Parent Handbook
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1 PARENT HANDBOOK Roots to grow, wings to fly ‘They will soar on wings like eagles’ Isaiah 40:31 Headteacher – Mr Graham Pike Chair of Governors – Mr Keith Ernest Roots to grow, wings to fly “They will soar on wings like eagles” Isaiah 40:31 ‘Registered Address: By Brook Valley Academy Trust, The Street, Yatton Keynell, Wiltshire, SN14 7BA Registered in England and Wales Company Registration No. 8020467 2 WELCOME Welcome to By Brook Valley School. Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. Through this handbook we hope to introduce you to all that By Brook Valley has to offer you and your child. Our overriding aim is provide all the children with strong roots educationally, socially, emotionally and spiritually and to provide a wealth of opportunity where they can demonstrate their skills and knowledge both within the school and beyond. We want all our children to leave us as confident, happy and successful young people, secure with who they are and all they have to offer and eager to continue their learning. If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit our school then do come and see us so you can experience at first hand what By Brook has to offer. The Headteacher shows parents around the school giving each family the time and opportunity to discuss their child and their needs in detail. Appointments can be made simply, by telephoning or e-mailing the school office. Where Are We?… http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=SN14+7BA&countryCode=GB Contact Us: Tel: 01249 783006 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.bybrookvalleyschool.co.uk Roots to grow, wings to fly “They will soar on wings like eagles” Isaiah 40:31 ‘Registered Address: By Brook Valley Academy Trust, The Street, Yatton Keynell, Wiltshire, SN14 7BA Registered in England and Wales Company Registration No. 8020467 3 CONTENTS WELCOME----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 ABOUT US----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 BY BROOK VALLEY AS A CHURCH SCHOOL----------------------------------------------4 COLLECTIVE WORSHIP AND CHURCH SERVICES--------------------------------------5 OUR AIMS AND SCHOOL PROMISE-----------------------------------------------------------5 OUR SCHOOL DAY----------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 ADMISSIONS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 STARTING SCHOOL--------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 SCHOOL UNIFORM---------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 OUR CURRICULUM-------------------------------------------------------------------------------9-14 SPECIAL NEEDS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15 HOME LEARNING-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15 BEHAVIOUR/DISCIPLINE------------------------------------------------------------------------16 ASSESSMENT---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16 COMMUNICATION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 ABSENCE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18 OUT OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES-----------------------------------------------------------------19 COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE-------------------------------------------------------------------19 FRIENDS OF BY BROOK VALLEY SCHOOL (FoBBVS)--------------------------------20 STAFF AND GOVERNORS AT BY BROOK VALLEY------------------------------------21 Roots to grow, wings to fly “They will soar on wings like eagles” Isaiah 40:31 ‘Registered Address: By Brook Valley Academy Trust, The Street, Yatton Keynell, Wiltshire, SN14 7BA Registered in England and Wales Company Registration No. 8020467 4 ABOUT US The School By Brook Valley C of E Primary School is in the heart of the village of Yatton Keynell, on the edge of the Cotswolds, just off the A420, close to the Bumpers Farm Roundabout. Opened in 1998 the school offers all the benefits of a modern purpose built building. Although the school was built primarily to serve the children of the surrounding Wiltshire villages, several families from the nearby towns of Chippenham and Corsham have also chosen our school for their children. In 2012, the school became an Academy giving us greater opportunities to review our curriculum provision and secure wider procurement opportunities. In 2014 the building was extended to meet an increasing demand for places. We now have seven classrooms plus an additional room which provides a dedicated space for our afterschool club. In addition to classroom space, the school has a wide corridor which links the classrooms and provides ample space for our school library and group work activities. Our music room is well used for instrumental lessons whilst the school hall, which is fully equipped for gymnastics, is also used as a dining room and a space where the whole school can gather for Collective Worship. The school also has extensive grounds which are continually being developed to create stimulating spaces for play, learning and reflection. A pond and wildlife area provide ideal space for studying insects and animals in their natural habitats, whilst our fruit and vegetable cages and orchard help the children to learn more about growing their own food. Our Peace and Prayer Garden provides a very special place for all members of our community to be still, reflect and pray. By Brook Valley as a Church School Our vision as a Church school is that all children will grow be the best version of themselves, secure with who they are and all they can be. Our vision, rooted in our Christian distinctiveness and core values of hope, honesty, friendship and forgiveness. These give the children solid foundations from which they can grow tall and strong, secure with who they are and all they can be. Because we are a Church school, we aim to provide the very best for every child and to help them to reach their potential within a safe and secure Christian environment. To us, every child is a unique and precious child of God and through nurturing each child, not just academically, but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, we provide better foundations on which they can become self-aware and compassionate young people. We actively promote Christian values through our daily acts of worship, our school promises and policies. These values are also implicit in the way in which all members of our community interact with one another. We have very close links with the Church and clergy and members of the church community regularly lead worship within our school. We celebrate the Christian calendar with pupils leading Church services at Harvest, Christmas and Easter. The school is also proud to host The Ark each month where families from the school and wider community can come together for fun, fellowship and food. Roots to grow, wings to fly “They will soar on wings like eagles” Isaiah 40:31 ‘Registered Address: By Brook Valley Academy Trust, The Street, Yatton Keynell, Wiltshire, SN14 7BA Registered in England and Wales Company Registration No. 8020467 5 Most of all we are a happy, purposeful and inclusive school, a place people look forward to going to – children, teachers, parents/carers, governors and visitors- where everyone feels welcome and valued. Collective Worship and Church Services As a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School we hold a daily act of Collective Worship. This reflects the Christian ethos of our school. The Headteacher, Class teachers, local clergy, members of the benefice and the children lead Acts of Worship. Parents may withdraw their child from acts of collective worship or from attending church services by writing to the Headteacher. Alternative arrangements will then be made to supervise children during these times. Our Aims We aim to fulfil our vision of ‘Roots to grow, wings to fly’ across our community by: Rooting our school within our distinctively Christian foundation, promoting our core values of hope, forgiveness, friendship and honesty Creating a strong and inclusive environment which nurtures, stimulates and challenges each learner Fostering good relationships within our school and reaching out to our wider community Developing self-belief, respect for others, independence, personal responsibility, resilience and self-discipline. Fostering a love of learning and encouraging all individuals to aim for the highest standards. Providing a broad and balanced curriculum that values creativity and builds skills and knowledge across all areas. Celebrating all achievements At By Brook Valley we pride ourselves on our commitment to developing the whole child. Academic achievement and high standards of work and behaviour are important to us, as is a child’s ability to socialise, have empathy for others and think creatively. Our School Promise This has been written by the children and applies to all members of our school community. I promise to: Always be kind and polite. Listen and follow instructions. Care for other people and their belongings. Talk about how I feel and what I think at the right time Always use a quiet voice in school. Walk calmly around the school and into school Roots to grow, wings to fly “They will soar on wings like eagles” Isaiah 40:31 ‘Registered Address: