Thorntree Academy

P R O S P E C T U S

Thorntree AcademyLEARN | THRIVE | CELEBRATE

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2 Thorntree Academy Prospectus

Welcome

Welcome to Thorntree Academy

The Headteacher will be very happy to discuss further any points raised in this booklet.Please make arrangements to see her if you feel this would be of value.

Important

There is a lot of important information in this booklet and it is hoped that parents/carers will find time to read it all. In particular, your attention is drawn to paragraphs in bold which relate specifically to your child’s safety and the smooth running of the school. We would be especially grateful if you would read these before your child starts our school. Please note that the school is able to provide written information in a variety of formats if required.

About us

Thorntree Academy

Thorntree Academy joined Extol Academy Trust on 1st March 2020. It serves the needs of families living in the area of Thorntree, East Middlesbrough.

The school opened as a primary school in 1985 after the amalgamation of Thorntree Infant and Junior Schools.Over the years the school building has been adapted to ensure that children attending our school receive an education in a building that is fit for purpose. The building underwent major refurbishment in 2014 to bring it up to 21st century teaching requirements. It is light and spacious with extensive areas of soft and hard landscaping.

The school is divided into two distinct areas; Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 are in Lower School, whilst Key Stage 2 occupies Upper School.

The classes in each year group are located around external quadrangles which offer opportunities to enhancemany aspects of the curriculum. Children also have access to the wildlife area, polytunnel, outdoor adventureplay equipment and a multi-use games area (MUGA).

We have a well resourced Foundation Stage department with an outdoor provision as well as a dedicated hall,which allows the children access to explore large play, whatever the weather.

The teaching staff, teaching assistants, pastoral care team, sports coach, school administration team and site supervisor are all highly committed and provide a friendly, secure and stimulating environment within which we seek to bring out every child’s potential in all areas of the curriculum and help them to develop self-confidence, independence and self-respect.

Admissions

Nursery: Children are usually admitted into nursery after their third birthday, sometimes there is a waiting list so parents are recommended to put their child’s name down in good time. The Nursery teacher who is in charge of Nursery will contact parents when a place becomes available.

Main School: Children are admitted to full-time school in the September of the year in which they are five.Liaison between nursery and reception ensures a smooth transition into full-time school.

Parents who wish to transfer their child to our school are asked to contact the local authority admissions team to request a transfer. They can be contacted on 01642 201890.

3Phone: 01642 242309 General Email: [email protected] www.thorntreeschool.co.uk


Our school aims include;

• To ensure that all children irrespective of gender, race, culture and ability are treated equally and are able to reach their full potential

• To create a purposeful learning environment which encourages a child to progress happily

• To enable children to understand that respect and thoughtfulness for others provides the basis of a caring and happy community

• To be able to speak and write effectively in a variety of situations

• To respect books, equipment, tools and property at school and wherever they might be

• To develop a knowledge and understanding of mathematics which enable children to operate effectively both in and out of school

• To encourage scientific curiosity to enable children to understand the world in which they live through investigation and problem solving

• Through history, geography and religious studies, develop an awareness and appreciation of the past, present and their influences on the future

• To develop skills across the curriculum in design, technology, art, music and crafts

• To help children to appreciate the beauty of the world around them

• To promote an enjoyment of physical activities, drama, dance and recreational games skills

• To establish an environment in which teaching and non-teaching staff, governors, advisory colleagues and parents/carers can work together to ensure we achieve our aims


Useful Information

Useful Contacts & Information

General:

Thorntree AcademyThe GreenwayThorntreeMiddlesbroughClevelandTS3 9NH

Tel: 01642 242309E-mail: [email protected]

Chair of Governors:

