Welcome

Thank you for visiting our new starter welcome page. 

We are really excited to meet you and your child and we look forward to you starting with us. This page features lots of information to introduce you to life at Cottage Grove; whether you are starting in Reception for your first year of school or whether you will be joining us part-way through your primary education.

If you require anymore information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office or speak to one of the Reception team in person. 

Mr Branscombe - Headteacher 

Daily Timings

• Children arrive at 8:40am and are greeted by their teacher at 8:45am
• Gates close at 8:55am
• Lunch is 12:00-12:45pm for Reception, Y1 and Y2, 12:15-1pm for Years 3-6
• Home time 3:15pm 

The school office is open from 8:00am-4:00pm. The office staff can help with queries regarding school dinners, uniforms, copies of letters, important dates, etc. All payments for snack, trips and uniform must be made at the office. 

Breakfast 

Please make sure your child has something to eat and drink before they come to school so that they are ready to learn. Being hungry can affect children's ability to concentrate. 

School dinners 

Currently, a hot meal is free for all children in years R to 2. We will be asking children to choose their meal using our computer system each morning. We would be very grateful if you could help your child choose their meals to ensure they select something that they like! A menu will be provided at the beginning of each term.

Packed lunch

Your child may bring a packed lunch in a named box or bag. Please pack your child a healthy packed lunch to suit their appetite. Please remember that children only have a limited amount of time in which to eat their lunch, so only pack what they will eat. Any uneaten food will be put back in their lunchbox to bring home so that you are aware of what they have eaten. Please do not send food containing nuts, peanut butter, or any nut products to school. We may have children with life-threatening allergies. No fizzy drinks, glass bottles, chocolate or sweets are to be brought to school. 

Attendance

Please make sure your child attends school every day. We want them to learn as much as they can and build good habits for the future. 

What to do when your child is unwell 

If your child is not well we ask you to keep them at home from school until they are better. If your child is not going to be in school please let us know as soon as possible. You can do this via the Studybugs app, phone (02392 341133) or email. 

Medicine 

If your child needs any prescribed medicine during the school day, please bring this to the school office. If your child needs regular medication, like an inhaler, please bring it in at the beginning of term so it can be kept in the classroom.

Book bags

We ask that each child has a book bag to put their reading books and key words in. Letters and other items will also be put into your child’s book bag so please check them regularly. Book bags can be bought from Brigade.

Working Together

Each half term we have a parent session that provides the opportunity for you to come into school and work with your child. It is also a chance for us to update you on what we have been learning in school and how you could help at home. We also hold parents’ evenings in the autumn and spring term to discuss your child’s progress. At the end of the year you will receive your child's annual report. 

Please try to spend 5-10 minutes reading and practising keywords every day. 

Top Tips: 

• Make sure you turn off the TV to avoid any distractions 

• Talk about what is happening in the story and pictures 

• Share other books and stories with your child, including those in your home language 

• A 5-year-old child who is talked to regularly has experienced 32 million more words than a child who hasn’t had that experience

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Starting in Reception

Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is a play-based approach to learning. 

The areas covered are: 

• Communication and Language 
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development 
• Physical Development 
• Literacy 
• Mathematics 
• Expressive Arts and Design 
• Understanding the World 

Learning happens both inside and outside the classroom. We provide many first-hand experiences throughout the year and we have lots of opportunities to explore and find out. Children are encouraged to be independent, solve problems and make connections. We provide stimulating and fun activities that we hope will encourage children to engage fully in their learning.

Recording Children’s Learning 

The adults in Reception observe the children throughout the day. Significant observations are recorded by adults and then put into each child’s individual learning journey, Maths and English books. We use an online learning journey called Seesaw and you will be given a login so that you can look at these observations and add your own. We encourage you to be part of this process and value your contributions, so please share with us on Seesaw if your child has done anything they are proud of at home.

Parental contribution 

To help us to supplement snack times and cooking activities throughout the year we ask if parents could make a contribution of £5 per term or £15 at the beginning of the year.