Valley Road School ROAD PROSPECTUS 2015.pdfValley Road School is situated on the western side of...

Valley Road School

Prospectus 2015/16

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VALLEYROADSCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Our Ethos

At Valley Road our aim is to

provide a happy, friendly,

caring and stimulating

environment where children

grow in self-esteem and

achieve their full potential

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HOW TO FIND US Valley Road School is situated on the western side of Henley close to Gillotts Comprehensive School and the

Indoor Sports centre.

From the centre of town, follow the road to Peppard. You will pass the Town Hall on your right. Keep going

up the hill until you come to the gate lodge of Friar Park. Turn left into Paradise Road and follow it round. At

the bottom of the hill, with Henley College on your left, turn right into Deanfield Road. Follow this road to a

small roundabout and take the second exit, Valley Road. This road continues to a ‘T’ junction at the top of the

hill with Elizabeth Road. Just before this junction, on your left you will find the entrance to Valley Road

School.

VALLEY ROAD SCHOOL

Address: Valley Road,

Henley-on-Thames,

Oxfordshire.

RG9 1RR

Telephone: (01491) 573784

Fax: (01491) 637776

Head Teacher : Mr Tim Coulson

email: [email protected]

Visit our website at: www.valley-road.oxon.sch.uk

Local Education Authority: Oxfordshire County Council,

Macclesfield House,

New Road,

Oxford.

OX1 1NA

Telephone: Oxford (01865) 815449

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Valley Road School. In this booklet you will find a range of information

including the curriculum, unique activities as well as the values and beliefs we hold

about education. We hope you will find the information both interesting and

informative and will encourage you to come and visit the school in person. We are very

proud of our school and all the members of our community who contribute to its

success.

In February 2012, the school underwent a full OFSTED Inspection. We are pleased to

include the following summary from their report.

This is a good school. It is a warm, welcoming, cohesive community, where pupils, staff, and

leaders share a passion for improvement and strive to help each other to do even better.

Pupils achieve well and reach levels of attainment that are significantly above average by the end of Year 6.

Teaching is good and some is outstanding. Pupils' considerate, respectful, and courteous behaviour makes a positive

contribution to the safe, happy and friendly school ethos. As a result, the special school Nursery children, who add a rich

dimension to the school, integrate seamlessly.

Senior leaders work well as a team. They manage the performance of the school well and lead and manage teaching

effectively. Well-focused professional development has led to improving pupils' achievement in mathematics. Senior managers

communicate high aspirations consistently.

If you would like to read the report in full, it can be found on the internet on www.ofsted.gov.uk

Tim Coulson, Headteacher

Some comments from children at Valley Road School

I like the school

trips we go on!

I like the teamwork

and the amount of

clubs you can go to!

We’re always

involved in

something!

There’s lots of

choice at

playtimes!

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GOVERNORS OF THE SCHOOL

Mrs Mary Selvester Chair of the Governors

Ms. Kirsty McIntyre Deputy-Chair

Mr Rod Simmons Town Council Representative

Mrs Deb Selwood Parent Representative

Mrs Rachel Moffatt Parent Representative

Mr James du Jode Parent Representative

Ms. Laura Phillips Teacher Representative

Mrs Wendy Schrier Parent Representative

Mr Tim Coulson Headteacher

Mrs Sarah York Non-teaching representative

What is a Governor?

Governors are elected to serve for a period of four years, whereupon they may seek re-election if so desired. Any

parent having a child in school is eligible for nomination as a Parent Governor.

Valley Road School is very fortunate in its Governors, who are responsible for the general oversight of the

school, including the financial management. They ensure that the buildings and premises are kept in good

order, and make recommendations concerning the appointment of staff. Each term they receive a detailed

report of school life including curriculum matters. The Governors have formed several sub-committees to

ensure that they carry out their duties efficiently and effectively.

Governors used to prepare an annual report in the form of the school profile how they discharged their duties

in respect of the school. However the Government is currently reviewing the process for reporting and the

profile has been discontinued. However, the Governors and Head meet with parents at the beginning of the

academic year to discuss the progress of the school.

