Starting School in September 2026

Congratulations on securing a place at St Leonard’s! 

We are very excited to have you and your little one joining us. The Reception year is a truly special one: you will see your child learning to read and exploring books, making friends they will play with for years to come, getting more confident with numbers and, most importantly, developing a set of values that will see them through primary school. 

Starting school can also bring a few butterflies– for families as well as for children! We will be here to support you through this year and beyond, so please never worry about asking us questions. With your love and care and the education we offer here at St Leonard’s, your child will have the very best start in life. 

Further, more in depth, information on everything school related can be found by exploring our website. If you have any questions, queries or concerns please speak to the school office, who will be happy to help.

Key dates: 

Stay and Play Sessions 

More information will be sent to you about these in June, when we will share pick up and drop off arrangements, as well as what to bring etc. 

Reception Parents’ Information Evening 

This important meeting shares all you need to know about your child’s first year at school. It is also when we share class allocations. If you are unable to attend, we will share the PowerPoint. Previous years’ parents have told us that it really helps if you can arrange childcare for this meeting, so that your little one doesn’t distract you from key messages! 

School Uniform 

Our school uniform is a navy blue v-neck knitted jumper or cardigan, a white polo shirt, grey trousers, skirt or pinafore dress and white, grey, navy or black socks or tights with sensible smart black flat shoes. Branded uniform is available to buy at Thomas Moore shop in Exeter, alternatively you can buy any navy jumper or cardigan and sew on an embroidered logo patch (£1 on the MCAS app). Book bags with our school logo on are also available on the MCAS app, once purchased they can be collected from the school office.

Our PTA often hold pre-loved school uniform sales in the playground after school, upcoming dates can be found on our website calendar.

More information can be viewed here Uniform

What to bring to school each day (all items must be named) 

• Water bottle 
• Healthy snack (e.g. fruit, YoYo Bear, rice cakes, crackers) 
• Bookbag  
• During summer – labelled sun cream and sun hat. If possible, please apply sun cream to your child before school. 

Snacks & School Lunches 

Children in Foundation, up to their 5th birthday, are provided with free milk whilst as school. In addition, all children in Foundation – Year 2 are provided with free fruit at snack time and can order a free, Universal Infant Meal at lunchtime or bring in a packed lunch from home. We are a healthy eating and nut free school. Please ensure your child’s food items do not contain nuts, please check any packaged food items.  

If your child has any food allergies or intolerances, please speak to your child’s teacher and notify the school office so that we can ensure this information is recorded on your child’s records. 

More information can be viewed here School Meals

Free School Meals & Pupil Premium 

Even though all children in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 can order a free Universal Infant Meal, if you are on a low inccome or in receipt of benefits it is important that you make an application to be registered as entitled to Free School Meals. This will ensure the school receives Pupil Premium funding which is used to directly support your child. 

More information can be viewed here Pupil Premium

My Child At School App (MCAS) 

Further information will be sent to you in June about setting up the MCAS app. 

More information can be viewed here MCAS

School Payments  

We are a cashless school and all payments are made via the MCAS app. You can order and pay for school lunches, book and pay for Breakfast & After School Club, give consent and pay for school trips & events, buy school bookbags & embroidered logo uniform patches all through the MCAS app.

School Communication - how we stay in touch with you  

Our primary method of communication is messaging via the MCAS app, so it is essential you download and turn on notifications in the app.  We also send emails and post all relevant information on our website. Regular newsletters can be found on the ‘News and Events’ page of our website.  

Tapestry Learning Journey 

Foundation also use an app called Tapestry. This is where you can view, and add to, your child’s learning journey. Further information will be sent to you in June about setting up the Tapestry app. 

Wraparound Care 

We run a Breakfast Club from 7:30am and After School Club until 6pm. Further information about the clubs, including how to register your child, can be found here Wraparound Care

Attendance  

We aim for 100% attendance but understand that there may be reasons your child is unable to attend school. Punctuality is also important, as learning begins from the very start of the day. Our gates open at 8:30am and children are registered at 8:40am. Children arriving after 8:40am are marked as late. Pick up time is 3:10pm. Please refer to our school Term Dates when planning holidays and medical appiontments.

More information can be viewed here Attendance

Medical and Allergies 

If your child has any medical conditions/needs or allergies/intolerances, please speak to your child’s teacher. Please also visit the school office so that we can ensure this information is recorded on your child’s records and complete any relevant paperwork, for example a Health Care Plan/Epi-Pen Plan/Asthma Plan.

Food for Birthdays and Occasions 

Due to the high number of children with severe allergies and the number of requests from parents that their child is not given food from other families, please do not send your child in on their birthday/or special occasion with food to give out. 

Behaviours and Relationships 

At St Leonard’s we have high expectations of behaviour. We strongly believe that every child has the right to feel safe, to be happy and healthy and have the right to learn. As adults we are all role models for our children – both as staff and parents. We will always speak to you with kindness and respect, please show us the same courtesy. Our staff work incredibly hard and are working tirelessly to help your children, they deserve to be treated accordingly.  

If you have cause for concern please come and speak to a member of the Senior Leadership Team. To see our whole school policy for behaviour and relationships please see our Key Information page.  

Keeping us informed 

Contact details - It is essential, for safeguarding, that we hold accurate contact information for you. Please update any changes of contact details in the MCAS app. 

Pick-up arrangements - If your child is going to be collected by someone different, please discuss this with your child’s teacher in advance. If pick up arrangements change during the school day, please contact the school office and arrange for the person collecting your child to collect a ‘Green Slip’. 

Communication with your child’s teacher 

If you would like to get in touch with your child’s teacher, please email parents@stcmat.org putting the teacher’s name in the subject line. You can keep up to date with what your child is learning at school on the Tapestry app and via our Year Group Pages on the school website. We hold parents’ evenings twice a year. 

Everything else! 

Our school website is full of useful information such as how our school day runs, term dates, Safeguarding, SEND, PTA, Governors etc. Please check out our website and if there is anything you need any further information on, please contact the school office on 01392 666570 or email leo.admin@stcmat.org.