It is very important that the school is informed of any changes to telephone contacts numbers etc. because in the event of illness or accident we will contact parents immediately. Most staff are fully trained in the use of First Aid, and hold the relevant certification. Please notify the school in writing if your child has any allergies or intolerances.
Parents must notify in writing if any medicines need to be taken during school hours. A consent form must be completed and signed before any medication can be administered by staff. Medicines should be clearly marked with the child's name and the required dosage and should be handed to a member of staff for safe storage.
We encourage the children to be self controlled, thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of other people and to care for their environment. Rules are few, but based upon common sense, related to the above, and with a regard for safety.
The school has a Behaviour Policy which incorporates an Anti-bullying Policy. This document is available on request.
Children are not to wear jewellery at school. If earrings for pierced ears are worn they should be of the stud type, but these must not be worn for physical activities. Earrings should not be worn at all on swimming days. These conditions are laid down by the Local Education Authority for health and safety reasons.
Please note – ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED
Boys
Red School Sweatshirt/zip-up fleece (can be purchased from school) Red or White Polo Shirt or White Shirt Grey Trousers/Grey Shorts Black School Shoes.
Girls
Red School Sweatshirt/cardigan (can be purchased from school) Red or White Polo Shirt or White School Shirt Grey Skirt/Pinafore Dress, Culottes/Trousers (not leggings) White Socks.
Black School Shoes
Girls (summer wear)
Red Gingham Dress Red or White Polo Shirt Red School Sweatshirt or Red Cardigan
PE Kit
Red, Black or White Shorts Red or White t-shirt Clean Socks Plain Track-suit (for winter months) Trainers/plimsolls
In addition to the above all children will need an apron or old shirt for art.
If you wish to order clothing with the school logo on please contact the school office for details.
Swimming and gym take place at the Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield every Tuesday morning throughout the year. The whole school travel by coach and voluntary donations per term are requested to help towards transport costs.
Due to Health and Safety regulations, children in the Foundation Stage do not swim but spend an hour in the gym. The remaining children have half an hour swimming instruction and half an hour gym each week. Your child will need a swimsuit, towel and hat. Earrings should not be worn on swimming days. A t-shirt and shorts will be needed for work in the gym (see school uniform list). Children work in bare-feet in the gym.
If your child has a verrucca they may still swim but must wear a rubber or thin cotton sock in the pool and non-black soled clean trainers/plimsolls in the gym.
Children attending school part-time in the Foundation Stage will need to be collected after the coach returns from Berinsfield at approximately 12:40pm on Tuesdays.
In addition to the above, all children take part in an hour-long PE lesson at school each week.
From time to time children are unfit to take part in the above activities and if that applies please let the school know by sending a note in with your child asking for them to be excused.
A copy of the PE policy is available on request from the school office.
School meals are not currently available. All children bring a healthy packed lunch (please provide this in a named container/bag). If you would like an ideas/information leaflet please contact the school office.
Meals are available free of charge to children from families who are on Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance. Please contact the school office if you are entitled to this provision.
Children can bring their own healthy fruit/vegetable snacks, but not chocolate, crisps, sweets or biscuits. Currently the Infant children are supplied each day with a piece of fruit or vegetable as part of an OCC scheme.
The children may bring a drink of water for consumption during their lessons. This must be brought in a named small see-through bottle/container with a 'sports' type drinking top and should be taken home each day for replenishment. Children also have access to the water fountain.
Following discussions with parents, it has emerged that many parents are in favour of regular homework. The staff recognise the benefits of this, particularly for Junior children.
Junior homework
Within Key Stage 2 we see homework embracing a wide range of activities, occasions and events.
Infant homework
Foundation Stage are very young and tire easily after a day at school. For this reason there is not a structured homework framework for these children. However, it is hoped that parents will encourage their children by building on any work done in school, and especially by hearing them read regularly and commenting in the link book provided. Year 2 children receive a weekly spelling list and maths homework.
A copy of the homework policy is available on request.
Type of Homework
- KS2
- Spellings
- Weekly
- Tables
- Weekly
- Reading
- Daily
- Occasionally finish pieces of work as necessary
Subject specific tasks e.g. projects/worksheets
Homework will be differentiated and the amount of time each individual or year group is expected to spend on homework will vary and guidance will be given when it is handed out.
Visitors are always welcome in school. If you would like to look around, please make an appointment through the school office to arrange a visit and speak to the Headteacher.
Class teachers are available to speak to parents and carers regarding own their children by prior arrangement. We also welcome the chance to speak to parents. Please make arrangements with individual members of staff who are usually available at the end of the school day.
The school is a friendly, open environment and we aim to be as flexible as possible. You are welcome to come into school at the end of the day for your child to show you his/her work.
Parent/Teacher interviews are arranged during the autumn and spring terms when you can speak to the teacher in private and see your child's work. An annual report on progress is sent home towards the end of the summer term. If you are in any way concerned about your child's work, please make an appointment to see the teacher concerned.
