| Q | How can I find out term dates? |
| A | All term dates are published on the school website. |
| Q | What does my child need to wear for school? |
| A | The school uniform requirements are found the school website. |
| Q | What equipment will my child need? |
| A | The majority of equipment needed is supplied by the school, but it is strongly recommended that each pupil is provided with a case or bag, pens, pencils (normal and coloured), scientific calculator, ruler, rubber, protractor, set-square, a pair of compasses, Welsh and French dictionaries. Other optional but useful pieces of equipment will be recommended by subject staff. The basic equipment listed is vital if written work is to be carried out in school. We ask that school books are adequately protected on the journey to and from school. please contact the school if you need any further information. |
| Q | What are the lesson times? |
| A |
The school has a teaching schedule of 25 hours per week in line with the Welsh Government recommendations. There are five lessons each day of 60 minutes duration, four in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning session commences with a short registration period followed by either an assembly or a structured tutorial session for 25 minutes to include an act of collective worship. 8.30 – 8.55 a.m. Registration/Assembly 8.55 – 9.55 a.m. Lesson 1 9.55 – 10.55 a.m. Lesson 2 10.55 – 11.15 a.m. Break 11.15 – 12.15 p.m. Lesson 3 12.15 – 13.15 p.m. Lesson 4 13.15 – 13.55 p.m. Lunch 13.55 – 14.55 p.m. Lesson 5 |
| Q | How will I know how well my child is progressing at school? |
| A | All students receive an interim report each term. They will also receive a detailed written reports each year on their year group outlining their current level/grade in each subject as well as their attitude to learning. Parents/carers are invited to attend annual Parents’ Evenings to review their child’s progress. |
| Q | How will I know what homework to expect? |
| A | Pupils are encouraged to record set homework via Class Charts |
| Q | Who do I speak to if I have any concerns? |
| A | Your child’s Progress Leader and / or Raising Standards Officer is your first port of call if you have any concerns. They know your child best and can be contacted via telephone. They can refer you to other staff where appropriate. |
| Q | What extra-curricular activities do you offer? |
| A | Please see the extra-curricular activities page on the school website. |
| Q | How do we pay for school lunches? |
| A | A cashless system operates in all cafeteria locations at Cyfarthfa. Money can be topped up via Parent Pay. Any pupils eligible for Free School Meals will automatically have their accounts credited each day. Pupils are allowed to bring packed lunch, but these must be eaten in the specified areas. Energy drinks are not permitted due to their health warnings surrounding their consumption. |
| Q | Can teachers administer medication? |
| A | The school’s policy is that within our establishment prescribed medication should not be administered by staff in any circumstances, except where a special protocol exists covering administration of epipens in the case of allergic reactions. Where medication is brought onto the premises (after the production of a written request by parents) it should only reside with the ALNCO who will oversee the pupils administering their own medication and keep safe the medication concerned (in their original containers). If need be, parents will be admitted onto the school premises to administer medicines to their children. The necessary written application must be made by parents. Where such an application is not made in writing the medicines will not be accepted into the school. |