E-ACT DSLV Primary Prospectus

OPENING MINDS, OPENING DOORS

E R E H T R STA

WELCOME At E-ACT DSLV Academy we aim to provide our pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum which enables them to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to become successful and independent learners. The needs of all children are at the heart of everything we do – we are proud that they are all valued as individuals and feel safe in our inclusive environment.

We ensure that behaviour is well managed so that pupils can maximise their learning potential and recognise the need to excite and stimulate children with fun and engaging activities, so they develop a natural interest and make their own discoveries.

Our staff understand our community and build very effective relationships with all children.

We know our families well and offer a supportive approach to the needs of each; regularly holding workshops and events to enable us to share successes and also provide information on how parents can support their children beyond the classroom.

We know that starting school is a big step for everyone and look forward to welcoming you to our unique all-through academy.

Mrs Joanne Cadd Headteacher

2

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

OUR VALUES AND ETHOS At E-ACT DSLV Academy, everyone is valued. Our academy is a place where pupils feel safe, happy and valued.

We have a culture of pride, where we believe high expectations and core values, such as respect and kindness, are the foundations that shape us. Ensuring that pupils have a clear understanding of the difference between right and wrong, have a tolerance of others and the confidence to embrace life’s challenges is at the heart of all we do.

These foundations build a school that is calm and purposeful, with staff that believes every pupil can aspire for academic excellence.

Be Proud

We have high expectations and always try to be the best version of ourselves.

Be Confident

We learn about our strengths and from our mistakes so that we understand who we are as individuals.

Be Successful

We work hard to achieve our dreams by not giving up and showing resilience.

OUR E-ACT FAMILY We are proud to be a part of E-ACT, a multi-academy trust with 28 academies across the country. We benefit from working closely with 28 E-ACT academies across the UK, which means we can work together and share resources to make each one of our academies even stronger.

As the only all-through academy we are in a unique position to ensure the continuity of our provision from 3 through to 19 years old. We do this through regular collaboration with our secondary colleagues.

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

3

Y R E S R U N R OU – SPARK YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION! Starting nursery gives your child the very best possible start to their education. We have a loving, friendly nursery team that nurtures each one of our children.

In the Early Years we introduce the world of learning and fun by following your child’s interests and ideas. We explore seasonal changes and celebrations through stories, songs, exploration and real-life experiences.

It’s so much more than learning. It’s about socialising and playing with their friends which helps with their social skills and confidence.

BIG BENEFITS! If you child is two or three you will be thinking about their first educational steps. Starting nursery has numerous benefits for you and your child: Supports transition to primary school Develops communication skills, independence and confidence Prepares children to become life-long learners

OUR SETTING We have designed our indoor and outdoor settings to be like a home from home.

Our lovely nursery has fantastic outdoor facilities so your child can run around and explore our grounds, as well as having our homely classrooms to get creative and have fun!

4

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

FREE FUNDING for 3 and 4 year olds

FREE FUNDING - All three to four year olds in England can get free childcare.

Depending on eligibility you can get 15 hours or 30 hours childcare.

WHAT COULD YOUR FREE FUNDING LOOK LIKE? 15 HOURS OPTION

MEALS All our nursery children are offered fruit and an additional healthy snack option at a small charge of £1 per week. If your child stays all day, they can bring their lunch from home or have a school lunch which is freshly prepared on site every day.

As 30 hours of funding only applies to the morning and afternoon sessions, should you require your child to stay for lunch, there is an additional cost of £4 each day.

8:30am – 11:30am or 12:30pm – 3:30pm every day

30 HOURS OPTION 8:30am – 3:30pm all week

For more details, please get in touch with us.

KEEPING YOU UPDATED! We know what a big step it is for your child to start at nursery, but also for you!

Our nursery team will update you on how your child’s day has gone each time you collect your child. We also share your child’s learning every term through our termly alternating open afternoons and mini reports.

SPECIAL NEEDS Any children in our nursery with special needs will be included, valued and supported. They will have access alongside their peers, to the facilities and activities in order to promote their welfare and development.

WHEN CAN MY CHILD START? There are three different times of the year that your child can start with us, they are: September, January or April following your child’s 3rd birthday.

Please contact us to discuss when your child can start with us.

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

5

S U H T I W N LEAR – YOUR CHILD’S FIRST STEPS We fully appreciate the different emotions that you will be feeling about your child’s first steps into their educational journey. That’s why at E-ACT DSLV Academy we ensure your child is fully supported when they join our loving academy.

At E-ACT DSLV Academy we believe in developing a lifelong love of learning, equipping your child for their future.

