Dale Hall Community Primary School
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Dale Hall Community Primary School “Learning Together To Challenge And Achieve” Miss A Ledger Headteacher Dale Hall Lane, Ipswich, IP1 4LX 01473 251651 www.dalehall.suffolk.sch.uk [email protected] 1 THE SCHOOL Dale Hall Community Primary School opened in 1968. It is spacious and split level in its design and set in six acres of interesting grounds. The facilities include a hall, dining hall, a well-stocked library, sports dome, computer room, a wild area with a pond, two playgrounds and a large playing field. The pupil admission number for the school is 60 per year group. All children are able to start full time early education in Reception class in the September following their fourth birthday. At the age of 11 years pupils move to High School. The pyramid high school is Ormiston Endeavour Academy. The majority of our pupils transfer to Ormiston Endeavour Academy, Westbourne Academy, Northgate High School or Claydon High School. 2 SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT Our school is a place to ... Be Celebrated value achievements share and celebrate achievements with parents recognise effort in a variety of ways Be Encouraged concentrate on the positives develop a positive Growth Mindset culture nurture a culture of self belief praise and celebrate all effort as well as achievement offer opportunities for risk taking, discovery and problem solving through the creative curriculum encourage pupils to develop socially, emotionally, physically and mentally Enjoy Learning provide opportunities to learn in a variety of ways both inside and outside the classroom learning should be active and fun with an element of choice encourage children to continue their learning out of school and become life long learners provide a stimulating environment thrive on opportunities to be challenged develop independent thought Feel Safe give time to individuals by being approachable building a calm and happy environment by applying rules consistently listen to pupil voice build up self esteem Be Respected learn to listen to the ideas and opinions of others accept and tolerate that people have different needs, views, values, cultures and beliefs clear expectations of behaviour treat others the way you want to be treated work cooperatively and respect the views, privacy and property of others Be Valued recognise that everyone has key strengths positive encouragement for all build teams and celebrate individuality 3 ADMISSIONS INTO SCHOOL Dale Hall Community Primary School is an inclusive school that welcomes pupils from all backgrounds and of all abilities. Staff work with parents to ensure pupils with any disabilities have a smooth start to their education at Dale Hall Community Primary School. Children are admitted into school in the September following their fourth birthday. Each school has a Planned Admission Number (PAN). The Local Authority and school make every effort not to exceed this class allocation size. There may be occasions following appeal when this number is exceeded but only in exceptional circumstances. The school maintains an Admissions Register for pre-school children. If you would like your child's name to be included, please contact the school office at any time. Information about starting school will be sent to you during the Autumn term preceding the academic year your child is due to start. Having your child’s name on the register at Dale Hall Community Primary School does not guarantee your child a place at our school as places at Dale Hall Community Primary School are allocated by the Local Authority. Suffolk County Council have produced a booklet which clearly explains the Admission Policy for children starting school or wishing to transfer to an out of catchment school. If you wish to read this booklet, please contact Suffolk County Council Admissions Team. For further information or enquiries, please contact either the school office on 01473 251651, the Suffolk County Council Admissions Team on 0345 600 0981 or visit the Suffolk County Council website. We want your child to enjoy their time in school and make the transition from home to school as smooth as possible. You will be invited to an induction meeting for parents before your child is due to start school. The meeting will be informative and will also give you the opportunity to ask questions. Following this, your child will be invited into school for some story and play sessions before they start in September. This will enable them to meet their classmates, form new friendships and get to know the immediate surroundings of their classroom. 4 YEAR GROUPS AND CLASSES We have two phases in the school. Lower Phase incorporates the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Upper Phase covers Key Stage 2. Every child and all staff members are allocated to one of four houses, Dragon, Griffin, Phoenix or Unicorn. House points are awarded to children for learning and behaviour. Each week the total house points gained are counted and at the end of each half term a cup is awarded to the winning house. Children from the winning house are given an extra playtime. LOWER PHASE FOUNDATION STAGE: Reception Class: 4 to 5 year olds Children enter school in the September following their fourth birthday and follow the Foundation Early Years Curriculum. This curriculum is specifically designed to meet the educational needs of young children and maximise the learning that takes place. The curriculum covers the following areas: communication and language physical development personal, social and emotional development literacy mathematics understanding the world expressive arts and design This is a continuation of the curriculum that takes place in Nursery allowing the children to experience a range of adult-directed and child-initiated activities. Learning in the Reception class takes place inside and outside the classroom and we are very fortunate to have an Outdoor Area, as well as beautiful grounds, for these activities to take place. KEY STAGE ONE: Year 1: 5 to 6 year olds Year 2: 6 to 7 year olds UPPER PHASE KEY STAGE TWO: Year 3: 7 to 8 year olds Year 4: 8 to 9 year olds Year 5: 9 to 10 year olds Year 6: 10 to 11 year olds 5 THE SCHOOL DAY Start of the Day The school gates are opened are 8.30 am and a member of staff is then on duty in the playground. Children in Reception and Years 1 and 2 are able to enter their classrooms from 8.40 am. In Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, children are allowed into their classroom from 8.45 am. Registration is at 8.55 am. Morning Playtimes Reception times are flexible Years 1 and 2 10.30 am to 10.45 am Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 10.45 am to 11.00 am Lunch Reception, Years 1 and 2 12.15 pm to 1.10 pm Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 12.15 pm to 1.05 pm Afternoon Playtimes Years 1 and 2 children have an afternoon playtime. Reception have break times which are flexible. End of the Day The school day finishes at 3.15 pm. Arriving and Leaving School At the beginning and end of the school day, parents are welcome in the playground. If normal arrangements have to be altered, eg you are delayed or another person is collecting your child, please contact the school office who will pass a message to your child's teacher. This avoids any confusion or upset. Getting to school We encourage children to walk or cycle to and from school. Bicycle racks are available but please ensure all bicycles are locked. If you do need to travel by car, please be considerate and do not park in front of residents drive ways or on the yellow lines as this could be potentially dangerous. The school car park is for staff and Blue Badge holders only. Entry to the car park requires a fob to operate the barrier. If you have a Blue Badge and would like to receive a fob, please enquire at the school office. Assemblies Each class has one Class Assembly per term where their parents are invited to attend. These are normally on a Tuesday at 10.30 am and the dates of each individual class assembly is on the school calendar. Other special assemblies are advertised during the year and parents are invited as appropriate. 6 THE CURRICULUM CORE SUBJECTS English Mathematics Science Information and Communication Technology Religious Education FOUNDATION SUBJECTS Art Design Technology Geography History Music Physical Education Personal Social & Health Education Modern Foreign Languages ENGLISH Language skills are an important part of any child’s development and as such are high on our list of priorities. A range of experiences are provided, aimed at developing and extending both oral and written communication skills for a wide range of purposes. Children are encouraged to take pride in the quality and presentation of their written work. At Dale Hall Community Primary School we attach great importance to the teaching of reading. Our aim is that children should become enthusiastic and responsive readers and at all stages children are encouraged to take home books to read and share. MATHEMATICS We aim to present mathematics in an interesting and stimulating way in order to develop a child’s mathematical skills and concepts. Throughout the school this is often in practical contexts such as maths games, practical problems and investigations. We use a wide range of equipment to support our teaching and to ensure that children have confidence in their abilities. SCIENCE At Dale Hall Community Primary School we encourage children to develop an enquiring mind, knowledge and understanding of the world around us and scientific skills through practical and investigative learning experiences.