ATTENDANCE 2012-2016.

2012-13 2013-2014 2014-15 2015-2016

% Attendance 95.0 95.6 95.2 96.1

Authorised Absence

4.7 3.8 4.3 3.5

Unauthorised Absence

0.3 0.6 0.5 0.4

ABSENCEIn the event of your child being absent, please notify the school by telephone, by sending in a note or by calling in at the office by 9.30 am on the first day of absence. The message must come directly from an adult. When no message is received by 9:30 am the school will attempt to contact the family. It is very important that telephone contact details are kept up to date for this purpose. This is to ensure that the school and parents know where the child is and why he or she is absent from school and to minimise instances of unauthorised absence. Working together we can ensure all the children are safe. On your child’s return to school, please send in a note giving the reason for absence.

School begins at 8.50 am. Late arrival at school is recorded. Any child arriving late must report to the office.

When absence notes are not received, the school will write to parents and ask them to account for why their child was away. If a satisfactory account can not be given, the school cannot authorise the absence and would therefore refer the family to the Attendance and Truancy Officer to make investigations.

Regular and punctual attendance at school is extremely important. Children who arrive late in the morning can make a very unsettled start to the day and children with poor attendance find it very hard to develop the skills and concepts that are introduced later on if they have missed the earlier introduction. It is also very disruptive and unsettling to the other children when latecomers arrive and have to get organised when the lesson has already started.

Children in Need November 2015 Sport Relief March 2016

Staff and Governors (September 2017)Headteacher: Mrs Samantha BrittonDeputy Headteacher: Miss Sue Lyon

Miss Rose BoyleMr Jonathan BriggsMrs Deborah CarterMrs Virginia Di NoiaMr Scott HaglandMiss Alex Laws

Mrs Deborah LovelockMrs Laura MoranMrs Jane Murphy

Miss Anna ScammellMiss Claire Shadbolt

Mr Adam WhiteAdministration and non-teaching Staff:

Secretary: Mrs Hayley Duke Administration: Mrs Jacqueline Allen Teaching Assistants

Mrs Haidee CastleMr Andrew Clark

Ms Sarah GiddingsMrs Susan Johnson

Mrs Fiona KingMrs Helena Law

Miss Mandy LinnellMrs Jo Safee

Mrs Sara ShoobertMiss Kate SneddonMrs Nicky TurnbullMrs Rachael Turner

Mrs Julia TylerMrs Jane Wells

Caretakers: Mrs Mandy Morton

Governors Mrs Samantha Britton Headteacher

Chair: Mrs Rosemary Charsely FoundationVice-Chair: Mrs Sue Luckett LA

Mr Michael Weeks Community Mr Andrew Clark Foundation Reverend A Holford Foundation Mrs Karen Gordon Parent Miss Hazel Middleton Co-opted Mrs Virginia Di Noia Teaching staff Mrs Helena Law Co-opted Miss Sue Lyon Co-opted Ms Emma Wilkinson Co opted Mrs Kate Bond Clerk to Governors

UNIFORM Most items of uniform are available and reasonably priced from high street chain stores and supermarkets. St. Mary’s sweatshirts, fleeces and T-shirts are available from the School Uniform Shop in Eastcheap, Letchworth

Boys GirlsRoyal blue school sweatshirt Royal blue school sweatshirt or cardiganBlue or white shirt/polo shirt Blue or white shirt/polo shirt

Black or grey trousers Grey skirt/pinafore dress Tailored black or grey short trousers Summer dress - blue and white

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Black or grey trousersTailored black or grey short trousers

All children should have black school shoes (not trainers) – or neutral sandals worn with socks in the summer

Socks or tights should be grey, black or whiteA change of indoor shoes is required - shoe racks are provided.

Children should be provided with an old shirt or apron to wear for art and craft activities

Long hair should be tied back with a blue/neutral hair band. Boys are not permitted to have extreme hairstyles (eg, cut out patterns / Mohican type styles) Children are not permitted to wear jewellery apart from one pair of studs in pierced ears which should, for health and safety, either be removed or taped during physical activities. Children should not wear makeup or nail polish; transfer tattoos should be removed before coming to school.

A book bag is required to take home a reading book and homework.