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STAFF OF THE SCHOOL

Headteacher Mr T. Coulson

Senior Teacher and Year 2 Teacher (0.8) Mrs Rachel Herbert / Mrs Natalie Fraser

Reception Class Teachers Mrs Kate Richens

Year 1Class Teacher Ms Kath Hemmings

Year 2 Class Teacher Mrs Alice Gibson / Mrs Josie Stewart

Year 3 Class Teacher Mrs Heather Barker /Mrs Helen Decardi-Nelson

Year 4 Class Teacher Mrs Rachel Herbert / Mrs Natalie Fraser

Year 5 Class Teacher Ms Julie Green

Year 6 Teacher Mr Gary Shacklady

PPA teacher Mrs Heather Cannan

KS2 Teacher Mrs Abi Winfield

Nursery Class Teacher Ms Robbyn McGregor

Nursery Nurse Mrs Nikki Warren, Mrs Nikki Starr, Ms Alison Vickers

Special Educational Needs Coordinator Mrs Alice Gibson

Learning Support Mrs Karen Thatcher, Mrs Sue Walker, Mrs Lorraine.

Hancock, Mrs Caroline Barefield, Mrs Nicole

Sawbridge, Mrs Karen Allen, Mrs Daisy Watt, , Mrs

Sara Wood, Ms Julie Smith, Mrs Sarah Spatcher, Mrs

Glenda Francis

School Secretary/Bursar Mrs Eva Clark

Administrator/ Extended Schools Mrs Debbie Haigh

Caretaker Mr Darryl Trimmings

Finance Officer Sue Bremner-Milne Financial Services

Cleaning Justin York Cleaning

School Meals Staff Mrs Karen Thatcher, Mrs Daisy Watt, Mrs Caroline

Barefield, Mrs Karen Allen, Mrs Sarah Spatcher, Mrs

Glenda Francis, Ms Julie Smith

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THE SCHOOL

Valley Road School is a Local Authority (LA) School. It was opened in April 1970 to serve the children of the

local area. It enjoys a quiet, beautifully landscaped site above the town of Henley-on-Thames. We have recently

reorganised the buildings to bring the nursery and Reception classes together. This has also allowed the junior

classes to become one department. The school is very well resourced with books and equipment.

School Organisation There are 8 classes at ValleyRoadSchool, which are described below:

Orchard Class Foundation 2&3

Meadow Class Reception pupils/Foundation 1

Hedgerow Class Year 1 pupils

Woodland Class Year 2 pupils

Valley Class Year 3 pupils

Thames Class Year 4 pupils

Ridgeway Class Year 5 pupils

Chiltern Class Year 6 pupils

The Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years curriculum. Our Nursery is a joint Nursery with

Bishopswood Special School. The Ofsted for Bishopswood considered the Nursery practice to be Outstanding

and praised the integration between the two settings. The Infant Department consists of Year 1 and Year 2

which follow the Key Stage 1 curriculum. The Junior Department consists of Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, where the

children follow the Key Stage 2 curriculum. At the end of Year 6 the children take the end of Key Stage

Assessment Tests (SATs) before they progress to secondary education.

Admission Arrangements Valley Road is an LA school and admission decisions to the Reception class are made by the Education

Department. In general, priority is given to children who live in the catchment area of our school but parents

are given the Oxfordshire Schools Admissions booklet which outlines the admission policy in detail and the

procedure for appeal should an application be unsuccessful. It also shows the catchment school for each

house/road in the area. There is an admission limit of 30 places.

Pre-school Visits We believe it is very important that the child is familiar with the building and relaxed with the teacher before

starting school. We therefore encourage regular visits by the child prior to entry. There is an afternoon

induction visit for all pupils and parents at the end of the summer term. This is very successful.

School Hours School starts at: 8.50 a.m.

Morning Break 10:30am –10:45 am(Infant)

10:45am – 11:00 am (Junior)

Lunch break 11.45am – 12:45 pm (Infants)

11:55am - 12:55pm (Juniors)

School finishes at 3.15 p.m.

Confidence in a school comes from knowing and understanding what is happening within it. We hope you will

extend your knowledge through contact and discussion with the Headteacher and members of staff, and take

advantage of the frequent opportunities for consultation. It is important that mutual understanding and trust

should be the basis of our shared responsibility. We hold three Parent-Teacher interviews a year. We also hold

discussion events to enable parents to fully share in the life of the school and to discover what goes on. There isa

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web site which contains much information about the school as well as photographs. There is a guide available

for each year group giving information about what will be covered in the class and key stage.

School Uniform The school uniform colours are green and yellow, chosen to reflect our pleasant

environment. The children have developed a smart school badge, which they wear

with pride.

The uniform can be bought from the school through an order form from the school

office. We encourage the children to care for and respect their clothing and

equipment. There is a list of available uniform in the school office.

Sensible black shoes are required and a change of shoes for indoors is necessary. Trousers should be neat, black

or grey and full length. Shorts are acceptable. Tracksuit/ jogging bottoms/ leggings are not allowed.

All pupils are expected to bring in shorts, shirt and plimsolls for PE on Mondays and to take them home on

Fridays for washing. The wearing of jewellery is not allowed apart from flat studs which must be taken out for all

PE lessons.Please ensure that all clothing is clearly marked with your child's name. We expect all children to

wear the appropriate uniform.

Absence The School has a very clear Attendance Policy. If your child is absent for any reason, parents should notify the

school, or send a note explaining the absence on return to school. Schools have a legal requirement to publish

information on authorised and unauthorised absence from school.We do not approve of families taking

holidays in term time, as this negatively affects children's progress. If you are planning to take your children out

of school during term time a holiday form must be completed and a meeting undertaken with the Headteacher.

The school looks at attendance for the last two academic years as well as individual circumstances but it is only

exceptional circumstances that allow for an authorised absence.

Pupil Welfare and Safeguarding Please notify us immediately of any medical problems, or personal problems, which could affect your child at

school.

If your child is obviously ill and unable to remain in school, we will contact you by telephone. Please ensure

that we have up-to-date emergency telephone number in our records.

ValleyRoadPrimary School takes very seriously the issue of safeguarding. We also believe it is important to

operate a common sense approach that does not mean an overreaction through red tape and policy.To enable

this to be possible we have a clear set of guidelines that make sense to staff, pupils and parents. These have been

arrived at after discussion with the safeguarding team at Oxfordshire County Council, staff, pupils and

parents.We communicate and share information with other settings to ensure the safety of all our pupils. These

guidelines are handed out to every parent when their child first arrives in the school. Copies are also available

on our web site

We do not allow pupils to use mobile phones on site either in or outside school time. If they are on the

premises they must be kept in bags.

School lunches Warm school meals are provided each day. There is a choice of meals including a vegetarian option. Dinners

are paid for in advance on Monday; children can bring in cheques in a clearly labelled envelope.If you think

your child is eligible for free meals, please do not hesitate to ask for the appropriate form.

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Packed lunches If you wish your child to have a sandwich meal, this should be brought to school in a strong, small plastic case.

Please ensure these are clearly marked with the child’s name and are taken home at the end of the school day.

All children staying to any lunchtime meal at school eat together in the Hall and are supervised throughout the

lunchtime by Midday Supervisors. Please note all reception and infant pupils are entitled to a free school meal.

At mid-morning break time, free fruit is given to all the younger pupils including Year 2. Juniors may bring fruit

to eat, as this is in line with our ‘Healthy eating’ policy. Sweets should not be brought on to the premises.

Extra-curricular,after school Activities The school organises a number of activities for the children. These may

include: netball, short tennis, rounders, cricket, football, tag rugby,

swimming, writing, dance, computers, drama, gymnastics, music. Some of

the clubs are run by members of the school staff and there is no charge for

these. However, we also employspecialist teachers to run clubs for the

children e.g. gymnastics, and for these there is a small charge. A list of

clubs and other information about the school can be found in the

entrance to the school or from the school office.

