Information Page

There is a lot of information! Scroll down to read it all, or click on the headings below to go straight to the section you are looking for.

1. Term Dates

ACADEMIC YEAR 2007/08

Summer Term 2008
Tues 22nd April - Tues 22nd July 2008
Half Term: 26th - 30th May
Inset Day: Mon 21st April

ACADEMIC YEAR 2008/09

Autumn Term 2008
Wed 3rd September – Friday 19th December 2008
Half term – 27th- 31st October 2008
Inservice day – school closed – Tues 2nd Sept and Mon 3rd Nov

Spring Term 2009
Tuesday 6th January – Friday 3rd April 2009
Half term – 16th-20th February 2009
Inservice days – school closed - Monday 5th January & Monday 23rd February 2009

Summer Term 2009
Tuesday 21st April – Tuesday 21st July 2009
Half term – 25th- 29th May 2009
Inservice day – school closed - Monday 20th April

2. Admissions, Criteria for Admission and Denomination Criteria

Our standard number of admissions for the current year is 60.

Polehampton CE Infant School is a Church of England school, controlled by Wokingham District Council who also co-ordinate admissions. The local authority admissions scheme includes a shared timetable, a single applications process, the sharing of information and a single letter offering a place.

Children may start our school, as a Rising 5 pupil, at the beginning of the term in which they are five. The qualifying dates for the beginning of each term are 1st September, 1st January and 1st April.

Criteria for Admissions are as follows:

Children from within areas normally served by the school.
Children from outside the area where a medical, social or denominational reason for admission is demonstrated.
Children from outside the area who already have brothers and sisters attending the school.
Children from outside the area who have family connections with the school.

The traditional catchment area for the school is the northern side of Twyford and Ruscombe, plus Charvil - please contact the school for details.

The majority of pupils continue on to the Polehampton CE Junior School, although attendance at our school does not guarantee a place at the Juniors. A separate application will need to be made there.

Whilst we take children from different faith backgrounds and families who have no faith, as a Church of England school we consider that parents should be in sympathy with the Christian ethos in which their child's education will take place.

Transition Arrangements
All children entering school will be offered an introductory session in the term before entry to enable them to meet their teacher and familiarise themselves with the school. On this visit, parents will meet the class and Headteacher, receive
information regarding the school routines, etc., and have the opportunity to purchase items of school uniform.

Similarly, when children leave our school, we support them with visits to our local junior school, so they can become familiar with the working of a school for older
pupils.

3. Special Educational Needs and More Able Children

At Polehampton CE Infant School we believe that all children need to be taught according to their individual needs. The levels of attainment set by the National
Curriculum help to ensure that we present our most able children with challenging tasks whilst working alongside children of their own age. Some children, however, may be identified as having special educational needs. If a child is experiencing
difficulties in the classroom, parents will be consulted and procedures of assessment and identification of special needs will be implemented in accordance with the school's policy on Special Educational Needs and the DFE Code of Practice. Full details are available from the school.

We have a designated Special Needs Co-coordinator and a governor who has responsibility for monitoring SEN provision within the school. Teachers and the co-ordinator work closely to provide relevant individual education plans for each child.
Educational Psychologists and other advisory personnel are consulted as necessary. Parents will be regularly informed of progress and encouraged to work closely with the teachers supporting their child. We have an experienced and committed staff of Teaching Assistants who work regularly with children in the classroom under the direction of the teachers, who are able to give additional support where appropriate.

4. The School Day - Times, Attendance and Punctuality

The school day starts at 8.50am with registration at 9am.
Morning play is from 10.30-10.50am.
Lunches are from 12.00-1.20pm.
School finishes at 3.20pm.

These times make it easy for parents who have siblings at the Junior School to get to both schools. On the last day of each term, school finishes at 1.50pm.

Please do not leave children unaccompanied in the Playground before 8.50 am as we cannot accept responsibility for them. Children will not be allowed to leave unless collected by a known adult or unless an alternative arrangement has been made known to the class teacher.

Parents are requested to inform school by letter or telephone at the earliest opportunity if a child is absent due to illness. Please try to make doctor or dentist
appointments out of school time as much as possible.

