Prospectus 2019 – 2020
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY. BRANCHING INTO THE FUTURE. LEARNING TOGETHER WITHIN A CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT. Contents
Letters of Welcome ...... 1 School Vision and Aims ...... 4 People in School ...... 5 School Governors ...... 6 School Curriculum ...... 7 Religious Education ...... 9 Sex Education ...... 10 PE and Sport ...... 11 School Organisation Instrumental Lessons ...... 12 School Council ...... 12 After School Activities ...... 12 Equal Opportunities / Inclusion ...... 13 Behaviour ...... 14 School Day ...... 14 Home-School Partnership ...... 16 School Uniform ...... 17 Starting School ...... 17 Additional Information ...... 18 Money Breakfast Club Lunchtimes Milk Healthy Tuck Shop School Visits Health and Safety ...... 20 Attendance ...... 20 School Performance ...... 21 Complaints ...... 21 Appendix 1: Charges and Remissions ...... 22 Appendix 2: School Calendar 19/20 ...... 23 Appendix 3: Term Time Holidays ...... 24 Flockton CE (C) First School
Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Address - Flockton CE (C) First School, Barnsley Road, Flockton, Wakefield WF4 4DH
E-mail – [email protected]
Website - www.flocktonschool.co.uk
Phone - 01924 326800
Headteacher - Mr Neil Cappleman
Chair of Governors Mrs Hannah Boyle
Dear Parents/Carer On behalf of the children, Staff and Governors, may I welcome you to Flockton CE (C) First School. This prospectus is designed to introduce you to our school and I hope you will find it informative and helpful. At Flockton we aim to provide a happy, caring and secure learning environment which will enable all children to fulfil their potential. The Governors and Staff believe that by setting high standards in all we do, we will help the children to develop skills and attitudes that will equip them for later life. Confidence in school comes from knowing and understanding what is happening in it and we feel that this is best achieved when a strong partnership exists between home and school. I hope that this first communication will go some way towards telling you about our school. Please phone or call in if you would like to look around the school or have any questions you would like to ask.
Your sincerely
Neil Cappleman Headteacher
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The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines Bishop of Leeds Direct number: 0113 2242789 Email: [email protected]
Bishop of Leeds: Hollin House, Weetwood Avenue, Leeds LS16 5NG Tel: 0113 2742395 www.westyorkshiredales.anglican.org
Dear Parent,
As the Diocesan Bishop of Leeds I am delighted to welcome your child to this church school, within the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales.
Education is at the heart of the church’s mission and I am confident that at this church school your child will enjoy a high quality education within a distinctive Christian context. Our schools reflect the inclusive nature of the love of God by reflecting and celebrating the diversity of the communities within which they are located and establishing values and behaviours rooted in faith.
I am proud of the church’s historic commitment to provide schools for local families within local communities. The distinctive and inclusive ethos of this school will create a firm foundation which will prepare your child both educationally and personally for their journey into adult life.
I share my interest in, and commitment to, the life of this church school with your local Area Bishop whom I am sure will become a familiar face to you and your child within the school community.
Please be assured of my prayers for you and your child at this exciting time of your family’s life. May God bless you and your family.
The Rt. Revd Nicholas Baines Bishop of Leeds
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WELCOME
Flockton CE (C) First School is a co-educational Church of England Controlled First School which the children attend on a daily basis. The school enjoys a close relationship with the church of St James The Great.
We are a small village school catering for children from the ages of rising 5 to 10 years of age. Most of our children transfer at 10 to Scissett Middle School with which we have strong links. We spend considerable time and effort on liaison work in order to ensure that the transition to a new school causes the least possible disruption to each child and their progress. On leaving Scissett Middle School the majority of children transfer at 13 to Shelley College.
Kirklees Children and Young People Service currently operate a Single Point of Entry for Rising Fives. All children born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 may begin full-time school in September 2019. Parents may defer their child’s entry to full-time school if they wish. Full details can be found on page 17 - Starting School.
There is an exciting playing area at the rear of the school which is supplemented by a garden for children to use at playtimes and lunchtimes. A large field at the back of the school provides space for games which is also used at lunchtimes.
After a visit to school, and when you have decided that this is where you wish your child to be educated, you should contact Kirklees Admissions ([email protected]) to apply for a place. On the website you will find useful information and an online application form.
