Starting School
Welcome to Marlcliffe Primary!
We are delighted that you are sending your child to Marlcliffe; we strive to make all parents and children feel welcome at our school. As parents you are your child’s first teacher and we hope that the learning process can be a partnership; this visit may be the first steps in building that relationship.
Introduction to the school
We currently have about 510 children on roll. These are organised into 18 classes and three phases: Foundation stage, (Reception) KS1 (Years 1+2), KS2 (years 3, 4, 5+6).
• The Reception class teachers are called Mrs Ward, Mrs Dawson, Miss Atkinson, Mrs Lloyd and Mrs House and they are supported by some Teaching Assistants, Mrs Chatterton, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Taylor, Mr Kenworthy, Mrs Smith and Miss Bestford. If you have any queries there are a number of people in school who can help you:
In the school office we have Mrs Hanson (School Manager), Mrs Harvey, and Miss Codd and who will be able to advise you on any queries about the admissions application process or uniform.
• The school day begins at 8:50 and ends at 3:15. (This is different from Sept 2021 due to staggered pick-ups)
• The children are based in three classes. They spend part of each session with their class teachers and then for some of the day the blue doors are opened and they can choose freely from a range of activities in the three classrooms and the outdoor area. They also benefit from our wider facilities like the Secret Garden, climbing wall (supervised), school hall for PE and the Design & Technology room for baking.
• If you have been offered a place for your child the class teachers will visit them in their nursery settings if possible, and they will be invited to visit school in the second half of the summer term so they are familiar with the adults and other children before they start in September.
The Early Years Policy is available below.
Uniform - we sell uniform through the school office. You can order sweatshirts, cardigans, fleeces, coats, polo shirts all with the school dragon logo through a local supplier. Deliveries/orders are collected/delivered on Friday. You can also buy plain red jumpers or sweatshirts from stores like Tesco if you prefer.
• The children wear a polo-shirt (white, red), sweatshirt/cardigan, grey or black trousers or skirt. Shoes with Velcro fasteners help your child to become more independent. Your child will also need a PE kit (white T-shirt and black shorts)
Holidays ~ please try not to book holidays in term time. Children miss out on valuable learning time and social relationships. The local authority will fine families who take their children out of school in term time for five or more days.
Dinner arrangements ~ your child will be able to have a cooked meal under the Universal Infant Free School Meals. You will receive a copy of the menu and we ask that you help your child select which colour band they will have on each day. You may provide a packed lunch if you prefer but we would ask that this doesn't include fizzy drinks and that its contents are healthy.
• At lunchtime the Reception classes will be taken to the dining room by their midday supervisors. The children who bring packed lunch are supervised in the KS1 hall. The Reception children stay inside their outdoor play area at first and then gradually play with the children in Years 1 and 2.
• The children are given fruit every day and milk if they wish. Milk is free until children are 5 but then there is a charge of about £9 a term.
Behaviour ~ when the children start school we help them to understand the school rules in simple terms. Our behaviour policy puts a strong emphasis on rewards and encouraging positive behaviour.
Wrap-around Care
To help working parents we offer Dragon’s Den Breakfast Club which runs from 7:45-8:45 and costs £4.50 Our after school club runs from 3:15-5:45 and offers a snack and a range of fun activities for £8.00 a session. More information about this is available from the school office.
Thank you for your interest, please contact me if you have any queries. We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
Alison Mann, Headteacher
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