This school provides education that assists the children to achieve their full potential and strive to become fully independent within a homely, sustainable, kind, equal status environment. Information About the School Name of the school: Felinwnda Primary School Telephone number: 01286 830017 E-mail: [email protected] Web site address: www.ysgolfelinwnda.cymru Follow us on: Facebook & Twitter Headteacher: Miss Carys Wyn Thomas B.Ed. Teachers: Mr Neil Wynne Thomas & Miss Mared Haf Roberts Chairman of the governors: Mr Barry Jones 2 Uwch Menai, Saron (01286 830750) Type of School Ysgol Felinwnda, being a small rural school, can describe itself as having a happy and friendly environment where the children have an important role in the day-to-day arrangements. Each child is given the opportunity to develop according to his or her own ability and receive the utmost support that the teachers can offer. The school is divided into two classes, Miss Roberts is in charge of Nursery, Reception, Year 1, 2 and 3 whilst Year 4, 5 and Year 6 are taught by Mr Thomas. This division is not rigidly adhered to because the staff exchange classes so as to fully utilise the teachers’ strengths and so as to enable the children to receive the best possible education. It is the school’s belief that parents play a crucial role in their child’s development, and consequently an open door policy exists here, an arrangement by which following obtaining an appointment, parents may visit the school at any time to discuss their children’s development. One parent recently described Ysgol Felinwnda as “a Family School”, and that is exactly the aim and objective of staff and governors, namely to ensure that the children feel secure and confident thus enabling them to develop. School hours: Breakfast & care club: 8:00-8:25 Breakfast club: 8:25-8:40 Morning session: 9:00-12:00 Afternoon session: 1.00-3.30 Playtimes: 10.30-10.45 12.30- 1.00 2.15 - 2.30 Nursery year: 1:00-3:30 HOLIDAYS: 26 - 30 October 2020 (Half-Term) 21 December 2020 - 1 January 2021 (Christmas Holidays) 15 - 19 February 2021 (Half Term) 29 March - 9 April 2021 (Easter Holidays) 3 May 2021 (Mayday) 31 May - 4 June 2021 (Half Term) 21 July - 31 August 2021 (Summer Holidays) Objectives and Implementing them in school life 1. To create an environment and an atmosphere, in which children may grow, develop and mature into confident individuals, who are aware of the welfare of others and are responsible members of the community. a)Answer the phone on a rota basis, supervise younger classes; b)Give thanks at Urdd meetings, extra-curricular competitions; c)Distribute goods to the elderly residing in the area during Harvest Thanksgiving, raise money for funds such as Operation Christmas Child, Barnados. 2. To provide children with every opportunity to develop their skills, gifts, talents and interests, to get to know themselves: their weaknesses and strengths. "develop their gifts, talents and interests" - e.g. compete at the schools and the Urdd Swimming Gala, receive instrumental lessons, contribute to the Urdd's stage competitions and homework. "understand something of their weaknesses and strengths" - that children have an opportunity of regularly appraising their work, share responsibilities once they recognise others' strengths. 3. To ensure that children are given an equal opportunity through providing for them a relevant, differentiated, broad and well-balanced curriculum, interpreting the requirements of the National Curriculum in the context of the Education Authority's philosophy and policies. To provide an education of the highest possible quality. "an equal opportunity" - boys and girls contribute towards the same aspects such as cookery, sewing, mixed games etc. " a curriculum which is relevant ..." present a Welsh Curriculum, make use of the school's natural environment to meet National Curriculum requirements. "... differentiated ..." present children with tasks that enable them to work within their ability range but at the same time provide them with an educational challenge. "Provide education of the highest possible quality" - teachers being aware of the requirements of the National Curriculum, and the policies and guidelines of the Education Authority. Also attend courses and follow the School's Inset Scheme. 4. To foster in the children a pride in their locality and country and develop in them a respect towards the world in which they live. "... a pride in their locality and country" - create an awareness through recalling traditions such as St Valentine's Day, St David Day, eisteddfodau etc. The importance of the Welsh language and the History of Wales. " ... respect towards the world ..." make use of the school's environment i.e. go for walks, use the Foryd Nature Reserve and receive visits from RSPCA, RSPB, and the Council for Rural Wales officers, 5. To enable every pupil to become fluent in both Welsh and English so that they may participate in both the social and cultural life of the bilingual community. "... fluent in both Welsh and English ..." - follow the County's Language Policy, provide them with an opportunity to discuss and work using their second language, take advantage of practical opportunities such as having an English visitor from time to time as the theme requires or a need for specialisation so that children receive a broad and well- balanced curriculum. 