prospectus 2013

LinakerPrimary Schooland Children’s Centre

Prospectus2013 - 2014

From The Headteacher . . .Choosing your child’s primary school is one of the mostimportant decisions you will ever make. We will do ourbest to make you and your child feel at home. At Linakerwe strive to provide a stimulating, secure and rewardingenvironment within which each child will flourish. Webelieve that each child is unique, having differentstrengths and personalities. We recognise this and aim toprovide a learning community in which each child willachieve their very best.

A warm welcome to Linaker

Primary Schooland Children’s Centre

Linaker is a school committed to excellence in all that wedo. We believe that fostering creativity and developingexcellent ICT skills are important if a child is to succeed inall their areas of learning. We believe in a broad andbalanced curriculum where learning is seen as somethingexciting and exhilarating.

In addition to being a primary school, Linaker alsoprovides Children’s Centre services for the middle andnorth of Southport, through our Children’s Centre andoutreach centres. This means that as well as everythingyou would expect from a school we are also able to offer :early education and child care, family support, child and

family health services, support for children and familieswith special educational needs, plus links with JobCentrePlus and Sefton Children’s Services.

Our recently refurbished facilities and significantinvestment in learning resources makes us a school wellpositioned to educate and care for children in the 21stCentury.

We look forward to welcoming you to our school andchildren’s centre.

Colin ColemanHeadteacher

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Our Mission StatementWe believe in :

! strong families

! embracing and celebrating diversity

! achievement for all

! the balance of rights and responsibilities

! accountability

! enjoyment for all

We achieve each of these through both what we do andhow we do it, each underpinned by excellence.

Our Core PurposesAspiration – the desire for all to aspire to be the person

they can be

Inspiration – to provide inspiration for all those that wework with

Motivation – to achieve well in all that we do

What Ofsted said on their 2010 Inspection:

“Linaker Primary School and Children's Centre is a good school.Pupils' learning in lessons and their progress over time are goodas a result of good teaching. ”

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The School DayAlthough we offer both full day care and wrap around care,the school’s core hours for education are as follows:

Nursery ClassSession Start Time Finish Time

Morning 8.30am 11.30am

Afternoon 12.30pm 3.30pm

Children attend either morning or afternoon sessions.(Only those children in full time day care in our Children’sCentre will be entitled to full time Nursery education)

Governors The school’s governing body comprises of theHeadteacher, teaching and non-teaching staff, SeftonChildren’s Services representatives, parents andcommunity nominees. Each member is appointed for afour year period. An up to date list of governors can befound on our school website : www.linakerschool.co.uk

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Reception, Key Stage 1 and 2Session Reception and Key Stage 2

Key Stage 1

Morning Session 8.55am - 11.55am 8.55am - 12.15pm

Afternoon Session 12.55pm - 3.10pm 1.10pm - 3.15pm

School UniformWe have a uniform at Linaker, because we feel that itencourages the children to develop a sense of belongingand a sense of pride in their school.

Infant and Junior Girls! Grey skirt, pinafore dress

! Grey smart school trousers

! White blouse and school tie

! Purple / lilac and white gingham dress for summer

! Purple school sweatshirt

! Purple fleece


“Strong drive and clear vision characterise the leaders andmanagers of the school. Some aspects of leadership andmanagement are outstanding, such as developing partnerships,involving parents and carers and promoting communitycohesion.”

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Infant and Junior Boys! White shirt with school tie

! White polo shirt for summer

! Purple school sweatshirt

! Grey shorts or trousers

! Grey or white socks

! Black shoes

! White school T-shirt and black shorts and pumps forPE

! Trainers may be suitable for outdoor games

Pump bags are available from school. All children arediscouraged from bringing large sports bags into schoolfor safety reasons.

! White or grey socks, black, grey or white tights

! Black school shoes - Shoes should not have high heelsas these prove a health and safety hazard

! Summer sandals should be white, navy or black andsuitable for school

! White school T-shirt and black shorts and pumps forPE

! Trainers may be suitable for outdoor games

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CurriculumOrganisationWe believe in the promotion of basic skills delivered in aninnovative, lively and creative cross-curricular way.

Linaker has a strong academic tradition, seeking toprovide a broad, well-balanced and structured curriculum,including;

Core Subjects :! English ! Mathematics! Science! Information and Communications Technology

JewelleryChildren are not allowed to wear jewellery in school, forhealth and safety reasons. Pupils are only allowed to weara wristwatch and a pair of plain stud earrings. However,on the grounds of health and safety, even studs areunsuitable for PE and are not allowed during swimming orPE lessons.

