We hope that you and your child enjoy a happy and successful year in Primary 1. Should you ever have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please speak to your child’s Class Teacher, Mrs Hill (Year Group Leader) or Mrs Lydon (Senior Deputy Head, Early Education). We are all committed to helping your child make excellent personal and academic progress during their year in Primary 1 and will always try to sort out problems which arise, no matter how trivial they might seem.


Aims

  • We offer an outstanding, well-rounded education, to a diverse group of children
  • We take time to build strong relationships and to help our children feel happy, safe and secure so that they thrive emotionally and socially and academically
  • We provide an unrivalled range of activities outside the classroom, enabling our children to discover and develop their natural talents
  • We inspire children to aim high and achieve strong academic results
  • We give children every opportunity to seize and embrace every challenge that life throws at them
  • Our teachers inspire innovative thinkers with a love of learning that will last a lifetime
  • Our children develop the confidence to use their voices
  • Our School Values embed character, inspiring children to develop good hearts, make good decisions and improve the world around them

Absences

If your child is going to be absent it is essential that you telephone the absence line by 9.30am. 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.

Illness and infection

  • If your child is unwell, please keep them at home and phone The Junior School at Ravelston Absence line: 0131 347 5788 by 9.30am at the latest (unless you have informed the School in advance). Please give your child’s name and class.
  • If a message is not received by 9.30am the Receptionists will telephone home or other contact numbers to check the whereabouts of your child.
  • Please keep your contact numbers up to date.
  • In line with NHS advice, children should have 24 hours without a temperature and 48 hours clear of sickness and diarrhoea before returning 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.

Medicines

  • If your child requires medication, please ensure School is aware of the dose and timings by filling out the specific medication form when handing the medication in.
  • If your child has taken medication before attending school such as Calpol, please ensure the form is filled out and handed in

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.

Acceptable use policy - photographs and phones

ICT

Pupils and/or parents are asked to sign an acceptable user's policy before accessing school internet and using e-mail. Given the concern expressed nationally about the safety of young people using social networking sites etc on the web, we recommend that parents go onto the Childnet website www.childnet.com. There are tabs with information for 'Young People' and 'Parents and Carers'.

Mobile Phones

Children in Primary 1 should not have a mobile phone in school.

Smart watches must be disconnected from the internet and from phones at all times. They should be switched to 'School mode' or 'Airplane mode' whilst in school.


Access

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

Accidental damage

In the event of a pupil causing accidental damage to the school's equipment or property, it is the school's policy that the pupil's parents should be charged a minimum of 30% of the cost of the damage, in recompense for the damage sustained. The School reserves the right to recovery of the full cost of any damage to have been inflicted deliberately or as a result of irresponsible behaviour.

Allergens

The Junior School (including Nursery) endeavours to be a Nut Free Zone

(this includes sesame and products that contain sesame.)

If your child suffers from any food allergies or has any special dietary needs, it is essential to inform staff in writing and update details on our system.

  • Current families can do this in ‘My ESMS’ by going to ‘My Details’ then clicking on your child’s tab and editing the dietary or medical details.
  • New families can add and update information by clicking on the link on the Firefly page (details will be sent mid April about how to do this).

We may then arrange for you to meet with the room staff or School Nurses to discuss your child’s needs.

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 girl and boy 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 boy and girl 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 five values – Confidence, Curiosity, Integrity, Kindness and Resilience – 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 five Values words – Confidence, Curiosity, Integrity, Kindness and Resilience – 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 girls and boys 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.

Appearance and Uniform

Uniform

  • The Uniform List and Thrift Shop Information can be found on 'Firefly'.
  • Regulation uniform may only be purchased from school suppliers (stevensons.co.uk)
  • All sports kit can be obtained from Stevensons
  • All items of clothing and equipment must be clearly marked with your child’s name.

Appearance

We have very high expectations of our children and we expect them to always wear their uniform neatly. Children are regularly reminded to tuck in their shirts/blouses, pull up their socks etc. and we rely very much on parental support to help us to ensure that children can feel proud of the way in which they wear their uniform.

