Basic Information

SCHOOL NAME AND ADDRESS
Little Bloxwich C of E VC Primary School
Grenfell Road
Walsall
WS3 3DL

SCHOOL TELEPHONE NUMBER
(01922) 684301

EMAIL ADDRESS
postbox@lit-bloxwich.walsall.sch.uk

SCHOOL WEB SITE
www.lit-bloxwich.walsall.sch.uk

MEMBERS OF STAFF TO CONTACT
Mrs E. Taylor – Head Teacher
Miss R. Oliver – Deputy Head Teacher
Miss A. Stewart – Assistant Head Teacher
Mrs L. Prosser – Business Manager
Mrs J. Powell – Admin Assistant

OUR CHAIR OF GOVERNORS IS
Mr Luke Morgan, c/o Little Bloxwich School

OUR LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY IS
Walsall Children’s Services Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DQ
Telephone number – Walsall (01922) 650000

Welcome to Little Bloxwich C of E VC Primary School

The original Little Bloxwich C.E. Primary School opened in 1876, on the site of the old Millfield Nursery. The new school premises were opened in September 1971 with classrooms opening out onto a shared library areas. There is a central hall which is used for assembly, P.E. and as a dining hall. We also have an ICT room that has recently been updated with new computers. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard that the staff and children use daily to enhance the teaching and learning at Little Bloxwich. Our school is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School, which means we have strong links with our local church, Holy Ascension. We work closely with Reverend Chris who along with 14 other people who are our school Governors who are responsible for the management of our school.

We can admit up to 30 children in each year group and we educate children between the ages of 4 and 11 years. As our school is very popular the governors allocate places in accordance with our published admissions criteria which is as follows:

Admission Arrangements for Little Bloxwich School

The present criteria for admissions in the event of Little Bloxwich C.E. School being oversubscribed are as follows:

i) having a brother or sister already in attendance at the school
ii) relevant medical or social factors, as confirmed by a medical practitioner or

social worker which shows that attendance at the school is essential iii) church membership – 25% may be allocated.
iv) proximity of home address to the school as the crow flies;

Please do not hesitate to ask for further clarification on admissions procedures.

We strongly believe that

A GOOD SCHOOL IS BUILT ON THE COMMITMENT OF ITS PUPILS, ITS PARENTS AND ITS STAFF

It is our aim that between us and with your support we can give your child the best education possible.

Prospective parents are welcome to visit the school by appointment with the Head Teacher.

The Ethos of Little Bloxwich C. of E. VC Primary School

At Little Bloxwich we develop the children both as individuals and as members of our community.

We believe that children need to be encouraged and supported so that they:

– Develop self confidence and independence
– Develop a questioning and inquisitive attitude to learning
– Are industrious, conscientious and persistent individuals
– Can be creative and show inventiveness
– Show self-discipline and respond positively to each other
Underlying this we want our children to be happy and well balanced individuals

To achieve this, children need to be in an environment that has high expectations of:

– Behaviour
– Manners and courtesy.
– Dress and general personal presentation.
– Care, consideration for property, and the feelings of others. – Personal standards of work.
– Moral/Spiritual awareness.

Our school is a positive place where we believe every child can succeed.

We are a Church of England school and as part of our Collective Worship we will introduce children to the Anglican Tradition and Christian teaching. The School is committed to collective worship and to the spiritual development of the pupils.

MISSION STATEMENT

“All things are possible with God” Matthew 19.26

At Little Bloxwich Church of England Primary School we see that everyone is unique and they are valued for this. We see ourselves as God’s family and everyone is encouraged to treat each other with kindness and respect as Jesus taught us to.

Our children are encouraged to demonstrate our Christian values of
Caring (Luke 10 25-37),
Courtesy (Matthew 26),
Conscientiousness (Matthew 18 12-14)
and Courage (Daniel 6 1-28)

How the school is organised:

Classroom Assistants
Miss A. Whitticase
Mrs K. Russell
Mrs H. Taylor
Mrs E. Hatfield
Mrs. S. Layton
Mrs H. Sheedy
Mrs G. Mcleod
Mrs. J. Birks
Miss H. Leech
Mrs J Cordon
Mrs C. Gear
Mrs K. Mayo
Miss J. Westwood
Miss N. Mills

