Dear Parents

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Berkswich C.E. (VC) Primary School. This prospectus will introduce you to our school family, aims, organisation and philosophy of the School.

We strongly encourage the partnership approach between home and school. We believe that our school is a community where each person is valued and helped to develop his/her full potential as an individual, within a stimulating and caring environment.

We strive to promote self-discipline, respect for others and pride in work. Berkswich is a school where Christian values are promoted and respected, enabling all of our pupils not only to achieve the best of which they are capable, but also to grow into mature young adults, who put God and others above themselves.

Berkswich places a high priority on raising standards in basic skills, this involves a whole school strategy involving parents, teachers and children. We are proud to have been awarded The Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark.

The information in the prospectus is up to date, but of course we will need from time to time to send you further information as situations change.

We look forward to meeting with you and your child. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further advice or assistance.

Mr. M.H.Holmes

Headteacher.

Berkswich C.E. (C) Primary School is a co-educational day school administered by Staffordshire County Council Education Committee. The school caters for children between the ages of 4+ and 11 years.

The school is attractively situated in the village of Walton on the Hill, adjacent to farmland and Cannock Chase.

Berkswich traditionally serves the area comprising of Walton on the Hill, Brocton, Milford and Bednall Head.

Address: Berkswich C.E. (C) Primary School

Cedar Way

Walton on the Hill

Stafford

Staffordshire

ST17 0LU

Telephone: 01785 354600

Fax: 01785 354600

E mail: headteacher @berkswich.staffs.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mr. M.H.Holmes

Clerk to the Governors: Mr. P. Lawson

Representative of Mr. P. Traves

Chief Education Officer

The Governing Body publishes an Annual Report for parents in the Autumn Term each year in accordance with the 1986 Education Act.

The Governors term of office is 4 years.

We believe that the best possible learning takes place in an environment where children, parents and teachers are in partnership. This philosophy and practice require that we keep parents informed of the aims and objectives of the curriculum and the organisation within the school.

The school’s aim is to create a happy, caring, secure environment in which our children can develop confidence, individuality and good learning habits. We help pupils to develop lively, inquiring minds, with the ability to question and discuss points rationally. We encourage children to speak clearly, thoughtfully and confidently. We feel that it is important that they are able to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills, as well as understanding how to work, and play with thought, care and consideration for other children and adults.

We strive to nurture and develop the whole child within a school firmly based on Christian principles.

All teachers are responsible for pupils’ welfare. Staff are caring in their attitude to pupils and do their utmost to ensure that pupils are happy and secure in the school community.

We see our school as an integral part of the village community, actively promoting closer links with organisations from the pre-school through to senior citizens.

Our ‘Open Door’ approach makes misunderstanding and complaints very rare. However, if they do arise, parents are urged to come into school and discuss them with the Head Teacher.

A Statement of the School’s Aims and Objectives is available upon request.

Dinner Money is collected during the morning of the first day of the school week. Money should be sent to school in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the child’s name and class. If payment is for more than one child, then please arrange for the eldest child to bring the money to school, with all the relevant details written on the envelope. Parents can also pay monthly or half termly in advance if this is more convenient. In the case of absence the money should be paid immediately on return to school. A child may take his/her entitlement to free school meals when parents are notified at any time.

Children may bring sandwiches to school, but glass containers for drinks are not allowed. If flasks are brought, the school cannot be held responsible for any breakages, which may occur.

The Governors have adopted the policies approved by Staffordshire Education Committee as follows:

Board and Lodging Charges: where the board and lodging is directly provided by the County Council through the outdoor education centres, a daily charge, reviewed annually, will be made. In other cases there will be a charge equivalent to an apportionment of the charge.

Individual Instrumental tuition: 100% charge will be made.

Hire of musical instruments for home practising: an annual charge, reviewed each year will be made as a contribution to the cost of repairs and replacement.

Other cases: in all other cases where charges are permitted by Section 109 of the 1988 Act for activities wholly or mainly outside school hours, a charge equivalent to an apportionment of the cost of the activity to the County Council may be made.

Where pupils whose parents are in receipt of income support or family credit go on residential trips in circumstances where Section 109 of the 1988 Act would permit charges for board and lodgings only, these charges will be wholly remitted.

                              Where pupils are in receipt of income support or family credit hire musical instruments, the normal annual hiring charge will be wholly remitted.

We believe that homework can extend and complement the work we do in school. We value support and encouragement from parents for their children and see homework as a valuable regular contact between school and home. In the Foundation Stage and at Key Stage 1 we encourage the children to read by giving them books to take home to read with their parents. All Children in both KS1 and KS2 may be set tasks, learning spellings or mathematical tables and a task, which may include some research to enhance work undertaken at school. Children in Y6 may be given homework on a regular basis to introduce them to this activity in readiness for their secondary school transfer. No item of homework should prove too time consuming or onerous. All positive activities undertaken at home, including most leisure activities, have a beneficial effect on a child’s physical, academic and social development.