The school was inspected by OFSTED in February 2016 who said:
“...You, your staff, governors, pupils and parents are rightly proud of the caring ethos, rooted in Christianity, which characterises the school. All involved in school life show respect for one another, and in this positive environment, pupils behave very well and develop very positive attitudes towards learning. This is evident in the pride they take in the presentation of their work. Pupils enjoy the recognition they gain for good work or behaviour ... Pupils are confident that their views are taken seriously and this helps them grow into mature, articulate young people. They take their responsibilities... seriously. “
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Ethos Statement and Aims of the school
Rooted in the community. Branching into the future. Learning together within a Christian environment.
Recognising its historic foundation, Flockton CE (C) First School will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level. Our School aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.
We create a happy, safe and secure environment for our learners to grow and achieve their full potential academically, physically, spiritually, emotionally and economically. We achieve this by:
Providing an inclusive environment and curriculum, which enables learners to value and respect themselves and others.
Providing opportunities to understand the meaning and significance of faith and take part in Christian worship; building on our positive working relationship with the church.
Providing a broad, balanced, experiential curriculum which meets the needs of individual learners; offers challenges and celebrates high standards of achievement both academic and personal.
Encouraging independent learning so that life skills such as: resilience, confidence, high self-esteem, self-motivation are developed, creating enthusiasm and enjoyment for discovery.
Encouraging learners to make positive life choices which enable them to live a healthy and productive lifestyle.
Encouraging all learners to play a full and active part in the life of our school and contribute to its development.
Promoting positive working relationships within school and with parents/carers, the church and community, actively encouraging respect for each other and our environment.
We believe that children’s full potential is best achieved when we all work together.
Christian Values at Flockton CE (C) First School As a Church school we have a distinctive character where Christian values are promoted in all aspects of school life. We encourage all members of the school community to promote a Christian ethos where care and respect is shown to everyone. Our Christian Values of: Compassion, Endurance, Forgiveness, Friendship, Koinonia (being part of one body / community) and Thankfulness underpin the whole life of our community. These values inform the school's vision, aims and ethos, the design of curriculum, all policies, the planning for spiritual and moral development as well as the school's management and governance.
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People in School
Headteacher Mr N Cappleman
Assistant Headteacher Mrs E Hurst
Class Teacher - Class 1 Years Reception + Year 1 Mrs D Weatherhead / Mrs S Horwood
Class Teacher - Class 2 Years 2 + 3 Mrs E Hurst
Class Teacher - Class 3 Years 4 + 5 Mrs M Oliver / Mrs C Morris
Other Teaching Staff Mrs E Delaney – PPA Music Mrs S Sumner – PPA PE / Intervention
Classroom Support Assistants
Mrs A Carter Mrs A Meichan Ms D Sangha
School Business Manager Mrs S Latham
School Admin Officer Mrs K Smith
Caretaker Mr J West
Cook-in-Charge Mrs J Manby
Assistant Cook Ms P Auty
Senior Lunchtime Supervisor Mrs A Meichan
Lunchtime Supervisors Mrs D Dowie Mrs M Craig Mrs G Ware Miss L Hough
Breakfast and After School Club Leaders Miss L Hough Ms D Sangha
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The School Governors
The school’s governing body is made up of local people who voluntarily give up their time to serve the community by working to ensure that our children receive the best possible education.
Governors are like a board of directors who share decision making on how the school is run. Whilst it is a responsibility, training is available to prepare for it. At Flockton the full governing body usually meets once a half term, with sub committee meetings when needed.
The Chair of Governors can be contacted through school
Chair of Governors Mrs H Boyle
Vice Chair of Governors Mrs L Burnett
Headteacher Mr N Cappleman
Parent Governors (2) Mrs H Boyle Mrs S Pearson
LEA Governor (1) Mrs R Wood
Co-opted Governors (7) Mrs L Burnett Mrs L Coates Mrs J Metcalfe Mr R Michael Vacancy Vacancy
Staff Governor (1) Mrs E Hurst
Foundation Governors (2) Rev V Keating Mrs S Rawling
Associate Governors (2) Mrs S Latham
Clerk to the Governors Mrs A Sahota
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SCHOOL ORGANISATION
We have 3 classes in school: one for Reception/Year 1, one for Year 2/3 and one for Year 4/5. Educational Teaching Assistants (ETAs) work in all classes throughout the school. We are also grateful to parents and friends of the school / community helpers who help in classrooms.
Starting School
All children born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 may begin full-time school in September 2019.
Please see the website for our admissions policy.
