Birchington Church of England Primary School
Head Teacher: Ms K Barham BA ED(HONS) ACM ED NPQH
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Birchington Church of England Primary SchoolHead Teacher: Ms K Barham BA ED(HONS) ACM ED NPQH
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The School Prospectus / Brochure 2007 - 08School Prospectus 2007 / 2008 academic year
Head Teacher: Ms K Barham BA ED(HONS) ACM ED NPQH Chair of Governors’ Dr Zahida Parveen Vice Chair of Governors’ Mr Tony Carpenter
Park Lane . Birchington . Kent . CT7 0AS Telephone 01843 841046 . Facsimile 01843 846034 CONTENTSFamily Liaison Officer & Learning Mentors Parents, Teachers & Friends Association Sex and Relationship Education Standard Assessment Tests Results Transfer to Secondary Education Admissions Admission arrangements for a child to our School are in accordance with those published by the Kent Local Education Authority. They are in priority order:
Process of Admission
Parents of children with a disability are asked to meet with the Additional Educational Needs Co-ordinator (AENCO) to discuss how best the school can meet the needs of the child. Your child is expected to attend school regularly during term time. The school has a statutory duty to report Authorised and Unauthorised Absence and these figures are reported in the Governors Annual Report. To avoid unnecessary enquiries you are asked to send a signed and dated letter to the class teacher on your child’s return. Please do not send children to school if they are unwell or incompletely recovered from illness – particularly contagious illness. A note or the actual appointment card for a hospital or dental visit to be made in school times should be given to the school prior to the day in question. If for any reason your child must leave the school without supervision, a note clearly stating this must be sent before hand. You are particularly asked NOT to deal with these matters by telephone, for the safety of the child is paramount. Attendance is marked twice daily. Records show that in 2006/07 of 330 registered pupils on roll of compulsory school age, authorised absence was 4.8% and unauthorised absence was 0.7%. Please note: Late arrival after 9.10 a.m. will be treated as unauthorised absence.
There is no automatic right to a holiday during term time. Parents are advised to write into school requesting absence for a family holiday and any such absence is only granted at the discretion of the Headteacher who signs Form S1 on behalf of the School Governors. Holidays will not be authorised during the second week of May (KS2) or third week of May (KS1) as annual DfES assessment tests take place at this time. If your child has 95% or less attendance it is unlikely that permission for further absence, e.g. holiday, will be granted. Behaviour At Birchington CE Primary School we place an emphasis on praising good behaviour as well as promoting high academic achievement and developing social skills. We appreciate our children as individuals and value their contributions towards society and the school. The school encourages pupils to reflect on their behaviour through the Christian ethos of the school. Aims
Behaviour Steps (Foundation Stage)
If the third step is reached, the parent/carer is informed so they can support from home. The incident and those leading to it are recorded in the class teacher’s behaviour file. Behaviour Steps (Years 1 – 6)
Class Sanctions – Options available - verbal warning - ‘pay back time’ - completing work in own time - missing a playtime - informal meeting with parents - home/school link book - seclusion - phone call/letter home Rewards - verbal private/public praise - stickers/certificates/stamps - ‘marbles/cubes in jar/ - house points - work shown or good behaviour highlighted in celebration assembly - informing parents/carers of good behaviour in front of child - informing parents/carers through the newsletter - sent to headteacher for verbal praise/sticker/certificate/headteacher award scheme - ‘catch me’ cards - raffle tickets - 100 square/Golden Time - good citizen letter home each term voted by classmates - class of the week
NO SWEETS ARE GIVEN AS A REWARD (PUPIL BIRTHDAYS ARE ALLOWED) For Playtime Behaviour Steps and Anti-Bullying Policy see main policy Charging PolicyDuring the course of the school year we will ask parents to contribute towards the cost of activities such as day trips, visiting poets etc. We believe that such activities are worthwhile and enhance the education we provide for your child. There is no legal obligation for parents to contribute if the activity/trip takes place within school hours. However you will understand that if the total contributions for any activity fall too far short of the cost, then regrettably, it will have to be cancelled. We make no profit from school trips so when we write to advise you of any costs you are not being asked to subsidise anyone else. Trips organised outside school hours are voluntary and costs must be met in full by parents. (More detailed information may be obtained from the school). Even in the best run schools there may be times when you need to seek clarification, ask a question or make a complaint. We shall endeavour to deal with this efficiently and effectively by following a strict procedure. The class teacher should deal with initial questions or complaints. