Southwold is a County Primary Co- Educational Day School with Nursery Unit (age range 3 -11)
School Prospectus
Our School Aims.....
We aim to ensure the equality of education for all our children based on the highest professional expectations ensuring all children reach their full potential in all programmes of study within the National Curriculum and record their achievments.
We encourage the child to develop a sense of self worth, self discipline, personal responsibility and consideration for others.
We value and encourage the special talents and strengths of all our children regardless of race, gender, disability or age in all aspects of school life.
We aim to create a calm, safe secure environment which is condusive to teaching and learning, providing an enjoyable, challenging and purposeful atmosphere.
We have a commitment to good discipline and expect all our children to develop a sense of responsibility for their behaviour based on a clear consistent behaviour policy and a caring, supportive system of pastoral care.
We value a full and effective partnership of children, staff, governers and parents. All parents/carers are encouraged to be actively involved in all aspects of their child's development and we welcome opportunities to promote this partnership.
We aim to be an active, caring part of the community and to foster relationships at all levels.
Admission Arrangements
The following criteria are used to decide which children should be admitted to the school;
(a Places at the school will first be given to applicants who reside in the defined catchment area.
(b) Thereafter, consideration will be given to those who live outside the catchment area but who, at the time of admission, will have a brother or sister attending the school. Preference will be given to applicants who live nearest to the school.
(c) Thereafter, consideration will be given to other applicants who live outside the catchment area. Preference will first be given to applicants who live nearest to the school.
(d) Consideration will be given to applicants who can establish particular medical, special educational need or social grounds according to the merits of the case, each case to be determined by the Director of Education or his representative in consultaion with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Governers.
The Director of Education in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Governing Body may agree in particular cases to accord a higher priority to an individual, so long as this is reported to the Governing Body as soon as possible.
The school has nursery class facilities available for children aged 3 and 4 on a part time basis.
Before formal entry to Infant Education parents will be able to arrange their child's admission to the school serving their home address, or seek a place at any other school of their choice.
Southwold's Admission Policy is that children transfer to the infant department at the beginning of the term at which they are 5 providing there is sufficient accomodation.
Services from which the School Benefits
The school is able to draw on a wide range of support services provided by the Local Authority. The Education Welfare Service gives help and support to children with a range of educational difficulties and we can call on their Educational Physcology Service both to give further in-service training to teachers and to work with both parents and children. The Child Health Service is on hand to identify any health needs. Regular medical examinations are held at school and if you wish your child to be included in one of these, then please contact either the head teacher or our school nurse.
Teachers are supported in classroom work through a range of services which includes the Education Library Service and the EMAG Service. A large number of in-service training courses are available to our teachers each term and the quality and standards of education are monitored by the Advisory and Inspection Service based at Sandfield.
Curriculum
The City Of Nottingham Education Department statement:
Nottingham City Education is commited to raising educational standards. Our purpose is to challenge and support schools to continuously improve and to work with all partners to create solutions and achieve success.
We believe that:
- all children can learn;
- all children can achieve excellence;
education matters to the whole community;
- learning is for everyone.
Our core values are equlaity, integrity, repsect, inclusion and care.
The work we do with partners will;
- draw on shared ideas and the best of practice;
- foster mutual accountability and shared responsibilty;
- have energy and optimism.
Sex education is part of our overall responsibilty. At Southwold we have drawn up a policy in consultation with governers, parents and the Health Authority. This mainly involves children in their final year. Parents are invited to preview material and given the opportunity to opt their child out of the programme if they wish.
Total teaching time in school is 23 and a half hours. This time excludes the daily act of worship, registration, and breaks (including lunchtime).
We make every effort to ensure that each child masters the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics. In addition he/she will be encouraged to express him/herself creatively through language, drama, art, music and movement, This will take place within the framework of the National Curriculum which is organised on a two year cycle throughout the school.
Literacy, which includes reading, writing and spelling is taught through the daily literacy hour. Teachers plan within a framework of shared reading or writing using text for the first 15 minutes, then more focused word or sentence work for the next 15 minutes.
The next 20 minutes are organised into independent groups with the teacher focusing on one or more groups during this time. The final 10 minutes is a plenary session where the children and their teacher can discuss the work covered and children have an opportunity to show or comment about their work.
Every class has a daily dedicated maths lesson which focuses on a mental maths oral starter, then the main teaching activity working as a whole class and in groups and finally a plenary session to round off the lesson.
Science is taught throughout the year in blocked units according to the National Curriculum requirements.
ICT, Information and Communication Technology, is a subject that is taught throughout school as a subject in its own right but mostly as a cross curricular way supporting the core and foundation subjects.
The foundation subjects of history, geography, technology, music, art, religious education and physical education will continue to be incorporated into a 'topic centred' approach wherever possible. This means that the relevant Attainment Targets will be taught as they occur within a planned theme. There will also be a strong emphasis placed on personal, social education and health education throughout the school.
Special Needs Policy Summary
The staff at Southwold believe in a whole school philosophy of special educational needs, working together towards a collaborative and co-operative approach where expertise and knowledge are continually shared for the benefit of all children.
Our objectives are;
1) To provide a happy and secure environment in which children feel positive about themselves and adults have a positive and sensitive approach to special needs issues.
2) To value each child and their individual contribution, to develop self respect, self confidence and respect for others.
3) To entitle access to a broad, stimulating and varied curriculum through which each child can develop their full potential.
The initial identification and assessment of special needs is by the chid's class teacher who completes a concern form so that the child is placed at stage 1 on the special needs register and informs the parents. THe child's progress is monitoed by the class teacher and the teacher responsible for special educational needs ( called SENCO ). If progress continues to cause concern the child is moved to stage 2 and is assessed by the Core Outreach Teacher and an individual education plan is identified and discussed with parents.
