School Information

School Information

Welcome

Thinking about a place for your child at High Oakham Primary School for September 2025 or have you been offered a place at our school for your child to start in Reception in September 2024? 

Navigate our website to find out more about our school

A warm welcome to High Oakham Primary School, we hope that you will enjoy your time with us as your child thrives and grows, feeling part of and loved by, our wonderful HOPS family!

I hope that you will find all the information you need on our website and in the current situation, visits to school are not taking place so have a look at our virtual tour which is short and simple but will give you a feeling for our school. Click here to view or scroll down to the bottom of this page.  

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch:

01623 461313 or email office.school@highoakham.notts.sch.uk

Information on specific year groups and classes at High Oakham Primary School, can be found here on Class at High Oakham. 

New starters information

F1- Nursery & F2- Reception

Our school day for F2-Year 6

Please check out our Nursery page for information about our Nursery timings.

From September 2023, our school day will look like this:

Your child will be marked 'late before the register is taken' up until 9am. Your child will be marked 'late after the register is taken' any time after this in that session.

For more information, please see our attendance section below - please note, our attendance policy is being reviewed to reflect our school day changes in September. 

Equality

EQUALITY STATEMENT

At High Oakham Primary School, we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers irrespective of race, gender, disability, belief, sexual orientation, age or socio-economic background. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity and ability to participate fully in school life.

We tackle discrimination through the positive promotion of equality, through discussion, by challenging bullying and stereotypes and by creating an environment which champions respect for all. We believe that diversity is a strength which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit us. Teaching relevant to the Equality Act 2010 is based within our PSHRE curriculum where we use Talking Points and the No Outsider's schemes of work using high quality texts to discuss, understand and learn about how we can be prepared for life in Modern Britain. More information can be found on our curriculum page under PSHRE. 

Equality in Teaching and learning at High Oakham

We provide all our pupils with the opportunity to succeed and to reach the highest level of personal achievement. We do this by:

• Ensuring equality of access for all pupils and preparing them for life in a diverse society
• Using materials that reflect the diversity of the school, population and local community without stereotyping
• Promoting attitudes and values that challenge any discriminatory behaviour or prejudice
• Providing opportunities for pupils to appreciate their own culture and celebrate the diversity of other cultures
• Seeking to involve all parents in supporting their child’s education
• Utilising teaching approaches appropriate for the whole school population which are inclusive and reflective of our pupils.

Equal Opportunities for Staff at High Oakham

All staff appointments and promotions are made on the basis of merit and ability and in compliance with the law. We are keen to ensure that the staffing of the school reflects the diversity of our community.

We are working hard to ensure that diversity, equality and inclusion are at the heart of our organisation and to do that we are using the Global Equality Collective to support us. We have gained the pass merit for our work so far which is focused on assessment.

Official Member	Equality Pass

Uniform at High Oakham

School Uniform 

High Oakham has strict guidelines on dress and all pupils are expected to wear the full uniform. The wearing of our traditional uniform gives pupils a sense of ‘belonging’, helps foster a pride in our school and stops pupils coming to school in unsuitable clothes or appearance which would disrupt learning for themselves or others. It is also a key part of staying safe. Health and safety is key to your child’s experience at school and so any deviation from our uniform policy will be challenged. 

No jewellery to be worn in school - this is a matter of health and safety. This includes fabric or plastic bracelets/wrist bands or necklaces. Earrings can be studs, no hoops or fashion earrings. We recommend that shoes are both practical and comfortable; trainers should not be worn in the classroom. High heels including thick heels are not allowed and no open toed shoes. Boots may be worn so long as they do not have thick or high heels. False nails, novelty hairbands, make up, unnatural hair colour, inappropriate hairstyles (e.g. shapes cut into the hair), and nail varnish are not allowed.

Hair should be tied back off your child’s face at all times. 

A traditional watch or an electronic watch that does not have any apps on it may be worn, but taken off for PE . Apple watches or other such devices MUST NOT be worn as these are both expensive and distracting in terms of their uses. 

All items should be clearly marked with your child's name, including shoes. 

Wellies are needed for both foundation stage classes. If your child is toilet training, tracksuit bottoms or leggings can be worn to support if needed.

Please note: the uniform guidance is for ALL classes - from Nursery through to Year 6.

• Dark green sweatshirt, cardigan or jumper - school logo optional. No zips or hoods please.

• White polo shirt, blouse, or shirt

• Grey/Black skirts, culottes, smart shorts or trousers

        Please note - skirts must be to the knee and not tight fitting and trousers must not be leggings or jeans

• Dark green blazer with school badge is optional

• School tie is also optional

• School socks can be grey, white or black, not sports socks

• Black school shoes or boots - no heels, must be safe to run and play in.

