Abbey Gate College IJS J3 Induction Booklet 2024_25

Learning with

Welcome to Junior 3

As the children join us for the first time or move into the first stage of their primary education, we want to ensure that the transition is as smooth and calm as possible.

Mrs Turner and Mrs Newman have taught at Abbey Gate College for a number of years and fully understand how important this transition is for the pupils and their families.

They are very much looking forward to getting to know their new class and helping them grow and flourish.

We hope you find this booklet useful, and they are looking forward to meeting you at our Meet the Teacher Event on 3 July.

Meet the Team

Mr Jenkinson Head

Mrs Hickey Head of the Infant and Junior School

Mrs Travis Deputy Head of the Infant and Junior School

Mrs Williams Foundation Teacher

Miss Parry Infant 1 Teacher

Mrs Parker Infant 2 Teacher

Mrs Turner & Mrs Newman Junior 3 Teacher

Mrs Tomlins Junior 4 Teacher

Mrs Richards Junior 5 Teacher

Mr Jones Junior 6 Teacher

Mrs Faithfull English Speaking Board Teacher

Mrs Hall Learning Enrichment

Senior School staff Junior PE. Computing, MFL, Music, Drama

Mr Mayers British Sign Language

Mrs Foulkes Teaching Assistant

Mrs Kinsey Teaching Assistant

Mrs Jones Teaching Assistant

Mrs Nevett Teaching Assistant

Mrs Reid Teaching Assistant

Mrs Duerden Teaching Assistant

Mrs Ivory School Administrator and PA to Head

Mrs Rooney Head Caterer

Mrs Greening Caterer and After-School Care

Ms Jones Caterer

Mr Hughes Caretaker

Mr McGinley Cleaner

Timings and Timetable

7.45am - 8.30am Breakfast Club (charge applies)

8.30am - 8.50am Pupils can be dropped off and will go to class with no charge.

We kindly request that children are not brought into school before 8.30am unless booked into Breakfast Club or activities.

8.50am - 9.00am Registration

Pupils need to be in school by 8.50am

9.00am - 10.30am Lessons

10.30am - 10.50am Break

10.50am - 12.20pm Lessons

12.20pm - 1.20pm Lunch

1.20pm - 1.30pm Registration

1.30pm - 3.30pm Lessons

3.30pm - 4.00pm After school supervision (no charge)

3.30pm - 4.30pm Co-curricular Activities (Charges may apply)

4.00pm - 6.00pm After-school care (charge applies)

The pupils will be given a copy of their timetable on the first day of school.

Calendar Dates

September 2024

M, T 2, 3 September

Staff CPD training

W 4 September Pupils return

Th 12 September

F 20 September

Individual, family and class photos

School closes at 12.00 in preparation for Open Day

S 21 September Open Day for Senior and I&J Schools

October 2024

F 18 October

November 2024

M 4 November

December 2024

T 10 December

F 13 December

January 2025

M 6 January

School closes at 3.30pm for Half Term

All Pupils return

Carol Service at Chester Cathedral

School closes at 12.00 for Christmas

All Pupils return F 10 January Assessments for 2025 - 6 College closed

February 2025

Th 13 February

F 14 February

School closes at 3.30pm for Half Term

Staff CPD training M 24 February

All pupils return

March 2025

April 2025

T 1 April

Easter Service at Chester Cathedral

F 4 April School closes at 12.00 for Easter T 22 April

W 23 April

May 2025

M 5 May

F 23 May

June 2025

M 2 June

July 2025

F 11 July

Staff CPD training

All pupils return

Bank Holiday

School closes at 3.30pm for half term

All Pupils return

School closes at 12.00

Further details of all our events will be sent out to you and posted on the College VLE as soon as we are able to confirm them.

Out of Hours Care and Co-curricular Activities

Breakfast Club

Breakfast club runs from 7.45am until 8.30am and is booked in 15 minute slots for flexibility. The sessions are 7.45am – 8.00am, 8.00am – 8.15am and 8.15am – 8.30am and each session costs £1.80.

The pupils are provided with cereal, fruit or yogurt and a drink if booked in for 15 minutes and pupils who are booked in for 30 or 45 minutes will also have the option of toast with a variety of spreads.

This is booked using our online booking system. Pupils can be dropped off free of charge from 8.30am.

After School Care

If you are unable to pick up your child at 3.30pm we will supervise the pupils free of charge until 4.00pm.

Pupils are expected to sit quietly and read their reading book or complete any homework.

Please report to the office to collect your child.

