Emergency school closures will be communicated to parents and carers via the school text system as soon as possible, information on school closures due to snow and severe weather can be found on the Hertfordshire County Council website via the following link:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/schlife/schoolclose/
You will need to complete a Leave of Absence Request Form which is also available from the school office. For children aged 5 years and over absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. Good attendance supports a good education and we would urge you to consider the impact of missed curriculum before requesting leave of absence from school.
We operate a 'soft start' to the day. All entrances are opened 08.40 enabling children to arrive and move independently into their classroom over a staggered ten minute period. We expect all children to be 'ready for learning' by 08.55 am
School day begins |
8.50 a.m. (Doors open 8.40 a.m.) |
School day ends |
3.20 p.m. |
Lunchtime (Key stage 1) |
12.00 p.m. - 1.00 p.m. |
Lunchtime (Key stage 2) |
12.15 p.m. - 1.15 p.m. |
Playtime (Key Stage 1) |
10.30 a.m. - 10.45 a.m. |
Playtime (Key Stage 2) |
10.45 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. |
Total hours provided in a 'typical' week |
32.5 hours |
Please ensure pupils are in their class rooms by 8.55am for registration.
Any late children must be signed in at the school office, persistent lateness will result in unauthorised absences.
Please write a note for your child to bring in to school detailing pick-up arrangements. You can also ring the school office before by 2.30pm to inform us of pick-up arrangements. If you have a regular arrangement, you may wish to notify the school in writing to save having to ring up on every occasion.
If your child has been prescribed antibiotics by a doctor we are happy to administer this during the school day. You will need to fill in the necessary Medical Form which is also available from the school office.
Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions
Your child can only return to school 48 hours after he/she was last sick.
Please contact the school as soon as possible to inform us that your child is not well.
We use Arbor to send information home via text and email.
We use a computerised booking system for parents to book appointments for parent consultations, which are held twice a year, in October and March.
At lunchtime, you may arrange for your child to have a school dinner or bring a packed lunch from home.
Hertfordshire Catering Limited provides our school meals in line with current Government guidelines. School meals are a good opportunity for the children to develop their social skills and can play a major part in broadening children’s attitudes to what foods they will and will not eat! For all these reasons, we like as many children as possible to use the school meals service. The menu offered by Hertfordshire Catering can be viewed here.
Pupils make their meal choices each day.
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 continue to be eligible for the Universal Free School Meals programme. School meals currently cost £2.65 for children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. You will be billed half a term in advance, taking into account any credits from the previous term. If you no longer wish your child to have a school meal, please give two week’s notice in writing.
Packed Lunches
In order to promote a healthy lifestyle we ask that parents avoid chocolate and fizzy drinks when sending packed lunches into school. Many children bring carrot sticks and pieces of fruit or raisins as healthy extras in their lunch boxes. Nuts and nut products are not allowed in school because of the number of pupils with serious food allergies.
For more information for parents and carers on free school meals click here.
Winter Trousers Uniform
Summer Trousers Uniform
Winter Skirt Uniform
Summer Skirt Uniform
All children (except Nursery) must have a P.E. bag with a navy school logo T-shirt, a pair of navy shorts and a pair of trainers or black plimsolls for P.E. lessons. An optional navy school logo sports hoodie is also available.
Jewellery and nail varnish must not be worn. If your child has pierced ears, they may wear stud earrings which must be taped for PE.
Shoes should be black, practical and sensible in style. Trainers should only be worn for PE lessons.
To find and buy our uniform, simply visit either website below where you’ll find a page dedicated to our school.
Once you’ve placed your order, it will be delivered to your home. Please check estimated delivery dates when ordering.
Brigade (St Mary’s Primary School, Berkhamsted)