Birdham CE Primary SchoolProspectus 2014-15

ContentsWelcome to Birdham School.............................................................2Welcome from Birdham School Governors........................................3School Values and our ECO-code......................................................4Sustainability at Birdham School......................................................5Staff and Governors........................................................................6The School Day and Term Times.......................................................7About our School.............................................................................8Including: Our Building Outdoor Classroom

Food Technology base The Eco-friendly poly-tunnelWithin our school grounds Our Children

Joining Our School.........................................................................12Including: Age on Admission Home Visits

School Visits Secondary SchoolTransfers

School Uniform and Equipment......................................................14Including: Physical Education Mobile Phones

Jewellery Promoting Good HealthThe Birdham Charter.....................................................................16Including: SafeguardingHome School Communications.......................................................17Including: Sharing Assembly Website Banner

FPTA E-mailsMonthly Newsletter Notice Boards

Our Church....................................................................................18Extra-Curricular Activities and Our Clubs........................................19Including: Educational VisitsWhen your child is unwell..............................................................20Including: Medicines

Nut Allergy & AnaphylaxisAbsence Policy and Requests for Absence......................................21School Curriculum.........................................................................22Including: English Special Educational Needs

Mathematics Residential VisitsScience Sex Education Physical Education ECO TeamReligious Education School CouncilHomework Monitoring Progress

What to do if there is a problem.....................................................29School Results...............................................................................30Classes ........................................................................................31

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Welcome to Birdham CE Primary School

On behalf of all the staff and pupils at Birdham School we offer you a warm welcome.

This prospectus has been designed to give you a broad introduction to our school. We are all proud of Birdham Primary School and we celebrate the achievements of all our pupils.

We care desperately about the quality of teaching and the quality of learning that takes place under our direction.

We place great emphasis on the working partnerships between our governors, teachers, parents and children and we strive to maintain close links with the local community.

Should you be reading about us before or after a visit to our school and require further information then please do not hesitate to get in contact with me. We are only a telephone call from setting up an appointment.

Please also visit our website on:

www.birdhamprimary.co.uk

Mr Mark McCaddenHEADTEACHER

Birdham CE Primary SchoolCrooked LaneBirdhamChichesterWest SussexPO20 7HB

Tel: 01243 512399

Fax: 01243 513453

E-mail: office@birdhamprimary.co.uk

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Welcome from Birdham School Governors

Our Church of England (Controlled) Primary School has developed a strong Christian ethos which is shown in many physical ways as you enter our School and in the way governors, staff, parents and children all care for the well-being of one another. The School has close links with St James’ Church, Birdham, where I am a lay minister.

Caring, friendliness, encouragement and high expectations have always mattered in our School where every pupil is nurtured and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We are very fortunate to have a superb school setting which is enabling the School to be a leader in teaching the children what it means to live in an Eco friendly environment.

We Governors are extremely proud of the consistently high standards achieved by our children and which are recognized by the Ofsted Inspectors. We know we have a talented and dedicated staff team led by Mark McCadden, we thank them for all their hard work and for giving the School stability, love and devotion.

We look forward to the future with real confidence and we warmly welcome you to our school.

Joyce HensonChairman of the Governing Body

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School Values“Working together for our children’s future” is our motto. We strive hard at Birdham to ensure this is a reality and as such we have nine values which underpin all our work:

AchievementRespect

ResponsibilitySustainability

LoveFriendship

CompassionHonesty

Perseverance

Our Eco code is equally important and we ask all children, staff and parents to support its ethos, where at all possible:

Sustainability at Birdham School4

“Working together for our children’s future”Our school operates a culture of sustainability which underpins everything we do and in 2009 it was awarded the “Teaching Awards Distinction” as the most sustainable primary school in the SE of England. It was also judged to be the national winner “Inspirational School KS2” EDF Energy Awards for Greener Schools.

Our ECO-CENTRE is unique in that it demonstrates sustainability in action. Its cloakroom harnesses rain-harvesting, solar-thermal and micro-generation technologies so the children literally are “Going Green to Spend a Penny”.

Our children are taught to respect the natural environment and many curriculum activities are powerfully supported within the school grounds. They are routinely involved in the collection of re-cycled materials and in the monitoring of energy and water in order to minimise wastage.

The school maintains a policy of supporting local businesses and procuring locally where it is at all possible.

Our aim is to prepare young people for a lifetime of sustainable living through our teaching, fabric and everyday practices.

