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ACADEMIC YEAR - SEPTEMBER 2007 - JULY 2008
LOFTHOUSE GATE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Canal Lane Lofthouse Gate Wakefield WF3 3HU
Telephone: 01924 303110 Fax: 01924 303111 Email: headteacher@lofthouse.wakefield.sch.uk
Headteacher - Mrs B Smith M.Ed Deputy Headteacher - Mr J Farrington Chair of Governors – Mrs A Gill
The school, which is a County Primary Day School, provides for the education of boys and girls between the ages of five and eleven years. In addition, Nursery education is provided, usually from the age of three years, as accommodation in the Nursery permits. Vacancies in the nursery class are normally filled from the waiting list in accordance with the Authority’s procedure for admissions (see Admission Policy).
Parents may ask for names to be placed on the waiting list provided the child is at least two years of age. Children in other age groups are admitted in the normal way according to the capacity of the particular age group. In all cases parents are invited to visit the school and discuss its policies and facilities with the Headteacher.
School Hours School meets in the morning from 8.55am to 11.45am (12.15pm for older children) and in the afternoon from 12.55pm (1.00pm for older children) until 3.15pm.
Admissions Please see attached Admissions Policy.
Number of Pupils During the current school year there will be 360 children of statutory school age on roll in the main school, together with 66 half time pupils in the Nursery. On reaching the age of 11+ the majority of children usually transfer to Outwood Grange High School.
Nursery At present the Nursery operates on a half-day basis, children being admitted for either the morning session, 9.00am to 11.30am or for the afternoon session from 12.45pm to 3.15pm. The age of admission is 3⅓ years or over and children are admitted on date of birth order. When children reach the age of transfer to main school, parents may choose which school they wish their child to attend, provided accommodation is available.
Teaching Time When not engaged in acts of collective worship, registration or lunch and other breaks the following time is spent on teaching.
5 - 7 years - 21+ hours 8 - 11 years - 23½ hours
School Aims/Ethos Our school aims to:-
Some of these aims are more fully developed in our individual policy statements but many are embodied in the everyday life of our school.
Child ProtectionBecause of day to day contact with children, schools are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour, or failure to develop. Parents should be aware, therefore, that where it appears to a member of school staff that a child may have been abused, the school is required, as part of the local Child Protection Procedures, to report their concern to the Social Services Department immediately.
Organisation and Curriculum The curriculum of the school aims to allow each child to develop his or her own full potential, through the development of attitudes, concepts, skills and knowledge, across a variety of curricular areas.
These include the National Curriculum core subjects of Mathematics, English, and Science, Information & Communication Technology and Religious Education together with the foundation subjects, Design and Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education.
National Curriculum test results are relayed to the relevant parents as part of the annual report and are available to everyone, through the annual report to parents. Governors are available during parents’ evenings should the need arise.
As far as the National Curriculum is concerned the children are taught in the following way:-
4 - 5 years - Foundation Year 5 - 6 years - Year 1 ) Key Stage 1 6 - 7 years - Year 2 ) “ “ 7 - 8 years - Year 3 ) Key Stage 2 8 - 9 years - Year 4 ) “ “ 9 - 10 years - Year 5 ) “ “ 10 - 11 years - Year 6 ) “ “
There are currently two classes in each year and no class has more than thirty pupils. At the end of each Key Stage (Year 2 and Year 6) the children are given the Standard Attainment Tests. Foundation Stage Profile assessments are given to all children during their Foundation Year. Years 3, 4 and 5 take part in optional Standard Attainment Tests during May. Religious Education remains a compulsory subject and is often taught in conjunction with other disciplines. Collective worship, which is broadly Christian in nature, also reflects the tone and ethos of the school and includes other cultures and beliefs which are shared and celebrated with everyone. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Education and Collective Worship after consultation with the Headteacher.
Sex education is an optional subject and the staff and Governors take the view that questions asked by children should be dealt with honestly and frankly bearing in mind the child’s age and level of understanding. During part of the Health Education programme all Year 6 children have a talk on puberty and care of their developing bodies.
