What happens if the school is closed due to bad weather?

Should it be necessary to close the school we will:

• contact the radio stations Heart 97.2FM and BBC Radio Wiltshire 103.6FM and ask them to announce the closure.
• We will request Heart FM to place it on their webpage – http://www.heart.co.uk/wiltshire/news/snow/school-closures/
• It will be on the front page of the school website – www.bishopstone.swindon.sch.uk
• We will send you a text message (if this system failed the above two will be in place)

Each morning that there is snow we will repeat the above process to inform you.  We will do our very best to keep the school open and will only close if we cannot get enough staff in school to ensure the childrens’ safety.  Even if the school is open please do not put yourself at any risk to bring children into school if the roads are dangerous.

Do you operate wrap around care?

Bishopstone CE Primary School does not have a breakfast club. However, children from the school attend Alfresco Nursery who offer before and after school care. They will also bring the children to school and pick them up for you.  For further information you can ring them directly on 01793 790263 or click on the picture link below to view their webpage.

Which Secondary School does Bishopstone link to? 

Bishopstone CE Primary School is part of a small cluster of Primaries that feeds into Ridgeway Secondary, Wroughton.  Ridgeway is part of the White Horse Federation and includes a sixth form.  To have a look at their website please follow the link.

Our children also apply for other Secondary schools including Warneford and town centre schools.

What happens at lunchtimes?

The children have a variety of lunchtimes.  Sometimes the Infants and Juniors play together, sometimes they play at separate times. We use the school playground or if the weather is bad either inside the classrooms.  

What happens if my child is poorly? 

All staff at Bishopstone School are trained in Basic First Aid.  If a child becomes ill during the school day, the following procedure will be followed:

• The child is taken to sit somewhere quiet and calm.
• A member of staff will assess and decide whether the signs and symptoms justify the parents being contacted.
•  If a child is sent home, please keep us informed on a daily basis of how they are.
• If the pupil's degree of illness is assessed to be severe, the emergency procedure for illness /accident will be followed and an ambulance called.  Parents will then be notified immediately.

• We have received a few notifications sent out from SBC – Public Health department. There has recently been an increase in flu like illness and also scarlet fever. The main points below along with a reminder on guidance if your child is unwell:

Flu - like illness

 At present, PHE are receiving an increased number of calls from schools reporting outbreaks of respiratory / flu-like illness. This letter outlines simple advice about protecting children from these infections that are typical over the winter months. One of the circulating flu strains at present is H1N1 also known as Swine Flu. As this strain is now not a pandemic strain, it should be treated like any other circulating flu strain as outlined below.

Simple hygiene kills germs

Hand washing is essential. It is really important to encourage children to do this.

When can a child return to school?

When a child is free of the symptoms of a flu-like illness they can return to school. This is usually about one week after the symptoms start. We understand how difficult this can be for parents with work commitments and childcare but this will help reduce on going transmission of the infection.

Scarlet Fever

Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is a common childhood infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus (GAS). The early symptoms of scarlet fever include sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. After 12 to 48 hours the characteristic red, pinhead rash develops, typically first appearing on the chest and stomach, then rapidly spreading to other parts of the body.

They may return to school, if they are feeling better but only 24 hours after commencement of antibiotics. The antibiotic course for a Scarlet fever infection is 10 days and it is important that the full course of antibiotics is completed, even if the patient has started to feel better.

Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, patients can develop complications and if you have any concerns about a child in attendance at the school, seek medical advice. Further information can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Scarlet-fever/Pages/Introduction.aspx

The NHS gives sensible advice if your child is saying they are poorly (website:http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Yourchildatschool/Pages/Illness.aspx)

Ask yourself the following questions.

Is my child well enough to do the activities of the school day? If not, keep your child at home.

• Does my child have a condition that could be passed on to other children or school staff? If so, keep your child at home.
• Would I take a day off work if I had this condition? If so, keep your child at home.
• Cough and cold. A child with a minor cough or cold may attend school. If the cold is accompanied by a raised temperature, shivers or drowsiness, the child should stay off school, visit the GP and return to school 24 hours after they start to feel better. If your child has a more severe and long-lasting cough, consult your GP. They can give guidance on whether your child should stay off school. Get more information in Common cold.
• Raised temperature. If your child has a raised temperature, they shouldn't attend school. They can return 24 hours after they start to feel better. Learn more in Feverish illness in children.
• Rash. Skin rashes can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles. Children with these conditions shouldn't attend school. If your child has a rash, check with your GP or practice nurse before sending them to school. Watch this slideshow of childhood illnesses to help you recognise your child's rash.
• Headache. A child with a minor headache doesn't usually need to be kept off school. If the headache is more severe or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as raised temperature or drowsiness, then keep the child off school and consult your GP. Read more about what to do about headaches in children.
• Vomiting and diarrhoea. Children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting should definitely be kept off school until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have gone. Most cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in children get better without treatment, but if symptoms persist, consult your GP.
• Sore throat. A sore throat alone doesn't have to keep a child from school. But if it's accompanied by a raised temperature, your child should stay at home. Read more about sore throat.