Conifers Primary School
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The
Governors, Head teacher and staff extend a warm welcome to you as parents of
Conifers Primary School Telephone:
E-mail:
office@conifers.dorset.sch.uk Website:
www.conifers.dorset.sch.uk
Headteacher:
Mrs R Hiscock Chair of Governors: Mrs A Matthews
Dear
Parent Welcome
to We
aim to work with you in partnership to provide your child with a wealth of
experience through a broad and balanced curriculum on which can be built the
understanding and skills needed for life. It
is intended that this handbook will answer many of your questions about our
school life and that it will be a useful reference booklet for the future.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information or have a specific
problem concerning your child. We
look forward to welcoming you and your child to Yours
sincerely Mrs
R Hiscock HEADTEACHER
‘A nurturing environment inspiring
achievement.’ Aims: v
To
create a happy and secure, stimulating environment where each child is valued
and feels important as an individual. v
To
encourage the development of an enquiring mind and foster a love of learning
so that our children wish to expand their skills, concepts and knowledge. v
To
provide a broad, balanced and well structured curriculum, with appropriate
learning and teaching that focuses upon, and meets the needs of each
individual child, ensuring high standards of achievement. v
To
show and encourage appropriate behaviour, so that our children learn that
courtesy, good manners, consideration and respect for others are important and
desirable qualities. v
To
value all staff, and the contribution and involvement of parents, the
Governors and the wider community, ensuring all work together in partnership. v
To
foster our children’s social, emotional, moral, spiritual and cultural
development. v
To
provide our children with equal opportunities and access to resources as
appropriate to their needs. v
To
help our children understand the world in which we live and to have a respect
for and tolerance of other races, religions and ways of life. I
N T R O D U C T I O N
Provision
of Primary Education in this area of The
school has pedestrian entrances at The
purpose-built school has a particularly impressive design and is spacious and
practical. It is set in its own extensive grounds which currently include
playing fields, playground, nature / wildlife area and outdoor teaching areas. Inside, the hall is centrally situated with a music/drama studio attached. The library is also at the ‘heart’ of the building, adjacent to the entrance foyer, readily accessible to all the children. An Information Technology Suite is on the first floor level and the building is wired to enable the networking of computers throughout the school Classrooms
are arranged in pairs, each serving a year group of 60 children. There are six
bases at ground level and eight on the first floor. The youngest children have
their own designated area and facilities. The
school is not affiliated with a particular religious body, and religious
education in the school is Christian based and non-denominational. Parents may
withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship, if
they wish. Please contact the Headteacher to discuss further. It
is the aim of the staff here to ensure that the school is a happy and
successful one. We endeavour to be
as supportive as possible towards the children in our care and will teach in
ways that meet the childrens’ needs. Prospective
parents are always welcome should they wish to visit the school in order to
discuss the opportunities provided for their children, and should contact the
school for an appointment. Opportunities
are given during the school year for parents to discuss childrens’ work and
progress with the teaching staff. Parents
are welcome to contact the class teacher or the Headteacher at other times,
but it may be necessary to make an appointment. We
are fortunate to have a Children’s Centre on site, which also houses Little
Firs Day Nursery. Close contact exists between the school and the nursery to
ensure children transfer smoothly into school life.
ADMISSIONS Children
have a statutory right to start school at the beginning of the term following
their fifth birthday. Children
younger than the statutory age are admitted on a part time basis.
This is All
children are admitted to school in the September following their fourth
birthday and will attend full time from the beginning of the spring term in
January. The
school is organised on a class basis, with the children spending the majority,
if not all, of the school day with their class teacher in the early years.
A timetable is necessary for
the use of the hall, library and
ICT Suite. Children will be taught
individually, in groups and as a whole class depending upon the activity and
the needs of each child. Great
emphasis is placed on the needs of the individual child who will develop and
progress at his or her own pace, supported by members of staff in the most
appropriate way.
