ST MADOES PRIMARY SCHOOL

School Handbook Academic Session 2012/2013

School information

The school handbook is legally required to contain some information and this is marked below with an asterisk*. Those areas which are not marked are Perth & Council recommendations only.

1. Introduction* 2. Delineated Area* 3. Factual Information* 4. School Aims 5. Visits 6. Organisation of School Day* 7. Uniform/Clothing* 8. Curriculum a) Curriculum for Excellence b) Language c) Maths d) Environmental Studies e) Expressive Arts f) Religious/Moral Education* g) Homework* h) Pupils with Additional Support Needs* i) Assessment* j) Reporting 9. Extra Curricular Activities 10. Positive Behaviour Management* 11. School Rules* 12. Attendance* 13. Health Care* 14. Instrumental Tuition* 15. Parent Councils* 16. School & Community Links* 17. Name of Child Protection Officer 18. Additional Support Needs* 19. Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Values* a) Development of Pupils’ Values b) Religious & Moral Education c) Parental Rights d) Religious Observance

2 20. Attendance Rates – Authorised & Unauthorised absence* 21. School Costs* 22. Nursery 23. Arrangements for Emergency Closures 24. Other information

3

1 Introduction

There has been a school in / for several hundred years. Our log books date back to 1873. The present school was opened in 1974 with an extension added in 2003. The present school has 6 classrooms, a Nursery classroom, a General Purpose room, two Learning Resource Areas and a school hall. We also have a particularly well resourced school playground which is an excellent area for outdoor learning.

At St Madoes School we recognise that every child is a unique individual with a range of abilities and needs. We will endeavour to recognise and fulfil these needs and help all children to recognise their full potential. We try to foster in each pupil a sense of responsibility for themselves, for others and for their immediate environment and the world around them.

We also recognise the importance of a good working relationship between school and home and will seek to work closely with you throughout your child's school career.

This Handbook is issued when your child enters the school. You will not receive another copy. It is updated every January and can be accessed electronically on the Perth & Kinross Council website or the school website www.st-madoes.pkc.sch.uk

2 Delineated Area

The school consists of the Parish of St Madoes and Glencarse and the catchment extends from Kinfauns to Glendoick, which includes the hamlets of , Tofthill, Cottown and Leetown.

3 Factual Information

SCHOOL ADDRESS St Madoes Primary School Sidlaw Terrace St Madoes PH2 7NH TELEPHONE 01738 860332 FAX NUMBER 01738 860644

E-MAIL : [email protected]

SCHOOL WEBSITE www.st-madoes.pkc.sch.uk

PRESENT ROLL P1 – P7: 140 PUPILS Nursery: am class 19 children pm class 18 children

4 STAFF

Teaching staff

Head Teacher Mrs Lynne Carpenter-Jacobs Principal Teacher Mrs Nicola Kingslake

Primary 1/2 Miss Jenny Green Primary 2/3 Miss Melanie Harvey Primary 3/4 Mrs Lynsey Imlay Primary 4/5 Miss Jillian Cassidy Primary 6 Mrs Pat Harris Primary 7 Mr Steven Crook

Support Teacher Miss Claire Camack Additional Support Needs Teacher Mrs Lisa Martin

Violin Instructor Mr Patrick Smythe

Support staff

School Secretary Mrs Linn Taylor School Assistant Mrs Helen Norrie Early Childhood Practitioner Mrs Nicola Coulter Early Childhood Practitioner Mrs Fiona Dawson Early Childhood Practitioner Miss Lynne Telford Classroom Assistant Mrs Sheonagh Keay Support For Learning Assistants Mrs Ilona Wann Mrs Ann Grant

Cook Mrs Liz Fairlie

Cleaners Tayside Contracts

Janitors Mr Jim Denney Mr Bill Denney

Other helpful information / visitors

School Nurse Ms Alison Moore Educational Psychologist Mrs Barbi Arnaud C of S Minister Rev Marc Bircham

School Bus Operator W & M Buchan 01738 828291

Perth and Kinross Area Education Office 01738 476200 Executive Director of Children & Education Mr John Fyffe Head of Education Services (Early Years and Primary) Miss Sheena Devlin School Service Manager Ms Alison Drever

5

4 School Aims

St Madoes Primary School aims to work in partnership with families and the community for the benefit of our pupil’s education.

