Frequently Asked Questions

What are the timings for a school day?

Classroom doors open to the school at 8:30 am.
Registers close at 8.38am and after that time you will need to enter and register via Reception
Late after register closes is at 9:08 and will be marked as a U code.
The end of the school day is 3:30 pm.
Lunch time for Early Years is 11:30 – 12:30 pm.
Lunch time for KS1 is 12:15 – 13:15
Lunch time for the rest of the Year Groups is 12:30 to 13:30 pm.

What are the term dates for 2024-2025?

Term dates for 2024-2025 can be found HERE.

Is there an app for parents?

Yes. This year we will be moving all notifications to Arbor, so you will need to download the app on to your mobile, it is therefore essential that you advise the office of your current email address.

Does New Bradwell School offer a Breakfast Club & After-School Club?

Yes with Acorn, contact them directly for details, found HERE.

What should I do if my child is late for school?

Children arriving after registers are closed at 8.38am will be recorded as late. If your child is late, it is important that you go to Reception to sign them in. This is essential for monitoring punctuality, fire safety and security.

For pupils arriving after 9:08, they will be marked as Late After Register Closes (U) code. Parents of children that arrive persistently late will be the subject of Fixed Penalty Notices.

What should I do if my child is unable to attend school?

You must advise the school if your child will be absent for any reason. If the school is not notified of any absence, it will be recorded as unauthorised.

If your child is unwell – please call the school every day that they are absent between 08:00 – 09:30am on 01908 312244 – if your child feels better during the day, they are welcome to come in at any time during day. (Except for vomiting and diarrhoea, you will be advised when you call about a return day).

If your child has an appointment, we ask that where possible, medical, dental and optician appointments are outside of school time. If you have to attend any of these appointments during the school day, we request that you show the office staff a copy of the appointment card/email/text or letter as soon has you have made the appointment – this means the absence will be marked correctly and not as unauthorised. Your child should be in school before the appointment, time dependant.

All other absence must be requested on a Leave of Absence form and submitted to reception at least a day in advance, this does not mean that it will be authorised.

Can I take my child out of school for holidays during term time?

No. The school issues a Fixed Penalty Notices for children who have 10 unauthorised sessions in 10 school weeks, the time taken doesn’t need to be consecutive as was previously the case. Absence during term time has a significant impact on pupil progress, development and social skills. If you submit a Leave of Absence form, this does NOT mean the absence is authorised.

Unauthorised leave during term time is detailed in the school policy found HERE, the Council guidelines found HERE, and the DfE policy found HERE.

What is the attendance expectation?

The school attendance target is 95%, when this drops to 90% you will be contacted by the school and your attendance monitored and steps introduced to improve and may be subject to a penalty notice.

The school attendance policy can be found HERE. Please note, leave is not authorised, unless there extenuating circumstances and at the Headteacher’s discretion.

Where can I get school uniform from?

This can be ordered from our supplier Maisies, you can do this online by clicking HERE.   If you need assistance with uniform, please contact the school as we have second-hand uniform that has been donated. The School Uniform Policy is currently being updated, but consist of:

• Plain navy-blue sweatshirt, cardigan or jumper (with or without the school logo)
• Sky blue polo shirt, shirt or blouse (with or without the school logo)
• Navy blue, black or grey trousers, shorts, skirt or pinafore dress (leggings and cycling shorts are not permitted)
• Blue and white checked summer dress
• Black, navy, grey or white socks or tights
•  Flat-heeled black shoes (boots and trainers, especially white/coloured trainers, are not to be worn)

PE Uniform list:

• Sky blue t-shirt (with or without the school logo)
• Navy or black PE shorts, skorts or skirt
• Navy blue tracksuit (unbranded) for cooler weather
• • Trainers or plimsolls

Jewellery, hairstyles and make-up
Jewellery is unsuitable for school and is therefore not allowed except for:-

• Bracelets and necklaces worn for religious reasons
• One pair of stud earrings, one in each ear
• A watch

Jewellery should be removed for PE lessons for safety reasons.

Make-up and nail varnish should also not be worn to school.

Please make sure that all your child’s clothing is labelled with their name, either by using permanent marker, stick-on or iron-on name labels (these labels can be purchased from Maisies).

Can my child attend appointments during the school day?

Please see What should I do if my child is unable to attend school section.

