ADMISSION AND TRANSFER

ADMISSIONS POLICY

This is a County Primary School taking children from the ages of 4 to 11 years. There is one point of entry: at 4 years old, children from the parishes of Waddesdon, Fleet Marston, Upper Winchendon. However we are always pleased to welcome children from outside these designated areas providing places are available.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

Places are allocated according to the following criteria, in order of priority: 1. Children living in the area normally served by the school.

2. Younger brothers and sisters of older children who will still be in attendance at the school on the date of admission.

3. Children with exceptional medical or social needs, supported by written evidence from a doctor, social worker, education welfare officer or other appropriate person. 4. Children with exceptional educational needs, supported by written evidence from an appropriate professional. 5. In the event of oversubscription, once places have been allocated under criteria 1 to 4, the remaining places will be awarded according to the proximity of the child’s home to the school as measured by the nearest available route. This is from the front door of the child’s home to the school’s nearest entrance gate.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

The school is light and spacious with superb facilities. We have well-equipped classrooms and shared areas including the library, ICT suite and hall. Our grounds include a kitchen garden, an orchard, adventure play area, reading circle and playing fields. These are attractive and functional, providing many opportunities for learning and recreation.

PUPILS WITH DISABILITIES / EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The school has a policy of equality for the admission and teaching of all pupils including those with disabilities. The school does have access for wheelchairs and amenities for disabled pupils. In accordance with the Equalities Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001, the school has an accessibility plan in place. An active Equal Opportunities Policy operates which tries to ensure that all children are treated equally, enjoy equal access to the curriculum and to any opportunities available at school.

It is the policy of the school to ensure that all of the pupils receive an appropriate and effective education. Class teachers are responsible for the educational, social and emotional development of the pupils in their care and are encouraged to ensure that equality of access is provided at all times and to all groups and individuals within the school regardless of culture, ethnic or gender considerations:-

• Boys and girls are expected to follow the same curriculum and to participate together in extracurricular activities.

• When organising the content of schemes of work within the curriculum, staff are asked to take into account the diversity of pupils’ cultural experience. • Children with disabilities will be treated equally and any provision that the school can provide, dependant on their individual needs, will be provided. • Pupils are encouraged to explore and share the ideas, opinions and interests which can derive from their particular cultural experiences and backgrounds. • The content of work offered in the school is provided from a wide range of sources and is selected so that it engages pupils’ feelings as well as giving them information and teaching them new skills. • The curriculum aims to create an understanding of, and interest in, different environments, societies, systems and cultures across time and space. Whenever possible pupils are encouraged to recognise that each society has its own values, traditions and styles of every day living which they should consider in the context of that society as well as in their own.

All pupils, teaching, and non teaching staff, and parents assisting in school are expected to show respect for all people of all races, creeds and cultures. The school will not tolerate racist actions which are clearly hurtful to others and which contravene the Race Relations Act (1976). Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any person who participates in racist actions such as:-

• Physical assault against a person or group because of colour or ethnicity. • Derogatory name calling, insults or racist jokes, racist graffiti or any other written insults. • Provocative behaviour such as wearing racist badges or insignia. • Bringing racist material such as leaflets, comics or magazines into the school. • Making threats against a person or group because of colour or ethnicity. • Racist comment in the course of discussion in lessons attempts to recruit other pupils or adults to racist organisations or groups. Any pupil, parent or member of staff witnessing a racist incident, whether directed to them personally or towards others should report the matter immediately to the Headteacher or to the School Governors. The policy has been agreed by the Governors and Staff of the school and will be reviewed annually.

VISITS

Parents who wish to visit the school prior to sending their children are welcome to do so. Please contact the school to make an appointment with the Head Teacher who will be pleased to show parents around, answer questions and give any other help that may be required. Buckinghamshire County Council issue a ‘Guide for Parents’ booklet and application forms for all parents living in Buckinghamshire. If you live outside Buckinghamshire, you need to contact your own local authority for their application form and information - even if you wish to apply for a Buckinghamshire school. Children are admitted to full time education during the academic year in which they are 5. We arrange a series of visits in the summer term prior to entry for all the new reception children as part of our induction programme. Plus the reception teacher arranges to meet all new parents on an individual basis prior to your child starting school. This is an opportunity to share information about your child and allows us all to be fully prepared for a smooth transition into school.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW ENTRANTS

In July all our new pupils come and spend an induction morning, known as ‘Ripple Morning’, at Waddesdon Village Primary School. They will spend time in their new class meeting their new teacher and their class mates. This is a good preparation for starting the new academic year in September and serves to dispel any worries or concerns your child may have so that they can look forward confidently to life in their new school. Early in the summer term all parents of new children are invited to a meeting at the school when you can talk to your child’s class teacher, see their new classroom and discuss any concerns or worries you may have.

TRANSFER TO SECONDARY SCHOOLING

Each year, the year 6 children are involved in the County’s secondary allocation procedure. This is a selective process to determine the most appropriate secondary school for the children involved. Some children will move on to the Grammar and High schools in Aylesbury, others will transfer to an Upper School. Full details of the process are explained to the parents of the children involved during the summer term in the year before they take the test. Parents may withdraw their children from the selection process if they notify the school in writing.