FIRS FARM PRIMARY SCHOOL
RAYLEIGH ROAD
PALMERS GREEN
LONDON N13 5QP
TELEPHONE: 020 8807 4292
FAX: 020 8803 9878
email: office@firsfarm.enfield.sch.uk
Website: www.firsfarm.enfield.sch.uk
HEADTEACHER
MS. F.E. WARHURST B.Ed Hons NPQH & EPQH
DEPUTY HEADTEACHER
MS. J.E. POMFRET B.Ed Hons ALC NPQH
MRS. PANSY DALRYMPLE
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
MRS. G.E. JUDD
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
MRS.P.O’GORMAN/MRS.S.
MAHESH/MRS S. IRANI
WELFARE ASSISTANT
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
MRS. C. HOWARD/MRS. S. PATEL
MR. ISHMAEL OWARISH
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THE SCHOOL’S PRINCIPLES AND VALUES
Vision
Firs Farm Primary's vision is to inspire each child to achieve their full potential to the
highest possible standards in an inclusive and vibrant learning environment where they
feel safe, are respected by all and encouraged to be responsible and valued members of the
community.
Aims
Firs Farm Primary aims to create a safe atmosphere where:
There is Quality Education for all children in partnership with parents, guardians, governors
and the community
Excellent teaching staff hold the key to good practice
Children will learn to work together effectively, include others and make friends
Literacy, Numeracy Science & Information Technology are of paramount importance
All will be treated as equals
All will be encouraged towards independence
Strengths of the school are highlighted and celebrated; areas for development will be
acknowledged and improvements sought.
We are a “Rights Respecting School” and follow a set of UNICEF Values
We have the right to feel safe at all times
We all have the responsibility to make sure that everybody feels safe.
We have the right to learn and achieve and play peacefully together.
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We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone can learn, achieve and play
peacefully together.
We have the right to work in a safe environment.
We have the responsibility to make sure that we are safe and look after the
environment.
We have the right to be heard, valued and included.
We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone is heard valued and included.
We have the right to be proud of our beliefs and where we come from.
We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone can be proud of their beliefs and
where they come from.
Valuing the school’s partnership with parents
We value your support. There is a close association between levels of achievement and
parental interest in and support for the schooling their children receive. Our Home-School
agreement promotes regular school attendance, good behaviour and homework. The school
will keep parents regularly informed about the progress of their children.
General Morning Session
INFANTS (Year R - Year 2)
9.00a.m. - 11.55a.m.
JUNIORS (Year 3 - Year 6)
9.00a.m. - 12.15a.m.
General Afternoon Session
INFANTS (Year R - Year 2)
1.00p.m. - 3.15p.m.
JUNIORS (Year 3 - Year 6)
1.15p.m. - 3.20p.m.
FIRS FARM GOVERNING BODY
The Governors would like to welcome you to Firs Farm School. Our role is to help the
Headteacher and staff in the running of the school. We hold meetings each term and discuss
all issues affecting the children and the school. Parents are represented on the Governing
Body by Parent Governors who are elected by all the parents every 4 years. Any parent with
a child at Firs Farm is entitled to stand for election. If you wish to talk to us
about
any matter regarding the school, please leave a message at the school office
and
someone will contact you as soon as possible. Or, if you prefer,
some of the Parent Governors are sometimes at school and
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would welcome the opportunity to talk to you.
Thank you.
Chair of Governors: Mr. Ishmael Owarish
FIRS FARM ASSOCIATION (FFA)
The FFA has had a very successful year raising money for the school. They regularly
organise refreshments at book fairs, sports days and raffles. Major events this year have been
the Christmas Fayre, monthly events such as a pancake stall, an Arts & Crafts competition at
Easter, a Bingo evening and a Summer Fayre. All parents are encouraged to take part
whether by donating items, helping to run events on the day or by becoming part of the
friendly committee as a class representative who organise activities. The school warmly
thanks the FFA for their continued hard work.
Please contact the school office if you feel you can give some time to the FFA.
ADMISSIONS TO CLASSES & SCHOOL ORGANISATION
Admissions procedures are carried out in line with the LEA policy. This is available on
request for those wishing to see it.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Children with special educational needs whose statement indicates a particular
primary school.
Children for whom a particular school is appropriate on genuine medical grounds.
Children for whom a particular school is appropriate on genuine social needs.
Children with a brother or sister attending the school at the time of admission.
Children living nearest to the school measured in a straight line from the child’s
home to the main entrance of the school.
If there is doubt about a child’s true address the LEA may well withhold the offer of a place
pending investigation.
The school became 3 form entry from September 2009. The year classes are parallel (i.e. 3
classes in each year group) and equal in nature. The system for organising classes is
delegated by the Governing Body to the Headteacher and staff of the school. It allows for
classes to have an even distribution of boys and girls and ages. Consideration may also be
sought, particularly from staff, to take into account special needs.
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SCHOOL TIMES
The teaching staff nor other staff on the premises can be held responsible for children
arriving at school before 8.50a.m. or for children who should be met promptly at the end of a
session time. The playground equipment should not be played on unless supervised by a
member of staff.
All children should be ready to start the school day on time. Persistent latecomers will
receive a letter reminding them of the school session times. This may well be followed by a
visit from the Education Welfare Officer if the lateness continues or a penalty notice.
LATE COLLECTION OF CHILDREN
If you know you will be late picking up your child please telephone the school office as soon
as possible and your child will be kept safe in the lobby area. If no communication is
received from parents/carers by 4.15p.m. we follow the Local Authority procedure and
contact Children’s Services or the Police. In the event of no one being at the school if you
arrive late to collect your child, a contact telephone number will be displayed on the main
school entrance door.
RECEPTION CHILDREN SESSION TIMES AND LUNCHES
Our policy is to support children in feeling safe and secure in their new environment hence
the pre-school programme including home visits, play sessions and information meetings
here at school. It is important that this continues once the children are in school. This is why
we stagger the intake and provide Reception children with different times for play and have
additional staff in both classes.
It is still a long day for the full-time Reception children when they first start school and
lunchtime especially can be difficult.
All children leave the school at lunchtime between 11.45a.m. and 1.00p.m. for the first week.
The slightly longer lunchtime will give you time to make this a meaningful break and for you
not to be hurried. Children bring in a packed lunch during week 2 while their Parent Pay
accounts are activated. Most children stay for lunch in by week 3. Your class teacher will
discuss whether your child is well settled and ready for this to happen. In week 1, for those
who find the distance difficult to manage in the time given, parents are welcome to stay with
their child on the school site and either picnic in the school grounds or in a designated inside
area.
Reception
children
enjoying
outdoor play
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Liability for loss or damage to pupils' property
Pupils and their parents are responsible for their own personal property and possessions
while on school premises or engaged in school activities. Neither the school nor the Local
Education Authority can accept liability for loss of or damage to such property and
possessions.
High value items
We strongly discourage pupils from bringing high value items to school such as jewellery,
mobile phones and iPads. Our experience is that they are frequently lost or broken. If these
items are brought to school it is the owner's responsibility to ensure that they are kept safe.
Firs Farm will not accept any responsibility for their recovery or replacement in the case of
loss, theft or damage.
Jewellery
Never allow your child to bring any item of value to school or wear jewellery, as the staff
cannot take responsibility for its loss. However, it is realised that many children have
pierced ears and therefore small studs are allowed. Dangling large diamond studs and large
hooped earrings/jewellery can be dangerous in P.E., games and class activities. They must be
removed by the child or covered.
Lost property
Please help us to keep our stock of lost property to a minimum by labelling all clothing. At
least then items can be returned more easily to their owners.
Every term we accumulate a considerable amount of lost property.
We collect it and keep it in bins under the shelter in the small playground weekly. Property
not claimed before half terms breaks and termly holidays will be donated to local charities or
in the case of good quality school uniform, sold at school fairs.
Money
Any money brought into school should be placed in an envelope.
