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School
Prospectus
Headteacher: Mrs J Young
Lenham Primary School
Ham Lane
Lenham
Maidstone
Kent ME17 2QG
Tel: 01622 858260
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.lenham.kent.sch.uk
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Contents
Page
1 School Motto 3
2 The Aims of Our School 3
3 General Information 4
4 Joining the School 5
5 Foundation Stage 6
6 Partnership with Parents 7
7 Term Time Holidays 8
8 Transfer to Secondary Education 9
9 School Uniform 9
10 Behaviour & Discipline 10
11 The Curriculum 10
12 Complaints 11
13 Assemblies 11
14 Clubs 12
15 Breakfast Club & After School Club 12
16 Governing Body 13
17 School Staff 13
18 Term Dates 14
19 Freedom of Information Act 15
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1 Lenham Primary School Motto
“Our school, our world, our future”
2 The Aims of Lenham Primary School
To encourage and motivate all children to achieve their full potential.
To nurture children to become healthy, happy and well balanced in a safe and secure environment.
To build the citizens of the future who make a positive contribution to the community.
To develop children who respect and care for each other and for their surroundings and the wider world.
To involve parents in supporting their children in every aspect of school life.
Pupils learning outside in the Nature Garden
LPS Sponsored Walk
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3 General Information Lenham Primary School is a “community” school with seven classes –
one for each year group. The classes are arranged in two wings
separated by a spacious hall. There is a reception area as well as
offices and our own kitchen. We have an ICT suite that is used by all
children in the school. We have recently opened a new wing to
provide a home for the Breakfast and After School Club and some
extra space for group learning and lesson planning.
Lenham Nursery (a private non-profit making organisation) leases
one classroom from the school.
The school has lovely grounds with an adventure play area, very large
playing field, a wildlife area, copse, chicken coop and many trees.
The new ICT Suite
The Adventure Playground
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4 Joining the School We welcome visitors who wish to look at the school before their child
joins us. Parents can make an appointment at the school office. When
children who are already at school elsewhere come to Lenham we
make sure that we plan with parents to give them the best possible
start.
Lenham Primary School accept all children who reach the age of five
between the 1st September and 31st of August the following year to
be admitted to school in September. All children commence schooling
on a part time basis for the first three weeks to enable them to settle
in easily. Any parent wishing to keep their child on a part time basis
for a longer period should discuss this with the Head teacher.
Additionally, the school is willing to consider deferral of admission to
the start of the spring term where this is appropriate and the wish of
the parents.
Applications for admission to the school are made through KCC
admissions process. If the class is oversubscribed the school will
operate the County Admissions criteria.
These are (in priority order):
Children in local authority care.
Current family association where a sibling is in the school at the time of the entry and the family continues to live at the same address as when admitted or move within 2 miles.
Health and special needs reasons.
Nearness of children’s homes and ease of access to school.
Details of the admission criteria are also available from the school or
online at
http://www.kent.gov.uk/education_and_learning/school_education
/applying_for_a_school_place/primary_school_places.aspx
While the criteria for admissions are in accordance with the KCC
guidelines, we strive to admit all local children. The school has
wheelchair ramps and an adapted toilet facility.
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5 Foundation Stage All the staff and governors agree that a happy and relaxed start to school is very important for our youngest children. We have an introduction programme of weekly “transition” sessions in the summer term before the children start. The children will have the opportunity to interact with their new classmates through play; there will also be opportunities for stories and singing. Children are given their own plastic wallet to take home with a book to borrow. Parents are also invited to an information evening. In September the children settle in gently with lots of contact between the staff and parents. Each family has an early consultation meeting with the class teacher. The teaching and learning that goes on in “Rainbow” Class is based
on the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum that began within the
preschool setting at age 3.
Throughout the year each child becomes increasingly independent
and confident within the class environment. They take responsibility
for making their own play choices, develop their new friendships and
quickly become confident at following school and class routines. The
children develop their motor skills as well as their literacy and
numeracy ability through a mixture of formal and informal teaching
methods.
Rainbow Class Science Week: A rainbow using only natural objects
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6 Partnership with Parents
Everyone at this school believes that parents play a very important
part in their child’s education. A strong partnership between home
and school makes a big difference to the children in our care. From
the very beginning, parents are invited to take an active part in school
life. There are meetings, newsletters, open days, formal
consultations, the school website, annual reports and numerous
other ways that school and home come together. We have an “open
door” policy where parents are always welcome to come in and
discuss matters with members of staff.
The school is committed to using homework to reinforce and extend
children’s leaning and to actively involve parents/carers in their
child’s learning. There is also a homework policy (available on the
school website).
Parents help in school in many ways. Some volunteer to help in class
with learning activities, computer work etc. or accompany children on
trips.
We have a very active Parent Teachers Association that does a great
deal to improve the life and work of the school. Everyone enjoys the
many activities they organise for the children and families. The money
raised makes a very big impact: the PTFA purchased the adventure
play area, made a major contribution to the new ICT suite and
classroom, replenished the book stock and provided the covered play
area for years R and 1.
PTA Cake Stall at the Summer Fayre
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7 Term Time Holidays
Like all state schools we are required to keep records of attendance for
every pupil. Absence is only authorised for health reasons including
medical appointments and ‘exceptional’ circumstances such as close
family weddings or bereavement. Absence is not authorised for any
term time holidays as per the Department of Education Regulations
2013. Penalty Notices of £120 will be issued to each parent for each
child reduced to £60 if paid within 21 days. Please see our online
Attendance Policy for further information. An attendance record for
every child is included in his or her Annual Report. The statistics are
also included in national records and our School Profile.
