Prospectus 2019

MONKTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND (controlled) PRIMARY SCHOOL School Prospectus

About our School Monkton Church of England Primary School is a calm, happy and caring place that provides a Christian environment where pupils are made to feel special and respected as individuals. There are four mixed aged classes with 105 children on roll ranging from 4 to 11 years of aged.

The school was founded in 1872 and modernised in 2007 and has an excellent learning environment. In April 2019 Minster and Monkton Church of England Primary Schools joined together to form The Federation of Minster and Monkton CEP Primary Schools.

The school promotes its Christian Foundation and is proud of its distinctive Christian values: Trust

Friendship

Compassion

Forgiveness

Justice

We are supported by the Diocese of Canterbury and have close links with the village Church. We cherish our relationship with the local village and play a part in community life. The school uses the local Church for services at key points in the year and members of the clergy regularly lead Collective Worship in school.

The teachers are an exceptional team, who plan an inspiring curriculum for our children. They are all hard-working, dedicated and talented professionals. They are always looking for ways to improve and develop their teaching and the pupils’ learning. They are supported by experienced teaching assistants and a dynamic business manager.

It is our intention at Monkton School to cater for the all-round development of the child. We aim to develop selfrespect, a knowledge and respect of others as well as self-discipline in behaviour and attitudes to learning. We value the traditional high standards in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. We see knowledge as important but stress the value of learning through investigation and self-discovery.

Our school is a happy, stimulating environment where parents feel at ease to discuss their child’s progress so that learning becomes a partnership between home and school.

The school benefits from a dedicated Sports Specialists and visiting sports coaches. We currently have Football, Netball and Cross Country teams, who have won a number of sporting accolades over the years. The school choir takes part in the annual Festival of Song at Margate Winter Gardens and the annual Young Voices event at the 0² Arena.

The school has an active and supportive PTA who organise various events throughout the year. These include children’s Christmas Party, Easter Egg Hunt and Strawberry Fair; they also provide refreshments at all our school productions and community events. th

The school benefits from an award winning Walking Bus. This year the bus celebrates its 10 Birthday and is run entirely by parent volunteers.

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Local Education Authority County Hall Maidstone Kent ME14 1XQ Tel: 03000 41 21 21 http://www.kent.gov.uk

Corporate Director for Education Learning and Skills Matt Dunkley Springfield Maidstone

The Federation of Minster and Monkton School Governing Body Local Education Authority Governors:

Foundation Governors:

Mr G Box

Mrs E Shervington Rev V Coneys

Parent Governors: Mrs H Coleman Mr I Ritchie

Co-opted Governor: Mrs V Solly (Chairman of Governors) Mrs N Sworder Vacancy Vacancy

Staff Governor: Mrs J Guilder

Ex Officio Governor: Mrs W Stone Rev Dr R Braddy (Foundation Governor)

Associate Members: Mrs K Wilson (Head of School – Monkton) Mr P McCarthy ( Head of School – Minster)

Clerk to Governors: Mrs A Holmes

Staffing at Monkton C E Primary School 2019/20 Executive Headteacher

Mrs W Stone

Head of School

Mrs K Wilson

Teachers:

Mrs J Bax (Maternity Leave) Mrs J Guilder Miss R Handley Mrs J Pritchard Mrs L Warner

Early Years Assistants:

Mrs H Jewell Mrs R Hewson

Learning Support Assistant:

Miss L Corfmat Miss C Jacobs Miss S Jenks Mrs A Osgood

Business Manager:

Mrs F Webb

Cleaner in Charge:

Mr S Dodman

Crossing Patrol:

Mrs K Pilcher

Meals Supervisory Staff:

Miss L Corfmat Mrs A Osgood

Caterlink Cook: Caterlink Servery Assistant

Mrs J Mitchell Mrs L Newbury

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Parents, Teachers and Friends Association The education of children should be a partnership between home and school. A major function of the Association is to assist in bringing this partnership to fruition. The school has a very supportive parent association. Regular meetings are held throughout the year. Your support and interest in this association would be most welcome.

Chairperson:

Mrs R Tanner

Vice-Chairperson:

Mrs G O’Neill

Secretary:

Mrs N Law

Treasurer:

Mrs K Lamb

Admissions

Monkton CEP School is a Local Authority Controlled primary school, as such admission to the school is coordinated by the Kent County Council and we adhere to their admission policy. Details of this are available from the school website or from www.kent.gov.uk.

