Dear Parents. I look forward to seeing you. Yours sincerely. David Gibbons Headteacher

Dear Parents On behalf of everyone at Nettleham Church of England Aided Junior School, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you as parents o...
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Dear Parents

On behalf of everyone at Nettleham Church of England Aided Junior School, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you as parents or prospective parents of children in our care. I hope that our association will be a happy, rewarding and successful one. In partnership with you we shall do our utmost to meet the educational, emotional, moral, spiritual, social and physical needs of your children. We shall endeavour to help them become happy, secure, confident and successful young people who believe in themselves and are caring and thoughtful in their relationships with others. I hope you find the enclosed information helpful. If you would like to discuss any matters personally, require further information or would like to visit the school and see it in operation, I would be delighted to meet you and show you around. Please call in to school or telephone for an appointment. I look forward to seeing you.

Yours sincerely

David Gibbons Headteacher

NETTLEHAM C E VOLUNTARY AIDED JUNIOR SCHOOL This is a Voluntary Aided Church of England Junior School admitting day boys and girls who have reached the age of seven years on or before 31st August. When this brochure was prepared for publication all details were correct, but it should not be assumed that changes will not occur during the school year. (The school year runs from September to July). It is hoped, however, that these notes will help parents towards a real feeling of partnership. THE GOVERNING BODY Foundation Governors

Nominated and Elected

Mrs S Coulter Mr S Hardy (Chairman) Mr S Webb Mrs S Gould Mr. D. Subden Mrs. A. Thornton Mr. K. Williams Mr M Field Dr C Knapp Dr A Jain Mr. D. Handley Miss H Windley Mr D Meehan

Parent Governor Parent Governor Parent Governor Staff Governor Teacher Governor LA Governor

Ex Officio Clerk to the Governors

Mr D Gibbons and Fr Richard Crossland Ms J Ainsworth Tel: 01522 750376

THE SCHOOL STAFF Headteacher Senior Leadership Team

Mr D Gibbons Miss A Thompson

Teaching Staff

Administrator Finance Officer Admin Assistants Site Manager

BA (Hons) PGCE B Ed (Hons) CPSE (Mentoring) CPSE (SEN) Mrs R Moreton BA (Hons) QTS Mrs P Alexander Summerlin BSc (Hons) PGCE Miss W. Booth BA (Hons) PGCE Mrs C Barbosa BA (Hons) QTS Mr L Spowage BA (Hons) PGCE Mrs S Hollamby BA (Hons) QTS Mr T Grafton MFA BA (Hons) PGCE Mr D Handley BSc (Hons) PGCE Mrs J Huckle Cert. Ed Mrs L Nicholls B Ed Mrs M Verdon BA (Hons) PGCE Miss H Windley BA (Hons) QTS Mrs A Fane BA (Hons) QTS Mrs J Duxbury Mrs Z Ashley Mrs R Freeman, Ms J Ainsworth Mr K Pearce

NETTLEHAM CHURCH OF ENGLAND VOLUNTARY AIDED JUNIOR SCHOOL

THE AIMS OF OUR SCHOOL As a Church of England Aided Junior School we are committed to the values and beliefs of the Christian Community, and we offer a Christian way of living and working together as an example and inspiration to our children. The aims set out below will be pursued within the framework of this Christian ethos. The aims and means of achieving them are not in any priority order. Rather, they are to be seen as totally interdependent linked parts of the whole education process in our school

OUR AIMS To provide a broad, balanced learning experience that offers all children the opportunity to experience success.

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To promote a positive attitude to learning and achievement together with a high level of motivation.

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To help pupils develop lively enquiring minds and share the joy of learning.

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To encourage an attitude which places a high value on the work of others.

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To aim for excellence across a wide curriculum range, and promote teaching which enables each child to achieve his or her potential.

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To help pupils become confident, caring, independent individuals whilst understanding the interdependence of groups and nations

Build the relationships and foster understanding and cooperation between home and school

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THE MEANS OF ACHIEVING OUR AIMS

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Provide children with equal access to all areas of the curriculum

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Provide lots of first hand experience to enable effective learning.

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Set high levels of expectation in terms of behaviour, commitment, effort and performance.

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Create an interesting, stimulating and exciting learning environment within the classroom.

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Careful and imaginative display of children's work and regular opportunities to see, hear about and share in the excellence of others.

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Encourage a thoughtful, caring and considerate attitude to others.

