OUR PROSPECTUS

C O N T E N T S
(Click on one of these headings to go straight to that section)

T H E   S C H O O L

 
OUR SCHOOL VISION

The philosophy of our School is to provide a broad and balanced education matched to every individual in a stimulating and secure environment. It is a place where everyone values, respects and supports each other and all effort and achievement is acknowledged.

STATEMENT OF AIMS

At Broughton Community Infant School we:

  • Offer a calm and caring atmosphere to encourage children to develop their full potential.
  • Provide an enjoyable and challenging learning environment for each individual pupil.
  • Help all pupils to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to their future lives in a rapidly changing society.
  • Celebrate the diversity of cultures within the School and the interdependence of individuals, groups, communities and the wider world.
  • Build a partnership between children, parents and staff, recognising that everyone has a unique contribution to make.
  • Expect high standards of behaviour and encourage our children to value honesty, responsibility and independence.

ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS

The School year is from 1st September to 31st August.

Children are admitted to the School at the beginning of the academic year (1 September to 31 August) when they have their fifth birthday.

For general enquiries including admissions please contact Mrs Reidy in the School Office on 01296 415642 or via email at office@broughtoninfant.bucks.sch.uk

RESERVED/CATCHMENT AREA

The reserved area for the School is as follows:  between Tring Road and Bierton Road, including Douglas Road and adjoining roads (excluding the Coppice Estate), Stocklake, Park Street (odd numbers), also Aston Clinton Road and Bierton Park Estate.

Please contact the Admissions and Transport Team at Buckinghamshire County Council on 01296 383250 for all requests for admission to the School.  

INTENDED ADMISSION NUMBER   

2012/2013        60

VISITING ARRANGEMENTS

Prospective parents may make an appointment to visit the School and talk to the Headteacher if they wish, and are welcome to bring their child to look around.

Once a place has been secured, parents will be invited to attend a meeting to discuss further arrangements which usually takes place during the half-term before the child's admission.

ORGANISATION

School Times: 8.50 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.

The total number of working hours for full-time pupils is 25 weekly.

Children are not allowed on the school premises before 8.40 a.m. Children should be accompanied by a responsible adult and should not be left on the playground unattended. It is expected that all children will be collected from School promptly at 3.00 p.m. by a parent or other responsible adult.  Parents must always notify the school in advance if their child is to be collected by someone other than the usual named adult.

Children bring a packed lunch and are supervised by Midday Meals Supervisors.  Free packed lunches are provided for entitled children.  No cooked meals are available.  Glass bottles and fizzy drinks should not be brought to School but children are encouraged to bring a fresh bottle of drinking water each day.  This is kept in the classroom and can be accessed whenever necessary. Neither grapes, sweets or any food containing nuts are allowed to be brought in lunchboxes.   

Fruit or raw vegetables are provided by the School as a mid morning snack.

Children may not leave the school premises during the school day unless accompanied by an adult and with the permission of the Headteacher.

The School is organised into separate classes of not more than 30.  Children are taught in accordance with the requirements of the National Curriculum and in accordance with the Foundation Stage Curriculum.  Teachers work with the children individually, in groups and as whole classes, according to the situation.  Children may be grouped according to ability for some lessons and may join members of another class group.


T H E   C U R R I C U L U M
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Design and Technology
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • History
  • Geography
  • Art and Design
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Religious Education/Collective Worship
  • Homework

We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which includes studying each of the National Curriculum subjects, recognising that each child is different with varying abilities, interests and needs.  The Core subjects of the National Curriculum are English, Mathematics, Science and Information and Communication Technology.  The non-core subjects within the National Curriculum are Design and Technology, History, Geography, Art and Design, Music and Physical Education.

Religious Education is also a legal requirement.

Children in the Reception classes follow the Foundation Curriculum as laid down by the Department for Education and Skills.

The teachers responsible for these classes work closely together.  To ensure continuity and progression, they liaise regularly with teachers in Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2).

The School endeavours to help children develop as individuals and as responsible citizens through Personal, Social and Health Education.

