All About Our School

The Governing Body has adopted the L.E.A. Admissions Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy and proposed dates for Preferred Placement requests. The school will admit all children without prejudice. Admissions to the Specialist Teaching Facility are arranged by the L.E.A. Special Educational Needs Manager.

The school hours conform with Welsh Assembly Government guidance providing pupils with 23.5hrs per week.
* The morning session commences at 8.50a.m. and finishes at 11.55a.m. allowing 15 minutes for a morning break for staff and pupils.
* The afternoon session commences at 12.55p.m. and finishes at 3.20p.m. allowing a 10 minute afternoon break for pupils.
* Nursery sessions take place in the morning/afternoon starting at 8.50a.m. and finishing at 11.45a.m. or 1.00p.m. to 3.20p.m.
* Afternoon sessions may be provided for 'Rising 3's' from January each year if numbers are sufficient.

Pastoral care of the pupils is the responsibility of all teaching and non-teaching staff with the Headteacher having overall responsibility. All staff are provided with regular training in the areas of First Aid, Child Protection, Fire Awareness, Deaf Awareness and Behaviour Management in addition to a wide range of other areas relating to Health and Safety and Personal and Social Education for our pupils.

Our pupils assist with the management of the school and we are proud of the work of the Pupils' School Council, our 'Year 6 Buddies' who work with Early Years/Infant children every Friday and the 'Playground Pals' for their contribution to the smooth running of our school.

The school security system operates by limiting access to the main entrance during the working day where an entry phone system with camera linked to the main office ensures that the children are kept safe at all times. All external doors open from the inside only to allow use as fire exits. Pupils access outdoor play areas under the supervision of a teacher or Learning Support Assistant during teaching time.

The School Charging and Remissions Policy ensures that all pupils have equal access to all visits and activities during school time.
* No child will be excluded from participation on the basis of non contribution but every visit/activity will be dependent upon our ability to attract sufficient voluntary contributions
* Parental contributions are requested and are subsidised by contributions from the School Fund/P.T.A./Budget
* School budget covers the additional costs of recorder teaching and Music curriculum delivery by a Specialist Teacher for all our pupils. A small charge is made to cover the costs of employing Peripatetic Music Teachers to provide individual tuition for flute, clarinet, violin and cello. This is payable termly.
* Charges for some extra-curricular activities run by independent providers must be paid to the Club Organiser

Freedom of Information Policy
We have adopted the L.E.A. Policy and supplemented it with our own School Policy. Information requested under this Act will be provided in compliance with the recommendations within the statutory period. A charge will be made for production of some documentation as outlined in the Policy.

Complaints Policy
We have adopted the L.E.A. Policy and supplemented it with our own School Policy.
If a problem arises this may be resolved by:
* simply contacting the Classteacher and arranging a mutually convenient time to discuss matters,
* in the event of a serious issue arising which requires careful consideration by the school please contact the Headteacher Mrs. Martell,
* if appropriate, she will be able to advise parents on the formal complaints procedure,
* a letter of complaint may be sent directly to the Chair of Governors.

In addition to her role as Headteacher, Mrs. Martell is the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) for the whole school and would be pleased to offer support, advice and guidance to parents in respect of provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

Child Care
The school provides excellent standards of Child Care via a private Pre-School Nursery (Playtots) and After School Child Care Clubs. Arrangements are made with the relevant Staff (not teaching Staff) and charges for this service are paid directly to the Owner/Manager of the facility Mrs. R. Spinner.
The school works in partnership with Mrs. Spinner but is not responsible for the management of this provision or its Staff.
Your child could attend Playtots prior to admission to our School Nursery. Whilst attending the School Nursery during the morning/afternoon session it is possible to transfer to Playtots for the other session thus providing a full day combining Nursery and childcare options in the same building. For further details please contact Mrs. Ruby Spinner on 405527.
The school provides a free Breakfast Club between 7.45a.m. and 8.45a.m. funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Class Organisation and Staffing
* Class organisation for the new Academic Year is presented to parents annually at the end of the Summer Term in preparation for the new year.
* The arrangements for inclusion of hearing impaired children with their mainstream peers will be adjusted in order to meet the needs of the individuals concerned. We ensure that all classes where inclusion takes place benefit from an increased staff:pupil ratio.
* Pupils will be assigned to their classes according to date of birth with 'in year admissions' using the same criteria thus ensuring that no child will be required to move from one teaching group to another during the course of the year.
* Admissions to Nursery will take place during the first two weeks of September.
* 'Rising 3 year olds will be admitted during the course of the year following their 3rd birthday if places are available.
* The Governing Body adheres to the Government Guidelines which stipulate that all pupils shall be placed in classes of no more than 30.
* Pupils experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties may be provided with an additional one to one Learning Support Assistant.

