School Prospectus 2016/17

ST STEPHEN'S (KEARSLEY MOOR) C E SCHOOL BENT SPUR ROAD KEARSLEY BOLTON BL4 8PB TELEPHONE

01204 333642

www.ststephenskearsley.co.uk

Believe and Achieve

School Prospectus 2016/2017 Head Teacher: Mr Tony Lasan

WELCOME TO ST STEPHEN’S St Stephen’s is a Voluntary Aided Church of England School which celebrated its centenary year in 2013. Our aim is to provide a stimulating and challenging curriculum which develops independent learners and helps them to succeed in a happy, caring and Christian environment. Talking of the environment - our ECO Club (The Busy Bees) achieved Green Flag status for the school in 2014. Music is another strength of the school - offering opportunities for whole class and individual brass tuition, a School Choir, a Family Choir and an end of year musical production.

The curriculum is further enhanced with regular class trips and residentials, workshops and visitors and a wide ranging programme of extra-curricular activities throughout the year.

We have achieved this through successful partnership working with Parents (we are a Leading Parent Partnership school), with the Church (regular assemblies and services both in church and in school) and with the Community (including local and global links). All of this is underpinned by strong support from our Governing Board which is fully committed to ensuring that the school provides the best possible educational opportunities for all children.

The aim of this prospectus is to give you as much information as possible about life at St Stephen's.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Tony Lasan

MISSION STATEMENT, ETHOS STATEMENT, AIMS AND WORSHIP Mission Statement St Stephen's C E School aims to develop its children and staff to their full potential in a happy and caring Christian environment by:  providing a high quality education for all, both academic and social, in a Christian context  fostering high expectations and aspirations  maintaining a caring and disciplined ethos  maintaining close home/school links  developing in its pupils, as members of a Church school, a sympathetic understanding of the Christian faith and a respect for other world faiths.

Ethos Statement St Stephen’s C E School recognises its historic foundation and will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Churches at parish and diocesan level.

The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience offered to all children.

Aims

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To educate the children intellectually, socially, morally, aesthetically, physically and spiritually based on Christian principles.

To promote the highest academic standards in all aspects of the curriculum by ensuring that all children develop to their best potential in acquiring and understanding the skills upon which they can build in the secondary stage of education.

To encourage learning by providing a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment in which Christian values are central to the ethos of the school and its teaching.

To stimulate in children a sense of curiosity and excitement about the world and to encourage them to search for truth, meaning and purpose in life and to provide an opportunity to search for a faith by which to live.

To show concern and care through a strong sense of Christian values for all members of the school community and to show respect for the code of conduct and discipline of the school.

To encourage children to think as individuals and to explore, discriminate and discover things for themselves.

To ensure that children have a good moral and spiritual awareness to fit them for the world in which we live, preparing them for the opportunities, experiences and responsibilities of the outside world.

To nurture links and to establish good secure relationships between children, staff, parents, governors and members of the church, parish and local community.

To use the financial resources at our disposal to provide good accommodation and surroundings and the highest possible levels of staffing and equipment.

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Worship As a Church of England Voluntary Aided School we provide education within the principles and practices of the Anglican Church and this is reflected in our collective worship.

An assembly is held each day and is an integral part of school life, when the school comes together for worship and to share the many good things which are going on in the school.

The following are generally included in Assemblies : 

A hymn, prayers, music, discussion or activity and time for reflection.

Celebration of Success – presentation of certificates and awards, including children’s personal achievements outside school.

We have very close links with St Stephen’s Church. Reverend Kim Lafferty leads regular assemblies both in school and in church and significant occasions, including Easter, Harvest and Christmas, are celebrated by the school in St Stephen's Church.

There is a Leavers’ Service in Church at the end of the year for the Year 6 Class. All Year 6 pupils also attend the Diocese of Manchester Leavers’ Service held in Bolton Parish Church or in Manchester Cathedral.

Confirmation Classes are offered to all pupils in Year 6 during the Summer Term leading to a Confirmation Service in Church. Parents and friends are invited to attend Celebration Assemblies and special Church services.