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Concentrate on the sound development of basic skills in literacy and Numeracy.

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Encourage children to develop independence through thinking and planning for themselves.

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Develop the ability to work cooperatively

To promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, social and physical development of all pupils

All our children, whatever their abilities, will be given the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the full range of experiences offered within the school. Our aim will be to develop each child's skills to the limit of their capability, providing the support and encouragement required along the way. The contribution of each child will be fully valued by us all, so building self-confidence, security and a sense of self worth.

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ORGANISATION The school has eight classes; two parallel mixed ability classes in each year of the school. Times: 08.45 - 08.55 Children arrive at school 08.55 School begins Registration 09.05 Lessons 10.15 Break 10.30 Lessons 12.15 Lunch 13.15 Lessons 15.05 Assembly/Act of Worship 15.30 End of school day Total school time, excluding breaks: 26.25 hours per week. Time spent teaching, excluding Assembly/Collective Worship/Registration: 23.75 hours per week.

THE CURRICULUM All year groups in the school follow a curriculum which is being constantly reviewed to reflect the requirements of the National Curriculum and meet the needs of our pupils as citizens of the 21st Century. This provides clear guidelines on the concepts, skills and knowledge children might be expected to acquire. The core subjects of Mathematics, English, Science, Religious Education and Information and communication Technology play a prominent part in every child's education. Other foundation subjects taught are Design Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education. In addition all children develop their learning in the areas of Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship and each child learns French and also at least two musical instruments. The curriculum is being constantly reviewed and adapted to ensure that all children receive their statutory entitlement to the full range of the National Curriculum and also that the curriculum meets their wider needs. We believe that, although we do achieve very high academic standards, we should never rest on our laurels and that we should always strive to stretch and engage the children across a broad range of subjects and experiences.

READING AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT The ability to read is fundamental to progress in all curriculum areas. Children are continually encouraged to read for pleasure as well as for information. All children have a reading record book and a folder which should be taken home every day. Practice at reading aloud as well as silently is vital at all stages of development. We ask all parents to support their children by reading with them regularly (preferably every day) and talking about their reading activities. A booklet outlining ways in which children can be helped to develop their reading skills and love of books is available. All reading should be encouraged and recorded in the Reading Record. We aim to provide a wide range of reading materials in school. Considerable time has been spent upgrading the stock of books available to all children – a process which is ongoing. Language skills are developed in both subject specific lessons and cross-curricular lessons. Children will experience a wide range of activities to develop their abilities in:

i) Speaking and Listening; ii) Reading; iii) Writing fluently and accurately for a range of purposes in a flowing and legible style. We formally teach at least an hour of English each day and have a programme of Additional Literacy Support for children in Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5.

MATHEMATICS Detailed schemes of work have been prepared which allow the children to develop a structured and sequential understanding of mathematical concepts and skills. A programme of practical problem solving and investigative activities gives children the opportunity to develop an understanding of appropriate mathematical language and the strategies and reasoning required to make decisions and solve problems. The standards achieved by our children in mathematics are high and it is our intention to continually monitor and strive to improve the quality of mathematical experiences we offer our pupils. We have worked hard to develop partnerships with parents in understanding the range of mathematical calculations now taught in school. We offer a programme of Additional Numeracy Support in Years 3 and 4 which has now been extended to children in Years 5 and 6. The intention is that no child leaves our school without a sound grasp of ‘the basics’. SCIENCE Along with Mathematics and English, Science forms part of the core of the National Curriculum. It has been carefully planned and structured to ensure complete coverage of the Programmes of Study for Key Stage 2 (Y3-Y6). Science is divided into the three areas of: Life Processes and Living Things, Materials and their Properties and Physical Processes. In addition to this we have a structured framework for developing children's skills in Experimental and Investigative Science. Links with Literacy, Numeracy, Geography and History are made whenever possible and meaningful. Science is essentially a practical subject and we aim to offer the children practical first hand experience.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY Our school has an extensive range of resources for implementing this exciting area of the National Curriculum. All children have daily access to desktop PCs, laptops and iPads. In addition to this we are well equipped with other facilities such as a digital video camera, TVs and videos, digital cameras, digital projectors, control and monitoring equipment, a vast range of software. The whole school site has both wireless and hardwired network and internet access. Every classroom has its own interactive whiteboard linked to laptops, video and DVD players. The children have weekly sessions in the computer suite to develop their knowledge and use of relevant software packages including MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Powerpoint and MS Publisher. The skills they learn also include the use of the Internet and E-mail. We encourage the children to use and expand these skills in different aspects of their education. We are committed to developing ICT Skills for all the children and to using ICT to enrich all other areas of the curriculum. An example of this is our film making work which gained national recognition and saw the school win a LAFTA award.

