New Parents' Handbook 2020 2021 - Gateway School
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Contents 3- Headteacher’s Welcome 4- Useful Contact Details 5- Our Location 5- The School Calendar 6- Timings for the School Day 8- General Information 11 - Food and Drink 12 - Celebrating Children’s Achievement 12 - Progress Updates 14 - Learning Support and Enrichment 15 - Trips and Events 15 - Performances 15 - Take One Picture 16 - Library 16 - Clubs 16 - Breakfast Club 18 - Holiday Club 18 - Parking 19 - Photography Policy 20 - Fees 20 - Friends of Gateway (FOG) 22 - Medical Information 25 - Peripatetic Music Lessons 26 - Uniform 2 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Welcome Dear Parent Welcome to Gateway School! From the very first day, I sincerely hope that you feel part of this lovely school where children learn happily together and where staff are genuine in their care for your children. We place a high value on the home-school relationship and we will actively seek, through formal meetings and more informal regular communication, to involve you in your child’s education and the life of the school. At Gateway School we encourage every child to think independently, to be continuously inquisitive and self-reflective, whilst enabling them to be individuals who are valued for who they are. We place a great emphasis on discovering and nurturing every pupil’s individual talents and celebrating their achievements. We have high expectations of ourselves and what we plan to achieve with your child. I ask that you work in partnership with us to ensure your child grows into a confident, caring and successful young learner who fulfils their potential and makes you very proud of them. It gives me great pleasure to share our Parent Handbook which includes a comprehensive range of information for you to refer to as necessary throughout the year. With best wishes, Mrs Sue La Farge Headteacher 3
Useful Contact Details Senior Management Team (SMT) Head Teacher head@gatewaysch.co.uk Deputy Head deputyhead@gatewaysch.co.uk Head of Staff headofstaff@gatewaysch.co.uk Head of Early Years/KS1 headofearlyyearsks1@gatewaysch.co.uk Mrs La Farge’s PA - Helen Brown 01494 867806 | pa@gatewaysch.co.uk Main School Office - Laurinda Davies & Karen Mackenzie Crooks 01494 862407 | communications@gatewaysch.co.uk School Nurses - Linda Fuller & Roisin Clark 01494 867803 | schoolnurse@gatewaysch.co.uk Preschool Manager 01494 867805. preschoolmanager@gatewaysch.co.uk School Uniform - Louise Blissett louise@copperfieldsclothing.com | www.copperfieldsclothing.com A full staff list can be found on the website http://gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/about-gateway/our-team 4 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Our Location The School Calendar Term dates are available on the school website: http://gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/school-life/term-dates A list of events for the term is sent out at the beginning of each term and an online calendar is located in the Parents’ Area on the website (access details will be provided separately) 5
Timings for the School Day Morning • Children can arrive in school as early as 08.00 and must be in school by 08.40 for registration • All children enter through the main doors, where they are greeted by a member of staff or via the bottom gate – if they arrive before 08.30 they should go to early morning care • Children arriving after 08.30 should go directly to their classroom or tutor area • For an additional charge children from Reception to Year 6 can attend Breakfast Club from 07.45 Regulations direct that a child who is not in school by the end of registration time must be marked as absent. We would remind parents that children should be in school by 08.40 when registration begins. Afternoon 12.00 Preschool morning session Collect from patio 13.15 Preschool lunch session Collect from patio 15.15 Preschool Collect from patio 15.30 Reception, Years 1 & 2 Collect from patio 15.30 Years 3 & 4 Collect from outside classroom 15.45 Seniors Collect from outside classroom If you are delayed children can be collected from the different activity/ homework areas which are displayed in the main house. • Preschool/Reception Collect from Preschool • Year 1 – 6 Collect from T block classrooms 6 Gateway School Parent Handbook
General Information Entering the site The pedestrian gate will be unlocked between the following times: • 11.50 to 12.20 • 13.00 to 13.30 • 15.00 to 18.10 During these times the pedestrian gate can be opened only by using the keypad located high on the right hand side of the gate post, the code can be obtained from the office. This will release the gate from both sides during the preset times when parents pickup their children. If you need to collect your child at any other time, please enter through the main front door. Should there be any problems; the control panel for the gate has an intercom to the office. Please note: Pedestrians must not use the vehicle access gate at any time. Collection of Pupils Parents cannot take another child home without the express permission of that child’s parents and without informing the form teacher or a senior member of staff. Pupils are our responsibility and we ensure that they are greeted by us when they come on site and dismissed formally to you or your representative when they leave. Communicating with School The school has an open door policy: parents are welcome to come in to discuss any aspect of their child’s education, either with the form teacher, Head of Key Stage or subject