SCHOOL PROSPECTUS 2007-2008
Extracts from the Stannington Infant School Prospectus - copies can obtained by contacting the office
ADMISSION
Prospective parents are welcome to visit the school. Please telephone the school to arrange an appointment.
There are two admission points of entry for children in Sheffield. Children who have birthdays between September 1stand the end of February are admitted in September. Those with birthdays between March 1st and the end of August are admitted in January. All children who start are full-time.
We aim to make starting school as easy as possible by developing good links with local nurseries and pre-school groups. Visits are arranged for your child before s/he starts school. The Headteacher holds a meeting with parents to discuss various issues. A further meeting about the curriculum is held after your child has settled in. Starting times are 'staggered' over a short period to help your child settle well. These will take a longer or shorter time depending upon how many are to be admitted. Home visits are usually carried out by the teacher and early years assistant prior to admission.
For further details regarding admission into school please refer to the LEA brochure, 'A Partnership With Parents'.
SCHOOL AND CLASS ORGANISATION
Stannington Infant School is a co-educational primary school within the Sheffield Education Authority. We admit children from 4+ to 7 years. The expected school population for the year 2006-2007 is 162. The school has no affiliation with any particular religious denomination.
At present children are divided into class groups which contain children of the same age group. All children follow programmes of work suited to their needs and ability irrespective of the composition of the class.
School Times
9.00am - 12.00pm including an assembly and a mid-morning break (15 minutes each). 1.15pm - 3.30pm including an afternoon break (15 minutes). Weekly teaching time, excluding registration, assembly breaks and lunchtimes, amounts to 22 hours 5 minutes.
Staff are responsible for children for 10 minutes before and after each session. If you arrive earlier in the morning you must stay with your child until 8.50am. If you arrive later than 3.40pm your child will be in the hall under supervision of the Headteacher.
It is important for children to have a happy and relaxed start to their day which is a vital time for learning. If children arrive after the register is done (between 9-9.10am) they will be marked late. Please try to bring your child to school on time.
In the classroom
At times during the day the whole class will be involved in the same subject. At other times a variety of activities will be seen at the same time. Children may be working as a class, in groups, or individually. During each day, your child will do some mathematical and language activity, as well as have the opportunity to do some creative work, or pursue a topic or special interest. At various times during the day, the whole class may collect together for some form of musical activity, PE, discussion, story or poetry with their teacher. Each half term all the
children work on a common topic, some of the work produced is displayed in the hall.
Our topics for next year will be:
All About Me
Colour & Light
Toys & Games
Out & About In Stannington
Growth
Water
We also try to develop a particular focus - this year we will focus upon English as well as the Arts. We currently hold a Gold Arts Mark Standard.
Homework
No formal homework is given. Reading diaries go home each day for parents to comment in when they share stories. Maths targets are sent home each half-term to enable you to help your child. Our Home/School Agreement states that families will try their best to support their child with reading for at least five minutes each day and with any other work which may be sent home by school or individual teachers.
Playtimes
Each morning and afternoon we have a playtime outside, unless the weather is wet (10.30-10.45am and 2.15-2.30pm). Children should wear suitable outside clothes. Children either play in the playground and the garden or on the field and the garden. We have a range of equipment for the children to use
Toys
One small pocket sized toy may be kept in a coat pocket for playtimes (or drawer if no coat is worn). Other toys are only allowed on special occasions e.g. birthdays, class topics etc. We cannot accept responsibility for the loss or breakage of toys brought into school.
Dinner Arrangements
School meals are served in a separate dining room. Some children bring a packed lunch. Parents should inform the school clerk of any intended change to lunch-time arrangements, 2 weeks notice is required. Vegetarian meals are available on request. Menus are displayed on the noticeboards. Supervisory Assistants look after the children at lunch-times. Each class has an S.A. allocated especially to them.
Parents who receive Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) are entitled to free school meals. Some parents decide not to take up this entitlement but we would appreciate knowing if you are entitled, as the school itself benefits financially and in other ways. Information will be treated with absolute confidentiality.
Drinks
Drinks are not allowed in school because of difficulties with different containers and stickiness. Water is provided at lunch-times for children bringing sandwiches or having a school dinner and within each classroom to drink throughout the day.
