& Nursery School
‘Caring, sharing and learning together’
Governors’ Annual Report
2010/2011
This report covers the academic year1st September 2010 to 31st August 2011
SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAYS
Please find below the school terms and holidays which have been approved for the academic years 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.
Within each year there are 5 designated Training Days. You will be notified of these days as they are arranged. Any closure for election purposes to be balanced at the end of the Summer term.
2011 – 2012
Term Starts / Half Term / Term EndsAUTUMN / Friday
02/09/11 / Monday - Friday
24/10/11 – 28/10/11 / Tuesday
20/12/11
SPRING / Tuesday
03/01/12 / Monday - Friday
13/02/12 – 17/02/12 / Thursday
05/04/12
SUMMER / Monday
23/04/12 / Monday - Friday
04/06/12 – 08/06/12 / Thursday
19/07/12
May Day – Monday, 7th May 2012
2012 – 2013
Term Starts / Half Term / Term EndsAUTUMN / Monday
03/09/12 / Monday - Friday
29/10/12 – 02/11/12 / Friday
21/12/12
SPRING / Monday
07/01/13 / Monday - Friday
11/02/13 – 15/02/13 / Friday
22/03/13
SUMMER / Monday
08/04/13 / Monday - Friday
27/05/13 – 31/05/13 / Monday
22/07/13
May Day – Monday, 6th May 2013
CAERLEON LODGE HILL INFANT AND NURSERY SCHOOL
Your Governors 2010-2011 & terms of office -
Parent Representatives:- LEA Appointed:- Community:-
Mrs S. Davies (to 22.10.13) Mrs C. McLachlan(to 10.10.14) Mrs H.Topping (Chair) (to 01.12.12)
Mr M. McCrossan (to 30.01.12) Mr P. Huntley (to 02.09.13) Mrs T. Graham (Vice-Chair)(to31.12.11)
Mrs C. Jenkins (to 13.04.12) Councillor C. Ferris(to 31.08.12) Mr P. Jones (to 13.01.12)
Mr S. Mayor (to 9.04.14) Mrs K. Bevis (to 02.09.13) Mr D. Lowe (to 11.01.12)
Acting Head:- Teacher Reps:- Staff Rep:-
Mrs H. Power Mrs J. Saville (to 08.01.12) Mrs S. Fairlie (to 05.01.15)
Mrs L. Isaac (to 25.02.11)
Chief Education Officer:- Clerk:-
Mr B. Pugh Mr P. Lambert
School Staff 2010/11:-
Acting Headteacher Mrs H. Power
Deputy Headteacher Mrs J. Saville
Year 1/2 Mrs L. Isaac/Mrs R. Holwell; Mrs B. Thomas
Reception/Nursery (Early Years) Mrs J. Saville, Mrs S. Swales
Teaching Assistants Mrs S. Arnold, Mrs S. Brannigan,
Mrs C. Daniels, Mrs S. Fairlie, Mrs A. Williams
PPA HLTA Mrs S. Williams
School Support Officer Mrs C. Lewis
School Support Officer (P/T) Mrs C. Brinsdon
Caretaker Mr D. Robertson
Cleaner Ms T. Wallis
Cook Mrs S. Watkins
Catering Assistant Ms S. Dunn
Midday Supervisors Mrs C. Brinsdon (Senior), Mrs C. Edwards, Mrs W. Reader,
Ms T. Wallis, Mrs B. Gregg (p/t)
A Review of the Year 2010/11
Governors
During the year the Governors met regularly and monitored progress of the School Development Plan (SDP). Curriculum priorities in the SDP for academic year 2010/11 were based on the school’s Estyn Action Plan, to raise attainment at Level 3 in English, Maths and Science and to strengthen the management and deployment of support staff. Good progress has been made in both areas.
The SDP was reviewed during staff meetings and reported upon termly in Headteacher’s
reports to Governors.
The Governing Body also continued to work closely with the teaching staff, overseeing staffing and pupil issues, financial procedures, Health and Safety (including premises inspection), building maintenance and delivery of the curriculum. They attended relevant training offered by the Local Authority (LA) and visited the school on a regular basis. Each governor has a curriculum link and is invited to meet with the subject coordinator to discuss and review the work of the school in their particular area.
