Useful Documents
Parents and carers find some of these documents useful. You may request a paper copy of these documents by completing the Contact Form.
School
Information on the School Nursing Team is available here.
This form should be used to order new uniform.
Attendance
We would like to remind you of our expectations around attendance at school. Our attendance targets for all children and our whole school are above 96% and we are confident that if we work together, we can achieve this goal.
As you will remember the new National Framework for Penalty Notices came into force last year, for Penalty Notices issued of the 19th of August 2024, and we are trying to reduce the number of families who meet the criteria within this framework.
Below are two very important pieces of information, that we encourage you to read and follow.
To help you with this, we would like to remind you of the following things:
- Holidays in term time are not authorised, and you may be fined.
- School doors open at 8:35am and we expect all children to be in school by 8:45am each day.
- If your child is genuinely ill and cannot attend school, please contact school by 8:35am to let us know.
- If your child has an appointment to attend, please let the office see a copy of the letter, appointment card or text message, so that they can authorise the absence.
- If your child has 8 sessions of unauthorised absence in an 8-week period, you will receive a notice to improve.
- If your child has 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period, you will receive a penalty notice.
- You will receive letters periodically throughout the year when your child’s attendance drops below a certain level – this is to inform you, and give you the opportunity to improve or seek support.
- You might be invited attendance panel meetings – this is to help identify where we can help you.
If you are struggling with your child’s attendance, there are many ways that we or other services can support you. Please let us know about any difficulties as soon as you identify them.
Events
Things To Do
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Help and support
Zarach's Mission: To end child bed poverty in England, giving children the opportunity to engage at school and a chance to break the cycle of poverty.
"Are their school-age children unable to gain a good night's sleep in your home due to not having the appropriate beds, no beds, broken beds, or multiple children sharing a bed? Did you know that Zarach is a charity that exists in your area to provide brand new beds, pyjamas, and bedding for children where families can no longer afford to buy them?
If you are one of these families, please see your pastoral team in your son/daughters school and they can submit a referral to Zarach - please see the attached visual aid of our process."
Help and support
School Avoidance
School avoidance is a sharply increasing phenomenon, with tangible negative effects on children’s wellbeing and education. The factors that come together to make a child consciously avoid seeing their classmates and teachers can be much more complicated than is often assumed. A careful, mindful approach from parents, carers and educators is required to help children return to an environment that may be causing them intense anxiety.
This guide aims to help you understand the issue of school avoidance – not only its potential roots and ramifications, but also what you can do to help children and young people navigate these obstacles and continue their education.
Separated Parent Support
Further to the programme of work being done across the LA in supporting parents around healthy parental relationships (https://relationshipsmatter.org.uk/) we are now promoting a new and free App to download to Apple or Android devices, that separating or separated parents may benefit from. The main benefit of the app is the improvement around communication and better management of relationships to reduce conflict around children.
You can find more about the app on the following link:
Safety for Children
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There are lots of way to feel calmer. Try our breathing exercises, activities and games or watch a video to help let go of stress.
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Young Minds https://youngminds.org.uk/
Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Resource library
This resource library has been created to store various mental health and emotional wellbeing resources for children, young people, families and professionals.
http://www.openmindscalderdale.org.uk/category/resource-library/- Kooth - Your online mental wellbeing community - https://www.kooth.com/
- Positive identities - Calderdale Identity Youth Group offers LGBTQ children and young people aged 12-18 a safe space to meet with peers and be part of a range of social activities. The group is facilitated on weekly basis in the centre of Halifax. - https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/positive-identities-calderdale-identity-lgbtq-youth-group
- Branching out - If you're aged between 10 to 21 and live in Calderdale, we can support you to make informed choices about your drug, alcohol and tobacco use - https://humankindcharity.org.uk/service/calderdale-branching-out/
- Time out - Time Out is for all 10-19 year olds in Calderdale. With a focus on emotional well-being, we connect young people with activities, opportunities, learning and support. - http://www.timeoutcalderdale.co.uk/
- NHS - https://www.cht.nhs.uk/home/
- CAMHS - The Open Minds Partnership is the new name for Calderdale CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services). - https://calderdalecamhs.org.uk/
Locala School Nurses - “Identifying health needs, managing long and short term conditions in education settings for children and young people aged 5 to 19 years”. - https://www.locala.org.uk/your-healthcare/school-nursing/calderdale-school-nurses/
Relationships Advice
Many parents and carers feel unsure about how to talk to their child about sex, sexuality, and relationships. The NSPCC have advice to help you support your child and keep them safe.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/
North Halifax Partnership Guides
Our latest what’s on guides for September are out now. Take a look at what’s going on across our Children’s Centres over September. This includes:
* Stay and play groups * Health services available within the Centres * Family Walks * Community events
* Family Support Advice Lines
The Lower Valley Children’s Centres guide can be accessed here: LV-Whats-on-Guide-September-2023.pdf (surestartchildrenscentresnhp.org.uk)
The North & East Halifax Children’s Centres guide can be accessed here: Whats-On-Guide-NE-September-2023.pdf (surestartchildrenscentresnhp.org.uk)
Our Children’s Centres also offer a free program of Family Learning activities and courses throughout the year. We offer ac- tivities to help improve the quality of family life, as well as accredited courses to learn new skills and support with employ- ment. Our Autumn Term course information and booking form can be accessed here: FLT Course selection form (typeform.com)
Sleep Difficulties
For children and young people, low-quality sleep can become a serious issue. It has been theorised that poor sleep can have a significant impact on children’s brain development, affecting them for the rest of their lives. A healthy – and consistent – sleeping pattern, therefore, is incredibly important for children and young people’s wellbeing. With the stresses and distractions that can present themselves to youngsters, it can be tricky to ensure they’re in the best mindset to wind down in the evenings for the rejuvenating rest that they need. The right approach, however, can give them a better chance of cultivating a healthy sleeping pattern. The following guide has some practical tips on helping them to achieve exactly that.
Supporting Children Returning To School
Returning to education guides for children and young people, parents and carers and professionals
The Returning to Education Guides below outline some common worries and anxieties that students, parents/carers and staff may face on returning to school/college, and suggest strategies and resources which could support them.
Please click here to see the:
Children and Young People’s Guide
Parents and carers of Primary School Students Guide
Parents and Carers of Secondary School Students Guide
Worry Cards on Returning to Education – created by young people for students returning to education. The purpose of these cards is to help decrease stress levels and any worries or queries that students might have, especially for those who haven’t been in an education setting since due to the most recent lockdown. These top worries have been selected as the most frequent worries that students said they will face on returning to education.
Transition
Moving to high school is a challenge for children and parents. The documents below will help you prepare and ensure a successful transition.
Preparing for Exams
The link below can help if you or your child are anxious about end of key stage tests, now or in the future.
Open Minds has a section on “Exam help & Support” for any children who want additional support http://www.openmindscalderdale.org.uk/exam-help-calderdale/
Internet safety guidance
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A Parent's Guide To WhatsApp