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Dear Parents
Newtownards Model Primary School is widely accepted to be a ‘State of
the Art’ school, resourced for teaching and learning in the twenty first
century. This deserved reputation has been achieved through the delivery
of a high class academic education and a belief in ‘rounding our children’
through exposure to ‘sports’ the ‘arts’ and real life experiences. While we
expect the highest standards both academically and morally, we aim to
create independent, motivated and socially adept pupils who can achieve
their potential and be ‘model’ citizens of the future.
All of these experiences occur within a caring environment where children
feel safe, secure and stimulated with our dedicated staff continuously working towards providing
such an atmosphere.
Some parents who already have children attending our school will be familiar with policies and
routines but for others this prospectus is designed to give information that will allow you to help
your child settle easily and quickly into their new surroundings.
It is my ardent hope that you have an enjoyable and rewarding association with Newtownards
Model Primary School working with us in educating your child.
J Stewart
Principal
Principal: Jeremy Stewart, B.Ed. Hons. Cert Ed. Advanced
Scrabo Road, Newtownards, Co. Down BT23 4NW Tel:028 9181 2113 Fax: 028 9182 6004
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.newtownardsmodelps.co.uk
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INTRODUCTION
Newtownards Model Primary School is a controlled, co-educational primary school within the South
Eastern Region of the Education Authority. Our school currently has 413 four to eleven year old children
on roll, with each year group having two classes. In addition to our classroom teachers, our school has
part time Music and Physical Education specialists and two part- time Learning Support teachers. This
highly experienced and dedicated teaching staff is supported by 11 classroom assistants, 7 supervisory
assistants, 2 secretaries, a building supervisor, 4 cleaners and a school patrol crossing supervisor to
complete an excellent team. A cook assisted by 3 dining attendants provides dinners in the school canteen.
The South Eastern Region of the Education Authority has its headquarters at Grahamsbridge Road
Dundonald, BT16 2HS, its telephone number being (028) 9056 6200. The Education Authority publishes
details about education in the area and copies of this information are obtainable from that address.
The school became fully delegated in April 1994 and from that date the Board of Governors was
completely responsible for the full budget including salaries. The Chairperson of Governors is Mr W
McAdam.
MISSION STATEMENT
Working as a team within a respectful, safe, caring, and secure environment we will develop
the intellectual, physical, moral and creative abilities of all our pupils, so that each child
becomes responsible for their own learning and develops to their full potential.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Mr W McAdam ) Transferors’ Representative
Miss P McMillan ) Transferors’ Representative
Mr D Roberts ) Transferors’ Representative
Rev K Hyndman ) SEELB Representative
A N Other - Transferors’ Representative
Mrs M McIlroy - Parents’ Representative
Mr N Morrison - Parents’ Representative
Mr D Hill - DENI Representative
Mr D Watson - Teachers’ Representative
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STAFF 2015-2016
PRINCIPAL Mr J Stewart B Ed (Hons) Cert Ed Advanced
VICE PRINCIPAL,
Head of Key Stage Two & P5 Teacher Mrs E Simpson B Ed (Hons) PQHNI
Head of Foundation Mrs P Langley B Ed
Head of Key Stage One Mrs E McCulloch B Ed (Hons) TEFL
Mrs K Bryans B.A. (Hons) Mrs E Gould B Ed
Miss C Beattie B Ed (Hons) Mrs L Ryan MA B Ed (Hons) ALCM
Miss Lee-Ann Dalton B.A. PGCE (P3 Job Share) Miss L Owen BA (Hons)
Mrs C Myles MA MEd LGSM Miss S Cooper MA MEd PGCE
Mr D Watson B Ed (Hons) Mr C McCullough BA (Hons) PGCE
Mrs P Turtle BSc (Hons) PGCE Mrs K Raphael BSc (Hons) PGCE
Mrs R Thompson B Ed Learning Support Mrs C Ringland B Ed Learning Support & P3 Job Share)
Mrs C Leathem B Ed ATCL Music Specialist Miss E Graham BSc PGCE P.E. Specialist
Mrs S O’Donnell B.Ed. (Hons) (P7T Job Share) Mrs L Braniff B.Ed. (Hons) (P4L Job Share)
ANCILLARY STAFF
Executive Officer Mrs R Dornan
Clerical Officer Mr N Keery
Buildings Supervisor Mr S Rollo
Classroom Assistants (P1&2) Mrs A Hill, Mrs A King, Ms K Fulton, Mrs L Boyd
Classroom Assistant (SEN) Mrs P Dines, Miss K Ferguson, Mrs D McFeeters, Mrs N McBride
Miss E Donnelly
Classroom Assistant Mrs K Tannock, Ms E Webber,
Road Patrol Supervisor Mr K Brennan
Cleaning Staff Mrs B Johnston, Mrs S McClean, Mr K Filson, Mr S Pyper
Senior Supervisory Assistant Mrs I Reid
Supervisory Assistants Mrs S McGouran, Mrs K Bittles, Mrs A Creaney, Mrs D Bill,
Mrs B Johnston, Mrs K Tannock
Cook Mrs L McVeigh
Kitchen Assistants Mrs V Murphy, A N Other, Ms L Aulton
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GENERAL INFORMATION
ADMISSION TO SCHOOL
A child who is 4 years old on or before 1 July may be enrolled in the school the following September
provided there are places available. If the school is oversubscribed the Board of Governors will apply its
Admission Criteria to ascertain the 58 places which The Department of Education dictates is our P1 intake
number.
