EDUCATION – A PARTNERSHIP
We believe that education is a partnership between the child, the home and the school. Like any other successful partnership, it is important that each member of this educational partnership is working together and with a united purpose.
To achieve this, good communication is essential. As a school we shall seek to keep you informed of national current educational developments and their implications for your child in the classroom. Formal opportunities to discuss your child’s progress is a part of normal school life at St Paul’s. We invite all parents to discuss their child’s progress three times a year, normally in October, February and July. In July you will receive a written report about your child’s progress in our school. At the same time we always encourage parents to voice their concerns and their encouragement to staff. It is always better to share a concern when it is small rather than to allow it to reach the stage where you may feel that it is beyond solving.
If staff are unable to speak with you immediately, please be assured that it is not that they do not wish to do so. Teaching commitments mean that it is not always convenient to talk. Please speak to the teacher before or after school to arrange an appointment. An appointment with the Headteacher may be arranged through the school office. Prior notification of the area of concern can also enable the time spent to be maximised to the best interests of the child.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Copies of documents relating to the National Curriculum, school policies, schemes of work and past Ofsted reports can be viewed on our school website www.stpaulsn11.org.uk
Information of a more general nature is communicated to parents through a regular newsletter.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES
Should you feel that you have reason to complain, it is often most helpful to approach the class teacher or the Headteacher in the first instance. As a school we believe that we are approachable and would encourage individuals to contact us if they consider they have reason for a complaint. Matters can often be settled at this level. However should an issue remain unresolved, an approach may be made to the Governing Body c/o the Chair of Governors. Should a parent, however, feel that the school has been unable to settle the complaint, the LA complaints procedure should be followed. Problems can often be best settled as soon as they arise by communicating on a one to one basis.
CHARGING POLICY
The Education Reform Act 1988 introduced new provisions on charging for school activities. Under the 1988 Act schools are unable to charge for the following:
- education wholly or mainly in school hours
- materials and ingredients for things made in school which pupils or parents do not want to keep
- visits in or outside school hours which are necessary for an examination
Charges may be made for the following:
- individual and group musical tuition which is not part of the examination syllabus
- excursions where a third party is involved
- board and lodging where a school activity involves a residential element
- the exact cost of ‘optional extras’ i.e. not connected directly with the National Curriculum
School journeys and visits are a regular feature of the school’s work. Year 4 and Year 6 undertake a residential journey annually. Throughout the year all classes make regular visits connected with their school work. Costs of these visits are kept to a minimum. The Governors are anxious that all children participate in these activities. Therefore should there be any financial difficulties which may prevent your child from a visit or journey you are asked to approach the Headteacher in confidence.
Some school activities will only be possible if parents make a voluntary contribution and where this is the case parents will always be informed at the outset.
EMERGENCY CLOSURE
In the event of severe weather or extreme unforeseen circumstances which force the closure of the school, you will receive a text message on your mobile phone as soon as is possible and a notice will be displayed on the school website and upon the school gate together with a telephone contact number for further enquiries.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents are involved in the life of the school in a variety of ways such as helping on school visits, hearing children read, supporting art activities, playing literacy and numeracy games, using the computer and helping in the library. Parents who wish to be involved in these activities or who have a specific skill to contribute should contact their child’s class teacher.
Our Managed Learning Environment is found on our website under the Learning Leading. It allows parents and children to access information and curriculum resources from home.
The school has a Parents and Friends Association which organises several events through-out the year. This provides opportunities for the wider school family to meet together in addition to raising money to pay for extra resources for the children.
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
The school enjoys strong links with St Paul’s Church and holds regular services there throughout the year to which all parents and friends are warmly invited to come. The vicar of St Paul’s Church leads a weekly assembly in school for our pupils.
Our children regularly go into the community to study the local environment. We also encourage visitors to the school from the local community, including the Barnet Metropolitan Police.
During each academic year the school supports a number of charities. Through this support we aim to make children more aware of the world around them and the needs of others.
PARKING
The Avenue is extremely congested at the start and close of the school day. The zig-zag yellow lines outside the school are there for your child’s safety and must NOT be parked upon. Please do not cause an accident by stopping your car in the middle of the road to drop or collect your child. Thank you.
SUPERVISION AND INSURANCE OF CHILDREN
Parents should be aware that children are not covered by the LA’s insurance against accidents except in cases of negligence by the LA or Governors.
It is possible for parents to make their own insurance arrangements for personal accident cover for their own children for school activities in the UK.
HOMEWORK
Activities which link home and school, usually referred to as ‘homework’, play an important part in children’s education. These activities need to be considered in relation to the age and the development of the child. We believe that homework can provide opportunities:
- to reinforce work undertaken within the school
- to extend work started in the classroom
- to supplement class work
- for parents and children to discuss issues
- to further motivate the pupil as an independent learner
Homework tasks will become an increasing part of the school programme as your child moves through the school and will take a variety of formats. Parents are encouraged to support the Home School Agreement. All children keep a Reading Diary which parents are asked to sign upon the completion of work. Homework will not be set during absences which are the result of an exceptional leave of absence request.
PUPIL PROGRESS
Every opportunity will be taken by the school to keep parents informed of their child’s progress. Consultation Evenings are an integral part of the school programme. Parents are invited to make arrangements to see their child’s teacher at any other time when they may have concerns about his/her progress.
Although staff are available before school for emergencies, it is more convenient to meet with your child’s class teacher at the end of the school day. Parents are also welcome to meet with the Headteacher. These appointments may be made through the school secretary or directly with the Headteacher.
At the ages of seven and eleven pupils will be tested according to standards laid down by the Department of Education. The results of these Standard Assessment Tests will, of course, be made available to parents.
SECONDARY TRANSFER
Children transfer to Secondary School the September following their eleventh birthday. Booklets with details of the procedures and schools open evenings are distributed at a Year 5 parents meeting in the summer term.