Start and End of the Day
School is open from 8.45am - 3.15pm
(32.5 hours per week)
Arrival Arrangements - to ensure a safe and orderly start to the school day, please take note of the following arrival procedures:
Gate Opening Times
The front and rear school gates open at 8:30am and close promptly at 8:45am. This provides a 15-minute window for children to arrive. Please ensure your child is in school before 8:45am to avoid receiving a late mark.
Accompanied Arrival
Children in EYFS and Years 1, 2, 3, and 4 must be brought into school by an adult. Children in Years 5 and 6 may walk into school independently if parents/carers give permission. These pupils must go directly to their classrooms. We expect them to behave in a respectful and responsible manner. If this expectation is not met, the privilege of walking independently may be withdrawn.
Late Arrivals
We understand that mornings do not always go to plan. If you arrive after the gates have closed please use the front pedestrian entry gate, ring the intercom bell for access, and accompany your child to the school office. Please be aware that there may be a short wait if the office staff are assisting others. If late arrivals become frequent, a member of our Senior Leadership Team will contact you to discuss any challenges and explore how we can support you.
Site Security
For the safety of all children, the school gates are locked at 8:45am. After this time, there is no unauthorised access to the site. During school hours, please ring the intercom bell at the pedestrian gate or call 01952 386870 to speak with a member of the office team.
Collection Arrangements - to ensure a safe and efficient end to the school day, please take note of the following collection procedures:
Gate Opening Times
• The front and rear school gates open at 3:10pm and close at 3:25pm.
• All classroom doors will open at 3:15pm.
• Please only contact the school office for emergency changes, and please do so before 2:45pm.
Collection for Years EYFS and years 1 to 4
Parents and carers should wait near their child's classroom door so that they are visible to the teacher. All children must be collected by an adult whose name appears on the contact information we hold in school. If someone not listed will be collecting your child, please inform the class teacher at drop-off that morning. Please note: the person collecting your child must be over 18 years of age. We will not release a child to anyone we have not been informed about.
Collection for Years 5 and 6
To encourage independence, children in Years 5 and 6 may leave the classroom independently if parents/carers give permission for them to either walk home or meet you at an agreed point off the school site and away from the entry/exit gates. These pupils must go directly to the agreed location. We expect them to behave in a respectful and responsible manner. Please note: children in Years 5 and 6 will not be dismissed from class without an adult unless a signed consent form has been received. Additionally, Year 5 and 6 pupils are not permitted to collect younger siblings from their classrooms. This must be done by an adult. At the start of the academic year, we will send out a consent form for parents/carers of Year 5 and 6 pupils regarding walking home independently.
y5-6-walking-alone-letter-sept-25.pdf
Dothill Pre-School and Childcare (Club)
Children attending Club will be met by staff in the school hall and taken directly through to Club.
Mobile Phones
We would prefer that children do not bring mobile phones into school. However, we understand that for children in Years 5 and 6, parents and carers may wish for them to carry a phone if they are walking home without an adult. Please note:
• Only children whose parents have provided written consent for them to walk home independently are permitted to bring a mobile phone to school.
• Phones must be handed in to the class teacher at the start of the day and collected at the end of the day.
• Phones will be stored securely during the school day.
Important: The school cannot accept responsibility for any mobile phones brought onto the premises. Phones are brought to school at the owner's risk.