dolphin school

24 Pages·2017·0.43 MB·English

DOLPHIN
SCHOOL

Parent Handbook
2016/2017
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Proprietor: Dolphin School Trust

Address: 106 Northcote Road
Battersea
SW11 6QW
Tel: [phone]
Information line: 07975 511 356

Trustee Mr Charlie Colchester
Trustee Mrs Serena Colchester
Chair of Governors and Trustee Mr Jeremy Sharman
Governor (Deputy Chair of Governors) Mrs Emma Keeling
Governor (Ethos and Safeguarding) Mrs Esther Chew
Governor (Ethos and Communication) Mr Gordon Corera
Governor (Finance,
including Subsidised Fees) Mrs Petronella van der Vliet
Governor (Finance) Mrs Jo Watling
Governor (Property) Mr Matthew Goldschmied
Governor (Education) Mr Paul Lufkin

Chair of Governors: Mr J. Sharman
Dolphin School
106 Northcote Road
Battersea
SW11 6QW

Mobile: 07768500432

If Jeremy Sharman is not available, please contact
Charlie Colchester (Trustee), on 07778156642
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STAFF

Senior Team
Principal Mrs N Baldwin
Senior Deputy Head Mr J. Schmidt
Deputy Head Mrs L. Keenan Senior Team - Education
Director of Ethos and Development Miss J. Clark
Head of Noah’s Ark Nursery Schools Miss A. Miller
Bursar Mrs P. Dennemont Senior Team - Finance &
Chief Operations Officer Mrs S. Holmes Property
Head of Finance Miss C. Lupton
Administrative Staff
Admissions Registrar Mrs V. Benson
PA to Senior Team Miss L. Lonsdale
Receptionist and Extra Mrs C. Saunders
Curricular Co-ordinator

Teaching Staff
Reception Teacher Miss O Chesney
Reception Teacher & Early Years Co-ordinator Mr A. Woodcraft
Year 1 Teacher Miss E. Malcolm
Year 1 Teacher Miss K. Redfern
Year 2 Teacher Miss M Holden
Year 2 Teacher Miss R. Bhaiyat
Year 2 Teacher Miss C Boulby
Year 3 Teacher Mr D. Moore
Year 3 Teacher Miss G. Walker
Year 4 Teacher Mrs C. Clark
Year 4 Teacher Mrs P Cummings
Year 5 Teacher & Key Stage 2 Co-ordinator Mrs F. Henry
Year 5 Teacher Mrs V. Githae
Year 6 Teacher Miss T. Robinson/Mrs E. Parmiter

Part-time Teacher (Drama) Miss N. Pitt
Part-time Teacher (Spanish) Mrs M. Simarro
Part-time Teacher (Spanish / Latin) Mrs R. Pique

Sports Co-ordinator/P.E. Teacher Mr C. Wright
Sports Coach Mr J. Hinton
Sports Coach Miss A. Walters
Sports Coach Mr M. Hinton

Arts/Events Co-ordinator & Drama Teacher Mrs E. Parmiter
Music Teacher & Choir Mistress Mrs C. Coad
Music/Recorders Teacher Mr C. Woolmer
Art and Design Technology Teacher Mrs M. Nicholson
Specialist Teacher Mrs H. Green
Specialist Teacher Mrs D Mills

Learning Support Co-ordinator/SENCO Mrs U. Wright
Learning Support Teacher Mrs A. Stocker
EAL Teacher Mrs F. Saunders

Peripatetic Flute/Saxophone Mr M. London
Peripatetic Violin Miss G. Harris
Peripatetic Piano Mr M. Lester / Mrs C. Verbi

Choir accompanist Mrs B. Green
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Teaching Assistants Mrs E. Anifowose
Mr S. Benson
Miss S. Blakeney
Mrs S. Hampton
Mrs R. Hannecke
Mrs S. Mansoor
Mr L. Leatherbarrow
Mrs V. Roope
Miss A. Walters

External Club Staff Miss I. Hollis (Guitar)
Mrs R. Riveros (Dance)
Miss N. Artemuik (Boys’ Ballet)
Miss D. McCormick (‘Little Voices’ Teacher)
Miss A. Zwierzynska (Capoeira)
Miss A. Weston (Philosophy)
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Dear Parents

FAMILY HANDBOOK

This handbook has been created to help you understand the day-to-day operation of Dolphin
School, and is accompanied by an alphabetically-arranged contents page. If you feel that anything
useful is missing, please let me know.

