School Prospectus
STAMFORD PARK INFANT SCHOOL
BOROUGH OF TRAFFORD EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Name:
Address:
Stamford Park Infant School
Cedar Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA15 9JB
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Website
0161 928 4040
0161 941 5365
www.stamfordparkinfantschool.co.uk
Chair of Governors:
Mrs Vivienne Adams
Headteacher:
Miss Deborah Thatcher
Deputy Headteacher:
Mrs Passey
Teachers:
Miss Bamforth
Mrs Clegg
Mrs Darbyshire
Miss Fulton
Mrs Giovannini
Mr Hines
Mrs Jones
Miss Wallace
Teaching Assistants
Mrs Barranger
Mrs Clare
Mrs Flannery
Mrs Harrison
Mrs Hougton,
Mrs Jeffery,
Mrs Robinson
Mr Scotson
Mrs Tym
Mrs Wilkinson
School Secretaries
Mrs C. Borthwick, Mrs Peel, Mrs Vogan
Site Manager:
Mr Wharton, Mr Tabarn (Assistant Caretaker)
Parent Governors:
Olivia Champion, Judith Hey, Paul Bobin, Alex Saint
Classification: The school is a Community Nursery/Infant school for 3 – 7 year olds.
There were 210 pupils on roll in the Infants and 52 in the Nursery in September 2011
There will be 70 places in the Reception age group available in the 2012/2013 school
year and 52 part-time places in the Nursery.
The school has received a School Achievement Award, The Quality Mark (1 + 2)
Award, The Gold Healthy Schools Award, The Trafford Inclusions Award + Active
Mark. We received an “Outstanding Ofsted” May 2007, renewed in July 2010
GENERAL AIMS OF THE SCHOOL
1. To provide a welcoming environment for children and parents.
2. To help children to develop enquiring, imaginative and creative minds and to
communicate effectively.
3. To help children to acquire knowledge, skills and practical abilities and to be able
to use these in a variety of situations.
4. To encourage children to develop self-discipline, in their application to learning
and in their relationships with other members of the
community.
5. To enable children to develop self-awareness, to value and appreciate the work
of all others and to become contributing members
of a group.
6. To assess each child individually and plan learning experiences which will take
each child forward with confidence and enthusiasm.
7. To help children experience a sense of achievement by being positive about all
their successes.
8. To enable children to gain strong foundations in the basic skills of reading,
language, mathematics and science.
9. To enable children to appreciate human achievements in the arts and technology
and to be receptive to cultural and aesthetic
experiences.
10. To encourage empathy to others whatever their race, colour, creed or sex.
11. To help children understand the world in which they live, their ability to contribute
to it and their responsibility towards the
environment.
12. To help children to acquire a moral sense and a code of behaviour which takes
into account the school community and, in turn, the
community at large.
Our Mission Statement
At Stamford Park Infant School we aim to provide a secure and caring atmosphere that
allows each child to fulfil his or her potential academically, physically, socially and
morally.
The effective education of children should be a partnership between school and parents
and we believe that staff, governors and parents all have their part to play in achieving
this.
The education of your child is a joint venture between home and school and the
importance of your co-operation and support cannot be stressed too much
HOME – SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS
Parents who are considering sending their children to Stamford Park Infant School are
very welcome to visit. If you telephone to make an appointment on a Friday morning,
we will arrange a time when we will be pleased to answer any questions about the
organisation of the school and the curriculum and give parents and prospective pupils a
tour of the school. (Monday mornings – 11:30 a.m. are available for visits).
Contact between parents and teachers is important and we aim to foster good
relationships by keeping parents informed about their children and about what goes on
in school. Regular newsletters are sent to parents every half-term. There are Parents’
Evenings each term and Records of Achievement (reports) at the end of the school
year.
We welcome parents into school to help with such things as the library, local school
trips, art and craft, reading or administrative help. If you would like to offer your help
with any of these, please contact the Deputy Headteacher or enquire at the school
office.
Class teachers are available to see parents after school finishes at 3.20 p.m. They can
also be seen before school starts (from 8.45 a.m. up to 8.55 a.m.) if there are any
matters of importance that need to be discussed.
The Headteacher is usually available before school and after 3.15 p.m. each day. It
would be appreciated if an appointment could be made, if you need to see her at any
other time.
All children have the opportunity to take home a library book each week. School reading
bags can be purchased from the school office at a cost of £3.75 each.
