The class teacher assumes responsibility for pastoral care and parents/guardians are asked to provide school with any information, which they think, will help with their child's welfare.  It is essential that parents/guardians provide school with at least two contact numbers, in case their child becomes ill during the day at school.

Parents/guardians are asked to inform school if their child is asthmatic or prone to anaphylactic reactions, or has any other medical problem.  Other than inhalers and adrenaline, we ask that no medicines are brought into school, unless a parent wishes to administer medicine to his or her own child.  Regular doses of antibiotics can be administered outside school time.

From time to time, the school nurse visits to work with pupils and there are also dental inspections.

Austwick Primary School & Nursery is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school. All North Yorkshire schools, including Austwick, follow the North Yorkshire Area Child Protection procedures and the Local Authority procedures. The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents/guardians about their child/ren. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents/guardians.

Further information for parents/guardians is available on the North Yorkshire ACPC website www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk The nominated Child Protection person is Suzanne Parker and the Governor for Child Protection is Mrs. Susan Sharples.

Parents/guardians' attention is drawn to the fact that the County Council does not carry personal accident insurance for pupils and its liability is limited to injury caused by negligence.  It is, therefore, the responsibility of the parents/guardians, should they wish, to arrange and pay premiums for any such insurance they require.

At school, pupils are encouraged to drink water regularly and are given access to filtered water. They are also encouraged to eat ‘healthy foods.’  The school participates in the Government’s ‘Fruit and Veg Scheme’, which provides all pupils in Nursery to Year 3 with free fruit or vegetables for breaks every day.  

Parents/guardians’ attention is drawn to the advice given to school for the protection of their children from exposure to the sun during the Summer months.

Also, it should be noted that no parent or visitor to school should smoke whilst visiting, as this school operates a policy of ‘no smoking’ on the school premises.  

DISCIPLINE

There is a simple Code of Conduct developed and agreed by staff and pupils.  Children are encouraged to have respect and consideration for all people at this school.  For the general well-being and safety of the pupils, they are encouraged to be responsible and sensible in their conduct around school.  Many of the older pupils take on additional responsibilities such as helping younger pupils, looking after visitors, tidying areas of the school and all pupils are encouraged to work hard with commitment and self-discipline.  Praise and recognition are given regularly for good behaviour.

If pupils behave in an irresponsible or anti-social way, then they are dealt with appropriately.  Usually, a verbal reprimand or a discussion between the child and the teacher will suffice.  If such behaviour continues, or the child ignores a verbal rebuke, then punishment will involve a loss of privileges, for example the child will have to miss a break time.  If a child wastes time in lessons, he/she will be expected to make up the time wasted, during break times.

Further action is rarely necessary, but in a few cases where pupils have difficulty in behaving in a socially-acceptable way, parents/guardians are invited into school to discuss their child's behaviour and this is then monitored closely by staff and parents/guardians, until it improves.

Any incidents of bullying are taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.