The school is increasingly used by the community and other organisations both in the evenings and in the

holidays. At present the hall is used for Rock Choir, NCT, Tae Kwon Do and Stagecoach.

We also offer both a breakfast and an after school clubrun by Cygnets, who run the extended day care on the

premises. This club is called Bojangles and operates every day before and after school. Parents can take

advantage of both the school-run clubs and Bojangles. Bojangles also run clubs during the school holidays.

Parents can book sessions on a flexible basis. (Tel: 01491 414434) Web address:

http://www.cygnetsofhenley.co.uk/index.htm

Residential Courses and Educational Visits

In addition to extending the children's experience by

arranging many exciting day visits to places of interest,

longer periods are sometimes spent at residential study

centres such as Calshot Activities Centre near Southampton.

In many cases, these visits enable a child to experience time

away from the family in the company of familiar friends and adults, for the first time. The

activities often include fieldtrips to the New Forest, trawling for wildlife from a boat in the Southampton

estuary, beach study, rock climbing, abseiling, archery, skiing and initiative

courses.http://www.calshot.com/Our Year 4 pupils attend an overnight stay at Longridge near Marlow. The

pupils have the opportunity to undertake water activities and climbing as well as having what is for many their

first experience in staying away from home.

THE CURRICULUM

It is our intention to offer a unique and varied curriculum for all. Our main aims for

the school are outlined below.

Valley RoadSchool has:

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� an orderly relaxed environment where everyone wants to learn within a demanding curriculum.

� children who think for themselves, and are flexible and sensitive to the needs of others.

� a learning and assessment cycle to determine individual needs.

� an innovative and dynamic curriculum.

� the organisation, communication and action to support quality learning/teaching.

and it

� develops areas of excellence.

� encourages extra-curricular activities

� develops sports, drama, outdoor pursuits, residential visits.

� widens the horizons and provides every child with the skills and attitudes to help them towards

their goals.

The curriculum is planned:-

� to produce excellence in the 'basic' subjects of English, Maths and Science.

� to deliver the National Curriculum and other subjects in an exciting and challenging way.

� to include broad topics covering a range of curriculum areas and shorter more highly focused

units.

� to revisit subject areas during the child's school career.

� to use assessments as a guide to future planning.

Assessment and target-setting In addition to the formative assessment which takes

place daily through discussion and marking the

children's work, there are annual assessments of a more

formal nature that are used for target setting. We

undertake teacher assessment three times a year across

the school. In Year 6, these assessments, in Maths,

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar and Reading are set

by the DfS and are externally marked. In Year 2 Teacher

Assessment results are published.

Regular assessment enables teachers to identify each

pupil's progress during the year and predict the likely

attainment in the following year. This is called target

setting. This process ensures that we aim for no child to under-perform and that each child is fulfilling his/her

potential. We share these results and analysis with parents and children to assist future development. We are

interested in the development of the individual to the fullness of their potential. The SAT results for the

previous year are in the back of this booklet.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Regular homework for children is a valuable aspect of the learning process and contributes to the development

of sound study habits.

Consistent with this belief, the homework policy will be implemented according to the following guidelines:

� Each child will be assigned homework on a regular basis.

� While the amount of homework will vary according to the age and learning needs, every child will be

assigned some homework each week.

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� Teachers will be responsible for reviewing the homework assignment for each child.

The following diagram sets out some of the range of subjects and activities that your child will experience while

at Valley Road School.

We work hard in matching work to children’s ability, including setting and grouping within the classroom. We

believe the individual child's quality of learning experiences are supported by:

� planning which shows progression within the National Curriculum through the Primary years

� identification of children's differing needs by the classroom teacher

� planning classroom activities relevant to the child's experience and expertise

� differentiated tasks to meet individual children's needs

� provision of open-ended tasks to allow for differentiation by outcome

� assessment

� celebrating and recording pupil achievement

We also believe in matching the teaching style to the content of what has to be taught. Therefore your child

might be working in a collaborative group sometimes or in a more formal arrangement with the teacher

explaining a concept to the whole class, which may be followed by individual work.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Definition

Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision means provision that is additional to or otherwise different from

that which is made generally for pupils of the same age in other schools maintained by the LEA (Education Act

1996).