Business Manager
Mrs L. Prosser – Health & Safety Competent Person

Parent Support Advisor
Mrs J. Robinson

Senior Admin Assistant 
Mrs J. Powell

Admin Assistant
Mrs L. Fowler (Wednesday)

Caretaker
Mr M. Dugmore

Lunchtime Supervisors

Mrs Sedgwick (Principal)
Mrs Hunt
Mrs E. Malpass
Mrs Hatfield
Mrs Cordon
Mrs Mayo
Mrs Harper (Senior)
Miss Brooks
Mrs Sheedy
Mrs Fowler (Senior)
Miss Mills
Mrs Ratcliffe

Breakfast Club
Mrs L. Sedgwick – Leader
Mrs W. Onions – Assistant
Mrs A. Whitticase – Assistant
Mrs E. Hatfield – Assistant

After School Club
Mrs L. Sedgwick
Mrd J. Ratcliffe
Mrs E. Hatfield

Who are our Governors?

Chairman                    Mr L. Morgan
Vice-Chairman            Mrs S. Humpage
Head Teacher             Mrs E. Taylor

Educational Visits?

During the school year all children will have the opportunity to participate in school trips, educations workshops or performances.
In order to fund these activities parents are asked to make a voluntary contribution.  If a large percentage of pupils do not contribute towards the cost, the activity will be cancelled.

School Times?

Holiday Dates for 2025/2026

Bank Holidays 2025/26

Christmas Day                                   Thursday 25^th December 2025
Boxing Day                                         Friday 26^th December 2025
New Year’s Day                                 Thursday 1^st January 2026
Good Friday                                       Friday 3^rd April 2026
Easter Monday                                  Monday 6^th April 2026
Early May Day Bank Holiday            Monday 4^th May 2026
Spring Bank Holiday                          Monday 25^th May 2026
Summer Bank Holiday                       Monday 31^st August 2026

Voluntary one-way system

If you are new to the school we ask that when collecting or bringing children to school that you enter Grenfell Road via Lichfield Road and Pelsall Lane and exit into Stoney Lane.  This system means that we can keep a flow of traffic through the area and prevent danger caused by vehicles reversing when they cannot get through.

When parking, please do not stop on the yellow zig zag lines, the white lines or pavement areas.  Please do not drive along and park on grass verges and pavements.  Thank you for your co-operation in keeping the area outside school safe.

Healthy Lifestyle

As a school we promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage children and parents to walk to school.

Children can buy toast or bagel at morning break.  Children in KS1 are offered a piece of fruit at afternoon break free of charge.  We are a ‘healthy eating’ school and ask that children do not bring sweets or chocolate to school for break time.

Lateness

We would rather your child arrive late than not at all.  Everyone understands the occasional lapse, but we do not like children to be late too often.  Persistent lateness gets the child off to a bad start and develops poor work habits.  Children then enter by the main entrance and names are noted in the late book.  The Deputy Head Teacher will follow up any persistent lateness.

Time out of school

When children have to leave school during school hours or have an early morning appointment to visit the dentist, clinic etc. please collect a Signing Out Pass from the office.  This slip must be returned to the office when your child returns to school, even if this is the next day.

Absence

In the event of your child being absent from school, it is essential that we are informed so that we can account for your child’s whereabouts and keep an accurate register.
Please telephone us before 9.00 a.m. on each day of your child’s absence.
We take any unexplained absence seriously and our Duty of Care requires us to take action, if no call is received.

Response to Unexplained Pupil Absence

– Telephone call to parent/carer by 10.00 a.m.
– Text to parent/carer by 10.30 a.m.
– Home visit to parent/carer by Parent Support Advisor and/or
  Attendance Officer by 11.30 a.m.

Holidays

Holidays in term time will not be authorised.  The Governors have decided that the Head Teacher can authorise an occasional day in exceptional circumstances.  This does not include birthdays or days out.  Exceptional circumstances cover such things as funerals, marriages or other events that can not be re-organised by the parents.  Unauthorised absence may result in a fixed penalty notice being issued by Walsall Children’s Services.

Photographs

The Governors and I know how important photographs of your children taking part in school activities are.  If you want to take photos of school events please bring along your cameras!  However, please don’t take photos during assemblies or Christmas performances as this distracts the children.  There will be an opportunity at the end of the events to take photos, please only take photos of your own child and do not share on any social media platforms.

