Dear Parents

It is a pleasure to welcome you to our school. I hope the information in this brochure will help explain how the school works and fosters a positive and fruitful partnership in educating your child. We aim to provide a happy caring working environment for your child in which to learn.

Teachers, staff, governors and I are committed to working together to provide the highest quality education and to enable your child to develop both personally and socially.

If you need any further help with a particular matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to working with you for the benefit of your child.

We have a website which can give you up-to-date information in the form of newsletters and photographs around the school at www.greatsteeping.org.uk Please enjoy your virtual tour!

I hope that you and your child will enjoy your time spent at Great Steeping Primary School.

Yours Sincerely

Mrs Alison Ackrill & Miss C Spencer

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General Information

Great Steeping is a village primary school wholly maintained by County Council for children aged four to eleven. Approximately 1010 children attend the school. We have an admission limit of 16 children in each year group. In September 2017, 8 children started in our Reception class.

Admissions Starting School for the first time in Reception From 16th November 2020, you apply online at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions . The closing date for applications is 15th January 2021. The school will be holding open sessions for parents to complete the application pack on the school’s computers. The offer date will be 16th April 2021.

We follow the Lincolnshire County Council Primary School Admission policy for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools. A full copy of the policy is available at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

If we have more applicants than places available, then the following oversubscription criteria apply in the order listed: A. Looked after children and all previously looked after children (1). B. A brother or sister attending the school at the time of the application, or who will be attending the school at the expected time of admission (2). C. Nearest School: measured by straight line distance (3). D. Increasing order of straight line distance (4)

(Please refer to the full policy on the above website for definitions and notes.)

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Mid- Year Admissions – Any Year Group

If you wish your child to start at our school, you will need to complete a mid year application form. You can apply online at: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions or contact the School Admission Team at Lincoln on 01522 782030.

Extended Provision We are fortunate to have an After School Club run by Mr Casswell and Mrs Warner called Great Kids Club which is open every day during term time until 6pm. There is of course a charge for this. They also run a Holiday Club at the school; it is open every holiday except Christmas, from 7.45am until 6pm. They also run a Before School Club from 7.45am – 8.30am every morning. There is a cost for this service.

Community Links – on hold due to COVID-19 We have a Parent and Toddler group, which meet every Thursday afternoon in the school hall from 1.30pm – 2.50pm. The cost is £1 per family. This is a very popular session.

Safeguarding & Child Protection At Great Steeping Primary School, there is nothing more important to us than the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare of our pupils. For this reason, we regard the need for safeguarding children from all harm as vitally important. Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 also gives maintained schools a statutory duty to promote and safeguard the welfare of the children, and have due regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Therefore, this school recognises its legal and moral duty to promote the well-being of children, and protect them from harm and respond to child abuse

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Aims of the School

Our primary aim is to maintain a happy and safe working environment which stimulates the children’s interest in the school and the school activities.

Academically It is the school’s basic aim to offer a broad and balanced curriculum and equip each child with skills and interests in order that he or she may develop to their fullest potential and talents. We wish to enable them to articulate themselves orally and in writing, to work confidently with numbers and to work at activities with a scientific approach, as soon as they are able and as well as they are able.

Socially The school’s main aim is for each child to be a happy and secure member of a school that remains small enough to enjoy a family atmosphere. Through sharing, co-operation and the consideration of others each child will, as he or she grows, develop a responsibility to themselves, to others and to the school.