Mrs N Baldwin
Principal
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CONTENTS

STAFF 3 Fixtures 17
CONTENTS 6 Hair and Head Lice 17
Absences 7 Handwriting 17
Accidents and Emergencies 7 Health and Safety 17
Administrative Staff 7 Healthy Eating Policy 17
Admissions 8 Homework 17
Aims 8 Houses 18
Allergies 8 Illness 18
Annual Theme 8 Information available for parents 18
Appointments to see staff 8 Inspections 19
Arrival and Departure 9 Instrumental Lessons 19
Arts 10 Late Arrivals and Collections 19
Assembly 10 Launch 19
Behaviour 10 Leadership 20
Birthdays 10 Learning Support 20
Board of Governors 11 Lost Property 20
Break Times 11 Lunch 20
Bullying 11 Medical Issues 20
Calendar 11 Memory Verse 20
Camp 11 Music Lessons 20
Car Parking 12 Newsletters and Thursday folders 20
Catching Up 12 Noah’s Ark Nursery Schools 21
Charitable Status 12 Office Hours 21
Child Protection 12 Outings 21
Choir 12 Parents 21
Christian Foundation 12 Parents Prayers 21
Classes 13 Parent/Teacher Interviews 21
Class Size 13 Parties 21
Clubs 13 PE Kit 21
Coats 13 Philosophy 21
Coffee Mornings 13 Physical Education 21
Community Relationships 13 POD ( Parents of Dolphin) and Class Reps21
Competition 14 Prayer 22
Complaints 14 Reception 22
Computers 14 Relationship Time 22
Concerns 14 Reports 22
Curriculum 14 SATS 22
Discipline 15 Second-Hand Uniform 22
Dogs 15 Senior Team 22
Donations 15 Special Educational Needs 22
Drama 15 Sport 22
English as an Additional Language 16 Sports Day 23
Entrance to secondary schools 16 Testing 23
Events 16 Trips 23
Expectations 16 Uniform (also see Appendix A) **VIV TO ADD** 23
Fees 16 Vision Statement 23
Finances 16 Website 24
Fire Safety 16 Year 6 School Captains & Monitors 24
First Aid 17
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Absences
If your child is going to be absent from school owing to illness, please let us know by leaving a
message on the Dolphin School Information line - 07975 511 356 as early as possible in the
morning. All absences must be explained either by a message on the information line or an email to
the school.

Taking children out of school before the end of term, or returning to school after the beginning of
term, without prior permission from the Principal, is not acceptable. A permission form is
available from the Receptionist to cover part-day or one-day absence for medical appointments
and so on. If the requested absence is for longer than one day, the form must be accompanied by a
letter written by parents to the Principal, giving the requested dates and the reason for absence.
Parents are strongly discouraged from booking holidays during any part of the school term
as new areas of learning are covered daily and incomplete foundations make less secure buildings.
We do understand that travel companies make school holiday prices absurdly high but our long
holidays should ensure some flexibility. We courteously ask you to work with us to ensure that
children are in school whenever possible during term time.

The Principal will only authorise absences that fit with the school’s philosophy of committing to term-
time attendance except in exceptional circumstances.

Authorised absences and unauthorised absences are recorded in the official school registers and
on individual reports. As it is policy for all children of compulsory school age to attend school for the
legally required number of days per annum, the government requires schools to report the number
of unauthorised absences each year. All future schools look carefully at a prospective pupil’s
number of authorised and unauthorised absences.

Accidents and Emergencies
Parents are asked to sign an acknowledgement form if their child is involved in an accident or if
he/she receives treatment of any kind. Medical Forms and Permission to Treat Forms are to be
filled out by all parents on joining the school so that staff are aware of children’s medical conditions.
If any new condition arises, it is the responsibility of parents to inform the school. Copies of this
information are passed to the class teacher and specialist teachers. Serious medical problems are
highlighted to ensure an instant and appropriate response, if necessary. If your child is unwell
during the day, the school will make contact with you and, where necessary, request that you collect
your child.

If a serious accident occurs, parents or the ‘emergency contact’ will be notified and an ambulance
called. A member of staff will accompany any child taken to hospital, until the parent or emergency
contact arrives.

It is important that the school is kept up to date about medical conditions or necessary medication.
Medication must be accompanied by clearly written instructions and given to the office.

Please ensure that all medication is within date. Parents must fill in a parental agreement for the
school to administer medicine. Parents should always inform the school in writing if a child has had
any form of medication that day prior to their arrival at school.

The majority of members of staff are trained in First Aid procedures and our First Aid officers are
Mrs Saunders, Mrs Dennemont and Mr Wright, who have received advanced first aid training.