You will be invited into school on several occasions before your child starts school. This may be as part of an open day, to watch a concert, or just to meet the class teacher and say hello. You will also be invited to a more formal coffee morning where you will meet other staff and get the chance to ask any questions that you have. Your child will also have the opportunity to visit Class 1 with the other children.
When your child first starts school you are welcome to come into school to drop them off. Usually after a few days the children settle and prefer to come in on their own, but please feel free to come in at any time to chat to the teacher or to ask about what is going on in class. Very few children come straight home and want to talk about every detail, and you may feel quite left out at the beginning - don't worry, that is absolutely normal!
THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Our curriculum includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but also the range of extra-curricular activities that the school organises in order to enrich the experience of the children. It also includes the ‘hidden curriculum’, or what the children learn from the way they are treated and expected to behave. We aim to teach children how to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and co-operate with others while developing knowledge and skills, so that they achieve their true potential.
The Flockton Curriculum is built on four cornerstones: 1. Rooted in the community: using our local resources, working within our community and becoming more aware of the wider community around us. 2. Branching into the future: preparing for life as an adult in our community. Developing skills and concepts such as: sustainability, healthy lifestyles, financial management, enterprise and invention whilst caring for others. 3. Learning outside of school: offering our learners a wide range of memorable experiences that will engage, excite and offer a stimulus for developing their learning. 4. Developing independence and resilience: giving our children the skills they need to develop as successful lifelong learners.
We plan our curriculum in three phases. We agree a long-term plan for each key stage. This indicates what topics are to be taught in each term, and to which groups of children. We review our long term plan on a regular basis. With our medium-term plans, we give clear guidance on the objectives and teaching 7 strategies that we use when teaching each topic. At Flockton CE (C) First School we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum in YR and National Curriculum (2014) from Y1 to Y5. We use these to support our medium-term planning. Our short-term plans are those that our teachers write on a weekly or daily basis. We use these to set out the learning objectives for each session, and to identify what resources and activities we are going to use in the lesson. In the Foundation Stage and at Key Stages 1 and 2 we adopt a topic approach to curriculum planning. We plan the curriculum carefully and progressively, so that there is coherence and full coverage of all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum.
Each term we produce a curriculum information sheet to let you know the curriculum your child will be studying in their class. These will be sent home with your child but are also available on our website.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
Flockton CE (C) First School follows the Local Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Kirklees and Calderdale 2019. This is the statutory curriculum for maintained schools in Calderdale and Kirklees. It is also the agreed syllabus for all Church of England schools and academies within the two local authority areas. The syllabus is also supported by an extensive range of units from the scheme Understanding Christianity, published by The Church of England.
Through the syllabus, the children are taught about other world faiths and their similarities and differences to the Christian faith.
Christianity, Islam and other world views in Key Stage One Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and other world views in Key Stage Two
Our school is a Church of England establishment and this is reflected in many ways:
there are close links with St James' Church
our collective worship is of broadly Christian nature
our religious education similarly places emphasis upon developing a knowledge and understanding of Christianity
There is a daily act of Collective Worship in school, ranging from whole school assemblies, through separate Key Stage 1 and 2 assemblies, to class-based assemblies. This we feel gives the greatest variety for the children.
Parents may withdraw their children from RE should they wish to do so after consultation with the Headteacher.
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Sex and Relationship Education (SRE)
The governors, have agreed that the school should offer a programme of sex and relationship education within a moral, family-orientated and Christian framework and have also agreed a policy for sex education. This is an aspect of our PSHCE curriculum.
Emphasis is placed throughout the curriculum upon a programme of Personal and Social Education and Citizenship aimed at developing in the children a knowledge of what is right and wrong, caring behaviour and a sense of morality.
Parents will be informed of how and when sex and relationship education lessons will be delivered in Year 5. Parents of these children are invited to see supporting teaching materials. The school nurse comes into school to support our sex and health education curriculum.
Please note SRE is currently under review by the DfE. Please check with the school or on our website for any updates.
PE and Sport
All children are encouraged to participate in PE. If your child is unable to participate due to illness or injury it is important that you contact your child’s teacher to discuss the matter.
All children must change for indoor and outdoor PE. All items of P.E. clothing should be clearly named. A large cotton pump bag (with the child's name on) is the best type of bag for carrying P.E. kit. Our cloakrooms are very small and so for safety reasons we ask you not to send large bags to school.
