Brookland Infant and
Nursery School
School Brochure
Welcome to our school!
Dear Parents and Carers,
Brookland Infant and Nursery School is a three form entry school for children between the ages of 3 and 7 years. We have a 10 place (15-hour) morning Nursery and a 10 place (15-hour) afternoon Nursery and in addition to this we offer 25 30-hour places in Nursery as well. The School is a one storey building which is fully accessible and wel-comes pupils with a wide range of additional needs. The School borders the northern part of Hampstead Garden Suburb and the site houses both the Infant and Nursery School and Brookland Junior School. The grounds and buildings are attractively ar-ranged with planted gardens, grass, trees and there is lots of outdoor space for the children to use. The school shares a swimming pool with the Juniors.
At Brookland Infant and Nursery School we all work as a Team to create an exciting and challenging learning environment where everyone is committed to the highest possible achievement for all children. We believe in building a strong partnership with parents and carers and value their contribution to school life. Our School serves a community which is socially, culturally and linguistically diverse and we consider this diversity to be an asset, which enriches the educational experience we can offer our children. We also have a very strong commitment to inclusion.
Everyone at Brookland Infant and Nursery School thinks that it is a very special place and we are sure you will think so as well.
We are always delighted to show parents around our School. If you would like to visit our School or find out more information, please get in touch with the school office. You can find contact details on the back cover of the brochure.
Brenda McCafferty
Headteacher
About Our School
Vision
Brookland Infant and Nursery School endeavours to be a school where diversity is embraced and where children thrive in a secure and happy environment. A school where there is a commitment to high expectations and the achievement of high stand-ards for everyone and where the school community works together to achieve the school aims.
Aims
To foster an environment where learners are creative and are encouraged to reach their full potential. Learners engage in decision making, and are encour-aged to make choices about their own learning. We value the high academic and non-academic achievement of all our learners.
Have a flexible, creative curriculum which inspires and stimulates each child to learn, explore, communicate, discover and enjoy their education and the world we live in.
Prepare children to meet the demands of their wider world. Celebrate and recognise the achievements of each individual and value all as-
pects of their lives.
Celebrate our diversity through valuing the beliefs, languages and cultures of each individual.
Encourage responsible behaviour. Have strong links with our children’s families and the wider community.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank you for your interest in Brookland Infant and Nursery School. We are immensely
proud of the fact that Brookland Infant and Nursery School is rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted,
and I hope that after reading our brochure and looking at our website you will have some ap-
preciation of what makes Brookland so special and how much it has to offer pupils, not just
academically but also in a pastoral and physical sense too.
Our aim is to develop each child’s full potential and to celebrate all aspects of achievement.
We believe in preparing children for life as thoughtful, responsible and confident members of
the community. We are very proud of the nurturing ethos which underpins everything we do
here at Brookland.
There is excellent co-operation between the Infant and Nursery School and the Junior School.
We share the same site and the same Governing Body. Having a joint Governing Body means
that Governors are able to view the bigger educational picture and make certain that the poli-
cies and practices of both schools are consistent. The Headteachers and staff of both schools
work closely together and meet regularly to ensure a smooth transition between the two
schools for those children moving up from Year 2 into Year 3. Younger and older children of-
ten share activities, such as putting on school productions for each other.
As a parent myself, I can vouch for the many benefits that Brookland has to offer. The high
quality of education that the children receive here is due to the meticulous planning and hard
work of the dedicated staff and the support of the whole community. The children’s school life
is enriched through a wide range of clubs and extra-curricular activities provided by school
staff and outside organisations, as well as educational visits. These include the school journey
to Moat Mount taken towards the end of Year 2 – eagerly anticipated by the children – and
also curriculum days such as the much-loved World Book Day. There is also a full calendar of
religious and cultural assemblies and celebrations.
Community links are very important to the success of the school and your support and in-
volvement are encouraged and appreciated. There is an active Parents’ Association which
puts on various events throughout the school year to raise money and allow parents and chil-
dren to get together and enjoy themselves. Money raised by the PA goes towards further edu-
cational enhancements such as providing new playground equipment, buying additional com-
puter hardware, or paying for new books for the library. We are also very fortunate to have a
swimming pool on site and parents’ voluntary contributions are vital to help to run and main-
tain this wonderful resource. Many visitors to the school comment on the friendly and relaxed
atmosphere. The strong ethos of caring for others is furthered by the charitable causes sup-
ported by the school. All children are treated with respect and given responsibilities and this is
reflected in the pride they have for their school community. There is a School Council, whose
membership rotates each term; their suggestions are reported and acted upon, enabling the
children to make a real contribution to the school. We also welcome parents and carers to
help in the school in a voluntary capacity, from one-to-one reading with the children to sup-
porting a school assembly.
