Firle Church of England Primary School

Prospectus

2009-2010

                          

Welcome

This prospectus will provide an opportunity for you to find out more about Firle C. of E. School. We aim for it to be a useful document giving you the basic information you need. If you need more information then there are school policies, minutes of meetings, newsletters and reports available through the school website and/or in school, so just ask for what you need.

 New parents are always very welcome to visit the school and see it in action- the atmosphere of the school and its beautiful setting can only really be appreciated if you do visit us.

Please telephone to make an appointment to visit during the school day.

 One of our foremost aims is to foster good relationships between home and school.  If you have any concerns regarding your child or you require any additional information please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.  I am happy to see parents and help in any way I can.

 

Douglas Kidd

 

Headteacher

Firle Church of England Primary School, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LF               Tel/Fax (01273) 858260

office@firle-school.e-sussex.sch.uk www.firle-school.e-sussex.sch.uk     Headteacher: Douglas Kidd

 

Our Visions, Aims and Values.

A modern education in a caring, Christian and family-orientated village school.

Our Vision

Children, staff, governors and parents working in partnership to enable all children to realise their full potential.

Our Aims

• For all children to be given a strong Christian foundation in their ethical and spiritual life.
• For children to experience a broad and exciting curriculum that fosters creativity, independence and a passion for learning that continues throughout their lives.
• For children to learn to value and respect themselves and others as individuals with equal rights and responsibilities.
• For children to be inspired by the environment in which they live and learn and to become stewards of it.
• For children to be fit and healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Our Values

Everyone in school will strive to: -

• Be friendly
• Be honest
• Respect self and others
• Take responsibility for their own actions

 

Through these values we expect to have a safe and happy school in which every child can learn free from bullying or prejudice.

 

 

 

Our Village.

The beautiful village of Firle is nestled at the foot of Firle Beacon in the South Downs. Firle is Anglo-Saxon for “oak-covered land”, and in 1496 it became the site of Firle Place, seat of the Gage family, Norman barons who came over with William the Conqueror in 1066.

Firle Place is still home to the Gages, and the village is also home to a popular pub, shop, several businesses and our school…

Our School.

Ours is a small Church of England primary school, which has been educating children since 1845. Housed in the original building shown above as well as new mobile classrooms the school has extensive grounds and access to a local Nature Reserve. Dedicated staff, supportive parents, a vibrant community and, of course, the children combine to make ours a successful school.

Admission Arrangements

Children come to Firle from the age of 4 till 11. Each September, we accept children who will become five during that school year, which is counted as running from 1^st September to 31^st August. Children who are five before 31^st December will start school fulltime. Those with their birthdays in the spring and summer term attend school for mornings only till after Christmas, then start full-time in January.  We admit children over several school days at the beginning of the term so that the teacher has time to talk to parents and new children individually as they arrive.

We make arrangements for children who will be starting school in September to spend part of a morning with the present Reception class during the summer term.  Children will meet their future teachers and join in classroom play activities in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. An evening meeting is arranged for parents to receive information about the curriculum, school uniform, dinner and milk payments, etc. At this meeting the Reception teacher will also arrange to visit the children in their own homes as part of the process of making the children comfortable with starting school.

Organisation

The organisation of the school is designed to share the resources of the school, including staff, amongst all pupils to take account of their different abilities and aptitudes and to deliver the National Curriculum. Teaching methods will vary and be appropriate to the subjects being taught.

With 83 children on the roll we have 4 classes made up as follows:

Class	Age group	Teacher	Teaching Assistant
Catkins	Reception and year 1	Mrs. van Bochove	Mr. Dawson
Willow	Years 1 and 2	Mrs. Fitzpatrick	Mr Dawson/Mrs Gravett
Beech	Years 3 and 4	Miss Parsons	Mrs. Gravett/Mrs Mans
Holly	Years 5 and 6	Mrs. Harding	Mrs. Mans
Inclusion		Mr. Kidd	Mrs. Filtness

Times of the school day.

