Being
I hope that you will enjoy browsing this prospectus and that you find the information contained within both useful and informative.
At Underwood, we value all of our children as individuals. We understand the promise that we make to you when we take care of your most precious possessions – your children. Developing the whole child is important to us and that aim is reflected in our work. Our school motto of ‘Being the BEST we can be!’ encapsulates perfectly our very high standards. We have high expectations of everyone in our school community. We expect and ensure high standards of behaviour. We challenge and support children so that they can learn and achieve together in a caring, Christian environment.
We are proud of our achievements and in the wide variety of activities we provide for the children. Our curriculum is engaging, exciting, motivating and well planned to meet the needs of each child. Our school day extends at both ends of the day with a breakfast club and after school club providing care facilities to help busy families. We aim to offer a diverse range of extra-curricular activities which currently include football to gardening and choir to multi-skills, we feel confident that there is something for everyone.
It is our aim, in partnership with parents, to help our children enjoy their primary school years, be happy, feel secure and achieve the very best they can. We promote high academic standards whilst fostering creativity and imagination. We encourage the children to be selfmotivated learners and develop academically, personally and socially, with care for the children as our core purpose.
Visits to the school by prospective parents and families are most welcome. Please contact the school office to make an appointment to meet with me.
Further information may also be found on our website, including previous OFSTED and SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Church Schools) reports.
Thank you for your interest in our school. I look forward to meeting you and welcoming your child to Underwood.
I
Our Mission Statement
At Underwood C of E Primary School, we work together to ensure that our school is a happy, safe and exciting place to learn. We respect and care for each other and everyone around us and have high expectations of what we can achieve. Relationships in our school are founded on the following six Christian values: Kindness, Respect, Honesty, Forgiveness, Determination and Humility. These values lay positive foundations for a lifelong love of learning and ensure that everyone is unique and valued.
Our Vision
‘I have come in order that you might have lifelife in all its fullness.’ John 10:10
Our vision is expressed through our school motto, ‘Being the BEST we can be!’ which underpins and permeates all that we do in school. Through this vision we aim to create and maintain an environment which enables all members of the school community to flourish in all aspects of their lives - being the BEST they can be in mind, body and spirit by:
B
Experiencing Succeeding Together
Providing a safe, welcoming and happy learning environment that enables each child to have a belief in themselves, their abilities and their potential.
Providing a school where each child knows that they are valued and respected as individuals and that they have a voice that will be listened to.
Developing confidence, independence and high self-esteem; respecting ourselves, each other and the environment by living our Christian values.
Providing a school where everyone values the importance and love of life-long learning and where everyone has the opportunity to become a confident and successful learner.
Encouraging everyone to see that as global citizens they can make a difference to our world - locally, nationally and globally.
Ensuring our children aim high and that they do not settle for second best.
Instilling a culture of positive, mutually supportive relationships that foster a belief in oneself and a belief in others.
Providing an engaging ‘learning for life’ curriculum which both positively prepares our children for the opportunities and challenges of their lives today and encourages them to become life-long learners for the future.
Developing lively enquiring minds, a spirit of curiosity, creativity and resourcefulness.
Providing a wide range of opportunities that help to develop wellbalanced individuals, spiritually, emotionally and socially .
Developing, promoting and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles.
Being happy, safe and inspired to achieve the highest possible standards in all that we do.
Providing the strategies that will help nurture pupils to overcome challenges and difficulties for themselves enabling them to become autonomous and adaptable learners.
Helping children become resilient learners who see the value and importance of keeping going and not giving up.
Creating opportunities for children to understand that they have the capacity to control, improve and value their own learning outcomes.
Promoting a ‘have-a-go’ culture where engagement, participation and enjoyment are valued as essential stepping stones to achievement and success.
‘
‘Succeeding’ by…
Ensuring that everyone enjoys the opportunity to achieve, and to celebrate and take pride in their own achievements, in the achievements of others and in the school as a whole.
Celebrating achievement and identifying the contribution that effort has made towards it.
