Prospectus

ICT

St Edmund's has a well-equipped ICT suite with a number of computers, printers and other related resources available to the children, including digital cameras, projectors and interactive white boards in every classroom. Children, under supervision, are able to use the Internet to access information. They can also send e-mail within the school community and contribute to the school website which can be found at: www.stedmundsschool.co.uk. They are also taught the basics of control technology using packages such as RoboLab. On the annual visit to Kingswood, Year 6 have the opportunity to build their own website.

Library

Our central school library is a much used multimedia resource. Books are colour-coded and we use the 'dewy' system and we have recently updated the library books. We are in the process of exploring an electronic lending system and totally refurbishing the whole library. Year 6 librarians are appointed to maintain the library and are very active during our poetry and book week activities.

Play Areas

We have recently completed a major playground project in our commitment to extending and fully utilizing the outdoor learning environment. This has resulted in a specifically designed Foundation Stage area with outdoor play facilities and a role play grassed area, a colourful and imaginative KS1 play construction and a more challenging sequence of apparatus in KS2. We have a seaside garden which was constructed with the efforts of parents and a nature area both of which contributed to our Godalming in Bloom awards.

We have a decked out door classroom and a puzzle area, designed by KS 2 children, complete with an outdoor stage and giant play equipment. We have newly marked playgrounds for those children who wish to play active games and quiet areas for those who want to have the opportunity to talk or sit in the shade on a hot summer’s day. It is a thoroughly child-centred achievement, of which we are proud and our project was cited as an example of good practice during our Healthy Schools assessment.

It is our belief that children who are actively engaged at playtimes are happy and are ready to enjoy their learning when their break time has ended. In our endeavours we have been whole-heartedly supported by the PSA (Parent School Association) and the whole parent and parish community in collecting tokens for play equipment at playtimes.

Sports

We use large and small apparatus for PE lessons. We also teach football, athletics, netball and other outdoor games. In KS2 the school plays friendly football and netball matches against other local schools. We also enter teams into the Barclays Cup Football Competition, Year 5 and Year 6 netball tournament, six-a-side football tournament, the District Athletics competition and some pupils have represented Waverly in the Surrey Youth Games. Local teams have also sent coaches to train some of our children in football (Woking FC), basketball (Guildford Pumas), Tennis and golf (Guildford Golf club). All children starting from Reception to Year 5 are given the opportunity for swimming tuition at our local leisure centre.

Cooking

Development of social skills plays an important part in the children’s' development. Boys and girls are given the chance to learn domestic activities such as food preparation, hygiene, cooking, and nutrition.

Music

A range of music activities take place in school. Children follow a programme of class music lessons giving opportunities for performing and composing, listening and appraising. The children are introduced to class singing, small group compositions, instruments and a range of music. The school has a special choir and the opportunity to partake in the local music festival.


Extra curricular activities

After school clubs and visits to places of interest, enrich both the school curriculum and each child's personal development.

During the course of the school year, visits are organised to support the curriculum and bring it to life. It is possible to imagine being an ancient Briton when sitting in dark round house at Butser Ancient Farm, or understand more of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation when surrounded by the treasures of the British Museum. There is a geographically-based residential for three days organised for Year 4 to Sayers Croft, which leads up to a longer residential trip in Year 6. Year 6 goes to the Kingswood Centre for Information Technology on the Isle of Wight, and the week involves outdoor adventure activities as well as a highly structured programme for ICT. We also have a wide variety of visitors who come to the school to talk to the children, including a variety of curricular workshops, thus enriching our curriculum.

Educational visits charging and remissions policy

When children go on educational visits, all parents are asked for a voluntary contribution to cover the cost of the coach and the entrance fee. We never exclude a child whose parents cannot pay, or who can only pay part of the costs. If this applies then parents need to please contact us if necessary. In the event of a number of parents feeling that they cannot agree to make a voluntary contribution, then the activity would have to be cancelled. Money would then be refunded to those parents who had already made a voluntary contribution. Parents may pay in instalments for visits involving larger amounts of money.

Clubs

A variety of extra-curricular activities is offered including: football, athletics, netball, and golf. We also have several other thriving clubs, both at lunchtime and after school, which include homework, recorder, gardening and choir. Children who stay after school hours must bring written permission from their parents/ guardians who must be responsible for collecting the children promptly when the activity finishes.


