Prospectus - Moorside Primary School

Welcome to MoorsideMoorside Primary school is a co-educational day school, for children between the ages of 3 and 11. The school has extensive grounds, with activity areas to extend the curriculum and contribute to the physical development of the children.

Admissions

Most children attending Moorside Primary will first attend the nursery. Children are admitted to the nursery when their fourth birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August of that academic year. Places to the nursery are allocated on a full time basis. We are able to accommodate 60 children at any one time.

Children are admitted to the reception class when their fifth birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August of that academic year. Attendance at our nursery does not lead to automatic admission to our reception classes.

The school follows Salford LEA admission procedures. A summary of the regulations for admission to Moorside Primary School can be found in the appendices. A full copy can be obtained from the school office.

Parents of new children starting in September are invited to an evening meeting in June. This pre-school meeting is an opportunity for the Head Teacher and staff to meet parents and to discuss many general aspects of school life. New parents are invited to bring their child to school to spend some time in the nursery or reception classes before they start in September.

Our Mission Statement

‘Foundations Laid for Life’

Our mission is:

� Create a community that is dedicated to enabling everyone to reach their full potential.

� Prepare children for their future by building solid foundations based on respect that allow children to become confident, good citizens.

� Guarantee teaching and learning that ensures the basic skills, in preparation for the future, and allows children to learn and achieve.

� Provide outstanding and inclusive facilities in a safe, secure and caring environment.

� Instil a determination to succeed by modelling and developing the continuous improvement of ourselves and others.

� Ensure a team approach with professional and efficient staff, outstanding parent partnerships where teachers and children inspire each other and children inspire their families and community.

� Create learning opportunities that are brought to life by teachers who enable independent, enthusiastic and creative learners through a far reaching child centred curriculum.

� Foster success by promoting a sense of pride in all children’s abilities and achievements.

Assessment and Achievement

The school actively monitors and assesses teaching and learning from nursery

onwards to ensure that individual learning requirements are being provided

and children are achieving their potential.

Progress is assessed and recorded regularly through informal teacher

assessment and through more rigorous testing. Assessment is a planned part

of the curriculum and gives information about a child’s achievements and

progress. By involving children in their own assessment and guiding them in

setting personal targets for future progress, we encourage them to become

more responsible for their learning.

In accordance with current legislation, children are formally assessed at the

end of Key Stage 1 (7 years) and Key Stage 2 (11 years). Other end of year

assessments also take place throughout Key Stage 2.

Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is a crucial factor in determining a child’s

progress at school.

If your child is absent from school you should inform the school by telephone

or letter. This enables the class teacher to complete the register accurately

and authorise the absence. All absences have to be recorded and reported to

the LEA and are regularly monitored by the Education Welfare Officer. If there

are concerns with attendance or punctuality the EWO will contact

parents/carers to discuss the matter.

It is a statutory responsibility of parents/carers to ensure that their children

attend school when it is open. From 1 September 2013, the new law gives no

entitlement to parents to take their child on holiday in term time. Any

application for leave must only be in exceptional circumstances and the Head

Teacher must be satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional and warrant

the granting of leave. Head Teachers would not be expected to class any term

time holiday as exceptional. Parents can be fined for taking their child on

holiday during term time.

Breakfast Club/After School Club

The school operates a before and after school club called Scallywags which

opens at 7.45am and closes at 5.45pm. The club is also open during school

holidays. Places are limited and further details can be obtained from the

school office.

Charging Policy

The School Governors have adopted the LEA ‘Charging and Remission Policy’.

This means that the school is able to ask parents for voluntary contributions

for activities which take place largely during school hours.

No child will be prevented from taking part in any visit or activity should their

parent/carer not be able to meet the full cost. However, in the event of

insufficient contributions, it may be necessary to cancel the visit. For activities

such as school holidays, parents are expected to pay the full cost.

Child Protection and Safeguarding

It is a legal requirement that schools play a vital part in the detection and

prevention of child abuse. Within every school there must be a designated

member of staff responsible for child protection. It is the duty of every

member of staff to report concerns immediately and for the child protection

officer to follow the correct procedures as laid down by Local Authority Child

Protection Procedures.

