DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Walworth Special School

‘Walworth School aims to significantly improve the quality of all our childrens lives’

Parent’s Brochure

Issue No: 11 Date: September 2013 Revision Due: September 2014 Ref: JP/SH Approved by Governors: Sept 2013 1

Welcome to Walworth Special School www.walworth.durham.sch.uk e-mail:[email protected]

Walworth School provides a safe and welcoming environment for pupils with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties between the ages of 4-11 years. We offer special needs learning opportunities for the whole of the Durham area. In the evenings we offer the 24 hour curriculum covering a wide range of activities, many aimed at developing social skills for up to 10 four night and flexible boarders; and provision for 5 extended day pupils.

We provide specialist care and education for a maximum of 64 pupils. The school offers: . The full range of National Curriculum subjects and normal opportunities for entry into SAT’s at Key Stages 1 and 2;

. A caring and supportive, yet stimulating, learning environment;

. A commitment to high standards in all we do;

. A curriculum which is specially adapted to address the various abilities and needs of pupils with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties;

. Residential or extended day provision (through referral process);

. An up-to-date computer network;

. Good facilities in all curriculum areas;

. Good sports facilities, including floodlit yard and football/basketball area, large field with running/cycling track and sports hall;

. A wide range of structured play and free time facilities at breaks and lunch time periods; 2

. A wide range of recreational play activities for residential and extended day pupil’s i.e. mountain bikes, play stations, Nintendo Wii, Ipads/computers, swimming & outdoor activities.

. An emphasis on adapting teaching and learning to meet the individual needs of the pupils;

. Small class group settings with higher than normal mainstream levels of adult support.

I hope you will find this brochure useful in providing you with a picture of Walworth School. You can also visit our website www.walworth.durham.sch.uk

The Staff and Governors firmly believe in working in partnership with parents and pupils as well as the LA to ensure success. To this end we operate an ‘open door’ policy and are ready to meet with parents at any time to discuss progress.

We are constantly striving to make sure the children make the best possible progress in all areas of need. In order to raise standards we believe we must focus on, and value, all aspects of children’s development.

We believe that a place at Walworth offers children an opportunity for a period of intensive multi-professional intervention to help overcome their difficulties. We have high aspirations and constantly discuss and evaluate whether any child is ready to return to the mainstream. The best way to find out what Walworth is really like is to visit us. Please telephone the school (01325 300194) to arrange a suitable appointment.

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Useful Contact Information Visit www.durham.gov.uk – Education and Learning section to read about all aspects of Education and Special Educational Needs.

Local Authority (DCC County Hall) – Tel: 03000 260000 Durham County Council County Hall DH1 5UL ------Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. We report directly to parliament and we are independent and impartial. We inspect and regulate services, which care for children and young people and those providing education and skills for learners. For more information go to www.ofsted.gov.uk OFSTED – Tel: 0300 123 1231 Picadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD ------Initial Response is a countrywide service that provides the first point of contact for anyone who has a concern about a child or a young person who lives in County Durham. For more information go to www.durham.gov.uk

Initial Response Service – Tel: 0845 850 5010 Trimdon House Landreth Grove Trimdon Village TS29 6QH ------Walworth School Bluebell Way Newton Aycliffe Co. Durham DL5 7LP

Our School Website – www.walworth.durham.sch.uk e-mail – [email protected] Designated Staff at Walworth School for Child Protection – Mr S Hope & Mrs P Coglan – Contact 01325 300194 Main School Telephone Number – Tel: 01325 300194 Direct Line Admin (Joanne Proud) – Tel: 01325 372240 Parent Support Advisor (Suzanne Todd) – Tel: 07584703802 Direct Line (Residential – Acorn) – Tel: 01325 372244

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Celebrating Achievement Walworth School is proud of the achievements of the pupil and staff who work in it. Success comes in a variety of ways. SATs success is clearly important to a school like ours but pupils achieve so much more in the school. The range of activities on offer provides everyone with opportunities to succeed. The following is not an exhaustive list of our visits but does give an idea of what we have on offer:

