Walmsley CE School Brochure 2021

Walmsley C of E School

Prospectus 2020 / 2021

Welcome to Walmsley C of E Primary School We are a Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Chair of Governors:

Mr A Slack

Head Teacher:

Mrs D Carr

Deputy Head Teacher:

Mr A Catterall

Assistant Head Teacher:

Mrs R Cahill

Address:

Blackburn Road Egerton Bolton BL7 9SA

Telephone Number:

01204 332650

Email Address:

office@walmsley.bolton.sch.uk

Website:

www.walmsley.bolton.sch.uk

This brochure is correct as of September 2020 and the information therein refers to the 2020/2021 school year

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School Governors Chair of Governors:

Mr A Slack

Vice Chair:

Mrs G Smallwood*

Foundation Governors:

Mr N Kennedy* Mrs K Sudworth* Mrs B Keating Mrs S Rush

LA Governor:

Councillor Nadim Muslim

Parent Governors:

Mr R Dyson* Mr R Taberner*

Staff Governor:

Miss K Worsley

Associate Governor:

Mrs K Greenhalgh

Head Teacher:

Mrs D Carr*

*Parent or former parent of a child at the school Page 3 of 42

School Staff Teaching Staff Head Teacher Deputy Head Teacher Assistant Head Teacher SENDCo

Mrs D Carr Mr A Catterall Mrs R Cahill Mrs D Carr Mrs L Bailey Miss J Brookes (Part-time) Miss K Browning

Miss H Charnock Miss K Hastings Mrs V Higginson (Maternity Leave) Mrs S Malley Mr M McGlashan Mrs R Orlinski Mrs N Peak Miss R Phipps Mrs M Ratcliffe Mrs R Saxby (Part-time) Miss L Tierney Miss K Worsley Dance Teacher Music Teacher Modern Foreign Language Teacher

Miss Nic Mr S Martin Mrs A Moreno

Non-Teaching Staff School Administrator Clerical Officer Business Manager Site Manager Catering Manager Vicar

Mr A McDonnell Mrs J Murphy Mrs K Greenhalgh Mr D Crouch Mrs J Coles Rev Carol Hayden

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School Staff Teaching Assistants Mrs G Gavin Mrs S Heppolette Mrs S Howarth Mrs J Kearney Mrs J Markland Mrs D Murray Mrs K Smith

Lunchtime Supervisors Miss S Gill Mrs S Heppolette Mrs R Holt Miss K Leamey Mrs J Markland Mrs P Sheridan Mrs A Stones Mrs K Wicklen

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Our History

The first Walmsley School was built in 1797, at Dimple, and transferred to its present location in 1839. Initially the school was an all age school, becoming a primary school during the 1930's with the creation of Turton High School. The name Walmsley is thought to derive from a family of that name, the area's principal landowners in the 16th century.

Walmsley As We Know It The present building was opened in February 1981. There have been several extensions over the years, with a new kitchen and Year 1 classroom in 2010 and in September 2019 we had the grand opening of our Year 6 Classroom Block, dedicated

by Bishop Mark.

A new Year 1 unit was built in 2010 and a major remodelling project took place during the summer of 2016 when a new EYFS classroom was built. We are currently running as a two-form entry.

The setting of the school is particularly attractive, as it is surrounded by mature trees and lawns, and is close to Christ Church Walmsley. The school garden has been developed during 2012/13 and a trim trail was added during summer 2012.

The Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 yards have had new playground markings during summer 2012.

In autumn 2013 we had a decking area built to enhance the Key Stage 2 yard and this is also used as an outdoor classroom, as well as being made available to community groups. The school has had a partial new roof fitted in July 2014 and the car park was extended in autumn 2014. In summer 2015, the remainder of the school roof was replaced.

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A Church School Is a Church School Special?

We like to think so.

We aim to provide an excellent education in an atmosphere which reflects Christian principles and attitudes; where kindness, tolerance, cheerfulness and respect for each other are not only developed but expected and respected as in line with British Values.

What is an Aided School?

Schools fall into two main categories, ‘maintained’ (owned and run by the LA) or ‘voluntary’, in the main, church schools were built independently - Walmsley is the second oldest in Bolton.

Aided status maintains the right of parents to have their children educated in a school where the Christian faith is taught, and its values and standards upheld. A majority of the Governors are, whilst representatives of many professions, practising Christians appointed by the church. They appoint and employ the staff and are responsible for ensuring that the school runs not only on sound educational, but Christian principles too. The school has close connections with Christ Church Walmsley. The Governors own the school in trust for the church.

The privilege of Aided status presents the Governors with considerable financial responsibilities, as they were not only required to provide 10% of the cost of our new school but continue to meet 10% of building repairs and maintenance costs. The Education Reform Act 1988 also requires the Governors to be responsible for the financial management of the school's share of the Local Authority budget, covering staffing, educational provision and the maintenance of the interior of the school.

The Governors believe this privilege is worth maintaining, and trust that staff, pupils and parents will accept the responsibility to support and maintain the highest Christian principles and standards at the school.

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Church Services and School Worship We use our church for major celebrations, as well as our weekly Eucharist Service on a Thursday morning. The whole school attend along with parents, family and friends.

Our Harvest service generates gifts and contact with the local community and our Lent services provide a basis for our support of anyone needing our help, wherever they may be. Our packed church on such occasions exemplifies our one whole family commitment.

The children participate daily in a collective act of worship. The whole school comes together in worship on Friday mornings led by the children of each class in turn. Our assemblies are a cheerful and sincere Christian celebration and involve all of the children in singing, stories and prayers. Parents do have the right to withdraw their children from acts of worship, but as parents select the school for its religious affiliation, this has never occurred. We expect all our children to show respect for all religions and beliefs.

