About our school

The Straits Primary School was opened in 1968 and is situated in a very pleasant area near Cotwall End Valley and within walking distance of Cotwall End Nature Centre. Baggeridge Country Park and the grounds of Himley Hall are also not far away. 

The school is a Local Authority school (deemed to be a Community Primary School) teaching pupils from the ages of 4 to 11 years.  At present there are 14 classes from Reception to Year 6.

The school shares the site with a day nursery, (the Happy Hours Nursery) and the Dudley Schools’ Library Services.  The entrance to these facilities is in Milton Road.  Our own grounds are very extensive with large areas for playing sport.  

Safeguarding your child

At this school, the health, safety and well-being of every child is our paramount concern.  We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us.  Our aim is that children will enjoy their time as pupils at this school. We want to work in partnership with you to help your child achieve their full potential and make a positive contribution.

On rare occasions our concerns about a child may mean we have to consult other agencies even before we contact you.  Procedures which we follow have been laid down by the Dudley Safeguarding People Partnership and Straits Primary School has adopted a Child Protection Policy in line with this for the safety of all.

Entrances and Security

Please do not park near the school gates when bringing your child to school.

We try at the Straits to ensure that all our children are as safe as possible. Once school sessions begin, all outside doors are secured from the inside, so the only exit or entrance to the school is the main entrance. All visitors must report to the school office first, where there is a signing-in book. Each visitor has to wear an identification badge, in order for staff to be aware who is on the premises.

Children are taught from the first days in school that if they cannot find the adult who will be taking them home they have to return to their class. 

If parents are not collecting children and someone may be coming who is unknown to staff then this should be communicated beforehand. Children will not be released to another party on an informal arrangement or hearsay.

Children are not allowed to leave school premises on their own during school hours for doctors’ or dental appointments etc.  They must be collected by a named responsible adult.

Illness and Accidents

In the event of an illness we try to contact parents. If children have an accident involving a bump to the head, you will always be informed by telephone or note.

What time will my child’s school day be?

Our Reception pupils’ school day is from 8.45am – 3.15pm (3.25pm in the summer term) and for all other pupils the day will start at 8.55am and finish at 3.25pm. All children should be on the playground ready to enter school at 8.55 am and we offer provision for 32.5 hours per week.

What will my child need for school?

The children need a packed lunch (if provided by home), a water bottle and their book bag.

When will Lunchtimes be?

When will my children have assembly?

Our Year 1 and 2 pupils have an assembly every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:05am. They also enjoy a Praise assembly every Thursday at 9.00am and we invite parents to this event. 

Our pupils in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 have an assembly every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 9.20am. Their Praise assembly is on Friday at 9.00am and again parents are invited to this event.

Houses

The children will be allocated to one of four houses. These are Fire, Water, Earth and Air. We do not always ensure that children of the same family are in the same house but instead allocate them on a random basis as they join us.                          

Medicines

A child who has been prescribed antibiotics may be well enough to attend but still be completing their course of treatment. These medicines can only be administered by Office staff if the medicine has been prescribed for four times a day. A consent form available from the school office must be completed by a parent before any medication can be given.

In the case of inhalers, children will keep these with them in the classroom and administer the medication themselves.  Please help us by ensuring that your child is fully conversant with the use of their inhalers.  Parents must complete the asthma form to be kept with the child’s information.

Special Educational Needs

At Straits Primary School the Special Needs Co-ordinator works closely with class teachers, support staff and outside agencies to ensure that specific needs are identified and programmes put in place to support children.

The Special Needs Co-ordinator is Mrs Vellender.

 The outside agencies referred to above could include:

• School Pupil Support Service
• The Educational Psychology Service
• The Pre-School Special Needs Service
• Visually Impaired
• Hearing Impaired
• Education Welfare
• Health Services (Speech, Physiotherapy)
• Counselling services

Religious Affiliation

The school is an Local Authority state primary school, which has no denominational affiliation.

Religious Education is taught throughout the school to promote Christianity and a deeper understanding of other religions and cultures. Ministers from the local churches come into school to conduct whole school assemblies throughout the year or on major events in the Christian calendar. Parents may request to withdraw their child from RE and collective worship if they so wish.

Statement on Relationships and Sex Education

The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019, made under sections 34 and 35 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, make Relationships Education compulsory for all pupils receiving primary education. Therefore, parents do not have the right to withdraw their child from Relationships or Health Education but for the parts of the primary curriculum which cover Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) parents have the right to request their child be excused from this aspect. The Governing Body have decided that there will be age appropriate sex education taught at the Straits Primary School.

The focus of Relationships Education in primary schools should be on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults. The focus of Physical Health and mental well-being in primary schools should be on teaching the characteristics of good physical health and mental well-being. Teachers should be clear that mental well-being is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health.

Charging and Remissions Policy

At our school we believe in providing an enriching, engaging curriculum which includes a range of educational visits.  In order to  make these possible, we ask for a voluntary contribution  to cover the costs of these visits as the school.  However, no child will be excluded on the grounds of inability to pay and each case will be dealt with individually.