Handbook - Scottish Borders ...

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Handbook - Scottish Borders ...
Tweedbank
                                                                  Primary School

                                   Useful links                   Handbook
                           www.scotborders.gov.uk                    2020/21
                           www.education.gov.scot
                            www.parentpay.com
                           www.liveborders.org.uk
                          www.unicef.org.uk/rights-
                             respecting-schools

                                         DESIGNED BY
                                 www.whitecreativecompany.co.uk
2 | Tweedbank Primary School | Handbook 2020/21                                    Handbook 2020/21 | Tweedbank Primary School | 3
Handbook - Scottish Borders ...
Contents
                                                      Welcome                                   How our school works
                                                      Letter from the Head Teacher         4    Enrolment                                    20
                                                                                           5    Arriving & departing                         20
                                                      School information                   5    Breakfast club                               20
                                                                                           6    Visitors                                     21
                                                      Contacting the school                6    School uniform                               21
                                                      School Vision, Values and Aims       7    School transport                             22
                                                      Learning & Teaching                       Car parking                                  22
                                                                                                School meals                                 22
                                                      Entitlements                         8
                                                                                                School trips                                 22
                                                      How does curriculum for
                                                                                                Transitions                                  23
                                                      excellence work?                      8
                                                      The curriculum                        9   Terms & Attendance
                                                      Physical education                   10   Terms and holidays                      24
                                                      Active schools                       10   Attendance                              24
                                                      Religious observance                 10   Absence or other change in circumstance 24
                                                      Home learning                        10   Holiday absences                        25
                                                      The wider curriculum                 11
                                                      Assessment                           11
                                                                                                Medical Care
                                                                                                Medical examinations                         26
                                                      Summative assessment                 11
                                                                                                Medicines                                    27
                                                      Formative assessment                 11
                                                                                                Communicable diseases                        28
                                                      Reporting                            13
                                                      Parental consultations               13   Policies & Procedures
                                                      Learning Profile                      13   School improvement plan & priorities         29
                                                      Feedback                             13   Health and safety                            29
                                                                                                Emergency closure of the school
                                                      Support for Leaarning                     / adverse weather                            29
                                                      Support for learning                 14
                                                                                                Images of pupils                             32
                                                      The educational psychology service   15
                                                                                                Use of the internet                          33
                                                      Getting it right for every child
                                                                                                Security                                     33
                                                      (GIRFEC)                             16
                                                                                                Policies                                     33
                                                      Promoting positive behaviour         17
                                                      Closing the attainment gap           17   Child Protection
                                                      Home school link worker service      17   Keeping our children and young
                                                                                                people safe in the Scottish Borders          34
                                                      Partnership with Parents
                                                      Parent Council                       18   Young Carers                                 35
                                                      Communicating with home              19
                                                                                                Data Protection                              36

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School Information
 Welcome                                                                                                     Letter from the
                                                                                                             Chief Education
                                                                                                                                               Tweedbank Primary School,
                                                                                                                                               Cotgreen Road, Tweedbank,
                                                                                                                                               Galashiels, TD1 3RR

                                   Welcome to Tweedbank Primary School and to                                                                  T:    01896 754807
                                                                                                                          Dear Parent
                                   what I hope will be a long and happy association                                       / Carer,
                                                                                                                                               F:    01896 753458
                                   with the school. The aim of our handbook is to                                         At Scottish          E:    tweedbankps@scotborders.gov.uk
                                   provide you with as much information as possible,                                      Borders Council      W:    new website under construction
                                   but please do not hesitate to get in touch if you                                      we recognise         FB:   @tweedbankps
                                                                                                                          that every child     T:    @tweedbankprimaryschool
                             Here at Tweedbank Primary School , our pupils                                   is unique and has individual
                                                                                                             dreams, abilities, talents and    Please Note:
                         enjoy engaging learning experiences. We are very
                                                                                                             needs. The Children & Young       contact the School should do so either in person or by
                         proud of the achievements of all pupils, in and out                                 People’s Service supports         telephone. Although there is a school electronic
                         of the classroom. We have an inclusive culture where                                schools to ensure children’s      mailbox/answer machine, these are not always manned
                         all pupils are encouraged to contribute to the life of                              needs are met, ambitions are      and therefore there is no guarantee that urgent items
   the school and take on leadership roles and responsibilities.                                             realised, and that every child    will be picked up/passed on timeously.
      As a Rights Respecting School we have an ethos of mutual respect                                       reaches their full potential.
   where pupils feel safe, happy and are motivated to learn.                                                 Schools are committed to
                                                                                                             providing the very best start
                                                                                                                                               HEAD TEACHER: Ms Hilary Broatch
                                                                                                             by providing a high quality       SCHOOL ROLL: 173
   nurturing and stimulating learning environment within our lovely building
                                                                                                             and nurturing experience for      ELCC ROLL:    22
   and extensive grounds.                                                                                    your child to thrive in. We are
                                                                                                             keen to work in partnership       SCHOOL DAY TIMES
   community .                                                                                               with you as research tells us     ELCC session: 08.45 - 15.15
     We look forward to welcoming you to Tweedbank Primary School.                                           that when parents/carers                                 LUNCH
                                                                                                             are involved in their child’s                            11.45 - 12.15
                                                                                                             education the child will do       School session:        8.45 - 15.15
                                                 Hilary Broatch                                              better. We hope this school
                                                                                                                                                                      MORNING INTERVAL
                                                                                                             handbook informs parents,
                                                 Head Teacher                                                                                                         10.30 - 10.45
                                                                                                             not just about how the
                                                                                                             school works, but also about                             LUNCH
                                                                                                             how you can help us help                                 12.15 - 13.00
                                                                                                             your children to succeed in
                                                                                                             school and life.                  School encourages healthy snacks and lunches.

                                                                                                             Yours sincerely
                        Whilst information provided is considered to be correct at the time of printing.
                It is possible that there may be some inaccuracy by the time the document reaches parents.
                                                                                                             Michelle Strong

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CONTACTING THE SCHOOL
  Staff                                                If you have any queries or concerns please

Head teacher
                                                       do not hesitate to get in touch with us. If
                                                       you feel an appointment with a
                                                       teacher or head teacher is required
                                                                                                                              Our Vision
Ms Hilary Broatch                                                                                              We Aim High In Everything We Do
Principal Teacher                                      and a mutually convenient time
Mr Gregor Myles                                        will be arranged.
Class Teachers
                                                       We communicate with parents