Times of School Sessions Morning
Session:
8.45am to 12.15pm
(12.30pm for Years 5 and 6) Afternoon Session Years R, 1 and 2: 1.15pm to 3.15pm Afternoon Session Years 3, 4, 5 and 6: 1.15pm to 3.20pm Afternoon Session Years 5 and 6:
1.30pm to 3.20pm
In
the Autumn Term, the Reception classes attend for the morning session only and
are collected at 12.15pm. Children
in years R, 1 and 2 must always be collected from school by an adult. If
parents are unavoidably delayed when coming to collect their children they are
required to inform the school as soon as possible. Please stress to your child
that they must always wait with their class teacher until their grown-up
arrives to collect them. If the arrangements for collection of your child are
altered, please could you inform your child's class teacher? Older children in
years 3, 4, 5 and 6 do not need to be accompanied by an adult. SAFETY
AND SECURITY The safety of our children is of paramount importance. The school has a secure entrance. During school hours there are strict entry procedures. The identity/business of any stranger is ascertained before they are admitted to school. All visitors in school (anyone who is not a member of staff) must report to the office on arrival, sign the visitor’s book and collect a badge to wear. No child is allowed to leave during the school day unsupervised and parental permission is always sought for any outing away from the school site. When school is in session the gates at the front entrance are kept closed to prevent reckless vehicular access. SCHOOL WEBSITE SCHOOL UNIFORM There is a uniform at the school, and we do encourage parents to send their children to school in uniform, as this develops a sense of identity with our school. Boys:
Years R, 1 and 2
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 Grey
trousers/shorts
Grey
trousers/shorts
Plain white polo shirt
White shirt (winter) with a tie Navy blue v-neck sweatshirt Short sleeved white shirt (summer)
Plain
black shoes (not trainers please) Girls:
Years R, 1 and 2
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Grey skirt, trousers or pinafore dress
Grey skirt, trousers or pinafore dress
Plain white polo shirt
White blouse (winter) with a tie
Navy blue cardigan/V neck sweatshirt
Navy blue cardigan/V neck sweatshirt
Summer- small check dresses in navy
Summer – check dresses in navy
Short sleeved white polo shirt
Short sleeved white polo shirt
or short
sleeved white blouse
Sensible
black shoes (No high heels or trainers)
We ask that all children wear a sun hat at playtime and lunchtime during hot weather. For Physical Education your child will
need:
Years R, 1 and 2
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Shorts (preferably black)
Shorts (preferably black) White
T-shirt or polo shirt
White T-shirt or polo shirt
Plimsolls
Trainers for outdoor games
Spare pair of socks
Shin pads (optional for older children)
Spare pair of socks
Tracksuit
(preferably navy blue or black, useful in cold weather)
These
items will need to be kept in a suitable bag, which will hang on a peg. All
children are expected to do dance and PE in bare feet unless there is a
medical reason why this is not possible. NB Children in Year R will not need plimsolls until the Summer Term.
All items of clothing
and belongings need to be clearly marked with your childs’ name so that lost
items can be returned quickly to their owners. When purchasing items of clothing to be worn at school, we ask parents to bear in mind the child’s age and ability to dress and undress. We consider that the uniform is as simple as possible so that parents can buy the best value for money. (A small grant is available, biannually to parents who are on Income Support/Income based job seekers allowance, please contact the school office for further details.) Jewellery We
do not encourage children to wear jewellery to school, as it can be dangerous,
particularly in PE and at playtimes. Only
single stud earrings are acceptable for those children with pierced ears.
Watches may be worn but the school will not be held responsible for any loss
or damage.
Mid – Morning
break and Milk
Free
milk
is available for children under 5 and at a small
cost thereafter. The milk is supported through the "Cool milk"
scheme thanks to an E.U. subsidy. Please ask for a registration form if you
would like milk provided for your child. Children
aged four to six receive a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day
under the Government’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. The aim is for the
children to have a positive and enjoyable experience of fruit and vegetables, so
promoting healthy eating. Older children may bring a small snack of fruit (fresh
or dried), to eat during morning playtime. (Sweets, chewing gum or bubble gum
are NOT allowed at all). Lunchtimes
Children
may prefer to bring a packed lunch in a small NAMED container.
Drinks should be provided in a container that is unbreakable and leak
proof, with a cup or straw if needed. (No
sweets or fizzy drinks please) The
children are supervised at lunchtime by Supervisory Assistants.
