GURNARD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 We are pleased to welcome you and your child to Gurnard Primary School. The school prides itself on its caring philosophy and, as we state in our School Ethos: -
―we aim to provide a secure and happy environment, where all are valued for themselves, and encouraged to develop their full potential, whilst demonstrating tolerance and concern for others and becoming responsible and caring members of the wider community”.
We have included, in our Prospectus, all the information we think you will need to ensure your child has a smooth induction to Gurnard Primary School and look forward to working with you and your child during his/her time with us. You can find out more about us from our website: http://www.gurnardprimaryschool.co.uk
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713
Gurnard Primary School has been a village school since 1906. Following the local authority’s decision to move to a two-tier education system on the Isle of Wight, we moved from our original building to our new site in Baring Road.
April 2012 saw the whole school move into the new building and use the fantastic facilities we are now able to offer our pupils. We have a mul- ti-purpose technology/science room, music room, library, two halls and dedi- cated changing rooms for the older children.
Every classroom has been refurbished and we are very proud of all the hard work that has been undertaken over the last few months to make the move such an outstanding success.
Each classroom has interactive whiteboards and children use netbooks to support ICT learning. Outside there is a very large playing field which is used for PE activities.
Our school offers a fantastic learning environment for all our children.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713
Starting School at Gurnard Primary
The priority area for Gurnard Primary School extends to Gurnard Village, Rew Street, Porchfield and Newtown. However provided the school is not oversubscribed (i.e. the admissions number is not exceeded) anyone who wishes a place for their child will be allocated one – subject to the Local Education Authority guidelines. (see LEA booklet for further information).
We love to welcome visitors to our school and, once you’ve decided you would like to apply for a place you should contact the school to discuss the arrangements and should also contact the LEA for an application form, which must be completed and returned to the LEA in all cases. Their telephone number is 01983 823455. The standard admission number for Gurnard Primary School is 60 in Reception and Year 1 and 45 in all other year groups.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 School Staff
HEADTEACHER : MRS ELIZABETH JACKSON Deputy Headteacher – Mr Mark Stephens
Class Teachers Year Teaching Assistants Mrs Catherine Coleman R Mrs Karen Humphreys Mrs Ann Clarke Mrs Gillian Flood R Mrs Nicola Baggett Mrs Janice Williams 1 Mrs Alison Godfrey Mrs Ruth Symons Mrs Angela Woodhouse Mrs Michelle Miller 1 Mrs Linda Hayward Mrs Lynn Torrance 2 Mrs Avril Hulse Mrs Alison Evans Mr Mikey Wood 2-3 mixed Mrs Natalie Tobitt Miss Sarah Eccott 3 Mrs Jo-Anne Inett Mrs Denise Stephens 4 Mrs Linda Prangnell Mr Joshua Osborne 4-5 mixed Mrs Tracy Driscoll Mr David Finch 5-6 mixed Miss Joanne Kearney Mrs Lin Cross (KS2 Leader) 6 Mrs Penny Murton Mrs Tina Hart (ICT Teaching Assistant)
S E N Assistants Higher Level Teaching Assistant Mrs Elizabeth Denham - SEN Admin Mrs Julie Spencer Mrs Marie Warner Mid-day Supervisory Assistants School Business Manager Mrs Jill Dimmick Mrs Angela Clark Mrs Tina Bacon Mrs Marie Warner School Secretary Mrs Linda Prangnell Mrs Barbara Nolan Miss Katy Lansdowne Mrs Angela Woodhouse Administration Staff Miss Candice Ottley Mrs Helen Clark Miss Debbie Sanders Mrs Liz Pointing Miss Sarah Harper
Caretaker Mr Gary Keeling
Clerk to the Governors Mrs Angie Selle
Together We Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 The Governing Body
The Governing Body is responsible for deciding the strategic plan for improvement and acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the school. They meet at least six times a year as a whole Body, organising meetings focusing on one or more of their responsibilities
They discuss various matters concerning the running of the school and make decisions on a range of issues including finance, the curriculum, staffing and school policies.
Sub-committees comprise: Standards and Achievement, Leadership and Management, Community and Partnerships and Strategic.
Each Governor’s term of office is four years, after which time an election is held. The chairperson is elected annually from within the Governing Body.