Educational Visits  Dolphin Centre Darlington Preston Park  Oak Leaf Leisure Centre Darlington Civic Theatre  Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre Sunderland Empire Theatre  Newton Aycliffe Climbing Wall Darlington ABC Cinema  Bishop Auckland Swimming Pool Teeside Park Cinema  Shildon Athletics Stadium Metro Cinema  Woodham School Swimming Pool Hamsterley Forest  Durham Cathedral & Churches Golf Clubs  Adventure Valley Restaurants  Ten Pin bowling Forest School  Boldon Environmental Centre Adventure Valley  Other schools for sporting fixtures

Physical Education

A balance of games and gymnastics are taught throughout the school year. We believe the teaching of physical education has a high priority in this school as we believe the development of physical skills is essential in the all round development of children. We aim to:

 Encourage enjoyment, confidence and a sense of achievement.  Promote physical development, fitness and an awareness of one’s own body and its capabilities.  To further develop our Fitness Suite which has equipment suitable to our pupils needs.  To continue with weekly swimming lessons at the local sports centre.

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Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) The personal and Social Development of the pupils permeates all aspects of school life. It is promoted at all times and in connection with all activities. The school has a Racial Equality Policy and an Equal Opportunities policy, which reflects the aim of the school to give equal opportunity to all regardless of gender, race or religion and our approach to personal and social education supports these policies. Health, Safety and environmental education are also covered as part of subjects such as science, design technology, geography and P.E.

Investing In The Future We are committed to building upon our success, continually improving the School to benefit pupils. To make sure that children at Walworth get the best. Staff are keen to develop their own skills and take part in regular training. Within the school we have a qualified Team Teach Instructor, qualified Forest School Co-ordinator’s. Staff also attend regular Child Protection training and First Aid training.

GETTING READY FOR WALWORTH Moving from a mainstream primary school to a specialist EBD school brings many changes for all pupils: changes in transport, new school building, different teachers and friends, small group teaching, structured play activities and new school rules.

At Walworth we work hard to make the change of schools as smooth as possible. We try to establish strong links with parents, any professionals involved and previous school to find out as much about them as possible, i.e. academic assessment, character, strengths, weaknesses; all to try to help your child during their first few days. This helps us to place them in the most appropriate tutor group and for the teacher to be able to plan your child’s work and targets although much of the target setting is adjusted once the child is settled into the school routine.

We have various functions throughout the year for you to get to know the staff and although we have a yearly meeting for individual Annual Reviews you are encouraged to contact the school at any time to discuss your child’s progress.

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KEEPING YOU INFORMED For your child to be successful at school it is vital that we all work together. We believe in keeping in contact to share achievements and raise any concerns as soon as they arise. Many children are given a home/school diary in which we write how the child has been during the school day and you in turn write how they have been at home. This is transferred between the school and home via the child daily. As always, if at any time you feel you need to talk to us about any aspect of your child’s progress or behaviour please contact the school, and likewise if the school has any concerns they will contact you directly.

We also use a text messaging service called ‘Teachers 2 Parents’ to keep you up-to-date with events and send reminders.

Our website address is www.walworth.durham.sch.uk You can find lots of information about Walworth School and we regularly upload letters to parents and newsletters each term. If there is any information you would like to find on our site please let us know and we can add this information to our website.

REPORTS We will hold an Annual Review meeting once a year for your child individually where any professionals involved with your child and yourself will be invited to attend. At that meeting will be a member of the Senior Management Team, Class Teacher, and Residential Child Care Officer if your child is a residential pupil or accesses extended day facilities, yourselves and any professionals involved from outside agencies. This meeting enables all parties to read and discuss reports submitted regarding your child’s progress in terms of academic, behaviour, social, attendance etc. and to consider whether any part of the Statement of Special Educational Needs should be changed, including that which describes the child’s’ placement. Once the review has been held the review will be summarised, all documentation will be completed and distributed to any person’s concerned.

PARENTS OPEN DAYS We hold an Open Day at the end of September for all parents and carers to come into school and see their child’s work and speak to members of staff. We normally combine this with our Harvest Festival. Refreshments are available for all parents in the dining hall.

