School Information
Admission to School:
The number of children on roll at present is 77 full time pupils of which 11 are part time nursery pupils. Parents must make their application through the Local Authority. Any prospective parents who wish to visit the school before admitting their child must make an appointment with the Headteacher. We would be more than happy to show you around our caring and nurturing school.
The LA have overall responsibility for deciding whether a pupil can be admitted to the school.
Children are admitted into Nursery (mornings 9.00 a.m – 11.30 a.m) during the school year if they have reached the age of 3 by August 31st of the year they would be starting school.
Nursery provision in Flintshire is on a 0.5 basis. Children may start full time education in the reception class at the beginning of the term starting in September if the child’s 5th birthday falls on or between September 1st and August 31st.
For more information on admissions, please visit: Flintshire Council Admissions:
Aims of the School:
Caring – We believe that our children should be supported in their learning journey through a caring and welcoming approach. We aim for our learners to develop into ethical and informed citizens who act responsibility as members of their local community and the wider world.
Nurturing – We believe that every child should be nurtured to feel safe and secure in our school learning environment. We believe that a child’s well-being and positive mindset is essential for effective learning, enabling them to develop into healthy and confident individuals.
Succeeding – We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential. We believe in an enriched curriculum which is inspiring and provides challenge, enabling learners to become ambitious and capable learners.
Growing – We believe that every child progresses at their own rate, and should access a curriculum which takes into account their individual learning needs. We encourage learners to take risks, persevere and to develop a growth mindset.
Communication Between Home and School:
Home School Liaison:
Mr.Jones, Headteacher, will be pleased to see parents at any time during your child’s stay at Ysgol Derwenfa. However, it is advisable to make an appointment to arrange a time of mutual convenience.
We would kindly ask all parents who visit the school, for any reason, to report to the school office or to the Headteacher on entry.
Open Evenings:
Open Evenings are held termly to enable parents to discuss their child’s progress. The first is usually held in late October / early November, the second in March and the last in July prior to their transfer to the next stage of their education.
Informal Meetings:
These are often the most valuable as they deal with immediate problems. If you are concerned about your child’s progress, please send a message on Seesaw or ring the child’s class teacher and arrange to meet after school. Similarly, teachers may arrange to meet you if they would like to share concerns about your child.
Written Report:
At the end of the Summer Term you will receive a written report on your child’s progress, a copy of which will be kept in school. We also issue a non-statutory interim report during the Spring Term.
School Events:
During the year you will be invited to school functions, such as class assemblies, concerts, Harvest Festival, Christmas celebrations, Sports days and other events.
Seesaw:
‘Seesaw is a platform for student engagement. Teachers can empower students to create, reflect, share, and collaborate. Students “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. It’s simple to get student work in one place and share with families, and nothing is shared without teacher approval.’
Your child’s class teacher will provide you with a password to enable you to access Seesaw. It has also proved an excellent communication tool between staff and parents.
Email:
Most information/ letters will be emailed out to parents when the need arises. Please ensure that we have your correct up to date email address.
Up to Date Information:
It is essential that we have up to date contact information for your child. Please inform us immediately of any change of address, telephone number, contact details, medical information and any other relevant information which we need to be aware of relating to your child.
Medical Info:
Administration of Medicines
Parent’s written permission will be required, together with medication details, on a ‘School Administration of Medication Consent Form’, before any medication is administered by school staff. When long-term medication is required a new School Administration Form will need to be signed by parents on the first day of each month.
Inhalers:
Children who require inhalers should ensure they have them at all times particularly in PE/swimming lessons and on school trips. You should ensure that your child has a spare inhaler already labelled with your child’s name, which is kept in school at all times. Please ensure that medication is in date by checking with your child’s class teacher and request replacements in time with your GP.
School Meals:
School meals are provided free of charge by Newydd Catering. All children are eligible from Reception to Year 6. They have a 3 week menu which is subject to change. Please check the Newydd Catering website or Facebook to obtain an up to date copy of the menu. Digital copies are sent out at the start of the term to parents.
How to Apply for Education Benefits:
Formerly known as Free School Meals, low income families can apply for uniform grants and find support with school trip etc by signing up. School also benefit from financial support to support low income family children in schools.
To apply for Education Benefits please telephone 01352 704848 or visit:
Click on ‘Schools’
Click on ‘School benefits’
Click on ‘Free School meals’
Who Qualifies for Education Benefits?
Children and young people attending school on a full-time basis may be entitled to receive free school meals (FSM).
Below is the criteria for eligibility for FSM if parent(s) are in receipt of any of the following:
* Income Support
* Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
* Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
* Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
* Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and their annual income does not exceed £16,190
* Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
* Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ – the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
* Universal Credit
Young people who receive Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance in their own right may also be eligible to receive FSM.
The child will also need to be attending school full time, which can include full days at nursery and sixth form students. In order for your child to receive FSM, you will need to fill out an application form and send it to the local authority. This form can be found on the Flintshire County Council website as indicated above.
School Uniform
We encourage pupils to come to school dressed in a royal blue sweater/cardigan, grey or black trousers/skirt and white polo shirt. We discourage the wearing of leggings or jeans to school.
During the Summer months, plain black shorts can be worn. The girls can also wear blue check summer dresses if they so wish. We would also encourage the children to wear plain black shoes as opposed to trainers/pumps. If you wish to buy jumpers/ cardigans/ polo shirt/PE kits with the school logo they can be purchased from Monkhouse in Mold or The Craft Shack in Mold.
PLEASE LABEL ALL YOUR CHILD’S CLOTHING CLEARLY WITH HIS/HER NAME ESPECIALLY COATS, POLO SHIRTS, CARDIGANS AND JUMPERS.
We are currently in the process of rebranding and adding our new logo to letter heads and policies. We are NOT expecting the children to have the new logo put on their uniforms. This is something that will happen over time.
PE Kit:
The school PE kit is very simple; black shorts/leggings/tracksuit bottoms and a blue polo shirt. This kit can also be worn during the Summer months in extremely hot weather.
We are proud of our school and of our pupils and we believe that a good standard of uniform has a positive impact on behaviour in school and on creating a calm, purposeful working environment for all.