Parent information HUB
Our parent information hub features information about everything from uniform to school meals as well as all the forms and policies that will help improve your child's time at South Tawton Primary School
GENERAL INFORMATION
Payment and Child care vouchers
Online Payments for School Meals, Trips, Events, Consents
SchoolGateway is a secure, online payments system for all payments for all school meals and payments and consents for trips and events. It is also our text messaging system for urgent text messages e.g. if clubs or fixtures are cancelled, and our email application for notification of payment/consent requests and all school news.
To register, you will need to sign up for a School Gateway account by visiting www.schoolgateway.com. Enter your current email address and mobile number (these must match the primary contact details you have registered with the school) and select the “Send PIN” button. A PIN will be sent to your mobile phone. Use this to log into your new School Gateway account. With your SchoolGateway account, you will be able to view payments, made, see when your child has had a school meal, and check your balance.
Please download the SchoolGateway app (ios and Android)
FAQs
· How will emails get to me and what will they look like? The emails will arrive in your inbox at your email address just like any other email and will have the school’s name in the “from” box.
· Will I get any advertising SPAM? No, your contact details are not shared with anyone except the school office. You will only receive messages from Schoolcomms that have been sent by South Tawton Primary School.
· What if I change my email address or mobile phone number? Please contact the school directly and inform them of any changes to your contact details.
· Can I reply to emails or texts? Yes, but if you have an urgent query, please ring the school office on 01837 840242
After School Club and Breakfast clubs For After School Clubs and Breakfast Club, our booking, consent and payments systems is through School Gateway.
Bookings must be made by 8pm the night before for breakfast club sessions or can be made up to a term in advance.
Childcare Vouchers We are pleased to offer a number of Childcare Voucher providers which can be used towards costs for Breakfast club and Little Beacons pre-school. For more information, please contact the school office.
SchoolGateway is a secure, online payments system for all payments for all school meals and payments and consents for trips and events. It is also our text messaging system for urgent text messages e.g. if clubs or fixtures are cancelled, and our email application for notification of payment/consent requests and all school news.
To register, you will need to sign up for a School Gateway account by visiting www.schoolgateway.com. Enter your current email address and mobile number (these must match the primary contact details you have registered with the school) and select the “Send PIN” button. A PIN will be sent to your mobile phone. Use this to log into your new School Gateway account. With your SchoolGateway account, you will be able to view payments, made, see when your child has had a school meal, and check your balance.
Please download the SchoolGateway app (ios and Android)
FAQs
· How will emails get to me and what will they look like? The emails will arrive in your inbox at your email address just like any other email and will have the school’s name in the “from” box.
· Will I get any advertising SPAM? No, your contact details are not shared with anyone except the school office. You will only receive messages from Schoolcomms that have been sent by South Tawton Primary School.
· What if I change my email address or mobile phone number? Please contact the school directly and inform them of any changes to your contact details.
· Can I reply to emails or texts? Yes, but if you have an urgent query, please ring the school office on 01837 840242
After School Club and Breakfast clubs For After School Clubs and Breakfast Club, our booking, consent and payments systems is through School Gateway.
Bookings must be made by 8pm the night before for breakfast club sessions or can be made up to a term in advance.
Childcare Vouchers We are pleased to offer a number of Childcare Voucher providers which can be used towards costs for Breakfast club and Little Beacons pre-school. For more information, please contact the school office.
SCHOOl TRANSPORT
Information from Devon County Council:
You can request a place at any school for your child, but your child may not necessarily be entitled to free school transport. It is very important that you check whether your child will be entitled. If they are not, you will need to think carefully about how your child is going to get to the school you prefer for the whole time they will be there.
Your child will be entitled to free school transport to the nearest school to your home address, or the school designated to serve your home address, as long as it is more than two miles away from your home by the shortest walking route. You can find out which school serves your home address at School designated areas.
Walking distances are measured using the shortest available walking route. This may include roads, recognised footpaths and bridleways. Where children live within walking distance of the school (2 miles) and it is considered that the walking route to school is unsafe then transport will be provided.
School transport is only provided at the normal times at the beginning and end of the day. If your child begins primary school on a part-time basis then they may be entitled to free transport for the journey to school.
The information contained in this guide is also summarised in the Transport for primary school pupils leaflet.