OUR SCHOOL TEAM

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Head Teacher Deputy Head Teacher

Mr Tony Lasan Mrs Sheila Savage

Teachers

Mrs A Hughes – Reception Miss N Stokes - Year 1 Mrs L Faulkner – Year 2 Miss S Kinsey – Year 3 Mrs J Hall – Year 4 Miss S James – Year 5 Mr A Townsend – Year 6

Higher Level Teaching Assistants Teaching Assistants

Mrs N Bostock, Miss C Clegg Mrs C Broadbent, Miss B Smith, Mrs S Stott Mrs J Robinson, Miss Y Clegg

School Business Manager Office Manager

Mrs C Horrobin Mrs J Bonnar

Learning Mentor

Mrs K Goodwin

Site Manager

Mr S Williams

Lunchtime Supervisors

Mrs O Camilleri, Mrs D Glover, Mrs K Hilton, Miss C Roe, Mrs J Leach

The Governing Board is responsible for overall management of the school. Our Governors are :-

Chair of Governors P.C.C St Stephen’s Church Diocesan Representative Ex-officio Foundation P.C.C. St Stephen's Church P.C.C. St Stephen's Church P.C.C. St Stephen's Church Teacher Governor -- Elected by Teachers Parent Governor Parent Governor – Vice Chair Appointed by Local Authority Head Teacher -- ex-officio

Mr R Grant Mr D King Mr A Hall Mrs R Branchflower Mr N Turner Mr A Miller Rev K Lafferty Mrs A Hughes Mr J Seggie Mrs V Smethurst Mr E Birch Mr T Lasan

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Link Class Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 1 Yr 2

Rec Yr 6

St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) C.E. Primary School

ADMISSIONS POLICY Admissions to an Aided school are the responsibility of the Governors, in agreement with the Diocesan Board of Education and the Local Authority.

The standard number agreed for admission to the Reception Class is 30.

Responsibility for admissions is delegated to the Head Teacher, acting in consultation with the Chair of Governors.

The school will admit all children having an Education, Health and Care Plan for SEN in whose EHC Plan the school is named.

When the number of applications exceeds the number of remaining places available, the decision on which children will be admitted will be based on the following criteria: 1.

Children in public care, (Looked after children) and previously looked after children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order).

2.

Children whose medical or social circumstances mean that their needs can only be met at this school.

Children who will have an older brother or sister attending the school at the time of their admission.

Baptised children whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are in regular attendance at any church.

Children whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are in regular attendance at any church.

Any other children.

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Notes: a) Regular attendance is normally taken to mean a minimum of fortnightly attendance at church at public worship for at least the year prior to 1 st September in the year before admission to the school. Evidence of infant baptism or dedication of the child and of regular attendance of the parent(s)/guardian(s) must be provided by a member of the clergy or other designated church officer on the admission form provided. b) Where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, then distance to the child’s normal home front door from the main gate of the school in a straight line measured on a map will be used as the final determining factor, nearer addresses having priority over more distant ones. The ‘normal’ home of the child will be taken to be the home in which the child sleeps for the majority of the school week.

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c)

Where admission is sought under exceptional medical or social circumstances criteria, professional supporting evidence, e.g. from a doctor, psychologist or social worker, is essential. Such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school is the most suitable for the child and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school.

d)

‘Brother’ or ‘sister’ includes step, half, foster and adopted brothers or sisters living at the same address and full brother or sister living apart.

Twins Where there are children of multiple births wishing to be admitted and the sibling is the 30th child, the governors may admit over the infant class requirement if it is possible to do so.

Waiting list Where we have more applications than places, the admissions criteria will be used. Children who are not admitted will have their name placed on a waiting list. The names on this waiting list will be in the order resulting from the application of the admissions criteria. Since the date of application cannot be a criterion for the order of names on the waiting list, late applicants for the school will be slotted into the order according to the extent to which they meet the criteria. Thus it is possible that a child who moves into the area later to have a higher priority than one who has been on the waiting list for some time. If a place becomes available within the admission number, the child whose name is at the top of the list will be offered a place. This is not dependent on whether an appeal has been submitted. This waiting list will operate until the end of the autumn term only.