Parents are welcome to visit our school on the Open Night held annually in December or on the Open
Morning held annually in January. Parents may also make arrangements for a personalised tour of our
school if they are unable to attend the Open Night or Open Morning.
Criteria for the Admission of Children into P1
P1 Intake
If the school is oversubscribed pupils will be admitted according to the following criteria:-
1 Children of compulsory school age with a member of their family* currently in attendance at
Newtownards Model Primary School. (Applicants must state the family member currently in
attendance on the application form).
2 Children of compulsory school age whose parent is a permanent employee in Newtownards Model
Primary School.
3 Children of compulsory school age whose parents or members of the family* previously attended
Newtownards Model Primary School. (Applicants must provide Name/Maiden name of family
member and year of leaving Newtownards Model Primary School on the application form).
*A member of the family will be defined as brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step brother, step
sister, foster brother, foster sister.
4 Other children:
In the event of over-subscription in any of the above criteria, taken in order, the following
sub-criteria will be applied in the order stated.
(a) Applications where Newtownards Model Primary School is the first choice.
(b) Children whose normal place of residence is closest to the school, as measured using Google Maps
Distance measuring Tool (Driving).
In the event of two children living equidistant from the school, the eldest child will be given
preference.
Waiting List Policy
P1 Admissions
Should a vacancy arise after placement letters have been issued all applications for admission that were
initially refused, new applications, late applications and applications where new information has been
provided will be treated equally and the published criteria applied. This waiting list will be in place until
the end of the academic year applied for.
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The school will contact you if your child gains a place by this method and parents must reply to the offer
within 48 hours otherwise the next child on the waiting list will be offered this place.
Parents must inform the school if they wish their child to be included in the P2-7 waiting list.
P2-P7 Intake
In considering applications for admission to P2- P7 classes, the governors will apply the same criteria and
in the same order as listed above for admission to P1. This will be on the basis that no child will be
admitted to a P1- P7 class which already has 30 children or more, and on the overall enrolment figure for
the school not being exceeded.
In the case of all applications for admission, a multiple application for siblings, will be considered first and
the criteria applied before single applications.
NB: When considering which children should be selected for admission, the Board of
Governors will only take into account information which is detailed on or attached to the
application form. Parents should therefore ensure that all information pertaining to their
child and relevant to the school’s admissions criteria is stated on the application form or
attached to it. Examples of such information include details of family members currently in
attendance in the school and details of parents or family members who previously attended
Newtownards Model Primary School.
An original birth certificate should accompany all applications.
Applicants should note that the provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide
information within the deadlines set by primary schools can result in the withdrawal of a place and the
inability to offer a place on the part of any school nominated on the applicant’s application form.
UNIFORM GIRLS Grey pinafore or skirt Navy cardigan or jumper White blouse School tie White socks (navy tights may be worn in cold weather) A navy gingham dress may be worn in the summer term Black flat soled shoes, laced or with Velcro straps
BOYS Grey trousers Navy jumper White shirt School tie Black flat soled shoes, laced or with Velcro straps P.E UNIFORM
Children in P1 do not change for P.E. (P1 Children change into gutties for P.E.).