For indoor PE children need a plain tee-shirt, (school tee- shirts are available), blue or black shorts and pumps.
For outdoor PE the children need a warm jumper and jogging bottoms, tracksuits are acceptable. We ask that children are provided with trainers as footwear and do not wear outdoor shoes.
Earrings must be removed before taking part in any physical activity.
We work with a range of partnerships to offer increased opportunities to take part in Inter- school activities and training in football, cricket, rounders, multi skills, athletics and swimming. During the year a range of different KS1 and KS2 physical activity clubs are offered as after school clubs. All Year 4 and 5 children attend swimming classes at Scissett swimming baths as part of the curriculum.
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Instrumental Lessons
Kirklees Music School offers tuition through peripatetic teachers on a wide variety of instruments. These lessons usually take place in school and there is a charge for this service. If you wish your child to receive instrumental tuition a booking form is available from the school office.
In addition to existing curriculum requirement, all Year 4 and 5 children take part in weekly whole class music sessions which include learning to play the violin. These sessions are led by a peripatetic music teacher from Kirklees music school. As this is part of the music curriculum it is expected that the children bring their instruments home and practice regularly as part of their homework. Learning an instrument helps develop many skills and attributes; and looking after their instrument helps the children understand responsibility.
Equal Opportunities / Inclusion
At Flockton CE (C) First School we deliver quality first teaching to every child, adapting the curriculum to their specific needs. We know when pupils need help if: concerns are raised by parents / carers, teachers or the child limited progress is being made there is a change in the pupil’s behaviour or progress.
For more information about how we support children with specific needs please read our SEND local offer, available on our website.
All pupils are admitted in line with school and LEA admissions policy irrespective of special educational need. However the physical structure of the school and the lack of specialist provision creates difficulties in admitting children with certain physical disabilities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Therefore, no specific arrangements are in place for the admission of disabled pupils. If the occasion arose we would expect to have Authority financial support to accommodate specific requirements. The new building, however, does accommodate disabled facilities in the lower end of school.
The school promotes a strong climate of equality with regard to gender, culture, race, sexuality, ability, age. The Equal Opportunities policy ensures an effective and inclusive school for all. By addressing our school policies and principles, the school ensures there is no discrimination in education on the grounds of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, gender and disability. These link to the dimensions of the school’s equality, diversity and cohesion strategy.
We recognise that from time to time some children or adults in this school may experience racial harassment. We accept responsibility for dealing with these incidents in order to promote a learning community in which all members share respect and trust. Racial harassment will be addressed because its existence can have damaging effects; • on the quality of life of the victims and those who know them. • on the quality of the education we offer in our school. 10
Behaviour
We believe in high standards of discipline and behaviour and ask that all parents/carers work with us to ensure continuity of these standards. Our Behaviour Policy outlines our expectations of children, and describes how we promote good behaviour; including stickers and certificates. There is a series of progressive sanctions in the event that the expectations are not followed by individuals. The sanctions last for the day or session only. Our close cooperation with all parents means that all problems are swiftly and sensitively dealt with.
‘Team Teach’ is used throughout Kirklees and is a good example of positive behaviour management. School staff received training in this from Claremont Behaviour Support Services in April 2019.The school holds a list of staff who have undertaken this training.
As a Church of England school we seek to portray and develop those attitudes and values which accord with Christian teaching. We aim to encourage everyone in school to value each other, to look for the positive in people, to use a restorative approach, to help others, to take responsibility for actions, and to develop self-discipline.
School Council
Our school council meet has twelve representatives from Y1 to Y5. They are chosen by each class every year.
The councillors are the ‘pupil voice’ in our school for a wide range of subjects; from helping to organise duties around school to discussing the school development plan with the Head Teacher and governors.
We are always ready to try new ideas for fund-raising events to support our chosen charity for the year and the school fund.
School Visits As part of curriculum planning, each class may have the opportunity to go on an educational visit during the year. This will be related to the unit of work being studied in the class, and will form part of the work for the term. We invite other adults connected with school to join us and such visits are very valuable in enhancing a child's independence and self-confidence.
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The School Day
Please encourage your child to be a good timekeeper by ensuring he/she is ready to start work at 9:00 am.
School times: 8.55am – 12.00 1.00pm – 3.30pm
School opens at 8.50am, when the doors are opened; children should not arrive at school any earlier than 8.45am.
