Church of Primary School

Prospectus Welcome to Bredgar Church of England Primary School.

We believe that we should all show respect for God, for each other and for ourselves.

Bredgar Church of England Primary School is a caring community underpinned by a strong Christian ethos. It is our aim to help each child realise their full potential, by promoting the highest Christian and educational values in all aspects of school life. We believe that each child must be valued as a person who has an equal right to our care, time and professional attention as a reflection of God’s love for that child. Our purpose is to provide a secure and happy learning environment where all members of our school community are valued as individuals and where their achievements are recognised and celebrated. Our aim is to fully develop and educate the whole child, preparing them for the future.

2 Contents

School Details 4 School Meals 10 Our School 4 Admissions 11 The School Day 4 Organisation 11 Religious Education 5 Discipline 12 Collective Worship 5 Uniform 12 The Curriculum 6 Equipment 13 Sport 7 Pupil Welfare 14 Swimming 7 Medicines 14 Homework 8 Charging for School Activities 15 Assessment 8 Problems 15 Parental and Community Involvement 9 Where are we? 16 Extended School Activities 9

3 Our School The School Day School Details Bredgar is a small Voluntary Aided Church of The school day begins at 09.00, after morning England Primary School. The original buildings bell at 8.55, with the morning session finishing at Bredgar Church of date from 1868 and stand in the centre of the 12.15. England Primary School village of Bredgar, between the parish church and Bexon Lane, The afternoon session starts at 13.15 and ends at the village hall. The village lies about two and a 15.15 for the Bear class, 15.20 for the Butterfly Bredgar, half miles South West of . Sittingbourne, Class, 15.25 for the Badgers, and 15.30 for the . Extensive building work was completed in 2005 Beavers. ME9 8HB and we now have four classrooms, a library, and a Total teaching time each week for the Bears and Tel. 01622 884359 small teaching room. In addition a new reception Butterflies, is 22.5 hours. area and office block were completed in 2010 For the Badgers 23 hours, and the Beavers 23.5 www.bredgar.kent.sch.uk along with a staff room and meeting room above the classrooms in the extension. hours. There is gated access to our environmental During the academic year there are five days garden and pond behind the Y5/6 classroom. allocated for staff training. These are called Staff We are very proud of our school garden that is Development Days and the children do not attend maintained by the Gardening Club. school. We also have a one-third acre playing field For Staff Development dates in the school between the school playground and the village year see the document “Term Dates” in the hall with a hard surfaced footpath linking the two “Additional Documents” folder. buildings with gates at either end. The hall is used for whole school worship, P.E, drama, serving lunches and other activities. At the end of the school field, is a Health and Fitness activity area.

4 Religious Education The Education Reform Act 1988, requires that Our RE follows the REact Kent Agreed Syllabus school should provide a broad and balanced 2006, as required by law. This focuses mainly on curriculum, including the spiritual and moral Christianity, with Hinduism and Judaism at Key development of pupils. Stage 1 and Judaism, Islam and Sikhism at Key Religious Education is specifically concerned Stage 2. with spiritual and moral development and seeks We use the scheme of work devised by to explore responses to questions about God Canterbury Diocese for Church of England and Humanity, good and evil, forgiveness and schools, and recommended by Rochester salvation, life and death and especially meaning Diocese. These documents may be seen at the and purpose. The Act states that Religious school, along with our RE policy statement. Education must be taught to all pupils. The syllabus reflects the fact that religious The Act makes provision for parents to traditions in Great Britain are mainly Christian, withdraw their child from all or part of Religious but provides knowledge and understanding of Education. Any child so withdrawn will work other faiths in order to encourage attitudes of with another class. However, we would hope respect and tolerance towards those whose beliefs Collective that enrolment of a child in a Church of England are different. As we are an aided school, we have Aided school demonstrates commitment to the a separate RE Ofsted inspection. A copy of our Worship religious principles of the Church of England. most recent inspection report can be acquired We ask that they discuss this fully with the head from the school office or is available on our In accordance with the Education Reform Act teacher before making a decision. website (1988), every child has the opportunity to take As a Church school, we give RE high priority in part in a daily act of worship, the aim of which the curriculum. It is taught for 0.5 hours a week is to involve all children. However, the Act also in the Foundation Stage, for 1 hour a week in Key gives parents the right to withdraw children from Stage 1 and for 1.25 hours a week in Key Stage 2. acts of collective worship and any children so withdrawn, work in another part of the school under the supervision of a classroom assistant at this time. Worship takes the form of Whole School Assembly once per week and five minute acts of worship on the other four days. Attendance at special services is also encouraged. 5 The Curriculum This is an “LEA Partnership School” and Objectives, called attainment targets, define the follows the Kent Curriculum Guidelines. All work the pupils will cover at each stage of their children in state schools follow the National education. There are four stages in The National Curriculum, which consists of the core subjects Curriculum. These are called Key Stages. of: Maths, English, Science, R.E., and I.T and the foundation subjects of Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art and Physical Education. Key Stage 1 - from 5 to 7 years The core curriculum is taught through a specific, Key Stage 2 - from 7 to 11 years. subject based approach. The foundation subjects are sometimes taught through cross-curricular Key Stage 3 - from 11 to 14 years. topics in KS1 , but more often from subject based Key Stage 4 - from 14 to 16 years. topics at KS2. In addition to specific teaching the core curriculum is taught where appropriate through topic work. The curriculum is planned by teaching through programmes of work, which are structured to match the progress of individual pupils with particular regard being given to those children who have identified special educational needs. The schemes of work also identify strategies for teaching different parts of the curriculum ie, whole class, small groups or individually. A Policy Statement for Special Educational Needs will be found in the “Additional Documents” folder.