Collective Worship

In accordance with the Education Reform Act all children participate in a daily

act of worship of a broadly Christian character. Those assemblies and the

religious education offered follow Salford’s agreed syllabus and children may

be withdrawn from assemblies or religious instruction at the request of the

parent in consultation with the Head Teacher.

Complaints Procedure

Parents concerned about any aspect of their child’s school life should first

discuss their concerns with their child’s class teacher. If parents still have any

concerns after meeting with their child’s teacher, they should then arrange a

meeting with the Head Teacher.

We will make every effort to address concerns at the earliest opportunity. In

the unlikely event that the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, there is a

formal procedure for the purpose of hearing and dealing with complaints in

respect of the school curriculum and related matters. A copy of the

complaints procedure can be obtained from the office.

Equal Opportunities

At Moorside we aim to foster a community based upon respect for each other.

This means that children are treated with fairness, justice and equality.

Individuals receive the same opportunities irrespective of differences in social

and economic background, race, gender and culture. We teach children to

recognise people’s differences as well as similarities. All children are given

learning opportunities to equip them with the knowledge, skills and

understanding they need, to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to

become informed, active, responsible citizens.

Discipline

The discipline we seek to develop is self-discipline. The school is considered a

community where each individual has a worthwhile contribution to make and

where individuals’ needs, rights and opinions are respected and valued.

As with any community, the school has rules, which are designed to allow the

school to function fairly and efficiently as a place of learning – academically

and socially.

We expect our children to behave in a considerate and courteous manner on

all occasions. If ever a child’s behaviour, attitude etc is giving us cause for

concern, parents are informed and invited to come into school in order to

resolve the problem.

The school’s behaviour policy is available to parents on request from the

school office.

Extra-curricular Activities

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities which take place during the

lunch hour or after school. Such activities have included:

� Football

� French

� Chess

� Music and drama

� Cross-country running

� Athletics

� Board games

Activities may vary each year and may be seasonal and pupils are notified of

the different activities at the start of each term.

Curriculum

We aim to provide a broad based and stimulating curriculum through which

children acquire knowledge, experience and understanding. Great emphasis is

placed upon the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics, our aim being

to teach these subjects in a way that is meaningful and interesting to the

children.

The National Curriculum is divided into:

� Early Years Foundation Stage Nursery, Reception (3-5 years)

� Key Stage 1 Year 1, Year 2 (aged 5-7 years)

� Key Stage 2 Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year6 (8-11 years)

All children from Year 1 to Year 6 follow a core curriculum of:

� Literacy

� Numeracy

� Science

� Information Communication Technology

� Religious Education

In addition they are taught the following Foundation Subjects:

� History

� Geography

� Music

� Art

� Design Technology

� Physical Education

� Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)

All classes contain children with a wide range of abilities. It is essential that

individual needs are catered for and to this end a variety of teaching methods

are employed. The style adopted will be appropriate to the age, experience

and ability of the children and also the subject being taught. Children are

encouraged to investigate, explore and be active participants in their own

learning.

Careful planning for half-termly (or shorter) topics takes place to ensure that

National Curriculum subjects are fully covered.

Early Years Foundation Stage

The children in the Nursery and the Reception classes follow the curriculum for

the Foundation Stage.

� The Foundation Stage curriculum is divided into six areas of learning:

� Communication, language and literacy

� Mathematical development

� Knowledge and understanding of the world

� Physical development

� Creative development

� Personal, social and emotional development

The Foundation Stage begins when children reach the age of three and by this

time children will have already learnt a great deal. Children are constantly

encountering new experiences and seeking to understand them in order to

extend their skills, develop their confidence and build on what they already

know. Children deepen their understanding by playing, talking, observing,

planning, questioning, experimenting, testing, repeating, reflecting and

responding to adults and each other.

Literacy

Literacy has a high priority both in its own right and because it allows children

to gain access to all the areas of the curriculum. At Moorside we want

children to develop effective communication skills both in their speech and in

their writing, and to listen and read with understanding and pleasure.

We view the partnership between home and school as a valuable aspect in the

development of reading. From the Foundation Stage children will take home a

reading book and a library book on a regular basis to share with adults.

Children are encouraged to become writers from a very early age. They are

taught a wide range of skills which enable them to write for different purposes

and different audiences. These skills are also practised through other subject

areas across the curriculum. We have high expectations of presentation in

books, and teach children to become independent when checking the quality

of their work.

