School day
Find out the timings of our school day, including start time, end of school day and the lunch break.
Find out the timings of our school day, including start time, end of school day and the lunch break.
The school office is open: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 16:00.
KS1 & KS2 Pupils (Years 1-6)
Key stage 1 and 2 children enter the school via the gate onto the playground and into their classrooms. Although school starts at 8.50, we open the gate from 8.40. We request that pupils arrive no sooner than 8.40 as there are no staff on duty before that time. All pupils are required to be at registration at 8.50 otherwise they will be marked as late. All pupils should be collected from their classroom door. In Years 5 and 6, the children may walk home alone with proir permission. Please let the office know if your child is able to do this.
At Lift St James the Great, we run a 'Soft Start' every morning, 8:40 - 8:50. This is a gentle way to begin the school day that helps students settle in and feel calm. It's a time for students to choose activities that interest them, rather than rushing into academic work.
How it works...
Welcome
Teachers greet students and check in with them - class teachers will still stand at the door and greet students at the door. They will then hang up their coats and put their lunchboxes away. They will then go and choose their activity.
Activities
Students choose from activities like reading, drawing, playing games, or doing mindfulness exercises
Time
- Soft starts can last 10–15 minutes per day Benefits Soft starts help students feel calm and focused
- They can help students reset after a stressful morning routine
- They can help students feel more in control and curious
- They can help teachers identify students who may need extra attention
Examples of activities
Mindfulness colouring, Lego, working on a puzzle, building with Legos or magnetic building sticks, doing a crossword puzzle or Sudoku puzzle, playing a board game and Yoga.
Lift St James the Great
Chapman Way,
East Malling,
E19 6SD
