The Grove Primary School

What should I be doing with my child before they start school?

We have included a separate page full of tips for making sure your child is school ready – Getting Ready. Please read that for ideas about what to do.

Will you be visiting my child's preschool setting?

In our normal transition period we do try to visit every child in their preschool setting.  However, in the current situation this is not

possible.  We will therefore do our best to speak to all of the preschools over the phone to ensure that we gain a full picture of your child before they start school.

Will my child get a home visit from their teacher?

The simple answer to this question right now is that we don't know.  We would hope that in the weeks immediately prior to starting school, you and your child will receive a home visit from your child's class teacher.  We find these visits to be one of the most valuable parts of our school transition as it allows your child to get to know their teacher in an environment that is safe and familiar to them.  The visit will last about 20 minutes and will be a chance for you to ask any questions or share information with the teacher.  However, if we are unable to do home visits, we will be holding individual meetings using an online meeting platform with you and your child instead.

At a later point we will provide you with a way to indicate a preference for the time of you visit or online meeting and we will do our best to accommodate this.

What will my child need on their first day of school?

The only four things that your child needs to bring to school each day is a water bottle, book bag, lunchbox (if they are not having hot dinners) and their PE kit in a drawstring bag.  You will be given information about how to purchase The Grove blue book bag at a later point. 

All other resources are provided in school so your child does not need their own pencil case or stationery.

Please do not send your child with additional backpacks.  They do not need them and we don't have room to store them in school.

What if I forget to bring something, can I drop it off later?

Firstly, we understand that we are all humans and it is only natural that on occasion you might forget something.  If this happens, mention it to your class teacher.  A lot of the times we are able to manage for the day without whatever it may be.  However, if it is something that is definitely needed, then you can drop it off at the school office and it will be delivered to your child's class.

What school uniform do I need?

At The Grove our school uniform is as follows:

Blue sweatshirt or cardigan with school logo

Plain white polo shirt (you can purchase ones with our logo from the uniform shop)

Plain tailored grey or plain black school trousers, shorts, skirt or pinafore

Plain grey tights

Plain grey, black or white socks

Black closed in school shoes (no open toes, high heels, casual sandals, boots or trainers) – black laces if laces required. Boots may be worn to school if the weather makes this necessary (for example snow or heavy rain) but children must bring their school shoes to change into once at school

Blue and white gingham checked dress or separates for the summer as stocked by suppliers of school wear.

The only jewellery allowed in school are stud ear-rings.

Other than the sweatshirts or cardigans, polo shirts (logo is optional) and PE t-shirt which need the school logo, you do not have to buy the uniform from any set shop.  It is perfectly fine to buy polo shirts, trousers, dresses and skirts from the supermarkets etc. Logo items are available from Trowbridge Schoolwear, Stallard Street, Trowbridge.

Will my child need a P.E. Kit?

We do P.E twice a week in Early Years so yes your child will need an indoor and outdoor P.E. kit.  They will need:

Plain black shorts, leotard or leggings for dance

Navy blue ‘The Grove’ logo PE top

Grey, blue or black tracksuit Plimsolls or non-marking trainers to be worn in the hall

Practical sports trainers for outdoor PE. (Not fashion trainers e.g. sparkly or embellished and not High Tops) Football boots can be worn if needed for school team events or competitions. Please check with school.

A blue, white, black or brown hair tie, if necessary (long hair must be tied back for all P.E. activities)

They need to keep their P.E. kit in a named drawstring bag. 

Does my child need wellies?

Yes please.  At The Grove we play outside in all weathers and use our forest area a lot.  We therefore ask that every child has a pair of wellies that can stay at school.  You do not need to provide waterproof clothing, unless it is raining.

Do I have to pay for school dinners?

Currently all infant aged children (4-7 year olds) are entitled to a universal free school meal every day.  Our school Catering Team provide a choice of healthy meals usually including a meat choice and a vegetarian choice –they are all delicious!

Children are also able to bring in their own packed lunch from home if they wish. Further details about packed lunch expectations can be found in our Information Booklet.

Do I need to provide my child with a snack?

The school is currently supplied with a range of fruit and vegetable snacks every day.  The children are able to access this snack at any point throughout the day.  If you know your child only likes specific fruit or vegetables, then you are welcome to send your own snack into school each day, however this must be only fruit or vegetables.

My child has allergies, what should I do?

We have several children at The Grove who have range of allergies so please do not worry.  When you receive your welcome pack there will be a medical form to complete where you can put all the information about your child's allergy.  We have specialist school menus, so your child will still be able to have school dinners.  Once your child has started school we ensure that all staff are aware of them.  In the majority of circumstances children with allergies still sit with all their classmates at lunchtime and just take part in daily routines the same as everyone else.  We are also a nut free school, so no nut products are used at lunch time or in class cooking lessons.

If your child has an epi pen or inhaler, we do ask for one to be kept at school in case of emergencies.  During your home visit your class teacher will chat to you about any concerns you have regarding your child's allergies.

My child needs medication or cream, do I have to come to school to apply it?

If your child needs medication at any point when they are at school, you will be asked to complete a medical form.  Once this is completed and signed, staff at school will then be able to give your child the required medication or support them with cream for things such as bad eczema.

When will I know which class my child is in?

We take a lot of time over setting the classes and like to gather information from as many sources as possible, such as preschools and the transition visits.  In our normal transition period, the children find out which class they are in on their final transition visit.  As yet we are unsure what transition will look like, so we will update you on this at a later point.

My child doesn't know anyone else, will they be ok?

We are aware that starting school can be a little daunting if you don't know anyone else but please do not worry.  We have children join us from about 16 different preschool settings, so many children join us not knowing anyone else.  At The Grove we ensure that all staff are aware of children who have joined us on their own, so that we can give them a little bit of extra support when settling in and making new friends.

My child isn't in the same class as their friend, can this be changed?

Once the classes have been set, we cannot change them due to the knock on implications this would have to the other children.  When deciding on the classes we take many factors into consideration, including advice from the preschool settings.  Sometimes this does result in children not being in the same class as their closest friend.  As we work in a unit and spend very little time in the two separate classes, please do not worry if you feel this has happened to your child.  All of the children have opportunities throughout the majority of the day to play together so all children with have interactions with everyone else.

Are there any extra curricular clubs my child can join?

At the start of the year we do not open up any of our extra curricular clubs to the children in Early Years.  This is because we usually find that they are so tired for the first few terms, that the school day is long enough for them.  At the end of the Autumn Term you will receive a clubs letter detailing clubs that will be available to your child in the Spring Term.

My child will be attending before or after school club, how do they transfer from club to class?

At the moment, we do not have a breakfast or after school club due to the current pandemic.

Normally we run The Treehouse Club and this is managed and supervised by members of our staff team.

If all is well and it is up and running again....

Your child attending The Treehouse Club will go straight to our bungalow at 8am.

At 8.30 a.m. when the classroom doors are opened, a Treehouse Club member will walk your child to class and ask the class teacher to sign them in, acknowledging that they have seen your child.

If your child is attending Treehouse Club, a school staff member will take your child to club and ensure that they are signed in.