We actively encourage the children to take responsibility for their own appearance, ensuring that they are smartly presented at all times. Hair and jewellery are both issues on which we would appreciate your support.

Hairstyles - Hair should be of a natural colour and should not cover the face or eyes. Due to the many practical activities, lessons and breaktimes in a day, hair that is longer than shoulder length should be tied back or up for safety and hygiene. Hair accessories should be in school colours (blue, red, black, navy, gold, tartan) and should be functional rather than just decorative.

Jewellery - Children may wear one pair of discreet gold or silver studs if their ears are pierced. Rings are not to be worn at school.

Standards - Should a child fall significantly below our expectations of remaining smart whilst in our care, we may deem it necessary to put him/her onto ‘Uniform Report’. This is to encourage the children to take responsibility for their appearance.

PE Kit - Children should wear PE kit (with tracksuit on top) if they have PE on that day. School tracksuits will help keep children warm during their PE lessons when they are outside. On all other days, children should wear school uniform. Please note that all PE kit is common to the Junior School and Stewart's Melville College Senior School for boys and The Mary Erskine School for girls.

Waterproofs - the ESMS 'mac in a sac' will be needed in case it rains on a PE day and for break times.  ESMS 'muddy puddles' waterproof trousers can also be worn.

Coats - the ESMS regulation coat is required in cold weather as children spend up to 45 minutes out at lunchtime in most weathers. 

Thrift Shop - Second-hand uniform and sportswear is available from the Thrift Shop

  • The school has a substantial Thrift Shop and it can be found at 5 Queensferry Terrace.
  • It stocks second-hand uniform and sports kit/equipment that caters for all children in the Junior School, Stewart’s Melville College and The Mary Erskine School.
  • During term time the shop will be open every Thursday afternoon from 3.00pm - 4.30pm, and on the first Saturday of the month from 9.30am - 12.00pm.
  • There are also pre-session shops in the run up to the start of term and times will be published via SchoolPost.

Further information regarding uniform and dates for the Thrift Shop can be found by selecting ‘Uniform & Equipment’ on the Home page of ‘My ESMS’.

Summer and Winter Uniform

Summer uniform - for Primary 1-3 is to be worn from after the Easter holiday and then up to and including the last Friday in September. Summer uniform for Primary 4-7 is to be worn from Easter until the October holiday.


Swimming kit is not required in Primary 1.

The underlayer and windcheater are also not required in Primary 1.


Babysitting

As a School we are aware that parents often appreciate the help and support of Junior School colleagues for babysitting purposes. Parents should be aware that any such arrangements will be viewed as a private arrangement between the family and the individual staff members and that Child Protection guidelines advise that if a babysitting arrangement is entered into, the care should always be provided in the child's home.

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.

Behaviour

At ESMS, we adopt a positive approach to the behaviour of our children and expect them to strive for the highest standards in all that they do. When children show our School Values through their behaviour we might recognise this by awarding a Values Certificate to take home. Across our Year Group we encourage the children to remember the Junior School Values through the Golden Rules:

  • We listen to people, we don’t interrupt
  • We are honest, we don’t cover up the truth
  • We are kind and helpful, we don’t hurt anybody’s feelings
  • We are gentle, we don’t hurt others
  • We look after property, we don’t waste or damage things
  • We try to work hard, we don’t waste time

Our School Values are understood through assemblies, class stories, Circle Time and, where appropriate, the Golden Rules. Individual Class Teachers will also have their own systems of reward to encourage effort and achievement.

If children’s behaviour falls short of the expected standard the Year Group Leader may become involved. For more serious issues, Mrs Lydon (Senior Deputy Head - Early Education) is notified. We will always endeavour to keep you informed.