We have adopted the National Literacy Strategy and during the daily literacy

hour children have experience of shared, independent and guided reading and

writing.

Numeracy

Numeracy teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through

developing a child’s ability to calculate, to reason and to solve problems. The

school’s main objective is to ensure that children enjoy and understand

mathematics and its use in everyday life. Daily numeracy lessons in school

develop children’s mathematical skills and knowledge where basic mental

numeracy has a high profile.

We have adopted the National Numeracy Strategy and use a published

numeracy scheme. The scheme is also enriched by other resources,

investigation and problem solving activities and computer software.

Science

Our work in this subject ensures that children relate science to everyday life

and are stimulated by investigational, exploration and problem-solving

activities in which they are involved. By developing their investigational skills

in practical science situations they become adept at making observations, fair

testing and the drawing of conclusions, which they feel confident to share with

their peers.

Information Communication Technology

The teaching of ICT helps to equip children to take part in a rapidly changing

world. Children have access to a computer suite where they have the

opportunity to develop their ICT capabilities and have controlled access to the

internet. ICT is also used to reinforce and extend teaching across all

curriculum areas.

History

Children’s historical knowledge, understanding and empathy is acquired

through an investigative approach. Artefacts, photographs, eye witness

accounts, books and pictures are all used to stimulate the children’s curiosity

about the past. History also contributes to a child’s knowledge and

understanding of other countries and other cultures in the modern world.

Geography

Through our geography curriculum we aim to provide opportunities for

children to show interest, enquiry and understanding of the changes and

developments of the world around them. The children learn about maps,

places, the weather and land formation. They also study human influences on

the world such as pollution and they find out about the effects of settlements

and transport.

Music

The teaching of music develops pupils’ ability to listen and also increases self-

discipline and creativity. The children are given the opportunity to develop

the ability to perform and compose music with understanding. They will be

given opportunities to listen to and appraise music, and to gain knowledge of

music history and experience of diverse musical cultures.

The children will also have the opportunity to sing, play and listen to a range of

music and to devise, develop and record their own musical ideas and

compositions.

Art

We encourage the children to experience and observe a wide range of creative

arts. We achieve this by providing a variety of art, craft and design activities,

equipment and materials to encourage development of visual perception and

skills. The children are also encouraged to evaluate their work and become

more aware of the art and other artists of other times and cultures, as well as

those of today.

Children’s work is displayed in all areas of school to create an attractive and

visually stimulating environment to allow children the opportunity to see and

value the work of others.

Design and Technology

We provide a range of opportunities to investigate materials, mechanisms,

structures and existing products. Throughout the school children will

experience working with textiles, food, electronics and a range of construction

materials. Topics taught will involve them in the processes of identifying

needs, generating ideas, planning and making and evaluating what they have

produced.

Religious Education

As the school is designated community school there is no religious affiliation

and religious education is in accordance with the Salford Agreed Syllabus.

Through this syllabus we aim to encourage children towards an understanding

of beliefs, values and practices and to develop in themselves sensitivity and

respect towards other people’s faiths.

Personal, Social, Health Education and Citizenship

Personal, social and health education and citizenship enables children to

become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. A wide

variety of resources are available in school and a mobile caravan makes a

regular visit to the school to support work in PSHE.

Sex and Relationship Education

Sex and relationship education is incorporated into religious and personal,

social, health education and citizenship programmes at levels that relate to

the age and degree of maturity of the child.

Our school sex education policy is reviewed annually with reference to the

most recent documentation from the DfES and copies are available from the

school office. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of

the sex education provided, and are welcome to discuss all aspects of our sex

education policy with the Head Teacher before making any decisions

concerning the child.

Physical Education

Physical education plays an important part in each child’s overall development

and the life of the school in general. We aim to develop physical competence

and teach pupils, through experience, to know about and value the benefits of

participation in physical activity while at school and throughout life.

All children are taught gymnastics, dance and games throughout the school

year. This is carefully planned to ensure continuity and progression. Children

also take part in the following activities at certain times in their school life as

part of the planned whole school curriculum: swimming, athletics and out

door and adventurous activities.

