Information for Parents and Carers

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We are happy to publish guidance from Lambeth Council addressed to parents and carers. This covers information including school attendance, access to Education Welfare Officers and useful council contact details. You can access the relevant information over here.

Autism Team

All staff and pupils throughout Lansdowne School have been putting in a great amount of effort in learning and understanding the various communication systems that we have started to introduce. It is important for all pupils to be feel comfortable in communication, whatever their needs or abilities.

We use two main supplementary language systems to help pupils at Lansdowne – Communication in Print, and Makaton. Communication in Print is a visual language using symbols. Makaton is a visual language that uses physical signs from pupils and staff. Both are now used extensively at Lansdowne, depending on the appropriateness of any given situation.

The pupils at Lansdowne have been benefiting from this approach in a very practical way. We use Communication in Print with the school choir during our weekly singing assemblies. The Communications Team has also introduced a Sign of the Week, which is displayed and encouraged to be used on a weekly basis.

Part of this approach to communication also involves having the support of parents. We are incredibly grateful for all the help that you continue to give. The school website is going to start publishing regular video updates from the Communications Team. We hope that this will open up our work for parents and carers back at home. We are also hopeful of introducing a Makaton learning club for parents.

Lansdowne School Attendance and Punctuality

You can only allow your child to miss school if either:

They’re too ill to go in.

You’ve got advance permission from the school.

It is important that all pupil absence is reported to the school office on the first morning of absence. The school office opens at 8.00am. It is a legal requirement that all parents and carers report when their child is absent from school, whatever the reason, giving details of when and how long their child is likely to be absent.
Unauthorised absences will be investigated by the school and where absences cause concern, they will be referred to Educational Welfare Services. 

Holidays in term time

You have to get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.

You can only do this if:

You make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with.)

There are exceptional circumstances.

It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted. If you do really need to take your child out of school during term time you must make it very clear in your request how the circumstances are exceptional.

SEND Transport

Your child is entitled to free transport if they can not walk to school because of their Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or mobility problem.

For an application please download the appropriate Local Authority Form:

Lambeth SEND transport application

Southwark SEND transport application

Croydon SEND transport application

Free School Meals

If you would like to apply for free school meals for your child then you can download an application form over here [Word].

Change of Contact Details

If you have a change of contact details then please use the form over here [Word] to notify the school.

Administering Medication at Lansdowne School

Lansdowne School is willing to administer medication to pupils where necessary to help to support their attendance and ensure the on-going care and support of pupils with long term medical needs. If your child requires medication, please complete and return the form available over here [Word].