specialist teacher. This may be before school or at the end of the day, however if the conversation will be a longer one, an appointment after school may be better. The headteacher can be contacted directly through the school office 01494 862407 or via email: pa@gatewaysch.co.uk 8 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Whilst we make every effort to be proactive in contacting parents where we have concerns, children will often mention things to their parents which they have not told their teachers. While some of these problems may seem small they are often significant to the child and it is useful if we are made aware of them. It is also useful if we are aware of potentially significant family events. A weekly newsletter is emailed to parents on Friday afternoon with reports and photos from each year group. A weekly communications bulletin is also emailed every Friday lunchtime with dates and reminders for the forthcoming week. Each child has a home link book which moves between home and school. This can be used to communicate with the class teacher / form tutor. Phone system / email The school phone system is available from 08.00 until 18.00 on working days; if the phone is engaged please leave a message and this will be passed on or responded to promptly. During the holidays your point of contact will be by telephone NOT email, telephone messages are checked daily. If you leave a message during the holidays please ensure you leave a contact number. The main school number is: 01494 862407. The main school email address is communications@gatewaysch.co.uk Emergencies In the event of an emergency it is important that the school has up to date contact numbers, a nominated person who can be contacted if you are not available and the name of your child’s GP. Any changes to these details should be passed to school immediately. Day to Day In the event of parents wishing to communicate with the school the first point of contact should be the class teacher or tutor (Year 5 and 6). We are aware that it is not always possible for parents to come into school and the office passes telephone and email messages to the relevant staff. Up to Year 2 the reading record book is also used to pass messages between teachers and parents. In Year 3 & 4, the reading and homework diary is used for parent/teacher communication. 9
In Years 5 and 6 the diary planner which children use to record homework and attendance can also be used to pass on messages to staff. Absences If your child is absent for any reason please phone/email on the day of absence by 08.50. Office communications@gatewaysch.co.uk Holiday Absence Regulations stress that the school is not empowered to grant more than 2 school weeks absence a year for holiday purposes and time taken beyond that is regarded as unauthorised absence. It is, of course, not good practice to take children out of school in term time, but a prior request directed to the Head teacher is essential. A request for absence form can be found on our website https://gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/login New Classes Towards the end of the Summer term the children visit their new classrooms and spend some time with their new teachers. From Reception to Year 6 the composition of classes will change from year to year. This will enable us to re-balance the classes and to ensure we can best meet the needs of all the pupils. On rare occasions classes may change during the course of the year at the Head teacher’s discretion. Lost Property Lost property is stored next to T1, with one container for school uniform and the second for PE kit. Key Stage 1 - Show and Tell This is a weekly session for Reception through to Year 2, giving children the opportunity to bring in items from home to talk about. These items will not be sent outside at playtime. 10 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Key Stage 1 - Toys Children can bring one small toy (to fit in a pocket) for break times and after school care. Loom bands may be brought in but only in a small named plastic container. Electronic toys, guns / weapons are not appropriate, nor are swapping cards, which often cause arguments. School Policies Copies of up-to-date school policies can be found on the school website via the following link: https://gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/about-gateway/ policies-and-procedures Food and Drink The kitchen provides pupils with a home cooked well balanced four weekly menu. The pupils will pre-order their lunch from a choice of a meat or fish meal, or a vegetarian meal, or a filled jacket potato. For dessert the pupils will always have access to fruit and yoghurts, but will also have the choice of a prepared sweet dish on some days. Children in Preschool eat lunch with their key person, Reception to Year 6 eat in the Hall with their class teachers and are encouraged to eat all the food provided. Staff monitor the lunch taken by a child each day; if there is a concern, parents are contacted. Likewise if a parent or child has a concern they are welcome to contact the school. If a child has specific allergies or dietary needs we will accommodate these, please contact the chef and school nurse to discuss specific requirements. Milk (Reception & Year 1), fruit and crackers are provided at break. Children are allowed to bring their own healthy snacks in for break and after school. Chocolate snacks, crisps and anything containing nuts are NOT allowed. Children staying for after school care from 17.00 are provided with a drink, crackers and fruit. 11
