EARLY YEARS PROSPECTUS
Primary and Nursery Academy
Thrunscoe
Headteachers Welcome Message
It really is a great honour to be the Headteacher of TPNA.
As you move through your ‘Thrunscoe Academy journey’, the staff and I believe that your child will be extremely happy here. This prospectus has been compiled in order to provide you with key information for you to refer to throughout the year. We rely on you to tell us if your child experiences any difficulties here and we pride ourselves on being sympathetic and flexible when dealing with any problems. We are here to help, so please approach us if you require support. The staff and I are available both before and after the academy day, if you require a brief chat. It may be advisable to make an appointment with either myself or the class teacher if you need a longer discussion.
You will be invited into the academy on many occasions to share in your child's work or to take part in events. We do welcome parent helpers and value any time you can spare. Please remember that we are here to provide a service and if you have any ideas on how we can improve this service please let us know.
Kindest regards
Mr S. P Bate B. Ed (Hons), NPQH
Early Years Leaders Welcome Message
My name is Emma Allen and I am the Assistant Headteacher and Early Years Leader at Thrunscoe Academy. My most important role within the Academy is to ensure that our youngest learners are happy, safe and inspired to learn.
I have been teaching for a very long time now and every day I love my job more. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with such amazing children every day. They truly bring me so much joy. I am also a Mum to two beautiful boys. Our favourite place to be is the beach where a new adventure awaits every time we visit.
I cannot wait to meet your child and welcome them into their new school family. I just know that we are going to have a great time together.
We want our pupils to SHINE so that they can maintain positive mental and physical well-being, be happy, be safe, be successful and lead a productive life that will allow them to adapt and flourish in an ever-changing world:
Our Ethos / Motto:
‘Let Children Shine’
Our Vision:
To teach all our children HOW to 'SHINE' so that they can lead a successful, productive, safe and happy life (tomorrow).
Our Mission:
To provide high quality learning experiences daily that develop all of our children’s personal 'SHINE' (today):
Our 'SHINE' Values and Aims:
S - Skills and knowledge - so they can succeed academically and lead a successful and productive life.
H - Honesty and openness - so they can build positive well-being and lead a happy and safe life.
I - Initiative - so they become motivated, proud, problem solvers with a desire to do their very best at all times.
N - Never give up attitude and bounce back ability - so they can learn from mistakes / difficulties, move forwards positively and flourish in an ever-changing world.
E - Empathy and compassion - so they can build understanding of others’ opinions and needs in order to develop healthy and supportive relationships.
THE ‘THRUNSCOE SHINE RULE’:
So that we can ‘ALL SHINE’, the words and actions we use will not disrupt, upset, annoy or harm others.
Assistant Headteacher
EYFS Lead
SEND Support
Lunchtime Supervisor
Lunchtime Supervisor
TEAM
Mrs E. Allen
Miss J. Marsh Teacher
Miss G. Ashurst EYP / HLTA
Miss K. Ridall Key Worker
Mrs C. Albery Key Worker
Miss S. Cave Key Worker
Mrs M. Scrivener
Mrs M. Rudland
According to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, a partnership includes ‘parents, families and practitioners working together to benefit children’.
At Thrunscoe, we believe that an effective home-school partnership that benefits children is built on trust, involvement and ultimately in shared expectations.
We understand that leaving your child at such a young age is difficult and requires a huge amount of trust. Everyone at Thrunscoe is friendly, open and honest at all times.
You can expect us to:
Make sure your child is happy, safe and making friends at school.
Communicate with you regularly in person.
Share your child’s learning with you regularly on ’Tapestry’.
Assign your child a key worker to ensure that their individual needs are met.
Give them the very best start to their education.
We can expect you to:
Tell us if something has changed at home.
Share your child’s out of school experiences with us by uploading to ’Tapestry.
Talk to us if you have any worries or concerns, no matter how small.
Parents need to be involved in their children’s learning and development. Children need to know that learning is important to you and that school is an important place. We need to work together and link home and school in as many ways as we can to support your child.
