I warmly welcome you to Belthorn Academy Primary School. Our school is a happy, safe, caring environment where each child is valued. We have high academic standards, which are reflected in our SATs results and OFSTED Report and furthermore we pride ourselves on knowing our children personally, on the exceptional behaviour of our pupils and in the many opportunities your child will be given to develop their social, sporting and community learning. Our children are the best advertisement for the school and we are extremely proud of all their achievements. We value our strong partnership with parents and are keen to ensure you take an active role in the education of your children. Our staff are a highly committed and caring team who work hard to ensure no opportunity is missed to promote and extend your children’s learning. We thank you for your interest in Belthorn and hope this prospectus gives you the information you need about the organisation of the school. Whilst this prospectus is useful, a visit to school might help you understand further life here at Belthorn. To arrange a visit please telephone the school on 01254 55620. Further information can also be found on the school website www.belthornacademy

Mrs H Rowan Headteacher

School Governing Body Company Registration No 07756219

Chair of Governors Mrs Y Brown Vice Chair of Governors Mrs E Nolan Headteacher/Accounting Officer Mrs H Rowan Clerk to Governors Mrs P Cooper Company Secretary Mrs H Saint

Member Governors Mr J Slack Mr D Merrick

Parent Governors Mr M Ali Mr C Banks Mr Battersby-Cormell

Community Governors Mr S Lowe Mrs L Taylor

Co-opted Governor Mrs L Billingham

Staff Governor Mr N Griffiths

Staff Governor Mr M Griffiths

Staffing 2019/2020

Senior Leadership Team Mrs H Rowan Headteacher Miss M Egan Deputy Headteacher Mrs H Saint School Business Manager

Teaching Staff Mr C Furness Year 6 Teacher Mr N Griffiths Year 5 Teacher Mrs R Powell Year 4 Teacher Mrs S Carr Year 3 Teacher Miss J Trafford Year 2 Teacher Miss H Sutton Year 1 Teacher Mrs K Sutcliff Reception/EYFS Teacher Miss C Dugdale PPA Teacher

Teaching Assistants Mrs J Fletcher Teaching Assistant Mrs S Hall Teaching Assistant Mrs T Middleton Teaching Assistant Mrs T Oddie Teaching Assistant Mrs S Patel Teaching Assistant Mrs N Wright Teaching Assistant Mr H Yousuf Teaching Assistant

Administation Staff Mrs J Easton Finance Manager Miss L Nuttall Administration Manager Mrs T Brown Receptionist

Staffing 2019/2020 After School Club Ms S Baron ASC Leader Mrs C McGurk ASC Play Worker Mrs J Fletcher ASC Play Worker

Catering Mrs C McGurk Catering Manager Mrs M Bingham Catering Assistant Mrs S Gallagher Catering Assistant Mr M Griffiths Catering Assistant

Premises Mr M Griffiths Premises Manager Mrs S Thornber Cleaner/Drop Off Assistant Mrs M Moore Cleaner/Drop Off Assistant

Little Bells Pre-School Mrs K Drugan Pre-School Teacher Mrs G Potter Pre-School Assistant Miss J Ashworth Pre-School Assistant

At Belthorn Academy...

All pupils, staff, governors and other members of our school community strive to put our Eight Key Words at the centre of everything they do. These eight words encapsulate our Ethos, and so underpin everything we do here at Belthorn:

VALUED – our children are valued for who they are, the contributions they make, and the effort they put in; for their successes and for the times they try their best and don't achieve. The work and dedication of staff and governors is valued as being instrumental to the success of our school, and the support of parents is valued as essential partners in the children's learning.

SAFE – everyone at Belthorn strives to ensure that the safety of our children is guaranteed. Everyone has a part to play in ensuring that our children are physically and emotionally safe and this includes the children themselves, who should be encouraged to consider the consequences of their choices upon the safety of others.

NURTURING – it is the role of staff, governors and parents to ensure that our children are nurtured and developed; through challenge, appropriate support, encouragement, and through being given opportunities to try new things. Teaching staff have the responsibility to ensure that their words and actions towards the children are positive, encouraging and nurturing; and the children themselves have the responsibility to ensure that their interactions with each other are also nurturing.

RESPECT – at Belthorn everyone is treated with respect; children, staff, governors, parents and visitors. The views, opinions, beliefs and endeavours of all members of our school community are held in equal esteem.

FRIENDLY – through ensuring that everyone is VALUED, having regard to ensure that everyone feels SAFE, by being NURTURING towards our children, and by treating everyone with due RESPECT, we maintain our reputation as a friendly school. We teach our children that everyone should be treated in a friendly manner, regardless of whether they are friends.

