Old Stratford Primary School

Prospectus

Creating Lifelong Learning Opportunities for Everyone

Dear Parent/Carer,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Old Stratford Primary school.

This prospectus outlines the aims and general organisation of our school.  It will also help you, as a parent of a child in our school, to feel confident and knowledgeable about the journey your child is taking with us.

It is also a pleasure to meet all families new to the Old Stratford community.  My staff and I value the importance of excellent working relationships with parents.  We aim for you to feel welcomed, valued and supported at all times.

If there are any questions that you have regarding your child joining Old Stratford that have not yet been answered for you, then please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you.

Kind Regards,

Miss Morris

Headteacher

School Information

Address:         

Old Stratford Primary School

Willow Grove

Old Stratford

Milton Keynes

MK19 6AZ

Telephone:   (01908) 267700

Website:                  www.oldstratford.org.uk

Office Email:        office@oldstratford.northants.sch.uk  

Pupils on roll:       188

Type and age range:   Mixed primary school 4-11 years

Head Teacher:         Karen Morris

Chair of Governors:    Mr Chris Balderstone

School Hours:          8.55 am - 3:30 pm

Admissions and Class Organisation

Our published admission number each year is 30 pupils.  The school has capacity for 210 pupils.  We are a one form entry primary school.

Admissions are managed by the Local Education Authority on behalf of the school.  Children in Early Years Foundation Stage are admitted into school in the academic year in the September following their fourth birthday.

School Session Times

Children enter the school playground at the start of the day via the gate on Willow Grove or via the gate on Dickens Drive.  School begins with a whistle at 8:55 am.  Lunchtime is from 12.30pm until 1.30pm for all pupils. 

The afternoon session ends at 3:30 pm.  We ask that parents of children in the Reception class collect their child from the Reception class outdoor area and the parents of other pupils collect their children from the main playground. 

The school community

Our school community is made up of children, parents, teachers, support staff and governors.  Everyone has their part to play and this brings with it certain responsibilities.

Children:

·         Treat others as they wish to be treated

·         Do their best

·         Follow instructions

·         Always walk in school

Parents:

·      Bring their children to school and collect them on time

·      Ensure that their children attend school regularly

·      Support their children by hearing them read and encouraging them to complete any tasks that their teachers asks them to do at home

·      Keep the school informed of any concerns they may have about their child’s welfare

Teachers:

·      Take responsibility for the children

·      Work closely with parents

·      Provide the highest quality of education and care at all times

Governors:

·      Support and assist the Head Teacher in the strategic direction of the school

Your Child

At Old Stratford Primary School, we aim to ensure that every child develops intellectually, physically and socially to the best of their ability.  To achieve this aim, lessons include a wide range of differentiated activities which meet the needs of individuals and groups in the class.  Teachers and teaching assistants use a variety of teaching methods which motivate pupils and take into account different learning styles.  There is also provision within the school to support pupils with specific learning, behavioural or physical needs.

Every classroom is fully furnished and equipped with high quality learning resources.  The class teacher will get to know your child and will be pleased to involve you in his/her life at school.  Children make progress at their own rates and in their own ways.  It is important to value them as individuals and to provide learning opportunities that will build on their strengths and overcome their areas for development.  The broad and balanced curriculum will stimulate your child to acquire knowledge and develop individual skills.

In order for this to take place the children must:

·      Become involved in things that interest them

·      Be active in their learning

·      Be encouraged to work with each other

·      Make progress and be challenged in each area of learning

·      Be encouraged to think and act for themselves and become independent learners.

Parents and Carers

Parents and carers are an integral part of our school community and are our partners in working to secure the best possible education for our pupils.  Parents and carers are actively involved in the children’s learning and support a range of school activities.

Parents and carers are invited to two consultation evenings annually to discuss their child’s progress.  The annual written report is published in the summer term.  There are additional opportunities throughout the term to view your child’s work in their classroom.

Information about other aspects of school life is shared through school newsletters, curriculum newsletters and the school website.

The school is very fortunate in that it is supported well by an active and dedicated group of parents and carers who arrange fundraising and social activities for parents and pupils.  The Old Stratford School Association (OSSA) meet regularly and are always looking for additional volunteers to support them.  Please email OSSA@oldstratford.northants.sch.uk if you would be interested in working with them.

What is learning like in the Foundation Stage?

The foundation stage makes a crucial contribution to children’s early development and learning.  We provide children with a rich variety of teaching and learning experiences that are appropriate to their needs.  The foundation stage is about developing key learning skills such as listening, communicating, concentrating, persisting and learning to work and co-operate with others.