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Mission Statement As a school we pledge to: ‌be a happy school where pupils are encouraged and challenged to reach their full academic and social potential in a creative, friendly and safe Christian environment ‌work as a partnership with pupils, their families, staff and the wider community to provide an environment of honesty, responsibility and integrity ...give ownership of the opportunities presented to the school family, thus enabling them to reflect on their time at Walmsley with pride

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Admission Policy 1. Introduction Walmsley Church of England Primary School is a Voluntary Aided School. The Governing Board is the admissions authority for the school and the school is required to act in accordance with the School Admissions Code. The admissions process is co-ordinated by Bolton Council (the Local Authority) and the school liaises with the Local Authority and Manchester Diocesan Board of Education on admissions issues. Responsibility for admissions is delegated to the Governing Board’s Admissions Committee.

As required by the School Admissions Code, the admissions arrangements, including the criteria used to determine the allocation of places when the school is oversubscribed, are agreed by the Governing Board following consultation.

2. Admission Arrangements Published Admission Number The school’s Published Admission Number (PAN) is 45. If no more than 45 applications are received for admission to the reception year, all applicants will be offered places.

The school will admit all children having a statement of special educational needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in whose statement or EHCP the school is named.

Oversubscription criteria When the number of applications received is greater than the number of remaining places available (after the admission of any pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an EHCP naming the school), the decision on which children will be admitted will be based on the following oversubscription criteria, which will be applied in the order of priority set out below: 1.

Looked after children and previously looked after children. (Note (a)).

2.

Children who regularly attend Christ Church Walmsley or St Andrew’s Bromley Cross (Note (b)).

3.

Children who regularly attend any Christian Church and live within the Egerton, Bromley Cross or Sharples areas (Notes (b) and (c)).

4.

Children who already have an older brother or sister attending the school at the time of application (Note (d)).

5.

All other children.

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Notes: (a)

A “looked after child” is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions at the time of making an application to a school.

Previously looked after children are children who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order).

(b)

Regular attendance means monthly attendance of the child at a Sunday Service (deemed to include Saturday evening Eucharist) during the 12-month reference period ending on 30th September in the year prior to admission to the school (e.g., for admission to the Reception Year in September 2021, the reference period is 1st October 2019 to 30th September 2020).

In the event that during the period specified for attendance at worship the church has been closed for public worship and has not provided alternative premises for that worship, the requirements of these admission arrangements in relation to attendance will only apply to the period when the church or alternative premises have been available for public worship.

Since churches closed for public worship from 17th March 2020, for admission to Reception Year in September 2021, the reference period is exceptionally defined as 1st October 2019 to 17th March 2020.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, please see the letter below from our Chair of Governors regarding our September 2021 and September 2022 intake.

Evidence of this regular attendance must be provided by a member of the clergy or other designated church officer/faith leader on the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) (See Appendix 1). The form is also available on our School Website.

(c)

A map of the Egerton, Bromley Cross and Sharples areas is available to view at the school. ‘Christian church’ is defined as a church which is a member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. A list of member churches can be viewed at www.ctbi.org.uk.

(d)

Brother or sister includes full brother or sister, half brother or sister and adopted or fostered children living at the same address.

(e)

To prioritise between otherwise equal cases after application of criteria 2-5 (or within those criteria as necessary), places will be allocated on the basis of geographical proximity to the school, using the “Straight-line Measurement” (see below for full definition) - nearer addresses having priority.

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(The distance is measured in a straight-line using RouteFinder, a computerized mapping system. The measurement is from the centre of the child’s normal home address to the designated main entrance to the school) The ‘normal’ home address of the child will be taken to be the home in which the child sleeps for the majority of the school week. Parents may be asked to show proof of address. For children of UK Service Personnel and other Crown Servants returning to the area, proof of the posting is all that is required.

September 2020

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY Covid-19 Implications for Recording Church Attendance The Admissions Policy for Walmsley School currently includes provision for ‘ranking’ applications in the event of over-subscription for places – with some of the criteria linked to regular attendance at church over a specified 12-month period.

As you will be aware, in light of the pandemic, places of worship were closed on 17th March. Whilst some have since re-opened following an easing of restrictions, restricted seating and other measures are often in place in order to make churches Covid secure and hence technically all churches are not fully open for worship.

The Church of England, in consultation with the DfE and Office of Schools’ Adjudicator (OSA), along with all Diocesan Directors of Education, subsequently issued advice that attendance at church worship should not be recorded until after Covid-19 restrictions have fully ceased and we reach the position where all churches can open fully for worship.

As a result, we applied for – and obtained approval of – a variation to our published Policy whereby for children applying to enter Walmsley School in September 2021 and claiming priority on the basis of regular church attendance, we would only record their attendance at church services up to 17th March 2020. Parents have been advised of this change and the Supplementary Information Form completed to evidence church attendance has been amended to reflect this.

We are currently awaiting further guidance regarding variation to our over-subscription criteria for the intake in September 2022 and beyond. The relevant recording period for admission to Walmsley in September 2022 would normally have commenced in October 2020 (possibly earlier for other schools) BUT until restrictions imposed by Covid-19 have passed and there is unrestricted and open access to all for public worship (i.e. until it is without any restrictions on numbers attending), churches will not be recording attendance for school admissions purposes.

I will provide an update regarding admissions for 2022 once we have received further guidance from Diocese.

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Anthony Slack Chair of Governors

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Tie-breakers As indicated above, where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, the geographical proximity to the school (as defined in Note (e)) will be used as the determining factor, nearer addresses having priority.

If the “Straight-line Measurement” does not distinguish between two or more applicants with equal priority for the remaining place, random allocation will be used as the final tie-breaker. This will be supervised by someone independent of the school.

Children from multiple births Where there are children of multiple births wishing to be admitted and the sibling (brother or sister) is offered the final place, the Governors may admit over the published admission number, if it is possible to do so.

