School Brochure 2007 - 2008
Introduction
This school brochure provides information for parents of pupils who may wish to enter the school. It is a fairly brief brochure, which aims to give you an insight into the life of
School Aims
The school aims:
· to cater for the educational and social needs of all its children.
· to involve parents in the education and development of their children.
· to enable each child to develop his social, intellectual, physical and aesthetic abilities in an atmosphere which recognises and values each child’s own particular strengths and efforts.
· to ensure that each child experiences frequent success, building confidence and an enthusiasm for learning.
· to provide an exciting school environment which is safe, visually attractive, intellectually stimulating and kindles curiosity.
· to provide an education that covers the requirements of the National Curriculum and the child.
· to provide the resources and skills for children to become independent learners.
· to ensure equal opportunities for all.
School Details
Coquet Park First School is a Community school. The school is at the heart of the community.
We are a one form entry school for boys and girls. We have 150 places in the main school and 26 places in nursery. (The nursery has 26 morning and 26 afternoon places)
School Times
Morning Session: 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon
Afternoon Session: 1.00 p.m. - 3.20 p.m., with a break mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
Admission to School
Admission to the Reception Class is organised by the Local Education Authority. Application forms are distributed by local schools and nursery classes for completion and return to the Local Education Authority. Full completion instructions accompany the admissions form. Admission to all other classes are organised by the school. If you wish your child to be admitted to the school a visit can be arranged for you and admission forms completed.
The policy of the Authority is to admit children during the school year in which they are five. We operate an entry policy, during which the children attend part time initially and stay full time within a few weeks. This is to enable the teacher to work with each small group to settle them in socially, accustom them to their new surroundings, and develop programmes of work for them to follow.
The Local Education Authority firstly offer places to children whose parents reside in the catchment area prescribed by the Education Authority and then if space remains, to children whose parents request attendance at this school. Information about catchment areas can be obtained from the school office.
Prospective parents are welcome to visit the school, prior to requesting admission for their child. Children can be brought for a brief preliminary visit early in the year, and will be welcome to call again if the parent feels this to be necessary.
During the Summer Term parents of new children will be invited to an evening meeting and children will have the opportunity of spending some time with each other and their new teacher.
Pupils with disabilities are always welcome. Any special admission arrangements will be discussed with parents and put in place prior to the child’s start date.
English as an Additional Language
There are a number of children in school whose first language is not English. Our E.A.L. teacher assists with their teaching programmes and liaises with class teachers to help correlate topics and attainment targets covered in class.
Religious Education
The religious education we provide is broadly Christian with the study of other world religions also being undertaken. The aim is for the children to be able to live tolerantly and with understanding in a multicultural society. The emphasis is on ideals common to all religions: being kind, helpful, friendly and responsible, to all other people and other creatures, and to be appreciative of the world we live in and realise the need to conserve its resources, for the benefit of all peoples.
Any parent wishing to exercise their right to withdraw children from these activities should make their request to the Headteacher.
Sex and Relationships Education
Sex and relationships education is delivered through the Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship framework throughout the school. This ensures that pupils receive sex education in the wider context of relationships and they are prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
The science curriculum also covers aspects of sex and relationships education.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the sex and relationships education provided at school, except for those parts included in the statutory National Curriculum.
Support Services and Special Needs
The Education Authority provides a variety of other special help for parents and teachers including medical care. Assistance can be given to children with impaired hearing or any other handicap which makes school life especially challenging for them. Help for children with learning difficulties is available from the Education Support Service. Behavioural problems can be eased in consultation with the Child Guidance Staff and, if needed, psychological assessment can be made by an Educational Psychologist. Any parent experiencing problems with a child should not hesitate to seek advice. There is co-operation between all the professionals working with children and the progress of any child with special needs is regularly reviewed.
Each child’s work is assessed continuously and any child who appears to be falling behind their own previous rate of progress, or class norms, is referred to the special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). The SENCO will arrange suitable support and/or diagnostic investigation. An individual education plan is instigated involving either support in class or withdrawal for short periods several times a week for extra individual or small group tuition.
Gifted children also have an individual education plan, offering them work which will challenge them in their areas of giftedness, whilst ensuring all-round progress in other curriculum areas.
School documents
Copies of all school policy documents, the school’s OFSTED report and DFEE curriculum statutory instruments and circulars are available in the school office for parents to read.
Complaints procedures
The Local Education Authority complaints policy has been adopted by the Governors. A copy of the procedure is available from the school office.
Initial complaints should be made to the Headteacher or Governors.
The Curriculum
The children in school follow the National Curriculum in all subjects. The Literacy and Numeracy hours are taught to all children of compulsory school age. All classes have whole class Computer lessons in our Information Centre.
In their early days at school, children are taught basic skills in line with the Government’s Early Learning Goals.
The children learn a lot about the world they live in. These topics are sometimes changed to suit a particular class or local event but the curriculum covered will be the same.