Developing your child
 

Achievement

All children belong to either Copland, Elgar, Mozart and Vivaldi house groups. The children choose a House Captain for each house and house points are awarded for a variety of achievements and good behaviour. The houses also compete in athletics and other sports. A House shield is awarded annually and sports trophies to the winning house.

Key Stage 1 children are awarded badges weekly, and encouraged to wear them to display their achievement or responsibility.

Every three weeks there is a whole school Golden Assembly when nominated children receive a head teacher’s award for their achievements, either academic or good attitudes to school and certificates are given to those who have received the most house points and to the winning house.

School Council

We believe in listening to the pupil voice and each class has a class council with school council representatives on the School Council, which enables the children to develop self and social awareness. The school council has been active in promoting St Edmund’s to being a ‘Green and Safe’ school and were instrumental in devising our Travel Plan and forming our Eco School committee. (See School Council page)

Homework

It is our policy that all children have homework relevant to their work in the classroom and we encourage all the children to take their reading books home most nights. It helps them enormously if parents or guardians can spend time with them whilst they read to you. Each teacher informs parents of homework procedures at the start of the school year. The homework will be progressive and more challenging as the children move up the school. The homework expectations forms part of our home school agreement which is affirmed annually.

We do ask parents to take an interest and monitor children’s homework and discuss with the teacher if a problem should arise. After discussion with parents we have implemented a policy that children should have more than one night to complete homework. This will always include at least one school night so homework does not have to be completed at the week end. Projects will not be exclusively set for over the holidays but children will need to organise their time to ensure they develop a good homework ethic. There should be time available in the evenings for such activities as Brownies and Cubs, sporting and musical clubs, which add a vital dimension to children’s development. However, we do ask parents to maintain a balance to ensure children do not become too tired.

Records

Records are kept on each child's development by the class teacher. These records are passed on as the child moves from one class to another. Written Records of Achievement are provided at the end of each school year, and parents have the option to meet with teachers to discuss these in July. An opportunity is given for discussion, with parents about pupil targets, on Parents’ Consultations in October and February, usually the week before half term, and any other time should the need arise. We see this two-way communication as essential to the happiness and progress of our children at St Edmund's.

Screening/ Testing and Assessment

Children are continually assessed and monitored during their time in St Edmund's. The Early learning Goals profile is completed during the reception year, screening in Year 3 and Statutory End of Key Stage Assessment takes place at the end of Years 2 and 6. Class teachers will report the findings of these assessments at Parents' Consultations.


Information available to parents

Under the Education Reform Act, parents have the right to inspect the circulars and documents published by the Local Educational Authority, the Department of Education and Her Majesty's Inspectorate. These are available to be seen, by appointment, in the Headteacher's office together with the Curriculum Policies of the school.



Welfare


Telephoning and visiting the school

When ringing the school with information concerning absences or travel arrangements, etc., please leave a message with the office staff. Visitors to the school are asked to respect the security system, sign the visitor's book and to wear a security badge. We have CCCTV on site to further ensure the safety of the children.

Special Needs

Any child who requires education provision additional to, or otherwise different from, that made generally for children of their class is regarded as having a special need. In our school we make provision from the earliest opportunity for children experiencing difficulty. (See curriculum link).The school also has provision for wheel chair access and disabled toilets.

Child protection

The Governors of St Edmund’s School recognise that looked-after children are admitted to school, where teachers and other staff who are in daily contact with them are well placed to notice signs of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, behavioural change or failure to develop and thus the need to seek help. The school will implement Child Protection as defined in the “Surrey Child Protection Committee Manual of Procedures”.

Two members of the teaching staff are the designated Child Protection Liaison Officers. The Child Protection Liaison Officers will be the focal point for all matters relating to child protection at St Edmund’s School.

All information in relation to child protection will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will only be disclosed to those who have a right and a need to know.

All staff, who have contact with the pupils at the school, will be trained to an appropriate level in child protection concerns and procedures.

St Edmund’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All adults who are in contact with pupils at the school will be subject to C.R.B. clearance and will be expected to sign a Code of Safe Conduct (a copy of which is available from the school office)

Charging

When children go on educational visits, all parents are asked for a voluntary contribution to cover the cost of the coach and the entrance fee. (See extra curricular section)
Parents will be asked to pay a contribution towards items taken home, such as cooking or DT. This is in line with the Surrey County Policy, which the Governing Body has accepted.

