WELCOME TO ROCKS PARK PRIMARY
SCHOOL
Our Vision.
Rocks Park Primary school is a caring school
where everyone is valued and given the
opportunity to fulfil their potential in a safe and
secure environment.
PROSPECTUS 2009/2010
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Headteacher: Mr Chris Davey
Chair of Governors: Mrs Maxine White
1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
School Address:
Rocks Park Primary School
Lashbrooks Road
Uckfield
East Sussex
TN22 2AY
Telephone:
Fax:
01825 762827
01825 768702
E Mail
Website:
office@ rockspark.e-sussex.sch.uk
www.rockspark.e-sussex.sch.uk
Pupils on roll:
191 pupils in September 2008
Age range:
Pupils 4+ - 11 years
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Rocks Park School is where:
 Children can enjoy a sense of security in a well-managed
environment that encourages an atmosphere of trust and
understanding.
 Children’s social and emotional well-being and high selfesteem are seen as vital to their progress.
 Children are given opportunities and facilities for learning
through creative, spiritual and cultural activities and through
experience, experiment and discovery.
 All staff have high expectations of children’s achievements
both in their work and in their behaviour.
 Appropriate and challenging targets are set by staff and
governors and are achieved by children.
 Children are encouraged to develop a sense of respect and
self-discipline.
 All staff are valued members of a team and are committed to
self development.
 Staff work in partnership with parents to enhance the
opportunities for children.
 Children’s quality of learning is enhanced through effective and
efficient delivery of a creative, skills based curriculum and
through regular assessment and evaluation.
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Rocks Park Primary School is currently in receipt of the following
nationally accredited awards:- Sport England Activemark, Arts
Mark Gold, Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark and Healthy Schools
Silver Accreditation.
2. OUR SCHOOL.
Rocks Park Primary School is a one-form
entry primary school situated to the north
west of Uckfield town centre in East
Sussex. The school was opened in 1978
and is situated in the extensive grounds
of a former mansion providing a
magnificent setting for early years
education. The school has extensive
outdoor areas including its own woodland
and nature trail. A swimming pool and
purpose built sports pavilion also
enhance the facilities on offer.
The
school building itself is set within a
woodland canopy and incorporates many of the best features in
school design.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITS.
We always welcome visits by prospective parents to our school.
If you wish to make an appointment please telephone the school
office to make a convenient time.
We strongly believe it is of vital importance that your child enjoys
school and feels safe and secure. If you have any concerns or
queries about your child’s educational or social progress during
their time with us, please contact the school staff.
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4. ADMISSIONS.
Our school’s admission policy, devised by East Sussex County
Council, is contained in the booklet ‘Admissions to Primary
School’.
The County Council is responsible for admitting
children into the reception year. Attendance is on a part time
basis (mornings only) until the term in which the child reaches
their fifth birthday. However, from 2008/9 summer born children
may attend full time in January if parents and the school deem
this to be appropriate.
5. SCHOOL ORGANISATION.
The school is currently organised into seven single age classes.
Reception (Foundation Stage), Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1) and
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Key Stage 2).
Pupils are largely taught by their class teacher, although they will
work with a variety of trained school staff who deliver specific
subjects and teaching programmes.
6. THE CURRICULUM AT ROCKS PARK.
At Rocks Park we strive to deliver the curriculum in a creative
and stimulating way, which will inspire and motivate the children.
As part of the National Curriculum children will study ten
subjects. These subjects are: English, Mathematics, Science,
Design Technology, History, Geography, Information and
Communication Technology, Art and Design, Music and Physical
Education.
The children will also learn about Religious
Education and Personal, Social and Health Education including
Citizenship.
Some subjects are taught as discreet lessons or units of work.
Other areas of the curriculum are joined together and delivered
through our Learning Journey curriculum approach, which
delivers the curriculum within a cross curricular, skills based
framework designed to increase children’s interest and
motivation.
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English.
English is taught as an individual and cross curricular subject
and provides the basic skills to engage with the whole
curriculum.The children learn to use writing, reading and
speaking and listening as important tools.
The English
curriculum promotes an appreciation of literature and a critical
understanding of the world we live in. It is used as a tool for both
interpretation and expression in all aspects of children’s
learning.
Mathematics.
Through numeracy lessons and cross curricular projects the
children learn to solve problems, to interpret and appreciate the
world around us. It is a powerful tool for use in many aspects of
everyday life both in terms of its content and also in the
processes it involves. These will include working systematically,
estimating, justifying, interpreting and calculating.
Science.
