 Parents Area : Prospectus
ASSESSMENT
 Teachers use assessment to find out how well children are doing. It is also used to develop planning and identify future needs. Children are assessed on entry into school. This along with their Key Stage 1 SATs results are used to place them initially into sets. Children are formally assessed each year through QCA SATs tests. These give a good indication of how well they are progressing but also help to prepare them for their Statutory Tests at the end of year 6 in English, Maths and Science. Results from yearly tests are used to help set the schools Year 6 SAT targets. Further information concerning the 2005 Key Stage 2 test results and teacher assessments are included at the end of the prospectus.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN)
Children have special education needs if they have a learning difficulty that calls for special education provision to be made for them. Support is provided so they have access to a broad, balanced relevant curriculum, which is adapted to meet their needs. This support can be of various kinds - an individual programme of work, group work in the classroom or help from specialist teachers out of the classroom.
The school will have regard to the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice when carrying out its duties toward all pupils with special educational needs and ensure that parents are notified of a decision by the school that SEN provision is being made for their child. Partnership with parents plays a key role in enabling children and young people with SEN to achieve their potential.
The school recognises that parents hold key information and have knowledge and experience to contribute to the shared view of a child's needs and the best ways of supporting them. All parents of children with special educational needs will be treated as partners and supported to play an active and valued rolein their children's education.
Children with special educational needs also have a unique knowledge of their own needs and their view about what sort of help they would like to enable them to make the most of their education will be ascertained. They will be encouraged to participate in all the decision making processes and contribute to the assessment of their needs, the review and transition processes. Their responses will be recorded will be recorded on the Individual Educational Plan devised to address their difficulties. When concern over a child's progress has been made the stages of help will be implemented:
School Action
A child's learning problems are identified and the class teacher provides additional help.
If progress is not adequate the Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Class Teacher, Child and Parents are involved in drawing up an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The IEP includes information about: short term targets, the strategies to be used, monitoring and when the plan is to be reviewed.
School Action Plus
School Action Plus will be initiated if there is little or no progress after school action.
A request for support from external services may follow a decision taken by the SENCO and teachers in consultation with the parents, at the review of a 's IEP.
Support will be provided appropriately. If necessary the school will make a request for Earmarked Funding to support the programme.
If the child demonstrates significant cause for concern the school will make a request for statutory assessment of special educational needs from the LEA.
Parents are encouraged to contact the SENCO or Headteacher if there are any concerns about such provision.
Inclusion
The school follows the LEA's Policy on Inclusion.
Equal Opportunities
The school follows an Equal Opportunities Policy where all children have equal access to a broad and balanced curriculum and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
HOW DO I COMPLAIN ABOUT AN ASPECT OF THE CURRICULUM?
The Education Committee of Staffordshire County Council has established procedures for hearing of complaints made against delivery of the Curriculum by a school. These are available from school.
ASSEMBLIES and ACTS of WORSHIP
The children receive an assembly or Act of Worship every day. It may include Moral, Emotional or Spiritual issues and may be delivered to the whole school, the lower or upper school or in year groups. It will be delivered by a variety of staff.
Parents may withdraw their children from Collective Worship and alternative arrangements made in discussion with the headteacher.
SCHOOL MEALS
Lunch is served from:
12.15pm to 1.15pm
The children can take a meal in school, cooked and served on the premises. If you feel you are entitled to a free school meal you must apply to the Education Welfare Section, The Resource & Development Centre, Grange Street, Burton upon Trent for a form.
If you do not want your child to have a cooked meal, facilities are available for packed lunches to be brought.
Some children do go home for lunch but ALL children who stay must remain on the school premises. Unless children are being collected or have a note from parents to leave, they will not be allowed out of the school for any reason.
If a child finds appropriate behaviour at lunchtime difficult, it may be that parents have to be asked to make other arrangements for their child. Fortunately this is a rare occurrence.
ADMISSIONS
If you are considering sending your child to Edge Hill, and your child is currently at Violet Lane
Infants School, you will be invited to attend an Evening Meeting in July prior to transfer when arrangements for admission will be discussed and opportunities to see our school given to you.
If you have a child at another school, or you wish to transfer your child during the school year, you should contact the Headteacher for advice.
The Governors of Edge Hill have an admission policy statement which is:-
The admission level for any one school year age group is 97 beyond which children will be admitted at the discretion of the Governing Body.
When parents choose Edge Hill and it is not their normal catchment area school, sibling connections and geographical considerations will be major factors in admitting a child.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
The School Governors have a policy of defining a preferred code of dress for our school. It is not compulsory but it is strongly recommended for parents to adopt.
