New Parents or Guardians
We understand that choosing a school and preparing your child to start can feel like a big step. Below you will find useful information about school meals, transport, wraparound care, homework, visits and admissions.
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit, please contact the school office. We will be delighted to help.
School Meals
Children can enjoy a freshly prepared meal cooked on site by our school chef each day. The daily choices include a hot meal, a filled jacket potato or a sandwich.
Our menus are carefully planned to meet the statutory School Food Standards and provide children with nutritious, balanced meals.
The current prices are:
- Nursery meal: £1.70
- Paid school meal: £2.70
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. Some children in other year groups may also qualify for benefits-related free school meals.
Please tell us about any allergies, intolerances, medical dietary requirements or other dietary needs before your child starts school and whenever their needs change.
School Trips and Residential Visits
Educational visits are an important part of life at Thwaites School. Throughout the year, children take part in a range of trips and experiences that enrich their learning and bring the curriculum to life.
Our minibus enables children to make use of the wonderful resources in our local area, including its woods, rivers, beaches and outdoor spaces.
Our planned residential and outdoor experiences include:
- an annual visit to Kepplewray for Class One;
- a two-night, three-day residential visit to Low Bank Ground for all Key Stage 2 pupils during Curriculum Cycle C; and
- a two-night, three-day city break for all Key Stage 2 pupils during Curriculum Cycle A. The destination city changes each time.
Parents and carers will receive full information before each visit, including arrangements, costs and any voluntary contributions requested.
School Minibus
Our school minibus provides a free pick-up and drop-off service for children living in Haverigg, Millom and the surrounding villages and hamlets.
Places must be booked with the school. If the number of children travelling exceeds the capacity of the minibus, we operate two routes—a shorter run and a longer run—so that all children with booked places can travel.
The minibus is driven by appropriately qualified members of staff.
Please contact the school office for further information about routes, collection points and approximate times.
SchoolMoney
We use the cashless SchoolMoney system for payments such as paid school meals, wraparound care and contributions towards visits and activities.
Parents and carers will be provided with their login details when their child joins the school. SchoolMoney can be accessed online or through its app.
Nursery
Children may join our nursery as soon as they turn three. Places taken before funded early-education hours begin are paid for by parents and carers. Funded hours begin from the start of the term following the child’s third birthday.
Our nursery children learn through purposeful play and a balance of continuous and enhanced provision. Our Early Years curriculum is carefully planned to support children’s development and provide a positive and natural transition from Nursery into Reception.
Please see our Admissions page or contact the school office for information about nursery places, funded hours and paid sessions.
Parents’ and Carers’ Evenings and Reports
We hold two parents’ and carers’ evenings each year.
The autumn meeting provides an opportunity to discuss how your child has settled into the new school year. The spring meeting focusses on your child’s learning, progress and next steps.
At the end of the academic year, parents and carers receive a written report summarising their child’s progress and achievements. Teachers are available after reports have been issued if parents or carers would like to discuss them.
Home Learning
Children are encouraged to read at home every day. Regular reading helps children develop fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and a lasting enjoyment of books.
Key Stage 2 pupils receive a new spelling list to practise at home each week. Times tables are taught and practised in school and are not routinely sent home as homework.
At the beginning of each half-term, children receive a menu of activities connected to their current learning. They may complete as many activities as they wish, but every child must complete and submit at least one activity before the end of the half-term.
Wraparound Care
Our Morning Club is available from 8:00 a.m. and costs £3 per session.
Breakfast is available for an additional £1. Children may choose from toast or a selection of cereals, with a drink of squash.
Our Stop and Play after-school club begins when the school day finishes at 3:30 p.m. Two sessions are available:
- 3:30–4:30 p.m.: £5
- 3:30–5:00 p.m.: £7.50
Please contact the school office for information about booking places.
Applying for a School Place
We warmly welcome enquiries from families considering Thwaites School. If you would like to visit, meet our staff and children and see the school in action, please contact our school administrator, Mrs S. Bawden.
Telephone: 01229 772554
Email: admin@thwaites.cumbria.sch.uk
For information about applying for a Reception or other school-age place, please visit:
Cumberland Council school admissions
For nursery admissions, including paid and funded places, please contact the school directly.
Applying for Free School Meals
If your child may be eligible for benefits-related free school meals, we strongly encourage you to apply—even if your child already receives a free meal through Universal Infant Free School Meals.
A successful application may provide additional funding for the school through the pupil premium. This funding helps us provide further educational opportunities and support for eligible children.
Further information and the application process are available here: