Absence and Illness

Absence/Illness Information

If your child is going to be absent it is essential that you telephone the absence line by 9.00am. Please give your child’s name and Class Teacher as well as your message.

Ravelston Absence Line – 0131 347 5788

If a message is not received by 9.30am the Receptionists will telephone home or other contact numbers.

Holidays During Term Time – you are asked to avoid holidays during school term time as it is important that our children enjoy continuity at school.

Requests for leave of absence for reasons other than ill-health should be made in writing in good time as follows:

For absences of less than one day (e.g. medical/dental appointments) but not for holidays – Class Teacher.

For all absences of one day - Mrs Alison Lydon, Senior Deputy Head at Ravelston.

For all absences of more than one day - Mr Kane, Head of Junior School.

• Please ensure that your contact numbers are kept up to date on ‘Firefly’
• If your child is unwell, please keep them at home.
• If your child becomes unwell during the day, we will contact you to have your child taken home.
• In order to help control the spread of infectious diseases in line with NHS advice, we would recommend 48 hours clear of sickness and diarrhoea before returning your child to school.
• If you have any doubts regarding your child’s fitness for return, our School Nurses would be happy to advise you.
• On return to school after an illness an email should be sent to the Junior School Reception at Ravelston confirming the date(s) of absence and the reason for it.

Medical Care

Two qualified school nurses are on duty from 9am each day and a school doctor visits once a week. The nurses keep children's medical records and are able to dispense medicines as well as TLC. Parents of all Junior School children are asked to sign a form stating whether or not their child can receive analgesics during the school day.

Pleas note it is not possible for children to remain with the school nurse for more than a few minutes and parents should ensure that they do not send children to school when they are feeling unwell.

The school nurses at Ravelston are based in Ravelston House. Easter Ravelston also has a medical room which is used by the school nurses when a Nursery or Primary 1 child is unwell. 

Access

If you foresee any access difficulties, please alert the school and appropriate arrangements to help will be made.

Anti-Bullying

ESMS Anti-Bullying Policy

ESMS acknowledge that bullying is a breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We are committed to challenge all types of bullying, including addressing prejudice-based bullying and language in line with GIRFEC, the Equality Act 2010, and ‘Respect for All’ Scottish Government guidelines, whose central values are fairness, respect, equality and inclusion. The protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

What follows reflects our commitment to every child at ESMS. This commitment is communicated annually in information sent to parents so that all families can be aware of the importance we attach to our children’s right not to be bullied in any way.

The ethos and values of ESMS underpin our schools’ culture, in which it is accepted without question that every child has the right not to be bullied at school. School managers, teachers, support staff, children and parents work very hard together to establish a climate in which children who are bullied, or who see other children being bullied, will immediately tell an adult about it. Any child who talks to any member of staff will be taken seriously and every effort will be made to ensure that the bullying behaviour, however minor it may appear to be, ceases. Children will be supported to develop an understanding and acceptance of our nine values – respect, kindness, enthusiasm, grace, commitment, integrity, confidence, responsibility and appreciation – which are the most important elements of our dedication to ensuring that every child can be happy and safe in school.

Bullying Policy Statement - Our commitment to your child

It is accepted without question by all adults in our Junior School that every boy and girl has the right to be happy at school. It is not acceptable that a child should be bullied in any way. Teachers, children and parents work very hard together to establish a climate in which children who are bullied, or who see other children being bullied, will immediately tell an adult about it. Any child who talks to a teacher or member of the support staff will be taken seriously and every effort will be made to ensure that the bullying, however minor it may appear to be, ceases.

Bullying can involve direct physical assault, verbal and non-verbal intimidation, bullying by text message, cyber bullying*, name-calling or isolation. In the Junior School we are committed to ensuring that such behaviour is not accepted. We continually reinforce the importance of treating others well and of demonstrating the values of the school, rather than concentrating on merely reacting when bullying is reported. We believe that children who set high standards for themselves will care about others and for that reason we believe that an understanding and acceptance of our nine Values words – respect, kindness, enthusiasm, grace, commitment, integrity, confidence, responsibility and appreciation – are the most important elements of our dedication to ensuring that every child can be happy and safe in school.