The school is guided by a commitment to demonstrate care for:-

ourselves (health & well-being) others (across cultures, distances and generations) the planet (both locally and globally)

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Staff and GovernorsTeaching StaffMr Mark McCadden MA(Ed), BSc (Hons), PGCE, NPQH Headteacher

Mrs Rebecca Coren BA (Hons), PGCE PPA teacherMrs Andrea Farrell BEd (Hons), MA(Ed)Deputy HT and Year 1/2 Mr Christian Flaxbeard BSc (Hons), PGCE Year 4/5 teacherMrs Shirley Keal Cert Ed Music teacherMiss Julia Lowe BEd (Hons) Year 2/3 teacherMs Suzie Power BA (Hons), PGCE Year 5/6 teacherMrs Jenny Quest BEd (Hons), Cert Ed PPA teacherMrs Stephanie Treagust BA (Hons), QTS Year R/1 teacher

Teaching AssistantsMrs Elaine EmerickMrs Christine HenryMrs Sue Manning (P/T)Miss Rochelle NapperMrs Wendie WestwoodMrs Anna Wright

Support StaffMr Peter Barton CleanerMrs Lesley Hall SecretaryMr Mark Holcombe Premises OfficerMrs Tracey Holcombe LibrarianMrs Vanessa Noyce Lunchtime Supervisor Mr Richard Pledger Bursar

GovernorsMrs Joyce Henson CHAIRMAN, LA

Mrs Lorraine Barth ParentMr Michael Chater, OBE FoundationMrs Andrea Farrell StaffMr Keith Langmead Co-OptedMrs Sally Lillywhite Co-OptedMr Mark McCadden HeadteacherReverend Jim Mould FoundationMr David Owen Co-OptedMrs Charlotte Reed ParentMrs Amanda Shepherd ParentReverend Jonathan Swindells Ex OfficioMrs Wendie Westwood Staff

Mrs Veronica Ferguson Clerk

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The School Day8.50 School starts & registration9.00 First Lesson10.35 - 10.50 Break12.00 Lunch13.00 Afternoon session registration13.05 First Lesson14.30 - 14.45 Break for Key Stage 1 children only15.10 School ends

Term Times 2014 - 2015

AUTUMN TERM 20143rd September – 19th December 2014

HALF TERM27th - 31st October 2014

SPRING TERM 20155th January – 27th March 2015

HALF TERM

16th – 20th February 2015

SUMMER TERM 201513th April – 22nd July 2015

HALF TERM25th – 29th May 2015

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ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Birdham CE Primary School is located in an attractive rural setting. Our spacious school building has the added advantage of being surrounded by a rich natural environment that operates as an outdoor classroom. The main building itself was significantly extended in 2009 with a series of additional rooms and a new access corridor to create a working environment that is well equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Our Building and its EquipmentOur five well equipped classrooms are of above average size enabling us to fully support the wide range of activities undertaken within the curriculum. They are all located within the main building complex with easy access to the school hall. Each classroom has its own bank of PCs plus laptops capable of accessing the internet and is equipped with an interactive whiteboard. In addition, each class has regular use of a mobile wireless network covering 18 laptops. The reception classroom has its own all weather covered extension to support sand and water activities and all the Key Stage 1 children have their own dedicated playground and play equipment.

The hall itself is fully equipped with foldaway apparatus, staging and a dedicated theatre lighting system. The complete history of the school can be traced through our “Birdham Tapestry” that proudly hangs along the width and length of the hall. This splendid piece of artwork was created by the children over a sustained period of four years.

As well as carrying a very large stock of fiction and non-fiction books our library has its own ICT base and quiet study area. It operates along similar lines to the County Library. All the books have been entered onto an electronic management system and most can be taken out on loan by children. All the classes have regular access and support from our part-time librarian and its use is strongly encouraged.

Children find books from the library

Food Technology Base

The covered activity area attached to Red Classroom

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Within their curriculum the children have opportunities to undertake practical activities relating to food preparation and hygiene. As an organisation with National Healthy School status we powerfully promote the culture of ‘grow it, cook it and eat it.’ All our classes benefit from a dedicated teaching base that is complete with electrical appliances, lower level fitted units and sinks. The children regularly undertake a range of cooking activities that are linked to the Christian calendar.

Within our School Grounds

The school maintains a covered outdoor learner swimming pool beside the KS2 playground. It has its own boys’ and girls’ changing rooms and the water is heated by solar panels. This facility is used frequently during the peak swimming period with all the children swimming up to two times a week, as part of their additional PE curriculum. The glazed pool cover extends the swimming season from May through to October.

The Outdoor Classroom

An unique outdoor classroom consisting of four interactive learning zones has also been created within the school grounds. Along part of our northern boundary we have created an Oxbow lake conservation area that is a haven for wildlife. It contains an animal hide that overlooks an oxbow lake, a small island and a separate small pond for safe pond dipping activities. These features are linked by bridges and wooden decking, and the children themselves were heavily involved in the construction programme.

We also have an organic garden with its raised vegetable beds and a paved maze. As part of their science activities the children in Key Stage 2 maintain and tend the produce and often harvest and cook them in our food technology base. The children also generate their own compost by combining used paper towels with the natural waste produced through the fruit and vegetable scheme (i.e. apple cores and banana skins).