Birthday Treats If the whole class are invited to the party please give the invitations to the class teacher / tutor to distribute. If only part of the class is being invited please distribute invitations outside of school. There is no tradition of bringing birthday treats to school. However, if you wish to do so, these can be handed to the class teacher for distribution at the end of the day. As with all food brought into school this must not include any food with nuts. We would be grateful if you could refrain from bringing in cakes. Small packs of bought sweets (with the ingredients clearly listed) are generally the best option. Celebrating Children’s Achievements We celebrate each child’s achievements by nominating them for a ‘My Best’ certificate. We recognise where children have demonstrated our ASPIRE values and celebrate their success in assembly. Assemblies Each year group has two assemblies each week, and these are held in the Hall. Assemblies are themed around the charities, religious days for different faiths and the Learning for Life (PSHEE) programme. Merit System Children’s work and behaviour is rewarded with personal merits and tokens which are awarded to their respective houses. Individual milestones with merits are rewarded and celebrated regularly throughout the year. Pupils in Year 5 & 6 receive merit stamps for displaying a positive work ethic and behaviour. When a pupil reaches a milestone they receive recognition via coloured badges (30), silver stars (80) and Merit ribbon strips (150). Merit stamps are also linked with the school House System. Progress Updates The September meeting will form the first point of contact for the year. This meeting has two functions -reviewing the start of term and any questions arising, and setting up a dialogue with the tutor/class teacher. 12 Gateway School Parent Handbook
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In November and at the end of the Spring term there will be a parents evening offering the opportunity to speak to your child’s form teacher / tutor to discuss progress and address any areas of concern. For Years 5 & 6 meetings will be arranged with your child’s English and Maths teacher. In the Spring Term the Headteacher will be available to discuss secondary school choices with Year 5 parents. You will receive a mid- year report during the Spring term and will then meet with your child’s teacher to discuss the report. The June Year Ahead Meeting allows parents to meet with class teachers for the following year, and gain an insight into the nature of the curriculum and main events of the year the children are moving up to. The July report is a full written report on all subject areas and is emailed out to parents at the end of the Summer term. Learning Support and Enrichment Special Educational Needs The school monitors the progress of children as a matter of course. The class teacher will flag up any concerns about areas of development with the parents. At this point the school will ask the parents’ permission for the SENCO to do an assessment of the child or recommend an appropriate professional to assess their need such as an Occupational Therapist. If this assessment highlights areas of weakness in the child’s profile we may recommend an educational psychologist’s report in order to identify the specific nature of the child’s need. Able, Gifted & Talented Gateway School is committed to providing an environment which enables all pupils to maximise their potential, including pupils who are identified as Able, Gifted and Talented in particular subject areas. We strongly believe that it is important to recognise that able, gifted and talented pupils are individuals, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. We use the term ‘gifted’ to mean those pupils who are capable of excelling academically in one or more subjects ‘Talented’ refers to those pupils who may excel in other areas such as sport, music, artistic performance, or in an area of vocational skill in comparison with their peers. 14 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Trips and Events Since we believe that children learn by direct experiences which cannot always be brought to the classroom, visits are an important part of our curriculum. These occur for each year group at least once a term. The theme or location is always based on a topic the children are studying. Years 5 & 6 summer trips are residential. All trips and excursions are part of the school fee, with the exception of the five day Year 6 trip to France. On these trips the staff in charge will act in loco parentis. In order to regularise our procedures, we would be grateful if you would sign and return the trip permission form enclosed with your paperwork as soon as possible. Performances All children are involved in at least one production / concert each year, at Christmas and / or at the end of the spring or summer term. Children in Years 5 & 6 prepare for performances in their Music and Drama lessons. Parents are invited to attend all performances and precise times and venues are published at the beginning of each term. In Years 4 & 6 children are prepared for English Speaking Board examinations, which aid their confidence in performing. Take One Picture In the Spring term the whole school take part in the Take One Picture project, linked to the National Gallery. This is spread over one week and is a cross curricular topic where each year group focus on and take part in activities on a specific picture. An exhibition of the work from across the school generated by this project will be on display to parents and pupils in the school hall. 15
