FAQs

What do I do if…

…I want to take my child out of school

Attendance is extremely important to how well children do at school, which makes it extremely important to us. It is also a legal requirement. Holidays during term time are against the law, and absence will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances. If you need to request time off, please complete a special leave request form asking the headteacher for permission.

…my child isn’t well 

If your child is sick and likely to miss school, please let us know as soon as you can.

We are willing and able to manage most minor illnesses and ailments here at Tufnell Park.

…we’re late

The bell rings at 8:55, to ensure we are ready to start school at 9:00am sharp.  Please make every effort not to be late – the gates are open from 8:45am.  After 9:05 the playground entrance is locked, so you will need to come in through the main entrance and sign in the late book.

…my child has a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment

Notify your class teacher if you know about an appointment in advance, or let us know  as soon as you can.  If you have a choice, try not to plan appointments during school hours.

…my child has nits

Headlice are an inevitable fact of school life: please notify your class teacher. You will receive a letter whenever there’s a case in your child’s class. To minimise cases, it’s a good idea for all parents to comb their children’s hair regularly using conditioner and a fine-toothed nit comb.

…something’s been lost at school

Check your child’s peg in the classroom.  Lost property is keep by the meeting room in reception, if unclaimed it maybe donated to Smart Swap.

…I need to talk to a teacher

Teachers are available for a brief word at the beginning and end of every day, and are happy to make an appointment with you if you need a longer or uninterrupted conversation. If it’s hard for you to come into the school, please let us know by phone or email to arrange.

All classes hold Parents’ Evenings each term for a structured look at your child’s progress in all areas. Look out for notices and book at 15-minute slot.

…I’m concerned about my child’s progress

Please talk to your child’s teacher in the first instance (see “I need to talk to a teacher”).  Assessment of progress takes place continuously in all areas of school life and we carry out formal assessments once a term. Children are assessed for intellectual, emotional, social and physical development using a variety of means, all of which we are happy to discuss with you.

…I want to talk to the Head

The head teacher, Martin Scarborough, is on the gate most mornings and afternoons, and available to meet by appointment. Click here to arrange an appointment. 

…I’ve got a suggestion about something

Get in touch, talk to your class teacher, mention it to the staff at the school gate – there is always someone there at the beginning and end of school – or contact our active Parent Teacher Association.  The school benefits greatly from parents’ involvement and we would love to hear from you.

…I’ve got a complaint

We hope you will be entirely satisfied with your child’s education with us. However, if you have cause for complaint please discuss the issue with the class teacher in the first instance, if you are still unhappy an appointment for the phase leader can be arranged.  If you are still concerned, the headteacher will be happy to see you – please Get in touch.  The school has a complaints procedure for parents which the school office will provide on request.

…I’m worried about behaviour or bullying

Please get in touch if you’re worried about anything, or have a word with your class teacher (link I need to talk to a teacher). We are particularly proud of our children’s behaviour at Tufnell Park and act extremely quickly if bullying, swearing, name-calling or racial abuse come to our attention. If your child is involved in any such incident, you will always be informed. For more details about how we deal with unacceptable behaviour, and to see our Home School Agreement.

…I want to get in touch with the school governors

If you want to suggest or discuss an issue of governance, click here.  Complaints should not go direct to governors – click here to find out more about how to solve such issues. Speak to your class teacher or get in touch to find out how your comments should best be directed if you are not sure.

…I’d like to get involved with some aspect of school activity

We welcome practical help from parents and carers and there are many ways to get involved, depending on whether you can make a regular commitment or offer help from time to time. Examples are: help on school trips, regular reading with children, accompanying classes to the library, helping out at events and translating school communications. Please get in touch, mention your interest to your class teacher or contact the PTA.

I need help or advice about my child’s safety on-line?

The school has a comprehensive Online Safety Policy and also provides recommended sources of advice specifically for parents.  Click here for further details.

What are the rules about…

…school dinners and packed lunches?

Tasty and healthy school dinners are cooked on our premises by the Islington-wide contractor, Caterlink. You can take a look at the current menu here: 

School Dinner Menu Autumn Term 2023

Please also see here, an Allegen Matrix and Carbohyrade Count document:

Allergen Matrix and Carbohydrate Count – Autumn Winter 2023 2024

Dinners are free to all pupils. There is plenty of choice, including vegetarian options. Children are helped to choose a balanced meal and encouraged to eat what they have chosen. To discuss any other specific dietary needs with us click here.

We also allow packed lunches. We ask that you settle on a meal pattern throughout the week, rather than switch between school dinners and packed lunch. As we are a nut-free school, no nuts or Nutella-type spreads please. Also we are a Healthy School and do not allow chocolate bars, sweets or fizzy drinks in school at all.

…drinking water during lessons?

All children are allowed to drink when they are thirsty. They are encouraged to bring labelled bottles to fill up at break times, rather than leaving for drinks breaks in the middle of learning time. In all classrooms the sinks supply drinking water and drinking fountains are available in the corridor outside the hall.

…giving medicine at school?

We can arrange through the school office to administer prescribed medicines under certain conditions. Please do not directly ask teachers or teaching assistants. We can also store a child’s asthma pump if you have marked it clearly and they administer it themselves. Please note: responsibility for labelling and correct administration instructions rest entirely with you and not with the school.

…birthday celebrations / cake? 

We’re happy if your child wants to celebrate briefly with his or her class. It’s fine to give each child a piece of cake, but sweets, crisps or goody bags are not necessary and other parents may not want their child to have them. As we are a nut-free school, please ensure any cake you send in is free from nuts.

…PE kit?

Children will need shorts or tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt for PE, plus suitable footwear for summer when sessions may take place outside. PE kit should be available every day, in a bag on your child’s peg.  Please make sure that everything is clearly labelled with your child’s name and taken home for washing at regular intervals.

…the school dress code?  Where / how do I buy uniform?

All children are required to wear the school’s distinctive uniform of red t-shirt or sweatshirt with dark trousers or a dark skirt, or a red-and-white checked dress. You can order badged uniform, including coats, bags and folders from MyClothing or Brigade.com. The school receives a percentage of what you spend on these sites.

Children may wear ordinary watches without extra features such as games. For pierced ears, studs and sleepers are permitted at the parents’ risk, as long as children are able to remove and replace them by themselves. We don’t allow any other jewellery in school.

Please ensure that footwear is sensible for the activities at school – including playtimes. Sandals and flip flops don’t offer sufficient protection for toes, are not suitable for running and can cause accidents.

…what my child can / can’t bring to school?

Children should only bring what they need for school activities and leave toys, games, sweets and drinks (other than water) at home. Mobile phones are not allowed at school. If your child must have one on the way to or from school for some special reason, this must be agreed in advance with the headteacher. The phone will be held by the school office and given to your child at the end of the day.

Children should not bring money to school. All payments are made through School Money.

Does the school have…

…a breakfast club and/or after school provision?

The school has a breakfast club and Wrap Around Care (WAC) on our premises. Children are also collected for a local after after-school care from Hilldrop.  Click here to find out more.

… any clubs or other activities for children outside school hours?

We offer a great range of clubs to children from Year 1 upwards, both during and after school. Click here to find out more.

… a PTA?

It certainly does, ours is very active and will be happy to hear from you – please read more here.

…a newsletter?

The headteacher produces a fortnightly school bulletin, which also gives details of important dates over the coming year.  Paper versions go out in children’s PACT folders and it’s emailed to parents on our list. Get in touch if you’re not on the list and you’d like to be.  The most up-to-date information about the school can be found on this website.