                                                                                                                              Our Aims
Miss Lauren Nuttall           P1/2
                                                       in a number of ways:
Mrs Sandra Sanderson          P2
                                                       • Daily homework diaries
Miss Lisa Cockburn            P3
                                                       • Text messages / telephone calls             We aim for:
Mr Roddy Graham               P4
                                                       • Emails
Mrs Kyra Tweddle              P5
                                                       • Newsletters
                                                                                                               Challenge                               Partnership
Mr Gregor Myles /             P6                                                                       Challenging all members                   Establishing productive
                                                       • Learning Profiles / reports and
Mr John Burton                                                                                        of our school community to            partnerships with our families
                                                            parental consultations
Miss Amy Thomson              P7
                                                                                                      achieve their personal best.         and the wider school community.
Non Contact Time Teacher
                                                                                                                 Inclusion                             Citizenship
Mrs Valerie Blaen                                      we are trying to send information home             Fostering a nurturing,           Developing the four capacities to
Pupil Support Teacher                                  electronically where possible. Parents                                                become a Successful Learner,
                                                                                                         inclusive and equitable
Mrs Ashleigh Whelan                                    are asked to provide an email address
                                                                                                      learning environment for all.        Confident Individual, Responsible
                                                       when enrolling their child.
PE Specialist Teacher                                                                                            Creativity                Citizen and Effective Contributor,
Mr Jorge Garcia                                                                                                                         through citizenship and sustainability.
                                                                                                          Inspiring the curiosity,
ELCC                                                                                                    creativity and inquiry that                   Wellbeing
Early Years Officer                                                                                        leads to a life-long love               Ensuring the positive
Mrs Marie Finlay                                                                                                of learning.                  wellbeing of all members of
Early Years Practitioner                                                                                                                        our school community.
Mrs Dominica Ballentine
Early Years Practitioner
Miss Amy Simpson
Pupil Support Assistants
Mrs Lynn Ker                                                                                                                Our Values
Miss Lisa Bradley                                                                                           The Values we demonstrate at Tweedbank Primary School
Ms Agata Will                                                                                            are that we are Responsible, we are Respectful, and we are Safe.
Ms Rachel Whigham
Janitor
Stelios Koutoupas
                                                                                                                 We are a Unicef UK Rights Respecting School, where children’s rights
Administrator                                                                                                    are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.
Helen Stenhouse

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Learning
Xxxxxxxx & Teaching                                                                                                                                    people learn. It aims to raise standards,
                                                                                                                                                       improve knowledge and develop skills,
                                                                                                                                                             closing the gap between the
At Tweedbank Primary, we foster an                                                                                                                             lowest and highest performers.
environment where our pupils become                                                                                                                             Ultimately it aims to nurture
active participants in their learning.                                                                                                                          young people as successful
Education should not be passive but an                                                                                                                          learners, confident individuals,
exciting, fun and challenging time in                                                                                                                          effective contributors and
a child’s life. We aim to give children a                                                                                                                responsible citizens.
breadth of experiences and a hunger for
knowledge, equipping our young people                                                                                                                  At Tweedbank PS we aim to:
with skills they will take to the world of                                                                                                             •   Establish a safe, secure and
work and life. A Curriculum for Excellence,                                                                                                                stimulating learning environment
published in 2004 following the National                   that prepares them effectively for             and to be consulted and involved in              where everyone is respected and
Debate on Education in Scotland, sets out                  learning, work and life.                       decisions affecting their learning.              valued.
values, purposes and principles to enable              •   All learners are entitled to experience    •   All children are entitled to become          •   Ensure that pupils are active
children and young people to reach their                   learning and teaching that supports            successful learners, confident                   participants in their own learning
full potential. At Tweedbank Primary                       them in becoming literate, numerate            individuals, effective contributors              and can confidently identify their
we have fully embraced the guidance in                     and healthy.                                   and responsible citizens through the             strengths and what they need to do
these documents to improve the quality                 •   All learners are entitled to experience        values and principles of Curriculum              to improve.
of learning and teaching as well as                        learning and teaching that                     for Excellence.                              •   Use a variety of informed,
increasing attainment and achievement                      promotes equal opportunity and                                                                  differentiated teaching approaches
for all children, including those who need                 non-discrimination based on social         The Curriculum                                       which take account of prior learning
additional support in their learning.                      circumstances, gender, race, religion,     Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is bringing          and are matched closely to individual
                                                           cultural beliefs, disability or sexual     learning to life in the way education is             needs.
Entitlements                                               orientation.                               delivered for all 3-18 year olds – in ELCC,      •   Develop learners’ curiosity, creativity
•      All learners are entitled to                    •   All learners are entitled to               primary, secondary, at college, workplace            and ability to think critically
       experience the highest possible                     opportunities and encouragement to         or community learning. It takes a fresh              through well planned tasks which
          quality of learning and teaching                 participate to their maximum potential     approach to what, how and where young                involve solving problems, working
                                                                                                                                                           collaboratively and independently.
                                                                                                                                                       •   Enable pupils to understand the
         How does Curriculum for Excellence work?
                                                                                                          judgements, challenge, enquire and               purpose of their learning, make
    The ‘learner journey’ will be joined up       •        Teachers will make connections                 find solutions.                                  connections and apply their skills and
    from 3-18 to avoid gaps and overlaps                   between subjects, helping children         •   There is more focus on knowledge and             knowledge to real life situations.
    in learning and to make the most of                    make sense of the world.                       skills – including vital skills: literacy    •   Provide opportunities for children to
    achievements outside school.                  •        Children will develop an understanding         and numeracy, which underpin all                 develop confidence and resilience
    • Learners will work at a pace that suits,             of how to learn and how to use their           learning and are critical in life.               through personal success and
         with enough challenge and support to              learning, not just memorise information    •   There are changes to assessment and              achievement in our wider learning
         stretch them.                                     to pass tests. This will help them adapt       how progress is reported to give learners,       environment.
    • Lessons will be more engaging,                       in an uncertain future with the ability        parents and employers better information     •   Reflect upon and share our good
         inspiring and relevant to everyday life.          to think for themselves, make sound            on potential and achievement.                    practice to ensure inspiring learning
                                                                                                                                                           and teaching continues to thrive.

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The wider                                           Learning & Teaching
Physical Education
At Tweedbank PS a PE specialist visits the            usually an end of term service which parents
                                                                                                             curriculum
school weekly to teach all pupils. Class              are welcome to attend.                          The wider curriculum                    Assessment
teachers ensure that a further hour of                    Parents who wish to exercise their          From time-to-time, extra-               Assessment is a vital part of learning and
PE is taught so every child has the                    right to withdraw their child from             curricular activities are available     teaching. It should be an ongoing
expected 2 hours of PE a week.                               religious instruction and/or religious   and information about these is          process and involve the learner making
                                                                observance should contact the         provided to parents.                    decisions about their next steps. This
Religious Observance                                              Head Teacher to arrange a               The school attempts to involve      takes two forms, assessment that
A weekly assembly takes                                           meeting to discuss alternative      older children in contacts with         happens at the end of a block of learning
place in the school. There is                                     arrangements for their child.       pupils from other schools as much       that checks how much a child has
                                                                                                      as possible, thereby helping to ease    understood (summative) and assessment
                                                                                                      the settling-in process at Galashiels   that is continuous (formative).
                                                               Home Learning                          Academy. Inter-school sport is
                                                               The policy of the school is that       therefore encouraged, with school       Summative Assessment
                                                         homework will be given when it is            pupils usually taking part in hockey,   This is used to check how successful the
                                                        considered appropriate and in line            netball, rugby and chess events at      learner has been at the end of a piece of
                                                        with the information given to parents         different times of the year.            work. It is one way of gathering evidence
                                                        at the start of the school year. There            The school believes in the          for reporting to parents or measuring
                                                        will likely be weekly homework                importance of broadening and            attainment. It is only valid when used
                                                        which focuses on the practice of              enriching the child’s learning          alongside evidence gathered from
                                                        skills in literacy and/or numeracy as         experience and with this in mind,       formative assessment. Standardised
                                                        well as regular reading tasks. Other          arranges outings whenever suitable      assessments are also used when
                                                        homework tasks will be issued and will        opportunities arise. See School         appropriate to gather evidence on a child’s
                                                        develop a range of skills. Homework           Trips, p22                              progress in a curricular area. This reflects
                                                        tasks will be suitable for the age, stage         A residential experience is         on their progress in comparison to a cross
                                                        and needs of each child.                      offered to children in P7.              section of children of a similar age.

