2 - School Prospectus

SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Ossett Flushdyke J & I School

Wakefield Road

OSSETT WF5 9AN

tel: 01924 302825

Email: headteacher@flushdyke.wakefield.sch.uk

Website: www.flushdyke.ik.org

HEADTEACHER

Mrs T Palk

ASSISTANT HEAD

Ms M Lally                                       

CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

Mr D Broadhead

AGE RANGE OF PUPILS

3 to 11 years

NUMBER ON ROLL 104

ALTHOUGH THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION, UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES MAY MAKE CHANGES NECESSARY.

SCHOOL STATUS

The school is a Community Junior and Infants School, maintained by the City of Wakefield Education Authority. It caters for boys and girls from 3 to 11 years of age.

Pupils may start school on a part-time basis two terms before the term in which they become four (see admissions arrangements).

The school opened in 1912 but has recently had major improvements to the building, including a two-classroom extension and a Foundation Stage Unit.

Recent improvements have also included the addition of a new playground, replacement toilets, new library, and ICT Suite and the development of an outdoor learning area. Existing classrooms within the main building have been enlarged and the whole school has been redecorated recently.

Our School Prospectus is organised into two main sections:

Part A is the School Profile which is a statutory document required by the DfES of all schools.

http://schoolprofile.parentscentre.gov.uk/ 

Part B contains information about the school which is not required in the School Profile, but which we feel will be useful to parents.

If you have any constructive suggestions for improvement to our prospectus, I should be pleased to receive them.

SECTION A

SCHOOL PROFILE

What have been our successes this year?

This has been an extremely successful year for the school. In September HMI carried out an Ofsted inspection and school was judged to be outstanding. They said of school, “Ossett Flushdyke is an outstanding school. Strong leadership at all levels combined with a total commitment to inclusion enables pupils to make good progress and achieve well”.

End of Key Stage assessments have shown that pupils have made very good progress throughout school. Comparative data supplied by our Local Authority and the DCSF show that many pupils exceeded levels expected of them in the core subjects of mathematics, English and science.

In February we achieved the Healthy School Award and for the second year running were awarded the Activemark.

We have continued to make major improvements to our school grounds. The pond is complete and children have continued to use it for pond-dipping activities in science work. Growing beds have been used by all children to grow food crops which they have harvested and cooked in school. The outdoor learning resource is increasingly being used for teaching across the curriculum.

What are we trying to improve?

Ofsted identified no areas for improvement other than those already identified in our development plan, which are:

• Introduction of Early Years Foundation Stage

    Launch of EYFS:

• Primary National Strategy

    Main foci:

        o Children’s Writing

        o Speaking and Listening

• Outdoor Learning

    Further development of education in the outdoor environment:

        o Use of pond and woodland

        o Orienteering and map-reading skills

        o Global issues – Colombian Rainforest

        o Early Years outdoor provision

• ICT

        o Control – review of provision and resources

        o Electronic recording / podcasting

• Every Child Matters

        o Audit of coverage

• Art

        o Review of Art policy

How have our results changed over time?

Being a small school, it is inevitable that year on year results fluctuate according to

the ability of pupils within individual cohorts. However, the annual tests in 2008

show that children make good progress at this school, and that they achieve high

standards for their abilities in mathematics, English and science.

We are very pleased with the progress that children have made in the Foundation

Stage this year. The summary Foundation Stage profile results in 2008 show that

most children achieved scores expected of them and that many achieved higher.

The performance of pupils at the end of Key Stage 1 was very good in 2008,

particularly in mathematics and science where 100% achieved level 2 or above.

Targets set in 2006 in core subjects were exceeded.

The results in all core subjects at KS2 were good this year. Of the pupils who were

at this school in 2006 when statutory targets were set, 100% achieved level 4 or

above in both mathematics and science and targets were exceeded in English.

54% of those pupils achieved level 5 in science.

How are we making sure we are meeting the learning needs of individual pupils?

We treat children as individuals and carefully match work to their ages, abilities and

aptitudes. Teachers plan their lessons to take account of different levels of

learning and cater well for all pupils according to their individual needs. Learning

objectives are shared with children at the beginning of lessons and ongoing

assessment ensures that progress is carefully monitored.

