Please feel free to call in or telephone with any questions you would like to ask, but here are a few that are most frequently asked:
Q. What makes a Church of England Aided School different?
We believe that the teaching of Jesus: to love one another, is what makes our school such a warm, welcoming place.
Every child is valued as a unique individual.
Christian principles underpin everything we do, so that good manners, good discipline and respect become part of every day life at Hanley St Luke's.
Religious Education is taught throughout the school and is based on the Lichfield Diocese scheme of work. As part of this scheme, children will also learn about two other religions, Judaism and Islam.
Daily Worship in our school is a very important part of what we do. It is always Christian, and often overlaps with other areas of the curriculum, so all children are expected to participate.
Q. What are the school times?
Nursery
9.05am - 3.05pm
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
9.00am - 12.00 noon
12.55pm - 3.15pm
Year 3, Yr 4, Yr 5 and Yr 6
9.00am - 12.30pm
1.25pm - 3.15pm
The doors open at 8.50am so that children can go straight to their classes. This enables a prompt start at 9.00am!
Q. Does the School select its pupils?
There is no academic selection.
The School's admission number is 60 in each year group.
If more than 60 apply for a place in Nursery or Reception Classes, the Governing Body applies the Admissions Criteria which are listed on the Admissions policy in this pack.
If any other year groups are full and you would like your child to have a place at the school we can put his/her name on the waiting list for that year group, in case of a vacancy.
Q. Will my child learn to swim?
We certainly hope so!
Our children are all taken for swimming lessons at local swimming baths, and we aim to have every child able to swim a length at least, before they leave our school.
Q. Do you take the children on trips?
Yes we do!
We firmly believe that children benefit from exciting and well planned trips connected with their learning in school.
We also enhance learning using a variety of “theme” days and visitors who all help to enrich the curriculum.
Residential Trips
In Year 5 the children visit Kingswood Outdoor Activity Centre for a weekend of exciting activities like quad bikes, archery, climbing, zip wire, lazer quest and ICT multi-media work.
In Year 6 the children visit Stanley Head Outdoor Activity Centre for a week. During this week Geography and Science field studies are carried out as well as activities like mountain biking and orienteering.
Q. How do you let parents know what is going on?
A monthly newsletter "The St Lukian" is sent out to all parents and carers, with news and diary dates for the coming month, including class assemblies so that parents are aware in advance of when their child's class assembly is due.
Information letters are regularly sent out with the children and information meetings are held, for example prior to residential trips or before transition between Key Stages.
Every term we hold a parents evening when parents and carers are invited to talk to their children's teachers.
We have a Home School Link worker, Mrs Mandy Clough, who is available to help with any questions and queries, and runs several parent courses, like 'Cook & Eat' and 'Positive Parenting' etc.
Q. Are children expected to wear uniform?
Yes, all children except those in Nursery, are expected to wear our uniform. Details of our uniform are on a separate sheet, with prices.
Children in Nursery often like to wear our uniform too, but here it is not compulsory.
Q. What do I do if my child is ill?
Please telephone the school as soon as possible after 8.30am if your child is ill. It is vital that you call on the first day of any absence. This call will be recorded and the class teacher will be informed.
If your child continues to be absent, please send a note on his/her return to school.
If your child is taken ill at school we will make every effort to contact you.
Please notify the school office if any of your emergency contact telephone numbers change.
Q. What do I do if my child is ill?
A definite no!
For Health and Safety reasons no medication can be brought into school. If your child requires medication but is well enough to come to school, you will need to arrange to come to school to administer it or arrange the dosage around school times.
The only exception to this rule is for inhalers, which should be named and brought to school by children who suffer from asthma.
If your child suffers from any chronic conditions requiring medication, please contact Mrs Averill to discuss special arrangements.
Q. What can children bring to eat and drink at playtimes?
As we are a Health Promoting School, we are keen to encourage healthy eating habits. So children can bring fruit, but are not allowed to bring sweets or other snacks for playtimes.
The children in Reception and Year 1 and Year 2 are given free fruit as part of a Government health initiative.
Subsidised milk or spring water with fruit juice are available to buy from school, and need to be ordered in advance. Letters are sent home regularly as a reminder of this, with prices.
Water is freely available in classrooms and at water fountains and children are encouraged to drink this, as research has shown the health benefits of drinking water.
Breaktime drinks should not be brought from home.
Q. Can my child wear jewellery?
For Health and Safety reasons we ask that children leave their jewellery at home!
The only exceptions are watches (as long as they do not make noises or distract children during lessons) and earrings for pierced ears only.
If your child wears pierced earrings, please ensure that they are small lobe studs as these are safest.
All jewellery, including earrings must be removed for PE and Swimming lessons, so please ensure that they are left at home on these days.
Q. What extra curricular activities are available?
Apart from the trips and residentials already mentioned, there are lots of extra curricular clubs and activities happening at different times of the year. A current list is enclosed in this pack, but more opportunities come along all the time! So watch out for letters advertising these, and don’t forget to fill in your permission slip if your child wants to take part!
Q. Do you provide Sex and Relationships education?
Yes!
Each year we run a Health Education Fortnight throughout the school, with different aspects of healthy living being studied at age appropriate levels.
Sex and Relationships education is a strand of this structured course, and is taught to children in Year 5. The Governors' policy states that Sex and Relationships education should be provided in the Christian context of family life where there is a love and respect for all its members.
Year 5 parents are invited to a meeting prior to the course, to see the materials we use and to discuss these with the teachers.
Parents do have the right to withdraw children from this course and can do so, after the meeting, by contacting Mrs Averill.