Our School Governors
Chair of Governors Mr Ian Welsh Head Teacher Mrs Elizabeth Jackson Deputy Head Mr Mark Stephens Local Authority Governors Mrs Hanne Miller Mrs Jenny Hinton Mrs Annabel Bryant Community Governors Mrs Josephine Hinson Mrs Joan Finch Parent Governors Mr James Kirkby Mrs Katie Elliott Mr Mark Drew Mrs Claire Doherty Mr Richard Cobden Staff Governors Mrs Cathy Coleman Mrs Julie Spencer
Clerk to Governors Mrs Angie Selle
Together We Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 Class Organisation
The school is organised in eleven classes with up to 30 children in each. Children spend seven years at Gurnard Primary School. This means they may not pass through every class. They are taught according to their development and needs, irrespective of which class they are in . We do operate mixed age group classes in some years (2/3, 4/5 and 5/6) and these are structured so that the children are with a group who have similar needs.
Sapphire Class Reception 4-5 years
Topaz Class Reception 4-5 years
Jade Class Year 1 5-6 years
Ruby Class Year 1 5-6 years
Amethyst Class Year 2 6-7 years
Turquoise Class Year 2/3 6-8 years
Amber Class Year 3 7-8 years
Crystal Class Year 4 8-9 years
Coral Class Year 4/5 8-10 years
Diamond Class Year 5/6 9-11 years
Opal Class Year 6 10-11 years
The school employs teaching assistants (TA’s) who help the children with various activities and learning tasks in the classroom. We welcome the help of parents and other members of the community in the classroom and, should you wish to do so, please first approach the class teacher. If you want to help in school, it is necessary for a CRB check to be carried out, so please notify the school office so we may get a check underway.
Homework
Formal writing/spelling homework is set for year 3 and upwards. It must be noted that homework tasks are not compulsory, but do support the work undertaken in school and are very worthwhile. Spellings are taken home to learn fortnightly. Sometimes, in order to help children overcome any specific difficulties, parents may be asked to un- dertake other tasks with their children at home. In years 5 and 6, homework is set each week, alongside a project linked to topics being followed.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 Daily Routine
Nemo’s breakfast and after-school club provides out of hours school care for our pupils if required. Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am and After-School Club until 6pm. This is run on-site by our pre-school and can be booked directly with them on 280441.
The school office is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm. An answer phone is available to take messages at any other time
.
School Hours
Reception-Year 2 Year 3-Year 6
8.45am-11.50pm 8.30am-12pm (with 15 mins break)
1pm-2.50pm 1pm-3pm
Children should not be left waiting in the playground too early in the morning, especially not in wet or cold weather. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that their child arrives at school on time each day.
Absence
If your child is away from school due to illness, please contact the school by 9.30am. We have a dedicated absence answer phone on 295713 so you will always be able to get through.
If your child is taken poorly whilst at school, you will be contacted to arrange for them to be collected, Therefore it is very important that we always have you up to date contact details.
We do not encourage absence during term time for holidays, but if you need to request this, please see the school office for an application form. Unexplained absences are reported to the Education Welfare Officer.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 The National Curriculum
All year groups follow the full school curriculum which is based on the National Curriculum including the five core subjects of English, Maths, Science, RE and ICT and the foundation subjects of Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and PE. Personal and Social Education is also studied. The school seeks to provide a wide range of experience in order to stimulate the children’s interest and imagination and to extend fully the abilities of all pupils.
English
Work in English covers the areas of speaking and listening, reading, writing, spelling and handwriting. This is mostly covered through the daily literacy session during which each class follows the National Literacy Strategy, as laid down in the National document. Within each session the teacher spends time on whole class teaching for specific literacy skills as well as working with groups on identified tasks.
Each class has a member of our Learning Support team to help during the Literacy Hour and we also welcome voluntary help from any parents who would like to be involved.
At Gurnard Primary School, reading is given high priority and we use various published schemes to develop the children’s skills. However, due to the strong emphasis on reading during the Literacy sessions, children do not read their school reading books to their class teachers every day. As time for individual reading with the teacher is likely to be limited, it is vitally important for reading to continue at home.
Within school, we use, initially, the Oxford Reading Tree scheme to introduce both written and oral language to the children. They then follow a well-graded selection of different reading books that cover all the skills necessary to produce readers at a high level. On completion of the scheme, children are given the opportunity to read ‘free-choice’ books. Again these are graded according to difficulty.
