At Shackleton we have - Teach Bedford€¦ · Learning Support for Special Needs Personal/Social Development and Behaviour Policy Statement on Sex and Relationships Education 18

School Prospectus

Mrs A Parish - Headteacher Shackleton Primary School

Pearcey Road Bedford

MK42 9LZ 01234 352912

- 2 of 28 – Prospectus Oct 2015 -V1

At Shackleton Primary School we have 6 Golden Rules:

Learning for all Learning for life

We are

gentle We are

honest

We are

kind and

helpful

We

listen We

work

hard

We look

after

property


Contents

Page

3. Our Headteacher

4. Our Governing Body

5. Admission Procedure

6. Admission Policy

7. Liaison and Transfer

8. A Brief Description of our School

9. Our School Staff

10. Our School Day

11. Curriculum Subjects

15. Curriculum Related Information

Assessment, Testing and Recording

Parent Consultations

Homework

Learning Support for Special Needs

Personal/Social Development and Behaviour

Policy Statement on Sex and Relationships Education

18. Educational Visits

19. Special Educational Needs Disability Co-ordinator

20. Learning Mentors

21. English as an Additional Language

22. Activities in School

23. Caring for your child in School

Illness in School

Medicines

School Health Service

24. General Information

Security and Safety

School Dinners

Volunteers

School Uniform

Jewellery, Watches, Toys and Belongings

Newsletters

School Website


Our Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

On behalf of the children, staff and governors, I would like to welcome you and your family to Shackleton Primary School.

This prospectus is intended as an introduction to our school. In it you will find general information on routine and administrative matters and also notes on school organisation, curriculum and home/school partnerships. I hope you will find it informative and interesting.

At Shackleton Primary School we believe our children will thrive in an environment where they feel happy, safe, valued and respected. We aim to ensure they are motivated by learning and offered the best opportunities that we can provide. We hope their stay with us will prove to be happy and that through good teaching and a stimulating environment they can reach a high standard of personal achievement.

We see our parents as partners in the education of their children and value their contribution to school life.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to come into school or telephone to make an appointment with me or any other member of staff.

Yours sincerely, Ann Parish Headteacher


Our Governing Body

We are a locally managed school. The Headteacher and the Governing Body manage the school’s budget. We are a membership school of Bedfordshire Local Education Authority.

All Governors may be contacted through the school in the first instance. The Governing Body usually meets once a term and annually completes an online school profile. The Governors also meet as sub-committees to discuss a variety of issues.

We liaise very closely with Cherry Trees Nursery and it is the policy to visit children at home prior to their entry to school.

The Governing Body’s statement on charges for school activities can be viewed at school if parents so wish. Shackleton Primary School Governors: Chair of Governors: Mrs L Bushby Clerk to the Governors: Ms J Gibson Co-opted Governors: Mrs J Bristol

Miss M Davies Mrs K Mortimer Mrs B Catchpole

Parent Governors: Mr A Woodward

Mr A Haque Staff Governors: Mrs A Parish Miss R Cook Local Authority Governor: Mrs L Bushby Co-opted Governors: 2 x vacancies

Ernest Shackleton


Admission Procedure Bedford Borough Council, as the Local Authority, is the admissions authority for schools in Bedford. However the procedures vary depending on the type of admission and whether the school being applied for is catchment or not.

There are three categories of admission to primary school i.e.:

First admission (normal time of first entry to school).

In-year admission (transfer during the primary school phase) for catchment pupils.

In-year admission (transfer during the primary school phase) for non-catchment pupils.

In all cases:

The relevant application form and guidance notes can be obtained from the school office of your first preference.

The completed application form should be returned to the school office of your first preference.

The completed application form should be accompanied by the following evidence:

Copy of recent utility bill.

Copy of child benefit annual statement/family tax credit information.

If you have moved or are moving from abroad: copy of relevant pages of passport or other documentary evidence that confirms your son/daughter has the right of abode in the UK.