Mrs C BarnettC/o Thorntree Academy

Executive Director of Children Services

Middlesbrough Local Education Authority3rd FloorCivic CentreP.O Box 501TS1 2RH

Tel: 01642 729500

Education Social Welfare & Attendance Manager: Mrs L. Mitchell

Tel: 01642 201846

Our Staff

Local Governing Body

HeadteacherMrs Wendy Nelson

Staff GovernorsMr Mike FosterMrs Nerys Thornton

Parent GovernorsMiss Kelly Read

LA GovernorCouncillor Geraldine Purvis

Foundation GovernorMrs Karen Welford

Co-opted GovernorsMrs Cat Barnett (Chair)Mr Geoff Bollands (Vice-Chair)Mrs Allison Potter

(All Governors can be contacted via the school office)

School Teaching Staff

Early Years Foundation StageMrs Saaiman TeacherMrs Knowles TeacherMiss Hatton Nursery NurseMiss Williams Teaching AssistantMiss Sini Teaching AssistantMrs Taylor Teaching Assistant

Year 1Miss Ali TeacherMr Cassidy TeacherMiss Dybell Teaching AssistantMrs Fryett (Y1&2) Teaching Assistant

Year 2Mrs Marshall TeacherMiss Tupling TeacherMrs Fryett (Y1&2) Teaching Assistant

Year 3Mrs McDonagh Teacher / Lower Key Stage 2 Leader

Mrs Hopper TeacherMiss Lily TeacherMrs Rowney Teaching Assistant

Year 4Miss French TeacherMr Robson TeacherMrs Knowles Teaching Assistant

Year 5Miss O’Neill TeacherMr French TeacherMrs Macmenamin Teaching AssistantMrs Nottingham Teaching Assistant

Year 6Mrs Everett Teacher/Upper Key Stage 2 LeaderMr Johnston TeacherrMrs Young HLTAMrs Lord HLTA

Other Staff in School

Mrs Nelson Headteacher / Designated Safeguarding LeadMrs Thornton Deputy Head TeacherMr Foster Assistant Head TeacherMrs Cottle Designated Deputy for Safeguarding / Parent Support AdvisorMiss Morris Assistant Parent Support AdvisorMrs O’Rourke School Business ManagerMiss Williams Administration AssistantMiss Herlingshaw Administration AssistantMrs Dawson SEMH SupportMiss Wardell Peak Sports ApprenticeMiss Ainsley Academic Mentor

6 Thorntree Academy Prospectus 7Phone: 01642 242309 General Email: [email protected] www.thorntreeschool.co.uk

AUTUMN

School opens 2nd September 2020

HALF TERM

School closes 23rd October 2020

School re-opens 2nd November 2020

CHRISTMAS

School closes 18th December 2020

School re-opens 4th January 2021

HALF TERM

School closes 12th February 2021

School re-opens 22nd February 2021

EASTER

School closes 1st April 2021

School re-opens 12th April 2021

MAY DAY 3rd May 2021

Half Term

School closes 28th May 2021

School re-opens 14th June 2021

SUMMER

School closes 16th July 2021

PD DAYS - on 1st September, 27th November, 19th, 20th, 21st July 2021.

BANK HOLIDAYS - on 31st August, 25th December, 28th December, 1st January, 2nd April, 5th

April, 3rd May and the 31st May.

School Terms & Holidays 2020/2021

AUTUMN

School opens 2nd September 2021

HALF TERM

School closes 22nd October 2021

School re-opens 1st November 2021

CHRISTMAS

School closes 17th December 2021

School re-opens 4th January 2022

HALF TERM

School closes 11th February 2022

School re-opens 21st February 2022

EASTER

School closes 8th April 2022

School re-opens 19th April 2022

Half Term

School closes 27th May 2022

School re-opens 13th June 2022

SUMMER

School closes 21st July 2022

School Terms & Holidays 2021/2022

PD DAYS - on 1st September, 26th November, 3 PD Days TBC.

BANK HOLIDAYS - on 30th August, 27t, 28th December, 3rd January, 15th & 18th April, 30th

May.