Also from time to time we receive requests for children to be photographed, for publicity purposes (e.g. newspaper or educational publications).  If you are not willing for your child (children) to be photographed and for the photograph to be published, please complete the attached Consent form and return to school.

School Uniform

Our School Uniform is blue.

BOYS 
Navy Blue Trousers Long for winter, (short for summer – optional).
Blue Shirt (not polo)
Navy Blue V-neck Jumper (also available with school logo)
Navy/Sky Striped Tie
Plain Navy Socks
Black Shoes – Not Trainers
P.E
Navy Shorts
Navy T-Shirt with school logo available from the school office.
Pumps – essential
KS2 may need trainers for outdoor games.

GIRLS
Navy Skirt or Pinafore Dress
Navy Trousers (shorts for summer optional)
Blue/White Gingham Summer Dress
Blue Shirt
Navy/Sky Striped Tie
Navy Blue Cardigan/V-neck Jumper (also available with school logo)
White Socks
Plain Navy Tights for Winter
Sensible Black Shoes – No Trainers, no sling backs or high heels.
P.E.
Navy T-Shirt with school logo available from the school office.
Navy P.E. Skirt or Shorts
Pumps – essential
KS2 may need trainers for outdoor games.     

Wellington Boots can be worn for outdoor use in bad weather.
A navy blue fleece with the school logo and a scarf embroidered with the school logo on is available from Crested School Wear.  This is an optional extra and is for outdoor wear only.

Pieces of clothing with the school logo on are optional, non-branded items can be worn, e.g: – a plain navy blue t-shirt for PE or plain navy jumpers/cardigans can be worn for school.  Quality second hand uniform can be purchased from Play Palace, Blakenall Road, Blakenall, WS3 3LW for a small cost.

ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED
We do not like children wearing jewellery or expensive watches in school in case they get lost or damaged.  For safety reasons only one pair of stud type earrings may be worn.  Earrings must be removed for P.E lessons, it is no longer possible to cover earrings with plasters.  No nose studs.

The Governors of Little Bloxwich would like to remind you that extreme styles of dress or hairstyle are not appropriate for school.

Pupil Behaviour

The class teacher is concerned not only for the educational progress but also for the personal and social development of your child.  We try to combine high expectations with a sympathetic approach.  Sometimes however problems do crop up and we involve parents at an early stage rather than leave it until later and we hope you as parents will do the same with us.  A new baby in the family or some upset at home can cause your child to behave differently at school, just as worrying over school work or a fall out with a friend can cause you problems at home.

Our school rules are simple to understand and we expect all pupils to keep to them.

School Rules
 
1. Always do our best at all times

2. Always be friendly, polite and truthful

3. Respect others and their property

4. Take care of each other

5. Be helpful, kind, considerate and thoughtful to others.

Home School Agreement

As part of our partnership with parents to achieve the best possible for your child a ‘Home School Agreement’ is completed when your child starts at Little Bloxwich C of E VC Primary School.

School Meals

Most of our children like to stay to lunch.  They either have a school meal or bring a ‘healthy’ packed lunch.  Please send the correct dinner money in an envelope on Monday morning.  School meals are not run by the school, therefore any queries must be dealt with via the school kitchen.  Price per meal is £2.15.

We are often asked these questions about dinners:-

Q  Can you order school meals?
A         √     Yes, complete a menu for the following week.

Q  Are children encouraged to eat their dinner?
A         √     Yes, but no one is made to.

Q  Are they expected to use a knife and fork?
A         √    Yes.

Q  Does someone notice if a child leaves his lunch several days running?
A         √   Yes

Q  Are parents told about it?
A        √     Yes, if it happens persistently.
   
Q  Do they have to eat their lunch in a set time?
A        x     No
 
Q  Can children bring sandwiches if they so wish?
A        √       Yes

Lunch is a valuable social activity and children are encouraged to eat properly, have good table manners and clear away after themselves as well and to meet and talk with their friends.

If you wish your child to have a packed lunch please: –

• Provide a suitable NAMED LUNCH CONTAINER.
• Do NOT put any drinks in GLASS CONTAINERS.

If you wish your child to go home: –

• If your child is to go home for lunch regularly the school must be informed by a parent / carer or in writing prior to the first occasion.
• If your child is going home for an isolated day again school must be informed as above.

