easington colliery primary school · easington colliery primary school additional information for...

Easington Colliery Primary School

General Information For Parents 2014 – 2015

Easington Colliery Primary School Additional Information for Parents

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Contact Information Address: Easington Colliery Primary School

Whickham Street, Easington Colliery, County Durham

SR8 3DJ Telephone: 0191 527 0293 Email: [email protected] Website www.easingtoncolliery.durham.sch.uk Head Teacher: Mr D. Loomes Deputy Head Teacher: Mrs L. Errington Chair of the Governing Body: Mrs J. Colwill


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The School Staff Highly qualified professionals who are committed to offering your child the best possible education. The staff for the year 2014/2015 are: Head Teacher Mr D Loomes Deputy Head Teacher Mrs L Errington Assistant Deputy Head Teacher Miss L Smith Teaching Staff

Phase 1 Reception Miss L Wigham (Phase Leader) Mrs L Bolton Miss J Blair/Miss A Melvin

Year 1 Miss B Hubery Miss S Brewster

Phase 2 Year 2 Mr P Crowther (Phase Leader) Miss A Duke Miss V Langston

Year 3 Mrs J Wilkinson/Mrs A Brant Miss K Rawling Mr R Harvey

Phase 3 Year 4 Mrs H Rookes Mrs J Timmins Miss F Allen

Year 5 Miss K Sokell Mr A Richardson Mrs C Tye

Year 6 Mrs C Galloway Mrs L Pegman (Phase Leader)

Higher Level Teaching Assistants/Teaching Assistants

Mrs S Charlton Miss J Clymo Mrs L Evans Mrs J Jolly Miss D Kirk Mrs C March Mrs S Makinson Mrs M Marsey Mrs J Ogden Mr M Shaw Miss A Smith Mrs S Stevenson Miss L Venners Miss S Ward Mrs T Williams

ASD Mainstream Provision Miss G Smith (Lead) Miss A Barlow Mrs S Phillips

Guidance and Learning Centre Mr C Dickinson (Lead) Business Manager Ms Coxon IT Technician Mr Wilson School Secretary/Office Staff Miss Link-Emery Mrs Parkin Mr Jones Extended Schools Officer Mrs Youngs Parent Support Advisor Ms Smith (Lorraine)


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Easington Colliery Primary School Plan – 2014-2015

Plus the Gallery used for meetings.

Kitchen

Guidance &

Learning Centre

Office

Phase 1 LW (Phase 1 Lead) LB, JB/AMM, SB, BH Phase 2 PC (Phase 2 Lead) AD, VL, RH, JW/AB, KR Phase 3 LAP (Phase 3 Lead) FA, HR, JT, AR, KS, CG

First Hall

Staffroom

HT

DHT Boiler

Lib Music/

Meet

Second Hall

Sensory Room

ASD Base

Class 4b Y4 JT

Class 4a Y4 FA

Class 4c Y4 HR

Class 3a Y3 RH

Class 3c Y3

JW/AB

Class 3b Y3 KR

Class 2a Y2 PC

Class 2b Y2 VL

Class 2c Y2 AD

Class Rc YR

JB/AMM

Class Rb YR LB

Class Ra YR LW

Class 1a Y1 SB

Class 1b Y1 BH

Class 5b Y5 AR

Class 5a Y5 KS

Class 6b Y6

LAP

Class 6a Y6 CG


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In addition the school has various people who work for us in the roles of Caretakers, cleaners, cooks, and Mid-day Supervisors who keep our school clean and tidy, provide nutritious food, and ensure the children are safe and cared for at lunchtimes. Session Times Reception and Key Stage 1

Morning 8:55 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Afternoon 12:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (There are two fifteen minute breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon) Key Stage 2