When children start swimming, parents are sent a letter asking for a voluntary contribution to School Funds to cover the cost of swimming tuition and for the coach. For swimming, each child requires a named: waterproof bag (available from the school, large towel, swimming costume. Reception, Years 1, 3 and 5 have the opportunity to go swimming.


Lost property

All items of clothing and property must be named. Un-named 'Lost Property' is kept in a clothes basket in the library and can be claimed from there. If it is not claimed by the end of each term, it will be given to charity. Children are encouraged to take care of their own clothes and PE kits. Weather-permitting, lost property will be displayed in front of the school every half term.

Complaints Procedure

If parents have any worries or queries about their child at school, which cannot be shared first with their child's Class Teacher please contact the Headteacher. If necessary, discussions can be held between parents, Classteacher and Headteacher. If there are further problems, there is a Code of Disciplinary Procedures, which is available for reference.

Work Experience
We welcome and make good use of parents and students. We are grateful to variety of students (e.g. NVQ students, YTS students, and students from colleges for further education) who come here for work experience and teaching practice.

School Uniform

Winter: Girls
Reception
Grey pinafore or grey trousers**/ white polo t shirt**
KS1
Grey pinafore or trousers **long sleeved white collared shirt, navy/emerald tie*, navy blue V-necked jumper or cardigan, navy blue/grey tights or white socks, navy blue or black coat or St Edmund's school fleece*
KS2
Grey skirt or trousers **long sleeved white collared shirt, navy/emerald tie*, navy blue V-necked jumper or cardigan, navy blue/grey tights or white socks, navy blue or black coat or St Edmund's school fleece*


Winter: Boys
Reception
Grey shorts or trousers**/ white polo t shirt**
KS1 and KS2
Grey shorts or grey trousers, long sleeved white collared shirt, navy blue Y-necked jumper, navy/emerald tie*, grey socks, navy blue or black coat or St Edmund's school fleece*

Summer: Girls

White and navy striped dress, white socks, navy blue cardigan.
Y5/6 optional grey skirt and short sleeved open necked blouse

Summer: Boys

Grey shorts or trousers, white polo t shirt**, grey socks.

Other Items

Shoes must be black or navy blue
Sandals -navy or black in summer
St Edmund's Reading Bag and Rucksack*
St Edmund's Sun Cap*
St Edmund's swimming bag*
Trainers (for the Juniors)
Named material shoe- bag

PE Kit

Navy blue shorts, navy blue track-suit bottoms (in winter only). Emerald green polo shirt*, emerald green sweatshirt*, school P.E. bag which must be named, gym shoes.

Please note:

Extremes of fashion are not allowed
Jewellery is not permitted in school. Only stud earrings are allowed and must be removed for PE. Parents must therefore have children's ears pierced during the summer holiday.

Items marked * are obtained through the school office.
Items marked ** polo shirts are ordered through the school office and girls trousers can be tired on at the school office and ordered through ‘Wefit’ suppliers

Please Note: each and every item of uniform must be clearly named (Order forms for tapes are available through the school office).

The school cannot be held responsible for an un-named item which goes missing.

St Edmund's school uniform is smart and practical in navy blue, grey and emerald green.

School Policy


Attendance

Illness and absence from school

Only children suffering from illnesses such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy should need medication during school time. Children suffering from asthma are responsible for their own medication so as to allow immediate access when required. In cases of illness, or absence for other reasons, please telephone or write a note explaining why the child has been absent. We ask that children should stay away for at least 48 hours after vomiting, in line with county recommendations.

In cases of illness or accident during school time, every reasonable care will be taken of the child until the parent can be contacted. It is most important that we have an emergency telephone number as well as home telephone numbers to contact. Children who are absent from school for any reason should, on the first day of their return, be provided with a written explanation addressed to their Classteacher. We are required by law to publish unauthorised absence (truancy) figures. Any absences not notified by parents have to be counted as truancy, so this is why it is essential to inform the office as to why a child is absent either by letter or telephone.

Holiday

It is very important for children to be present for the whole of the school year because every lesson counts, but this is especially so at the beginning of the school year. Children meet their new teacher, learn classroom routines and begin new topics at this time. Please ensure that whenever possible family holidays are taken within the school holidays. In exceptional circumstances, where family holidays occur in term time, please complete the official form obtainable from the school office.