We celebrate achievement through praise, encouragement and rewards to help

children to recognise the importance of working hard and learning well.

All classes have support staff who help children with their learning, especially

where children have particular and special needs.

Where children are identified as having special needs they are given individual

programmes to help them progress and do well.

Parents are welcomed into school and are encouraged to be partners in their

children’s education. We regularly report to them on children’s progress and

achievement.

A rich, broad and balanced curriculum is used to help children develop their

knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to succeed as learners.

How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?

Children are provided with an excellent programme of play, physical education and

sport to keep them healthy and fit.

School meals conform to current requirements, and we have recently installed a

water cooler for children to use.

We have joined the free fruit and vegetables scheme and milk is available for all

children.

We invite health professionals to work in school to deliver a health education

programme to older pupils.

This school has a strong anti-bullying policy and we have recently introduced a

Playground Buddy Scheme to help children who need support during playtimes.

All children in Y5 and Y6 are taught swimming. Children throughout school are

taught about the importance of road safety.

Our Child Protection Strategy meets all statutory requirements to keep our children

safe.

Our Learning Mentor supports vulnerable pupils and those who are experiencing

barriers to learning.

What activities are available to pupils?

We are delighted to offer our children an excellent range of activities during the

school day and after school. These have included:

• • Games, sport, dance, badminton, gymnastics, athletics, chess, wildlife club.
• • Clubs, after school, lunch-times.
• • Music tuition, choir.
• • Parties, pantomimes, musical concerts, special theme days.
• • Outings, visits, residential visits, external speakers and demonstrators.
• • Inter-school events
• • Visits to art exhibitions, participation in competitions 

  We encourage children to join in the full life of the school and to take advantage of the opportunities we offer.

   

How are we working with parents and the community?

As a school we are outward looking and seek to build strong links with all our

partners to enrich the learning opportunities for our children.

We have an excellent and active Friends Association which provides a good

programme of fund-raising and social activities. It works hard and raises lots of

additional funds for the school.

We have recently hosted a parenting course which was attended by parents from

several local schools.

Our choir has performed with other local schools at the launch of the Ossett

Education Trust.

What have pupils told us about the school, and what have we done as a result?

We have recently put into place some very effective strategies for seeking pupils’

views about school.

Children in Year Six complete a questionnaire annually prior to leaving this school in

which they are asked what they like most about school and what they would like to

change.

Recent surveys were very positive about what we offered them and most agreed that

they enjoyed school and found work interesting.

Recent changes made as a result of consultation with children have included:

• • Mirrors installed in children’s cloakrooms
• • Water cooler installed for children’s use
• • Improved playground facilities, including line markings for a variety of games.
• • An outdoor timber activity trail

The School Council is working well and it is making a useful contribution to the

effective running of the school.

What do our pupils do after leaving this school?

When pupils leave us at the end of year 6, the majority attend our local high school.

A small number opt to go to independent schools.

We have good liaison links with our local high school and we work hard with them to

ensure that our pupils’ transfer is a smooth and happy process.

What have we done in response to Ofsted?

Ofsted identified no areas for improvement other than those already listed in our development plan.

SECTION B

What subjects are taught in school?

The National Curriculum

The National Curriculum was introduced to ensure that all children in State schools

receive the same basic education. Ten subjects must be taught in primary schools. They are divided up into Core and Foundation subjects.

Core Subjects        Foundation Subjects

English                     Information & Communication        Geography        Physical Education

                                Technology

Maths                      Design Technology                        Art & Design       Music

Science                   History                                            French (KS2)

Skills, Understanding and Knowledge

In each of the eleven subjects, children are taught Skills, Understanding and Knowledge

Skills

These are things children need to be able to do (for instance, how to weigh things

accurately using a set of scales; how to tell the time using a clock; how to look things up in a dictionary.

Understanding

This means having a grasp of basic concepts and ideas (eg, writing conveys meaning; water, ice and steam are all forms of the same substance; the difference between living, dead and non-living).

Knowledge

This means knowing things "off by heart" (for example, historical dates; countries in

Europe; how to spell common words). So, your child might have the skill of being able to multiply 8 by 6, know that they equal 48, and understand that multiplication is a process of repeated addition.