If you need any advice about applying for a school place, please contact: The School Admissions Service Children’s Services Bedford Borough Council Borough Hall Cauldwell Street Bedford MK42 9AZ Telephone: 01234 267422 Email: [email protected]

Website:

http://www.bedford.gov.uk/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/

school_admissions/online_admissions.aspx

http://www.bedford.gov.uk/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/


Admission Policy

The standard admission number for Shackleton Primary School is 60. The Local Authority will apply the following criteria (in the rank order shown) to decide the order in which places will be allocated when there are more requests from parents/carers than the number of places available:

1. All ‘looked after’ children. 2. Pupils living in the catchment area with siblings at the school. 3. Other pupils living in the catchment area. 4. ‘Very exceptional’ medical grounds. 5. Other siblings. 6. Any other children.

Notes:

If the application of the above criteria results in a situation where there are more children with an equal right to admission to the school than the number of available places, the tie break will be the distance the pupil lives from the school, measured in a straight line, using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving the higher priority. Priority is not given with each criterion to children who meet other criteria.

Overriding priority will be given by the LA to the admission of pupils who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs which names the school. Priority may also be given to the admission of ‘hard to place’ pupils, e.g. excluded pupils, normally in accordance with any protocols which have been agreed with groups of schools.

Parents applying for a place during the normal admissions round will be offered a place. However, if a pupil moves into the catchment area outside the normal admissions round (or after the allocation process has been completed) there will be no guarantee of a place if this would mean exceeding the admission number. In such cases, parents will be referred to the local education authority.


Liaison and Transfer Liaison with other Schools

Shackleton liaises actively with Cherry Trees Nursery School and with Bedford Academy. This aids the continuity of learning for the children. Our children will be visiting Bedford Academy regularly prior to transfer and staff from the Academy will be joining us in different activities to get to know the children.

Staff discuss the children’s needs with both nursery and transfer schools. We are constantly seeking to improve our liaison procedures to ensure a smooth transfer of schools for our children (and parents!). The cluster schools use the same tests for transfer purposes. Liaison within the School

Children’s progress through the school from year to year is very carefully organised to ensure that there is continuity of the learning process. At the end of each school year the children visit their new classroom and spend time with their new teacher.

Shackleton main entrance and school building

entrance


A Brief Description of our School Shackleton Primary School was founded in 1928! It was an infant and junior school before becoming a lower school in 1974/1975 and a primary school from September 2013.

At present, we have 14 classes and a two form entry which will be expanded over time to three form entry. There are two halls, two playgrounds and a large playing field with a trim trail activity obstacle course. In addition, there is a library, a main computer suite, a nurture room and numerous reading areas. All our classrooms have been upgraded and now boast fully interactive whiteboards and internet access. The children also have access to iPad.

We are continually improving our school to provide the best learning environment for the children.

School Organisation and Curriculum

Shackleton is a 4-11 Primary School which is organised into Foundation Stage (reception year), Key Stage 1 (years 1 & 2) and Key Stage 2 (years 3, 4, 5 & 6). Children are taught in class groups. The classes are known by the following names:

Year R: Emperor Penguin & Macaroni Penguin Year 1: Seal & Starfish Year 2: Dolphin & Husky Year 3: Blue Whale & Orca Year 4: Glacier & Iceberg Year 5: Nimrod & Quest Year 6: Discovery & Endurance

All our children follow a broad and balanced curriculum. English and Mathematics lessons take place daily; all other subjects are taught as part of a creative curriculum with topics changing on a termly basis. We follow the Bedfordshire and Luton Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.

Great emphasis is placed on teaching the basic skills required for reading, writing and mathematics in a structured, organised way. The varying abilities of children are taken into account when teaching programmes are planned.

We also aim to provide a challenging, stimulating environment that helps a child to develop as a well-balanced adaptable person, taking into account their spiritual, moral, social, cultural, intellectual, physical and emotional development.