THE CURRICULUM
The National Curriculum gives every child in maintained schools an entitlement to a
balanced and broadly based curriculum.
The National Curriculum is intended to achieve consistently high standards throughout
the country and encourage schools to develop good curriculum practice.
All children of statutory school age must be offered the following:1. Religious Education and a daily Act of Collective Worship, which must be of a broadly
Christian nature. (Parents may wish to exercise their right to withdraw their children
from assembly and religious education).
2. The Core Subjects: English, Mathematics, Science and ICT.
3. The Foundation Subjects:
Geography, History, Design Technology, Music,
Physical Education and PSHE & Citizenship
These subject areas cover the range of knowledge, skills and understanding necessary
for a broad and balanced curriculum. They provide a framework for other areas such as
health and environmental education.
There are five key stages within the National Curriculum:
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE
3 – 5)
Nursery and reception (children aged
KEY STAGE 1
7)
Year 1 and 2 Infant (children aged 5 –
Children will be assessed at the end of each key stage to demonstrate what they have
achieved. A variety of assessment methods will be used and teachers’ continuous
assessment will continue to be very important.
Documents from the Department for Education and Employment for the Core subjects
and Foundation subjects are available for parents to look at in school and the
Foundation Stage Curriculum. Please enquire at the school office.
ASSESSMENT
Each year tests at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) are carried out in accordance with
the Government regulations. A table of the comparative results (2011) is available.
To a young child, knowledge is not divided into subjects. Many basic elements run
through the whole curriculum rather than being concerned with one subject alone, so
that an activity might involve drawing upon may areas of experience. For example,
construction toys are used in design and problem solving; table games are used in
mathematics and to aid the development of self-discipline and co-operation within a
group. Children may work as a class, in a group or individually at different times of the
day.
ENGLISH
It is regarded as a high priority to give children confidence in early literacy skills as the
foundation for all future learning.
They are encouraged to:
a) talk clearly and confidently in a group or independently in formal or informal
situations;
b) read accurately with understanding both for pleasure and to seek information;
c) write short factual, imaginative and personal pieces with good attempts at spelling;
d) develop legible handwriting.
Reading begins with the acquisition of pre-reading skills. Children who are ready will
progress to reading books from many schemes available in school and follow a reading
course matched to their needs and abilities. The school follows the National Literacy
Strategy.
10 minutes of reading at home each day supports classroom learning and has a
dramatic impact on literacy attainment.
MATHEMATICS
The National Curriculum defines Mathematics under the broad headings of number,
shape, space and measure. There is an emphasis throughout the curriculum on using
and applying mathematics, which involves children in analysing problems, formulating
plans for action and selecting appropriate mathematical materials. Much of the work
related to the use and application of mathematics is done in a practical way, using a
wide variety of apparatus, such as multilink, polydrons and dice. Children widen their
mathematical language and concepts through discussions with the teacher and each
other. The school follows the National Numeracy Strategy.
SCIENCE
Most of the children’s early work is based on practical experience, observations of the
world around them and planned investigations. These help to build up the necessary
vocabulary, skills and knowledge. As the children develop, they carry out experiments,
which they may have formulated themselves during which greater demands may be
made on their observational and problem solving skills.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
In school we have computers, roamers, speaking and listening centres, an interactive
white board and other equipment, which is used to deliver this subject through all areas
of the National Curriculum. Children learn to word process, collect, sort and display
data and use the computer as a learning aid.
We have the appropriate ratio of computers to children and a wireless network.
In order to ensure that the children are protected from undesirable material, we
subscribe to an Internet Service Provider that provides an approved filtering system.
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All children will be supervised at all times when accessing the Internet.
Teachers will access and view any sites to be used prior to the lesson to ensure
their appropriateness for our children.
Computers are sited so that the class teacher can see their screens.
Material brought into school, by children, from home must not be run on school
computers.
Teachers will encourage children to be critical users of the Internet.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Design technology is concerned with the practical ways of solving problems directly
related to our needs and ourselves. Children will be taught to work with materials,
experiment with their use and observe differences between them. They will be taught
how to use tools appropriately and there is emphasis on safe handling. From the
earliest stages they are encouraged to plan and design the products, which they go on
to make.
HISTORY
Children are helped to develop the basic language of time and an awareness of
chronology. Changes in the way they live, compared with the lives of their parents or
grandparents, are studied. Different historical figures, and stories with historical
themes, are studied in each year group.
