Prospectus

PROSPECTUS Dear Parents, Welcome to the Carleton Green School Prospectus, I hope you will find it useful and informative when trying to select a school for your child. Carleton Green enjoys a good reputation locally and within the Local Authority, as we continue to maintain high standards both academically and socially.

We see the relationship between home and school as a vital part of your child’s education and look towards developing a partnership between home and school for the benefit of your child.

We welcome visits to our school, if you would like to arrange an appointment please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Johnstone, the head teacher, who will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have before making your selection.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT At Carleton Green Community Primary School we aim to provide a stimulating, caring and harmonious environment in which all individuals feel valued and are encouraged to reach their personal potential. We strongly believe that we are preparing children to participate and contribute to both the local and wider communities.

Our continuing success depends on a partnership between children and their families, school staff and governors, and the local community.

OUR AIMS • • •

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At Carleton Green we share the following aims: To create an interesting, stimulating and friendly environment, where each individual can feel secure and valued and will develop to his or her potential.

To develop lively, enquiring minds, the ability to question and argue rationally, to work with imagination and a sense of purpose, through first hand experience where possible.

To encourage respect for religious and moral values, to be tolerant of the views of other religions, races and cultures.

To develop a sense of responsibility, self-respect, self-discipline and independence.

To establish an effective and constructive partnership between home and school with opportunities for involvement and contributions by parents, governors and the wider community.

To help children to value and enjoy learning becoming independent learners within a secure, friendly and stimulating environment.

To develop an understanding and appreciation of a healthy lifestyle To cater for the needs of the individual and try to encourage a wide range o f activities, which will develop each child’s interest to the full.

SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY Chairman of Governors : Mr. M. Ball Local Authority Representatives Mrs. D. Grout Mr. N. Lee – SEN Governor Mr. A. Walker

Staff Governors Mr. P. Batty Mrs N. Hunt Mrs. J. Stock

Parent Governors Mrs. E. Anderson Mr. S . Choudhury Mrs. A. Wilcock Mr. N. Mountford Mr. D. Thomason

Community Governors Mr. M. Ball Mr. A. Cogan Mr A. Farnworth

Clerk to the Governors : Area Education Office Lancaster

SCHOOL STAFF HEADTEACHER: Mrs A. Johnstone DEPUTY HEADTEACHER; Mr N Vaughan

TEACHING STAFF Mr. P. Batty Mrs N Hunt Mrs. B. Bentley Mrs N. Cassidy Mrs. A. Catterall Mrs L. Claydon Mrs. R. Gough

TEACHING ASSISTANTS Mrs. D. Crooks Mrs. M. Fisher Mrs. D. Fox Mrs. L. Francis Mrs. L. Hicks Mrs. A. Jeffrey Mrs S Kapa

NON-TEACHING ASSISTANT

Mrs. N. Jones Mr. R. Jones Mrs. S Robinson Mrs D. Walmsley Mrs J. Walsh Mrs J. Wills

Ms. J. McFadden Mrs. M. Moss Mrs. M. Parry Mrs. G. McArdle Mrs. J. Roberts Mrs J. Stock Mrs. J. Watmough Mrs. K. White

Miss. L. Bushell

ANCILLARY STAFF School Secretaries : Mrs L Rawding Mrs D Farnworth School Cleaner : Site Supervisor: Mr. R. Luty

WELFARE STAFF Mrs. Mrs. Mrs. Mrs.

L. Williamson (Midday Supervisor) S. Adams J. Houghton J. Willey

Mrs. J Markham

ADMISSION PROCEDURES 2011 Our admission number is 45 pupils per year group In Lancashire all children whose 5th birthday falls between 1st. September 2011 and 31st.

August 2012 may start school early in the Autumn Term 2010 if the parents wish it.

Carleton Green Community Primary school is a popular school and regularly admits 45 children into Foundation Stage. If the school is oversubscribed priority is given according to the following criteria. a.

Looked after children, who are in public care at the time preferences are expressed and are still expected to be in public care when admitted into school. b.

Children with older brothers or sisters who will be attending when the younger child starts school. c.

Children for whom the County Council accepts there are exceptionally strong, medical, social and welfare reasons for admissions, which are directly relevant to the school concerned. This may include some non- statemented pupils who have special educational needs. Pupils who have a statement of special educational needs which names Carleton Green have priority for admission and are considered under separate admissions procedures. d.

