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Page Number 1. Introduction 2. About the School 3. Mission Statement and Aims of the School 4. School Staff, Roles and Responsibilities 5. Class Organisation 6. School Admissions 7. School Times and Term Dates 8. School Meals and Lunchtime Arrangements 9. School Attendance 10. School Uniform 11. The School Curriculum 12. Pastoral Care 13. Routines and Procedures 14. Special Educational Needs (SEN) 15. Medical Matters 16. Health and Safety 17. Homework 18. Extra Curricular Activities 19. Visits By Parents 20. Tests and Testing 21. Governance of the School 22. Complaints Procedure and Child Protection 5 6 8 9 13 15 16 17 19 21 23 27 31 32 33 34 35 37 38 39 42 43

Appendix 1 Further Information about School

School Mission Statement Current Newsletter Shottons Sure Start Leaflet School Uniform Order Form Data Collection Form Data Protection Form Photographic Devices at School Shotton Primary Out of School Hours Club (SPOSH) Shotton Primary School Home-School Agreement Shotton Primary School how we work with parents and the community Homework Guidelines Holiday Request Form School Term Dates 2013-2014 Additional Information

Welcome! Thank you for considering sending your child to our school. We are a very privileged school in many different ways, with a very strong staff team and some exceptional young people. No doubt, as you work in partnership with us, you will find out for yourself what makes our school a great place to send your child. Our school brochure aims to give you a head start with our school. School is a very important time in any childs life. It is a place where, in the very first years, we learn new and interesting things and engage in a host of activities that promote our independence and develop our understanding of the wider world. We are very much a community based school and we hope you will build on the community ethos we try to promote within and beyond our school. We are very privileged to have such a supportive group of people who work in our school. We all learn from each other and we encourage the equal and fair treatment for everyone who is involved in the life of Shotton Primary School. We are even more privileged to work with such exceptional young people. Over recent years, we have celebrated some of the best results Shotton Primary School has ever seen and our success continues to grow. Visitors to our school often comment on the bright and lively displays in the corridors, the helpfulness of staff and the exceptional behaviour of our pupils. Comments like these are what make us proud to be Shotton Primary School. We hope that you will find this brochure useful. If you have any further queries, comments or questions, we would like to hear from you. We are a listening and make a difference school and we value everyones opinions and contributions to make our school even better. Should you wish to look around the school, please make an appointment at the school office. Yours faithfully, Mr LP Gallon (Acting Headteacher) Mr I. Cochrane (Chair of Governors)
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Our school lies in the east part of County Durham in a former mining village and serves families from the villages of Shotton and Haswell. The local authority provides a bus that transports pupils from the neighbouring village of Haswell, to our school. Currently, we have a number of pupils that use this service on a daily basis. We are very privileged to have such extensive school grounds and fantastic, panoramic views across Shotton and further afield. Our school boasts the following features; A dining/assembly/physical education hall (Key Stage 1 building) An assembly / physical education hall (Key Stage 2 building) 2 newly refurbished ICT Suites Large playing fields Two school playgrounds with zones for different games purposes A Peace Garden (designed by pupils) A swimming pool A Sure Start Childrens Centre on site Large classrooms, all with specific reading and art areas A conference room A dedicated room for pupils emotional well being and support New nursery dining room A newly refurbished and secure early outdoor play area with safety surface A brand new Trim Trail and forest area to help develop our outdoor learning environment We are very much a community based school. Our swimming pool, is used by several different schools within the East Durham area and our school buildings are used outside of school hours by the local Boys and Girls Brigade, Church and by other sports coaches. Our swimming pool is also used after school hours by swimming clubs. All of our classrooms have Promethean Interactive White Boards, internet access and iPads. All class teachers have their own laptops to plan, deliver and evaluate their teaching and learning, in line with 21st century expectations. This year, we have 40 ipad minis for pupils and teachers to use within their lessons.

Our school has a dedicated team of cleaners and maintenance staff. Our buildings are maintained to a very high standard and we take pride in how our building looks and we foster this belief with all stakeholders of our school. Our school is accessible for wheelchair users and disabled visitors. Car Parking We have a limited number of car parking spaces in school. Parents and carers are asked to park in the Recreational Ground, housed at the entrance to Shotton Community Park or at the Top Club. There is a pathway to and from school, directly from the recreational ground, giving easy access to our school.

School Displays Visual Art

All school staff and governors have worked hard to form our School Mission Statement, which can be seen in all teaching and learning spaces in school. This is our school mission statement.

We learn and grow by working together, sharing what we know and finding out more. We aim high to be the best that we can be. We look after each other at all times.
At Shotton Primary School, we seek to provide an atmosphere in school where pupils, parents and carers, school staff, governors and the local community can work together, in a joint spirit of co-operation. We strive to create a safe, happy, responsible, well-ordered community, in which pupils are valued and develop as individuals, by learning that courtesy, trust, respect the same good manners and consideration for others are important qualities which help to promote a positive working ethos within our school. We aim to work with parents and carers to fulfil each childs potential. We will encourage their intellectual, spiritual, moral, cultural, social, physical and emotional well-being through meaningful and purposeful experiences.

