Parent handbook

Dear Parents / Carers,

Here is some useful information about school.

Included you will find:

The school’s Motto, Mission Statement and Aims

Our Christian Values (these have been agreed with the pupils and parents)

The Home School Agreement

Staff list

Where to find School Policies and other important information

Medication in School and School Meal information

Parental Consent Form for Trips

Leave of Absence during term time

A list of useful dates for the school academic year

Term time dates for school years 2022/2023

Uniform list

Useful dates for 2022/2023

I hope that you find it useful. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with school.

Yours sincerely,

Jill Southern

St Stephen’s is a school rooted and growing in Christian faith and committed to excellence: encouraging staff and pupils to flourish and all to feel secure, valued and loved.

We aim:

To enable children to develop within a caring Christian school which values and is valued by the wider community

To promote in pupils, self esteem and respect for self and others, understanding and embracing their differences

To be a school where each individual makes a positive contribution to their own development, life of the school, local community and environment

To continue to develop a curriculum which recognises, promotes and develops excellence through individual learning, achievements, progress and effort

To promote a healthy environment and lifestyles which equip children with the necessary skills for life and lifelong learning.

Motto

In Christ Be healthy Be happy Be helpful Believe Mission Statement

GOLDEN RULES

I will take care of school equipment and the building

I will be helpful

I will always try to do my best

I will be polite and respectful especially in the way that I speak to others

I will be friendly

I will keep my hands and feet to myself

I will talk at the right times

I will wear the correct school uniform

I will walk quietly around school

St Stephen’s CE Primary School

HomescHoolagreement

As a welcoming and inclusive family school we will embrace all members of our community. St. Stephen’s will strive to foster an enriched love of learning embodied in the Word of Christ by celebrating and nurturing a child’s full potential, for we believe that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

The Parents / Carers

We will do our best to:

build a positive partnership with the school for the benefit of our child

ensure our child attends regularly and arrives punctually and properly equipped

check personal items are clearly labelled

encourage our child to be organised and reliably responsible for themselves and their belongings

inform the school of the reasons for absence by telephone and by letter

avoid taking our child on holiday during term time

support the school’s Christian values, behaviour policy and rules by encouraging a positive attitude towards school

encourage our child to show kindness and consideration to others and to show respect to other people and their property

encourage our child’s effort and achievement by talking to them and encouraging them to do their best

provide working space and a quiet environment for homework, giving support where appropriate

attend parents’ meetings and bring any concerns promptly to the school’s attention

inform the school about factors, including medical information, which might affect our child’s work, welfare or behaviour

adhere to the remote learning policy during times of remote learning

The School

We will do our best to:

build a positive relationship with parents in the best interests of their children

ensure that children are well taught, cared for, treated fairly and equally and valued as individuals within a Christian community

encourage children to always strive to do their best in everything they do

recognise and encourage good attendance and punctuality

give parents early warning of any problems with their child’s work or behaviour

provide homework to reinforce learning which has taken place in school

provide parents with regular information about their child’s progress and are invited to meet their child’s teacher two times a year

provide written annual reports for parents and be available to discuss this report if parents would like to do so

inform parents about school policies, curriculum, targets and activities through regular letters and newsletters

adhere to the remote learning policy during times of remote learning

The Pupil

I will do my best to:

come to school regularly and arrive on time and with the proper equipment

behave responsibly, treating everyone with the respect they deserve and following the school rules

wear appropriate school uniform at all times

complete my homework on time and to the best of my ability

to respect other people’s property and be responsible for the care of my own possessions

respect the school buildings and grounds and keep them tidy

tell my teacher or teaching assistant if anything is worrying me

take home all letters and handouts so that my parent / carer can read them

follow the remote learning policy during times of remote learning

Staff List 2022 - 2023

Headteacher: Mrs J Southern

Assistant Headteachers: Mr S Lawrenson & Mrs M Lowe

Pastoral Manager: Mrs N Crowther

Class Teacher

Reception

Year 1

Year 2

Teaching Assistants

Mrs R Deakin Mrs C Newton

Mrs M Lowe Mrs L Stephens

Mr J. Tinker Mrs C Harvey

Year 3 Mrs K Ogden Mrs H Peake

Year 4

Mr A Burrows Miss J Davison

Year 5 Miss B Reynolds Mrs A Killeen

Year 6

Mr S Lawrenson Miss D Brennan

PPA Cover Mrs S Tomlinson

School Business Manager: Mr M Clark

Administrative Assistant: Vacancy

Midday Assistants: Miss D Brennan

Mrs L Stephens Mrs H Peake

Mrs M Norbury

Mrs M Rogers Miss L Berry

Site Manager: Miss J Rowley

Cleaner: Miss J Battersby

School Cook: Miss S Grundy assisted by Mrs J Ball

School Nurse: Astley Clinic (01942 483000)

Policy Information

At Astley St Stephen’s we recognise that the interests of our pupils are best served when the school and parents work as a partnership based on mutual respect.

We aim to realise each child’s personal potential by developing positive social and moral values, intellectual and physical skills and a positive selfimage.

