Prospectus 

  

2019 - 2020     

 

  

Ferry Road, Hullbridge, Hockley, Essex. SS5 6ND 

Tel. No 01702 230911 

e.mail admin@riverside.essex.sch.uk 

website www.riversideprimary.co.uk 

 

Headteacher: Mrs Claire Smith  Chair of Governors: Mrs Valerie Lucking 

 

 

 

 

Dear Parent 

Welcome to Riverside Primary School: a friendly and successful school which sits at the heart                             

of the village of Hullbridge, Essex. I am delighted that you are taking an interest in our school                                   

and hope that our prospectus will give you a real flavour of what your child’s education would                                 

look like at Riverside. 

At Riverside, as well as being close to the River Crouch, we are fortunate to have extensive and                                   

impressive school grounds, which include a large sports field, a swimming pool and an                           

award-winning school garden. We also have facilities such as a dedicated computing suite, school                           

library, music room and also ‘green-screen’ suite.  

Our caring, fun and welcoming environment ensures that all of our children thrive. We pride                             

ourselves on developing happy and confident learners through our engaging and challenging                       

curriculum. Our children are enticed into their learning through themes such as ‘What an                           

adventure!’, ‘All Around the World in 30 Days’ and ‘Behind Enemy Lines’, where they engage with                               

a wide range of learning opportunities through their subjects.   

As a school we are committed to providing children with a wide range of educational, cultural                               

and sporting opportunities, including a comprehensive programme of residential visits for                     

children in years 2, 4 and 6. Our dedicated and experienced staff are extremely proud of our                                 

school and work hard to ensure that every child reaches their full potential and makes an                               

excellent start to their education.  

At Riverside, we are passionate about education and ensuring that every child’s experience is                           

positive and memorable. We truly live by our motto of ‘Everyone Matters and Every Day                             

Counts.’ When you visit the school you will see for yourself what makes Riverside such a special                                 

school – our children! 

 

Yours  Mrs Claire Smith Headteacher  

 

‘A harmonious learning environment where each individual is nurtured and valued. Pupils are 

proud of their achievements and want to do well.’ Ofsted June 2018   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Uniform 

 

At Riverside, our children wear their school uniform with pride, are proud to be members of our                                 

school and are ambassadors for us in the wider community. We feel that school uniform is an                                 

integral part of our drive to set high expectations and improve standards.  

 

 

School Uniform  PE Kit 

● Navy trousers, skirts and pinafore 

dresses 

● Navy cardigans or jumpers 

● Light blue polo shirts – Early Years 

children ONLY 

● Light blue shirts and school ties from 

Year 1 onwards 

● Navy blue gingham check summer 

dresses [optional] 

● Navy shorts in summer [optional] 

● Black smart school shoes (no trainers) 

● White T-shirt 

● Blue Shorts  

● Black plimsolls  

● Long hair must be tied back and 

earrings must not be worn. 

 

 

 

Several items can be purchased from the school office such                   

as book bags, ties, water bottles and PE bags. 

 

Our uniform can be purchased at Danielle’s at Rayleigh Weir 

- see their website at www.daniellesshop.co.uk 

 

 

 

 

 

Class Organisation 

 

Phases  Currently, we have classes as follows: 

EYFS  

(Reception) 

● EYFS 

KS1  

(Years 1 and 2) 

● Mixed Year 1/2 

KS2  

(Years 3-6) 

● Mixed year 3/4 

 

● Mixed Year 5/6 

 

 

 

Currently, there are 10 classes across the school. In each class pupils are of mixed ability and                                 

we carefully ensure that the work set meets the needs of each child. We offer a range of                                   

support and challenge to all. 

 

School Hours 

 

  EYFS   KS1  KS2 

Gates open  8.45am 

Registration and 

morning sessions 

begin 

 

9am 

Morning Break   10.30am 

Lunchtime  11.50pm  12pm  12.10pm 

Afternoon lessons 

begin 

1pm 

Gates open for 

parents 

3pm 

End of day  3.10pm  3.15pm 

 

 

Curriculum 

 

The Early Years and Foundation Stage Curriculum and National Curriculum are our starting point                           

for planning a curriculum that meets the specific needs of individuals and groups of children.                             

Children usually learn within the context of a theme, offering them a broad, balanced and                             

engaging curriculum. We use a clear skills progression in line with the National Curriculum which                             

ensures continuity, progression and high expectations across the school in all subjects. The                         

needs and abilities of all groups of children are considered when planning and delivering lessons.                             

In order to bring curriculum to life we aim to support our themes through the use of a wide                                     

range of visits and visitors. These include local visits within the immediate area as well as day                                 

trips and also extended residential visits.  

