Trinity Nursery and Prep Handbook

Nursery and Prep

Parent Handbook

A VERY WARM WELCOME TO Trinity School

Your child is about to embark on one of the most important journeys of their life. This handbook contains most but not all the information that you are likely to need to help you navigate through Trinity School.

The aim of our school, at every stage of a pupil’s life, is to develop their individual gifts and abilities within the classroom and beyond. Nurturing confident learners who are ambitious for themselves while being vigilant to the needs of others is at the core of our philosophy.

We believe the best education is tailored to the individual. One that allows every pupil the opportunity to explore their creativity, participate in their community, build their characters and achieve their true potential. This will only successfully happen when both our parents and the school truly work together.

Our doors are always open, and if you cannot find the answer to your question contained in here, then please do either catch your key worker or class teacher at the school gates, or email office@trinityschool.co.uk

Mr Sean Lovett Head of Prep

Parent Do’s and Don’ts Summary Starting school can be a significant milestone for both parents and children. To help make the transition smoother, here are some key do’s and don'ts for parents:

Talk About Feelings Ask your child how they are feeling about going to school and provide them with options of emotional vocabulary if needed - worried, excited, nervous, etc.

Acknowledge any feelings they mention and reassure them that they are totally normal emotions.

It can be helpful to talk about the specific feelings and to try and come up with solutions together.

Read books about starting school Stories are a great way to delve deeper into how your child is feeling about school. They also provide a range of contexts for seeing and talking about the school experience.

Walk to School Practise your journey to school and take the opportunity to peek at the playground and point out all the fun places your child will be able to play!

Doing this regularly will help to make the concept of going to school feel more familiar when the time comes.

Shop For School Supplies Make an event about buying uniform and supplies and give your child choices where possible. This will give them a sense of control and also increase their excitement.

Once you have their uniform, let them try it on a few times to get used to it. This will help them become familiar with it and is good practice for getting dressed and undressed independently.

Establish a Routine Early Set a consistent bedtime, morning routine, and mealtime schedule before school starts. This helps children adjust to the new routine without stress.

Don’t listen to whatsapp groups If you have any issues, please go straight to your class teacher. They will help you deal with any issues you may be having and answer any questions you may have.

WELCOME TO The Nursery @ Trinity

Nursery Welcome to our Nursery provision where your child joins our Trinity family.

We provide a state-of-the-art facility in which we create a secure, happy and stimulating environment for your child to develop emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically.

You want the best for your child – so do we!

As your child starts their educational journey, we appreciate that there is a huge amount of information to absorb. We hope the details here help you and your family begin to settle in quickly.

You know your child best and we intend to work alongside you to make all transition times as easy as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to talk to any member of staff. Please ask questions at any time as there is no question too simple or obvious.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Nursery at Trinity School!

Mrs Chrissie Wray-Chance BTEC, HND, BA HONS (open) in Early Childhood Studies, EYPS

Nursery Manager

Our Curriculum The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) establishes clear standards for children's learning, development, and care, structured around seven interconnected areas. These essential areas of growth are thoughtfully integrated into the nursery environment. Our goal goes beyond simply offering a safe and nurturing space; we strive to inspire children's curiosity, foster a love for learning, and help them build the skills needed to form meaningful relationships and flourish in all aspects of life.

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Start of the day Each day starts with a chance to talk to any of our staff about how your child is that day. Every child is allocated a key person who will be responsible for maintaining their assessment and development portfolio using the online tool ‘Tapestry’. Parents are informed of who this person is once your child has settled into nursery, but the child will not be told, as we feel it is important for them to build relationships with all of the Nursery and Prep School staff.

Email addresses for all key staff are included in this document and we will reply to these as soon as we are able. Please feel free to help your child hang up their bag and generally get ready for the day ahead. Nursery staff will always be on hand to welcome you at the door and manage this key transition at the start of the day.

School Day Each session starts with an introduction to the different activities available for the children to explore that day. These may of course be adapted or abandoned as the children pursue an alternative approach and taking into account the interests and needs of the children.

