We are writing to inform you of some important changes we are making concerning the booking of, and paying for After School Clubs and trips. 

Booking and paying online will simplify the booking process for you, ensuring that at the time of booking and paying, you will have the knowledge that their place is confirmed for their chosen activity and/or trips.  Therefore school trips and after school clubs activities MUST be booked and paid for in advance through Scopay (www.scopay.com) on a first come first served basis.  This alone will guarantee your child’s place.  Non-payment via Scopay in advance or non-return of completed trip slips may result in your child not being able to attend.

We will no longer accept cash payments for trips and clubs (the only exception would be if the teacher, such as a dance teacher etc. needs to be paid directly).  However if you cannot access a computer, please do make this known to the school office, where we will be happy to help.

The Tucasi system also has the facility to book and pay in advance for school dinners, it may be worth trying this in preparation for the near future as we work towards a cashless office. Therefore it is important that you register and become familiar with the Tucasi system.

For those who have not yet registered, we have attached your unique code and instructions of how to register.

If you have any queries or are struggling to register, please do call into the office where we will be happy to assist you.

Yours sincerely, Mrs S Woodburn, School Business Manager

Tucasi instructions

If you are worried or unsure that a child may be suffering, or have suffered harm, neglect or abuse please contact:

Hants Direct on 03003000117

Other useful information about keeping children safe can also be found at:

http://www.iowscb.org.uk  Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children’s Board

http://www.barnardos.org.uk Barnardo’s

https://www.iwight.com/wightchyps The Isle of Wight Family Information Zone

Island Womens Refuge Tel: 01983 825981

Isle of Wight Foodbank Tel: 01983 292040 Emergency food for local people in crisis

Allegations Against People in a Position of Trust
If you believe that a child has been harmed by a person in a position of trust, you should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
The LADO should be advised of all cases where it is alleged that a person who works with children has:
Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child.

Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child.

Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicated s/he is unsuitable to work with children

LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) lado@iow.gov.uk Telephone: 01983 823723

Keeping Children Safe Online
There are several ways to safeguard children. Undoubtedly the most effective way is to educate them from an early age about the risks they may encounter when online, what these risks are, how to spot them and what action to take.

• Set ground rules about the use of the internet, email and texts. They should learn to take responsibility for their own actions and develop their own judgement.
• Make children aware that online contacts may not be who they say they are
• Children should keep personal details private
• Ensure that they use a family email when filling in online forms
• They must never meet someone they have only met online without a trusted adult present
• Get your children to report concerns about conversations, messages and behaviours to you or another trusted adult. Encourage them to share their internet experience with you.
• Get children to report bullying online, by text or phone immediately to you
• Use parental control settings on your browser, search engine and internet security package
• Block pop-ups and spam emails
• Always sit with younger children when they are online
• Watch out for any unusual or secretive behaviour from your child when they are using the internet

As you are all aware the financial pressure on schools is increasing year upon year. With this in mind we would like to explain a few new procedures, to ensure we are able to provide children with the best possible opportunities.

Clubs
We provide a varied, interesting and cost effective club program. We are now only accepting club applications with full payment. It is worth being mindful that even clubs run by a member of staff incur costs to the school.

Trips
When we arrange a school trip we do try to keep the cost down. The payment requested from parents is advertised as ‘voluntary contribution’ (we also supplement those pupils in receipt of pupil premium with a 50% reduction). However, if a number of parents decide not to make a ‘voluntary contribution’ quite rightly the trip cost is not covered, we may need to cancel the trip.
If finding that ‘extra’ for school trips is causing you a problem, please do pop into the office and make an appointment to see a senior member of staff to discuss.

Please be assured that we do not ‘make’ money from clubs or trips. To keep the cost down we price our clubs and trips at cost which does not leave any ‘pennies to cover nonpayment.

We would also like to thank our PTFA for their contributions towards our trips.