The Nimrod


Our School Staff

At present we have the following members of teaching staff:

Teaching assistants:

Mrs A Parish - Headteacher Mrs K Mortimer - Deputy Headteacher Mrs F McKinney – Assistant Headteacher Mrs A Allen Miss L Baker Miss C White – KS1 Leader Mrs J Bullivant Miss R Cook Mrs N Drinkwater Ms M Constable – EAL

1/MFL

2

Mrs J Jeffrey Mrs E Johnson – Upper KS2 Leader Miss L Caley Miss M Marmo Miss H Mason Mrs L Miller Mrs A Newland – Lower KS2 Leader Mr B Slater Mrs R Sohanpal – SENDCO

3

Mrs G Stringer

Mrs R Ahmed Mrs M Ali Miss S Begum Mrs C Bourdon Mrs A O’Boyle Mrs C Bullen-Cutting Miss D Butt Mr A Cooper Miss C Cooper Mrs K Curryer Mrs N Cusano Miss L Day Mrs N Daly Miss N Devi Mrs H Donkin Miss C Edwards Mrs J Hubbold Mrs S Kent Miss P Lee Mrs A Martin Miss N Patching Mrs U Rani Miss S Rea Miss H Riley Mrs A Robson Mrs N Sheikh Miss L Webb

Our other Support Staff:

Mrs L Page - Learning Mentor

Mr M Slade – Behaviour Support Mentor

Our Office Staff: Our Site Staff:

Mrs S Peck -Office Manager Mr S Schofield – Building & Procurement Manager Mrs C Defazio – Administrator/Attendance Mr K Newbury - Site Agent Mrs S Burgoine – Receptionist Mrs Goggin. Mrs Halliwell Mrs O’Boyle, Mrs Shearwood, Mrs Dass

Our Midday Supervisors:

Mrs Ruzgiene is our Senior Midday Supervisor and she is helped by Mrs Bevan, Mrs Dass, Mrs Deane, Mrs Goggin, Mrs Masih, Miss Mitchell, Mrs O’Boyle, Miss Price, Miss Turner, Mrs Neal and Mrs Gill.

1. EAL: English as an Additional Language 2. MFL: Modern Foreign Languages 3. SENDCO: Special Educational Needs Disability Coordinator


Our School Day

Registration: 8.55am (Doors are open at 8:45am)

Morning Break: 10.10am to 10.25am in Key Stage 1 11.30am to 11.45am in Key Stage 2

Lunchtime: 11.45am to 12.45pm in Year R 12.00pm to 1.00pm in Key Stage 1 12.45pm to 1.45pm in Key Stage 2

Finish 3.20pm in Key Stage 1 3.30pm in Key Stage 2

Key Stage 2 enter via our front playground. Key Stage 1 via the rear playground.

If your child is absent or late please let the office know before 10.00am. Children MUST be collected by an authorised adult. Please ensure that the school has full details of anyone sent to collect your child or children. (The authorised contacts are held on the child’s record sheet in the school office.) This helps us safeguard your child and prevents any misunderstandings.

‘After-school child care’ for our children is presently provided at Cherry Trees Nursery. Please contact them directly for further details.

Rewards for Attendance

We have a very successful system in place for rewarding good attendance and punctuality. Each week the class with the highest percentage attendance and the class with the highest percentage punctuality wins a trophy and cuddly toy to live in their classroom for the week. At the end of the year the class who has had the best attendance wins a special treat.

The children also have the opportunity to win individual rewards for good attendance and punctuality. This is our Olympic System. For the first full term that a child achieves 100% attendance, he/she will receive a Bronze certificate; Silver for the second full term and if he/she achieve 100% attendance for the whole year (3 terms), a Gold certificate is awarded and he/she receives a prize.


Curriculum Subjects

ENGLISH Speaking and listening

We encourage our children to express and explain themselves clearly and confidently. Children are also strongly encouraged and taught to be active listeners. Reading

Reading is a primary skill that children must acquire. Shackleton aims to foster reading enjoyment and a love of books. Children are encouraged to take books home to read with their parents. We would be most grateful if you encouraged your child to read to you. It will make an enormous difference to their rate of reading development.

Our reading material is largely colour-banded for organisation and supported by a core set of reading books. All classes regularly use our school library, which operates as a normal library, with the children able to choose and take their books home. This also promotes their reading development.

Shackleton also uses the Read Write Inc programme to teach phonics, for further information see website: http://www.oup.com/oxed/primary/rwi/. Writing

Children are provided with opportunities for writing and recording in a wide variety of ways. They will write for factual and imaginative purposes. Handwriting is taught formally to ensure correct letter formation. Spelling

Spelling is taught in a structured, regular, systematic way. We use both a phonic and visual approach. Children are given weekly spellings. Please help your child learn his/her weekly spellings.


