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William Law C E (VA) Primary School
Twelvetree Avenue, Werrington, PE4 5DT, UK Peterborough
Tel. 01733 577600, Fax 01733 320264
www:http://www.williamlawceschool.co.uk/ e-mail:aab057@peterborough.gov.uk


Welcome to William Law C E (VA) Primary School



School Prospectus

Click on the link below to view the scool prospectus in PDF format

PDFWilliam Law School Prospectus

William Law School Prospectus 2007


EDUCATION

Middle School Pupils

The Middle School in William Law comprises three classes of children in Year 3 and three classes of children in Year 4.

The 2006/2007 staffing for these classes is:

            15L                  Miss Y Lee                                          Year 3              Room 15
            17CW              Mrs J Clark/ Mrs K Williams                Year 3              Room 17
            19J                   Miss S Jones                                        Year 3              Room 19

            16C                 Mrs K Crossan                                    Year 4              Room 16
            18W                Mrs J Walters                                       Year 4              Room 18
            20HM              Mrs K Husbands/Mrs S Macleod         Year 4              Room 20         

The children are placed in ability sets for Mathematics.  For other subjects they are taught by their class teacher. In the first instance it is to the class teacher that queries or problems should be addressed but the head of department, Mrs Walters is also available to discuss any worries a parent might have.

Pupil Behaviour

As the children adjust to life in Middle School they are encouraged to be increasingly independent.  It is felt to be an important aspect of their general education that they should assume a greater responsibility for their own belongings and behaviour.  We encourage a greater independence than was expected in First School by asking children to:

  • bring their own lunch boxes and coats into school
  • remember to bring their book bags and any other necessary items with them in the mornings
  • remember [whenever possible] to go to the toilet during break times.  [Allowances are obviously made for medical reasons and for children just beginning Middle School.]

remember on which days PE and swimming kits are required

  • Children will be reminded of the following school rules.  Children are expected  -
  • to arrive at school on time, 8:40 [when the whistle is blown] to 8:50 [when the register is taken] in the morning and 1:30 to 1:45 in the afternoon
  • to work hard in all aspects of school life and to attain the best of which they are capable
  • to obey any reasonable request made by a teacher, supervisor or member of support staff
  • to be caring and respectful to those around them and to be tolerant in their attitudes to others
  • to be responsible for their own belongings [including any money brought to school, which should be in a named purse or envelope] and to have respect for the property of others
  • to look after those items of school equipment and books which have been entrusted tothem
  • to help keep the school, and in particular their work, play and eating areas tidy and clean
  • to be quiet at certain specified times during the day such as registration, moving along the corridor, assembly, reading and story time.

Curriculum

The curriculum in Middle School covers the first two years of National Curriculum Key Stage 2.  The different abilities within each class are catered for in a variety of ways and children’s work assignments are differentiated according to need.  This is particularly so for Mathematics where children are set according to ability across the year group,  and English where they are ability grouped within the class.

Much of the children’s work will be under the heading of “Studies”.  These vary in length according to the nature of the study and fulfil all the National Curriculum requirements for this age group.  The following topics form the basis of the children’s work over the two years:

            Year 3                                                              Year 4
            Teeth and Healthy Eating                                  Roman Britain              
            Ancient Egypt                                                   Friction / Circuits and Conductors
            Improving the Environment                                Habitats
            Helping Plants to Grow Well                             Werrington Old and New

In addition there are several mini Science topics: weather, light and materials.

Work within the classroom is supplemented at times with visitors to the school and opportunities to go on educational visits.  In Year 4 children have the opportunity to attend a 3 day residential course at Grafham Water where they participate in a variety of environmental studies and water sports.  The dates booked for 2006 are Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 April for classes 16C and 18W and Wednesday 25 – Friday 27 April for Class 20MH.

English

The curriculum follows the Programmes of Study of the National Curriculum as supported by the National Literacy Strategy.
           
