Hinchley Wood

Admissions Hinchley Wood Primary School is a two-form entry primary school with 60 children in each year group. In September 2011, 2012 and 2013 we admitted additional Reception classes lifting numbers on roll to 510.

Children are admitted to school in September at the beginning of the school year following their fourth birthday. All children can attend school full time if their parents wish. However, for the Autumn term, parents of children with 1st January - 31st August birthdays can choose for their child to start on a part time basis or full time.

In the event of the school being oversubscribed children will be admitted in the following order of priority:

1) Looked After Children (Children who are registered as being in the care of a Local Authority (LA) (eg fostered or living in a children’s home)

2) Exceptional Arrangements (Occasionally there will be a very small number of children for whom exception-al arrangements will apply. Evidence from a consult-ant doctor will be required for medical cases or docu-mented evidence from any support services involved for other sensitive family circumstances will be required. These exceptional arrangements may override other admissions priorities and the LA may apply them when they first offer places. The LA may also ask schools to admit over their published Admission Number at other times under this category)

3) Brothers and Sisters for whom the school is the nearest to their home A child will be given priority for admission only if a sibling will still be attending the school in September 2013. A sibling is a brother or sister (that is, another child of the same parents, whether living at the same address or not), or a half-brother or half-sister or a step-brother or step-sister, living at the same address, or foster children living at the same address. Currently the nearest school is defined as the school closest to the home address with a published admission number for pupils of the appropriate age-range, as measured by a straight line. The nearest school may be either inside or outside the county boundary.

4) Non Siblings for whom the school is the nearest to their

home. Currently the nearest school is defined as the school closest to the home address with a published admission number for pupils of the appropriate age-range, as measured by a straight line. The nearest school may be either inside or outside the county boundary.

5) Brothers and Sisters for whom the school is NOT the nearest to their home. A child will be given priority for admission only if a sibling will still be attending the school in September 2013. A sibling is a brother or sister (that is, another child of the same parents, whether living at the same address or not), or a half-brother or half-sister or a step-brother or step-sister, living at the same address, or foster children living at the same address.

6) Any other applicant

If there is oversubscription in any of the above criteria, priority will be given on the basis of nearness to schoolNB. Home to school distance will be measured by a straight line from the address point of the pupil’s home, as set by Ordnance Survey, to the nearest school gate for pupils to use. This is calculated using Surrey County Council Admission and Transport Team’s Geographical Information System. This will apply within each category as a means of prioritising places. If there are two applicants from the same block of flats the applicant with the lowest door number will be given priority. In the case of multiple births where only one place remains the parents will be asked to decide which child will be offered a place. (The remaining sibling will be placed at the top of the waiting list).

Surrey will operate an equal preference system for all its Community and Voluntary Controlled schools for the September 2014 admissions round. Parents will be given the opportunity to state 3 ranked school preferences. For those pupils who do not obtain a place at their highest ranked school the LA will operate waiting lists.

Waiting Lists

For those pupils who do not obtain their preference the LA will operate a waiting list for a period of one academic year (September - July) To remain on a waiting list in subsequent years or to apply to go on the waiting list in other year groups, please write to Surrey County Council. The waiting lists will be prioritised using the admissions criteria.

AbsencesIf your child is absent from school for any reason please telephone the office and then send a note on their return to explain the absence. Any ‘unofficial’ absence (i.e. unexplained absences) and/or frequent lateness must be reported to the Education Welfare Officer and may result in a visit from him/her. Before requesting any leave from school, please consider that any disruption or change to your child’s learning routine can have a significant impact on attainment; absence from school does have a significant impact on the capacity of children to achieve.

Fixed Penalty Charges

Our school is committed to promoting the welfare of your child through regular school attendance. We know that every day lost to education can have a serious impact on your child’s attainment and overall progress in school.

We are therefore fully committed to promoting school attendance in line with local (Surrey) and national Statutory requirements.

We expect that in return parents ensure that their child attends school regularly and punctually and that holidays in term time should be avoided as far as practicably possible.

The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, which becomes law on 1st September 2013 state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Headteacher is required to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted.

The School DayTimes

08.50 School day begins12.00 - 13.10 Lunch break (Reception)12.10 - 13.10 Lunch break (Infants)12.15 - 13.15 Lunch break (Juniors)15.10 End of school day (Reception & Infants)15.15 End of school day (Juniors)

School starts at 8.50 am. All children should be in the playground by 8.45 am, but not before 8.35 am.

