WHITCHURCHPRIMARY SCHOOL
PROSPECTUS
2010
AIMS
1. Ethos
At Whitchurch Community Primary School we:-
Value and respect ourselves and others.
Respect our own culture and others.
Aim to do the best we can and be the best we can.
Celebrate our achievements.
Care for the world we live in and reorganise our role as a global citizen.
Understand how to keep healthy and how to take care of ourselves.
2. Curriculum
At Whitchurch Community Primary School we:-
offer a broad and balanced enhanced curriculum that is fun and exciting. It is carefully planned to meet the individual needs and interests of our children.
3 Teaching and Learning
At WhitchurchCommunityPrimary School:-
We set high standards for our teachers
We have high expectations of all our children.
We use a variety of teaching styles and approaches.
Children are encouraged to be enthusiastic and confident learners
4. The Environment
At WhitchurchCommunityPrimary School:-
The learning environment is clean, safe and beautiful.
5. Staffing and Management
At WhitchurchCommunityPrimary School:-
All staff have the opportunity to develop professionally.
All staff are listened to, respected and supported.
Leadership and Management is fair, consistent and strong.
6. Community and Global Community
At WhitchurchCommunityPrimary School
Staff and children work in partnership with parents.
We are building a safe and caring community with the wider Whitchurch community
We are developing friendships and understanding with the global community.
Children’s School Aims
- We will learn to be kind and polite
- We will learn to take care of ourselves and be healthy
- The staff in school will help us learn
- We will have lots of brilliant equipment to use and we will look after it
- We willhave opportunities to learn in lots of fun ways – ie we will try and do our best.
- We will try and make the World a good place to live and care about the environment
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School House Captains 2010
OUR SCHOOL
School Accommodation
The present main school buildings were opened in 1982 and provide a range of facilities, including five classrooms, a resource area, toilets, hall and administration accommodation. Further construction work provided three additional classrooms and toilet facilities and enabled the school to move, in its entirety from the centre of Whitchurch village to its present lovely green-field site in 1990. The school was recently extended to include a new library, additional ICT space and a separate Foundation Stage unit and music room.
We have a well-equipped school. Each classroom has fitted carpets, its own interactive whiteboard and computers and are suitably resourced to meet the needs of our pupils.
The school currently has seven classesorganised into year groups. We strive to keep our class sizes as small as possible.
Parking
We have no parking available for parents, who are asked not to bring vehicles into school, and to avoid parking near the school and not to park in School Road or the cul de sac part of Oak Road by the school path.
Joining Whitchurch
Catchment Area
We serve a catchment area which is largely focused upon Whitchurch, Bishopsmeadand Redrow as well as the adjacent southern and eastern areas of Tavistock. Pupils also join us from a number of farms and villages further afield, such as Grenofen, Casey Town, Sampford Spiney and Middlemoor.
Admissions
Whitchurch is a very popular CommunityPrimary School. We offer 30 places for each new academic year. Where we have insufficient vacancies to meet the request for places, the Devon County Council admissions policy operates as follows:
- brothers and sisters of pupils already attending WhitchurchCommunityPrimary School who live within the designated catchment area;
- other children living within our catchment area;
- brothers and sisters of pupils attending WhitchurchCommunityPrimary Schoolwho live outside our designated catchment area;
- children who live outside this catchment area.
(This is a summary of our admission criteria. Full details are available from the school.)
Starting School
There are two points of entry into the school. Children who reach the age of five between 1st September and the end of February will commence school in September of the
academic year. Those children born between 1st March and the end of August will begin school in January of the academic year. When your child starts school, there will be an induction programme. This involves parents and children coming into school together to get to know staff and routines. Children come in a term before they start school, for several sessions, to learn about the school. We also visit children in their pre-school setting and at home.
Secondary School Transfer
The procedure for transfer begins in the autumn term of your child’s final year in the school. It is advisable for parents to visit local secondary schools so that an informed choice can be made for your child. If you wish, this choice can be discussed with the Headteacher before forms are completed.
The majority of our pupils transfer to TavistockCollege at the end of their primary education. In recent years children have also joined Notre DameR.C.School, St Boniface School, KellyCollege, DevonportHigh School for Boys, DevonportHigh School for Girls, PlymouthHigh School, St Josephs and CallingtonCommunity College.
The Eleven Plus
To obtain entry into any of the selective schools in Plymouth, pupils must undertake the 11-plus examination. Most pupils who have sat this test in recent years have passed. It is very important that parents considering selective education should consult with the Headteacher prior to making their decision, so that the selection process, administration procedures and their implications are clearly understood.