9.00-11.00am	Lessons
Worship	There is a 15min act of worship for all children each morning except Friday.
11.00–11.15am	Break
11.15am-12.15pm	Lessons
12.15-1.15pm	Lunch
1.15-3.15pm	Lessons (2.45-3.15 pm- worship on Friday)
Afternoon break	Infant children have a 15min afternoon break

Total 23.75 hours per week. Staff are available on the playground to welcome children from 8.45am onwards.

After school clubs

Extra curricular clubs are run voluntarily by staff and parents and we are very proud of the range of options we have on offer with at least one club every afternoon for an hour after school. Currently we offer clubs in:

Art	Cooking	Stoolball
Allotment	Newspaper	Football

The School Curriculum

The school follows the National Curriculum and the Primary Strategy, but obviously as with all schools, we bring a particular character to the education the children receive. Within school we approach the curriculum as providing ways to teach children how to think effectively. Some ways in which this thinking skills approach is brought out are listed below:

• The use of mind-maps in planning and recording work;
• The use of thinking games such as Sudoku, Countdown and chess.
• The use of choice time in class to build up self-motivation, independence, self-review, co-operative work and own interests.
• The children undertake creative projects drawing on art, PE and the broader curriculum.
• The children have regular breaks and work aids such as brain gym, water breaks, exercise and listening to music while they work.
• The children have philosophical discussions in class.

English focuses

• The children have the opportunity to talk through what they will write and have regular opportunities to complete extended pieces of writing.
• We use opportunities from topic work to teach and reinforce messages around writing and reading.
• The teachers create opportunities to discuss and share their enthusiasm for books with the children.

Maths focuses

• The children are taught how to solve problems systematically.
• The children have regular opportunities for maths investigations.
• Maths is used in cross-curricular work.
• Regular mental maths sessions, with clear expectations that the children will learn tables and number bonds.

Science focuses

• The children undertake experiments regularly enabling them to think scientifically.
• The children are taught how to work through thought experiments.

Homework

We see homework as a link between school and home, which enables the children to extend their learning at school and share it with parents and carers. We ensure that the purpose of all homework is clear to children and those at home and that guidelines for how to complete the work and when to return it are clear.

Every Child Matters (ECM)
ECM is an umbrella term for the way in which all the services that support children try to work together and share information. Five aims are laid out for all children and agencies such as schools, health services, social services and voluntary organisations try to fulfil these. Under each heading there are some examples of the way our school works to make children’s lives better.
Enjoy and achieve

• Innovation project to give children a particular experience of something fun and exciting- art, music and circus in recent years and the natural world this year
• Trips out in the local area and further afield
• Outdoor learning in the Nature Reserve and allotments
• Gifted and Talented activities including links with other schools
• Special Educational Needs programme including links with other agencies
• House activity day
• Individual targets for each child in English and maths

Staying safe

• Health and safety checks on all equipment, activities and trips
• Fire safety talks
• Police talks
• Shade and sun safety information provided
• Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning programme
• Road safety training for infants
• Cycle training for Y5/6 every other year

Be healthy

• After school clubs including links with Lewes Football Club
• Two hours of PE  per week including fitness promotion
• Playtimes  with good quality equipment
• Allotments and cooking lessons
• Fruit and milk for all

Make a positive contribution   

• Support the village and charities
• Church services and community links such as Residents’ carols
• Parent and toddler clubs, Woodland groups
• Friends of Firle School- our fund-raising body
• School council

Achieve economic well-being

• Learning to use money in maths
• Being supported to manage own money on trips
• Fund-raising for charities including running stalls
• Budgeting in cookery lessons including Kids’ Kitchen

If you want to find out more, try http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Ours is a Church of England school and we are proud of this link with Church tradition. We enjoy the support of our local Vicar who occasionally takes worship in school and hosts services and visits to the church. We have a daily act of worship in school, which follows an Anglican pattern. (Parents have the right under Section 25 of the Education Act 1994 to withdraw their child from any aspects of religious education or collective worship.)

