Lea & Garsdon CE Primary School
Prospectus
The Street
Lea
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9PG
01666 823534
Contents Page
A Welcome from the Head Teacher
Our Vision
About our School
Joining Our School
Reception Year
Information Evening for New Parents of Reception Children
Starting Times and Settling in for Reception Children
The School Day
School Uniform
Footwear
School Lunches
Milk and Snacks
Absence
Extra-curricular Activities
Meetings with Parents
School Council and Collective Worship groups
The School Governors
The PTA
The Parents
Curriculum and Learning
A passion for Learning
The National Curriculum
Assessment
SATs
OFSTED
Educational Visits
Homework
Collective Worship and Religious Education
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Special Educational Needs
Children with Disabilities
Equal Opportunities
Racist Incidents
Discipline
Anti-Bullying Policy
Child Protection
Asthma
Administration of Medicines
Emergency Contact Number
Jewellery
Toys
Road Safety
Emergency School Closure
Parentmail
Transfer
Complaints Procedure
Appendix A - Staff List
Appendix B - School Governors
Appendix C – KS2 School and National Level Data
A Welcome from the Head Teacher
Dear Parents and Carers
Lea and Garsdon CE Primary School is a unique school where we pride ourselves on the warm welcome we extend to all those who come to us – both children and adults. Our dedicated team of teachers and support staff aim to work in partnership with you to provide the best possible learning opportunities for your child, so that they can reach their full potential in all areas of life.
We encourage all potential new parents to visit us to find out about our school and to read this brochure. For children starting their reception year with us there will be a rigorous induction process to ensure that the transition goes as smoothly as possible for children and parents. For children joining mid-year we agree a suitable induction on a pupil by pupil basis.
For those of you considering sending your child to Lea and Garsdon CE Primary School this brochure should answer some of the questions you may have about your child’s education and about this school. For parents of our current children this will offer new and up to date information for the current school year.
Your first point of contact at school is likely to be Mrs Goodey, our Admin Officer, who can be contacted on 01666 823534 or . Mrs Goodey will be happy to answer any queries or point you in the right direction if she doesn’t know the answer. Our main form of communication with parents is through our weekly newsletter which comes out each Tuesday. Look out for it as it has all the latest school news in.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us. If there is anything else you think we should have added to this brochure please let us know by completing the form at the end, so that we can make it even more informative for other parents.
I look forward to meeting you and your child.
Kay Vousden
Headteacher
Our Vision
Is of a school community made up of happy, confident, competent learners who play a valuable role in improving the world. The Christian ethos of the school is central to all that we do in developing a nurturing, friendly, safe and stimulating environment, where everyone strives for their best, has tolerance and empathy for others and aspires to excellence.
We aim to live according to the following values to enable us to meet our vision:
Friendship
Respect
Honesty
Inclusion
Excellence
“The determined leadership of the headteacher, strong teamwork and effective governance have brought about sustained improvements to teaching and to pupils’ achievement.” OFSTED 2015
About our School
Lea and Garsdon CE Primary School is a small village school for boys and girls aged 4 to 11 years. The number of children taught at the school is around 100.
We are an experienced team of staff at Lea and Garsdon School. We work hard to create an environment that allows each child to fulfil their potential academically and socially, so that they leave us ready to face new challenges with confidence and excitement. See Appendix A for Staff List.
As is common with many village schools, our children are taught in classes of mixed year groups.
From September 2016 our children will be taught across five classes in the morning and four classes in the afternoon:
Hedgehogs: Reception and Year 1
Foxes: Years 1 and 2
Otters: Years 3 and 4
Owls: Years 5 and 6
(Otters & Owls are split into small classes for Maths & English in the morning).
Joining Our School
Children come from the school’s catchment area of Lea and the surrounding villages. Many parents from nearby Malmesbury also choose to send their children to our school as they value the small, friendly, village approach to primary education.
Our Admissions Policy can be found on our website or ask at reception if you would like a paper copy. Parents need to apply by the middle of January for their child to start their Reception year in September of the same year. Applications should be made to Wiltshire Council at County Hall using their Admissions Form. This is available via the Wiltshire Council website, www.wiltshire.gov.uk.