1.         Speaking and Listening
            Children will develop skills via presentations and opportunities for group planning,
            discussion and reporting.  Each child will present a talk to the rest of the class on a subject
            of their choice during the year.
2.         Reading
Children will be encouraged to make informed choices about books to develop interest in favourite subjects and authors and to develop strategies for using reference material.
3.         Writing
Children are expected to write some extended pieces of work which will give the opportunity to revise and redraft their work.  Attention is paid to developing the children’s knowledge of grammatical and punctuation conventions.  Spelling skills are developed through observation of spelling patterns, an introduction to spelling rules and a continuing awareness of the policy of “look, cover, write, check”.
Children are expected to develop their style of handwriting by joining letters correctly and by taking greater care over the presentation of their work.

Mathematics  

An essential component of Mathematics is Mental Arithmetic.  It is particularly important that children become proficient in this area. Mathematics includes work on number, spatial awareness, shape, measures, data-handling and probability.  In the Middle School, the children will be helped to further their understanding of multiplication and division.  See homework section for further details.  By the end of Year 4 they will need to know the multiplication tables 2, 5, 10, 3, 4, which are taught in that order.  They will also learn to add and subtract larger numbers involving the exchange of tens and hundreds and be encouraged to check the sense of their answers.  A greater emphasis will be placed on ‘Problem Solving’ and thinking through a question before answering.  A separate problem solving lesson will be an integral part of the weekly timetable for each class.

SATs

During the Summer Term Year 3 and 4 children will be formally tested in English and Maths.  This will take place during the week of 30 April – 4 May 2007.  Children will work through SATs papers, which have been provided by the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency.  Please avoid taking children out of school during this week.

PSHE & Citizenship

The children will be following a planned and continuous programme which focuses on three main areas:-

Myself & My Relationships

  • Working together
  • My emotions
  • Friendships and differences
  • Managing risk and change

Citizenship

  • Rules and responsibilities
  • Communities & identities

Healthy & Safer Lifestyles

  • World of drugs – essential use of medicines and the different types
  • Keeping safe – identifying familiar risks
  • Growing and changing – to include physical and emotional changes

PE and Games

Different aspects of PE are covered at different times during the year so that the children have experience of a wide range of activities.  Outdoor games continue wherever possible throughout the winter, so it is important that all children have the necessary kit with them in school as alternative provision cannot be made for them.

The recommended school kit for PE is –

  • black/white/bottle green shorts.
  • plain white ‘T’ shirt
    white socks
  • plimsolls/trainers suitable for outside use [in a separate plastic bag] 
  • Tracksuit or similar, for winter use only

NB  Long hair needs to be tied back.

Music

During the last two years, Year 3 and 4 children have been given tuition in playing the recorder.  This will continue this year.  Children are encouraged to have ownership of their own instrument and should be practising regularly.

Homework 

We ask children to read regularly in their spare time to ensure that steady progress is maintained.  All children in Middle School are required to take a book home at least three times a week, although this may well be more frequent according to the child’s needs or wishes.

Parental involvement will lessen as children become independent readers, but helping them to establish a regular reading habit and discussing what has been read is invaluable.  For further details see the notes for parents in the yellow reading record booklet.  This booklet can also be used as a means of correspondence with the class teacher but please note that Reading diaries are usually only seen once a week so any urgent messages need to be presented to the class teacher individually.

Children in Middle School will have spellings to learn at home each week.  Each child will have a booklet containing the weekly lists.  Each weekly list has a focus which is indicated at the top of the page. It is important that the children concentrate on the rule highlighted rather than simply rote-learning the list of words.  The lists have graduated levels of difficulty and each child will have an agreed target of correct spellings to aim for.  The spelling test book will be sent home so that results can be shared and parents / carers are asked to sign these.

All children in Middle School will have a homework notebook or folder, which will contain a Maths task to be completed during that week. Children are also encouraged to find out facts to aid their studies and are occasionally asked to complete work that they have been slow to finish during school hours.

