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‘Oakington Manor Primary is an outstanding school. It has many exceptional features, and is highly effective in ensuring that its pupils make excellent progress in developing their basic skills and becoming confident and thoughtful learners.’ OFSTED 2007

Acorn NurseryOakington Manor SchoolOakington Manor DriveWembleyMiddlesex HA9 6NF

Tel: 020 8902 2871Fax: 020 8903 6139Email: admin@oakmanor.brent.sch.uk

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Index

Page

1. Welcome Information about the School

2. Nursery Staff

3. Mission Statement Aims of Oakington Manor School

General Information4. School Vision 5. Policies and Procedures Admissions Policy and Procedure6. Home School Agreement7. School Times and Attendance8. Equal Opportunities Racial Equality Statement Disability Equality Mission Statement9. Safeguarding Children Child Protection Procedure in the event of a guardian failing to collect a child Procedure in the event of a missing children10. Procedure for dealing with behaviour School Trips11. Car Parking School Crossing Patrol Officer Complaints Procedure12. Transition13. Playing and Learning

Nursery Routine14. Assessment

Healthy SchoolAccidents and IllnessAdministering Medicines ProcedureIllness Exclusion Procedure

15. School Uniform

Appendix School Uniform Costs Term Dates and Holidays Medication Authorisation

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WELCOMEWe would like to take this chance to welcome you and your child to Oakington Manor School and hope that a very happy and successful time lies ahead. Our aim is to enable your child to achieve their fullest potential in every aspect of school life.The school is not a closed community. Parents are always welcome. Parents’ Evenings and Curriculum Workshops throughout the year give you opportunities to see the work of the school and to discuss the progress of your own child. This School Brochure for Parents is intended as a guide and we hope it will tell you something of the aims and practices of the school, we hope you will find it useful and informative. However only a personal visit can fully complete the picture for you, please telephone for an appointment and we will be pleased to see you.To keep you in touch with the events of the school year, newsletters are sent home with the children each week. There is an active Parent Staff Association at the school, which meets every half term on a Wednesday morning. Your support, ideas and involvement are welcomed.The Head Teacher and Deputy Head teachers are usually available to meet with parents between 8.30am and 9.00am and again at 3.30pm. If you would prefer another time, please ask for an appointment.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL:Headteacher: Mrs Sylvia Libson

Senior Deputy Headteacher: Ms Simrita Singh

Deputy Headteacher: Mrs Nkechi Obinwanne

Type of school: PrimaryType of control: FoundationAge-range of pupils: 3 – 11Gender of pupils: Mixed

School address: Oakington Manor Drive,Wembley,Middx.HA9 6NF

Telephone number: 0208 902 2871

Fax number: 0208 903 6139

E-mail address: admin@oakmanor.brent.sch.uk

Web Site: www. oakmanor.brent.sch.uk

Appropriate Authority: Governing Body

Chair of Governors: Mrs Tina Mehta

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OAKINGTON MANOR SCHOOLMISSION STATEMENT

We aim at Oakington Manor to ensure that all children are numerate and literate and educated to a high enough level, which enables them to succeed in a technological world.

We aim to promote a learning environment in which pupils are sufficiently motivated and have the self-confidence to raise questions and evaluate their own work and attainments. This atmosphere will ensure that the pupils show their highest levels of achievement through a positive response to the tasks set in a variety of contexts.

Through the systems of assessment and support, which have been developed, we ensure that every child reaches their full potential regardless of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties or disabilities, gender or ability.

AIMS OF OAKINGTON MANOR SCHOOL

We believe that Oakington Manor owes its existence to the children in it. We are here to help all our children to achieve their fullest possible potential for their self-development.

Every attempt is made to base our practices and procedures on the fundamental belief that all the children have the same rights irrespective of their current educational attainment, race, sex or social class status.

The school aims to develop and implement educational practices, which regard children as active learners and not passive recipients. We also regard the active learning and teaching approaches as important means of producing critical thinking, self-respecting, self-disciplined, literate, numerate and well-balanced youngsters who will be able to have access to a range opportunities in the years to follow.

We aim to ensure that we communicate effectively to all our children that we value them. We believe that only by doing so, will we help our children become adults who respect and value other human beings around them.We also aim to continually seek ways and means of developing close and positive working relationships with our parents and the communities around us.

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THE SCHOOL VISIONA vision has to be shared and nurtured, it has to incorporate all aspects of the community in which we live and, above all, it has to be built on dreams but also be realistic and achievable.