However there is a P.E. uniform for all other classes.
The P.E. uniform consists of branded white polo shirt, branded navy shorts, branded track suit bottoms
and white socks. (A track suit top is available but is optional).
P.E. uniform can be ordered through school and is available from David Crawford School Wear and Select
Kids.
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BREAKFAST CLUB
A Breakfast Club, supervised by school staff, runs every morning from
8.00am to 8.45am. (Last admittance is at 8.30am). The cost is 50p per
morning and the children are supplied with a nutritious breakfast and get
the opportunity to play games with their friends in a relaxed but secure
environment. All our children are eligible to use the service.
School Wrap Around Provision
To support parents with children in different Key Stages which have differing finishing times, our SWAP
programme allows children in P1, P2 and P3 to remain in school under supervision until 2.55pm. The cost
is £2 per child and children using the programme are supervised by Classroom Assistants and Supervisors
who engage the children in educationally based activities during the hour.
SCHOOL DINNERS and UNIFORM GRANT
Dinners are prepared on the premises and served daily in the school canteen. The school dinners are
extremely nutritious, varied, tasty and meet all regulatory standards regarding school meals. These are
paid for on a Monday although a dinner may be purchased any day if special circumstances arise.
Cheques must be made payable to the Education Authority. We would ask that parents pay for small
amounts (£2.50/£5/£10) with cash as our school is charged 36p by the bank for every checque.
Children whose parents are in receipt of INCOME SUPPORT, JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE (Income related
or Pension Credit) or CHILD TAX CREDIT (with earnings under £16,190), will be eligible to apply for free
school meals and a uniform grant.
Parents and guardians may apply for Free School Meals and a Uniform Grant if they are in receipt of
WORKING TAX CREDIT and have an annual taxable income which does not exceed £16,190.
Further information and application forms for free meals may be obtained from the school office.
Children in P1 & P2 may be collected from school at 1.15 pm or they may remain in school where they
can consume a packed lunch or a school dinner, play under supervision in the playground and be collected
at 1.55 pm. (For P1 pupils this timetable only takes effect after September. Prior to this children do not
stay for dinner and are released at 12.15pm)).
PACKED LUNCHES
P1 - P7
Children may bring packed lunches to school to be eaten in the canteen under supervision. Please name all
lunch boxes. Drinks in glass containers should not be brought into school.
Parents should note that our school is a Nut Free Zone. This is due to children who have allergies that
are potentially serious and are triggered by nuts or nut traces.
During a staggered lunchtime children visit the canteen to eat their lunch and then have supervised
playtime in the playgrounds.
THE SCHOOL DAY
All children should come to school at 8.55 am for a 9.00 am start. Children go directly to their class
where they will be supervised. Teachers are available in their classrooms from 8.45 am and before this
time there will be no supervision. Any child coming to school before 8.45 am and not attending the
Breakfast Club should wait in the Middle Playground. P1 & P2 children enter school via the side door
outside Mrs Langley’s classroom and parents may accompany P1 & P2 children to their cloakrooms or
classroom up until Halloween. Thereafter, parents are asked to leave their children to the side door only.
P3 - P7 parents should leave their children to the front door. If a parent wishes to speak with a teacher, an
appointment can be made through the School Secretary in the Office.
All parents should use the pedestrian gates at the front of the building. The car park entrance must not be
used by pedestrians.
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P1 at play
The end of the school day varies according to the class and time of year.
P1 9.00 am - 12.15 pm (Until the end of September)
9.00 am - 1.55 pm (From the start of October)
P2 9.00 am - 1.55 pm
P3 9.00 am - 2.00 pm
P4 - P7 9.00 am - 3.00 pm
Our P1 - P3 children must be accompanied to and collected from school by an adult.
P1 day trip to Crawfordsburn Beach
HEALTHY SNACK
Our P1 & P2 classes have a system in which the children are given a nutritious snack each morning at a
cost of £5 per month. For our older children, nutritious fruit and yogurt are available every day for 30p
and on Wednesdays and Fridays a healthier treat option is available. Children are encouraged not to
bring confectionary or chocolate for break.
