Cheddington
Combined School

Introduction 

Information from, or about the Local Authority (LA) (It used to be called the LEA).

To contact the Local Authority:

County Hall
Walton Street
Aylesbury
Bucks HP20 1UA
Tel: 0845 3708090

or e-mail to:customerservices@buckscc.gov.uk

School admissions 

The closing date Primary School applications is 17th November 2006 and Secondary Schools is 20th October 2006.We can only accept late applications if you have either moved into the area after the deadline or there are very exceptional reasons which can be supported by third party evidence.

For more information call 01296 383250 or email: admissions@buckscc.gov.uk

Home to school transport for pupils

Parents are responsible for making sure that their children get to and from school.We provide transport if the distance from your home to the school is greater than the statutory walking distance and your child goes to one of the following:

• The school nearest to your home at which we can offer you a place
• Your catchment area school.
• In the case of pupils admitted ‘on denominational grounds’ (religious reasons), the denominational school serving your area as long as you live within the ‘agreed travel area’ for the school.  Not all schools have an agreed travel area.

Statutory walking distance is two miles for children under eight and three miles for children over eight at the beginning of the academic year. In very rare circumstances we may arrange transport for a shorter journey.

For more information call 01296 383956. 

Complaints

Every school has its own complaints procedure, which is available to parents on request.  These procedures are based on models issued by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and by the County Council.  There may be minor variations, to allow for the differences between, say, small primary schools and large secondary schools, but generally the procedure will be that complaints from parents should be made to the member of staff most directly concerned, or to a senior member of staff, or to the Headteacher, as appropriate.  If the complaint cannot be resolved by school staff, the complainant can contact the chairman of governors of the school.

The Council does not normally have a formal role in managing complaints against schools.

For more information call 0845 3708090 or email: schoolsweb@buckscc.gov.uk

Meals

School meals are the responsiblity of each school. Currently Cheddington Combined School does not offer a hot lunch, parents/carers are required to provide their child with a packed lunch. Guidance is available from the school regarding suitable contents for packed lunches and healthy eating is encouraged. The school held a very successful healthy food and lunch box ideas afternoon in the summer term 2006. For further information on diet and healthy eating go to: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/content/index.jsp?contentid=1818393108. The school will be looking into the possibility of reintroducing hot meals and welcomes feedback from parents.

Free School Meals

Under current regulations only children whose parents/guardians (or the pupils themselves if they were aged over 18 when they started their course) are in receipt of any of the following will be entitled to free school lunches:

• INCOME SUPPORT (IS)
• INCOME BASED JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE (IBJSA)
• CHILD TAX CREDIT - unless they are claiming Working Tax Credit or their annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) exceeds £14,155 (Please note that this figure is for April 2006 and that it changes in April each year)
• SUPPORT UNDER PART VI OF THE IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM ACT 1999
• GUARANTEE ELEMENT OF STATE PENSION CREDIT (GE)

No other entitlements (such as a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate card or a Certificate of Taxable Incapacity benefit) are relevant for a claim.

A parent can begin claiming free school meals from any age, but the child must be attending school for sessions both before and after the lunchtime.  

If you believe your child is entitled to a free school meal please discuss with the school office who will be pleased to assist.