Contents PAGE Letter from the Head teacher 1 Mission Statement and School Motto 2 Vision for all Stakeholders 3 Aims of the School 4-5 Code of

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1 Contents PAGE Letter from the Head teacher 1 Mission Statement and School Motto 2 Vision for all Stakeholders 3 Aims of the School 4-5 Code of Conduct and Discipline/Equal Opportunities 5 The school and its buildings 6 Admission arrangements & Enrolling your Child 6-7 Organisation of classes 8 The School day 8-9 The School Community Home/School Partnership 9 Starting school, Introductory meetings 9 Consultation Evenings 9 Concerts & Open Assemblies 10 Newsletters 10 Daily Communication, Notice boards 10 Notice boards 11 The Parent Teacher and Friends Association 11 Helping in School, visits 11 Governors School Profile for Parents 11 Citizenship 11 Pupils with disabilities 11 Extended schools & Wrap around Care Provision School Website 12 Foundation and National Curriculum 12 English 13 Maths 14 Science 15 Design Technology 15 Information and Communication Technology 15 History 15 Geography 16 Physical Education Art Music 17 Personal Achievement 17 Personal, Social and Health Education 17 Religious Education and Collective Worship 18 Sex Education 18 Homework 18 Assessment & Recording 19 Special Educational Needs (SEN) 19 Extra Curricular Clubs 19 School Collection Procedure 19 Term Dates 20 General Information in alphabetical order Health & Welfare - in alphabetical order Uniform 26 1

2 Dear Parents, Dickens Boulevard Stotfold Herts SG5 4FD Welcome to our school This prospectus is designed to give parents and prospective parents an outline of our approach to the curriculum and the way it will be organised at Fairfield Park Lower School. It gives some information about the organisation and management of the school. We hope that you will find it useful to keep, as a reference at the start of your child s journey with us in our new school and community. This is an exciting time and we hope your child and family will fully take part in all the activities, events, and celebrations that will occur over the forthcoming year. There will be lots of time to visit the school and to ask any questions about the learning environment your child will experience. There is also our Web Site for you to access on the above address. All the staff will strive to ensure that all pupils will be motivated and enthusiastic, enjoy school, derive a sense of purpose and achieve high standards. Our aim is to develop their personalities and capabilities in order to reach their full potential. We will provide a caring and supporting environment where individuals will be respected and valued for their uniqueness. Members of staff will work together as a team and have been appointed for their expertise in different areas to complement this new school and offer the children a wide range of experiences and a depth in their learning curriculum. The school has been set up working towards the Investors in People principles, valuing, and motivating staff to achieve success for the pupils in their care. At Fairfield Park we will place emphasis on the partnership of home and school in the education of young children. We believe that we each have an important and complimentary part to play in their learning development. For this reason we encourage a personal dialogue between parents and teacher for the benefit of the individual child. This is especially important in the learning journey to support your child with either special educational needs or gifted and talented achievements. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our school and trust that you will find us a happy, friendly and purposeful community. Yours sincerely, Mrs Jenny Stone Headteacher 2

3 Mission Statement Of our school Fairfield Park Lower School provides all children with the opportunity to enjoy learning and achieve their very best, in a safe, secure, and supportive environment. Our school will set high expectations for all learners to achieve high standards. Our school helps children to become healthy and confident individuals, as well as team players and leading into responsible citizens for the future. We will encourage all children to be creative, enquiring, active, eco friendly, valued, and skilful through a diverse curriculum. Our school community will support all children and adults into becoming life long learners and respect each other s talents and achievements. We aim to work in partnership with the community of which we are a part. We will embrace new technologies and constantly strive for improvement for the future of all our learners. A journey through our school will be engaging, fun, creative, challenging, active and leading to success for all. Our Motto is Valuing Fairfield Children Park Lower School Valuing Achievement Valuing Children Valuing Valuing Our Achievement Community 3

4 Valuing our Community Our vision for our children We want our children to be self-motivated, confident life long learners, who are enthused by an interesting, stimulating, fun, creative integrated skills curriculum. We want children to be healthy, active, valued, team players and responsible citizens. We will provide a safe, supportive, enjoyable and challenging environment that is technologically enriched and reflects global awareness and cultural diversity. We want all children to achieve their very best and respect all talents and achievements. Our vision for our parents We want our parents to be involved and active in their child s learning and in the life of the whole school. We want you to embrace curriculum opportunities and develop the holistic child, learning alongside all of our pupils. We want an ongoing dialogue of partnership and respect. We will value the complexities of family life and support families through integrated services within our school. Our vision for our staff We want all our staff to be energised in their own learning, so they can provide a fun, well-balanced, creative curriculum where all children can achieve their very best. All staff will have high expectations, high standards, use high order questioning to promote learning in a warm, caring, polite and tolerant environment. Continuous professional development is central to our success. Our vision for our community We want to work in partnership with our community by sharing our facilities and supporting community initiatives. We will ensure services are relevant to the needs of the community. 4