You can expect us to:
Share your child’s special moments with you.
Share any concerns with you.
Let you know what is happening in the academy in good time.
Keep you up-to-date with your child’s progress.
Support you in any way that we can to ensure the best for your child.
We can expect you to:
Attend parent evenings.
Read with your child at home regularly.
Support your child with any homework.
Make sure that your child has everything they need for a successful school day.
Read letters and texts and respond accordingly.
AM Nursery Timetable
8:40-8:55am - Welcome activities (fine motor skills, building their names)
8:55-9:00am - Register
9:00-11:00am - COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time - indoors or outdoors
11:00-11:30am - Group time (phonics, maths, speaking and listening, mark making)
11:30-11:40am - Story and singing
PM Nursery Timetable
12:15-12:25pm - Welcome activities (fine motor skills, building their names)
12:25-12:30pm - Register
12:30-2:30pm - COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time - ndoors or outdoors
2:30-3:00pm - Group time (phonics, maths, speaking and listening, mark making)
3:00-3:10pm - Story and singing time
3:10-3:15pm - Get ready for home
Reception Timetable
8:40-8:55am - Morning Activities (fine/ gross motor, name writing, handwriting etc)
8:55-9:00am - Register
9:00-9:15am - Reading
9:15-9:40am - Monster Phonics
9:40-10:05am - Maths
10:05-11:00am - COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time - indoors or outdoors
11:00-11:30 - PE/Topic
11:30-11:40am - Tidy up and wash hands for lunch
11:40-12:45pm - Lunch in the classroom and COOL time - indoors and outdoors
12:45-12:50pm - Register and drink
12:50-1:40pm - Topic/PE
1:40-2:30pm - COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time - indoors or outdoors
2:30-3:00pm - Tidy up time and Story
3:00-3:15pm - Get ready for home
Our learning environment is thoughtfully set out to ensure that the children have spaces to explore freely, choosing and selecting the resources that they need for their choice of play whilst providing quieter spaces where the children can access teacher led learning activities away from all distractions.
This balanced environment gives all our children the chance to
SHINE
Risk Assessments
At Thrunscoe, we believe that risk-taking is fundamental. When the risk is successful it motivates children to seek further challenge. When the risk is not successful it often leads to children testing new ideas and finding personal capabilities and limits. In this way, children can overcome fears and build new skills. To ensure that your children are safe whilst taking controlled risks, we risk assess all of our activities and risk assess the indoor and outdoor environment daily.
OUR
Nursery Curriculum
At Thrunscoe, we use the DFE’s ‘Development Matters’ document as a starting point to plan for our children’s interests and fascinations. We firmly believe that children learn best when they are happy, motivated and engaged. Our skilled staff facilitate children’s own enquiries and plan quality, purposeful play to support children with their next steps. This, alongside daily teacher input that meet individuals needs, give our young learners the knowledge and skills to get the best from their independent learning time. We believe that this balance gives our children the best start to their education whilst allowing them the freedom to be independent thinkers, learners and decision makers.
Reception Curriculum
At Thrunscoe, we follow the statutory EYFS curriculum and measure our children’s learning against the Early Learning Goals. We teach the children the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful learners through traditional tales. In each tale, we provide the children with a ‘wow’ moment that inspires their learning and promotes enthusiasm for the mini topic. Whilst providing this stimulus for the children, we also give our children the time to lead their own learning and enquiries everyday. We understand that children have their own interests and these are always facilitated by skilled and knowledgeable staff.
Traditional Tales include:
Autumn Term - All About Me, Autumn Festivals, Jack and the Beanstalk, Christmas
Spring Term - Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Rapunzel, The Frog Prince
Summer Term - The Gingerbread Man, The Three Little Pigs, The Little Red Hen, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip, Goldilocks and The Three Bears
How do I apply for a Nursery Place?
Call into the school office to complete a Nursery application form (please bring your child’s birth certificate with you) or contact us on :
01472 320781
Your child will be added to our Nursery waiting list and we will contact you near to our intake dates which are the beginning of September, January and April.