How can I help my child with his/her learning?
In a busy household time is often very limited but as parents often ask this question, the following ideas might be of some help:

  • spellings, these are best learnt by the “look, cover, write, check” method and by
        “speed writing” many times [see advice at the back of the spelling book]
  • number facts, verbal testing little and often.  This can be fun if made into a game
        [eg on a car journey] and encourages quick thinking.  Singing along to a ‘tables tape/CD’
        [commercially available] can also aid memory
  • writing, encouraging your child to enjoy purposeful writing activities such as the keeping of a holiday diary, writing letters, making lists etc
  • teaching your child to tell the time [using an analogue rather than digital clock]
  • encouraging your child to handle money, work out prices and change
  • playing board games, good for mathematical thinking/language development/group co-operation/problem solving
  • watching and discussing any of the excellent natural history programmes on television
  • discussing items of interest in the news
  • developing creative pastime/hobbies which actively involve the child’s thinking
  • limiting the amount of passive watching of television and of playing computer games
  • ensuring a good night’s sleep preceded by half an hour or so of quiet relaxation - perhaps the most vital factor affecting children’s well-being and performance at school!  It may be that the following recommended times will be of assistance to parents in persuading their children to get to bed at a sufficiently early hour, especially on a Sunday evening.

            Year 3              -           7:30 - 8:00
            Year 4              -           8:00 - 8:30

Extra Curricular Activities

There is a range of extra curricular activities which take place at lunch times and after school, many of which are open to children in Middle School.  These include:

            Recorders        Choir                J Zone              Netball                         Cross Stitch
            Athletics           Art Club           French              Football [Year 4]

Children in Year 4 have the opportunity to start learning either a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. Undertaking lessons in one of these will involve considerable commitment and children are expected to practise regularly.

Assemblies

The daily act of worship is as follows  -

Monday           -  Middle and Upper School                   9.00
Tuesday           -  Middle and Upper School                   9:00
Wednesday      -  Middle School                                    9.00  
Thursday          - Middle School and Upper School         9.00
Friday              - Whole School Assembly                      9:05  [usually in the form of
                            a class assembly to which parents and friends are warmly invited].

Break/Playtimes

As a Health Promoting School, children are not allowed to eat sweets at school. We do advise that children have a healthy drink [water or fruit juice] and because of the extended morning, we would also encourage children to bring in a sandwich or plain biscuit for break time in addition to something healthy such as a piece of fruit or vegetable.

The courtyard is a special feature of Middle School and is the area where the guinea pigs are housed.  The children are encouraged to have ownership of the animals and can often be found holding and caring for them.  If there are any  issues or problems concerning this, please let the class teacher or Mrs Williams know.  Any donations of apples, dandelion leaves, carrots, cabbage, oats or hay are always welcome and should be put in the box in the shed.

Water

We want to encourage children to drink more water at school so in Middle School children are allowed to have a water bottle on their table.  The bottles should be clear, with a leak proof cap and should be clearly labelled with the child’s name.  Bottles should be of no more than 500ml capacity and need to be filled at home and brought to school daily. The school shop stocks suitable bottles costing £1.

Parents at School

Many parents volunteer to help with school activities.  This is much appreciated and warmly welcomed, whether on a regular basis or as a one-off for special occasions.  If you would like to help in some way [eg you have special skills you can offer] just have a word with your child’s class teacher.  You may feel that although you don’t wish to help in the classroom you would enjoy giving time to activities such as costume making for plays, typing children’s stories etc.

Although we encourage children in Middle School to come into class independently, we warmly welcome parents’ interest in the work they are doing.  The end of the school day is usually a good time for children to show their parents a piece of work or a current project in an informal way and this need not necessarily involve the class teacher.  Teachers are, of course, available to see parents after school whenever the need arises.  Although it is a less convenient time, they are also willing to have a brief word before school begins, should this be absolutely necessary.