6 Sport Swimming

The aims of Physical Education are to develop Swimming tuition for KS2 pupils takes place the ability of all pupils to move safely, effectively at the Swallows Leisure Centre. We have one and efficiently and understand what they are member of staff who is a fully trained swim- doing and how it is achieved. We aim to promote ming instructor and we employ one external understanding of the benefit of exercise and a swimming instructor. We request a voluntary healthy lifestyle. Pupils will develop their gross donation in order to cover the cost of tuition, and fine motor skills, extending and refining their entrance to the pool and transport from the control and co-ordination and practising these pool back to school. skills in small-sided team games. Apart from the school’s own playing field and playground, use is made of the Village Hall and Recreation Ground for sport and games. Children are taught sport for 2 hours per week. At the junior level 6% of total (ie all subject) teaching time is given over to team games and 4% to individual sporting activities. Occasional inter-school team games take place after school and our Year 6 children also engage in a sports day with children from other small local schools. Members of our staff have attended training courses in the teaching of rugby, short tennis, netball, basket ball, swimming, dance and Top Gymnastics and lead extra curricular clubs along with the local sports partnership teachers (SSCOs).

7 Homework Assessment The parents of younger children in particular are At the ages of 7 and 11 children are tested to encouraged to read with their children at home on assess how they are performing relative to a daily basis. A carefully structured programme the National expectations. These assessments of work, suited to individual need will be fully illustrate how much progress children explained. are making and highlight when they need Although homework is not compulsory for the additional support. younger children, older children often enjoy The standardised assessment tasks are the involvement of parents and family in their nationally organised and currently in place for 7 learning and will be given homework on a regular and 11 year olds. basis. This can be very beneficial, particularly for 7 year olds are tested in Mathematics and Year Six children. However, great care needs to English using teacher assessment. 11 year olds be taken to ensure that pupils are not put under are tested in English, Mathematics. Schools are undue pressure and parents are expected to accept selected for Science sampling otherwise the the professional advice of the teacher. school uses internal tracking to assess children An excessive amount of time should not be progress in science. The tests for 11 year olds spent on homework by children of this age but are marked externally. we follow the Government recommendations Teacher assessment is recorded in all National of: 1 hour per week in Years 1 & 2; 1 ½ hours a Curriculum subjects for both groups of week in Years 3 & and 30 minutes per night for children. In addition to the statutory testing years 5/6 (equivalent to 2 ½ hours per week). It of children, assessment is continuous and is hoped that many pupils will spend more than guides the content of programmes of work the minimal time suggested, because they enjoy in accordance with individual progress. The it. We look for as many ways to include all the overall aim of the school is to develop to the family in homework with specially designed fullest extent the potential of the individual ‘Kitchen Table’ projects. pupil in the areas of academic achievement, In the Beaver and Badger classes children are spiritual, social and personal development. This given a homework diary in order to make a note aim is affected through the implementation of of homework set and the date due in. Parents are a curriculum that is broad, balanced, relevant asked to check and sign homework diaries. A to the present and future needs of the child copy of our Homework Policy may be obtained 8 from the office and online. Parental and and appropriate to individual age, aptitude and ability. It must always be remembered that no Community two children are alike and they do not progress at uniform rates. Children differ in their ability Involvement and aptitude. Personality also influences development. Our most recent National Parents and members of the local community Test results can be found in the “Additional are actively involved in the life of the school Documents” folder. through our parent teacher association, The Friends of Bredgar School (FOBS). The school is particularly fortunate in the level of support received from parents, Governors and FOBS. Donations to funds and many hours each week of voluntary help in the classrooms, enriches the childrens’ learning environment and makes an invaluable contribution to the quality of the Extended School curriculum. There is a very close association with the Parish Activities Church of St. John The Baptist, most of our School services are held in the church. The Excite Group along with Pat Tatchell (Tunstall Parish) A number of extra curricular activities are and Graham Nunn (Church army Captian) lead available throughout the year which are provided regular worship sessions for the children and both by internal staff and external agencies. staff. Among the clubs we offer are Football, netball, basketball, street dance and skipping. Bredgar School offers Breakfast and After School care in a mobile situated on the back playground called the `Beehive’. This is an Ofsted registered Out of School provision. Details about this provision can be obtained from the school.

