School Booklet

2011/2012

INTRODUCTION

School Address : Earlston Primary SchoolEarlston BerwickshireTD4 6JQ

Telephone: 01896 848851 Nursery 01896 849860Fax: 01896 848180Email lmunro@scotborders.gov.uk

Earlston Primary is a mixed non-denominational primary school catering for children from age three to twelve from Earlston and surrounding areas.

The layout of the classrooms is in line with Curriculum for Excellence levels. Early level – Nursery and Primary 1 are in one area allowing opportunity to share a central activity area.Our Nursery has direct access to an outside play area.First level – Primaries 2-4 are in the middle part of the school and share a central activity areaSecond level – Primaries 5-7 are in the upper area in self contained classrooms.Other facilities include one small hall, one large hall, a canteen, learning support base, staff base and resource area. The Head teacher, Deputy Head teacher, and Secretary each have separate offices. Bases for Behaviour Support Teacher, Home School Link Worker and Active Schools Co-ordinator are also situated in the school.

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School Hours

Morning Session 9.00 – 12.15Playtime 10.30 – 10.45Lunch break 12.15 -1.00

Nursery TimesMorning Session 8.45 – 11.15Afternoon Session 12.45 – 3.00

More information about nursery can be found in the Nursery handbook.

Staff 2010/2011

Head teacher Mrs Lesley MunroDepute Head teacher Mrs Hazel GilchristPrincipal teachers Mrs Elspeth Watson

Mrs Val EastonClass teachers Mrs Linda Addison

Mrs Jane StevensonMiss Rhianna GordonMrs Gladys PurvesMr Derrick BrydonMr Stewart BrownMiss Rochelle Grant

Nursery teacher Mrs Gillian Torrance Mrs Mar BradleyNursery Nurse Mrs Pamela Guthrie

Support for Learning Mrs Mary ButlerMrs Sheila Lawn

Behaviour Support Mrs Fiona Ferguson

School Administrator Mrs Katie Gorman Mrs Elaine Beattie

Classroom Assistant Mrs Shona FisherAdditional Needs Assistants Mrs Jane Barley

Mrs Liz LothianMrs Jane Niven

Mrs Myra Fairbairn

Janitor Mr Colin Steele

Cleaners Mrs Ann Richardson Mrs Julia BeattieMrs Kerry McKenzie Mrs Gillian McNally

Playground Supervisor Mrs Lorna Robertson

Road Crossing Patrol Officer Mrs Jane Niven

In addition there is a visiting specialist for PE, Mrs Sabby Angus. We have instrumental instructors for violin, keyboard and accordion.

Our home-link worker, Alison Legerwood-Walker, can offer support to pupils (by referral) who are experiencing barriers in school.

Vision

Earlston Primary School is a friendly, secure and supportive environment where all are valued and treated fairly.

Values

Recognise all children’s strengths Promote and celebrate success Be welcoming and caring Pupils, parents and staff are respected and listened to Provide a high standard of teaching and learning

Pupil Aims

Everyone will be welcome and included Be kind and helpful Work hard and always do our best We say YES to Sharing, Friendship, Kindness and Helpfulness and

Teamwork We say No to Bullying, Racism and bad behaviour

Aims

Promote caring, sharing relationships amongst children Develop a happy stimulating playground Strengthen links with the wider community Facilitate effective communication between home and school

Curriculum for ExcellenceCurriculum for Excellence is now being introduced across Scotland for all 3-18 year olds – wherever they learn. It aims to raise standards, prepare our

children for a future they do not yet know and equip them for jobs of tomorrow in a fast changing world.

At Earlston, we have embraced the ideals of a curriculum for excellence which has allowed our professionals to teach subjects creatively, to work together across the school and with our partner school, to share best practice and explore learning together. We worked together to develop Glow, Scotland’s unique, world leading, online network which supports learners, teachers and parents.Teachers and practitioners will share information to plan a child’s ‘learning journey’ from 3-18, helping their progression from nursery to primary, primary to secondary and beyond, ensuring the change is smooth. They will ensure children continue to work at a pace they can cope with and with challenge they can thrive on.

Curriculum for Excellence balances the importance of knowledge and skills.

Every child is entitled to a broad and deep meaningful education, whatever their level and ability. Every single teacher and practitioner will be responsible for literacy and numeracy – the language and numbers skills that unlock other subjects and are vital to everyday life.

Curriculum for Excellence develops skills for learning, life and work and brings real life into the classroom, making learning relevant and helps young people apply lessons to their life beyond the classroom. It links knowledge in one subject area to another helping children understand the world and make connections. It develops skills so that children can think for themselves, make sound judgements, challenge, enquire and find solutions.

There will be new ways of assessing progress and ensuring children achieve their potential.

Ultimately, Curriculum for Excellence aims is to improve our children’s life chances, to nurture successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens, building on our school’s reputation for great education.

As well as discreet subject areas, increasingly learning occurs in contextualised studies and links are made across the curriculum in real life situations.

More information about Curriculum for Excellence can be found on Scottish Borders Council website and on Learning Teaching Scotland Website.

