Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents,

Thank you for choosing Aldborough Primary School for your child’s education.  This is a lively and energetic school which values each individual.  Our motto is ‘a great place to work and learn’.

The staff and governors work extremely hard to ensure that your child’s Early and Primary Years provide learning of the highest quality in a caring and supportive environment that recognises personal growth and development.  We believe in the development of the whole child and relentlessly pursue the best approaches to educate your child in a rapidly changing world.

At the heart of our curriculum is the traditional Reading, Writing and Mathematics and the 21st century Information and Communication Technology.  Alongside these we offer an exciting and diverse curriculum and a host of extra curricular opportunities.

Our expectations and aspirations of children are high and our end of school tests are evidence of success.  Academic performance isn’t everything and Aldborough encourages the well rounded child who knows how to make healthy life choices, knows how to learn, explores relationships, enjoys physical, artistic and musical pursuits and knows how to stay safe.

A child never comes alone and we welcome you as parents/guardians.  We hope that you too will become part of this learning community.  We offer an open door policy so if you still have unanswered questions, please do not hesitate to come in.

Yours sincerely

Tina Casburn

Headteacher

Absences – authorised and unauthorised

During the period 1st September 2007 to July 2008, there were 40458 possible attendance sessions. There were 2046 authorised absences and 71 unauthorised absences (5.2% absence return).

If, for any reason your child is unable to attend school, please telephone the office, or send a message, before 09.00.  Someone is in the office from 08.30 onwards and before that the answer machine is switched on.  If we have not been informed by 09.15, the Office Manager will contact parents to make sure that the child is safe.

Admission Policy

The school has an admission of 20 each year. The school’s admission policy for the coming year is as follows:

Children will be admitted to the main school twice during the school year.

Children born between 1st September and the end of February will be admitted to school in September on a full time basis.

Children born between the 1st March and the end of August will be admitted to school in January on a full time basis.

First admissions are dealt with by the Local Authority. Parents exercise their choice by December of the year preceeding their enrolment.

Any parents considering applying to the school for a place for their child should contact the Headteacher at the school for an appointment. Admission forms will be available at this time. Admission forms for Stepping Stones are available from the school office.

Attendance

Holidays taken during term time cause disruption and curricular gaps in your child’s education.  Any requests must be in person to the Headteacher.There are 190 school days each year leaving 175 for holidays.

Arrangements for parents to meet with teachers

The school has two parents’ evenings, one in the Autumn term and one in the Summer. During the Summer term, Annual Reports are sent out and may be discussed if required.

Buildings and Premises

The main building of the school provides a library, headteacher’s and administration offices, a staff room and ICT suite as well as three classrooms.  Further teaching areas are provided by three mobile classrooms at the back of the school.  One of these classrooms is a dedicated Music Room.  The pre school is situated in a fourth, double size mobile at the back of the school. 

The school has a hall which is used for PE, dance, drama, assemblies, plays and concert.  Two Lottery funded projects have provided a PE store added to the side of the hall and a new outdoor multi sports surface, which is used for tennis, football and netball. This facility is available to the local community.

Outside, besides the playground and extensive playing fields, there is a play area, the new multi-sports area, bicycle shed, gardens and greenhouse.  Alongside the multi-sports area is a further building, which is used as a resources room and kitchen.  The canteen and kitchen provides on site facilities for the cooking and serving of Healthy School Meals.

From July 2009 to May 2010 the school will be part of a Primary Capital Project. This will see extensive refurbishemnt of the 100 year old building and an extension for 5 classrooms to replace the mobiles. The Nursery children will eventually be housed within the main building. This holistic solution is eagerly awaited.

Bullying

Bullying is not acceptable.  We have an anti-bullying policy which recognises the need to be vigilant.  Any suspicious incidents are logged with the Headteacher.  We aim to help our pupils respect each other.

Catchment Area

The following villages form the catchment area of the school which is for boys and girls from 5 to 11 years of age:
Aldborough, Alby, Barningham, Hanworth, Matlaske, Thurgarton, Thwaite, Wickmere

Children from outside the catchment area may be admitted provided there is room at the school.