You can request a place at any school for your child, but your child may not necessarily be entitled to free school transport. It is very important that you check whether your child will be entitled. If they are not, you will need to think carefully about how your child is going to get to the school you prefer for the whole time they will be there.
Your child will be entitled to free school transport to the nearest school to your home address, or the school designated to serve your home address, as long as it is more than two miles away from your home by the shortest walking route. You can find out which school serves your home address at School designated areas.
Walking distances are measured using the shortest available walking route. This may include roads, recognised footpaths and bridleways. Where children live within walking distance of the school (2 miles) and it is considered that the walking route to school is unsafe then transport will be provided.
School transport is only provided at the normal times at the beginning and end of the day. If your child begins primary school on a part-time basis then they may be entitled to free transport for the journey to school.
The information contained in this guide is also summarised in the Transport for primary school pupils leaflet.
School Meals
Please book your child's meal choices for the commencing week through your School Gateway app by the booking
deadline of midnight Thursday.
deadline of midnight Thursday.
Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust are excited to announce that, from September, the Trust will be working with Goosemoor Educatering to enhance the catering offer across our schools. This will achieve our aim of every pupil to have access to high-quality, nutritionally balanced meals and to meet the Food Standards published by the Department for Education.
Exeter based Goosemoor Educatering focus on using the very best locally sourced, restaurant-quality products and using these to provide exciting and nutritionally balanced menus. A few examples of these ingredients are beef raised on Dartmoor, pork from Holsworthy farms, seasonal vegetables from across Devon and jams and chutneys from Lifton.
The menu is each school will be tailored to that school. Not only will the pupils have a voice in their new menus, but they will also be inclusive of all pupils and their dietary requirements, including allergens. Where necessary, each site will have meals and recipes tailored for individual dietary requirements so that all pupils are safe, whilst also having access to delicious meals. All the dishes on menus will be nut-free.
Exeter based Goosemoor Educatering focus on using the very best locally sourced, restaurant-quality products and using these to provide exciting and nutritionally balanced menus. A few examples of these ingredients are beef raised on Dartmoor, pork from Holsworthy farms, seasonal vegetables from across Devon and jams and chutneys from Lifton.
The menu is each school will be tailored to that school. Not only will the pupils have a voice in their new menus, but they will also be inclusive of all pupils and their dietary requirements, including allergens. Where necessary, each site will have meals and recipes tailored for individual dietary requirements so that all pupils are safe, whilst also having access to delicious meals. All the dishes on menus will be nut-free.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Universal infant free school meals
The Government introduced universal infant free school meals for all key stage 1 pupils from September 2014. All pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools in England are eligible for Universal Infant Free school meals. This will include academies, free schools, pupil referral units and alternative provisions as well as maintained schools.
Apply for free school meals
Through the Citizen Portal which is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.
Qualifying benefits
Parents/carers in receipt of the following support payments will be entitled to receive free school meals:
Please Note that from 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants will continue to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This will apply even if their earnings rise above the new threshold during that time. In addition, any child gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals during the Universal Credit rollout period.
Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary).
The Universal Credit rollout is currently expected to complete in March 2023.
Pupil premium
Pupil premium is additional funding from the government for schools. Student’s eligible – based on the existing free school meals criteria – can attract this funding. Parents and guardians with children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at a Devon school may be asked to complete a free school meal application form to check entitlement.
For further information regarding Pupil premium please visit Pupil premium for schools
We appreciate how important it is that pupils within KS1 are still recorded as eligible for Free School Meals, ensuring Pupil Premium funding is granted.
For further information regarding KS1 Pupil premium for parents please refer to our New starter pupil premium page
The Government introduced universal infant free school meals for all key stage 1 pupils from September 2014. All pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools in England are eligible for Universal Infant Free school meals. This will include academies, free schools, pupil referral units and alternative provisions as well as maintained schools.
Apply for free school meals
Through the Citizen Portal which is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.
Qualifying benefits
Parents/carers in receipt of the following support payments will be entitled to receive free school meals:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income Support (IS)
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA)
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment someone receives for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Please Note that from 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants will continue to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This will apply even if their earnings rise above the new threshold during that time. In addition, any child gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals during the Universal Credit rollout period.
Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary).
The Universal Credit rollout is currently expected to complete in March 2023.