School Milk
Semi skimmed milk is provided free to children under 5, as well as to children entitled to free school meals, otherwise there is a statutory charge, which is paid every term in advance. Fluoride milk is available to those who wish it. A signed consent form is required.
Snacks
A piece of fresh or dried fruit or vegetable can be eaten as a snack during playtime. Please do not send your child with sweets or crisps or any other form of snack. We request this to encourage healthy eating and to prevent any unwanted sharing of snacks.
Parental Involvement
Every parent of a child at school becomes part of our school. We believe parents and school are partners in the education of children. Hopefully you will become as involved as you possibly can and help in whatever way you are able. Children love to see parents and friends involved in different aspects of school life.
Class teachers arrange for parents to visit and help in the classrooms. By spending time in a classroom, parents have the opportunity to see the work of the school and gain a valuable insight into the resources and teaching methods used. Parents who wish to help with reading are invited to receive 'training' to share stories with children in the classroom. We are sure that parents who help in the classrooms will respect the confidentiality of the children's work.
You are invited to help in more practical ways i.e. mending and backing books, mounting pictures, playing mathematical games, supervising the computer, sewing and baking in small groups etc. We have had a wonderful project of parents making 'Maths Sacks'- this year we hope to make Maths and English games. We are especially interested to hear of any parents who have particular skills or interests which they could share with our children.
During the school year, there are opportunities to come to school to talk about your child's progress. You are always welcome at the beginning and end of each day to look at your child's work or classroom displays. Parents are welcome to see the teacher at any time; but please contact him/her to arrange a mutually convenient time. The Head Teacher is usually available and parents are welcome to discuss any problems with her. If she is not available, please make an appointment.
We try to have informal meetings, talks or displays about particular areas of the curriculum (maths, P.E., reading) during the year. We welcome your suggestions as to what you would like to hear about.
Parents are also very active in helping to raise money and organise social events for the school. We have many fund-raising events during the year and school relies on parents' support and help to make these activities a success. Families are encouraged to help in the garden one Saturday of each month (anytime between 10am-1pm).
Dates of events and minutes of meetings are placed on the notice boards. Please feel welcome to come along to any meeting.
New ideas are always welcome and notices are regularly put on the noticeboard.
Home-School Agreement
Our Home/School agreement was worked out between parents, staff and governors. It states what the school will do, what we hope the family will try to do and how the children are encouraged to try their best in all aspects of school life. Copies are given to all families when their child starts school and we hope all parents will sign the agreement.
Curriculum
The Curriculum
Everything that your child learns at school goes to make up the whole curriculum. Stannington Infant School seeks to enable pupils of all abilities, irrespective of gender, class, cultural background and ethnic origin, to realise their full potential.
| Foundation Stage | 3-5 years |
| Key Stage 1 | 5-7 years |
Key Stage 2 | 7-11 years |
| Key Stage 3 | 11-14 years |
| Key stage 4 | 14-16 years |
The Early Learning Goals
The Early Learning Goals are six broad areas of learning and cover the Foundation Stage (reception year).
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication, language, literacy
- Mathematical Development
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development
The National Curriculum
The National Curriculum, introduced by the Education Reform Act 1988, requires the school to provide all pupils in Y1 and Y2 of infant schools with access to learning in the following subjects. Guidelines are laid down on what must be taught in:
- English
- Information Communication Technology (ICT)
- History
- Mathematics
- Physical Education (PE)
- Geography
- Science
- Religious Education (RE)
- Art
- Music
- Technology and Design
The curriculum in this school is taught either through cross-curricular topic work or by more direct teaching in specific lessons. We also put a high value on cross-curriculum aspects, eg PSHE, Environmental issues, Multi-cultural education. We aim to make all aspects of the children's learning relevant and enjoyable.
Curriculum Aims
English forms the backbone of our Infant Curriculum. Throughout the early stages of reading development, we encourage children to value and respect books and to see reading as a pleasurable and informative process. They are encouraged to bring books home to share with you. We have a small school library that the children borrow books from and each class visits Stannington Library on a regular basis. We place equal importance and relevance to speaking and listening skills providing opportunities for them to be used in a broad and varied manner. We encourage children to develop competence with the written word, to see writing as a necessary, relevant and enjoyable skill and to use it for a wide range of purposes and audiences. Year 1 and Year 2 classes spend an hour a day on Literacy skills. Reception classes work towards this.
