Welcome to Piper’s Vale Primary Academy.
Located in south Ipswich we offer all our children a fantastic education in a friendly and supportive atmosphere, to ensure they have every opportunity to achieve their potential.
To help you learn more about our school we have put together a list of our most frequently asked questions about Piper’s Vale Primary Academy. If you have any other queries please contact the school office on 01473 320413.
What are the timings for the school day?
School opens at 8:30am and lessons begin at 9:00am. Break is at 10:30am and lasts for 15 minutes. Lunch is at 12:00pm and lasts for an hour. Afternoon lessons start at 1:00pm and the school day finishes at 3:05pm.
Can my child walk to and from school alone?
Children in Nursery to Year 4 must be accompanied by an adult (or an older child over 14 with permission from the parent). Years 5 and 6 can walk home alone after we have written parental permission.
How much do school dinners cost?
Reception, Year 1 and 2 receive free school meals under the government scheme. Years 3 and above pay for meals. It costs £2.30 for a school dinner and we ask that parents pay £11.50 up front for each week of dinners.
Do you have out of hours clubs?
Yes, we have a breakfast club which runs from 7.30 until 8.25, which costs £3 a session. And we also run a range of after school clubs Monday to Thursday.
Do you have a nursery?
Our nursery is attached to the main school, and is available from 8:30am until 11:30am. To apply for a place for your 3-4 year old, please collect an admission form from the school office.
How do I report my child absent?
There are three ways to report your child absent from school. Firstly, you can call the school number, 01473 320413, and leave a voicemail on the absence line. You can also tell the school office directly at reception, or report absences on Groupcall. https://www.groupcall.com/
What do I do if my child needs to take medication at school?
You will need to request a medicine permission form from the school office as this process will need to be administered by a member of staff and we need parental permission. We will also require some information about the medicine such as dosage and the expiry date, etc.
What is the school policy on holidays during term time?
The Department of Education has found that absence from school directly affects children’s education.
The link between absence and attainment at KS2 and KS4 – DfE publication
For this reason, no holidays are authorised when taken during term time, although some special leave may be granted under exceptional circumstances at the Principal’s discretion.
Will I be fined for any unauthorised attendance marks?
Yes, fines will be issued if your child/ren exceed 10 sessions of unauthorised absences. A day consists of two sessions, therefore a week equates to 10 sessions. If at any point you exceed 10 sessions a fine will be issued. The fine is £60 per child per parent.
Where can I buy uniform?
All Piper’s Vale uniforms are sold by PMG Schoolwear https://www.pmgschoolwear.co.uk/ on Westgate Street in Ipswich. However, we have some school jumpers for sale for £5 each at school which can be purchased by cash at the school office.
Is there a school newsletter?
Yes, a newsletter is published weekly and is available here https://pipersvaleacademy.paradigmtrust.org/news/ and as a hard copy. It will contain information about upcoming events, reminders, news and a weekly message from the Principal.
Do children get to go swimming?
Each year group takes turns to go swimming weekly at Murrayfield Primary Academy; a partner school in the trust. This is part of the curriculum and all the children thoroughly enjoy it.