Organisation

The children spend most of their day with their class teacher who is helped by a teaching assistant for part of the time. We also welcome and appreciate the help of parents in school. Should you wish to volunteer your help, a CRB police check will be needed, and for this we can help by providing details of the application procedure. As the children progress through the school they are grouped according to ability for Mathematics and English. This means that they spend less time in their class base and may have more than one teacher. Children who have particular difficulties in these subjects may have extra support in small groups.

Lunchtime

Children may have a hot meal or bring a packed lunch. During the lunch period the children are supervised by the lunchtime supervisors. The younger children have their own playground where their supervisors provide activities for them.

As part of our Pastoral Care Programme, the children in Year 5 help run our ‘Huff and Puff Scheme’ at lunchtimes twice a week. The aim of this scheme is to help others to have a happy lunchtime by providing games, equipment and a friendly ear for those children who are feeling lonely or are having friendship problems at lunchtime. Year groups take it in turns to use this facility whenever they wish to.

Pay for School Meals Online

We offer online school meals payments. The secure payment system is provided by WorldPay and takes all major debit and credit cards. The website address is: www.scopay.com/hinchleywood.

UniformTo encourage a sense of belonging, we expect all pupils to wear the correct uniform, in a neat and tidy way, when they come to school and for P.E.

ReceptionPlease choose from the following:White, short sleeved, polo shirtGrey school trousers or shortsNavy tunic or skirtRoyal blue check dressRoyal blue V-neck jumper or cardigan or Royal blue school fleece

Years 1 & 2White shirt with school tie White polo shirt (tie not required)White blouseGrey school trousers or shortsNavy tunic or skirtRoyal blue check dressRoyal blue V-neck jumper or cardigan orRoyal blue school fleece

Years 3 – 6As above, except that polo-shirts are no longer worn

P.E. (All years)White T-shirt, royal blue shorts and plimsolls (infants) or trainers (juniors).

A royal blue jogging suit for winter games is ideal but (A plain, dark one will do!)

Jewellery/Long HairNo jewellery should be worn to school. Named watches are the responsibility of the owner. No jewellery may be worn during P.E. or games. If you are planning to have your child’s ears pierced, please arrange to do it in the summer holidays to allow for ears to heal in time for the child’s return to school. Your child will be asked to remove earrings prior to a P.E. lesson. It is Surrey County Council policy that children wearing any jewellery cannot participate in P.E. or games. Long hair should be tied up.

Road SafetyWe ask parents to park away from the school gate to ensure that parents and children can see and be seen, so they can cross the road safely. We have a School Crossing Patrol Officer before and after school to help children cross the road in Claygate Lane. Surrey County Council provides Bikeability training for Year 5 and Year 6 and pedestrian training packs for selected years.

At Hinchley Wood Primary School (HWPS) we will engage with parents and the community to provide challenges appropriate to each child and develop their learning skills in an inspiring and creative environment.

We aim for children to:

• Become enthusiastic, independent, life-long learners who achieve their full potential

• Have a strong sense of self-worth and mutual respect, able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives

• Understand their responsibilities and contribute as caring citizens

• Enjoy their learning and believe they can make a positive difference.

We are a school at the heart of our community, where learning is for all ages.

The Children’s Governing BodyThe governing Body is comprised of 24 Year 6 children and is led by the Year 6 teachers. All the Year 5 children are trained the latter part of the summer term in preparation for the role in Year 6. The training consists of: ‘How to conduct and lead meetings’, ‘How to encourage participation of younger children during meetings’ and ‘How to act as secretary’ by learning how to take notes and write minutes.

At the beginning of the year, ‘issues’ are generated by the children across the school and a programme of ‘themes’ is devised. Two Year 6 children are allocated to each class to discuss a theme during circle time once every half term. Key issues/ideas are then taken back to the Governing Body. Any action points/decisions are then reported back to the classes via their representatives.

HWPS values the children’s voice in the leadership of their school and we encourage active citizenship and responsibility through this cycle of consultation.

Breakfast Club, Woodys and Holiday ClubOur breakfast club runs from 7.45am - 8.45am and currently costs £5.50 per session including breakfast. Our After School Club, “Woody’s”, runs from 3.15pm - 5.45pm and currently costs £9 per session including a light snack. Our aim is to provide a safe, supervised and happy environment for the children as well as a reliable service to parents. The children have a chance to relax and enjoy themselves with a free choice of activities. There are games and sports, both inside and out. Craft facilities are available together with board games, various toys, painting and dressing up. A quiet corner is provided for homework, reading and relaxing. We have a Summer holiday club for 2 weeks in August.