There is always a Senior Midday Supervisor on duty at lunch times. If
behaviour at lunchtimes becomes unacceptable, a pupil can be excluded from the
school during the lunch period. If
you think your child may be eligible for free school meals (i.e. you are in
receipt of Income Support or Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance) you are
asked to contact the school secretary who will give you the necessary form to
complete in strictest confidence. If you are unsure, please ask. ATTENDANCE AND
WELFARE
All
absences from school must be accounted for by letter or a telephone call on the
first day of absence. We would like to know that you know where your child is!
The Education Social Worker will follow up constant lateness and
irregular attendance. If
your child becomes ill while he/she is at school, every effort will be made to
contact you. We also require a
contact name and address and telephone number of someone who would be prepared
to take responsibility for your child, if you are not available.
To make this possible it is
essential that we have as up to date information as possible and are informed of
any relevant changes. Children
who are unwell should not be sent to school and parents are asked to remember
that sending children back to school too soon after illness can mean that the
illness is passed on to other children. In
particular we ask parents not to send children to school for 24 hours after
sickness/ stomach upsets. Sometimes
children have an accident in school. First Aid is given to those with minor
injuries, but if the injury is more serious or further treatment is considered
necessary, parents will be contacted and/ or advice sought from medical
authorities. Whilst
we wish to be as helpful as possible concerning administering medicines, I am
sure that you will understand that we have to very careful.
If it is absolutely necessary for your child to take medication
prescribed by the doctor during school time, (i.e. at least four times
daily), please ensure that the container is clearly labelled with the child’s
name and the dosage and that it is handed in at the office.
We ask that parents fill in a daily medical form so that the
administration of medicines is made easier.
No child is allowed to keep medication in his/her own possession. We
also ask parents of children who suffer from asthma to complete a school asthma
record and ensure that the child has a reliever inhaler in school in case it is
needed. It
is felt that generally it is better for children to get fresh air and exercise at playtime. If
there are exceptional circumstances please discuss these with the class teacher.
If your child is fit enough to attend school, in most cases he/she is fit
enough go out at playtime. Medical
and dental inspections are carried out at intervals during the time your child
is at school. Headlice Children
are no longer checked for headlice at school. Please examine your child’s hair
regularly and seek immediate advice from your doctor or pharmacist as to the
current treatment. It would also be helpful if you could inform the school of
the problem. Please make sure long hair is tied back. Regular combing with a
special comb (available from pharmacists) can help. Parents are requested to
keep children at home until an infestation is fully treated to avoid the problem
spreading to other children at the school. ABSENCE
FROM SCHOOL
All
absences from school have to be reported to the DfE (Department for Education)
and the Local Authority. They are classed as authorised and unauthorised.
Absence
will be authorised for: ·
Sickness ·
Unavoidable medical/dental appointments ·
Days of religious observance ·
Exceptional
family circumstances Absence
will not be authorised for: ·
Shopping ·
Looking after family members ·
Minding the house ·
Birthdays or similar events
During the past year: Authorised absence 6.0 % Unauthorised absence totals
0.7%: These
figures are above the HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME
As
regular attendance is essential, it is expected that parents will take their
holidays during school holiday times. If this proves impossible, you may apply
to the school for a holiday form to request leave during term time. A maximum of
10 days can be approved by the governors in exceptional circumstances. SPECIAL
EDUCATION
We
are committed to the full participation of children with special educational
needs in the life of the school and to ensuring that children are adequately
supported according to their individual needs.
Children with learning and or behavioural difficulties may, with parental
consent, be referred to the Educational Psychologist or other support services,
as relevant. Parents will be kept
fully informed of any difficulties that their children may be experiencing and
teachers will work co-operatively with parents to help children make the best
possible progress. We are proud of the progress individual pupils make towards
their targets.
DISCIPLINE
It
is our aim to encourage children to develop a respect for others around them,
and for books, equipment and the school as a whole.
We hope that children will become caring members of our school community.
We expect polite and courteous behaviour; bullying, aggressive or anti
social behaviour will not be tolerated. Children
will be made aware of our “Golden Rules” when they start at the school, and
they will be expected to act within these rules.
Where children break school rules a variety of sanctions may be used,
from the loss of free time and in very extreme cases, exclusion.
It is obviously hoped that teachers and parents will be able to work
together to prevent such action becoming necessary.
