school handbook - oakgrove-pri.glasgow.sch.uk

Oakgrove Primary School Handbook

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School Handbook


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Session 2013-14

Contents Glasgow City Council Mission Statement Welcome to Oakgrove School Information Teaching Staff Support Staff School Hours The School Year Enrolment Curriculum for Excellence Curriculum Areas Assessment & Reporting Spiritual, Social, Moral & Cultural Values Equal Opportunities & Social Inclusion Child Welfare and Safety (Child Protection) Special Educational Needs Nurture Class Additional Support Needs/Accessibility Strategy Home & School Links Health Promotion Environmental Education Pupil Council Extra-Curricular Activities School Discipline Supervision of Playground Clothing and Uniform Meals Transport Medical & Health Care Information in Emergencies School Running Costs Attendance at Schools Parent Forum and Parent Council Transfer from Primary School to Secondary School Hillhead Learning Community Data Protection Act 1998 The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 Dealing with Racial Harassment Comments and Complaints


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Glasgow City Council

Department of Education

MISSION STATEMENT

We aim to offer:

Education of the Highest Quality We will seek to:

Provide a full range of courses and services

Enable all individuals to achieve their potential

Supply suitable premises and resources

Encourage access to education throughout life

Foster genuine partnership in education

Promote equal opportunities and social justice

Support economic growth and development. All authorities are required by law to issue a copy of the school handbook incorporating current policies and practises of both

the council and the school to certain parents and carers in December each year for their use as appropriate.


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Welcome to Oakgrove!

I would like to welcome you and your child to our school. I hope this will be the start of a partnership which will develop throughout your child’s

school career. At Oakgrove it is our aim to create a happy, safe and stimulating

environment for our pupils.

I hope this handbook helps you understand the work of our school. Please feel free to contact the school to discuss any matters contained in

this handbook or otherwise.

Jane Cerexhe Head Teacher

Values Statement

In March 2008 all members of the school community were consulted in order to create a shared values statement.

We decided to choose words which were important to us and which

embodied the service we wish to deliver at Oakgrove. Our values statement reads as follows:

Everyone learning to ……

Respect Nurture

Empower Achieve


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School Information

Oakgrove Primary School 20 St Peter’s Street

Glasgow G4 9PW

Telephone 0141 332 6210

Fax 0141 353 6347

E-mail – [email protected] Glasgow City Council website - www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/residents/goingtoschool

Current Roll for Session 2013-14

Primary 1 – 21

Primary 2/1 - 25 Primary 2 – 26 Primary 3 – 28 Primary 4 – 24 Primary 5 – 25 Primary 6 – 20 Primary 7 – 33

Oakgrove is a non denominational coeducational primary school situated in the St George’s Cross area of Glasgow. Oakgrove is a member of the Hillhead Learning community. The planning capacity for the building is 297 pupils and the working capacity is 221. The school is available for community lets in the evenings and school holidays. All enquiries should be made to the community letting section:

Glasgow Life - Letting Section 20 Trongate

Glasgow G1 5ES

Tel: 0141 302 2814/5/6/7 or 0141 302 2879

School Staff

Teaching Staff: Session 2011 - 2012 Head Teacher Ms Jane Cerexhe Principal Teacher Mr Douglas Chambers Acting Principal Teacher Ms Nikki Scott Nurture Teacher Ms Carol Walker Primary 1 Mrs Susan Horne Primary 2/1 Ms Maria Docherty

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/residents/goingtoschool


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Primary 2 Miss Megan Stephens/ Mr D Chambers Primary 3 Miss Rachel Watson Primary 4 Ms Clare Keegan Primary 5 Ms Lesley Anne Clark Primary 6 Ms Siobheann McCloskey / Miss Nikki Scott Primary 7 Mrs Sandra Lyon Early Intervention / NCC Mrs Stephanie Fowler This session Oakgrove has the equivalent of 11.3 full time teachers. Support Staff: Clerical Mrs Sarah Maguire Ms Lindsay Watt Pupil Support Assistants Mrs Janice Wilson Mrs Julieanne Plunkett Mrs Marie Letham Mr Gerry McArthur Mrs Noreen Thomson (Nurture) Janitor Mr Jim Carey School Hours: School opens 9.00am Interval 10.40am – 10.55am Lunch 12.35pm – 1.20pm School closes 3.00pm (whole school) Alternative hours exist for Primary 1 starting in August for the first 3 weeks of school. You will be kept informed of these hours as part of your child’s induction programme. There is a breakfast club in the school run by the catering staff. It is available from 8.00am – 8.45am daily. The School Year Session 2013 – 2014 Re-opening Teachers Monday 12th August 2013 Pupils Wednesday 14th August 2013 September Monday 4th September – (P1 now in all day)

Friday 27th & Monday 30th Sept 2013 1st Mid-Term Monday 14th – Friday 18th October 2013 (inclusive) Christmas/ Close – Friday 20th December 2013 at 2.30pm New Year Re-opens – Monday 6th January 2014


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2nd Mid-Term Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th February 2014 Spring Monday 7th – Monday 21st April 2014 (inclusive)

