School Rules, Uniform, School Meals & School Day
School Rules
At St Aelred’s, we have three school rules:
Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Safe.
These three positive rules cover all elements of school life and apply to all staff and pupils and we ask parents to support these too. Here are some of the ways in which these rules are discussed and applied in school.
● Being ready… includes being ready to learn, to listen, to help; having equipment and kit and returning homework; having the right attitude to learning; being ready to have a go/take a challenge, having looked after ourselves/each other so that we are fit, healthy, have slept and had breakfast; attending well and being on time for school.
● Being respectful….towards each other as we are all special, unique and loved by God; being respectful in how we look after our belongings, and the school building/grounds/resources; being respectful to our wider school/local community; showing acceptance of differences between us and celebration of diversity; having respect for our bodies; supporting each other with developing self-respect and self-esteem; developing reverence in our spiritual and faith lives; showing respect and care for our planet.
● Being safe…in our behaviour so that we keep ourselves safe and others safe around school, at playtime and when we go out of school; being safe online, too.
These rules dovetail well with our school’s core values of friendship, courage and respect. Find more information about our values here.
School Uniform
We ask parents and carers to fully support our school uniform policy and to ensure that pupils look smart for school. We think that our uniform is affordable with the majority of items such as trousers, skirts, pinafores, summer dresses etc being available from a range of outlets.
Uniform helps to unite the children as members of St Aelred’s Catholic Primary School; encourages them to be proud of the school they represent; helps to avoid peer pressure and distractions relating to clothing and accessories; enables children to look the same regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds; and helps families have a smooth start to the day with no debates about what children are going to wear.
All items of uniform, including uniform with our school logo such as sweatshirts and cardigans, polo shirts, PE T-shirts and book bags, are available from our supplier:
APC Clothing – Online stockist of uniform for St Aelred’s Catholic Primary School, who also offer “ship to school for free” option at checkout.
Uniform with our new gold logo, is now available to order from APC. We are having a “transition period” for the old/new logo on uniform with either being acceptable in school during 2021/22. Children may wear uniform with the old red logo until the end of July 2022.
Uniform List
Winter
- Grey trousers (tailored)
- Grey or navy pinafore or skirt
- Navy blue school sweatshirt or cardigan with logo
- Light blue polo shirt (with logo, preferably)
- Grey socks or tights
- Flat, black shoes
Summer alternatives
- Blue checked or striped school dress
- Grey shorts (tailored)
- White or grey, short or knee socks
- Flat black or navy sandals
PE
- White round-necked T-shirt (with school logo, preferably)
- Navy shorts (plain)
- Black pumps (older pupils may prefer to wear trainers for outdoor games)
Outdoor kit for cold weather:
- Jogging bottoms – navy, plain
- Sweatshirt – navy
- Trainers
PE Kit should be left in school in a drawstring bag so that it is always available.
All clothing and PE/Games kit should be labelled clearly with the child’s name.
Other dress code information
Children need a bookbag and a drawstring PE bag.
Jewellery may not be worn in school with the exception that, if a child has pierced ears, small stud earrings (studs only, for safety reasons) may be worn. Watches may be worn, but children must take responsibility for looking after these. School is not responsible for loss or damage to stud earrings, watches nor any valuables brought to school. Earrings and watches must be removed for PE lessons.
Long hair should be tied up for school. Extreme hairstyles are not appropriate for school such as shaved styles or dyed hair.
Make-up and nail polish are not allowed.
Our pre-loved uniform
If you would like to donate some pre-loved uniform, please bring this to school. If you would like to receive some pre-loved uniform, please contact St Aelred’s Parish SVP on 07340011619 or email presidentc130403@svp.org.uk. Alternatively, get in touch with school and we will pass on your contact details. If there is not appropriate pre-loved uniform available, the SVP will also support with the purchase of uniform, where there is financial hardship.
Times of the School Day
| Start | Lunch | Home Time |
Nursery | 8.45am |
| 11.45am |
Reception | 8.50am | 12 – 1pm | 3.05pm |
Year 1 & 2 | 8.45 – 8.55am | 3.10pm | |
Year 3 & 4 | |||
Year 5 & 6 | 3.15pm |
Break times
Reception children have flexible break times, as much of their play is active and outdoors. KS1 & KS2 children have a 20 minute break time in the mornings and KS1 children also have a 10 minute afternoon break. Break time is outdoors, other than in the very worst of weathers, so please ensure your child has a waterproof coat with a hood, for school.