The remaining places are allocated according to the distance between the child’s home and the school and between home and the nearest alternative school with a place.

The Local Education Authority is responsible for the selection procedure and not the school governors. Parents may appeal to an independent tribunal if refused a place.

Once a place has been allocated we have a full induction programme.

Any parent wishing to look around Carleton Green should contact the Headteacher to make an appointment to view the school.

THE SCHOOL DAY

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES Children are expected at school between 8.50 and 8.55am. The bell rings at 8.55am.

School Starts at 9.00am and finishes at 3.30pm.

Lunch break is from 12.00am to 1.10pm.

Key Stage 1 pupils have three breaks during the day at 9.40 – 9.50 10.55- 11.05 and 2.20 – 2.30. We have found the short breaks suit the younger children, giving them the opportunity for some fresh air and a ‘runaround’ between lessons.

Key Stage 2 pupils have a morning break from 10.40 – 10.55.

Children should be reminded to report to the Secretary’s office or to their teacher if they have not been met at the end of the day.

Please notify school if you are delayed as it stops unnecessary anxiety.

EARLY BIRD CLUB & AFTER SCHOOL CLUB We have an early morning club in school from 7.45- 8.50 a.m. There is a small charge per session. Children are supervised by our school staff and enjoy a wide range of activities. Drinks, fruit, cereal and toast are available.

After- School Club is provided on site by Kidzone. Further details are available from the school office.

CLASSES

In July the groupings for each class for the coming year are decided upon. Some classes are mixed age groups, these are sometimes known as ‘vertical groups’. The children are usually put into classes according to their age. Work is differentiated and matched according to the children’s ability – we treat every child as an individual. Provision is made for pupils with special needs and for those children who are more able.

Teacher’s plan together and benefit from each other’s expertise and are able to provide a rich, broad and balanced curriculum.

Class Organisation for the school year 2009/2010 Foundation Stage (Ducklings) – EYFS 45 pupils with two teachers and support staff Y1 (Peacocks), mixed Y1/Y2 (woodpeckers) and Y2 (Magpies) All classes have additional support.

No class in the infants has more than 30 pupils Key Stage 2 Y3, Y4, mixed Y4/Y5 Mixed Year 5/6 and Y6

TIMETABLE

The actual time spent teaching in school each week is as follows: Key Stage One 21 hours

Key Stage Two 23.25 hours

Under Government guidance, these times do not include daily collective worship, registration, and lunch or break times.

We encourage children to come into school between 8.50a.m. and 8.55a.m. Prior to this time we cannot accept responsibility for the children.

In the event of the weather being inclement, children are admitted into school from 8.50a.m.

THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM The children enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum.

They study English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, History, Geography, RE, Design Technology, Art, Music and PE. English Mathematics and Science are known as the ‘core’ subjects and receive greater emphasis. The children are organised into key stages. In the primary school we deal with three stages of the National Curriculum.

Foundation Stage Reception Key Stage One Pupils in years: One, Two Key Stage Two Pupils in years: Three, Four, Five Six

In addition to the above National Curriculum subjects, pupils are also taught aspects of personal and social education, health education, citizenship and sex education.

We have recently been accredited for our work on Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. We appreciate that children need to feel safe, healthy and happy in order to learn. We teach children through SEAL themes how to cope with their emotions and how to respect and appreciate others.

HEALTHY SCHOOLS Carleton Green is proud to be recognized as a Lancashire Flagship Healthy School and to hold National status. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles in a variety of ways including participation in sport, eating healthy school meals, fruit tuck shops instead of any sweets and developing their emotional health so that they are happy and enjoy themselves. We are supported by a range of professionals including our school nurse and use visitors to help promote our healthy message e.g. annual visits by the Life Caravan touring classroom.

ASSESSMENT

We take the educational needs of individual children very seriously and endeavour to match work to children’s differing abilities. Full and comprehensive records of achievement and attainment will be kept on your child during his/her time in school. These will include the results of any tests administered in school, comments from class teachers on the progress made in each area of the curriculum and more general comments made concerning behaviour and social aspects. In order to help identify the needs of individual children they are assessed by on-going teacher assessments, standardised tests, Baseline Assessment and the National Curriculum Statutory Assessment Tests. These Statutory Assessment Tests are known more commonly as SATs. Parents will be kept informed of their child’s progress throughout the year. The SATs are undertaken by children at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 with additional end of year tests in Year 3, 4 and 5.