ENGLISH

At Broughton Infant School we encourage our pupils to explore their own experiences through language.  We believe that language underpins all learning and development and is central to the whole curriculum.  The School uses the National Literacy Strategy.

Speaking and Listening

Children are encouraged to speak clearly, fluently and confidently and to listen, understand and respond to others.  Opportunities are given through discussion, drama and other activities.

Reading

Our aim is to stimulate interest and pleasure in reading.   Through the National Literacy Strategy and other areas of the curriculum, our pupils are offered a range of reading experiences using fiction and non-fiction material, in individual, group and class reading sessions.  Much emphasis is placed on learning phonic skills in addition to word recognition, grammatical awareness and contextual understanding.

Writing

We encourage a range of purposes for writing, including communication, creativity, exploration of experiences and organisation and explanation of information.  The skills required for this are taught through fiction and non-fiction writing, planning and drafting, grammar, punctuation and spelling.  Our pupils are taught correct letter formation and the importance of clear and neat presentation.

These three areas of the English Curriculum are fully integrated in our teaching.

MATHEMATICS

At Broughton Infant School we follow the National Numeracy Strategy.

Our pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of mathematics through practical activity, exploration and discussion.  We provide regular opportunities for children to count, read, write and order numbers.   We help them to develop a range of mental calculation skills.  They are encouraged to use mathematical language to talk about their methods and to explain their reasoning when solving problems.   Our children work independently or co-operatively as the tasks require.

SCIENCE

At Broughton Infant School we believe that science is a way of working and thinking and it is taught through carefully planned broad topics which are cross-curricular.

Pupils observe, explore and ask questions about living things, materials and physical processes.  They work together to collect evidence to help them answer questions and to link this to simple scientific ideas.   They are taught methods of gathering information through experiments and they are encouraged to prove or disprove theories.  They communicate their ideas using scientific language, drawings, charts and tables.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

At Broughton Infant School we encourage children to think imaginatively and talk about likes and dislikes when designing and making.  They explore how familiar things work and discuss, draw, model and evaluate their ideas.  They learn how to design and make safely using a variety of tools, materials and components.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

At Broughton Infant School the children use a variety of IT equipment including computers, televisions, video and tape recorders and floor robots to communicate and handle information.

Children are encouraged to enter, store and retrieve information in a variety of forms across the curriculum.

HISTORY

At Broughton Infant School we use stories, artefacts and other sources of information to develop an understanding of history.  The children are made aware of how the past is different from the present.

GEOGRAPHY

At Broughton Infant School children are encouraged to carry out geographical enquiry both in the immediate environment and in the wider world.  They are given opportunities to develop geographical language and skills and to use resources such as plans, maps and photographs.

ART AND DESIGN

Art and Design stimulates the creativity and imagination of pupils through the visual, tactile and sensory experiences we provide.  Throughout the School, children are given opportunities to explore and experiment with various techniques.  They are encouraged to express themselves through colour, form, texture and pattern.  In addition, they are made aware of the work of other artists.

MUSIC

The children are offered a wide range of experiences.  They are encouraged to listen and to appreciate a variety of music.  They learn about pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo and other elements of music.   They are given the opportunity to perform both with voices and instruments.   The emphasis is on enjoyment and on experimenting to create different moods and effects.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education develops pupils' physical competence and confidence, enabling them to perform a range of activities including games, gymnastics and dance.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

Children are encouraged to develop both as individuals and as members of society by the fostering of a reflective approach to life as they grow in their understanding of human experiences, attitudes, beliefs and religious practices.

The teaching of Religious Education at Broughton Infant School is based on The Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Buckinghamshire.  Children study Christianity predominantly and significant aspects of Islam and other major faiths.

These are accessed through celebrations, festivals, assemblies, stories, music, drama, visits and visitors to School and topic work linked to other curriculum subjects.

There is a daily act of Collective Worship, mainly of a broadly Christian nature.  Often Religious Education lessons in the classroom are related to the Collective Worship themes.

