Parents carer

Parent/Carer Information Booklet 2013—2014

Ladybridge Primary School Broadford Road Deane Bolton BL3 4NB Tel: 01204 333646 Fax: 01204 333647 E-Mail: office@ladybridge.bolton.sch.uk

Contents Page

School Staff Holiday List General Information Autumn Term Diary Dates Spring Term Diary Dates Summer Term Diary Dates Attendance and Punctuality PTFA Events Class Assembly Parents’ Forum Dates Extra Curricular Activities House Point System Nut Free Zone Pupil Premium Grant School Map

School Staff Headteacher

Deputy Headteacher

Mr Colin Watson

Miss Julie Hignett

School Business Manager Mrs Cheryl Taylor

Office Assistant

Office Assistant

Mrs Joan Turnbull

Mrs Joan Turnbull

Early Years foundation Staff Reception - Squirrels Class Teacher – Miss Gemma Houghton Teaching Assistant – Mrs Jean Whittam Reception - Rabbits

Key Stage One Staff

Class Teacher – Miss Staci Walsh Teaching Assistant – Miss Vikki

Year One - Dragonflies Class Teacher – Mrs Gemma Bendelow Teaching Assistant – Mrs Angela Matthews Year One - Bumblebees Class Teacher – Mrs Robyn Hoolihan Teaching Assistant – Miss Steph Crompton

Keys Stage Two Staff

Key Worker – Miss Neesha Vaghela

Year Three - 3L Class Teacher – Mrs Sarah Tonge Key Worker – Mrs Khatija Mugal Year Four - 4L Class Teacher – Mrs Sheila Tomlinson H.L.T.A. – Mrs Debbie Sixsmith Year Four - 4B Class Teacher – Mrs Melissa Phillips Teaching Assistant – Mrs Mariam Asghar Year Five - 5L Class Teacher – Miss Emma Webster Teaching Assistant – Miss Rebecca Heathcote Year Six - 6L Class Teacher – Mrs Chris Gavin Key Worker – Mrs Ann Rowland H.L.T.A. – Miss Kathryn Cooper

Year Two - Badgers Class Teacher – Mrs Karen Wood Key Worker – Mrs Lesley Shaw Year Two - Hedgehogs Class Teacher – Mrs Holly Hall Key Worker – Miss Claire Acton H.L.T.A.-Mrs Elaine Ferguson

Holiday List Autumn Term

Term begins:

Wednesday 4th September 2013

Occasional Day: closed

Friday 25th October 2013 – School

Half Term: ber 2013

Monday 28th October to Friday 1st Novem-

Term ends:

Friday 20th December 2013

Spring Term

Term begins:

Monday 6th January 2014

Half Term:

Monday 17th to Friday 21st February 2014

Term Ends:

Friday 11th April 2014

Summer Term

Term begins:

Monday 28th April 2014

Bank holiday:

Monday 5th May 2014 - School closed

Half term:

Monday 26th to Friday 30th May 2014

Occasional Day:

Friday 27th June 2014 – School closed

General Information Open Door Policy We operate an ‘open door’ policy at Ladybridge. Should you have any concerns, for example about your child’s learning, please see a member of staff as soon as possible, so that the problem can be discussed and rectified. As the start and end of the day are quite busy, if you feel you need a more in-depth discussion with the teacher, please make an appointment. Please feel assured that should we have any concerns about your child we will share them with you at the earliest opportunity.

Curriculum Letters In Reception you will receive a letter each term with a detailed overview of what your child will be learning. In Years one to six you will receive a curriculum letter annually from your child’s class teacher which will give you an overview of what your child will be learning throughout the year. You can also access the curriculum videos at any time on the school website.

School Meals Dinner money is collected on Monday morning and is paid on either a weekly or half-termly basis (parents’ choice). All money sent into school should be in a clearly named bag and be the exact amount, since no change is kept in school. The current cost of School Meals is £6.25 per week (£1.25 per day) and will remain at this price until July 2013. An update will be given regarding September prices as soon as we have been notified of the cost from commercial services.