GEOGRAPHY
Children are encouraged to become more aware of their immediate surroundings and
have consideration for the world in which they live. An interest and knowledge of places
in other parts of the world and an appreciation of the variety of human and physical
conditions throughout the world will be developed.
MUSIC
An enjoyment and appreciation of a variety of music is encouraged. All children learn
songs, rhymes and hymns. There are class singing and percussion lessons when
children will experiment with sound, rhythms and dynamics. An opportunity is given to
all Year 2 children to learn to play the recorder at lunchtime recorder clubs.
ART AND CRAFT
A wide selection of materials is available in school for many different art and craft
activities. Skills in such things as drawing, painting and collage are developed from the
early years. Some of the work is linked to other areas of the curriculum and is
displayed around the school to enhance the rooms and corridors.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT
P.E. plays an important part in a child’s education. We have a variety of small
apparatus for games and large apparatus for gymnastics, which the children are taught
to move on safely and efficiently. Skills required to play traditional team sports such as
football; hockey and netball are learnt and developed throughout the school. We have
the use of the playing field on Queens Road for several sessions each week. Year 1
and Year 2 take part in ‘Fitbods’ each week and all children enjoy ‘Wake Up and Shake
Up’ each week. We are part of the Trafford South School Sport Partnership. We offer
after school Multi-skills and Football activities.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
Our teaching is broadly Christian based and children are told stories from different
religions, including Bible stories, which are within their understanding. Our daily school
assemblies aim to encourage a child to consider relationships with other children and
adults, and foster the child’s natural sense of awe and wonder. Christian Festivals are
observed and celebrated such as Harvest and Christmas. The children are also given
an insight into the culture and festivals of other religions. Religious Education is nondenominational, but some parents may wish to withdraw their children from the lessons
or assemblies. Please inform the Headteacher.
SEX EDUCATION
Sex Education will be integrated into our work in Science, PSHE & Citizenship and
Religious Education. At some stage, part of the work will involve the reproduction of
animals, and observations of the growth of young animals, for example, frogspawn,
water and garden snails and butterflies.
Relationships within families form part of Religious Education, as do rites such as
baptism and marriage.
The birth of a new baby is frequently referred to in school assemblies and mothers are
asked to bring babies into the classroom and talk about how they look after them. Thus
we hope that children will come to realise that reproduction is part of the life cycle of all
species and that it is part of the process of survival in the world.
Questions from children will be answered in a way thought suitable for the age and
ability of the children.
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE CURRICULUM – For the Early Years,
Nursery & Reception
All children in Nursery and Reception classes are now provided with their own
curriculum ‘The Foundation Stage’. There are six curriculum areas covered by the
Foundation Stage. These are Personal, Social and Emotional Development,
Communication, Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Knowledge and Understanding
of the World, Physical development and Creative Development.
In the early years we endeavour to provide a relevant curriculum for all children based
on the ‘principles for early year’s education’. The aims of practitioners are to ensure
that all children feel included, secure and valued and are given a balanced curriculum
based on what children already know and can do. Practitioners work together to
provide well thought out activities that cover the six areas of learning and provide
opportunities for learning both inside and outside the classrooms in our well equipped
outdoor play areas.
Early years practitioners use the stepping-stones as guidance for their planning, helping
children to work towards achieving the early learning goals with some children
exceeding them by the end of the Reception year.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (S.E.N.)
We recognise that we have a responsibility to provide opportunities to enable all
children to reach their full potential. Teachers plan work to match the needs of the
individual, and make every effort to challenge and extend able children and to support
those who find learning more difficult. Where extra help or advice is needed, we have
access to the Learning Support Service and the Behaviour Support Service.
Our provision for children experiencing learning difficulties or who have a physical
disability is based upon the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. Those
children who are experiencing difficulties are given as much individual support as
possible. Their progress is regularly monitored by the class teacher and an individual
education plan provided for each child. Parents are kept fully informed of their child’s
progress, their learning needs and the activities being used to support their child.
The school has an SEN co-ordinator for children with Special Educational Needs.
There is also a school governor with a particular responsibility for special needs.
Certain children with special needs may be referred to the appropriate outside agency
with the consent of parents. A copy of the school’s policy for S.E.N. may be seen in the
school office.
MEDICINES/SICKNESS
If your child suffers from asthma please inform the Headteacher.
If your child has a particular allergy or reaction, please inform the Headteacher.