The science curriculum inspires a thirst for learning about the
world around us through the study of life and living processes,
materials and their properties and physical processes such as
forces. Scientific investigation is used throughout the school and
encourages children to ask questions, make careful
observations, measure and record as well as draw conclusions
and offer explanations.
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ICT (Information and Communications Technology).
Information and Communications Technology
provides opportunities to learn how to use and
apply computers and other new technology for
the purposes of communicating, gaining and
handling information, modelling, measurement
and control. The children also examine the
applications and effects of technology.
Our
school has a very good pupil: computer ratio as
well as interactive whiteboard technology to
enhance everyday teaching and learning in
classes throughout the school.
Design Technology.
In Design Technology, pupils are encouraged to identify needs
and analyse real life problems. They then seek to design
solutions, plan and make a range of products or services and
evaluate their progress and outcomes. As they progress through
the school the children develop their skills and the range of
materials they work with.
History and Geography.
History and Geography are often taught
through the cross curricular Learning
Journey’s. Children explore geographical
and historical topics through investigations
and enquiries, which are designed to
stimulate their ability to use evidence and a
range of artefacts and resources to answer
questions. Where possible this work is
based on first hand experiences and can
involve educational visits to places of
historical or geographical interest within
the locality.
The Arts
Music and dance are integral areas of the curriculum and the
school places a great emphasis on providing children with
opportunities to develop skills and expertise in these areas.
The children participate in a range
of
musical
and
dramatic
productions during their time at
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Rocks Park as well as having many opportunities to compose and
appreciate a range of musical styles.
Art is a recognised strength of the school and the school has
received an ‘Artsmark Gold’ award in recognition of the good
range of experiences we provide for the children. We are also
very lucky to have an artist in residence who works with the
children on an annual basis, providing the chance for children to
benefit from the experience and skills of a professional artist.
7. SPORT
The school has recently been re-awarded an ‘Active Mark’ in
recognition of our commitment to promoting the benefits of
physical activity.
Sporting Aims
We aim to:


enable pupils to take part in activities which encourage whole
body growth and development.
enable pupils to learn and develop lessons for life such as team
spirit, good sportsmanship, playing within rules and self
discipline.
introduce children to a variety of sporting activities that they
may choose to continue as a leisure activity both now and in
later life.
Sporting Provision
Within our extensive school
grounds, we are fortunate to have
large playing fields, tennis courts
and a swimming pool all of which
are available to the local
community through organised
school events. A purpose built
sports pavilion is also included in
the school grounds.
During the course of the year the following sports are made
available to the Key Stage 2 children:- netball, basketball,
hockey, football, rounders, stoolball, cricket, volleyball, rugby,
tennis, table tennis, athletics and cross country running. Key
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Stage 1 children take part in a variety of
games skills in preparation for the more
formal games played in Key Stage 2.
All
children
have
one
session
of
approximately one hour per week playing
outdoor games as well as several sessions of
indoor physical activities per week.
Outside the formal curriculum teachers give generously of their
own time to enable the children to take part in school sports
clubs as well as giving them the opportunity to take part in
various sporting tournaments and matches after school.
All children have the opportunity
to learn to swim during the
summer months, exceeding the
statutory requirement for Year 5
children only to receive such
tuition.
)
The school has links with the local
sports clubs whose coaches have
visited the school.
There are strong sporting links with Uckfield Community
Technology College.
8. EARLY YEARS AT ROCKS PARK SCHOOL
The early years accommodation at Rocks Park is purpose built
for the needs of young children (ie. Reception and younger Year
1 children), and offers two newly refurbished. Modern teaching
areas.
A wide range of resources is
provided to stimulate interest and
nurture curiosity. Fine and gross
motor skills are refined through
small and large construction play.
All settings are safe and secure.
Two teachers trained to teach
young children work in this area
supported
by
two
very
experienced teaching assistants.
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In addition many parents and other volunteers or trainees
willingly give their time to assist in the classroom.
The educational programme offered to the children fulfils all
requirements.
Our early years policy includes a very thorough induction
programme for both the child and parents so that all understand
the
school’s
aims
and
organisation and therefore,
feel comfortable in the school
environment.
Records
of
children’s progress are kept
throughout their time in school
with
information
being
reported to parents during
parents’ evenings (usually in
October and March) and in a
written report at the end of the
summer term.
Our aim is to promote the best education possible for all children
in a secure, happy and successful environment.
9. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious education is based on an agreed syllabus, which has
been adopted as the official framework for this subject in East
Sussex Schools. School assemblies are held which are varied in
form and content. On Friday mornings parents are invited to our
Golden Badge Celebration assemblies where children are
rewarded for good work and achievement. Parents who wish
their children to be excluded from any form of religious
education can make arrangements for this with the headteacher.