Mathematics
Work in mathematics covers the areas of using and applying mathematics, number, shape, space, measurement and data-handling. This is mostly covered through the daily Numeracy session during which each class undertakes mathematical content as set out in the national Numeracy Strategy. Within each session, the teacher spends time on whole class teaching for specific Numeracy skills as well as working with groups on identified tasks.
The children undertake work from a variety of published schemes including Folens and Cambridge and these are supplemented by other materials available in school. The children will also be expected to undertake homework tasks such as learning number facts and tables etc.
Science
Work in Science covers scientific investigation, life and living processes, material and their properties and physical processes. The scientific skills we aim to develop are observing, investigating, interpreting, hypothesising abnd applying experience and skills. We aim to give the children many first hand experiences in science with opportunities to experiment and think scientifically.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 ICT
Work in ICT covers the areas of word processing, data handling, art and design and control technology. All of the children have use of seven PC’s in our ICT suite under the guidance of our ICT Teaching As- sistant. This includes the use of the Internet and Email facilities. They also have the opportunity to devel- op their skills through using the computers that are housed in each classroom. We liaise closely with the Secondary Schools to ensure children develop the skills necessary for a seamless transition between schools. The skills for ICT are consolidated and developed through its use in all areas of the curriculum. ICT plays a significant part in the children's learning and its use will continue to grow.
Gurnard Primary School operates an Internet Access Policy in order to protect all those who use the schools equipments. Parents/Guardians are asked to sign a consent form that allows their children to use the internet and have their work or image published.
Religious Education
We follow the Island syllabus for RE and Assemblies for Collective Worship are held daily. Religious Education lessons are non-denominational in approach, but in accordance with the 1988 Education Act, children may be withdrawn from these sessions at the request of their parents.
Technology
Technology is essentially a practical subject and involves the children designing and making things from a variety of material with a specific purpose. It will involve children gluing and sticking, sewing, draw- ing and designing. Safety is an important aspect of this subject as children learn new skills and tech- niques including the use of different tools.
History and Geography
In History, our objective is to help children understand the present in the context of the past, to learn something of their cultural roots and arouse their interest in the past.
In Geography we aim to stimulate children's internet in their surroundings and in the variety of physical and human conditions to help them to develop an informed concern for their environment.
Music
The programmes of study in the National Curriculum give all children opportunities to sing and perform with percussion instruments, compose their own tunes and to listen to music in a variety of genres. We aim to extend the children's musical experience and knowledge and to develop their enjoyment of music. Children in year three upwards have the opportunity to learn to play a huge variety of instruments under the instruction s of the peripatetic music teacher. A charge has to be made for this tuition to cover the rental of the instruments and costs of employing a tutor. A list of instruments the pupils can learn is available from the school office.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713
Physical Education
Every child has the opportunity to take part in PE 2-3 times a week. These activities include educational gymnastics, music and movement, games’ skills, games and in the Summer term, swimming, athletics, dance and other outdoor and adventurous activities. The national recommendation is that each child receives two hours activity per week.
We aim that children should become physically active, learn skills through practice, show good sporting behaviour and understand the need for rules and safe practice.
Arts and Craft
The Art and Craft curriculum gives children the opportunity to work in a variety of mediums—paint, clay, textiles, line drawing and collage, either individually or in groups. Children will also have opportunities to appreciate works of art from a variety of cultures and by different artists.
Health Education
All aspects of Health Education are covered including informal sexual education, as suitable for children of primary school age. More formal sex education takes place in years 5 and 6 and centres around puberty changes and forming lasting relationships.
Pastoral Care
The class teachers have responsibility for the pastoral care of all children in their class and the Headteacher is kept informed on all pastoral matters. Children are taught to take responsibility for their own actions and to develop a caring attitude towards each other.
