SCHOOL BROCHURE
2018 – 2019
Green Lane Barnard Castle
Co. Durham DL12 8LG
Tel: 01833 690298 Fax: 01833 690316
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.greenlane.durham.sch.uk
Headteacher: Mr R Goffee
Welcome to Our School
I would like to thank you for showing interest in our wonderful school! My name is Mr Goffee and I am fortunate enough to be the Headteacher here. Green Lane is a rural school in the heart of Teesdale and at the centre of our local community. We offer a fantastic education based around achievement and success in a nurturing, holistic environment. At Green Lane we see the ultimate purpose of education as the promotion of “life in all its fullness.”
Here education is about more than just academic achievement; it is about developing young people who can flourish in all areas of their lives developing the intellectual, spiritual, moral and physical attributes, becoming proud and respectful members of our community. The Christian ethos and values are central to the experiences our children have each day at ‘Team GL.’
At Green Lane Church of England Primary School we listen to one another and recognise each other’s worth (even when we occasionally disagree!). ‘British Values’ teach that tolerance is essential in our society, reflecting the Archbishop of Canterbury’s encouragement to be honest, loving and faithful.
I hope you will enjoy your time in our school, learning from us and with us and I would welcome the opportunity to show you round and answer any questions you may have.
Mr Goffee
Headteacher
1 Green Lane CE Primary School is situated in the south west Durham market town of Barnard Castle at the top of Green Lane, just off Victoria Road. It is surrounded by extensive playing fields and gardens with panoramic views of Teesdale.
The school premises were built in 1956 as a secondary school. In 1977 secondary provision in Barnard Castle was amalgamated and relocated to its current site at Teesdale School. Barnard Castle Junior and Infant Schools then moved into the vacant Green Lane building. In 1980 the two schools were combined to form Barnard Castle C.E. Primary School, now known as Green Lane CE Primary School. The school was refurbished five years ago and full disabled access is now possible. The school caters for 4-11 year olds with 231 children currently on roll.
As well as the primary school the site at Green Lane also now houses Green Lane Nursery and Childcare Centre and High Force SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training), both of which have been judged by Ofsted to offer outstanding provision. The school is very proud of its close links with the Nursery and High Force and takes an active role in supporting both.
Pupils from Green Lane come from a large catchment area and the majority will transfer to Teesdale School, although a few move on to Staindrop Academy or Barnard Castle School.
Green Lane is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England school, and has strong links with St. Mary’s Parish Church in the centre of the town. The children are encouraged in a wide variety of ways to develop Christian values and staff work hard to ensure that the Christian ethos pervades throughout the school.
Our core values:
Caring - We look after each other, our school and our town
Respectful - We show each other good manners
Forgiving – we show compassion to one another
Honest – We tell the truth
Nurturing – We build each other up to achieve our full potential
Inspiring – We look up to each other with love and kindness
Inclusive – We value everyone
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark” Michelangelo At Green Lane we set high expectations for ALL pupils
2 What does Ofsted think of our school?
All children, including boys and the most able, make a good start in the Reception class.
Parents explain that children settle quickly and that staff plan activities effectively to meet their different needs. Children in the early years say they enjoy school, especially reading books and listening to stories. Staff ensure that children make good progress.
They provide an exciting range of activities to engage children with learning both inside and outdoors. Nine out of 10 pupils who were eligible for pupil premium funding made good progress in reading, writing and mathematics last year.
Ofsted November 2017
MISSION STATEMENT:
“QUALITY AND EQUALITY with all pupils having equality of opportunity and experience of the highest quality in a caring environment.” At Green Lane Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School our prime aim is to ensure the optimum development of each pupil as an individual person who is given the challenge and opportunity to develop their full potential in a happy, stimulating and secure environment, reflecting the school’s strong Christian ethos. Our expectation is that on transfer to secondary education their will be able to readily access all aspects of the curriculum at Key Stage 3 with enthusiasm and confidence and be able to grow as an individual with high self-esteem, a respect for others and a willingness to play a positive role in society.
3
1. ORGANISATION
School Staff
Leadership Team Mr Rob Goffee Headteacher Mrs Nicola Linsley Assistant Headteacher Mrs Beverley Chapman Assistant Headteacher (job share) & Mrs Alison Hartley Mrs Anthea Enzor School Business Manager
Teaching Staff Miss Emma Bryden Mrs Rachel McDonald Miss Abbie Cone Mrs Fiona Windle Miss Helen Court Miss Helen Walker Mrs Susan Scarre Mr Alec Lees
Support Staff
Administrative Assistant Mrs Barbara Wilson
Learning Support Assistants Mrs Jo Close Mrs Andrea Wardle Mrs Jo Foster Mrs Janette Watson Ms Melissa Mullery Mrs Judith Wilkinson
Midday Supervisors Mrs Fiona Fox Miss Holly Alderson Mrs Davina Buchanan Mrs Susan Richardson Mrs Cynthia Lacey Mrs Debra Baker
Caretaker To be appointed
Facilities Team Mrs Teresa Hughes Mrs Susan Richardson Ms Suzanne Oliver Mrs Rachel Walker Mr Tim Hoyle
Kitchen Mrs Lillian Carlington (Cook) Mrs Emma Mairs Ms Audrey Guy
4 School Governors
Principal Officiating Minister (1)
Rev Alec Harding (Chair)
Foundation Governors (2)
Mrs Jenny Currie Mrs Frances Stenlake Mrs Maria Waddington
Co-opted Governors (4)
Mrs Alison Hartley Mr Robin Lees Vacancy x 2
Local Authority (1)
Mrs Pam Petty
Parents (5)
Miss Lisa Johnson (Vice Chair) Mr Iain Brown Mr John Moore Mrs Rebecca Kesterton
Staff (1)
Mrs Anthea Enzor
Headteacher (1)
Mr Rob Goffee
5 Admissions
Children can be admitted to the school in the September after they reach the age of four years, but the Nursery takes children from as young as 6 months! The admission limit at Green Lane is 38 pupils.