                                                                                                                                              Formative Assessment
                                                                                                                                              Pupils know what they are learning, how
                                                                                                                                              they will recognise if the learning has taken
                                                                                                                                              place and what steps they can take to
                                                                                                                                              bridge the gap between what they know
                                                                                                                                              and need to learn by this process. It is
        ACTIVE SCHOOLS                                                                                                                        evident in many guises in the classroom and
        Active Schools aims to provide more and                                                                                               is an integral part of learning and teaching.
        higher quality opportunities to take part
  in sport and physical activity before school,                                                                                               Some examples are outlined below:
  during lunchtime and after school, and to                                                                                                   • Learning Intentions and Success
  develop effective pathways between schools                                                                                                     Criteria
  and sports clubs in the local community.                                                                                                    • Wait Time
  For more information on Active Schools in your                                                                                              • Traffic Lights
  area visit www.liveborders.org.uk/active_schools                                                                                            • Thumbs Up
                                                                                                                                              • Think, Pair, Share        continues over >>

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Learning & Teaching

                                                        •      Share an Answer with the Group/                  Parental Consultations
                                                               Class                                            Parents are invited twice a year to discuss
                                                         • Two Stars and a Wish                                 their child’s learning with the class teacher.
                                                        Some
                                                         • Self  examples
                                                                    and peer  areassessment
                                                                                    outlined below:             ‘summing-
                                                                                                                This is normallyup’ progress
                                                                                                                                       a 10 minuteas well    as parent
                                                                                                                                                          appointment
                                                        •Assessment
                                                               Learningevidence
                                                                           Intentions      andteaching
                                                                                      allows     Success        drop   in surgeries     over   the
                                                                                                                where the teacher will share progresscourse    of the
                                                                                                                                                                  andyear.
                                                                                                                                                                       next
                                                               Criteria                                         steps and can answer any questions. It may be
                                                        •makingWaitandTime
                                                                         to adapt their practice                Parental
                                                                                                                necessary toConsultations
                                                                                                                                   arrange a further appointment
                                                        • Traffic Lights                                        Parents    are invited
                                                                                                                if the discussion            once more
                                                                                                                                       requires     a yeartime.
                                                                                                                                                              to discuss
                                                                                                                                                                    Pupils
                                                        •a child
                                                               Thumbs     Up
                                                                  is struggling     for whatever reason         their   child’s   learning     with   the
                                                                                                                who receive additional support will also be class
                                                        •and Think,
                                                               needs extra Share
                                                                        Pair,  support. By the same             teacher. This is normally a 10 minute
                                                        • Share an Answer with the Group/                       appointment         where the
                                                                                                                for Learning Teacher.               teacher
                                                                                                                                              We would          will share
                                                                                                                                                             encourage
                                                               Class
                                                         considerable     progress and can consider              progress    and     next   steps   and
                                                                                                                parents with concerns or questions to      can  answer
                                                                                                                                                                   request
                                                        •waysTwo     Stars andthe
                                                                to challenge       a Wish
                                                                                       child and ensure                  questions.
                                                                                                                an appointment at any time in the year. We are
                                                        •progress
                                                               Self and   peer   assessment
                                                                     is maintained. It is important             alwaysIthappy
                                                                                                                           may to   bemeet
                                                                                                                                       necessary        to arrange
                                                                                                                                              with parents.
                                                        Assessment
                                                         that evidence   evidence
                                                                            gathered  allows
                                                                                         through                           a further appointment if the
                                                        teaching     staff  to track
                                                         assessment be used to improve learning                 Learning         Profilerequires more time.
                                                                                                                           discussion
                                                        the
                                                         andprogress
                                                               teachingchildren       are
                                                                           in our school.                       Every child fromwho
                                                                                                                           Pupils      ELCreceive
                                                                                                                                             to P7 has  additional
                                                                                                                                                            a learning
                                                        making     and   to  adapt   their
                                                              We are committed to involving learners            profile. This is a record of their learan
                                                                                                                         support      will  also  be   offered     ning
                                                        practice
                                                         and theirappropriately.
                                                                    parents in learning Staffand to regularly            appointment
                                                                                                                experiences      throughout   withthea member
                                                                                                                                                        year. Theof
                                                        can
                                                         report on progress they areismaking.
                                                              then   identify   if a child     struggling       the Enhanced
                                                                                                                teacher   will share Learning      Team. learning
                                                                                                                                        their planned        We would
                                                        for whatever reason and needs extra                     encourage
                                                                                                                regularly with parents in the form of or
                                                                                                                                parents      with   concerns      a
                                                         Reporting
                                                        support.    By the same token staff identify            questions      to requestPupils
                                                                                                                ‘Curricular Overview.’         an appointment
                                                                                                                                                        have regularat
                                                        children    making
                                                         Reporting takes many  considerable
                                                                                       forms. Itprogress
                                                                                                   is used      any time in the year. We are always happy
                                                        and    can  consider    ways
                                                         to both give feedback on       to achievements
                                                                                           challenge the        to  meet.and record this in their Learning Log.
                                                                                                                learning
                                                        child   and steps
                                                         and next     ensure   progress
                                                                             and   to createis maintained.
                                                                                                an agenda       We encourage pupils to take pride in their
                                                        It is important     that   evidence
                                                         for discussion. Discussions take       gathered
                                                                                                    place       Feedback
                                                                                                                books and share them with their parents.
                                                        through     assessment       be  used
                                                         between children and their peers,      to improve
                                                                                                       their    Pupils will receive feedback from their
                                                        learning
                                                         teacher andandtheir
                                                                          teaching     in our
                                                                                parents.       school.
                                                                                             Listed  below      Feedback
                                                                                                                teachers     in a number of ways. Teachers
                                                         are We   are committed
                                                              examples               to involving
                                                                           of reporting             learners
                                                                                            procedures     in    and  pupils    will engage
                                                                                                                Pupils will receive               in learning
                                                                                                                                           feedback      from their
                                                        and   their
                                                         place.     parents   in  learning   and  to               conversations        on
                                                                                                                teachers in a number of ways. a daily   basis   as they
                                                                                                                                                             Teachers
                                                        regularly report on progress they are                      discuss    experiences        and
                                                                                                                and pupils will engage in learning      achievements.
                                                         Sharing Learning with Parents
                                                        making.                                                     Pupils may also
                                                                                                                conversations         on areceive      feedback
                                                                                                                                             daily basis     as they
                                                                                                                     in the   form    of written
                                                                                                                discuss experiences and achievements. comment       in
                                                        Reporting
                                                        parental involvement . In addition to                          their   jotters   from    their
                                                                                                                Pupils may also receive feedback in the   teacher
                                                        Reporting   takes many
                                                        the two Parents            forms.
                                                                             evenings      It
                                                                                        annually,  you          form and/or
                                                                                                                        of written from   peers. Feedback
                                                                                                                                       comment                    will
                                                                                                                                                       in their jotters
                                                        is
                                                        will receive a written report. on
                                                           used to  both  give  feedback    Each class                 be  constructive,        telling
                                                                                                                from their teacher and/or from peers.      the  pupil
                                                        achievements
                                                        will hold a classand   next steps
                                                                             assembly    andand
                                                                                              an Open                 what will
                                                                                                                Feedback       theybe have    done well and
                                                                                                                                        constructive,              what
                                                                                                                                                             telling
                                                        to create  an agenda     for discussion.
                                                        Afternoon annually to share learning in a                    they   should     do   next   to
                                                                                                                the pupil what they have done well and  continue
                                                        Discussions
                                                        more fun and  take   place between
                                                                         informal             children
                                                                                     way. There   will be       improvement.
                                                                                                                what they should      We doencourage        pupils to
                                                                                                                                               next to continue
                                                        and
                                                        further opportunities which maytheir
                                                             their peers,  their  teacher  and  vary year       take   note    of  feedback
                                                                                                                improvement. We encourage pupils and    to  act on it.
                                                                                                                                                                     to
                                                        parents.
                                                        on year, You   will receive one written report
                                                                   in addition.                                 take note of feedback and to act on it.