From 4.00pm until 6.00pm, we also have After School Care.

This is a paid facility and, as with Breakfast Club, is booked in slots to give parents flexibility.

Pupils attending until 5pm will be given a small snack and drink and children booked in from 5pm will also be provided with a sandwich.

Co-curricular Activities

We also run a variety of co-activities each term for the pupils. Some of these are run by outside agencies and will incur a charge and some are run by members of staff.

We change the clubs each term and try to provide a variety for the pupils.

Our online booking system is used to book and pay for these activities and information will be sent out to you in September.

If you then require After School Care, after a club, your child will be taken there once their chosen club has finished.

Transport

By car

Many of our pupils are brought to school by car.

We operate an unofficial one-way system in the village at drop off and pick up to help with traffic flow.

We ask that you enter the village via Green Lake Lane and turn right along School Lane. Then please leave along School Lane bearing right onto Church Lane.

We request that you park safely and accompany your child to the school entrance.

Junior pupils will make their way into school independently and Foundation and Infant children can be accompanied to the door of Hazledine Lodge.

Please ensure you park safely and respectfully, keeping to the school side of the road. Do not block any access to houses, including pedestrian gates and ensure that other vehicles, including farm machinery and the school shuttle bus, can pass and turn onto School Lane.

Please also leave turning space opposite driveways to allow residents to exit their properties safely and do not park on the yellow lines outside of the school.

There is a speed limit of 20mph throughout the village. This was introduced for the safety of our pupils and it is important that this is adhered to please.

Thank you in advance.

Bus Service

Our Junior pupils are permitted to use the school bus service.

Details of the routes can be obtained from the Senior School. The buses pick up and drop off at our Senior School and we operate a shuttle bus between the sites.

Pupils with siblings at the Senior School are also permitted to use this service

Please note that there is no supervision on any of these services.

The First Few Days

It is our aim to ease the children into their new class and support them with their new routines and expectations.

On the first day, the junior children will be encouraged to enter the school by themselves, either from the main entrance or from Breakfast Club and (after a couple of days or sooner) from the school entrance. Foundation and Infant children can be taken by parents/carers to the patio doors of Hazledine Lodge, graduating to being taken to the main door of the building. Foundation and Infant children in breakfast club will be taken to their classes by our staff.

They will be shown their peg and will be expected to hang up their bag and other items before unpacking.

A member of staff will be on hand to help our new pupils.

The children will be shown where to put all their items such as reading books, homework, water bottles etc and will be encouraged to do this independently from then on.

Activities will be available for the children from 8.30am and registration will take place at 8.50am.

At the end of the school day, the children will be encouraged to pack their bags and will line up on the small playground (junior children), wait in class (Foundation and Infant children) or be sent to After-school supervision or activities.

When picking up from the playground, please wait at the white gate until you are called to collect your child or children.

Mrs Ivory is available every morning and evening to help you with any queries you may have. Please call or email.

Junior 3 Curriculum and Homework

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and at Abbey Gate College we encourage your child to fulfil their potential.

The J3 curriculum extends and develops all the learning that took place in Key Stage 1.

The children have lessons in English, Mathematics, Science, Project (Geography, History, Art/DT, Learning Outdoors), Physical Education, Computing, Art, RE, Music, Drama, English Speaking Board, French, Outdoor Learning and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), which includes e-safety and equality and diversity.

Our Junior 3 and Junior 4 pupils also benefit from having lessons at our Senior School on Friday mornings. The children should be dropped off at the Senior School and will be taken back to the Infant and Junior School for their lunch and afternoon lessons.

Detailed information about our curriculum can be found on our website and an overview of our topics and learning is posted on our VLE pages every half term.

The children will be set compulsory homework to consolidate learning. This will include the regular practice of reading, spelling/phonics and numeracy skills. The children may also be set tasks that are linked to project and specific learning needs.

The participation in co-curricular activities and family time is valued by us and therefore we do not expect the children to spend more than 20 to 30 minutes per night completing compulsory homework tasks.

We understand that homework expectations vary greatly, and some children and families would like extension tasks. Therefore, the staff will provide a range of activities on their Home Learning Challenge Grid for children and parents to select from. These tasks will be changed every half term and are completely optional.

Homework will be explained by the teacher and written on the whiteboard. Pupils are expected to copy their homework task into their Prep diaries.

www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk

Equipment

Prep Diary

The pupils will each receive a diary on their first day.

This provides a communication tool for the pupils, parents and teachers. The pupils are expected to record their homework, reading record and House Points in the diary.

