If your child is ill and cannot attend school please phone us as soon as possible on the first day of absence or email attendance@ega.eastern-mat.co.uk. If the absence is longer than one day we ask parents to phone us each day to update us. We monitor attendance and procedures are followed where attendance becomes an issue. Authorised absence includes illness and medical appointments.

Our expectation is that pupil attendance will be 95% and above.

If your child is going to be late arriving at school please phone us to let us know. Where a child arrives late they must be brought to the main academy reception so that we can register that they have arrived.

We ask parents, where possible, to arrange routine appointments outside of school time so that children do not miss valuable time in class. However, we understand there are occasions where appointments have to take place during the school day.

If your child has to go out of school at any time during the school day for an appointment please let us know. When collecting your child during the day for an appointment please come to the main reception and we will collect them from the class for you.

As you may be aware, new Government guidelines have made it clear that head teachers may not grant leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Exceptional circumstance may be:

• Families of armed forces personnel returning from a tour of duty
• Police or other service personnel whose leave has been cancelled during academy holidays
• A family funeral

Please be aware that these guidelines are set by the Government, not schools and if you decide to take your child out of the academy during term time unauthorised, you may receive a penalty notice.

If you wish your child to be considered for a leave of absence, then please call into the Academy Office for a form. Our expectation is that pupil attendance will be 95% and above.

Our school gates open just after 8.15 am and all children are expected to be in class ready for registration by 8.30 am. 

Infants
Morning: 8.30am – 11.45am
Lunchtime: 11.45am – 12.30pm
Afternoon: 12.30pm – 3.00pm

Juniors - Years 3 and 4 (Lower Key Stage 2)
Morning: 8.30am – 12.15pm
Lunchtime: 12.15pm – 1.00pm
Afternoon: 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Juniors - Years 5 and 6 (Upper Key Stage 2)
Morning: 8.30am – 12.30pm
Lunchtime: 12.30pm – 1.15pm
Afternoon: 1.15pm – 3.00pm

There is also a short morning break.

Your child will be given homework at times which relates to work they are doing in class. This may be some further reading, to find something out or a worksheet. Homework should not be more than 30 minutes a night but please speak to your child's class teacher for information on what is expected or if you have any concerns.

Each term, you will be provided with an end of term report (year 1 upwards) which will include your child’s attendance level and their assessment levels. We have parents' evenings during the school year where you can book to see your child's class teacher and talk about their progress and how they are getting on at school. We have an open door policy and are happy for parents to come in and talk to class teachers at the beginning of the day or to make an appointment for a longer discussion. The children themselves will know what level they are working at, what are their targets and what they need to do to achieve them.

In the reception class, assessment is on a number of different areas of progress and a record is kept for each child to which parents are actively encouraged to contribute.

Unfortunately, there is no parking available for parents directly outside the academy and we ask parents to park in nearby car parks and walk to the school gate to drop off or collect their children.

Families can either send their child with a packed lunch (water only for drinks please) or make use of the school meals provided on site.

Families in receipt of Income Support, Employment Support Allowance (Income Related), Support Under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, The Guarantee element of state Pension Credit.  Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190. Working tax Credit run-on, Universal credit, may be eligible for free school dinners. The Free School Meals team can be contacted on 01603 222518 or 01603 223051 for further advice and guidance. Free school Meals can be applied for online

Please note: Parents receiving Working Tax Credit are not entitled regardless of the level of assessed income unless there is a run-on

From September 2014, all infant children will be entitled to free school meals. This can either be a hot meal of a school packed lunch.

The academy has its own kitchen on site providing a mini-choice cafeteria system for the older children 8 to 11 years to be paid online using pupil asset app and a set two - course meal for those in the younger group 4 to 7 years.

All the children can have a free breakfast provided from the kitchen at 8.30am with items including bagels, cereals, or a wide selection of fruit every day. There is also a snack trolley at morning break for the junior classes with snacks at around 30p.

The infant's classes also receive a piece of free fruit each morning as part of a government scheme.

Please let us know about any medical conditions your child may have and remember to inform us of any changes.

We are able to administer prescribed medicines at the academy, providing that the child concerned is otherwise fit enough to be at school. These can only be administered if a consent form has been signed, which is available from the office. Please ensure that you:

- Only provide medicines with a prescription label on the container which clearly shows your child’s name and the time and size of the dose.
- Leave the medicine and form with a member of staff at the academy reception

Children suffering from asthma can keep inhalers close at hand – please print their name on the inhaler, and make sure we have details about the circumstances when your child may need to use it.

There is a service provided in Norfolk and you can contact the School Nurse Single Point of Referral team on the following telephone number: 01362 654916

Head Lice information please follow this link.   https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html

Ofsted’s Parent View website allows you to give your views and read the results of previous parent questionnaires.