Balfour FAQ

We hope this page will answer some of the questions you might have about our school and provide you with useful information.


How do I know what my child is covering in class?
A matrix will be sent out each half term outlining the work your child will be doing and what will be covered in each subject area.

What is Early Literacy Support?
Early Literacy Support is a programme that reinforces word level work covered in the Literacy lessons. All children are assessed in Year 1 following national guidelines. Children who would benefit from reinforcement activities undertake the programme daily for 30 minutes for a period of 12 weeks. Children are withdrawn in small groups and are supervised by a trained teaching assistant.

What are SATs?
SAT's stands for Standard Assessment Tasks. These are assessment activities undertaken by children towards the end of Year 2. They are a snapshot of a child's performance and include tests in reading, writing and maths. Science is assessed by teacher assessment. It is very important that children are not taken out of school during May.

What happens when my child takes SATs?
Activities carry on as normal in the classroom but other teachers might take the class for a few days to enable the class teacher to work with small groups of children. We do not tell the children that they are taking tests. Children's individual results are given to parents with their annual report at the end of Year 2. Results are then sent to the LEA and are used to show performance and general trends over time.

When can I see my child's work?
Children's work is displayed in the classroom and around the school. Some of the children's work is taken home at the end of each term. Parents are welcome to come and see their child's work by prior arrangement with the class teacher at any time in the school year but are particularly welcome at Parents Evening in the Autumn and Spring Term and at Strawberry Tea in the Summer Term. Children in Yr 1 and Yr 2 may also show work at their class assembly.

What is Circle Time?
All classes have Circle Time regularly. It is a time where all children sit in a circle with their teacher and discuss personal or social issues as a group. It is a chance for children to feel confident to voice their opinions and feelings and to learn to listen with respect to others.

How do I find out about my child's progress?
Children are regularly assessed by class teachers through observation and formal LEA and school based assessments. If a child is struggling in class the teacher will adapt work and provide extra support. All class teachers meet regularly with the Special Needs Coordinator to discuss any child whose progress is causing concern. Individual children may then go on to receive extra help from either within or from outside school. Specific activities for these children are recorded on an individual education plan (IEP). You will always be kept informed of any extra help your child is being given.

How can I get more involved in the school?
There are two main ways of becoming more involved in the school as a parent. One is to offer your help with the class. The other is to get involved with the parents fundraising group BISA who organise events throughout the year.

What does helping in class involve?
Helping in your child's class could involve helping a small group of children with some work or creative activity. However, before you help in school you must attend a meeting with Judith Kemp and complete a police check form.

Is uniform compulsory?
Uniform is recommended dress at Balfour and it is strongly encouraged that all children should wear it. Uniform may be purchased from the school office.

What is BISA?
All parents and teachers belong to Balfour Infant School Association which helps to raise funds for all the children in the school. Meetings are held in the evenings to discuss events and ideas.

What is money raised by BISA spent on?
The money raised is much needed by the school, it is used to subsidise special activities such as visiting performers and outings. It is also used to purchase play equipment and toys. In the last few years money raised has paid for the equipment in the playgrounds.

What are the Governors and what do they do?
The governing body exists to promote the interests of the school and its pupils. It has responsibility for monitoring the school's effectiveness, asking challenging questions and striving for improvement. The governors of the school include elected parents, teachers, a member of the non-teaching staff, local business people, those appointed by the Local Authority and the head teacher. The governing body delegates the management of the school to the head teacher and governors act as a united body offering advice and support to the school.
Parent governors hold a surgery every half term where parents can raise concerns or voice opinions about any aspect of school life.

What's the Annual report to Parents?
The Annual Report to Parents is a report that is sent to all parents in the Summer Term. It is written by the Governors and is a summary of everything that has happened in the school during the year before. A financial report is included as well as the SATs results. Parents can discuss the report and any other concerns in the Summer Term at the Annual Meeting for Parents.

What do the children do at playtime?
Children have a playground box which contains small toys that they can use. There is also the wooden train and house on the front playground, a slide and adventure trail on the bottom playground. When the weather is fine the children may use the grassed areas.

