01274 335 259 E-Mail: [email protected]

01274 335 259 E-Mail: Office@Gomersalstmarys.Co.Uk

Shirley Avenue, Gomersal, Cleckheaton, BD19 4NA Telephone: 01274 335 260 Fax: 01274 335 259 E-mail: [email protected] www.gomersalstmarys.co.uk

Contents Contents ...... 2 Smoking ...... 17 A Letter from Mrs Susan Scott, Head Teacher ...... 3 Lost Property ...... 17 Mobile Phones in School ...... 18 A letter from the Governing Body of the School .. 3 School Curriculum Complaints Procedure ...... 18 A letter from the Bishop of Wakefield...... 4 Attendance ...... 19 Mission Statement and Aims of the School: School Attendance Data: September 2011 to June ‘Learning the Christian Way’ ...... 5 2012 ...... 19 Our Aims to Support the Mission Statement ...... 5 Punctuality ...... 19 Staff in our School ...... 6 Rewards for good attendance ...... 19 Senior Leadership Team ...... 6 Medical or Dental Appointments or Children who are Teaching and Support Staff...... 6 ill ...... 20 Ancillary Staff ...... 7 Family Holidays ...... 20 Our School Governors ...... 7 Penalty notices for unauthorised absence ...... 20

The Foundation Stage: Nursery ...... 8 School Uniform and Appearance ...... 21 PE and Swimming Lessons ...... 21 Admission to the Nursery ...... 8 Footwear ...... 22 Age of Children on Admission to Nursery...... 8 Jewellery ...... 22 Transition from Home to school ...... 9 Earrings ...... 22 Home Visits ...... 9 Hairstyles ...... 22 The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum: Uniform within the Foundation Stage and Key Nursery and Reception Class ...... 10 Stage 1 ...... 23 Record of Achievement ...... 10 Boys ...... 23 The Main School ...... 11 Girls...... 23 School Session Times ...... 11 Uniform within Key Stage 2 ...... 24 Main School Organisation...... 11 Boys ...... 24 Terms of Admission ...... 11 Girls...... 24 The School Curriculum ...... 12 Uniform for PE throughout School ...... 25 Religious Education ...... 12 Boys ...... 25 Collective Worship ...... 12 Girls...... 25 Sex and Relationship Education ...... 13 Homework ...... 13 Our School Prayer ...... 26 Assessment ...... 13 Appendix I: Term Dates ...... 27 Children with Special Needs ...... 14 2012-2013 School Year ...... 27 Children with a Disability ...... 14 Appendix II: E-safety Policy and Advice ...... 28 Behaviour ...... 14 Useful E-Safety Websites and Information ...... 28 General Information ...... 15 Top Tips for Parents ...... 29 Safeguarding Policy ...... 15 Gaming Consoles ...... 29 School Security ...... 15 Appendix III: School Results ...... 30 Road Safety Policy ...... 15 Key Stage 1 Results ...... 30 St. Mary’s Associates of School & Home (SMASH) ..15 Appendix IV: Home-School Agreement ...... 31 School Meals ...... 16 School will: ...... 31 Financial Help: Free School Meals ...... 16 The Family will: ...... 31 Packed Lunches ...... 16 Children will: ...... 31 Milk ...... 17

Early Birds Breakfast Club ...... 17 2

A Letter from Mrs Susan Scott, Head Teacher Dear Parent/Guardian,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your family on behalf of the staff and governors of Gomersal St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary School.

Everyone involved in the life of the school works together as a team to provide a happy, safe and stimulating environment in which your child can learn, grow and flourish. We aim to nurture each child as an individual, enabling them to achieve their full potential and prepare them for the years that lay ahead as they grow into young adults. We are very proud of the friendly ethos of our school and we encourage parents to join in that vital partnership that enables us to provide the best possible start to your child’s education.

Our latest Ofsted inspection confirmed our view that we are “a good school” (December 2009), along with further recognition by SIAS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools) who graded the school as an “outstanding” Church of England school that “provides rich learning experiences”. We are very proud of our achievements!

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Susan Scott Head Teacher

A letter from the Governing Body of the School Gomersal St Mary’s Primary School is a church aided school. The church members care for the school by praying for it, by their support and by making some financial commitment for the upkeep of the building.

Our pupils receive the highest quality of education in line with the ethos of the school. We work to ensure that they are provided with the best resources to achieve understanding, knowledge and the development of skills to enable them to fulfil their intellectual and spiritual potential. We aim to ensure that children grow mentally and physically and socially and spiritually.