Discipline

Our aim in the school is to encourage both discipline and self-discipline. The standard of conduct expected is that within a good family. All children are expected and encouraged to be polite and well-behaved. The emphasis on good manners reflects the importance of being able to work and co-operate with others in both school and home life.

Discipline in the school is on Christian lines. Our deepest concepts of God are in terms of loving kindness, learned from the experience of kindness and love we have received primarily at home, but also from teachers and children at school. In experiencing this human love the child is enabled both to accept and to give love. Parents can help greatly by reflecting upon the kind of discipline within the school, and by taking time to explain, encourage and reinforce the work of the teaching and other staff in this respect. Children are encouraged to value themselves and others, grow in self-confidence and behave as responsible individuals.

We endeavour to create an atmosphere of care and understanding for the needs and rights of others. We follow a code of positive reinforcement and a policy of ‘catch them being good’, with regular Golden assemblies, in which attitudes to work as well as other achievements are acknowledged. At the start of each academic year each class devises their own class rules which they sign and a copy of this is sent home with the home school agreement. We have a behaviour policy which includes a set of behaviour guidelines, which are revisited and sent home on an annual basis for parents to be aware of the stages at which sanctions are imposed. Parents are always consulted if there is concern about the attitudes and behaviour of any child and there is regular dialogue between parents through the home school book/ diary.

The Playground Rules below show how we aim to promote a positive atmosphere.

All children should be outside at playtimes. The rules are:

 Be forgiving
 Welcome people into your games
 Take turns
 Share equipment
 Use equipment properly
 Play only on the playground (where you can be seen)
 Stop when the whistle blows (in silence)

Bullying is the systematic intimidation -physical or menta1 - of a weaker individual and has no place in a caring community. We will vigorously promote good classroom and school relationships, helping children to develop strategies for coping with difficult situations. As a result ‘play fighting’ is not allowed. Should the need arise, we will deal positively with offenders and look to parents for support and information. Copies of the school anti-bullying policy are available from the school office.

Inclusion

Our carefully planned programmes of teaching for learning follow national guidelines. Cross curricular learning, often topic based, is complemented with subject-based teaching to form a balanced curriculum offering a full range of subjects. The curriculum allows for children to learn a variety of skills and knowledge as a class, group or as individuals. Class planning in all curriculum subjects is differentiated to include support for less able children and extension material for more able children.

Early Year's Induction

Please note that the school operates a 'Single Date of Entry' Intake and we encourage that children start school in September, though appreciate there may be exceptions. Children born in September, October, November and December will begin full-time. Children born in January, February, March and April will begin in September part -time, transferring to full time after the autumn half-term. Children born in May, June, July and August will begin part-time for one term, transferring to full time in January. We stagger this entry over a two to three week period with groups of children starting on different days to ensure the teacher can soon get to know all the children. However, with the agreement of the Reception Classteacher and the Headteacher, we do encourage younger children who are accustomed to a full day or those able to cope with it are welcome to join the school on a full time basis. In this way the whole class unites quickly and becomes part of our very special school community. We find the children develop those important social skills very rapidly and grow in confidence and independence. We follow the Foundation Stage very closely so as to ensure the best possible start a child's formal education.

A thoughtful induction programme takes place in the summer term to make the transition from Nursery to Reception as smooth and painless as possible. The foundation class teacher visits children in their nursery settings and story times and open sessions happen in school to give your child the opportunity to meet the teacher and become familiar with other children in their class.

Parental involvement

Parents are welcomed into the school to help us in a variety of ways, such as to hear children read. They may work in the classroom under the supervision and guidance of the teacher or help with computer work and running the library or website. We are grateful for all offers of help and realize that parents have many talents we could share so we ask parents to contact the school if they have any particular skills or time to contribute.

Before reception children start school parents are invited to meet members of the school community on a number of occasions and a Parents Introduction morning is part of the induction process. We feel that it is very important to have a good relationship with parents, and for children to have a consistent approach from school and home.

In the autumn term we arrange a 'Meet the Teacher Evening' in September when parents are invited for an introduction to the child's Class teacher and to hear about general planning for the year, PE sessions, main educational visits, homework and so on. Parents' Consultations are held in the autumn and spring term usually the week prior to half term, when parents can come to discuss their child's progress and targets. A full written report on each child's progress is sent out to parents at the end of the academic year.