 

We aim to give all our children the opportunity to succeed and reach the highest level of                                 

personal achievement.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EYFS- A typical day 

 

The children are encouraged to become independent learners               

from their very first day in their Reception classroom. Each child                     

registers for the day by selecting their name and putting it in the                         

correct numbered slot. We offer free school dinners for all our                     

Reception children and also provide provision for children that                 

wish to bring in a packed lunch from home. Our day then begins                         

with a carpet discussion about the day ahead. We teach using a                       

thematic curriculum that takes into account the ideas and                 

suggestions of the children for the sorts of activities they would                     

like to do and what they would like to learn about. The themes are                           

carefully thought through to ensure both boys and girls will be                     

fully engaged. The Foundation Stage promotes play and child                 

initiated learning through seven areas of the curriculum:               

Communication and   

language, Personal, social,     

emotional development, Physical development, Literacy,         

Mathematics, Understanding of the world, Expressive           

arts and design. This learning takes place in both the                   

indoor and outdoor classroom, where the children are               

provided with a wide range of activities daily. Children                 

are introduced to both child initiated and adult led                 

activities, the ratio of which will depend on their current                   

stage of development. All pupils are given the opportunity                 

to begin school full time in September, following our                 

induction process which takes place in the Summer term before. The class teachers and                           

teaching assistants work closely with the local pre-schools and nurseries to find out as much as                               

possible about each child before they start school. Our induction process includes visits for                           

both children and their parents to the school and Reception classrooms as well as an informal                               

coffee morning and workshops which focus on early reading, writing and maths skills. We value                             

the commitment and support that parents and carers show towards their child’s learning and                           

provide numerous opportunities for parents to work alongside their children in the classrooms.  

 

Behaviour 

 

We have high expectations of the conduct of our children at Riverside. We actively promote                             

self-discipline, encouraging children to be responsible for their own actions as well as to care                             

for and respect other people and property. We endeavor to recognise good behaviour and                           

children are rewarded with Team Points and certificates for this. The children elect Team                           

Captains from Year 2 and Year 6 who act as ambassadors for each team. Each class uses an                                   

agreed ‘traffic light’ system to support positive behaviour in class. Through planned curriculum                         

activities, and collective acts of worship, children are taught tolerance of others, and to                           

celebrate individual differences. 

 

Our staff work hard to ensure the school is a safe and secure place for every child. They                                   

promote a caring ethos where every child feels valued; our school does not tolerate bullying                             

behaviour. We also use ‘Tootoot’- an online pupil voice platform to enhance wellbeing and                           

safeguarding for our children. Our behaviour and anti-bullying policies are available on our                         

school website.  

 

 

Home Learning 

 

We set regular home learning for all children and believe it is a vital part of promoting their                                   

achievement. In EYFS, this might be some shared learning children can do with their families,                             

such as reading together. Home learning then increases in complexity as children progress                         

through the school. The school regularly reviews its Homework Policy in line with Department                           

for Education guidance.  

 

Inclusion and SEN 

 

At Riverside, we value the individuality of our children and are committed to ensure all children                               

are given support to reach their full potential and to achieve the highest of standards –                               

regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment or background. and make sure that all                           

children succeed.  

 

To ensure that all children have access to the curriculum and are appropriately supported to                             

acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills, support is given to children with Special Educational                           

Needs both within the classroom and in small group or individual sessions. Riverside’s team of                             

hard-working and dedicated Learning Support Assistants are essential to the success of this                         

provision. The school’s Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator liaises with Class Teachers and                       

Learning Support Assistants to ensure that pupils receive appropriate and effective support.                       

We liaise with the Educational Psychology and the Speech and Language Therapy Services and                           

other agencies.  

 

Breakfast and Twilight Club 

 

At Riverside, we understand the families often need ‘wraparound’                 

care for their children before and after school hours.  

 

Breakfast Club 

We offer a ‘Breakfast’ club, which runs from 7.30am daily and is                       

run by school staff. We supply a breakfast with choices of toast,                       

crumpets, cereal and fruit as well as water, milk or fruit juice to                         

drink. Whilst at the club, your child can take part in many different                         

activities including: 

 

● Art activities 

● Board games and puzzles 

● Books 

● Card games  

● Writing activities 

● Outdoor games 

● Use of iPads/Laptops 

 

When it is time for registration, your child will be accompanied by an adult and taken to their                                   

class. The cost for our breakfast club is £4.00 per session. 

