We would really like you to encourage your child to become as independent as possible. When the children start school we hope they can:

• Dress and undress themselves unaided i.e. 

         – take jumper on and off
         – turn clothes the right side out
         – put shoes on correct feet
         – do up buttons or zips on school clothes

• Recognise their own clothes, shoes and P.E. bag.
• Remove outer clothing and hang it on a peg.
• Use the toilet without supervision, including wiping bottom, knowing that he/she should ask to go whenever necessary, flushing the toilet and washing and drying his/her hands afterwards.
• Tidy and clear away toys and games.
• Wipe their nose.
• Respond to the instructions of an adult.
• Know and recognise their own name.
• Use “please” and “thank you” appropriately.
• Open their sandwich box and manage their drink container.
• Use a knife and fork.
• Listen to a story quietly.

We endeavor to make meal times as happy and relaxed as possible, whilst maintaining a high standard of table manners, Hot lunches are cooked on site by Caterlink.

The Government is funding Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) for all Infant children. Your child will be asked each day whether they would like a hot meal or not, and given a meat, vegetarian or jacket potato/filled baguette option. If your child has a food allergy / intolerance it is vital that you let us know so that their needs can be catered for.

Packed lunches may be brought to school. Please make sure containers are secure and named and that you avoid sending anything in with nuts. There are several children at school with servere nut allergies..

Please telephone or email the school first thing in the morning each day your child is absent from school, or complete the absence notification form on the school website.  If a child does not arrive before 8.50 a.m. a letter is sent from the class teacher to the office who will then make contact with you to find out where your child is.  If your child is sick or has an upset stomach they must remain absent from school for 48 hours since the last bout of sickness.

We encourage all children to be at school during term time.  We do not authorise absence from school for holidays.  At Woodmancote School we believe that good attendance and punctuality are essential for a child to reach their educational potential and enjoy a feeling of belonging to their class and school community.

We do request that you inform us of any absences due to family circumstances. You can find out more about attendance expectations by looking on the school website under policies.

When your child starts school they will be allocated a ‘House’ to belong to for the next seven years.  There are various House events throughout the year and children are encouraged to participate as much as possible.  Recent events have included a baking competition, talent show, art competition and various sports matches, including sports day in the summer term.

Our houses are Leckhampton (red), Nottingham (yellow), Malvern (blue) and Cleeve (green)

The school is not obliged to administer medicine, but we do recognise that asking parents to come to school to administer a prescribed dose is not always realistic. If you need to request your child’s class teacher to administer medicine (prescribed only) during the school day, please ask the office for a medicine administration form which you will need to fill in.

Named items are returned to the child.  Un-named items are collected and taken to the lost property box.  Please ask if you are unable to find missing articles. Please name EVERYTHING!

We use Parentpay for the payment of school trips etc. You will receive login details once your child has started school. You need to register your child using these login details. If your child has been attending Little Chestnuts this new login in replaces any previous. Little Chestnuts login.

Through the National Fruit and Vegetable Scheme all Infant children are given the opportunity to have a piece of fruit each day. This may be a carrot, an apple, a banana, a satsuma or a few tomatoes. We will encourage children to eat the fruit or vegetable available each day, but will obviously not force them to. If you would prefer to send your child with a piece of fruit or vegetable, then please do so. No other form of snack is permitted at break time. 

Milk can be ordered through Cool Milk, via their website.

The school day starts at 8.45am, with doors open from 8.40am.

Most children have a positive attitude towards coming into school and leave their parents happily.  If, however, your child is upset, it is best to leave as quickly as possible once they are with their teacher.  Prolonged goodbyes can be even more upsetting.  Upset children tend to settle happily after a few minutes of joining in with the class routine.  A phone call when you get home may help reassure you if you are especially worried.

Pick up and drop off is from the outside door of the reception classrooms.