By the end of Key Stage 1, that is at the age of 7, a child making satisfactory progress will have reached what is called ‘level 2’B’ and at Key Stage 2 – at the age of 11, the child will have reached ‘level 4’. Obviously some children will progress faster than this, while some will take longer to move through the various levels of work.

The most recent Statutory Assessment results and our targets for future years can be found as an appendix. The results show the school’s percentage performance at various levels compared with the national percentages, for the previous year.

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

We believe every pupil, regardless of sex, race, religion, disability or special educational need, should be valued equally and should have access to a broad, balanced, differentiated and relevant curriculum. For all pupils the purpose of education is the same, the goals are the same, but the help individual children need in progressing towards them will be different.

Carleton Green does not discriminate against prospective pupils with disabilities and SEN when allocating places. As a school we ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to include all learners.

We aim to ensure that the needs of our special needs pupils are identified and met and that the Code of Practice is implemented. Respect for the needs of all our pupils, irrespective of Special Needs, is an integral part of the school’s Equal Opportunities Policy. A copy of the school’s Special Educational Needs Policy and annual report to parents detailing current work is available in school for anyone to read.

ACCESSIBILITY The school is ramped into all buildings to facilitate wheelchair access. There is a disabled toilet and shower facility in the main building. The Governors are keen to improve the facilities for inclusion within the school and have a continuous programme for improvements in both the internal and external environment. The school’s disability equality scheme and accessibility plan is available from school.

The teacher responsible for Special Education Needs is Miss C. Oaten.

PASTORAL CARE AND DISCIPLINE

The Headteacher and the appropriate class teacher are responsible for the well being of the children in the school. We have an ‘open door’ parental policy and meetings with the Headteacher and the class teacher can be made at mutually convenient times.

School rules are few but they must be observed by the whole community. The more the child can see the purpose of the rule, the better observed it will be.

We are gentle

We don’t hurt others

We are kind and helpful

We don’t hurt anybody’s feelings

We listen

We don’t interrupt

We are honest

We don’t cover up the truth

We work hard

We don’t waste our own or other’s time

We look after property

We don’t waste or damage things

If behavioural difficulties arise in school, we try to find the cause of the difficulty (educational, social or medical) and respond accordingly. We seek to support all pupils and parents working in partnership. Corporal punishment is not used.

CITIZENSHIP A strong feature in our school life is encouraging a sense of responsibility in our older children by giving them the opportunity to undertake important and responsible school

duties. The school strives to reinforce and emphasise positive behaviour and attitudes through various reward systems.

Pupils elect their own class representatives for the School Council, who hold regular meetings. At Carleton Green we value the opinions of our pupils.

Year 6 pupils are also involved in our Charity and Environment Committees. Year 5 pupils are trained as Playground Pals, working with the younger children at lunchtime.

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES The law requires a daily act of collective worship wholly or mainly of a Christian character.

The school has a daily assembly or reflective time, which takes various forms either whole school, Key stage, year groups or class.

Contents of the assembly follow broadly Christian themes. Parents have the right to withdraw children from assemblies and class religious education lessons. Those children not attending assembly are to sit quietly near the secretary’s office.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION The teaching of Religious Education at Carleton Green is based upon the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Community Primary Schools. This syllabus is an extensive document looking at all aspects of Religious Education. Any parent wishing to do so may view the Syllabus by contacting the school. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from (all or part of the) Religious Education or collective worship offered by the school. Any parent wishing to do this should, in the first instance, contact the Headteacher to discuss the issue and the alternative arrangements to be made.

SEX EDUCATION

The Governing Body has agreed that sex education will be provided for all children, in a manner appropriate to their age and development, as part of a wider teaching programme that emphasises the importance of family life and personal relationships.

In all classes this work is undertaken through various health projects. However in years 5 and 6 some more sensitive issues may well be considered and parents will be given the opportunity to view the materials and resources used for this teaching.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from sex education, which is not part of the National Curriculum Science requirements. The school’s Personal Relationships and Sex Education Policy is available in school for parents to read if they so wish.

