Lowick School

Daily life

Starting School

How you can help

Reading

Everyday requirements and provisions

Disciplinary sanctions and bullying

Starting School

Children start school during the academic year (1 September - 31 August) in which they reach the age of 5.

Prior to starting school, children will be invited to attend in the summer term for a number of morning sessions, when they will be shown around the school and see what happens in the classroom. Parents are welcome to stay during some, or all of these sessions if they feel there is a need.

Any prospective parent(s) is/are welcome to visit the school, and an appointment can be made through the Secretary.

We would encourage children to have a certain amount of independence when starting school and we should hope that they could:

change and dress on their own for P. E. and swimming;
use the toilet without assistance;
use a knife and fork;
be able to hang up their coats and put them on for playtime.

How you can help

Make school something that's exciting and fun, for instance by talking about all the different things that the children will be doing.
Encourage skills of using pens, pencils, paintbrushes etc.
Read to your child, talking about the pictures and the story.
Encourage your child to write his/her name in cursive script, not capitals (e.g. Rosie Roberts, not ROSIE ROBERTS).
Encourage your child to play with other children, to help him/her to share.
Talk to your child and encourage him/her to answer in sentences, not just "Yes" and "No".
Encourage your child to dress him/herself and to put on his/her shoes.
Encourage your child to tidy up after him/herself.
Encourage your child to be considerate to others.

Reading

Education is a co-operative venture between school and home, and parents often ask how they can increase their contribution so as to maximise the benefit that their child can derive from his/her schooling.

Central to education is reading. Parents can make a significant contribution by, at the appropriate times:

preparing their child to become receptive to reading,
introducing them to reading, and
encouraging them at reading.

It is essential, however, to recognise the stages of development as they arise, and to use suitable methods.

We have included some notes on Reading at Home to help those parents who wish to contribute in this way. We would stress, however, that these notes are for guidance only, and are not to be considered mandatory.

Finally, a word of warning and a request: while we very much welcome such contributions, please do not force your child; forcing can do more harm than good.

Everyday requirements and provisions

We do not have a school uniform, but we do hope that your child will always come to school in smart, sensible clothes. School sweatshirts are sold annually.

Please mark your child's name on all clothing that is easily muddled, e.g. vests and, particularly, sweatshirts.

For P.E. your child will need a pair of shorts, a T-shirt and plimsolls. These need to be clearly labelled and kept in a bag that can hang from a peg.

For Swimming your child will need: a towel and bathing costume in a secure bag; arm bands, if worn (inflated, if possible); fruit, if required; but, please, no money or crumbly food.

If you wish to provide a snack for your child for morning playtime, please choose fruit.

If you would like to provide a drink for your child at lunchtime, please use an unbreakable, watertight container.

Please send dinner money each Friday in a clearly named purse or envelope. Pay only for dinners had during that week.

A bookbag will be provided to protect any books taken home.

Lunchtimes

Our meals are cooked and prepared at Leven Valley School's kitchen. Your child will have a daily choice of two menus, plus a vegetarian option. Classes are rotated weekly so that every child has a fair choice of meals. Your child can choose to sit with friends.

We feel that sitting down together to eat lunch is an important and special part of the school day, when the children can relax and chat quietly. The children are supervised by their teacher and by a lunchtime assistant, and good manners are insisted upon.

Some children do bring packed lunches from home. All children are able to bring a drink, in an unbreakable, watertight container.

Dinner money

School meals at present cost Ł1.20 per day (Ł6.00 per week). Parents receiving Income Support will be entitled to free school meals for their child. Application forms are available from the school or from the Education Office in Carlisle. No distinction is made between those who do and those who do not receive free school meals, and only the required staff will be informed for administration purposes.

Dinner money for that week is collected by Mrs Taylforth on Friday mornings. Please could you try to send the correct amount in a clearly marked purse or envelope. Cheques should be made payable to Lowick School Fund.

Road safety

Lowick School is situated on a main road. The lack of visibility, coupled with the speed of other drivers, makes U-turns and right turns outside the school dangerous.

Speed limits operate at peak times.

To make sure that every care is taken to keep our children safe, would parents please make sure that they and anyone bringing children to, or collecting them from school are aware of the following points:

U-turns in the main road should not be attempted;

right turns from the main road into the side road should not be attempted;

right turns from the side road into the main road should not be attempted;

Parents and children should use the path linking the side road with the north-west corner of the playground (metal gate);

The lay-by and gravel area bordering the main road should be kept totally clear of vehicles, leaving it free to be used as a slip road when joining the main road;

A space should always be left for the taxi on the side road at the end of the path. The taxi has two runs, and must be able to park there at any time;

When collecting children, parents should wait in the yard or porch, not outside the gates.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Homework

Education does not just consist of work that is done in school. There is a great deal that a caring parent can do at home. Some specific suggestions are to be found under the appropriate headings of the Curriculum section.

Homework is regularly set for children at Key Stage 2. We also encourage all children to take books home daily and sometimes require them to complete work begun in school. To protect them from the weather, all books should be carried in a bag, which we will provide.

School discipline

We believe that discipline starts at home and we would hope to uphold a high degree of self-discipline and behaviour.

We do try to have as few rules as possible, and those that we do have are designed to ensure the following:

that children are safe from unnecessary danger;

that the conditions in the classroom are suitable for proper learning;

that the school runs in a smooth and efficient manner;

that children behave with consideration towards each other;

that children behave in a manner that is acceptable to the outside world.

School rules

Children should not bring money to school unless it is for a specific purpose.
Children are asked not to bring sweets to school for the morning break. Fresh fruit and vegetables are healthier alternatives.
We discourage the bringing of jewellery to school. If a watch is brought, it is the child's responsibility.
In order to avoid accidents, children are encouraged to walk about the school, not run.
For safety reasons, should a ball go onto the road, only an adult may retrieve it; should a ball go onto the fell, permission must be obtained from a member of staff before it is retrieved; should a ball go onto the entrance hall roof, there it must remain.
When coming to or leaving school, children are asked to use the gate at the north-west corner of the playground, and not to climb over the perimeter walls.
Litter must not be thrown down.

Disciplinary sanctions

For the most minor offences a reprimand is enough, and the great majority of our children need nothing more.
More serious offences may incur detention at playtime or lunch, together with a discussion with the teacher.
At any stage we may contact you to inform you that we are not satisfied with your child's behaviour. If we do this you can be sure that the matter is most serious.

We would emphasise most strongly that our children rarely experience, or need anything beyond stage 2.

Bullying

Bullying is harmful to the bully, the victim and the bystander, and will not be tolerated. If we are successful in our aims to ensure that children behave with consideration towards others and in a manner that is acceptable to the outside world, then there should be no place for bullying, nor do we expect it. Nevertheless, we are always on the look-out for any signs of bullying, and, should it occur, will deal with it early and effectively. Should it persist, we will involve the parents concerned.

Our full Policy Statement is available on request.

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