School Prospectus 2023

Monkton Church of England Primary School “Compassion, Courage, Justice - Jesus said, ‘Go and do the same’.”

A welcome to Monkton Church of England Primary School from the Senior Leadership Team and our Governors Welcome to Monkton Church of England Primary School. At Monkton, our vision and motto is Compassion, Courage, Justice - Jesus said, ‘Go and do the same.’ By living out our vision, we strive to ensure that all children who attend our school flourish and develop both educationally and holistically.

Dedicated staff All our dedicated and well-trained staff are highly experienced and committed to supporting children to reach their potential and overcome any barriers to learning.

Outdoor learning The school’s lovely grounds in a rural setting offer many opportunities for sport and play, and for outdoor learning in our onsite Forest School run by trained Forest School staff.

High expectations We have high expectations for all our children, offering a curriculum that is inclusive and ensures all children are able to access, enjoy and profit from every aspect of school life.

Home/school partnership Our active and enthusiastic PTA helps to create a great positive partnership between school and home, further cementing the strong relationship between pupils, families and staff. We believe that a close connection between everyone concerned with the education and wellbeing of the children is important in ensuring they benefit as much as possible from their time at Monkton.

Getting in touch I hope that our prospectus gives you an insight and understanding in our core values. We would be delighted to welcome you to our school. Please call the school office on 01843 821394 or email office@monkton.kent.sch.uk to arrange a visit and see why our school is so special.

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Our Vision Statement Our school has compassion at its heart, which inspires us to be people of courage, who care for ourselves, stand with others and seek justice as we grow and discover the world around us.

By knowing each individual, our learning environment is shaped to encourage creativity, promote challenge through our learning values and nurture spirituality, ensuring all thrive.

“Compassion, Courage, Justice - Jesus said, ‘Go and do the same’.”

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School day: School hours

School meals and snacks

Our gates open at 8:30am in time for children to go straight into school and get settled for 8:45am registration. Lunch starts at 12:05pm and finishes at 1pm. The school day ends at 3;15pm.

Drinks and snacks

Wraparound Clubs Breakfast Club We offer a daily Breakfast Club in school which starts at 7.45am.

Parents/Carers can drop off children from 7.45am and the children enjoy breakfast with their friends and time to play for a short while before going to their classes at 8.40am. There is a small charge for this service.

After-School and Lunchtime Clubs We run our ‘year group specific’ Afterschool Clubs from 3.15pm to 4.15pm. We have a variety of clubs from sports and sewing to lego and science. We even have a chess club during lunchtimes for children who prefer some peace away from the playground. There is always something for everyone. Most clubs are led by members of staff whereas others are provided by outside companies.

Uniform

Hot nutritious school meals are prepared and cooked onsite. A copy of the termly menus can be found on the website under the Routines and Procedures Section which can also be found under Parent/Carer tab. Payments for meals should be made each Monday for that week. Children may bring a packed lunch from home: this must be Nut Free and filled with healthy options that they will eat.

Their packed lunch box must be named and should not contain sweets or fizzy drinks.

Free School Meals All children in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage One are entitled to a hot meal every day. Children in Year 3 and above can qualify for free school meals if you are in receipt of certain income related benefits. You will find details, links and information on our website under the Parent/Carer tab

Fruit and Vegetables in school We operate a Fruit and Vegetable scheme which is free to Foundation and Key Stage 1 children. They can have a free piece of fruit or a vegetable each day as a snack.

We believe that wearing a uniform encourages a strong sense of belonging to the school community, and that part of growing up is developing personal standards and having a pride in your appearance. Our emblem is a shield divided into four sections: • A monk represents the founders of our village.

• Hops were grown in the village.

• The obelisk is the seamark which represents the highest point on the Isle of Thanet which was used by sailors to navigate their way around the headland.

• The stocks, which are still in the village by the church.

Where to buy Uniform items can be purchased online from www.schoolwearcentre. net Your order will be delivered to your chosen address within 14 days. There is a direct link on the Uniform Section under the Parent/ Carer tab on our school website.

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Curriculum: Ambitious and Inspirational Learning for All Monkton offers all pupils a rich, varied and creative curriculum. We ensure that all children thrive in our inclusive school, where all pupils are able to access every aspect of school life.

