PRE-SCHOOL HANDBOOK 25-26

Page 1


“Curiosity in children is but an appetite for knowledge” PRE-SCHOOL HANDBOOK

TERRINGTON HALL SCHOOL VISION AND VALUES

OUR VALUES:

Kindness

We act with kindness always. It is at the heart of everything we do. We show children the power of kindness, encouraging them to act with empathy for each other, their community and our planet.

Confidence As we take our children on a journey of discovery, we make learning fun and light a spark in hearts and minds. We show how with every small step, we learn and build confidence in our own unique abilities.

Courage

It takes courage to do the right thing. We act with integrity, showing the value of honesty and good character. We show how with courage, we can take calculated risks and be willing to have a go without fear of failure.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

As the world around us evolves, so do we. We encourage children to expand their minds, life experiences and skills, to build confidence and effect change, and for the future.

Welcome

Term dates

Useful Contacts Details

Communication and Raising Concerns Daily Routine

Absence, Illness and Health Matters

Mental Health and Wellbeing ACADEMIC INFORMATION

WELCOME

A very warm welcome to our Pre-Prep Department! We are delighted to have your child join our vibrant school community, where learning is not only a journey of academic growth but also one of emotional, social, and personal development.

At Terrington Hall, we are committed to providing a nurturing and engaging environment that inspires curiosity and a love of learning. Our approach is child-centred, and we believe every child has unique talents and abilities. Through our child-centred approach, we work closely with each child to ensure they are supported, encouraged, and challenged to reach their full potential, both in the classroom and beyond, and that they feel valued, happy, and excited to learn each day.

We value close partnerships with parents to ensure that each child’s individual needs are met, and welcome open communication. Through parent consultations and weekly assemblies and newsletters, we celebrate the children's progress and unique talents and abilities together.

I hope you find this handbook a useful document as a first point of reference for information about the Pre-Prep and wider school. However, if you have any unanswered questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We are excited to be part of your child's journey and to watch them grow and flourish.

TERM DATES

2025—2026

Term dates for 2025 - 2026 are as follows:

Michaelmas term 2025

Term Begins

Exeat

Half Term

Exeat

Term Ends

Lent term 2026

Term Begins

Exeat

Half Term

Exeat

Term Ends

Wednesday 3rd September

Saturday 27th September– Sunday 28th September

Saturday 18th October – Sunday 2nd November

Saturday 22nd November – Sunday 23rd November

Thursday 11th December

Tuesday 6th January

Saturday 24th January – Sunday 25h January

Saturday 14th February– Sunday 22nd February

Saturday 14th March– Sunday 15th March

Friday 27th March

Summer term 2026

Term Begins

Bank Holiday

Half Term

Exeat

Term Ends

Tuesday 21st April

Saturday 2nd May—Monday 4th May

Saturday 23rd May Sunday 31st May

Saturday 13th June– Sunday 14th June

Wednesday 1st July

USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS

We have listed the names of those staff who you will meet most frequently whilst your child is in Pre- School:

Mrs Ashley Cooper Pre- School Class Teacher acooper@terringtonhall.com

Miss Laura Ramli Head of Pre-Prep lramli@terringtonhall.com

Miss Rachel I’Anson Deputy Head Pastoral Designated Safeguarding Lead rianson@terringtonhall.com

Miss Claire Wainwright Head’s PA and School Office office@terringtonhall.com

Mrs Alison Mitson Accounts accounts@terringtonhall.com

Mrs Claire White Admissions cwhite@terringtonhall.com

Mr Huw Thomas Headmaster hthomas@terringtonhall.com

COMMUNICATIONS

We have a genuine Open Door policy at Terrington Hall School and parents are welcome to talk informally to their teacher as and when needed. If a more formal discussion is required with the class teacher, Head of Pre-Prep, Deputy Heads or the Headmaster, a convenient appointment time may be made directly, via email. We do our best to accommodate any requests as soon as possible. To strengthen communication between school and home, a weekly newsletter ‘Terrington Trumpet’ is emailed to parents via the office every Friday giving news of the past week and reminders for the following week.