The overall curriculum plan will be available with the week’s themes on display in the rooms.

Learning should always be an active and happy activity, with engagement between both children and adults, taking place inside and outside of the learning environment. The Nursery @ Trinity proudly boasts the finest indoor and outdoor learning environment in the local area and staff carefully consider how the outstanding facilities and resources fit into to enhancing learning opportunities.

The EYFS curriculum is organised into 7 areas which you will find reflected in the learning environment: Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development Literacy Mathematics Understanding the World Expressive Arts and Design The Early Years curriculum is further extended by our specialist teachers in both the Prep and Senior school and use of the extensive school facilities.

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Communication We recognise the trust you are placing in us as we support your child in their educational journey and value highly the partnership between home and school. We rely on you to help us ensure that your child makes as smooth a transition as possible. If you are concerned at any time about your child, please do not hesitate to talk to us at drop off or pick up. Alternatively, if you need to discuss an issue further with Mr Lovett (Head of Prep), please email lovetts@trinityschool.co.uk.

You are invited to meetings to discuss your child’s progress, during the academic year. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the Nursery environment and routines, but also to help us get to know you and your child better. In the Nursery entrance there is a parents’ board which displays the curriculum overview of activities for the half term and other additional information. Our website (www.trinityschool.co.uk) is regularly updated with curriculum and calendar information and provides detailed information on Trinity School life.

You will receive ‘The Prep Weekly’, our weekly newsletter which celebrates our successes and looks forward to the next week’s challenges and activities. If there is something your child has achieved outside school that deserves acknowledgement – please let us know.

‘Tapestry’ is the electronic system we use for recording your child’s progress and development; you will be given a password to be able to access this and your contributions are always encouraged. This document is a celebration of what the children can do and can be accessed at any time. All of the evidence from the ‘Learning Journeys’ feed into your child’s ongoing assessment. Prior to your child starting school, you will be invited to meet your child’s key person to share and discuss their transition document.

Healthy Eating As a healthy school we provide a variety of fruit and snacks with the option of milk or water to drink. We also have a ‘water only’ policy to enable children to access water throughout the day.

Please provide your child with a named water bottle with a pull up lid. Please ensure these are taken home and washed regularly. Food at Trinity is second to none. Our Catering Manager and her team create a wide variety of dishes daily, offering a delicious and nutritious choice for your child; whether they enjoy an adventurous palate or are happiest with ‘home’ cooking. If your child has any dietary requirements, please speak to a member of staff so that these can be catered for. Do use the website to keep up to date with the daily menus which are also displayed on the parent notice board. Holroyd Howe our catering company aim to use fresh local produce at all times; for more information on them please visit: www.holroydhowe.com

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Medical Information Illness While we understand the pressures for working parents, in order to restrict more widespread illness, please respect the guidance regarding time away from nursery if your child is unwell, such as if your child is experiencing sickness or diarrhoea, they should not return to nursery for 48 hours after the last bout of this.

Prescribed medication If your child is prescribed a new medication from the Doctor, we ask that the first dose is administered at home in case of any unknown allergies. Any prescribed medication should be in its original container and handed to a member of staff, who will make sure it is stored safely in a locked cabinet or fridge as appropriate. You will be required to fill in and sign a medical permission form for the staff to be able to administer the medication.

Nursery Absences If your child is going to be absent, please ring or email us as soon as possible.

Phone: 01626 774138 – Main Trinity School Reception Email: enquiries@trinityschool.co.uk Wray-ChanceC@trinityschool.co.uk If you are going on holiday, please speak to a member of staff to request a holiday form. You will then receive confirmation that this has been booked for you. You are entitled to up to 2 weeks holiday at a 50% reduction which will be 2 weeks of your usual sessions i.e. if your child attends 3 days per week, you will be entitled to 6 days discounted holiday. These must be taken in week blocks. Any additional holiday days taken will be charged at the normal rate.

