Prospectus - A Guide For Parents

Please click on the links below to jump to the relevant section:

• Promises

• What do children learn?

• How do we teach?

• Special Educational Needs (SEN)

• Sex Education

• Sport

• Partnership

• What To Wear

• The School Day

• Safety

• Eating Arrangements

• Security

• Rewards & Sanctions

• Concerns

• The Governing Body

• Performance Data

• After School Care

• Joining The School

• Holiday Dates

• Contact Details

 

Our promise to you is that we will:     [back to top]

• teach your child in a safe and disciplined environment

• encourage your child to grow in knowledge and maturity, becoming a well adjusted member of society

• meet the requirements of the National Curriculum

• give you reports on your child’s progress

• insist on high standards of behaviour and work

• provide regular opportunities for you to consult your child’s teacher

• give you the chance to help your child and us

• contact you as soon as we can if we are concerned about your child

 

We expect parents to promise that they will:

• support us in achieving high standards of work

• ensure their child attends school regularly

• inform us quickly of reasons for absence

• meet our uniform requirements

• attend the consultations with teachers frequently

• provide us with ways of contacting them quickly in an emergency

• contact us if they feel we are not keeping our promises

 

We expect pupils to promise that they will:

• show consideration, courtesy and respect for other people at all times

• have pride in themselves, the school and their work

• show self-discipline, self-respect and self-confidence

• always do their best

 

What do children learn?     [back to top]

The curriculum consists of timetabled lessons and out of school activities, moral values and styles of behaviour.  The National Curriculum is part of the whole curriculum and consists of the following subjects that all children must study: English, mathematics, science, information & communication technology and religious education form the core subjects of the curriculum.  Geography, history, art & design, design technology, music, physical education, personal-social-health-& citizenship education form the foundation subjects of the curriculum.  Extra Curricular activities are provided in a wide range of areas.  Some clubs operate throughout the year, others during a limited period and may include: netball, soccer, athletics, cross country, rugby, cricket, hockey, orchestra, musical productions, steel band, string group, choir, dance, drama, computer club & ‘flash’ newspaper.  From time to time, children are also encouraged to support charitable causes through activities such as school Harvest Festival, Comic Relief and Blue Peter Appeals.

Most importantly throughout all of these activities and subject areas, children learn to get along with each other, to become confident, sociable, and well rounded so that they can understand their experience of the world, deal with it effectively and make a significant contribution towards it.

Number, reading, writing, and speaking are given the highest priority by the teachers and are soundly taught.  Pupils can succeed in many areas.  A sense of achievement is one of the greatest motivators to further success. Pupils are encouraged to become self-disciplined, courteous and self-confident, to set their own high standards and know when they have attained them.  Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve and structure learning to make it relevant and exciting. Teachers are sensitive to the differing abilities and interests of their pupils and provide suitable work to help all children achieve their potential.

 

How do we teach?     [back to top]

All children are grouped into similar age classes of mixed ability.  This allows children to learn from each other – which is a most effective way of learning.  Within the year group and class various short term grouping arrangements may exist so that individual needs can be met. These may be supported by additional staff and teaching assistants who may also have specialisms, e.g. hearing impaired, autism, dyslexia.  All teachers will teach similar programmes of study but will bring to them their own flair and style to fit the different personalities, academic needs and learning styles of the individuals in their class.

Clearly, pupils are expected to apply themselves to the task they are given which may involve independent or group work. Teachers decide what is taught by using national and local guidelines and by assessing the ability of each pupil.  All boys and girls follow the same programmes of study.  It is within parents’ rights to withdraw their child from religious education and collective worship; this is best exercised after consultation with the Head Teacher.

 

Teaching Independence    

Each child entering the school is given an organiser. The organiser is used for class teachers to send messages to parents, show homework that has been set by the class teacher etc. and to record team points that your child has achieved over a period of time.  The messages may be written by the teacher or dictated to your child.  When you have read the messages please sign your name next to the message so that we know that it has reached you. The organiser can also be used by you to send messages to the teacher.  Notes, which in the past may have been written separately, may now be written in the appropriate section of the organiser.  Please make sure that the organiser is returned to school each day.  If an organiser is misplaced or lost a new one can be bought at a cost of £3.50

 

Special Educational Needs (SEN)     [back to top]

The SEN policy is updated annually each Summer term.  The policy sets out in detail the process for identifying children with Special Educational Needs and the stages following identification involving provision, monitoring and record keeping.  The school has again participated in the Local Education Authority’s SEN Audit.  Outside agencies involved with meeting the needs of pupils include - the LEA Educational Psychologist, SEN Support Services for General, Specific and Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, also the Speech and Language Services, the Paediatric Physiotherapist and the Autism Support Service.  In addition resources have been allocated to special educational needs in a variety of ways:  extra staffing, specialist training, specialist resources, and specialist programmes e.g. social use of language, gross motor and co-ordination exercises, counselling.

If your child has been placed on the Special Needs Register then from time to time he/she may need to work with visitors from outside agencies.  This is to enable teachers in this school to provide the best support possible for your child.  This might involve a visit from the Speech and Language Service, the Language and Behaviour Support Service or the Educational Psychology Department.  Sometimes pupils will be observed in their classrooms, at other times they will be assessed individually. All records are available to parents and we strongly recommend that good partnerships are particularly well maintained between home and school.

