UPLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Church Road Bexleyheath

Kent DA7 4DG

Tel: 020 8303 2175 Fax: 020 8301 1635

Email:

Upland Primary School is a community school maintained by

Bexley London Borough

Directorate of Education and Leisure Services

Hill View Drive

Welling Kent DA16 3RY

Director of Education: Deborah Absolem

Head Teacher:Mrs Gillian Rabey

Deputy Head Teacher:Mrs Patricia Baker

School Secretary:Ms Diane Parry

School Bursar:Mrs Audrey Bunce

Chair of Governors:Mr Paul Baker

c/o Upland Primary School

Clerk to the Governors:Mrs H Mash

Hill View Drive Welling

Number on roll:420 plus 52 Nursery places

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upland Primary School is a 2 form entry school with classes of up to 30 children. The Nursery class takes 26 children each morning and afternoon session. The school is divided into three phases:

  • Foundation stage ~ Nursery and Reception classes
  • Key Stage 1 ~ Years 1 and 2
  • Key Stage 2 ~ Year 3, 4, 5 and 6

Admission arrangements are determined by the London Borough of Bexley and are detailed in their booklet “Admission to Primary Schools” which is available from the school.

MISSION STATEMENT

AIMS

Upland Primary School will enable all children to reach their full potential by:

  • Developing excellence and enjoyment in teaching and learning
  • Building partnerships with parents, carers and the wider community in an

inclusive and challenging environment

OBJECTIVES

  • To create a fun and challenging learning environment
  • To create a culture of openness, understanding and mutual respect
  • To ensure and maintain a safe and secure environment
  • To create a team-working ethos
  • To promote high standards and diversity amongst staff through encouragement and training, to enhance their personal development and to meet the aims and objectives of the school
  • To monitor and evaluate use of resources to ensure all objectives are met
  • To encourage joint responsibility of school and parents/carers for the children’s education, social development and well being
  • To build and expand relationships in the wider community

Section One

  • Punctuality
  • The School Day
  • School uniform
  • PE clothing
  • Art Clothing
  • Equal Opportunities
  • Health and Pastoral Care
  • Absence
  • Annual Holiday
  • School Meals
  • Free School Meals
  • Milk
  • Fruit and Water
  • Parent’s Association
  • Charging Policy
  • Academic Year
  • Absences
  • Secondary Transfer
  • Data Protection Act

Section Two

  • Behaviour
  • Bullying
  • Homework
  • Music Tuition
  • Clubs

Section Three

  • School Standards
  • Foundation Stage Unit

Key Stage One and Key Stage Two

  • Literacy
  • The Library
  • Numeracy
  • Science
  • ICT
  • Geography
  • History
  • Music
  • Art
  • Design and Technology
  • Physical Education
  • Religious Education
  • Modern Foreign language
  • Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship
  • Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)
  • School Forum
  • Special Educational Needs
  • Sex Education
  • Parent’s evening and reports
  • Assemblies
  • Complaints

Section Four

  • The Staff
  • The Governing Body
Section One

Punctuality

Please ensure your child arrives at school on time. They should be in the playground when the bell is rung. If however your child is late please go to the school office via the main entrance and sign in the Late Book on arrival. The Head Teacher and the Educational Welfare Officer monitor lateness on a regular basis. We do understand that anyone may have a problem occasionally but are concerned for those children who are frequently late. Lateness affects a child’s learning and causes disruption to the rest of the class.

The School Day

Nursery

09.00 – 11.30morning session

12.45 – 15.15afternoon session

Reception

8.50am – 15.10pm

Key Stage One

08.55 – 12.00morning session

10.30- 10.55Playtime

12.00 – 13.15lunchtime

13.15 – 15.15afternoon session

Key Stage Two

08.50 – 12.10morning session

10.55 – 11.10playtime

12.10 – 13.10lunchtime

14.10 – 14.20Playtime

13.10 – 15.20afternoon session

The length of the school year is determined by Act of Parliament and arranged by the LEA. Each school has to arrange five staff development days per year within term time. Most, but not all, are arranged next to holidays to keep disruption to a minimum. Sometimes the school will have to be closed due to unforeseen circumstances or when the buildings are required for use as a polling station. In the event of severe weather you can find out about school closures by logging on to

School uniform

The school uniform is:-

Shirt or blousewhite

Jumper or cardigannavy (these may be purchased from the school office with the school badge)

Skirtnavy/grey

Trousersgrey - if your daughter prefers to wear trousers, they should be smart navy or grey. Jeans are not considered suitable.

Summer dressesif worn, should be blue/white stripe or check.

Shoesblack. Trainers and other casual wear are not considered suitable for general school use.

In the interests of safety, no jewellery may be worn at school except for one pair of stud earrings (for those children with pierced ears) and a watch. These must be able to be removed by the child for all PE, games and swimming lessons as school staff are not allowed to help with this. Teachers ask that the reception class children should not wear earrings as they have a physical activity session every day.