ALL PUPILS MUST BE COLLECTED FROM AND RETURNED TO SCHOOL BY AN ADULT.

KS1 pupils should return to school for 1.00 pm and KS2 pupils Y3/4 should return for 1.00 pm, Y5/6 should return for 1.15 pm when their afternoon bell goes.

Free School Meals

APPLICATION FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS

We get additional funding in our school budget for each child in receipt of free meals.  It is therefore VERY IMPORTANT that everyone entitled to register does so even if they do not wish their child to have a school meal.  If you have any queries please contact the office. 
Attached in this pack you will find an application form, please complete and return to the school office.

ALL Key Stage 1 children will be entitled to a free school meal.

Keeping in touch

We know how important it is for you to know what is happening at school. There are a number of opportunities for the teacher and parents to get together and for parents to be involved in school.

Weekly newsletters:-
These letters are emailed to parents and uploaded to our website every Friday to inform you of events the following week and have essential items of information and for general interest.  This is also displayed in Main Entrance. 

Parents evenings:-
In October, time to attend with your child to discuss how they have settled into
their new class and to discuss targets for the future. February as a follow up
meeting to see the child’s work.  An informal July evening to see work, discuss
progress and meet your child’s teacher for the new year if you wish.

Termly Reports:-
You will receive a written report termly, reporting on your child’s attainment and
progress made.

Quick messages:-
Mrs Robinson and Mrs Taylor are available at the school entrance at the beginning of the school day.
Mrs Prosser and Mrs Powell will be on duty in the main entrance from 8.45-4.30 to take messages.

Informal appointments:-
If you require more teacher time an appointment can be made to see your child’s teacher at 3.30.  Alternatively for urgent matters that need immediate attention, the Head Teacher is usually available at 8.55.   If you are worried or unsure about anything please speak to us.

Base-line meetings:-
When children start school in Reception, parents are invited to discuss with the class teacher what their child can and cannot do – this will be discussed during the home visit.  It is important we have a starting point to work from, and the basis information you give us at this meeting helps us make starting school as smooth a process as possible for your child.

Governors meeting:-
There are termly governors meetings which parents can attend as observers to
see how the school is run.

Child Protection

The Head Teacher, Mrs Ellen Taylor, is the designated Child Protection Officer, and all staff at Little Bloxwich seek to adopt an open and accepting attitude towards children as part of their responsibility for pastoral care.

Children’s worries and fear will be taken seriously if help is sought from a member of staff.  Parents should be aware that under the framework for Child Protection confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if concerns are such that a referral must be made to the appropriate agencies to safeguard a child’s welfare.

Please note that Child Protection and Child Safeguarding Procedures are not used frequently.  However, we are legally required to give you the following information.

More information is available in our Child Safeguarding Policy which can be requested from school if required.

Extended Schools

We run a breakfast club on site that opens daily from 8.00 a.m. where children take part in structured activities, receive a breakfast of toast, cereals and a drink.  The cost per session is currently £3.75.

We also offer a wraparound service Monday to Thursday until 5.00 p.m.  This cost per session is currently £7.00, this includes Film Club and Cookery Club.  Please note that limited spaces are available. 

The school offers a range of extracurricular activities including, Football and Multi-sports.  The cost per session for these clubs are £3.50.

School Communication App

Little Bloxwich Primary School uses the School Gateway – a parent engagement app that will allow you to pay for Breakfast Club and Wrap Around,  school uniform, sports clubs and educational trip contributions.

All school related communication, newsletters, club bookings will go through School Gateway.  To stay up to date with what’s going on at school make sure you download the app for free.  Just search School Gateway in your App store and download.

Your login details will be automatically generated using the contact information Little Bloxwich Primary School already has, so please make sure the details we hold for you are up to date.  You can check and change these details by sending an email to postbox@lit-bloxwich.walsall.sch.uk.

If you have any questions or would like some more information please see the School Gateway site here:  https://schoolgateway.co.uk/.

You can also login to the online version of School Gateway via this site if you do not have a smart phone, although we do recommend using the app if possible as it makes it far easier to get hold of parents when we need to.

If you require assistance with registering or logging into this app please email: postbox@lit-bloxwich.walsall.sch.uk.