Parents wishing to withdraw their children from Religious Education and/or Collective Worship should write to the Headteacher.  These pupils will be supervised by a Teaching Assistant during Collective Worship and accommodated within the class during Religious Education.

HOMEWORK

Children are expected to take their reading books home several times each week.  It is very beneficial for the children to read to an adult as many times as possible.  The older children often have spellings to learn.  There may be times when children are asked to research topics at home.  Children may be required to complete work or practise skills.

Our library is a valuable source of information and children are encouraged to borrow books to use both in the classroom and at home.
 

P O L I C Y   A N D   A R R A N G E M E N T S

  • Attendance
  • Behaviour
  • Child Protection
  • Children in Public Care
  • Complaints Procedure
  • Educational Visits and Activities
  • Equality, Diversity and Cohesion
  • Gifted and Talented Pupils
  • Health and Safety
  • Health Care
  • Monitoring, Assessment, Recording and Reporting
  • Parents in School
  • Sex and Relationships Education
  • Special Educational Needs
  • Uniform

ATTENDANCE

Illness

Parents are requested to notify the School by telephone on the first day of absence.  If notification is not received, the Headteacher or School Secretary will endeavour to contact the child's home on the day of absence.    All attendance is monitored electronically and the School's attached Education Welfare Officer regularly contacts parents of children with below average attendance. When your child returns to School, please send a written explanation for our records.  Please be aware that children should be clear of vomiting and/or diarrhoea for at least 48 hours before they return to School, as they can still be contagious and unfit to be at School.

Lateness

We are required by law to provide the following information:

Authorised Absences 2010/2011 7.3%
Unauthorised Absences 2010/2011 0.7%

Holidays During Term Time

The Governors are mindful that the DfE permits parents to take their children out of school for a period of up to 10 days in any one academic year. However, holidays during term time are discouraged by the school. As a result of a higher than average percentage of children at Broughton Infant School who miss school for reasons other than illness, the Governors have taken the decision not to authorise any absences which are due to term time holidays or similar outings.

If a parent does wish to take their child out of school for the purpose of a holiday they will be required to fill in a form which clearly states the period of absence.

If a child is absent for more than 10 days in any one academic year for reasons other than illness, the Governors reserve the right to remove that child from the school roll.

Parents should avoid taking Year Two pupils out of School during the summer term (April to June), as the Key Stage One SATS take place then.

BEHAVIOUR

The School has a Behaviour Policy and an Anti-Bullying Policy.

Broughton Infant School has a positive ethos which is maintained through the promotion of good behaviour at all times, thus enabling children to feel secure.  All staff, parents and all others connected with the School are encouraged to develop a corporate sense of responsibility by fostering correct behaviour and attitudes.  Children are helped to realise their own self worth, and to value themselves and others.  All endeavours and contributions to the life of the School are fully appreciated.

The School follows a Personal, Social and Health Education programme designed to help all children manage personal relationships appropriately, to understand acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, and bullying is addressed through this programme.  The School has been awarded the Healthy Schools Standard.

CHILD PROTECTION

At this School, the health, safety and well being of every child are our paramount concern.  We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us.  Our aim is that children will enjoy their time as pupils in this School.

We want to work in partnership with you to help your child to achieve at their full potential and make a positive contribution.

On rare occasions, our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies even before we contact you.  The procedures, which we follow, have been laid down by the Buckinghamshire Area Child Protection Committee,
There is a Child Protection Policy in place and the Headteacher is the designated teacher with responsibility for child protection.   The co-ordinator for Diverse Learning Needs is the deputy designated teacher for child protection and the position of Governor for child protection is held by the Chair of Governors.

If you want to know more about our procedures, or the Policy, please speak to Mrs Williams or your child's class teacher.

CHILDREN IN PUBLIC CARE

We believe that children in public care are individuals, with distinct identities and needs shaped by their racial origins, religious beliefs, their gender and sexuality and whether or not they are in any way disabled.  They all have the potential and equal right to succeed.