The school believes it is important for the pupils to see themselves as part of the school, the Church and the local community. Opportunities are provided for the parents, governors, church members and local residents to come into school and for the pupils to be seen to be part of the church and the community.

I am sure your child, like many others, will be very happy, content and fulfilled at Gomersal St Mary’s.

Mrs Susan Loker Chair of Governors

A letter from the Bishop of Wakefield From earliest times the Christian faith has held learning and teaching at its heart - the monasteries of Yorkshire were centres of education. The Church of England helped pioneer education for all the Diocese of Wakefield now has 104 church schools within its boundaries. For all these reasons we welcome you and your child to this school.

We hope you will find it a happy community where young people are nourished in every way. This school offers all that our educational system requires, but its aims to do this within the context of the Christian faith, where teaching and learning are rooted in faith in God as seen in Christ Jesus, and handed on by the church over the centuries. Alongside this must stand the respect for children of other faiths.

Church schools work to foster those attitudes in children which prepare them to become good, reliable and honest member of the wider community. But good citizenship is also dependent upon and nurtured by the guidance and example received through family life. We invite you, then, to work with the school staff in helping your child to develop into mature and responsible member of the community. This will mean guiding your child to grow spiritually, socially and intellectually, thereby encouraging self-respect, respect for others and faith in God.

We welcome you most warmly and I commend you to God’s blessings.

The Rt Revd Stephen Platten Bishop of Wakefield

“The distinctiveness and effectiveness of St Mary’s as a Church of England school are outstanding.” SIAS Report, February 2010

Mission Statement and Aims of the School: ‘Learning the Christian Way’ Gomersal St Mary’s Primary School is a Church Aided School where everyone is encouraged to develop spiritually and intellectually, in a reflective and prayerful manner, within the family of our school, church and community.

“‘Learning the Christian way’ gives a clear message to all that this inclusive school provides rich learning experiences, fosters excellent relationships and behaviour and fulfils its faith and aims in outstanding Christian principles and practice.” SIAS Report, February 2010

Our Aims to Support the Mission Statement We believe that children should develop a happy way of being together, so gaining a respect for themselves, for each other and indeed for the whole of this exciting World, God’s World, in which we all live.

We will do this by providing: • quality experiences in all aspects of school life • an awareness of their uniqueness as children of God • a warm and welcoming Christian ethos so that the love of Jesus Christ will be evident to all who come within our walls and so that our children will develop strong Christian values • an environment which fosters the child’s intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual development • a broad and balanced curriculum which is carefully planned to ensure the needs of all our children are met and that they share responsibility for their learning. • an awareness of God’s beautiful Earth and our collective responsibility to protect and care for it.

Staff in our School Senior Leadership Team Mrs S. Scott Head Teacher Miss A. Joyce Deputy Head Teacher, Key Stage 2 Leader Mrs A. Voce Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) Mrs A. Denham-Bosah Early Years Foundation Stage Leader Mrs H. Woodcock Key Stage 1 Leader Teaching and Support Staff Mrs A. Denham-Bosah Nursery Teacher Mrs L. Keeling Reception Class teacher Mrs H. Woodcock Year 1 teacher Miss E. Callow Year 2 teacher Mrs A. Voce Year 3 teacher (part time) Mrs N. Lee Year 3 teacher (part time) Mrs E. Wilson Year 4 teacher Mr T. Pitts Year 5 teacher Miss A. Joyce Year 6 teacher Mrs E. Haigh Teacher to cover PPA (part time) Mrs A. Lockwood Music Teacher (part time)

Ancillary Staff Mrs J. Earnshaw Business Support Manager Miss N. Gray Finance Assistant Mrs C. Sheard Cover Supervisor Mrs C. Jolliff Nursery Nurse Mrs A. Hulley Dance Teacher (part time) Mrs P. Powles Senior Breakfast & Lunchtime Supervisor Mrs E. Adams Educational Teaching Assistant, Lunchtime Supervisor Mrs J. Colling Educational Teaching Assistant, Lunchtime Supervisor Mrs C. Hacking Educational Teaching Assistant, Breakfast & Lunchtime Supervisor Mrs. J. Kennedy Educational Teaching Assistant, Lunchtime Supervisor Miss V. Martin Educational Teaching Assistant Mrs C. Newby Educational Teaching Assistant, Lunchtime Supervisor Miss K. Priestley Educational Teaching Assistant, Lunchtime Supervisor Miss K. Sheard Educational Teaching Assistant, Breakfast & Lunchtime Supervisor Mrs P. Bisby SEN Assistant Miss B. Hudson Modern Apprentice Mr M. Rhodes Modern Apprentice Mrs A. Smith Caretaker Mrs D. Cooper Cleaner Mrs C. Rhodes Cleaner & Breakfast Supervisor Mrs S. Thompson Kitchen Supervisor Mrs C. Nuttall Cook