FrenchA number of our teachers are trained under the Modern Languages in Primary Schools Scheme (MLPS), and teach French to pupils in Primaries six and seven.

AssembliesA weekly programme of assemblies allows us to offer a variety of experience. There are stage assemblies as well as a whole school assembly. The week ends with an assembly to reward effort, behaviour and achievement and celebrate success.

Support for Learning Our Learning Support Staff work with school staff to help meet the needs of all pupils. The key roles cover consultancy, co-operative teaching, tutorial support, liaison with other agencies and staff development.

AssessmentAll teachers carry out on-going formative assessment on a regular basis an this is linked to teaching and learning processes. Approaches are formalised at times by planned assessments. including testing.

Personal Learning PlanningPersonal Learning Planning increases parents’ awareness of what their child is learning. Children are involved in setting learning targets, assessing personal strengths, weaknesses and preferences. Learning Logs are completed weekly to record the process and support home/school partnership.Mid-session and end of session reports provide information about progress. These are contained in the Personal Learning Records which give parents regular opportunities to comment on learning.There are two formal Parents Evenings when parents are invited to meet with teachers to discuss pupil progress.Parents in Nursery and Primary 7 are offered meetings to discuss transition.

HomeworkHomework is issued to all children in the primary school and may include spelling, reading, maths, tables and number as well as practice in personal research and projects.Homework is not given out without prior teaching and explanation in class. All the children are given a homework diary or sheet on which is written the task expected of them. A copy of the Homework Policy is available from the school office.

School Improvement PlanOur school improvement plan identifies and gives some detail of proposed developments for the current session. An outline framework for the following two years is also included. The plan is written annually and takes account of school needs and priorities as well as Council and Scottish Executive priorities. The plan is available from the school office and a summary of priorities sent for parents annually.

The Standards & Quality report highlights progress towards priorities and school activities. A copy is available from the office.

Parents and pupils are often given the opportunity to become involved in working parties to develop school priorities.

Parents and pupils are consulted by questionnaires and audits as part of the schools self-evaluation process.

General Information

School UniformThe school sweatshirt with the school badge may be ordered from the office. We strongly encourage its use for reasons of cost and practicality but mainly to give pupils a shared sense of identity in school. We recommend dark coloured trousers (not jeans) for boys and dark coloured skirts or trousers for girls. Other items including coats, fleeces and bags are available to order with the school badge too.

P.E. Kit - White t-shirt, dark shorts Gym shoes or training shoes (no black soles)

Application forms for School Clothing Allowance are available from the school office.

Administration of medicinesBefore any prescribed medicine is administered, parents must complete a form giving necessary consent and information. Forms are available from the school office.

AllergiesIf your child has any allergies please let us know. Forms are available from the school office.

First AidQualified First Aiders are Colin Steele, Elspeth Watson, Lorna Robertson and Jane Niven. They will usually administer any necessary general treatment. Every effort will be made to contact parents if we feel an injury warrants it.

School NurseThe school nurse, Mary Carryer is based at Melrose Health centre and is usually in school on the first Friday of each month when parents can talk with her about issues relating to their children’s health.

Emergency ContactIt is vitally important that we are able to make contact with parents or named persons in case of emergency, illness or school closure. Please make sure that we have up to date contact information. Also, please let us know about changes at home which may have a bearing on your child’s well being. Emergency contacts need to live as near the school as possible.

GroupcallYou may be sent updates/reminders or messages by text message. This will show on your mobile phone as Group call. If you change your mobile number please update us.

ComplaintsPlease refer to out complaints procedure for further information.

General Information

Communication from SchoolNewsletters are issued monthly to all parents and others connected with the school. The newsletters give information about up and coming events and also include pupil reports on classroom news and activities. The newsletter can be received by email. Letters are also issued for specific reasons and are generally given to the oldest child in the family.

Photographs and videosUnder the “Consent Under Data Protection Act 1988” we ask all parents to sign a consent form giving permission for their children to be photographed and video-taped. This form is given out at enrolment.

CateringSchool meals are on a set menu system which is part of the Hungry for Success initiative. The children are given a weekly menu and choose which option they want. Menus are on a four week rotation.Children who bring a packed lunch eat in the Canteen. Free school meals are available and the application forms can be obtained from the school office.

Water BottlesWe encourage children to drink water and we have two water coolers from which they can fill up their bottles regularly. Sweets and other sugar-based snacks are not encouraged in school.

DisciplineWe operate a Positive Discipline Policy in school and will always praise when we can. Sanctions will be given for misbehaviour, depending on the nature and frequency of the incidents. Serious or persistent misbehaviour will be brought to the attention of parents.Each class operates its own system of rewards and consequences which are linked to the whole school policy. Parents will be informed of class systems at the beginning of each session.A copy of the Discipline Policy is available from the office.

Bullying We operate a zero tolerance bullying policy and take all reports seriously and investigate fully. A copy of our anti-bullying policy is available from the school office.