The School also has its own reproduction thatched Saxon roundhouse, complete with a medieval garden. This ambitious project is the culmination of a highly successful team effort by the children of Yellow class, under the direction of teacher Mr Christian Flaxbeard. With expert guidance

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the children developed their skills in wattle and daub techniques to create a living history project that is a powerful learning tool for children of all ages across the school. The oxbow lake conservation area The raised vegetable beds

In 2012 the supportive Friends and Parents Teachers Association (FPTA) raised enough funds for the school to install a fabulous three–level Tumble Tower for children to play on, which complements nicely our KS1 trim trail.

The School Council names the new equipment the Tumble Tower

The school is also fortunate in possessing a large playing field that accommodates a football pitch, athletics track, and rounders pitch. A netball pitch has been marked out on our Key Stage 2 hard playground. In support of recreational activities we have a play mound and tumble tower (pictured above), a ball-kicking wall, a submerged sail-boat and numerous quiet seating areas around the playground.

The grounds additionally have an Outdoor Stage area to promote drama and the Birdham Port decked structure to promote interactive play.

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The Eco-Friendly Poly-Tunnel

This Lottery Funded initiative called ‘Growing produce under cover,’ was launched in 2010 with the aim of encouraging children and their families to grow their own food at home and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. It is unique in that it is supported by a growing environment that harnesses the renewable technologies of rain-harvesting and micro-generation, with the advantage that it is not

totally dependent on the outside weather conditions.

Our Children

The children are the most important people in this school. Our beliefs and values - in fact everything we do - is centred around them. Our aim is to strive to give them the very best education which will help them to:

become happy, independent learners with lively, enquiring minds read and research acquire and use language, numbers and the skills, concepts and

knowledge relevant to their lives develop the ability to question and argue rationally understand themselves, their physical, emotional and spiritual needs respect and mix easily with the other members of their family, school, the

nearby church, the local community and the world at large understand how individuals and groups depend on each other make sense of their own environment, and to compare it with the wider

world.

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Joining our SchoolBirdham Primary is categorised as a voluntary controlled school and its designated area extends to Itchenor in the north west, Wophams Lane to the north east, Sidlesham Lane to the east and Bookers Lane, Earnley to the south. Admissions to our school are the responsibility of the Local Education Authority and applications must be made through their office at:

Education Office (South)Pupil Admissions OfficeCentenary HouseDurrington LaneWorthingWest Sussex BN13 2QB

Telephone: 03330 142 903

Email: admissions.south@westsussex.gov.uk

Under the Education Act parents can express a preference for any school including those located beyond their designated area. For its part the LA is required by law to make every effort to meet this parental preference where it is at all possible. Parents do not however have a right to choose a school other than state a preference for a particular establishment. Further information about how places are allocated in schools within the County, is contained in the Authority's information for Parents booklet, which is available from the school office or the LA at the above address.

We fully appreciate that the above process can be quite daunting particularly for parents seeking a school for their first child. Like you we want the best for your child and we suggest that you visit the school before making your decision in writing. Please remember that we are only a telephone call away and Mrs Lesley Hall in the school office is available to make appointments to see the Headteacher.

Telephone: 01243 512399

Email: office@birdhamprimary.co.uk

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Age on Admission

We operate a system of September admission with the option to defer until the following January depending on the child's social, emotional and cognitive development. In line with the Admissions Code (West Sussex), parents have the right to choose whether they wish their child to start full-time or part-time, subject to the caveat that children are receiving full-time education in the term following their fifth birthday.

Our over-riding aim is one of ensuring a smooth transition that is tailored to the needs of your child. Clearly many factors need to be taken into account at this important time and we are here to offer guidance and support that is based on proven experience.

School Visits

The headteacher and governing body encourage all children and their parents to visit Birdham School to see what school is really like, to ask questions and to discuss any matters with the headteacher. Do please ring and arrange an appointment to see round the school and meet the staff and see the children at work.

Transfers

Parents with children who have just moved into the area or those seeking a transfer from another school should get in touch with the headteacher as well as contacting the Education Office in Worthing. Parents and children are again encouraged to come and see Birdham School for themselves.

Home Visits

Home visiting is the first step towards creating a purposeful and lasting home school relationship between you, the parent, your child and the school.During the term before your child starts school, your child's teacher will make contact and arrange a convenient time to visit you at home. The purpose of the visit is to help your child to feel at ease meeting his or her new teacher and teaching assistant in familiar surroundings. It will also provide an opportunity to hear about school life, to ask any questions and to raise any concerns you may have in private.We know that you want the best for your child. So does the school. We hope that this meeting will be the start of a long and happy partnership where we all work together for the best interest of your child.

Secondary School

Children from Birdham School usually transfer to either Chichester High School for Boys, Chichester High School for Girls, Bishop Luffa Church of England School, Chichester or The Academy, Selsey. Birdham School liaises very closely with all the secondary schools, and our pupils are visited by teachers from the secondary schools. Towards the end of the summer term the year 6 pupils visit their new secondary school for an induction day.

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School Uniform and EquipmentThrough consultation with parents we have adopted a smart school uniform. We believe that wearing a school uniform is important. It gives our children a feeling of pride and a sense of belonging to an effective learning environment. It has advantages in that it provides all the children with the same standard of dress and helps to avoid the rivalry associated with "designer labels". It also enables our teachers to readily identify Birdham children when they are on school outings.