(Good Friday is the 18th April and Easter Monday is the 21st April)

May Day Monday 5th May 2014 May Weekend Friday 23rd & Monday 26th May 2014 Summer School closes on Wednesday 25th June (1.00pm) In-Service Days Day 1 Monday 12th August 2013 All Establishments Day 2 Tuesday 13th August 2013 All Establishments Day 3 Tuesday 1st October 2013 North West Area Day 4 Wednesday 12th February 2014 All Establishments Day 5 Thursday 22nd May 2014 – North West Area

Enrolment

Registration for the new intake of Primary 1 pupils takes place in November and January. Information regarding this appears in the press and around the local area. Parents intending or considering sending their child to Oakgrove are welcome to make an appointment to view the school. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. If you live out with the catchment area it is possible to make a placing request for your child to attend Oakgrove Primary. Oakgrove staff can advise you on the appropriate paperwork. Between April and June our Primary 1 teacher visits local nurseries to meet the children who have enrolled at Oakgrove. A number of visits are then arranged for new entrants to come into the school. Parents are invited to come along and have a meeting with the school staff to give them a taste of what happens in a modern infant class. In the summer term Primary 6 are trained by our Active Schools Coordinator to be Buddies. When Primary 1 starts at Oakgrove these older children are ready to support them in the playground and help them settle into school life.

Curriculum for Excellence Bringing learning to life and life to learning Curriculum for Excellence is now being introduced across Scotland for all 3 -18 year olds – wherever they learn. It aims to raise standards, prepare our children for a future they do not yet know and equip them for jobs of tomorrow in a fast changing world. Curriculum for Excellence enables professionals to teach subjects creatively, to work together across the school and with other schools, to share best practice and explore learning together. Glow, Scotland’s unique, world-leading, online network supports


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learners and teachers in this and plans are already in place for parents/carers across the country to have access to Glow. Teachers and practitioners will share information to plan a child’s “learning journey” from 3 -18, helping their progression from nursery to primary, primary to secondary and beyond, ensuring the change is smooth. They’ll ensure children continue to work at a pace they can cope with and with a challenge they can thrive on. Curriculum for Excellence balances the importance of knowledge and skills. Every child is entitled to a broad and deep general education, whatever their level and ability. Every single teacher and practitioner will be responsible for literacy and numeracy – the language and numbers skills that unlock other subjects and are vital to everyday life. It develops skills for learning; life and work to help young people go on to further study, secure work and navigate life. It brings real life into the classroom, making learning relevant and helps young people apply lessons to their life beyond the classroom. It links knowledge in one subject area to another helping children understand the world and make connections. It develops skills so that children can think for themselves, make sound judgements, challenge, enquire and find solutions. There will be new ways of assessing progress and ensuring children achieve their potential. There will be new qualifications for literacy and numeracy and from 2012/13, new National 4 and 5 qualifications from 2013/14. Our well regarded Access, Highers and Advanced Highers will be updated to take account of and support the new approaches to learning and teaching. There’s personal support to help young people fulfil their potential and make the most of their opportunities with additional support wherever that’s needed. There will be a new emphasis by all staff on looking after our children’s health and wellbeing – to ensure that the school is a place where children feel safe and secure. Ultimately, Curriculum for Excellence aims is to improve our children’s life chances, to nurture successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens, building on Scotland’s reputation for great education. Curriculum Areas We attach great importance to the development of the basic skills so that children can learn to talk and write fluently, to read and to appreciate books and to acquire a sound basis in mathematics. We also ensure that other subjects such as science, social studies music, art, drama and physical education help to widen your child’s knowledge and experience. We offer breadth in the curriculum and ensure that there is a balance of subjects taught and a progression in development from stage to stage. Every year different areas of the curriculum and school life are reviewed.


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This year we are looking at

English as an Additional Language

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Improving Playtimes with Natural Play

Sharing the Standard across Literacy and Numeracy

Teaching for Understanding

Language We aim to develop all aspects of Language providing the skills which will allow your child to be fluent and confident in his / her use of language. Time is spent on the teaching of all aspects of language namely reading, writing, talking & listening. At present the main commercial resources used are Oxford Reading Tree ( P 1-3 ) and Literacy World ( P 4-7 ) although a wide range of resources are used to support these reading schemes to make reading as interesting and relevant as possible. Our major resource for writing is Big Writing. Staff and children discuss the writing process together so that each child knows what they need to do to improve their writing. They use these writing targets as they write across all areas of the curriculum. Children in P5, P6, and P7 are taught French as part of the Glasgow scheme to introduce modern European languages to the Primary School. In P7 our young people learn Mandarin .Hillhead High School provides us with Mandarin teacher who visits the children for 1 hr each week.

Mathematics Heinemann Mathematics is in use in school as a core resource but is heavily supplemented by class teachers to meet the requirements of the Curriculum for Excellence and to make learning in mathematics as relevant as possible. ICT is fully integrated into the primary classroom and supports teaching and mental maths activities. An Active Maths approach is used to deliver the maths programme in Primaries 1 and 2. The methodologies involved will be fully explained in curriculum meetings in your child’s first few weeks in Primary 1.

