The Beeches Primary School is for children aged between 4 and 11. Classes are of mixed levels of attainment although there is some setting in particular year groups. All classes are staffed by a class teacher and supported by at least one Teaching Assistant for most of the day. In addition the school employs assistants for children with specific learning needs.

The school is well decorated and furnished according to the age of the children. All classrooms have interactive white-boards and these are used in most lessons. Your child will be taught to use the internet, digital photography, movie making and programmable toys as part of their regular classroom learning. We have two school halls that are used for assemblies and PE lessons. One of the halls is also used as the dining room. Additional areas provide places for smaller group teaching. Outside we have a hard surface play area, an adventure gym, environmental gardens and a large field that is used when the ground is dry.

This year we saw the start of a major refurbishment project at the School. Our buildings are very old, some now over 100 years old. The new buildings will add four new teaching and learning spaces, provide new entrances around the building, new heating and lighting, and replacement of our existing dining space and kitchen. Whilst this has caused some disruption, we are delighted that all learners at our growing school will have the chance to work in a first class environment fit for the demands and opportunities of the 21st Century.

We believe that every member of the school community should be valued for who they are – their individuality, diversity, culture and heritage. They should be encouraged to develop their full potential to the best of their ability, often exceeding expectations in a stimulating and caring environment. It is a place where self respect and mutual respect for others is fostered between all relationships. It is a place where everyone is different, has importance and can work together as a team to make it a better place to be. Our school is a community of open-minded life-long learners who want to learn, who prepare for global change, respect diversity, treat one another equally and promote peace and harmony.

• To strive for excellence, pursuing high standards enabling our children to become confident, literate and numerate
• To consistently promote and model positive, fair relationships, appropriate behaviour, patience, politeness and good manners at all times
• To create a partnership between home, school and the community, providing high quality information and good communication to overcome barriers to learning
• To develop personal, spiritual and moral values to promote tolerance, equality and respect for ourselves and others
• To use praise and encouragement to develop lively, enquiring minds who demonstrate initiative and through regular, constructive feedback, learn from their mistakes
• To conduct ourselves in a positive manner, taking care of our own well being and that of others

We aim to work in close partnership with parents and carers so that children can make the most of their time in school. We are always pleased to meet parents in order to celebrate some special achievement and their child’s participation in their class assembly or to share concerns. A monthly school newsletter is produced to inform parents of events taking place in school. Formal parent/teacher meetings are held in the Autumn and Spring terms and the school often holds special parent meetings as the need arises to discuss the many things that go on in school and to ask parents and carers their opinions.

In addition, teachers are available to discuss matters with parents and carers at the end of the school day at 3.10pm, should the need arise but an appointment may be necessary. A bi-lingual assistant is always available if required. The Headteacher is also available to discuss matters with parents. Again an appointment may be necessary. Children often bring home letters and forms from school. It is important that the child give these to parents and carers. Always ask your children when they come home if they have a letter for you and ALWAYS CHECK THEIR BAGS.

Registers are marked as soon as the children enter the classroom. ALL CHILDREN NOT IN THEIR CLASSES BY 8.55 are late. Parents have the responsibility to make sure that their child is in school on time.

At dinner time and at the end of school children going home in Years 4, 5 and 6 can be met outside the green gates. Please do not wait in the corridors as there is very little space. If you wish to speak to the class teacher or Headteacher please go to the school office. Children in Reception to Year 2 must be collected from their classroom by an adult or somebody over the age of 12. If children are home dinners but are not collected by 12.00 they will be given a school dinner which you will need to pay for.Children should be collected to go home at 3.10 p.m.

We have 90 children in our reception year group organised into 3 classes with a maximum of 30 in each class.
Next year we will have the same in year 1. Throughout the rest of the school we have up to 75 children in each year group organised into 3 classes with about 25 children in each class.

Should you require a place for your child please contact the Admissions Team on 01733 864007. The Admissions Team will require proof of your address and the name of any siblings attending our school. The Local Authority guidelines say children with brothers and sisters should be offered places first. After that, places at the school should be given to children who live closest to the school.

There are times when a child becomes too ill to come to school. Parents must ring school on the morning of the child’s absence. Parents are also requested to telephone the school, visit the school secretary or class teacher or write a note on the child’s return to school explaining the illness that resulted in absence. This will be recorded as an authorised absence. A shopping trip, going to visit relatives or other similar reasons however, is an unacceptable reason for absence and will be unauthorised. Continued unauthorised absences are always followed up by the school and/or welfare services. Every time a child is missing from school the absence will be followed up immediately by telephone or a home visit. We advise that appointments are made out of school hours. If this is not possible an appointment card must be presented at the school office.

