INTRODUCTION

Please note that this document relates to the school year 2008/2009

and all the information in it was correct at the time of printing.  However,

changes may have occurred between the date of printing and the date

when this copy is being read. You are strongly encouraged to visit school

 by prior arrangement with the Head Teacher, we would be

delighted to see you.

We can think of no better introduction to our successful, happy,

vibrant school than this from Ofsted February 2008:

“Teachers and Teaching Assistants provide high levels of care and

 support and they are impressive role models for their pupils.

As a result, pupils are motivated to do well, make good

progress in their academic work and achieve outstandingly

well in their personal, social and emotional development.”           

M.Stroud, September 2009

BRIEF HISTORY

Gorsefield is a Community Primary School , which was built by Bury MBC in 1979 and was first occupied by 165 Infant and Junior pupils in November of that year. Our Nursery was added in 1981.

The school has expanded rapidly over the past few years and now accommodates many more pupils than was first intended.  Thirteen extensions were added to the original building between 1984 and 2008 in an effort to meet these rising numbers, and this steady expansion has contributed to Gorsefield’s thriving atmosphere. Gorsefield is now one of Bury Metropolitan Borough’s largest Primary Schools (430 pupils, including Nursery) and the largest in terms of size of budget and number of staff employed.

In recent years the school has received praise and accreditation from a number of outside bodies. In the introduction to this booklet you will note we have earned the Healthy Schools Standard, the Activemark from Sport England awarded for Personal Social Health and Citizenship work, the Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark (for the third time) for the excellence of our work in Mathematics and English, and the Teaching Awards North England winner. 

                                                         ADMISSION POLICY

The current limit is 60 full time pupils in any one age group. However some age groups in school are full and have a waiting list, so where more pupils wish to come to school than we can accommodate, the policy is as follows:

1          First priority is for children with a statement of Special Educational Need, which stipulates Gorsefield as the appropriate school.

2          Second priority is for children in public care, Looked After Children.

3          Third priority is for children who have an older brother or sister at Gorsefield. For this purpose, a brother or sister may be a stepbrother/sister, living at the same address.

4          Fourth priority is for children living nearest to school.

Special Note: transfer from our Nursery Department to our Reception classes is not automatic. Parents of children in Nursery must either fill in a form with our school office to register their wish for their child to transfer to our Reception classes or with the Children’s Services admissions at Athenaeum House,

The school Governors will endeavour to accommodate any parent who wishes to send their child to Gorsefield but a place can never be guaranteed.

Where admission is refused because the relevant age group is full parents may appeal to the Local Education Authority for the school decision to be reversed.

Section 1

LOCAL AUTHORITY (LA)

Gorsefield Primary School is part of Bury Metropolitan Borough Children’s Services, whose offices are at Athenaeum House,

Section 2

GOVERNORS

The School’s Governing Body is made up of 15 representatives from Bury LA, school staff, school parents and members of the local community. They have the legal responsibility for ensuring that the school is operated in accordance with educational law and government guidelines.

The Chairman                                                Mr M Tonge

The Vice Chairman                                       Mrs P Church

The Parent Representatives                        Mrs E Waters, Mrs C Nicholson,

Mr L Kitchinson, Mrs J Azadi,

Mr M Appleby.

Section 3

ETHOS AND VALUES OF THE SCHOOL

3.1 Philosophy

The school will strive towards providing an environment in which learners are able to develop their own maximum potential in academic, social, physical and emotional terms. We fully support the five outcomes for children from Every Child Matters and recognise the Mission Statement of Bury Local Authority.

3.2 Aims:

Having proper regard for all learners in the school we aspire to:

 

• Foster and maintain an ethos which is supportive of all members of the school community irrespective of ability, gender, ethnic or social background and which ensures that all feel valued, cared for and secure.

   

• Promote collaboration with parents and the wider community to enable us to provide the best possible social, academic and cultural development for our learners.

   

• Develop a sense of discipline and good behaviour, leading to acceptable standards of interaction with and between adults and children.

