We have high expectations of behaviour achieved through a partnership with home. Excellent behaviour is greatly appreciated and enables children to flourish. We, as adults, model the behaviour we expect from children. We encourage, reward and reinforce these behaviours we value. Our policy is designed to encourage self-discipline, not just a list of rules and sanctions.
Anti-Bullying Policy
Bullying is defined as intimidating behaviour – physical and/or psychological – where an individual or a group is exerting power over others. This is more often exhibited over a period of time rather than as one off events. We use the acronym STOP – Several Times on Purpose. We recognise that this unwanted behaviour can cause considerable distress. However, when we know about issues we endeavour to intervene swiftly, firmly and consistently. Often school is the last to know of issues and we appreciate early and appropriate information to act upon.
Pastoral Care
Each class teacher is responsible for the care of the children in their class. We recognise that if children are happy and feel secure in school they have a better chance to learn and develop. When children are anxious, about any aspect of school, they cannot fulfil their potential. Knowing something about each child helps us strengthen the relationship between teachers and pupils.
Nurture Groups
Some children sometimes need support with friendships, social skills, emotional or behavioural issues etc. This nurture group is run by our ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and helps meet some of these additional needs. Supervised activities can help children function better in class. The sessions are held in the Garden Room.
Counselling
Sometimes children need ‘time to talk’ to speak in confidence to a trained counsellor. Once a week, a Relate Trained counsellor, who specialises in working with children, visits the school to provide support for individuals over a six week period. We often internally refer children who we think would benefit from such assistance. There is often a waiting list but we can only proceed with parental permission. The results have been significant and long term for most children.
Sex and Relationship Education (SRE)
This is something that is covered in each year group. We use the Channel 4 ‘Living and Growing’ series of programmes to support our teaching. We place increasing emphasis on understanding yourself, exploring feelings and looking at relationships. This is in addition to the biology of reproduction. The policy is available via the website. Videos are available for parents to inspect.
Medical needs
If your child becomes ill during the day we may need to contact you for advice or to ask you to collect them. We are not allowed to keep tablets, creams or pain relief. We cannot dispense over the counter medicines, even with your verbal consent. If treatment needs to be given we will require a completed consent form and prescribed medicines. If your child is ill, especially sickness bugs and/or diarrhoea, please be vigilant with returning them too early. Children should not return after sickness for 48 hours as they often can vomit in school again or pass on germs unintentionally Please think carefully before sending poorly children to school to see ‘how they get along’. Please reinforce the basics at home of blowing noses with disposable tissues and washing hands with soap/water. Children with asthma should always keep an inhaler in school.
Special Education Needs (SEN)
We encourage the participation and inclusion of all children and, in accordance with our policies related to equality. This includes those children with special educational needs. We aim to provide support for the physically disadvantaged, less able and gifted pupils at all stages. We fully implement the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs and our policy is reviewed annually. Class teachers provide appropriate activities and learning programmes to assist the development of all children in the class. The school can draw upon the help of our Special Needs Coordinator (Mrs Ibbotson), the support and expertise of the Special Needs Support Team, other agencies and other schools within the local area. The school works in partnership with parents recognising that parents play a key role in the education of their children. We keep parents informed and involved. Governors report to parents on the implications of the school’s policy for children with special educational needs. The school environment is designed to be welcoming and accessible to all.
Keeping Healthy
To support this we ask that parents send in healthy snacks for break time e.g. fruit/vegetables – and supply a balanced packed lunch i.e. not too many processed foodstuffs. We also have a rule about not bringing treats for your child’s birthday e.g. cakes. Previously we have had issues with the provenance of food e.g. allergies as well as issues with children not always being able to reciprocate the gesture to the whole class. Healthy snacks are available to buy at break times.