Prospectus
School Prospectus (Currently under review)MISSION STATEMENT To create a child-centred Christian learning community, promoting a culture in which each individual can grow and develop.
THE AIMS OF OUR SCHOOL By providing a stimulating and mutually caring learning community, based on Christian values, we will encourage children to be: · Happy and secure · Responsible and independent · Morally and spiritually aware · Empathetic to each other and the world around them We will help them to learn to live together both within the school and wider community, showing sensitivity and respect. We will enable children to develop a love of learning by providing progressive and forward thinking education. We will work in partnership with parents for the benefit of the whole school community. In line with recent Government requirements we have also produced a Home-School Agreement (see Appendix 1) which all existing and new parents and children will be asked to consider and sign alongside the school. This is strongly linked to the mission statement and aims and will regularly be reviewed by staff and parents.
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL Littlebourne C.E.P. School began its life in 1842 in a one-roomed building now known as Meadow View, its benefactor being a certain Captain James. On roll in that one room were 28 boys and 29 girls. With an increase of pupils new premises were sought. This resulted in a new school, fashioned in the style of a church, being opened at The Hill on the 14th December, 1871, at a cost of £750. The number of children on roll at that time was 83 and the occasion was celebrated with tea and cakes and a magic lantern show. In 1974 the school was transferred to its present building in Church Road, opposite the Church of St. Vincent and we are currently housed in a modern 5 class building and a mobile classroom which was added in August 1996.
ADMISSIONS POLICY Littlebourne is a Church School Voluntary Controlled; this means we consider all admissions to our school using Kent's admission criteria. 1. Parents' wishes 2. Denominational preference (you do NOT have to show evidence of Church membership or attendance). Please tick box on form. 3. Family Association - Have you children already attending this school? 4. Health reasons - you will need to support this by a statement from the Principal Medical Officer. 5. Nearness of home and access - Is this your nearest school? We do try to accommodate all children who wish for a place at our school but we may have to refuse admission if the class is full. If you would like to visit our school, please telephone for an appointment. We would be delighted to show you around.
CLASS ORGANISATION The number on roll at the school is approximately 90, although this fluctuates.
The classes this year are as follows:- Emerald Class - Reception – Mrs Boorman/Miss Gosden Sapphire Class - Year One/Year Two – Miss Hardy Diamond Class - Year Three/Year Four – Mr McDonagh Jet Class - Year Five/Year Six – Mr Horn.
We keep the size of all classes below 30 children in the infants and the juniors to 32 children whenever possible, but pressure to admit children during the year may mean some classes have more than 32 children. As far as possible we try to keep children of the same age together in one class, but this is not always possible. When we have to split a year group, it will usually be on the basis of age. This avoids any misunderstandings relating to ability or friendship groups. The Department for Education & Skills (DFES) recommends a minimum taught time (ie excluding playtimes, acts of worship, registration etc) of 21 hours a week for infants and 23.5 hours for juniors. Our infants enjoy a taught week of 22.5 hours and our juniors 23.75 hours.
OFF TO A GOOD START We appreciate the importance of the early years at Littlebourne and want our children to have the best possible start to school life. We have close links to our Village Playgroup & Community Childcare Centre, who have their building in the school grounds. Playgroup uses the school hall for an activity period for an hour on Monday mornings and we invite them to special assemblies and any other parts of school life which they will enjoy. Children starting school from playgroup are very familiar with the building and the teachers and seem to have little problem settling in.
FOUNDATION KEY STAGE/RECEPTION We recognise the importance of children feeling secure and supported when they start school. We admit our Year R pupils in small groups over the first half-term of the autumn. Home visits by the Reception teacher before the children start, give her the chance to get to know the child in informal, familiar surroundings. Parents will be given a pack of information that will help them prepare their child for school. We find the information parents pass on and our own early assessments very valuable in carrying on a child's education from where he or she is when starting school. After all, parents are a child's first teachers! Children follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum in this year, with much of the work focussing on learning through practical activities. The new purpose built outside area provides a wealth of opportunity for the early years.