12 | St
12      Boswells Primary
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                                                                                                                Handbook               St Boswells Primary
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The Educational
Support for learning                                                                                                                                    Psychology Service
                                                                                                                                                        The Educational Psychology Service
                                                                                                                                                        (EPS) works with all SBC schools
                                                                                                                                                        to support children’s learning and
                                                                                                                                                        wellbeing.
                                                                                                                                                            We provide advice and training
At any point in their lives children or                                                                or young people may wish to formalise            to school staff on how children learn,
young people may need extra help with                                                                  their concerns. To assist with this we have      and advise on ways to help children
their education. This may be for any                                                                   a complaints procedure and also offer            who require support.
reason and at any time. This is often                                                                  independent mediation and adjudication. It           If requested by the school, we
referred to as additional support for                                                                  is also possible under certain circumstances     can arrange follow-up for individual
learning or having additional support                                                                  to refer the case to the Additional Support      children and young people, together
needs.                                                                                                 Needs Tribunal for Scotland.                     with their families and teachers, to help
                                                                                                            The statutory framework for                 support their learning, or with social
Some examples of why a child/young                                                                     Additional Support for Learning is the           or emotional issues. This is generally
person may require extra help with their                                                               Education [Additional Support For                achieved by meeting the children, their
education are:                                                                                         Learning] [Scotland] Acts 2004 and 2009.         families and school staff, to review the
•   Bereavement or family illness                                                                                                                       support they have already received and
•   Problems at home                                                                                                                                    agree ways in which we can all help your
•   Bullying                                                                                                                                            child in school. In some cases, we may
•   Being particularly gifted or able                                                                            For more information,                  agree that a psychologist will work on
•   An illness, disability or sensory                                                                            you can contact:                       a one-to-one basis with your child to
    impairment                                                                                                                                          obtain a clearer picture of how they can
•   Having English as an Additional                                                                      (a) Enquire, the Scottish advice service       best be supported.
    Language                                                                                             for Additional Support for Learning.               If you have any worries about your
                                                                                                         They have a wealth of information,             child, please contact their school, in
A child/young person’s needs may last                                                                    including practical guides and fact            the first instance, to arrange a meeting
for a short time, and the problem may                                                                    sheets for both parents/carers and             to discuss your concerns. All schools
be resolved easily or their needs might                                                                  young people. You can find the website         have access to a range of support
be very complex, and they may require                                                                    at www.enquire.org.uk, or call them on         Services and your child’s Head Teacher
additional support for a number of years.                                                                0345 123 2303.                                 will be able to advise you about when
    If you feel that your child needs                                                                    (b) Scottish Independent Advocacy              the EPS may be able to help.
additional support for learning, the                        Parents/carers are always involved           Alliance, a charitable body registered             Further information about the EPS
first person to speak to is your child’s                in making decisions about their child’s          in Scotland under registration                 is available on the Scottish Borders
teacher. You have the right to request                  education and we will always ask your            number SC033576; www.siaa.org.uk               Council website. Here you can access
an assessment of your child. Within our                 permission before any specific referrals         (c) Scottish Child Law Centre,                 a downloadable leaflet for parents and
school we operate a model of staged                     are made. While your child is receiving          a charitable body registered in                carers, which explains in more detail
intervention where support is provided in               support we will regularly review your            Scotland under registration number             how we may be able to work with you to
varied ways to meet individual needs. Our               child’s progress.                                SCO1274. www.sclc.org.uk                       support your child in school.
approach to assessment ensures that the                     At times, parents/carers and schools may
needs of children and young people are                  come into dispute. While we would always         www.scotborders.gov.uk/info                    Please see www.scotborders.gov.uk/EPS
recognised and appropriate support can                  hope that difficulties could be resolved at      /886/additional_support_needs
be provided.                                            the school level we recognise that parents                                                                                   continues over >>

14
 14 || Tweedbank
       Tweedbank Primary
                  PrimarySchool
                          School | | Handbook
                                     Handbook2020/21
                                              2020/21                                                                                                          2020/21 || Tweedbank Primary School
                                                                                                                                                      Handbook 2020/21                      School | 15
Handbook - Scottish Borders ...
Support for learning

                                                                                                 Promoting Positive Behaviour
                                                                                                 We have a duty to provide each pupil with the            Closing the Attainment Gap
                                                                                                 best possible education suited to their needs             As part of our work central to the
                                                                                                 and abilities. Teachers have the right to                National Priorities for Scottish
                                                                                                 expect and insist upon reasonable standards              Education, we aim to ensure that
                                                                                                 of behaviour from each pupil so that they can            there is ‘equity’ of provision so that all
                                                                                                 provide the secure and friendly environment              children may achieve their potential.
                                                                                                 which is conducive to learning.                          This means that we ‘poverty proof’
                                                                                                      The school has a Behaviour policy based on          school events, outings and After
                                                                                                 the principles of promoting positive behaviour,          School activities to support families.
                                                                                                 linked to the United Nations Convention for              Should any parent or carer
Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)                                                        Rights of the Child. We advocate respect
                                                                                                 towards each other at all times and respect              support, or think they
Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC)           • Use one consistent and equitable           for school property. The class teacher will              have an idea about how
is the national approach in Scotland to               approach, actively share information       deal appropriately with minor discipline                 we could improve
improving outcomes and supporting                     to agreed protocols and work more          problems in accordance with School Policy,               accessibility, please
the wellbeing of our children and young               effectively together to improve            but if a child’s behaviour causes repeated               do not hesitate
people by offering the right help at the              outcomes for children and young            disruption within the class then the Principal           to contact the
right time from the right people.                     people.                                    Teacher/ Head Teacher will become involved.              school to speak to
    The GIRFEC approach aims to make it             • Be clear about personal responsibility     If the problem continues, the parents will be            any of the Senior
easier for parents, children, young people            to do the right thing for each child/      invited to school to discuss the problem, to find         Leadership Team.
and the services that support them – such             young person.                              a solution. It is vital that children see that home
as early years services, schools and the            • Work with children, young people and       and school work together and we would hope
NHS – to work together to get it right.               their families, using a collaborative      that parents would support the school. If there
                                                      approach with fewer meetings. This         is no improvement in the child’s behaviour, then
Practitioners work together to support                should ensure children, young people       the help of outside agencies will be requested.
you and your child, working across                    and their families give information only   A copy of the behaviour policy will be given to          Home School Link Worker
organisational boundaries and putting                 once, and enables the development of       parents at the time your child joins the school.         Service
your child and you at the heart of decision           one plan to meet all their needs.               As part of this respect for others                  A Home Link Worker can meet with
making, ensuring we give all our children           • Respond to children and young people       Tweedbank Primary School operates a zero                 parents/carers, children or young
and young people the best possible start              and take appropriate, proportionate        tolerance to bullying behaviour. Please
in life.                                              and timely action with the minimum         contact the Head Teacher if you feel your
     GIRFEC means that everyone working               of paperwork, bureaucracy and              child may be the victim of bullying. We ask              a child’s learning. These could
with Scottish Borders children, young                 duplication.                               that you let us know immediately of any                  be connected to a child or young
people and their families are encouraged to:           GIRFEC is part of the Children and        concerns you or your child have so that the              person’s home or school life. The
• Ensure children, young people, and                Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the     school can work with you to resolve the                  service aims to provide help and
    their families get the                                     GIRFEC provisions are planned     problem.                                                 advice early and prevent something
    help they need when they                                   to be fully implemented by             The School follows Scottish Borders                 small from growing into a problem. A
    need it and are central                                    August 2017. If you would like    Council Respectful Relationship Policy –                 Headteacher can ask for this support
    to the process of finding                                  any further information please    further information on this can be found at              on a parent’s/carer’s behalf.
    solutions.                                                 ask your child’s Headteacher.     www.scotborders.gov.uk/antibullying