Charging for School Activities

Policy is available on request from the school.  Please see also Friends of the School Association.

Child Protection

The school’s Designated Teacher for Child Protection issues is the Headteacher, Mrs Tina Casburn. There is also a school governor with responsibility for Child Protection.

The school is committed to promoting the health and welfare of all pupils.  We are required by law to follow procedures, laid down by the Norfolk Area Child Protection Committee, if we see signs that suggest that one of our pupils may have been the victim of abuse.  Use of the procedures in this way is an obligation placed on the school by legislation and in no way infers that any parent/carer is being accused of wrong doing.  Our policy is reviewed annually and is available for any parents to see.

Class Organisation

For the school year September 2008 to July 2009, the children are organised into classes as follows:-
Key Stage 1
Class 1 -          Mrs N Cuthill (maternity leave covered by Miss H Patel)
Reception children in their first year in school and a number of Year One children.
Class 2 -          Miss C Platts
A class of the remainder of Year One and most of the Year Two children.
Mixed Key Stage 1/2
Class 3 -          Mrs T Blake             
A majority of Year Three children, with a few of Year Two.
Key Stage 2
Class 4 -          Mrs C Lawson     
Year Four and Year Five children.
Class 5 -          Mrs J Morgan/Mrs T Casburn   
Year Six children, with more than half the class Year Five children.

Complaints Procedure

If you are unhappy about any aspect of your child’s education or experience at school you should make an appointment to see the class teacher. We would hope that discussing the matter with the teacher should be enough to resolve the problem.  However, if you are still unhappy and wish to take the matter further, you should make an appointment to see the Headteacher.

If, after discussion with the Headteacher, the matter remains unresolved you should tell the Headteacher that you wish to make a formal complaint.

The Headteacher will give you a copy of the Complaints Procedure, the name and address of the Clerk to the Governors of the school, and the name of the person to write to in the Education Department at County Hall.

You will be asked to make your complaint in writing but, if you wish, you will be able to attend a meeting either of the School Governors or of Members and officers of the County Council, when your complaint is considered, and explain it to them.

It will then be for the County Council or the Governors to decide whether the complaint is justified and what should be done about it.

If you are still not satisfied when you are told of their decision you may complain to the Secretary or State for Education and Science.

Curriculum

The school believes strongly that a child’s early years are the most important.  It is in the first year in school that the foundations are laid for the child’s future years in education.  It is very important to develop the right attitude to school and learning, and for a child to both enjoy and feel confident in what they are doing.  A lot of time and energy is spent creating the right atmosphere within which the necessary social skills and attitudes can develop.  It is upon these foundations that the rest of the school and in turn, the High School, can build.

In Key Stage 1 (Classes 1 and 2), the curriculum is mainly taught through cross-curricular themes.  The subject emphasis for these themes can vary; Science, Technology, History or Geography, or a mixture.  Although some English, Maths and ICT may be linked to this work, we also teach these as specific skill based lessons.

In Key Stage 2 (Classes 3, 4 and 5), the curriculum other than English and Maths is taught through subject topics with an increasing emphasis upon using the staff’s specialist skills.  Accordingly the children are timetabled for all the National Curriculum subjects including modern foreign languages and RE.  The school is fortunate in having two musicians on the staff.  All the children have weekly music lessons in addition to hymn/song practices.  Classes 3-5 also have a weekly choir session. Those children who wish to develop their skills further are given the opportunity in weekly peripatetic instrumental lessons and an after school Busking Band.

The school aims to give the children a wide range of artistic experiences and to develop their creative skills through the use of different materials and techniques.

It is the aim of the school to offer the children the opportunity to experience a wide range of physical activity including the following: football, cricket, swimming, rugby, rounders, athletics, hockey, tennis/short tennis, gymnastics, netball, cross country, outdoor and adventurous activities.