We aim to take advantage of all the specialist teaching from outside agencies

which is available to us and in recent years the children have benefited in this

way from lacrosse, rugby, netball, basketball, tennis football, dance and

cricket.

School teams take part in many inter- school fixtures and events such as

netball, football, cross-country, athletics, rounders, lacrosse and swimming.

We believe that sport is for all and all children are encouraged to join our extra

curricular sporting clubs no matter what their ability.

Homework

We have a homework policy and parents are informed of homework

expectations for each year group at the start of the school year. Homework is

seen as an important link between school and home and parental support is

essential for any homework programme to be successful.

The range and amount of homework given inevitably differs between the age

groups. At Key Stage 1, homework mainly consists of reading, learning

spellings and weekly maths homework. At Key Stage 2, homework is more

formal and all classes have spelling lists and multiplication tables to learn for

weekly tests. Parents are asked to ensure that children read regularly and are

given opportunities to discuss what they have read.

Special Educational Needs

We always aim to meet the needs of the individual child, ensuring that work is

matched to abilities and interests. At Moorside we see children as individuals

and recognise that some have special educational needs at some time or

another. This may be in an area of learning, a behavioural or emotional

problem or an exceptional ability. Teachers differentiate work to cater, as far

as possible, for all our children’s individual needs.

The early identification of children with special needs allows us to offer them

additional help and support from the initial stages of their school life, and this

is maintained, monitored and reviewed, in co-operation with parents.

Parents are always kept informed of the measures taken regarding a child with

special educational needs, and their views and opinions are welcomed.

A Special Educational Needs (Inclusion Officer\SENCO) works alongside

teaching staff to secure the highest quality of teaching for pupils with special

educational needs. The school follows the statutory SEN Code of Practice and

has its own SEN policy which is available upon request.

Medical Matters

When children start at the school, parents are asked to complete an annual

consent form with details of who can be contacted in the event of an accident

or illness. These forms are updated on an annual basis and it is important that

parents inform us of any changes as soon as possible.

We understand that there are occasions when children need to complete

prescribed medication. School can only administer medicine prescribed by a

doctor and a medical form must be completed which is available from the

office. Medicines must be clearly labelled with contents, name and dosage

instructions.

Friends of Moorside Primary

There is an active Parent Teacher Association whose aim is to further the

education of the children by offering support to the school, largely by the

raising of funds. All parents are automatically members of the association. A

committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting which is usually held in

school in October.

Governing Body

The Governing Body of the school consists of 9 members who meet regularly

and are fully informed of all aspects of school life.

Parents have the opportunity to become a school governor and all parents are

given the opportunity to take part in the election of parent governors.

If you would like further advice on the duties of a governor please contact the

Head Teacher or Chair of Governors.

Partnerships with Parents

There are many areas in school where we greatly appreciate the help given by

parents and members of the community. We have a thriving PTA and a Parent

Forum. Our Parent Partnership Policy is on the School’s website.

Healthy Schools

We are involved in the National Healthy Schools Standard. This has provided

opportunities to improve our health through a number of initiatives.

Jewellery

No jewellery is allowed in school. With the exception of watches. Earrings of any type are regarded as inadvisable on the grounds of health and safety. However if a parent insists on their child wearing earrings written permission must be obtained from the Chair of Governors.

Lost Property

It is essential that all items of clothing are clearly labelled. Lost property tubs are contained in the infant and junior halls and children are encouraged to check them on a regular basis.

Meals

At lunchtime the children may either bring a packed lunch from home or choose a lunch provided by the school. Details of the meal service are made available to parents when their children are admitted to school. Free meals are available for those who qualify. Advice or information for parents on how to claim for free school meals is available from the school office.

Parents of children bringing their own packed lunch are asked to send children with non breakable containers for both food and drinks. Cans are not allowed. Drinking water is provided for all pupils

Milk

Children under the age of 5 receive free school milk. For children aged 5 and over milk has to be paid for termly in advance. Children in receipt of free school meals will receive free milk.

Children are also encouraged to drink water in school. Children need to have their own water bottle, which is clearly labelled. Bottles are regularly sent home to be washed thoroughly.

Reporting to Parents

We provide parents with the opportunity to meet with teachers each year.