On the front it should be marked as follows:
• child's name
• class
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• how much money
• what it is for
All enveloped money should be handed to the class teacher first thing in the morning. The
school will not accept responsibility for the loss of any money due to these guidelines not
being followed
SCHOOL UNIFORM
The governors seek your full co-operation with regard to school uniform, as we believe it
unites our school community. We like the children to look smart at all times and also to be
proud of their school in wearing their uniform. Lyons in the Hertford Road is our school
stockist who also have an on line service www.uniform4kids.com Local branches of chain
stores stock general school clothing.
Our School Colours are:
Maroon: fleeces (outdoor wear only) sweatshirts and jumpers.
White: polo shirt
Grey: skirts and pinafores. A pink check or stripe is recommended for school summer
dresses.
Grey or Black trousers.
Black sensible shoes (children in Y5 & 6 may change into trainers at lunch time) Flat
sandals for summer – black preferred. No heels on footwear for safety reasons. Boots are not
considered suitable wear.
P.E. kit
Consists of a school T- shirt (house colours), black shorts, black plimsolls (trainers Y3
upwards for outside P.E) and a dark outdoor tracksuit. Jewellery must be removed for PE.
Stud earrings should be removed or covered.
Long hair must be tied back for health & safety and no excessive hair styles (e.g. no shaved
logos, patterns, e.g. spiked with gel) are permitted. Boys’ hair should be no more than collar
length.
Religious headdress is acceptable in plain black or white. This should be removed for
apparatus work and tied back for gym sessions.
Please help us to keep our stock of lost property to a minimum by labelling all clothing so
items can be returned more easily to their owners.
Children wear their House colour T shirts for P.E
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Swimming
All Year 5 children will have swimming lessons once a week at some stage during the school
year and will require a swimming costume (no baggy shorts) and towel. Children with long
hair must wear a swimming cap.
Mobile telephones
Mobile telephones are valuable items, are easily mislaid and can make your children victims
of crime. Children do not need to bring them to school. If they do, they will be confiscated
and kept safely in the school office until claimed by a parent.
Art & Craft Activities
The school will supply plastic aprons for sand, water and craft activities with the Infant
children. For older children, Art and Craftwork can still be messy and you may wish to
equip your child with some form of protective clothing when necessary.
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL MEALS
We are proud to have been awarded “Healthy Schools” Status. Dinner money must be paid in
advance using the Internet “Parent Pay system”. This should be an amount for each half-term
and the Admin Officer will advise the cost involved (only 1 day of arrears is allowed and a
minimum of £10 must be credited to the account ). As
we have to complete our numbers by 10 o’clock we
should be notified if your child has a dental/medical
appointment but you intend him/her to return for a
meal. In certain circumstances the Authority will
provide free school meals. Families in need of
assistance can obtain advice and an application form,
in confidence, from the school office. Infant children
are offered Universal Free School Meals.
Alternatively, children may bring healthy packed
lunches to school. Packed lunches should
be in a named, airtight container - no sweets,
chocolate bars or fizzy drinks please. Water
is provided. Only one change from either a school meal to a packed lunch or vice versa is
permitted
each half-term.
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NUT AND SESAME SEED PRODUCTS
There is growing concern regarding children who may suffer an anaphylactic reaction from
either eating nut products or even coming into contact with them. Please avoid nut or sesame
seed products in your child’s lunch box or even on to the school site. This is for the safety of
children in our school.
WORKING TOGETHER IN SCHOOL: OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Behaviour
Please read the booklet entitled Home/School Agreement on Behaviour. It explains how it is
vital for the school and home to work together in ensuring positive behaviours, so that
children are happy and successful at school.
It sets standards for attendance, self-discipline, general good manners and respect for all
others in our school community. Racially motivated abuse and bullying, for instance, will
not be tolerated. Firm steps will be taken to discourage this type of behaviour. This includes
dealing with incidents as they occur in class or around the school. Members of the Senior
Management will investigate and report incidents to parents, requesting their attendance at
school for further consultation and support from them at home.
Certain behaviours may also lead to requesting outside agency intervention to help modify
and encourage more accepted social principles. Extremes of behaviour, which continue, may
ultimately however lead to discussion with families around the question of exclusion.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents or guardians have prime responsibility for their child’s health and should notify the
school of any medical condition when a child is first admitted or if a medical condition
develops.
