Transition from KS1 to KS2 can be a big step for some children, so here is a comprehensive list of the important things you need to be aware of:
The first day of term
All the children in Key Stage 2 line up in the KS2 playground at 8.45am so that their class teacher can lead them into school and show them their cloakroom peg.
Thereafter
Teachers will continue to collect their class from the playground at 8.45am so that the children can enter and prepare themselves for registration which takes place at 8.50am. Please encourage your child to be at school on time so that a prompt start to the day is ensured.
Morning break
In KS2 children may bring a healthy snack from home (no chocolate bars or packets of crisps) to eat at break time. For reasons of safety, peanuts or peanut products are not allowed in school at any time as we have children in school who have severe reactions to these.
Lunchtime
Lunchtime is from 12 noon until 1.10pm and dinners cost £2.90. You are required to pre-book your child’s meal choice, including if they are packed lunch via SchoolMoney. If your child goes into arrears, a text will be sent reminding you to add funds to your child’s account.
Lunch boxes should be clearly named as your child will store them in the classroom prior to lunchtime.
PE
Please ensure your child has a PE kit in school on a Monday and they will be reminded to take it home on a Friday for washing. Keeping it in a draw string bag enables it to be hung on their cloakroom peg or kept in a box in the classroom. It is essential that all clothing is clearly named and after washing checks are made that the names are still visible. For indoor PE the children need red shorts and a white tee-shirt, whilst outside they may wear a tracksuit and trainers. They will also need a pair of clearly named indoor shoes, which can be left in school.
Water Bottles
All children require their own water bottle so that they can have a drink when they need one. It must be clearly named and taken home each evening so that it can be washed. Water is always available to the children.
Pencil Case
Children are allowed to bring one pencil case to school. Please be aware however, that all the equipment your child will need during the school day will be available to them in the classroom.
Collection of children at 3.30pm
If, for whatever reason, you are going to be late collecting your child at 3.30pm, please contact the school office. As the children in KS2 are not handed over to their parents by their teacher, please ensure they know to go to the office if they cannot locate the person collecting them. School will also explain this procedure to pupils at the start of the Autumn Term.
Class/Curriculum information
Please see the school website www.walkingtonschool.org, and class pages for information regarding:
• Which Teaching Assistants are in your child’s class
• Which day your child has PE
• Which day your child has ‘show and tell’
• What happens with regard to spellings and homework
Curriculum Summaries are put on the website every term for you to download or a paper copy can be requested from the school office.
Instrumental Tuition
In KS2 your child is now offered an opportunity to play a musical instrument (currently clarinet, flute, guitar, violin, trumpet, French horn). Please contact the school office if you think your child might be interested. Bills are sent out termly and currently stand at somewhere between £40.00 and £50.00 per term. Instruments are available to hire from the Schools Music Service and details regarding this will be sent home with your child following a brief audition with the appropriate music teacher.
A music timetable is on the school website advising day and time for each instrument. There is also an East Riding timetable outlining which weeks the music teachers will be in school. Parents are charged for 30 lessons per year, however there are 34 teaching weeks (this allows for sickness, etc).
Term time holidays
At Walkington Primary School we are committed to working with other East Riding of Yorkshire Schools and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to reduce the number of school days missed due to term time holidays.
This agreement has been drawn up and published as a term time holidays policy that headteachers shall adhere to when considering any parental requests. Please contact the School Office if you would like a copy of our leaflet.
Illness/medical/dental appointments
If your child is going to be absent, please let us know. The school office is open between 8.15am and 4.00pm to receive telephone calls. If there is no-one in the office, please leave a message on the answerphone and we will pick it up. It is important that you notify us immediately if your child is absent in an afternoon after going home for lunch.
REMINDER – if your child has either sickness or diarrhoea then they must be off school for a period of 48 hours.
If your child has a doctors/hospital/dentist appointment, please ensure the school office has sight of the appointment letter/card to enable them to keep accurate records.
School records
Parents are requested to supply a local emergency contact telephone number so that if they are unavailable when their child is taken ill, another suitable adult may be contacted. It is imperative that this information is kept up to date.
