The School Day

Please note that the timings below reflect a normal school day. During the academic year 2020/21 these timings have been temporarily amended in line with covid-19 guidelines. Please contact the school on 01737 354541 if you require any further information about our current school day. 

Parents and children may arrive at school from 8.30am. However, there will be no staff supervision until 8.50am and, as such, parents are responsible for their children until they have gone into their classrooms. 

Teaching Arrangements

Children at Tadworth are mostly taught by their own class teacher, with the support of trained Teaching Assistants - whom we have in all classes for at the very least the morning. Class sizes are up to a maximum of 30 throughout the school (on some occasions they may go to 31 in Key Stage 2). Small groups of children are regularly selected for additional support if they are not reaching the levels expected for their age and ability. All our children have personal targets to help them move on in their learning.

 Year group teaching teams plan their work together to ensure that all children receive a broad and balanced curriculum. Within this framework, teachers differentiate their planning to meet the needs of children in their care. Our children benefit from open–ended, challenging activities which enable them to think creatively, solve problems for themselves and show their levels of ability. Support is planned and provided to ensure access to learning for those experiencing difficulties in any aspect of the curriculum. 

 Attendance 

We expect that all parents/carers will:

•  encourage regular school attendance and be aware of their legal responsibilities
• try to ensure that their child arrives at school punctually and prepared for the school day
• try to ensure that they contact the school before 9.30am in the event of absence, on each day the child is absent or, if known in advance, whenever their child is unable to attend school

Punctuality /Lateness

It is crucial that children arrive at school on time for registration at the beginning of the day. Lateness into school causes disruption to that individual's learning and to that of the other pupils in the class. It is paramount therefore that all pupils arrive at school on time.  For school pupils and parents/carers the grounds are open at 08.30am (however there are no staff on duty at this time) and the school doors for Key Stage 1 and 2 are open from 08.50am until 9.00am.  

Registration takes place at 09.05 and pupils who arrive after 09.10 will be recorded as late to school.

• Registers close at 09.30 and after this lateness is recorded as an unauthorised absence (this could lead to prosecution by the local authority if the problem persists). 
• Persistent lateness by a pupil may be dealt with through the home/school link worker and may be referred to Education Welfare. 

 Requests for leave of absence

We believe that holidays taken during term time are disruptive and can seriously affect a child’s education. Absence requests, which should where possible be made four weeks in advance, will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances and by prior agreement with theHeadteacher. If parents need to take their child out of school during term time for any reason (including events such as a music/drama/sports exams or competitions) a permission form, available from the school, should be completed.

 Illness and Emergencies

The school employs a Welfare Secretary who is responsible for the welfare of the children. If children are not well they will be taken to the Welfare Office. If necessary, parents will be contacted. All parents are asked to ensure that the school has an up to date contact number for use in such emergencies. We do not administer short term medicines such as antibiotics in school. Where children need regular medication for a long term condition we will consider making appropriate arrangements. For safety reasons, all medicines are kept and administered in the Welfare Office. Children who suffer sickness or diarrhoea should be kept off school for 48 hours from the last incidence in order to avoid spreading any infection. We ask parents to inform the school of any infectious illnesses, so that we can inform and protect any child or member of staff who could be particularly at risk from them.

 School Dinners

‘Tadworth Treats’ is the name of our own catering service. All meals are prepared on the premises by our own staff and provide a nutritionally balanced lunch which is popular with the children. All children in KS1 (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes) are eligible for a free school meal. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity for children to eat a balanced meal at school each day. Most dietary requirements can be met by our caterers. However, if any parent is in any doubt, they can speak with the catering manager. More details regarding Tadworth Treats, including the current menu is available on this website, attached to the Tadworth Times newsletter, or from school.

 Partnership with Parents

At Tadworth Primary we pride ourselves on having a strong partnership with parents. Many of our parents and grandparents help in classes; others help on school outings or residential trips. We have an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) who raise substantial funds each year to support improvement projects. The school values this help enormously.

It is our policy to be available to parents as far as is practicable. If parents have a concern, we would encourage them to come into school to discuss it with us. Class teachers are available to parents at the beginning (before 8.50am) and end (after 3.30pm) of the school day to deal with simple issues. Should a lengthier discussion be necessary, parents are encouraged to make an appointment either directly with the class teacher or via the front office. If at any time a parent is not satisfied with how a matter has been managed we follow the Surrey Guidelines for dealing with parental concerns, a copy of which is available on our website or from school.