Gwyrosydd Primary School

Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus “Living to learn ... learning to live�

We believe that every child is unique and so we invest in every child in order to provide a firm foundation upon which they can build their lives.

Gwyrosydd Primary School is at the heart of the Treboeth / Penlan community and we are committed to developing a learning environment which is: Happy Safe and caring Exciting Full of opportunities And willing to risk making mistakes in order to learn Gwyrosydd is dedicated to pursuing and achieving excellence through: A stimulating and well resourced environment Enthusiastic and energising staff The development and encouragement of everyone at Gwyrosydd Raising self esteem and awareness of others Encouraging respect and valuing our differences We aim to deliver an exciting and relevant curriculum through: Excellent and enthusiastic teaching Innovation and original thinking Encouraging reflection and thinking skills Providing opportunities to broaden creativity and self-worth Celebrating achievements with each member of our school community, every step of the way In all aspects of school life . . . we enjoy learning

January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

An introduction to the school Welcome to Gwyrosydd Primary School and thank you for taking the time to find out about Gwyrosydd. Making the decision about which school is the right school for your child can be a difficult one but we hope that this prospectus will help you make that decision and give you a flavour of Gwyrosydd and the learning opportunities that we provide here.

Gwyrosydd Primary School is part of the Swansea Local Education Authority. We are a two form entry primary school. Our children usually start school after their third birthday and stay with us until they reach eleven. The school is situated on the side of a hill, in large grounds which have impressive views of Swansea Bay, the surrounding area of Treboeth and the South Wales countryside beyond. The grounds offer a wealth of learning and play experiences for the children, through the natural resources such as the sloping banks and large number of trees, as well as through the stimulating outdoor equipment provided including slides and climbing ropes in the Early Years playground, and a tyre park for the older children and a play-trail for junior aged pupils.

There are three large hard surface play areas for playtime use, and during dry weather the children fully use the large grassed playing fields.

We are extremely proud of our links with the local community and the after school activities that take place here.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

Visiting the school We encourage prospective parents to visit our school. If you would like to come and look around and catch a glimpse of what we get up to at Gwyrosydd Primary School, please phone the school office to make an appointment. We also organise a number of open days, parent tours and events throughout the year which we hope you will be able to attend.

Admissions If you would like your child to be enrolled at Gwyrosydd Primary please contact the school office to ensure there is sufficient place available, and to arrange a visit to the school.

If your child is not yet three he/she will be placed on the nursery list and you will be contacted either just before his/her third birthday or when a place is available if the nursery is already full. Please contact the school if you have any queries.

Preferred placement requests from children who live outside the catchment area will be considered as long as the school has places available. Application forms can be obtained from the school office.

The Local Education Authority is responsible for admissions to County and V.A. schools. An Admissions Policy is published by the County on an annual basis. If you would like further information, please contact the school office (797117) or the County’s Pupil and Governor Unit (636551).

School Uniform The children at Gwyrosydd chose the school uniform and we encourage and expect children to wear it. Our uniform is comprised of: White shirt, polo T-shirt or blouse with collar Red school sweatshirt, jumper or cardigan Dark grey, blue or black trousers or knee length skirt (NOT Denim) Red and white gingham or striped dresses can be worn during the summer term Black sensible shoes (Please note open backed, high heeled and in many cases, designs of ‘fashion’ shoes are not suitable for day to day wear in school) January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus School shirts and sweatshirts are available from the school office between 9:30 and 3:00 Monday to Friday. We also sell P.E. kit bags and small cases suitable for carrying reading books, records, etc. to and from school.

Jewellery is not to be worn in school. The accidental pulling and catching of earrings, rings and necklaces during play can cause severe damage to fingers and ear lobes! Children will be asked to remove earrings or tape over studs during P.E./Games activities if worn to school. The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage of items of jewellery and watches. Long hair must be tied back in school for reasons of health and hygiene.

We ask parents to ensure that items of value are not brought to school.

This includes expensive watches, personal stereos, gameboys, mobile phones etc. It also makes life easier for everyone if all clothing including shoes and watches (if they have to be worn) are clearly marked with your child’s name. That way if items are misplaced and then found they can be quickly returned to their owner.

We also ask parents to provide a PE kit which should include: shorts T-shirt Change of socks Plimsolls/trainers for outdoor games A track suit is useful on cold winter days.

Please note our emphasis on the need for a change of footwear from everyday use in school, to trainers for outdoor use on the playground or field. This is important for hygiene and also helps to keep the school building clean. Most P.E. work in the hall is undertaken in bare feet as recommended by the L.E.A. For games sessions in the winter, children should be equipped with an old sweater or tracksuit to keep them warm.

In addition parents are asked to remember that their children will have outdoor playtimes all through the year and should make sure that children have appropriate outer wear. During the colder months children should always have a warm coat in school, with a hat and gloves if necessary. During the summer children are likely to spend a lot of time outside and should never come to school wearing clothes that could expose delicate areas of skin to the sun, for example vest January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus tops, strappy dresses etc. Children should also be provided with a suitable sun hat to protect their heads when it is very hot.

In Key Stage 2 we also ask parents to provide an old shirt for use as an overall during art activities.

Please make sure your child is suitably dressed and that all clothes are labelled clearly with your child’s name.

Laying firm foundations!

Early Years At Gwyrosydd Primary we believe that good quality early childhood education is of vital importance to the development of the child and provides a solid foundation upon which future learning will be built. Our Early Years unit consists of three classes, a large Nursery class and two reception classes, all of which are housed in the infant department of the school.

All three classes are well resourced to encourage children to become independent learners and to have opportunities to learn through well structured play activities. Computer equipment and interactive whiteboards are available in each class to ensure children are introduced at an early age to ICT. In addition each class will have designated areas for literacy and numeracy activities, interest areas where they can explore scientific concepts, art and craft areas, and role play areas, where children can develop and speaking and listening skills. Children are also able to experience sand and water play and cooking activities in a purpose built ‘wet’ room.

