Policy links
Please see below summaries of our key policies for Parents/Carers. If you require to read any of our policies in full, please contact the school and we will arrange a time for you to peruse them within the school office.
Lochnell 25-26 Promoting Positive Behaviour
Lochnell 25-26 Curriculum Policies
Lochnell 25-26 Assessment, moderation and tracking
Lochnell 25-26 Home Learning Policy
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Emergency Closures
In the event of the school having to close due to an emergency, e.g. adverse weather conditions putting pupils at risk, heating failure, etc., the procedure is as follows: –
In the event of an emergency closure outwith school hours updated postings will be made on www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/service-disruptions. You can also keep up to date with the latest information by calling 01546 604060.
In case of an emergency, if effective arrangements are to be made, it is essential that the school has up-to-date information from parents/carers regarding such things as changes in employer, telephone number, new emergency contact, etc. Where possible, a text messaging system alerting parents/carers to arrangements will be used if mobile phone numbers have been submitted.
In whole school emergency situations, updated information will be posted on our own school website and/or www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/service-disruptions website or the use of text messaging may be utilised.
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Transitions
Transitions are the moves children and young people make from home to nursery, from nursery to primary, from primary to secondary, from secondary to further education and beyond.
Starting Early Learning and Childcare
Once your child has been allocated a place in the early learning and childcare class you will be invited along to meet the staff and children, to find out more about the curriculum and to share information about your child. Your child will be invited to join the early learning and childcare class with your support as necessary until they have fully settled.
Starting Primary One
Children in Scotland who reach the age of five years between 1st March 2019 and 29th February 2020 should start school in August 2019. This generally means that children start school when they are aged between four-and-a-half and five-and-a-half.
To help your child prepare for a good start you can:
- Listen and talk to your child about this change in their lives
- Involve your child in getting ready for school by helping choose the things they will need, e.g. their uniform, lunchbox, school bag
- Keep in touch with the school about anything which may affect your child’s learning
- Attend induction events or introductory sessions
Transfer to Secondary School
Primary school pupils normally transfer to their catchment area secondary school in August following completion of their P7 year. Secondary staff visit P7 pupils to discuss aspects of their transfer with them and in June the pupils will spend an agreed length of time at their prospective secondary school.
The catchment area secondary school for Lochnell Primary is:
Oban High School
Oban
01631 564231
enquiries@obanhigh.argyll-bute.sch.uk
You will be contacted by letter and offered a place for your child at Oban High School, which you may either accept or decline. Secondary schools have their own arrangements for meetings with prospective parents/carers, and you will be given details of these meetings.
Should you prefer your child to attend a school other than the designated catchment area school then a Placing Request must be made. Forms are available from the Head Teacher or School Support, Argyll & Bute Council, Argyll House, Alexandra Parade, Dunoon, PA23 8AJ – Tel: 01369 704000.
Moving from Stage to Stage
Your child will be involved in an induction programme every year in school. Prior to the summer holiday your child will meet their teacher/s for the following session and visit their new classroom/s. Teachers work closely and share information about your child’s learning and achievements. Staff will also share other information which will help the teacher support your child’s learning, e.g. friendship groups, preferred ways of working, etc.
Moving Between Schools
When a child moves to a new school their class teacher will normally telephone the new school to share information on academic achievement and personal likes/dislikes with their new teacher. Parents/carers are encouraged to organise a visit to the new school (if possible) in advance to support the child feel secure in the move.
It should be noted that opportunities for enhanced transitions are available for children as required.
Liaison with Local Schools
Our school maintains close links with Oban High School and other primary schools within the local area. Our teachers, and in some cases our pupils, visit other schools and establishments and other teachers and pupils visit us. This process is important for the professional development of staff, reciprocal understanding and the establishment of curricular consistency.
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Pupil absence procedures
Parents are required to contact the school every day for any absence other than holiday. Council policy is that we will contact a parent if a child is absent and no communication has been forthcoming from the parent. We may do this by phone or text message.
At Lochnell School and Nursery we will contact you within 30 minutes of your child’s absence being noted. If we cannot contact you directly we will use the emergency contact information you have given us.
Early Learning and Childcare Attendance
A child’s entitlement to free ELC will be 600 hours generally arranged as 5 x 3 hour and 10 minute sessions over a minimum of 38 weeks within the school year. However, some units are offering a different pattern of provision. Information on what nurseries are offering can be obtained from each nursery or school or on the Council website.
Children who attend in a regular pattern settle well into the early learning and childcare routine, have the opportunity to build firm relationships with adults and peers and experience continuity of learning. During the induction period however, adaptations are made to meet the needs to of the individual child.
School Attendance
Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly and arrive on time. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their children on their journeys to and from school.
Regular and punctual attendance is linked closely to achievement and school staff wish to work with parents/carers to ensure that children can reach their full potential. The school is required by law to maintain an accurate record of the attendance and absence of each pupil and parents/carers are requested to assist in this process by keeping the school informed if their child is to be absent for any reason.
It is important to note that if a child does not arrive at school and there is no reasonable explanation provided for his/her absence then members of staff will be required to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of the individual child. In order to avoid causing unnecessary concern for staff and parents/carers, the importance of good communication between home and school cannot be over-emphasised.
Parents/carers are asked to assist school staff in the manner detailed below:
Parents are required to contact the school every day for any absence. Council policy is that we will contact a parent if a child is absent and no communication has been forthcoming from the parent. We may do this by phone or text message. At Lochnell School and Nursery we will contact you within 30 minutes of your child’s absence being noted. If we cannot contact you directly we will use the emergency contact information you have given us.
Planned Absence
- Parents/carers are encouraged not to arrange family holidays during term time but it is realised that, in exceptional circumstances, this is unavoidable. In such cases, parents/carers are asked to seek permission from the Head Teacher and provide information of the dates when the child is to be absent from the school in good time.
- Except in cases of emergency, planned appointments for children to attend the dentist or doctor should be made outwith the school day.