To assist us in these aims we have school policies which are regularly reviewed. They indicate our intentions to help pupils in realising their full potential.

These policies cover many areas and are all available in school should you wish to view them.

Policies, important information along with curriculum overview, may be found on our website at https://www.astleysaintstephen.co.uk/policies/

All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect children. In our school the designated teacher for child protection is Mrs Jill Southern (Headteacher). Mrs Crowther, Mrs Lowe and Mr Lawrenson are also trained as designates for Child Protection. By following our Child Protection Policy and procedures, staff can respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns. School works to promote a multi-agency approach to safeguarding and protecting the children in our school. We are also able to offer the services of a Pastoral Manager, Mrs Crowther, who will offer support to children, as well as families, as required.

Medication

No medication will be given to pupils without the Headteacher’s authorisation. Medicines should only be brought into school when essential; that is where it would be detrimental to a child’s health if the medicine were not administered during the school day.

The school will only accept medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber. Medicines should always be provided in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include the prescriber’s instructions for administration. Relevant forms will then be completed by the office staff. It is helpful, where clinically appropriate, if medicines are prescribed in dose frequencies which enable it to be taken outside of school hours. For example medicines that need to be taken three times a day could be taken in the morning, after school hours and at bedtime.

For children who have long term medical needs it is necessary to have sufficient information about the medical condition, so that a health care plan can be developed, involving parents and relevant health professionals.

A register of those who need an inhaler is maintained by our designated first aider who also oversees their storage etc.

School Meals

All pupils in Key Stage 1 are provided with a free school meal. School meal prices are currently £11.50 per week (£2.30 per day) for Key Stage 2 children.

We use an automated payment system for all monies via ParentPay.

You may order your child’s meals online using our meal ordering system –PLEASE REMEMBER TO CANCEL YOUR ORDER IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL.

Please advise the school office if you have difficulty with any matters concerning the automated payment system or on-line ordering system.

Annual Parental Consent Form

for Trips 2022 - 2023

This consent will encompass visits into the community – a walk to the Post Office, traffic surveys directly outside the school, walking to Dam House as part of our Outdoor Learning. You will not necessarily be notified of these trips as they are an integral part of the curriculum and can be weather dependant.

For trips outside the local area e.g. to Jodrell Bank, Imagine That! etc, a separate consent is needed and a request will also be made for voluntary contributions towards the cost of the trip.

‘’Iamwillingtoallowmychildtotakepartinactivitiesawayfrom theschoolbaseduringtheperiodofSeptember2022toJuly2023and fortheclassteacherorHeadteachertosignonmybehalfanyformsof consentrequiredbyhospitalauthoritiesintheeventofmychildbeing takenillorinjuredduringthecourseofthejourneytotheextentthata surgicaloperationorseruminjectionbecomesnecessary,providedthe delayrequiredtoobtainmyownsignaturemightbeconsideredlikelyin theopinionofthedoctororsurgeontoendangermychild’shealthor safety’’

Term Time Leave of Absence

Responsibilities of Parents / Carers

Ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is a parent/carer’s legal responsibility (Section 444 of the 1996 Education Act) and permitting absence from school that is not authorised by the school creates an offence in law.

Parents will:

inform the school on the first day of absence

discuss with the class teacher any planned absences well in advance

support the school with their child in aiming for 100% attendance each year

make sure that any absence is clearly accounted for by telephone on the first and subsequent days of absence, or by letter if a phone is unavailable

avoid taking their child out of school for non-urgent medical or dental appointments

only request leave of absence if it is for an exceptional circumstance.

Pupils who are consistently late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of other pupils.

Ongoing and repeated lateness is considered as unauthorised absence and may be subject to legal action.

Parents / Carers of pupils who have patterns of lateness will be contacted to discuss the importance of good timekeeping and how this might be achieved. If lateness persists, parents, guardians or carers will be invited to attend the school and discuss the problem and support offered.

Please collect your child promptly at the end of the school day. Where late collection is persistent and/or significantly late, the school is obliged to take any uncollected pupil to a place of safety and share concerns, as necessary, with other agencies.

You will find further information regarding Education Penalty Notices on our School Website.

Pastoral Support

My name is Nikki Crowther, I am the Pastoral Manager here at St Stephens.

My role is to support all children and families here at St Stephens. I may support your child with a variety of issues, which may be a barrier to their learning.

Here are some examples of the support that I can offer Self-esteem/Confidence building: Friendship groups Bereavement/Loss

E Safety Stress: Anger Management Domestic Abuse Issues: Behaviours

Young Carers Attendance/Punctuality

Parenting Support Divorce/Separation

Housing Issues Food Bank Vouchers

Research has shown that once an issue arises, Early Support is essential to enable children to reach their full potential. On some occasions, I may feel we need more of a coordinated plan of support in which we will work together with other professionals and agencies to best support your child. This is called an Early Help Assessment.

On rare occasions, if we have any safeguarding concerns a referral maybe necessary to Children’s Social Care.

Please feel free to contact me in school if I can help with anything at all.