CONCERNS

Intheeventthataparenthasaconcernorcomplaint,thefirstlineofcontactisthechild’sformtutor. IftheFormTutorcannotresolvethematteralone,TheHeadofPrePrepwillbeconsulted.Inthe event thatthe problem cannot be solved after speaking tothe Head of PrePrep, she will then arrange an appointment for you to speak with the Deputy Head Academic /Pastoral or Headmaster.

WHOTOAPPROACH

Form Tutor – In the first instance thisshould be a parents’ first port of call for allacademicand pastoralconcerns.

Head of Pre-Prep– ifparentsareunable toresolve their concerns withformtutors, they should contactMissRamli.

DeputyHead Academic(SeniorDeputyHead)– MrKeensshould becontactedforallacademic mattersunresolvedbytheformtutor.ForSeniorSchoolentryqueriespleasecontactMrKeens.

DeputyHeadPastoral–MissI’AnsonshouldbecontactedforallpastoralorSafeguardingmatters thatcannotberesolvedbytheformtutor.

AssistantHeadCo-Curricular-MrsColeshould becontactedforallco-curricularmattersincluding musicandsportthatcannotberesolvedbytheFormTutororHeadofDepartment.

We work with a company called SOCS to provide a school calendar, a sports portal containing information about team selection and fixtures and our enrichment programme.

You can access all of these pages through the Parent Portal. https://www.terringtonhall.com/about-terrington/parent-portal/

The Parent Portal is the 'Go To' place for key school information.

Password (confidential within the TH community) Terrington1921

Through Parent Portal, parents can access key school information including, the Sports Fixture Portal, SOCS School Calendar Parent Handbooks, Key Information, including uniform lists, the Enrichment programme and copies of Letters Home.

SOCS

The school calendar can be located here, giving you a full overview of events in school:

https://calendar.terringtonhall.com/week.aspx?ID=1162

The Sports Fixture Portal can be located here: https://sport.terringtonhall.com/

This link gives you access to fixture information, including team selection, venue and timings.

How to guides

https://www.terringtonhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ParentPortal-SOCS-Calendar-Sports.pdf

https://www.terringtonhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Guide-toSOCS-sports-portal.pdf

STARTING SCHOOL

It is our aim to make the very first experience of school as exciting as possible for every child. All new children are invited to attend settling in sessions prior to them starting Pre- School. This not only gives the children time to familiarise themselves with the Pre- School environment and their new peers but also allows you as parents time to discuss any issues or concerns with our Pre- School staff. These sessions enable your child to make the transition from home to school with more confidence. Once your child is settled into the Pre- School, you will be invited to attend a short meeting with the class teacher to discuss the progress that they are making and to consider their next steps together. Thereafter, there will be regular opportunities to meet together to discuss the progress that your child is making and to also share your child’s learning journey together.

SESSION TIMES AND FUNDING INFORMATION

At Terrington Hall School we offer 15 hours Early Years Free Entitlement. To allow flexibility to parents, we offer this through various sessions. Please contact admissions to arrange your sessions and funded hours.

ADMISSIONS

Children may enter Pre- School within the term in which they are 3 years old. If your child’s birthday falls within the term dates, they are eligible to start at the beginning of that term.

COLLECTING YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOL

Parents or carers collecting at 11:30am or 1:00pm should wait outside the secured gates and your child will be brought to you by their class teacher or assistant. Please ensure that your child holds your hand and does not run ahead of you into the car park when leaving. If dropping or collecting your child early/late please report to the main office where we will bring your child or return them to class.

DAILY ROUTINE AND SITE MAP

Morning Drop Off

• The School gates will be open from 8.10 am until 8.30 am

• If you require access to the site beforehand for Breakfast, please liaise directly with Mr Sigsworth

• If you require access to the site beforehand for any other reason, please liaise directly with the relevant member of staff or the school office.

• SLT to staff both gates on a rota

Afternoon collection times:

• Those children being collected at 11:30am/1:00pm will be brought to the secured gates at these times by a member of the Pre-School team.

• The school gates will be open from 15.25 – 15.40 for Pre-Prep collection. Pre-Prep staff to oversee

• The school gates will be open from 16.25-16.40 for Pre-Prep and Lower Prep collection. Duty staff to be allocated. Lower Prep and Upper Prep handover from form teachers in person from September 2025. Please be aware that some form teachers will be leaving promptly to run enrichment sessions at this point in time.

