School information

• Drop off and collection times are detailed below. Please note that we operate a 'drop and go' system as well as a classroom door drop off and collection. 
• Breakfast club will run each morning from 7.45am until 8.15am in the Library. The cost per session  is £2 which will be added to your school bill. There is no need to book this service. 
• Children should bring a healthy snack to school each day (no chocolate bars please) and a refillable water bottle. 'Energy' drinks are not permitted. Squirrels children attending for a full day should bring two healthy snacks please. 
• To report an absence please email or call the school receptionists on tel: 01225 310 837 and also email your child's class teacher. 
• Family holidays should be taken during scheduled school holidays. All requests for holidays/leave during term time should be directed to the Head's PA using the email: cbevan@priorparkschools.com.
• If your child is being collected by another parent, relative or friend, please inform our receptionists by email: office.tps@priorparkschools.com
• Our school caterers are Palmer & Howells, and a delicious healthy cooked lunch is provided each day at school. The weekly lunch menu can be found in the weekly bulletin. 
• Wraparound care is provided until 6pm each evening by SuperPirates. Further information about their awesome after-school club and booking details can be found here. 
• The current after-school Clubs List can be found here. 

Timings of day:

Drop off for Squirrels: 8.15 - 8.45am. Collection either 1pm or 3.25pm

Drop off for Reception to Year 2: 8.15 - 8:45am.  Collection: 3:25pm (classroom door or drive through)

Drop off for Years 3&4: 8.15am - 8.30am. Collection: 3:45pm (playground or drive through)

Drop off for Years 5&6: 8.15am - 8.30am. Collection: 3.55pm (playground or drive through). Please see note below regarding Friday collection. 

*On Fridays following an afternoon of sport, pupils in Years 5&6 should be collected from the school lawn at 3.55pm if your child is not attending the optional sports clubs after Games at Prior Park College. Collection direct from Prior Park College after the clubs (promptly at 4.20pm) is permitted. Those children NOT collected from Prior after their club will be brought back to school for prompt collection at 4.30pm.

Morning and afternoon drop off by foot:  Pupils can arrive on foot or by car each morning and afternoon.  If arriving on foot, children should be dropped directly to the classroom door (Squirrels-Y4) or to the front door of Lyncombe House (Y5&6).   If collecting on foot, parents should collect directly from the classroom door (Squirrels – Y4) or from the front door of Lyncombe House (Y5&6)

Walking to School: We are keen to reduce the amount of traffic entering the school and encourage parents to car share, walk to school or use the minibus services from Prior Park College. Parents may also park at Prior Park Garden Centre in the morning, and walk into school.  If walking into the school grounds, please enter through the MAIN ENTRANCE, then turn right through the gate and walk through The Dingly Dell or enter through the MIDDLE GATE (ask receptionist for code). For safety reasons, it is important that parents and children do not walk through the staff car park but go through the gate and follow the designated pedestrian paths which are clearly marked around the site.  Please do not enter the grounds through the exit gate. The gates which lead onto the back drive should remain locked at all times. 

Parents are not required to confirm each day how they will collect their child, however we do ask that parents keep to the timings above, to ensure smooth operation of the system. 

If parents are dropping off by car and have a meeting scheduled with a staff member, then a limited number of visitor parking spaces are available which can be booked by prior arrangement with Reception. 

If you arrange for your child to be picked up by someone else in advance, please inform the child’s class teacher. Any late changes of arrangement will be relayed to the teacher via the receptionist. In the latter case, please contact the receptionist, by phone or via email, detailing who is picking the child up and at what time. Children can only be collected by their parent unless the school has had specific instructions that their child will be collected by a third party. Parents may provide a ‘blanket’ permission email if someone else regularly picks up their child. 

Collecting your child during the school day: When collecting your child during the school day, please go directly to the reception desk. The receptionist will check that permission has been granted and arrange for your child to come to the reception desk to be signed out. Parents must not take their child from the playground or classroom.

Pedestrian Crossing: Parents are requested to be mindful of the safety of all pedestrians in the school grounds,  particularly the children, when dropping off and picking up. Children must always use the zebra crossing. Please do not drop off and pick up on the drive and, if entering the school as a pedestrian, turn immediate right after the entrance gate and walk through the dell.