10. SEX EDUCATION
Sex education is not treated as a separate subject but is
provided through topics such as ‘Ourselves’ and ‘Health and
Growth’. A variety of videos specifically produced for use in
school sex education are used for lower juniors and ‘All about us
Living and Growing’ is used for upper juniors as part of our sex
education programme. Parents are at liberty to view these
programmes and discuss them with class teachers before they
are shown to children. Parents can withdraw their child from all
or part of the sex education programme provided, except that
which is required as part of National Curriculum Science.
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11. CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
Rocks Park Primary School is a dedicated inclusive school. We
actively and regularly assess children to monitor individual
progress. Standardised tests are used at specific stages as
required. Mr Davey has the role of Inclusion Co-ordinator. He
liaises with class teachers drawing up appropriate programmes
for children with particular needs. He also manages our special
needs teaching assistants. Where there are obvious signs of
specific difficulties, or outstanding abilities, children are given
appropriate tuition either individually or in groups. If it becomes
necessary to seek the support of outside agencies, the problem
is always discussed with parents and prior permission sought.
Rocks Park along with all other schools follows a detailed Code
of Practice for all special educational needs.
12. HOMEWORK
The school has a homework policy which is appropriate to the
age and needs of the pupils. The most common form of
homework in our school is reading to and with parents. Children
of appropriate age will be asked to follow up classwork, learn
arithmetic tables and spelling and, at times, to finish pieces of
work that have been started in class. If a child has been absent,
through illness or accident for a long period, a range of work may
be set. All children are encouraged to follow up any aspects of
school work which interest them and extend their studies at
home. Reading widely, exploring the local environment and
making interesting visits are of great help. In the upper junior
years some more formal homework is set to help children
prepare for the homework that will be given during their
secondary education. All children have a home/school book for
passing messages between home and school and describing any
homework that has been set.
13. EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The school provides a broad range of
activities, which vary according to
the ages of the children, interest of
the staff and season of the year.
These activities take place at
lunchtime or after school and go by
the name of ‘clubs’. They are seen as
an important part of school life.
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14. GENERAL WELFARE (including moral, spiritual, cultural and
social development)
Each child is in the care of the class teacher and it is to him or
her that the child will normally go with his or her anxieties.
However, children are encouraged to regard all staff, as
available to them if the need arises. The school seeks to secure
the moral, spiritual, cultural and social development of pupils
through a careful programme of personal and social education.
Dedicated trained nonteaching staff provide
supervision for pupils at
lunchtime. The school
rules are simple and
concerned principally with
safety
and
the
development
of
good
manners, courtesy and
consideration for all. The
school expects children to
© Ron Hill (hillphotographic@aol.com)
behave in a way that is
socially acceptable and we encourage them to be aware of the
values of others. We consider it of the utmost importance that the
school environment should be one that offers equal opportunities
for all.
The class teacher is responsible for the general welfare,
development and progress of the pupils during the school day
and applies such disciplinary methods as are considered
necessary and appropriate to the age of the pupils. The school
has an agreed behaviour policy.
We believe very strongly in good and considerate behaviour by
all pupils. The school has clear golden rules and the children are
rewarded for good behaviour with a session of weekly golden
time. If a child’s behaviour is inappropriate they may lose golden
time or other privileges. If a child’s behaviour is a serious cause
for concern, we contact the parents. We ask children and
parents to sign a home/school agreement, which encapsulates
many of the above points.
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We may share information about a child with other professionals
in children’s services and through the children’s index, when it is
in the child’s best interest. This will usually be in discussion and
agreement with you (the family or young person).
15. CHILD PROTECTION
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 subject to
ill-treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, staff have no
alternative but to follow the Local Authority Child Protection
Procedures and inform the Social Services Department of their
concern.
16. COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS
We place great importance on easy communication between
school and home, as both share responsibility for the children in
our care. Parents are very welcome to come into school to
discuss matters of concern, the class teacher being the first
point of contact. In turn, we arrange opportunities for parents to
see their child’s work and discuss it with the class teacher.
Regular school newsletters are issued and in addition, a Friends
of Rocks Park School Association organises a programme of
events. Its first aim is to establish additional liaison between
teachers, governors, parents, local residents and others to the
benefit and the ultimate well-being of the children and the school.
A list of the committee members can be obtained from the school
secretary. Four parent representatives are full members of the
school’s Governing Body.
