Annsborough Integrated Primary School
Induction Policy & Information
for Beginning Teachers
Welcome to Annsborough Integrated Primary School. We are a Controlled Integrated Primary school for 4-11 year olds based in Annsborough. This year, our school celebrates and remembers 175 years of education in Annsborough Integrated Primary School.
Annsborough Integrated Primary Schoolis a small school that values standards and achievement. From the time it was established in 1835, Annsborough Primary School has provided education for children from all religious backgrounds. On 1st September 1997 the school officially changed its status from maintained to controlled integrated with the title of Annsborough Integrated Primary School. As such, it aims to encourage children from all religious communities to respect and accept each others traditions and religious beliefs.
The school is situated in the village of Annsborough approximately 1 mile from Castlewellan. It occupies the original building, the interior of which has been modernised to meet current demands in the changing face of education. It is comprised of three large classrooms, each providing ample space for all the activities necessary to fulfil the needsof the N.I Curriculum. Each classroom is fully equipped with Interactive whiteboards, digital cameras and other technology to keep our pupils up-to-date with the ever-changing technologies used to support learning.
All children in the school travel to Downpatrick Leisure Centre to participate in a well-planned and motivating P.E programme that includes gymnastics, games and dance. All pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 7 are exceptionally lucky to avail of coached swimming lessons every Friday throughout the school year in Downpatrick Leisure Centre.
Children are also able to participate in a number of after school activities in I.C.T, cookery and many different sports. The children are encouraged to participate in local and national competitions and in inter-school sports and quizzes.
Educational visits play an important part in our programmes of study. These visits work alongside topic and curriculum areas beingcovered at the time. A visit to the Waterfront Hall is arranged each year at Christmas for the whole school to watch a Pantomime. Visits to Castlewellan Public Library are also organised as well as School Book Clubs to stimulate pupils' interest in reading and learning.
Principles of Induction:
· It is the responsibility of the management team and other key staff at Annsborough Integrated Primary School to carefully plan and facilitate the induction of beginning teachers (BT’s).
· On completion of the initial stage of teacher education the ongoing professional development of the teacher transfers from the HEI to the school and E.L.B.
· The induction and EPD stages of teacher education are a continuum of continuing professional development for a beginning teacher. Annsborough Integrated Primary School is committed to and supportive of this process.
· Beginning teachers will receive the best possible in-school support throughout their induction/ EPD years, in keeping with our commitment to the professional development of all members of staff, as outlined in the school development plan.
· A programme of support will be planned and implemented, reviewed and evaluated within the competency framework and will promote self-evaluation and reflective practice to ensure quality teaching and learning.
Purposes of our Induction Programme:
· To help the B.T develop increasing confidence and progress from learning how to teach to thinking about teaching and finally to think about learning.
· To promote continuing professional development of all B.Ts through critical, reflective practice which underpins staff development and supports the school development plan.
· To ensure continuation of an integrated approach to teacher education to promote lifelong learning and career development.
· To support a climate where there is sharing of good practice, quality teaching and improved pupil learning.
Induction Practices at Annsborough I.P.S:
· BT’s will be given access to an induction programme which will commence upon appointment and continue until the successful completion of EPD.
This will include:
Ø Regular meetings with the teacher-tutor to discuss key issues such as school policies, classroom management, mixed anility teaching, differentiation, assessment, recording and reporting, effective & appropriate communication with pupils, students, colleagues and parents.
Ø Encouraging the BT to reflect critically on his/ her teaching and on the quality of pupil learning.
Ø Supporting the BT to identify his/ her professional needs in the school and ensuring that these are addressed effectively.
Ø Regular staff meetings to discuss curriculum planning and provide help and guidance.
Ø Opportunities to observe good practice – other experienced colleagues teaching.
Ø Support and guidance from Principal, Teacher-Tutor and other colleagues.
Ø Assisting the BT to select appropriate focus for both PDA’s for EPD, drawing together all sources of evidence and completing reflective statements.
Ø Keeping the Board of Governors informed of the induction and EPD arrangements in place for BTs in the school.
Ø Supporting staff development through attendance at CASS programmes for BT’s, Teacher-Tutors and other key staff.
Ø Providing support for key staff involved in the development of the BT.
Ø Ongoing monitoring of the programme of support to ensure high quality and consistent provision for all beginning teachers.
Ø Countersigning the interim review and summative reports and if appropriate recommending successful completion of induction to BOG.
Ø Providing support and quality assurance of the successful completion of the EPD course if appropriate.
Ø Sending a copy of Induction certificate or completion of EPD certificate to GTCNI, Albany House, 3rd Floor 73 – 75 Great Victoria Street, Belfast.
Ø Celebrating within the school successful completion of the Induction and EPD stages by Beginning Teachers.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SCHOOL LAYOUT:
The school consists of three large classrooms, a central staff room and office, and a new dining hall up the steps at the rear of the school. A large tarmac yard is used for pupil break and lunchtime activities and this is located behind the dining hall.
Pupils toilets are located externally at the rear of the school and staff should ensure they are aware when pupils have left their supervision to use these facilities.
Younger pupils should be escorted to dinner halls and playground in top yard by a member of staff to ensure they are always under staff supervision.
BREAK/ LUNCH-TIME:
Classroom assistants: Mon – Thurs: 10.30am – 10.45am Fri: 10.00 – 10.15am
Mon – Thurs: 12noon – 12.30pm
Teaching staff break times: Mon – Thurs: 10.45am – 11.00am Fri: 10.15am – 10.30am
Mon – Fri: 12.30pm – 1.15pm
TEA/ COFFEE FACILITIES:
There is a central staff room where teaching and ancillary staff take their breaks. A rota is in operation to buy milk and biscuits each week.
PARKING:
Staff may park their vehicles in the car park at the rear of the school.
ASSEMBLY:
Whole School Assembly takes place on Monday Mornings at 9.10am and is taken on a rota basis by teachers from each class.
SCHOOL HOURS:
Below is a table outlining the school hours for pupils in each class throughout the week and also a table outlining the cost of activities/items in school.
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / FridayReception / 9am – 12noon / 9am – 12noon / 9am – 12noon / 9am – 12noon / OFF
Primary 1 / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm
Primary 2 / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2pm
Primary 3 / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2pm
Primary 4 / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm
Primary 5 / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm
Primary 6 / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm
Primary 7 / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm / 9am – 2.45pm
**It is most important that teachers are aware of who is collecting your child/ children. If someone new is collecting them please inform teachers in advance.
School Dinner / £2.10 per dayMilk / Milk prices are per month as follows:
Sept / £ / Feb / £
Oct / £ / March / £
Nov / £ / April / £
Dec / £ / May / £
Jan / £ / June / £
· Children are provided with milk free in their Reception year
· Any pupil who wishes to cancel their milk should inform the secretary in writing.
Swimming / £3.40 per week
· All pupils should wear school tracksuits each Friday.
· Any child who is not swimming but still doing P.E should pay £1.70 for transport/ sport’s hall facilities.
· Children who are not swimming may have to stay at school on some occasions if buses are too full.
After-School Clubs / £1.00 each per club
· KS2 pupils may stay for as many or few after-school clubs as they wish.
School Staff
Our school has a team of dedicated teaching and ancillary staff working together to provide a safe and stimulating environment to support learning.