MEDICINES AND FORM 2
The school is not allowed to administer medicines in school unless they are prescribed by a
doctor and clearly marked with name, dosage, expiry date etc. If this is absolutely necessary
please see the Welfare Assistant to make arrangements. If your child needs to take medicine
only 3 times a day this can usually be carried out at home and there is no need to involve
school.
If your child does need to have a medicine administered at school, the borough require you
must fill out Form 2, which will be given to you at the office when required. This is a
borough requirement before any medicine can be administered.
ASTHMA PUMPS
These are allowed in school. A Form 2 will still be required to be filled out the first time an
asthma pump is brought to school and again if the medication is changed. They have to be
labelled and replaced when necessary by parents. They are kept in the Welfare Room, as
they are safe and readily available whenever the child needing it may be on the school site.
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UNWELL CHILDREN AT SCHOOL
We may need to contact you if your child is sick or hurt during the day and needs to go
home. Please help us to keep our contact list up to date by providing us with your home and
business telephone numbers and a further, local contactable person in case you are
unavailable. It is extremely distressing if a child is ill and has to wait until the end of the
school day to go home.
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
It is important that all children attend school regularly in order for them to make progress.
The DCSF classify attendance:
95% - expected level of attendance
90 – 95% - minimum attendance required by the Educational Welfare Service
Under 90% - Poor attendance – statistically children with this level of attendance do not
make as much progress as their peers at the end of their schooling.
Under 80% - significantly poor attendance – at this level children are classified as persistent
absenteeism.
All absences must be authorised by the school. It is therefore vital that you telephone the
school on the first day your child is absent. All absences should be covered by a note on your
child’s return, or in the case of long term absence, by a telephone call or personal visit to the
office.
If absences persist then the school will request medical evidence on their return and involve
the Educational Welfare Service. At the end of the year all unauthorised absences will be
recorded on school reports.
FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME
Requests for children to go on family holidays or day trips in term time are not authorised.
Special requests must be made in writing in advance to the Headteacher. If an extended
absence is authorised we encourage a project to be undertaken. Where there is uncertainty
about the date of return, the school will remove the child from the school roll and
parents/carers must apply to re-enrol him/her on their return if a place is still available.
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The Adventure playground - funded by our Parents’ Association – staff supervised play
only
CHILDREN ARRIVING OR LEAVING PREMISES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
All children must be signed in at the school office if they arrive once the school day has
already started or are leaving for an appointment.
In the interests of the children’s safety we do not allow children to leave during school hours
e.g. for dental/medical appointments, unless collected by a parent or authorised adult. You
will be given a permission slip to hand over to the teacher in class which assures them that
you may then take your child off the school premises.
If a child is in Y3 or below and you wish them to go home by themselves the school should
receive written confirmation of this.
Please note, the A10 gate is locked from 9.15am and reopened between 3.00pm and 4.00pm.
Please do not allow your child to play on any school apparatus before or after school unless
supervised by a member of staff.
WELFARE
Various departments of School Health examine all Primary children from time to time. This
will include the School Nurse, Dentist and the Audiometrician.
This is to safeguard your child’s health.
SAFETY AND SECURITY AROUND SCHOOL
All visitors have to enter school during the day via the Rayleigh Road gate using a buzzer
system. Make sure that you report to the school office on arrival if you are visiting the
school for any reason during the school day. All visitors are required to sign in and out.
Teachers do not find it easy to discuss issues at the beginning of the day but will always be
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available at the end of the day or will follow up a written note. Parents with urgent concerns
will always be able to see a member of the Senior Management Team via the office as part of
our open door policy.
Parents with cars are reminded that many children are coming in at the main school gates.
We ask your co-operation in not parking close to the school. The narrow part of the road in
front of the school gates should be kept clear at all times. Do not park on the yellow lines- as
it is monitored using CCTV and may link to Enfield Traffic department. This is an offence,
is unsafe and you could be fined for doing so.
On arrival, children should stay in the playground. When collecting your child either wait at
the gate for your child to come to you or wait in the playground. Junior children are still
working in school until 3.20p.m. and should not be disturbed or distracted.