LS

We create strong foundations of knowledge and skills for all our pupils using an engaging and exciting curriculum, designed to support each child to discover and develop their interests and talents.

RTING SEND P O UP PP U I S We are here to help parents understand how they can support their child.

We have a full-time SENDCO and Medical Officer who will identify and support those children with special educational and medical needs within our school.

6

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

Our curriculum evolves each year to suit the needs of our pupils, and although topics may start with a similar pattern, we are more than happy for our children to work with their teachers to direct where their learning journeys take them.

Phonics

underpins the application and early development of sound reading skills. You will be amazed with your child’s development and you will soon be reading together!

MATHS

is a highly connected subject; each piece of learning influences the next.

We incorporate maths into everyday activities to master the skills.

SUBJECTS

throughout the year, your child will develop their learning across a wide range of subjects such as science, music, art and history. All will be taught in an engaging, interactive way to deepen understanding of thier world.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? We truly believe the key to your child’s success is working closely with you. One of the most important elements parents/carers can help with is reading at home. We encourage parents and children to read at least three times a week, but we recommend five times a week to help with progression in other subjects.

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

7

S U H T I W E R EXPLO – DISCOVERING NEW IDEAS

Our pupils get to enjoy a range of exciting extra-curricular activities, including subsidised after school clubs run by Legacy Sport.

OUR ENVIRONMENT

PERFORMING ARTS

MULTI-SKILLS

YOUNG VOICES

We are firm believers that learning happens in an engaging environment through the medium of play. We have undercover outside areas that are used all year-round that encourages critical thinking, problem solving and nurtures your child’s imagination.

DODGEBALL

WE HAVE: LARGE AMOUNT OF OUTDOOR SPACE LIBRARY

BOOK NOOK

ART STUDIO SENSORY SPACE

MUSIC ROOM 2 DINING HALLS

HOME ROOM (MENTAL HEALTH SPACE)

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM At E-ACT DSLV Academy we value the importance of learning beyond the classroom.

We provide a range of opportunities for visitors to visit the academy or for pupils to go on educational visits. These are linked to the learning which takes place in each year group.

These include:- London Trip, Warwick Castle, Residential, Farm Visits, Country Park, Places of Worship, PCSO visits.

8

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

GARDENING CLUB

SCHOOL AMBASSADORS! We have ambassadors that support our students with weekly swimming and reading.

We also have links for career week with local organisations like opticians and dentists.

S U H T I W W GRO – HAPPY, KIND AND CONTENT At E-ACT DSLV Academy, our personal development curriculum supports our children to understand the importance of building good relationships and developing a positive mental attitude towards all challenges in life.

Discover simple

steps to look after SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES your mental health

Ourwilldedicated Welfare Every Mind Matters get you started with Officer is on hand to support families a free online planwith designed to help issues you dealas well as parenting guidance. everyday with stress and anxiety, boost your mood, improve your sleep and feel more in control.

Within our staff, around a third are mental health first aiders.

Find your way to better mental health.

Search every mind matters EMM19-02

© Crown copyright 2019

Together with

Working together to improve the mental health of the nation

SUPPORTING OUR PUPILS We believe that good pastoral support focuses on nurturing the individual needs of each and every child.

We pride ourselves on building trusting relationships with all of our pupils and their families.

YOGA CLUB We offer yoga to some of pupils as an intervention to support self-esteem, self-regulation and general emotional well-being.

NURTURE GROUPS We also run additional lunchtime and afternoon nurture groups with our experienced Pastoral and Inclusion Support Assistant to help build emotional resilience for those children who need help and guidance.

BREAKFAST CLUB All children have the offer of breakfast through our work with Magic Breakfast ensuring that they are #nevertoohungrytolearn

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

9

FIRST STEPS

– ACADEMY LIFE

It’s hard to imagine your child being at their first ‘big school’. That’s why we wanted to give you an idea of what to expect in the first few months of your child joining us.

AT THE BEGINNING To start your child’s educational journey with us, we have a settling in period. Over the summer term preceding your child’s official start we complete home visits and hold stay and play sessions for both you and your child to become familiar with the setting.

ACADEMY OPENING HOURS:

SCAN ME

For the latest Breakfast/Afternoon Club information or visit www.dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

BREAKFAST CLUB - offered from 8:15am for families that require an earlier drop-off. This is arranged via the primary office.

PARENTAL COMMUNICATION All of our staff are passionate about engaging with our parents and carers. Our EYFS team are available on the playground at the start and end of each day to talk to directly. We welcome email to arrange appointments or communicate specific need. We send out a weekly newsletter for you to keep up to date with school matters.

