Information Page

How to find us

Absence line

How can my child get the most from school?

How can I be more involved as a parent?

Parents' Association

Music at Northmead

Sport at Northmead

Code of Conduct

What if my child is injured?

What if my child needs to take medicines?

What if my child is bullied?

Dress code

Haircuts

What if I have a complaint?

How to find us

For a local map, click here. Back to top

Absence line

If your child is going to be absent from school due to illness, please use the absence line number (01483) 529889 to leave a message. Please speak clearly, stating your child's name, class, illnesss and expected period of absence. Back to top

How can my child get the most from school?

Northmead not only offers an excellent academic education, it also provides children with the skills they will need to become useful adults. Children will particularly thrive if they play an active part in all aspects of school life. Joining after-school clubs and taking part in musical, dramatic and sporting activities all help. We do understand that some children will feel unable to succeed in these ways and we will always try to encourage the more reticent or shy child. All forms of success are celebrated either within year groups, assemblies, newsletters or by the child being given a ?Head Teacher?s Award.? Back to top

How can I be more involved as a parent?

We hope that all parents will see Northmead as their school and become involved in the life and work of the school. This can happen through helping in class, accompanying classes on school trips or being involved with the PA. Many parents are regular visitors to the school and we regard all parents as co-workers with the school staff in the education of their children. We hope you will talk to your child positively about school, take an interest in the homework and regularly read with and to your child. We have a strong and growing band of mums, dads, grandparents and friends who help for 20 minutes in the morning with reading groups. This is a highly successful programme and one that we will continue next year. Back to top

Parents' Association

Every member of the parent body is automatically a member of the PA. We have a thriving committee drawn from this group. The PA sponsors fund raising, social and educational events from quiz evenings to beetle drives and from discos to curriculum nights. There is a very close and warm relationship between home and school centred on our partnership agreement. We do need support from new parents to work on the PA committee. Please give this your consideration. It is time well spent. Back to top

Music at Northmead

The school is very active musically with a full orchestra, recorder groups and a variety of different choirs. This is in addition to normal curriculum music. Music plays a very important part in our school life and children's successes are celebrated. Over 70 children receive individual or small group music lessons from the peripatetic music teachers.
We are very keen that all new pupils should have the opportunity to continue the fine tradition of music at Northmead. You will be given further information about this when your child begins at Northmead. Back to top

Sport at Northmead

Northmead has a strong sporting tradition. There are clubs for a whole range of activities, including netball, football, rugby, dance, gymnastics, cross country, athletics and cricket. Clubs are available to pupils of all abilities. We also believe in competitive sport where children are able to perform against others of similar ability. We believe that success in sporting competition adds to the good image of the school locally. Children are expected to uphold the high standards of sportsmanship associated with Northmead. Back to top

Code of Conduct

Northmead is a well disciplined school and the children are taught to be polite, cheerful and respectful by adults who are kind, calm and assertive. We praise and reward good attitude and behaviour. Bullying, violence and bad language are completely unacceptable. We expect the full support from parents in these matters. Various sanctions may be imposed on children who show a lack of self-discipline. These could include loss of free time, completing extra duties, a daily home/school target book and ultimately 'in-house' suspension. It is very rare, but not unknown, for children to be excluded for very serious, or repeated breakdown of behaviour. By keeping this clear code of conduct, we are able to ensure that children are comfortable and happy at school. Back to top

What if my child is injured?

If your child is hurt at school we will telephone you as soon as possible. If the injury is sufficiently serious we will not hesitate to call an ambulance and inform you at the same time. If there is a head injury we will send you a letter informing you of symptoms to watch out for. Nearly all the staff have been trained for first aid and know how to deal very effectively with minor bumps and cuts. We are always seeking to make the school as safe an environment as possible. We ask you to understand that sometimes we err on the side of caution in contacting parents. Please do not be critical of the office staff if you are contacted at work. Back to top

What if my child needs to take medicines?

We have decided that we will take responsibility to administer simple medicines. All such items should be very clearly marked and given into the main front office with a note informing us of the necessary dose. Children with asthma should carry their own inhaler and have a spare at the school office. Please inform us if your child has a more serious or on-going medical problem so that we are able to make arrangements to look after them should the need arise. We should also be informed of any serious allergies Back to top

What if my child is bullied?

A large majority of children do not think there is any problem at all about bullying in our school. However, from time to time there are problems. The biggest problem is often finding out that it is going on in the first place. We need the help of parents with this.

Please inform the class teacher straight away if your child is being seriously teased or bullied and the situation will be dealt with quickly and efficiently. Please come to us even if your child does not want you to do so. We are confident that the firm guidelines we have will curtail any problems. A copy of the policy on bullying is available on request. Back to top

Dress code

Uniform at Northmead is compulsory. It forms an important part of our ethos by giving the children a sense of belonging to the school and pride in being part of it.

Uniform list:
· red polo shirt with school logo
· red sweatshirt with school logo
· mid grey tailored trousers or knee length skirt
· black, low heeled shoes
· red or grey tailored shorts (summer)
· red/white checked dress (summer)

PE kit list:
· white T-shirt with school logo
· red cotton shorts
· plimsols/trainers

Children are not permitted to wear rings, bracelets or necklaces on the grounds of safety. Children are only allowed small earring studs, which they will be required to remove for PE and more physical play during breaks.

We are unable to take responsibility for wrist watches or other valuables, which should not be brought to school. Back to top

Haircuts

No child may come to school with an extreme haircut or hairstyle which draws particular attention to him/herself. Parents must be vigilant about this as any child who breaks this aspect of the dress code will be excluded from attending Northmead. This will include dyed or bleached hair or fringes. Please do not let your child do it. Back to top

What if I have a complaint?

If you have a complaint it is best to first approach your child's class teacher and then if it is not resolved you could speak to the year leader or senior member of staff. If the situation is not resolved, parents have access to the headteacher and, ultimately, the Board of Governors who can be contacted through Mrs Linda Macbeth (Clerk to Governors). Parents also have the right to complain to the LEA via the Local Education office in Guildford, Tel 0845 600 9009. Back to top

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