Our School Governors Representative Position within Governing Body End of Term of Office Mrs S. Loker Chair, Kirklees LA Representative February 2015 Mrs C. Sheard Foundation - Diocesan June 2014 Mr J. Waters Foundation - Diocesan September 2015 Vacancy Foundation - Diocesan Mrs C. Fewster Vice Chair, Foundation - PCC January 2013 Vacancy Foundation - PCC Miss N. Gray Foundation - PCC March 2015 Rev K. Nicholl Foundation - Ex-Officio Ex Officio Mrs S. Johnson Parent December 2015 Mrs S. Scott Head Teacher Ex Officio Miss A. Joyce Associate Member Ex Officio Mr T. Pitts Teacher September 2016 Mrs J. Earnshaw Staff September 2012

The Foundation Stage: Nursery “Good partnerships with parents are established from the start of Nursery.” Ofsted Report, January 2010

Admission limit 52 places Morning 8:15 am to 11:15 am Session times Afternoon 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Children must be brought and collected by an adult. Admission to the Nursery Gomersal St Mary’s serves a wide catchment area centred on Gomersal. We take children from the age of three and aim to support these children within the warmth of our Christian ethos. The decision regarding a child’s admission to the Nursery is made by the governors. Parents have a choice of a morning or afternoon session, subject to availability. Full details can be found in our admissions policy which is available from school and on our website. Age of Children on Admission to Nursery We try to make sure that all children can have up to three terms of part-time education prior to full-time school. The available places are allocated in two stages: • Children applying up to three terms before admission to full-time school • Any remaining places are allocated to eligible children four or more terms before admission to full- time school.

All children should be toilet trained prior to starting in Nursery.

Transition from Home to school There is an opportunity for parents and their child to attend an informal meeting to hear about the exciting learning experiences and activities we offer in the Nursery. Parents will be introduced to the staff and have a look around the Nursery and the main school building. Home Visits Prior to their first day in Nursery, a home visit will be arranged for children to meet the Nursery staff in their own home.

Our aim is to ensure that you and your child will enjoy coming to the Nursery. We provide a safe and attractive environment where your child is encouraged to become an independent learner and develop socially.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum: Nursery and Reception Class “As a result of good teaching and care, children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make good progress in their learning and their personal development.” Ofsted Report, January 2010

The Foundation Stage provides each child with a balanced curriculum based on their individual needs. Our staff plans for these learning experiences using the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum Guidance. This covers three Prime Areas of learning:

• Communication and Language: Children are given lots of opportunities to develop skills in speaking and listening. • Physical development: We are keen to encourage a love of the outdoors, exercise and personal fitness. Children learn how to move in different ways, play games and have fun. • Personal, Social and Emotional development: Children learn how to work, play and co-operate with others through group activities that demonstrate the importance of sharing and working with others.

The curriculum also covers four ‘Specific Areas of Development’ as well as Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education:

• Literacy: Reading and writing • Mathematics: Numbers, shape, space and measures • Understanding the world: People and communities, the world and technology • Expressive Arts and Design: Developing imagination and skills through the use of different media and materials. • As a Church aided school we also see spiritual and moral development as a priority. Our ethos conveys our Christian values of caring for others and our environment and for the beauty and wonder of the world in which we live. We aim to show children how to behave in a way that shows consideration for themselves and others.

Record of Achievement Throughout their time in the Foundation Stage children are observed and their progress is assessed and recorded. This record is continued through into the reception year, your child’s first year in school. At the end of that time the record of achievement is yours to keep.

The Main School School Session Times Morning 1 8:45 am to 10:40 am Morning Break 10:40 am to 10:55 am Session times Morning 2 10:55 am to 12:00 pm Lunch 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Afternoon 1:00pm to 3:00 pm

Excluding assemblies and breaks, in total our children receive 23.20 teaching hours per week.

