Parent/Carer Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Online Platforms/Apps

What is sQuid?
sQuid is our primary payment platform for all financial transactions in school (e.g. dining room food, trips, replacement stationary items). You should have received an email with information on how to set up your sQuid account when your child started at WSfG. If you haven’t received this email please click on the link here (sQuid). If you still need help then please contact us via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

SIMs Parent App
We are no longer using this and have replaced it with Go4Schools.

Go4Schools
You should have received an email with a login for Go4Schools when your child started at WSfG. Go4Schools is the online platform we use for reports, home learning, attendance data, timetables, assessment data, behaviour points and reward points. Please click here to find a guide as to how to use Go4Schools www.wsfg.waltham.sch.uk/go4schools If you need further support or didn’t receive a login please contact us via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

Unifrog
Unifrog is a dedicated careers platform for all WSfG students. Your child should have received a login for Unifrog. Please click here to find a guide on how to use Unifrog (Unifrog). If you need more support please contact us via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

Microsoft Teams
Teams is the main platform we use for storing lesson content at WSfG. Each student has a login which is the same as their school username. Each class has its own online Team where staff can post messages to students, but it is mainly used to upload lesson content e.g. PowerPoints from lessons.

Medical and Health Issues

Where does my child go for First Aid?
We have a First Aid rota at WSfG. Posters are displayed in all classrooms to list the reasons a child would need First Aid. Staff can contact a member of SLT if they need immediate support.

Main location for First Aid	Day
Front office (G21)	Monday
Admin Office (G41)	Tuesday
Admin Office (G41)	Wednesday
Admin Office (G41)	Thursday
Front office (G21)	Friday

Walthamstow School for Girls are unable to administer medication for students unless brought into school by a parent or carer with a signed medication consent form. All medication must be locked away in Admin Office G41, the only exception to this is for students with inhalers/asthma pumps or epi-pens/auto-injectors. Students needing to access medicines stored in G41 can do so via any first aider on call.

First aid is the initial, immediate help that is given to someone who suffers and injury or illness. In the case of minor injuries and illnesses, first aid may be sufficient. In more serious or life-threatening situations, first aid should be given until medical treatment is available.

Can my child be issued a lift key?
If your child has a mobility issue please contact the school, ideally by telephone so you can speak directly to a member of staff. We can issue lift keys to support their movement around the school site for students who need this. In order to give out a lift key we would require medical evidence.

What happens in PE lessons if my child has an injury or illness?
If your child is unable to take part in PE please write a note in their planner to explain why. They must still bring their PE kit as they will be given a role within the lesson e.g. umpire, score keeper

Can my child receive a laptop?
If your child has a medical need that would require the use of a laptop then please contact us via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk. Unfortunately we cannot lend laptops to all students.

Confiscated Items

Is my child allowed a phone in school?
We do not allow students to use mobile phones in school or carry phones with them during the day. If you would like your child to have a phone for the journey to and from school, they must hand it in to the Front Office at the start of the day and collect it again at the end of the day.

My child had their phone confiscated, when can it be collected?
We have a very clear system for checking in mobile phones at WSfG. Phones will be confiscated if a child is found with one, either using it or if it is in their bag or blazer. Phones will not be returned to students and an adult will be required to come into school to collect the phone from the Front Office after 48 hours. Please refer to our school mobile phone policy which is part of our PBfL policy (download.asp (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk)

Can my child collect items that have been confiscated e.g. jewellery?
Students will not be allowed to collect items that have been confiscated e.g. mobile phones, jewellery, headphones. Please refer to our list of banned items in the PBfL policy (download.asp (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk)) Parents/carers can collect these items 48 hours after they have been confiscated.

Lost Property

All lost property items that are found are stored in Reception foyer. If a student has lost an item they need to check the box at in the reception area, before or after school. Please ensure you write your child’s name on all items of clothing, including PE kit. Any valuable items are brought into school at a student's own risk, and we would ask you do not send your child to school with these unless it is absolutely essential. Parents and carers can check lost property box after 3:30pm Monday – Friday.

Well-being

My child has fallen out with her friends, who do I talk to?
Please email info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk and ask for your query to be passed on to your child’s form tutor in the first instance. Alternatively you can call and ask to speak to your child’s tutor. If they are not available our Front Office will email them to ask them to call you back.

I’m worried my child is being bullied.
At WSfG we use the term Harmful and Abusive Behaviour (HAB) rather than bullying. If you have concerns please email info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk or call us at school and ask to speak to your child’s form tutor in the first instance. We aim to get back to you within 48 hours but please be patient as our teachers, regardless of their role, all teach numerous lessons during the day.

My child doesn’t seem to have any friends.
Please contact your child’s form tutor via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk or call and ask to speak to them. Please talk to your child about joining one of our numerous clubs Walthamstow School for Girls - Clubs & Activities (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk) In the House there is a lunchtime club where students can play games so please ask if they is something your child would be interested in.

My child has received unkind messages via social media, what do I do?
Listed below are the ages children should be to use various social media apps. If your child is younger than the age rating they should not be using that app.