The school’s behaviour policy is available on request. CURRICULUM STATEMENT
This
will be attained by setting the highest expectations and by providing a broad
and vibrant curriculum. The basis of speaking and listening, literacy, numeracy
and computer skills are given high priority. We also believe in the importance
of a curriculum that is enjoyable, interesting, fun and genuinely engages the
attention of young children. We
want all our children to develop positive attitudes to learning, as well as to
improve their skills and increase their knowledge. Since
children learn in different ways the school will adopt a wide variety of
teaching and learning skills and organisational strategies to suit the purpose
of different activities. Our
mission is to start children on the road to becoming:
Our
responsibility is to meet the special needs of all children, including the very
able. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES There
are several lunchtime and after school clubs, mainly for the older children.
Clubs include: football, tag rugby, hockey, netball, environment, art, drama,
computers and orchestra. We
develop links with local sports organisations and coaches such as football, golf
and cricket. There
are opportunities for the older children to compete against other schools in
sports including football, netball, tag rugby, swimming and cricket. We actively
encourage children to engage in sporting activities out of school and welcome
opportunities to celebrate their achievements. We
are also able to offer weekly music lessons from peripatetic music teachers. A
variety of instruments are available including violin and keyboard.
ARRANGEMENTS
FOR OFF-SITE EDUCATIONAL VISITS
As
part of the curriculum children are involved from time to time in leaving the
school premises to visit the local environment.
We consider the “first hand experience” gained in this way to be a
very important and valuable contribution to your child’s education, supporting
work carried out in the classroom. From
time to time your child will also have the opportunity to make visits further
afield. We are legally obliged to
have your permission for your child to be involved in any educational outings.
If you wish your child to take part in such activities it will be
necessary for you to complete a consent form; without
your written consent your child will not be able to take part in such visits. Some
school activities will only be possible if parents make a voluntary contribution
towards the cost. Where
this is the case parents will always be informed at the outset. PROCEDURES FOR DROPPING OFF AND
COLLECTING
In the interests of childrens’ safety you are urged to walk to school if at all possible. Pedestrians
Pedestrians
can access the school through the main entrance in Parents
of children in the Early Years and years 1 and 2 are welcomed into the
classrooms n the mornings to settle their children, join in with morning
activities and say goodbye to them. There will also be the opportunity to talk
to staff, if needed. The time from 8.45 – 9.00am is especially for this. Older
children are expected to walk themselves into school, if you should wish to talk
to the teacher please check in the office that the staff are available. Most
staff are happy to have brief discussions before school, and will always make an
appointment to see you at a more convenient time, if they are busy. At the end of the day, please wait for your child in the playground. The playground gates are opened at 3.10pm. Cycling Children are welcome to cycle or ‘scoot’ to school. Cycles may be left in the bicycle sheds at the front of the school. Supervision whilst cycling and security of bicycles left at the school are obviously parental responsibility. We advise that they are securely locked. Please ensure your child wears a cycling helmet. Cars The
car park inside the school gates is for staff and official visitors only.
Parents are NOT permitted to drive into school. Disabled parking is available by
the main gates and we ask that blue badge holders only use these spaces. If
you have to travel to school, please park in the road and walk into school. We
ask that you do NOT park in front of the main gates or on the double yellow
lines by the zebra crossing! Please
consider the safety of children at the beginning and end of the school day. PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT
Parents
are always welcome in school. We
believe in a strong home – school partnership, which will enhance your
child’s education. There are a
number of ways that parents can help in school, for example with reading or
library work, making games for use in the classroom, working on the computer,
cooking or assisting with school trips. We
are most grateful for any help that parents might be able to give the school as
we do rely very much on parental support. We
would be very interested to hear of any particular talents or interests you
have, that you would like to share with the children, or if you would like to
assist with extra-curricular clubs after school. Remember
we are all working together for the benefit of your children.
