I warmly welcome you to Belthorn Academy Primary School. Our school is a happy, safe, caring environment where each child is valued. We have high academic standards, which are reflected in our SATs results and OFSTED Report and furthermore we pride ourselves on knowing our children personally, on the exceptional behaviour of our pupils and in the many opportunities your child will be given to develop their social, sporting and community learning. Our children are the best advertisement for the school and we are extremely proud of all their achievements. We value our strong partnership with parents and are keen to ensure you take an active role in the education of your children. Our staff are a highly committed and caring team who work hard to ensure no opportunity is missed to promote and extend your children’s learning. We thank you for your interest in Belthorn and hope this prospectus gives you the information you need about the organisation of the school. Whilst this prospectus is useful, a visit to school might help you understand further life here at Belthorn. To arrange a visit please telephone the school on 01254 55620. Further information can also be found on the school website www.belthornacademy Mrs H Rowan Headteacher School Governing Body Company Registration No 07756219 Chair of Governors Mrs Y Brown Vice Chair of Governors Mrs E Nolan Headteacher/Accounting Officer Mrs H Rowan Clerk to Governors Mrs P Cooper Company Secretary Mrs H Saint Member Governors Mr J Slack Mr D Merrick Parent Governors Mr M Ali Mr C Banks Mr Battersby-Cormell Community Governors Mr S Lowe Mrs L Taylor Co-opted Governor Mrs L Billingham Staff Governor Mr N Griffiths Staff Governor Mr M Griffiths Staffing 2019/2020 Senior Leadership Team Mrs H Rowan Headteacher Miss M Egan Deputy Headteacher Mrs H Saint School Business Manager Teaching Staff Mr C Furness Year 6 Teacher Mr N Griffiths Year 5 Teacher Mrs R Powell Year 4 Teacher Mrs S Carr Year 3 Teacher Miss J Trafford Year 2 Teacher Miss H Sutton Year 1 Teacher Mrs K Sutcliff Reception/EYFS Teacher Miss C Dugdale PPA Teacher Teaching Assistants Mrs J Fletcher Teaching Assistant Mrs S Hall Teaching Assistant Mrs T Middleton Teaching Assistant Mrs T Oddie Teaching Assistant Mrs S Patel Teaching Assistant Mrs N Wright Teaching Assistant Mr H Yousuf Teaching Assistant Administation Staff Mrs J Easton Finance Manager Miss L Nuttall Administration Manager Mrs T Brown Receptionist Staffing 2019/2020 After School Club Ms S Baron ASC Leader Mrs C McGurk ASC Play Worker Mrs J Fletcher ASC Play Worker Catering Mrs C McGurk Catering Manager Mrs M Bingham Catering Assistant Mrs S Gallagher Catering Assistant Mr M Griffiths Catering Assistant Premises Mr M Griffiths Premises Manager Mrs S Thornber Cleaner/Drop Off Assistant Mrs M Moore Cleaner/Drop Off Assistant Little Bells Pre-School Mrs K Drugan Pre-School Teacher Mrs G Potter Pre-School Assistant Miss J Ashworth Pre-School Assistant At Belthorn Academy... All pupils, staff, governors and other members of our school community strive to put our Eight Key Words at the centre of everything they do. These eight words encapsulate our Ethos, and so underpin everything we do here at Belthorn: VALUED – our children are valued for who they are, the contributions they make, and the effort they put in; for their successes and for the times they try their best and don't achieve. The work and dedication of staff and governors is valued as being instrumental to the success of our school, and the support of parents is valued as essential partners in the children's learning. SAFE – everyone at Belthorn strives to ensure that the safety of our children is guaranteed. Everyone has a part to play in ensuring that our children are physically and emotionally safe and this includes the children themselves, who should be encouraged to consider the consequences of their choices upon the safety of others. NURTURING – it is the role of staff, governors and parents to ensure that our children are nurtured and developed; through challenge, appropriate support, encouragement, and through being given opportunities to try new things. Teaching staff have the responsibility to ensure that their words and actions towards the children are positive, encouraging and nurturing; and the children themselves have the responsibility to ensure that their interactions with each other are also nurturing. RESPECT – at Belthorn everyone is treated with respect; children, staff, governors, parents and visitors. The views, opinions, beliefs and endeavours of all members of our school community are held in equal esteem. FRIENDLY – through ensuring that everyone is VALUED, having regard to ensure that everyone feels SAFE, by being NURTURING towards our children, and by treating everyone with due RESPECT, we maintain our reputation as a friendly school. We teach our children that everyone should be treated in a