Royal blue sweatshirt, Royal blue T-shirt for PE and Royal blue sun hat and fleece. Also available cardigans and raincoats.All bear the school name. They can be ordered or bought direct from the school office depending on stock.

White blouse/shirt or white polo T-shirt with school name available from office.

Grey trousers or skirt White or grey socks Black sensible shoes - NO TRAINERS or ABOVE ANKLE BOOTS Summer dress: blue and white stripes/checks Lightweight rain coat with school name available from school

office.

Physical EducationAll children take part in PE and it is important they have suitable clothing. Elasticated plimsolls for Key Stage 1 children are a great help. A T-shirt and white or navy shorts/leotard will be required for games. Weatherproof sports shoes/boots will be needed for outdoor team games such as football and netball (netball skirts may also be worn). When our pool is open a one piece swimsuit or trunks and swimming hat and towel will be required. PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING CLEARLY.

JewelleryThere are West Sussex County Council regulations which prohibit the wearing of any kind of earrings, ear studs, watches, rings, neck chains, bangles etc during PE lessons or other organised physical activities. The only exceptions to these regulations might be the wearing of religious or cultural jewellery (when the County Adviser for PE should be consulted) or when it is justified on medical grounds e.g. when a pupil has only recently had an ear pierced in which case plaster tape may be used to protect the ear.

Please discourage your child from wearing jewellery in school as it does not form part of our uniform. It can also cause unpleasant injuries and can be easily lost.

Mobile PhonesParents are kindly reminded that mobile phones are NOT to be brought into school by pupils as they can be a distraction and in some cases can jeopardise the health and safety of pupils. This is not negotiable.

Promoting Good Health

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All Birdham School pupils benefit from the National Fruit & Vegetable initiative. Every child receives a free piece of fruit/vegetable for their morning break with the school subsidising children in KS2, as the national scheme only covers KS1. As part of our drive to promote healthy lifestyles we ask parents to try to cut out crisps and chocolate in their child’s lunch box. The children are encouraged to drink fresh water throughout the day and access is provided by water fountains including a water cooler unit based in the main corridor. Our school is proud to have gained both the Investors in Health, and National Healthy School Accreditation as a centre for promoting good health.

We will continually seek your support for a range of health promoting initiatives including the School’s Travel Plan, to reduce traffic congestion both at the start and end of the school day. The school operates a Free Safety Tabard Scheme to all pupils whose parents agree to sign up to our initiatives which support healthier and sustainable ways to travel to school. More information about this scheme can be obtained from the school office.

The school provides a hot midday meal service for pupils. It has proved extremely successful and a large number of children are benefiting from this facility. The cost of a meal is £2.25 and all meals are pre-booked by parents to the supplier, Chartwells, directly. A sample menu and other information is available from the school office or via Chartwells website – www.mealselector.co.uk The school has been awarded a ‘Food Hygiene Rating’ of 5, the top grade, by Chichester District Council.

A meal prepared by children from Environmental club

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The Birdham CharterAs caring parents I know that you appreciate the importance of promoting high standards in pupils' attitudes, values and personal development as a framework to support their learning in all areas of the curriculum. Within our Birdham Charter we have clear guidelines that define our behaviour expectations with the emphasis firmly on acknowledging the children's rights and responsibilities. It stresses the importance of human values such as honesty, courtesy, friendship and consideration of others at all times. It seeks to reinforce the commitment to ensuring that learning takes place unhindered within a safe and secure environment and clearly outlines the sanctions that could be applied to an individual whose actions jeopardises the education and welfare of others.

Each autumn we distribute a copy of the Birdham Charter to all our pupils. We continue to review and refine our expectations of pupil behaviour as part of the process of raising achievement. We also powerfully support the notion that the child needs to know the difference between right and wrong behaviour and should clearly know from the onset what will happen in cases where the identified inappropriate behaviour is repeated. To this end we have clarified our procedures as BEHAVIOUR STEPS. This procedure is displayed throughout the school.

To complement the Charter we have our Home School Agreement and this is also distributed to parents in the autumn term. We urge all parents to sign the document as a means to reinforce the partnership between us to enable your child to reach his/her full potential.

"THE BEHAVIOUR STEPS"

1) The child will be told what they are doing wrong - a verbal warning is given.

2) If the behaviour is repeated he/she will stand by the teacher for five minutes and the behaviour is logged in a book. Continued misbehaviour will result in the child being sent to the Deputy Head.

3) If the child's name is entered in the book three times in any one week, the child is automatically sent to the Deputy Head for a Wednesday morning's detention.

4) Should the behaviour still persist, the child is sent to the Headteacher and if appropriate the parents will be contacted. THE FULL RANGE OF SANCTIONS WITHIN THE CHARTER WILL APPLY.