Broughton Infant School has
  • A designated teacher to act as an advocate for children in care;
  • Each child in Public Care will have a Personal Education Plan;
  • Care placements are only to be made when education is secured - except in emergency situations;
  • All children in public care must have educational arrangements in place within 20 days of entering care.
We recognise that we are an essential partner in the life of a child in Public Care and we aim to:
  • act as an effective advocate for any child in public care attending our School:
  • implement the relevant statutory elements of the Guidance;
  • have high expectations;
  • develop and implement effective inclusive strategies;
  • intervene early and appropriately to support any child in public care who is experiencing difficulties, liaising promptly with other professionals;
  • work in partnership with parents, carers and social workers to gather and share information to plan and monitor achievement; and
  • listen to the child or young person, respecting their rights of confidentiality.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Parents having any cause for complaint should contact the class teacher or the Headteacher, and most difficulties will be resolved in this way.

If you feel it necessary, you may contact the Chair of Governors or the Area Education Office.  Information is available from the Area Education Office outlining the formal complaints procedure.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND ACTIVITIES

The School has a specific Educational Visits and Activities Policy.

We seek to ensure that the National Curriculum is delivered to all children.  All are entitled to the development of knowledge, understanding skills and attitudes.  To enrich the curriculum for our children, we offer a range of educational visits and other activities.   On occasions, we invite specialists into School to share their knowledge and expertise with pupils and staff.  When appropriate, they bring relevant artefacts and visual aids to enhance learning.  All visitors/specialists must have been cleared by the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Visits and activities mostly take place within the School day and the Governing Body approves all such visits in advance.  We follow the LEA guidelines relating to health and safety, and we ask parents to give written permission for their child to take part in any activity that takes children off the School site.  On admission, all parents or carers are required to sign a consent form, giving their permission for their child to take part in such visits and activities.  If this written permission is not received, the child will not be able to participate.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND COHESION

At Broughton Infant School we acknowledge that the society in which we live is enriched by diversity and we strive to ensure that our vision, culture and ethos reflect the diversity of ALL members of our school community.  Our pupils are provided with the opportunity to experience, understand and celebrate diversity.

We aim to:
  • educate and develop all our pupils, whatever their sex, colour, culture, origin or ability, to attain the highest levels possible for them
  • prepare pupils to be full citizens of society
  • ensure that all pupils have equal access to the whole curriculum
  • challenge racism and celebrate diversity
  • address the issue of stereotyping and to ensure that teaching styles and material selected do not reinforce stereotypes
  • create a fair and just school community, that promotes social inclusion, community cohesion and equality, that respects diversity and which challenges and acts upon discrimination and inequality including bullying.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Cohesion:
  • We will not tolerate harassment of any kind.
  • We are committed to combating ALL forms of discrimination.
  • We recognise that monitoring and evaluation of equality is essential to ensure pupils are not being disadvantaged, and that monitoring leads to action planning.
  • We aim to be an inclusive employer that positively values the contribution of all employees.  Through both our employment policies and strategies, we aim to achieve equality for all sections of the workforce and the community we serve.
  • We will work towards eliminating all discrimination, on the grounds of race, gender, gender reassignment, disability, sexuality (including sexual orientation), age, religion and belief.  We believe that all pupils, employees and other service users should be treated with dignity

GIFTED AND TALENTED PUPILS

We fully recognise the need to extend the more able pupils.  Strategies are in place to challenge these children through differentiated work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

For safety reasons, children should at no time use the front entrance as it is used for deliveries.  During normal school hours, all parents and children should enter school via the rear playground doors.  At other times, parents should report to the School Secretary at the front of the building.

Children should not wear jewellery to School, although children with pierced ears may wear small studs if necessary.  All jewellery, including watches, must be removed during P.E. for safety reasons.  Please refrain from sending children to School with transfer tattoos.  The tattoos prove to be a real distraction both for the child and for others and their learning can be adversely affected.