16
16 | Tweedbank Primary
               PrimarySchool
                       School || Handbook
                                 Handbook2020/21
                                          2020/21                                                                                                      Handbook             TweedbankPrimary
                                                                                                                                                                2020/21 | | Tweedbank
                                                                                                                                                       Handbook 2020/21                      School || 17
                                                                                                                                                                                      PrimarySchool    17
Handbook - Scottish Borders ...
Partnership with parents
Parents are encouraged to visit the school and participate in activities. Any parent who
would like to help in the school should contact the Head Teacher. Information is sent
home, keeping parents informed of school events and activities as appropriate. The
eldest child in the family will be entrusted with the task of “postman”, but we would
suggest checking children’s schoolbags regularly for letters!

Parent Council                                       Our role as a Parent Council is to:
As Tweedbank Parent Council we hold                  •    Act as a voice for all the families of
regular meetings. Our meeting times are                   Tweedbank Primary School
advertised through our school newsletter             •    Work in partnership with the
and on the Parent Council Facebook page.                  school and community to give
Everyone is very welcome to attend – you                  our children the best possible           By law schools have a duty to promote                council to work on with the school
don’t have to be a member of the Parent                   education.                               parents’ involvement in children’s              •    Be asked your opinion by the parent
Council to come along. These meetings                •    Organise social and fundraising          education. We are very keen that parents             council on issues relating to the
are very informal and friendly.                           events.                                  feel able to be involved in their child’s            school and education it provides
   Anyone can raise an issue for the                 •    Act as a critical friend to school.      education and learning, that they are           •    Work in partnership with staff
Parent Council. Please contact one of the                                                          active participants in the life of the school   •    Enjoy taking part in school life in
members if you would like to discuss any                                                           and they feel able to express their views            whatever way possible
aspect of school.                                              Committee Members                   on school education generally.
We are always looking for new ways to                                                                  Every parent who has a child at our         The type of things the parent council
                                                      Chairs                  Lynn Roberston
communicate with parents – please send                                                             school is a member of the Parent Forum.         may get involved in include:
                                                                              & Ruth Parker
us your good ideas!                                                                                The parent council is a group of parents        •   Supporting the work of the school
                                                      Treasurer               Craig Inglis         who have chosen to represent the parent         •   Gathering and representing parents’
                                                      Head Teacher            Hilary Broatch       forum. As a member of the Parent Forum,             views to the Headteacher, Scottish
                                                      Principal Teacher       Gregor Myles         each parent can expect to:-                         Borders Council and Education Scotland
                                                                                                   •    Receive information about the school       •   Promoting contact between the
                                                                                                        and its activities                             school, parents, pupils and the local
                                                                                                   •    Hear about what partnership with               community
                                                                                                        parents means in our school                •   Fundraising and organising events
                                                                                                   •    Be invited to be involved in ways and      •   Reporting to the parent forum
                                                                                                        times that suit you                        •   Being involved in the appointment
                                                                                                   •    Identify issues you want the parent            of senior promoted staff.

                                                                                                   Communicating with home
                                                                                                   The school regularly sends information home to parents / carers in the form
                                                                                                   of emails. Text messaging is also used to convey short urgent messages.
                                                                                                   Non-resident parents who request newsletters and reports should supply
                                                                                                   contact information and items will be posted to them.

18
18 || Tweedbank Primary
                Primary School
                        School || Handbook
                                  Handbook2020/21
                                           2020/21                                                                                                                                       Schooll || 19
                                                                                                                                                   Handbook 2020/21 || Tweedbank Primary Schoo
                                                                                                                                                   Handbook                                         19
How our school works
Enrolment                                            should ensure that pupils do not arrive          Visitors
Enrolment for Primary 1 takes place in               before this time. Please inform the              In the interests of security for all of the
November and in January for ELCC. Further            school if it is necessary to change your         children only pupils are permitted to enter
information and enrolment forms are                  arrangements to collect your child.              the school through the pupil entrances. All
                                                     Nursery Children                                 parents/visitors should enter the school
                                                     All nursery children should be dropped           through the main entrance only.
           PLEASE NOTE: Parents living
           outwith the Tweedbank Primary             nursery entrance. However we do ask
           School catchment area should              parents not to use the school car park.
           contact the Head Teacher if they          In order to ensure the safety of all our           School uniform
wish their child to attend this school, to           children and parents arriving and leaving          At Tweedbank Primary School we actively promote the wearing of school uniform.
make a placement request. This will then be                                                             This has many practical advantages relating to safety, cost and appearance. The
forwarded to Education and Lifelong Learning         Primary 1-7.                                       school maintains a very high standard in this area. Parents and children are actively
for a decision. An admission form should also        Children will enter the school playground          encouraged to support this.
be completed for the catchment school.               from 8.30 a.m. When the bell rings they will          Forms for financial assistance are available from the school or Scottish Borders
                                                     collect their belongings and make a line at        Council. The Agreed Dress Code for Tweedbank Primary School is as follows:
Breakfast Club                                       the door where their class enters school.          (Order forms detailing all uniform options are available from the school office)
A Breakfast Club operates in the school Hall            Younger children will be walked to the
each morning from 8.00 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. when        door at the end of the day by their class          NURSERY Red sweatshirt        black cardigan/sweatshirt      school logo
the children can go outside into the playground      teacher to be collected by their parent or         or cardigan with school       to denote their special        • With hygiene and noise
and socialise with their friends. The children       another adult. Slightly older children will        logo. Grey trousers/skirt/    status as the oldest           levels in mind, we ask all
can be active, engage in craft activities or         be allowed to leave the school without a           pinafore and white or red     children in school.            children to change into
reading after they have eaten breakfast              teacher observing, however children are            polo shirt                                                   indoor shoes at school.
and before going into the playground.                told to return to school if there is no adult                                    PE Plain white t-shirt or      These can be gym shoes.
Example menu –                                       to collect them. Please reiterate this safety      P1 –6 Red sweatshirt or       polo shirt                     However parents are at
Choice of cereals, Toast with butter/jam,            message to your child.                             cardigan with school logo.    Plain shorts or tracksuit      liberty to provide any
Crackers and cheese, Cheese toastie,                    Older children in school can walk home          Grey trousers/skirt/          trousers (black or navy).      appropriate footwear to
Pancakes with butter/jam, Apple or orange            alone if parents are happy with this.              pinafore and white or red     Gym shoes                      be used as indoor shoes.
juice, Fresh fruit.                                  Children Arriving/Collected Late                   polo shirt                    For outdoor PE training        •Please remember our
There may be adjustments to the menu day             We understand that there are occasions                                           shoes offer e better grip      children go outdoors at
to day. The cost is £1.50 per day. Please bring      where children may arrive late for school. Any     P7 - P7 pupils have the       that gym shoes.                break times and engage in
your child to either of the doors leading into the   pupil arriving late should enter the school        same uniform as the                                          Outdoor Learning weekly
school Hall. The Breakfast Club is run by Debbie     through the main entrance, to ensure they          remainder of the school.      Additional optional items      and so will need footwear
McHutchinson, please approach her if your            are accounted for on the register.                 However they do have          School summer dress            and outerwear suitable for
                                                        If any parent is delayed at the end of          the privilege of wearing a    Waterproof Jacket with         this purpose.
                                                     the day their child/children will be asked
Arriving & departing                                 to wait in the main school entrance where                       For details on applying for a school clothing and footwear
The playground is supervised prior to the            parents can collect them.                                        grant visit:www.scotborders.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
start of school from 08.30am. Parents                                                                                                                                                 continues over >>