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SUPPORTING YOUR CHILDS LEARNING

Successful schools are based upon high expectations of staff, pupil, parents and the community. We expect all pupils to give of their best at all times. Whilst recognising that all pupils need a supportive and caring environment to learn effectively and achieve their potential, the school has a pastoral link with familiar faces both in school and from visiting professionals whom they can go to if they need to talk through their particular problems, therefore providing guidance and welfare for each child and supporting their learning both socially and academically. We also believe that to be really effective we need to share concerns and celebrate success and our open school policy has been established to enable you to work with us to achieve your child’s potential.

All pupils’ access the National Curriculum at varying levels adapted to their individual needs. For some children extra support may be required to allow them to achieve their best, for others this may mean extending learning activities to make them more challenging. This can often be met within our residential setting by utilising the extended day facilities. Each child is encouraged to develop and progress within a caring yet challenging environment. Tasks are targeted at appropriate levels to be stimulating, challenging and accessible to every child. The school has regular contact with outside agencies. We work closely with them to ensure individual needs of children are met. Close links with parents are seen as essential and they are regularly consulted and informed of progress.

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DAILY REQUIREMENTS

Equipment Pupils do not need to bring any writing implements or stationery items to school, as these will be provided. If your child does bring any of these items to school and they are either lost or stolen we must stress that it is not the responsibility of the school. We encourage pupils to leave any toys or personal possessions at home. If your child has a home/school diary this needs to be brought into school on a daily basis to maintain a high level of communication and to help your child get the most from school.

Uniform As a school we set high standards in all that we do. Schools are a place of work for everyone who attends them. As such, we expect pupils to come to school dressed in an appropriate manner, in the agreed school uniform, where possible. Pupils are only permitted to wear one stud in each ear.

Currently our uniform is supplied from Elizabeths Embroidery and you can order direct by going to their website; www.elizabethsembroidery.com. The password is WAL.

. White polo shirt) available with school logo on if required = £7.25

. Navy sweatshirt) available with school logo on = £8.25

Fleeces ) available with school logo on = £12.25 Raincoat ) = £13.75

. Black/Grey/Navy Trousers/Skirt

Preferably black shoes, keeping trainers for P.E.

We do allow your child to wear items similar to our uniform which haven’t been purchased from the school. We provide children with a PE kit & plimsoles which are kept at school, so parents don’t have to go out and purchase PE Kit or plimsoles. Swimming is usually on a Wednesday and parents are asked to send their child in with a Swimming Kit on this day.

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THE SCHOOL DAY

08.50 a.m. - Start of School Day - Children escorted to classrooms

08.55 a.m. - Registration – sharing of information (pupils/staff)

09.15 a.m. - Lessons

10.15 a.m. - Individual class optional break/choice time

10.30 a.m. - Lessons

11.45 a.m. - Lunch for Classes 1-4 (Activity Time – 12.10pm)

12.15 p.m. - Lunch for Classes 5-8 (Activity Time – 12.35pm)

12.45 p.m. - Back to classes

12.50 p.m. - Lessons

15.10 p.m. - End of School Day - Get ready for taxi’s 15.15 p.m. - Children escorted to taxi’s Residential pupils escorted to Acorn House

16.00 p.m. - Tea

17.00 p.m. - Evening Activities

19.30 p.m - Bath time

19.45 p.m. - Supper

20.00 p.m. - Bedtime

(The school closes 1 hour earlier - 2.15pm on a Friday)

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Walworth School Catering The catering staff at Walworth are all qualified to prepare and cook healthy and nutritious homemade food on site in our well equipped kitchen. We have always recognised the important connection between a healthy diet and a pupil’s ability to learn effectively, and have for a long time looked at healthy meal choices and packed lunches, and because of this we applied and succeeded in gaining our Healthy School Award.

All our meals meet the nutritional guidelines set out by the Government. Each day lunch is served from the hatch onto meal trays. The main meal is always a minimum of two choices (one vegetarian choice) followed by a choice of traditional pudding, yoghurt or fresh fruit. Bread and butter and fresh water are available each day.

