Parental Information
How parents can help
Parents are always welcome in school to help and we value the skills and talents that our parents can offer.
You may like to help with:
- Art - craft work, sewing
- Reading with children – parents are offered help to hear children read effectively
- Computers – are you a whiz on computers?
- Gardening – we may not have grass but we do have plants, trees, shrubs, tubs and an environmental area that are all cared for by parent volunteers.
- Sewing, baking etc.
- Trips – it could be a walk to Woodseats Library or a coach trip further afield.
- Some parents speak to classes about their jobs. It helps children see what adults do (apart from being mums and dads).
To become a parent helper please call into the school office to register your interest. Depending on what activity you are volunteering for you may be asked to complete a ‘CRB’ form (this is a police check on people who have access to children – this includes school staff, volunteers, contractors etc.)
All help is welcome – even if you are only available for 1 hour per week!
Parent learning
We often run events in Maths and English to help parents understand what their child is being taught in school and how they can help them.
Parents and carers can also take part in Family Learning courses which are run by Adult & Community Learning Tutors along with some of our teachers.
- They are very practical courses that last from 4 – 10 weeks and some can lead to accreditation in Sheffield.
- Parents receive a stationery pack to make games and books to use with their children.
- Refreshments are provided.
- Children can accompany parents on visits to local places.
- It is a good way of making new friends
Examples of previous courses:
- ‘It’s good to talk’
- Early writing development
- Story writing
- Health matters
- Numbers
Comments from parents who have attended previous courses:
- “I thoroughly enjoyed the course and it was lovely for the children to be involved.”
- “I thought it was excellent having a class teacher on the course who could explain how things happened in school”.
- “My confidence skills and knowledge have greatly improved due to being on the course.”
School Crossing Patrol
The Local Authority is often looking for people to put on its ‘stand-by’ list for crossing wardens. Training would be provided. If you are interested further details can be obtained from Shirley Adams on 2735818.
Sweets in School
As part of the ‘Healthy Schools Initiative’ that Woodseats is part of you are aware that like most schools we promote ‘healthy eating’ and we have a no sweets in school policy. Can I remind you that we discourage children from bringing sweets back from holiday to give out to their classmates especially if this holiday has been taken during term time!! Added to this is the slight risk posed to some children in school who have allergies to the additives found in some sweets. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
School Security
As you know shortly after school starts in the morning the school gates are locked - usually around quarter past nine. At the end of the school day they are unlocked at approximately 3.15 p.m. To improve security and the safety of those adults and children still on site the gates will be locked at about 3.45 p.m. once the majority of the children have left the premises. Any children remaining for club activities will leave through the office entrance/exit.
Walking Bus
In an effort to ease traffic around the school, whilst improving pupil’s fitness, we set up a ‘walking bus’ where children walked to school as a group using an agreed route. Unfortunately, due to families moving house the Woodseats Road bus was recently cancelled. Parents wishing to set up other routes in the Woodseats area need to contact school. The ‘Road Safety Officer’ will then assess the route and undertake appropriate training with the parent volunteers.
The children have to be under the supervision of at least two responsible parents – a ‘driver’ and a ‘conductor.’ There are set places along the way where children can join the ‘bus’ which would operate every school day in the ‘Woodseats Road’ area bringing children in to school. Details can be obtained from the school office.