Parent/Carers Hub

Cost of Living
 
The government has now announced ‘cost of living support’ and any families struggling can contact their relevant LA. Parents and families can see what support is available, including information on the HAF programme (Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk), on the link that can be found here. 

Open Days/Evenings

​If you are interested in sending your child to Highampton Primary School, we will be holding an open day/evening. Please contact the office to find out more information.
Instrument Tuition

We are fortunate to have Ms Justine Lawton  who offers private lessons in keyboards and guitar.  

Justine Lawton Music Teacher — JL Music (jlmusicteacher.co.uk)

Please enquire to admin@highamptonprimary.org.uk  if you wish more information.
TERM DATES

Term Dates 2022-2023 (printable version)

2022/2023

Autumn Term 2022

Non Pupil Day
5th & 6th September 2022
Term
7th September - 21st October
Bank Holiday 19th September 
Half Term Break
24th October - 28th October 
Term
31st October - 16th December
Christmas Holiday
19th December - 2nd January

Spring Term 2023

Non Pupil Day
3rd January (staff attend)
Term
4th January – 17th February
Half Term Break
13th February – ​17th February inclusive
Term
20th February – 31st March
Easter Holiday
3rd April – ​14th April

Summer Term 2023: 

Term
17th April – 27th May
May Bank Holiday
1st May &
​8th May (for Coronation)
Half Term Break
29th May – 2nd June inclusive
Term
5th June – 21st July
Summer Holiday
22nd July onwards
Non Pupil Days
Monday 24th July
Tuesday 25th July
Wednesday 26th July
Thursday 27th July
SCHOOL MEALS
Change to Lunch Menu

19th January - Main: Cheeseburger, chips & salad or 
                          Veg:  Veggie burger, chips & salad
                          Dessert:  Rainbow cake 
Sandwiches/Jacket Potatoes also available as usual.

​Highampton School meals are provided by Holsworthy Community College and we offer a three week menu which is provided on a rolling basis. 

As a first course, it offers a choice of:
  • a main hot meal
  • a hot vegetarian option
  • a range of sandwiches
  • a jacket potato with cheese/beans 
 
A dessert which changes daily or a yoghurt or fresh fruit is also part of the meal.
​
From September 2022 the 2-course meals cost £2.41 each unless your child qualifies for a free Universal (up to and including Year 2) or free school meals.
 
Parents can order the meal of their choice and pay for them on our School Gateway system Schoolcomms.  Parents may order up to 8.30am on the day of the lunch, but they cannot order after 8.30am on the day of the lunch.  If the lunch is payable parents must cancel with the office before 9.30am to get a refund.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Eligibility Criteria for Free School Meals

Section 512 of the Education Act 1996, as amended, places a duty on maintained schools, academies and free schools to provide free school meals to pupils of all ages that meet the criteria.
​

Who is eligible for free school meals?

​Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
​
  • Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than
  • £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods.
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

How to Apply

​Apply through the Devon Citizens Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision. Alternatively, call the Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.
PTFA
​Highampton Primary School is very grateful to an enthusiastic and energetic group of parents in the school community who kindly run our PTFA  (Parent, Teachers and Friends Association). Our PTFA are proactive in organising fund raising and fun social events to raise money for the benefit of our children’s education and enrichment.
​
For more information, look out for information about our PTFA meetings and proposed activities in the school newsletter, or contact our wonderful Chair of the PTFA Davina at the school on admin@highamptonprimary.org.uk.
​
WELCOME TO OUR PTFA
​A big warm welcome from the PTFA to all pupils, parents and friends of Highampton Primary School.  Our principal aim as a PTFA is to raise funds and assist the school in providing an enriched curriculum and enhance the learning experiences for our children.  The success of the PTFA depends entirely on the support of parents, staff and the community.
 
If you would like to join, we think that being a member of the PTFA will give you lots of pleasure and enhance your family’s relationship with the school.  Mums and Dads, Staff and friends all combine as individuals to form a friendly school community and as Year 6 parents leave the school, so new Reception parents join. Everyone is made welcome at any stage through their involvement with the school and it is never too late to get involved.  We are always on the lookout for new members with new and fresh ideas or helpers to run a stall at a fete or join in with the organising committee.
 
