Parental Information
Earlybird Plus
This is an excellent course for improving your understanding of your child’s autism and discussing strategies to support them at home and school. It is offered to families with a child on the Autistic Spectrum, aged 4 – 10 years old at the start of the course. Each family has 2 places allocated – these can be mum and dad, or parent and a close family member eg grandparent / aunt / uncle or parent and friend. If you attend the course there is provision for a member of staff, from the school that your child attends, to also attend the training – this is very valuable in sharing home / school understanding of your child.
Please consider taking up the opportunity of this training – families who have attended training in the past have commented on how much more confident they feel, how much they enjoyed meeting and sharing experiences with other families and improvements in home / school support. – For further details contact – enquiries@gosberton-house.lincs.sch.uk or sharon.oldfield@gosberton-house.lincs.sch.uk
NAS – Parent to Parent Service
Please see information below about the service available from the National Autistic Society.Find out more information on their web page or the online enquiry form by visiting the Parent to Parent pages of the NAS website.
Family Action Helpline – 0808 802 0222 The Parent Helpline is FREE. Parents can call for a befriending service where a volunteer will support for a period of time or counselling can also be offered if required via telephone or email.
Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum – Please see their website Events page for further details (www.lincspcf.org.uk ) Telephone : 07925232466
Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum hold drop in Information Sessions around Lincolnshire to be able to meet professionals & share information – please see their website for further information.
Learn more about support services, grants and information for you and your child at these forums.
- www.autism.org.uk/
- www.cwdsi.co.uk -[This is the Lincolnshire County Council web-page for children with disabilities and/or sensory impairments, providing a range of sevices, information]
- www.careresconnect.me [Support for carers in Lincolnshire]
- www.autism.org.uk/pubs – The National Autistic Society publications
- www.autism.org.uk/amazonshop – The sensory world of autism
- www.paains.org.uk – This website is designed to be a gentle step-by-step guide into the fascinating and rewarding world of Autism
- www.oassis.co.uk – 0ffice for Advice, Assistance, Support and Information on Special Needs.
- www.widgit.com – very good for free downloads of visual symbols – Also has a newspaper for older children, recipes, jokes, film reviews etc.. Also try Ebay for Visual Resources.
- www.education.gov.uk/popularquestions/childrenand families/specialeducationalneeds.
- www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs
- www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/parents/schools/sen/supporting-children-with-autism
- Lincolnshire Young Carers Count – Spurgeons – 01205 331322 lincscarers@spurgeons.org
- http://www.autism.org.uk/our-services/advice-and-information-services/parent-to-parent-service.aspx-NAS web page
- http://www.autism.org.uk/our-services/advice-and-information-services/parent-to-parent-service/parent-to-parent-enquiry.asp
Extra Funding
Extra Funding available for your child’s education – If you’re caring for a child under a SPECIAL GUARDIANSHIP ORDER (SGO), ADOPTION ORDER OR CHILD ARRANGEMENT ORDER, additional funding is available to ensure they are given extra support at school. To read more details please see the attachment below titled : ‘Pupil Premium Plus (PP+)’
Underwear Rule Parents Guide Children Autism
Help For Families Going Through The EHC Plan Process
Info Sheet Children With Disabilities
Grammar Glossary Jargon Busters
10 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Meetings With Your Child
The National Autistic Society PARENT To PARENT Service
Tapestry For Parents Web Tutorial1
Little Miracles Info June 2019
Below you will find a selection of printable templates for letters to school which you may find useful when personal or medical details change or to report the reason for an absence.
If school is closed prior to the start of the school day due to bad weather we will inform Radio Lincolnshire and Lincs FM at the following:
The school must consider the safety of the children at all times, and sometimes we have to send the children home early, in the case of heavy snowfall/emergency. We send out severe weather forms at the start of every school year and this will tell us where the taxis can safely leave the children if a parent is not at home. Children will not be left unattended, but it is important to have someone to leave them with.
If the school is closed prior to the start of the school day, Ms Stanton will inform Radio Lincolnshire and Lincs FM. It is impossible to telephone all parents. Obviously, we will try to keep the school open, and hope any disruptions due to severe weather conditions will be kept to a minimum. We have also asked that Royal Taxis inform Radio Lincolnshire and Lincs FM with any route changes due to bad weather.
If it is your preference to use a Mobile Telephone and not a land-line number, please can you ensure that the mobile telephone number you have given is always up to date, and switched on at all times.
Many thanks for your co-operation.
Weather or not they go to school today?
For up to date weather reports and school closures, listen to BBC Radio Lincolnshire 94.9FM or visit bbc.co.uk/radiolincolnshire.
You can also check our Facebook page, BBC Radio Lincolnshire
How do I arrange transport for my child?
Most families are offered transport as part of their acceptance of a place at our school. If you are unsure, please check with your child’s caseworker. You are very welcome to bring and collect your child from school. If your child usually accesses school transport but you wish to bring your child in or collect your child at any time, please let the School Office and your Transport service know.
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/school-college-transport/transport-children-send
Can my child access toys and games on their taxi?
If your child wishes to take a tablet or games device on their taxi, please understand that school cannot take responsibility for the devices. Please could you ensure these are VERY CLEARLY NAMED. All devices are handed into the school office and collected again at the end of the school day. Sensory toys/calmers will be available for your child on their taxi if requested.
How do I order school uniform?
Please contact the school office directly on 01775 840250. When you place your order, we will inform you of the total amount owed and when your order will be ready to collect from school or sent home with your child. Payment can be made by cash or cheque on collection. Your child will automatically receive a free drawstring bag for PE and a book bag. Unfortunately, we are unable to post uniform orders.
What PE kit items will I need to send in for my child?
A white T-shirt, navy or black sports shorts and black plimsolls.
What day will my child start school in September?
Term dates are available to view on our website but please contact the school office if you have any questions.
When does school start and finish?
School starts at 9am and finishes at 3pm.
Will school meals be available for my child?
Lunchtime is a very important part of the school day at Gosberton House Academy. We encourage the children to try new foods and they can learn to eat socially with their peers. You are always very welcome to send in a healthy snack for your child. Payments for school meals are contactless and made through ParentPay. Login details and further information will be sent out for each child prior to starting in September. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a Free School meal thanks to a government funding scheme known as Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM). Children can also access free school meals if they are eligible for Pupil Premium (please see our website for further information on eligibility requirements). If you think you are eligible for Pupil Premium, please register by visiting https://lcc.cloud.servelec-synergy.com/parentportal
How can I get in touch with my child’s teacher?
Our main form of communication is through Tapestry and all parents should be provided with a login for this. If you don’t yet have a login or are experiencing problems with accessing Tapestry, please contact the school office on 01775 840250.
What if I need to send in medication for my child?
Paperwork requesting details for medication and dosages will be sent out to you to be filled in and returned to school prior to your child starting in September. Any medication sent into school via your child’s taxi is signed in at the school office. We cannot accept medication without the prescription label which should include your child’s name and clear dosage instructions.
What if my child is ill and cannot attend school?
If you need to report your child’s absence, please contact the school office on 01775 840250 before 9am and leave a message on our absence voicemail. If your child falls ill during the school day, we will contact you to inform you and ask you to collect them.
How can I assist my child with their school work?
We encourage Family Learning throughout school, and we provide lots of ideas for projects the whole family can get involved in. We celebrate our achievements at the end of every term with a Family Learning assembly where parents and other family members are invited to join us.