Children will be supervised when using inhalers.
The school is unable to administer any other medicines.
If your child is sick, they must be clear of any symptoms for at least 48 hours
before they return to school. If they have diarrhoea, they must be clear of any
symptoms for 48 hours before they return to school.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Any complaints about the curriculum or any other aspect of the school should be
referred to the Headteacher at the first opportunity. The formal document relating to the
complaints procedure may be seen in school on request.
ORGANISATION AND ADMISSIONS
Nursery
Children are admitted to the nursery class from September after their 3rd birthday.
They may be offered a place for one year before moving into the reception class.
They will attend either five mornings or five afternoons each week, either 8.45 – 11.45
a.m. or 12.20 – 3.20p.m. There is a full-time teacher and a nursery nurse for each
session. If you are interested in your child attending the nursery, please contact the
school office.
Infant (K.S.1.)
Children are admitted to the school in September following their 4th birthday.
Class Structure
The school admits 70 children for each year group. 70 Reception children, 70 Year 1
children and 70 Year 2 children.
Government regulations allow only 30 children to be placed in any Infant age
classroom. The school operates as follows:One vertically grouped class with 10 Reception aged children and 20 Year 1 aged
children.
One Year 1 class with 30 children.
One vertically grouped class with 20 Year 1 children and 10 Year 2 children
Two Year 2 classes with 30 children in each class
Most children will be in a vertically grouped class for one year of their education at
Stamford Park Infant School.
Pastoral Care
The Headteacher is always willing to see parents to discuss the welfare of their
children.
There are many agencies available to parents via school such as the Health Visitor,
Doctor, Nurse and the Educational Welfare Officer.
Child Protection Procedures
Parents should be aware that the school will take any reasonable action to ensure the
safety of its pupils. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a child
may be suffering ill treatment, staff have no alternative but to follow the Local Authority
Child Protection Procedures. A copy of the procedures can be inspected in school, at
the library, at the Borough Council offices or the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
Discipline
To live and work in a community needs self discipline as well as rules. We expect a
high standard of behaviour from all our children. We operate a policy of zero tolerance
of violence in our school. We have a set of Golden Rules. Good behaviour is
constantly reinforced by praise, stickers, certificates, praise assemblies and
Headteacher Awards. Behaviour which breaks our rules is dealt with through a series
of agreed sanctions. Parents of children who persistently misbehave will be asked to
join the Headteacher to work out solutions to the problem.
Extra Curricular Activities
Recorder Groups for Year 2
After school football and games coaching takes place during late spring, the summer
and early autumn terms.
After school multi-skills coaching for Year 1 + Year 2 pupils.
SCHOOL DRESS
Uniform may be purchased from the local outfitters, Taylor and Cross. Skirts or
trousers may be purchased from many chain stores or be home produced.
The uniform consists of a long sleeved navy pullover with red stripes at neck and wrists,
white shirt, grey trousers or grey pinafore dress. A school tie is also worn.
Girls may also wear navy school trousers.
Blue and white check/striped dresses are worn by the girls in the summer. A white polo
shirt can be worn by boys.
Children are asked to bring T-shirts and shorts in navy or white for use in P.E. Parents
are asked to provide a drawstring bag in which to keep gym shoes, shorts and T-shirts.
P.E. bags can be purchased from the school office at a cost of £3.25.
Jewellery is not allowed for safety reasons apart from stud earrings for children who
have pierced ears. However, jewellery must be covered or taken off on PE days.
All clothing and bags should be clearly marked with the child’s name please
including hats, scarves, gloves, bags and lunch boxes. This is especially important at
lunch times and during P.E. lessons.
P.E kits are left in school during term time but taken home for washing and refitting
during the holidays.
N.B. Boys in long trousers MUST have shorts for P.E. for safety reasons. If not, they
have to be excluded from the lesson, which can cause distress.
If your child (boy or girl) has long hair, please make sure it is tied back every day
for health and safety reasons. Long hair when left flowing loose can obstruct
children’s vision when working and during P.E. lessons.
For birthdays and special occasions, children may bring in something special for ‘Show
and Tell’. We do not allow lollipops to be given out as a birthday treat.
CHARGING POLICY
Under the terms of the Education Reform Act, the school may ask parents for a
voluntary contribution for an educational visit or activity. Whilst there is no obligation to
contribute and
No pupil will be omitted from such activities, the activity may not take place if parents
are reluctant to support it by voluntary contribution.