I am outside at the start and end of the day, come and say hello.

I look forward to supporting you and your child.

School Holidays 2022 – 2023

AUTUMN TERM: Tuesday 6th Sept 2022 – Friday 16th Dec 2022

Mid-Term School closes Friday 21st October 2022

Re-opens Monday 31st October 2022

Christmas Holiday School closes Friday 16th December 2022

Re-opens Wednesday 4th January 2023

SPRING TERM: Wednesday 4th Jan 2023 – Friday 31st March 2023

Mid-Term School closes Friday 17th February 2023

Re-opens Monday 27th February 2023

Easter Holiday School closes Wednesday 31st March 2023

Re-opens Monday 17th April 2023

SUMMER TERM Monday 17thApril 2023 – Friday 21st July 2023

Bank Holiday Monday 1st May 2023

INSET Day Thursday 4th May 2023 (local government elections)

Mid-Term School closes Friday 26th May 2023

Re-opens Monday 5th June 2023

Summer Holiday School closes Friday 21st July 2023

Uniform List

Grey trousers/ skirt or pinafore Red and white cotton dress

Red jumper/ sweatshirt or cardigan

White polo shirt

White socks/ grey socks/ grey tights/ red tights

Black school shoes (flat heels, not boots)

P.E. Kit

Navy blue shorts/ PE skirt/ Navy blue tracksuit (plain blue jogging pants and sweatshirt)

White t-shirt or St. Stephen’s logo top with blue short sleeves Pumps/ trainers

Earrings are not to be worn for School.

School uniform supplies can be purchased from the following:

Touchline Embroidery Online

http://www.touchline-embroidery.co.uk

Click on ‘school shops’

PASSWORD: astl8629

Wendy’s Uniform, 428 Tyldesley Road, Atherton Manchester, Manchester, M46 9AT - 01942 877317 http://www.wendysuniforms.co.uk/

ICON Embroidery, Unit 5, The Gables, Stour Rd, Tyldesley, Manchester M29 7PX – 01942 375253

https://www.iconembroidery.co.uk/

Jaymax, 1 Gas Street, Leigh, WN7 4PD - 01942 682984

https://www.jaymaxuniforms.com/

School Governors

Three Core Strategic Functions of the Governing Board:



Ensure Clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

 Hold Executive Leaders to account for educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff.



Oversee the financial performance of the organisation and make sure money is well spent.

Janet Pollard

Foundation Parochial Church Appointed Governor and Chair

Responsibility: Years 3 & 4

Contact Email: jpollard@ststephensastley.org.uk

Alison Paddon

Foundation Parochial Church Appointed Governor and Vice Chair Responsibility: Quality of Education

Reverend Martin Cox

Foundation Ex-Officio Governor Responsibility: Pastoral, Welfare, Years 5 & 6

Ceri Forster

Parent Governor

Responsibility: Safeguarding & SEND

Emma Teale

Foundation Parochial Church Appointed Governor Responsibility: EYFS/ KS1

Nicky Wallace

Foundation Parochial Church Appointed Governor Responsibility: P.E. & R.E.

Jessica Eckersley

Parent Governor

Responsibility: Safeguarding & SEND

Leanne Dunn

Parent Governor

Responsibility: GDPR, Personal Development

Vacancy

Local Authority Appointed Governor Responsibility:

Rachel Deakin Staff Governor

Astley St. Stephen’s C.E. Primary School 2022-23

30th September

Macmillan Coffee morning

2nd October 5.00pm Confirmation at Atherton Parish Church

4 & 5th October 9.15am

Harvest Service Tuesday & Wednesday

20th October School Discos (Infant 3.15 – 4.30pm, Junior 4.45 – 6.00pm)

21st October 3.15pm

Break up for half-term

31st October School re-opens

8th November Parents Evening

15th November School Photographer – portraits

29th November Open Day 1.30pm & 5.30pm

w/c 5th December Christmas Performances (dates & times to be confirmed)

13th December pm Infant Party

14th December pm Y3/4 Party

15th December pm Y5/6 Party

16th December 3.15pm Break up for Christmas

3rd January Inset Day – closed to pupils

4th January School re-opens

17th February 3.15pm

Break up for half-term

27th February School re-opens

7th March Parents Evening

28th March 5.00pm

Y2 & Y6 Sats meeting for parents

w/c 27th March Easter Services

31st March 3.15pm

Break up for Easter

17th April School re-opens

4th May School closed Inset Day (local government elections)

w/c 8th May Sats week for Y6 pupils

26th May pm Sponsored Walk

26th May 3.15pm Break up for half-term

5th June School re-opens

5th- 9th June Y6 to Low Bank Ground

w/c 12th June

14th June 6.00pm

Phonics testing in Y1

New Reception Parents meeting

22nd June Sports Day

29th June Reserve Sports Day

4th July Pass Up Day

11th July Pass Up Day

12th July 9.15am

Y6 Leavers’ Service

14th July Leavers’ Ball

17th July 2.00pm

Y6 Play

18th July 7.00pm Y6 Play

21st July 3.15pm

School closes for Summer