This is our current teaching staff, for the academic year 2013-2014.
Teaching Staff

Mr Lee Gallon Acting Head Teacher Mrs Louise Clark Acting Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs M Coxon Mrs C Bentley Mrs A Cooper Mrs L Beshiri Miss C Donoghue

Mrs V Butler

Mrs Du Bruyn

Mrs C Forrester

Mrs C Forster

Mrs L Henson

Miss H Hinnigan

Mrs M Maitland

Mrs C Marsh

Mrs J Nimmins

Mrs J Waugh

Mr K Boardman
Sports Coach

Sports Development

Swimming Instructor

Mrs J Evans

Mrs C Johnson Mr W Lawson Mrs J Kelly

Mrs J Blenkinsopp

Mrs D Scott Miss H Lamb

Mrs S Winward Mrs V Akers

Mrs G Shaw Miss J OConnor Mrs L Clowes Mrs C Fairbairn

Teaching Assistants

Our current non - teaching staff team for the academic year 2013-2014 is as follows:
Mrs Alderson

Premises and Cleaning Staff Mr Emery Mrs Littleton Miss Emery

Mrs Johnson Mr Linn Mrs Chadwick Mrs Dawes

Mrs Brown Mrs Parkin Mrs Darwin

Mrs Cairns

Lunchtime Supervisors

Mrs Patterson Mrs Hedley Mrs Linn Ms Dowen

Mrs Lawson Mrs Parkin Mrs Johnson

Mrs Proudlock Mrs Hartley

Miss Linn Kitchen Staff

Mrs L. Patterson Mrs Pritchard

Mrs Huntingdon

Mrs Proudlock Mrs Linn

Miss Thompson

Mrs L. Patterson Mrs Proudlock

Breakfast Club

Mrs Linn

Mrs Pritchard

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Mrs P Ramshaw
Mrs C Shipley

Office Staff Mrs S Topping

Mrs H Harriman

Helping Hands and Time to Talk Daniella OHara

Behaviour and Attendance Officer Carol Collins

Staff Mrs Sellars Mr Pullen Mr Sugden Mrs Wendy Gudrum

Role Peripatetic Music Teacher Viola/Violin Peripatetic Music Teacher Cello School Crossing Patrol Officer School Nurse Educational Psychologist

Linda Swallow Kevin Gibson Andrew Clarence

Education Welfare Officer (EWO) ICT Technician Choir

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This is our teaching staff team and their co-ordination responsibilities for the academic year 2012-2013.
Name Mrs Akers Mrs Bentley Mrs Beshiri Mrs Blenkinsopp Mr Boardman Mrs Butler Mrs Clark Mrs Clowes Mrs Collins Mrs Cooper Mrs Coxon Miss Donoghue Mrs Du Bruyn Mrs Evans Mrs Fairbairn Ms Forster Miss Forrester Mr Gallon Mrs Henson Miss Hinnigan Mrs Johnson Mrs Kelly Miss Lamb Mr Lawson Mrs Maitland Mrs Marsh Mrs Nimmins Miss OConnor Mrs OHara Mrs Scott Mrs Shaw Mrs Waugh Mrs Winward Position HLTA (Mat Leave Sept 2013) Teacher Teacher HLTA Sports Coach Teacher Acting Deputy Head Teaching Assistant Behaviour and Attendance Officer Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher (Temp Yr 6) Swimming Instructor Teaching Assistant Teacher Teacher (NQT) Acting Head Teacher Teacher Teacher Teaching Assistant HLTA Teaching Assistant Teaching Assistant Teacher Teacher Teacher Teaching Assistant Emotional Well Being Co-ordinator HLTA HLTA Teacher HLTA Racial Equality/Diversity and Intervention Strategy Coordinator RE/Support for SENCO and Music FS/KS1 healthy fruit coordination Emotional well-being, Helping Hands and Time to Talk, Child Protection Science coordinator, Student Mentor Data Analysis Literacy/Numeracy, Shadow Maths Creative and Performing Arts After School Clubs Support for History and Geography Child Protection Art and Design Technology, Support for SENCO (medical) MFL/Shadow Literacy PSHCE/RRSA Swimming and water safety KS1 Leader, Recording and Reporting Inclusion (SENCO) EYFS Leader Coordination responsibility Support for Science and support for SENCO Literacy KS2 Team Leader / ICT FS/KS1 healthy fruit coordination PE Humanities NQT Mentor, Maths, Assessment A&T/Community Cohesion

