Kirkriggs School

500 Croftfoot Road

Glasgow, G45 ONJ

Telephone: 0141 634 7158

headteacher@kirkriggs-pri.glasgow.sch.uk

School Website: www.kirkriggs-pri.glasgow.sch.uk

School Blog: www.kirkriggsschool.blogspot.co.uk

School Facebook:@KirkriggsSchool

School Twitter: @KirkriggsPS

Council Website:

www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/residents/goingtoschool

Last updated September 2018

Welcome to Kirkriggs School

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I would like to welcome you and your family to Kirkriggs School. The following handbook contains information that you may find useful. If you need any further information or you would like to ask us any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school or you can look on our school website.

I hope this handbook helps to give you a snapshot of life here at Kirkriggs School. We look forward to welcoming you and your family and we hope that this will be the start of a strong partnership.

Denise LavertyHead Teacher

Our School Vision, Values and Aims

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Background InformationKirkriggs is a non-denominational school for boys and girls with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The school capacity is 70 and we currently have 37 pupils. Our age range is from P1 to P7. The school also has children with a dual diagnosis of autism and additional learning needs. We take a

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holistic view of the child to meet their individual needs. We are part of Castlemilk High and St Margaret Mary’s Learning Community.

School InformationYou can cut out the following information and keep it on your fridge, in your purse or somewhere that it can be easily accessed so that you can find the school contact details with ease.

School Staff

A full list is available on the school website and parents will be updated on any changes required.

Tel: 0141 634-7158

Email: headteacher@kirkriggs-pri.glasgow.sch.uk

Website: www.kirkriggs-pri.glasgow.sch.ukTwitter : @KirkriggsPS

Kirkriggs School500 Croftfoot RoadCastlemilk Glasgow G45 0NJ

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The Senior Leadership Team is as follows:Headteacher: Mrs Denise LavertyDepute Headteacher: Mr Joseph MurphyPrincipal Teacher Mr Paul MacConnell

Teaching Staff:Room 3 Miss GlasgowRoom 5 Miss SomersRoom 7 Mrs FrameRoom 8 Mr MacConnellRoom 9 Mr Marrinan*Mrs Gilgannon 0.5 PT Cover and NCCT/ 0.5 Learning Support

Specialist TeachersMusic Instructor (Kodaly) Mr Cairney (2 hours every Wednesday)

Support Staff

Mrs Isabel Harkins Clerical Support Assistant Mrs J Cameron Support for Learning WorkerMs G Dempster Support for Learning Worker Miss E Sim Support for Learning Worker Mrs A McLean Support for Learning Worker Mrs P Houston Support for Learning WorkerMrs S Russell Support for Learning Worker

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Mrs L McGeechan Support for Learning Worker Mrs C Henderson Support for Learning Worker Mrs H Craig (0.6) Support for Learning Worker

Mrs Isabel Harkins School SecretaryMr William McDermott Janitor

SCHOOL KITCHEN

Mrs C Hendry Catering Assistant

BUS ESCORTS BUS DRIVERS

Mrs S Russell Mr B LeishmanMrs N Gallagher Mr M DeanMs M Brown Ms L Graham / Ms A McGuireMrs P Dunnachie Mr K Hughes

TAXI ESCORTS Cleaning StaffMrs A McLean Mrs B McDonald

Mrs J Dickinson

School Chaplain: Sarah Brown (Castlemilk East Church)

Educational Psychologist: Ms E Robertson (Glasgow South)

Ms J Thomson (South Lanarkshire)

Learning Community Castlemilk High/ St Margaret Mary’s High

We have a Parent Council and a Pupil Council.

Our Parent Council meet each week with a drop-in for all parents each Friday from 10am followed by a Parent Council meeting thereafter.