In Year Admissions If you wish to apply for a place in any other year group outside of the normal September Admission to Primary school for four year olds. Telephone the school office to enquire about spaces available. You have a right to join the school’s waiting list or appeal if the school is full. Please see the school website for more details of visit www.kent.gov.uk.

General Information

General Information The School Day Foundation & Key Stage 1

Key Stage 2

Morning:

8.50am - 12.10noon

Break:

8.50am - 12.00noon 10.40am - 11.00am

10.40am - 11.00am

Afternoon:

1.00pm - 3.10pm

1.00pm - 3.10pm

Break:

2.15pm - 2.25pm

The School Gate opens at 8.40am and all children go directly to their classrooms where activities are available until registration begins at 8.50am.

Children should be collected punctually at the end of the day as the Road Crossing Patrol finishes at 3.25pm. If you normally collect your child and are delayed your child will wait inside the school until you arrive. Please inform us if someone different is collecting your child. All Class 1 pupils must be collected from the courtyard.

Parking Please park considerately in the village. As is the case in the majority of schools, the road outside is potentially hazardous at the end of the school day. It is a great help if parents drive slowly and park sensibly along Monkton Street.

Please do not park across our neighbour’s driveways, on the bus stop, yellow zigzag lines or the narrow part of the road.

Walking Bus The school operates a walking bus, which leaves Parsonage Fields Bus Stop at 8.30am. You may drop your children at the “bus stop” from 8.15am. We encourage all children to use this facility as it promotes a healthy lifestyle and avoids traffic congestion outside school. We would like all children joining the school to use the Walking Bus as their preferred method of transport to school. You are very welcome to walk with your child until he/she is confident to walk on their own. Details regarding joining this scheme are available from the school office.

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Lunch School meals are cooked on site in our school kitchen. All children in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage One are entitled to a hot meal or a packed lunch every day. Details regarding signing up to receive Universal Free School Meals

will be given to you separately. We strongly recommend that parents encourage their children to eat a school meal every day. Caterlink our catering contractor offer a varied menu with a daily vegetarian option. All their menus are nutritionally analysed to ensure they meet and in most cases exceed The School Food Trust’s Nutrient Standards. We encourage all children in Key Stage 2 have a cooked meal for at least part of the week. Approximately 74% of our children have a hot school meal at least part of the week. The current price for a school meal can be obtained from the office.

Dinner money is collected each Monday morning; however, parents are able to pay termly in advance if they wish.

Lunch Equipment If children do bring a packed lunch, please ensure they have healthy options that they like, with just enough food to be eaten within 30 minutes. Please ensure your child’s lunch box is clearly labelled. Most lunch boxes are very similar and confusion can quickly arise if a clear label is absent. All lunch boxes are stored on trolleys in the classrooms or corridor. It is advisable to ensure that you think very carefully about the type of filling you put in your child’s sandwiches (i.e. no ham or eggs). To ensure your child’s lunch remains cool it will be necessary for you to purchase a small frozen cool pack to place in his/her lunch box each day.

Fruit and Vegetables in School The school operates the Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. All Foundation and Key Stage 1 pupils have a free piece of fruit or a vegetable each day. The Healthy Schools group operate a Fruit and Vegetable Tuck Shop for Key Stage 2 children at a cost of 65p per week.

Cool Milk in School Milk is also available in school to all children. It is free to those children under 5. Details are available from the following website: www.coolmilk.com or from the school office.

Absences It is important that any absence is notified by telephone before 10am. All parents should arrange their annual holiday within the school holidays. Parents/carers of children of statutory school age have no automatic right to remove their children for holidays (or other family reasons) in term time. However, we appreciate there may be exceptional circumstances which will be considered at the point of application. While the Head of School may give approval in exceptional circumstances (e.g. to enable a family to travel to attend a pilgrimage, to visit distant relatives or attend a funeral), approval is not given as a matter of course. We will consider every request for leave of absence individually. The most important consideration is the effect an absence would have on your child’s education. If you do decide to take your child out of school without permission, Penalty Notices will be issued by the school. Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each child, the amount of the penalty will be £120 to be paid within 28 days, reduced to £60 if paid within 21 days. Failure to pay the penalty in full at the end of the 28 day period may result in prosecution by the Attendance Service Lateness Punctuality is an important life skill. Children must be in class by 8.50am each day. Registers will be taken as soon as possible after that time. Children will be marked late if they arrive at school after the registers have been taken. The school gates will be shut by 8.55am. Children who arrive after that time must come into the building via the main office. Lateness will be monitored.