The school has a more detailed homework policy for parental information. All children in Year 2 to Year 6 are issued with homework diaries in which parents are encouraged to share.

Our aim is to encourage self-discipline and understanding of the need for self-control. The few rules we have are designed for the pupils’ safety and welfare.

The support of all of our parents is invaluable in maintaining good behaviour in our school. If a child persistently misbehaves then we hope to work with the parents so that we can seek a solution to the problem.

We have agreed with the Governors, a ‘Behaviour and Anti-bullying policy’ that relies on self-discipline as well as the support and co-operation of parents.

In accordance with the Education Act 1986, corporal punishment will not be administered in county and voluntary controlled schools maintained by Staffordshire County Council

Berkswich believes in being positive, rewarding excellence and endeavour. Children are rewarded for the good work, behaviour, politeness, caring attitude and helpfulness, etc. Through our House Point System, children are rewarded for their efforts in the classroom, around school and out of school.

Pupils in Year 6 are presented with special badges and are given duties to help with the smooth running of the school. They are expected to show particular qualities of leadership and initiative.

Celebrations of positive achievement, both within school and further afield in the community are recognised during weekly ‘Gold Box’ assemblies and ‘Golden Tree’ assemblies.

Under Section 23 of the Education Reform Act, 1988, Local Education Authorities and their schools are required to set up arrangements for the consideration and disposal of any complaints related to the curriculum or religious worship made by parents. Arrangements are available for any parent who feels a complaint is necessary.

The first stage would be an informal discussion with the staff or Head Teacher at the school. If the issue were not resolved, the second stage would be the subject of a formal complaint referred to the school’s Governing Body. A standing sub-committee of three Governors has been established to deal with any such complaint. Should their investigations fail to provide a satisfactory response then the complaint will be referred to the L.E.A.

Further details of these procedures are available from the school should they be required.

Under Section 22 of the Education Reform Act, 1988, regulations 5 and 6 require schools to make available information about the items listed below: -

1. The L.E.A.’s statement of curriculum policy and the Governing Body’s statement of curriculum aims.

2. Any statutory instruments, circulars and administrative memoranda relating to powers and duties under the Act (Curriculum) which are sent to the school by the D.F.E.

3. Any H.M.I. or OFSTED reports about the school

4. Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Policy.

5. A full copy of the complaints procedure (as above).

6. The L.E.A.’s agreed syllabus for R.E.

7. Results of KS2 National Curriculum Tests and KS1 & KS2 Teacher Assessments.

Parents wishing to see any copies of the above should see the Head Teacher who will be pleased to provide the loan of any item. In some instances the Head Teacher may make a charge (not exceeding the cost of production) in respect of any copies supplied.

(N.B. It is not the policy of the L.E.A. to make compulsory the wearing of any distinctive clothing or uniform, but all pupils are required to attend school appropriately dressed and for the assistance of parents many schools have adopted guidelines on dress)

We believe that a school uniform is in the best interest of all pupils. Berkswich parents have always supported the wearing of school uniform, sharing our convictions that it gives a sense of pride and belonging, also avoiding the modern trend for even the youngest pupils to vie with each other.

Our colour scheme is bottle green and grey. Cardigans and V-neck sweatshirts, ties and T-shirts for P.E. are available from the school office.

All clothing, including sports kit, must be marked with the owner’s name.

In the interest of personal hygiene and for reasons of safety, it is essential that children change for P.E. lessons. For boys and girls of all age the basic kit is: -

For outdoor activities, older children will require training shoes and the boys will also need football boots during the autumn and spring terms. Long sleeved tops or tracksuits may be useful in cold weather.

Some children will go swimming during the year and so will need a costume/trunks and a swimming cap.

The wearing of jewellery is not allowed. Children who have pierced ears should for safety wear unobtrusive studs and be able to remove them by themselves at the beginning of P.E. lessons. The school cannot be held responsible for any injury caused by the wearing of jewellery.

Our pupils’ leisure time both inside school and at home can be regarded as a huge educational resource demanding the co-operation of parents and teachers. The value of these activities is immeasurable. Not only do our pupils experience a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, but also a spirit of community, of belonging and sharing created in a way which would be hard to develop through classroom contact alone.