One way system: As we are situated in a residential area, we follow a one-way system through the school grounds and surrounding roadways which we hope minimises any inconvenience to the local residents. Arrival by car should be via Lyncombe Vale, and exit via Lyncombe Vale Road which forks to the left when you have exited  via the electronic gates. The map below indicates which routes to take.

Minibus Service 

A free minibus service operates from Prior Park College in the mornings. Whilst waiting for the bus, pupils will be looked after by a member of staff at the College. Buses leave from the Bury Sports Centre at the following times: 

Bus 1  - 8.15am  Bus 2 - 8.20 am (children should not arrive before 8.00am),  Evening shuttle from Paragon to Prior Park College - 5.00pm (Mon - Thurs) and 4.20pm on Friday. 

In order to help us provide the required amount of buses, please email our receptionists if you would like your child to use this service: office.tps@priorparkschools.com.  A minibus also operates from from Prior Park Garden Centre in the morning which leaves at 8.20am.

Prior Park College runs a daily, chargeable transportation service for its pupils, covering a number of local towns and villages. Paragon pupils may also use this service. For details of the routes please email transport@priorparkschools.com. Please inform the Paragon receptionists once your child has been booked onto this service, for their records. 

We encourage parents to car share whenever possible. The owner of Prior Park Garden Centre has kindly agreed to allow The Paragon parents to use the garden centre car park at drop off. Parents may park there and walk their children to school - please display the school crest on the dashboard of your car. Please note this arrangement is only applicable at the start of the day and is only for parents who are walking their children to school. 

School uniform is supplied by John Moore Sports which is situated on Argyle Street in the centre of Bath. Please click here for the full uniform list. Our PTA also run a well stocked second hand uniform shop which takes place in the Music Lodge practice room. Full details including timings can be found in the weekly bulletin.  If you would like to purchase second hand uniform please email: ptaparagonuniform@gmail.com

*Blazers: Please note that blazers are a a required item of uniform for pupils in Years 3-6

*Earrings: Simple silver or gold studs only may be worn but must be completely removed for PE and Games. 

*Shoes should be black and polishable. Trainers, boots or Doc Marten boots are not permitted.

If you have any questions about uniform then please contact our school Registrar: admissions.tps@priorparkschools.com

Pupils from Reception to Year 6 wear their PE/Games kit to school on their PE/Games/Swimming day. Please see the timetable below so that you know what your child should be wearing on which day: 

Reception

Monday: School uniform

Tuesday: Games kit

Wednesday: Games kit

Thursday: Games kit

Friday: School uniform

 

Year 1 & Year 2

Monday: Games kit

Tuesday: Games kit

Wednesday: School uniform

Thursday: Games kit

Friday: School uniform

Year 3

Monday: Games kit

Tuesday: School uniform & swimming kit

Wednesday: School uniform 

Thursday: School uniform

Friday: Games kit

Year 4

Monday: Games kit

Tuesday: School uniform

Wednesday: School uniform & swimming kit 

Thursday: School uniform

Friday: Games kit

Year 5 & Year 6

Monday: School uniform

Tuesday: School uniform

Wednesday: Games kit

Thursday: School uniform

Friday: Games kit

 

 

Please visit our Sport section for comprehensive details on Games and PE at The Paragon for all year groups.

Please click here for Swimming information for all year groups.  

Please click here to view our PE and Sport Policy

For a full list of equipment required for each year group, such as stationery and water bottles, please click here. Please refer to the uniform list for items such as wellington boot and swimming bags which are also compulsory. Please note that school provides all stationery needed,  but if your child is in Year 4 and above and would like to bring in their own pencil case, then the attached lists give a guide as to what would be required. 

Please visit our Contacts page 

The main emphasis of homework is to reinforce learning taught in school. We encourage parents to ask their children about their learning and where possible, spend time listening to them read. They may also help by practising spelling words and multiplication tables to support with embedding these important skills. Homework tasks are designed to allow children to access them independently.

In addition to daily reading, times tables practise and weekly spellings, homework tasks will be organised as per the table below. It is important note that Homework tasks will vary in subject content focus and the time set to complete, therefore, it requires the children to be adaptable and well organised: skills they will continue to develop as they transition through school.

