Brindishe School: Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you plan for the future of the school?
- How do you make sure the school’s high standards are maintained?
- Why is the children’s behaviour so good?
- So how would you deal with bullying?
- Why is there no uniform at Brindishe?
- Do all the children play in the same playground?
- My child’s worried about being surrounded by bigger children
- What happens at lunchtime?
- What if my child is hurt at school?
- My child needs medicine during the day – how will you deal with that?
- How do you keep the school secure?
- What happens if my child is sick?
- What else do I need to know?
How
do you plan for the future of the school?
We have a three-year plan, drawn up after consultation with all parents,
staff, children and governors that outlines the future targets and plans
for the school and identifies areas to be developed. This covers all
aspects of
school life including the curriculum, premises, staff recruitment, training
and development, pastoral care and equality issues. Staff and governors
review the plan regularly and closely monitor our progress towards identified
targets.
Copies of the three-year plan and details of plans for each school year are freely available from the head teacher or the school office on request.
How do you make sure the school’s high standards are maintained?
There are many ways in which the governing body and staff monitor the school’s
performance, for example:
- We set targets for every child and for each year group as a whole. In particular we set targets for how many children will meet and exceed national levels of achievement.
- Our curriculum team leaders monitor and improve performance in their own particular areas. The head teacher reviews all plans of work for all classes and monitors and evaluates the performance of all staff and children.
- The Dfes and Lewisham Authority gather statistical information about each school and reports to the head teacher and governing body on how well the school is performing compared to local and national trends.
- And of course the school is subject to full inspection by OFSTED, the Government’s watchdog for education. Following a full inspection by OFSTED, the report is made available to all (www.ofsted.gov.uk).
The head teacher and governors are always pleased to discuss the school’s performance with parents or interested parties.
At the time of going to publication we can confirm the following statements about Brindishe School:
- Brindishe children regularly achieve at, above and well above national standards in English, Maths and Science in national tests.
- Compared to similar schools in the country Brindishe performs well above national expectations.
- Our current OFSTED Inspection describes Brindishe as ‘an outstanding school’.
- Many members of the teaching staff have specialist skills and expertise which they are employed by local or national organisations to share with a wider audience.
- Brindishe staff have excellent attendance records and absences are predominantly due to staff attending training, conferences or sharing their expertise with others.
Why is the children’s behaviour so good?
In Brindishe we place great emphasis on self-discipline and praise. We
encourage children to understand why certain kinds of behaviour are much
more acceptable than others, and we encourage self-respect, respect for
other people
and our environment. We also encourage parents and carers to work with
us to support children’s good behaviour so that home and school are
consistent in what they expect of each child.
Naturally there are some kinds of behaviour which we consider unacceptable and will treat very seriously. Any form of racism, homophobia, discrimination or violence are examples of such behaviour. Serious incidents will involve discussion between the child’s parents and the head teacher in order to decide on an appropriate course of action.
We do not believe in, and never use, corporal punishment.
Good behaviour and kind or helpful actions are shared with the whole school. We record these in a ‘praise book’, and in our special assembly on Fridays we thank children and adults whose names have been added during the week.
The school has a written policy for promoting good behaviour at Brindishe. Please ask if you would like a copy.
So how would you deal with bullying?
Bullying is not tolerated at Brindishe School. We have a strong anti-bullying
policy, which was written following extensive consultation with all parents,
staff and children.
We ask that all parents and children tell us about any bullying or bullying behaviour that they hear about in school. We have a number of ways of ensuring that children are able to report problems of bullying and of making sure children know we will take action. We always respond to complaints about bullying and we work in partnership with parents to make sure Brindishe is a bully-free zone.
More details are in our school policy, which is freely available.
Why is
there no uniform at Brindishe?
We have discussed the issue of school uniform many times and each time
children have, by a huge majority, said they do not want one. In Brindishe
we nurture children’s individuality and respect difference, which goes
against the grain of uniformity.
Please send your child in comfortable, easy to wash clothes. For young children it is very important that they wear clothes they can easily manage especially when going to the toilet or getting changed for PE.
Please, no high heels or platform soles, or lace-ups unless they can tie them themselves.