GEOGRAPHY The focuses for Geography topics throughout the school are based on the study of places, patterns and processes, and environmental change and sustainable development. The children investigate a variety of people, places and environments at different scales in the United Kingdom and abroad, and start to make links between different places in the world. They find out how people affect the environment and how they are affected by it. The children carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. In doing this they ask geographical questions and use geographical skills and resources such as maps, atlases, aerial photographs and ICT. HISTORY Through History topics we aim to develop curiosity and enjoyment about the past by encouraging children to ask historical questions and solve problems. Children become 'detectives' and piece together surviving evidence to understand about the past and its influence on life today. As often as possible children observe historical sources first hand and have the chance to experience life in different periods of history through opportunities such as visits, visiting speakers, drama, music and the study of original source material. Work, for example, on the Tudors has seen the children visited by a Roman legionnaire, spending a day as Tudors at Gainsborough Old Hall, becoming Victorian children for a day at Wilderspin School and visiting the British Museum to meet the mummies!

ART Art is an area where children learn through first hand experience. Children will be given a full and varied range of experience in a variety of media. This will include drawing, painting, print making, collage and textile work, 3D work in modelling, construction, clay and digital technology incorporating ICT. Alongside this they will be helped to develop their knowledge and appreciation of the work of artists, materials and processes. Art is an area integrated into our class topics, with its cross curricular links. The children are also fortunate to be able to work with a range of artists in school – from digital artists to fabric makers! We are committed to all art forms and their central role in developing the children’s understanding of themselves, their own culture and the culture of others. MUSIC The musical experience of children in the classroom has three elements: listening, and appreciating, performing and composing music of different types. All children have the opportunity to sing and play instruments, compose original music using non-standard notation and listen to a wide variety of music. Also the County peripatetic music teachers come into school to teach the violin, viola, double bass, guitar and cello. These stringed instrument lessons, together with the use of an instrument, are paid for by the parents of children receiving the tuition. Through the Wider Opportunities Scheme all children in Year 5 have the opportunity for free brass and woodwind tuition and all Year 4 learn samba and African drumming. During their school experience children will have the opportunity to join choirs and music making groups and opportunities are provided for children to share their musical skills with an audience through concerts, class assemblies and festivals. Children enjoy many enriching activities, such as working with sinfonia ViVA and leading the singing of thousands in Lincoln Cathedral every year at Christmas!

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Design and Technology work is usually undertaken as an integral part of a class topic in Science, History or Geography. We provide ideal opportunities for children to practice skills learned in Mathematics, Science or Art, and to develop in children an understanding of how things that work are designed and made. Products are evaluated as we continue to assess the best possible ways to meet the needs of a task. We hope that Design and Technology will always be an enjoyable, practical activity for all children RELIGIOUS EDUCATION As a Church Aided School we are not bound to follow the local Agreed Syllabus as other schools are required to do. We have chosen to follow the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus however, and our own Scheme of Work is based upon it. We have chosen study units in each year that build upon areas of study we have followed in the past, as well as new areas of study that we feel will enrich the children’s experience and understanding of religion and belief in the world today. There is a close link between the school and the Church of All Saints Nettleham. We have an active programme of school services at All Saints. These include festivals such as Harvest, All Saints Day, Easter, Ascension Day and Christmas. Room at these services is limited but parents are always most welcome. Towards the end of Year 6 a day is spent in the Cathedral at the Annual Festival for Church Schools. Collective Worship takes place daily in line with the requirements of the 1988 Education Reform Act. This is a very important and valuable part of our daily routine when the whole school shares time together. We have a varied programme of assemblies including those presented by the Head, other teachers, and other visiting leaders, and we are very keen to promote the involvement Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and Collective Worship and should this be the case alternative provision is made. However, in choosing a Church School, the Governors expect that parents are thereby committing themselves to their child's full participation in the Christian life of the school, including Religious Education and Worship. PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship help to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of the school and communities. In doing so they learn to recognise their own worth, work well with others and become increasingly responsible for their own learning. They reflect on their own experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. PHSE involves puberty education. In Year 5, during the first term, we look in detail at the more sensitive issues involved. This includes physical development and puberty, including emotional development.

