Great Hollands Primary School Great Hollands Primary School Wordsworth Bracknell RG12 8YR Telephone: 01344 424911 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.greathollandsprimary.co.uk Head teacher Mr. Mike Purdy Chair of Governors Mrs. Mary Temperton Local Authority Bracknell Forest Welcome from the Headteacher many opportunities for learning out of and Chair of Governors doors. The school is extremely well resourced, with a purpose-built gymnasium, excellent ICT facilities, and Dear Parents and Carers ample learning space throughout a bright, airy building. Welcome to Great Hollands Primary School. We hope that this is the We hope that this prospectus, together beginning of a strong home-school with the Parents' and Carers' Handbook partnership that will enhance all and the website, will answer many of aspects of your child’s learning. your questions but please do not hesitate to contact us if you require Great Hollands Primary School is proud further information. We try to avoid of its many strengths. It offers jargon but please let us know if there is excellence within a happy, caring, anything that you do not understand. supportive environment, in which Once your child joins us, you will have parents, carers, staff and governors access to our virtual learning play a full and active role in promoting environment, which will provide more the school and striving for each child to information, display children's work and achieve his or her very best. show pictures of learning in action. We are an inclusive school, committed It is our firm belief that education is a to providing an education that partnership among home, school and promotes equality of opportunity for all the community, working together to children in an environment in which ensure that all children achieve both they feel valued, respected and academic and personal success. treated fairly. We hope that you will We look forward to meeting and share in making this a happy, welcoming you and your family. successful time in your child’s life. Mr Mike Purdy, BEd (Hons) We are very lucky to have a large, Headteacher green site within the centre of Great Hollands, which is easily accessible to Mrs Mary Temperton the community and provides us with Chair of Governors www.greathollandsprimary.co.uk 2 Our Vision Statement To provide a broad, balanced, creative Working together as a community to curriculum in line with the National provide a happy, caring, secure and Curriculum. stimulating environment in which children are valued as individuals, To develop children’s skills, knowledge motivated to learn, and encouraged to and understanding of English, including reach their full potential. speaking, listening, reading and writing. Our School Values To enable children to understand the concepts of number, measurement, We are committed to safeguarding the shape and size in order to apply them welfare of all children. We recognise in everyday life. our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practices and to To create an awareness of basic protect children from harm, abuse and scientific ideas through investigation exploitation. and interpretation; to encourage children to analyse and to solve Staff, governors and volunteers work problems. together to encourage the develop- ment of an ethos that embraces To develop children’s self awareness, difference and diversity and respects understanding and respect of others, the rights of all children and adults. We their school environment and the wider celebrate individuality and the community. contribution that each individual can make. To develop children’s understanding of how places, people and beliefs have Our School Aims changed and developed over time. To create an environment in which all To nurture in our children a sense of children and adults feel valued, community and of being responsible respected and treated fairly, and to citizens, making a difference locally, ensure that all members of the school nationally and globally. community enjoy learning and experience success. To encourage moral development through discussion, sharing and an To provide a happy, caring, secure and appreciation of other people’s beliefs stimulating environment, in which all and values within a diverse community. children able to develop self- motivation and independence. To provide a learning environment in which every child is treated with fairness, honesty and respect and is given every opportunity to succeed and view himself or herself as a lifelong learner. To promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle. www.greathollandsprimary.co.uk 3 Our School Our Nursery Great Hollands is a Local Authority The Nursery has 52 places, 26 in the community primary school with a morning and 26 in the afternoon, Nursery, accommodating 60 children in staffed by a teacher, a nursery nurse each year group: and learning support assistants. Foundation Stage 1: Age 3 to 4* You are encouraged to put your child’s (Nursery) name on the waiting list after his or her 2nd birthday. Children usually start Foundation Stage 2: Age 4 to 5 Nursery before their 4th birthday, and (Reception) are admitted at the start of each term. We hope to offer all children at least Key Stage One: three terms in Nursery. Year 1 Age 5 to 6 Year 2 Age 6 to 7 Key Stage Two: Year 3 Age 7 to 8 Year 4 Age 8 to 9 Year 5 Age 9 to 10 Year 6 Age 10 to 11 Our school consists of two main buildings joined by a Learning Corridor. Our Rainbow Resource Silver Wing has children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, taught in mixed- We are fortunate to have a class for ability classes of no more than children in the Foundation Stage who 30 children. Gold Wing has mixed-age, have social and communication mixed-ability classes for Years 3 and 4, difficulties. The and Years 5 and 6. Resource takes up to six full-time or 10 Each wing has additional classrooms for part-time children, small-group work and a hall for whole- and is staffed by a class and whole-school activities. A teacher, a nursery well-stocked library and a computer nurse, a learning suite are located in Gold Wing. The support assistant whole school comes together for some and a speech and assemblies and other gatherings. language therapist. *Reaching this age by 31 August of the Children join in relevant year. Nursery and Reception classes with support when they are ready to do so, and return to their home schools when they are ready. www.greathollandsprimary.co.uk 4 Our School Day Admissions to the Nursery Nursery times (Foundation Stage 1) The school is responsible for admissions to the Nursery. You are encouraged to Morning session 8.40-11.40 am complete an application form as soon Afternoon session 12.30-3.30 pm as possible after your child’s 2nd birthday. Children must be accompanied to Nursery by an adult and collected by Admission will not normally be before an adult promptly at the end of the age three and depends on availability. session. Careful consideration is given to recommendations from professionals Reception times (Foundation Stage 2) such as health visitors for a priority admission, for reasons of educational Morning session: 8.50 am-12.15 pm need. Afternoon session: 1.15-3.15 pm We will contact you when a place is Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1) available. Once a place has been accepted, you will be invited to visit Morning session: 8.50 am-12.15 pm with your child to meet the staff and Afternoon session: 1.15-3.15 pm learn more about the Foundation Stage curriculum. Years 3-6 (Key Stage 2) Starting dates for Nursery are staggered Morning session: 8.50 am-12.30 pm so that only a few new children start at Afternoon session: 1.30-3.15 pm the same time. It is strongly recommended that children do not Children may not come on to the attend pre-schools or other nurseries school site before 8.40 a.m. At 8.50 am while attending our Nursery, as they a bell is rung to indicate that they can get confused by different routines. should line up in their class groups before being brought indoors by a Please contact us if you have any member of staff. concerns about admissions to Nursery. If children arrive late for registration, Please note that a place in Nursery they must go to the school office to be does not guarantee a place in the main signed in. Arrival after 9.30 am will incur school. a late mark in the register. www.greathollandsprimary.co.uk 5 Admissions to the Primary School Admissions to the primary school and the Rainbow Resource are managed by the Local Authority. Successful applicants for places will be offered up to three terms in Reception starting in September. The youngest children will be offered a staggered start. There is a full induction programme for both parents and children. Appeals If your child is not offered a place, you have the right to appeal. Details of the process are given in the refusal letter. Full details of the admission procedure are available on the Bracknell Forest Council website, www.bracknell- forest.gov.uk [follow the A-Z link to Admissions (Primary Schools)] or telephone the admissions team on 01344 354023. Induction An induction programme is organised in the summer and autumn terms for children starting Nursery or Reception in September. www.greathollandsprimary.co.uk 6 Keeping your Child Safe and Parents’ and carers’ details Healthy Please keep us up to date with contact Your child’s safety is of the greatest details, including address and priority to us.