CONTENTS
Page 3 Introduction and Aims
Page 4 Aims and OFSTED
Page 5 Pupils Views. General Information
Page 6 General Information
Page 7 Admission Arrangements and School Hours
Page 8 Absence From School and Curriculum
Page 9 Curriculum cont and Computers
Page 10 Physical Education, Swimming and Sport
Page 11 Arts, Sex Education, Religious Education and Daily Collective Worship
Page 12 Special Educational Needs and After School Clubs
Page 13 Discipline, Supervision At Dinnertimes and Organisation Of Classes
Page 14 Appointments To See Teachers, Arrival In School Early, Awards
Presented To The School, Charging Policy and Children’s Records
Page 15 Communication, Community and Consultation, Pre-School, Disability and
Dress
Page 16 Educational Visits, Fund Raising, Governors and Homework
Page 17 Illnesses and Accident Procedures, Information for Parents, Length Of
The School Week and Meals At School
Page 18 Snacks, Medical, Medicines, Milk Provision and Music
Page 19 Parents In School, Pupil Premium and Procedure For Complaints
Page 20 Safety of Children and Welfare
Page 21 Term Times and School Year 2014/2015 and National Curriculum Results
2013
Page 22 Comparative Report Key Stage 2
Page 23 Comparative Report Key Stage 1
Page 24 Comparative Report Key Stage 1 cont. and Comparative Reports Notes
Welcome to Birdwell Primary School
Introduction
This booklet has been written to introduce you to our school, to describe our aims and objectives, and to inform you about some of our ways of working.
We welcome your visits to school; please contact us to arrange a time. Our overall aim is to help your children feel happy and secure during their time at Birdwell. We can only do this if we work as a partnership with you, the parents.
AIMS OF THE SCHOOL
1. The school is seen as a learning community and that strong links are further developed in the wider community.
2. All children fulfil their learning potential and achieve a high level of attainment through providing the opportunity for independence and creativity.
3. The children leave Birdwell School with values of citizenship. They demonstrate care for each other, are well behaved and have a record of their achievement.
4. Together we create a purposeful, enjoyable atmosphere in school.
5. There are high expectations from all, parents, children, staff and the community so that children can pursue their ambition.
1. We are here to learn
2. We do our best.
3. We are kind and well behaved
4. Together we try hard and enjoy ourselves
5. We expect the best and follow our dreams
We promote a caring ethos and invite prospective parents into school so that they are able to have a feel for the school. Our core values of the school are reflected in our 3 year goals:-
By March 2014 we will
a. Create an environment of stability so we can continue to focus on raising standards in turbulent times
b. Give children a greater opportunity to look outwardly to develop a greater global/religious awareness
c. Continue to develop the teaching of citizenship through instilling our core values and principals of Commitment to improve, Achievement for all, Teamwork, Respect, Openness and Honesty, Feedback and Accountability.
Birdwell School is recognised by Ofsted as an ‘Outstanding’ school
Inspectors' View of the School (April 2013)
This is an outstanding school.
n Pupils make outstanding progress from their individual starting points in literacy and mathematics. Attainment is above average.
n Pupils read extremely well. This helps them to make rapid progress in other subjects.
n The school’s results in national tests places them in the top 20% of all schools for English.
n Teaching is extremely good in every class. Tasks challenge pupils to think for themselves.
n Behaviour is outstanding. Pupils work very hard and clearly enjoy doing so.
n Pupils feel extremely safe because they are looked after very well.
n Leadership and management are outstanding. Pupils are ambitious as a result. Their achievement improves each year.
n The leadership of teaching is a major strength. All staff are involved in leading aspects of teaching.
n Governors give excellent support to the school and help it to improve further.
n The exciting, varied curriculum, which pupils help to organise, includes high-quality children’s university sessions.
( A copy of the full report is available from the school or can be viewed on the Ofsted website. www.ofsted.gov.uk)
Pupils Views
I think the school is fun because we have ICT and I like going on the computers. Amy H.