Children who access Acorn House have ‘family service’ with the meal served at the table in the dining room. Supper is eaten in Acorn House. We seek comments from pupils and staff on how we can improve the service through our School Council

Our School Dining Hall

Walworth School Breakfast Club

All children are offered toast at morning registration, this is provided from within the School Provision Budget. Pupils in years 2/3 also have daily access to fresh fruit and vegetables courtesy of the Free Fruit for Schools Scheme.

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GIVING PUPIL RESPONSIBILITY

In any community it is very important that an orderly atmosphere is maintained at all times. We aim to develop a sense of responsibility in pupils based upon the desire to succeed. The school places emphasis upon self discipline which is reinforced by providing opportunities for pupil to take responsibility within the school community:-

 By encouraging them to show respect for other people in the school community;

 by giving them tasks on trust i.e. collecting and returning registers to and from Office including dinner monies;

 by involving them in reviewing their own work and progress (both in lessons and at annual review stage);

 by encouraging them to take a pride in the ownership of the school, i.e. display board’s specific to their class, class assemblies and display of their certificates each week;

 by encouraging high expectations from them through stimulating and challenging tasks and projects;

 by frequently reinforcing success with praise;

 by discussing with them the setting of their own individual targets;

 by frequent monitoring and support of their progress.

School Display produced by children at Walworth

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BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE

The Code of Conduct There is a Code of Conduct in place for pupils which reads as follows:-

At Walworth we will: -

. Be polite to everyone, so that we are all happy;

. Follow instructions, to help us be successful;

. Respect others, so that we all may learn;

. Respect the school building and all of the property in it, because it belongs to us;

. Walk in school, so that we all stay calm;

. Stay in school, so that we remain safe.

Class 1 Display

Rewards Pupil’s value recognition and praise for their efforts and achievements in school. Effort, progress and achievement are celebrated at all levels. Rewards can range from a quiet, private word to awarding points for pupil of the week, to reward trips. Staff keep a record of points earned by marking the weekly points booklets at the end of each session. Children receive their certificates in Friday’s assembly.

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Residential children are in receipt of the same awards as detailed above, with additional rewards for achievement in the evenings, for example 30 minutes added to their bedtimes, extra computer time, free play on the yard.

Sanctions Like the rewards above, a range of sanctions are used for reinforcing our high expectations. The ranges of sanctions include the quiet, private word, completing work in choice time, lunchtime and after school detentions, early bed, telephone or letter home to parents. In extreme cases we may exclude a child from school giving the school, child and parents time to reflect on new strategies. The aim at all time’s is to work with pupil and parents to ensure appropriate behaviour and attitudes to work are developed. As with all areas of school policy we believe it is vital to keep parents informed at all stages of the process. Home/School Agreement As part of our commitment to partnership with parents we have put in place a Home/School Agreement, which sets out what you can expect from the school, what we expect from you, and what is expected of the child in terms of working together to ensure success. Bullying The issue of bullying in any school is a cause of concern for parents, pupil’s and staff and to this end we have clear policies and guidelines in place for dealing with incidents as they arise. We encourage all pupils to tell members of staff if they are bullied or are aware of bullying taking place. Incidents are then handled sensitively, but with firm action results. We believe that every child has the right to attend school without fear of being bullied either physically or through verbal comments. Parents are welcome to discuss this subject in school at any time. Walworth School is currently working towards achieving a National Award to show our commitment to Bullying. We also take part in Anti-Bullying week every November and parents are invited into school to see what their child has been learning. 14

ATTENDANCE

Pupils can only learn effectively when they are in school. From September 2013 schools can no longer authorise holidays taken in term-time, except for exceptional circumstances. The Attendance figures over the last four academic years are:

2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 Year Average – 93.1% 93.8% 92.8% Authorised – 6.2% 5.3% 5.9% Unauthorised – 0.7% 0.9% 1.4% WHAT DO THEY STUDY?