5 The success of our mission is focused around the following seven themes: 1. Funding 2. Parental Support 3. Quality of Teaching 4. School Partnership 5. Resources 6. Community 7. Quality of Learning Aims of the school To create a safe, happy, caring and stimulating environment in which children can learn through work and play. To strive for high standards in all aspects of school life. To develop each child s skills and to achieve his/her age, ability and aptitude. To offer a curriculum that provides excellence, enrichment and enjoyment in a broad, balanced and relevant way. To develop children s confidence, motivation and self-discipline and guide them towards independence. To teach children to work together and to respect each other, people of all cultures, faiths and the world around them. To value every member of the school community and promote high self esteem, by ensuring a commitment to equal opportunities. To prepare children to live in an ever changing world and make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being in their community. To be a self-evaluating organisation in which all take a personal responsibility for learning. To strive for continued improvement of both provision and achievement. To achieve these aims we will Provide all children at the school regardless of gender, faith, ethnic or social background, a secure, caring environment. Treat each other with respect, valuing the individual. Encourage all our children to develop their full potential and reach the highest possible standards in all respects of work and behaviour. Develop the whole child, not only through the way we structure learning activities but also through the relationships, attitudes and standards of behaviour, which we encourage. Develop valued links with the community involving the support and cooperation of our children, parents, staff, governors, the LA and other external agencies. Develop every pupil, including those with Special Educational Needs and the more able child, throughout the statutory curriculum, and beyond, in order to fulfil individual potential. 5

6 In particular we will Provide a broad, balanced and stimulating curriculum accessible to all. Provide a working partnership between school and home. Encourage our children to be active in their own learning, developing and selfevaluating, and a reflective attitude and necessary life skills. Raise awareness of the needs of others as well as their similarities and differences within a discipline structure, which encourages each child to develop self-discipline and a pride in themselves, respect for others and for the environment. Provide equal opportunities and the opportunity to develop respect, tolerance and understanding of the values, attitudes beliefs, cultures, spiritual and religious practices of our multi-cultural society. Provide for the development of social attitudes and the skills that our pupils will need to become responsible, adaptable citizens in the future. We will recognise that every child has special, individual needs. All achievements will be celebrated and built on, whether great or small. Children will be highly involved in their own learning, independence and self-motivation will be encouraged and pupils will be supportive of the efforts of others. Code of Conduct and Discipline We follow an agreed positive behaviour code. Our life together is based on mutual respect, friendliness and care for each other and the environment. Our pupils learn this by example and by being valued and supported as individuals. High standards of behaviour, courtesy and consideration of others will be expected at all times. Bullying is not tolerated in any form. If a child s behaviour does cause notable or persistent concern parents will be informed so that we can work together to help your child. See parents leaflet on behaviour. Equal Opportunities The school will be committed to pursuing equal opportunities in all aspects of its work. Staff will be expected to undertake the local authority Embracing Diversity programme and governors the NCSL Safer Recruitment program. The School and its buildings The term Lower School is used to describe the first phase in the Bedfordshire three-tier education system. Fairfield Park Lower School caters for pupils aged between 3+ and 9+ years and will cater for up to 202 boys and girls of all abilities. The school and Nursery unit will be fully integrated with the main school and takes pupils up to 4 years on a part time basis. It is a new school in the development of Fairfield Park, where the housing reflects the Victorian theme, as does the school with its old features of a pitch tiled roof, 6

7 turrets, clock tower, large Georgia windows and picket fences. It is maintained by Bedfordshire Local Authority and managed by a board of Governors. It is situated in the parklands of the Grade II listed Fairfield Park Hospital. In 2007 the school will be open and is built mainly for the children of Fairfield Park, Stotfold. Fairfield Park School has nine learning areas comprising of six classrooms, an ICT suite, a library and a large hall. The hall will be used for multi purposes such as: drama, dance, PE, music, assemblies and when not in use will be used as a dining hall and hired out by the community for many different purposes. We will also have many interactive whiteboards and a small suite of computers in all classrooms. Each Early years classroom has their own independent outdoor learning environment and is picketed off by attractive Victorian fencing. We have one playground at the back of the school with landscaped areas that will be developed as the school grows in the forthcoming years. This will be developed by the pupils and with outside sponsorship for a nature trail, climbing apparatus, outdoor play areas and an environmental area. The school will also accommodate Poppyfields, which is an independent company which supports the school wrap around care for pupils aged 2+ to 9+. They operate a before and after school hours club, a lunch club and sessional care to fit around any part time sessions. The school has a no smoking policy throughout the building and the school site. Admission Arrangements We are able to admit pupils to the school in the term following the child s third birthday. This is a part time place only and we admit them termly into the Nursery. The unit can cater for 52 part time places and can offer morning and afternoon sessions of 2.5 hours. We admit children into the Reception class in the year they are 5 or the term after their fourth birthday depending on numbers in the Nursery unit. Children with birthdays between April and August will be offered a part time place ( a morning session) and children with birthdays from September to December will be offered a full time place. After the October half term the morning session will extend to include the lunchtime and will end at 1.20pm. All part time children will be full time by the January to ensure they have equal Early years experiences and opportunities to their peers. Parents interested in applying to Fairfield Park Lower School for admission of their children can arrange a visit to the school by contacting the School 7

