BRONINGTON CHURCH IN WALES V.A.P. SCHOOL
SCHOOL PROSPECTUS
BRONINGTON CHURCH IN WALES VOLUNTARY AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL
September 2015
Dear Parents/Guardian
On behalf of our school, I would like to welcome you into our caring community. We are blessed with a highly committed teaching and support staff, who work extremely hard to get the best out of our pupils both academically and socially.
As a school, we set extremely high levels of expectation; this has been confirmed by our last ESTYN inspection and our Annual End of Key Stage Performance Indicators.
Our expectations set targets for hard work, good behaviour and smart dress. We encourage our pupils to take part in a variety of extra-curricular activities and we fervently hope that they will enjoy their school days at Bronington.
We view parents as partners in developing the child’s potential to the full. We encourage regular informal contact as well as organized parental consultation.
Our P.T.A. plays a big part in supporting home/school relationships as well as raising significant sums of money through their hard work.
We are proud of our school and feel confident that you too will be impressed.
I look forward to working with you during the coming years.
A Birkinshaw
Headteacher
HEADTEACHER: POSTAL ADDRESS:
School Lane,
Mrs A Birkinshaw Bronington,
Whitchurch,
Shropshire, SY13 3HN
Telephone:
(01948) 780283
GOVERNING BODY:
Chair:
Mr. E. Wardle Bank
Vice- Chairman:
Mr. J. Nicholson (Foundation governor)
Foundation Governors:
Rev. C. Hughes
Mr. S. Cobbold
Mr. S. Ayee
Mrs. P. Sokolowski
Mrs. G. Mottershead
Mr. D. Henderson
Community Council Representative:
Mrs. C. Henderson
County Council Representatives:
Mr. C. Nunnerley
Teacher Governor:
Mrs. F Smith The School
Staff Governor:
Mrs. A Owen The School
Correspondent:
Miss. M. Hockenhull The School
TEACHING STAFF: 2014-2015
The staff view the education of our pupils as a continuous process. Each staff member is mutually supportive and involved in preparing, planning and delivering a broad, balanced curriculum. This whole school teaching approach ensures that the pupils’ total education is continuous, becoming progressively more demanding and challenging according to their age, stage and ability level.
Teaching:
Early Years’ Unit Nursery (a.m.), Reception Mr. M. Hughes
Senior Teacher
Year 1 / 2 (5 - 7 year olds) Mrs. R Barlow
Year 3 / 4 (8 – 9 year olds) Mrs. F. Smith
Year 5 / 6 (9 – 11 year olds) Miss. H.Braisdell Mrs. S. Williams
P.P.A. Cover Mrs A Birkinshaw
Support Staff:
Nursery NNEB Mrs. L. Jones
A.S.W. Mrs. A. Owen
A.S.W. Mrs. L. Watson
A.S.W. Mrs. N. Williams
A.S.W. Mrs. L. Arthan
A.S.W. Mrs M. Rigby
A.S.W. Mrs O. Gent
Secretary Miss M Hockenhull
Members of the Ancillary Staff:
Caretaker Mr. D Jones
Cleaner Ms. E. Chesters
Cleaner Mrs. J. Phillips
Senior Mid-day Supervisor Mrs. L. Jones
Mid-day Supervisor Mrs. N. Williams
Mid-Day Supervisor Mrs. L. Sands
Cook in Charge Mrs. S. Gaughan
Kitchen Cook Mrs. E. Young
IMPORTANT NAMES AND ADDRESSES:
Education Authority:
Wrexham County Borough Council
Children & Young People Services
16 Lord Street
Wrexham,
LL13 1LG
Chief Learning & Achieving Officer of Children & Young People Services:
Mr. John Davies
Wrexham Health Authority:
Grosvenor Road, Wrexham
Tel: Wrexham (01978) 356551
Local Clinic:
Overton Clinic
Tel: Overton (01978) 711919
Local Secondary Schools:
The Maelor School Sir John Talbots School
Penley, Wrexham Whitchurch
Tel: Hanmer (01948) 830291 Tel: Whitchurch (01948) 660600
Bishop Heber High School Lakelands School
Malpas, Cheshire Ellesmere
Tel: Malpas (01948) 860571 Tel: Ellesmere (01691) 622543
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Bronington Church in Wales Voluntary Aided Primary School is a co-educational day school. It is a village school, situated in the rural area of Wrexham, close to the borders of Shropshire and Cheshire.
