Polebrook CE Primary School Prospectus

Main Street Polebrook Northants PE8 5LN01832 272319 www.polebrook.northants.sch.uk

Polebrook Church of England Primary School

Creativity : Self-confidence : Friendship : Respect

www.polebrook.northants.sch.uk 01832 272319

Welcome Polebrook School is passionate about learning and prides itself on the quality of education it offers. Academic excellence is important to us, as is our

commitment to creativity and the arts. The curriculum is varied, exciting and develops independent learners equipped with the skills and confidence to take on the challenges of the 21st century. Our dedicated team of teachers and support staff provides a caring and stimulating environment in which children thrive. As a result, our children are happy and their behaviour is excellent.

We value everyone at Polebrook and as a Church School: respect is central to our ethos. Pupils, staff and Governors enjoy excellent relationships with our local church and village community and share many special events throughout the year, such as Christmas and Easter services, May Day and our annual summer fête.

We hope this prospectus will be helpful to you when choosing the best school for your child. We would love to share our passion for learning with you and would be pleased to show you around our school. We are very proud of all we do and welcome visits from prospective parents and carers at any time during the school year.

Pupils’ attitudes to learning are very positive and their keenness to give of their best are important ingredients in their success OFSTED 2010

Our Core ValuesInspirational CurriculumAt Polebrook School we offer a broad and balanced range of subjects in line with the expectations of the National and Early Years curriculum. We value and embrace all subjects and have a strong commitment to the arts.

Equality A comforting and safe atmosphere fosters a love of learning and, through collaboration, we build empathy and respect for the ideas and beliefs of others. Every member of the school community is respected, as we are committed to providing all our children with the same opportunities irrespective of race, gender, creed or culture.

Christian FaithWe encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promote Christian values within the daily life of the school.

PartnershipWe believe that a strong sense of community is at the heart of learning. We value a strong partnership between home, school and the local community and together we share a common aim: to support and enrich the development of every child.

Extra-Curricular OpportunitiesWe offer a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities which include sports, music, outdoor education and the arts. All our pupils are encouraged to take part and to discover their own interests, skills and talents.

Effective Leadership and ManagementThe Head Teacher, Governors and staff work collaboratively to ensure that all learners achieve their very best whilst at Polebrook School. Our dedicated staff work hard to inspire and motivate our children through innovative and exciting curriculum delivery. Standards of teaching and learning are excellent and levels of achievement are high throughout the school.



Our SchoolOur school premises are well cared for and well equipped with an interactive whiteboard and networked computers in each classroom. We have a separate ICT suite and a laptop trolley with 20 additional laptops for easy use around the school. For children starting school in the Foundation Stage, there is a good-sized covered outdoor play area

adjoining the Reception classroom. We have a multi-purpose hall at the centre of the school and a well-appointed library. A quiet seating area and a garden have been developed adjacent to our playground and there is a large grassed playing field which is used frequently by the children throughout the year, as well as for events including May Day, Sports Day and for regular sports training such as football, rugby and athletics.

School OrganisationOur children are grouped into three classes: Red Class – Reception aged 4-5 years – Foundation StageGreen Class – Year 1 aged 5 – 6 years – Key Stage 1Year 2 aged 6 – 7 years – Key Stage 1Blue Class – Year 3 aged 7-8 years – Key Stage 2Year 4 aged 8-9 years – Key Stage 2

Mixed age classes are a strength of the school, as they allow us to accommodate individual needs irrespective of age. Younger children experience wider opportunities in a secure environment sooner and more able children are offered a broader curriculum to take account of their needs.

Our teaching team is supported by experienced teaching assistants who enrich learning in every classroom. We endeavour to have two adults in each class throughout the week.

The staffing consists of three full time teachers and one part-time teacher. We consider that it is a real asset to the school that in addition to responsibility for the day to day running of Polebrook our Head Teacher also teaches part-time.

AdmissionsChildren are welcomed to Polebrook Primary School from the September following their 4th birthday and at any time up to the end of year 4 and our standard admissions number is 17 per year group.

As a County school our admissions are managed by Northamptonshire County Council and the criteria for entry are identified in the booklet ‘Applying for a Primary School Place in Northamptonshire’ which is released early in the school year.

Copies of the booklet can be obtained via the Northamptonshire County Council website at www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/admissions.

Admissions criteria for Polebrook Primary School can be found in the booklet under the section ‘Community Primary (and Lower) school – rural.’ Priority will be awarded using the criteria identified.

In the event that you are unsuccessful at securing a place at Polebrook Primary School, you are able to appeal against the decision by contacting the county admissions team at [email protected].

The School DayChildren are supervised in school from 8.45am each morning and registration is at 8.55am, although children are permitted on site at 8.45am. The morning is split into three sessions, divided by assembly at 10.00am and supervised playtime at 11.10am. Lunch is at 12.15pm (12.30pm for Years 3 and 4) until 1.30pm. Afternoon school runs until 3.15pm (divided

into 2 sessions by a short break for Years Reception, 1 and 2).