6. To create a happy environment based on mutual respect and care between children, between teachers and children and between children in order that the children display positive behaviour and develop self-confidence. "Create a happy atmosphere" - establish firm rules at the school of whom everyone is aware and that children appreciate that these rules exist for their benefit. Present by means of services, life's fundamental principles. 7. To create an environment at the school that stimulates an appreciation of the elegant and beautiful. "... an appreciation of the elegant and beautiful" create attractive displays by means of various materials, plants, artefacts etc. Draw the children's attention to the world's great artists, composers and sculptors. 8. To try and carry out improvements to the school buildings and ensure that they meet the requirements of the Health and safety Act. To promote hygiene and neatness both within and outside the school and generate in it both an interesting and stimulating learning environment. Try and carry out improvements to the school buildings..." regularly inspect the building with a detailed annual inspection and carry out improvements if the school's budget allows, or to bring any matter to the authority's attention. Make the children aware of the safety of others and personal hygiene i.e. rules such as washing hands, no walking around in the kitchen, throwing litter into the bins etc. 9. To ensure cohesion and balance in school arrangements. To appreciate and take advantage of various specialisations at the school. Create flexible arrangements so as to ensure that pupils may take full advantage of the specialisation of members of staff. "Ensure cohesion and balance... “work on a whole school theme, teachers share responsibilities and these are to be followed weekly and are set out on the school's sheet. That children and teachers are aware that there are no definite boundaries to any class i.e. doors are open between both classrooms. School Rules 1. Children are admitted full time to the school in September following their fourth birthday. Children are admitted to the school in September, on a part time basis, following their third birthday. 2. Every child is expected to be in school by 9.00 am. The school is not responsible for the children's safety before 8.45 am. 3. If a child is going to be absent, the school should be notified before 9.30 am by means of the following: * a telephone call, text or e-mail * a note from a parent * a message given by a brother or sister 4. Every child will leave the school at 3.30 pm. The school should be notified if there are changes to the arrangements regarding transporting your child from school, or if a parent cannot collect the child on time. It should be noted that the school is not responsible for the children's safety after 3.45 pm 5. If a child has a medical or dental appointment, the school should be notified the previous day. 6. If a child is absent from school because of family holidays, a letter should be received from the parents, specifying the dates. 7. Neither the Education Authority nor the Health Authority approve of giving medicine to pupils at the school unless there are extremely exceptional circumstances. On those occasions, parents should complete a form containing the family Doctor's signature approving of the giving of medicine to the child. 8. Dinner money is collected using the Council's online payment system. 9. No child should leave the school grounds during the day without the headteacher's consent. 10. The school's aim is to create a happy, homely and fair environment. The children have an active role in the school's day to day arrangements and management, and thus come to understand the rules and guidelines. They come to understand that they may be both punished and commended. Schoool Admissions Policy Subject to the County’s current admissions policy, children are admitted full-time in September following their 4th birthday, and part-time in September following their 3rd birthday. Curriculum Statement Pupils are taught in compliance with 2008 National Curriculum and the Foundation Phase through providing a broad range of daily experiences and developing every child’s skills and competences. A school’s complete curriculum encompasses the National Curriculum and all its planned activities to promote the pupils mental, personal, spiritual, moral, social and physical development.