ETHOS As a Voluntary Controlled Church of England School we foster a Christian attitude to life together, promoting a moral, spiritual culture in accordance with Anglican tradition. We maintain close links to the church and the vicar sometimes gives an assembly. Children take some Acts of Worship in the church and all our Acts of Worship have a Christian content and are in keeping with Anglican beliefs. We ensure that children in our care enjoy a broad curriculum, carefully structured to meet their individual physical, spiritual and mental needs. We try to create a secure, happy, lively and caring atmosphere. Such an atmosphere is needed for healthy learning to take place. Because we believe first hand experience to be very important, we make good use of carefully planned visits that will extend the child's personal experience of and understanding of their environment. We also try to bring in adults from a variety of jobs to share their skills and interests and we make regular use of the library, museum and audio-visual services in Kent. We try to keep strong links with playschool and our local secondary schools to ensure continuity of education. We maintain links also with other local primary schools in our Consortium to create opportunities to extend the children's peer group. We try to forge strong bonds between home and school, by welcoming parents into assemblies and as class helpers, by making home visits for new entrants, and by holding evenings for parents and teachers to meet for social and educational purposes. The school has a flourishing PTA called The Friends of Littlebourne School or FOLS. Children are helped to the goal of self-control and self-discipline by a firm but loving discipline. Our rules are few, simple, and are upheld by all the staff. We want to create an environment which encourages children to respect and understand the needs of others. Good behaviour is rewarded in a variety of ways and children who have difficulty in accepting rules are helped through carefully structured programmes, parents are involved early on if a child shows signs of persistent behavioural problems.
RELIGION As a church aided school, the teaching of Christianity forms at least half of the RE curriculum. Children are also taught about other major faiths including Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. Lessons also aim to teach children to understand what it means to be a member of a faith community. Religious Education is planned on a two-year rolling programme and visits, visitors, artefacts and CD ROMs are used to make lessons interesting. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE and from the Collective Worship. Should you wish to do so, please speak to the Headteacher.
ASSEMBLY/COLLECTIVE WORSHIP At Littlebourne School we believe that the daily act of Collective Worship is central to our work. As a Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) school we promote the Christian principles of love and kindness to others through the example of God’s son, Jesus. Assemblies are held at 10.00am each day. For three days these are whole school meetings, on the other two days we hold separate Infant and Junior assemblies and class assemblies and Celebration Assemblies at 9.00 am on Fridays.
CURRICULUM CONTENT At Littlebourne we follow the National Curriculum and have adopted the Kent Curriculum Statement. We have recently implemented a creative Curriculum using carefully chosen themes to deliver National Curriculum learning objectives. The Core Subjects of the National Curriculum are: English, Mathematics, Science, ICT The Foundation Subjects are: History, Geography, Design Technology, Physical Education, Art and Music. Religious Education is an extra subject with a special place in the curriculum. We also teach PSHE and Citizenship. The whole curriculum goes beyond the formal timetable. It involves a range of policies and practices to promote the personal and social development of pupils, to accommodate different teaching and learning styles, to develop positive attitudes and values, and to forge an effective partnership with parents and the local community.
DELIVERING THE CURRICULUM The school uses a mixture of a thematic approach and of subject topics, making sure that there is planning for progression and continuity throughout the school. Lessons are sometimes taught in a mixture of whole class, ability groups and mixed ability groups. Much of the work set allows for individual progress and ability grouping is often used because our classes have two age groups in them and therefore the teachers are catering for a very wide range of ability. Our ability groups are flexible, allowing us to cater properly, for example, for the child who may be highly skilled in maths but a poor reader. The assessment that is necessary to ensure a careful match of work to the child is ongoing in the school and is outlined elsewhere in this document under
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING. ENGLISH At Littlebourne, English is taught in Literacy sessions as well as in reading and story telling sessions. Where possible, lessons in Literacy are linked to other subjects to support learning.
THE LITERACY SESSION In line with other primary schools, we adopted the Literacy Strategy in 1998. This is a government initiative to raise standards. The lesson may last up to an hour. Grammar or spelling/phonics is usually taught at the start of the lesson. Children then work on objectives related to reading, writing, speaking and listening. After input to the whole class, children work independently or with a group on related tasks. The session ends with a plenary where the objective of the lesson is reinforced.
READING Each day children work with a teacher or independently on reading activities. Children work in ability groups of about six on guided reading tasks with the teacher. Texts can include fiction, non-fiction books or poetry books. Teachers use a variety of methods to assess children’s reading ability. Children’s understanding of the text is assessed also through statutory assessments and non-statutory assessments (SATs) undertaken by children from Year 2. It is expected that children read at home regularly to an adult. Contact is maintained between school and home via a reading record book.