Progression

Although your child will move through school year by year, the National Curriculum is

arranged in broader segments called Key Stages.

• • Foundation Stage covers what a child aged from 3-5 should know.
• • Key Stage One covers what a child aged from 5-7 should know.
• • Key Stage Two covers what a child aged from 7-11 should know.

  Children are assessed when they enter Class 1 to see what their skills, strengths and

  areas for development are. They are formally assessed at ages five, seven and eleven. Parents are told what level their children have achieved in these assessments so they can see how well they are doing relative to the national average.

   

  More information about the National Curriculum is given in Appendix A.

   

Is Religious Education taught in school?

Religious Education is considered part of the Basic Curriculum and must be taught in

all schools in England. The school is not affiliated to any religious denomination, but

follows the Agreed Syllabus laid down by the City of Wakefield M.D.C. Education

Authority. The main emphasis is on Christianity, but it is important to bear in mind that

children are growing up in a multi-faith society and will need to be able to respond

sympathetically and with understanding to those of different religious beliefs. Pupils

are, therefore, given the opportunity to learn about other major religions. Parents

have the right to withdraw their children from R.E. lessons and also from acts of

collective worship in school.

Does school teach a modern foreign language?

School currently teaches French to all pupils in Key Stage 2.

How are year groups organised into classes?

The school is organised into four classes, each class comprising of pupils from more

than one year group. This arrangement is necessary in a small school where seven

age groups have to be accommodated in four classes. Classes at present are

grouped as follows:

                Class 1         Foundation Stage, Y1

                Class 2         Key Stage 1: Y1,Y2

                Class 3         Lower Key Stage 2: Y3,Y4

                Class 4         Upper Key Stage 2: Y5,Y6

Teachers plan work which follows the National Curriculum and which takes into

account the ages and ability of pupils within each class.

Classes 2, 3 and 4 are supported by full-time Teaching Assistants who help the teacher deliver the curriculum. Class 1 has a full time Nursery Nurse and Teaching Assistant working alongside the teacher.

Does school provide homework?

School provides homework for its pupils in line with our homework policy. A copy of the homework policy is available for any parent who wishes to have one.

What are the school’s rules for pupils?

We keep rules to a minimum and revise them regularly. Our current school rules are

as follows:

• Children are encouraged to move about the school in a quiet and orderly   manner.
• Climbing on any part of the school building is forbidden.
• Children should not play in the toilets, cloakrooms or near the school entrances.
• In the interests of good health, children are not allowed to bring sweets or drinks other than water to school. Sugar-free drinks are on sale in school at lunchtime and all pupils have access to water throughout the day. Parents should provide children with a drinking bottle which should be taken home regularly for cleaning.
• Children are not allowed to leave the school premises without permission during school hours or at lunchtime unless they go home for lunch. If a child needs to leave school early for special reasons, parents should inform the school in writing, stating who is to collect the child and at what time.
• For reasons of safety, children should not wear jewellery in school.

What are school session times?

Mornings            Foundation Stage         08.50 – 11.20 (part-time session)

                         Foundation Stage         08.50 -12.00 (full-time)

                         KS 1 08.50 – 12.00

                         KS 2 08.50 – 12.15

Afternoons          Foundation Stage         13.15 – 15.15 (full time)

                         KS 1 13.15 – 15.20

                         KS 2 13.15 – 15.20

During a normal school week, the total number of hours spent on teaching, including

religious education, but excluding the statutory daily act of collective worship,

registration and breaks is as follows:

Infants (Key Stage 1) - 21 hours 15 minutes

Juniors (Key Stage 2) - 23 hours 45 minutes

What is a Home-School Agreement?

It is a statutory requirement that all schools have a Home-School Agreement. The

agreement is a statement explaining: the school’s aims and values; the school’s

responsibilities towards its pupils; the responsibilities of pupil’s parents or carers; and

what the school expects of its pupils.

What should children wear for school?

We ask for parents’ co-operation in ensuring that children wear the school uniform

which is as follows:

                Girls:   Plain white blouse.

                            Royal blue cardigan, jumper or sweatshirt.

                            Grey skirt or trousers.

                            In hot weather, a pale blue & white gingham dress may be preferred.

                Boys:  Plain white shirt and/or royal blue jumper or sweatshirt.