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School Holidays 2015/16
Start Tuesday 25th August 2015
Halloween Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October 2015 (5days inclusive)
Christmas Monday 21st December 2015– Friday 1st January 2016 (10 days)
Start Tuesday 5th January 2016
Half Term Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February 2016 (5 days)
Easter Monday 21st March 2016 – Friday 1st April 2016 (10 days)
Bank Holidays
Monday 31st August 2015 (1 day)
Monday 2nd May 2016 (1 day)
Monday 30th May 2016 (1 day)
Baker Days
1. Tuesday 18th August 2015
2. Wednesday 19th August 2015
3. Thursday 20th August 2015
4. Friday 21st August 2015
5. Monday 24th August 2015
SDD’s
1. Monday 2nd November 2015
2. Monday 4th January 2016
3. Monday 23rd May 2016
4. Tuesday 24th May 2016
5. Wednesday 25th May 2016
Parents are strongly discouraged from taking their children out of school for holidays during
term times. Likewise medical/dental appointments should be arranged outside the normal
school day.
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PROPERTY
All items of clothing, including gym shoes (slip on type for the P1 - P3 children) and lunch boxes, must be
clearly marked with the child’s name. Although every care is taken of pupils’ property, the school cannot
accept responsibility for loss or damage.
Parents are asked to ensure that the best possible care is taken of all textbooks, exercise books and
equipment given to their children for use at home. Textbooks should be backed, as in the present financial
climate other children will undoubtedly have to use them.
JEWELLERY
Due to health and safety constraints, children are not permitted to wear hooped earrings at any time. One
small stud earring may be worn in each ear but must not be worn to school on a day when they need to
be removed for PE or swimming as removal/storage and the potential for replacement with someone else’s
earring could lead to loss or serious infection such as Hepatitis.
The Physical Education Policy and Uniform Policy give further information and can be found on the School
Website. Hard copies of these policies are available from the School Secretary upon demand.
PARENTAL INTERVIEWS
Formal parental interviews take place twice a year in October and March. Parents also receive a written
report in June. Parents are also invited to a Year Group Meeting in early September when teachers will
give parents information about the year ahead and the curriculum covered. Parents also receive a
substantive booklet at the end of every year giving information about their child’s teacher for next year and
changes to routine and structure that may be encountered when entering a new Key Stage or year group
Parents are also encouraged to communicate with teachers if they have concerns or queries about their
child’s progress. Informal interviews can be arranged by contacting the School Secretary
THE CURRICULUM
The Revised Curriculum is now firmly imbedded in our school and the values underpinning the ethos are
very clearly evident in how our children are developing. Standards have risen and the children are
developing greater social skills such as self- confidence, independence, self- organisation and team work.
The curriculum being followed reflects a changing society and the skills being developed are those that our
future citizens and work force will require. While personal and inter-personal skills are important, so too are
the basic elements of Literacy and Numeracy, which continue to be the foundation of all our learning and
teaching. These two elements continue to be the main focus in our curriculum.
CLASS ORGANISATION
There are two classes per year group and our P1 classes are arranged, from the information available, to
create two balanced mixed -ability classes. The classes are then restructured at the end of P2 and P5, as
over time the balance of classes can change. Internally classes may be organised in groups i.e. groups of
mixed ability, peer and random groups or as a whole class. This enables teachers to affect the most
efficient form of learning.
Internal Assessment and Tracking
In Newtownards Model Primary School we place a huge emphasis on the use of internal assessment data
and the tracking of children to ensure high quality teaching and learning. From P1 our children complete
Standardised Tests in Literacy and Mathematics. This data allows us to monitor the progress of each child
in the early years. In P4 and then P6, our children also complete Cognitive Ability Tests on -line and from
the results of these tests; we are able to ascertain how the children are performing in Literacy and
Mathematics against their cognitive ability. Underperforming children are identified, using this data
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alongside professional judgement and any identified children are then given support within the classroom or
by our Learning Support teachers and they are targeted for improvement.
DIFFERENTIATION/LEARNING SUPPORT
Each teacher will provide a full programme of work for all children in their class whatever their ability.
Where pupils with special educational needs are identified, they will be allocated individual learning
programmes in literacy and numeracy. Regular monitoring of pupils’ progress is carried out and
home/school links and parental consultations are a regular feature of the school year. Where necessary,
advice and support is sought from the Education Authority’s Psychology Service. Learning Support
teachers are employed to give extra help in literacy and numeracy to children who require assistance.