• The school gates will be open from 17.25-17.40 for end of school collections.

• All 17.30 collections to take place in the square from September 2025. Handover in person from the relevant member of staff who has led the enrichment session.

Climbing frame

• Parents will be able to access the site during the highlighted times above.

• Families are welcome to stay and play on the climbing frame during September and the Summer term between 15.30 and 17.30.

• Refreshments and a first aid bag will be available.

• To leave the site during periods when the gates are locked, Families will need to exit via the school office.

• Toilets in the main house will be accessible via the school office.

*Access to the site at all other times will need to come through the Main School entrance, via the School Office.

WRAP-AROUND CARE

BREAKFAST

Breakfast is available to all children. Your child may arrive from 07:30 and will have breakfast before the start of the school day. A member of staff has specific responsibility for looking after the children at breakfast and will take them to their classrooms afterwards. For catering purposes, breakfast should be booked in with office@terringtonhall.com with 24 hours notice. Breakfast is charged at £6.60.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Our after school care is held in the Pre-Prep building and is run by the PrePrep staff. We include a range of age-appropriate toys and activities, as well as much needed rest time. We take a child-led approach with a ‘home from home’ atmosphere to help them relax after their busy school day. During this time, children are offered a substantial snack. After School Care runs from 15:30-17:30 and is charged at £8.00 per hour.

TEA

Parents requiring childcare beyond the school day can make use of the tea service where pupils are welcome to have a freshly prepared tea at 17:30 to 18:00. For catering purposes, tea should be booked in with office@terringtonhall.com with 24 hours notice. Tea is charged at £6.60

NUT FREE

Although we recognise that this cannot be guaranteed, Terrington Hall aims to be a Nut-Free school. Measures in place are to reduce the risk to those children and adults who may suffer an anaphylactic reaction if exposed to nuts to which they are sensitive. The school aims to protect children who have allergies to nuts yet also help them, as they grow up, to take responsibility as to what foods they can eat and to be aware of where they may be put at risk. We do not allow nuts or nut products in school.

CHANGING SESSIONS

Each term we will ask parents to complete a form to request sessions for the following term. We will do our best to meet your requirements.

THE SCHOOL DAY

The Pre- School class is open from 08:15am each morning of term. We find that even the youngest children settle quickly into the routine of school and are happy to be left with us. We will always call you on the first few sessions to let you know how they have settled and what they are engaging with.

EXEAT WEEKENDS

Please note an EXEAT is when the school day finishes at 17:30pm on a Friday and remains closed until the Monday morning. The May EXEAT also includes the Bank Holiday Monday.

WINTER WEATHER

During periods of extreme winter weather such as snow and ice the school will endeavour to remain open with any changes to the school day being communicated to parents via email or text message.

PARKING AND TRAFFIC FLOW

Please note there is a 5mph speed limit within the school grounds. Parents are kindly requested to park on the front drive at drop off or collection times. Please ensure that the disabled bays next to the swimming pool are strictly reserved for Blue Badge holders only.

MINIBUSES

Pupils from Pre- School can use the school’s daily transport if they are independent enough to manage. All of the transport routes use the school’s own minibus fleet and drivers, who are fully DBS checked and employed by the school. Pupils using the buses are dropped off in front of the Main School building on arrival and are collected from staff by the relevant driver before being escorted to their bus at the end of the day. Buses arrive in School at approximately 08.15am and depart at 17:30pm Monday to Friday. Transport is charged on a per trip basis. Full details of the bus service, times and costs are available on request from the school office. Office@terringtonhall.com

LOST PROPERTY

Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own possessions and for keeping them in the correct places in school. Inevitably items get mislaid, but if all possessions are marked it is easy to restore items to the correct person when they are found. Lost property is kept in a box in the Pre -Prep hall and each term it is sorted and unclaimed items are sent to the second hand uniform shop. Please ensure your children's belongings are clearly labelled.

TOYS AND OTHER POSSESSIONS

Children are discouraged from bringing toys to school as they may get broken or misplaced.

