Parent information
Table of Contents
Term dates
- Our day starts at 9.00am
- Our day ends at 3.15pm
Autumn term 2025
Staff training day Monday 1 September 2025 and Tuesday 2 September 2025
Pupils and staff return Tuesday 2 September 2025
Last day of first half term Friday 24 October 2025, normal finish time
School closed for half term Monday 27 October 2025 to Friday 31 October 2025 inclusive
Staff training day Monday 3 November 2025
Pupils and staff return Tuesday 4 November 2025
Last day of second half term Thursday 18 December 2025. Pupils leave at 1.15pm
School closed for Christmas break Monday 22 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2025 inclusive
Spring term 2026 (located at Pinn River School)
Staff training day Monday 5 September 2026 and Tuesday 6 September 2026
Remote learning (3 days) between Wednesday 7th January 2026 to Friday 9th January 2026
Pupils start at Pinn River School Monday 12th January 2026
Last day of first half term Friday 13 February 2026, normal finish time
School closed for half term Monday 16 February 2026 to Friday 20 February 2026 inclusive
Pupils and staff return Monday 23 February 2026
Last day of second half term Friday 27 March 2026, Pupils leave at 1.30pm
School closed for Easter break Monday 30 March 2026 to Friday 10 April 2026 inclusive
Summer term 2026
Pupils and staff return Monday 13 April 2026
May Bank Holiday – school closed Monday 4th May 2026
Last day of first half term Friday 22 May 2026. Normal finish time
School closed for first half term Monday 25 May 2026 to Friday 29 May 2026
Pupils and staff return Monday 1 June 2026
Last day of second half term Friday 17 July 2026. Pupils leave at 1.30pm
Uniform
It is most important that our pupils are comfortable to take part in their learning. Some lessons can be active or messy. School uniform is therefore optional but popular amongst families.
We have branded uniform in white, navy and dark aqua colours. Most families will opt for polo tee-shirts and jumper, cardigan or fleece. We are updating our logo and we will be receiving a small stock of new items for parents to view for sizing. Uniform will be available to purchase directly from SchoolTrends or can be ordered via the school office. Further details will be shared in September.
Pupils should wear practical footwear. We do strongly encourage our wheelchair users to have good sturdy footwear to ensure they can safely remain in a comfortable position.
Meals and feeding
Hot lunches are prepared daily by our own on-site catering team with a rolling menu of balanced meals with meat and vegetarian options. Any specific dietary requirements should be discussed with the school in advance.
Meals are provided in the different consistencies required for our pupils with dysphagia needs, following the IDDSI standard.
Meals are currently provided free to those who require them but we may revise the need to charge a small fee in future. We also provide a range of snacks and food items that can help develop your child’s independent eating at breaktimes.
Our Occupational Therapist and SaLT teams will advise on the correct cups, plates and utensils which will help your child be as independent as possible at mealtimes. We will provide these in school and can share details of these should parents wish to purchase similar items for home.
We do not provide breakfast and expect pupils to arrive to school well-nourished and ready for the school day. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to provide a something quick that parents have supplied but this must not impact on their lesson time or the learning of others.
Any food item provided from home must be clearly marked with its ingredients. We may have to refuse some items in the interests of allergy safety.
Medical care
The school has a nurse on site for most of the school day, but they may be required to attend meetings or be off-site for periods of time. This nurse is part of the Hillingdon Community Nursing team and may already know some children and families very well.
Our staff are well versed in catering for the medical needs of our pupils so that they can access the school day as fully as possible. Most class-based staff are trained to administer emergency medications (e.g. Buccol Midazolam), gastrostomy feeds, other regular medication (e.g. Baclofen).
All staff are aware of epilepsy and asthma needs due to the prevalence of these needs amongst our school population.
Parents must provide all necessary medication, milk-feeds etc. Where these are prescribed, they must have the correct prescription label on the bottle. This must match up with the dosage and details on their health care plan.
The school holds a supply of liquid paracetamol and will consult with parents if it is felt that your child requires this. Parents must always inform the school if their child has been given paracetamol before coming to school.