Morning 8:55 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Afternoon 1:30 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. (There is one fifteen minute break in the morning) Teaching Time Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2 Hours Minutes Hours Minutes Time spent in school 30 00 30 50 Lunch breaks 05 00 05 00 Breaks 02 05 01 40 Registration 00 20 00 20 Assembly 00 50 00 50 Teaching time 21 45 23 00 The staff come out, onto the playground and meeting areas around 8:50 a.m. prior to the whistle blowing at 8:55 a.m. We like children to be punctual for all sessions and have good attendance (i.e., over 95%). Please try to arrange for them to arrive at school about five minutes before the start of each session, and certainly not before 8:30 a.m. There are few places to shelter in cold or wet weather, so judge your arrival time carefully. We do hold a free Breakfast Club open to all children. From 8:20 a.m., children can sign themselves in, then have a free breakfast. Toast and cereals are always on offer, but throughout the week there will be yogurts, muffins, cheese on toast, and sometimes sausage sandwiches! Phoenix Club are a before and after school childcare facility who are privately run. Their sessions run from 7:30 a.m. until school starts, and from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. on Friday. In addition, they meet during the school breaks and INSET days. They have fully qualified adults. Prices vary depending upon the times and numbers of sessions attended. Please contact the school office, or call Janet on 0777 350 4104 for further details, prices or to arrange to meet the Phoenix Team. At the end of the morning or afternoon sessions, please collect your children from the school playground to avoid congestion and accidents in the buildings and corridors. In addition, our aim is for your children to become as independent as possible in organising themselves and their belongings at the end of the day. If you arrive by car, please do not park in the school car park as the gates are often locked at the start and end of the day. Be careful where you park on the road as the traffic wardens do not give people a second chance! Please be aware that congestion and poor parking is dangerous to children leaving our premises. If you are going to be late, please phone or send a note – better a few minutes late than miss the complete morning!


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Our Curriculum As the curriculum is being revised this year, we are adopting and implementing the “Challenge Curriculum”. This is an enquiry-based curriculum and learning approach, whereby the main aspects of learning and study are preceded by “key questions” to stimulate curiosity. Basic skills in Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing are taught through Literacy units. These generally follow a style of writing, such as recounts of a previous school visit, stories from other cultures, etc. They are supplemented by phonics lessons and enrichment opportunities, which allows pupils to ‘show-off’ their literacy skills in other areas of the curriculum. Phonics is taught through “Read, Write, Inc.” which is a very structured programme which enables children to pick up sounds very quickly. Most children make rapid progress whilst on this scheme, resulting in a firm foundation for further Literacy work. Further details can be found on our school website. All children are encouraged to take home books from the reading programme. Reading with, and to, your child is an invaluable activity and we would encourage parents to make time available each day to spend with their children reading. Anyone who would like advice on how to make best use of this time should contact teachers who will be pleased to help. Numeracy is based around blocks of work such as Using and applying, Counting and understanding, Knowing and using number facts, Calculating, Shape, Measures, and Handling data. Many opportunities are taken to make maths ‘real’, including visits to the supermarket. Problem solving plays a big part in the curriculum, and the school gets involved in many different initiatives such as “Maths is Fun” Week. Details of events like this are often in the newsletters with ideas of how you can support. Also, your child’s class teacher can help with any queries regarding maths lessons you may have - lots of the methods have changed since us adults were schoolchildren! Many other subjects such as Science, History and Geography, are taught as part of the ‘themes’ used in school. This allows science skills and knowledge to be applied and integrated into their learning and gives a context within which to work. Themes include those such as World War II, Egyptians, Rivers, Henry III, amongst many others. Within these themes Art and DT fit, along with Enterprise opportunities. PE and Music are often taught separately, but really widen the experiences of our children through our skilled Sports Coach, and outside musical professionals. Many of these activities also take place outside the normal school day with a wide variety of clubs running from football, netball, hockey, to gardening, through to choirs, brass and saxophone lessons. Residential learning is a key feature of our school with the children having a number of opportunities to stay away. These can include visits to field study centres, outdoor and adventurous activities, camping, and visits abroad. Staff readily give up their own time to offer these to the children and to make them so successful. PSHE and Citizenship is an integral part of the school week. We include social, emotional and behavioural learning as part of this, where the children take part in various discussions. Citizenship culminates in Y6 with a look at democracy and what this means in real life. Sex Education is taught in line with current legislation. The local authority provides whole-school materials. As in other local schools, children learn, at age-appropriate stages, about their bodies, health, personal hygiene, and in Years 5 and 6 about how their bodies change. ICT is an area of our school which is developing quickly. Children have access to both Microsoft and Apple technologies. Children have many opportunities to apply ICT to the curriculum and to use other technologies such as iPads, Laptops, Bee Bot, Roamers, digital cameras and recorders. Our iPads and Apps ensure the children have access to the latest handheld devices to personalise and support their learning – a list of the main ones we use are available on our school website.


