Fell Dyke Community Primary School

Prospectus 2015-2016

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Fell Dyke Community Primary School

PROSPECTUS

Contents Page Welcome to Fell Dyke Community Primary School 3 About our School 3 Contact Us 3 Our Motto 3 Our Logo 3 Our Core Purpose 4 The Foundation Statements which Support our Core Purpose 4 The People Who Work in our School 5 Accessibility 6 Admissions 6 Assessment and Reporting to Parents / Carers 6 Attendance 7 Behaviour 7 Breakfast Club 8 Charging and Remission Policy 8 Child Protection 8 Collective Worship 9 Complaints 9 Continuous and Sustained Improvement 9 Curriculum – Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) 10-13 Curriculum - Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) 10-13 Extra Curricular Activities 13 Gateshead 3 – 7 SCITT 14 Health and Safety 14 Healthy School 14 Homework 14 Jewellery 14 Lunchtime Arrangements 15 Medicines 15 Parents and Carers 15 Special Education Needs 15 Times of the School Day 16 School Day 16 Rules 17 Uniform 18 Where to Find Us 19

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Welcome to Fell Dyke Community Primary School!

About Us

Fell Dyke Community Primary School is a maintained primary school for children of all abilities within the age range 3 – 11. The school is not affiliated to any religious denomination. Our prospectus gives information about the school for parents / carers, prospective parents / carers and the whole community. Information was correct at the end of July 2015 and refers to the school year 2015-2016. Please contact the Head Teach-er if you require any further information or a tour of our school.

Contact Us: Address: Telephone: 0191 433 4111 Fell Dyke Community Primary School Springwell Road

Gateshead Our Logo: Tyne and Wear NE97AA

Email: felldykecommunityprimaryschool@gateahead.gov.uk Our Motto: Education + Effort = Excellence for Everyone!

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Our Core Purpose

TEACHING Excellent teaching provides the chal-lenge that maximises learning for all.

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Continuous improvement ensures lo-cal and national standards are ex-ceeded.

LEARNING Learning takes place in a wide variety of contexts and is enjoyable, relevant and challenging.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Highly effective leadership and management inspires, manages and values everyone and supports individual improvement, develop-ment and excellence within a professional, collegiate environment.

PUPILS Confident, enthusiastic and happy learners show respect to all members of the school community and school environment.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY All are equal and work together in the provision of a wide range of services and support within the community.

RESOURCES/BUDGET/FINANCE Managed efficiently and effectively to achieve best value and continuous school improvement.

CURRICULUM The curriculum is stimulating, exciting and innovative; it provides a firm foun-dation for lifelong learning and future successes.

ETHOS Everyone is valued and respected, all contributions are welcomed and trust and support enable risk-taking and challenge.

SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

A stimulating and well-resourced environment engenders exciting, interesting and stimulating learning where achievement is maximized.

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The People Who Work in Our School Staffing 2015-2016

Leadership Team Head Teacher– Kate Savage

Lower School Assistant Head Teacher– Rachel Smith Upper School Assistant Head Teacher– Helen Sellars

School Business Manager– Kim Bosomworth

Nursery Yellow Class & Lilac Class Jennifer Carr– Class Teacher

Reception Red Class Gemma Ainsley – Class Teacher

Rose Class Rebecca Cook– Class Teacher

Year 1 Pink Class Laura Palmer – Class Teacher

Blue Class Rachel Heslop/Davina Reay

Year 2 Bronze Class Julia Wynn- Class Teacher

Green Class Hayley Bewick– Class Teacher

Year 3 Orange Class Joanne Workman – Class Teacher

Silver Class Alex Storey – Class Teacher

Year 4 Kathryn Toner- Class Teacher

Scarlet Class Sarah Crabtree- Class Teacher

Year 5 Gold Class Lesley McKinley- Class Teacher

Jade Class Eleanor Barnard- Class Teacher

Year 6 Purple Class Katie Mitchinson- Class Teacher

Turquoise Class Jade Wallace- Class Teacher

Teaching Assistants EmmaJane McGuire, Rachel Thompson, Joan Hornsby, Su-zanne Dixon, Margaret Divine, Michelle Brydon, Annette Gallagher, Karen Strassheim, Jen Easton, Andrea Stevenson