We have a security system fitted to all exterior doors which are locked for the security of children at 9.05am. Anyone arriving at school after that time should ring the bell at the main entrance and the parent/carer needs to report to the office to sign the child in.
Parents and carers have the opportunity to see staff before the start and at the end of school. The top and bottom doors remain open from 8.45am each morning and from 3.30pm until 3.45pm in order to allow for this.
Government regulations regarding school attendance make it essential that your child is at school on time. Registers will close at 9.05am for the morning and 1.10pm for the afternoon sessions; if children arrive after registers are closed they will be marked ‘Late’ on the register. This is classed as an unauthorised absence.
It is important to note that whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure children’s safety when they are on the premises before the start of the day, staff are busy preparing lessons and your child is legally in your charge until 8.55am.
Lunchtimes At lunchtime children eat their meals in the school hall, and have a choice of a school meal or a packed lunch from home.
Before the start of each half term you will be given the opportunity, if you wish, for your child to change from sandwiches to dinners or vice versa. Please inform school if you wish to change.
School meals consist of fresh food prepared on the premises. A selection of main courses is available including a salad bar and there is a choice of dessert from fresh fruit, yoghurt, hot or cold puddings. Our school meals have received a Gold award from Kirklees Healthy Choice.
Lunch boxes should be clearly labelled with the child’s name. Please do not include sweets, including chocolate bars, in the lunch box as sweets are not allowed to be eaten during school time. Also, glass containers or ring-pull cans should not be sent for safety reasons.
Universal Free School Meals School meals are free for all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Universal Free School Meals (UFSM).
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Free School Meals If you are on a low income, and in receipt of certain benefits, your child is not only entitled to a free school meal, but also things like free milk, help towards school trips and other support. We would urge all eligible parents to apply, as this application ensures that your child's school receives the additional funds to be able to provide this. You are entitled to this additional support if you have a child in Kirklees who is in full time education, and you receive one or more of the following: Income Support Income Based Job Seekers Allowance Income Related Employment and Support Allowance Child Tax Credit, but are not entitled to a Working Tax Credit and your annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) is less than £16,190 Support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Eligible parents can apply for free school meals at: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/leisure/sportHealth/freeSchoolMeals.aspx
Or by telephone: 01484 221928.
Milk All children are eligible for school milk. This can be ordered and paid for each term in the school office. All pupils receive free school milk until the term in which their 5th birthday falls. Also, if your child is entitled to free school meals no charge will be made for milk. Please contact the office for more details.
Healthy Tuck Shop We have a tuck shop in school which is open at morning break and from which we sell fruit and healthy snacks. Children may also bring their own snack from home. Sweets, chocolate biscuits / bars, crisps and nuts should not be brought as snacks and crisps are allowed only as part of a packed lunch. Daily Fruit Children in Reception and Years 1 + 2 all receive a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable every day.
Lunchtime and After School Clubs
The school offers a range of lunchtime and after school activities. These may vary according to the time of year and staff interest/expertise. During the past year these have included: singing, cookery, multi-skills, cross- country, drama, ICT and rugby clubs. In addition, from time to time, use is made of outside expertise. We have junior play leaders who support the children at lunchtimes; and a sports coach who runs after-school clubs throughout the year.
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The end of the school day
At 3:30 pm children in Years 4 and 5 go to meet their parents / carers in the playground. They are told to return to class if no-one is there to meet them. To develop independence in preparation for Middle School, Y5 pupils living in the village may walk to and from school on their own in the final summer half term. Parent permissions slips are needed for this, which can be obtained from the school office. Please inform the class teacher if you intend to do this.
Younger children in Years R, 1, 2 and 3 are seen out of the door by their teacher or ETA.
If you think you are going to be late arriving to collect your child, please try to let us know so that we can reassure them and take care of them until they are collected. However, if you know that you are going to be over 10 minutes late, please make arrangements for someone to collect your child.
It is vital that you inform school if someone else will be picking up your child. We will not let your child leave school unless we have received notification from you.
Wraparound Care
Breakfast Club Breakfast Club opens each morning at 7.45am and runs until the beginning of school. The Breakfast Club takes place in Sycamore Class and is run by school staff. The club is open to all children from Reception to Year 5. Each morning children arriving before 8.15am are offered a simple healthy breakfast, usually cereal, toast, fruit, milk and juice. We have a range of activities for the children to participate in and aim to get the children awake and ready for the day ahead, with fun and physical games. Take advantage of our drop in sessions - appointment to attend, early meeting, change of working arrangements? With just 24 hours’ notice you can utilise the services of the Breakfast Club on an ad hoc basis.