Infant class size Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the School Admissions Code, infant classes (those where the majority of children will reach the age of 5, 6 or 7 during the school year) must not contain more than 30 pupils with a single school teacher. Additional children may be admitted under limited exceptional circumstances.

These children will remain “excepted pupils” for the time they are in an infant class or until the class numbers fall back to the current infant class size limit. A list of “excepted pupils” is set out in the School Admissions Code.

Applying for places Applications must be made on the local authority’s application form. Details of all the applications made will be forwarded to the school by the local authority.

In addition to the local authority form, please complete and return the school’s Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if you wish your child to be considered for entry under the faith-based criteria (criteria 2 and 3).

Waiting list Where we have more applications than places, the oversubscription criteria will be used to determine the allocation of places. 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 is not one of the admissions criteria, it cannot be a criterion for the order of names on the waiting list, and 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 for 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 Page 15 of 42

an appeal has been submitted. This waiting list will operate until 31st December at the end of the autumn term following admissions in September.

For in-year admissions, there is a form that needs to be signed by the Head Teacher of the child’s previous school.

Appeals Where the governors are unable to offer a place because the school is over-subscribed, parents will be informed of the reason why admission was refused and of their right to appeal to an independent admission appeal panel.

Parents wishing to appeal must set out their grounds for appeal in writing within 14 days of receiving the letter refusing a place and must send the appeal to: The Clerk to the Governing Board c/o the School (please mark the envelope ‘Admissions Appeal’).

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.

Admission outside the child’s normal age group Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill-health. In addition, the parents of a summer born child may choose not to send that child to school until the September following their fifth birthday and may request that they are admitted out of their normal age group – to reception rather than year 1.

Parents requesting admission out of the normal age group must put their request in writing, addressed to the Headteacher at the school, together with any supporting evidence that the parent wishes to be taken into account. The Governing Board will make decisions on requests for admission outside the normal age group on the basis of the circumstances of each case and in the best interests of the child concerned. This will include taking account of the parent’s views; any information provided about the child’s academic, social and emotional development; where relevant, their medical history and the views of a medical professional; whether they have previously been educated out of their normal age group; and whether they may naturally have fallen into a lower age group if it were not for being born prematurely. The Governing Board will also take into account the views of the Headteacher. When informing a parent of their Page 16 of 42

decision on the year group the child should be admitted to, the Governing Board will set out clearly the reasons for their decision.

Where the Governing Board agrees to a parent’s request for their child to be admitted out of their normal age group and, as a consequence of that decision, the child will be admitted to a relevant age group (i.e. the age group to which pupils are normally admitted to the school) the local authority and Governing Board must process the application as part of the main admissions round, unless the parental request is made too late for this to be possible, and on the basis of their determined admission arrangements only, including the application of oversubscription criteria where applicable. The Governing Board must not give the application lower priority on the basis that the child is being admitted out of their normal age group.

Parents have a statutory right to appeal against the refusal of a place at a school for which they have applied. This right does not apply if they are offered a place at the school but it is not in their preferred age group.

School Organisation In 2020 / 2021, the school will have:  

6 classes in Key Stage One. 8 classes in Key Stage Two.

In KS1, we have six full-time teachers and three teaching assistants.

In KS2, we have six full-time teachers, two part-time teachers and four teaching assistants. The Deputy Head, Assistant Head and Head Teacher provide curriculum release time and cover for courses or staff absences. We also have specialist dance, music, modern foreign language and PE specialists who come into school on a weekly basis.

Class Organisation Each child is supported and encouraged in all areas, performing at a level commensurate with his or her capabilities. Whilst terms Infant (or Key Stage 1) and Junior (or Key Stage 2) are used, there are no restrictions placed upon any child's rate of development, either within a department or class.

Teachers assess each child as they enter Reception class. Continuous assessment takes place during the first year and all subsequent years in school. The children are very much individuals and require much individual treatment. Their pre-school experiences differ, as does their ability to work with other children. They will learn to read and write at very differing rates, and they will be allowed to develop at a rate suitable to their individual needs. Children are taught for most of the time by their class Page 17 of 42

teacher, but occasionally by teachers who have a special skill to offer. They spend time in their classrooms with the whole class and in areas with a smaller group depending on the activity being undertaken. Teaching assistants play a vital role in the teaching of our children and are used in a variety of different ways to support and enhance the class teaching.

All children are encouraged and supported to develop their potential.

The National Curriculum All children are required to be educated according to the requirements of the National Curriculum, which provides a development framework for the education of children between the ages of 5 and 18. The National Curriculum is divided up into a number of Key Stages, and Development Levels.

Foundation Stage This consists of Nursery and Reception age children.

Foundation Stage curriculum.

These children follow the

Key Stage 1 This consists of Year 1 and Year 2 children. They work according to their ability from working towards Level 1 using the Steppingstone of the Early Learning Goals in Reception, and then proceeding to expected level or working at a greater depth within year group expectations.

Key Stage 2 Primary Schools are required to teach eleven subject areas. These eleven subjects are split into two categories, Core or Foundation. The greatest time is given to the teaching of English and Mathematics, an hour to English and an hour to Mathematics per day.

Plus as a Church school, 10% of time is given to the RE curriculum.

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The core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education.

The foundation subjects are History, Geography, Music, Art, Design & Technology, Physical Education, French, PSHE and Computing.

Children participate in national testing at the end of each key stage. Parents receive details of their child's performance in these tests. Assessment is an integral part of school life and all staff use it as a tool to inform us of where a child needs to go next and what we need to teach.

The Early Years - An Overview The period from the age of three to the end of the Reception year is described as the Foundation Stage. It is a distinct stage and is important both in its own right and in preparing children for later schooling. The early learning goals set out what is expected for most children by the end of the foundation stage. The early learning goals are divided into two areas: prime and specific.

