Parents
At Willaston Church of England Primary School, we are committed to fostering a close and collaborative relationship with our parental community. We believe that parents play a vital role in supporting their child’s education and development.
By working together, we can create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. We encourage active parental involvement in all aspects of school life, from attending events and volunteering, to providing feedback and support.
This partnership helps to ensure that our school is a place where children can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.
Home School Agreement
We are committed to working in partnership with parents/carers and their children. Our Home School Agreement sets out the expectations and responsibilities of each member of the partnership.
Free School Meals
Important Changes to Free School Meal (FSM) Eligibility – September 2026
Upcoming changes to Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility will take effect from September 2026. These changes have been introduced nationally by the Department for Education and will be implemented locally by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
What is changing?
From the start of the 2026/27 academic year (September 2026):
• All children in households receiving Universal Credit will become eligible for Free School Meals. (Expanded Free School Meals)
• The current earnings threshold (approximately £7,400 per year) will remain for additional benefits such as Pupil Premium eligibility. (Targeted Free School Meals)
• This is a significant expansion and is expected to make many more families eligible
What this means for families in Cheshire West and Chester
Cheshire West and Chester Council has confirmed that:• From September 2026, any family receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to apply
for FSM.
• Families must apply through the council – entitlement is not automatic.
Why it is important to apply
Applying for FSM is important because:
• Your child will receive a free, nutritious meal each day at school
• You could save around £450–£500 per child each year on lunches
• The school receives additional funding (Pupil Premium) for some eligible pupils, helping to provide extra support and opportunities
Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and already receives a universal free meal, registering for FSM remains essential.
What you need to do
We strongly encourage all families to:
• Apply for FSM if you are currently receiving Universal Credit, even if you have not been eligible before
• Reapply ahead of September 2026 if your child currently receives FSM
You can apply via Cheshire West and Chester Council:
• Online: Apply here.
• Or contact the school office, where we will support you confidentially
School Lunches and Breaktime
School Lunches and Breaktime Snack are provided by Edsential.
Infant children in Reception through to Year 2 will receive free school meals as part of the Universal Free School Meals Program.
Children in Years 3-6 will be required to pay £3.30 for a school lunch if required.
All children are provided with a complimentary fruit or vegetable snack every breaktime. Children in Years 3 – 6 are also given the opportunity to order and purchase a hot snack should they wish to. You can order both lunch and snack on Parentmail.
Ofsted Parent View
Ofsted Parent View gives you the chance to tell Ofsted what you think of your child’s school.
Privacy Notice
Under data protection law, individuals have a right to be informed about how our school uses any personal data that we hold about them. We comply with this, by providing a Privacy Notice to individuals where we are processing their personal data.
This Privacy Notice explains how we collect, store and use personal data about pupils.
School term dates
School Calendar
Forest School Dates
Forest School Parent Helpers
Forest School Parent Helpers
We are very fortunate to have parent helpers who assist with our Forest School sessions, especially when we visit the meadow. We are also very lucky to have some fantastic learning areas around school which we also use on a regular basis. It really adds an extra level of excitement and wonder if we can go to the meadow for our Forest School sessions, but we cannot do this without the appropriate adult to children ratios. It is very helpful to be able to plan in advance for this, so please can you let us know if you are attending by filling in the form, when you know you will be able to attend. You must have completed a school DBS to be able to help at Forest School.
The form is available here: https://forms.office.com/e/gpdc711gT8
Many thanks to our current Parent Helpers, and if you are interested in helping, please contact the school office to complete the DBS forms.
Thank you for your support, Mr Ellinson
School Uniform
High standards of uniform are very important to us, as they have a positive impact on behaviour and overall attitude to school life.
Our Uniform Policy is attached with full details, including some recent alterations. As a school, we pride ourselves on expecting the highest standards of presentation when it comes to both our school uniform and PE kit. However, in-light of the current cost of living crisis and rising costs at home, we have adapted our policy to extend the options available for white polo and PE shirts. Historically, there was an expectation that polo and PE shirts required a school logo, this has now been extended to include plain white polo and PE shirts. It is important to note that we still expect school jumpers and cardigans to have our school logo as part of the uniform.
There have also been a few queries over the wearing of earrings in school. The policy outlines that: ‘small plain studs may be worn but must be removed at home or covered on days that the class goes swimming or has their PE lesson’. Please note that this is also relevant for all extra-curricular clubs and activities.
The removal or covering of earrings for PE is reinforced in the current guidance provided by The Association for Physical Education, who strongly recommend the practice of removing all personal effects at the commencement of every PE lesson. We ask that if earrings cannot be removed at home, they are covered prior to coming into school. Please be reassured that we are following this guidance to keep your child safe during physical activities and lessons.
Generic school uniform items may be purchased from many high street retailers, and branded school uniform items may be purchased from the following providers:-
The Schoolwear Outlet
8 Liverpool Road, Neston
South Wirral
CH64 3RA
Tel: 0151 336 7588
Email: info@schoolwearoutlet.com
Website: www.schoolwearoutlet.com
or
https://www.wirralschooluniforms.co.uk/williaston-cofe-school-uniform
or
on-line at www.myschoolstyle.com and clicking on the ‘Find My School’ button.
Provision of second-hand uniform
Second-hand uniforms can benefit all parents, particularly those on low incomes. In addition, by extending the life of garments, it is more sustainable. School has a selection of second-hand school uniform items, if required please speak in confidence to the school office.
Before and After School Club with S4YC
Parents have the opportunity to book Before and After School Club at Willaston CE Primary School, with a company called S4YC. Places must be booked in advance with S4YC, and are available from 7:45am in the morning until the start of school for Before School Club, and from the end of the school day until 5:30pm for After School Club. Please click on the link above or see below for contact details and how to book.
The prices are £13.74 per child for Afterschool Club (3.20 pm – 6.00 pm) and £5.89 per child for Breakfast Club (7.45 am – 9.00 am) – subject to change.