Library Children are able to borrow fiction and non-fiction books from the school library. The identikit system will allow them to borrow one book at a time using their finger print scan to borrow and return their book. When a book is lost at home or damaged beyond repair we request that the book be replaced. Preschool children come to the library for a weekly story and activity session. Children from Reception to Year 4 have a weekly library lesson where they are encouraged to choose a book to borrow. Some books may be suitable for your child to read independently, some may be more appropriate to share with an adult. Year 5 & 6 children have access to the library during a morning tutor time or a break when they are also able to borrow fiction or non-fiction. In addition Year 6 children can volunteer to be Junior Librarians. Clubs Clubs are an important part of life at Gateway School. The Autumn term clubs list will be available for parents in July. Parents will need to use our online booking service, SSO (see our website www.gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/ parent-area) to select their children’s clubs for the term. The clubs will change in the Spring and Summer term and parents will be invited to choose a new selection of clubs for their child. This will allow us to offer a wide range of clubs throughout the school year, and will also reflect the change in sporting activities through the seasons. Breakfast Club Breakfast Club runs from 07.45 each morning (Monday - Friday) for children in Reception to Year 6. This is booked termly in advance, as it is a chargeable extra, via a booking form which is sent out to parents. 16 Gateway School Parent Handbook
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Holiday Club Add+VENTURE Club runs during the school holidays at Gateway School. It is run by two members of the Gateway team and contains two activity streams – one for children aged 5-7 years and one for children aged 8-11 years. Within each stream we offer a combination of sport, creative and fun activities, all designed to deliver a highly memorable and fun holiday experience for all the children. We offer care from 08:00 – 17:00 and friends and family of Gateway pupils are very welcome to attend. We can also offer care from 07:45 until 17:30 for an additional daily charge of £7.50. Parking A major factor in this School’s relationship with its neighbours and the community is parking. In addition to the parking available on the High Street parents can use the Link Road Car Park opposite the Great Missenden Hall. Free permits for the Link Road Car Park are available from the school office. The following guidelines will help us and you in what can be potentially stressful situations. • Do not block drives/garages or park on pavements of local roads. • The Garth and Elmtree Green should not be used for parking. • Parking down the Aylesbury Road should not continue beyond the field turning which is almost opposite the first house in Mobwell Terrace. • Pavements, not the road sides, should be used with children when walking to and from parked vehicles. • The double gates into the school grounds are for vehicle access ONLY. This is not a turning bay. • Pedestrian access during pick up is through the side gate, never through the vehicle gate. We would be most grateful if parents would draw these facts to the attention of all people who drive their children to school. 18 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Walk to School Week Three weeks, one a term, are set aside where we encourage as many children as possible to walk to school. This is part of a national programme and is linked into the school travel plan. There is access to the school site via the bottom gate with a path leading from the Link Road Car Park; the access code can be obtained from the school office. Photography Policy Photography is used at the school for a variety of purposes, including: • Recording pupils’ achievements, learning and progress. • Contributing to each pupil’s evidence portfolio. • Providing evidence to support pupils’ application for entrance/scholarship to their future schools. • Recording school events and providing material for displays. • Communication with parents, for example to help reassure new parents or carers of young children that they have settled well into school life and provide prompt information on their children’s activities on residential trips. • For publicity purposes (brochures, prospectus, media articles, website etc.) for both the school and Bellevue Education Group. • To support work undertaken by members of staff or students on placements for training and gaining further qualifications. On their child’s admission to the school, parents are asked to sign a consent form in relation to their child being photographed at school or during school events. The form provides for parents to give permission at different levels (for example to consent to their child being photographed to record achievement and progress, but not for publicity purposes. The form also gives parents the opportunity to state whether a child in a photograph can be named. If parents wish to make a video recording of a school event (nativity, concert, drama production etc), prior permission must be obtained from the Headteacher, who will consider the situation with respect to this policy and the levels of consent given by parents of other children involved. Since it is difficult to ensure that parental consent is respected in these situations, and not appropriate to share the details of consent given for particular children with other parents, the Headteacher may refuse permission for a video recording of 19
