Parents & Carers
Term Dates
Academic Year 2024 - 2025
Term 1
INSET DAY – Monday 2nd September 2024
INSET DAY – Tuesday 3rd September 2024
INSET DAY – Wednesday 4th September 2024
Term Starts – Thursday 5th September 2024
Term Ends – Friday 25th October 2024
Term 2
INSET DAY – Monday 4th November 2024
Term Starts – Tuesday 5th November 2024
Term Ends – Wednesday 20th December 2024
Term 3
Term Starts – Monday 6th January 2025
Term Ends – Friday 14th February 2025
Term 4
INSET DAY – Monday 24th February 2025
Term Starts – Tuesday 25th February 2025
Term Ends – Friday 4th April 2025
Term 5
Bank Holiday – Monday 21st April 2025
Inset day Tuesday 22nd April 2025
Term Starts – Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Term Ends – Friday 23rd May 2025
Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May 2025
Term 6
Term Starts – Monday 2nd June 2025
Term Ends – Tuesday 22nd July 2025
Absences & Holidays
Absence
A child who is a full time pupil should attend school on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of parents/carers to see that this happens. We ask parents/carers to inform the school in writing or by telephone if they know in advance that their child is going to be away (e.g. medical appointment). We also request that parents/carers inform the school of any reason for absence, preferably by telephone on each day of illness by 9.30 am. If they are unable to do so on the day of absence, then they should do so immediately on the child’s return to school. Please ensure that you inform the Transport section of any changes in transport.
North Somerset School Transport Team telephone no. is 01934 434715.
Holiday In Term Time
We ask that parents/carers endeavour to ensure that all family holidays are taken during the school holidays. In exceptional circumstances parents/carers who wish their child to accompany them on a family activity or holiday during term time should request this beforehand in writing to the Headteacher, along with a holiday request form available from the school office. Absences are recorded as unauthorised if this is not done or clear information is not provided to the school.
Please ensure that you give the Transport Section adequate notice of known absence on 01934 434715.
Healthcare
Baytree School has a dedicated healthcare team who are here to support your child.
Health Lead – Kirsty
Healthcare Assistants – Sarah and Emily
As a school we strive to ensure your child’s health and well-being is at the forefront of everything we do, therefore we work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals, i.e. community paediatrician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language, CAMHs, lifetime nurses, nutricia, dieticians and opticians to name a few, to ensure that your child’s needs are holistically met.
Families are able to contact the healthcare team via their child’s home to school diary or phone/email direct to the school office any regarding medication, queries, advice or support.
Illness
If your child is unwell.
We ask that if your child is unwell they do not attend school.
If your child becomes unwell during the school day, they will be assessed by a member of the healthcare team and we will call you if necessary to collect your child and seek further medical advice if this is appropriate. We ask that parents/carers provide at least 2 contact numbers in case we need to contact you during the school day.
At Baytree School we follow advice from the NHS website for information regarding health conditions and we will always refer to this guidance if your child is unwell.
School Dinners
We have a kitchen on site that prepares meals each day. There is a 3 week menu that ensures nationally recognised nutrition guidelines are provided for.
There is a choice of main meal and deserts which always include fresh fruit. The kitchen caters for the medical and religious dietary needs of all pupils. Prices for meals are available from the school office. Meals can be purchased individually or paid weekly or termly in advance. If preferred, parents/carers may send in a packed lunch for their child.
Free school meals are available for those pupils who qualify under the usual terms. Apply for Free School Meals.
Members of the class teams support pupils during meal times and pupils are encouraged to eat a balanced meal and develop independence. The school is also able to manage tube feeding where this is prescribed.
Transport
Parents are very welcome to bring their children to school themselves if this is practically possible. However, most pupils travel to and from school on transport provided through North Somerset Council.
Transport arrangements are supervised centrally by North Somerset staff who are responsible for placing the contracts with transport companies. Many different vehicles are used and each has an escort who accompanies the pupils to the school.
Escorts and drivers are not allowed to make any changes in route without the authority of the transport section at North Somerset. If you wish to make arrangements for your child to travel to or from a different location (eg to respite care) please give confirmation at least 4 days before by contacting the school transport section.
North Somerset School Transport Team 01934 434715.
School Uniform
Please mark all clothes/personal possessions (such as shoes, lunch box, school bag etc) with your child’s name.
Our new suppliers are NK Group who have a shop located at:
NK Group
Unit 7 Station Road
Worle, Weston-super-Mare
North Somerset
BS22 6AU
Phone: 01934 511005
Orders can by made via this link: https://www.nkgroupuk.com/collections/baytree-school or you can order directly instore, where they also have some samples of the uniform & are happy for items to be tried on before ordering. Please note that stock is not kept at the store & you will still need to place an order.
The shop has a small step but there is a ramp available upon request.
Logo uniform is not a requirement & we are happy for you to purchase plain uniform elsewhere.