Our Aims and Values are to:-

• Provide a range of active learning and teaching approaches which will challenge all pupils and encourage them to become motivated. We will help pupils to become Confident Individuals, Responsible Citizens, Effective Contributors and Successful Learners.

• Provide a curriculum which is fun, motivating and meets the needs of all pupils. It ensures ambition, depth, balance, breadth, continuity and progression. It will provide opportunities to be enterprising, problem solving and independent.

• Provide an ongoing commitment to raising achievement and attainment and provide quality opportunities in all aspects of school life to achieve full potential.

• Foster mutual respect between pupils, staff and wider school community. Provide effective supports to meet emotional, physical and mental well being of all. Aim to encourage healthy and active lifestyles and resilience throughout whole school community.

• Provide a positive, respectful, secure, and welcoming ethos which encourages a high level of pupil and staff enthusiasm. Foster good communication and effective working partnerships throughout school community. Appreciate parents/carers as partners in the children’s learning.

• Offer safe, fair, friendly and stimulating environment through provision of appropriate, accommodation, good staff, quality resources effective ongoing training.

• Encourage reflective practice in both staff and pupils, and promote ongoing self-evaluation through the process of effective management and consultation.

Revised March 2010

5 Visits for prospective parents/registration

Parents who are considering registering their child/ren at St Madoes are welcome to contact us to arrange a visit. Registration forms can be collected from the school and should be returned to the office. The child's Birth Certificate, your Child Benefit book or letter and your Council Tax documentation should also be brought to school as proof of your child’s home address.

Visits to school will be arranged to enable new Nursery and P1 pupils to spend time with their teacher and classmates before the start of the session. Parents are also invited to a meeting with school staff to discuss their child's start at school.

6 6 Organisation of School Day

Primary 1 – Primary 7 9.15am – 3.15pm Interval 10.30am – 10.45am Lunch Break 12.20pm – 1.05pm

Nursery Class am class 9.20 am – 11.50pm pm class 12.40 pm – 3.10 pm

Break and Lunch arrangements

Lunches are cooked on the premises and are of a very high nutritional standard. There are two sittings for lunch, the younger children going in before the older pupils. Pupils may bring a packed lunch, they eat it in the hall or, if in P6 or P7, outside in good weather. Those staying at school for lunch must stay on the premises under our supervision. The playground is supervised at morning and lunch break by support staff, with involvement of the Head Teacher and Principal Teacher.

If the weather is very wet or stormy at break times children are kept indoors. P7s monitor each class with support staff patrolling the school.

Please do not send your child to school before 9am as the playground is not supervised before morning bell. On wet days we ask you not to send your child before 9.10 am

7 Uniform/Clothing

It is school policy to encourage every pupil to wear school uniform. It is as follows:

Grey trousers (boys / girls), shorts, skirt or pinafore White shirt and school tie OR white polo shirt Red jumper, cardigan or school sweatshirt Summer dress – red and white Grey or red tights or white socks

Sensible indoor and outdoor shoes are required (sensible heels for girls please). Shoes are changed on entry to the school, so indoor shoes such as gym shoes are also required and these should be kept in school.

School sweatshirts, fleeces and rainproof jackets can be ordered from the school office.

A PE kit of plain shorts and t shirt is required along with gym shoes or trainers. Tracksuits and outdoor trainers are also required as often PE takes place outside.

The wearing of jewellery is discouraged for safety reasons, it is not part of school uniform and should not be worn in school. Earrings must be removed or studs taped over during PE.

7 8 Curriculum

Curriculum for Excellence

As we prepare our children for the future in our fast changing world, and equip them for jobs which may not yet exist, Curriculum for Excellence has been introduced, in all schools across , for all learners aged 3-18. In Perth & Kinross we have built on our “Setting the Standard” documents and the “Improving Learning” series by producing Creating a Curriculum for Excellence – which incorporates a four-part guide outlining the role played by the 3-18 Curriculum Framework, Effective Learning and Teaching, Enterprise and Vocational Education and Assessment for Learning in creating Curriculum for Excellence in our schools.

Under Curriculum for Excellence every child is entitled to a broad general education with opportunity to acquire depth of knowledge in some areas and to develop Skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work. The learning experiences we deliver will offer learners the opportunity for personalisation and choice. Learning activities will be structured to ensure children work at a pace they can cope with and with the challenge they will thrive on. Plans and tasks will link knowledge in one curriculum area to that in another, helping children to understand the world and to make connections. Children will think for themselves, make sound judgements, challenge opinions, enquire and find solutions.

