staff are determined your children receive the best education they can give. This week Mrs Tomlin led training for the teachers on the new maths scheme we are using in school, Power Maths. We can ensure the best for your child by working together, so please speak to your child’s teacher in the first instance if you have a concern or question about your child as they know your child best. You can always speak to either of the Assistant Head Teachers, if you need to.
This week we have welcomed Assistant Head Teachers from other Cambridgeshire schools, who have been here for a course with Miss Cross and Mr Brough.
Keep sending in those Bag2School bags of clothes – we will earn 50p per kilo, this soon adds up (Townley earned £172 in their latest collection – I am sure Spring Meadow can beat that).
Today in the INSET day, the staff have completed training in autism and supporting children with SEND in the classroom.
I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable half term and we will see you all on Monday the 31st October.
Best wishes,
Mrs Maria Higgins
Interim Head Teacher
Additional Updates/Information
Family Budgeting Session- Please find attached a flyer regarding Family Budgeting Sessions which will be taking place at the Children and Family Center next to the school.
Gates closing time- Please not, the gates will be closed at 8.55am in the mornings, if your child arrives after this time, please sign them in at the office.
Attendance
Good attendance is really important to us at Spring Meadow, our children can only make good progress if they attend school regularly. If you need support with your child attending school please speak to one of us.
All parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child receives an education suitable to his/her age, ability and aptitude and any special needs. Most parents fulfil their legal obligation by registering their child in a school.
·Children must legally be in education between the school term after their fifth birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year they turn 16.
Our school day starts at 8.55am, all children arriving after this time will be marked as late. All children arriving late after 9.10am will be marked as unauthorised.
Attendance Facts
· Attendance of 95% for the year equals 10 days that your child has been absent, that is 2 full school weeks of your child’s learning missed for that year.
· Attendance of 90% for the year equals 19 days that your child has been absent, that is almost 4 school weeks missed.
· Attendance of 85% for the year equals 29 days that your child has been absent, that is almost 6 school weeks missed.
· Attendance of 80% for the year equals 38 days absent per year, that is over 7 school weeks missed.
The school day has two attendance sessions
· If your child seems unwell in the morning but seems better by lunchtime, please bring them into school for the afternoon session, this will help to keep your child’s attendance as high as possible.
· If your child ever has to have an emergency medical appointment, please ensure that you try to make it at the beginning or end of a school day, this way your child would only miss a maximum of half a day for the appointment.
Leave of Absence in Term Time (including holidays, weddings, visits to family)
· If you wish to take your child out of school for ANY reason during term time, you must formally request this in writing on a Leave of Absence Form. This applies whether it is for 1 day or a longer period.
· Periods of absence during term time can only be authorised by the Head and then ONLY in exceptional circumstances.
· Please remember in order for your request to be considered by the Head, you must make the request prior to the absence, otherwise it is always unauthorised.
· If you have a period of unauthorised absence during term time, you may be subject to sanctions including a penalty notice which at present is £60 per child per adult. This increases to £120 per child per parent if not paid within 21 days. Therefore if a family of 2 children take unauthorised leave during term time, the fine will be £120 for the Mother and £120 for the Father, increasing to to £240 each if not paid within 21 days.
The school year has 190 days for pupils to attend a year
Therefore, there are 175 days per year when your child does not have to attend school. These days could be used to;
· Spend time together
· Go on family visits
· Visit friends and family
· Go on holiday
· Go shopping
· Go on days out
· Attend routine appointments
Punctuality Matters
Being frequently late for school adds up to lost learning,
· Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over 3 days lost each year
· Arriving 15 minutes late every day adds up to 2 weeks absence a year
· Arriving 30 minutes late every day adds up to 19 days absence a year