The three Early Years classes benefit from a large separate outdoor area which provides children with lots of opportunities to develop their physical and social skills. The area has a large slide built into the slope of the hill, with ropes and steps for children to climb up. In addition a paved area gives children the opportunity to play with bikes and scooters, skipping ropes and other outdoor equipment, and there are also areas where the children enjoy gardening throughout the year.

Young children benefit from quality adult attention, and all classes have well qualified and experienced teachers, nursery nurses and January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus learning support assistants working with the children. In addition trainee teachers and support staff may also be employed throughout the year.

Nursery Children can enter nursery as soon as possible after their third birthday.

Nursery is part time and there is usually a choice of either a morning or afternoon session, but this will depend on whether spaces are available in the preferred session.

Timings of the day: Morning Afternoon

8.50 to 11.20 12.45 to 3.15

Children enter the nursery through the gate into the Early Years yard, and parents are encouraged to come into the nursery and settle their child when the session starts.

When a child is due to start nursery the parent will be contacted by the school some weeks in advance of the child’s third birthday to confirm that the place is still required and to arrange a time to visit the nursery.

During the visit the child will meet the nursery staff and other children, and parents will have the opportunity to talk to the teacher about the child and to ask any questions they may have. Parents may also be asked to fill in a registration form and to produce the child’s birth certificate. At the end of the visit a time will be arranged for the child to start properly.

The school holds meetings for the parents of prospective parents in order to discuss the philosophy of the school, pass on important information and to answer any questions that parents may have.

For many children starting nursery will be a big step, perhaps the first time they have been separated from their parent. In recognition of this the nursery staff will ensure that the child has time to settle properly and will recommend that a child is left for gradually increasing periods of time until it is agreed that he/she is able to cope with a full session happily. Children are recognised as individuals with varying needs, and it is important that their first experiences of school are happy ones.

Children stay in the nursery class until the September before their fifth birthday, when they will transfer to one of the two reception classes.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Reception The two reception classes are situated next door to each other in the Early Years department. Children who have attended the nursery will already be familiar with the reception staff and probably with the classrooms, as there is good liaison between the two groups, and the children share the outdoor area.

Children start reception in the September of the school year in which they will be five. This will be the first time the children have stayed at school for the whole day and many children find the transition from nursery to reception very tiring and difficult in the early days. To ease this process the children have a staggered entry, details of which will be given in advance of the children starting.

When children join us in Nursery or Reception they follow the Desirable Outcomes curriculum which provides the foundations upon which all other learning is based. The six areas of learning are: • Personal, social and emotional development • Communication, language and literacy • Mathematical development • Knowledge and understanding of the world • Physical development • Creative development Personal and Social Development This perhaps is one of the most important areas of the Desirable Outcomes as it ensures children are settled, happy, able to build good relationships with other children and adults, and able to develop the ability to interact with others.

Children will take part in ‘Circle-time’ where they will be encouraged to share views and opinions, and to listen to the views and opinions of others. They will also learn to talk about how they feel, to think about the results of their actions on others, to learn to empathise and to look at ways to make friends.

Communication, Language and Literacy (including Welsh) This area develops the children’s speaking and listening, reading and writing skills and all classrooms have defined areas where these skills can be developed, for example Book Corners, writing tables and listening stations.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus All children will hear daily stories, songs and rhymes, and will be encouraged to speak aloud and listen to each other and to the whole class as appropriate.

Children will be encouraged to take home story books to share with adults on a regular basis. Activities to encourage pre reading and writing skills will be available daily.

More formal reading and writing skills will be taught throughout the reception classes, including phonics and handwriting.

Welsh will be taught throughout the Early Years, through stories and songs, and through the use of incidental phrases and words. Children will also be taught basic language patterns, including greetings and answering simple questions about the weather.

Mathematical Children will experience a range of mathematical activities including sorting, matching, counting, learning about shapes etc. Most of the learning will take place through songs and rhymes and simple games.

Children in reception will also begin to read and write numerals, put them in order and begin to understand addition and subtraction.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World This area involves learning about the world around them – the local and wider environment, past events, other cultures and the world of work. It also involves learning about scientific concepts including materials, forces, testing ideas, investigating and recording results, and early design and technology work such as how things work and how to join or cut materials.

Creative Development All classes have designated art and craft areas where children can explore paint, collage, 3D work, pastels, clay etc. In addition all children enjoy music activities and have free access to percussion instruments on a regular basis as well as structured music lessons. Classrooms are set up to encourage dramatic play, through role play areas, puppets and soft toys, and activities and toys which encourage children to invent their own imaginary worlds and situations.

Physical Development All children have daily outdoor play whenever weather allows. A range of outdoor equipment means children have opportunities to develop January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus physical skills in many ways. In addition fine motor skills, such as the ability to handle scissors correctly and to hold a pencil or paintbrush, to make marks and eventually to write are systematically developed throughout the Early Years.

The school is keenly looking forward to the introduction of the ‘Foundation Phase Curriculum’ in 2008. In addition to the above pupils will also learn more about ‘Welsh language and development’ and we will have further opportunity to develop the emotional well-being aspects of learning, an area which is already seen as a strength of the school. The school is actively developing the Early Years’ outdoor areas in order to provide improved discovery and learning opportunities and to further enhance the Foundation Phase curriculum experiences.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Building brighter futures As children move from Reception into Year 1, and until they leave us at the end of Year 6, we follow the National Curriculum and QCA schemes of work. Further information about the detailed content of the curriculum can be obtained from the DFES web-site.