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the handling of the initial concern, then the matter should be referred to the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher. The Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or Assistant Headteacher will contact the parent within 24 hours to give an update on the situation and will give a written reply to the parent within 10 working days. If the previous procedures have failed to address the problem satisfactorily, the matter should be referred to the Chair of Governors, via the school, who will arrange for the complaint to be investigated. The Complaints Policy is published, in full, annually on a newsletter during Term 1. All complaints are recorded in a book, which shows the outcome. An act of worship is held every day for all pupils. It is a particularly special part of the day when we all come together and concentrate on being a small but significant part of a larger community. It is a time for bringing God directly into the life of the school. Worship is in line with the requirements of the Anglican Trust Deed, but is also in harmony with the Kent Agreed Syllabus. Pupils are encouraged to take an active part through singing, prayers and through particular classes taking worship to which parents are invited. Visitors are invited to lead worship and our local victor, Reverend Witts, plays his part in the life of the school. Monday - Whole School Worship led by the Headteacher or a member of Senior Management Team. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - Key Stage Worship led by teachers, pupils and outside speakers, Hymn Practice. Friday - Celebration of work/awards led by the Headteacher or member of the SMT. Pupils from Years R - 6 take part in worship at All Saints Church every term. The Curriculum All subject areas are taught in line with National Curriculum requirements. Strategies to encourage the children to understand their world and to develop a positive attitude towards learning permeate the curriculum. The staff adopts the principle that children positively engaged on interesting programmes of study aimed at stretching their ability level derive enjoyment from learning. Our curriculum guidelines and policies are evaluated and revised regularly. The policy statements on specific subject areas, agreed by the Governing Body, are available for inspection at the School Office. Subjects are divided into core and foundation subjects. Learning to read and write are exciting skills for your children to master when they start school. We give the pupils as many possibilities as possible to explore and enjoy books to express themselves orally and in writing. The ‘Literacy Strategy’ is used in all classes to teach all aspects of English. In KS2 additional time is devoted to handwriting and writing in all its forms. The school has a well stocked library. Pupils are encouraged to borrow books on a regular basis. There is an annual Arts Week that always fires the imagination of the children. The work is displayed in the local library. Numeracy The aim of the school is to open up to the pupils the fascination of mathematics and its relevance to real life situations. Numeracy is taught daily and pupils are divided into ability groups either within the class or in Key Stage 2, in sets across the year group. Tasks given are designed to match the ability of the group and to extend the most able. Every lesson is planned to include an oral and teaching section with a plenary to close. Lessons increase in length from 45 to 60 minutes per day as the pupils move through the school. There is a real emphasis on basic number work and pupils are expected to learn number facts, tables and complete exercises for homework. From Year R, pupils are involved in problem solving/maths investigation activities from which they learn the relevance of numeracy. It also gives teachers an opportunity to assess how well the pupils understand and use the concepts that have been taught. KS1 & 2 planning follows the National Numeracy Strategy and work is taken from a variety of published schemes. ScienceScience is seen as exciting and practical. We are always looking for activities to show the relevance of science and to enliven the curriculum. St Lawrence College with their “Science Extravaganza” has regularly entertained us, for instance this year some of our children will be involved in creating and racing ‘Green Kit’ cars. In recent years, Year 3 won a prize of £100 in their Science and Art Festival. The whole School benefits from a variety of science plays by educational theatre companies and the practical activities engendered by our own “Science Week”. Additional links with Chatham House Grammar School, a specialist science school, have enabled the staff and pupils to access equipment and expertise usually only found in secondary schools and this has a real impact on standards of learning. Our ICT equipment has really brought the school into the 21st Century! All pupils use the purpose built ICT suites, one houses seventeen computers linked to a main server and the other suite houses ten. This has enhanced the learning of pupils and staff. A full time technician keeps the system working efficiently! Pupils also have controlled access to the Internet and email facilities within the suite via a dedicated high-speed connection. Special teaching software enables adults to monitor carefully, and where necessary, interact with each pupil’s computer from the teacher’s workstation. Each classroom has at least one up-to-date computer to assist with pupils’ learning and KS2 pupils have access to the internet within their classrooms. All the classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. We are in the process of building a virtual learning platform which enables pupils of the upper school to access learning resources from home via the internet. Much of the work in the school is designed to be cross curricular with themes being drawn from the national curriculum documents. Detailed planning ensures all aspects of the National Curriculum are covered, including design technology, art, music, geography and history, the latter two being linked together as humanities.