Our current Chair of the PTFA is Davina and the school would be happy to put you in touch.
 
Usually, the PTFA organise lots of fun events as well as fund-raising ones.  Recent samples of events (Covid safe) have included:

  • Plant Sale
  • Easter Raffle
  • Easter Bonnet Competition
  • Christmas Celebration with Santa on a tractor!
  • Virtual Auction
 
Over the last year, the school is grateful for assistance with costs associated with:

  • Swimming transport
  • More books for our new look library
  • Support with a new shed for playtime equipment
  • Provision of a new stove and hot plate for cookery lessons
SCHOOL TRANSPORT
You can request a place at any school for your child, but your child may not necessarily be entitled to free school transport. It is very important that you check whether your child will be entitled. If they are not, you will need to think carefully about how your child is going to get to the school you prefer for the whole time they will be there.

Your child will be entitled to free school transport to the nearest school to your home address, or the school designated to serve your home address, as long as it is more than two miles away from your home by the shortest walking route. You can find out which school serves your home address at School designated areas.
​
Where children live within walking distance of the school (2 miles) and it is considered that the walking route to school is unsafe then transport will be provided.

School transport is only provided at the normal times at the beginning and end of the day. If your child begins primary school on a part-time basis then they may not be entitled to free transport for the journey to school.
The information contained in this guide is also summarised in the Transport for primary school pupils leaflet.

Applications

If you have read the introduction along with the other sections above and you would like to apply for free school transport for your child, complete the online primary school transport application form. A transport application form must be completed for each child who requires transport.

If your child is starting school in September and is entitled to free school transport we will endeavour to send you a letter or an email during May with a link to the code of conduct and the online form which must be filled in by the 15 June of that
year. Failure to complete the form on time may mean that we will be unable to organise transport for the start of the autumn term and you will have to transport your child to school yourself at your own expense.

N.B. If you are applying for transport after the academic year has started then please complete the online application as soon as possible.​
SECOND HAND UNIFORM - PTFA
​If parents have any items that we can offer in aid of PTFA funds, please do donate these to the school office.  Thank you.​

​SECOND HAND ITEMS HAVE A SUGGESTED DONATION OF:
Fleece £3, Sweatshirt/Jumper £1.50, Trousers/Dress £1

​Please double click on the photos to enlarge:
Fleece 5/6yrs                  Fleece 3/4 yrs               
Fleece 2XL 11/12yrs        Sweatshirt 11/12 yrs 
Black trousers age 9/10 yrs
Trousers age 6             Girls Trousers age 11/12   Pinafore Age 6
  Grey Trousers 5yrs   Fleece  3/4 yrs       Sweatshirt 11/12 yr
Fleece (old style) 11/12yrs   Sweatshirt 11/12 yrs
Also not shown, fleece 7/8yrs and sweatshirt 7/8yrs
NEARLY NEW ITEMS:  Have a suggested donation of Fleece £5, Sweatshirt/Jumper/Cardigan £3, other items £2.50.
RESIDENTIAL TRIPS

​At the end of the summer term, the school usually arranges trips to outward bound centres in Bristol and Exeter where children can enjoy a range of activities that will boost their confidence and stimulate their horizons.
 
Trips are paid for by payments by parents/guardians but if any parent/guardian finds themselves in financial difficulty, then they may apply to the Moorland Governing Body for financial relief.

2023 RESIDENTIAL TRIPS
​Year 3 – Two days at Adventure Okehampton with overnight camping at Boasley Cross Primary
8th & 9th June 2023
£30 (approx) parent contribution
All Year 3 children will have two days of outdoor adventurous activity – climbing, low ropes, archery, high ropes, sledding and bush craft – at Adventure Okehampton.
Overnight camping at Boasley Cross with Forest School and team building activities.
This trip will be subsidised using the schools’ PE Premium funding, leaving parental donations to cover coach cost and food.
 
