PROSPECTUS
Introduction.
The Staff
and The Governing Body.
The
Curriculum – Core and Foundation Subjects and R.E and the right to withdraw.
6 Areas of
Learning, Key Stage 1 & 2, Special Educational Needs.
English –
Speaking & Listening, Reading & Writing.
Mathematics
– Using & Applying Maths, Number,
Shape, Space & Measures, Handling Data.
Multi-Disciplinary
Topics, Science, History & Geography.
Design &
Technology, Information Technology, Art.
Physical Education & Sport, Music, Religious Education,
Personal, Social and Health Education including sex Education.
School
Organisation – Times of sessions and teaching time, Absence & unauthorised
absence, Contact arrangements, Medicals &
Accident Cover.
Visits, Charging policy,
Uniform , Jewellery, Public Access to information, Complaints
Procedure.
Assessment
& Reporting and SAT results.
The Creaton
Code, Home-School Agreement.
The school
was inspected during May 2009 by Ofsted Inspectors and phrases printed in italics are taken from their written
report. A full copy of the report is
available on the Ofsted website or the school website www.greatcreaton.com
Creaton,
Northamptonshire.
NN6 8NH
Tel/Fax
01604 505535
Website: www.greatcreaton.com
Head Teacher: Mr Richard Camp
Deputy Head Teacher: Mrs Jan Taffs
Northamptonshire
County Council
Education Department
8-10 The
Lakes
NN4 7DD
There are four carpeted class-bases; all have
interactive white boards with adjoining cloakrooms and toilets. They are grouped around a large central
design area with facilities for food technology, craft and a trolley of wireless
laptops linked to printers in the Millennium room. Another 12 recently purchased wireless
laptops are based in the library. The
hall contains a range of P.E. equipment. The Millennium Room built at the front
of the school houses a library and the main school office. There is a craft room that has solar water
and wind generated electricity.
The school is set in attractive grounds which
include hard and grassed play areas and some useful teaching resources have been
developed through our conservation scheme, and include a range of British
trees, an insect garden, a pond and an animal area which houses chickens, ducks,
rabbits and guinea pigs.
The pupil intake number each year is set at 12 -
giving a foundation class of 12, Key Stage Once class of about 24 and two Key
Stage Two classes each of about 24.
“This is a good
school. Many aspects of the school are
excellent. Pupils have many
opportunities to explore beyond the usual range of experiences evident in most
primary schools.”
STAFF &
GOVERNORS
The Staff
The pupil-teacher ratio is very good and we
have four small classes.
Mrs K Robinson/Mrs C Church Teachers of
Class 1 Reception
Mrs J Taffs Teacher of Class 2 Year 1 & 2
Mrs S Jefferson/Mrs G Wood Teachers of Class 3 Year 3 & 4
Mrs H Young/Mr R Camp Teachers
of Class 4 Year 5 & 6
Mr R J Camp is the Head Teacher and has regular
teaching involvement. Mrs Jefferson will teach German to the whole school on a Thursday
afternoon. Mrs Wood teaches ICT to the
whole school – except Reception for half an hour on a Thursday afternoon. Mrs
Wainwright teaches all children cooking on a rota basis and music on a regular
half hour a week lesson. Mrs Russell
teaches Library skills to all pupils once a week.
The school employs a number of Learning Support
and Early Years Assistants to work under direction with individuals and groups
of children:-
Mrs W Russell, Mrs J Bingham, Mrs J
Wainwright, Mrs L Bennett and Mrs H Honeywell.
The School Administrator is Mrs L Rae.
Mrs J Wainwright is the site-supervisor.
At lunch-time the children are supervised by:- Mrs J Wainwright, Mrs J Bingham and Mrs W Russell in the
hall and grounds. Mrs L Read is a
lunchtime server.
Mrs Bobbie Coxon is the School Health Nurse.
Mrs R Cliffe is the
visiting Strings Teacher.
“…..Pupils achieve
well whilst thoroughly enjoying their lessons and activities. …..Staff endeavours to provide an
exceptionally wide range of experiences for each child.”
The Governors
There are eleven governors of the school. These include the Head Teacher, Deputy Head
Teacher, a member of the teaching staff and parents elected from the parent
body.
Mrs A Hanson Chair
of Governors
Mr A Hamlyn Vice Chair
Mrs K McEwan,
Mr R Camp, Mrs J Taffs, Mrs S Passam,
Mrs H Young, Mr A Kidd, Mrs I Lambley, Mr J McKenzie and
Mr I Leather.
