24th January 2025
We are working with Simon Storey - British cycling coach, Bicycle Mayor for Warwick and creator of "the Bicycle Bus" to help us set up the Alveston Bicycle bus - where a lead cyclist picks up children and parents along a planned route at predetermined points and the group cycles to school together.
Why should we join the bicycle bus?
Cycling to school is brilliant for mental and physical health, it's much better for the environment - reducing air pollution and easing congestion around school - and most importantly, it's FUN!
When will it run?
Initially it will run once a week, most likely on a Friday, but if it proves to be popular it will run more often. It is designed to show parents that it is possible to cycle to school with their kids so that they do it more often on their own.
Can we see more?
Here's a short film of the Wellesbourne bicycle bus by a BAFTA award winning director: https://youtu.be/wpcYByUDY58?si=YIiOi-7YaOJMOW6C
How do we find out more and show our interest?
Simon will be giving an intro to the Bicycle Bus and answering all your questions at 6pm on Wednesday Feb 5th in the Community room.
If you're interested, please contact Gracie on 07702 062 562 or gracie.ec.gibbons@gmail.com
Leave of Absence During Term Time
Updated information for Parents
The Supreme Court has clarified the law on unauthorised leave, including holidays, during term time (Platt v Isle of Wright 2017). The Supreme Court has made clear that attending school ‘regularly’ means that the children must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. As such, the parents of any child who is absent from school without authorisation for any length of time are likely to be considered as committing an offence under s444 of the Education Act 1996.
The law states a leave of absence may only be granted by a school if an application is made in advance and if it considers there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.
Schools must judge each application individually considering the specific facts and circumstances and relevant background context behind each request.
A leave of absence is granted entirely at the school’s discretion. Generally, a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance.
Where a leave of absence is granted, the school will determine the number of days a pupil can be absent from school.
When making an application for Leave of Absence parents are advised to give sufficient information and time to allow the Head teacher the opportunity to consider all the exceptional circumstances and to notify parents of their decision. The school may also request further information on the application and supporting documentation where appropriate.
It is advised that if the resident parent has not received notification or a response regarding the leave of absence application, it is the parents’ responsibility to ascertain if the leave is authorised prior to the start of the leave.
The school can only consider Leave of Absence requests which are made by the ‘resident’ parent i.e. the parent with whom the child normally resides.
Where applications for leave of absence are made in advance and refused, the child is expected to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during that period, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. Where a leave of absence is requested, but additional days taken either prior to or after the request may be considered as part of the leave of absence.
Leave of Absences which are not made in advance cannot be authorised in line with legislation. This will result in the absence being recorded as ‘unauthorised’.
All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence will be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service, part of Warwickshire County Council. Penalty Notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices and in the first instance, as an alternative to prosecution proceedings.
Leave of Absence taken in the academic year 2024-25
The law relating to Penalty Notices changed with effect from 19 August 2024. Therefore, Penalty Notices issued for Leave of Absence taken from September 2024 will be issued in accordance with the updated legislation.
- Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices – 4 in total).
- First Leave of Absence offence: The Penalty Notice amount of £160 to be paid within 28 days, this is reduced to £80 each child if paid within 21 days.
- Second Leave of Absence offence within a 3 year period (from the date of issue of the first penalty notice): The amount of £160 paid within 28 days. No reduced amount.
- Payment plans will not be offered and/or payments received outside of the 28 day period will not be accepted. Where a penalty notice expires unpaid the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider criminal prosecution.
- Third Leave of Absence offence within a 3 year period (from the date of issue of the first penalty notice): A penalty notices will be not be issued and the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigating criminal prosecution proceedings under S444 of Education Act 1996.
Your child’s progress academically as well as socially is our shared priority.
Medicines in School
We cannot accept medicines in school without a prescription label and a medical form completed by a parent or carer. Please ask the school office for more information and/or a form via:
Below are Forest School dates for your diary. The children will need to wear PE kit to school with tracksuit bottoms or leggings and have a long sleeve top such as a hoodie. Wellies and a rain coat / school coat will also be required:
Spring Term 1
|
Date |
|
Year Group |
|
Fri 31st Jan |
|
Year 3 |
|
Fri 7th Feb |
|
Year 2 |
|
Fri 14th Feb |
|
Year 1 |
Spring Term 2
|
Date |
|
Year Group |
|
Fri 28th Feb |
|
Reception |
|
Fri 7th Mar |
|
Year 6 |
|
Fri 14th Mar |
|
Year 5 |
|
Fri 21st Mar |
|
Year 4 |
|
Fri 28th Mar |
|
Year 3 |
|
Fri 4th Apr |
|
Year 2 |
|
Fri 11th Apr |
|
Year 1 |
|
Spring Term (1) |
|
Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies |
|
|
|
31/1, 7/2 |
|
|
|
Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks |
|
|
|
13th January to 7th February |
|
|
|
|
|
3 - 6/2 |
|
Year 5 Bikeability |
|
10/2 |
|
Half-Term Cup Assembly |
|
11/2 |
|
Parents’ Evening |
|
13/2 |
|
Parents’ Evening |
|
14/2 |
|
FOA Express Yourself Day |
|
14/2 |
|
FOA Rags2Riches collection |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HALF-TERM 17th-21st February 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
Spring Term (2) |
|
Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies |
|
|
|
28/2, 7/3, 14/3, 21/3, 28/3 |
|
|
|
Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks |
|
|
|
10th March to 4th April |
|
|
|
|
|
27/2 |
|
Young Voices 2025 |
|
3/3 |
|
Learning Together Time (2:30pm) |
|
4/3 |
|
Year 6 trip to Parliament |
|
5/3 |
|
FOA Bag-2-School |
|
6/3 |
|
World Book Day |
|
3/4 |
|
FOA Easter Bingo |
|
7/4 |
|
Half-Term Cup assembly |
|
7/4 |
|
Easter Service at St James’ church |
|
10/4 |
|
FOA Easter Bake Off/Sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HALF-TERM 14th-25th April 2025 |