School Uniform
- White or red polo shirt
- Red sweatshirt
- Grey trousers, skirt or track suit bottoms
- Girls may prefer red/white check dress in the summer
PE Kit
- White or red T-shirt
- Navy shorts
- Daps or trainers
School Uniform
- White or navy polo shirt
- Navy sweatshirt
- Black or navy trousers, skirt or tracksuit bottoms
PE Kit
- White or navy T-shirt
- Navy shorts
- Daps or trainers
One-piece costume or trunks.
Post 16 students do not have a school uniform, but have agreed a dress code.
If it is likely that a change of clothes will be necessary please send sufficient changes of clothes and a polythene bag to return any soiled/wet clothes home to you for washing.
If there is an emergency and school clothes have to be borrowed by your child please wash and return articles as soon as possible as we only have limited supplies.
If your child requires disposable nappies / pads, wet wipes and lotions please send in a regular supply. Senior girls will need a supply of sanitary towels to be sent in for them to use when necessary.
Charging
We do not make any charge for activities that take place as part of our normal school day.
However, it is sometimes necessary to ask parents/carers for a voluntary contribution towards the cost of a particular trip out or visit. This can help to pay for fuel for the school minibus, or perhaps help towards the cost of admission.
Charging is the making of a request from parents to contribute financially towards a school visit or activity.
Please note, however, that if activities take place during the normal school day, then no pupils will be excluded from taking part if parents are unable to make a voluntary contribution. We do expect parents to meet the full cost of:
- Individual music tuition.
- Activities outside of school hours that are not part of the National Curriculum.
- Ingredients and/or materials for practical subjects where the item is kept by the pupil, e.g. Food Technology (cooking ingredients), Craft and Design Technology.
- Replacement of lost books or equipment.
- Costs incurred as a result of deliberate damage to the school buildings, property or furniture.
We do ask parents/carers for a termly voluntary contribution towards the cost of snacks etc. (amenity money).
The Governing Body recognises the valuable contribution that the wide range of additional activities, including school trips, theatre visits and visiting curriculum expertise, can make to the children’s education and in particular to their personal and social development.
Communication is at the core of our curriculum and it is during such visits and activities that our pupils are able to put their skills into practice, developing this important life skill.
It is the aim of the Governing Body to promote such activities as part of a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum for every pupil.
If visits incur costs we will seek to recover as much as possible of the total cost by informing parents of the total cost and asking for a voluntary contribution.
Non-payment of a contribution will not prevent any child from taking part in the activity (unless a parent wishes their child to be excluded). However, if voluntary contributions do not meet the majority of the total costs, consideration will be given to the cancellation of the activity.
In line with the National Curriculum, our extended National Curriculum, the 14-19 Curriculum and our PSHE Curriculum our pupils are involved in the development of INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. This involves pupils being engaged in practical activities such as food technology, pottery, technology and basic self-help skills.
As far as possible the school arranges for required items to be available for use by pupils.
Where it is the intention that such products will be taken home for consumption or use a voluntary contribution towards the cost may be requested.
As many of these activities take place on an ongoing basis to reinforce and practice independent living skills parents may be asked for a voluntary contribution towards the costs of the terms activities.
No pupil will be excluded from a visit or activity if a voluntary contribution is not received.
Supporting Parents
Every Local Authority has a Local Offer of Services to provide information for families.
View North Somerset Local Offer here.
New information is being added regularly.
Bibic is a national charity offering practical help to families caring for children with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, developmental delay, brain injury, and specific learning difficulties like ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. We specialise in understanding the causes of challenging behaviour and can even offer support if your child has not been diagnosed with a condition.
The North Somerset Branch of the National Autistic Society works to provide information and support to individuals and their families. It is believed that, although there is no ‘cure’ for Autistic Spectrum Disorders, people who are affected by them, can be helped to adjust to the world around them. By doing so, both the individuals and the community can benefit from the unique perspectives and abilities that people living on the Autistic Spectrum have to offer.
Cerebra is a unique charity set up to help improve the lives of children with brain related conditions through research, education and directly supporting the children and their carers.
Parent View gives you the chance to tell Ofsted what you think about your child’s school, from the quality of teaching to dealing with bullying and poor behaviour. The survey can be completed at any time; you don’t have to wait until the school is being inspected.
Life Coach Directory was set up in order to raise awareness of coaching and to enable visitors to find the most suitable qualified coach for their needs. Coaching is the process of guiding a person from where they are to where they want to be, and can address a range of areas from career advice to familly coaching.
Supporting families of children with SEN.
This is a Sportarray newsletter/Active Directory – which produces an impairment-specific sports guide in the New Year.
To the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
School Letters
Baytree Bugle 235
Baytree Bugle 234
Baytree Bugle 233
Baytree Bugle 232
Baytree Bugle 231
Baytree Bugle 230
Parent and Carer engagement events
Change to Uphill class name 2022
Expansion Update Letter 2022
Celebrating 25 years of World Book Day 2022
Baytree does Comic Con 2022
