Reydon Primay School Prospectus

Welcome to Our School REYDON PRIMARY Jermyns Road Reydon Southwold IP18 6QB Tel: (01502) 723084 Fax: (01502) 722493 e-mail: admin@reydon.suffolk.sch.uk

Welcome Your child’s time in Primary School is exceptionally important and precious and we are pleased that we are able to share this with you. It is not only the quality of education, but the ethos and atmosphere of the school community that matters. A child’s attitude to education is conceived and developed in the Primary School, and this attitude is more likely to be positive if the first experience of school is a happy one. At Reydon Primary we aim to create a warm, friendly environment in which children gain confidence and independence as well as an excellent education. We value the support and encouragement that you can give your child, and feel it is an important pre-requisite of successful educational development. This prospectus can only serve as an introduction to the school and its policies, and if you have any queries or worries, please do not hesitate to come and see us.

We look forward to meeting you.

THE AIMS OF OUR SCHOOL

Our school community agrees:

• To create a happy, caring and positive learning environment;

• To allow each child to think for themselves yet feel secure in the knowledge that they may seek help and guidance from those around them;

• To recognise and praise good behaviour and to respect ourselves and treat others equally;

• To involve our local community, families, and those who look after our pupils in the life of our school;

• To encourage and support every child to reach their full potential.

THE SCHOOL AND ITS CLASSIFICATION Reydon Primary School is a mixed primary school, maintained by Suffolk County Council. It caters for pupils from 5 to 11 years from the villages of Reydon, Wrentham, Wangford, South Cove, Frostenden, Covehithe, Cove Bottom, Benacre and Henham.

The Reydon and Southwold Children’s Centre, which provides childcare from 8.00am – 6.00pm, Monday to Friday is located on the school site. This caters for children from 6 weeks to 14 years providing a breakfast club, after school club, holiday club and playgroup. (Telephone 01502 724726 for further information.)

SCHOOL HOURS Line up in the school playground before

: 8.50am

Whistle goes at

: 8.50am

Registration is taken in class by

: 9.00am

Lunch Break for Reception Class

: 11.50 - 1.00pm

Lunch Break for Year 1 – Year 6

: 12.00 – 1.00pm

Foundation and Key Stage 1 have a morning and afternoon break.

Key Stage 2 has a morning break only.

Just before registration the classroom doors are shut. Your child will then have to enter via the main school/office entrance and will be marked in the register as ‘Late.’

Your child’s school day ends at 3.30pm* when they will be dismissed from class to be collected by you from outside their classroom. If your child goes home by school bus, they will go to the school hall where a ‘bus register’ is taken, before being seen on to the bus by a member of staff is on duty. *the collection time of 3.30pm is a trial time until December 2014 – the length of the school day will be reviewed and if changed, parents will receive advance notification.

Please let us know if you are unable to collect your child at 3.30pm due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you are not here to collect your child and have not informed us, your child will wait outside the school office until we have spoken to you with regards to their collection.

Illness/Absence If your child is unwell or absent for any other reason, please contact the school at the earliest opportunity by telephoning the School Office. You are welcome to leave a message on our answer phone either before or during office opening hours – please state your child’s name, year group and the nature of the illness/absence. It is a statutory requirement for the school to enter a reason for absence in the Attendance Registers, which are checked each term by the Education Welfare Officer.

The school operates a policy of no authorised leave for family holidays.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Present arrangements admit children into full-time education in September of the year in which they will be 5 years old, as follows: Every effort is made to ensure a smooth progression from Home/Children’s Centre/Nursery/School and parents will have opportunities to visit prior to each stage.

Parents and children have meetings and visits prior to admission to the Reception class.

All parents will be invited by letter to attend such a meeting with the class teacher and Headteacher to discuss admission and information.

A more detailed copy of the Admissions Policy is available in the school office for information.

ARRANGEMENT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS The special educational needs of pupils within the school are met through a carefully differentiated curriculum designed to meet the needs of all children. The special needs of the more able child are catered for and embraced within the classroom by careful planning.

The school follows closely the Code of Practice laid down by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Suffolk County guidelines for SEND All the various stages and procedures are outlined in the school’s S.E.N. policy, which is available for inspection from the Head Teacher.

ASSESSMENT Assessment is an ongoing process used to identify children’s achievement as well as highlighting areas for support. Opportunities for assessment are planned and include the following Foundation Stage profile - Reception National Phonics Screening takes place annually in Year 1.

National tests in the form of S.A.T.s are undertaken in Year 2 Suffolk Reading Tests also take place in Years 3-6.

Reading, Writing and Maths Assessments take place three times annually.

National tests in the form of S.A.T.s are undertaken in Year 6 All of the above are used in conjunction with class teachers’ own pupil record keeping, which includes National Curriculum levels of attainment for each curriculum subject.

