Parents & Carers
We believe that children make the greatest progress when school, families and professionals work together. At Cherry Tree School, parents and carers are valued partners in every pupil’s education.
Supporting Your Child at Cherry Tree School
Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. Parents and carers want their child to receive a high standard of education, make meaningful progress and feel happy, understood and safe.
Throughout your child’s time at Cherry Tree School, we will work closely with you, the local authority and other professionals involved in their care and education. By sharing information, listening to one another and maintaining regular communication, we can provide consistent support centred around your child’s individual needs.
We recognise that many of our pupils have experienced disrupted education, gaps in learning or difficulties within previous settings. Our personalised, supportive approach helps pupils rebuild trust, engage positively with education and develop the confidence they need to succeed.
Cherry Tree School also works in partnership with Prosperity Children’s Services to provide therapeutic wrap-around support. This strengthens our trauma-informed and trauma-responsive approach, helping us create a safe and secure environment in which pupils can access learning and build positive relationships.
Our School Motto
Building Resilience, Inspiring Growth
Our aim is to help pupils develop confidence, curiosity and a positive relationship with learning.
The cherry tree is associated with renewal and new beginnings. It reflects our commitment to nurturing growth, resilience and independence in every pupil. Just as the tree can adapt and flourish in different environments, we empower pupils to overcome challenges, respond positively to change and succeed in their own individual ways.
At every Key Stage, our curriculum and wider school provision are structured to help pupils achieve success:
- Academically
- Personally and developmentally
- In education, employment and life beyond school
Our motto reflects our determination to equip every learner with the skills, confidence and resilience they need for a positive future.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Cherry Tree School follows national safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education. The school has a trained Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead who oversee safeguarding procedures and liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer and other agencies when required.
All members of staff receive safeguarding and child protection training as part of their induction. This training is refreshed annually, helping staff recognise concerns and respond in the correct way.
We work closely with parents, carers and partner agencies to help keep pupils safe and well. Where there are concerns that a child may have experienced abuse or neglect, the school has a statutory responsibility to make an appropriate referral and share relevant information with the agencies responsible for protecting the child.
We encourage pupils, parents, carers and staff to share any concern about a child’s welfare, however small it may appear. Information shared with the school could help protect a child from harm.
Further information is available in our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
First Aid, Health and Medical Needs
Cherry Tree School has a dedicated medical room and secure facilities for storing medication.
All members of staff complete Basic First Aid Training as part of their induction and undertake refresher training every three years. Nominated staff also receive appropriate training to administer prescribed medication.
Medication brought into school is recorded and stored securely in a locked medical cabinet. Where a pupil has a particular health or medical need, an individual risk assessment will be prepared, discussed with parents or carers and implemented by the school.
Parents and carers should ensure that the school is informed of any medical condition, prescribed medication, allergy or change in their child’s health that could affect them during the school day.
Further details are available in our Safe Administration of Medication Policy.
Health and Safety
Health and safety at Cherry Tree School is coordinated by the Head Teacher and supported by the wider staff and premises teams.
All staff receive health and safety awareness training, including information about safe systems of working, fire safety and infection control.
The Site Manager and maintenance staff undertake comprehensive checks across the school premises. Regular internal and external inspections and audits help us identify any issues and maintain a safe environment for pupils, employees and visitors.
Everyone within the school community is expected to contribute to a positive culture of safety by following agreed procedures and reporting concerns promptly.
Risk Management
We use a range of carefully considered risk assessments to identify and minimise risks associated with the school environment, curriculum activities, educational visits and individual pupil needs.
Risk assessments are completed whenever required and are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain relevant. Assessments are authorised and signed off by the Head Teacher.
The school also maintains appropriate emergency and premises plans, including a comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment that is reviewed annually.
These procedures allow pupils to participate in meaningful learning opportunities while ensuring that their individual needs, safety and wellbeing are properly considered.
Anti-Bullying
Everyone within the Cherry Tree School community has the right to feel safe, respected and protected from harm.
Our pupils and staff come from a wide range of backgrounds and may have different needs, experiences, cultures and diagnoses. We see this diversity as an opportunity to promote understanding, challenge misconceptions and help pupils recognise the importance of equality, tolerance and respect.
British Values, including respect, equality and acceptance of difference, are promoted through our curriculum and the wider culture of the school.
Cherry Tree is a “telling school”. Pupils, parents, carers and members of staff are encouraged to speak openly about concerns. Bullying will not be tolerated and staff will respond promptly, sensitively and proactively whenever an issue is identified.
Our approach is explained further within the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles & Life Choices
We help pupils understand the benefits of healthy living and the importance of making positive, informed choices.
This begins from the moment pupils arrive at school. They have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy breakfast and socialise safely with their peers and members of staff, providing a calm and positive start to the day.
Throughout the school day, lessons and wider activities give pupils opportunities to explore:
- Physical and emotional wellbeing
- Healthy eating
- Positive relationships
- Personal safety
- The consequences of different choices
- Developing healthy habits for adult life
School lunches offer a range of choices and encourage pupils to experience different foods, including dishes connected to cultures, religions, festivals and celebrations.
Staff support pupils to understand how the decisions they make can affect their health, wellbeing, relationships and future opportunities.