Can my child eat at playtime?
Children are provided with a piece of fruit for a mid morning snack. Children should bring a bottle filled with water to have during the day when they are thirsty.

What happens if my child is hurt at school?
Children should always tell an adult if they have hurt themselves. There are trained first aiders at school and children go to the office if they are hurt. If a child has a knock to the head you will get a 'bumped head letter' giving details of what happened and what to watch out for. We also give the children a sticker. If a child is distressed or needs hospital treatment then parents are contacted.
Make sure you have filled in your contact form so the school can get hold of you or your emergency contact.

What do I do is my child's not eating his/her lunch?
We do not force children to eat anything they do not like but encourage them to try foods new to them. However, there may be occasions when your child is not eating their lunch. If this happens your class teacher will speak to you.

How are the children in Year 2 prepared for Junior School?
Staff liaise closely with all receiving junior schools and pass on all records and information about the children. The head teachers visit the children in the summer term and the children are invited to spend a few hours at their new school to meet their class teacher.

Is there Schools Council?
Every half term, year 1 and 2 children are elected by their class to help us make decisions.

What can I do if I think my child is being bullied?
Bullying is seen as a systematic and deliberate act of abuse or exclusion, usually repeated over a period of time. If you feel worried or your child is upset by any behaviour towards them, speak to the class teacher. We encourage all children to speak to a teacher or adult if they are being hurt at school. Staff will then investigate the incident speaking to all those concerned. Parents are always kept informed of any incident of this nature so that we can work together to help the children.

What should my child wear for PE?
The children change for PE and wear blue shorts and a T-shirt. Trainers should be provided for outdoor PE. Children in Yr 2 have swimming lessons.
Only stud earrings may be worn to school but they must either be taped over or removed for PE.

Can my child wear jewellery?
Jewellery, earrings and watches should not be worn to school. If your child brings any toys and valuables from home they will be kept in the school safe until collected by a responsible adult.

Can I take my child out of school for a holiday?
This is not encouraged; however you are able to take your child out of school for up to 10 days in one academic year. There are certain times of the year when this is not wise, for example at the beginning of the school year or during SAT's. You must fill in a holiday form in advance of your trip.

What if I didn't get the last newsletter?
Newsletters always come home in book bags on the first Monday of each month. Alternatively, you can view them in the 'News' section of this website.

Can I bring my buggy into school?
Buggies and prams are not permitted into the school building. They may be left under the covered canopy. As the playgrounds are busy please refrain from allowing your child to ride bikes or scooters to school. Dogs are not allowed on school grounds at any time.

What do I do if my child is ill?
Please phone the school office on 01273 500617 on the first day of absence. If your child is away for more than 3 days please phone again. You do not have to write a letter as well.

What do I do if I am late collecting my child at the end of the day?
School finishes at 3.15pm and it is important that you are on time to collect your child. Young children become very anxious if there isn't a familiar face waiting for them. If in the unusual circumstance that you are late please phone the office so that we can supervise your child for the short period of time and reassure them that you are on your way. Teachers will take any children of parents who are late to the office after 3.20pm to await collection. If you are going to be more than 15 minutes please arrange for someone else to collect your child.

What do I do if I am late in the morning?
Please inform the office by phone if you are going to be late. We cannot order lunch after 10am. Please sign your child in at the school office and office staff will take them to the classroom.

Who is the EWO?
The Education Welfare Officer monitors children's absence and lateness. She visits the school every fortnight and checks the registers and will follow up any serious lateness or absence with a home visit.

Will my child have Assembly?
The children take part in an assembly most days. Assembly themes cover a range of religious festivals, moral and social issues and seasonal changes.

What Religious Education will my child have?
We follow the Brighton and Hove syllabus for teaching RE. Although the majority of work is Christian in nature we pay due regard to any celebrations and festivals that the children observe at home.

Are there any after school clubs that my child can go to?
There are a range of clubs that your child can belong to including karate, art club, tennis, football and French. Although these clubs are held at school they are all run by private providers.

Where can I find out any information about the school?
The school publishes information on this web site or alternatively you can ask at the school office to borrow policy documents. Back to top