HairChildren are encouraged to wear their hair in a suitablemanner for school. Hair should not be extreme in style.This includes colours and logos. Children are encouragedto wear school coloured hair accessories only.

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Foundation Subjects:! History

! Geography

! Music

! Art

! Physical Education

! Design and Technology

! Religious Education

A further strength of the school is the importance placedon the themes of Personal, Social and Health Education,Equal Opportunities, Citizenship and EconomicAwareness.

Our school is part of the Healthy Schools Project andrecently received its Healthy Schools Status.

All learning experiences are carefully planned to includesingle subject teaching and teaching through structuredthematic work. Year groups follow a scheme of work foreach subject.

Children are grouped by age in mixed ability classes. Amixture of class, group, paired and individual teaching isemployed, each being used selectively and flexibly.Children are grouped within classes in ability or socialgroups, depending on the activities to be undertaken.Children in years 4, 5 and 6 may also be grouped by ability

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Sporting Aims Linaker is committed to providing a wide range of sportingopportunities for it’s pupils. These are provided throughboth the formal curriculum and our wide range of extracurricular activities.

Arts Policy Linaker is very committed to ensuring that all of ourchildren have access to an exceptional arts curriculum.The school has a very successful drama club (whoregularly perform at Southport’s Arts Centre), holds anannual Arts Festival (visit www.linakerartsfestival.co.uk)and is a centre of excellence for the teaching of strings.Unusually, we also have a school orchestra and widerange of additional arts activities available for pupils.

for Maths and aspects of English. These practices allowus to monitor children’s progress and ensure they makegood progress.

Emphasis is placed on the teaching of literacy andnumeracy. The school is committed to providing acurriculum that is interesting and motivating. Thispromotes positive attitudes towards learning.

The school administers standard tests and non-statutorySATs (Standard Assessment Tests) for literacy andmathematics in Y3, 4 and 5. Teacher assessments areregularly carried out throughout the school. At the end ofeach key stage, children take the National SATs asrequired by law. The school’s performance in the lastacademic year can be found at the back of thisprospectus, or alternatively on the school’s website. Theseare published annually by the government in December.

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InformationTechnologyLinaker is very much ahead with it’s provision fortechnology. All our classrooms offer multimedia interactiveteaching. The school provides wireless connectivitythroughout and children in Year 5 and 6 are issued withiPads to support their learning both in school and athome. Our younger children make use of state of the artcomputer facilities. The school is exceptionally wellresourced in relation to IT and has a high level ofattainment. In 2012 the school was the regional winner ofthe National Primary IT Awards and was also placedsecond nationally, ahead of thousands of other UK primaryschools.

Sex EducationThe school has a policy for Personal, Social and HealthEducation, which includes Sex Education. This is setwithin a moral framework and is presented in the contextof family life in its widest sense, of loving relationships andrespect for others. All materials used within the school,including the videos shown to Y5 and 6 children, areavailable for parents to view. Parents are welcome todiscuss any aspects of this area of their child’s educationwith the Headteacher.

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At Linaker, we hope to develop in our children a respectand understanding of major world religions. The right ofparents to withdraw their children, under the terms ofSection 25 of the 1988 Act, are safeguarded.

Religious EducationReligious Education is provided in accordance with the1988 Education Reform Act. The aim of ReligiousEducation is to develop a respect for religion as asignificant dimension in human experience and anexpression of what people find of value in that experience.We aim to involve our children in a process which will leadthem to mature in relation to their own patterns of belief,while recognising the religious and cultural diversity ofcontemporary society.

Most of our assemblies are of a broadly Christiancharacter, reflecting the traditions of Christian belief.Other assemblies reflect the multi-faith nature of oursociety. In this way we hope to develop our children’sunderstanding and respect for their fellow citizens.


“Pupils' achievement, enjoyment and learning in lessons aregood overall. Pupils listen attentively, answer questions eagerlyand derive satisfaction from applying their skills, for example tocalculate shopping bills in Year 2 and writing imaginatively inYear 4. Pupils respond well to challenges such as provingmathematical rules in Year 6.”

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Special EducationalNeedsThe Special Needs of children are met through appropriatemonitoring and assessment. Provision for children withSpecial Needs is made by the school, wherever possibleworking in partnership with parents and taking account ofthe child’s wishes.

We recognise the special needs of gifted children withinLinaker. We strive to ensure that the quality and provisionof teaching and learning matches their ability in order thatthey may fulfil their potential.

Children with a Statement of Special Need in mainstreamclasses are given additional support according to theirneeds. Those children with learning difficulties areassisted according to their needs by the school andSefton LA support services.