Warmer weather - green and white checked summer dresses can be worn with shorts underneath. 

PE Kit 

Since the pandemic, children now wear their PE kit to school on the day that they have it at school and stay in it all day.

Long hair needs to be tied up.

• White polo shirt or t shirt
• Black shorts
• Black jogging bottoms
• Black jumper or hoodie
• Trainers
• Sports socks - white or black
• Tape for earrings (or they can be taken out before school and kept at home) Please note: staff do not take out or put back in earrings

Other items needed

• Children in Nursery through to Year 4 will need a flat satchel type book bag. Book satchels with our logo on are currently being sourced due to provider issues. Watch this space. 
• Only Year 5 and 6 children can use a rucksack and can bring their own pencil case and stationary to school.
• No other year groups should have a rucksack. 
• Coats must be suitable for use in wet weather and clearly labelled with the child's name. 
• Mobile phones are not permitted in school unless children are walking to or from school on their own in Year 5 or Year 6. These must be placed switched off in the 'phone basket' on arrival into the classroom and they will be stored securely in the main office during the day. They will be given out at the end of the day. Please note: any urgent messages for the child MUST be sent through the school office as the children's phones must not be used on school site - this includes the playground. 
• Children will need a lunch bag if they are not having a school meal
• A drinks bottle is also needed for the school day with light fruit juice in or water. 

Uniform supplier

We work closely with JustSchoolwear in Calverton for our uniform supply.

Click on the JustSchoolwear image above for the link to our specific HOPS online uniform shop. 

Lunchtime at HOPS

School dinners at High Oakham Primary School are provided by the catering service at Nottinghamshire County Council. Mrs Cuff, our school cook oversees our kitchen on school site and along with a team of fantastic kitchen staff and midday supervisors led by Mrs Smith, ensures only the best lunchtime service is provided for our children and staff. 

Our school meals are healthy and nutritious, a great way to keep your child fit and strong. Our meals are packed with fresh and tasty ingredients, meeting high standards for healthy eating, including many strictly regulated food assurance schemes.

As well as meals, we also provide school milk and bread, vegetarian options, and cater for special diets and allergies. Many of our ingredients are locally sourced - approximately 75% of the food on your child's plate - which cuts down on our food miles, reducing the carbon footprint per meal. Our food is also free from palm oil.

If your child has any dietary requirements or medical needs that affects their school meals, then a meeting will be set up with the school cook to discuss a plan for your child. Evidence will be required for allergies and medical needs.  We aim to be a NUT free school and we are committed to ensuring that our children learn about how to support their peers to stay safe around food. 

Click here to search for and view High Oakham Primary School's latest school dinner menu.

We understand that many parents lead busy lives, and may not always have time to prepare children's lunches themselves. Letting us take care of it is a great way to ensure that your child gets a hot healthy meal.

Click here to visit Nottinghamshire County Council's school meals page on their website. 

Is your child in Nursery or in Key Stage 2? Are you eligible for Free School Meals? Click here to find out more and to apply online.

If your child is of school age in Reception up to Year 2, then they are eligible for Universal infant free school meals - this means that they do not have to pay for a school dinner. 

School meal prices are set by schools and academies and are dependent on their contract. There is a Nottinghamshire County Council recommended price, which is the same for primary and secondary schools.

From October 2023, a school dinner at High Oakham Primary School costs £2.95 per meal.

At High Oakham Primary School, we are 'cashless' which means that all payments are processed using Arbor. This is an app which parents download and it significantly reduces cash-handling costs and streamlines administration time. We have been using this system since June 2023 for managment information and from October 2023 for payments for trips, dinners etc. and this is working very well for us. On admission into school, you will receive more information about how to setup your Arbor account and what to do moving forward. 

Please ensure that you keep your child's Arbor account topped up. If you have any issues or questions about school dinners, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school office. 

Snack time at HOPS

Children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 have access to free fruit through Nottinghamshire County Council so therefore they will not need a snack sending in if they enjoy fruit - please encourage your child as we do to have this option in school. In Key Stage 2, the children may bring in a healthy snack for morning playtime, children do not need a snack for the afternoon. The morning snack MUST be a something that is under 100 calories and you can find out more here about quick and easy healthy snacks which you can provide for your child. 

We will provide reminders where needed about healthy snacks and support families to be able to do this and also refer to outside agencies where further support is needed. 

