Parent/Carer Information

Communication

We use two main forms of communication with parents/carers, Arbor and SeeSaw.

If you are having any issues logging on or accessing SeeSaw or Arbor please contact the school office.

We also have school Facebook and Twitter pages that are accessible by the general public.

We send a half-termly newsletter which provides a summary of what the whole school has been up to and key dates coming up for you to be aware of.  

Arbor is the school platform for payments and consents.

When you download the Parent Portal not only can make payments, consent to trips and visits and monitor your child’s attendance you can also ensure that your general consents for things like use of photographs, social media etc are up to date and accurate.

Our school requires parental consent in order for your child to participate in a range of activities, particularly out of school. If you wish to withdraw any consent previously given, you can do so through the Arbor Parent Portal or contact the school office to notify. 

The Parent Portal also allows you to update and amend your contact details and those of your child’s emergency contacts.  Arbor is also used as a communication tool which sends emails, text messages and in app messages to parents.

Information

Information can be given in a variety of manners. Please ring the school office and make a request if you require correspondence in a language other than English, a larger font or coloured background. Alternatively, contact the school office if you would prefer to meet with our Family Support Worker to assist you in the completion of forms or to discuss given information on a personal basis.

Medication

Medication can be administered by school but only when we have a completed Medication Consent Form.  Please complete the form and return it to the school office.

Uniform

We encourage all our students to wear the school uniform which comprises of a burgundy sweatshirt and grey polo shirt, each with an embroidered school logo. However, we understand that some students may have sensory issues that make wearing the uniform difficult for them. Therefore, wearing the school uniform is voluntary.

Our uniform provider is School Trends.  To purchase your child’s school uniform, please click below and search for Holbrook School for Autism.  Further information for parents can also be found on their website.

School Meals

The cost of a school meals is currently:

• £2.80 Primary Students
• £3.10 Secondary Students

Reception, year 1 and year 2

The government’s school food plan offers a free lunch to every child in reception, year 1 and year 2.

Year 3 and above

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on: paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit: if you apply on or after 1 April 2018, your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Applying for free school meals

The local authority use the Department for Education’s free school meals eligibility checking system. School are notified of your eligibility.

To apply, you will be required to register and provide:

• your National Insurance Number or National Asylum Support Service Reference Number
• your family name
• your date of birth
• you may also be required to upload a copy of your benefit document

If you believe you are eligible for a free school meal, please visit the Derbyshire County Council website and complete an online application.

Families Information Service

Information about early years education and childcare services to support schools and families can be found using the link below.

Feedback to Ofsted

We always value feedback.  Please use the link below if you wish to make a submission to Ofsted about the school.

Thank you for your comments.