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Cunard School

Handbook 2020-21

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CONTENTS PAGE NO.

Assessment and Recording 16

Attendance at School 21

Curriculum 12-15

Data Protection Act 26

Equal Opportunities 18

GIRFEC 19

Improvement Planning 17

Information in emergencies 25

Introduction 6

Meals 24

Mission Statement 5

Parents in School 20

School Aims 11

School Discipline / Supervision in Playgrounds 22

School Holidays 10

School Hours 9

School Information 7

Teaching Staff 8

Uniform 23

Useful Addresses 27

Vision Statement 4

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Cunard School

Cochno Street

Clydebank G81 1RQ

Tel 0141 533 3039

Email schooloffice.cunard@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

All local authority schools are required by law to issue a copy of the school handbook to certain parents in December each year for their use as appropriate. A copy of our school handbook is also available online at www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/school-search/cunard-school/

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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE

COUNCIL S

tate

ment of C

om

mitm

ent

‘OPPORTUNITY THROUGH LEARNING’

Every person has the right to be educated in a climate in which individuality is recognised and in which everyone feels valued. We are committed to working in partnership with you to provide education of the highest quality.

LEARNING FOR LIFE

We will work together to ensure that everyone in our community is valued and has the opportunity to learn for life and to achieve their potential. Vision: To enable everyone in West Dunbartonshire to become:

Successful Learners Confident Individuals Responsible Citizens Effective Contributors

To achieve our vision, we will:

Create and deliver courses, activities and events which will motivate and excite learners

Develop innovative ways to support learning Value diversity, promote equal opportunities and

foster inclusion Promote partnership and community participation Value achievement and celebrate success Continually reflect on and aim to improve the quality

of our services

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Cunard School

Our school vision is: Caring, sharing and inspiring together.

Our Values are: Respect, Compassion, Honesty and Equality

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Cunard School is a small special school for pupils with additional support needs. We take pride in the warm and welcoming atmosphere which teaching staff, non-teaching staff, pupils and parents have all worked hard to achieve. Around our school there is much of which we are proud. Our wall displays tell parents and visitors to the school of the hard work and great efforts that our pupils achieve as part of their ongoing development. Pupils are actively encouraged to enjoy and care about school life, an important feature in the learning process. Sweatshirts and polo shirts which show the school logo are very popular with pupils, who wear them with great pride. In our playground you will see many interesting features, some of which have been improvements as part of an environmental project. We look forward to you and your child joining our school community and working in partnership with us. We are always happy to discuss your child’s progress or listen to any concerns you may have. Mrs J Paton, Head teacher and Ms Claire McGinty, Depute.

Welcome to Cunard

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Present Roll: 24 Current capacity: 24

Cunard School is a small specialist provision for children with additional support needs arising from social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders. The school is located in the Whitecrook area of Clydebank however serves all areas throughout West Dunbartonshire Council. The school is situated in the upper floor of its partner school, Whitecrook Primary with whom it shares a Head Teacher. The school’s capacity is 24 and our current roll is 24. There are presently four class groupings within Cunard, all of which are multi-composite. We work in partnership with staff and pupils from Whitecrook Primary School and pupils regularly come together to participate in activities such as P.E, Music etc. In addition, opportunities exist for pupils to access other learning opportunities within a mainstream context where and when appropriate. We share playground equipment and facilities with Whitecrook Primary School and pupils are highly supervised at all times. We communicate regularly with parents through termly newsletters and when appropriate by letters and we arrange a variety of opportunities for parents to be involved in the life of the school. We are also happy to arrange appointments to discuss any aspect of your child’s education and wellbeing if this is required. We have a range of policies for different aspects of school life, and copies are available. Parents can find a range of council policies and other relevant information about schools on the council website, www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/

About Cunard School

Parents should note that the working capacity of the school may vary dependent upon the number of pupils at each stage, and the way in which the classes are organised.