HEALTH CARE

Class teachers have responsibility for the welfare of the children in their care.  Prescribed medicine may be given when necessary at the discretion of the Headteacher, and only if written instructions for administration are clearly given.  No medication of any kind should be left with a child, in bags or lunchboxes, or with the class teacher.  Parents should see the Headteacher if they wish medicine to be given.  All prescription medicine must be handed to school staff in their original containers; no fluids should be decanted into other bottles.  All prescription medicines must be placed inside a named box (preferably plastic).  No lip balm should be brought into school.  If it needs to be applied parents are asked to do so before the start of the school day.  Parents are most welcome to apply it on their child by returning with it later in the day.  Only medication prescribed by a doctor can be administered.  The School will not accept 'over the counter' chemist preparations.

Parents are asked to give work telephone numbers and ensure that these are kept up-to-date in case of an accident.  They are contacted if the child becomes unwell or needs to be taken to casualty.  In minor accidents which can be treated at School, parents are notified, if necessary, verbally or by letter.

MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, RECORDING AND REPORTING

Children's' progress and continuous development are monitored by staff and outside agencies.

The Reception teachers use the Foundation Stage Profile to determine progress against the Early Learning Goals.   All Reception pupils are assessed within the first six weeks of starting school.

Informal assessment is ongoing within all areas of the curriculum.  Staff meet regularly to discuss pupil progress.

Formal assessments are carried out each term in Years 1 and 2 in English, Maths, Science and ICT and targets agreed.

Towards the end of Year Two, pupils undertake the Key Stage One Standard Assessment Tasks and Tests (SATS).  A meeting for parents is held earlier in the year to explain the procedures.

Individual records are kept for the core subjects.  At the end of each academic year, National Curriculum levels attained in each subject are recorded.

Parents are welcome to talk about their child's progress informally with the class teacher but we request that they do not come before the start of the school day unless the situation is urgent.  An appointment will then be made if a more lengthy discussion is required.

During the Autumn and Spring terms, parent consultation evenings are held.  Towards the end of the Summer Term, parents receive an annual report and are invited to comment on or discuss the report with the class teacher.  Individual SAT results are provided with the annual report along with the summary of the national performance levels and those of the School for parents of Year Two children.
Parents of children in Reception classes are offered consultations in the Autumn and Spring terms in order to discuss their child's progress using the Foundation Stage Profile, and they also receive a written report towards the end of the Summer term.

PARENTS IN SCHOOL

Parents are welcome in School as we recognise that everyone has experiences and skills they may wish to share.    If you would like to help in this way, please contact a member of staff.   All volunteers will be required to fill in a CRB form for clearance before they are able to help in School.

SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION    

The Sex and Relationships Education Programme reflects the School ethos and encourages the following values:

  • A respect for self
  • A respect for others
  • Commitment and trust within relationships
  • Honesty with self and others
  • A development of critical self awareness for themselves and for others
  • An exploration of the rights, duties and responsibilities involved in relationships
  • Compassion, forgiveness, mercy and care for people who do not conform to their way of life
  • An acknowledgement and understanding of diversity regarding religion and culture

The sex education elements contained in the National Curriculum Science Orders are mandatory for all pupils.   At Broughton Infant School, in science lessons, we teach children about how animals, including humans, move, feed, grow and reproduce and we also teach them about the main parts of the body.   Children learn to appreciate the differences between people and how to show respect for each other.

In PSHE we teach children about relationships and we encourage children to discuss issues.   We teach about parts of the body and how these work.

These aspects of the curriculum are also delivered through circle time, assemblies, visits from the School Nurse/Doctor and other visits and aspects of the literacy curriculum and R.E.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

At Broughton Infant School the Governors and staff hold that every child is special and has their own unique part to play in School life, individually, within their class group, school group and the wider community.  We recognise that all pupils have individual needs, that there are different types and degrees of need, and that these should be met in differing ways.  Children develop at different rates academically, emotionally and socially, and at some stage of their school lives may experience difficulties in one or more of these areas.

Broughton Infant School's policy and procedure on Special Educational Needs takes account of the Code of Practice (Nov. 2001) which includes new rights and duties introduced by the SEN and Disability Act 2001.