9 School Meals

School Lunch:- Bredgar School supports the Healthy Schools A hot, two course meal is available. This is Initiative and we encourage parents to provide a provided by a contract caterer and cooked in a plain biscuit/piece of fruit for a snack at morning large local primary school. Money should be break. Children in the Bears and butterfly class paid weekly in advance, on Monday morning or are provided with fruit at morning break as part the first day after a school holiday. Weekly cash of the Free fruit scheme. payments should be placed in an envelope clearly School lunches are taken in the Village Hall, marked `Dinner Money’ with the child’s name, served by a Dining Room assistant. Packed class and amount on the front. Unfortunately lunches are eaten in the classrooms supervised Eden no longer accept cheques. Dinners cannot by the Lunchtime Supervisors. There are three be ordered without prior payment. Lunchtime Supervisors on duty. The midday Some children are entitled to free school meals. meal is considered to be a part of the children’s Contact the School Office for an application social training and the staff participate. form. You may change the arrangements for your Packed Lunch:- child’s lunch at the beginning of each school Children may bring their own healthy lunch. week, by written request giving at least one Glass containers or canned drinks are not week’s notice. permitted for safety reasons. Chocolate, sweets and crisps are discouraged in line with the governments guidelines on healthy eating. Any wrappers or remains must be taken home at the end of the school day. Lunch boxes should be placed in the designated lunch box area at the start of each day. Lunch boxes should be collected again at the end of the day.

10 Admissions Organisation The school’s admission policy is based upon the The pupils are grouped into four classes, which criteria established by the Canterbury Diocesan are identified as: Bears, Butterflies, Badgers and Board of Education. (See Admissions Policy) Beavers. They include age ranges as follows:- Children are admitted to the school in September, Class Year Age ensuring at least eight terms of infant education. The Governors and staff firmly believe that the Bears Foundation 4 to 5 years size of a school has a specific influence on the Butterflies 1 5 to 6 years quality of the education that can be provided. 2 6 to 7 years The standard number may be exceeded in the Badgers 3 7 to 8 years event of new families moving into the parish 4 8 to 9 years of Bredgar, for the admission of the siblings of Beavers 5 9 to 10 years pupils already on roll or to maintain a financially 6 10 to 11 years viable total roll number. Age ranges in the three classes may overlap; Parents who would like to know more about the where it is considered appropriate, in order to school should telephone to make an appointment meet the particular needs of individual children. to talk with the headteacher. A child to be enrolled in the reception class will follow an To take the best possible advantage of curricular induction programme of half-day visits, one day a expertise, the staff may teach their specialist week, in the half term preceding their enrolment. subjects in classes other than their own. The foundation stage staff will also offer home Children may also work in a class to which they visits leading up to the child’s admission to are not permanently assigned, in accordance with the school. We hold a new parents evening in any particular strength, weakness or personal May to welcome our new parents and share interest. vital information which will enable your child’s transition into Bredgar to be smooth as possible. Children may be taught in whole class or small/ large groups depending on the lesson structure.

