The school operates a 32.5 hour week.

There are three entrances and exits to school - the main front entrance, the side entrance next to the graveyard/Blue Hoots and the rear entrance by the sports pavilion and car park. 

Arrival

Gates open at 8.40 a.m. and close promptly at 8.50 a.m. 

Parents/guardians must make their way with their children to the playground (for Reception - Year 4) and drop them off at the specified entrance.  For parents/guardians of Year 5 & Year 6, the side entrance to school is where children enter for the day.  There will be a member of staff at each entrance to welcome children at the start of the day. This member of staff can be given messages to pass on to class teachers, but the signing in of medicines or discussions about appointments and absences should go to the office.

Collection

School ends at 3.20 p.m.  Gates will open a few minutes prior to this.  Parents/guardians should make their way to the playground (for Reception - Year 4) and wait near to the door their child was dropped off at in the morning - please be visible and available for your child on exit.  Year 5 & Year 6 children exit at the rear of the classrooms and parents/guardians can wait on the decking area.

Children in Year 6 who are given parental permission are able to walk home starting in the spring term.  School must be informed in writing if this permission has been given.

Late Arrivals and Collections

Late drop off and collections are required to sign their child in/out and state the reason for the lateness.  It is not a child's fault if they are late for school in the morning.  If children are collected late, they may be placed in Wrap Around Care and a charge will be made.  Parents should not park in front of the main gates or block the entrance at any time as the gates are in constant use.

Absences

Parents and carers should inform the school before 9.30 a.m. if a child is to be absent that day by choosing one of the following:

• ParentMail - using the absence tab, which will allow parents to specify their child, reason for absence, length of absence and space to add additional details;
• Telephone call - leaving a message on the school absence line, stating the child's name, class and brief but specific reasons for absence.  'Illness' or a none-specified absence is not acceptable.
• Email - contact the school via the office email address:  office@blakedownprimary.worcs.sch.uk.  Please state the child's name and class on the email subject line and in the main body of the email specify a reason for the absence - 'illness' or a none-specified absence is not acceptable.

If school does not receive information about a child's absence by 9.30 a.m., the office will call to check where the child is.  In certain circumstances where contact with a parent/guardian cannot be made, a home visit may be needed to check that children are safe.  Please support us by communicating all absences by 9.30 a.m. and see our absence policy below.