 

Sex Education     [back to top]

Sex education is taught within the requirements of the Science National Curriculum as part of a structured health education programme.  It is not regarded as a separate entity but as part of the education process of the whole child.  It is recognised that in this area of education we share responsibility with parents and it is our intention to promote the value of family life and the need for proper care of all young creatures in a secure environment.  The class teacher will usually teach sex education and will sometimes be supported by additional, professional staff.  It normally occurs in the latter part of the academic year when staff and pupils have had time to build up a good relationship.  Parents are welcome to view curriculum materials and schemes of work in order to compliment the work in school.

The Primary School ethos is the dominant organising principle of the school, where one teacher gets to know individuals very well but we also have some specialist teaching that allows your child to build a different pupil / teacher relationship, excel in practical areas and prepare a little for secondary style education.  Currently physical education, art and music receive specialist input.

 

Sporting Aims & Achievements     [back to top]

At Stockingford our aim is to include individual and team sports in the P.E curriculum as required by the National Curriculum, to promote extra-curricular sport and to help pupils to enjoy their sport, so that they have the best possible opportunity to gain the full physical, mental and social benefits that sport can offer to those who take part.  During P.E sessions, pupils will have the opportunity to participate in the following sports: - netball, football, hockey, rugby, rounders, tennis, stoolball, volleyball, Danish longball, cricket, athletics, dance, gymnastics, health related fitness, outdoor activities and swimming.  In addition pupils have opportunity to join in extra curricular activities that may include: netball, basketball, football, hockey, rugby, dance, cross-country.  School teams take part in many competitions with other local schools and we also stage a number of team events within the school. Staff hold general qualifications to coach sporting activities including qualifications to teach swimming.

 

Partnership     [back to top]

Education is undoubtedly a partnership between parents and teachers.  We welcome any parent taking an interest in school life.  A number of parents work in school helping teachers and pupils in a variety of ways.  Maybe you would like to join them by volunteering your services?

Contact between home and school is important to help every child achieve the best that they can.  For this reason a series of formal opportunities for consultation are arranged.  Please try to attend.  In addition annual written reports are provided.  However, you should not feel restricted to discussing your child’s progress only at these times.   Teachers can usually be available quite quickly if you feel there is a need.  On the other hand we may want to see you.

Children in all years will be set homework regularly.  It is your child’s responsibility to complete the task on time but we hope you will be interested enough to help whenever possible.  All homework will be written in the home/school book.  Homework will increase in content and regularity as your child moves through the school. If there is a good reason why your child has not been able to complete homework, please write a note in the home/school book.

                           

What To Wear     [back to top]

Attending school dressed smartly is a requirement for everyone.  Uniform achieves this and ensures that all children are dressed sensibly, avoiding unnecessary distractions away from learning.   We also believe a uniform wears well, costs less than ‘fashion wear’ and contributes to a feeling of belonging to the school.  Labelling items of uniform and maintaining legibility is cost effective and helps Team Captains to return items when they become mislaid. Parents are free to purchase uniform wherever is most convenient for them. Ties can be purchased from school - £2.50.  All other items can be obtained from Jeans Station, Nuneaton. Uniform is checked regularly and team points are awarded.

Jewellery is not necessary in school; it can distract from the core purpose of learning and should be avoided.  A cheap watch though is appropriate for everyone, encouraging punctuality and understanding of time.  No other cosmetic or valuable paraphernalia should be imposed upon the school community.

Safety     [back to top]

Car parking and congestion is a concern so please allow time to park carefully.  Yellow lines help to keep our children safe so park well away from them so that children can leave safely and never drive onto the site at busy times. Some children use the bus service.  It drops off and picks up in St. Paul’s Road.  Please make sure your child knows what to do if they miss the bus.  Unfortunately, we do not currently have safe routes for cycling or appropriate cycle storage.

We are responsible for the safety of your child while they are at school.  If it is necessary for your child to leave school during the day, reception will help you.  A note to the class teacher, in advance if possible, giving the reason, the time and who will collect them helps to keep everyone fully briefed.  Children who are taken ill or have an accident may be taken directly to hospital; you will be contacted as soon as we can.  For this reason up-to-date contact details must be maintained.  Please make sure we have your addresses and phone numbers.

If your child is feeling ill or unwell, staying at home in warmth and comfort is best for them. Please telephone the school as early as possible on the first day of absence. Phone lines are manned from 8.00am.  However, legislation dictates that we still need the reason for absence in writing and signed by a parent/guardian.

 

Eating Arrangements     [back to top]

Children enjoy eating a piece of fruit at morning break times.  A small, cash tuck service is operated most days too.  School dinners are available daily @ £1.50.  Children pay for their meal at the till, before making their choice of meal at the counter.  There is no need to book in advance – but it must be booked by 10.00am.  Children also learn to be responsible for keeping dinner money safe until lunchtime.  If a pupil forgets or mislays their money then they will be given a meal for that day and payment will be required on the following day.