4 The Teaching Staff

The teaching staff comprises of five full time teachers. Mrs L Peck & Mrs E Wilkinson - teach Reception children. Miss E Dunkin – teaches Year 1 and 2 children. Mr C Inkley - teaches Year 3 and 4 children. Mrs A Ackrill – Head Miss C Spencer – Head and teaches Year 5 and Year 6 children two days a week. Miss E Stanforth – teacher Year 5 and Year 6 children three days a week. Mrs L Peck – teaches PPA one day a week Miss E Stanforth – teaches intervention groups two days week. The school has four classrooms which means there are more than one-year group to some of the classes. This organisation is based purely on numbers and can change year on year, this decision is made by the leadership team of the school which includes the Governing Body. Non Teaching Staff

Mrs P Edwards – school administrator Mrs B Clowsley – teaching assistant Mr J Casswell – teaching assistant/ midday assistant Mrs G Odlin – teaching assistant/ midday supervisor Mrs D Taylor – teaching assistant/ midday assistant Mrs D Hodson – caretaker and midday supervisor Mrs L Casswell – caretaker/midday assistant Mrs S Warner – teaching assistant/midday assistant Mr T Pryme- teaching assistant Additionally, mention must be made of several helpful parents and Governors who regularly give their time to help in school with various areas of the curriculum.

Governors

Mrs A Sunley- Chairperson & LEA governor Mr S Foster- Parent governor Mrs A Ackrill- Head Teacher Miss C Spencer- Head Teacher Miss E Stanforth -Staff governor Mrs K Mowbray- Co-opted governor Mrs C Parish- Co-opted governor - Parent Governor -vacancy Mrs D Willoughby– Clerk to the governors

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School Organisation.

The time spent teaching during a normal school week (excluding daily assemblies and breaks) is approximately 23.5 hours. The school is organised to achieve the best possible class structure for the children in our care. These change from time to time depending on pupil numbers and their needs. At present we have four classes. The school benefits from a good sized hall, a library and a computer suite. The outdoor environment at Great Steeping School is attractive and well used. The school has four classrooms which means there are more than one-year group to some of the classes. This organisation is based purely on numbers and can change year on year, this decision is made by the leadership team of the school which includes the Governing Body.

Session Times- altered due to COVID-19

At 8.30am the children are supervised on the playground by an adult. At 8.45am the school day starts and finishes at 3.00pm. Lunch for Key Stage 1 pupils is 12.00-1.00pm, for Key Stage 2 pupils from 11.50-12.30pm. Attendance Please contact the school by phone or email if your child is absent for any reason on the first morning and subsequent mornings for how long your child is absent for. The school discourages parents from taking children out of lessons for medical appointments. If however this is necessary prior notice is needed. The law does not give any entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday during term time. Any application for leave must be in exceptional circumstances and the Head Teacher must be satisfied that the circumstances warrant the granting of leave. Parents can be fined for taking their child on holiday during term time. Unauthorised absences may be reported to the Education Welfare Officer.

Attendance for September 2018- May 2019 (of compulsory school age pupils only)

6 Number attending school: 117 Authorised absences: 2.96% Unauthorised absences: 0.27%

Uniform- changed due to COVID-19 Our school uniform is designed to be practical but comfortable, and to give the children a sense of identity. It consists of green sweatshirts and black trousers or skirts, with a green/white cotton checked gingham dress for summer wear. Sweatshirts are obtainable from the school at a cost of approximately £7.50. Polo shirts and hats are also available from the school. For PE lessons the children need a white tee shirt, black shorts and plimsolls. For Games lessons, the children need a white tee shirt, sweatshirt, shorts or joggers. The children also need trainers for using the adventure playground. It is very important that all the kit is labelled clearly with the child’s name. Only the children in Y5/6 are allowed to wear jewellery to school and this has to be removed for all sports activities. We have our own uniform shop which is open on Thursday and Friday afternoon in the school office. An order can be emailed to school via our school website and the money placed in the children’s reading folder as well as attending the school shop. Special Educational Needs If a child should display particular difficulties with their work, parents will be asked to discuss this with the Head Teacher and SENCo. With parental consent the child’s difficulties will be addressed, perhaps by assessment with the Learning Support Services teacher who visits the school regularly or perhaps by being referred to an Educational Psychologist. The teaching space is a single story building. There is wheelchair access in the main building plus a disabled toilet facility. The school has a wide range of resources to assist children with general and specific difficulties. In addition, the school recognises the needs of the more able children by providing a range of relevant extension materials. Free Transport Children from Reception age to Year 6 may get transport to school if they are attending the designated transport area school and live more than two miles from the school. You can apply online by going to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooltransport Or: You can request an application form from the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782020. Children attending the school normally reside in the parishes of Great Steeping, and , and parts of and Irby-in-the-Marsh.