Clubs and ActivitiesThere are a wide variety of clubs on offer for the children. The majority are held after school but some are at lunch-time. These are some that have been run recently:

Club lists are sent out termly and you are invited to apply for a place for your child. The range of clubs may change in the course of the year.

There are also music lessons from the peripatetic music service. The instruments taught have included:

Health and WelfareThe health and welfare of the pupils is the responsibility of all staff. Additionally, Mrs Butler, our Pupil Welfare Assistant, liaises with School Health to ensure that the necessary medical and dental checks take place, as well as caring for the children when they are ill or have had an accident. The Child Protection Liaison Officer is Mrs Collins and the Deputy Child

Protection Officer is Mrs Poole. All staff are trained in child protection procedures. All matters relating to the safeguarding of children are reported in the same way.

DisciplineThe philosophy which underpins the Behaviour Policy at HWPS is one where good behaviour is constantly recognised and rewarded. The children are taught from their very first day the importance of taking personal responsibility for their own actions and for the well-being of the whole community. Please refer to our Behaviour Policy on our website.

Achievements in the curriculum, behaviour and attitudes to learning are rewarded weekly at the whole school assembly.

Charging and Remissions PolicyAll activities during school hours are considered important to the pupils’ development. Although a voluntary payment may be requested, no child will be excluded because of inability to pay. However, if sufficient contributions are not received the school may not be in a position to proceed with the activity.

WebsiteWe have a school website www.hwps.co.uk. This site provides the school, parents, pupils and the wider community with information on all aspects of the school. The site contains information on school policies and admissions details. A copy of this prospectus, our school profile and the latest Ofsted report are also available for downloading.

HomeworkA certain amount of homework is expected all the way through the school. This is not in the same form as most of us remember from our own school experience although it becomes more formal as the children become older. The intention of homework in the primary school is to provide the opportunity for children to organise their work routine independently at home. If the work presents difficulties the children should be encouraged to discuss these the next morning with their class teacher. The emphasis on this work should be encouragement and reward for effort. A copy of our homework policy is available on the school website.

‘Headlines’ and School CommsThis newsletter is sent out every Friday to keep everyone up to date with the day to day life of the school and with strategic developments. Parents often contribute to this newsletter as well as information coming from inside the school. We send home letters and Headlines by e-mail using “School Comms”. A paper format is available for those who don’t have access to e-mail.

Home School AgreementAt Hinchley Wood Primary School we believe that children work best in a safe, secure, stimulating and challenging environment where teachers and parents work together in mutual support.

In order to achieve the best for each pupil we believe that there should be an agreement between the school and the parents over the key aspects of that mutual support. Throughout the agreement we promise to provide for your child’s needs within the resources of the school and we guarantee to provide you with information to keep you properly informed. In return the school asks all parents to make certain important commitments on behalf of the child. By making this mutual commitment we believe that your child will be better supported and any problems can be more readily resolved.

Compliments & ComplaintsWe work in close partnership with parents but understand that there may be instances from time to time when a parent may feel they have cause for complaint. Please contact your child’s class teacher, in the first instance, or Mrs Collins to discuss any concerns you may have so that we can do our best to resolve any difficulties. A copy of the Surrey County Council Complaints Procedure is available in the main entrance.

Compliments are common and much welcomed - if you have one, please make sure you write and say so.

Hinchley Wood Primary School AssociationWe are lucky to enjoy and benefit from a very strong and active School Association. The Committee is made up of approximately 15 people including both parents and members of the teaching staff. We meet on a monthly basis to discuss current issues and this is where sub-committees (open to all) for events and projects are formed.

Our fund raising events include:• General Knowledge Quiz• Christmas Fair• Fireworks Night• Auction of Promises• May Ball• Summer Fete• Family Barbecue• Weekly class cake sales.

We have strong parental backing for all our events in terms of both time and money, usually raising around £20,000 per annum.

We have a project-based method of spending, the projects being determined in consultation with the school. The spend is generally in line with the annual net income levels and is spent on projects which will “add value” to the school i.e. providing equipment which would not normally be covered by the school’s budget.

The Association worked closely with Governors to provide significant additional teaching space in our Log Cabin in 2008/9. This includes an extra classroom, extra small group teaching space and a fully equipped music studio. The children enjoy outdoor lunch with tables, seats and parasols provided by the Association. In 2010, Parents and Governors worked together to launch a whole-school up-date of our IT provision. This project was completed in 2011-12. Many more HWPSA value-added contributions are in evidence around the school premises.

The contribution which the Association makes to the school - not just financial, but in so many ways, is much appreciated

by the whole of the school community.