With a long history of serving the community, the school was located to its present building in School Lane in 1988.
The attractive, well presented building is of a modern semi-open plan design. It has four well equipped main classrooms downstairs, with an additional classroom and resource room upstairs. Central to the building is an atrium with adjoining activity areas for cookery, design and technology, and art and craft. These activity areas are also utilized by a further nursery unit.
There is also a double mobile classroom in use.
The Reference Library offers a range of reference and reading materials.
The School Hall is used for assemblies, services, gymnastics, drama and some music lessons. It is also used at lunchtime for dining.
We are fortunate to have well cared for grounds, a large playground, spacious sports fields and an excellent natural environment which is a valuable resource for our scientific, investigational and artistic work.
AIMS AND PHILOSOPHY
Ethos Statement:
Recognizing its historical foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church in Wales and in partnership with the Church at Parish and Diocesan levels.
The school aims to serve the community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.
We aim to provide every pupil with a first class, broadly based education which will be a foundation for further learning. By creating a happy, secure and caring atmosphere, it is hoped all children will increase in confidence to enjoy and actively engage in the learning process. The staff and Governors are proud of our physically aesthetic and stimulating environment.
We expect high standards and aim to provide appropriate, high quality opportunities and experiences to develop fully their academic and physical abilities, interests and potential and effectively promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural and social development.
We encourage teamwork, co-operation, respect and consideration for others, self discipline, good manners and positive attitudes. We will endeavour to help them socialise and make friends by being a positive contributor and member of our school family.
To achieve these aims, our school will encourage good relationships between each child and his/her peers, between each child and staff, between staff and between school and home. This will be facilitated by good communication at all times and at all levels. We encourage an effective home/school partnership approach with parental trust, co-operation, support and contact being vital and integral to the development of our pupils.
In summary, our aims and objectives are:
§ To provide a family type atmosphere of happiness and cheerfulness.
§ To give pupils the ability to read fluently, with enjoyment and purpose and to increase vocabulary.
§ To the development of oral and written language and mathematical skills.
§ To the development of scientific and technological skills.
§ To promote an awareness of the environment and its conservation.
§ To promote inventiveness and creativity in both practical and written work.
§ To foster an interest in the appreciation of music and art.
§ Physical development, both in skills and enjoyment.
§ An appreciation of moral values and to always see the other person’s point of view.
§ To promote the learning of Welsh as a second language and the Y Cwriculwm Cymreig
§ To include the teaching of Religious Instruction within the accepted syllabus.
§ To promote Health and Safety awareness.
§ To promote awareness and tolerance and respect of cultural and racial diversity.
§ To promote our awareness and understanding of the needs for sustainable development and global citizenship.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Pupils are encouraged to wear school uniform.
In cases of financial hardship, the Authority has schemes for the provision of clothing for school pupils (P.E. kit not included).
Sweatshirts and ties can be purchased from school.
GIRLS
In Autumn and Spring, Royal blue cardigan, jumper or sweatshirt, white or light blue blouse, tie, grey skirt/trousers, white or blue socks. During the summer term light, royal or dark blue gingham dresses can be worn or grey skirt and school polo shirt.
Black sensible shoes (not trainers); open-toed sandals or backless/slip on shoes are not suitable for school use.
BOYS
In Autumn and Spring, Royal blue V neck sweater or sweatshirt, white or light blue shirt, tie, grey trousers (no jeans). During Summer months, a school polo shirt can be used.
Black sensible shoes (not trainers); open-toed sandals or backless/slip on shoes are not suitable for school use.
RECEPTION/NURSERY
School polo shirts and Royal blue V neck sweater – no tie.
All clothing and personal equipment should be clearly marked please with your child’s name.
§ Physical Education is an important aspect of the National Curriculum and it is essential that children are correctly attired for these lessons. It is compulsory they participate in all P.E. activities.
INDOOR P.E. KIT
Light blue polo shirt, plain white shorts, plimsols (not trainers). These should be in school each week day and taken home at weekends for laundry purposes.
OUTDOOR GAMES KIT
Suitable appropriate warm clothing and footwear.
Preferably blue tracksuit and change of shorts, socks and shirt, strong shoes/trainers or football boots, waterproof coat.
