The School Brochure 2009
CONTENTS
School Aims
Curriculum & Extra Curricular Clubs
Pre-Statutory Curriculum
Behaviour and School Rules
Ofsted
Admission
Organisation
School Times and Attendance
School Procedures
Uniform
Health and Medical
School Meals
Parental Involvement & School Council
Homework
Achievements and Parent’s Evening
School Activities
Parents, Staff and Friends Association
Security
Parent/Community Room
Concerns
Staffing
Governing Body
Encs. Yearly Calendar
WELCOME TO HAWTHORN PARK LOWER SCHOOL
Where care and learning count
Hawthorn Park is a school that acknowledges the central role of high quality basic skills of numeracy, literacy and information and communication technology. We provide a purposeful, stimulating, emotionally stable and safe environment where children enjoy and are enthused by their learning. Our children will make progress beyond what would be expected, given consideration of initial attainment and background factors. We develop the social skills, attitudes, self worth and moral values of our children to enable them to become valued members of the future community, through incorporating all 5 aspects of Every Child Matters. We want our children to develop the ability to think, to adapt and to take responsibility for actions based on reasoned choices. We aim to develop a love of activity, sport and arts, which will remain with them in adult life.
Hawthorn Park is a socially inclusive school and equal opportunities will be given to every child regardless of ability, race, colour, creed, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Prospective parents and other visitors are welcome at all times.
AIMS
We aim:
- for every child to leave our school with a Reading Age equivalent to, or above, his/her Chronological Age unless he/she has specific learning difficulties.
- to provide children with the opportunity to achieve their potential in the basic skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT.
- to provide each child with experience of early success achieved through appropriate challenges
- to give positive recognition to everyone’s achievement
- to recognise, and seek to meet, the special needs of all our children, from the least able to the most gifted
- to provide support for children in developing tolerance and understanding of themselves, others and the rules and expectations of the societies in which they live
- to ensure that the Every Child Matters outcomes are achieved for all our pupils
- to offer opportunities for all children to experience a wide range of activities.
- To enthuse and motivate all our pupils to embrace life long learning.
We cannot achieve our aims without you, the Parents. You have been your child’s first educators and the process now continues in a Partnership between home and school. There is overwhelming evidence that children make greater progress when their parents are involved with and are supportive in the learning process.
This will involve:
· talking with your child and listening in return
· reading to, and with, your child, sharing books on a regular basis whatever age your child might be
· hearing your child read, ensuring access to books
· encouraging and supporting homework, whether it is spellings, multiplication tables or research
· encourage your child to use mathematics in every day situations
· consult and liaise with his/her teachers, attend parents’ evenings.
· support the school’s assertive behaviour policy by ensuring that your child has acceptable social skills to enable him/her and other classmates to maximize their learning opportunity.
· ensure your child’s regular, punctual school attendance with the correct equipment.
· Reinforce with your child positive expectations and behaviours.
We will:
· do our best for your child to achieve his/her full potential.
· provide early identification of any learning difficulties or special needs, consult with you and provide an individual education plan.
· provide an assertive approach to behaviour management, rewarding appropriate behaviour, and building self-esteem. Communicate inappropriate behaviour and seek solutions in partnership with you.
· work towards our published aims.
· be available to answer any queries or concerns (usually at the end of the day after the children are dismissed but other appointments can be made. Appointments with the Headteacher are made with the school secretary)
· our expectations of your child’s learning and behaviour will be high, in order to enable them to fulfill their potential.
SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Key Stage information
Foundation Stage 3 – 5 year olds
Key Stage 1 5 - 7 year olds
Key Stage 2 7 - 11 year olds (the last 2 years are at Middle School)
The Hawthorn curriculum incorporates the National Curriculum, with its core and foundation subjects and Religious Education, with planned activities which promote the intellectual, personal, social, moral, spiritual and physical development of pupils. The curriculum is designed to enable all our pupils to enjoy & achieve, stay safe, be healthy, positively contribute and promote economic well being.
The curriculum includes not only the formal programme of lessons, but also the values shown by the school in the way it operates. It is a broad, balanced and structured curriculum which is accessible to all children regardless of disability, learning difficulty, gender, home circumstances and culture.