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After School Club The After School Club runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during term time but is not open during the holidays and on INSET days. There are a wide range of free play and planned activities available. The children are provided with a snack and this is usually served between 4:00 and 4:30pm. Water and fruit snacks are also be available throughout the session. The Club is open to children from Reception to Year 5, with a maximum of 20 children able to attend at any one time.
For more information please see our website, contact the school office or complete the booking form to reserve a place for your child.
Home – School Partnership
Your child's teacher will encourage you to take an active part in your child's education; e.g. sharing books, mathematical problems, 'finding out'/research on a subject, and I hope you will feel able to offer support. Each half term your child will bring home a Class Newsletter outlining the work that is to be undertaken in class and suggesting ways in which you can help and support your child’s learning. You will also be able to find information on the class pages on the school website.
In order to ensure you are fully informed about your child's progress you will be invited to parents’ evenings when you will have the opportunity to discuss your child's progress. You may make an appointment to see your child's class teacher or the Headteacher at any time, and you are always welcome in school.
A written Achievement Report will be sent to you during the Summer Term and there will be an opportunity to discuss this with the class teacher.
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Home-school agreements are a key part of our home school partnership. This will be sent out when your child starts school. Please read it with your child, sign and return. We hope you will all assist us in continuing to develop a happy and successful school.
We value the help that parents and other members of the community give. Some parents come in occasionally, whilst others are able to commit themselves to a regular time each week. We are very grateful for this help, whatever the time that is given. If you have any special skills please tell us if you are prepared to share them with us. Parents regularly help by giving lifts to sporting events and enabling us to undertake a wide range of trips to support the curriculum.
We must keep a record of all volunteers who work in school. We ask that volunteers sign our ‘Helpers in School Agreement’ and ensure that Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are undertaken.
Keeping in Touch At Flockton, we use the Teachers2Parents texting service as a means of quick communication between school and home. This is used for reminders ie. trips, parents evening, dinner money. It is also a quick way to reach parents if for instance an afterschool club was cancelled or we had a snow closure. We also use ParentPay to email you newsletters on a regular basis; Facebook, and our website to keep you informed about events at school.
It is vital that you notify us of any changes to mobile telephone numbers that we have on record for your child.
Friends of Flockton We have a Friends of Flockton group who meet regularly to organise fund raising and social events to support the school. If you are interested in joining or would like to help at our events please come along to one of our meetings. Chair: Charlotte Michael and Lisa Burnett (joint)
School Uniform
We have a school uniform which consists of royal blue cardigans or sweatshirts and gold polo shirts, worn with dark trousers/skirts. Other uniform items are available ie. book and PE bags, shower proof jacket, fleeces, hats and caps - all with the school logo embroidered on them. In summer, the girls can wear blue and white gingham or striped dresses.
School Uniform is available from Term Time Wear, St Johns Road, Huddersfield (www.termtimewear.com)
As all our children wear school uniform it is vital that you name all items of school wear. One school jumper looks very much like another, and they can all very easily be mislaid.
Children should wear clean, sensible and comfortable footwear. If the weather is bad, children should bring something to change into for inside school - pumps for example. Clothes and shoes which can be fastened and unfastened without help from the teachers are an advantage.
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Jewellery should not be worn as this represents a danger to the wearer and other children. Where children have pierced ears, only studs will be allowed and these must be able to be removed by the child for PE and swimming. We ask that children do not wear make-up or nail varnish in school.
Looking after their own belongings is a valuable lesson for all children, and for this reason we allow the wearing of watches once parents/carers feel that their children are old enough for this responsibility. These need to be removed for PE, each class has a special place where these may be kept safely during PE sessions.
Payments
Online payments to school with ParentPay! We use an online secure service called ParentPay. Making secure payments online using your credit or debit card ParentPay offers you the freedom to make payments whenever and wherever you like, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – safe in the knowledge that the technology used is of the highest internet security available. You will have a secure online account, activated using a unique username and password; you will be prompted to change these, and to keep them safe and secure. If you have more than one child at our school or children at another ParentPay school, you can create one single account login for all your children regardless of which school they attend. Making a payment is straightforward and ParentPay holds a payment history for you to view at a later date; no card details are stored in any part of the system. Once you’ve activated your account you can make online payments straight away. Using PayPoint Trip and activity information letters will carry a unique barcode which will allow you to make cash payments at stores that display the yellow and purple Paypoint sign. PayPoint payments are recorded by ParentPay and can be seen by logging in to your ParentPay account and viewing your payment history online. Please notify the school office if you wish to use the PayPoint facility. You will be issued with a letter to enable you
17 to make cash payments for school meals, trips etc at your local Paypont stores. For parents wishing to use the Paypoint facility, your local store will be: Flockton Stores, Barnsley Road.