7 Fund Raising/PFA Fund raising is an increasingly important activity in schools. The school’s main fund raising event is the Annual Harvest Sale, which is traditionally very well supported by parents. Proceeds from the event help purchase extra equipment for the school and also help finance educational outings. We also have an annual sponsored walk at school. The proceeds are shared between a chosen charity and the school. The school has a recently developed PFA who work closely with the school to provide different events for fund raising. All parents are welcome to join the PFA. Parent Hub The school uses an online platform to communicate with parents. This is called Parent Hub and is a fee downloadable app. It has on news that is class specific and whole school information. All newsletters and communication for school trips and agencies such as the NHS are available on the app. Transfer to Secondary School At the age of eleven the children have a good choice of schools. The local Secondary School is King Edward VI Academy at ; some children go to Grammar School, Skegness Academy, Alford Grammar School, John Spendluffe Technology College, Alford or William Lovell School at Stickney. Curriculum Foundation Stage Mrs Peck and Mrs Wilkinson teach the class of children who, in accordance with the Admissions policy, start school in the September before their fifth birthday. This is known as Reception age. The children follow the Foundation Stage curriculum which contains Early Learning Goals.

Early Learning Goals cover: Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication & Language Literacy Mathematical Development Understanding the World Physical Development Expressive Arts

English As a school we place a great deal of emphasis upon all forms of Literacy activities. Speaking and listening, reading, writing, spelling and hand writing are all integral elements of the National Curriculum.

8 Speaking and Listening. Children are encouraged through group and whole class activities to express themselves clearly at all times. On entering school, our youngest children are provided with opportunities to develop both specific and enriched vocabularies through activities such as group discussion, circle time, drama and role play and by relating personal and imaginary events. Reading Children are introduced to reading at an early stage in their school life. Reading is taught through a multisensory approach developing phonic, contextual and short/long term memory skills. At Great Steeping children are asked to take books home every day to read at home and parental support is essential if children are to make progress. Writing Children learn to write through a structured approach. Starting with letter shapes and sounds, based on the Letters and Sounds programme of study, they are encouraged to attempt self expression. Copy writing and under writing are the early steps towards a more extended and fluent writing ability. Grammar and spelling are taught regularly as part of the Literacy Hour. Handwriting We believe that children should take pride in their work and therefore handwriting is taught through a structured scheme. Emphasis is placed on accuracy and fluency and children join their letters when they show maturity and consistency. This can be at different ages for different children. Maths Numeracy is important in our every day lives and consequently we believe that children’s work in school should be structured and fun. Teachers focus on specific skills and concepts which are relevant to each stage of the children’s development. Activities and experiences will range from the practical through to more formal; recording in conventional and less formal ways. Applying knowledge and understanding of concepts is of paramount importance. Children are encouraged to seek solutions to everyday problems and we strive to provide structured but meaningful experiences for each child, relating the mathematical skills to other subjects as often as possible. Science Science is about the children developing a sense of enquiry and extending their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. We encourage children to observe, look for patterns, design experiments to answer problems, suggest explanations, make predictions and interpret their findings. Science is taught as a topic but is often linked to other subjects being taught. Wherever possible, the study of scientific concepts is taught through first hand experiences and we ensure they are based in activities which cover both approaches.