8 Office. The school office holds the Nursery register and admissions, whilst the Local Authority holds the main school admissions. The admissions policy is reviewed annually and parents are advised to check with the school for an up-date on the above information. Once your child reaches statutory school age, full-time attendance is compulsory. All our families will be offered a class visit or a Home Visit prior to their child starting the Nursery or Reception classes; we see this as a joint dialogue to ensure the smooth learning journey of your child into a school environment. The office will contact parents prior to the half term of the term before they are due to start. We are able to admit up to 30 pupils in any one-year group. If the number of places in a particular year group is not sufficient to meet the requests of all the parents the governors will admit pupils on the following basis: 1. All looked after children (see definition) 2. Pupils living in the catchment area. 3. Very exceptional medical grounds (see definition) 4. Siblings (see definition) 5. Any other children In any situation where the application of the above criteria results in a situation where there are more children with an equal right to admission to the school than the number of available places, the distance criteria will be used as a tie-breaker to resolve the matter. ENROLLING YOUR CHILD We encourage all prospective parents to visit our website, contact the school office and visit the school at first hand and see us on a normal working day. The Head teacher is always happy to discuss any aspect of the school with parents, although it is helpful to telephone first for an appointment. It is wise to register your child with the school for a part time place in the Nursery as soon as possible. Parents must apply to the LA one year in advance for entry into the Reception class in September. The admissions policy highlights that there is no guaranteed place in the Reception class if your child has attending the Nursery class. 8

9 Organisation of classes Each child will be placed in a mixed ability class where the teacher is generally responsible for teaching all areas of the curriculum. Classes will be known by the names of woodland animals to fit the atmosphere of the Fairfield Park development and the old parkland grounds; it also fits our school belief for an eco-conscious environment and the green cycling theme of the developers. If at all possible we organise the children into classes of one age group. However this organisation will not be possible in the initial years of opening and possible consecutive years, as it is dependent upon a number of variables of a new build school such as: Staffing provision. Admission numbers. Number of children in each year group. Local Authority recommendations The organisation of classes for the current year will be Year group Class name Teacher Teaching Assistant Nursery Squirrels Mrs Bradley Miss Stackhouse Mrs Appleyard Reception Owls Miss Slade Mrs Boswell Miss Young Reception/Year1 Badgers Miss Jones Mrs Goodwin Year2/Year 3 Robins Mr Glenton Miss Huddlestone The School Day The school day starts at 8.55am prompt but the children may go into their classrooms from 8.50am when their teachers will be there to welcome them. Nursery session times are am pm Reception session times are pm pm Lunch break times Reception pupils to 01.15pm The policy highlights that there are no guaranteed place in the Reception Class if your child has attended the Nursery Class. Key Stage 1 pupils (5 7 yrs) times are am pm 9

10 Lunch break times KS1 pupils pm Morning break is am with 5 minutes in their class afterwards to have a healthy snack and drink. School finishes at 3.20pm. (School times are staggered at the beginning and ends of the school day to allow for ease of parent collection and to comply with the school travel plan) Classroom doors are open at the end of the day and children are collected from their classrooms by parents. After 8.55am we ask that you enter school via the main entrance and sign the late book. For security reasons, if parents need to collect children during the school day, we request that you sign out your child at the school office. Parents are welcome to speak to the teacher at the end of schools but if you need a longer discussion, we suggest that you make an appointment to see the teacher at a mutually convenient time. During the normal school week the children in the Nursery class spend an average of 12 hours and 30 minutes on curriculum work (2.5 hours a day). Reception class spend an average of 25 hours engaged on curriculum work (2.5 hours a day for part time children). As children become statutory school age then assemblies, playtimes, snack, come out of their curriculum time. Children in KS1 will spend an average of 21 hours 40 minutes (excluding playtime, snack, lunchtimes and assemblies). The School Community - Home / School Partnership Starting School Home visits and school visits will be offered to any new child entering our Reception or Nursery classes and take place prior to them starting the school. We feel these visits offer a valuable opportunity for parents and their child to ask questions and clarify arrangements to support your child s education. Transition Meetings for KS1 parents will be held in July. This is an opportunity to meet the new class teacher and outline aspects of work, routines, expectations, homework and special events. Consultation Evenings will be held in the Autumn and Spring terms for you to meet your child s teacher, review your child s work, discuss progress and jointly agree targets for the coming months. A comprehensive report is provided in the 10

