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Highwood Primary School & Nursery

Welcome to Highwood Primary School - where individuals matter

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“Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and this is reflected in their keen participation in activities”

Ofsted 2009

Welcome to Highwood! Highwood Primary School is an exciting school where all pupils are cared for, achieve their potential and enjoy themselves. The school is nurturing and caring; visitors often comment on Highwood’s friendly and happy atmosphere. Like you, we want the very best for your children and we are very proud of our school community and the work that goes on at Highwood.

The Highwood experience By selecting Highwood Primary School, your child will receive an exciting, motivating and rewarding educational experience. The staff at the school work relentlessly to provide an innovative curriculum that all pupils can access.

Behaviour

This brochure is designed to give you information and details about the school. I recommend that you come and visit us and view our website so that you can discover the experience that Highwood pupils receive. I look forward to meeting you. Gareth O’Shea BA(Hons), NPQH Head Teacher

School Aims

• To be an excellent place of learning where all children reach their potential. • To provide a personalised, exciting and relevant curriculum that inspires and helps children to become happy and responsible citizens of the world. • To provide a supportive environment where children, parents, governors and staff work together to become fulfilled members of school, local and global community.

Behaviour at Highwood is of a high standard. Teachers use reward systems in the classroom to ensure that pupils are well-mannered, considerate and attentive. In addition to these reward systems, there are whole school reward systems including ‘Star of the Week’ and the School House Point System.

Pupils in Nursery and Reception are provided with a teaching programme that covers six areas of development: • communication, language and literacy • mathematical development • knowledge and understanding of the world • creative development • physical development • personal, social and emotional development. Parents/Carers are encouraged to see how well their children are doing by looking at the children’s Learning Journey files that show children’s work throughout the year.

The School Curriculum

The Basic Skills

The school curriculum covers all ten subjects as set out in the National Curriculum. In addition Key Stage 2 pupils learn French as a Modern Foreign Language. Curriculum areas are either taught as part of a topic, where appropriate, or as a subject in their own right.

The teaching of reading, writing and mathematics are considered vitally important and the school places great emphasis developing children’s skills in these areas. These skills are taught each day at Highwood and there is an expectation that all Highwood pupils will make very good progress in English and Mathematics.

The Nursery and Reception Classes We have a very experienced Early Years team to teach children in the Nursery and Reception Classes. The school offers 52 part time nursery places – morning and afternoon sessions. However, we also provide all day nursery provision (9.00am–3.15pm) for a small fee. Highwood Primary School is the only school that offers this provision in Woodley.

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The Highwood experience continued....

“Leaders and managers promote good care, and good personal development and well-being for pupils“ Ofsted 2009

The Arts

Sports at Highwood

Extra Curricular Activities

All children at Highwood participate in arts education.

Being fit, healthy and a good team player are important attributes for Highwood children. The school employs a sports coach to deliver specialist sports teaching to each year group. School teams enter many competitions including, cricket, netball, football and athletics. The school won the borough athletics competition in 2011 for Year 3 and 4 children. Many of the extra curricular clubs focus on sports and are very popular with the pupils.

The school offers an extensive range of free extra curricular activities (ECAs) for your children to choose from. There are many sporting clubs that are led by the staff, the sports coach or by staff from local secondary schools. The sports clubs take place after school and at lunch times. Other non sporting clubs run throughout the year, examples of these are: • radio club • book club • film club • art club • music club • cookery club

Citizenship

There is no limit on the amount of clubs children can join. Information regarding the ECAs is sent out at the start of each term.

• Highwood pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2, receive specialist music lessons in either brass or stringed instruments free of charge. • Children participate in school productions, assemblies and have the option of joining the school choir. The choir perform annually at the Hexagon Theatre in Reading. • Dance and drama skills are developed in the Dance and Drama studio.