Special Needs Teaching Assistants

Francesca Carr, Suzanne Peacock

Non Class Based Teachers Clare Millward, Sam Twentyman, Helen Porter, Jackie Kendrick

Administration Assistant Michele Crabtree

Care Taker Ritchie Jones

Lunchtime Supervisors Ethel Wilson, Angie Chapman, Gillian Hedley, Gemma Ken-nedy, Emma Cooke, Farah Sadeghi, Gerda Maddison, Jemma Proud, Anne Steele

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Accessibility We are committed to providing a fully accessible environment which values and includes all pupils, staff, parents / carers and visitors regardless of their education, physical, so-cial and cultural needs. We are further committed to challenging attitudes about disabil-ity and accessibility and to developing a culture of awareness, tolerance and inclusion. We plan accessibility for all pupils, staff, parents / carers and visitors to Fell Dyke Com-munity Primary School through our accessibility plan – a copy of which can be obtained from the Head Teacher. The school already has a level drop off point at the entrance, a ramp to the main entrance, a portable hearing loop, accessible reception facilities, ac-cess to essential curriculum areas, access to the outdoor learning environment, access to dining facilities, three accessible toilet cubicles, designated parking bay and a lift to the community room and dining hall. The Local Authority has made a commitment that wher-ever possible, children with physical disabilities will be educated in their local primary school. If shown to be necessary, and is practicable and reasonable to do, then minor adaptations to the building will be considered by the school and the Local Authority to enable a child to attend their local school. In order that children with disabilities are not disadvantaged, the school liaises with the Local Authority when necessary in order to en-sure that adequate provision is made. Our Accessibility Plan is given within the Disability Equality Scheme (available on the school’s website).

Admissions We follow Gateshead Local Authority’s admissions policy for allocating places based on the criteria in the policy (available on the school’s website). We have places for 52 Nursery children on a part-time basis. Admissions are dealt with by our Administration Assistant, Mrs Michele Crabtree. Names are accepted from a child’s second birthday. The school’s planned admission number is 45 for each year group from Reception to Year 6. Induction meetings are always provided for new entrants and their families If you are considering the school for your child we would be happy to provide information and give a tour of the school to help you make a decision. Please telephone 0191 4334111 or call in to make an appointment.

Assessment and Reporting to Parents / Carers Teachers make ongoing assessments of children’s learning, identify next steps and plan for a wide range of attainment levels. Our Nursery and Reception staff asses each child using the Early Years Profile and a baseline assessment is carried out for children at the beginning of their Reception year. At the end of Year 2 and Year 6 children take part in the SATS tests. The results of the tests and the teacher assessments are reported to parents with the end of year reports, in the form of subject levels. During termly consultation meetings parents/carers receive feedback on their children’s attainment and progress both orally and in written form.Parents / carers are also wel-come to discuss their child’s progress at any other time. Please contact the school to make an appointment.

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Attendance Regular attendance is vital to give chil-dren the best chance of settling into school and achieving their potential. Chil-dren who are always present and punctual are rewarded. If children are absent, parents / carers must inform the school giving the reason for the absence. This can be done by a telephone call or visit to school on the first day of absence. Unexplained, and therefore unauthorised absences, are fol-lowed up.

All absences will be treated as unauthor-ised, the educational welfare officer will-become involved and parents / carers will be liable for fines. If children need to be taken out of school during the school day, it is very important you let us know in advance and collect your child from school. We do not allow children to meet you off the school prem-ises.

Please try to avoid taking family holidays during term time. The Head Teacher may not grant any leave of

absence during term time.

Behaviour

We expect high standards of behaviour from pupils at all times. This is essential to ensure the smooth running of the school and help pupils achieve their full potential. We encourage pupils to be responsible for their own actions and to find solutions to problems. Positive behaviour is rewarded and children are aware of the consequences of bad behaviour. Sanctions include time out and loss of privileges. Parents / carers are always involved, at the earliest op-portunity, if difficulties arise.

We take firm measures to ensure the school is safe for all pupils and have a clear anti-bullying policy. We encourage any parents / carers who have concerns over bullying to contact the school at the earliest opportunity. Our staff pro-vide support, counselling and guidance for all involved so a resolution to a problem can be found.

The Governing Body reserves the right to exclude pupils on a temporary or

permanent basis if required.