The key subjects covered are: • English (Literacy) • Maths (Numeracy) • Science • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) • Art • History • Geography • Design Technology • PE • Music • Welsh • RE English: We aim to teach our children to use language as effectively as they can in a wide variety of situations, as laid down in the National Curriculum and the National Literacy Strategy. They will be introduced to many types of literature including fiction, non-fiction and poetry and will be encouraged to read widely.

Our aim is that all our pupils will be able to: Read and write with confidence, fluency and understanding; Be able to use and apply a range of reading skills to monitor their reading and correct their own mistakes; Understand and use their knowledge of phonics and spelling to read and spell accurately; Have fluent and legible handwriting; Have an interest in words and their meanings and develop a growing vocabulary; Know, understand and be able to write in a range of genres in fiction, poetry and understand and be familiar with some of the

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

ways in which narratives are structured through ideas such as setting, character and plot; Understand, use and write a range of nonfiction texts; Plan, draft and revise their own writing; Have access to suitable technical vocabulary through which to understand and discuss their reading and writing; Be interested in books, read with enjoyment and evaluate and justify their preferences; Through reading and writing, develop their powers of inventiveness and critical awareness.

School Library We aim to encourage a natural interest in stories, books and reading and so the school has a library to help provide fiction and non-fiction books to support study in school and to lend a wide variety of texts for home reading. The library has approximately 3000 books available for staff and pupils to use for classroom topics. They cover a wide range of subjects and are extensively used by the children. Children are introduced to the library early in the infants and as they progress through the school they are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for the maintenance and running of the library. During the year a wide variety of events are organised for all pupils to further encourage children to love reading. Visits are also made to our local libraries to encourage membership.

Maths: We aim to help children develop their knowledge and understanding of Maths in an enjoyable way, but one which will also fit them for adult life as well as help them achieve the appropriate levels in the Attainment Targets of the National Curriculum and the National Numeracy Strategy. Our children are given the opportunity to work both in groups and individually, using a variety of resources including the Abacus Mathematics Scheme. In the daily numeracy lesson, children are grouped according to their ability to ensure that their needs can be fully met. Their progress is carefully monitored and they have the opportunity to move between groups as the need arises.

Parents are fully consulted at such times. Children are encouraged to cooperate within a group and to discuss the task in hand by thinking and planning, trying, observing and checking. We aim for all our pupils to: January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Have a sense of the size of a number and where it fits into the number system; Know by heart number facts such as number bonds, multiplication tables, doubles and halves; Use what they know by heart to figure out answers mentally Calculate accurately and efficiently, both mentally and with pencil and paper, drawing on a range of calculation strategies; Recognise when it is appropriate to use a calculator, and be able to do so effectively Make sense of number problems, including non-routine problems, and recognise the operations needed to solve them; Explain their methods and reasoning using correct mathematical terms; Judge whether their answers are reasonable and have strategies for checking them where necessary; Suggest suitable units for measuring, and make sensible estimates of measurement; Explain and make predictions from the numbers in graphs, diagrams, charts and tables.

Science: Through our Science curriculum we aim to give children the experience of a wide range of practical work as well as developing scientific skills and attitudes. Science helps children to understand more about the world around them and encourages them to question aspects that they don’t understand. Children are given an awareness of the role and importance of science in everyday life together with a consideration of the part that science has played in the development of everyday items.

Our children are also given the opportunity to consider ways in which living things and the environment need protection.

ICT: We are proud of the ICT facilities we have at Gwyrosydd. All classes have access to computers within their classrooms which are directly linked to our ICT suite in the main school building. We have our own school intranet facilities as well as access to the internet which is carefully monitored to ensure that children are protected from inappropriate material. We have a school web-site which is up-dated regularly.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus We teach ICT as a discrete subject as well as encouraging our children to use and develop their ICT skills across all other subjects. Our aim is to provide children with the skills to live in the 21st century and we are constantly updating our facilities to ensure our children have access to the best.

Art: Through Art our children are encouraged to develop their creativity and imagination.

Children are encouraged to build on skills to develop their control of materials, tools and techniques. We develop our children’s critical awareness of the roles and purposes of Art, craft and design in different times and cultures.

Our aim is for children to become more confident in using visual and tactile elements and materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think.

History: Through History our pupils learn about significant people, events and places from both the recent and more distant past. They learn about change and continuity in their own area, in Britain and in other parts of the world.

Pupils look at History in a variety of ways, for example from political, economic, technological and scientific, social, religious, and cultural perspectives. They use different sources of information to help them investigate the past both in depth and in overview, using dates and historical vocabulary to describe events, people and developments.

They also learn that the past can be represented and interpreted in different ways.

Good use is made of the local environment, which is rich in resources.

Visits are made to The Waterfront Museum, Oystermouth Castle, Gower Heritage Centre and Swansea Museum. Visits are also made to regional sites of interest including Big Pit in Bleanavon, Caerleon’s Roman museums and the National Museum of Wales.

Geography: Pupils investigate a variety of people, places and environments at different scales in the United Kingdom and abroad, including the local area, then find out about different environments and the people who live there. They also begin to learn about the wider world. They carry January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. Children are encouraged to ask geographical questions, and to use geographical skills and resources such as maps, atlases, aerial photographs and ICT. Design Technology: Design and Technology draws from and contributes to all the other areas of the curriculum and is essentially practical. At Gwyrosydd we encourage children to: • Develop their designing and making skills; • Develop knowledge and understanding; • Develop their capability to create high quality products through combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding; • Nurture creativity and innovation through designing and making; • Explore values about and attitudes to the made world and how we live and work within it; • Develop an understanding of technological processes, products, and their manufacture, and their contribution to our society; • To exercise their initiative, proposing, planning and developing ideas; • To enjoy exercising and developing the manipulative skills that realising these ideas entails; • To develop a critical awareness of both their own and others’ responses to their designs as well as responding to designs around them in the man-made world.