The governors take a keen interest in the work
of the school and visit on a regular basis.
They usually meet twice a term to discuss the running of the school and
receive a termly report from the Head.
Groups of governors meet more often to discuss particular issues
relating to the curriculum, finance or the interests of the pupils and the
community. Each governor is attached to
a subject area and follows progress through the school.
Governors serve for four years and have legal
duties, powers and responsibilities.
They can only act together as a body, they cannot act individually. The
large majority of worries that a parent may have can usually be sorted out in
an informal discussion with the class teacher or the Head Teacher. If a parent feels that the problem is not
resolved they should talk with the Chair of Governors.
“The Governing body for
fills its statutory requirements extremely well. Community Cohesion is outstanding and the
school strives to build links with the local community.”
THE CURRICULUM
The National Curriculum is followed in all
state schools and consists of these subjects:-
Core Subjects Foundation
Subjects
English History Design & Technology
Mathematics Geography Music
Science Physical
Education Art
ICT Modern
Foreign Languages
P.S.H.E. RE
Parents have the right to withdraw their
children from Religious Education and assembly which is non-denominational with
a Christian foundation, either in whole or in part. Please contact the school if you would like
to discuss this.
The Reception children are in The Foundation
Stage and experience a learning environment where activities and experiences
are based on their previous learning to enable them to achieve the Early
Learning Goals by the end of their Reception year.
The Six Areas of Learning are: Personal & Social Development,
Communication, Language & Literacy, Mathematical Development, Knowledge
& Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creative
Development.
During their first half term a Baseline
Assessment is carried out which helps teachers to focus future teaching on the
individual needs of the children. Staff
are familiar with the ‘stepping stones’ of the new curriculum and have
introduced these positively.
In Year 1 and 2 the children are in Key Stage
One and study all the National Curriculum Subjects. Teacher Assessment is carried out through
this period and in the summer when they are around seven years old, the
children undertake a Standard Assessment in English and Mathematics and the
results are given to the parents along with comparative information.
Between
Years 3 and 6 the children are in Key Stage Two which builds on the work
already studied and Teacher Assessment continues. In May, when they are around eleven years
old, the children take Standard Assessment Tests in English, Science and
Mathematics and the results and comparative information are given to
parents. These results are given to the
secondary school to help them teach the children within Key Stage Three and
Four. Internal Assessments are made in
the Summer Term for the children in the other years which assist us in
monitoring progress.
A variety
of teaching styles are used within the different subjects and children may work
individually, within a small group or as a class. The school has a very good pupil-teacher and
pupil-adult ratio and full use is made of flexible arrangements to ensure that
the children gain the most from the teaching situations. A number of parents and other adults help on
a voluntary basis to further reduce group size.
Our new
curriculum format means that teaching the subjects is done through the means of
topic based work with topics lasting a term or half term depending upon the
class. Homework is set according to the topic and is
done on a new system allowing freedom of choice to pupils.
“With pupils demonstrating consistently good
achievement and high standards in the basic skills the school is now
enthusiastically developing an excellent curriculum.”
The
national Code of Practice for the identification and assessment of pupils with
Special Educational Needs is followed and advice and assistance can be gained
from IPS (Inclusion & Pupil Support).
An audit is completed annually, by Mrs Taffs the SENCO and additional
funding is secured where possible; and the school budget provides additional
teaching support for children in small groups.
Where there is an identified need Individual Educational Plans are drawn
up, reviewed termly and there is a close partnership with parents. Disabled pupils may require extra support to
access the curriculum and we follow the guidelines recommended by the
Disability Discrimination Act.
“Currently the pupils are achieving well and
standards overall continue to be above average ….. The progress made by pupils with learning
difficulties is outstanding.”
ENGLISH
English is one of the three core subjects and
plays an important role in all areas of the curriculum. Opportunities are taken to use the real
situations which are presented within the topics; discussions can take place
about relevant issues and letters can be written to real people. The Primary Strategy is the basis of our
scheme of work and around an hour a day is devoted to this curriculum
area. There are three attainment
targets;-
Speaking & Listening identifies the skills that children
need in order to communicate effectively.
The children will be encouraged to express ideas and opinions to adults
as well as to other children. They will
have opportunities to take part in discussions and role play. Whilst at school children will also develop
their ability to listen, understand and respond appropriately to others. A Speech Therapist can be consulted for those
children experiencing difficulties with speech.
Writing takes many forms within the school, a story, a
list, a letter or a newspaper article.