The learning programme is outlined to parents before it commences, and opportunities are arranged for parents to come into school to view the video material and discuss the programme with Y5 teachers and the Head. The boys and girls are taught together for most of the programmes. However, we do give both boys and girls the chance to discuss certain sensitive issues in gender groups with appropriate male or female members of staff. We deliver this programme in close consultation with the School Nurse, who takes a leading role leading discussions with the children. The programme has been a great success and the response of the children has been mature and positive. In each year all the children in Year 5 have participated in the programme. At all stages, throughout all years, the central importance of stable, long term, loving relationships is always stressed.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION The school has excellent provision for Physical Education with a large well equipped hall, a playing field and hard surface playing area. Children experience a balance between individual games skills, team games, athletics, swimming, outdoor adventure activities, gymnastics, dance and movement. Children are encouraged to value each other as team mates and to respect other competitors in lessons and in out of school competition. Children in Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to play sport in local school leagues and inter school competitions. Team values and fair play are as important as individual ability in the selection of individuals to represent the school. The school enjoys a great deal of success in sports, currently holding the Girls team and boys individual Cross Country titles for Lincoln, winning the schools football league for the past two years, reaching the finals of the Year 6 County Cricket Competition and also the county finals for Tag Rugby, being regional and district champions in Indoor Athletics competitions , and winning the individual prize in the Primary School curtain raiser for the Lincoln 10K. The list goes on!

Clothing for PE: (Please ensure all clothing and shoes are marked with the child's name) Red School T Shirt ) Black Shorts ) Available from the school office School Sweat Shirt ) Black Jogging Bottoms White sports socks Trainers Plimsolls (optional for Summer wear on the yard or in the hall in the case of verrucas.) A sweatshirt and jogging bottoms are essential for PE outside on colder days. Girls may choose to wear a red or black leotard for indoor PE.

PE kit should be kept in a drawstring bag on the child's coat peg during the week. These bags in a variety of colours with the school crest are available from the school office. Large bags should be avoided as we do not have the room to store them. Children not having a change of clothing for PE will not be allowed to take part for health and safety and hygiene reasons. A note will be sent home with the child explaining the reason for non-participation. Your co-operation in ensuring that children have appropriate kit at the right time will be greatly appreciated.

SWIMMING As we do not have a swimming pool on site we have to make arrangements to swim at other local venues. At present we are able to offer swimming lessons to Year 4 and Year 6 pupils at Lincoln Castle Academy during the Summer term. If this provision can be maintained, with the greatly appreciated support of the LCHS staff, it means that our pupils have a programme of swimming lessons twice during the key stage. To help facilitate this provision we ask parents for a financial contribution towards the cost of swimming tuition and transport to the pool. We are also most grateful for the help given by parents who accompany each group and assist in the changing rooms. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES We are very proud of the range of extra curricular activities that we offer – in the past year children have taken part in clubs such as football, cricket, athletics, cross country running, art, craft, performance, tag rugby, multi-skills, choir, bell ringing, archaeology, journalism, radio club, music, netball, badminton, rock and pop club, archaeology, film club, and dance. Our full range of clubs is always under review.

SCHOOL COUNCIL Our School Council is a very effective body within school, made up of pupils from every class – who are elected by their fellow pupils. Over the last year they have taken the lead on a range of issues, such as healthy eating, playground equipment, behaviour in school and charity fundraising. HOT SCHOOL MEALS We provide daily hot school meals which are delivered to the site from Will’s Diner at William Farr School Welton. The balanced and nutritious menu rotates over a four week cycle and is very popular. Currently we limit the number of meals to 60 per day with preference being given to families in receipt of free school meals followed by families who commit to ordering meals for all 5 days a week. Other pupils bring packed food and stay at school. There is close supervision over the lunch break. Children eat in their classrooms and a high standard of table manners is expected. Application forms for free hot school meals are obtainable from the school office and should be returned to school when complete.

