Category Archives: Fiosrachadh Feumail / Practical Information

Dùnaidhean gun dùil/Unexpected Closures

Dùnaidhean gun dùil / Unexpected Closures

It may be necessary, occasionally, to close the school at short notice and send the pupils home, for example, in exceptionally bad weather or if the electricity, water or heating fails.  Parents are always contacted by telephone before children are sent home early. If parents are not regularly at home during school hours, they should always make arrangements to have someone available to receive their children should such an emergency occur.  The school asks each parent at the point of enrolment and every August thereafter to provide the name, address and/or telephone number of a person who can be contacted in these circumstances.  It is the parents’ responsibility to notify the school of any changes to contact details (e.g. change of phone number, change of emergency contact, new email address).

In the event of extreme weather conditions or power cuts, parents will be kept notified by Groupcall as well as through announcements on Radio nan Gàidheal and Isles FM as early as possible. In addition, up-to-date information will be posted on CNES’ website www.cne-siar.gov.uk, Facebook page. Parents may also contact Faire (701702), the Comhairle’s helpline, to enquire about school closures. Parents are welcome to contact the school if they are concerned about the safety of children because of severe weather conditions.

Còmhdhail Sgoile/School Transport

Còmhdhail Sgoile / School Transport

Primary school children living two miles or more from school are entitled to free transport.  Children who are not eligible for free transport will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of transport if they make use of it.  It is possible for parents to buy:

  • weekly books of tickets
  • a termly pass
  • a session pass

Payment for the above can be made by direct debit if parents wish.  The overall price is the same regardless of which method parents choose. There is also a system of stepped discounts for families with more than one child travelling to school.

It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child arrives at the pick-up point on time and behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in and leaving the vehicle.  Children who misbehave can lose their right to home to school transport. It should be noted that under guidelines issued in October 2002, the transport operator is responsible for taking reasonable care of the children on the bus.

Biadh Sgoile / School Meals

Biadh Sgoile / School Meals

School meals are freshly prepared daily on the premises by our cook. Choices offered ensure a varied and attractive dinner each day.  A ‘fruit only’ dessert is offered daily to all pupils.

Pupils are provided with toast at morning intervals. Where initiatives are not in place to fund these snacks, parents pay for the snacks on a termly basis. In this way parents support us in our endeavours to promote healthy living across the school.

Payment for school meals should be made directly to CNES using the online payment portal: https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/online-services/pay/

(Click on ‘Miscellaneous Payments’ then “Miscellaneous Payments” again, and then ‘School Catering’.  Enter full details including class along with child’s name.)  For further information, please contact the school office.

Pupils who wish to take packed lunches to school, eat them in the canteen with the other children.  Parents are encouraged to provide a healthy, balanced packed lunch for their child. Parents should let the school know in advance if their child has any special dietary requirements.

All pupils in P1-5 and all Sgoil Àraich children are entitled to a free school meal, and children in P6 and P7 whose family meets the below criteria are also eligible for free school meals.

It is important that parents who feel they meet these criteria apply, even if their child automatically receives a free school meal by virtue of being in P1-5. Bridging payments, which support with funding for meals during school holidays, are available for eligible families. If you feel you may be eligible, please apply for this support.

The typical four-weekly menu choices can be found below:

Èideadh/Uniform

Èideadh/Uniform

The school has a uniform which consists of a sweatshirt, a blue or white polo shirt or t-shirt and black trousers or skirt. The school badge is embroidered onto items of uniform. Order forms for school uniform are issued to parents once a year but the school office does keep a small stock of uniforms which can also be purchased throughout the session. The school has also set up a link with the uniform providers, so that parents can order or send a request to the school for extra uniform at any time – http://www.leonardhudson.co.uk/parents/

We appreciate that school uniforms can be expensive and children can grow out of things quickly. As a result, we have set up a Uniform Swap Shop within the school where parents can recycle good quality uniform items. Parents are free to use this at any time – just pop into the foyer and take what you need. All pupils are provided with a waterproof outer-layer of trousers and a jacket as well as welly boots to enable pupils to learn and play outdoors in all weathers.

Suitable clothing (trainers, t-shirt, shorts) should be worn for PE lessons. Parents should note that football strips are not permitted at any time.

CLOTHING GRANTS

All parents in receipt of Family Credit or Income Support are eligible for a clothing grant to ensure that their children are able to make use of educational provision.  Application forms for clothing grants can be accessed from the following link:

https://forms.cne-siar.gov.uk/form/vof_ecs_grants

Frithealadh agus Neo-làthaireachd/ Attendance and Absence

Frithealadh & Neo-làthaireachd / Attendance & Absence

Attendance rates have been identified as an area for improvement for all CNES schools for Session 24-25. There is a direct correlation between poor attendance and poor attainment with evidence that learners with the highest attendance gain the best academic results and so, as per our Attendance Policy, the Head Teacher will continue to monitor attendance monthly and will be issue letters where pupil attendance falls below 90% in order to notify parents of this. Consistent low attendance or lateness may result in a referral to the Education, Skills and Children’s Services department or to the Children’s Reporter.

If a pupil is unable to attend school for any reason, parents are asked to telephone or email the school office by 9:30am to inform us of the absence and to indicate the reason for absence. Should parents fail to do this, a member of staff will phone parents or the nominated emergency contact to ascertain the reason for absence.

Holidays should not routinely be planned within term times, but when an absence is planned parents must inform the school as far in advance of the proposed date(s) as possible, giving reasons for the absence. A ‘Notification to Withdraw’ form must be completed; this is available from the school office or on the link below:

Notification to Withdraw – CnES NW1 08.24

Please be aware that excursions for wider achievements and family special occasions such as weddings or funerals will be marked as an authorised absence, however holidays within term time, including travel time, will remain unauthorised. Please contact the school if you wish to discuss any of the information above.