We believe that all pupils should study a broad range of subjects so that they gain a balanced understanding of the world in which they live and will later work. This includes all the requirements of the National Curriculum. At the same time we recognise the need to ensure that all pupils are taught at a level appropriate to his or her ability. We achieve this by using a variety of teaching and learning styles, to help the children achieve more and by changing the way in which pupils are grouped.

Key Stages 1/2 Mathematics English Science Geography History Religious Education Art Technology Music Information Technology Physical Education PSHE / SEAL / Rights Respecting

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EDUCATION FOR LIFE

All our pupils transfer to secondary education in other schools at the end of Year 6 and will therefore have sat their Year 6 SATs test before leaving. All children will be taken on a reward trip after their SATS tests. Sex Education Sex Education is delivered as part of the curriculum. It is taught within the context of moral considerations and the value of family life. Parents now have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of the sex education provided, except for those elements, which are a statutory requirement of the National Curriculum Science orders. Religious Education The Religious Education programme, whilst basically Christian, includes a study of multi ethnic religions e.g. Judaism, Islam, Muslim, and Hinduism. Parents may withdraw their child from RE or collective worship, preferably after consultation with the Head Teacher. Forest School The Forest School programme is a unique educational experience using the outdoor environment. Its principal purpose is to tailor an educational curriculum to a participants preferred learning style, whilst using the outdoor environment as a ‘classroom’ The main outcome of following the Forest School Programme is the development of children’s positive self- esteem, which leads to a sense of self-worth. Children who have a history of emotional and behavioural difficulties and often a negative attitude towards school can be enthused about learning again. Our Forest School is based at Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees.

Our School Development Plan 2013-2014 These are the priority areas for the above period: IMPROVE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF PUPILS BY;  Providing improved resources  Providing intervention strategies with Literacy & Numeracy  Providing value for money from the Pupil Premium  Improving the quality of teaching so that it is judged at least ‘good across the school  Providing further training for Learning Support Assistants to promote children’s learning LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT;  To set up a middle management team within school  Ensure all documentation is appropriately stored and available to staff  Ensure all Care Standards are met  Continue the self-evaluation process  Maintain the momentum for improving school facilities, building and grounds

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RESIDENTIAL CARE

Within the 24 hour curriculum Acorn House offers a caring, safe, warm and simulating environment. Our primary aim is to make our pupils stay in residence a positive and beneficial experience in meeting their individual needs by increasing their responsibility and giving them insight into their difficulties, to help them develop their use of self/help and social skills with stimulating activities, routines and consistency of management.

Acorn House has four separate living units; each can sleep up to four children and consist of four separate bedrooms, with bathroom and showers.

Children are allocated rooms depending on their individual needs and where possible we try to accommodate the child’s wishes.

Each unit has a ground floor common room, which has many uses including pool tables, television, computer games and activities. In the same area children can access the kitchenette area being supervised by staff where we have the facility to make drinks and suppers away from the more formal dining area.

A dedicated and experienced care team look after the children in residence. This involves attending to the personal and individual needs providing liaison between a wide range of professionals both on and off site.

This ensures a consistency is adopted and carried out throughout the day and demonstrates a whole school approach conducive to effective teaching and learning, physical and emotional care and therapeutic intervention. Further information on residential provision is available in the Residential Policy and Procedures and The Children’s Handbook, which is given to the parent/carer and child during the admission process, when necessary.

WHERE DO PUPILS GO AFTER WALWORTH?

Being a school for pupils 4-11 years means that when pupils come to the end of Year 6 (age 11 years) they must transfer to a school for secondary pupils. This may be a special school or in some cases it may be possible to reintegrate your child into a mainstream school, this is dependent upon many factors throughout their academic life in Walworth such as behaviours and academic progress. At your child’s Year 5 Annual Review the type of provision for their secondary phase will be discussed, this information will be passed onto Placement & Provision, County Hall. A new statement will then be issued stating either special provision or mainstream. The Authority will then check which is the nearest suitable school for your child to travel to.

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CHILD PROTECTION

Our first concern is your child’s welfare and therefore there may be occasions when we have to contact other agencies even before we contact you. Parents should be aware that the school will take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of its pupils. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a child has been, or may be, subjected to ill treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, the school staff are instructed to follow Durham Area Child Protection Procedures. If you wish to know more about these procedures, please contact the school.

