BRITANNIA COMMUNITY Primary School
head teacher mr. p. morley
At Britannia School, all members of our community strive to create a school which is welcoming and safe, and where all pupils and adults are valued and treat each other with care and respect.
We provide a learning environment that is both challenging and supportive.
The aim of our school is to ensure that each child fulfils his or her potential, and attains the best possible results in all areas of the curriculum. We value each and every child, and cater for lots of different learning styles in our teaching.
We aim to develop positive self-esteem in our pupils, and the ability to work independently. We encourage our children to care for each other, and to respect and tolerate each other’s viewpoints. We understand that all children are different and have different skills and talents. We rejoice in that difference and value the diversity it brings to the life of the school.
All the staff, governors and children work together to create a safe, successful learning community, where everyone is able to give of their best and provide a caring environment for all.
BRITANNIA CP SCHOOL
HEADTEACHER: MR. P. MORLEY
Rochdale road • bacup • ol13 9ts
Phone: 01706 874447 • Fax: 01706 873935
e-mail:
WEB SITE: www.britannia.lancsngfl.ac.uk
Introduction
Britannia school was opened in 1928 as an Infant and Junior School for the Britannia area of Bacup. In 1982 the hall and administration block was added and the kitchen enlarged. In February 1986 further improvements were completed allowing the school to have a resource area in the centre of the teaching block, 7 full sized classrooms, a library and an audiovisual room. In 2001 the audiovisual room was converted to a computer suite. The school has about 3 acres of grassed playing fields in addition to the hard surfaced playgrounds.
The school offers Primary Education to children in the age range 4 years to 11 years. The children are divided into seven classes. At the end of Y6 (normally July) pupils transfer to secondary education and enter Year 7.
In addition to the Head Teacher there are presently 7 full time teachers. The school has part time non-teaching staff – 2 school clerks and 9 Teaching assistants. There is a site supervisor and 5 welfare staff.
The School Curriculum
Government legislation requires pupils at certain ages to undertake Core and foundation subjects. The curriculum must be balanced, broadly based and:
a) promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils.
b) fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum.
c) prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
The Core subjects are English (Literacy), Mathematics (Numeracy) and Science.
The Foundation subjects are History, Geography, Design Technology, Information Technology, Music, Art and Physical Education.
The National Curriculum has set Programmes of Study in all subjects for pupils at various stages of their school career, but it is left to school to plan schemes of work to deliver the programme of study.
Copies of the National Curriculum documents are available in school.
Literacy
In Literacy we work with the children to develop their ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing and to listen to others with understanding. We support and encourage children using a variety of teaching strategies to become enthusiastic, fluent and responsive readers who can learn and gain pleasure from the written word.
Writing is an essential skill for all of us and Literacy lessons at Britannia include attention to grammar, spelling and handwriting. Children know the qualities we are looking for in their work and they are given opportunities to evaluate and reflect so that they are able to develop their own sense of quality. We believe in giving clear feedback to our children so that they know when they have succeeded and what they need to do to improve even further.
Numeracy
A high priority is given to the teaching of Mathematics through the daily Numeracy lesson. Children develop and apply their knowledge and skills through a wide range of stimulating ideas. Problem solving is important and we also see an essential place for routine practice and exercises (tables etc.)
We encourage enjoyment of mathematics and extend the child’s experience by taking practical opportunities to use mathematics in other areas of the curriculum e.g. science and technology. A weekly maths game loan scheme is also available to the children.
Science
At Britannia School we believe that the way in which young people find out about the world in which they live is as important as what they discover. Most young people are curious about scientific phenomena and often have their own explanation for what they observe.
Lessons are often practically based to give the children the opportunity to consider ideas for themselves. They are encouraged to develop and demonstrate hypotheses as well as record their work in a variety of ways.
The key elements of the curriculum are – life processes and living things, materials and their properties and physical processes.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
It has been widely accepted that good ICT capability among pupils enhances and improves learning across the whole curriculum. At Britannia we have embraced this technology by providing a suite of 17 multimedia PCs, classroom based PCs and interactive whiteboards. This means that pupils quickly become familiar with the use of ICT in many contexts; not only do they develop very good capability with hardware and software, but they are able to make informed choices about how and when to use these skills to their advantage.
But don’t just take our word for it – the pupil pages on our school website were built entirely by Year 6 pupils during the after school web club.
Design Technology
Design Technology is about making things that work. Children learn to think creatively in order to solve problems or address needs. They develop practical skills, an appreciation of good design and an awareness of safety issues. They learn to co-operate and work in a team sharing and modifying ideas. From Reception making models out of junk materials to Year 6 making controlled vehicles; we want to make creating things that work well exciting, inventive and fun.
Art and Design
Art at Britannia offers opportunities for our pupils to develop understanding of colour, form, texture and pattern. The curriculum includes drawing, painting, textiles, printing, sculpture, collage and digital media. Children are able to experience different techniques and processes in order to express themselves creatively, and learn to appreciate the work of others around them and that of artists, craftsmen and designers in the wider world.
Music
We aim to give our children enjoyment, understanding and satisfaction from music. This powerful form of communication promotes confidence. It enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development.
At Britannia, active involvement in different forms of music making develops a sense of togetherness and identity. We have musical assemblies, an annual production, and peripatetic teachers of violin, keyboards, brass, flute and clarinet.
P.E.
At Britannia we see the experiences of P.E. in a safe and supportive environment as vital and unique to our pupils’ physical and emotional development and health. We believe we offer a balance of individual, team, co-operative and competitive activities that often carry over into after school league and cup tournaments. The Rossendale Sports Development team currently add to our P.E. curriculum with specialist coaching in cricket, handball, hockey, rugby, karate and football.
Religious Education
Our school assemblies and Religious Education lessons are of a broadly Christian nature in accordance with the Education Reform Act. Any parent, however, has the right to withdraw his/her child from any religious worship. The Head teacher should be informed in writing if this is your intention.
Religious Education forms a part of the normal classroom curriculum and incorporates comparisons between various world religions, creeds and customs.
Sex and Relationship Education
This programme is tailored to the age, physical and emotional maturity of the children. It is delivered through SRE, Science curriculum and Personal, Social and Health Education. Specialists come to discuss puberty issues with Year 6 and once a year the ‘Life Education’ bus visits school to facilitate learning regarding drug awareness and abuse.
Special Education Needs
Despite the class teacher’s support and differentiated planning, some children have difficulty in learning and have special educational needs (SEN). If this happens we provide additional help and support to ensure children with SEN make good progress. We use the SEN Code of Practice as a basis for organising our SEN provision. We will discuss this with parents and devise an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for the child. This will be reviewed at Parent’s Evenings and once per term by Miss McNamara – the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) and the class teacher. Parents will be sent a copy of the current IEP and invited to give their comments. This is called ‘School Action’.
If, despite this help, we are still concerned that a child is not making progress we will increase the help given to that child. We may ask for advice from outside agencies. We will continue to use the IEP’s but they may be more detailed. This is called ‘School Action Plus’.
In a small number of cases where a child meets the LEA criteria for action we will refer them to the LEA so that they can consider making a full diagnostic assessment. This will be discussed with the parents beforehand. For pupils who have a statement of special educational needs, the school will hold a statutory review meeting at least once a year.
More able pupils will also be provided for educationally. This could be through extended differentiation or extra curricular provision.
Further details can be found in the school’s SEN policy which is available for loan or can be photocopied for a small charge. Please see Mr. Morley (Head Teacher) for details.
Should a parent have concerns about the progress of their child they should discuss them with the class teacher. Complaints about the special educational needs provision made by the school should be discussed with the Head Teacher. In the unlikely event that the Head Teacher is unable to resolve the complaint, then the parent should write to the school’s SEN Governor, Mr P. Steen.
A Summary of the Complaints procedure for parents
Lancashire County Council’s policy in relation to complaints from parents is as follows:
a) all complaints will be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible.
b) complaints should be initially lodged informally with the Head teacher.
c) where informal attempts fail, the Head teacher will supply the complainant with the name of the Clerk to Governors and the LEA Officer and will provide relevant documents explaining the arrangements for formal complaints. The clerk will subsequently notify the Governors (who are responsible for the school’s curriculum) of the nature of the complaint.
d) the complainant will be allowed on request to make oral representation to the Governing Body.
e) if the outcome is still unsatisfactory the complainant will be informed of the procedures for pursuing the complaint through the LEA.
Child Protection Procedures
Because of the day-to-day contact with children schools are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop. Parents should be aware, therefore, that when it appears to a member of school staff that a child may have been abused, the school is required, as part of the local Child Protection Procedures to report their concern to the Social Services Department immediately.
School Holidays 2008/2009
Holiday lists are distributed to homes early in the academic year. We ask that parents try to plan holidays within this framework so that their child’s education is not disrupted. Holidays in term times are not encouraged. The holiday list for 2008/2009 is included at the back of this prospectus.
Hours of Attendance
Morning 08.55 to 10.10 a.m. Registration and 1st session
10.10 to 10.30 a.m. Assembly
10.45 to 12.00 2nd session
Afternoon 1.00 to 2.15 p.m. 3rd session
2.30 to 3.25 p.m. 4th session
School is not responsible for children who arrive at school before 8.50 a.m. If the weather is inclement a member of staff will allow children into the building for 8.45 a.m., where they are expected to behave in a quiet and considerate manner.
The ‘play-park’ adjacent to the school grounds is not school property and it must be clearly understood that we cannot be responsible for the welfare of the children who play there before or after school.
Road Safety
We try to keep vehicular traffic on the school drive to an absolute minimum, so children who are brought to school in cars should be deposited at the roadside. Similarly, at the end of the school day, cars should be left at the bottom of the school drive. The Police have made it clear that cars should not be parked on the yellow lines on the school side of the road or on the opposite side of the road across from them.
Your child’s best road safety teacher is you - basic road safety can be taught in the street. When your child is out and about with you it’s your example he or she follows, good or bad. Although Road Safety Education is taught within the school it is your responsibility as a parent to give your child the basic skills. Set a good example. Never let up.
If a child crosses Rochdale Road on his/her journey to school, please insist that he/she crosses with the Crossing Patrol at the bottom of the school drive.
Accidents and Illness
If your child is sick, please inform school either by telephone or a letter on return. Should a child be taken ill in school, parents will be informed as soon as possible. It is, therefore, important that emergency contact numbers are kept up to date.
Medicines
The school’s medicine policy and protocols for administering medicines in school is enclosed with this prospectus.
School Uniform
The school colours are grey and green. School sweatshirts are available from ‘Anne’s’ in the centre of Bacup. Uniform is not compulsory but children are expected to dress sensibly and neatly.