Moretonhampstead. Primary School. Moretonhampstead Primary School Betton Way. Moretonhampstead

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1 Moretonhampstead Primary School Moretonhampstead Primary School Betton Way Moretonhampstead Devon TQ13 8NA Telephone: Web:

2 Welcome to Moretonhampstead On behalf of the school governors, the staff and myself, welcome to Moretonhampstead Primary School. In September 2007, Moretonhampstead Primary School moved into a large, beautiful building in its new location with spacious grounds. The school is in a unique setting with panoramic views of Dartmoor. Our school is part of the South Dartmoor Academy Trust. If your child is about to join us in Reception, we welcome you as parents and look forward to a happy and successful association over the coming years. If your child is older and you are thinking about a new school, we welcome your interest and will provide an appropriate induction for your child to ensure they settle quickly. This prospectus will provide you with information on the school, its aims, curriculum and what our days in school look like. We believe that you, as parents, are not only your children s first educators but also continue to play a vital role throughout their time at school. We hope you are able to take an active interest in what your child is doing at school. Working together, will enable us to provide the best possible education for your child. Jacqui Dart Acting Headteacher (Until April 2015)

3 School Organisation Your child will spend up to seven years in primary school. Children enter the school in the Reception Year and progress each year until they are in Year 6. There are three stages for primary school children: Foundation Stage Reception year (ages 4-5) Key Stage 1 Year groups 1 and 2 (ages 5-7) Key Stage 2 Year groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 (ages 7-ll) We aim to provide the best possible learning environment for all children in a caring atmosphere where each child s efforts are celebrated. The teachers and teaching assistants at Moretonhampstead Primary work closely together. Good planning and thorough liaison ensure that all children in each class receive their full entitlement to the National Curriculum and other subjects. School Vision Statement and Aims This is our vision statement: In a trusting, caring and motivating environment, our children will be happy, confident learners who are inspired to do their very best. Together, we will lay the foundations needed for effective life long learning and responsible citizenship. Our aims are the foundation on which the whole school s development for the future is built: Together we will make learning fun and challenging in a supportive environment. Together we will become self-motivated, independent learners. Together we will treat everyone as we would like them to treat us. Together we will be safe, happy and healthy at school. Together we will do our very best and be proud of what we do. Together we will experience and learn how to be good citizens of the world. Our school motto is To learn the best we can.

4 Home, School and Community At Moretonhampstead Primary we see partnerships between children, their families, staff, governors and the community as essential to success in learning. It is vital that communications between us all are open, honest, thoughtful and friendly. We wish to involve everyone in the life of the school. Our Friends of Moretonhampstead School (FOMS) work throughout the year to raise funds for the school. New members are always welcome. Our Parent Forum endeavours to improve still further communication between home and school. Parent representatives meet twice termly with the Headteacher to discuss topical items. Our School Governors School Governors have legal duties, powers and responsibilities. They act together and not as individuals. Our Governors are committed, hardworking members of our school family. They work for the benefit of all our children to ensure the highest possible standards of attainment, attitude to learning and behaviour within a positive, safe, caring environment. They work in strong partnership with the Headteacher and staff to help us work towards our school vision. Success for Children of all Abilities At Moretonhampstead we recognise that every child is unique and is valued regardless of ability. At some point during their school life, children may require support with their learning, because of emotional, academic or social needs. We consider the needs of children with either special talents or particular learning difficulties as very important. We make special provision for them in partnership with both the children themselves, their families, the staff in school and by referring to outside agencies for advice, if necessary. It is through this close partnership that we ensure that all our children s needs are met successfully and their achievements recognised and celebrated.

5 The Curriculum and our Facilities For children in our school family, we endeavour to ensure that our curriculum is not only those activities which are planned by their teachers, but also the whole learning experience for example our range of extracurricular activities, the routines of school and the special events. Through the hidden curriculum our children learn from the way they are treated and how they are expected to behave. Our teachers ensure that children receive their full entitlement to the National Curriculum and other subjects. We strive to provide exciting learning opportunities reflecting the interests of the children and this is delivered in themes. Using the International Primary Curriculum, we provide a skills and enquiry based approach to learning which also includes an element of international understanding in each theme. We are able to support our teaching with some excellent facilities and resources. We have a large library and a high ratio of computers to children to which the children have regular access. Our classrooms are spacious with additional learning areas both inside and outside. The school has several hard playing areas, a pond, garden and a large playing field. Collective Worship and Religious Education We encourage children to be kind and helpful, to treat others with care and respect and help them to develop a social and spiritual understanding of the world. We seek to promote spiritual, moral and cultural development within a school community that cares, co-operates and has consideration and compassion for others. In order to meet these aims we follow the Devon Agreed Syllabus on RE and guidance for collective worship. Children are introduced to the beliefs and customs of world religions and given opportunities to reflect on these. The children meet for assembly each day. Parents may, if they wish, request that their child be excused from either RE or collective worship. As a school family, we are committed to the belief that regardless of gender, race, colour or creed, everyone is entitled to equal opportunity at Moretonhampstead.

