COLBY SCHOOL
BRIDGE ROAD
COLBY
NORWICH
NORFOLK NR11 7EA
*
TEL: 01263 733381
FAX: 01263 731300
EMAIL:
Web Address:
School Motto:
‘We treat others as we wish to be treated’
CONTENTS
Page No
2 Contents
3 Preface
4 Introduction
5 Members of Staff
6 Governing Body
7 Admissions
8 English
9 Maths / Science
10 ICT / Sex Education / RE / Home/School Agreement
11 Learning Support / Homework
12 Parents’ Evenings / School Links
13 Communications / School Meals
14 Transport / Helping Hands
15 Medical and Dentals Care / Uniform
16 Educational Visits Policy & Risk Assessment/Behaviour in School
17 Extra Curriculum Activities
18 Making a Complaint / When Things Go Right
19 Administration of Medicine / Child Protection
20 Term Dates / School Hours
21 Friends of Colby Shcool – the PTA
Glossary
SEN – Information for Parents
Home School Agreement forms
Homework Policy
Photography in School and Permission Slip
Internet Guidelines and Permission Slip
School Admission Form
OfSTED Report March 2009
PREFACE
If you are new parents to Colby School, we welcome you and look forward to a happy and successful association over the coming years. If you already have a child here, or have had in the past, we look forward to furthering our links between you and the school.
The information in this brochure will tell you something about Colby School, its aims and objectives, organisation, management and curriculum.
You should be aware, however, that this is only an introduction. You will find out more about the school from newsletters, meeting with teachers and attending events. Our very pleasing Ofsted Report (March 2009) can be found at www.ofsted.gov.uk.
We would like parents to feel welcome, to be part of the life of the school and, by encouraging a close relationship between teachers, parents, and pupils, to provide a suitable environment for each individual to develop academically and socially. Some of you may also like to offer to help in some way during the school day.
We hope you will enjoy your visits to the school and that, by working together, we can ensure that it is a place where parents, teachers, visitors and, most of all, the children enjoy coming.
Christine Mead
Headteacher – December 2009
1
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Colby School educates children from 5-11 years old. The catchment area includes the villages of Colby, Banningham, Felmingham and Suffield, through which the school bus currently runs.
The school opened in 1880 and the building still retains much of its Victorian legacy. The main building houses four large classrooms, three of which were recently added. We have one class in a mobile. Viewing the artwork in newly refurbished hall/dining room is a must. We also have a library, three toilet areas, a disabled toilet, a kitchen, and school office. The outside play area includes a large tarmac playground and covered quiet area, extensive grassed playing fields, climbing apparatus, a wildlife pond and children’s gardens. There is a staff car park. The newly opened Field Study Centre was converted from two old sheds and now houses the school’s ICT Suite.
The school children have a happy, friendly outlook at Colby and provide a welcoming and cheerful atmosphere, demonstrating the school motto.
THE PEOPLE WHO LOOK AFTER YOUR CHILDREN AT SCHOOL
Teaching Staff
Mrs Christine Mead -Headteacher
Mrs Catherine Williams – Teacher – Amber Class (Reception)– Head of Key Stage 1
Mrs Judit Ward - Teacher - Sapphire Class
Mrs Mary Longhurst - Teacher – Emerald Class
Mrs Alex Jellings – Teacher - Emerald Class
Mrs Wendy Towers – Teacher – Ruby Class
Mrs Christine Mead -Teacher – Ruby Class
Mr Gavin Frost – Teacher – Amethyst Class – Head of Key Stage 2
Classroom Assistants
Mrs Lynn Brown
Mrs Elizabeth Moulton
Mr Simon Mead
Mrs Angie Ryan
Mrs Pat Wymer
Mrs Georgina Wright
Mr Mike Townsend
Miss Harriet Gray
Secretaries
Mrs Ann Mackenzie
Mrs Helene Smith
Cleaner in charge
Mrs Sylvia Demmen
Dining Room Supervisor
Mrs Kim Platton
Midday Supervisors
Mrs Barbara Cook
Mrs Jenny Hazel Mrs Beryl Wood
Mrs Maureen Canham
THE GOVERNING BODY
Governors are a group of interested people who, along with the Headteacher, make decisions about how the school is to be run. They meet twice a term at school and are appointed by certain bodies such as the Local Education Authority, parents, the community and so on.