Year 4 and 5 – Three days, two nights at Menadue, Tintagel
26th-28th June 2023
£120 (approx) parent contribution
All Year 4 and 5 children will have three days of outdoor adventurous activity with a two-night stay at Menadue Centre.
Some of the cost of the trip will be subsidised using the schools’ PE premium funding. Parental contributions will cover the rest of the trip cost. catering and coach cost.
 
Year 6 – France
Residential trip fully funded by DMAT. 

E-SAFETY
​Being online is an integral part of children and young people’s lives and of their education. The internet and online technology provides new opportunities for learning and growth, but it can also expose them to new types of risks.
E-safety forms a fundamental part of Highampton’s safeguarding and child protection measures. Keeping children safe online is one of the biggest challenges facing society today and it is all of our responsibility to ensure that children are educated to make positive, informed choices when they are online. Online safety is a core aspect of our school curriculum. Your help at home is also needed to prevent children accessing inappropriate material at home by way of filters and parental controls.

In school, all new pupils are asked to sign an acceptable ICT working agreement where children take responsibility for their online actions.
​
The Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust have a comprehensive ICT policy which addresses technical firewalls and other professional measures to keep children safe, but at Highampton School we also feel it is important that the children themselves learn to keep themselves safe online.

The School Acceptable ICT Working Agreement is below:
SCHOOL CLUBS

After School Clubs
From 20th February 2023

Monday
KS1 Multi-skills Club with Mr Penberthy
​Year 6 Club with Mr Pearson
Tuesday
        
Wednesday
KS2 Multi-Sports Club with Mr Pugh starting on 1st March
Thursday
Gardening Club with Mrs Rees
​starting 23rd February
Friday
 
  • All clubs run from 3.15pm to 4.15pm
  • Clubs are offered on a voluntary basis usually by staff and volunteers. 
  • Any misbehaviour will not be tolerated.
ABSENCE AND ATTENDANCE
Children must attend school from 9am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday.

Student Illness

If a child is ill or unable to attend school for any reason, parents/guardians (only those with parental responsibility) must contact the school by telephoning 01409 231339 or emailing admin@highamptonprimary.org.uk before 9am and advise of the reason for their child’s absence (ie cough/cold/vomiting).

Parents/guardians must advise the school on the first and every day of absence due to illness.
​
In the case of vomiting or diarrohea, all children must remain off school for 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrohea, even though they may appear recovered.
​

Smart Start

In Class 2, children are allowed into the class from 8.45am when they will be given a variety of exercises to introduce them to the day’s learning.
​

Holidays/Absence Including Medical Appointments

If a parent/guardian wishes to organise a planned period of absence for medical reasons such as a hospital appointment or for social reasons such as a family holiday during term time, they must apply to the School Principal using form S2 which can be collected from the school office or downloaded below. Any letter or communication from the medical facility should be attached to the form. The Principal will consider the request and grant authorisation or not accordingly. Parents will be provided with a copy of the Principal’s decision.
THE SCHOOL DAY

Opening Times and Registration

The School day starts at 9.00 and finishes at 3.15pm (Monday to Friday) a total of 31.25hrs per week.  Gates open at 8.45am for Smart Start.

​Registration takes place twice a day:
at the commencement of morning and afternoon school sessions. In the morning, the register is marked between 9.00am and 9.20am, after which the registers are returned to the school office. Late arrivals before the register is closed are marked with the symbol “L”. Arrivals after 9.20am are marked with “U”.  The latter counts as an unauthorised absence.

High levels of ‘Unauthorised’ absence can lead to the involvement of the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) and fines may be imposed.

In the afternoon, classes start at 1.15pm and the register will be taken at 1.15pm.
​

Absence

​When a child is absent, parents are requested to inform the school of the reason for absence before 9am and parents will be contacted if the school has not been informed.  If a parent/carer (who has parental responsibility) cannot be contacted, the school will endeavour to ensure the family’s well-being by calling the other named contacts.   If no explanation can be provided for the child’s absence, the school will make a home visit and possibly contact the Police, who will be asked to ascertain the safety of the family.  The Education Welfare Officer may also be contacted.
 