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We have thirteen classes in our school. There is an EYFS department, with a nursery and two Reception classes. There are four classes in Key Stage One and seven classes in Key Stage Two. Pupils are sometimes taught by team-teaching units, so they will come into contact with all teaching and support staff in a particular year group or phase. The classes are organised into three main departments. These departments are: 1. Foundation Stage (Nursery, Reception Classes) Within the Early Years Foundation Stage there is a nursery and two reception classes. Children begin nursery the term after their 3rd birthday. Children start reception, the academic year after their 4th birthday. The leader of the Foundation Stage is Miss Donoghue. 2. Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2 Classes) Pupils in Key Stage One, begin in Year One (5 and 6 years old) and move on to Year Two (6 and 7 year olds). At present we have one Year 2 class, a Year 1/2 mix and a Year 1 class. At the end of an academic year, pupils in Year 2 will move into Year 3 and onto the next stage of their learning, Key Stage Two. The leader of Key Stage One is Mrs Cooper. 3. Key Stage 2 (Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 Classes) Pupils begin Key Stage Two, in Year 3. They will then spend another four years in this Key Stage, progressing through Year 4, 5 and 6 at the end of each academic year. When pupils reach the end of Year 6, they will then move into Year 7, progressing into Key Stage 3, the next stage of their learning. In Key Stage two, we have two phases. The first phase is Year 3 and 4. This is known as Lower Key Stage Two. In this phase, there are 3 classes of mixed Y3 and Y4. Children are taught in discrete age group sets in the morning as we employ a part time teacher so that there are 2 Y3 sets and 2 Y4 sets for Maths and English. Children are taught in ability sets in the morning for Maths and English. In the afternoon, children are taught in three mixed ability Y3/4 classes. The second Stage is Year 5 and 6. This is known as upper Key Stage Two. There are four classes in this stage, two Y5 classes and two Y6 classes. Children are taught in discrete age group sets. When pupils reach the end of Year 6, they continue their education at a secondary school. The leader of Key Stage 2 is Mrs Beshiri.
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The table below outlines class and staff organisation in our school.
Year Group Nursery Reception Reception Y1 Y1 Y2 Y1/2 Y3/4 Y3/4 Y3/4 Y5 Y5 Y6 Y6 Class Name FS1D FS2C FS2H 1B 1FW 2C 1/2F 34B 34C 34N 5B 5H 6D 6M Teacher Miss Donoghue Mrs Coxon Mrs Henson Mrs Butler Mrs Forster and Mrs Waugh Mrs Cooper Miss Forrester (NQT) Mrs Bentley Mrs Clark Mrs Nimmins Mrs Beshiri Miss Hinnigan Mrs du Bruyn Mrs Maitland Mrs Shaw Mrs Marsh to work AM in Y4 Miss Lamb Miss OConnor Mrs Winward Mrs Kelly Mrs Blenkinsopp Mrs Clowes/Mrs Fairbairn Teaching Assistant Mrs Akers/Mrs Karimloo/Mrs Lawson Mrs Scott Mrs Johnson

Mr Boardman Sports Coach Mrs OHara Emotional Well-Being and Safeguarding Support Coordinator Mrs Collins Behaviour and Attendance Officer

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Our school follows the school admission policy as set out with Durham Local Authority. Our number on roll is 420 pupils including nursery. Our admission limit for Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 is 58 pupils in each year group. If you would like further information, or would like to know more about the admissions procedures for our school, then please contact County Hall on (0191) 383 4500 or visit www.durham.gov.uk and follow the links for Education and Learning.

School Displays in Science, Humanities and Music

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The school times are set by the Governing Body. The times of our school day for all departments are shown below.
School Department Day Begins Morning Break Lunchtime Day Ends

Foundation Stage Nursery Foundation Stage Reception Key Stage 1 Key Stage 2

am session begins 8.45am9.00am am session ends at 11.30am11.45am 8.55am 8.55am 8.55am

incorporated within the morning session

Afternoon session begins at 12.30pm-12.45pm Afternoon session ends at 3.15pm-3.30pm 12.00pm-1.20pm 12.00pm-1.20pm 12.30pm-1.30pm 3.10pm 3.10pm 3.20pm

10.15am10.30am 10.30am10.45am

The term dates for this academic year are as follows:

INSET DAYS: Monday 2nd September 2013, Tuesday 3rd September 2013, Monday 6th January 2014

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Since September 2008, we began to manage our own kitchen and menus, with approval and guidance from County Hall. This has been a great success so far! This means that pupils can opt to stay for school lunch, having a variety of healthy foods from which to choose. For example, there is a range of baguettes, wraps and hot meal options on a daily basis, along with a selection of vegetables from our salad bar. Pupils can also choose from a range of hot or cold desserts. All pupils are offered chilled drinking water or orange squash as part of their lunch.

Lunchtimes All pupils eat in the school dining hall. It is a large and spacious room that has recently been refurbished to a very high standard. Pupils may choose where they sit and all pupils are responsible for tidying away after themselves, with support from lunchtime supervisory assistants. Pupils who stay for packed lunches are asked to take their packaging and any left over lunch back home with them. There are two sittings for lunch. There is also a rota system so that all pupils in each year group will experience being first for lunch during the course of a school week. We also offer Nursery children lunches on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes. They have their own dining room, next to the Nursery unit.

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Below is a sample menu from our school lunches;

2..4..6..8.. Shotton Primary Meals are Great!...Year 6 pupil

A selection of food that pupils may choose from... Our Dining Hall
The school meals are tasty...Year 1 pupil

Our hot food lunches...

The school meals are yummy!...Reception pupil

Our healthy salad bar selection...

Our healthy baguettes and sandwiches selection...

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At Shotton Primary School, we believe that regular attendance is crucial to each and every childs educational development and we recognise our part in assisting parents and carers to meet their legal obligations in this respect. This is especially important as the school is legally required to report reasons for absence. Our whole school target for attendance is 95%. As school starts at 8.55am, all external doors will be closed at 9.00am. If your child is late, it will be necessary to go to the main school office to inform office staff that your child is in attendance. The office staff will take your childs name and class. Persistent lateness is always monitored and procedures are in place to work in partnership, to ensure your child is on time to start school.