Breakfast ClubA breakfast club operates before the school day from 8.15am every morning for families who require additional child care. Further details can be obtained from the school office or found on our website. There is a charge for this service.

School UniformPolebrook School uniform is smart and affordable and can be purchased new or secondhand via the school office. Children wear burgundy jumpers or cardigans embroidered with the school logo and white polo shirts with grey trousers or skirts. Our PE uniform comprises of burgundy shorts, a white sports shirt and black plimsolls. There is a uniform order form available to download on the school website.

Lunchtime As a holder of the Healthy School Award, Polebrook School is committed to promoting healthy eating.Hot meals are provided at very reasonable prices by Nourish, the County hot meal service, and are prepared daily on site. The meals offer a healthy balanced diet and are planned using a varied menu offering vegetarian and meat options each day. Parents and children have the flexibility to choose and pay for their meals on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly or termly basis and can opt to choose particular days to suit their own requirements. Some children prefer a cold packed lunch that they bring with them each day although packed lunches must be prepared in line with our healthy eating policy.



The CurriculumEnglish, Maths and ICT are central to our challenging and varied curriculum. They are taught as distinct subjects but are also key to our thematic units of work such as ‘The Rainforest’ or ‘Bright Sparks’. Inspirational themes are used to deliver the foundation subjects such as Science, Art, Dance,

Music, PE, Design and Technology, French, History and Geography. This inspirational and innovative approach to learning is key to developing independent and imaginative thinkers who embrace challenge and think creatively. It motivates our children to succeed and promotes consistently high standards of achievement and behaviour across the school.

We have a strong commitment to the arts and consider them key to the early development of creativity, imagination, control and discipline. In 2010 we were

awarded our Arts Mark Silver Award as recognition for our continued work within the arts.

To ensure the best possible provision across the curriculum for all our pupils, we

Pupils make good progress because teaching is effective and the curriculum is well organised, imaginative and meets pupils’ needs and interests very well OFSTED 2010

enrich the learning experience by employing additional teachers and coaches to deliver specialist subjects.

PEWe recognise the importance of physical skills for developing co-ordination, tactics and team work within our children. We offer a range of specialist sports coaching throughout the year, such as rugby, football, basketball, tennis, cricket and athletics. In addition, as part of the School’s Sports Partnership, we work closely with other local lower, middle and upper schools to access specialist facilities and provide a range of high quality sporting opportunities and competitions for our youngsters throughout the year.

FrenchModern Foreign Languages are an important element of education today. At Polebrook, French is taught each week to children from Year 1 to Year 4 by our specialist French teacher. Colourful French displays, charts and notices around school enrich our curriculum and allow us to include French speaking within our weekly routines whenever possible.

MusicMusic plays a key role in our curriculum delivery and is an important element of school life. Essential skills of co-operation, co-ordination and listening are just a few of the many important skills developed through expert music tuition. Music lessons are delivered each week to all our children and many also enjoy our wide variety of musical groups and clubs throughout the week. In addition, whole class ukulele and recorder sessions are taught to our older pupils and subsidised strings, brass and woodwind tuition is available to individuals who are keen to learn to play an instrument as they progress through the school. Our choir and instrumentalists are proud to perform and compete in many of the local festivals and events and to play and sing in our own services, shows and productions throughout the year.



The curriculum is encouraging them to be inquisitive, use their imagination and to find things out for themselves OFSTED 2010

DanceDance is key to developing control and discipline and these are skills which are transferred and applied across the curriculum to promote positive learning. Dance is delivered by our specialist dance tutor. Our pupils enjoy dancing in our school productions, assemblies and events throughout the year.

Arts PartnersVisitors enrich the curriculum and extend the learning experiences offered to all our pupils. We enjoy inviting a range of arts partners into school each year to share their expertise and talents beyond those generally available in primary schools. Our children learn to work with a range of different techniques, resources and media individually and in groups, often producing large pieces of artwork which can be displayed around school as permanent and semi-permanent fixtures. Arts partners visiting our school have included felt makers, photographers, sculptors and potters.

Forest SchoolsWe are proud to have introduced the Forest Schools Programme to our school in 2012. Forest School offers our children regular opportunities to achieve and develop their knowledge and experience of the world, and builds confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment. Each session is led by a qualified Forest School Leader and may include conservation projects, woodland identification, camp craft skills, tool safety and shelter building.

Standards of AchievementIn order to ensure all our children achieve their best during their time at Polebrook School, we monitor and track their progress carefully in lessons. In addition, at key points throughout the year, teachers carry out some formal assessment tasks and tests to confirm judgements and, at the end of Year 2, all children complete their statutory Key Stage 1 Standard Assessment Tests (SATS).

Gifted and Talented /Special Educational NeedsMany children experience difficulties within their learning at some point during their school years; equally, there are those who progress more quickly than their peers. As a small school, Polebrook is able to track progress of children very carefully and identify quickly when differences develop within a child’s learning.