Literacy and Numeracy are taught daily following guidelines of the National Framework. Proficiency in these basic skills is our priority. Pupils are grouped for Success For All Literacy programme in mixed age groups, appropriate to their needs. This allows pupils to succeed and feel valued. The core reading scheme is Oxford Reading Tree with the addition of many supplementary materials and early reading research programs. Success For All, Jolly Phonics and other literacy programs are used as an additional tool to promote literacy. Springboard maths and other numeracy support are used to supported numeracy skills. Joined handwriting skills are taught from the early years. The Foundation Stage follow the Early Learning Goals found in the foundation stage curriculum and assess the children using the foundation stage profile.
Pupils have individual targets identified for them and they work towards achieving these targets.
ICT
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) is an integral part of all subject areas. Children are timetabled for lessons in the computer suite and they use PCs in the classrooms daily. Homework is set using EducationCity and there is a homework club available for pupils who do not have home access to ICT.
We have a computer suite with networked PCs. In addition, there are PCs in all the classrooms. The school also allows pupils access to laptops for group work. There is a ratio of 1:5 PCs. Pupils have appropriate access to a range of ICT equipment. Each classroom unit has access to networked computers. The Internet Service provider offers protection to pupils and staff from the unsuitable material present on the Internet. All classes have an Interactive whiteboard to promote learning.
CREATIVITY
At Hawthorn Park a creative curriculum approach is used to develop key skills, through Topic work and practical experiences. This includes valuing the pupils own ideas and aspirations.
Religious Education is taught through R.E. focused study units as a separate subject on the timetable. We follow the Bedfordshire Education Authority Agreed Syllabus.
Collective Worship takes place daily and all pupils of any religion or none may comfortably be present and participate as appropriate. Parents have a right to withdraw their child from collective worship. Any parent wishing to do so should make an appointment with the Headteacher, in order to discuss suitable alternative provision.
P.S.H.C.E. (Physical, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) including Drugs Education, Sex and Relationships Education are incorporated into the curriculum linked where possible to topics and included at times in Circle Time. Extra curricula visits and workshops also form part of PHSCE.
The school has a policy for Sex and Relationships Education, which is part of the PHSCE curriculum. Questions that arise naturally during the course of the school day are dealt with honestly and caringly within the context of the question. Parents are given the choice as to whether their children take part.
The Curriculum is delivered through a mix of methods. Differing teaching and learning styles, groupings and support groups are varied as deemed appropriate to the task and the needs of the pupil.
Effective strategies are in place for regular and on-going assessment, recording and reporting. Records of the pupils’ progress and ability are carefully maintained. Guidelines are in place for the monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum, teaching and learning. Data analysis is undertaken to determine target setting for continued school improvement.
Individual pupil targets are set by teachers and these are shared with pupils and parents. Liaison with parents, as partners in the education process, takes place both through the more formal occasions of Open Evenings (twice each year), an open morning in the Summer Term, annual school report and, more frequently through informal discussions with class teachers, Headteacher, or by specific appointment.
Hawthorn Park has a Home School Agreement which is reviewed regularly in consultation with parents.
National Standardised Assessment is carried out during Year Two. Baseline assessment takes place during the child’s first term in FS1 and FS2. Foundation Stage Profiles are completed at the end of your child’s time in Reception. QCA Year 4 and 3 tests optional tests are also used, along with many other school based formal and informal assessments.
SEN
Children with learning difficulties have their needs identified and addressed through the SEN policy of the school. We have a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and believe that each child no matter what his/her needs should feel a valued member of the of the school community. Parents are fully consulted and kept informed.
- Parents may view the SEN policy on request.
Gifted and Talented pupils are also identified and opportunities given to enhance their potential.
Extra Curricular Activities include Choir, Football, Newspaper, Basketball, Gymnastics, Line Dancing, Art, Basketball, and ICT club. We have a daily Lunchtime activity club.
A whole school production takes place annually usually at the end of the autumn term.
All Year 4 pupils (8+) have weekly swimming lessons provided at Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. These form part of their P.E. Curriculum. Voluntary donations are requested to meet these costs.
The curriculum is enhanced by educational visits, theatre groups, theme days, outside visitors, outdoor learning and many other exciting events throughout the year.
PRE STATUTORY CURRICULUM – FOUNDATION STAGE
The Foundation Stage contains 6 broad areas of learning. These areas encompass the following:
Creative Development
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Communication, Language and Literacy
Mathematical development
Physical Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
It continues by working towards levels 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum.
BEHAVIOUR
Appropriate behaviour is necessary to make our school function smoothly, efficiently and happily. Certain qualities are needed to ensure this happens. These are responsibility, independence, tolerance, good manners and respect for others and their property.
We have a good, systematic, consistent approach to managing behaviour through Assertive Discipline. This programme focuses on responsible behaviour from the children. It has a pro-active and preventive approach which enables teachers to provide a learning environment in which the children learn to choose appropriate behaviour.
There are Rules which are applied school wide (including the playground).
Each classroom has a behaviour plan which outlines classroom rules, positive recognition and consequences for appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.
The children receive positive encouragement and rewards when they do behave in a responsible way. However, because they have been taught the rules, the children will know that limits have been set and that teachers will follow through the consequences appropriately.
New parents are sent a copy of their child’s Behaviour Plan.
Here are some of the ways in which you can help:
Help us by talking to your children about the rules and the consequences of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour. Ask your child to explain the plan.
Praise your children when they bring a letter or a certificate home about good behaviour.
Reinforce the classroom rules with them when they bring a letter home about inappropriate behaviour.
School Wide Rules
1. Follow instructions
2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
3. Be respectful to each other
4. Walk at all times in school
5. Use quiet voices in school
Playground Rules
1. Follow instructions
2. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
3. Be respectful towards each other
4. Play in assigned areas only
5. Use all equipment properly
This Policy will be positively encouraged and monitored by each child’s classteacher and will be subject to regular review.
The rules in our Assertive Behaviour system seek to prevent potential Bullying and Harassment situations.
The school has a policy on anti-bullying. All school staff will respond immediately to any report of bullying. Policies are also in place for Equal Opportunities and for Racist Incidents.
Child Protection Procedures are also in place. The safety and well-being of the child is our main priority. Child Protection Officer – Mrs. L Johnson or Mrs. S Pratt.
Copy of Safeguarding Policy is available on request.
We run a support system of Playground Friends at lunchtimes. These children have been trained by staff. They befriend any lonely child, set up games and generally help to make mid-day break an enjoyable time.
The school has a social/pastoral room which provides vulnerable children with the opportunity to develop social/emotional skills. This facility is also used to develop social and communication skills.
OFSTED
The Ofsted Inspection Report of November 2008 was our second Ofsted inspection under the new criteria and acknowledged Hawthorn Park School as being a successful school with many strengths. The school is well led and managed and has established excellent partnership links with parents, community and other organizations in order to improve services to all. Pupils make good progress and SEN pupils are well supported. The quality of teaching is good .There is an impressive range of activities both in and after school in order to enrich the curriculum.
The school has a deep commitment to all its pupils and provision for support, welfare and guidance of all pupils is good. Pupils are well prepared for their future.
Pupil performance in reading and science was found to be above the average of schools with similar characteristics and standards in other subjects have been rising. Provision for the children in the Foundation Stage classes was highly praised.
The Full Ofsted report is available from the school office. Full report available £2.00
ADMISSION
The estimated number on roll in the main school for September 2009 is 240.
Visits to the School are welcomed. Applications for a place can be made at any time.
Children are admitted to our FS1 part-time from the waiting list chronologically, according to our Admissions Policy. In the September after their fourth birthday the children transfer to the FS2.
All parents have to fill in a county admissions form. Please ask for advice if you are unsure.
PLEASE NOTE ADDMISSIONS TO FS2 MUST BE MADE THROUGH CENTRAL ADMISSIONS AT COUNTY HALL.
A special meeting will be arranged with parents and children before entry to the FS1 and the FS2.
The County Appeals Policy on Admissions applies to the main School. This includes the FS2 Unit.
The following criteria apply:-
Catchment Area
LAC (Looked After Children)
SEN Statement with Hawthorn Park as named school
medical grounds
current sibling connection
previous sibling connection
shortest distance from school to home
other requests
ORGANISATION
Foundation Stage 1 offers provision for children aged 3 to 4 on a part-time basis. All pupils are entiltled to 15 hours per week. This is either am or pm.