SafeguardingKeeping all of our children safe is always a priority, and our Charter is used to reinforce positive behaviours at all times. All staff that work with children have the appropriate CRB checks (now called the Disclosure and Barring Service), and these records are kept in the Single Central Record as required by law.Home – School Communications

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At Birdham we seek to involve parents in every stage of their child's learning. In addition to the termly parent consultation evenings parents are welcome to consult the class teacher or the Head if they have any concerns, please feel that we are approachable. We welcome parental involvement in classroom activities and regularly have support with reading, cooking and needlework. Some of our parents also accompany our teaching staff on class outings.

Sharing AssemblyMany of our parents join us in our weekly Sharing Assembly where we publicly celebrate the achievements of individual children and share their work. This takes place every Friday at 9.05am and usually lasts ½ hour.

Friends and Parent Teacher AssociationWe have a very enthusiastic Friends and Parent Teachers Association and over the years they have loyally supported the children in providing many additional resources. All new parents automatically become members of the FPTA and we are always keen to recruit new committee members. If this is of interest to you then please see the Headteacher.

Monthly NewsletterSo that we can keep parents up to date with achievements and improvements to the school, we produce a monthly newsletter, featuring recent photographs of school events and trips, key dates and some of our school achievements.Archive copies are on our website and hard copies are available from reception.

Website Scrolling BannerYou may have seen across the top of our website, a scrolling banner with useful information on it. We use it to keep parents advised of changes to the school day that may affect their children. One of the most common things we put up there, for example, is any changes to an after school club.

E-MailsTo keep up with our school’s environmentally friendly ethos, we strongly encourage parents to sign up to our school email system. This ensures that letters don’t get lost in book bags and that school know that parents will have received a copy of the communication.

Notice BoardsAttached to the outside of the school, on the way into the playground are three large notice boards. These are utilised for school information, community information and one is used by the FPTA to advertise school events. A little further into the playground and you will find notice boards used by the after school environmental club with some of their colourful displays.

Our Church Birdham CE Primary School is a controlled primary school and as such has foundation members of the Governing Body who are chosen by the Chichester Diocese. The school has close links with St James’ Parish Church in

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which we hold at least one service a term. Our Year 6 pupils also take an active role in the annual Leavers’ Service held in Chichester Cathedral.

Members of the Parish regularly lead our collective worship and takes a very active role in community liaison. Our Parish Church also supports the children's curriculum activities, for example within their historical and geographical studies of Birdham as a settlement. For their part a significant number of pupils both past and present, are actively involved in the life of the church including its youth activities.

Our children also take part in the annual art exhibition that is held in the church. In 1998 our year 5/6 children designed their own stained glass window based on the imagery of the East Window in the church and now hangs proudly in our school entrance hall and was dedicated by the Right Reverend Eric Kemp, Bishop of Chichester. Every half term the headteacher submits an article about our school to the Parish News, a church magazine that serves the communities of Birdham, Itchenor and West Wittering.

Pupils’ work on display in the annual “Art in the Aisles” exhibition, St James’ Church

Extra-Curricular Activities and Clubs

Throughout the year there are many opportunities for the children to take part in a range of activity clubs. In the last year these have included:

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Archery, Art, Chess, Choir, Drama, Dance, Football, French, Guitar, ICT, Judo, Musical theatre, Netball, Recorders, Rugby, Rock and Pop, and Environmental club. During the summer months we include Athletics, Cricket and Swimming.

Opportunities also exist for additional tuition with musical instruments via the county peripatetic teaching programme. As many of the clubs are operated by teachers on a purely voluntary basis we request that all prospective members demonstrate their commitment with regular attendance. On occasions where absence is necessary we expect to receive advance notice.

Gold Medal winners from our Triathlon day

Educational Visits and Charging

Educational visits play an important role in supporting our children's learning. Often visits will be local, but there will be occasions when we have to travel further distances and then transport and admission costs are incurred. The cost of educational visits will always be kept to a minimum and under legislation all schools are obliged to ask for contributions rather than dictate a price.

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We are reliant upon parents' good will - if there were insufficient contributions then the visit might not take place. Clearly if a parent has a financial difficulty in meeting the contribution towards the trip then we request that they contact the Headteacher who will be able to offer help and advice. It is a school policy that no child should miss a valuable learning experience on the grounds of financial hardship.

When Your Child is UnwellIf your child becomes unwell during the school day they will be cared for by our Support Staff. The school will then contact parents by telephone if it is felt that the child should be sent home.

In an emergency situation it is vital that we can contact you. Please make sure you have given us your up to date telephone details including home, work and mobile numbers.

If your child is suddenly taken ill and requires immediate hospital treatment then a member of school staff will take him or her directly to hospital, having first tried to keep you informed of the situation. A member of staff will stay with your child at the hospital until you arrive.

MedicinesWe have drawn up clear guidelines on the administration of medicines and a copy of our ‘First Aid and Medicine in School Policy’ can be obtained at the school office. Please do not hesitate to contact the Headteacher if you have any concerns regarding health issues. We are here to help.