Music: Children throughout the school participate in a range of musical activities, which include singing, composing and performing using tuned and percussion instruments. They listen to and discuss a variety of styles of music. In Key Stage 2 those children who wish to do so have an opportunity to learn to play the recorder, brass, string or woodwind instruments or Keyboards through the West Glamorgan Music Service.

Children throughout the school are given the opportunity to the choirs run by the staff throughout the year.

Physical Education: Children are expected to participate in all P.E. activities. Throughout their time at Gwyrosydd children will have experience of dance, gymnastics, athletics and outdoor games. Together, these promote the children’s physical development, an awareness and understanding of January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus the body, the development of skills and imagination and an appreciation of creative performances. Most importantly, it is hoped that the children will gain enjoyment from physical education and pursue sporting activities in their private lives, thus promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Welsh: English is the first language taught at the school, but all children are taught Welsh as a second language. Emphasis is placed on speaking and listening in Welsh before developing reading and writing skills. A strong emphasis is also placed on learning about the culture and environment of Wales throughout the school. The school is supported in its delivery of the welsh curriculum by the Athrowes Bro from the County’s Welsh Centre. In addition to learning about the language children will also learn about Welsh culture, traditions and heritage – Cwricwlwm Cymreig – this pervades all areas of school curriculum and school life in general.

Religious Education: Religious Education must be provided in the school under the terms of the 1944 Education Act and the 1988 Education Reform Act. The Swansea Syllabus lays down broad guidelines within which the school is able to plan its own scheme of work.

Each school day features an assembly for religious worship, within broadly based Christian practice. Within Religious Education lessons teaching takes account of the church calendar, well known stories from the Bible and the study of a variety of different faiths and cultures including Judaism and Islam.

Parents may ask that their children are withdrawn from religious assemblies and religious education lessons and such requests should be made in writing.

Personal Health and Social Education: We believe that there are many areas of knowledge and understanding that lie outside the National Curriculum. In particular, the personal and social development of the children is an area that has become an increasingly important part of children’s education. In order to allow individuals, friendship groups, and classes to react to, and cope with, the pressures of the world around them, we allow time January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus for talk, discussion and reflection so that everyone knows that they are important and that their opinions are valued.

Circle Time allows children to participate as partners in the process of developing responsibility for their own behaviour and learning. It aims to encourage the development of self-esteem, interpersonal skills and strengthen relationships; whilst at the same time allows all involved to have fun together. This forms an integral part of our discipline policy and pastoral support for the children.

Sex Education: Our school governors are responsible for the nature of sex education within the school. The subject of sexual development is handled sensitively as children progress through the school, particularly in Years 3, 5 and 6. We offer our parents the opportunity to view the materials we use prior to children seeing them and to discuss related issues with members of staff.

The school’s Sex Education Policy is available for parents to view. Please enquire at the school office.

Homework: Homework is set across the school. In setting homework we aim to: • Promote positive attitudes to work and school • Raise achievement of all pupils • Consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding in literacy and numeracy and across the curriculum • Encourage and develop independent learning • Increase self discipline • Develop the home/school partnership • Prepare children for secondary transfer in Year 6 A variety of types of homework are used depending on the age and ability of the pupils. These include:• Reading • Learning spellings, multiplication tables, and mental arithmetic tasks • Completion of class work • A piece of research on a familiar or a new topic • Revision for a test • A piece of Mathematics, Science or English work • Other work agreed with parents January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Educational Visits: The school’s policy for Charges and Remission meets the requirements of the Education Reform Act 1988 and reflects the high standard of learning experiences which we provide for the children of Gwyrosydd Primary School. The educational value of all proposed activities and visits and the health and safety of our children is carefully considered by staff. Voluntary contributions towards the cost of these visits and activities will be requested from each participating family. Each visit/activity will only take place if sufficient voluntary contributions are received to enable us to fund it. If the visit/activity does go ahead all relevant children will participate whether or not their parents have made a voluntary contribution. However, the school reserves the right to leave behind any child whose behaviour is a danger to himself / herself or others. Parental permission is always sought before removing children from the school premises for educational visits. If the shortfall on voluntary contributions is so great that the visit/activity cannot proceed, all monies collected will be returned to parents.

These visits/activities are an enhancement of the school’s curriculum and as always we rely on our partnership with parents to help us provide the best learning opportunities for the children in our care.

Inclusion Special Educational Needs: Most children have January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus special needs within an area of the curriculum at some time in their school career.

At Gwyrosydd Primary School the special needs of children are identified by the class teacher or a colleague by observation, testing, assessment and consultation with parents, previous school records and health agencies, e.g. school nurse, doctor, etc. (particularly in physical problems). Our Special Needs Policy has been written with the consideration of the national Code of Practice. A summary is available from the school office. Parents are consulted at each stage and are invited to attend meetings with the Special Needs co-ordinator and support services.

When a child has special needs the class teacher gives the child individual help and sets appropriate tasks. We have a full time Special Educational Needs co-ordinator in school who regularly helps to assess children with learning difficulties, helping pupils individually and working with the child’s teacher to plan suitable programmes of work and support. If parents, teachers or the Head teacher feel that the assessment of a child’s needs would benefit from an educational psychologist’s report, the class teacher is asked to complete a referral form and parents are informed by the Head teacher. Parents are consulted at every stage. The psychologist’s report to the school gives guidance to the school and parents. Occasionally a child is issued with a statement of special educational needs. The statement may recommend that there is extra ancillary help given to support the child.

Occasionally the statementing process may reveal that a child should attend a school where expert help is available to support their specific needs. However, the majority of children identified as having special needs are catered for by the school and such cases are usually short term.

Equal Opportunities: We wish to promote positive attitudes in children, staff, governors and parents so that the children can fulfil their potential and make choices, unhampered by expectations based on gender or role stereotyping.