Home Time Arrangements
In order to keep your child safe, and ensure that members of staff are clear about how your child is getting home, we need up-to-date records about arrangements.
Changes to who is collecting your child
If someone who does not usually collect your child is picking them up from school, or any other change or arrangements, please phone the school office to inform us. We will not let your child go home, even with a known adult, unless we have consent from a parent/carer.
Going home, independently
It is expected that all children in year groups below Y5/6 will be collected from school by an adult. However, Y5/6 pupils may go home on their own after school or after-school club, if we have permission from you in writing for your child to go home alone. Only Y5/6 children whose parents have provided written consent will be allowed to go home without an adult. If you wish your child to go home on their own, please follow this link to complete the online permission form.
If you experience any difficultly accessing the online form, please contact the school office.
Getting to school and home, safely
Here is interactive guidance from THINK! to support educating children in road safety as pedestrians and cyclists: View Page
Pupils are taught in Bikeability sessions about the importance of wearing a helmet when cycling. We hope parents and carers will reinforce this message and ensure that children cycling to and from school wear their helmets. Helmets also improve safety for children who are scootering to and from school.
Please make sure that your child is visible on their bike and when walking to school, especially in the autumn and winter months
Mobile Phones
Children in Years 5 & 6 are permitted to bring a mobile phone to school only if they come/go home from school on their own and their parents wish them to have a mobile phone with them, for this reason. Permission is included in the Y5/6 ‘going home independently’ consent form, which can be found here.
In these cases:
● phones much be switched off when entering the playground and remain switched off whilst on the school premises;
● phones must be handed in at the start of the day, these are then returned to pupils at home time;
● parents and carers should educate children to focus on road safety or safety whilst cycling, so that children’s safety on the way to/from school is not compromised by use of a mobile phone;
● children should use mobile phones responsibly whilst on their way to school/on their way home.
School Lunches
Hutchison Catering provides school lunches for St Aelred’s and SMCCAT primary schools. Here is some information about the company:
‘Nutrition is at the heart of the menus that we develop at Hutchison Catering. We wholeheartedly aim to provide a balanced diet that is not only nutritious but also engaging with our young customers… …our meat is Red Tractor, all our fish is sourced from sustainable sources in line with MSC guidelines, eggs are free range, fruit and vegetables come from LEAF accredited suppliers and we also use Fairtrade products wherever possible.’ Hutchinson Catering Ltd, website, services to primary schools, August 2021
Our catering staff cook meals in our on-site school kitchen each day. Lunch consists of freshly-made, hot main courses, served with a selection of vegetables, potatoes, pasta or rice plus a selection of fruit or homemade desserts. You can view an example menu here. There are vegetarian options and food allergies are catered for. If you wish to notify us of any allergens, please complete this form.
Cost of lunches
All children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) are entitled to a universal infant free school meal.
Year 3 upwards, meals cost £2.30 per day.
Year group | Charge | Families experiencing financial hardship |
Reception | No charge (Universal Infant Free School Meal) | Families who are in receipt of benefits may be entitled to free school meals (FSM) which, currently, continues even if entitlement to benefits stops. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact the office where staff can carry out a quick and confidential check to see if you are eligible for free meals. If you are eligible, the school also benefits from significant additional funding to support the achievement of disadvantaged pupils. |
Year 1 | ||
Year 2 | ||
Year 3 | £2.30 | |
Year 4 | ||
Year 5 | ||
Year 6 |
How to book & pay
The menu can be viewed and meals booked and paid for on Parent Pay. Meals can be selected up to midnight the night before. All parents are given a login for Parent Pay when children start school.
Packed Lunches
Children may bring a packed lunch to school, instead of having a school lunch. Please consider healthy choices for your child and do not send in sweets or chocolate bars as part of packed lunches.
Water and Snacks
All children need to bring a water bottle to school every day; this should contain water, only.
Reception children up to the age of 5 years, are entitled to free milk at break time.
Children may bring a snack for morning break; this should be a healthy option – no sweets or chocolate bars.
Reception and KS1 pupils have the option of free fruit that is provided to school, as a snack at break.
