We have tried to answer many of our frequently asked questions below. However, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any unanswered questions/queries – we are here to HELP and will try our best to answer.

What if your child is absent from school due to illness?

All absences should be covered by either a telephone message or note on the first day of absence. If your child has been suffering from either vomiting or diarrhoea, we ask that you keep your child at home for at least 48 hours after the vomiting or diarrhoea has stopped. If you require your child to remain inside the school at playtimes when they return after illness, please send a note to this effect..

What if your child has a medical appointment

Please notify the School Office and your child’s teacher should you need to take your child out of school during the day i.e. for doctor, dentist and hospital appointments. On these occasions, we require you to sign your child out at the school office.

What if your child needs to take medicine during the school day

Please come into school and complete a permissions slip; we will then administer the medicine. No medicine should ever be given to child to bring in, or keep with them.

School Meals

School meals are cooked in the Junior School kitchen and are served in the Infant school hall. A hot main meal is available daily which includes water. Packed lunches may be brought from home and are also eaten in the school hall.

Holidays during term time

On 1 September 2013, the Education Regulations came into force, changing the rules about term-time holidays. The amendments remove references to family holidays and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of 10 school days. The amendments specify that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless they consider there to be “exceptional circumstances”. If leave is granted, headteachers determine the number of days a child can be away from school. You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.
Please see the Attendance Policy for more information.

Snacks

The school provides a daily, healthy fruit or vegetable snack for the children in the morning.

Water

All classrooms have water fountains which provide fresh water for the children throughout the day. However, children may also bring their own water bottle to school, which needs to be clearly labelled with their name.

The Beehive Club – Breakfast and After School Club

The Beehive club run breakfast and after school club on the school grounds. Further details can be obtained by following this link Beehive club
The Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am and After School Club runs from 3.15pm to 6.00pm. Children from the Infant and Junior Schools attend the clubs.

Holiday Club

The school does not offer a holiday club.

PTA

We have a very active PTA who organise events and raise money for the two Oaklands schools. If you would like to get involved with the PTA, please contact a member of the committee on their website – www.oaklandspta.org.uk/conbtacts. The PTA welcomes new members and look forward to hearing from you.

Parent/Helper Volunteer in School

Parents are invited to help in the school alongside teachers and we welcome help with our outside environment. If you are willing to offer your time and skills please let us know.

School Trips

At appropriate times during the year, the children take part in organised educational visits. There are opportunities for the children to participate in special events and days in school. These include sports skills development, music and drama workshops and visits from authors. Anyone who wishes to share their skills, experiences or talents with us are warmly welcomed. Where possible, links within the local community are promoted within the school.

Dress Code and Uniform

Jewellery is not permitted to be worn in school, other than plain studs for children with pierced ears. Pupils with earrings are responsible for removing or covering with micropore tape PE, music and movement lessons. No responsibility can be taken by the school for loss or damage to personal belongings.
Shoes should be flat heeled to ensure your child’s safety at all times. This applies even on non-uniform days. Trainers are not acceptable as school shoes.
Hair must be neat and tidy, tied back for PE lessons where necessary.
Plimsolls: if your child has a verruca, plimsolls must be worn during activities when the children are normally barefoot.

Click here for School Uniform

School Hours

• The school day starts at 8.50am. Parents are responsible for their children until they enter the school building. If children arrive after the start of the school day, they must report to the school office.
• Lunchtime is between 12.15 and 1.15pm.
• The school day finishes at 3.15pm (3.10 in foundation Stage)
• Pupils are dropped off in the morning and collected at the end of the day, from their outside classroom door.

Parking

• If you bring your child to school by car, it is requested that you park at a safe distance from the school, as we do not allow parents and carers to bring cars on to the school site as part of promoting a safer environment for the children.
• We have received requests for considerate parking from local residents and ask you to respect their wishes.
• Disabled drivers who need to drive on to the site must inform the school who will ensure parking is available.