Illnesses and absences

Unfortunately, infectious diseases are common amongst nursery, pre-school or school children and schools often present as an ideal situation for these to spread. A child who has acquired an infectious disease may show general signs of illness. This can include shivering attacks or feeling cold, headache, vomiting, sore throat or just feeling unwell. If your child presents with such symptoms, parents will be contacted so that they can collect the child with a view to consulting the GP, if necessary.

Some infections are minor and keeping a child from attending nursery or school cannot always be justified. However, in cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, keeping a child away from the school significantly reduces the spread of infection to other children and/or staff. 

Parents should ensure that their child receives all appropriate routine vaccinations when they are due.

When is my child too ill for school?

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school when they're unwell. It comes down to whether a child can still participate fully at school.

Most important, go with your gut. You know your child. If your child has the sniffles but hasn't slowed down at home, chances are he or she is well enough for the classroom. But if he's been coughing all night and has a hard time getting up in the morning, he might need to take it easy at home. Having a sore throat, cough, or mild congestion doesn't always mean a child can't handle class and other activities. But there are government guidelines for schools and nurseries that say when children should be kept off school and when they shouldn't.

According to the NHS, not every cough and cold means your children need to stay off school, as long as their illness doesn’t give them a raised temperature or drowsiness. Ask yourself: “Is my child well enough to do fully participate in all school activities? Do they have something that teachers or other children could catch? Would I take a day off work if I had this illness? Does my child need so much extra care that it will burden the teachers?” If the answer is yes to any of these, keep them at home.

Of course, never send a child to school who has a fever, is nauseated or vomiting, or has diarrhoea. Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school for 48 hours after their symptoms have gone.

If your child is absent, it is important to contact the school by phone to let us know that your child won't be in and give us the reason. If you are leaving a message, please ensure that you leave your child's name, your name and the reason for the absent. 

Any absences not explained will be explored by phonecall within an hour of your child's attendance time. If there is no answer from priority contacts, then this will be pursued throughout the day with the other contacts on your child's admissions information. 

Administration of medicines

Children who have been prescribed medication can usually return to school before they have completed the course providing they feel well enough. Parents are expected to fill in the consent form for administering medication which you can download from our 'online forms' page of our website here.

For reasons of Health and Safety, as a general principle we should not have medicines in school and ask that this be avoided whenever possible. However, occasionally there are circumstances where this may prove to be difficult, such as where a child has asthma or a course of antibiotics to complete. If the alternative is missing school, then medicine can be administered at school but parents must give medicines directly to staff with a pharmacy prescription label on it which has the child's details and instructions for use. It must be in date. If your child attends before or after school clubs, please ensure that you notify them where needed too, this is your responsibility to do so as these are separate organisations to school. 

We have an administration of medicines policy which can be found on the policies page of our website or on request at the office. 

Attendance

If your child is prevented from attending school for any reason, or is going to be late, please contact school the same day (and each subsequent day of absence) by 9.00am to let us know of the reason for this . If the school has not been notified then all absences not explained will be explored further by phonecall within an hour. If there is no answer from priority contacts, then further contacts on your child's admission sheet will be contacted throughout the day. 

Please ensure that you leave your name, your child's name and the reason for their absence if leaving a message.

All pupils are expected to be punctual in attendance. Except in the case of illness, no pupil should be absent from school without parents having sought permission by completing a leave of absence form which you can find on the 'online forms' page of our website here beforehand. If emerging patterns of absences are apparent, then parents will be contacted to discuss this and if concerns persist, then an attendance action plan will be put in place with the parents and the pupil to resolve any difficulties and improve the attendance within a specified time limit. If there continues to be unauthorised absences once support has been put in, the matter will be referred to an attendance professional, the local Safeguarding team or the Local Authority's targeted support. School will follow the guidance of the supporting professionals to decide where it may be necessary to request a Penalty Notice. 

Attendance is expected to be at 95% which is less than 10 days absences in any one year. 

The law states that it is the duty of parents to ensure that their children are in full-time attendance at school. Only when they are too ill to attend (or for some exceptional circumstances or other reason) is the obligation removed. Family holidays do not constitute such reason: parents do not have the right to take their children out of school for holidays in term time. Headteachers may only grant leave now in “exceptional circumstances”, which do not include holidays that could be taken at another time of year. The policy of the school is to apply to the Local Authority for 'Fixed Penalty' notices where absences are unauthorised. Please note, the money from the Fixed Penalty notices does not come into the school's budget. 

For more information on attendance including our attendance protocols, please ensure that you visit our 'Attendance' page of our website here. 

Parents are asked to avoid making dental or medical appointments in school time. If this is not possible, the school should be notified of the absence by completing a leave of absence form, attaching evidence of the appointment and submitting it to the office.