Parents and children are always invited to visit the school before the actual starting date. At that time special information sheets (in addition to the school brochure) are distributed. It is also an ideal opportunity for meaningful discussion between parents and teachers who both want the transition from home-life to school to be as natural and happy as possible for the children. Our staff visit the children in their pre-school setting and the children are invited to visit the school during the summer term before official admission in September. Children transferring from other schools are also welcome to visit before their admission to help with the transition.
Primary Admissions Criteria
If more children want a place than there are places available, we will offer places according to the following criteria, strictly in order of priority:
Children who are ‘looked after’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence/child arrangement, or special guardianship order*. A looked after child is a child who is, at the time of making an application to a school, (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (see the definition in section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).Medical Reasons - Pupils with very exceptional medical factors related to school placement. Applications under this criterion should be supported by written evidence from a doctor. Medical Reasons – Children with very exceptional medical factors directly related to school placement Sibling Links - Children who have a sibling already attending the school who is expected to be on roll at the school at the time of admission. Distance - Pupils who live nearest the school measured by the shortest walking route. This will be based on the parents’ address. Where the last place to be allocated would mean that a multiple birth sibling group i.e. twins, triplets or other multiple birth sibling groups, would be split, the sibling group will be given priority over other children. Otherwise, if only one final place can be offered and two applicants live equidistant from the school, the Local Authority’s system of random application will apply.
Please note that in the event of over-subscription within criteria (i) or (ii), places will be granted to those pupils living nearest to the school (measured by the shortest walking route).
All admissions, including in-year transfers, are dealt with by the Children and Young People’s Service at County Hall. The best way to apply is online www.durham.gov.uk/schooladmissions. If you do not wish to apply on line you will need to complete an application from, which is available from School Admissions & Transport Team, Children and Adult Services, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UJ. 03000 265896. 6 Class Organisation
Our school covers the three primary stages – Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6). Most classes contain mixed year groups which we feel helps children to nurture and support each other; the teachers for each year group work very closely together in planning, preparation and assessment. There are also superb links between our on site Green Lane Nursery and our Foundation Stage class ensuring smooth progression and continuity through the ‘Foundation Stage’.
Facilities
The classrooms are located on three sides of a central courtyard with the office staff in the central area adjacent to the secure entrance. There is a main hall with a permanent stage complete with stage lighting, and separate dining hall, as well as a central library, and facilities for High Force Education Teacher and accommodation for the Before and After School Club. The School Hall contains a wide variety of large and small apparatus for physical education. The extensive playing fields provide soccer pitches that are also used by the community at weekends and very good facilities for track and field events in athletics. Extra space is available for other games such as netball, tag rugby and rounders.
Playground facilities include two large tarmac play areas and hugely extensive grassed areas (when weather conditions are suitable.) The Friends of the School enhanced the playground facilities by incorporating trees for shelter and areas for plants, shrubs and flowers grown to provide a stimulating external environment. As well as a play area, garden area and pond, we have developed facilities for outdoor learning including an outdoor classroom for storytelling, drama and other activities and a woodland area for Forest Schools activities. Foundation Stage children also have free access to a secure, well equipped outdoor play area.
The children are carefully supervised during all break-times. In poor weather, they are supervised indoors. Parents can help by making sure that children bring a jacket/coat even on fine days, in case of a sudden change in the weather.
School Times
The school day runs from 8.55 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Children are asked to arrive no sooner than 8.45 a.m. unless they are members of the Out of Hours Club, as supervision of the playground will not be available before that time.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is about keeping our children safe by protecting them from harm, supporting their development and making sure they grow up in a safe environment. At Green Lane CE Primary School we are committed to safeguarding our children.
All visitors should report to the school office and unless we have prior DBS clearance, should remain with a member of school staff unless otherwise directed. For people who work 1:1 with a child, we ensure that all the necessary safeguarding checks have been carried out, including enhanced DBS disclosure.
7
We want to ensure that everyone who visits our school is aware of their responsibilities towards making sure all children are safe. When you visit please follow our golden rules:
Do not use cameras or phones to take photographs of children, without prior permission Please switch your mobile off whilst in school Never comment on or identify children online or other social media – this includes uploading images of pupils, unless you have consent Never share or exchange personal information or contact details with a pupil or arrange to meet them out of the school environment Do not have any physical contact with any child Please do not leave our school if you have safeguarding concerns - it is your responsibility to share your concerns, however small they may appear 2. CURRICULUM
Teachers and support staff are patient if pupils do not understand explanations straight away and intervene sensitively to help pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities.
Ofsted November 2017
The School Governors work with the Local Education Authority, the Head Teacher and all staff to ensure that the education of all the children is vibrant, interesting, broad, balanced, progressive and challenging.
Each child is encouraged to explore and investigate, listen and discuss in order to acquire those basic skills of listening, speaking, phonics, reading, writing and handling of number which will allow him/her to access and make good progress in all aspects of the curriculum.
All teachers are qualified and skilled to teach the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education (taught in accordance with the Durham Agreed Syllabus) and the foundation subjects, Design Technology, History, Geography, Physical Education, Music, Modern Foreign Languages and Art in accordance with the National Curriculum requirements. During their Foundation Stage year, pupils will be assessed following on from the assessments made in nursery using the Foundation Stage Profile and they follow the new Early Years Foundation Stage Document which is a balance of child initiated learning and adult learning activities.
We are proud of our creative curriculum, based on termly whole school topics, which is personal to the school and has been designed through personal reflection, questioning both pupils and parents. This creative approach offers pupils a wider variety, and links academic subjects to enhance learning for life.
Pupils feel very safe in school and know who to turn to if they ever need help.