See the flyer in Appendix 1 for tips on helping you and your child arrive at school in time.
Mrs Collins, our Attendance and Behaviour Officer, also liases with our Education Welfare Officer to monitor attendance and lateness, and to work with families in order to get to school on time. Attendance Rewards We have a whole school attendance initiative, which is the Trophy Ceremony. During Fridays Whole School Assembly, the class with the best attendance is awarded with a Gold Trophy. The classes with the second and third best are awarded with silver and bronze medals. This system has proved particularly popular with all classes and pupils. Trophies are then displayed in classrooms, along with the individual classs attendance percentage. The class with the highest percentage over the course of a half term is awarded with a prize that they choose. This can be in the form of an additional playtime, a visit to the school swimming pool or other activity. The class with the best attendance for the academic year is awarded with an additional prize. We also believe that individual effort for a pupil with 100% weekly attendance is crucial. Every child that comes to school every day of the week is awarded with an attendance sticker. If pupils gain 100% attendance across a term they will be awarded a gold star. If a child achieves 100% attendance across all 3 terms they are awarded with 3 gold stars and an Argos voucher for their 100% attendance.

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What to do if your child is going to be absent from school If your child is going to be absent from school, then please call the school and let us know either by speaking to a member of the office staff or leaving a message on the answerphone if the school office is closed. The school telephone number is (0191) 526 2006.

If you need to take your child out of school during the day please;
Write a note to inform your childs teacher, giving the reason for absence or contact the main office. Collect your child from the school office. Education Welfare Officer (EWO) In some cases of persistent absenteeism, or lateness, it may be necessary to contact the Education Welfare Officer (Linda Swallow). The EWO will contact you at home by telephone or in person and they will always show identity cards and badges. School Holiday Requests Due to new government legislation, all holidays taken during term time will be unauthorised by the Head Teacher. You must still fill in a holiday request form so that school knows why a pupil is absent. If your childs attendance falls below you may be subject to an EWO visit as well as a possible fine.

Attendance Trophy

Attendance Charts

Attendance Stickers

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Our School uniform is as follows; Boys Uniform Blue jumper or cardigan Pale blue polo shirt Grey or black trousers or skirt Dark Shoes Girls Uniform

Our PE Kit consists of; Indoor Kit

White tshirt

Outdoor Kit (Key Stage 2)

Outdoor tracksuit

Blue shorts Trainers or Gym shoes

Gym shoes

A school uniform order form and price list can be found with the additional information included in this brochure.
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Jewellery in school For health and safety reasons, the wearing of jewellery is not allowed in school. If pupils have their ears pierced, they must remove them before coming to school. In the case of newly pierced ears, please ensure they are covered with tape.

Children are not permitted to go swimming if wearing earrings.

Watches are allowed to be worn in school.

Swimming Kit Our swimming kit consists of a swimming hat, and bathing costume (swimming trunks for boys). Swimming hats are available to buy at the school office for 1.00. All pupils will need a towel and a comb with them. Mobile Phones Pupils are not allowed to bring mobile phones into school. In some cases, where mobile phones do come into school, they will be sent to the main school office where parents and carers can collect them at the end of the school day. Water Bottles We have several water stations located around school, providing pupils with chilled water. Please ensure your child brings their water bottle to school every day. Water bottles can be purchased from the main office for 1.50

Water stations can be found throughout school, providing all pupils with chilled water. Drinking water can help to keep your childs brain hydrated and healthy, enabling them to concentrate more in lessons...Drink more, think more!

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Pupils in Nursery and Reception follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum which covers the six areas of learning these are: Personal, social and emotional development Communication, language and literacy Mathematical development, Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Knowledge and understanding of the world Physical development Creative development The curriculum provided during this vital part of your childs early education provides the foundation upon which all other learning is based. We want your child to enjoy coming to school, to be enthusiastic about learning, and develop the confidence to ask questions and find out about the world around them. As pupils progress from the Foundation Stage into Year 1 and up to Year 6, we follow the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum includes four core subjects; Maths, English, Science and ICT (Information Communication Technology), and six foundation subjects; Design Technology History Geography Music Art and Physical Education. The 6 Foundation Subjects, along with Religious Education (RE), provide the statutory minimum scope of the curriculum. Other subjects feature in the schemes of work that may cover many aspects of the whole curriculum. These include; health education, other aspects of personal and social education, moral, health, citizenship, environmental and multicultural issues.

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Within the National Curriculum, programmes of study set out the essential teaching within each subject area. Attainment targets for each subject area set out what pupils are expected to know and be able to do. There are statutory Teacher Assessments for all primary school pupils at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and national tests (SATs) at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6). Our Skills-based Curriculum Every pupil at our school will be taught the National Curriculum according to its programmes of study and RE, which follows the Durham Local Authority agreed syllabus. Our curriculum has been designed into six half termly themes, that teach the skills in each subject. These skills are progressive and build upon the Foundation Stage Curriculum, starting in Year 1. This means that the skills in each subject become increasingly more demanding as pupils progress through each year in our school. Teachers use the programmes of study as a starting point for developing and planning our teaching. We plan our school themes, so that all pupils have an active involvement in their own learning.

Classroom displays from our new Skills Curriculum

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Religious Education The Religious Education Curriculum is taken from Durham Local Authoritys agreed syllabus, which has been ratified by local teachers and representatives of all major local faiths and denominations. It aims to ensure that all our pupils gain an understanding of world religions and have respect for these. There are varied arrangements for daily worship, including class and whole-school assemblies. All parents have a right to withdraw their child from the schools daily act of worship and or religious education. If you wish to withdraw your child from these parts of our school life, then please write to the Head Teacher. Sex Education In the Summer Term (Term 6), the Health Advisor provides our Year 6 pupils with an insight into how our boides change at puberty and the importance of personal hygiene and keeping healthy. The lessons are taught in single sex classes and aim to educate young people about the physical changes to both boys and girls in a supportive and structured environment, where pupils feel able to ask questions in an appropriate way. Parents and carers have the opportunity to discuss any issues relating to this subject, before lessons begin for pupils and to consider whether or not to withdraw their child from these lessons. Should you wish to discuss this matter further, then please contact the school office to make an appointment with the Head Teacher or School Health Advisor.

