Baird Memorial Primary School
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Baird Memorial Primary School
Handbook 2016
Service and People First
BAIRD MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
SCHOOL HANDBOOK
2016
Introduction
As a school community we aspire to have a learning community, which is flexible, caring, welcoming, stimulating and supports and values each individual to maximise achievements through high quality learning and teaching.
We aim:
· to support and encourage all children to achieve high standards through active learning experiences.
· to provide a safe and secure learning environment in which children are encouraged to be aware of local, environmental and global issues, fostering responsible citizenship.
· to equip children with the skills and attitudes required to value diversity in an inclusive environment of fairness, tolerance and respect.
· to promote secure partnerships across the school and beyond to maintain a healthy lifestyle and encourage lifelong learning.
Through the learning experiences of A Curriculum for Excellence, we ensure the development of the whole person, encouraging pupils and staff to be confident individuals, successful learners, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
We actively encourage all parents to become fully involved in the education of their children by working closely with the school and by taking part in a range of activities throughout the school year, which have been designed to develop the relationship between home and school. We have an active group of parent helpers who work within the school.
Should you require further information with regard to the school, parent helpers or in relation to the information contained in this handbook, the school would welcome enquiries at any time.
Gillian Wylie
Head Teacher
CHILDREN’S CHARTERAt Baird we respect and support one another, work together as a team and give each other the confidence needed to achieve our best.
I N D E X
Page No Title
2 Introduction
3 Index
4 School Information
5 Staff Members
6 Composite Classes, The School Hours, Non-class contact, Out of School Care
7 The School Year
8 Enrolment
9 The Curriculum
13 Improvement Plan
14 Improvement Report, Improvement Priorities
15 Homework/Equal Opportunity
16 Assessment, Recording & Reporting/Spiritual, Social, Moral and Cultural Values
17 Equal Opportunities & Social Inclusion/Additional Support
For Learning
19 Bilingual Support/Home & School Links
21 Attendance at school
22 School and Community
23 Extra Curricular Activities
24 School Discipline
25 Indiscipline/Anti-Bullying
26 Supervision of Playgrounds
26 Clothing & Uniform
27 School Meals
28 Transport
29 School Travel Plan/Medical Health Care/First Aid
30 Information in emergencies/Parent Forum
31 The Parent Council
32 Placing Requests/Transfer from Primary to Secondary School/Freedom of Information
33 Data Protection/Transferring Educational Data
35 Complaints Procedure
36 Child Protection
38 Important Addresses
SCHOOL INFORMATION
1. School Name: Baird Memorial Primary School
2. Address: 6 Avonhead Road, Condorrat,
Cumbernauld. G67 4RA
3. Telephone Number: 01236 632096
Fax Number: 01236 611611
e mail address
Web address www.baird.n-lanark.sch.uk
4. Present Roll: 166
5. Agreed capacity of the school: 264 - Parents should note that the
working capacity of the school may vary dependent upon the number of pupils at each stage and the way in which the classes are organised.
6. Stages covered: P1 – P7 (English only – no Gaelic)
7. Nursery Provision For pre-five pupils with Additional
Support Needs. Applications made to Resources Panel
8. Denominational Status: Non-Denominational.
9. Single Sex or Co-educational: Co-educational.
10. Associated Secondary School: Greenfaulds High School.
Athelstane Drive
Greenfaulds
Cumbernauld
(01236) 794876
11. Community Facilities: Parent Council
Bilingual Support Base
* Mon – Fri Meadow Club Nursery
(Privately run not council)
* Mon – Fri Out of School Care
*If you wish further information on these please contact the school.
For further information on letting procedures contact:
Mr Colin Coupar,
Area Manager North,
Muirfield Community Education Centre,
Brown Road, Cumbernauld.
Tel: 01236 725448
Under the direction of Learning & Leisure Services decisions are made regarding the letting of school premises. Lets for meetings of the Parent Council are arranged as required.
TEACHING STAFF
Head Teacher Mrs Gillian Wylie
Principal Teacher Miss Anne Cummings
The number of teachers is adjusted each session dependent on the school roll.