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School Holidays for 2018 – 19

August 

Monday 13 August 2018 (Return date for teachers)

Tuesday 14 August 2018 (In-service day)

Wednesday 15 August 2018 (Return date for pupils)

September Weekend 

Friday 21 September 2018 

Monday 24 September 2018 

October 

Friday 12 October 2018 (In-service day)

Monday 15 October to Friday 19 October 2018 (October Week)

December - Christmas and New Year 

Schools close at 2.30pm on Thursday 20 December 2018

Schools return on Monday 7 January 2019 

January 

Monday 7 January 2019 (Return to school)

February Mid-term break

Monday 11 February 2019 

Tuesday 12 February 2019 

Wednesday 13 February 2019 (In-Service day)

April - Spring Holiday 

Schools close at 2.30pm on Friday 29 March 2019

Schools return on Monday 15 April 2019 

Friday 19 April 2019 (Good Friday)

Monday 22 April 2019 (Easter Monday)8

May 

Monday 6 May 2019 (May Day)

Tuesday 07 May 2019 (In-Service day)

Friday 24 May and Monday 27 May 2019 (May Weekend)

June

Schools close at 1pm on Friday 28 June 2019 

Pupil Absence

We monitor attendance on a daily basis and it is useful if parents / carers could inform the school that your child will not be in school and the reason for the absence before 9:00am. You should also notify transport that your child is not being picked up that day if your child is on a taxi by calling the Transport Co-ordination Centre on the following numbers 0800 032 4444 from a landline or 0141 287 1056 from a mobile. You must also let the Transport Centre know when your child is returning so that your child will be added to

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their taxi run again. Failure to do so may result in the taxi not coming for your child.

If your child has been absent for a few days and we have not heard from you, we will call you to find out how your child is and the reason for their absence. If your child is absent on a number of occasions with no explanation or there is poor attendance, then the school will alert the Education Liaison Officer for the council who will visit your home. The authority has the power to write to, interview or prosecute parents/carers, or to refer children and young people to the Children’s Hearing system.

Parents/Carers do not have an automatic right to take their child out of school without permission during term-time. The Head of Establishment can only authorise time off during term-time in Exceptional Circumstances.

Exceptional circumstances include:• short-term parental/carer placement abroad;• family returning to its country of origin for family reasons;• the period immediately after an illness or accident;• a period of serious or critical illness of a close relative;• a domestic crisis which causes serious disruption to the family home, causing temporary relocation.

Time off during term-time for the following reasons is not acceptable and will be recorded as unauthorised absence:• Availability of cheap holidays or desired accommodation;• Holidays which overlap the beginning or end of term.

Clearly with no explanation from the parent or carer, the absence is unauthorised.

Medical and Health Care

The school nurse visits at various times during the year for routine health checks, vaccinations and medical examinations. Parents and carers are kept informed by letter.

If a pupil has any special medical requirements the school must be informed and if any medication is to be administrated during school time the

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appropriate form must be completed before any medication is given. Forms are available from the school office. If a child becomes ill at school contact will be made with the home. It is the parent’s/carer’s responsibility to organise collection of the child from the school as soon as possible. An extra emergency contact number must be provided to the school in case a parent/carer is unable to collect their child themselves.

Emergencies

We make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on some occasions circumstances arise which lead to disruption. Schools may be affected by such things as severe weather, temporary interruption of transport, power failures or difficulties of fuel supply. In such cases we shall contact you to let you know about the details of our closure or re-opening by using letters, phone calls, Twitter, Facebook, the school website or the local media.

Clothing

Sweatshirts, polo tops and jackets bearing the school logo are available to order through the school uniform provider Logo Xpres. It is expected that all children attending Kirkriggs School will adhere to this dress code.

The items available to purchase are as follows;Purple Sweatshirt

Polo ShirtsT-Shirt

Waterproof JacketBlazers

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School BagSkip Hat

Uniforms can be ordered by copying this URL into your web browser:http://www.logoxpres-schoolwear.co.uk/Kirkriggs-PS/

Or alternatively by contacting - 01786 447454

Pupils should wear grey trousers/skirt/pinafore to school.

It is important that pupils come prepared to learn and for PE this requires appropriate clothing. All jewellery should be removed. Pupils who are not participating in PE must have a note to say why they should not participate.