Guidelines for good behaviour are displayed around the school and discussed regularly as part of the School Values. It is the duty of each child to report any incidents which contravene these guidelines. Parents, too, are strongly encouraged to report anything which is affecting their child in school, confident that their comments will receive prompt and sympathetic attention. In every instance where action is required, the parents and the child who has suffered will be informed of the outcome, as will the parents of the child who has failed to live up to the standards of behaviour expected.

The publication of this clear statement to the whole school community reflects the importance we place on the right of every boy and girl to be happy each day in school as well as the significance we attach to the promotion of the School Values as a means of achieving happy children.

Cyber Bullying

All children are responsible for ensuring that they do not misuse any forms of electronic communication including social networking sites.

• Children must never post photographs or video material on a site, whether of other children or of a member of staff, without their personal permission
• Children must never send anonymous texts to another child and must not send texts which are unpleasant or likely to cause a child to be unhappy
• Children are responsible for the content of any messages which are sent by them and they are also responsible for any messages which they forward to or about another child or member of staff
• Children are advised not to allow any other child to borrow their phone as they may be held responsible should it be misused.

It is important as a member of the Junior School that each child realises that the misuse of social networking sites or other forms of electronic communication will result in appropriate sanctions being taken. Cyber bullying is a phrase used to cover misbehaviour of any kind on a social networking or other electronic site which causes another child to be unhappy. Cyber bullying is as serious as other forms of bullying and will result in school sanctions up to and including suspension from school for continuous misbehaviour or in extreme cases expulsion.

Bad Weather and School Closure

Generally speaking Edinburgh does not suffer from extremes of weather. Occasionally weather can affect transport arrangements to and from school – usually this is caused by snow. Our policy with regard to adverse weather is straightforward – the school always aims to stay open (although we did have to close for two days in December 2010 for the first time in over thirty years and for three days in March 2018). Parents who feel anxious about their local weather conditions during the school day are welcome personally to collect their children from school or contact the school to ask that their child be sent home.

Parents will receive a text message if the School has to close early as a result of bad weather.

If a child is stranded at school because of bad weather, we ensure that they will be provided with food, shelter and pastoral care for the night, usually within the Boarding House. Such circumstances are extremely rare.

Charities

The ESMS Junior School organises a number of fund-raising events each session to raise money for a variety of charities including The Chesney Trust in Malawi. We have two non-uniform days each session. Individual Year Groups also raise money for their own chosen charities. This year Nursery will be supporting Oaklands Special School.

Communicating with parents

We welcome communication with parents. There will always be a member of staff at drop off or collection to pass on informal news about your child, or answer questions. If you would like to discuss any specific aspect regarding your child's experience in Nursery, please speak to a member of staff or email reception and we will arrange a telephone call, Microsoft Teams call or meeting.

Early in the Nursery year, Parents will be invited to an Information Evening. Parent Seminars and Parent Information will then be available on Firefly which will provide information on children’s learning and development.

During the year you will have the opportunity to discuss your child's progress at individual virtual or in person consultations. Evidence of children’s progress is gathered in a Personal Learning Plan called ‘My All About Me’ book which is shared with children and parents and these are sent home regularly throughout the session. Activities and Information will also be shared our digital platforms, Firefly and Seesaw.

Later in the year, you may be asked for payment via your ‘Extras’ Account when outings, events or visits are arranged. It is important that these requests are returned by the date indicated.

We communicate almost exclusively by email with parents through a system called SchoolPost. Our parents’ portal is called ‘my esms’ and contains other useful information for you to refer to throughout the school year.

Contacts and Communication

We hope that you and your child enjoy a happy and successful year in Nursery. Should you ever have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please speak to your child’s Class Teacher, Mrs Watt (Head of Nursery), Ms Macpherson (Assistant Head - Early Education and Director of Pastoral Care), or Mrs Lydon (Senior Deputy Head - Early Education). We are all committed to try to sort out problems which arise, no matter how trivial they might seem.