It is always important to look back, before one can look forward, as to where we are going and where the vision is leading us.

My vision is clear as to the high standards of education that I demand for the pupils of Oakington Manor. Children only get one chance at education. Good leadership, effective management, committed staff, governors, parents and pupils working together as a team can only accomplish this environment.

Our biggest strength is knowing our weaknesses and, from this base of understanding, we have been able to progress.

Whilst standards have risen steadily at Oakington Manor, and pupil numbers increased phenomenally, we can never be complacent. If we fail even one child, then we have not achieved success. We have achieved a great deal and, in order to fulfil our dream, we will never stop striving for excellence.

The school is committed to the five outcomes of the ‘Every Child Matters’ document. To be healthy, Stay safe, Enjoy and achieve, To make a positive contribution, To achieve economic wellbeing.

These outcomes are interwoven into our explicit and implicit curriculum. The ways in which these outcomes are met are discussed at staff and governor level.

We feel that it is important to see the areas of learning and the early learning goals nested into the four key themes and the corresponding commitments of the EYFS. Our policies and plans must be based on the principles that will recognise and support the unique child; provide positive relationships and an enabling environment that promotes learning and development.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

ADMISSIONS OF CHILDREN BELOW COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE

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The number of intended admissions for the year commencing 1st September, 2011, will be 36 part time in the morning and 36 part time in the afternoon in Nursery and 90 places in Reception.Where applications for admission exceed the number of places available, the following criteria will be applied, in the order set out below, to decide which children to admit:

1. Children in public care (sometimes referred to as Looked After Children)2. Where the child has a sibling currently attending the school and will continue to do so on

the date of admission.3. Where the child attends Acorn Nursery4. Proximity of the child’s home to the school, with those living nearer being accorded the

higher priority. (Please see Tie Breaker for details of how distance will be measured)Parents must complete the common admission form as attendance or admission to the Nursery does not lead to automatic transfer into Reception or a guaranteed place in the school.

Parents can request that their child attends part-time until the child reaches compulsory school age.

Parents can request that the date their child is admitted to the school is deferred until later in the school year or until the child reaches compulsory school age in that school year. The parent would not, however, be able to defer entry beyond the beginning of the term after the child’s fifth birthday, nor beyond the academic year for which the original application was accepted.

Our admissions policy endeavours to fulfil the above with fairness and equity for all children and families. Pupils will be admitted without reference to ability or aptitude.

APPLICATION PROCEDUREFrom September 2011 if you wish to make an application for this school you will need to contact your local council. If you are a Brent resident you need to contact Brent Council’s School Admission Service on 020 8937 3110 or visit www.brent.gov.uk/admissions. All applications will be considered in line with our published admissions arrangements. Outcomes of applications will be sent to you by Brent Council on behalf of the Governing Body. Unsuccessful applicants will be placed on the waiting list.

APPEALS PROCEDUREParents have the right of appeal against a decision not to admit a child. Parents wishing to exercise their right of appeal against a refusal of admission should forward their appeal to the Chair of Governors for consideration of the Appeals Committee of the Governing Body. Members of the Appeal Panel will be independent from the school. Parents are entitled to attend the appeal panel meeting to give grounds for their appeal personally and / or to be represented. Appealing for a place does not guarantee entry to the school.

OAKINGTON MANORHOME SCHOOL AGREEMENT

This agreement can be found on the Admissions Policy and is signed by all parents. The school plans to give a copy of this agreement to all parents in the future.

I agree to ensure that my child attends regularly and arrives on time for school every day.

I agree to support and work with the school to encourage a positive attitude to Education.

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I agree to take responsibility for the behaviour of my child and ensure that this is reflected in school.

I agree to attend meetings to discuss my child’s progress and to learn more about the school.

I agree to ensure that my child wears full school uniform and is well prepared for school.

I agree to talk and listen to my child and praise them for their efforts.

I agree to share books with my child to ensure that they complete their homework.

I agree to let the school know of any concerns about my child’s education.

The school agrees to educate each pupil to the best of his / her ability.

The school agrees to provide a full and balanced curriculum.

The school agrees to ensure that each pupil behaves in a way that allows all children to learn effectively.

The school agrees to send home regular homework including books to share with your child.

The school agrees to keep you informed about new policies and developments in the school

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SCHOOL TIMES /ATTENDANCENURSERY 8.45 am-11.45 am

12.45 pm- 3.45 p.m.

