YnysdduPrimary School

“Do Your Best”

On behalf of the Staff and Governors, may I warmly welcome you to Ynysddu Primary School and hope that the time that you spend with us will be both happy and successful.

 

We aim to provide a firm foundation for pupils through a broad, balanced and enjoyable education. We also aim to have happy and successful staff who enjoy the time that they spend with us.

 

This handbook is designed to give you a flavor of our school, and it’s ethos. It is also designed to be a practical guide to our school, routines and premises.

 

Yours sincerely

 

D Witchell

Head Teacher

. Ynysddu Primary School acts as a feeder school to Pontllanfraith Comprehensive.

Head Teacher: Mr D Witchell

Deputy Head Teacher: Ms A. Edwards

Address: Ynysddu Primary School

High Street

Ynysddu

Newport NP117JH

Telephone: 01495 200223

Fax: 01495 200223

E-Mail: ynypa@caerphilly.gov.uk

Twitter @ynysdduschool

Website: http://learn.Ynysddu .org.uk/ynysdduprimary

Copies of the latest Estyn Inspection

report, can be found at www.estyn.gov.uk

Tour of PremisesAll new staff are entitled to a tour of the premises. Please contact a member of the Senior Management Team to arrange a convenient

date and time.

Sickness/Absence ProceduresAll staff must report any sickness to the Headteacher as soon as

possible. All teachers and support staff need to report their sickness by 7.45 a.m. at the latest. This allows the Headteacher to make

provision for supply teachers if necessary. When you are ready to return to work please phone the school to let us know when you intend to return. This must be done by 2.00 p.m.

before the date of return. This will allow the Headteacher to give supply staff notice that they are due to finish in the school.

Upon return to work all staff will have a “return to work interview”. This is in accordance with the policy of Caerphilly LEA.

Personal PresentationAll staff are required to report to work in a clean and presentable manner. Clothing should be neat, tidy and appropriate for working

with children. At Ynysddu we set high expectations for pupils’ appearance and we work hard to ensure that pupils attend school in

a neat and tidy school uniform. It is expected that staff will set a good example to pupils by dressing appropriately at all times.

Staff ConductAt Ynysddu we treat each other with respect at all times.. Any

disagreements amongst staff need to be dealt with in a polite and respectful manner. All staff are to be treated equally and fairly, and

everyone is made to feel welcome in the school.

Child ProtectionAny concerns about children must be reported to the Headteacher

who is the nominated Child Protection Officer

GOVERNING BODY OF YNYSDDU PRIMARY SCHOOL

Chair of Governors:

Reserve :

Vice Chair :

Head teacher :

Deputy Headteacher :

Teacher representative :

Staff representative:

Community Governor

Parent representative

Community Governor

LA appointed

Parent Representative

L.A. appointed

Clerk to the Governors

Clerk to the governing body:

Mrs K. Beecham

Mr R. Wyatt

Ms L. Harding

Mr.D. Witchell

Misss A.Edwards

Mrs K. Witherall

Mr C. Ward

Mrs D. Watts

Mrs G. Boden

Mr. W. Colyer

Mr S. Webb

Mrs C. Haines

Cllr J. Jones

Mr. D, Hutchings

Head Teacher Mr D Witchell

Deputy Head Teacher Miss A. Edwards

Teachers Mrs. L .Lamberti Mrs. C .Davies

Miss A. Hughes

Mrs.K. Witherall

Teaching assistants Mrs .L. Bennett Mrs. J. Thomas Mrs .A Hillman

Mrs. A. Baker

Mrs. S.Jones

Ms H. .Jardine

Secretary Mr.C.Ward

Caretaker Mr. R. Winnell

Mid Day Supervisor

Mrs. M. Walker Mrs. D.

Williams Miss. J Williams

School Nurse

01633 618008 Mrs. L. Loader

Education Welfare Officer

01495 224929 Mrs. D. Bowen

TRAINING DAYS / INSET DAYS

All staff are required to undertake 5 training days within the next school year and the school will be closed to pupils on these days. .SCHOOL TIMES

Nursery: 9.00-12,00Infants: 9.00-12.00 1.00-3.15Juniors: 9.00-12.00 1.00-3.15

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Morning School opens at 8.50 am. Children and parents are to wait on the yard Teachers will be available for a quick chat if necessary. For lengthier discussions please make an appointment for the end of the school day.