The school is in contact wherever necessary with otheragencies such as the psychological and medical services.Linaker has two teachers and a governor withresponsibility for special needs.

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world and to learn about different cultures and countries.In recent years these students have been from as far afieldas Poland, Turkey and Sweden.

As a school we also teach Spanish and Mandarin tochildren in Key Stage 2. Our Spanish is taught by ForeignLanguage Assistants, who are in their own rights ‘nativespeakers’. These are qualified teachers who are brought tothe UK to teach their own language via the British Council.

In addition, each year Year 6 children have the opportunityto visit China and take part in activities with our partnerschool, Long Menhao Primary School.

The school is a holder of the prestigious InternationalSchool Award. You can find out more about ourinternational dimension by visiting www.linakerglobal.info.

International LinksLinaker is committed to helping its pupils develop ‘globalawareness’. We achieve this through having links withschools all over the world – from China to India to Ghanato Canada. Each year the school has Comenius Studentsfrom one of the European Community countries. Thesestudents held our children to develop a wider view of the


“Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities in theresource unit and classrooms make good progress towardschallenging targets. Increasing numbers of pupils who speakEnglish as an additional language benefit from intensive support.This enables them to master English quickly and paves the wayfor particularly good progress in other subjects.”

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The school takes a pro-active, positive approach todealing with bullying, addressing both prevention andreaction issues. We believe our children are entitled toreceive their education in a safe and secure environment.

It is hoped that through our Behaviour Agreement andCode of Conduct, every member of the school communitywill be aware of and support our approach to thisfundamental area of school life. Parents are fully involvedin all aspects of discipline.

School DisciplineThe school promotes a caring ethos. Children and staffwork together with a friendly and positive way within a calmand secure atmosphere. High standards of behaviour areexpected and self-discipline is a goal for each child.

We endeavour to promote and encourage excellentbehaviour through a variety of means, immediate praisebeing one of the most effective. We expect our pupils tobehave in a responsible and acceptable manner both insideand outside school.

While occasional disagreements between children areconsidered normal, physical and verbal aggression areunacceptable at all times. Persistent misbehaviour mayprevent children from being included in club membership,representing the school in matches or inclusion ineducational visits.

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School PoliciesIn addition to the areas identified above, the schoolpublishes policies on a wide variety of subjects. Copies ofour current policies are available for free download on theschool’s website, or alternatively are available uponrequest from the school office (on payment of the agreedfee). Policies available include :

! Freedom of Information! Complaints! Curriculum Policies (e.g. handwriting, maths)! Teaching and learning! Assessment and Monitoring! Comprehensive Admissions Policy! Child Protection! Behaviour! Homework! Race Equality

HomeworkParents are regarded as Partners in all aspects of theirchildren’s education. Homework is an important element inthis. A clear Homework Policy and Home School ReadingDiary enables parents and teachers to work together.

Children at Linaker are encouraged to continue and developwork from school at home. This may be in the form ofreading, spelling and mathematical tasks. They may also beasked to follow up, in their own time, assignments onschool-based topics.

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Many opportunities are available in the Children’s Centre forparents to develop skills, try something new or just chat tosomeone with a listening ear. Why not call the centre fordetails of what is going on or download a programme ofactivities from our website.

Parents are invited to support within classes. In fact, it isthrough this particular partnership that our children are ableto enjoy a wide variety of additional activities.

We have a number of formal occasions when parents meetwith teachers to discuss their child’s progress. However,parents are welcome to see teachers at any mutuallyconvenient time.

We have a number of fundraising opportunities throughoutthe year for which we warmly welcome the support andparticipation of parents.

All children have individual curriculum targets, which arenegotiated each half term. These targets are shared withparents.

Children’s successes in and outside school activities arerecognised at school and often form the basis for furtheractivities within school.

Copies of the school’s Homework policy can be found onthe school’s website.

Parental PartnershipLinaker is committed to a firm belief in the importance ofparental partnership. We believe that partnership results inhappy, enthusiastic and high achieving children.

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Extra CurricularActivitiesWe are proud of the wide range of extra curricularactivities provided at Linaker. The school is regularlysuccessful in bidding for National Lottery Awards.

During the year our clubs may include; Mandarin,Photography, Football, Cricket, Art, Drama, Netball,Hockey, Judo, Ju Jitsu, Gymnastics, Homework, Art,Dance, Choir, Recorders, Brass, String and Woodwindtuition.

Visits to places of interest reflecting curriculum studies arearranged by members of staff. These visits support workin class and give valuable first-hand experiences forchildren. Children in Year 6 enjoy a residential visit to anadventure centre.