Curriculum for Excellence empowers our teachers to make professional judgments about what and how they teach. It encourages creative approaches and promotes cooperative strategies as we seek to engage, motivate and inspire our learners.

Progress in learning will continue to be assessed in rigorous ways throughout a young person’s time at school. There will be new qualifications for Literacy and Numeracy from 2012-13 and new National 4 and 5 qualifications from 2013-14. Scottish Access, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be updated to take account of and support these new approaches to learning and teaching.

All staff have a responsibility to develop, reinforce and extend learning in Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing for all our learners. We continue to offer personal support to help young people fulfill their potential and make the most of the opportunities we offer. Ultimately Curriculum for Excellence aims to improve the life chances of all our children and young people, to nurture them as successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

The core areas of Curriculum for Excellence are defined as follows: Expressive Arts Health and Well Being Languages (including Modern Languages (French) at Second Level) Mathematics Religious and Moral Education Sciences Social Studies Technologies

These are taught throughout the school either as discrete subjects or through cross- curricular learning contexts.

Further information can be accessed by visiting • the Curriculum for Excellence website: www.ltscotland.org.uk/ curriculumforexcellence /index.asp • the Parentzone website: www.ltscotland.org.uk/ parentzone /index.asp

8 Religious/Moral Education

The programme for Religious Education in our school follows Curriculum for Excellence and aims to promote understanding and to develop a child’s own concept of spirituality. Pupils learn about the beliefs and practices of some major world religions and are encouraged to develop respect for others’ beliefs, tolerance of difference and appreciation of diversity.

Homework

Homework is given to all classes from P1 – P7. Homework is an important link between home and school and is a chance to support your child with his/her learning. The Homework Policy is available from the school. Generally homework is not given if a pupil is unwell and absent from school or on holiday during term time.

Pupils with Additional Support Needs

Children may need additional support for learning when they face difficulties in, or any barriers to, learning. If additional support for learning is required it may be catered for in the classroom by the class teachers who are able to present each child with an educational programme geared to his/her individual needs in terms of pace, content, method and resources used. When determining which approach to use we are able, if necessary, to consult with an Additional Support Needs teacher. Further information is given in Section 18 Additional Support Needs.

Assessment We monitor pupils’ attainment mainly through continuous assessment. This is usually done by evaluation of the daily work, discussion, practical work and end of unit tests. Assessment is an integral part of learning and teaching. Assessment reflects the principles of Curriculum for Excellence, relates to planned learning experiences, has the flexibility to meet the needs of all learners, regardless of where planned learning takes places, and involves learners.

Personal Learning Planning All pupils help in the creation of their own Personal Learning Plan. The Personal Learning Plan (PLP) tells parents and pupils what they will be learning in school. The plans help pupils to understand clearly what they are learning and involves them in setting personal targets to aid achievement. These plans also provide information to parents about the curriculum and are useful for assessing progress. There are four PLPs issued every session.

Reporting We have Parent Contact meetings twice a year in November and March when parents are invited to discuss their child’s progress. Parents are welcome in school at any time to discuss areas of concern, but please contact the school first to ensure the availability of the teacher.

Pupil Reports are sent home in June. These will indicate your child’s strengths and development needs in all curricular areas. Pupil Reports aim: • to provide clear, positive and constructive feedback about children and young people’s learning and progress, looking back on what has been achieved against standards and expectations. • to create an agenda for discussions between learners and those teaching and supporting them about their next steps in learning.

9 9 Extra Curricular Activities

Throughout the session school staff provide several types of after school clubs for 6 x 1 hour sessions. These vary according to the interests of children and skills of the staff and may include Country Dancing, Gardening, Chess, Fitness and Football.

Our Active School’s coordinator also organises after school clubs throughout the session, which are run by parents or local volunteers. These include netball and football.

Volunteer helpers to help run after school clubs are always welcome and should contact the Head Teacher to discuss this further.

10 Positive Behaviour Management

For children to obtain full benefit from their time in school, certain standards of behaviour must be observed. The children are made aware of these and have the opportunity to discuss and contribute to the making up of school rules. Great emphasis is placed on self-discipline, working and playing amicably together, caring for others and accepting responsibility.