Trousers and skirts - Dark Grey preferably
Pinafore Dresses - Light or mild grey
Blouses/Shirts - White/grey/light blue
Pullover/Sweater/Sweatshirt - Scarlet
Shoes - Black/Brown in plain style
(Not trainers)
Socks - White/grey/blue
(to match other garments)
Sweatshirts displaying our own school logo are available from:- Pupils School Wear, Swadlincote. If this dress code is not to be adopted by individual parents, a request is made for plain colours, without inappropriate slogans or pictures. Please avoid jeans, high heeled shoes and expensive items. School is a place of work where accidents are unavoidable and where comfort and hard wear are important.
JEWELLERY
We encourage children not to wear jewellery for safety reasons. However children may wear studs and watches. We strongly recommend children do not wear rings, necklaces and any valuable items because Governors cannot be liable for any losses. Children will be asked to remove watches, earrings and nose studs for P.E.
CLOTHING FOR P.E.
There are two important reasons for special clothing. Having the appropriate clothing for either Indoor P.E. or Outdoor P.E. helps children and adults alike to perform their best work because they LOOK and FEEL specially dressed to do so. It is hygienically important for children to change into their regular clothing once their physical education activity is over.
No special brand, quality or price-range is encouraged but parents are requested to provide appropriate clothes for two types of activity.
1. Gymnastics, Dance and Indoor Games
All children need a pair of plimsolls (black) and a string-pull holdall (pump bag)
BOYS - Navy blue/black shorts and white T shirt or vest
GIRLS - Navy blue/black shorts and white T shirt or black leotard
2. Outdoor Games
Fieldwork - (Winter) Football boots or a pair of old shoes, or old trainers
Playground - Trainers or pumps
Tracksuit or old clothing for outdoor use
Jogging suits are also available
Shorts and T shirt
3. Swimming
BOYS - Swimming trunks AS OPPOSED to long beach swimming shorts
Towel
Swimming cap and goggles optional
GIRLS - One piece swimming costume
Towel
A swimming cap for all but the shortest hair
Goggles - optional
Children will be asked to remove all jewellery on Health and Safety grounds.
LOST PROPERTY
ALL items of clothing should have the child's name clearly marked as the cloakrooms are closely packed, and the children do have to change for P.E. So the opportunity is here for losses to occur. Everything will be done to find the clothing but if lost, the school cannot be held responsible. To prevent the loss of valuable items, the simple rule is to leave them at home. Monies brought into school for trips, dinner etc. should always be handed to the class teacher during registration. Money for the tuck shop should, preferably be kept by the child in a named purse or wallet and never left unattended. There is a lost property box and periodically lost property is put on display for re-claiming. Your co-operation in this area is vital.
ABSENCES
It would be helpful if parents observe the following procedures.
1. If you know that your child is going to be absent from school e.g. dental, hospital or clinic appointment, please let class teachers know in advance.
2. If your child is ill or has an unforeseen absence please contact the school before 9.15am on the first day of absence. School will telephone parents after 9.15am if contact has not been made.
3. Children returning to school after a dental or medical appointment should report to the school secretary.
EXTENDED ABSENCE
It is possible for children to take holidays apart from school holidays for up to two weeks per year. A form needs to be filled in which is available from the School Office.
Other absences might include music exams, hospital and other medical visits. If you have a problem the best thing to do is to contact the Headteacher and discuss matters with him. However extended absences will be detrimental to the child s progress. This is particularly important for Year 6 children before they take their SAT's in May.
CHILD PROTECTION
As a school we do have a duty to report concerns about the well being of children to other agencies before referring to parents.
MEDICAL VISITS
The School Doctor and Nurse arrange visits to school and inform you of those visits. They are available to discuss a child's medical problem with you. Vision, hearing and dental checks also take place at intervals through the child's time at Edge Hill.
ADMINISTRATING MEDICATION
If children need to take medication whilst at school, parents will be asked to sign a disclaimer form and a record of medication taken will be kept. If there are medical conditions that require specific action please contact the school so arrangements can be made.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
In the case of an accident or illness it is essential that we have a telephone number and address where parents can be contacted quickly. You will be given a form to fill in to supply this information. If you change address or place of employment please let us know immediately.
SCHOOL RULES
Treat everyone with respect
Be polite, kind and helpful at all times
Respect your own and other peoples belongings
Walk around the school quietly on the left hand side
Always try hard and never give up
Work as a team with the whole school and listen to each others opinions
Always listen to your teacher and do as you are told the first time
Finish the work you are set and always work and talk quietly
Call everyone by their given name
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
The school has an Anti-Bullying Policy which is strictly followed in cases of alleged bullying. Parents are informed and involved with any issues concerning bullying at an early stage. Partnership and cooperation are an important aspect of this policy. A full copy of the Anti-Bullying Policy is available in school.
