General Information for Parents

This section of the prospectus contains important information on the way in which Grange Primary School will provide a high quality education for your child.

Class Organisation and Staffing
* Class organisation for the new Academic Year is presented to parents annually at the end of the Summer Term in preparation for the new year.
* The arrangements for inclusion of hearing impaired children with their mainstream peers will be adjusted in order to meet the needs of the individuals concerned. We ensure that all classes where inclusion takes place benefit from an increased staff:pupil ratio.
* Pupils will be assigned to their classes according to date of birth with 'in year admissions' using the same criteria thus ensuring that no child will be required to move from one teaching group to another during the course of the year.
* Admissions to Nursery will take place during the first two weeks of September.
* 'Rising 3 year olds will be admitted during the course of the year following their 3rd birthday if places are available.
* The Governing Body adheres to the Government Guidelines which stipulate that all pupils shall be placed in classes of no more than 30.
* Pupils experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties may be provided with an additional one to one Learning Support Assistant.

Home Learning Policy
Our Home Learning Policy supports the development of Key Skills in Literacy, Numeracy and I.C.T. in all curriculum areas. We believe that this is an important aspect of your child's education which requires a 'Partnership Approach' stated in our Home/School Agreement. We believe that parental involvement in home learning is vital. There should always be an element of support, interest and encouragement from parents in order to assist the child in achieving his/her best possible quality of work. Home learning should consist of 'a task' which is realistic in its aims and can be accomplished within a 'reasonable' period of time producing a positive outcome wherever possible. Success will encourage the pupil and parent to wish to repeat the shared experience hopefully on a regular basis. The learning priorities for each class, teacher and child vary considerably according to the nature of the work planned for the half term or term.

Early Years and Infant Pupils are provided with Home Task Booklets each term and we ask parents to support their child by working with them on these literacy and numeracy tasks.

We would encourage parents to be involved in handwriting practice at home and would wish to furnish them with the appropriate instructions to enable them to follow our agreed method for teaching handwriting.

We feel that learning and knowing multiplication tables off by heart is a very useful skill and would encourage children (who are ready) to begin revising them regularly as part of their home learning.

We would like to encourage the further development of study skills. As a school we will encourage the children to develop their knowledge of topics being studied in school by using the reference books and computer programs and request that parents assist their child at home by encouraging them to visit the local library to supplement their reference material. As a natural extension of school based work, the children will be able to continue their research at home.

We support the view that children should be encouraged to engage in 'educational experiences' outside the school day. Our school is fortunate in having such a committed Staff and parent body who give so generously of their freetime to work with the children. We also enjoy the support of a number of nationally recognised organisations who help us to maintain an exciting range of 'extra curricular activities'.

Pupils will be assigned to their classes according to date of birth. Admissions during the year will be assigned to classes using the same criteria and this system will ensure that no child will be required to move from one teaching group to another during the course of the year. Admissions to Nursery will take place during the first two weeks of September into the morning session. If there are places available 'rising 3 year olds' will be admitted during the course of the year. This may result in the opening of an additional afternoon session.

The Governing Body adheres to the Government Guidelines which stipulate that all pupils shall be placed in classes of no more than 30. Should pupils require admission during the course of the year raising the number to more than 30 this matter will be discussed with the Governing Body. The Governing Body endeavours to provide sufficient Teaching Staff to enable us to maintain the best possible teacher:pupil ratio throughout the school. Every effort is made to assist pupils experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties by providing an additional one to one Learning Support Assistant.

All pupils in Y3 to Y6 are given the opportunity to learn to play the recorder and hence learn to read formal musical notation. High priority is given to encouraging all pupils to participate in weekly Infant or Junior music sessions where emphasis is placed on the vocal aspect of music. Additional opportunities are provided for children who wish to learn to play a more specialised musical instrument such as flute, clarinet, violin or cello. This provision is partly funded from our budget and partly re-charged to parents who wish their children to learn to play. Our pupils with hearing impairment are given the opportunity to participate in all the above musical sessions and have additional sessions.

A number of musical events are organised every year where the children are given the opportunity to share their musical talents with their peers and parents using the wonderfully equipped stage in our spacious hall. A whole school production is held in December and a range of class and special assemblies are organised throughout the year. Special celebrations take place at Harvest, St. David's Day and Easter.

