Pre-prep Year 3 Parent Handbook 2023

Clifton College Year 3

—Welcome to Year 3

The warmest of welcomes to Year 3 at Clifton College Pre-Preparatory. Year 3 is the first year of Key Stage 2, a four-year stage of education for the age group 7 – 11 years. Our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum 2014 Key Stage 2 programmes of study. Pupils are taught most subjects by their class teacher.

Occasionally some teamteaching occurs where teachers within the year group may teach the other classes in subjects that exploit their particular areas of expertise and interest.

All children cover the same broad syllabus and the teachers meet each week to plan activities and assess each pupil’s progress.

We hope you find this booklet informative and helpful, but if you have any problems or queries please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff.

Mr Sam Morgan Head of the Pre-Preparatory

An introduction for parent of children in Year

—Clifton College

Clifton College consists of two schools: the Upper School, with pupils from 13 – 18 years of age and the Preparatory School, with pupils from 3 – 13. Nursery to Year 3 form the Pre-Prep part of the Preparatory school.

Our aims are:

• To deliver a well-balanced, interesting and challenging curriculum

• To encourage high standards and enthusiasm for learning

• To develop self-esteem, self-confidence, selfmotivation, self-discipline and independence

• To provide a happy, purposeful learning environment where pupils enjoy their work

• To develop the pupils’ awareness and understanding of the importance of British values

• To create a close and interactive partnership with parents

In meeting these aims, we are always mindful of the overarching aims of Clifton College, and our role in providing an education, which will lay firm foundations in all aspects of school life, and equip the children to make the very best of their school career at Clifton.

—The School Day

The school day starts at 8:30am. Year 3 are very lucky to have their own Common Room. The children can be dropped off in the Common Room from 8:00am. They will enter through the main door and will stay in the Common Room with the staff on duty until they are collected by their class teacher at 8:25am.

Snack

Morning playtime takes place between 10:15am and 10:40am. A healthy snack is also given to the children mid-morning, e.g. fresh fruit, cheese and crackers. At 10:40am the children are collected from the playground by their class teacher.

—Pastoral Care

Lunch

At 12:00pm the children walk over to lunch in the dining hall with their teacher. At approximately 12:25pm they return to the playground, where they play until collected by their class teacher at 1:10pm.

End of Day

The school day ends at 4:00pm. Parents meet their children at the front of Sharps House where the children will say goodbye to their teacher.

All classes in Year 3 have their own class teacher who oversees the pastoral care of the children in the class. They are supported in this by the other teachers in Year 3 and also by the Gap Students and teaching assistants that work through the school and who get to know all children well.

Year 3 are very lucky to have their own Common Room. The children can be dropped off in the Common Room from 8:00am, and spend time with their friends doing a variety of activities. It is a fantastic place for the children to relax and it is an introduction to the House system in the Preparatory School.

“Year 3 have their own class teachers who oversee the pastoral care of the children in the class.”

—Wrap Around Care

Wrap Around Care is a free provision that is in place to support families who, primarily for work reasons, cannot drop off or collect their children at the beginning or end of the school day.

Breakfast Club

Children have the option of attending Breakfast Club from 7:30am. This takes place in our Nursery, where the children can be dropped off before being brought over to school at 8am by the Pre-Prep staff.

After School Care

After School Care facility takes place in the lower ground floor of Sharps House, and runs until 6.00pm. Qualified staff supervise the children until they can be collected.

Children are able to select a variety of activities including art and crafts, games and may use the playground when daylight allows. The children are given a snack tea which includes a choice of sandwiches, fruit, cheese and a drink.

After School Care can be booked online via MagicBooking. This is accessible via the Parent Portal on our website or via a communication that is shared ahead of each half term.

Occasional use may be available on the day, and a booking can be made via the office, but children can only be accepted if space is available. The provision is free to use.

—Curriculum

As in previous years, pupils in Year 3 study cross-curricular topics. The topics generally have either a scientific, historical or geographical focus, but include aspects of all three subjects, along with RE, PSHEE, Art, Design Technology, Computing and of course, Maths and English.

These are:

Michaelmas Term: The Victorians

Victorian Life

Lent Term:

Ancient Civilisations

Summer Term: The Stone Age

The topics are broad and incorporate many areas of the curriculum and to allow room to encourage the diverse interests and abilities of the pupils.

