Notification of absence

We always need a short note giving the reason for your child's absence for our records. 

From September 2013 children are no longer entitled to two weeks absence per year. We hope that parents will do their utmost to avoid undue absences as this can seriously affect educational progression. 

Punctuality

Children should be in the yard by 8.50am when a whistle is blown to signal children should line up ready to go into school.

Children who arrive late will have to be brought to reception where parents will be asked about the reason for their lateness. Parents of unaccompanied children who arrive late will be sent a text requesting that they come into the office to sign the late book. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Parents with cars

The safety of our children, parents and visitors to our school is of paramount importance. Please may we remind you not to bring cars into the car park at any time during the school day as this causes a hazard to pedestrians. This also includes after school clubs.

Pedestrian access

Parents are reminded to use the pedestrian access situated on Well Street. This should be used at all times to get to reception, including after school clubs.

Operation Encompass

What is Operation Encompass?

The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident. Following an incident at home, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day.

Why is Operation Encompass being introduced in Sunderland?

Operation Encompass was initially launched in Plymouth in February 2011 to address a shortcoming in the early sharing of information with schools. Since then several pilots have been set up across the UK, including the north east, and has proved to very successful in providing appropriate support in a timely manner. Pilots across the UK have reported positive outcomes for many children and young people.

Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police and all schools in the city are taking part in the scheme to help provide additional new support which will benefit children and young people in Sunderland and improve multi-agency sharing of information.

How will it work?

Schools across Sunderland will nominate two members of staff who will be known as Key Adults. All Key Adults will attend specific training to the role in preparation for Operation Encompass.

Each morning a police officer will review all domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school but which might have had an impact on a child attending school the following day. Where children were present, witnessed or involved in a domestic abuse incident and aged between 4 and 16 years old, the officer will send this information to the Council’s Initial Contact and Referral Team who will then send this information in a secure format to the named Key Adult in the child’s school. The Key Adult will check their emails every day and the staff in contact with those pupils will then be in an informed position to support them in a way that is right for the child.

This information will be shared on school days during school term and, when incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or over a holiday period, the police will contact the council the following Monday.

All parents will be sent a letter from their child's school informing them about Operation Encompass.

For more information about Operation Encompass, please contact your school or visit http://www.operationencompass.org/