The CurriculumOur aims were chosen as our guide for providing a broad education integrating the essentials of the National Curriculum with a balance of activities in sport, music and drama. We believe each child should experience excellence and enjoyment in their learning and understand that perseverance is an important element in learning, as in many aspects of life.

Taking account of the stage they have reached and their potential at that stage, teachers will have high expectations for each child. Ambitious but realistic targets will be set each term and we will discuss these with you and your child.

English

The English Curriculum involves a range of elements which include speaking, listening, reading and writing. We regard the development of these skills as essential to enable pupils to access the broader curriculum. Great emphasis is, therefore, placed on encouraging pupils to use language effectively and creatively from an early age.

Reading skills begin to develop before a child starts school. These skills are further developed through listening to stories, sharing books and developing a love of literature. We have many books available in classrooms and all children are able to use the school’s colourful and well resourced library on a regular basis.

Pupils are given opportunities to develop as writers of poetry, stories and non-fiction.

Handwriting and spelling are taught systematically throughout the school; we teach a joined, cursive style of handwriting from Year 1.

As adults we spend more time speaking and listening than we do reading and writing, so we create many interesting opportunities to develop skills in these areas such as assemblies, presentations, imaginative play and drama.

Maths

Our aim is to develop children’s mathematical skills and the ability and confidence to use them in problem solving and everyday situations. In mathematics we cover number, algebra, measurement, shape, space, data handling and probability. A wide range of equipment is available so that children experience the valuable practical and oral work necessary for the understanding of mathematical concepts which are then consolidated by written activities.

During their first years at school, children are taught mathematics in their class groups. As they become older, each year group is organised in two ability groups in which they are then taught. Children who are having difficulty progressing in mathematics are taught in a small group by a support teacher and learning support assistant. This system enables all pupils to progress at an appropriate rate for their ability.

Science

As part of our science curriculum we aim to build on children’s natural curiosity of the world around them by encouraging them to think and question for themselves.

We study a wide range of scientific areas such as living things, habitats, environmental issues, the properties of materials and

Art Athletics Choir Cookery CricketDance/Drama

French Football Fun Sports Gardening Computer Club Judo Netball

Recorders Rounders Rugby Spanish Tennis Touch Typing

Clarinet Drums Guitar

Keyboard PianoSaxophone

Trombone Trumpet Violin

children are involved in learning a wide variety of songs.Peripatetic music teachers visit the school to provide individual and group tuition on a wide variety of instruments, and after school music clubs, such as the Junior choir, regularly participate in music festivals and community performances. Year 3-6 children are also given the opportunity to visit Hinchley Wood School, to play in the community bands and choir and perform in regular concerts.Throughout their time at Hinchley Wood Primary School, all children will be given an opportunity to perform in a variety of productions which combine drama and music.

Modern Foreign Languages

As with all primary schools nationally, we have introduced modern foreign language provision across the Junior School. The children are taught French, German and Spanish.

Personal, Health, Social, & Citizenship (Phsce)

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is closely linked to the science curriculum and the health education programme followed by the children. From an early age pupils learn about their bodies but the more detailed aspects of body changes and reproduction occur during the junior years. Parents are kept well informed of any RSE which is to take place and are given the opportunity to preview any materials which are to be used. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from lessons involving sex education and are welcome to discuss this with the head teacher.

Each week the children have a specific period when they are able to discuss issues which are important to them; this is known as ‘Circle Time’. Circle time deals with issues such as empathy, tolerance, peer relationships and self-esteem.

Special Educational Needs (Sen)

Our aim is to ensure that all children maximise their potential within the resources of the school. Children have different skills and abilities and some may need support in areas of their learning. Meeting the needs of children including the most and least able is the responsibility of all staff.

The school’s Special Needs Policy operates within the guidelines of the “Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs” recommended by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

From the age of entry, children’s progress is continually assessed and monitored and if there are any difficulties these will be discussed with the school’s SEN co-ordinator and the child’s parents. The child may then be placed on the school SEN register.

We have an experienced team of Teaching Assistants who help to support the children in the classroom. We are able to call on a number of outside agencies to help us in the monitoring and supporting process. These include Speech Therapists, Literacy Support Teachers and Educational Psychologists.

Full details of the school’s policy are available on the school website www.hwps.co.uk

Disability Equality Scheme

Full details of our disability equality scheme are available on the school website www.hwps.co.uk or from the school office.

their changes and the physical processes of electricity, magnetism, light, sound and forces.

As well as acquiring knowledge, the children develop enquiring minds, a keen interest in science and a systematic way of thinking and working. Children question their understanding through investigations, testing ideas, making observations and predicting outcomes.

