Five Roads School -Prospectus

Five Roads School -Prospectus

Prosbectws – Ysgol Pum Heol

Heol Hen

Five Roads

LLANELLI

Carmarthenshire

SA15 5EZ

(Ffon/Phone/Fax : 01269 860498

8 e-bost/e-mail:

Headteacher’s foreword

Headteacher’s Welcome

Dear Parent,

It gives me great pleasure to present to you via this handbook some information about the school. This handbook is intended to help you know more about the life and work at Five Roads Primary School.

At our school we hope to provide a caring environment for your child. We endeavour to provide a wide range of balanced learning opportunities for all children to help them grow into independent and responsible people. A good and active home and school relationship is vital to foster a sense of partnership between parent and teacher, to ensure the best possible environment.

Five Roads is a happy school and that is derived from the progressive satisfaction of on-going achievements. Such striving causes pupils, parents, staff, the local authority and the general public to be proud of their association with the school.

After reading this prospectus you might want further information. If so, you may contact myself.

Mrs Eira Rumble

Headteacher

Welcome to our School

Every child is different. They look different, behave differently and develop at different times and rates; learn at different times in different ways. For their sake, please do not compare them with other children.

We are delighted to have your children with us. We hope they will be happy in our school.

We are a Welsh medium school teaching all subjects in Welsh.

The School Day

Foundation Phase : 9am - 12.00midday, 1.00- 3.05pm

Juniors: 9am -12.00 midday; 1.00pm – 3.15pm

No child is to leave the school premises during the official opening hours unless the school has been informed.

School Aims, Ethos and Values

·  To help the pupils develop lively, enquiring minds.

·  To foster the ability to think logically and to respect their fellow-men, their own possessions and those of others and to appreciate religious and moral issues.

·  To understand how to use language and number effectively.

·  To explore their environment and to have a better understanding of their surroundings.

·  To master skills that are essential and to develop well-balanced personalities that have a clear vision of the world in which they live.

School Objectives

1.  The development of basic skills in all subjects at the school with due consideration to the age, aptitude and ability of each child.

2.  The development of numerical skills and mathematical knowledge and understanding.

3.  An introduction to the world of science and information technology.

4.  The development of language in all its various forms so that it becomes a purposeful and meaningful means of communication. This will include listening, speaking, reading, writing and literature appreciation.

5.  An awareness and appreciation of the child’s locality, language, culture, traditions and physical environment.

6.  The encouragement of self-expression through music, mime, drama, art, technology and physical education.

7.  The awareness of the need for personal hygiene, good manners and courtesy. The encouragement of safe practices in the school, home and community.

As a school we have aims which we encourage all pupils to adopt. They are:

Respect – For people and possessions leading to self-respect

Punctuality – At lessons and activities.

Responsibilities – Recognised and accepted in a positive way.

Effort – Striving as individuals and in co-operation with others for our mutual benefit.

Atmosphere – Cultivation of a happy atmosphere, avoiding confrontational situations such as bullying.

Health – Care for our health and well-being, by behaving sensibly in all situations.

Appearance – Pride in appearing neat and tidy.

Language – To have an awareness of the importance of our native language in every aspect of communication.

Standards – A recognition that we have personal responsibility for our actions and for maintaining standards.

Culture - To demonstrate that our country’s language and culture are important at all times.

Curricular Aims

It is our aim to provide the pupils with the National Curriculum by teaching through a ‘cross curricular approach’.

The teaching will be:

·  BROAD – by introducing the children to a wide range of knowledge, concepts, attitudes and skills.

·  BALANCED – each aspect will be given sufficient time.

·  RELEVANT – the subjects will be taught so as to bring out their application to the pupils’ experiences.

·  DIFFERENTIATED – the pupil’s abilities and aptitudes will be matched to what is taught.

·  PROGRESSIVE – the National Curriculum will provide this continuity.

·  To enable each child to read fluently and coherently.

·  To encourage various audio and visual skills.

·  To master communicational skills both aurally and written given various stimuli.

·  To provide legible handwriting and a high standard of spelling, punctuation and sentence construction.

·  To use and apply mathematical concepts in a home and school environment.

·  To enable the child to use estimation and the calculator in an acceptable manner.

·  To provide a variety of situations in which the child must use problem solving skills.

·  To enhance the concept of collecting information and thus being able to record findings effectively.

·  We strive to encourage questioning minds and the ability to reason with their peers.

·  Encouragement is also given to the development of physical activities.

·  We expect the child to have a basic understanding of various religious and moral issues and have empathy towards various religions and races around the world.

School Rules and Discipline

School rules are few in number and simple to follow.

They have been drawn up to protect the children and to ensure their safety. Accidents and incidents can be avoided if these rules are carried out.

Children are encouraged to appreciate the need for rules and regulations so that eventually a sense of self-discipline will be developed.

If a child is punished, it is usually through loss of privileges and can vary according to the child’s interests.

In a case of serious indiscipline, co-operation between home and school will be necessary in dealing with the problem.

The School operates the Dojo system with rewards and penalties.

Examples of School Rules

·  When the weather is fair all the children play on the yard during break times unless they have been instructed otherwise.

·  While on the yard the children are not to climb walls or barriers.

·  During inclement weather the children are to remain in class. Unruly behaviour will not be tolerated.

·  There is to be no playing in the toilets.

·  It is the duty of every child to inform the teacher on duty if any problems arise during break.

·  Likewise the mid-day supervisor is to be told of any problems during the dinner break.

·  Children’s behaviour towards the mid-day supervisor is to be the same as to the teachers.

·  No sweets or chewing gum are to be eaten during lessons.

·  Children are to walk quietly through the school.

·  If a member of staff has to leave the classroom the children should remain quiet and continue with their work.