ABSENCE

If your child is unable to attend school due to illness, please inform your child’s class teacher and the school office to ensure that the correct mark is made to the register.

ILLNESS AT SCHOOL

Should your child be taken ill at school, he/she will be cared for and we will make every effort to contact you.

Should your child suffer from sickness or diarrhoea, it is school policy that they do not return to school for at least 48 hours after the last incident. It is very important for you to let us know if you have given your child Calpol or any other medication before coming into school.

If your child bumps their head, they will be checked over by a first aider and you will be notified of treatment given, in addition to a bumped head note. Accidents can happen. Small cuts and bruises will be dealt with directly at school by staff who all hold a current paediatric first aid qualification. In the event of a more serious accident which is likely to require advanced medical care, we shall endeavour to contact parents at work or home. If a parent or family friend (named contact) cannot be contacted, we shall arrange to have your child taken to a local doctor or hospital. In such cases, the child will be accompanied by a member of staff. In an emergency an ambulance will be called.

MEDICINES

Medicines should be administered at home unless there is a special reason why your child may need to take it through the school day. If this is the case, the medicine must be given to a member of the Pre-Prep staff on arrival to school and a medicine consent form signed. Prescription medicine should be in the original packaging with dispensary label attached.

INTIMATE CARE

Even children who are toilet trained may have the occasional accident when they are engrossed in their learning and play. A designated changing facility is located in Pre-Prep. All EYFS children are expected to keep spare underwear in school in the event of soiling. If wetting or soiling occurs frequently, the class teacher will arrange to meet with parents to discuss appropriate strategies to support the child and a ‘Personal Care Management Plan’ will be drawn up. Exchanging information with parents is essential through personal contact, telephone or correspondence. On the rare occasion that a child is soiled to a point where they are unable to clean themselves to a comfortable state, parents will be contacted so that the child can be taken home for bathing. Further details can be found on the schools intimate care policy.

SUN CREAM APPLICATION

During the summer months we like to spend as much time in our outdoor area. We feel that the children’s health is paramount and during the summer we ask that all children have sun cream applied before they attend school, allowing them to safely spend time in the sunshine. Parents will be asked to sign a permission form so that children will be supported in reapplying sun cream supplied by school for afternoon sessions.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

At Terrington Hall School, we place positive mental health and wellbeing at the centre of school life. Our values, Kindness, Confidence and Courage, highlights the importance we place on supporting on every child’s wellbeing. We show the power of kindness in everything that we do, build confidence on our unique abilities and show how with courage, we can have a go without the fear of failure.

We aim to ensure positive mental health and well-being for every pupil, parent/carer and staff member. Our positive ethos is based on the understanding that all children need the foundations of positive mental health. As a result of this, we hope children will fulfil their potential academically, socially, emotionally and healthy, helping them to grow in confidence and participate in everything that goes on in the wider community.

Our buddy system helps to promote friendships, better support of learning, behavioural and social needs, and can foster a greater sense of belonging and a more inclusive school community.

The Terrington Hall ambition is to equip young people so they can better deal with difficult circumstances in their lives, preventing them experiencing common emotional and mental health problems.

Wellbeing days are a good opportunity to bring awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing into schools. Classes are encouraged to plan wellbeing days, termly. The Assistant Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing oversees this.

Our peer mentoring has been evidenced as having a positive impact on the emotional health and well-being of children and young people. Peer mentoring can support children and young people by:

• enhancing social competence

• building security within the setting and the wider community by realising their worth as social beings

• improving attendance and educational attainment whilst developing friendship skills in a positive environment

INTERNET ENABLED DEVICES

As staff and parents, we are all becoming increasingly aware of the societal challenges posed by mobile devices and in particular the influences that children are accessing as a result of social media.

As such, the boarding house and school residentials/overseas trips are device – free. We feel that this decision is very much in line with our ethos and values and of course with the changing approach of schools to this challenge.

National guidance is changing, and our amended policy very much considers the following concerns:

• Unnecessary distraction, disruption and diversion​

• Online bullying

• Peer pressure and stigma associated with the ownership of expensive devices

• Access to inappropriate internet content.

