Welcome to Ryton Community Junior School

Contents

Introduction

Contents

School Mission Statement

List of Governors

Aims of the School

The SchoolBuilding

The School Day

School Meals

Attendance and Absence

School Organisation

Classroom Organisation

The Curriculum

Homework

RE & Collective Acts of Worship

Special Needs

Health Education

Sport

Pastoral Care

Behaviour Management

Extra Curricular Activities

Educational Visits

Uniform

Holidays (Sept 2010– July 2011)

School Travel Plans

Safety and Security on the School Campus

SATs Results and Teacher Assessments

Admission Policy

Complaints Procedure

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

WELCOME TO RYTONCOMMUNITYJUNIORSCHOOL

Our Core Purpose and Mission Statement
RytonJuniorSchool provides high quality education to enable everyone in the school community to achieve their full potential, academically, socially and emotionally, within a happy, supportive environment.

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Through this prospectus, the Governors, teaching and non-teaching staff would like to welcome all parents and children to RytonJuniorSchool, and we hope that the information provided is relevant and useful to you.

We welcome children between the ages of 7 and 11 years to the school. Currently there is a two-form entry, with 224 children on role in eight classes. This information is correct at the present time.

RytonCommunityJuniorSchool

Main Road

Ryton

Tyne and Wear

NE40 3AF

Telephone:0191 413 3573

Fax Number:0191 413 0130

E-mail:

The Head Teacher is:Mrs S Haswell (CertEd. MA. NPQH)

The Deputy Head Teacher is:Miss J Allison (BEd hons)

The Chairperson of the Governing Body: Mrs. Jayne Lickess.

The Vice Chair of the Governing Body: Mr. Steve Rickleton.

School Administrators;Mrs K Airey.

Mrs J Williams.

School Improvement Partner:Mrs. Chris Cottam.

The Governing Body

The Governing Body at present is as follows:

Mrs S Haswell.Head Teacher.

Mrs L Lawson.Non-Teaching Staff.

Mrs A McCloy.Teacher Governor.

Mrs. Jayne Lickess.Parent Governor, Chair of Governors.

Mr. Steve Rickleton.Parent Governor, Vice Chair of Governors.

Mrs. Dawn McGreevy. Parent Governor.

Mrs. Julie Totton. Parent Governor.

Miss Kate Booth. Community Governor.

Mrs. Rebecca Polito.Community Governor.

Mr. JW Miller. Local Authority Governor.

Miss Julie Allison. DHT/Observer.

Clerk to the Governors, Director of Education

Civic Centre, Gateshead

Aims of the school:

The Governors, teachers and non-teaching staff seek:

• To promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, social, aesthetic, intellectual, emotional and physical development of each child in a challenging, enjoyable way within an environment that is both stimulating and caring.

• To enable the child to develop with a positive self-image and to recognise a sense of his or her own worth.

• To provide an environment in which children can develop self-respect, respect for others and are themselves respected.

• To encourage children to co-operate with adults and other children and to become sympathetic to the needs of others.

• To help children towards an awareness that firstly people hold beliefs and values inherent from Christianity as well as from other religions and cultures. Secondly, that children should develop respect and tolerance towards other beliefs.

• To encourage a shared partnership between Governors, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, children and members of the wider community. A happy, trusting and informed relationship will develop, in order to provide every child with a rewarding educational experience.

• To prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in school and the wider community.

The SchoolBuilding:

There has been a school on this site for many years. The JuniorSchool building is of modern appearance, being opened officially in May 1972. It is easily accessible from the drive, being built on one level, and follows a semi-open plan design, with 8 class teaching areas opening into a shared practical area.

The school has an outstanding aspect overlooking the TyneValley, being situated in the north western corner of a campus also comprising of RytonComprehensiveSchool and Ryton Infant and Nursery School. This enables close links to be maintained between the schools ensuring progression and continuity, and facilitating a smooth transition at the transfer of 7 and 11 years.

Around the school are superb playing fields where the children enjoy sports, games and other forms of recreation. The playground features include a Ball Wall, games and other markings chosen by the children in consultation with the School’s Council. Tree seats as well as park benches have been provided for the children’s comfort. The Millennium Play Area is a very popular feature with the children, each year group being able to use it on a different day of the week. This now has a brand new safety surface. A Tyre Trail provides additional opportunities for problem solving challenges.

There is also a school pond and wildlife garden located to the rear of the building. However, this needs major re-furbishment work at present. A kitchen garden has recently been established too. It is called “Glynis’s Garden” in memory of Mrs. Glynis Graham, one of our school cooks.

ICT Resources:

The ICT suite has 20 PCs located around the outside of the room with 10 laptops sited in the centre. Every class area has an interactive whiteboard and computer. Pupils are taught ICT as a discrete subject; and are also provided with opportunities to refine and develop their skills across the curriculum.

Transition Programme:

To facilitate a smooth transition from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, exchange visits take place regularly and meetings with parents are arranged to explain practice and the work that their children will engage in, during Year 3 of their schooling.

Prior to transfer, Year 6 pupils are involved in a week long transition programme at RytonComprehensiveSchool. During this time they take part in a wide variety of activities and have the opportunity to ask and discuss matters of concern; as well as providing opportunities to socialise with their peers from other linked schools.

Anyone wishing to visit RytonJuniorSchool or to have their child admitted will be made most welcome at any time.

Breakfast club:

As part of our ExtendedSchool’s provision, we run a Breakfast Club each morning (Monday to Friday). This Club is held in the Learning Zone from 8.00 a.m. until 8.30 a.m. and is run by Mrs D Walton and Mrs L Lawson, two of our dedicated Teaching Assistants. The cost is £1.50 per pupil per day. The healthy eating choices include cereals, toast, fruit and fromage frais. All juices, spreads and jams used have reduced sugar/salt content. At present there is no need for parents to pre-book places.

The School Day

The format of out school day may alter on special occasions, but the following times are adhered to on most days.

School Commences8.50am

Daily act of collective worship10.15am – 10.35am

Morning break10.35am – 10.50am

Lunch break12 noon – 1.00pm

School closes3.20pm

Extra-curricular activities take place at both lunchtimes and after school.

School meals

Our “value for money” lunches are the responsibility of the School Meals Service (£1.85 per day; £9.25 per week). Each daily menu complies with the new food standards specified by the School Meals Trust. Pupils with specific dietary needs are always catered for. In certain circumstances, children may be entitled to free school meals. Parents in receipt of the following would qualify for free school meals:

• Income Support,
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance,
• Child Tax Credit (with No Working Tax Credit)

Please contact 0191 433 3729 for further details.

Dinner money should be paid in full every Monday morning please. Your child’s name, class and the amount of money being paid should be written clearly on an envelope to assist the School Administrators when processing it. Cash to the correct amount would be greatly appreciated.

Cheques should be made payable to “Gateshead Council” please.

Packed lunches

Packed lunches brought from home are eaten in the dining hall. Storage trolleys are provided in Year ¾, Year 5 and Year 6 for packed lunch boxes, which should be clearly marked with your child’s name and class. Drinks should not to be brought in glass bottles for safety reasons.

As the school holds the ‘Healthy Eating’ Award, packed lunches should ideally included sandwiches, fresh or dried fruit and yogurts. However there must be no sweets and only one chocolate-covered bar (if any).

Between 12 noon and 1.00 p.m. the children are cared for by: -

Mrs A Moody – Midday Supervisor

Mrs H Barton - Supervisory Assistant

Mrs T Campbell – Supervisory Assistant

Mrs C Thompson – Supervisory Assistant

Fruit at Playtime

EachMonday and Wednesday a local greengrocer delivers fresh fruit to school. This is sold daily in the main hall during morning breaks, priced at 20p per single item.

FAIRTRADE TUCKSHOP.

Every Friday playtime Yr4 run a” Fairtrade Tuckshop” as part of the school’s initiative to gain Fairtrade status. Chocolate, cookies and cartons of juice are on sale.

Every Day Counts – School Attendance

In the event of a child being absent from school, or if an absence is known in advance, a telephone call or letter informing us of the reason must be provided on the first day of absence.

If for any reason we do not receive either a note or a telephone call, then we must record in the register that your child is absent without authorisation. All unauthorised absences must be reported to the LA.

Each pupil is allowed 10 school days leave of absence for annual holidays in term time. Parents must complete a holiday form prior to the holiday – these are available from the School Office.

Currently, our school’s weekly attendance is 96% with a small number of unauthorised absences having been recorded in recent years. A caring school environment and stimulating curriculum delivery encourages well-motivated children who want to come to school. We encourage all children to be punctual in attendance but recognise that on occasions lateness may be unavoidable. In such an event, again parental co-operation would be welcome with a telephone call or note to explain circumstances.

First Day Response to Absence

We are continually striving to improve standards and raise achievement at RytonJuniorSchool and we believe that attendance has a great impact on this. In our efforts to raise attendance figures and to ensure the safety of your child, we have introduced a ‘First Day Response to Absence’. This means that the homes of students will be contacted, by telephone, if possible, on the first day of absence unless we have already been informed of the reason. This helps us to monitor attendance closely and to identify any children who have not reached school safely.

Attendance Award

Colourful stickers and certificates are awarded to pupils with excellent attendance at the end of the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.

School Organisation

RytonJuniorSchool has a two-form entry and currently accommodates 204 pupils.

Six classes are composed of children of a similar age, who are of mixed ability. One mixed age class has Yr3 and Yr4 pupils in it. Teaching styles reflect the expertise of individual teachers whose professional judgement and knowledge of their pupils’ needs determines the most appropriate approaches. A great deal of staff co-operation and the utilising of one another’s talents, interest and skills benefits and enriches the children’s education.

All the children are taught in classes for all subjects. Where appropriate pupils may be grouped in sets to accommodate pupils needs more effectively.

Class numbering follows the National Curriculum Year Group Terms and the names of the classes take the initial letters of the appropriate class teacher.

The classes for the school year September 2009 – July 2010 are:

Year 3.

Mr. D. Glaister. 3DG32 children aged 7–8 years.