Ofsted November 2017
8 Children will also have the opportunity to develop their Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship knowledge and understanding and the strands of social, moral, spiritual and cultural elements of the curriculum are woven through all subjects. The National Curriculum (and the accompanying assessment) as delivered in this school is a legal requirement and, ordinarily, no pupil may be excused.
At Green Lane we consider carefully what we teach and how it is best planned to promote British values across the curriculum. We aim to ensure that our children develop into excellent citizens of our country. We also emphasise the importance of providing a safe environment for our children and this includes measures to protect staff and pupils from extremist views that contradict these fundamental British values.
Children will spend most of the school day with their Class Teacher with some interchange of teachers for certain aspects of work in activities such as Music, R.E, Art & Design, Physical Education and Swimming.
Termly letters are sent to parents (alongside our weekly newsletter) to inform them of the planned curriculum and if you have any queries or require further information do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher or the Head Teacher who will be willing to assist.
School Library
Located in the centre of the school, our library is intended to be a focal point encouraging all our children to develop their reading skills, their enjoyment of literature and their thirst for knowledge. Parents of younger children are encouraged to use our ‘storysacks’ library which bring children’s stories alive. It would also be very helpful if you would encourage your child to become an active member of the local County Library in Barnard Castle, access to which is free.
Religious Education
Religious Education is taught in school in accordance with the Durham Agreed Syllabus and through a joint initiative with St Mary’s Church, known as “The Big Story” the children discover stories from the bible and are encouraged to connect the stories with personal experience. In this non-coercive way we encourage children to move into larger dimensions of belief and faith, through wondering questions and open-ended response time. Each day there is an act of Collective Worship, usually in the school hall. Parents who feel that they may wish to withdraw their child should discuss this with the Head Teacher, however, withdrawal from Religious Education and Collective Worship cannot guarantee exclusion from the religious character of the school and the Governors hope that in choosing a Church School, parents are committing themselves to their child’s participation in the religious life of the school.
Sex Education
The School Policy is that there should be no formal sex education until pupils have reached Year 6. Up to that time teachers will deal sensitively with any questions which may arise naturally in their classes.
9 In their final year pupils study the various functions of the human body as part of the Science and Health Education curricula. During the year, the school nurse comes into school to deliver a session to the boys and girls giving advice and guidance on growing up, puberty and personal hygiene. Parental consent will be requested by letter before any Sex Education is given to any Year 6 child.
Information and Communications Technology
The school has a wide range of ICT resources available to offer our pupils. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard which is used to enhance teaching and learning. As well as having access to additional specialist ICT resources in High Force SCITT, we strive for an integrated approach to the use of technology in the curriculum with the use of laptops and iPads, and other technology devices such as digital cameras and video recorders.
All children have access to Durham’s Learning Gateway, as well as protected access to the internet. They are also encouraged to access their learning at home and find out more about the topics they are studying as well as improving their ICT skills.
The Arts
The school is continuing to develop the cultural aspect of the curriculum across the whole school. We believe that experiences in this area can provide stimulus, interest, motivation and encouragement to pupils across the ability range and give impetus to work in other curricular areas. To this end, the school is enhancing its already good facilities and our reputation in the performance arts by
the incorporation of dance within the PE curriculum, pupils working with artists in residence to produce very high quality work in ceramics and fabrics culminating in impacting, stimulating displays in our school entrance and around the school, visiting the Bowes Museum to access its artefacts, displays and education events, working with local artists who provide experiences and teach skills to pupils, presenting whole school productions and inviting theatre groups into school and making visits to theatres in the region, engaging in local events organised by the churches and other amateur dramatic organisations encouraging members of staff who have artistic talent to teach our pupils their skills
10 Specialist Music Tuition
Members of the Durham County Peripatetic Music Staff, as well as other local instrumental tutors, visit the school each week to give expert tuition and all children have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. Those with the necessary aptitude have the opportunity to continue to learn to play and join the brass, woodwind and strings sections of the District Orchestra, if not the County Youth Orchestra.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school owes much to those members of the teaching staff, who, by giving freely of their own time and expertise, provide regular out-of-school Activity Clubs. These are highly successful and very popular. We offer a range of activities and in recent years this has included, Soccer, Cricket, Gymnastics, Netball, ICT, Dance, Eco Club, Forest Schools, Rugby, Gardening, Fencing, Cookery, Reading Champions, Card making, Carnival and Art Club. We are very grateful to parents who make a special journey to school to collect their children who participate in these activities, so contributing to the achievement of our aim of providing equality of opportunity and experience. It is necessary to levy a charge each term to cover the cost of resources and specialist tuition.
Sport
The School aims to encourage in all pupils the principles of healthy competition and a sense of fair play. At the same time it aims to develop individual and team skills to enhance self-esteem and co-operation with others and an ability to abide by a set of rules. Athletics, gymnastics, soccer, uni-hoc, tennis, swimming, cricket, netball and rounders are all included in the normal curriculum. We have developed an orienteering course on our site and assisted in the development of courses at Bowes Museum and other local schools. In addition we have close links with Teesdale School and take part in a variety of sporting activities on their school site. The school also makes use of the extensive facilities at Teesdale Leisure Centre to broaden the range of activities offered to our Key Stage 2 pupils and to enable all children to learn to swim. We have also recently challenged ourselves to run “round the world”.
11 Sporting Links
The School maintains excellent relationships with local sports organisations, most especially with Teesdale Athletic Clubs, Teesdale Leisure Centre, Barnard Castle Football Club and Barnard Castle Rugby Club and Barnard Castle Cricket Club.
School sports
A sports afternoon is held towards the end of the Summer Term. All parents are invited and encouraged to support our children. We encourage competition but within a spirit of co-operation too.
