Information About Sparkwell School

Sparkwell Schools Governing Body

Class Organisation for September 2008- July 2009

Absences, Sickness and Medicines

Sparkwell Schools Governing Body

Chairman of Governors - Mrs Margaret Kingwell (Foundation)

Vice- Chairman - Mrs C Kendrick

Governors - Mrs J Watts (Headteacher)
- Mrs P Smith (Staff)
- Mr Robin May
- Mrs J Marshall (Parent Governor)

- Mr R Jones (Parent Governor)
- Mr David Crowley
- Mrs Lesley Masey

Clerk to the Governors - Mrs Sheila Courtney

Class Organisation for September 2008- July 2009

Class 1- Mrs Hawker- Foundation Year, Year 1 and Year 2

Class 2 - Mr Anderson/Miss Howe Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 Back to top

School Day

The Children are welcomed into school from 8.50 am onwards, when there will be a teacher on duty.

9.00 am - 10.40 am Session 1
10.40am - 11.00 am Morning Break
11.00 am - 12.30 pm Session 2
12.30 pm - 1.30 pm Lunch
1.30 pm - 3.30 pm Session 3

At Morning break children are welcome to bring fruit and vegetables.

School lunches are available for those who wish (these should be ordered and paid for on a Monday of each week. Please send money in a marked envelope with the child's name).

Free school meals are promised for children of parents in receipt of income support - ask the school administrator for a form.

Children can also bring a packed lunch and a drink in a plastic bottle. Back to top

School Office

If you need to contact the school, the administrator is available all day Monday and Wednesday (8.30 am till 3.30 pm) and Tuesday ,Thursday and Friday mornings (8.30 am till 12.30 pm.) An answerphone is on at all other times. Messages will be picked up after lessons have finished. Back to top

Absences, Sickness and Medicines

If your child is off school for any reason, please inform the school staff on the morning of the first day of absence and provide an explanation for the absence on their return.

Parents are asked to provide at least two contact telephone numbers so that they can be contacted if their child becomes ill, or has an accident, at school. It is also very helpful if children know where their parents will be during the school day e.g. at home, at work or at Granny's.

Medicines will be administered at school but parents are asked to fill out an "Administration of Medicines in Schools" Form, held in the School office. Back to top

Educational Trips

These are frequently organised to support our work in the classroom. Parents are often requested to contribute towards the cost of transport and admission. Back to top

Admissions

We have two admission dates for children starting school. One in September, and one in January for children who are 5 between September and August that academic year. Prospective parents are welcome to visit the school - please phone the school to arrange a suitable time.

If you would like, the class teacher will visit you and your child at home to talk about school and answer any questions. Children spend some afternoons and lunchtimes in school during the term before they actually begin full time schooling. this gives them a taster of what to expect.

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Home School Agreement

The school and parents have drawn up a Home School Agreement which pupils, parents and headteacher are asked to sign. A copy of this can be found under "Documents". Back to top

Homework

Children are expected to do some work at home. The amount varies according to the age of the child. Older children are set regular weekly homework. This is often related to the work being covered in class and may be preliminary investigation, practice of something learnt, or in depth work for an individual subject area. Back to top

School Rules

These can be found under "Documents" Back to top

Curriculum

The curriculum at Sparkwell School is planned to be broad asnd balanced, and follows the national Curriculum. It includes English, Maths, Science, Geography, History, Technology, Information Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education and Religious Education, as well as Personal and Social Education.

National Curriculum documents are available for inspection in school, as is a copy of the Local Education Authority's statement of Curriculum Policy.

Within the National Curriculum the staff try to provide work and experiences to suit each child's needs and abilities, whilst maintaining a happy 'family' atmosphere which emphasises each child's worth.

English - The school follows the National Literacy programme. English is taught in all classes for at least an hour every day.

Maths - The school has adopted the daily mathematics lesson, (commonly called the "Numeracy Hour"). This includes a strong emphasis on pupils "working things out in their heads".