Curriculum Subjects

MATHEMATICS

We aim to provide our children with a rich, enjoyable and practical experience in mathematical education. This involves appropriate knowledge, skills, concepts and processes related to their ability, aptitudes and individual needs. We follow the National Curriculum programmes of study.

Mathematics homework will come home regularly. We hold regular Maths mornings in which we invite our parents into school to play games and learn a little more about how we teach maths and how it can be made fun!

Shackleton also uses the Maths Makes Sense programme, for further information see website: http://www.oup.com/oxed/primary/mms/. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

All children use a range of technology including laptops, iPads and printers from their earliest days at school. We have a wide range of software that is linked to and supports other curriculum areas. SCIENCE

All children have a natural curiosity. Through ‘finding out’ activities children are encouraged to think about what they are doing. Investigations gradually become more structured.

Children learn to hypothesise, design fair tests and interpret their results. The children are also taken on regular visits to Country Parks, Recycling Centres and other centres to encourage their curiosity and support their work. ART

Our children are encouraged to make personal responses to life experiences through the medium of art. They experience a wide range of materials and take pleasure in their increasing mastery of craft and other techniques.

They learn to value critically the contributions of artists and designers in society. The children’s own work is appreciated and displayed in the main school corridor as well as in the individual classrooms. We regularly invite artists into school to work with the children.


Curriculum Subjects

MUSIC

We place a strong emphasis on music throughout the school. Our children are encouraged to perform and compose their own music. They are given the opportunity to listen to live performances and develop an appreciation of a variety of musical traditions.

The Borough Music Service offers violin teaching in Key Stage 2. We frequently work with external music consultants to provide enrichment opportunities for the children, such as drumming and similar workshops. DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Children learn a lot from trying to solve problems. By carefully structured questions and activities they can be encouraged to think out solutions and plan ways to try them out. Model making is often involved in solutions to problems and, through this, children learn about the safe and effective use of tools.

Whatever solutions they produce, children are encouraged to assess their own work and always look for improvement. Within our Creative Curriculum, we cover the National Curriculum Programmes of Study. HISTORY

Learning about the past helps children to make sense of the world in which they live. A great emphasis is placed upon ‘oral’ history. It would be appreciated if parents and grandparents could draw on their experiences, reminisce and answer questions about their own childhood. The loan of old family photographs and interesting or unusual artifacts would also be very welcome. The children will also experience visits to museums and places of historical interest. Within our Creative Curriculum, we cover the National Curriculum Programmes of Study. GEOGRAPHY

Geography is concerned with the study of places and the people who live in them. It helps pupils make sense of their surroundings and the wider world. The children will be studying their own environment, leading on to links with other locations in Great Britain, Europe and the World.

The children will use pictures, aerial photographs and globes and will also develop their mapping skills. As geography is a process of enquiry, the children will be encouraged to develop their curiosity about people and places by asking a wide range of questions. Within our Creative Curriculum, we cover the National Curriculum Programmes of Study.


Curriculum Subjects

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

All our children have two P.E. sessions per week. The children experience a broad balance of Physical Education that includes athletic activities, dance, games, gymnastic activities and outdoor education. Through these activities the children can develop their physical skills and increase their understanding and enjoyment of individual and teamwork.

We have a football coach onsite who runs sessions as part of the curriculum, at lunch time, after school on Wednesdays and on Saturday mornings. Each week we also have outside coaching agencies, such Falcon Gymnastics, who work with the children during their PE lessons.

We have two large halls, one of which is equipped with plenty of small and large apparatus. There is also a large playing field. An annual sports event is held in the Summer Term. A variety of games activities and equipment is also provided at lunchtimes for the children. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

At Shackleton we follow the Bedfordshire Agreed Syllabus. Our Religious Education programme includes opportunities for children to discuss the meaning and wonder of life and the value of the individual.

Examples are drawn from the children’s own lives and experiences, the Christian tradition and other religious traditions as behaviour and attitudes worthy of aiming for. There is a broadly Christian Act of Worship each day. This may be whole school, part school or class based.

