COUNTY COUNCIL CYNGOR SIR BENFRO

Hubberston Church in V.C. Nursery and Primary School

School Prospectus 2016-2017

Welcome from the Acting Executive Head teacher, Mr Nicholas Dyer

Welcome to Church in Wales VC Nursery and Primary School. We hope that you find the information contained in this prospectus useful and helpful. If your child joins our school, we trust that he/she will be happy here and will make good progress. Our school staff and governors work hard to achieve this goal.

We believe children learn best in a friendly, caring and positive environment where everyone is given the chance to succeed. This means having the confidence and courage to ‘have a go’ and be just as prepared to fail as to succeed, as we all learn from both outcomes. We strive towards “partnership” in the fullest sense involving staff, children, parents and governors in the educational process. By the age of eleven we hope that our pupils will be confident, self-assured and responsible young people ready to take on the challenge of their secondary school.

Christian and community values are at the heart of all we do. Personal, moral, social and emotional development supports learning across the whole curriculum, as well as learning for life. We work closely with parents to ensure a coordinated and secure environment for children to learn and grow. Parents are welcome to take the opportunities through Springboard to learn alongside their child as part of this positive relationship.

School Details

School: Hubberston Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled Nursery and Primary School.

Address: Observatory Avenue, , , Pembrokeshire. SA3 3EU

Language Category: Hubberston is an English Medium School

Chair of Governors: Mr David Humphreys

Executive Head teacher: Mr Nicholas Dyer

Deputy Head teacher: Miss Sian Thomas

Telephone & Fax: 01646 692845

E Mail Address: [email protected] [email protected]

Facebook Page: Search for Hubberston VC School on Facebook PCC School Page: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?Language=&id=7532&nav=647,690&parent_director y_id=646

Education Authority: Pembrokeshire County Council

Admissions Policy The school adopts the PCC admissions policy which can be obtained from the school on request, or from the admissions office at County Hall 01437 764551 www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk. Parents of new entrants are asked to complete an admissions form giving details of addresses, telephone numbers of parents and other family contacts for emergencies. Two members of our Early Years staff make home visits to all new entrants to the nursery. Prior arrangements for these visits are made with parents the term before the child is due to start school, and parents of all new entrants are invited to an initial meeting prior to entry. This is an opportunity to visit the classrooms and observe the pupils at work. The new entrant nursery children are invited to spend a short session in their classrooms with their teachers prior to entry.

2 Who is who at Hubberston VC School?

Acting EXECUTIVE HEAD TEACHER Mr Nicholas Dyer Acting DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER Miss Sian Thomas Senior Leader and Nursery Teacher Mrs Sarah Mountstevens Class 2 Teacher (Reception) Miss Sara Owens Class 3 Teacher (Year 1/2) Miss Amy Yelland Class 4 (Year 2/3) Miss Finola Scale Class 5 (Year 4/5) Mrs Dianne Evans Class 6 Teacher (Year 5/6) Mr Marc Stow PPA and Welsh Mrs Rebecca Jones

LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS (LSAs) Mrs Angela Giannuzzi Mrs Mandy Johnson Ms Julia Williams Mrs Jackie Jones Miss Aimee Bowen Mrs Kerry Procter Mrs Lynne Buirds Mrs Pat Rye Mrs Helen Davies Mrs Kelly Williams Ms Lauren Davies Miss Bethan Wonnacott Mrs Mirelle Fisher

FAMILY LIAISON OFFICER Mrs Tracey McKee ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Mrs Janice Davies SCHOOL MEALS CLERK Mrs Jackie Thomas CARETAKER Mr Alan Dickinson CLEANERS Mrs Mirelle Fisher; Mrs Denise Boulter SCHOOL COOK Mrs Christina Mason CATERING ASSISTANT Mrs Jackie Rozblatt BREAKFAST CLUB STAFF Mrs Julia Williams; Miss Bethan Wonnacott

The Governing Body Our Governing Body meets regularly and comprises a number of sub committees, e.g. Finance and Staffing, and School Development. An Annual Report by the Governing Body is sent to all parents in the autumn term. This details clearly the developments that have taken place in the school over the previous academic year.

Governor Type Governor Name Start Date End Date Additional Community Mrs Julie Hawkins 21/12/2012 20/12/2016 Foundation Rev Andrew Bookless 22/11/2012 21/11/2016 Foundation Mrs Patricia Rye 18/11/2013 17/11/2017 Foundation Mr Alan Coles 29/11/2013 28/11/2017 Headteacher Mr Nicholas Dyer 01/09/2014 Local Authority Mrs Jacqueline Davies 13/07/2016 12/07/2020 Local Authority Cllr Mrs Vivien Stoddart 15/09/2015 14/09/2019 Local Authority Mr David Humphreys 21/07/2014 20/07/2018 Parent Mr Anthony Picton 23/06/2016 22/06/2020 Parent Mrs Donna Britton (nee Lees) 17/03/2016 16/03/2020 Parent Mrs Rhianon Picton 17/10/2016 16/10/2020 Staff Mrs Kelly Williams 18/11/2013 17/11/2017 Teacher Mrs Sarah Mountstevens 15/01/2014 14/01/2018 3 Our School Motto “Only my best is good enough.”

Our Mission Statement

“To provide a happy, caring, stimulating and supportive environment where children are encouraged to achieve their full potential in all aspects of school life and where Christian values are promoted at all times.”

As a Church School our Christian ethos is at the heart of all that we do. Our “school should be a special place, a safe place, a place of learning, a place of nurture and of exploration. A Church school must demonstrate openness and acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness. Here, values and attitudes are formed and every individual is celebrated as unique…A Church School develops a distinctive Christian character through its religious education, collective worship and ethos, that makes God's love and presence known to the world.” (Church Schools Website)

School Aims:

 To provide a caring, secure, happy environment which promotes Christian values and beliefs and in which each individual’s progress, development and wellbeing is of utmost importance.

 To deliver and provide a broad, balanced, high-quality, relevant, exciting and challenging curriculum that promotes an enthusiasm for learning and ensures that children acquire the basic skills of reading, writing and numeracy.