Views in our Peace Garden. Developed with support from community members and designed by pupils.
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Educational Visits Sometimes it is necessary to ask for voluntary contributions from parents and carers to enable pupils to go on visits or trips or have a visiting speaker in school. Letters from school requesting a voluntary contribution will always be sent home in plenty of time to give parents and cares as much notice as possible. As the visits can sometimes be costly, we may have to cancel a visit or visiting speaker if the voluntary contributions received in school do not cover the cost of the visit or visitor. Residential Visits Pupils in Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to attend Broomley Grange Residential Centre, in Stocksfield, Northumberland. Usually, this is a 5 day course and takes place in May or June. In recent years it has proved to be a very popular visit and many pupils have had a fantastic time!

Pupils enjoying outdoor activities at Broomley Grange!

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The Pastoral Care of pupils in school is one of the most important roles in school that all staff have. Teachers and staff in school aim to build a secure working relationship with each child. The pastoral work is led by the Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and our Inclusion Manager who have access to various support services, to help and support vulnerable pupils. Curriculum In school, we follow the SEAL (Social Emotional Aspects of Learning) framework as part of our Personal. Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) lessons. These lessons are taught progressively throughout each department in school. The lesson materials help children develop skills such as understanding anothers point of view, working in a group, resolving conflict and managing worries that may affect their daily lives. Core aspects of the SEAL framework are these seven modules; New Beginnings, Getting on and falling out, Say no to bullying, Going for goals!, Good to be me, Relationships and Changes. Each theme is designed for a whole-school approach and includes a whole-school assembly and suggested follow-up activities in all areas of the curriculum. School and Family Counselling Services Time to Talk and Helping Hands In school, we have a school-based qualified counsellor, Daniella OHara. Daniella oversees our Time to Talk and Helping Hands service. Daniella works Monday to Thursday, during normal school hours 8.30am until 4.15pm. Helping Hands and Time to Talk This newly named emotional wellbeing service was launched in September 2012. The new names and logos for the service were designed by children who attend Shotton Primary School. Helping Hands Lets Talk is the overall name of the emotional wellbeing service. Children can attend one-to-one counselling sessions with a qualified counsellor and referrals for counselling can come from parents, guardians or outside services. There is a designated room in school for counselling sessions called the Feelings Room. As part of the emotional wellbeing service there is also Time 2 Talk at lunchtime. At the beginning of the academic year, a letter is sent out to all parents asking consent for their child to be able to attend Time 2 Talk sessions. To access an

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appointment, children complete a Time 2 Talk request slip for a 10 minute appointment, if they want to talk about any issues causing them concern. The Feelings Room This room is based in the staff room and is available for Daniella to talk to pupils and their families about sensitive issues. It has been refurbished to enable families and pupils to talk at ease about their difficulties. If you would like to speak to Daniella, please call 0191 5262006 to make an appointment. Buddies At Shotton Primary School we believe that everyone should have a friend to play with at break and lunchtimes and never feel that they are left out. Our Buddies programme, facilitated by our Year 6 pupils, offers pupils the chance to talk to other pupils in an empathetic way. A special Buddy Bay in the school yard allows pupils to come and talk to the Buddies if they are worried or concerned about something or if they just need a friendly chat. There are always 2 Buddies on duty during break and lunchtimes in both the Key Stage 1 /2 and Reception playgrounds. The Buddies can easily be identified around school, with their luminous orange and blue tabards.

The Buddie Tabards

Bullying In school we take firm measures to ensure that all of our staff, children and visitors to the school can feel safe, happy and secure. Procedures for reporting and dealing with bullying are available upon request. Pupils are encouraged through lessons and discussion times, to differentiate between bullying and isolated incidents, that is to say that if a pupil gets pushed over in the yard, that this is not necessarily classed as bullying.

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School Council Our School Council meet at least once every month, with representatives from Year 2 to Year 6. School council members can bring issues from their classes to Schools Council Meetings for discussion. Prior to every meeting, an agenda will be set and minutes of the meeting are sent to all School Council Members to report to their own classes. A copy of the agenda and date of next meeting is displayed in the Key Stage 2 building. Photographs of all School Council members are displayed here. School Council have also successfully consulted with the school kitchen to initiate themed days for school lunches. If children have an idea for a school themed lunch they can raise their ideas through their school council members.

Green People The Green People are a team of children who meet frequently to discuss any Green Issues within school. They are responsible for the monitoring of saving energy across the whole school and for collecting scrap paper for recycling. So far they have ensured that every room in school has a recycling paper box and that it is emptied on a weekly basis, with the total weight of scrap paper being logged.