Health & Wellbeing Through our teaching in Health & Wellbeing we aim to ensure that children develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and capabilities which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. Children will be taught certain aspects through focussed lessons such as personal safety, hygiene or substance misuse. Other aspects of children’s health & wellbeing permeate throughout school life. Every year Oakgrove holds a Health Week promoting many aspects of Healthy Living.


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Sexual Health and Relationships Education Almost all class teachers are trained to deliver Glasgow City Council’s programme in Sexual Health and Relationships education. This is delivered to all stages in term 3. The content is appropriate to your child’s age and stage of school. Every year we will hold a workshop for parents at the end of term 2 so that you can view materials and ask questions. Any remaining concerns about the programme can be discussed with the Head Teacher following the workshop presentation. Physical Education All classes will have 2 physical education lessons each week. Children must wear shorts, T shirt and appropriate footwear for gym lessons. Jewellery must be removed before gym lessons. Children wearing jewellery cannot participate in P.E. for reasons of Health & Safety.

After School Activities Children are encouraged to take part in as many extracurricular clubs as possible. Our clubs take place between 3 – 4.00pm. We also try to offer lunchtime clubs where possible. We aim to provide a wide range of activities and are supported by our Active Schools Coordinator in sourcing high quality coaches.

Expressive Arts

Children are taught skills in art, dance, drama and music. Children are given the opportunity to put these skills into practice to allow them to develop individual expression and response. Learning in the Expressive Arts is often linked to a wider theme to provide a rich context for expression and stimulus. Oakgrove works with a range of partners to enhance the experience of our learners in Expressive Arts. Most notable is our ongoing partnership with The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland . Throughout the school year children will get the opportunity to be part of performances, exhibitions of work and work with visiting specialists.

Social Studies, Sciences & Technologies

The children will often cover these subject areas through a Topic based approach. We wish to foster inquiring minds and to keep learning relevant for the children. Many Topics may involve excursions within Glasgow and the local area and may respond to topical themes, e.g. elections or natural disasters.

I.C.T.

ICT is integrated throughout the curriculum. Every teaching space has its own interactive SMARTboard which is an integral part of the learning & teaching. The school is equipped with 15 wireless laptops.


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Religious & Moral Education Through our Religious and Moral Education Policy we work at developing in our pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other world religions.

Religious Observance We are a multi faith school. Our religious observance is inclusive. However, parents do have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Observance and should contact the head teacher should they wish to exercise this right. Parents and carers from religions other than Christianity may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school in order to celebrate recognised religious events. Appropriate requests will be granted on not more than three occasions (days) in any one school session and the pupil noted in the register using code REL on these days. The school chaplain is Rev Roy Henderson and is based at Landsdown Church. Roy works in partnership with the school in planning and contributing to Observance and in linking with other faith groups in the community.

Partnerships The school has built up a number of partnerships with establishments across the city which positively impact on the quality of learning experiences we are able to offer our children. Partner agencies include The Royal Scottish Conservatoire, The Arches, Museum Services, Maryhill Integration Network, Queens Cross Housing and establishments across the Learning Community.

Pupil Voice.

Children have the opportunity to take part in a variety of decision making groups. The Pupil Council meets regularly. Class representation is chosen by election. The Fairtrade Steering Group and Eco Committees are open to all children who wish to be involved in them. We aim for our children to be actively engaged in their learning and to access their rights to a high quality education. For more information on Children’s Rights follow the following link- http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/32EE4AF5-7B57-40B6-8F17-B23408280A83/0/childrensRights.pdf

Homework Homework is an important part of your child’s school life. All children P 1-7 receive homework tasks Monday – Thursday appropriate to their age and ability. Please support your child’s learning by asking them about their homework and signing it on completion.

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/32EE4AF5-7B57-40B6-8F17-B23408280A83/0/childrensRights.pdf

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/32EE4AF5-7B57-40B6-8F17-B23408280A83/0/childrensRights.pdf


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Assessment & Reporting

You child’s teacher is continually assessing his/her work throughout the school year. At least once a year you will receive a written report of your child’s performance and attitude to work. These reports are backed up by parents evenings held throughout the year. We are currently restructuring our assessment procedures in line with a curriculum for excellence outcomes and much will be developed during the course of the session.

Home and School Links In P 1-4 the majority of home/ school communication is done through our ‘ Sharing Books’. Older children are more independent and able to take notes and reminders in their Homework Diaries. Parents are welcome to contact the school and make arrangements to speak to the Head Teacher at any time if there is something they wish to discuss. There is also the opportunity to make an appointment to speak to their child’s class teacher. Your child’s Learning Plan will be issued 3 times per year. Your child will discuss it with you and identify their next steps in learning. You may also find it useful to discuss it at Parents’ Nights. Parents’ Nights are held twice a year to enable staff and parents to meet together. The school can arrange support for families from Interpreters where appropriate. An annual progress report is sent home in June. Workshops. The school runs a range of workshops across the school calendar. You will be invited to these at various points in the year.