• All classrooms are fitted with interactive white boards

We celebrate the diverse make up of the Highwood population and children learn about the similarities and differences that we all have. The school has a comprehensive Personal, Health, Social and Citizenship curriculum to teach children how to live healthy lifestyles, make informed choices and become a responsible citizen of the world. Daily assemblies reflect religious celebrations, prominent national and global cultural events and current affairs.

• Children have access to laptops, Kindles, video equipment and mp3 players

Homework

• Children complete art work that is displayed around the school and in Woodley Library

Technology and the Curriculum Pupils are taught the skills that will enable them to use technology in their learning. • The school has a ‘state-of-the-art’ IT suite

• Children use sophisticated radio recording and editing software when working on the school’s radio station • Children log onto to the school’s learning platform that can be accessed in school and at home.

All pupils are required to complete homework activities. The class teacher will provide information regarding homework at the start of each term.

Breakfast and After School Clubs The school runs a breakfast club and an afterschool club, providing wrap around care from 7.45am to 6.00pm. There are charges for this provision.

School Trips and Activities All staff at the school use the environment in and outside the school to make children’s learning more exciting. In addition to this, each year group goes on at least one educational visit further afield. For Example, Key Stage One pupils visit Bournemouth beach as part of their ‘Seaside’ topic. Year 4 children visit Ufton Court as part of their topic on the Tudors. Children in Year 6 have the opportunity to attend a 5 day residential outward bound course.

Highwood Primary School Radio (HPS Radio) The school has its own radio station run by the pupils at the school. Each class prepares radio shows that are played throughout the school and can be accessed by parents on a pod cast. This experience is very motivational for pupils and enhances their writing, presenting and reading skills. 4

“Pupils adopt healthy lifestyles extremely well and know how to keep themselves safe” Ofsted 2009

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“There are effective procedures to ensure that pupils are protected and safe at school” Ofsted 2009

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Supporting your Child Pastoral Care

Additional Support

Gifted and Talented Pupils

Highwood is an extremely caring school and we

The school has very effective assessment systems

Children considered to be gifted or talented are

place a great deal of emphasis on ensuring

that enable staff to track children’s progress.

identified and additional provision is given to

children and families receive the appropriate

Children who do not make the required progress

these children so that they can reach their

care, guidance and support when needed. We

are identified and given additional support. The

potential.

have a specially trained pastoral team in the

school employs a full time a Special Needs

school to work closely with children and their

teacher who works closely with staff and parents

families when the need arises. We have very

to support any children who have a special

close links with outside agencies that we draw

educational need.

“An effective blend of good specialist teaching and well-targeted support enables pupils from the Speech and Language Resource to make good progress” Ofsted 2009

upon if appropriate. The school operates an ‘open door’ policy, and if families or children are

Highwood Speech and Language Resource

in need of help we encourage them to come and

The school houses a special language resource

talk to us.

“Pastoral care is a strong feature of the school, and there are good partnerships with outside agencies”

for 24 children who have specific language impairment. The children in the resource receive specialist provision from a highly skilled team of speech and language therapists, specialist teachers and resource teaching assistants, often enabling them to join mainstream lessons.

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Part of the Community “Children make good progress in their personal and social development because of good relationships between adults and children” Ofsted 2009

Highwood is a community school and we endeavour to work with the community as often as possible. The school employs a community liaison

Coming into School

with you. Children at Highwood are formally

officer to make links and contacts with the people

We welcome all parents into school and value their

assessed at three points during the academic year

and organisations in the local community that will

support. Parental helpers are needed at all levels in

so that their progress can be ascertained and

enrich the children’s experience.

the school. Many parents and families attend

reported to you. The Woodley Cluster

annual events including parents’ picnics, Christmas concerts, assemblies and themed events. Parental

The Governing Body

There are many schools in the Woodley area and

support is always welcome at the numerous

Highwood Primary School has a strong and

Highwood is a member of the Woodley Cluster of

sporting events that the school teams participate in.

dedicated Governing Body that is committed to

schools. The cluster is made up of two senior

raising standards and providing the best

schools and seven primary schools. The cluster

Communicating with Parents and Carers

educational experience for Highwood children. The

schools work closely with each other to ensure that

At Highwood we aim to keep all parents well-

Governing Body welcomes parental input,

all children in Woodley receive the best possible

informed of developments at the school. Regular

suggestions and feedback about the School.

education.

newsletters and curriculum letters inform parents of events at the school. The school’s website is updated weekly. Parents/carers are

Members of the Governing Body visit the school regularly to provide support and keep up-to-date with school issues.

encouraged to come into school and discuss issues with teachers and staff.