20
20 | Tweedbank Primary
               Primary School
                       School || Handbook
                                 Handbook 2020/21
                                          2020/21                                                                                                                                         Schooll || 21
                                                                                                                                                     Handbook 2020/21 | Tweedbank Primary Schoo
                                                                                                                                                     Handbook                                        21
Transitions
               School transport                                                                                                                    Teachers share information about
              Where possible we actively                School meals                                                                               your child in order to help their
              encourage children to                     School meals are prepared                                                                  progression from:-
              walk to school. Tweedbank                 in our kitchen. The cost of a                                                              • Home to nursery( ELCC- Early
               have proudly been the                    meal is £2.30 per day. Menus                                                                  Learning Childcare Centre)
              recipient of the ‘Active                  are available on the Parent Pay                                                            • ELCC to primary one
           Travel Champions’ Award                      website: www.parentpay.com                                                                 • Class to class within the school
           on a number of occasions.                        To help reduce food waste, we                                                          • Primary to secondary
In addition to the obvious health and                   encourage parents/carers to involve                                                        The aim is to ensure your child
                                                        their child in the lunch choices.                                                          continues to work at a pace they
reducing vehicle numbers in the vicinity                                                                                                           can cope with and with challenge
of the school improves safety for                                                                                                                  they can thrive on.
pedestrians.
                                                                                                                                                   ELCC-Primary 1
• For children who do travel from outside                                                                                                          Staff in Early Level (Nursery and
  Tweedbank, we encourage’ Park and                                                                                                                Primary 1) plan for all children
  Stride’ by parking in the car park at the                                                                                                        to learn across this environment
  side of Gunknowe Loch and walking                                                                                                                including the outdoors, for part of
  the short distance past the shop to                                                                                                              each day. Planning is differentiated
  school.                                                                                                                                          to meet all children’s needs.
• When getting into your car as                                                                                                                    Therefore transition between
  pedestrians, please remember to use               School trips                                 by the stipulated deadline, or we are not         Nursery and P1 tends to be
  the pavement side.                                Throughout the school year the children      permitted to take the child on that trip.         seamless, as the Nursery children
• Please respect our neighbours. Do NOT             participate in a number of school trips      Scottish Borders Council ensure insurances        already know the P1 class
  stop or park in front of a driveway/              which aim to enhance their knowledge         are in place. In line with Scottish Borders       teacher and are familiar with the
  entrance to a property.                           and understanding of the world and           Council procedures, Risk Assessments are          environment. As an additional
•                                                   bring their learning to life.                completed for all excursions.                     aspect to the transition process
  use.                                                  These outings are subsidised as                                                            there is a parental evening and
                                                    much as possible by our school fund                Opportunities Fund                          ‘drop in’ sessions are arranged in
We would ask you to pass this information           or parent council but the pupils may                We recognise that to take part             the final term. Children joining P1
on to any one who is likely to be dropping          be asked to pay part of the cost. We                fully in all opportunities offered         from other settings will be visited
or collecting your child too.                       ask parents to support us in this as all            can be costly to families. For this        by a member of Tweedbank staff at
                                                    outings are carefully planned and highly     reason the Parent Council kindly donate           their ELCC setting.
Children are able to cycle/scooter to               relevant to the children’s educational       to a fund which is available to any family
school and use the provided bike racks              experience.                                  who requires financial assistance with
sited on the far right of the school. It is             Parental permission will be sought       trips or equipment. School can also
mandatory that all children wear a bike             for trips requiring transport and a letter   apply for grants. Requests can be
helmet when riding their bike or scooter to         giving details of the trip will be sent to   made to the Head Teacher and will be
school. We recommend all cycles/scooters            parents prior to the event. Permission       managed discreetly.
are securely fastened with an appropriate           forms must be returned, fully-completed,
chain.

22 | Tweedbank Primary
22             PrimarySchool
                       School || Handbook
                                 Handbook2020/21
                                          2020/21                                                                                              Handbook 2020/21 || Tweedbank
                                                                                                                                               Handbook 2020/21    Tweedbank Primary Schooll || 23
                                                                                                                                                                             Primary Schoo      23
Terms & Attendance
   Terms and Holidays 2020/2021
   Autumn term                     Friday 18 Dec 2020
   Monday 10 Aug 2020              Last day of term for
   Staff resume (in service day)
   Tuesday 11 Aug 2020             Winter term
   Pupils resume                   Tuesday 05 Jan 2021            Summer term
                                   All resume                     Monday 19 Apr 2021
   Friday 09 Oct 2020                                             All resume
   Last day for pupils and         Thursday 11 Feb 2021
   staff - mid term holiday         Last day for pupils -          Friday 30 Apr 2021
                                   February holiday               Staff in service day
   Monday 19 Oct 2020
   All resume                     Friday 12 Feb 2021              Monday 03 May 2021
                                  Staff in service day             May Day holiday, school
   Thursday 12 Nov 2020                                           closed
   Staff in service day             Thursday 18 Feb 2021
                                   All resume                     Wednesday 23 Jun 2021
   Friday 13 Nov 2020                                             Last day of term for
   Staff in service day             Thursday 01 Apr 2021
                                   Last day of term for
   Monday 30 Nov 2020                                             Casual holidays
   St Andrew’s Day holiday,                                       Eildon West (Galashiels)
   school closed                                                                                   Holiday Absences
                                                                  Wednesday 17 Feb 2021            When a child is to be      illness, bereavement or        as unauthorised.
                                                                  Monday 07 Jun 2021               absent from school a       other traumatic events”            The school will
                                                                                                   letter should be sent      or where a parent’s            generally not provide
                                                                                                   to the Head Teacher        employment is of the           work in advance of
Attendance                                          Absence or Other Change in                     to explain the reason      nature where school            teaching, children will
Good attendance is vital to the success of          Circumstance                                   for absence. It is also    holiday-leave cannot           be required to catch up
our young people’s education. Statistical           If your child is absent or there is any        acceptable for a parent    be accommodated (for           on work missed (where
evidence suggests that there are links              change in your personal circumstances          to telephone the school    example emergency or           appropriate) on their
between attendance levels and pupils’               (e.g. change of address) please inform         to say why the child is    armed services) may            return to school.
                 attainment. Society                the Primary School Administrator. It is        absent.                    holidays in term time be           The Scottish
                 in general, and                    important to let us know why a child is             Only in exceptional   authorised.                    Office has informed
                 parents and schools                absent so that school records can be           circumstances where            Family holidays            schools that any
                 in particular, have                kept up to date. Children arriving late are    it is “important to the    where the school does          unexplained absence
                 central roles to play in           recorded as such. A phone call or Group        well-being and cohesion    not agree that there is a      should be treated as an
                 encouraging positive               call message will be sent to parents if a      of the family following    satisfactory reason for        unauthorised absence
                 attitudes to education             child does not arrive in school and there is   serious or terminal        absence will be classified     that is truancy.
                 in young people.                   no explanation.

