Aylburton Primary School

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Welcome to Aylburton Church of England Primary School.

We hope that this website will give you an insight into the life of our school. As you will see it is a lively, caring, learning environment.

THE SCHOOL AND ITS LOCATION

Aylburton School is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School. It has a Church Foundation and seeks to fulfil the aim of its Trust Deed by offering high quality education, within the context of Christian faith and practice. Christian standards and values are reflected in the life and work of the school and are promoted amongst pupils. We have close links with our Parish Church of St. Mary’s and there is a positive and active role in our school life for the church. Aylburton School is a Primary mixed day school for pupils aged between 4 - 11 years.

The School is situated in Church Road, opposite St Mary`s Church, a little over a mile from the town of Lydney. The area is ideal for environmental study being near to the Forest of Dean and River Severn. It is situated on the edge of the village and within a few yards of open countryside. The number of children on roll in January 2007 was 68. There are seven year groups from Reception to Year 6 and there are mixed ages within all classes.

The school buildings comprise a main block opened in 1870; this houses two good-sized classrooms, a hall with library area, a staff room, a kitchen and an administrative section. There is also a separate classroom and library, which is used by the Key Stage 1 (infant) children.

At playtimes the children use the adjoining playground, which is marked out for netball and six-a side football. In summer children use the grassed area at the side of the main building. The village recreation ground is used for sport in fine weather.

SCHOOL AIMS

Governors and staff offer equal opportunities for each child to reach his/her full potential in a happy working environment. To do this we have the following aims: To conform with the requirements of the National Curriculum and RE

To develop self discipline and responsibility
To develop self confidence and respect
To help children learn the importance of courtesy, good manners and consideration for others
To develop the ability to learn independently
To ensure a good command of language both written and spoken
To encourage an enjoyment of reading
To develop a knowledge and understanding of mathematics
To encourage scientific curiosity
To awaken awareness of our heritage, and that of other people, through history, geography and religious studies
To introduce children to works of literature, art and music which enrich our own and other cultures
To encourage a healthy attitude to ourselves and our environment
To enable pupils to become ICT literate
A willingness to explore the Christian beliefs and values of the school

THE CURRICULUM

Aylburton School teaches Foundation Stage for Reception, Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) of the National Curriculum. KS1 is for infants in years 1 and 2. KS2 is for juniors in years 3 to 6. The School teaches the following subjects:

English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Design and Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, French - from Y2, Religious Education, Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education and Physical Education

We have Curriculum policies and schemes of work.

Teachers use these methods to deliver the curriculum – whole class, group and individual teaching

Learning is based on first hand experience as far as possible

Differentiated activities are planned to allow children to work at an appropriate level

Children are able to apply their knowledge in a variety of situations

A wide range of activities are planned for children including visits and extra-curricular clubs

Children and staff have access to good quality resources including ICT equipment

ADMISSION

Parents are welcome to visit the school, look around and ask questions. Reception (Foundation Stage) parents are invited to an informal meeting, during early summer, when details concerning the introduction to school life will be discussed. This is a chance for parents to start to feel involved in the life of Aylburton and to ask about any aspect of the School.

In keeping with the policy of Gloucestershire Local Education Authority (LEA), the School welcomes pupils who are four years old on or before 31st August in the year of their admission. Reception children are admitted during September on a part-time basis at first and gradually become full-time pupils by the end of October. The exact details of the introduction and admission arrangements will be sent to parents during the summer term. We try to make the transition to school life as enjoyable and relaxed as possible through visits during the summer term before admission, so that children become familiar with the school environment, meet the staff and begin to feel at home. ‘Rising 5’ sessions are held on Friday mornings during the second half of the summer term. Children from families moving into the area are welcome to join our school at any time during the year.

If the School should become over subscribed the LEA have criteria, which will be applied in deciding priority for admission. There is an appeals procedure for parents who do not agree with the LEA’s decision.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

All clothing and any other belongings brought into school must be clearly named.

Boys Uniform

grey trousers - long or short

white polo shirt

burgundy sweatshirt

grey, black or navy socks

black shoes – no trainers

Girls Uniform

Winter

grey skirt or grey trousers

white polo shirt

burgundy sweatshirt

white, grey or black socks/tights

black shoes – no trainers or high heels

Summer

Red checked or striped dress

Burgundy sweatshirts, fleeces and waterproof jackets with the School logo on may be ordered from the Office.

An old shirt or similar is required to put on during painting and craft lessons.

Key Stage 2 (junior) children may need a recorder.

PE kit

A named bag containing the following:

black or navy shorts

plain white T-shirt

slip-on gym shoes

trainers at key stage 2

Football

For matches during the winter and spring term some children will need football boots

All PE kit should be kept in school in a named bag.