Child Absences

Under current laws your child will be regarded as truanting from school if you do not let us know why he/she

is absent. We do ask you therefore, to let the school know by telephone on the first day of your child’s absence, if your child is not attending school for any reason. This will prevent you

being telephoned or visited by either Mrs Cottle, Parent Support Advisor or Miss Morris, Assistant Parent Support

Administrator.

If your child’s attendance falls below 96%, then their attendance will be monitored daily, in addition Mrs Cottle our

Parent Support Advisor, or Miss Morris our Assistant Parent Support Advisor. will make contact with you to discuss the

reasons for absence.

If your child’s attendance falls below 90% then the Local Authority will also become involved and legal proceedings

may ensue if an immediate improvement in attendance does not occur.

PLEASE NOTE: From September 2014 we have pursued Penalty Notices for ALL unauthorised leave taken during school time, including time taken for family holidays.

Times

In school the morning session begins at 8.50am. The doors to school are opened at 8.40am and children may enter school at this time.

School finishes for lunch at 11.45am for Reception children, 12 noon for KS1 children and 12 noon or 12.15pm for KS2 children. The afternoon session begins at 12.45pm for Reception children, 1pm for KS1 and 12.45pm or 1pm for KS2 children. School finishes at 3pm.

In Nursery the morning session begins at 8.30a.m and finishes at 11.30am. The afternoon session begins at 12.15pm and finishes at 3.15pm.

Time Keeping

The school is unable to supervise or watch over the safety of children who arrive at school early. Please do not send your children to school before 8.30am unless they are attending Breakfast Club.

Arriving at school late causes difficulties for the class teacher, who must then go over work again, for the administration staff who must remark registers and alter dinner numbers, but mostly for your child, who has to enter a class that is already at work. We therefore appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that your child is ALWAYS on time for school, 8.50am for the morning session and 1pm for the afternoon session.

If your child is regularly late for school our Parent Support Advisor will be asked to take appropriate action.It is also very important that children are collected promptly at 3pm Children in Reception and

KS1 will need to be collected each evening at 3pm by someone over the age of 16.We will not allow children to go with anyone who we believe to be younger.

If parents/carers find this difficult, they should discuss this with the Head Teacher.

Arriving to and Leaving School

Health Appointments

Children cannot be allowed to leave school premises during school hours unless they are collected from school by

a parent or a letter is sent to the child’s teacher outlining another arrangement. We regret that, for reasons of safety, requests made by

telephone or via the child will not be sufficient. We ask that wherever possible health appointments are made outside of school hours.

Car Parking

We ask parents/carers not to use the school car-park at the beginning and end of the school day, but to park sensibly away from the school. The lane from The Greenway to the main school entrance

can be particularly dangerous when parents/ carers use this area for parking. Children’s safety is paramount so we ask you to please consider this before you park.

The Playground

Dogs, on or off the lead, bicycles, scooters, and any motorised vehicles are NOT PERMITTED on the school playground or field at any time. If you choose to disregard this you will be challenged. Dogs that

are left to wander will be removed by the dog wardens.

All of the school grounds and buildings are designated NO SMOKING areas and as such we ask you to ensure that if you wish to smoke, while waiting to collect your child, you do so off school

premises. Please note that this includes e-cigarettes.

We also ask that you consider your language when on school premises. It is inappropriate for children to hear adults swearing and using offensive

language. The Rights Respecting Ambassadors have asked me to remind parents/carers that they request that adults wear

appropriate clothing when bringing their children to and from school. Pyjamas/nightwear are not

deemed as appropriate.


What Do We Teach?