 To have a very good understanding of our children’s emotional needs and ensure a high level of provision for emotional wellbeing.

 To establish a well-disciplined environment within which teaching and learning can take place and where pupils are supported in developing appropriate behaviours which show consideration for others people and property to be partners in their own learning.

 To develop the school as a health promoting work place with a commitment to the health and well-being of pupils and staff.

 To nurture the talents and abilities of all members of our community, developing creativity, critical thinking, curiosity and problem solving skills so that each child has the ability to explore and find out more.

 To build and maintain good relationships with pupils, staff, parents, governors and the church and local communities.

 To develop the ability to participate fully and sensitively in a society where both English and Welsh are used as a means of communication, and to develop an understanding and empathy with Welsh heritage and culture.

4 School Start and Finishing Times

FOUNDATION PHASE

Nursery: Morning session: 9.15 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

Nursery children enter through the side gate and nursery entrance. Parents of the Nursery children are asked to come to the door each morning to hand over their child to staff.

Reception to Year 2:

9.00am 9.15am Children supervised on the School Playground 9.15am 9.20am Registration 9.20am 9.30am Welcome time 9.30am 10.30am Session 1 10.30am 10.45am Assembly 10.45am 11am Playtime 11am 11.50am Session 2 11.50am 12.55pm Lunch – Foundation Phase 12.55pm 1.00pm Registration 1.00pm 2.20pm Session 3 2.20pm 2.30pm Playtime 2.30pm 3.30pm Session 4 3.30pm Home Time 3.30pm 3.40pm Class Teachers available

KEY STAGE 2 (YEARS 3-6)

9.00am 9.15am Children supervised on the School Playground 9.15am 9.20am Registration 9.20am 9.30am Reading Time 9.30am 10.30am Session 1 10.30am 10.45am Assembly 10.45am 11.00pm Playtime 11.00am 12.15pm Session 2 12.15pm 12.55pm Lunch – KS2 12.55pm 1.00pm Registration 1.00pm 2.20pm Session 3 2.20pm 2.30pm Playtime 2.30pm 3.30pm Session 4 3.30pm Home Time 3.30pm 3.40pm Class Teachers available

General Information All classes in the school are equipped with interactive whiteboards. To further develop ICT skills we have laptops complete with wireless broadband access. The School Hall has ample area for P.E. and Dance activities, and there is a stage area for drama activities and concerts. The school has a good reputation for musical activities and performances. There is a well- equipped kitchen which prepares fresh meals daily. The school strives to cater for different needs at playtime. The school playgrounds offer ample space for games and activities. There is also a quieter area for children who wish to play imaginatively or quietly. The separate Early Years play area benefits from an adventure play area. When the ground is dry, the school playing field is also used by children for recreational activities. This area also provides winter and summer games pitches. 5 Routines for the beginning and end of the school day

At the start of the day It is very important that the children arrive in school by 9.10 a.m. The bell rings for the start of the school day at 9.15am. The children line up and go quietly into their classes to begin the school day. It is unfair to the children and the staff for children to arrive after this time. Late arrivals are recorded in the ‘Late Arrivals Book’. Please telephone the school if you have been unavoidably delayed. A teacher is on duty in the playground to supervise children from 9.00 a.m. onwards. If it is very wet or cold, children may enter school immediately where they will be supervised at all times.

At the end of the day Parents collect children at the end of the day from different entrances inside the school gates. Teachers and Learning Support Assistants will lead the children to the entrance points where they ensure that the children are collected. Foundation Phase Children are not allowed to go unless staff have actually handed them over to a named adult. Junior children are allowed to walk home with prior agreement with parents.It is very important that parents collect the children punctually at the end of the day (i.e. 3.30pm) as staff often have meetings and extra- curricular clubs after school and these need to start on time. Please telephone the school if you have been unavoidably delayed.

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Religious Education R.E. is part of the school’s curriculum, provided in accordance with the agreed RE Syllabus introduced by Pembrokeshire County Council in 2008. The aims of the syllabus are: -  To help promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural and social development.  To develop pupils’ knowledge, understanding and awareness of Christianity as the predominant religion of Wales  To develop pupils’ knowledge, understanding and awareness of other major religions in Wales and around the world  To encourage respect and empathy for the beliefs and practices of other people. Hubberston is a community school and children of all denominations attend. RE is taught as a discrete subject to all classes throughout the school. Class lessons include a study of people, past and present, who practise Christian principles as well as providing knowledge of Biblical characters and situations.

School Assemblies/Collective Worship It is a statutory duty to hold an assembly on each school day. We offer broadly Christian Acts of Worship, in line with Pembrokeshire County Council policy, and the Church in Wales that involve the whole school. The Assemblies combine Bible stories and issues relating to moral development and to our community. They take place in the School Hall and are led by the Head Teacher and staff on a rota. Where appropriate the children lead assemblies connected to: School Council; “Criw Cymraeg”; JRSOs and Healthy Schools. All assemblies start at 10.30 am and finish at 10.45am. Whenever possible we invite visitors to speak at our assemblies. This encourages our community links and gives our children a wider range of experiences. Each half term we choose a “Value for life” which we explore together. A special ‘Achievement Assembly’ is held every Friday morning to celebrate the special achievements of our pupils. We have a detailed ‘Collective Worship Policy’ should you need further information. The parent of a pupil may request that he/she is wholly or partly excused from Religious Education (and Worship); in such a case the pupil shall be excused until the request is withdrawn.

6 Good Behaviour and Discipline At Hubberston School we believe that good behaviour is a necessary condition for effective teaching and learning to take place. We aim for an environment where staff are friendly and fair, where there is positive encouragement for the learner and where their efforts and achievements are recognized. Self-discipline is nurtured and fostered so that children grow in confidence. We have high expectations of everyone, children and adults. Discipline is arrived at through mutual respect and we help children to think through their actions. We encourage children to see the “logical consequences” of their behaviour. If an incident of misconduct becomes a serious issue we feel the co-operation of parents is crucial and will enlist their support in dealing with the matter.