Prime   

Physical Communication and Language Personal, Social and Emotional

Specific    

Literacy Mathematics Expressive Arts and Design Understanding of the World

The Early Years curriculum is carefully structured. It has provision for the different starting points from which children develop their learning, building on what they can already do. It has relevant and appropriate content which matches the different levels of the children’s needs and has planned and purposeful activities which provide opportunities for teaching and learning.

Play is an essential part of the Early Years curriculum. Children can explore, experiment, plan and make decisions for themselves.

Throughout the Foundation Stage, children are given opportunities to play in a purposeful way, both indoors and outdoors.

Children who have achieved the Early Learning Goals will begin to study the National Curriculum whenever appropriate.

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Our aims during the foundation stage are to support, foster, promote and develop children’s: 



Personal, social and emotional wellbeing: in particular by supporting the transition to and between settings, promoting an inclusive ethos and providing opportunities for each child to become a valued member of that group and community so that a strong self-image and self-esteem are promoted.

Positive attitudes and dispositions towards their learning: in particular an enthusiasm for knowledge and learning, and a confidence in their ability to be successful learners.

Core Subjects – An Overview English Our aim is to enable the children to develop the ability to be able to:  

communicate effectively both in speech and writing listen and read with understanding and with pleasure

We regard English to be the most important core subject, as it is a pre-requisite for success in any academic area. Consequently, it is given more lesson time than any other subject.

Reading, the key to any successful English programme, commences as soon as possible after entry to school. We use a very thorough, phonic based reading programme to develop techniques and confidence. Parental co-operation is sought from the outset, as reading books are sent home regularly. Each child's reading development is carefully controlled and monitored, until it reaches a desirable level of fluency, after which the emphasis transfers to more advanced reading techniques, and the introduction of a wider variety of texts and authors.

Children are encouraged to discuss their work to enable them to formulate, clarify and express their ideas, and to listen, understand and respond appropriately to others.

Writing at Key Stage 1 concentrates on the development of fluency and confidence, and the introduction of essential presentational skills - accurate punctuation, correct spelling and legible handwriting. Transfer to Key Stage 2 brings a more formalised approach to spelling, handwriting, grammar, composition and comprehension development.

Reading, writing and SPAG tests are conducted annually in the KS2 department, and results are available on request. At KS1 level, normal home/school tasks ensure that parents are continuously involved in and aware of reading and writing progress.

Formalised homework is given in all classes.

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Mathematics Our aim at Key Stage 1 is to help children to:     

develop their use and understanding of mathematics learn to count and prepare for work on place value and with larger numbers to develop confident and competently use the four operations of number in relevant contexts develop skills in measuring and estimating recognise simple shapes and patterns

At Key Stage 2 children are introduced to more complex computational procedures and a wider range of mathematical procedures and skills.

The National Curriculum is used throughout the school, permitting systematic and continuous development. The programme meets all requirements of the National Curriculum and emphasises sound understanding of computational procedures, and their application in everyday life situations.

The children also receive weekly practice in tables and mental work.

The school has a considerable range of mathematical equipment to aid practical as well as theoretical development, including calculators and computers. Formalised homework is given in all classes.

Science We aim to provide a range of activities and investigations which will help the children to: Page 21 of 42

  

develop their knowledge and discovery of science foster an awareness of the role and importance of science in everyday life to provide enjoyment in, and enthusiasm for, scientific discovery At Key Stage 1 children will investigate the following topics: Humans, Materials, Day and Night, Forces, Plants, Animals, Transport, Sound & Music, Food, Change, Mini-beasts, Electricity & Magnetism.

A similar range of topics is introduced at Key Stage 2, building on the knowledge and experiences gained in KS1, and introducing more sophisticated analysis techniques.

In Year 6, children study a series of mini-topics, thereby enabling them to review at the age of eleven the many scientific areas undertaken earlier in school. They also discuss and explore topical and environmental issues. The school places considerable emphasis on the development of scientific knowledge through 'hands on' experience, and has acquired, with the support of the PTA, a substantial bank of Scientific resource materials and equipment.

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Geography We aim to enable our children to develop:   

geographical knowledge and understanding through the study of our locality principal features of Britain, Europe and other continents understanding of climatic and physical variations in our world how the lifestyles of people are affected by them At Key Stage 1 children will investigate the locality of the school, a contrasting locality, the quality of the environment in a locality and will be taught to: observe their surroundings, use an increasing range of geographical terms, record what they see, follow directions and routes on maps and plans, use maps and globes to identify major geographical features, e.g., seas, rivers, cities, etc.

At Key Stage 2 children undertake more in-depth studies of places, are introduced to more detailed and sophisticated maps and study localities and physical and environmental features in Britain, Europe and other continents.

History We aim to encourage the children to develop an interest in historical development by studying events, people and objects in our history.

At Key Stage 1 children learn:  

to develop a sense of time and to sequence objects and events about changes that have taken place in the lives of adults around them about the lives of different kinds of famous men and women past events which have been commemorated by succeeding generations

In Key Stage 2, the children undertake more detailed study of:    

social developments and important events in British history an ancient civilisation a Non-European society local history

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Art & Design The children are provided with opportunities and encouraged to develop their creative, imaginative and practical skills. We have a varied programme of activities which includes: drawing, painting, colour mixing, pattern making, modelling, building, designing and making simple products.

At KS2 level, children extend their artistic and creative experiences and will use a much wider variety of artistic techniques. They will plan, design and evaluate a wider and more complex range of products. In both Key Stages, children focus on famous artists and study their work.

Music At all levels our aim is that children should learn to enjoy and appreciate music of all kinds, by listening and performing and composing. We encourage children to develop their musical talents to their full potential.