11 Summer term giving details of their child s achievements throughout the year. An opportunity to discuss the report with the teacher will also be offered. If you have any concerns or queries at any time please let the teacher know immediately and we will be happy to make an appointment to talk them over. It is usually best to discuss problems as they arise and not to wait until a consultation evening to contact us. Concerts and Open Assemblies: Each year the school will hold a number of special open days and parent/pupil workshops for parents to see the school in action and find out more about the curriculum. Parents will be invited to attend class assemblies where classes and groups of children share their work and experiences with the rest of the school. These are usually held on Friday mornings and pre-school children are welcome. Parents will also be invited to attend seasonal celebrations during the year. Newsletters will be issued the first week of the month and newsflashes more regularly if necessary. These are sent out via e mail to parents, unless directly requested and then sent out via pupil post. Please ensure that the office have these your updated details. Daily Communication will be via pupil post i.e. letters, but as much as possible to improve this avenue of dialogue I would appreciate if you could have your available in the office. Please check your child s bag daily for any communication. Communication between parent and teacher will usually be through the pupils reading record or homework book or verbally at the beginning and end of the school day. Teachers and the head teacher, are happy to make an appointment to see parents at the end of the school day should this be necessary. Notice Boards: An external notice board is located outside the school office. This board keeps you informed of school and local community events. Parent notice boards are located in Reception/Year 1 lobby and Year 2/3 lobby. Please check regularly and keep yourself informed. The children s notice board is located in the playground lobby with School Council and Monitor information. The Parent Teacher Association All parents and staff will automatically be members of the PTA. The association aims to support the work of the school and to provide opportunities and resources to benefit all pupils. We have a very active and supportive PTA committee and members are welcome to join and attend regular meetings to organise events. Being on this committee is fun and can be a way of making new friends in a new community, as well as setting up activities for the children, arranging social functions, organising fund raising events and providing a parent network to support each other. We hope that you will want to involve yourself in the work of the PTA either on the committee or by giving your assistance when required. Please see the office for further information or the PTA notice board which is located in the office lobby. 11

12 Helping in School We welcome help from parents, grandparents and friends from the community in many areas of school life, both in and out of the classroom. The contribution that this group can make in the life of the school is enormous and we will welcome any voluntary help that is offered. All volunteers in school are now required to have a disclosure check carried out on them and as such we will request that the necessary forms are completed before help in the school commences. We will need help on Sports days, trips, the library, the ICT suite and with many classroom activities, please see Mrs Blair in the office if you are willing to share your expertise or provide an extra pair of hands in the school. Visits The children will enjoy many educational visits into the local and wider community in support of the curriculum. They will also benefit from visitors who will come to the school to share their expertise. Governors School Profile for Parents Under the terms of the Governing Body we are required to prepare a report and for this to be made available on line for parents to view. As Fairfield Park Lower school is a new school this is not legally required until a year after we have been opened. This report will allow parents to see the work of the Governing Body, the Head teacher and the Local Authority. Citizenship Pupils will learn self-confidence and responsible behaviour at Fairfield Park Lower School. We will encourage them to think for themselves, express reasoned views and to be aware of their rights and responsibilities in the school and wider community. They will help in decision making by being involved in their learning and setting part of the curriculum; circle time and eventually a School Council will be set up as the school grows with older pupils. Pupils will be encouraged at all times to think about their carbon foot print and from 3+ they will be encouraged to recycle waste into different colour bins. The pupils will support local, national and international charity work as and when possible. Pupils with Disabilities The arrangements for pupils with disabilities will be the same as those detailed in this brochure. Parents are warmly invited to visit the school. The school has wheelchair access and a disabled toilet, as well as amulets in all of the children s toilets. The school s equal opportunities policy does not allow discrimination for any member of the community on grounds of disability. The policies on anti bullying and personal and social education will reinforce this and are the confirmation of the clear intent of all members of the community that no pupils with disabilities should be treated less favourably than other pupils. Extended schools Provision The school has a separate and private meeting room for professionals of outside agencies, staff, parents and pupils can use this facility to hold appropriate 12