Cunard School Cochno Street Whitecrook Clydebank G81 1RQ Tel No 0141 533 3039 Email schooloffice.cunard@west-

dunbarton.gov.uk

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Cunard School

STAFF

Head Teacher Mrs Joanne Paton Depute Ms Claire McGinty Teacher Miss Fran Whyte Teacher Mrs Ellen Worton Teacher Mrs Laura Martin Teacher Mr George Cook Teacher Mrs Eileen Ferrie Teacher Rose Patterson Early Learning and Childcare Officer Miss Sophie MacMorran Senior Clerical Assistant Mrs Tracey Donaldson Classroom Assistant Ms Carla MacPherson Classroom Assistant Mrs Susan Gourlay Classroom Assistant Mrs Amanda Gallagher Classroom Assistant Mrs Yvonne Halkett Classroom Assistant Mr James Brown Classroom Assistant Miss Robyn Black Catering Supervisor Mrs Karen Nicol Catering Assistant Mrs Anne Gallacher Catering Assistant Mrs Lisa Gardiner Catering Assistant Mrs Marion Conboy Janitor Ms Debbie Wright

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School Begins 9.15 am Morning Interval 10.30am – 10.45am Lunch Break 12.45pm – 1.30 pm School Closes 3.15 pm At Christmas and Easter holiday periods, school will normally dismiss at 2.30 pm on the final day of school. At Summer holiday time, school will normally dismiss at 1.00 pm on the final day of school

SCHOOL HOURS

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School Holidays

Term 2020/21

Autumn Term 2020 Teachers Return: Thursday 13 August (In-Service Day)

Friday 14 August (In-Service Day)

Pupils Return: Monday 17 August

September week-end: Friday 25 and Monday 28 September

In-service Day: Friday 9 October

Half Term: Monday 12 to Friday 16 October (inclusive)

Schools close: Tuesday 22 December (2.30 p.m.)

Christmas/New Year Break: Wednesday 23 December to Tuesday 5 January

(inclusive)

Schools return: Wednesday 6 January

Spring Term 2021 Half term: Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February

In-service Day: Wednesday 10 February

Schools close: Thursday 1 April (2.30 p.m.)

Spring Break: Friday 2 April (Good Friday) to Friday 16 April (inclusive)

Schools return: Monday 19 April

Summer Term 2021 May Day: Monday 3 May

In-service Day: Thursday 6 May

Half Term: Friday 28 and Monday 31 May (inclusive)

Schools close: Monday 28 June (1.00 p.m.)

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To provide a happy, safe and stimulating working environment that takes account of the multi-cultural society in which we live.

To provide our pupils with learning experiences that will guide them to an understanding and appreciation of themselves and other people, and the world in which they live.

To develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to enable pupils to be confident and proficient, at a level appropriate for each individual, in all aspects of Language and Mathematics.

To develop an appreciation of the ‘arts’ and thus enable our pupils to express their feelings and ideas in a practical and creative way.

To develop the skills, attitudes and knowledge which will allow our pupils to engage in independent thought by enquiry, problem solving, information handling and reasoning.

To encourage an understanding of religion and its role in shaping society and the development of moral and social values.

To provide equal opportunities for both boys and girls in all aspects of the curriculum and leisure activities.

To enable our pupils to have confidence in their ability to use new technology in their school life and hence aid their learning.

To encourage and develop any special talents a child may have.

Educational Aims of Cunard School

Parents can play a vital role in helping us to achieve these aims. Through your help, interest and support we can make your child’s education a joint venture. Working together and sharing knowledge and ideas will greatly help your child in all aspects of their learning process and general development.

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OUR CURRICULUM RATIONALE

Cunard School Cochno Street Clydebank G81 1RQ Cunard Primary Telephone: 0141 533 3039 E-mail: schooloffice.cunard@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Head Teacher: Mrs. Joanne Paton

Our school in context

Cunard School is located in Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire. Cunard is a specialist provision for children in West Dunbartonshire who have had challenges accessing mainstream education; this may be due to social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. West Dunbartonshire Council is a ‘Challenge Authority’ who are part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge. As a result of this, as well as the profile of the children attending Cunard, our curriculum rationale is focused clearly on ensuring all children attain to the best of their ability in a supportive and nurturing environment.

At Cunard School, we follow the Principles and Practice of Curriculum for Excellence, aiming for all of our children to be:

Successful Learners

Responsible Citizens

Effective Contributors and

Confident Individuals We do this through giving a breadth of experience across the eight curriculum areas allowing for challenge and application through interdisciplinary learning opportunities. The children in Cunard School are given various opportunities to contribute to the ethos and life of the school through Assemblies, Philosophy classes, Forest Schools and through massage, which promotes appropriate touch and calm. All achievements, both in school and outside school are celebrated during assembly and weekly through target setting.

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The main drivers for our Curriculum The main drivers for our curriculum are:

GIRFEC (Getting it Right for Every Child.)