All children accompanying parents must be kept with them and be under control, especially
near the car park and gates. For their safety do not allow young children to run around the
playground, play on apparatus or wander away from your sight. Please ensure bikes and
scooters are not ridden anywhere on the school premises.
We love dogs, but please keep them off the school premises.
SCHOOL GROUNDS AFTER HOURS
Please do not allow your children to play in the school grounds or on apparatus after school
hours, during weekends or holidays. The site manager will ask your children to leave and the
school cannot be responsible for their safety.
Reception
children
practising their
counting skills
CURRICULUM ARRANGEMENTS
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Children learn best when they are in a supportive and stable environment. It is our first aim
to provide such security for learning to take place. Children learn in many different ways and
therefore account is taken of individual needs.
CONTENT
The school is guided by the National Curriculum from Year 1 and Early Learning Goals for
Foundation Stage. We provide a sound foundation for all children in the core areas of
English, Mathematics, Science and Information Communication Technology. The whole
curriculum is seen as providing a much wider range of experiences and work in History,
Geography, Technology, Art and Design, Music, Physical Education and Religious
Education is also carried out, largely through Cross-Curricular Projects. As well as
curricular subjects, Equal Opportunities, the World of Work, Environmental Education and
Personal, Social and Health Education, Modern Foreign Languages and Citizenship are
important aspects of school life to be covered.
ORGANISATION
Schemes of work for all the subjects are followed as medium term plans in all year groups.
Weekly plans are written and these form the basis of the week’s work with learning
objectives and assessments in order to plan for future weeks.
A Musical Assembly
TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
Teaching will be carried out using various methods, which are best suited to children at any
given time. This will include whole class teaching, ability and mixed ability group teaching
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and individual teaching. There will also be times where more adults will be working
alongside, under the direction of or in partnership with, the class teacher.
Detailed curriculum information is provided to all parents from the year group teachers
during the course of the year. It also refers to how you can help support your children
through homework requirements, visits to libraries, resources etc.
Included in the Personal and Social Education programme is Sex and Relationships
Education. This has the approval of the Governing Body and the policy statement regarding
this and also indicating content, is available to parents from the office if they wish to see it.
The Enfield Syllabus guides the work undertaken in Religious Education. It embraces work
on religions and life styles and also has a moral base. Any parent wishing to withdraw their
child from R.E. and/or Assembly may do so after consulting with the Headteacher. A
separate leaflet explaining this is available from the school office. Assemblies are held daily.
These are a combination of whole school, infant or junior, year group or class assemblies and
trips to a variety of places of worship are regularly undertaken.
STUDENTS IN SCHOOL
There are likely to be times in your child’s education when they will be taught by a student
teacher. If this were to be the case, the class teacher would inform you that the class would
also be having a student teacher for a period of time. Expert teachers within the school
monitor them closely.
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT
All children are formally assessed throughout the school in various aspects of the curriculum
to help set targets. This will include formal English and Mathematics tests, usually carried
out in the summer term and ongoing reading tests and teacher assessments. Detailed records
are kept in areas such as reading, written English, Mathematics and Science. The school uses
all forms of assessment data to inform planning.
FOUNDATION STAGE PROFILING
This is carried out during the Reception year. It involves making observations about what
your child can do. It includes assessments to be made in their first school year in Personal,
Social and Emotional Development, Communication Language and Literacy, Mathematical
Development (Problem Solving/Reasoning and Numbers), Knowledge and Understanding of
the World, Physical Development and Creative Development.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
During their school life any child might encounter difficulties in their learning or behaviour.
It may be that circumstances occur where a child has a temporary difficulty or it may be
much longer term in duration. When your child has been recognised as having a special
educational need, the class teacher will want to firstly discuss the matter with you, in
conjunction with the teacher co-ordinating Inclusion in the school.
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Later an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may be set and work planned to overcome the
problem or support the talent. This may well involve differentiating the curriculum to allow
your child better access in class, small group work or individual help. Very often there will
be specific things you can do which the class teacher will explain to you, to help your child at
home.