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Nursery Parking Parking for families of Trinity Nursery is available onsite.

We ask that you drive onto the school site via the main entrance (second left as you drive down Buckeridge Road). You will then follow the one way system past the white house, tennis courts and school shop. You will approach the main car park on your left and we request that you use the upper section.

Once you have dropped your child off at Nursery, you will need to continue to follow the one way system leaving the school site via Farm Lane top exit.

NAPPY CHANGING/TOILET TRAINING We have nappy changing facilities in the nursery and nappies and wipes are provided for the children. When your child is ready, we will work closely with you to support them to begin the toilet training process. We do have potties and child sized toilets to cater for all preferences. We ask you to provide an ample supply of spare clothes as accidents will be inevitable during this process.

SLEEP TIME Children that attend The Lodge, are able to sleep after lunch. We provide wipeable sleep mats and individual bedding that is washed regularly. If your child has a personal comforter that they use for sleep time, please put this in their bag and let a member of staff know.

HOMETIME - the end of the day or session Nursery staff work until 5pm and so when you collect your child, they will be on-hand to briefly discuss your child’s day with you. Please check your child’s tray regularly as this is where they will have put their art work etc. Please ensure we are made aware of any changes to the end of session pick up such as another family member collecting that is unfamiliar to us – your child’s safety is our main priority and without prior notification, we will not be able to let them leave without speaking with you. Here at Trinity we offer the opportunity to attend ballet lessons with Mrs Susan Barlow (LRAD, ARAD, and RADRTS).

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BALLET If your child does not attend on the day their group is scheduled for Ballet, you are still able to book them in for the half an hour Ballet session.

Please speak to a member of staff for further information. These sessions are chargeable and need to be booked directly with Mrs Barlow. Email – susanjbarlow2@gmail.com

Uniform We have an onsite school shop for all uniform purchases.

Opening hours: Please ask a member of staff.

Telephone number: (01626) 879397 Our uniform is comfortable and easy to wear however, still looks smart and children can be proud to be part of Trinity School. Please name everything.

The core uniform: Trinity badged purple polo shirt Trinity badged purple sweatshirt Wellington boots Waterproof coat Sun Hat (seasonal)

Optional Black skort/shorts Trinity badged grey jersey tracksuit bottoms Purple gingham dress Other additional items: Named water bottle Named Sun Cream (seasonal) Please apply sun cream before your child comes into nursery, we will then reapply this after lunch as appropriate.

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Duty of Care We take our duty of care in educating and safeguarding your child very seriously. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead for Trinity School is Mr Sean Lovett.

Additional contacts: OFSTED – 03001231231 or enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) – concerns@isi.net Department of Education – 03700002288 MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) – 03451551071

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER 2024-2025 The nursery is open for 50 weeks a year, closing for 2 weeks at Christmas and for all Bank Holidays. In addition to this we are also closed for 2 Inset/Staff training days. Please see dates below: Christmas Close Our last Day will be Friday 13th December 2024 – please note we will close at 3.30pm on this day.

Nursery will reopen on Thursday 2nd January 2025.

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KEY NURSERY STAFF CONTACT DETAILS Telephone the main school office for enquiries: 01626 774138 Mrs Chrissie Wray-Chance

Nursery Manager

Wray-ChanceC@trinityschool.co.uk

Mrs Becky Pearson

Nursery Nurse

PearsonB@trinityschool.co.uk

Miss Caitlyn Pearson

Nursery Nurse

Pearsonc@trinityschool.co.uk

Mrs Daisy Broome

Nursery Nurse

Broomed@trinityschool.co.uk

Miss Abigail Hulbert

Nursery Nurse

Hulberta@trinityschool.co.uk

Miss Emma Jones

Nursery Nurse

Jonese@trinityschool.co.uk

Mrs Emma McNally

School Administrator

prep@trinityschool.co.uk

Ms Jennifer Sweet

Receptionist

enquiries@trinityschool.co.uk

Mr Sean Lovett

Head of Prep

lovetts@trinityschool.co.uk

Mr Tim Leveridge

Admissions Officer

Admissions@trinityschool.co.uk

Welcome to the Prep School

Our Aims Provide a secure, happy and stimulating environment in which children feel confident to ask questions and to learn Use the child's experience as a starting point for development Provide differentiated materials to meet the needs and abilities of all children Create a framework that will address continuity and progression Deliver the curriculum through a variety of teaching styles Provide resources to meet curriculum needs within the School's budget Involve parents, discussing children's progress and informing them of their children's work and welfare both formally and informally