English

English work takes place daily in all classes, following the National Curriculum for English, with programmes of study for reading, writing and speaking and listening. During Year 3 the children will cover speaking, listening and

responding, group discussion and interaction, drama, word recognition – decoding and encoding, word structure and spelling, understanding and interpreting texts, engaging with and responding to texts, creating and shaping texts, text structure and organisation, sentence structure and punctuation and presentation. The year’s objectives are clustered into three main themes- narrative, non-fiction and poetry. Each of these themes forms a block in medium- term planning.

Reading

The children continue to follow the colour-coded reading scheme. An adult will hear the children read at least twice a week and any child needing extra support with their reading will be heard more regularly.

The children are encouraged to read for ten or fifteen minutes each evening in addition to their regular homework. Reading features as a regular part of the timetable, and there is time during the school week for quiet reading. This includes group reading, where children in small groups read a story book aloud.

Children visit the library weekly where they are encouraged to borrow books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Writing

Creative writing is developed in a variety of forms and in a variety of genres, e.g. instructions, diaries, letters, newspaper articles, information booklets, and is often linked to the topic area. We have high expectations of pupils with regard to their knowledge and application of fundamental rules of grammar and punctuation, and expect neat, cursive handwriting. In the summer term the children can work towards their ‘pen licence’ to enable them to write in ink. As always, individual targets are set for pupils to extend their learning in this area.

“The topics are broad enough to incorporate many areas of the curriculum and to allow room to encourage the diverse interests and abilities of the pupils.”

Speaking and Listening

The children in Year 3 are given opportunities to participate in class discussions, presentations, assemblies and school productions. Where possible speaking and listening activities will arise out of our programme of planned topics. The children will participate in:

• telling their own experiences to others

• explaining their opinions and thought on certain issues

• drama activities

• telling stories to others

• listening to poetry

• activities involving predicting outcomes and discussing possibilities

• conveying accurate messages and following instructions independently

Mathematics

In Maths we follow the White Rose Programmes of Study for Mathematics, which places an emphasis on the development of a variety of numerical strategies, rather than teaching one specific method for each operation. There are seven strands of objectives which are covered each term. They comprise of:

• using and applying mathematics

• counting and understanding number

• knowing and using number facts

• calculating

• understanding shape

• measuring

• handling data

Lessons begin with an input session, followed by a range of activities and investigations. We aim to ensure that the children have a thorough knowledge and understanding of number bonds, the basic rules of number and other computational skills, which help develop confidence in problem-solving situations. There is a focus on the core areas of the curriculum, with an emphasis on multiplication tables and division. Handling data, measuring, shape, direction, charts, graphs and money, are just a few of the topic areas of Maths that we cover.

Maths homework is set once a week and will be based on work covered during the lessons that week.

Science

The children have the opportunity to explore and develop their understanding of the four areas of the science curriculum – scientific enquiry, life processes and living things, materials and their properties and physical processes - within the topics covered during the

year. They are encouraged to work in a variety of ways to further their basic scientific skills of investigation and accurate recording. Children may be asked to work individually, in pairs or in small groups and to report their findings to the class as well as written recordings in text or graph forms.

Geography and History

In Year 3 History and Geography are based around our topics. In the Michaelmas term we investigate Bristol as a thriving mediaeval city and compare Bristol in the past and present. The pupils make a study of tall ships and their explorations from Bristol. They concentrate on this early period, culminating in a study of John Cabot, the Matthew and voyages of discovery. They also learn about the history of Clifton College and how it has grown and developed.

The topic on Victorian Life concentrates on the inventions and the lives of children in

“Lessons begin with an input session, followed by a range of activities and investigations.”

another age. Pupils learn about the life of Queen Victoria, the lives of children in Victorian times, inventions, discoveries and Clifton College as a Victorian institution, comparing and contrasting their own lives to those of Victorian children. They experience a Victorian style school day when they dress as Victorian schoolchildren and follow old style lessons, bringing history to life.

In Geography we make a general study of the geography and geology of the Bristol area through which they learn mapping skills. The children use a variety of maps with different scales, local street maps, geological maps and plans of the Clifton College campus. They learn how to use grid references and co-ordinates.