The PE kit is: T- shirt or school polo top Grey/Black shorts Gym shoes

There are forms of dress which are unacceptable in school, such as items of clothing which:• potentially, encourage factions (such as football colours);• could cause offence (such as anti-religious symbolism or political slogans);• could cause health and safety difficulties, such as loose fitting clothing, dangling earrings;• are made from flammable material for example shell suits in practical classes;• could cause damage to flooring;• carry advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco; and• could be used to inflict damage on other children and young people or be used by others to do so. Under no circumstances will children and young people be deprived of any educational benefit as a result of not wearing clothing conforming to the school’s dress code policy.

Clothing and Footwear Grant

Parents/Carers receiving Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), Working Tax Credit (with a total annual income of less than £15,050*), Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Benefit will normally be entitled to monetary grants for footwear and clothing for their child or young person. Approval of any requests for such grants made by parents/carers in different circumstances is at the discretion of the Executive Director. Information and

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application forms may be obtained from schools and from Grants Section at Education headquarters.Information and application forms may be found at: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17885

Glasgow City Council is concerned at the level of claims being received regarding the loss of childrens’ and young peoples’ clothing and/or personal belongings. Parents/Carers are asked to assist in this area by ensuring that valuable items and unnecessarily expensive items of clothing are not brought to school. Parents/Carers should note that the authority does not carry insurance to cover the loss of such items and any claims submitted are likely to be met only where the authority can be shown to have been negligent. Please put your child’s name on every piece of their clothing.

School Meals

Kirkriggs does not have a cooking kitchen so lunch is provided by John Paul II Primary School. Special diets can be arranged where medical conditions dictate this. We need a letter from a dietician to confirm the special dietary requirements. The menu offers a daily halal option. Packed lunches can be taken in the school dining room at lunch times. We are unable to heat food in the school which has not been ordered by catering staff. Dinner money should, where possible, be sent for the week on a Monday. The cost of school meals are £1.90 per day or £9.50 per week. Children within Primary 1- 4 are entitled to a free school meal as part of the Scottish Governments’ ‘School Meals’ policy.We also offer a breakfast club for children for £1 a day, but this is free for all children who receive a free school lunch.

Children and young people of parents/carers receiving Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit (where income is less than £6,420) and Child Tax Credit only (where income is less than £16,010*) are entitled to a free midday meal. Information and application forms for free school meals may be obtained from schools and from Grants Section at Education and Social Work Services headquarters.https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17885

Drinking water is available in the dining hall and throughout the day and pupils are actively encouraged to take it. Pupils are discouraged from

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drinking diluting / fizzy juice.

We are a health promoting school and therefore discourage the children bringing in biscuits, sweets or chocolate to eat during school hours.

Transport

GeneralThe Education Authority will normally provide free transport to all pupils who attend an Additional Support for Learning (ASL) School. This policy is more generous than the law requires and means that the provision of transport could be reviewed at any time.

Pick Up PointsWhere free transport is provided it may be necessary for children to walk a certain distance to the vehicle pick-up point. It is the parent’s / carer’s responsibility to ensure that their child arrives at the pick-up point in time. It is also the parent’s / carer’s responsibility to ensure the child behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in and alighting from the vehicle. It is expected that no child/young person with additional support needs will be on transport for more than one hour.

Placing RequestsThe education authority does not provide transport for those children in receipt of a placing request other than in individual exceptional circumstances and where appropriate legislation applies.

The children attending Kirkriggs usually travel to school on a school bus or taxi, but older children may be given a travel pass for public transport with their parent’s consent. Those children who live near the school may be supported to become independent travellers.

Traffic Management System14

The children are brought to and from school by bus and taxis. In the morning the children are delivered to the front entrance and escorted to the front door by the escorts. They are not allowed to enter the school building until 9am.

When children leave the school at 3:00 pm, their escort is on the bus already having escorted the younger children onto their respective buses. The rest of the children are supervised by a member of the senior management team standing at the front door.