The school implements a variety of positive behaviour management strategies to encourage and reward good behaviour and effort. We operate a coloured card system of behaviour management. Details of this are on our website.

We value the liaison between home and school and will contact parents if there are behaviour problems. If there are any circumstances which affect the child, e.g. bereavement, separation, it can help if we know (in confidence if necessary) so we can take the situation into account when dealing with any abnormal behaviour.

A copy of the School’s Behaviour Policy is available on request.

Bullying

It is a fact that pupils are sometimes subjected to bullying behaviour during their school career. We wish to identify and deal with these problems as they develop, as every child has the right to live without fear or intimidation.

Bullying can be defined as any form of intimidation of a child with any regularity. It could be physical, verbal, by gesture or by exclusion from a group and includes any incidents perceived as “racist or sexist”. It may be inflicted by an individual or by a group, over a long or short time. Bullying is a problem both for the victim and for the perpetrator and we must deal with both, as those who bully also have problems, which we must recognise and deal with, in order to stop the behaviour.

If the school is to act effectively, we must know the extent of the situation, so it is important that we are informed of what is happening, either by pupils or parents. All reports of bullying are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. It is made clear to all pupils that bullying is unacceptable and every effort will be made to deal with both the behaviour and its causes.

10 11 School Rules

We have positive school rules:

1) We do as we are asked the first time. 2) We are polite, kind, respectful and friendly to everyone. 3) We stay in the playground. 4) We take care of our school and everything in it. 5) We behave in a safe way inside and out of school.

The children regularly discuss the school rules to enable them to build up a true understanding of their meaning and why we have them. The school rules are supported by a set of positive classroom rules.

All rules are reinforced by a set of rewards and consequences. (More information is available in our Positive Behaviour Policy)

12 Attendance

It is a legal requirement that parents ensure that their children attend school regularly and punctually. If your child is unable to attend school, please contact us by telephone by 9.30am, if possible, on the first day of the absence and give your child a note explaining the reason for the absence on their return to school. It is particularly important that you contact the school if your child is not returning to school in the afternoon. This saves us a great deal of worry if we know that there is a reason for the afternoon absence.

Please try to make appointments for your child outwith school hours. Appointments during the school day should be notified to the school in advance.

Authorised and Unauthorised Absences

The Scottish Education Office requires all data regarding Pupil Attendance and Absence to be provided in an electronic format. For this reason, Perth & Kinross Council has provided schools with an electronic management system to record all pupil attendance and absence. Specific codes require to be used when recording the data for each pupil and it is for this reason that we require written notification giving the reason for every absence your child has, e.g. illness/holiday/what type of appointment - doctor/dentist/hospital appointment etc.

When parents request leave for a pupil for holiday or family commitments during the term, they receive from the school, an acknowledgement of this request. All holidays during term time are regarded as Unauthorised Absences. We would urge parents to avoid absences due to holidays in term times and stress that absence from school can lead to lower attainment levels.

Pupil absence is carefully tracked through the school’s electronic management system. This highlights patterns and frequencies of absences. Where there are concerns over any pupil’s attendance, parents will be contacted, in the first instance, by the Head Teacher.

11 13 Health Care

The School Nurse visits the school regularly. There are occasional visits from the School Doctor and Dentist. Parents whose children are being examined by the doctor are normally notified by the Health Service via the school and invited to attend. The results of the dentist’s visits are conveyed to parents, who are then expected to take the appropriate action if so advised.

If your child becomes ill at school or has an accident, the school will notify you at once by telephone. If parents are not available the emergency contact will be contacted. In the case of serious injury, or when parents cannot be contacted, the child may be taken directly to hospital and the parents informed as soon as possible.

Parents should ensure that the school is informed of any specific medical conditions their child may have or medication they may require. This information should be put in writing and sent to the school where it will be treated in strict confidence.

Medication will only be administered to pupils with chronic medical conditions (i.e. long term conditions). If your child needs medication during school hours, you MUST complete a form, available from the Office, saying what medicines are to be given and for how long. The medicines must be in a container with the child’s name, class and the dosage clearly marked on the outside. Inhalers should be similarly marked.

Medicine for occasional illnesses e.g. Calpol, Amoxicillin, or any prescription or non- prescription drug, will not be administered by school staff. Pupils should stay at home until they are well and strong enough to come to school. In the event of courses of medicine needing to be completed, parents should judge timings to avoid the hours between 9.00 a.m. – 3.15 p.m. or make arrangements for themselves or their representative to come into school to administer the medication to their child themselves.