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Breakfast Club Our free, Greggs-sponsored, Breakfast Club is open, for all children, from 8.30am until 8.50am each term time day. Children from Year 2 to Year 6 may attend by themselves; an adult must accompany all younger children.

Charging and Remission Policy The Education Act 1988 prohibits charging for activities during school time. We aim to provide a range of activities to en-hance children’s learning, which will mean that from time to time parents / carers will be asked to make voluntary contributions towards the cost. No child is excluded from an activity through inability to contribute. However if insufficient funds are available through contributions, the

activity may be cancelled. The school fundrais-es regularly, in order to subsidise the cost of ed-ucational visits.

Child Protection We are obliged by law to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of all children. If we are concerned that children may be subject to some form of abuse we immediately follow the Area Child Protection Com-mittee procedures and inform Children and Families of the concern.

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Complaints We hope that any complaint may be resolved quickly. In the first instance complaints should normally be made to the Head Teacher. Usually complaints can be resolved at this informal level. If the com-plaint cannot be resolved it may need to be considered by the Governing Body. If the Governing Body does not re-solve the complaint it may be referred to Gateshead Educa-tion Committee where council-lors will consider it. If this fails, the complaint may be referred to the Secretary of State. This procedure does not apply to complaints on matters of pupil discipline or individual teachers. You can find details of the complaints procedure concerning all matters in the booklet ‘Information for Par-ents’ available from the Edu-cation Department. In appro-priate circumstances, under this procedure, the Council’s staff will act as advocates and/or advisors.

Continuous and Sustained Improvement We are firmly committed to improving the education and facilities offered to children and the communi-ty. We do this is several ways. - We are a member of Gateshead SCITT, which provides initial teacher training. This means we help to train teachers and are able to access new ide-as for improvement. - We regularly consult par-ents/carers and the com-munity about the school. - We consult our children about the school. - We have a regular pro-gram of monitoring teaching and learning to identify are-as for improvement. - We have extremely high expectations of the children who attend our school.

Collective Worship Acts of worship take place every day. Parents / carers and friends are welcome to attend class assemblies (dates advised in newslet-ters) and celebration as-semblies (9.05am every Fri-day). Worship is led in a variety of ways: by visitors, pupils, teachers and other mem-bers of staff. We encourage children to participate at all times in order to pro-mote their moral and spir-itual welfare. Parents / carers have the right to withdraw their chil-dren from collective wor-ship and those who are withdrawn will be super-vised by a member of staff. Please contact the Head Teacher to discuss the mat-ter further.

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Curriculum

Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) Teaching in Nursery builds on the learning experiences children have already achieved at home. This develops through to Reception year. Most of the learning children do is through structured play, which is appropriate to the needs of very young children. Teachers follow the Foundation Stage curriculum. We encourage children to learn through exploration and play. All children in the Early Years enjoy Forest Fridays in our on-site forest school. Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Children are taught a range of skills, understanding and knowledge that give them the basic skills to achieve their maximum potential during their education and throughout their lives. Outdoor learning (in our very own forest school) is highly valued at Fell Dyke. The curriculum is varied and outstanding. We aim to develop cooperation and toler-ance alongside academic skills and a will to succeed and excel. We encourage chil-dren to be independent learners who, as they grow older, take responsibility for their actions. Learning is continually assessed and teaching adjusted to meet the abilities and in-terests of our children. A range of teaching styles and approaches are used to ac-tively engage and enthuse all children in their learning. Children are taught: The core subjects – English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Design Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art and Design and Physical Education through a crea-tive integrated curriculum. Children are also taught Religious Education and Personal, Social and Health Educa-tion and Citizenship.

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Topic Work Topic Work includes Science, History and Geography. Your child will take part in scientific investigations where they must plan and carry out a fair test to develop essential scientific enquiry skills. All topics are taught in a cross curricular way where links are made between subjects. Children in all year groups have new topics each half term which all lessons are linked to. This allows children to make meaningful links within their learning. Children will develop research, analysis, and comparison skills within their topic lessons. Children are often encouraged to work in groups to share their understanding and develop key communica-tion skills.

Mathematics Every maths lesson consists of a mental maths warm up, where children practise mental maths calculations. Chil-dren are expected to practise these mental maths skills independently at home as part of their ongoing learning and homework. Children are taught a new maths skill each lesson and will be given time during a lesson to practise this skill and apply it to a worded problem. There is a strong focus on solving worded problems within maths at Fell Dyke. This encourages children to apply maths skills to real life situations.