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If the arrival at school is after the registers have closed the pupil will receive a ‘U’. This equates to an un-authorised absence although we are aware that the pupil is on the school premises in accordance with health and safety.

Pupils who are consistently late are disrupting not only their own education but also that of the other pupils. Lateness is considered to be an equally serious absence. Parents, guardians or carers of pupils who seem to be developing patterns of lateness will be reminded of the importance of good time keeping. If lateness continues parents, guardians or carers will be invited to meet with the Head Teacher to discuss the reasons.

School Letters All correspondence with you is sent home via your child in their book bags. Please ensure that you use the book bags for your correspondence with school. It is an important that children learn to be responsible in such matters as it helps them to become independent. Urgent information is sent to you via our text messaging service.

Charging for Educational Visits Under the terms of the Education Reform Act, schools may not charge for educational visits. This legislation is very wide ranging and has important implications for a wide variety of school activities. If a school visit takes place predominantly during the school day and during term time, no charge may be levied, although voluntary contributions can be requested.

The cost of these visits cannot be carried solely by the school. The school will ask for a voluntary contribution of an appropriate amount. The level of response will determine whether the visit is viable. It must be stressed, that if parents do not contribute and the visit does take place, their child will under no circumstances be excluded.

Behaviour We believe that good manners and courtesy are important. We respect each child and wish them to learn from an early stage to respect adults and each other. We aim for high standards of behaviour in a friendly but firm community atmosphere.

Sometimes children have emotional needs that cause them to have difficulties and we would seek the parents’ cooperation in finding solutions to these. The school has a behaviour policy; all new parents are given a copy and are asked to sign the Home/School agreement.

The Care of your Child One of the many important roles of a teacher is to care for your child in a manner expected of any reasonable parent.

They are fully supported in this task by other members of the non-teaching staff. Meals Supervisory Assistants help care for your child staying for school meals or packed lunches. They also supervise children's play during the lunch break.

Illness If your child is unwell, please keep them at home, as school is a busy and lively place. Your child shares their teacher with many other children and it is not easy for a teacher to find the time to nurse a sick child. We do not have the facilities for nursing sick children. If your child becomes ill during the school day, we will contact you, so that you can take them home. Certain illnesses may require a short period of exclusion from school to prevent the condition spreading. Your doctor should advise you of this but if you are in any doubt please seek advice from the Business Manager.

Business Manager The Business Manager is a busy member of the Senior Management Team. She is often the first person you meet when you come to school and is able to advise you in many areas. However, she does have a large workload and it is important that visits to the office and telephone calls are kept to the minimum amount of time necessary.

Parents in School The involvement of parents in many aspects of school life is of great value and is something which we actively encourage.

Parents have assisted with school visits, cooking, sports activities, and drama and musical productions. Parental involvement in reading activities in school and at home is also greatly valued. We always welcome parental help in school. If you would like to become involved in these activities, please see your child's class teacher or the Head Teacher.

We see this as an important expression of the partnership that exists between home and school.

School Uniform The wearing of a school uniform encourages a strong sense of belonging to the school. We want our children to be proud of Monkton School.

You can order your child's uniform and pay the school using a credit or debit card on-line using our simple and secure service.

A full uniform list and details of how to order online are available on the website.

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Labelling Clothes One of the miseries of school life is lost possessions and clothing, as something will inevitably go astray. You can minimise losses by labelling all your children’s belongings from uniform to coats, water bottles and lunch boxes.

Encourage your child to look after their property, putting things away in their bag or on their peg School Organisation There are 102 children on roll this academic year. These are divided into 4 classes: Class 1 - Year R Class 2 - Years 1 and 2 Class 3 - Years 3 and 4 Class 4 - Years 5 and 6 Starting School Just before your child starts school they are invited to spend some time in school. This is usually a half day.

One of the most frequent questions asked by parents of pre-school children is "What can I do to help my children at home?" Real learning can take place in all situations both in and out of school; consequently, parents have a crucial role to play. At Monkton School, we see this continuum between home and school as a vital ingredient of a child's success.

The following are some brief suggestions for areas of experience you may like to help your child with, which will be very useful when he or she starts school.

