Kintbury Prospectus

Kintbury St Mary’s C.E. Primary School Gainsborough Avenue, Kintbury, Hungerford, RG17 9XN

Creating memories, Building Futures

Prospectus 2014 / 2015

Prospectus 2014/2015

Contents Head Teacher’s Welcome................................................................................................................... 3 Governors’ Welcome ........................................................................................................................... 4 Mission Statement................................................................................................................................ 5 Our School Aims: ................................................................................................................................. 5 About Our School ................................................................................................................................. 6 The School Curriculum ........................................................................................................................ 7 English ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Mathematics ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Science .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Information & Communication Technology .................................................................................. 9 Physical Education ........................................................................................................................... 9 Religious Education ....................................................................................................................... 10 Classroom resources ..................................................................................................................... 11 Beyond the Classroom ...................................................................................................................... 12 Organisation and Staffing 2014-2015 ............................................................................................. 13 Practical Information .......................................................................................................................... 14 Time of school sessions ................................................................................................................ 14 Attendance ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Holiday Dates.................................................................................................................................. 15 Snacks ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Lunch................................................................................................................................................ 16 School uniform ................................................................................................................................ 16 Illness and Medical matters .......................................................................................................... 17 Communication ................................................................................................................................... 18 Policies ................................................................................................................................................. 19 Governing Body .................................................................................................................................. 20

Kintbury St Mary’s C.E. Primary School 2

Prospectus 2014/2015

Creating memories, Building futures

Head Teacher’s Welcome At Kintbury St Mary’s CE Primary School we are a vibrant learning community fostering children’s excitement and curiosity about the world and valuing their individual and unique gifts and talents. We are committed to providing each child with the educational opportunities to ensure they reach their potential. The Christian ethos of our school enables us to provide an inclusive education which is welcoming to all.

Our skilful and caring staff deliver engaging lessons which develop key skills, such as independence, resilience and self-motivation, through a creative and topic based curriculum. These key skills form a firm foundation for children to meet the challenges of their secondary education and beyond. It is important to us that all children enjoy challenge and support in their daily learning experiences.

We firmly believe in forging and developing effective partnerships with parents. Together we provide our children with the best start on their educational journey. Throughout the year we run many information events about different aspects of school life and teaching staff are always happy to talk to you individually about your child’s learning and experiences at school.

We have a thriving partnership with our Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.) which arranges many successful social and fundraising events for the benefit of our school community. We also have an excellent committed Governing Body who are closely involved with school life and drive the strategic direction of our school.

We are very proud of our school and visitors are always welcome!

Mrs Melanie Higgs

Kintbury St Mary’s C.E. Primary School 3

Prospectus 2014/2015

Creating memories, Building futures

Governors’ Welcome Dear Parents & Carers, On behalf of the Governors, we would like to thank you for your interest in Kintbury St. Mary’s CE School.

We pride ourselves on having a vibrant and happy school and providing a safe and friendly environment in which all our children can develop their love of learning. We aim for all children to reach their full potential as well as gain essential life skills of independence, selfdiscipline, and respect for others.

The Governors work in partnership with the Head Teacher and the staff at the school to ensure that we provide the very best education for each child. Ofsted recognises us as a good school and over the next few years we will continue to build on this achievement.

Kintbury St Mary’s is a Voluntary Controlled School and encourages and benefits from close ties with both St. Mary’s Church and with other communities.

As Governors, we feel confident that the children who attend our School leave us as wellrounded individuals who will flourish and succeed in secondary education and beyond.

Yours sincerely

Annette Warren

&

Alison Mitchell (Chairs of Governors)

Kintbury St Mary’s C.E. Primary School 4

Prospectus 2014/2015

Creating memories, Building futures

Mission Statement Kintbury St Mary’s Church of England Primary School is committed to developing knowledge and understanding of a relevant and varied curriculum. By establishing mutual respect which encourages challenge, enjoyment and independence, we actively promote the desire in all to achieve the highest possible standards in everything we do.

Our ethos is based on Christian values and a respect for the beliefs and culture of each member of the school community. The school values its links with home, community and parish and uses these wherever possible to the benefit of all.

We aim for our children to leave school confident and happy with themselves and their place in the world, with a wealth of good memories, a belief in the value of education and ambitions for the future.

Our School Aims: For children to identify those things which have the deepest value for them and give real meaning to their lives such as joy, fulfilment and happiness.

For children to develop self-awareness and an understanding and empathy for others.