Providing a stimulating, rich and relevant curriculum which enables children to leave our school as literate, numerate, creative and informed individuals.
Providing quality teaching that seeks to engage, inspire and motivate all pupils securing clear evidence of improvements in their learning.
Enabling the entire school community to engage with, participate in and commit to our learning journey, prioritising quality provision and establishing opportunities to become confident and successful learners.
Recognising progress and achievement in a way that rewards individuals, creates positive memories and inspires others.
‘Together’ by…
Creating an environment where the success of individuals is acknowledged as being part of an equally valued TEAM culture where ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’.
Recognising that we are partners in the education of our pupils and committed to developing a strong partnership with our parents / carers, the Church and the wider community.
Ensuring that everyone who is associated with our rights respecting school community is committed to its success and treats one another with tolerance, kindness and respect.
Working with organisations beyond the school who with their insight, resources and expertise can enhance the quality of our existing provision.
Creating opportunities for everyone to make a positive contribution to the school and the wider community through tangible activity, a sense of
‘The school is well organised, well run, sets high standards and most of all it is friendly and welcoming for children.’
‘Pupils are polite and welcoming.’
‘Pupils enjoy their learning and the many opportunities that are provided to help develop their social, moral and academic values.’
Ian Baxter Head Teacher
Clare Thorne Teacher / Deputy Head Teacher
Nicola Raynor Teacher / Senior Leadership Team
Stephanie Eves Teacher / SENCO / Senior Leadership Team
‘The positive behaviour of pupils, in and out of lessons, is commendable.’
Matthew Adcock Teacher
Kelly Janson Teacher
Rachael Nayar Teacher
Isobel Peall Teacher
Hayley Sherlock Teacher
‘Relationships between adults and pupils are strong.’
Jenny Ball Teaching Partner
Rebecca Gregory Teaching Partner
Debi Hope Teaching Partner
Michelle Millership Teaching Partner
Annmarie Sinfield Teaching Partner
Karen Bamforth Personal Care Assistant
‘Pupils and parents value the nurturing environment engendered by all members of staff.’
Donna Worrall Personal Care Assistant
Vacant Office Manager
Georgina Bingham School Administrator
Duncan Rose Drum Teacher
Kim Denman Music Specialist
‘Pupils feel safe and they are kept safe.’
Paul Furr Guitar / Ukulele Teacher
Simone Witherden Dance Teacher
Brian Lindsey-Hill Site Manager
‘Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school and the support that their children receive, pastorally and academically.’
Jackie Hunt Cook Supervisor
Tracy Stringer Kitchen Assistant
Karen Bamforth Senior Midday Supervisor
Jane Carver-Smith Midday Supervisor
Jennifer Gee Midday Supervisor
Andrea Middleton Midday Supervisor
Michelle Renwick Midday Supervisor
Susan Roworth Midday Supervisor
Nichola Salmon Midday Supervisor
Jen Summers Midday Supervisor
Donna Worrall Midday Supervisor
Andrea Middleton After School/Breakfast Club Leader
Carol Smith Breakfast Club Play Worker
Karen Bamforth After School Club Play Worker
‘
Being the BEST we can be!’
There are three ‘key stages’ at Underwood. These are:
The Early Years Foundation Stage (for our four and five year olds)
Key Stage 1 (for our five to seven year olds)
Key Stage 2 (for our seven to eleven year olds)
At present, the school is organised into seven classes. These classes correspond with the seven years that children will spend at Underwood School. There are no mixed age classes.
Chestnut Class - Reception (FS2)
Birch Class - Year 1
Hazel Class - Year 2
Willow Class - Year 3
Elm Class - Year 4
Ash Class - Year 5
Oak Class - Year 6 ‘
Breakfast Club is available for families who need an earlier start to the school day. It opens at 7.30am and the children are escorted to their classrooms at 8.40am.
Breakfast Club costs £4.00 per session. Booking is required.
The morning session at school starts at 8.45am and ends at 12.00pm. There is a mid-morning break in this session.
The afternoon session starts at 1.00pm and finishes at 3.30pm.