Pupil premium
Pupil premium is additional funding from the government for schools. Student’s eligible – based on the existing free school meals criteria – can attract this funding. Parents and guardians with children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at a Devon school may be asked to complete a free school meal application form to check entitlement.
For further information regarding Pupil premium please visit Pupil premium for schools
We appreciate how important it is that pupils within KS1 are still recorded as eligible for Free School Meals, ensuring Pupil Premium funding is granted.
For further information regarding KS1 Pupil premium for parents please refer to our New starter pupil premium page
UNIFORM
Correct School Uniform for all Pupils in Year R through to Year 6 should consist of the following:
- White or pale blue polo shirts or shirts (T-shirts with the school logo are available to buy should you wish)
- Navy blue jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan (Logo optional)
- Grey or black trousers, shorts, skirt, pinafore (not leggings or jogging bottoms)
- Blue check summer dress (dependent on time of year)
- White, grey or black socks
- Plain black shoes or boots
Correct PE Kit/ Uniform School PE Kit for all Pupils in Year R through to Year 6 should consist of the following:
- Trainers* (or plimsolls for Year R and Year 1).
- Plain Navy Shorts/Skort or Tracksuit bottoms (dependent on time of year)
- Plain White t-shirt (PE t-shirt's with the School logo on them are available to buy should you wish)
- Navy blue jumper or sweatshirt (Logo optional)
* Velcro type fastenings are recommended, until your child can tie/untie their own shoe laces
School uniform can be purchased at
Mole Avon (Okehampton) - Little Beacons or South Tawton Primary School
Schoolwear Direct (Okehampton) - Little beacons or South Tawton Primary School
We also have a pre-loved rail just inside the main door to the school office that has a great selection of uniform for just £1 an item. All proceeds go to the South Tawton PTA.
- White or pale blue polo shirts or shirts (T-shirts with the school logo are available to buy should you wish)
- Navy blue jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan (Logo optional)
- Grey or black trousers, shorts, skirt, pinafore (not leggings or jogging bottoms)
- Blue check summer dress (dependent on time of year)
- White, grey or black socks
- Plain black shoes or boots
Correct PE Kit/ Uniform School PE Kit for all Pupils in Year R through to Year 6 should consist of the following:
- Trainers* (or plimsolls for Year R and Year 1).
- Plain Navy Shorts/Skort or Tracksuit bottoms (dependent on time of year)
- Plain White t-shirt (PE t-shirt's with the School logo on them are available to buy should you wish)
- Navy blue jumper or sweatshirt (Logo optional)
* Velcro type fastenings are recommended, until your child can tie/untie their own shoe laces
School uniform can be purchased at
Mole Avon (Okehampton) - Little Beacons or South Tawton Primary School
Schoolwear Direct (Okehampton) - Little beacons or South Tawton Primary School
We also have a pre-loved rail just inside the main door to the school office that has a great selection of uniform for just £1 an item. All proceeds go to the South Tawton PTA.
The only jewellery which may be worn to school are watches and stud earrings. Make up and dyed hair colours are not allowed.
School Opening Hours
The school day is from 8:45am-3:25pm. The school gates will open at 8:35am, with children accessing the following spaces (all based on heading down Tawton Lane, from South Zeal village):
The minimum expected length of a school week in state-funded mainstream schools in the UK is 32.5 hours, which includes breaks, lunch, teaching time, and extracurricular activities. This expectation is due to the government's desire to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their academic potential.
Our school week meets and exceeds this expectation providing 33 hours and 20 minutes provision in a typical week.
- Little Beacons via the last gate on the left hand side
- Reception children through the middle gate on the left hand side
- Years 1-3 onto the small playground, through the first gate on the left hand side
- Years 4-6 onto the main playground, via the gate on the right hand side
The minimum expected length of a school week in state-funded mainstream schools in the UK is 32.5 hours, which includes breaks, lunch, teaching time, and extracurricular activities. This expectation is due to the government's desire to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their academic potential.
Our school week meets and exceeds this expectation providing 33 hours and 20 minutes provision in a typical week.