Reception Year
Children join us for their Reception Year (part of the Foundation Stage of your child’s education) in the September after their 4th birthday.
We invite all parents of children starting school to attend a consultation meeting with a member of the Foundation Stage staff during the summer term before your child starts. At this meeting you will be able to share with us information that will help us to settle your child into school and meet their unique needs.
Foundation Stage staff have contact with local playgroups, preschools and nurseries throughout the year. During the summer term before your child starts school, induction meetings and visits are arranged for you and your child so that you get to know the staff and become familiar with the school routines.
“The early years provision is well led and managed” OFSTED 2015
Observations
Much of how the Early Years Foundation Stage is assessed is through observation during child initiated activities, activities chosen and carried out by a child without any adult intervention. This is how children demonstrate secure knowledge and understanding in specific areas of learning. Although a great deal of planning and learning takes place in the classroom, consolidation of knowledge can also occur at home, ‘spontaneously’ as a child plays. It would therefore provide us with a clearer picture of your child’s progression if there are any moments at home that can be recorded as ‘evidence’ of your child’s knowledge and understanding across the different areas of learning. This can be done on any piece of paper and popped inside their reading record or handed to the class teacher in person.
Information Evening for New Parents of Reception Children
An information evening for parents is arranged in the Summer Term before your child starts. This is a good opportunity to learn a little more about our daily routines and how your child will be taught. It also provides a good opportunity to meet the other Reception Year parents and to ask any questions you may have.
Starting Times and Settling in for Reception Children
As a period of adjustment, all children begin in September with a few days where they come to school until 12 noon and then a few more days where they stay until 1.00pm before staying for the full day. If you think that your child is not yet ready for full time education we are happy to discuss part time options that we can build up to full time to support their transition. If you think this might be the best approach for your child, please speak to the class teacher.
The School Day
Our school day begins at 8.50am. A bell is rung and the children line up on the playground and are then led into their classrooms. Children may arrive from 8.40am when we have a supervisor in the playground.
We have one lunch sitting, which includes both children having hot school lunches and packed lunches. Lunchtime starts at 12.00 noon and runs until 1.00pm.
The school day ends at 3.05pm when the children should be collected from the playground. The teacher will not let your child go with anyone other than yourself unless you have spoken to them about this or written a note explaining who will collect them each day. We will ask you what your child’s usual home time arrangements are and will ask you to let us know if these change. If your child usually goes home on the bus it is very important to let us know if they will not be doing so for any reason to prevent us holding up the bus unnecessarily.
Car Parking
We ask that parents do not park in or on the corner of School Lane (next to the school) or on the grass verge by the school wall. This makes it very difficult for the school buses to turn and is a safety hazard for children crossing the road. We encourage children to walk to school even if for only part of the journey and to car share wherever possible.
Arriving At School
The bell is rung at 8.50am and the children line up, Reception and Year 1 class line up by the small gate to the play area outside their classroom. The children then enter their own class cloakroom area, change into indoor shoes and hang up any coats etc. Book bags are placed in the appropriate box and lunch boxes and a water bottle on the appropriate trolleys. Please could you try to ensure that your child arrives on time as it is disruptive for the rest of the class when children arrive late. If there is bad weather – rain or ice - the children enter the school as soon as they arrive (after 8.30am). Children should not be at school before 8.40am as there is no adequate adult supervision before this time.
School Uniform
The school uniform consists of a blue sweatshirt or cardigan with logo, grey bottoms and a white or pale blue polo t-shirt or shirt. In the summer navy gingham or striped dresses are allowed. Sweatshirts, cardigans and fleeces with the school logo can be purchased from the School Office. All children should also have a warm coat in the winter and a sun hat for the summer.
For PE children will need a PE bag containing a white or pale blue t-shirt, navy shorts and daps for indoor PE and trainers for outdoor PE. In addition those children in Hedgehog Class will also require a pair of wellies, as they often venture out on “Welly Walks”.
All items of clothing should be clearly marked with your child’s name.