Foundation Stage 2 is the reception unit and provides for children aged 4 - 5. They are admitted in the September after their 4th birthday
There are four more units each composed usually of two classes and two teachers, (and, whenever possible, a part-time learning assistant) who work as a team:-
Year One Unit catering for children aged five to six years.
Year Two Unit catering for children aged six to seven years.
Year Three Unit catering for children aged seven to eight years.
Year Four Unit catering for children aged eight to nine years.
All Key Stage One pupils will be taught wherever possible in Classes of 30 or less.
In the September after their ninth birthday the children transfer to a middle school. In this area children are allocated King’s Houghton Middle School. However, parents are allowed to make a choice from a wide selection of middle schools and (space permitting) their requests are usually granted. MIDDLE SCHOOL ALLOCATION IS DEALT WITH BY STAFF AT THE EDUCATION OFFICE AND NOT BY STAFF AT THIS SCHOOL.
The school has excellent liaison with the local middle school to ensure a smooth transition.
SCHOOL TIMES AND ATTENDANCE
School times are from 8:55 am until 3.15 pm with ¾ hour for lunch.
KS1 12:15 – 1:00
KS2 12:30 – 1:15
The mid-morning break for KS1 is from 10.15 - 10.30 am.
The mid-morning break for KS2 is from 10.35 - 10.50 am.
The mid-afternoon break for KS1 is from 2.15 - 2.30 pm.
From the term after your child’s fifth birthday full-time attendance at school is compulsory by law. Parents are requested to inform the school on the 1st day of any absence. If your child is absent because of illness, or dental or other medical treatment, a note giving the reason must be sent into school. Children must not be absent from school for social events or shopping, but they can apply to the Headteacher for up to one fortnight’s vacation during term time in any one academic year. Frequent lateness or absence from school without good reason, will result in a referral to the County Education Welfare Officers and will be recorded in the School and National Records as unauthorised absence. Fixed penalty notices may be served by the EWO.
2008/2009 possible number of compulsory pupil sessions - 58264
Number of authorised absences - 6.2%
Number of unauthorised absences - 0.8%
Attendance overall - 93.8 %
Please ensure that your child is punctual for school, as arriving late can disrupt your childs education and well-being.
Extended Schools
Hawthorn Park School works closely with other schools in the area to provide extended school provision. This includes links to the Parkside Neighbourhood Centre, whose main aim is to work with parents, pre school children and the community. Most of these activities take place on site in the newly built centre.
The school provide:
Breakfast Club – Every day from 8:00. Cost: £3:00
After School Club – Every day 3:15 – 5:15. Cost: £3:00 per hour
All children Welcome
There is also a variety of after school activities each evening such as football, gymnastics, homework club.
PARENT SUPPORT ASSISTANTS
Denise Bond and Anne-Louise Kyte are the parent support assistants for the Houghton Regis Cluster of schools.
They based at Hawthorn Pasrk Lower but work in all the local schools. They provide a link between school and home. They are establishing a parents group in all the lower schools and offer support around behaviour management, transition, understanding and managing feelings and much more. They are available to meet with parents individually to discuss concerns relating to school or family life.
You can contact them on: 01582 863859
Or Denise – 07754838193
Louise - 07754831545
SCHOOL PROCEDURES
Children should arrive into the main playground at the rear of school in the mornings.
* 8.55 am 1st Bell
Children may go directly into their classrooms without lining up. The class teacher will be in the room from 8.55 am.
* 9.00 am 2nd Bell
FS doors open at 9:05
All children should be in class by now having taken off their coats, collected books and settled down ready to work. Should Parents wish to have a few words with their child’s teacher please do so after school when the class has been dismissed unless it is an urgent matter. It is essential to have a prompt start.
Foundation Stage children may be taken into the small playground at the side of school. The same arrangements operate when the bell rings as for the main school.
Please note that dogs are not allowed into the school grounds at anytime.
Please also note that the school premises including the playground is a “No Smoking Zone”
Bicycles/Scooters etc should be wheeled on school premises in order to prevent accidents.