After School Club email eplus@esms.org.uk

After School Club at Ravelston 0131 347 5844

The Junior School at Ravelston - Reception 0131 347 5777

The Junior School at Ravelston - Absence Line 0131 347 5788

The Junior School at Ravelston email jsravreception@esms.org.uk

Phone calls to School

The Reception will be happy to pass on your messages but if you would like to speak to a specific member of staff, calls after the end of the school day would be appreciated.

Emails to School

Parents should be aware that computers within the classroom are primarily to work the ActivPanels. Any emails sent to jsravreception@esms.org.uk may not be read by Class Teachers before the children go home. Please do not rely on this method for getting messages to your child during the school day.

e-plus (Early Birds, Afer School Club and Holiday Club)

‘where education and care are one’

www.esms.org.uk/fees/wraparound-care

We are aware that many families have to juggle work, home and school commitments and e-Plus aims to offers an innovative approach to childcare.

There are a number of services available:

Early Birds: Nursery – Primary 3 7.45am – 8.15am

After School Club: Nursery – Primary 7 from the end of the child’s school day.

Holiday Club: Nursery – Primary 7 8.15am – 6.00pm (a timetable of when bookings open will be on ‘my esms’ under Holiday Club from the start of session.)

Should you require further information about the services on offer or wish to book, please do not hesitate to contact our e-Plus Administration team eplus@esms.org.uk 0131 347 5844.

e-Plus Fees

Families pay for e-Plus through their child’s ‘Extras Account’. The costs are collated towards the end of each term and payment is requested four times a year, usually in October/November, January, April and July. Should you wish to pay for e-Plus in an alternative way or set up a standing order to help address the e-Plus costs in a planned way, parents are very welcome to liaise the Finance Department on 0131 347 5756 or email extras@esms.org.uk.

The Childcare Vouchers/Tax-Free Childcare

The School will continue to accept childcare vouchers from existing users to offset the costs of e-Plus. We also accept Tax-Fee Childcare for our e-Plus services in the same way as we do with Childcare Vouchers. Please do not hesitate to contact the Finance Department (detailed above) for further information.

e-Plus Frequently Asked Questions

Can you accommodate an extra one-off (Ad hoc) booking?

We will always try and accommodate a request for an extra one-off (Ad hoc) booking but due to the number of children attending we cannot guarantee a place.

Can we make a permanent change to our booking throughout the year?

Yes. We can try to accommodate this and ask families to give us a minimum of two weeks’ notice and would advise discussing any changes with our e-Plus Administration team before making any online cancellations.

Will we be charged for days that we do not use or if my child is absent?

Yes. All booked days whether the service is actually used or not, will be charged. This also applies to any booking which is made on an ‘ad hoc’ basis. This is a direct result of having to staff the e-Plus services according to parental requirements while adhering to the National Care Standards. This is in line with policy regarding payment of school fees.

Can we ‘swap’ a day as a one off at no extra charge?

No. This is primarily due to the increasingly high demand for regular places coupled with the complexity involved in trying to cope with so many individual requests and having to staff the e-Plus services according to parental requirements while adhering to the National Care Standards.

Is there a Notice Period for permanent cancellations?

Yes. If parents wish to withdraw their child from any of the e-Plus services on a permanent basis, please contact the eplus admin team.  A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required.

Is there a late collection fee?

Yes. However, we appreciate that families may occasionally be unexpectedly delayed. We would therefore ask that parents call in advance to let us know that they will be late. A late fee of £15 will be charged to all users collecting their children after 6pm more than twice in one term.

Will my child be collected/escorted to After School Club from class?

Nursery to Primary 3 children will be collected by the After School Club team and brought to New Ravelston. Junior School at Queensferry Road children make their own way to After School Club and are registered on arrival.

Are snacks provided?

A daily snack is provided within the After School Club and Holiday Club.

Can my child change out of uniform?

Yes. Children can bring a change of clothes in a separate bag to school. These can be either dropped off at the end of the classroom corridors or left in New Ravelston if your child attends Early Birds. Please be aware that the After School Club children regularly spend time outdoors so warm clothing is advisable during the winter months.

