Key Information for Parents
How the school contacts you...
We try very hard to keep everyone informed of news and events at the school. However, you might also be aware that sending written information home can be rather “hit and miss” with information often going missing on the way. We are increasingly aware, too, of the environmental impact of the amount of paper we use. Therefore, we use a management information system called ARBOR which enables us to send letters and messages directly to parents by email. When you return your child’s Contact Form we will use the email information provided therein for this purpose. School newsletters are issued regularly and are also available on the school website:- www.theydon.efspt.org
Your Contact Details
It is extremely important that we have the correct and up to date contact details for all parents and other carers of your children. If any of your contact details change during the course of an academic year please update your details on ARBOR or inform the office as soon as possible. Should you leave your children in the care of other relatives for any reason (ie holiday) please inform the school office in writing. If your child has to be collected from school by someone other than yourself please ensure that you inform your child’s teacher.
Attendance
In order for a child to be successful at school, regular attendance is important. Your child is expected to attend school for 189 days in any academic year. The three school terms cover 195 days; the additional six days are for staff development and are non-pupil days. Parents are notified in advance of non-pupil (INSET)days.
We expect children to be punctual. The gate opens at 8.40 am and is locked at 8.50 am when registration begins. Any children arriving after that time must enter through reception via the main entrance and sign in the late book giving a reason for the lateness.
Absences
We are required to keep a register of attendance of all children. When your child is unwell or unable to attend school, including for medical appointments, you must contact us as follows:
- Telephone 01992 813083. As well as being the main school number, there is an automated option for reporting absences from school.
- You will be asked the following information:
- ❖ Your child’s class
- ❖ Your child’s name
- ❖ Your name and relationship to the child
- ❖ Reason for absence
- ❖ The current password; (please ask for this when your child starts school. You will be notified when it changes).
- ❖ Please try and phone before 9.00am
This must be done on every day that your child is absent. After 9.00 am the registers are checked against the telephone messages. If your child is absent and we have not received a message, we will telephone you. If we are unable to obtain a reason for your child’s absence and have tried all means of contacting you, your child will be given an unauthorised absence.
If it is necessary for your child to attend a medical appointment during school time (dentist, hospital, doctors etc) it is requested, if possible, that the school is notified in advance by means of a letter/copy of the appointment card to the appropriate class teacher or school office. If a registration is missed due to a pre-notified medical appointment this is regarded as an authorised absence. It is appreciated that sometimes emergency treatment is required; in these circumstances please contact the absence line in the usual way as soon as you are able.
Requests for Term Time Absences
There is no entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time for any reason, however, if you believe there are exceptional circumstances, you must apply to the Headteacher in writing by completing an application form which is available from the school office.
If the absence is not authorised and the leave is taken, the case may be referred to the Missing Education and Child Employment Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £160 (or £80 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.
Illness and Medicines
Should your child be taken ill or have an accident at school we will make every effort to contact you immediately. On an annual basis we will request that you confirm all of the emergency contact details that we hold for you and ask that you keep us up to date with any changes to your address, phone number and emergency contact numbers. Please inform the office if your child has been prescribed medication. Medicines must not be left with your child in the classroom. The school can only administer prescribed medicines in certain circumstances by prior agreement with the school office. Should this be necessary you will be requested to come into school to complete a consent form. Over the counter medicines should not be sent into school at any time – this includes throat sweets etc.
On-Line Payments – Arbor
The school uses a management information system that includes an online payments system called Arbor. This means that any payments which you need to make to the school for trips, etc can be made electronically with your debit or credit card. A letter will be emailed to you when your child starts school with details of how to register and log in. Should you have any queries about this please do not hesitate to speak to the office staff.
School Meals
We hope that all children who attend Theydon Bois Primary School will enjoy our school meals on a regular basis. As you may be aware all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to receive free school meals. For all other pupils, school meals will cost £3.00 per day and should be paid weekly on a Monday or at the beginning of each half-term via our online payment system. If you chose to send a packed lunch for your child it should be in a named container. Sweets, nuts or fizzy drinks are not allowed. Children are allowed to bring fruit or vegetables with them if they wish to have a snack during morning playtime, although the KS1 children have this provided for them via a Government initiative.
Our school meals are cooked on our premises using fresh ingredients from local butchers and greengrocers. Our kitchen has been awarded a level 5 Hygiene rating. During the lunch time session children are carefully supervised in the playground by our team of trained midday assistants, who liaise closely with the Headteacher and staff about the children. If it is raining at lunchtime, the children are supervised in their classrooms.
Breakfast Club
The school runs its own Breakfast Club which is available to all children from 7.30 am to 8.40 am every morning. The Club, which is situated in the Demountable Classroom next to the Reception Classes, is run by two members of staff and offers breakfast, eg. toast, cereal, juice, milk and an opportunity to take part in a variety of social activities such as games and puzzles. Children enter through the school foyer at 7.30 am and are escorted to the demountable, where they are registered and remain until 8.40 am, before transfer to their normal classrooms. Places are limited to 25 on each day and are offered on a first come first served basis. The cost is £6.50 per day and we ask that booking and payment for each half term is made in advance via our online payment system.