Children may cycle to school supervised and leave their bikes in the secure bike rakes outside the mobile unit.
Please ensure you supervise your child before and after school, especially around the busy carpark!
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Hawthorn Park has a school uniform which is dark green, grey and white.
It consists of:-
· dark green sweater, cardigan or the School sweatshirt.
· white shirts, blouses or the School polo shirt.
· grey trousers or skirt/pinafore dress.
· girls in summer may wish to wear green and white checked dresses.
· ties are optional but if desired, green/gold are suggested as suitable colours.
Children are asked to wear sensible School Shoes not trainers.
P.E. Kit
A pair of green shorts and white or yellow tee shirt are required and can be purchased from the school office. Plimsolls will be needed for outdoor P.E. (This is mainly in the Summer Term for 4+ children). These should be kept in a drawstring bag on the child’s peg all the week and taken home at weekends.
Uniform is available from “Best Look” in High Street North, Dunstable. (Situated between Argos and Iceland)
Jewellery
Jewellery must not be worn in school. Watches may be worn but the school accepts no responsibility for them.
Pierced ears
We recommend studs are worn in pierced ears. Fancy or hooped earrings are not suitable for school use as they catch in clothing or P.E. apparatus and they cause ears to be ripped or damaged. Year 4 – swimming, no earrings to be worn. Girls to wear a one piece swimming costume and boys swimming trunks not shorts.
LOST PROPERTY
PLEASE NAME ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR AS THIS MAKES IT EASIER TO TRACE LOST PROPERTY.
All items found at school are placed in the lost property box in the entrance hall. Children are sent to look in the box if they have lost something. Good training at home in tidiness and carefulness helps to reduce the amount of lost property. Parents are very welcome to come and look in the box if they think their child has lost something. Property left for over a year is sold as jumble and the proceeds are banked in the school fund.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL MATTERS
It is important that you give full information about any health or medical matters to do with your child. There is a space for this information on the admission form and you may also give this information in person to the teacher in charge of the Nursery Unit, to nursery nurses, class teachers and to the headteacher. Asthma must be identified on the Admission Form. If diagnosed later please remember to inform school.
In Year 1, your child will be offered a health care interview with their school nurse to which parents will be invited. This will include a vision test, height, co-ordination and speech check. It will also give parents an opportunity to talk about your child’s health and well-being. Your school nurse will be able to advise you and with your consent, will refer you to other health professionals for their help. The results will be recorded in the Personal Health Record which you keep.
You will now be able to keep your own child’s personal Health Record.
This means:
You can keep a record of your child’s health and growth.
You can see clearly all the treatment they are given.
You will know about any health problems.
You can be more involved in your child’s healthcare.
Head lice are found from time to time in young children’s hair. These are tiny insects and they lay minute eggs near the scalp. Remember head-lice actually prefer clean hair, so the possibility of infection is no reflection on a family’s standard of hygiene. As it is easy for a child to pick these up anywhere, PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILD’S SCALP (ESPECIALLY AT THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND NEAR THE EARS) EVERY WEEK. Head lice checks are no longer carried out in schools. The Health Authority relies on parents to check and treat their own children’s hair.
Prevention and Detection:-
Comb the hair with a fine-toothed comb from root to tip at least twice a day particularly at bedtime. Very gently brushed or undisturbed hair will allow any new lice to settle down and breed!
Check hair at least once a week using a head-lice comb or special detection comb.
Treatment:
Recent advice suggests the wet-combing method:-
Comb wet (and/or conditioned) hair with a head-lice comb every day for at least 14 days.
Long hair should be tied back or plaited to prevent casual contact.
We educate our children through a Heath Education programme as well as being vigilant and alerting parents to any outbreaks.
The School Nurse will talk to parents and show a video on Head-lice identification. Further information can be obtained from Houghton Regis clinic.
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If your child becomes ill or has an accident during the day he/she is sent to the medical room for first-aid treatment. If it is serious the parent is called and the child is sent home (or accompanied by the parent to hospital if an ambulance is called.).
If your child has an accident (falling over in mud/snow or not getting to the toilet on time) and spare clothes are lent to him/her, please wash and return the clothes as soon as possible because other children may need to borrow them.