Our overall aims in teaching can be summarised as follows:

1. To teach all subjects in ways that stimulate interest and help make clear their links with children’s own experiences and which highlight their relevance to the world the children live in. With this in mind we will;

• Use practical, first hand experience where ever possible and relevant• Use outside visitors and providers (e.g. drama groups, musicians, local historians, scientists etc.)• Organise visits to localities and facilities linked to areas of the curriculum studied (e.g. Preston Park, Eden Camp etc)

2. To ensure, through targeted assessment and through planning, that what is taught and the way it is taught are matched to the children’s abilities and that achievement is recognised and praised whatever the learners ability level. Children are taught individually, in small groups and in class or year groups depending on the requirements of the learning tasks involved. Groups may be of mixed ability or organised to reflect particular learning needs, again depending on the tasks involved.

3. To encourage children to strive at all times to achieve high standards and to seek to raise standards wherever possible. The standards achieved last year by the Y6 and Y2 children are detailed on the website.

4. To ensure that all children are introduced to a wide range of areas of experience, knowledge and skills, including R.E. and other areas such as personal, social and moral development and all aspects of the National Curriculum R.E. is provided within the framework of the Agreed Syllabus. If parents or any child request that he/she be excused from attendance at collective worship or religious education lessons the child will be excused and alternative arrangements made. Children meet as either whole school or upper and lower school groups for collective worship. The aim of collective worship is to provide the opportunity for children to:

• Respond to the acts of worship delivered • Reflect on values that are of a broadly Christian nature and on their own beliefs • Develop a community spirit, common ethos and shared values • Consider spiritual and moral issues • Experience awe and wonder

The Head Teacher will be pleased to discuss particular subjects with you in more detail. We aim to ensure through planning and monitoring, that each of these subject areas is allotted sufficient time during the year for children to make acceptable progress.

The National Curriculum Key Stages

At Thorntree Primary School the children are taught in three Key Stages:

Foundation Stage from 3-5yrsKS1 from 5-7yrsKS2 from 7-11yrs

The Foundation Stage children follow the areas of learning and development as outlined in the EYFS framework. These are:

Prime Areas Communication and Language Physical Development Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas Literacy Mathematics Understanding the world Expressive arts and design

In KS1 and 2 children follow the National Curriculum areas, which are:

Core Subjects Foundation SubjectsEnglish Art and Design TechnologyMathematics HistoryScience Geography Physical Education Music Modern Foreign Languages Computing Religious Education PSHE and citizenship

Caring For Your Child

Pastoral Care

It is the responsibility of the teaching staff to be as concerned about the welfare and safety of the children as with their educational progress.

It is of great help to your child’s teacher if you let them know if there are any reasons why your child may need especially sympathetic attention (e.g. recent illness, disability, serious illness of a close relative, marriage break-up etc)

For our part, if we are concerned about your child’s behaviour or general well being we will contact you in order to discuss this further.

If you do have any concerns about your child please contact your child’s teacher. Alternatively please arrange to see Mrs Cottle, PSA (Parent Support Advisor) or Miss Morris, Assistant PSA.

As part of our annual update of records you will be asked to complete a Health Care record for your child where you are asked to outline any health issues, which may be affecting your child.

Breakfast Club

We operate a FREE BREAKFAST CLUB, which is sponsored by Greggs Bakery. Breakfast Club is open from 8.10 a.m. each morning for Years 1 - 6 during the Autumn Term and Years Reception - Year 6 during Spring and Summer Terms. A choice of cereals, toast and milk are offered. We ask that if parents/carers wish their child to attend Breakfast Club, they register their child’s name with Mrs Fryett.

School Clubs

Encouragement to develop individual interests and talents is given through various during and after school clubs. These vary from year to year but are likely to include art, computer skills, gardening, dance and sports activities.

Clubs run out of school depend heavily upon the help of members of staff, which is greatly appreciated by both parents/carers and children.

Bullying

We understand bullying as involving planned or deliberate behaviour intended to harm or cause distress to another person. It can be a one off incident or a persistent pattern, but while the latter is often more damaging both should be treated seriously.