There are of course significant benefits which includes encouraging the pupils to focus on the trips, activities and events that they are participating in

– whether that be during boarding evenings or on residential trips. It will improve the interactions with their peers, and develop valuable, skills like problem-solving, teamwork and importantly independence.

As such, we would be very grateful for your support in ensuring that the pupils do not bring any phone, gaming device, or internet-enabled device including watches with them on trips or to the boarding house. It makes a huge difference to the quality of their experience and will support our ethos of pupils throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the activity on offer.

Visitors and parents/carers within the EYFS (Pre-Prep)

The school will display a notice advising visitors and parents/carers throughout the school that mobile devices are not to be used in the setting. If a visitor or parent/carer is seen using their mobile device, they will be politely reminded of the school policy and that Pre-Prep is a no phone zone. Visual reminders are located in different areas of Pre-Prep both indoors and outdoors. Parents will be politely asked to switch their mobile device off whilst in Pre-Prep. If parents/carers wish to use their device, they will be advised to use this away from the school premises.

Staff endeavour to make regular contact with parents either in person or via phone call/email, to keep you up to date with your child’s effort and attainment in class.

Parents are encouraged to make use of their child’s communication book, reading diary or email to raise any minor issues or concerns. Staff undertake to feedback either in person, email or via a phone call as soon as possible. This helps parents who are unable to visit the class teacher to keep in touch and allows parents to play a key part in their child’s learning and in turn offers staff invaluable input for increasing their knowledge of the unique child.

We encourage you to contribute to your child’s progress record on Tapestry and comment on their child’s learning diary.

Each half term, you will be invited to meet with the Pre-School teacher to discuss your child’s progress and agree on new targets and next steps.

You will also receive written reports at Christmas and Summer

We believe Terrington Hall is a special place. A place for learning, a place for adventures and a place where children can just be children.

Why should you choose Terrington Hall Pre- School for your child?

Because:

• we will make your child smile and give them lots to talk about when they get home

• we believe that every child is special and unique

• we will help your child make friends and be sociable we will encourage your child to be an individual

• we will enhance your child’s academic attainment

• we will increase your child’s confidence

• we offer a continuous adventure of indoor and outdoor education we understand young children

• we will make each day feel like an adventure

• we will provide a safe and nurturing environment we have our own setting on beautiful grounds

• we think of exciting experiences

• we have an inclusive and diverse family community

• we use highly qualified, approachable and experienced staff who care we use the specialised teachers and facilities of the Prep school to enhance learning

• we accept Early Years vouchers.

THE EARLY YEARS

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides a diverse range of rich opportunities where the children can develop their confidence and independence. We work very closely with this to provide a curriculum where children can learn through talk, play and different experiences, while covering the seven areas of learning and development; Personal, Social and Emotional development; Physical development; Communication and Language; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World and Expressive arts and design. These will be introduced to the children through open-ended learning and ‘learning through play’, allowing the children to explore inside the classroom with its warm, nurturing and safe environment, using different resources but also developing the children’s curiosity by taking the classroom outside and using the natural environment to excite and inspire the children.

At Terrington Hall, we are very ‘hands on’ and enjoy taking the PreSchool children out of the classroom as often as possible to develop their confidence and let them begin their learning journeys. Our staff work hard to ensure that opportunities inspire young minds to develop their interest in the world around them. We encourage the children to become resilient, open-minded and to spark curiosity as well as be kind and thoughtful to others. This will create long lasting friendships which will continue to grow as they progress throughout the rest of the school.

LEARNING THROUGH CONFIDENCE,

Play in these earliest years is the foundation building blocks for all future learning. To embed ideas, thinking, to solve problems, work things out! To develop skills of self-regulation, empathy, respect. To form friendships and be able to resolve conflicts. To develop an intrinsic desire to learn. To become an active learner who is curious to discover, find out and overcome challenges. A child who is physically ready for school, core strength, coordination and development of gross motor skills and pivotal joints. A child who is happy, excited and eager to find out, solve problems and is confident in their own abilities.