If your child has asthma then clearly they MUST have immediate access to their inhaler. These are kept in the school’s Medical Room and are available at any time during the school day under staff supervision. However, as a general rule, the school is UNABLE TO ADMINISTER antibiotics, analgesics and drops of any kind.

Nut Allergy and AnaphylaxisAs we have pupils who suffer an acute reaction to nuts, we are attempting to operate a nut free environment. We therefore request that parents do not supply their children with packed lunches or snacks that contain nut substances please. Do you need to mention other allergies e.g. eggs?

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Attendance Policy and Requests for Absence

Birdham School is working together with all the schools in the Chichester area to promote good attendance. Good attendance is celebrated in our school and rewarded with bronze, silver and gold certificates. At the end of the school year we award the certificate that reflects the whole year’s attendance.

If your child is absent from school for any reason it would be appreciated if you would telephone us and then send a short note of explanation when the child is well enough to return.

Children are only allowed to leave school early to attend appointments if they are collected by a parent or guardian. Children will not be released into the care of friends or neighbours unless the school has received written instructions from the parents beforehand.

All schools in the County are in receipt of the above document and a copy of which can be viewed by parents on request. The LA is clear in its guidance to schools and amongst its key principles it sets out to "promote the highest possible individual achievement across a broad range of educational opportunity … which means, among other things, to ensure that registered pupils attend school regularly and punctually".

This document stresses the importance and enormous benefits that regular school attendance brings to pupils. All the schools in the County are charged with the task of encouraging parents to ensure that their child does not unnecessarily miss out on educational opportunities by non-attendance. This clearly has implications with regards to future requests for pupils seeking holiday leave in school time.

In line with all schools in the Chichester locality, week long holidays in term time are not authorised as this clearly impacts upon a child's academic performance. There will always be some exceptional circumstances requiring parents to take leave in term time and approval for such leave can only be given at the discretion of the Headteacher. Any request will need to explain clearly why it can’t be undertaken within the 175 days per year when children are not in school.

All schools are required to forward an annual return to the DfE stating the actual percentage of all authorised absences. Schools are also required to be in receipt of a written explanation from parents to cover all pupils’ absences and at Birdham School we continue to seek your support for this. We are required by law to keep a register of school attendance. Our attendance figures for the year 2013/14 were:

Unauthorised Absence 0.46%Authorised Absence 3.31%Attendance 96.23%

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School CurriculumWe follow the National Curriculum programmes of study. They are divided into Core Subjects: English, Mathematics and Science; and Foundation Subjects: ICT, History, Geography, Art, Music, Design Technology, Physical Education and Religion Education.

Our school website gives a fuller description of the curriculum that we teach at Birdham CE Primary School. Click on the green Curriculum pencil from the home page for more details: Birdham school curriculum

EnglishWe involve the child in a wide range of cross-curricular activities as well as specific work designed to expand ability to communicate as a speaker, a listener, and a writer. Our pupils are encouraged to listen and concentrate in order to understand the spoken word. They are given opportunities to talk expressively, fluently and with confidence, in a variety of situations, both individually and as part of a group. They also take part in a range of drama activities within the curriculum and this has been enhanced through the construction of the outdoor stage.

When reading they are shown the paramount importance of finding enjoyment and understanding from the wide range of quality literature provided in the classroom and the school library. We have a core reading scheme that is textually graded to serve the whole range of ability. Our children are encouraged to read books at home on a regular basis. We have a reading rota of parents in school and we believe that their contribution is very important. A reading record book is used by staff and parents to monitor the child's progress.

As reading develops, writing skills are systematically expanded to enable the child to write expressively and sensitively through creative prose and poetry,

and to record accurately and concisely using accepted language structures.

The skills of handwriting, spelling and correct use of punctuation are taught in the context of the child's own writing and through structured exercises. Children are also taught to raise the quality of their work by the process of re-drafting. A reading bag is presented to all new reception pupils who join the school. It also contains the pupil’s bar-coded library card enabling them to access an extensive range of fiction and non-fiction books.

Children admiring a sarcophagus at the British Museum

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Mathematics

Birdham has always followed the National Curriculum and any strategies recommended by central government. We teach mathematics daily throughout the school in order to encourage the child to enjoy it as a means of investigating real-life situations and to develop the numerical and practical skills on which to build for increasingly complex activities.

Activities focus on the ability to calculate numbers and understand the concepts of problem solving, shape, space and data handling. The work is supported by the Abacus mathematics scheme. Where possible, it is integrated with cross-curricular work, in particular scientific, historical, geographical and technology investigations.

Every classroom throughout the school is fully equipped with an extensive range of resources and this includes an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) in every teaching base. The IWBs powerfully support both numeracy and literacy sessions along with all other areas of the curriculum.

In 2012 the Basic Skills Agency renewed the school its “Quality Mark” accreditation for its approach in supporting the children’s teaching and learning.