We have a clear policy designed to ensure that:

• We do all that is reasonable to prevent bullying• We treat seriously all reports and incidents of bullying

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you suspect your child is being bullied or is bullying someone else.Our policy regarding bullying can be found on the school website.

School Visits

Visits are seen as an important part of school life, enabling us to make learning more meaningful and enjoyable. The school has a detailed set of procedures that follow the guidelines set down by the DFE for ensuring that school visits are safe and educationally worthwhile. Risk Assessments are carried out whenever children are taken on visits.

Security

In order to make the school as safe as possible we seek to keep all doors shut during the school day. Parents/Carers wishing to enter school should ALWAYS use the main entrance and report to one of the administration team.

Special Needs

We seek to provide each child with an education geared to his/her level of ability and need. Where children seem to be experiencing particular difficulties in learning or behaviour we will contact parents to discuss this with them. If your child does need additional help in school either because they are finding it difficult to make


your child’s progress with you and write an SEND support plan outlining target areas for support and improvement in the term ahead. If it is felt that your child needs more help than the school can offer orthat extra advice would be helpful the school will discuss with you whether we should seek the advice of an Educational Psychologist or of the Behaviour and Learning Support Services.

As a school we are pleased with the success of our SEND procedures. Children’s progress against clear targets is reviewed regularly, and with the appropriate intervention strategies and the support of parents/carers children generally show improvements.

If you would like further information about the schools approach to helping children with special needs please do not hesitate to contact Mrs McDonagh, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator in school, or look for information on the Special Educational Needs section of our website.

Safeguarding

At Thorntree Academy we are dedicated to safe-guarding and promoting the welfare of all children and in particular protecting them from significant harm. As such if we have concerns about a child’s wellbeing we will refer to and use the Safeguarding Children Procedures as laid down by the South Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership.

This may mean that we call on the support of many different agencies such as social services, school health, housing, police, parent support advisor etc.

Wherever possible, any concerns we have about your child will be discussed with you , however if we feel that by discussing any concerns we have, your child would be put at further or increased risk, then we will follow procedures without notifying you first.

We ask that you work closely with us in ensuring that your child/children have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, to be safe-guarded from harm and exploitation and to meet the five “Every Child Matters” outcomes.

• Stay safe• Be Healthy• Enjoy and Achieve• Make a positive contribution• Achieve economic well-being

Relationships and Sex Education

Relationships and Sex education is taught at an age appropriate level through our PSHE curriculum - Jigsaw PSHE. Enquiries which arise naturally within the class are dealt with at an appropriate level with due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life. Futher details can be found in our whole school policy on the website.

Equal Opportunities, Racial and Homophobic Intolerance

We aim to ensure that all of our policies and practises are supportive of equal opportunities for all children and we seek to avoid all forms of prejudice, stereotyping, sexism, racism and homophobia. Incidents of racist or homophobic behaviour are rare, but are monitored closely and always reported to the Local Authority.


Discipline and Behaviour

The following statement of general principles underpins

our Code of Conduct, which is available on the school

website. We do hope that parents will take the time to

discuss these with your children.

Further details on the school behaviour policy are

available in school or via the policies section of the school

website.

General Aims

In school we seek:

1. To develop children’s self discipline, self respect and

self esteem and sense of responsibility for their

actions.

2. To develop mutual respect and tolerance between

children and a sense of caring for one another.

3. To develop children’s respect for the adults with whom

they come in contact.

4. To create the conditions for an orderly community in

which effective learning can take place.

5. To develop children’s respect for the environment in

which they live and work.We seek to achieve such aims within the framework of a

pleasant and purposeful atmosphere in which children are encouraged to strive to improve and to achieve their best.