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8 Transfer to Secondary Education
As pupils reach the upper end of the school we will offer parents
advice on the most suitable type of school for each pupil. Parents may
choose whether their children sit selection tests in year 6 for
admission to grammar school. Full details of this procedure will be
given to parents in the last term of year 5 but staff are happy to
answer questions at any time
Once pupils have been offered a place at a secondary school,
opportunities are provided for them to get to know their new school,
making the transition process less daunting. These include Taster
days and visits to our school from the heads of year 7. We work
closely with the many different schools our pupils choose to attend,
ensuring that all children feel reassured about moving on.
9 School Uniform
All the children are expected to wear the school uniform. This is
mainly Green and Gold with the school logo (a Saxon Warrior) on the
sweatshirt and t-shirt. Year 6 are given an added privilege of wearing
white shirts or blouses. A full uniform list is provided in the starting
school handbook or is available on the school website. Order forms
and supplies can be collected from the office. Long hair must be tied
back and ‘tram line’ or other extreme hairstyles are not permitted.
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10 Behaviour & Discipline
We have a positive approach to behaviour management, encouraging
good behaviour. This is set out in the school policy. We consider self-
discipline to be an important part of development and we expect
every child to show courtesy and consideration for others. Bullying is
not tolerated. We hope that all parents will support and assist the
school in promoting good behaviour. If there is a concern about a
child’s behaviour the parents will be actively involved in agreeing a
positive programme of support for the child. Copies of the first two
pages of the policy are distributed and parents may ask to see the full
policy and appendices from the school office. All teachers, children
and families are invited to share in signing The Home School
Agreement in the child’s first term.
11 The Curriculum
In the reception year the children follow the Foundation stage
curriculum (see Early Years). Throughout the rest of the school there
are core subjects of English (Literacy), Maths (Numeracy) and Science.
The daily numeracy and literacy hours are the main feature of maths
and english teaching. Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) is also given high priority. The other foundation subjects are
History, Geography, Design and Technology, Art, Music and Physical
Education; we are beginning to teach these subjects in a cross-
curricular way to incorporate the Creative/new curriculum. Personal,
Social and Health Education and Citizenship (PHSE) and Religious
Education complete the curriculum. KS1 learn some simple French
and KS2 are beginning to incorporate some French teaching into the
timetable.
At the start of the school year teachers meet with parents to talk
about the curriculum that the children will be covering during the
year. The school curriculum is very complex and carefully planned to
make sure that there is continuity, breadth and balance. Parents are
very welcome to see planning documents if they so wish and should
ask the Headteacher.
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12 Complaints
We aim to resolve most complaints very quickly by discussion
between parents and class teachers or headteacher. If no satisfactory
conclusion is reached, parents may go through a more formal
procedure. A copy of the Complaints Policy is available from the
School Office.
13 Assemblies
Lenham Primary is a “community” school and so does not have a
formal religious connection. However collective worship follows a
broadly Christian approach with songs and prayers included. We use
The Kent Guidance document. We also link with local churches and
enjoy visits from their clergy. Parents have a legal right to withdraw
children from collective worship and may discuss this with the
Headteacher.
Each class takes a turn in organising collective worship on a Friday. At
least once a year parents are invited to see their child’s Assembly.
Class 3 Recorder Recital
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14 Clubs
At Lenham Primary School the staff and parents run a number of clubs
and activities after school. This year the children have had the
opportunity to join: dance, football, tag rugby, cross country,
gardening, cricket, chess club, art club and film club. For an up to date
listing of clubs, please see the school website.
15 Breakfast & After School Club
Breakfast Club
Breakfast club runs every day from 8.00 am until the start of school.
We cater for all children so please let us know, in advance, if your
child has an allergy or special diet and you would like us to cater for
him or her. The cost of breakfast club is £2.25 payable in advance or
on the day. As places are limited we will operate a first come first
served system.
After School Club
Our after school club is now up and running. It is on from 3.15-6pm
on Mondays to Thursdays and costs £8.00 per session. Discounts are
available for siblings. The costs remains the same regardless of
whether or not your child attends an after school club as we need to
employ staff for the whole session. Fees should be paid to the school
office in advance on a Monday morning.
Pupils enjoying Breakfast Club
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16 Governing Body
The role of the Governing Body is to determine the aims and oversee
the curriculum and the development of the school as a whole
The Governing Body includes the Headteacher, Authority
representatives appointed by the Local Education Authority, elected
parents, teachers representatives, non-teaching staff members and
co-opted members from the local community. Governors are
appointed, elected or co-opted for a four year period.
The Governing Body is involved in decisions concerning the general
management of the school, the curriculum, the school budget and
staffing.
For a list of the current Board of Governors, please ask the school
office, or see the school website.
17 School Staff
For an up to date list of our teachers, teaching assistants, midday
supervisors and the Family Liaison Officer, please see the school
website.
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18 Term Dates 2014/15
This list is updated regularly and can be viewed on the school
website.
We hope that this Prospectus has given you an insight into our
school. Details about the day-to-day organisation can be found in
the “Starting School” Booklet. Please ask if you would like one.
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19 Freedom of Information Act
We hold many policies about the various aspects of the school.
These are available to view at the office or on the school website.
However should you require a personal copy a charge may be made
depending on the size of the document.
Information about the Local Education Authority can be obtained
from:
Kent County Council – Mid Kent Area Education Office
Kroner House
Eurogate Business Park
Ashford
Kent TN24 8XU
01233 639677
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