FAQs

We would discourage parents from trying to talk to a teacher in the morning as they are busy preparing for the school day. We would advise you to speak to the teacher at the end of the school day after all the children have been dismissed.

It is the parents’ responsibility to contact the school on the first day their child is absent by telephoning the school on 01843 570598 and either leave a message on the automated absence line or hold to speak directly with a Receptionist (available from 8.30am - 3.30pm).

This is a safeguarding requirement so that all parties know that your child is safe and their whereabouts is known. Parents should phone in daily to update the school and inform the school when their child is returning.

Pupils are expected to arrive in school by 8.50am. All pupils that arrive late must report, with their parent or school transport escort to the main school office where the reason for lateness is recorded.

If your child feels unwell during the day they should speak to their class teacher or Teaching Assistant. Your child will then be escorted to the medical room. The medical team will discuss how your child is feeling and ascertain if it is necessary to contact you. You may be asked to collect your child from school if they are too ill to remain on site

If your child needs regular medication in school, this needs to be handed into reception directly or via the transport escort. Pupils are NOT to carry medication on themselves.

All prescription medication needs to be in original packaging with prescription labels attached including, dosage and administration directions. If it is over the counter medication, please clearly label the box with your child’s name. All medication needs to come into school with a medication in school form completed by parents/carers. Medication in school forms can be found on the website under https://laleham-gap-school.secure-primarysite.net/topic/parents-carer.

Laleham Gap school have a stock of homely remedy medication including liquid and tablet form paracetamol as well as liquid antihistamine. Unless your child needs a specific brand or dosage this can be administered as long as we have a consent form completed by you. There is no need to send in personal homely remedy medications.

Homely remedy medication will not be administered before 12.30 without additional consent from parents/carers.

All school clothing and accessories except the new PE shirt can be bought from the Schoolwear Centre - 56 Addington Street, Margate - Telephone 01843 293555.Website: https://www.schoolwearcentre.netTelephone: 01843 293555

PE Shirt can be purchased at Ambition sport, 20 Ozengell Place, Eurokent Business Park, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6PB

Website: www.ambitionsport.com

Email:customersupport@ambitionsport.com

Tel: 0800 0180262

To purchase second hand school uniform please contact the school office on 01843 570598.

We believe that wearing a school uniform is a part of this journey, promoting a sense of belonging and equality among all learners. We expect all learners who are able to wear our school uniform to do so and strive to do their best. However, we also understand and respect the unique needs of our learners, especially those with autism and sensory sensitivities. Our school recognises that many autistic learners and those with a variety of disabilities may have difficulty processing everyday sensory information. Sensory sensitivities can be either over-sensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive), and both can impact how learners experience school. Therefore, our school uniform policy allows for reasonable adjustments to accommodate these sensory differences.

Parents or guardians should write a formal request for any uniform adjustments that are not detailed in a child’s EHCP. This request can be sent to the Class Teacher/Form Tutor or Primary Lead/Key Stage Lead should include a brief explanation of why the adjustment is needed.

Parents must either sew a name label into all clothing or write the child’s name in indelible ink. If an item goes missing your child must inform the class teacher and class teaching assistant and look in the lost property. We will do our utmost to find lost items, but we are unable to provide a replacement.

£2.20

Steps to Pay for School Meals on Arbor

Log into Arbor:

Open your web browser and go to the Arbor Parent Portal or use the Arbor App on your mobile device. Enter your login credentials to access your account.

Via the website

Once logged in, from your child’s dashboard you will see Meals under Accounts.

Click on "Top Up Account". You will be directed to a page where you can select the amount you wish to add to your child's meal account. Fill in your card details and select "Pay" to complete the transaction. 

Via the app

Once logged in, from your child’s profile screen click the three lines at the bottom of the page and select the payments option.

Click on Meals under Active Payments, select Top Up Account

Select Top Up Account Select either Add to Basket (if you have further purchases to make) or Make Payment.

Payments can be made using a debit or credit card through the Parent Portal or App. The Arbor App also allows for quick payments using Apple Pay or Google Pay.

You can check your payment history and invoices in the same Payments section to keep track of what has been paid and any outstanding amounts.

If you encounter any issues while topping up your account, please contact reception for assistance.

Free school meals

Please use this link to make an application for free school meals 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Am I entitled to free school meals?

Primary

Your child will be able to get free school meals if they’re in a government-funded school and in:

• reception class
• year 1
• year 2

Tell your local authority if you also get any of the qualifying benefits. Your child’s school can get extra funding if you do.

Secondary

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Parking on site can sometimes be an issue at the beginning and end of the school day due to the volume of traffic we have at the school.

Therefore, as parents/carers you are free to use the additional parking spaces at the Wave building and walk your children through the pedestrian gate into school at the beginning and end of the school day.

We would like to encourage as many parents/carers as possible to use these additional spaces to make it safer for your children arriving and departing school.

Staff are always on duty to ask if you are unsure of which lane to use.

All information about travelling to and from school can be found here on our website Transport Information | Laleham Gap School.

 If you need any further information please email   hometoschooltransport@kent.gov.uk who will help with your enquiry

Yes, we have lunchtime and after school clubs. Please go to  School Clubs | Laleham Gap School for full listing