Teaching Staff
The Foundation Phase continued to run in Nursery following the successful implementation in 2008. At the beginning of the Autumn term we admitted 21 children into Nursery in one morning session. Mrs Swales remained as the teacher in charge of the Nursery class, supported by Mrs Fairlie and Mrs Arnold, teaching assistants.
Two additional Nursery age children were then admitted in January, along with 4 Rising 3s. Also, 9 Rising 3s were included during the Summer term, when an afternoon Nursery session was opened.
The Foundation Phase was introduced into Year 1 in September 2010. Following Welsh Assembly guidelines, Reception classes were encouraged to progress towards the 1:8 ratio for all 3-5 year olds. In September 2010, 30 children were admitted to Reception. Mrs Saville was the teacher in charge of the Reception class, supported by two full time teaching assistants, Mrs Daniels and Mrs A. Williams.
We continued to teach Year 1 and 2 in two vertically grouped classes. Mrs Isaac returned from maternity leave to teach a Year 1/2 class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Mrs Holwell teaching the class on a Thursday and Friday. Mrs Thomas taught the other Year 1/2 class.
Mrs S. Williams was employed as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to cover for PPA (planning, preparation and assessment). She also worked with small groups in Year 1 and 2 to carry out the Accelerated Literacy programme.
Mrs C. Lewis was employed, using grant funding from the Basic Skills Agency, to deliver an accelerated numeracy programme for two half-hour sessions each week during the Autumn term.
The staff continued to work effectively as a team, welcoming and supporting new members of staff to ensure that high standards were maintained. Pupils’ learning and behaviour remain a priority and the ESTYN inspectors noted that the quality of teaching remained a strength throughout the school.
Curriculum
Following the successful introduction of the Foundation Phase to children in Nursery and Reception, 2010 saw the official introduction of the new curriculum into Year 1. The Foundation Phase ensures consistency and continuity to children’s education at the beginning of their school career.
The curriculum for these children was delivered through the following areas of learning:-
o Mathematical development
o Language, literacy and communication
o Physical development
o Creative development
o Personal and social development, well-being and cultural diversity
o Knowledge and understanding of the world
o Welsh language development
The education provided for these age groups focuses on child centered learning and child development with an emphasis on developing a strong, skills based curriculum. There is also more emphasis on children understanding how things work and on finding different ways to solve problems. The outdoor environment continues to play an important role in the day to day teaching of children in the Foundation Phase.
The focus on self and peer assessment continues to be a priority within the school with children evaluating their own learning and that of their peers.
We were able to offer a staff ratio of 1:10 in both Reception and Nursery Classes.
The benefits of teaching and learning through the Foundation Phase are already being seen in school and we look forward to implementing the approach in Year 2.
Over the last year, transition from Year 2 to Year 3 was further enhanced with Year 2 children having more opportunities to visit the Junior school, for example on St. David’s day and for the Year 3 Roman assembly. Increased opportunities for Year 2 and Year 3 teachers to work together have also improved the transition process.
Forest school activities were planned for in all classes throughout the course of the year. Mrs. Swales supported staff in her role as Forest School Leader. Teaching assistants and volunteer parents helped teachers during these sessions.
SEAL (a special programme to develop social and emotional aspects of learning) has been in place now for one year and continues to support children’s emotional needs in a very productive and sensitive manner.
Physical development is continually promoted in all classrooms. Activities are carefully planned across the curriculum to develop both motor and manipulative skills. During the Summer term a new physical development programme was trialed in school. ‘Play to Learn’ introduces skills and techniques to foundation phase children. It is seen as more appropriate for the Foundation Phase as it allows skills to be taught, practiced and developed across the 7 areas of learning, including outdoor provision.
Pupils
In addition to the very varied and stimulating curricular opportunities enjoyed by the pupils, there have also been a number of exciting events such as “Winnie the Pooh” Day, “Strawberry Tea” and St. David’s Day celebrations.
During the Summer term an Olympics week was held. The children enjoyed participating in Olympic style activities throughout the week.
The School Council continued to work hard, particularly in terms of looking after the environment. Well done to the Council and school for achieving the school’s third Green Flag.