Restorative Practice This is about using a Fair Process to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and building relationships. It gives pupils the opportunity to put things right with each other, rather than looking to get their own back. It provides ways for all involved to decide what needs to happen next, perhaps including consequences, but certainly, as one pupil explained brilliantly, ‘making things better again’.

Pastoral Care The Head Teacher has the overall responsibility for the school, depending closely upon the co-operation of all members of staff in caring for the pupils. Each child is primarily cared for by his or her class teacher. Members of staff deal with minor incidents, cuts and abrasions. If a child becomes ill or has an accident in school, we often need to contact the parent. The final decision as to whether or not a child is sent home lies with the Head Teacher or senior member of staff delegated this responsibility. In the event of a serious problem, medical assistance and treatment will be sought from a doctor or local hospital. We will make every effort to inform parents immediately.

Uniform and P.E. Kits Hubberston School uniform consists of white polo shirts, maroon sweatshirts, and grey trousers/skirts. In the summer red and white checked summer dresses may be worn. School jumpers and reading folders are available from the school. Parents are strongly encouraged to dress their children in the school uniform. On PE days please ensure your child brings PE kit to school i.e. T-shirt, shorts and appropriate footwear. They will change back into their school uniform after the lesson. Please tie back long hair. Jewellery - If earrings must be worn to school, they must be restricted to small ‘stud’ or ‘sleeper’ type. These should be removed or covered up before P.E. and Games. Staff will not remove earrings for pupils. All other jewellery is discouraged in the interests of safety and to avoid problems if an item is lost. Occasionally, children lose or misplace articles of clothing. Please do help us by marking all garments, P.E. kits, shoes etc with your child’s name. Valuables and Lost Property Any money children need to bring to school to be placed in a clearly marked envelope with the child’s name, class and amount and the purpose of the money. Any valuable personal items should also be clearly marked. Any loss of items should be reported to the teacher without delay. Every effort will be made to find the lost item. Health, Safety and School Security

Medicines All medicines should be given to the Head teacher. The Head teacher or class teacher keep all medicines, including asthma pumps. We can usually administer medicines but relevant consent forms must be filled in. These are available from the front desk. We ask that only essential medicines be administered in school.

7 Illnesses If a child becomes unwell during the school day, one of our qualified first aiders will assess the child to decide whether they should be sent home, in which case parents/guardians will be contacted to come to school to collect the child. However, we strongly recommend that if a child is feeling unwell before school in the morning then it is in the interest of the child to keep him/her at home until the child recovers. Children showing symptoms of sickness should be kept at home. It is also unwise to send your child back to school too soon after illness. If the child’s illness is infectious, please inform the school immediately. If your child has been ill, e.g. with chicken pox etc, there is often conflicting advice on the amount of time they should be absent from school, depending on the doctor they see. To make things easier for you, we have asked the Health Authority for guidance and have set out below advice about the most common illnesses and infections.

Diarrhoea And Vomiting: Children are expected to remain absent from school until at least 24 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting, and 48 hours after illness such as Norovirus.

Threadworms: Very infectious. Children should not be in school until the problem has been cleared by treatment from G.P.

Impetigo: Highly contagious, spread by direct contact. Requires treatment from a G.P.

Conjunctivitis: Advice received suggests that it is highly contagious. GP advice should be sought as to when to come back to school.

Head lice : Outbreaks of lice occur frequently in all schools. Parents are strongly advised to check their child’s hair at least once a week and inform the school immediately if lice are found. A letter will be sent to the children of the class where an outbreak occurs, informing parents and asking them to treat their child’s hair if lice are found. Confidentiality is assured. Individual parents will be contacted if their child has head lice and is not treated immediately.

If your child is suffering from one of the above, please comply with these guidelines for the benefit of the other children and staff in the school. Other illness should always be referred to a doctor/pharmacist/nurse before bringing your child to school.

Safeguarding Safeguarding is taken very seriously at Hubberston VC School. How we listen and respond to children is what drives this. Pupil voice, pupil participation in their learning, and always having time for children are features of the school. DBS checks are carried out on all staff, volunteers and governors. Regular training ensures that all adults are aware of their responsibilities to safeguard our children and to report any concerns following strict procedures. A detailed and up to date “Child Protection Policy” is available on request, as well as other policies which relate to safeguarding issues. Mr Dyer is the Designated Safeguarding Officer. Miss Thomas and Mrs Tracey McKee, our Family Liaison Officer also manage systems and support.

Medical Information Please ensure that the school is informed about any medical condition known to you that is likely to affect your child’s education. This information will be added to your child’s records. At various stages throughout the school, the children will receive medical examinations including eyesight and hearing tests by the school nurse. The School Health Authority notifies parents if follow up treatment is recommended and they may be present if they wish. The School Nurse visits Hubberston School regularly and may make home visits if considered appropriate. 8 School Security Hubberston School operates within security guidelines laid down by Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim for a balance between keeping safe and not creating a prison-like situation. During the school day the following security measures are in place: . The gates to the school are locked and visitors must press the buzzer. . The gates are open at the start of the school day and until the register period closes. Staff are always on duty to ensure that gates are locked during times when the children are outside. . The front door is locked and visitors must ring the doorbell. A Reception Area is to be found at the front door entrance where visitors are required to sign the ‘Visitors’ Book’. The school Health and Safety Policy and School Security Policy can be inspected in school. These detail arrangements for pupil, staff and school premises in terms of safety and security.

Parking and Road Safety The following suggestions will help reduce congestion and are made with child safety foremost in mind.  Please park safely and appropriately if you wish to come into school for any reason.  Do not park on the statutory zig zag lines, or the double yellow lines  Do not double park or mount the pavements!  Always park for the shortest time necessary.  Share a car with a neighbour or a friend, taking it in turns to do the school run.  Make sure you fully supervise your children at the beginning and end of each day.  When parents walk home with their children it is strongly advisable that the child walks on the inside away from the road.  Take extra care when crossing the road and moving through parked areas.  Keep reversing to a minimum and take special caution when doing so.  Please avoid walking across the staff car park unless you have a pram or wheelchair.

Healthy Schools Hubberston School is very involved in the Pembrokeshire Health Promoting Schools Scheme promoted by Pembrokeshire L.E.A. In 2007 we were accredited with the highest award, the Phase 5 award of the scheme. We are currently working towards the “National Health Award”. All food and drink prepared for the children during school time is expected to follow Pembrokeshire County Council healthy eating guidelines.During break times we have a ‘fruit only’ policy. Children may either purchase a piece of fruit from our ‘Fruit Tuckshop’ or bring their own from home. We work hard to promote the health and well being of the children and staff at school. Please see your child’s class teacher and they will let you know the procedures for paying for the fruit tuck shop. We ask parents of children who bring a packed lunch to school to make every effort to ensure that the packed lunch contains a health eating and drinking selection. This is consistent with our Health Promoting Policy. The children have created a “Healthy Lunch” leaflet, which goes out to all parents with the Prospectus. Staff are also encouraged to follow Healthy Schools guidelines.

Active Travel We encourage pupils to walk, scooter or cycle to school. This reduces congestion, makes the area around the school site safer, and promotes the health and wellbeing of those being active. It also assist in being ready for learning.

Drinking water – Drinking plenty of cold, fresh water helps to develop concentration skills and the well-being of the individual. We ensure that our children have access to cold, fresh drinking water throughout the school day. Every child will be given a water bottle when they start school.

9 The Curriculum

How do we facilitate learning?

The aim of any good school must be to provide a quality education for its pupils and Hubberston School strives to do its best for each and every pupil in a pleasant and purposeful learning environment where children are able to work to their full potential. It is a community where pupils and staff have the opportunity to flourish in a climate of learning, which seeks to develop integrity, honesty, tolerance, truth and compassion. The Curriculum is the whole learning experience offered by our school. It is not only the lessons and activities which are planned, organised and provided while the children are at school but also the attitudes and values we put forward. This is referred to as the ‘Hidden Curriculum’ and has a great influence on children’s development. How children learn is as important as what they learn. Our curriculum is broad and balanced offering children many exciting and wonderful learning opportunities to develop their spiritual, social, aesthetic, linguistic, mathematical, scientific and technological skills and knowledge. We aim to give all our children enriched experiences to motivate their learning.

The National Curriculum The Foundation Phase (3 – 7 Years) The Foundation Phase curriculum comprises the seven areas of learning outlined in the Foundation Phase curriculum documents. These areas of learning are:

Personal and Social Development, Well-Being and Cultural Diversity

Language, Literacy and Communication Skills

Mathematical Development

Welsh Language Development

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Physical Development

Creative Development

Key Stage Two (7- 11 years) The Key Stage 2 curriculum comprises the following subjects as laid down in the National Curriculum in Wales 2008.

Core Subjects: Foundation Subjects:

English History Music Mathematics Geography Art Science Design and Technology Physical Education nd Welsh (2 Language) Information Technology Religious Education

Personal and Social Education.

Literacy and Numeracy skills are developed across the whole curriculum using the Numeracy and Literacy Frameworks. 10 Class Teachers and Learning Support Assistants Class teachers have responsibility for teaching all aspects of the curriculum to their classes. Some subject may be taught by other teachers to encourage a sharing of skills. Class teachers teach in a variety of styles, reflecting the abilities, attainment, aptitudes and interests of the child. We are very fortunate to have excellent learning support assistants who work alongside the class teachers to help deliver the curriculum by working with small groups etc.

Curriculum Co-ordinators In addition to their considerable class responsibilities, each member of teaching staff has whole school curriculum responsibilities. The role of each Curriculum Coordinator ensures that good practice is maintained and built upon and that the school keeps up to date with developments. There are curriculum coordinators for each area of the curriculum as well as an Additional Learning Needs/ Special Needs Coordinator, Healthy and Sustainable Schools Coordinators, Assessment Coordinator, Foundation Phase Coordinator etc.

Assessing children’s learning Each child’s progress is monitored and recorded by the class teachers. This process is carried out from the time your child starts at Hubberston School until they leave whereby assessment information is passed onto the Secondary Schools. Examples of work and assessment records are kept in individual pupil portfolios throughout their school life. All assessment information is used to develop appropriate learning programmes for your children. The school has an assessment policy, which provides a clear framework for the process of assessment, recording and reporting. A rigorous process of Teacher Assessment takes place throughout the child’s education. At 7 children are assessed in Personal and Social Development, Language, Literacy and Communication and Mathematical Development. At the end of Key stage 2 pupil performances are assessed in Maths, English, Science and Welsh 2nd Language and measured accurately using National Curriculum levels. Hubberston School consistently achieves high standards, above the County and National averages. (Please see Hubberston School Assessment Results 2016 at the back of this prospectus).

Baseline Assessment – It is a requirement that children are assessed upon starting school. This assessment, which is approved and carried out by all schools in Pembrokeshire, and is conducted during the first few weeks of the child entering school. The assessment is carried out by the class teacher. This assessment is called the Baseline Assessment and is used in school to plan the next stage in the development of the child. This information is shared and discussed with the parent.

English The National Curriculum requires us to teach your child the skills of reading, speaking, listening, writing, handwriting and spelling. These elements are taught in a very structured way to develop your child’s literacy skills. From the youngest age we work on developing language and preparing your child for reading and writing. We use the Read Write Inc Programme to develop reading, writing and spelling skills. Comprehension skills are an integral part of Read Write Inc. As pupils graduate off the programme, this is replaced with guided reading sessions where the children know what they need to do to improve their reading. The children are taught to form letters correctly and to use joined up writing at the appropriate time. Extended writing skills and stamina are also learnt and developed as the children grow. We monitor very closely your child’s reading and the progress made. We may involve other professionals if we feel there may be a specific difficulty. You will be fully involved in this process. Reading books will be sent home on a daily basis with your children. Parents are asked to listen regularly to their children reading at home.

11 Mathematics At Hubberston School we are committed to continually improve the standards of teaching and learning of Mathematics. We aim for all children to become numerate and to understand and enjoy using numbers. We want them to be mathematical ‘thinkers’, to have the confidence with problem solving and generalising, to have a positive attitude to maths and essentially to gain enjoyment from exploring mathematics and to be able to use mathematical knowledge in all areas of the curriculum with confidence. We use Numicon as a mathematical resource to teach about number.

Science The National Curriculum requires us to teach your child skills and knowledge associated with living things, forces, the sustainable Earth, materials and their properties, Earth and Space and the interdependence of organisms. We devote a great deal of time to teaching the children how to investigate and experiment and to use appropriate scientific vocabulary. In the teaching of science throughout the school there is strong emphasis on the use of ‘Hands-On Active Learning’. The school has an excellent partnership with Darwin Science who lead workshops and develop the science programme with our teachers.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) All classes in the school are equipped with interactive whiteboards and laptops. All classes have broadband internet access. The interactive whiteboards contain numerous resources to enhance the delivery of Maths, English, Science and all other subjects. It is our aim to use ICT extensively across the curriculum. The children use the internet regularly for a range of different activities. The internet is blocked and filtered by Pembrokeshire County Council to allow safe use. We have a ‘Safe Internet and Email’ policy which is strictly adhered to. They also regularly use the Welsh Government Hwb platform, a safe and secure site designed for children throughout Wales. In addition we have a wide range of periphery equipment – microphones, DVD cameras, visualisers etc – to bring a wealth of exciting learning experiences to the children.

The Welsh Language Hubberston is a Category EM (English Medium) school according to the language policy of Pembrokeshire County Council. This means that Welsh is taught as a second language through speaking, reading and writing. A bilingual culture is very evident at the school. It is our aim that on leaving Hubberston School pupils will have greatly developed their Welsh speaking, reading and writing skills and have achieved a good standard of bilingualism. Incidental Welsh is regularly used in many of the everyday instructions and commands by the staff, who attend Welsh courses. E.g. during assemblies, registration, the school tuck shop etc. We have a Bilingual policy and we make every effort to offer the children a bilingual experience at Hubberston School. All pupils are Welsh learners. Welsh is taught as a foundation subject to all children from the Foundation Phase to Year 6. We aim to use Welsh throughout the day in all areas of the curriculum where possible. There is also a strong emphasis on the ‘Curriculum Cymraeg’ syllabus in the school where subjects such as Art, Geography and History are taught with a particular focus on Wales and the Welsh dimension and that Welsh culture and pride is fostered. We take part in regular “Urdd” activities as a way of providing further opportunities for the children and staff to use Welsh.

Music Hubberston School has a strong musical tradition. All children participate in music activities. There is a special emphasis on daily “Music Time” in Nursery and Reception. We have a joint school choir with Hakin and all children perform at various events throughout the year. In addition to the normal school music curriculum, there is an opportunity for children to learn woodwind instruments commencing in the juniors.

12 Physical Education Hubberston School knows the value of healthy bodies. Therefore, we put great importance on the PE curriculum. Your child will experience a full range of physical activities including gymnastics, dance and games. There is a wide range of sporting activities undertaken during the year. P.E. is compulsory for all children. Children suffering from minor ailments may be excused when parents request it, but we would appreciate a brief explanation in writing. Parents will be contacted when children do not bring kit repeatedly. Children are encouraged to be aware of their own safety and that of others at all times. Swimming – Pupils in the junior classes receive swimming lessons at The Meads Swimming Pool as part of the National Curriculum. Swimming lessons are strictly supervised by a qualified teacher or instructor and the class teacher. Please provide a written explanation if your child is unable to take part in any of these swimming lessons. On swimming days the children will require a swimming costume, towel and swimming hat.

How are parents informed about how their child is progressing? We are committed to ensuring that parents are kept fully informed about their child’s progress. This takes place in the following ways: . Twice yearly meetings with class teachers are arranged to discuss progress and set targets for future development. These take place in the Autumn and Summer Terms. . A written Annual School Report which comments on the progress made in every area of the curriculum will be issued in the Summer Term. Class teachers make themselves available to parents whenever possible at the beginning and the end of the school day. If you do have any concerns please come in and talk to the teachers. They will be happy to discuss and help sort out any problem or concern you may have. It is advisable to make an appointment as sometimes teachers are not available due to meetings, courses etc.

Children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) The school has a policy for Additional Learning Needs, which is in line with the National Code of Practice 1994 & 2002. A child may have difficulties which are of a physical nature, connected with sight, hearing or speech, emotional or behaviour difficulties or specific learning difficulties related to aspects of language and/or mathematics. Mrs Cale, the Acting Head Teacher is the Additional Learning Needs Coordinator for Hubberston School. The school’s policy and practice aims to help our pupils with special needs and to identify individual learning difficulties, with emphasis on early intervention and a flexible structure to provide support once the child has been identified.

The Additional Learning Needs Coordinator/Special Needs (Miss Thomas), works with class teachers to devise termly Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) for children with additional learning needs after discussion with all relevant parties. Children recorded on the Additional Learning Needs register are grouped either as School Action or School Action Plus pupils. School Action Plus pupils require a greater level of support.

For School Action pupils the class teachers are responsible for differentiating the curriculum for the children in their charge to suit their individual needs relevant to their IEP. School Action Plus pupils receive additional withdrawal support with specially trained support staff where they are taught specially designed catch-up programmes as an individual or as part of a small group.

In an effort to identify children as early as possible, we follow the referral system outlined in the new Code of Practice. Children recognised as having some difficulties undertake a rigorous assessment process carried out by the ALN Co-ordinator and/or external agencies e.g. the Educational Psychologist, Pupil Support Service, Speech and Language Therapist, if deemed necessary to allow us to develop their specific learning programme outlined on their IEP. 13 Informing Parents - Parents are kept fully informed at every stage of the process. We hold special needs review consultations with parents twice yearly, where parents are invited to discuss the progress of their child and to work towards setting targets for the further development of the child.

Statementing - Our policy enables access to specialist advice from the Authority, such as an Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language therapist, Behaviour Support service etc if problems are severe enough to warrant intervention. If a programme initiated with the help of outside agencies cannot be seen to be working, it is possible that a formal assessment for possible ‘statementing’ by the L.A. may be necessary. This requires the L.A. to make decisions about the child’s educational needs regarding the allocation of funding to provide extra resources or personnel. A statement provided by the L.A. will set out the special help the child should have. At all stages of assessment of educational needs, parents are involved and their views sought.

More Able and Talented (MAT) Hubberston is committed to ensuring all pupils are challenged to learn as well as they can. For some pupils this means being challenged to achieve above the national expected levels, and differentiation in class is daily and essential. Some of our children develop a high level of skill in a variety of areas. We plan our curriculum to meet the needs of the more able and talented. The policy provides information about the identification and support of more able and talented learners.

Equal Opportunities Our school aims to give ALL pupils the same curricular and extra curricular opportunities whenever possible. The school’s guidelines are clearly laid down in our Disability Equality Scheme and Access Plan. We have an Equal Opportunities and Inclusions policy and ensure that all our procedures follow the guidance in these policies. All pupils are enabled to access all relevant areas of the school. Incidents of a racist nature are extremely rare in Pembrokeshire. Any issue of racial harassment would be dealt with in the school’s general discipline policy and reported to the Governing Body.

Sex Education At Hubberston VC Church in Wales Nursery and Primary School we believe that sex and relationship education (SRE) is important, helping pupils to understand physical and emotional changes in the human body and help them to build good relationships. The school regularly reviews its policy. Under the 1993 Education Act, pupils can be withdrawn by their parents/guardians from the parts of the sex education programme that are outside the compulsory elements of sex education contained in the Science National Curriculum. Sex Education is also built into our Personal and Social Education policy and scheme of work. The subject is taught respectfully and sensitively. Our attitude at school is that a child’s awareness of sex education is a natural and gradual development and provision is made for this developing awareness within the context of our everyday teaching. Any parent wishing to see the SRE policy or scheme of work for pupils in our school can do so by request.

Outdoor Schools Hubberston School is developing outdoor learning through an active approach. In September 2012 we became one of Pembrokeshire’s “Outdoor Schools”. Our aim is to ensure that all children experience learning in the Outdoors, especially within their own localities. This is carefully timetabled so that all the children have the chance to develop self esteem, confidence, independence, team building, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment through this unique method of outdoor education.

14 Cluster School Links Hubberston School is a partner school in the Milford Haven Cluster. The cluster works very closely together to ensure consistency of policy (e.g. attendance) and of learning experiences for children. Transition to secondary school is very thorough and a number of events and activities are arranged throughout a child’s time at Primary School to make the experience as smooth as possible. For example there are PE festivals for years 2 and 5, and a Welsh concert for a range of year groups. Arrangements are made for our Year six pupils to spend time at the Secondary School of their choice in their final term. Year six pupils and parents are invited to meet the Head teacher at an evening meeting at the end of June at the Secondary Schools and are given a tour of the school.

Looked After Children (LAC) Miss Thomas is the LAC Coordinator for the school. She attends all meetings for LAC children and works closely with all agencies involved. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that all “Looked After Children” are supported and that their educational achievement promoted.

Careers Education and guidance towards the world of work. At Hubberston School we recognise that our children begin their journey with us here, which we hope will lead to them becoming responsible citizens, using their skills and abilities to make a successful contribution to society in their adult lives. With this in mind we seek to give all children knowledge and experiences of the world of work. This includes opportunities to be involved in Enterprise activities, visits from adults in different jobs and visits to places of work.

Involving Parents in the life of the school We care about our parents and feel it is vital to develop an understanding relationship with you. We hope you, as parents, care about our school and support us in every possible way. Our aim is a successful home/school relationship and, to achieve this, parents and staff need to cooperate fully with each other so that children feel confident that everyone is working together in his or her best interests. Parents are genuinely welcome to contact the Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher when there is any matter, however trivial, causing concern about your child’s education, behaviour or attitude. It is obviously preferable if an appointment can be made, unless matters are urgent. If parents would like to support the school by active involvement, they are asked to speak to the Head teacher. We are extremely grateful for this help, and appropriate checks are made before volunteers can work in schools.

Springboard family and adult learning is available to all parents. This excellent partnership with Learning Pembrokeshire provides free adult learning courses during school time. Many of the courses are opportunities to learn and complete a project alongside your child.

Communicating with Parents Through newsletters and the school’s Facebook page, parents are informed of news and events at Hubberston. The Facebook page is also our opportunity to provide a ‘window’ into learning at Hubberston. Please check your child’s reading folder or bag for ‘pupil post’. Children from Year 2 have a school diary in which messages and notes are written to aid two- way communication, between home and school.

Home-School Agreement On starting Hubberston School parents and children are given a ‘Home-School Agreement’ outlining the expectations of children, parents and the school. Please read this carefully, discuss it with your child(ren) and return it to school. It will be signed by the Head teacher and you will receive a copy of the agreement.

15 Homework Homework for younger children will often consist of reading books. Children in the upper section of the school are given a range of homework activities. It is important at this age that children develop the skill and motivation to work independently in preparation for Secondary School. Sometimes they may be asked to complete work already begun in school time or they will be asked to carry out research using their own materials such as reference books or the internet at home. There will be regular opportunities for learning spelling words and using them in written work.

Putting Things Right The school’s Governing Body has a complaints procedure established to deal with complaints made by parents and others in respect of the performance of duties and or exercise of powers by the L.A. or by the Governing Body. Any parents, or other concerned person, who may have a complaint should first discuss their concern informally with the Head Teacher. The Head Teacher and staff are committed to dealing with parental concerns, to resolving parental misunderstandings and to providing real solutions as speedily as practicable. We are also committed to learning from any mistakes made in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. We offer parents the opportunity to comment on matters relating to the school in a regular survey or when considered necessary. Should a complaint not be resolved, the complainant may be asked to put their issue in writing in line with the school’s complaints policy. Parents will be reminded of further avenues open to them if the matter still remains unresolved. He/She may write formally to the Clerk of Governors detailing the complaint. The Clerk of Governors shall: -  Inform the head of establishment of the receipt of the formal complaint.  Arrange for the Governing Body’s Complaints Committee to discuss the complaint within seven working days of receiving the complaint. Both sides will be invited to attend the meeting to present their respective positions.  Inform the complainant and the employee in writing of the decision of the Complaints Committee.