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Assessment Children are regularly assessed in school. This happens so that teachers have up to date information about the progress your child is making. This information is then used to plan what your child needs to learn next. On three occasions, your child will have a more formal assessment. This happens at the end of the Reception Year (Foundation Stage Profile), at the end of Year 1 (phonics), and at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 (SATs). The results of these assessments are reported to parents as soon as the results are known. In addition, the school also tests children in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics at the end of Year 3, 4 and 5. We use the information from these results to set targets for future learning and to track children's progress through the school. Parents are informed of their child's progress at our termly parents' evenings. If you need information about how well your child is doing at school at times other than our formal parent’s evenings please make an appointment to see your child's teacher after school. If you would like more information about assessment and testing in school, please contact your child’s class teacher or Mr Loomes. Care of Children This school is a caring and inclusive school and the welfare of children is a high priority for all staff. This means we aim to keep your child safe and secure during their time in school. Pastoral care is seen as a shared responsibility. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are on duty during the morning breaks. Mid-day Supervisors care for the children at lunchtimes. Parents/Carers are advised to discuss road safety with their children. There is a designated crossing patrol on Seaside Lane. We appreciate your co-operation in keeping information up to date on where parents can be contacted during the school day should this be necessary. We ask you to complete a medical/contact sheet at the beginning of each year to ensure our information is up to date; though if any changes occur mid-year, please inform us immediately. The school also has a Facebook page – search for “Easington Colliery Primary School Authorised Page” and get regular updates including the weekly “What’s On?”. If your child is taken ill at school we will contact you or your nominee. No child is taken to an empty house when ill but we have no facilities for the comfort of ill children if we are unable to contact you. Should your child suffer an accident and medical attention is needed, you will be contacted to accompany your child by car or ambulance. If you cannot be contacted a member of staff will be in attendance. Accidents occasionally happen and when they do, we act as any responsible parent would. A qualified member of staff gives first aid and you will be contacted (please ensure that contact details we have are up to date). If you are unavailable and we are concerned for your child we will accompany him or her to the Accident and Emergency department at the hospital. We have contacts with a number of support agencies that could be useful to individual parents. Cycling to and from school There is a cycle/scooter stand near to school to which your child can lock their bike/scooter. Should you wish your child to cycle to school then you must satisfy yourself that they have sufficient competence to ride safely and be safe on the local roads to and from school. We would strongly recommend that children use cycle helmets. Upon arrival at school, it is essential that the bikes/scooters are locked away immediately, and not


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ridden around the playground. All bikes/scooters left in the bike store are left at parents’ risk as the school cannot accept responsibility for the theft of bikes and any accessories. Money and Other Valuables We strongly advise parents/carers to dissuade their children from bringing unnecessary money or other valuables to school since we cannot guarantee their safety. When such items are brought into school, under no circumstances should they be left in coat pockets. Money and valuables such as watches are the responsibility of the child to keep safe especially when changing for PE and swimming. As part of the exciting developments at Easington Colliery Primary School we may in the future investigate the possibility of children bringing their own hand held electronic devices into school. However, should this happen, parents will be informed and there will be significant communication that will occur between home and school before this begins. Children are aware that we are thinking about this exciting venture but until you hear anything officially our current policy is no portable/handheld devices in school please. School Uniform Children are expected to wear School Uniform. This consists of the following: § Sweatshirts/jumpers/cardigan (royal blue) § Shirts are white or yellow shirt (we sell logoed polo shirts) § Trousers/Skirt – (dark grey or black) § Dresses – grey pinafore, or blue/white summer dress § Footwear – black shoes (no sandals or trainers please) – children can bring a pair of trainers to change

into for playtime (e.g., for football), but will change back into their shoes when they return to the building § PE Kit – Royal Blue or White T-Shirt (logoed are available from the school office, or plain from ASDA) and

black shorts – older children may wish to bring a tracksuit for colder weather. We sell clothing with our logo on, but we do not insist that you buy these items – ASDA, for example, sell some good alternatives. So long as children wear the school colours, we are happy! With our wonderful space and outdoor environment, we are able to use it virtually throughout the year. However, this means that outdoor clothing can get muddy or scuffed. Please do not buy expensive shoes and outdoor clothing, as it inevitably will get damaged! Jewellery • Jewellery should not be worn in school. It can be a safety hazard to your own and other children

particularly at playtimes. Older children often wear a watch which should be cheap and it will be the child’s responsibility