WRITING - HANDWRITING Children are taught to use cursive script from the start of their schooling. Handwriting is taught regularly. Sky writing, tracing and chalking letters are some of the ways that is taught in the early stages.
CREATIVE WRITING Children have the opportunity to write a modelled example of writing by the class teacher. This may be done during the Literacy session or through other subjects.
SPELLING Children are taught spellings in a variety of ways, e.g. through investigations of spelling patterns and through word recognition activities. Spellings learnt at school are often reinforced through homework activities.
SPEAKING AND LISTENING Speaking and listening may be taught through discussion or drama and role-play activities. Children are taught the importance of listening and responding appropriately to others.
DRAMA Opportunities for drama are used throughout the year in combination with all aspects of literacy. All classes have sets of group plays and children take part in role play in class.
MATHEMATICS Littlebourne recognises the fact that Numeracy is a key life skill. Through good teaching we enable our children to learn and adopt a wide variety of mental and written calculation strategies, to aid them in real-life situations. The school uses the principles of ‘National Primary Strategy’ which means that there is a progressive and practical approach to learning. Teachers use a range of teaching resources to provide a ‘rounded’ experience for the children.
THE NATIONAL PRIMARY STRATEGY For Mathematics, the strategy provides a progressive framework for teaching and learning. It includes clear objectives from Reception to Year 6 and guidance to assist with teachers’ assessment of pupil’s progress. Through the internet, there are other resources available for teachers, including structured unit plans.
THE DAILY LESSON A typical Numeracy lesson takes 45-60 minutes. During the daily lessons, a lot of time is devoted to mental/oral work and we incorporate many ‘hands on’ tasks to engage children’s minds. Most of the teaching is delivered in a whole-class setting, with appropriate questioning and support. The children will then rehearse their understanding through differentiated tasks. Each lesson ends with a plenary; an opportunity for the children to consolidate their understanding of the skills or knowledge learnt in the lesson. This also enables the teacher to complete the lesson with further challenge and to celebrate the children’s achievements. Some extended curriculum time if offered to the older pupils, so that they can develop their problem solving skills and carry-out mathematical investigations. Mathematics has a high-profile at Littlebourne School. We agree short-term Numeracy targets with the children and encourage them to become more involved with their learning and progression. The children are set maths homework tasks weekly and are expected to learn their times tables. Overall, our aim is to provide the children of Littlebourne School with the skills they need to become confidently numerate. As a core subject, Science is given a valued place in the work at Littlebourne School. We aim to develop our children’s curiosity and understanding of the world. Key skills involve: hypothesising; predicting; developing ideas; experimenting; interpreting results and drawing informed conclusions. The children are encouraged to use a variety of ways to communicate their findings – written accounts, models, diagrams, flow charts etc. The children explore a wide range of topic areas and we are especially committed to providing equal opportunities for girls and boys. Through our teaching of science, we have established links with external organisations and aim to provide the children with relevant experiences. We are currently linked with Pfizer and many local secondary schools to enhance the children’s learning experiences.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Our pupils enjoy a wide range of real experiences in Design and Technology. They are encouraged to practise skills in the whole process – from researching existing designs and artefacts, to designing, making and evaluating what they have done. Pupils enjoy using a variety of materials and assembly techniques. A focus week recently saw lots of willing parents visiting the school to share their own knowledge and expertise of this subject in the working world. Local grammar school students also organised practical workshops for the children. This year, the children were thrilled to come second in the Area Final of the KNEX challenge, and win £1000 in a national competition to research and design their own playground improvements!
GEOGRAPHY Studies include an understanding of map skills, specialised geographical terms, weather observation, recording skills and fieldwork. Children discuss ways of how people can improve their environment. Where possible, we encourage class visits not only to the local area but other sites in Kent. We have a large field and woodland walk which can be used for various activities.