The six areas of learning that make up the foundation stage are:

·      Personal, social and emotional development

·      Communication, language and literacy

·      Problem solving, reasoning and literacy

·      Knowledge and understanding of the world

·      Physical development

·      Creative development

The outdoor environment is also a very special part of the foundation stage curriculum.  As such, it is carefully planned for and available each day.  The reception and year one pupils share their outdoor learning space.

The teacher and teaching assistant will keep records on children’s experiences and attainments.  Assessments of development and learning needs will be ongoing throughout the school year.  During the first weeks in the autumn term the teacher will carry out thorough baseline assessments for every child.  This will establish where they are in aspects of their learning and development and help with future planning. Regular meetings will be held with parents and carers to discuss pupil progress.  By the end of the year, the teacher will have built up an accurate profile of each child’s development.

We encourage children towards reading, communication and mathematical skills from the very beginning.  Much of this earlier learning is achieved through carefully structured play.  It is an important way of developing new skills and building up relationships with other children both individually and in groups.

Reading is taught through a phonics scheme.  We encourage parents to work with their child at home by hearing them read on a daily basis.

We are always pleased to discuss ways in which parents can help their child at each stage of their child’s development.  We actively encourage parents to share information with us about the learning which takes place at home.

Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7 years) and 2 (ages 8-11 years)

The core curriculum at key stages 1 and 2 comprises of:

·      English

·      Mathematics

·      Science

·      Computing

Children also study the subjects below as part of the National Curriculum.  These are called foundation subjects.

·      Art and design

·       Design Technology

·       History

·       Geography

·       Music

·       Physical Education

·       Modern Foreign Languages - at Old Stratford Primary School the children are taught French from Key Stage 1 upwards.

Children are also taught Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education.  This includes Sex and Relationship Education (SRE), Drug awareness and wellbeing.  The school governors are responsible for the nature of this education within the school and parents are always informed in advance when SRE is planned.

Religious Education

Non-denominational Religious Education is provided for all children as part of the curriculum and is in accordance with local Northamptonshire RE Agreed syllabus.  Assembly is an important part of the school day when we all meet together.  It is a time when we place emphasis on the development of values and attitudes towards each other and the world around us.  Assemblies are mostly non-denominational and although they are of a broadly Christian nature due consideration is given to the multicultural society in which we live.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship should they so wish.  If parents do not wish for their child to be taught the agreed syllabus or take part in short acts of collective worship then they should inform us in writing.  Their child can then be excused and suitable alternative arrangements made.

Extra-curricular activities

There are a variety of clubs on offer to the pupils, that take place both in school time and after school.  These are run by members of staff and outside agencies.  Some of the clubs we offer are:

· Art

· Gymnastics

· Football

· Cookery

· Athletics

Music Lessons

Old Stratford Primary School works closely with Northamptonshire Schools’ Music Service to provide a range of opportunities for children in key stage two to learn to play musical instruments.  We are able to offer lessons in strings, woodwind, guitar, drums and brass.  These lessons take place during school time and are subject to a termly fee set by the music service.

Educational visits

Visits play an essential role in our work and take place on a regular basis.  These vary from a place in the locality, for instance the canal, trips to museums and a residential trip for our Key Stage 2 children. 

SATs

In the summer term of years 2 and 6, the children carry out the required Standards Assessment Tests (SATs). These include the subjects Maths, Reading, Grammar and Writing. Year 4 carry out the Times Table Standardised test.

In other curriculum year groups, the class teacher assesses each child’s development in speaking and listening, reading and writing, mathematics and science.  Parents are informed of how well their child is doing at the parent teacher consultation evenings and through their child’s annual school report.

Teaching methods

We use a variety of teaching methods according to the needs of the children and the nature of the activity.  They include whole class, small group and individual teaching.

Children will usually be grouped according to ability and experience.  The groups may be different according to the task and will be flexible to reflect individual strengths and areas for development.

Equal Opportunities

The policies of this school allow equal access to all areas of the curriculum and related activities. We actively aim to promote inclusion through our organisation, teaching and curriculum activities.

Special Educational Needs

Children’s progress is constantly monitored and assessed and careful records are kept.  Occasionally we find that a child does not make the progress we expect.  If this is the case, parents would be consulted and appropriate steps to support the child taken.

A provision map may be made by the class teacher and special educational needs coordinator to show programmes and support systems that are being implemented for a particular child.  If targets set by school continue not to be met, external agencies such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists or Behaviour Support Specialists may be called upon for extra support.  After further consultation with parents, the Local Authority may have to make a statutory assessment based on specialist advice.  The Local Authority may then draw up an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).  This describes all of the child’s needs and all the provision required to support the child’s development.

Parents will always be consulted and kept fully informed at every stage once we have identified that their child could benefit from some extra help.  This could be for educational, personal or social needs.