I hope that you will visit Brookland Infant and Nursery School and experience its special na-
ture first hand. You are also welcome to contact me or the school office for any further infor-
mation.
With very best wishes to you and your child,
Laura Pincus Chair of Governors
The Governing Body
The Governing Body consists of representatives of the local authority, parents, staff and members of the local community. Members work closely with the school and meet regularly with the Headteacher. Governors meet at least once a term to agree policies and discuss the strategic running of the school. Governors can be contacted through the school by letter.
Committees
There are a number of committees that form the Governing Body. Each committee has its own role in developing the school alongside the Headteacher. The committees include Curriculum, Finance, Premises, Safeguarding, Personnel and Communication. There is also a Strategy committee which is comprised of all the chairs from the before mentioned committees.
Link Governors
The Governors have links with each Subject Leader and meet with them at regular in-tervals. The Link Governor and the Subject Leader work together to ensure that the aims on the School Improvement Plan are met. There are also link governors respon-sible for safeguarding, Special Educational Needs, English as an Additional Language and Pupil Premium.
Class Organisation
Foundation Stage
NURSERY (3-4 year olds)
RECEPTION
(4-5 year olds)
Key Stage 1
YEAR 1 (5-6 year olds)
YEAR 2
Tigers
15 hours Lions
15 hours
Dolphins Pandas Turtles
Bears Elephants Penguins
Owls Giraffes Hedgehogs
Cheetahs
30 hours
School Times
Nursery: Lions: 9.00 – 11.30 a.m.
Tigers: 12.30– 3.00 p.m.
Cheetahs: 9.00 a.m.—15.00 p.m.
All Lion and Tiger children are entitled to one extended day per week so that they re-ceive their 15 hours free entitlement. This means that one day a week your child can stay for lunch and come to school from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Reception Year 1 Year 2 Breakfast
club opens
8.00 8.00
Doors
open
8.45
8.45 8.45
Teaching
time
Due to the nature of the Early Years
Foundation Stage Curriculum the
children in Reception enjoy uninterrupted
teaching time throughout the
morning, both inside and outside.
9.00 9.00
Assembly 10.00
10.00
Playtime 10.20
10.20
Teaching
time
10.40 10.40
Lunch 11.45-1.00 12.00-1.15
12.00-1.15
Teaching
time
Due to the nature of the Early Years
Foundation Stage Curriculum the
children in Reception enjoy uninterrupted
teaching time throughout the afternoon, both
inside and outside.
1.15 1.15
Home time 3.15 3.15
3.15
Admissions
Visits from prospective parents and carers are warmly welcomed and take place regularly. Please contact the school to make an appointment with the school administrator.
Admissions to Reception
Admissions to Reception are administered by the London Borough of Barnet and places to the Reception classes are allocated according to Barnet’s admission criteria: Children for whom an EHCP of Special Educational Needs has been made since 1996 or is likely to be made and for whom the school has been named in that EHCP or is likely to be named.
Children whom the Chief Education Officer accepts have an exceptional medical, social or educational need which the school is particularly able to meet. This will include children ‘looked after’ by the London Borough of Barnet. Presence of a sibling in the school or in the linked Junior School. Children of teaching staff of the school where the member of staff has been employed at the
school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is
made and will be in employment as a teacher at the school when the child starts school.
Proximity and location of the child’s home in relation to the school of preference and all other community schools in the area.
Admissions to Nursery
Admissions to Nursery are administered by the school un-der the same criteria. If you would like your child to attend our Nursery please contact the school and speak to the school business manager. A place in the Nursery does not automatically guarantee a place in Reception.
Contact www.barnet.gov.uk and seek further advice under
primary admissions.
Transfer to Brookland Junior School
All children must complete a common application form (CAF) provided by the London Borough of Barnet for entrance to the Junior School. The criteria remains the same. A programme of induction activities is arranged for the children during their final term in the Infant School. The transition between schools is managed very effectively by both schools to ensure a smooth and happy transfer for both children and their parents and carers.
Attendance and Punctuality
Children are expected to attend school every day and arrive on time. Children arriving late distract the class and miss important teaching time. All children arriving after 9.00 a.m. will be marked as late on the register. We monitor attendance closely and persis-tent lateness or absence is referred to the Education Welfare Officer, who will then contact you on behalf of the Local Authority. Absences and times late will be recorded for each child on their end of year report.
Parents and carers are required to explain any absence from school either in writing or by a telephone call to the school office. If no reason is given, or an unacceptable rea-son is given, it is called an unauthorised absence. Unauthorised absences are regard-ed as truancy and are reported to the London Borough of Barnet. Unauthorised ab-sences can result in fixed penalty notices being administered to parents and carers.