HISTORY History is taught throughout the school. It is introduced as part of children’s work on ‘Knowledge and understanding of the world’ in the early years curriculum. History topics are planned on a two-year rolling programme. Work is made more meaningful and exciting by visits to historical sites, visitors to school and the use of artefacts. Children are taught about people and events in the past. They also learn the reasons why events occurred and the changes that people and events have made. ART We encourage the children to express themselves imaginatively using a variety of media. They enjoy developing skills in drawing and sketching, painting, chalk and pastel work, modelling, textiles and so on. Children discuss and appreciate the work of great artists and are inspired by different techniques and moods created. Their experiences in art are enriched by projects led by visiting artists and trips to local exhibitions. Our art curriculum has strong links with other topics in History, Geography, Science and so on. This makes the children’s experiences more meaningful and sets their art work in a context.
MUSIC Every child is given opportunities for listening to, composing and performing music throughout the whole school. We have a variety of percussion instruments frequently used to enhance both class work and performances. Extra enjoyment and confidence is gained by many pupils through the availability of recorder clubs, piano and violin lessons. We have a link with Music for Foundation which provides extra music lessons. Children are given the opportunity to participate in Community Music Festivals with other schools. A future exciting development will be our link with Simon Langton Girl’s School in their bid for Specialist Music Status.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Littlebourne takes the role of Physical Education in the curriculum very seriously, utilising a range of sporting opportunities on an annual basis for pupils to explore and celebrate their talents in a wide range of activities in the local area. Physical education, coupled with a strong belief in a healthy school both inside and outside of the classroom forms a strong foundation for pupils development and learning across the key stages. Our school is privileged in its location with extensive grounds and equipment.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Information Communication Technology at Littlebourne is integrated in planned opportunities to provide an enhanced approach to teaching and learning across the curriculum. In the summer of 2007 the school purchased 30 laptop computers kept in two secure trolleys, which can be easily moved between each class for use by all the children and have wireless access to the Internet. There are additional computers hosting a range of specific software accessible in each class. A number of classes also benefit from electronic whiteboards, which allow aspects of ICT to be developed and integrated within the classroom environment on a daily basis. The use of ICT is exploited throughout each subject where possible, using digital cameras, microscopes and sensors to involve pupils in an interactive and accessible platform to their own learning, as well as developing core skills in the technologies themselves.
EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT At Littlebourne we try to ensure that every pupil reaches their full potential. However we recognise that children have their own levels of understanding, individual skills and pace of learning. Some may also have additional educational needs. We try to identify these as early as possible and put strategies in place so that the child receives the help they need whilst ensuring that they are still able to participate fully in the life of the school. This additional help is coordinated by our Additional Educational Needs Coordinator (AENCO), who works closely with teachers and parents to ensure the child gets the best support possible. In some cases this will also involve outside agencies, who either provide support and specialist resources or actually work with the child themselves. In addition to this our team of Teaching Assistants (TAs) support the teachers in supplying the additional help. At all stages of this process the parents are kept fully informed of their child’s progress through reports and meetings. A copy of our school Additional Needs Policy is available from the school office.
ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND ABLE CHILDREN The school also makes it a policy to try to identify children who are able. We try to identify both children who have all round skills above the average and children who have above average skills in only one or two areas. We find activities in school to stretch the musically able, the artistic and the talented athlete, as well as using assessment to allow us to provide accelerated or extended programmes in science, maths, language, and technology. This is extended by joining in with Consortium activities that are available; by providing a variety of after school activities; and by providing peripatetic music lessons in school.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES We believe that from an early age children should be taught to love and respect the environment. We train the children to treat their own, each other's and school property with gentleness and respect. Vandalism and graffiti are almost unknown at Littlebourne. Pupils are encouraged to involve themselves in the wildlife around the school, making use of the fenced pond area for environmental studies and surveys. We were awarded a Bronze Award by Canterbury City Council for successful development of our grounds. We are a "GREEN" school, recycling, laser printer cartridges, paper, plastic bottles, tin foil and stamps and generally trying to conserve resources and to protect the environment with "FRIENDLY" products.
HOMEWORK We believe that learning should not end in the classroom and that children should be encouraged to carry on further research etc after school. Homework can encourage the involvement of children and parents in worthwhile and purposeful tasks which extend the work of the classroom. For primary children it should involve the active partnership of the adults in the home. In KS1 parents will be expected to read with their children every day and to support the learning of spellings and number skills. In KS2 pupils will be issued with a homework diary that will outline exactly what tasks they are expected to complete. Parents will be asked to sign the diary each week. Teachers will monitor the completion of homework tasks and raise any concerns with the Headteacher.