Varied learning experiences focused on personal achievements and real life skills

Re-engaging learners and their families to ultimately raise attainment in Literacy and Numeracy. Due to this, the balance of our curriculum, gives focused attention to teaching skills and knowledge in health and wellbeing; especially learning in social, emotional and mental wellbeing. The rest of our curriculum is taught through broad cross-curricular themes and thematic learning as well as focus weeks, such as Scotland week, Science Week etc. to ensure a breadth of experience.

The children in Cunard School also have opportunities to challenge and apply their skills across the curriculum through interdisciplinary challenges or questions, as well as STEM challenges which may last for one lesson, but may span across more lessons to ensure depth of learning. What makes us unique! Our Partnerships We share a campus with Whitecrook Primary School, a mainstream primary school. Over the last few years Whitecrook and Cunard schools have worked together on many areas of curriculum development including moderation of standards in maths and through working groups in Literacy, Numeracy, STEM and Interdisciplinary Learning. We now share a vision and a set of values that we develop through class discussion, assembly time and through our behaviour management strategy. We also have excellent partnerships with Educational Psychologists and Health professionals to ensure all children’s transition to and from Cunard is exactly right for them. We have focused meetings with the transition schools and ensure all children attending Cunard are safe and secure here whilst continuing to learn. Our partnerships with parents and social work are invaluable in creating and adjusting the curriculum for all of our pupils.

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Staff At Cunard School we have a high ratio of staff to pupils to ensure that all children achieve their set targets. All staff are highly trained and skilled in working with the children here and our ongoing aim is to create an environment where all children can access the curriculum and reach their own potential. The staff work very hard in our multi-composite classes to ensure that the children are learning at the correct level of the curriculum. Sometimes this will mean that children set for different areas of the curriculum, such as ‘Big Writing’ and mathematics.

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Continuous assessment is emphasised by the class teachers in their day to day work with the children. By doing this we are able to provide programmes of learning which are suited to each child’s stage of development in key areas of the curriculum, and to take account of their needs when planning for other activities. Records of assessments are kept and each individual pupil will have a record for reading & phonics and for mathematics. Samples of children’s written work is kept as part of a writing folder to help us monitor progression in writing skills. All schools in West Dunbartonshire Council have a staged intervention process for identifying pupils with support needs. Some pupils have support plans to help them with particular aspects of their learning. Parents will always be informed about this and will be invited to discuss key aspects of their child’s plan on a regular basis. Information is available about additional support on the council website and it is also available in the parents room/parent notice-board

Parents are welcome to make an appointment to see their child’s records at any time during the school session, or to discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher or with the Head Teacher. Parent Afternoons are provided during the end of the school year at which

parents will be given an allocated appointment time with class teachers. Parents are encouraged to come along and view their child’s work and to discuss any relevant matters with class teachers. Each parent will also be provided with an end of year report on their child’s progress. These are issued before the May meeting to allow any points arising from the report to be raised. All pupils will also have an educational review throughout the session with our educational psychologist in attendance.

Assessment & Reporting

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School Improvement Planning Cunard School

School Improvement Planning allows schools to review their practice and determine areas for improvement. At Cunard School our current areas for improvement are:

Excellence & Equity through Broad General Education

Raising attainment and achievement in Maths, Literacy and Health & Wellbeing.

Assessment and moderation.

Developing the Young Workforce. We also are part of the Clydebank High School Learning Community and as such follow a wider base of priorities based on local trends in learning and teaching. The areas for improvement through the Learning Community are:

1 + 2 Languages (Spanish)

Raising attainment in Reading. If you would like to discuss our school improvement plan; or indeed, obtain a copy, then please contact Mrs Paton, who will be happy to oblige.

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All members of our school community are treated equally. Every child is given equal opportunity to access the curriculum to learn skills and develop talents. The ideal that both in school and throughout life, boys and girls have an equal right of opportunity is strongly fostered. All staff have a responsibility to ensure the council’s Equal Opportunities Policy is followed.

GIRFEC In Cunard School we aim to get it right for every child (GIRFEC).

Further information is available from https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/additional-