Through offering a range of sports and activities, it is hoped that each child will find at least one physical activity which they will want to pursue as they grow older.

While at this stage a competitive element should not be over stressed, it is important that children showing a particular aptitude should be given opportunity to develop their skills.  During the year, competitive matches are arranged against neighbouring schools.

The school is timetabled for weekly swimming sessions at Aylsham High School .  Children in Key Stage 2 have swimming lessons.

With the current economic climate the Year 5 residential trip has been put on hold. However, more 'day visits' may be planned to enhance the educational experiences.

Curriculum Aims

The school’s Governing Body has adopted the LEA Curriculum Policy statement, a copy of which can be seen at the school but, in addition, feels that the following statements further reflect the philosophy of the school.

We believe that the early years of a child’s education are vital in laying down the right foundations upon which future development will build.  It is the school’s intention to lay down these foundations in partnership with Stepping Stones Pre-School , parents, Governors and the community, and we aim to …

provide a balanced curriculum whose design is centred upon Literacy, Numeracy, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and includes Science, the Foundation subjects and RE.

enable all children to have equal access to that curriculum.

provide an education which is suitable for each individual child’s needs.

ensure that each child’s learning is both continuous and progressive.

monitor, assess and record each individual child’s achievements against personal and group targets.

provide good adult role models in terms of behaviour and attitudes.

encourage the children through praise and rewards for positive achievements.

develop caring attitudes, good manners, tolerance, self-esteem and self discipline with respect for individuals, the environment and other communities and nations.

develop the ability to co-operate and work with others in pairs and groups of varying sizes.

foster children’s enjoyment of learning, perseverance and pride in the presentation of their work.

foster the children’s increasing independence and their ability to make decisions for themselves, without impairing the rights of others.

Education is about the development of the whole person.  We have high expectations of all the children, in terms of their behaviour, relationships, attitudes to work and attainment.  We aim to provide and nurture a happy, lively and stimulating environment in which children can feel secure, become self-confident and fulfil their educational potential.

Dinner money

Dinner money should be paid, in advance, on a weekly basis to the Cook or the Office Manager. The cost is £2 per day as from January 2009.  Credits for meals not taken are deducted from the following week's money. Some parents find it convenient to pay for a term or half a term at a time. If you would like to pay in this way, please see the Office Manager.  We strongly promote the school canteen with its locally sourced meat and vegetables (long before Jamie Oliver) and good value for money.  A food policy group looks at ways of improving the quality and experience for the children.  Parents are given a termly menu and may choose any number of days to have a dinner.  Please feel free to come and see.

Discipline and School Rules

A principle aim of the school is to develop the children’s own self discipline.  All pupils are expected to behave in a responsible manner, both to themselves and others, showing consideration, courtesy and respect for other people.  Such behaviour is best achieved through positive encouragement and praise.  All staff insist upon high standards of behaviour at all times.  Teachers and other adults in the school are constantly looking fro examples of good behaviour to praise as models for others.  On occasions when this approach fails, children are punished by the withdrawal of certain privileges, where possible related to the incident, otherwise through loss of playtime.

When a child is absent the school should be informed by telephone by 9.00 a.m. on the first morning of absence. If the school has not been informed of an absence by 9.15 a.m. enquiries will be made as to the whereabouts of the child. If the school are not informed of the reason for an absence, it will be regarded as unauthorised.
Parents who wish their child to be excused from P.E. games, swimming etc. should send a note to the class teacher.
Sweets  are not allowed at school.
Large or valuable toys should not be brought to school, neither should dangerous objects or any electrical appliance.
Children should not wear jewellery to school, other than simple studs for pierced ears.These must be removed for PE, Games and Swimming.

Extra Curricular Activities

The provision of more lunchtime and after-school clubs has been a school priority over the past years. The school now offers a wide range of activities for the children during the course of the year. At present these include Busking Band, Cartoon Club, Cookery, Country Dancing, Craft, Cross Country, Eco Club, Football, Netball, Rugby and Sewing and Tennis. Whenever possible these clubs are free of charge, but sometimes a small fee will have to be charged.