INCENTIVES/REWARDS
A major aim of the school policy is to encourage children to practice good behaviour by operating a system of praise and reward. This is for all children. The school scheme is based on credits and merit awards through which children can be rewarded for academic achievements and good work. House points are rewarded for non-academic achievements, for effort, for caring and for all aspects of behaviour.
The children are divided in 4 houses: Red, Blue, Yellow and Green with family groups remaining in the same house. Each week house points will be counted up, and the winning team announced in assembly. At the end of the year a house point shield will be awarded to the house with the most points. We hope that children will encourage members of their house to try their best in every aspect of school life.
CREDITS/MERITS
The reward system will follow these stages:
1. Verbal praise by the teacher.
2. The teacher will make a written comment and/or use their own reward systems.
3. Class to be shown or told of a child's success.
4. Child will be allowed to show work or recount successful incidents to previous teacher or teacher of choice.
5. Child will be sent to Headteacher for recognition of success where they will receive a sticker from the Head.
6. Child will be given credits for good work.
Children receive a sticker for each completed piece of homework:-
The Merit system will be:
5 Stickers = 1 Credit
10 Credits = Bronze Merit
20 Credits = Silver Merit
40 Credits = Gold Merit
60 Credits = Platinum Merit
80 Credits = Headteachers Award
100 Credits = Book Token
Credits will be carried forward into the next year.
When a child receives a merit their name will be included in the newsletter and the merit will be presented to them in Good Work Assembly.
There are 2 Good Work Assemblies per term for each year group so children can celebrate their achievements with the whole school.
HOUSE POINTS
House points will be given for good behaviour, helpfulness, attitude, effort and being polite. There are 4 houses. Children will remain in the same house through their 4 years at Edge Hill.
House Captains and Vice-Captains are elected from Year 5 at the end of the Summer Term.
We will use the following sanctions if a child chooses not to follow our school rules.
1. Verbal reprimand by teacher.
2. Class to be made aware of incident by own class teacher.
3. Classroom: Child to be isolated, removed from activity.
Playground: Child to stay with teacher on duty.
Child may be taken/sent to another class at the discretion of the teachers involved. In serious cases the Headteacher may be requested to attend. Child may also be detained by the class teacher in their own room at playtime.
4. Child to be sent to Headteacher. Child will attend lunchtime detention.
5. Parental contact to be made. Child will attend after school detention with parental consent.
6. There will be regular dialogue between home and school.
(For example a diary set up between home and school).
7. Involvement of external agencies e.g. Educational Psychologist, School Nurse or Doctor.
8. Consultation with Governors to exclude child, possibly:
a) During lunch break
b) For limited period
c) Permanently
In certain exceptional cases sanction No. 8 can follow immediately on from No. 5 at the discretion of the Headteacher.
LUNCHTIME SUPERVISION
At lunchtime supervision is carried out by dinner supervisors. The Senior Supervisor can refer to the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher if necessary.
The supervisors are expected to maintain order. Usually this consists of reminding children of the standards of behaviour expected. Supervisors may give children house points for good behaviour. Supervisor will keep a note of children who continually misbehave and inform their teachers.
Persistent or serious misbehaviour at lunchtime is brought to the attention of the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher. A behaviour log will be kept and signed by the Senior Supervisor/or teacher on duty.
This will result in loss of privileges and lunchtime detentions. If there is not improvement in behaviour parents will be informed and invited to discuss a behaviour contract and further sanctions. If there is still no improvement the child will be excluded from the premises at lunchtime for a fixed time. This will be followed, if necessary, by permanent exclusion.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
A partnership between home and school is absolutely essential and ensures a child is happy and secure in school and therefore learning at full capacity.
We seek your interest, support and co-operation in your childs education. This helps to form and maintain goodhabits and attitudes. To this end we endeavour to keep you well informed.
You are always encouraged to attend Good Work Assembly and Class Assemblies. Regular newsletters keeps you informed of events and activities together with special information concerning the school and children.
The Home-School link book provides an excellent opportunity for effective dialogue between home and school.
We hold consultation evenings 3 times a year. The current format for Parent Evenings are:
Autumn Term 1 Evening Class Teacher
Spring Term 2 Evenings Literacy
Numeracy
Summer Term 1 Open Evening To discuss any issues raised in school report
All parents will receive an annual written report on their childs progress. You may consult staff whenever you want for further information or advice. This is best done at the end of the school day although parents may have regular contact through the home school diary. On matters requiring more detailed consideration please contact the headteacher or teacher concerned to arrange an appointment.
From time to time we also hold evenings to explain new school procedures, curriculum approaches or policy changes.
The teachers at Edge Hill are open, honest, hard-working and conscientious. They have the best interests of yourchildren at heart and are only to pleased to be of support and help. They look to parents for help, understanding and support.