1. Sharing real life activities Shared bedtime reading and listening games are all enjoyable experiences for young children. Children also thoroughly enjoy household tasks, e.g. bed making, dusting, gardening, cooking and tidying. All these activities help build a child's confidence, particularly when accompanied by praise and encouragement.

2. Developing a child's basic general knowledge It is important to develop your child’s basic knowledge of colour, shapes, days of the week, months of the year, times of day, numbers 1 to 10 and then 1 to 20 (and further if they can comfortably manage them), clothing, familiar objects in street and home, fruit and vegetables, flowers, animals etc. Encourage your child to form letters and numbers.

Recognise and write their name.

3. Developing your child’s sociability and independence Encourage your child to be as social and independent as possible as this is important to their ability to settle into school and get along with their classmates. Teach them to share, say Please and Thank You, eat with a knife and fork, go to the toilet unaided, get dressed and undressed by themselves. These skills help them to feel grown up and start to be independent from you.

This is not an exhaustive list. All children are different and have different needs and talents. What they all have in common is the need for encouragement and praise, and the innate pleasure that comes from learning Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education On reaching secondary school age our children transfer to a wide selection of schools around Thanet and Sandwich.

Some pupils take part in the selection process for grammar school. The selection procedure changes from year to year.

Parents of children in Year 5 will be informed of the current procedure when it is available. The procedure will identify approximately the top 25% of the ability range across the County. These children will be offered a Grammar School Place.

During the final term at Monkton CEP School staff from the local secondary schools visit Monkton CEP School, to meet the children due for transfer and arrange a “taster day” for them to spend time at their new school. They liaise with your child’s class teachers to enable the transfer as smooth and stress free as possible.

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General Information Summary of the Governors' Statement on the School Curriculum It is our intention at Monkton School to cater for the all-round development of your child. We wish to develop in your child self-respect and a knowledge and respect of others. We wish to begin to develop self-discipline in behaviour and attitudes to learning.

We aim to help children develop individuality and their abilities across the National Curriculum. Our curriculum consists of the three core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science, and eight foundation subjects: Art & Design, Computing, Design and Technology, Languages (French), Geography, History, Music and Physical Education. Religious Education also forms part of the school curriculum. For our Foundation Subjects we use the Cornerstones Curriculum which is a cross curricular, broad and balanced, knowledge and skills based curriculum. The topics are engaging and can be tailored to individual class needs, encouraging independent and lifelong learning skills. Each termly topic starts with a launch lesson to introduce the learning, this can be in the form of a trip or experience within school. The topic runs for a term and concludes with an “innovate” project enabling the pupils to share their knowledge with their peers, parents and carers.

Assessment is an integral part of the National Curriculum. The years your child spends in the Primary School are divided into Stages: Foundation Stage

Age 3 – 5 years

Key Stage 1

Age 5 - 7 years

Key Stage 2

Age 7 - 11 years

A Baseline Assessment is completed at the start of Year R during the first few weeks. At the end of Year 1 children are assessed on their phonic knowledge. This is a statutory assessment. Statutory National Curriculum Assessment takes place at the end of Key Stage 1 in reading, writing and mathematics. This informs the teacher assessment which is reported. At Key Stage 2 pupils are assessed in reading, writing, mathematics and spelling, punctuation and grammar.

The results of these tests are reported.

With primary age children much work will be planned to provide them with first hand or direct experiences with an emphasis on active learning as well as teaching. We value the traditional high standards in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. We see knowledge as important but stress the value of knowing how to learn and find out.

We wish our school to be a happy and stimulating place where parents feel at ease to discuss their child's progress so that learning becomes a partnership between home and school.

Structure and Implementation of the National Curriculum in Monkton School We support the National Curriculum as it prescribes an entitlement for all children; this is vital in an equal society.

Although the National Curriculum is described in terms of separate subjects, the traditional primary approach is to work through themes that weave individual subject into a cohesive curriculum. Through careful planning and evaluation the correct sequencing of concepts and balance is achieved.

All the statutory documents that deal with the National Curriculum are available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-primary-curriculum Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) From September 2014 a new Special Educational Needs Code of Practice came into force. Many pupils will receive some additional support from time to time in school. For children identified as having an additional need by the school, the school will ensure that support is in place to enable the child to make progress. Some children will need Education Support Plan which focusses on the child’s needs and enables clear learning objectives and support to be put in place.