We seek to fulfil the aims of the school regardless of age, gender, ability (both academic and physical) ethnic origin or background of the child.

The school follows the L.E.A. Admissions Policy, which does not permit sex, race, colour or disability to be used as criteria for admission.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus The school will liaise with the L.E.A. when assessing the needs and providing for children admitted to the school with particular physical disabilities.

Disability Discrimination Act: At Gwyrosydd we are committed to providing a fully accessible environment which values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs. We are further committed to challenging attitudes about disability and accessibility and developing a culture of awareness, tolerance and inclusion. The school is working in partnership with the Local Educational Authority in developing and implementing its access plan and has adopted in principle, the “LEA Accessibility Strategy, Access to Learning�.

Race Equality It is the right of all pupils to receive the best education the school can provide, with access to all educational activities organised by the school. We do not tolerate any forms of racial harassment which includes racist name calling, racist caricature based on prejudice, the stirring of racial hatred and the drawing or writing of racist materials.

We are committed to combating racial discrimination and racial harassment by challenging stereotyping and prejudice whenever it occurs.

We endeavour to make the school a welcoming place for all ethnic and national groups represented in the community including travellers, asylum seekers and refugees.

Children are encouraged to be aware of what racism means through the Citizenship programme and are encouraged to report incidents where there is the suspicion of racism.

We ensure that all recruitment, employment, promotion and training system are fair to all, and provide opportunities for everyone to achieve.

We constantly strive to remove any forms of indirect discrimination that may form barriers to learning, for example by ensuring that book resources reflect a diverse society and do not contain negative images.

Expected Code of Conduct January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Behaviour: Within a “family” of nearly 400 children some rules are essential; these are mostly matters of common sense, to ensure the safety of our children. Rules are devised to make the school a safer and happier place for all children. Generally they will involve: • The right of all children to feel safe and secure when in the school buildings and outdoor areas • Respect for other people and property • The need to keep safe and to only work or play in an agreed way (for example no climbing on the school fences or running down steep banks, walking calmly in the corridors etc) • The need to show courtesy and good manners to everyone who works at or visits the school, and to make them feel happy to be here • The importance of always striving to do the best you can whether at work or play • The need to treat everyone as you would wish to be treated yourself The emphasis in the school is to praise good behaviour, attitude and effort and increase children’s awareness of the need to make a positive contribution to their community.

The school has a comprehensive Behaviour Policy which is available on request, which emphasises the importance of positive behaviour strategies. There is a detailed reward system which highlights and recognises children’s successes in all areas of school life, not just academic progress, and is practised throughout the school. Children who find it difficult to follow rules are given specific behaviour support and go through a series of stages to try and modify behaviour.

Continued incidents of poor behaviour will lead to a number of sanctions being imposed appropriate to the age of the child and the seriousness of the behaviour displayed, including ‘time out’ and missing playtimes. Parents will be informed if their child continues to misbehave, and co-operation between home and school will be sought to try and alleviate problems.

Aggressive behaviour, bullying, verbal or physical abuse of others or damage to property will not be accepted at the school. Serious measures will be taken in line with the school policy.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus When sanctions are necessary, they will be appropriate to the child and the incident.

The school Behaviour Policy is available on request from the school office. The school has a Home-School Agreement, which we ask parents, guardians, children and teachers to sign.

The Golden Rules: Our school community has agreed to follow the school’s Golden Rules, which are: Do be gentle - Do not hurt anyone Do be kind and -Do not hurt helpful people’s feelings Do work hard - Do not waste your or other people’s time Do look after - Do not waste or property damage things Do listen to people - Do not interrupt Do be honest - Do not hide the truth

Golden Time: Golden Time is used to re-enforce and reward positive attitude and behaviour. Children begin the week with an entitlement of 30 minutes Golden Time. At the beginning of the week the children plan and select a range of activities they would like to participate in during Golden Time. (This is usually planned into a Friday afternoon) If a child behaves inappropriately they are given a warning using a warning card. If the

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus behaviour continues the adult can withdraw 5 minutes of their Golden Time. Children have the opportunity to earn time back by modifying their behaviour and/or showing a significant effort to improve. This time can only be given back by the adult who took it away.

Parents and the School: You are your child’s first and most important educator. At Gwyrosydd we value and appreciate the important role you have to play in supporting your child in developing a positive attitude to school and learning. Studies have proven that children learn best when home and school work in partnership. At Gwyrosydd we offer a wide range of opportunities for parents to actively participate in supporting their children at school. Schools can’t educate children alone.

We need your support.

Friends of Gwyrosydd We are fortunate at Gwyrosydd Primary to have a dedicated team of parents and friends who work hard to improve the school for all the children. The Friends of Gwyrosydd have organized many fund raising events including school discos, concerts, Mid winter and Summer Fairs.

A considerable amount of money has been raised for the school which has directly benefited the children. New parents, grandparents, other relatives or friends are always welcome to come and join the team and details of meeting times will be advertised in the school newsletter and around the school buildings.

Home and school liaison: Parent/Teacher consultation evenings are held each term and a formal written report goes out to parents in July. In addition, over the year there are a number of evenings and talks for parents. These include: • Parents Evenings - a chance to find out how your child has settled into school • Governors A.G.M. and report to parents - Come along to find out what the school governors have achieved each year.

• School Open Day - Come along and find out about a day in the life of Gwyrosydd Primary School.

• Tours for new parents.

Teachers are also available everyday in the playground before and after school to discuss any immediate concerns with parents on an January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus informal basis. Alternatively you can ring the school office to make an appointment. We are committed to involving parents and families in the life of the school.