INSPIRATIONAL – it is the goal of all staff at Belthorn to ensure that the learning opportunities provided for the children inspire them, and create within them the desire to continue to explore learning themes on their own, develop the desire and skills to become an independent learner, and the drive to challenge themselves to be the very best person they can be. ENJOYMENT – it is the belief of the staff and governors of Belthorn that learning should be enjoyable. This is attained through providing stimulating and inspirational learning activities, and through encouraging the children to draw satisfaction and enjoyment from achieving personal goals.

TOLERANCE – our latest ethos word reflects our belief that we recognise that we may have different opinions, cultures or beliefs but that we can tolerate each other in an atmosphere of respect. We will listen to each other and take into account other people’s feelings.

To help achieve the above goals of our Ethos, the children follow these Five Simple Rules:

We respect ourselves, each other and our school

Play carefully and sensibly in the yard

Always walk quietly and sensibly around school

We listen carefully, answer politely, and do what we are asked

We always do our best

The School The school is organised into seven year groups, from Reception to Year 6. We currently provide for 181 pupils who are grouped into seven teaching groups. In May 2016 we opened our pre-school unit, Little Bells. This provides teacher led early years learning for children from 3 years old.

Admissions Policy

The age at which it is possible for a child to be admitted to School is determined by the Education Authority. All children whose fifth birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August in the following year are given the opportunity to start school in the preceding September. During the term before admission to the school, prospective pupils and parents are encouraged to become involved in the full range of pre-school meetings and half day visits that we arrange. Prospective parents are contacted by letter with details of these arrangements. At the beginning of the school year, reception pupils attend part time for the first few days to help them settle in quickly and easily. Our admission number for Reception is 30. The admissions policy in full is available on the school’s website.

Pupil Registration/Consent Forms

When you receive confirmation of your child’s place in school, you will be asked to complete the Pupil Registration & Data Collection Forms (found in the back of the prospectus) and return this to the school office as this is a legal requirement.

The Curriculum

Medium Term Overviews are available for parents to view on our school website. This provides details of all the topics covered in each year group. At the beginning of every school year, each class teacher will hold a Meet the Teacher Meeting, where the curriculum for each year group is explained. Parents Evening is held during the year class teachers will meet with parents on a one to one basis to give updates on their child’s progress.

Extra Curricular Activities

The school benefits from a range of extracurricular activities which children of different ages are invited to take part in. An example of activities include:

 Choir  Running Club  Chess Club  Multi-skills  Football Skills  Netball  Dodgeball  Spanish lessons (payable)  Guitar and Ukulele lessons (payable)

Children with Special Educational Needs

The school follows the New Code of Practice (2014) and children are placed on the Special Needs Register according to individual needs. If you have a concern about your child, please see Mrs Rowan, special educational needs co-ordinator.

Pastoral Care

The school takes responsibility for the wellbeing of the children very seriously. Class teachers are initially responsible for ensuring all children are happy and feel they are in a safe and secure environment and will deal with any minor day to day problems. More serious issues are referred to the Headteacher who will take the appropriate action. Parents are strongly encouraged to voice any concerns they may have at the earliest opportunity, either with the relevant class teacher or with the Headteacher.

Behaviour and Courtesy

At Belthorn we believe everyone should be treated with respect. All children should take responsibility for their own behaviour and be helped towards taking a responsible approach to life. At all times high standards of work, politeness and behaviour are expected. Belthorn Academy Primary School has a positive behaviour approach that utilises praise and rewards, encouraging children to support our younger pupils. However, there will always be minor infringements to deal with and we ensure that we take a fair and consistent approach toward maintaining discipline, through discussion and the withdrawal of privileges.

In November 2017 the school was awarded the Gold Behaviour Quality Mark in recognition of the positive behaviour exhibited by our pupils.

Eduspot System

We operate a cashless system for all payments eg. Dinner Monies, Breakfast Club, After School Club and Trips. School will send you a link which will allow you to download the app and register your details. For more information or help please contact the School Office.

School Meals

School Dinners 12.00pm – 1.00pm All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals. If you wish your child to have a packed lunch, then please speak to your child’s class teacher.

Children who have a school dinner or packed lunch will be looked after by the Mid-day Assistants during lunchtime. Applications for Free School Meals for children in Key Stage 2 should be made directly to the County Council or with and until school has received authorisation for free meals, all meals must be paid for. However, if you believe you may qualify for free school meals for example you are in receipt of benefits please apply as there are additional benefits.

Change of Arrangements - If you intend to change your child’s lunch arrangements please let us know by letter at least a week prior to the changeover. This notice is needed for administration and the benefit of the kitchen staff.

Packed lunches – Please send your child’s lunch in a labelled, unbreakable box and drinks container, placed in a strong, labelled bag or satchel. Please avoid plastic bags and breakable containers, bottles etc. in the interest of safety.

