In Brindishe Schools, we see home learning as a way of further developing the partnership between home and school. We encourage children to take responsibility for their learning both in and out of school. Class teachers send out information about what children are learning in class on a regular basis with suggestions for home learning.

In Brindishe Schools, we place great emphasis on self-discipline and praise. We encourage children to understand why certain kinds of behaviour are much more acceptable than others, and we encourage self-respect, respect for other people and our environment. We also encourage parents and carers to work with us to support children’s good behaviour so that home and school are consistent in what they expect of each child.

Bullying is not tolerated in Brindishe Schools. We have a strong anti-bullying policy which is part of our Promoting Good Relationships Policy.

We have a number of ways of ensuring that children are able to report problems of bullying and of making sure children know we will take action. We always respond to reports of bullying and we work in partnership with parents to make sure Brindishe Schools are a bully-free zone.

There are contrasting views about the place of a uniform in school. In Brindishe Schools, we have a school sweatshirt, which children can wear if parents and carers so wish. As we want to nurture children’s individuality and respect difference, we are equally happy if you wish your child to wear their own choice of clothes.

We do point out that certain types of clothing and footwear are not permitted in school: these include ‘onesies’, sleeveless tops (such as summer vests) and tops that expose the child’s middle. Shoes such as clogs, crocs, backless shoes and sandals or high heels are not permitted as they present a risk to the safety of pupils.

We do not allow jewellery in school apart from religious items such as a crucifix or a Kara (Sikh bangle), and only close fitting stud earrings – for safety reasons. We do not allow hooped earrings in school. All jewellery (apart from stud earrings) must be removed by the child themself if possible for PE and games lessons.

On PE days, your child will be expected to wear named clothing suitable for a range of different sports and/or physical activity. This would include the correct PE shoes, a tracksuit or jogging bottoms/shorts and a t-shirt.  

Please label each item in your child’s PE kit and put in a bag clearly marked with their name. Please ask in the school office for details of how and when to buy our school sweatshirt and Brindishe School bag.

It is unfortunate that sometimes losses occur within school. We take every effort to find missing items. You can help us by labelling all items of clothing and footwear.

Children stay for a school meal or bring a packed lunch. All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to have a free school lunch and we encourage them to do so.

Our school dinners are cooked on the premises. A two or three week menu is displayed in school and a copy is sent home. We provide a choice of meals and a vegetarian option is always available. Payment for dinners should be made via the Horizons Parent Portal. 

If you have any queries related to online payment please e-mail the school office. 

Schools are able to claim a Pupil Premium (over £1000) per child on free school meals to make sure each school’s budget matches its community’s needs. Families eligible for free school meals or Pupil Premium may also be offered reduced rates for extras such as clubs, educational visits and school journeys.If you think you may be entitled to free school meals, please make enquiries at the school office or look in the ‘Payments’ section of our website. You should apply even if your child is in Years R, 1 and 2.

You may prefer for your child to bring a packed lunch. We teach and encourage children to eat healthily and this is followed up in the dinner hall. We ask that parents and carers support the school by providing healthy packed lunches. We ask that you don’t send in sweets, chocolate, juice, fizzy drinks, glass bottles or cans. Children are encouraged to only drink water in school.

Children in all classes have access to a range of different play areas during lunchtime and throughout the day. They will also have access to an indoor club. If it is raining, children stay in the classrooms and are encouraged to read, draw or play board games.

If your child has a medical condition which prevents them going out to play, they can stay in the medical area, the office or another supervised indoor space. Please ask the class teacher or headteacher if you think your child needs to stay in at playtime so that supervision may be arranged.

During very cold or very hot weather children may be brought in early from lunchtime play. They will either play quietly in their classrooms or watch a DVD.

Children aged 3 to 7 years are offered a piece of fresh fruit every morning playtime. This is part of a government- sponsored scheme.

As many children are allergic to nuts or nut products, we request that you do not send into school, nuts or nut products for your child, or any other child to eat.

We have a breakfast club on each school site run by a separate companies which take place every school day. A simple breakfast is provided by staff who supervise the children until the start of the school day. The after-school club, also run by a separate company, runs from the end of the school day. It provides supervised play opportunities in a safe, supportive and friendly environment on the school site. Both breakfast club and after-school club cater for children who are in Reception to Year 6. There is a charge for before and after school child care. Please ask in the school office for more information.

Once school has started each morning the gates are locked and entry to the school can only be obtained through a video-controlled entry system. The main entrance to the school building is again entry-controlled. Visitors to the school must sign in at the school office and they will be issued with a visitor’s badge. We do not allow free access to the classrooms or other areas of the school building or grounds without prior arrangement and the permission of the headteacher.

Children are not allowed to leave the school grounds during the day, unless they are collected by an adult. Parents and carers deliver children to the classroom at the beginning of the school day. They collect children from classrooms or the playground at the end of the school day. Although some older children walk to and from school by themselves, younger children may only be collected by a known adult. Children cannot be collected by an adult other than their known and named parent or carer without the school staff being informed in advance.

All staff employed at the school, plus voluntary helpers, including parents, are subject to rigorous vetting procedures including Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We have close links with the police and our local community and any concerns relating to safety and security are always reported and promptly acted upon. 

There are a number of criteria for admission and this information is published in our admissions policy available from the school office or website.

Nursery admissions

If you wish your child to be admitted to Brindishe Green or Brindishe Manor Nursery, you need to collect and complete an application form, available from the school office. The completed form must be returned to the school office. Children are usually offered a nursery place the term after their third birthday, although this cannot be guaranteed. Children, who are not offered a place, will be put on a waiting list at your request. Should a place become available we will contact you.

Reception and in year admissions

If you wish your child to join Brindishe Schools then a common application form must be completed. Application forms are available from: The Admissions Team, Laurence House, Catford or you can download a copy from the Lewisham Council website.

We hope that this has given you the information that you need about our school. If, as a parent of a pupil attending this school, you require a paper copy of the information on this website, we shall provide this free of charge.

If there are areas or aspects of the school about which you would like to know more, please do ask. We welcome your interest, questions and comments. We look forward to meeting you and to working with you, to benefit all the children at Brindishe Schools.