We would prefer that earrings are not worn in school as they can be a source of injury during playtimes and physical activities. If they are worn, they should be small studs; for swimming lessons these need to be removed independently by the child. The wearing of other kinds of jewellery, eg necklaces or rings, is discouraged. Other valuables should not be brought to school and we ask for parents’ co-operation on this matter.
ADMISSIONS POLICY
Pupils are admitted to the Nursery, which is incorporated into our Early Years’ Unit, in the academic year in which they attain their fourth birthday i.e. any child who is three by 31st August can be admitted in September.
Pupils are admitted to the Infant School (Reception) in the academic year in which they attain their fifth birthday i.e. any child who is four can be admitted in September. The planned admission number to the Infant School is 17 pupils each year.
The Education Reform Act, 1988 requires L.E.A.’s and Governing Bodies to admit pupils at least up to the standard number (17) unless to do so would be inconsistent with preserving the school’s distinctive nature. Guidance on admissions is contained in DFE Circulars.
For More information about admission criteria, please see the school’s Admission Policy – available from the school directly or downloadable from the school’s website.
It is the school’s policy to accept children at the beginning of September, but, where unavoidable, admissions will be accepted at other times at the discretion of The Governing Body.
ATTENDANCE
We encourage punctuality and regular attendance otherwise the educational process is undermined. In time, irregular attendance will inevitably lead to educational disadvantage.
On arrival at school, (8.45am) children go directly to their classrooms. In the interests of safety, children should arrive no earlier than this time unless children attend breakfast club. The school day starts at 8.55am.
At the end of the day, Nursery and Reception children will be handed over from the respective teacher’s care. Other children should be met by parents in the school yard. Children are told to return to the classroom if parents are not there to collect them.
If you are unable to collect your child for any reasons, please inform us and your child will be accommodated in the building until your arrival.
GENERAL INFORMATION
HOURS OF ATTENDANCE / INFANTS / JUNIORSMorning Session / 8.55 a.m. - 11.55 a.m. / 8.55 a.m. - 12.00 noon
Afternoon Session / 12.55 p.m. - 3.15 p.m. / 12.55 p.m. - 3.20 p.m.
HOURS OF ATTENDANCE / NURSERY
Mornings / 8.55am. – 11.30 am.
ABSENCES
School Attendance
The Welsh Assembly points out that holidays in term time are not a right and should be agreed by the Headteacher : “Absences authorized under this discretion should be kept to a minimum. Ten school days should not be regarded as the norm. If a school does not agree absence and the pupil goes on holiday, the absence is unauthorized.
Holiday permission will only be granted where and individual pupil’s attendance is above 90%.
Our school is working closely with the local authority and with our parents to help improve attendance. In extreme cases, our Education Social Worker/Support Officer will be contacted.
Absences due to illness
A child’s authorized absences are recorded in the school register on receipt of a telephone call or letter.
Please do not send your child back to school after any illness unless you are certain he/she has fully recovered.
Please note if your child is absent through illness and for other reasons, an adult should ring school on the day as early as possible to confirm their absence and send a letter please on their return to school. The Welsh Assembly recommend the Health, Safety & Welfare of pupils should be known at all times and to that end, should a child be absent from school for any reason and the parent or guardian has not informed school on the day of the absence, then school where possible, will ring the home to establish the safety of the pupil i.e. to prevent the scenario – ‘Child A’ sets off for school and never reached school. The parents thought the child was at school and the school thought the child was absent at home. This procedure should offer some secure peace of mind to both home and school.
We also have to record authorised/unauthorised absences in annual returns to the Welsh Office. We look to parents for co-operation in maintaining our good attendance record. Frequent absenteeism is investigated by the Education Social Worker.
If, in exceptional circumstances, school has to close, you will be informed as soon as possible.
Should it be necessary to take family holidays during term time, an official form will need to be completed and returned to the school. Holidays during term time that do not exceed two weeks in each school year will be recorded as “authorised”.
Should you choose to take your child out of school during term time, school will not provide homework or additional work to complete whilst away.
PASTORAL CARE AND BEHAVIOUR
The school encourages and expects each child to be polite, well-behaved, conscientious and diligent. Individually and collectively, the staff will endeavour to care for all pupils and help them to become a positive and valued member of our school and the wider community.