School Performance
National Curriculum Results 2006 (Percentages)
KS2 School National English 91% 79% Mathematics 88% 76% Science 96% 87%
KS1 School National English Reading 89% English Writing 86% Mathematics 97%
Homework Policy Homework is given in school in four different ways:
1 The youngest children in school (Key Stage 1) take home language work (reading folder) and spellings on a regular basis. Some mathematics work may also be given. The older children (Key Stage 2) are given spelling and multiplication tables to learn each week.
2 When the home becomes a central focus of the work being covered homework will be set for the class as a whole, e.g. a survey of electrical appliances, family data etc.
3 All children are encouraged to bring in artefacts and information related to the topic or the main focus of study for that term.
4 Any other work is given at the discretion of the class teacher. Such work is used to either reinforce or extend a child’s skills.
Recommended time for homework is set at approximately 30 minutes – if your child is taking much longer than this class teachers should be informed. It is the school’s hope that parents will work alongside their children and support them with any tasks done at home. When children go on holiday during school time formal work from school will not be set but the children are encouraged to compile a holiday diary.
Dates of Terms Autumn Term - Tuesday 4 September 2007 - Friday 21 December 2007 Spring Term - Monday 7 January 2008 - Friday 14 March 2008 Summer Term - Monday 31 March 2008 - Friday 25 July 2008
Within the school year there are certain days when the school is closed to the pupils. On these days staff attend Inset/Preparation courses. At the beginning of each school year a list of holiday dates is given out for the ensuing year.
Class Organisation From time to time it may be necessary to move children from one class to another. It is school policy to endeavour to keep classes well balanced in terms of gender, ability, age and numbers. Parents are always informed prior to the change and this usually occurs at the end of the academic year.
Teaching methods employed take into account the full range of children’s abilities and may take the form of class, group or individual tasks.
Special Educational Needs The Special Educational Needs Policy indicates the codes of practice used in the identification and assessment of special educational needs, how special needs are identified and what course of action is taken once a child has been identified as having a problem. Further details are to be found in the Special Educational Needs Policy which is available on request or through the Special Education Needs Co-ordinator, Mrs J Young.
From September we will have one child in school who has a statement of educational need and this child receives help from a special needs assistant. Medication in SchoolOnly medication prescribed by a doctor and bearing the child’s name, will be administered in school by a responsible adult, provided that we have a letter of authorisation from the child’s parents. All medication is kept in a cupboard in the medical room. As far as possible we try to make the children responsible for remembering to take their medicine and we try to have an ‘appointed time’ which is usually just before lunchtime.
Children who suffer from hay fever in the summer and are prescribed medication may be allowed to wear sunglasses if a written request is made.
Inhalers are also kept in the office with the exception of years 5 and 6 whose teachers will look after them. Inhalers must be handed in and not kept by the child, as there is a possibility of misuse.
Off-the shelf medicines, throat sweets, pastilles, lozenges and other non-prescribed medication should not be brought to school.
Public Access to Documents There are many documents in School relating to recent legislation. Please contact the Headteacher if you wish to see any of them.
Physical Education/Games
1 All children must take part in PE lessons unless they are unfit to do so, explained in a note from you or the doctor.
2 For indoor activities children wear a plain white T-shirt and navy shorts, an optional extra for girls could be a navy/black leotard. T-shirts are tucked into shorts at all times. In the interests of safety no loose or floppy clothing may be worn at any time. All indoor work is barefoot, again in the interest of safety and hygiene.
3 For outdoor activities the boys wear shirts, shorts, socks and appropriate footwear. Girls wear game skirts or shorts and T-shirts or blouses and appropriate footwear. Jumpers or tracksuits may also be worn in winter. Trainers, properly fastened up, are probably the most suitable footwear.
4 If the children do not have appropriate clothing or footwear then they will be excluded from the lesson but will still be adequately supervised by a member of staff.
5 At the end of all indoor activities, and if possible at the end of outdoor activities too, all the children will have a foot shower in the interest of hygiene and general cleanliness. We therefore ask you to provide a small, named, towel in addition to normal PE clothing. 6 If any child forgets any of his/her PE kit then you will automatically receive a pre-prepared letter from school indicating what has happened.
Swimming
Year 5 and 6 children go swimming for 1½ terms each to a local pool.
