2015-2016 Brookside Prospectus

Brookside Primary School ‘To be happy and successful in everything we do!’

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‘To be happy and successful in everything we do!’

WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL...

We are delighted to welcome you and your child to Brookside Primary School and hope that you find the information in this prospectus useful in helping you and your child to settle into our school community.

Here we aim to build positive relationships between children, parents, staff, governors and the wider community. In our school everyone feels valued and values others so that everyone can achieve their full potential.

We aim to provide a high quality education for each child by providing a broad, balanced and enriching curriculum. We believe that providing a range of first hand experiences motivates and inspires the children.

We are an open school and parents are welcome to discuss any issues concerning their child with the teacher, informally at a time which is convenient to both, often at the end of the day.

There are formal

opportunities to discuss your child’s progress throughout the year, with a written report at the end of the Summer Term.

Mr M Rodgers, Headteacher

Ofsted - This is a GOOD school 2

Our Philosophy Brookside Primary School is... ... a community where positive relationships enable children to grow into confident, motivated, independent learners.

... a place where all are equally valued and encouraged to develop into lively enquiring minds, life-long learning skills and fit and healthy bodies.

... an atmosphere of encouragement, trust, respect, and through a wide variety of educational and fun experiences, all pupils have the opportunity to be happy and successful.

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Admissions...

Parents are advised to apply for their Nursery place for their child as soon as possible by completing a form available from the school office. Children start their free entitlement of 15 hours grant funded places from the term after their third birthday. Children can start in the Nursery class from the term that they will become 3 years of age, this is chargeable at £6 per session. Nursery class is open every morning and some afternoons, with the option to stay all day.

Our Nursery provides a ‘Development Matters’ curriculum in a relaxed and friendly environment. The natural curiosity of young children is built on by providing a wide range of practical activities that also promote the development of social and emotional skills.

Children from the Nursery join the older children for special events – Christmas productions, themed weeks, to watch visiting theatre groups, etc.

Admission to Mainstream...

Children are admitted into the Reception in September of the year in which they have their fifth birthday. There is a short induction period during the first few weeks when children come to school in small groups to give them time to settle in and feel secure ready for the full day in school.

Application forms are available from the Admissions Department, CWAC, Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford or online.

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Organisation...

The school is divided into eight classes – two classes in the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception), two classes in Key Stage One (Year 1 and Year 2) and four classes in Key Stage Two (Years 3 -6).

Each class is taught by a class teacher and supported

by Teaching Assistants.

Children are taught as individuals, as a whole class and in small groups, as appropriate. We attempt to keep each class to a maximum of 30 to ensure that each child is given as much individual attention as possible.

Our school also has two Learning Mentors, who offer support, listen and raise self-esteem. Our Learning Mentors also help children with any worries they may have.

The School Day...

School begins at 8:55am Morning Break is 10:30am – 10:45am Lunchtime is: Key Stage 1 – 12noon – 1pm Key Stage Two – 12.15pm – 1pm School finishes at 3pm Nursery: Morning Sessions 8.45am –11.45 Afternoon sessions 12.15-3.15 pm

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Assemblies are held every day. Positive Comments Assembly are held on Fridays.

Curriculum Enrichment and Educational Visits...

At Brookside, we take every opportunity to enrich the children’s learning by taking them on educational visits relating to their topic of study.

We make use of immediate locality and invite local people who have special interests or experiences into school to enrich children’s knowledge and understanding.

We also invite touring theatre groups, musicians, artists and authors into school.

You will be asked to contribute to the cost of our school visits. We try to keep the cost as low as possible and trips are often subsidised from school funds.

However, although contributions are

voluntary, visits cannot take place if we do not collect enough money.

We believe that these visits and experiences extend the children’s learning beyond school and develop new skills including independence, teamwork and organisation together with exciting new experiences such as archery, rock climbing and many more. KS2 children have the opportunity to take part in residential visits, which contribute to their personal and social education.

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‘Green Flag’ School...

Our School has been awarded the International ‘Green Flag’ Award in recognition of its environmental and sustainability work.

Each class has nominated Eco-Warriors who work hard to develop and promote environmentally friendly activities in and out of school. These children also work very hard in maintaining and developing our environmental garden.

Our garden provides a stimulating habitat for a variety of different bugs, plants and pond life. The children use the garden to enrich their classroom based learning.

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Absence...