Playground SupervisionMrs Lorna Robertson and Colin Steele are our playground supervisors. They will deal with any small problems in the playground and first aid. Discipline matters will be dealt with and referred to staff if appropriate.

CHILD PROTECTION – Responsibilities of the School

All SBC Schools and their staff are required to follow the Scottish Borders Child protection Committee’s Inter-agency child protection guidelines and procedures.

A key element in the procedures is that if a staff member in a school is made aware of a concern (usually through a statement made by a child) of an issue that could have child protection implications, the member of staff has no option but to refer the child to child protection officers. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 states that the welfare of the child is paramount and this must always be the sole consideration for the school.

The school Child Protection Co-ordinator is Val Easton who can be contacted to discuss any issues that may arise.

In making a referral staff will not be making any judgement on the strength or truth of the child’s statement but must follow procedures to support pupils and staff. An extensive training programme has been undertaken to ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities.

The child’s parent or carer will always be informed as soon as possible about such disclosures and any action resulting from this. Keeping parents informed may not always be undertaken by school staff and could involve other organisations such as social work staff or the police.

If the child protection issue is taken further, school staff will work with families to support children through the process.

Useful websites providing information on dealing with child protection issues for children, young people and their parents and carers are: www.infoscotland.com/childprotectionand www.childline.org.uk. The site also provides advice on what steps you should take if you have concerns on a child protection issue.

Parent Council

Parent Council has aims to:

promote the relationship between the school, its pupils and all its parents

develop and engage in activities which support the education and welfare of the pupils including fundraising and organising events.

identify and represent the views of parents on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of the pupils.

OFFICE BEARERS 20010/11

Chair person Kelda Stewart

Vice chairperson Kevin McCall

Secretary Ann Wood

Treasurer Karen Scott

Parent Reps Emma AllenPaul WheatleyKaren AndrewsDavid GordonDiane BrotherstonCarole RaeMary McFarlaneJulie & Keith GoodfellowMaggie FullartonElaine Christie

Elaine TaittJane NivenPeter Du- PreezJenny Reid

Staff Reps Elspeth WatsonLinda Addison

Co-op members Rosemary ArmstrongHarry Cummings

Councillors are also invited to meetings and all meetings are open to all parents. Minutes are displayed on the school notice board.

The Parent Council has their AGM in September. New members are welcome.

School Session Arrangements 2011/12

School closes for Summer holiday Thursday 30th June 2011School opens Tuesday 15th August 2011School closes for October holiday Friday 7th October 2011School opens Monday 17th October 2011School closes for Christmas holiday Wednesday 21st December 2011School opens Wednesday 5th January 2012School closes for February Break Thursday 9th February 2012School opensSchool closes for Easter holiday Friday 30th March 2012School opens Monday 16th April 2012School closes for summer holiday Tuesday 26th June 2012

Short holidays, local holidays and in-service days

In-service day Monday 15th August 2012In-service dayIn-service dayIn-service dayMay day holiday Monday 7th May 2012In-service day June holiday

AbsencesThe school is required to have an explanation for ALL pupil absences. It is very important that the school is informed of any absence or illness as soon as possible. Please help us by informing the school by 9 a.m. on the day of any absence. If we do not have a reason for a child’s absence parents will be contacted.Therefore it is very important that you alert us to any changes in telephone numbers, especially mobiles.

Unauthorised absencesWe realise that for some families term time holidays are unavoidable but you are urged to give careful consideration to taking children out of school unnecessarily. It is not possible to give children schoolwork to take with them as lessons are interactive with direct teaching taking place.Parents wishing to take children out of school for a period of time should inform the Headteacher in writing in advance. Holiday absences are recorded as “unauthorised”.

Earlston Primary School Complaints Procedure

This complaints procedure refers to matters relating to your children at school.

This procedure assumes that complaints are being made to the Headteacher, Depute Headteacher or Principal teacher.

1. The Starting PointWork out in your own mind exactly what you are unhappy about, what you believe has gone wrong and what you would like to see done to put things right.

2. Sharing the ProblemYou may wish to write or telephone first outlining your concerns.Arrange a time when you can sit down with a member of staff to discuss your worries fully. If the member of staff wants time to find out more, consult someone else or think about a solution, give them time, but then arrange another appointment to discuss possible solutions to your worries.

3. Solving the ProblemWhen a solution is suggested, be reasonable and if necessary accept a compromise that may resolve the situation. Give the solution time to work with an agreement to review the situation after a period of time has passed.

4. Facing up to DifficultiesIf you are totally dissatisfied with the response being given make it clear to the member of staff that this is the case.Write to the Director of Education or Head of Schools and ask for a meeting with an appropriate official.

5. The Final StepIf you are still dissatisfied with the response you receive, say so, and then approach your Regional Councillor and ask for his/her help. He will be able to guide you through the Local Authority Complaint Procedure.

Things Not to Do:

do not raise through Parent Council in the first instance. They will merely recommend following the procedures laid out above.

Do not allow your complaint to become a community issue with a wide audience; your child deserves better than that.

Remember: Your children matter and co-operation between home and school is best for them.

If things are not brought to our attention, we cannot solve them.