Transition from Year 2

Uniform

We have adopted an 'active' school uniform at Shears Green Junior School. Children will only need one uniform for all occasions, allowing us to be flexible in our teaching. 

Children are not permitted to wear jewellery in school other than a wrist watch. Stud earrings may be worn but must be removed for PE and games. Nail varnish should not be worn nor should children have false nails. If your child has long hair, it should be tied back. 

To find out about a second-hand uniform, please contact our Family Liaison Officer: Mr Gary Collier

gcollier@shearsgreen-jun.kent.sch.uk

Equipment

All equipment such as pens, pencils and rulers etc are provided by the school.  The children do not need to bring anything with them, apart from a plastic sports water bottle.

It is useful if this can be brought in a small rucksack, so that when they receive a school reading book, or bring home a piece of work (e.g. an arithmetic paper) they have a way to carry it home.

Arbor App

We use the Arbor App for all your school needs.  This can include

• updating contact details
• adding medical needs including allergies
• book clubs / Wraparound care
• book parents evenings
• pay for meals
• pay for trips
• providing consent
• sending in app messages 

Please can you download this using Google Store or Play Store.  If you have any questions, please contact the office on 01474 567359 or office@shearsgreen-jun.kent.sch.uk

All payments can be made via Apple Pay or Google Pay, as well as credit and debit cards. We are working towards being a cashless school and therefore would appreciate all payments being via the app. 

Food in school

School meals

Our school meals are healthy, nourishing and delicious, and are provided by our in school caterers, who are able to cater for allergies and special dietary requirements (please advise us of these through the Arbor App).  Our menu and allergen list are regularly updated, so please visit https://www.shearsgreenjuniorschool.co.uk/lunch-menu/

As the children are of junior school age, they are no longer automatically entitled to Free School Meals, therefore meals are required to be paid for (unless you are in receipt of some related benefits - please see below).   Meals need to be paid for on the Arbor App.  The current cost is £2.75 per child per day, but are subject to change for each new academic year.   Children will then choose their meal (red option: meat, green option: vegetarian, or jacket potato, ham bagel or cheese bagel) in the morning at registration.

Free School Meals

When children reach junior school age they are no longer automatically entitled to universal Free School Meals (as per the Government Conditions)

If you are in receipt of certain income related benefits, then you may qualify for Free School Meals.

If you think your child may be eligible for free school meals, please apply through the website https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/ or contact Gary Collier, our Family Liaison Officer on gcollier@shearsgreen-jun.kent.sch.uk 

Packed lunches and snacks

If you are sending your child in with a packed lunch, please use a lunchbox or cool bag clearly labelled with your child’s name.  Please make sure that all drinks are in a leak proof plastic bottle (no glass please).  Healthy lunches are encouraged and include fresh fruit and vegetables, no sweets, chocolates or fizzy drinks.  Nuts are not permitted in school, due to severe nut allergies.

At break, children can have a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit or vegetable.  If these are in containers, please make sure they are clearly labelled.

Water in class

We encourage the children to drink water during the day, as studies have shown that drinking water can be of benefit to a child’s level of concentration.  Water bottles should be a clear plastic sports bottle, labelled and should only contain water, not fruit juice or flavoured water.  Bottles can be bought from the school office for £1.50, if you require.

Cookies

Once a week, at breaktime, the children get a chance to buy one of our school cookies from the school canteen.  These currently cost 30p.

Monday - Year 3

Tuesday - Year 4

Wednesday - Year 5

Thursday  - Year 6

Attendance and Punctuality

Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their children attend school regularly and arrive on time.  Regular attendance is essential to all round development of the child so they can take full advantage of educational opportunities available to them in order to make good progress in their learning.  Poor attendance undermines their educational attainment and progress.

Report your child’s sickness absence

It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the school on the first day their child is absent. 

This should be done by 10am either by phone 01474 567359, by email to office@shearsgreen-jun.kent.sch.uk or by or text/WhatsApp 07786 623 197.

This is a safeguarding requirement so that all parties are know that your child is safe and their whereabouts is known.  Failure to inform the school of the child’s absence may result in a home visit.

Parents should regularly update the school when their child is returning.  Pupils are expected to arrive in time for registration at 8:40am (for Years 5 and 6) and 8:50am (for Year 3 and 4).  All pupils who arrive late must report, with their parent, to the school office where the reason for lateness is recorded. 

Illness

Children must always remain absent from school for a full 48 hours after any illness that includes vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

Holidays

Headteachers can no longer authorise absence for holidays in term time.  It should be remembered that this is a Government led directive.  Children are required to attend school for 38 weeks each year, leaving 14 weeks to attend family holidays.

Request for absence

Any requests for leave during term time should be made in writing to the Headteacher detailing the exceptional circumstances.  Holidays in term time cannot be authorised.  Evidence of any exceptional circumstances may be required.

Medicines and Medical needs

Medical Appointments

Routine medical appointments should ideally be made out of school hours.  The school would appreciate written notice and a copy of the medical appointment the day before where these are unavoidable during school time.

Medical Needs

It is absolutely essential for the school to know of any relevant medical facts relating to your child, 

• allergies
• asthma
• eczema
• diabetes
• epilepsy

or any other medical condition.

Please keep the school regularly updated with any relevant medical information (including symptoms, medical needs, medication etc) so that appropriate provision can be made for each child.  Please contact our SENCO, Miss Searle, tsearle@shearsgreen-jun.kent.sch.uk

Medicines

Only prescribed medication can be administered in school.  Where possible, medication should be administered at home, but in the event of needing to be administered within the school day, parents must have submitted written consent.  The school will only accept prescribed medicines that are in-date, labelled, provided in the original container (as dispensed by the pharmacist) and include instructions for administration, dosage and storage).

Accidents, First Aid or Ill at school

Parents are contacted when children are unwell and or have seriously hurt themselves, especially if they have bumped their head.  Please make sure that we have at least two contact numbers and that they are kept up to date.

Special Educational Needs

If your child has Special Educational Needs, then please contact our SENCO, Miss Searle, on tsearle@shearsgreen-jun.kent.sch.uk.