We encourage the children to speak to their Class Teacher should they have any questions or problems with their Homework tasks. Parents are encouraged to communicate with their child’s Class Teacher via email or the Pupil Planner should they wish to discuss any aspect of Homework.

Expectations for each year group can be found on the PDF attached.  HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS

 

Young Readers                                         Years 3&4                                     Years 5&6

The Paragon's school nurse is Gemma Young. If you would like to discuss any medical matters with Gemma, please email her using the following email address: healthcentre@priorparkschools.com.  

Diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily.  Following NHS advice, children who are poorly with either should stay away from school until they have not being sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days (48 hours). Further information can be found here: Diarrhoea and vomiting - NHS

Early in the Autumn term, parents will be invited to a School Information Evening at which class teachers present to groups of parents in the classroom, sharing key information and curriculum highlights for the year ahead. The presentation will also deal with routines and expectations, relevant homework schedules and educational visits. Of course, you are encouraged to make an appointment to see your child's teacher at any time if you have questions or concerns.

Every Friday, parents will receive our weekly Bulletin, which is sent by email at the end of the school day. The Bulletin features a message from the Head, an update from each class teacher, and specialist teachers as well as PTA news and  important dates for your diary.

Classlist: This is our parent communication app which will enable you to chat within your year group but also across year groups, to arrange parties, social events, sporting events, to buy and sell goods and to organise PTA volunteers. When joining the school, all parents will be sent a link to join their new class. 

If you would like to speak to your class teacher, please email them in the first instance. 

We believe that excellent pastoral care is at the centre of an outstanding school. We have many systems in place to reward children for good behaviour, as well as support children who make mistakes in their behaviour. Further details can be found on The Paragon's policy page. 

The school has a pastoral team whose responsibility it is to ensure every child feels valued, safe and secure.  Please contact Sarah James – Deputy Head, Pastoral if you have any questions: sjames@priorparkschools.com  

If you have a pastoral concern, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance. 

BULLYING 

There is zero tolerance of any bullying behaviour at The Paragon. We deal firmly, yet fairly, with any behaviour which could be seen as bullying and ensure all children involved received support and understanding. The Trust's Anti Bullying Policy can be found on our policies page.  

Our school values are illustrated in The Paragon Wheel, a diagram which is used extensively in classrooms for reflection and aspiration.  We strive to foster the attributes illustrated on The Paragon Way in both children and staff - these behaviours are nurtured in every child at The Paragon throuought their education with us. 

The Paragon Wheel

The Paragon Way

We supplement the curriculum with frequent trips around the local area and further afield to make learning relevant and fun for the children. Detailed risk assessments are always undertaken to make such times as safe as possible.  

These educational visits - some of which are residential - develop independence and provide a wealth of academic and social benefits, and they are an important and integral element of our educational programme. Therefore, we encourage parents to allow their children to attend these trips. 

Year 3 pupils have an enjoyable week of activities during the summer term's residential week which takes place in May. They have the opportunity to take part in topic based trips and activities based in school and in Bath. 

Children in Year 4 enjoy an activity week featuring environmental tasks, art projects and  sport activities. For many, the highlight of the week is two nights away, camping at an activity centre. 

In Year 5, children spend three nights away on a residential in Dorset, where great emphasis is placed on developing social skills and, in Year 6, children spend a week in France or the Isle of Wight.  

Parents are informed about the cost of visits in advance and the cost is added to school fees.  

A house system operates for all year groups. Children are allocated to one of the four school Houses: Abbey, Crescent, Holburne and Milsom.

Houses compete against each other in sports and other events. Stickers awarded to children for behaviour and effort count towards the weekly house total and a cup is awarded to the house with the most points each half of term, with the house earning the most points at the end of the year being awarded the House Shield.  

Each house has a House Captain and Deputy who are voted in by the members of the house on a termly basis. House assemblies, led by the House Captains, are held each half term. Occasional house activity sessions take place, during which the children participate in team building tasks, working alongside members of their house from other year groups.  

Please find a link to the key dates during the year here. Please note that this is not the full school calendar, which can be accessed in the Calendar tab in the Parent Hub. 

Please click here to view guidance on sharing edible treats at The Paragon School