 

J Walters
Middle School Team Leader                                                           

Upper School Pupils

Staffing and Class Organisation

Upper School comprises three classes of children in Year 5 and three classes of children in Year 6.
The teachers are  -

Year 5: 9D Mr Davies  Room 9  
  10T Mrs Tymoczko Room 10  
  11F Miss Fowler  Room 11  
         
Year 6: 12L Mr Lowings Room 12  
  13B Mrs A Boxall Room 13  
  14D Miss Dorrell Room 14  
         
         
         

Children are taught in their own mixed ability classes for all subjects with the exception of : Mathematics,
which continues to be taught in ability sets across the department; and Literacy, which will be taught in ability sets in Year 6.

Pupil Behaviour

Independence is considered to be an important aspect of personal development.  Children should assume full responsibility for their own belongings and behaviour.  We ask parents to encourage their children to:
-     remember to bring their book bags, homework and any other necessary items with them in
      the mornings including P.E. kit

  1. remember to name all belongings
  2. look after their own property and have respect for the property of others.

Positive behaviour is rewarded as merit marks for individual efforts and points for group and whole class achievements.  Members of staff may issue yellow cards for negative behaviour; two yellow cards in one week results in a red card detention.

Year 6 Responsibilities

We think it important to give Year 6 children special responsibilities.  These include giving out registers, taking round notices, setting out items for assemblies and helping to organise the PE equipment.  Year 6 children play an important part in the Student’s Council, meeting with teachers and school staff to exchange ideas and participate in the planning of future school events.

As part of our PSHE/Citizenship curriculum, Year 6 children will play a vital role in the continuation of our successful ‘buddy system’.

Curriculum

The curriculum in Upper School continues the programme of work for Key Stage. The ‘Topic’ headings for this year are:

 

  Year 5

Year 6

Autumn

Tudors

Contrasting locations

Spring

Ancient Greeks

Mountain Environments

Summer

Water and Rivers

Post War Years

The English Curriculum follows the Programmes of Study of the National Curriculum and is organised with regard to the objectives of the National Literacy Strategy

1.         Speaking and Listening
Children will develop skills through opportunities for collaborative planning and discussion; individual and group presentations and formal and informal dramatic situations.  They will also have opportunities to share their reading with others and to listen to a variety of stories.
2.         Reading 
Children will have opportunities to explore preferences in their reading and to develop their interests in favourite authors and choice of subject matter.  In the Upper School, emphasis is placed on developing reading strategies for reference material.
3.         Writing
Children will write more extended pieces of work covering a variety of themes.  The skills of drafting and revising are developed and extended with emphasis placed on both content and the secretarial skills of grammar and punctuation.  Spelling skills are developed to include spelling patterns, rules and word derivations.  The use of the dictionary and thesaurus is important. 
4.         Handwriting
Handwriting skills continue to be taught in the Upper School and presentation of a high quality is expected from all children. 

Mathematics  In Upper School we follow the guidelines in the National Numeracy Strategy.  Children will be taught in streamed ability groups, with a strong emphasis on mental arithmetic and the practical application of mathematical skills.

Formal written procedures are developed in practical contexts.

A good knowledge of multiplication tables is important and should be consolidated at home.

Mathematics homework will be set each Friday and will be expected back on the following Monday.  We consider homework to be a vital part of our Maths programme and cannot stress its importance enough.  We would encourage you to spend time discussing these tasks at home and encourage your child to talk about their methods.

ICT All Upper School children will have regular opportunity to use a variety of programs in their Literacy, Numeracy and Studies Work, such as data handling and historical simulations.  They will also have the opportunity to access the Internet. In addition, all children will receive training on how to word process, and how to use the PCs for research.  As well as having access to classroom computers, children will have a lesson in the computer suite each week.

Design Technology, children will be given the opportunity to use a variety of tools and materials including wood, card and clay, and to design a variety of artefacts.  Children will also use a variety of construction kits, such as Lego Technic to further develop their designing and problem solving skills.

Sex Education  The sex education programme will be taught, as part of Science and Personal/Social Education.  In Year 5, children are taught aspects of personal hygiene and keeping healthy.  The topic for Year 6 work is ‘Growing and Changing’; a unit, which has a strong emphasis on relationships, and covers both physical and emotional changes.  The community nurse may be involved during these sessions.