An area of the school grounds provides an outside classroom primarily for science, bringing first hand experience of the adaptations of plants and animals in their different habitats. The children are encouraged to take an interest in and care of their environment. We have recently re-developed the school pond area and encourage the children to take an active role in this work, including participating in pond-dipping.

Information & Communications Technology

Information and communication technology is used to support children’s work in all areas of the curriculum and enjoys a high profile being supported by a superb level of resoures. In addition to computers in every class, the ICT suite contains high-specification, multimedia workstations that provide staff with the opportunity for whole class teaching enabling them to apply and develop the ICT skills of pupils throughout the school to include screened access to the Internet and the use of e-mail. Children are encouraged to evaluate how they use ICT and to compare its use with other methods, such as how editing work on a word processor contrasts with more traditional ways.

Design & Technology

Design and technology gives the children opportunities to analyse problems and find solutions. They plan their own designs, determine how to implement their plans and are then involved in practical work using a variety of materials. Having completed their tasks they evaluate their work and put forward recommendations for improving their initial ideas. The complexity of the tasks increases as the children move up the school.

Physical Education

Physical Education at the school is planned to give the pupils a varied curriculum, enabling them to develop their physical skills. We have a very large games field, which is used for football, hockey and rugby in the autumn and spring terms when netball is taught on the playground. Like many Surrey schools, the field can become waterlogged in the rainy weather. We are fortunate to enjoy a Multi Use Games Area which allows us to provide this quality of provision throughout the school year. During the summer term the field is used for athletics, cricket and rounders. Inside we have a range of fixed and free standing gymnastics apparatus, which is used all year round to give the children the opportunity to develop physical confidence. Dance is also taught throughout the year, developing an awareness of their bodies and also to nurture a greater self confidence.

As the children progress through the school, they are introduced to more team games, and they are encouraged to participate in interschool and district competitions. This enables them to learn how to be good winners and losers. We have a sports day each year when parents are encouraged to come along and offer support. The competitive element of these events increases as the children grow older.

We are able to offer a wide range of extra-curricular sporting activities throughout the year. Recently, these have included netball, football, rugby, athletics, rounders, cricket, dance and tennis.

History

Learning about the past and the skills used to study it help pupils to make sense of the world in which they live. During the first years at school the children learn how to compare their own experiences with those in the past and begin to understand how life has changed. As they become older they concentrate on learning about important episodes in British history, ancient civilisations and historical events from other parts of the world.

Geography

Children first investigate and learn about the physical and human features of their own environment in and around the school area. Children study the changing seasons and begin to use maps to increase their awareness of the place in which they live. They then continue to study the local environment and will use it as a basis for understanding other countries and cultures such as Europe, Kenya and Egypt. They will also explore the weather and its effect on human activity, the rainforest, rivers and water, the effects of pollution on the environment and further increase their mapping skills.

Religious Education & Collective Worship

Assemblies and religious education lessons are based on Surrey’s Agreed Syllabus. It recognises the religious diversity present in Britain today while meeting the national requirement that worship in maintained schools should be broadly Christian. We consider that Religious Education has a particularly important contribution to make to the spiritual, social and moral development of each child. We aim to develop an understanding of the world’s major religions with an emphasis on variety, and encourage children to appreciate, through understanding, the teaching of all faiths.

We consider that assemblies are important times, when the children meet as a whole school or in different groups, and where they are given time to think and reflect. Assemblies allow us to remember our shared values. Seasonal themes, festivals and special occasions are celebrated throughout the year, and we invite parents, relatives and friends to join us at every opportunity.

You have the right to withdraw your child from Religious Education and Collective Worship. Please make an appointment to discuss this and alternative provision with Mrs Collins.

Art

Through Art we aim to enable the children to develop their creative talent by providing opportunities for practical experience, progressive acquisition of skills, using wide range of media and materials building on their knowledge and an understanding of the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. We endeavour to provide a positive and stimulating environment within which children’s confidence and enthusiasm for art can grow. We believe that art provides the opportunity for the exploration of feeling and critical judgement. Through art children will develop a sensitivity to seeing and touching thus contributing to the development of their artistic potential and aesthetic awareness.

Music

Our main aim in teaching this subject is for the children to enjoy all aspects of music. Children have class music lessons with their teacher when they participate in singing and work with a large range of tuned and untuned instruments. Lessons follow a structured scheme, giving many opportunities for listening and appraising, composing and performing. Whole school singing assemblies occur every week, when the

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E-mail: admin@hinchley-wood-primary.surrey.sch.uk www.hwps.co.uk