In particular we:

1. Encourage children to take RESPONSIBILITY for their actions. We use the language of choice and stress that children must choose either to behave in an acceptable manner or to accept the consequences. The school’s understanding of acceptable behaviour is outlined in our School Code of Conduct.2. PRAISE and REWARD acceptable behaviour rather than repeatedly focusing on undesirable behaviour. We have a positive reward system where children can earn house points for helpful and caring behaviour.3. Emphasise FAIRNESS.4. Seek to find the TRUTH about what has happened and to state this clearly before trying to fix situations.5. Make it clear that behaving badly does not make someone a bad person.6. Allow children a FRESH START after they have done something unacceptable.


School Meals

A cafeteria system, offering a choice of menus, is used and payment for school meals is collected in advance on Monday mornings. Parents should put dinner money in the envelopes provided, with the child’s name andclass marked on the outside along with other details.

It is important that dinner money is sent in full on Monday mornings and not at any other time.

Please note that any over payment of dinner money is credited to the following week.

Free school meals are supplied to those children in Reception, Year1 and Year2, however we urge parents to continue to apply for free school meals if they are eligible as this is the way additional Pupil Premium Funding is calculated for schools. We rely on this funding to support the teaching and learning of our children. Parents who are in receipt of income support are eligible to apply for free school meals for their children. Every effort is made to ensure that there are no distinctions between children receiving free school meals and those who pay. If you think that your child may be entitled to free school meals please contact the school office or the Education Office for further details.

Alternatively children may bring packed lunches to school. Children who do so should not bring hot or fizzy drinks or hot soup, or drinks in glass bottles or cans. We ask parents to consider providing healthy food with a minimum of sweet chocolate coated items and high fat items such as crisps.

It is only possible to change from one sort of dinners to another (e.g. from packed lunch to school meals) at the beginning of the week and any change of arrangements must be notified to the office staff at least one week before the change is to take effect.

We regret that failure to do this may result in you being expected to pay for any meals ordered for your child in error.

Finally we must stress that it is not possible for us to order a meal for a child after 9.30a.m. in the morning. It is therefore essential if your child is coming to school late due to a health appointment etc. that you let the office staff know the day before if you wish a meal to be ordered. Any children coming to school late must report to the school office on arrival. Failure to do so may result in no dinner being ordered for them.

Health and Emergencies

If your child is unwell please do not send him/her to school. The condition may get worse and it is not always easy to provide the care that a sick child needs.

Emergencies

We often need to contact parents quickly, usually because of a child’s illness, wetting or soiling or because of an accident that needs treatment. It is vital therefore that we have an UP TO DATE TELEPHONE NUMBER (home, work, mobile, relative, neighbour, friend) so that we can contact you quickly and easily in case of emergency. Parents/ Carers are therefore asked to fill in, and keep up to date, an EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS FORM.

P.E./Swimming

P.E. is a compulsory aspect of the curriculum through which children develop competence in a broad range of physical activities, including swimming. Children are required to be active for a sustained period of time and engaged in competitive sports and activities to promote a healthy, active lifestyle. If your child is unable to take part in P.E. for any reason, please discuss this with their class teacher.

Medicine in school

School adheres to their policy;Managing Children with medical conditions, at all times. Please see the policies section of the school website for more details. A few basic rules:

1. The school is not prepared to supervise the administration of non-prescription medicines bought over the counter. These should not be brought to school. This includes cough sweets and other cold remedies. Parents can however come to school during break times, to administer non-prescription pain relief if this is deemed necessary.

2. Wherever possible doctors should be asked to prescribe medicines in such a way that it is not necessary for them to be taken during school hours. If it is essential for medicines to be taken at such times arrangements should be made for a parent/carer to come into school to give the child the required dose.3. In certain circumstances the school will supervise a child taking an essential prescribed medicine. Parents/carers should contact Mrs Mace in the administration team in person should they feel this is necessary. We regret that if a child simply arrives at school with medicine we cannot allow them to take it and we cannot be held responsible for any ill effects that this may have.

Asthma

We firmly believe that all pupils with asthma should be able to take part in all aspects of the curriculum and to this end we ask all children with asthma to carry an inhaler with them at all times. Parents/ Carers of children with asthma are asked to fill in a health form giving permission for their child to carry an inhaler.