Physical Education normally takes place twice a week. Indoor activities will include gymnastics, country dancing or creative dance.  Outdoor activities will include athletics and a wide range of skills required for team games. Swimming lessons at the Peterborough Regional Pool are arranged in half term
blocks. Year 5 children get the opportunity to swim during the Autumn Term, and Year 6 in the Spring Term.

As a reminder the school kit for PE is -
            black/white/bottle green shorts                          
            plain white ‘T’ shirt
white socks                                                      
            plimsolls/trainers                                               
            swimming costume and towel (full piece for girls and boys trunks must be above the knee). 
 a track- suit or sweatshirt top is advised. 

Children with longer than chin-length hair are asked to tie their hair back.

Homework

Your child will have a homework book each term in which to record all homework information.  Please look at this with your child. Children will be set a variety of activities to do at home. Reading books should be taken home daily and we ask parents to help their children become independent readers, by insisting on regular reading and overseeing completion their book reviews.

A homework project, related to the Studies and having a ‘research ‘element, will be set each term.
We will give children guidance on the project but parental support would help to maximise the benefit of the work.

On a weekly basis, children are expected to learn spellings and number facts [eg tables] and Maths homework will be set each Friday. Class teachers may also set occasional items to research, in addition to the termly project.

In some instances, children are asked to finish incomplete work during their own time, either during the lunch break or at home.

Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities

There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities open to children in the Upper School during lunchtime and after school.  Children are advised to read the activities notice board regularly.

Tuition for those children who have started learning a musical instrument will continue in the Upper School.

As many children cycle to school we encourage all Year 6 children to take part in the Safer Cycling scheme run by Cambridgeshire Road Safety.

Special Upper School Events and Educational Visits

Although some dates are still to be confirmed, many events and visits have been planned for the forthcoming year.

Autumn

Derbyshire Visit                                    18-22 Sept                                Year 6
Visit to Ken Stimpson                            TBC                                        Year 6
Visit to Lyveden New Bield                   27 Sept                                     Class 10T
Secondary Transfer Meeting                  21 September                            Year 6 Parents
Tudor Visit                                            31 October                                Year 5                         

 

Spring

Visit to Lyveden New Bield                   TBC                                         Class 11F
Visit to Woolsthorpe Manor                   March                                      Year 6
Easter Service at St Johns                      29 March                                  Year  5/6

 

Summer

SATs                                                    14-18 May                                Year 6
Visit to Lyveden New Bield                   TBC                                         9D
Rivers Investigation                               TBC                                         Year 5
Visits to Secondary Schools                   July                                          Year 6
Year 6 Concert                                     12 July                                      Year 6
Local Cycle Ride                                   13 July                                      Year 6
Leavers’ Service                                   20 July                                      Year 6

Parents at School

Parental help with school activities is very much appreciated and warmly welcomed, whether on a regular basis or as a one-off for school visits.  Parents wishing to help in some way should have a word with their child’s class teacher.

If parents are, in any way, concerned about their child’s education or simply want to discuss matters relating to their child, the class teacher will be happy to see them.  Usually the most convenient time is within 3:15 to 4:00 in the afternoon.

Health Promoting Schools

In 2001 we were validated as a Health Promoting School; in line with this children are not allowed to eat sweets at school.  We do advise that children drink plenty of water and because of the extended morning, we would also encourage children to bring in a sandwich or plain biscuit for break time in addition to something healthy such as a piece of fruit or vegetable.

Standard Assessment Tests [SATS].

Throughout Key Stage 2, children are formally assessed through tests in English, Maths and Science.  The Year 6 SATs take place between 14-18 May. It is important that all children are at school throughout this week as well as beforehand when essential revision will be undertaken. There is no opportunity to retake the tests.  Results of the SATs are reported to parents, along with teacher assessment of progress, in the end of year report. Year 5 children will also participate in SATs, although these are non-statutory.