Educational visits
During the school year our children make many trips and visits out of school. You will be notified of any organised trips and will asked to sign a consent form authorising your child to attend. Some visits will be supported by voluntary donations towards costs relating to the trip.
In line with our Inclusion Statement all pupils will take part in trips if the consent form has been signed, whether their parents have made a contribution or not.
Governors make no charge for education provided in school during the normal school day.
For a copy of the Charging Policy please contact the school office.
The Governors' policy states that this should be taught at the appropriate level for the child as part of a "whole body study" in such a manner as to encourage due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life. Questions are answered as they arise in an open and honest way. The school nurse works with both key stages on a variety of health issues.
Parents can withdraw their children from all or part of sex education lessons, except those elements that are taught as part of the National Curriculum.
A copy of the school's policy is available on request from the school office.
All members of staff are committed to the safety and protection of children in their care. Staff are trained in and are conversant with the procedures laid down by the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board. The school also has its own Child Protection policy, a copy of which is available from the school office. We take all safeguarding responsibilities very seriously.
Action Plan following OFSTED Inspection Data Protection Policy Confidentiality Policy Child Protection Policy
Collective Worship Policy Health & Safety Policy Drug Policy The Governors Curriculum Statement Complaints Procedure.
Oxfordshire County Council - Religious Education Syllabus School Profile Oxfordshire County Council - Insurance The National Curriculum Statutory Orders.
Minutes of Governors' Meetings (including Head Teacher's Reports to the Governing Body) The Governor's Policy on SEN (Special Educational Needs). All Curriculum Policies.
These documents can be made available to read in school, or a small charge for photocopying may be made if you wish to have your own copy.
The Local Education Authority operates an insurance scheme for Pupils whilst at school, or engaged in any activities concerned with school. Details of this scheme are available from:
Children, Young People and Families Oxfordshire County Council Macclesfield House New Road
Oxford OX1 1NA
We aim to establish good communications and relationships between home and school and we hope that if you have any concerns you will:
- Contact the member of staff concerned.
- Speak to the Headteacher if your complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily.
- Contact a member of the governing body if you have explored the above.
Should all this fail, the Local Education Authorities complaints procedure is available as an option. Details are available from school.
Small schools do not publish SATs results, as it is too easy to identify the performance of individual children. However, the school is confident that all our children fulfil their best potential in National Tests.
Continuous assessment in all areas of the curriculum takes place in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Teacher assessment is the continuing process of monitoring individual children's work and is used to inform the teacher's planning as well as the child's progress and achievement.
In term 5, children in Year 2 are required to be assessed in the Standard Assessment Task (SATs) for the core subjects of mathematics and English. These tasks are set nationally but are marked in school following set guidelines. Marking is monitored by the Local Authority.
At the same time, teacher assessment and reporting is carried out in all areas of the curriculum including mathematics and English.
All primary children, working at Level 3 and above in Year 6, will be given Standard Assessment Tasks in English, Mathematics and Science. These will be administered in the school and will be externally marked. The results and the marked papers will be returned to school. The results are reported to the parents of Year 6 once all the papers have been returned.
The school continues its practice of giving specific tests to individual pupils as they progress through their school career. These assessment tests include progress in mathematics and science, spelling, reading, speaking and listening and swimming. These all form part of the continuing monitoring of pupil progress. Year 3 pupils also take a Non-verbal Reasoning Test during October after their transfer from Key Stage 1. This type of test involves no reading and is designed to assess how easily pupils acquire new concepts.
We uphold the value of discriminatory tests for diagnostic purposes, to assess a child's particular strengths and weaknesses, in order that the correct help can be given.
A biennial residential trip is arranged for Years 5 and 6 to OCC's Outdoor Education Centre at Yenworthy Lodge, north Devon. The trip is organised in conjunction with the neighbouring village school at Clifton Hampden.
This operates from 8.15 – 8.50am and is supervised by two members of staff (both hold CRB enhancement certificates). Please contact the school office for further information regarding payment and booking details.
We currently run the following clubs:
Football – all year groups except Foundation Stage, Guitar (lunch club) – all year groups
We hope to run additional after school clubs during the coming academic year and will advise the parents once they have been organised.
Children are treated as individuals and the school aims to cater for this to develop individual talents and help each child to develop his/her potential. Children who have learning difficulties are encouraged through a positive attitude to have confidence in themselves and appropriate work is given on an individual or group basis within the context of the classroom. Likewise it is an aim of the school to provide activities which will challenge the very able child. Sometimes the expertise of various supportive agencies is called upon, e.g for the School Educational Psychological Service, Speech Therapist etc.
The school is fully accessible under the SEN and Disability Act 2001.
We work in partnership with parents and specialists to ensure that each child progresses to the best of their ability.
Culham Parochial C of E Primary School follows the National Curriculum 2000. It also uses Government Guidelines on Numeracy and Literacy. Record Keeping is carried out through Oxfordshire Pupil Records. Pupil performance is tracked throughout the school and targets set where appropriate.