Our assessment procedures will also identify children of very high academic ability and work will be planned to meet the learning requirements of these children.

Pupil Welfare

The health and welfare of your child is our first priority.  We will always contact you if we have any concerns.

Medical care:

Once your child reaches five, his/ her weight, height, hearing and sight are checked by the school nurse and their general health is discussed with you, if it is felt appropriate.

Any child who becomes ill in school will be cared for and comforted until you can be contacted.  Please ensure that the contact details that we hold are kept up to date so that we can contact you should we need to.  If your child requires medicine, we are only permitted to administer medicine prescribed by the doctor.  Should your child need this, please complete a medicine administration form in the school office when you bring the medicine into school for the first time.  The school will not be able to administer medicine if this is not completed. 

Safeguarding and Staying Safe at School

The designated safeguarding leads in school are Miss Morris and Mrs Faraday.  Keeping children safe is everyone's business and if you have any concerns about the welfare of a child you must report this immediately to one of the above safeguarding leads.

We ask that all visitors to the school enter by the front door and speak to a member of staff in the office.  If a parent wishes to speak to their child’s teacher, please arrange an appointment through the school office.

Parking outside school is very restricted so we do ask parents and visitors to park responsibly, away from the school entrance and without blocking driveways or footpaths.  Please note that the school’s car park is for use by staff members only.

Uniform and belongings

Uniform is worn at Old Stratford Primary School to develop a sense of pride in being a member of the school community.

Our uniform, books bags, PE bags and fleeces can be purchased from:

Marks and Spencer school uniforms  http://www.mandsyourschooluniform.com/bedfordshire-buckinghamshire-northamptonshire/old-stratford-primary-school/catlist_fnct5340.htm

Lost property

Please put your child’s name in all the items that your child wears or brings to school.  We spend a lot of time looking for missing clothes. We cannot take responsibility should items be lost, stolen or damaged. We do not allow children to bring electronic devices or mobile phones to school.

Behaviour

As a school, we believe that good behaviour needs to be carefully developed through the use of clear guidelines and policy.  Our school has very high expectations of behaviour based upon care, mutual respect and honesty.  Currently, the four school rules are as follows:

·         Treat others as you want to be treated

·         Do your best

·         Follow instructions

·         Always walk in school 

We have a behaviour policy which is consistently applied by all adults who work in school. 

We will always try to work with parents.  Good behaviour is the result of a partnership between home and school and standards set at home and school should complement each other.  If any pupil lets his or her standards of behaviour fall, we will inform parents and discuss it with them.  The school has a zero tolerance policy on any kind of aggressive or bullying behaviour.

A copy of the school’s behaviour policy is available on the school website.

Attendance

The staff and governors of Old Stratford Primary School encourage regular attendance in the following ways:

• Providing a caring and welcoming learning environment
• Responding promptly to a child’s or parent’s concerns about the school or other pupils
• Marking registers accurately and punctually during morning and afternoon registration. Children are registered at 8.55 am. If pupils arrive at school after the close of the register (9:00am) without a written or verbal explanation from a parent, a late mark will be recorded.  The school gates will be locked at 9.00 am. If a child arrives late after 9:00 am and needs to come through the front office, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence due to lateness.  The pupil’s name will be recorded in the late book in case of an emergency.
• Monitoring pupils, informing parents/carers in writing of irregular attendance, arranging meetings between them if necessary and referring the family to the Education Entitlement Team if the irregular attendance continues.

We expect that you will:

• ALWAYS encourage regular school attendance and be aware of your legal responsibilities
• ALWAYS ensure that your child arrives at school punctually and fully prepared for the school day
• Ensure that you contact the school office before 9:20am whenever your child is unwell and unable to attend school, on the first day of the child’s absence and telephone every day thereafter unless your child has a doctor’s certificate
• Contact us promptly whenever any problem occurs that may keep your child away from school.

Non-attendance

When a pupil does not attend school we will respond in the following manner:

• On the first day of absence, if we have not heard from your by 9:30am we will phone you
• If by the end of the second day, there has still been no contact made we will send a letter of concern and invite you into the school to discuss your child’s absence. You will be notified that is the absence persists a referral will be made to the Educational Entitlement Services (EES) at the county council
• Failure to comply with the expectations set out by EES may result in further action, an application for an Education Supervision Order, or court prosecution.

Grant for leave of absence in very exceptional circumstances

The school term dates are published a year in advance and we therefore do not see any reason for parents to need to take their child out of school during term time other than in extreme circumstances.

Open access to records

When the child is admitted to school we open a file.  This file will be added to and reviewed annually, and will contain the following information:

1. Name, address, date of birth, family doctor etc.
2. Information concerning the child’s personal circumstances
3. Reports and records of the child’s achievements.