Literacy Each day your child will have a Literacy lesson based on a key text linked to the class topic for the half term. All Literacy les-sons involve your children taking part in speaking and listening activities. The teacher teaches the children a key writing skill each lesson. Each child has their own targets to refer to through-out their lesson. Children learn new writing skills over the week in lessons. They then use these in an extended writing lesson. Children also take part in a daily guided reading session where they will develop their reading and inference skills. They will read with their teacher at least once a week and have various reading activities to complete when working independently.

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Computing Essential computing skills are taught across the curric-ulum within most areas of learning. Fell Dyke has ex-cellent IT equipment available for children to develop key skills. High quality laptops and IPads can be used within the classroom to facilitate your child’s learn-ing. We also has a range of other equipment that is used by teachers to enhance your child’s learning ex-perience.

The Arts Children are taught key skills within the arts each week. These may relate to painting, drawing, sculpt-ing, building, cooking, acting or singing. Each class has a class assembly once a year where they will share their learning with parents and carers, as well as a song they have learnt as part of their topic. Every child attends a singing assembly twice each week where they learn new songs with our music teacher. The children also take part in a production each year where they have a chance to perform.

Physical Education (PE) Children take part in two hours of Physical Education each week. This consists of gymnastics, dance or out-door games. As part of the Year 5 and Year 6 PE cur-riculum, they attend swimming lessons each week. The children take part in a sports day event during the summer term each year. Children from across the school also regularly take part in sporting activities and tournaments organised off site, There are many after school sports clubs children can take part in to develop team games such as golf, football and other team games.

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Religious Education (RE) Your child will take part in an RE lesson each week where they will learn about different religions and relate these teachings and understandings to their own life. The school celebrates the diverse cultural and religious differences found in the school. Reli-gious festivals are celebrated in assemblies.

Personal Social Health Education At Fell Dyke, we have a strong focus on children under-standing how to look after themselves personally and so-cially. Children take part in a PSHE lesson each week which look at a theme to support children with their understand-ing of emotions and how best to deal with any difficult sit-uations they may face in life in a safe way. Children are asked to discuss and think about how to deal with different situations they may come across in life. In Key Stage 2, children take part in essential Sex and Relationship Educa-tion where they find out more about how bodies develop and change. Parents can choose to remove their child from these sessions.

Modern Foreign Languages Children are taught French in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. Extra-Curricular Activities These activities take place: before school, at lunchtime and after school. The range of activities we offer changes every term but includes some of the following: football, skipping, reading, netball, sci-ence, recorder, gymnastics, art and craft, homework, choir and French.

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Homework Homework is set (on Friday to be re-turned by Wednesday) weekly for all children because children benefit great-ly from it - it helps them to progress. In addition, every child is expected to read with an adult and practise their multi-plication tables, at home, on a daily ba-sis. We view parents and carers as part-ners in their child’s education and their support and help is greatly valued. Children are able to attend homework club to help them complete their home-work to the expected standard.

Gateshead 3 - 7 SCITT We are a consortium member of the Gateshead 3 – 7 School Centred Initial Teacher Training programme. In effect, this means we train potential teachers in our school.

Jewelry Stud earrings (two only – one in each ear) and a wristwatch may be worn in school; both must be removed for PE lessons. No other jewelry is to be worn.

Health and Safety Our teaching assistants, who all have basic first aid training, provide first aid treatment. Four of our teaching assis-tants have a pediatric first aid qualifica-tion. The school building and site is reg-ularly checked to ensure safety. Children should not come to school if they are ill, particularly if they have an infectious ailment. Advice can be sought from the school on this matter. In the interests of safety the staff car park must not be used to drop off and collect children. It is most important that we have an up-to-date emergency contact number for all children. Please make sure the school is informed if telephone numbers change.

Healthy School We are a healthy school, with the Na-tional Healthy School Status. This means: Younger children have milk and fruit provided by central government. We encourage health and fitness for everyone in school. We teach a well-organised programme to encourage healthy living. We use a school council to encourage children to be involved in decisions about the school. We provide information for parents / carers and children about health issues and where to find advice. Smoking is not allowed on the school site.