In the Lent term, the topic of Ancient Civilisation places the emphasis firmly on the historical and geographical development of Egypt, both Ancient and Modern. Pupils learn to locate places on a map, the importance of the River Nile to both ancient and modern Egypt, and to make a comparison of the

geography of Egypt and Britain. They study deserts, comparing and contrasting hot and cold countries, investigating how weather affects lifestyle. Children learn about the Ancient Egypt and explore how archaeologists and historians have discovered information. They focus on the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, learn about the religion and beliefs of Ancient Egyptians as well as the daily lives of both rich and poor.

In the Summer term we are introducing a new topic, the Stone Age. We will look at food, religion, homes, technology and art. We will see how these amazing developments compared with Ancient Egypt. The children also look at plant life, the water cycle and light and shadows in Science.

As part of the topic, Year 3 make their own journey to Kilve Court. Kilve Court is a Georgian country house with modern extensions that is now used as an outdoor education centre set at the foot of the stunning Quantock Hills and less than a mile away is Kilve’s Jurassic beach! This is an overnight trip where the children

are able to try new activities and develop their independence and social skills.

Over the year in Geography, pupils will develop a variety of skills and learn how to observe and question, collect and record evidence, analyse and communicate, undertake fieldwork, and make maps and plans.

Over the year in History, pupils will be taught chronological understanding, placing events, people and changes into correct periods of time and be able to use dates and vocabulary related to the passing of time; the lives, beliefs, attitudes and experiences of people in the past; historical interpretation; historical enquiry, and developing the ability to ask and answer questions, and selecting and recording information.

“We encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community.”

R.E.

In the Michaelmas term pupils study signs and symbols in Christianity and how different religions show God symbolically. They learn the differences between signs and symbols, literal and non-literal sayings, investigate everyday signs, visit Clifton College chapel where they are shown Christian symbols and make observational drawings and descriptions.

In the second half of term leading up to Christmas pupils study the Christmas story in depth.

In the Lent term pupils explore the Bible. They investigate the Old and New Testaments, the importance of the Bible for Christians and learn some of the stories which relate to Egypt such as the stories of Joseph and Moses. Pupils learn about the Easter story and draw on previous learning to link with work on Easter symbols.

In the Summer term pupils compare images of Jesus over time and cultures and research what his friends and enemies thought of him and also find evidence in the New Testament of how he described himself. They learn about, and

investigate, what missionaries are and why they do their work, beginning with early missionaries such as St Paul and leading on to a study of modern missionaries such as Mother Teresa. Children discuss and volunteer their own ideas on ‘what is faith?’

Computing

Pupils in Year 3 will continue to have a weekly lesson using the computer suite or iPads. All Year 3 classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. Pupils build on their existing skills and learn new ones. They learn to log on and off independently, develop their understanding of the keyboard, combine text and graphics in programs such as Word and PowerPoint and use the Internet for information gathering using cutting and pasting skills. Pupils will also learn how to write their own codes and algorithms, explore simulations, e-mail, manipulate sound, create their own databases using Excel and become familiar with a variety of software including Scratch and Espresso. In Year 3, Computing is embedded in the curriculum and used to support all curriculum areas. Children in Year 3 also use iPads to support learning in the classroom.

PSHEE and Citizenship

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education and Citizenship aims to enable pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. We encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community. We teach how society is organized and governed. We teach our pupils about rights and responsibilities and encourage them to appreciate what it means to be a positive member of a diverse multicultural society.

The PSHE and Citizenship Knowledge, skills and understanding are taught in four interrelated sections:

• Developing confidence and responsibility and making the most of their abilities

• Preparing to play an active role as citizens

• Developing a healthy, safer lifestyle

• Developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people

In the Pre-Prep we use a scheme of work called JIGSAW. The scheme continues into the Prep and Upper School. We use a wide range of teaching and learning styles and place an emphasis on active learning by including pupils in enquiry, problem-solving tasks and discussion.

We encourage pupils to take part in a range of practical tasks that promote active citizenship, e.g. red and green badges, planning class assemblies and participating in school clubs and residential trips.

Art and Design Technology

Pupils explore ideas and meanings through art and design. They will investigate the uses and possibilities of sketches, paintings, watercolours, clay, charcoal, modelling and other materials over the year. Pupils will also look at the works of various artists and experiment in a range of different techniques.

An introduction for parents of children in

French

Year 3 have French for 30 minutes per week.

Music

Music continues to be taught by a specialist music teacher, Mrs Gillam. There is an emphasis on creative music-making, exploring the elements of music: rhythm, pitch, texture and timbre in order to compose and perform. The children also have the opportunity to experience a wide range of recorded and live music (with visits from various music groups) looking at different traditions and great composers and musicians.