Transfer to Secondary School

Children transfer to Secondary school at the end of Year 6.  In previous years the largest groups of
children have transferred to Ken Stimpson Community School, Arthur Mellows Village College, and The King’s School, but children have also transferred to other Peterborough or Lincolnshire schools.

During the Autumn Term, parents and children are invited to visit the various Secondary Schools.  A booklet giving brief details of each of the schools, including their opening evenings, should have already been given to every Year 6 child.  Application / preference forms are to be found at the back of the booklet. 

The Headteacher is available during the Autumn Term to advise about transfer arrangements and will hold a meeting for parents to talk generally about Secondary Transfer at 7.00pm on Thursday
21 September.  In the Spring Term the Local Education Authority writes to parents to inform them which school their child has been allocated to.
 
In the Summer Term, prior to transfer, there is substantial liaison between the primary and secondary schools.  Teachers from the different secondary schools visit and meet the children transferring to them and have an opportunity to discuss particular needs with the class teacher.  Children are invited to spend a day or two at their new school, to experience a typical secondary school day, sampling lessons and finding their way round new buildings.

Angela Boxall
Upper School Team Leader

Year 1 and 2

Staffing and Class Organisation 2006/07

At William Law there are 3 classes of Year 1 and 3 classes of Year 2.  Classes have their own teacher who is responsible for registration, monitoring progress, liaison with parents as well as for pastoral concerns and pupils’ educational development.

Class Teacher Room Cloakroom Access  
3B Miss Bradley Room 3 Red Door Year 1
4C Mrs Collett  Room 4 Orange Door Year 1
5L Miss Laughton Room 5 Orange Door Year 1
6J Mrs Jummun Room 6 Red Door Year 2
7P Miss Pacey  Room 7 Red Door Year 2
8TW Mrs Townsend      
  Mrs Wood  Room 8 Yeloow Door Year 2
         
         

Literacy is taught in class groups by the children's own teacher.  For Maths activities children are grouped and may work with another teacher.  For 'Studies' work children are in mixed ability groups within their own class. There will also be occasions when individuals or small groups work with a teaching assistant or a parent helper. 

The First School Team Leader is Miss Vicki Tattersall.

Arrangements for beginning and end of School Day

Children in First School should arrive at between 8.40 and 8.50.  Activities are set up in each classroom and, during the Autumn Term, parents of Year 1 are welcome to help their children in these activities.  Year 2 children are expected to come into class independently.  The morning session begins at 8:50am so children must be in the classroom by then.

At the beginning of the Summer Term, Year 1 children will be encouraged to come into class on their own and Year 2 children stay out on the playground until a teacher blows the whistle.  Parents are reminded that the best time to talk to teachers is at the end of the school day.

The school day finishes at 3:15pm.   Children should be met on the playground close to the classroom exit and will only be sent home with a known adult. The class teacher must be informed if at any time children’s collection arrangements are changed from those normally in place.

Behaviour

As in all sections of the school we expect children to be courteous and considerate towards other children and adults, and to play their part in making the school a pleasant and safe place in which to learn. 

At the beginning of each year the children participate in setting class rules so they are fully aware of expectations.

When moving from one area to another children are asked to walk in a quiet and orderly fashion.  They are asked to take care of personal property and have regard for other children’s belongings.  Children are expected to look after the school building and in particular their classrooms and cloakrooms.

Should a teacher have serious concerns about a child’s behaviour, the parent will be contacted.  Further information about the school’s policy on behaviour can be found on the school’s website.

Play Times

Children have a morning play time during which they are supervised by teachers and support staff.

In 2006 we were re-validated as a Health Promoting School.  In line with this children are not allowed to eat sweets at school.  We advise that they have a bottle of water and something healthy to eat.  A piece of fresh fruit is provided, free of charge, for all children in First School but, because of the extended morning, we would also encourage the children to bring in a sandwich or plain biscuit for break time. Fresh milk can also be provided, please see the school office for a leaflet.  The mid-morning snack should be put in their trays in the morning to save a crush in the cloakroom at break.  Care should be taken to provide non-spill/labelled drink containers.

