Hard Federation Marks Gate Infant & Junior Schools
A stimulating environment where excellence is an expectation, everyone’s contribution is valued and respected so that every day is exciting and
joyful!
‘Teaching is consistently good. ‘ Ofsted
Marks Gate Infant School Lawn Farm Grove, RM6 5LL http://marksgate-i.bardaglea.org.uk Marks Gate Junior School ‘Pupils are enthusiastic about Rose Lane, RM6 5NJ learning and engage fully in lessons.’ Ofsted http://marksgate-j.bardaglea.org.uk
Headteacher Information Pack
Contents
Chair’s Welcome 3
Facts and Figures 4
Learning at Marks Gate 5
Our Community 7
After School Facilities 11
Working collaboratively 12
Application 13
2 Chair’s Welcome Dear Applicant,
On behalf of the Governing Body, may I offer you a very warm welcome to Marks Gate Infant and Junior Hard Federation as we seek to find the very best Executive Headteacher to continue to develop our schools. We are very proud of our schools as they seek to serve the children, parents and the wider community. The care and commitment shown to each other is extremely high. With that ethos we value each person as we strive to ensure that a wide and balanced curriculum is appropriate and challenging for each child. The schools act as a focus for community and parents are encouraged to participate and grow in understanding alongside their children. Behaviour is of a high standard and dialogic teaching allows each child to articulate ideas and feelings which supports the behaviour policy and moves learning forward. Do not just take my word for it come and see our schools at work! We positively encourage visits and both schools look forward to greeting you. On behalf of all governors I thank you again for your interest in our schools, we would be delighted to receive an application from you. Yours faithfully,
Roger Gayler Chair of Governors A stimulating environment where excellence is an expectation, everyone’s contribution is valued
3 Infant School Facts and Figures
Marks Gate Infant and Junior Schools are part of a Hard Federation with an Executive Headteacher supported by a Head of School on each site. They lie in the same campus in the northern tip of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham on the borders of Havering and Redbridge. The schools are three form entry with a nursery attached to the infant school. Half the pupils are from a wide range of minority ethnic heritages and a minority speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for Pupil Premium is above average. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is above average.
Infant School: Junior School No of pupils on roll: 321 EAL: 121 Pupil Premium: 61 SEN: 55 Junior School: No of pupils on roll: 334 EAL: 96 Pupil Premium: 170 SEN: 83
4 Learning at Marks Gate
Lifelong Learning: ’Professional development is highly valued and used to develop individuals and support whole- school priorities for improvement.’ Ofsted We are committed to lifelong learning for the whole school community. The Curriculum, teaching and learning The curriculum is broad and balanced, teaching is skilled and focused on the children’s needs. ‘Teachers have high expectations of pupils to work hard and productively, and they rise to the challenge ‘ Ofsted
Teaching through dialogue is a passion that drives learning forward., giving children a voice which they use to take control of their own learning. One consultant reports: 'Staff across both schools have been very enthusiastic about developing and improving the quality of teaching and learning through a focus on classroom talk. This has resulted in high quality dialogue and discussion leading to significant improvements in pupil outcomes and engagement’. Governors and staff are committed to ensure that this continues to underpin the curriculum taught across both Schools.
Behaviour and Safety Our schools are happy, safe places where children feel secure. As a result of this behaviour for learning is good. ‘Teachers manage behaviour extremely well and are very consistent in their approach. They create an ethos in which all pupils feel comfortable and secure’ Ofsted
5 Learning is fun at Marks Gate with lots of visits, visitors and practical activities!
Sports Day Visit to Valance House Visit to the Imperial War Museum
We love to cook... World Book Day
Wellgate Community Farm came to visit us!
Farm to Fork at Tesco
We work closely with the emergency services
Story telling in St Chads Park
Book week was amazing, we learned so much! Dressing up and story time with hot chocolate was great fun!
6 Our Community Our schools are at the centre of our community and our children at the very heart of our school .
Children We take pupil voice very seriously. It is important that children learn they can take responsibility for their own lives and that they are listened to. The School Councils in both schools are very active in representing the views of their peers. Each school council meets regularly with the Governing Body to share ideas. Subject leaders interview children termly to find their views about the curriculum and this is fed back into the children’s learning. Pupils are given the opportunity to give their views about every aspect of the school annually in a questionnaire.
Infant School Council What our children say… “I liked everything we have done and learnt about”. Y2 pupil
‘I love my teachers, they are always kind and helpful’ Y1 child ‘Our playground is amazing...we have so many toys and games’ Y2 child
What our children say… Junior School Council ‘I like lessons because they are interesting...the teachers make them fun’ Y6 child ‘I love school...we always learn something new’ Y4 child ‘I’m proud of the way we have im- proved our playground’ Y5 School Council
7 The Junior School Council worked hard to raise money to improve the playground. They now want to develop some ground where an old demountable has been removed!
Both School Councils regularly meet with the Governing Body for lunch where they discuss key issues
8 Our Community Governors ‘Governors are very Governors play an active role in the strategic knowledgeable, development of the school, working in partnership passionate and have with the Headteacher and staff. Governors provide high expectations for the both support and challenge through strong school. ‘ Ofsted relationships based on mutual respect.
Christmas Lunch with children, staff, parents and governors. Staff We have a dedicated team of non teaching, teaching and leadership staff who work collaboratively to provide an amazing learning experience for all. All are encouraged and keen to develop their own learning to continuously improve our provision.
Summer Fayre Organised by PSA, PTA and staff
We joined with parents to raise money for the Macmillan Coffee Morning
Partnership with Parents
We recognise the importance of working in ‘Parents and carers partnership with parents/carers. We have a full say they find all staff time Parent Support Advisor in each school who very approachable is readily available to help and reach out to and feel welcome in parents. We have a very active Parents’ school’ Ofsted Association who help to organise wonderful events and raise money for the children. 9 After School Facilities Extended School Provision We have a breakfast club as well as signposting after school care.
Clubs at Marks Gate We use our sports funding to enable us to run sports clubs at reduced costs. This has had a huge impact on the numbers of children able to attend! But after school fun doesn’t stop there— there are drama clubs, film clubs just to name a few! Infant Clubs Junior Clubs
10 Working Collaboratively Outside Agencies
Local Authority The school has excellent links with the LA services which Therapy include: Educational Psychology, The infant school has recently Behaviour Support, Social appointed a play therapist to Communication Advisory support our more vulnerable teachers. children . The junior school children have access to weekly therapy/counselling.
Cluster group Our schools are a part of the Aspire Cluster group of eight local schools working together to strive to provide an outstanding education for our children. Barking and Dagenham Headteacher’s Association The Headteachers in this Authority benefit from working closely together. They meet termly and are always on the end of the phone or email to offer advice and support.
11 We welcome applications by: 18th November Shortlisting date: 20th November Interview dates: 1st December For further information or an informal conversation about the school/ role and a school visit please contact:
We wish you every success with your application.
12