RE plays an important part in the life of Firle School.  We introduce the children to basic Christian teaching and we believe that this influences them to grow up with a concern for those around them and a willingness to co-operate with others in the school community. We follow the East Sussex syllabus, and children are taught to respect and begin to understand something of other religious beliefs and cultures.  We give emphasis to the major Christian festivals.

Visits and visitors

We have a rich programme of visits both in the local area and further afield. Every class has the opportunity to take trips regularly and we use the local area extensively, with walks round the village and over the Downs as well as visits to Firle Place. We also take the children to Brighton, local sites of historic interest and every other year we run a residential trip for the older children- in 2010 we are going to Windmill Hill.

We organise visits to enrich the children’s experience of the wider world. Recently we have had visits from musicians from the Gambia and India as well as from artists and theatre groups.

Nature Reserve and local environment

The school has access to a Nature Reserve on a piece of land next to the school, which is run as a joint project with Firle Estate, the local landowner. It offers a safe and secure environment for the children to explore the natural world. Every class in the school visits the Reserve every term as part of science, art, creative writing, maths and geography projects. The school is in beautiful and extensive grounds and we use these for playtimes, PE and to run allotments.

Creative Arts

Children are given many opportunities to develop their creative skills through a wide variety of media and techniques. We value the work of local artists and encourage children to participate in local Art displays and competitions. All pupils take part in group singing and music making, using a variety of instruments. Violin tuition is provided in school via the County Music Service who also organise concerts for the children each year. We organise a project every year across the school with a creative focus. In the past this has focused on art, music and circus-skills. In 2009-10 it will focus on the natural world.

Physical Education

We aim to give children two hours of quality P.E. each week. Our work in P.E is planned to make the best use of our facilities.  We have a large playing field and take part in football and netball matches and tournaments with other nearby schools. We also play stoolball, rounders, tennis and cricket, and can offer other sporting opportunities through links with Ringmer Community College. Older pupils have swimming lessons at Ringmer Pool each year.

Behaviour Policy

We have agreed School Rules, which are displayed throughout the school. It is important that children understand clearly what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable behaviour, and what sanctions will be applied if they break the rules. We believe it is essential to use praise and encouragement when promoting high standards of behaviour so children are placed in one of four house-groups, and enjoy earning house-points through achievement, good behaviour and helpfulness.  We look to parents to support us in expecting only the best behaviour from all our children.

Pastoral Care

An advantage of a small school such as ours is that all staff have the opportunity to know all the children well.  Older pupils take seriously their responsibility to model good behaviour with particular regard for younger children. Parents are advised to notify us of any difficulties at home which might affect their child at school, so that help and understanding can be given. Our pastoral input focuses on Mentoring for Learning, so that as well as caring for those in need we are also focused on ensuring they do not fall behind in their school work.

Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

We have a school policy for helping children with learning difficulties and other special needs available in school.  Children who come within this category are given additional help and their progress is carefully monitored.  We have a Teaching Assistant focused on supporting children with Special Needs who works under the guidance of the Headteacher. When it is considered necessary, professional advice is sought and acted upon.  Parents are consulted and kept fully informed. 

Gifted and Talented Children

Children who show particular aptitude in one or more areas- be that in academic work, art, sport, music or any other area- are encouraged to develop their skills. Where appropriate they are given separate provision to enrich the curriculum and extend their abilities. The Headteacher monitors the progress and broader curriculum of these children. We link together with other local primary schools and Ringmer Community College to provide master classes and extra support sessions for our Gifted and Talented children.

Accessibility Statement

The school is committed to the basic principle that wherever possible disabled children should have the same opportunities as non-disabled children in their access to education. In terms of teaching and learning in the school, resources and strategies are adapted in a way that enables all children to have access. The physical structure of the school is not ideal for access to all but as the school is redeveloped and temporary structures are renewed we will ensure that accessibility is a priority.