The present teaching compliment is as follows:
Miss McFadyen Primary 1
Miss Taylor Primary 2
Miss Dunbar Primary 2/3
Mrs Gillies/Mr Cochen Primary 4
Miss Cummings Primary 5
Mrs Colville Primary 6
Mrs Watson Primary 7
The existing staff complement is 9.88 Full Time Equivalent.
NON-TEACHING STAFF
Mrs Foster Clerical Assistant
Mrs Semple Classroom Assistant
Mrs Hamilton Classroom Assistant
Mrs Timothy Additional Support Needs Assistant
Ms Stevenson Additional Support Needs Assistant
Mrs Riddell Additional Support Needs Assistant
Mrs Campbell Additional Support Needs Assistant
Miss Young Additional Support Needs Assistant
Mr Wilson Janitor
NURSERY
Miss Jennifer Doig Principal Teacher
Mrs Fay Crainie Early Years Worker
Miss Eleanor Balfour Early Years Worker
Miss Colleen O’Brien Early Years Worker
Mrs Angela Welsh Additional Support Needs Assistant
Mrs Tracy Carrigan Additional Support Needs Assistant
Ms Nodira Akhmedjanova Additional Support Needs Assistant
COMPOSITE CLASSES
These are classes where children of one, two or more year stages are grouped together to form a class. These are normally formed on the basis of language and/or maths working groups.
SCHOOL HOURS
Opening time: 09.00am
Morning interval: 10.30 – 10.45am
Lunchtime: 12.15 – 1.00pm
Dismissal: 3.00pm whole school.
Primary 1 children attend full time from August
NURSERY H0URS
(am) Opening time 08.40
Closing time 11.50
(pm) Opening time 13.00
Closing time 16.10
NON CLASS CONTACT TIME
In line with the McCrone report “A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century” teachers have two and a half hours per week during the school day for planning, preparation, assessment and recording. The class is taken at this time by the flexibility teacher for subject(s) agreed in advance. This subject is planned and assessed by the flexibility teacher who also reports on pupils’ progress.
Out of School Care
We have, on the school premises, an out of school care facility, which operates before and after school. A wide variety of activities are planned for the children throughout the year. The Wynd Out of School Care group operates this service. More details can be obtained from Mrs Marie Jones on 07931975527
SCHOOL YEAR
Holiday Dates January 2016 – June 2017
Re-open Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Close on Friday, 5 February 2016
Re-open Wednesday, 10 February 2016
In-service Wednesday, 10 February 2016
Close on Thursday, 25 March 2016
Re-open Tuesday, 29 March 2016
Close on Friday, 1 April 2016
Re-open Monday, 18 April 2016
Close on Monday, 6 May 2016
In-service Thursday, 5 May 2016
Close on Thursday, 26 May 2016
Re-open Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Close on Wednesday, 29 June 2016
In-service Monday, 15 August 2016
In-service Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Pupils Return Wednesday, 17 August 2016
School closes Thursday, 22 September 2016
Re-opens Tuesday, 27 September 2016
School closes Friday, 14 October 2016
Re-opens Monday, 24 October 2016
In-service Monday, 21 November 2016
School closes Friday, 23 December 2016
Re-opens Monday, 9 January 2017
School closes Friday, 10 February 2017
In-service Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Re-opens Thursday, 16 February 2017
School closes Friday, 31 March 2017
Re-opens Tuesday, 18 April 2017
School closes Monday, 1 May 2017
In-service Thursday, 4 May 2017
School closes Thursday, 25 May 2017
Re-opens Tuesday, 30 May 2017
School closes Wednesday, 28 June 2017
ENROLMENT
Registration
The registration of children due to start school in August of any year will take place at the local school in the January of that year. Official dates for registration will be announced in the press and parents will be notified concerning details of time etc. by the local Head Teacher. In keeping with the policy of Baird Memorial Primary School, parents are invited to contact the school at any time should they have a query with regard to the registration process. A child who reaches his/her fifth birthday between 1 March 2016 and February 2017 shall be registered in the local primary school before 1 February 2016.
Enrolment
Parents who wish to enrol their child at Baird Memorial Primary School may do so on the specified day or at a time convenient to both the parent and Head Teacher. An informal visit to the school prior to enrolment is encouraged. There will be an induction programme organised in May/June for our new P.1 pupils and their parents. Within the programme the children will be given an opportunity to meet their new teacher and become familiar with the class environment. Our P.1 curriculum will be explained to parents and possible strategies for parents to prepare their pupils will be discussed.