Our inclusive curriculum ensures that all children access all areas of learning through differentiated tasks so that all children achieve well, are challenged and make progress within each lesson. Where children exceed or fall behind expected rates of progress, parents are invited into school to discuss their child’s learning and put early intervention or extension in place to help children achieve their best. In addition, and in consultation with parents and carers, class teachers liaise frequently with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and, when necessary, additional support is provided by specialist teachers or learning support assistants. When these interventions are still not sufficient to help the child make expected levels of progress, specialist support is sourced from external professionals. These external providers help staff and parents/carers by providing expertise, guidance and resources to promote increased rates of progress. In these instances, specialist education plans are drawn up in partnership with agencies, home and school to direct this learning and monitor the progress of the individual even more closely.



Home School PartnershipWe value a strong partnership between home and school as we believe this contributes significantly to every child’s success. Every year children, staff and parents sign our Home-School-Child Agreement, setting out foundations for a strong working relationship between home and school.

Parents are invited to meet with teachers whenever necessary and are encouraged to do so if there are concerns or worries about any aspect of their child’s education. Appointments can be made through the school office. In addition, formal reporting takes place through Pupil Progress Meetings which are held twice a year and a full written progress report is issued in the summer term.

We have a dedicated Parent/Teacher Association, The Friends of Polebrook School (FOPS) who promote cohesion and co-operation between home and school through their fundraising efforts and contribution to school life.

Parent Governors are elected onto the Governing body by parents when a vacancy arises. Parent Governors assume all usual governor duties and responsibilities.

Newsletters are sent out termly to keep parents up to date with school life and forthcoming events and information letters are sent home with children throughout the term as required. All letters are available to view anytime on our website. Parents can also opt to receive letters via email.

Parent help in school is always valued and there are many opportunities throughout the year when extra support with activities is welcomed.

Parent help in school is always valued and there are many opportunities throughout the year when extra support with activities is welcomed.

Disability and EqualityAll children and adults at Polebrook School are valued and respected irrespective of race, age, disability, culture or gender. We work hard to ensure that our school operates within the laws of equal opportunity and racial equality and our school complies with the recommendations set out in The Equality Duty Act 2010.

Arts n Art Clubn Choirn Ocarina Clubn Dance Clubn Film Making Clubn Orchestran Brass tuitionn Woodwind tuitionn String tuitionn Arts Partner Workshops

Events and Festivals n Harvest Festival (in collaboration

with All Saints Church, Polebrook)n Christmas productionn Carol Service and Nativity (in collaboration

with All Saints Church, Polebrook)n Easter Service (in collaboration

with All Saints Church, Polebrook)n May Day with the procession of the May Queenn Leavers’ Assemblyn School discosn Summer Fête

Sports n Cricket coachingn Athletics coachingn Football coachingn Basketball coachingn Sports Dayn Inter-School

competitive sporting events

Enrichment n Regular sharing assembliesn Games Clubn Gardening Clubn Swimming lessonsn Oundle Festival of Music and Draman Northamptonshire Performing Arts Festivaln School day trips and visitsn Specialist visitorsn Residential trip to Norfolk for Years 3 and 4.n Community coffee mornings

Promoting Excellent BehaviourAt Polebrook we believe that outstanding performance can only be achieved in a safe, secure environment where children feel happy, motivated and keen to achieve. High standards of behaviour grow from mutual respect and an understanding of your own rights and those of others. Behaviour applies not only to codes of conduct but also learning behaviours within the classroom and includes independence, interdependence, respect and motivation. These codes of behaviour are applied and understood by all members of our school community and ensure our school is a happy, industrious and secure learning environment for all.

School HousesSchool Houses and House Captains are an important element of our daily school life. When children first join Polebrook they are assigned to one of our four houses (St George, St Patrick, St David and St Andrew). They earn team points for their houses through hard work, polite behaviour and showing respect for others. Older children are elected into House Captain roles to monitor house points, receive the House Cup and manage the playground toys and equipment throughout the year.

School CouncilSchool Councillors are elected from each year group to represent the views and opinions of their class in School Council meetings. They plan and run school events such as charity coffee mornings and discos, but also play a part in decision making across school by running mini audits and gathering pupil opinions through questionnaires. When appointing new staff, School Councillors often help with the interview process by meeting prospective candidates and feeding back to the Head Teacher and Governors.


Other ActivitiesIn addition to the varied range of subjects offered through our curriculum, we also offer a varied range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities. These include:

Titchmarsh

Thrapston

Warmington

Polebrook

Winwick

Barnwell

Oundle

Lutton

Hemington

LuddingtonGreat

Gidding

Ashton Washingly

TansorCotterstock

Where to find us

Polebrook C of E Primary SchoolMain Street, Polebrook, Northamptonshire PE8 5LN


Polebrook CE Primary School Prospectus

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Transcript of Polebrook CE Primary School Prospectus