There is also a home-school communication section that can be used for communication.

Stationery

The pupils will require the following equipment:

A pencil case containing HB writing pencils, rubber, 30cm ruler, glue stick, highlighter (preferably yellow), scissors, sharpener, colouring pencils, felt pens (optional).

Other

Drinks bottle with sports cap (only water is permitted)

Snack box/bag (small please)

Art shirt

Outdoor learning kit (waterproof clothing and footwear e.g., Wellingtons)

Please ensure all items of equipment are labelled.

School Uniform

Designated school uniform supplier is Schoolblazer: schoolblazer.co.uk.

Uniform - Winter

• Blazer with College Crest – designated school uniform supplier

• Black trousers (Tailored trousers of a formal style i.e., regular or tailored fit, worn at waist height and touching the shoe) – commercially available or designated school uniform supplier

Styles not suitable are skinny fit and leggings/jeggings or any made of jersey fabric

• Black skirt (Permanent pleat as shown on display mannequins and on images –

Length: on the knee) – commercially available or designated school uniform supplier

We require the pleat to be the permanent pleat and not made of jersey fabric.

• White collared long/short sleeved shirt/blouse - commercially available or designated school uniform supplier

• School Tie – House colours (first tie is issued from the College)

• Grey cardigan or jumper with College Crest – designated school uniform supplier

• Black shoes (Formal style, polishable, flat heeled)

• Green knee-length socks/green tights worn with skirt

• Black socks worn with trousers

• Navy regulation coat with College Crest – designated school uniform supplier

• Knitted Hat and Scarf with College Crest (optional) – available through College (Plain bottle green or navy blue woollen hat is also permitted).

Uniform –

Summer

• Black knee length shorts (tailored fit, no side pockets and not made of jersey fabric)

– commercially available or designated school uniform supplier

• White collared long/short sleeved shirt/blouse – commercially available or designated school uniform supplier

• School Tie – House colours (first tie is issued from the College)

• Green and white striped dress – designated school uniform supplier

• Grey cardigan or jumper with College Crest – designated school uniform supplier

• Black shoes (Formal style, polishable, flat heeled)

• White knee length or ankle socks worn with dress

• Black ankle socks worn with shorts

• Thin green coat with College Crest (optional) – designated school uniform supplier

• Legionnaire style hat (optional and available through College) or wide brim hat that is plain bottle green or navy blue.

Other

• Green crested rucksack small/large – designated school uniform supplier

• Outdoor learning kit (waterproof clothing and footwear e.g., Wellingtons)

Hair longer than shoulder length should be completely tied back using appropriate fastenings.

It is not permitted to wear jewellery other than a wristwatch. Jewellery worn for religious purposes should be worn under clothing and removed for PE lessons.

Pupils may opt to wear the Winter uniform during summer months, but we request that this is worn with the correct accessories. Green socks with skirts for example.

Sports Kit

Designated school uniform supplier is Schoolblazer: schoolblazer.co.uk.

Pupils may wear their PE kit to school on days they have PE lessons. They should change into kit for co-curricular activities unless told otherwise.

Sports Kit – Foundation and Infants

• Navy shorts or skort – designated school uniform supplier

• White polo shirt with College logo – designated school uniform supplier

• Navy base layer top (optional) – designated school uniform supplier or high street equivalent

• Navy base layer bottoms (optional) – designated school uniform supplier or high street equivalent

• Navy midlayer with College logo (optional) – designated school uniform supplier

• Navy tracksuit bottoms (optional) – designated school uniform supplier or high street equivalent

• Green drawstring PE bag with College logo – designated school uniform supplier

• Pair of trainers (non-marking soles)

• White sports socks for summer or blue knee length sports socks for winter

• Swimming costume (full) or trunks and cap (pupil’s own) for Infant 2

Sports Kit – Juniors

• Navy shorts or skort – designated school uniform supplier

• White polo shirt with College logo – designated school uniform supplier

• Navy and yellow games socks – designated school uniform supplier

• White ankle socks for summer – high street

• Navy base layer top (optional) – designated school uniform supplier or high street equivalent

• Navy base layer bottoms (optional) – designated school uniform supplier or high street equivalent

• Navy midlayer with College logo (optional) – designated school uniform supplier

• Navy tracksuit bottoms (optional) – designated school uniform supplier

• Navy Holdall with College logo - designated school uniform supplier

• Green drawstring PE bag with College logo (optional) - designated school uniform supplier

• Pair of trainers (non-marking soles)

Other – Pupils will be informed if they are required in September

• Pair of football boots and shinpads (Junior pupils who play football)

• Boot/Trainers Bag

• Rugby shirt with College logo (Junior pupils who play rugby) – designated school uniform supplier

• Swimming costume (full) or trunks and cap (pupil’s own) – I2, J3 and J4 pupils

Mission and Aims

MISSION AND AIMS

MISSION

We are committed, within our safe and caring community, that each one of our pupils will become the best that they can be, and have the self-belief to go for ward into this changeable world with courage and with compassion.