For families who require child care at the end of the school day, we have an After School Club. Children may stay until 6.00pm and there is a charge of £8.00 per session. Booking is required.
Some school activities take place after school. These usually end at 4.30pm and we respectfully ask parents and carers to collect their children promptly at this time.
Ready, Respectful, Safe.’
All children are taught in line with the National Curriculum.
Our focus is on providing a challenging and creative curriculum for each individual child, so that they may build on positive experiences and be proud of their achievements, within a culture of high expectations.
We believe that we offer our children a fully integrated curriculum that is exciting and motivating, yet challenging and focused on building the key skills that will help children to be successful as learners throughout the rest of their lives.
The Core Curriculum at Underwood comprises:
English Mathematics Science
The Foundation Curriculum at Underwood comprises:
Art and Design Computing History Geography
French (Key Stage 2) RSHE Design and Technology
Music Physical Education RE
Full details of our approach in each of these areas can be found on the school’s website at www.underwoodschool.co.uk
As part of the total curriculum of the school, provision is made for children to undergo a programme of Relationship Education and Health Education. At all times this is taught in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Education and is always appropriate to the stage of development of the child.
Naturally, homework plays a part in this and we expect that parents and carers will support our homework policy.
We place particular emphasis on children having the opportunity to take part in at least one residential visit during their time with us at Underwood. The chance to be away from school in an exciting and engaging outdoor environment enables children to develop new skills, knowledge and understanding in ways that we prize as part of our ‘learning for life’ curriculum. There are opportunities for many team and individual activities to help build children’s confidence, consolidate their approach to teamwork and enhance learning engagement. Our residential visits are remembered by Underwood children as highlights of their time with us! In 2023/24 our Year 4 children will undertake a twonight visit to Hathersage and our Year 5/6 children will spend four nights at Bryntysilio Activity Centre in North Wales.
Full details of the itineraries are provided and adequate levels of supervision are always assured. All staff organising residential visits follow the guidance given by the LA and adhere to the school’s policy. Risk assessments are always carried out thoroughly prior to any educational visit by the party leaders and party members.
Much time is spent out of normal school hours on the organisation of extra activities for all pupils. These include a wide variety of sporting activities, such as football, cricket, hockey, cross country, athletics and swimming. Teams represent the school in many of these activities and compete against local schools.
There are also many musical activities provided for our children, from learning to play the recorder to singing in the choir. Key Stage 2 children are also given the opportunity to learn to play an instrument. As well as these, many other opportunities are provided for children to experience extra activities outside of the curriculum, including Book Buddies, Sports Buddies, Playground Buddies, Art and Craft activities, Cookery and Book Clubs.
Sport has an important part to play in the life of the school. It is regarded highly and is an integral part of the development of all our children. It is delivered through the PE and games aspect of the curriculum where a wide variety of activities are undertaken throughout the year including football, basketball, hockey, swimming, athletics, tennis, tag rugby, cross country and cricket.
The school takes part in numerous competitive sporting events and we are proud of our sporting achievements!
On average, two hours per week are spent on physical education within a broad and balanced curriculum and within this the children are involved in individual and team sports.
‘Ready, Respectful, Safe.’
At Underwood, each class elects two representatives to serve for a term of one year as School Councillor.
They work with the Senior Leadership Team on a variety of issues such as curriculum, enjoyment, playtimes and work together to find solutions to problems that grown-up eyes might not see so well. The Councillors can be identified by their red badges which they wear proudly.
Two children from each class form part of our Eco-Council. These children aim to work with the rest of the school to promote environmental issues and to improve our school and local environment. Activities include saving energy and natural resources, recycling schemes, creating and improving habitats for wildlife and raising money to support national and international campaigns. ‘
Underwood School is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School. The school is within the control of the Nottinghamshire County Council Local Authority but has close links with the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham Board of Education. The school has developed links with the local parish Church and with the parish priest, The Reverend David Stevenson.