the event to be made. As an alternative, the school may make an official video recording/DVD, the editing of which, before it is made available to parents, will ensure that parental consent is respected. Fees Our fee structure is available to view via this link: https://gatewayschool-bucks. co.uk/admissions/fees Friends of Gateway (FOG) Our Parents’ association, FOG, aims to engender the same spirit of friendship and care among the parent body as the school fosters among its pupils. All parents belong to FOG and are welcome to attend the AGM each year. Nominated Year Group Representatives and the Committee meet regularly to discuss upcoming events. Social events within the current calendar may include: Children’s Disco & Mufti Day, Christmas Fair, Quiz Night, Pamper Evening and Summer Fun day. Smaller informal gatherings by year group (such as coffee mornings, picnics and evening events) are also organised by year representatives. Each year FOG raises funds for a particular school project that is agreed with school at the beginning of each 20 Gateway School Parent Handbook
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academic year. Examples of recent projects are the purchase of iPads for the whole school and building of the outdoor classroom . Additionally the school votes for a charity each year, and FOG contributes a proportion of funds raised to this nominated charity. Friends of Gateway now have a Facebook page where you can chat with other Parents and find out about up-coming events. The FOG committee comprises an elected Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, and there are 2 Representatives per Year. Your FOG Representative will contact you with regards to including your details in the class contact list. Mufti days The opportunity for children to wear their ‘own’ clothes in school is linked into charity fundraising. We normally have two or three mufti days each year. Parents are given notice via the newsletter or email. Medical Information We can only give medication that has been prescribed by a medical practitioner (Doctor, Pharmacist or Dentist). Any medication brought into school should be in the original container (with suitable spoon/syringe), labelled with your child’s name, and expiry date checked. Please complete the short term medical form available from the school office, school nurse or the website. Before completion, please consider whether your child is well enough to come to school. If more than one medicine is to be given, a separate form should be completed for each one. All medication should be handed directly to the Nurse. Any remaining medicines are to be collected by the parent at the end of the prescribed course. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure medicines sent into school are in date, and replaced as required. Please refer to the First Aid Policy for guidance on administration of medicines. Please ensure your contact details are updated in case of emergencies at school. The school nurses are available to advise parents at the beginning and end of the school day, or can be contacted directly on 01494 867803 or email: schoolnurse@gatewaysch.co.uk 22 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Medical Conditions, Allergies and Consent Upon registration at the school, parents are asked to list any medical conditions / allergies on the registration form. The school keeps a record of all known medical conditions and allergies; please keep the school fully informed of any changes to your child’s medical record. Completion of a medical questionnaire is also required by the school nurses. This form includes consent for first aid, the receiving of medical treatment in an emergency, and the administration of some over the counter treatments including Calpol, should it be required. This form also requests consent for the appropriate sharing of medical information to staff whilst your child is at Gateway. These forms need to be completed in full and returned to the school before your child joins the school. Self Administered Medication If your child carries medication of their own e.g. an inhaler, epipen then this should be clearly identifiable with the child’s name (additional labels can be requested from the pharmacy when they dispense the medication). A completed parental agreement form is also required which is available from the school nurses or the school office. Two inhalers/epipens are required in school at all times. One is to be kept with your child or in the classroom and a spare will be kept in the Medical Room. First Aid In the event of an injury or illness your child is seen by the school nurse. A record is kept of all injuries and treatments. In the event of the school nurse being unavailable, a member of staff with a first aid qualification can be contacted through the school office. In the case of emergencies when the school is unable to contact the parent the school will act in loco parentis and ensure the child receives the correct treatment. In this event a member of staff would stay with the child and the school would continue to try and contact parents. Please ensure you have completed the permission form for emergency treatment should we be unable to contact you. 23