We strongly discourage pupils taking time off school for any other reason. However, if parents wish to remove children from school during term time for a holiday, a Holiday Request Form should be completed in advance. The Headteacher is permitted to authorise up to ten days in one academic year, although previous attendance is taken into consideration before holidays can be authorised. The school will not authorise any holidays taken for Year Two pupils during the administration of their SATs tests.

Any unauthorised absence is noted in the register and investigated by the school. The Education Welfare Officer may contact parents if there is significant absence.

It is extremely important that children are in school on time. Lateness can be very disruptive in class and children miss announcements about the day and lesson time.

5. Home/School Liason and Homework Policy

We believe that children are happy and successful at school when there is excellent
communication between home and school. We have an Open Door Policy, as we are keen to be available to meet with parents, as necessary.

At the beginning of each year, we have a year group parents meeting, where we discuss ideas for how you can help your child at home and the expectation of
that year group. The staff are also available to give you specific advice for your child's needs.

We have three Parents Evenings a year, when we invite parents in to look at their child's work and discuss their progress with the teacher. All children receive an annual written report.

Homework Policy
We firmly believe that it is important for parents and teachers to work in partnership to help children with their learning. The DfEE have recommended that for children in the age group 5-7 years (Key Stage 1), the allocated time for homework should be approximately 1 hour per week and it is expected that this will be spent mainly supporting reading.

Unless some other specific task is set we expect parents/carers to ideally spend 15-20 minutes per day on helping their child with reading or reading related tasks as explained in our Reading Guidance for Parents leaflet. Spelling activities will be introduced later as your child makes progress.

There will usually be a Maths task set once a week.

6. Welfare

Accidents
There are trained first aiders in the school; first aid will be administered for minor
injuries. In the event of serious injuries, parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child or take them to the doctor or hospital. If the school cannot make contact, your child will be taken to hospital by car or ambulance if necessary. Please contact the office if your details change so we have up-to-date information.

Illness
If a child becomes unwell whilst at school, parents will be contacted following the
above procedures. If your child has been unwell, please be sure that they are well enough to return to school. Pupils should not return to school if they have had sickness or diarrhoea within the last 24 hours.

Medicines
We can only administer medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor. These are kept in a fridge or the medical room not in children's bags; if children need to take
medicines during school hours, please complete a medical form in school office. We are only able to administer prescribed medicines at 12 noon.

Food allergies
Please inform the school on admission if your child has any allergies. No nuts or nut based products should be brought to school by any child. Please inform the school of any allergies that you child develops whilst at the school.

General Health & Safety
We have a School Crossing Patrol Officer on duty at the beginning and end of each day on the London Road. Please encourage your child to cross the road at this point.

During the mid-morning break and dinnertime Teachers or Lunchtime Controllers supervise the children.
There is a document on the School's Health and Safety policy in the Headteacher's
room. Health and safety checks are carried out on the school building and equipment each term.
A fire alarm practice takes place every term.

Child protection
Your child's safety and well-being are our first priority. If we have any concerns about the well-being of any child, we have a duty to investigate and inform social
services if we have serious concerns.

7. School Meals and Snacks

Meals are cooked on site by Edward & Wards. Children can choose daily if they would like a school dinner or a packed lunch. A weekly meal rota is sent home and is also available on-line so parents can see what's on offer each day.

Parents in receipt of income support will be entitled to a free school dinner for their child. Forms are available in the school office and dealt with in the strictest confidence. Special dietary requirements can be catered for if we have the details in advance.

Currently, the NHS sponsors a free piece of fruit or vegetable for every child every day, which we give out at morning playtime. Children can bring their own fruit if they'd prefer. No other snack is permitted.

The School Food Trust was established by the Department for Education and Skills in September 2005. Its remit is to transform school food and food skills, promote the education and health of children and young people and improve the quality of food in schools.

Changes to lunchtime arrangements (April 2007)
After much discussion at School Council Meetings and in classes, about how to improve lunchtime arrangements, we are trying a new arrangement for seating the children at lunchtimes. The children will sit at the same table for lunch everyday in a 'lunchtime family' with some children from each year group. Each family has a fruit name. The children will go straight to their table rather than having to queue up for their dinner. We will have two sittings for lunch in order to be able to accommodate all the children comfortably in the hall. This will not make any difference to children's choice of having a school dinner or packed lunch.