Mathematics - We want our children to enjoy their maths and to have the skills necessary to be numerate. Ideas and concepts are developed through play, practical experiences and discussions with the teacher and other children. We apply their maths to everyday experiences whenever possible. Problem solving, investigative work, written consolidation and practice, all play their part in how we approach this very important part of the curriculum. Year 1 and Year 2 classes spend an hour a day on Numeracy skills. Reception classes work towards this.
Science - involves the development of skills of observation, investigation, description, prediction and explanation. We want our children to be curious as they find out and begin to understand more about the world in which they live.
Information Communication Technology (I.C.T.) - Every class has its own computer. Extra computers are also available. Programmes relate to most curriculum areas. They give opportunities to practise ICT skills and to present classroom work in an alternative way. The children do simple word-processing and make pictures, they play educational adventure games, use the computer for data-handling and learn to control programmable toys and equipment.
Design & Technology
- Children are encouraged to work with a variety of materials and tools e.g. food, wood, card, etc. They are given opportunities to make different things and to design, plan, make and evaluate different products.
Art - Children use a variety of media - pencils, charcoals, pastels, paint, materials and papers to help them develop their skills of observation, creativity and self-expression.
Music - Children have opportunities for group and individual singing and music-making with a variety of simple instruments from around the world. We also encourage the listening to a variety of styles of music and composers. Y2 children have the opportunity to learn to play the recorder.
History - We aim to help the children develop a sense of their own and other people?s past. When learning about families e.g. the childhood of parents or grandparents, or the lives of famous people, we use artefacts, visits to museums and pictures etc. to help bring the past alive.
Geography - Children become familiar with their own local environment before moving onto learning about the country they live in and the wider world. We will visit places of interest, do simple map-work and find out about other peoples and places. We aim to nurture feelings of respect for environmental issues.
Physical Education (P.E.) - We aim to develop a range of skills and give opportunities to practise them, to develop the importance of exercise for a healthy life, to teach safety aspects, to develop concepts of fair play and co-operation in the playing of games, and to give opportunities for expression through dance, gymnastics and drama.
Religious Education (R.E.) - The children follow a multi-faith curriculum agreed by the Sheffield Local Education Authority.
Most days the school collects together in the hall for an assembly. This might take the form of a simple story (sometimes Biblical if appropriate), a song and a quiet thought or prayer. Assemblies usually follow a theme and, together with class time, we aim to foster a love of all living things and to lay foundations for good and kind behaviour towards each other. We also aim to prepare our children for their place in a multi-ethnic and multi-faith society. We aim to include all children in all aspects, but parents do have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of religious education and assemblies. Please see the Head Teacher to discuss any issues.
Inclusion & Special Educational Needs (S.E.N.) - please refer to hard copy. Sex and Relationships Education is covered within themes of caring for others, the family, love and friendship and on people who care for us etc. Children study aspects of plant and animal growth and changes. We aim to develop children's self-esteem and confidence. The school Sex and Relationships Education Policy is available on request at the office. We aim to include all children in all aspects, but parents do have the right to withdraw their children. Please see your child's class teacher, the Head or governors to discuss any issues. We hold a meeting for parents every 3 years to increase awareness (to be held Autumn 2003) Visits The local environment is a rich source of material for all aspects of our curriculum and the village is used extensively by the staff and children. It is sometimes desirable to take children to places of interest further afield. In these cases, either local transport or private coach (with seat belts) is used. Parents are informed of these visits in advance. The School Garden is another superb learning resource which enriches many aspects of the curriculum and helps children to learn to care for plants and creatures whilst they play. Assessment, Children's Health and Welfare, Child Protection, Attendance, Behaviour Management, Charging and Remissions Policy, Damage to School Property, Parent Representatives on Governing Body , School Governing Body, Compalints Procedures, Details of transferring to Junior School, School Holidays, Documents and letter from Councillor Angela Smith (Cabinet Member for Education and Training) are all included in the hard copy of the Prospectus. If you require a copy of Stannington Infant School Prospectus, please contact the office.