At Key Stage 1, children are encouraged to play and experiment with a wide variety of instruments. Key Stage 2 children have the opportunity to learn to play other instruments through Bolton Music Service who come into school weekly to provide tuition in piano, woodwind, brass and strings. Parents should contact Bolton Music Service direct to sign up for instrument lessons. The school has a Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2 Choir who rehearse weekly. They perform regularly, in school concerts and functions and in the wider community. Mr Martin, a specialist music teacher, works across school to enhance music provision.

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Physical Education All children participate in: 

 

Gymnastics: where they will learn to practice and refine agility and movement sequences, and use, in accordance with their age and ability, our wide range of gymnastic apparatus.

Dance: where they will learn to compose and control movement, express feelings and moods, and respond to music or other stimuli.

Games: where at Key Stage 1 they will develop elementary ball and team skills, and at Key Stage 2 develop and extend the skills to involvement in such familiar sports as football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, rounders, tennis and athletics, utilising indoor and outdoor facilities.

School has a large playing field that is often used for PE lessons as well as for sports days and sports events with other schools. Swimming tuition is provided to all Year 5 children at Turton School. We use outside coaches to provide a wide range of experiences. We have a specialist dance teacher and PE teacher to provide expertise.

Computing Each classroom has at least one computer with a wide range of application programmes along with an interactive whiteboard as part of its normal everyday equipment. We have a class set of laptop computers which children in both Key Stages uses each week and which greatly enhance teaching and learning. We also have iPads for use throughout school. Children are introduced on entry to the school, and throughout the Early Years and Key Stage 1 to computers, calculation, and other technological control devices. Much of the work is aimed at developing confident usage and an appreciation of the opportunities which technology provides.

The school's programme permits the development and acquisition of an increasingly complex range of skills in areas such as word processing, data handling, simulation, information management and coding. We regularly hold Online Safety assemblies and information evenings for parents.

On-line safety is paramount in school. We have Parents’ Evenings, assemblies and updates to ensure children are safe on-line.

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Religious Education Religious Education is an essential part of our curriculum, and we endeavour:   

to engender an understanding of Christian principles and values encourage children to develop an appreciation of the needs of others develop a knowledge of our faith, Bible, Christians past and present, and their relevance and application to everyday life

An act of worship is held daily. We maintain our close links with Christ Church Walmsley; during the year services for parents and children are held in church, and the clergy play an active part in our religious development. Reverend Carol is a regular visitor in school and runs an Ethos Group which meets weekly.

It is assumed that as parents have chosen to send their children to this school for a Christian education, they will wish their children to participate in religious worship and lessons. Parents who wish to exercise their right of withdrawal under Section 25 of the 1944 Education Act, should consult the Head Teacher, before completing a formal application for a place at the school.

PSHE, including Sex Education Each class has a timetabled Personal, Social and Health Education lesson each week.

Through the study of other cultures and religions, we foster the interest, appreciation, and celebration of people who are different than ourselves.

We continually acknowledge and celebrate the world’s diversity. Our PSHE lessons also give us unlimited opportunities to explore the development of positive relationships and care for others. Throughout the school the children's attention is drawn to the fact that they need to care about their body, hygiene, their personal feelings and need to respect those of others.

Science programmes require the children to talk naturally about the bodies of humans and animals, including reference to reproduction and body organs.

Human reproduction is a scheduled part of the Year 6 curriculum, and we endeavour to treat it as something quite natural. Good quality films are used to introduce the topic and to stimulate discussion. We also provide First Aid Training for our Year 6 children.

We accord parents the right to withdraw children from these lessons. Our older children are given further responsibilities as Peer Mediators, Playground Pals and support for the younger children and Infant staff.

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Modern Foreign Languages All children in Key Stage 2 learn French with the focus being on the spoken language. We are very lucky to have our own Modern Foreign Language teacher. Children are pleased to participate in our annual French Themed Day which consists of a day full of French activities including food tasting, singing and writing to pen pals. We have an annual activity weekend in France planned for the summer term for children in Years 5 and 6 which is an amazing and enriching experience.

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Walmsley School believes that every child is special, should be valued irrespective of abilities or individual differences and encouraged to develop to their full potential and contribute to the life of the school. It is inevitable in any community or school to find those who may require special help or attention to achieve their potential. The school has clear policies on early identification of such children, and the provision of necessary additional support.

The school operates support within each year group. Children who need extra support receive their teaching in smaller groups, from both teaching staff and teaching assistants. These groups can and do change year on year. The aim of the support is to enable each child to hopefully make the expected grades by the age of eleven. See the SEND offer on the school website.

Examinations Children in Key Stage 2 are examined annually in Mathematics, Reading and SPAG, and Teacher Assessment is used for Writing and Science. Tests are conducted throughout the year to inform teaching.

The National Curriculum requires National tests at the age of 7 and 11. Tests for 7-year olds commenced in 1991. However, since 2005 teacher assessment at Key Stage 1 is the level of which parents will be notified. Tests for 11-year olds commenced in 1995.

Homework Homework is formally set for all children who attend Walmsley School.

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Children are also regularly required to take reading materials home for further practice and development as well as complete or prepare work, learn spellings; tables etc and are encouraged to develop their work at home. Parental support, especially in reading development, is recognised as being of great value. We use NumBots and Times Table Rock Stars to support homework.

Charging for Activities The school does arrange several activities which go beyond the scope of normal provision, eg visits, for which it is reasonable that a charge be made. Parents are informed in advance of such activities and have the right to determine their child's involvement. Every attempt is made to ensure that both the frequency and cost of any such activity is reasonable enough to permit the involvement of all children. Our fabulous PTA subsidise many of our trips.