8. School Uniform

School uniforms helps children take pride in their appearance and their school. Whilst it is not compulsory, there is an official uniform available which we strongly recommend children wear.

All items of clothing should be clearly marked with the child's name.

Girls
Navy blue pinafore dress/skirt
White blouse/Red check dress in summer
Red tie
Red school sweatshirt cardigan
White socks or navy blue tights
Dark, flat shoes

Boys
Grey trousers or shorts
White shirt, red check in summer
Red tie
Red school sweatshirt
Grey socks
Dark, flat shoes

PE Kit - Boys and Girls
Red T-shirt
Navy Shorts
Trainers (no fashion labels or logos)
(The P.E. kit should be kept at school in a draw string shoebag.)

Art and Craft Apron
We do ask parents to provide, if possible, an apron for use during art/craft lessons. An ideal apron can be made by cutting off the collar and cuffs of a mans shirt, and attaching a velcro fastening. These shirts can then be worn back-to-front.

Items available from the school office:

Sweatshirts embroidered with the school name and logo	£8.00 each
Sweatshirt cardigans embroidered with the school name and logo	£9.50 each
Woven name tapes	£4.50 per 6 dozen
Red Tie (elasticated)	£1.50 each
Reading bag	£5.00 each
PE Bag	£4.00 each
PE - Navy shorts	£4.50 pair
PE - Red T-shirt	£4.50 each
Boys red/white short sleeved summer shirts	£11.50 each
Red Winter Fleeces (with school logo)	£13.00 each
Red Reversible Winter Jacket	£16.50 each

Children should not bring or wear valuables to school as these may get lost or broken. Jewellery can also be dangerous during P.E. and should not be worn. Pupils with pierced ears may only wear studs for reasons of safety.

9. After School Clubs

For more information on these clubs please click on the club name.

The Monster Fun Club - every day after school

Judo Club - Mondays 8am - 8.50am

Le Club Français - Mondays 3.20 - 4.20pm

Coachmark Tag Rugby - Tuesdays 8.00 - 8.45am

Fit 'n' Funky - Tuesdays 3.20 - 4.20pm

Reading football club - Wednesdays 3.20 - 4.30pm

El Club Español - Thursdays 3.20 - 4.10pm

10. The School Council

School Council Review of the Year 2006/2007

Please click here for a copy of the school council's review of the year 2006/2007. We are so proud of what they have achieved and the difference they have made to school life.

The School Council has come up with the great idea of a Suggestion Box. Look out for the beautifully painted orange box in Reception. If any pupils, parents or friends of the school have a suggestion they would like to make, the children would be very pleased if you could jot it down and pop it in the Suggestion Box. Any ideas will then be discussed at School Council meetings.

The School Council met during Anti-Bullying week (November 2006) and together they wrote a Children's Charter for Bullying (see below). The charter is written in the children's own words and was part of our work for Anti-Bullying Week. It is now displayed in every classroom.

Children's Charter for Bullying

We don't want any bullying at Polehampton Infant School.
You should tell a grown-up if someone is bullying you or your friends.
The grown-up will listen to you and help you sort it out. They might talk to the person who is bullying you aswell.
The grown-up might need to tell your parents about it so they can help to sort it out too.

Written by the School Council, November 2006.

11. Our Church School Status

Our church school status is a key characteristic of our school. We have strong links with the Oxford Diocese education service and benefit from their courses and conferences. We have our own Diocesan adviser, who visits the school regularly to support our work in developing our church school ethos.

We have Voluntary Controlled (VC) Status which means our funding comes from the Local Authority and determines the number of governors who are nominated by the church.

To find out more about the Oxford Diocese, please go to www.oxford.anglican.org

12. Parent Volunteers - how you can help

If you have any spare time and could pop into school to lend a hand we are always very grateful to have volunteers helping at school. There are so many things you could do; reading, sewing, cooking, photocopying, helping with displays, the list goes on & on...!

We really welcome help for the first half hour of every morning when we do our reading groups. If you could come once a week, every other week, or the occasional session - every offer is gratefully received.

Mostly parents prefer to volunteer in their child's class - very occasionally this doesn't suit a child so we may talk to you about how that goes. Indeed some parents prefer helping out elsewhere!