Discipline The class teacher has the initial responsibility for the social and academic welfare of the child. General discipline within the school is a matter for the staff as a whole, with the final responsibility resting with the Headteacher. When problems arise parents are consulted, in order that a common policy can be arrived at.
Parents and School Parents are encouraged to take an interest in the school and its work, and are welcome at any time at the end of the school day to discuss matters of importance relating to their children with members of staff. Matters of importance occurring during the school year are communicated to parents by circular letter. Twice a year there are set consultation times for parents to discuss the work and progress of their children with teachers. Each child takes home an End of Year Report. Parents are always welcome to help out in school and can consult with the class teacher or headteacher to make arrangements.
Attendance It must be emphasised that regular attendance is essential to good progress, and is, of course a statutory obligation. Holidays should be taken wherever possible during the school holidays, absences however short, can do irreparable harm. Illness and injury should be the only real causes for absence. A school request form for holidays during term time should be completed and submitted to the Headteacher and Governors for authorisation. Internal and external tests take place in May so this month should be avoided at all costs. In line with government guidance permission will not be granted in the following circumstances:-
An attendance trophy is awarded half termly to the class with the best attendance.
School Year 2005/06 – Children of compulsory school age - 324 Number of unauthorised absences - 157 Number of authorised absences – 5058
School Meals Dinners are cooked in school, and are served in the School’s own dining hall; the charge for which is, at present £1.30 per day. Dinner money must be paid to the Class Teacher on Monday morning for the ensuing week, and parents of all children are requested, for safety, to send the money in a sealed envelope with details written on the front. Sandwich meals may be brought if desired, in carefully labelled boxes, but in line with the policy of the Governing body, these should not include a drink as water is provided by the school.
Mode of Dress Our school has adopted a school uniform which is ;- For GirlsA navy blue skirt, or navy trousers. A white or light-blue blouse or shirt. Navy jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan.
This should carry on into the Summer term if wished, but perhaps more comfortably be replaced by a simple, light-blue, or light-blue check summer dress and white socks. For BoysNavy-blue trousers. A white or light -blue shirt. Navy pullover or sweatshirt. This should carry on into the Summer term if wished, but perhaps more comfortably be replaced by a pair of navy shorts – maximum knee length.
Orders forms for school sweatshirts and polo shirts are available in reception.
Navy fleeces are available at £15.00 - please note these are recommended for outdoor use only and waterproof jackets are also available at £17.50 each.
In order to maintain the school’s high standards we would appreciate and expect your co-operation in please adhering to the following request. In accordance with health and safety guidelines the governors have agreed that the following should be strongly discouraged :- · extreme hair styles, colour and extensions · nail extensions · makeup · nail varnish · body piercing · elaborate hair ornaments · jewellery of any kind – where pierced earrings cannot be removed during the six week healing period the child’s ears should be taped.
This list is by no means exhaustive but we would ask for common sense to prevail.
Marking of Clothing In order to minimise the risk of clothing being lost or misplaced parents are asked to ensure that all clothing, including plimsolls and wellingtons, is clearly marked with the child’s name.
Parent Teacher Committee The School has a Parent-Teacher Committee consisting of parents and teachers which meets regularly. Its function is to hold fund raising activities. The contribution of this committee has a significant impact on the life of the school. Shortly before Christmas each year parent volunteers are asked to put their names forward for the following year.
Activities Swimming- Children in Y5 and Y6 attend a 20 weeks swimming programme over two years at a local pool and the majority are successful in obtaining certificates and badges varying from Beginners to Gold Award for Personal Survival issued by the Amateur Swimming Association. During the year pupils are given the opportunity to attend dance, drama, chess, French, ICT, art and craft and gymnastics.
Music At present four Peripatetic Teachers of Music come into School to give individual instruction in Wind, Percussion, Brass and Woodwind instruments. In addition these children are supervised by the School’s Music co-ordinator for other extra curricular lessons ie. recorders and choir. From time to time the musicians come together to form a band.
