Alban Church of England Academy

Information for Parents/Guardians

Accidents and Medical Care

The academy has a small medical room and basic first aid equipment. When accidents are easily dealt with, they are treated in school. When treatment by a Doctor or Hospital is needed, parents are contacted. Occasionally, it is necessary to contact parents if their child becomes ill at school. Children who need to bring medicines to school must arrange to leave them in the school office for safe keeping.

It is essential we have accurate details for contacting parents.

Click here to download the Pupil Medical Record Form

Absence from school and illness

It is important to inform the school office on the first day of a child's absence.

On the child's return to school, parents are requested to inform the school in writing, the reason for the absence, (for your convenience, cut out absence slips are provided in the Homework Diary). As we operate a "First Day Response system" we will telephone/text if we do not receive a message from you about the absence. When a child is absent for a long time, work can be requested from the class teacher.

If a child needs to leave school during the school day for any reason, prior permission needs to be arranged. Children will not be allowed to leave unaccompanied.

Parents are reminded that holidays should not be taken during term time.

Curriculum Summaries

Data Protection of Information Held by Academys

For detailed information please see the 'Privacy Noice' policy under the Policies page of our Document Library.

Educational Welfare

The Education Welfare Officer deals with requests for free school meals. If parents think they qualify for assistance they should contact the school office or Free School Meals Department, Education Welfare Service, Borough Hall, Bedford. Tel: 01234 228948. Assistance can also be obtained for short periods of special difficulty. All such matters are dealt with confidentially.

The Educational Welfare Officer will also visit homes when there has been an unexplained absence or when it is felt that there is a matter which can be best dealt with by her at the child's home.

Equipment for School

Children need to come to school with the correct equipment. We expect each child to have Berol handwriting pens (or similar fibre tip pens) pencils, ruler, rubber and calculator. Colouring pencils and glue sticks are also helpful.

Bags should be of reasonable size.

Mobile Phones

Pupils at Alban Church of England Academy are permitted to bring mobile phones to the academy because we appreciate that they can provide valuable communication and enhance pupil safety on their journeys to and from school.

Use of phones on the premises and academy endorsed activities is not permitted.

Policy Guidelines

Mobile phones must be turned off at all times during the school day, pupils should hand their phones into the school office for safe keeping. The school will not accept any liability for the loss, theft or damage of a mobile phone. and pupils are solely responsible for the security of their mobile phones. The academy will not accept any liability for the loss, theft or damage of a mobile phone.

School Transport

Most of our pupils travel to and from school by bus provided by the Local Authority. Bus passes are issued to those who are entitled to use this service and all enquires about transport arrangements should be made to the Borough Council Education Department (Transport Section), Borough Hall, Bedford. Tel: 01234 718004, for Central Bedfordshire Council enquires please telephone: 03003 008167

Parents bringing or collecting their children to and from school by car at the begining and end of the school day are asked to park outside the academy rather then come into the academy grounds in the interest of children's safety.

Liaison With Lower And Upper Schools

Regular contact is maintained with both our feeder Lower schools and receiver Upper schools

In the Autumn Term, Year 4 Pupils are invited to Alban for a "Taster Day". The Head of Year 5 visits all our feeder schools during the summer term to meet the children and help prepare them for joining the school.

In July, Year 4 children spend a day at Alban in their class with their new teacher. Following this, an evening is set aside for the parents and children to visit the school together, to meet the teachers and ask any questions.

Moving to Alban from our Lower schools is an exciting process and our aim is to ensure that the children are able to make a happy, successful and enjoyable start with us.

For children in Year 8, there is also a planned programme to make the transfer to Upper school a successful and happy one. The Heads of Year 9 from the Upper schools talk to children in Year 8 and there is also an opportunity for the children to spend a day at their Upper schools in the summer term.

Regular liaison between schools throughout the year ensures there is continuity and progression, not only for the curriculum, but also for pastoral care.

Code Of Conduct

We aim to encourage children to be self disciplined and show respect and consideration for others and for themselves.

Children are expected to be well behaved, well mannered, co-operate with adults and other children and be respectful of the property of others and the school.

There is a very constructive and pleasant working atmosphere in the school based on the understanding that children are treated fairly, albeit firmly, when necessary.

Praise and recognition are given in various ways but when behaviour is inconsistent with the standards and spirit of the school community, action is taken. When a child's behaviour gives cause for greater concern, parents are contacted and further action is discussed and agreed. Working closely with parents in the best interest of your child, is usually very effective and has the desired results.