FAQs | Chantry Middle School

How does my child pay for their dinner?

To purchase lunches and tuck, we operate a biometric system (cashless lunch card) which uses fingerprints to identify each student. This system has improved our service and eliminated the need for dinner cards. We have chosen the Live Register system, which uses the latest biometric technology to scan the student’s finger, generate a unique identifier used in the system to identify your child and allow them to pay for their lunch. The fingerprint image is not stored and cannot be used by any other system.

The process involves calling up student records and then scanning to generate a unique code (only the code is stored not the finger scan). Entering students into the system will take place on the scheduled Transfer Day, Thursday 5th July. If you do not wish your child to be registered for the biometric system, they will be given a 6 digit code that will enable them to purchase a school dinner.

Where does my child put his/her personal belongings in school?

The current system is that each pupil is allocated a locker in the cloakrooms. Valuables including money should never be left in the cloakroom. We do not encourage pupils to bring money into school.

What should my child do if he/she loses some personal belongings?

Any lost property is put in a lost property bin either in the KS2 or KS3 cloakrooms or in the PE changing rooms. It is the responsibility of pupils to search for their own missing items. Periodically during the term, lost property is sorted and returned to the owner. Un-named items are either sold at school events or sent to the local charity shops. Please note that naming every piece of equipment brought into school will ensure that property is returned to the owner. If your child has lost an item of equipment and has to wear non-school uniform for school (e.g. shoes), please send a note to the form teacher via the homework diary.

Can my child have a mobile phone in school?

Pupils may bring a mobile phone to school if their parents would like them to. However, phones should be switched off at all times during school hours. We recommend that pupils hand their phones into the School Office each day for safe keeping. Any mobile phone found to be switched on during the school day will be confiscated and parents will be requested to come into school to collect it. Please note that any instance of pupils using mobiles for cyberbullying in or out of school will be treated seriously by staff.

What should I do if my child is ill?

On the first day that your child is ill, please contact the school office either by phone or email so that a message can be passed to their form teacher.

Who should I speak to if I have a question about my child?

Your first contact must always be your child’s form teacher as they know your child the best. However, if you do not feel that an issue has been resolved or have further concerns, please contact staff in the following order:

Class Teacher

Director of Learning and Teaching

Miss Edwards (Assistant Head)

Mr Johnson (Deputy Head)

Mr Stewart (Headteacher)

A list of staff contacts can be found here.

How much homework should my child be doing?

Full details for all year groups can be found on the school website.

For parents of Year 5 children, you will receive a letter outlining homework expectations at the start of the year. Children in Year 5 will receive one piece of Literacy and one of Numeracy homework each week, in addition to some research tasks and activities for the foundation subjects. No more than 30 minutes should be spent on any one piece of homework. If your child is struggling to complete homework within that time period, please advise your child’s teacher via the homework diary. Furthermore, should your child be unable to complete homework, please send a note in to the respective teacher. We also ask that pupils read for a minimum of 15-20 minutes per evening as part of the Accelerated Reader programme.

Can I take my child out of school for a holiday?

In line with Government policy, the law states that “you do not have the right to take your child out of school for holidays during term time.” Therefore, leave of absence for holidays will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. We respectfully request that pupils are not taken out of school during examination periods.

How does my child find out about clubs?

A full list of all clubs is issued to all pupils during the first few weeks of term. This is also posted on the website. If a pupil wishes to join a club, they need to see the individual organisers. The majority of clubs take place during lunchtimes.

A list of current clubs can be found here.

How does my child find out about extra music lessons?

Letters regarding additional music tuition will have been sent out to you prior to the end of the Summer Term. Full details are included in the letter. Should you have any queries regarding peripatetic music lessons, please contact the Music Department.

When do extra music lessons take place?

The timetables for the individual music lessons are set by each teacher. The intention is that the rota will change each week so that the music lessons take place on the same day each week but a pupil will not consistently miss the same school lessons

Is my child set for Maths and Literacy?

In KS2, pupils are set for Maths only. Settings are based on information received from the First Schools, teacher assessments and our own baseline tests. All children are taught mixed ability for all other subjects.

Can my child move sets during the year?

Review meetings take place in school each term when each pupil’s progress is discussed. Should teachers feel that a pupil would make more progress in a different set, the pupil would be moved and parents informed. However, pupils may be moved at other times during the year should teachers feel that it is appropriate.

What should my child do if he/she feels that they are a victim of bullying?

They must immediately tell a member of staff. Pupils come into contact with a large number of members of staff during the day and they should be encouraged to tell someone when an incident occurs (i.e. if an incident happens during lunch/break time, the child should tell a person on duty). Any allegations of bullying are passed to the form teacher who will deal with the situation as is appropriate.

What should my child so if he/she is having problems with friends?

Year 8 peer supporters are on duty each lunch time to informally help with friendship issues. However, if a pupil feels that they need some adult support, they should initially contact their form teacher or the Home School Link, Mrs Chattaway.

How can I find out what my child is studying this term?

Details of the curriculum for each group can be found on the school’s website by following the link to Curriculum Overviews.

The current Year 5 curriculum can be found here.

Does my child need an Art overall?

Pupils need a sleeveless apron for cookery. We also recommend that they have an old shirt for painting in Art lessons. Pupils will be advised which units of work will involve painting.

What should my child do if they miss the school bus?

A member of staff is on duty at the Rugby Club until the last bus leaves at approximately 4pm to ensure that all children have gone home. Should a pupil miss their bus, they should make this known to the member of staff who will bring them back to school where they will be able to phone home and make appropriate arrangements.