Inter-Schools Activities
The school soccer team competes in the Teesdale Schools League Our school’s PE Co-ordinator liaises with those in other schools in the area to promote inter school competition. Our school teams compete in local and regional competitions with a great deal of success. Our school has taken part in the Big Walk and Talk project with other local schools and visiting artists, exploring the theme of “Wellbeing”. Staindrop School organise and host sporting festivals for all ages of children from local primary schools
Visits and Outings
Educational outings and visits for all age groups are made to places of special interest, and visitors with special expertise are invited to the school. Outings have included Bowlees Visitors’ Centre, Washington Wetlands Centre, The Life Centre in Newcastle, the Coast, Durham Cathedral, farm and town visits. Those visiting the school include theatre groups, business ambassadors, neighbourhood engineers, interfaith visitors, artists, potters and authors.
12 Annually, we usually offer a Year 6 residential field study visit to Carlton Lodge near Thirsk for three days during the summer term.
The impact of educational outings and visits on developing and enhancing the curriculum is very significant. Parents are made aware of arrangements in advance. Under normal circumstances children should not be home late from school unless you have been notified accordingly.
Parents will be notified of any special events (e.g. Church Services, Gymnastics Displays, School Concerts, and Fetes etc.) and very warmly welcomed.
Charges
There are no charges for normal in-school activities, but on those occasions when it becomes necessary for the school to meet the cost of a special event (e.g. an out-of-town educational visit or the visit of a theatre group etc.) parents are invited to make a voluntary contribution which is usually subsidised by the School Fund. There is no obligation to contribute and no pupil will be omitted from the activity, but it is necessary to have substantial voluntary parental contributions in order that the proposed activity takes place and without this the activity may have to be cancelled.
13 3. ASSESSMENT
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework that sets the standards that all Early Years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children are ready for school and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life. Seventeen learning goals are assessed at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage to profile each child’s learning and development.
Careful and accurate monitoring of the progress of all children is at the heart of effective teaching and learning. We use a rigorous and robust tracking system which enables teachers to record a child’s attainment in the core subjects, Reading, Writing and Mathematics and in the foundation subjects such as ICT, PE and Science, against a series of Curriculum Statements based on Age Related Expectations. It allows teachers to set their children's next steps based on what they are learning from the New Curriculum. This allows us to create reports for children, parents, teachers, leaders and governors, which provide constructive feedback to children and parents regarding progress in the basic skills, as well as supporting our evaluation of our effectiveness as a school. At the end of each educational year, parents receive a written report on their child’s progress.
Three parents’ evenings are held each year, one in each term. This provides an opportunity for you to have private discussions with your child’s class teacher and any other teachers who have been involved in your child’s education. The autumn meeting enables parents and carers to find out how well their child is settling in their new class. In the spring we will discuss how well your child is progressing and the summer visit is more informal, allowing us to celebrate success as well as identifying particular areas of concern.
In Year 2 and Year 6, at the end of Key Stage 1 (aged 7 years) and Key Stage 2 (aged 11 years) all pupils are assessed using ongoing teacher assessments alongside the national Key Stage SATs (Standard Attainment Tests).
Standards and Targets
Our SATs results for 2018 were as follows:
Key Stage 1 - Percentage of pupils reaching aged related expectations or above
Maths 84% Writing 76% Reading 84%
Key Stage 2 - Percentage of pupils reaching aged related expectations or above
Maths 79% Reading 82% Writing 94% SPAG 91%
14 Children with Special Educational Needs
The school complies with the DfE’s Special Educational Needs Code of Practice and believes that in doing so it is responsive and accommodating in ensuring that the needs of children are met as appropriately as possible.
Whilst the curriculum provides equal opportunities for all pupils, its delivery is differentiated to enable all children, through quality first teaching, to gain access to it at an appropriate level and to develop and progress through it with appropriate support and challenge.
It is important to realise that a child’s developmental age does not necessarily correspond to his/her chronological age, for example, whilst one child might require extended teaching in basic skills, perhaps through individual assistance, another could be ready to work at greater depth. Our individual tracking system supports and enhances formative assessment and future planning, meaning that planning, assessment, teaching and learning become an effective cycle in supporting the development needs of each child.
The early identification of a child’s special educational needs will normally be made by the teachers’ sensitive observation and assessments and through discussion with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and other senior members of staff. Relevant, suitable yet personally challenging levels of work will be set by the teacher and the progress of the child will be carefully monitored at all times and the child may be included in a short term intervention group.
Materials carefully planned by the class teachers will provide appropriate levels of work for a variety of developmental age groups. In addition computer software is used to provide for the special educational needs of pupils at all stages of development. In accordance with the Code of Practice, appropriate provision will be made within the school and, if a child’s special needs are deemed to require specialist assistance from professionals outside the school, full consultation will be held with the parents before any action is taken.
The provision for SEND subsumes the identification and provision for exceptionally able children. An identified teacher in school has responsibility for more able pupils and works with class teachers to ensure that the curriculum they are engaged in is appropriately challenging and that their needs are being met.
If, as parents, you believe that your child needs any special help, please contact the school in confidence at the earliest possible opportunity.
Equal Opportunities
At Green Lane Primary School we value all people equally. Our equal opportunities policy is robust, stressing that we will not tolerate less favourable treatment of anyone on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, disability, religious beliefs/faith tradition, sexual orientation, age or any other of the protected characteristics (Single Equalities Act 2010). We encourage our pupils to follow the excellent example set by staff. The recent refurbishment means that the building is now suitable for anyone with severe physical disabilities.