13 meetings. This will be for the benefit of all pupils and their general care and well being in the education system. Wrap Around Care Provision Is provided by Poppyfields and they offer Fairfield Park Lower School pupils a full wrap around care to fit in with the school day, from 8am to 6pm. They will offer breakfast, after school activities, a lunch club and sessional care that can be wrapped around a part time place at the school. Please contact Joanne Rowlands on or for an application form and for prices of each session. Poppyfields is on the school premises and at present is using classroom facilities; staff from Poppyfields will escort and collect children between sessions. We are lucky to have this excellent facility on site, especially as they have had a recent excellent Ofsted in May A holiday provision operates at SMASH on the St Mary s site, which Fairfield Park pupils will be able to access. Please contact the office for further information. We have recently secured funding and submitted a planning application for a separate building to be built on the school site to ensure our Wrap Around Care Provider can continue these services into the future. School Website The school has a website which is updated on a monthly basis. Parents are encouraged wherever possible to access the website as often as possible. The address is The Curriculum The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (Birth to 5) applies to pupils in our school from 3 to 5 years and will be taught in the Nursery and Reception classes. It is a curriculum that understands the early years child and works to the principles and themes of: a unique child; positive relationships; enabling environments; learning and development. Learning takes place in 6 areas and they make up the skills, knowledge and experiences appropriate for young children. They include: communication language and literacy; creative development; problem solving, reasoning and numeracy; physical development; knowledge and understanding of the world; personal, social and emotional development. Each area has equal weighting allowing for the development of the whole child, it allows for children to make connections and links in their learning. This environment is about creativity, critical thinking, active learning, mental and physical involvement, personalised learning and knowing each child s well-being. Effective learning will take place, in a balance of freely chosen structured play, adult initiated activities and child initiated activities. Learning will take place both indoors and outdoors in both of these classes. Our ethos for young children is to leave the Early Years as a skilful communicator and a competent learner. 13

14 The National Curriculum applies to pupils of compulsory school age in maintained schools. It is organised on the basis of four key stages, which are broadly as follows: In a Lower school we will cover Key Stage 1 (5-7) and part of Key Stage 2 (7-9). The National Curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2 includes: English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Design Technology, Geography, History, Art, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Personal Social and Health Education. It incorporates skills and themes such as communication, Literacy, Numeracy, Health, Citizenship, Multi-cultural, environmental Education, Global learning and Values Education. For each subject and for each Key Stage, programmes of study set out what pupils should be taught and attainment targets set out the expected standards of pupils performance. Work for learning will be planned around a thematic approach and include basic skills of communication, decision-making and problem solving. The curriculum will be designed to meet the aims of the school. It will be flexible enough to respond to the need for change and to help pupils acquire the necessary interest for knowledge and skills for life long learning. It should be a block of learning that is a stepping-stone for the thirst of learning in other phases of education. Thus staff will cater for individual needs and offer experiences to stimulate, motivate and foster good attitudes to learning. All pupils will be challenged and supported, including more and less able children. Pupils will be involved in their own learning from an early age and build up their learning journey with their class teacher. The school will set clear targets to help the children to achieve and will be in line with government requirements. The school will set whole school targets annually and the teaching staff will set individual pupil and class targets. The targets are discussed, agreed and monitored by the Governing Body s Curriculum and Standards Committee. ENGLISH This covers the areas of listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, grammar and drama. Literacy All pupils will follow a daily literacy programme, which will include the teaching of reading, phonics for reading and spelling, grammar, handwriting and vocabulary development. Listening and Speaking It is important that all children become good listeners and effective communicators and that they are able to work within a group to listen carefully, share, report and discuss events and topics together. The National Curriculum places great importance on these skills. At Fairfield Park Lower School we will 14

15 carefully plan a daily programme of activities, which promote and extend these important skills for each child. Reading Reading is fundamental to learning and we aim to help children become confident readers who are able to understand and apply their skill and enjoy reading for the rest of their lives. We will teach reading through a multi-sensory approach developing story telling, prediction, sight vocabulary and an understanding of letter patterns (phonics). We will involve parents in our shared reading approach. This will give an opportunity for parents and teachers to work together to help children develop the essential skills of reading. Library The School provides a range of fiction and non-fiction books. Each class will have a timetabled session in the library where they are taught library and study skills. The children will be able to borrow books from the school library. From the very beginning of school life the children will be encouraged to choose their own books to read to their parents and to their teacher. Books will be taken home and parents are guided as to how to approach reading with their child. Writing and handwriting Factual and creative writing will be developed throughout the school. The skills of handwriting are developed and joined hand is taught early in the child s schooling. We believe that this will assist the child to write quickly, confidently and clearly at an early stage and also help to develop good spelling skills. Spelling Skills will be developed through segmentation and a look, cover, write, check method and we will encourage parents to help with spellings from year 1, which will be sent regularly for the child to learn at home. MATHS Mathematics is an important area of the curriculum and it is vital that children should not only learn and understand the processes, but also be able to apply them in everyday situations. All pupils will follow a daily mathematics programme that includes regular oral and mental work and emphasis is placed on learning mental strategies to solve number problems. We will use a variety of apparatus and materials to support and extend the children s learning experiences in number, algebra, shape and space and data handling. Importance will be placed on practical approaches supported by mathematical discussion, with opportunities for both individual and group investigative work. 15

