School Rd, Crynant, SA10 8NS eMail: [email protected] Phone: 01639 750224 1 Contents Head’s Welcome Letter School Details School Mission Statement Staff of School Governing Body School Vision Statement Introduction to the School Session Times / Attendance Term Dates and Holidays / Admissions Parental Involvement Health and Safety / Equal Oportunities Organisation of Education Foundation Phase National Curriculum Assessment Extra Curriculur activities/ Breakfast Club / After School Clubs Discipline / Complaints Procedure Uniform Additional Learning Needs Religiousv Education / Sex Education Security Disability Access / Child Protection School Council / Eco Council Medical Absences Assessment Results 2 Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day. Pob Plentyn, Pob Cyfle, Pob Dydd. Head’s Welcome Letter Dear Parents/Carers, Welcome to Creunant Primary School. Our school mission statement is a simple yet powerful one: 'Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day.' ‘Pob Plentyn, Pob Cyfle, Pob Dydd.’ We believe our role in school is to provide every child with 'the roots to grow and the wings to fly’, and we believe this starts at the very earliest stage. We consider our school to be an amazing place, a place where our dedicated team work hard to ensure that your child has the best possible start in life. Our ethos is based on mutual respect and striving to get the best out of every day. Please take the time read our newly revised prospectus and we look forward to you joining the ‘Creunant Primary family’ in the near future. Warm regards Melanie Teague (Headteacher) 3 Creunant Primary Staff Headteacher: Mrs. Melanie Teague Admin Officer: Mrs. Debbie Lewis Deputy and Reception / Y1: Mrs. Catherine Thomas Nursery : Mrs. Dawn Jones Year 2 : Mrs. Donna Davies Year 3 / 4 : Mrs. Williams Y 4 / 5 : Mr. Darren Richards Year 5 / 6 : Mrs. Gaynor Johnson Teaching Assistants: Mrs. Kim Morgan, Mrs. Leanne Price (Currently seconded to LACES), Mrs. Rhian Williams, Mrs Gillian Ashby Caretaker: Mr. Keith Cuerden Creunant Primary School Governors Headteacher: Mrs Melanie Teague Clerk to Governors: Mrs. Donna Brace Chairperson: (Community Governor) Mr. Peter Shopland Vice Chair: (LEA Governor) Mrs. Sarah Griffiths Community Governor: Mrs. Karen Pearson Mr Alan Thomas Mrs. Jayne Bradley Local Authority Governor: Cllr. Sian Harris Mrs. Margaret Davies Parent Governor: Mrs Kerry Baker Mrs. Clare Morgan Teacher Governor: Mrs Catherine Thomas 4 Our School Vision Statement In Creunant we aim to develop learners who: Are independent, enthusiastic, confident and feel valued. Have a love of learning, an awareness of their strengths and talents, and are able to recognize and celebrate their achievements. Have the highest expectations of themselves and the motivation to fulfill their potential. Are aware that they are part of a wider community (from classroom to global) and have a responsibility to the positive progress of that community. Are tolerant and respectful of the beliefs of others and are able to work collaboratively towards a common goal. We aim to achieve this by:- Inspiring our pupils every day. Providing an emotionally and physically safe environment, which is stimulating and enhances learning. Providing a broad, balanced curriculum and a range of teaching strategies which will develop each child’s potential creatively, academically (with an emphasis on key skills) socially, physically, spiritually and intellectually. Developing positive partnerships with parents, carers and the local community based on mutual respect and trust. Having high expectations of all school staff and Governor’s in a supportive environment which promotes personal and professional development. Focusing on high standards in all areas of school and community life. 5 An Introduction to Creunant Primary A General Introduction to the School. Creunant Primary School is situated in the village of Crynant in the Dulais Valley, approximately six miles from Neath in a predominantly rural setting,The School is English speaking and caters for the needs of pupils from three to eleven years of age. There are at present 104 full time (52boys, 52 girls) and 17 part time pupils in attendance at our school, accommodated in 6 class rooms. N 18 part time R 11 pupils Y1 12 pupils Y2 21 pupils Y3 15 pupils Y4 18 pupils Y5 14 pupils Y6 16 pupils The school is maintained by Neath Port Talbot Authority and the Director of Education, Mr. Aled Evans. Control of the school is exercised by the Governing Body, which is comprised of representatives from parents, teachers, local Council representatives and local co-opted members. It has the responsibility for all decisions concerning the life of the school. The Headteacher of the school since January 2017 is Mrs. Melanie Teague. 