Special Educational Needs
Newtownards Model Primary School is incredibly well resourced in this area, given that our SENCO
(Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) Mrs Ringland, supports children who are identified as requiring
additional support in literacy and Mrs Thompson supports those children who have been identified as
requiring additional support in Mathematics. Intervention from Mrs Ringland and Mrs Thompson is usually
initiated in P2 with an emphasis on closing any educational gap quickly. A Special Educational Needs
Register is drawn up each year with identified children being placed on the register within the confines of
the Code of Practice. Parents are informed at every stage within the process and there is a close liaison
between school and home should a child be identified at any stage as requiring support. The Special
Educational Needs Policy can be found on the school website and hard copies can be obtained upon
request.
ASSESSMENT RESULTS 2014/2015
KEY STAGE 1 Communication KEY STAGE 1 MATHS
NEWTOWNARDS
MODEL
NORTHERN
IRELAND
NEWTOWNARDS
MODEL
NORTHERN
IRELAND
LEVEL 1 1.75%
Not available
0% Not available
LEVEL 2 47% Not available 49% Not available
LEVEL 3 51% Not available 51% Not available
Level 2 or
above
98%
89%
100%
90%
KEY STAGE 2 Communication KEY STAGE 2 MATHS
NEWTOWNARDS
MODEL
NORTHERN
IRELAND
NEWTOWNARDS
MODEL
NORTHERN
IRELAND
LEVEL 3 18% Not available 14% Not available
LEVEL 4 53% Not available 52% Not available
LEVEL 5 28% Not available 34% Not available
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Level 4 or
above
82%
80%
85%
82%
*Some information was Not Available because of industrial action
POLICY DOCUMENTS
All schools are now required to have written policy statements for their educational provision and care:
e.g. Behaviour for Learning, Anti-Bullying Policy, Charging and Remissions Policy, Safeguarding Policy,
Homework Policy etc. These can be found on the school website and are available on request from the
School Secretary.
Cast from the Nativity Play P1 pupils receive a visit from the
local Fire Service
INDUCTION PROGRAMME FOR P1 INTAKE
VISIT OF NEW INTAKE PARENTS:-
Parents will be invited to attend an evening meeting in school in early June. At this meeting parents will be
given general information about the school and administrative details concerning Primary One. Parents will
receive copies of our, “Getting Ready for School,” booklet and our Head of Foundation will advise parents
how they might best help their child prepare for starting Primary One.
VISIT OF NEW INTAKE PUPILS: -
Parents will be invited to bring their child to school for an afternoon visit in mid- June to sample school life
in Primary One. During this afternoon the child will see their new classroom, sample the play materials and
meet the teacher. This visit is intended to allay any fears the child may have and to ease the transition
from home to school.
HOMEWORK
Newtownards Model Primary School believes strongly in the value of homework. Through homework :
(a) Work done in school is consolidated
(b) Parents see what their child has been learning in school
(c) A project or investigative piece of work may allow parents and children to work together in a
creative way
(d) Your child becomes accustomed to completing tasks outside the classroom and becomes familiar
to a routine they will expect to encounter in Key Stage One and Two and in post primary
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school.
Our Homework Policy is available on the School Website and upon request.
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS AND RESIDENTIALS
All of our classes get the opportunity to go on Educational Visits. These visits help reinforce facts and
concepts the children have covered in course and topic work. All children have at least one trip each year;
our older children will have the chance to go on a number of visits to factories, historical sites and places of
educational interest.
In P6 our children have a residential at an Outdoor Pursuits centre and our P7 children travel to the
mainland to experience cities such as Edinburgh and York.
P6 at Greenhill
P7 at York
SCHOOL LINKS
Our school has close links with the other primary and secondary schools in the area. Primary 7 pupils are
given the opportunity to visit local secondary schools and representatives from the schools visit regularly
during the final year and liaise with the Principal and Primary 7 teachers regarding the transition.
COMMUNITY LINKS
The school has a policy of maintaining good links within the local community. Our P1 - P3 Christmas
Concerts and P4 - P7 Carol Service are both greatly appreciated by parents and the school community in
general. Our school choirs perform for senior citizens, hospital patients and other groups in the local
community on a regular basis.
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PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION
The school enjoys an active and dedicated Parent-Teacher Association, which provides annually a varied
and attractive programme which caters well for the social and educational aspect, as well as generating
welcome financial resources.