Holidays should not be taken during term time and they will be unauthorised with the-possibility of a fixed penalty notice being issued to each parent and carer. Parents and carers must request a ‘leave of absence’ form for any time they need to take their child out of school during term time which must be given to the Headteacher, who will then make the decision if the absence will be authorised or unauthorised.
Parental Involvement and Support
We value the importance of working in partnership with parents and carers and we believe children learn best when there is a partnership between home and school.
Home Visits
If your child is being admitted to school in Nursery or Reception, you will be offered a short home visit. The visit will take place at the begin-ning of September. Two members of staff will visit your child at their home, to get to know them in an environment in which they feel safe and secure. The home visit is a good opportunity for staff and children to get to know each other, it is also a good op-portunity for parents to ask questions about any concerns they may have.
Parent-teacher consultations
We have at least two parent -teacher consultations a year. These sessions provide an opportunity for teachers to talk about the progress your child has made and for you to ask any questions you may have. In the summer term you will receive a written report of your child’s progress throughout the year; if you wish to discuss the report you are free to make an appointment to see the class teacher.
Meet the Teacher Evenings/Curriculum Meetings
At the beginning of every school year we hold evenings to give parents and carers the opportunity to ‘Meet the Teachers’ and to discuss the curriculum the children will be covering in the forthcoming year. This is also a good time to meet other parents and carers from your child’s class. We also have meetings at the beginning of the year ex-plaining our English and Maths curriculum.
Parents’ Association
We have a very active Parents’ Association that is run by parents and carers. The PA raises money for the school by hosting events throughout the year such as Bonfire Night and the Summer Fair. Meetings are held regularly throughout the year. Every parent and carer is automatically a member of the PA. Each class has two parents or carers who are the ‘class representatives ’. The role of the class rep is to liaise between class teachers and parents and carers.
Communication
Each year group communicates the children’s learning with the parents and carers in a range of ways. This con-sists of curriculum topic overviews and/or weekly News-letters which are all displayed on our school website.
Homework
Each child takes a ‘book bag’ home each week which contains a library book and a reading book. We encourage you to share these books with your child and to make a comment in the home school reading record. In Year 1 and Year 2 the children re-ceive half termly home learning activities they can complete at home.
Festivals and Events
We celebrate a number of religious festivals, reflecting the diversity of religious beliefs held by our pupils and parents and carers are regularly invited to join these celebrations as well.
Equal Opportunities
Our school serves a community, which is socially, culturally and linguistically diverse. We consider this diversity to be an asset, which enriches the educational experience we can offer the children. We aim for all children to achieve their potential, irrespec-tive of ability, class, age, gender, race, ethnic, cultural or religious background. We expect both boys and girls to take an active part in all areas of the curriculum. We pro-vide a multi-cultural environment and an anti-racist curriculum and we work towards removing barriers that discriminate against people. We celebrate a range of festivals and use artefacts from around the world. Our books are multi-racial and some are written in languages other than English. Multi-lingualism is valued and regarded as an asset. We are committed to identifying and meeting the Special Educa-tional Needs of our pupils. Our Equality Policy and equal-ity objectives are available on our school website.
Welfare
Health
Our support staff are qualified in first aid and will take excellent care of children if they have an acci-dent or feel unwell during the school day. Par-ents and carers will be contacted if we feel they need further care. If it is necessary for a child to have medicine in school, parents and carers must speak to a qualified first aider so that the medicine can be stored safely and a permission form can be signed. It is vital that we have a telephone number that we can contact you on during the school day and have at least 2 emergency contact num-bers on file in case we can not contact you.
Behaviour
At Brookland Infant and Nursery School we have high expectations of the children and expect them to be well mannered, respectful and considerate of one another and to take care of the school environment. We want children to develop self-discipline, un-derstand how other people feel and to show respect for property. We also have 6 Brookland Values that underpin the ethos at the school; respect, honesty, courage, friendship, tolerance and responsibility. In Addition to these we follow 6 golden rules and these are shared with the children at the beginning of the year and revisited regularly:
We are gentle
We are kind and helpful
We listen
We are honest
We work hard
We look after property
We have a positive approach to behaviour and we believe that encouragement and praise are vital in helping children to develop a positive self-image. This is supported by a system of rewards for positive behaviour, including sharing good work with other children in class, with the whole school in Gold Book Assembly and with the Headteacher. We also celebrate good work and kindness towards others by issuing Golden Notes.