11 Discipline Uniform Bredgar is a happy school which encourages The school colours are royal blue, white and grey. the development of a close relationship and The school uniform is: understanding of the individual child and their Grey or Black Trousers or shorts family. The rigid observation of a code of Grey Skirt or Pinafore behaviour directed towards the Christian ethic Royal blue sweatshirt or jumper, cardigan or of concern for the well-being of others, provides Fleece an environment of security in which the least Grey or white socks confident child is able to thrive. The principles Flat black shoes of this code are detailed in the Behaviour and White long or short sleeved shirt or blouse Discipline Policy. Failure to observe this code is or Blue and white checked/striped dress for considered a serious matter and may result in loss summer of certain privileges such as recreation, Golden Time and social activities. Parents are involved It is possible to purchase a good quality, at the on-set of any discipline problems and their sweatshirt, cardigan, or fleece, embroidered with advice and co-operation is given a high priority. the school crest and a printed school tee shirt and baseball cap, via www.yourschooluniform.com A copy of the Behaviour and Discipline Policy (commission is paid to the school for each item including the School Rules may be found in sold). the in the “Additional Documents” folder along with a copy of the “Home School Agreement” At all times the pupils should keep a change of document. clothes at school for P.E., drama and games. A plain white (or school) tee shirt and a pair of dark blue shorts should be provided and a pair of ordinary plimsolls. Trainers can be used for outdoor games only. A draw string bag is the easiest method of storage. It may be beneficial to provide a tracksuit for winter games. All items of clothing and footwear MUST be clearly marked with the child’s name.

12 Equipment Basically the school will provide everything that On starting school, some children may feel the your child needs. However, if your child is in the need of a comfort toy, such as a favourite teddy Beaver class or if in any other classes and wishes or blanket, to help them settle into school. to bring in their own resources, then we would All children are encouraged to bring to school, recommend the following:- books and items of educational interest related to HB Pencil work in progress in the classrooms. 30 cm Ruler Felt tip pens and colouring pencils A simple calculator A painting/model making/technology/science apron or shirt A glue stick eg Pritt stick Y6 pupils – an ink pen with a medium width nib, or a Berol handwriting pen. The children are not allowed to write with a ballpoint pen. Reading book bags and P.E/Swimming bags, printed with the school name and crest, may be purchased through FOBS (Friends of Bredgar). These are useful for both infants and juniors. The following equipment is also helpful:- Painting/model making/technology/science apron or shirt Reading book bag, Colouring pencils. We discourage the children from bringing big bags to school as they take up too much space in the cloakroom areas. We would recommend a small rucksack or sports bag as sufficient.

13 Pupil Welfare Medicines Legislation requires that we record the reason for A child who is taking antibiotics is not a child’s absence. sufficiently well to attend school, so please Parents should telephone the school on the child’s avoid asking the school to administer medicines. first day of absence and send in a written note The legal implications of giving an inaccurate when the child returns to school. dose are serious. Wherever it is practicable for a parent to administer medicine to a child at Absence is either authorised or unauthorised. school this would be the preferred method. In Authorised absence may include sickness, dental some cases of chronic problems such as asthma, or medical appointments. Any child arriving at diabetes or epilepsy, arrangements for the school school later than 9.10 am will be recorded as a to administer the treatment may be agreed by late an and therefore an unauthorised absence. the completion of the appropriate forms and Since September 2010 the Governing Body the signing of an indemnity in favour of the have adopted the local authority policy of zero Headteacher. tolerance toward term time holiday requests. Any request for leave due to special circumstances, such as bereavement, should be put in writing to the head teacher. As each type of absence has to be recorded in a different way, it is essential that a telephone call is received, or a note of explanation is sent to school when a child is absent. If no note is received, then parents will be asked to complete an absence form. Unauthorised absence is either not notified or for an inappropriate absence.

14 Charging for Problems Parents should not hesitate to contact the school School Activities if they are concerned about their child’s progress or happiness. Making an appointment may save The Governors have adopted the County Policy you wasting time and ensure that the problem for charging for school activities. Parents are will receive undivided attention. asked to make a voluntary contribution to such activities as educational outings. If payment cre- **Copies of any of our school policies are ates any difficulty for a family, the Headteacher available from the School Office at a nominal should be contacted and help will be provided in charge. They can also be downloaded for free most cases. No child should be excluded from from our website activities because of problems with payment.

15 Where are we?

A2

Sittingbourne

A249 M2 Tunstall M2

Highsted

South Bredgar Green Primary School

Bicknor Lane

Primrose Wrens Road Wrens Gore Road Bredgar

The Street

Silver Street Bredgar School

Hall

Bexon Lane

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