Sports and Games Children are given the opportunity to play both competitive and non-competitive sport to the best of their ability. Participation in sporting activities of various kinds is actively encouraged and teams are run in Association Football (boys and girls), tag rugby, cricket, netball and rounders according to season. Matches are played with other schools in the locality. Each summer sports days are held for both the younger and older children and year 6 teams take part in an Olympic competition with other local schools. Gymnastics and athletics are coached in clubs after school as well as in curriculum time. Fit Bods work in both playgrounds at lunchtimes to encourage more children to be active.
Educational Visits To supplement the work done in school, and to widen the experience of the children outside visits to places and centres of interest form an important part of the School Curriculum. In most cases, parents are asked to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of transport etc. for each child. Visits are also made to places of interest and entertainment by groups of children, parents and teachers. The year 6 children undertake an annual week long residential visit to the Hornsea Centre.
Charging & Remission for School Activities The Governing Body reserves the right to seek a suitable contribution for certain activities organised by the school.
The Governing Body may seek a suitable contribution for ingredients and materials for craft, home economics or other activities, where parents have previously indicated they wish to retain the finished item.
A suitable contribution may be sought for activities taking place outside of school hours.
The Governing Body may ask parents to pay for damage to school property or equipment, where this is a result of a pupil’s behaviour.
School Fund We maintain a sound School Fund which is used to purchase many items of educational benefit to the children which we could not otherwise afford. During recent years we have purchased such things as musical instruments, blinds, furniture, PE equipment, ICT equipment, literacy, numeracy, science resources and many other essential items. From time to time money raising efforts are held to support the fund, sometimes with a definite object in view or to cover regular expenses such as the care of school pets.
Water Bottles
We encourage personal water bottles in school as we believe this is a healthy option and which also aids the pupils, concentration. The following points need to be adhered to if you would like your child to participate in this system:-
Health and Safety
· Children are encouraged to eat and drink healthily and to lead healthier lives through PSHE, assemblies and focussed weeks in school and the school kitchen provides healthy meal options.
Disclaimer All the above details are correct at the time of publication, but unforeseen circumstances may make changes necessary.
Admissions to Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools
The policy on admissions to community and voluntary controlled schools is determined by the Local Education Authority following consultation with governing bodies. The Administration of admissions is the responsibility of the Admissions team of the Education, Libraries and Museums Department based in County Hall. From September 2001, Infant class size legislation came into force and all reception Year, Year 1 and Year 2 classes will not normally exceed a maximum of 30.
PROPOSED WAKEFIELD LA ADMISSIONS POLICY FOR THE 2008/2009 SCHOOL YEAR
Admissions to Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools
The policy on admissions to community and voluntary controlled schools is determined by the Council following consultation with governing bodies. The administration of admissions is the responsibility of the Admissions Team of Family Services based at County Hall.
Expressing a Preference
In the case of application for admission to primary, infant and junior schools within the Wakefield area, all applications should be made on Wakefield’s Common Application Form.
For admission to secondary schools, applications from Wakefield residents should be made on Wakefield’s Common Application Form. Applications from other residents should be made in accordance with your home LA’s Common Application Form.
Repeat applications made for entry to the same year group at the same school will not be considered unless there has been a material change in circumstances since the original application. Examples of a material change include a change of address. Where information was known at the time of the original application or appeal, but parents chose not to use it, this will not be considered as additional information or a change in circumstances.
Where parents submit a Common Application Form under a Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme which names more than one Community or Voluntary Controlled school, all applications will be treated equally and eligibility for a school place will be decided in accordance with admissions policy below.
The Admissions Policy
If the number of preferences received for a school does not exceed the Admission Number, all preferences will be met (see explanatory note 1).
All applications received will be considered in the following order:
1. Applications received by the closing date in the normal admissions round: - for secondary applications the closing date is 19 October 2007; and - for primary applications the closing date is 16 November 2007.
2. Late applications received between the closing date for the normal admissions round and the end of the summer term, for these applications, the following dates will apply: - applications for secondary places received by 30 November 2007 will be accepted as if they had been received by the closing date; - applications for primary places received by 10 December 2007 will be accepted as if they had been received by the closing date.
Applications received after these dates: these will be regarded as late applications and will be considered after all applications received on time.