Writing activities

Art & Craft

Religious Education

Stories & poetry

Structural play

Science Geography

Reading

activities

IT studies

Physical Education

Music

Mathematics

Dance & Drama

Design & Technology Speaking & Listening

History

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Aims

We at Valley Road School believe that each pupil has individual and unique needs. However, some pupils

require more support than others. If these pupils are to achieve their full potential, we must recognise this and

plan accordingly. We acknowledge that a significant proportion of pupils will have special educational needs at

some time in their school career. Many of these pupils may require help throughout their time in school, whilst

others may need a little extra support for a short period to help overcome more temporary needs. Valley Road

school aims to provide all pupils with strategies for dealing with their needs in a supportive environment, and to

give them meaningful access to the National Curriculum. In particular, we aim:

� to enable every pupil to experience success

� to promote individual confidence and a positive attitude

� to ensure that all pupils, whatever their special educational needs, receive appropriate educational

provision through a broad and balanced curriculum that is relevant and differentiated, and that

demonstrates coherence and progression in learning

� to give pupils with SEN equal opportunities to take part in all aspects of the school’s provision, as far as

is appropriate

� to identify, assess, record, and regularly review pupils’ progress and needs

� to involve parents/carers in planning and supporting at all stages of their pupil’s development

� to work collaboratively with parents, other professionals and support services including the Educational

Psychology Service

� to ensure that the responsibility held by all staff and governors for SEN is implemented and

maintained.

It needs to be recognised that SEN is a way of supporting children and is not something negative. The school

will make every effort to discuss with parents what will be done for their child and why it needs to occur. We

believe strongly in working with parents to ensure pupil progress. If the school believes your child is in need of

SEN support it will be discussed with you in advance and you will be kept up to date with progress. Parents will

be asked to sign their agreement for the child to be on the SEN register. The Headteacher is the Special Needs

Coordinator (SENCO) with support from a member of the teaching staff. We also use the support of a Special

Needs Advisory Support Teacher (SNAST) for an afternoon every two weeks.

All information sent out from the school in the form of letters or newsletters is available in enlarged print or

other formats if possible.

THE ARTS Valley Road School has been awarded the Silver Artsmark Award from the Arts Council of Great Britain. This

is in recognition of our commitment to the Arts in education. At Valley Road, the Arts include music, dance,

drama, poetry and visual art. Through the Arts we encourage children to work collaboratively, independently

and imaginatively in ways which will enrich their whole lives. We believe that success in the arts increases the

children's confidence and will be reflected in other areas of the curriculum, establishing a personal sense of

achievement.

Equally, we enjoy working with local artists and drama groups such as the musicians and artists who come into

school during the Henley Youth Festival and those organised by the Friends of Henley Festival.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RE is part of the basic school curriculum and the school follows the County Agreed Syllabus.

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At both Key Stages 1 and 2 there is a major emphasis on Christianity. However, we also cover a variety of other

major religions. This enables the children to have a knowledge and understanding of other people’s beliefs and

traditions. They recognise that the common values of treating each other with kindness and respect underpins

the main philosophy of life in the majority of religions.

As a County school, we aim to provide a broad and balanced RE curriculum, which hopes to benefit all children

irrespective of their backgrounds. The Attainment Targets within the Agreed Syllabus summarise what we are

trying to achieve:

� Knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs and practices

� Understanding the influence and impact of religion on people's lives

� Evaluation of the issues arising from the study of religion.

ASSEMBLIES All pupils will normally take part in a daily assembly. Apart from Mondays and Thursdays, we hold the

assemblies at the beginning of the afternoon session. For the most part the school will meet as a whole.

However, there is also a separate Infant and Junior assembly each week. There is also a regular singing assembly.

Every Thursday there is a whole school sharing assembly in which pupils share their work with the rest of the

school.