The staff are kind and helpful.
Millie C.
I like school because its fun and everyone can play together
Alicia B.
This school is wonderful as I like doing Maths
Bailey D
General Information
Address Birdwell Primary School,
Sheffield Rd.,
Birdwell,
Barnsley.
S70 5XB.
Telephone: 01226 742957
Co-educational Community Primary School
Age Range 5-11 Primary
Head teacher Ms. J. Gilmour
Deputy Head Mr. N. Bailey
Teaching Staff Mrs. J. Bruck
Mrs. P. Millington
Mr. B. Hussain
Mrs. C. Ekins
Mrs. S. Priest
Miss S. Stringer
Mrs. K. Barrott
Clerical and Financial Mrs. D. Sykes
Support Staff Mrs. H. Addy
Mrs. S. Atkinson
Mr. A Crouch
Mrs. M. Mason
Miss J. O’Neill
Mr. M. Lowe
Mrs. D. Richardson
Miss K. Swift
Mrs. M. Shepley
Mrs. A. Bebb
Chair of Governors
Vice-chair Mrs A. Edgar
Local Authority Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Director of Children’s Services
Address Corporate Mail Room
PO Box 634
Barnsley
S70 9GG
The particulars in this handbook were correct at the time of printing. The Head and the Governors reserve the right to change the curriculum or organisation to meet the changing needs of children and society.
ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS
The law does not require children to be admitted to school until the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday, but Birdwell School will admit children from the September following their 4th birthday. The school offers a full time place for these children. The criteria for the allocation of places are set out in the Barnsley Admissions to Primary School Booklet. Initially Special Needs children who name the school are considered 1st along with children ‘in care,’ then those who have a brother or sister attending the school when they are due to be admitted, then the children who live nearest the school.
Application forms for a school place for 2014/15 can be obtained from the school or you can complete the online application form by going to:- www.barnsley.gov.uk/schooladmissions The closing date for applications is 15th January 2014.
We try to make the child's entry to school as happy and trouble free as possible. We invite parents and children into school in the term before they are to be admitted, to see the school and meet their new teacher. Following this visit, children are invited to spend a few mornings in school during the final half term before they start.
In year admissions are dealt with by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and they can be contacted on 01226 773689. The school has an agreed standard number of 30 per year group and if applications exceed this number then parents can be refused a place. Parents do have a right to appeal. Further information on admissions can be found on www.barnsley.gov.uk/schooladmissions
SCHOOL HOURS
Morning Session 8.55am - 12 noon.
Afternoon Session 1.00pm - 3.30pm.
ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL
If your child is absent from school for any reason, please let us know. Please contact the school on the first day of absence. We are required to set targets for attendance and publish our attendance rate including the number of unauthorised absences in the last school year. Under the inspection framework the school is judged on its attendance.
Our target for is 96% for the school year. The percentage attendance for 2011/12 was 94.7%, of the absences, 0.6% were unauthorised, these were due to children having excessive time off school for holidays.
The governing body wishes to draw parents’ attention to guidelines on school attendance from the Department for Education, particularly with reference to family holidays. To quote from the document: “Under the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006 head teachers are able to authorise absence for the purpose of leave of absence in term time in exceptional circumstances only.” No parent can demand leave of absence for the purposes of a holiday as a right.
Leave of absence for holidays will not be considered:
· during the first half term of the academic year
· If internal/external assessments are being undertaken, particularly in Y2 and Y6
· If a previous holiday has been taken in the same academic year
· If the pupils attendance rate is poor and falls below the national average. Copies of the full guidelines are available in school.
CURRICULUM
Our aim is to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum. The school curriculum has a thematic approach covering the subjects of Design/Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art, P.E., I.C.T., R.E. PSHE and Citizenship. All children must study the Core Curriculum, which includes English, Mathematics and Science.