Liaison with other agencies and secondary schools takes place when appropriate.

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Disability Equality Scheme and Accessibility Plan The school’s Disability Equality Scheme underpins everything we do as a school; it ensures fair and equal treatment for all. The Scheme sets out how we make sure we are fully compliant with both the spirit and letter of the law in the delivery of disability equality for our whole school community. Please see the website for this plan.

The Scheme has been developed with the involvement of disabled people through focus groups and consultation. These groups continue to play and active and important role in taking the Scheme forward and bringing the views and experiences of disabled members of the whole school community into focus.

Equality The governors and staff at Monkton CEP School are committed to providing the full range of opportunities for all pupils regardless of: gender, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, social or cultural background. All pupils have equal access to the curriculum, and the right to a learning environment, which dispels ignorance, prejudice and stereotyping. The whole school community has the right to protection from insult, abuse and bullying of any kind.

Discrimination on the basis of colour, culture, origin, gender or ability is unacceptable in our school.

Safeguarding The Governing Body and Staff take seriously our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children; and work together with other agencies to ensure arrangements are in place within our school to identify, assess, and support those children who are suffering harm. The Designated Child Protection Co-ordinators who have overall responsibility for child protection practice in school are the Executive Headteacher Mrs Wendy Stone, Head of School Mrs Karon Wilson and Senior Teacher Mrs Joanne Guilder.

The following section describes the National Curriculum elements: ENGLISH At Monkton CEP School we plan for a minimum of an hour a day on aspects of the English Curriculum.

Phonics Phonics is the systematic teaching of the letter/sound correspondences within the English language. Children do not learn to discriminate the sounds of words automatically nor do they automatically understand how to represent them in writing. This is a skill that needs to be taught and is tied to our particular way of writing our language, with 26 letters to represent 44 sounds. The programmes that we us in school are ‘Jolly Phonics’ followed by ‘Letters and Sounds’. Phonics is taught throughout the school on a daily basis.

Reading We consider ourselves to be a reading school and promote and emphasise the value and joy of reading at every opportunity Each year we spend a significant amount of our school budget on extending and developing our reading resources. Our new school library is a focal point for all pupils to access good quality fiction and non-fiction books. The library is accessible at all times of the day to children and is well used during breaks and lunchtimes. We have installed a Reading Cloud System which enables us to book out and track books electronically and allows pupils and parents access from home to check if books are available. They can submit book reviews and recommendations to their teacher, classmates or peers. The older children in the school have received training to run the school library during break and lunchtimes and this has encouraged and developed our ethos of a reading school.

In addition each class has an access to a range of attractive current non-fiction books to aid their independent study skills. As well as our reading scheme fiction books we also have a range of non-fiction books at a variety of reading levels.

It is important to use a range as not all children will enjoy the same books. It also allows greater breadth at each stage of a child's reading development. From the moment children start school they are encouraged to choose a wide range of reading materials to gain as broad a vocabulary and breadth of reading experience as possible.

Parents and Reading We encourage children to take books home. Parental involvement in reading is an important element in children's development of reading skills. We also encourage parents to come into school to assist with reading activities. If you would like to help in this way, please see your child's teacher.

Book Fair The school runs an annual Book Fair at the end of Summer Term 6. This enables parents to purchase books for their children to share over the holiday, and gives you an opportunity to keep abreast with current children's publications. The school earns 60% commission in books for the class and school libraries.

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Oral and Written Language Children in general must be able to express themselves in the spoken word before they can write clearly and in an interesting way. A variety of activities to encourage this necessary self-expression will be found in school. We believe in order to widen a child’s vocabulary and understanding it is important that they are immersed in a language rich environment and curriculum. Therefore the school promotes this both environmentally and through direct teaching as much as possible.

In the early stages of our school much of the work the children do is in spoken form. As children gain in confidence and experience, more written work will be expected. Written work takes many forms for example: factual writing, descriptive writing, imaginative writing, newsletters, poetry, investigative and note taking.

In all these areas teachers will aim to extend children's vocabulary. The quality of written work is promoted in class, particularly by reading good literature. Presentation is also important. Children are encouraged to take pride in all they do, and handwriting is taught.

Handwriting Children are taught first of all to develop handwriting shapes using the ‘Write Dance Programme’ to form their letters correctly. In the early years of the school much of their work will be on whiteboards, in pencil and in printed form.