Medicines & Information for School Trips A school trip form is to be completed prior to all school trips if medication is required (this includes travel sickness tablets). The form is available from the school nurse or on our website https://gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/login Any medication should be brought into school in the original container clearly marked with the child’s name and expiry date. Only prescribed medication can be given and this can be brought in to school 2 to 3 days before the trip to ensure departure is prompt. Medicines not accompanied by the appropriate form and parental signature may result in the child missing the trip. Medic alert bracelets for children who have a medical condition (or take medicine) that may affect their care in an emergency situation, should be worn. Sickness The school policy for sickness and diarrhoea is from Public Health England; your child should be absent from school for a minimum of 48 hours following the last event. This should enable your child to return to school and be able to fully participate in all school activities, as well as reducing the risk to others. Infections/Infestations If you are treating your child at home for head lice, thread worm, etc or they have impetigo please inform the school nurse as she will be able to advise. Sun The school encourages parents to ensure all children have a sun hat and water bottle, and make sure that sun screen is applied before school. ‘Once- a day’ Suncream or sunblock can be purchased from chemists and supermarkets and are ideal as they last for the whole school day. Sun glasses are not part of the uniform and should not be brought into school unless there is a medical requirement. Sport If a child from Reception to Year 4 is unable to participate in a PE activity, they remain with their class teacher for the session. Senior children work under the supervision of a member of staff. If the injury prevents the child taking part in an afternoon games session, the child may go home. 24 Gateway School Parent Handbook
Peripatetic Music Lessons Lessons are taught on an individual basis with priority given to Years 4, 5 and 6 pupils if there are spaces. It is assumed that children already taking lessons will continue into the next academic year unless half a term’s notice is given in writing to the teacher. Vacancies will be offered to children lower down the school if they become available. Next academic year there will be vacancies for tuition on the following: piano, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, classical guitar, electric guitar, trumpet and drum kit. We also offer group ukulele lessons. Lessons are timetabled during school hours, including breaks and lunchtimes. A rotation system operates which means the children do not miss the same lesson throughout the year. The children will be required to have their own instrument for practice purposes. Instruments are available to hire or buy from local music shops – Perfect Pitch in Chesham, Percy Prior in High Wycombe, Strings and Rosehill Instruments in Beaconsfield. The visiting music teachers are always happy to advise on the purchase of instruments. Lessons will be charged at around £18.50/19 per individual lesson and you will be invoiced directly by the teacher, a term in advance. The only exception is when the teacher is employed by County (violin) and we have to pay them directly, so the Bursar will invoice you. Fees are invoiced directly by the teacher a term in advance. One full term’s notice is required for cancellation of tuition; fees are payable in lieu of notice. Please complete an online application form if you would like your child to be considered for instrumental tuition. All children playing an instrument have opportunities to perform, as a soloist and/or as part of a group at half termly music teas. Many children are encouraged to join one of the school ensembles which perform at music teas, school assemblies and concerts. 25
Uniform Children in the Preschool are not required to wear uniform, although there is the option of a named red bag, red Gateway waterproofs and a soft brimmed sun hat. All uniform must be clearly labelled, this includes school and kit bags. For health and safety reasons pupils are not allowed to wear jewellery of any kind for any reason (this includes earrings). Watches are always removed in PE and games. Please be aware when purchasing shoes that pump style shoes are not appropriate for school wear. School shoes need a strap or laces to ensure proper support, as children go about their daily routine. Full details of the uniform can be found on the school website https://gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk/login or may be ordered on-line from www.copperfieldsclothing.com. An on line appointments system is available for new and existing parents to book an allocated session during the Summer holidays. The uniform shop is run by an ex Gateway parent, Louise Blissett every Friday at school from 3.30 until 5.00. Alternatively, contact Louise Blissett on louise@copperfieldsclothing.com Please note: It is essential that children have a Gateway red waterproof coat in school every day. We walk to the Great Missenden Hall in all weathers and do not have spare coats in school. In addition, the Forest School waterproof suit (Preschool - Year 2) and Wellington boots need to be in school all year round. 26 Gateway School Parent Handbook
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Gateway School, 1 High Street, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 9AA Telephone: 01494 862 407 | Email: communications@gatewaysch.co.uk www.gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk Gateway School Parent Handbook
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