School Trips School trips are an important part of learning at Ladybridge, and parents will be asked to contribute towards the cost. However, if possible, we will always aim to subsidise the costs. As always, all money sent in should be clearly labelled.

Uniform We believe that wearing school uniform has a positive impact: it promotes a sense of pride it engenders a sense of community and belonging it helps to easily identify Ladybridge pupils it prevents the wearing of anything that might cause a distraction to learning it promotes equality between pupils it supports parents in providing an agreed set of clothes it supports health and safety

The children at Ladybridge have created the logo for their school uniform, and we encourage and expect all children to wear it.

The uniform consists of: Navy blue jumper or cardigan White or light blue polo shirt or blouse Dark grey/black trousers (or shorts for Summer) Dark grey skirt or pinafore dress Summer dress - blue check/stripe Black, grey, dark blue or white socks and tights Black sensible school shoes

For P.E. Navy blue shorts White round neck t-shirt Pumps When taking part in PE, children with long hair will be expected to tie it back. If your child is unable to do PE, then please ensure you have informed the class teacher.

Children are allowed to wear a tracksuit for outdoor PE sessions.

Please note: The only jewellery allowed in school is one pair of stud earrings and a wristwatch. However, where pupils wish to wear jewellery of religious significance, parents must inform the school. Pupils must be able to remove these objects for P.E. For pupils who wear headscarves, these must be of a non-distracting nature (plain and either black, white or dark blue in colour). Headscarves must be removed for P.E. lessons.

‘Extreme’ haircuts (including ‘shaved’ patterns) are not allowed.

Autumn Term Events Event

Date

Information

Meet the teacher

Friday 13th September

A chance for you to come into school to meet the class teacher.

8.30am – 9.00am

PTFA Meeting Date

Wednesday 25th September

(Annual General Meeting)

Assessment Week

Week Beginning

Year Two – Year Six

Monday 14th October

Harvest assembly

Wednesday 16th October 9.15am – 9.45am

PTFA Clothes Line

Friday 18th October

PTFA Halloween Disco

Thursday 24th October

Parents’ Forum

Wednesday 6th November Crèche facilities available for the 3.30pm meeting

Parents’ Evening

Tuesday 12th November

An opportunity for parents to meet and discuss forthcoming PTFA events.

A range of optional SAT’s tests including reading, writing, maths and spelling.

Each year we work with a local charity called Winter Watch. They work with homeless people in Bolton Communities. Your donations provide hot meals, a place to have a shower / rest and food parcels.

Send in your old clothes/book/shoes.

An evening of music, food and spooky activities for the whole family.

The Parents’ Forum is a group of parent representatives who meet once a term to discuss school-related issues. All parents are welcome to attend. Should you need crèche facilities please inform the office staff prior to the forum.

This will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with his/her teacher and to look at his/her work

Wednesday 13th November

PTFA Breakfast Morning

Wednesday 27th November 9.15am (Studio)

PTFA Meeting Date

Wednesday 27th November

PTFA Christmas Secrets’ Room

Monday 2nd December

PTFA Non-uniform Day

PTFA Christmas Fair

Friday 6th December

th

Thursday 12 December

Week beginning Christmas Productions

th

Monday 16

December

A chance to meet other parents and have a chat.

An opportunity for parents to meet and discuss forthcoming PTFA events.

Children send in money so that they can choose a present for a family member/friend.

Children are asked to come to school in no uniform in exchange for either a bottle or chocolate for the tombola at the Christmas fair.(any bottle - sauce to champagne!)

A fun filled afternoon of stalls and refreshments for all the family.

An opportunity to watch the children perform in the Christmas Production.

Spring Term Events

Event

Date

Information

Parents’ Forum

Wednesday 26th February

The Parents’ Forum is an open forum where a group of parents meet once a term to discuss school related issues.

All parents are welcome to attend. Should you need crèche facilities please inform the office staff prior to the forum.

Crèche facilities available for the 3.30pm meeting

Parents’ Evening

Tuesday 4th March th

Wednesday 5 March

This will be an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with his/her teacher and to look at his/her work.

PTFA Meeting date

Wednesday 19th March

An opportunity for parents to meet and discuss forthcoming PTFA events.