Our Admissions Policy Trinity School caters for pupils of different abilities. Before a place can be offered an assessment/taster day may be necessary along with the school receiving a satisfactory school report. This is to ensure that pupils, who are offered places readily fit into the general academic standard of the class, or with necessary learning support, will be able to do so. Concerns about behaviour may preclude or delay an offer of a place.

PUPIL ABSENCE Pupil absences must be advised to the school, either in advance, in writing, by email or by telephone in the case of illness or unexpected absence. In such cases, the call must be supported by a letter or email when the child returns to school.

If any child is absent from the class the School office must be informed by 8.50 am (before classes commence) – and any unknown absences will be investigated.

Parents who need to take their children out of school during the day should send in a letter, email or telephone requesting the school’s permission and giving as much notice as possible. In the event of a fire, the class register will be taken for roll call by the member of staff taking that class at the time, to ensure all children are accounted for.

Parents need to be aware that any absence not supported by a letter will be described as ‘unauthorised’ in official statistics.

Prep Staff List Head of Prep Dept:

Mr Sean Lovett

Administration: Secretary

Mrs Emma McNally

Prep Class Teachers: Reception Prep 1 Prep 2 Prep 3 Prep 4 Prep 5 Prep 6

Mrs Lyndsey Ganner/Mrs Hannah Broom Mrs Kelly May Mrs Natalie Miller/Mrs Hannah Broom Mrs Rachel Young Mrs Zoe Hughes Mrs Kate Sutton Mr Chris Partridge

Learning Support Assistants:

Mrs Julie Drewett Mrs Nina Glue Mrs Laura Lovett Mrs Becky Moffat Mrs Sandra Starr

Subject Teachers in addition to above:

SENCO Spanish Music Art Food Technology Drama ICT Sport

Mrs Hayley Beech Mr Oscar Martinez Mr Tim Crompton Mr Ben Whittles & Mrs Fleur Bugg Mrs Lucy Beer Mrs Tracey Loveridge Mr Richard Smaridge Miss Jennie Moss

SCHOOL DAY Supervision in the playground from 8.00am Children should be putting their bags etc away and preparing themselves for 8.25am when staff will be in the classrooms to register pupils.

DAILY ROUTINE - the school bell rings at the following times:

Morning

Afternoon

8.25 Registration

1.05 KS2 Change for sport as

8.30 Assembly

necessary

9.00 Lesson 1

1.15 Lunch Break Ends

9.50 Changeover

1.20 Registration & Lesson 4

9.55 Lesson 2

1.50 Changeover

10.45 BREAK

1.55 Lesson 5

11.10 Break Ends

2.45 Changeover

11.15 Lesson 3

2.50 Lesson 6

12.00 Infants Lunch

3.20 School Day Ends for Infants

12.10 Junior Lunch

3.40 School Day Ends for KS2 4.00 Prep/Clubs Begin 4.45 Prep/Clubs End 4.45 Buses Leave Trinity

Reception class to Prep 6 are dismissed ready for home (in school uniform) by their class teacher or by the member of staff with the class at the end of the day, at 3.20pm for Infants and 3.40pm for Juniors, and taken to the playground.

A member of staff will take any child/ren to the Minibuses/Taxis for 4.45pm.

The member of staff on gate duty will ensure appropriate procedures are followed for each child.