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Lunchtime Arrangements Children can stay for school lunch, stay and have a packed lunch or go home. The choice of eating arrangements is made on Mondays, for whole weeks. School meals are prepared on the premises and there is always a choice available. All children in Reception –Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal. At the time of writing, the cost of a school meal is £2.00 a day. Parents / carers are always informed before changes in price take place. Meals must be paid for in advance, at the begin-ning of each week. In line with our healthy eating policy, we do not allow sweets, chocolate or fizzy drinks in packed lunches. We do not have special storage areas for packed meals although we try to store them in cool areas. Parents / carers may be eligible to re-ceive free school meals for their chil-dren. Please ask at the school office for

an application form.

Parents and Carers

We value parents / carers as partners in their children’s education and work co-operatively towards developing the school and the commu-nity. Parents / carers are welcome in the school and their views and opinions are valued. Parents / carers and pupils are frequently con-sulted about policy matters concerning the school. We hold termly parent / carer / teach-er consultation meetings and provide termly written and verbal reports on progress

Medicines Teachers do not administer medicines. A First aider will administer prescribed medicines in an exceptional case and if a health plan has been completed. Asthma inhalers are kept in school and are carefully monitored. The school nurse carries out routine health inspections and can provide advice to parents / carers when required.

Special Educational Needs Any child who has a special educational need has an individual education plan, which is fol-lowed by all staff that teaches the child. Children are usually taught in small groups in the classroom, although sometimes they are withdrawn to a quiet room to work with a teacher or teaching assistant. Occasionally, children receive individual sup-port if they have particular needs. Intervention groups are provided for children throughout the school. These groups help to meet the needs of children who experience emotional and be-havioural difficulties. Where necessary we work closely with Educational Psychologists and other specialists. We always work in consultation with parents and carers. The school’s policy for Special Edu-cational Needs is available on our website.

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School Day

Children should be in the schoolyard by 8.50am, ready for an 8.55am start to the day. Children are often embarrassed if they arrive late. Additionally, they are unsure of the work the rest of their class is completing, having missed the initial teacher input. However, if for any reason children are delayed, please make sure that they come to school. Staying off for the whole day because of sleeping in is not an acceptable reason for absence. Parents and carers must contact school immediately on the first day of an unexpected absence. Registration takes place at 8.55am. If the weather is wet children can come into their classroom from 8.45am.

Times of the School Day Nursery 8.45am – 11.45am for morning children 12.30pm – 3.30pm for afternoon children Reception and Key Stage One 8.55am – 3.15pm Morning Break 10.20am – 10.35am Lunchtime 12.00noon - 1.00pm

Key Stage Two 8.55am– 3.20pm Morning Break 10.45am-11.00am Lunchtime 12.00noon-1.00pm

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School Rules

We keep our hands and feet to ourselves

Our children, represented by the democratically elected School Council, have adopted the following school rules:

We look after each other, our school and ourselves

We always tell the truth

We work hard to improve our work

We listen to instructions and follow them carefully

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Uniform

Our school uniform looks smart, helps protect best clothes and gives the children a sense of belonging. It can be ordered from the school office. All uniform must be marked with the child’s name. All uniform which is purchased from school has the child’s name discretely embroidered on the front. Please do not send children to school wearing unsuitable clothing. The Head Teach-er has the right to prohibit certain types of clothing considered to be unsuitable. Children will be given school uniform to wear if they arrive at school dressed inap-propriately. Football shirts are not allowed to be worn in school.

School Uniform Our school uniform consists of: a royal blue sweatshirt or cardi-gan; a plain white polo shirt; a grey or black skirt; pinafore or trousers; a royal blue and white summer dress; black shoes or trainers.

P.E Kit All children wear a PE kit con-sisting of: navy blue or black shorts or tracksuit bottoms, a blue tee shirt and trainers; the PE kit is stored at school in a bag which is provided free of charge by the school.

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Where to Find Us

We are on Springwell Road, Wrekenton. Coming from the south A1 – Leave the A1 at the junction for the Angel of the North and take the exit signed B1295 for Wrekenton. When you reach the mini roundabout turn right. At the next mini roundabout turn right again. Follow this road until you come to a set of traffic lights (you will have passed a Co-op Superstore). Go straight across the lights on the B1296. The school is approximately half a mile along this road on your right. Coming from Gateshead – follow signs for Wrekenton (B1296). At the top of Old Durham Road turn left to continue on the B1296. The school is approximately half a mile along this road on your right.