Parkside Community Primary School

Parkside Community Primary School Beechwood Lane Heathfield East Sussex TN21 8QQ t. 01435 864577 f. 01435 865523 offi[email protected] www.parksideprimary.org

Dear Parents / Carers,

Choosing a primary school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The foundations set in a child’s early education will have a major impact on their capacity to learn and to achieve. This prospectus gives information that we hope will help you to make the right choice for your child. We believe that our school is a special place. You will sense the friendly, welcoming, caring atmosphere as you talk with members of staff and watch the interaction between the children. This is no accident. We work very hard to achieve this because we know that in order for children to learn they must feel secure and cared for. Every child in this school will be a success. For all, this will mean achieving their best in English, maths and science. For many it will mean the experience of competing in sport, producing art or performing to audiences. Some will discover a great interest in our world. Others will find an empathy with people and have the ability to make relationships and to care. There is so much at which children will succeed. I am committed to ensuring that each child leaves Parkside School having succeeded and been empowered to learn and to achieve. Each child has talent. At Parkside we work hard to ensure that talent is discovered, nurtured and given every opportunity to flourish. We recognise that the prime educators of children are their parents. We are therefore committed to working with you to achieve the best for your child. We hope you choose wisely and we hope you choose Parkside. With sincere wishes

Richard Blakeley Headteacher

Welcome Parkside Community Primary School lies on the edge of Heathfield in a beautiful parkland setting. The school has many excellent facilities with two playgrounds, woodland and pond area, an outdoor classroom, an adventure trail, and a reception class play area. The school has seven year groups from Reception to Year 6 and an enthusiastic and caring staff team who will welcome you and your child to our friendly school community. In our lovely setting we deliver an exciting, rich and varied curriculum to inspire an enjoyment and love of learning that we hope children will carry with them for life.

Our Promise At our school we work together to give everyone the chance to achieve. Relationships are important at Parkside; we believe a happy child is more receptive to learning. You will find an ethos of mutual respect throughout the whole school community and a caring and understanding approach. We aim to develop positive relationships and a feeling of team spirit throughout the school: adults and children. There are strong links between infant and junior children which begin in the first days of the Reception Class and continue through the school. We also make links with the wider community, welcoming visitors to the school and participating in local events and activities organised by the partnership of Heathfield Schools.

Our Curriculum We offer your child a balanced, broad based curriculum. We aim to help every child achieve their best whether they are high flyers or in need of support, by creating a rich, meaningful learning environment. All classes organise visits as part of the learning experience. Our curriculum is organised into termly topics to make learning relevant and exciting and suited to each child’s learning style. Children learn new skills, develop ability to reason and solve problems, investigate and create. They are helped to reflect on their learning and develop independence. Throughout the year we carefully monitor each child’s progress and discuss this with parents.

And More…. At Parkside we strive to deliver memorable experiences that will enhance and compliment your child’s learning. We offer a range of extracurricular activities that range from trips into Heathfield or to Brighton for the younger children, to days singing with the Young Voices at the O2 for the older children and residential trips in year 5 and 6. We often invite visitors into school to help bring the curriculum alive. Whether it be a visiting artist, a theatre company or even an Egyptologist; we are constantly trying to think of new ways to make the curriculum enjoyable and meaningful for your child. Last year we have refurbished our library, created a computer suite and added a kitchen area to further enhance the opportunities that we offer. As a school we value the arts, and your child will be given many opportunities to perform in plays, dances and assemblies. Visiting music teachers offer lessons in a range of instruments and the school celebrates these musicians with an annual concert. As well as weekly PE lessons, we also offer a variety of sports clubs. At Parkside we take pride in our sports teams and we enter a wide range of local sports competitions.

Home-learning Home learning begins in Reception where children take a book home to read and share each day. The expectations for home-learning progress throughout the school and may include practising maths and literacy skills or research related to work in class. By Year 6 the children are set several pieces of home-learning each week to prepare them for the rigours of secondary school. Home learning is intended to enhance learning in school and maintain a child’s love of learning without taking over their enjoyment of family time.