Year 6 residential

Friday 21st March – Sunday 23rd March

Pupils in year six have the opportunity to participate in various outdoor activities that require team work and collaborative skills.

PTFA Mother’s Day Secrets’ Room

Monday 24th March

Children send in money so that they can choose a present for their mum for Mother’s Day.

Super Learning Day

Monday 31st March

An opportunity for children to work in mixed age groups with different members of staff. The children experience a whole range of activities related to how they learn best.

PTFA Non-uniform Day

Friday 4th April

Children come to school in their own clothes in exchange for Easter eggs to support the Easter Egg Bingo event.

PTFA Easter Egg Bingo

Thursday 10th April

A fun filled evening of Bingo. 6.15pm for eyes down at 6.30pm sharp until 8.30pm in the school hall. (Numbers limited to hall capacity)

Summer Term Events Event

Date

PTFA Meeting Date

Wednesday 7th May

An opportunity for parents to meet and discuss forthcoming PTFA events.

Year Six SAT’s Week

Monday 12th May – Friday 16th May

End of year six tests that all pupils must complete.

Tests are externally marked and results are published.

Assessment Week

Monday 12th May – Friday 16th May

A range of optional SAT’s tests including reading, writing, maths and spelling.

Year Two – Year Six

PTFA Bollywood Bonanza

Saturday 17th May

PTFA Clothes line

Friday 23rd May

PTFA Meeting Date

Wednesday 4th June

Parents’ Forum

Wednesday 11th June Crèche facilities available for the 3.30pm meeting

Information

Children’s Disco and Dance Indian food and drink Henna Fashion Show Raffle and prizes

Send in your old clothes/book/shoes.

An opportunity for parents to meet and discuss forthcoming PTFA events.

The Parents’ Forum is a group of parent representatives who meet once a term to discuss school-related issues. All parents are welcome to attend. Should you need crèche facilities please inform the office staff prior to the forum.

PTFA Father’s Day Secrets’ Room

Monday 9th June

Children send in money so that they can choose a present for their dad for Father’s Day.

PTFA Non-uniform Day

Friday 13th June

In exchange for a non-uniform day we would like to ask for donations for either the rainbow room or bottle tombola.

A wide variety of stalls and activities for the whole family, ranging from pies/pasties to hair braiding.

PTFA Summer Fair

Saturday 21st June

Week beginning th

Sports Days

Monday 7 July

PTFA End of year meeting

Wednesday 9th July

An opportunity for parents/carers to observe competitive sporting activities on the school field.

Spending review and plans for the forthcoming academic year.

Attendance and Punctuality Education is the most important gift we can give our children and a day lost is one day too many. At Ladybridge, we believe that regular attendance is linked directly to raising achievement and helps develop skills for life. Please support the school in its aim to raise the achievement of your child by ensuring that they attend school regularly and arrive on time.

What should I do if my child is absent from school?

Contact the School Office on the first morning of absence to notify us of the reason for absence.

Medical documentation may be requested for any absence from parents of children who are frequently absent from school because of minor illnesses or absence immediately adjacent to a school holiday. They may also be offered a meeting with the School Nurse.

Provide medical documentation (e.g. letters/appointment cards) in advance of any medical appointments (e.g. hospital/dentist). Routine dental check- ups or non-emergency doctor appointments should, where possible, be made outside of school hours or, if this is not possible, at the very beginning or end of the school day.

Late Arrival at School The school bell rings at 8.57 a.m. to enable all children to be settled in class for registration at 9.00 a.m. prompt. Children can choose to access school (via their classroom door) from 8.50am. We expect all children to be on time. If your child is going to be late due to exceptional circumstances, please advise the office by telephone. If your child arrives after 9.00 a.m. they will only be able to access the building via the main entrance as all other doors are locked for security. They must report to the office on the way into school to ensure they are marked in the relevant registers, and to give an explanation for their lateness. All late arrivals are logged in a ‘late book’.