Children requiring regular medicines or treatment in school (such as asthmatics, etc.) have to receive this in the medical room adjacent to the office. Medicines are kept locked up in the medical room, but asthmatics medicine is kept in an unlocked cupboard. None may be kept in the classroom or handed to teachers. Please note we can only accept reliever (Blue) inhalers in school. If your child requires medicine in school, i.e. 4 times a day prescriptions, an Indemnity Form must be signed by you before medicine can be administered. (Only medication prescribed by a GP can be administered in school). These are available at the School Medical Room. Parents are asked not to send children to collect the medicine but to call in themselves.
The school has 3 qualified UFirst-Aiders.
SCHOOL MEALS
School meals are £8:50 per week, £1.70 per day. These are dealt with by Eden Foods Contract Service not by the school. Please send the week’s dinner money in a named plastic moneybag or envelope on MONDAY morning so that it can be collected by the Catering Clerk. Payment must be in advance of the meal. Unless payment is received on the subsequent day no meal will be provided. School dinner money should not be paid into the office.
Cheques are preferred; please make out cheques to Eden Foods Limited Thank you.
Parents who have financial difficulties may be eligible for free school meals for their children. Application for these may be made through the school. Applications are reviewed termly.
If a packed lunch is preferred please try to give your child a well-balanced lunch - and avoid an excess of rich cakes, biscuits or sweets. Drinks must be in plastic, leak-proof containers (NO GLASS or FIZZY DRINKS PLEASE).
Parents may prefer to have their children home to lunch. Many children work better in the afternoons after a complete break from school at mid-day.
Children who stay to cooked or packed lunch at school are supervised by mid-day assistants (not teachers). Good manners and good behaviour are expected. In line with our Assertive Behaviour policy, the School Wide Rules apply across lunchtimes. If the children misbehave frequently the headteacher will deal with them and inform parents. If this occurs often the parents are informed that the children will have to eat at home the following week. Such children may have to eat at home for longer periods of time if they continue to be unco-operative.
Sweets and other food (or drinks) and toys must not be brought into school unless they are for a packed lunch to be eaten at mid-day, or unless they have been requested for a special occasion like Christmas party or Harvest Festival, etc. Chewing gum is banned at all times.
Moneyshould not be brought to school unless it is in a named plastic money bag (dinner money) or in a named envelope for a specific reason (photographs, books trips etc.).
Fruit is provided daily for all pupils in the school.
Children are encouraged to have their own water bottle, which they keep with them.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
The impact of parental support and encouragement on a child’s progress is huge. As mentioned previously, we encourage Parents to take an active interest either at home or by coming into school to help with various activities. We hold annual Parent Workshops in which we hope to provide ideas and ways of helping children at home.
Information about the curriculum is available on the school website or on request.
Regular newsletters are sent to parents.
Parents are represented on the schools Governing body by:
SCHOOL COUNCIL
The School Council was founded in June 2002. Pupil representatives are elected from each class. They work hard to voice the opinion of the peers and do valuable fund-raising.
HOME ACTIVITIES (HOMEWORK)
The main focus of Home Activities at Lower school is on Literacy and Numeracy. In addition daily reading and sharing of books is vital.
The purpose of Homework changes as the children move up the school.
For children in Key Stage 1, Four Plus and Nursery, we consider that developing a partnership with parents and involving them actively in children’s learning is the main purpose.
By the end of Year 4, homework should be providing an opportunity for children to develop the skills of independent learning, in preparation for the requirements of middle school.
| YEAR | DAILY READING | ACTIVTIES |
| 4 | 20mins. Individual reading, shared stories | Literacy and Numeracy games and tasks, spellings, tables, occasional assignments in other subjects, completion of some work |
| 3 | 20mins. Individual reading shared stories, | Literacy and Numeracy games and tasks, spellings, tables, occasional assignments in other subjects, completion of some work |
| 2 | 20mins. Shared stories, individual reading | Literacy and Numeracy games and tasks, spellings, tables |
| 1 | 20mins. Shared stories, reading | Literacy and Numeracy games and tasks, learn address, birthrate |
| 4+ | 10 mins. Shared stories, nursery rhymes, reading | Literacy and Numeracy games and tasks, Name cards – handwriting |
| N.U. | 10 mins. shared stories, nursery rhymes | Nursery Home School book (not a forced activity) |
Explanations and examples of numeracy and literacy activities are shared with parents at the workshops during the year. One or two ideas appear in the Parents Newsletters.