Friends of the School Association

There is an active Friends of the School Association which aims to foster links between the school, parents and the local community.  A committee organise a variety of events, both social and fund raising in nature.  Over the last few years, funds have been used to buy a whole range of things including an electric piano, PA system and play equipment. The Friends have subsidised day visits and visitors to the classroom.

The Friends also organise a 100 club which is drawn each half term and helps to raise funds. With ever increasing costs, the school often asks parents to offer voluntary contributions too. These contributions have enabled all planned visits to go ahead. Parents with financial concerns are invited to share hese immeduiately with the head teacher in confidence. We operate an inclusive system in this school.

Health

The school is periodically visited by a school nurse, doctor and dentist.  Unfortunately, like most schools we suffer from the problem of head lice at some times.  Parents can help us to keep on top of the problem by being constantly vigilant and inspecting their children’s hair regularly and, when head lice are found, reporting the case to the class teacher.  The child should not return to school until treatment has been implemented.  Lotion for the treatment of head lice is available from chemists or on prescription from the doctor.  Conditioner and combing every Friday (the whole household) is by far the best preventative measure.

Home School Agreement

The school has a Home-School Agreement.  This was written following consultation with parents and children.  All parents are asked to read, sign and return it when their child is first admitted to our school. 

Homework

The school strongly believes that Primary aged children should not have excessive amounts of homework. A homework policy is available from school.

ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Equipment

All classes have an Interactive Whiteboard for daily use. The school has a dedicated ICT suite with networked computers supported by a set of 6 wireless connected laptops, a colour laser printer, scanner, digital cameras, video camera, sensors, control technology hardware, webcams and microscopes.  This increased hardware provision, together with staff training, has meant that the school has been able to make significant progress both in the teaching of ICT and in the children’s use of ICT to enhance their learning.

Medication in School

Only essential medication can be administered in school (3 times a day can be administered at breakfast, after school and bedtime).  A person with parental resposibility should complete a procedure for administartion of medecines available from the Office Manager.All medicines and inhalers should be clearly labelled with the name of the child.

Milk

Milk, fruit juice, healthy snack and fruit are available for children at morning playtime (15p for a drink, 15p for a biscuit) in the canteen.  This can be paid for on a daily basis by the child or on a weekly or half term basis at the school office.

National Curriculum Assessments (SATs)

Details of the 2008 National Curriculum Assessments, which were taken by Year 2 children towards the end of their third year in school, and Year 6 children towards the end of their final year in school, are available on request.  The school has for some years now been ranked among the top achieving schools in Norfolk , based upon their end of Key Stage 2 test results, (6th in Norfolk in 2005).  These tests are in English, Maths and Science.  What has been particularly pleasing has been the high proportion of children achieving above average attainment of Level 5.

(Stepping Stones Pre-School )

We ae fortunate to have Stepping Stones Pre School accommodated on the school site. It can be contacted on 01263 768766 for a copy of their prospectus. Parents are welcome to visit Stepping Stones when they visit the school. Please let the Office Manager or Head teacher know. 

OFSTED Inspection

The school was last inspected in May 2007.  A copy of the summary report can be found on the OFSTED website or on the Parent noticeboard.

Family Involvement in Learning

Parents and Grandparents are encouraged to give of their time to our children. As part of the Extended Schools agenda, planned Family Learning opportunities occur during the year. Some of these are in conjunction with the Aylsham Cluster of Schools. Parents regularly support our highly acclaimed Group Reading sessions, individual reads, art, resources preparation, displays, etc.  The Headteacher and individual teachers will be pleased to hear from anyone who can help.  In the past, our curriculum has been broadened and enriched by parents and friends support.  A leaflet, prepared by the school, entitled ‘Parent Helpers in School’ is available from the office and should be read by all parents before helping in classrooms.  Regular helpers are requested to comply with CRB regulations. 

