All pupils are expected to wear the correct school uniform at all times.

Our school’s uniform:

– Black trousers, shorts or skirt (no jeans or cords)

– White shirt or polo shirt

– Black shoes

– Wellies

– Waterproof coat

– Summer dress (optional)

– Grey round neck sweatshirt or cardigan (Phase 1-4)

– Grey V-neck woolen jumper  or cardigan (Phase 5)

– Clip on tie (optional – Phase 5)

 

Our school’s PE uniform:

– Black shorts or jogging pants

– Grey PE hoodie

– Heather Grey t-shirt

– Socks

– Trainers and sandshoes

– Swimming costume and towel

– Heather grey skirt (optional)

 

Branded Cleaswell Hill School sweatshirts, jumpers, cardigans, polo shirts, ties and PE t-shirts are available via Emblematic online or at the Bedlington store. Non-branded polo shirts, shirts, jogging pants and shorts are also available via Emblematic online or at the Bedlington store, although other suppliers are available. Cleaswell Hill School branded items can also be ordered via the school office.

Please ensure that all items of uniform are labelled clearly with your child’s name.

Wearing jewellery should be kept to a minimum (stud earrings, ring and watch) for reasons of health and safety and should be removed for physical activities.

Pupils may stay in school for midday lunch which is cooked on site every day. Pupils may bring their own packed lunch if they wish. Pupils who require special diets are catered for. Free School Meals are supplied and parents/carers wishing to enquire about their eligibility should contact the School Office. All dinner monies should be paid weekly or termly in advance. Water is always served with lunch and is readily available throughout the school day. Current cost for a two-course school meal is £2.30.

For all medication administered in school, parents should complete a Healthcare Plan plus permission for school to administer medication. (A Healthcare plan is not necessary for administering occasional medication such as paracetamol). It is extremely important that parents/carers ensure that school is aware of any changes to medication or treatments that your child is having as recommended by a medical professional. This should be sent into school in writing. Please also ensure that we have a good supply of your child’s medication, in its original packaging, for use in school and on visits. School is not able to give non-prescribed medicine to any pupil.

Many pupils travel to and from school on transport organised by the Local Authority. Staff are on duty to ensure that all pupils have safely embarked or disembarked from their school transport. Parents/carers transport some pupils. The school gates are opened at 8.45am and 2.55pm with transport arriving in staggered groups to ease congestion.

Parents can drive into school at 9.00am and 3.15pm.

A ‘No Smoking’ policy has been adopted within school grounds and must be adhered to by all staff, visitors, contractors, parents and carers.

Cleaswell Hill School takes the welfare of the pupils and staff seriously, and has procedures in place to restrict access to the building. The main gates have a fob/intercom system and CCTV cameras are recording high quality images 24 hours a day. Main doors have a fob system and some classrooms have thumb locks for pupil safety. All visitors have to sign in and wear a visitors badge and sign to agree not to use their mobile phones while on school grounds.

School uses funds carefully to best support pupil learning experiences and activities. In accordance with the Education Reform Act (1988), Governing Bodies of schools may make charges for particular activities. On occasion, parents/carers may be asked to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of activities. No pupil will ever be excluded from participating if contributions are not forthcoming, although the viability of the activity may need to be reconsidered if insufficient contributions are forthcoming. Costs of staff participation are not included when calculating parent/carer contributions.

We encourage the community to make use of our facilities and have a lettings policy, complete with hire charges and conditions that are available on request.

On rare occasions, it may be necessary to close school without giving parents warning. It is important that we have at least two up to date emergency contact numbers.

In bad weather, you are advised to either ring the School or Transport Company. Any closure will be notified to Radio Newcastle and on the School and  Northumberland County Council website as soon as possible.

Cleaswell Hill School adheres to the admissions criteria for pupils as detailed within Northumberland Local Authority Admission Policy documents.

All pupils admitted will have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The Local Authority will coordinate this plan and has a duty to request advice and information from Health and Social Care as well as Education as part of the statutory assessment process. The Local Authority must consult the child and the child’s parent/carers throughout the process of assessment and production of an EHCP. The outcomes included in the EHCP should be realistic and achievable and will be reviewed at the Annual Review meeting.

Preliminary visits to school by parents/carers are welcome and can be arranged through the school office.

Pupils develop confidence in their learning, and value their education. Attendance is high. Pupils’ first-class attitudes to learning contribute significantly to the progress they make. Ofsted 2017

Pupils should be absent from school only if they are ill or attending medical appointments. In the event of illness, school should be informed as soon as possible. The transport company should also be informed. Pupils should be kept home for at least 48 hours after sickness and diarrhoea. School should be informed immediately of all contagious and infectious diseases.

Parents/Carers should not take holidays in term time. It is a legal requirement that pupils attend school each and every day of the school term. Parents/carers should speak to the Head Teacher if they are thinking of taking a holiday.

Pupil attendance is monitored with support from the Education Welfare Officer.

We send postcards home to celebrate 100% attendance each term and also improved attendance every 4 weeks. We acknowledge that for some of our pupils, medical appointments are unavoidable, which is why we have chosen not to celebrate these achievements at our weekly assembly.

Further information is available in the Attendance Policy, available from the school office and on the website.

We have excellent facilities in an inclusive building and grounds. Specialist resources on site include a Hydrotherapy Pool, sports facilities, wildlife area, allotment and sensory studios.

We use the latest technologies to teach and communicate with our pupils and adopt a Total Communication Approach using Voice Output Communication Aids, Makaton signing, symbols, objects of reference and on-body signs.

Our adapted minibuses and wheelchair accessible people carrier ensure that we make full use of community resources and educational visits.

Form – Administration of Medication to Pupils

Form – Healthcare Plan for a Pupil with Medical Needs

Form – Parental Consent

Form – Parental Request for Child to Carry and Self-administer Medicine

Form – Request for Leave of Absence During Term Time