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Live, Laugh, Learn and Achieve together

Head Teacher: Mrs Philippa Maksymiw Chair of Governors: Mr Daniel Routledge

PROSPECTUS

2014 - 2015

Overdale Infant School Eastcourt Road

Leicester LE2 3YA

Tel: 0116 2882724 Fax: 0116 2570323

Email: admin@overdale-inf.leicester.sch.uk

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Welcome I would like to welcome you, your child and your family to

Overdale Infant School. Our mission statement is:-

We aim to meet the needs of every unique child through an exciting broad, balanced curriculum which is based on developing skills for

learning and investigation of the world around us. We work in effective partnership with the families and wider

community, valuing all children as individuals and developing their interests and potential accordingly.

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Overdale Infant School session times are:- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

9.05am – 12.15pm 1.20pm - 3.20pm

Attendance and Absence:

It is vital to your child’s education that he/she attends everyday possible during each school year.

If your child is unable to attend through illness, please contact school on 0116 2882724.

-------- We cannot authorise any holiday leave during term times for any

reason, unless in extreme circumstances. This is a directive by the Government and will incur a penalty charge if unauthorised leave is

taken. In extreme circumstances please apply for an authorisation form

from the Head teacher to discuss this.

Please try and ensure that your child is punctual for every session. The start of morning school is the most crucial time

of every day for the children.

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Overdale Infant school strongly adheres to the following principles: Being Healthy, so that they are physically healthy, mentally and emotionally healthy, have healthy lifestyles and understand age appropriate information about sex and drugs. Staying Safe, so that they are safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation; safe from accidential injury, bullying and discrimination; safe from crime and anti-social behaviour in and out of school; have security and stability and are cared for. Enjoying and achieving, so that they are ready for school; attend and enjoy school; achieve challenging National Educational standards at school; achieve personal and social development and take their learning beyond the classroom. Making a positive contribution, so that they engage in decision making and support the community and environment; engage in positive behaviour both in and out of school and understand that rules are there for the benefit of all; develop positive relationships and choose not to bully and discriminate; develop self confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges. Achieving Economic well being, so that they are aware and understand about the next stages in their education; that education leads to employment which provides money to buy homes, food and the necessities of life.

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Head Teacher

Mrs P Maksymiw

Teachers:

Mrs C Chester Mrs P Coplin

Mrs R Dhadwar Mrs M Doniak

Mrs M Edwards Mrs H Holmes Mrs N Howard Mrs L Jamieson

Mrs S Loyal Miss L Meakin

Mrs S Pridmore Miss H Skipper Mrs A Wanless

Admin Staff:

Mrs J Robinson Mrs R Smith

Support Staff:

Mrs J Archer Mrs S Ardley Mrs P Cann

Mrs D Clayton Mrs S Gosal

Mrs J Livesey Miss L Marlow Mrs J Ortega Mrs S Pinches Mrs C Ricketts Mrs W Stone Mrs J Taylor

Mrs M Weatherhog Mrs J Welsh Mrs L Wykes

Dining Supervisors:

Mrs S Ardley Mrs I Fernandes

Mrs E G Mrs S Gosal

Mrs R Higgins-Jones Mr P Keen

Miss D Rawson Mrs K Ridge Mrs J Taylor

Chair of Governors: Mr D Routledge

Governors: Mr A Bayford Mrs S Birch Miss H Boyd Mr R Grant

Miss L Meakin Miss H Powell

Mr G Witcombe Ms Z King

Premises Staff:

Mrs D Cuthbertson Mrs C Stratford

Who you will find in school

Lollipop Lady:

Mrs L Bailey

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Role of the Governor

It is the role of the Governors as a corporate body to be responsible for every aspect of a school. This in practice

translates to having an overview of the whole school and being actively involved in specific aspects of school life.

The responsibility for the management of a school is delegated

to the Head Teacher who works in close partnership with the LA.

Parent representatives sit on every Governing Body.

The Governors of Overdale Infant School are extremely

conscientious and dedicated to the welfare and best possible educational opportunities for all your children.

Our Chair of Governors this year is Mr Daniel Routledge

He can be contacted through the School Office

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School Organisation

Overdale Infant School caters for 270 children between the ages of 4 and 7 years, all of whom attend full time.