R.E. is a requirement of law and is in accordance with the Kent Agreed Syllabus. This gives the priority to teaching about Christianity whilst also providing opportunities to study other world religions. R.E. Policy It is the aim of the school that through R.E. we will:
Parents have a right to withdraw their child from R.E., but we ask that parents would discuss any concerns with the Head teacher first before exercising the right. The Arts Each year the pupils take part in a Book/Arts/Writers Week. This brings in artists, authors and activities which are exciting, stimulating and fun. Pupils have designed mugs, painted large scale murals, made a mosaic of tiles to display in KS1 and have taken part in face and hand painting and paper craft. This year our range of environmental arts projects, have included murals and mosaic tiling. Modern Foreign Languages Pupils in the school have the opportunity to try both the French and German language from KS1. We have close links with our twin town in France and visits are regularly arranged. The children always look forward to meeting the French pupils. The Birchington Twinning Association is very supportive of this aspect of school life. We think of ourselves as a musical school! There is a KS2 choir that represents the school at local Music Festivals and competitions. There are musical concerts on our own school calendar as well as opportunities for pupils to hear a number of performing visiting musicians and groups, ranging from folk and jazz to drummers and saxophonists. Instruction in drums, guitar, keyboards, string and wind instruments is also available from professional music tutors. Fees are required for these lessons. Please see Mrs Mantell, our music co-ordinator, for further details. AssessmentAssessment is a continuous process. By assessing pupil knowledge, skills and understanding each successive lesson builds on previous experience. Pupil’s work is closely monitored. Books are regularly marked and assessed with comments and questions written to aid further learning. Termly tests – oral, mind mapping and paper and pencil take place and progress is monitored with “next step” targets set with pupils. In Term 5 pupils in Years 2 and 6 take Standardised Assessments Tests (SATS) and pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 take optional SATS tests. Parents are always informed of test results. Five times during the year you will receive a progress and target card informing you how well your child is doing. This will also help you support your child’s learning at home. At Birchington we ensure mutual respect for all pupils and staff, a positive self image and a positive attitude to the multicultural society in which we live by: · ensuring that all pupils have equality of opportunity within the school · developing in all pupils and staff an awareness of and commitment against racism, sexism and class. Positive action will be taken against such attitudes · rooting the curriculum in the child's experience and relating his/her cultural experiences to those on offer in school · nurturing amongst all staff and pupils an awareness of all the cultural diversities reflected in the school community (A detailed Policy Statement is available from the School Office or the website). Cycling Children undergo cycle training in Year 6. They may ride their bikes to school, but not on the school site, after a parental consent/indemnity form is completed and preferably after having received a satisfactory assessment following their training. Cycle helmets should be worn at all times. Cycles left at school should be locked with a security chain in the purpose built, covered cycle sheds provided. We advocate a ‘healthy living’ policy which encompasses a School Travel Plan. Our aim is to see more pupils walking or cycling to school safely and fewer pupils being driven in cars. The Family Liaison Officer is Mrs Lesley Green. A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) is a friend to all. She welcomes and helps any child or parent who has a pastoral concern from an upset in the playground to problems in personal or family circumstances. If you feel that Lesley may be of assistance to you, contact her via the School Office, where an appointment can be made. All appointments are dealt with promptly and in the strictest confidence. There are two Learning Mentors and one Behaviour Mentor. Mrs Rebecca Kup and Mrs Meg Carpenter support pupils who are in danger of becoming academically disaffected and Mrs Sarah Hart who supports them with behavioural needs. As with the FLO, Rebecca, Meg and Sarah are on hand for pupils and parents as well as linking with Year 7 staff at local secondary schools. Healthy Schools The National Healthy School Standard (NHSS) is jointly funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Department of Health (DoH). It is part of the government’s drive to reduce health inequalities, promote social inclusion and raise educational standards. We have attained Healthy Schools accreditation. We have also introduced a high standard catering initiative. Our focus this year is on healthy eating and physical activity. Achievements so far