support-for-pupils/additional-support-needs/

Equal

Opportunities

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Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is the Scottish Government’s approach to promoting and safeguarding the wellbeing of children in Scotland. Duties attached to the Children and Young People Act 2014 means there will be a single planning framework for children who need support from services (called a Child’s Plan). The Named Person will continue to be offered in West Dunbartonshire on a policy basis. In most cases the families around each child will be able to offer all the help and support that is needed. However, there are times when a child may need a bit of extra help. The GIRFEC approach is there to make it as easy as possible to get that help when it is needed and wanted by families. The GIRFEC policy approach is to ensure that every child and young person and their family have access to help and support from a key member of staff in order to support the wellbeing and additional support needs of children and young people. The role of the Named Person is integrated into the current role of key promoted members of staff in schools and serves to strengthen the support they currently provide as a central point of contact for children, parents and other people working with them. On our school website you will find the names of the members of staff who have been given key supporting roles for each age group of children along with the arrangements for cover in the event of absence. It is our intention to support the wellbeing and safeguarding of all our young people. Parents are reminded that the Named Person will only offer advice or support in response to a request from a child or parent, or when a wellbeing need has been identified. There is no obligation to accept the offer of advice or support from a Named Person. Holiday Cover The GIRFEC policy also recommends the local authorities provide continuity of support signposting during school holiday periods. At these times coordination will be provided by suitably qualified staff from the Central Named Person Service at the Council Offices. See contact details below. Central Services Named Person Service: Joanne Scott (Education Support Officer) 01389 737000 @west-dunbarton.gov.uk Tracy King (Education Support Officer) 01389 737000 @west-dunbarton.gov.uk Claire Cusick (Senior Education Officer) 01389 737000 @west-dunbarton.gov.uk Below, you will find the names of the members of staff with key support responsibilities and arrangements for cover in the event of absence. It is our intention to support the wellbeing and safeguarding of all of our young people to ensure that they have access to positive outcomes, choices and destinations; however, parents are reminded that the Named Person will only offer advice or support in response to a request from a child or parent, or when a wellbeing need has been identified. There is no obligation to accept the offer of advice or support from a Named Person. At Cunard School your child’s Named Person is Claire McGinty and she can be contacted on 0141 533 3039. Mrs Joanne Paton, Head Teacher is the named person Absence cover.

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Links between home and school are important during a child’s education. We hope that parents feel they are entering into a partnership with the staff of our school. It is by co-operating with each other and sharing information that your child will gain full advantage during their years at school Apart from the various types of parents’ meetings arranged by the school, it is hoped that parents will feel welcome to visit at any time. It is helpful for the smooth running of the school if parents who wish to speak to their child’s teacher or to the Head Teacher arrange a suitable time and date beforehand.

Details of who to contact are on our address page at the back the school handbook. Parents are very much encouraged to become involved in the life of our school. As a very small school we do not have a Parents Council or PTA however we welcome any opportunity for parental involvement.

Parents in school

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Section 30 of the 1980 Education Act lays a duty on every parent of a child of ‘school age’ to ensure that their child attends school regularly. Parents are requested to let us know if their child is going to be absent from school and to give them a note explaining the reason for the absence when they return to school. If a child is to be absent for a long time we would be grateful if you would let us know as soon as possible.

The Policies for Parents document “Achievement Through Attendance”, available to all parents from the school, and from the council website, outlines the importance of good attendance. If your child does not arrive at school in the morning and we have not heard from you, we will make every effort to get in touch. If we are unable to make contact, we may ask our pupil and family support worker to visit your home. Please understand our responsibility for the welfare of our pupils requires us to do this. During the school year parents may wish their child to leave school during school hours for medical or dental appointments. Parents are requested to call at the school to collect their child. Children are not allowed to leave the school premises unless accompanied by an adult. Every effort should be made to avoid family holidays during term time as this disrupts both the child’s education and reduces learning time. Parents should inform the school by letter before going on holiday of the dates. The Scottish Government has issued guidance to schools that family holidays taken during term time should be categorised as an ‘unauthorised

absence’. Parents may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school to make an extended visit to relatives. Only written requests detailing the destination, the duration and the provision that will be made for their continuing education will be granted and the pupil noted as an authorised absence in register. Clearly with no explanation from the parent, the absence is unauthorised.

Attendance at School

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If our pupils are to get the full benefit from their time at school it is extremely important that a high standard of acceptable behaviour is achieved. To help us achieve this, Cunard School has developed a behaviour policy based on our school values of Respect, Compassion, Equality and Honesty. Within this specialist provision, behaviour management is a core component of the classroom structure and routine. Each child has an Educational Support Plan and is involved in planning their own behavioural targets. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school if you have any queries about behaviour/discipline.

Supervision of Playground Areas

At Cunard School we aim to provide a safe play area for our pupils and to ensure that they conduct themselves in a well- disciplined way. An adult presence is provided in playgrounds at break-times in terms of the

schools Safety and Supervision of Pupils (Scotland) Regulations, 1990.