The named Child Protection Officers you may wish to speak to are: - Mrs P Coglan & Mr S Hope . The school’s Child Protection Policy and Procedure Documents are available on request.

CHARGING POLICY

The school has adopted the LA policy on charges which can/should be levied for school visits/educational visits, etc. This covers activities such as visits to the theatre, study visits abroad, outdoor activities courses, end of year educational outings and field trips. Full details will be given to parents at relevant times. Parents will not be expected to pay for any activity, which is deemed to be an essential part of the curriculum, although some visits which are desirable can only take place with some financial support from parents of participating pupils.

EMERGENCIES AND ACCIDENTS

Parents are asked to give a telephone number and/or address at which they can be contacted in the event of an emergency. We also ask you to give an alternative number in-case you are not available at the first number given. If this information changes, could you please inform the school office immediately. We have 9 members of staff that are trained in First Aid and are responsible for minor injuries. If your child is involved in an accident, which we feel requires hospital treatment, you will be contacted immediately and we will take your child to the nearest A & E or phone 999 for an ambulance. (this would be Darlington Memorial Hospital). If stitches or more serious medical treatment is required, parental permission must be given, (when you complete the admission papers there is a medical letter which we will get you to sign that gives us loco-parentis to enable emergency treatment to be administered this is a safeguard so that your child can be treated immediately if we are having difficulty contacting you).

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ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND RELATED MATTERS

There is an accepted standard procedure for Durham County Council to consider complaints about the curriculum and collective worship. Full details, if required, are available from the school.

Additionally there is a separate Complaints Policy, which is available at your request giving details of how parents/carers and children can make a complaint and to whom.

Complaints about Walworth School issues should be raised in the first instance with Walworth School staff. Complaints may be made in person, by telephone or made in writing. We do admit some children on a residential basis and because of this we have to meet government standards. Our Ofsted Report can be found on the following website www.ofsted.gov.uk or www.walworth.durham.sch.uk

ADMISSIONS The admission limit for this school is 64. We admit pupils from all over the Durham Education Authority catchment’s area. We also have a limited number of admissions for pupils who live outside the Durham Education Authority area. Walworth endeavours to ensure the safety of all pupils and staff whilst within the schools buildings and grounds.

All external doors to the school are fitted with locks that require a fob/card lock to unlock the doors both internally and externally for your child’s safety while in school. All visitors must sign in and be given a badge of authorisation. If a visitor is seen around school without a badge they can be stopped and requested to show proof of access. If a pupil has access to the residential setting by flexible or full time boarding placement, parents should be aware that there is an additional security system in place. Once the children are in bed there is an intercom system on each landing that is activated. This enables staff to monitor the well being of children e.g. if a child is poorly, they only need to speak out that they feel ill and a member of staff will attend. The intercom is not intrusive into the children’s bedrooms’, however if a child was in difficulty they can be heard from their own beds if they speak out. If a child tries to leave their landing by opening the fire doors at either end the alarm will be activated and staff will attend.

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TRANSPORT

The local authority will provide transport to Walworth for all pupils who live more than 2 miles from the school. For those living within the 2-mile radius it is the responsibility of parents to transport to and from school. It must be pointed out that provision of transport is conditional upon reasonable behaviour and this privilege can be withdrawn at any time by County Hall’s Transport Team. All transport is provided by Durham County Council and Walworth School is not responsible for any transport issues. However, if you have any concerns please inform the school and we can pass on any concerns or you can speak to the transport team direct. If a child refuses to get into the taxi at the end of day it is the parents/carers responsibility to come and collect their child from school.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES At Walworth School we recognise our responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and The Education (Modification of Enactments Relating to Employment) Order. This raft of legislation makes it illegal for ‘the school’ to discriminate against children applying to be admitted, pupils, job applicants or staff, because of their sex, race colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins.

