ST LAWRENCE VA LOWER SCHOOL

Parent Permission Booklet

September 2016

ST LAWRENCE VA LOWER SCHOOL

/ Manor Lane
Wymington
Rushden
Northamptonshire
NN10 9LL
Tel: 01933 353530/ Fax: 01933 316950
Email:

13th September 2016

Dear Parents/Carers

Throughout your child’s time at St Lawrence VA Lower School they will be using computers, iPads, going on school trips and have their photograph taken.

This booklet outlines some guidelines we use at school, and also includes a copy of the Home School Agreement.

As you are aware, social media websites are being used increasingly to fuel campaigns and complaints against schools, head teachers, school staff, and in some cases other parents or pupils.

The Department for Education/Government and Governors of St Lawrence Lower School considers the use of social media websites being used in this way as unacceptable. Any concerns you may have about the school or your child/children must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the class teacher, the Head Teacher or the Chair of Governors, where they will be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned.

Please read through this document, signing where appropriate on page 3 for permissions and page 4 for the Home School Agreement. Your child will also need to sign this page.

Please return the signed pages to school by Friday 16th September latest. This form is valid for the period of time your child attends this school.

Thank you.

Mrs Gilly Riach

Head Teacher

ST LAWRENCE VA LOWER SCHOOL

Vision:

Our School is committed to providing education of the highest quality within a happy, secure and safe environment.

Ethos:

The School has a Christian foundation and we welcome families of all faiths and none, recognising and celebrating the heritage that all families bring to our school.

Values:

We recognise the love of God working in this world and that we should respond to this in the way we live. We learn our values from Christ and presently want to highlight forgiveness and the rebuilding of good and just relationships, humility and honesty and the value of listening.

Our Aims:

  • children and staff to be inspired to develop their full potential
  • achieve high standards across the curriculum
  • create a caring, stimulating and supportive environment
  • nurture a love of learning that helps children to develop lively, imaginative and enquiring minds
  • give pupils an understanding of religious and moral values
  • to respect other races, beliefs and ways of life
  • foster positive social skills, self-respect and a caring attitude towards all others in the school and in the wider community.

The Internet

The internet is an exciting and powerful tool for children to research information linked to their learning as well as their own personal interests. As part of our curriculum, children have controlled access to the internet and learn how to use libraries, databases and information sources on a variety of topics.

The internet access is filtered by Partnership Education on behalf of Bedford Borough Council. While no systems or filtering can be 100% effective we think that surfing the internet at school is as safe as we can make it.

During school, staff teach the children the importance of responsible use of the web and email. They will be guided towards appropriate materials and be supported while using the internet.

Outside of school, families have the same responsibility for such guidance as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, videos, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media.

Our Internet Rules:

  • I understand that the school can and will check use of the computers and ICT equipment, email and other digital communications
  • I will only use my login and passwords to access the computer
  • All messages/blogs I send will be polite and sensible
  • I will only send messages to people my teacher has approved
  • I will not share personal information about myself or others online
  • I will tell a teacher/assistant or adult at home immediately if I see anything online that I am unhappy with
  • I understand that I may only use the school’s computers and ICT equipment for purposes agreed by an adult

Photograph & Video Permission

Over the course of the school year we photograph and film some/all of our children for various reasons. These images are used in a range of ways e.g. children’s personal records, for the school photo albums, school prospectus, school leaflets, displays and sharing with parents activities that have happened at school on our website.

In many cases when photographs are taken in school capturing educational moments, they provide much pleasure to parents and extended families. The school accept, on trust, that all photographs and recordings are for personal use and must not be published without written consent of school.

We would like to include your child, but only do so with your consent. Pease indicate on the attached form at the end of the booklet.

Images taken by parents, carers and family members

The school will inform parents/carers if an event is one at which images can be taken.

Parents, carers, family members and friends can take images of their child and friends participating in school activities for family and personal use. If the images are of a number of children then they should not be published using social media such as Facebook (Photographs and videos taken purely for personal use are exempt from the Data Protection Act).

Local Trips

Each year, as part of their studies, all classes visit various places of interest within the locality; this includes visits to St Lawrence Church, and use of the school field. All visits are fully supervised and take place within the school day.

Will you kindly complete and return the slip below in order that your child can participate in the visits.

You will always be notified of any special requirements for each visit. In addition you will be given specific notification for the annual day trips which are an established part of the children's studies.

PLEASE DETACH THIS PAGE AND RETURN TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE

BY FRIDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 2016

ICT Permission

I do want my child to use the internet at school; I understand that it is an important part of the curriculum and I expect my child to follow the Internet Use Rules when they are at school. / □

Photograph and Video Permission

I give permission for my child to be photographed or videoed for the purposes as explained above. / □

Local Trips Permission

I give permission for my child to take part in all local vicinity trips whilst attending St Lawrence VA Lower School. I understand that I will be informed separately relating to any annual day trips as part of the children’s studies. / □

Please tick the boxes above to confirm your consent

Pupil’s Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Class: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Parent/Carer Signature: ………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

This form is valid from the date you sign it and covers the period of time that your child attends St Lawrence VA Lower School.

If you wish to withdraw your permission at any time, please inform the school in writing so that our records can be updated.

Home School Agreement

Pupil’s Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

As a parent I will:

  • See that my child goes to school each day, on time, properly equipped and inform school of any absence.
  • Support my child with homework and other opportunities for home learning.
  • Let the school know about any concerns or problems that might affect my child’s work or behaviour.
  • Attend meetings and discussions about my child’s progress and get to know about my child’s life at school.
  • Support the school’s policies and guidelines for behaviour.
  • Pay any outstanding money to school within an agreed time.

Parent/Carer’s Signature: ……………………………………………………………………………………

As a school we will:

  • Encourage children to do their best at all times.
  • Encourage children to be courteous, polite and considerate to pupils, staff and members of our school community.
  • Keep parents informed of school events through newsletters and via the school website.
  • Inform parents about their child’s progress through regular meetings and reports.
  • Contact parents if there is a problem with attendance, punctuality, health, behaviour of child’s work.
  • Exercise our duty of care to safeguard all our pupils, this may involve contacting agencies e.g. Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

Head Teacher Signature: ……………………………………………………………………………………..

As a child I will:

  • Always do my best
  • Be polite, kind and helpful
  • Treat others as I would expect them to treat me
  • Keep school tidy and take care of school equipment
  • Look after my belongings
  • Involve my family in what I am doing at school
  • Behave well and follow class and school rules

Pupil’s Signature: ………………………………………………………………………………………………