Religious Education, or RE, is carried out in accordance with the Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus and as in all schools is part of the curriculum for all children. In each year group at school, the children study an area of Christian belief and practice in depth, in addition to looking into another of the six major world religions.
There is an act of Collective Worship each day in school. These are led by the Head Teacher and other members of staff. The school also welcomes visitors into Collective Worship. We aim to involve the children wherever possible and invite visitors of other denominations. Special services are held throughout the year to which parents are invited.
Collective Worship time in school is a time for thought, to explore feelings and for celebration. The school will make alternative arrangements for parents to exercise their right of withdrawal of their children from religious worship or instruction.
At times, Collective Worship takes place at St. Michael and All Angels Church and we invite parents and carers to come and join us. These include Harvest, Christingle, Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day.
Being the BEST we can be!’
At Underwood C of E Primary School, we are proud of general levels of behaviour and discipline displayed by our pupils. We believe that by ‘Being the BEST we can be!’ the children need to know how to make good choices that will enable them to maximise their learning opportunities. Through a positive approach to behaviour management, the children are taught to manage their own behaviour by following our one school rule:
‘Ready, Respectful, Safe’.
Special Educational Needs
During their school careers, some children may experience special educational needs of some kind, requiring additional support, guidance and encouragement. The needs presented by some pupils may be more complex, profound and ongoing. These children with Special Educational Needs have a right to the same broad and well balanced curriculum as other pupils, but at a pace and level appropriate to them.
Our SEND Policy ensures that high quality education is available for children experiencing difficulties within certain areas of the curriculum.
To work effectively, an active partnership of co-operation between parents/carers, pupils and school is essential and encouraged. Our Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator is Mrs Eves. She is supported by our Lead SEND Teaching Partner, Mrs. Ball.
The three elements of this one rule is the baseline that is used to help children understand what is meant by good behaviour and that is why it is concise and clear for all.
The school operates a positive reward system where children who are consistently well behaved and working hard are rewarded. Our ‘Stars’ reward system promotes and encourages achievement in all aspects of school life, including attitude, behaviour and learning. Children can achieve individually through Bronze, Silver, Gold and ‘Super Star’ certificates for their year group and every ‘Star’ earned by each individual child contributes to their opportunity for collective success through our ‘Star Team of the Week’ award.
When it is necessary for a child to be disciplined, the sanctions, at the discretion of the Head Teacher, are fair and reasonable and are in accordance with the present Local Authority regulations and in line with the school Behaviour Policy. Should serious problems arise, parents are invited into school to discuss the matter and work together with their child to plan the best course of action.
The safety and wellbeing of children is every citizen’s responsibility.
Every school in Nottinghamshire is required to follow a set procedure in cases of suspected child abuse. Head Teachers are required to refer their concerns to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team for further investigation so that children at risk can be identified quickly. This procedure is intended to protect children from abuse.
When a school refers a concern about a pupil to the MASH team, it is not accusing the parents of abuse, but requesting that further investigation takes place to establish whether a child is at risk.
As Head Teacher, Ian Baxter, is the designated safeguarding lead for child protection at Underwood and Clare Thorne is the deputy designated safeguarding lead; Stephanie Eves and Nicola Raynor are also designated safeguarding officers.
‘Ready, Respectful, Safe.’
Christmas Fayre
Spring Tea
Easter Egg Raffle
Sponsored Field Run
Summer Fayre
Refreshments
Ice Creams
events help to fund…
£200 contribution towards educational trips per class
Subsidising the Pantomime trip
Reading at home rewards
Year 6 Leavers books
Charity donations
New school sports kits
Christmas book gift for all children
New sports equipment
We welcome parent/adult helpers into school. Your support is always appreciated. Any parent, or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. who would like to be involved in school may do so by arrangement with the class teacher. The school is committed to the safety of all of the children in school and so any parent/adult who offers their help will be referred for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check including a barred list check. If you have any concerns about these checks, please do not hesitate to discuss them with the Head Teacher.
Areas where parent/adult support is invaluable include: cooking, using the computer, painting, listening to reading or talking with children.