 

Twilight Club 

We also provide an after school ‘Twilight Club’ which is also run by                         

staff from within school. There are two options for families- either a                       

‘short’ session, which finishes at 4.30pm, or a ‘long’ session which                     

finishes at 5.45pm. Children are collected from their classes and are                     

taken to the club. They then get a healthy snack and drink, any                         

children staying for the long session will also be given a cooked meal at 5.00pm. They can also                                   

bring a packed tea if you would prefer. Activities at Twilight club include: 

 

● Homework support 

● Film nights 

● Bead and loom bands 

● Arts and crafts 

● Board games & puzzles 

● Outdoor games 

● Yoga 

● Playdough 

● Rock Painting 

● Wii 

● Use of iPads/Laptops 

 

The cost of Twilight club is £4 for a ‘short’ session (until 4:30pm) and £7 for a ‘long’ session                                     

(until 5:45pm) 

 

For more information, please check under the ‘Clubs’ section of our school website. 

 

 

Extra Curricular Activities 

 

At Riverside, we are proud to offer a wide range of clubs that reflect the variety of interests                                   

and expertise in school. Clubs run before school, at lunchtimes and after school. Amongst the                             

clubs currently on offer across the school are: 

 

● Football  

● Musical theatre 

● Street dance 

● Green screen 

● Art 

● Choir 

● Yoga 

● Lego Masters 

● Cheerleading 

● Reading buddies 

● Photography  

● Homework club 

● Music tuition 

 

Some extracurricular activities may include a small fee per week.  

 

 

 

School Meals 

 

Our kitchen staff are dedicated to delivering healthy,               

delicious and child-friendly options for lunchtime. School             

lunches are cooked on site and served to the children –                     

either the hot meal of the day (vegetarian option                 

available) or a ‘grab bag’ with sandwiches etc. Children in                   

Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 are all eligible for a                     

universal free school meal or they can bring a packed                   

lunch and will also receive a fruit snack at breaktime.                   

Children in Key Stage 2 may choose to have a school                     

lunch or bring a packed lunch; they may bring a healthy                     

snack into school to eat at playtime.  

 

 

 

Governing Body 

Our school Governors play a vital role in promoting high standards of educational achievements.                           

Every school has its own governing body. Members of the governing body include: 

● school staff 

● parents of pupils 

● members of the public from the wider community 

 

Governors are committed to serving the best interests of the school. As unpaid voluntary                           

public servants, they help to sustain their school’s identity and provide a link with the local                               

community. Details of who’s who on the Governing Body can be found on the ‘Governor’ section                               

of our website.  

 

PTA 

Our school has an active PTA- group of parents and staff- who support the school with                               

fundraising and practical help. They organise regular and special events every year and raise                           

several thousand pounds for our school, recently they have supported us in raising money to                             

fund our new play structure on our Key Stage Two playground and new benches on our Key Stage                                   

One playground. 

  

Our PTA are always happy for new parents to get involved in supporting our school! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admissions 

 

We are always happy to see prospective families and show them around our school. We can                               

answer any questions you may have and give you a tour which shows everything that Riverside                               

has to offer your child. We also have a school ‘Open Day’ which will take place on Thursday 21st                                     

November 2019. Please see our school website for more details or contact our school office.  

 

Riverside Primary School is a Local Authority maintained school and, all applications for                         

admission are made through Essex County Council Primary School Admissions. If you are                         

registered with an Essex GP, approximately one year before your child is due to begin school,                               

the Local Authority should send you an Application Pack. The Application Form will allow you to                               

prioritise your choice of schools and then, sometime around the following April, you should                           

receive an offer of a school place.  

 

You must submit your application by the national closing date of 15th January 2020. 

 

Admissions Procedure  

In the event of oversubscription, places will be allocated using the following criteria in the                             

order given: 

1. Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children; 

2. Children with a sibling attending the school; 

3. Children living in the priority admission area; 

4. Remaining applications. 

 

Each school has a published “Pupil Admission Number” (PAN). Riverside’s number intended to                         

admit is 45. In the event of oversubscription within any of the above criteria, priority will be                                 

determined by straight line distance from home to school; those living closest are given highest                             

priority.  

 

Exceptional medical circumstances (supported by medical evidence) may override the above.  

 

Application for Places - All admissions require an application form to be completed and returned                             

to the Planning and Admissions team. Application forms can be completed online                       

https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-primary-school-place or obtained from Planning and           

Admissions (Planning & Admissions, Learning Services, P.O. Box 4261 Chelmsford CM1 1GS Tel:                         

01245 436736).  

 

Appeal Mechanism 

Where parents are unsuccessful in securing a place at their preferred school, the following                           

arrangements for an appeal within the terms of the 1980 Education Act and 1993 Education Act                               

apply: Parents must notify the Area pupil services team in writing of their wish to appeal against                                 

their child’s non-admission, within 14 days of being informed, in writing, that a place is not                               

available. Arrangements will then be made for the appeal to be considered and parents informed                             

accordingly.