Children MUST be in school on time. When a child arrives late for school they miss the introduction to the day and valuable learning time. It is also vital that children are collected on time at the end of the day. Being late for school and being picked up late can also be very distressing for the child. If you are delayed, please ring the school on 020 8902 2871, then we can tell your child where you are. If you are late you will have to pay a £10 charge. If lateness persists senior staff will ascertain the reasons why persistent lateness has occurred. Punctuality is monitored very closely on a weekly basis. Your child should be dropped and collected on time by an adult known by us. Please introduce all adults who will pick up your child to our Nursery staff.Children are expected to be in school every day. If a child is away, a reason for this absence should be given to the class teacher or the office. When attendance falls below 90% parents will be notified and their child’s attendance scrutinised very carefully. Attendance is monitored very closely on a weekly basis.Under Section 36 of the Education Act 1944, parents of children of compulsory school age are required to ensure that they receive full-time education. It is parents’ responsibility to inform schools of the reason for a child’s absence as soon as possible. If no reason is given, this is counted as an unauthorised absence, i.e. truancy, and will be followed up accordingly. The school at times may contact parents directly to ascertain the reason for a child’s absence or to discuss unacceptable patterns of absence or punctuality. The level of attendance at the school is still below the National average and pupils’ punctuality could still be even better. Although the level of attendance at the school is improving it still needs to be better, punctuality needs to improve.Continuous lateness or a high level of absence will result in a referral to the Educational Welfare Service.EXTENDED HOLIDAYSWe do not encourage extended holidays during term time and ask parents to use school holidays to take their child away. The law says that in only very exceptional circumstances should leave be granted for two weeks in any one school year. If you need to take your child away from school for two weeks you will be expected to make out a case to prove such exceptional circumstances and only in these circumstances will the absence be authorised. There is very clear evidence that discontinuities in a child’s education have an adverse effect on a child’s education and on subsequent standards of achievement.

You must under no circumstances book your trip before seeking permission from the school. You must seek permission from the school by filling in an extended leave form which you can pick up from the office. You will then receive written notification or the school will contact you if they wish to discuss your request.

Should you prove a case of very exceptional circumstances and obtain the Headteacher’s approval, you must know that your child’s place at this school may not be retained if your return is more than ten days beyond the agreed date. As many Brent schools are full, you may then experience great difficulty in finding a school place for your child on your return.

DATES FOR THE TERM AND HOLIDAYS 2010/2011 CAN BE FOUND IN THE APPENDIX

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

OAKINGTON MANORRACIAL EQUALITY STATEMENT

Oakington Manor has a racial equality policy which is regularly reviewed and informs daily practice, ethos and environments. It is the shared philosophy

of the school that the personal, religious and cultural identities of all pupils, staff and parents should be valued, promoted and supported. We feel that it is through this philosophy in action that pupils will be prepared for full participation in society and have effective strategies to deal with prejudice and discrimination if and when it occurs. There is a whole school commitment to racial equality. Racism will not be tolerated at Oakington Manor School. Any incidents of a racist nature will be dealt with, recorded and reported to the Governing Body. Everyone who walks through the doors of Oakington Manor School must conduct themselves in accordance with our philosophy of racial equality.

DISABILITY EQUALITY SCHEMEMission StatementAt Oakington Manor we are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for disabled pupils, staff and all those receiving services from the school. We aim to develop a culture of inclusion and diversity in which people feel free to disclose their disability and to participate fully in school life. The achievement of disabled pupils and students will be monitored and we will use this data to raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure that the school environment is as accessible as possible. At Oakington Manor we believe that diversity is a strength, which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit here.

Children learn in different ways and at different paces and have widely varying interests and aptitudes. Oakington Manor sets suitable learning challenges for all pupils, differentiates the curriculum to provide all pupils with relevant and appropriately challenging work.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

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CHILD PROTECTIONOakington Manor School is fully committed to the safeguarding of children. We recognise that all staff, teaching and non-teaching, have a full and active part to play in protecting pupils from harm.1

The school has an active Child Protection Policy in place. It outlines the way in which the school will foster security, confidence and independence in children and provide a systematic means of monitoring children known to be or thought to be at risk of harm. The school will liaise with parents and outside agencies to ensure good and effective lines of communication. The school has a structured procedure which is followed by all members of the school community in cases of suspected abuse and ensures that all adults who work within the school environment have carried out a full CRB check in order that their suitability is checked. The school has a designated member of staff who is responsible for child protection issues within the school and who undertakes regular training.

PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF A GUARDIAN FAILING TO COLLECT A CHILDIf a parent has failed to collect a child a member of staff should contact the Deputy or Head Teacher with details of any parent contact that day and the child should be taken to the office.If the child is not collected by 7pm Social Services should be contacted.

Emergency Duty Social Worker 020 8863 5250

PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF A MISSING CHILDA member of staff should tell the manager and / or teacher. The Nursery and the immediate Nursery area should be searched to see if there has been a mistake. If the child is still missing from the immediate area the Deputy and the Head Teacher must be informed immediately. Parent address and the telephone contact numbers need to be passed on. This is why it is important that parents keep all contact details up to date.

1 HARM should be read with reference to any kind of physical, sexual, emotional abuse or any kind of neglect.

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SCHOOL TRIPS

Children regularly go on educational visits. In the Autumn Term we visit Brent Cross Shopping Centre to look at different kinds of shops, in the Spring Term we go to the Science Museum and in the Summer Term we travel to London Zoo. Parents are asked to make voluntary contributions towards the cost of these trips. Your child will not be excluded from the visit if you are unable to contribute. However, school funds are very limited and the visit will not go ahead if insufficient contributions are received from the parents.Trips can be costly. So if you want to make use of the saving scheme the class teacher will collect money of at least £1.00 every Thursday.

CAR PARKING

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Please do not park by the school gates as this causes congestion and could result in a child being seriously injured. Please take note of the double yellow lines outside of the school and operate within the law. The school reserves the right to report the driver of any vehicle who ignores these road makings and thus breaks the law. Traffic wardens are asked to attend the school on a regular basis. Please note that no cars are allowed onto the school premises between 8.30 a.m. and 3.45 p.m. We need you all to be aware of these safety instructions for the sake of the children.

SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL OFFICEROur School Crossing Patrol Officer is there to help children safely across the road at the beginning and the end of the school day. Please show your child where the red crossing line is so that they make use of the service being given. We encourage all our children to walk to school. We are a healthy school that realise the benefits of walking to the children, the environment and the local community.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDUREThe School Governing Body agrees that complaints received from members of the public (including parents) will be dealt with as follows:

Informal StageWhere appropriate, complaints from parents will be dealt with informally by class teachers. Stage OneAll complaints will be directed to the Head teacher to seek a remedy. Where appropriate the Head teacher will organise a meeting with the complainant to discuss the complaint to seek a mutually agreed resolution. Stage TwoIf the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant, he/she will be asked to put the complaint in writing to the Chair of Governors who will seek to resolve the complaint by investigating the matter. The Chair will interview the Head teacher to see what steps she/he undertook to resolve the matter at Stage One. The Chair will interview others and consider written submissions, as appropriate. The Chair will propose a resolution of the complaint in writing to the complainant.Stage ThreeIf the complainant is still not satisfied with the resolution proposed then a panel of Governors, acting on behalf of the Governing Body, drawn from the membership of the Pupil Discipline Committee will hear the complaint to seek its resolution. If you ever have any complaints about the curriculum, or its’ delivery, please make an appointment with the Head teacher so that the matter can be discussed fully.If you then feel that your complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily, please put it in writing to the Chair of the Governing Body, who will then proceed with the investigation. Below is the OFSTED address if you need to make a complaint.

OFSTED ADDRESS : Royal Exchange Buildings, 0300 123 1231 St Ann’s Square

MANCHESTER M2 7LA

Policies and Procedures are available to read on request.

TRANSITION

The Nursery is open from either 8.45 – 11.45am or from 12.45 – 3.45pm.____________________ can come every morning / afternoon starting on _______________________ .

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SETTLING INIt is very important for someone from home to stay with your child when they first come to the Nursery for AT LEAST the whole of the first two sessions and be available to return early for at least the first week. Sometimes children need support for several weeks. This helps them to settle happily in the Nursery and to get off to a good start in their school life.

For the first 10 minutes of a session you are encouraged to stay and join the activities with your child. NB You will be able to collect your child up to 20 minutes before the end of the session. If you collect your child after the closing time stated above you will incur a £10 charge for every quarter of an hour late.