We operate a ‘first day response’ system which is designed to safeguard the children. If you know that your child is not going to be in school because of illness, etc. we ask that you contact the school office as early as possible on the first morning of sickness. If the absence is unexplained, then the school may contact you.

If your child needs to miss school for an appointment you should inform your child’s class teacher in writing as soon as you know the date and time.

It is important for your child’s education that absences and appointments are kept to an absolute minimum and we ask for your co-operation with this.

If you need to collect your child from school during the school day you can collect them from the school office so that your child can be signed off the school premises. Likewise, if you bring your child to school after 8:55am, please bring them via the school office so that they can be signed in.

Holidays in term time disrupt your child’s learning and we strongly advise against this. However, if you wish to apply for ‘Absence from School’ you must do so in advance by completing an ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ form.

The head teacher will then decide whether or not to authorise the absence.

A fixed penalty notice may be issued where holidays are unauthorised.

Registers are inspected regularly by the Education Welfare Officer and frequent or prolonged absences are monitored as well as regular lateness.

Termly letters are sent out to inform you of your child’s attendance.

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Behaviour...

Our school is a happy and friendly place where children experience learning in a secure and caring environment. Children are taught to: Respect, Act Responsibly, Care and Be Considerate to others.

We encourage high standards of behaviour and manners, with a rewards and sanctions system which the children understand.

We operate a ‘Good to be Green’ behaviour system in which children are encouraged and rewarded for staying ‘Green’ all week. Warning and Consequence cards are given for levels of unacceptable behaviour.

Sanctions involve spending 5 minutes in another teacher’s class to being sent home for serious incidents.

The children helped devise our Golden Rules.

Brookside Golden School Rules 1. I will follow instructions first time 2. I will stay on task in lessons 3. I will move calmly and quietly around the school at all times 4. I will be polite and respectful to adults and children 5. I will let an adult know if another person upsets me, not retaliate If we have any concerns about your child’s behaviour, we will inform you, so that we can work together to improve it.

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Teaching and Learning...

As teachers and learners at Brookside Primary School we are committed to providing the best quality education experience for all. To achieve this, we employ motivated teachers who deliver enjoyable and challenging lessons which engage children. We have high expectations of ourselves and the children and encourage them

to

achieve their personal best at all times.

We are aware that children have different learning styles and learning needs and we adjust our teaching to include every child in all quality learning experiences.

Our curriculum is broad, including all subjects within the 2014 National Curriculum but it is much wider than this. We take every opportunity to develop the whole child – spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. We do this by following the National S.EA.L. (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) programme and ‘Secrets of Success’.

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Homework...

All children are asked to read at home every day and to talk about books with an adult. As children progress through the school, they are introduced to written homework which is increased as they move through school.

Children are encouraged to learn more about the topics being studied in school so that they become active learners.

Our School Curriculum...

In the Foundation Stage, we teach following the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFS); this integrates the seven areas of learning: These are:       

Communication and Language Physical Development Personal, Social and Emotional Development Literacy Mathematics Understanding of the World Expressive Arts and Design

Throughout Key Stage 1 and 2, the children follow a Skills-Based Curriculum which allows a study of all subjects within the National Curriculum through as many cross-curriculum links as possible in order to enhance the children’s learning.

Religious Education is taught using the Cheshire West and Chester agreed syllabus. This is non-denominational, children learn about all faiths. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from this lesson, if they wish.

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The teaching of ICT skills and the use of these skills in other subjects has a high profile in our school. All classrooms are equipped with an Interactive Whiteboard – these are well used by children and staff to bring elements of learning to life. Each child has access to IPads, net books and laptops, each computer is linked to the Internet.

Citizenship...

From Nursery, children are taught the importance of thinking of others and the belief that they can make a difference. As a result, children actively respond to different issues for people and environments both close to home and through the world. As the children progress through the school, they learn to take responsibility within school and in the local community.

Dinners...

The cook provides healthy meals and packed lunch ‘clever cat’ meals each day. From September 2014, all KS1 children now receive a free school meal.

Dinners for KS2 are £2.20 per day (£11 per week). Applications for Free School Meals can be made to wyvernhousecontactcentre@cheshirewest.gov.uk or 03001237021 12

‘Healthy’ School...

We are a ‘Healthy School’ and have achieved the National Healthy Schools Standard – this is in recognition of our schools commitment to promoting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. The children eat healthy snacks at break time and are encouraged to drink water throughout the day.