The assemblies organised by the school are wholly or mainly of a values-based character. We have a monthly

value to which we all aspire to e.g. Kindness. This value is also referred to both explicitly and subliminally in our

class teaching.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from RE and collective worship if they so wish.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION The school has been awarded the Gold Activemark Award

from Sports England for the wide variety of PE and Sports

activities available at the school.

During their time at Valley Road, the children are taught 6

areas of activities which include games, gymnastic activities,

dance, athletic activities, outdoor and adventurous activities

and swimming.

Children from Year 3 upwards are taken for one term over

the year to Gillotts swimming pool for lessons by trained

swimming teachers.

SPORT We use the school and local resources to the maximum to provide a wide range of activities. This year there

have been opportunities to learn the following sports: netball, football, non-contact rugby, hockey, swimming,

kwik cricket, short tennis, rounders, athletics.

The school has a spacious hall which is well equipped with gymnastic apparatus. It is important that the

children bring to school the appropriate clothing for these activities.

SEX EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULUM

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We aim to present sex education within the context of family life, of loving relationships and of respect for

others. The aim of the sex education programme is to prepare pupils for the physical and emotional changes

and challenges of growing up, and to give them an elementary understanding of human reproduction.

Sex education is part of the Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum (PSHE). With the younger

children, issues often arise through informal discussions about a new baby in the family, pets at home, care of

animals in school, friendship etc. The school nurse is involved in the sex education programme and an

appropriate video is usually shown. We recognise that the prime responsibility for bringing up children rests

with parents, therefore the teaching of sex education should be complementary to and supportive of, their role.

Parents are therefore informed before the programme of work begins with the older children, as they might use

this as an appropriate time to discuss any issues with their children. They are also welcome to view the teaching

materials and to discuss them with the class teacher. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from sex

education lessons.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT Strong links with parents have been a fundamental feature of our educational philosophy since the opening of

Valley Road School. Such close and sympathetic understanding greatly benefits our children.

Parents are given formal invitations to discuss their child's progress and to view the wide range of written and art

work at the beginning of the school year in October, in March and in July after receiving the annual school

report. At other times, parents who wish to discuss their child's progress are welcome to make an appointment

with their child’s class teacher. We hold a meeting at least once a term to discuss some aspect of school life with

parents. We also request views on policy and future plans. We hold three drop-in sessions for parents to come

and look at the displays around the school. These are not consultations but a chance to appreciate what is

happening in the school as display is an important part of our school life.

Each term there is a special Assembly when we share the term's work with parents or celebrate a festival. At

these Assemblies the children present their work to parents through the medium of music, drama and narrative.

Parents receive fortnightly Newsletters giving them information about forthcoming events, sporting fixtures,

pupil success, visits and visitors etc. Each term, the class teachers write to parents explaining the term's topic,

the work to be covered across the curriculum and the resources that would be helpful to support the topic. We

currently communicate primarily to parents via email as we find this most effective. We are also starting a

Dropbox folder in which we will put letters and other information parents may find useful.

We are pleased to hear from parents who are able to help with activities in school. Such activities include

assisting in the swimming pool, cooking, crafts, helping with IT, helping on visits, and sports fixtures. Parents

with specialist skills or hobbies are welcome to share their interests with the children. Please let us know if you

are able to contribute. Any volunteer who come in to school to work with pupils on a regular basis will need to

undertake an enhanced CRB check. The office will help you with this.

VALLEY ROAD PTA The Valley Road PTA was granted charitable status in 1999 and is now a registered charity. There are five

Trustees who are elected annually.

The aim of the PTA is to encourage the active interest of parents and friends in the life of the school and to

raise money for school funds, including the recently launched Gift Aid Scheme. All parents are automatically

members of the Association and are eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting which is held in the

Summer Term. Throughout the year, the PTA arranges a number of social and fund-raising events. The

children benefit greatly from the extra equipment, books and subsidies that are financed from the Association’s

funds. The school minibus, which is used by all the children, was purchased by the PTA and continues to be

maintained from the same source.

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The present Chair of the PTA is Mrs Siobhan Pratt.