Each child is tracked against ambitious targets based on the school being compared to the top 25% in the country.

THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM Under the National Curriculum there are three Key Stages (KS) covered at Reydon Primary School, each covering two or more years. Foundation Stage covers Reception, Key Stage 1 (KS1) covers Years 1 & 2 and Key Stage 2 (KS2) covers Years 3, 4, 5, & 6.

Teacher Assessment and Tasks/Tests (SATs) are reported alongside one another. Teachers Assessment reflects the Teacher’s knowledge of the children’s achievements across the whole subject, whereas tasks and tests provide only a ‘snapshot’ of attainment in selected parts of English (reading and writing), Mathematics and Science at the end of Key Stage 1. Teacher Assessments and the Tasks/Tests, therefore, complement each other and are both important in obtaining a full picture of each pupil’s progress and achievement.

An outline of the Core and Foundation subjects of the National Curriculum is described in the following pages.

CURRICULUM Since the 1988 Education Reform Act all schools are required to follow a National Curriculum that is balanced and broadly based.

Core Subjects

Foundation Subjects

English Mathematics Science ICT

History Geography Music Physical Education

Art & Design Design & Technology French

ENGLISH English is cross curricular, it is not only taught or learnt through the English lesson, but is an essential element of learning in all areas of the curriculum.

SPEAKING & LISTENING We encourage children to express themselves in a variety of situations, both to other children and to adults. The children will be given the opportunity to describe events, observations and experiences, to question and respond. Drama activities, improvisation and performances of varying kinds will help them to use spoken language appropriate to a role or situation.

Listening skills are developed alongside the speaking skills, both being vital for effective reading and writing.

READING

We follow the National Literacy Strategy using a structured yet mixed approach to the teaching of reading. At Key Stage 1, Jolly Phonics is taught, and the skill of blending, as the main approach for early decoding of words. Shared Reading aims to make stories, songs and poems a source of delight. Guided Reading sessions enable the teacher and group of children to talk, read and think their way purposefully through texts. Independent reading gives access to a range of literature that will motivate the children’s desire to read, enrich their experience of reading and offer them success and enjoyment when reading alone.

We ask parents to play a part in the teaching of reading. Children will take books home to share and read with their families. We ask that you spend time with your child and listen to them read on a regular basis. A Home/School Reading booklet provides a framework.

We wish to give the children an enthusiasm and love of books and reading, encouraging them to read for pleasure and enabling them to access information from books or ICT. WRITING We show children that writing is a purposeful activity. We teach a variety of language features both fiction and non-fiction. The fiction includes retelling traditional tales, adventure stories and poetry.

Non-fiction text includes recount, non-chronological report, Instructions, Explanation, Persuasion and Discussion.

We teach them about the processes involved in writing - e.g. conventions of letter formation, phonics, handwriting skills, talking for writing, spelling and punctuation - by purposeful, guided practice. By segmenting words into their constituent phonemes, the children are taught that spelling is the reverse of blending phonemes into words as in reading. These skills are further enriched by using I.C.T. Within the suggested framework of the Literacy strategy we give the children opportunities to write in response to a variety of stimuli, including stories, poems, classroom activities and personal experiences.

We have recently adopted “The Big Write” as part of our weekly timetable. This is a dedicated extended writing slot aimed at improving quality and also developing writing stamina.

MATHEMATICS Maths is so important! Children need to learn the skills of numeracy that can be used in everyday life, be given access to thinking and reasoning skills and to learn to think abstractly.

Here at Reydon Primary we follow the New Curriculum which is taught daily.

Assessments are carried out regularly and progress carefully monitored to check for pupil understanding and planning of the next stage. It is our aim to equip each child with the necessary skills and resources to realise their full potential.

SCIENCE

We aim to develop an understanding of, and an enthusiasm for, science, as a way of actively learning.

Our aim is to develop skills such as observing, classifying, communicating, predicting, investigating and experimenting.

In addition, we hope to develop positive attitudes such as co-operation, curiosity and responsibility.

As with other curriculum areas, the majority of scientific activities will be covered through topic work and the level of the work will be suitable for each individual child.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) The school has a well equipped, air conditioned computer suite to offer all children the opportunity to enhance their learning through the use of computers and a wide range of software and use QCA schemes of work. ICT is seen as an integral part of all areas of the curriculum and a valuable tool for self expression and communication. Pupils use computers on a regular basis. Each class in Key stages 1 & 2 have Interactive Whiteboards and our computers are networked with Internet access.

Parental Consent is obtained before allowing the children to use the internet and the children are supervised at all times.

MUSIC Music is fun. All children from the Reception onwards are given the opportunity to explore sounds and music using the body and percussion instruments including the African drums. KS2 pupils also have the opportunity to play brass and woodwind instruments and guitars.