Home Learning Policy
Our Home Learning Policy supports the development of Key Skills in Literacy, Numeracy and I.C.T. in all curriculum areas. We believe that this is an important aspect of your child's education which requires a 'Partnership Approach' stated in our Home/School Agreement. We believe that parental involvement in home learning is vital. There should always be an element of support, interest and encouragement from parents in order to assist the child in achieving his/her best possible quality of work. Home learning should consist of 'a task' which is realistic in its aims and can be accomplished within a 'reasonable' period of time producing a positive outcome wherever possible. Success will encourage the pupil and parent to wish to repeat the shared experience hopefully on a regular basis. The learning priorities for each class, teacher and child vary considerably according to the nature of the work planned for the half term or term.

Early Years and Infant Pupils are provided with Home Task Booklets each term and we ask parents to support their child by working with them on these literacy and numeracy tasks.

We would encourage parents to be involved in handwriting practice at home and would wish to furnish them with the appropriate instructions to enable them to follow our agreed method for teaching handwriting.

We feel that learning and knowing multiplication tables off by heart is a very useful skill and would encourage children (who are ready) to begin revising them regularly as part of their home learning.

We would like to encourage the further development of study skills. As a school we will encourage the children to develop their knowledge of topics being studied in school by using the reference books and computer programs and request that parents assist their child at home by encouraging them to visit the local library to supplement their reference material. As a natural extension of school based work, the children will be able to continue their research at home.

We support the view that children should be encouraged to engage in 'educational experiences' outside the school day. Our school is fortunate in having such a committed Staff and parent body who give so generously of their freetime to work with the children. We also enjoy the support of a number of nationally recognised organisations who help us to maintain an exciting range of 'extra curricular activities'.

Our children's clubs include:
Table-Tennis,/Computer,/French/Spanish,/Chess
Rugby/Cricket Orchestra/Choir Recreational Reading/ Cross Stitch
Netball/Rounders LadyBird Hunts Gardening Karate
Brazillian Football

Each member of Staff is responsible for informing the pupils and parents of the arrangements for classes, practices and games. Please encourage your child to keep you informed of the arrangements.

Further details can be seen in our Home Learning Policy which has been written by a joint Working Group of Governors, Staff and Parents during 2006.

Sex Education Policy
Our Sex Education Policy has been written by a joint Working Group of Governors, Staff and Parents during 2004. It was presented to all Governors , Staff and Parents for consultation and reflects the L.E.A. Sex Education Policy and National Guidance on this element of the curriculum. It will be reviewed biennially. The programme is delivered in Years 2, 5 and 6 using agreed teaching strategies and support materials. Parents are informed of the times allocated for these teaching sessions and are able to access the Policy, programme outline and materials on request.
We respect the right of Parents to withdraw their child from this aspect of our curriculum and provide suitable alternative activities.
A wide range of policies governing all aspects of our work are available for perusal on request from the Headteacher.

An 'Open-Door Policy'
Our 'Open Door' Policy refers to our approach to daily liaison with our parents. We want parents to feel that although, for the safety of the children, we have to keep all doors locked throughout the day - we still want to ensure that they can communicate with us directly on a daily basis.

It is important for parents to know that we are very keen to ensure that the communication between home and school is maintained. We still need to hear about the 'little daily difficulties' which affect your child. You can:
* write a brief note to the Classteacher,
* enter the building via the main entrance and speak to Mrs. Martell or the Secretary who will try to ensure that your query is dealt with immediately,
* make an appointment with Mrs. Martell or the Classteacher to enable you to discuss a difficulty at length at a mutually convenient time,
* telephone us and leave a message on our answerphone ,
* maintain strong links via a Home/School Book which is provided for some pupils who have Special Educational Needs.

Behaviour Policy
We have a Code of Behaviour which has been agreed by the Teaching Staff and Governing Body in addition to a Policy for Behaviour Management including an outline of our approach to bullying.
We promote the 'No Blame Approach' and offer support for both 'victim' and 'bully' whilst firmly taking a 'zero tolerance stance' toward this unacceptable behaviour.