Child Welfare & Safety and Child Protection All educational establishments and service must take positive steps to help children and young people by ensuring that programmes of health and personal safety are central to the curriculum and should have in place a curriculum that ensures that children/young people have a clear understanding of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour on the part of another persons, no matter who. As with other areas of the curriculum, you will be kept informed of the health and personal safety programme for your child/young person’s establishment. Education establishments and services must create and maintain a positive ethos and climate which actively promotes children and young people’s welfare and a safe environment by:

Ensuring that children and young people are respected and listened to

Ensuring that programmes of health and personal safety are central to the curriculum


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Ensuring that staff are aware of children welfare & safety and protection issues and procedures

Establishing and maintaining close working relationships and arrangements with all other agencies to make sure that professionals collaborate effectively in protecting children and young people

Should any member of staff have concerns regarding the welfare or safety of any child or young person they must report these concerns to the head of the establishment. The Head, or the person deputising for the head, after judging that there may be grounds for concern regarding the welfare or safety of any child or young person must then immediately advise social work services of these concerns.

Child Welfare and Safety

All educational establishments and services must take positive steps to help children protect themselves by ensuring that programmes of health and personal safety are central to the curriculum and should have in place a curriculum that ensures that children have a clear understanding of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour on the part of another person, no matter who. As with other areas of the curriculum, you will be kept informed of the health and personal safety programme for your child’s establishment. Educational establishments and services must create and maintain a positive ethos and climate which actively promotes child welfare and a safe environment by:

Ensuring that children are respected and listened to;

Ensuring that programmes of health and personal safety are central to the curriculum

Ensuring that staff are aware of child protection issues and procedures;

Establishing and maintaining close working relationships and arrangements with all other agencies to make sure that professionals collaborate effectively in protecting children.

Should any member of staff have concerns regarding the welfare or safety of any child they must report these concerns to the Head of Establishment or the person deputising for the head of establishment. He/She after judging that there may be grounds for concern regarding the welfare or safety of any child must then immediately advise the duty Senior Social Worker at the local Social Work Services area office of the circumstances.

glasgow


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Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion

At Oakgrove Primary all children are treated equally irrespective of gender, race or religion. Equal Opportunities exist in all areas of the curriculum for all children. We seek to extend choice and opportunity for all pupils without discrimination. Education is a major means of liberating individuals from the cycle of deprivation. It has an essential contribution to make to the Social Strategy. The aim of Oakgrove Primary is to provide children with an education which will enable them to develop their full potential and raise their personal aspirations. In order to assist us to do this, our priorities for action will be:

The purchasing of additional resources to enhance the quality of education by meeting the needs of all children through differentiation.

To develop further external links e.g. Psychological Services, Glasgow University.

Close liaison with Hillhead High School to ensure a smooth transition for children from primary to secondary education.

Close liaison with our early year’s establishments to ensure a smooth transition for children from early years to primary education.

Additional Support Needs / Accessibility Strategy

The school has a duty to ensure that all our children have equal access to the curriculum, supported as appropriate to their individual needs. This covers not only the content of lessons and teaching strategies but also minor adaptations to the physical environment of our buildings to address the needs of children with physical or sensory impairments, including the relocation of classes to the ground floor where feasible. We also need to ensure that parents and carers who have a disability have access to information about their child. This will involve, for example, relocating the venue for parents/carers meeting to facilitate physical access; provision of an interpreter for people who have a hearing impairment; agreeing a phone contact system to provide direct feedback to parents and carers. The ASN Coordinator is Mr Douglas Chambers. Please contact Mr Chambers if you wish to discuss support for your child in Oakgrove. Glasgow City Council has a duty, as outlined in the Standards in Scotland’s Schools 2000 Act, to ensure that your child achieves their potential. Glasgow’s Education Services is committed to the inclusion of all children and young people with additional support needs, where possible, within mainstream schools. This is in accordance with the statutory requirement in the 2000 Act. It is also part of Glasgow’s policy to maintain a range of special educational establishments. This recognises the key role to be played by specialist provisions in addressing severe low incidence disabilities. The authority recognises that there are a wide range of factors, which may act as a barrier to your child’s learning. We are committed to working closely with parents and carers to ensure that you are fully involved in overcoming


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barriers to learning. Additional support needs may be linked to a learning difficulty or disability but could also apply to a child or young person suffering from bereavement who requires pastoral support, a more able child/young person or those with a particular talent, which needs to be fully developed. The policy requires all establishments to provide an environment where children and young people with additional support needs are actively encouraged to be effective learners and benefit form their school education. Any parent/carer seeking further advice regarding this policy should contact the headteacher in the first instance. If a parent is unhappy with the support their child is getting they must first discuss this with the school in order to seek a resolution at that very local level. Further information relating to Additional Support Needs is also available on the Glasgow City Council website – http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/AdditionalSupportNeeds/

Nurture Class Oakgrove has a Nurture class which is referred to by staff and children as the Seashore Room. It may be appropriate for some children who are finding it hard to settle in school to be supported by the Seashore Room. These children would normally be in P 1, 2 or 3. The Nurture teacher is Mrs Walker and she is supported by Mrs Thomson.