Science - Science topics are taught using a rolling programme, with children building on their previous knowledge. The topics include experiments and investigations.

IC Technology - Skills taught include use of the computer, video and television, fax machine and tape recorder, digital camera, e-mail and Internet in a variety of contexts.

Sports & P.E Facilities - The children have a P.E lesson twice weekly, either at the village hall, the village sports field or in the playground. In the summer term the school uses its outdoor swimming pool.

Religious Education - R>E in maintained and controlled schools is given in accordance with a syllabus agreed by the Local Education Authority with support material from the Diocese. As a Voluntary Controlled school we have strong links with the founding body - the Church of England. There is a daily act of worship, including 3 assemblies in Sparkwell church and 2 in the classroom. These are sometimes led by the vicar of Sparkwell or other appropriate visitors. Parents have the right to withdraw their children, in whole or in part, from religious education and collective worship.

Sex Education - The Governors of Sparkwell School consider that sex education should form part of the secular curriculum for the school. Such teaching should be based on the requirements of the National Curriculum in Science.

Reports - These will be circulated towards the end of the Summer Term and may be discussed with staff as appropriate. There will also be regular evenings during the year when there is a formal opportunity to look at and discuss your child's work. However, the class teachers are normally available at the end of the day for informal discussion about any aspects of your child's school life. Back to top

Special Education Needs

Most children have their needs met by their class teacher, but sometimes it may be necessary to make special provision for individual needs. These can vary from special academic needs, (ie a child who is a slower learner and needs extra help or a child who is particularly gifted) to behavioural problems. An individual education plan (IEP) will be devised for children who need it; this will be reviewed regularly with parents, child and teachers. There is a designated member of staff who has overall resposibility for the provision for these children. When needed there is professional help in the form of an Educational Psychologist, special needs teacher and the loan of additional resources, books, tapes etc from the special needs resources unit at Ivybridge. Children may occasionally be withdrawn from their class for extra help. Parents are frequently updated about their child's progress. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Back to top

School Uniform

School Uniform is worn by all children. The uniform is a maroon jumper or sweatshirt, white blouse or shirt, grey trousers or skirt.

In Summer girls may wear red/blue and white checked dresses if they wish. Boys may wear white polo shirts and grey shorts.

School sweatshirts and white polo shirts with the school name on the front are available from school. You are welcome to order these from the school office. All clothes must be marked with the child's name.

School shoes should be black and 'sensible' ie no platforms or high heels. Suitable sandals can be worn in the summer (Not opened toed sandals). Back to top

P.E. Kit

All children need shorts (preferably black) and a white T-shirt and a pair of plimsolls or trainers. In cold weather tracksuit/jogging trousers or leggings may be worn for outside sport. All kit should be kept at school in a named P.E. bag.

Swimming trunks/costume and towel when required should be brought to school in a plastic bag. Children with long hair must tie back and plait their hair or wear a swimming cap. If you feel it is essential that your child wear goggles, please inform the class teacher. Back to top

Jewellery

With the exception of stud earrings the wearing of jewellery in school is not permitted. This rule is necessary for the safety of children in the playground and during P.E. Watches may be worn, but are the resposibility of the child. Stud earrings must be removed or covered during games lessons to prevent injury. Back to top

Parents in School

We welcome parents who would like to help in school. You are invited to contact the class teacher direct. Such help takes place on the school premises under the supervision of a teacher.

Ways in which parents have helped recently include - hearing children read, helping a group in art/craft sessions and assisting on school trips. Parents are needed to accompany classes to hall or field for P.E.

Regular newsletters are sent home with the children to keep you in touch. Back to top

Friends of Sparkwell School

All parents are invited to play an active part in supporting the work of the school.

The "Friends of Sparkwell School" association has been formed to replace the old P.T.A as it is believed to be important for ex-parents, ex-pupils and other members of the community to be part of the school community and its activities. The "Friends" organise social and fundraising activities for the school. The governors and staff are very grateful for the tremendous support given by the "Friends" in general and by their hard-working committee in particular.

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