Jewellery should not be worn, except for stud earrings and watches. Religious items such as a crucifix or Sikh bangle may be worn but all jewellery has to be removed by the child for PE.
Girls and boys with long hair are asked to have it tied back, off the face, for lesson times. Loose flowing hair is not allowed for PE or games.
It helps us to return lost property if clothing is clearly marked with your child’s name. We have a large green lost property box; if you have lost something please look inside.
For PE children wear shorts and a plain T-shirt in summer, and a track-suit or leggings and a sweatshirt for outdoor PE and games lessons in winter. They need slip-on or lace-up plimsolls or trainers, which are kept in a small bag in the classroom. It is important that children change for PE for personal hygiene reasons. For the same reason, please make sure your child brings their kit home regularly for washing.
For swimming, children need only have a swimsuit or trunks and a towel - goggles are not allowed by the swimming baths during lessons. Children with long hair will need a swimming hat.
Do all the children play in the
same playground?
Children in the nursery and reception classes have access to their own
outdoor play area throughout the day and they play separately from the
rest of the school, although they do join them, from time to time, accompanied
by their teacher, nursery nurse or classroom assistant.
At playtime, the rest of the children go outside into the play areas and, in fine weather, onto the grassed area known as the ‘mound’. If it is raining children stay in the classrooms and are encouraged to read, draw or play board games.
If your child has a medical condition which prevents them going out to play, they can stay in the medical room or the office. Please ask the class teacher or head teacher if you think your child needs to stay in at playtime so that supervision may be arranged.
During very cold or very hot weather children may be brought in early from lunchtime play. They will either play quietly in their classrooms or watch a DVD in the hall.
Children aged 3–7 years are offered a free piece of fresh fruit every morning playtime. This is part of a government-sponsored scheme. Children in Key Stage 2 may bring their own fruit to eat at playtime.
My child’s worried about being surrounded by bigger children
We have a group of ‘Buddies’ at Brindishe to help in just such
a situation. These are children drawn from years 3–6 who are role models,
mentors and good friends for younger children. Children know they can approach
a ‘buddy’ at playtime if they need help, support or advice. Buddies
wear red caps and receive training and guidance from staff. We consider it
a privilege to be a Brindishe buddy and children take this role very seriously.
What happens at lunchtime?
Children are able to go home, stay for a school meal or bring a packed
lunch.
School dinner money for the week is collected on Mondays. You can pay for the week or half term or term in advance.
If you think you may be entitled to free school meals you should talk to the office staff for advice.
School meals are provided by Scolarest, who produce a weekly menu. This includes hot and cold meals and there is always a vegetarian option. Please let us know if your child has a special diet or if their religion forbids their eating certain foods because we can usually cater for this. Children are never forced to eat anything they do not like. If you would like to know the weekly menu please ask for one in the school office.
Packed lunches are stored on trolleys outside until lunchtime.
Drinking water is served to all children at every lunchtime and is available throughout the day. Children are not allowed to bring drinks other than water into school, and they are encouraged to bring a plastic bottle of water to drink throughout the day. The bottle must be named and brought home for washing each night. We do not allow sweets or chocolate to be eaten in school and we ask for your co-operation in this when you are packing your child’s lunch.
All meals are eaten in the hall except in fine weather when children with packed lunches may eat outside in the school grounds.
Children staying to lunch at school are looked after and helped by midday supervisors. Very rarely a child’s behaviour causes difficulties and in this instance the head teacher will decide whether or not the child is allowed to stay on site during the lunchtime period.
What if my child is
hurt at school?
Brindishe has qualified first aiders and if your child has a slight accident
in school they will be attended to by one of them in the medical room.
We do not apply ointments or lotions in case of allergy or reaction. Cuts
and
grazes are bathed and if necessary dressed.
All accidents are investigated and recorded. We always try to notify parents either personally or by letter, particularly if there has been a bump to the head or face.
If something more serious happens, we’ll contact you immediately so that the child may be taken to hospital, so please make sure our office staff have your most up to date contact details. Do let us know of any changes, however temporary.
