ADMISSION AND ORGANISATION DETAILS OF THE SCHOOL
Knowles First School is situated between Queensway and Leon Recreation ground.Known as Knowles First School since 1973, the school dates back to the 1890's. Much of the school's character derives from a pleasant conversion and extension of the original buildings giving space, light and many highly individual teaching and learning areas.
AREA SERVED BY THE SCHOOL
The school serves most of Central Bletchley, bordered on the west by the main railway line, on the northern side by Denbigh Industrial Estate, on the east by the Grand Union Canal and on the south by Water Eaton Road.
LEON EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
Knowles First School is a part of the Leon Educational Partnership which promotes a continuous learning programme from 3 - 19. We aim to give children the opportunity to enter each school confidently and to experience an education appropriate to each child.
The staff of all partnership schools co-operate fully in a variety of contexts. Expertise, skills and resources are shared. Transferring between schools within the partnership is a planned process minimising stress or difficulty.
Between each phase of education there is on going discussion leading to a successful transfer.
We believe that the education the partnership schools give to children enhances the quality of life for the pupils who have been fortunate to be a part of it.
ADMISSIONS POLICY (Proposed)
Admission to Knowles First School is determined on the basis, firstly, of living within the school's given reserved area. From September 2002, children who will become 5 in that academic year will be admitted into school full time in September.
Places will be available for children living outside the school's reserved area providing the standard number allows.
These places will be available to meet the requests of parents using the following criteria:
a. on medical grounds
b. siblings attending the school
c. siblings who have previously attended the school
d. the shortest distance between the home and the school (in case off the standard number having been reached.)
Requests on medical grounds take priority and should be supported in the first instance by a medical certificate, relating to the child.
Knowles First School will admit children into the school, regardless of any nursery provision that their child may have had in other establishments.
Children entering Knowles First School have a full programme of visits to enable us to help each child have a happy start to their school career.
The children have an opportunity to visit the school and parents are invited to meet with the Headteacher for a 1:1 session, so that they can share their knowledge of their child. This meeting can take place at either home or school.
STANDARD ADMISSION NUMBER
At present, the standard number of entrants is 60 pupils per academic year. This is to be reviewed during the next academic year.
OUT OF CATCHMENT AREA CHILDREN
Parents who live out of the area normally served by the school are also very welcome to come and look around. Please contact the Headteacher to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.
TRANSFER OF CHILDREN TO KNOWLES MIDDLE SCHOOL
There is close liaison between Knowles First and Middle Schools. Middle School teachers work alongside First School colleagues, and children spend time in the Middle School classrooms.
Early in a new academic year, an activity morning is held, when Year 3 children spend the morning at the Middle School.
Parents are also invited to this morning. To help children transfer smoothly to the Middle School, many of the schemes we use are also in use in the Middle School, or are compatible with the ones that are used. |