Stifford Clays Primary School Prospectus 2018/2019 Stifford Clays Primary School Whitmore Avenue, Stifford Clays, Grays, Essex. RM16 2ST Telephone: 01375 373866 Website: www.stiffordclaysprimary.thurrock.sch.uk Interim Head of School: Mrs F Burdett Link to School App: https://www.schudio.com/free-school-app/ Stifford Clays Primary School is operated by South West Essex Community Education Trust Limited which is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number: 07693309. The registered office is at William Edwards School, Stifford Clays Road, Grays, Thurrock, Essex, RM16 3NJ. School Ethos To encourage pupils to develop confidence, self-respect and a knowledge and understanding of the diverse communities around them and provide a working atmosphere where good relationships between staff and pupils contribute to effective and enjoyable learning experiences. Our aim at Stifford Clays Primary School is to ensure that all the children have the best possible opportunities to enable them to master skills and develop attitudes they will need, for the rest of their lives. We also want them to enjoy their time in school and feel safe and secure. We recognise it is important to provide children with an environment which is stimulating, caring and supportive and one which meets the needs of every individual. The children are encouraged to be independent and responsible. This leads to them developing self-confidence, respect and the appreciation of other views and opinions. Those who visit our school, often comment on the friendly quiet working atmosphere which exists and enables our children to thrive. This is helped by having staff that are dedicated and committed in their role, not only in achieving high standards but also to provide a rich and varied curriculum. We offer a wide range of balanced learning activities to cater for all children, this enables them to grow into good positive citizens. We also offer an extensive range of extra-curricular activities both academic and sporting. We believe that in order for children to achieve their best, there needs to be a positive and transparent relationship between home and school. Core Beliefs Our intent is for Stifford Clays Primary School to be a warm, caring environment in which each individual will feel secure and trusted, having the necessary support to leave the school with a real sense of achievement and self-worth. Personal, social and health education are areas considered key to the development of the whole child and those which will have a profound impact on them for the rest of their lives. We also aim to encourage a sense of moral, spiritual awareness, recognising that self-esteem and thought for others is of paramount importance. We do not discriminate on the basis of colour, culture, origin, religion, sex or ability. All children will be given the opportunity to achieve their full potential through high quality teaching. We will encourage our children to be confident, responsible, courteous and happy individuals. At Stifford Clays Primary School we are committed to ensuring equality of education and opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers receiving services from the school. We aim to develop a culture of inclusivity and diversity in which all those connected to the school feel proud of their identity and able to participate fully in school life. The achievement of various groups of pupils is carefully monitored. We use this data to support pupils, raise standards and ensure inclusive teaching. We tackle discrimination by the positive promotion of equality, challenging bullying and stereotypes and creating an environment which champions respect for all. At Stifford Clays Primary School we believe that diversity is a strength, which should be respected and celebrated by all those who learn, teach and visit here. Core Values Respect: We build trust and respect, valuing the rights and feelings of people within our community. Aspiration: We know what our goals are and we aim to achieve excellence within them, we want to be successful. Responsibility: We can be trusted to carry out tasks independently and take control of our own actions. Kindness: We value the richness our community has to offer, we are caring and thoughtful towards people in our community. Honesty: We can be relied upon to tell the truth. School Overview Interim Head of School: Mrs F Burdett Status and Character: Academy Primary and Nursery School Boys and Girls age 2 – 11 years S Number of Pupils on Roll at May 2018: -- 743 (including nursery) Senior Leadership Team Interim Head of School: Mrs F Burdett Assistant Head Teacher: Mrs J Fisher Inclusion Assistant Head Teacher: Ms H Green Full staff details can be viewed on our website: www.stiffordclaysprimary.thurrock.sch.uk School Hours Key Stage 2 School Hours: - morning session 8.50am – 12.20pm (Wed. – 12.10pm) (Year 3 – Year 6) morning break 10.30am – 10.45am afternoon session 1.15pm – 3.15pm Key Stage 1 School Hours: - morning session 8.50am – 12.10pm (Wed. – 12noon) (Year 1 – Year 2) morning break 10.30am – 10.45am afternoon session 1.10pm – 3.10pm Reception School Hours: - morning session 8.50am – 11.45am afternoon session 1.10pm – 3.10pm Nursery (Saplings) Hours: - morning session 8.45am – 11.45am afternoon session 12.30pm – 3.30pm Pre-school (Seedlings) Hours: - morning session 8.45am – 11.45am afternoon session 12.30pm – 3.30pm Drop-Off and Collection Procedures Seedlings & Saplings Nursery Children Drop-Off Parents bring their child to the demountable classroom located to the right of the KS1 building. Entrance can be gained via the nursery gate in Whitmore Avenue. You will be met by early year’s practitioners where they will receive you and your child. Collection Parents collect their child from the demountable classroom located to the right of the KS1 building via the nursery gate in Whitmore Avenue. Key Stage 1 Children Morning Drop-Off Children must be brought to the playground between 8.45am and 8.50am using the KS1 car park entrance. Adults will be on the gate and playground to guide children to their class assembly point from where their teacher will lead them into school at 8.50am. No parents are allowed on the playground in the mornings. End of School Pick-Up At 3.10pm Key Stage 1 classes finish lessons for the day and get ready to go home. They then walk to the KS1 playground accompanied by their class teacher or adult. This will allow teachers and parents to engage in short conversation where necessary. Parents are asked to wait in the KS1 playground keeping any siblings with them well supervised. Key Stage 2 Children Morning Drop-Off Children can be dropped off at the first gate at the green or the second gate in the school from 8.40am. There is no need for parents to be in the playground in the morning as there will be sufficient supervision in place. There will be an adult standing on both gates at all times ensuring no child can leave or unauthorised people can enter. The bell is rung at 8.50am when children walk into school in class groups. On arrival in class, pupils are registered and lunchtime arrangements completed. End of school Pick-Up The gates will open at 3.00pm to enable parents to enter the school playground and collect their child/children. All children will be lined up, giving parents an opportunity to have a brief chat with the class teacher if needed. Parents must stand behind the white lines to allow staff to bring the children out into the middle of the playground safely, ready for collection. If you also have a child in KS1, arrangements can be made for them to be escorted by staff to the KS2 playground for collection. If you arrive after the school gates have closed please ensure you escort your child to the main office where they can be registered. There is great value to both parents and children from walking to school. This is frequently promoted and always encouraged. A crossing patrol operates in Whitmore Avenue and barriers by St. Peter’s Church have made the pavement safer for pedestrians. If it is essential for parents to drive to the school, cars should be parked sensibly according to road markings. Illegally parked cars are being reported to the police by residents and the school, your child’s safety is our priority. The police will continue to use traffic enforcement officers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s) to parents parking illegally. Admissions Procedure Admission to Primary School At Stifford Clays Primary School, we believe the early stages of a child's life to be most important in laying foundations for future learning. We have long recognised the disadvantage to spring and summer born pupils regarding the length of time spent in Key Stage 1. All Reception pupils start school in September and are offered a full time place which they are gradually introduced to. All parents who wish their children to attend our school must apply to Thurrock Council’s Admissions Department early in the year (a date is published) preceding the Academic Year that the child is due to be admitted into school. The Local Authority encourage applications to be made on the Thurrock Council Website. Admissions to our school are in line with Thurrock Admission arrangements as follows: When there are fewer applications for places in a particular school than the published admission number for that school all legitimate applications will be met with the offer of a place there. Where there are more applicants than places, the following oversubscription criteria (admission criteria) will be used for deciding which applications have priority.