Will my child know the staff?

Yes. We have a designated team of staff for each Year Group, so if a member of staff is on holiday or absent your child will still be cared for by familiar adults.

What will my child do each day?

The e-Plus team carefully plan activities and events for your child to enjoy. These are in addition to the wealth of toys and resources which we have on offer within each of our purpose-built buildings and may take place indoors or outdoors.

Can my child still attend an extra-curricular club which runs after school and then come to After School Club?

Yes. We are aware of the children who will attend clubs after school and will expect them at After School Club once the club has finished. If your child is attending a music lesson, swimming or hockey later in the afternoon, your child can come to After School Club first and we will then ensure that they are in the right place at the right time.

Fees and Extras

School Fees - most of our children are eligible for funding from Edinburgh City Council. For those families who choose not to access this funding, or pay on a pro rata basis until funding eligibility begins, fees can be paid in advance or by Direct Debit. Fees can be paid in advance or by Direct Debit.

Parents who encounter difficulty paying fees are always encouraged to contact the Bursar as a matter of urgency so that he can offer advice and make practical suggestions. If you have to remove your child from school then one full term's written notice must be given. Means-tested financial support may be made available to parents of children as they move into S1 of either of the two Senior Schools.

Academic Scholarships

Up to four academic scholarships are available for children as they move from Primary 7 to Senior 1. A series of pre-scholarship assessments is held during the first term and between 15 and 20 boys and between 15 and 20 girls are recommended as suitable candidates for the scholarships as a result of these assessments. Parents of children in Primary 7 receive a letter in October explaining the structure and organisation of the scholarship examinations.

Extras Account

Any additional expenses incurred by your child during the session, including such items as the cost of local trips and school photographs are charged to your Extras Account after you have signed the appropriate consent form. The Extras Account is invoiced four times a year, and is normally collected by Direct Debit in October, January, April and July.

Instrumental Lessons and Groups

Some instrumental lessons can start from Primary 1, most instruments start from Primary 3.

Children have the opportunity to attend individual instrumental lessons in school from Primary 3 - Primary 7.

Lost Property

The Lost Property store is run by a team of dedicated parents who sort, date and label all property which is handed in. The store is situated in the basement of Home House and is open at the following times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.20am-9.00am.

All items of clothing must be named as this makes returning them to their owner much easier. Valuables such as money or watches which are found are taken to the School Office where they can be reclaimed. Again we advise that all watches are named.

Children are encouraged not to bring valuable personal possessions to school. There is a Junior School Policy in respect of mobile phones but other than that we do not encourage children to bring valuables to school as they can so easily be lost and are often very hard to trace. Class Teachers will always give parents advice on what is or is not suitable. Please note that children's belongings, including musical instruments, cannot be insured under the Schools' insurance policy.

Medical care

• A qualified school nurse is on duty from 9am each day and your child may be seen by a Nurse for many reasons.
• If a nurse sees your child, they will make a professional judgment based on the age of the child, the specific situation at hand, and the child's medical background as to what action is required, including if contact with you is necessary.
• If contact is required this may be via the school nurse, a teacher or a member of our admin team, depending on the situation.
• The nurses keep children's medical records and are able to dispense medicines as well as TLC.
• Parents of all Junior School children are asked to sign a form stating whether or not their child can receive analgesics (such as Calpol) during the school day.

Please note it is not possible for children to remain with the school nurse for long periods of time and parents should ensure that they do not send children to school when they are feeling unwell.

The school nurses at Ravelston are based in Ravelston House. Easter Ravelston also has a medical room which is used by the school nurses when a Nursery or Primary 1 child is unwell.

'my esms'

The ESMS website is a source of current information and the address is www.esms.org.uk. 

All parents have access to the secure personalised site Firefly which contains all the information required by parents to plan for the session and to know what is happening across the schools. Each parent will be given a  unique username, their email address and a password. New parents can access Firefly from August

 All school emails are usually posted at 6.00pm each evening on 'my esms'.