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING Throughout the school regular and careful assessment is carried out by the class teachers, using a variety of strategies which include looking at children's work, observing children working, teacher designed tests and activities, standardised tests and SATs, at 7 and 11. We also use the non-statutory tests in English and Maths in Years 3, 4 and 5. Teachers take opportunities to meet to discuss work to ensure that uniform judgements are made throughout the school. The staff takes the opportunity to talk to the children during the year about their progress and to set new goals and targets each term which are sent home. We report formally to parents three times a year; twice through a verbal discussion at parent/teacher evenings in the Autumn and Spring terms and once through a written report in the Summer term. Parents of children with Additional Needs are kept informed of their child's targets with a termly note and are invited to join in their target setting and review.
PARENTS IN SCHOOL We are always happy to get offers of help in the classrooms. We have parents and other adult volunteers helping with quite a variety of tasks. Some come in on a regular basis to help listen to children read, to help children with arts and crafts, football, swimming and cooking. Others help out occasionally, accompanying class trips, village walkabouts or special one off events like a technology day or book week. Still other parents help out when we need parent power to put up the odd shelf or other such jobs. All help offered is very gratefully received and actively encouraged!
DISCIPLINE We have a clear, simple set of rules and sanctions, which we regularly review with the children in class lessons, and in assembly. They are designed to ensure that every child has a right to enjoy the full benefits of education safely and happily. We promote our rules positively and reward good behaviour in a variety of ways which may include praise, written comments, a visit to the head or other member of staff for further praise, stickers, charts and certificates. We have a golden board in our entrance that displays children’s work nominated for effort or achievement. Each Friday we hold a celebration assembly to recognise and reward good work and behaviour. We do not accept violence as a solution to problems and, through discussion, try to teach children to find other solutions. We do not accept any form of bullying and the whole staff teaches the children that it is the right thing to seek help if bullying should occur. All reports of bullying are treated seriously and thoroughly followed up. Parents of children involved in bullying, as victim or bully are involved in the strategies to change the behaviour. While our policy for behaviour is very successful for most of the children, we do reserve the right to exclude from school any child whose behaviour threatens the safety of other children or adults, or which seriously disrupts the quality of learning in a classroom. This serious step would only be taken as a last resort and parents would be fully involved in all the steps we would take to moderate the child's behaviour to prevent the need for exclusion. The school follows carefully the advice on exclusions given by the DfES and by Kent. More specific details of the ways we treat misbehaviour and bullying are detailed in our Behaviour Policy, which may be seen on request at the school office.
GENERAL INFORMATION SCHOOL UNIFORM There is a purple school sweatshirt and yellow polo shirt which are kept in stock at the school and a cardigan; fleece jacket and waterproof jacket (order forms available from the office), which should be combined with black or grey trousers or skirts. In the summer the girls may also choose to wear summer dresses of school colour; e.g. yellow and white gingham pattern. We encourage all children to 'Slip, Slop, Slap' - slip on a shirt, slop on sun lotion and slap on a hat in the summer. The children change for all Physical Education activities. They need plimsolls for indoor work, white T-shirt and black or white shorts in a named drawstring shoe bag to hang on their peg. Children may wear tracksuits for outdoor games and appropriate studded footwear and shin pads are needed for football club. We find it advisable for the children to wear an overall or apron to cover their school clothes during art and craft activities. You will probably find that an old shirt will do nicely. Would parents ensure that all clothing is marked in some way with the child's name, especially sweatshirts, cardigans and fleeces. This will hopefully avoid loss of property.
SCHOOL HOURS Monday – Friday 8.55 am (for a 9.00 am start) – 12.15 pm 1.15 pm - 3.15 pm The doors are opened at 8.45 am so that pupils may be properly greeted on arrival before the day begins formally at 8.55 am. Children are welcomed into their classrooms and involved in short tasks before registration. Children should not arrive at school before 8.45 am, and no responsibility can be taken for them until this time. Also when the children are dismissed at 3.15 pm parents should wait outside the building, and take children safely home down the footpath. Please do not use the car park entrance. With regard to parking of cars on the school premises, please park outside the school grounds at the peak hours, before 9.00 am and between 3.00 and 3.30 pm, as cars are a potential danger to young children entering and leaving the school. Leave the car park entrance clear in case of emergency and please do not obstruct private driveways.