As the children get older, not only does the quantity increase, but more
complex aspects of grammar and punctuation are introduced. Children are also encouraged to plan ideas
and re-draft work. Simple
word-processing is undertaken on the computers and as children get more adept,
they are able to use more complex programmes to re-organise and check their
work. The basic rules of spelling are
taught to the children using a combination of phonic patterns and common
words. A variety of dictionaries are
available and children will be expected to learn some spellings at home.
The
children are taught to form their letters correctly and to take care with size
and position on the line. As they get
older the joins between letters are introduced and attention is given to the
layout and presentation of a page.
“In the National Tests in year 6 in 2008 the
pupil’s achievement was good and standards were well above the National
Average.”
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics is one of the three core
subjects. Mathematics is divided up
into a number of different aspects and at Key Stage 1 the children re-visit
each aspect every half-term. At Key
Stage 2 they re-visit every term. A
variety of commercial and school produced material is used in our mathematics
work.
Using and Applying Maths allows the children to make use of
the knowledge, skills and understanding which they gain in the other attainment
targets in practical tasks, in real-life problems and to investigate within
mathematics itself.
Shape, Space & Measures involves finding out about the
properties of 2D and 3D shapes and explore types of symmetry. Children find perimeters, areas and the
volumes of simple solids. Children
choose appropriate standard units of length, mass, capacity and time and know
the rough equivalents of imperial units still in daily use.
Number involves the processes of adding, subtracting,
multiplying and dividing; working with fractions, decimals and percentages; and
the mathematics connected with measuring length, volume, weight and time. Children explore number sequences and explain
patterns and mappings; find missing numbers, use co-ordinates and write simple
formulae expressed in words and then finally with symbols.
Handling Data is concerned with the collecting, processing
and interpreting data usually in a very practical situation. The children investigate probability which is
concerned with how likely an event is to happen.
HISTORY
The younger
children learn about everyday life, work and leisure in the past and how it
relates to their own lives. They study
important past events and famous people.
At Key Stage Two the children build on this through the study of
distinct periods.
Finding out
from documents, artefacts, pictures, music and visits to buildings and sites
help them to sequence events and gain a sense of chronology as well as a range
and depth of knowledge.
GEOGRAPHY
Study is
made of the village, the local area, and other parts of
“Teaching is good. There is a good balance between teacher
directed tasks and opportunities for children to plan and carry out
investigations.”
SCIENCE
The children
carry out experiments, make observations and measurements, think what might
happen and create fair tests. They
record using drawings, tables and charts and try to explain what they have
found out. They gain a knowledge of life processes including reproduction
and living things, materials and their properties and physical processes
including forces, electricity and magnetism.
Sex
education at a simple level is included within the relevant modules and the
staff are pleased to discuss the content so that parents are aware of what
their children have been studying.
Parents may withdraw their children from these aspects, after
discussion.
“The care with which pupils look after the
school grounds, their class gardens and the school animals is excellent.”
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
The
children are involved in a wide variety of designing and making activities
within the context of a topic using wood, fabric, food or other materials. Constructional kits are available in both
stages.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The school
is well equipped with a variety of computers and related software on which the
children can explore a range of activities including word processing, data
handling, information retrieval, internet access as well as control and
modelling.
Groups of
children have easy access to high quality hardware and software in this important
area. We have internet connections in
the office, library-resources area and the computer area. We also have 27 wireless lap tops for use in all
classes, which are connected to the internet.
ART
Art has
links with all areas of the curriculum and is often used as a means of
displaying ideas or knowledge. The
children have opportunities to record what they have seen in a variety of ways
using techniques such as sketching, painting, printing and collage. Children are encouraged to be imaginative and
experiment with patterns, colours and materials. They will also experience a range of stimuli
including the work of other artists.
MUSIC
The children
are encouraged to enjoy their music making and respond through singing,
listening, moving and creating. As
pupils progress through the school they are given the opportunity to play
various instruments and develop their confidence through performance.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The school
follows the County agreed syllabus which consists of units on Christianity and
other religions, organised for both Key Stages.
Children will look at artefacts, visit places of worship and talk with
people of different faiths, as well as considering moral and social
issues. They gain a knowledge and
understanding of religions as well as responding to questions of meaning and
value. Assemblies are organised and
taken by all the staff and parents are invited to open assemblies and special
services which are held in school or in churches.
“Pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural
development is excellent”
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The
children take part in a variety of activities which include movement,
gymnastics and dance. Athletics and
games take place at the school or on the village playing field, and matches are
played against other schools. Swimming
lessons take place at a pool in
“(Pupils) have an outstanding understanding of
how to adopt a healthy lifestyle”
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH EDUCATION
P.S.H.E. is
not a National Curriculum Subject, but nevertheless an important part of what
we do and provide for the children in our care.