The children are given many opportunities to be active through the teaching of gymnastics, dance and games together with a wide range of extra curricular sporting activities (football, netball, mini-sports, and athletics). All children in Key Stage Two have swimming lessons at the local swimming pool.

Equal Opportunities...

At Brookside, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

Everyone at Brookside is entitled and receives a quality education in a safe environment. We foster an environment that encourages Children to develop an understanding and tolerance of diversity including disability, cultures, race and religions.

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Educational Needs...

We consider each child as an individual. We value the potential and contribution of all. Our children work in an environment in which they are encouraged, accepted, challenged and treated with sensitivity. In this supportive environment, we grow together to achieve success.

We monitor the children’s development carefully in school and identify those children whose progress requires extra support either educationally or socially.

In consultation with the school SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator), an individual support plan may be written to help keep a close-eye on each child’s progress.

In accordance to the Special Needs Code of Practice, outside agencies may be contacted to support individual children. In all cases, parental consent is required.

We also make early recognition of children who have a particular talent or ability. These children are extended and challenged to ensure they reach their full potential. Additional activities and events are held to enrich their learning.

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Sex and Relationship Education...

We believe that as far as possible Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) is part of children’s Personal and Social and Health Education (PSHE), which is developed as the children progress through the school.

We follow ‘The Christopher Winter’ SRE programme. Each year group are taught sensitively with age appropriate materials and resources by their class teacher. Parents will be notified prior to the start of the lessons.

Uniform...

We encourage the children to keep to uniform colours and wear their school badge with pride. Sweatshirts with the embroidered logo are available from the school office. Children should wear black shoes not trainers for school.

Nursery/Reception

Year 1 to Year 4

Year 5/6

Gold polo shirt

White polo shirt

Jade polo shirt

Jade sweatshirt/cardigan

Jade sweatshirt/cardigan

Black sweatshirt/cardigan

Grey/black skirt or

Grey/black skirt or

Black skirt or trousers

trousers

trousers

PE Kit – white tee shirt and black shorts, black pumps for indoor and trainers for outdoor games.

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Complaints...

Any complaint concerning the curriculum and the school’s provision should be addressed in the first instance to the Headteacher or the Chair of Governors at the school.

Our Parents... Our Community...

In our school, we believe that successful education is a partnership between home and school and we encourage parents to become involved with school life as much as possible.

Opportunities offered include: Parent’s Evenings To meet your child’s teacher and discuss his/her progress; specifically in the Autumn and Spring term on Parent’s Evenings, and at any other time provided an appointment has been made with the teacher concerned.

Parent’s Workshops Information Breakfasts& Coffee Mornings Helping on school trips Helping in School Meet the Teacher Celebration Events

Safeguarding...

This school operates vetting and safe recruitment practices. Brookside Primary School endeavours to establish and maintain an ethos where 16

children feel secure and are encouraged to talk and are listened to. We achieve this through the use of: our Learning Mentors, Pastoral Care, School Council, Playground Buddies, Peer Mentors and Circle Time.

Children are made aware through frequent reminders that adults in school can be approached if they are scared or are in difficulty.

Through the curriculum, opportunities are created to equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from harm.

The Kidz Club...

The Kidz Club is available for all children from Nursery to Year 6 and is open daily.

Breakfast Club starts at 8am until the school day begins. In addition to a healthy breakfast, the children are able to socialise and take part in a variety of activities. We believe this provides a positive start to each day.

We also provide an After School Club which cares for children beyond the school day from 3pm until 5.45pm.

For further details and charges for the Kidz Club, please ask in the School Office.

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What do our pupils think...?

We have an elected School Council who meet regularly to discuss issues involving school life. The councillors bring issues and concerns raised by their classmates to the discussion table. Decisions taken by the School Council have had a positive effect on school life from the children’s point of view.

Children tell us that:

Learning is fun...

I like being on the School Council Maths is

because I get to

challenging, yet

make decisions

fun!

about the school.

It’s fun to learn

I enjoy coming to

new things like

school.

the saxophone.

Our school cares Everyone is kind

about everyone

and helpful.

and everything.

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Br o o ks id e Primary School Rostherne Avenue Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH66 2EE 0151 338 2052 admin@brookside.cheshire.sch.uk website: www.brookside.cheshire.sch.uk 19