FOR PARENTS

Communication with Parents

We aim to keep parents informed about activities in school through regular letters, newsletters, emails and text messages. If any of your contact details change, please let us know.

If you need to speak with your son/daughters House Tutor or subject tutor, please ring the main school number or email info@stephensonstudioschool.co.uk and we will get back in contact with you as soon as possible.

We use a texting service and email to inform parents/carers of important events and information which would also include any unforeseen school closures. In event of an emergency situation, information is also posted onto the School website. you can also keep up to date with important information below:

Meetings with Parents

During the course of the school year we hold Target Setting/Review Days and Parent Consultation Evening.

School Uniform

We expect all learners at Stephenson Studio School to be in full school uniform each day.

Jewellery

Jewellery should be limited to a set of plain studs, a single ring and a single wrist bracelet. No other piercing should be worn.

Make-up should be simple and natural. Hair colour should also be natural

PE Kit

All learners are expected to have the correct PE kit with them on the days that have PE.

Attendance

If your child is to achieve their maximum potential, it is essential that they attend school as much as possible. Non-urgent appointments need to be made outside school hours. If your child is unwell, you need to contract the school reception on 01530 519 099 by 8:30 on the morning of each absence.

Unauthorised Absences

The school is required to record any absence which has not been notified as an ‘unauthorised absence’. If no member of school staff has been informed about the reason for a pupil’s absence, a letter will be sent to parents asking them for an explanation. If this is not returned then the absence will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’.

Learners should not miss school for birthdays or shopping trips. If there are issues with a learner not attending school regularly without proper reason, then the Local Authority will be contacted by the school to provide support to improve attendance.

Improving Attendance

Family Holidays

Following changes in legislation, Headteachers are no longer permitted to grant a pupils leave of absence during term time for the purpose of a family holiday ‘unless there are exceptional circumstances and the application has been made in advance by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides’. The Local Authority may issue a penalty notice.

Illness

All parents are asked to provide the school with emergency contact numbers in case their child becomes unwell or has an accident at school. The emergency contact must be someone who could take care of the child in the event of the parents not being contactable.

If a child has sickness or diarrhoea they should be kept at home for at least 48 hours after their sickness or diarrhoea has ceased. When a child is prescribed anti-biotics for an infection, the Doctor should be asked how long the child should remain at home to recover.

Parents should inform the school immediately if their child contracts a contagious disease such as chickenpox or measles. Parents are also asked to inform the School Nurse if their child has been in contact with a contagious disease, including glandular fever, as these infections are dangerous for some pupils in the school.

Medication

The school first aiders will administer medications during the school day provided there is signed consent from parents and the medications are provided in their original container with the pharmacist’s label.

Special arrangements are made for learners requiring emergency medication for epilepsy. Any medication needed during the day by a learner needs to be handed in to reception where it will securely stored.

Safeguarding

The school staff have a responsibility to raise any concerns they have about a child’s welfare with one of the school’s Child Protection Liaison Officers. The school follows the guidance from the Local Authority which will normally involve discussion with parents about the concern and any other agencies may be involved if necessary.