The speed limit within school gates will be 5mph and must be adhered to. Buses and taxis must not move until:

a) all children are on board and are strapped in

Independent travellers should arrive and leave by side gates using footpath and should not cross car park area.

It is important to adhere to all of the above since it is everyone’s aim to ensure the Health and Safety of all at Kirkriggs.

Transfer from Primary to Secondary School

Children are normally transferred between the ages of 11½ and 12½ so that they will have the opportunity to complete at least four years of secondary education. In a child’s Primary 6 year, their multi-agency review will focus on transitions. It will be discussed at that meeting the possible schools which a child may apply for. Parents will be given the opportunity to visit the schools and they will be invited in for another meeting before October of their child’s Primary 7 year. At this meeting, all the professionals involved with a child and their parents will agree on which provision they would like to apply for. The paperwork will then be submitted in December to Children and Young People’s Services to be discussed at a CIG meeting around February. Decisions about secondary placements will be sent to parents from Education Headquarters.

Children from our school could transfer to: Their local Mainstream Secondary School Holybrook Additional Learning Needs Secondary School Other Specialist Provisions e.g. Complex Learning Needs Secondary

Schools.

Links will be established with the appropriate Secondary provision to ensure a

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smooth transition for all pupils. Kirkriggs School has excellent links to many local schools and works in conjunction with them to support the transfer of pupils.

Communication with Parents

At Kirkriggs School we use a variety of ways to keep in touch with parents.

Open door policy – the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) are available for all parents and carers at any time providing they are not teaching or in another meeting. Please phone for an appointment.

Home-school diaries –are used to sustain lines of communication between home and school, particularly for those pupils who cannot carry information between the two places. Diaries are not in operation for all children after Primary 3.

Headteacher Vlog- will be posted monthly via our social media sites to keep parents informed about the work of the school.

Letters – further information which requires a response may be sent out in letter form, including permission slips and important information. It is essential that you return these to the school as soon as possible if action is needed.

School App – will be where any important messages or notifications will be posted that occur throughout the school day along with Twitter.

Twitter – will be where to find information and events. Follow us @KirkriggsPS

Facebook – is where we post generic information and access can be made to our closed Family Learning Group. Search for @KirkriggsSchool

School Website – We have a school website that contains essential information about the school and up to date events and news. Please access this at:

www.kirkriggs-pri.glasgow.sch.uk

School Blog – We have a school blog which staff regularly update to showcase

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the work going on in our school. This can be accessed at: www.kirkriggsschool.blogspot.co.uk/

Meetings – Parents and carers are welcome in the school to discuss any aspect of their child’s development and progress. Please make an appointment by phoning the school. There are various opportunities throughout the year when parents can discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher and view their child’s work such as parents’ nights and review meetings. There are also “Share the Learning” afternoons every term when parents can come and join their child in class for an hour and learn with them.

Parents and carers are welcome at other events throughout the school year e.g. workshops, class performances, religious and other assemblies. The school newsletter and website will keep you informed.

Data Protection – Use of information about children and Parents/Carers

We collect information about children attending school (and also about parents/carers, emergency contacts, etc. provided in the annual data check) to allow us to carry out the Council’s functions as the Education authority for the City of Glasgow. This may sometimes involve releasing personal information to other agencies and other parts of the Council, particularly in relation to child protection issues or criminal investigations, and it may also be used for research purposes (see the link below for more details regarding this)

Information held by the school is, in legal terms, processed by Glasgow City Council. The Council is registered as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998 (number Z487 1657) and all personal data is treated as confidential and used only in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the Information Use and Privacy Policy approved by the City Council. For more information on how we use personal information, or to see a copy of the Information Use and Privacy Policy, seewww.glasgow.gov.uk/privacy

Appointments During School Hours

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If your child has an unavoidable appointment, please give them a letter for their class teacher and then collect them from the school office at the specified time. It is important that your child returns to school after a morning appointment.