Communication with parents is vital and parental support is very much appreciated. Our aim is to support the children in their behaviour choices and ensure they learn from their mistakes – which are inevitable both in childhood and as adults – in a restorative, impactful way. Reminders and conversations about our Values and expectations are the starting point and teachers may make parents aware of these key conversations in Homelink Diaries, to allow us to support children in partnership.

The following are examples of the sort of questions which may form the core of a restorative conversation:

  • What happened?
  • What were you thinking at the time?
  • What have you thought since?
  • How did this make people feel?
  • Who has been affected?
  • How have they been affected?
  • What should we do to put things right? – *Consequence*
  • How can we do things differently in the future?

Charities Ravelston

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 and the children are encouraged to bring in their charity pennies at any point during the week to be collected on Assembly Day. This year Primary 1 will be supporting The Yard.

Clubs/Extra-Curricular Activities

Extra-curricular activity is a vital ingredient of the educational provision at ESMS Junior School and these activities are available to all children from Primary 3-Primary 7.

Community

The Development Office is the hub for wider ESMS community projects. For the Junior School, it organises a range of events throughout the session and information about these will be sent via SchoolPost.

Both MES and SMC have Former Pupils' Groups which aim to encourage and maintain co-operation between former pupils and the school. These groups also cater for a range of sporting and social functions. Memberships of the groups are open to all pupils who attended MES or SMC.

The popular ESMS Community Choir is led by Mr Sandy Chenery (ESMS Director of Music) and membership is open to all. Details will be sent via SchoolPost. 

Contacts and Communication

We hope that you and your child enjoy a happy and successful year in Primary 1. Should you ever have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please speak to your child’s Class Teacher, Year Group Leader, Ms Macpherson (Deputy Head - Early Education and Director of Pastoral Care), or Mrs Lydon (Senior Deputy Head - Early Education). We are all committed to helping your child make excellent personal and academic progress during their year in Primary 1 and will always 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.

Notes from home

We aim to encourage both independence and organisational skills. If you wish to pass a note to the teacher, please ensure that this is clipped into the Homelink Diary and not simply put inside the reading folder, as the contents of the folder will not be checked on a daily basis and notes may be missed.

e-plus (Early Birds, After 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: Primary 1 – Primary 3   7.45am – 8.30am

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

Holiday Club: Nursery – Primary 7     8.15am – 6.00pm 

If you require any of the e-Plus services, please contact the eplus email address below.

Should you require further information about the services on offer, 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?

At this moment in time this is not possible

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 do so by contacting eplus reception. 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?

Yes. 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?

We are aware of the children who will attend clubs (P4-7) 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.

Equipment

Primary 1 children are required to bring the following to school each day:

  • An art overall or large shirt (named) – this should be left in school and only taken home when instructed by the Class Teacher.
  • A regulation school ‘mac in a sac’(named) – this should be packed in their school bag.
  • Wellington boots (named) and left in school
  • Waterproof Dungarees - navy blue (can be ordered from school) and left in school
  • Water bottle
  • Tissues
  • A pencil case (simple, with as few distractions on it as possible)
  • A regulation school bag and homework folder 
  • A large Pritt stick (not coloured)
  • Plastic crayons
  • Scissors
  • Ruler (15cm)
  • 2 sharp pencils
  • Coloured pencils

All the above items should be clearly named.

Fees and Extras

School Fees

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.

Improvement Plans

Copies of the ESMS and Junior School Improvement Plans are updated annually and can be found on Firefly.

Instrumental Lessons and Groups

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

Lunches and Break Time

The Junior School (including Nursery) endeavours to be a Nut Free Zone (this includes sesame and products that contain sesame.)

If you have not previously done so, please notify the Class Teacher and update ‘my esms’ if your child has an allergy of which the school should be aware.

Snacks should be small, nut free and healthy. 