We make sure that we provide our children with the opportunity to work with Artists and Writers in our school and at local venues and participate in joint projects with other local schools associated with 'The Arts'. The whole school participates in work on an 'Environmental Theme' promoting recycling waste products and utilising the two beautiful nature reserves which we have created - Coed Grange Woodland Trail and The Pond.

We have a carefully planned I.C.T. Strategy which enables us to keep abreast with the latest developments in the field of I.C.T., plan future hardware and software provision and make best use of our Internet connections to the World Wide Web. We have our own website.

The Home/School Agreement
We have produced our Home/School Agreement in consultation with Parents and would encourage all parents to read it carefully, sign it and return one copy to school during your child's first term in Reception Class. We feel that it is a worthwhile document which serves as a reminder to all parties of their role in ensuring that every child is provided with a high quality educational experience whilst in our school.

If a problem arises this may be resolved by:
*simply contacting the Classteacher and arranging a mutually convenient time to discuss matters
*in the event of a serious issue arising which requires careful consideration by the school please contact the Headteacher Mrs.Martell
* if appropriate, she will be able to advise parents on the formal complaints procedure
* a letter of complaint may be sent directly to the Chair of Governors

In addition to her role as Headteacher, Mrs. Martell is the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) for the whole school and would be pleased to offer support, advice and guidance to parents in respect of provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL OUR PUPILS PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO OBSERVE OUR

NO PARKING ON SCHOOL PREMISES POLICY

ONLY AUTHORISED VEHICLES MAY ENTER THE SCHOOL GROUNDS - AUTHORISATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HEADTEACHER IN AN EMERGENCY

Our School Promotes an 'Open-Door' Policy
Our 'Open Door' Policy refers to our approach to daily liaison with our parents. We want parents to feel that although, for the safety of the children, we have to keep all doors locked throughout the day - we still want to ensure that they can communicate with us directly on a daily basis.
It is important for parents to know that we are very keen to ensure that the communication between home and school is maintained. We still need to hear about the 'little daily difficulties' which affect your child:

you might like to write a brief note to the Classteacher,

enter the building via the main entrance and speak to Mrs. Martell or Mrs.Brooks who always ensure that your query is dealt with immediately,

alternatively make an appointment with Mrs. Martell or the Classteacher to enable you to discuss a difficulty at length at a mutually convenient time,

telephone us and leave a message on our answer phone

to aid communication and maintain strong links a Home/School Book is provided for pupils who have Special Educational Needs.

Home Learning Policy
Our Home Learning Policy supports the development of Key Skills in Literacy, Numeracy and I.C.T. in all curriculum areas. We believe that this is an important aspect of your child's education which requires a 'Partnership Approach' stated in our Home/School Agreement. We believe that parental involvement in home learning is vital. There should always be an element of support, interest and encouragement from parents in order to assist the child in achieving his/her best possible quality of work. Home learning should consist of 'a task' which is realistic in its aims and can be accomplished within a 'reasonable' period of time producing a positive outcome wherever possible. Success will encourage the pupil and parent to wish to repeat the shared experience hopefully on a regular basis. The learning priorities for each class, teacher and child vary considerably according to the nature of the work planned for the half term or term.

Early Years and Infant Pupils are provided with Home Task Booklets each term and we ask parents to support their child by working with them on these literacy and numeracy tasks.

We would encourage parents to be involved in handwriting practice at home and would wish to furnish them with the appropriate instructions to enable them to follow our agreed method for teaching handwriting.

We feel that learning and knowing multiplication tables off by heart is a very useful skill and would encourage children (who are ready) to begin revising them regularly as part of their home learning.

We would like to encourage the further development of study skills. As a school we will encourage the children to develop their knowledge of topics being studied in school by using the reference books and computer programs and request that parents assist their child at home by encouraging them to visit the local library to supplement their reference material. As a natural extension of school based work, the children will be able to continue their research at home.

We support the view that children should be encouraged to engage in 'educational experiences' outside the school day. Our school is fortunate in having such a committed Staff and parent body who give so generously of their freetime to work with the children. We also enjoy the support of a number of nationally recognised organisations who help us to maintain an exciting range of 'extra curricular activities'.