A basic first aid kit is kept in the school and Mrs. Keay (classroom assistant) is our recognised trained First Aider.

14 Instrumental Tuition

Instrumental tuition is available for those who show aptitude and commitment. Parents should complete an IT1 form, which is available from our School Office or Education and Children’s Services, if they would like their child to be considered for tuition. Places are allocated to pupils on the basis of an interview and an assessment of musical interest and aptitude.

We currently offer violin to pupils in P6/7.

15 Parent Council

The school has selected a Parent Council to represent the views of the Parent Forum (all parents in the school). The Parent Council works closely with the Head Teacher and school staff. It has a constitution which requires it meet for a minimum of 4 times a year. Parent Council meetings are open to all parents who are automatically members of the Parent Forum.

12 The Parent Council has two sub-committees, communication and progress of the child, who work closely with school staff to improve links between home and school in these two areas. The Parent Council also raises money to purchase resources to enhance the pupils’ educational and social development. It also aims to provide good community links.

The office bearers are Chairperson: Mrs Sharon Connolly Secretary: Mrs Kim Simpson Treasurer: Mrs Aileen Murdoch

16 School & Community Links

The school enjoys good links with parents and the local community, including local churches and Carse In Bloom.

The children make use of the local environment as part of their Social Studies programme. Members of the local community are invited to support school events such as the Christmas concert and the Summer Fair and we are happy to welcome parents and other interested adults into the school to enhance the children’s education.

Primary-Secondary Liaison Perth High School is the secondary for pupils living in our catchment area and its feeder primary schools make up a group known as Perth High School Local Management Group.

In early May staff from Perth High School visit St Madoes to meet with P7 pupils, and to liaise with our teachers and promoted staff. In the middle of June the P7s are invited to the High School for two days working a typical senior school timetable. A meeting for parents is also arranged by Perth High School.

Similar arrangements are usually made for any pupil transferring to any other secondary school. If you want your child to transfer to a school other than the one proposed by Education and Children’s Services, i.e. Perth High School, please call into school for the appropriate form.

17 Name of Child Protection Officer

Mrs Lynne Carpenter-Jacobs, Head Teacher, is the Child Protection Officer responsible for Child Protection matters. Should you wish to discuss any child protection issues, please feel free to contact the school.

As a school we have good contacts with the School Medical Officers, Social Workers and Police, any or all of whom may be involved in a Child Protection case. We will always ensure that you are informed and participate in any action which we may initiate regarding your child.

13 18 Additional Support Needs

The school will support, as much as possible, the education of pupils with additional support needs along with their peer groups in the normal classroom situation. Individually targeted work at a level accessible to the pupil and designed to support learning progress is normally provided by the class teacher, learning support staff or additional support needs teacher. Progress is monitored and is regularly reported to parents who are also consulted if any change in the programme of support is being considered.

The aim is always to promote the maximum degree of independence in learning, personal management and social activity of which each pupil is capable.

Occupational therapist, speech therapist, teacher of English as an additional language, Educational Psychologists and other agencies may visit the school to work with specific pupils.

19 Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Values

The Development of Pupils’ Values

In our school we are committed both through the ethos and the curriculum to provide appropriate opportunities for the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural values. This will be undertaken in partnership with parents and will take account of the individual needs of pupils and the views of parents.

The school welcomes and encourages diversity and individuality while emphasising our common commitment to moral values such as honesty, respect for others, compassion and justice. We believe that everyone involved in the school has the right to be respected and, in return, must try to act in a considerate and respectful manner towards others.

The school implements the Local Authority’s policy for Equal Opportunities and ensures that all pupils have access to the full range of educational experiences available within the resources of the school. We are firmly committed to the elimination of any form of discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender or disability.

Parental Rights

Under the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 “ any pupil may be withdrawn by his/her parents from any instruction in religious subjects and from religious observance.” Any parent who wishes to exercise this right must first discuss the matter with the Head Teacher.