16 Pupils will be timetabled for a daily Numeracy session. Teachers will then plan and organise mathematical activities to match the different needs and abilities of their pupils. SCIENCE Science is a valuable part of the curriculum. Through scientific activities the children will acquire and develop the scientific skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding that they need in order to understand themselves and the world around them. Right from the beginning children will be encouraged to explore, experiment, observe, question and predict outcomes and to develop an enquiring mind. The children gain experience of a wide range of materials, both natural and man made and use many resources to develop their knowledge and understanding. Appropriate scientific language will be used. DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Pupils learn to identify needs and solve problems in their everyday world. Technology involves children finding out about how things work and in designing and making their own models. Skills, such as problem solving, planning, decision-making and evaluating are developed. Through the technology curriculum children investigate many different materials, their properties and uses. They will have opportunities to design and make with card, paper, scrap materials, textiles, wood, clay food etc. Use will be made of construction equipment. Children will use kits which can be taken apart and fitted together in many different ways and which include moving parts such as cogs, wheels and hinges. As children use different tools for their model making so they will learn how to use them appropriately, efficiently and safely. Food technology also forms part of the curriculum and will be is included in our schemes of work. INFORMATION AND COMMUNCIATION TECHNOLOGY We believe that children must be able to adapt to a society increasingly involved in the use of Information and Communication Technology. At Fairfield Park Lower School all pupils have access to the computer, each classroom has at least 3 to 4 computers, an interactive whiteboard, data projector, printer, library of software, networked to the Internet, as well as an ICT suite with 30 computers. ICT will be taught as a separate subject at times (skills based) and will also be used to support work in many aspects of the curriculum. HISTORY Through the teaching of history we will seek to help children develop an awareness of the past and to develop the concept of time (before, after, now, then). We will develop the skills children need to find out about the past and encourage them to record their findings in a variety of ways. In Key Stage 1 children will be helped to develop this awareness through discussion, stories, accounts and a range of historical sources including 16

17 artefacts, pictures and photographs. It is important that they become aware of the changes in there own lives and those of their families and the children start to learn about famous people and events in the historical past. GEOGRAPHY The geography curriculum is concerned with the study of places, the human and physical processes, which shape them and the people who live in them. Geography helps children make sense of their surroundings and the wider world. At Fairfield Park we will help children to develop the geographical skills they need to collect information about places, e.g. map work, identifying features on photographs and direct observation. These skills are important to help them explore and understand their local environment in and compare it with other very different locations and cultures in and outside the UK. Through these explorations the children will begin to build a knowledge and understanding of the features that give a place its distinctive identity; the effects of weather and climate, rivers, seas and soil types upon the land, their work, home and journeys; the use and misuse of natural resources and ways in which the environment can be protected. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Each class will have regular PE lessons in the hall or outside depending upon the weather. PE is important in the development of physical control, mental alertness and personal confidence. It also helps children to learn to share and work together. We will place great importance on the development of children s physical education. We will aim to ensure that all children experience a range of sports and games and develop the skills and ability to work as one of a team. Physical Education in Key Stage 1 will include gymnastics, dance and group and team games. In Key Stage 2 the children will be introduced to athletics. Team games include football, Unihoc, netball and mini rugby. The School will promote an attitude of good sportsmanship and has joined in partnership with Redborne Sports College, where we can share expertise, resources and be part of competitions and tournaments. We will also work towards the Active Sports mark to ensure our pupils at Fairfield Park Lower School are healthy and fit by doing 2 hours of PE a week, become aware of their bodies and nutritional requirements; this will also including active playtimes, lunchtimes and physical activity warm ups between lessons. Please see the clothing section for details of PE clothes. ART Children will be provided with the opportunity to learn and develop different techniques in art, using a variety of materials. 17