A partnership is vital - if home and school do not support each other, the child suffers.
Teaching is good and teachers provide very good role models - Ofsted, June 1999
PARENTS IN SCHOOL
P.T.A. - The objective of the Association is to advance the education of the pupils by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities not normally supplied by the Local Education Authority. The Association attempts to foster more extended relationships between staff, parents and others associated with the school. Meetings will be advertised in our newsletter and everyone interested is welcome to come along. The P.T.A. arrange a variety of social activities and events to raise money for school funds. Events include such things as Discos, Bingo Evenings, Car Boot Sales
PARENT HELPERS
Parents regularly help us with a variety of classroom activities. If you would like to volunteer your support please contact any member of staff.
HOMEWORK
The school has a homework policy in which a timetable of homework is given. This increases as children move up through the school. Children have a home-school diary in which regular contact can be made between teacher and parents. Each term parents will receive an outline of the curriculum to be covered and homework requirements for that term.
GOVERNING BODY
The Governing Body of the school meets each term. It has responsibility for: the appointment of staff; the school budget; the upkeep of the building and setting the school curriculum.
The School Governors are actively involved in school life. They provide a general oversight of the school. An Annual General Meeting is held to which all parents are invited to come and take part.
SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
We have a School Development Plan which includes details of curriculum development, budgeting resources, school and staff management as well as involvement with parents, governors and the local community. A programme of professional staff development is followed which includes 5 in service days and attendance at relevant courses. Parents and Governors have an opportunity to feed their ideas into the School Development Plan. A copy of the School Development Plan is available in school.
SCHOOL VISITORS AND VISITS
Edge Hill Junior School plays host throughout the year to a wide variety of visitors who talk to the children in assembly and the classroom. We have close links with the police, local schools and the Brewhouse Arts Centre.
All visitors are asked to report to the school office and sign a visitors book on arrival and departure. A security badge is given to each visitor.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Each year the school holds cross curricular theme weeks, during which the children have the opportunity to take part in a number of talks, presentations and related activities.
Year 6 have to opportunity to take part in a weeks residential course held at Coven, one of Staffordshire's Outdoor Education Centres. They are involved in orienteering, village studies, pond dipping and teambuilding activities. This plays a major part in fulfilling National Curriculum Requirements.
Occasionally the school organises foreign trips during half term. These are additional to the school curriculum and are voluntary.
CHARGES AND REMISSIONS
Charges will be made for music tuition to groups of four or less on a musical instrument. Donations will also be asked for special visits and visitors.
Children of parents who are in receipt of Income Support or Family Credit will have all charges remitted.
SCHOOL LINKS
Edge Hill has close links with Violet Lane Infants School, Short Street Infants School, Paulet High School and Abbott Beyne High School.
WHERE DOES MY CHILD GO TO AFTER EDGE HILL SCHOOL?
The children transfer to a number of schools. Paulet High School receives the largest number of our children, with Abbot Beyne taking about a third of the normal Year 6 leavers, A number of children also transfer to Robert Sutton. Details of these schools are sent out to parents in the Autumn Term of Year 6. If information is required by parents prior to this, or information on other schools is of interest, contact should be made with the Headteacher of Edge Hill who will be able to help.
2005 SAT Results
This table shows the percentage of eligible year 6 children achieving each level in the school in 2005.
The number of children in Year 6: 105
Figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding.
|
SCHOOL RESULTS |
N |
D |
A |
W |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
L4+ |
|
English - TA |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
English Tests |
% |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
1 |
13 |
55 |
25 |
81 |
|
Reading % |
|
|
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
|
7 |
44 |
43 |
87 |
|
Writing % |
|
|
2 |
3 |
|
2 |
|
36 |
46 |
11 |
57 |
|
Mathematics - TA % |
|
|
|
|
1 |
4 |
20 |
35 |
40 |
75 |
|
Mathematics Tests % |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
19 |
39 |
39 |
78 |
|
Science - TA |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
59 |
28 |
88 |
|
Science Tests |
% |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
10 |
55 |
34 |
89 |
Level 4 targets
Targets based on assessment of QCA tests, teacher assessment, and consultation. The first figure is projected using standard criteria. Figure in brackets proposed targets'
Revised targets based on 2005 optional SATs. (Prediction in italics and target in brackets).
|
Subject |
2006 |
2007 |
|
Literacy |
69% (77%) |
74% (80%) |
|
Numeracy |
79% (81%) |
83% (85%) |
Level 5 Targets
Targets based on assessment of Year 5QCA tests 2005. (Prediction in italics. Revised Target in brackets).
2005 31% (33%) 33% {37%)
2007 42% (44%) 40% (42%)
|