When and where do I drop off and collect from Nursery?
FLEXIBLE 15 hour places–
All Mornings OR All Afternoons OR a mix of the mornings / afternoons
Morning sessions - 8:40-11:40am
(Drop off at the IRIS room door and collect from the COOLROOM door).
Afternoon sessions - 12:15-3:15pm
(Drop off at the COOLROOM door and collect from the COOLROOM door).
We also have 30 hour places available (if you are eligible for a government 30 hour funding code). Please ask at the office.
5 full days - 8:40-3:15pm
(Drop off and collect from the IRIS ROOM door).
What else will my child need?
Please send your child to school with a full set of spare clothing, including socks and shoes. Sometimes they are having so much fun, they don’t make it to the toilet on time. Other times, despite our waterproof clothing, your child will get wet and need changing. Please also send your child in with -
A named pair of wellington boots that can stay in school as we love messy play.
A named water bottle so that your child can access a drink whenever they need it.
A packed lunch if they are staying for the 30 hours
Does my child need to wear uniform?
Our school sweatshirts are available to purchase from Greenswear which is located on High Street, however this is not compulsory in Nursery. Your child will get dirty on a regular basis due to the nature of their exploratory learning. Many parents prefer a uniform as it saves their own clothing!
How will my child learn in Nursery?
Your child will learn through planned and purposeful play. Our skilled staff will interact with your child, plan activities and organise provision that meets their needs and interests. They will assess your child against the EYFS development matters document and track their progress.
Activities will be planned to ensure that your child is having all of the experiences necessary to develop a love of learning whilst hitting the necessary milestones.
Every day a qualified teacher will teach your child in a short but more formal group time session. They will be supported and challenged to make a good start to their education.
What if my child is hungry or thirsty?
We provide the children with a free piece of fruit and milk/water every day.
Children are also encouraged to bring a named water bottle with them so that they can access a drink whenever they need it. Learning can be very thirsty work!
Will my child have a Key Worker?
When your child starts at our Nursery, they will be allocated a key-worker. This person will make sure that your child is happy and learning every day. Your child will also work with all the other adults in the setting.
How will I know what my child is learning and what progress they are making?
We assess your child on an online learning journal called Tapestry.
When your child joins us you will have access to their account. You will see all of the wonderful things that your child is learning at school and what milestones they are meeting.
How do I apply for a Reception place?
To apply for a place in our Reception classes, you must apply online through the local authority, even if your child attends our Nursery.
To apply for a Reception place, visit: https:// www.nelincs.gov.uk/children-families-and-schools/ schools-and-education/school-admissions/applyfor-a-school-place/
What uniform will my child need?
Royal blue sweatshirt (Greenswear on the Avenue)
White polo shirt
Black or grey trousers/skirt/ shorts/dress
When and where do I drop off and collect from for Reception?
Both Reception classes, are dropped off at the IRIS ROOM door and collected from IRIS ROOM door.
Drop off: between 8:40-8:55am
Collect: 3:15pm
What else will my child need?
A spare set of named clothing.
Named wellington boots that can stay in school.
A named book bag.
A named water bottle.
Sunhat and sun-cream when appropriate.
How will my child learn in Reception?
Your child will learn through planned and purposeful play-based activities linked to their interests and their identified next steps. They will have access to the indoor and outdoor continuous provision at set times throughout the day.
They will also take part in fun and practical, but more formal learning activities. Your child will have a phonics, maths and topic lesson every day.
During this exciting year, your child will learn to read, write and manipulate numbers within 10 to name a few!
How will I know what my child is learning and the progress they are making?
We assess your child on an online learning journal called TAPESTRY.
When your child joins us you will have access to their account. You will see all of the wonderful things that your child is learning at school and the progress they are making.
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What if my child is hungry or thirsty?
Children have a snack time every day. They are provided with a free piece of fruit and a cup of water.
Children are also encouraged to bring a named water bottle with them so that they can access a drink whenever they need it.