Free school meals are available if you are in receipt of Income Support.  Please let us know because whether or not you take the meal, we still get additional funds to spend on all pupils, books, equipment and staffing.  Each registered free meal child is worth additional and significant finance to the school.

Most children bring packed lunches; these are eaten alongside the class teacher when good social habits are fostered.  Healthy and nutritious lunches that top up energy levels are best.  Lunches that are considered unhealthy and a hindrance to good practise and clear thinking will be discouraged.  The purpose of lunch is to sustain energy levels and body performance.  Food that overloads or is imbalanced is unhelpful to a successful afternoon school session.  Lunch boxes, labelled and with a handle will help us to manage food storage appropriately.

Lunchtime, between formal morning and afternoon school is a period of reduced supervision.  Your child is welcome to stay at school between sessions but fair play and good behaviour is a given.  Children who cannot achieve this will not be invited to stay between sessions.

Sanctions

Although the levels of sanctions increase in severity, a child does not necessarily move from one level to another.  The seriousness of the misbehaviour dictates the level of punishment.

• Loss of freedom around school

• Additional detailed work at lunchtime, break or home time

• Constructive community tasks e.g. litter-picking, tidying,

• Reprimand by Head

• Informing letter sent home

• Denial of privileges

• Parents requested to visit school

• Placing on report

• Detention

• Exclusion for a fixed term or permanently

Sanctions are only ever fully effective if they have the full support of parents.

 

Concerns     [back to top]

What to do if you have a concern:

1. See the class teacher

2. See the year leader

3. See the head teacher

4. See the head teacher again

5. See the Chair of Governors or a Parent Governor via reception.  They will see the Head and report back to you or consult the whole Governing Body.

6. Warwickshire has a formal complaints procedure.  Details can be obtained from the school or the Clerk to     the Governors or the Local Education Office.

 

The Governing Body     [back to top]

Governors are like a Board of Directors and make strategic decisions about the quality and style of education.  They meet at least twice a term at school and you can read the minutes of these meetings in reception.  The Governing Body has legal duties, controls and responsibilities but can only act collectively, governors cannot act individually. 

School Governors are:

• Parents

• Teachers

• Other school staff

• Local Council Representatives

• Community representatives

Parent Governors

Parent governors will have or have recently had, a child in the school; they are elected by parents of the school and serve, like all the other governors, for four years. Parent governors bring the views of parents to the Governing Body, but they speak and act as individuals.  They should not be thought of as delegates or ‘mouth pieces’ of the parents and they do not vote for all parents in general.  They have equal status in the work of the Governing Body and have voting rights

 

What can parent governors be expected to do?

Parent governors can make sure that all communications with parents are both informative and easy to read, describe the activities in everyday language and avoid the use of jargon.  The Governors are responsible for preparing an Annual School Profile to parents.  Parent Governors should be aware of ways of encouraging parent interest and should become actively involved in drawing parents into school.

 

Holiday Dates     [back to top]

Autumn Term 2005                  

• Opens Monday 5^th September

• Closed for half term Friday 21^st October

• Opens Monday 31^st November

• Closed for Christmas Tuesday 20^th December

Spring Term 2006

• School opens Thursday 5^th January

• School closed Friday 10^th February

• School open Monday 20^th February

• School closed Friday 7^th April

Summer Term 2006

• School opens Monday 24^th April

• (May Bank Holiday) School closed Monday 1^st May (one day only)

• School open Tuesday 2^nd May

• School closed Friday 26^th May

• School open Monday 5^th June

• School closed Friday 21^st July

Autumn Term 2006

• Opens Tuesday 5^th September

• Closed for half term Friday 20^th October

• Opens Monday 30^th October

• Closed for Christmas Friday 22^nd December

Spring Term 2007

• School opens Tuesday 9^th January

• School closed Friday 9^th February

• School open Monday 19^th February

• School closed Friday 30^th March

Summer Term 2007

• School opens Monday 16^th April

• (May Bank Holiday) School closed Monday 7^th May (one day only)

• School open Tuesday 8^th May

• School closed Friday 25^th May

• School open Monday 4^th June

• School closed Friday 20^th July

Please note: 

Dates are correct at time of going to print – you will be notified separately of any changes/closures that may be made for training days, elections, etc. Flyers and newsletters are generally sent out near the end of term stating closing times and return dates for pupils; these may not always be the same as other schools in the area.  Up to date information on dates and much more can be found on the county website – www.warwckshire.gov.uk

 

NB Requests for authorisation of holidays during school time will always be declined if a child has below average attendance for whatever reason or it is deemed not to be commensurate with the child’s learning priorities.  Requests should be submitted before the holiday is planned; proformas and further details are available from reception.

 

Contact Details     [back to top]

Stockingford Junior School
Grove Road
Stockingford
Nuneaton
CV10 8JY                                                                                             

Telephone:  (024) 7638 2167

Facsimile:  (024) 7654 2310

email:  admin@2120.wgfl.net

 

Warwickshire County Council
Education Department
22 Northgate Street
Warwick
Warwickshire
CV 34 4SP

Telephone:  (01926) 410410