Pastoral Care

All staff are professionally committed to providing care and guidance for the children during the school day.  Any difficulties or problems are dealt with by the Headteacher or an appropriate member of staff.  Parents are asked to give their own or an emergency telephone number in case they need to be contacted (e.g. in case of an accident or illness).   Any difficulties should be discussed with the relevant class teacher or the Headteacher.

Religious Education

Religious Education is given in accordance with the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, a copy of which may be viewed at the school on request.

The children come together for Non-Denominational Collective Worship each day.  On some mornings, Father Faulkner and representatives from the Baptist church, visit the school to take the assembly.  Parents have the right to withdraw their child from religious education and collective worship.  Any parent wishing to do so should see the Headteacher who will inform them of the alternative provision available.

The School Day

The School’s day is organised in the following way:

 

09.00 to 09.10             AM Registration

09.10 to 10.10             1st lesson

10.10 to 10.30             Morning break

10.30 to 12.00             Teaching time for Key Stage 1

10.30 to 12.10             Teaching time for Key Stage 2

12.10 to 12.30             Assembly

1.30 to 2.30               PM Registration and Teaching time for Key Stage 1

2.30 to 2.45               Afternoon break for Key Stage 1

2.45 to 3.15               Fruit and Story teaching time for Key Stage 1

1.30 to 3.15               PM Registration and Teaching time for Key Stage 2

Staff are on duty at 8.50am and children should not be left unattended in the playground prior to this time except in exceptional circumstances and by prior arrangement with the Headteacher.  The school has an “open door” policy and encourages parents to come into school both in the morning and at the end of the day.  It is an opportunity for parents to speak informally to the class teacher and to see the work the children have been doing.  If parents wish to talk to the teacher at greater length, they should make an appointment with the class teacher.

School Uniform

There is no compulsory school uniform.3.50).

For indoor PE, the children should wear a cotton t-shirt and a pair of shorts. The children should have bare feet for all indoor activity in the hall.

For outdoor games and athletics, the children should wear a cotton t-shirt (or football/rugby/hockey shirt) and a pair of shorts. In cold weather, tracksuit/jogging pants and a sweatshirt may be worn on top of the shirt and shorts. On their feet, children should wear trainers or, if available, football boots.

For swimming, the children should wear a bathing costume or trunks, and a swimming hat. Goggles are recommended.

As many items of clothing as possible should be named, especially those which are often removed. Name tags can be ordered through the school.

School Year

The dates for the school Years 2008/9 and 2009/10 are available from the Norfolk Schools Web Page


Sex and Relationships Education

The Governing Body are in the process of writing their Sex Education Policy in line with Norfolk's Policy Statement.

Sex education in the Foundation stage (4 to 5 years) and Key Stage 1 (4 to 7 years) is dealt with through the day to day work of those classrooms and in Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 years) it may be treated as a Health Education topic as part of the science curriculum. Additionally, issues are dealt with as and when they arise through the PSHE curriculum

Special Educational Needs

We offer inclusive education for children of all abilities. The school uses the 3 Stages of Assessment as outlined in the Code of Practice. The children identified as having special educational needs go on to the School's SEN Register. Children on the register have an Individual Education Plan prepared by their class teacher and this is reviewed regularly with the school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, (SENCO), and the child's parents. At the School Action Stage, the child's needs are identified, monitored and reviewed regularly within the school, but once a child is put onto School Action Plus, the Educational Psychological Service becomes involved to conduct formal assessments and offer further advice. The school's SEN Policy is available on requestas is a Parents Guide to SEN.

Transfer

At 11 years of age, parents have a choice of High Schools in the area and in Norwich. The majority of our pupils transfer to Aylsham High School, with which we have strong links.

Headteachers of the Aylsham Cluster of Schools frequently meet and there are opportunities too for the staff. This close liaison aims to not only ease the transfer, but also to build up a better understanding of the children, thus fostering greater continuity between the two phases of education.

During the year prior to transfer, most children have the opportunity to visit their respective High Schools, and are visited at Aldborough, by members of the High Schools' staff.