Colby School Governors
Dr David Clarke - Chair - Community Governor
Mrs Margarette Rebbeck -Vice Chair - Community Governor
Mrs Helene Smith – Clerk to the Governors
Mrs Christine Mead -Headteacher
Mr Jim Papworth - LEA Governor
Mrs Patricia Spencer - LEA Governor
Mrs Pauline Garnham - Community Governor
Reverend Susan Smith - Community Governor
Mr Stuart Clarke -Community Governor
Mrs Paola Cumiskey-WrightParent Governor
Mrs Hannah Daugaard-HansenParent Governor
Mrs Denise Duffield -Parent Governor
Mrs Sarah Mount -Parent Governor
Mrs Diane Smith -Parent Governor
Mrs Catherine Williams – Staff Governor
Mrs Ann Mackenzie – Staff Governor
Mr Eric Allaway - Associate Governor
Our Governing Body provides active and strong support to school management. It informs parents of the main points discussed at the meetings in a regular newsletter, and the minutes of the meeting are available in the school office. As parents you will be notified when the next parent governor elections are to be held – the term of office is four years.
ADMISSIONS
We are advised by the Local Education Authority (LEA) on this point. Children who live within the school catchment area have priority registering, followed by those with siblings already in the school, followed by those children who live out of the catchment area. Registration closes at the end of March. At Colby every child whose birthday is before February 28th enters full time education in September. Pupils who are five between March and August attend school for five mornings a week until January when they are admitted full time.
a) For first admissions (Reception) registration is made through the LEA at County Hall. School also requires that an admissions form is completed and returned to the school office.
b) For children moving into the area or changing schools, parents are given an admissions form to complete and return to the school office.
There are certain mornings during the year when children joining the school are welcome to visit with their parents or carers and to meet Mrs Williams, the class teacher. Those interested to see the school may also come along. C.A.S.H., the Parent-Teacher Association organises coffee mornings, often combined with a little performance by some pupils, to which interested parents are welcome to attend.
The school’s Special Needs Policies are inclusive and ensures that teaching is specifically designed for the individual child. These policies are in place to meet the needs of all pupils with special needs whether it be the less or the more able child.
Wheelchair access is available to areas of the main building and is also in-place for the mobile classrooms if required.
CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND THE CURRICULUM
The pupils at Colby are given the opportunity to “discover, enquire, investigate, make judgements and evaluate the world and all its complexities”.
Classroom environments, resources and educational visits and visitors are all planned to stimulate and challenge children in order to provide a context for effective learning. Individual and group work are encouraged so that children may discover answers to their own questions through research, enquiry, observation, experimentation and guidance by their teacher. Children will be expected to work at their own individual level of ability.
English
A daily English lesson is timetabled in each class. Within this subject the children develop as competent readers and writers, and as confident speakers and listeners. Children are encouraged to read description and stories they have written themselves, to each other, to adult helpers and occasionally the whole school during assembly.
The children use written expression, e.g. about their experiences, descriptions, stories, letter and script writing. We do care about handwriting and correct spelling but there are other important qualities in children’s written work. When we assess work with children we look for effective communication, style, ideas and content as well as spelling and punctuation.
The spoken word has a high priority in our society. We plan a range of opportunities for children to develop as speakers and listeners. For example children will talk to each other, to adults, to groups and larger audiences. These occasions may be pre-planned or spontaneous. They may retell a story, argue a point of view or explain an idea. This underpins the whole curriculum as we work towards making Colby a ‘Thinking’ school.
Mathematics
A daily Mathematics lesson is held in each class. Through mathematics we aim to develop children’s awareness and concept of number, measurement and shape. Children are taught basic mathematical skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and have to apply them in problem solving situations and mathematical games. They are also taught to look for order, relationships and pattern in groups of objects, to show information pictorially (e.g. graphs and diagrams) as well as in words and figures.
Science
Science is about making sense of the world around us. In their science work, children will be developing their powers of observation, investigation and interpretation.
For example when exploring foods and fruits children may ask such questions as: how long will it take for a piece of fruit to begin to decay, how long can we keep food fresh, in what conditions will the sunflower seed grow? By posing questions and hypothesising, children are able to devise experiments to test their ideas. Recording their findings and drawing conclusions helps children extend their understanding.
Health Education is taught as an integral part of the Science curriculum at all
levels and is fitted to the age and maturity level of the children in the lesson.
Sex Education is addressed in Years 5 and 6. It is taught through planned class lessons with the aid of a video and other resources.
Parents are encouraged to view the video before it is shown to the class, and are also entitled to withdraw their child from the sex education class if they so wish.
A copy of the Sex Education Policy is available for inspection at the school.
Information Communication Technology
Our children are growing up in a world that uses computers in a variety of ways. We have a responsibility to prepare them to face the fast changing opportunities and challenges that information technology poses.
At school we view the computer as a tool to assist children in the learning process. Pupils use ICT to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information in an appropriate manner.
We believe that all of our children, whatever their ability, should have many opportunities to work on the computer, extending their ICT knowledge, skills and understanding. Pupils have at least one hour a week learning, developing and using new ICT skills.
We currently have eighteen computers and this area is being extended. All classrooms have their own computers. All classrooms have Interactive Whiteboards.
Sex Education.
Sex Education is an integral part of our PSHE curriculum, as well as part of the Science curriculum. It is essential that every child learns about him or herself, to respect themselves and others in a relaxed way, free from fear or doubt.