24
24 | Tweedbank Primary
               PrimarySchool
                       School || Handbook
                                 Handbook2020/21
                                          2020/21                                                                                           Handbook 2020/21 || Tweedbank
                                                                                                                                            Handbook 2020/21    Tweedbank Primary Schooll | | 25
                                                                                                                                                                          Primary Schoo       27
Medical Care
Minor injuries are treated by school
staff with basic first aid training. Where
professional medical treatment is
considered necessary, parents will be
informed by telephone and offered the
opportunity to accompany their child to
the doctor or hospital. If neither parent
nor emergency contact can be reached,
the Head Teacher/Principal Teacher will
see that the child is taken for medical
help; parents will be advised as soon as
possible. When a child becomes unwell at
school and is unable to
complete his/her studies,
parents will be informed               AN EMERGENCY
and asked to collect the            TELEPHONE  NUMBER
child from school.                    MUST BE LODGED
                                      WITHIN THE SCHOOL                         Children and       Medicines                                   Health Care plan will be devised in
Medical                                AND THE SCHOOL                       young people are       Occasionally children may need to take      collaboration with relevant health
Examinations                          MUST BE INFORMED                      seen as part of        medicine during the school day. The         professionals, staff and parents.
Each school has a named               OF ANY CHANGE OF                      the National Child     only medicine that can be administered          Inhalers are often used and instructions
School Nurse. The roles                    NUMBER.                          Health Surveillance    by school staff must be prescribed by       regarding usage must be made clear to us
and responsibilities of the                                                 programme which        a doctor and can only be administered       and to your child. Staff are not responsible
service revolve around the                                                  currently involves     on completion of the ‘Parental Request      for the administration of these but will help
health needs of school age children and              growth and selective vision screening for     for Medicine to be Administered’                    and support when needed.
their families.                                      School Entrants and health promotion          by a parent/carer. This is to                              In summer time we strongly
    The school nursing service is involved           work with Primary 7 children to facilitate    safeguard the interests of                               advise that you send your
in areas of health promotion and                     transition to secondary school.               both staff and pupils. It is the                          child to school with a hat
improvement for individuals, groups and                  Working with medical colleagues in        parent/carer’s responsibility                              and sun cream already
their school communities. This may include           Child Health, the nursing service takes       to hand in and collect the                                 applied. Please note school
class room activities and lessons, small             referrals and reviews school aged children    medication to and from the                                 staff are not permitted to
group work, presentations and 1:1 work               for differing health problems from mental     school office.                                            put sunscreen onto children.
as well as working with education staff              health issues to obesity.                         The Primary School                                      Head lice: Please ensure
and families. Topics delivered include,                  The Education staff use the service for   Administrator will keep any                           that children are checked
drugs and alcohol, sexual health, nutrition,         training for the administration of complex    medicine in the office.                          routinely for this and treat using
promoting good mental health, hygiene                medicines and help and advice on general          In some cases, where children have      appropriate chemical and mechanical (nit
and infection control.                               health issues.                                complex medical needs, an Individual        comb) preparation.                continues over >>

26    Tweedbank Primary
26 || Glendinning         School |School
                  Terrace Primary  Handbook 2020/21 2017/18
                                         | Handbook                                                                                    HandbookHandbook
                                                                                                                                                2017/18 | 2020/21 | Tweedbank
                                                                                                                                                          Glendinning          PrimarySchool
                                                                                                                                                                       Terrace Primary            27
                                                                                                                                                                                       School | | 27
Communicable diseases
Recommended minimum periods of exclusion from school                                                     Policies & Procedures
of children who are cases or contacts of infectious diseases:

 DISEASES                           PERIODS OF EXCLUSION
                                                                                                       School Improvement Plan                              Health and Safety
 Whooping Cough                     21 days from outset                                                and Priorities                                       Emergency Procedures. If your child
 Influenza                          Exclusion until clinically well                                    Every year, the school publishes a                   feels ill during the school day and we
 Measles                            Until at least 5 days after the rash appears or clinically         School Improvement Report providing                  feel that he/she would be better at
                                    well, whichever is longer.                                         all stakeholders with a comprehensive                home, we will telephone you or your
                                                                                                       summary of the school’s work and                     emergency contact. Minor accidents,
 Chickenpox / Scarlet Fever         5 days from onset of rash or until spots become dry –
                                                                                                       learners’ achievements over the last                 e.g. cuts, bruises, are dealt with by the
                                    whichever is longer.
                                                                                                       year. The first part of this report provides         school staff. Serious accidents are few,
 German Measles (Rubella)           5 days from onset of rash.                                         an overview of the school’s progress in              but should one occur your child will
 Mumps                              Until swelling subsides                                            addressing its key priorities, while the             be immediately taken either to your
                                                                                                       second part gives information about, for             doctor or to hospital, if necessary, and
 Polio/diphtheria/typhoid/          Until certified as fit to return by Community Medicine
                                                                                                       example, how well pupils are learning                you or your emergency contact will be
 dysentery/food poisoning/          Specialist (minimum 48 hours)
                                                                                                       and achieving; how well the school is                notified. We cannot stress enough the
 salmonella
                                                                                                       supporting children/young people to                  importance of supplying the school with
 Salmonellosis                      Minimum of 48 hours after clinically well.                         develop and learn. We also publish a                 the relevant information we require in
 Erysipelas/scabies/ringworm Until treatment is initiated by a GP/Nurse.                               School Improvement Plan which outlines               such a situation, i.e. your own home and
 Viral Hepatitis                    7 days from onset of jaundice.                                     the key priorities for the school during the         work number and a telephone number
                                                                                                       year ahead, following due consultation               of an emergency contact.
 Hand, Foot and Mouth               Exclusion whilst clinically unwell and until spots are
                                                                                                       with staff, pupils and                                   We will request such information at
                                    healing.
                                                                                                       parents. The plan                                    the beginning of each new school year.
 Impetigo                           Exclusion until the sores are healed (not weeping) or              indicates the expected
                                    given effective antibiotics for a minimum of 48 hours.             impact of priorities
                                                                                                       on pupil learning, as
 Roseola Infantum (exanthema Exclusion until clinically well.                                          well as providing brief
 subitum) – viral infection                                                                            information about the
 Scarlet Fever                      Exclusion until clinically recovered or 48 hours after             key tasks to be taken
                                    appropriate antibiotics have started.                              forward. Both the
                                                                                                       report and the plan are
 Conjunctivitis                     Exclusion until symptoms are resolved or as directed               available in hard copy,
                                    by GP.                                                             on request.
 Herpes (Zoster)                    No exclusion if blisters can be covered; otherwise, for 5
                                    days after onset.
 ‘Slap Cheek’ (Fifth disease)       Exclusion until clinically well                                    Emergency closure of the school/                   the school of any changes to your contact
 Vomiting, Diarrhoea and            May return to school after 48 hours free from last bout            adverse weather                                    details. If you know that your mobile
 Fever                              of vomiting and diarrhoea.                                         In the event of an emergency arising               phone does not have a signal, or you do not
                                                                                                       whereby it is necessary to close the school,       have a mobile phone, please inform the
                                                                                                       you will be contacted by ‘Group Call’ which        Primary School Administrator so that she
                 Please could parents ensure that children do not return                               is a text message to your mobile phone.            can record an alternative landline number
            to school after a period of illness until they are fully recovered                         It is the parents’ responsibility to inform        to contact you on.