We try to improve the listening skills and develop an awareness of a whole range of music from different times and cultures. Our music trolley has a range of instruments for the children to play and they are encouraged to make their own. We also sing and use Music Express (based on QCA schemes of work).

ART & DESIGN We value our children’s art and each individual piece of work is treated with respect and appreciation. We see our art, craft and design throughout the school as enhancing and enriching of the ethos of our school community.

Children are encouraged to appreciate the work of one another and of other artists past and present. They are encouraged to view their own present achievements as part of an on-going process of development and progression.

Art is a way of looking, seeing, questioning and discovering. Children will learn to look, learn to question, to discover and to understand. Looking absorbs, engages, calms and sensitises the learner.

Our children are introduced to a wide variety of materials and techniques, using the elements of art i.e. line, shape, form, colour, pattern, texture and tone.

PE, GAMES, SWIMMING A wide range of physical activities are experienced by all the children. The Staff are committed to providing a stimulating and challenging programme whilst remaining sensitive to the needs of those less physically confident.

The large hall area is used for gymnastics, dance and games throughout the year, although opportunities are taken during the year to enjoy outside activities. Most PE sessions in the summer term are spent outside and include athletics for KS2.Y1 and Y2 have half a term at St Felix pool, Y3 a full term along with non-swimmers in Y4, Y5 and Y6.

The playground is used for games lessons and the field provides space for athletics and other sporting activities.

The school holds a sports day at the end of the summer term and occasionally football matches are played at ‘home’ and ‘away’ against other schools. There are often after school sports clubs for KS2 children.

FRENCH Children receive instruction in French conversation.

HISTORY We aim to give the children a rich experience of the past by providing knowledge and skills, so that they become actively and imaginatively engaged in it. Learning about the past and the methods used to study it, helps children to make sense of the world in which they live.

We start with the children’s own experiences and those of their immediate family, gradually progressing to more distant times past.

We also use I.C.T. including the Internet to give further opportunities for acquiring knowledge and follow the QCA schemes of work.

GEOGRAPHY We aim to provide the children with experiences which offer an insight into the way of life of people in a variety of places. This will enable them to develop values and attitudes about the world in which they live.

We begin with the children’s own personal geography, gradually expanding to the local area and then distant places. The geography curriculum is planned through a series of topics following the Programmes of Study as outlined in the National Curriculum for Geography and the QCA schemes of work.

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY (DT)

Children have the opportunity at all levels to use creative thought in practical situations to design and make a range of items, and to solve problems. This will involve the use of a variety of materials and equipment – e.g. wood, card, fabric, cookery ingredients and will include different ways of recording their work. Emphasis is placed upon the children’s own planning and evaluation of their design or product.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RE is based on the agreed Suffolk Syllabus. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE lessons and assemblies. Such requests must be discussed with the Head Teacher.

We make use of the Suffolk “Themes and Schemes” units of work, and our main approach is a broadly Christian one. This covers the simpler, more tangible aspects, such as caring, sharing, kindness etc. as well as appropriate knowledge and understanding of the Christian religion. In addition, (in line with the Suffolk scheme), we introduce children to two other faiths, Judaism and Islam. Generally, themes explore our own and others’ ideas and beliefs and may cover aspects of all three religions, whereas other work focuses on family life within specific faith traditions.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP We have an act of collective worship every day, which is broadly Christian in content and is an important part of our school life. It is during these assemblies that together we affirm and celebrate agreed values and share beliefs from our own and other cultures through word and song. Parents have a right to withdraw their child from this daily act of worship.

Each class presents an assembly once or twice a year in which they demonstrate their recent learning.

P.S.H.E. Personal, Social and Health Education (P.S.H.E. and Citizenship) helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding that they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active and responsible citizens By teaching P.S.H.E and citizenship we aim to allow children; • To develop self-confidence and self-esteem and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues.

• To know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle.

• To learn to keep themselves and others safe.

• To develop effective and satisfying relationships.

• To learn to respect the differences between people.

• To develop independence and responsibility.

• To be able to play an active role as members of society.

• To make the most of their abilities.

The P.S.H.E. and Citizenship curriculum is taught through these five key themes • • • • •

Health Relationships Citizenship World of Work Sustainable Development

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE If you have any concerns about your child’s education please do not hesitate to contact the school.

In the event of an unresolved situation between home and school, the correct procedure would be to contact Mr Oliver Everett Chair of Governors c/o Reydon Primary School Jermyns Road Reydon Southwold Suffolk IP18 6QB

If the situation is still not resolved, the contacts would then be: Area Education Manager Adrian House Alexandra Road Lowestoft NR32 1PL

County Director of Education Education Department Endeavour House 8 Russell Road Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2BX

Tel: (01502) 502261

Tel: (01473) 583000

All the information in this booklet was correct at the time of publication. It is, however, subject to change. If you would like further information about anything to do with your child’s education or the school, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Charles Morris (Interim Head Teacher).