Parental Support Developing Relationships It is important for everybody that positive relationships develop between the school and its staff and parents. It is so important for you to feel that you can trust us to care for your child, and for us to know that we have your trust. Parents are extremely welcome at the school.

No child will pass through the school without its parents being worried about something.

Concerns can normally be resolved by a chat with the teacher. Staff will readily make themselves available at the beginning or end of the day to speak with parents. If a problem arises at home, which may affect a child's education or happiness, we would prefer to know about it and to give support. Similarly, a teacher may wish to discuss a problem with parents and seek their support. Hopefully the principle of a caring school runs through all that we do.

Parent Teacher Association The school has a fantastic PTA which raises huge amounts for school funds by organising fun activities for the school family. We have the Christmas and Summer Fairs, Easter Egg Bingo, Ladies Pamper Evenings, to name just a few. All parents are automatically members and receive details of activities.

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Reporting Formal Reporting All parents receive an annual written report on the progress of their child/children and are invited to discuss progress with the class teacher(s) during the Spring Term. There is a Parent’s Information Evening held in September of each year and a Parent’s Evening held in January. The performance of each child is closely monitored and recorded as it progresses through the National Curriculum and the school. This information is available, on request, to parents.

Informal Reporting The formal reporting procedures provide a necessary mechanism to ensure contact between school and parents. It is not uncommon for parents to feel that contact with the school should only be made when things go wrong.

At Walmsley School, however, we encourage a regular dialogue between staff and parents and view it as an important support tool, as a means of praising, helping and supporting your child; parents are welcome to discuss any matter at any time. We have an ‘open-door’ policy, where parents may come in to discuss anything, at any time.

The School Curriculum The 1988 Education Reform Act states that all schools must set up a procedure for dealing with complaints about the curriculum of the school. You have the right to ask or complain about the following matters concerning the curriculum of the school:      

The parts of the 1988 Education Reform Act dealing with the curriculum The way the National Curriculum is being taught The teaching of Religious Education Whether your child is being taught all of the National Curriculum If our policy on charging is being carried out in relation to the National Curriculum Whether you are allowed access to the documents listed in the next section

The Head Teacher will discuss your concerns with you and your child's teacher.

If you are still concerned, you should put your concerns in writing and send them to the Head Teacher. She will pass the matter to the relevant committee of the Governing Body, who would finally deal with the matter.

However as far as we are concerned, if you are worried about any aspect of your child's learning or development, please talk to us!

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What you have the right to see You have the right to see a copy of the following documents:       

The curricular aims of the school The part of the 1988 Act relating to the National Curriculum Any OFSTED/HMI report which refers to the school Schemes of Work presently used in the school Any syllabuses followed The Governors' Complaints Procedure The Governors' Charging Policy The times of the school day

Annual Report to Parents Parents are issued with a report from the Governing Body dealing with various aspects of their work and that of the school.

Attendance Record You are required to be informed of:  

your child's personal attendance record (this will be included with your child's annual report) the school's overall attendance record

National Curriculum Test Results Parents of children taking the tests are informed immediately of their child's personal results.

These are your legal rights and we are required to inform you of them. As far as we are concerned you are not just parents but partners in our school. If you want to know anything or see anything, just ask.

Good Behaviour - Golden Time We have ‘Golden Rules’ for the classroom, dining hall and playground. These are general rules for life and we would like you to share them with your child at home.

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Here are the three sets of rules.

Playground Golden Rules      

Do be gentle - Do not hurt anybody Do be kind and helpful - Do not hurt other people’s feelings Do play well with others - Do not spoil other’s games Do care for your playground - Do not spoil or damage anything Do listen to people - Do not interrupt Do be honest - Do not cover up the truth.

Golden Rules      

Do be gentle - Do not hurt anybody Do be kind and helpful - Do not hurt other people’s feelings Do work hard - Do not waste other people’s times Do look after property - Do not waste or damage things Do listen to people - Do not interrupt Do be honest - Do not cover up the truth

Lunchtime Rules      

We line up quietly We finish what we are eating before we speak We remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ We put our rubbish away We put our hands up to ask to leave the hall We talk quietly to the person next to us

Extra Activities Extra-Curricular Activities The school has teams for all major sporting activities, and matches are arranged against other schools. A variety of sporting events take place throughout the year.

There are opportunities for children to participate in a wide range of sporting activities led by staff or specialist coaches. We have a number of clubs that currently operate either before/after school or at lunchtimes: iPad, art, choir, blogging, sports, computing, dodgeball, netball, cross country, science, gardening and chicken club.

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Charitable Activities These take place during the year, and especially during Lent, when parents and the whole Parish support the children in charitable events. During Lent 2020, our Year 6 Charity Committee raised £755 for the ‘Foundation of Peace’.

Other Activities Places of interest in the Bolton area and beyond are occasionally visited during the year to enrich curricular activities. Recently we have been to Smithills Farm, Skipton Castle, Chester Zoo, Heysham Power Station, Alton Towers, Chateau Du Broutel in France and Tatton Park, to name a few. We regularly have drama or musical groups visit the school. Trips are an integral part to enhance the curriculum and learning.

Shows School has a thriving creative life. For the past 9 years we have performed an end of year show in July, at our local Parish Hall Theatre.

These productions have involved around 130 children and many staff and parents have helped over the three nights. Shows we have performed include: The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, The Lion King Jnr, Mary Poppins and Aladdin Jnr. Visit our website for more show stopping information.

School Leavers Forty nine children left Walmsley School in summer 2020.

Of these: Turton Canon Slade Bolton School Sharples Kearsley Academy St Michael’s CE High School

26 18 1 2 1 1

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School Uniform The school has a uniform which is expected to be worn with pride.