OUR UNIFORM We have a distinctive uniform which all children are required to wear every day. Please get in touch with us if you would like to know how we can support families to purchase uniforms that are eligible.

You can purchase our branded uniform from www.scallywagz.co.uk or https://www.tailormade-online.co.uk/schooluniforms-northampton/

10

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

SCHOOL MEALS Every child between Reception and Year 2 get FREE school meals. All of our meals are freshly prepared onsite by Aspens. We ensure all of our meals are nutritional and tasty for our children to enjoy. School meals are easy to book through ParentPay and special dietary requirements can be catered for.

- A DAY IN RECEPTION CLASS Starting primary school is all about introducing new routines. Our Reception pupils’ day is specifically designed to support their learning and to nurture their development.

MORNING PHONICS – your child will be gradually introduced to all the sounds used for word building, reading and writing. At DSLV we use Read Write Inc. ENGLISH LEARNING AND FREE FLOW – based on a story children will learn about language and patterns in books and as well as explore indoor and outdoor spaces in their own way.

AFTERNOON LUNCHTIME – all EYFS children join together for lunch.

BREAKTIME – your child will have a choice of fruit and a carton of milk (milk is free up to the age of five) MATHS ACTIVITIES AND FREE FLOW – we explore the wonders of maths in many creative ways.

FOCUS ACTIVITIES AND FREE FLOW – small chunks of teacherled learning and lots of exploration keep everyone busy!

STORYTIME AND SINGING – what better way to end the day than with a new story and nursery rhyme?

HOMETIME

HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS YOUR CHILD WILL BE COVERING:

AM I A SUPERHERO

WHO IS AFRAID O F THE BIG B AD WOLF? ?

ARE ANIMALS LIKE ME? WHAT HAPPENS IN OTHER WORLDS?

WOULD I WANT TO BE A KNIGHT?

WHERE WOULD YOU BURY YOUR TREASURE?

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

11

- GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL We fully understand that every child develops at different rates. Below is a guide of how you can get your child prepared for primary school as bestas they can.

Is your child toilet trained? (we provide support for parents/carers with this)

YES

ALMOST NOT YET

YES

ALMOST NOT YET

YES

ALMOST NOT YET

YES

ALMOST NOT YET

YES

ALMOST NOT YET

YES

ALMOST NOT YET

I can go to the toilet on my own I can wipe myself properly

Getting dressed (including for PE) I can button and unbutton my shirt and use a zip I can put my own shoes and socks on I can put my coat on

Writing and counting I can write my name I can count to 20

Eating I can use a knife and fork I can open wrappers and packaging

Personal hygiene I know when to wash my hands I can wipe my nose

Sharing I can share and take turns:

12

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

- TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS/CARERS Please go to our website for more information on what you need to prepare for your child starting primary school.

Label all items brought to school with their name and class

Buy an E-ACT DSLV Academy book bag

Bring a labelled water bottle for classroom use

Check in with the friendly office staff to learn how to book lunches

Let us know if there is anything important going on at home – we might be able to help or your child might need support

VISIT US The best way to see what our academy is like is to experience it for yourself. We always welcome new families to visit our academy. This opportunity will allow you to see our wonderful school building and meet our fantastic team and children. Please phone or email our academy office and we will happily arrange your own personal tour.

Y L P P A O T W O H If you would like to apply for a place at E-ACT DSLV Academy, you can do this via the West Northamptonshire Council at: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/school-admissions/school-application For further information on our website: dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

SCAN ME

HERE TO HELP If you have any questions about your child starting primary or applying for a place, please call us for advice.

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

13

At school I like to play and have fun with my friends. I like learning all the sounds and now I can write.

Arya Mae, Reception

I enjoy coming to school every day. The lessons are fun and I trust the teachers to look after me because they are nice and kind. It is easy to make friends because everyone is very friendly.

Mia, Year 4

14

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

Here at DSLV we focus on the holistic development of the children. Creating a love of learning through our broad curriculum. By keeping the children’s interests at the centre of all we do, we are reminded of how exciting and amazing the world can be.

Mrs McCubbin, Reception Class Teacher

dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk

15

OPENING MINDS, OPENING DOORS We always welcome new families and our local community to visit our academy.

Please get in touch with us if you wish to arrange a personal tour for us to show you what a fantastic place E-ACT DSLV Academy is to learn and grow.

E-ACT DSLV Academy, Northants, NN11 4LJ

01327 313400 dslvenquiries@e-act.org.uk dslvacademy.e-act.org.uk