End of day All pupils are dismissed onto the yard. Nursery and Infant children MUST be met by an adult. Please inform the school if your normal arrangements are changed.

BREAKTIMES

All children are required to play outside during breaks and dinnertime. Please ensure that your child has a coat or jacket so that he/she will be comfortable whatever the weather. In addition, during sunny weather we ask that pupils bring sun hats to be worn whilst pupils are outside.

Term Begins Half-Term Begins

Half-Term Ends

Term Ends

Autumn

01.09.14 27.10.14 31.10.14 19.12.14

Spring 05.01.15 16.02.15 20.02.15 27.03.15

Summer

13.04.15 25.05.15 29.05.15 20.07.15

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY

Parents and schools have a responsibility to ensure that all pupils are punctual and attend school. The exceptions are when children are too ill to attend, for medical appointments or for religious celebrations.

Parents must inform the school of the reason for an absence. This can be by telephone message (200225) or a note when your child returns. There is an answer phone for early or late messages.

For holiday taken within school sessions, the Headteacher must give permission. We recommend that holidays are not taken during term times, as they can disrupt education.

Children who miss school for other reasons will be marked with an unauthorised absence and this will be marked on records and reports. Children who are more than 30 minutes late for school are also marked with an unauthorised absence. Please ring if you know that your child will be late. Persistent unauthorised absences become the responsibility of the Education Welfare Service of the LEA.

If your child has sickness / diarrhoea or conjunctivitis please ensure that he/she is clear from symptoms for 48hrs before he/she returns.

It is the Governors’ wish that all pupils wear school uniform, and school uniform is compulsory from Reception onwards. Nursery and Rising 3 children may come in their own clothes. We would ask that children do not come to school in their best clothes. We keep our younger children busy and they play with lots of messy things. Although we do have aprons sometimes little accidents will occur and we wouldn’t want best clothes spoiled in any way.

Blue Sweatshirt with logo - Available from AJM Cwmfelinfach

Blue Polo Shirt with logo - Available from AJM Cwmfelinfach

Grey Trousers / Skirt / Pinafore / Shorts

Blue Gingham Dress – summer

Blue Cardigan

White socks

Grey tights

Flat black shoes with a secure fastening

If you wish blue polo shirts and sweatshirts may be bought from any local chain store.

Your child will need to be independent in dressing and undressing for using the toilet and physical education. Please check that he/she can manage the fastenings on all shoes and clothes.

School is a busy, messy place and clothes can get marked with paint, glue and felt pens. Whenever possible, we buy washable resources but some marks may not wash out.

We ask that all children present themselves in school in a neat and tidy manner.

At Ynysddu we believe that if all staff use the same approach to the routine situations faced in school, pupils will become used to what is expected of them and this will have a positive effect on discipline. At our school we use an Assertive Discipline approach.

Assertive discipline works because of the effective use of positive praise. Care is taken to reward pupils who are behaving well and positive statements are used to challenge poor behaviour. By using this technique throughout the school we ensure that we foster a positive ethos within the school.

To reinforce good behaviour, at Ynysddu Primary School we also teach the children manners and values, which underpin the ethos of the school. In addition we have a school mission statement and song, which promote tolerance, kindness and positive behaviour.

We teach the children how to have good manners and these are displayed throughout the school. These are:

Always say “please” and “thank you”.

Say “Good morning” and “Good afternoon” to members of staff. (Bore da/Prynhawn da)

Knock on classroom doors and say “Excuse me”

Let adults go through doors and say “After you”

Rules

The general classroom rules are the first part of the classroom discipline plan. The rules are displayed in every classroom and they are also displayed in communal areas of the school. In addition rewards and sanctions are also displayed in the classrooms. The agreed rules, rewards and consequences need to be regularly revised with the children to ensure that all children stay familiar with discipline procedures.‘Good to be Green’ are used in classes 3,4 and 5 to warn pupils about their

behaviour. Records are kept of inappropriate behaviour. Please refer to the school Behaviour Policy for more information.

