Caversham County Primary
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Caversham Primary School ‘Learning for life’ Prospectus 2019-2020 Caversham Primary School Vision and Values Core Values compassion, enthusiasm, cooperation, determination, respect CAVERSHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL Hemdean Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7RA Telephone 0118 9375454 Fax 0118 9375456 e-mail [email protected] www.cavershamprimary.org About the school Caversham Primary School is a co-educational Local Authority maintained primary school which caters for pupils from four to eleven years of age. The Local Authority is Reading Unitary Authority and the Head of Education is Dr. Kate Reynolds. The school is a Level 2 UNICEF Rights Respecting School, has the Gold International School Award and the Gold Arts Council Award. Caversham Primary School is a large, attractive primary school with an above average number on roll of 414 pupils. The school first opened in 1938. The building has been modernised over the years to provide a full range of facilities. These include a dining room, and a main hall which is well equipped for Physical Education and is also used for assemblies. There is a well-stocked library, a computer suite, a pottery room, a home economics room and a music conservatory. Outside is a large playground and field with an outdoor learning hut, performance stage, adventure play equipment and covered canopies. The school is well resourced to deliver the National Curriculum. All pupils have access to a wide range of science and technology equipment, every classroom has an inter-active whiteboard. Adjoining the school is a playing field which can accommodate athletics, rounders and a football pitch. There is a large playground which is used for netball, tennis and other games. The Governors, Headteacher, teaching and support staff work together to achieve the aims of the school, which are based on the entitlement of every child to a broad and balanced curriculum. The curriculum offered will promote the highest standards of achievement by all pupils. The pupils are mainly taught by their class teacher who takes overall responsibility for promoting the child’s progress and welfare. As a government requirement, each week the class is taught for one session by a regular cover teacher to enable year group teachers to Plan, Prepare and Assess (PPA). There will be other occasions, however, when they will be taught by other teachers who may have specific expertise appropriate to the child’s needs (e.g. music, pottery, PE, Outdoor Learning and Special Needs) or to cover some teachers’ management time. Admissions Admissions Policy: This school implements Reading Borough Council’s Admissions Policy. A parents’ guide is available to explain the admissions procedure from Reading Borough Council (01189 390550) or from their web site: www.reading.gov.uk/schooladmissions. The Planned Admissions Figure for pupils in their initial year of entry is 60 and the School’s Accommodation Level is 420 which is a guide to the school’s capacity. Designated area: Pupils attending the school will normally live at an address included in the designated area. To check if an address is in the designated area, please refer to the Reading Borough website above. For further details, please contact Reading Borough Council’s website. Management of the school day The hours to be spent on teaching during a normal school week, including religious education, but excluding the statutory daily act of collective worship, registration and lunch and other breaks) as recommended by the Secretary of State in DFE circular 7/90 “Management of the School Day”, are: Key Stage 1 - (5 - 7 years) 21 hours Key Stage 2 - (8 - 11 years) 23.5 hours At Caversham Primary School, Key Stage 1 pupils are taught National Curriculum subjects plus R.E. for 22.5 hours per week. Key Stage 2 pupils are taught for 23.5 hours. The National Curriculum requires all pupils aged 5-16 to study these core subjects - English, maths and science, and other non-core subjects – computing, design technology, history, geography, music, drama, art and P.E. as well as R.E. and a foreign language. In addition there are five cross-curricular themes - environmental education, health education, education for Global citizenship and Community Cohesion, education for economic well-being and careers education. Elements of these themes should be taught through the subjects of the National Curriculum and other timetabled provision, particularly in the wider work of the school in the community. It is the aim of Caversham Primary School to meet the needs of the National Curriculum through a happy and industrious school environment. Each child will follow a curriculum that offers challenge, leading to the highest standards of personal achievement. Curriculum The curriculum offered in school will promote: the highest standards of achievement by all pupils, regardless of ability, ethnic origin or gender, pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, preparing them for a life as effective citizens of the future. In line with the National Curriculum programmes of study, subject leaders and each team of class teachers will plan and implement the curriculum appropriate to the age and ability of the pupils. Pupils in the Foundation Stage (Reception Classes) will be working within the Foundation Stage Profile and making the transition to Key Stage 1 which applies to Years 1 and 2. Pupils in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will continue through Key Stage 2 (juniors). Preliminary Visits Parents are invited into school to exchange information on several occasions in the term prior to their child starting school. Pupils have two pre-school visits - one to look around the school with parents and one to spend time in the classroom with their teacher. A home visit is also offered to parents in the term prior to the child beginning Reception class. Secondary Transfer Pupils transfer to their secondary school in the September following their eleventh birthday. State academy secondary schools in the area are: Highdown Tel. 0118 9015800 Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge Tel. 0118 9722666 Reading Boys’ School (selective Grammar) Tel. 0118 9261406 Kendrick Girls’ School (selective Grammar) Tel. 0118 9585959 Caversham Primary School has strong links with local pre-schools, nurseries and secondary schools. There are regular liaison meetings between teachers and headteachers and Year 5 and 6 pupils are given an opportunity to visit secondary schools in their penultimate (Y5) and final year (Y6) at primary schools. Year 6 pupils also have pre-admission visits to their specific secondary schools in the term prior to transfer. Guidelines for Standards of Pupils’ Behaviour We shall expect pupils to: come to school each day on time wear school uniform and be tidy work hard and do all class work and homework to the best of their ability behave well and be polite, helpful and kind to others help to look after the school and keep it a pleasant place to be in treat all school equipment and resources carefully care for their own and other people’s property In return, the staff and the school will aim to: ensure that all pupils are taught well and achieve their best in all aspects of school life help all pupils to develop a sense of responsibility and consideration of others treat all pupils fairly, caring for their well-being and trying to ensure their happiness. On rare occasions, the school has to deal with bullying incidents which are taken very seriously and firmly dealt with. Pupils are encouraged to work against it and to report any incidents of bullying. Parents are asked to approach staff should they have concerns. All the staff receive regular training from reputable organisations such as Kidscape, on how to manage and prevent bullying. Parents are expected to cooperate fully in promoting and supporting this policy. SAFEGUARDING At Caversham Primary School we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and we recognise that safeguarding does not only refer to multi-agency early intervention processes, child protection, safer recruitment and the management of allegations against staff, it permeates all aspects of school life. In seeking to provide our children with a safe and secure learning environment we make the following commitments to safeguarding: Leaders and managers make safeguarding a priority across all aspects of our work in school. We have rigorous vetting procedures in place for staff and other adults. We have a clear child protection policy, and other policies and procedures highlight good safeguarding practice. Child protection arrangements are accessible to everyone, so that pupils and families, as well as adults in the school, know who they can talk to if they are worried. High priority is given to training in safeguarding and that issues that particularly impact on our community are highlighted. We ensure that there is good communication within our school and with our partners. There are robust arrangements for site security. The curriculum is flexible and helps to promote safeguarding. We promote mutual respect, good behaviour and attendance, helping pupils to feel secure and well-protected. Our school routines and relationships promote safety and trust. Risk assessments are taken seriously and used to good effect in promoting safety. We listen to the views of our pupils about aspects of school life associated with safeguarding, and involve them in reviewing, revising and enhancing school policies and activities. We seek to work in partnership with parents/carers, local partners and statutory agencies to benefit the welfare and safety of our pupils. Rights and Responsibilities Pupils are taught that they have rights (in line with the UNICEF Rights of the Child initiative) but with rights come responsibilities: RIGHTS I have the right to be safe and secure. I have the right to be healthy and have my ‘uniqueness’ valued I have the right to aim high and achieve as much as possible.