Policies
To read the Child Protection Policy - click here
To read the Attendance Policy - click here
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is primarily the responsibility of the class teachers. The Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher also provide pastoral support.
In the event of an accident or of a child being ill in school, the parents will be contacted. Please help us by supplying us with up-to-date 'phone numbers and emergency contacts.
If a child is absent from school, parents are asked to let the school know on the morning of the absence. It is important that children arrive at school before the start of the school day and in time for registration. Late arrivals are recorded and officially a late mark counts as an unauthorised absence. Schools are required by the DfE to report attendance records. Children are awarded certificates for 100% attendance.
Medicines in School
If, for any reason, a child needs to bring medicine to school, the office staff should be consulted. Surrey County Council has clear guidelines which state that oral information is not acceptable. We require:
1. A signed form giving details of the medication, name of the child, name of the medicine and dosage.
2. All medication to be clearly labelled, including the name of the child.
3. Only medicines prescribed by a doctor will be given in school.
Staff will administer the medication to younger children, but experience has shown that older children are able to manage for themselves. Staff are also unable to take responsibility for reminding children that a dose is due.
Medicines are retained in the office, not with the child. This is for the safety and well-being of all children in the school. In complex cases, parents may come into the school to administer medication themselves.
Behavioural Policy
A high standard of manners, respect and concern for others is encouraged at all times and we believe that every person within our school community is of equal value. The school has clear “behaviour and consequences” procedures. Children are encouraged to be responsible for their own behaviour; the best kind of discipline is self-discipline. Although we encourage children to exercise self-discipline, it may be necessary at times to use some form of sanction. This will vary according to the nature of the misbehaviour, but may include a verbal or written apology, missing a playtime, work being sent home to make up for time being lost in class, reporting regularly to the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher, etc. In the case of persistent or particularly worrying misbehaviour, parents will be asked to see the Headteacher to discuss the best ways forward.
Our school has five Golden Rules based on the needs of children's safety and well being and on respect for others. Our expectations of pupils' behaviour cover such aspects as:
• Developing positive attitudes towards each other.
• Developing positive attitudes towards all adults irrespective of the work they do.
• Developing a sense of pride in their work and achievements.
• Developing respect and care for the immediate environment.
• Developing the sense of responsibility of being a member of a community.
The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy and does not tolerate any form of bullying, verbal or physical, nor does it tolerate racism. Any such incidents which occur are dealt with quickly. Racist incidents are recorded and reported.
There is a home-school agreement which parents are invited to sign.
Rewards
Children's work and achievements are valued and recognised. Within the classroom good work/effort stickers or stars may be awarded. The weekly achievement assembly is an opportunity to celebrate children’s good work, behaviour, progress, achievement or something particularly kind or helpful. Commendation certificates for progress and achievement, good behaviour and attendance are awarded termly.
Parent and School Liaison
The 'Friends of St. Matthew's School Association’ was formed in 1988. There is a committee of parents and staff who organise a programme of fund-raising and social events. All parents are welcome to join. Recent activities have focused on raising funds to improve playtime facilities and equipment.
Parents are welcome in the school. They are encouraged to accompany school trips and to help in the classroom with activities such as hearing reading, cooking, sewing, music, swimming and computers. Please contact the school if you are able to offer help. We do request that volunteer helpers obtain CRB clearance.
School Meals
Excellent school meals are cooked on the premises and represent extremely good value. The meals are varied and well balanced, and the children have a choice every day. Alternatively, parents may provide their children with a packed lunch which is eaten in the dining room. Packed lunches must be sent to school in a suitable named lunch box. No canned drinks please - only cartons or plastic flasks. All children are encouraged to eat a healthy packed lunch.
School lunches are paid for in advance weekly, and we ask parents to either pay online or send in the total amount for a week on a Monday morning - in an envelope clearly marked with the child's name and class. Meals are currently £2.00 per day.
Parents receiving Income Support are entitled to claim for a free meal. Forms and further details re eligibility are available from the school office.
Parents are also asked not to allow their children to bring toys, sweets, food (other than packed lunch) nor money to school. Junior children may bring a piece of fruit to eat during morning play. The nursery and infants have fruit provided. All children may have a bottle of water. Milk is available to all children. Parents must order directly from www.coolmilk.com
Stationery
Pen, pencils, crayons, rubber etc. are required in the older classes and these should be kept in a pencil case and clearly marked with the child's name.
Complaints Procedure
If a parent wishes to make a complaint about the School Governing Body or Local Education Authority not complying with their responsibilities under the law in terms of the school curriculum and related matters, they should contact the Headteacher. If the problem cannot be resolved informally, they may lodge a formal complaint to the school's Governing Body. Details of dealing with parental concerns and complaints procedure are available from the school.
Charging and Remission Policy
In order to meet the requirements of the Education Reform Act, the Governors of St. Matthew's School have agreed to adopt Surrey's County Policy on charging and remission for school activities:
1. Our school provides a programme of one day educational visits to enrich the curriculum.
2. The costs of these visits are to be met by voluntary parental contributions when they take place during school hours.
3. On residential trips charges will be made for board and lodging, but the cost of travel and activities will be met by voluntary parental contributions.
4. If any parent does not wish to contribute to the cost of travel or to a one day educational visit, their child will not be discriminated against. However, if sufficient contributions are not made, the trip may be cancelled.
5. Anyone in receipt of income support or income based job seekers allowance is entitled to claim remission. They should contact the Headteacher.
6. Where parents indicate that they wish to own the finished product made in technology or other practical lessons, the cost of ingredients or materials will be charged either in cash or kind otherwise a voluntary contribution can be made towards the costs incurred. No child will be discriminated against if their parents do not wish to contribute.
7. In the event of broken windows or lost or damaged school property, parents may be asked to pay if their child's behaviour caused the problem; this includes lost books.
8. Any activities taking place outside school hours will be charged in full. Costs for each participating child will cover travel, board and lodging, materials, entrance fees, insurance, teaching and non-teaching staff employed to provide the activity.
Security
The school operates a system whereby all visitors to the school are required to report to the school office in order to book in and receive an identification label. Entry is restricted via security doors and an intercom system. The Governors have also erected fences in order to limit access to the school grounds. School gates are locked during the day. The building and grounds are monitored by CCTV.