18 They will be encouraged to observe closely, use their memory and imagination for their work. They will be given the opportunity to: Become familiar with the work of well-known artists, to look at and discuss their techniques and use of colour. Develop their own art vocabulary to use when talking about their own and other work. Discuss art forms from other times and cultures and compare these with there own artwork. To give them an awareness of the design used in articles from home and school. The school will follow the principles of the Art Council and work towards standards of promoting The Arts Mark in the curriculum. MUSIC The music curriculum will aim to involve pupils in first-hand musical experiences. Activities will include the opportunity to sing and play simple rhythms and melodies. This will lead to the ability to compose simple sound patterns, organising them into music. We will also aim to develop the children s ability to listen attentively to music and in Years 3 and 4 to begin to develop an understanding of music history. In Key Stage 2 there will be opportunities in conjunction with Bedfordshire music staff to learn a range of instruments such as violin, cello, percussion, guitar and recorders. (A charge is made for tuition and for the hire of instruments) PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT All children will be encouraged and supported to achieve their best. To promote good behaviour we will use the positive reward of Golden Time on a Friday afternoon. This is used as a time where the class can enjoy an activity that is planned and voted by the pupils; where all pupils take apart who have adopted appropriate behaviour during the week that fits the whole school code of conduct and behaviour ethos. Weekly and half termly assemblies will highlight pupils achieving their best and will take part in the form of assemblies with the Head teacher. PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION / CITIZENSHIP The school is concerned about the development of each child as a person and their growth and development as an individual. We will encourage children to think and behave positively and try to build upon strengths. We will aim to encourage a caring attitude to others and the environment. At Fairfield Park we will aim to enhance each child s self esteem and confidence so that they are able to operate effectively on their own and as a member of a group. It provides opportunities for children to develop as citizens in a community and to develop life skills. PSHE will be taught in isolation as well as through the curriculum and through the School Behaviour and Discipline Policy. Circle time is used to practice 18

19 essential skills and to develop positive attitudes. The school will aim towards the National Healthy Schools Status award and will lay down principles from the start of its operation in RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND COLLECTIVE WORSHIP We will hold an assembly and collective worship every day and our assemblies and religious education are non-denominational in character. Our assemblies will be based on the Values Education and each month there will be a theme that all pupils will work towards in their school day. Once a week we will hold a PSHE themed assembly. While a significant proportion of our religious education will be based on the Christian faith, stories and beliefs of other religions are also important. We will aim to help each child develop an understanding, tolerance and respect of the many different faiths and cultures in our society. We will encourage the children to adopt a thoughtful awareness of themselves and their personalities, of the world around them and of their relationships with others. We will try to conduct the life and work of the school in a similarly caring way. Parents may, if they wish, exercise the right to withdraw their children from the arrangements for assemblies and religious education. Please contact the Head teacher if you wish to do so. Children who are withdrawn from this area of the curriculum will be supervised and may use the time for personal exploration of their own beliefs. SEX EDUCATION We believe that the primary responsibility for sex education for pupils of Lower School age lies with their parents. Those aspects that are covered in school are included in the National Curriculum science programmes of study and PSHE and RE Schemes of Work. Through this curriculum the children learn: That humans develop at different rates The concept of male and female To develop personal safety Ways in which people learn to live and work together. There will be no formal sex education taught at this present time. All forms of sex discrimination are discouraged within the school and inappropriate language will always be challenged. HOMEWORK All parents will be expected to encourage their pupils to read at home on a daily basis. Pupils may also be asked to find out information, practise language and number skills or take class work home to complete. A homework book will be supplied for children s homework task. 19

20 We follow the government recommendations for homework and we expect children to complete the homework set each week by the class teacher, and to return the homework on the specified day to enable the class teacher to mark the work. ASSESSMENT AND RECORDING Children will be assessed by the class teacher on entry into school. A more formal assessment will be carried out at the end of the reception year, when a child is 5 years old. This is known as the Foundation Stage profile. Results will be shared with parents at consultation evenings. A system of continuous assessment will be used to monitor pupils progress. The information obtained will provide a basis by which the teacher will plan appropriate programmes of work. Profiles are built up which reflect the whole child and his/her achievements. At the end of Key Stage 1 the teachers will assess the children in English, Mathematics and Science. There are Standard Assessments and Tasks/Tests (SATs). The results of the teacher assessments will be reported to parents at the end of the Summer term. The class teacher with the exception of Mathematics and English, which are taught in ability groups, teaches most subjects in mixed ability groups. SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN) Our policy states that each pupil will be valued and has a right to learn regardless of needs or ability. Every effort will be made for children with Special Needs to ensure they can access a broad and balanced curriculum. Advice is sought from professional agencies where appropriate and parents will be fully involved. The school s SEN leader will be Mrs D Nesbit. Children will be identified as having special educational needs and will be included in the special needs programme. An Individual education Plan (IEP) is drawn up and shared with parents. This will be assessed regularly and reviewed termly with parents. There will be a governor for SEN who will monitor the provision by the school on a regular basis. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS These are offered on a termly basis and try to encapture pupils interests. They are notified to you through the newsletter. We will be able to offer and run a wider selection of clubs if any parents or grandparents can also offer their skills and expertise to the school. Please contact the office if you can give this commitment for a block of time. 20