Children need to be in school to learn. There is no right to time off for holidays or visits during term times. Families are asked to take their holidays during the times when the school is closed. The Beeches Primary School is a very popular school. Many of our classes are full and, often, extra families would like their children to come to the school. If you decide to take your child on holiday during term time, please be aware that after two weeks your child’s place at the school could be lost if another child is waiting to join that year group. All families must visit the Headteacher and ask for permission to go on holiday during term time and complete a form. Failure to do this will mean your child will be removed from the school roll.

(For the period September 2010 – May 2011 and excluding Reception Classes)

The governors of the school have set targets for improvements to the school percentage attendance. This is 95%. All families are asked not to keep their children out of school unless they are really ill. Children must be in school in order to learn. The school will not be able to teach a child properly unless they are in school.

We expect children to show a positive attitude and behave well both inside and outside of school. To assist in this we have devised an incentive scheme to encourage children to behave appropriately.
This is a system of praise and reward that includes all children.

The Beeches Primary School’s scheme is based on Merit Awards, through which children can be rewarded for their academic achievements. These are awarded to children for effort, presentation of their work and for attainment. Children may be given stickers or allowed to mark their achievement on a class chart.

There are weekly Headteacher Awards for handwriting, behaviour, etc. where children celebrate their achievements and are awarded stickers.

• We listen while the teacher is talking
• We do not disturb others while they are working
• We do what is asked straight away

These rules are displayed clearly within every classroom as a constant reminder to encourage children to practice good behaviour.

You may request the Behaviour Policy. It will be available on the school website from September

In Year 1 detentions are carried out during break times. From Year 2 onwards they are carried out after school.

Each day starts afresh although sanctions may be carried over to the next day.

If the unacceptable behaviour is persistent or recurring, and parents have become involved, children might then be placed on a daily or weekly report system, with parents’ support, to monitor their behaviour.

Major breaches of discipline are physical assault, deliberate damage to property, verbal abuse towards another pupil or a teacher. The Beeches has a standard procedure for serious breaches of discipline. Failure to improve at any stage leads automatically to the next stage; each stage is recorded by the school.
This type of behaviour is rare at The Beeches and it is the duty of the Headteacher or the Deputy Headteacher to deal with it promptly, particularly if the problem persists.

We now work with the Local Authority ‘Excellence in Partnerships’ to provide alternative provision if a child has to be removed from the Beeches for a short time. A child may be sent to a special unit at either Paston Ridings or Fulbridge School. This prevents children from being excluded from school and missing education.

Bullying is taken very seriously in school. No child should be worried by another child in The Beeches Primary School. ALL reported instances are followed up. A record of victims and of bullies is kept and action is taken against those children who have been recorded as a bully. Parents and carers will be interviewed if an incident is repeated.

Children are encouraged to tell any adult if they are being hit, kicked, pushed, threatened, sworn at, stared at or anything that upsets them by another child. However, children ARE SOMETIMES FRIGHTENED TO TELL US.

IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD IS UPSET OVER SOMETHING IN SCHOOL OR THEY DON’T WANT TO COME TO SCHOOL PLEASE ASK THEM WHAT’S WRONG AND TELL US OF THE PROBLEM.

It is important that you let the school know of your address and telephone number so that you can be informed in case of an emergency. You also need to give the address of a close family relative or friend in case you are not available at the time.

If a child is prescribed medicine the parents must follow school policy by informing the Headteacher of all necessary details and completing the relevant documents. If procedures are followed, a named member of staff will supervise the taking of medicines. As we encourage responsibility and self-discipline, children who are asthmatic and require an inhaler, will be expected to keep an inhaler in school with them and use it responsibly when necessary. We recommend that children who wear glasses keep a spare pair at school in case they forget their usual pair.

Through the years in school, your child might be seen by the school nurse if a problem that may affect your child’s learning has been detected. This is usually routine but you will be notified of any problems that may be found. Other medical examinations might include a dental inspection, sight tests and hearing tests.

If your child becomes ill in school and appears to be too ill to stay, the school will contact you to take your child home.

In the rare case of an emergency, an ambulance might be called to take your child to hospital. If this unfortunately happens, you will be told as soon as possible.

First Aid facilities are available in the school and members of staff are trained for this.