Please come right in to the Nursery with your child and stay if you can even after they have settled. We always welcome parents and friends to play and talk with the children, help them cook and read or tell them stories, especially stories in the language they use at home. Many of our children are lucky enough to be growing up using two or more languages, and we encourage the children to use them in the Nursery. We know that a lot of you are working or busy at home but if you do have any spare time please come to the Nursery.

We also need to be able to contact you in an emergency so please tell us if your home / work / contact details change.

MOVING TO THE NEXT SETTINGTowards the end of the academic year the children are taken for visits to their new setting. Also practitioners are encouraged to visit the children in their previous setting.

When children are 3 – 4 years old the practitioners take them for walks around the main school building being introduced to the Welfare Staff, Office Staff, Library, Sport’s Hall, Playground and Field Area in their last half term of the school year. The children are also introduced to their new teachers at a Reception Parents Meeting and go to visit their new setting. On the whole school transition day they have a second visit to their new teachers and classrooms supported by the Nursery staff.

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PLAYING AND LEARNING‘Oakington Manor Primary is an outstanding school. It has many exceptional features, and is highly effective in ensuring that its pupils make excellent progress in developing their basic skills and becoming confident and thoughtful learners.’ OFSTED 2007

Play underpins all development and learning for young children. Whether spontaneous or adult led, children develop intellectually, creatively, physically, socially and emotionally.For example:

They are getting ready to read when they are doing jigsaws, matching, enjoying stories, reciting Nursery Rhymes, looking at books, talking and singing.

They are getting ready to write when they are painting, drawing, cutting out, sewing, printing, pretending and imagining.

The children are learning about Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy when they are building, doing jigsaws, playing with sand and water, cooking, climbing, threading, sorting, counting, making patterns etc.

They are learning about Science when they are gardening, cooking, blowing bubbles, observing insects, etc.

While they are enjoying these and many other activities, the children are learning to think and make decisions, to concentrate, to use their imaginations, to work together, to make friends and, above all, they are having fun.A voluntary fund of 50p is collected on a Monday morning.

ASSESSMENTYour child will be assigned to the care of one of the Nursery’s key workers who you can share any concerns and contributions to your child’s welfare and learning. There are also two occasions in the school year when practitioners summarise your child’s progress.

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HEALTHY SCHOOLThe school was awarded ‘National Healthy School’ status in May 2006.

We have an Environmental Committee who organise the high level of recycling at the school. All school meals are healthy and balanced, meeting the Food Standards. We have an active Travel Plan, which includes walk on Wednesday. The children have access to water throughout the day and are offered a fruit snack. We have parties for special occasions. If you decide to send in party food and a cake for your child’s birthday please stay and help. We do lots of cooking in the Nursery and generally use vegetable oil and vegetable fats. If your child is allergic to any foods please let us know.

ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSIf your child has an accident at school we will record the details in our accident book and will relay these details to you. When you pick up your child you will be asked to sign the accident form.

Children who are ill should not be brought to the Nursery.

ADMINISTERING MEDICINES PROCEDUREMedicines should only be brought to the Nursery when it is essential. We will only give recently prescribed medication on completion of the appropriate form. This is available from the school office.

ILLNESS EXCLUSION PROCEDUREIf a child becomes ill during the day parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child immediately. If a child has an infectious or contagious illness we expect parents to cooperate with us by informing us about the disease and by not bringing children to the Nursery until the child has fully recovered so that the infectious illness can be controlled. If your child is not well enough to play outside or to play with the water it would be better to keep them at home.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Children must wear school uniform every day.

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The uniform is made up as follows:

Oakington Manor Polo Shirt or Blue/white or grey blouse or shirt Navy/Grey or black trousers/skirt or pinafore dress. Oakington Manor jumper or cardigan Blue & White checked/ striped dress (Summer)Royal blue Shalwar Kameez.Black/brown shoes (NO TRAINERS)

Oakington Manor jumpers, cardigans, polo shirts, hats, book bags and ruck-sacks are available from the school office.

A PRICE LIST CAN BE FOUND IN THE APPENDIX

Nearly all small children enjoy messy play, and some of the Nursery activities are messy. We do have aprons for the children to wear, but they sometimes still get paint on their clothes. The children play inside and out, so please make sure they have warm coats in cold weather and shoes that are safe to climb in. Hats are important to wear if the weather gets hot.

If you have any queries about the Nursery please ask us. We are happy to talk to you when you bring or collect your child.

We hope you and your child will enjoy your time in the Nursery and we look forward to getting to know you better.

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