include the School Travel Plan and participation in the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, where children in KS1 are given a free piece of fruit or vegetable every school day, and a certificate promoting the “5 a Day” message. We hope to extend this to KS2; we will be holding workshops on healthy packed lunches and have recently negotiated a new meals contract. Breakfast Club now offers a healthy breakfast at the beginning of the day, where good manners and eating in a social situation is encouraged. Pupils can also partake in the “Cool Milk” scheme and parents can purchase milk at a reduced rate through the company. Home and School PartnershipParent Contact We regard regular contact with parents as an essential element in the children's learning. There are formal Parents' Consultations on a termly basis as well as invitations to look at work at various times during the year. As well as a mid-year update, a written report is sent to each parent in July. However, parents are very welcome to come into school at any time for information or to be involved in the work of the school - helping with reading, projects, as support in clubs, cooking, etc. A police check is carried out as a matter of routine on each parent helper. Homework Homework is an essential part of a good education. Taking an interest in homework allows parents to see how their child is doing each day and to share in their achievements. It is expected that homework will be set and marked regularly and that the amount will increase with the age and ability of the children. To help pupils and parents in Years 1 – 5, homework is set on Friday and should be returned to school for the following Friday. Parents can help with homework by: · Trying to make sure that there are suitable working conditions at home. · Taking a positive and active interest in your child’s work at home. · Letting the class teacher know if there are any problems with homework. Please see our Homework policy. Newsletters and Website Every two weeks, on a Friday, each child receives a newsletter for you all. Please look in your child’s school bag or ask if you do not receive a copy. The newsletter details school events, policies, procedures, include Governor and P.T.F.A. information as well as celebrating the academic attainments of school life. Each term a curriculum outline will be given to the pupils via a newsletter. The school website is updated regularly with policies, newsletters and items of interest. The address is: www.birchington-primary.com Parents, Teachers & Friends AssociationThe school is very pleased to support the work of the P.T.F.A. All parents are automatically members of the P.T.F.A - there is no subscription. Details of meetings and functions are posted on the School P.T.F.A. notice board in the Entrance Hall. All money raised by the association is for the benefit of the children and the school and provides additional materials and facilities that would otherwise not be available. Active helpers are always required. The P.T.F.A. can be contacted through the School Office. In the past two years the P.T.F.A. have funded staging, lighting and sound equipment, leaving mementoes for Year 6 and contributed to the shade canopy for KS1 and other outdoor facilities. Activities include Summer and Christmas Fayres, Children’s Discos, Mothering Sunday markets, Easter events and Quiz Nights for the adults. Comments Box Comments from parents are welcomed via the school office/email/phone or by talking to headteacher. The school dinners are really tasty! Over 150 children have a hot meal each day. It is most important that dinners are paid for in advance on the first day of each school week, as late payment of dinner money causes considerable extra administrative work. We would point out that the school cannot be responsible for monies lost en-route to and from school. Particulars regarding free meals may be obtained in confidence from the school (contact Mrs Davina Walter) or from the Area Education Office, Clover House, John Wilson Business Park, Thanet Way, Whitstable, Kent . At lunch, the children have the opportunity of asking for a large or a small helping of two choices and they are normally expected to eat it all, unless excused from some item of food by letter from the parents, e.g. in cases of allergies. Sandwiches Children may bring a packed lunch to School. If you intend your child to bring his own meal would you please note