Items School Tie (optional) Shorts / Trousers / Skirt / Pinafore Dress V-Neck / Crew Neck sweatshirt or Cardigan Shirt or Polo Shirt Summer Dress Shoes (not trainers) PE Shorts T-Shirt Plimsolls Outdoor Tracksuit Trainers

Colour Blue with red/white stripes Grey Royal blue White Blue Checked Black Royal Blue White Black Suitable for Outdoor PE No Crop Tops Suitable Footwear

Uniform cardigans, sweatshirts, polo shirts, all bearing our school badge may be purchased from Mr Lucas, our uniform supplier, every Friday morning from 8.10am.

These are also available from Harrisons at Astley Bridge. Supermarkets and Marks and Spencer stock grey trousers, skirts, plain polo shirts and summer dresses.

Physical Education All children have a PE uniform consisting of royal blue shorts and white T-shirt.

All children require a pair of plimsolls. Key Stage 2 children also require trainers and a tracksuit for games sessions.

All items of clothing, including footwear, MUST be labelled. Plimsolls, together with sports clothing, should be kept in a bag at school.

Lost Property Children can be careless with clothing, which on the whole is extremely expensive. Any unnamed article is placed in a lost property box. Parents are welcome to check its contents. Please however reduce the ‘risks’ by ensuring that every garment or piece of footwear bears your child’s name.

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Dates and Times Morning School opens at 8.45am, when children may come into class and start a pre-set activity.

All children must be in class by the start of registration at 8.55am. It is really important that children arrive at school on time.

Lunchtime is 12.00pm -1.00pm for our Key Stage 1 children and 12.15pm – 1.15pm for Key Stage 2.

There are two playtimes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

As a healthy school, we encourage our children to drink water throughout the day and we ask that all children be provided with a named water bottle.

Children have access to a water dispenser to refill their bottles as required.

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Term Dates 2020-2021 - School Calendar Autumn Term Term Begins:

Tuesday, 8th September 2020

Half Term:

Friday, 23rd October – Friday, 30th October 2020

Term Ends:

Friday, 18th December 2020

Spring Term Term Begins:

Monday, 4th January 2021

Half Term:

Monday, 15th February – Friday, 19th February 2021

Term Ends:

Thursday, 1st April 2021

Summer Term Term Begins:

Monday, 19th April 2021

Bank Holiday:

Monday, 3rd May 2021

Half Term:

Friday, 28th May – Friday, 4th June 2021

Term Ends:

Friday, 23rd July 2021

Term Dates 2021-2022 - School Calendar

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Autumn Term Term Begins:

Tuesday, 7th September 2021

Half Term:

Friday, 22nd October – Friday, 29th October 2021

Term Ends:

Wednesday, 22nd December 2021

Spring Term Term Begins:

Thursday, 6th January 2022

Half Term:

Monday, 14th February – Friday, 18th February 2022

Term Ends:

Friday, 1st April 2022

Summer Term Term Begins:

Tuesday, 19th April 2022

Bank Holiday:

Monday, 2nd May 2022

Half Term:

Friday, 27th May – Friday, 3rd June 2022

Term Ends:

Friday, 22nd July 2022

Please note: School may be closed on Thursday, 5th May 2022 if school is used as a Polling Station.

Caring for Our Pupils Medical Nurses from the Local Health Service regularly visit the school, undertaking sight, hearing and other tests, and are available to perform health checks on request.

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Parents are informed about any matter requiring attention and will be given support and advice.

Medical Information If a pupil has a serious or recurring medical problem, it is advisable for a note to be made on the child’s records. There is a section on the admission form for the insertion of necessary information, which will of course be confidential.

Illness at School There is no comfortable, quiet place in a school for a sick child to rest. Should your child be unwell, we would contact you, or your nominated contact person to allow more appropriate arrangements to be made. The school has facilities to deal with minor playtime cuts and grazes, and we would naturally cater for any child hurt in this way.

Please keep your child at home for 24 hours after having had sickness or diarrhoea

Medicines Teachers are not permitted to administer medicines, nor are medicines, tablets, etc, allowed in classrooms for obvious safety reasons. Whilst usually it is preferable for a child in need of medicines to be at home, as they are susceptible to other illnesses, it is appreciated that some medications run a course which is longer than the child’s illness.

In such cases, parents may visit school to give medicines at prescribed times or with a letter of consent a member of the senior management team will administer the medicine. Items, such as asthma inhalers or EpiPens, which are required to be used on a regular basis, are of course permitted, but must be clearly marked. Asthma inhalers and EpiPens are kept in classrooms in a clearly marked box.

Telephone Numbers It is vital that we have up to date telephone numbers. Please keep school advised of current numbers: home, mobile (especially if you want to receive texts) and work, and current email addresses.

Absences If your child is absent from school, we must be notified by 9.00am on the first day of absence. Please keep us informed as to the duration of any absence. If we do not hear from you, school will contact you to ensure that you are aware of your child’s absence.

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School starts at 8.55am promptly. Please ensure that your children arrive at school on time as late arrivals disrupt the morning routine. Any children who do arrive late must come in through the main entrance and ensure that they are signed in before going down to class.

Holidays From September 2013 holidays in term time will NOT be authorised. We have never authorised holiday absence for children in Year 6 or for any child during SATs week in May but have been flexible regarding holidays at other times. However, the new regulations from 1 September 2018 mean that there will be no authorised holidays. If parents do decide to take their children out of school regardless of these regulations, there is a form that is available from the school office and can be downloaded from the school website which must be completed to inform us of the dates your child will be absent from school. The process is that the days of absence will be marked as ‘unauthorised’ in the attendance register. More than 5 days in total of unauthorised absence will result in a fine from the Local Authority. Unauthorised absences include lates, so as always punctuality is very important. Full details of penalty notices and possible fines are on the school website.