Communication is a two-way process. We will always endeavour to keep you up to date about your child’s progress. We would ask that you inform us about the ‘ups and downs’ in your child’s life so that we can provide appropriate help and support. If you or your children have problems or worries please contact the class teacher, Deputy Head teacher or Headteacher so that they can resolved. Little worries are more difficult to sort out when they have grown into big ones.

School Newsletter and information to Parents: Our school newsletter is sent out on a weekly basis to parents and includes a diary for the week ahead to keep parents informed about what is going on in school. Our newsletter and all other information to parents is sent out to parents on a Thursday. By keeping to a regular day parents know when to check bags for information coming from school!

Courses for Parents: The school offers a range of courses for parents which change on a termly basis. We are currently running Numeracy and Literacy courses to support parents in helping their children to learn. If you are interested in any of these or have ideas for other courses please contact the office.

Further Information Arriving and Leaving Please note that the school cannot take responsibility for children arriving at school before 8.50 a.m. unless they are attending the school Breakfast Club. Until 8:50 the supervision of children is the responsibility of the parent.

Children in Reception and Year 1 come straight into the classroom between 8:50. On wet days the main doors will be opened at 8:40 and parents are welcome to wait in the corridors until 8:50 Children in Year 2 are expected to assemble in the infant playground, where the class teachers will collect them at 8:50.

Children in Key Stage 2 are expected to assemble in the playground between 8:40 and 8:50, where their class teachers collect them.

January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Breakfast Club The school operates a Breakfast Club from 8:00 every morning. This club is run by the catering and supervisory staff and there is no cost as it is fully funded by the Welsh Assembly government.

Attendance The Education Act states that parents have the primary responsibility for ensuring that children of compulsory school age receive a suitable education. At Gwyrosydd Primary School we ask parents and families to support in promoting good attendance in the following ways: • Ensuring that children attend school regularly and arrive on time.

(Registration is often a time when teachers will discuss with children the programme for the day.)

• If your child is ill please contact the school on the first day of absence so we can update our records. Staff will be concerned if they don’t hear anything.

• When your child returns to school ensure that a note is provided confirming the reason for absence.

• Avoid taking holidays during term time. Before requesting a holiday, think about the lessons your child will miss, the difficulty they will have in catching up and the effect it will have on how well they do at school. If a family holiday falls during term time, a holiday form, obtainable from the office, should be filled in before your child goes away on holiday. The Government permits a maximum of ten schooldays for family holidays in a year with the consent of the school. Further absence for holidays will be recorded as unauthorised.

Did you know that the expected level of attendance for Primary age pupils is 92.5%?

At Gwyrosydd we have a responsibility to work with the LEA and Education Welfare Service to ensure that children attend school. We are required to inform the LEA if a pupil fails to attend or is late regularly and if no reason for absence is provided. Schools are required by law to publish annually the percentage of Authorised and Unauthorised Absence for each academic year. This is provided at the back of the prospectus. Authorised absence is, for example, illness, agreed family holidays or absence with the school’s permission. Unauthorised absence is when the school receives no valid explanation in accordance with Government guidelines. Our figures indicate that truancy is not a problem thanks to collaboration between home and January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus school in ensuring that our children appreciate the importance of school attendance and the effect this has on their learning. Each term the school awards certificates to children with 100% attendance for the term and their names are published in the school newsletter.

Children are not allowed out of school between 8.50 and 3.20 without the permission of the Head teacher. If your child needs to leave school for any reason, such as dental appointments, please send a note to the class teacher beforehand. Children with such appointments should be collected from the school and signed out by the parent / guardian.

School Dinners A quality school lunch is provided for those who wish it at a cost of £1.70 per day. Cooked meals are prepared on site and a vegetarian option is offered.

Dinner money is collected every Friday morning for the following week.

Please put dinner money in an envelope with your child’s name and class on it, and the amount inside. Provision is also made for those pupils who wish to bring a packed lunch. No glass bottles or containers are allowed for obvious reasons.

The organisation of school meals, particularly the supervision of the children, is a difficult exercise and the success of the work depends entirely on the close co-operation between the teacher on duty, kitchen staff, mid-day supervisors, children and their parents. Children who persistently misbehave and are non-co-operative during the lunch hour period will, after due warning and consultation with the parents, be suspended from school at lunchtime. (Those entitled to free meals will leave at 12.15.p.m. after their meal).

Children remaining in school at lunchtime must not leave the school at any time without permission from the Head teacher. This will only be given upon receipt of a written or telephoned request from parents.

Children of families receiving Income Support are entitled to claim a free midday meal. Advice on these matters can be obtained from the school office, and the LEAs Pupils and Governor department. Lunch is considered to be a social occasion and children are encouraged to sit together whether they are having school dinners or ‘home sandwiches’.

Drinking Water: January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Children are encouraged to bring a plastic bottle of water to school. It has been proven that if children have regular access to water during the day they are more able to concentrate and make greater progress at school. Containers are kept in the classroom and children can fill these up in the classrooms, which all have mains drinking water supplied.

School Clubs We offer a wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs for our pupils. These include Gymnastics, Chess, Recorders, Football, Netball, Athletics, Rugby, Art, Choir and library to name just a few. Look out for further information about the different clubs available each term in our school newsletter.

Security The security of the children in our care is paramount and as such certain procedures have been adopted. Children enter the school at 8.50 through a number of entrances, all of which will be secured when the children are inside. Any late arrivals, visitors or parents must report to the main school entrance where a single entry system is electronically operated via the school office. There is no access to any class during the day except through this entrance.

Children are not allowed to let any adults into the school, even if they know them, but are asked to fetch a member of the administrative staff who will then open the doors.

Parents are asked to support the school in this matter and not to let anyone in to the school themselves during the day or at the end of the day, except through the main door.

Parking The school car park is for staff use only. Parents are asked not to bring their cars into the school yard when fetching or collecting their children, and are asked to park with care outside the school grounds. Parents should avoid parking on the yellow zig zag lines or where they will cause any obstruction, and are asked to remember to take great care at the start and end of the day when the school entrances can be very busy.

