Croeso i Ysgol Cil y Coed Sandy Lane/Welcome to Caldicot Sandy Lane School.

School information

Admission Policy

The school caters for children from 4+ to 7+. Pupils start main school in the September after their fourth birthday.

All children who wish to attend Sandy Lane Infants School must apply to the Director of Education who will determine whether or not there is room in the school. Application forms and further details are available from the school office.

Parents of children due to start school in September will be invited to school in the summer term and the children are invited to spend time in a reception classroom in June or July. We hope this helps the transition from home to school. Back to top

Aims and Objectives

School Aims and Objectives

At Sandy Lane we believe that all pupils have entitlement to an education that enables them to meet their full potential. This education will offer them the knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes needed to achieve this.

The school has its own detailed curriculum, which reflects the values and ethos of the school while following nationally agreed guidelines.

The curriculum is defined as consisting of, 'All those activities designed or encouraged within its organisational framework to promote the intellectual, personal, social and physical development of pupils.'
(The Curriculum 5 ' 16 HMI 1995).

Sandy Lane delivers the appropriate parts of the National Curriculum to all pupils irrespective of their gender, race, age or ability. The school offers equal opportunity to all pupils.

Pupils under five years of age are educated using the 'Desirable Outcomes' in accordance with National Guidelines.

The school, its staff and governors aim to create individuals who will become;

· Perceptive, imaginative and creative.
· Adaptable and independent.
· Responsible and mature.
· Honest, tolerant and respectful.
· Conscientious and industrious.
· Capable of forming good relationships with both peers and others.
· Physically and spiritually healthy.

These individuals will;

· Possess confidence and competence in a range of core skills.
· Enjoy learning and become motivated to learn more.
· Acquire and understand increasingly complex knowledge and concepts.
· Think question and analyse.
· Investigate and solve problems both independently and with others.
· Work collaboratively and independently.
· Be able to communicate in a range of contexts.
· Understand, appreciate and respect their own beliefs and those of others.
· Understand their own behaviour and that of others.
· Become prepared for the world of work and leisure.
· Grow in awareness with regard to social, economic and environmental
responsibilities.

The whole staff and governors of Sandy Lane School are committed to working in partnership with the parents of the pupils to ensure that all pupils receive the above entitlement and also feel safe, secure and valued.

Through these aims and objectives we endeavour;

To provide a happy caring atmosphere where children are able to develop skills and concepts through increasing knowledge, to encourage an enquiring mind and to help children relate to each other and adults.

To help children with language enrichment, communication skills, both oral and written.

To develop children's reading skills through practical work and problem solving.

To develop children's mathematical skills through language enrichment, practical work and problem solving.

To develop children's ICT skills.

To help children appreciate and acquire a knowledge and care of their local environment, leading on to the outside world and to develop the children's knowledge of and interest in the Cwricwlwm Cymreig.

To give them an interest in and a knowledge of science and scientific methods of observation, recording and interpretation.

To develop children's understanding of the importance of healthy practices both emotionally and physically.

To help them understand religious and moral values and to become thoughtful, kind and helpful in the school and home situation with specific regard to personal safety. Politeness and good manners are emphasised at all times.

To expose children to a range of aesthetic, cultural and multicultural experiences

To maintain an open door policy and meet the parents each term, formally or informally, to discuss progress or any problems which may arise. Back to top

Core Curriculum

English

The speaking and listening skills are of vital importance. Children need to be already able to convey their thoughts through speech before they can express themselves in writing. Children will develop different ways of writing for example, story telling, personal/creative writing and descriptive/factual writing. Reading, however, is the most important part
of our work. Our reading schemes have been carefully chosen to provide success in learning to read and we have a large supply of childrens literature to stimulate an awareness of, and love for, the written word.