The school operates in two key stages whilst prioritising the individual

needs of our children:

Foundation Stage – 4 and 5 year olds

Key Stage 1 – 5, 6 & 7 year olds

There are 90 children in each of three year groups:~

F2 Year 1 Year 2

30 children in each class.

Whilst at Overdale Infant School your child will have the opportunities to

work with different teachers and many support staff who specifically enhance areas of development including:~

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, SEN

Gifted and Talented, G&T English as an Additional Language, EAL

Curriculum Support

Your child will be taught in classes of mixed ability for the majority of each day. However, in years 1 and 2, children work in groups at least

twice each week for Literacy and Numeracy. This is to ensure that every child receives focussed teaching at the level appropriate to them on a

regular basis.

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The School Day

Morning Session KS1 9.05 – 12.15 F2 9.05 – 11.45 Afternoon Session KS1 1.20 – 3.20

F2 1.05 – 3.15 Parents are asked to ensure that pupils arrive at school punctually. In the morning a teacher will be on duty in the playground from 8.55am. The bell

is rung at 9.05. You may leave your child with her but please do not leave children before this time.

The children in Year 1 and Year 2 are dismissed from their classrooms at 3.20 pm and parents are encouraged to meet their children at the outer

classroom door or in the playground. Teachers are not able to supervise children walking to the gates.

Under no circumstances will children be allowed to leave the school site unescorted during the school day. If they have to leave for a special

reason, the school must be notified and the children must be collected by an adult. Children leaving school during the day have to be

signed out in the office.

Children in the Foundation Stage must be brought to school and collected by an adult. They are dismissed at 3.15pm. Should your usual arrangements

change, please inform the staff so that they know who is collecting the children.

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EMERGENCIES

When your child is admitted to school you will be asked to complete a form giving relevant details about your child, stating your current place of work (mother and

father) and telephone numbers, including an emergency contact number. It is important that this information is kept up to date, so please notify the school at

once if there are any changes.

Medication

The L.A. Code of Practice for the Administration of Medicines states that “Children who require a short course of medication,

e.g. antibiotics, will normally remain at home until the course is finished. If it is felt by a medical practitioner that the child is fit enough to return to school, the dosage can usually be adjusted so that none is required at lunch time.” In line with this we are unable to administer short term medication in

school and children cannot bring such medicines into school. You as carers however, may wish to make a special arrangement with the Head Teacher who is

willing to administer the medicine to your child.

Some children need to use long-term medication, e.g. an asthma inhaler. As an inclusive school, we do cater for these medical needs.

Accidents/Illnesses at School If your child is taken ill at school s/he will be seen by one of our qualified First Aiders and we will contact a parent or carer. All accidents are recorded in our medical book and the child is given a letter to take home informing you of the incident. We are aware of the seriousness of head injuries, and will usually

contact parents at the time of the accident if a child receives a bump to the head. It may not be necessary for the child to be collected from school, but we

are sure that you would welcome being informed.

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Autumn Term 2013 School Opens Thursday 28 August 2014 School Closes Friday 17 October 2014 Autumn Half Term Monday 20 October – Friday 24 October 2014 School Opens Monday 27 October 2014 School Closes Friday 19 December 2014 Christmas Holidays Monday 22 December2014 –

Monday 5 January 2015 Spring Term 2014 School Opens Tuesday 6 January 2015 School Closes Friday 13 February 2015 Spring Half Term Holiday Monday 16 February –Friday 20 February 2015 School Opens Monday 23 February 2015 School Closes Friday 27 March 2015 Easter Holidays Monday 30 March – Friday 10 April 2015 Summer Term 2013 School Opens Monday 13 April 2015 May Day Bank Holiday Monday 4 May 2015 School Closes Friday 22 May 2015 Summer Half Term Holiday Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May 2015 School Opens Monday 1 June 2015 School Closes Friday 10 July 2015 Summer Holidays Monday 13 July 2015

School Term and Holiday Dates

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Your Child can:~

SCHOOL MEALS/PACKED LUNCHES

1. Have a cooked school meal

Menu’s available from school reception or by visiting

our website.

2. Bring a packed lunch

A few guidelines:~ Boxes need to be clearly labelled

No glass bottles or fizzy drinks – water is provided No sweets

Children will bring home uneaten food and litter, this enables you to see what they have eaten.