If you wish to have your child’s ears pierced, please do so at the start of the summer holiday so that they are able to remove their earrings on their return in September. At other times your child would miss PE lessons as we are told that newly pierced earrings should not be removed for the first few weeks.

PE Clothing

The children require navy shorts and white T-shirts. For indoor lessons, plimsolls are needed or the children may work in bare feet. For outdoor lessons trainers may be worn. These items should be kept in a bag, clearly named. During the winter months it is advisable for the children to have warm clothing (track suits, sweatshirts or jumpers as well as their usual T-shirts). In the interests of safety please ensure that footwear is in good condition and well fitting.

Art Clothing

This is essential. A large old shirt will do to prevent your child’s new jumper or dress becoming a Picasso masterpiece !

In the interest of time and economy, please ensure all items of your child’s personal property are clearly marked with his or her name.

In Key Stage 2 lost property boxes are situated in the cloakrooms. Children are encouraged to look after their own property and search for any missing items.

Equal Opportunities

Our school aims to provide for the education of all children who come to us, regardless of race or gender. We endeavor to foster attitudes of respect and tolerance and to provide a happy learning environment for everyone, free from prejudice.

Health and Pastoral Care

During the first year your child will have a routine medical examination. It is important that all relevant information about your child’s health is given.

A school nurse is present at all medical examinations. If you wish to ask her advice the school secretary will arrange an appointment for you. The school nurse also makes home visits when appropriate.

It is Local Education Authority and school policy NOT to give medicine in school, but you may visit school at any time to give medicine to your child.

CHILDREN MUST NOT HAVE MEDICINE WITH THEM IN SCHOOL

However, if there are exceptional circumstances, please call in to the office to discuss.

If your child is asthmatic, we make arrangements to keep the inhaler in school. Please put your child’s name clearly on the inhaler and check regularly to ensure the use-by date has not expired.

Minor accidents are treated in school. If there is any cause for concern parents are contacted. Staff with first aid qualifications are available to treat your child. We request that parents keep their child’s teacher informed of any circumstances which might affect their child’s well-being.

Absence

We are legally required to ensure that all absences are ‘authorised’.

Should your child be absent:

Either

  • telephone the school on the first day of absence on 020 8303 2175 and press 1 for the absence line.
  • oremail the school on .
  • an explanatory letter is required on your child’s return.

Medical or dental appointments should be notified in advance if possible.

Annual Holiday

Holidays taken during term time form a major part of absence figures – from now on, schools’ no longer have a ‘Holiday Form’ for you to complete to request a child’s absence – instead you will need to write to your child’s head teacher and explain why a holiday during term time cannot be avoided. Only holidays will be considered for authorisation where a parent as an employee is prevented from taking holidays outside term-time. Evidence from the employer should also be sent with the letter. The misconception that ‘nothing happens’ in the last fortnight before the summer break is also something that all our schools are committed to address. Teaching and learning continue to the end of term in order to maximise each day of the school year.

School meals

Children may bring a packed lunch or have a school meal. Our school meals are cooked on the premises. Every effort is made to provide healthier options and staff encourage the children to try these. There is always a selection and a menu is sent out regularly.

Meals cost £2.00 per day (£10.00 per week) payable at the beginning of the week (Monday mornings). If paying by cheque please make it payable to ‘London Borough of Bexley’.

Children starting or stopping school dinners should do so at the beginning of each term. However, if necessary a change can be made at half term but this should be requested in writing (forms available from the office).

We ask that pupils do not bring hot drinks or fizzy drinks to school (in the interest of safety and cleanliness). Water is available for all pupils. We encourage children to show good manners whilst eating lunch and enjoy their mealtime chatting quietly to friends. Many children need help to cut food with their knife or help to open packages. Please help them to be independent by practising at home.

The children are not allowed to bring sweets or chewing gum to school.

Free School Meals

If you are receiving the following you may be entitled for free school meals:

  • Income support; or,
  • Income based Employment and Support Allowance; or,
  • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance; or,
  • Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and have an income of £15,575 or below from 6th April 2008.
  • Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.

Families in receipt of Working Tax Credit or other support payments, apart from those mentioned above are not entitled to Free School Meals.

If you think your child may be entitled to free school meals please contact the School office.

Milk

If you would like your child to receive milk each day, complete and return the form to the office by the end of the previous term.

Fruit and Water

The school is part of the National Fruit Scheme. This provides a piece of fresh fruit, free each day for the children in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

Key Stage 2 children are encouraged to bring fruit from home to enjoy at morning break.

Children are also encouraged to bring water to drink throughout the day. They may of course use the drinking fountains around the school.

Parents’ Association

The Parents’ Association is a group of people who help the school in a variety of ways.

A major role of the Parents Association is fund-raising activities. These vary from year to year, but often include a Christmas Bazaar, Raffle, Quiz Night and maybe a Disco. Each event is organised by a small group of interested volunteers.

Funds are used to pay for treats for the children such as Christmas parties and pantomime.

The social side is equally important, therefore some activities are organised as purely social events.