The school believes that sex education should be a partnership between teachers and parents to ensure sensitive support for children as they grow and mature. Parents may, if they wish, withdraw their children from all or part of the sex education provided, except that which is part of the Science National Curriculum.
French
All pupils in Years 4, 5 & 6 receive an hour of French every week.
Religious Education
We respect and explore other faiths as well as Christianity through our class teaching and in our assemblies.
Daily Collective Worship
An act of Collective Worship, mainly of a broadly Christian character, is held daily. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from assemblies and should they wish to do so are asked to discuss this with the Headteacher.
Home/School Agreement
Education is a partnership between parents and teachers and pupils. At Colby we sign an agreement to clarify responsibilities. There is an example at the back of this prospectus.
LEARNING SUPPORT
All children are different and some have particular problems. At Colby School we have a special programme which identifies at reception age those children who require additional support. Work is carefully planned, monitored and reviewed to make sure that all the children who need extra help receive it. We are also able to call on the support and advice of the County’s Learning Support Advisory Teacher and Educational Psychologist.
We also identify the more able children who have their own particular needs. These pupils receive extra support to accelerate their learning.
An information sheet for parents that refers to the Code is to be found at the back of this prospectus.
A copy of the Norfolk Curriculum Policy Statement, adopted by the school, is also available for inspection at the school.
HOMEWORK
Homework is set every week, beginning in Amber Class. This activity is very much a learning partnership between child, parent and school. We expect parents to read together with their children regularly.
If we are to continue to succeed in our teaching, we require your support. If your child is to achieve his/her full potential, he/she will need your aid as well as that of the teachers. The task of educating children is not dependant on school alone, but on co-operation between school and home.
PARENTS’ EVENING
Parents’ evenings are held during the Autumn and Spring terms. On these evenings parents are invited to make an appointment to see their child’s class teacher to discuss the child’s targets and progress. Parents are always able to arrange to see a member of staff by appointment, preferably at the end of afternoon school. This may be to have a private discussion about any concerns, at home or at school.
Parents are encouraged to express their views about the school’s performance through the Governors’ and through C.A.S.H., the school’s P.T.A.
SCHOOL LINKS
Children are transferred to secondary school at the start of the school year following their eleventh birthday. Colby is a feeder to Aylsham High School. We also have strong links with other feeder schools.
Pupils take part in music festivals, country dancing, netball, football, swimming, sports competitions, Design and Technology festivals and local quizzes.
The school fosters close links with the community. A wide range of visitors are invited into the school and include local representatives from churches, the police force, local businesses, charities and Members of Parliament. Frequently we have the opportunity to welcome visitors from overseas.
COMMUNICATIONS
During the school year parents will receive a weekly newsletter from school, which will contain information regarding forthcoming activities. Pupils complete a Daily Planner, which is taken home for their parent's comments. This is a very valuable means of bridging the gap between home and school. The Governing Body also keeps parents up to date on decisions made and points discussed at their meetings twice a term.
The school records all absences, authorised and unauthorised. If a child is absent from school, parents are requested to telephone the school before 8.50am explaining the reason for the child’s absence and send a note on his/her return. Parents wishing that their child be excused from P.E./Games/Swimming lessons should send a note on the appropriate day.
If it is the intention of parents to take an annual holiday during term time, permission must be sought in writing prior to booking, as the decision whether permission is authorised or not is entirely at the discretion of the Headteacher. Permission will not be granted for any child during SATs week (May 10th – 14th 2010).
SCHOOL MEALS
School dinners: - main course and pudding, are available and must be paid, in advance, for each week, payable by Tuesdays with the order form, or payable by cheque in advance half termly. A vegetarian menu is also available. Special, medical, diets can be accommodated. The food is locally sourced and organic where-ever possible. Children may go home for lunch, or they may bring a packed lunch with a drink (drink in a plastic bottle or flask please).
Children of parents receiving the Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support are encouraged to apply for free school meals. Forms can be obtained from the Office or the Education Advice Centre, Pupil & Student Services, Education Department, County Hall, Norwich NR1 2DL.
Children are encouraged to be adequately hydrated during the school day by bringing drinking water to school, in their own sports bottle, for drinking in class. There are drinking fountains around the school for break and lunch times.
TRANSPORT
A bus travels from Felmingham, via Suffield, Colby and Banningham. Children aged 4-8 years, living more than two miles from the school, or over 8 years old, living more than three miles from the school and within the school catchment area, may qualify for free school transport. Contact either the school Secretary or the County Transport Officer for any transport queries and forms.
Parents sending their child to school by bicycle should ensure that the cycle is in safe working order and that the child is a competent road user. Cycle Proficiency courses are run for children 9 years and over. Details are available from the school Secretary. There is a bicycle rack at the school. All cyclists must wear a helmet.