Information

Here is some general information that will help you in your day-to-day dealings with the school. The school office is usually manned daily from 8.10 am - 3.40 pm if you have any queries.

Visitors

We have a security lock on the front door. If you call at the school and find the door locked, please ring the bell and someone will release the door for you. If you are going to be in school for more than a few minutes we do ask you to sign the visitors book and sometimes to wear a badge. This is primarily for security reasons and also ensures that we know who is in the building to comply with fire regulations. Please remember to sign out when you leave.

Absence from School

If your child will not be in school due to illness or other reasons, please telephone or email the office as early as possible on the first day so that we can inform the class teacher (01223 880408, office@greatwilbraham.cambs.sch.uk). On your child’s return to school they should bring a note from you explaining the absence. If you would like to request any holiday during term time please complete a Holiday Form, obtainable from the office or downloadable from our website. Although we acknowledge the many factors behind parental requests for authorised leave, we have a specific responsibility to ensure regular attendance and therefore ensure full access to opportunities which will support their learning and levels of attainment. To help us ensure consistency of approach we have agreed to fully adhere to County Policy, which means that requests for leave of absence will only be approved in very exceptional circumstances, e.g.:
• a parent, grandparent or other close relative is seriously/terminally ill and the holiday proposed is likely to be the last such holiday;
• there has recently been a death or significant other trauma in the family and it is felt that an immediate holiday might help the child concerned better deal with the situation;
• the holiday is a unique, one-off, never-to-be-repeated occasion which can only take place at the time requested.
Please note that neither parents’ working circumstances nor the financial factors of holidays will normally be taken as constituting an “exceptional circumstance.”
All absences for visits to the doctor, dentist etc. should be supported by a note from a parent or guardian explaining the absence.

Dinner Money

A midday meal is available in school at the cost of £2.00 per child, per day. If your child is opting to have school dinners the Dinner Money should be handed in to the Class Teacher on a Monday morning for that week, in a yellow payment envelope (your child has been given some today and further supplies are available from the school office). If you prefer to pay by cheque, which is welcomed, this may be done weekly or half-termly. The cheques should be made payable to ‘Great Wilbraham Primary School’ and have your cheque card number on the back. If you do pay for the half-term and your child is absent at all, you will be credited with those payments for the next half term or refunded as appropriate.
Please remember that we are not obliged to provide school meals for those who have not paid in advance. If we have not received payment for a while, we will normally send a reminder home.

Free School Meals

If you think your child is eligible to receive Free School Meals please see Mrs Crisp as soon as possible to complete the appropriate form (applications can also be made online and we can provide you with the details). This is naturally treated in the strictest confidence.

Uniform

We do have a uniform policy and expect all pupils to wear school uniform including appropriate school shoes. They also do need a change of footwear for PE. Fleeces should not be worn in school during lessons; these are outdoor wear, to be worn outside at playtime / lunchtime.
Our school uniform policy is summarised here for your information:
Great Wilbraham supports a school uniform that helps develop the idea of all pupils belonging to the school on an equal basis. School colours are maroon sweatshirt, jumper or cardigan with yellow polo shirt and navy shorts, trousers or skirts (black or charcoal grey are also acceptable). Shoes should be appropriate for school, preferably black or navy and not have heels. Above all, clothing should be comfortable, appropriate and named.
For physical education, it is essential that the children should be correctly dressed. This should include
a tee-shirt and a pair of shorts, preferably in school colours of yellow and black or navy. These need to remain at school during the week in a small bag marked with the child’s name.
All children involved in outdoor games will require a track-suit or similar garment for the winter months plus alternative, appropriate footwear.
Jewellery may not be worn in school. The only exceptions are watches and studs for pierced ears. These must be removed during lessons involving physical exercise and will be retained by the class teacher for collection after the lesson.
For KS2 swimming, children need a swimming costume or trunks and a towel.
It is also very useful to provide your child with an overall to protect clothing during art and craft lessons. A discarded adult shirt, adapted to fit, is quite suitable.
All clothing and other personal items brought to school by children should be clearly marked with their name.

Emergency Closures

In the event of a school closure for snow or other circumstances we will communicate this information
by the following means:
• Notice on the school website—www.greatwilbraham.cambs.sch.uk
• ParentMail E-mail message
• ParentMail Text Alert
• Local Radio