After School Club
The school runs its own After School Club which is available to all children from 3.20 pm to 6.00 pm from Monday to Thursday afternoons. The Club, which is situated in the Demountable Classroom next to the Reception Classes, is run by two members of staff. The club offers a healthy snack and a drink and an opportunity to take part in a variety of activities such as role-play, creativity, reading, learning & discovery, outdoor activities, movies, games and puzzles as well as an opportunity to complete homework. Reception and KS1 are escorted to the club at the end of the school day, KS2 children will make their own way there. Places are limited on each day and are offered on a first come first served basis. The cost is £15.00 per day and we ask that booking and payment for each half term is made in advance via our online payment system.
Parking
Sadly parking in the roads surrounding the school at the beginning and end of the school day is an on-going issue for us. In order to keep our pupils safe please do not park across drives, dropped kerbs or on double yellow lines or grass verges when you drop your children off in the morning or at the end of the school day. We have a special arrangement with the Village Association for the use of the Village Hall Car Park at these times whereby parents can park there and walk to and from school. Parking Permits are available from the school office and can be obtained prior to the beginning of the school year. Please be aware that the local parking wardens regularly patrol outside the school.
Uniform
All children are expected to wear school uniform (all clearly labelled with child’s name) as follows:
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Boys |
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Green School Blazer with logo (optional for all – expected in Year 5 and 6)
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Blazer must be worn with white shirt and school tie. Top buttons must be present and must be fastened.
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Grey trousers/shorts
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Bottle Green long-sleeved V-neck sweatshirt with logo
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To be worn under a blazer. Normally worn with a shirt and tie. Can be worn without a blazer. Not for PE.
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White shirt and school tie Reception children may wear a white polo top. |
Tie must be worn No tie to be worn with polo top |
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Black or grey socks
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Plain black shoes |
Not suede, canvas or trainer style. Trainers can be kept in school for Mile a Day.
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Girls |
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Green School Blazer with logo (optional for all – expected in Year 5 and 6)
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Blazer must be worn with white shirt and school tie. Top buttons must be present and must be fastened. Can also be worn with a summer dress – no tie.
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Grey skirt - ideally no shorter than knee length/pinafore/school trousers (NO leggings)
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Bottle Green long-sleeved V-neck sweatshirt with logo or bottle green long sleeved cardigan with logo
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To be worn under a blazer. Normally worn with a shirt and tie. Can be worn without a blazer. Not for PE |
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White shirt and school tie Reception children may wear a white polo top. |
Tie must be worn No tie to be worn with polo top |
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Green checked summer dress or knee length Playsuit
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April to October only |
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White or grey plain socks or grey or bottle green tights Plain Black Shoes |
Not suede,canvas or trainer style. Trainers can be kept in school for the Mile a Day. |
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PE (Boys and Girls) |
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School PE top
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Black shorts (no skorts)
Optional for girls: plain black sports leggings |
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School tracksuit
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Plain black track suit bottoms
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Black skins can be worn under PE top
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October to April only |
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White socks
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Black plimsolls – EYFS
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Indoor PE
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Predominantly Black trainers (all years)
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All outdoor sessions – trainers – KS 1 to KS2
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School Bags |
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School book bag School PE bag School rucksacks
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Available from Forest Casual and School Wear 144 High Road Loughton IG10 4BE
EYFS
PE kit including a school tracksuit and pair of socks, should be stored in a simple, named, drawstring bag which should remain at school at all times. A PE bag with the school logo is available from Forest Casual.
Key Stage 1 and 2
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Come to school dressed in PE kit on the days they have PE lessons or sporting activities. |
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All children are encouraged to drink water throughout the day as we know this helps their concentration and improves learning, therefore, children are encouraged to keep a water bottle in class. |
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Swimming
A swimming kit should be brought into school on your child’s swimming day during the Summer Term and the first half of the Autumn Term. New Reception children 2026 will not swim until April 2027.
Jewellery, Nail Varnish and Hair Fashion
Jewellery is not allowed, as it can be dangerous in school. Stud earrings are tolerated, but must be removed during PE and swimming. Children should be able to do this by themselves. The Local Authority health and safety policy states ‘that all jewellery and other personal adornments constitute a hazard and must be removed before the PE lesson’. Watches may be worn, but should be named in some way, (initials in Tippex) and removed for PE. Nail varnish is not permitted under any circumstances. Long hair should be tied back at all times. Any hair clips, bows or bands should be of a sensible size and in the school colours, ie., green, grey or white. We will request that any inappropriate items are removed.
And Finally …..
Should you have any other questions or queries you may find the answer on our website:
or contact the School Office: 01992 813083
email: office@theydon.efspt.org