In today’s ever-changing world, it is important that we take time to stop and appreciate all that we have around us. We all lead busy lives and manufacturers are able to produce toys simply to ‘entertain’ . We must, however, question “Is this allowing my child to think critically?” “Does it require them to problem solve?” “Are they actively engaged?” This answer usually is “NO” .

Our shift towards using real-life objects and loose parts allows children to demonstrate respectful and careful behaviour towards their learning environment. We carefully choose objects that stimulate their curiosity and allow them to see that magic they are looking for.

Our aim is to encourage children to think and always question ‘why?’ and ‘what if?’.

OUR PRE-SCHOOL CURRICULUM

The Pre- School class follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS is built around three prime areas:

• Communication and Language

• Physical Development

• Personal and Social Development

This is combined with four specific areas:

• Literacy – Reading and Writing

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Art and Design

• Mathematics – Number, Shape, Space and Measure.

All learning focuses on the development of key skills and interaction with real experiences. Activities are adapted and extended, to meet individual learning needs.

REGISTRATION

This is an important time in the daily timetable where children engage in a focused adult-led session. Children complete the fire register, practice their Pre -chool rhyme/days of the week, daily timetable, weather and delegating roles and responsibilities for the day (including line leader and classroom monitors)

In the Pre- School, we base our topics around a book or seasonal celebration, and this is changed approximately every two weeks. We base our activities and greater knowledge around these topics daily to grow a love for reading and books as well as learning about a range of themes. We link learning to the children’s interests.

An example of a year of topics is as followed:

Michaelmas Term: Outside Inside Knowing Yourself

Lent Term: Talents and Powers

Sowing a Seed

Summer Term: Strength of Mind Family and Friends

SOUND OF THE WEEK

In the Pre-Prep, children use Ruth Miskin’s ‘Read Write Inc.’ programme. This carefully selected, award winning scheme is continued through to Year 2 and includes highly structured lessons in phonics and reading. All EYFS children who are learning to read do so on a one-to-one basis daily. This ensures that every child is given an opportunity to meet their full potential. Nursery children learn a sound of the week and where they are able, we aim to begin blending in the Lent term.

MATHEMATICS

Maths is heavily embedded into the school day and can be accessed in all areas of continuous provision. The Pre- School class follow the White Rose Maths scheme which allows our pupils to work at a greater depth when mastering numbers.

SPECIALIST TEACHING

From Pre- School, we are proud to offer a broad curriculum. Children are taught through exciting and engaging lessons that encourage curiosity, that take into account the needs of individuals. The school also dedicates time for swimming, PE, music, drama and French (from Reception) taught by our subject specialists in school.

COMMUNICATION BOOK

Children will be given a communication book at the beginning of the year. This is to be used between home and school as a method of communication, but also for parents to confirm pick up times. Please mark books daily 13:00/15:30/16:30/17:30/Bus– dependent on your child’s collection time each day

TAPESTRY

Children attending Terrington Hall Pre-Prep have a personal online Learning Journal. At Terrington Hall, we use Tapestry, which is a stand-alone application enabling a two way communication between the school and parents.

The benefit to you from Tapestry being online means that you have constant access (via a website that you log into using your email address and password) to access your child’s Learning Journal.

Tapestry records photos, observations and comments in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to build up a record of your child’s experiences during their time with us.

WOW MOMENTS

We encourage you to share information about your child and their experiences at home through Tapestry. We then use some of the children’s interests and achievements as starting points for planning.

Children have a wide variety of healthy snacks each day including soup, smoothies and pittas.

All children staying to lunch are provided with a cooked meal. We sit in the dining room with the Pre-Prep children and an adult sits with a small group of children at each table. We encourage children to have a varied diet and try new things.

If your child has a medical condition that requires a special diet, please communicate this to the Head of Pre-Prep in the first instance.

STAY AND PLAY

Stay and Play Sessions are organised and enjoyed termly. These opportunities give parents/carers/grandparents an insight into life in our Pre- School. Your child will love showing you around and having you there to play with. The format of these sessions regularly alters, reacting to parental and staff ideas and input. They usually last for around an hour and can involve participation in a music or P.E. session, as well as sharing a story or art activity.