SCHOOL TIMES – Infants
Morning
9.00 a.m. to 12 noon
Afternoon 1.15 p.m. to 3.15 p.m.
SCHOOL TIMES – NURSERY
Morning
8.45 a.m. to 11.45 a.m.
Afternoon 12.20 p.m. to 3.20 p.m.
We ask all nursery parents to contribute £15 to the nursery fund. This covers the cost
for baking materials and additional art & craft materials. A drink of milk is provided free
each day for nursery children. Reception children can be provided with milk but parents
must pay for this in advance each term.
All children in school receive fruit each day for a morning snack as part of the National
School Fruit Scheme.
Children are able to have a school lunch, bring a packed lunch or go home at lunchtime.
One week’s notice is required if children’s lunchtime arrangements are changed.
Packed lunches must be in a suitable lunchbox or bag. Please do not send drinks in
glass bottles or cans or any fizzy drinks. We do not allow chocolates or sweets as
part of a packed lunch.
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that we have several children in
school who have a peanut allergy. Obviously, we take every precaution in
school, as the consequences could be very serious.
We would be grateful if you could help us by bearing this in mind when preparing
your children’s packed lunches at home.
We have 3 water fountains available in school and children can bring in a small named
bottle of drinking water.
Dinner Money
A school dinner menu is available to view at
www.trafford.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/SchoolsAndColleges/SchoolMeals.
Please ensure your child’s dinner money is in an envelope, which clearly states their
name and their class teacher’s name. The amount payable is £9.00 per week (at
present) and must be sent in on a Monday morning. If you wish to pay half
termly/termly, please see Mrs. Peel/Mrs. Vogan in the school office.
If you think you may be eligible for free school meals contact
www.trafford.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/SchoolsAndColleges/FreeSchoolMeals.
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
Regular and punctual attendance is very important. Withdrawing children from school
during term time for family holidays is disruptive to the child’s education and should be
avoided wherever possible. A holiday request form can be obtained from the school
office and must be completed for any holidays taken during term time. If more than 10
school days are taken in any school year, then special permission has to be authorised
by the Chair of Governors. School must be notified of any absences either by
telephone before 9.30 a.m. on the day or by letter. Government regulations require us
to record the reasons for any absence and to follow up any absences for which no
reason is given by the parents. If we are unable to find out why a child is absent, this
will become an unauthorised absence.
After School Clubs
We have 3 After School Clubs which collect from school: Kool Kids, O.K. Mums and
School’s Out. Kool Kids is held in the Junior School.
Statistics provided to the Government for the year 2009/10 were:
Pupils on roll (in Year 1 and Year 2)
140
Pupils on roll (in reception and Nursery)
122
Percentage of half days missed through authorised absences 3.6%
Percentage of half days missed through unauthorised absences
0%
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP (P.S.G.)
All parents are automatically members of the Parent Support Group.
There is a committee of parents with representatives from all year groups, which
organises various fund-raising and social occasions, which are always very well
supported.
Letters are sent from the Parents Support Group secretary and these advise parents of
any extra help required.
The Parents Support Group has paid for many extras for the school including
computers, library books, Early Years Equipment, furniture and developing the school
grounds.
SUPPORTING CHARITIES
Children and staff are pleased to have supported a variety of local and national charities
including the following: Poppy Appeals, National Children’s Homes, Unicef, Christmas
Shoeboxes, Francis House, Lifeshare, Jeans for Genes, BBC Children in Need Appeal
and Cheshire Children’s Adventure Farm Trust.
ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES
If you would like your child to attend Stamford Park Infant School, please contact the
Headteacher or the secretary giving full details of your child’s name, address, telephone
number and date of birth. We will then enter his/her details in our admissions book.
You must also contact Trafford Admissions Department which is responsible for
all School admissions. If you require a reception place you must complete a Trafford
Admissions Application form and submit the form to Trafford by February, (of the year
your child/children are due to start school). Forms are available from all nurseries,
libraries and online www.trafford.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/SchoolAdmissions
Priority for places is given to children who live in catchment area. If you are unsure
whether you live in catchment area please ask the School for a catchment area road list
or contact Trafford Admissions Department. Reception places are offered by the Easter
of the year your child/children are due to start school.
All other admission enquiries, parents must contact the School and Trafford Admission
Authority.
Amendments
The details in this document are accurate at the time of writing, but school
arrangements can be subject to change.