Visitors, drama and story telling form the focus of many of our assemblies. Festivals throughout the year, both Christian and non-Christian, are highlighted. Parents are warmly invited to class assemblies and the special assemblies for Harvest, Diwali, Eid and Christmas. Parents are welcome to discuss the teaching of Religious Education with the Headteacher.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

A modern foreign language is taught to all children from Year 3 onwards. We teach French through games, songs and fun activities as well as events such as the annual French Cafe (for the whole school) and the Year 4 French Fashion Show. We work closely with Bedford Academy who provide us with a French teacher for years 5 and 6. This means we have good transition from Shackleton to the Academy.

At times through the year we also try out other languages such as Italian and Spanish and we often learn languages that link to our topics e.g. Cantonese for our China topic.

We make a point of giving children access to French at an early age as this is the best time for them to learn. Therefore, we introduce all children from Reception to Year 2 to a range of songs.

We work with local schools to encourage the children to learn about culture, food, sports and much more in countries across the world. We celebrate European Languages Day every September.


Curriculum Related Information

ASSESSMENT, TESTING AND RECORDING

All children are assessed on entry to school in order to provide a baseline. Informal assessments are ongoing throughout a child’s school life at Shackleton; children’s progress is assessed formally both at the end of Year 2 and Year 6.

We will liaise closely with Bedford Academy to ensure that our children are ‘secondary ready’ when they enter Secondary School at the beginning of Year 7. PARENT CONSULTATIONS

We hold consultation meetings with parents three times a year (one per term). Parents are given a written report on their child in the Summer Term. We also hold curriculum meetings and exhibitions regularly to which parents are very warmly invited. Parents are also welcome to make individual appointments to see the Headteacher or teaching staff. HOMEWORK

All our children have a special reading diary. This diary should be brought to school and taken home each day. The children will also bring home their library book, spellings and mathematics tables. The reading book will come home daily and we greatly appreciate parents finding time on a regular basis to listen to their child read. It would be very helpful if parents could sign their child’s reading diary. There is also a space to make comments.

Homework is assigned as follows:

Key Stages 1 and 2: Reading books three times a week (or words to learn) Spellings from Monday to Thursday (test on Friday).

Key Stage 1: One numeracy and one ‘take home task’ related to the topic children are learning about.

Key stage 2: One numeracy and one ‘take home task’ related to the topic children are learning about.

There will be about one to one and a half hour’s homework per week. Please help your child with his/her homework.



LEARNING SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

Children experiencing learning difficulties are initially identified by their class teachers. A programme of structured work focused on the area of difficulty may be developed. Parents will be fully consulted when the school has any concerns about a child’s progress and may be invited to participate in a home/school programme. If progress is not made, the school may request advice from support services.

The school’s SENDCO will carry out her own assessments and make suggestions for further programmes of work. Resources may also be borrowed from support services for use within the school. The school may also request advice from outside agencies. Bedford Borough Student Support Services are also available should specialist help be required, as educational psychology is no longer a front line service. Shackleton pays close regard to the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs. PERSONAL/SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOUR

Learning to live and work together in the school community is an important preparation for responsible citizenship. Shackleton encourages children to show consideration and courtesy to people and care for property. We aim to develop a sense of self-worth, self-discipline and mutual respect in our children. This is reflected in our support for local and national charities. Our pupils are encouraged to take on roles of responsibility within the school.

Our Golden Rules are clearly defined and are consistent throughout the school so that the children are aware of the high standards of behaviour expected from them. We look forward to working in partnership with parents in ensuring these high standards are maintained. We hope you will also share your concerns with us if necessary.

Our behaviour management policy is available at school if parents wish to see it. All parents are requested to read and sign the Home/School agreement.



POLICY STATEMENT ON SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION

Sex and Relationship Education is taught as part of the planned Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education and science curriculum, in a way which builds on children’s knowledge and understanding year on year. All staff will reinforce this learning in the way they handle any conflicts or difficulties individual children may experience. Staff will also challenge use of homophobic and racist language. Children are encouraged to support each other through the work of a Playground Friends System.