Physical access Oakgrove is on one level and we have two accessible toilets one for ambulant users and one for wheelchair users. We are an open plan school and there are no narrow corridors or doorways, which would inhibit movement for partially sighted pupils or visitors. We also have a wheelchair lift to enable access to our gym/assembly hall.

Communication Our open plan design does not restrict access for any parent or carer with a disability when attending the school for any events/meetings.

Curriculum Care is taken to ensure that an inclusive curriculum is planned, for example when arranging any visits out with school a risk assessment is undertaken to ensure suitability for all of our pupils.

Staff Development Individual members of staff attend particular in-service courses as and when required, all staff have had, and continue to take part in, Disability Awareness training.

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/AdditionalSupportNeeds/


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Attendance at School Section 30 of the 1980 Education Act plays a duty on every parent of a child of ‘school age’ to ensure that their child attends school regularly. Attendance must be recorded twice a day, morning and afternoon. Regulation 7 of The Education (School and Placing Information) (Scotland) Amendment, etc. Regulations 1993 requires each child’s absence from school to be recorded in the school register as authorised; i.e. approved by the authority, or unauthorised; i.e. unexplained by the parent (truancy) or temporarily excluded from school. Parents should inform the school by phone or letter if their child is likely to be absent for some time, and give a note on his/her return to school, with a reason for the absence. Parents/Carers do not have an automatic right to take their child out of school without permission during term-time. The Head Teacher can only authorise time off during term-time in exceptional circumstances.

Exceptional circumstances include:

Short term parental/carer placement abroad;

Family returning to its country of origin for family reasons;

The period immediately after an illness or accident;

A period of serious or critical illness of a close relative;

A domestic crisis which causes serious disruption to the family home, causing temporary relocation.

Time off during term-time for the following reasons in not acceptable and will be recorded as unauthorised absence:

Availability of cheap holidays or desired accommodation;

Holidays which overlap the beginning or end of term Clearly with no explanation from the parent or carer, the absence is unauthorised. The Education Liaison Officer investigates unexplained absence and the authority has the power to write to, interview or prosecute parents, or to refer pupils to the Attendance Council or Reporter to the Children’s Hearings, if necessary. Children who have to attend the Doctor/Dentist etc. during school time require a note requesting permission to leave the school, and should be collected by a responsible adult.

School Discipline

Parents are asked to co-operate with the school in maintaining good standards of discipline. The relationship between pupils and teachers is similar to that between a


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child and his/her parents and requires mutual consideration and respect on both sides.

Children are expected to conform to normal standards of behaviour, in the classroom and in the playground.

Children should attend school regularly. If they are absent from school for any reason, parents are asked to telephone us before 9.00am if possible.

In case of persistent misbehaviour parents will be informed and requested to call to the school to meet with a member of Senior Management Team.

Supervision of Playgrounds

An adult presence is provided in playgrounds at break times in terms of the Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) Regulations, 1999

Clothing and Uniform

Given that there is substantial parental and public approval of a dress code, schools in this authority are encouraged to develop a school dress code. In encouraging a dress code policy, account must be taken in any proposals to prevent any direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of race or gender. Any proposals will be the subject of widespread consultation with parents and pupils. Against this background it should be noted that it is the policy of the education committee to encourage schools to develop an appropriate dress code policy. There are forms of dress which are unacceptable in school, such as items of clothing which:-

potentially encourage faction (such as football colours)

could cause offence (such as anti-religious symbolism or political slogans)

could cause health and safety difficulties, such as loose fitting clothes, dangling earrings

are made from flammable material e.g. shell suits in practical classes

could cause damage to flooring

carry advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco and

could be used to inflict injury on other pupils or be used by others to do so. Under no circumstances will pupils be deprived of any educational benefit as a result of not wearing clothing conforming to the school’s dress code policy. Parents of children receiving income support, family credit, and housing benefit, or council tax rebate will normally be entitled to monetary grants for footwear and clothing for their children. Approval of any requests for such grants made by parents in different circumstances are at the discretion of the Director of Education. Information and application forms may be obtained from schools and from the education offices.

Glasgow City Council is concerned at the level of claims being received regarding the loss of pupil’s clothing and/or personal belongings. Parents are asked to assist in this area by ensuring that valuable items and unnecessarily expensive items of clothing are not brought to school. Parents should note that the authority does not carry


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insurance to cover the loss of such items and any claims submitted are likely to be met only where the authority can be shown to have been negligent. At Oakgrove we believe that the wearing of school uniform helps to promote a sense of pride in the school and by wearing the school uniform this allows them to identify themselves as part of our community.