Communication We welcome parents as partners in the education of their child, and work hard to maintain a close liaison with you throughout the time your child is at the school. Before entry to Reception, we will visit local pre-school groups and arrange an opportunity for your child to visit and spend time with their new teacher in their new classroom. At the start of the Reception year you will have an opportunity to meet individually with your child’s teacher. It is important to us that this partnership is maintained through the school. Teachers are available after school for short discussions or for longer ones by appointment. You can phone and leave a message if you would like a teacher to contact you. In September, each teacher holds a Curriculum meeting to introduce parents to the class and expectations of their children in that year group. Formal parent-teacher consultations are held in the Autumn and Spring terms, with an informal evening in the Summer term. Throughout the school, we welcome parents (or grandparents) as helpers in school. Many come in regularly to assist with reading, English, maths and art, to support extra-curricular clubs and help out in numerous other ways! We are lucky to have an extremely active and energetic PTA who constantly find ways to raise money and offer extra support to the school; all parents are welcomed.

School Times Children are welcome to arrive at school from 8.45am in order to be in good time for registration to start the school day. Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1

8.55am – 12.00 noon and

1.15pm – 3.20 pm

Key stage 2

8.55am – 12.15pm

1.15pm – 3.20pm

and

Healthy Eating Our school is committed to encouraging healthy eating and we are part of the government “five a day” scheme, providing a piece of fruit or vegetable at morning break each day for all children in Reception and Key Stage 1. Children in Reception also receive a free cup of milk each day. Children in Key Stage 2 are allowed to bring a piece of fruit to eat during morning break. All children are encouraged to bring water in a suitable container to drink throughout the day. Parkside has a wonderful team of cooks who provide a choice of school lunches each day. If your child requires a school lunch, please make sure they bring the money to school in a named purse, which they leave with their teacher. Alternatively you may provide your child with a healthy packed lunch in a lunch box. Lunch is always supervised. Due to the number of allergies in school we are a ‘Nut Free’ school and don’t allow children or staff to have nuts on the premises. All Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children are entitled to free school meals and we would encourage all of these children to take up this offer.

School Council Our School Council meets regularly. Two children from every class represent their own class on the School Council. The children are elected to the School Council by their peers. They take whole school issues and ideas from their own class councils and feed them into the School Council. They also share ideas and decisions from School Council with their class.

Discipline Mutual respect is at the core of our school and children are encouraged to develop considerate and polite behaviour towards each other at all times. Most children just need a simple reminder if they forget and we use positive incentives to support behaviour. When a child’s behaviour causes concern sanctions are used, such as missing part of a playtime. When a child is struggling to maintain self-discipline we will involve parents.

Personal Social and Health Education PSHE helps prepare children to make a positive contribution to society, live a safe and healthy life and achieve economic well-being. We support children in extending their knowledge of relationships, attitudes and values and give them the opportunity to take increasing responsibility while building self-esteem and self-discipline. Sex and Relationships education is part of the PSHE curriculum and is covered, when relevant, through science and topic work.

Additional Educational Needs Children learn in different ways and at different speeds. At Parkside we monitor all children carefully so any child experiencing difficulties can be supported. Often this will only be a temporary problem which, with a little additional help in class, can be overcome. Where more help is required, we use diagnostic tests in consultation with our Inclusion Manger to help identify the nature of the difficulty. A provision map will be prepared outlining any actions or programmes required to help a child and these will usually be delivered by the class teacher or TA and regularly reviewed. When a problem is felt to be more severe, we may request that outside agencies are consulted, such as educational psychologists. Any difficulties that arise at any stage are discussed with parents and we encourage parents to let us know if they have any concerns.

Parents’ Concerns If you have a concern, please, please let us know immediately – your peace of mind is very important. We will do our very best to help straight away. If you are not happy with our response we have a procedure for helping to resolve your concerns as follows:     

Informal discussion with class teacher at a convenient time Informal discussion with a member of the senior leadership team Formal discussion with head teacher by appointment Formal concern lodged with the Governing Body Formal complaint to the Governing Body Complaints Panel.