Main School Organisation Classes are organised as follows:

Foundation Stage Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2 Class 3, Year 3 Nursery Class 1, Year 1 Class 4, Year 4 Class Reception Class 2, Year 2 Class 5, Year 5 Class 6, Year 6

Terms of Admission Kirklees operates a single point of entry enabling all pupils to start full time education in the year they are 5 from 1st September until 31st August. For details of our school admission arrangements, please refer to our current admissions policy available from the school office.

The School Curriculum The school curriculum is broad and balanced as required by the National Curriculum. English, Mathematics and Science are the core subjects. Information Communication Technology (ICT), History, Geography, Design Technology (DT), Music, Art and PE are foundation subjects. All children in Key Stage 2 are taught French.

These curriculum subjects are taught as a ‘Creative curriculum’ to ensure learning is linked thereby increasing understanding and enjoyment.

“The curriculum links subjects together around themes, which allows pupils to practice and develop the skills they have learned in one subject across a range of others. A very wide range of visits and visitors support these themes, and help bring pupils’ learning to life.” Ofsted Report, January 2010

Children in Years 3 and 4 go swimming each week. All classes have weekly lessons in music provided by Mrs Lockwood and a lesson in dance provided by Mrs Hulley a qualified dance teacher. As well as this, in Year 4 all the children play a musical instrument in lessons taught by staff from Kirklees Music School.

We aim to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school and so prepare them for the many opportunities and experiences of adult life.

Religious Education “Consistently good quality teaching provides effective questioning and increases children’s’ understanding of key aspects of the Christian faith and other major world religions.” SIAS Report, February 2010

In a Church Aided School, Christianity has a central place in Religious Education but within this includes a respect and understanding of other faiths.

The school provides a moral environment where Christian principles are seen in action. Religious teaching takes place both in class and in assemblies. The school has a close working relationship with St Mary’s Church and with other members of the church and the local community.

Collective Worship The daily act of worship takes place in the school and sometimes the children visit St Mary’s Church for a special event or assembly. Acts of worship are delivered to a class, Key Stage or as a whole school group.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of religious education and collective worship. If they wish to do so, the matter should be discussed with the Head Teacher.

Sex and Relationship Education The school’s sex education policy explains how sex education is taught in school. Sex education is taught in the context of the National Curriculum guidelines for Science. We aim to ensure each child develops a healthy and sensible attitude to the body and its functions, whilst being given the correct information about their body and that of the opposite sex as considered appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the child. When questions in this area arise, answers are given which the children can understand and are appropriate.

Homework The governors and staff have agreed a homework policy for all children. This is to help children to work independently whilst consolidating their knowledge and skills. It is also an opportunity for parents to be involved in their child’s learning, particularly reading. Homework can cover a range of topics and subjects.

Assessment During the school day the children’s learning is assessed by their teacher. We track and record progress in order to plan the next stages of teaching and learning. Pupil targets are discussed with children and with parents at Parents’ Evenings twice each year.

In the Foundation Stage we assess children’s knowledge and understanding using the stepping stones, which lead to the achievement of the Early Learning Goals in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.

At the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 6), children take the Standard Assessment Tests (SATs). In Years 3, 4 and 5, children take ‘Optional tests’.

Children with Special Needs We recognise that all children are individuals, and our aim is to ensure that all children receive an education appropriate to their needs. If your child has a difficulty which affects their progress in school, we will discuss this. Special programmes of work may be provided and review meetings with parents will be held regularly. Our experienced Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) has worked with children who with a wide range of needs over many years and has a vast amount of knowledge to draw upon. We actively encourage parents to be involved and to support their child’s education.

Children with a Disability The school makes every effort to cater for children with a disability. Where a child with disabilities is to be admitted, the Head Teacher and governing body work closely with the parents and the asset management team to ensure that all reasonable adjustments are made to ensure a smooth induction to school life. As the school is on one level, the building is suitable for wheelchair access.

Behaviour “[Pupils’] behaviour is good and this contributes strongly to the good progress they make.” Ofsted Report, January 2010 We encourage a positive approach to discipline and expect all members of our school community to treat each other, and the school, with courtesy and respect. Self-discipline is something we develop and encourage in our children.

We work to our school code;

Always be... • considerate • careful • caring • courteous ...to everyone and everything. In addition to this, each class formulates their own rules at the beginning of the year in keeping with the school ethos and code of conduct.

