Parents

Parents – The Curriculum

The provision of an exciting curriculum is pivotal to how children learn and develop during their time at school. We strive for a balance where the delivery of the core subjects of English and Maths can be applied creatively to other subjects. Creativity and diversity of teaching are encouraged in every lesson to provide children with the stimulus to really engage in their learning.

English Martyrs’ School adhere to the full principles of the National Curriculum as set by the Government of the day. We are committed to delivering a stimulating curriculum that not only meets the National Curriculum Framework, but also provides enhanced learning by way of whole school projects, and learning outside the classroom.

Parents Links to Outside Agencies

As well as the useful information about the school, we know that parents may often want further advice regarding other aspects of education or the Local Authority.

The City of Sunderland offer a range of services to parents, providing support on a variety of issues, such as childcare options, parenting programmes etc. There is information regarding registered childminders in the Sunderland North area, which parents may find useful. For information contact: www.familiesinfoservice.com/findaservice.html
You can also access the latest information regarding school meals, whether you wish to check the menus for the forthcoming year or to assess whether you would be eligible for a free meal subsidy. For further advice contact www.sunderland.gov.uk/schoolmeals

Young Carers – Information for Parents

Who are young carers?

Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who provide regular and ongoing care to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances (ADASS, ADCS and the Children’s Society 2012). The tasks and level of caring undertaken by young carers can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of need for care and the structure of the family as a whole.

A young carer may undertake some or all of the following:-

Practical Tasks: For example cooking, housework, shopping
Physical care: For example lifting, helping up the stairs, physiotherapy
Personal care: For example dressing, washing, toileting needs
Emotional support: For example listening, calming, being present
Household Management: For example paying bills, managing finances, collecting benefits
Looking After Siblings: For example putting to bed, walking to school, parenting
Interpretation: For example hearing/speech impairment or English as an additional language
Administering Medication: For example insulin needles, preparing daily.

If you would like further advice about the service City of Sunderland offer to support families where there may be a ‘young carer’ you can e-mail the support team directly at youngcarers@sunderland.co.uk where advice and support materials can be requested.

Other Useful Websites:

Medicines in School

In order to keep all children safe we ask you not to send medicines or tablets to school. Prescribed medication can be administered in line with the school’s Policy for Administering Medicines. Further information is available from the school.

School Attendance, Punctuality & Absences

Attendance and Punctuality
If your child is sick or away from school for any reason, please ring, call or text to let us know at once. This is very important, as the school is legally required to report reasons for absence. If you need to take your child out during the day, it is very important that you:

Let us know in advance
Collect your child from the main reception as children cannot be allowed to meet you off school property.

If you are very occasionally unavoidably late, don’t worry—we would always rather children came to school late than not at all. However, if your child was frequently late we would contact you to see if there was a specific problem with which we could help. Because registration time is a vital part of the day when the days plans are shared and explained missing this session disadvantages children and can also be disruptive to the teacher and other children.

Changes to Leave of Absence Policy & Parental Guidance

The most recent guidance from the Department for Education advises that schools should only be approving leave in term time in exceptional circumstances. They advise that holidays taken for the following reasons should not be authorised:

Availability of cheap holidays
Availability of the desired accommodation
Poor weather experienced in school holiday periods
Overlap with the beginning and end of term
Family celebrations
The week before and during SATs week

Any parents requesting a leave of absence will have to formally put it in writing to Mrs Cornell irrespective of the circumstances and a decision will be made from there.

Letter to Parents – Attendance 100

Swimming

We organise weekly swimming lessons for Key Stage 2 pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 (rotated through the year). As this is part of the curriculum, there is no charge for this activity. Parents must give written permission and are informed of the session dates each term.

Music Lessons

We provide pupils with music lessons for which there is currently a nominal charge of £1.50 per lesson.

Residential Activities

We will charge for any residential activities which include board and lodgings.

Fund Raising

We occasionally raise money for school funds by organising various events and this helps to fund outings and buy equipment and materials as well as a wide range of charities.