As well as a planned programme of
activities which link with our Citizenship Scheme, we take the opportunity of
talking and working with the children on a variety of issues which include
making and keeping friends, healthy eating, drug misuse and right and
wrong. Discussions and role play take
place in group, class or school situations.
Subjects are taught, as much as possible, on a linked basis focussing
upon one theme per term.
GERMAN TWINNING
Our school
has had a link with a primary school in
SCHOOL ORGANISATION
Times of Sessions:- 8.50 am
– 8.55 am registration. 9.00 am to 12.00
pm and 1.00 pm to 3.15 pm
There is a
short break for all the children in the morning and one for Key Stage 1 in the
afternoon with the weekly teaching time for Foundation Stage & Key Stage 1
– 22hrs 15 mins and for Key Stage 2 – 23hrs 30 mins. Fruit is served daily to all the Key Stage
One pupils.
Children
should arrive at school no earlier than 8.40 am and be collected at 3.15 pm. The school is beside a straight, fast road
and for their own safety; the children should use the pedestrian gate at the
back of the school. Parents with cars
are asked to park them in
Absence should be notified by telephone or note by
9.00 am and this is noted as an authorised absence. Where no note or message is received, it is
regarded as an unauthorised absence and noted on the Annual Report at the end
of the year. Each year the children who
have had full attendance in the year receive a prize.
“Pupils really enjoy coming to school.”
If a child
is unwell or has an accident we attempt to contact
the parents. If the school is unable
to reach the parents we will take the necessary action to obtain treatment for
the child. It is important that the
school has the telephone numbers where you or a relative can be contacted and
the school should be notified of any change.
“Pupils feel safe in school and have an
excellent knowledge of how to stay safe.”
Open school
assemblies are held each Thursday at 9.05 am when parents can visit the school
and see awards and certificates presented.
Class assemblies are also held at 9.05 am on Thursdays – details are put
on the notice board at the pedestrian gate entrance.
On Fridays
there is a “University” where pupils study different courses in the afternoon
and are allowed to come to school in non uniform. Also on Fridays we hold “biscuit day” where
pupils buy biscuits for 5p at break time.
Profits from the sale of the biscuits are usually given to our charities
that we support each year.
CREATON ACTIVITY TIME
£6 a session if booked in advance.
CAT’s is
held every day in the school and grounds between 3.15 pm and 5.15 pm. The children engage in a variety of
interesting activities with the trained and experienced staff and as well as an
initial drink and biscuit have a cooked snack.
The school nurse visits the school, parents
are responsible for the cleanliness of their own child’s hair, but we would be
grateful if you could inform us of any infestation. Children’s sight and hearing is checked (at
the parent’s request) and if a child has any problem the nurse will contact the
parents. Parents can ask the nurse through the school or the Brixworth Office,
if they are concerned about any aspects of their child’s health.
“We might
have to disclose information given to us, by pupils or adults, to outside
agencies if we feel that there is a child protection issue.”
The
Governors have an agreed charging policy.
In general terms all education received on the school site is totally free, but contributions from parents may be
sought for visits or other out of school activities during school hours. Sheet music may be charged for and the
maintenance of instruments loaned to pupils.
Wilful damage of school property or equipment will be charged for.
The Beynon
Educational Charity gives grants to pupils from Creaton moving to secondary
schools and has given assistance towards the costs of educational visits.
Visits of an educational nature are
organised to places of interest which are connected with the project or topic
work undertaken within the class.
Children normally travel in coaches, or cars and minibuses with
seatbelts. All drivers of minibuses have
undertaken training and hold a current certificate. Residential field visits are organised and
they form an important part of the curriculum.
Parents are
informed well in advance, and payment for these is spread over a long period. School now has booster seats in line with new
legislation.
Parents are
encouraged not to disrupt their children’s education by taking holidays or long
weekends in term time. If this is
totally unavoidable the request can be discussed with the Head Teacher in
advance of the holiday. Parents are
expected to help their child catch up on missed work. The term dates are:-
Autumn Term
7th September to 23rd October - 3rd
November to 18th December
Spring Term
5th January to 12th February - 22nd
February to 1st April
Summer
Term 19th April
to 28th May - 8th
June to 23rd July
At the
beginning of the school year parents are given information about the curriculum
their child will be following during the year, this is also being posted on the
school website. Parents may wish to help
by visiting places connected with the topic, or borrowing books from the
library. The amount of homework which
the children undertake at home with their parents increases as the child moves
through the school.