6 Start of the School Session and Lesson Time All pupils are required to be present in school by 8.50. Nursery begin at 8:40. The times set aside for teaching during the school day are as follows: Nursery 8:40am to 11:10am Reception to Year 6. 8:50am to 12:00pm 1.00pm to 3:20pm Attendance In order for your child to gain the best possible education he/she must attend school regularly. We expect children to attend school every day unless they are unwell or attending a medical appointment. If your child will not be attending school, we request that you notify the school by 9 am so that the absence can be logged. We work very closely with the school’s Attendance and Wellbeing Officer (AWO) Mrs. Jayne Bradley, to ensure pupils attend regularly. If a child fails to attend school regularly parents will receive a letter from the school and also a visit from the AWO. School Meals Cooked school dinners are provided in our school kitchen. Payment (£2.30 a day) is to be given to the school clerk a Monday morning. Applications for free meals are made on special application forms, available from the school clerk. 7 School Terms and Holiday Dates School Term Dates 2017-2018 Mid Term Holiday Term Term Begins Term Ends Days Begins Ends Monday Monday Friday Friday 75 Autumn 2017 4th September 30th October 3rd November 22nd December 40+35 Monday Monday Friday Spring 2018 Thursday 8th January 19th February 23rd February 54 30+24 29th March Monday Monday Friday Tuesday 66 Summer 2018 16th April 1st June 24th July 28th May 29+37 Total: 195 Admissions Admissions to the school are arranged according to local authority guidelines, which are available from the school and from the Education Department in Port Talbot Civic centre to whom applications should be sent. 8 Parental Involvement We recognise the crucial importance of an active educational partnership between home and school. Foundation Phase parents are encouraged to help their children with activities sent home by the class teacher e.g. reading practice or number work, and planned home tasks which are part of each term's theme For older pupils homework is just one of the ways in which we seek to foster this partnership, as homework encompasses a whole variety of activities instigated by teachers and parents to support children’s learning. Parents are welcome to speak to the class teacher or Headteacher if they have any concerns about their child. Parents are encouraged to attend Meet the Teacher evenings, Next Steps in Learning Meetings, IEP review meetings and class presentations. Creunant Primary School Parents Teachers and Friends Association The Parents Teachers and Friends’ Association extends a warm welcome to all new parents. We are fortunate to have a hard working and enthusiastic group of parents who help organise a variety of events during the school year. The officers are as follows: Chair: Mrs. Ceri Willcox Vice Chair: Mrs. Alison Thomas Secretary: Mrs. L. Terry Treasurer: Mrs. D. Lewis The objectives of the association are to: Encourage social links between all those associated with the school. To raise funds to purchase materials for the school. To promote and support activities concerned with the education and welfare of children in the school. 9 Many successful activities have been organised with the support of parents at the school and the committee are always willing to receive offers of help with activities and ideas for future events. In order to ensure continuing success for the future, please support our endeavours. The Curriculum It is through the curriculum that the teachers at Creunant Primary School attempt to fulfill our aims. The curriculum encompasses all the teaching and learning which takes place both in and out of the classroom. We offer a curriculum which is broad and balanced, and we acknowledge that not all children develop at the same rate. Therefore we actively attempt to match the tasks given to each child with his/her stage of development. We follow a themed curriculum called “Corner Stones” which ensures all skills are covered progressively throughout the school. From September 2013 all school in Wales follow the Literacy and Numeracy Framework (learninwales.gov.uk) The Curriculum in all schools in Wales is currently divided as follows: Nursery– Foundation Phase Reception– Foundation Phase Year 1 and 2– Foundation Phase Years 3 to 6—Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum for Wales 10 The Foundation Phase The Foundation Phase is a curriculum for 3 to 7-year-olds. What will children learn? The curriculum for the Foundation Phase builds on the Desirable Outcomes for Children’s Learning Before Compulsory School Age and includes aspects of the guidance for Key Stage 1 to form a new curriculum. The new curriculum has been developed under seven Areas