Special Needs
The school recognises the fact that some children will have special needs at both ends of the spectrum and these children are provided for in a number of ways. Mr Mark Stephens is the designated Special Need Co-ordinator and should you have any concerns about your child, please contact him for further information. The Governor’s Special Needs Policy is available in school and various support teachers work in the school with children as necessary. There is a Special Needs drop in session on the last Thursday of each month between 3pm and 4pm with Mr Stephens.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713
SATS Results
2011/12 Figures for attainment at National Curriculum Test Key Stage Two Level 4b+
2011/12 English Maths
Gurnard Primary School 92% 94%
National Average 81% 80%
Together We Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713
Activities and Clubs
With our wealth of facilities on site, we are able to offer a variety of clubs and activites for our pupils. Staff, often with the help of parents run these abd the number and types of clubs vary from year to year but include: -
Athletics Gardening Tag Rugby
Cricket Football Knitting
Cookery Skateboarding Woodwork
Art/Clay Club Drama School Band
The school also takes part in various exhibitions and festivals during the year such as: -
Athletics Meetings Technology Challenge
Maths Challenge Cricket Festival
Football Tournaments
We hope you will encourage your child to support these out of school events, especially if they are cho- sen to represent the school, Your support is very much appreciated!
Educational visits are made when appropriate in connection with school studies and school productions and Christmas concerts are a feature of school life.
During the Summer Term, children in years 4,5 and 6 are given the opportunity to participiate in various residential trips or activity weeks. These are very exciting for the children and we hope that most are able to take part. Parents are asked to contribute to the costs, which are kept as low as possible. Assistance can be provided in certain circumstances.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713
Uniform
For Boys: - Bottle Green Sweatshirt Gold Polo Shirt Grey Trousers (Shorts in Summer) Black Shoes Green Fleece (optional) Black Shorts and Gold T-Shirt for PE Black Plimsolls / Trainers for PE
For Girls: - Bottle Green Sweatshirt/Cardigan Gold Polo Short Grey Skirt/Trousers/Pinafore Dress Green/White Gingham Dress (in summer) Black Shoes Green Fleece (optional) Black Shorts and Gold T-Shirt for PE Black Plimsolls / Trainers for PE
Uniform is available to purchase through the school office, where you can collect an order form.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713
Charges for School Activities
The Governing Body of the School has adopted a policy on charges for school activities. This is required by the Education Reform Act 1988 and is concistent with the provisions of the Act. A copy of the policy is available for inspection at the school office.
Complaints about the National Curriculum and Related Matters
The Local Authority has drawn up a procedure, as required by the Education Reform Act 1988, to deal with any complaints by parents or others about the implementation of the Na- tional Curriculum and religious worship in schools or other matters concerned with the curric- ulum responsibilities of schools of the Local Authority. Copies of the Procedure are available in schools, County Hall and public libraries.
Availability of Documents
The following documents relating to the curriculum are held at school and are available for inspection to parents and others: -
The Authority’s statement of curriculum policy and the Governors statement of curricu- lum aims.
Circulars and other papers from the DfE about the National Curriculum and related mat- ters.
Any policies, schemes of work and syllabuses used in school.
The Authority’s procedures for complaints about the curriculum.
Any published reports on the school by OFSTED
Minutes of Governors meetings (deemed non-confidential) and Annual Reports
DfE circulars and statutory instruments
It would be most helpful if parents wishing to see any of these documents would let the school know in advance, thank you.
Freedom of Information Act
The Governors at Gurnard Primary School operate under the Freedom of Information Act in that they have adopted the approved model publication scheme. This means that parents have access to various documents that are held in school. A copy of the policy is available in school. The school reserves the tight to charge if paper copies are requested.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 Statement of Aims
The Governors and Staff subscribe to the following statements of the purpose of learning: -
to help pupils develop lively, enquiring minds, the ability to question and discuss rationally and to apply themselves independently to tasks and to physical skills;
to teach the pupils the basic skills of reading, writing, spelling, numeracy and science,
to enable them to read for information and enjoyment and to help them use mathematics and language effectively;
to help pupils develop personal moral values, respect for religious beliefs and understanding of other races, religions and ways of life;
to help pupils to appreciate human achievements and aspirations.
Equal Opportunities
The school operates under the Local Authority Policy for Equal Opportunities in that access to the curriculum and other activities are available to all children regardless of gender, race, cultural or physical abilities. A copy of the policy is available in school.
Home/School Agreement
The school also follows a system of home/school agreements. New parents are invited to sign this document when their children begin school. The children are also invited to sign as an indicator of their commitment to the ethos of the school. The agreement is re-visited at reg- ular intervals during the child’s time with us. The document is certainly signed by all the teaching staff. It follows along the lines of our school Behaviour Policy.
Together we Learn and Grow
Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713