Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much are school meals and how do I book?
Presently the daily cost is £2.20 (£11.00 per week) and must be booked in advance through ParentPay. More information can be found
here
2. What time does school start and finish?
We currently operate staggered drop-off and pick-up times to ease congestion and free up car parking spaces. For Year 2 – Year 6, gates open at 8:40am so children can be lined up for 8:50am and gates open again at 2:55pm for 3.00pm collection. For Little Hearts – Year 1, gates open at 8:50am so children can be lined up for 9.00am and gates open again at 3:05pm for 3:10pm collection.
3. Where can I buy uniform from?
Uniform can be purchased from our provider either in store – Logos Unlimited, Unit 1, Sands Industrial Estate, Swalwell, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16 3DJ (0191 488 4300) or online via
http://www.logos-unlimited.co.uk
4. How do I make an application for a school place?
All of our admissions information can be found
here. If you are unsure whether you fall into our catchment area, please give the school office a call on
01207 270 396
5. Is there before and after school provision?
We run breakfast and after school provision. Our breakfast club is open Monday – Friday (term time only), from 7.45am – 8.45am and Heart Zone is our after school care service that is provided Monday to Friday (term time only), from 3.10pm – 5.45am for Sacred Heart registered children from pre-school up to Y6. Further information can be found
here or email
heartzone@sacredheartgateshead.org
6. What do I do if my child is sick/unwell?
Parents should inform the school by telephone on the first morning of an absence by 10am and provide a reason for the child’s absence. We ask that parents call in on each day of sickness. Children should not return to school until 48 hours after the last bout of sickness/diarrhoea. More information on other common conditions can be found
here
7. Can the school give my child medication?
We will give prescribed medication if it is to be administered four times a day. Under these circumstances we would give your child their medication at lunchtime once you have completed an Administration of Medication Form (these are available from the school office). If your child has been prescribed medicine three times a day it’s recommended that it is administered before and after school and just before bedtime. Please note we are unable to give non-prescribed medication.
8. Can my child walk to school alone?
No, children must be accompanied by an adult.
9. What should I put in my child's packed lunch?
As an accredited Healthy School, packed lunch boxes must be nutritionally balanced and should not include fizzy drinks, chocolate or high-fat crisps. By the same token, please try to increase the amount of fruit, yoghurt, brown bread, vegetables and unflavoured water, wherever you can. Nuts or foods containing nuts are not allowed. This is because of the number of children who have quite severe reactions, often life-threatening. Obviously these children avoid consuming nuts themselves but they can react in the same way if simply in a room where nuts can be found in another child’s lunch box. I am sure you will understand that we have to be very careful and I appreciate your support.
10. What do I do if my child has lost a piece of clothing?
Parents must either sew a name label into all clothing or write the child’s name in indelible ink. If an item goes missing your child must inform the class teacher / class teaching assistant and look in the lost property. We will do our utmost to find lost items but we are unable to provide a replacement.
11. Can my child bring toys in to school?
No, we normally discourage toys or collectables (e.g. football cards) being brought to school, unless the class teacher has specifically requested that they do. Please always check with the class teacher.
12. How do I receive the newsletter?
Our weekly newsletters are sent out each Friday via email and Weduc.
13. What is the best time to talk to the teacher if I have a question?
We would discourage parents from trying to talk to a teacher in the morning as they are busy preparing for the school day. We would advise you to speak to the teacher at the end of the school day after all the children have been dismissed, or send them a message via Weduc. We can also make appointments in the school office for parents to see the class teacher or another member of staff.
14. What should I do if I believe another child is being unkind to my child?
Advise your child to speak to an adult in the school. This can be any member of staff that they feel comfortable with. You may also wish to support your child by talking to the teacher with your child. We would encourage that they report any incident to the class teacher as they can observe behaviour during lessons and advise lunchtime staff as necessary. We take such incidents very seriously and they are dealt with appropriately and with speed. If you are concerned about your child please speak to the head teacher and never approach a child or the parent.
15. How can parents get involved?
We encourage parents to get involved in various ways from attending parent/carer lunches, liturgies, assemblies and other events. We also welcome parents who may be able enhance our curriculum by coming in and running workshops or chatting to the children about their careers. We also have a fundraising team known as the “Friends of Sacred Heart and Little Hearts” and would welcome new members with new ideas and contacts. If you work for a company that is able to sponsor or donate to fundraising in the school please email info@sacredheartgateshead.org subject: fundraising.
Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust