Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Western Isles Council
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR WESTERN ISLES COUNCIL DECEMBER 2016 Bernera School Breaclete Great Bernera Isle of Lewis Telephone: 01851 822 892 Fax: 01851 612 213 Email: [email protected] Web: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/es/berneraschool/ CONTENTS PAGE Contents Page ................................................................................................................................ 2 - 3 Welcome from the Head Teacher ................................................................................................... 4 - 5 SECTION 1 - PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL ................................................. 6 - 15 Contact Details ................................................................................................... 6 About Bernera School ........................................................................................ 6 Organisation of the School Day ......................................................................... 6 Agreed Term Dates for Session 2016-17 and Session 2017-18 ......................... 7 Attendance and Absence ................................................................................... 8 School Uniform .................................................................................................. 8 Footwear and Clothing Grants ........................................................................... 8 School Meals ...................................................................................................... 9 Travel To and From School .............................................................................. 10 Unexpected Closures ....................................................................................... 11 Communication with Home ............................................................................. 11 Policy on E-Safety and the Acceptable Use of Communications Technology . 12 Complaints, Comments and Suggestions Procedures ..................................... 13 Medical and Health Information ..................................................................... 14 School Policies ................................................................................................. 15 SECTION 2 - PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL ....................................................... 16 - 22 Parents Welcome ............................................................................................ 16 Parental Involvement ...................................................................................... 17 Formal Parent Representation ....................................................................... 18 Pupil Council .................................................................................................... 18 The Vision, Values and Aims of Bernera Primary School ................................. 19 School Ethos .................................................................................................... 20 Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Values .................................................... 20 Pupil Conduct ................................................................................................... 21 Dealing With Bullying ...................................................................................... 21 Promotion of Positive Behaviour ..................................................................... 22 SECTION 3 - SCHOOL CURRICULUM ..................................................................................... 23 - 29 Curriculum for Excellence ................................................................................ 23 Planning and Delivery ...................................................................................... 23 - 24 Homework Policy ............................................................................................. 25 - 26 Sensitive Aspects of Learning .......................................................................... 27 Active Schools .................................................................................................. 27 Assessment ...................................................................................................... 28 Reporting to Parents ........................................................................................ 29 2 CONTENTS PAGE (Contd) SECTION 4 - SUPPORT FOR PUPILS ...................................................................................... 30 - 34 Additional Support Needs ............................................................................... 30 Pastoral Support Arrangements ...................................................................... 31 Transitions ....................................................................................................... 32 Transfer from Nursery to Primary ................................................................... 32 Primary School Admissions .............................................................................. 33 Primary to Secondary Transfer ........................................................................ 33 Placing Requests .............................................................................................. 34 SECTION 5 - SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT .................................................................................. 35 - 38 Standards and Quality Report ......................................................................... 35 School Improvement Plan ............................................................................... 36 Transferring Educational Data About Pupils................................ .................... 37 - 38 3 WELCOME FROM THE HEAD TEACHER Dear Parents, The staff and I would like to welcome all parents and their children, particularly those who are new to the school. We hope that this handbook will offer an introduction to our school and a general overview of the edu- cation your child will be getting at school. We do value the contribution parents make to support their children’s education and we look forward to work- ing in partnership with all of you during your child’s time here. The purpose of the School Handbook is to provide parents with some basic information about the school and to provide a point of reference for many of the common questions that arise throughout the school year. We welcome all our parents into the school and are happy to meet with you to discuss any issues or concerns you may have regarding your child. We hope that your child will be happy during their time in Bernera School and similarly we hope that you will be keen to actively join in with the school community during that time also. The staff look forward to meeting with you at various points throughout the course of the year. If you have any questions, or would like any further information on any aspect of this handbook or the education of your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school. To make our handbook easy to use, we have divided the information up into five different sections. SECTION ONE - PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL This section provides you with some background information on our school. It deals with the practical aspects of your child’s attendance at our school. It provides details on such things as: the school day and school year how to contact the school if your child is ill travelling to and from school school meals financial assistance with school clothing, transport and school meals school closures in an emergency or unexpectedly for any reason general supervision available for your child in the morning and at lunch time wet weather details how the school communicates with parents how to complain if you are not happy about something an overview of school policies. SECTION TWO - PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL This section contains information about how parents can be involved in supporting learning at home as part of a home - school partnership. You can also find out more about the ethos of the school, what our values are and our aspirations for our pupils including how we celebrate pupil success, links we have with partner organisations and the wider local, national and international community. Lastly, it includes information on our Parent Council, how to contact them and how parents can get involved in the life and work of the school. 4 SECTION THREE - SCHOOL CURRICULUM This section describes how the curriculum is planned and delivered in the school. It also includes information on how pupils develop skills for learning, life and work, including literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing in and out of the classroom. As well as giving you information about the statutory curriculum requirements we have included details on sports and outdoor activities available to pupils and the range of facilities available within the school. Details of how parents will be informed about sensitive aspects of learning e.g. relationships, sexual health, parenthood and drugs awareness are included as well as information about religious education and observance and arrangements for parents who wish to exercise their right to withdraw their child. This handbook also tells you how we will report on your child’s progress and what written reports may be sent out to parents. SECTION FOUR - SUPPORT FOR PUPILS This section gives information about how pupils’ additional support needs will be identified and addressed and the types of specialist services provided within our school.