Late Pick Up from School We expect every pupil to be picked up on time at the end of the school day. If you are going to be late collecting your child from school at 3.30 p.m, please contact school so we can ensure your child remains safe. If your child is left uncollected, every effort will be made to contact you or other emergency contacts. If we are unable to contact anyone / or don’t hear from you by 4.30 p.m. then Social Services will be contacted, to ensure that safe child care arrangements can be made for your child.

How you can help:  Make sure your child understands the importance of good attendance and

punctuality  Don’t let your child miss school for very minor ailments  Arrange appointments and outings after school hours or at weekends or

school holidays Check the school website and newsletters for term dates when planning your holidays We understand that children do get sick and we are not asking you to send your children to school when they are unwell, but we are asking you to ensure they return to school as soon as they are able to do so.

A large amount of time is dedicated to monitoring attendance by the office staff. Some attendance initiatives are listed below:  We have a first day response, therefore each parent is called if their child

is absent and we have not heard from them.  100% class attendance certificates are given each week to classes.  100% individual attendance certificates are given out at the end of each

year.

Referrals to Early Intervention Officer and School Nurse when required.

The office staff produce a record of attendance weekly for all pupils whose attendance has fallen beneath a certain percentage figure (95% for 2013 – 2014) For those pupils who have been identified for the first time, a letter will now be sent to parents to make you aware of your child’s attendance level. Following the sending of letter one, should your child’s attendance fail to improve or should it fall to a lower level, you will then be sent a second letter indicating the level of attendance for your child. Should your child’s attendance still fail to improve or should it fall to a lower level, then you will receive a third letter indicating the level of attendance for your child and the case will then be referred to the Early Intervention Officer.

P.T.F.A. Events What is the PTFA? The PTFA are a group of parents who give their time on a voluntary basis to organise and run fundraising activities.

PTFA Roles/Responsibilities Role/Responsibility

Parent Name

Year group

Chair

Nicola Burgess

Year Six

Treasurer

Rebecca Nicholls

Year Six

Secretary

Sam Oliver

Year Six

Many other parents in school are active PTFA members. The PTFA receive a ‘wish list’ from school and PTFA members discuss and decide were their funds would be most beneficial. During 2012-2013, the PTFA fundraising paid for: ICT equipment The Key Stage One to visit the Lowry The Key Stage Two to visit the cinema PTFA Events The main fundraisers of the year are as follows: Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Halloween Disco Christmas Fair Clothes Line Christmas Secrets Room

Easter Egg Bingo Mother’s Day Secrets Room

Bollywood Bonanza Father’s Day Secrets’ Room Summer Fair Clothes Line

Charity Status The PTFA have recently been awarded charity status. This means that they can now apply for grants and funds from other sources. If you have ideas for any other events, please speak to the school office or come along to one of the scheduled meetings below. It’s a great way to be part of school life.

Autumn Term PTFA Meeting date

Non uniform/donation date to support the event

Event date

Wednesday 25th September

Non uniform for Clothesline

Thursday 24th October

Friday 18th October

Halloween Disco Wednesday 27th November 9.15am PTFA Breakfast Morning

Wednesday 27th November

6th December PTFA Non-uniform bottle and chocolate tombola Monday 2nd December Christmas Secrets Room

Spring Term PTFA Meeting date

Non uniform/donation date to support the event

Wednesday 19th March

Event date Monday 24th March

Friday 4th April PTFA Non-uniform for Easter eggs

Mother’s Day Secrets Room Thursday 10th April PTFA Easter Egg Bingo

Summer Term PTFA Meeting date Wednesday 7th May

Non uniform/donation date to support the event

Event date Saturday 17th May Bollywood Bonanza Monday 9th June

Wednesday 4th June

Friday 13th June PTFA Non-uniform bottle tombola/rainbow room

Wednesday 9th July (End of year)

Father’s Day Secrets Room Saturday 21st June Summer Fair

Class Assembly Dates

Date

Wednesday 15th January

Class

Year Four – 4B

Wednesday 29th January

Year Four – 4L

Wednesday 12th March

Year Five – 5L

Wednesday 26th March

Year Three – 3L

Wednesday 9th April

Reception – Rabbits/Squirrels

Wednesday 21st May

Year One – Dragonflies/Bumblebees

Wednesday 11th June

Year Two – Badgers

Wednesday 25th June

Year Two – Hedgehogs

Wednesday 16th July

Year Six – 6L

Class assemblies are held in the school hall at 9.15am

Parents’ Forum Dates

Day

Time

Crèche

Wednesday 6th November

3.30pm and 7.00pm

Crèche facilities will be provided by school for the 3.30pm meeting

Wednesday 26th February

3.30pm and 7.00pm

Crèche facilities will be provided by school for the 3.30pm meeting

Wednesday 11th June

3.30pm and 7.00pm

Crèche facilities will be provided by school for the 3.30pm meeting

What is the Parents’ Forum?