We aim to inspire in our children a love of all subjects, where we promote challenge and allow our children to flourish.

PRIDE VALUES Within our curriculum, we encourage good learning through our learning values. Everyone at Monkton is encouraged to be: • Positive • Resourceful • Innovative • Determined • Engaged Parents/Carers can keep up to date with their child’s learning by looking at the curriculum plans that are published on our website

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Our Learning Environment Outdoor Learning: • Reflection Gazebo.

• Adventure Trail.

• Pond Area.

• Outdoor Science Cabin.

• Sensory Garden and Prayer Space.

Forest School: • Onsite Forest School.

• Trained School Staff.

• Fire Circle.

• Parachute Shelter.

• Tool Area and Mud Kitchens.

• Allotment with growing area including fruit trees, vegetable beds, flowers and natural reading area.

Library: • Whole School fiction/non-fiction library giving high status and value to reading in our school.

• Pupil Librarians.

• Electronically managed and accessible from home to pupils.

• Dewey System and well stocked for a wide range of abilities and interests.

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Enriched curriculum World class education Here at Monkton, we recognise that receiving a world class education isn’t just about academic achievement but about developing the ‘whole child’ both academically and spiritually so that they are ready to discover the world. We do this by using the Windows, Mirrors, Doors approach.

Children gain knowledge by ‘looking through the window’. They then look into the mirror to see how how they feel about that knowledge. Once they’ve done this, the children can walk through the door as part of social action.

We pride ourselves on offering the children the chance to grow spiritually and feel part of our school community, the local community and the wider world.

Clubs • Sport.

• Music.

• Outdoor learning including gardening club.

• Choir.

• Drama.

Experiencing the wider world We are always looking to extend our pupils horizons beyond the local area, ensuring that learning is purposeful and inspiring but also great fun! To do this, we plan many opportunities for children to experience the wider world, including: • Visitors.

• Trips out of school.

• Sporting or other types of clubs in school.

• Signposting to clubs and organisations in the local community.

Local visits We use our local area to extend learning as much as possible. This includes visits to the local church, Monkton Nature Reserve and our local recreation ground. The area around us is great for Geography fieldwork, where we have taken part in traffic surveys and wildlife conservation projects.

We make use of great locations such as Canterbury Cathedral, Betteshanger Country Park and Wingham Wildlife Park or Howletts Zoo. Further afield, our learning also extends beyond the County with regular visits to London museums and residential activities across the UK.

Residential Trips As well as inspiring school trips, the Year 6 children get the chance to visit an activity centre for a week long stay. On this trip, the children take part on great activities and tasks aimed at building confidence and independence ready for the children to face the wider world in Year 7 and beyond.

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Inclusion: access and equality for all Equality of opportunity We believe that all children should be able to fully access the learning opportunities available to them here at Monkton. This is regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, impairment, attainment and background. We pay particular attention to the provision for and achievement of different groups of learners: • Girls and Boys.

• Minority ethnic and faith groups.

• Learners with English as an additional language.

• Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

• Those who are gifted and talented.

• Those who are looked after by the local authority.

• Children who parents/carer serves in the armed forces.

• Those children in receipt of free school meals.

Special Educational Needs We are committed to providing an appropriate and high-quality education to all children including those with Special Educational Needs. We believe that all children have an entitlement to a broad and balanced academic and social curriculum. We will support each child according to their own needs and experiences so that they may be fully included in all aspects of school life. Our teachers deliver high standards of quality first teaching for all pupils, and they are experienced in supporting those who may have SEND and or an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP).

Acorn Room This sensory area is dedicated as an oasis of calm and refuge for any pupil in our school that requires a moment of peace and tranquillity. It is furnished with a relaxed feeling and benefits from a sensory light room which contains calming lighting and relaxed seating.

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Communication with parents Home and school Effective communication between home and school is especially important, ensuring that parents are kept up to date with their children’s progress, school life and events. We hold two parent evenings per year and an open day. We also open our doors at the end of term for special ‘Museum Days’ where parents and relatives can see their child’s great work on display!

We also send out two written reports. We also send home regular newsletters, keeping you up to date with any up and coming events and other info that is crucial for parents to know.

Open door policy Every parent and carer is welcomed into our school and encouraged to take part and become part of our Monkton Family. We hold termly You Say, We Do meetings with parents where everyone can work collaboratively to enhance our wonderful school.