Attendance
We value and promote excellent attendance as it enables our children to fulfil their full potential. The following system has been developed to assist both teachers and parents.

* If your child is absent from school we must have evidence of the reason for that absence whether it is for part of a session, a whole session, a whole day or any other period of time.
* When you telephone the school (answer phone message can be left) your reason for the absence will be recorded on a school designed slip, handed to the Class Teacher and filed as if it were an absence note.
* Should the absence continue for a longer period than initially expected please follow up the telephone call with a formal note handed to the Class Teacher (it would be helpful if all notes were dated and signed).
* If you prefer to write an absence note but find it too time consuming (or forget!) please ask the Class Teacher for a school designed absence note which will only require you to 'fill in the gaps' appropriately.
* Vacations should be arranged during school holidays wherever possible - application forms relating to holidays during term time are available from the School Secretary.

We set a target of 95% for attendance for all our pupils. The End of Year Reports contain comments on attendance which feed back to parents on this important aspect of each pupil's achievements.

Punctuality - Please Note:
The morning session begins at 8.50 a.m. and children from Years 1 to 6 should be on the playground at 8.40a.m. - the teacher on duty will be there to supervise. If your child arrives after registration has been completed and the register closed, they will receive a 'late' mark. Your co-operation in helping us to achieve a prompt start to every day would be very much appreciated.

It is hoped that this system will save time whilst at the same time meeting the legal requirements for recording attendance at Grange.

Behaviour Policy for Grange Primary School
We have a Code of Behaviour which has been agreed by the Teaching Staff and Governing Body in addition to a Policy for Behaviour Management including an outline of our approach to bullying.
We promote the 'No Blame Approach' and offer support for both 'victim' and 'bully' whilst firmly taking a 'zero tolerance stance' toward this unacceptable behaviour.

We endeavour to reinforce good behaviour patterns by a system of rewards rather than highlighting unacceptable behaviour on a regular basis. The House System is seen as a 'rewards system' which celebrates and supports achievements in a wide variety of National Curriculum and Hidden Curriculum areas rather than as a 'sanctions system'. We also support positive behaviour patterns by awarding coloured and golden leaves for The Grange Golden Tree. Achievement Certificates valuing good attendance are awarded at the end of the academic year. We value a wide range of personal qualities, academic and sporting achievements. The children have produced their own 'Grange Golden Rules' which are displayed in the school as a regular reminder of our expectations.

Pupils who have behavioural, social or emotional difficulties are supported sensitively and positively and parental involvement in the process is seen as essential. We believe that where home and school work together, positive results are achieved. Behaviour diaries, regular liaison meetings with parents, Individual Behaviour Programmes, one to one Learning Support Assistants and additional expertise from outside agencies are some of the strategies used to provide support for a wide range of such difficulties.

School Uniform
It is recommended that all pupils should wear uniform. It is School Policy that if for any reason a pupil at Grange does not wear the recommended uniform, they will not be excluded. We hope parents will feel that they can willingly support the wishes of the Governing Body and majority of parents by providing uniform for their child(ren). To order uniform items through school please request an order form from the School Secretary and return it to the office with a cash or cheque. The items will be delivered to school and sent home with your child.

Recommended list of items for School Uniform
Please select your preferred combinations from below:
Royal Blue Sweatshirt with Grange Logo
White Poloshirt with or without Grange Logo
White stiff collared shirt with Gold/Royal Blue Grange Tie
Navy blue jogging pants/leggings
Navy blue trousers/shorts
Navy blue skirt/culottes/pinafore dress
Blue/white small check dress
Navy blue tights
Foot wear/socks will be selected at the discretion of parents

Children representing the school in musical events, class assemblies and other events will be expected to wear the white poloshirt and sweatshirt.

P.E. Kit will also be recommended:
Royal Blue round neck T shirt with Grange Logo
Royal Blue shorts/games skirt
Gold/blue hooped rugby shirt
Gold/blue hooped rugby socks
Suitable footwear - black or white lace-up/elasticated gym shoes or bare feet will be recommended for indoor P.E. whilst trainers and rugby togs will be suitable for outdoor activities.

All Netball, Rugby and Athletics tops will be provided for children who represent the school in interschool matches and meetings.

A full list of 'after school clubs' is avaialble on the Message Board.