We aim to offer every child a curriculum which is balanced, but which has a firm emphasis on the basic skills of literacy, numeracy and scientific activity.
Culham Parochial School is a Church of England Foundation. Oxfordshire County Council Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education states that:-
"The principal aim of religious education within the primary sector is to enable pupils to understand the nature of religious beliefs and practices, and the importance and influence of these in the lives of believers."
To achieve these aims the children are given a wide range of relevant experiences. In their early years the emphasis is placed upon self-understanding, awareness of the feelings of other people and an appreciation of their environment. As children mature the content of their religious education broadens and becomes more explicit in relation to faiths, in particular, Christianity. Experiences given to the children relate to their growing social and moral awareness and some of their religious education will be integrated with other subjects, but particular studies are undertaken as appropriate.
The Oxfordshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education is used to plan lessons.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and Collective Worship, after discussion with the Head Teacher. In these circumstances arrangements will be made for alternative religious education.
The school follows guidelines set out in the National Literacy Strategy but endeavours to deliver its content in a wide variety of interesting and stimulating ways.
We have a well-stocked non-fiction library which is organised on the Dewey system so that the children learn research skills. In addition, there is an extensive and varied collection of fiction books which is added to regularly.
The mobile library visits the school once every three weeks and all children have the opportunity to borrow books.
The National Numeracy Strategy forms the basis for planning mathematic lessons. These include practical activities and a wide range of equipment and resources, including ICT is used in both key stages.
Science under the National Curriculum requires that we aim to develop in children a desire for knowledge of how things work and why things happen. Through our science syllabus we encourage children to use a variety of communication skills, to relate science to everyday life, and to observe, explore and investigate problems. Activities are often practical and sometimes cross-curricular.
The school's curriculum is broad and balanced with much emphasis placed upon richness and variety of experience, bearing in mind the needs of the children and the requirements of Curriculum 2000.
During the year we vary the studies so that all areas of the curriculum are given appropriate emphasis with due regard to the programmes of study for subjects included in the National Curriculum. We aim to give the children as much direct experience as possible and visits to places connected with the work in hand are arranged whenever applicable. When appropriate we also invite visitors in to school to talk to the children or lead activities to enhance their experiences.
All children spend some time each week making music and singing. The school follows 'Music Express' music scheme, in both Key Stages. Children may also take part in music workshops and performances for parents from time to time.
The school has a small computer suite with workstations and additional computers in the classrooms. We also have lap-tops which are used across the curriculum for all year groups including the foundation stage. Interactive whiteboards and projectors are also used to teach all areas of the curriculum. The school also uses its digital camera, camcorder and scientific sensor for the children to collect data and record their activities. Culham Parochial School believes that increasing skills in the use of ICT promotes initiative and independent learning.
The school employs a specialist language teacher to teach modern foreign languages and cultural awareness to all children in Years 1-6 for one session a week. Primarily, the language taught is French but they also learn some German and Chinese.
In keeping with our aim to offer children responsibility and a voice in their own school and learning, we are very proud of our School Council. Elected representatives from each class work to agree priorities for change and development around the school. They then discuss their ideas with the headteacher (and possibly governors), to determine which projects might go ahead. This enables the pupils to gain valuable experience of a number of life skills, including responding to differing viewpoints, attending meetings and learning to perform their roles.
The safety and welfare of pupils is of paramount importance to us. At Culham we are proud to have received Healthy Schools Status. We believe in the value of exercise and promote a healthy life-style and diet. The school's health and safety arrangements are regularly checked by the staff and governors and annually monitored by the local authority. Our 2009/2010 Health & Safety Monitoring Report summary showed that our establishment had demonstrated "an excellent level of effort".
We are fortunate in having ample safe parking space in the roads near the school. Please do respect our request not to park across residential driveways, on the grass verges or where the road markings indicate. We would encourage you, as far as is possible, to walk or cycle to school as part of our Healthy Schools status.
We value our links with the community and Culham Church. Reverend Anne Ilsley is a regular visitor, taking assemblies and talking to classes as part of their Religious or Personal and Social Education.
Various members of our community volunteer their work regulary sharing books with children and listening to readers.
The local PCSO's (Police Community Support Officer) and Fire Service also regularly visit school to take assembly and talk to the children regarding various topical issues.
The school and the school grounds are designated 'No Smoking' areas. This applies at all times and is in line with Oxfordshire County Council policy. All adults entering the school and school grounds need to comply with this policy.
The PFA at Culham School is very active. Members donate significant time helping with school activities and projects, organizing fundraising events and running social events. Many of these events raise much needed funds for for the school. Recent events have helped raise funds for various educational school trips throughout the year, a whole school visit to the panto and equipment for our newly furbished library area. All parents and staff are automatically members of the Association and are eligible to attend meetings which are held on a regular basis throughout the school year where members share in the organizing and running of various fundraising activities and events.
|