THE SPORTING AIMS OF THE SCHOOL It is the intention to develop in the pupils at Carleton Green a desire to participate in and enjoy all aspects of sport. This sport should be for both competitive and recreational purposes. Through these activities we wish to help the children develop self-discipline, sportsmanship, personal health and stamina.

Pupils will have the opportunity during their time at Carleton Green to participate in the following sporting activities on either a recreational or competitive level: Football* Basketball Netball* Swimming* Cross country* Athletics* Tennis Hockey Those marked with * are played competitively

RESIDENTIAL VISITS

As part of our curriculum provision children have the opportunity for two residential visits in Years 5 and 6. Children undertake outdoor and adventurous activities and the challenge of being away from home. There are many benefits including developing team spirit, challenging themselves and independence. This year’s visits are planned to Winmarleigh Hall and Boreatton Park, both registered and accredited centres.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES We consider extra-curricular to be very important for the development of the ‘whole child’. Usually they take place during the dinnertime break or after normal school hours and depend upon the goodwill of teachers. The following list is a typical example of our summer and winter activities.

Here is a selection of activities on offer…

Recorder group Choir-Infant and Junior Football/Netball groups Judo/Fencing (Charges apply) Variety of activities provided by the Sports Partnership e.g. Dance, Tri-Golf Astronomy Club Violin, Brass and woodwind music tuition (Charges apply) Cross Country running Art club Chess club

LINKS WITH PARENTS

At Carleton Green we believe there is a strong link between parental encouragement and educational performance, and this is best achieved by a strong working relationship between home and school. We actively encourage families to be involved in their child’s education through curriculum newsletters, regular opportunities to meet the teachers, parent interviews and an annual written report.

Parents are welcome to help in school, subject to CRB clearance, listening to readers, craft activities, school visits, etc.

Fortnightly Newsletters are produced giving information on school events or on general matters and our website contains further information about school curriculum, dates and events.

PTFA Our PTFA, Parent, Teacher and Friends Association Committee is elected in February of each year during the Annual General Meeting. All parents of children in school are automatically members of the PTFA and are welcome to attend meetings. The money gained from the fund raising is spent on improving the facilities and resources of the school for the benefit of the children.

Recently the PTFA have purchased outside playground equipment as well as a new stage and sound system for the school hall.

The PTFA hold a number of family friendly events throughout the year including our Summer Fair in July.

ATTENDANCE During the school year 2009/2010 the total number of registered day pupils on roll for at least one session during September to the last Friday in May was 240. Under Government direction, these figures exclude Reception children.

The percentage number of authorised absences was 4.4% The percentage number of unauthorised absences was 0.1%

ABSENCE

The class teachers have to record both authorised and unauthorised absences for the morning and afternoon sessions. Authorised absence includes sickness, medical appointments etc. Unauthorised absence means absence for which no reason is given or which the Headteacher has not authorised.

This brief guidance is offered to parents: If a child is ill or has to leave school for a medical appointment (dentist, doctor, optician etc) we need to receive a phone call to ensure that the absence is authorised. Religious observance is an authorised absence.

If a parent wishes to take the child out of school for any other reason, authorisation should be requested from the Headteacher and not from the class teacher, before the absence. Only the Headteacher is able to authorise absences. We do not allow individual children to leave the school premises during the morning or afternoon sessions unless a parent or guardian calls in person at the school. This includes a visit to the dentist or doctor etc.

In general, we do not approve of parents taking holidays during school time because this is detrimental to the child’s educational progress. If this is unavoidable, application should be made to the Headteacher requesting authorisation by using an approved holiday request form. Authority can be given for up to two weeks holiday in a school year in exceptional circumstances.

CHARGING POLICY The 1988 Education Reform Act lays down the conditions under which schools may charge for materials for practical work and for visits taking place wholly or mainly during school hours. Governors have agreed: Visits Visits during school time are intended to provide the children with experiences they cannot gain in the classroom and they are sure parents will wish them to continue. Parental consent forms allowing your child to participate in such visits will also invite parents to make voluntary contributions to the School Fund equal to the cost of the visit. The visit will then be paid for from the School Fund. If it is not possible to cover the cost of the visit by these voluntary contributions it may be necessary to cancel it.

The school will continue to ensure, as in the past, that no pupil is excluded in participation in such a visit because of inability to pay. Parents of pupils in this situation should make direct contact with the Headteacher so that the matter can be dealt with confidentially.

