Information about our school

Welcome to our school.

Brockworth Primary School was created by the amalgamation of Brockworth Infant and Junior Schools in September 1993. Staff, parents, governors, children and community have all been involved in establishing a school with some of the best facilities in the county. We have large spacious classrooms, separate music and ICT rooms, a school library, excellent resources for the curriculum and attractive grounds, which include a pond, nature area and plenty of space for sports. We have a wide range of books and pay particular attention to supporting reading, and involving you, as parents, in this.

At Brockworth Primary School we aim to create a happy, secure and caring environment, a place children will enjoy coming to, where everyone within our school and local community is valued. Here children will be encouraged to develop independence, a sense of purpose and an enthusiasm for learning. We believe that education is a partnership between home and school, and we will work with you to build on the things your child already knows. The following pages in this brochure will tell you more about our aims and our commitment to the children who come here.

Please don?t hesitate to come into school, and find out more about what your child is doing and the progress they are making. There will be several parents' evenings and plenty of opportunity for informal contact. There will be other occasions when you can join us, for concerts, fetes, curriculum events, assemblies and the other activities that make up school life. The closer the contact between home and school then the greater the opportunity for understanding and mutual support.

Together we can work for the benefit of your child, to give him or her the best possible start in life, and the greatest opportunity, through education, to become a happy, responsible and caring citizen of the 21st. Century. Back to top

Parents and school

As a school we value parental support, first and foremost as partners in your child?s education.
Your role in supporting your child and working with the teacher is crucial. With your support, particularly for reading, but also in other curriculum areas, your child will make more progress than we as teachers can manage alone. We appreciate your help particularly with your child?s reading and homework. Teachers will be happy to talk to you about these and other ways of supporting your child.

From time to time there are school events where we need all the help we can get, whether it?s a school trip, a play, Christmas event, or one of our curriculum weeks. We will let you know what?s happening and if you are able to help in any way please let us know. It doesn?t have to be expert help, often just another pair of hands can help a teacher achieve so much more.

Teachers are also grateful for help from parents with the day-to-day activity of the classes. Any extra help you can give makes an enormous difference to the class. Help can take many forms, listening to readers, helping to set out painting materials, covering books, playing games, typing stories, sewing, cooking, reading stories, help in the school library, etc. etc. etc. You may have a particular skill which would be appreciated in school.

If you have helped in the past, and would like to help again, or if you are used to helping with infants but wonder about helping with juniors, if you have never helped before and wonder what it?s like, then please let either myself or your child?s teacher know and we will involve you in the work of the school. We don?t ask for hours and hours of your time, but we do ask that it be a regular arrangement for as long as you may wish, this enables teachers to plan their week taking your help into account. Back to top

Admission to school

Children are only legally entitled to start school at the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday. However, Gloucestershire has adopted a policy which enables all children who are going to be five years old on or between the 1st September and the 31st August to start school during the Autumn Term. The exact admission date and arrangements are for the school to decide.

At Brockworth Primary School we pride ourselves in a successful admissions process. Children will come into school mornings only, on a part time basis at first, attending as a small group. This enables them to benefit from a quiet and secure environment with their teacher and to feel confident in school as the class number gradually increases. After a period of part time school children will be able to start full time by agreement with the class teacher.

Prior to starting school you and your child will have been invited to meetings at school which will explain the process in more detail. Your child will already have met our teachers and seen our school as a result of our close links with the local playgroups. Your child will also have had the opportunity to make use of our pre-school facilities, including the toy library, activity packs and pre-school club.

We welcome visits by parents at any time by prior arrangement. Back to top

Behaviour at school

The welfare of the children is of prime importance and we make every effort to provide the care which any responsible parent would be expected to take. Children are supervised at break and during lunchtime. We control movement about the school and encourage independence and a consideration for others.

Our behaviour policy is based on praising children for the positive things they do and much of our attention will focus on this. We have a school council where children from across the school meet to discuss issues that concern them.

Much effort has been put into equipping the school to ensure that the children work in a clean, well maintained, well resourced and enriching environment. We are determined to continue to promote this and create an atmosphere where all children feel happy and safe.

To achieve this we expect children to:-
walk around the school
show respect for other people
show respect for property
be courteous
have good table manners
be truthful

We do not expect children to:-
use abusive language
use any form of violence
bully
be rude
damage property
take things that belong to others

We are partners in your child?s education and development. If we feel there are problems that you should be aware of we will contact you in order to discuss them. Likewise, if you think there are things that we should know about them I hope you will let us know.

We have high expectations of behaviour at Brockworth Primary School and we depend on your support and commitment to maintain this. Back to top

School uniform

The school has a uniform and we look to you for your support in ensuring that children wear it.

We have a uniform because it:-
develops a pride in our school.
develops a pride in children.
helps to develop a positive attitude to school.
dentifies the children who come to our school and gives us all a sense of belonging.
stops school turning into a daily fashion parade and avoids comparisons between children who have a large wardrobe and those with less.
saves you arguments in the morning about what is to be worn for school.