Mathematics

The mathematics scheme has been developed to provide the children with a wealth of practical experiences to develop understanding and competence. All work is based on the National Numeracy Strategy and is supported by several published schemes including Heinemann Maths and Kingscourt. A home/school maths link exists (IMPACT) and teachers will freely offer help and advice if and when it is needed.

Science

In science we aim to develop the skills children need to 'find out' for themselves as well as a broad knowledge of the subject. Much of the science in school is taught through a growing knowledge of the environment and 'ourselves'.

These core subjects are not taught in isolation but form part of a balanced curriculum which includes the foundation subjects of the National Curriculum.

Much learning takes place through an integrated approach. For example a class might work on a topic such as 'Our School' in which appropriate elements of some of the subjects will be introduced in a way that is relevant and meaningful to the children. Back to top

Discipline and pastoral care

Discipline

Children are expected to show the kind of behaviour that responsible parents would expect from their child. We encourage self-discipline and regard for others. Where cases of unacceptable behaviour occur children may be dealt with by the class teacher, Deputy Headteacher or Headteacher depending upon the seriousness of the incident. Parents are informed if behaviour is giving cause for concern. In extreme cases children may be excluded or suspended. The school has a separate behaviour and discipline policy, which is available on request.

Pastoral Care

Teachers are responsible for the general welfare of children in their class. We involve you should there be concern over any aspect of your child's work, behaviour, or attitude. If your child is upset by an emotional incident, however small, please tell us because worries can be magnified by a child and cause distress and poor work performance. Back to top

Health issues

Medicine

Children who need medicine are not usually well enough to attend school, however, I am aware that some children have recurring problems or chronic illnesses. If your child needs medicine at any time during the day please see me. The following points are important.

1. Do not send medicine to school with your child.
2. Any medication brought to school must be given to the
Headteacher and collected by the parent.
3. Any medication must be clearly marked with the child's
name and dosage.
4. The school cannot accept responsibility for medication
that has not been given to a child.

Asthma Sufferers

Inhalers are kept in a central location within easy reach of the children. Should your child need to use the inhaler the date and time is logged in the medicine book. Please ensure that all inhalers are marked with the child's name.

It is the parents responsibility to ensure that medication kept in school is not out of date.

Health and Welfare

Our school nurse visits school regularly and is always willing to meet parents. During the first three years in school routine tests are given to check children's eyesight, hearing and teeth. Should you have any worries regarding this please contact me.

Head Lice

This is a persistent problem which can only be combated by parental vigilance. Childrens hair must be checked daily and should a problem arise please contact your Doctor or the School Nurse who can offer advice. Regular brushing and combing of hair is advisable and long hair should be tied back when your child is in school. Please do not be embarrassed or ashamed if your child gets Head Lice - Head Lice like clean hair! Back to top

School Uniform

School Uniform

School uniform was introduced following a request from parents and has proved popular. All clothing including shoes and wellingtons must be clearly marked with the child's name.

School colours - Royal Blue, grey and white.

Girls
Grey skirt or pinafore dress.
White, grey or blue blouse.
Royal blue jumper or cardigan.
Boys
Grey Trousers.
Blue or white shirt.
Royal Blue Jumper.
Boys and Girls
Royal blue tie if wished.
School Tracksuits )
School Sweatshirts ) - embroidered with school badge.

The school tracksuits and sweatshirts have proved popular with parents, pupil and staff and are available from school.

Summer Months - Tee shirts, shorts and dresses in school
colours are suitable.

N.B. If clothes become marked with school paint or school glue please soak the clothing in cold water prior to washing so that the paint/glue does not 'fix' on the material. All paints/glues used in school are washable.

P.E. Kit

Children usually do indoor P.E. in their vest and pants but may wear shorts and Tee shirt if preferred. Plimsolls (Daps) should be clearly marked with your child?s name and should be kept in the school cloakroom in a named bag. Back to top

Home School Links

Sandy Lane Parent Teacher Association

The P.T.A. was founded in 1991 and parents are invited to support this important link between home and school. Children need to know their parents are interested and care about the school.