School CouncilLinaker recognises the importance of pupil’s opinions andviews. The school has an elected School Council (membersare elected by classmates) which meets regularly each term.The Council represents pupils and puts forward news ideas,suggestions and ways of solving problems.

Charges forEducational VisitsThe Governors have adopted the Local Authority policy oncharging for educational visits. Parents are invited tomake voluntary contributions to cover the cost of visitswhich take place in school time. Without this parentalsupport, such visits could not take place.

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Employment & Training Support : advices e and supporton returning to work, information about training andeducation, guidance in accessing employment

And much more – give us a call or visit our website formore details

Children’s CentreLinaker is a designated Department for EducationChildren’s Centre. This means that we are able to offer awider range of support services than most primaryschools do. In 2010 it was awarded a grading of‘Outstanding’, the one in Sefton to have achieved it.Services provided include the following :

Healthcare and Family Support : advice in pregnancy,information on healthy eating and safety in the home, helpto stop smoking, speech and language support, parentingclasses and support groups

Childcare : daycare (5 days a week, 10 hours a day, 48weeks per year), early education, support and services forchildren with special needs or disabilities, qualified andfriendly staff, bright and modern facilities


“Teaching is good, and underpinned by effective use ofassessment data to provide activities that are usually wellmatched to pupils' different learning needs. Increasingly goodprovision in the Early Years Foundation Stage enables children tomake a good start.

The good curriculum provided for older pupils enables them tobuild securely on earlier learning and enjoy their time in school.

The quality of childcare provided by the school before and afterschool is outstanding.”

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School Meals : The school now runs it’s own school meals service. Themeals offered are fresh and nutritious. Menus are availableon the school’s website. For the current price contact theschool office.

Snacks : We are a school committed to encouraging healthy eating.Children in Key Stage 1 are provided with free fruit and / orvegetables every day. Children in Key Stage 2 may onlybring fruit or vegetables to school – no sweets, crisps ordrinks.

General Information :Absences : Being in school is important if children are to receive thevery best standards of education. The Department forEducation states that a 95% attendance level in a schoolyear is the expected minimum. If for any reason your childis not attending school then you should contact the schoolat your very earliest opportunity by telephoning 01704532343 (24 hour service) and leaving your child’s name,class and reason for absence on the answerphone. Whenyour child returns to school this should be confirmed witha letter. Children returning to school after illness should beclearly fit to do so and free from infection.

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Water : It is widely acknowledged that drinking water regularlyimproves performance. Water dispensing machines areavailable throughout the school. Children are activelyencouraged to drink water throughout the day. Childrenwill require a water bottle with a ‘sports top’. Drinks otherthan water are not allowed to be brought into school.

Smoking : Smoking is not allowed by law anywhere on schoolproperty.

Medicines : Schools do not have to accept responsibility foradministering medicines to children. The decision is at thediscretion of the Headteacher. In the main, children whoneed medication to help them recover from an illnessshould not return to school until they have completed theircourse. Parents wishing to request permission from theHeadteacher will need to complete a form which isavailable on the website or from the school office.


“Behaviour is good and often exemplary in lessons and pupilssay that bullying is rare, and dealt with promptly by adults. Thisis why exclusions are very uncommon. .”

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Spring Term 2014Inset Day Monday 6th January

Term Starts Tuesday 7th January

Half-term Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February

Term Ends Friday 4th April at 1.30pm

Summer Term 2014Term Starts Tuesday 22nd April

May Day Monday 5th May

Half-term Monday 26th May to Friday 30th May

Inset Day Monday 2nd June

Term Ends Wednesday 23rd July at 1.30pm

Holidays 2013/14Autumn Term 2013Inset Day Monday 2nd September

Term Starts Tuesday 3rd September

Inset Days Thursday 17th & Friday 18th October

Half-term Monday 21st to Friday 25th October

Term Ends Thursday 19th December at 1.30pm

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Statutory AssessmentTests The most recent SATs results can be found onthe school website: www.linakerschool.co.uk


“They make an excellent contribution to the global communitythrough links with schools in three continents, which is reflectedin their impressive cultural awareness.

All other aspects of pupils' spiritual, moral and socialdevelopment are good. Most pupils have secure literacy andnumeracy skills, good information and communicationtechnology (ICT) skills and a clear grasp of their next steps.

These factors ensure a sound preparation for the future.”

Linaker Primary School and Children’s CentreSefton Street • Southport • Merseyside • PR8 5DB

School:! 01704 532343 " [email protected]

Children’s Centre:! 01704 532343 " [email protected]

prospectus 2013

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