COMPLAINTS We aim to deal with any complaints quickly, helpfully and courteously.

In the first instance you contact the member of staff concerned - your child's teacher for example. You may

contact the Headteacher directly. In all these cases please make an appointment with the school office and allow

a reasonable time for the appointment to be made.

If at the end of the day you have spoken with the Headteacher and are still not satisfied, you may approach the

Chair of Governors followed by the Local Authority. You will be told what your rights of appeal are and how to

go about making one.

SAFEGUARDING The school produces a safeguarding document that is given out to all new parents. It is updated every year and

makes it clear the school’s procedures in this area. All children are under the supervision of adults throughout

the day. A teacher is on duty during the mid-morning break and teachers are on the premises during the lunch

break. Dinner time supervisors are employed over the dinner hour. They ensure the well-being and safety of

the children. Any minor accidents are dealt with immediately in school.

Safety on the site For security reasons, all visitors to the school must report to the school office and sign in on arrival and out on

departure. Approved visitors can be identified by a badge which is issued for the duration of their visit.

Late arrival/early collection of children Children arriving at school after registration should report to the school office so that the attendance register

can be amended.

Parents wishing to collect their child during the school day, for whatever reason, must report to the school office

and sign the child out. We expect all children to be on site no earlier than 8.30am (unless supervised) and no

later than 8.50am ready to start school. If you think you may be late to collect your child at the endof the school

day, please ring us and we will inform your child. If your child is attending an after school club that is organised

by an outside organisation it is the club’s responsibility to look after the child until the parent arrives.

Road Safety Parents should ensure that their children are adequately supervised when walking to and from school. Children

will not be allowed to leave the premises during school hours unless we have written notification. On entering

the premises, please stick to the footpaths. We appreciate children and adults not cycling/using scooters on the

walk ways. Please do not drive into the school grounds during the time the children are coming to or leaving

school, i.e. between 8.30am and 9.30am and 3.00pm and 3.45pm.

Please do not park on the yellow lines outside the school. Cycling Proficiency courses are held periodically for

the older children.

Fire Drills Fire drills take place at least once a term. The car park must be accessible at all times to the Fire Brigade so

parking is confined to staff cars only. The school has an outstanding record in Health and Safety.

Medicines

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Staff are not permitted to administer medicines to children. Parents are welcome to come in and give a dose

themselves by arrangement with the class teacher. This does not apply to Asthma inhalers.

Charges for School Activities and Pupil Premium It is the intention of the school to ensure that no child should be excluded from an activity on the grounds of

his/her parents’ ability or willingness to make a financial contribution.

We will make a charge for board and lodgings on residential trips. We also request a donation towards optional

extras and materials and ingredients for particular activities if parents want to own the finished product that

been made by a child.

However, where families are in receipt of Income Support or Child Family Tax Credit we do not make a charge

for board and lodgings on residential visits.

For financial support grants are available from the Henley Educational Charity for similar activities and also for

uniforms and some educational equipment.

Application forms for these grants (and more information about them) are on the form stand in the entrance

hall. Please ask in the office if none are readily available.

The LA’s Music Service makes a termly charge for tuition which is payable direct. Details are available on

request.

Sometimes the school will seek voluntary contributions for the benefit of the school, or in support of any school

activity, whether during or outside school hours, residential or non-residential.

Some other criteria such as age or a fair draw may be used if there are likely to fewer places available than pupils

wishing to take part. We wish to stress that this only applies to events or activities that we feel are of great value

to the school and pupils even though we cannot take everyone.

We wish to make it clear that although there is no obligation to

contribute all donations are appreciated! Please note that all

pupils at the school will not be treated differently according to

whether or not parents have made any contribution when

requested to do so. If an activity cannot be funded without

voluntary contributions, then the school will seek

contributions from parents. When this happens parents will

be sent a letter detailing the contribution each child will be

required to make towards the activity, which will be at least the

cost of the activity.

On occasion failure to obtain financial support for an activity

could well mean that the activity will be cancelled.