Organisation
The School Day
School begins 8.55am
AssemblyVarious times - daily
Morning break10.40am-11.00am
Lunch break12.15pm-1.15pm
Afternoon break2.00pm-2.10pm (KS1 only)
All classes finish at3.20pm
Attendance
Good attendance is clearly to your child’s advantage. If your child is absent, you should contact the school office by telephone before 9.30am on each day of absence. Messages left on the school answerphone should clearly state the child’s name, class, reason for absence and the caller’s name.
We fully appreciate that some parents may need to take family holidays during term time and up to two weeks can be authorised during each academic year. However, such breaks
in children’s education can be very disruptive and are strongly discouraged. Permission must be requested prior to holidays commencing.
We ask parents in particular not to take their family holidays in September as this is the period when children settle into a new class. It is also important that children in Year 6 do not take holidays in May/June, due to the Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs) that take place at this time.
Our Education Welfare Officer (telephone 01822 614231) can be of assistance to parents should they experience problems affecting their child’s punctuality or attendance.
Punctuality
Many activities begin immediately after registration when children have settled into their classroom. Late-comers may miss out on vital information and instruction. Please ensure that your children arrive punctually for school and are in the playground by 8.50 am.
If you do have any serious difficulties, please discuss these with the Class teacher or Headteacher.
Clothing and Personal Property
Uniform
All children are expected to wear school uniform, which may comprise:
Grey skirt, dress, trousers, shorts or navy tracksuit bottoms
White blouse, shirt or polo shirt (blue or white)
School sweatshirt or cardigan
Blue check dress or grey school shorts (summer only)
Year 6 children may wear black trousers
Black shoes – children need to wear shoes that are suitable for an active curriculum
Sun hat
Children also need to bring a coat to school every day
All of these items are readily available from high street stores. Some can be obtained from the school and carry the school logo. Order forms are available from the school office.
In Foundation Stage and KS1 the children do daily physical activities; it is important that the clothes they wear are suitable for active learning. The children will change into their PE kit when they do apparatus work.
Physical Education clothing
In the interests of your child’s safety these items should be close fitting:
Plain white T-shirt
Plain black or navy blue shorts
Trainers or plimsolls (lace-less for younger pupils)
Plain navy blue or black sweatshirt or track top and bottoms
Replica sportswear and expensive branded items should not be brought to school.
When children transfer from other areas we are happy for them to continue wearing their existing school clothes until they need replacing.
All clothes should be named. Sewn-in woven labels are recommended. It is helpful if an appropriate named bag could be provided to keep the children’s belongings together.
Some very young children may feel it necessary to bring ‘comfort toys’ such as cuddly dolls or cloths when they first join us. We fully appreciate and understand this need and
are keen to help children settle quickly into school. Usually, Foundation stage children soon find that they no longer need this security and these can be abandoned. Should you feel that your child needs such comforters for a short while, please speak with the class teacher.
Children should not wear jewellery (other than ear studs or sleepers) or expensive items of clothing to school. We are unable to accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal property. Found property can be re-claimed from the caretaker’s office.
The School Code of Conduct
We believe that your child’s education and behaviour are shared responsibilities between parents, children and school staff.
We expect high standards of behaviour from our pupils and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. We expect children to behave in a kind, thoughtful, considerate, polite and safe manner at all times. If children have persistent or serious social or emotional difficulties, parents are contacted and we try to resolve the difficulties together.
School rules have been developed with our pupils and all of the staff. They are displayed around the school:
1.I will take care of others and keep myself safe
2.I will be polite and honest
3.I will take care of the world I live in
4.I will listen to adults
5.I will be a good learner
Children are expected to behave well. They are encouraged in a number of ways, including verbal praise, certificates, house points and stickers. If a child finds it difficult to behave, we talk with them about their behaviour. If a child is consistently breaking the rules, we inform parents and work closely together to support the child.
Bullying is rare in our school. However, should any child feel that this is taking place, a member of staff should be informed straight away. Such concerns will be treated seriously. All incidents of bullying are recorded and immediate action is taken.
The House System
Every child and adult working in school is part of a house. We have five houses: Purple, Yellow, Blue, Red and Yellow. Children collect house points for good behaviour, being kind to others, working hard, producing good work and so on.When a house has achieved 1,000 points, it will have a house award. This might be a Mufti day, a house party or an activity session. Individual awards and certificates are also awarded.