At Ynysddu we believe that if all staff use the same approach to the routine situations faced in school, pupils will become used to what is expected of them. This will have a positive effect on discipline.We use an Assertive Discipline approach, and believe that pupils respond best when praised. We believe that by praising pupils and classes routinely we reduce the need for raised or cross voices. At Ynysddu we do not believe that we get the best out of children by shouting at them , however we do recognise the need to use a stern voice to ensure that pupils do their best whilst they are with us.

To ease discipline we have agreed a number of agreed procedures for routine events. These are:

Signal for AttentionAll staff should use the same signal for attracting the children’s attention.These signals will be: In the Yard: Duty Teacher rings the bell and pupils will stand still. On the 2nd bell pupils will walk quietly into their appropriate lines.Indoors:Teacher will raise their hand in the air and’. Pupils will raise their hand and show they are listening by not talking and looking at the teacher.

Walking around the School/Entering and exiting classroomsAll pupils will walk around the school in an orderly manner. They will leave and enter classrooms in a safe and calm manner.

Assembly RoutinesAll pupils will come into assemblies silently. They will sit still without fidgeting. Pupils will not be allowed to talk to their friends throughout the assembly. Any pupils who are inclined to chat should be separated from each other during assembly time.

We are always striving to have a safe and healthy workplace.

Supervision of PupilsPupils must be supervised at all times. At no time should a class be left alone. All

teacher preparation should be done prior to lesson time to ensure that teachers do not have to leave the classroom during lesson time.

Health and Safety OfficerThe Headteacher is the nominated Health and Safety Officer. In her absence any

incidents must be reported to the Deputy head teacher

SecurityAll outside doors must to be kept shut at all times. Doors are closed at 9.00 in the

morning, and after that all parents must enter the school through the main doors of the school.

Hazardous SubstancesNo one is to use hazardous substances without permission or the proper training.

Hazard SpottingPlease report any potential hazards within the school site to the Headteacher or the

Deputy Head teacher.

Violence at WorkAny violence at work must be reported to the Headteacher. This involves physical and

verbal abuse. No member of staff is to meet alone with any parent who is liable to become violent or abusive. If meetings are to take place the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher will conduct the meeting. If parents are likely to become difficult the

meeting MUST be held in the Library for reasons of Health and Safety.

Ladder TrainingWhen using ladders care must be taken to ensure that they are used correctly. It is

recommended that two members of staff work together when ascending ladders, and that one member of staff secures the bottom of the ladder.

A copy of the “Safe Use of Step Ladders and Ladders”, an employers guide, is attached to this handbook. Please read it carefully. In general the following procedures should

be adhered to:Always read the instructions that are on the ladder.

Do not overload the ladder. Check the weight restrictions.Make sure the ladder is positioned appropriately. (See the attached guide)

Make sure that the ladder is positioned firmly and securely on the floor.Only climb to a reasonable height on the ladder (See attached guide)

Accident Reporting ProceduresPupil minor bumps and grazes must be entered into the Minor Accident Book. These

can be found by the First Aid Cabinets by the Junior toilets, and the Infant toilets.More serious pupil accidents must be reported to the Office, and details of the

accident must be entered into the Accident Book file Please report all serious staff and pupil accidents to the Headteacher. Copies of

Accident Reporting Forms may be found in the Office.

Fire ExitsThe fire exits are located at the Main Entrance, in the Infant Hall and in

the Nursery. These are clearly sign posted.

Action To Be Taken In Event of FireIn the event of a fire the following procedure should be adhered to:

If you discover a fire please use the Break Glass Fire Alarm system to trigger the fire alarm.

For a fire in the Main BuildingMr Ward / Mr Witchell / Miss Edwards to dial 999

All children and staff are to leave the building in a safe and orderly manner. Staff are responsible for escorting their pupils onto the yard. The main fire assembly point is at

the side of the Youth Club Building.

If a fire occurs in the canteen, the fire alarm must be sounded.The Canteen staff must inform the Office so that the Emergency Services can be

called.Mr Ward/ Mr Witchell / Miss Edwards s to dial 999.

Qualified First Aider

Mrs S. Jones

Ynysddu Primary School

High Streetr

Ynysddu

Newport NP11 7JHTel: 01495 200223

Fax: 01495 200223

E-Mail: ynypa@caerphilly.gov.uk