If your child is ill at school we will contact you for them to be taken home. They will be made comfortable and warm while they are waiting.
Please note that children who are well enough to come to school are considered to be well enough to take part in all aspects of the school day, including PE and swimming.
My child needs medicine during the day – how will you
deal with that?
If your child has a specific medical problem please let us know. We have
a school policy on how we support children with medical needs. A copy is
available from the school office or learning support coordinator.
If you child has a long term medical need we can draw up a health plan with you so that all parties know what to expect of each other and that the child’s medical needs are addressed. This is especially important if your child needs medication every day as staff do not give tablets and medicines without written instruction from the head teacher.
Medicines of any kind must not be brought into school without the permission of the head teacher. The exception to this is asthma medication. Asthmatic children may keep an inhaler in school, either in the medical room or in a bag on their person. All inhalers must be clearly named and parents should note in their diaries when their child’s inhaler is due to expire.
Our school nurse visits regularly and will always be able to offer help or advice. There is a health file in school, which has helpful advice on everyday health problems and lists the ailments for which children must be kept away from school.
How do you keep the school secure?
Once school has started each morning both gates are locked and entry to
the school can only be obtained through a video-controlled entry system.
The main door entrance to the school building is again entry controlled.
Visitors to the school must sign in at the school office and they will be issued with a visitor’s badge. We do not allow free access to the classrooms or other areas of the school building without prior arrangement and the permission of the head teacher.
Children are not allowed to leave the school grounds during the day, unless they are collected by an adult. Parents and carers deliver children to and collect children from classrooms at the beginning and end of the school day. Although some children in the Juniors walk to and from school by themselves, younger children are only collected by a known adult. Children cannot be collected by an adult other than their known and named parent or carer without the school being informed in advance.
All staff employed at the school, plus voluntary
helpers, including parents, are subject to rigorous vetting procedures
including Criminal Records Bureau
checks. We retain close links with the police and our local community
and any concerns relating to safety and security are always reported and promptly
acted upon.
If you would like further information, you are welcome to refer to our
health and safety policy.
What happens if my child is sick?
If
your child is absent from school, please hand in a note to their teacher or
email the office with the reason as
soon as possible. We cannot accept verbal messages from a child.
Current Government regulations require schools to record reasons for absence. The absences are recorded as authorised (for example when the child is ill or visiting another school) or unauthorised (for example going shopping or having a haircut). Your child’s attendance and punctuality record forms part of their yearly report, and attendance and punctuality figures are used to assess and monitor a school’s performance against local and national standards.
Children with poor attendance and poor punctuality do less well at school than their peers. Please make attendance and punctuality a priority for your child. If we have concerns about your child’s attendance or punctuality, you will be invited in to discuss ways that we can work together to make an improvement. Copies of our attendance policy are available from the school office.
What else do I need to know?
After-school clubs
We organise a wide variety of clubs after school for children. These include,
at times, dance, gymnastics, music ensemble, arts & crafts, football,
cricket, multisport, football, tennis, rock band, hockey, tag-rugby, choir,
drama and rugby. Details of after-school clubs are circulated in the weekly
newsletter.
After-school care
There is no after-school care club or play centre at Brindishe School.
For the nearest play centre or after-school care club please telephone
Lewisham Authority, Laurence House, Catford.
Charging for school activities
There is no charge for any materials, equipment or transport provided for
any activities during school hours.
However, the school has to rely on donations or contributions from parents so that children can go on educational visits. These are planned to support children’s learning in school and include visits to art galleries, museums, performances and field trips. We also invite visiting performers or groups into school.
Parents are asked to contribute towards the cost of the visit. If it is an expensive visit, the school will supplement the cost from the school fund. No child is prevented from going on a visit or taking part in an educational experience or performance because their parent or carer is unable to make a contribution.
Parking
Please do not park or stop on the zigzag markings around the school – they
are there to protect your child.
Mobile Phones
Children are not allowed to carry or use mobile phones once inside the
school grounds or building.
And finally…we hope that this has given you the information that you need about our school. Please call in, telephone or email if you would like more information. We always welcome your questions and comments – and look forward to building a partnership with you at Brindishe.
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