If at any time you wish your child to change from a packed lunch to a school dinner or vice-versa, will you please let the office know in writing when the change is to take place. In normal circumstances we would only expect children to change at the beginning of any term. Morning Break At morning break children in Key Stage 1 are given fruit or raw vegetables for their mid-morning snack. Pupils in Key Stage 2 may bring in fruit. Milk is also available for pupils at a small charge. Please speak to Mrs Weaver (Foundation Stage Leader). Medical Inspections - You will be invited to attend these with your child as and when they arise. School Nurse - It is possible to make an appointment to see the school nurse via the school office. The nurse will also attend the meeting for parents of new admissions and advise on medical matters. Supporting pupils with medical conditions There is no legal or contractual duty on school staff to administer medicines or supervise children. This is a voluntary role. However life saving medicine is always given as well as drugs necessary to support ADHD and ADD pupils. If your child needs medication of this type please inform the Headteacher at the earliest opportunity. A medical plan is always put in place by the AENCO and parents, and revised annually. Any medication that has to be administered in school should be clearly labelled and kept in the original container/box. Pupils who have asthma are encouraged to use their inhalers when necessary; these are kept in the school office and if necessary, a second inhaler is given to the class teacher. Children recovering from broken bones may be permitted in school providing approval is given by the proper medical authority, usually the family GP. Parents may be consulted about the supervision necessary and are asked to sign a disclaimer. Each class register contains an envelope detailing information about children with specific medical needs. (Please complete a Health Data Form which can be found at the back of this booklet and return to the office before your child starts school). Pupils who have been prescribed a short course of antibiotics (3 times a day) should not bring their medication into school. The staff will not supervise pupils who have been prescribed a short course of antibiotics. Parents are asked to give 3-times-a-day medication at 8.30 a.m., 3.30 p.m. and before bedtime. 4-times-a-day medication requires a parent to come into school to administer the medication to their child. A medical room is provided for routine medical and dental screening. The school's emergency procedures allow for staff to act in loco-parentis if a child needs urgent hospital treatment involving anaesthetic.
The school has a
comprehensive schedule of policies and procedures which are available to parents
at 24 hours notice. Previous OfSted reports are also available. Please ask at
the office or look on the website. School Hours Morning Session 8.55 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. (KS1) 8.55 a.m. to 12.10 p.m. (KS2) Afternoon Session 1.05 p.m. to 3.20 p.m. (KS1) 1.05 p.m. to 3.20 p.m. (KS2) Beginning and End of School Day The gates to the school playgrounds will be opened at 8.45 a.m. when teachers will be on duty. Children should not arrive before 8.45 a.m. as there is no one on duty to supervise them. At the end of the day parents of pupils in KS 1 are asked to collect their children from the classroom door. Parents of pupils in Years 3 and 4 should wait at specific points on the playground while pupils in Years 5 and 6 should be met at the gate. The gates to the school playgrounds remain locked between 8.55 a.m. and 3.20 p.m., when they are opened for the departure of pupils. Parents requiring
entry to the school during the day for any reason should always use the main
entrance and must report to the secretary on arrival. Visitors and adults
working in school are asked to sign in and out for security reasons. Visitors
will be given an identification badge to wear. School Travel Plan We want as many children as possible to walk and cycle to school. Walking and cycling boosts their health and well being. It also allows children to travel independently and to access the range of extra-curricular activities that we offer. We also want children to travel safely and to feel secure on the journey to school. We have a School Travel Plan, which includes: Walking · ‘WOW’ - “Walk on Wednesdays” campaign, which operates every Wednesday to encourage those families who cannot walk every day to choose at least one day a week on which they will try to walk to and from school. · “Walk to School Week” in May and October, supporting the national campaign. Cycling · Cyclist training is available to all children in Year 6. · Children in Year 6 may cycle to school unaccompanied, after completing their training and with parental consent. Children in other years are welcome to cycle to school, but must be accompanied by an adult. We encourage both children and adults to wear helmets and reflective clothing. · Bicycle racks are available at the school, but bicycles left there must be locked. Road Safety · A school crossing patrol operates outside the school in Park Lane for 20 minutes before school and 15 minutes after closing. Parents are asked to ensure their children use the crossing patrol, as this gives reassurance and encourages good road sense. · “Keep the Zigzags Clear”. The yellow zigzags outside the school are there to provide a safe, clear area for children to cross; they are enforceable by law and offenders are liable to receive a Fixed Penalty Notice. The school travel plan is supported by relevant curriculum work. For more information about the School Travel Plan, and particularly if you are interested in helping with any of the initiatives, please contact Philip Pittock, our School Travel Plan Co-ordinator and Governor , via the school.