Emergency Closure From time to time, especially in winter, situations may arise where it is necessary to close the school. Where possible parents will be informed the day before the school is to close. If the school has to be closed at January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus short notice Swansea Sound Radio will be asked to make an announcement after their half hourly news bulletins in the morning. A notice will also be placed at the school gates.

First Aid Simple first aid is given at school when necessary. If an accident needs hospital attention we will make every effort to contact you first. Please ensure information from you is up-to-date so that you can be contacted. There are two fully trained first aiders in school.

Medicines in school All medicines, ointments and inhalers must be clearly labelled with the child’s name and the dose. We don’t want to give the wrong medicine to your child! A form is available from the office that needs to be signed by a parent/guardian and on which we ask you to provide full instructions for the administration of any medicine.

Medicines must be handed into the school office each morning and collected when needed.

Any child who becomes ill in school will be cared for and comforted until you can be contacted. Please make sure that the school has your telephone number as well as a second contact number in case of an emergency.

Head Lice Head Lice can be a real problem in schools. Cases of head Lice should be reported to the class teacher. Advice on treatment is available from the school office if necessary. Please note that the School is not responsible for treatment. The Health Authority clearly places responsibility with parents. However, we do endeavour to keep parents / carers informed if there is an outbreak.

Medical Care The Health Authority gives all children vision, hearing and dental tests.

Selected children may undergo a more detailed medical examination and those with hearing problems will have further aural tests. Parents have the right to be present at a full medical examination and to refuse dental treatment for their child if they wish to do so.

Smoking Please do not smoke within the school grounds it is forbidden to do so!

January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Emergency Contact Information Please ensure that your contact details are correct, and that the school is told about any health matters, especially allergies, relating to your child.

Dogs Please do not bring dogs on to school premises (this includes the car park, turnaround, playgrounds and pedestrian area), tie them to school fences or allow them to obstruct the pavement where children walk.

No matter how gentle your animal is, children can be easily scared.

Please don’t allow your dog to foul pavements on the route to school.

Bag it and bin it!

The School Council The School Council plays an important and active role in school life; it represents pupils’ views and helps to shape our school of the future. We believe that school councils provide a basis for active learning of important life skills, such as speaking and listening skills, teamwork, emotional literacy, problem-solving, moral reasoning skills, self-esteem and self confidence.

The council is seen as benefitting the whole school as it provides a voice for the pupils to express their feelings, opinions, ideas and concerns and to understand that their opinions count. School council experiences provide a dynamic foundation for learning about citizenship. The Council arranges fundraising activities for a variety of good causes both inside and outside the school.

At the beginning of every school year all the children (except reception) elect one representative to sit on the Council until the end of the academic year. The Council meets at least once each half term with the ‘teacher-facilitator’ and ‘link Governor’. The Council Members are seen as the voice of the pupils and their views are treated with due respect. Councillors are also seen as ‘ambassadors’ for the school and as such will represent the school at various events and functions; their behaviour should be exemplary at all times. We believe the being a Councillor also gives pupils the opportunity to develop a range of skills including communication and negotiation as well as building confidence and an understanding of duty.

January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Complaints: If you have a problem concerning your child please make an appointment to see the class teacher at the earliest opportunity. Most problems can be dealt with informally by the teacher concerned. The Head teacher will normally refer parents to the class teacher if approached in the first instance.

A senior teacher or Deputy Head teacher may become involved if the matter is not easily resolved. Problems will be referred to the Head teacher when standard procedures have not been effective in resolving the issue.

Our Parent Governors are also available to help in any way they can. If the above procedures prove unsuccessful a formal complaint may be made to the Chairman of Governors c/o the School Complaints about the Curriculum, Religious Education and related matters would be made under Section 23 of the Education Reform Act. The Governors adopt the Local Education Authority’s recommended procedure for dealing with formal complaints. Copies of this are available from the school office or from County Hall. It is hoped however that any matters of concern can be resolved by informal discussion at the school.

School Governors: Under the 1988 Education Reform Act the Governors take an important role in the running of the school. Decisions on issues, which have been taken by the Local Education Authority at County Hall in the past, have largely been handed over to local school governors. Our Governors have responsibility for the content of the curriculum particularly with regard to sex education, the appointment of staff and control of the school finances.

The school’s curriculum fulfils the requirements of the National Curriculum and the Swansea Curriculum Policy. However, it has greater depth and breadth to meet the needs of our pupils.

The Governors have set up three committees to deal with certain areas of their responsibilities.

These are Resources, Environment, and Curriculum. The Governors meet in full at least once a term while the committees meet more frequently.

January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus The Headteacher reports regularly to each committee, which in turn report to the full governing body.

And Finally......

We want your child’s time at our school to be happy, exciting and educational.

We believe that learning should be fun and that by encouraging respect for each other and valuing the opportunities available we all grow and learn together.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus Class Structure / numbers on roll (January 2008) / staffing Headteacher Deputy Headteacher

Mr Jonathan Atter Mrs C Roberts

Year Group Nursery Reception Year 1/2

Teachers Mrs Giles (pm) Mrs Lewis Mrs Howells

Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Special Needs

Mrs Giles (am) Mrs Owens Mrs Fethney Mrs Mathews Mrs Jenkins Mr Blackmore Mrs Evans Mrs Roberts Mrs Jones

48 42 81

Miss Brunsdon Miss Griffiths Mr Davies Mrs Meyrick

50 57 41 45

Mrs Thomas Total Pupils

377

Support Staff Ms C Owens Mrs V Beynon Mrs C Hurlow Mrs B Millien Mrs C Green Mrs J Thomas

LSA LSA (LEA) LSA (LEA) LSA LSA (LEA) LSA

Miss J Davies Mrs B Davies Mrs T Strange Mrs K Peters Mrs V Beynon Mrs N Salter

LSA LSA LSA (LEA) LSA (LEA) LSA (LEA) LSA (LEA)

Mrs M Davies Mrs B Cole

NNEB NNEB

Mrs Y Deeks

NNEB

Mrs Phillips Mrs Williams

Secretary Secretary

Miss Crees

Secretary

Mr K Fifield

Caretaker

Mr L Millien

Assistant Caretaker

Mrs C Cooze Mrs M Williams

Cook Senior MDS

Mrs D Harris Mrs V Owens

Chargehand Senior MDS

(Infants)

January 2008

(Juniors)

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

School Term and Holiday Dates 2008/2009

The following School Terms and Holiday dates for the academic year 2008/2009 have now been approved.