Children are taught how to join up script from Reception and the tools with which they record this script various dependant on the age and the stage the child is at.

Spelling Children's spelling is closely related to their ability in reading and their phonic understanding. Children just learning to write and express themselves can be discouraged if too many mistakes are pointed out to them. Teachers will often select a number of important words for correction. Older and more able children will be expected to make fewer mistakes and more of their errors will be pointed out to them. All children in Years 1 – 6 have regular spellings to learn.

Punctuation and Grammar Teacher's experience and education research show that teaching punctuation purely through exercises is an ineffective method. Grammar and punctuation are taught as the child reaches the appropriate stage of development through their creative and formal writing. Children in Year 6 are now assessed on Grammar and Punctuation as part of the Statutory Assessment.

Mathematics Mathematics is a core subject in the National Curriculum. Monkton CEP School uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in mathematics lessons. Our principal aim is to develop children’s fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills. We May 2019

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do this through a daily lesson that has whole-class and group-direct teaching. During these lessons we encourage children to ask as well as answer mathematical questions. They have the opportunity to use a wide range of resources such as number lines, number squares, Numicon, Base Ten, and small apparatus to support their work. Mathematical dictionaries are available in all classrooms. Children use ICT in mathematics lessons where it will enhance their learning, as in modelling ideas and methods. Wherever possible, we encourage children to use and apply their learning in everyday situations. As with language, mathematics will be integrated in many curriculum areas.

Our allotment

Science There are many reasons why science is a vital component of the National Curriculum. We live in a rapidly changing world in which scientific ideas and processes are becoming increasingly part of everyday experience. Schools have a clear obligation to prepare children for this world. However, science is itself a wonderful model for learning. Primary education is founded upon learning through direct experience, as is science. The skills of observation, raising questions, investigating, predicting and using appropriate equipment are central to scientific understanding and also valuable across the entire curriculum. Finally and this should never be overlooked, science is great fun!

In our school science will be found present in many themes, many of which will be science led. Staff will also use purely scientific projects to ensure that children have a broad and balanced awareness of science and its relevance to their lives.

History We aim to teach history through a careful selection of activities and resources suitable for the age and ability of the child.

We develop their skills and concepts as well as knowledge, through enquiry based learning relevant to the child's experiences, and in line with the National Curriculum.

Geography Geography teaching and learning at Monkton uses the enquiry process to motivate children to find out about the physical and human environment and their interrelation. The pupils work is linked to their own interest and capabilities. The children study geographical skills, places and themes including rivers and weather.

Design and Technology In line with the National Curriculum children learn the knowledge and skills required to design and make products using a wide range of materials and components. They evaluate and improve their products until they are suitable for their intended purpose and learn to appreciate the impact of technology on everyday life.

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Computing Computing has close links across many areas of the curriculum and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which children are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. At Monkton CEP School, we use a range of applications on ipads and desktop computers to facilitate this. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate this means being able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology.

Art During art lessons children will be introduced to variety of media. Crayons, paint, charcoal, pastels and pencils are all used extensively. Printing, modelling and drawing from close observation are all encouraged.

Work of both famous and unknown artists are examined and discussed to help to develop an understanding of the characteristics of art from different periods, cultures and traditions.

Music Music plays an important part in our school. Singing, listening, composing and making music are an integral part of the curriculum. All children in school sing every day. The school has a choir, which takes part in the Thanet Schools Annual Music Festival of Song. Peripatetic music teachers teach a range of instruments to children both during and after school.

Last year all children in Year 5 and 6 were taught to play the Ukulele by an accredited musician.

All children are encouraged to take part in our music and drama activities and parents are invited to the school to see the productions.

Sporting Aims and Provision for Sport Our aim is to develop pupils’ physical ability and to develop their awareness and acquisition of the basic skills of gymnastics, games, athletics, outdoor adventure activities, dance and swimming.

As children grow older their basic skills will be built-on to develop their abilities and to encourage their participation in individual, team games and competitive sports. The school has a large field and playground and the school hall is used for indoor activities.

Children at the school will have the opportunity to play football, netball, rounders, cricket, hockey, athletics, tri-golf, dance and gymnastics, tennis, dodgeball, tag rugby, handball, multiskills and archery. Swimming is organised for Year 5 and 6 pupils and currently takes place at Heron’s swimming pool, Herne Bay. The school is part of the Thanet Schools Partnership. The school also employs specialist sports coaches (Team Theme) to deliver enhanced sporting activities for Years 1 – 6 weekly. Team Theme also deliver lunchtime and after school clubs for a range of sports to develop skills and broaden the pupils experience in sport.