Uniform List
Boys School navy or red sweatshirt with logo.
School navy, red
or sky blue polo shirts with logo.
Grey trousers or shorts
Shoes – indoor plimsolls or soft
trainers
outdoor dark shoes.
Girls School navy or red sweatshirts with logo.
School navy or red
cardigans with logo.
School navy, red
or sky blue polo shirt with logo.
Grey trousers.
Grey pinafore or grey skirts.
Tights to match
uniform.
Summer dresses blue and white or red
and white.
Shoes – indoor plimsolls or soft trainers.
outdoor dark shoes.
PE Sky blue T shirt with logo.
Navy shorts.
Plimsolls or
trainers.
Mrs Rae
sells sweatshirts, cardigans. polo shirts and PE T
shirts from the office.
Public access to Documents and Information
Parents are
asked to telephone the school office for an appointment if they wish to
examine-:
- The LEA’s statement of
curriculum policy and the Governing Body’s statement of curriculum aims.
- Any statutory instruments and
administrative memoranda relating to powers and duties under Chapter 1 of
the Education Reform Act.
- Any reports published by HMI or
Ofsted which refer expressly to the school.
- Any schemes of work currently
used by teachers in the school.
- Any syllabuses followed whether
for public examination or otherwise.
- A full copy of the arrangements
for the consideration of complaints about the school curriculum. These arrangements have been made by the
LEA and approved by the Secretary for State under section 23 of the
Education Reform Act.
- The LEA’s agreed syllabus for
Religious Education.
- Minutes of Governors’meetings.
- Information produced for
parents.
Complaints Procedure (Curriculum and Religious
Education)
This
document is available for inspection at all schools maintained by the L.E.A.,
Public Libraries and Education Offices.
A copy will be given, if desired, to any person wishing to make a
complaint under these arrangements, and the L.E.A. will provide a copy of the
information in languages other than English, if requested to do so. A copy of the Circular of Guidance issued by
the Department of Education and Science (DES 1/89) will also be made available
for inspection. A charge of £1 will
however be made for copies of the Circular which complainants may wish to
retain.
HOME SCHOOL LIAISON
Children
have the opportunity to commence school in the September of the school year in
which they become five. They spend
several sessions in school in the summer term prior to this. The children complete their ‘All about Me’ booklet with their
parents or carers which is shared with the teacher
when they join the class.
We believe
that children are individuals, each with their own needs and talents. Our teachers help children to settle into the
school quickly and easily, and stimulate their interest in learning. Children are encouraged to use their
initiative, to respect the rights and properties of others and to take a pride
in their work.
Staff visit
Ducklings – Creaton Pre-school which
meets in the Village Hall and the children in the group have opportunities to
join in appropriate activities in school.
There is a
house system in operation where children collect house points that build up to
certificates. Each month the winning
house has a free mufti day.
On may
occasions during the year parents have the opportunity to see their child’s
work and discuss informally progress with the teacher. Parents are invited to attend Open Assemblies and other events. Parents have Consultations with the staff and receive an Annual Report. Our regular
newsletter keeps everyone informed of events.
All parents
automatically become members of Great
Creaton School Association. The aim
is to provide social and fundraising activities, organised by an elected
committee. There have included buffet
evenings, treasure hunts and fashion evenings and many valuable items of
equipment are bought each year.
GREAT CREATON
PRIMARY
GREAT TIMES,
This is the Creaton Code which we all aspire
to:-
2009/
10
At school
we will:
- Encourage children to keep the
Creaton Code for the playground and classroom.
- Keep parents informed of their
child’s progress.
- Inform parents of any concerns
regarding their child’s behaviour or work.
- Publish and send home
newsletters.
Signed ------------------------------------
(Teacher)
Date ------------------------------------
The family
will:
- Encourage their child to keep
the Creaton Code.
- Make sure their child arrives
at school on time for the start of the school day at 8.55 am (but not
before 8.45)
- Make sure their child attends
regularly and will inform the school if their child is absent.
- Attend Parent consultation
Evening to discuss their child’s progress.
- Encourage their child to take
part in all aspects of school life, including undertaking homework as set
out in the School’s Homework Policy and where possible, support their
child and school events.
Signed
---------------------------------
Date ---------------------------------
The pupil
will:
- Agree to follow the Creaton
Code
Signed ----------------------------------
(Pupil)
Date ----------------------------------