Walworth School aims to: -  create an environment in which all feel valued, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, ability or age;  work within our values to ensure that all are treated fairly and with mutual respect;  ensure equal access to all areas of the curriculum for all our pupils;  promote the belief that all can and should achieve their highest potential  work in all areas of the taught and ‘hidden’ curriculum;  ensure that all materials used within school to promote learning are  give appropriate advice, free from bias and promote an ‘inclusive’ approach to education.

HEALTH CARE A small number of parents find it necessary each year to supply the school with information about the health of their children and this knowledge can be very important if a child is ever ill or in need of treatment while at school. I am therefore asking you to ensure that the form regarding this information is returned to school. Should it be necessary for children to be

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absent through illness, we would ask you to telephone the school on the first day of absence so that we can record the reason in the register.

If your child is absent for any other reason the same rule applies, but where an appointment at hospital or other agency meeting is known in advance it would be a great help if you could also inform us prior to the absence. The best way to do this is to send a note with your child to his/her class teacher who can then make any special arrangements that are necessary. The note should indicate who is collecting the child, time of collection and the approximate time the child is expected to return to school. One further point I would like to stress is that, in the interests of safety, if ever it is necessary to bring medication to school this must be handed, for safe keeping to staff on reception who will then ensure the designated staff trained in the administration of medicines in school receive, record the amount and ensure its safely locked away.

CURRENT STAFF AT WALWORTH SCHOOL Mr P Wallbanks Head Teacher Mr S Hope Deputy Head Teacher

Mrs C Bennison ) Miss V Bourn ) Mr R Cooke ) Mr G Barnes ) Teachers Mrs K Deller ) SENCO Mrs L Smith ) Mrs R Donnelly ) Mrs C Sweeney )

Mr M Houlahan ) Mr A Brotton ) Mrs K Bryan ) Special Support Assistants Miss J Lowe ) Miss D Cliffe ) Mrs J Atkinson ) Mrs M Wallbanks ) Mrs J Tomlinson ) Miss L Anderson ) Mr I Nicholson ) Miss L Anderson ) Miss T Forster ) Mr M Connell ) Mrs M Smith ) Miss S Blenkinsop )

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------Mrs P Coglan Head of Care

Miss C Salmon ) Residential Child Care Officers Mr M Robson ) Senior Residential Child Care Officers Mr K Forster ) Residential Child Care Officer Mr P Mansfield ) Senior Residential Child Care Officer Mrs J Seaman ) Twilight Residential Child Care Officer

Mrs S Hutchinson Premises Manager

Mrs D Thompson ) Mrs J Keeys ) Domestic Staff Mrs J Morton ) Mrs S Smith ) Mrs M Haines ) Mrs W Moody ) Mrs L Kelly )

Mr K Hutchinson Site Operative

Miss J Proud Administrative Officer

Mrs E Blenkinsopp Finance Officer

Ms S Matthews Parent Support Advisor CURRENT GOVERNORS

ACTING CHAIRPERSON - Councillor Dorothy Bowman (Vice Chair LEA Rep)

HEAD TEACHER - Mr P Wallbanks TEACHER REP. - Mrs Bennison CO-OPTED LINK GOVERNOR - Miss AS Brandon STAFF REP (Non-Teaching) - Mr M Robson PARENT APPOINTED - Mrs A Hall COMMUNITY REP. - Mr Rohit Patel PARENT APPOINTED - Mr K McClelland PARENT REP. - Mr M O’Neill LEA APPOINTED - Mr J Rymaszewski CLERK TO THE GOVERNORS - Mr Philip Chater

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Office of the Children's Rights Director Dr Roger Morgan

Ofsted Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE

www.rights4me.org

Free phone: 0800 528 0731

We inspect and regulate to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.

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Walworth School Contact Information

HEAD TEACHER Mr P. Wallbanks DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER Mr S. Hope HEAD OF CARE Mrs P. Coglan

------School Office – 01325 300194 Residential (Acorn House) – 01325 372244 Fax: 01325 312735 Email: [email protected] ------Parent Support Advisor Suzanne Matthews – 07584703802 ------Admin Officer (Direct Line) – 01325 372240 Joanne Proud ------Our Website Address: www.walworth.durham.sch.uk

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