Medical Appointments If advance notice of the appointment is given, pupils may be collected from the school office. It is not possible, for security reasons, to permit a child to leave school early to meet a parent at another location.

Messages The school office is available to receive telephone messages between 8.00am and 4.30pm (4.00pm on Fridays). Please note that teachers are not permitted to leave classrooms to respond to telephone calls. Messages can be taken, and staff will endeavour to return calls after school.

Cars Undue movement of cars in our restricted access area puts our children at risk. Only in an emergency should parents drive into the school grounds. Please, please, please do not drive into the area outside the gates to drop children off, it is extremely dangerous.

To keep our children safe we have gates on the entrance to school. These are locked from 8.30am – 9.10am and from 3.15pm until 3.40pm. They are locked for safety reasons during the above times and there are no exceptions.

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Most children enjoy our delicious healthy school meals which provide an excellent selfservice lunch time meal with 2 or 3 choices of main meals and desserts. Alternatively, children may bring a packed lunch. Changes in school meals arrangements may be made at half-termly intervals. Dinner money is payable in advance on Monday morning or at the beginning of each half term. Children are issued with personalised dinner bills each half term. The LA provides information on Free School Meals. Bolton Council provides a free school meal for all KS1 children. Parents in receipt of certain benefits are entitled to the school meal benefit and further information can be obtained from school.

Safeguarding Our safeguarding policy states that anyone entering school must sign in and be issued with a visitors badge after having their photographic ID checked. All parent helpers are subject to enhanced DBS checks. One of our top priorities in school which is constantly monitored and evaluated is the welfare, well-being and safeguarding of our pupils. We have a number of policies, procedures and practices, all of a high standard, to ensure that this is the case including: Child Protection, Anti-Bullying, Inclusion, Equal Opportunities, Race Equality, Health and Safety, Attendance, Discipline and Behaviour, Physical Restraint Policies and Complaints Procedures. These are reviewed annually by our Governing Body and all staff are aware of the need for up most vigilance in abiding by these. Parents are encouraged to discuss ANY concerns regarding the health, safety, protection and development of their child with the Class Teacher or the Head Teacher who is the school Safeguarding Officer.

We will contact you to enquire of any injuries and report serious concerns. The welfare, safety and happiness of your children is paramount.

Starting School Starting school is a very exciting and momentous occasion. However, it can be a very worrying time, especially for the parent. Many of the early problems are usually of a practical, rather than educational nature.

We arrange for parents to attend an introductory meeting, and for the children to spend part of a day in school prior to commencement. We also issue you with a special sheet, which remains confidential, on which we ask you to give the kind of information that only you as parents know about your child, and which we hope you will share with us.

The sooner we understand your child, as a personality, the sooner we can commence working effectively with him/her.

Please help us to make your child’s entry into school as smooth and happy an experience as is possible. It would be extremely helpful if your child could do the following things: 

Have shoes without laces Page 39 of 42

     

Dress and undress Remove outdoor clothing and hang them on a peg Use a knife and fork Use the toilet properly and perform other reasonable hygienic requirements i.e. blow nose Wash and dry hands and face efficiently Tidy up after using toys, apparatus, books

It usually does go very smoothly, but if you are worried about something, tell us; if you require information, ask; otherwise we won’t know, and this may risk what is of paramount importance.

Your child’s happiness is paramount: your child’s success and feeling of achievement is celebrated and encouraged.

Attendance The figures in the table below show pupils’ attendance at Walmsley School over a twoyear period.

Walmsley School Attendance Information.

2018/2019 Attendance Rate % Walmsley CE School

96.89%

2019/2020 Attendance Rate % 96.83% (up to 20/03/20)

Where attendance falls below 95% for the school, an analysis of the patterns of absence and their effect on attainment needs to be undertaken. This analysis may show whether poor attendance or punctuality affect particular groups of pupils.

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Appendix 1 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FORM FOR PARENTS APPLYING FOR ADMISSION INTO WALMSLEY CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL Only forms countersigned by the Church can be considered. The completed form should be returned to Walmsley CE Primary School (marked for the attention of the School Business Manager) by the closing date for applications.

NB You may still show Walmsley CE Primary School as your preference even if you do not regularly attend Church / another place of worship. In such cases this form need not be completed - your application will be considered on the basis of the other admissions criteria.

The admission criteria are published in our Admissions Policy - this is available via the school website. For further help, please contact the school.

If you are applying for priority allocation of a place on exceptional medical or social grounds you must ensure that supporting professional evidence (e.g. a letter from a doctor, psychologist or social worker) explaining why the child should attend Walmsley CE School rather than any other school - and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school - is sent to Walmsley CE Primary School by the closing date for applications. ************************* Child’s Name: _____________________________________________________________ Child’s Address: ___________________________________________________________ Which church / place of worship does the child attend? ____________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Has the child attended a Sunday Service (deemed to include Saturday evening Eucharist) at church at least monthly during the12-month qualifying period ending on 30th September in the year prior to admission to the school? * In the event that during the period specified for attendance at worship the church has been closed for public worship and has not provided alternative premises for that worship, the requirements of these admission arrangements in relation to attendance will only apply to the period when the church or alternative premises have been available for public worship. (e.g. since churches closed for public worship from 17th March 2020, for admission to the Reception Year in September 2021, the reference period is exceptionally defined as 1st October 2019 to 17th March 2020) YES/NO I declare that the above information is correct and complete.

Parent’s signature: ________________

___________________________________

Date:

I confirm that the above information is correct and complete. I can verify that the child named has met the church attendance criterion published in the July 2020 variation of the School’s Admissions Policy.

Vicar/authorised ____________

Official’s

Signature:

_________________________

Name (please ________________________________________________________

Date: print):

Address: _________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________ _________________________

Tel.

No:

NB Forms which have not been countersigned by a church official will not be taken into consideration.

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