However, if there are more applications for admission to a school than there are places available, preference will be given in the following order:
(a) Children in Public Care (Looked after Children) (see note 6);
(b) (i) Children who live in the school's catchment area, who have brothers and sisters attending the school at the time of admission (see explanatory note 4)
(ii) Other children who live in the school’s catchment area (see explanatory note 2)
(iii) Children who live in that part of the primary school’s catchment area which is designated as an option area (see explanatory note 3)
(c) Children who have brothers or sisters in attendance at the school (see explanatory note 4);
(d) Other children, with priority being given to those living nearest to the school.
In all categories “live” means the child’s permanent home address. A child is normally regarded as living with a parent or guardian and we will use the parent or guardian’s address for admission purposes. You cannot lodge a child with a friend or relation in order to gain a place at a school.
In all categories, when decisions have to be made between children satisfying the same criterion, children living nearest to the school, measured as the crow flies, have priority. The distance measured will be from the central (centroid) point of applicant’s property to the central (centroid) point of the school’s ground. Measurement will be made using the LA’s in-house admission system and mapping software.
Where a family of twins or triplets request admission and there is only one school place available, it will be left to the family to decide whether or not they wish to take up the place for one of their children and appeal for the second or third child in the same year group, or to decline the place.
For admissions purposes only one address can be used as a child’s permanent address. Where a child resides with more than one parent/carer, at different addresses, we will use the preference expressed by the parent/carer at the address where the child lives the majority of the time during the school week as the main place of residence.
Children will be placed in the appropriate category depending upon their circumstances at the closing date for receiving applications for admission to school. Changes in address will be accepted in accordance with the provisions of the Secondary and Primary Co-ordination schemes. In cases where there is an anticipated change in circumstances, documentary evidence will be required. In the event of any category being over-subscribed, places will be offered in the order of priority (a)-(e) detailed above.
Children with a Statement of Special Needs
Children with a Statement of Special Needs are dealt with under a different mechanism. Any child with a school named on their statement will automatically gain a place at the school named in the statement via the statementing process. Any child with a statement of special education needs who is admitted to a mainstream Community/Voluntary Controlled school will be counted against that school’s admission number.
For children with a statement of special educational need, certain other conditions also have to be satisfied. Further information can be obtained from SEN Group or Parent Partnership.
Hard-to-Place Protocol
In line with the Government’s 5 Year Plan for Education the LA has agreed a Hard to Place Protocol with its High Schools. This means that, in some circumstances, pupils defined in the Protocol will have a higher priority for admission than all other pupils seeking admission to that school. Full details of the Protocol can be obtained from the LA.
The offer of a Place at a School
Decisions will be posted 1st class to parents on Secondary school : 3 March 2008 Primary, infant & junior schools : 4 April 2008.
Unsuccessful Applications
If a Wakefield pupil is not eligible for a place at any school, one will be allocated at another Wakefield Community School in accordance with Wakefield Co-ordinated Admission Arrangement Schemes.
Any parent whose child is not offered a school place for which they have expressed a preference has the right to an independent appeal panel.
Explanatory notes
1. Admission Numbers Each maintained school has an Admission Number (AN). This is the number of children who can be admitted in the school year (2008/2009).
2. Catchment areas The LA thinks it is important that schools should serve their local communities and so each one has its own catchment area. However, parents are required to express a preference, stating their choice of school, even if this is the catchment area school.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that there will be a place for every child in their catchment area school, it cannot be guaranteed that this will always be the case.
If parents are in any doubt about the catchment area school for the area in which they live, they need to contact their local school or the Admissions Team at County Hall.
3. Option Areas (Primary schools only) The home addresses of some parents may fall into an area that forms part of the catchment area of two schools. Parents will be informed if they live in such a designated ‘option area’ and will be asked to indicate their preferred school.
4. Brothers and Sisters This category includes children with brothers or sisters (including step-brothers or sisters residing at the same address) of statutory school age, living at the same address, in attendance at the same school, or a school on the same site, on the date of admission.
5. Families Living Outside the District Boundary Children from families living outside the District boundary will be considered alongside those who live within the Wakefield Metropolitan District.
6. Children in Care This refers to children who are subject to care orders and interim care orders, or who are accommodated by a local authority in full time placements.
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