Weston Park Primary School

Miss V. Davies   Headteacher

We can all make a difference if we want to . . .

A Brief History

Lawrence Weston was first thought of as somewhere good to live when the Romans settled here in the 1st to 4th Centuries and the remains of Kings Weston Roman Villa are a few hundred metres from the School.

The estate looks out over the Second Severn Crossing, Avonmouth and Severnside.

Dominating the hill behind the School is Kings Weston House, built in 1710 by Sir John Vanbrugh.  There was an Elizabethan House there  prior to Edward Southville having his new house built.

After WWII, new housing was needed to replace homes bombed in inner Bristol and Lawrence Weston was begun in 1948 on land which had been part of the Kings Weston Estate formerly owned by the Napier Miles family.  As the housing increased, a school for primary aged children was needed in the western end of the estate.  Weston Park Junior School started on 17th February 1961 and shortly afterwards the separate Weston Park Infants School was opened on the same site.

The two schools were amalgamated as Weston Park Primary School in the early 1980s under one head teacher, and the Infant building became Bluebell Valley Nursery School. 

Set in a suburban council estate, we are very lucky to have extensive grounds including a substantial playing field, a pond and conservation area with very mature trees which is known as Wild Watch, and large playground areas. 

Many of the children who first started school at Weston Park are now the grandparents of the present pupils and there is a good family spirit prevailing.  In the last twenty years developments of private housing have added to the character of the area and there is an improved social mix. 

Head Teachers at Weston Park

• Weston Park Junior School was opened on this site on 17th February 1961 with Mr Jones as Head Teacher. 
• In the 1970s, Mr Tacey took over as Head, and he saw the amalgamation with the Weston Park Infants School in the early 1980s. 
• Mr Felton took charge of the 'new' J M & I school until taking early retirement in Summer 2003.
• Mr Dolling was Interim Head in 2003/2004.
• Miss Davies became Head in September 2004.

WE WILL CREATE A SECURE, STIMULATING AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE CAN BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERYONE.

AIMS

• To ensure that all our pupils progress academically and socially through a broad and balanced education in a safe, secure and stimulating environment.

• To ensure that the school is managed efficiently, effectively and economically.

• For pupils to enjoy learning, to develop lively enquiring minds, the ability to listen and question, to encourage self - motivation and self - discipline and make positive contributions.

• To strengthen the partnerships between pupils, parents, staff, governors, and the community and have a genuine pride in ourselves and our school.

• To help pupils understand the communities in which we live by developing a respect, understanding and tolerance of different ways of life. We aim to create an environment which reflects these ideals.

VALUES

1. We value the way in which all members of our community are unique, developing socially, spiritually and morally as well as intellectually and physically.

2. We value our environment and we aim, through our curriculum and practices, to teach respect for our world, and how we should care for it for future generations as well as our own.

3. We value the potential and contributions of every individual.

4. We value the promotion of co-operation and understanding between all members of our diverse community.

5. We value and promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

6. We value the rights enjoyed by each person in our community and society. We respect each person in our school for their views, for who they are, and we treat them with fairness and honesty.

Dates for 2007/08

Inset days

Please note that the Easter bank holidays will form a long weekend within Term 4 and not part of the subsequent two week holiday.

The school curriculum includes all of those activities which are planned to promote the development of pupils and to prepare them for the responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

The Education Act 1996 requires that all maintained schools provide a balanced and broadly based curriculum that:

Provides the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society.

Prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

To achieve these requirements, the school follows a national framework, which incorporates the National Curriculum, Religious Education and other statutory requirements.

The National Curriculum secures, for all pupils, an entitlement to a number of areas of learning to develop knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for their self-fulfilment and development as active and responsible citizens.

It also makes expectations for learning and attainment and establishes national standards for the performance of pupils.

We aim to achieve this through a program of lessons using a variety of teaching styles and also many cross-curricular activities.  In our school much of the learning is achieved through activity and experience, which is carefully planned to challenge and extend children.

However, the curriculum itself does not remain static.  We are responsive to changes and we regularly reappraise our teaching in response to the changing needs of our pupils and society.

While the following curriculum summaries give an outline of the main areas of learning, more details are available in the school subject policy documents.

There are 3 stages to the Curriculum at our school:

FOUNDATION STAGE

(Children in the Reception, YR)

KEY STAGE 1

(Children in Years 1 and 2)  

KEY STAGE 2

(Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6)

LITERACY

The Importance of Reading

At Weston Park we believe that developing reading skills is an essential part of children’s education. Research suggests that children who read for pleasure are more likely to achieve at school. To this aim we encourage reading of a variety of materials.

Comics              Newspapers           Web pages      Picture books               Fiction books     Leaflets                Recipes           Non- fiction books    Magazines and many other materials…

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Reading projects at Weston Park

Reading Connects

• We are in the process of applying to become a ‘Reading Connects School.’

• ‘Reading Connect Schools’ are schools that promote and develop reading.

• Schools participating in the project, receive a logo for use on school materials that indicates their status as a reading school, and ongoing support in developing reading from Reading Connects.  

Read a Million Words

• We are involved in the Read a Million Words project.

• Read a Million Words is a Bristol wide project that encourages and motivates children to read.

• Read a Million Words runs competitions throughout the year to encourage reading as well as Radio workshops and GWR Breakfast shows.

Each child is given a Millionaire's Passport and becomes a Word Millionaire when they have read a million words. Names are published on the read a million words website, as well as competition details

www.readamillionwords.org.uk

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What’s happening at the moment?

