FAQs

Click on a question below to view the answer to our frequently asked questions.

How can I contact school?

Telephone: 01706 847 502. If we are unable to answer, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
By text: please text the number we text you on (this is only available for the main contact for your child)
Email: [email protected]

How will school contact me?

In the case of emergencies, we will contact the priority contact first and then try all other contact numbers.
We sometimes contact you by text if we have been unable to call you or if there is less urgency.
For general school updates, we send an email to parents every Friday to update you on what has been happening in school and to remind you of important upcoming diary dates.
Sometimes letters are printed and sent home (usually those requiring forms to be signed and sent back). We upload copies of these to the school website in case you have missed them.
Please also follow us on Twitter @ECSTGOldham for daily updates and follow the Cranmer Education Trust on Facebook.

Can I use the lower car park?

The lower car park is available for all parents and carers when dropping off and collecting your children.
Please be aware that it can be very busy during these times and parking spaces are not guaranteed. It is better to walk to school if possible.
Please don’t block the driveway as it needs to be accessible for emergency vehicles.

I’m a blue badge holder, can I use the top car park?

Our upper car park may be used if you are able to present a blue badge. You will need to buzz and give your name to be let through the barrier.

What time do I need to take my child to school?

Under current Covid restrictions, start times may vary per year group. If you are unsure, please contact the office.
St. George’s starts school at 8:50am, so please arrive a little earlier than this to make sure your child is on time.
The gate on Grains Road opens at 8:40am and closes at 9am.
If you have a blue badge and need to use the upper car park, please arrive prior to 8:40am as we are unable to open the barrier after this time.
Children receive a late mark if they arrive after 9am.

What time do I need to collect my child?

Under current Covid restrictions, collection times may vary per year group. If you are unsure, please contact the office.
School finishes at 3:15pm.
The gate on Grains Road opens at 3pm and closes at 3:30pm.
If you have a blue badge, please arrive prior to 3:10pm as we are unable to lift the barrier after this time.

What should I do if the arrangements have changed for my child?

If someone different is collecting your child, or if they’re in year 6 and they are being picked up instead of walking home (or vice versa) please contact us by no later than 2:45pm so that we have sufficient time to inform your child and staff of this change.
If there are changes to arrangements on Fridays, please contact us before 2:15pm due to the celebration assemblies.

What happens if I collect my child late?

Please contact school as soon as possible if you are running late so that your child is expecting this, and we can allocate a member of staff to wait with them.
Late collection should be in exceptional circumstances only.
If we have not heard from you and your child is still with us at 3:30pm, we will try to contact you or one of the listed contacts.

Can my child walk home from school?

Walking home is an option for year 5 and 6 children only after being given signed permission to do so. A form for this is available from the school office.

How do I report an absence?

Please phone/text us before the start of the school day (8:50am) to let us know if your child is not going to attend.
An answerphone message is fine, but please let us know a reason so that we can authorise the absence.
Absences are monitored by our Attendance Officer, Mrs Lord.

What do I do if my child has a medical appointment?

Where possible, please arrange medical appointments outside of school hours.
Otherwise, we recommend bringing your child to school for their morning mark or collecting them after their afternoon mark to help their attendance.
Please inform us of any medical appointments in advance so that we can prepare for your child to be collected.
Please bring your child’s appointment card or letter to the school office as evidence when collecting them.
We are unable to leave the school office to collect your child during the busy periods (e.g. after 3pm or during an event).

Does St George’s have a before and after school club?

Yes, the morning session starts at 7:30am and the afternoon session ends at 5:30pm.
The cost for this club is £5 for an AM session and £6 for a PM session.
An interest form is available from the office if you require this childcare.

Is my child eligible for free school meals?

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they will be eligible for Universal Infant Free School Meals, which means they are paid for by government grants and you will not be charged. Your child may still be eligible for traditional Free School Meals funding, so please still visit the link below for information and apply.
If your child is in Year 3, 4, 5 or 6, they may still be eligible for Free School Meals. For information about how to apply for this, please check the Oldham Council website:

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200231/education_grants_and_allowances/161/free_school_meals

How do I pay for school dinners?

School dinners are charged at £2.55 per meal.
School dinners should be paid for either yearly, termly, half-termly or on the Monday morning of the week you are paying for.
We accept cash and cheque payments if you are paying weekly. For larger payments, you are also able to pay by bank transfer.
A full breakdown of costs and payment information is available from the school office.

Who do I contact if I have a safeguarding concern about my child or others?

Please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Ross, or the Deputy Safeguarding Leads, Mrs Robinson or Mrs Lord, if you have any concerns about the safety of children at St. George’s. We recommend also referring to the safeguarding leaflet displayed in reception.

Who do I contact if I have any other concerns?

Please call the school office if you have any questions or concerns and we will forward them to the appropriate staff member.

When can I speak to my child’s class teacher?

Parents and carers can meet with class teachers twice a year for Parents’ Evening.
Otherwise, please call the school office to leave a message and we will ask them to call you back when they are available.
Please be aware that teachers are unable to take calls while they are teaching or preparing for a lesson.

When can I speak to the headteacher?

Please call the school office to leave a message and we will pass it to the headteacher when she is available. Please talk to the class teacher about any concerns before approaching the headteacher.

Do you offer any extra-curricular activities?

There are several free after school activities that run at different times of the year for different year groups, such as netball, art and dance classes.
Children are also able to commit to a school choir place which involves some activities at weekends and practice at lunchtimes.
There are music lessons available from the Oldham Music Service (Woodwind and Brass) and Front Row Music (guitar and ukulele) which are billed directly by those companies.
Additionally, we offer after school booster classes for our Year 6 children to prepare for their SATs examinations.

Where can I purchase school uniform from?

School uniform can be bought online at MyClothing.com or instore at Qprint and TopForm by Monkhouse in Oldham.
School ties can be purchased in school for £6, as can school bookbags which are £5.
Our uniform list can be found on the school website.

Will my child go on any educational visits?

Your child may attend some educational visits or take part in school-based workshops from visitors throughout the year. They either have an educational visit or a visitor to school each term.
Year 5 and 6 children are also invited to take part in a 3 day residential visit to Robinwood.

Will I receive a school report for my child?

School reports are created at the end of each school year.

Will my child be held back if she/he is placed in a mixed aged class?

For more information on mixed classes, see our mixed classes page