Access to homework using the internet is also available all pupils have a password for EducationCity and homework is set regularly by staff. All KS2 pupils also have access to Mathletics which is used to improve mental maths skills.
Consultations with parents on many matters may take place during the child’s school life and on more formal occasions such as Consultation Evenings.
Teachers are very willing to talk to parents who have any concerns regarding their children but please make an appointment for after school. It is very difficult for a teacher to talk to parents at the beginning of the school day.
A report on your child’s progress and achievements is produced once a year in the Summer Term and this can be discussed by appointment in July.
SPECIAL AWARDS
The School was awarded the Basic Skills Agency’s Quality Mark for Primary Schools in July 1998,2001 and 2004. This is awarded for ongoing improvement in literacy and numeracy.
The Quality Mark was awarded on its renewal date a fourth time in July 2007. The first lower school in Bedfordshire to receive it four times.
Hawthorn Park received a DfES School Achievement award in 2001 for the value added progress made by the children. This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of teaching and support staff.
The school was awarded the National Healthy School accreditation in 2007 for work on promoting health and well being amongst all pupils.
PARENTS’ EVENINGS
Autumn Term Parents Evening - to enable Parents to learn from the Class teacher how their child has settled in.
Spring Term Main Consultation Evening - appointments are provided for Parents to discuss with the Class teacher their child’s progress and achievements.
Summer Term Open day.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND CHARGING POLICY
School activities are an important part of the learning programme for all pupils. They are organised to support the work planned by staff for a broad and balanced curriculum.
As required under the Education Reform Act 1988 the school has a policy about charging for these activities.
The policy is summarised as follows:-
All contributions are voluntary and no child is excluded for non-payment. However, these trips and bookings for school-based activities cannot take place without parents’ contributions. Charges are kept to a minimum and fees charged for parents who accompany children and staff on trips will be taken from school fund.
PARENTS, STAFF AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION (P.S.F.A.)
ALL PARENTS AUTOMATICALLY BECOME MEMBERS OF THE PARENT, STAFF AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION. The association organises many events. These include social, fund-raising and education activities providing additional financial and educational support from which our children can benefit.
Half Termly Newsletters are sent to Parents. A copy of each of these is displayed on the parent’s notice Board in the rear Entrance Lobby.
Parents are involved with the Governing Body of the School. The governing body is re-elected every four years. Six of the governors are parents elected by the rest of the parents. The governors meet four times a year. They prepare an annual school profile for parents.
SECURITY
The school has a security and access policy and security is under continual and active consideration. There is open but restricted access into our grounds and buildings. PARENTS AND/OR OTHER VISITORS MUST REPORT VIA THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO RECEPTION WHEN ENTERING THE SCHOOL THIS IS NOT BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP YOU OUT BUT SECURITY DEMANDS THAT WE KEEP A CHECK ON WHO IS IN THE BUILDING.
· Visitors sign in at reception.
· Children are signed in and out at reception during the school sessions.
· School gates are locked between certain hours during the school day
9.15 am-3.00pm.
∙ All staff, volunteers and helpers within the school will be CRB checked.
The school gates are opened half an hour before school begins (8.30 am) and closed half an hour after school has finished (3.45 pm). Small playground gates are opened 10 minutes before the Part-time Sessions.
We have a telephone door entry system fitted to the main entrance. Visitors are able to communicate with the office staff in the outer lobby via the reception. Office staff will use the electric release to allow visitors to open the door into the inner entrance.
Any unauthorised persons found on the school grounds may have proceedings taken against them. Our objective is to minimise the risk of any incident of violence or aggression towards pupils and staff.
The school have strong safeguarding procedures in place and all staff are Child Protection trained. All staff, visitors and volunteers are CRB checked.
Neighbourhood Centre
The school has a Neighbourhood Centre attached to the school. This is run by the PCT and offers a range of facilities and activities to the community. For further information please contact the school for a list of events.