October 2005

• Launch of Read a Million Words

• Introduction of Superhero Competition

• Introduction of Aladdin Competition

• Add a comic to the library launch  

November 2005

• ‘Catch Me Reading’ week: Can children catch adults in the school reading and take their picture?

• ‘Catch Me Reading’ launch for children.  Every child caught reading will receive a raffle ticket for the monthly draw.

What’s coming up?

• Radio Workshops

• Christmas Productions

• Story Telling Groups

• Free Library Visits

• Reading Circles

Thank you to every one who took part in the book fair week. I hope you are all enjoying your new reads. We have raised £341 to buy new books for the school!!

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ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS

Admission’s Policy Aim:  It is our intention to provide the best possible start for all the Reception children [YR] when they begin their education at Weston Park Primary School.  We hope to achieve this by planning the following:

During the summer term before the children join us, staff from reception classes visit the children at Bluebell Valley Nursery who will be joining us in September.  This gives teachers an opportunity to meet the children, talk with their nursery teachers and make any special arrangements for entry to Weston Park.  We have always had strong links with Bluebell Valley Nursery and this helps to smooth the transition from one school to the other.

Parents are invited to an initial meeting during the term before their child starts at our school.  At this meeting they will meet their child’s teacher, classroom assistants, Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, parents, governors, and the Chair of Governors.  There will be a brief input from the Headteacher but the main purpose of this meeting is to give parents the opportunity to talk informally to as many people as they can and to gain a general feeling about how their child is likely to be educated when he/she starts in September.

Reception children and their parents will also have the opportunity to visit their “new” classroom during the day.

The emphasis for these two initial contacts is placed on “drip feeding” as much information as possible regarding the practical arrangements for children and parents in order to avoid confusion in September.

We appreciate the difference for children when they are coming from a small Nursery School into a large Primary School and we have always planned to have the children on a part-time basis.  This will enable the children and staff to really get to know one another, learn the organization in the classroom and layout of the school, and be assessed in small groups and individually [Baseline Assessment].

Without a doubt this part-time arrangement is really effective and so vital—we never have any YR child finding it difficult to settle.  It is expected that children will be in full time after 4/5 weeks.

Parents can accompany their child into the classroom every morning, see their work and chat to staff.  As their child becomes more settled parents can decide to limit these visits or reduce the length of time they stay.  Parents will continue to have this opportunity for the next seven years and this has proved to be the best home/school contact for parents and teachers.  Parents and teachers can solve any little concerns as well as celebrating work that their child is especially proud of.  Obviously as children become older they do not want their parents coming in every day [nor is there a need] but there is the opportunity to call in and see how their child’s work is progressing.

Meetings are held during the first term when teachers can talk with parents about reading, number work, helping their child at home, etc.

How is the school organized?

The school has 3 departments, Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Within the Foundation Stage we have places for 50 children, in 2 parallel classes.

The Infant Department (Key Stage 1) has 4 classes, 2 parallel classes each in Year 1 and Year 2.

The Junior Department (Key Stage 2) has 6 classes.  Years 3 and 4 are broken down into 3 classes, Y3, Y3/4, and Y4.  Years 5 and 6 are split in the same way, Y5, Y5/6, and Y6. 

Classes are based on a mixed ability and, where necessary if the situation develops, on a mixed age range basis.

Within Key Stage 2 children may be grouped for certain subjects.  Such groups are based on the class teacher’s assessment of children’s ability and attainment, yet are flexible to allow for individual differences and needs.

The aim is to ensure that each child is set work which matches his/her ability and so aid appropriate individual development.

Each class has its own teacher, but on occasion there is some moving of staff to make the best use of teacher’s skills and interests.

We encourage parents to support their children in all aspects of school life.

As far as your child is concerned we regard you as the expert as you know your child better than anyone else.

We wish to use this knowledge and understanding to ensure that all children enjoy school, become successful learners, high achievers and well adjusted individuals.

We always aim to welcome parents and we encourage you to take as active a part in your children’s education as your situation allows.

We take every opportunity to promote occasions where parents, children and staff can work together.

Regular newsletters will keep you informed of events taking place at school.

There is a school uniform which pupils are expected to wear.

ALL PROPERTY SHOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE OWNER’S NAME.

(Initials on the label with a pen could save you a fortune.  Children are forever leaving school uniform around and very few are ever claimed back)

                                    Winter

BOYS                    White shirt

                                    Black/Grey trousers

                                    Weston Park navy blue sweatshirt.

GIRLS                   White blouse

                                    Black/Grey skirt/trousers

                                    White ankle or knee socks

                                    Navy/Grey tights (in cold weather)

                                    Weston Park navy blue sweatshirt

                                    SUMMER

BOYS                    White shirt

                                    Black/Grey trousers (long or short)

                                    White polo shirt.  Black/navy blue shorts

GIRLS                    (As for winter or)

                                    Blue summer dress

                                    White socks.

                                    White polo shirt.  Black/navy blue shorts

P.E.                       White polo shirt and Black/Navy shorts (Boys and Girls)

SWIMMING            Costume (Girls)          Swimming Trunks (Boys)

                                    Swimming Cap (for long hair) 

Sensible shoes (black) should be worn at all times

In the event that school uniform is “being washed” or “under repair” children should come to school in clothing as near in type as possible to the school uniform.

Denim jeans, printed T-shirts and multi-coloured garments are not acceptable.