In Year 3 children continue to sing in the school choir and also learn to play the recorder. Recorder lessons take place initially in class groups. These groups are re-organised during the year dependent on ability. The lessons provide the children with an opportunity to play together, develop their performance skills and to understand musical notation.

There is also the option of learning an extra instrument. Following on from the string lessons in Year 2 there is the opportunity to have violin lessons in small groups at a reduced rate – these groups are made up of three or four pupils and are taught weekly by Mrs Gittings or Mrs Hall. There are also many other instruments on offer to learn on an individual basis. Forms for instrumental lessons are available from Mrs Gillam.

“The lessons provide the children with an opportunity to play together, develop their performance skills.”

—Homework

Children will be given homework some nights that should take approximately 15 minutes. This is mainly a practice or consolidation task connected with something they have done during the week and not finishing off class work.

Written homework is often differentiated and therefore your child may have a different task to complete to his/her friends. The work should be largely unaided, as the rationale behind setting the work is to develop a routine whereby the child independently settles down to a short task,

—Sport

In Year 3 children have sport activities most days. This may be dance, gymnastics, swimming or games. Year 3 will have Games sessions on Wednesday and Friday, fixtures on some Wednesdays and Festivals on some Saturday mornings. In the Lent term Year 3 host a mini triathlon against other schools which all children participate in. During the Summer term we have a Year group swimming gala. In addition to the timetabled sports activities after school sports clubs are also available to Year 3.

The children have two kit bags: Red bag

Swimming kit: Towel, costume, swimming hat, goggles, hairbrush or comb.

Blue bag

PE kit: Royal blue shorts, white polo shirt, white socks, trainers.

ultimately to develop a positive and constructive work ethic at home. In so doing, prep in future years will become less of a chore for the parents. In addition, ten/ fifteen minutes of reading is encouraged each evening.

Games kit: Tracksuit top,

tracksuit bottoms, blue games top, waterproof games top, shorts or a skort, rugby socks, trainers. Rugby boots for boys in the Michaelmas term.

“During the Summer Term we have a year group swimming gala.”

—Forest School

Forest school is an integral part of school life and we teach a lot of our DT and PSHE curriculum in the Forest. We have our own forest school site at Clifton College sports ground at BB, and travel to the site on school minibuses. In Year 3 we visit Forest School for a full day once a term. Whilst we are there we collect fire wood so we can cook our own lunch over the

camp fire and take part in topic related activities. There is a Forest School uniform of- green fleece, green joggers and long sleeved navy top which children in Year 3 can wear. However, they are also able to wear their Clifton College track suit with a base layer if they prefer, with full waterproofs and wellington boots.

—Assessment and Reporting

On a regular basis, teachers assess pupils on their attainment in the National Curriculum assessment criteria in the core subjects of reading, writing and Maths. There is a parents’ evening each term at which you are invited to meet with the class teacher for fifteen minutes to discuss progress.

You will receive a written report on your child’s progress twice a year. Each term you will be invited to come into your child’s class to look at their books. During this time your child will share with you the work that he/ she has been creating.

—Class Assemblies

In the Michaelmas and Lent terms each class will lead an assembly. Parents are invited into school to watch their child take part in their class assembly. It begins at 8.45 a.m. and usually lasts about 10 – 15 minutes.

All pupils need to wear standard Pre-Prep uniform appropriate for the season. All uniform must be clearly labelled inside. It is useful to have loops on the inside of jumpers, dresses and trousers to enable them to be hung up. All shoes and trainers must be clearly labelled. We recommend the ‘Whoshoe Label’, available to order from the School shop.

All accessories, hats, scarves, gloves and hair bands should be standard school colour of navy blue. Children with long hair should wear it tied up whilst in school. Children are not allowed to wear jewellery of any kind whilst in school.

The uniform for Year 3 is:

Option 1

Grey trousers or shorts

Blue long sleeved shirt

Navy jumper or tank top

School tie

Blazer

Grey socks

A labelled water bottle

Option 2

Black watch tartan pinafore or skort

Grey trousers or shorts

Blue long sleeved blouse

Navy cardigan

School tie

Blazer

Navy tights or socks

A labelled water bottle

In the summer-School summer dress and white socks

Where possible we try to arrange a class trip in connection with the topic children are doing. In Year 3 we visit Tyntesfield to support our topic on the Victorians. During the summer term we take the children on an overnight trip to Kilve Court.

