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Last updated: October 24th, 2024

Information for New Parents

Information for New Parents

Welcome to SJB!

We are all looking forward to your child joining SJB. Below are a few frequently asked questions which may help with your child’s transition to secondary school. If you have any unanswered questions please contact us at info@sjb.surrey.sch.uk

 

What is the SJB School Uniform?

Details of our uniform can be found at SJB Uniform. All uniform items can be purchased from Valentino’s Schoolwear website

 

How can my child travel to school?

Is there School Transport?

For those parents that will require transport to SJB for their child/children there are no subsidised travel arrangements.

A coach company, which we have used for many years, do currently run a service for our students.

This coach service is run independently through D&P Coaches who deal directly with parents of students at SJB with regards to the running and financial arrangements of this facility. Whilst we are not directly involved with the running of coach travel for our students anymore, we do maintain a close working relationship with this company.

The price this school year is £135.00 per month over 10 months from September 2024.

£135.00 per child per month payable by monthly standing order beginning 1st September 2024 for 10 months with the last payment being 1st June 2025.

If you would like to request a place/places on this coach service please could you contact Rachel at D&P Coaches on either:

Can my child cycle to School?

We encourage students to walk or cycle to school. Please make sure they wear a helmet a bring a bike lock.

Driving your child to school/parking

Elmbridge Lane is a cul-de-sac and, as with the surrounding roads, is residential. Please be considerate to the residents and do not park on any of the roads near the school. We discourage driving down Elmbridge Lane to drop your children off as this causes major congestion. We recommend dropping your children off / parking at the Woking Leisure Centre which is a very short walk from the school.

 

How do I report absence from school?

Please ensure you let the school office know via Arbor if your child will be absent from school due to illness. You must report your child’s absence each morning before 8am.

100% attendance at school is one of the best way of ensuring your child’s future success so we ask you to arrange medical/dental appointments outside the school day where possible. If for any reason your child is required to miss school for a short period for an important appointment then please email attendance@sjb.surrey.sch.uk with the details at least 48 hours prior to the appointment.

Please do not book holidays in term-time, permission will not be granted. If there are exceptional circumstances please complete the request for absence form here

 

What if my child has to take medication in school?

If your child needs to take regular medication please contact Mrs Harding in the School Office.

What if I need to speak to a member of staff?

If your child has a problem at school please contact their Form Tutor in the first instance.

 

How can my child buy food during the school day?

We have a cashless catering system at SJB – https://www.scopay.com/login.html. Each member of the school community has a catering account. You will need to pay money into this account before your child starts at SJB. You will receive a letter giving your individual registration details relating to your child. You can activate your account by using the unique link in the letter.

Payments must be made via Scopay via the Scopay app or by clicking on the Scopay icon found in the top right corner of the school website. You are then able to either top up your child’s lunch account, pay for trips or any other expenses as requested throughout the school year.

Students who are entitled to free school meals have an account in the exact same way. The system will credit their account daily with the free school meals allowance, but as this can only be used at lunch time you will need to put money onto their account to allow additional purchases at lunch or break time.

All students will be identified on the system by biometric measurement and photograph. The biometric measurement involves the measurement of a number of points on the finger. The information is then converted and stored as a unique number. This information is held on a secure database and cannot be reconverted back into an image and cannot be used by any other source for identification purposes. A display at the till point will show the current balance on their account; deduct purchases they make and a revised balance to carry forward to the next day. As parents you will have access to your child’s account and we ask that you make regular payments into the account as the students must have sufficient funds to buy their food and drinks. The system will not have any ‘overdraft’ facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I use Scopay?
The School will issue you with a letter with registration details. Just go to the website link on the letter to register. You will then be ready to make secure payments to your child’s cashless account whenever you like.

What cards can I use?
Scopay accepts all credit and debit cards (except AMEX).

Is it safe to make payments on the Internet?
YES. In fact, it’s as safe to pay online with Scopay as it is to use your credit or debit card in a shop or over the phone! Scopay uses leading technology to process your credit/debit card transactions securely. All communication with the bank is encrypted (jumbled up so no one else can read it). Neither Scopay nor the school have access to your card details and your card details are never kept by Scopay or the school.

How can I check that it’s secure?
Standard website addresses begin with ‘http’ whereas the address for a secure site will always begin with ‘https’. You will also see a ‘padlock’ at the bottom right of the screen. Never enter your details or personal data on any web page where the address does not start with ‘https’

What about our personal information?
Scopay uses a very limited amount of information about you and your child solely for the purpose of administering your account. We do not share or give information to any other organizations. We operate under strict guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act 1998, which ensures the protection and care of personal information. This means that any information you give us electronically will only be used for the purpose that you intended.

Scopay will NEVER contact you by phone, email, or mail and ask you to divulge confidential information like passwords or card numbers. If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be from Scopay, please contact the School on 01483 729343.

Account Balances
When you make a payment onto your child’s account you can then print a receipt as proof of purchase. This is also emailed to you. You can view your payment history by logging onto your Scopay account.

Can I use Scopay on a mobile device?
Yes, there is a Scopay app for mobile devices. When using Scopay on a mobile device, it is recommended to the Scopay app rather than accessng Scopay via a web browser.

For more information visit www.scopay.com/login

 

 

How can I find out more about the food available at SJB?

On site, Innovate Catering produce a daily selection of high quality meals that are nutritious, freshly made from scratch each day and are excellent value for money. There are breakfast items available before the start of school, a variety of ‘grab and go’ foods available during mid-morning break time, meal deals available at lunch time and a further opportunity to buy food after school should you be hungry.

The canteen is open from 8.00am – 4.00pm daily.

Read more about Innovate

Please visit the Innovate website for more information about meal deals, menus and prices.

http://www.innovatefood.co.uk

Do I qualify for free school meals? i

Application for free school meals

 

How can I sign up for a school locker?

We have installed vandal resistant lockers throughout the school fitted by Prefect Lockers.

You can book a locker for the new academic year by visiting https://www.locker.rentals. The cost will be £21 per year land you will need to renew this each academic year. On receipt of payment a code will be sent via text or email.

 

What if my child loses something at school?

Please ask your child to check lost property which is open from 3.25pm Monday to Wednesday.

 

What are the school term dates?

You can find all the Term Dates on our website.