In their practical activities the children are given instruction in the correct use of apparatus and equipment. They are taught as a whole class, in ability groups and on an individual basis, depending on the nature of the tasks set. In every class the emphasis is placed strongly on the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Part of our school's mobile wireless network of laptop computers

Science

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Children are encouraged to investigate the world of science with increased knowledge and understanding. They are given challenges to encourage them to organise their thinking in order to make sense of their own world. By using a range of materials they are able to develop practical skills and procedures for problem solving and evaluating results in order to qualify their understanding.

In the early years the child's natural curiosity is extended through observation and discussion. Competencies are developed which will lay the foundations for progress according to the National Curriculum programmes of study for science.

Much of the work is integrated into cross-curricular themes, but separate lessons focus on specific areas of work at later stages. Careful recording is encouraged as the child develops, including the use of the Information Technology resources in the school. Our pupils also undertake Science related practical activities within the school grounds and have the added benefit of being able to access the full resources of the Eco-Centre.

Physical Education

Our children are given a variety of opportunities to develop both as individuals and as part of a group or team. These encourage the development of skills in the use of small and large apparatus, in playing games as well as in movement.

Enjoyment, control, co-operation and understanding of the need for physical exercise to maintain a healthy life are built into the child's learning. As the child's skills increase,

organised games, - for example football, netball, rounders and basketball are taught. There are opportunities for some of these to be shared with other schools, particularly within the Manhood Peninsula. In the summer months all children are given swimming lessons in our learner pool.

The curriculum is also enhanced through utilising specialist teachers from local secondary schools, funded by the sport premium. Last year we had gymnastic and dance support for all year groups, and entered a variety of inter school sporting competitions.

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Religious Education

It is recognised that Religious Education has a special place in the National Curriculum. As a Church of England (Controlled) School, particular attention is given to the children's understanding of other faiths in the light of their Christian beliefs and values.

Special reference is made to the place of Christianity in the traditions and cultures of our society. The West Sussex Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education is used for lessons. A thematic approach is adopted which includes religious issues so that skills, knowledge and understanding of the major religions in today's society are also acquired.

In the classroom children are encouraged to develop attitudes of caring; responsibility for themselves and others and an understanding of the Bible and the way it can make a contribution to their personal beliefs and attitudes. The classes are led either by the class teacher or (after discussion with the school staff) a visiting speaker.

There is an act of worship each day either as a whole school assembly or in the child's classroom. This is led either by a member of staff or sometimes by a visiting speaker. The school holds a service in the Parish Church once a term, and the Rector of Birdham regularly visits the school to lead collective worship.

Any parent wishing to withdraw their child from assemblies or RE lessons is asked to contact the Headteacher who will then make all the necessary arrangements.

Part of the stained glass window in school created by Y5/6 children

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At Birdham School we believe that learning is a process that extends beyond the school day. So there will be times when it is most appropriate for the children to undertake some study at home.

Children in Key Stage 1 are asked to take their reading books and reading record home on a regular basis along with spellings and work from the Impact Maths. Children in Key Stage 2 will also take home reading books and subject-linked work that directly supports the class activities being undertaken at the time.

Language and mathematical tasks, including spellings and tables, will be a prominent feature of the homework. An over-riding principle of homework is that it should be reinforcing and consolidating the class work and not introducing new concepts. The homework should also not exceed three hours per week for our oldest pupils. The school is able to supply blue homework bags at a cost of £5.00.

We strongly encourage parents to regularly read with their child. We also welcome support from parents to join our reading rota.

Special Educational Needs

The school has adopted all the guidance given by West Sussex and follows the agreed Special Needs Code of Practice supported by them. A copy of this Code is available at school from our Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

We aim to provide an environment of respect, encouragement and support in which children feel secure and in which individual differences are valued. We aim constantly to monitor children in order to identify special needs as soon as possible and to provide appropriate support where possible. We recognise that all children have an equal right to experiences which will help them to grow in intellectual, social and physical skills, as well as moral understanding.

The Code ensures that teachers and or parents can express concern over a child's progress and, after assessment, help can be given. Initially this is usually through increased differentiation within the child's normal classroom work. It may mean adapting a teaching approach, methods or materials to meet the needs of a particular child.

In later stages help can be provided by a specialist teacher and consultants from other agencies. At all stages parents are involved and kept informed. Parents are encouraged to work in partnership for the benefit of their child. Our aim is to foster a close relationship with parents, enable effective monitoring and provide updated reports of the child's progress.

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If you have any concerns relating to the provision of Special Needs then please contact the SENCO or Headteacher.

Residential Visits

We operate a residential visit to the Isle of Wight on a bi-annual basis for Year 5 and 6 children in Yellow and Blue classes. As well as visiting one or two places of significant historical importance, e.g. Osborne House, the children spend a week participating in outdoor adventurous activities at the Kingswood Activity Centre. The week also places great emphasis on developing Personal, Social and Health Education skills with the children as part of the school curriculum.

Sex Education

Our Y5 & Y6 pupils undertake a Sex Education programme of study. The emphasis of sex education is strongly set within the context of a long term, meaningful relationship in adulthood. The importance of a loving family, caring for one another and the sanctity of the body is taught from the earliest years. The teaching and focus is on the development, birth and growth of the baby within the loving care of the family.

