The School Day

Welcome parents/carers. We hope you will find the information below a support.

At Downland school we really value the support of our parents and look to involve them in as many ways as possible. This will include discussions about your child’s progress, school events and review of your child’s EHCP. We pride ourselves on being effective communicators and you will find all our contact details on our staff page.

On this page you will find details of our school day and what you can expect your child to receive during a typical day.

The school day:

Upon your child’s arrival they will be greeted by staff in the main hall. Here mobile phones, bags and lunches are handed in and stored away safely. During this time, teachers and pastoral managers will be available to address any concerns or issues that may have arisen prior to pupils arrival.

Next, pupils will attend registration in their tutor groups, which supports the smooth transition into the school day. During tutor time all pupils have access to breakfast bars and a drink; we know that some pupils struggle to eat early in the morning so by having this on offer, it allows pupils to ensure they are ready for learning and the day ahead.

Tutors serve as your first point of contact for any concerns you may have with your child, the information you share will be relayed to our pastoral team and any other relevant members of the school community who need to be informed. This contact is really valued, as any issues outside of school will be addressed by our team. Above all we believe that regular home to school contact is vital in helping all pupils feel supported and valued. To contact a tutor either email directly or call the school office on 01380 724193.

Tutor time is not only a time for pupils to settle, it is also a time used for personal development (PD). Each tutor will lead planned activities linked to key curriculum areas. Below is the over arching framework for these sessions.

• Monday: Extended tutor time linked to key themes within the PSHEE curriculum
• Tuesday: Literacy activities linked to the schools literacy strategy
• Wednesday: Midweek workout linked to pupil well-being
• Thursday: Quiz linked to Monday’s tutor time
• Friday: Numeracy activities linked to the schools numeracy strategy

After morning registration pupils will engage in a broad and balanced curriculum that encompasses a diverse range of subjects, for further detail please see our curriculum pages. Each classroom is equipped with essential equipment including pens, pencils, books and high quality IT equipment ensuring that your child has everything they need for a successful learning experience. Our dedicated teachers implement adaptive practice to support your child and their individual needs. Classrooms are furnished with sensory tools such as fidget toys, widget visuals, wobble chairs and privacy screens to enhance comfort and focus.

Pupils are able to access a range of support during lessons and take learning breaks, we call it “taking 5”. Experienced pastoral managers and staff will facilitate interventions if and when pupils need help, advice and guidance. We have two therapists that also work with pupils therapeutically, more information can be found on the pastoral care webpage.

 Uniform:

We expect all our pupils to wear the school uniform. School uniform can be purchased directly from the school. We recognise that the cost of uniforms can be a financial burden for some families. If you are experiencing any challenges in this regard, please feel free to reach out to us for support. Additionally, if your child has outgrown their current uniform, we are happy to assist by providing a replacement.

Breaks/lunchtime:

Unstructured time is often when children experience challenges. All our staff support both breaks, we eat with pupils and support play and social interaction. We have access to a variety of equipment including basketballs, footballs and scooters.

Parental survey:

As a school we regularly conduct parent and carer questionnaires in order to get your experience and any concerns. We value the input from you and the information collected allow us to support your child. Please see the last 4 parental surveys which were completed during the last academic year, along with this method we also encourage parents to use the OFSTED Parent View which gives you the chance to tell Ofsted what you think of Downland school. https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/

Please see our latest parent/carer questionnaire responses captured at our most recent school events:

Summer Celebration 2024                      KS4 Parents evening 2024                    KS3 Parents Evening 2024 

                                       Year 7 Parents Evening 2023                    Summer Celebration 2023