Looking after your child
Travelling to and from school
An air quality monitoring project in early 2018 showed that pollution levels in our area are almost always above the EU limits.
We are therefore encouraging our families not to come to school by car.
Our Walking Zone map, created by our pupils, shows how easy it is to walk to school in 5 or 10 minutes.
The best way for you and your child to get to and from school is to walk or cycle. There are cycle racks at school in front of the main doors—bring a lock if you want to leave a child’s bike for the day.
If you need to use your car, please try to park outside the Walking Zone, to help reduce pollution levels near our school playground.
If you have to drive and park near the school, find a proper parking space. Please don’t stop your car on the zigzag yellow lines outside the school or double-park, even for a moment. If you do, you make it very hard for other drivers to see children crossing the road, and for children to see oncoming traffic before they cross. No-one wants someone else’s child to have an accident while they pick up their own.
There are lots of pay & display parking spaces opposite the school and on surrounding roads. It’s never a problem to find one.
Playtime
Children in Reception and years 1 and 2 have two short play-breaks a day, plus lunch-break. Older children do not have an afternoon break. Do make sure your child has warm and waterproof clothing because we try to make outdoor play available even if the weather isn’t perfect. Children are kept inside only if it’s really wet.
Playtimes are staggered, but at lunchtime, infants and juniors play together. We have lots of play equipment out for children to use, including toys and games such as Lego, and large construction equipment such as pipes and blocks and crates. We also have indoor spaces available, including our library, for quiet games, arts and crafts and and reading
We like children to return from playtime refreshed and enlivened. We encourage older children to monitor and lead play for those younger than them where this is welcome. It’s an aspect of the multi-age cohesion that characterises our school.
At least two adults, including a teacher, supervise morning and afternoon play. At lunchtime, six mealtime supervisors oversee the children under the guidance of senior school leaders, including the headteacher.
A number of staff are trained to provide minor first aid if required.
Emergencies and accidents
Keeping parents and carers fully informed of their child’s welfare is an absolute priority.
If your child has a serious fall or is otherwise hurt or ill, we will ring you at once. For less serious incidents, we let you know when you collect them from school. Our Early Years Teachers plus an LSA hold current paediatric first aid certificates, and a number of LSA and Midday staff are first aid trained.
Please make sure that the school has correct contact details for you, and at least one back-up number for another responsible person in case you cannot be reached. There are requested on the forms you are sent when your child first starts school. Don’t forget to let us know if any detail changes: phone number, address, place of work or details of the back-up person you have nominated.
Health & illness
Children at Tufnell Park are given those NHS medical checks that are currently available, including fluoride treatment for teeth. You’ll be sent the relevant information in advance—including a request for your permission where needed—and after such checks and treatments. At times, you may be asked to attend and may also be asked for your contact details separately for the service’s own records.
If your child is sick and likely to miss school, please let us know as soon as you can. Coughs and sneezes are no excuse to take time off. As a rule of thumb, if your child can get out of bed and play, or watch television they should be at school. We are willing and able to manage most minor illnesses and ailments here at Tufnell Park.
We can arrange through the school office to administer prescribed medicines under certain conditions. Please do not directly ask teachers or teaching assistants. There are certain forms that need signing in the office for this to happen, please come to the front desk.
If your child has asthma and can use a pump without assistance, we can store it at school for them. Before we do, you must mark it clearly with your child’s name and sign a consent form and give into the School Office.
Security at school
We are pleased to have maintained a welcoming atmosphere at school while ensuring that the children are as safe as possible at all times. The security of the school is of paramount importance and is regularly reviewed by staff and governors. In addition to processes and practical measures, we have worked hard to make sure that staff are present and approachable, and that the whole school community feels invested in keeping our school safe.
All visitors to the school must report to the office at the front entrance on Carleton Road and sign in. Please do not enter the school via the playground unless it is to go into the hall for a special event – an after school event, or a class assembly, for example.
People who are dropping off or picking up children should use the playground gate, not the main gate (unless they are late). The playground gate is open from 8:45–9:00am, and at least one member of staff is always there while it is open. At the end of school, the gate is open from 3:25-3:40pm. Please pick up your child promptly. They will be taken to the main Reception area if you have not arrived by 3:40pm.