Some children experience difficulties co-operating in the larger school community from time to time. When a child has difficulties, we endeavour to solve the problem with parent’s and carer’s co-operation. In extreme cases the Headteacher has the right to exclude a child. In cases of appeal the Governors will be involved. A copy of the Be-haviour Policy is available on the school website. Bullying or any form of racist or homophobic behaviour will not be tolerated. Parents and carers of both victim and perpetrator will be notified of any issues should the need arise. We take this very seriously and will always investigate any issues. Our Anti-Bullying Policy is available on our school website. Child Protection
The welfare of the children is our first priority. All members of staff have received child protection training and are aware of who the designated person is to approach if they have concerns. Information related to child protection is absolutely confidential and is only shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Curriculum
Brookland Infant and Nursery School offers a broad, bal-anced and creative curriculum which reflects and values the world around us. The children are encouraged to learn in an active way by observing, questioning, investigating and drawing conclusions. In Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) we follow the Early Years Outcomes document and base the curriculum provision on children’s interests. The environment and experiences that we plan, enable children to direct and extend their own learning. There are three prime areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication & Language and Physical Development. There are four additional specific areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the World and Expressive Arts and Design. The Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) curriculum is organised with a thematic based ap-proach in which subjects - English, Science, Computing, Mathematics, History, Geog-raphy, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Religious Education and Physical Educa-tion - are taught in a cross curricular and creative way. The children also follow a Per-sonal, Social and Health Education programme. Religious Education is taught in ac-cordance with the Education Reform Act of 1988 and in line with the London Borough of Barnet’s agreed syllabus. We strive to ensure all children become independent learners who are motivated and enjoy learning. The children take pride in their achievements and have respect for the multi-cultural society in which we live.
Sex and Relationships Education
There is no formal sex education, however the children are taught about family relationships. Children’s questions are answered in a sensitive and responsible manner.
Supporting Learning
Educational Visits and Visitors
We have a programme of visits throughout the year which support and build upon the curriculum. They include trips to the zoo, the theatre, local parks, museums, galleries and places of worship.
Visitors to the school might include Metropolitan Police officers, the London fire bri-gade, musicians, drama groups and representatives from a range of local places of worship. In Year 2, all children have the opportunity to go on a residential school journey with their teachers and support staff. This is a wonderful experience for the children and a highlight of their year.
Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities
Here at Brookland Infant and Infant School there are many opportunities for children to take part in Extra-Curricular activities. The clubs include: After School Club, football, French, drama, chess, yoga, computing and many more.
These clubs are run by outside agencies, through the letting of our premises and are available at additional cost.
Charging Policy
Under the charging provision of the Educational Reform Act 1988, the following are areas in which direct charges may be made:
* Activities that take place mainly outside school hours
* Wilful damage to, or loss by pupils of the school’s equipment/property, including books
However, there are many aspects of school life which warrant expenditure in addition to that provided by the authority, for example school trips and some in-school visitors or performances. We also ask for voluntary contributions towards the swimming pool costs and the Nursery fund. The Governors invite parents and carers to make a volun-tary contribution when a direct charge is not permitted. No child will be excluded from taking part if a contribution has not been made. If the cost of the trip is not covered the trip may have to be cancelled. Parents and carers have always been co-operative and understanding in this matter and so far, no trip has had to be cancelled. The Charging Policy is available on our school website.
Cars and Parking
Parents and carers are expected to park re-sponsibly in the roads around school and show respect to our neighbours. Other than staff, deliveries and the disabled, no vehicles are allowed on site between 8.15 a.m. and 5.45 p.m. To ease congestion around the school, a voluntary one way system is in place. Further details can be found on the school website.
Complaints Procedure
At Brookland Infant and Nursery School we all work very hard to provide the best pos-sible care and education for every child. However, we know that occasionally there may be an issue which needs sorting out. Concerns or complaints should be referred to the class teacher initially. If the parent and carer wishes to take the matter further or feels that there has been no resolution they should then make an appointment with the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher. If the problem is of a particularly serious or personal nature, the complaint can be discussed directly with the Headteacher or Dep-uty Headteacher in the initial stages. If the parents and carers and the school are unable to resolve the complaint the par-ents and carers have the right to approach the Chair of Governors. The Chair of Gov-ernors may be contacted through the school office. A full and detailed copy of the Complaints Policy can be obtained from the school Office and on our School website.
Lunches
We have a kitchen and an attractive dining room. All Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children are entitled to a free school lunch. The children can choose from a variety of healthy options, cooked on the premises. If you do not want to take up the free school lunch option your child can bring a packed lunch to school instead.
Uniform
We are proud of our school and want this to be reflected in the school uniform the children wear from Nursery. It is very important that the children wear the correct uniform so that they feel part of the school community. The uniform list can be found on our website or you can ask the school office for a list. Children are not allowed to wear trainers or open-toe sandals to school. All cloth-ing must be clearly labelled with the child’s name.
Headteacher: Brenda McCafferty
Chair of Governors: Laura Pincus [email protected]
Tel: 020 8346 6824 Fax: 020 8343 3294
Brookland Infant and Nursery School
Hill Top Hampstead Garden Suburb
NW11 6EJ
www.brooklandinfant.co.uk