A continuing feature of Berkswich C.E. (C) Primary School is the commitment of the teaching staff and a large number of pupils to a wide range of extra curricular activities. The teachers give generously of their own time to organise a varied programme of out of school activities providing a valuable range of cultural, academic, leisure and sporting pursuits. Throughout the school year the following range of activities, catering for all interests are provided. The staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are committed to providing quality activities on a voluntary basis. The whole school community is grateful for this.

ACTIVITIES, which are often held during the School Year, include;

Recorders, Choir, Indoor Board Games, Football, Netball, Rugby, Cricket, Environmental Studies, Country Dancing, Winter Games, Summer Games, School Council, Arts & Craft.

This is a group of enthusiastic (and friendly!) people who try to help out in the school in whatever way that they can. As a registered charity the primary function is to organise and run fund raising events throughout the school year. These can vary from major ventures, like Christmas and Summer Fayres, to smaller events such as providing tea/coffee and cake for the supporters at Sports Day! The pupils’ interest is always at the heart of things and in the past the children have enjoyed plant pot painting, various competitions, Santa’s Grotto and even an afternoon full of Easter fun (and sorry, chocolate!)

The monies raised are spent in a variety of ways after much discussion with the Head teacher and his team. It gives great satisfaction to be able to provided major building improvements such as the computer Suite or the new Lobby area as well as those smaller needs like new reading Schemes or painting aprons. But more than this, FOBS hopes to promote the relationship between the children, teachers and school staff, families and the local community as a whole.

Don’t take this on face value – come along and see for yourself, new ideas and help are always welcomed and valued.

It is intended that the numbers of pupils to be admitted to Berkswich C.E. (C) Primary School in any academic year should not exceed 29. This is our planned admission number. This is correct at the time of publication.

If the numbers of pupils seeking admission to the school exceeds the number of places available, then the following order of priority will be used.

Parents who are considering sending their children to Berkswich C.E. (C) Primary School are very welcome to visit the school and the secretary will be pleased to make an appointment for those wishing to do so. The Head Teacher will be pleased to show the parents around the building, discuss the aims of the school and answer any queries.

Parents who are considering sending their children to our school will be most welcome to visit us beforehand. An appointment can be made through the Head Teacher or the Secretary and the arrangements will be made for them to meet the staff and look over the premises. Once pupils have been provisionally registered with us, the new parents will be invited to some of our School Activities (Concerts, Coffee Mornings, Harvest Festival etc)

During the term before a child starts school, both parents and children will have an opportunity for visits, which form part of our induction policy. Parents will have the opportunity to meet and talk to our reception class teacher and to each other, while the children enjoy some of the activities they will experience when they start school. Further details of our induction programme are found in our Foundation Stage Brochure.

Parents of children already at school are invited each term to meet and discuss their child’s welfare and progress with the class teacher. If parents feel they need a longer or more private discussion with the Head Teacher or class teacher, they are welcome to make an appointment for a more convenient time.

The First Community Health team will invite parents to attend any full medical examinations that take place at school. Routine visits to monitor your child’s height, weight, vision, hearing and teeth will, as far as possible, be noted on the term calendar.

We believe it is most important that parents feel they can share concerns and their delights with us whenever necessary.

We encourage all children to be caring with each other and care for those around them.

If they do have any particular problems, they are encouraged to bring them to the attention of their class teacher, or the Headmaster.

If a child is taken ill during school time, a parent will be contacted, and if urgency is required the child will be conveyed to the nearest hospital, or to his/her own doctor.

The school should therefore be supplied with the home telephone / work / mobile number of each child and an alternative means of contacting a parent in cases of emergency.

PLEASE HELP US BY ENSURING THAT THE RECORDS AND INFORMATION WE HAVE ARE UP-TO-DATE.

The school intends that any new Government Initiative will be discussed and introduced in a planned manner that does not disrupt the areas of existing good practices that have been developed. This will allow the work of previous years to be built upon, new areas to be developed where necessary and existing strengths to be fully enhanced.

In the first years of their school career, the children will be taught by teachers who have help in the day to day running of their classrooms, from a teaching assistants and a N.N.E.B trained Nursery Nurse.

Throughout the school, children are placed in Year Groups in the care of their own class teacher, who is responsible for each child’s education and welfare.

It is a legal requirement of the 1988 Education Act that schools teach National Curriculum subjects and Religious Education. The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, now known as Primary Strategies, are now in place. During the school year we will be arranging parent workshops and presentations for these and other subjects.

Both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two children are taught:

English

Mathematics CORE SUBJECTS

Science

Information Communication Technology

Art

Geography

History

Music FOUNDATION SUBJECTS

P.E.

Design and Technology

Religious Education

PSHE & Citizenship

Sex Education at Berkswich forms part of our developing Personal, Social and Health Education programme and as such begins in a fundamental way in KS1 in accordance with the National Curriculum Science document.