When IEPs are in place a standard letter will be sent to you along with your child’s current
IEP. This will be for you to comment on and so that you can also support your child by
helping them achieve their targets. It will also give you the opportunity to arrange a termly
meeting with the class teacher to discuss any further strategies or use of outside agencies, the
Educational Psychologist, the Child Family Service, the Behaviour Support Team or other
agencies making further assessments of need.
GIFTED & TALENTED PROGRAMME
The school also keeps an annual updated register of children who are talented all rounders or
gifted in a particular area of the curriculum. Parents are informed and subject coordinators
provide a rolling programme of enrichment activities for these children e.g. Science
Festivals/Art gallery visits/Maths competitions/P.E competitions.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION
We are often asked how parents can help their children to learn in class. Parents are
encouraged in both the infant and juniors to come in to school to help. If you wish to provide
regular support in school a police check will be required (the cost of this will be paid for by
the volunteer). Class teachers are very happy to discuss help you can offer, including talks to
the children concerning their curriculum projects.
In addition
1. Please share books with your children. Read with them and tell them stories as often as
possible. Allow time at home for reading together daily and enjoying books. Every class has
a set of library of books, which can be borrowed at any time. We believe that all types of
books are important and, therefore, we encourage children to look at books, to read
storybooks, information books, newspapers and magazines. It is essential that children are
encouraged to read for their own interest.
2. Take an active part in your child’s learning. Please see the Homework Guidelines, which
will help you support your child in this vital area of their education. Your partnership in this
is required and is part of our Home/School Agreement.
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3. Visits to your local library will encourage children to borrow books for pleasure and also
to study for their school projects. Using library books for reference is another skill to
develop.
4. All children have targets to aim for during the year. Parents are provided with updates on
English and Maths targets 3 times each year. Please help your children to meet these targets.
5. Come into school to discuss your child’s learning. Teachers are very happy to see you, but
please make an appointment to allow for time to be spent with you.
HOMEWORK
Parents have a vital role to play in their child’s education, and homework is an important part
of this process. We ask parents to encourage their child to complete the homework tasks that
are set. We invite them to help their children as they feel necessary and provide them with
the sort of environment that allows children to do their best. Parents can support their child
by providing a good working space at home, by enabling their child to visit the library
regularly, and by discussing the work that their child is doing.
If parents have any problems or questions about homework, they should, in the first instance,
contact the child’s class teacher. If their questions are of a more general nature, they should
contact the head teacher. Finally, if they are not happy and wish to make a complaint about
the school homework policy or the way it is implemented; parents should contact the Chair
of Governors via the School Office.
GUIDELINES ON THE AMOUNT OF HOMEWORK
We increase the amount of homework that we give the children as they move through the
school. At Firs Farm homework is set weekly and families can then have the flexibility as to
when to complete it. We expect Key Stage 1 children to spend approximately one hour a
week doing homework, although this may well include reading with a parent. We expect
children in Years 3 and 4 to spend approximately 15–20 minutes per night on homework and
children in Years 5 and 6 to spend approximately 30 minutes per night.
Reception
Reading 10 minutes per night
Weekly books about the sound of the week
Short Literacy & Maths activity weekly
Word Walls ongoing (sight vocabulary checked by teachers & fed back to parents)
Year 1
Reading 10 minutes per night
Weekly books about the sound of the week
Word Walls ongoing (sight vocabulary checked by teachers & fed back to parents)
More challenging & longer Literacy & Maths tasks on alternate weeks
Year 2
Reading 10 minutes per night
Word wall spellings – ongoing checking by parents/teachers
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1x Literacy & Maths weekly
1 x Handwriting when necessary
Year 3
Reading minimum15 minutes per night
Spellings – weekly
1x Literacy & Maths weekly
Additional Topic work set over the term related to Science & other subjects
Year 4
Reading minimum 15 minutes per night
Spellings – weekly
1x Literacy & Maths weekly
Additional Topic work set over the term related to Science & other subjects
Year 5
Reading minimum 20 minutes per night
(It is recognised that at this stage many children will be reading extended texts for pleasure
over longer periods)
Spellings – weekly
1x Literacy & Maths weekly
Additional Topic work set over the term related to Science & other subjects
Additional work may be set for children receiving extra help in their learning
Year 6
Reading minimum 20 minutes per night (It is recognised that at this stage many children will
be reading extended texts for pleasure over longer periods)
Spellings – weekly
1x Literacy & Maths weekly
Additional Topic work set over the term related to Science & exam practice
Additional work may be set for children in unit times
Pupils with special educational needs
We set homework for all children as a normal part of school life. We ensure that all tasks set
are appropriate to the ability of the child. If a child has special needs, we endeavour to adapt
any task set so that all children can contribute in a positive way. When setting homework to
pupils who are named on the register of special needs, we refer to the Individual Education
Plans (IEPs).