Lessons Reception Class Less formally structured than Key Stage 1 with a strong emphasis on learning through play. Each week comprises of activities relating to these 7 areas of learning: 1: Personal, Social and Emotional Development 2: Mathematics 3: Literacy 4: Physical Development 5: Understanding of the World 6: Expressive Arts and Design 7: Communication and Language

Key Stages 1 and 2 Lessons are generally 50 minutes long to encourage concentration and 5 minute changeovers ensure pupils all start lessons at the same time and have a mini break to refresh themselves and their energy.

Literacy (Daily) Numeracy (Daily) PSHME PE / Games Music MFL: French – Reception to Prep 3, Spanish Prep 4 to 6 Science Humanities Art Food Technology Religious Studies ICT Forest School

Assemblies We have a daily act of worship, which usually comprises: An appropriate hymn A suitable prayer for the day or occasion We explore relationships and moral situations. This is often determined by various happenings in the world through the media or within our school/class.

Assembly is taken by the Head of Prep or the Headmaster, another by either a class or visitor and one is Hymn practice. The final assembly of the week is ‘Work of the Week’ assembly, where children who have been awarded ‘Work of the Week’ share their achievements with the other children and any parents who are able to attend.

Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:

Head of Prep Hymn Practice Headmaster or Head or Prep Class assembly Work of the Week

PUPIL APPEARANCE In building up the ethos, reputation and identity of the School, upon which we all depend, we do ask that pupils attend in full school uniform. This includes travelling to and from School, during the school day and correct kit during P.E. lessons unless tennis, cricket or ball skills lessons take place at break time when pupils may come to school in their PE kit, but change before going home. In these cases, arrangements will have been confirmed with the families and the Head of Prep.

Only items listed on the School Uniform List may be worn in school and for P.E/Games. All items should be clearly marked with the child’s name.

Uniform should be clean and worn in a presentable way at all times.

Boys’ trousers should be the regulation shade of grey; belts should be black and socks dark grey.

Girls’ black shoes (not patent) should be plain with low heels.

Hair must not be dyed or tinted and should not be in an exaggerated style. Purple or black hair bands only may be worn. Hair must not cover the eyes and must be tied back if longer than shoulder length.

Nail varnish is not permitted.

Make-up is not permitted.

House System Trinity operates a House System: 1. To encourage an identity within the School community 2. To promote family values 3. To provide an incentive for effort, consideration and caring for others.

The Houses currently are: Powderham (Red) Luscombe (Yellow) Ugbrooke (Blue) House points are given for work, behaviour, kindness and endeavour and a shield is awarded annually to the House which has accumulated the most House points.

House events are held each term over a range of activities; a Quiz, a music competition and various sporting events.

Brothers and sisters are always assigned to the same House, throughout the whole School.

Homework Policy Work is set to be completed outside lesson time by pupils on their own. Homework is given on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Reasons for setting Prep/Homework: To assess and consolidate the understanding of work completed in school.

To teach pupils to establish a good work routine.

To help pupils to learn to take responsibility for organising their own time.

To help pupils to learn to work unaided. To boost confidence and give pupils a sense of pride in their achievement.

To help pupils develop research skills and learn how to use initiative.

To give time for practice of techniques.

To help memory training.

Reception & Prep 1 Prep 2

Reading and any additional work is given at the discretion of the class teacher.

Reading each evening and twenty minutes set homework.

Prep 3

Reading each evening, one half hour set maths and spelling homework per week.

Prep 4

Reading each evening, one half hour set maths and spelling homework per week.

Prep 5

Reading, spellings and tables, plus one half hour set homework 3 times per week.

Prep 6

Reading, spellings and tables, plus one half hour set homework 3 times per week.

Assessments Pupils self-assess using a ‘traffic light’ system at the end of each lesson/piece of homework.

Assessment includes both summative testing and formative analysis of the pupils’ performance through target setting and assessment for learning throughout planning of lessons.

Autumn: Prep 1 - 6

Spatial Reasoning, moderated writing & White Rose Maths end of unit

Spring:

tests.