Religious Observance

The school holds weekly assemblies. This provides an opportunity for pupils to share together and celebrate as a school community those things which we value. They also give opportunities for our pupils to reflect on spiritual and moral concerns. Through this, pupils can increase their understanding of religious practices. Each class takes a turn of leading the assembly and the local minister, Mr. Marc Bircham, from St. Madoes and Kinfauns Church has been invited to join us on a regular basis. Often guest speakers from charities or other worthy organisations are invited to our Assemblies 14

20 Attendance Rates – Authorised and unauthorised absence

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS 2011 PRIMARY SCHOOLS

School: St Madoes Primary School Id No.: 340 - 5348625

Key to symbols: The symbol ## indicates that the data are not available.

Attendance And Absence For School Year 2010/2011 Stage P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P1-7 Total Number of Possible Attendances( 6528 7964 8694 4852 9010 8688 3640 49376 Pupil Half Days) Percentage Authorised 2.4 3 2 1.4 2.2 2.7 3.2 2.4 Absences Percentage Unauthorised 0.7 1.2 1.2 1.2 0.7 1.1 2.4 1.1 Absences

Key to Symbols: Asterisks (**) have been inserted instead of figures for some schools and categories: • Counts and percentages based on data for more than 0 but fewer than 5 pupils, because they could be misleading or lead to the identification of individuals. • In other cases, it is not possible for the school to have any data for the category, for example, cases where the relevant year group roll figure is zero. The symbol (##) indicates that the school has recently opened or merged with another school and this information is not available.

Minimising Overall Absence Absence recorded Absence recorded (2009/2010) (2010/2011) Average number of Average number of half days absence half days absence per pupil per pupil Absence 14.5 13.5

Where schools have 9 openings per week, please note that all local authority and national figures are based on 10 openings per week, and so are not directly comparable.

15 Education Authority: Perth & Kinross

Attendance And Absence For School Year 2010/2011 Stage P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P1-7 Total 505387 491983 505984 489472 516547 526799 520662 3556834 Number of Possible Attendance s(Pupil Half Days) Percentage 3.7 3.4 3.1 3.1 3 3.3 3.3 3.3 Authorised Absences Percentage 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.3 Unauthoris ed Absences

Minimising Overall Absence Absence recorded Absence recorded (2009/2010) (2010/2011) Average number of Average number of half days absence half days absence per pupil per pupil Absence 16.4 17.3

National Data Attendance And Absence For School Year 2010/2011 Stage P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P1-7 Total 189513 19116971 18672816 18136151 18404407 18748517 19075039 13110520 Number of 08 9 Possible Attendance (Pupil Half Days) Percentage 4.2 4.1 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.9 3.9 4 Authorised Absences Percentage 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 Unauthoris ed Absences

Minimising Overall Absence Absence recorded Absence recorded (2009/2010) (2010/2011) Average number of Average number of half days absence half days absence per pupil per pupil Absence 19.4 19.8

16 21 School Costs

The SOEID Circular 10/93 requires schools to issue costs per pupil. For the December 2011 handbook, this information is based on the roll as at September 2010 census and on the budget expenditure for the financial year 2011/2012.

It is misleading to suppose that a school automatically offers a better deal for pupils because its costs per pupil are higher. It would also be unrealistic to assume that schools with lower unit costs than others are necessarily managed more economically and efficiently.

Costs per pupil are dependent on a considerable number of factors. For instance, the size of the school plays a big part in determining costs per pupil, and a small primary school in a rural area is almost certainly likely to have a much higher unit cost that a large primary school.

Other schools have particular situations – an annexe for example – which may considerably raise their unit costs.

In comparing unit costs of their child’s school with regional and national averages therefore, parents should be careful to consider such matters before making a judgement either on the quality of provision in the school or on the school’s “value for money”.

National Data

Budgeted Running Costs For Financial Year 2011-2012 School Roll at September 2010 364,284 Total School Running Costs at April 2011 (£) 1,490,002,771 Cost per Pupil (£) 4,090

Education Authority: Perth & Kinross

Budgeted Running Costs For Financial Year 2011-2012 School Roll at September 2010 9,813 Total School Running Costs at April 2011 (£) 41,318,214 Cost per Pupil (£) 4,211

School: St Madoes Primary School Id No.: 340 - 5348625

Budgeted Running Costs For Financial Year 2011-2012 School Roll at September 2010 138 Total School Running Costs at April 2011 (£) 547,429 Cost per Pupil (£) 3,967

22 Nursery

Each nursery provision will have a defined locality which may not be the same as the primary school catchment area. Localities are agreed and registered with the Education Services within Education & Children's Services. Parents of children attending nursery should be aware that a place in a local authority managed nursery class does not give children priority in gaining a place in the same school when enrolling for primary school. Entitlement to primary school is determined by the child’s home address. The designated nursery provision for this school is St Madoes Primary School. 17