To give children a code of conduct and respect for moral values, equality and justice.

To help children develop lively enquiring minds and the ability to organise and apply themselves to tasks.

To help children develop mathematical, scientific and technical thinking and knowledge.

To help children use language effectively, imaginatively and accurately in speaking, reading and writing.

To help children understand the world in which we live, its history, development and organisation.

To enable children to develop their creative talents through artistic, musical and dramatic activities.

To encourage well balanced physical development, team spirit and personal excellence in sport.

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Prospectus 2014/2015

About Our School Kintbury St Mary’s C.E. Primary School was founded in 1831.

The present school was opened in 1968. An extensive building redevelopment programme was completed in the Summer 2012. This provided the school with brighter larger classrooms, cloakrooms and circulation areas, a purpose-built library, as well as additional administrative and group-work spaces.

Our school Hall serves as a multi-purpose area for assemblies, drama, music, sports and lunch.

The school has a large games field, a netball court, an Early Years’ outdoor learning area, age-appropriate outside play apparatus and a school garden.

Most of our pupils are admitted from Kintbury and the surrounding area, but a few children come from further afield.

Kintbury St Mary’s CE Primary School

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Prospectus 2014/2015

The School Curriculum We aim to ensure that: Learning remains enjoyable as a lifelong process Every child is encouraged to achieve their potential and exceed their expectations Staff challenge and support all children to help them achieve their best, including those with special educational needs and the more able The school provides an extensive range of learning experiences within and beyond the statutory requirement, providing broad, balanced and rich learning opportunities.

English Our English curriculum supports children to develop their skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening.

Speaking and listening Speaking, listening, group discussion and interaction and drama permeate the whole curriculum. Interactive teaching strategies, including talk partners, presentations to peers, the class or the whole school and role play are used to engage all pupils in order to raise reading and writing standards. Children are encouraged to develop effective communication skills in readiness for later life.

Reading

Children are provided with a range of reading opportunities and explicit teaching which help develop their decoding skills and comprehension. These include: Shared reading with the whole class Guided reading, where children work in groups of a similar level of skill to enjoy discussions and develop independent strategies on new and increasingly challenging texts Kintbury St Mary’s C.E. Primary School 7

Prospectus 2014/2015 Individual reading, where each child has an independent reading book which they read both in school and at home. Daily individual reading at home is stated as part of the homework throughout the school and should be recorded by parents and carers in the child’s reading records.

Phonics are taught daily in ability groups throughout the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 to take account of children’s prior knowledge on entry to the school and their rate of progression. This is continued in Key Stage 2 in spelling group sessions.

As a school, all reading opportunities and teaching strategies are underpinned by the aim that children will develop a love of reading.

Writing Writing is an important form of communication. We develop children’s basic skills in sentence construction and punctuation. We build on this so that they become confident, independent writers who are able to express their thoughts, feelings and ideas in a variety of contexts and for a range of purposes.

Mathematics We aim to give our children confidence in their mathematical knowledge and skills and their ability to apply these in investigational and problem solving activities. We focus on all basic number skills, including use of times tables and mental maths strategies.

Wherever appropriate, mathematics is used in other areas of the curriculum.

Science Science is mainly taught through class topics or through discrete lessons. The children will have the opportunity to develop both their scientific knowledge and investigative skills so that they can learn to plan investigations for themselves. We aim for children to experience science in a practical context using appropriate equipment.

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Prospectus 2014/2015 Information & Communication Technology ICT skills are taught by practical use of a wide range of ICT tools. Pupils are encouraged to use these independently and with initiative to explore, analyse, exchange and present information in ways that will enable them to participate fully in an increasing technological world.

Physical Education PE plays an important role in promoting active and healthy lifestyles, developing children’s physical skills, encouraging creativity and teamwork, and providing opportunities for success and achievement at all levels. Children are given a wide range of experiences during their time at Kintbury St Mary’s school, including games, dance, gymnastics, swimming and outdoor adventurous activities.

We have a successful partnership with Go-Active, which enables us to provide one session per week for all classes led by a professional sports coach. During these sessions, children are taught both traditional and non-traditional sports. All classes have one further PE session per week during which they consolidate the skills taught by the Go-Active coach.

The school takes part in local football, TAG rugby, netball and athletics competitions involving a range of other local schools. Children also have access to a number of extracurricular sports clubs which can include football, netball, rounders, cricket, fencing, archery, etc.

The school benefits from a large playing field. In wet weather, PE sessions take place in the hall.