—Uniform —School Trips —Security

The security of your child is of paramount importance. We will not allow him or her to be collected by other adults unless we have received your permission in advance. We would appreciate it if you could write a brief note in your child’s message book if you have made

arrangements for him or her to be collected by another adult. If we do not have permission, we will require your child to stay with us until either parent has been contacted, even if the collecting adult is known to us, i.e. the parent of another child.

If your child is absent from school, please contact the school secretary, at your earliest convenience, or leave a message on the voice mail (0117 3157591).

Should a dentist/doctor’s appointment be required during the school day, please write a letter to the class teacher to this effect.

If absence is due to holiday arrangements, permission is required from the Head

and a letter explaining the circumstances is required to be kept on file. Although most requests for an occasional day’s absence are usually looked upon favourably, it should be noted that the school does not support absence for family holidays, nor accepts the obligation to provide work to be completed at home when pupils are absent through parental choice.

If a child has had an upset stomach with sickness and/or diarrhea, please keep him or her away for at least 48 hours after

—Absence and Sickness —Communication

Alongside Google Classroom, which we use frequently to share pictures and information the the parents, each child also has a white message book. The Message Book is the main vehicle of communication between the parent and teacher, so please feel free to use it to let us know how things are going. It is especially useful for working parents, who do not have the opportunity to see the teacher informally as often as they would like.

Every term the teachers in the year group will send home a Bulletin with details of events and timings for the term. You will also receive a weekly Newsletter which will be emailed to you.

Parents are asked to inform the school office preprepoffice@ cliftoncollege.com of any change of details, e.g. address, telephone numbers, emergency contact numbers, when they arise.

We do our utmost to effect good communication with parents but should it ever break down, please let us know so that we can improve the system.

the last episode has passed. The school matron will only administer doses of antibiotics to pupils subject to written instructions being given on an authorization form signed by the parent/guardian. In the event of a child requiring paracetamol for high temperature or discomfort an emergency dose can be administered with your written permission.

This will be given while we wait for your child to be collected

from school. These forms are available from the office. If your child requires an inhaler at times, or may be prone to an anaphylactic reaction, the appropriate in-date medication must be given to the office with full written instructions on its use.

“The Message Book is the main vehicle for communication between the parent and teacher.”

We pride ourselves on being a happy school, and happy children invariably reach their potential. Our Positive Behaviour Policy, in which we reinforce good behaviour rather than penalising poor behaviour, has a significant impact in making the school a happy learning environment. The school has a set of Golden Rules, which apply to all age groups from Nursery to Year 3.

In line with our positive approach to discipline, the rules make a positive statement about behaviour, and are on show in classrooms and public areas around school. The rules are discussed in PSHEE (personal, social, health and economic education) lessons and ‘circle time’, and often form the focus of school assemblies.

The rules are: Be Ready Be Safe

Be Respectful

—Golden Rules and Positive Behaviour —The Parent/School Partnership

We value close links with parents in order to create the most effective partnership between home and school, and you will always find a welcome here. If you have a query or concern, please do not hesitate to ask any member of staff - we are all here to help your child make the very best of his or her opportunities.

Staff are available during drop off and pick up for a quick word, or if you would like to talk more privately or at greater length, please make an appointment.

The door is always open to you,

so please let us know how things are going. We are all very proud of our school, but we are not complacent and we value your feedback.

We look forward to getting to know you and your child, and to a long and happy partnership in the years to come.

“The door is always open to you, so please let us know how things are going.”

—Term Dates 2023-2024

Reception to Year 3

Michaelmas Term 2023

Term starts at 8:30am Thursday 7 September – 3:30pm Thursday 7 December

Half Term: 4.00 pm Wednesday 18 October – 8:30am Wednesday 1 November

Lent Term 2024

Term starts at 8:30am Thursday 4 January – 3.30pm Thursday 21 March

Half Term: 1:00pm Friday 9 February – 8:30am Monday 19 February

Summer Term 2024

Term starts at 8:30am Wednesday 17 April – 1:00pm Thursday 4 July

Half Term: 4.00pm Friday 24 May – 8:30am Monday 3 June

https://www.cliftoncollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Cross-College-Term-Dates-23-24-NEW-1.pdf