Links with the community are seen as very important at Lodge Hill and we once again welcomed many visitors to the school as well as visiting local churches and other establishments. At Christmas the choir performed for the residents at Abbeyfield Nursing Home. Years 1 and 2 made several visits to Lodge Farm Church throughout the year and Matthew Lewis from Lodge Farm Church led a Harvest assembly in school.
The Reception class made use of the local area to enhance their project work. The children visited the local shops on a regular basis and spoke to the people working at Lodge Hill shops. They also purchased a range of provisions to create a picnic in school to which their families were invited. The picnic was funded by money raised during the Spring Fayre held in April by the Reception children, during which they sold goods made by the children throughout the spring term.
The introduction of monthly open mornings has allowed prospective families to visit the school, meet staff and the Acting Headteacher and see the school in action. The PTA has kindly supported the school at the open mornings, baking home-made cakes and being on hand to talk to new families. We are delighted with the increase in Nursery pupils, enabling the school to offer both morning and afternoon sessions from September 2011.
Home visits for new Nursery pupils also took place last year. Through these visits, strong and productive relationships begin to form between school and home, giving the best possible start to a child’s education.
The focus on self and peer assessment continues to be a priority within the school with children evaluating their own learning and that of their peers.
School Policies
All school policies were reviewed and updated prior to the Estyn Inspection in April 2010.
Changes to Parents’ Handbook
The following changes were made to the Parents’ Handbook:-
· Term and holiday dates revised and updated.
· Curriculum ‘Learning and Teaching’ section revised.
· Attendance information updated.
· Academic results information updated.
A copy of the Parents’ Handbook is available on request from the school office.
Premises
During the academic year 2010/11 many of the premises related items in the School Development Plan were met.
Completed projects included:-
· Canopy outside Year 2 classroom
· New external door fitted to Year 2 classroom
· School grounds enhanced in Nursery garden area
Attendance
Parents are reminded that it is their legal responsibility that their children attend school when they are of school age. Attendance is monitored by all staff and the Headteacher discusses concerns with the Education Welfare Officer who visits school termly or more often if necessary. Parents of children whose attendance falls below an acceptable level without explanation are contacted and often visited by the EWO.
Congratulations to the following pupils who attained 100% attendance during 2010/11:-
Ø William Cocking
Ø Lewis Parker
The attendance figure for the year ending July 2011 was 93.3% for the whole school including Nursery. The percentage attendance for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 was 93.7%.
Unauthorised absences were recorded when parents gave no reasonable explanation for a child’s absence or when children are taken out of school for a holiday of longer than 10 days in one academic year.
We are grateful to parents who make every effort to ensure that their children are punctual and good attenders. Parents are able to inform the school of a child’s absence by telephone or by leaving a message on the answer phone if necessary.
Parents are also reminded that they must ensure their children are punctual. If children are continually late they will miss Reading Groups that take place each morning after registration.
From this academic year, letters will be sent to parents of children who are consistently late in an attempt to improve punctuality.
Parent Teachers’ Association
Once again the Parent Teachers’ Association worked tirelessly to raise funds for the school. We are grateful for their efforts as they provide additional resources and opportunities to enhance the curriculum.
During the last academic year, the PTA raised £6,826.16. Event expenses totalled £2,552.23. Charity donations amounted to £526.22. £2,613.87 was spent on the following items and events for the benefit of the children. This was very much appreciated.
o Digital cameras
o Sound for interactive whiteboard
o Forest school equipment
o Cookery cupboard
o Playhouse for Reception class
o Playhouse for Nursery class
o Books
o Christmas tree
o Christmas party
o May Ball
o Leavers’ party
Special Educational Needs / Children and Families with Disabilities
The school aims to nurture an ethos where children with special educational needs are welcomed into their classes and valued for their abilities and contribution to school life. We aim to provide access to the curriculum and all activities on offer to all children. Extra adult support within the classroom is provided when appropriate funding is available. Time and support is allocated according to the child’s needs, educational initiatives, such as literacy and numeracy strategies, and the budget. Additional support is funded through individual allocations from the local authority.
The school has an accessible toilet and accessible parking facilities for children and any visitors with disabilities. The school is on one level and classrooms can be accessed from the outside through wide entrances with purpose built ramps.
A Disability Equality Committee meets on a termly basis to discuss pertinent issues. The Committee formulates an Action Plan each year. Any interested members of the school community are welcome to attend meetings.