AIMS

We pursue our whole College mission, guided by 3 defining and aspirational aims:

SELF

Each pupil cares for their mental and physical wellbeing; learns and achieves to their individual potential; and is content , comfor table and confident to be who they are in our diverse and inclusive College.

SERVICE

Each pupil makes a positive difference to the lives of others in our College, as well as in our local and in wider, global communities.

SUSTAINABILIT Y

Each pupil contributes towards preser ving and protecting the planet we all inherit and share, and has the oppor tunity to be creative and innovative; to help fur ther humanity’s progress in the future.

Learning with Courage and Compassion

Houses and House Point System

At Abbey Gate College Infant and Junior School, we have 3 Houses: Douglas, Talbot and Abbott .

Your child will be placed in a House when they start school and be given a coloured house badge to wear. Siblings may be put in different houses. The pupils get sorted into their House by the special ‘Sorting Hat’.

The pupils can earn House Points by, representing the school, trips, outstanding individual effort, for good manners, academic effort and being ‘Pupil of the Week’. The house points will be recorded in your child’s Prep Diary - provided when they start in September.

Each House is also responsible for one of our College aims. The 'Sorting Hat' also decides this, and the pupils are given a badge to show their area of responsibility.

The class can also earn ‘Class Awards’ each week. These are awarded for courtesy, politeness, class achievements and positive behaviour from the whole class. The class with the most awards at the end of the week wins a small treat such as a box of Maltesers.

DOUGLAS ABBOT TALBOT

Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT

We always aim to:

Care for our own Wellbeing

Be kind, friendly and respectful to all people Uphold our high standards of appearance, behaviour and manners Give of our best in learning, perseverance and par ticipation

Make a positive difference to the lives of others

Respect what belongs to others and care for the environment we all share

Learning with Courage and Compassion

SELF SERVICE

SUSTAINABILIT Y

Our Code of Conduct underpins our expectations, and this is supported by a clear ladder system. Our pupils can move up the ladder by completing work to the best of their ability and displaying excellent behaviour and respect for others. Their efforts are recognised through House points, stickers and certificates.

The pupils will also be moved down the ladder in response to inappropriate behaviour and, alongside any sanctions, they will be supported to think about their behaviour to prevent it happening again.

Portals

As an extra support tool for both parents and pupils we use two online portals.

iSAMS Parent Portal enables you to log on securely via the iSAMS app or the internet. Within this portal you will be able to see up-to-date information about your child (or children) and also be kept informed of relevant school information that we hope you will find useful. Using the portal, you will be able to see your child’s:

Timetable

Attendance

Academic reports for download

Term and event dates

Fee Invoices

Firefly VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) enables you to log on securely to access your child’s scheduled homework, along with a storage hub of messages from the school relevent to your child.

If you encounter any technical problems, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Playtime, Lunchtime and Snacks

The pupils have two playtimes at mid-morning and lunchtime supervised by members of staff.

Whenever possible, the pupils are allowed to play on the field and are provided with a variety of equipment. If the field is too wet, play zones can be set up throughout the grounds and the pupils can choose their activity.

We aim to allow the pupils to have their playtimes outside as far as possible, so it is important that they bring their coat to school daily and ensure they have sun protection (sunscreen and a hat) during the summer months. If the weather is considered to be too wet, cold or hot the pupils will remain indoors.

Pupils will require a mid-morning snack in a small named container. This snack should consist of a healthy drink and a healthy snack such as a piece of fruit or cereal bar.

Infant pupils may also wish to bring in an afternoon snack, in agreement with the teacher and children who are booked into after-school activities may also bring a snack to eat before the club begins.

The lunches are provided by our caterers, Chartwells. Every day, your child will be offered a hot or cold option. There will also be a daily salad bar. The cost of these lunches is charged on a termly basis and will be added onto the fees. You will be provided with the menu and children will be able to select their choice at the counter. We are aware of dietary requirements.

We operate a strict no nuts or sesame seed policy.