• Earrings – children may wear one stud in the lobe of each ear, not at the top of the ear/in the nose or other parts of the body. Children arriving at school with such rings will be asked to remove them. In addition, all jewellery must be removed for PE/Swimming. Therefore, piercing should take place at the start at the summer break thereby ensuring sufficient healing time

Please name all clothes and footwear!


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Teaching Arrangements The school consists of three Phases organised as follows: Phase 1 Reception and Year 1 Phase 2 Years 2 and 3 Phase 3 Years 4, 5 and 6 Each Phase at Easington Colliery Primary School consists of a number of teachers and Higher Level Teaching Assistants/Teaching Assistants, plus additional support in some areas. They incorporate classrooms, teaching areas, creative spaces and a variety of ICT. These areas can be used imaginatively to promote independent working, sometimes using our handheld devices. Admission and Access for Pupils with disabilities We are a fully inclusive school as we work closely with parents to ensure we accommodate the child’s needs, and as such, we support a number of children with various needs and disabilities. Being a relatively new build, our school is able to provide facilities for children with physical needs. The design has ensured all physical needs can be met. We would appreciate early visits from parents in this position so that we can discuss the child’s needs and ensure everything is in place to include the child fully in the life of the school. This year, we have been asked to run an ASD Mainstream Provision within our school. This will accommodate up to six children from across Durham County who have additional needs to our regular children. We gain additional funding for this provision, so it is not detrimental to our current children. We believe that this additional provision actually enhances what we have to offer, as we now have a fully functional Sensory Room and by September we will have a minibus too. Racial Equality At Easington Colliery Primary School, we believe that the curriculum opportunities given to our pupils ensure that we have high expectations regardless of ethnic minority. Teachers respond to the diverse needs of their pupils through planning activities so that all pupils can take part in lessons fully and effectively. Teachers are aware of the differing experiences these pupils bring to school and are sensitive to their needs. The learning environment ensures all pupils are valued; teachers use approaches appropriate to different learning styles and build on cultural experiences. Targets are set that build on previous learning and flexible grouping of pupils ensures they are supported in reaching the expected attainment. Where there are barriers to learning such as disability, English as a second Language (EAL), Special Educational Needs (SEN), teachers will take into account these requirements and make provision through differentiation and teaching assistant support. Religious Affiliation The school is not affiliated with a particular religious denomination. Religious Education Policy Religious Education follows the Durham Agreed Syllabus for religious education. Every day we have a School Assembly, sometimes as a whole school, on other occasions in class. Each assembly is led by a member of staff, groups of children or an appropriate visitor to school.