MEDICALS School Health Service Doctors, Nurses and Dentists visit the school at intervals. You will be notified beforehand if your child is having a medical.
PHOTOGRAPHS Once a year, usually in the Autumn term, a photographer visits the school to take individual and family photographs. She may revisit in the Summer term to take class and team photographs.
BICYCLES In Year 6 children with bicycles are encouraged to practise and then be tested by qualified examiners for their Cycling Proficiency Award. Children who have passed this award may, if they live a long way from the school, be allowed to bring their bicycle to school. Parents should make a written application to the school for a cycling permit.
VISITS From time to time the school has visits from musical or drama groups and we sometimes visit other schools for the same purpose. We ask you for a small contribution for these visits. The school charging policy is to be found elsewhere in this document.
SCHOOL LUNCH School lunch costs £1.80 for a main meal. Dinner money for the week should be brought to school on a Monday morning; if you forget please send the money as soon as possible. The children should bring their week's dinner money in a sealed envelope with their name and class clearly written on it. There are also facilities at the school for the children to bring sandwiches. It would also greatly aid the school if children did not change meal arrangements during the week, and when they do they always have written arrangements from their parents, giving one weeks notice to the catering company. At the present time Free meals are available for the children of families in receipt of Income support, ‘Income based’ Job Seekers Allowance, Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit or Child Tax Credit (without working Tax Credit) and an annual income below £14,155. This may change. Please contact the East Kent Area Education Office if you think you are eligible or collect a form from the school office.
FOLS The school has an active parent teacher association called the Friends of Littlebourne School. All parents are automatically members. The F.O.L.S. has a committee, which is elected yearly and organises social functions and engages in fund raising activities. Please give it your full support. There is an AGM in the Autumn Term at which we look forward to seeing lots of new parents.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Parents are invited to various functions throughout the year such as assemblies, end of term services, religious festivals, school concerts and Sports Day. Please support your child whenever you can. CLUBS Various clubs are arranged for children during the lunch break or after school. These may include football, netball, hockey, athletics, art, drama, gardening and recorders.
HOLIDAYS You should not expect the school to agree an absence for a holiday during term time, particularly if it is for more than ten days. Taking a holiday during term time means that children miss important school time – both educationally and for other school activities. It will be difficult for them to catch up on work later. The law says that the school has the discretion to grant up to ten days authorised absence in a school year. This means it is not an automatic right. Each application is considered individually by the school, taking into account factors like the timing of the holiday and your child’s attendance record. Parents must negotiate absence with the school as early as possible, by asking for a holiday form from the school office. The school will only consider any additional absence during term time in exceptional circumstances. If absence is unavoidable parents will be expected to see the class teacher to negotiate how work missed will be made up. Parents will be also expected to ensure this work is completed appropriately. No authorised absence will be given during the schools assessment week in May.
ABSENCES Should your child be absent from school for any reason, please ring the school Tel:(01227) 721671 on the first day of absence and send a note as they return explaining why. We are required to publish our Attendance record in this brochure and any absence for which we do not receive a note or phone call must be recorded as an Unauthorised absence. The Headteacher is able to authorise absence for certain special occasions but such authorisation must be requested before the absence. On the whole our record of attendance is excellent as our children love to come to school. The attendance record for your child will also be given on the child's yearly report. If you wish your child to leave school early, a note, telephone call or personal visit from you is required. Children will not be allowed to leave by a word of mouth message from them, and must be collected if they are leaving school early for any reason.
MEDICINES Medicines should not be brought to school unless they are given to the secretary for safekeeping. Please do not send children to school if they are ill. We have no staff or facilities to care for them. If you wish us to administer a medicine during the school day, you will be asked to complete a form giving full details.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS It may be necessary to arrange for a sick or injured child to go home during the day. Please ensure the school has an emergency telephone numbers that we can use if we have to.