Dinner money is payable in advance currently the cost is £11.50 per week, £2.30 per day. Payment is required via Eduspot. We operate a cashless system. If your child is absent then the dinner money credit will be carried forward.

Breakfast Club 7.15am- 8.45am/7.45am – 8.45am We have 2 sessions for breakfast club which are as follows: - 7.15am – 8.45am at a cost of £3.75 per day, £18.75 per week. 7.45am – 8.45am at a cost of £2.75 per day, £13.75 per week. Payment is required in advance. If your child is absent then the credit will be carried forward. You do not need to book places for the Breakfast Club, just come along. A breakfast is provided, including cereal, toast, bagels fruit and a hot choice, along with milk, juice or water. All children must be escorted into school and signed into the Breakfast Club register. Under no circumstances should children enter the school unaccompanied by an adult. After School Club 3.20/3.30pm – 5.30pm The cost of After School Club is £37.50 per week £7.50 per day. After School Club places must be booked via Eduspot up to midnight the day before. If you have an urgent need for a same day place, please telephone school reception before 1.00pm to check availability. Places must be booked in advance by you up to a term in advance using the Eduspot App. Your child needs to be booked before admittance and if you arrive after 5.30pm for collection, late fees will apply. Eduspot is the system to use to make payments. Payment is required in advance. If your child is absent then the credit will be carried forward. Cancellations can be made up to midnight the day before. Later cancellations will be chargeable. A snack is provided, including fresh fruit, yoghurt and milk. A snack menu is available on the school website.

Milk Milk is available to all pupils – To register you need to access www.coolmilk.com and register your child’s details. Payment is made directly to Cool Milk and not to school.

School Uniform

We feel that our pupil uniform is of considerable benefit in helping maintain the general standards and positive image of the school. It is therefore our wish that parents will insist their children wear the required uniform for school. Children are expected to wear a school uniform:  Royal blue sweatshirt, with logo (available from Grays, Blackburn).  Grey trousers (or shorts), skirt/pinafore dress.  Pale blue shirt/blouse or pale blue polo shirt, (available from Grays, Blackburn, or other outlets)  Blue checked dress in summer.  Black or grey socks / white socks for skirts.  Sensible shoes (trainers, sandals and boots are not allowed in school)  Girls may wear grey trousers (not black fashion trousers or side pockets) Years 5 and 6 only  White shirt/blouse with school tie. Ties are available to buy from school for £5.00  Royal blue V-necked jumper

Reception and Little Bells only Children in the Early Years will require waterproof trousers, wellington boots and a waterproof coat to stay permanently in school to enable them to meet the requirements of the Early Years Curriculum and have access to the outside area all the time. For the uniform for Little Bells, please see the pre-school pack.  PE Kit  Black shorts  White t-shirt or polo shirt  Black pumps (Velcro ones are best). White soles if possible to prevent marking the floor.

Swimming Year 3 children have one period of swimming per week. It is Local Authority policy that all children should attend these swimming lessons unless a medical certificate is produced. The following kit is needed: Boys - Swimming trunks (not shorts), Swim Cap Girls - One-piece swimsuit, Swim Cap Goggles may be worn for medical reasons if a certificate is provided by the child’s doctor. Please note earrings cannot be worn for swimming.

Hair Long hair (both boys and girls) should always be tied back and hair accessories should be small and discreet. Hair styles should not be extreme e.g. un-natural colours, tramlines, spiky gelled hair etc.

Shoes Shoes should be black. Heels or open sandals should not be worn as they are unsafe. Children wearing unsuitable footwear will be asked to wear their black PE pumps during the school day. Trainers should not be worn as part of the school uniform.

Jewellery The wearing of jewellery, apart from stud earrings, is not allowed. Children with pierced ears must wear a stud or studs. If you want to have your child’s ears pierced, please make sure this is done in the summer holidays – we are not allowed to teach PE to children who wear earrings. The staff may, on occasions, discuss aspects of the uniform with parents and children if guidelines are not met. Please ensure your child’s uniform and PE kit, are clearly labelled.

Belthorn PTFA

Parents play a vital role in all aspects of school life. We welcome you into school to meet once a term/half term to plan for fund-raising events or enjoy a social evening/ afternoon as part of the school community.

The PTFA is an organisation of parents, staff and friends who aim to bring the community together and also raise much needed money to improve resources with the school. Each year the PTFA raise a large amount of money which is used to purchase a variety of equipment and learning opportunities for the children.

Recent events have included:  Children’s Disco  Christmas Fair  Summer Fair  Bingo Night  Bollywood Night  Grinch  Polar Express  Bake Off  Halloween Disco  Beetle Drive  Valentines Disco