The school football team takes part in the Thanet Primary Football Association matches. Monkton Youth football coaching takes place on Saturday morning for both boys and girls (Yr R to Yr 6). All children attending Monkton CEP School are eligible for membership of this club. The school also has a Netball and a KS2 Cross Country Team.

Each day all pupils take part in the Monkton Daily Mile. this ensure that the children start the day actively andcontributes towards their overall health and fitness.

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Team Theme

Thanet Schools Partnership

Netball Team 2018-19 Languages (French) French is introduced to children in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and is studied at Key Stage 2 as our additional language. We aim to develop positive attitudes to other languages and cultures. We follow the Rising Stars Euro Stars Primary French Scheme. We have links to a French speaking school in Belgium.

Religious Education The school follows The Kent Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.

Religious Education provides, within the curriculum, a reminder that education concerns the whole person, body, mind and spirit.

Understanding Christianity provides a broad and balanced Religious Education curriculum, promotes the spiritual and moral growth of pupils and helps to develop an appreciation of Christianity and of other principal religions.

Upper and Lower School Worship is held every day. Visiting speakers and parents are invited to join us on a regular basis.

From time to time organisations such as Demelza House Children’s Hospice and Christian Aid will give a presentation to the children. The Education Reform Act 1988 makes provisions for parents to withdraw their child from Religious Education and the school respects this.

Canterbury Diocese inspected the school in October 2016 and found it to be an “Outstanding Church School”.

Health Education We aim to give children an awareness of the need to care for their own bodies through a healthy diet and a high standard of personal hygiene.

Our school aims to promote health in its widest sense. It attends to the physical, social and psychological development of our pupils and the maintenance of good health for all pupils and staff. We also consider the development of the emotions and self-esteem as central to our aims. A key element of this is a carefully considered and constructed Sex and Relationship Education Policy for all the children in our care.

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We also aim to teach children to apply the knowledge and skills of safety education in the home, at play and on the roads.

Sex and Relationship Education The Governing Body at Monkton School has agreed that the school will offer a programme of Sex and Relationship Education. It will be appropriate to the children’s age, maturity and experience and will be presented within a moral, family orientated framework.

Sex and Relationship Education is not just about reproduction and sexual health. It also includes enabling our children to act responsibly: in making and maintaining relationships with others, feeling good about themselves and the choices they make, developing assertiveness skills, the ability to respect themselves and others in the context of their own sexual development, whilst taking account of sexuality, gender, roles and responsibility.

As teachers, we are aware of children's natural curiosity and we will deal sensitively and honestly with children's genuine enquiries as they arise. Wherever possible teachers will use correct biological terms explaining, if necessary their relationships to euphemisms more familiar to the child concerned.

There will be opportunities every year for parents to view the resources in school that will be used to structure the teaching for each year group. Parents are encouraged to discuss any concerns they have with their child’s teacher or headteacher.

Social Education and Discipline A high standard of social awareness and behaviour is encouraged so that everyone can enjoy the best possible atmosphere at both work and play. Rules are simple and kept to a minimum. Children are informed of rules by their class teacher and are broadly as follows: 1

Children should at all times show the thought and consideration towards others that they like to enjoy themselves.

2

Children should show the respect for the property of others that they seek for their own.

3

Children should move about the buildings in a quiet, orderly fashion, and play peaceably in the grounds.

4

Children should contribute toward keeping a tidy clean environment. This makes a pleasant workplace for adults and children.

5.

Children should not bring jewellery or toys to school unless related to a specific classroom activity.

6

They are expected to work hard.

When children are unable to behave according to this code of consideration they may have privileges withdrawn temporarily, or be asked to make amends in a practical way. Any serious matter would of course be discussed with parents at once. Our Behaviour Policy is issued to all parents.

Forest School

Our Forest School runs weekly in our school grounds and covers all Year Groups for several sessions per year.

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We love snow!

Homework Homework builds on work done in the classroom. It enables the class teacher and the parent to confirm that the child has an understanding of a subject and helps to install and develop a sense of discipline about work at home. If a teacher sets homework there is an expectation that this will be completed by the set day. It is hoped that parents will support the school in encouraging their children to develop a responsible attitude to their homework.