Charging Policy

There will be occasions when classes undertake visits or activities which, while they are not an essential part of the curriculum, nevertheless may be regarded as desirable because they promote a deeper understanding or appreciation of a subject by giving pupils first hand experience.

It is the policy of Upland Primary School to ask parents to make a voluntary contribution to the School Fund to cover the cost of such an activity as is occurs. Parents in extreme financial hardship are asked to contact the Head Teacher directly.

Academic Year 2010-2011 (all dates inclusive)

Autumn Term 2010Thursday 2ndSeptember to Friday 17th December

except half term Monday 25th October to Friday 29thOctober

Spring Term 2011Thursday6th January to Friday 8thApril

except half term Monday 21stFebruary to Friday 25th February

Summer Term 2011Wednesday27th April to Friday 22ndJuly

except half term Monday 30thMay to Friday 3rdJune

Bank Holiday Monday 2ndMay

As the school is used as a Polling Station, additional closures will be necessary when there are elections.

Absences

In 2009/2010average attendance is 95.12%

The percentage of sessions missed through authorised absences was 3.42%

The percentage of sessions missed through unauthorised absences was 1.46%

Secondary Transfer

At the end of the academic year 2009/10, Year 6pupils transferred to the following Secondary Schools:

Bexleyheath SchoolSt Catherine’s

Erith SchoolSt Columba’s

Hurstmere SchoolTownley Grammar

Trinity C of E SchoolHaberdashers’Aske’s

Welling SchoolBusiness Academy

Cleeve Park School Blackfen School

Harris Academy Wilmington Grammar

Data Protection Act

Schools, local education authorities and the Department for Education and Skills (the government department which deals with education) all hold information on pupils in order to run the education system and in doing so have to follow the Data Protection Act 1998. This means, amongst other things, that the data held about pupils must only be used for specific purposes allowed by law. We are therefore writing to tell you about the types of data held, why that data is held and to whom it may be passed on.

The school holds information on pupils in order to support their teaching and learning, to monitor and report on their progress, to provide appropriate pastoral care and to assess how well the school as a whole is doing. This information includes contact details, National Curriculum assessment results, attendance information, characteristics suchas ethnic group, special educational needs and any relevant medical information.

From time to time we are required to pass on some of this data to the Local Authority (LA), to another school to which the pupil is transferring, to the Department for Children Schools & Families (DCSF) and to Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), which is responsible for the National Curriculum and associated assessment arrangements.

The Local Authority uses information about pupils to carry out specific functions for which it is responsible, such as the assessment of any special educational needs the pupil may have. It also uses the information to derive statistics to inform decisions on (for example) the funding of schools and to assess the performance of schools and set targets for them. The statistics are used in such a way that individual pupils cannot be identified from them.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority uses information about pupils to administer the National Curriculum tests and assessments for Key Stages 1 to 3. The results of these are passed on to DCSF in order for it to compile statistics on trends and patterns in levels of achievement. The QCA uses the information to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Curriculum and the associated assessment arrangements and to ensure that these are continually improved.

The Department for Children Schools & Families uses information about pupils for statistical purposes, to evaluate and develop education policy and to monitor the performance of the education service as a whole. The statistics (including those based on information provided by the QCA) are used in such a way that individual pupils cannot be identified from them. The DCFS will feed back to LAs and schools information about their pupils where they are lacking this information because it was not passed on by a former school. On occasion information may be shared with other Government departments or agencies strictly for statistical or research purposes only.

Section Two
Behaviour

It is a primary aim of our school that every member of the school community feels valued and respected and that each person is treated fairly and well. The school behavior policy is designed to support the way in which all members of the school can play and work together. It aims to promote an environment where everyone feels happy, safe and secure.

We hold high expectations for our children’s behavior. We encourage children to show politeness and consideration to each other and to all adults.

The rules we have are made with the children are based on safety, respect and good manners. Opportunities are given for children to discuss, learn and understand the importance of good behaviour.

Please support us in our efforts to ensure that your child is happy, busily employed, aware of the importance of goods standards of work and behaviour and conscious of their responsibility towards society.

Bullying in School

Sadly, bullying is likely to occur in all walks of life and in every type of school. At Upland Primary pupils, staff, parents and governors have worked together to make an effective policy to deal with any bullying. We define bullying as deliberately and consistently upsetting someone. Incidents may take various forms and may be of a physical, verbal or emotional nature.

Pupils learn that the only way to stop bullying is to tell somebody - a friend, a member of staff or their parents. We always take bullying seriously. Once the school knows what is happening we investigate the incident, speaking separately to the bully and victim. Sanctions are taken according to the school behavior policy and appropriate staff are made aware of the problem to ensure there is no recurrence. Parents of both the victim and the bully are informed too. Afterwards there is a meeting of the victim and all those involved, where they have the opportunity to talk about the problem and find ways of solving it. The children’s suggestions are tried in the following days. A week later a further meeting is arranged to assess the situation. It is recognized that both the bully and the victim may also need help with their relationships or help to increase their self esteem.