In recent years we have used a more creative approach to the curriculum. This allows us to adapt our curriculum to meet the needs of our children. It allows more flexibility to respond to local, national and international events.
We also encourage self assessment by the children so that they identify areas for improvement with their teachers.
Behaviour
As appropriate to their age and development children are expected to exercise self-control and show consideration for others. They are expected to learn to concentrate on work and to be attentive to their teachers. A system of positive reinforcement of acceptable behaviour is used. Bullying of any description is not tolerated.
Reprimands are always verbal. Children are encouraged to improve and try to do better next time. When necessary other restrictions may be imposed and parents are informed if their child’s behaviour is causing concern.
Contact with school
Close contact between parents and teachers is encouraged at all times. Parents should never hesitate to come into school. The Headteacher and Class Teachers make themselves immediately available to speak about matters which can be dealt with briefly and informally, though it is advisable to make an appointment if information is required or sustained discussion desired.
During the Summer Term, meetings are held for the parents of the September intake, so that they can meet staff, order uniforms, etc. In the Autumn Term, each class holds an Open Morning for parents to see work in progress and a parents’ evening is also held.
Each Spring Term interviews ore arranged when parents can discuss progress and look at children’s work. Towards the end of the school year written reports are sent out and interviews held to discuss these.
Throughout the year, parents are invited to class assemblies and school events.
Uniform
School uniform consists of:
Grey or navy trousers
Grey or navy skirts or pinafore dresses
Blue summer dresses
Navy sweatshirt with school logo
Plain white or navy shirt or polo shirt with school logo
School shoes or sandals NOT trainers
Uniform with the school logo is available from school. This includes: sweatshirts; polo shirts; jogging bottoms; cardigans; fleece jackets; shower proof fleece jackets; caps; P.E. bags; P.E. T-shirts;
School clothing should be named.
Children wearing watches should take particular care of them and no other jewellery should be worn in school. If earrings are worn they must be removed for PE.
Navy shorts and white T-shirts are worn for all Physical Education (PE) lessons. For PE all children should have very soft soled traditional black gym shoes (not trainers), clearly named and stored in a named drawstring bag (available from school). These should be at school every day. No apparatus work can be done in long trousers or tights. Girls wearing tights should bring socks to wear with their gym shoes.
Parent Teacher and Friends Association
The school is supported by a very active Parent Teacher and Friends Association, which assists at school events as well as organising social and fundraising events throughout the year. All parents are encouraged to support this group.
School meals and milk
Nutritional meals are cooked and served in the kitchen and dining room on site, and are very good. We strongly recommend that each child has a school meal at lunchtime. A choice is available. Money is collected each Monday morning and should be sent in an envelope, marked with both the child’s name and the amount enclosed (cash or cheque payable to Scolarest). Information about assistance with payment is available from school or from the Education Office.
We do not recommend children to bring a packed lunch but they can do if it is considered absolutely necessary. No glass or other breakable containers should be used and boxes should be named. Sweet, sticky drinks are discouraged in the interests of dental hygiene and because their spillage can cause both damage to clothing and cleaning problems. Please try to ensure that packed lunches are nutritionally balanced.
We try to encourage healthy eating in school and for this reason mid-morning snacks are restricted to fruit rather than sweets or crisps.
School milk is available at the cost of £3.00 per term. This is collected at the beginning of each term. As an alternative to milk children can drink water at school.
Children are cared for during the lunch break by Supervisory Assistants.
Charges for school activities
No child will miss a school activity or visit because of financial difficulties. Contributions are requested towards the costs of some activities and visits. If any parents have difficulty with any contributions they should speak to the Headteacher.
Nursery
A Nursery class for children three and four years old is part of the school. This is open to children who live anywhere in
Children attending Nursery classes may continue their education in the school only if places are available according to the Admission Policy of the Authority. A place in the Nursery does not guarantee a place in the school’s Reception Class.
Parents are advised to enter names on the waiting list for admission to the Nursery.
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Absence Information
Attendance
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% Authorised
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% Unauthorised
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School
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4.3%
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0.1%
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LEA
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4.92%
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0.18%
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Staff List (from September 2007)
Headteacher Mr Mark Lovell
Deputy Headteacher Miss. I Bowden
Class Teachers/
Nursery Mrs. L. Crainey / Mrs. P. Jones
Reception Miss I. Bowden / Mrs P McPherson
Year One Miss J. Avery
Year Two Miss N Stoddart
Year Three Mrs J Jobe / Miss S. Copley
Year Four Mrs F Moore / Mrs P. Ord
Learning Support Teacher Mrs P. Ord
Part Time Non Class Based Teacher Mrs M Shepherd
EAL Teacher Mrs. R.Salamat
Auxiliary Assistants Mrs. J. Drew / Mrs M Glenwright
School Secretary Mrs M. Riach (Tuesday to Thursday)
Mrs K. Carr (Monday and Friday)
Dinner Supervisors Mrs S Mohammed
Mrs F Rahman
Mrs P Scott
Mrs L Ivison
Mrs N Begum
Mrs V Ruddick