General Information Safeguarding Policy Gomersal St Mary’s is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all children and staff in school. The school follows Kirklees procedures for safeguarding children. The school will discuss all concerns with parents about their child and in some circumstances the school has a duty under Child Protection procedures, to discuss concerns with Social Care. We try to inform parents of this but in exceptional cases it may be without the parent’s knowledge. The school will, of course, always try to maintain a positive relationship with all parents.

School Security During the school day all doors are locked from the inside with either a digilock or a push bar. Access is only via the main entrance. We ask all parents and visitors to report to the main office regardless of which building they are visiting. ID badges are worn by all staff and visitors to school. All staff are vigilant in ensuring doors are locked and adults without ID badges are challenged, to ensure the safety of the children in school.

Road Safety Policy The safety of our children is paramount. One area that continues to pose an issue is traffic and parking outside the school. The car park in the school grounds is for staff only.

If at all possible please walk your children to school as we do have concerns about the congestion before and after school and the impact this has on our neighbours. Please do not block driveways, even for a short time.

If you do have to use a car, please be aware of the risks to children’s safety and, to reduce that risk, please follow this advice;

• Please do not park or stop on the yellow ‘KEEP CLEAR’ markings or zigzag lines even for a few seconds • Please do not park opposite or in the school entrance

St. Mary’s Associates of School & Home (SMASH) We value the help of parents in school and are proud of our partnership with parents. If you would like to come into school to help in classrooms please come and see us. You will be very welcome.

We encourage parents to become members of St Mary’s Associates of School & Home (SMASH). This is a group of parents and staff who work hard to raise funds for our school. They organise events for our children and for the parents e.g. discos, race nights etc. to raise funds for ‘extras’ for the children. This group of parents are a valuable asset to our school and we are keen to welcome new members.

School Meals Children may have a school dinner, go home or bring a packed lunch.

Dinners are available at a cost of £1.85 per day (£9.25 per week). The meals are prepared and cooked on the premises. Our school cook needs to know how many children will need a meal in advance, so it is therefore necessary to give 2 weeks’ notice if parents change the arrangements for their children.

Financial Help: Free School Meals If you feel that your child should receive Free School Meals or other benefit, enquiries should be made at any of the following locations, or on the Kirklees Website (www.kirklees.gov.uk).

The Kirklees Batley Cash & Cleckheaton Cash & Heckmondwike Information Point Information Office Information Office Library Dewsbury Batley Town Hall Cleckheaton Town Hall Walkley Lane Town Hall Market Square Cleckheaton Heckmondwike Dewsbury Batley BD19 2RH WF16 0LY WF12 8DQ WF17 2DE

Packed Lunches Please ensure that the packed lunch sent to school provides your child with a healthy filling meal. We suggest a sandwich, piece of fruit, cereal bars, yoghurts etc. Please do not send chocolate, sweets or pre-packed snacks (i.e. Lunchables, Dippers etc.), as these are difficult for children to open and do not constitute a healthy diet. Children do not need to bring a drink, as water is provided for all children.

Dinner money is collected on a Monday morning for the week and we ask for the money to be paid directly to the office.

Milk Milk is available free for our Nursery and Reception children up to the term in which they are 5 years old. Milk is available for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at a cost of £8.50 per term. Children receiving Free School Meals do not need to pay for milk.

Early Birds Breakfast Club We provide our Early Birds Breakfast Club at a cost of 50p a day to provide children with breakfast. They have a choice of toast and a range of cereals. Alongside this, it’s an opportunity for children from Nursery to Year 6 to socialise in a safe setting with children they may not always get to work with in school. We encourage them to play with games such as chess, board games and larger equipment to develop their teamwork skills but there are also comics to read and pencils and paper available for children to colour if they wish.

Smoking The school and grounds are no smoking areas.

Lost Property Please encourage your child to look after their belongings. They should search for lost items immediately and to inform their teacher if necessary.

We cannot guarantee the return of clothing that is not clearly named.

Mobile Phones in School Primary age children do not need mobile phones in school other than in exceptional circumstances. If on such an occasion your child needs to bring a phone to school, then please notify the class teacher who will ensure that the phone is securely locked away until the end of the day.

We cannot be held responsible for phones which have not been handed in to the class teacher.

School Curriculum Complaints Procedure If parents wish to make a complaint they should first discuss it with the Head Teacher. If matters cannot be resolved, then a more formal complaint can be made to the Governing Body, then the Kirklees Local Education Authority.