We hold a ‘Meet the Teacher’ evening early in the Autumn Term and there are

two formal Parents’ Evenings in the Autumn and Spring terms. We report

annually to parents in an end of year report when teachers make written

comments about a child’s progress in each of the National Curriculum

subjects, Religious Education and Citizenship. We also report on behaviour,

attendance and punctuality. Parents are welcome to discuss all aspects of

school reports with teachers and the Headteacher.

Regular newsletters are sent out to keep parents informed of all school

activities and our website can be accessed on www.moorsideprimary.co.uk

If at any time you have a problem or query concerning your child or the school

in general, please phone and make an appointment to see either the teacher

concerned or the Headteacher. We should like to stress that you are welcome

to make such appointments. Only through close liaison between home and

school can your child receive maximum benefits from the education service we

offer.

School Council

We try to give children a voice in school. It is very important that their

thoughts and opinions are valued. One way of doing this is through a School

Council that is made up of two representatives from each of the Key Stage 2

classes. The Council meet regularly to share ideas, express any concerns,

celebrate school achievements and discuss ways of improving the school.

Biometric System

For some years Schools have successfully operated biometric systems for

catering purposes and, as we prepare to move to our new school building, we

will be using biometric technology to support the new cashless catering

system.

This will mean that pupils are unable to use cash at the food counter (till

point); all cash has to be entered into the system by using the automatic cash

terminals (revaluation units) and cannot be used to buy food directly at the

dinner counters. Please note that we are also introducing Parent Pay so that

any parents who wish to pay for lunches etc online can do so.

We are sure you will appreciate the advantages the system will offer both

yourself and your child. These include;

� The ability to deliver a more efficient, faster service over the lunch period

whilst continuing to provide wholesome, healthy, and enjoyable meals at the

lowest cost.

� Convenience of paying for school meals. No more looking for change every

morning.

� Reducing problems associated with the use of cash in school, i.e., loss or theft.

� Automatic free meal allocation, where appropriate, with the pupil remaining

anonymous (please see additional letter which outlines how to register for

free school meals).

� Reports detailing each item of food served available on request if you wish to

see what your child is eating for lunch.

� Pupils with allergies can have products ‘barred’ from their selection if

required.

Any amount of money can be paid into your child’s account via a revaluation

terminal; this is held within the system with money spent on food being

deducted from the balance. The revaluation terminal can be used at any point

to see how much money is remaining. Revaluation units are programmed to

accept £20, £10 & £5 notes and £2, £1, 50p, 20p & 10p coins. There is a daily

‘spend limit’ programmed into the system If you do not wish to opt in to the

biometric system we will use your child’s photograph which is held on the

School Sims System to identify him/her.

School Organisation

Doors are open at 8.50 am and the school day starts at 9.00am.

Morning Session:

Key Stage 1 9.00am – 12.00 noon

Key Stage 2 9.00am – 12.00 noon

Afternoon Session:

Key Stage 1 1.00pm – 3.15pm

Key Stage 2 1.00pm – 3.15pm

Security

At Moorside the safety of all children and adults is the utmost importance.

The school operates a CCTV system at the two main entrances. During the

school day all the entrances into school are secured. Any person wishing to

enter the school is requested to report to the main office. They will be

required to sign in and wear a visitor’s badge to ensure that the school knows

exactly who is in the building.

Uniform

Boys Girls

Winter

� Grey trousers

� Royal blue sweatshirt

� Pale blue or white polo shirt

� Black shoes (not trainers)

� Grey socks

Summer

� Same as winter but short trousers

are allowed

Winter

� Grey skirt/pinafore/trousers

� Royal blue sweatshirt or cardigan

� Pale blue or white polo shirt

� Black shoes (not trainers)

� White or grey socks or grey tights

Summer

� Blue & white gingham dresses

� Royal blue sweatshirt or cardigan

� White socks

� Sandals ,if worn, must be a full shoe style not strappy

� Long hair must be tied back at all times

For all physical education lessons children can wear shorts and T-shirts in any

combination of blue and white with back elasticated pumps. In particularly cold

weather, tracksuits may be worn for PE. Children must have their PE kit in school

throughout the week.

Royal blue sweatshirts, cardigans and polo shirts printed with the school logo are

available from Wilkinson’s of Swinton.