The DfE have announced that from 2024, there is an expectation that state-funded mainstream schools should deliver a school week of at least 32.5 hours. Therefore, from September 2023 there will be a slight change to the Ashfield start and closing times.
The school day will start at the same time of 8:50am. However, there is a change to the ‘soft’ start at Ashfield and from September, school will be open from 8:35am. Children will be able to come in between 8:35am and 8:50am where they can get themselves settled, complete a morning activity and prepare for a day of learning.
So that we can meet the DfE’s expectation of a 32.5 hour school week, the school day will increase by 5 minutes. Therefore, children will now leave Ashfield at 3:20pm.
Session Times
Morning Session
8:35am – 8:50am (soft start registration)
8:50am – 10:10am /10:30am
10:10am – 10:30am (break for Year 3/4)
10:30am – 10:50am (break for Year 5/6)
10:30am/10:50am – 12:00pm
Lunchtime
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Afternoon Session
1:00pm – 3:20pm
Bringing and Collecting Your Child
School is open for a soft start from 8:35am to 8:50am. Parents and carers of children in Year 3 and Year 4 will drop their child at the top gate. Parents and carers of children in Year 5 and Year 6 will drop their child at the bottom gate. Children will walk straight to their classroom where they will have a morning activity to complete during registration. Two members of staff will be at both gates to supervise and welcome the children into school. If you arrive after 8:50am, please bring your child to the school office where they will be signed in.
If you need to collect your child during the school day for an appointment, or you are returning your child to school, please come to the office first so we can sign your child in or out of school.
School Lane gets very busy at the start and end of the school day so if you are bringing or collecting your child by car we would ask you please not to use or block the school car park or to block the entrances or driveways to neighbouring houses. Children should never be dropped or picked up from the area of yellow zigzag lines directly outside the school; and drivers must not allow their vehicle to mount the kerbs.
At the end of the school day, the gates will be open at 3:15pm. Parents are warmly invited to come into school ready to collect their child at 3:20pm. This will give you an opportunity to speak to your child’s class teacher if necessary. Parents and carers of children in Year 3 and Year 4 should enter from the top gate to collect from the top playground. Parents and carers of children in Year 5 and Year 6 should collect their child from the bottom gate. The school gates will close at 3:30pm. If you arrive after 3:30pm, please go directly to the school office to collect your child.
Lunchtimes
Lunch is eaten in the dining room. Children either have a school meal or a packed lunch from home. School meals are cooked on the premises and offer a very good choice. We request that dinner money is paid through the on-line Caterlink System. If you have lost your log in details please ask the school office.
Playtimes
There are two hard play areas. The upper playground is suitable for more boisterous games, while the lower playground is more suitable for quieter games and is furnished with picnic tables for those who prefer to sit quietly, read or play table-top games. Playtimes are split so that children can have more room on the playground and have a better quality playground experience. There are always at least three members of staff on duty at each playtime session. In the summer months, the children are allowed to play out on the field.
School Closure Notification
Should school be closed due to snow, we will endeavour to send a message to parents via SchoolComms and put a notice on the school website.