At Francis Baily Primary School in Thatcham, we believe a consistent routine helps children feel settled, confident and ready to learn. Our school doors open at 8:45am, giving pupils time to settle into their classrooms before registration. The day finishes between 3:10pm and 3:20pm, depending on year group – see below.

Daily Timetable

Please be on time when collecting your child. If you are delayed, contact the school office immediately. We will keep your child safe until you arrive. Families who need later collection times can use our After School Club (see Wraparound Care below).

Wraparound Care

We understand that many families need childcare outside the normal school hours. At Francis Baily, we provide:

• Baily’s Comets Breakfast Club: from 7:30am, with a healthy breakfast provided
• Universal FREE Breakfast Club: from 8:25am
• Baily’s Comets After School Club: until 5:55pm, offering a safe and fun environment with activities, as well as a snack.

For costs, booking forms and details, see the Wraparound Care page.

Getting to School

Parents remain responsible for their children until the school doors open at 8:45am. We encourage families to walk, cycle or scooter to school whenever possible. This promotes healthy lifestyles, reduces congestion and helps pupils start the day feeling energised. 

• A dedicated cycle rack is available beside both gates for pupils who wish to use them
• For safety, children must not ride bicycles or scooters within the school grounds
• The school cannot accept responsibility for bicycles or scooters left on site.

School Streets Initiative
As part of our commitment to safe and sustainable travel, the roads surrounding Francis Baily Primary School are subject to temporary access restrictions at drop-off and pick-up times. This School Streets initiative reduces traffic, improves safety and encourages more children to walk or cycle to school. 

The scheme is run and managed by West Berkshire Council and operates between 8:15am-9:15am and 2:30pm-3:30pm. Further details can be found on the West Berkshire Council website.

Attendance & Punctuality

Regular attendance is vital for your child’s progress. Please ensure they arrive on time each day, ready to begin lessons at 8:45am. Please see our attendance and absence reporting page for further information.

After School Activities

Staff and visiting providers offer a range of clubs and enrichment activities each term, from sports and music to creative arts and STEM. Some clubs are free; others may include a small charge. More information is available on our extracurricular page. 

School Closures

In the rare event of severe weather or service failure (e.g. heating, water, or power), the school may need to close. If this happens, families will be informed as quickly as possible via:

• Email
• The My Child at School (MCAS) app
• This website.