HOMEWORK We have a detailed Homework Policy in school which outlines what you can expect your children to be given to do at home. It also sets out ways in which you can support your children working at home. Copies will be given to all new parents. Please ask if you would like a copy. BREAKAGES/DAMAGE/LOST EQUIPMENT The most serious and costly item to the school is the loss of borrowed books. Where this occurs a letter will be sent out requesting replacement. However, there is no system of fines for overdue books and letters requesting charges for the replacement of books will only be sent out when it is clear that the item or book cannot be located. We currently hold a successful annual ‘amnesty’ when books from home (that should not be there) are brought back to school anonymously. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE All school are required to point out in their brochure that there are correct channels for a complaints procedure in relation to schools and Local Education Authorities. Information on this can be obtained from the school. It is the sincere hope of the Governors that any minor complaint could be dealt with through the Headteacher and that the matter could be satisfactorily resolved. In the event of a more serious complaint the Governors and more senior officers of the Local Authority can become involved as set out in the information on procedure, which is available to any complainant.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT SCHOOL Under the Freedom of Information Act the school has a comprehensive range of documents that are available on request under our Publication Scheme. The classes of information that we undertake to make available are organised into four broad topic areas: School Prospectus – information published in the school prospectus. Governors’ Documents – information published by the governors and in other governing body documents. Pupils & Curriculum – information about policies that relate to pupils and the school curriculum. School Policies and other information related to the school - information about policies that relate to the school in general. How to request information : If you require a paper version of any of the documents within the scheme, please contact the school by telephone, email, fax or letter. [or you can visit our website at www.nettlehamjunior.lincs.sch.uk] To help us process your request quickly, please clearly mark any correspondence “PUBLICATION SCHEME REQUEST” (in CAPITALS please) If the information you are looking for is not available via the scheme [and is not on our website], you can still contact the school to ask if we have it.

GENERAL NOTES Medicines labelled by the Chemist stating the child's name and dosage can be accepted into school. This applies always with chronic illnesses, eg diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, hay fever, and occasionally in short term cases. There are times when children are outside in the Summer, particularly at lunchtimes, for quite long periods. Whilst we have ample shade from trees children often prefer to be out in full sun. In high Summer you might like to provide children with appropriate sun creams/sun block and sun hats to protect vulnerable areas. This would raise awareness of children to the importance of protecting themselves against over exposure. Lost property is a time consuming problem, often made worse because items are not clearly labelled with the child’s name. Please ensure all items of clothing are indelibly marked or have stitched in labels.

In the interests of safety the following rules apply to all children at all times: *

All children must leave school through the pedestrian gate near the Crossing patrol.

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Children should not arrive in the morning more than ten minutes before school starts.

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Children with pierced ears may only wear a small stud. Loops or droplets may not be worn for safety reasons. Children should not wear rings, necklaces, friendship bracelets or any other jewellery. Again these present a significant safety risk

BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE Successful discipline is a partnership between school, the child and home. We aim to maintain an ordered, happy and safe environment in which there are high standards of behaviour and self discipline. These are based upon mutual respect, understanding and an awareness of the needs of others. Good discipline is achieved, wherever possible, by the positive reinforcement and recognition of both good behaviour and high standards of personal discipline. Where sanctions or withdrawal of privileges are deemed necessary they will be administered fairly and firmly and the reason for them fully explained. In cases of serious or prolonged misconduct parents will be informed at an early stage so that they are able to play a full part in finding solutions to the problems and monitoring their progress. Parents will also be informed where good behaviour warrants special praise. A detailed policy on behaviour and discipline is available in school for parents who wish to see it.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL LIFE Our school has a very energetic and active PTA. A committee is elected each Autumn with a representative from each class, the school Governors, teaching staff and Headteacher. A Chairperson is elected from the Committee. The PTA organise a varied and changing programme of events. Funds raised in this way are used to buy books for use across the curriculum, equipment of all types, computers and other IT equipment and a variety of other resources which the children need. The PTA have recently been heavily involved in developing the school’s grounds, something which has paid great dividends. Parents are always welcome to help in school in a variety of ways. Many parents help class teachers on a regular basis, whether doing routine time consuming practical tasks or providing quality individual time with children. Parents often listen to children read, help individuals or groups with practical activities, supervise dressing and drying at swimming sessions, help with Bikewise training or assist in the library. Any parent able to make a regular time commitment to school is very welcome. We can involve you in a variety of useful tasks in and around the classrooms. If you are interested please call in to see the Headteacher. School is keen to provide opportunities for volunteer helpers and the school to come closer together in the interests of supporting our children effectively.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS An ever-widening range of educational visits takes place throughout the year, most visits are linked to work undertaken in school and we are very keen that children are able to relate and build on what they learn in the classroom to the wider world around them. The visits may include some longer residential visits; school currently takes over 50 children every year to the Kingswood Centres.