If you can help out, do speak to your child's class teacher and say when would be good times for you. You will need a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check if you become a regular volunteer for our school - please see Mrs Martin to arrange that.

There are also plenty of other ways to help our school, click here to find out more!

13. School Outings and Voluntary Contributions

To enrich the curriculum we may arrange visits to museums, environmental sites etc. In order that these visits can take place, parents may be asked to make a voluntary financial contribution. No pupil will be excluded from any activity due to the non-payment of a voluntary contribution. However, the school reserves the right to determine whether the level of voluntary contributions is sufficient to enable the activity to take place.

In addition we ask parents for a termly contribution of £3.50 or £10 a year towards the cost of materials/ ingredients when activities of a practical nature take place and the child wishes to take the finished article home, (pottery, cooking etc.).

14. Behaviour Management Policy

We have high expectations of our children and aim to create a positive atmosphere to ensure that good behaviour and discipline enable effective teaching and learning to take place.

We make clear the values upheld by the school and promote the spiritual, social,
moral and physical development of our pupils.

We want all our pupils grow up with a clear and acceptable view of what is right and wrong; appreciating the needs of others both in school and the wider community.

15. Newsletters

Newsletters are an excellent way for us to inform our community about school events and dates, announcements and advice about school life.

Newsletters are sent home on a weekly basis, either by email or as a hard copy. You can also find copies on our Newsletters page.

16. School Staff

Click here for staff photographs

Teaching Staff

Miss Helen Ball	Headteacher
Miss Becca Perkins	Deputy Headteacher & SENCO
Mrs Christine Smith	Class Teacher - Yr2 - Yellow
Mrs Lynn Palmer	Class Teacher - Yr2 - Purple
Mrs Liz Cornelius	Class Teacher - Yr1 - Orange
Miss Marianne Wilberforce	Class Teacher - Yr1 - Green
Mrs Elfi Smitheyman & Mrs Joy Winthrop	Class Teachers - Foundation Stage 2 - Blue
Mrs Chris Wiseman	Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Allie Wanden	Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Dee Newell	Teaching Assistant - Yr2
Mrs Joanne Cooper	Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Julie Wallace	Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Sally Rodgers	Teaching Assistant - Yr1
Mrs Jane Clarke	Teaching Assistant - FS

Office Staff

Mrs Julie Dobson	Secretary
Mrs Stephanie Grove	Finance Officer
Mr Steve Goodwin	Site Controller & Cleaner
Mr Jim Sims	School Crossing Patroller

Lunchtime Controllers

Mrs Julie Wallace

Miss Mandy Hart

Mrs Lesley Simpson

Mrs Paula Beard

Mrs Sue Smith

Mrs Sandie Moffat

17. Governing Body 2007/2008

Mrs Debbie Richards	Chair of Governors, Parent Governor
Mr Harold Roberts	Vice-Chair of Governors, Foundation Governor
Mr Andy Felton	Chair of the School & Community Committee, Community Governor
Mr Chris Archer-Locke	Chair of the Finance & Human Resources Committee, Community Governor
Mrs Rosemary Hay	Foundation Governor
Mrs Eleanor Phipps	Parent Governor
Mr Jeremy Eatough	Parent Governor
Mrs Julie Gil	Parent Governor
Mrs Katie Sabberton-Coe	Parent Governor
Mrs Margaret Wall	Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Local Authority Governor
Miss Helen Ball	Headteacher
Miss Becca Perkins	Staff Governor
Mrs Jane Clark	Staff Governor

The Governing Body Statement of Intent
The priority of the Governing Body is to ensure that the school moves forward on the path to greater achievement and into a new era of opportunity and success.
Our work focuses on:

An inclusive school where pupils are challenged and empowered to meet their full potential.
A creative curriculum that offers diversity and enrichment, ensures high achievement, and presents learning opportunities as fun and exciting.
A stimulating learning environment that captures pupils' interests and meets flexible demands.
A talented and enthusiastic staff, that can engage and motivate pupils, and are supported by inspirational leadership and professional development.
A supportive and nurturing ethos that develops confidence and responsibility.
A school that is central to the local community and promotes respect and inclusivity.

18. A to Z Index Page

Click on the image below for an alphabetical list of topics covered on our website.