The Parents’ Forum is an open forum where a group of parents meet once a term to discuss school-related issues. Regular, open communication and consultation with parents is really important to the school. The Parents’ Forum provides a valuable way to listen to your ideas and concerns and seek your views, helping to make sure the needs of children and their families are met. Meetings are chaired by school staff and/or governors. Meetings are informal and are a genuine opportunity for open discussion.

Sharing the information Parents are encouraged to share information from Parents’ Forum Meetings with parents of other children in school. Feedback is also included in school newsletters which are distributed to all parents and published on the school website. Issues raised should be general issues. If you have specific concerns about your child your first point of contact should always be your class teacher.

There is a Parents’ Forum page on the school website, and here you will find the agenda for each meeting, notes of the meeting and any related documents.

Extra-curricular Provision

Key Stage One Day

Club Name

Time

Place

Who

Person in charge

Tuesday

Cookery Club

12.40 – 1.10

Olympic Suite

Year One

Miss Houghton

Tuesday

Film Club

12.30 – 1.10

Year Two

Mrs Whittam Miss Walsh

Tuesday

Creative Club

12.45 – 1.10

Rabbits Classroom Year One Classroom

Year Two

Mrs Bendelow

(10 children maximum) Year Two

Mrs Wood

Year Two

Miss Mugal Premier Sport

Thursday

Cookery Club

12.30 – 1.10

Olympic Suite

Friday

Football Club

3.35 – 4.15/30

Key Stage One Playground

Friday

Gym Club

3.35 – 4.30

Hall

(20 children maximum) Year One/ Two

Mrs Ferguson Mrs Shaw

Key Stage Two Day

Club Name

Time

Place

Who

Person in charge

Tuesday

Card Club

12.55 – 1.25

Year Four

Mrs Phillips

Tuesday

Choir

12.55 – 1.25

Tuesday

Book Club

3.30 – 4.30

Year Three Classroom Library

Tuesday

Cross Country

3.30 – 4.15

Field

Tuesday

Table Tennis

3.30 – 4.30

Hall

Wednesday Wednesday Thursday

Textiles Club

3.30 – 4.30

Dance Club

3.30 – 4.30

Year Five Classroom Hall

Coding Club

12.55 – 1.25

ICT Suite

Thursday

Rackets Club

3.45 – 4.30

Hall

Year Four – Year Six Year Three – Year Six Year Five/ Year Six Year Four – Year Six Year Five/ Year Six Year Four – Year Six Year Three/ Year Four Year Five/ Year Six Year Three

Friday

Braid Club

12.55 – 1.25

Library

Friday

Football Club

3.30 – 4.30

Friday

Drumming Club

3.30 – 4.00

Key Stage Two field Spare Year 5 Classroom

Year Three Year Four Year Three – Year Six Year Five/ Year Six

Mrs Hoolihan Mrs Sixsmith Mrs Gavin Mrs Hall Miss Webster Mrs Tonge Miss Cooper Mrs Tomlinson Mrs Matthews Miss Hignett Mr Watson + helpers Bolton Music Service

Clubs Request Form Above is a list of the clubs that have been organised for the Autumn term. Clubs will start week beginning 16th September 2013. We will review all clubs at the end of the Autumn term and make you aware of any changes.

Please complete and return the slip below indicating which clubs you would like your child to attend (please check which year group/s each club is for). We will assign places on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, as all clubs have a maximum number that can attend (due to supervision legislation about adult to pupil ratios).

Registering interest will not guarantee your child a place, and you will be notified at a later date as to whether he/she has been allocated a place.