Support for pupil attendance
If your child is finding school attendance difficult, you are not alone. Many children and young people with SEND experience challenges such as anxiety, sensory overload, or uncertainty about the school day.
The Eden Academy Trust provides practical guidance to help build routines, reduce stress, and support a positive, accessible school experience. Explore available resources here.
Family services
Your Family Support Coordinator
Hello, my name is Shriti Thompson and I am Sunshine House’s Family Services Coordinator.
My role is to provide support, advice and information to the families within our school community.
I can help you with any worries you may have concerning your child’s education, behaviour and wellbeing. I am also here to support parents with issues that may be impacting their family such as health or finances.
Advice and support are confidential, although concerns relating to safeguarding children will always be dealt with as per the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
I am also here as someone to talk to if you need it. I may not have all the answers, but hopefully, I can help you to work out how to find them.
This may be achieved through 1:1s or small group support. We also are very pleased to be supported by DASH a local charity for people with disabilities.
Emotional, practical and social support
Eden’s centralised Family Service team provide links between home, school and other services, to strengthen relationships and communication.
They work individually with families who need support, advice or guidance about statutory services involvement and those who are finding it difficult to manage their child’s behaviour or needs at home.
They also provide pupils and their families with a range of activities outside school hours so both pupils and their sibling and families have opportunities to socialise and have experiences otherwise inaccessible to them.
Support can include:
- coffee mornings at school
- providing information about services in the local area and support to access them if needed
- completing referrals to relevant agencies e.g DLA, PIP, Blue Badge, Young Carers
- completing forms/applications
- advice and support in promoting positive behaviour at home
- toileting issues
- picky eaters
- poor sleeping
- setting boundaries
- support to improve school attendance
- signposting and support with finances and debt, housing, health, NRPF.
This list doesn’t include everything so please speak to me about anything worrying you or that you need support with.
Regular activities at Sunshine House:
- Sensory club – Tuesday 3.15pm – 7pm (during term time).
- Swim club – Thursday 3.15pm – 7pm (during term time).
- Family swim session – Saturday 9am – 12pm, open to any family with a SEN child.
How to get in touch:
I am based at Sunshine House and can meet with you at school, at home, or even at a local coffee shop; we can meet at a time that works for both of us.
You can get in touch by calling the school office on 01923 82 25 38 or you can email me at: shriti.thompson@sunshinehouse.ac.uk
Please note: This is currently a part-time role so there may be a waiting list for any direct meetings. We may also need to prioritise support based on availability.
Contact Family Services
- Shriti Thompson
- 01923 82 25 38
- shriti.thompson@sunshinehouse.ac.uk
How to report a safeguarding concern
To report a safeguarding concern, or talk to someone, please call:
During school hours:
- Sunshine House: 01923 82 25 38
- Hillingdon Stronger Families Hub on 01895 556006
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
To report a safeguarding concern, or talk to someone, please call:
On weeknights, on weekends and during bank holidays:
- Hillingdon Stronger Families Hub on 01895 556006
- NSPCC by emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk
If you have immediate concerns for the safety of yourself or others call 999.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means:
- providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
- protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
- preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
- ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship care arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children
- taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children’s Social Care National Framework.
Safeguarding covers all parts of school life including:
- pupils’ health and safety
- the use of reasonable force
- meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions
- providing first aid
- educational visits
- intimate care
- the internet and e-safety
- appropriate arrangements to ensure school security, considering the local context.
Our safeguarding policies
More support and advice:
Hillingdon Stronger Families Hub
If you're concerned that a child or young person is being (or is at risk of being) abused or neglected, report it appropriately.
The NSPCC
Whether you want to report child abuse and neglect, or are worried about a child and not sure what to do, we have advice for you.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection
If you're worried about online abuse or the way someone has been communicating online, let CEOP know.
Childline
Call free on 0800 1111 or find out how to get in touch online. Whatever your worry, we're here for you.