  • Eaten mid-morning
  • Should be nut and sesame free healthy snacks
  • Please read all food labels very carefully and avoid any products that may contain traces of nuts
  • Children can bring a named water bottle to the school, containing water only
  • Squash and fizzy drinks are not permitted

School lunches –

  • Are compulsory for all children in Primary 1 and are eaten in the individual dining rooms in Easter Ravelston.
  • Are charged together with tuition fees and will appear on the school fee invoice as a separate line.
  • Children are always supervised, and we aim to create a pleasant atmosphere where children can socialise together.
  • We emphasise to the children the importance of healthy eating and good table manners and see this as part of each child’s education and all-round development.
  • Menus can be found on Firefly and we encourage you to look at the menus in advance with your child and discuss the various options on offer.

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.

Site Maps

Moving On

Moving from Primary 1 to Primary 2

As the children move on from Primary 1 to Primary 2 they remain in the same class and experience a variety of activities to support the transition. Playground visits and the Welcome Afternoon with their new Primary 2 Teacher and Teaching Assistant are exciting opportunities to find out about some of the new experiences ahead.

'My ESMS' and Firefly

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. 

 All school emails are usually posted at 6.00pm each evening by 'School Post'.

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


Outings and Visits

These include, amongst others, a trip to The Yard, a visit to school from ‘Owl Magic’ and a visit from ‘Fischy Music’.  Trips may require additional adult helpers and your child's Class Teacher will be delighted if you are willing and able to help on any outings during the year.

All parents will have been asked to complete a standard Parental Consent form as part of the enrolment process.

Parents and Security

All visitors to either site are required to sign in at Reception at Queensferry Road and Easter Ravelston Office. Parents delivering and collecting children are not required to sign in but if you are coming in during the day for any reason it is important that you obtain a visitor’s badge. All visitors to the sites wear these badges and children are asked to speak to a teacher or to another member of staff if they see any adult on site without a visitor’s badge.

All employees of the school also wear their own particular badge so that they can be easily identified by children who might not otherwise know them. It is important that parents understand and accept the significance we attach to our children’s security on site and your co-operation in ensuring that you always wear a visitor’s badge out with delivering and collection times is appreciated.

Parent Involvement

Parent Helpers

We are very pleased to hear from parents who want to volunteer to help within the classroom or on school trips. We are often able to make use of particular skills and it is also useful for the Class Teacher to have a rota of parents who are able to assist when the children are away from school during the day on a school trip. 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 Head of Junior School 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.

Partnership Code with Parents

Our schools operate in the interest, and for the long-term benefit, of all the children who attend them. The decisions we make always have children's education and welfare primarily in mind. They may not always be popular and sometimes may cause inconvenience or disappointment to parents, but the effective development to the individual and the management of the school as a happy community underpin their rationale.

  • We encourage parents to take an active part in their children's education and to work with staff to promote children's all-round personal development.
  • We shall respond promptly and professionally to parental inquiries and concerns normally through the class teacher in the Junior School.
  • We expect parents to attend consultation evenings, or other meetings with staff which relate to their children's progress, or to more general occasions which may help them become better informed about their children's development and the educational and social issues which they may face as they grow up.
  • We hope that parents will choose to attend events, when they are able to, in which their children are involved, whether on the sports field, on the stage, or in the concert hall. 
  • We expect parents to support us in our decisions, which are made to help children conform to our high expectations of them, and to encourage them to play a full and active part in all aspects of school life.
  • Some school rules, such as those which govern parking and access to school sites, apply to parents rather than to children and we expect parents to adhere to these in the interest of  the smooth running of our organisation and to provide an appropriate example to children at ESMS.
  • There may be times when some parents do not agree with our line on an issue or on our management of a matter relating to their child. In such cases, parents may make a formal complaint, as set out in our complaints policy, or bring their concern to a member of the Senior Management Team.
  • While complaints or matters of concern will be investigated promptly and professionally, we also expect parents to brig these to using the same reasonable, courteous manner with which we would expect to respond. We cannot tolerate rudeness, offensiveness, or abuse and any such incidents will be referred to the Head of the Junior School or to the Principal.
  • Above all else, it is important that parents and staff should work together, acting as good role models for the children and supporting each other in our common aim to turn out independent, confident and thoughtful young people.