Materials The Act states that schools must provide or pay for materials which are needed for practical subjects. Parents or pupils may contribute to these on a voluntary basis. It is our policy at Carleton Green School that no charges be made in any circumstances, even where parents indicate a wish to own the finished product.

Most materials such as textbooks, exercise books etc for other subjects are provided free as a matter of course.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN Due to day to day contact with children, schools are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop. Parents should be aware therefore, that, where it appears to a member of the school staff that a child may have been abused, the school is required, as part of the local child protection procedures, to report concern to the social services department immediately. The designated person for child safeguarding is the headteacher and in her absence the deputy head.

POLICY ON CARE AND CONTROL OF PUPILS If staff become aware of or have a need to become involved in, situations where a child may be at risk of hurting themselves or others, or if the behaviour of a child seriously disrupts good order in the school or causes damage to property, staff may need to take steps to intervene physically. In such circumstances staff will follow the school’s policy for dealing with some situations. Any parent wishing to view this policy may do so on request.

HOMEWORK

Children are encouraged to complete homework tasks. Each year group sets his/her pattern of homework. Homework is appropriate to the age of the child and is linked to activities from class. All children are encouraged to take reading books home and read daily to an adult.

In the event of a child having difficulty, the homework should be stopped and a short message should be sent to the class teacher the following day.

We appreciate pupils have a wide range of other activities outside of school and believe there should be time for both.

SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSFER At Carleton Green we have very good relationships with all the High Schools to which our pupils transfer each year. We aim to make their transfer as smooth as possible, ensuring that all the appropriate information is forwarded to their new school. Even when our pupils have moved on to secondary school we still like to see them and hear about how well they are succeeding. At the end of the last academic year our Y6 pupils transferred to the following High Schools: Hodgson School Baines School Kirkham Grammar School Lancaster Grammar School St.Aidans CE School St Mary’s RC School

SCHOOL MEALS

We have our own kitchens at Carleton Green which serve healthy, nutritious and enjoyable meals to many of our pupils. Children have a choice of options everyday, along with the salad bar, fresh fruit and bread basket.

SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY Road Safety education is a learning process that involves developing a range of skills and knowledge that will enable children to become aware of, and competent in, the traffic environment.

The school will actively support the development of positive attitudes towards the road user. This will be achieved through the integration of appropriate road safety themes and topics into the curriculum. In addition, efforts will be made to work in partnership with parents in order to further encourage safe practices on or near the road, through the provision of relevant publicity materials and information.

In the interest of children’s safety please do not use the school car park as a dropping off base or turning area. Likewise parents should not park on the zig zag lines at the front of the school.

BENEFITS Certain benefits (e.g. school meals, travel allowances, help for children with medical problems etc.) are available free from LCC. Further information is available from the school office, or the local education office.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

We feel that a school uniform helps to promote the school identity and belonging.

Our uniform comprises of a royal blue sweatshirt, pale blue polo shirt, grey skirt, grey shorts or grey trousers.

In the Summer, blue and white striped or checked dresses may be worn. Grey socks to be worn with shorts or trousers, white socks to be worn with skirt or dress.

Please ensure that all articles of school wear are clearly marked with your child’s name.

JEWELLERY POLICY Jewellery should not be worn in school, except for small stud earrings, watches and for religious observance. In accordance with Lancashire County Council policy, no jewellery is to be worn during PE, games or swimming lessons for obvious safety reasons.

UNIFORM FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES Pump bags, black pumps (slip or gym shoes), white T-shirts and blue shorts Key Stage 2 outdoor games - Trainers and PE kit Key Stage 2 swimming - Own choice of swimming trunks or costume, no swimming shorts are permitted. Children who wear goggles will need to complete form available from the office, prior to their lessons.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE Any parents, or others connected with the school, wishing to make a formal complaint to the Governing body or the LEA regarding the curriculum should in the first instance contact the Headteacher (or Chair of Governors) at the school who will provide copies of the LEA’s documents setting out the arrangement.

However, it is hoped that the situation of involving the LEA will not arise as parents and others may discuss such matters openly with the Headteacher.

We hope you have found this prospectus informative, and have enjoyed reading about our school. We welcome visits; to look around the school or if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Johnstone at school on 01253 891228.