Every month, we have a House Meeting to discuss school issues and listen to the children’s views.
WELFARE
Safeguarding our Children
Our school community has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are our pupils. This means we have a Child Protection Policy and Procedures in place. All staff including our volunteers and supply staff must ensure that they are aware of our procedures. Parents and carers are welcome to read these on request.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will always ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with their parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that this is not in the child’s best interests.
Our Designated Child Protection Person is Angela O’Shea Warman and Tracy Jasper.
Promoting Good Health
At Whitchurch we work closely with parents to ensure that we are encouraging children to care for themselves. We do this in many ways:
- Children are encouraged to bring healthy snacks such as fresh fruit to school.
- Allowing children to get outside is important so even if it is raining we take children out at playtime. It is crucial that children bring a coat to school every day.
- At lunchtimes we have play leaders who organise games for the children.
- All children are encouraged to bring a bottle of water to school. They may keep this in the classroom.
- We teach children about healthy lifestyles in science, PE, PSHEand technology.
- Children are taught about keeping safe in the sun.
- Children are taught about keeping safe, e.g. road safety, taking responsibility, making good choices, internet safety
- Children are encouraged to be active: walking to school, PE, active play time
Health Care
We work closely with our school nurse on issues that affect each child’s development and performance in school.
If children become ill during the day, they may rest until we can arrange for them to be collected. In such cases we may need to contact parents quickly. Please make certain that we know your day-time telephone number and address and let us know if they change.
Medical Concerns
If your child suffers from any medical condition, please speak to the Headteacher and Class teacher. It is crucial that we fully understand how to take care of them.
Medicines
Children who are taking medicines should not normally be in school. In exceptional circumstances, prescribed medicines will be dispensed, but only with the prior agreement of the Headteacher and upon receipt of full written instructions. No other medicine will be given. First aid is carried out by a qualified ‘First Aider’.
Meals
We work closely with our school cook to ensure healthy eating is encouraged, and lunches are prepared in our own kitchen. It is a great help to us if money is paid on Mondays for the whole week. Payment may be made for the half-term or term in advance, if you wish. Cheques should be made payable to Devon County Council. There is now a facility to pay online – go to
If your child has special dietary needs, please discuss these with the school administrator.
Children may bring a packed lunch. All lunches are taken in our school hall. Children may go home for lunch with the written consent of their parents. Cost of a meal is £2.
Snacks and drinks
Children are also able to purchase a mid-morning drink of milk. Money is collected on Fridays for the following week, and paid over to our school cook. Children may bring a bottle of water and a healthy snack, for example,cheese, fruit or vegetables. Crisps, chocolate or sweets should not be brought to school.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are not allowed in school. If your child is walking to and from school on their own, and you wish them to carry a mobile phone then they must leave the phone in the office during the school day.
Money
If your child does need to bring money to school for lunches, drinks, school trips or any other purpose, please send it in a named and sealed envelope.
Grants
Applications for free meals, free or reduced fares to school can be made in respect of your child. If you think you may be entitled to any of these forms of assistance, please contact the school office. It may also be possible to obtain charitable grants to ensure that all children may participate in costly activities such as school journeys. Do please speak to the Headteacher if you feel you may need such support.
Security
We are extremely conscious of the need to provide a secure environment for our pupils. Perimeter gates are kept closed during the school day with the Bishopsmead entrance locked. All visitors during the school day (including parents) must report to the school office to sign in and out, and will be issued with a badge to authorise their presence. Classroom access is restricted when lessons are taking place.
School Policies
Our school policies are reviewed regularly and are available from the school office and on the school website.
PARENTS
We aim to work in partnership with parents to ensure that we build a happy and effective learning environment for all our children. We encourage parents and grandparents to help in the classroom if they are able to spare the time, and this is a source of enjoyment for children and adults alike. Workshops have introduced parents to how we teach and how you can support your child’s learning at home.
Six parents are elected onto the school’s Governing Body and all parents are automatically members of The Whitchurch School Association.
We have two or three parent representatives in each class. Any parent can volunteer to be a parent rep. The main role of the parent rep is to attend Parents’ Forum or WSA meetings in order to disseminate information.
The WhitchurchSchool Association (WSA)
The WSA is involved in numerous social and educational events each term and provides an invaluable source of additional funds. The Association frequently supports the school’s efforts to disseminate curriculum information and helps us to run workshops to keep parents informed of developments within the school.