Parents should ensure that the information about their child/children on 'Firefly' is up to date including medical information. Please also inform the school of any changes in family circumstances such as separations.

Parent Involvement

Parent Helpers

We are very pleased to hear from parents who want to volunteer to help within the Nursery.  We are often able to make use of particular skills.   Please consult the Class Teacher for further details.

Parents are also encouraged to offer practical help to the school in a variety of other ways as follows:

• Parents have, traditionally, volunteered to support the Development Office with a variety of social events. Please contact the Development Office if you would like to be involved development@esms.org.uk.
• We are always very pleased to hear from parents who would like to help out in either of our Junior School libraries.

Parents' Liaison Committee

A Parent Liaison Committee exists to ensure that educational interests to the schools and parents are discussed. This body meets three times per session. The Headteacher and both Senior Deputy Heads attend these meetings. A parent representative from each Year Group in the Junior School sits on the Committee.

Support from Parents

Every year many parents individually ask the school to provide advice in terms of how best they can support their children through the varied demands of a school year. This list below has been drawn from a wide range of advice offered by educational practitioners and is commonly accepted as  good practice for helping ensure pupils have the opportunity to achieve their potential in both work and play during their time at ESMS.

• A positive attitude about school and towards learning is one of the most important gifts that can be given to a child. Support your child at school and all adults in the school who deal with children.
• The time we spend exchanging ideas and values at home with our children is vitally important in setting the tone, the attitudes and the behaviour that makes a difference at school.
• Establish high, yet realistic expectations for your child. Remind them that success in school is mostly due to hard work and is not a matter of luck or genes.
• Help your child pursue interesting activities outside the classroom and encourage them to attend and support their peers in a variety of school events.
• Establish realistic, consistent family rules for work around the house so your child can develop schedules and stable routines.
• Get involved in our child's homework. Assist them, but do not do the homework. Have a quiet place for them to work and ensure homework is done.
• Control TV watching, mobile hone use and computer use; it is a very good idea to make bedrooms a device-free zone overnight. Have books and other reading material in the house. Discuss current affairs.
• Talk about what happens in school on a regular basis. Communal meal times are ideal for this, as is the family car.
• Become knowledgeable and supportive of the School and its events and attend parent/teacher meetings.

Parties

We recommend that children's parties are only held at the weekend so that tiredness does not disrupt their learning.

If the whole class is invited, invitations may be handed out in school. If not, please ensure invitations are distributed out with school.

Publications

Our ESMS Junior School newsletter Up-to- Date is issued regularly throughout the session and details highlights from every Year Group and individual children's achievements.

SchoolPost emails are sent regularly with information about upcoming events.

School Policies

All school policies are updated regularly and are available to view on 'my esms'.

Sixth Form Helpers

Students in the Sixth Form are invited to volunteer their time to assist in our Junior School classes.  The Junior School children always enjoy building relationships and being supported by our older children.

Wellbeing Information and Child Protection

Wellbeing Information for Parents and Carers

We recognise the importance of supporting all of our children and understand that parents also may need support and guidance at times. If parents have any concerns about their child’s development or progress they should speak to their child’s Class Teacher in the first instance.

It is, however, important that families are aware of the wider support networks in school. Mrs Alison Lydon (Senior Deputy Head - Early Education), Ms Claire Macpherson (Deputy Head - Early Education and Director of Pastoral Care) and Mrs Rhona Watt (Head of Nursery) are available for advice, support or guidance at any time. Mrs Keir (Head of our Support for Learning Department) is also available.

Child Protection

We have a comprehensive Child Protection Policy and parents can access this through Firefly.

If you have any child protection issues our school Child Protection Co-ordinator is Ms Claire Macpherson. She can be contacted on 0131 347 5777.

At ESMS we have embraced the Scottish Government framework for ‘Getting It Right For Every Child’ (GIRFEC) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The welfare of every boy and girl is at the heart of everything we do. Their wellbeing – academic, emotional, physical and social – will be nurtured by our caring, professional staff in partnership with families and outside agencies. Our aim is to ensure each pupil is safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included.