2008/2009 Mid Term Holidays

Term

Term Begins

Term Ends

Begins

Ends

Term Begins

Term Ends

Autumn 2008

Tuesday 2nd September

Friday 24th October

Monday 27th October

Friday 31st October

Monday 3rd November

Friday 19th December

39 Spring 2009

Tuesday 6th January

35 Friday 13th February

Monday 16th February

Friday 20th February

Monday 20th April

74

Monday 23rd Friday 3rd April February

29 Summer 2009

30 Friday 22nd Monday 25th May May

Friday 29th May

24

Total Days per Term

Monday 1st June

59 Wednesday 22nd July

38

62

TOTAL

195

Bank Holidays 10th April 2009 - Good Friday 13th April 2009 - Easter Monday 4th May 2009 - May Day

25th May 2009 - Spring Bank Holiday

INSET days The following days have already been arranged as school inset days: January 6th May 1st May 12th June 1st January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus June 30th July 22nd

January 2008

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus COMPARATIVE REPORTs

Summary of National Curriculum Assessment results of pupils in the school (2007) and nationally (2006) at the end of Key Stage 1 as a percentage of those eligible for assessment.

ENGLISH 100 Oracy 100 Reading 100 Writing 100 0 MATHEMATICS 100 SCIENCE 100

School National School National School National School National National School National School National

N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

W 9 3 9 2 7 4 21 5 3 4 2 0 2

1 39 13 37 10 37 14 42 14 19 18 10 23 9

2 53 63 54 63 33 55 37 68 66 47 64 77 66

3 0 20 0 24 23 27 0 12 12 32 23 0 24

4+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Core Subject indicator The percentage of pupils attaining at least Level 2 by teacher assessment in either English or Welsh (first language), Mathematics and Science in combination: School : 52.63

January 2008

National: 80.6

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

Summary of National Curriculum Assessment results of pupils in the school (2007) and nationally (2006) at the end of Key Stage 2 as a percentage of those eligible for assessment.

English Oracy Reading Writing Mathematics Using & Applying Mathematics Number & Algebra Shape, Space & Measures Handling Data Science Scientific Enquiry Life Processes & Living Things Materials & their Properties Physical Processes

January 2008

School National School National School National School National School National School National School National School National School National School National School National School National School National School National

N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

W 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1

1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 5 6 3 6 5 4 3 6 3 6 3 4 2 4 3 4 2 4 2 4 2

3 19 16 17 16 19 16 32 20 15 14 30 21 13 14 17 15 32 15 15 12 15 17 19 10 15 12 28 13

Core Subject Indicator*

Boys

Girls

All

School

80

63.64

72.34

National

70.1

78.6

74.2

4 64 48 64 49 64 45 51 47 66 48 49 46 70 46 64 47 45 48 51 52 49 50 49 50 51 52 40 52

5 11 30 13 31 11 33 11 26 13 33 15 27 13 35 13 33 17 33 30 34 32 29 28 37 30 34 28 32

6+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

REQUEST FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINE IN SCHOOL Dear Parents, We are receiving numerous requests to administer medicines to children. Swansea C.C. recommends the following: 1

Only prescribed medicines may be given – proprietary medicines bought by parents should not be sent to school.

2.

Requests for teachers to administer medicines should be made in writing, stating clearly the name of the child, the name of the medicines, the dose, the times of administration and the duration of treatment (see attached form and keep for possible future use).

3.

All medicines should be clearly labelled with the name and address of the child, the dose and the times of administration of the dose and any expiry date if appropriate.

4.

The child should not be entrusted with carrying medicines to school each day. Medicines should be delivered and collected by a parent or other responsible adult.

5.

We should be grateful if you could keep to these recommendations.

They would help to ensure the welfare of your child. Please note, the school has no facilities for storing medicines which require refrigeration.

HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME

According to the Education (Schools and Further Education) Regulations 1981 parents may, on application, be granted leave of absence from school for their child, in order for the child to accompany them on an annual family holiday and only for a maximum of 10 days.

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus It states further that, save in exceptional circumstances, a pupil may not be granted more than two weeks leave of absence in any year.

REQUEST FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINE IN SCHOOL I………………………………………………………Name of parent/guardian

of……………………………………………………………..address

…………………………………………………………………

parent/guardian of ………………………………………..(name of child in fully)

…………………………………………………..

Date of birth

hereby request that ………………………………………..(name) should receive

name of medicine container)

dose of medicine

January 2008

………………………………………………..(as on

………………………………………………

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Gwyrosydd Primary School Prospectus

time of administration ………………………………………………

duration of treatment

……………………………………………………..

The medicine will be administered by either the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or the Class teacher, Staff, whilst taking all possible care, will not be held responsible for any problems that might occur, APPLICATION FORM FOR HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME I wish my child to have leave of absence from school for the family holiday

Name and class of children ………………………………………

From: Date……………………………………....…………………………………

Until: Date…………………………………………....……………………………

Reason………………

January 2008

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