Highwood PTA All Highwood parents are members of the PTA. The

Parents’ evenings and the annual school report provide parents with important information regarding their children’s progress and achievements. However, we welcome parental enquiries regarding their children and the class teachers are always pleased to share information

“Behaviour is good in class and around the school” 8

Highwood and the Community

Ofsted 2009

successful PTA works with staff at the school to help organise and run events including discos, preparation of the Woodley carnival float and the Christmas Fayre.

“The school's positive and welcoming atmosphere underpins pupils' good personal development” Ofsted 2009 9

General Information “Pupils are enthusiastic about school and have positive attitudes to learning” Ofsted 2009

The planned admission limit for Highwood is 210. The school is organised into three educational stages, the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception), Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6). The school has one class in each year group. The school houses a speech and language resource for an additional 24 pupils.

The School Day Nursery Mornings 9.00 –11.30am Afternoons 12.45 – 3.15pm The Nursery entitlement is 15 hours per week, additional sessions are available. Please contact school for more details. Reception Registration 9.00am Lunchtime 12.00 –1.05pm End of school day 3.15pm Key Stage 1 Registration 8.50am Morning break 10.30 –10.45am Lunchtime 12.00 –1.05pm End of school day 3.10 pm Key Stage 2 Registration 8.50am Morning break 10.30 –10.45am Lunchtime 12.10 –1.10pm End of school day 3.15pm

“Pupils' personal development and wellbeing are strengths of the school” Ofsted 2009

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Jewellery For reasons of safety and security, children should not wear jewellery to school. For more information please refer to the schools’ uniform policy.

School Meals

Mobile Telephones

Children at the school can either have a freshly cooked lunch or bring a packed lunch to school. The school’s caterers provide a choice of three meals each day which includes a vegetarian option.

Children are not permitted to have mobile telephones at school.

Lunch and Breaktimes Staff and Lunchtime Supervisors ensure all children are safe at break times. Playground Activity Leaders ensure that games equipment is available for children to play with. The newly refurbished playground is zoned so that all children can enjoy their breaks.

School Uniform Uniform is compulsory from Reception onwards. Nursery children are encouraged to wear the school’s uniform. • • • • • • • •

Appropriate black shoes White shirt, blouse or polo shirt* School green sweatshirt, jumper or cardigan* Grey or black school trousers/skirt Optional green and white summer dresses* Waterproof coat when appropriate Sun hat/caps School bag*

PE Kit • Black shorts • Track suit bottoms • White School PE T- shirt* • Plimsolls for indoor PE • Trainers for outdoor PE • Appropriate school bag for PE kit * Can be purchased from the school office

Medicines The school has an Administration of Medicines Policy that states the school procedures regarding the giving of medicines. If your child requires any form of medication, please contact the school office.

Safeguarding Keeping your child safe at school and when going out on school activities is of paramount importance. At Highwood, we have a safeguarding team that looks at all aspects of safeguarding from teaching children how to be safe on the internet to ensuring the school site is secure and safe for all. The school carries out in depth risk assessments to ensure that all off site activities are as safe as possible.

Policies The school’s policies are available upon request. A charge is made for photocopying of documents.

Tel: 0118 9265493 Fax: 0118 9266819 Email: [email protected]

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Headteacher: Gareth O'Shea BA(hons), QTS, NPQH

www.highwood.wokingham.sch.uk

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Highwood Primary School & Nursery Fairwater Drive, Woodley, Reading, Berkshire RG5 3JE