School Day – the basics

Gates open for FS2 to Y6 children from 8.30am with registration starting promptly at 8.40am. It is Downlands policy that all infant pupils are brought and collected to and from school by an adult. Pupils in Y3 to Y6, with parent and school permission, are allowed to be unaccompanied to and from school. The school day finishes at 3:15pm. Please see pictures below for drop off and pick up arrangements.

There is a mid-morning break from 10:40-10.55. Dorset Council runs a fruit and vegetable scheme providing every child with a healthy snack. This is free for infant children, yet KS2 children can opt-in at a cost of 60p per week. Alternatively, KS2 parents may provide a healthy snack as per our healthy eating policy.

Children eat their lunches together in the school hall under the supervision of lunchtime supervisors. Hot dinners are provided free of charge for infant children. Meals can be booked and paid for online for KS2 children – please enquire to the school office for more details about this.
A free healthy meal is available every school day to children whose parents or carers receive qualifying benefits. Please visit the Dorset Council Free School Meals web page for more information to see if your child is eligible. This contains a quick, easy, and confidential online application form. The financial information you provide will not be seen by your child’s school or teachers, and the school will only be notified if your application is approved. Good manners are expected at all times. We encourage children to eat healthily and request that no sweets are included. We also kindly request that no food contains nuts to help protect children with allergies. There are 2 sittings for lunch, KS1 and KS2.

A variety of after school clubs take place at Downlands at various points throughout the year. For example, Netball, Running, Football and Gardening clubs have been popular recently A small charge is made for these and places are filled on a first come – first served basis.