Extra Curricular Activities We offer many opportunities to take part in additional activities in both the arts and sport. We run some clubs during lunchtime or immediately after school for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children. The school also takes part in sports events organised for local schools in swimming, gymnastics, cross country running, football, netball, rugby, cricket, stoolball and athletics. There are opportunities to learn musical instruments as the children progress through the school, taught by visiting teachers, and children currently learn to play recorder, flute, clarinet, violin, cello and guitar as well as singing. We put on Christmas productions each year and children produce class assemblies. Each Year 6 Class builds our Goblin electric car, learns to drive it then races against other schools.

Wrap around Care We offer a Breakfast Club and After School Club which can be used on a regular or occasional basis. Children can attend one to five days a week from 7.30am until 6:00pm. At the end of the club, children are taken into class for the start of the school day and taken to the After School Club at the end of the day. For the latest charges please the school website.

School Uniform At Parkside, children are proud to wear their school uniform; it emphasises a common identity and supports discipline and positive relationships in the school. By choosing to send your child to Parkside you will understand that we expect all children to wear their school uniform.          

Blue sweatshirt with the school logo Blue cardigan with the school logo White polo shirt / White polo shirt with logo White shirt with school tie Grey shorts or trousers Grey pinafore dress or skirt Black or navy shoes (not trainers) Blue, white or black hair ties and bands Light blue and white gingham check dress White polo shirt / White polo shirt with logo

P.E. Kit    

Plain white T-shirt or polo shirt Navy or black shorts or PE skirt Black plimsolls PE bag for hanging on peg.

Book Bag with Parkside logo Items with the school logo, school ties and Parkside fleece/ raincoats are available from the school office. All items need to be clearly marked with your child’s name as we cannot be held responsible for any lost items. Unmarked property is put in the trunk outside the school office.

Forest School At Parkside, we try to get outdoors as much as possible! We are lucky to have a fantastic outside environment. We have woods with a woodland trail – look out for the minibeast hotel, the log pile house, our hand-made shelters and our campfire! We have a lovely pond where we enjoy pond dipping and can spot pond skaters, dragonflies, lilies and even frogs and newts in the summer. We also have a large field, an adventure trail, hut, a sun shelter, two play grounds and every year some classes grow fruit and vegetables. Reception class also have their own outdoor area. We run Forest School sessions in our woods, where children can direct their own learning outside and learn skills such as woodwork, fire lighting, cooking, shelter building and nature conservation from Reception to Year 6. Our in-house trained staff support their learning and ensure safety.

Organisation Parkside has seven classes, one for each year group from Reception to Year 6 catering for children from 4+ to 11. Each class has a teacher supported by a teaching assistant. Our classes have a maximum of 30 children. Children come to Parkside from all over Heathfield and beyond. When they leave, the majority transfer to Heathfield Community College or Grammar Schools in other areas.

Sport Sporting activity features highly at Parkside. We believe in providing opportunity for all children to try as many activities as possible during their time with us and are very fortunate that our extensive grounds help us to do this. All children receive two P.E. lessons each week. In addition, we have a wide range of after school clubs where children in both key stages can develop their skills and have fun. We try to enter all the sporting competitions that are held in the locality, often fielding more than one team – if at all possible, all children who would like the opportunity, will be able to represent the school at least once during their time at Parkside. We have been recognised recently for our sporting achievements by achieving the gold standard in the school games award.

Educational Visits We use visits and visitors to enrich the learning experience and give children an opportunity to be actively involved in the wider community. Visitors and parents involved in our school bring expertise and goodwill to inspire; educational visits add excitement and the chance to learn in a different environment. We have recently had visits from theatre and dance groups, wildlife organisations, and local restaurateurs as well as many parents sharing expertise or helping in a class. In the last year, children have visited Wilderness Wood, Leeds Castle, Herstmonceux Science Centre, Lewes Castle, Brighton Toy Museum, Michelham Priory, Bedgebury, Kent and Sussex Railway and the Seven Sisters Country Park. In Year 5 the children go on a residential trip to Fellowship Afloat on the Essex Coast. Year 6 spend a week in Rouen, France and visiting, Giverny, Honfleur and Paris, whilst putting into practice the French they have learnt. Visits involve financial commitment and the PTA help to subsidise our school trips. However, parents are asked whenever possible to make a contribution towards the cost.