The school receives money for the government called the Pupil Premium that is designed to ensure the correct

levels of support for pupils. For more information please look at our web site where there is a document

explaining how the money was used by the school in the last year.

Music Tuition

As mentioned above, instrumental music tuition is available on an extracurricular basis from the County Music

service.

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At Valley Road, we currently offer Guitar, Violin, Flute, Double Bass, Drums, Recorder and Keyboard lessons.

There is also a choir run by a professional singer and musician.

Please note if your child undertakes lessons during school time they will miss out on curriculum sessions. The

school is not able to arrange these times to alter each week as they depend on the availability of the tutor. It will

not be possible for staff to make up the curriculum time missed.

Early Years Facilities

Valley Road Nursery

Valley Road Nursery Class is an integrated nursery which operates two sessions each day. There are 26 places

per session; 18 of these are for mainstream children from the Henley area and 8 are for children on the roll of

Bishopswood School. These children have their own specialist teacher and staff. The Nursery is available to

children for mornings and afternoon sessions. The morning session is from 9am to 12pm and the afternoon

session is from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The school will also supervise lunch for those who wish to stay although the

family must provide a packed lunch.

The Nursery is funded by the LA and is free at the point of entry. The Nursery welcomes visits from prospective

parents. Please telephone to make an appointment.

Application forms are available from the school office and you may apply for a place after your child’s second

birthday. Children are admitted to the Nursery between the ages of 3 and 4.

Cygnets of Henley

In addition to the school’s Nursery, there is a private, extended day-care facility on the site which offers

educationally based day-care tailored to suit parents’

individual needs. Cygnets has 12 baby places (from 3

months) and 22 pre-school places.

Children over 3 years of age may attend the school nursery

and then join the private nursery, if there are places

available. Cygnets day-care operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Please apply to Cygnets on 01491 414434 for a prospectus.

After school care

There is a breakfast club organised by Cygnets. For more

details contact the above number.

There is also a daily after school club available from 3:15 to 6.00pm in the evening.

During the holidays, there is a club run for all primary aged pupils from 8am to 6pm.

Transfer to Secondary School

At eleven years of age, most children transfer to Gillotts School. Parents wishing to discuss the next stage of

their child's education are welcome to do so with the Headteacher. There is an excellent induction programme,

where opportunities are given for the children to visit both staff and pupils of Gillotts School, in the summer

term prior to transfer. However, whichever school your child moves on to, we make sure he/she is well

prepared, and we are happy to liaise with the school of your choice to ensure a smooth transfer.

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In conclusion, the information you have read in this booklet is about the way the school is organised. If there is

anything you are unsure about, or require further information, please do not hesitate to come into school and

ask. We hope your child will be very happy with us.

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Information for Parents

School Terms and Holidays 2015/2016

Term 2013-14 Dates

Term 1 Thursday 3rd September – Friday 23rd October

October holiday Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October

Term 2 Monday 2nd November – Friday 18thDecember (2pm finish)

Christmas holiday Monday 21st December – Monday 4th January

Term 3 Tuesday 5thJanuary – Friday 12thFebruary

February holiday Monday 15thFebruary – Friday 19th February

Term 4 Monday 22nd February – Thursday 24th March (2pm finish)

April holiday Friday 25th March – Friday 8thApril

Term 5 Tuesday 11thApril – Thursday 26th May

Late Spring holiday Friday 27th May – Monday 6th June

Term 6 Tuesday 7th June – Wednesday 20th July (2pm finish)

Please note we are closed on 1stand 2ndSeptember, 4thJanuary, 27th May and 6thJune for INSET days. We are also closed

on 2nd May for the Bank Holiday.

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Key Stage 1 Teacher Assessment 2015

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Ket Stage 2 Teacher Assessment and Results 2015

Please note: Pupils are only test assessed in Math, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and Reading. Writing and Science are both

assessed only by Teacher Assessment

Valley Road School ROAD PROSPECTUS 2015.pdfValley Road School is situated on the western side of...

Documents

Transcript of Valley Road School ROAD PROSPECTUS 2015.pdfValley Road School is situated on the western side of...