Our uniform/colours are a colour mix and match of the following:-
A. red or navy sweat shirt.
B. red or navy polo shirt.
C. navy or grey skirts or trousers.
D. and in the Summer the option of red or blue candy striped dresses.

Sweat shirts and polo shirts with the school logo on can be purchased through school.
Order forms are available from the school office.

Jewellery and make-up
Children are not allowed to wear jewellery at school, except for children with pierced ears who may wear a stud. For P.E. and games, however, I have to follow the Authority?s advice on health and safety which is that studs must be removed for the duration of the lesson. It might be useful for children to have a small box to put earrings in during the P.E. lesson or for them to continue to avoid wearing earrings on P.E. days. Holiday time is the best time to have children?s ears pierced because of the need to keep studs in for the first weeks after piercing. Children may not wear make-up.

P.E. and Games
Infant children (Key Stage 1) do not require special clothing, but may need daps for the Summer Term for outdoor P.E. Junior children (Key Stage 2) will need shorts or games skirt and a tee shirt for indoor P.E. lessons. During the winter they will need a suitable change of clothing and suitable footwear for outdoor games in cold weather.

PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS CLEARLY Back to top

Children's welfare

Illness in School

Although we do the best we can, we do not have suitable facilities for children who become unwell at school. If your child appears to be ill we will contact you. But PLEASE, do not send your child to school if you think they are unwell. If your child has a serious or recurring medical problem please make sure you tell us. You should also make a note of it on your child?s admission form. Parents who wish prescribed medicines to be administered at school must give clear instructions if this is to be done and send in only the required dose in a plastic container NOT the whole bottle please. Always keep us informed of any change of address or telephone number, and especially of arrangements for a second contact should you not be available.

Medicals
The school doctor, nurse and dentist all make regular visits to the school. They carry out routine eyesight and hearing tests and dental inspections. Only in some cases will children require a full medical and you will always be informed of this and invited to be present.

P.E. and Games and Swimming
These are a normal part of the school curriculum. If your child is unable to take part for any reason, then please provide a note, otherwise they will be expected to participate.

School Milk
Milk for infant children can be purchased from school for your child to drink at break time. Parents are asked to order and pay for this each half term in advance. Infants who are eligible for free meals are also entitled to free milk.

Absence from School
It is now a legal requirement for schools to record the reason for a child?s absence. Please would parents help us to comply with this by ensuring that a note explaining the absence is always provided and letting school know by 9.00am on the first day of any absence.

Lunches
Generally children bring their own lunches to school; packed lunches can also be purchased through school. Details of the current charge per day, which is payable in advance on the first working day of the week, can be obtained from the school office. We no longer provide cooked meals. Free packed lunches are available to families who satisfy the requirements laid down by the Authority, please ask for details if you think you may qualify. Children may, of course, also go home for lunch. During the lunch break, children are supervised by a number of Mid-Day Supervisors and a Senior Supervisor. Back to top

Secondary school transfer

Children from this school normally transfer at 11 years to Brockworth Comprehensive School although parents can and do exercise their right to choose any of the local secondary comprehensive schools. The County will provide further information for parents early in the final year. Should you wish to opt for one of the city selective schools then information on this will also be provided at this time. During the Summer Term of Year 6 members of secondary school staff will visit the school to discuss various aspects of secondary education. Children will also spend time at the school of their choice prior to their transfer.

During the Autumn Term all Year 6 children will sit the County assessment test, usually known as the J4. The information provided by this is used by the secondary schools in a variety of ways. It does not form part of the process of allocating children between schools. For children who wish to be considered for one of the local selective schools there will be a further set of papers to be taken.

You will receive information from the County during the Autumn Term of Year 6 and a form on which you should make your choice of secondary education known. Do ensure that this form is completed on time and that you are aware of the options open to you, especially if you do not put Brockworth Comprehensive as your first choice school. Back to top

Term dates

•• Term 3 2008

Begins: Monday 7th January 2008

Ends: Friday 15^th February 2008

• Term 4 2008

Begins: Monday 25^th February 2008

Ends: Friday 4^th April 2008

Bank Holiday Friday 21st and Monday 24th March

• Term 5 2008

Begins: Monday 21st April 2008

Ends: Friday 23rd May 2008

• Term 6 2008

Begins: Monday 2nd June 2008

Ends: Friday 18^th July 2008

For full details of LA term dates go to the Links page and click on the LA link, school term dates

The School Day

School Hours

Morning
Juniors 8.45 a.m. -12.20 noon
Infants 8.45 a.m. -12.10 p.m.

Morning Break
All 10.15 a.m to 10.35 a.m.

Lunch
Juniors 12.20noon - 1.15 p.m.
Infants 12.10p.m. - 1.10 p.m.

Afternoon
Juniors 1.25 p.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Infants 1.05 p.m. - 2.55 p.m.

Children should not come to school any earlier than 10 minutes before the start of their school day. Children are supervised on the playground for 10 minutes before the start of the day and doors open 5 minutes before the start of the morning session. Back to top

Ofsted Report

For the latest Ofsted report please go to the Links page and click on Ofsted. Back to top