We discourage children from bringing other money to school, but if this is absolutely necessary, it should be handed to the child's teacher for safekeeping. Flockton CE (C) First School Breakfast and After School Clubs
Health and Safety
If there are any circumstances (including health problems), which might affect your child, would you please let us know so that we can fully understand your child's circumstances.
The school has adopted CHYPS policy and Guidelines Supporting Children and Young People with Medical Needs. Drugs and medicines in school are a complicated issue. Because of this, no child should bring medicines or tablets into school. The only exceptions are made when a request is made in person from a parent. We will only consider prescribed medicines which have to be administered 4 times per day. In this case, the parent will be required to record details of the drugs and their administration on a consent form, available from the school office or to download from our website. Please take all medicines to the school office.
All drugs are kept locked in the first aid cabinet or stored in the fridge. Inhalers are the child's responsibility.
Children will only normally be excused swimming, PE, or playing outside if we receive a note from a parent.
In the event of an accident at school you will be informed by letter. If your child has sustained a head injury, you will be informed by telephone also.
In the interest of road safety, parents collecting children by car are asked to observe the parking restrictions outside school by never parking on the zigzag yellow lines.
For safety reasons we also ask that no parents bring their cars up the school drive as this is used as a route for parents and toddlers to the pre-school.
We require you to fill in a form for our administrative records, which includes necessary information on your child such as address, emergency telephone numbers and allergies etc. This is all stored on the office computer. The school is fully registered under the Data Protection Act.
Please remember to let us know if any of this information changes at all.
Safeguarding
Flockton CE (C) First School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school. All Kirklees schools, including Flockton CE (C) First School, follow the Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Duty and Assessment and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Kirklees Safeguarding Children Procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents. The school’s child protection policy is available on request. 18
School Performance – KS1 (16 children – 1 child = 6.25%)
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Attendance
Up to May 2019, the attendance rate at this school was 95.79%. As we are a small school, one child’s absence can have a significant impact on our attendance rates. We do encourage children to be punctual as if they are late for registration it affects their attendance record and can upset them. Registration takes place between 8:55am and 9:05am and if children arrive after this time a late mark is recorded.
Please let us know the nature of your child's absence on the first day of absence. If you know your child is going to be absent in advance, please let us know as soon as possible.
Please let the class teacher know if your child has an appointment during the school day. You will need to come to the main entrance to collect them and sign them in and/or out.
Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. Any pupil’s absence disrupts teaching routines so may affect the learning of others in the same class. Ensuring every child’s regular attendance at school is the parents’/carers’ responsibility and permitting absence from school without good reason creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution.
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Emergency Contact and First-day Calling Procedures
As instructed by the Kirklees Education Safeguarding Team, our First Day Calling Procedures are: 1. Class registers completed and saved 2. Late children checked against registers if recorded separately 3. Absence calls and messages listened to/attendance emails checked 4. Call first name on contact list within 30 minutes of school start time 5. If no response to call, first day text sent to first name on contact list within 45 minutes of school start time asking for response 6. Ring down contact list until reply is received, ensuring where possible that someone from outside of the family home has been contacted 7. If no reply send second text and email to first and second contacts on list 8. Alert HT/DSL that this child is absent and no contact has been made within an hour of school start time 9. HT/DSL to risk assess the current level of concern and consider whether circumstances warrant a home visit 10. Home visit to be made following decision at 9, where possible by school staff or any other agency involved with the child 11. Contact Police to initiate a “safe and well” check if all other stages have been completed and there is still no contact regarding the absent child. This would be done using the 101 number.
Complaints
If anything concerns parents about their children's educational welfare, we encourage them to contact their class teacher as soon as possible so that problems can be resolved quickly. The Headteacher will advise parents on the "Local Complaints Procedure" if they should still feel concerned. Section 23 of the Education Reform Act 1988 and the LEA document can be viewed at school.
All information contained in this Prospectus was correct at the time of publication, May 2019. Any future changes will be published.