Please do not send nuts or foods containing nuts

for the protection of children who may have a nut allergy.

3. Go home for lunch You may change your meal arrangements, but please give us one weeks notice, with a note or telephone call to the office. This is only possible on a weekly basis, i.e. school

dinners all week or packed lunches all week.

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The welfare of the children in our care is very important to us. During your child's time in school it might be necessary to involve other

agencies concerning his/her welfare. Parents would, of course, be informed of any involvement.

During the school life of your child regular health and

dental checks may be carried out by the School Doctor, Dentist, School Nurse and Audiometrician.

This will only happen with prior parental consent.

Yours child’s health, welfare and safety are always our school priorities.

The School follows the DFE Safeguarding Children and Safer

Recruitment in Education Guidance as a basis for the procedures we follow. Our concern for your child’s welfare may mean that we consult

with other agencies that are able to deal with particular problems.

Pastoral Care

Safeguarding Children

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We have a very strong link with our parents and carers. The partnership between the school and parents involves a joint responsibility for communicating with each other. Parents are always consulted and informed about any action the

school might need to take to meet their child's needs.

There are regular newsletters from the Head Teacher and there are opportunities for parents to attend many events in school to find out about our

curriculum and enjoy working alongside your children.

We have opportunities throughout the year for you to discuss your child's progress. Parents' evenings are held twice each year and you will receive a written report at the end of the summer term each year. If you have any

problems the Head Teacher and the class teachers are available both before and after school, although a telephone call asking for a specific time is always

appreciated.

Parents, carers and grandparents are warmly invited into classrooms to help in numerous ways.

Overdale Parents’ Association exists to support both schools and organises a

number of social and fund-raising events every year.

The Committee meets regularly and there is an Annual General Meeting in the Autumn term. New members are always welcome and all parents and carers are asked to support the Parents’ Association, either by helping to organise events

or by attending them. The Parents’ Association Committee can be contacted through the School Office.

Overdale Parents Association

Parent/School Links

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Junior School Links

Community Links

Many of our children transfer to Overdale Junior School and the two schools work closely together to establish curriculum and pastoral links. Staff meet

regularly throughout the year and both schools work hard to make the transfer for Year 2 children as smooth as possible.

• The building at the front of the school is used by the Willows Playgroup for pre-school children. They also provide a wrap round care facility from 8.00am – 6.00pm

• The school has many links with agencies and other institutions in the

local community including Police, Fire Fighters and places of worship.

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Curriculum

The school Governors are required, by law, to provide a Curriculum Statement for the school :

The School Curriculum:~

1) Provides opportunities for all pupils to learn and achieve 2) Provides pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepares all pupils for the

opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.

The school follows the National Curriculum which makes expectations for learning and attainment explicit to pupils, parents, teachers, governors and establishes national standards for the performance of all pupils.

We aim to meet the needs of every unique child through delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum based on developing skills for learning and investigating the world around us.

It is crucial that all learners are challenged and that high expectations are held and fulfilled. All learners are entitled to this curriculum which should acknowledge and reflect the ever changing and multi-cultural nature of society.

For education to be effective the Staff and Governors recognise and encourage the important role parents have to play in the partnership. In F2 the EYFS document published by the DfE is used… “The principles which guide the work of all early years practitioners are :

• A Unique Child – every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

• Positive Relationships – children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.

• Enabling Environments – the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning.

• Learning and Development – children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and inter-connected.”

The Learning and Development theme is divided into seven areas of learning.

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development • Communication and Language • Physical Development • Literacy • Mathematic • Understanding of the World • Expressive Arts & Design

The prime areas of learning are PSED, Communication and Language and physical Development. The specific areas of learning are Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the World and Expressive Arts. The characteristics of effective learning - the ways in which the child engages with other people and their environment. These underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner. 22 hours are spent on teaching during a normal school week. This does not include the statutory daily act of collective worship, registration, morning and lunch breaks.

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Assessment

Assessment is used to inform teachers’ planning and so support the children’s learning. It is an ongoing process and takes many forms, sometimes written,

oral or through observation and discussion. As required by the Government an assessment is carried out in all areas of the curriculum. The Foundation Stage

profile is a series of assessments towards the Early Learning Goals. This happens at the end of the Foundation Stage.