                            Grey trousers.

In hot weather, a royal blue or white top with plain grey or navy shorts are suggested.

For reasons of safety, we ask that children wear sensible shoes with low heels.

It is important that parents ensure that all items of clothing are labelled with

their child’s name.

What should children wear for P.E. and Games lessons?

All children are expected to change for P.E. and will require the following kit:

Indoor P.E.                Boys need a white T-shirt and dark blue or black shorts.

                                Girls require a leotard or white T-shirt and dark blue/black shorts.

For reasons of safety, children must work in bare feet when using the large apparatus. We also encourage bare foot work during other indoor P.E. sessions.

Outdoor P.E.             Boys and girls need dark blue or black shorts and a white

                                T- shirt.  All children also need a tracksuit and trainers for

                                outdoor games.

Children in Years 5 and 6 have swimming lessons for which boys require swimming

trunks (not shorts), girls need a one-piece swimsuit and all children need swimming caps. Swimming forms part of the National Curriculum and an explanatory note is required from parents if, for any reason, a child is unable to participate in a lesson.

What are the school’s arrangements for reporting pupil progress to parents?

Open evenings

Twice yearly, parents are invited to attend Open Evenings during which they are able

to discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher. If, at other times, parents have

any worries, they are welcome to visit school and discuss their problem informally with

the class teacher and/or the headteacher. However, parents should contact school first so that a mutually convenient time can be arranged for the appointment. It is

important that teachers are not disturbed at the beginning of the school day

School reports

All full-time pupils are given a written report to take home at the end of the Summer

Term. Parents will already have had two opportunities to discuss their child’s progress

with the class teacher during the school year. If, however, they are concerned about the content of the report, parents should make an appointment with their child’s class teacher to discuss it.

How does school promote positive behaviour in school?

We strive for good discipline in school by emphasising positive attitudes and

encouraging high standards of behaviour. We aim to create a positive whole-school

ethos that is based upon mutual respect.

Good manners, helpfulness, tolerance and consideration for others are regular

themes in school assemblies and children are praised for demonstrating these

qualities. Examples of good work and positive behaviour are highlighted in our

achievement assemblies each Friday. In this way we aim to encourage children to

develop self-discipline and become responsible members of the school community.

If pupils do exhibit challenging behaviour the problem is discussed with class  

teachers. If the poor behaviour continues, pupils are reprimanded and may miss

playtimes or other privileges. Repeated misbehaviour is reported to the

headteacher, who may invite the child’s parents into school to discuss the problem.

In very serious cases, a period of exclusion from school may be considered

necessary as a last resort.

School has recently employed a Learning Mentor to work with children who have

barriers to learning.

How does school cater for pupils with special needs?

We aim to identify children with special needs at an early stage and attempt, within the

resources available to us, to cater for the needs of each child. In some cases it is

necessary to seek help and advice from outside agencies such as the authority’s

Special Needs Support Service or Educational Psychology Service. Full details of the

school’s approach can be found by consulting our Special Needs Policy document, by

arrangement with the headteacher.

Occasionally it may be considered necessary for a child to be assessed under the

1981 Education Act so that a Statement of Special Educational Needs may be drawn

up. This is done only after detailed discussion and agreement with parents. Once

the child’s needs have been assessed, an individual programme of learning is devised to cater for the child’s particular needs whilst providing as much access to the National Curriculum as possible.

One member of the teaching staff is designated Special Needs Co-ordinator

(SENCO), and it is she who oversees changes to the school’s policy and manages

the whole-school Special Needs programme. Our SENCO is Ms M Lally, and she is

normally released from class duties for one half day every two weeks to carry out

work relating to pupils with Special Needs. This is proving to be an effective way of

monitoring and supporting the Special Needs programme in school.

What facilities exist to assist access to the school by pupils with

disabilities?

School is built on a single level which is reached by means of a ramp to the main

entrance. Play areas can all be accessed by ramps.

Access to new pond-dipping platform is also via ramps.

School has a fully accessible toilet.

What health issues should I be aware of?

Health & Welfare

Medical and dental inspections, hearing and eyesight tests are carried out by the

School Health Service. Hair inspections are no longer carried out on a routine basis

and parents are therefore advised to inspect their children’s hair regularly for head lice

and follow advice given by the School Nurse.