The children in the Reception Class follow the Early Years Foundation Curriculum, which they have followed in a Nursery or Pre School setting. The children are assessed against this curriculum at the end of the Reception year.
Children at ages 7 and 11 will be assessed using the Government’s standard assessment test, (SATS). These are a mixture of teacher assessment and statutory tests. The results of these tests are sent home with the child's annual report. Regular testing takes place in other year groups and this is used to help the school set targets.
The Y1 children currently undertake a statutory phonics assessment during the summer term. In Key Stage 1 we use a wide range of material to support reading e.g. Oxford Reading Scheme, Dandelion Readers and Snap Dragon books. For phonics we use Read Write Inc, Yellow Door resources, LCF and Phonics Bug. Further information about the curriculum and school policies can be obtained by asking the school staff.
Wherever possible we use first-hand experience as a starting point for our teaching. We strive to provide learning experiences that are appropriate for your child's level of ability. We plan activities, which lead to new learning, so that we can build on prior learning. We aim to provide challenge through organising work in a variety of ways, encouraging children to use their initiative and become more responsible for organising their own learning. We aim to give equal opportunities to all children.
We are constantly striving to improve the delivery of the curriculum to ensure that all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. We try to teach subjects through mini topics or link subjects together in a thematic approach to make them relevant in order to motivate learning. Practical activities in all areas of the curriculum help to improve skills, understanding and the development of ideas.
We have a Residential Environmental Studies Programme in which we encourage all older children to participate. This year the Year 5 children are going to Castleton and the Year 6 children to the Kingswood near Penistone.
COMPUTERS
Computers are widely used across the curriculum through our well developed ICT system. All children have the opportunity to develop ICT skills and use appropriate software to enhance their learning. We have a network of computers that have access to the Barnsley Intranet. This gives the children an opportunity to use the internet through a protected system. We use wireless linked lap tops enabling all children to use them in a cross curricular way and the interactive whiteboards are used as a teaching aid for further developing ICT skills. In addition, we have a set of i Pads and are continually developing our ICT systems in order to keep pace with changes in technology.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Children have a P.E. lesson at least twice a week and they require a suitable P.E. Kit. (T. shirt and shorts). Also, children will need footwear for outdoor games (trainers or pumps). It is a Local Authority ruling that children are not allowed to wear any jewellery while taking part in a P.E. lesson. This means ear rings must be removed.
SWIMMING
Children in Year 4 attend swimming lessons at Hoyland Swimming Pool. At the end of last year all children had reached the standard required by the National Curriculum, many were far beyond this standard.
SPORT
All children take part in sport as a part of their P.E. lessons. We offer children after school activities in sports. At the moment karate, dance and football are offered.
The schools' sporting aims are:-
1. To provide physical activity and healthy lifestyle
2. To develop positive attitudes and observe the conventions of honest and fair play
3. To ensure safe practice
Initially we teach basic game skills then build up to small group situations in Football, Netball, Cricket, Rounders, Hockey and Tennis. This leads to full team sports abiding by primary school rules. There is a well-equipped gymnasium and large playing field and an enclosed multi purpose sports area on the schoolyard. We have the Active Mark which recognises our commitment to sport and we regularly participate in inter school competitions.
ARTS
We have a strong commitment to the Arts. All children are given the opportunity to develop their artistic skills and we take pride in displaying a high standard of work in school. We positively encourage all children to participate in our school performances. We try to stimulate their creative development through first hand experiences such as observation of the local environment, visiting performers and visits to local art galleries and theatres. As part of developing the Arts we have achieved the Gold Arts Mark which recognises all the extra opportunities we give children to develop their artistic skills. We have a strong emphasis on drama as a means of developing skills in Speaking and Listening.
SEX EDUCATION
The Sex Education Policy is incorporated into our school Health Policy. The Y5 and Y6 children are taught Sex Education through a school’s T.V. programme and parents will be notified in advance if they wish to withdraw their child from the lesson.