9 History/Geography Our aim is for all children to enjoy history and develop a curiosity about the past. Links between history and other curricular areas are used whenever appropriate. History is often taught in a “block” which means the children cover a history topic for a certain amount of weeks and then move onto Geography in the same way. Children study geographical concepts whenever possible based on practical activities with the emphasis on first hand experience. We use the school grounds and the village to give our children a range of enriching experiences. Art Most, if not all, children enjoy art subjects as they can use creative and imaginative skills to engage with learning and enjoy, with others, the end results of their efforts. Our aim is to develop a child’s visual awareness, confidence and competence to express their feelings through the expressive possibilities of materials and techniques. We teach the basic skills for colour mixing, drawing and painting. As the children develop in confidence, these are utilised with a wider variety of material and medium. Music Music is approached in a variety of ways. Children participate as an individual, a member of a small group or as part of the whole school. We encourage a natural enjoyment of music through a range of activities, from listening to music from other countries and cultures, to performing for an audience. We aim to develop musical skills and interests at an individual level wherever possible. Whole school or Key Stage productions are an important part of the academic year. We also take part in Music festivals with other local primary schools. Lincolnshire Music Service works in school to deliver “First Access” to Year 3 & 4 children, teaching them to play an instrument such as a Ukulele. PE- Sports Premium All children take part in PE lessons. They are viewed by all staff as central to the development of each child’s self awareness and motor control. Lessons provide coverage of all aspects of the National Curriculum, including gymnastics, team games, athletics and swimming. The children swim at the Southview pool in Skegness on a termly basis, each class swims twice a week for a set amount of weeks depending on their age. We also take part in sporting tournaments with other local primary schools. The sports premium from the government provides a qualified and experienced sports coach for the whole school, quality assurance of coaching, strategic overview of compliance and extra activities for the children designed around all aspects of being healthy. There is a dedicated page on the school website regarding the provision and impact. Design Technology From entering the school, the children are given the opportunity to work with a range of materials, tools and equipment. Children are encouraged to design and

10 take part in practical problem solving activities which provide meaningful context to practice and apply the skills taught. Information Communication Technology (ICT) Computers and other technology are used extensively throughout the school in all areas of the curriculum to support and enhance the quality of learning. The school has a computer suite with nine networked computers with access to the internet. All classrooms have access to internet linked computers or laptops. The computer suite is used for skills teaching and also is accessed throughout the day by children wishing to research a topic or develop a presentation of their work. We also have a wide range of other I.T. equipment, including digital camera, tape recorders and a Beebot robot, which are used regularly to enhance the children’s learning experiences. RE Religious Education is taught in accordance with the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus. It develops children’s knowledge and understanding of religion, religious beliefs, practices, language and traditions. It enables children to consider and respond to their own spiritual development, the development of values and attitudes and fundamental questions concerning the meaning and purpose of life. At various times of the year the school takes part in services in the local church. Local clergy take part in school assemblies on a regular basis. Parents are invited to attend Friday afternoon assemblies which are a celebration of the children’s achievements.

Arrangements can be made for a child to be excluded from religious education lessons and school assemblies should parents desire this. Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship We aim to give our children a comprehensive understanding of PSHE, with the result that self esteem and awareness is increased, social development and safety. They explore together issues about their own welfare and developing role in society. Some of these may also be covered in RE and Assembly time. Sex & Relationships Education Sex & Relationships are taught to an agreed policy for Reception through to Year 6. In Key Stage 1 this focuses on naming body parts with the correct terms and human growth and development. In Key Stage 2 children learn about reproduction and the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Particular care and sensitivity is taken to ensure that the teaching matches the maturity of the children.

11 Reporting During the Autumn term the school has parent’s evenings for parents to see how their child is settling in and working. More parent’s evenings take place during March. At the end of the year, written reports are made on each child’s progress and attainment. Parent’s can request to see the class teacher if they wish to discuss the report. Homework Children are set homework weekly and are expected to read daily. The children also may have weekly spellings and tables to learn. During the course of a topic children may be asked to research information at home or complete a piece of work based on another subject area such as History.