Health, Hygiene and Sex Education

We consider that the school has a joint role with parents in educating children in matters of health and personal hygiene.  In line with national guidelines children take part in a programme of sex and relationship education and we draw on the support of the school nurse and advisors as necessary.  For younger children, sex education will be integrated into other topic work and questions will be answered as they arise naturally. 

Charging Policy.

We feel that children learn best by direct experience and we regularly arrange visits to local sites of interest.  In order to meet the cost of such visits we ask parents to make a voluntary contribution.

Links with Secondary School

We have close links with Ringmer Community College, which now enjoys Technology College status.  Our pupils have the opportunity to attend master classes, summer schools and various clubs at the college. Whichever school a child goes on to we visit and help ensure a smooth transition.

Relationships with parents and the community

We place great importance on communication between parents and teachers.  Parents are welcome to approach teachers directly at the end of the school day, or the Headteacher at any time.  We are also pleased to make appointments to discuss progress or matters of concern.  We issue detailed reports to parents annually and there are regular opportunities for consultation between parents and teachers:

Autumn Term	A consultation evening to meet your child’s teacher
Spring Term	A consultation evening to review progress and discuss individual targets
Summer term	An open afternoonAppointments to discuss annual reports

We issue newsletters, which the children bring home, on a regular basis keeping parents up to date with what is going on in school and these are also available on the website and by email.

The school maintains a School Profile, which gives information about the school, its results and priorities. There is a link on the school website.

Parents wishing to see copies of LA or School Curriculum Policies and any reports about the school or schemes of work should check the school website or contact the Headteacher. We have a school website (the address is on the front page), which we update regularly. There is a copy of this prospectus as well as class and school newsletters, holiday dates and photos.

We take pictures of the children to use in class, on our website, for display in local newspapers. We never identify children with their name on the website. If you do not want your child to appear on the website or in newspapers, please let us know.

We have good links with the local community and local residents come to the school for a carol concert, join us for services and help with clubs. We visit local farms and use the local landowner’s estate for a whole school walk each year.

Absence figures

We are required by the DCFS to publish figures for absence during the previous school year.  An unauthorised absence means any absence for which we receive no satisfactory explanation from parents. The school authorises absences in extraordinary circumstances such as bereavement but we discourage holidays being taken in term time because of the disruption it causes to children’s education.

Academic Assessment

Each year we set targets for all the children in school and assess their progress against these. At the end of each Key Stage (when the children are 7 and 11) these assessments are published. 

If a school has a cohort of less than 10 pupils they are asked not to publish the results because it becomes to easy to identify particular children and the results are so deeply affected by each individual- i.e. every child represents more than 10% of the figure. Where this is the case we mark the boxes with an asterisk *. In a small school like ours our results can change dramatically, for better or worse, each year because of the size and nature of each cohort of children, but we remain proud of the children and their achievements, proud of the teaching and learning that goes on in our school and committed to helping each child be the best they can be.

The table below indicates our results for the previous four years at Key Stage One, and our targets and results for the previous four years at Key Stage Two.

The purpose of all these figures is for you to see what we targeted for the children to achieve, what they actually achieved and to be able to compare these to previous years and the national picture.

  

Key Stage One

Percentage of pupils who gained Level 2 and above (Number in brackets is number of children taking the tests.)

	2006  (11)	2007 (9)	2008 (12)	2009 (12)
Reading	100	*	93	100
Writing	100	*	93	100
Maths	100	*	100	100

Key Stage Two

Percentage of pupils to gain Level 4 and above (Number in brackets is number of children taking the tests.)

	2006 result (16)	2007 result  (7)	2008 result  (9)	2009 result (12)
English	63	*	*	92
Reading	69	*	*	100
Writing	27	*	*	92
Maths	63	*	*	75

Percentage of pupils to gain Level 5 and above

	2006 result (16)	2007 result (7)	2008 result (9)	2009 result (12)
English	19	*	*	58
Maths	25	*	*	45

 

With this prospectus you should receive (or get from our website) a document called Useful Information with up-to-date information on governors, school uniform, school meals and Friends of Firle School. Please ask for it if it is not with this prospectus.