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.

Photographs of Children

Individual and Class photographs are taken every year of all children in the Junior School and can be purchased by parents. We also take photographs informally of children involved in various activities throughout the session and these are often displayed around the school.

Photographs and images of children can also be used in official school publications such as the school Prospectus and promotional leaflets. All parents are given the opportunity to let us know if they do not wish their child’s photograph to be taken for such purposes but it must be understood that such a decision taken by parents would mean that their child or children could not be photographed as part of a team or group.

Parents are also given the right to refuse permission for their child’s image to be used on our schools’ Website or on our social media sites. The names of individual children never appear on the website and we are of course aware of the potential for the misuse of such photographs.

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.


Pupil Council

In our school community, we value every child's voice, guided by the principles of the UNCRC. At ESMS, children are given meaningful opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas. They can represent their class and Year Group through various groups like Digital Leaders, our Equality and Diversity Pupil Group and our Rights Respecting Schools Steering Group. These groups actively assess and enhance different aspects of school life, ensuring children's involvement in our school's improvement plan.

Through regular class meetings organised by the Junior School Council, all children collaborate with staff on development work, fostering open communication between children and adults. Moreover, children are encouraged to express their ideas and raise questions independently with suggestion boxes and weekly School Council Drop-In sessions. They also have the chance to create and lead Action Teams, groups of children overseen by the School Council who work together within a set timeframe to implement positive changes across the school.

Routines - drop off and collection

The school day begins at 8.40am and ends at 2.55 - 3.00pm.

Drop Off

Primary 1 holds many new and exciting challenges for our children and we are keen to build their independence. The children soon learn their morning routines and you can support this by allowing your child to come into the classroom on their own from the patio and to unpack their bag themselves.

Assemblies

Assembly takes place each week on a Friday morning in the Easter Ravelston Hall at Easter Ravelston and we hope that children are especially prompt, as we start assembly at 8.40am.

Collection

Please ensure that your child is aware of who will be collecting them each day. Changes of arrangement to collection can be phoned in to the school office if there is a last minute change, but we would appreciate if this is restricted to emergencies. After School Club should be informed directly if there are any changes. Please ensure that After School Club know of any cancellations as the number of children affects the staffing levels.

Children are dismissed into the playground from the patio doors unless the weather is extremely inclement. In this event, a notice will be displayed. Please keep your child with you as you walk down the hill. We know that the hill is very tempting to run down but there is a busy car park at the bottom and children should always be within arm’s reach.



School Policies

All school policies are updated regularly and are available to view on Firefly.

Session Dates - Important Dates

Session Dates are below and can also be found on Firefly.

Dates for your diary

Primary 1 Parents’ Evening Tuesday 27 August 2024

Meet in your child’s classroom for a talk by the Class Teacher from 7.00 – 7.30pm.

Reporting and Parental Consultations Dates

1st Parental Consultations - October 2024

2nd Parental Consultations - February 2025

Specialist subject/Support for Learning/Instrumental Music Reports available in May.

Mathematics, Language and General Comment Reports available on in June.

Primary 1 Christmas Services - each class will be allocated one day at 8.50am in December 2024.

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.

Social Media Guidance for ESMS Parents

Social Media Guidance for ESMS Parents: ESMS Social Media Channels

We invite parents to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to help us celebrate the efforts and achievements of the children, staff and parents of our school community.


Class Whatsapp Groups

Class Whatsapp groups can be a helpful way to share useful information with other parents in your child's class. They are set up and managed by parents and the Junior School does not monitor the messages. Good relationships and positive partnerships between parents and their school are important in supporting your child's education; therefore, we would ask parents to keep messages positive, respectful and relevant to group members. Should you have any concerns about your child's education, we would be grateful if you would raise these directly with the school. We would ask that you do not post images or videos of other people's children on a WhatsApp group or other social media channels.


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 Hill (Primary 1 Year Group Leader) 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.