Comments and Complaints

In Kirkriggs School we aim to have positive relationships across our school community. However, if you have a comment or complaint about any aspect of school life, please contact Denise Laverty the Headteacher in the first instance.

Glasgow City Council Complaints procedures are available at:www.glasgow.gov.uk/educationcomplaints

Customer Liaison UnitEducation ServicesGlasgow City CouncilCity Chambers East40 John StreetGlasgowG1 1JL

The above website also includes information on Data Protection and freedom of information.

Accessibility Strategy for Kirkriggs School

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Physical Access: Kirkriggs is a single story school with a ramp access to enter the school. The school is fully wheelchair accessible. The main playground provides a smooth, safe surface for anyone with mobility issues to access. The school has changing facilities which include a disabled toilet, hoists and an accessible showering area.

Communication: The school offer on request any interpreters for meetings to ensure that all parents are fully included in any discussions about their child. Meetings are held within the school and the room chosen to hold meetings is wheelchair accessible if required.

Curriculum: The curriculum is adapted to suit the needs of every child and we use a variety of strategies to ensure that all children can access the curriculum. These strategies include Boardmaker symbols, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Makaton signing, differentiated working and active learning. Lessons are all taught using a child’s preferred learning style and real life contexts where possible.

Staff Development: Staff are kept updated on the latest legislation on disability and inclusion. We are fully committed to developing staff in all aspects of inclusion and regularly train staff in different forms of communication and learning and teaching approaches. Staff are very experienced in working with children who have additional support needs and we have annual staff reviews to identify each staff member’s training needs.

Curriculum

Curriculum for Excellence 3-18

Curriculum for Excellence has been introduced to raise standards of learning and teaching for all 3 to 18 year olds. It aims to prepare children and young people with the knowledge and skills they need in a fast changing world. As part of Curriculum for Excellence, all children from pre-school to the end of S3 will receive a rounded education known as a Broad General Education (BGE).

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Curriculum for Excellence is all about bringing real life into the classroom and taking lessons beyond it.

Through the experiences we provide at Kirkriggs School, we want our children to become Successful Learners, Confident Individuals, Responsible Citizens and Effective Contributors. We are committed to providing children with a Broad General Education and focus on eight curriculum areas.

Expressive Arts Health and Wellbeing

Languages Mathematics

Religious and Moral

Sciences Social Subjects Technologies

Progress in learning is indicated through curriculum levels as detailed below:

Level StageEarly The pre-school year and P1 or laterFirst To the end of P4, but earlier or later for someSecond To the end of P7 but earlier or later for someThird and Fourth S1 to S3 but earlier for some

Expressive Arts

Kirkriggs School has a very active programme in Expressive Arts. We have visiting specialist teachers in Kodaly Music. Music and Drama are currently being taught through our interrelated topics using the experiences and outcomes from the Curriculum for Excellence for that area. The inspiration and power of the arts play a vital in enabling our children to enhance their creative talent and develop their artistic skills.

Health and Wellbeing including Physical Education - PE (2 days)

A Curriculum for Excellence has combined the areas of personal and social development and health as well as PE to form health and wellbeing. Learning in Health and Wellbeing ensures that children and young people develop the knowledge, understanding and skills which they need now and in the future to help them with their physical, emotional and social wellbeing. We approach

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the teaching of this area in a very practical, real life way which every child is able to relate to. We enhance the teaching of this area through visits where possible e.g. health centre, dentist, and we use active learning.

Health and Well Being (HWB) involves looking at all aspects of health including road safety, personal hygiene, keeping safe, relationships and health promotion. It also covers all aspects of personal development which includes using Circle Time to help the children explore issues and express their feelings. Circle time allows every child to express themselves which develops their self-esteem and self-confidence.

In line with Glasgow City Council Policy, we teach a full sexual health programme using the pack Sexual Health and Relationships Education in which our staff have been trained.