Personal Property, Clothing, Valuables

Children are expected to take care of and look after their belongings.  It is important that personal property is clearly marked with the child’s name.  This will be checked at the beginning of term during PE.  Items of great value should not be brought to school.   Children do not need their own pencil cases in First School as everything they need is provided.

For safety reasons children are not allowed to wear necklaces, rings or bracelets. The only earrings that should be worn are studs.

Although responsibility cannot be accepted for loss or damage to personal property, clothing or valuables, we will make every reasonable effort to locate missing items.  Should any item of property become lost, the normal procedure is, firstly, to contact the class teacher and secondly, Miss Tattersall where lost property for First School is kept. 

Physical Education Dress

Physical education takes place normally on two occasions in the week.  Depending upon time of year and weather, it could be indoors or outdoors. Times for Outdoor P.E. will be specified for each class.

For all PE activities it is important that children in Years 1 and 2 have the appropriate kit.  It is essential to bring the kit into school on a Monday and take it home on the Friday for washing. If required it can just come home at half termly intervals. The recommended school kit for PE is -

  • Black/white/bottle green shorts
  • Plain white ‘T’ shirt
  • White socks       
  • Plimsolls / Trainers                      

Depending on the weather, the children may need an extra layer of clothing on top of normal PE kit for outdoor games  - a tracksuit would be ideal.  PE kits are kept in the cloakroom and should be brought in in a suitable named drawstring bag.  PE bags can be purchased at the school office.

Appointments and Illnesses

If a child is unable to attend school owing to illness or another good reason, either a message should be left at the school office or a letter sent to the class teacher.
If it is necessary to take a child out of school for a medical appointment, parents should inform the class teacher in advance and report to the school office before collecting the child.  If a child is unwell at school we will make every effort to contact the parents or the contact names left in the office.  It is therefore important to keep the secretary informed of any changes of address, contact names or telephone numbers.

Generally the school does not need to be involved in the administration of medication as this can normally be given before and after school.  Should it be necessary for medication to be given during school time a consent form must be filled in at the office.

Should a child be needing ongoing medication eg inhaler for asthma the class teacher must be made aware of this. Inhalers will be kept in the first aid cupboard in the classroom.

The Curriculum and how Parents can help their Child

Reading

As in Reception, books go home with children every day along with the First School Reading Record for parents to fill in and sign.  Children choose from an allocated shelf.  That shelf will include a range of books, ie scheme books as well as ‘real’ books, fiction and non-fiction.

Parents are asked to set aside 10 to 15 minutes every night in which they can encourage their child in Reading.  The notes given at the beginning of the blue reading booklet should help the shared reading time to be a happy and worthwhile occasion.  In addition to these notes, we offer the following advice:

-   the shared reading time should be regular, relaxed and enjoyable.  If it starts becoming
     tense then it should be discontinued for a while.
-   there should be plenty of praise and encouragement and building-up of confidence.  There         
     is no place for negative comments.
-   re-reading of a favourite book should be encouraged.  Repetition is a very necessary
     component in the process of becoming a successful reader.
-   point out words that appear in other locations eg labels, posters, signs.
-   never compare one child’s reading progress with another.  To do so could destroy
     confidence.  Children progress at different rates.

Writing

Children should be encouraged to write at home.  Opportunities may include - party invitations, thank-you notes, lists, annotated drawings, personal/story writing.  For words outside their spelling vocabulary, children can be helped by being shown the correct spelling and then using the “look, cover, write, check” sequence.  Correct letter formation is important. 

Spelling

At the beginning of each week Year 2 children will be given a list of spellings and a spelling /grammar based home worksheet.  Spellings will be tested the following Monday.  Year 1 children will receive words to learn but these are not tested within school.  During the week we will be doing work on the words chosen within lessons but would appreciate the involvement of parents as well.  We ask that if at all possible you could spend 10 minutes, three or four times a week, with your child helping with spellings and completing the worksheet.  We find that spellings are best learnt by using the “look, cover, write, check” technique.  Also, because words learnt in isolation are more easily forgotten, it would be helpful if children could be encouraged to incorporate the spellings into short sentences.