friendly manner, regardless of whether they are friends. INSPIRATIONAL – it is the goal of all staff at Belthorn to ensure that the learning opportunities provided for the children inspire them, and create within them the desire to continue to explore learning themes on their own, develop the desire and skills to become an independent learner, and the drive to challenge themselves to be the very best person they can be. ENJOYMENT – it is the belief of the staff and governors of Belthorn that learning should be enjoyable. This is attained through providing stimulating and inspirational learning activities, and through encouraging the children to draw satisfaction and enjoyment from achieving personal goals. TOLERANCE – our latest ethos word reflects our belief that we recognise that we may have different opinions, cultures or beliefs but that we can tolerate each other in an atmosphere of respect. We will listen to each other and take into account other people’s feelings. To help achieve the above goals of our Ethos, the children follow these Five Simple Rules: We respect ourselves, each other and our school Play carefully and sensibly in the yard Always walk quietly and sensibly around school We listen carefully, answer politely, and do what we are asked We always do our best The School The school is organised into seven year groups, from Reception to Year 6. We currently provide for 181 pupils who are grouped into seven teaching groups. In May 2016 we opened our pre-school unit, Little Bells. This provides teacher led early years learning for children from 3 years old. Admissions Policy The age at which it is possible for a child to be admitted to School is determined by the Education Authority. All children whose fifth birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August in the following year are given the opportunity to start school in the preceding September. During the term before admission to the school, prospective pupils and parents are encouraged to become involved in the full range of pre-school meetings and half day visits that we arrange. Prospective parents are contacted by letter with details of these arrangements. At the beginning of the school year, reception pupils attend part time for the first few days to help them settle in quickly and easily. Our admission number for Reception is 30. The admissions policy in full is available on the school’s website. Pupil Registration/Consent Forms When you receive confirmation of your child’s place in school, you will be asked to complete the Pupil Registration & Data Collection Forms (found in the back of the prospectus) and return this to the school office as this is a legal requirement. The Curriculum Medium Term Overviews are available for parents to view on our school website. This provides details of all the topics covered in each year group. At the beginning of every school year, each class teacher will hold a Meet the Teacher Meeting, where the curriculum for each year group is explained. Parents Evening is held during the year class teachers will meet with parents on a one to one basis to give updates on their child’s progress. Extra Curricular Activities The school benefits from a range of extracurricular activities which children of different ages are invited to take part in. An example of activities include: Choir Running Club Chess Club Multi-skills Football Skills Netball Dodgeball Spanish lessons (payable) Guitar and Ukulele lessons (payable) Children with Special Educational Needs The school follows the New Code of Practice (2014) and children are placed on the Special Needs Register according to individual needs. If you have a concern about your child, please see Mrs Rowan, special educational needs co-ordinator. Pastoral Care The school takes responsibility for the wellbeing of the children very seriously. Class teachers are initially responsible for ensuring all children are happy and feel they are in a safe and secure environment and will deal with any minor day to day problems. More serious issues are referred to the Headteacher who will take the appropriate action. Parents are strongly encouraged to voice any concerns they may have at the earliest opportunity, either with the relevant class teacher or with the Headteacher. Behaviour and Courtesy At Belthorn we believe everyone should be treated with respect. All children should take responsibility for their own behaviour and be helped towards taking a responsible approach to life. At all times high standards of work, politeness and behaviour are expected. Belthorn Academy Primary School has a positive behaviour approach that utilises praise and rewards, encouraging children to support our younger pupils. However, there will always be minor infringements to deal with and we ensure that we take a fair and consistent approach toward maintaining discipline, through discussion and the withdrawal of privileges.