VISITS POLICY The following is a statement of the Governors policy on charging for school activities. (Under the terms of the Education Reform Act 1988 schools are unable to charge for outings/activities which take place in school time other than the towards the boarding costs of residential visits.) Where activities, field visits or outings are taking place involving children during the course of the school day, it is the policy of the Governors, where necessary, to request a voluntary donation towards the cost of the visit. However, no pupil will be excluded from any such activity through failure to contribute voluntarily. Pupils will be treated in the same way whether or not they have contributed. Where costs could not be met from donations then this clearly would jeopardise that event or visit taking place. HOME SCHOOL LIAISON Successful Primary education is built around the partnership between home and school. We pride ourselves on the caring Christian family environment we have created at Nettleham. All members of the staff are committed to these ideals and will work tirelessly to ensure happiness and success for your children.

We will do all we can to keep you informed about all aspects of school life. We will plan evenings each year when we will try to explain and give you experience of National Curriculum developments in various subjects, showing you how we are implementing the National Curriculum in our school. We will offer you the opportunity each term to come into school to discuss the progress of your children with their teachers. Arrangements are designed to make us as accessible as possible to as many of you as possible. Naturally, however, there may be other occasions when you would like to come into school to discuss problems or ask for information. We are always delighted to see parents for any reason. Please pop into school or ring, and if no one is available immediately, we will make an appointment at the earliest possible time. Remember - no problem is too small or insignificant. Discussion of minor concerns prevents the occurrence of major problems. CROSSING PATROL A crossing patrol warden operates outside the school from 8.30 in the morning and from 3.30 in the afternoon. Pupils needing to cross Mill Hill to reach home should cross the road at the supervised point

ADMISSIONS The Headteacher and staff would like to offer to the parents of those children transferring from other schools the opportunity of coming into school one evening during the Summer term preceding transfer. This will give you the chance to hear what we hope to achieve with your children and how we see the partnership between home and school developing to the benefit of the child. It will also provide a chance for you to ask any questions you may have. In addition the children will be invited into school on a number of occasions in June and July to meet their buddies, get to know school and meet their new teachers. This in no way precludes parents who wish to do so coming into school individually to meet the Headteacher and discuss what the school can offer. We are always happy to see you. The Governors plan to admit 60 pupils to Year 3 every September. This planned admission number has been agreed between the Governors and the Local Education Authority. The Governors of aided schools are responsible for the Admissions Policy which is submitted annually to the Diocesan Director of Education and to the Local Education Authority. In accordance with the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs, the allocation of school places for pupils with a statement of special educational needs will take place before the school allocates other places as part of the normal admissions process. Where there are more applications than places available, the Governors will admit pupils according to the following criteria, in order of priority. All children will be considered equally at the time the allocations are made. 1) Children who are looked after or were previously looked after by the Local Authority.* 2) Children living within the geographical area bounded by the combined civil and ecclesiastical parish boundaries of Nettleham. (A map is available at Nettleham Parish Council). 3) Children who have siblings or stepsiblings* currently attending the school and who will still be attending at the time a place is required. 4) Where there is evidence and expression of a clear religious affiliation. This will be assessed using the following criteria: a) Parents are faithful and regular worshippers at a Christian Church. (Applicants are asked to provide written evidence of their commitment from their priest or minister) (Regular will be defined as at least once a month) b) Parents are practising members of another faith and wish their children to attend a Christian school because of its religious emphasis and ethos. (Applicants are asked to provide written evidence of their commitment from a recognised religious leader). 5) If any of the criteria above are oversubscribed the final tie-break will be driving distance with the child living nearest being offered the place. Distance is measured electronically by the local authority using the post office address points of the home address and school. The time an application is made will not be one of the criteria for allocation of places. Applications for places should be lodged with the School Admissions Team, Lincolnshire County Council by the published date:

Parents will be informed of the success of their application by email or post.

In the event of applications for admissions to other year groups the same criteria will be used. Parents who are not offered a place for their child have a right to appeal to an independent appeal committee under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Parents wishing to appeal should make a request in writing to the Clerk to the Governors at the school address. The letter requesting an appeal should reach the clerk within 14 days of the date of notification of the decision.