PLEASE NAME ALL ITEMS OF UNIFORM AND DO NOT SEND CHILDREN IN WITH LARGE SPORTSBAGS AS WE DO NOT HAVE THE SPACE IN THE CLOAKROOMS

P. E. KITAll pupils in the school take part in physical education activities and should have the following kit:

Indoors - Black / Navy shorts, light blue or white T-Shirt plimsolls or bare foot. Outdoors - Black / Navy shorts (tracksuit bottoms for colder weather), light blue or white T-Shirt,

(sweatshirt for colder weather) and trainers.

Long hair must be tied back for all PE lessons.

Year 3 and Year 5 children will require a one piece swimming costume, towel and swimming hat for the summer term. Boys’ swimming trunks/shorts must be above knee length.

Children taking part in team sports will be given a school kit for the game if they play in inter-school competitions.

We ask that PE kit is kept in a named school PE bag (also available from the school office), brought in on a Monday morning and taken home on Friday for washing.

The school is very proud of its Healthy School Status

HOME-SCHOOL AGREEMENTParents / Carers are asked to agree to:

Ensure their child attends school regularly and on time Inform the school on the first day of absence if their child is unable to attend

school for any reason Avoid taking holidays in term time Support their child in homework and other opportunities for learning at home. Attend parent-teacher consultations Let the school know of any concerns or problems that might affect their

child’s learning or behaviour Support the school in the implementation of the behaviour, anti-bullying and

anti-racist policies Ensure the school has up to date contact numbers for emergencies.

Signed: ____________________________________________

ST MARY’S CE (VC) JUNIOR SCHOOLWhere we learn, respect each other, build friendships and trust in

God.

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Pupils are asked to agree to : Be kind, polite, friendly and helpful to others Do their best Be prepared for lessons with all the equipment they need Respect other people and their property Act safely at all times Help keep the school tidy and free from litter Tell an adult in school if something is worrying them.

Signed: ____________________________________________

The school agrees to: Endeavour to provide an inclusive, safe and happy environment for children

and staff Be open and welcoming to parents and provide regular communication about

school events Encourage children to care for other people and their environment Encourage children to do their best at all times and help them achieve their

full potential Give information to parents about each term’s curriculum and homework

timetable Set, mark and monitor school work and home learning Arrange parent-teacher consultations and report to parents regarding their

child’s progress Inform parents at an early stage if there are concerns about their child’s work

or behaviour

Signed: _____________________________________________ (Headteacher)

A LIFE IN OUR HANDS

If a child lives with criticismHe learns to condemn

If a child lives with hostilityShe learns to fight

If a child lives with ridiculeHe learns to be shy

If a child lives with shameShe learns to feel guilty

If a child lives with toleranceHe learns to be patient

If a child lives with encouragementShe learns confidence

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If a child lives with praiseHe learns to appreciate

If a child lives with fairnessShe learns justice

If a child lives with securityHe learns faith

If a child lives with approvalShe learns to like herself

If a child lives with acceptance and friendshipHe learns to find love in the world

Dorothy Law Holte

TERM DATES

TERM DATES: ACADEMIC YEAR 2017-18

Includes 5 INSET days and 6 occasional days for which children are not required to attend school.

Autumn Term 2017Monday 4th September to Tuesday 19th DecemberAutumn Half Term: Monday 23rd October to Friday 27th OctoberChristmas Break: Wednesday 20th December to Tuesday 2nd JanuaryINSET DAYS Wednesday 30th August Thursday 31st August Friday 1st SeptemberOCCASIONAL DAYS: Friday 24th November

Spring Term 2018Thursday 4th January to Thursday 29th MarchSpring Half Term: Monday 12th February to Friday 16th FebruaryEaster Break: Friday 30th March to Friday 13th April inclusiveINSET DAY Weds 3rd January

Summer Term 2018Mon 16th April to Friday 20th JulySummer Half Term: Monday 28th May to Friday 1st JuneMay Bank Holiday: Monday 7th May INSET DAYS Monday 18th JuneOCCASIONAL DAYS: Monday 23rd July – Friday 27th July

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SATS RESULTS 2016

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% WHO ACHIEVED EXPECTED STANDARD

AVERAGE SCALED SCORE

Comparison with Nat/Herts

School National Herts School Nat HertsNo /60 % % %

READING 44 73% 66% 71.7% 102.5 103- 0.5

103.9-1.4

WRITING 52 87% 74% 79%

MATHS 48 80% 70% 72.5% 103.9 103+0.9

103.6+0.3

SPELLING, PUNCTUATION VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR

48 80% 72% 76.3% 103.8 103+0.8

104.9-1.1

READING, WRITING &

MATHS

41 68% 53% 58.7%