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Prospectus 2014/2015 Religious Education We are a Church of England school and take pride in our distinctively Christian nature.

Our main aims for the teaching of Religious Education are that children will: learn about Christianity in a way that enables them to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and to consider and develop their own beliefs, values and attitudes. foster a reflective approach to life in the context of understanding experience, beliefs and religious practices and traditions of individuals, societies and cultures. learn about other principal religions represented both in Great Britain and in the wider world and to promote respect, tolerance, understanding and sensitivity towards those whose beliefs are different from our own.

Assemblies introduce and explore Christian values, and whenever possible, children are given the space and opportunities to reflect on these.

We have very strong links with St Mary’s Church which we go to regularly throughout the year for services reflecting both the Christian and school calendar.

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Prospectus 2014/2015 Our curriculum also includes Design & Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Modern Foreign Language and Personal Social and Health Education.

Classroom resources We offer a spacious, bright and flexible learning environment. Each class benefits from an interactive smartboard and 3 desktop computers. There are 30 laptops available for the children to use throughout the school, as well as a range of programmable devices such as Beebots, Probots and Constructabots. Children also have access to digital cameras, video recorders and voice recording devices.

A speciality of our school is helping children to consider their role in our wider society through: Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) Religion Links to communities We encourage children to take part in active citizenship such as charity fundraising, planning of events, open assemblies for parents and peer tutoring.

We offer opportunities to hear visiting speakers such as police and health workers, charity representatives, Members of Parliament, Church representatives and community members.

Our annual school charity presentations by Year 6 pupils focus upon the needs of the wider community and the school choice of charity for the year is democratic and fair. Open assemblies and Church Services help pupils gain confidence and self-esteem.

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Prospectus 2014/2015

Beyond the Classroom In keeping with the aims of the school, we offer children opportunities throughout their time at Kintbury St Mary’s school to enable them to develop into confident, happy and wellrounded individuals, and to nurture in them a desire to achieve the best they can.

We are fortunate to have a very active PTA which over the years as supported the school in providing a wide range of curriculum enrichment experiences. These have included artists’ residencies, a school garden, an art exhibition, science weeks, and a wide variety of school trips.

We are also grateful to our staff and some of our parents who dedicate their time to run before or after school clubs, which have included Choir, Science, ICT, Art, Maths, Homework, Library, TAG Rugby and Recorders.

Year 5 pupils go on a week-long residential trip in May, where they take part in a variety of activities such as canoeing, abseiling, raft building, fencing, shooting, archery, quad-biking, problem solving, and the infamous Mud Challenge. This residential trip aims to foster selfesteem, confidence, independence, as well as strong bonds between the children in the class, and between the children and the staff, ahead of the challenges of Year 6 and the transition to secondary school.

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Prospectus 2014/2015

Organisation and Staffing 2014-2015 Headteacher: Mrs M. Higgs

Key Stage

Year Group

Foundation

Foundation

Class

Teacher

Support Staff

Number

1

Mrs E. Sanders Mrs R. Harries

Mrs C Cox Mrs C Hunt Mrs A. Gourlay Mrs C Hunt Mrs P Thorne

Doves

2

Mrs S. Bennett

Mrs T Head Mrs M Baker

24

Woodpeckers

3

Mrs L Hutchings Mrs T Shaw

22

Robins Finches

Key Stage 1

4 Kites

Mrs A. Wickham Smith Miss K. Lanham

5

(Absence cover: Mrs R. McCormack Mrs N. Chester)

6

Miss R. Tolley

Key Stage 2

Owls

Mrs S. Ulry

Mrs N Patel Graham

Mrs J Hancock Mrs K Robinson Mrs T Shaw Mrs S Bright Mrs C Hearn

14 27

9 21 24

SEN Learning Support Assistant and Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) Mrs T. Johnson PPA (Planning, Preparation and Assessment) & Leadership cover Mrs R. Harries, Mrs T. Johnson, Mrs A. Gourlay Lunchtime Supervision Foundation and Key Stage 1: Mrs C. Hearn, Miss J. Davies, Mrs J. Bruce Key Stage 2: Mrs S. Bright, Mrs G. Wells, Ms C. Garland, Mrs J. Shailes Administrative Support Mrs E. Matthews - School Business Manager Mrs C. James - School Administrative Officer Ms. C.Cox - School Finance Assistant and Administrative Support for SENCO Catering Staff (ISS Catering) Mrs D. Froude – Cook Ms A. Hanson – Kitchen Assistant Cleaning Staff (Cofely Workplace) Mr N. Faulkner, Mr P. Faulkner