When children enrol at Newtownards Model Primary School, their parents automatically become members
of the PTA, and when they see their parents coming to school and enjoying it, the benefits for children are
invaluable. It is therefore in your child’s interest that you become actively involved in the PTA.
CHARITIES
The school supports many charities. As demands are constantly being made to schools, we select wisely
the charities we will support each year. The British Legion Poppy Appeal, Wings and Christian Aid are
supported each year, while other various charities, e.g. NSPCC, Children in Need are supported in special
projects undertaken. We try to balance our support for Northern Ireland charities alongside national and
international charities.
SAFEGUARDING
The health, safety and pastoral care of all our children is paramount. Our Safeguarding Team of Mrs
Simpson, our Designated Teacher and Mrs Langley our Deputy Designated Teacher, supports the emotional
and physical wellbeing of our children. Children are all aware of this team and know that they can seek
support overtly or privately through a Worry Box system A copy of the Safeguarding and Child Protection
Policy can be found on the school website and a hard copy is available upon request. Likewise a copy of
the school’s Drug Policy is on the school website and a hard copy is available upon request.
The school currently has six staff trained in First Aid. Minor injuries are dealt with in school by trained
First Aiders and in the case of more serious injuries, school will ask parents to come to school to consult
about an injury or the pupil will be transferred to hospital by ambulance if the circumstances demand.
Parents will be informed if the injury is deemed to be more than minor.
MEDICATION
Teachers will only supervise administration of prescribed medication after a Protocol, (available from the
Principal), has been completed and signed by the GP or Paediatrician and the Principal. Non-prescribed
medication can be administered by parents during the school day after arrangement with the Principal.
Other than prescribed medication administered after completion of the Protocol, no medicines should be
brought into school.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND ASSEMBLIES
Non-denominational Religious Education is given to all classes. While this is firmly bible-based, a thematic
approach may be used, with such concepts as forgiveness, honesty, the family and caring for others to the
fore. Religious Education is also presented in a meaningful way, relevant to everyday life as found in
school, at home or further afield.
On Fridays P4 - P7 children attend Morning Assembly when visiting clergy may participate whereas P1 -
P3 children hold their assemblies on Wednesdays. Special services are held at Christmas, Easter or for
specific purposes such as Harvest and Christian Aid. In Newtownards Model Primary School we aim to
show that Christian characteristics should form the foundation for a self-controlled caring life.
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If parents do not want their child to be taught the RE Curriculum or to take part in the short act of
worship they must let the school know by making arrangements to speak to the Principal concerning the
matter. It is your right to withdraw your child from religious education classes.
ABSENCE
If your child has been absent for any reason, his or her return must be accompanied by a letter
explaining the absence.
It would be appreciated if appointments to the doctor, dentist etc could be made outside
school hours. If this is not possible to arrange, the school cannot allow a child to leave the premises
during school hours without a written request from the parents. Parents must collect children from the
school office in these circumstances.
Parents of children with poor attendance will receive a letter from the school highlighting the level of
concern. If attendance continues to be below acceptable levels then the Principal will contact the
Educational Welfare Officer. The same will apply if persistent lateness becomes an issue.
An Attendance and Lateness Policy which gives further information can be found on the School Website
and is available upon request.
COMMUNICATION
Mobile phones are not permitted in school. There are various reasons for this, the most notable being the
potential misuse of the camera, phone or text facility along with the possibility of loss or damage.
If children need to contact their parents they can do so, depending on the situation, either via land line in
the classroom, under teacher supervision or via land line in the office under supervision of the secretaries.
A Model School News Sheet giving diary dates, holiday dates and other important information is sent to
parents via the children on a regular basis. This information will also be on the school website.
(Gaming consoles or devices which have a camera facility are not permitted in school for the same reasons
as listed above.)
CYCLING TO SCHOOL
Children who cycle to school must dismount at the pedestrian gates and walk with their bicycle through
the grounds of the school to the cycle rack behind the kitchen block. Children using the patrolman to cross
the Scrabo Road must also dismount while being supervised at the crossing.
Children must not cycle or walk through the car park and bicycles must be locked as the school can not be
responsible in cases of theft. It is expected that children will wear a cycle helmet at all times while cycling.
REPORTS
A report on pupils’ progress is issued each year. This comprehensive report is issued in early June.