Green People Recycling Boxes

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Supervision at playtimes and lunchtimes At playtimes, staff supervise pupils in the yards. During lunchtimes, lunchtime supervisory assistants supervise pupils in the dining hall and outside in the yards. There is always a member of staff on duty as a First Aider in case of any accidents. Fresh Fruit and Healthy Snacks Our Healthy Fruit co-ordinator in school is Mrs Blenkinsopp. All pupils in our EYFS and Key Stage 1 department are entitled to a free piece of fruit or vegetables each school day. Pupils are offered various seasonal fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, tomatoes and satsumas. Pupils in Key Stage 1 and 2 can also bring into school a healthy snack, to have at playtimes. Healthy snacks can be a cereal bar, a piece of fruit or vegetable. School Shop Our popular school shop is organised by Mrs Shipley. It is operated during Friday lunchtimes (1.00pm-1.20pm) and is open to all Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils. There are many stationary items pupils can buy as well as key rings and small toys. Proceeds from the school shop go towards our school funds.

Some of the items available from the School Shop.

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Morning Routines Nursery children meet in the nursery outdoor area with their parents until the doors open at 8.45am. Reception children start at 8.55am. Staff in the Reception department open the doors for reception pupils at 8.55am. Children in Year 1 to Year 6 should not be in school before 8.45am unless they are in Year 6 and they have a monitor position, or if there is a special event planned such as an educational visit. Children in Key Stage 1 may go into school if they wish from 8.45am. The walkway entrance to the Key Stage 1 department is open from 8.45am and pupils can go into school early or remain on the yard with their parents. There is always a member of staff on the entrance to the walkway and on the main school yard. If pupils do remain on the school yard, when the whistle is blown at 8.55am, Key Stage 1 pupils should line up in front of the nursery fence, beside the member of staff from the Key Stage 1 department. This member of staff will ensure that all pupils get into school safely. Key Stage Two staff go on duty on their particular day in the playground at 8.50am. When the whistle is blown at 8.55am, children line up at the bottom of the Key Stage 2 building steps and sensibly go in to their classes. There are always 2 members of staff on the yard every morning in Key Stage 2.

Lost Property All lost property in Key Stage 2 is sent to the main office. Key Stage 1 keep lost property in their department. Children should have their names in any item of clothing that they bring to school. If your child has lost something, then please call in at the main office, who will be happy to help with your queries.

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Our aim is to ensure that all pupils identified as having special educational needs receive an education which is appropriate to meet these individual needs. Childrens progress is monitored by the staff with the use of ongoing assessments. These provide guidelines to progress, as well as diagnostic information, which pinpoints particular areas to develop where additional support may be required. Support from teaching assistants is given to pupils wherever possible, but there may also be occasions when groups of pupils or individual pupils receive further support, in addition to their normal lessons. This is usually in numeracy or literacy. This additional support is known as intervention groups. Pupils requiring additional support can undertake smaller group work that will focus on their educational need. The impact of the intervention can then be measured by ongoing assessments, to see if pupils have made progress and are back on track, in line with their expected progress. Specific Educational Needs Some pupils may also need an individual educational plan (IEP). An IEP outlines targets that pupils must try and work towards to achieve across the course of each term. The targets on the IEPs are shared and agreed with staff, pupils and parents. Parents and carers will always receive a copy that should be signed and returned to school. Open evenings are times when IEPs can be shared with parents and carers and any immediate concerns can be shared at this time. For a very small proportion of pupils our school may need to involve other specialists in a formal assessment of complex Special Educational Needs (SEN). In such circumstances, there is always consultation with parents and carers who are involved in any assessment process. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Head Teacher at school, or by making an appointment with our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. Able and Talented Pupils In any school there will always be pupils that achieve significantly above the national expectation. These pupils are known as able and talented. Pupils can be idntified as able and talented in any school curriculum subject. At school we have a register that identifies pupils that are able and talented and the subject in which they excel. We also have a teacher who coordinates provision for able and talented pupils in school.
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At Shotton Primary School, we are very privileged to have all of our teaching assistants are qualified in first aid at work and paediatric first aid. In order to keep all of our pupils safe, every playtime and lunchtime is covered by a first aid member of staff, where incidents are logged and the particular incidents are recorded into a first aid book. The first aid point is situated beside the Key Stage 2 entrance and exit to the main school yard, inside the classroom 5/6M. There is a second first aid point located in the Key Stage 1 department. If pupils bump their heads, a sticker is given to them to show that they have had a bump. In serious cases, the first aid member of staff on duty will inform the Head Teacher if the pupil needs medical support outside of school or if they need to go home, as their injury prevents them from staying at school. In these circumstances the school office staff will always inform parents and carers, with the contact numbers stored in the school database. Please keep your child at home if they are ill. This is particularly important in the case of infectious conditions, until your doctor says that they can return to school. We ask parents and carers to always inform the office to update addresses, telephone numbers and other contact details. If a child has a case of sickness and diarrhoea, we ask that they stay away from school for a minimum of 48 hours, after their sickness bout. Medicines in School If your child needs medication, then it is important that you contact the school office in person, as medical forms will need to be signed and procedure put into place with one of our first aid staff. Pupils are not allowed to keep medicines in school without parents and carers notifying the office first. Prescribed medication will not normally be administered by school staff (unless the dosage is 4 times per day). If a child is in need of medication, parents and carers can come into school and administer it to their child. Medical Conditions We do have some pupils in school who have medical conditions that require special consideration. Where this is the case, all staff will be aware of who these pupils are. If your child does develop a medical condition that needs constant medication, then it is important that we update your childs school records, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. This can be done by contacting the school office. It is extremely important that parents and carers inform the school office of any changes to emergency contact numbers.