All children will receive information appropriate to their age on:

Hygiene and health education.

The place of the family in today’s society, family roles and relationships.

Gender roles, aiming to avoid the stereotyping of either males or females to specific employments in society or tasks within a family unit.

In years 5 and 6 children learn about puberty and the changes their bodies will go through. Teaching staff will be trained to deliver this work with the support of the local authority PSHE leader and the school nurse service. Boys are included in this teaching although they are taught separately from the girls on these occasions. The children are taught about the imminent changes to their own bodies and about the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Parents are informed prior to this learning and are encouraged to come into school to discuss it further should they have particular concerns. Parental permission

Under the education act of 1993 pupils can be withdrawn by their parents from part of sex education that is outside the compulsory elements of sex education within the science curriculum. Parents who wish to exercise this right are invited in to discuss their concerns.

We accept that some families might wish their child to be withdrawn for religious reasons. As a school we are sensitive to all cultural and religious belief but believe that every child has the right to understand how their own body functions and develops. This knowledge is taught in a responsible way and can enable children to make the right choices in their future.


Educational Visits Throughout the year, each year group has at least one visit to support their learning inside the classroom. In their final year at Shackleton, Year 6 are taken on a 2 night residential to North Norfolk. Bedford Borough Council Statement to Parents/Guardians on Insurance Cover

1. Where a young person is injured or their property damaged by an accident resulting from the negligence of the Borough Council, its employees, or any voluntary helper, a legal claim for damages can be made against the Borough Council. The Borough Council has insurance cover to meet such proven claims.

2. If the accident was not due to the negligence of the Borough Council, its employees or voluntary helpers, then you cannot be compensated by the Borough Council. You may, however, be able to make a claim on a third party involved in the accident, for example, a motorist.

3. The Borough Council does not provide Personal Accident Insurance cover for young persons (except those attending the Blue Peris Mountain Centre) and you may wish to consider providing Personal Accident Insurance Cover for your child, unless the Information to Parents Form indicates that the school has made provision. Most insurance companies can provide cover.

4. If your child is going on a school trip or outing, the above advice still applies, but the school may have provided additional insurance cover. If additional insurance cover has been provided, the details are shown below. If you are not satisfied, you can provide additional insurance cover for your child.

Details of Additional Insurance Cover

The school provides Annual School Journey insurance.


Special Educational Needs Disability Co-ordinator

From our Special Educational Needs Disability Co-ordinator Mrs Rebecca Sohanpal:

As the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators it is our job to work with children, staff and parents or carers to support and meet the needs of children experiencing difficulties in their learning. The earlier a difficulty with learning is identified the better as we can work together to find solutions to help, usually by setting achievable targets that move the child on and finding good strategies that help the individual child to make progress.

The more information we can gather about any difficulty the more likely that we can find a solution and parents and carers are of key importance in giving a full picture of their child. At every stage we will need your input and support; indeed you may be the first person to raise a concern with your child’s class teacher. If the class teacher has any concern you and your child will be asked for your views, will discuss the possible steps that can be taken and the teacher will work with you and your child to make progress.

Children experience difficulties with their learning for a variety of reasons and sometimes it is useful to have advice from support services or agencies from outside school, such as Speech Therapists, the Child Development Centre or Bedford Borough Student Support Services.

If you would like more information about any aspect of Special Educational Needs please ask your child’s class teacher or us. We follow the Code of Practice for SEN closely and you can download our policy from the Shackleton website: www.shackletonprimary.co.uk.


Learning Mentors

The Learning Mentors work with the children developing their self-awareness and boosting self-esteem; this includes discussion, activities, games, group work and sport. At Shackleton our Learning Mentors are: Mrs Page and Mr Slade. What is a Learning Mentor?

The Learning Mentor role at Shackleton Primary School is to provide pastoral support to children in school and help them recognise, address and overcome barriers to learning. There are many reasons why a child may be referred to the Learning Mentor, usually for social, emotional or behavioural issues. Whatever the reason, the aim of the mentoring process is to work to agreed targets in order for a child to get the most out of school life. The Mentoring Process

It is important for the learning mentors to work in partnership with teachers, parents and carers to aid the mentoring process. In school the Learning Mentors work with children on a one-to-one basis; in small groups or in larger groups. They will develop a programme of activities to address any concerns identified and set agreed targets. A positive approach will always be maintained and the Learning Mentors will make themselves readily available to children, should they need to talk.