Science

Science and its practical application in healthcare and industry is central to our economic future, for our health and wellbeing as individuals and as a society. We teach science as a discrete area in order to help our children to experience scientific experimentation and to develop scientific enquiry skills. We also set our learning in real life contexts where possible to allow our children to connect their learning to everyday situations.

Social Subjects

Through Social Subjects, children and young people develop their understanding of the world by learning about other people and places both past and present, societies, their beliefs and values. Social subjects are taught along with other areas of the curriculum such as technologies to help our children see connections between subjects. We emphasise sustainability in our topics and we try to ensure that children can relate their learning in different contexts.

Religious and Moral Education

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Religious and Moral Education includes learning about Christianity, Islam and other world religions, and supports the development of beliefs and values.

Literacy and English

Listening and talking is an integral part of the school’s focus. Our staff use simplified language, symbols and other forms of communication such as Makaton signing and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to communicate effectively with pupils. We also use Board maker symbols to aid understanding and communication.

In Reading we work hard to encourage interest in and enjoyment of books from the earliest stages through the use of picture stories, Nursery Rhymes and story tapes. The reading scheme used in the school is Oxford Reading Tree (ORT) and Project X which includes fiction and non-fiction materials. Staff personalise reading for the children and use photographic books in the early stages. Children are encouraged to use class, school and local libraries and to research books for reference as well as reading for pleasure. We very much hope that parents will play an active part in supporting this work.

As well as developing letter formation and handwriting through developmental activities, structured programmes such as Foundations of Writing and ’Write from the Start’ (Teodorescu) are used, as well as more informal activities such as painting and picture stories. The use of ICT is encouraged to support all pupils in the development of their writing.

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Programmes such as Clicker 6 and Early Essentials are used at various stages throughout the school. The children are encouraged to develop both their ICT skills and language skills by using the internet for research, word processing and using a variety of different software packages. We also use the Smart Board for interactive learning in literacy and English.

Numeracy and Mathematics

Mathematics equips us with the skills we need to interpret and analyse information, simplify and solve problems, assess risk and make informed decisions. The curriculum incorporates Number, Money, Measurement, Information Handling, Problem Solving and Shape, Position and Movement. We use an active learning approach which focuses on real life, using catalogues and shop outings to develop money skills, and we use contextualised learning where maths is taught through a particular topic. We use the Smart Board to promote the learning of mathematical concepts in an interactive way.

Technologies including Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The school has a great variety of Technology resources which are used to involve the pupils in experimentation and problem solving. As technologies are part of our interrelated topics, often the children are involved in creating models and objects which are topic related.

ICTPupils are encouraged to develop their skills and understanding of ICT through a structured programme within the school and we regularly assess the children’s individual progress. This programme incorporates word processing, using pictures and sound and creating art work on the PC. The school currently has a PC and a Smart board in every classroom which is online and is part of a managed network service. Each of these computers has a wide range of software installed to support learning and teaching. This includes Clicker 6, Early Essentials and Switch It resources. From Primary 1 through to Primary 7 these resources are used to support all areas of the curriculum as well as developing each child’s skills in our fast changing ICT world. Due to the ever developing nature of ICT, all staff are constantly undergoing further training in its use. The school has set up a small ICT suite to develop this important area even further. We also use pieces of

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augmentative and alternative communication equipment such as recordable buttons and talking picture albums to assist pupils with their communication as required.

There will be opportunities throughout the year for parents and carers to learn more about aspects of the curriculum and to be consulted about significant changes if appropriate.

Useful websites: www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/index.asp

Religious Observance

We have six religious observances throughout the session which are in line with Glasgow City Council’s Religious Observance policy. Parents are invited to these sessions. Our school is fortunate to have a close link with the local church. The minister assists with the Christianity element of Religious and Moral Education and provides opportunities for religious observance. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from religious observance and should inform the school in writing. Parents and carers from religions other than Christianity may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school in order to celebrate recognised religious events for no more than 3 occasions per year.