6 Our Day Reception and Key Stage 1 Morning session Afternoon session Key Stage 2 Morning session Afternoon session What to Wear We want the children at Moretonhampstead to take pride in their appearance. Our pupils wear a school uniform that is smart yet practical and affordable. Details are given on our website and in the school handbook. Home Learning We feel that, at primary age, much of the children s time spent out of school should be spent pursuing interests, hobbies and play. However, we also wish to actively encourage parents to support their children s education. We distribute outline planning at the beginning of each term to inform parents of the areas of study their child is undertaking each term. We hold workshops on specific topics in line with children s needs and parental interests. We believe support from home greatly enhances children s learning at school; helping to develop resourceful, independent learners and a self discipline where children can apply and practise skills taught at school and so take their learning further. The children will be given specific tasks and the amount of home learning will increase as the children get older in preparation for the expectations of their secondary schools. However, the single most important element of home learning is reading. Reading is an essential tool for learning. We hope that all children will be given the opportunity to read regularly at home and hope all parents will support us in this.

7 The Arts at Moretonhampstead Our school has received the Artsmark from the Design Council in recognition of the emphasis we give to art, music, dance and drama to ensure every child experiences a wide range of opportunities and develops their creativity. As well as drawing on the talents of the staff in school, we use the local drama group and artists to help us to experiment and achieve high standards in our creative projects. Fit and Healthy Children at Moretonhampstead Primary Our school has been awarded the Activemark and the Healthy Schools Award in recognition of our good provision in encouraging children to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, teaching them the value of exercise and a healthy diet. Physical Education The school aims to offer each child a full range of physical opportunity in order to promote fitness and the enjoyment of taking part in sporting events. We are part of the School Sport Partnership with South Dartmoor Community College and benefit from inter-school festivals, tournaments and opportunities for high fliers. We encourage children to take part in sport clubs throughout the year. Healthy Playtimes and Lunchtimes Children are encouraged to bring a healthy snack during morning playtime and the school has a tuck shop. We have an excellent school kitchen that provides quality meals for our children. All children up to year 2 are given the option of having a free school meal if they would like one, as are children across the school that are eligible for free school meals. Meals are offered to all other children at a cost of 2.30 per day. We eat together in the hall and children come in as a class on a rotation basis to allow us to accommodate everyone. Sex and Relationship Education The governing body has decided that sex and relationship education should form part of the school curriculum. Our staff follow the school s agreed policy.

8 Enrichment We believe that children should have a wide variety of experiences at school. We pride ourselves in the opportunities offered to pupils which include: working with local artists story tellers and theatre groups music events theme entry point days team building residentials In addition we organise many day educational visits throughout the academic year. These trips enhance our children s learning, enable them to gain greater understanding and allow them to enjoy new experiences. Extra Curricular Activities Our children take part in a range of extra curriculum activities. The range of clubs varies but usually includes sport and dance, music and choir, environmental concerns and art. Many of our children receive instrumental tuition. This takes place during school time. If you are interested in your child taking up music lessons, please contact the school office for costs and the range of instruments on offer. Behaviour Children at Moretonhampstead are caring, polite and well behaved; keen to look after one another and show respect for each other. We believe that this is because of the caring family atmosphere that is very much part of our ethos. One of our important aims is: Together we will treat everyone as we would like them to treat us. This is understood by all the children and staff and helps our children reflect on their actions. We have an ethos that celebrates positive behaviour and achievement. This positive approach encourages good attitudes towards learning and each other and consequently, Moretonhampstead Primary is a happy, safe, purposeful learning environment for all learners. We operate a simple reward and sanction system which has been drawn up through extensive consultation with children particularly. This is well understood and the children whose behaviour does impact on others are clear about why sanctions are to be imposed. Parents are kept informed and are involved in discussions about steps that need to be taken should concerns grow regarding behaviour. Ofsted (Feb 2013) judged our school s behaviour as outstanding.

9 So what do the children have to say about their school? I like this school because the other children are really nice and the teachers always help if you need help. I like this school because it s fun and cool because our teachers make learning fun. I like this school because it is a good environment and I love the International Primary Curriculum. I like this school because it has amazing clubs and people work together and help make it enjoyable to learn in. This school helps me to learn quickly and have fun. I like this school because everyone s happy and smiles. Moretonhampstead Primary is fun and friendly because there are loads of things to learn about and trips to go on. Everyone is friendly and you will find friends easy-peasy! The lessons are fun and we do a big variety of projects and sport and art and acting and stuff for everyone! I also love the opportunities, eg festivals, tournaments, competitions, shows and trips. Moretonhampstead Primary is fun, happy and huge. All the teachers are happy and smile. The learning is exciting and fun. The school is big and there s lots of room. I like this school because we have great teachers and a massive field in the school grounds. We try our best to be eco friendly and healthy eaters.

10 And the parents say I love the friendliness Focus on broad range of experiences including outdoor learning Lovely staff really caring A fantastic learning environment with happy children Easy to approach staff about any matter