21 Fairfield Park Lower School Term Dates Autumn Term 2008 Wednesday 3rd September Friday 19th December (Half term: week commences 27th October) Spring Term 2009 Tuesday 6th January Friday 3rd April (Half term: week commences 16 th February Summer Term 2009 Tuesday 21st April Friday 17 th July (Half term: week commences 25 th May May Day Monday 4 th May Autumn Term 2009 Wednesday 2nd September Friday 18 th December (Half term: week beginning 26 th October) Spring Term 2010 Monday 4th January Thursday 1 st April (Half term: week beginning 15 th February) Summer Term 2010 Monday 19th April Wednesday 21 st July (Half term: week beginning 31st May) May Day Monday 3rd May We will notify you well in advance of school closure dates due to staff training or if any of these dates change. GENERAL INFORMATION Absences It will be necessary to telephone the school before 9.30am if your child is absent. A message can be left on the answer machine. When your child returns to school they only need bring a written note to their teacher if a phone call explaining the reason for absence has not been received. Government regulations make it essential that the reason for every pupil s absence is explained. Notification is required for all absences from school unless leave of absence has been notified. 21

22 If your child has suffered from vomiting or diarrhoea they should not return to school until 24hours after the symptoms have disappeared to avoid infecting other children. Leave of Absence As the school plans programmes of work for pupils to follow, it is disruptive for your child and teacher if pupils take holidays within school time. We appreciate that in certain circumstances this may be unavoidable and the law allows for a maximum period of two weeks to be taken in any school year. Please bear this in mind when considering holidays and if necessary, you will need to complete a Holiday form. The Department for Education now requires schools to produce details of unauthorised absence and schools have to report this information. Educational Visits/ School Fund and the Charging Policy Educational visits are an important part of school life and the governors charging policy ensures that no child should be prevented from taking part in a visit for financial reasons. Often visits are subsidised but parents may be asked for a voluntary contribution to help pay for expenses. However activities may have to be cancelled if contributions are not made. It is helpful if parents send money for different purposes and activities to class in separate sealed envelopes labelled with their child s name and class. Please contact the Head teacher if there are any difficulties. Lost Property It doesn t happen to named items. Always inform the class teacher if something is lost, but we do ask for your cooperation in ensuring that all school clothing is named. All Lost Property is displayed in the learning areas in the class entrance lobbys. Unclaimed items will be disposed of at the end of the term. Making a Complaint The Governing Body hope that all the time your child spends at this school will be happy and purposeful. However, if you have any concerns regarding the education of your child then please talk first to the class teacher, then to the Head teacher who will investigate all concerns thoroughly. Should any of your concerns continue then under the terms of the 1988 Education Act, the Head teacher will be able to give you information as to the procedure required to make a formal complaint to the Governing Body and the Education Authority. We do emphasise the need for parents to discuss fully any concerns with the class teacher and the Head teacher before following formal procedures. The Authority s Complaints Procedure will be viewed in the School Office. School Photography Photographs are taken once a year. Individual and family group photos may be taken. You will be informed of these details. Smoking 22

23 We will have a non-smoking policy in the interests of a healthy environment and to set our children a good example. The school and grounds are designated a NO SMOKING area. We request that you do not smoke whilst on the school premises. Transfer Please let us know in writing if you are moving your child to another area, giving details of the address of the new school and date of leaving. School records will be sent to your child s new school once they are registered there. Health & Welfare Accidents and Sickness If your child has a serious accident whilst at school you will be informed immediately and, if necessary, arrangements will be made to take the child to hospital. In cases of sickness, parents or the named person are notified and asked to collect the child. Red slips will be issued for head bump injuries. Please ensure that the school always has an up-to-date emergency contact number for your child/ren. Bicycles at school We do encourage healthy pupils and staff and promote healthy journeys to school. Thus children and staff will be allowed to leave a bicycle on the school premises at the owners risk. These must be located in the designated bicycle area and not left unattended in other areas of the school. All bicycles and scooters are left out at the owners risk and are not the schools responsibility. Children with Allergies (particularly nuts) Please inform the class teacher and school office in writing if your child suffers from any allergies and notify the school of the action to be taken as appropriate. It is the parents responsibility to ensure medication in school is kept up to date. Children with Asthma Parents are asked to supply the school with full information concerning the extent of the asthma and to ensure that a usable inhaler is always available during school hours. Inhalers must be kept in the classroom so that they may be used as and when needed by the child but they remain the responsibility of the child. Car Parking The school car park is for staff and visitors only. For reasons of safety, parents will be requested not to park on the school premises when bringing their child to and from school premises. When bringing their child to and from school please remember to give consideration to our neighbours, the builders and to other road users at all times, especially those on Nickleby Way. 23