   

• Equality of duty and access for all learners including those with a physical need.

   

• Develop a positive work attitude in all learners.

   

• Encourage and enable learners to acquire and hone academic and individual skills to the maximum of their ability.

   

• Give learners pride in their achievements.

   

• Develop respect and tolerance for all religious, moral and cultural values including having regard to the wider community.

   

• Encourage the development of aesthetic values.

   

• Ensure ample provision for a wide range of resources and experiences.

   

Section 4

SCHOOL ORGANISATION

4.1  Head and Deputy Head

The whole school organisation is led and managed by Mrs M Stroud, Head Teacher, and Mrs C Evans, Deputy Head Teacher.

4.2 Overall Organisation

We have the following departments based on age groups:

• Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception classes)

   

• Key Stage One (KS1)

   

Both the above are led and managed by Mrs S Moore, Head of Lower School , assisted by Mrs M Crompton, Foundation Stage Leader.

• Key Stage Two (KS2)

   

KS2 is led and managed by Mrs J James, Head of Key Stage 2.

Each age group has 2 classes.

Additionally, we have 2 departments which operate across all age groups: Special Needs, led and managed by Miss S Hardman, MBE, and Gifted and Talented led and managed by the school’s Deputy Head.

4.3 Further information about school departments

We deliberately made this a slim booklet, rather than an “everything-there-is-to-know-about-Gorsefield” type of book, which would give you a huge amount of information, much of which you won’t need yet. Separate booklets are produced by each department listed at 4.2 above, which can be obtained either from our school office or from the contact names given above.

4.4 Foundation Stage – Nursery and Reception classes

Nursery

A child may start in the Nursery in the term after their 3^rd birthday. We offer free part time places (daily sessions, in term time, lasting 3 hours) but these can become full-time places subject to availability by prior arrangement with school and subject to payment of a small daily fee.

The Nursery has 1 teacher and 4 teaching assistants. Each child is allocated a named key person.

Transfer to a Reception class is not automatic

(See Admission Policy on page1)

Reception

Our Reception children must be 4 years old by the

1^st September. Places are full-time and free of charge. Each class has a teacher and teaching assistant. Transfer to KS1 is automatic.                     

4.5 KS1 and KS2

KS1 comprises year 1 and year 2 (Y1 and Y2), whilst KS2 comprises years 3,4, 5 and 6 (Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6). 20 permanent teachers and 4 teaching assistants work in the departments. There are also many support staff working with individual learners and small groups who are contracted to the school on a temporary basis.

4.6 Other staff in school

Other staff include: Business Manager,3 office staff, 4 caretaking /cleaning,18 welfare. An annually updated list of staff is available each September if you would like a copy, so you know “who’s who” at the beginning of each new school year.

4.7 School Hours

Foundation Stage - Nursery                         8.50    to 11.50 or

                                                                                    12:05 to 3:05 (part-time)

Foundation Stage -Reception                                 8:55 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 3:00

KS1 (Year 1 and 2)                                                   8:55 to 12:10 and 1:00 to 3:00

KS2 (Years 3,4,5,6,)                                     8:55 to 12:30 and 1:15 to 3:00

Please note that we expect ALL pupils to arrive 5 minutes before the bell. In line with Local Authority Policy pupils arriving after 8.55am must enter school via the main entrance and will be marked late, and those who arrive after 9.15am will have an unauthorised absence, unless arrangements have been made with school in advance.

4.8 Holiday List

Details for the 20010-2011 school year will be circulated separately when they have been confirmed.

Would you please note that long holidays are provided at summer, Christmas and Easter. You are respectfully reminded that the law does not allow automatic leave of absence for holidays during term-time and one of the concerns voiced by Government agencies is that parents take children out of school for extra holidays or extended leave. Bury Local Authority has strict procedures we now have to follow with regard to leave in term time .All leave of absence must be requested in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the date required and each case will be reviewed independently.

(A copy of conditions  can be seen in school)

Section 5

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN)

5.1 Introduction and Policy

SEN operates across all age groups. At Gorsefield we aim to offer inclusive education and as such we recognise that there are a number of children in school who at some time or other will have Special Educational Needs whether it be learning, social or emotional problems. Gorsefield has built up considerable expertise and an excellent reputation, nationally, in this field of education. Gorsefield is also designated for children with physical disabilities and has some specialist provision, including changing and bathing facilities and additional rooms for physiotherapy. Reasonable adjustments have been made throughout the school and are tailored for individual children when necessary.

5.2 Aims

We offer a whole school approach and aim to identify, assess and meet pupil difficulties as they arise, and, where applicable, to develop programmes to support these difficulties. A full copy of our SEN Policy and booklet is available for any parent who wishes to have one.

5.3 Organisation in school

Although overall responsibility lies with the Head Teacher, SEN is organised throughout the school by the school SENCo and Head of Resource Provision, Miss S Hardman, MBE.  Miss Hardman co-ordinates the efforts of the special support assistants, class teachers, parents, Local Authority, Health Professionals and visiting teachers. Part of this organisation is our Resourced Provision Department, where extra resources (particularly extra teaching and special support staff) are provided by the Local Authority to support up to 12 children with complex learning difficulties from various parts of the borough.

5.4 More Able Learners

The inclusive nature of Gorsefield includes making extra provision for our more able children.  For about 40% of the day, the more able children in each year group, Year 2 to Year 6, are taught together, and additional withdrawal groups of the most able/gifted and talented are provided on a regular basis, under the auspices of the school’s Deputy Head. We have a strong reputation in this area; learners consistently rank in the top 10% in maths at the end of key stage 2 and perform well in the National Mathematics Challenge.

Section 6

CURRICULUM

6.1 National Curriculum

Ordinarily, all pupils here are taught according to the objectives and guidelines of the National Curriculum in terms of what is to be taught, how it will be taught, how that teaching will be assessed, and the amount of time devoted to each subject.

6.2 Curriculum Content

Separate booklets are provided for Nursery, KS1 and KS2 Departments, which give parents fuller information about the way in which subjects are organised and taught. Every National Curriculum subject has a designated coordinator who oversees the development of policy and content.

6.3 Religious Education

Gorsefield is not affiliated to any one religious denomination.

Religious Education and Collective Worship reflect the fact that we live in a predominantly Christian nation but some time is spent studying the other faiths, which are now well represented in our society.  The school adheres

to the Bury Agreed Syllabus, a copy of which is available for inspection in school.

Under Section 25 of the 1944 Education Act, parents may seek permission from the Head Teacher to withdraw their child from some, or all, of the school’s Assemblies and RE lessons on grounds of religious belief.  Such pupils will be given appropriate alternative work, under supervision where possible.

6.4 Health and Sex Education

Health Education is taught to all children as part of Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) and also the Science curriculum.  Subjects included are Healthy Eating, Hygiene, Dental and Sex Education.  Gorsefield has received the National Healthy Schools award for work in this area.

Our Sex and Relationships Education policy is currently being reviewed.

6.5 Assessment

As well as the continuous assessment of pupil progress (Assessing Pupil Progress - APPs) and maintenance of our records on every learner’s progress, all pupils are included in our  assessment programme.

Nursery                       = On Entry to Nursery; Local Authority Scheme

Reception Year         = Foundation Stage Profile.

Year 1                         = APPs;Teacher Assessment

Year 2                         = Teacher Assessment evidenced by QCA assessment tests

Years 3, 4 and 5        = APPs; Optional QCA Assessment tests

Year 6                         = Statutory Key Stage Two QCA Assessment tests

(see ‘Reporting to Parents’, Section 7.2- for information  on obtaining results)

6.6 Gorsefield’s Reported  Results

The following tables show results of the May 2009 assessments for Y.2. (KS1) and statutory tests for Y.6. (KS2 SATs). 