Newtownards Model Primary School always encourages an ‘open door’ system and parents may visit the
school at any time to ascertain the progress of their children, to seek clarification on information received,
or to make teachers aware of a problem which has unexpectedly arisen and which may effect the child’s
learning process. (These times should always be mutually agreed between teacher and parent).
BEHAVIOUR/DISCIPLINE
Newtownards Model Primary School has always enjoyed a reputation for good behaviour, a characteristic
of which we are justly proud. We do not dwell on the negative but reward positive behaviour in school.
Each class has a reward system in place for good behaviour and positive attitudes and this is reinforced by
Principal’s Awards which are given to pupils each month.
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A range of sanctions is available to teachers to deal with issues of misbehaviour and these are included in
our Behaviour for Learning Policy. Serious issues are dealt with by the Principal and parents will be
informed. Our Behaviour for Learning Policy along with a number of other Policies can be viewed on our
school website and hard copies are available upon request.
SPORT
Our school recognises the value of sport and physical education in the overall development of our children.
P4 - P7 children have PE lessons taken by a specialist Physical Education teacher. Our Foundation Stage
children also have daily opportunities to play outside on large and small apparatus. This structured play
helps develop social, emotional and gross motor skills.
Staff v Pupils fun Hockey Match Staff v Pupils Football match
To facilitate and encourage our children we have a plastic multi-sports pitch on site. This provides a true
surface within the safe environs of the school and this fantastic facility encourages participation.
Classes are also timetabled to use our Activity Centre on a weekly basis. The Activity Centre not only
provides an enjoyable, challenging environment but helps develop strength, agility, co -ordination and
balance. The playground also boasts table tennis tables, ground markings for various games and activities,
a mini basketball court and basketball boards for small group activities.
An outside gymnasium complements all our team-based activities by encouraging our children to stay fit.
Our P4-7 children also benefit from an IFA coach who is employed to take classes for soccer skills at
lunchtime each day on a structured timetable.
SWIMMING
Our P5 - P7 classes attend swimming lessons at Ards leisure Centre for
two terms. The children are bussed to the Leisure Centre where they
receive 30 minutes tuition from a qualified Swimming Coach each week.
Parents are asked to support the cost of the swimming programme and it
is vital that all children attend as a small number of non-participants in
each class quickly makes the costs unworkable. Children unable to
participate for medical reasons must bring an explanatory note to their
teacher
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
We offer a range of after-school activities for our children. The list of activities includes:
Senior football Junior football Basketball
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Boys Hockey Girls Hockey Senior netball
Needlecraft club Drama/Production/Music Recorder club
Computer Club Scripture Union
Art Junior netball
Newtownards Model Primary School places great emphasis on children’s experience in Creative and
Expressive subjects. The refurbishment of our school includes the creation of a specialist stand-alone Art
Suite. This facility will make it easier for children to participate in art-based activities. The room has been
specifically designed to meet the needs of our teachers and pupils and it is hoped that such a facility will
help develop this important and enjoyable area of the curriculum.
TECHNOLOGY/COMPUTERS
Each classroom in our school is equipped with an Interactive
Whiteboard. This allows teachers to present stimulating lessons
encompassing downloaded visual and auditory clips, DVD’s and
PowerPoint presentations. Each whiteboard has a range of resources
available which will only add to the enjoyment and depth of learning.
To develop children’s computer skills and allow whole class teaching,
our school also has a new computer suite with enough computers to
allow each child to work on their own. This will complement the
allocation of computers to each classroom.
ATTENDANCE
The annual attendance rate for 2014/2015 has been calculated at 95%.
APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION
In 2012/13 77 applications for admission were received and 60 pupils were admitted
In 2013/14 70 applications for admission were received and 60 pupils were admitted
In 2014/15 61 applications for admission were received and 60 pupils were admitted.
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
There is a statutory requirement to make certain information readily available to parents. This includes
curriculum details, statements of school policy, formal papers sent by the Department to the Principal and
procedures for complaints about the school curriculum and related matters. Copies are held in the school
office and can be viewed by making a written appointment with the Principal.
PLEASE NOTE
The information provided in this prospectus is correct at October 2015. It should not be assumed that it
will remain current throughout the school year.
If any significant changes to the above information are envisaged notice giving details and effective notes
will be circulated in advance.
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