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“A child in public care, sometimes referred to as ‘looked after’ is a child who is in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by them in accordance with section 22 of the children act 1989, at the time of application. This definition includes previously looked after children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order.” For the purpose of this policy, governors use the following definitions: Reference to parents includes either or both parents or a sole parent and where only one of two parents satisfies the criterion the application will be treated equally with applications where the criterion is satisfied by both parents. The expression ‘parents’ includes legal guardians. Sibling - A full brother or sister, whether or not living in the same household. Another child normally living for the majority of term time in the same household, for whom an adult in the household has parental responsibility as defined in the Children Act 1989 or Section 576 of the Education Act 1996. Stepsibling – a child who lives on a permanent basis with another child, but does not have a parent in common. Twins and other siblings from a multiple birth In these cases all the children will be considered together as one application. If one or more can be admitted within the published admission number the school will go above its admission number as necessary to admit all the children, unless this would make the class too large. Brothers and sisters in the same year group Where there is only one place available in the school the children will be considered together as one application. The school will go above its admission number as necessary to admit all the children.

By home we mean the address where the child lives for the majority of the school term time with a parent who has parental responsibility as defined in the Children Act 1989. Or any child in the household where an adult in the household is defined as a parent for the purposes of Section 576 of the Education Act 1996. This could include a person who is not a parent but who has responsibility for her or him. It could include a child's guardians but will not usually include other relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc unless they have all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority, which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and their property. Where your child lives normally during the school week with more than one parent at different addresses, the home address for the purposes of school admissions will be that of the parent who lives closest, as measured by driving distance, to the school in question. If you have more than one home, we will take as the home address the address where you and your child normally live for the majority of the school term time.

Religious Criteria - Definitions A child who usually attends at least a monthly service or is regularly, that is, at least once a month, involved in a weekday church activity including an element of worship – we would expect this to be demonstrated over a period of at least two years. To accommodate difficult patterns of work and family relationships, account will be taken of weekday worship and the availability of worship offered locally. Where the act of worship is held in a Church of England

school, it must be specifically Christian, voluntary and extra-curricular. ‘Christian’ is defined as belonging to a church, which subscribes to the Doctrine of the Trinity. ‘Other faiths’ is defined as belonging to a major faith community having representation within ‘The Inter Faith Network UK’. Nettleham Church of England Aided Junior School, as a Church of England school, may also offer places to the children of other faith communities, using the same underlying definitions for patterns of worship or religious devotion as those who are members of the Christian church. Applicants new to the area will need to provide evidence from a previous church, or other place of worship. Reserve Lists For admission into Year Three the governors will keep a waiting list which we call a reserve list. If you where not offered a place and you named us as a higher preference, your child is automatically put on the reserve list above the one you were offered. This list is in the order of the oversubscription criteria. Names can move down the list if someone moves into the area and is higher placed on the oversubscription criteria. The list is kept by the Schools Admission Team until the end of August. After this we keep the reserve list until the end of the autumn term. We are not required to keep any lists for any other year groups. If you wish your child to join the school at other times please contact us direct. The time you have been on the list is not taken into account. Service children and crown servants returning from abroad The School Admissions Code states that admission authorities must ensure that the arrangements in their area support the government’s commitment to removing disadvantage for service children and crown servants returning from abroad. The following statement seeks to do this without offering service personnel an advantage in the admission arrangements. It will help the majority of service personnel but there may be circumstances where the school cannot admit because of organisational or curriculum difficulties. For late intake applications and mid-year applications, we will aim to remove any disadvantage to UK service personnel by applying the school’s oversubscription criteria. We will check to see if the address is within the distance of the last child admitted in the last admission round that was oversubscribed on offer day. If the address is within the distance, the governors will consider admitting, providing all children in public care and siblings have already been admitted. This will be irrespective of the fact that the school has had appeals heard or appeals currently being scheduled. It may be that we still cannot admit because of organisational or curriculum difficulties within the school. If this is the case, we will inform the Local Authority and ask them to consider your second and third preferences. Mid Year Admissions The Governors will accept admissions into other year groups if there are places. Applications should be made on the common application form through the local authority Schools Admission Team. If there are more applications than places then the oversubscription criteria will be used to decide who should be offered the place. If there are no places available the application will be unsuccessful but parents and guardians will be given the opportunity to access an independent appeals system. For further information please click HERE

