Useful Info/ Key Documents

TERM DATES

Click here to view term dates for all Midlothian schools: https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/878/schools/2/school_term_dates_and_holidays

ANNUAL CALENDAR

Our annual calendar is subject to current COVID-19 restrictions. We will continue to write to families about any upcoming events using Groupcall and Twitter. 

SCHOOL DINNER MENU

Find out more about school lunches by clicking here: https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/855/school_meals/13/school_lunches 

Our current menus and allergen advice can be found by clicking on the above link.

FREE SCHOOL MEALS, MILK AND CLOTHING GRANTS

Could you be entitled to Free School Meals, milk and a Clothing Grant?

Pupils from Primary 1-3 currently receive free school meals. Pupils moving on to Primary 4 pay for their school meals costing up to £10 per child per week (this totals up to £390 per year).

If you think you might be entitled to Free School Meals (from Primary 1-7), we ask that you complete the relevant form online (paper forms available at school office) at: https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/downloads/file/2830/free_school_meals_and_clothing_grant_application .

Further details can be found here: free school meals june 18 .

PARENTPAY

ParentPay is an online payment system. It allows parents to pay quickly and securely for school meals, excursions and activities. You simply top up your ParentPay account or in cash through PayPoint stores. We ask that all monies are paid to school via the ParentPay platform. Please speak with the school office if you are having difficulty accessing this. You can find out more details about ParentPay here: ParentPay Parent Flyer .

 

HEALTH CARE PLANNING

The majority of school pupils do not have healthcare needs which require day-to-day support in school. Those pupils who do have healthcare needs may require support in school for:
– a short period of time, requiring minimal support, e.g. taking antibiotics until the course is finished or having mobility problems due to having to wear a leg cast
· ongoing minimal daily support due to a long-term condition, e.g. taking methylphenidate (RitalinTM or EquasymTM) for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), requiring special toileting arrangements or planning rest periods to prevent exhaustion
· medication to be held in school in case certain symptoms occur, including medication to prevent or minimise an emergency situation, e.g. asthma inhaler or adrenaline pen for pupils with severe allergies
· certain conditions which require them to perform clinical tests to help them manage their condition, e.g. blood glucose tests for diabetics
· complex, chronic conditions, not managed with medication, that require more in-depth planning and support, e.g. following a serious head injury.

A copy of NHS Lothian’s flowchart to understand how we manage healthcare needs in school, can be found here: Flow Chart for managing pupils healthcare needs .

All school staff have a legal duty to care for pupils, which means that they have an obligation to exercise a level of care towards an individual, as is reasonable in all the circumstances, to avoid injury to that individual. This includes addressing healthcare needs. We work very closely with our School Nurse to manage healthcare needs. Should you require support with a healthcare need being met in school, please arrange to meet with Mrs McPherson in the first instance. 

 

Please do not bring your child to school if they are unwell. Please click here to read NHS Lothian’s guidance on recommended periods of absence e.g. 48 hours after last episode of sickness or diarrohoea.

 

SAFEGUARDING

It’s everybody’s job to make sure that children are protected from abuse.

We all have a duty to protect children, whether we are professionals or private individuals. If you think a child is at risk of being abused or neglected, speak to:

  • the Children’s Services Duty Team by calling 0131 271 6674 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm and Fri 9am to 4pm);
  • the Emergency Social Care Service by calling 0800 731 6969 (freephone) at any time outside normal office hours;
  • the Police by calling 101 or in an emergency 999;
  • a member of staff at school;
  • any Health professional.

Please report any concerns of inappropriate behaviour or challenging situations to the School Office immediately. Please do not approach pupils in the playground or contact parents directly and allow the school to address such situations.

Child Protection, Safeguarding and Wellbeing 

Our staff are committed to practice in a way that protects all children and young people and fully adhere to the processes and procedures contained within Edinburgh and Lothian’s Inter-Agency Child Protection Procedures 2015. A copy of our policy can be accessed here: 13 11 23 Child Protection, Safeguarding and Wellbeing . The emotional health and wellbeing of all children is at the heart of what we do. We are committed to protecting all children, young people and staff within the St David’s learning community from all forms of unacceptable behaviours by other children and young people. You can read more about this here: Anti Bullying and Equalities Procedure revised Aug 2022.docx

Smacking Ban

The law on all forms of physical punishment of children in Scotland changed on 7 November 2020. From this date all forms of physical punishment of children became against the law in Scotland. Scotland is the first part of the UK to ban the smacking of children.

This change in the law is about making things better for children in Scotland.

For more information visit the Scottish Government website

Duty of Candour

Please read our Duty of Candour annual report for 2022-2023 by clicking here.