Homework Club/Detention Y5/6
Certain children who have difficulty completing homework at home due to family
circumstances may be offered a place at our weekly homework club led by a teacher. Y5/6
children attend a detention club for incomplete or missing homework.
Monitoring and review of teaching & learning
It is the responsibility of our governing body to agree and then monitor the school homework
policy. Parents complete an annual questionnaire from the governing body asking for their
opinion on school matters. The outcomes are fedback to the parents and agreed priorities are
made with the school.
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INFANTS – READING DIARY
Your child is expected to bring their reading diary home every day and return it to school so
the teachers may sign it.
In this book you will find details of:
a) Child’s reading record
b) Particular achievements made by your child
HOME/SCHOOL DIARY - JUNIORS
These should be brought to school daily, reading and homework details should be recorded
by the children and parents should sign weekly. This is monitored on a weekly basis by
teachers.
OPEN EVENINGS
The school’s assessment process helps us to build up a picture of your child. An initial open
evening is held in the Autumn Term. In the Spring Term there is an individual appointment
open evening for you to formally discuss the progress of your child with teachers. In the
Summer Term you will receive an “End of Year Report”. You will then be invited to the
Summer Term open evening to celebrate your child’s work, discuss the report and add your
own comments.
SECONDARY TRANSFER
Full details of secondary transfer are provided by the LEA. A meeting is held at the school
early in the autumn term of Y6 to explain the procedures. Parents are always welcome to
discuss preferences for secondary schools and appointments can be made for this purpose.
Y6 planting bulbs with Reception children
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
MUSIC
Pupils who wish to play a musical instrument may be able to under the Enfield Arts Support
Service. Details and application forms are available from the school on request.
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TRIPS FOR ALL YEAR GROUPS
Classes may go on trips to places of interest e.g. museums and art galleries. Where there is a
cost involved the school has to ask for voluntary contributions from parents so that these
visits can continue. If contributions are not forthcoming it may be necessary to cancel a visit.
SCHOOL JOURNEY
A school journey is held each year for children in Year 6. This is very popular and gives
children the opportunity to live away from home for a week in a safe and secure
environment. They take part in a variety of practical and educational activities and visits to
the area of the countryside where they are staying. This also has to be paid for with
voluntary contributions and can only take place if these are forthcoming.
School journey is an enrichment programme. If the trip is residential and forms part of the
National Curriculum or RE instruction there is no charge. We will do our best to find further
funding to support families who receive:Income support
Income based job seeker’s allowance
Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Child Tax Credit (providing that they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an
annual income, assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs that does not exceed an
annual designated amount set by the government
The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
An income related employment and support allowance
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Children are often given the opportunity to take part after school in various clubs, such as
football, dance, art and study support activities.
ACE MORNING, AFTER-SCHOOL AND HOLIDAY CLUB
Ace is a morning, after school and holiday club registered by OFSTED and is based at Firs
Farm Primary School. Morning club runs from 7.30am to 9.00am and after school from
3.15pm to 6.00pm. All enquiries about availability of places should be made to Joan
Schuller by telephone on 8245 8298 or by mobile on 07961 903715.
FURTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO PARENTS
The Governors have a Complaints Policy. This is available for inspection from the school
office. Further school curriculum guidance documents and policies are available from the
school office. The Governors have asked for a donation of £5 to help cover costs. All school
policies are on the school’s website.
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We wish you and your child every success at Firs Farm Primary School.
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