Assessment and Reporting

All children are assessed both formally and informally throughout the year. This allows children and their teachers to identify their strengths and areas for development. A variety of assessment methods are used to enable staff to pass on information to parents about the progress of their child. Our assessment of children is in line with the national guidelines and promotes the use of make, say, write and do. Assessment records are kept by the class teacher and form the basis of discussion at parents’ evenings in September and March. An annual report is sent to parents towards the end of each school year. We also discuss a child’s progress at their annual review meeting during which our wellbeing plan for a child is shared.

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All our assessments inform our next steps in each child’s learning. The senior leadership team monitor the progress of children regularly through a tracking system, forward plan meetings and a robust calendar of peer visits and classroom visits. We have assessment structures in place throughout the curriculum to ensure that every child is reaching their maximum potential in all aspects of their school life. We will use formal and informal assessments with pupils when they are ready to move from one stage to another. If you have any concerns about your child’s progress do not hesitate to contact the school.

Pupil Profiles

Every child leaving school in Scotland has their key achievements in school, at home and in the community documented within a P7 profile. The content of the profile is decided by the young person. The profile is a positive record of their achievements and emphasises their strengths. The profile provides a valuable way for learners to share valuable information about their achievements with their parents and teachers in secondary school.

Support for Pupils

The school has a duty to ensure that all pupils have equal access to the curriculum, with appropriate support for their needs if required. This applies to the content of lessons, teaching strategies and minor adaptations to the school environment. There are a wide range of factors which may act as a barrier to learning. We are committed to working closely with parents and carers to ensure that they are fully involved in any decisions about support for their children’s needs.Any parent or carer seeking further advice regarding this policy should contact the Headteacher, Denise Laverty, in the first instance.Further information relating to additional support needs is available on the Glasgow City Council Website:www.glasgow.gov.uk/additionalsupportneeds

Information on the Glasgow City Councils’ Parental Involvement Strategy can also be found at: www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articled=8642

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Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)

The GIRFEC approach is about how staff in all children’s services meet their full needs by working together where necessary to ensure that all children reach their full potential.www.scotlang.gov.uk/gettingitright

GIRFEC outlines 8 wellbeing indicators which we use to assess children’s needs and achievements as part of a Wellbeing Plan: safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, responsible, respected and included.

CHILD WELFARE & SAFETY and CHILD PROTECTIONAll educational establishments and services must take positive steps to help children and young people protect themselves by ensuring that programmes of health and personal safety are central to the curriculum and should have in place a curriculum that ensures that children/young people have a clear understanding of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour on the part of another person, no matter who.

As with other areas of the curriculum, you will be kept informed of the health andpersonal safety programme for your child/young person’s establishment.Educational establishments and services must create and maintain a positive ethos and climate which actively promotes children and young people’s welfare and a safeenvironment by:

• Ensuring that children and young people are respected and listened to• Ensuring that programmes of health and personal safety are central to thecurriculum• Ensuring that staff are aware of child welfare and safety and protection issuesand procedures• Establishing and maintaining close working relationships and arrangementswith all other agencies to make sure that professionals collaborate effectivelyin protecting children and young people.

Should any member of staff have concerns regarding the welfare or safety of anychild or young person they must report these concerns to the head of theestablishment. The Head, or the person deputising for the head, after judging that

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there may be grounds for concern regarding the welfare or safety of any child oryoung person must then immediately advise social work services of these concerns.

Please note that Mrs Laverty is the Child Protection Coordinator

School Improvement

On an annual basis, you will receive a copy of our Standards and Quality Report. Copies from our previous years are available on our school website. The Standards and Quality report highlights progress in key curricular areas such as literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing (HWB). In addition to this, the school produces an Education Perspective Report for the Authority which parents can access if they ask for a copy or look online at our website. Parents are regularly consulted as part of our self-evaluation process as are the children, staff and other agencies. The results of these consultations inform the aforementioned reports and also impact on our future priorities for improvement. Our priorities for improvement are detailed in our Establishment Improvement Plan which is discussed with our Parent Council. Parents are sent out our key priorities in a booklet format once a year. Any parent or carer seeking a copy of the plan can contact the school office or check out our website.