17. SCHOOL UNIFORM
We favour the wearing of school uniform as it gives a sense of
belonging and helps to give a standard of smartness and
discipline. An added benefit is that it is usually cheaper than
buying fashion clothes.
Children should wear black shoes, trainers
are not acceptable, and grey/white socks or
grey/black tights. Trainers and plimsolls will
be needed for games and PE. Grey trousers
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and skirts, can be bought from multiple stores. Sweatshirts,
cardigans, white polo shirts and PE wear are available from the
school office. KS1 children wear a white PE shirt printed with our
school logo and KS2 a royal blue PE shirt printed with logo. A
royal blue fleece/reversible jacket is also available but have to be
ordered via the office.
The headteacher reserves the right to refuse items of clothing,
footwear or jewellery, which are inappropriate, dangerous or
against the interest of the children at large. Any earrings worn
may only be of the stud variety, these should be removed for PE.
No other items of jewellery are permitted. Mobile phones are not
allowed in school.
18. MEDICINES
We only give medication in school for chronic conditions e.g.
asthma, allergies. Antibiotics etc. must be given at home and if
necessary a parent or friend may come to school to give a
lunchtime dose. A medication form must be filled in at the office
for any medicines kept on site. All medicines must be handed into
the school office.
19. HOLIDAYS
East Sussex policy discourages the authorisation of holidays in
term time. The school will consider authorising a maximum of 5
days holiday in one academic year.
20. VISITING THE SCHOOL
Parents who would like to discuss and see the school at work are
invited to make an appointment through the school secretary for
a personal meeting with the headteacher.
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21. DATES, SESSIONS AND TEACHING TIMES
School Year
September 2008 – July 2009
Term 1
Autumn holiday
Term 2
Christmas Holiday
Term 3
February Holiday
Term 4
Spring Holiday
Term 5
September 4th
October 27th
November 3rd
December 22nd
January 5th
February 16th
February 23rd
April 6th
April 20th
May Holiday
May 25th
Term 6
June 2nd
In-service Wednesday 3rd September
October 24th
October 31st
December 19th
January 2nd 2009
February 13th
February 20th
April 3rd
April 17th
May 22nd
May Day 4th
May 29th
July 23rd
School Year
September 2009 – July 2010
Term 1
Autumn Holiday
Term 2
Christmas Holiday
Term 3
February Holiday
Term 4
Spring Holiday
Term 5
September 3rd
October 26th
November 2nd
December 21st
January 4th
February 15th
February 22nd
April 1st
April 19th
May Holiday
May 31st
Term 6
June 7th
In-service day Wednesday 2nd September
October 23rd
October 30th
December 18th
January 1st 2010
February 12th
February 19th
March 31st
April 16th
May 28th
May Day 3rd
June 4th
July 23rd
a) School sessions are as follows:9.00am – 12noon
KS1
9.00am – 12.15pm
KS2
1.15pm – 3.15pm
all children
Please avoid sending your child to arrive before 8.50am since no
responsibility can be accepted before that time.
b) Actual teaching times per week (excluding the daily act of
collective worship, registration time and breaks):Key Stage 2
23 hours 45 minutes
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Key Stage 1
21 hours 15 minutes
Please ensure that your child knows the arrangements for being
picked up at the end of the school day, particularly when the
usual arrangements are altered.
22. CHARGING FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (see appendix 3)
Part of the 1988 Education Reform act lays down regulations
about charging parents for school-organised activities. The
Local Education Authority has drawn up its policy for all
maintained schools.
a) individual music tuition (usually by peripatetic instrument
teacher):
b) board and lodgings during residential visits:
In both of the above cases, no charge will be made to parents
who are in receipt of the job seekers allowance.
Under the New Act, schools are allowed to ‘invite but not require’
voluntary contributions towards the cost of enrichment activities.
Rocks Park School uses this
system
of
voluntary
contributions in order to
maintain visits and trips. All
staff wish to continue to
develop the enrichment of the
curriculum and feel that visits
are beneficial to children. The
cost of these experiences
cannot be borne by the school
so any trip has to be financially
viable for it to take place.