We hope this booklet will answer many of your questions. However, if there is anything else you wish to know, or if there is a concern you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to make an appointment with the head teacher or other staff. If you are not satisfied with the school’s response to your concern you may wish to make a formal complaint to the headteacher in writing. Should you not be satisfied with the written reply the school will give details of further actions which may be taken and will advise you on making further enquiries with the Chair of Governors or the Local Education Authority.
We hope that you and your child will enjoy the years spent at our school.
STAFF ORGANISATION 2009-10
Mrs. L. Johnson Headteacher. Curriculum Manager, Performance Management, Child Protection, Assessment, Recording & Reporting. Co-ordinator of PHSCE
Mrs S. Pratt Assistant Head and SENCO
Year 1
Miss S. Smith Co-ordinator of Numeracy, Music
Year 4
Miss N Sturge Co-ordinator of Literacy, Creative Curriculum
Year 3
Mr G Roberts Co-ordinator Spanish - Year 4
Mrs S. Mayo Co-ordinator of History - FS2
Mrs A. Lasbrey Co-ordinator of Physical Education – Foundation Stage FS2
Miss M Allen Co-ordinator Art -Year 2
Mr G McGill Co-ordinator RE -Year 3
Mrs E Woodman Co-ordinator Geography -Year 1
Miss E McPartland Co-ordinator Science- Year 2
Miss A Woods Co-ordinator SFA - Year 3
Ms S Wilson FS1 Leader
NURSERY NURSES
Mrs A White FS 2 unit
Mrs. J. King FS 2 Unit
Mrs H Webb FS1
ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT STAFF
Mrs D. Hall Senior Office Administrator / finance
Mrs S. Giltrow Administrator/Welfare
Mrs S. Peel Learning Support Assistant
Mrs C. Burton Learning Support Assistant
Mrs A. Enwright. ICT Support Assistant
Ms A. Mullholland. Learning Support Assistant
Mrs A Murray Learning Support Assistant
Ms T Campbell Learning Support Assistant
Miss L Mays Learning Support Assistant
Miss G Hazel Learning support Assistant
Mrs B Hinton FS1
Mrs J Taylor Learning Support Assistant
Mrs P Hellewell Learning Support Assistant
Mrs A Dann Behaviour Support Assistant
Mrs J Wallace Learning Support Assistant
Mrs M Thompson Learning Support Assistant
Mrs L Bryne Learning Support Assistant
Mrs S Cook FS1
Mrs N Fearn Behaviour Support Assistant
PARENT SUPPORT ASSISTANTS
Denise Bond
Anne-Louise Kyte
BREAKFAST CLUB
Mrs J Taylor
AFTERSCHOOL CLUB
Mrs A White
Mrs J King
MIDDAY STAFF
Miss T Williams
Mrs M Prejac
Mrs D Bonham
Mrs E Ridgeway
Mrs A Knight
Mrs H Hanley
Mrs H McCarthy
Miss K MGrath
KITCHEN STAFF
Mrs N
Mrs N
The composition of the Governing Body of this School is as follows:
LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Mrs J, Turner. C/O Hawthorn Park Lower School
Mr D Jones 2 Halleys Way, Houghton Regis. Bedfordshire LU5 5HY
STAFF GOVERNORS
Mrs L. Johnson (Ex-Officio)
Mrs. A. White
Mr G Roberts
Miss M Allen
PARENT GOVERNOR
Mr R. Vernon C/O Hawthorn Park Lower School (Chair)
COMMUNITY GOVERNORS
Mrs Jackie Taylor C/O Hawthorn Park Lower School
Mr C Horsefield C/O Hawthorn Park Lower
School Support Officer: Lisa Scott.
Education Office, Borough Hall, Cauldwell St. Bedford
TERM DATES 2009-10
Autumn Term 4th September – 18th December
Half Term 26th October – 30th October
Training Day 2nd November
Spring Term 5th January – 1st April
Half Term 15th February – 19th February
Summer Term 20th April – 21st July
Half Term 31st May- 4th June
Bank Holiday 3rd May
Additional Closure Days:
Training Days: 2nd & 3rd September, 4th January, 19th April.