Please ensure that you have already read our Useful Information section which includes details of ParentPay for trips and school lunches, the school days' timings, lockers and support for Young Carers, and our separate tab relating to School Uniform.

Here are responses to some of the most frequently asked questions that have been posed by parents (and students) who will be joining our school community in September.

• Where do I go on the first day?
• When will I get my timetable?
• What do I need in my pencil case?
• Calculator
• Buses
• Mobile phones
• Communicating with staff

Where do I go on the first day?

Lots of staff will be outside the front of school to greet you on your first day. They will then guide you to where you need to be.

When will I get my timetable?

You will get your timetable on your first morning at Wallingford School. You will spend some time with your form tutor on your first day. Your form tutor will hand out your timetable and explain how it all works. They will also make sure that you know where all the rooms on your timetable are and all the key locations in the school.

What do I need in my pencil case?

Pencil case (named) – a selection of basic equipment including:

• Pens - more than one, in case one runs out. We use black biro type pens to write in but you'll need a green biro for responding to marking.
• Pencils
• Sharpener
• Rubber
• Ruler – 15 or 30cm
• Colours - colouring pencils
• Protractor
• Set square
• Calculator

Calculator

You will receive some information about calculators from us. We would strongly encourage you to order one of these calculators (as it will have the same layout as the calculator that the teacher uses on the interactive whiteboard). However, we do understand if you already have a scientific calculator or would rather purchase one from somewhere else.

Buses

Transport on the school buses is arranged by Oxfordshire County Council.

Once a family has accepted a place at Wallingford School, names automatically go through to the OCC Eligibility Team and they access whether students are entitled to transport on a school bus and which free transport the student will be allocated to.

Once they have allocated a bus route for the student, the bus pass is posted out directly to the home address. Allocation is usually completed around the end of July. With the bus pass will also be information regarding which bus stop they should use & the specific timings for that particular route. We strongly advise you to respond in a timely manner to all communications from OCC regarding transport so your child is allocated to a bus route as required.

We would also advise that students practise their walk to the bus stop before September, especially timing how long it takes so that they know how long to leave for the walk in the mornings.

Parents of students that are not eligible for free transport can apply to the Spare Seat scheme. This allows you to purchase a seat on a school bus, should there be additional spaces.

Parents can enquiring about any transport issues at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile phones

Students are not permitted to use or access mobile phones between 8:40am and 3:05pm. If phones are seen or heard during school hours, they are confiscated until the end of the day and can be collected at the school office. We do not take responsibility for any phones brought into school.

Communicating with staff

Your first point of contact should be the form tutor. This means that you have their email address. Email is the best way to contact staff at Wallingford School. Our email system works with our surname & our first initial plus @wallingfordschool.com. You will have the opportunity to meet your child's form tutor at our "Meet the Tutor" event in early September. Your child's tutor will share their email address with you at this event.