23. COMPLAINTS
The Education Reform Act specifies the duties of the Governing
Body and LEA in respect of complaints against Governing Bodies
and the LEA in certain areas e.g. curriculum, including religious
education and worship, implementation of the National
Curriculum and regulations made about its requirements and
exceptions to its provision, operation of charging policies in
relation to the curriculum and compliance with regulations about
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the provision of information. The following is a brief summary, a
full copy of which is available at school.
i)
Concerns expressed by parents and others about the
school curriculum and related matters should be
considered and dealt with through informal discussion with
class teachers in the first instance. This is where the
process should start and unless there are exceptional
circumstances there should be full discussion at the
informal stage as a first step.
ii)
Following discussions with the class teacher the head
teacher may become involved if matters have not been
resolved.
iii)
If attempts to settle the complaint informally have failed the
headteacher will direct the complaint to the Governing
Body who will then fully investigate the issue. The LEA may
be involved at this stage.
iv)
A complainant who remains dissatisfied after his/her
complaint has been fully considered under these
arrangements will be able to make a complaint to the
Secretary of State, providing it has been through all the
stages of approved local arrangements.
24. SCHOOL DOCUMENTS
There are copies of all the school curriculum, syllabus and policy
documents available for inspection at any time in the school. This
includes, of course, copies of the National Curriculum document.
Any parent wishing to see these, or any other relevant
documents, has only to make an appointment with the
headteacher, Chairman of Governors or Clerk, to do so.
25. ATTENDANCE
Parents of children of statutory school age are obliged to find
education for them. We register children in line with the county
policies and every absence is recorded with a code as to the
reason.
Figures for 2007/2008 are set out below:157 children on roll of compulsory school age
37636 pupil sessions( 2 per day)
1697 number of authorised absence
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231 pupils with at least one authorised absence
4
unauthorised absences
2
pupils with at least one unauthorised absence
(unauthorised absences means absence without permission or
explanation). As from September 2003, in line with Local
Education Authority instructions, all holidays in school time are
treated as an unauthorised absence unless there are very
exceptional circumstances.
24.
SECONDARY SCHOOL LINKS
There are established links with Uckfield Community Technology
College to which the vast majority of the children will transfer at
the age of 11 years.
25.
EXTENDED SCHOOL SERVICES
Through the Local Partnership for Children, Rocks Park School
provides access to the full Extended School’s core offer. Term
time and holiday childcare opportunity are signposted on our
Parent Information Board situated in the front office area and
further information is available from the school.
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APPENDIX 1
CHARGING AND REMISSIONS POLICY FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
PROVIDED OR ARRANGED BY THE LEA
1.
This policy statement has been drawn up by East Sussex
County Council in accordance with the requirements of
section 110 of the Education Reform Act 1988. The policy
has been effective from 1 April 1989 and applicable to all
registered pupils and tutorial units in East Sussex.
2.
In this policy statement


‘1988 Act’ means the Education Reform Act 1988;
‘prescribed public examinations’ means any examination
which is
specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State for
Education and Science under the 1988 Act.

‘outside school hours’ means those times treated as
outside school
hours following the applications of the calculations
contained in
Section 107 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

‘statutory duties relating to religious education’ are those
imposed
by Sections 10 (1b) of the Education Reform Act 1988.
3.
Charges may be made by the County Council to cover the
cost of each of the following:-
(a)
Individual music tuition which takes place in or out of
school hours and which is not provided as part of the
syllabus for a prescribed public examination or to fulfil the
requirements of the National Curriculum.
(b)
Activities which take place outside school hours and which
are not provided as part of the syllabus for a prescribed
public examination and are not required in order to fulfil
statutory duties relating to the National Curriculum or to
Religious
Education.
(c)
Board and lodging on all types of residential visits.
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(d)`
Examination fees for entering pupils for prescribed public
examinations which are prescribed in regulations made
under the 1988 Act.
(e)
Examination fees for entering pupils for prescribed public
examinations in a syllabus other than that for which they
have been prepared at the school.
(f) Preparing pupils for non-prescribed public examinations
where the preparations take place outside school hours.
(g) Entering pupils for re-sits of prescribed examinations here no
further preparation has been provided by the educational
establishment.
(h) Materials involved in producing a ‘finished product’ of a
lesson where a parent of the pupil has indicated in advance a
wish to own he product.
4.
Remission of Charges
Remission of any charges levied by a school will normally
be granted (except in the case of the finished products of
practical lessons) where:-
(a) Parents are in receipt of family credit or income support and
in the case of board and lodgings the activity can be classified
as taking place in school hours and if outside school hours is
provided specifically to fulfil requirements of the National
Curriculum, Religious Education or a syllabus of a prescribed
public examination or,
(b) Parents are in receipt of a maintenance grant and/or free
transport if the pupils is aged 16+ and where board and
lodging is concerned the activity can be classified as taking
place in school hours or,
(c) The headteacher (County Music Adviser for individual music
tuition) has recommended remission of the charges in
individual cases of hardship.
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