Welcome to Halberton Primary School . The purpose of this guide is to give you an insight into our philosophy and ethos.

As education moves into this new millennium, those involved in it are increasingly faced with exciting challenges and demands. Central to all of them, however, must be the child - your child. With this in mind our ongoing aims thus remain:

            to give your child the benefits of a rounded education, supported by the steady and effective development of literacy and Numeracy

            to provide opportunities for breadth and diversity above and beyond the formal curriculum

            to develop ability to think creatively, consider and solve problems, and communicate effectively

            to foster knowledge and skills relevant to life beyond school

            to involve your child as a positive and active member of the School and wider community

to encourage within each child the self-esteem and motivation necessary for them to realise his/her potential

The School fully supports the aspirations of the Every Child Matters agenda, and builds its aims into the curriculum delivery. Those aims are that whatever their background or circumstances, children have the support they need to:

be healthy

stay safe

enjoy and achieve

make a positive contribution

achieve economic wellbeing

Halberton Primary School provides a friendly, caring environment in which parents are encouraged to play an active role, and is an integral part of the Village.

The School has 70 children aged from rising five to eleven, and is organised into three classes – one in Key Stage One and two in Key Stage Two. In the Key Stage One class a classroom assistant is present for all sessions to assist the teacher in running learning activities, and in Key Stage 2 a classroom assistant is shared between the two classes.

Many of the children have previously been at the on-site Halberton Pre-School and join us as they approach their fifth birthdays – either in September or January. There is an induction period at the beginning of their first term.

Admission

Children are required by law to attend school from the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday. Children whose birthdays fall before the end of February can start full time in September; those with birthdays after February start in January. In order that the situation may be assessed, it is useful if parents of prospective pupils contact the School after the child's fourth birthday.

We operate an induction scheme for pre-school children, where they come in part time for the first fortnight.

Parents considering sending their child to the School are invited to contact the Headteacher to arrange a visit. There is a limit to the number of pupils we are allowed to accept, and it is therefore advisable to ensure your child’s name is registered in plenty of time.

Admission Criteria:

For County controlled primary schools, priority is given to -

1.Children living in the school's designated area with a sibling who will be attending the school primary-phase at the time of admission;

2. Other children living in the school's designated area;

3. Children living outside the school's designated area, but with a sibling who will be attending the school at the time of admission, with priority determined on the basis of distance between home and school (i.e. the shorter the distance, the higher the priority);

4. Other children living outside the school’s designated area, with priority determined on the basis of distance between home and school, (i.e. the shorter the distance, the higher the priority).

N.B. Distance between home and school is to be measured along the shortest available walking route.

Priority may be given to the admission of pupils for whom a particular medical or social justification is demonstrated.

The admission arrangements may be modified to meet the particular requirements of a trust deed.

There is excellent liaison between the Pre-School and ourselves, and this means that children have the opportunity to meet teachers and make visits well in advance of the transition. We hope this will help ensure that children enter the School happily and eagerly.

Hot or cold meals may be ordered and are brought in from the nearby school kitchens at Uffculme and eaten from twelve noon. Parents need to book and pay for meals in advance weekly using a form available from the office.

From June 2006, school meals have followed the Fresh Start menu, where the most recent nutritional standards are applied.

You may, if you prefer, provide your child with a packed lunch, which is eaten and supervised in an adjoining room. We do ask that you provide a healthy packed lunch, without crisps, high sugar drinks or chocolate bars.

Free school meals are provided for children of parents in receipt of Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance and some Child Tax Credits. An official application form (BR35) must be completed, copies of which are obtainable from the School or Education Office.

Snacks

In line with the County Council’s promotion of healthy eating, the school operates a scheme that provides fruit and vegetable snacks free to those pupils in classes that have Key Stage 1 pupils in them. Pupils in Key Stage 2 can also buy into this scheme for 12p per day. We also ask that pupils not taking advantage of this scheme only bring healthy snacks to have at break (if one is brought) - specifically not crisps and chocolate bars. Pupils should also not bring sweets to school unless by prior arrangement with a teacher.