Sex and Relationship Education The Governing Body have adopted a policy which is available for all parents to read. Sex and relationship education is an integral strand of science and of personal social and health education and is tackled within the ethos of a Christian school with emphasis on the values of a committed and caring relationship. Sex and relationship education will also be taught informally as part of the broader Science/P.S.H.E. policy with more specific formal teaching in Years 4, 5 and Year 6. It is taught by class teachers, supported by colleagues as appropriate with the expertise of outside agencies such as the school nurse. We welcome parents who would like to look at the resources used. Additional Educational Needs - Pupils with Special Educational Needs Birchington CE Primary School aims to identify at the earliest opportunity all children who need special consideration to support their physical, sensory, social, emotional, communication or cognitive development. It sets out to ensure that these children have full access to the National Curriculum and are fully included in all activities of the School to promote the highest levels of achievement. Birchington CE Primary School liaises closely with professional bodies including the Cognition and Language Service, Attendance and Behaviour, Speech and Language Service, Educational Psychology and School Health to ensure that vigorous assessment of the children’s needs are made and advice given and implemented. We endeavour to identify all children with Special Educational Needs in consultation with these services, among others. It is our objective to demonstrate that meeting the needs of children’s learning and behaviour is part of high quality mainstream education and that we will plan for any pupil who may at some time in their education have Special Educational Needs. Mrs Emma Impett is our School AENCO and is involved in a rolling programme of monitoring that continuously discusses and updates the AEN provision for children within the school. Part of the monitoring process involves identifying the need for resources which will aid the learning process for those children. Children at School Action, School Action+ and those with Statements of Special Educational Need are assessed and given small group activities to promote individual learning objectives. A programme of staff training is in place to ensure that staff are kept up to date with AEN matters and are fully equipped to deal with the children in their care. Children who have been identified as having AEN are given specific targets in the IEP process which are also monitored and reviewed every term. All parties involved with the child including parents and the child itself are involved in the review process. Confidential records of outside agency involvement and school involvement with children are kept. It is specifically the aim of Birchington CE Primary School to work in partnership with the child’s parents and involve them fully in the decision process of their child’s education. Regular meetings with the AENCO and class teacher are encouraged where appropriate and extra meetings involving outside agencies are implemented where necessary. Birchington CE Primary School shares a commitment to inclusion in which all children regardless of physical, sensory or cognitive disability are included. This commitment endeavours to make the school accessible to all through an accessibility group made up of parents, governors and school staff. Ideas from visits to centres of excellence are adapted for the school and an accessibility plan is reviewed annually to meet the needs of these vulnerable children. The school recognises that children have special needs if their talents lay at the other end of the spectrum. It works hard to identify children with talents in all areas of the curriculum including sport, music and art. Children who are very able at curriculum subjects are also acknowledged and we endeavour to stretch them through setting activities which foster independent and problem solving skills. The school provides many opportunities for children to play football, netball, rugby, hockey and cricket. Teams often play other schools and are entered in a variety of local competitions. We are fortunate in having extensive facilities, including a football pitch, two netball pitches and an artificial cricket wicket. All staff teach games skills and several in particular take responsibility (voluntarily) for the various teams, which represent the school. Coaching for these sports takes place after school. We also have sports coaches teaching games skills during PPA time.
Sports Week during
June focuses on both Sports Days and Healthy Living. The school is a partner in
a “family” of primary schools under the umbrella, at present, of King Ethelbert
Secondary School. This has enabled us to access a wider range of sports
activities than would normally be associated with a primary school; for example,
partnership schools have access to specialist sports coaches. Staff lists 2007/08
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