Facebook Our public Facebook page (Monkton Church of England Primary School) is constantly updated with news and pictures.

Arbor app The Arbor App gives you 24 hour access to everything concerning your child at school, including updates on attendance and behaviour. The app is also used to book parent consultations and make payments for trips.

Website Our website is parent friendly and is the place to find out what is happening on a weekly basis at school. Our website is pc, phone and tablet compatible.

The calendar on the website is updated regularly and can be linked to your personal online calendar. Dedicated Class pages which are updated with class newsletters at the beginning of each term ensure that you do not miss vital class and school events.

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Admissions arrangements Early Years Foundation Stage Intake Monkton CEP School is a Local Authority Controlled primary school, as such admission to the school is coordinated by Kent County Council in accordance with their admission policy.

Information on the process and the online application links can be found on the Kent County Council website www.kent.gov.uk

Visiting the school You are invited to take advantage of one of our prearranged open days for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) September intake. These take place in November or December each year, before the application needs to be completed for your child’s place at school.

Getting to know you In the summer during Term 6 prior to admission, parents and children have several opportunities to visit the school, including an Open Day and familiarisation sessions, to meet staff in the Foundation Stage and become familiar with the school layout.

Parents of children with a disability are invited to meet with the Inclusion Leader to discuss how best the school can meet the needs of the child.

Starting school We admit children once a year in September when they are four years old. All children therefore enjoy 17 full terms and 1 part-time term before the end of EYFS/Key Stage 1 (infants).

New children (4-year-olds) are gradually phased in during the first few weeks of term. Parents will be invited to a meeting with their child’s teacher within the first two weeks prior to their child starting school.

Transfer during the academic year If you have a child who would like to transfer from another school to Monkton CEP School, please call the school office and we will be delighted to advise you about our ‘in year’ application process.

Application process • The closing date for September applications is in mid-January of that year.

• Applications should be made online via the Kent County Council Website.

• You will be notified of your child’s placement by the following April.

Contact Details for Kent County Council School Admissions Team Tel: 03000 412121 Email: kentonlineadmissions@kent.gov.uk Web: www.kent.sch.uk

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Getting Involved Governors Our school governors manage the school with the Executive Headteacher and Head of School. Our Governing Body is made up of Foundation Governors (elected by The Diocese), elected parents, members appointed by the Local Authority (LA), co-opted governors, teacher representatives and the Executive Headteacher who has the option of being a governor. Members are elected for period of four years. A full list of members of the school’s Governing Body is available on the school website.

Do you want to be a Governor?

Our parent governors give parents a voice in decision making.

They are elected by parents through a ballot. If you are interested in becoming a school governor, please contact the school office.

Parent Teacher Association All parents of children who join Monkton CEP School automatically become members of our Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Our PTA work together raising funds to ensure that our school has many extra special events and social activities to make school life at Monkton fun, interesting and enjoyable. If you would like to contribute ideas, or your time, do get in touch with the PTA via their page on the website. Everyone is welcome.

Volunteering at Monkton We actively welcome parents and grandparents as volunteers in school, to help with activities such as hearing the children read, as extra hands on school trips and with cookery, forest school, gardening lessons and art and craft sessions.

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Christian Vision and Christian Foundations “Compassion, Courage, Justice Jesus said, ‘Go and do the same’.”

Our Bible Narrative is The Good Samaritan. This is a great parable to teach children how to grow so they have Compassion, Courage and Justice as fundamental character traits.

Our school has compassion at its heart, which inspires us to be people of courage, who care for ourselves, stand with others and seek justice as we grow and discover the world around us.

By knowing each individual, our learning environment is shaped to encourage creativity, promote challenge through our learning values and nurture spirituality, ensuring all thrive.

Whether we are friends or neighbours, children or adults, we believe that every person is important, and we love and care for all equally, welcoming those of all faiths and none.

We want the best for each individual with whom we share our lives, and we want everyone to be part of our loving school family. Our actions demonstrate this, as with God’s help, we embody our Christian Foundations of Compassion, Courage and Justice.

Monkton Church of England Primary School Monkton Street, Monkton, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 4JQ Telephone: 01843 821394 Email: office@monkton.kent.sch Web: www.monkton.kent.sch.uk