We would also be grateful if parents would let us know about any family difficulties that affect their children. If parents separate, or a close relative dies, or the family is under some stress, it helps if the school is informed. Any such information will, of course, be treated with the strictest confidentiality.


Admissions Policy (For September 2009 Intake)

General Information

St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School is a voluntary aided Catholic school operating in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton. It has been established to serve the needs of the faith community of St Edmund’s parish and neighbouring parishes. The Governors are the admitting authority and their aim is to provide a Catholic education for children of Catholic families who participate fully in the life and worship of the parish and they expect that parents applying for places will accept and uphold the Catholic character and ethos of the school. Nevertheless, the school fully respects the beliefs of parents and children from all denominations and faith backgrounds and welcomes all applicants. Children are taught respect for others and there is provision in the Religious Education programme for the study of different faiths.

The Headteacher will administer this policy, but all possible admissions over the published number will be referred to the Admissions Committee.

Number to be Admitted

The Governors will admit a maximum of 30 pupils into the Reception Class whose 5th birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August of that academic year. Admission for all pupils is from September, usually on a staggered intake for the first three weeks of term. Full-time places and part-time places are offered dependent on age. The autumn born pupils start full-time in September and spring and summer born pupils start part time initially, though requests for full-time education for the younger pupils are favourably considered after the initial induction process is completed.
Criteria

If more applications are received than there are places available, the following order of priority will apply: -

1. Catholic Looked-After Children (in public care)*
2. Baptised Catholic siblings** of children attending St Edmund’s School at the time of admission
3. Other baptised Catholic children
4. Other Looked-After Children (in public care)*
5. Siblings** of other children attending St Edmund’s School at the time of admission
6. Other children whose parents wish them to attend St Edmund’s School

* By law this category must be given priority

** Siblings are defined as follows:- A brother or sister (that is another child of the same parents, whether living at the same address or not), a half-brother or half-sister living at the same address or a foster child living at the same address

For entry into Reception Year in September 2009

• All applications for places must be made on the application form produced by the Local Authority (LA) in which the parent lives. The application form can be obtained directly from that LA, which is responsible for coordinating the allocation of all places at maintained schools in its area. It will also pass on any applications recorded on the form for places at schools in other LAs.


• The closing date for applications for Reception Class in 2009/2010 will be set by the LA, but is generally the last Thursday before the October half term. Any applications after this date will be treated as late applications and can only be considered after all other applicants have been matched against the schools Admissions Criteria.

• In addition, parents must complete a special form for each Catholic school at which they are seeking a place. This allows each school to put all its applicants in order of priority for admission, using the school’s admissions policy. Copies of our form can be obtained by contacting the school. The form must be returned directly to us, fully completed, before the closing date for applications to the LA.

• In February 2009 parents will be informed in writing whether their application has been successful or not.

Notes
1. The Governors will follow the Code of Practice on Admissions and SEN with regard to the children who have Statements and parents should therefore contact the LA
2. In the case of over-subscription in any category, priority will be given to those who live nearest the school in a direct line to either of the school front gates, whichever is the nearer, to the applicant’s home front boundary, using LA satellite data.
3. The Governors reserve the right to offer places outside these priorities to pupils with proven exceptional medical and social needs where admission to St Edmund’s is considered the only school able to meet those needs.
4. Places will not be offered to applicants living abroad.

Appeals

If any application is turned down the parents/guardians have the right to appeal. Details are available upon request from the Clerk to the Governors.
Waiting List

It is the policy of the school to maintain a waiting list for the Reception Class and other over-subscribed year groups. Vacancies will be filled from the waiting list according to the Admission Policy criteria. The waiting list will be maintained for the year group in question until the end of the summer term.

General Information

Prospective parents are welcome to attend our school Open Days (dates available from the school office) or to ring the school office with a view to arranging a tour of the school should these dates not be convenient. Such a tour or attendance of an Open Day does not constitute in any way part of the selection process.

Final Admission Intake in September 2007 by the current criteria for 2009

1 Catholic Looked After Children (in public care) 0
2 Baptised Catholic siblings of children attending St Edmund’s School 11
3 Other baptised Catholic children 6
4 Looked After Children (in public care) 0
5 Siblings of other children already at St Edmund’s 4
6 Other children whose parents wish them to attend St Edmund’s 8

Late applicant: 1