The School Day
At Loudwater Combined School, we want every child to feel safe, happy and ready to learn. From the moment children arrive in the morning to the end of the school day, we aim to provide a welcoming, positive environment where everyone can learn, grow and thrive.
This page explains what a typical school day looks like, including arrival arrangements, learning times, lunchtime and collection at the end of the day.
Arriving at School
Breakfast Club – from 7:45am
Our Breakfast Club provides wraparound care for families who need an earlier start to the day. The earliest arrival time is 7:45am.
Please bring your child to the top entrance, where a member of the Breakfast Club team will be available to let them in. Children should not enter the building independently.
For further information about Breakfast Club, including arrangements and other wraparound care provision, please visit Parent Hub → Clubs, Activities and Wraparound Care.
Morning Intervention Groups – 8:30am
Some children are invited to attend morning intervention groups to receive additional support with their learning. These sessions begin at 8:30am.
Children who have been invited to attend should enter the school through the main entrance. If your child is invited to an intervention group, please ensure they arrive promptly so that they can make the most of the session.
Morning Arrival – 8:40am
Our playground gates open at 8:40am.
- Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2): Please use the top gate.
- Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6): Please use the bottom gate.
A member of the school team will be on the hill to welcome pupils as they make their way into school. We want every child to feel welcomed and ready for a positive day of learning.
Important: Access to School Way
For the safety of our children, families and staff, parents and carers must not drive up School Way at any time unless prior permission has been agreed through the main school office.
This applies in all circumstances, including dropping children off at Breakfast Club and collecting children from After-School Club.
Exceptions will not be made due to poor weather conditions. Parents and carers should make the necessary arrangements to access the school on foot.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep our school community safe.
The School Day Begins – 8:55am
The playground gates close at 8:55am, when the school day begins.
Arriving on time helps children settle into the classroom, take part in morning routines and begin their learning alongside their classmates.
If you arrive after the gates have closed, please bring your child to the main office so that they can be registered.
2. Our School Timings
Our school day is organised to provide children with a balance of learning, play, social time and opportunities to develop their interests.
Foundation Stage
| Part of the day | Time |
| Morning session | 8:55am – 12:15pm |
| Midday break | 12:15pm – 1:30pm |
| Afternoon session | 1:30pm – 3:20pm |
| End of School Day | 3:20pm |
Key Stage 1
| Part of the day | Time |
| Morning session | 8:55am – 12:30pm |
| Midday break | 12:30pm – 1:30pm |
| Afternoon session | 1:30pm – 3:25pm |
| End of School Day | 3:25pm |
Key Stage 2
| Part of the day | Time |
| Morning session | 8:55am – 12:30pm |
| Midday break | 12:30pm – 1:30pm |
| Afternoon session | 1:30pm – 3:20pm |
| End of School Day | 3:30pm |
3. Learning and Lunchtime
Throughout the day, children take part in a broad and balanced curriculum designed to develop their knowledge, skills, confidence and independence. Learning takes place through lessons, practical activities, discussion, collaboration and opportunities to explore new interests.
Lunchtime is an important part of the day. It gives children time to enjoy their meal, socialise with friends and play before returning to their afternoon learning.
Our midday break times are:
- Foundation Stage: 12:15pm – 1:30pm
- Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
4. Going Home at the End of the Day
At the end of the school day, children are collected from designated areas to help ensure that dismissal is safe and organised.
Please collect your child from the correct location for their year group:
- Foundation Stage: From the Foundation classroom.
- Years 1 and 2: From the top playground.
- Years 3–6: From the bottom playground.
We ask parents and carers to wait at the appropriate collection point and follow any instructions from staff. If someone different will be collecting your child, please ensure the school has been informed in accordance with our usual collection procedures.
5. After-School Club and Other Clubs
We offer opportunities for children to take part in clubs and activities beyond the usual school day.
After-School Club
Children attending After-School Club will be collected from either the bottom playground or the Breakfast Club entrance, depending on the weather and the arrangements in place that day.
Please remember that parents and carers must not drive up School Way to collect children from After-School Club unless prior permission has been agreed through the main school office. This rule applies regardless of the weather.
Other After-School Clubs
For all other clubs, children will be collected from either the bottom gate or the main office, depending on the arrangements for the individual club.
Please check the information provided by the relevant club leader so that you know where to collect your child.
For further information about our clubs, activities and wraparound care, please visit Parent Hub → Clubs, Activities and Wraparound Care.
Working Together for a Positive School Day
Thank you to all our parents and carers for helping us make the school day run smoothly. Arriving on time, using the correct entrances, following our access arrangements and collecting children from the designated areas all contribute to keeping our school community safe.
At Loudwater Combined School, we want every child to feel welcome, valued and ready to make the most of each day. We look forward to seeing our children arrive each morning and hearing about all the wonderful things they have learnt and experienced when they leave at the end of the day.