Transcript School Information

School Information
Booklet 2014
Headteacher Mrs Lisa Clark
Hamstel Road
Southend-on-Sea
Essex SS2 4PQ
Tel: 01702 468461
Email: [email protected]
Welcome to Hamstel Infant School and Nursery
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you for taking an interest in Hamstel Infant School and
Nursery. I have great pleasure in welcoming you and your child
to Hamstel.
At Hamstel there is always a warm welcome awaiting you in an
environment that is both happy and safe. Our special motto is
‘We Care…’ this precedes everything that we do and is
fundamental to everyone and everything we do.
We encourage all our children to achieve their best and grow into
thoughtful, kind and considerate members of the school
community and society as a whole. We take great pride in our
many achievements and special awards that as a school we are
recognised for..
Our committed and enthusiastic team of Staff and Governors are
supported by the excellent resources we have in a spacious site,
with well-resourced facilities and the expertise to provide your
child with unique opportunities for learning.
We seek your co-operation in supporting your child through
school and look forward to working with you as a team to meet
your child's needs. We know your child will be happy here with us
and will achieve their full potential and ultimate success.
Lisa Clark
Headteacher
All About Us
Hamstel Infant School and Nursery is an inclusive, caring
and vibrant educational learning space which is growing to
five forms of entry and with a 104 place Nursery. It serves
east central Southend and is sited in the Southchurch ward.
We share a site with our partner Junior School and Children
and Family Centre; collectively we provide excellent
education from birth to 11 years.
We currently have fourteen bright, attractive teaching
spaces, rising to 15 in 2015, plus a new hall, library, ICT
suite, Nurture base, an ASD Assessment Unit, three summer
houses, fantastic wildlife / Forest School area and swimming
pool. In the centre of the school there is an outdoor learning
area covered with artificial grass which offers an excellent
teaching area for our Reception classes. We also have a very
attractive adventure trail, playground and large playing field
which are used throughout the year.
We have a large team of highly dedicated professionals who
are committed to guiding the children’s learning to enable
them to reach their full potential. Our team uses a whole
school nurture approach to guide children with their
personal and social skills to prepare them for learning. We
are a very inclusive school and pride ourselves in treating
each child and family as individuals.
The staff and governors are committed to achieving
the highest possible standards of social, personal,
academic and moral education for all the pupils.
We have received numerous awards including
two Achievement Awards from the
Department for Education, the Basic Skills
Quality Mark (for Literacy and Numeracy),
the Healthy Schools Award (for Personal,
Social, Health and Emotional Education and
Well-being), the Arts Mark (for providing
excellent opportunities across all art forms
and creativity), Active Mark and the NACE
Challenge Award. We have received
recognition of Commitment from UNICEF
towards our Respecting Rights School
Award.
Our Staff
Classroom Organisation
We have a truly dedicated team of
professionals leading each class. There
are Teaching Assistants allocated to
each class as well as others who are
specialists, including Higher Level
Teaching Assistants, supporting
individuals and groups. In total we
have approximately 100 staff
employed to support the children and
their learning.
We have specialist staff leading our
Inclusion Team – Mrs Esp (Manager
for Pupil Emotional Well-Being, Mrs
Hera (SENCo), Mrs Soane (Learning
Mentor), Mrs Shand (Nurture
Manager) and Mrs Clements (ASD
Assessment Unit Manager).
We also have a fantastic Midday
Team, led by Mrs Phillips and Mr
Darke (a full time Forest Ranger).
Deputy
Headteacher
Mrs Dillnutt
Assistant
Headteacher
Mrs Tracy
Hedgehog Class
Otter Class
Fox Class
Badger Class
Mrs Tracy
Miss Stockley
Miss Simmonds
Mr Sayer
Heron Class
Dragonfly Class
Newt Class
Duck Class
Frog Class
Mrs Ford
Mrs Holohan
Mrs Verrinder
Mrs Smith
Mrs Malkin-Jones
Reception
Leader –
Mrs Byast
Swan Class
Woodpecker Class
Owl Class
Kingfisher Class
Peacock Class
Mrs Byast
Miss Traveller
Miss Tanton
Mrs Thomas
Miss Howley
Nursery
Manager –
Mrs Dodman
Ladybird Group
Butterfly Group
Caterpillar Group
Bumblebee Group
Miss Brooks
Mrs Joscelyne
Mrs Riley
Mrs Gill
Headteacher
Mrs Clark
Year 2
Leader –
Mrs Tracy
Year 1
Leader –
Mrs Tracy
Deputy Mrs Ford
Getting To School
The School Day
The school day starts at 8.50am and finishes
at 3.10pm. The classroom doors are open
from 8.40am and all children must be in
school for registration by 8.50am.
Any children arriving after this time are
required to enter school through the main
reception so that the registers can be marked
correctly. If you are late in collecting your
child you will need to pick them up from the
main school reception.
At the beginning and end of the school day,
we ask that parents come into the
playground to drop off and collect their
child. We pride ourselves on being an open
and friendly school but in order to ensure the
children's safety we ask that you say goodbye
to your child outside the classroom door and
allow them to come into the classrooms by
themselves. If you have any concerns you are
welcome to call at the school office to let us
know. The teacher can always ring you later
or arrange to meet you at a mutually
convenient
time.