If your child’s club is after school, please ensure arrangements are made for them to be collected on time.

I would like my child ______________________________________ (full name and class) to attend the following clubs (please tick):

Key Stage One Clubs Cookery Club (Tuesday) Film Club Creative Club Cookery Club (Thursday) Football Club Gym Club

Key Stage Two Clubs Card Club Choir Book Club Cross Country Table Tennis Textiles Club Dance Club Coding Club Rackets Club Braid Club

Signed ______________________ (Parent/Carer)

Football Club Drumming Club

House Point System In January 2012 we launched our house-point system as a means of rewarding pupils, and to provide a competitive and cooperative element between groups of children.

Emerald House

Ruby House

Sapphire House

Diamond House

The names were chosen by pupils and staff. Each House is represented by a different colour and children can earn points for their house in various ways both in and out of school, such as: curricular achievements and/or effort; involvement in school activities – i.e. taking part in extra curricular activities on a regular basis, helping at school events, representing the school at sporting/academic events etc.

Each week the points are counted and during Thursday’s assembly children are told the scores to date. At the end of each week the winners have their colour tied to a trophy which is on display in the school hall. At the end of each term the house points are totalled and the winning house celebrate together in the school hall during a fun filled morning.

This year we would like to use a physical token for each house point. Children will put these into a collection unit, which will be designed specifically for this purpose, similar to the example below.

Once a week, the House Point Captains will count the tokens, and return them to the staffroom, where staff replenish their stocks!

House Point Challenge Winners Weekly ‘Special Award’ wrist bands are awarded to the children with the most house points from each class.

Certificate for the winning house Children from the winning house are awarded with a certificate each term.

House Captains Every house has two year six representatives that have been chosen to be positive role models for the rest of the school.

Nut Free Zone

We have children in school who have an allergic reaction to nuts, and in two particular cases, this allergic reaction could result in an anaphylactic shock – which is life threatening.

It is not just eating nuts that can make these children ill, but having any kind of contact i.e. with products containing nuts, with people who have nut products on their skin or clothes.

We, as a school, have procedures in place, but it is essential that we have your co-operation to help protect these children. Nuts are in so many products that extra care is needed when sending food into school either for snacks at break times or packed lunches. Please could you check food labels for any products you send to school.

When it comes to Christmas parties or other events that involve sending food into school, please could you take extra care if you are preparing/ baking food to ensure it does not contain/come into contact with nuts or have nut traces. Please remember that treat boxes like Roses/Quality Street/ Celebrations contain chocolates that contain nuts such as Bounty, Snickers, Hazel whirl etc. Please do not send these into school.

Pupil Premium What is the Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is additional money given to schools to enable them to support pupils, who may be disadvantaged, to raise their educational attainment. It is available to schools to support pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and those who are Looked After or in Care (LAC).

National school performance tables now include information about the progress of pupils in receipt of Pupil Premium. Ladybridge Primary School is committed to ‘Narrowing the Gap’ between vulnerable pupils and the pupil premium forms a vital part of that process.

We are aware that some families feel there is a stigma attached to claiming free school meals, but this is not the case. Free school meals are a statutory benefit; this means that if you qualify you have a legal right to free school meals for your child or children. Not only will you benefit, but the school will receive extra funding towards education costs.

You are eligible for free school meals if the parent/carer receives child benefit for the children and the parent/carer receives one of the following benefits: Income support Income Based Jobseekers Allowance.

Guaranteed credit An income-related employment and support allowance.

Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Child Tax Credit, but not receiving Working Tax Credit, and your annual income does not exceed £16,190.

You are not entitled to Free School Meals if you receive Working Tax Credit.

Reporting Pupil Premium Ladybridge Primary School will publish details of a report online annually from September 2012. This report aims to detail information on how the Pupil Premium has been used within school. This report will detail the attainment and progress of pupils who are covered by the premium and the intervention that has been supported by the additional funding. Reports will also detail the progress made towards narrowing the gap and this will be supported by reported data and academic progress.

Reporting to Parents Parents will be able to obtain information on the pupil premium via the schools website. This will be updated annually.