15 4. BEHAVIOUR
Expectations
It is expected that the behaviour of pupils will bring credit to themselves, their parents and the school. We wish to work with parents to make sure that pupils work conscientiously, are reliable, co-operative and courteous and we want to maintain an environment where everyone can be happy and successful. As a Rights Respecting school we teach children and young people that they have rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. From this starting point they also learn their responsibility to respect others rights in all relationships in the community. Our school rules, necessary in a well- ordered community, are simple and few in number and underpin our values. They are mainly concerned with social awareness (e.g. good manners and respect for others) and the prevention of accidents and damage and each class agrees its own class charter at the start of a new academic year. Expectations are usually supported by a timely word from the staff, or, if deemed necessary, the loss of break-time outside. If unusual difficulties arise, the Head Teacher will consult the parents of the child concerned.
There are simple rules which require the assistance of parents and we rely upon your support: No sweets or biscuits are to be brought to school. No money (except when requested) to be brought to school. No items of high monetary or personal value. No toys to be brought to school. Accidental loss or damage can cause heartbreak, especially if the toy is an old favourite.
We operate a ‘Playground Pal’ system at lunchtime for both key stages. Trained children are available to befriend and support other children and to direct them to adults where there is an issue. In addition Year 6 children act as buddies for the children in the Foundation Stage. Both these systems work extremely well and we have had excellent feedback from children and parents.
We need and strongly encourage children to report any incidents where they feel that someone has hurt them on purpose. Every report is taken seriously and acted upon immediately. The school and outside agencies work with children who are bullies to change their behaviour and we take the view that every person has the right to come to
16 school and not be hurt. If, despite all measures being taken, a child persists in bullying others, then that child may face exclusion from school.
Rewards for good behaviour
In order to motivate pupils and to reward children for good work and behaviour, we give team points for progress, effort, initiative, quality of work, thoughtfulness and kindness.
There are four teams in school: Auckland, Barnard, Bowes and Raby. Children's team points are aggregated each week and the elected Team Captains of the team with the most points are presented with the weekly Team Point Trophy. Merit certificates are presented to individual children for gaining team points in our weekly Friday Celebration events where all children who have succeeded in a range of activities are commended and their parents are invited to attend. During this event, teachers nominate a ‘Superstar’ and ‘Worker’ of the week from their class. Superstars are awarded a trophy which they take home for the forthcoming week with a certificate of commendation and Workers receive a special pen, donated by the Friends of Green Lane School. The midday supervisors also reward good behaviour at lunchtime with their special certificates.
5. GREEN LANE AGREEMENT
The school will:-
provide a welcoming, safe and friendly environment for all children, where each child feels they have a voice and that their view is valued be a listening school, where everyone can share worries or concerns provide encouragement and support to cater for all individual needs promote a healthy lifestyle offer a broad, well planned, balanced and stimulating curriculum which meets the needs of individual children and prepares them for the future
17 develop the social and emotional well-being of each child so that they are able to make a positive contribution to society set individual or group targets which will be both encouraging and achievable. Targets will be shared with both parent and child and reviewed regularly provide a range of extra-curricular activities to enrich your child’s school experience have high expectations in both work and behaviour contact parents as soon as possible to discuss any issues concerning your child inform you regularly regarding your child’s progress in all areas be open and welcoming, offering opportunities for parents and carers to be involved in the life of the school ensure homework is set, monitored and marked in accordance with the schools policy ensure that all the staff are up to date on important educational developments with will affect your child
We expect all parents and carers to:-
encourage my child to work hard and access all the opportunities offered by the school support the school in the encouragement of good standards of behaviour and by the sharing of information support my child with homework activities ensure my child attends school regularly and arrives on time contact the school to inform them of the reasons for absence or any issues by phone or in writing encourage my child to wear school uniform attend open evenings and reply to school correspondence
We expect all children to
respect the school environment and everything around it be polite and courteous to all members of the school community do their best in all lessons even those which they find difficult return their homework on time and completed wear school uniform talk to someone if they are finding anything difficult or something is worrying them
Home Support
Your co-operation in encouraging your children to talk, to read for pleasure at home and to discuss the school day with you would be of immense value to them and to their teachers. It would also be of great assistance if you could help with the collecting of information or materials connected with projects or topic work. The children are allowed to bring home on a regular basis their current reading books. We actively encourage your participation in developing the children’s personal and academic development. Please ensure that your children read to you regularly so that our scheme of parent/teacher co-operation succeeds to the benefit of those we all want to help.
18 6. COMMUNICATION
Newsletters
The School Newsletter is published each Friday to keep parents informed of activities and forthcoming events. Additional information may be sent out with the Newsletter each Friday and parents are encouraged to ask their children for the Newsletter on Friday afternoons so that they can be kept fully informed and involved. Further information is contained on our comprehensive website www.greenlane.durham.sch.uk and we encourage all parents to use this as the primary source of information since it is updated at least weekly. There is an option, available for those who prefer, to receive our newsletters by email. We also send out a termly newsletter to let you know what the children will be studying during the term and how you can provide support. If you have a smartphone you can download OurSchoolsApp which Is a free pp and is personalised for our school. This will allow us to keep you all updated with school information, news, calendar events and contact information. Details of how to download the app can be found on the school website.
Access to documentation
Parents may see copies of school Ofsted reports, schemes of work and syllabuses, the trust deeds of the school and the Governors’ statement on religious education, together with the school’s policies in the School Office. Prior notice to the school Administration Team is needed so that the documents can be made ready for perusal.
Complaints Procedure
If any parent wishes to make a complaint about the school’s curriculum and collective worship under the terms of Section 29 of the Education Act 2002, he/she should in the first instance consult with the Head Teacher of the school. If attempts to settle the complaint informally fail, the complainant will be supplied with the name of the Head of School and Governor Support Services in the Local Education Authority and given copies of the relevant documents explaining the arrangements for considering complaints.
Other complaints may be raised initially with the Head Teacher. If attempts to address the complaint fail, the parent has redress to the School Governors and the Local Education Authority. In both cases, the complaint may be lodged with the Clerk to the School Governors, School and Governor Support Service, Education Department, County Hall, Durham. DH1 5UJ Tel: 03000 265697 or, for directly with the Chair of Governors.