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Accident Book Should a child have an accident which requires more than the most basic treatment then an accident form and the handbook is filled in. This is then given to the Administrative Manager. Accidents - minor All minor injuries are dealt with by a qualified First Aider. During every playtime and lunchtime a qualified First Aider is on duty. When a child receives first aid for minor injuries, they will be given a first aid sticker to wear, as well as a note to be taken home detailing the minor accident. Accidents major If a child had a major accident, then qualified first aiders in school will assess and react to the situation. In the event of a serious accident, parents and carers will always be informed via contact numbers held in the school office. It is extremely important that telephone numbers are up to date. If you do need to update your telephone numbers or addresses, then please inform the school office immediately. Emergency Fire Procedures Emergency fire evacuations are undertaken every term. The fire alarm, when activated is a loud two tone siren. Pupils and staff assemble in the main school yard. Smoking Durham County Council operates a no-smoking policy throughout the school site. Dogs on site Durham County Council operates a no dog policy throughout the school site. Health and Safety Every term our Premises Manager undertakes a health and safety walk of the whole school site. Recommendations are made and the governors are consulted to implement any changes, Every day, the Trim Trail and woodland area are checked with regard to pupil and staff health and safety.

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Homework is an essential part of any childs schooling. It plays an essential part in the relationship between home and school and enables pupils to practise and rehearse the skills they have been learning at school. At Shotton Primary School we feel that homework can help in the partnership to raise standards, improve study skills and foster a positive attitude for lifelong learning. We believe in these homework guidelines, for successful and meaningful learning outside of school hours; Homework should, in general, follow on from work that has taken place in class; it could consist of further practice, a game, a puzzle, but should not entail new ideas that require an explanation from a teacher. Homework may sometimes consist of preparation for work not yet done; for example, measuring a bedroom, before drawing a scale plan at school, or collecting some data ready to draw a graph. Homework should be enjoyable, rather than a chore. Children need to understand exactly what they are expected to do, how to do it and how long it will take. The work should sometimes involve the participation of parents and carers; with younger pupils this is essential. With older pupils, there should be times when they work independently, without assistance, in order to foster good study habits. Homework can often build on what goes on in the home preparing and sharing food, giving out pocket money, counting steps on staircase, as well as relating to hobbies and interests. Homework will be given weekly and will consist of some of the elements shown in the following table.

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Department in School

Reception

Key Stage 1 Years 1 and 2

Lower Key Stage 2 Years 3 and 4

Upper Key Stage 2 Years 5 and 6

Subject Area Sound books Word Boxes Finding out Maths Reading Reading Spelling Finding out Maths Reading Spelling Research Maths Completing work Reading Spelling Research Maths English Completing work

Length of Time 10 minutes per day plus 5 minutes reading

1 hour per week plus 10-15 minutes reading 1.5 hours per week plus 15 minutes reading

2.5 hours per week plus 20 minutes reading

Pupils in Key Stage 1 receive regular homework. Although there is no set day or task, generally pupils in Year 1 are given their homework on Fridays, to be returned by a Monday morning. Pupils in Year 2 are given homework across the course of a week. Pupils in Key Stage 2 have regular spellings, English and maths homework. Class teachers will set homework at different times in the school week. Parents and carers are encouraged to support with homework tasks. Homework is reviewed in class as part of daily lessons and therefore it is important that all homework tasks are completed. Should pupils in Key Stage 2 not do their homework, they will be asked to undertake homework tasks at lunchtimes instead. In extreme circumstances where homework has been missed, a note from home to the class teacher explaining the circumstances is acceptable. In September, every year group in school sends home an Information Booklet outlining homework and reading routines as well as other useful and relevant class information.
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At Shotton Primary School, we are very privileged to have so many varied extra curricular school clubs that we can offer our pupils. Most of these clubs run after school hours or operate during lunchtimes or even before school starts. Extra curricular clubs are offered to pupils, depending on need and requirements of the club. These are some of the current extra curricular activities that we currently offer our pupils.

These are some of the examples of extra curricular clubs offered to pupils in our school. Lunchtime After School Boys Football (School Team) Football Coaching Extended Writing Girls Football Girls Football Cheerleading Singing Group Badminton Number Crunching Film Club Cross Country A&T Athletics Arts and Crafts Green Fingers (Gardening Club) Keep Fit Yoga Arts and Crafts Keep Fit ICT Revision Clubs Photography Knitting As well as our clubs during lunchtimes and after school, we also have many visits and visitors that support our curriculum, across all departments of our school.

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Parents and carers are welcome to visit to discuss any problems or concerns. It would be appreciated, where possible, for an appointment to be made. Every effort will be made to meet requests by parents and carers to visit at a particular time, subject to the organisational and educational needs of the school. If you are concerned about any aspect of your childs schooling, the first step is to speak to their class teacher. If it is a confidential or complex matter do not try to deal with it immediately before or after school, but ask to see the class teacher at a more suitable time. Most matters can be dealt with by your childs class teacher, but some things may have to be referred to the Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher. Reception Parents Parents of new pupils starting school (age 4+ years) are invited to induction meetings parents' meetings with the Head Teacher, Foundation Stage Leader and the Reception class teachers. Parents and pupils will have the opportunity to see how the department is organised and parents/carers will have the opportunity to discuss their expectations of their children. After the induction meeting, parents are invited to have a school lunch with their child. Parents/Carers Evenings At Shotton Primary School, we hold three Parents Evenings every academic year. These are usually in October, February and July. As well as this, parents and carers will also receive an annual report on their childs progress. This is given to pupils in July, at the end of an academic year. Family Group Work Parents and carers are encouraged to become involved in the life of the school and many parents help with a number of activities. Our family group, support our school discos, fayres and family events, such as Dine with Dad and Mothers Day Lunch.