Most of the sex education will be covered in Y6 where it is integrated with the topics of family life and hygiene. It is taught by the class teacher and the School Nurse in the summer term, by which time a close relationship between pupil and teacher has been established.

The school nurse regularly speaks to the children on various health topics.

Parents are invited into the school to examine the materials used and discuss the format of the lesson. They have the right to withdraw their children from these lessons if they so wish. Prior consultation with the Headteacher is desirable.

Religious Education is also an important part of school life. As a Church of England Controlled School we have close ties with the Parish and the Christian doctrine is the foundation upon which this school is built. We also feel that it is important for children to be aware of the beliefs, customs and festivals of the world’s other main religions and the humanitarian nature of all religious teaching.

In accordance with the 1944 Education Act, R.E. is a compulsory part of the curriculum. Parents have the right to ask for their child to be withdrawn from R.E. or worship, but parents are asked to discuss this matter with the Headteacher. In the event of a child being withdrawn alternative work will be set by the class teacher.

The Special Educational Needs Policy (1992) has been revised and updated to reflect the Code of Practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs (1994) This policy is available on request. Berkswich is fortunate to have a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)

The identification of a child’s special needs comes from concerns shown by the class teacher and parents or from other sources: - Health, Social Services.

Assessment of the child comes from teacher assessment, class records, reports, observations of behaviour and sometimes from Health Service. The child’s progress is monitored and reviewed and parents kept informed. All children must have access to a balanced and broadly based curriculum, including the National Curriculum.

Children are taught within their class situation where possible with the regular support of ancillary or welfare staff. The work is planned by the class teacher, supported by SENCo, and work is carried out in and out of the classroom as best meets the individual child’s needs.

The child’s work is monitored and reviewed regularly. The teacher annotates all work. Frequent meetings between staff involved keeps the child under constant review.

This school has a Special Needs Coordinator. Her expertise supports the child, with the agreement of parents. Teaching staff are advised on strategies to use in individual cases. At a later stage – should the need occur – the advice of the County Educational Psychologist is sought.

Berkswich is working towards full-status as a Dyslexia Friendly School. We have completed the first level of the Dyslexia Friendly Schools training and are working towards the next level. In line with this, the staff are trained to provide the teaching strategies and resources believed to maximise the learning of children with dyslexic type tendencies.

During the school year there are three ‘Open Evenings’ when parents are invited to school to discuss their child’s progress with the teacher. At the end of the academic year each pupil will receive a written report with the opportunity to discuss this with the class teacher at the third of our yearly open evenings.

• Autumn Term to have the opportunity to visit their child’s classroom environment and meet the new class teacher. No appointments are necessary.

• Spring Term to view pupils’ work and discuss progress to date.

• Summer Term to discuss child’s written report and any matters arising from it.

Parents will be informed of National Curriculum levels attained at the end of Key Stage. At other times the approximate level at which the child is working and the knowledge, understanding and skills required at this level will be points for discussion.

Occasionally we have requests from parents to administer medicines to children during the day. We do not encourage the keeping of medicines in school and would appreciate it if you could call at the school during lunchtime to administer the medicine yourself. However, if this is not possible, it is at the discretion of the Head Teacher whether prescribed drugs and medication may be accepted by the school, subject to the following conditions:

• All relevant details are entered into the School Medication Book and that those details are signed by a person holding Parental Responsibility.

• The medicine is contained in the bottle/jar issued by the Pharmacist and is labelled with the date and name of child and the correct dosage.

• The medicine is required to be taken four times daily.

The exception is, of course, treatments for asthma or any similar condition. In these cases there must be immediate access to inhalers. The school is currently developing Care Plans as part of our Inclusion Policy.

The schools general aim is to encourage a positive attitude towards physical education and sport. Children are provided with a range of opportunities within games, dance, swimming, outdoor education and other health related exercise.

Events both competitive and non-competitive are organised with local schools for children in Key Stage 2. Berkswich has recently instigated a small schools network providing regular fixtures in Football, Netball, Cross-Country and Rounders. Berkswich is also taking part in the National TOPS Scheme, including specialised coaching. There may be a small charge for this.

Berkswich is proud to be one of the first schools in Staffordshire to organise Pre and After School Care. This popular facility has now been running for four years. Details of this facility are available from the school office.

If a child is unable to attend school for any reason then notification is required either:

By a phone call or by a visit to the school office on the morning of your child’s absence, so we know of their whereabouts!!

Followed up by a letter addressed to the Class Teacher on your child’s return to School, stating the reasons for absence.

The absence will then be classed as an authorised absence. If there is no notification then it is classed as an unauthorised absence.