School Discipline

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Given that there is substantial parental and public approval of uniform, schools in West Dunbartonshire Council strongly encourage the wearing of school uniform. The wearing of school uniform helps promote the identity of the school in the local community and helps create an ethos of sharing and pride in the school. There are forms of dress which are unacceptable in school, such as items of clothing which: • Potentially encourage faction (such as football colours) • Could cause offence (such as anti-religious symbolism or political slogans) • Could cause health & safety difficulties (such as loose fitting clothing or body piercings/jewellery for PE and sport) • Are made from flammable material (for example, shell suits in practical classes) • Could cause damage to flooring • Carry advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco could be used to inflict damage on other pupils or be used by others to do so Cunard School If you would like your child to wear a uniform, red sweatshirts and red or white

polo shirts with our logo can be ordered from the school office. Black or grey trousers/skirt is normally worn to complete the outfit. Football colours are not permitted

School Uniform

Clothing and Footwear Grants

Some pupils may be eligible for a clothing grant. Parents can ask at the school office or they can access information on the council website www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-and-educational-grants/free-school-meals-and-clothing-grant/

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Our school operates a lunch service which supplies a variety of healthy meals and snacks. All our pupils are entitled to a free school meal. We eat in Whitecrook Primary’s dining room and our pupils are highly supported by staff. Pupils are encouraged to make healthy choices. Copies of the lunch menu can be provided so you can discuss your child’s lunch choice with him/her prior to him/her ordering. If you prefer, you may provide a packed lunch for your child. Seating facilities are available within the dining hall for those pupils who bring a packed lunch to school. We also request that, in the interests of safety, children are provided with non-breakable containers for drinks, and that no drinks in cans be brought to school. If your child requires a special diet for medical reasons, this can be provided if notice is given.

The school runs a breakfast club between 9.15 and 9.30am. Pupils can enjoy juice, milk, toast and cereal for a nominal amount of 10 pence per day. This enables pupils to have a relaxing start to their school day and

prepare them for the challenging day ahead.

School

Meals

Breakfast Club

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We make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on some occasions circumstances arise which lead to disruption. Schools may be affected by, for example, severe weather, and temporary interruption of transport, power failures or difficulties of fuel supply. In such cases we shall do all we can to let you know about the details of closure or re-opening. We shall keep you in touch by using letters, announcements in local press and on local radio. If we are able to access the school groupcall system we will also contact you via text message and email, so please make sure your contact details are always up to date. You will also be able to access up to date information from the council website, www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk

Information in

Emergencies

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How we use your personal information: It is important for the school to hold personal information about pupils as it allows us to contact a suitable adult in cases of emergency. The information held also helps West Dunbartonshire Council to provide education services now and to plan for the future. Information provided to us in relation to children's disability, language, religion, ethnic background or national identity is used to ensure that children’s legal rights in school are recognised. Children's general legal rights are listed in the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, the Equality Act 2010 and in the European Convention on Human Rights. Information held on pupils is strictly controlled by law, and can only be passed onto other services within the Council and other organisations in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection 2018 Act (DPA). As a local authority, our schools and early years establishments process information about children and young people in order to provide education and care. All personal data is treated as confidential. The information may be passed to other services and other organisations that will use it for a number of purposes connected to education services, for example, child protection, delivery of National Entitlement Cards and cashless catering, organising school transport, Active Schools Programme, the NHS School Nursing, Dental Health and Immunisation Programmes, collection of information by the Scottish Government and provision of national exams, we may also use any information for research purposes. We may use information held for the purposes of a public task (one of the recognised functions of a Scottish Local Authority) and may share information where necessary with other public bodies or where otherwise required to do so by law. In terms of Section 94 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (Right of Access / Subject Access Request), a requester is entitled to know what personal information West Dunbartonshire Council holds about them and their children. They are also entitled to access their children's education records in terms of the Pupil's Education Records (Scotland) Regulations 2003. Applications for Subject Access Requests should be made either to the Head Teacher or to The Data Protection/Information Protection Officer, Municipal Buildings Dumbarton, G82 1NR or dataprotection@west-dunbarton.gov.uk You can find out more about the Subject Access Request procedure by visiting the following web address: http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/data-protection-ripsa-and-freedom-of-information/data-protection/ If you would like further information on how your information is used and how we keep your information safe please contact: Data Protection/Information Protection Officer at the above address.

General Data Protection

Regulations (GDPR)

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LAURA MASON CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL CHURCH STREET DUMBARTON G82 1QL TEL: 01389 737000 COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT WORKING 4 U LEARNING (CL&D) AURORA HOUSE CLYDEBANK G81 1BF Tel: 01389 738775

Useful Addresses