English as an Additional Language From our EAL and MFL teacher, Ms Constable: About two-thirds of our children and families speak a foreign language as their first language or in addition to English. We are aware of 27 different foreign languages being spoken at the moment.

The EAL team welcomes all children and families with an additional language to the school with an introductory meeting. At this meeting we can help with completing the necessary forms and assess the children's needs and the level of English of each family.

We support children with EAL with their learning in class. For children who are very new to English we hold special groups each week to help them to learn more English and to help them understand some of the words used in their topic work in class.

The children also learn a lot from the other children in their class and soon pick up the basic words and phrases. Children who speak English as a first language love to learn and practise simple words from the language of the new children!

We have a “Language of the Term” which means everyone in school has a try at saying a few phrases in the chosen language. Our youngsters are so quick at picking up new words and phrases!

Our school is very proud of its diversity and we love to hold international events so that all children will learn about a range of cultures around the world and can begin to understand how much we all have in common.

The children really enjoy our annual International Week events, to which we invite parents/carers and other schools, involving our local community as well. We have won two International Schools awards and support/advise local schools in their international and EAL work.


Activities in School

We offer a range of activities for the children in school, often at no extra cost to parents. The activities support curriculum subjects, showcase other cultures or simply entertain!

Some examples of activities which have taken place in the past are: The Young Shakespeare Company performed Macbeth for our Key Stage 2 children. Eugene Mathias, Master Magician astounded the whole school. Watoto African Children’s choir performed. Year 1 were visited by Zoolab. The stage version of ‘Peter Pan’ was shown to the whole school. After-School Clubs

We offer as many wider opportunities as we can through our after-school clubs, which usually take place from 3.30pm until 4.30pm. Some of our clubs are taken by staff members while other, more specialised clubs are taken by outside agencies. Clubs we currently offer are: Art, Choir, Girls Street Dance, Choir & Guitar. We are always trying to increase the number of clubs and places available as well as finding new and interesting ideas. Opportunities in School

The children are given a wide range of opportunities within school such as: KS2 are offered violin lessons through Bedfordshire Music. Reception class nurture living eggs into chicks. Year 4 take part in music workshops with Bedfordshire

Music. Both key stages are offered sports coaching as part of their

PE curriculum. Years 5 and 6 have opportunities to visit and work at Bedford

Academy. We have an art specialist who works with each year on art

projects such as aboriginal art, Indian art and fabric painting.


Caring for your Child in School ILLNESS IN SCHOOL

If your child is ill during the school day, we will assess the situation. If we feel that he/she should be at home, we will attempt to contact you using the numbers that are on your child’s record sheet. These numbers must be kept up to date. Please let us know immediately of any changes. If your child has a stomach bug, he/she will need to be kept at home for 48 hours as it may be contagious and may infect other children.

If an accident occurs in school, your child will be seen by one of our fully trained First Aiders. An accident report form is completed for the child to take home. Depending on the severity of the accident, we may contact you to take him/her home or for further treatment. MEDICINES

If your child needs medicines whilst he/she is at school you must complete a medicine record form, available from the office and hand both the form and medicine into the office. We can only administer prescribed medicines. Medicines are kept in a locked cabinet in the school office. We are also able to keep long term medicines such as inhalers or allergy medicines at school should they be required during the day. Medicines kept at school and instructions for use are also taken on school trips. SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE

During the first year at school, medical examinations are undertaken by our school nurse. These include eyesight and hearing tests as well as height and weight recordings. We ask for parental permission before each of these tests and children are never examined without your consent.

The nurse is also able to carry out further tests should there be a concern. She is available to advise parents on health-related issues and can be contacted through the school.


General Information

SECURITY AND SAFETY

At 9.05am all external gates and doors are locked except the main external door (near to the school office). The internal door from the foyer to school can only be opened from the office.

All visitors must sign in and out and are required to wear a visitor’s badge identifying them throughout their stay. Any children who arrive late or leave early must be signed in or out of school by the person they are with.

