Frequently Asked Questions

No jewellery must be worn in school as it is potentially unsafe. Studs, one per ear, can be worn in pierced ears, but please, no sleepers or loops. Watches may be worn by children in school, but we must point out that they must be responsible for them. Sometimes during the year toys may be allowed e.g. during the Christmas parties, but once again, these are sent in at your own risk. Accidents can happen anywhere and whilst staff will do their best to ensure the safety of the children's personal property, we cannot be held responsible if something is dropped or accidentally broken in school.

In the event of your child taking ill at school, we will ring one of the emergency contact numbers to arrange for them to be taken home if that is necessary. Therefore, it is very important that these contact numbers are kept up to date.

Please notify us immediately if you have changed numbers or moved house.

We are not allowed to administer medication in school. If your child has been ill and has been taking antibiotics they should be kept at home until the course of medicine has been completed. If, in extreme circumstances, your child needs to take any medication whilst they are in school, we would have no objection to a family member coming into school at lunchtime to give whatever is necessary to your child.

After contagious diseases like chickenpox or measles, please check with your doctor before sending your child back into school. At various times during the school year, your child will be seen by the school nurse or the dental officer. You will be notified before these routine checks take place.

N.B. The school nurse no longer checks children's hair for head lice. It is vital therefore, that you check your child's hair regularly.

This is a Levy that is paid by all Catholic Schools towards the repair and maintenance of school buildings, and is a way of assisting the Archdiocese in ensuring the continuance of Catholic education. All families with children at St. Edmund's and St Thomas' School are asked for contributions based on a precise formula. The formula for arriving at a fair and equitable contribution has been set a £10.00 per family per year. This can either be paid in one lump sum or two payments of £5.00

Dinner money is currently £7.75 per week (i.e. £1.55 per day). Please ensure that this money is sent into school in an envelope with your child's name and class on it. Dinner money is payable on Monday. Should your child wish to change from hot meals to packed lunches (or vice versa) this can only be accommodated on a weekly basis.

Order Forms can be picked up from the school office.  Please complete and return together with payment.  The uniform usually is ready for collection within 3 weeks.  Often it is given directly to the child to take home.

If you wish to order online please click here. When on the site please enter:

Town: Waterloo
School: St Edmund's & St Thomas Primary School

We recognize that it is often expensive to take a holiday during school breaks and that is why some parents may ask for term-time leave for their child.  However, it is important that parents carefully consider the implications of taking their child out of school during term-time. The Law says "Parents do not have the right to take their child out of school for holidays during term-time"

For any holiday, parents must always ask for a ‘Request for holiday' form from the office or ask for an appointment with the Headteacher.  Careful consideration will be given and records kept for all applications.  There is a leaflet in school containing more information.

When your child is absent please make sure you inform school either by letter, phone call or personal visit. Any absences without explanation are classed as unauthorised.

If your child arrives late, they will receive a ‘late' mark. These will be noted on your child's report. Children who are persistently absent or late will be referred to the Educational Welfare Officer and a home visit may be necessary. If your child arrives at school after 10.00 a.m. with no official reason given, they will receive an absence mark, as regulations say they must complete 2/3 of a session to be considered present.