All parents who take their children off the school site at other times during the day are asked to sign the ‘early departures’ book.  Registration marks are entered on the computer and official registers are kept for the statutory period.  The registration period is an important part of the day and for which pupils should be on time - early years pupils will have settling activities and our older children an early morning activity or learning intervention.
PARENTAL CONSENT
​Where a school activity is considered an integral part of learning, such as classroom activities then parental consent is considered as given.
​
Parental consent is required for certain activities and such consent will be requested either at the beginning of your child’s learning journey with the school or at the beginning of the club.

Examples of these consents include but are not limited to:
  • To change your child if necessary
  • Use personal photograph/image
  • Provide emergency medical treatment including first aid
  • Transport your child by staff/volunteers
  • Take your child on local visits (usually by foot)
  • Provide your child with a milk drink each day
  • The use of certain computer programmes for home learning eg Teams/Dojo
 
If parents withhold their initial consent and subsequently change their mind, then a simple email to admin@highamptonprimary.org.uk indicating your consent in writing is all that is required.
UNIFORM

Uniform Policy

Uniform helps your child to look smart and encourages a sense of identity. Below is a table of uniform items where a logo'd item is only required if so specified.
 
Please ensure all school wear especially sweatshirts are named.    If parents have any second hand items they would like to donate in aid of PTFA funds, we would be most grateful to receive them.
Boys
Girls
School logo sweatshirt /  fleece.
School logo sweatshirt /  fleece.
  • Grey or black trousers.
  • Smart grey or black shorts in warmer weather.
  • Grey or black skirt, pinafore or trousers.
  • Red and white check dress / smart grey or black shorts in the warmer weather.
White polo shirt - school logo ones are available, but not required.
White polo shirt - school logo ones are available, but not required.
Sensible dark shoes rather than trainers.
Sensible dark shoes rather than trainers.
PE Kit
This is a white T-shirt, black shorts and plimsolls or trainers to change into which should be labelled and kept in a named bag. Children should have their PE kit in school every day. Team kits are provided for matches as necessary
Children should not wear nail polish or make–up and jewellery is limited to stud earrings and a watch.
 
Please provide a PE kit of:
  • A white t-shirt
  • Black shorts
  • Black jogging bottoms for chilly weather
  • Trainers to change into
​
A kit bag to keep it in school for use each day.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINE
​Under the DMAT Policy, our School is unable to administer any medicine to a child that has not been prescribed by their doctor. 
If a child requires a non-prescribed medicine such as Calpol, then the parent must be prepared to come to the school to administer the medicine.  Any medicines will require to be kept in a secure location away from other children whilst in school.
In order to administer any medicine, the 2-page Medicine Administration Form must be completed in advance by the parent. You can collect this from the school office or print it out below.
If a child requires an asthma inhaler, ideally one this should be given into the safe keeping of the teacher for the required period and another kept at home.  It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the inhaler is taken home and taken back to school (if appropriate) or it is replaced when low or empty and that it has not exceeded its expiry date.
SCHOOL GATEWAY

Communications and Payment Gateway

The school aims to be a ‘cashless’ organisation and we therefore use an App gateway system run by a company called Schoolcomms for parents to pay for:
​
  • School Meals
  • Clubs
  • Trips

The App system also allows parents to provide consent for trips/clubs etc and there is a useful communication hub for the school and parents to send each other emails/texts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will emails get to me and what will they look like? 
The School’s Name will be in the ‘from’ box and the system will use your own email address and mobile phone number to correctly identify you.  If you change either of these, please let the school know at once.

Will I get any advertising spam?
No, your contact details are not shared with anyone except the school office.

Can I reply to emails or texts? 
​No, you should contact the school office by phone on 01409 231339 or by email: admin@highamptonprimary.org.uk
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Hub Principal | Jo Luxford
​Highampton Community Primary School, Highampton, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5LE  

Tel: 01409 231339

Hub Principal | Jo Luxford
​Highampton Community Primary School,
Highampton,
Beaworthy,
​Devon EX21 5LE  ​
Tel: 01409 231339
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