At first children's questions will be answered briefly and then more formally and in greater detail, helping children to understand the place of sex in the world around them and to understand how their bodies function. During sex education lessons the teacher will endeavour to create an atmosphere in which children:

feel comfortable, trusted and supported feel able to contribute support each other express their feelings

We will involve parents of years 5 and 6 children by letting them know the content of our Sex Education programme so that they can support their child at this time. Our policy has been compiled using the West Sussex Sex Education Guidelines as a framework.

Eco-Team

We also have an active Eco-team that consists of pupil representatives from each of the five classes. This team meets termly throughout the year and it has been the driving force behind the range of sustainability initiatives that shape

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our daily culture. The team also advise the class monitor, responsible for all our recycling schemes. The school has maintained its ECO Schools award for over 10 years.

School Council

We have established a school council where pupil representatives from years 2 - 6 meet on a half term basis to discuss issues. A teacher is in attendance to oversee proceedings and to assist the pupils in recording their minutes and contributing to the debate. The council fulfils an important role in representing the pupil voice in a range of issues that affect the children directly. To date it has been very proactive and many of its suggested improvements to enhance the school environment have been acted upon and developed within good practice.

Monitoring the Children’s Progress

Parents are always welcome to contact their child's class teacher or the Headteacher if they have any concerns, as well as attending the formal consultation evenings that operate throughout the three terms. A detailed annual report is sent home at the end of the academic year.

We keep individual records to show the child's progress against the Nationally Agreed Benchmarks of the different subjects of the National Curriculum. A record of achievement with samples of the child's work is kept and added to and this also helps to form a profile of pupil progress.

Towards the latter part of each Key Stage (i.e. in Y2 and Y6) the children undertake formal testing using National Curriculum materials and the results of the 2014 tests are published as an appendix in this prospectus. These tests together with regular Teacher Assessments enable us to effectively monitor the children's progress. We analyse the data gathered from our formal tests as an indicator for future performance when setting our annual targets of achievement.

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The

school was proud to be presented with the “Most Inspirational KS2 Award for 2009” by television presenter Gethin Jones.

What to do if there’s a problemIn the event of any concerns relating to the curriculum or any school related matter we would request that in the first instance that parents immediately contact the school. We do value the partnership with parents and despite the fact that all teachers have many commitments within the school they are very approachable and will often see parents at relatively short notice. If your concern relates to a wider school issue than please make contact with the Headteacher. His door is rarely closed to parents unless there is a meeting taking place. If a parent is not satisfied with the response after exploring both of these channels there is a clear procedure that has been drawn up by the LA and this is available from the school office.

Come and See Us

If, after having read this prospectus you are in any doubt about anything it contains or have any questions, do not hesitate to phone the school for another appointment.

Our Headteacher is always busy, but he nevertheless aims to operate an "open door" policy as much as possible. If a parent has concerns, he has concerns. He is just a phone call away.

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School Results Key Stage 1 - 2014This table shows the percentage of eligible children at the end of Key Stage 1 achieving each level in the school in 2013. The number of eligible children is 22.

Each child represents nearly 5% of the total score for the cohort although this figure is rounded up to the nearest whole number, (which explains why some totals may not equal 100%).

RESULTS OF TEACHER ASSESSMENT

Percentage at each level

W 1 2+ 2B+ 3 Disapplied children

Pupils absent

Reading 5 9 86 82 32 0 0

Writing 5 5 90 77 18 0 0

Mathematics 5 0 95 91 32 0 0

W represents children who are working towards level 1, but have not yet achieved the standards needed for level 1.

Key Stage 2 - 2014These tables show the percentage of pupils in the school at the end of Key Stage 2 in 2014 achieving each level. The number of children who sat the end of the Key Stage tests is 21.

Each child represents 5% of the total score for the cohort although this figure is rounded up to the nearest whole number, (which explains why some totals may not equal 100%).

TEST/TA RESULTS 2014

Percentage at each National Curriculum Level

L2 L3 L4+ L5 L6 Pupils absent

English (TA) 0 0 100 43 0 0

Reading (Test) 0 0 100 43 0 0

Writing (TA) 0 10 90 24 0 0Spelling Punctuation and grammar (test) 0 19 81 52 0 0

Mathematics (Test) 0 10 90 52 14 0

A view of our classrooms, Red, Orange, Green, Yellow and Blue

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Mr Michael Pye, Lead Inspector, Ofsted wrote:

“You told me that you enjoy school – I saw this for myself! Your very good attendance levels also show this. Well done! I especially liked the way you show respect for each other and the adults. You behave very well and take seriously the responsibilities you get – I liked the way the

recycling monitors at the end of the day do their work quietly but efficiently. You obviously enjoy the work you do regarding the

environment. You also told me that you feel very safe in school and you have an excellent understanding of how to stay healthy and safe”.

Ofsted, May 2012

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