App name	Age Rating
Instagram	13+
Whatsapp	16+
Snapchat	13+
TikTok	13+
Roblox	13+
YouTube	13+ but some videos are 18+

To support you further in managing your child’s social media use please see the following links:

Online Safety tips for Parents download.asp (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk)

Social Media Age Restrictions download.asp (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk)

Please trust us to deal with friendship issues that occur in school and inform your child’s form tutor and Head of Year via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk if you think we need to be aware of friendship issues. We cannot investigate issues of harmful behaviour online, but you are well within your rights to contact the police if you are concerned for your child’s safety.

We have a strict policy of no mobile phones at school so need to rely on your support with social media at home. Please monitor your child’s social media use and check their phone regularly. Please tell your child to delete or block anyone who has sent unkind messages. Please report any harmful messages to the online platform or the police.

I think my child may have a Special Educational Need.
Please email your concern to info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk asking for your email to be forwarded on to our SENDCO.

I would like a face to face meeting to discuss my child.
Please email info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk with the matter you are concerned about. Our Front Office will forward your email onto the relevant member of staff. Alternatively, you can call our Front Office and they will email the relevant member of staff. We kindly ask that you do not come to school if you do not have a prearranged meeting as the member of staff you need to speak to may not be available.

Attendance

School email – info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk is monitored Monday – Friday between 9am and 3pm and we aim to respond to emails within three working days.

Student absences must be reported via telephone 020 8509 9446 (Option 1) before 9am to ensure they are dealt with promptly. Kindly do not email the school to report this. Due to the high volume of emails received, we cannot guarantee your notification will be seen and actioned before absence text messages are sent.

Rewards - green learning points and WSfG Value points

What does my child receive green learning points and WSfG Value points for?
Students receive green learning points for a variety of reasons including excellent focus in lessons, outstanding work, great home learning, helping a member of staff, working exceptionally well with others and demonstrating progress.

Students receive WSfG Value points when they have gone above and beyond to display our school values. Our values are Compassion, Integrity, Courage and Aspiration.

Each half term the form with the highest number of points receives the treat of a non uniform day. The Top 10 highest achievers in each year group receive a non uniform day, golden ticket to skip the lunch queue with a friend, £5 voucher and a certificate.

Please refer to our rewards system as part of the PBfL policy for more details (download.asp (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk)

Behaviour points

Why has my child received a behaviour point?
We want our students to achieve their full potential and so we always encourage positive behaviour both in and out of lessons. We give behaviour points to students for various issues e.g. poor attitude, lack of work, lack of engagement, not wearing correct uniform, forgetting items of equipment or uniform, chewing gum, eating inside the building, rudeness to staff, swearing and Harmful and Abusive Behaviour (HAB) towards others. The number of points given depends on the severity of the behaviour issue. Students will be informed by the member of staff who has issued the behaviour point/s. If a student accumulates more than 70 behaviour points in a year they will not be eligible to attend the end of year reward trips.

Detentions

My child has a detention but I am unsure why.
We only set detentions when absolutely necessary. Please support us as a school and talk to your child about their behaviour, punctuality or organisation depending on what the detention is for.

If your child has a detention on a Wednesday lunchtime this is due to punctuality (late to school at least twice the previous week) or numerous uniform issues (e.g. forgetting her blazer 3 times). Please refer to the detention section of out PBfL policy (download.asp (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk)

You and your child will be made aware of the detention in the following ways:

You as a parent/carer will receive an email informing you.

You will receive a text message.

A list of students who have a detention is on Teams so your child can check.

Your child would have been marked in late more than twice in the morning.

Your child can ask the Front Office if they have a detention/you can email info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

As a last resort your child can go to S02 or S03 at 12:30pm on Wednesday and ask the HOY if they are on the list

My child has a Faculty Detention and I’m unsure why.
Please email info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk and ask for your query to be passed on to your child’s subject teacher or the Head of Faculty.

My child has an SLT Detention on a Friday after school and I don’t know why.
Students receive SLT detentions if they do not attend their Wednesday HOY detention or a Faculty detention. You will receive an email or text to inform you. These detentions are in F18 from 3:30pm-4:30pm. If you have any queries about this detention please contact us via info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

Home Learning

I don’t think my child is getting enough homework.
Please talk to your child and ask to look at their planner. This is where students should write the homework they are given. Teachers also set homework on Go4Schools so please check there. If you are still unsure please email info@wsfg.waltham.sch.uk and ask for your query to be forwarded to your child’s subject teacher or the Head of Faculty.

Equipment for school

What uniform and equipment should my child bring to school?
In terms of uniform students must have black school shoes, a white collared shirt, a lanyard and a blazer. These are the essential items. Please see our uniform list for more details Walthamstow School for Girls - Our Uniform (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk)

Your child should also bring:

School bag large enough for all books and equipment/

Pencil case including black pens, a purple pen, pencils, ruler, calculator and any other equipment she may need.

PE kit for days when your child has that subject.

School planner.

Assessment

How will my child be assessed?
Your child will be assessed differently depending on which subject they are studying and which year group they are in. Please refer to our Learning Journeys (Walthamstow School for Girls - Subject Information (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk) ) and Assessment Policy documents which can be found here Walthamstow School for Girls - Assessment and Reporting to Parents (wsfg.waltham.sch.uk).

Reports are issued on Go4Schools. For more details, please refer to the Go4Schools section.