Uniform

Navy Sweatshirt or Cardigan (with School Logo)* White Polo Shirt (with School Logo)*

Navy/Grey/Black trousers or skirt White shirt and school tie

* These items can be purchased from the School Office; we also supply Book Bags and Shoe Bags

Please put your child’s name on all items of clothing and footwear Meals Meals are also available to any child who wishes to purchase them at the current cost of £1.15. Provision is made for those children who wish to bring packed lunches to school. For free meal and clothing entitlement follow the following link. http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/Welfareissuesinschool/FinancialAssistance/FreeSchoolMeals_ClothingGrants

Primary Fuel Zone All services available in the Fuel Zone are developed in line with The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 which aims to help children eat healthily during the school day and beyond. Cordia supports Education Services to meet the requirements of the Act by providing healthy food and drink in schools to encourage Glasgow’s children to make the right choice in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Breakfast Service Glasgow’s Big Breakfast is available in all Glasgow primary schools every week day morning. Children can enjoy a nutritional breakfast of fruit juice, cereal and milk,


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toast and fresh fruit prior to the start of the school day. Children have the opportunity to socialise with their friends in a supervised and safe environment. Play and Lunch Snax To support schools, parents and guardians in the promotion of healthy snacks Fuel Zone provides a limited range of healthier snack items which meet the nutritional requirements. Play and lunch snax are available at the morning break and after lunch. Play Snax product range includes: semi-skimmed plain milk, fruit juice, toast, yoghurt, fresh fruit, light crisps and reduced sugar popcorn. Lunch Snax product range includes: fruit juice, yoghurt, fruit frozen dessert, fresh fruit and home baking. Lunch Fuel Zone focuses on serving healthy food in a bright and informal environment where children can enjoy lunch. The menu in the Fuel Zone rotates on a fortnightly basis giving children more variety at lunchtime. Three meal choices are available daily: main meal, vegetarian or snack meal. Children can select from soup and bread, fruit and vegetables, yoghurt or jelly and milk to accompany their meal. A halal menu is also available if required please speak to the catering manager for further information. Grab and Go Service Fuel Zone has introduced a new service called “Grab and Go” which has been developed in line with the nutritional guidelines. This service offers a value for money alternative for children who bring a packed lunch to school because they don’t like queuing or they prefer this type of lunch. The children can chose from a choice of sandwich, vegetables, fruit, yoghurt or jelly and milk for the same cost as a school meal. Special Diets If your child has a special medical diet requirement please seek a referral from your dietician. Please then contact your catering manager who will deal with your request.


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Refresh Lack of water can cause dehydration, better hydration means better performance in school and water is an excellent alternative to sugary drinks, which can cause tooth decay. The Refresh initiative allows access to fresh, chilled drinking water in schools to encourage children to drink more water. All Glasgow schools have been supplied with mains fed coolers that filter and chill the water ready for drinking. This allows access during the day to refill water bottles which can be taken into the classroom. The main aim of Refresh is to encourage children to drink water at home and school.

Transport The Education Authority has a policy of providing free transport to all primary pupils who live more than one mile by the recognised shortest walking route from their local school. This policy is more generous than the law requires. This means that the provision of transport could be reviewed at any time. Parents who consider that they are eligible should obtain an application form from the school or education office. These forms should be completed and returned before the end of February for those pupils beginning school in August to enable the appropriate arrangements to be made. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year but may be subject to delay whilst arrangements are made. The appropriate officer has discretion in special circumstances to grant permission for pupils to travel in transport provided by the authority, where spare places are available and no additional costs are incurred. The authority has an Exceptional Circumstances policy relating to e.g. homelessness, parental/carer disability, etc. Details are available from the school. There is also a procedure to request transport on medical grounds. The school can advise on procedures.

Pick Up Points Where free transport is provided it may be necessary for pupils to walk a certain distance to the vehicle pick up point. Walking distance in total including the distance from home to the pickup point and from the drop off point to the school in any one direction will not exceed the authority’s limits (see above paragraph). It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in or alighting from the vehicle. Misbehaviour could result in your child losing the right to free transport. Placing Requests

The education authority does not provide free transport for those pupils in receipt of a placing request other than in individual, exceptional circumstances and where appropriate legislation applies. In the case of under-age placing requests, if the child is offered a place in his/her catchment area school, transport will be provided in accordance with council policy stated above. Medical and Health Care


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All pupils have a routine medical examination during their first year in school. Hearing and eyesight tests take place periodically throughout primary schooling. Parents wishing to see the School Medical Officer should call the school where arrangements will be made. A Dental survey of all pupils in the school is carried out periodically. Any child found to be in need of treatment is given a card to take home on which parents can state whether they wish to have the treatment done privately or through the School Health Service. If a child requires medication during school time a parent must complete the necessary form for administration of medicines. This can be obtained from the school office. It is imperative that all parents/carers keep the school informed of any change to their contact numbers in the event of their child becoming ill and needing to be taken home. Any change to their child’s medical requirements must also be highlighted immediately to the school. Information in Emergencies We make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on some occasions circumstances arise which lead to disruption. Schools may be affected by, for example, severe weather, temporary interruption of transport, power failures or difficulties of fuel supply. In such cases we shall do all we can to let you know about the details of closure or re-opening. We shall keep you in touch by using letters, notices in local shops and community centres, announcements in local churches and announcements in the press and on local radio. School Improvements and Standards and Quality Reports The school is committed to continuous improvement. Please contact the Headteacher for a copy of the school’s current Improvement Plan or recent Standards and Quality report.