School Council The school council is fully involved in influencing school improvement. School councillors lead class council meetings with their class and then take ideas, information and decisions to discuss at full council. The school council meets on a regular basis and also present reports from the Governing Body of the school. Pupil Voice is also promoted through Sports Ambassadors, Criw Cymraeg, the Active Travel group, and the Digital Leaders.

Sport and Games Hubberston School participates with other schools in the area in swimming galas, athletic meetings and other sporting competitions, festivals and tournaments e.g. football, rugby, swimming. With all these activities, the aim is for the pupils to participate competitively with particular emphasis on enjoyment, sportsmanship and being part of a team. Pupils take part in a number of joint activities and matches with Hakin Community School in preparation for amalgamation.

Residential Visits Children in Year 5 and 6 are given the opportunity to take part in Residential Experiences. In previous years these have included the Urdd Centre on Cardiff Bay and Sealyham Activity Centre.

School Eisteddfodd To celebrate St. David’s Day we hold St Davids Day concerts and encourage the children to take part in singing, dancing, cooking, and musical performances as well as wide range of art and cultural activities. 16 Out of School Hours Learning (OSHL) Programme Our Out of School Hours Learning Programme is at Hubberston School provides a variety of activities and learning experiences. This relates directly to our work as a Community Focused school, as well as encouraging pupils to be involved in sports, music, clubs and wellbeing activities The programme is continually adapting as new clubs are introduced. These are often voluntary activities offered by staff to whom the Head teacher is most grateful.

Attendance

Every day counts. Days off school = lost learning. The school’s attendance policy is available on request. The policy’s main objective is to promote good attendance as this is vital to educational achievement. Typically Hubberston has above average attendance, but we are not complacent and continue to look for ways to help parents and learners improve attendance. This currently includes  Providing parents with weekly updates on Facebook about whole school attendance  Working with parents to reduce the number of holidays taken during term time  Improvement in the attendance of pupils whose absence is below 90% through intensive monitoring and support.

Actual Unauthorised Year School Target Authorised Absence Attendance Absence 2015-16 95.0% 93.9% 4.5% 1.6%

The target for this academic year is 94.4%.

What must I do if my child is absent from school? If your child is absent from school due to illness etc. please telephone the school early in the morning of the first day of absence to inform us. You will receive a phone call from us if we have not heard from you by 9.30am on the day of absence. This is done in the interest of child safety. Please also follow up all absences of your child with a note. We would be very grateful if you would ensure your children arrive at school on time. i.e. 9.15am. Late arrivals are noted on the school registers. Repeated late arrivals will receive a letter form the Head teacher and the Educational Welfare Officer (E.W.O.) may have to be informed. The National Assembly has issued new guidelines on school attendance, which provides further guidance on the interpretation of ‘authorised’ and ‘unauthorised’ attendance. An authorised absence is where the child’s absence has been described as medical, dental, bereavement/family circumstance, being educated elsewhere or attending a special event etc. All other absences are unauthorised. Our Educational Welfare Officer (E.W.O.) may be requested to visit the homes of pupils whose prolonged or frequent absences give cause for concern. All attendance records are submitted electronically to County Hall at the end of every term.

Am I able to take my child out of school for a family holiday? We understand at Hubberston, that occasionally there are no alternatives to taking a family holiday during term time, and if a child’s attendance is otherwise good, this may not be a significant issue. However, we also believe that family holiday is a not a reason to authorise absence, and such absences will be recorded as unauthorised. Where absence for this reason is absolutely unavoidable, it is important that you contact us and work with us to minimise any lost learning.

What do I do if I need to collect my child early from school? Sometimes, for very good reasons, parents ask for their child to be released early. We are always very happy to co-operate, but in the interests of safety, no child will be allowed to leave school unless collected by a parent/adult substitute. There will be no exceptions to this basic rule. I am sure that you will appreciate that our concern is with the safety of your child. If you need to collect your child early please contact us in advance. 17 What are the procedures for supervision at playtime? Your children are fully supervised by experienced and qualified staff throughout the day at Hubberston School. Break periods are supervised by members of staff, who encourage all the children to play safely and happily. Any form of inappropriate behaviour is discouraged and children will always be told why their actions are unacceptable. Potentially dangerous play is prohibited. During inclement weather, children are supervised in their own classrooms by the teachers/Learning Support Assistants. During these times the children are provided with quiet activities e.g. watching a DVD, playing a game, drawing etc.

How can I encourage my child’s education at home?

Actively encourage your child to read both to her/himself and with you; to borrow books from the Library; to buy books; to look after books and to ask you to explain words they do not understand. It is very important to establish a ‘story time’ every night before bedtime where you help your child to foster a love for reading and books. Teaching your child nursery rhymes and simple songs all helps to develop their love of language.

Create opportunities for writing; letters to friends and relatives; stories and accounts of things they have done and encourage them to bring them to school. Encourage your child to ask questions and show them where to find the answers in books or by using the internet. Help with number work by playing games; let them help you with measuring, weighing, shopping etc. Allow them to draw, paint, and model at home (despite the mess!). Most importantly show a real interest in all that they do. Praise their efforts rather than pointing out what they cannot do. Please ask us if you need any further ideas of ways you can encourage your child’s learning at home.

Does Hubberston School have a Breakfast Club? Yes! We have a Breakfast Club and in this way are able to provide care for your children. The Breakfast Club runs from 8.15am-9.00am every day – breakfast is served until 8.45am. The children are fully supervised and are provided with a simple and healthy breakfast e.g. toast, fruit juice etc. There is no charge for the Breakfast Club. You will need to register. Registration forms are available from the Head teacher.