Modern Foreign Languages Throughout Key Stage 2 children have lessons in French. This is taught through games, songs and oral activities. The children will also begin to explore the connections between English, French and other languages. In the summer, the Year 6 children will go on a residential trip to France where they will be able to practice some of the skills that they have learnt.

Partnerships Education is a continuous process from birth to adulthood and beyond. Therefore we work hard to maintain a close relationship with parents, our school and the secondary schools to which the children will transfer at age 11. All parents are automatically members of the PTA. The PTA exists to help parents become involved in the life of the school. Our PTA is committed to helping to provide extra equipment and resources for our school and children. At Parkside we lay a great emphasis on an active partnership between school and home. We have many parents who regularly assist class teachers in such areas as reading, English, mathematics, cooking and art. Year 6 children are extremely proud of the buddy system that they undertake with Reception Class. Each year they ensure that the Reception children enjoy a smooth transition into school.

School Farm Earlier this year we set up a school farm partly because the children wanted to improve the school and partly to enhance the curriculum we offer. We now have four Gloucester Old Spot Pigs and several chickens. The children learn skills in feeding, watering, cleaning out and the whole faming cycle.

Staff This information relates to the school year 2016 – 2017 and is correct as at October 2016 Teachers Richard Blakeley

Headteacher

Rachel Townshend

Deputy Headteacher and Year 6 teacher

Marion Tooze

Year 5 teacher

Kate Robertson

Year 5 teacher

Sam Dugan

Year 4 teacher

Sue Skan

Year 3 teacher

Val Joy

Year 2 teacher

Tabby Hopwood

Year 2 teacher

Nicole Worsell

Year 1 teacher

Lydia Offen

Reception teacher

Helen Punter Bruce

Inclusion Manager

Helen Dobson

Forest School & PPA Cover

Heather Smith

Music & PPA Cover

Teaching Assistants Julia Cox

Reception

Charlotte Morgan

Learning Support

Lisa Johnston

Year 1

Margaret Brown

Learning Support

Donna Parker

Year 2

Wendy Voice

Learning Support &Wrap around care coordinator

Mandi Cooper

Year 3

Linda Watton

Learning Support

Jane Baker

Year 4

Patsy Gosling

Midday Supervisor

Naomi Laddiman

Year 5

Office Staff

Jo Clement

Year 6

Jo Dixon

Secretary

Graham Holland

Bursar

Pete Barden

Caretaker

School website You can find out more about our school on our website at www.parksideprimary.org

Term Dates Term

Start date

End date

Summer school holiday

Monday 24 July 2017

Friday 2 September 2016

School INSET day

Monday 4th September 2017

School Term 1

Tuesday 5th September 2017

Friday 20th October 2017

Autumn school holiday

Monday 23rd October 2017

Friday 27th October 2017

School Term 2

Monday 30th October 2017

Wednesday 20th December 2017

Christmas school holiday

Thursday 21st December 2017

Monday 1st January

School Term 3

Tuesday 2nd January 2018

Friday 9th February 2018

February school holiday

Monday 12th February 2018

Friday 16th February 2018

School Term 4

Monday 19th February 2018

Thursday 29th March 2018

Spring school holiday

Friday 30th March 2018

Friday 13th April 2018

School Term 5

Monday 16th April 2018

Friday 25th May 2018

May school holiday

Monday 28th May 2018

Friday 1st June 2018

School Term 6

Monday 4th June 2018

Friday 20th July 2018

There will be a further 4 INSET training days throughout the year.

If You would Like to Find Out More You are welcome to visit our school. If you would like to come and have a look around please contact us to arrange a convenient time on 01435 864577.

Parkside Community Primary School Beechwood Lane, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8QQ t. 01435 864577 f. 01435 865523 [email protected] www.parksideprimary.org

Working together to achieve individually