The School identifies need as early as possible to ensure that relevant help and support is given.  The School has a teacher with particular responsibility for SEN (Co-ordinator for Diverse Learning Needs).  This Co-ordinator assesses, plans, monitors and reviews provision in liaison with the special needs support assistant, class teachers, parents and outside agencies.  There is also a Governor with responsibility for Special Educational Needs.

Children are supported in their classrooms within the framework of a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum.  They have individual education plans (IEPs) and receive small group help from a Special Needs Support Assistant.  Some pupils may have input from the Specialist Support Service.  Some children with English as a second language may receive help from a specialist teacher and or a specialist support assistant.

The School works closely with other professional agencies including the School Psychological Service, Speech and Language Therapy, Education Welfare, Social Services and School Health.

Children with Statements of Special Educational Needs are supported in accordance with the requirements of their particular Statements.

The School believes that the knowledge, views and experience of parents are vital.  Assessment and provision are most effective when there is the greatest possible degree of partnership between children, parents and School.

Wherever possible, the views of the child are taken into consideration.  Care is taken to ensure that each child remains fully involved with their plan of support.

UNIFORM

This is not compulsory, but the following is suggested:

Grey or dark green trousers/skirt/ pinafore dress

White or grey shirt/blouse/polo shirt/T shirt

Grey or dark green jumper/cardigan/sweatshirt/fleece (sweatshirts and fleeces are available from School if required)

In the summer, green and white dresses, grey or green shorts are suggested.    A sun hat is advisable in hot weather.

Children can do P.E, in vest, pants and bare feet but may keep shorts and a T shirt or a leotard in School if preferred.  Children should keep a pair of plimsolls or trainers in School suitable for outdoor games.

Parents are asked to name all items of clothing.

A lost property box is kept in the Medical Room.   Any personal property brought to School remains the responsibility of the child.  The School can take no responsibility for the loss of or damage to personal property.




Further information about the School can be obtained from our School website at www.broughtoninfantschool.org.uk and/or from the Headteacher, if required.

 

APPENDIX 1 - SCHOOL DATES

Please click here for term/holiday dates (opens in new window / tab)

 

APPENDIX 2 - COMPARATIVE REPORT

This table shows a summary of the National Curriculum assessment results of pupils in the school (2010) and nationally (2009) at the end of Key Stage 1, as a percentage of those eligible for assessment.

 

The number of eligible children is: 42

 

Figures may not total 100 per cent because of rounding.

 

RESULTS OF TEACHER ASSESSMENT

Percentage at each level

 

 

W

1

2

2C

2B

2A

3 or above

Disapplied Children

Absent Children

Speaking and listening

Boys

0

8

83

 

 

 

8

0

0

Girls

0

0

83

 

 

 

17

0

0

Whole School

0

5

83

 

 

 

12

0

0

National

2

11

65

 

 

 

21

0

0

Reading

Boys

0

0

 

17

13

33

38

0

0

Girls

0

0

 

0

6

44

50

0

0

Whole School

0

0

 

10

10

38

43

0

0

National

3

13

 

12

22

24

26

0

0

Writing

Boys

0

4

 

33

29

25

8

0

0

Girls

0

0

 

11

11

28

50

0

0

Whole School

0

2

 

24

21

26

26

0

0

National

4

15

 

21

28

20

12

0

0

Mathematics

Boys

0

0

 

4

33

4

58

0

0

Girls

0

0

 

0

11

39

50

0

0

Whole School

0

0

 

2

24

19

55

0

0

National

2

8

 

16

26

27

21

0

0

 

 

W

1

2

2C

2B

2A

3 or above

U

Science

Boys

0

0

75

 

 

 

25

0

Girls

0

0

83

 

 

 

17

0

Whole School

0

0

79

 

 

 

21

0

National

2

9

67

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

W represents children who are working towards level 1, but have not yet achieved the standards needed for level 1. 
U represents children for whom it is not possible to determine a level.

 


 

APPENDIX 3 - THE GOVERNING BODY

Please click here for details about the governing body (opens in new window / tab).