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Prospectus 2014/2015

Practical Information Time of school sessions Foundation and Key Stage 1

Morning session: 8.45am – 12.00pm Afternoon session: 1.00pm – 3.10pm

Key Stage 2

Morning session: 8.45am – 12.30pm Afternoon session: 1.30pm – 3.15pm

Children are expected to arrive at school no earlier than 8.35am, when the pupils’ entrances open, and to leave promptly at the end of the afternoon session. Responsibility cannot be accepted for the children on the premises before or after the start and end of the school day.

The Foundation and Key Stage 1 teachers will meet their pupils at the KS1 entrance (for Foundation) and the class doors (Finches and Doves) in the morning. School staff will release the children from the same doors at the end of the day and will be available for parents and carers who wish to speak to them.

KS2 pupils must make their way to the KS2 entrance at the bottom of the back staircase, where one member of staff will be available to take messages. Staff will bring the children out to the back playground at the end of the day and will be available for parents and carers who wish to speak to them.

Doors close at 8.45am, after which time children must be taken to the school office and signed in.

Attendance Parents and carers must ring the school office before 9.30am if their child is will be absent or late. There is an answerphone and messages can be left at any time up to 9.30am.

We discourage families from taking their children out of school during term time as this has a documented negative impact on their progress and attainment. However, we do recognise that there may be circumstances when such absence is unavoidable. When this is the case, parents and carers must request a Request for Leave of Absence form from the school office, and return it completed at least one month in advance in order to seek the Head Teacher’s permission.

Children’s attendance is carefully monitored, and the school may seek support from the West Berkshire Council Education Welfare Officer when attendance rates fall below an acceptable level. For more information, please visit our website or call the school office.

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Prospectus 2014/2015 Holiday Dates Autumn Term 1:

Wednesday 3rd September – Thursday 23rd October 2014 (incl.)

Staff Training Day:

Friday 24th October 2014

Holiday:

Monday 27th October – Friday 31st October 2014

Staff Training Day:

Monday 3rd November 2014

Autumn Term 2:

Tuesday 4th November – Friday 19th December 2014 (incl.)

Holiday:

Monday 22nd December 2014 – Friday 2nd January 2015

Staff Training Day:

Monday 5th January 2015

Spring Term 1:

Tuesday 6th January – Friday 13th February 2015 (incl.)

Holiday:

Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February 2015

Spring Term 2:

Monday 23rd February – Thursday 2nd April 2015 (incl.)

Holiday:

Friday 3rd April – Friday 17th April 2015

Staff Training Day:

Monday 20th April 2015

Summer Term 1:

Tuesday 21st April – Friday 22nd May 2015 (incl.)

Holiday:

Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May 2015

Summer Term 2:

Monday 1st June – Wednesday 22nd July 2015 (incl.)

Snacks Children are encouraged to bring a healthy snack to school for the morning break time. We ask that all food sent in to school should be nut free: please check labels carefully as many products contain nuts.

The school subscribes to the Cool Milk scheme. This entitles all children under 5 to free milk each day (upon registration with the scheme). Parents have the option to purchase milk for the older children. For more details, please contact the school office.

Children should bring a named water bottle with them every day, and are encouraged to drink whenever they are thirsty.

We are part of the Government’s free ‘Fruit and Vegetables’ scheme, and are therefore able to provide a piece of fruit or vegetable to all Foundation and Key Stage 1 children in the afternoon.

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Prospectus 2014/2015 Lunch We have a choice of meals, cooked every day on site. Meals are free for all children in Foundation and Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2 children who qualify for free school meals.

The cost to other children is ÂŁ2.15 per day.

Foundation and Key Stage 1 children should be sent to school with a note indicating their choice of food, and order their meal with their class teacher in the morning.

Key Stage 2 children will order their meal themselves upon their arrival in class. Payment can be made daily, weekly or termly. Cheques should be made payable to ISS Education.

Parents are able to order meals online in advance. For more information, ask at the school office or visit www.feedinghungryminds.co.uk.

Children may bring in a healthy packed lunch if preferred (please check that all items are nut free).

School uniform There is very strong support for the school uniform. The school colours are grey and bottle green.

Uniform can be purchased at the Trutex Schoolwear Shop, 13 Bartholomew Street, Newbury RG14 5LL, Tel. 01635 38285. They also have a website: www.trutexuniformsnewbury.co.uk.