If
normal
collection
arrangements have to be altered please let us
know as this will avoid any confusion or
upset.
We ask that parents come into
the playground to drop off and
collect their child. We pride
ourselves on being an open and
friendly school but in order to
ensure the children's safety we
ask that you say goodbye to
your child outside the classroom
door and allow them to come
into
the
classrooms
by
themselves. If you have any
concerns you are welcome to
call at the school office to let us
know.
To get to and from
school, walking is
definitely the best option!
Not only is it healthier
than travelling by car
but it also improves the
safety of pedestrians and
stops surrounding roads
from becoming
congested. To enter the
school grounds please use
the gates in Hamstel
Road or Poynings
Avenue. We do have
limited bike rack spaces
near the Infant main
entrance which you can
use. Please do not walk
through the vehicle
entrance for your own
and your child's safety.
If you do need to travel
by car, please be
considerate to our
neighbours when parking.
Please do not drive up
the school drive as the
car park is for staff only.
Attendance
Regular school attendance
and punctuality is vital if a
child is to take full
advantage of the
educational opportunities
available in school. Each
week classes are encouraged
to win the Attendance class
award which is awarded in
our Celebration Assembly
(always to cheers from the
recipients!)
A telephone call should be
made to the school on the
first day of absence, and a
letter sent to the class
teacher when the child
returns to school, outlining
the reason for absence.
Holidays are not to be taken
during term time and parents
wishing to remove their
children during term need to
complete a form requesting
leave of absence. Absences for
which a reason has not been
given, unauthorised absences or
patterns of absence are
recorded and notified to the
LA Attendance Officer who is
part of the Child and Family
Intervention Team. For further
information please see our
Attendance Policy.
We hold weekly
assemblies to
celebrate the
winning ‘Class of
the Week’ for
attendance.
Pupil Welfare
It is important to us that our
pupils are safe and healthy at
school. We take all reasonable
measures to protect our pupils
and provide a high level of
supervision at all times.
We know that healthy children are
better learners, so we want
children to come to school fit, well
and rested. We provide First Aid
training for all appropriate staff in
order to ensure children are cared
for in school. Information is
regularly made available to
parents, carers and pupils about a
range of health and welfare issues
such as diet and head lice.
Children are encouraged to walk
to school – a healthier and safer
alternative to the car journey.
Prevention of Bullying
At Hamstel Infant School
and Nursery we work
towards a school
community free from
bullying by creating a
caring, friendly and
happy school
environment, respect for
others is fostered and
children are encouraged
to behave responsibly.
Any report of bullying is
taken extremely seriously
and is thoroughly
investigated according to
school policy.
Pupil Conduct
If a child is to fulfil their potential in school they need to be
attentive and apply themselves to learning. At Hamstel
Infant School and Nursery we expect a high standard of
self-discipline and a good standard of pupil conduct at all
times during the school day including times when pupils are
off-site on visits. Our expectations are set out in our
Teaching and Learning and Behaviour Policies as well as in
our values and expectations displayed in classrooms and
around the school. We set an example by being caring,
considerate and co-operative with everyone in school.
Although we use sanctions when necessary our ethos is built
on a culture of positive reinforcement – based on Nurture
Principles. Good behaviour is always praised and a child may
be rewarded with a KITE badge, a smart mark, a class
token or at our KITE celebration assembly on a Friday.
Safeguarding Children Statement
At Hamstel Infant School and Nursery the health,
safety and well-being of all children is of paramount
importance. Parents send their children to school each
day with the expectation that school provides a safe
and secure environment in which their children can
flourish. Hamstel Infant School and Nursery therefore
works hard to ensure appropriate policies, procedures
and monitoring are in place to assure that this
expectation is fully met.
School Uniform
We ask all our pupils to wear our
school uniform of burgundy, white
and grey/black for the Infants, gold,
burgundy and grey/black for the
Nursery, both in school and when
representing the school at off-site
venues and events. Wearing school
uniform helps develop pride in the
school and gives the children a feeling
of belonging. It also saves time in the
morning!
Boys uniform
Girls uniform
P.E kit –
boys and girls
Jewellery should not be worn to
school as it may cause injury, be
broken or lost. Watches may be worn
but will need to be removed for PE.
We ask that children do not bring
toys or other personal items larger
than pocket size into school unless
asked to do so by their class teacher,
as such items may be mislaid or
broken.
Teaching and Learning
At Hamstel Infant School and Nursery we seek to foster
a strong work ethic and motivate our children through
praise for effort and genuine achievement. We take
account of the latest research into how children learn,
for example different learning styles and the use of
thinking skills and meta cognitive strategies to stimulate
the brain. The importance of first hand experiences,
learning through play and the development of
independent learners are paramount to our success. We
know that children are better able to fulfil their
potential when their emotional health and well-being
are promoted and we consider these aspects as very
important. We use a whole school nurture approach and
view all behaviour as communication. We use a peer
massage programme to develop relationships and selfesteem.