How do I arrange for my child to have school dinners? School meals are cooked at the school; they are nutritious, healthy and are of good quality. Lunches are served in the Hall and children who choose to bring packed lunch eat there also. Although packed lunches are permitted we prefer children to eat school dinners. If you child does wish to bring a packed lunch, we ask parents to ensure that they are healthy lunches in line with our ‘Healthy Schools’ philosophy. We strongly recommend no sweets or chocolates. Drinks should be kept in a non-breakable sealed container. Additional water is always available. The children are fully supervised at lunchtimes by our Lunchtime Supervisory Team both in the Dining Hall and in the Playground. Payment is made on Monday mornings of each week, the price fixed by Pembrokeshire County Council, currently stands at £2.00 per day. Payment can be made in cash or cheque. CASH: If paying by cash the correct amount should be sent in an envelope bearing the child’s name and class. Change cannot be given. CHEQUE: if you wish to pay by cheque, they should be made payable to ‘Pembrokeshire County Council’. Please let your child’s class teacher know if your child would like school dinners. Specially prepared ‘Lennie the Leek’ envelopes are available for enclosing your child’s dinner money or cheque. Please ask if you need a supply. Free meals are provided where parental income is low. It is the parents’ responsibility to apply for these. Application forms are available from the school. Please let us know in strict confidence.

18 What is the school’s policy for charging for school trips etc.? Educational visits are used to enhance the learning experience of Hubberston pupils. A letter will be sent to parents outlining the details of any visit your child will be undertaking. It will also ask for written consent. No child will be permitted to go on a visit without parental consent having been given first. For short local visits the permission slip completed at the beginning of the year will be used. Our school aims to provide a rich curriculum for our pupils using the finance provided through the Local Education Authority. Where possible all activities are provided free of any charges. However, governors recognize that some educational visits that take place off the school site are only possible if parents make a voluntary financial contribution towards the cost. Under the 1988 Education Act, a school can no longer make charges for educational visits. Therefore, all contributions must be voluntary. Insufficient voluntary contributions may mean we shall be unable to make the trip, as school funding cannot afford to subsidise pupils.

What happens if I am worried about my child? If, for any reason, you are worried about your child, please come and see us as soon as possible. Ideally make an appointment beforehand to ensure that the class teacher or Head teacher is able to give you undivided attention. All worries/concerns are treated sensitively and confidentially. Sometimes your child may not wish you to contact the school about a problem however we still advise that you do so. If you would like to, you may see the teacher or Head teacher without your child being aware that you have come into school. Everything is done confidentially and in the best interests of the child.

When are the School Holidays? A list of school holidays is issued yearly. Whenever there are additional days of school closure e.g. for staff training days (INSET days) we make every effort to inform you well in advance. The school terms and holidays for the academic year 2016-17 have been confirmed by the Education Authority:

Half Term No. of 2016-2017 Begin End Begin End School Days Autumn 2016 Mon 5 Sept 2016 Mon 24 Oct 2016 Fri 28 Oct 2016 Fri 16 Dec 2016 70 Spring 2017 Tue 3 Jan 2017 Mon 20 Feb 2017 Fri 24 Feb 2017 Fri 7 April 2017 64 Summer 2017 Tue 25 Apr 2017 Mon 29 May2017 Fri 2 June 2017 Fri 21 July 2017 58 Directed Teachers’ Closure Days: 1.9.2016, 2.9.2016 & 24.4.2017 (There will be 2 further INSET 3 days during the school year in addition to those directed by the LA) TOTAL 195

In Conclusion Thank you for taking the time to read this prospectus. We are pleased to issue this booklet with the intention of providing you with useful information about our school. If there is any more you would like to know, please contact the school directly.

We look forward to the prospect of working together with you and your children here at Hubberston School. We certainly look forward to seeing your child learn and grow and be happy at Hubberston.

This School Prospectus is written in conjunction with National Assembly for Wales Circular 14/01 “School Prospectuses – Guidance for Headteachers and Governing Bodies.”

Performance information is appended on the next page: 19

Percentage of pupils achieving at least the expected outcome/level (FP Outcome 5 or KS2 Level 4)

2016 Foundation Phase (end of year 2) 2016 Key Stage 2 (end of year 6) Area of School Pembs Wales Subject School Pembs Wales learning LLC O5+ 89.5 88 88 English L4+ 100 90 90 Maths O5+ 100 90 90 Maths L4+ 84.6 90 91 PSD O5+ 100 94 94 Science L4+ 100 91 92 FPI 89.5 86 87 CSI 84.6 87 89

Percentage of pupils achieving the above expected outcome/level (FP Outcome 6 or KS2 Level 5)

2016 Foundation Phase (end of year 2) 2016 Key Stage 2 (end of year 6) Area of School Pembs Wales Subject School Pembs Wales learning LLC O6 36.8 36 36 English L5 38.5 40 42 Maths O6 31.6 34 36 Maths L5 38.5 40 43 PSD O6 42.1 56 59 Science L5 46.2 39 43

PSD = Personal and Social Development; LLC = Language, Literacy and Communication; FPI – Foundation Phase Indicator; CSI = Core Subject Indicator; FPI and CSI is the % of pupils who achieve at least expected outcome (i.e. O5 or L4) in all three subjects

Standards at Hubberston are good. Nearly all pupils make good progress based on their starting points, and pupils learn a full range of skills and knowledge.

The tables above provide comparative data with the Local Authority and Wales. However, comparisons with schools across Wales that serve similar communities to ours are more relevant. Using those benchmarks and ‘family groups’, Hubberston is consistently well above average.

In 2016, assessments in both phases are good, and progress at both the expected level and in the higher levels has been good over the last three years. FP assessments in PSD at the higher level, and KS2 Maths at the expected level, are comparatively lower (although pupils within those cohorts performed well in tests) and these areas feature in our school development plan.

Performance Targets for Academic Year 2016-17

The figure in italics = including LRC; The figure in bold = not including LRC

Target as a % of pupils in Foundation Phase (yr 2) Target as a % of pupils in Key Stage 2 (year 6) Area of learning Outcome 5+ Outcome 6 Subject Level 4+ Level 5 LLC 90 38 English 84 42 Maths 90 38 Maths 84 37 PSD 100 57 Science 84 42 FPI 90 CSI 84

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