SUPPORT
FOR PARENTS At
Our
Pupil and Family Support Worker is Mrs Phillips. She works with individual
children for regular ‘timeout’. Some children may need support with
behavioural problems (at home or at school). Parents are supported too, giving
advice and ideas to assist in their parenting role with childrens’ behaviour
at home, sleeping patterns, eating concerns and providing strategies such as
positive reward charts and setting clear boundaries. The
School Counsellor offers individual counselling for pupils enabling them to
address anything that may be affecting their emotional and psychological
well-being. This, in turn, can block their ability to learn and hence stop them
from reaching their full potential. Some sessions can include parents, and
parents themselves are offered sessions if it would be useful. Occasionally,
when children have social issues and find it difficult to cooperate with others,
group work may be involved so that children can be supported by their peers. Children
are usually referred, to either of the above, by their teachers (with parental
consent), but parents may ask for support themselves.
FUSION EMERGENCY
CLOSURE
THE FRIENDS OF
CONIFERS PRIMARY
All
parents are automatically members of “The Friends” Association.
The object of the group is to advance the education of the pupils in the
school by developing more extended relationships between staff, parents and
others associated with the school, and by engaging in activities which support
the school. The association has
raised funds to provide many extra facilities and resources for our school and
we are most grateful for the enthusiasm and support of so many of our parents. COMPLAINTS
PROCEDURE
We
hope that the school can resolve any complaints that parents may have.
Complaints should therefore in the first instance be made to the Class
teacher. It is hoped that in most
cases complaints will be dealt with at this informal level.
If the problem cannot be resolved satisfactorily, the parent may need to
go to the Headteacher. However, if attempts to solve matters at this level fail,
there is an agreed Complaints Procedure that should be followed, details of
which are available on request from the school office. Kids’ Club The
Kids’ Club is run by Little Firs Day Nursery and is open to all children aged
from 4 years - 11 years of age, who attend The sessions are :
If
you wish to register your child or would like any further information, please
contact Little Firs Day Nursery and Kids’ Club on 01305 782727. LITTLE FIRS DAY
NURSERY
Little
Firs Day Nursery shares our school site and caters for children from birth to
school age. The children learn through play and first hand experience which are
provided in the group sessions. A close relationship is maintained with the
school, with visits from the Reception Teachers and attending assemblies. The
group provides an excellent opportunity for children to become familiar with our
school and the teachers with whom they will spend their first years of school
life. It is an ideal introduction to
school and certainly helps settle children into school quickly and without
anxiety. Sessions
are : All
day - 8am – 6pm
Morning – 9am – 12.30pm
Afternoon – 1.00pm – 3.30pm To
contact Little Firs please phone 01305 782727.
Fair
Processing and the Data Protection Act ·
support
its pupils’ teaching and learning; ·
monitor
and report on their progress; ·
provide
appropriate pastoral care, and ·
assess
how well the school as a
whole is doing. This
data includes contact details, national curriculum assessment results,
attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, special
educational needs and any relevant medical information. This
data may only be used or passed on for specific purposes allowed by law.
From time to time the school is required to pass on some of this data to
Local Authorities, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), and
to agencies that are prescribed by law, such as the Qualifications and
Curriculum Authority (QCA), Ofsted, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the
Department of Health (DH) and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
All these are data controllers in respect of the
data they receive, and are subject to the same legal constraints in how they
deal with the data. The Fair Processing Notice has been prepared at a time of change with
the restructuring of the Department for Education and Skills and the Department
of Trade and Industry into three new Departments: the Department for
Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), the Department for Innovation,
Universities and Skills (DIUS) and the Department for Business, Pupils,
as data subjects, have certain rights under the Data Protection Act, including a
general right to be given access to personal data held about them by any data
controller. The presumption is that
by the age of 12 a child has sufficient maturity to understand their rights and
to make an access request themselves if they wish.
A parent would normally be expected to make a request on a child’s
behalf if the child is younger. If
you wish to access your personal data, or that of your child, then please
contact the relevant organisation in writing.
Details of these organisations can be found on the following website www.dorsetforyou.com/fairprocessing
or for those pupils/parents where this is not practical, a hard copy can be
obtained from the School Office. Your
attention is drawn to (Layer Two) of this Fair Processing Notice, which gives
supplementary information about the processing of pupil data by the
organisations mentioned above, and to the Full Notice (Layer Three) which gives
greater details of how the pupil data is processed and the rights of parents and
pupils. Either can be obtained
by accessing the following website www.dorsetforyou.com/fairprocessing.
For those pupils/parents where this is not practical, a hard copy
can be obtained from the School Office. |