The school is developing a culture of continuous improvement and is keen and interested to hear parents and others views and suggestions about how the school and what it offers may be improved. Please let us know - in this way we can be responsive to your needs and wishes and work in partnership for the good of all.
19 7. A HEALTHY SCHOOL
School Meals
School meals are cooked on the premises by our catering staff who were selected for a national award - 2015 School Catering team of the Year. Meals are available to all who want them. They are currently provided free for children aged seven years and under. From September 2018 the cost will be £2.05 per day for the older children. Those who prefer to bring a packed lunch are encouraged to bring a healthy packed lunch following the guidelines set out in our Healthy Packed Lunch Policy. Packed lunches should be based on the School Food Trust’s food based standards.
Foods to include:
Fruit and Vegetables: at least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables or salad every day Meat and alternatives: meat, fish, egg or another source of non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus or dhal) should be included every day Oily Fish; such as tinned or fresh mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna, at least once every three weeks Starchy Food: A starchy food such as bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes, or other cereals should be included every day Milk and Dairy Food: A dairy food such as semi-skimmed milk, cheese, yoghurt, fromage frais, or custard every day Drinks; water, pure fruit juice (no added sugar), semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, reduced fat and sugar yoghurt, milk drinks or smoothies. Meat products: such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages should only be included occasionally
To ensure consistency and to keep packed lunches in line with
food standards for school meals, packed lunches should not contain the following:
Fizzy / sugary drinks in cartons, bottles or cans Chocolate-coated products / sweets / confectionary Cereal bars, fruit bars Chocolate spread as a filling for sandwiches Chewing gum Sugared / toffee and salted popcorn Crisps or any packet savoury snacks high in salt and fat Salted nuts
Additional information is available with ideas and examples of foods that can be included in packed lunches from the School Food Trust www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk
20 Medical Problems
If your child has any medical problems (e.g. hearing, eye-sight, asthma etc.) which are likely to affect his/her progress at school, please let us know so that we can make sure our arrangements are suitable and our expectation reasonable.
School Nurse
The School Nurse is available by telephone at Barnard Castle One Point at The Hub on 03000 261120. They can be consulted on any medical or developmental matters that are affecting your child’s educational progress (hearing loss, sight problems, speech impediments,)
Please, do not send medicines to school before completing the relevant medication documentation supplied by the School. The school is willing to administer those medicines that must be taken 4 times per day or more. For medicines that are taken only 3 times per day or less, these should be administered at home at the appropriate times (breakfast, tea time and before bedtime). 8. ATTENDANCE
Registration
We encourage children to arrive at school on time for the morning session. Once the session begins only 10 minutes are given to registration purposes after which time the children will be recorded as late. Children arriving after 9:30 a.m. will be classed as late and receive an unauthorised absence mark.
Lateness
It is important that children arrive at school on time, properly dressed and in a suitable condition to learn. We would much rather a child arrives at school late than take a morning off school, though we do ask for your co-operation to ensure, wherever possible, a prompt arrival.
Children arriving after registration should report to school office to record their presence in school in the event of an emergency evacuation. Similarly, parents wishing to collect their children from school early must report to the school office.
Absence
Both the Local Authority and the school are committed to ensuring as high an attendance as possible. It is the responsibility of parents to inform school of the reason for a child’s absence. If your child is ill please contact the school before 10.00 am on the first morning of absence to inform us of the reason so that the absence can be authorised.
The Head Teacher is required to decide whether or not absence may be authorised. Absences are authorised in cases of genuine illness and medical appointments and some religious festivals.
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Where the school is not informed of the reasons for an absence, we have to record an unauthorised absence and where these become frequent inform the local authority who may investigate. These investigations may ultimately result in legal action being taken. In addition our attendance statistics are forwarded to the DFE who publish school league tables.
Leave of Absence Forms
Parents should complete a Leave of Absence Form which they may obtain from the school office or online from the school website www.greenlane.durham.sch.uk if they intend their child to miss school for this purpose. It should be completed before the absence and returned to the child’s form teacher. Any forms completed after an absence will not be considered and will be recorded as unauthorised.
The headteacher may only grant leave of absence during term time in exceptional circumstances. Consideration will be given to all absence requests on an individual basis. Please note that consideration will be given to the individual circumstances, prior attendance, vital times to be in school (for social and educational progression) and the impact of a sustained absence from school on the individual child. You will receive a letter from the Head Teacher notifying you whether the absence can be authorised. The local authority attendance team may impose fines for unauthorised absences. Please request a full copy of our Attendance Policy for further details
School Attendance Statistics
Summer Term 2018 to date 96.2%
Absence
Authorised absence is recorded when the parent gives an acceptable explanation of the absence to the school. Failure to do this will result in a recorded unauthorised absence. The school is proactive in seeking reasons for pupil absence.
Holiday Dates
A holiday list and cards, detailing when the school is closed for holidays and staff training days, are provided each year. Please try to arrange your holidays during the school’s holidays. If you have to take a holiday in term time, please note restrictions detailed in the ‘Absence’ section above. 9. ADVICE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
Entrance to School
All children are expected to use the Dale Road pedestrian entrance (at the rear of the school) through the large playground in the morning. Children will leave the school by the same route at 3.30 pm. Parents are respectfully reminded about the traffic congestion
22 caused by parents’ vehicles blocking the way of the coaches and taxis which bring our pupils into school from outlying areas. Please help us to ensure the safety of our children, particularly on our roads. A voluntary one way system operates at the beginning and end of the school day, with parents accessing the school entrance from Hilton Road and exiting via Green Lane.
School Security System
Please note that no adults (including parents) will be allowed to enter the school during normal hours except via the Main School Door. The same system applies to all children who arrive after the start of any teaching session (i.e. morning or afternoon). However all school doors open freely from the inside in case of emergency. This system has been established to ensure a safe working environment for all pupils, and parents are requested to give their full co-operation.