Fire practices are held termly and checks are carried out on the fire alarm system. All fire-fighting equipment is regularly serviced. New members of staff and children are made aware of the evacuation procedure. SCHOOL DINNERS

Children have a choice of menu each day. Special diets for religious or medical reasons are catered for. Please inform us of any foods that your child cannot eat. Dinner money is £2.15 per day, £10.75 per week. Money should be sent to school in a named, sealed, envelope. Alternatively, cheques can be made payable to ‘Caterlink’. Information on free school meals is available from the office.

Alternatively your child can bring their own packed lunch. Please send drinks in sealed cartons with attached straws or in unbreakable flasks.

The children have access to drinking water throughout the day. VOLUNTEERS

We welcome parents helping in school. An extra pair of hands can be invaluable for small group work with the computer, sewing, cooking, playing mathematics games, listening to children read and sharing books with them.

We have parents and helpers who come into school regularly to hear your child read. We really do value this help; please tell us if you have some time to spare. Just an hour a week can make all the difference.


General Information

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Winter:

Royal blue sweatshirt (with Shackleton logo) White/Royal blue polo shirt Grey skirt or trousers (not jeans) Black shoes (not trainers).

Summer:

Blue/White check dress White/Royal blue polo shirt Long or short grey trousers Black shoes or sensible sandals.

PE:

Navy or black shorts White t-shirt Black plimsolls Tracksuit/sweatshirt and jogging bottoms for outside PE in winter. The following items are available from the school office:

Sweatshirt with school logo:

Size 24, 26, 28, 30/32, 34 £8.00

Size S £9.00 Royal blue polo shirt £5.00 Book bag with school logo £5.00 PE bag with school logo £4.50 Head lice comb Free

JEWELLERY, WATCHES, TOYS AND BELONGINGS

Jewellery should not be worn for health and safety reasons. However, if your child does have pierced ears, they may wear only small studs providing these are either removed or covered during any PE lessons. Parental co-operation is much appreciated in this area.

Toys and personal belongings should not normally be brought to school except when connected to the work the child is undertaking in class. This reduces the risk of items being lost or exchanged with other children.


General Information

NEWSLETTERS

The Shackleton Primary School Newsletter is sent home weekly with your child. This keeps you up to date with everything that is going on in the school. It is important that you read this as it has details of future dates and events for your diary. It also celebrates children who are ‘Stars of the Week’ and the class with the best punctuality and attendance.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

Our school website address is as follows:

http://www.shackletonprimary.co.uk/ Please check it regularly as it contains lots of other useful information, e.g.:

Gallery

Kids Zone (links to external educational applications)

Latest newsletters

Policies

Useful Links

“What we are learning each term” for each Class.

Our Vision

Our vision at Shackleton Primary School is to develop an inclusive, healthy and safe learning community in which children’s natural enthusiasm to learn is fostered and where the unique contributions of all members are valued.

We shall encourage our children to become independent learners who think creatively and reflectively. Thoughtfully planned teaching and learning opportunities, which are embedded in our shared core values, aim to lead the children towards self-motivation and challenge, encouraging self-discipline, perseverance and commitment. The school provides for the individual needs of all children and celebrates their achievements. Working in partnership with home and the wider community, we encourage our children to be supportive and tolerant individuals, able to work both collaboratively and individually. By encouraging respect for themselves and others, we aim to develop a caring attitude that will help them become successful citizens of the 21st Century.

At Shackleton Primary we: enjoy learning believe every individual has the

potential for personal growth

promote a safe and healthy lifestyle within a caring, friendly and welcoming environment

ensure that learning is exciting

and challenges curiosity

nurture the confidence to try

have high expectations for all develop a curriculum that excites

and motivates the learner and teacher

are fully inclusive promote community cohesion help the children develop skills

needed for living in the 21st Century – Literacy, Numeracy, ICT, problem solving and resilience

apply a consistent approach to all

we do

Documents

At Shackleton we have - Teach Bedford€¦ · Learning Support for Special Needs Personal/Social Development and Behaviour Policy Statement on Sex and Relationships Education 18