We endeavour to reinforce good behaviour patterns by a system of rewards rather than highlighting unacceptable behaviour on a regular basis. The House System is seen as a 'rewards system' which celebrates and supports achievements in a wide variety of National Curriculum and Hidden Curriculum areas rather than as a 'sanctions system'. We also support positive behaviour patterns by awarding coloured and golden leaves for The Grange Golden Tree. Achievement Certificates valuing good attendance are awarded at the end of the academic year. We value a wide range of personal qualities, academic and sporting achievements. The children have produced their own 'Grange Golden Rules' which are displayed in the school as a regular reminder of our expectations.

Pupils who have behavioural, social or emotional difficulties are supported sensitively and positively and parental involvement in the process is seen as essential. We believe that where home and school work together, positive results are achieved. Behaviour diaries, regular liaison meetings with parents, Individual Behaviour Programmes, one to one Learning Support Assistants and additional expertise from outside agencies are some of the strategies used to provide support for a wide range of such difficulties.

The Home/School Agreement
We have produced our Home/School Agreement in consultation with Parents and would encourage all parents to read it carefully, sign it and return one copy to school when your child joins our school.

We firmly believe that by maintaining high expectations in respect of standards of behaviour for everyone at Grange the children respond positively and create a learning environment where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential

Parents are requested to observe our no parking on school premises policy. Parental vehicles may enter school grounds only if authorised to do so by the Headteacher.

Our school has a No Smoking Policy which applies to building and grounds.

A wide range of policies relating to all aspects of Health and Safety are available for perusal on request from the Headteacher.

Attendance
We value and promote excellent attendance as it enables our children to fulfil their full potential. The following system has been developed to assist both teachers and parents.

* If your child is absent from school we must have evidence of the reason for that absence whether it is for part of a session, a whole session, a whole day or any other period of time.
* When you telephone the school (answer phone message can be left) your reason for the absence will be recorded on a school designed slip, handed to the Class Teacher and filed as if it were an absence note.
* Should the absence continue for a longer period than initially expected please follow up the telephone call with a formal note handed to the Class Teacher (it would be helpful if all notes were dated and signed).
* If you prefer to write an absence note but find it too time consuming (or forget!) please ask the Class Teacher for a school designed absence note which will only require you to 'fill in the gaps' appropriately.
* Vacations should be arranged during school holidays wherever possible - application forms relating to holidays during term time are available from the School Secretary.

We set a target of 95% for attendance for all our pupils. The End of Year Reports contain comments on attendance which feed back to parents on this important aspect of each pupil's achievements.

Punctuality - Please Note:
The morning session begins at 8.50 a.m. and children from Years 1 to 6 should be on the playground at 8.40a.m. - the teacher on duty will be there to supervise. If your child arrives after registration has been completed and the register closed, they will receive a 'late' mark. Your co-operation in helping us to achieve a prompt start to every day would be very much appreciated.

School Uniform
It is recommended that all pupils should wear uniform. It is school policy that if for any reason a pupil at Grange does not wear the recommended uniform, they will not be excluded. We hope parents will feel that they can willingly support the wishes of the Governing Body and majority of parents by providing uniform for their child(ren).

Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs
In accordance with the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs the Headteacher, Governing Body and teaching staff ensure that the provision is regularly updated. Mrs. Martell retains overall responsibility for Special Educational Needs. Should you wish to know more about the Code of Practice, School Action and School Action Plus Support, the Statementing Process and parents' right of appeal, please contact Mrs. Martell and she will be pleased to explain the procedures to you. Parents are kept informed of their child's progress and Parental permission is always sought prior to referrals for additional help being made i.e. to the Educational Psychologist, Behavioural Support Team, Learning Support Team, etc.

An Annual Special Needs Audit is carried out including all Year 2 pupils and any other pupils in the school from Y1 to Y6 who have been identified as having Special Educational Needs or who we feel may have Special Educational Needs. When the results are received parents are informed by letter and are given a clear explanation of the support system.

Assessment information provided from a wide range of sources is also used to assist the Teaching Staff in diagnosing areas where your child will require further support. All pupils with identified special needs are provided with differentiated work to meet their needs and ensure that they reach their full potential.

The Governing Body, Headteacher and Staff at Grange believe that children with Special Educational Needs should benefit from inclusion in mainstream classes based on the needs of the individual and the availability of adequate support. A section in this prospectus for parents of pupils attending the Hearing Impaired classes at Grange has been provided containing specific information on our Specialist Teaching Facility.

Information relating to our Accessibility Plan has been outlined at the beginning of our prospectus.

The School Governor with responsibility for Special Educational Needs is Mr. Ian Hill who Chairs the S.E.N. Sub-committee of our Governing Body working with the Headteacher to ensure that our provision meets legal requirements.