Girls Grey pinafore dress, grey or black trousers or skirt.

White blouse or polo shirt (with or without logo).

Bottle green cardigan or sweatshirt with logo.

White / grey / black socks or tights.

Summer (optional) bottle green and white candy striped or gingham dress or grey shorts.

Boys Grey trousers - long or short.

White shirt or polo shirt (with or without logo). green sweatshirt with logo.

Grey / black / white socks.

Shoes should be black and fully enclosed (no sandals.

PE Kit Bottle green t-shirt.

Black or bottle green shorts.

Black or bottle green jogging bottoms for the winter.

Plain black or white trainers

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Prospectus 2014/2015 Long hair should be tied back and bobbles and slides should be discrete. Nail varnish should not be worn at school.

Illness and Medical matters If a child has a long-term medical condition or needs to take medicine while at school on a temporary basis, parents or carers must hand in the relevant medicine to the school office.

Children are not permitted to carry any medicines (including asthma inhalers) in their bags.

Upon receipt of the medicine, the office staff will ask the parents or carers to complete a medical treatment form.

If a child becomes unwell, the school will contact the parents or carers and arrange for the child to be collected. Please make sure that the school have the correct contact numbers at all times.

In order to limit the spread of viral illnesses we ask that children are kept at home if they have been sick or suffered from diarrhoea. They cannot return to school until 48 hours after the last time they were sick or had diarrhoea.

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Prospectus 2014/2015

Communication Any visitors to the school should present themselves to the school office. If parents or carers need to collect their children during the school day, parents and carers must inform the class or office staff in the morning, and the children will be brought to the office at the arranged time.

Parents and carers are invited to pass on short messages to school staff who meets the children at the doors when they arrive in the morning. We will make sure these get relayed to the relevant person(s). If parents and carers wish to discuss anything in more detail, we ask that they make an appointment with the relevant staff. This can be done in person, by phone or email with the office staff on the number or email address below.

Telephone: 01488 658 336 Email: office@kintbury.w-berks.sch.uk

The school communicates most information to parents and carers via the weekly newsletter, which can be sent as a printed copy and / or by email. It is important that parents and carers make time to read the information provided and take note of forthcoming events.

We also use a texting service, mostly for urgent messages and reminders.

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Prospectus 2014/2015

Policies The school operates within a framework set by policies. Policies are available on our website. Printed copies are kept in the blue Policy folder in the entrance lobby.

Curriculum policies provide a consistent framework for the teaching and learning at the school. These include: Able, Gifted and Talented Pupils Assessment, Marking and Feedback Collective Worship Curriculum Early Years Educational Visits Homework Religious Education Sex and Relationships Education Special Educational Needs and Disability Teaching and Learning Safeguarding policies provide a comprehensive framework to ensure staff and children’s safety in school and during education visits and off-site activities. These include: Child Protection E-Safety Physical Intervention Safer Recruitment Supervision of Children Transporting Children Use of Images Visitors and Security The remaining policies provide a framework for the operational management of the school.

These include: Admissions Behaviour Charging for school activities Complaints and Conciliation Confidential Reporting (whistleblowing) Data Security Equality Financial Management Freedom of Information Publication Scheme Health and Safety Home School agreement Supporting children with Medical Needs Kintbury St Mary’s C.E. Primary School 19

Prospectus 2014/2015

Governing Body The Governing Body oversees the strategic development of the school and decides on matters of general policy. Our current Governors are: Co-Chairs Dr A. Mitchell (Parent Governor) Mrs A. Warren (Community Governor) Local Authority Governors (appointed by the Local Authority) Mrs J. Lapsley Dr. S. Wigmore Mrs M. Osborne Staff Governor (elected by staff) Mrs A. Wickham Smith Parent Governors (elected by parents and carers) Mr. K. Marriner Mr D. Ward Mr B. Carroll Foundation Governors (appointed by the Diocese) Revd. R. Lewis Mr R. Hutchings Mrs K. Cohen Community Governors (appointed by the Governing Body) Mrs J. Bott Associate Governors (appointed by the Governing Body) Mrs C. Minchin Revd. C. Pynn Head Teacher Mrs M. Higgs Clerk to the Governors Mrs C. Bradley If you wish to contact any of our Governors, please contact Mrs C. Bradley via the school office, by telephone on 01488 658 336 or by email cbradley@kintbury.w-berks.sch.uk.

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