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The school will make alternative arrangements after full consultation with parents who exercise their right of withdrawal of their children from religious worship or instruction. Sex Education The School Governing Body has determined that Sex Education will take place in a manner, which is consistent with the curriculum guidelines published by Children’s Services. The School Sex and Relationships Education Policy aims to ensure children: • Learn the importance of values and individual conscience and moral considerations; • Learn the value of family life, marriage, and stable and loving relationships for the nurture of children; • Learn the value of respect, love and care; • Explore, considering and understanding moral dilemmas; • Develop critical thinking as part of decision-making. It is important that this takes place in a moral framework which recognises the diversity in society and which is sensitive to values, standards and personal responsibility. Parents can withdraw their child from all or part of sex education, except those elements taught as part of the National Curriculum Science. Lunchtimes We run our own kitchens and provide a wide variety of good quality nutritious meals including breakfast, healthy snacks, and lunches. Some prefer to bring a packed lunch (healthy ones please with no chocolate bars and fizzy drinks), but do give our dinners a try. Lunchtime is a valuable part of your child's personal and social education. To ensure this is the case, poor behaviour during the lunch break will not be tolerated. If a child is causing serious disturbance parents will be asked to make arrangements for that child to go home. All meals must be ordered by 9.30 a.m. and paid for in advance. This means that if your child is expected to be out of school for the first part of the school day a meal needs to be ordered on the previous day. Meals cannot be provided for children arriving at school after 10.30 a.m. School lunches currently cost £1.60 but this will probably rise to £1.70 in January 2015. A free school meal can be provided if you receive some form of benefit. If you think you might be entitled to this, contact the school office. Children who bring a packed lunch to school eat alongside children having a school dinner with our lunchtime staff supervising them. Attendance and Holidays Easington Colliery Primary School has an improving record of attendance and this is a reflection of the many good things that happen here. If your child cannot attend on a particular day it is important we know about the reason for absence. Any child arriving after 9:10 a.m. is recorded as being absent for the whole of that morning session and as such will count against your child’s attendance record. However, for safety reasons their name is recorded in the “late” book. We also have a telephone answering service where you can leave a message at any time. Any absence that we cannot account for, or we disagree with, will be unauthorised. The school works closely with Education Welfare Officer (EWO) to tackle truancy. We are no longer able to authorise holiday absences during term time (except in exceptional circumstances). This may result in a fixed penalty fine even if your child’s attendance is good. Holidays should be requested on the Holiday Form (available on the school website or from the office) so that he Head Teacher can decide if the holiday should be authorised or not. If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance please see Mrs Parkin or your child’s teacher. Children whose attendance falls behind 90%, are monitored closely by the school and EWO, and this may result in


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meetings and action being taken to raise the levels of attendance. We do point out, however, that withdrawing children disrupts their learning and can interfere with their educational progress; teachers do not provide work for children whilst they are on holiday. Withdrawing your child from school If you need to withdraw your child from school for any reason (e.g. dental appointment, doctors etc.) please let us know in writing or in person. Children leaving the premises must be accompanied by an adult. In addition, we will not let any child leave the site with an adult that is not known to us. If an unknown adult is required to collect a child, you must inform us in writing and ask the adult to be prepared to provide proof of ID. If we are in any doubt the child will not be allowed to leave. Other Information

• For Health and Safety reasons no dogs are allowed on the school premises, except guide dogs. • The school site is also designated a no smoking zone – this includes all buildings and grounds.

Policies available on request, or to view on the school website Many policies are available on our school website, along with much more additional information – the best way of finding out what’s there, is to have a look!


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School Performance (Data) Aspect Level 2012

Actual 2013 Actual

National Average 2013

2014 Actual

2014 Target

(July) Y1 Phonics 28% 64% 69% TBA 73% Key Stage 1 Reading L2+ 79% 84% 89% 84% 82% L2b+ 69% 75% 79% 81% 75% L3 15% 20% 29% 33% 18% Writing L2+ 71% 73% 85% 83% 78% L2b+ 49% 48% 67% 71% 73% L3 0% 2% 15% 13% 8% Maths L2+ 86% 87% 91% 88% 84% L2b+ 71% 78% 78% 80% 81% L3 10% 20% 23% 26% 26%


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Aspect Level 2012 Actual 2013 Actual National

Average 2013

2014 Actual 2014 Target

Key Stage 2 Reading L4+ 66% 85% 86% TBA 94% L4B+ L5+ 30% 33% 45% 71% L6 0% 0% 30% Writing L4+ 69% 91% 83% TBA 91% L4B+ L5+ 10% 24% 30% 34% L6 SPAG L4+ 70% 74% TBA L4B+ L5+ 35% 48% Maths L4+ 81% 83% 85% TBA 96% L4B+ L5+ 24% 30% 39% 64% L6 6% 19% Re/Wr/Ma Combined

69% 78% 75%% TBA 76%

2L Gains Reading

85% 78% 88% TBA 83%

3L Gains Reading

17% 30%

2L Gains Writing

69% 89% 91% TBA

3L Gains Writing

12% 30%

2L Gains Maths

79% 77% 88% TBA 90%

3L Gains Maths

10% 32%

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