The school has already benefited from fund raising events organised by the hard working committee and we hope this link will continue to strengthen, with your support, over the years.

P.T.A. Chairman -

The P.T.A. A.G.M. is held annually in the first half of each Autumn Term.

Home School Links

Parents are encouraged to work with the school to aid their child's education.

General ways to help your child are given at the end of this handbook. Specific help can be given following advice from the class teacher.

We welcome parental help in school and should you be able to help in any way please feel free to contact me. All volunteers will have to undergo a disclosure check with the authorities.
Sandy Lane receives good support from parents and I am confident that this will continue in years to come.

Home School Agreement

All schools now have to enter into an agreement with parents and pupils. Our home school agreement will be sent out in September and you will be asked to sign it and return it to school. This is intended to promote good relationships and attitudes between parents, pupils and the school.

Supporting School at Home

Reading
Reading together at home should be a pleasant experience and is very valuable.
Ask your child to 'come and read with me'. (NOT TO me).
Read to your child.
Listen to your child - reading and talking.
AVOID saying - 'I haven't got time' or 'Hurry up' or 'Read the words, don't talk about it'.
Talk about the story and the pictures.
- What happened?
- What will happen?
- How do you think he feels?
- Would you like that? Etc..........
Spend time together and have fun!

If your child gets stuck:
1. Don't get cross and say the word too quickly.
2. Let him/her guess.
3. If he/she cannot guess then say the word and carry on.
4. Give lots of PRAISE and ENCOURAGEMENT.

General

Please remember that work done at home should be enjoyable but that once started should be completed.
It is hoped that by fostering good work habits in the Infants School children will adapt to the more formal homework sent home when they are older.
Do remember that we, as a school, are here to help and any advice we offer is intended to help your child both socially and educationally.

HAPPY LEARNING Back to top

Other areas

SANDY LANE INFANTS SCHOOL

The school was built in 1965 and has six classrooms leading off a very large hall. In addition to the main building there are two demountable classrooms. Both demountable classrooms are currently being used as rooms for community education schemes.

At all times entry and exit onto and from the school premises should be

a) Via the steps on Sandy Lane.
b) Via the gate on Herbert Road - suitable for pushchairs.
c) Via the Nursery path and onto the bottom playground using the
pathway provided - suitable for pushchairs.

THERE IS NO ACCESS TO THE REAR OF THE SCHOOL BETWEEN THE BOILER HOUSE AND KITCHEN

Parents are reminded that the car park is intended for school use only and parents are not permitted to bring their cars onto the premises unless prior arrangements have been made with the Headteacher. I understand that insurance policies are not valid in the car park as it is deemed private property and should an accident occur between you and another vehicle or a child or an adult then you would not be covered by your insurance company.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT PEDESTRIANS DO NOT ENTER THE CAR PARK AREA

School Times

9.15a.m. - 12.15a.m.

1.15p.m. - 3.15p.m.

Entry to/collection from School

Please bring your child to the hall through the side door, which will be opened at 9.05a.m. Your child will be met at this door by a member of staff and directed to their cloakroom to hang up their coats etc. before going into their classroom.

Please do not come into the hall with your child as this causes unnecessary congestion in the cloakroom areas.

If you need to see the class teacher urgently then please ask the member of staff at the hall door or ask at the office. In all other cases please contact the offices first. For reasons of safety please do not bring prams/pushchairs into the building.

School finishes at 3.15p.m. May I request that you do not arrive long before this as children are not allowed out early unless you have been notified or have sought permission from the Headteacher.

Religious Education and Moral Development

Assemblies are held every day in the school hall where moral guidance is offered. Parents who do not wish their child to participate in Assemblies should contact the Headteacher. The Assemblies are based on Christianity but the children are also made aware, when appropriate, of other cultures which exist both in Britain and abroad.