The Prospectus is published by: The Governing Body of Flockton CE (C) First School
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Appendix One Charges and Remissions
The Governors of Flockton CE (C) First School recognise in section 106 -111 and 117 - 118 of the Education Reform Act 1988 the requirements under the law regarding the policy on Charges for School Activities. Flockton CE (C) First School Governing body agrees to the four main objectives of the charging provisions required in the 1988 Act. These are:
To maintain the right to free school education;
To establish that activities offered wholly or mainly during normal teaching time should be available to all pupils regardless of their parents' ability or willingness to help meet the cost;
To emphasise that there is no statutory requirement to charge for any form of education or related activity, but to give LEAs and school the discretion to charge for optional activities provided wholly or mainly out of school hours;
To confirm the right of LEAs and school to invite voluntary contributions for the benefit of the school, or in support of any activity organised buy the school, whether during or outside school hours;
Any family on Income Support or Family Credit experiencing difficulty should discuss the matter with the Headteacher at the earliest opportunity.
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Appendix Two: School Attendance and Leave of Absence It is well recognised that good, consistent attendance at school is crucial to a child or young person’s future prospects and reducing absence from school continues to be a priority for the Shelley Pyramid Family of Schools. Reflecting national concerns around attendance, the Department for Education issued guidance in June 2013 (revised 5th January 2017) strengthening the view that as a general rule, children should not be taken out of school for the purposes of a holiday.
Leave of absence in term time may be granted for a family under special circumstances.
These might include: For service personnel and other employees who are prevented from taking leave outside term-time if the leave will have minimal disruption to the pupil's education; And: When a family needs to spend time together to support each other during or after a crisis.
All requests from parents for leave of absence must be made in writing to the school in advance, using the “Application for Pupil Leave of Absence from School” form, which is available from the school office. The request should be sent for the attention of the Head Teacher and outline the specific reasons why the request meets the requirements of “special circumstances”.
The Head teacher will determine if the request is reasonable. Unless there are exceptional circumstances the school will not approve any term time leave of absence:
For any Key Stage 4 students (years 10 and 11). Any student in full time education (years Reception-9) where current attendance is less than 95%. Statutory exam periods. In the month of September
Sports Coaching In line with the DfE guidance for attendance, all pupils of compulsory age are entitled to a full-time education. Authorisation by the Head teacher for external sports coaching will only be granted in exceptional circumstances where a pupil is particularly skilled or working towards entry to a specialist sports school or county / national competitions. A written request must be made to the Head teacher by the child’s parent or carer in the first instance. The school may request further details from the external sports provider.
If leave is taken without proper authorisation, the schools may respond as follows:
The absence will be treated as unauthorised and recorded on the child's Record of Achievement. Parents can be given a Kirklees Penalty Notice or prosecuted for periods of unauthorised absences. In certain circumstances, the school may delete pupils from the register who fail to return on the date they were expected back from extended leave.
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Appendix Three
School Calendar (Term Dates) for Flockton CE (C) First School 2019/20
Academic Year 2019/20 AUTUMN TERM 2019 SPRING TERM 2020 SUMMER TERM 2020 40 Days 35 Days 30 Days 30 Days 24 Days 36 Days FIRST DAY HALF TERM LAST DAY FIRST DAY HALF TERM LAST DAY FIRST DAY HALF TERM LAST DAY Monday Mon 28th Oct Friday Monday Mon 17th Feb Friday 3rd Monday Mon 25th May Monday 2nd Sept to 20th Dec 6th Jan to April 20th April to 20th July Fri 1st Nov Fri 21st Feb Fri 29th May inclusive inclusive inclusive
The above comes to 195 days – Five of which are to be pupil occasional holidays (Teacher INSET days)
School will also be closed on the following days: Bank Holidays 2019/20 Pupil Occasional Holidays / Staff INSET Days 2019/20
Christmas: Wednesday 25th December 2019 Monday 2nd September 2019 Christmas: Thursday 26th December 2019 Friday 27th September 2019 New Year’s Day: Wednesday 1st January 2020 Monday 4th November 2019 Good Friday: Friday 10th April 2020 Friday 14th February 2020 Easter Monday: Monday 13th April 2020 Monday 20th July 2020 May Day: Monday 4th May 2020 Now Friday 8th May (VE Day) Spring Bank: Monday 25th May 2020 August Bank Holiday: Monday 31st August 2020