Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply for a primary/secondary school place for my child? - What options are there for school lunch?
- What is the school's policy on snacks and water?
- How can I order uniform?
- I've mislaid a letter from school - what do I do?
- I would like to receive the weekly newsletter by email
- My child has lost their fleece / sweatshirt / t-shirt
- How do I pay for school trips?
- Can my child come to school with their mobile phone / mp3 player / money?
- Can I take my child out of school for a family holiday?
- When does the school day start and finish?
- My child needs to bring medication to school with him
- When should I apply for a primary/secondary school place for my child?
You can apply online via Hampshire County Council, for a place in September 2010 in Year R (reception) or Year 7 (transfer to secondary school). You must apply my midday on the deadline date of Friday 23rd October 2009 for Year R or Friday 20th November 2009 for Year 7.
If you have moved house, are moving to a new area or wish to move your child to a different school, you may also apply online for an immediate place, or for an application form, please contact us or contact the County Admissions Team. - What options are there for school lunch?
A two course hot school lunch is currently £10 per week, or £2.00 per day. During the summer term the school can also offer a packed lunch alternative for the same price. Lunch money can be paid each day your child has a lunch; alternatively we will invoice you half-termly. Payment should be made as soon as possible at the start of the following term or half-term either by cash or cheque (payable to 'Sparsholt Primary School'). If you decide to pay daily or weekly, this should be handed to the school office in an envelope, clearly marked with the child’s name and amount enclosed.
If you prefer your child to have a packed lunch from home, please send it in a suitable lunch box, clearly marked with the child’s name. Drinks should be brought in unbreakable plastic containers - no fizzy drinks please. Parents are encouraged to pack a healthy meal for their child's packed lunch with no sweets.
Your child may be entitled to a free school meal if you are on Income Support. Please enquire at the school office.
- What is the school's policy on snacks and water?
We encourage the children to bring healthy snacks to school - fruit or vegetables. As part of the Government's Healthy Eating campaign, all our Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children are currently offered a piece of fruit or vegetable during the day. At Sparsholt School we offer fresh fruit and vegetables to Key Stage 2 children as well.
Water is the preferred drink, and all children can purchase their own water bottle for £1.00 from the school office, to have in their class from which they can drink, and take outside at breaktime. Plastic cups are also available. If you wish to send a drinks container in with your child, please ensure it is unbreakable (no glass/cans please), that it is named and filled with water.
- How can I order uniform?
Use the school uniform catalogue to check our range and sizes of uniform. Complete the order form and return to the school office with a cheque made payable to FoSS. We hold some stock so may be able to meet your needs straight away, otherwise a delay of up to 3 weeks should be taken into consideration when ordering.
- I've mislaid a letter from school - what do I do?
We will endevour to publish a copy of school letters directly to the website. However, sometimes this does not happen, for instance, if a letter is sent directly from the class teacher to their class pupils, so please contact the school office and we will get a replacement to you via pupil-mail!
- I would like to receive the weekly newsletter by email
Weekly newsletters are sent out on a Friday. It is also published on the website but many of our parent's request a copy via email instead of pupil-mail. If you would like to be added to the email list for the newsletter, please contact the school office with details of your email address.
- My child has lost their fleece / sweatshirt / t-shirt
All uniform must have your child's name sewn in or written in indelible ink. However items of clothing do get mislaid although the majority of them do make their way back to their owners. Always check pegs and the lost-property bin which can be located in the main cloak room area near the toilets. If you find your child has come home with the property of another, please return to school and hand in to the school office as soon as possible. We display items of 'lost property' once per term - details of the next one will appear in the weekly newsletter.
- How do I pay for school trips?
Payment details for school trips will appear on the trip information letter your child will bring home. Usually this requires a one-off payment in advance. For residential trips payment can be made by installments, details of which will be on the trip letter regarding amounts and dates. Payment can be made in cash or by cheque (payable to Sparsholt Primary School).
We will also require a permission slip (and sometimes a medical form) from you for trips and events - this must be returned to the school before the event otherwise your child will not be able to take part.
- Can my child come to school with their mobile phone / mp3 player / money?
The simple answer is 'no! However, money can be brought in for trips, book fairs, and other school organised events. Any money should be handed into either the school office or given to the class teacher, preferably in a sealed and named envelope.
- Can I take my child out of school for a family holiday?
Should you wish to seek permission for term-time holidays, please collect a holiday request form from the School Office, however, term time holidays for whatever reason, are discouraged by the School.
- When does the school day start and finish?
Pupils must arrive at school by 8.45am and although some pupils may arrive at school earlier than this, parents are advised that there may be no staff supervising pupils before 8.30am. Pupils are considered late if they have not registered by 8.50am. If, for any reason, pupils are late for school, or need to leave school early, they should "sign in/out" at the school office. They must also bring a note signed by a parent/carer. School finishes at 3.30pm. The majority of clubs finish at 4.15pm and we request that you collect your child promptly at that time.
- My child needs to bring medication to school with him
Please bring the medication to the school office. We will ask you to fill in and sign a permission slip which details the type of medication, the dose required and at what interval (if any) medication should be given.