The Beginners Guide to Primary School

Families Education The Beginner’s guide to Primary School by Gabrielle Nash

If you are parents who have a child that has just started school, introduction to school life may mean getting your heads around a range of school practitioners and processes, as well as new terminology and acronyms to understand and get used to. Becoming familiar with some of these can help you navigate those first weeks more easily.

EYFS. The Early Years Foundation Stage includes Nursery and Reception classes. The focus here is learning through high quality play. When your child moves from Reception into Year 1, more formal teaching is introduced. SEND. If your child has special educational needs or disabilities, your school should work with you to identify any areas your child will need support with. Many schools will employ specific methods to integrate a child with SEND into the classroom and school. Welfare Officer. A staff member whose role is to support children attend school. Remember, you are liable for a fine of £60 (per parent) if you take your child out of school, unless due to illness or special permission from the school. School Nurse. Each school will have a district school nurse who looks after their pupils and can provide support in areas like healthy eating and sleep. The nurse will also look after several schools. Golden Time. This is time set aside for fun as a reward for good behaviour during the week. Often scheduled for a Friday, it’s a chance for children to unwind and enjoy activities that are not necessarily part of the formal curriculum. Reading Record. A book in which your child’s teacher will ask you to record the reading your child does at home. At the start of term, it’s also handy to get your head around how your child’s school is going to approach certain important issues and talk about these with your child. Behaviour. Younger children are introduced to a system of rewards to encourage, praise and ultimately reward good behaviour and effort. Each school will have a different system, like ‘super star’ stickers to motivate hard work. Covid-19. The pandemic will continue to impact schooling for some time. Contact your school office to discuss how their approach to containing an outbreak and their Covid-safe policies. Food. All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to ‘universal’ free school meals. If your child brings a packed lunch, you’ll be encouraged to provide healthy food choices. Wrap-around care. School day hours do not necessarily align with work hours. Often schools offer a breakfast club and after-school care at an additional cost. Remember, spaces in these are often in demand.

What does an average school day look like?

Primary schools start between 8.30am and 9.00am, unless your child attends a breakfast club. During the pandemic, many schools have been staggering start times to reduce the numbers on site.

Lunchtimes may also be staggered, depending on your school’s Covid policies but will take place between 11.30am and 12.30pm. Remember to inform your school if your child has any allergies.

Younger children tend to have a specific PE day. A good tip is to practise getting out of uniform into PE kit – and back!

In Reception, the end of the day is often preceded by Circle Time, a chance for a story or a game, but also an opportunity to encourage positive relationships through listening and speaking.

You’ll be asked to give details of who will be collecting your child. Make sure to update the administration and teaching team if it changes.

The school day ends between 3.00pm and 3.30pm, depending on your child’s year group.