It is important to realise that this school has a large number of children with special educational needs (SEN). Although our average and most able pupils achieve consistently well, their results are masked by the fact that all the results from our SEN pupils are included in the overall totals.

Year 2

 

Notes:

• 44 pupils took the tests at Gorsefield

   

• 14 pupils had statements of SEN or registered at School Action Plus (ie 31% of the total) – most mainstream Primary schools have less than this in Year 2

   

Year 6

 

Notes:                                                                                                              

•  61 pupils took the tests at Gorsefield

   

•   4 pupils had statements of SEN. A further  8 pupils were registered at school action plus. 20% of the cohort, much above the national average as a result of the inclusive ethos of our school (recognised by Ofsted 2008).

   

Section 7

CONTACT BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL

7.1 Consultation with Teachers

Staff are usually available for consultation with parents before and after school. An appointment will be needed if you wish to spend more than a few minutes with a teacher. Please note that for security reasons parents should always enter and leave school via the main entrance. We encourage parents to share involvement in their children’s education!

7.2 Reporting to Parents

All learners will bring home a written report of their progress in July each year. Additionally Parents’ Evenings are held twice yearly for all parents.

7.3 Emergency Contact

   At the beginning of each school year we shall send an emergency

  form to you. This is an important document, which will enable us to contact you in the event of sudden illness or accident. Please complete it and return it to school. Please also let us know if there is any change in the information during the school year, ie change of mobile phone number.

In addition, when your child starts school you will be asked to complete a form, which explains our policy about taking photographs for publication.

7.4 Discipline

A part of education is teaching children proper standards of behaviour, care for property and possessions, tolerance of and respect for others and co-operation.  School rules are based entirely on these few concepts. New learners are made aware of school rules in the first few weeks of their arrival and learners in each class are consulted upon their  expectations in their learning environment.

A copy of our Discipline Policy and Behaviour Code is available for parents to read and a Home School Agreement is signed every year.

It is IMPERATIVE that parents appreciate their responsibilities in teaching good standards of behaviour to their children and the importance of their role in developing their child’s character.

7.5 Child Protection

In a case of concern the school will follow protocol as laid out in the Safeguarding Children Handbook produced by Bury Area Safeguarding Board. A copy is available in school should you wish to look at it. We take the safeguarding of all our learners very seriously and have a detailed policy with regard to this.

Section 8

ABSENCE, ILLNESS AND MEDICAL               

8.1 Absence

Should it be necessary to keep a child away from school parents MUST contact the child’s teacher to explain the absence. Preferably this will be followed by a written explanation.  This is the parents’/carers’ responsibility, which cannot be given to another (aunt, older child, neighbour etc) to do.

This is to ensure that children are safe and not absent without their parents’/carers’ knowledge or absent for an unsatisfactory reason. School may request medical evidence for any absence.

It is illegal for any of our children aged 5 years or over to be absent without proper reason, or generally any reason at all apart from illness, without the prior written permission of the Head Teacher.

8.2 Absence rates for the school year 2008-2009 (children of legal school age)

1)         Number of pupils aged 5 yrs or older on 1^st September 2008 - 316                  

2)         Percentage of half days missed through authorised absence -  5.5%  

3)         Percentage of half days missed through unauthorised absence- 0.2%

8.3 Medication in School

Children must not bring tablets or medicines to school.  There can be great danger if the wrong child takes them.  As a rule, if a child is ill enough to need medicine during the day he/she should be in bed at home.  In very unusual cases, parents may ask the Head Teacher, in advance, for permission to send medications to school to be administered to the child. If this is agreed, the parent must give CLEAR WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS and a Medical Agreement must be drawn up between the child’s parent(s) and school.

Section 9

YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL DAY - MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

9.1 School Uniform

Gorsefield has a school uniform.  It is compulsory for all pupils.

• Navy sweatshirt with school logo.

   

• White polo shirt.

   

• Grey tailored trousers or skirt.

   

• White or black socks, or tights, as appropriate.

