Frequently asked questions

School - The school doors open for children at 8.45 am when the first bell sounds and children should go straight to their classrooms where staff are waiting. Please do not drop children off on their own in the playground before this time as they will be unsupervised. Similarly, if it is raining heavily or icy etc please wait until 8.45 am to bring your child/children straight to class as we unable to supervise them beforehand. The second bell will ring at 8.55 am for the start of the school day and registration. The school day finishes at 3.20 pm.


Nursery- Morning session: 8.55am till 11.55am. Afternoon session: 12.50 till 3.20pm


 

It is extremely important that your child attends school and is on time for school each day. 


Trafford Education Authority’s target for attendance is 96% and at St Margaret Ward we are continuously working towards this goal. We understand that sometimes children are ill or other circumstances may prevent them from attending school and as a parent you can help us by:



  • Ringing school (0161 969 9852) each morning of all absences, before 9.30am, with the reason and saying when the child will return.

  • Arranging medical appointments out of school hours or during school breaks. Where this is not possible, please present hospital/ doctors letters at the office. Whenever possible the child should be in school directly before and after the appointment.

  • Keeping us updated by telephone or letter if your child has an extended period of absence due to Illness.

Morning registration is at 8.55am (doors open at 8.45am) and this is the time your child must be in class ready for registration. Please note that arrival after the close of registration may be marked as unauthorised absence in line with DfE guidance. Children arriving and leaving school with a parent/guardian outside the normal hours must be signed in or out at the office.


As a parent you can help us by:



  • Ensuring your child is in class on time as the first few minutes of the school day are often used to give out instructions or organise schoolwork for the rest of the day. If your child misses this session, their work for the whole day may be affected

  • Letting us know if you are having difficulties getting your child to school on time- Our Pastoral Manager Mrs Murphy may be able to help.

We provide a happy Breakfast Club for children from Reception class to Year 6 each school morning from 8.00am until the children are taken to their classes for the start of the school day. Breakfast is served up until 8.30am with a choice of cereal, toast and fresh fruit juices. More information can be found on the Breakfast Club webpage.      


Bright Stars After-school club is managed by our school and we are open Monday-Friday 3.20-5.45 pm during term time only. Children are collected from their classes at the end of the school day, provided with a healthy snack and looked after until they are collected. Children must be collected by 5.45 pm. More information can be found on the Bright Stars webpage.


In addition to morning and lunchtime clubs, we also offer a range of After-school Activities.

Year group

What is permitted?

Year 2 and younger

Must be collected either by parent/guardian or a named person who is 16 years or older.

Years 3, 4, 5 & 6

Can be picked up by an older brother or sister who is at high school. Note: Year 5 and 6 children cannot take a younger brother or sister home without an adult being present.

Years 5 and 6

Can walk home without parents or another adult. (As long as written permission has been received by the school).

 

All of the above age restrictions should apply to drop-off in the morning as well and if anyone other than the usual people are collecting, you must notify the school in advance.

Lunch Menu - We are very fortunate to have our own kitchen facilities on site which means that Cathy, our cook, is able to provide freshly prepared healthy lunches here at school each day.


All children in Reception Class, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school lunch every day if they would like one. We encourage this as much as possible as a balanced meal during the day has been shown to improve performance at school.


Children in classes 3,4,5 and 6 are required to pay for their lunches at a cost £2.30 each day. This is payable in advance please. If you think your child may be entitled to a free school meal, please download and complete the form below or ask for a form at the school office. Completed forms can be returned to the school office.


 Free School Meals Form


The menus below are provided to give you an idea of what your child has had for lunch each day. The start of each new half term is always Week One. Cathy may need to vary meals occasionally according to deliveries and/or technical problems. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, just let us know!


The menus run on a 4-week rolling programme. Please note that sometimes, days/dishes may have to change due to deliveries etc but otherwise we try to stick to the menu as closely as possible. See example menu below



School Meals.pdf






We now use an online payments system, ParentPay, for all school payments such as school meals, trips, uniform and clubs. All new parents and carers are given an activation account letter with a login code and once the ParentPay account is activated, all payments to school can be made safely and securely through this portal. More information can be found at Parent FAQs ParentPay.

Our School uniform can be purchased at John McHughes in Stretford.

For contact details and opening times please  use the following link :

http://www.johnmchughschoolwear.co.uk/

All Clothing must be clearly marked with your child’s name please.

Girls (Winter) :

White Polo T shirt with School Logo

School sweatshirt – bottle green

Skirt or pinafore or trousers – grey

Boys:White Polo T shirt with School logo

School sweatshirt – bottle green

Trousers – grey

Girls (Summer):

Green cotton dress – stripes/ gingham

School cardigan –bottle green

Boys:

Grey Pants with polo shirt

P.EGirls:

White round necked Tee Shirt

Black Shorts

Black Plimsolls/Velcro trainers

P.E Boys:

White round necked Tee Shirt

Black Shorts

Black Plimsolls/Velcrotrainers