Promoting Positive Behaviour

Children’s rights as outlined in UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) are fundamental to a good school ethos. Adults in our school will work with children to ensure they are aware of their rights and fully respect the rights of others. We are currently undertaking the Rights Respecting Schools programme to become accredited as a Rights Respecting School. Therefore, the approach within Kirkriggs School is to build a positive ethos that demonstrates care and respect for all. Positive behaviour is recognised and celebrated. Our school operates a values system and one where pupils set their own targets on personal learning plans. We also use a traffic light system to encourage expected behaviour and to let children earn back golden time with positive behaviour. This is celebrated through golden time activities, awards at assemblies and certificates.

The school promotes Positive Behaviour and Positive Relationships through a 27

nurturing approach in line with GCC Guidelines. If a child displays challenging behaviours in school, we work in consultation with parents to create a positive behaviour plan for the child and we put strategies into place. In general, children are expected to behave well at all times. Where this is not the case, a variety of sanctions are used such as time out with a sand timer, missing out on outside play, missing treats and losing some golden time. Parents are asked to co-operate with the school in encouraging a sense of responsibility and good behaviour in their children. If parents have any queries regarding any incidents they should contact the school immediately.

BULLYING

Bullying behaviour will not be tolerated within Glasgow City Council’s educational establishments. All children in Glasgow’s educational establishments have an entitlement “to work (and play) in a learning environment in which they feel valued, respected and safe and are free from all forms of abuse, bullying or discrimination” (A Standard for Pastoral Care in Glasgow Schools).

All establishments are required to record any incidents of bullying in school. Parents and carers have a significant role to play in helping to address the issue of bullying. We have a high level of staff present in the playground and any incidents or issues which arise in the playground are dealt with immediately by the Senior Leadership Team.

Home Learning

Continuing to learn at home helps children to achieve more and is a vital part of our partnership with parents. Please check your child’s schoolbag for communication about home learning and specific tasks. A copy of our home learning policy is available on the website and on request from the school office.

HomeworkHomework is set by class teachers. The school recognises the vital role which the home plays in children’s learning and development. Parents are encouraged to support their child’s learning by taking an active interest in homework, helping children with reading and co-operating with any suggestions class teachers may feel to be appropriate and signing work on completion. The homework set for your child will reflect their age and stage of development. Termly, parents are given a homework information sheet which outlines what your child is learning in all areas of the curriculum, so that parents can opt to do more homework with their child.

Parents who wish to raise any issues concerning homework may do so with their child’s class teacher at one of the regular Parents’ Evenings or reviews. The school policy on homework is available on request.

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Parent Council

We have a newly established parent council at Kirkriggs. We have a very active Parent Council that represents the views of all parents. All parents are welcome to attend Parent Council meetings and can become members at the AGM.

Pupil Council / Committees

We have a Pupil Council, made up of one member from each class in the school who was voted in by their peers. This is an important group which ensures that the views of children are heard. We also have other citizenship committees in different areas of school life who also are involved in decision making for the school. Pupil voice is an important aspect of life in Kirkriggs School and we are constantly seeking new ways of involving our children more in the life and work of the school.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The children have a number of different agencies working with them throughout the year on activities such as hip hop, sports star challenges and specific multi sport training. We are very involved in all sporting events for the pupils which include cross country, boccia and swimming. One of our

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Support for Learning Workers runs an after school club on a Wednesday for Boccia in addition to a club for children in the school on a Thursday. Many of our children go to COJAC after school club in Castlemilk and some go to ASL swimming lessons and Horse Riding.

Useful AddressesMaureen McKenna, Service Director Education Education ServicesCity Chambers East Building40 John StreetGlasgow, G1 1JLTel: 0141 287 2000www.glasgow.gov.uk

Although this information is correct at time of printing, there could be changes affecting any of the matters dealt with in the document:a) Before the commencement or during the course of the school

year in question;b) In relation to subsequent school year.

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