Appeals Where the governors are unable to offer a place because the school is over subscribed, parents have the right to appeal to an independent admission appeal panel, set up under the School Standards and Framework Act, 1998, as amended by the Education Act, 2002. Parents should notify the clerk to the governors at the school within 14 days of receiving the letter refusing a place. Parents will have the opportunity to submit their case to the panel in writing and also to attend in order to present their case. You will normally receive 14 days’ notice of the place and time of the hearing.

Deferred Admissions Children will be admitted to the Reception class at the beginning of the Autumn term before their fifth birthday. Parents may request that their school place be deferred until later in the school year and if they do this the place will be held for the child. They cannot, however, defer entry beyond the beginning of the term after the child’s fifth birthday, nor beyond the school year for which the original application was accepted. Parents can also request that their child attends on a part time basis until the child reaches compulsory school age.

Please keep this copy of the Admissions Policy for your own information.

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THE SCHOOL DAY Morning Session (Doors open at 8.40 a.m.)

Key Stage 1 - 8.45 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.

(Breaktime 10.15 – 10.30 a.m.)

Afternoon Session 1.25 p.m. to 3.10 p.m.

Key Stage 2 - 8.45 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

(Breaktime 10.15 – 10.30 a.m.)

1.25 p.m. to 3.15 p.m.

Assemblies begin at 8.55 a.m. for all children and last for 15 minutes. The school has 7 classes.

Children are taught in their own class by their class teacher but are also taught occasionally by specialist teachers e.g. French, Music, R.E. or whilst their class teacher is planning and assessing.

SCHOOL CURRICULUM Our Statement of Intent for the Curriculum ‘Our aim is to provide a stimulating, creative and exciting curriculum which inspires, challenges and motivates; giving every child the opportunity to achieve. It is built around a range of collaborative and self-directed activities which extend and develop individual interests and talents and prepares children to be valued and responsible members of society’.

The school offers a creative curriculum and aims to provide children with an exciting, broad, balanced and differentiated range of experiences. Each year group has a half termly topic which incorporates a variety of learning experiences across the Curriculum, including visits and visitors to school. Literacy and Numeracy are taught separately but are reinforced through the Cross Curricular approach. In addition, throughout the year there are whole school themed days which give children an opportunity to work with teachers and pupils from other classes.

“ Good teaching ensures that pupils make good gains in their learning and develop positive attitudes to school” Ofsted 2016

Educational Visits

A comprehensive programme of educational visits and visitors enhances the curriculum. The school is required to give written information to parents, including a permission slip, which must be signed and returned to school in order for the children to participate. It is the school policy to ask parents for a voluntary contribution towards the cost. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, there will be no cost for educational visits. Without your support these trips would not be able to go ahead.

Residential visits are arranged each year for Year 5 (Grasmere in the Lake District for a 2 day, 1 night Geography field trip) and Year 6 (Dearne Valley for a 3 day, 2 night residential where they take part in team building, outdoor and adventure activities.

“A wide range of interesting activities and study visits broadens and enlivens pupils’ education’

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Ofsted 2016

Extra-Curricular Activities

We offer a wide range of Extra Curricular Activities for children to cater for all tastes, including sports, creative and musical activities.

Sex Education The governors have approved that sex education shall be taught in school. Parents will be informed by letter when specific lessons are to take place and are reminded that they have the right to withdraw their children from these lessons if they so wish. In considering sex education topics, emphasis is given to expressing the importance and benefits of family life, of faithfulness, respect and honesty in all our interpersonal relationships.

Homework Showing an interest in the work your child does at school and supporting them with homework is really important. Homework is given throughout the school and will include making ‘Learning Logs’ before each new topic, practising reading and learning spellings and times tables. Please help your child to make the best use of their time at St. Stephen’s by supporting them with work sent home.

Religious Education Religious Education teaching follows the Manchester Diocesan Board of Education Religious Education Syllabus for Church of England Schools, introduced in September 2015, which reflects the National Framework for RE, the National Society Statement of Entitlement and the requirements of SIAMS (The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools).

Our Religious Education programme offers the children a firm grounding in the principles and practices of Christianity, especially as represented by the Church of England. In recognition of the society in which our children live they will also be offered the opportunity to explore some of the other faiths represented in Britain today.