Fair Access The government has stated that all local authorities must have a Fair Access agreement that allows hard to place children, for example, those that have been permanently excluded, to be given a place before any oversubscription criteria are applied and before anyone is considered from the reserve list. Such children are shared out to make sure no one school has to take too many of these children. Key Dates From 17th November 2014 children who are in Year 2 will receive an application pack containing an application form. Closing date for applications will be 12 noon, January 12th 2015. If your child has a statement of Special Educational Needs you will receive a letter from the Additional Needs team. Please note you cannot currently apply online or by telephone for infant to junior transfer. Link to Lincolnshire County Council Website All information that you need with regard to applying for school places can be found HERE SECONDARY STAGE Transfer to secondary stage is in the September following the eleventh birthday. There is an active liaison programme between Nettleham C E Junior School and the local secondary schools receiving the our children, to ensure curriculum continuity and ease of transfer. Last year we transferred children to William Farr Church School, Cherry Willingham Community School, Lincoln The Priory School of Science and Technology, Horncastle Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School. We are continue to be involved in a nationally recognised transition project with William Farr School and its feeder primary schools which explores many issues surrounding the transfer from Primary to Secondary school. Combined with our work on Sports with Cherry Willingham Comprehensive and languages with Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School, we feel that our children are well prepared for ‘moving on’ and that staff have excellent and informed relationships with other phases of education. SCHOOL UNIFORM The school has the following guidelines for uniform: Red sweatshirt with embroidered school crest White polo shirt with school crest (These were introduced as they can be worn under sweatshirts in Winter and on cooler days but provide a cool, practical and smart option without a sweatshirt on warm Summer days. White shirts or blouses are an alternative to a polo shirt. Grey trousers or skirt. (Girls are welcome to wear tailored grey trousers) Black shoes. (Girls should not wear shoes with high heels as these are dangerous in the playground). Dresses in red/white or green/white are acceptable alternative wear for girls in Summer. Jewellery should not be worn to school. The only exceptions would be a plain wristwatch and small stud earrings if strictly necessary.

PE/Games Please see uniform guidelines listed under ‘Physical Education’ It is essential that all items of clothing/kit/uniform are clearly labelled with the child's name. The rate of lost property is high and chances of recovery small if items are not Labelled SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Upon arrival in our school we will carry out a screening of all children so that we can measure their attainment in the basic skills. Where we feel that a child's attainment does not reflect their ability, or that there is a specific problem, we will, after consultation with the parents, instigate a close monitoring procedure involving the class teacher, our own Special Needs Co-ordinator, the Headteacher and any other appropriate agencies. This may involve carefully targeted programmes of work and regular reviews of progress. Advice from outside agencies, such as the Learning Support Service, the Educational Psychologist or the medical services may be sought. At all times you, as parents, will be kept fully informed as to the progress being made. Our procedures fully reflect the recommendations set out by the Government in the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs. In addition to the time spent with their class teacher, some children with special needs may spend a short period of time with a teacher from the Learning Support Service, another Special Educational Needs teacher, or working in a group with a Classroom Assistant. Many problems which arise are tackled and solved within the child's own classroom or with help and advice from the Special Needs Co-ordinator. For a very small number of children there may be a need to request the authority to issue a Statement of Special Needs. This procedure will be carried out in line with the guidelines set out in the Government's Code of Practice. A copy of our Special Needs Policy is available to anyone wishing to see it in detail. We hope that in partnership with you, the professional support services available to us and the skill and dedication of our teachers, we can meet the educational needs of all our pupils, whatever their ability.

Pupils with Special Needs and Pupils with Disabilities a) Applications for places from pupils with special needs or disabilities are welcomed. Where applications are received, parents are invited to discuss the special needs or disabilities of the child/children and the extent to which existing provision meets the needs or to which additional provision may need to be made. b) Pupils with special needs or disabilities are integrated fully into the life and work of the school. Enabling such children to achieve this integration is always the first priority on any Individual Education Plan. They are given access to the full range of the Curriculum as appropriate and access to all other activities. One to one support assistants are employed

where appropriate to ensure their full participation. Close communication with parents is maintained to ensure that they feel the child’s/children’s needs are being fully met. c) We have a lift providing ease of access for any children, staff or visitors to the school who need to move between the two levels within the school building. Full ramped access has also been provided at both the main access points to the building, front and rear. A fully separate toilet and shower facility exist for use by anyone with physical disability. We constantly review arrangements and provision in light of the legislation surrounding equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Through our Accessibility Plan we continue to develop full access for all pupils in all areas of school life, physical and curricular.

2014 SAT results – Nettleham Junior School

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