The School Day

School starts at 9.00am and finishes at 3.30pm.

Absences

Please inform the school by telephone if your child is ill or absent for any other reason.

If you do not let us know when and why your child is absent then we are obliged to record it as an unauthorised absence.

Holidays

Please do not take your holidays during the school term times. If you have to take your child out of school during term time please apply to the secretary for a permission form. The Headteacher is no longer able to approve leave for pupils unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Security

All visitors and staff are requested to sign in.

We have entrance security and Assa one-way locks fitted on to school doors.

Pupils are closely supervised at all times.

The pupils are all taught about keeping safe and we help them to develop appropriate independence skills.

Charging for school activities

Thank you for your donations towards the costs of cookery, tuck etc. Each class will let you know the details of their requirements.

We are also pleased to receive the voluntary contributions towards the cost of educational day trips and holidays. These activities reinforce many of the skills taught in school in a practical manner.

No pupil will be disadvantaged because of parents’ inability to pay, but some activities may not be able to continue if insufficient funds are raised.

Dress Code

Pupils may wear any clothes to school provided they are suitable for the activities planned on the timetable. Class staff will let you know what is required.

We do have a school uniform which you may wish to purchase. It is available here.

Please label your child’s clothes and provide a spare set in case of accidents if necessary.

PE Kit

Class staff will let you know the details of PE kit required and when it is needed in school. We do encourage the consolidation of self-help skills through changing for PE and can support pupils to practise personal care and hygiene routines following PE lessons in our changing room facilities here. If preferred, you can send your child into school in their PE kit on PE days.

All pupils need at least shorts or jogging bottoms, a polo or t-shirt, a sweater or hoodie if preferred and pumps or trainers if appropriate.

A swimming kit is also needed if your child accesses the hydrotherapy pool as part of their physiotherapy plan, or the leisure centre for swimming lessons.

In addition, we ask that all pupils have a waterproof trousers, jacket and Wellington boots in school to enable outdoor sessions whatever the weather.

Sunny Days

Please ensure that during summer, pupils have sun cream and a sun hat in school.

Photographs

We take photographs of the pupils on a regular basis, usually as part of their curricular activities. Occasionally photos will be used to publicise events at the school and may involve the press.

We ask for photo and name sharing consent when your child starts school here. If your consent changes, please let the school office know.

Behaviour Management

The Governors have delegated day-to-day responsibility for behaviour and discipline to the Headteacher, in line with Local Authority (LA) guidance and Department for Education (DfE) expectations.

At Alfreton Park School, we adopt a Team Teach approach to behaviour support, which focuses on positive relationships, de-escalation, and understanding the underlying causes of behaviour.

We also follow the statutory guidance outlined in “Restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force, in schools” (DfE, April 2026), ensuring all practice is lawful, proportionate, and in the best interests of pupils.

The Team Teach Approach

The Team Teach approach promotes a positive, person-centred, and holistic understanding of behaviour. It recognises that all behaviour is a form of communication and that children and young people may display distressed or challenging behaviour when they are unable to express their needs in other ways.

We aim to:

  • Build strong, trusting relationships between staff and pupils
  • Understand individual needs, triggers, and communication styles
  • Support pupils to develop self-regulation and coping strategies
  • Create a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment

Staff are trained to recognise early signs of anxiety or distress and respond using calm, non-confrontational, and supportive strategies, in line with Team Teach principles and national guidance.

Key Principles of Practice

Positive Behaviour Support

  • Promoting positive relationships and emotional wellbeing
  • Adapting environments to meet individual needs
  • Using consistent, predictable routines
  • Teaching emotional literacy, communication, and self-regulation skills
  • Reinforcing positive behaviours and achievements

Whole-Person Approach

  • Person-centred planning
  • Building trust and effective communication
  • Providing a supportive and structured environment
  • Encouraging engagement in meaningful activities
  • Allowing time for rest, regulation, and reflection
  • Supporting participation in school and the wider community

De-escalation and Support Strategies

Our approach prioritises prevention and de-escalation, in line with DfE guidance which emphasises that restrictive interventions should be avoided wherever possible.

Staff use a range of supportive strategies, including:

  • Calm communication and active listening
  • Offering choices and clear boundaries
  • Distraction and redirection
  • Reducing demands when appropriate
  • Providing safe spaces for regulation

These approaches aim to reduce escalation and minimise the need for restrictive practices.

Use of Restrictive Interventions and Physical Intervention

In accordance with “Restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force, in schools” (DfE, April 2026):

  • Restrictive interventions are only used as a last resort
  • They are used only when necessary to prevent harm to the pupil or others, or serious damage to property
  • Any intervention must be reasonable, proportionate, and the least restrictive option available
  • Interventions are used for the shortest time necessary

Staff are trained through Team Teach to use safe, ethical, and legally compliant techniques, with a strong emphasis on reducing risk and preserving dignity.

We do not use interventions that are:

  • Punitive in nature
  • Likely to cause pain or injury
  • Inconsistent with safeguarding, dignity, and human rights principles

All incidents are:

  • Recorded and monitored
  • Reviewed to inform future planning
  • Shared with parents/carers in a timely and transparent way

Following any incident, restorative approaches and debriefs are used with both pupils and staff to support reflection, repair relationships, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Individual Behaviour Plans

Some pupils may have an Individual Behaviour Plan (IBP), which reflects both Team Teach principles and DfE guidance. These plans outline:

  • Known triggers and early warning signs
  • Preferred de-escalation strategies
  • Agreed responses, including any approved restrictive interventions

Plans are regularly reviewed and shared with parents and carers to ensure consistency between home and school.

Balanced Approach to Behaviour Support

In line with best practice:

  • Most strategies are proactive (preventative)
  • Some are active (in-the-moment support)
  • A small minority are reactive (crisis response)

This ensures a strong focus on prevention, early intervention, and developing independence and emotional regulation.

Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers

At Alfreton Park School, we recognise that strong partnerships with parents and carers are essential to supporting positive behaviour.

We offer behaviour support sessions for parents and carers, providing opportunities to:

  • Discuss individual needs, concerns, and strategies
  • Share approaches used in school
  • Promote consistency between home and school
  • Build confidence in supporting behaviour positively

These sessions may be delivered:

  • On an individual basis
  • As part of workshops or drop-in sessions
  • In collaboration with the school’s behaviour team and other professionals

We are committed to open communication and encourage parents and carers to contact us at any time to discuss behaviour support.

Multi-Agency Working

Where appropriate, we work with a range of external professionals to ensure the best outcomes for pupils, including:

  • Educational Psychology Services
  • Health and therapy services
  • Specialist behaviour support teams

This ensures a coordinated and informed approach to meeting each pupil’s needs.

Monitoring and Review

Behaviour practices, including the use of restrictive interventions, are regularly monitored by senior leaders and governors to ensure:

  • Compliance with current legislation and guidance
  • Reduction in the use of restrictive practices over time
  • Continuous improvement in staff practice and pupil outcomes

School Closure

If the school needs to close due to adverse weather we will endeavour to send all parents and transport staff a text message. Please ensure we have up to date mobile phone numbers in the office.

If we need to close during the school day we will ensure that all parents are contacted so please make sure you can be contacted at all times.

School closures will also be announced on

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/schools/school-closures/school-closures.aspx