In May 2016 our school was awarded the Gold RE Quality Mark, a nationally recognised award.

Parents are informed of the importance of Religious Education in our curriculum before they accept a place at St Stephen’s. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Education and worship. However, in such a case, they must put their request in writing to the Head Teacher who will then invite them to discuss their concerns before a final decision is made.

It should be noted that: ‘The Worship and Religious Education provided by the school is in accordance with the Church of England or Methodist Church Foundation. This foundation is also reflected in the curriculum and the whole life of the school community. Since the conduct of the school as a whole reflects the Church of England or Methodist Church ethos, removal of pupils from worship and/or Religious Education (as parents are legally entitled to do) cannot insulate them from the religious life of the school.’

(Church of England Board of Education)

“Religious Education shapes and delivers the school ethos………..and children are both supported and challenged as they learn to become critical thinkers, enabling them to make informed decisions.”

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RE Quality Mark 2016

BEHAVIOUR

Behaviour is expected to be of a high standard both inside and outside the school. These are our School Rules: 1.

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Follow instructions, behave sensibly at all times.

Always walk when inside the school building.

Be polite, kind and considerate to everyone.

Take care of people and property.

Ask permission before leaving the room or school grounds.

Children are rewarded for good behaviour through a rewards system and weekly ‘Star Awards’.

“Pupils behave very well. They have good manners, show respect for adults and property and try hard to do their best in lessons’” Ofsted 2016.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

At St Stephen’s we ensure all pupils (including Gifted and Talented pupils) have the greatest possible access to a broad and balanced curriculum that meets their educational needs.

The SEN Code of Practice states that a child has special educational needs if he or she has a learning/physical difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made.

Mrs Savage is the teacher responsible for co-ordinating the day to day provision for pupils with S.E.N. at St Stephen's School. Mr B Grant is the S.E.N. Governor of the school.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE Safety and the general well being of every child at St Stephen’s is paramount. To ensure the safety of all children, visitors to school during school hours, must enter via the Main Entrance.

“Arrangements for safeguarding are effective……pupils have a good understanding of e-safety and are able to explain how to keep their bodies healthy” Ofsted 2016

HOUSE SYSTEM

On entry to school all children are placed in a House, with a House colour :-

Coniston

Derwent

Ullswater

Windermere

Each House has a House Captain and Vice-Captain . Throughout the year children take part in a range of House activites, giving opportunity for children to work together collaboratively across all year groups. Team points from Brilliant Behaviour, Good Samaritan and Super Learner awards also contribute to a termly competition for the St Stephen’s House Trophy.

FRIENDS OF ST STEPHEN'S SCHOOL (FOSSS) Parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends are invited to join FOSSS, which organises fundraising events and activities to help buy resources, equipment and other extras for the school.

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SCHOOL MEALS We offer school meals, cooked on site. As part of a new initiative by the Government, free school meals are currently offered to all children in Key Stage 1. Children may also bring a healthy packed lunch which should not include chocolate, sweets or nuts of any kind. Healthy Tuck is provided at morning break at a small cost payable on a Half Termly basis.

ATTENDANCE School registers are marked at the start of the morning and afternoon sessions. The school doors open to receive children at 8.40 a.m., the school day begins at 8.45 a.m. To encourage punctuality we are required to mark, as late, those who arrive after 8.55 a.m.

Parents are requested to inform the school by telephone on the first day as to the reason for a child being absent. A letter notifying us of the reason for absence should accompany the child on the first day back after absence. If no reason is given we have to classify this as unauthorised.

We are continually trying to improve pupil attendance to ensure all pupils are able to take advantage of the learning experiences available to them. With this in mind, we have introduced ‘The Traffic Light Initiative’. Every term all parents will receive a letter informing them which traffic light zone their child falls into and their attendance record. Green Zone indicates your child has achieved between 95% - 100% attendance for the term.

Amber Zone indicates attendance between 85% - 94% and Red Zone indicates attendance of below 84%. In addition we will report class attendance levels in the weekly newsletter and reward children termly with badges for 100% attendance.