At lunchtime, children are provided with a free school meal and a cup of water. You must order the free meal online in advance. You will be given an activation code and instructions on how to book school meals when your child starts. You may have to provide a packed lunch for the first two weeks.
If you do not book a school meal in time or you do not want a school meal for your child, they will need to bring a healthy packed lunch to school every day.
If your child is going to be absent for any reason please call the office and let us know in the morning of the absence. We cannot authorise any holidays during term time and we encourage parents to keep their children at school. Every day matters.
Sadly, they get everywhere! If you do notice head lice in your child’s hair, please treat it with an appropriate treatment (free from the doctor) and let school know so that we can let our families know that we have a case in the class.
Head Lice
Medication
We are only able to give your child medicine that has been prescribed by a doctor. You will need to sign a consent form for each medicine and make sure that we always have enough in school. Staff that administer the medicine will always record the time and the quantity given. It is crucial that you let us know of any medical needs before your child starts with us.
Breakfast Club
We provide a Breakfast Club where children can eat a healthy breakfast before the start of the academy day. This is very popular and must be booked in advance by contacting the school office.
Entrance to the breakfast club is through the main entrance doors and the club is situated in the hall.
Breakfast club starts at 7.40am daily and costs £2 per day.
All our staff in the Early Years have an up-to-date paediatric first aid training certificate. This means that we are able to deal with minor injuries at school. If we feel that your child needs more care than this we will always contact you. Bump notes are sent home so you are aware that your child has had an accident. In the event of a head injury, you will be informed via text message so that you can continue to monitor your child at home.
Accidents
Thrunscoe Primary and Nursery Academy are delighted to be able to offer our after school childcare provision, Cosmic Kids Club. Our after school provision provides a range of stimulating, age appropriate and creative activities in a safe environment, within our ethos of ‘Let Children Shine ’.
To find out more about this, please contact :
Phone: 01472 320781 Email: office@thrunscoe.academy
Website: https://www.thrunscoeacademy.co.uk/parents/our-after-school-
After School Club
Parental concerns
Health & Safety
Whilst your child is in our care we are responsible for his/her safety. Please help us to keep them safe and well by following our health and safety procedures.
Children must not wear jewellery whilst in the academy. If your child has pierced ears then small stud earrings are acceptable.
No earrings are to be worn for P.E. as they are a danger to the child.
Regular fire drills are carried out. We ask that should the fire alarms sound during an assembly or concert, please allow us to escort the children to safety and then follow on behind through the nearest accessible fire door. We are able to empty the academy safely within three minutes with your calm co-operation.
Our academy and grounds are designated no smoking / vaping areas and we do not allow dogs into the academy grounds.
The academy car park is for the use of staff only. Please do not enter the car park either in vehicles or on foot.
The Local Authority does not provide personal accident insurance for children in the academy. PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENTS IF THEY WISH.
Expressions of parental concern are not always to be regarded as complaints in the formal sense of the word. Many concerns can be answered informally by the class teachers, wellbeing mentors or Headteacher.
The formal complaints procedure should be used only when the complaint appears to be incapable of resolution within the academy.
If you feel a concern has not been addressed to your satisfaction by the personnel in the academy the next course of action is to write to the Chair of Governors, at the academy’s address.
Please refer to the complaints policy on our Academy website for more detail.
Helping at home
To get your child off to a great start:
Read to them every day.
Let them see you reading, for pleasure and for a real purpose.
When they bring home a reading book, listen to them read as often as you can.
Attend school workshops so that you can support your child in the same way as we do in school.
Reading is one of the most important skills that we can give to our children. Reading gives them access to an unlimited amount of information, the world really is their oyster!
We teach children to read using a fun and effective phonics programme called Monster Phonics. Using the colour coded system and the memorable Monsters, children quickly learn our very complex written language.