Further details of nursery provision in are available in the Council’s “Policy & Guidelines for Admission to Nursery Schools and Classes for School”, which can be accessed on the Council’s website at the following address: www.pkc.gov.uk/Education+and+learning/Nurseries+and+childcare/Nursery

23 Arrangements for Emergency Closures

If early closure is planned e.g. end of session , adequate notice will be given by letter and/or newsletter. Unplanned early closures are rare. If an occasion arises where pupils require to be sent home, pupils will be sent only if the school knows there is an adult there. Checks may be made by telephone if necessary and use of emergency contacts made. If we are unable to get in touch with a parent or emergency contact, pupils will stay in school with staff until contact is made.

Early Closures: e.g. Severe Weather Conditions – Heavy Snow

Should there be severe weather prior to the start of the school day it is possible that the school might not be open. Please check with radio stations from 7 am onwards, before you phone the school as there might not be anyone in school to answer your phone call.

Please note information regarding emergency closures due to snow or flooding will be available from the following sources.

• Parents/Carers can find closure updates on the Perth and Kinross Council website by logging onto www.pkc.gov.uk and go into the link ‘information for you’ (listed at the bottom of the page), then click into school closures. The Perth and Kinross Customer Service Centre can also provide information and the opening times are listed below.

• It is important to note that Radio Tay and Perth and Kinross Customer Service Centre will be used in all instances and that these should be the main sources of information for Pupils/Parents/Carers. The other information services will only be updated in the event that the severe weather is widespread and is not a localised situation.

• Radio Tay ( used in all instances ) Frequency AM 1584 FM 96.4 - Perth only Frequency AM 1161 FM 102.8 - Everywhere else • Radio Heartland FM (only used for widespread weather conditions) Frequency FM 97.5, 106.6 • Radio Central (only used for widespread weather conditions) Frequency FM 103.1 • Perth and Kinross Council Customer Service Centre (Available from 08:00 hours to 18:00 hours however this line may operate from 07:00 hours in exceptional circumstances) Parents/Carers should dial 0845 3011100 or 01738 475000. Calls are charged at the local rate.

If school does not open any morning every effort will be made to phone Parent Council parents as soon as possible to help pass on the information.

18 Should the children already be in school and the weather conditions worsen, under normal circumstances the school will always remain open. In the unusual event of the school having to close the children would not be sent home without contact being made either with yourselves or emergency contacts. The school cannot be closed until the last pupil and staff member have left. In circumstances where conditions worsen during the day parents are free to come at any time and collect their children. You are the best judge when deciding whether or not weather conditions are likely to cause difficulty or danger for pupils returning home.

Emergency Arrangements

In the event of an emergency, (e.g. if your child becomes ill or has an accident) or in exceptional circumstances, the school may need to contact parents or emergency contacts – on rare occasions it may be necessary to send every child home. It is, therefore, most important, that parents keep the school informed promptly about any change of address, telephone number or place of employment as well as any changes regarding emergency contacts .

24 Other information

School holiday dates

All school holiday dates can be viewed on the Perth & Kinross Council website.

Visits out of School

As part of the curriculum we use the local area and places further afield as a resource. An annual permission form completed at the start of the session by parents, allows children to go on a variety of educational trips. On all visits the pupils are accompanied by the required number of staff and other adults.

Where a visit is made out of the local area your permission to take your child out will be sought. You will be advised on such matters as suitability of clothing, travel arrangements and lunch arrangements. In planning any excursions staff complete a Risk Assessment following Council guidelines to ensure safety is maintained at all times.

Parental help is usually invited (and much appreciated) for school trips and activities. Any parents who help with transport must satisfy the Head Teacher or her representative that their vehicle is suitably insured and roadworthy and that they have appropriate child safety seats.

School Awards

Each year we present several awards to our pupils. There is a sports cup for a P7 boy and girl who has shown consistently high sportsmanship throughout their last year. There are two John Wallace memorial plates presented for personal achievement and contribution to the school ethos. There is an Art Cup and individual certificates for Good Citizenship in each class. Other pupil groups who have been active in the school are often recognised for their contribution to that group by being given certificates or small rewards.

Lynne Carpenter-Jacobs December 2011 Head Teacher

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