EARINGS In accordance with County Safety guidelines earrings of any kind must be removed for PE, games and movement work. If your child is unable to do this themselves, please remove their earrings before school on PE days. Close fitting studs only may be worn during school time, and no rings, necklaces or other jewellery that could be dangerous at play or become entangled should be worn at school.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION The school holds copies of the Kent Curriculum Statement, the National Curriculum, governors' policies for Sex Education, Special Educational Needs and Health and Safety Minutes of Governors' Meetings, other working school policy documents and various other DfES documents which parents are entitled to view. Please make an appointment with the school secretary if you wish to read a document.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The school has an equal opportunities policy and we try to ensure that no-one at our school, child or adult, is subject to discrimination because of race, colour, sex, culture, creed, age, physical differences or social status. We are careful to encourage both boys and girls to find enjoyment in maths, science and technology, and our sports clubs are open to children of either sex. Wherever possible all children are helped to participate in all our activities as is appropriate to their age and ability. Adults applying for a post at the school may expect the same equality of opportunity.
SEX EDUCATION From September 1995 the children have received Sex Education (in its widest sense - including health, hygiene and personal relationships) in each of the classes. The teaching is geared to the needs and age of the children in the class. Full copies of the Sex Education document and the scheme of work are available for parents to view in the office. Parents are entitled to withdraw their child from all or any part of Sex Education but we would hope that before taking such a step they would make an appointment to talk to the Headteacher and read the full policy and view the books and materials that are used to teach the subject.
PARENTS' STATUTORY RIGHTS The Education Reform Act 1988 states that parents have a statutory right to make complaint if they are unhappy about the following:
• the provision of a curriculum including RE and worship in accordance with the Act
• the way the National Curriculum is implemented
• the way in which the school makes any temporary withdrawal of students from part or all of the provisions of the National Curriculum
• the way the school operates a charging policy
• the regulations about the provision of information.
In the first instance you should raise any complaint with the Headteacher. If you are not satisfied after discussion with the Headteacher you may if you wish make a formal written complaint to the Governing body. Thirdly, you may make written complaint to the Local Education Authority.
We have tried to make this prospectus as full as possible. If however there are matters, which you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Although this prospectus is correct in relation to the 2007/2008 school year at the date of publication, it should not be assumed that there would be no changes affecting these particulars before the start of, or during the year, or in relation to subsequent years.
INCIDENCE OF AUTHORISED AND UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE AS % UP TO 25 MAY, 2007
| Number of pupils of compulsory school age on roll for at least one session | UNAUTHORISED ABSENCES | AUTHORISED ABSENCES |
| 89 | 0.3% | 5.8% |
TRANSFER TO SECONDARY SCHOOL Transfer to secondary school takes place at the end of the academic year during which the child reaches the age of eleven. Secondary schooling in this area is largely based on Grammar Schools and High Schools.
In recent years children from Littlebourne School went to the following schools:
Grammar: Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
Barton Court Grammar School
High: Montgomery School
The Canterbury High School
Sandwich Technology School
The Abbey School
Wide ability: Chaucer Technology School
The Archbishop's School
St Anselm's Catholic School
In 2007 24 children left Littlebourne:
2 - Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
1 - Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
3 - Barton Court Grammar School
11 - Chaucer Technology School
3 - Canterbury High School
2 - St Anselm’s
1 - Sandwich Technology
1 - Queen Victoria School, Dunblane
In 2007 this school completed all elements of the National Curriculum assessment arrangements and reported in full to parents.
LITTLEBOURNE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
TERM DATES 2007-2008
Term 1
Start: Monday, 3 September 2007
Finish: Friday, 19 October
Term 2
Start: Monday, 29 October
Finish: Wednesday, 19 December
Term 3
Start: Thursday, 3 January 2008
Finish: Friday, 15 February
Term 4
Start: Monday, 25 February Easter Holiday: 21-24 March 2008
Finish: Friday, 4 April
Term 5
Start: Monday, 21 April Bank Holiday: 5 May 2008
Finish: Friday, 23 May
Term 6
Start: Monday, 2 June
Finish: Wednesday, 23 July
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS (School closed for children)
Monday, 3rd September 2007
Thursday 1st November 2007
Monday 25th February 2008
Monday 21st April 2008
Monday 2nd June 2008
These dates are subject to change.
ASSESSMENT WEEK (No permission will be granted for absence)
Monday, 12 May – Friday, 16 May 2008
CHARGING POLICY
1) RESIDENTIAL VISITS - In school time.
Should one take place the policy of the governors is that parents would be charged for the total cost.
2) MUSICAL TUITION - In school time.