My child attends Preschool/Nursery, do I still need to advise the school of any absences?

Yes. The expectation for children under 5, is that they attend the sessions they have requested and notify us of any absences. Missed learning impacts the child’s development, learning, social skills and forming relationships as we as preparing them for full-time education.

Is there a Lost Property?

No. All items that are labelled will be returned your child’s class, but there is no central lost property.

Is there parking available?

New Bradwell had additional parent parking built a few years ago however, the school has grown significantly since then, so we ask you to be mindful of parking on pavements, double yellow lines and blocking driveways, including the staff car park.

Please do not enter the staff parking as deliveries are made there throughout the day and our Department bus needs access through the gates at the start and end of the day which should not be obstructed.

Where can I find information on Emergency School Closures?

In the event of an emergency school closure, for example due to snow or heating failure, we will notify parents via the Arbor app.

When does my child start school?

Legally children start school in the September following their fourth birthday however, at New Bradwell School, we also have provision for Caterpillars (children aged 2-3) and Butterflies (children aged 3-4).

How do I apply for a place at New Bradwell School?

For children aged 4 and upwards, please contact Milton Keynes Council Admissions (01908 253338) in the first instance for information about places at our school during the academic year.  If your child is starting school for the first time, you will need to complete an online application on the Milton Keynes Council website. Click HERE  for details.

What do I do if my child needs prescribed medication?

Parents can arrange to come into school to administer medication to their own child if necessary.  Only medicines prescribed by a doctor and clearly labelled for four times a day will be administered by the school.  Please bring the medicine to the school office and complete the appropriate paperwork. Under no circumstances should children bring medicine in their bags to school, it must be registered with the office staff.

Medicine that needs to be taken three times a day should be given to your child before and after school and at bedtime.

For children with asthma, severe allergies, etc., please talk to Miss Gibson in Reception for advice and guidance as a Care Plan may be needed.

How long after an illness can my child return to school?

Once they are feeling better. In the case of vomiting and diarrhoea your child should not have had these symptoms for at least 48 hours before they return to school. For specific illnesses, please refer to NHS guidelines.

How can I see my child’s teacher?

Teachers are sometimes available for brief enquiries after school (3:30pm) on some days as there are often meetings and training at the end of the school day.  If you need a longer appointment, please speak to your child’s teacher or email reception on reception@newbradwellschool.org.uk, who will arrange this for you. There is also an opportunity to see your child’s teacher at Parents’ Evening.

How are parents informed of school events?

A newsletter is sent to parents via Arbor (please ensure we have your details), on the school web site (specifically the Events Calendar) and on our Facebook page.  Curriculum Newsletters are also sent to parents via Arbor and notifications of trips and events are also sent via Arbor and on notices at your child’s classroom.

Is my child entitled to a ‘Free School Meal’ ?

New Bradwell School currently provide school meals for all children and a copy of the menu can be found HERE.

The school can receive funding to provide free school meals if their parents are in receipt of one of these benefits :

• Income Support
• Employment & Support Allowance – Income related
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (NOT Contribution Based JSA)
• Child Tax Credit only (with a combined family income of less than £16,190 per annum as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) Please note, anyone receiving Working Tax Credit, regardless of income, will NOT qualify for FSMs
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
• National Asylum Seekers Support (NASS)
• Guaranteed Element of Pension Tax Credit

We register your child on a portal when your child starts in Reception, this is auto-checked weekly, and they will have your contact details and can inform you immediately if your eligibility changes.

How can I volunteer to help at the school?

Friends of New Bradwell School is a great way to help our school.  They meet regularly and run numerous events throughout the year to fundraise for the school. If you wish to find out more, please contact them via Facebook.

Who do I contact regarding Special Educational Needs (SEND)?

The school employ a Special Needs Coordinator, Mrs Musial (SENCo). If you need to contact her, please email senco@newbradwellschool.org.uk or phone the school on 01908 312244.

How can I find out more about the curriculum?

Termly newsletters are sent via Arbor and available from the website under the Parents / Newsletters / EYFS, KS1, LKS2 and UKS2 with information on what your child is learning. Please contact us if you would like to know more about the curriculum, please contact the office at reception@newbradwellschool.org.uk.

How can I make a complaint about SEND provision?

Details on how to do this can be found in the SEN policy.

How can I get a paper copy of the information on this website?

Please contact the school office and this will be provided free of charge