PASTORAL CARE
· The school telephone no. is 0113 2660728. Close contact between school and home is considered of fundamental importance and parents are encouraged to contact the school, any time by letter, telephone or email (school.office@ihomcps.co.uk). The School Office is open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm (4.00pm Fridays). Messages may be left on the answer phone outside these hours.
· Whilst the school welcomes parental visits, it is always advisable to make an appointment through the School Office, to ensure that the member of staff you wish to see is available.
· The school maintains links with the Attendance Improvement Officers and Psychological Services and accessed these as appropriate, according to the particular needs of pupils and families.
· In case of accident to a child, the school operates an emergency telephone link with parents.
· An emergency contact form must be completed by parents when they enrol their child. The information is required so that if the school needs to contact a parent in an emergency (in the event of an accident or sickness for example) it can do so promptly.
The responsibility for keeping this information up to date rests with parents. Please request a new form from the School Office if your circumstances change.
· The Class Teacher is immediately responsible for a child’s welfare. S/he, in turn, refers problems to more senior members of staff, who are responsible to the Head Teacher for the care of children.
Parents may contact the Class Teacher, Assistant Head Teachers, or Deputy Head Teacher, as they consider appropriate. Appointments may be arranged through the School Office.
· The administration of medication to children by staff is to be avoided other than in exceptional circumstances, when the specific permission of the Head Teacher is required. This will always be subject to a number of conditions including the provision of a doctor’s note. Parents may administer medication to their child at school, during a school day.
· The school will always try to help parents who find difficulty in paying for school uniform, school trips and other school related expenses. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher, or call at the school, if such help is needed. Your enquiry will be treated in strict confidence.
Safeguarding – Keeping Children Healthy and Safe from Harm
In this letter we would like to share with you school policies and practices with regards to ensuring that children are taught and encouraged to live healthy lifestyles and adopt safe practices.
School policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practices throughout the school and that they are adhered to by staff, governors and volunteers. Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and with this in mind adults at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School:
- are good role models for children
- enjoy their work and working with children
- are conscientious and hard-working
- welcome to support visitors to school
- recognise and value strengths in each other and use these to support everyone
- work within that agreed policies of the school
- promote a happy, caring and safe school
- encourage children to think for themselves, ask questions and find answers
- create an environment of trust whereby children are trusted to work seriously
- challenge and support children in their learning.
There are numerous policies in place to safeguard our children and they include:
- Child Protection – this is sensitive area in which all staff receive regular training. Here, school and other services for children and families all work together to support the needs of children. There is also a named governor for child protection. The child protection policy can be viewed by parents on request.
- Attendance – children’s attendance at school is monitored on a daily basis and notable absences or patterns of absences are followed up by the parental involvement officer and in more serious cases the Attendance Strategy Team. The school prides itself on its very good attendance figures.
- Behaviour – high standards of behaviour are expected in school. However, as we all know children do fall out from time to time. Where this is the case dealt with sensitively by an adult who gives both children time to explain what the problems is and helps the issue to be resolved. Children are often reminded about our school rules and they know that we have them in order for everyone to be happy and keep safe.
- Health and safety - everyone here at our school knows they have a responsibility to ensure children and adults are able to work in a healthy and safe environment. The school has several fully trained paediatric first aid members of staff who deal with accidents should they occur.
- Curriculum – through the planned curriculum we ensure that the issues of healthy eating, physical exercise and safety are taught. This aspect is enhanced by the many visitors to school, e.g. police officers who talk to the children about issues such as road safety, safe people and drugs awareness for children in year 2.
- Safer recruitment and selection – this aspect is taken very seriously. Governors and the school ensure that all staff new to the school and volunteers who work in school on a regular basis undertake a CRB/DBS check and full references and acquired before the person takes up post.
- Complaints – should parents have any complaints the school staff will listen to your concerns and will follow up any issues arising. There is a clear procedure in place. The headteacher will always be happy to meet with you and help resolve any issues. The school is committed to working closely with parents / carers for the benefit of the children. Remember no problem is too small and can often be prevented from becoming a bigger issue. If you continue to feel an issue has not been resolved then you could contact the complaints committee of the governing body.
We all know that children thrive better and are able to reach their full potential when school and families work closely together. All of us here at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School are totally committed to this and we look forward to our continuing close partnership with you in the future.
Yours sincerely
Mr Shaun Dudgeon
Headteacher