Nursery | SS Peter and Paul RC Primary School

SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS

By J Gregg28th November 2018

Dear Parent/ Carer, Wednesday 28th November 2018

RE: SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS

As Head Teachers, we feel that it is our duty to provide parents with a fair and accurate view of the real state of school funding in our area rather than the misleading, over optimistic and inaccurate picture described by the Government. All state schools in England are funded by a central Government grant that is administered by the Department for Education. This grant has not had an increase on a per pupil basis from 2010 to 2017.

Schools are having to make difficult choices on how to spend their limited funding as their income has not kept pace with the rise in costs since 2010. All schools are working very hard to “make ends meet” but this is becoming increasingly difficult and verging on almost impossible. Bank of England information shows that £100 of goods in 2010 cost £121.90 in 2017 (which is approximately a 20% increase), and schools funding has not kept up with the increase in costs.

If schools funding increased by only 15% compared to 2010 this would provide:-

£135,000 additional funding for an average primary school with 200 pupils
£680,000 additional funding for an average secondary school with 1000 pre-16 pupils
£330 additional funding for each nursery child attending 5 mornings a week
£2,300,000 for children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) including children in special schools, special units or children that need additional help to access education.

As funding has become tighter, schools have had to cut back on:

v Teaching and non-teaching staff

v Support for more vulnerable pupils

v Small group work for children who are not thriving in school

v Teaching resources (parents being asked to pay for books and materials)

v Subject choices in secondary schools

v The range of activities for primary pupils

v Extra curricula activities provided free or subsidised

v Repairs to buildings

v Renewal of equipment

From March 2018 there has been a very small increase in funding for schools. However, this increase has not closed the gap between the funding your school receives and the funding your school needs to provide the number of teachers and resources required to provide the education all our children deserve.

If you think Government should fund schools sufficiently and fairly, please show your support by adding your name to the petition ‘Increase Funding for Schools’, as well as encouraging family and friends to do so, via the link below:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/232220

You will be asked to add some minimal information (name, email address, postcode) and then you will be required to confirm your email address by responding to the automated response sent to you.

Yours sincerely,

PUNCTUALITY

By J Gregg10th September 2018

Dear Parents / Carers,

Re: Punctuality

We are writing to all children’s families to emphasise the importance of being in school on time as there have been numerous incidents of some families routinely arriving at school at 9.00 a.m. or later and collecting their children at 3.30 p.m. or later.

School starts at 8.55 a.m. every day. Children need to be in their class at 8.55 a.m. so that they can start their lessons promptly. Children who arrive late are greatly disadvantaged because they miss starting the day with their peers and the beginning of lessons. This means that they are often unsettled and confused about tasks. Their teacher will not always be able to re explain work.

It is also very important that children establish good routines and habits in preparation for the rest of their lives. Punctuality is a life skill that they need to develop whilst they are young.

It is essential that you ensure that your child arrives at school on time to prevent disruption to your child’s own learning and that of others.

We will continue to focus on this area with children through class work and school assemblies

We are required to monitor children’s punctuality and attendance. On-going lateness (after the class register has been taken) is classified as an unauthorised absence and this is contrary to The Education Act.

We understand that there may be rare occasions when you are unavoidably late due to unforeseen circumstances. On these occasions please make sure that you contact the school office to inform us when you will arrive.

Children must be collected from their classes at 3.15 p.m. If your child is in Year 6 and unless they have your permission to go home by them self, they should be met in the playground at 3.15 p.m. and no later.

High levels of unauthorised absences or poor punctuality can result in a referral to the schools Attendance and Monitoring Officer or other agencies which have a duty to investigate further and could result in legal action being taken against you.

If you are experiencing difficulties with punctuality and would like to talk to us about it, please make an appointment to do so Please keep in mind that Breakfast Club is available to children from 8.00a.m.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs M Butt

Headteacher

Attendance and Punctuality

By J Gregg19th July 2018

 School doors open at 8.45am and are locked at 8.55am.
 Any child arriving at school after 8.55am will be recorded as late.
 Parents/Guardians must sign the late register.
 With regard to absence Parents/Guardian must ring school and speak to Mrs Wetherelt, Mrs Lee or leave a message stating your child’s name and the reason for their absence.
 Attendance and punctuality is monitored daily.
 For further information on punctuality and attendance please see the schools attendance policy on our website.