ADHD, Anaphylaxis (severe allergy), Diabetes, Epilepsy

Parents/carers of children with medical conditions such as ADHD, which may require regular administration of drugs such as Ritalin, or with conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy or severe allergies, which may require quick emergency action, should contact the Head Teacher to discuss the child’s condition and to draw up an Individual Health Care Plan.

Wetting and Soiling

When children have wetting and soiling accidents parents/carers will usually be asked to come to school to change their child. If this occurs as a result of a known condition parents/carers are asked that a suitable change of clothing is left at school for their child to change into should this be deemed necessary. School has shower facilities for the use of children as/when required. Further


School Clothing

Uniform

We ask that all children wear our school uniform which is as follows:

• Royal Blue Sweatshirt/Jumper• Grey or Black Trousers/Pinafore/Skirt, Shorts in Summer• White polo shirt• Flat sensible black shoes/trainers – it is particularly important that children do not wear shoes with high heels• Royal Blue checked dresses in the summer• For P.E a white t-shirt and black /navy blue shorts

All items of school uniform can be purchased or ordered from school. Please see our admin team.School uniform can also be bought from other outlets such as, Asda, Tesco, Matalan.We urge parents/ carers to mark all items of school clothing including outdoor coats with their child’s name. If children lose clothing it is very difficult to find the item and return it safely to its owner.

Clothing for P.E.

All children should wear black shorts and a white t-shirt for P.E. Parents/carers must provide plimsolls for indoor P.E. Trainers may not be worn.

We advise that children do not bring football strips to change into for P.E. We urge parents/carers to send their children with a change of shoes for outdoor P.E. The provision of a named P.E. bag is very useful. P.E. bags can be purchased from the school office. Alternatively a carrier bag can be used. Children attending swimming lessons should be provided with a towel and costume/trunks from home.

Jewellery

In the interests of Health and Safety we urge parents/carers to ensure that children wear only the minimum of jewellery. Watches are acceptable as are stud earrings (children need to be able to remove these for P.E. and swimming).

Parents/Carers and School

There is little doubt that your child’s enthusiasm for learning will increase if you take an active interest in what they are doing at school by talking to them about their work and by attending consultation events.

Talking to your child’s teacher

An opportunity for all parents/carers to meet their child’s teacher to discuss progress and learning targets is given three times a year, but parents/carers are always welcome in school to discuss any concerns they have about their child. The only restriction we put on this is that parents/ carers do not approach teachers first thing in the morning or during teaching time. Anything urgent during these times can be discussed with the Head Teacher.

Letters

You will receive quite a few letters from school about things that are happening including a monthly newsletter. Unfortunately children often forget to show these letters to parents/carers and therefore we do urge you to ask them from time to time if there are any letters from school. Letters will be sent out via School Ping

Reports/Information for Parents

At the beginning of each half term you will receive a knowledge organiser and essential skills document. This is to support children at home and to inform you of what they are learning. During the second part of each term you will get a written report on your child’s progress. The written report at the end of the summer term is a detailed analysis of your child’s progress throughout the academic year.

The Home School Agreement

The Home School Agreement sets out what we aim to do in school, how you can support us and what we expect of your child. The Head Teacher will sign the agreement and we ask that you and your child sign it too. We believe that this agreement is an important part of keeping a close working relationship between home and school and we hope that you will support it fully.

Homework

All children will have a number of homework tasks to choose from during the half term. We also expect children to read daily and for this to be recorded in their home/school reading record. Children should also regularly use Times Tables Rock Stars and Reading Plus in Y2-6 and Oxford Owl in EYFS and Y1. Children receive a book bag on admission to Reception which they should use to bring their reading book to and from school. Children in Lower Key Stage 2 will also be provided with a book bag whereas children in Upper Key Stage 2 will be issued with a school back pack.