REWARDS

There will be many opportunities to earn class dojo points for positive behaviour such as marvellous manners, super tidying and lovely listening. A weekly star certificate, Travelling Ted and reading raffle are also awarded each week.

SANCTIONS

In the Pre- School and Pre-Prep, inappropriate behaviour is dealt with immediately. This is discussed with an adult and gives children the opportunity to explain what happened, what they were thinking and involves children in the process of solving the situation. Staff are firm but fair and demonstrate high expectations of good behaviour. Where necessary, incidents are discussed with parents. This is in line with our school Positive Behaviour Policy.

STAR OF THE WEEK

A special weekly assembly is held each Friday for Pre-Prep and parents are welcome to attend. This celebration assembly shares children’s achievements of the week and is an opportunity for each class teacher to select a ‘Star of the Week’ . Parents will be notified if their child has been selected.

LEARNING SUPPORT

All pupils at Terrington Hall are taught a wide-ranging curriculum within smaller than average, mainstream classes. Staff deliver high quality teaching with classwork and prep appropriately differentiated. Children are regularly monitored to ensure they are making progress to the best of their ability, and challenged according to their own level to ensure success is within reach. It is sometimes appropriate for children to receive additional support to achieve their full potential. Our learning support resources are centred around “The Hub” . As the base for Learning Support, Wellbeing and our ‘Stretch and Challenge’ programme, The Hub is a bright, warm and welcoming classroom resourced with access to online intervention programmes, classroom support, and small group work. The SENCO and a part-time assistant work together across the academic departments to provide and plan support for all children. Individual Lessons are by arrangement and in agreement with parents, SENCO and Form Teacher. Learning support is integrated through the school from Pre- School to Year 8 with a focus on the child as an individual. We believe in inclusion and seek to provide a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum that provides equal opportunities for all. For those children who receive learning support, close communication between school and home is encouraged and parents are invited to a termly meeting to discuss their child’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP) alongside any specific targets. If parents have a concern regarding their child’s learning, they are encouraged to contact their child’s form teacher in the first instance.

FOREST SCHOOLS

The flexibility of outdoor learning and teaching is liberating for our staff and consequently more relevant and enlightening for the children. Our Forest School ethos is embedded within the curriculum and is not something that is tagged onto the learning experience. The discoveries that we make beyond the boundaries of the classroom will often follow us back to school and children’s self-esteem grows with the praise they receive when they ‘have a go’.

At Terrington Hall, we use our Forest School and extensive grounds in order to provide a variety of learning opportunities. Here, children can fill their lungs with fresh air whilst they build dens, play in the mud kitchen, summit the colossal tree trunks or try their hand at gardening. The children love listening to stories around the fire circle or amongst the snowdrops. Our children have the most amazing adventures in the woodland.

TERRINGTON TREE TOTS

Free Forest School Fun in our magical woods

Every Friday 9:30am-10:30am during term time for children under Pre-School age.

For further information and to register, please email Mrs Claire White on cwhite@terringtonhall.com

SCHOOL TRIPS

To enhance the curriculum, we aim to take children on a variety of school trips, particularly in the summer term. Trips are published in advance in the termly calendar and additional details are sent nearer to the visit date. Parents are asked to complete a ‘General Consent Form’ each academic year, which gives permission for children to visit the local area at short notice.

EVENTS

There are several annual school events which Pre-Prep parents and children are highly encouraged to attend: Harvest Festival, Fireworks Nativity, Christmas, Main School plays, Easter concerts, Spring Fair and Sports Day. Everyone is invited to attend these events so please do bring along Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Friends! These events can be found in the termly school calendar.

FRIENDS OF TERRINGTON HALL

The Friends of Terrington Hall Fundraising Committee organises social events throughout the school year, primarily to enable parents to meet each other and enjoy themselves. In the process, a profit is usually made and this funds ‘icing on the cake’ for the benefit of the children. The committee is always looking for extra members so please do come forward if you can help in any way.

POLICIES

There is statutory duty for schools to provide certain information to parents of current and prospective pupils. Terrington Hall does so willingly and encourages any parent to contact the school with requests for information or guidance. School documentation, including policies and guidance are a valuable source of information and we are pleased to make them available, either through the School Office or on the School’s website.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.