·  It is the duty of every child to keep the school clean.

·  A high standard of behaviour is expected from every child.

Admissions

Parents are welcome to make arrangements with the Headteacher to visit the School prior to admission. The School follows the Admission Policy outlined by the Local Authority.

School Organisation

·  The school adpots a mixed year class system which can vary depending on pupil numbers. Children are withdrawn in small groups for special needs support.

·  In the Foundation Phase the children are taught through a thematic approach. At Key Stage 2 teaching is subject based.

The National Curriculum

This was introduced as a result of the 1988 Education Act. Simply it consists of:

Core Subjects: English, Welsh, Mathematics, Science, IT.

Foundation Subjects: Geography, History, PE, Design and Technology, RE, Art and Craft.

Skills and Range

Programmes of Study

Assessment

All pupils are teacher assessed at least annually.

Curriculum Organisation

Priority is given to the ‘core’ subjects within the National Curriculum – Welsh, English, Mathematics and Science. IT is integrated and used appropriately.

Appropriate elements of the remaining ‘foundation’ subjects – History, Geography, Technology, Music, Art and Physical Education are then fully integrated into our timetable and theme.

Key skills of Literacy, Numeracy, ICT and Thinking are incorporated into lessons.

Recording Progress

In order to show the progress made by each pupil at each stage of the National Curriculum, the teachers will maintain a record of the work completed and the levels / outcomes reached.

These records will provide essential information for teachers, parents and other schools.

National Curriculum assessment will consist of two elements:

a) Teachers Assessment;

b) External Assessment in the form of National tests and other forms of testing.

Key Stages for assessing will be the child’s last term in the Foundation Phase and his/her final term in the Junior Section.

To comply with the National Curriculum, the classes will be called Nursery, Reception - with the remaining age groups numbered years 1 – 6.

Starting School

Children are admitted the term before their fourth birthday as full time Nursery pupils. Arrangements are made for children to attend the school for half days towards the end of term prior to their admission as taster sessions. Parents will be contacted on these occasions.

In the Foundation Phase we follow a broad curriculum which has been developed to meet the needs of young children. The child is introduced to a wide range of knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas of learning experience.

The areas of learning and experience are:

·  Mathematical Development

·  Creative Development

·  Physical Development

·  Knowledge and Understanding of the World

·  Personal and Social Development

·  Language, Literacy and Communication.

The National Curriculum

At Foundation Phase – 4 – 7 year old.

At this stage the main building blocks of learning experiences are laid. The emphasis will be on developing essential skills of communication, literacy and numeracy. By providing a broad rich curriculum using an integrated approach, we aim to develop the children’s interest whilst also recognising their level of maturity. These are important years where children learn how to observe, listen, respond and develop not only as individuals but also as caring members of our community.

At Key Stage 2 – 7 – 11 year old.

The essential skills of communication, literacy and numeracy will still be the central focus of our curriculum. But, as their understanding of the different disciplines increases, more time will be given to science and the foundation subjects. The curriculum will still take place within an integrated theme where it is meaningful and relevant.

Children will be encouraged to develop self-confidence, independence in learning and higher order skills in a range of situations.

Pupil Progress and Reporting to Parents

The school adopts a continual assessment policy together with formal assessment at Foundation Phase (seven years) and Key Stage 2 (eleven years old). Evenings are set aside for parents to meet class teachers to discuss their child’s progress. Parents are informed by letter of the dates and times of meetings.

School Uniform

The school has an official uniform of Navy Sweatshirts, Light Blue polo shirts and grey trousers/skirt. Formal uniform white shirt and a school tie. Sports :- Navy shorts and navy school shirt.

These available with the school logo. See school policy.

School Meals

Mid-day meals are prepared, cooked and served on the premises daily. Dinner money to be put in an envelope and given to the class teacher. Application forms for free school meals are available.

Children eat their packed lunches in the canteen. Please do not give your child any drinks in glass containers, fizzy or sugary drinks. Packed lunches should be healthy.

Absences

Parents must send an explanatory note or telephone the school when a child is absent or wishes to leave early.

The time and arrangements for collecting the child should be clearly stated.

It is also essential that the school knows if someone other than the parent is collecting the child at the end of the day.

It is important that when a child moves to another school that the Headteacher be informed so that relevant records can be forwarded.

You will be contacted if you have not informed the school of your child’s absence.

Unauthorised Absences from School

Parents are expected to inform the class teacher of reasons for any absences from school. A letter informing parents of absence regulations is given to parents for information.

Medication

Medicines should, if possible, be given to children at home. If it is necessary for a child to receive medication during the school day parents should discuss the matter with the child’s class teacher and follow the school policy.

Health Visitor

The school medical and dental officers visit the school annually and parents will be informed of these visits and of any follow up arrangements. The school nurse also visits the school to conduct tests.

Pastoral Care

The school aims to create a community which has a warm and friendly atmosphere so that the children have a sense of care and security. The teachers work as a team and are responsible to the Headteacher for the general welfare of pupils. The school liaises when necessary with other agencies at the transfer stage.

Supervision

Children should not be on the school premises sooner than fifteen minutes before school commences in the morning as supervision cannot be guaranteed, unless they attend breakfast club, which opens its doors at 8.10am.

All children are supervised throughout the day. During lesson time they are supervised by their class teacher. Members of staff supervise the children during morning and afternoon breaks. During the dinner break supervisory assistants, who are responsible to the Headteacher, supervise the children.

Accidents

In the event of an accident the person on duty will attend to the child. Adequate first aid equipment is available at the school. The person on duty will assess if further action is required. If so, an attempt will be made to contact the parents. If this is not possible arrangements will be made by the Headteacher to take the child to his/her doctor or even to hospital.