Other Important Information

Jewellery and other valuables including Mobile Phones

Parents/ Carers must realise that school can accept NO responsibility for any jewellery or other valuables (e.g. watches, money), that such items are NOT brought to school. Mobile phones and other electronic equipment or games are not allowed. If they are brought to school they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the school day.

Loss or Damage to Personal Property

The School/LA cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage to personal property of staff or children except where it can be shown or proved that the School/ LA has been negligent or has otherwise contributed to such loss or damage.

Admissions Policy

We hope to welcome your child into nursery as early as possible. Generally children will be admitted during the term following their third birthday. If however there is excessive demand children will be admitted strictly in age order, i.e. oldest first. Children starting school from Nursery are admitted into school each September can apply for a place in reception in line with the L A policy.

Transfer to Secondary School

At the appropriate time children transfer to the chosen secondary school. Visits to the school are arranged during the summer term to facilitate as smooth a transfer as possible. Continuous liaison with secondary schools exists, allowing for contact throughout the school year, to the benefit of the children. The Local Authority issue a booklet to inform parents of the provision for secondary education.

Procedure for Charging and Remission of Charges

The school has adopted the authority policy on charges and remissions, full details of which are available via the main reception or the website.

Mobile Phone Use

We would like to remind parents / carers that the use of mobile phones is not permitted in school. This includes the taking of photographs and videos during school events such as curriculum days, sports events and productions.


Public Access to Documents

The Freedom of Information Act requires schools to be clear about the information they publish. We have produced a Publications Scheme setting out all the Information that we publish on a regular basis and where to find it. If you wish to see this scheme please enquire at the school office.

Complaints

A procedure for considering complaints from parents/carers relating to the school curriculum, the charging and remissions policies of schools and religious education and collective worship. It is hoped that parents would raise any concerns they might have about such matters with the Head Teacher in the first instance. If parents wish to make a formal complaint, however, details of the procedures available can be obtained via the website.

The School Website

The School Website can be found at www.thorntreeschool.co.uk

Local Education and Government Policy Documents

A library of policy documents and statutory instruments are held in school. Should a parent/carer wish to access any of these please contact the school office. Policy documents are available electronically. Hard copies are available at a small cost to cover photocopying.

Please Note

The information in this brochure was prepared and published in September 2020 and relates to the 2020/2021 school year, commencing in September 2020 and the particulars it contains (about the school year) were correct at that time. It must not be assumed that there will be no changes affecting the relevant arrangements or certain matters during the 2020/21 school year or in respect of subsequent school years, arising, for example, from variations in Government or Local Authority policy for education.

Please keep this booklet for reference and add or amend items, as it becomes necessary.

Thorntree AcademyThe GreenwayMiddlesbroughTS3 9NHTel: 01642 242309

We are required by the government to send out the following information. If you wish further explanation please contact school.

Privacy Notice-Data Protection Act 1998

Thorntree Academy aims to ensure that all personal data collected about staff, pupils, parents, governors, visitors and other individuals is collected, stored and processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the expected provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) as set out in the Data Protection Bill. It processes personal data about pupils in order to:

• Support pupil learning• Monitor and report on pupil progress• Provide appropriate pastoral care• Protect pupil welfare• Assess the quality of our service• Administer admission waiting lists• Carry out research• Comply with the law regarding data sharing

For more information regarding our Privacy Notice for parents and carers and the General Data Protection Policy please refer to the Key Information section of the school website. Documents are located in the GDPR section and refer to all personal data, regardless of whether it is in paper or electronic format.

If you wish to make a data request then please contact our data protection officer,Mrs Karen O’Rourke (School Business Manager).


Address: Thorntree Academy, The Greenway, Middlesbrough TS3 9NH Telephone: (01642) 242309

E-mail: [email protected] www.thorntreeschool.co.uk

@TrThorntree