Parents are actively encouraged to be fully involved in their child's education and to play an equal part in supporting programmes to maintain good all round progress. There is on-going discussion with the class teachers maintaining progress at Parent/teacher Consultation Meetings and informally when necessary.
The SENCO will meet with parents of children on the special needs register to review progress and discuss future needs.
Provision of Sport
At Southwold pupils are given the opportunity to experience a variety of games, sport skills and individual activities. These include gymnastics, swimming, short tennis, indoor hockey, rounders, netball, kwik cricket and summer athletic activities.
Sports Day is an important and enjoyable whole school activity where teams of pupils of all ages participate in a range of sporting/skill/gymnastic activities. There are prizes for winning team and also the most sporting team.
At Southwold we are very fortunate to be able to use the sevices, from time to time, of coaches from Notts County Football Club, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, and the Nottingham Tennis Centre. We work closely with John Carrol Leisure Centre and encourage our children to use their facilities during the school holidays as much as possible.
Sport is encouraged at lunchtime and breaktimes to take advantage of our generous school field
Parental Involvement
We see the school as an integral part of the community. We are always happy to welcome parents with any particular skills which they are willing to share with us. However, you are still welcome to help even if you feel you are no expert. We always need people to act as observers at the swimming pool, accompany the children on educational visits and assist with practical activities in the classroom, reading, sewing, baking,etc. Come and join us
School Session Times
Nursery (am); 9am - 11.30am ; Nursery (pm); 1.00pm - 3.30pm
Infants and Juniors; 8.55am - 12.00pm and 1.00pm - 3.25pm
School Meals
School meals are served on a cafeteria system. There is a choice of menu which offers a variety of nutricious meals. Dinner money is collected on a weekly basis on Monday mornings. Parents receiving Income Support are aslo entitled to free school meals for their children; this arrangement has to be dealt with by Area Office. Some children bring a packed lunch, please ensure this is brought in asuitable container with the child's name
School Dress
The wearing of school uniform is expected and contributes to the school's Aims by engendering a pride in being a member of the school community and supports the development of positive attitudes to school and learning.
The uniform consists of;
Boys; Royal Blue sweater, cardigan or sweatshirt. White Shirt. Grey trousers ( not jeans )
Girls;Royal Blue sweater, cardigan or sweatshirt. White Shirt/blouse. Grey Skirt, culottes, or trousers ( not jeans )
School Sweatshirts with the School Logo on the left chest are available by order
For indoor P.E.children need rubber soled plimsolls, blue shorts and a plain white T-shirt. These will also be ideal for playground games. Trainers are required for field games. Indoor plimsolls are not acceptable for field games no outdoor trainers for indoor P. E. lessons.
Swimming is a compulsory subject and most classes have the opportunity to go swimming at some point during the year. Parents will be informed when swimming costumes/trunks need to be brought to school.
All shoes and clothes must be clearly marked with the child's name. P.E. items should be brought to school each Monday and taken home each Friday for washing.
Jewellery is not permitted in school for safety reasons. Studs may be worn by children with pierced ears but should be removed for P.E. activities and swimming.
The School Fund
In addition to money provided by the Local Education Authority, there is a school fund which is managed by the Head Teacher and the Governing Body. It consists of donations and other income raised in a variety of ways, the purpose of which is to benefit the pupils of the school by the provision of facilities, equipment, activities and financial assitance which cannot be made available for whatever reason from monies provided by the Education Authority.
School Discipline
A school must be a disciplined community.
We place strong emphasis on self discipline, trust and mutual prespect. The school states firmly that neither bullying in any form, nor racism in any form, is tolerated. Good relationships with parents are utilised to support a well disciplined climate within the school.
All children are given a 'Contract Of Good Behaviour' which they are expected to read and sign and witnessed by their parent/carer. The contract outlines the reward system for good behaviour and also the process and action for any mis-behaviour.
Health, Safety and Welfare
Your child's health, safety and welfare is of obvious concern to us. In order to assist us with this we ask for the following;
1) Any medical information you consider important for us to know.
2) School will not dispense medicines. If children require medicine during the day parents are asked to arrange timings around the school day or to come into school and give the medication to your child.
3) Name and Address in case of emergency.
Pastoral care is the responsibility of all the teaching staff and is exercised through close contact between children, school, and parents.
AS THE SCHOOL DRIVE IS VERY NARROW AND REGULARY USED BY DELIVERY VEHICLES WE ALSO ASK THAT PARENTS REFRAIN FROM USING THE DRIVE AS A DROP OFF OR A PICK UP POINT FROM CARS AND TAXIS
Religious Education Policy
The school currently used the Lewisham Syllabus for religious education, emphasing the importance of children having an appreciation of, and a tolerance for, other faiths. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from acts of collective worship and religious education.
Visiting Arrangements
Parents are welcome to visit the school at any time.
It is, however, helpful if prior arrangements can be made by letter of telephone to ensure that that the appropriate person is free to see them
Visits
Educational Visits are an integral part of the curriculum where children learn from their immediate environment, or travel further afield. For certain visits we ask for a voluntary contribution towards transort.
Disclaimer
The information given on this webpage which relates to the school year 2000/2001 was valid at the time of printing. It should not be assumed that there will be no changes affecting either the arrangements generally described in this webpage or in any particular part of them before the start of the school year 1999/2000 or in subsequent years. Any anticipated changes have been included as part of the text.
Date of issue as a brochure ; January 2000
Date of issue as a webpage ; January 2001