GURNARD PRIMARY SCHOOL Together we Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 We are pleased to welcome you and your child to Gurnard Primary School. The school prides itself on its caring philosophy and, as we state in our School Ethos: - ―we aim to provide a secure and happy environment, where all are valued for themselves, and encouraged to develop their full potential, whilst demonstrating tolerance and concern for others and becoming responsible and caring members of the wider community”. We have included, in our Prospectus, all the information we think you will need to ensure your child has a smooth induction to Gurnard Primary School and look forward to working with you and your child during his/her time with us. You can find out more about us from our website: http://www.gurnardprimaryschool.co.uk Together we Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 Gurnard Primary School has been a village school since 1906. Following the local authority’s decision to move to a two-tier education system on the Isle of Wight, we moved from our original building to our new site in Baring Road. April 2012 saw the whole school move into the new building and use the fantastic facilities we are now able to offer our pupils. We have a mul- ti-purpose technology/science room, music room, library, two halls and dedi- cated changing rooms for the older children. Every classroom has been refurbished and we are very proud of all the hard work that has been undertaken over the last few months to make the move such an outstanding success. Each classroom has interactive whiteboards and children use netbooks to support ICT learning. Outside there is a very large playing field which is used for PE activities. Our school offers a fantastic learning environment for all our children. Together we Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 Starting School at Gurnard Primary The priority area for Gurnard Primary School extends to Gurnard Village, Rew Street, Porchfield and Newtown. However provided the school is not oversubscribed (i.e. the admissions number is not exceeded) anyone who wishes a place for their child will be allocated one – subject to the Local Education Authority guidelines. (see LEA booklet for further information). We love to welcome visitors to our school and, once you’ve decided you would like to apply for a place you should contact the school to discuss the arrangements and should also contact the LEA for an application form, which must be completed and returned to the LEA in all cases. Their telephone number is 01983 823455. The standard admission number for Gurnard Primary School is 60 in Reception and Year 1 and 45 in all other year groups. Together we Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 School Staff HEADTEACHER : MRS ELIZABETH JACKSON Deputy Headteacher – Mr Mark Stephens Class Teachers Year Teaching Assistants Mrs Catherine Coleman R Mrs Karen Humphreys Mrs Ann Clarke Mrs Gillian Flood R Mrs Nicola Baggett Mrs Janice Williams 1 Mrs Alison Godfrey Mrs Ruth Symons Mrs Angela Woodhouse Mrs Michelle Miller 1 Mrs Linda Hayward Mrs Lynn Torrance 2 Mrs Avril Hulse Mrs Alison Evans Mr Mikey Wood 2-3 mixed Mrs Natalie Tobitt Miss Sarah Eccott 3 Mrs Jo-Anne Inett Mrs Denise Stephens 4 Mrs Linda Prangnell Mr Joshua Osborne 4-5 mixed Mrs Tracy Driscoll Mr David Finch 5-6 mixed Miss Joanne Kearney Mrs Lin Cross (KS2 Leader) 6 Mrs Penny Murton Mrs Tina Hart (ICT Teaching Assistant) S E N Assistants Higher Level Teaching Assistant Mrs Elizabeth Denham - SEN Admin Mrs Julie Spencer Mrs Marie Warner Mid-day Supervisory Assistants School Business Manager Mrs Jill Dimmick Mrs Angela Clark Mrs Tina Bacon Mrs Marie Warner School Secretary Mrs Linda Prangnell Mrs Barbara Nolan Miss Katy Lansdowne Mrs Angela Woodhouse Administration Staff Miss Candice Ottley Mrs Helen Clark Miss Debbie Sanders Mrs Liz Pointing Miss Sarah Harper Caretaker Mr Gary Keeling Clerk to the Governors Mrs Angie Selle Together We Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 The Governing Body The Governing Body is responsible for deciding the strategic plan for improvement and acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the school. They meet at least six times a year as a whole Body, organising meetings focusing on one or more of their responsibilities They discuss various matters concerning the running of the school and make decisions on a range of issues including finance, the curriculum, staffing and school policies. Sub-committees comprise: Standards and Achievement, Leadership and Management, Community and Partnerships and Strategic. Each Governor’s term of office is four years, after which time an election is held. The chairperson is elected annually from within the Governing Body. Our School Governors Chair of Governors Mr Ian Welsh Head Teacher Mrs Elizabeth Jackson Deputy Head Mr Mark Stephens Local Authority Governors Mrs Hanne Miller Mrs Jenny Hinton Mrs Annabel Bryant Community Governors Mrs Josephine Hinson Mrs Joan Finch Parent Governors Mr James Kirkby Mrs Katie Elliott Mr Mark Drew Mrs Claire Doherty Mr Richard Cobden Staff Governors Mrs Cathy Coleman Mrs Julie Spencer Clerk to Governors Mrs Angie Selle Together We Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 Class Organisation The school is organised in eleven classes with up to 30 children in each. Children spend seven years at Gurnard Primary School. This means they may not pass through every class. They are taught according to their development and needs, irrespective of which class they are in . We do operate mixed age group classes in some years (2/3, 4/5 and 5/6) and these are structured so that the children are with a group who have similar needs. Sapphire Class Reception 4-5 years Topaz Class Reception 4-5 years Jade Class Year 1 5-6 years Ruby Class Year 1 5-6 years Amethyst Class Year 2 6-7 years Turquoise Class Year 2/3 6-8 years Amber Class Year 3 7-8 years Crystal Class Year 4 8-9 years Coral Class Year 4/5 8-10 years Diamond Class Year 5/6 9-11 years Opal Class Year 6 10-11 years The school employs teaching assistants (TA’s) who help the children with various activities and learning tasks in the classroom. We welcome the help of parents and other members of the community in the classroom and, should you wish to do so, please first approach the class teacher. If you want to help in school, it is necessary for a CRB check to be carried out, so please notify the school office so we may get a check underway. Homework Formal writing/spelling homework is set for year 3 and upwards. It must be noted that homework tasks are not compulsory, but do support the work undertaken in school and are very worthwhile. Spellings are taken home to learn fortnightly. Sometimes, in order to help children overcome any specific difficulties, parents may be asked to un- dertake other tasks with their children at home. In years 5 and 6, homework is set each week, alongside a project linked to topics being followed. Together we Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 Daily Routine Nemo’s breakfast and after-school club provides out of hours school care for our pupils if required. Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am and After-School Club until 6pm. This is run on-site by our pre-school and can be booked directly with them on 280441. The school office is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm. An answer phone is available to take messages at any other time . School Hours Reception-Year 2 Year 3-Year 6 8.45am-11.50pm 8.30am-12pm (with 15 mins break) 1pm-2.50pm 1pm-3pm Children should not be left waiting in the playground too early in the morning, especially not in wet or cold weather. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that their child arrives at school on time each day. Absence If your child is away from school due to illness, please contact the school by 9.30am. We have a dedicated absence answer phone on 295713 so you will always be able to get through. If your child is taken poorly whilst at school, you will be contacted to arrange for them to be collected, Therefore it is very important that we always have you up to date contact details. We do not encourage absence during term time for holidays, but if you need to request this, please see the school office for an application form. Unexplained absences are reported to the Education Welfare Officer. Together we Learn and Grow Gurnard Primary School, Baring Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8DS Tel: 01983 295713 The National Curriculum All year groups follow the full school curriculum which is based on the National Curriculum including the five core subjects of English, Maths, Science, RE and ICT and the foundation subjects of Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and PE. Personal and Social Education is also studied. The school seeks to provide a wide range of experience in order to stimulate the children’s interest and imagination and to extend fully the abilities of all pupils.