Parent Handbook

Our School Day

Nursery (morning and afternoon sessions)

Mornings: 8.30am – 11.30am

Afternoons: 12.30pm – 3.30pm

Upper Foundation, Key Stage 1 and 2

8.45am – 3.15pm

Children should not arrive on school premises before 8.40am unless attending arranged activities.

Open Door Policy

Here at Ackton Pastures, we operate an open door policy. Besides parent evenings, if you have any worries or concerns, please do come and see us. Your first point of call is the class teacher who we ask, unless it is essential, are seen at the end of day to avoid disruption to lessons or if you require a longer conversation, please arrange a meeting with the class teacher personally or via the school office.

Each class has a ‘Meet the Teacher’ meeting at the beginning of each academic year to outline:

• Homework expectations
• Class rules
• Curriculum content
• Planned educational visits
• Information about upcoming formal assessments

This meeting also provides the opportunity for you to ask any questions or speak to the class teacher in person.

Academy Meals

Academy meals are served on the premises served from our Academy kitchen. The meals are served in the Dining Room on a cafeteria basis which allows some choice. Special dietary requirements e.g. due to cultural, religious or medical needs can be catered for by special arrangement.

• Children can bring sandwiches, although no facilities exist for warming food brought in, or for chilling food, except in exceptional circumstances.
• Water is provided to drink in the dining room however children on packed lunches, can bring their own water to drink in bottles.

Click on the Live Kitchen link below to log-in to your account to view our menus and to credit your account.

If you think you are entitled to Free School Meals, please click on the link below.

Free Academy Meals

• If your child / children are entitled to free Academy meals please inform the Academy, in the strictest confidence whether or not you wish to take up the option. Application forms for assistance for Academy meals are available from the Academy office.
• Children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 are all entitled to universal free school meals. However, parents/carers are still encouraged to apply for free Academy meals based on eligibility even if their child is in Reception, Year 1 and 2 as the Academy can then benefit from additional funding for these pupils, which helps with the Academies funding.

Healthy Eating

• The Academy promotes healthy eating. Children are not allowed to bring sweets, chocolate or drinks other than water.
• The Academy is also part of the government’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, which provides a piece of fruit or vegetable for every child in Nursery and Key Stage one each day. Children in Key Stage 2 are encouraged to bring fruit to eat during morning break.
• Children are also strongly encouraged to drink water and will need a water bottle each day. Please encourage children to bring their bottle home each evening in order for it to be thoroughly washed.

Academy Uniform

In our Academy, we aim to provide, for all partners:

We believe that children should feel a sense of ‘belonging’ to our Academy and that they should wear their uniform with pride. We also think that children should feel equal, and an Academy uniform contributes to this. Having a uniform also clearly states what the governors, staff and parents feel to be appropriate clothing for the Academy.

It also helps to clearly identify pupils when travelling to or from the Academy on Academy visits – a positive safety factor.

Please read all the information carefully and feel free to contact us on 01977 802322 or ap-enquiries@ipmat.co.uk if you have any further questions.

For more information about Ackton Pastures Primary Academy – please feel free to have a browse of our website.