The school has a very active PTA called ‘Friends in School’, or FIS for short. This thriving fundraising organisation continues to raise substantial funds for the school. These have resulted in improved resources through the purchase of extra equipment and improvements and additions to our school building. Your support and involvement would be very welcome.
‘Being the BEST we can be!’
There are eleven members on Underwood School’s Governing Body. They represent different parts of the whole school community and have different responsibilities in the management of the school. The full Governing Body meets for a minimum of three times per year and an annual meeting. Sub-committees have been formed and these meet on a termly basis.
This is our current Governing Body:
Mr L Russell (Chair) Community Governor
Mrs R Lake Church Foundation
Governor (Diocese)
Reverend D Stevenson Church Foundation
Governor (Clergy Ex-officio)
Mr A Summers Parent Governor
Mrs H Davies Parent Governor
Mrs L Sisson Community Governor
Mrs J Roe Community Governor
Mrs K Green Community Governor
Mr M Adcock Staff Governor
Mrs C Thorne Staff Governor
Mr I Baxter Head Teacher (ex-officio)
The Clerk to the Governing Body is Aimee Sawyer.
The Governing Body may be contacted through the school office.
The Governing Body of Underwood C of E Primary School adopts the policy of Nottinghamshire County Council with regard to the admission and transfer of pupils in school.
All parents who are considering applying to the school are encouraged to visit the school with their child to have a look around and address any transfer arrangements.
For details of the current criteria for admission, including admission into year groups other than the intake year, please refer to the Nottinghamshire County Council website at: http:// www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/education/school-admissions/apply-for-aschool-place
The website includes both current and future year’s “Admissions to Schools a Guide for Parents” booklet which gives guidance on how to apply, criteria applied and the maintenance of waiting lists.
If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact us via the school office and we will gladly arrange a printed copy for you.
Visits to school are warmly welcomed by appointment with the Head Teacher.
Excellent attendance is vital if your child is to achieve their full potential. Every day they are learning new concepts and skills which form important building blocks in their education. Missed education is difficult to catch up and hampers your child’s progress and overall achievement. Similarly, attending school on time each day ensures no learning time is lost and instils good habits from an early age.
Attendance of 96% and above is considered good attendance.
Attendance below 95% (more than 10 days) is considered unsatisfactory.
Attendance below 90% (more than 20 days) is categorised by the Department for Education as persistent absenteeism.
All children who achieve full attendance each term are recognised with a special Bronze, Silver or Gold Club certificate at the end of each term.
‘Ready, Respectful, Safe.’
This school believes in the right of every individual to be treated with respect and to enjoy freedom of expression and equal opportunities. This school will not tolerate discrimination against any individual on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, gender, class, age, ability, language, sexual orientation, physical disability, physical appearance or status.
We recognise that prejudice exists in our society and will demonstrate that we will not tolerate this by treating seriously and acting promptly against any form of discriminatory behaviour. This school is fully committed to nurturing a climate of mutual respect and to ensure that all pupils are given equal help and encouragement and access to the opportunities available.
The following documents which refer to the work of the school are available to parents. They are kept by the Head Teacher. A request should be made to see or discuss these documents:
Governors’ Policy Statements
Published Minutes of Governors’ Meetings
Ofsted Inspection Reports
School Improvement Plan
SIAMS Report
Many of these documents are available for parents to see on the school website at www.underwoodschool.co.uk
It is the policy of the Governing Body to ask children to wear the school uniform. We believe that children who look smart, act smart and learn smart.
We hope that you will maintain a regular contact with the school and with your child’s teacher. In doing so points of concern can be discussed and dealt with as they arise. However, the school operates a Complaints Policy which is available to see on the school website or upon request to the Head Teacher.
Thank you for your interest in our school. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming your child to Underwood.
The information given in this booklet which relates to the school year 2022/2023 was valid at the time of printing. It should not be assumed that there will be no changes affecting either the arrangements generally described in this booklet or in any particular part of them before the start of the school year 2023/2024 or in subsequent years.
‘
Being the BEST we can be!
Ready,