The Parent Forum and the Parent Council

(1) The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 has changed the

arrangements for parental representation in all schools. Since August 2007, all parents are automatically members of the Parent Forum for their school and they have a right to establish a Parent Council to represent them.

Parent Forum The membership of the Parent Forum is made up of all parents who have a child at an education authority school. Membership of the Parent Forum allows parents to have a say in the local arrangements to enable their collective view to be represented on matters such as the quality and standards of education at the school and other matters of interest to parents. One of the ways parents in the Parent Forum will be able to express their views will be through the Parent Council.


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Parent Council

The Parent Council is a group of parents selected by members of the Parent Forum to represent all the parents of children at the school. Parent Councils are very flexible groups and the Parent Forum can decide on the type of group it wants to represent their views. Parent Council could get involved in: • Supporting the work of the school • Gathering and representing parents’ views to the Head teacher, education authority and HMIE • Promoting contact between the school, parents, young people and the local community • Fundraising • Involvement in the appointment of senior school staff Parent Councils are recognised in law from August 2007. As a statutory body, the Parent Council has the right to information and advice on matters which affect children’s education. So, the school and the local authority must listen to what the Parent Council says and give it a proper response. Every school’s Parent Council will be different because it will be parents in each school who make the key decisions. The Parent Council is also entitled to support from the education authority in fulfilling its role. (2) Membership of the Parent Council Generally, members of the Parent Council must be parents of children who attend the school and the chairperson must have a child in the school. However, the Parent Council can decide to co-opt other members from teachers and the community who will have knowledge and skills to help them. Oakgrove Parent Council Members Chair – Sarah Ward Vice Chair – Ifeoma Iwunze Treasurer – Alham Soudi Minutes of Parent Council Meetings are kept in a folder at main reception.

Transfer from Primary School to Secondary School

Pupils are normally transferred between the ages of 11 years 6 months and 12 years 6 months, so that they will have the opportunity to complete at least four years of secondary education. Parents will be informed of the arrangements no later than December of the year preceding the date of transfer at the start of the new session. At the end of Primary 7 our pupils normally transfer to Hillhead High School; Hillhead High School Oakfield Avenue Glasgow G12 8LJ Tel: 0141 582 0100


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Data Protection Act 1998

Information on pupils, parents and guardians is stored on a computer system and may be used for teaching, registration, assessment and other administrative duties. This information is protected by the Data Protection Act 1998 and may only be disclosed in accordance with the codes of practice. For further information please contact the school.

Transferring Educational Data about Pupils The Scottish Government and its partners collect and use information about pupils to help to improve education across Scotland. This note explains why we need this information, how we use it and what we do to protect the information supplied to us. Why do we need your data? In order to make the best decisions about how to improve our education service, Scottish Government, education authorities and other partners such as the SQA and Careers Scotland need accurate, up-to-date data about our pupils. We are keen to help all our pupils do well in all aspects of school life and achieve better examination results. Accurate and up-to-date data allows us to: • plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of all pupils, • plan and deliver better policies for the benefit of specific groups of pupils, • better understand some of the factors which influence pupil attainment and achievement, • share good practice, • target resources better.

Data Policy Information about pupils’ education is collected in partnership between the Scottish Government and Local Authorities through the ScotXed programme which aims to help schools and Local Authorities by supporting efficient collection, processing and dissemination of statistical information. The Scottish Government then provides analysis of the data to support research, planning, management and monitoring of education services as well as to produce National Statistics publications. Education data within Scottish Government is managed effectively by secure systems and is exploited as a valuable corporate resource, subject to confidentiality restraints. As part of its data policy, Scottish Government will not publish or make publicly available any information that allows individual pupils to be identified, nor will data be used by Scottish Government to take any actions in respect of individuals. Data is held securely and no information on individual pupils can or would be made publicly available by Scottish Government. The individual data collected by Scottish Government is used for statistical and research purposes only.

Your data protection rights

The collection, transfer, processing and sharing of ScotXed data is done in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). We also comply with the National