Fire alarm and evacuation practice is held each term.
School Transport
Children from outlying areas are brought to school by taxi or coach. Information on routes and travel concessions is available from the school office. All taxi/coach children are supervised whilst in the school until 3.40 p.m. The teacher on duty then escorts them to the school gate where the taxis/coaches are scheduled to stop. The school entrance is supervised each morning from 8.45am.
Emergency Contact
So that we can be prepared in cases of emergency, please make sure that the school has the full details of where you can be contacted (i.e. home address and telephone number, address and telephone number of place of work etc.) It is also important that we should be provided with the address and telephone number of a reliable contact in case we are unable to reach you through the normal channels. Don’t forget to let us know if your contact details change.
ParentPay
You can make an online payment for items such as dinner money and school trips. Using a secure website called ParentPay you will be able to pay online using your credit or debit card. ParentPay is our preferred method of making payments to school, although you may pay with cash or a cheque if you prefer. You will receive further information about ParentPay and a letter with instructions about how to activate your account.
Home Circumstances
If home circumstances change (e.g. parent in hospital or the arrival of a new baby), please let us know, as such events can affect a child’s attitude and behaviour in school, and we can make the necessary allowances.
23 10. UNIFORM
As all school uniform can now be embroidered with your child’s name by our suppliers, the school only retains a small supply of school uniform as samples for sizing. However it is easy to order new uniform and this can be done:
through the school office - order forms are sent out regularly throughout the year and cheques need to be made payable to: Green Lane CE Primary School. online from studentuniform.co.uk/glp062
The Green Lane CE Primary School Uniform is as follows: Grey or black trousers/ skirt/ pinafore dress Checked summer dress White shirt or polo shirt Blue sweatshirt or cardigan, preferably with the school logo Shoes, preferably black, without heels for safety reasons
Please note: Wellington boots may not be worn all day at school – pupils may wear them to walk to school but then must change on entry to the school building
For indoor and summer outdoor PE, our PE kit is: Gold T-Shirt Blue shorts Plimsoles
For winter outdoor PE, our PE kit is: Gold T-shirt Tracksuits and trainers
For Health and Safety reasons: No jewellery should be worn for PE and all pupils are strongly encouraged not to wear jewellery on PE days. Earrings and all other jewellery must be removed by the child before PE lessons unless the pupil’s parents have signed an indemnity form, in which case jewellery must be taped.
It is especially helpful if all articles of clothing, most importantly those which will be changed during the course of the school day, are marked for easy identification. The identification of items of school uniform is very difficult if names are not inside.
24 11. THE FRIENDS OF GREEN LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL
This group was established to involve parents further in the life of the school, to act as a sounding board and to share ideas as well as to raise funds for specific school projects, thus enhancing the well-being of the pupils and the general school environment. It is an enthusiastic and active group who work closely with the Headteacher and Assistant Headteachers. The “Friends” would warmly welcome new group members, or, indeed, any parent who could help during organised events. Any parent who wishes to be involved should contact the school. 12. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY LINKS
The school has strong links with St. Mary’s Parish Church and celebrates Christian festivals in the church itself. The vicar, Rev. Harding, is Chair of Governors of the school and contributes in a variety of ways to the enhancement of the curriculum. He also regularly leads our collective worship. There are Foundation governors representing the church on the governing body and each has a specific function and responsibility. The skills and knowledge of all governors are put to good use on sub-committees and through links with individual teachers to encourage all with an interest in the school to contribute to its continued success and development.
We also have strong links with a range of business, industry and commerce in Barnard Castle and its surrounding area which enhance and bring a further dimension to the curriculum experiences we offer our pupils. 13. SECONDARY EDUCATION
Children will be transferred to Secondary Education when they are eleven years old (on or before 31st August). Parents are able to select the school to which they wish their child to transfer and are sent forms on which to state their preference. The majority of our children transfer to Teesdale School in Barnard Castle and close links exist between the two schools to ease the transition to secondary education 14. GENERAL
Schools have changed considerably in recent years. Perhaps our organisation, methods of teaching and assessment seem very different from those you remember from your own school days. If you have any doubts or queries about anything we are doing, do not hesitate to come along to talk to us about it.
We share a common aim - the happiness and optimum development of your children - and we do not want any misunderstandings between home and the school. Please inform the Head Teacher, if there is anything you wish to query or bring to our attention and we will do all we can to resolve the situation. This is a pledge of the school.
25 15. GREEN LANE NURSERY AND CHILDCARE CENTRE
The school shares the premises with Green Lane Nursery and Childcare Centre, which is a privately run nursery and also provides before and after school care for older children. It is a thriving, high quality and well-regarded facility, run as a non-profit making organisation, with charitable status, providing top quality care for
The Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 07.30 to 18.00, for 50 weeks of the year and provides care for: Minnies – up to 2 years old Tiggers – aged between 2 and 3 years old Pre-school – aged over 3 years old Before & After School Club – for primary school children from Green Lane and other schools too Holiday Club – for primary school aged children during the school holidays
All staff are highly qualified and are committed to providing the very best for the children in a caring, stimulating and safe environment.
For further information please contact:
The Nursery Manager Green Lane Nursery and Child Care Centre Green Lane Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8LG
Telephone: 01833 638581 Email: [email protected]
26 16. HIGH FORCE EDUCATION (SCITT)
High Force Education offers full-time primary level training over one academic year, leading to Qualified Teacher Status and the award of a Professional or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, validated by the University of Northumbria.
The course is based at Green Lane CE Primary School and is taught in a consortium of 22 very effective primary schools in the Darlington to Teesdale area of south Durham and North Yorkshire. There is a wide variety of schools within this consortium: very large to very small, urban and rural, denominational and community schools, separate junior and infant, as well as 3 – 11 primary schools from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, all of which give students a range of teaching experiences.