Administrative Staff
The administrative staff are available to help you and look forward to getting to know you if you are
new to the school. The School Office is open during the following hours: 08.30-09.30, 12.00-12.45
and 15.00-16.00.
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During school holidays, an answerphone message will give details of office opening hours and
dates. Messages can be left on the school answer machine, which will be switched on whenever
the office is unattended. Please feel free to email us as this is a quick and easy method of
communicating.

The contact details of the administrative staff are as follows:

Telephone: [phone]
(Option 1 – C. Saunders)
(Option 2 – V. Benson)
(Option 3 – P. Dennemont)
(Option 4 – L. Lonsdale)
Fax: [phone]
Information line: 07975511356 (for absences and arrangements).
Email: [email protected] (C. Saunders)
[email protected] (Office)
[email protected] (V. Benson)
[email protected] (P. Dennemont)
[email protected] (L. Lonsdale)

If you would like to make an appointment to see the Principal or one of the Deputy Heads, please
contact the Principal’s PA, who will organise a suitable time for you.

Admissions
Please see the Admissions Policy and the Special Educational Needs Admissions Policy.

Aims
The aim of Dolphin School is to find and release children’s potential in academic study, creative
endeavour and sporting pursuit and to develop their character according to a Christian
understanding of what it means to be human.

Allergies
See ‘Medical Issues’. Nuts are not permitted at Dolphin owing to the prevalence of anaphylaxis
amongst pupils. Hardboiled egg is currently not permitted in Year 6 owing to a child with a
life-threatening allergy to egg. Pesto is not currently permitted in Year 3 owing to a serious
allergy. Parents will be kept informed of any child with extreme allergies. Please note that children
sometimes bring in birthday cakes, so if your child may be allergic to any ingredients, it may be
worth giving the class teacher an alternative to keep in the classroom. Similarly, occasionally edible
treats (such as sweets) are given out as House rewards, so it may be worth giving the class teacher
a couple of alternative treats.

Annual Theme
Every academic year, the school has an annual theme, and teachers are encouraged to use the
theme freely and creatively to inspire the children.

Appointments to see staff
Staff are always willing to discuss any issues relating to your child’s education and school life. It is
best to send a note to the class teacher with 2 or 3 possible times, and it is a great help if you are
able to indicate the nature of your question or concern. The Principal or one of the Deputy Heads or
one of the Co-ordinators may come to these meetings from time to time if and when they are able.
This enables us all to be in close touch with parents and pupils throughout the school.
Appointments are usually made for after school.

If you feel that the nature of your concern requires you to see the Principal or one of the Deputy
Heads (either following a meeting with the class teacher or not), please speak with the Principal’s
PA. We aim to provide an appointment within one week of the request, unless it is an emergency.
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We hope to resolve all concerns informally, and strongly encourage communication, but if you wish
to make a formal complaint, please read the section on ‘Complaints’ on Page 12 and follow the
procedure that is outlined.

Issues relating to fees should be directed to Mrs Pauline Dennemont, the Bursar.

Arrival and Departure
Arrival and departure takes place as follows:
Class Arrival in Departure at end of day Dismissal Time
morning
Reception Northcote Door Collect from the Church. Enter 15:25 (Half day 12:25)
via the Northcote Door and exit
via the Wakehurst door.
Year 1 Northcote Door Collect from the Church. Enter 15:30
via the Northcote Door and exit
via the Wakehurst door.
Year 2CB & Northcote Door Collect from the pavement 15:30
2MH beside the Northcote Door
Year 2RB Wakehurst Door The Gate 15.30
Year 3 The Gate The Gate 15:45
Year 4 The Gate The Gate 15:45
Year 5 Wakehurst Door Wakehurst Door 15:45
Year 6 Wakehurst Door Northcote Door 15:45
Siblings’ Club Northcote Door 15:45
All other clubs Northcote Door See specific club
information

The doors are open from 8.30 – 8.45am each morning. All children arriving at school must enter
through these doors and shake hands with the Principal, one of the Deputy Heads, the Bursar or the
Registrar. All children are asked to look at the teacher, shake hands and say, ‘Good morning,
(Name)’ before proceeding to their classroom. Bicycles and scooters must be clearly named and
may be stored in the church. Scooters may be taken in through pupils’ normal arrival doors. Any
pupil arriving with a bicycle, should take it to The Gate entrance and Lower School pupils should
then return to their parent to enter in their correct entrance. Older pupils (Upper School) may
continue to their classroom. At the end of the day, each Upper School teacher will take his/her
class outside to meet parents. When the parent arrives to collect the child, the pupil must say ‘Good
afternoon, (Name)’ before leaving with the parent. On half days, Reception children are dismissed
at 12:25. On full days, Reception are dismissed at 15:25 and Year 1 and Year 2 at 15:30. KS2 are
dismissed at 15:45. Younger siblings who attend Siblings’ Club are dismissed at 15:45 through the
Northcote Door. All other clubs are dismissed through the Wakehurst Door. All bikes and scooters
MUST be removed on Friday afternoon and before Half Term and School Holidays. The school
cannot guarantee the safety of any that are left.