Sex Education

This forms part of the National Curriculum Science Orders and has to be taught in school. We do not teach it in isolation and we aim to promote self-awareness, self-respect and a caring and respectful attitude towards others. Any questions asked by children are answered truthfully with regard to the childrens level of development.

Record Keeping and Assessment

Records are kept of the childrens development in line with National Curriculum requirements and County advice. These records are completed regularly and your childs progress is discussed with you at official parent consultations, which are held each term.

Records of your child's development are passed to their next teacher and then on to the appropriate junior school. When your child starts school he/she will be assessed using a baseline, which is common to all Monmouthshire schools. This will not be a formal test but will be a series of activities which will enable us to recognise both your child's strengths and weaknesses so that we can tailor your child's needs to the most appropriate experiences for them. The findings of this baseline will be reported to you in the first half of the Autumn term.
At the end of your child's last year in Infants School (Yr.2) your child will be assessed in the subjects of the National Curriculum by the class teacher and/or subject co-ordinator. The results will be given to you along with a written report on your child's progress and attainment.

A copy of last years National Curriculum Assessment results for our school is at the end of this document.

All children receive a written report at the end of each year.

School Meals

Meals are served in the School Hall and are supervised by Supervisory Assistants. Packed lunches may be brought to school if you do not wish your child to have a school meal. Dinner money should be sent to school on a Monday in an envelope marked with the child's name, amount and class. Meals are either Snack Bar or Hot School dinners, this can be requested by the parent or left to the pupil to decide.
If you wish to apply for free school meals then the application forms are available in school. Current cost of a school meal - £1.20 per day, £6.00 per week.

We try to promote a healthy attitude to eating and would prefer it if children did not bring sweets or chocolate to school. Water is available for your child to drink throughout the day and your child may bring a piece of fruit or a plain biscuit for playtime. Any drinks brought to school should not be fizzy and must not be in cans or glass bottles.

Toys in School

We discourage children from bringing toys/games to school, (unless there is a special reason - please ask the class teacher first), because these 'precious' belongings often get broken or lost. The school will not accept responsibility for any toys that are lost or broken, the above statement also applies to jewellery.

Educational Visits

Since the implementation of the Educational Reform Act 1988 parents are not obliged to pay towards school visits but can be asked to make a voluntary contribution. If parents decide not to contribute then visits would have to be cancelled. I think this would be sad for our children as our well planned educational visits benefit the social and intellectual development of our children in a way that cannot be taught in the classroom. When a visit
is planned you will received advance notification and will have to return a permission slip to school.

Dogs on School Premises

Dogs should not be brought onto school premises whether on a lead or not - many children are afraid of dogs and even small dogs can frighten young children. Also the health risks to children arising from dogs fouling pathways and grassed areas are extremely dangerous and can lead to blindness - we know there are always risks regarding this but we obviously try to minimise these in school.

Smoking on School Premises

Please put out cigarettes before you come into the school grounds. Cigarette ends look unattractive around the school and children are tempted to pick them up.

Attendance and Punctuality

The importance of good attendance and punctuality cannot be stressed too strongly. However, please do not send your child to school if he/she is unwell. This only causes distress for your child and very little is gained in educational terms. Please inform school by letter or telephone if your child is absent for any reason.

Parents wishing to take their child on holiday during term time need to complete a holiday form, which is available from school. No more than two weeks per year (in total) are allowed for children to accompany parents on their annual holiday.

The Educational Welfare Officer visits school regularly to enquire about pupils attendance. He will visit homes where poor attendance causes concern.

Any unauthorised absence will be noted on your child's report and these figures also have to be reported to the Welsh Assembly Government each year.

Complaints About the Curriculum

If a parent has any cause for complaint then he/she should, in the first instance, contact the Headteacher who will endeavour to solve the problem. If agreement cannot be reached then there are L.E.A. procedures to be followed and the Headteacher will advise you of these. Back to top