Curriculum Enrichment
At South Tawton Primary School, we believe all children deserve a well-rounded, culturally rich, education. The enrichment curriculum plays a crucial part in achieving this objective. To achieve this, we carefully plan a busy schedule of exciting trips, visits and visitors throughout the school year to enhance our school curriculum. Where possible, these trips and visits link to our class topics, to bring the children's learning to life and to make it as memorable for them as possible. Throughout the year, enrichment days and weeks are woven into the curriculum and school diary. These aim to extend and reinforce previous learning, as well as providing new or different experiences for all our pupils.
In the first half of the Autumn term we have seen Year R enjoy blackberry picking and making crumble, many of the children enjoy a black history month online assembly, the start of our after school club provision, Year 3 take a trip to Kent's Cavern, a school harvest assembly, 2 extremely well attended open mornings (where parents join their children in class to see what they have been learning), 2 open the book assemblies, Year 6 take part in Bikeability, a drumming assembly for the drum-school children to showcase their talents and our school disco/non-school uniform day.
In the second half of the Autumn term the children will enjoy Recycle Devon workshops, Cross country at Castle Drogo, NSPCC workshops, an open the book assembly, a carol concert for the school choir and a trip to the pantomime in Exeter.
In the first half of the Autumn term we have seen Year R enjoy blackberry picking and making crumble, many of the children enjoy a black history month online assembly, the start of our after school club provision, Year 3 take a trip to Kent's Cavern, a school harvest assembly, 2 extremely well attended open mornings (where parents join their children in class to see what they have been learning), 2 open the book assemblies, Year 6 take part in Bikeability, a drumming assembly for the drum-school children to showcase their talents and our school disco/non-school uniform day.
In the second half of the Autumn term the children will enjoy Recycle Devon workshops, Cross country at Castle Drogo, NSPCC workshops, an open the book assembly, a carol concert for the school choir and a trip to the pantomime in Exeter.
CLUBS
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
We believe in delivering a broad and balanced curriculum and offer a wide range of after school and lunchtime activities. South Tawton Primary is renowned for the wealth of opportunities that are available to children across the school. During each the term, there are a variety of extra - curricular activities which are tailored to meet the interests for the children in each year group.
The next after school club provision will be shown here when available.
Mixed Netball - Lunchtime Club
Mrs Edwards is running a Mixed Netball Club on a Monday lunchtime 12.45-13.15. This will be open to Years 3 & 4 for this Autumn Term and then for Years 5 & 6 in the Spring Term '25. There is no charge for this club but spaces are limited to 14 max.
Correct PE Kit/ Uniform School PE Kit for all Pupils in Year R through to Year 6 should consist of the following:
- Trainers* (or plimsolls for Year R and Year 1).
- Plain Navy Shorts/Skort or Tracksuit bottoms (dependent on time of year)
- Plain White t-shirt (PE t-shirt's with the School logo on them are available to buy)
- Navy School jumper or any Plain Navy Sweatshirt
* Velcro type fastenings are recommended, until your child can tie/untie their own shoe laces
The next after school club provision will be shown here when available.
Mixed Netball - Lunchtime Club
Mrs Edwards is running a Mixed Netball Club on a Monday lunchtime 12.45-13.15. This will be open to Years 3 & 4 for this Autumn Term and then for Years 5 & 6 in the Spring Term '25. There is no charge for this club but spaces are limited to 14 max.
Correct PE Kit/ Uniform School PE Kit for all Pupils in Year R through to Year 6 should consist of the following:
- Trainers* (or plimsolls for Year R and Year 1).
- Plain Navy Shorts/Skort or Tracksuit bottoms (dependent on time of year)
- Plain White t-shirt (PE t-shirt's with the School logo on them are available to buy)
- Navy School jumper or any Plain Navy Sweatshirt
* Velcro type fastenings are recommended, until your child can tie/untie their own shoe laces
Breakfast club runs Monday - Friday and is open to all children from YR - Y6. Children can arrive from 7:45am and places may be booked through the School Gateway app.
MUSIC LESSONS
The peripatetic music lessons on offer are detailed here
VOLUNTEERING
Residential Trips
Trips away from home are an exciting and valuable experience for children. We are fortunate that staff are willing to give up time in their own holidays and during weekends to lead residential trips.
ONLINE
E-SAFETY
Throughout the year, all staff promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology through the school curriculum, assemblies and school displays.
FORMS
ABSENCE AND ATTENDANCE
OFFSITE ACTIVITES CONSENT
MEDICiNE CONSENT