Children should not be sent to school if they are unwell. A telephone contact number

must be provided for every child in case of emergency.

Medicines

School has strict procedures for administering medicines to pupils that follow LA

guidelines. We are only allowed to administer medicines that have been

prescribed by a doctor and which require administering four times a day.

Parents or Carers wishing school to administer medicines to their children, must

complete a request form giving details of medication, dosage and other essential

information. Designated members of staff will administer the medication according to

LA policy.

Hospital and Clinic appointments

Children who need to leave school to attend medical or dental appointments should

bring a note for the class teacher and be collected from school by a responsible adult.

In the interests of safety, children are not permitted to leave school early to meet a

parent away from the school premises.

What are the school’s arrangements for providing school meals?

School provides hot dinners through Kingswood Catering, which are cooked at a

neighbouring school and delivered in heated containers. If parents wish, children may

bring a packed lunch or they may go home. Drinking water is provided so children are

not allowed to bring drinks to school. However, juice drinks can be purchased from

school and should be ordered on a Monday morning for the week.

Dinner money is collected on Monday mornings in advance and should be brought in

an envelope bearing the child’s name and class number. We also ask that drinks

money be brought in a different labelled envelope from dinner money to help with

administration. We regret that meals cannot be provided without prior payment.

Parents should make us aware if their children are entitled to free school meals (if in

doubt, contact the School Administrator).

What are the school’s admission arrangements?

Admissions to the school are controlled by Wakefield Local Authority. Details of

Wakefield’s admissions policy are explained in Appendix B.

Pupils may start our school on a part-time basis two terms before the term in which

they become four. Applications for part-time education should be made directly to the

school.

Does school charge for visits or school activities?

The governors’ policy with regard to charging for school activities is broadly in line with the relevant sections of the Education Reform Act (1988) and the policies on charging and remission formulated by the Wakefield M.D.C. Education Department. Both the governors’ and the Local Authority’s policy statements are available at school for inspection, if required.

When a school visit or journey is planned, parents will be asked to make a voluntary

contribution towards the costs. Pupils will not be treated differently according to

whether or not their parents have contributed. However, if sufficient resources are not

available, the activity may be cancelled and all contributions refunded. On residential

visits, a charge will be made for board and lodging.

No charge will be made for materials used in lessons, except in special cases where

parents have indicated in advance that they wish to retain the finished product.

Parents may be required to pay for damage to school property or equipment where

this is the result of a pupil’s poor behaviour.

Does school have a support group?

The school enjoys the support of an active Friends’ Association, which organises

social and fund-raising events at various times during the year. The association holds

its Annual General Meeting in September and all parents, staff and friends of the

school are encouraged to attend.

How does school deal with pupil absences?

The Department for Education and Science has asked local authorities to try to reduce

the number of unauthorised absences in its schools.

It is important that all absences are reported to school as soon as possible by a parent,

carer or responsible adult. Pupil absences are recorded in class registers as either

authorised or unauthorised. Legitimate reasons for absence such as illness, dental

appointments, music examinations, etc., are recorded as authorised by school. When

we do not receive a reason for absence, or the reason is not considered to be

legitimate, the absence is regarded as unauthorised. Planned absences should

always be requested in writing.

What kind of insurance covers my child in school?

Personal Insurance

Parents are advised that the Local Education Authority is insured in respect of its

legal liability to pay compensation to pupils injured as a result of the negligence of

the school, governors or Education Authority. However, pupils are not insured in

respect of accidents where negligence cannot be proved. This type of insurance is

known as Personal Accident Insurance and parents are advised that, if they wish to

purchase such cover, they should contact their own financial adviser.

Personal belongings

School will take every precaution to ensure that pupil’s essential belongings are kept

as safe as possible during school hours. However, children who bring toys and other

Are there any safety issues that I should be aware of?

Child Protection Procedures

Because of day-to-day involvement 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 where it appears to a member of 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.

Car Parking

For safety reasons, we ask parents not to drive into the school lane unless there are medical reasons for doing so, and permission has been sought from school. We aim to keep traffic movement close to the school gates down to a minimum when children are using this area. Parents should, therefore, park their cars in a safe place on the main road, away from