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Statistics Code of Practice requirements and other legislation related to safeguarding the confidentiality of data. The Data Protection Act gives you the right to know how we will use your data. This note can give only a brief description of how we use data. Fuller details of each individual ScotXed survey, including the purpose of each and the published data, can be found on the ScotXed website (www.scotxed.net). Scottish Government works with a range of partners including HM Inspectorate of Education, Careers Scotland and the SQA. On occasion, we will make individual data available to partners and also academic institutions and organisations to carry out research and statistical analysis. In addition, we will provide our partners with information they need in order to fulfil their official responsibilities. Any sharing of data will be done under the strict control of Scottish Government, which will ensure that no individual level data will be made public as a result of the data sharing and that these data will not be used to take any actions in respect of an individual. Decisions on the sharing of data will be taken in consultation with relevant colleagues and individuals within and out with Scottish Government. Concerns If you have any concerns about the ScotXed data collections you can email the Senior Statistician, Peter Whitehouse, at [email protected] or write to The ScotXed Support Office, Area 1B, Victoria Quay, Leith, EH6 6QQ. Alternative versions of this page are available, on request from the ScotXed Support Office, in other languages, audio tape, Braille and large print.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 enables any person to obtain information from Scottish public authorities. The Act applies to all Scottish public authorities including: The Scottish Government and its agencies; local authorities; NHS Scotland; universities and further education colleges; and the police. Public authorities have to allow access to the following information: • The provision, cost and standard of its service; • Factual information or decision-making; • The reasons for decisions made by it. The legal right of access includes all types of “recorded” information of any data held by the Scottish public authorities. From 1st January 2005, any person who makes a request for information must be provided with it, subject to certain conditions. Further information is provided on the Glasgow City Council web-site: www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/yourcouncil/freedomofinformation Internet facilities are provided at all Glasgow City Council Public Libraries and Real Learning Centres

Dealing with Racial Harassment The Race Relations Act of 1976 makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone because of his/her colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national background. The Act makes it the duty of Glasgow City Council to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination. In 1999 the guidelines, “Dealing with Racial Harassment“were issued to assist all

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/yourcouncil/freedomofinformation


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teaching staff in dealing with such incidents. The adoption of a multicultural and anti racist approach should be seen as one part of the continuing attempt to improve the quality of education. Glasgow City Council recognises that support from the home is essential if these aims are to be achieved. Every child in Glasgow has the right to be happy and secure at school.

Bullying Bullying behaviour will not be tolerated within Glasgow City Council’s educational establishments. All children in Glasgow’s educational establishments have an entitlement ”to work (and play) in a learning environment in which they feel valued, respected and safe and are free from all forms of abuse, bullying or discrimination”. (A Standard for Pastoral Care in Glasgow Schools). In 2009, Glasgow City Council published its revised Anti-Bullying Policy, incorporating the requirement to record and report all discriminatory behaviours within educational establishments. All establishments are required to review their policy in light of this. Parents and carers have a significant role to play in helping to address this problem. For this reason any anti-bullying strategy must stress the importance of partnership with the parents and carers of their children.

Comments and Complaints If you have a comment or complaint please approach the head of Establishment in the first instance. If the Head of Establishment does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you should contact our Customer Liaison Unit who will:

Take a totally neutral stance in fully investigating your complaint;

Acknowledge receipt of your complaint within five working days;

Give a full written response within a further 10 working days, unless another timescale has been agreed

The Customer Liaison Unit can be contacted by phone or e-mail: Phone 0141 287 3655/4688 E-mail [email protected] Customer Liaison Unit Education Services Glasgow City Council Wheatley House 25 Cochrane Street Merchant City GLASGOW G1 1HL Please note that in line with recommendations issued by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, all establishments, during the course of a formal complaints investigation, must:

mailto:[email protected]


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• Ensure that all statements made as part of the investigation are dated and include, wherever possible, dates of events recounted within the statements; • Ensure that written records which form part of the investigation are retained for an appropriate period of time; and • Give consideration to the inclusion of this within the procedures outlined in the relevant section of the schools’ Pastoral Care Policy. Addresses and Contacts Maureen McKenna Education and Social Work Services Service Director: Education Glasgow City Council Education Services Wheatley House Glasgow City Council 25 Cochrane Street Wheatley House Merchant City 25 Cochrane Street Glasgow Merchant City G1 1HL Glasgow G1 1HL Safe ‘til Six Club (After Care) Glasgow Life - Letting Section Tel: 0141 332 9115 20 Trongate Mobile: 0850 960 880 Glasgow G1 5ES 0141 302 2814/5/6/7 Although this information is correct at time of printing, there could be changes affecting any of the matters dealt with in the document: a) before the commencement or during the course of the school year in question; b) in relation to subsequent school years.


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Glossary Assessment An evaluation of how a child is progressing in their

learning

Additional Support Needs (ASN) Extra or specialised supports, out with regular provision, required for a child to reach their potential

Catchment The local area where children live and automatically attend a given school

Co-operative Teaching Two teachers working together to teach a class

CPD The ongoing training of staff (Continuing Professional Development)

Curriculum The subjects taught in school across the stages

Eco-School A school which has a special focus on health, ecology and sustainability

EAL Referring to children and families for who English is an Additional Language.

Ethos The “feel” of a school – particularly in reference to values, behaviour, and the social development of children

Extra-Curricular Activities out with the normal class teaching e.g. after-school clubs

Formative assessment Assessment which focuses on the gap between present performance and desired goal. To be formative, the information gathered must be used to plan next steps towards this goal.

Learning Community A group of schools who work together

School Improvement Plan The plan of how a school proposes to improve year by year.

School Business Manager Person in the area who helps the schools with administration and budgets

5-14 A programme of national guidelines for learning from P1-S2. This is being replaced by the Curriculum For Excellence

school handbook - oakgrove-pri.glasgow.sch.uk

Documents