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Our pupils are regularly tested in school, this is usually at the end of every half term. Data from these assessments are then recorded onto a school tracking system. This allows staff in school to make judgements in line with the pupils progress and their school expectation. It also allows staff in school to identify those pupils who may require additional help from support staff in school. Foundation Stage In Nursery, pupils undertake a Baseline assessment upon entry into our school using Durham Local Authoritys Flying from the start assessment materials. Pupils in Reception are continually assessed to enable teacher to plan work accordingly and support every pupils with their learning needs. Key Stage 1 In Year 1, pupils are tested as each term develops. In Year 2 there are standardised assessment tests (SATs) used to support school assessment, the information is reported to parents, local authority and Department of Education is based on the teacher assessment. Key Stage 2 In addition to half term tests, pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 will receive QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) tests in reading, writing, spelling, written and mental maths.

As well assessments at each half term, at the end of Key Stage 2, Year 6 pupils are required to undertake SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) in reading, writing, spelling, written and mental maths. These tests are marked by external examiners. All pupils across England will take the Year 6 SATs on the same day, across the course of a school week. The following tables, show our 2011 SATs results and teacher assessments for Year 2 and Year 6 pupils, as well as comparing our results with the National Average (the average of all results across England for pupils in these year groups).

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Key Stage 1 Data Performance 2012-2013

2012-13- KS1 Targets are:Reading 75% 2B+ Writing 66% 2B+ Maths 91% 2B+ This years percentages for the end of KS1 are:Reading 72% 2B+ Writing 70% 2B+ Maths 84% 2B+ BREAKDOWN OF KS1 TEACHER ASSESSMENTS Speaking and Listening 0 children 0% 0 children 0% 39 children 91% 2B Reading 0 children 0% 8 children 19% 4 children 9% 14 children 33% 14 children 33% 3 children 7% Writing 0 children 0% 2 children 5% 11 children 26% 17 children 40% 12 children 28% 1 child 2% Mathematics 0 children 0% 3 children 7% 4 children 9% 22 children 51% 12 children 28% 2 children 5%

Working towards Level 1 Level 1

2C

2A

4 children 9%

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Shotton Primary School Performance DATA 1999-2013 KS2 SAT Results % Level 4+
Year English L4+ Maths L4+ Science L4+ CVA
Contextual Value Added

VA
Value Added

Floor Targets of 60%

2 Levels 2 Levels progress progress in in English Maths 86% 87% floor floor target target

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

50% 66% 63% 56% 59% 73% 71% 72% 60% 71% 88% 83% 89.8%

52% 64% 57% 57% 65% 73% 69% 76% 58% 80% 90% 90.2% 89.8%

48% 79% 73% 82% 90% 84% 79% 93% 76% 84% 98% n/a n/a 99.8 100.3 100.5 99.5 97.9 100.5 100.7 101.8
CVA will no longer be available but will be replaced by Value Added Measures alone

n/a n/a n/a n/a 100.1 100.1 100.8 99.5 97.8 100.3 100.3 101.4 102.4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 84.3% 83% 85.7% 98% 100%

2012 2013

83% Reading 84.3%

91% 92%

n/a n/a

n/a n/a

n/a
Not available until Raise Online Published

83%
Level 4 in Reading and Maths combined 80%

89%
90%

98%
98%

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The Governing Body of Shotton Primary School, consists of parents, members of the local community, school staff and representatives from the Local Authority. The full Governing Body meets at least once per term, although all governors are members of at least one sub-committee. The Governing Body of 2013-2014 are:
Mr Gallon Mr Ivan Cochrane Mrs Huntington Ms A Cochrane Mr A Collinson Ms R Hardy Mr D Burns Mr J Lane Mrs J J Briggs Mr Blades Mrs Cowan Mrs J Briggs Mrs Hudson Mrs Longstaff Mrs Bowles Mrs Bell Mr White Mrs Clark Mrs Coxon Mrs Akers Acting Head Teacher Chair, LA Representative LA Representative LA Representative LA Representative Community Representative Community Representative Community Representative Community Representative Community Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Teacher Representative Teacher Representative Support Staff Representative

At present, there are no vacancies for parent governors. When vacancies do occur, all parents and carers are informed by letter. For more information about how our Governing Body works, then please make an appointment with the Head Teacher at school.

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Complaints Procedure The school has adopted Durham County Councils complaints procedure, details of which can be obtained from the main school office. Child Protection The Head Teacher is the lead designated child protection officer. Mrs Coxon and Daniella Magog are also trained Child Protection designated staff, should the Head Teacher be off site.

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School Mission Statement Current Newsletter Shottons Sure Start Childcare Centre Leaflet School Uniform Order Form Data Collection Form Data Protection Form Photographic Devices at School Shotton Primary Out of School Ours Club (SPOSH) Shotton Primary School Home-School Agreement Shotton Primary School how we work with parents and the community Homework Guidelines Holiday Request Form 2013-2014

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