Placing Requests
Information regarding the enrolment of a child at another school can be obtained from the Head Teacher of the local school where the child will register.
You have the right to make a placing request for your child to be educated in a school other than their catchment school. In December each year, the authority will advertise its arrangements for placing requests. There are sound educational reasons for trying to ensure that the transfer or admission of children to a school takes place at the start of a school session. Other than those who are moving home or to a new area, parents are advised to time any placing requests so that they take effect from the beginning of the new school session. Every effort will be made to try to meet the parental wishes, but you should note that it is not always possible to grant every placing request to a particular school.
Placing requests to Primary School does not necessarily ensure that your child will have a direct entry into the associated secondary. Advice on this must be sought from the Primary School Headteacher. All placing requests details and procedures are available from the school or the council’s website.
Admission during term time
Parents who wish to enrol children during term time are invited to visit the school at a time convenient to both the parent and the Head Teacher and discuss any concerns they may have
Parents and Young People have a right under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2009 as amended by the Education (Additional Support for Learning)(Scotland) Act 2009 to make a placing request for their child or young person to attend a nursery (including partnership nursery), special school or, special class managed by the home authority. In the event of a successful placing request the authority are not required to provide transport. The Act also enables parents and young people to make a placing request to attend a school/establishment belonging to another authority.
THE CURRICULUM
The provision of a broad and balanced curriculum is essential if the school is to achieve its stated aim of building on the existing high standard of teaching and learning and ensuring the needs and ability of each child are catered for in accordance with set guidelines and incorporating areas outlined in a Curriculum for Excellence. To this end there are a number of school policy documents dealing with all aspects of the primary curriculum and these are supported by policy guidelines published at authority and national level. Parents are welcome to visit the school and have access to policy documents should they wish to do so and the school would welcome comments on the contents of such documents as these are reviewed from time to time as part of an ongoing process of School Improvement.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The school is committed to assessing all policies and practices to ensure there is no negative impact on any group of people.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Technical Guidance for Schools in Scotland is the essential guide for the school community to promote equality. This information can be accessed at:
http://www.equlityhumanrights.com/news/2013/jume/commission-publishes-equlity-guidance-for-schools/
A CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE
Curriculum for Excellence aims to achieve a transformation in education in Scotland by providing an improved, more flexible and enriched curriculum for all children and young people from 3-18. The curriculum includes all of the experiences, which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated. All schools and nurseries in North Lanarkshire are working hard to raise standards so that children and young people will develop all of the skills necessary to continue to be successful when leaving school and entering the world of higher education, training or work.
Curriculum for Excellence is underpinned by the values inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament - wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity. The purpose of Curriculum for Excellence is encapsulated in the four capacities - to enable each child or young person to be a successful learner, a confident individual, a responsible citizen and an effective contributor.
What are the curriculum areas in Curriculum for Excellence?
There are eight curriculum areas: -
Expressive Arts Religious and Moral Education
Health and Well Being Sciences
Languages (Literacy) Social Studies
Mathematics (Numeracy Technologies
Importantly literacy and numeracy are given added importance because these skills are so vital in everyday life. All teachers will have responsibility to teach literacy and numeracy.
Learning is divided into two phases
The Broad General Education (BGE) is from nursery to the end of Secondary School Year 3. Learning is divided into levels. These are as follows: -
LEVEL STAGE
Early the pre-school years and P1 or later for some
First to the end of P4 but earlier or later for some
Second to the end of P7 but earlier or later for some
Third and fourth S1 - S3, but earlier for some.
Senior Phase S4 – S6 and college or other means of study
How will my child’s learning be assessed?
Ø National 4 and 5 qualifications were introduced in 2013/2014
Ø Access, Higher and Advanced Highers are being updated to reflect Curriculum for Excellence
Ø New Highers in most subjects were introduced in almost all North Lanarkshire schools in August 2014
In playrooms and classrooms staff will be using improved ways of assessing children’s learning taking account of national and local advice and guidance. Your child’s progress will be reported to you so that you know how well your child is doing.