WELCOME TO CHESTNUT STREET! A Doorway to Opportunity I am delighted you have shown an interest in The Ruskington Chestnut Street Church of England Primary School and that you have taken the opportunity to look through our prospectus. Its purpose is to give you information about our fantastic school of which we are all very proud. This is a Church of England Primary School for children between the ages of 4 and I I years and our Christian ethos is at the core of all we do. Everyone in our school community is equally valued. High standards and expectations are set for each and every one of us whether pupils, staff or Governors in every aspect of school life. Our children are encouraged to become independent, self-reliant and responsible members of this and the wider community. We believe that we can only achieve the best for your child through close co-operation between home and school. We welcome you into the school and my staff and I will always be happy to discuss any aspect of your child's development with you. We hope that you will share with us in making your child's years at The Ruskington Chestnut Street Church of England Primary School both very happy and successful. Laura Suffield Headteacher The information in this brochure refers to the School Year 2011/2012. Although correct at the time of publication, information may change during the year to which this document relates....a calm and harmonious learning environment where pupils are cared for well, and show outstanding spiritual and moral awareness. As a result, pupils grow into confident and mature young people. (OFSTED 2011)
AIMS AND VALUES OF THE SCHOOL Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level. The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils. The school recognises and celebrates cultural diversity and the contribution that other faiths and ethnic backgrounds make to its spiritual and inclusive ethos, through religious education, collective worship, personal, social and emotional education, citizenship and other areas of the curriculum. Through its inclusion policies, the school aims to promote a positive and welcoming culture to all pupils, staff, governors, parents and visitors to the school. AIMS At Chestnut Street Primary School we aim to equip children with life skills by; providing a wide range of curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities. Nurturing and promoting the Christian ethos of our school. recognising, developing and encouraging children s potential. promoting positive self esteem and developing confidence. developing positive links with parents, carers and the wider community. We encourage each child to; recognise his/her own personal strengths and areas for development. develop his/her sense of moral responsibility and respect for others. understand that all of his/her actions have consequences. develop a positive attitude to any challenge he/she may meet. This is supported in school through The Chestnut Charter.
At Chestnut Street Primary School all children, parents, carers, staff and visitors will treat each other in a fair and equal way. We will: Be good listeners Speak respectfully Follow instructions Work hard Look after things Be safe Be true to our Christian Values and Ethos All of which supports our key values of; Creativity Friendship & Forgiveness Perseverance Respect Thankfulness Trust
THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS The school is a large primary school set in a beautiful, extensive grounds catering for children age 4-11. We have wonderful facilities comprising of fully equipped collective worship/pe hall, an expressive arts studio (The Green Room), a central library, a resource room, an Inclusion base (The Yellow Room), a purpose built foundation stage area (3 classrooms and a dedicated outdoor play area) and a fully equipped computer suite. The Artsmark Gold Award has been awarded by the Arts Council of England to the school for the third time in recognition of the value it places upon the Arts. All of this is set in extremely pleasant grounds containing grassed areas, a sports field, two playgrounds, the Ringway outdoor learning garden, a daffodil mound, a spiritual cairn area, other small gardens and over a hundred trees ranging from newly planted saplings to mature hardwoods, including of course, a beautiful chestnut tree. This excellent environment is where we all strive to provide the very best for our pupils.
ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES AND TRANSPORT Access to the school is via the public footpath in Station Road. Children are allowed onto the playground from 8.40am and are admitted into class between 8.50am and 9.00am Please be aware that a teacher is on duty from 8.40am. All children leave via the same footpath, and parents may wait in a fenced off covered area at the end of the day. At the end of the school day, younger children are escorted to this waiting area by their class teacher. If parents need to bring or collect children during the school day e.g for medical appointments, they must enter or leave by the main reception area and must be signed in or out by the office staff. If parents are delayed, we ask that the school office is notified and we can arrange to take care of your child. There are limited facilities for cycles. Any child storing a cycle on school premises is required to be equipped with a cycle helmet. Parents must ensure that their child's cycle is roadworthy. The school cannot accept responsibility for children's cycles while they are on the premises. Transport is provided for children living in the villages of Anwick and Dorrington. Application forms for this can be obtained from the school office. Car parking at the school is very limited, so please ensure that for health and safety reasons you park off site and do not bring your car up the main school drive (excepting Blue Badgeholders) SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL VISITORS 1. All visitors to the school whether parents making a brief call, contractors or visitors of any other kind MUST enter school through the main office entrance. Entry into the school by any other door is not permitted, 2. No visitor is allowed beyond the office, into the main school, without an authorisation badge. 3. If you are visiting school with the intention of briefly talking to a teacher, we will give you a Visitor Badge to wear. This lets everyone else in the school know that you are authorised to be in the building. 4. If you are one of the many parents who work as helpers in classrooms or on school visits you will be provided with a Voluntary Assistant badge which must be worn at all times when you are in school. You will also be asked to complete an Enhanced CRB before starting 5. Occasional Visitors will be asked to sign in and will be issued with a special authorisation badge. 6. All school personnel wear Identification Badges. This is to :- (i) reassure everyone that there are no unauthorised people in the school. (ii) set a positive example to all visitors. (iii) help everyone to know who everyone else is in this busy school with over 50 staff. Anyone seen not wearing a badge will be approached and asked to report to the entrance for authorisation. Please remember that this system is for everyone s benefit. We want everyone to feel safe and secure in our school. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter
EXTENDED DAY PROVISION All children should have access to a variety of activities beyond the school day.so that they have the opportunity to keep fit and healthy, to acquire new skills to build on what they learn during the school day or simply to have fun and relax DfES 5 Year Strategy for Children and Learners 2004. At Chestnut Street we are positively working towards increasing our facilities, and have joined the local extended day network so that we can contribute to the provision in the wider community. There are after school providers in the village, two of which we work closely with: The Clubhouse run by First Steps, Ruskington Rascals Playgroup and child-minders in the area, who provide before and after school care. If you are interested in this provision, you need to contact Olwen Owen at First Steps (01526 832518), Linda Ashby at Ruskington Rascals (07962 904587) or Rose Foot, the child minding co-ordinator in Ruskington (01526 832566). Our own extended day school provision currently takes the form of a wide range of clubs run by school staff, parents and outside providers. These include choir, drama, dance, many sports (football, netball, tag rugby), and individual and group music tuition. Music tuition is provided by the County Music Support Service. Further information can be obtained from the School Office. We run The Early Birds, our Before-School Breakfast club, which runs from 7.50am to 8.50am everyday. Children can take part in a range of activities including story telling, drawing, construction kits and computer games, and are provided with a small snack and drink each day.
FRIENDS OF CHESTNUT STREET SCHOOL The Friends of Chestnut Street School is the schools' Parent Teacher Association. All parents and staff of the school are automatically members of the Friends Association. The group is affiliated to the NCPTA (National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations) and enjoys the many benefits this affiliation has to offer. The "Friends" committee exists to provide social and educational functions for parents, pupils and the community, and to raise funds for the purchase of school equipment, and to provide activities for pupils. Each year a new committee is elected to organise events. Many events are organised through the year including, visits from touring professional theatre companies providing shows for adults as well as children. Highlights of the year also include a Summer Fair and a Christmas Fair. All parents are kept fully informed of the Friends activities and extra offers of help are always appreciated. Please contact school if you would like to help the Friends with their invaluable work for the school. CHARITIES The school supports a range of local and international charities throughout the year including Water Aid, Children in Need, Lincolnshire Air Ambulance, Oxfam, Macmillan Coffee Morning and the MS Cake Sale. RUSKINGTON CHILDRENS EDUCATION / CHILDCARE CONTACT LIST (2009/10) Rose Foot Ruskington childminders vacancy co-ordinator 01526 832566 Hannah Pacey, National Childminders Assoc (N.C.M.A.) Development Worker hannah.pacey@ncma.org.uk Olwen Owen First Steps Nursery, Club House (after school club) 01526 832518 Linda Ashby Ruskington Rascals Play group 07962904587 Childrens Information Service 0800 195 16