Complaints Procedure Step one: contact the school If you are worried about your child's learning or welfare at school, you should speak to your child's class teacher first.

Teachers will usually be in the classroom during the day, but you can leave messages with the school office asking the teacher to get back to you or you can speak to them in the Courtyard after school. If this cannot resolve the matter it should be referred to the Headteacher. Please contact the school office to arrange a meeting or a telephone conversation.

Step two: contact the governing body If your complaint is not resolved, the next stage is to approach the governing body of the school. If you want to complain to the governing body, ask the school office for a copy of the schools complaints procedure, this can also be found on the schools website: www.monkton.kent.sch.uk All complaints to the governing body must be in writing.

Step three: contact the Secretary of State for Education If you are not satisfied with the response from the governing body you can contact the Secretary of State for Education:

Department for Education Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD More information is available at www.education.gov.uk/schoolcomplaints

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Reports and Consultations Evenings There is an opportunity to attend consultation days throughout the year. We provide written reports for you three times per academic year. The reports are written for you, but please do share the salient features with your child.

Reports are always written in a positive spirit and we aim to encourage children with praise and positive criticism. Praise your child and discuss the targets set by the class teacher. This will ensure that you child will continue to make the progress expected and reach their full potential.

It is important to stress that these are not the only avenues open to parents for discussion. All parents and teachers are concerned about the welfare and development of children, consequently if you have any worries about your child's progress or social development, please do not hesitate to contact the school. You will have the opportunity to see your child's teacher after school or the Head Teacher if you wish (please make an appointment). Likewise, as teachers, if we have concerns we would invite you to come in to see us.

We aim to establish an open and honest partnership.

Percentage of Absences for 2017/18 Percentage of Absences

- Authorised - Unauthorised

2.7% 0.3%

National Curriculum Assessment Results Key Stage 2 - Additional Information When reading the percentage figures for the SATs results the following considerations need to be taken into account.

1. The small number in our year groups. Each child is approximately 7% 2. No allowance is made for the type of intake a school has which varies from year to year, how long pupils have been in the school or the considerable achievements made by some pupils.

3. Erratic performance across the whole of a particular paper - a child can have a bad day!

4. A physical reason for not performing as well as expected - a broken writing arm!

5. Teacher assessment of an entire years work is generally a far better guide to a child’s attainment, rather than a snapshot on one day.

Lunchtime in the Library

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MONKTON CEP SCHOOL UNIFORM LIST Please find below a list of uniform required for our school. The items marked with an asterisk * are available to purchase online from our supplier School Trends. Bags, hats and caps are available from the school office. All other items are available at local clothing stores or supermarkets.

Boys

Girls

*Monkton School Sweatshirt

*Monkton School Sweatshirt/Cardie

White Shirt/* Monkton Polo Shirt

White Shirt/*Monkton Polo Shirt

Dark Grey/Black Trousers

Grey Skirt/Pinafore

Dark Grey Shorts (summer)

Grey/Black Trousers (winter) Red Striped/Checked Summer dress

Dark Shoes (no trainers)

Dark Shoes (no sandals with open toes/ high heels, sling backs or trainers)

Socks – Grey/black

Socks – White/grey Tights - Red/Grey/Black

Monkton Baseball Cap (summer) *Monkton Knitted Hat (winter) *Monkton Storm Dry Jacket **Monkton School Fleece *Monkton Parka

Monkton Baseball Cap (summer) *Monkton Knitted Hat (winter) *Monkton Storm Dry Jacket **Monkton **Monkton School Fleece *Monkton Parka

Book bags – YrR only Dispatch bags Yr1 – Yr6 Water Bottle Wellington Boots

Book bags YrR only Dispatch bags Yr1 – Yr6 Water Bottle Wellington Boots

PE Kit PE T-Shirt - Red PE Shorts – Black PE Socks Plain Warm Tracksuits from Year 1 onwards Plimsolls only in Year R Plimsolls/equivalent & trainers from Year 1 onwards PE Bag A PE Kit (shorts, T-shirt & Bag) is available from our uniform supplier School Trends Football Boots and shin pads will be required in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 should your child play football.

Please make sure that all of your child's clothing is clearly named ** Fleeces are optional and for use mainly during the winter months. However they should not be purchased instead of a sweatshirt or cardie.

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