Full details of the complaints procedures are available in school, along with documents that relate to the Education Act 1988 which may be obtained from the Head Teacher.

“Children are and always will be our first priority. We hope that through them we can provide a better tomorrow for the whole community.” Mrs S. Scott, Head Teacher, June 2012

Attendance Parents must let the school know if their child is ill or absent for any reason. We are required to record the reason for a child’s absence. Absence is recorded as either authorised or unauthorised.

School Attendance Data: September 2011 to June 2012 Attendance Data Percentage Authorised absences 4.07% Unauthorised absences 0.58% Attendance 95.35% Punctuality Children who come to school after the register is closed at 9.00 a.m. will receive an unauthorised mark for that session. They also miss an important part of the day which is guided reading. Please ensure they arrive at school in order to get off to a good start to the day. Any child arriving late will need to use the main entrance by the Office and complete a form stating the reason for their lateness. These records are monitored by the Governors of the school.

Rewards for good attendance All the children who have 100% attendance in any one term receive a certificate for attendance, awarded at the last assembly of that term. We also have certificates for any child who has 100% attendance for a whole year.

To award attendance on a weekly basis, we have an attendance cup which we award to the class with the highest percentage attendance that week. The cup’s winners receive an additional five minutes’ break and they progress on the chart logging the winners across the year which is on display for the whole school to see.

Medical or Dental Appointments or Children who are ill On the first day of illness the parent should ring the school office (01274 335260) soon after the start of the school day. Please do not take your child out of school for a dental or doctor appointment unless it is an emergency. From September 2011 until June 2012, 109 sessions of teaching time were missed by children throughout the school for medical or dental appointments, meaning that over 250 hours of teaching were lost.

Family Holidays Guidance from the Department of Education (DfE) states that children should not normally be taken out of school for the purposes of a holiday - it can be disruptive both to your child's learning and to the school. Schools will only consider holidays in term time where both:

 the application is made to the Head Teacher in advance of the holiday by a parent the child normally lives with;  there are special reasons for needing to take the holiday, like the inflexibility of the parents’ holiday leave.

Applications should be made as far in advance of the holiday as possible and you must speak to the Head Teacher before you book. Schools will only agree to more than 10 school days of absence in any school year in exceptional circumstances.

We will judge each holiday request individually, taking into consideration:

 the time of year for the proposed trip;  if it's close to any exam dates (no holidays will be authorised during SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) for pupils in Year 2 and above);  your child's overall attendance record;  any holidays already taken in the school year;  the age and stage of education of your child;  the ability of your child to catch up the work that they have missed;  the reason why you are taking the time off during term time.

While absence may be granted for a holiday during term time, it is entirely the school’s decision and is not a parental right. From September 2011 until June 2012, 295 sessions of teaching time were missed by children throughout the school for holidays, meaning that over 680 hours of teaching were lost.

Penalty notices for unauthorised absence You could be issued with a penalty notice if your child is absent from school without permission. This can include parents who take their children on holiday during term time without getting authorisation from the school. Since September 2012, the penalty is £60, rising to £120 if not paid within 28 days. If you fail to pay a penalty fine within 42 days you will be prosecuted. 20

School Uniform and Appearance A uniform list is provided for parents and details the uniform requirements across the school. Items of uniform with the school logo on are available from SportsFX in Cleckheaton, or may also be purchased on their website, either for collection in store or to be delivered to your home. The shop can be contacted in the following ways:

SportsFX Telephone: 01274 879569 67-71 Northgate Website: www.sportsfx.co.uk Cleckheaton E-mail: [email protected] BD19 3HZ

It is essential all items of clothing are clearly labelled with the child’s name.

Please ensure your child has a warm coat for playtimes or lunchtimes.

PE and Swimming Lessons Each child needs a PE bag to hold their PE kit. This should have the child’s name on it and be brought to school on Monday and taken home for washing on Friday. A pair of pumps or trainers is needed for outdoor PE.

Children in Years 3 and 4 will require a swimming costume or trunks, a towel and a swimming cap for their swimming lesson. Swimming caps can be bought from school at a price of £1.

Footwear Please ensure that your child wears suitable school shoes i.e. a full shoe, no heels. Fancy boots and sandals are not acceptable and should NOT be worn as they present a health and safety risk when children are playing in the playground.

All classrooms have carpeting and children are required to have a change of shoes for indoor wear. Pumps or shoes are acceptable.