In accordance with the Governments’ drive to improve attendance the school does not authorise holidays during term time.

“Attendance is above the national average. Pupils work hard to meet the school’s high standards” Ofsted 2016

SCHOOL UNIFORM Boys

Navy "V" neck sweatshirts with school logo Tailored grey school trousers / shorts White shirt with buttons School tie (available from school)

Girls Navy "V" neck sweatshirts with school logo Grey pinafore dress/skirt/trousers/sky blue checked dresses in summer.

White blouse School tie (available from school) Tights, when worn, should be plain navy, grey or black

All uniform can be purchased from ‘Ziggys School Outfitters’, Brackley Street, Farnworth.

Sensible black school shoes with no flashing lights or toys, not trainers, sandals or boots. The wearing of jewelley is restricted to a watch and, if ears are pierced, small stud earrings.

P.E. Clothing Trainers for outdoor use, Plain navy shorts, House coloured T-shirt,Tracksuit (preferably navy) for outdoor games during cold weather. The wearing of jewellery is not permitted in P.E. lessons.

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As with school uniform ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE MARKED WITH THE CHILD’S NAME.

HOME/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

At St Stephen’s we aim to do all we can to help parents, carers and families support their children’s learning. We believe parents are the biggest influence in the development of children’s lives and as such, we recognise and value your support. We welcome the opportunity to work, in partnership, with all parents, fully involving you in your child’s education with an aim of improving achievement.

The school holds the nationally recognised Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA) and we have established a Parent Partnership Group, made up of parents, staff and governors, who work as part of a whole school team sharing their opinions and ideas. Parents are also encouraged to contact Class Teachers and the Head Teacher whenever there are any concerns.

Weekly Newsletters are published each Friday to keep parents well informed. In addition, we use the Teachers to Parents texting service as a communication tool as well as Twitter.

“Parents’ support for the school is overwhelming. There are numerous outstanding elements of communication and engagement with parents.”

Ofsted 2016

Website

The school’s website www.ststephenskearsley.co.uk is used as a form of communication between school and home. In addition to information about the school, parents can view and download the following:  Weekly Newsletter  Year Group Information – topic overviews, class information, timetables  School documents – some policies, holiday list, prospectus  School Calendar There is also a section with links to sites that the school feels may be useful to parents – Ofsted, DfE, Bolton Council etc.

“The school’s website is full of useful information to help parents support their children’s learning and keep them safe.”

Ofsted 2016

Parent Information Night

During Autumn Term, we hold a Parent Information Night to inform all parents of new initiatives and our priorities for the coming academic year. During this evening Class Teachers will outline their specific topics and other relevant information for their Year Group.

Reports and Parents Evening Parent/Teacher Interviews are held during afternoons/evenings in November and March. Written reports are sent out at the end of the year.

The information in this document applies to the school year 2016/2017 and was correct as at 1 st June 2016. Parents should not, however, assume that there will be no change affecting these arrangements, or a particular item.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

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St Stephen’s (Kearsley Moor) C E School HOLIDAY LIST 2016/2017 AUTUMN TERM

SPRING TERM

SUMMER TERM

*INSET Day

Monday 5th September 2016

Term Begins

Tuesday 6th September 2016

Half Term

Monday 24th October 2016 Friday 28th October 2016

Term Ends *INSET Day

Thursday 22nd December 2016 Friday 23rd December 2016

*INSET Day Term begins

Monday 9th January 2017 Tuesday 10th January 2017

Half Term

Monday 20th February 2017 Friday 24th February 2017

Term Ends

Friday 7th April 2017

Term Begins

Monday 24th April 2017

Bank Holiday

Monday 1st May 2017

Half Term

Monday 29th May 2017 Friday 2nd June 2017

Term Ends *INSET Day

Thursday 20th July 2017 Friday 21st July 2017

THE SCHOOL YEAR 2017/2018 TERM BEGINS FOR CHILDREN ON TUESDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2017* to be confirmed – (keep looking at updates for this date – it is possible that 2017/18 school year will start for children on Weds 6 th Sept 17) *INSET DAY – TRAINING DAY FOR STAFF, CHILDREN NOT IN SCHOOL

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