Please note that, unless there are extenuating circumstances, the school is not responsible for
organising alternative arrangements if a parent is unable to pick up a child. All parents are asked to
provide a signed list of those authorised to collect their children. This should be given to the
Receptionist – and must be updated where necessary. We are sorry that we cannot supervise
children whose siblings are at a club from 15:45 – 16:45. The school must be notified as soon as
possible if someone other than the parent or named person from the list is collecting a child from
school, either by phone [phone]) or in writing. If notification has not been received, the child
will not be allowed to leave the school until contact has been made with the parent.

Northcote Road is a very busy street, and when you add Dolphin pupils to siblings, pets and
parents, it gets quite congested! Similarly, Wakehurst Road has a narrow pavement. Members of
the public can become agitated if the Dolphin community restricts their passage along the
pavement. This particularly applies to pedestrians with buggies, the elderly, disabled and infirm.
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We have staggered our ‘going home time’ and used 3 different exits to help this problem, but we
ask you to be vigilant, to control children and pets, to ensure bags are not left unattended on the
pavement and to leave a pathway for pedestrians. It is lovely that parents want to chat, but please
kindly leave a safe passage for pedestrians by congregating at the edges, not in the centre, and by
being aware of the needs of the local community.

Very occasionally, heavy rain necessitates dismissal from inside. If so, please proceed to the
church through the Northcote door and exit through the Wakehurst door. Collect your child and
leave as quickly as possible so that the limited space remains as uncongested as possible.

If you are late arriving at school in the morning, please see the Receptionist. More information
about late arrivals is under ‘Late Arrivals and Collections’. Children who have not been collected
within 10 minutes of the dismissal time will be brought back into school. It is very difficult for staff to
monitor children left at school as this is the time allocated for meetings with parents and other staff.
If you are going to be late, please advise the school as soon as possible. If your children attend an
after-school club, they are dismissed from the Northcote Road door. We appreciate your
punctuality, especially at this time of day! Any special arrangements must be put in writing.

Arts
Dolphin is committed to the Arts - Visual Art, Drama, Music and Singing – and they are generously
provided for in the curriculum. There is an auditioned choir for the Upper School, and instrumental
lessons are also offered. There is a range of artistic clubs at lunchtime and after school. There are
many opportunities for performance including the Christmas Celebration, whole school plays and
concerts.

Assembly
Each Friday morning from 11.15 to 12:00, there is a full school Assembly. Parents are welcome to
attend, although parents of Reception children are asked to wait until after Half-Term to do so as we
have found that their presence may unsettle their children. The Principal sees this weekly meeting
of the whole school as an essential time to build unity and common purpose as we learn from the
Bible together, memorising and unpacking one verse each week, and worshipping God in music
and prayer. This is a time when we remind ourselves of the school’s Christian values and of our
dependence on God as a community.

The Principal will ask the school to stand to say, ‘Good Morning’. The children are expected to abide
by normal school rules in Assembly. We therefore ask you to help your children by refraining from
coming over for a quick chat/cuddle/catch-up! If you think this is too difficult for your child, you may
decide to wait until they are a little older to attend. We also ask that Assembly remains a mobile-free
zone. If your pre-school children are becoming restless and noisy, we ask you to watch
proceedings from behind the swing doors, as this is an important teaching time for Dolphin pupils.
A sports summary is given, as well as other school feedback, and the week’s birthdays are also
celebrated.

Behaviour
Dolphin School has high expectations of the children with regard to behaviour. As a school, we
place a strong emphasis on character, and we believe that consideration for others is a starting
point for harmonious community life. Any behaviour which impacts another person negatively
cannot be accepted. Our school rules start from the premise that we respect God and those in
authority over us and put other people first. For further details, please see the Behaviour Policy.

Birthdays
Birthdays are recognised and celebrated during the Friday Assembly, and children are welcome to
bring birthday cakes to school. Please pre-cut the cake and supply paper napkins as knives and
napkins are not available in classrooms. A list of ingredients is appreciated in view of the
prevalence of allergies. Please do not include nuts in birthday cakes.