Jewellery Jewellery must not be worn at school for health and safety reasons. If a watch is worn it must be removed for physical education and is the responsibility of that child to look after it.

Earrings Small studs may be worn but under Health and Safety Regulations no child will be allowed to wear them during PE, Games, Dance or Swimming lessons. They must be able to remove them themselves or have them removed before they come to school.

If your child does want their ears pierced, please have it done at the very beginning of the summer holidays so they can be removed in school.

Hairstyles Hairstyles are a very important part of our appearance. We ask that long hair be tied up and long fringes gripped back to enable children to carry out their work.

Shaved heads and extreme hairstyles (e.g. Mohican and shaved ‘wavy lines’) are not appropriate for school and parents will be asked to change this type of style immediately.

Uniform within the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and 2) Note that all items labelled with * are available from SportsFX. Boys Girls Grey skirt (or tunic) or grey trousers Grey trousers Navy or blue and white checked dresses are Shorts are acceptable in the summer acceptable in the summer * White polo shirt * White polo shirt * Jade sweatshirt with logo * Jade sweatshirt or cardigan with logo Grey or dark coloured socks White or grey socks, grey or dark tights Black or dark coloured school shoes Tights are optional in the summer Black or dark coloured school shoes

Uniform within Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) Note that all items labelled with * are available from SportsFX. Boys Girls Grey skirt (or tunic) or grey trousers. Navy or blue and white checked dresses are Grey trousers acceptable in summer White shirt with collar (long are short sleeves White shirt with collar (long are short sleeves are acceptable) are acceptable) * School tie * School tie * Grey sweatshirt with logo * Grey sweatshirt or cardigan with logo Grey or dark coloured socks White or grey socks or grey/dark tights Black or dark coloured school shoes Tights are optional in the summer

Black or dark coloured school shoes

Uniform for PE throughout School Note that all items labelled with * are available from SportsFX. Boys Girls For PE (all year) For PE (all year) * White t-shirt (with logo if possible) * White t-shirt (with logo if possible) Navy blue shorts Navy blue shorts or navy cycling shorts Plain navy joggers (for outdoor winter games) Plain navy joggers (for outdoor winter games) Pumps Pumps

Our School Prayer

Our Father in Heaven.

Thank you for all you have put into our lives

Thank you for St Mary’s School

And for everyone and everything in it.

We are sorry for the wrong things we do.

Help us to make our school a better place

By being kind and good and helpful to everyone.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Amen

Appendix I: Term Dates Key School Day Holiday Bank holiday An Occasional Holiday to allow for teacher training and elections etc. Weekend

2012-2013 School Year M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M Aug. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Sept. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Oct. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Nov. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Dec. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Feb. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Mar. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Apr. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jun. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Jul. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Appendix II: E-safety Policy and Advice Pupils in Key Stages 1 & 2 are asked to sign an ‘acceptable use’ policy to ensure they know how use the internet safely in school.

You may feel that your child is too young to be involved in misuse of the Internet and social networking sites or to know about such things. However, research shows that younger children are being involved in misuse and are a target for misuse by others. By raising their awareness at an early age of safety issues we feel they will be able to make a more informed choice about the use of this developing technology.

We hope that this appendix will help you as parents to keep your child safe when using the Internet at home. We include a list of links to websites which offer good advice. As the use of technology is growing rapidly we need to prepare our children for a safer future.

Useful E-Safety Websites and Information Here are some useful resources that will help you understand how your children use the Internet, and what you can do to help them keep safe. All of these websites, and some others, are listed on our school website and were accessible at the time of writing (June 2012).

 Know IT All for Parents (www.childnet-int.org/kia/parents/) – This website provides a unique, interactive guide to help you keep up to date with how your children use the Internet and how you can support them in keeping safe. It is produced by ChildNet International.

 ThinkUKnow for Parents (www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/) – This website, from the child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, has a section dedicated to parents with lots of useful advice. In particular check out the parent webcast!

 MyGuide (learn.go-on.co.uk) – The MyGuide website provides a range of free online courses to help adults who are less confident users of computers and technology. As well as a whole range of general courses, the site includes courses on keeping yourself and your family safe online.

 Vodafone Advice for Parents (parents.vodafone.com) – This website, from VodafoneUK, provides information on common technologies that young people use today, along with a range of advice on how to protect your family online and when using mobile phones.