The Government requires all Year 1 children to take a Phonic assessment at the end of Year 1.

The Government requires Standard Assessment to be carried out by Year 2. Tests in English and Maths form a part of the teacher assessments. The main assessment tool is teacher

judgement informed by continuous assessment.

A comparison of Overdale Infant’s results for this year with the National Results for last year is detailed as follows:~

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Key Stage 1 Performance Summary 2012 National School LA Percentage of Pupils at Level 2+ Reading 89 96 87 Writing 85 92 83 Mathematics 91 99 90 National School LA Percentage of Pupils at Level 2B+ Reading 79 80 64 Writing 67 94 83 Mathematics 78 99 76 National School LA Percentage of Pupils at Level 3+ Reading 29 28 24 Writing 15 10 13.6 Mathematics 23 18 20 Year 1 Phonics Screening National School LA Percentage of children attaining expected level 2013 69 70 67 As can be seen from the data, the children at Overdale Infant School are performing significantly better than other children nationally.

Comparative report

This table shows a summary of the National Curriculum assessment results of pupils in the school and nationally at end of Key Stage 1, as a

percentage of those eligible for assessment.

The number of eligible children was: 89

Figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding.

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The School: The school will: • care for your child’s safety and happiness • encourage your child to do his/her best at

all times • encourage all children to take care of

their surroundings and of others around them

• keep you informed of your child’s progress at regular meetings

• inform you about what the teachers aim to teach the children each term

• encourage the children to take their learning home

• be welcoming at all times and offer opportunities for you to become involved in the daily life of the school

Teacher’s signature……………………………………

The Family: I/We will: • make sure my child arrives at school on

time • make sure my child attends regularly

and provide an explanation if he / she is absent

• avoid taking holidays in term time • let the school know about any concerns

or problems that might affect my child’s work or behaviour

• attend termly school meetings to discuss my child’s progress

• support the school policies including the wearing of the correct uniform everyday.

Parent/carer’s signature…………………………….

The Child: I will: • be friendly to everyone • be polite and helpful • tell the truth • keep hands and feet to myself and not

hurt anyone • take good care of the equipment and

buildings • keep my own things safe and not take

things belonging to other people • keep the school tidy • make school a happy place for everyone I / We have read these rules to………………………. (child’s name) and have talked to him/her about them.

Parent / Carer’s signature………….…………………

Together: We will : • support children’s learning to help each

child achieve his / her best • make your child feel valued • show respect for each other • share any concerns or problems • make the school a happy and successful

one

P Maksymiw

Head Teacher’s signature

Home School Agreement

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Multi-Cultural and Anti-Racist Education

We aim as a school to treat each child as an individual, recognising that he/she has different abilities and skills. The school aims to provide equal

opportunities for children regardless of gender, ability and cultural backgrounds. We recognise that the multi-cultural nature of this school and contemporary British society is beneficial and enriching and intend to build on this diversity with the school curriculum. We do not tolerate or

condone any form of offensive language or behaviour.

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Religious Education

As a requirement of the Educational Reform Act (1988) religious education will be provided for all pupils in this school. The religious

education will be non-denominational in accordance with the Act. It is permissible under this Act for pupils to be taught about denominational differences. The religious education provided will be in accordance with

the Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus.

There is a daily act of collective worship.

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School Uniform

The uniform consists of: v Navy sweatshirts v Navy sweatshirt-type cardigans v Navy jogging trousers v Navy pleated skirts v Navy pinafore dresses v Navy or white polo shirts v Navy fleeces v Blue & white check or stripe summer dresses v Book Bags and PE Bags, PE Shorts & t-shirts

Many items can be purchased in school with the school logo on them. However, you will also find appropriate items in most supermarket chains. Please ensure that all items of clothing, footwear and bags are clearly marked with your child’s name. Unless they are named, staff have no way of knowing who owns ‘lost property’

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Complaints Procedure

If you are unhappy about any aspect of the school, you should bring it to the attention of the Class Teacher in the first instance. If you are still

unhappy please contact the Head Teacher.

The majority of complaints can be resolved in this way. However, should parents/carers feel dissatisfied with the response, the complaint should

be made formally in writing to the Governors.