Illness and Absence

From time to time, your child may require prescribed medicine to be administered at school. If this is the case, we will require the relevant school consent form to be completed.

All our staff have basic first aid training and we have trained paediatric first aiders who will administer medicine on your behalf. Medical consent forms are available from the school office.

If we administer any first aid in school, we keep a record of this and will usually inform you at the end of the school day. Should an incident be more serious in nature we will contact you immediately and take appropriate action.

There are rare occasions where we ask that a child remains absent from school until they are clear of symptoms or complete a course of medication.

If your child becomes unwell at school, we will contact you on one of your emergency contact numbers. It is very important to keep school informed of any telephone number changes. You will be given a form to fill out at the beginning of the school year.

Should your child be unable to attend school, you should telephone school by 8.45am on the first day of their absence.

School telephone number: 01244 332077 or email: infantjunioradmin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk

Parents who need to ask for time out of school for a planned absence should make this request via the school office using infantjunioradmin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk.

We request that planned absences are kept to an absolute minimum and holidays are booked outside of term time. Thank you.

Sometimes young children require a change of clothes. We do have a small stock of clean clothes which can be used, or you may prefer to send in a spare set of clothes for your child. We request that you please return any borrowed clothing.

Keeping Parents Informed and Involved

Progress Cards and Reports

We will keep you regularly informed about your child’s progress. Your child will receive a Progress report in the Autumn and Spring Term and a full report in the Summer Term. We also hold parents’ meetings twice a year.

Communication

Communication is vitally important to us so if you have any concerns or questions, we do ask that you come and share them with us.

In the same way, if we have any concerns, we will invite you in for a chat.

To ensure we can dedicate time to speak to you, we request that you please make an appointment at the school office.

VLE

We have a Virtual Learning Environment, and every class has their own page. Teachers keep this up to date with class information and may also use this to set homework tasks for the pupils.

There is also a parent page containing school information and copies of all our communication.

iSAMs Parent Portal

Using the portal, you will be able to see your child’s: Timetable Attendance

Academic reports for download Term and event dates

Fee Invoices

Website and Social Media

Our website and social media pages are updated regularly and are a great way of finding out about what we have been doing.

PTA, Representatives and Support Teams

We have a wonderful Parent Teacher Association (PTA) which many parents choose to join. The PTA arrange events and functions for children and their families throughout the year.

We also have a Parent Representative Scheme enabling parents to work with us to develop new ideas and initiatives.

Parents are also invited to join our Support Teams to help with listening to readers, tending the allotment or helping at our Sporting Events.

Sporting Fixtures

Family members may be permitted to watch sports fixtures at times. This will depend on our safeguarding protocols and parents will be informed whether or not they can spectate on a match-to-match basis.

If parents can be accommodated, they should follow the protocols as set out below and follow our Code of Conduct.

On arrival

• All spectators are requested to park outside the school and walk up to Reception.

• All visitors must report to Reception on arrival to sign in and must be supervised at all times while on the school grounds.

• A member of the PE staff, or an authorised parent volunteer, will oversee sign in at Reception and will issue each spectator with a Visitor lanyard.

• All spectators must then be escorted to the playing fields by a member of the PE staff or an authorised parent volunteer.

During matches

• All parents must remain under the direct supervision of a member of the PE staff, or an authorised parent volunteer, at all times.

• Parents will be asked to stand at a reasonable distance from the pitches.

• Parents should be made aware of the PE Department’s Parental code of conduct via our leaflet, available at reception. This clearly states spectator expectations.

End of matches

Co-curricular Activities

At Abbey Gate College, we pride ourselves on the quantity and quality of the co-curricular activities we offer our pupils.

We have a range of activities suitable for all age groups that are changed every term. A full list of our activities will be sent out in September with booking details and charges.

Typically, we offer football, netball, rugby, rounders, ju-jitsu, running and tennis, drama, dance, art club, Just Sing, choir, belle plates, band, wellbeing, eco, yoga, construction, reading, quiz, maths and science.

We also offer a wide range of individual tuition including piano, singing, woodwind, brass and speech and drama. These take place during school hours and are paid for separately.

Our pupils also have the opportunity to enjoy a range of experiences including visiting specialists and co-curricular excursions, including our J6 trip to France.

Abbey Gate College Infant & Junior School School Lane, Aldford, Chester, CH3 6HZ.

Tel: 01244 332077

Email: infantjunioradmin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk

Abbey Gate College Saighton Grange, Saighton, Chester CH3 6EN

Tel: 01244 332077

Email: admin@abbeygatecollege.co.uk