We teach rights and responsibilities according to the
United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights and are
a recognised Respecting Rights School.
Our Curriculum
We strongly believe in ensuring that all of our children are surrounded by a
rich, stimulating environment with a broad and balanced skill based curriculum.
All our children are valued as individuals and we encourage each child to reach
his/her full potential. We encourage all children to be the best that they can be.
The Reception children follow the framework for the Early Years Foundation
Stage. This is carried out through observations of structured play, conversations
and child and adult initiated activities. The children in Reception are taught
within the 7 areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development,
Physical Development, Communication and Language, Literacy, Mathematics,
Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.
In Years 1 and 2, the children follow the National Curriculum which consists of:
English, Mathematics, Science, Art and design, Computing, Design and
Technology, Geography, History, Music and Physical Education. We also follow
statutory guidance for Religious Education and also ensure that we follow a
programme to support Personal, Social and Health Education. We also enable
the development of children’s Spiritual. Moral, Social and Cultural awareness.
The different subjects are not taught in isolation from each other but in a
creative cross curricular way in which key skills drive the objectives and desired
outcomes. Children are immersed in fun, practical activities
Which allow for different learning styles and interests to flourish with
opportunities for sustained work and personalised learning.
Special Educational Needs and Disability
We pride ourselves on being a fully inclusive school. Many
children may need special help at some point in their
schooling. This may be because of physical, learning or
behavioural issues and may be long or short term. Needs
are identified in several ways: information is gathered
from parents and carers, pre-school groups, outside
agencies, teacher observations, previous schools and
diagnostic assessment.
Sunshine Room – Nurture Base
Our Nurture Principles
Children’s learning is
understood developmentally.
From September 2014 we will be adopting the new SEN
Code of Practice. Children with identified needs will be
given support within the classroom, in addition small
groups and individuals may be identified for focussed
support when it is deemed appropriate to do so.
It is understood that all
behaviour is communication.
To provide an outstanding level of support, the school
employs a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
(SENCo), a Manager of Pupil Emotional Well Being, a
Learning Mentor, a Nurture Manager, an ASD Manager
and an Early Years Special Educational Needs Assistant.
The value of parental support and its effect on the
learning and development of children is recognised and
we promote the involvement of parents and carers at all
stages.
Nurture is important for the
development of self- esteem.
The classroom offers a safe
space.
Language is a vital means of
communication.
The importance of transitions in
children’s lives is understood.
Assessment
Most Able Children
Early identification is the
key to supporting all
children including our
gifted and talented
children so appropriate
challenge may be planned
for them to achieve their
full potential. Parents and
carers of children
identified as highly able
are invited to discuss their
child's education and
provision the school can
put in place via a
Personalised Challenge
Plan (PCP).
The school is required to
undertake statutory
assessment in all seven
areas of learning at the
end of the Foundation
Stage (Reception), in
Phonics at the end of Year
1 and in English,
Mathematics and Science
at the end of Key Stage
One (Year 2). However,
teachers continually assess
children’s progress on a
daily basis and the results
are used to inform
planning and for future
learning activities.
Other Provision
We offer clubs which might
include gardening, dance,
Computing, art, cookery,
recorders, singing, tag
rugby, glockenspiels, gym,
athletics and reading to
name but a few.
We run a daily Breakfast
Club which proves very
popular.
We also provide all foodstuffs
to children – including
school lunches for all, based
on the Schools Nutritional
Standards.
School Council
The school has for many years had a School
Council to encourage responsibility, democracy
and ownership. Each term classes select
representatives to sit on the council which
meets with the Learning Mentor each
fortnight to discuss issues and initiatives.
Playground helpers
Each day children in Year 2 are chosen to be
our playground helpers. These children are
easily identified at lunchtimes and are
responsible for helping children to have a
happy playtime.
Home-School Partnership
At Hamtsel Infant School and Nursery we are
proud of our commitment to working with
parents in order to maximise the
opportunities we offer the children. Our
Home-School Agreement outlines the part
played by the school, the child and the
parent in effective learning. We know that
children are not always forthcoming about
school so we provide other opportunities for
parents to learn about the work their child is
doing.
There is an annual class assembly to which
parents are invited in order to see some of
the work done in class. We send home a
written summary outlining the work the
children will cover each term and we offer
the opportunity to attend Curriculum Subject
Meetings and other focused meetings.
A selection of resources, links to
learning support and copies of all
statutory school policies are available
for viewing on our website –
www.hamstelinfants.co.uk
Parental Concerns
It is our hope that parents and carers will
support us in our work, it is our aim to support
parents and carers as fully as possible in the
best interests of their child. We encourage all
parents and carers to approach the school if
they have any enquiries/ comments about the
education or care of their child or about any
school policies or procedures. We ask all parents
and carers to discuss any concerns they may
have with either the class teacher, Year Group
Leader, Assistant Head, Deputy Head or
Headteacher.
A copy of our Complaints Procedure can be
obtained from the School Office or from our
website.
Nursery
outdoor
area
Library
Wildlife Area
and Hobbit Hut
Swimming
Pool