Year 4.Mr P. Fenton. 4PF33 children aged 8-9 years.

Year 3/4. Mrs. A. McCloy/ 3/4AM/SS 32 Children aged 7-9yrs.

Mrs. S. Spurr.

Year 5.Miss J. Allison. 5JA.26 children aged 9–10 years.

Mr C Richardson 5CR27 children aged 9–10 years.

Year 6.Miss A Bottomley 6AB28 children aged 10–11 years.

Mrs X Horne 6XH 29 children aged 10-11 years.

Teaching Assistants

Mrs D WaltonYear 3/4

Mrs L LawsonYear 5

Miss L ThompsonYear 6

Classroom Organisation

The importance of children learning through first- hand experience is valued highly in school. Classrooms are therefore organised thoughtfully with subject resources available in different areas of the room to support the children’s learning to the appropriate level.

As the school has a semi-open plan design, the exterior practical areas shared between classes are an integral and valuable part of each classroom’s working space, providing considerable opportunities to develop and challenge the physical, imaginative and investigative skills of the children. Teamwork and co-operation is encouraged amongst the children, with the staff collaborating and consulting closely about the learning needs of each child. Reflective thinking about the different aspects of work is encouraged with teachers and children alike.

The Curriculum

Everyone involved with the provision of education in our school is committed to ensuring that all children have access to a relevant, stimulating, differentiated and balanced curriculum.

Our school curriculum is designed to implement the requirements of both the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies as well as of the National Curriculum, enabling every child in each class to receive their full entitlement. Whilst some subjects may be taught discretely, our focus on a creative curriculum which develops links between all subjects has been developed to provide a rich and stimulating ethos, where all pupils can achieve their full potential.

All teaching is within Key Stage 2 of the curriculum, and follows QCA guidelines regarding time allocation to each subject area. The teaching is intended to be stimulating and to give children direct experiences in their learning.

Teachers plan their half-termly and weekly work together. This ensures effective delivery of Numeracy, Literacy, Science, ICT, the Foundation Subjects and Religious Education.

Cross-curricular areas:

A number of cross-curricular areas also form an integral part of the curriculum content offered in school and are reflected in teachers’ planning.

• Multi-cultural education
• Equal opportunities
• Personal, Social and Health Education (or PSHE)
• Citizenship

Basic Skills Award July 2009

The Quality Mark is about basic skills; reading, writing, spelling and number work - the skills all children need. The Quality Mark says that our school:

• has a strategy and an action plan to improve children’s reading, writing and number work;
• assesses children to find out if they need extra help;
• has a target for improving basic skills in the school;
• makes sure that children have plans to improve their reading, writing and number work;
• reviews the progress made by all of the children;
• provides training for staff so that they can teach better;
• uses different ways of teaching based on what each child needs;
• has good books and other material to help children improve;
• encourages parents to help their children with reading, writing and number work;
• monitors whether they are becoming better at teaching basic skills.

We were successful for a third time in gaining this award in 2009.

Homework

We believe that every child should be supported to achieve their maximum potential of learning success. We view learning as a partnership between school and home. To enhance this process, children in all years throughout school, will receive some type of work to complete at home. This may be regular reading sessions, learning spellings or multiplication tables. As children advance through school it may involve planning specific written work or completing research for topics. When homework is given it is at the discretion of the class teacher, who may feel it more appropriate to give this more frequently at certain times in the school year.

The school will provide details as to what types of homework will be set. Children are expected to return their homework completed and on time. To help with this, every pupil is given a Homework Diary at the start of an academic year. If this is lost a replacement can be purchased at a nominal cost.

We ask parents to familiarize themselves with their child’s Homework Diary and Reading Diary so that they know when homework has been set. These books can be used to raise concerns which you may have. Staff will always respond promptly.

Partnership with Parents

Parents are asked to complete a Home/School Agreement as part of a joint commitment to supporting their child. Parents are invited to visit their children’s classes at least once every term for an Open Morning/Afternoon. This is an opportunity for parents/carers to see what their child has been studying in their Creative Curriculum, or to be “hands on” with a practical task, working alongside their child. Parents Evenings are held during the Autumn and Spring terms, with an Annual Report being sent home to parents at the end of the Summer Term. The school has an “Open Door” approach whereby all members of staff are happy to meet with parents as long as it does not impinge on teaching time.

FORJ (Friends of Ryton Junior) is our Home/School association. All parents of our children are automatically members of this. The meetings are held regularly in school, usually on a Friday morning. We plan to have an exciting calendar of events during each academic year, which all parents/carers will be able to participate in.

FORJ Chairperson. Mrs. Julie Totton .

Secretary. Mrs. Jayne Straughan.

Treasurer. Mrs. Fiona McDonald.

Religious Education and Collective Acts of Worship

In keeping with the practice in all state schools, Religious Education is taught according to the Agreed Syllabus produced by the Local Authority.

Through the teaching of RE we are encouraging the children to explore the place and significance of religion in human life, so making a contribution to each child’s search for faith by which to live. At the same time, we are enabling the child to appreciate the importance of Christianity in our culture, beliefs and values.