Footwear
We have a system of wearing clean shoes for inside and change into outdoor shoes at play time, which may get dirty as we use the school field for as long as possible. School shoes should be black. You therefore have a choice as to what you wear in and out. Some children wear their daps or slippers indoors and their school shoes outside. Others wear their school shoes inside and bring outdoor shoes including wellies for playtime. Our aim is to allow children to play on the field for as long as possible in the year, while keeping the school carpets clean enough for children to sit on.
School Lunches
All Reception, year 1 and year 2 children are entitled to a free hot school meal. Hot School Lunches and school packed lunches are available if ordered in advance, alternatively your child can bring in a packed lunch.
Milk and Snacks
Children are entitled to receive milk daily free of charge until they are 5 years old. In order to receive this you will need to register with Coolmilk, more information is available from the School Office. If you would like your child to continue to have milk beyond their fifth birthday then this is available via Coolmilk at a cost.
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are provided with a piece of fresh fruit or vegetables every morning. Or if you prefer they can bring their own ‘healthy snack’.
Absence
If your child is absent from school due to illness please contact the school as soon as possible. We will contact a parent or carer if we have not been notified of a child’s absence by 9.30am. Please try to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours if possible to prevent disruption to your child’s learning.
We encourage you to take family holidays during the school holidays to prevent disruption to your child’s learning. It is very difficult for children to catch up on days missed from school. If you feel that there are ‘exceptional’ circumstances to support a term time absence, please complete a ‘Request for Absence Form’ which is available via the school website or from the School Office and your request for authorised absence will be considered.
Extra-curricular Activities
We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities to enrich the variety of experiences available for children. In the past they have included; multi sports, gardening, art club, drama and orienteering. They are updated regularly so see the weekly newsletter for details. Some of these clubs are run by teachers, some by parents, volunteers, sports groups or external providers. Places are allocated initially on a first come first served basis, however people on the waiting list will be rotated into the group at the beginning of a new term.
We are always looking to extend the range of activities and would be pleased to hear your suggestions, especially if you would like to help run an activity.
Meetings with Parents
We have a series of meetings when parents are invited to come to school to discuss their children’s progress with their class teacher and Headteacher as appropriate. We have our first Parent Teacher meeting during the first term so that we can discuss how your child has settled into their new class or school year. We meet again in February or March to discuss your child’s progress. We write annual reports in July and there will be an opportunity to see your child’s work and talk to their teacher if you wish, following this report.
These are pre-arranged meetings. However, if you have any queries or concerns at all, at any time during the school year, we hope that you will come and talk to us. You can see your child’s class teacher informally for a quick word most afternoons, but a pre-arranged appointment with them is preferable if you need more than a couple of minutes, as teachers have meetings most nights once the children have gone home.
School Council and Collective Worship groups
We involve the children in many aspects of the running of the school so that they feel engaged in their School and respect and care for it. Children contribute to the development of our School in a wide variety of ways, especially through our very active School Council and Collective Worship groups.
The School Governors
The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring the highest possible quality of education in the school. It is accountable primarily to the parents and to the wider community. It focuses on raising standards of achievement, establishing and maintaining high expectations and promoting effective teaching and learning. It aims to achieve this by drawing on the knowledge and expertise of the teaching staff and individual governors, providing support and advice and acting as a communications link between parents and the school.
A full list of our governors can be found on our website and is attached as Appendix B.
The PTA
The Parent Teacher Association is a wonderfully supportive group, which organises a range of social, practical and fund-raising events throughout the year. These include film nights and a disco for the children, together with a summer fete and Christmas fair. In recent years, the PTA has provided the school with additional laptops, library books as well as developing our outside play areas.
Details of the PTA committee and current fundraising activities can be found on the school website. They are always happy to welcome new members.
The Parents
There are many ways in which we can work together to the benefit of the children as individuals or the school as a whole. This can be on an occasional basis or on a more regular basis depending on circumstances, working within the school or with your child at home, helping them to practise their reading, number facts or specific targets which are set each term. We are very grateful for this support.
We are delighted that so many parents help in school. Some examples of the help parents give include listening to children read, working with groups of children on practical activities, and working alongside children on computers. Whatever your interest we will welcome you and value your contribution.