Clubs – on hold due to COVID-19 Class Teachers provide a range of extra curricular clubs after school on a Monday evening for Key Stage 2 children, for example: Art Recorder Film Club Gardening Cookery Photography Science The sports coaching company provide a sports club on a Wednesday after school such as football, Dodgeball, Gymnastics, Inclusion sports. Lunchtime

The school has a dedicated team of midday supervisors who take care of the children at lunchtime. We provide Hot School Meals at a cost of £2.40 per meal but children can bring their own healthy packed lunches for the midday break if they wish.

Since September 2014, all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have been able to receive a hot school meal at no cost to the parent/guardian. School meals are healthy, tasty, social and fun and choosing a school lunch for your child/children will help save you up to £450 per year if you take up the offer. A school lunch will also provide a varied and balanced diet and provide the right amount of energy to ensure that your child can work better in the afternoons.

Your child can bring a packed lunch for the midday break if they wish, but we would encourage them to try a hot school meal. This will give them a varied and balanced diet and save you time and money.

12 Free School Meals & Pupil Premium

Since September 2014 there has been a new universal eligibility checking service for free school meals, which enables schools to check all primary pupils for free school meal eligibility. This system also determines eligibility for Pupil Premium, which means schools will receive an extra £1,320 per eligible pupil from central government to fund valuable support such as extra tuition, learning support, extended provision and school activities that require a parental contribution. It is important to complete a Registration form online to see if your child is eligible for free school meals and the Pupil Premium. All personal information will be held securely on Lincolnshire County Council systems and used only for checking free school meal eligibility and Pupil Premium. The School office is happy to guide you with this process.

Playtime snacks The Government provide funding for free fruit for Key Stage 1 children. We ask that the children eat the fruit provided as a playtime snack and the Key Stage 2 children have the option to bring in a piece of fruit from home. Illness/Accident/First Aid/Medicines Most staff have a basic first aid qualification. Minor cuts and grazes are treated by the staff and more serious complaints are treated accordingly. All accidents are logged in our accident book and children with bumps to the head are issued with a letter for your information. Mrs Clowsley, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Warner, Miss Spencer and Mr Casswell are qualified Paediatric First Aiders. We are not able to supervise children who feel poorly at school so parents or a designated adult will be contacted if necessary. In the event of your child requiring long-term medication for chronic conditions for example asthma or epilepsy arrangements can be made for the administration of these at school. If a child is near the end of a course of medicine then the school will administer, with parental consent, but it is not appropriate for the children to be in school during the beginning of the course. Charges for School Activities The Governors wish to see the Curriculum enriched as far as possible for the benefit of the children. They recognise that whatever public funds are available they will never be sufficient to fund all desirable activities at the required level. At all times we strive to keep the cost of any activity to a minimum amount, often the school does not raise a charge at all because of the success of the fund raising in school. Complaints We strive to deliver the best possible education to all children and to care properly for their health, safety and welfare at all times. All staff in the school, teaching and non-teaching are dedicated to achieving this aim.

13 From time to time, however, it is possible that you feel we have not lived up to your expectations. If this is the case, please tell us. If you do not tell us, we will not be aware of your concern, and if we are not aware of it there is little we can do to set things right. So if you have any worry or concern about what is happening in the school PLEASE TELL US AT ONCE. In the first instance approaching your child’s class teacher should help to solve the concern. If this does not help, then approach the Head Teacher to discuss the issue further. Sometimes parents have said that they would not like to ‘make a fuss’ as they feel that their child might suffer in some way as a consequence. Every single member of staff in this school is determined that this will never be the case. If you have a concern, please tell us about it. It is a much better route to take rather than using social media sites. There is a flow chart in the school entrance which shows the pathway to follow for a complaint.

This booklet was produced in September 2020 ready for academic year starting September 2020-2021. The information contained in this booklet was correct at the time of production, but may be subject to alteration without notice. **** the current climate means that there are several alterations to the brochure****

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