Prep 1 - 6

Verbal Reasoning, moderated writing & White Rose Maths end of unit tests.

Summer:

Prep 1 – 6 assessments

Non-Verbal Reasoning, moderated writing & White Rose Maths end of unit tests.

InCAS end of year

All results are collated and analysed by the Head and used to track the progress of each child.

In Reception the Foundation stage profile is completed by July and results sent to the LEA.

Reports Reports are issued three times a year for every child. Autumn and Spring reports show attainment levels for each subject as well as a comment from the Head and Class teacher. A more comprehensive report is issued in the Summer Term showing comments, as well as effort and attainment grades for each subject.

All subjects are covered in the report showing both grades and comments for the core subjects and grades for all other curriculum areas. There are comments from the Class Teacher and Head of Prep on all reports. Copies of reports are kept centrally for future reference

Meetings with Parents We have an initial meeting with our parents the first Friday back in September to discuss the Year ahead.

There will be three Parents Evenings each year, one in each term.

There are ongoing consultations between parents and teachers throughout the years as the need arises.

Once a term, parents are invited to ‘Parent Voice’ meetings with the Headmaster and Head of Prep.

Learning Support Underlying Principles: The school recognises that individual pupils have diverse strengths, weaknesses and learning needs.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the following principles to ensure that these needs are met: Expectations of work and behaviour will be pitched at a level, which presents pupils with a challenge without threatening their confidence.

Lessons, resources and courses will be carefully planned to take account of individual needs. Work will be differentiated according to the needs and interests of individual pupils. A variety of teaching styles will be used.

Additional support to individual learning will be given where appropriate in and out of normal lessons.

The importance of communication with, and help from, parents in raising pupils’ expectations and attainment is recognised.

Referral Procedure 1. Class teacher recognises/feels that there is a problem.

2. Class teacher gathers evidence – this can be examples of record keeping or in notes on approaches to learning.

3. The SENCO is informed.

4. Class teacher fills in the Record of Concern – with the help of the SENCO if required.

5. Class Teacher and/or SENCO will contact parents.

6. SENCO will carry out an appropriate assessment.

7. Any recommendations will be carried out, with the approval of the parents and may include I.E.P. Learning Support lessons Contacting outside agencies.

School Trips Class teachers and subject teachers are encouraged to take educational visits as part of the school curriculum and should be scheduled during the school day, as far as possible, ideally one per term. Each academic year Prep 2-6 will have a residential trip planned, details to be shared at the ‘Meet the Teacher’ event at the beginning of the Autumn term. A risk assessment form should be filled out for any school trip and handed to the Head of Prep at least three weeks before the trip is planned.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES Clubs are run after school from 4pm to 4.45pm. The provision reflects the school term, season and facilities available and includes a varying and varied selection of activities that should appeal to as many different interests as possible. The School Council and Parents Voice reflect regularly on clubs provision and letters offering a range of clubs are distributed at the end of the term before to enable parents to make appropriate childcare arrangements.

In addition a Prep session for homework is supervised by a member of staff each evening.

Supervised Breakfast Club (from 7.45am) and Supper Club (until 6.00pm) are available at an extra charge.

Please contact Emma in the School Office to book your child in.

School Policies Our policies are available on request from the school office or digitally via our website www.trinityschool.co.uk/about-trinity-policies/.

The School Shop Contact details Telephone

01626 879397

Opening Hours during term time: Monday - 1500 to 1700 Thursday -

1500 to 1700

Opening Hours during Summer Holiday: Wednesday 31st July - 1000 to 1300 Thursday 1st August - 1000 to 1300 Monday 2nd September – 1330 to 1530 Appointments can be made by contacting Nikki Foulser on 07773930798

The school shop is run by Proserve. Payment can be made by card or cash.

PLEASE NOTE: Items cannot be added to the School bill

NOTES

Buckeridge Road Teignmouth Devon United Kingdom TQ14 8LY www.trinityschool.co.uk admissions@trinityschool.co.uk