 Social Networking (www.childnet.com/blogsafety/parents.html) – This website, from ChildNet International, gives some useful advice on social networking, which lots of young people use on a daily basis.

Top Tips for Parents Here are our five top tips for helping to keep your children safe using the Internet.

1. TALK: Talk with your children about what they are doing online. Find out which websites they visit and how they communicate with their friends online. Are they using instant messaging programs like MSN Messenger, or are they texting their friends using their mobile phone? Make sure your children know they can come and talk to you or another trusted adult if they are worried or upset about anything that happens online. 2. RULES: Together with your children, draw up a set of responsible rules about using the Internet that the whole family agrees to. Think about what is reasonable for the age of your children, and make sure they are balancing the amount of time they spend online with the amount of time they spend on other activities. 3. KEEP INFORMATION SAFE: Make sure your children understand the importance of keeping their personal information safe. Posting personal information on websites, or sending messages, can lead to strangers getting hold of it. Items of personal information such as full name, address, telephone numbers, photographs and school name should all be kept secret and not posted online. Encourage your children to think about who else might be able to see what they post on websites or send in messages. 4. KEEP AN EYE OUT: Keep the family computer in an area where you can keep an eye on your children as they use it. Remember that children can also access the Internet from other devices such as mobile phones, portable music players and games consoles. As children become older you may feel it is appropriate for them to have a computer in their bedroom or a laptop, consider installing suitable safety software that will alert you if they do something that might put them in danger. 5. MEETINGS: The internet allows young people to make new friends across the country and world, allowing them to learn about new cultures and places. However, make sure your children know that they should NEVER meet anyone they only know online, unless they take you or another responsible adult with them. Gaming Consoles Children and adults alike enjoy spending time on gaming consoles but do you know how to help keep them safe? Modern games consoles and devices can allow access to the Internet through wireless or wired connections. This allows children to play games with their friends or other people online without the need to be in the same room as each other. It can allow them to send messages, speak or see each other whilst gaming. This adds to the fun but can also mean that children may be playing a game with people they don’t know. It’s worth looking at the device and consoles your children have and see whether they allow an Internet connection.

Most games consoles will allow you to set parental controls restricting the age rating of games they play, and also regulating how the devices can access the Internet. Refer to the information that came with the machine for help.

Appendix III: School Results Key Stage 1 Results These tables show the percentage of children at the end of Key Stage 1 achieving each level in the school in 2012.

The number of eligible children is 24.

Figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding.

Teacher Assessment Percentage at each level 3 or Disapplied Absent W 1 2 2C 2B 2A above children children Speaking and Listening * 0% 0% 63% 38% 0% 0% Reading 0% 0% 8% 21% 29% 42% 0% 0% Writing 0% 4% 17% 33% 25% 21% 0% 0% Mathematics 0% 0% 13% 29% 38% 21% 0% 0% Science * 0% 0% 67% 33% 0%

W represents children who are working towards level 1, but have not yet achieved the standards needed for level 1.

* Results for Speaking and Listening and Science are based on teacher assessment only.

Appendix IV: Home-School Agreement Home-school agreements are a part of every school’s partnership with parents. This agreement enables all staff, parents and pupils at our school to make a clear commitment to working together. The agreement makes plain what is expected of the teachers, parents and children so that children will be able to work hard and be happy, safe and successful at school. We hope that it will also help parents to take an active part in their child’s education at Gomersal St. Mary’s School.

School will:  Encourage children to give their best at all times and contribute fully  Encourage the children to work hard and enjoy learning and talk to them and their families about the progress they make  Encourage children to take care of others and the world around them  Encourage children to take pride in their achievements, celebrate special times and recognise good behaviour and attendance  Encourage parents to support and help their children

Head Teacher’s Signature:

The Family will:  Discuss the Home School Partnership Agreement with our children  Encourage their children to make progress by praising them when they do well and showing interest in what they do at school  Encourage their children to attend school regularly and on time by 8:45 am every morning and provide an explanation for any absence  Encourage their children to behave well by setting a good example, helping them with homework and attending parent consultations or school events to show they care  Encourage their children to keep safe and make healthy choices  Let school know of any issues or concerns which might affect children’s work or wellbeing in school

Parent’s Signature:

Children will:  Always try to learn new things and do their best  Behave well, be kind and polite to each other  Try to stay safe and make healthy choices  Look after my own, other people’s and school property  Learn how to work with others and take care of the world they live in

Child’s Signature: