Arbor App now supports biometric login! So, logging into the Arbor App means

• No more entering login details every time - the App will now save parents’ email address and password, eliminating the need to re-enter them each time they login
• Parents can use their existing login method - whether that's face or fingerprint recognition, or their device’s pin code
• For parents with children at different schools, it's now easier and faster to switch between them

We offer after school clubs on several days of the week from 2.30 – 3.30.  Please contact the school office for more information.

Telephone: 01442 398988

Email: admin@collett.herts.sch.uk

Arbor

The Arbor App can be downloaded through the usual channels and allows parents to communicate with the school.  All letters home, payments and consents (for trips etc) are done via Arbor.  For more information please contact the school.  Please note we are no longer taking cash payments.

Class Dojo

Class Dojo allows you to communicate with your child's teacher directly and enables the teacher to update you with some work your child is currently undertaking in class. It is available as an App through the usual channels.

Please note: Teachers are only available between the hours of 8am - 4pm Monday – Friday.

The EHCP is a Local Authority managed document, where the school captures the views of those engaged with the individual child and makes recommendations.  The Local Authority has the ultimate 'ownership' of the EHCP and makes decisions on what is and isn't included.

Each year, an annual review of the EHCP takes place at the school.  They are an informal meeting to capture the views of parents/carers, the child and professionals working with the pupil.  Depending on a pupil's age, progress in learning or transitional time to another phase of education, there will be different people attending the meeting.  For some EHCP review meetings, there will be several people contributing to the plan, for others, it will be a simple updating of information.

At The Collett School, we seek to gather views and relevant reports in advance of the meeting, giving families the opportunity to read through these before meeting together to make decisions on the recommendations to the Local Authority about what should be updated.

Who will be at the meeting?

People you have invited to the Review Meeting e.g.

• Social Worker
• Pediatrician
• Respite Carers
• Community Occupational Therapists
• Independent (private) Therapists

People invited by the school

• SENCO
• School-based Speech and Language therapists at The Collett (where relevant)
• School-based Occupational Therapists (where relevant)

The child's class teacher is rarely present because their input is thorough as a result of the report they prepare for the meeting.  They also go through the existing plan in detail, to comment on changes that can be discussed and finalised in the meeting.

We have rebranded 'Parents' Evenings' as EHCP Progress Review Evenings.  This is so the focus on the evening is personalised to your child - ensuring updates on your child's progress towards their EHCP Outcomes is addressed termly, in this semi-formal event.

Your child's class teacher will work with you to find a time to see them - whether virtually or, in person.

Safe Use of Images

Please see below for our guidance on parents taking pictures and recording video during school productions etc

Protecting your child in school

The internet and especially the World Wide Web, are essential parts of modern life which can enrich lives and empower children and families when used in a safe and secure environment. There are ever more ways to access this world using computers, tablets, phones, games consoles, TVs, watches... the list gets longer each year. With this access comes an element of risk, and a responsibility for adults to protect and educate children to use the technology safely.

At The Collett we use the Hertfordshire Internet and Connectivity Service (HICS) Filtered Web Service who provide us with a firewall to protect the children from harmful content.

Mobile Phones & SMART watches

At The Collett we understand that the majority of children will at some point own a mobile phone, some children also have a SMART watch that can access the internet.  Whilst we are more than happy for them to be used on the journey to and from school we have a policy of collecting devices as children arrive. They are then stored in a locked room until they are distributed at the end of the day.

We do however allow children to use mobile phones and SMART watches when accessing Travel Training.  Your child's class teacher will inform you when this forms part of the curriculum.

For more information on esafety and advice how you can keep your child safe online please click on the following links:

Internet Matters

NSPCC Online Safety Information

Information on Free School Meals from Hertfordshire Local Authority

If you do not meet the criteria for free school meals but need some support to buy food or pay household bills, help is available. Contact HertsHelp for advice and practical support – call 0300 123 4044, email info@hertshelp.net or visit www.hertshelp.net. You can also find further information around support at Hertfordshire County Council | Help to manage the cost of living

Our Home-School Agreement revised November 2022

There are times when it is necessary to administer medicines during school hours either occasionally or on a regular basis.

We are able to do this, but all medicines must be prescribed by a doctor or health professional and in its original packaging.

If your child requires medication during school hours please download the Medicine Consent Form below and return it to the school office.

Request form to dispense prescribed medication in school

We are fortunate to be able to offer piano lessons, taught by Meg Cripps, a highly experienced music and SEND specialist teacher.  These piano lessons are personalised 1:1 sessions designed to work in the context of your child’s learning styles and needs.   

Piano lessons are open to pupils from year 4-11 and cost £12.65 for each 20-minute lesson.  Lessons take place at The Collett School on Mondays during school hours.  Pupils are required to commit to a trial period of half a term.   

Please contact the school office if you would like to book a slot, or email Meg Cripps directly on megcrippspiano@outlook.com 

Testimonials

Here you will find information on our careers guidance, how we are meeting the Gatsby Profile for the school and planning for transition to college and the world of work beyond.

The Friends of Collett is our school’s Parent Teacher Association and Parent Voice Council.
We decided on ‘Friends of’ as it encompasses other family members and people in our community wishing to support the work of the school in improving opportunities for our pupils.

The Friends of Collett is a registered charity (1157000) with three foci:

• PTA (Parent Teacher Association known as The Friends of Collett)
• To ensure all parents, carers and friends feel welcome as part of The Collett School
• Annual events with an emphasis on everyone being able to attend and enjoy an event rather than fundraising so as to be more inclusive, such as supporting other school events i.e refreshments for school plays, parents’ evenings and sports day.

PVC (Parent Voice Council)

Many parents would like to have more of a say in school decision-making but are not sure about the best way to make their voice heard. After all, most of the decisions made by schools affect parents one way or another and so it is only right that they should be able to contribute their views. This should develop a positive partnership between home and school and that this ultimately benefits the children.

• A parent representative is someone who is nominated/volunteers to liaise between parents and the class teacher or tutor. Representatives can be approached by parents if they have an issue that they would like relayed to the school. On the other hand, teachers may use the class parent representatives as a quick and informal way to reach all parents of children in their class.
• Parents and carers are encouraged to attend Whole School assemblies on Friday mornings (and particularly those where their children are undertaking activities/ providing the assembly).
• All parents/carers are welcome to the monthly coffee mornings after Friday assemblies.

Arrival 8.30am

Registration closes at 8.45am

Morning Break 10.15am - 10.30am

Lunchtime 11.45am - 12.45pm

Transport 2.30pm

Children and Young People Signposting Guide

YCH - Youth Connexions Hertfordshire

Travel Training - A guide for parents

A group of 6-8 pupils at a time are supported through a carefully constructed programme to support independent travel on public transport.

Hertfordshire LA have been working with college aged students and are now working with school aged children with SEND.  They work with the school, in the classroom first, before engaging them in the “full” Travel Training programme over the Summer, with the aim of getting them Travel Trained before they start college in September.

The Collett School's Trips: Parents and Carers Attending

Why a uniform?

Our school uniform exists to support the ethos of the school and help parents and children with regard to differentiating between school and out of school clothing.  Our pupils tell us they like having a uniform.  There are choices and optional aspects with the uniform that we have found can support individual children and families, such as a child's clothing preferences and costs.

Non-gender bias uniform

Our school uniform is non-gender bias, meaning boys and girls can wear any aspect of the uniform identified below, such as dresses, skirts or trousers.

Where to buy

Most items can be purchased from supermarkets and general suppliers of clothing and shoes.  Branded clothing can be obtained from Peter Spivey (see below).

Our school uniform supplier is :

Peter Spivey

71 The Marlowes

Hemel Hempstead  HP1 1LF

01442 256760

To visit their website click here Peter Spivey

'Non-Uniform' Guidance

On occasions, students in the main school are allowed to wear clothes other than the school uniform. This may include ‘mufti’ days to raise money and awareness for charities, or as a form reward; or when on school trips.

Whilst this allows students the opportunity to express themselves as individuals, it must be done so in an appropriate way. It is particularly important that any student dress on these occasions recognises that the school is still a working environment, and further that student dress does not cause embarrassment to staff, students and other members of the school community.

In doing so, the following guidelines are to be adhered to:

• Shorts, skirts and dresses, if worn, should be of at least mid-thigh length;
• Leggings, if worn, must also be worn with a skirt, dress or other top, of at least mid-thigh length.

The following items are prohibited:

• See-through clothing, for example see-through blouses;
• Strapless or ‘string-strapped’ tops;
• Clothing which is revealing; for example, exposing bare midriffs;
• Baseball caps;
• Clothing which reveals underwear;
• Flip-flops or backless footwear, due to health and safety issues;
• Clothing with offensive logos.

It is recognised that this dress code will not cover all issues that may arise. Students may seek to wear, for example, items which have not been covered by the above guidelines, but which are against the tenor of the dress code. In such a case, or given any issue of dispute, the final arbiter is the Headteacher or other senior member of staff.

All students are expected to arrive at school wearing clothing in accordance with this dress code. Should they not do so, then they will be sent home to change by the Headteacher or other senior member of staff. Any student unable to go home to do this will work in isolation for the day.