28 | Tweedbank Primary School | Handbook 2020/21 Handbook 2020/21 | Fountainhall Primary School | 27   28 | Tweedbank Primary School | Handbook 2020/21   Handbook 2020/21 | Tweedbank Primary School | 29
Policies & Procedures

Pupils will not be allowed to leave the school              school yourself then you are expected           severe weather conditions threaten.
unaccompanied unless school staff are                       to collect your child either at the end     8. Where pupils use school transportation
satisfied that there is someone at home                     of the school day or at the time of early       a set of emergency instructions are
to receive them.                                            closure. Do not bring your child to             used to contact transport operators
                                                            school when buses do not run unless             and other schools using the same
Severe Weather                                              you are certain of being able to collect        transport, and parents whose children
In the event of severe weather we will make                 them at the end of the school day –             have a long way to walk home from the
every effort to keep the school open and                    even if the weather worsens.                    drop-off points. Parents must ensure
continue as normal. However, there may                   4. School transportation may well be               that some arrangement has been made
be situations where this is not possible and                delayed due to adverse weather so               to cover the possibility of pupils being
it is therefore important that you follow                   pupils will have to wait longer and be          sent home early.
the points below in terms of transport                      exposed to the cold.                        9. Schools routinely communicate with
arrangements.                                            5. Parents must ensure that their children         parents or groups of parents using
     During adverse weather, school                         are warmly dressed just in case the             Groupcall text messaging service.
transport may be subject to cancelled                       journey to school is very slow or even          Once the decision has been made then
services, amended routes, longer journey                    halted in bad weather. In normal                Group call will be used to send updated
times or alternative bus stops used. In                     circumstances, pupils should not wait           information regarding sending pupils
extreme cases there may be the need to                      more than 15 minutes if the bus is late.        home early.
cancel all school services.                                 In severely cold weather, this 15 minute    10. Parents are asked to ensure that the
                                                            rule need not apply.                            school that their child attends has
Morning Journeys                                         6. If your child travels to school on              an up to date and accurate mobile
1. School bus drivers and operators                         connecting services, drivers will be            telephone number on record for these
   have complete discretion to cancel or                    told to wait for each other and not to          purposes. It is further suggested
   vary school transport given any local                    leave any children standing in adverse          that parents who may find it difficult
   weather conditions.                                      weather conditions. Should the second           or not possible to have their mobile
2. In the case of morning journeys to                       bus not arrive children will be returned        telephone switched on throughout the
   the school, the driver may decide                        home. If the second bus does arrive but         day ensure that they check their phone
   that he/she either cannot undertake                      cannot complete the journey to school           on a regular basis for any Groupcall
   the journey or complete the trip to                      that driver will return children to their       messages from the school when bad
   school. The driver would then return                     homes.                                          weather has been forecast or where
   the children home. In the event of                                                                       they see deterioration in the weather.
   adverse weather conditions, parents                   What will happen if pupils are sent            11. If school transport is in operation
   should ensure that some arrangement                   home early due to bad weather or other             and you collect your own child from
   has been made at home to cover this                   emergency?                                         school during severe weather then the
   possibility.                                          7. The Head Teacher with knowledge of              school office must be informed so that
3. Should the school transport for your                     local weather conditions will work with         transport is not delayed while staff look
   child not operate in the morning                         the Education Department to make                for a missing child.
   because of adverse weather conditions                    decisions regarding a school closure
   but you decide to take your child to                     or to send children home early should                                           continues over >>

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Policies & Procedures
                                                                                                                                                  Council’s implementation of
                                                                                                                                                  British Sign Language Plan
                                                                                                                                                  The Council’s BSL Plan 2018-24 has
                                                                                                                                                  seven holistic actions. These actions
Additional information to ensure the                                                          Use of the Internet                                 are consistent with the ten long
safe travel of pupils to/from school                    Photographs/videos                    As part of the process of learning we allow         term goals of the National BSL Plan
12. The ultimate responsibility for the                 Photographs and videos may            our children supervised access to the               in Scotland, which are, early years
    safety of children walking to and from              be taken by staff in the school,      Internet and email. The authority runs its          and education; training and work;
    bus pick-up/drop-off points rests                   media and other parents for a         own filter system to ensure that young              health, mental health and wellbeing;
    with the parents. Parents must decide               variety of reasons for example        people are not at risk from exposure                 transport; culture and the arts;
    whether or not children can make                    Sports Day, celebrations of           to inappropriate material.                                justice and democracy.
    their way to meet transport in low                  achievement, charity events,              This filtering system is
    temperatures.                                       excursions etc. The school            regularly being upgraded.                                       These goals represent the
13. If you feel that your child should not              your child attends may wish to        We have a policy for use of                                      Scottish Government’s aim
    walk home alone in bad weather                      display or show photographs           the Internet and a contract                                      “to make Scotland the best
    from the drop-off point it will be your             or videos taken by themselves,        for responsible use, which                                       place in the world for BSL
    responsibility to meet him/her. Drivers             in print, in various locations or     we ask parents and young                                         users to live, work and visit.”
    will not normally set children down at              by electronic means such as a         people to sign up to.
    any point significantly different from              website. Likewise the media or                                                                    The Council will implement
    the usual one. The driver will use his/             other parents may wish to use                                                                   measures to promote awareness
    her judgment in deciding whether to                 the images of pupils in various       Security                                              of BSL and the use of BSL, with the
    leave the child or to keep him/her on                                  ways. We ask       In the interests of school security external        long term goal being that across
    the bus. In the latter case, your child                                you at the         doors are kept locked while pupils are              Scotland information and services will
    would be taken to a nearby school or                                   time your child    in class. Parents requiring access to the           be accessible to all BSL users*.
    place of safety. Children must follow                                  enrols at one of   school should press the entry button
    any instructions given to them by the                                  our schools if     at the Main School Entrance or Nursery              Contact Scotland –BSL is an online
    driver in any emergency and should not                                 you are happy                    Entrance. All visitors must           British Sign Language interpreting
    leave the bus to make their own way                 for images of your child to be                        report to the office to sign        service that allows deaf people across
    home.                                               used in this way and we try to                         in the visitors book and           Scotland to access services free and
14. Where transport is unable to operate                ensure you are aware of, and                            collect a visitors badge,         available 24 hours a day throughout
    to take children home as a result                   understand, such possible use                           which should be returned          the year: https://contactscotland-
    of extreme weather conditions The                   of your child’s image and that                          at the end of the visit.          bsl.org/
    Emergency Planning Team will work                   you have consented.
    alongside our partners to provide                   Any permission given will                                                                 If a BSL user requests a face to face
    alternative and safe transport home.                remain in force during your                                                               meeting then the School is required to
                                                        child’s primary and secondary                        Policies                             provide a face to face interpreter.
Arrangements have been made with Radio                  schooling until you indicate             There are a number of National,
Borders to relay information about the                  that you wish to withdraw your        Education Services and school policies              *Whenever we refer to ‘BSL users’ we mean D/
                                                                                                                                                  deaf and /or Deafblind people (those who receive
cancellation of school transportation and               consent. You can do this by             which will provide information on a
                                                                                                                                                  the language in a tactile form due to sight loss)
group call and Scottish Borders Website                 contacting the head teacher of        range of issues. Further details of all of          whose first of preferred language is British Sign
will be used to inform parents of any                   your school as soon as possible.       these are available from your school               Language
important information.                                                                          or on the Scottish Borders Council
                                                                                                website www.scotborders.gov.uk

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32      Boswells Primary
     Tweedbank   PrimarySchool
                         School | | Handbook
                                     Handbook2020/21
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