High Force Education aims to produce confident, skilled, enthusiastic and innovative practitioners able to teach the 5 to 11 age range effectively and prepared to continue their professional throughout their career. By the end of the one-year course, students will have good ICT skills and will be trained in the effective teaching of all core and foundation subjects, the wider curriculum and other educational issues.
Further information is available from the High Force office 01833 630487 or http://www.highforceeducation.co.uk/
Children at our school often benefit from this practical course and fully understand their role in helping train teachers
27 17. PRIVACY NOTICE
This privacy notice explains how we collect, store and use personal data about pupils. We, Green Lane CE Primary School, are the ‘data controller’ for the purposes of data protection law.
Who we are and what we do
We are Green Lane CE Primary School, Green Lane, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8LG. We are a maintained primary school for children ages 4 to 11 years old. Our local authority is Durham County Council. Our Data Protection Officer is Mrs Chapman.
The personal data we collect and hold
We hold personal data about pupils, their parents or carers to support teaching and learning, to provide pastoral care and to assess how the school is performing. We may also receive data about pupils from other organisations including, but not limited to, other schools, local authorities, health care providers and the Department for Education.
Personal data that we may collect, use, store and share (when appropriate) about parents and pupils includes, but is not restricted to: Contact details, contact preferences, date of birth, identification documents, National Insurance Number Results of internal assessments and externally set tests Pupil and curricular records Characteristics, such as ethnic background, eligibility for free school meals, or special educational needs Exclusion information Details of any medical conditions, including physical and mental health Attendance information Safeguarding information Details of any support received, including care packages, plans and support providers Photographs
Why we use this data
We use this data to: Support pupil learning Monitor and report on pupil progress Provide appropriate pastoral care Protect pupil welfare Assess the quality of our services (including monitoring staff performance) Administer admissions waiting lists Carry out research Comply with the law regarding data sharing Identify pupil eligibility for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium funding
28 Our legal basis for using this data
We collect and use personal data on the basis of performing a public task (educating children). On some occasions we may ask for consent to process data when its use is optional. On those occasions consent can be withdrawn at any time. We will make this clear when we ask for consent, and explain how consent can be withdrawn.
Collecting this information
We collect / obtain data from pupils, parents, carers, teachers and other professionals where relevant (e.g. G.P, hospital, social workers etc.)
How we store this data
We keep personal information about pupils while they are attending our school. We may also keep it beyond their attendance at our school if this is necessary in order to comply with our legal obligations. We will only retain the data we collect for as long as is necessary. This would be to satisfy the purpose for which it has been collected in accordance with our data retention policy. Please contact us if you would like further details on this policy.
The security of data and information is important to us. This is why we follow a range of security policies and procedures to control and safeguard access to and use of your personal information. This includes both physical and technical security and integrity of all data.
Data sharing
We do not share any of this data with any other organisation without your permission, except where the law requires it. We are required to provide pupil data to central government through the Department for Education and the Education Funding Agency. Where it is necessary to protect a child, the school will also share data with the Local Authority Children’s Social Services, medical professional and/or the Police. We will share information with the local authority to check eligibility for free school meals.
We do not transfer personal data to countries outside the European Economic Area.
Department for Education
The Department for Education (DfE) collects personal data from educational settings and local authorities via various statutory data collections. We are required to share information about our pupils with the Department for Education (DfE) either directly or via our local authority for the purpose of those data collections, under Section 3 of The Education (Information About Individual Pupils) (England) Regulations 2013.
All data is transferred securely and held by DfE under a combination of software and hardware controls, which meet the current government security policy framework.
29 For more information, please see the full version of this privacy notice which is available on our school website at http://www.greenlane.durham.sch.uk/wp- content/uploads/sites/128/2014/07/Privacy-notice-for-parents-and-carers.pdf or from the school office.
Parents and pupils’ rights regarding personal data
Individuals have a right to make a ‘subject access request’ to gain access to personal information that the school holds about them. This includes access to their child’s educational record. This should be made in writing to the school office or by e-mail to [email protected]. The school will respond within 15 school days.
Parents / carers can make a request with respect to their child’s data where the child is not considered mature enough to understand their rights over their own data (usually under the age of 16), or where the child has provided consent.
Parents also have the right to make a subject access request with respect to any personal data the school holds about them.
If you make a subject access request, we will:
Give you a copy of the information in an intelligible form Give you a description of the data we hold Tell you why we are holding and processing it, and how long we will keep it for Explain where we got it from, if not from you or your child Tell you who it has been, or will be, shared with Let you know whether any automated decision-making is being applied to the data, and any consequences of this
Individuals also have the right for their personal information to be transmitted electronically to another organisation in certain circumstances.
If we cannot provide information to you, we will give you a description of the information we hold and the reason why it cannot be disclosed to you at the time of your request.
Other rights
Individuals have rights regarding how their personal data is used and kept safe, including the right to:
Object to the use of personal data if it would cause, or is causing, damage or distress Prevent it being used to send direct marketing Object to decisions being taken by automated means (by a computer or machine, rather than by a person) In certain circumstances, have inaccurate personal data corrected, deleted or destroyed, or restrict processing Claim compensation for damages caused by a breach of the data protection regulations
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer.
30 Complaints
We take any complaints about our collection and use of personal information very seriously.
If you think that our collection or use of personal information is unfair, misleading or inappropriate, or have any other concern about our data processing, please raise this with us in the first instance.
To make a complaint, please contact our Data Protection Officer.
Alternatively, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office:
Report a concern online at https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ Call 0303 123 1113 Or write to: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Contact us
If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information about anything mentioned in this privacy notice, please contact our Data Protection Officer:
Mrs B Chapman Green Lane CE Primary School Green Lane Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8LG Tel: 01833 690298
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