Helpful websites: www.phonicsplay.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ zf2yf4j
www.topmarks.co.uk/phonics/ balloon-phonics-cvc-game
www.phonicsbloom.com/uk/ game/list/phonics-games-phase-2
www.teachyourmonsterto read.com www.monsterphonics.com www.teachyourmonstertoread.com www.teachyourmonstertoread.com
If you start teaching your children the letters in the alphabet, please, please, please teach them the sound that the letter makes, not the letter name. (Not the letter names as sang in the alphabet song!) Watch this clip below for how to say each letter correctly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=mRoFpvC0yn0
Children become very interested in their name and often want to start writing it. It is very important that they do not learn to write it in capital letters! For example the name Mary should be written as Mary, not MARY. The first letter is always a capital, the others are not, ever!
Governing Body Members:
Mrs L. Downes
Mrs P. Taylor
Mr P. Henderson
Mr R. Sperr
Governing Body Trustees:
Mr S. P. Bate
Mrs S. C. Bate
Mr R. Beel - Vice Chair
Miss H. Blanchard
Mr A. Cox
Mrs F. Goodwin (parent)
Mr J. Guy (parent)
Dr P. Hill
Mr R. Sperr - Chair
Mrs C. Standley
Mrs P. Taylor
Senior Management:
Mr S. Bate - Headteacher
Mrs E. Allen - Assistant Headteacher
Mr M. Hallam Assistant Headteacher
Mrs K. Paling - Academy Business Manager
Senior Leadership:
Mr S. P. Bate
Mrs E. Allen
Mr M. Hallam
Ms K. Holness
Mr A. Howard
Mrs A. Matthews
Teaching Staff:
Mrs E. Allen (AH)
Mr J. Boyington
Mr M. Hallam (AH)
Ms K. Holness
Mr H. Hopper
Mr A. Howard
Mrs R. Leggett
Miss J. Marsh
Mrs A. Matthews (SENDCO)
Mr J. Moss
Miss M. Pearson
Miss M. Riley
Mrs A. Robinson
Teaching Assistants:
Mrs C. Albery
Mrs K. Allenby
Mrs K. Allison
Miss G. Ashurst (HLTA /EYP)
Mrs M. Brown
Miss S. Cave
Mrs S. Corry
Mrs A. Cottingham
Mrs L. Dickson (HLTA)
Mrs R. Gilby
Mrs K. Klagges
Miss K. Ridall
Mrs J. Robertson (HLTA)
Mrs K. Stephenson
Mrs M. Scrivener
Mrs S. Watson
SEND Teaching Assistant:
Miss N. Whitfield (HLTA)
Well-being Mentors:
Mrs K. Allen
Miss M. Whitehead
Academy Business Manager:
Mrs K. Paling
Assistant Academy Business Manager:
Miss E. Curtiss
Ms E. Gresswell
Administrative Officer:
Mrs S. Toohill
Admin Assistant:
Mrs A. Tillett
Attendance Officer Admin:
Mrs E. Saxby
Attendance & Welfare Officer:
Mrs E. Garner
Lunchtime Supervisors:
Made up of our own TAs
Catering Assistants:
Mrs H. Wood
Mrs M. Pask
Caretaker:
Mr M. Hedison
Cleaners:
Mrs A. Bryan
Miss C. Casey
Mrs T. Gaffoor
Mrs M. Pask
Mrs M. Rudland
Mrs D. Winters
Safeguarding Leads:
Mr S. P. Bate (Strategic)
Mrs K. Allen (Operational)
PUPIL TERM DATES 2024-2025
Autumn Term 2024
Wednesday 4th September - School opens
Friday 18th October - School closes
Autumn Half Term Holidays
Monday 4th November - School opens
Friday 20th December - School closes Christmas Holidays
Spring Term 2025
Monday 6th January - School opens
Friday 14th February - School closes
Spring Half Term Holidays
Monday 24th February - School opens
Thursday 10th April - School closes Easter Holidays
Summer Term 2025
Tuesday 22nd April - School opens
Monday 5th May - BANK HOLIDAY
Friday 23rd May - School closes
Summer Half Term Holidays
Monday 9th June - School opens
Friday 25th July - School closes Summer Holidays