Jewellery and watches

We discourage the wearing of jewellery to school. Children with pierced ears may wear studs, which must be removed for PE lessons. Watches may be worn.

TERM TIMES AND SCHOOL SESSIONS

The dates of terms and holidays during 2007/2008 are as follows:

Autumn Term 5th September - 21st December

Half term 22nd October - 26th October

Spring Term 7th January - 4th April

Half term 18th February - 22nd February

Summer Term 21st April - 18th July

Half term 26th May - 30th May

The following dates have been booked for In-Service training, school will be closed for pupils on these days – 4th,5th September, 30th,31st October 2006, 4th June 2007.

School sessions are:

9.00a.m. – 12.30p.m. (playtime 10.05 - 10.20)

1.15p.m. - 3.15 p.m. (playtime 2.00 - 2.15)

Pupils may arrive at school between 8.50 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. The school does not accept responsibility for supervision before 8.50 a.m. If on any occasion children are left earlier than this, a member of staff must be informed.

LUNCHES AND MILK

Parents send a packed lunch (no cans or glass bottles). A cup or straw should be provided for drinks. Drinking water is always available.

Milk should be ordered directly from ‘Cool Milk’ – forms are kept in the school office. No sweets or chocolate are allowed at morning break, on Fridays only fruit is eaten at break time. Children in all classes will be provided with a free piece of fruit/vegetable each day.

ATTENDANCE

We ask parents to let us know reasons for absence early on the first day so that we know all children have arrived safely at school. We are legally obliged to record attendance figures both authorised and unauthorised. Authorised absences in 2006/2007 were 5.8% and there was 1 unauthorised absence.

The Headteacher may give permission for children to be withdrawn from school for up to 10 days for a family holiday in any one calendar year. Applications should be made on official holiday forms, which can be obtained from the office. Parents should realise that taking children out of school in term time has a detrimental effect on their children`s education.

We expect advance warning when children are to be collected during the day for dental or doctor appointments etc.

LIAISON WITH SECONDARY SCHOOLS

We have regular liaison with Whitecross School, our local comprehensive, through teacher meetings and pupil activities. Providing opportunities for children and parents to visit Whitecross ensures a smooth transition from Aylburton at the end of Year 6. A few children choose to transfer to Wyedean School near Chepstow and the grammar schools in Gloucester.

DISCIPLINE

Governors, staff and children have drawn up a code of conduct and all children are expected to abide by it. Parents have a copy and are asked to support its implementation.

Breaches of the code will be dealt with in a variety of ways, which can include an apology, extra work, playtime forfeited, parents contacted or the child being on a ‘Behaviour Support Plan’. The ultimate punishment would be exclusion from school.

MEDICAL INFORMATION

When a child starts at Aylburton parents will be asked to fill in an admission form giving medical details that will be kept on file. School should be up-dated with any changes. Emergency telephone contact numbers are kept, if these change the school should be informed.

HEALTH CHECKS

The school doctor attends each term to examine children where concerns have been expressed. Parents are invited to attend such examinations. The school nurse comes for a ‘drop in’ session each half term she also comes in to check vision and hearing. Dental inspections take place occasionally. Children in need of treatment can be treated by the school dentist or their family dentist.

MEDICINES

Staff cannot be responsible for giving medication. If children need medicine during the day, parents should make arrangements to come into school and administer it. This does not apply to medicines that control chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and hay fever.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE)

Children who come to this school are educated in accordance with Christian principles and beliefs. Class teaching is based on the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus. Parents have the right to withdraw children from RE lessons.

WORSHIP

We take part in a daily act of Christian worship and have regular Church services in which children are encouraged to take part. The Vicar regularly leads assembly; the Methodist Minister and other visiting speakers are invited. The local church has an ‘Open the Book’ team who come into school to dramatise Bible stories. Spiritual awareness is seen as an important part of the development of each child. Parents have the right to withdraw children from collective worship.

SEX EDUCATION

Governors have a policy, copies of which are available from the school office. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from these lessons. Parents are always informed before the lessons take place.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN)

We aim to provide an atmosphere in which all children can reach their full potential. Children with learning difficulties and those with above average ability are identified and appropriate support is put in place in accordance with the requirements of the SEN Code of Practice 2001.

RESIDENTIAL VISIT

Year 5 and 6 children are taken to an outdoor activity centre. This happens every other year – next visit autumn 2008.

STANDARD ASSESSMENT TESTS (SATs) and TARGETS

Pupils are tested in accordance with national requirements at Y2 and Y6 in May each year. The Governing Body sets targets at Key Stage 2; they are not usually published as the cohorts are normally less than 11 children. Children in Y3, Y4 and Y5 take non-statutory SATs.