   

• Black shoes with lace or Velcro fastenings.                                                                                                          

   

• Optional tailored grey short trousers for summer (not sport or beach shorts).

   

Please also note for health and safety reasons -

no earrings - children with pierced ears are ONLY allowed to wear ear-studs

no jewellery (chains, bangles, bracelets, rings etc) except the s.o.s. variety used for medical reasons

no trainers, high heeled shoes, platforms

Please ensure that all clothing is marked with your child’s name.

*The sweatshirt is available from the school office, costing £8.00.

9.2 Basic Equipment for PE

Please check that all P.E. and Games kit is labelled with your child’s name.

PE - White T-shirt, navy shorts and black pumps (not trainers). Shorts should be above the knee for health and safety reasons.

9.3 Sport and Extra Curricular Activities

Gorsefield has won the Bury Metropolitan Sporting School of the Year many times (out of over 80 Primary and Secondary schools in Bury).

There is great concern nationally about the large number of children who are physically unfit. PE and Sport is a compulsory part of our school curriculum. Our aim is to introduce children to a wide range of Games and Sports in order to (1) work towards a basic level of fitness to keep healthy  (2) give learners a starting point for their own leisure activities (parents play an essential role in this) (3) encourage learners’ social development and sense of fair play.

The school has extensive playgrounds, playing fields and a large hall for indoor P.E. Swimming lessons are taken at Radcliffe Swimming Pool.

The school has offered a wide range of extra-curricular sporting activities, particularly for older pupils. These include drama, dance, gymnastics, choir, netball, football, cricket, rounders, badminton, fencing, cross country running and athletics. Children are strongly encouraged to join in these activities and to gain places on our many school teams, which regularly win trophies in competitions with other schools.  Parental support is also strongly encouraged.

9.4 Educational Visits

It is a regular occurrence that pupils leave the school premises to visit places of interest or educational value.  These visits vary in length, usually no longer than one day. 

Parents will be informed beforehand of any such visit and asked to give permission in writing also to make sure of arrangements for learners to get home. Parents will also be told of any cost that will be incurred (See Section 10). Parents are asked to understand that school staff or other approved persons in charge of school groups will take such care of the pupil as is reasonable in all circumstances.  However, they cannot be held responsible for loss, damage or injury to property or person, which does not involve negligence on the part of the school staff.

9.5 Care Out of School Hours

A privately operated before-and-after-school care service (Gorsey Kids’ Club) operates on our premises, which can look after your child from 8am, and until 6pm. There is a charge for this service. Details are available from Miss C Hulme, 07796872409.

Section 10

CHARGING AND REMISSIONS POLICY

Although it is our policy not to ask parents to pay for any activity, most or all of which, occurs within school hours.  It is our custom, however, to ask parents for voluntary contributions towards costly activities (such as Educational visits - see 9.4), which could not take place without a substantial level of voluntary contributions.

Where any activity takes place outside normal school hours, parents will be charged the full cost.

Additionally, parents may be asked to contribute to the cost of an item, which their child has made, where the cost of materials is significant and/or the item is being taken home.

Section 11

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE AND SOURCES OF DETAILED INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

11.1 Complaints

Complaints about the actions of individuals should be taken up informally with those individuals without reference to others. Should this prove unsatisfactory, an interview should be sought with the appropriate Head of Department. Any issues unresolved after that point should be taken to Deputy Head or Head. Thereafter a written complaint should be addressed to the Chairman of Governors to be dealt with by the Governors’ Appeal Committee. Complaints about actions of Governors, School or LA must be taken up with Chair of Governors, Head, or Director of Education respectively.

11.2 Further Information

Further information regarding statements of curriculum policy; curriculum aims; schemes of work; statutory instruments and circulars, and Inspection reports referring expressly to this school may be obtained by application to the Head Teacher or via the school web site. Foundation Stage (nursery & reception), KS1, KS2 and SEN Departments also have their own information booklets.

M. Stroud

September 2009