Mathematics

Within the home environment there are many opportunities in which to utilise Mathematical skills.  These include - metric weighing and measuring of height; telling the time using an analogue clock face; keeping a chart of weight and height; counting out of amounts of money and giving of change.  Children’s competence in number is helped by mentally counting forwards and backwards in ones, twos, threes etc and by adding on numbers and taking away.

Every Thursday children in Year 2 will bring home a Maths homework sheet.  This sheet will be based on the activities children have completed in their Maths lessons.  It would be appreciated if parents could encourage their child to complete these sheets.  At the beginning of each term in Year 1 we will be sending home a Maths information sheet.  This sheet will provide parents with the curriculum we cover and how you can help your child.

Addition and Subtraction   In keeping with the National Numeracy Strategy children in Years 1 and 2 are not taught traditional, formal methods of addition and subtraction.  Instead they are taught to calculate mentally.  Addition is taught by partitioning numbers into tens and units eg

25 + 13  =        20 + 10 = 30    )
                                    5   +   3 =   8    )           30 + 8 = 38

Subtraction is taught by counting up from the lowest number, using an empty number line eg

            24 - 16 =     
                                    +4                         +4                                       )
                    )
                    16                        20                                24                    )           4 + 4 = 8

Calculations are worked out horizontally.  To avoid confusion please use these methods when helping your child at home.  If you are unsure ask your child’s class teacher for more guidance.
                                   

ICT

All children in First School have the opportunity to work in our ICT suite where they will experience a number of different ICT programmes and have teacher controlled access to the Internet.  Each classroom has networked computers, again with access to the Internet. 

Studies

Children are naturally curious of the world around them.  Through their studies work at school children will cover aspects of Science, History, Art, Geography and Technology, from the National Curriculum.

Parents can help their child at home with this work by talking about the children as babies and the important milestones in their lives, such as christening, first steps, starting play group etc.  Photographs would help here.  This could be followed by talking about the different generations in their family and making a simple family tree.  Comparing school life, lessons, uniform across the generations would help widen knowledge of this aspect of family history.

Sometimes, children may be asked to bring something to school to help with studies work.  This could include old objects, different materials, photographs of themselves as babies or christening artefacts.  Please ensure all items that come to school are clearly labelled.

From time to time we deal with food, small pets etc. If your child has any allergies can you please inform the class teacher.

Sex Education

Sex education is taught as part of the Science curriculum and the Personal, Social, Health Education programme.

End of Key Stage 1 Assessments

At the end of Year 2 children no longer sit formal National Tests.  Their work and progress is assessed by their class teacher as the year progresses.

Assemblies

Children participate in a time of Worship each day.  They will hear Bible and other stories, and have opportunity to sing, pray, take part in drama as well as experience times of quiet.

One assembly per week will be used to celebrate good work and behaviour
One assembly will be led by the Head Teacher.
One assembly will be led by a First School Teacher.
One assembly will be led by a member of the clergy.
Friday assemblies are whole school assemblies and are often led by a class.  On such occasions parents are invited to join us.

Keeping in touch with your Child’s Progress

There are three occasions each year when parents are formally invited to meet with the class teacher to discuss their child’s progress.  Parents are reminded, however, that the class teacher will normally be available to talk about progress or school generally at the end of any afternoon session.  In these instances, appointments need only to be made if it is thought that the matter to be discussed is of a complex nature.

If there are any important changes that you think we should be aware of, and that may affect your child’s learning, please tell the class teacher as soon as possible.

Voluntary Help

Parents who have some free time are very welcome to help out with classroom activities on a regular basis.  Offers of help should be made to the class teacher.

 

Vicki Tattersall
First School Team Leader



primary schools in Peterborough, secondary schools in Peterborough, schools in Peterborough

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