Our aim is that children should achieve their potential in all areas of the National Curriculum and Foundation Curriculum, achieving excellence in a wide variety of ways. In order to achieve this we believe that priority must be given to developing an ethos in the school community, which allows all children to experience success.

This means working towards building a school community that:

• Recognises all individuals for their human qualities
• Is welcoming and secure
• Recognises and celebrates all talents and achievements
• Encourages respect for individual differences:
• Gender
• Age
• Race
• Sexual orientation
• Culture
• Delivers the Foundation Stage Curriculum and National Curriculum in a broad, balanced and creative way
• Respects, shares and co-operates with one another
• Develops citizens physically, intellectually, morally, spiritually and culturally, who will make positive contributions to the wider world and society
• Strives to develop positive attitudes to learning which are carried through life
• Develops an understanding of different learning needs
• Promotes fun, enjoyment and enthusiasm

The aims ensure we meet the outcomes for Every Child Matters.

The outcomes are:

• To be safe
• To be healthy
• To enjoy and achieve
• To make a positive contribution
• To achieve economic well-being

These aims are displayed along the main school corridor for all to see.

It is a basic duty of the school to give priority to developing adequate levels of literacy and numeracy in our pupils. Children who are unable to read effectively or use mathematical skills to solve real life problems have very little access to knowledge, culture or to furthering their knowledge.

The school has adopted the framework of the National Literacy Hour. From the earliest stages, children have access to wide variety of texts which they read firstly as a member of a class or group and later alone. The texts are carefully chosen to help develop particular reading skills and develop children’s understanding of English. Children are taught to write for a variety of purposes and for a wide range of audiences from an early age. Information technology is used whenever appropriate to help children with their work but not at the expense of more traditional skills.

Each child receives a minimum of 1 hour of mathematics each day. Whole class methods, based on a developing knowledge of the number system, are supported by a wide range of materials to develop mathematical skills. We place great emphasis on rapid mental calculation and encourage children to develop their own methods of calculation and recording as well as the more traditional ones.

A variety of teaching styles are used ranging from whole class interactive teaching to small group work where children may be expected to work with considerable independence. Teachers select the most efficient method of delivering the subjects of the National Curriculum and Foundation Curriculum to your children. Individual help is available when necessary.

The National Curriculum requires a very broad approach across a number of subject areas. Technology, art and music mean that education is about making and doing as well as reading and writing. P.E. involves developing skills and control of the body. Our classrooms provide a stimulating environment where they are given sufficient opportunities to solve problems, to create pieces of work, which are unique to them, and to follow up their own questions and interests.

Children, like adults, learn most effectively from first hand experience. We all appear to remember things that we have done ourselves better than things we have been told. We try to offer our children as much first hand experience as possible; practical work; visits to place of interest; visitors into school.

The example that teachers set children is crucial if we are to achieve our aims. Pupil performance is very much linked tied to teacher enthusiasm and expectation: these expectations need to be high yet realistic. Children learn best in classrooms where there is greater emphasis on praise and success and less emphasis on punishment and criticism.

The education of your child is the sum total of many teachers’ efforts. It is important that each teacher builds effectively on what has gone before. Members of staff, therefore, spend a great deal of ‘out of classroom’ time in planning, monitoring and evaluating to ensure effective progression.

The schools standard admission number is 16. This means that we can accept up to 16 children in each year group. From September 2011, all children who are eligible to start school in the Autumn and Spring Term will be offered the opportunity to attend full time from September should their parents wish them to do so. Parents of children who are, under the current system, eligible to start school full time in the spring term are able to request that their child attends part time for the autumn term

There are five classes, each accommodating no more than 30 children. During 2011/2012 year groups will be organise into the following classes:

Class 1 - FS2

Class 2 - Years 1

Class 3 - Year 2 and 3

Class 4 - Years 3, 4 and 5

Class 5 - Years 5 and 6

There are a total of 23.5 hours per week available for teaching. In forming teaching groups we look annually at children’s ability, aptitude and age and arrive at the most effective groups we can. We may need to make alterations as the year proceeds to take account of children’s achievements. Specialist teaching assistants provide professional support in all classes.

We feel that the amount of time spent on homework is less important than the quality of tasks set and the way they are planned to support learning.

We recommend and encourage that FS2, Y1 and Y2 spends 30 minutes each week on their homework. Y3 and Y4 should spend 40 minutes and Y5 and Y6 should spend an hour.

Class 1 - Reading activity - sharing a book with an adult. Topic based work as appropriate.

Class 2 - Reading activity - sharing a book with an adult. Topic based work - increasing in amounts throughout the year.

Class 3 - Regular private reading and reading with an adult. Core subjects - 30 minutes during the week.

Class 4 - Regular, sustained private reading (with an adult where appropriate). Core subjects 40 minutes.

Class 5 - Regular, sustained private reading (with an adult where appropriate). Core subjects 60 minutes.

Children’s performance is assessed in a variety ways: by their teachers, through the administration of national tests and tasks and through the use of predictive tests which are nationally standardised. On entry to full time education children will complete a baseline assessment with their teacher. This information is used together with information from parents and classroom assessment to design programmes of learning for groups and individual children. There are meetings in the autumn and spring terms to discuss children’s progress. These consultation evenings will also be used to set and monitor individual pupil targets. Teachers are available to discuss progress informally at other times. It helps to make an appointment to talk about this important aspect of a child’s education. A summative report on progress made throughout the year is given towards the end of the summer term.

The dress code from as of September 2010 is as follows:

• Royal blue sweatshirt with school logo - Y6 may wear a fleece (with a school logo) as an alternative.
• white polo shirt
• Self-colour grey trousers (not joggers) or skirt/pinafore.
• Girls may choose to wear checked dresses and a cardigan during the summer term.
• Black pumps (for indoor wear) -older children who cannot find pumps big enough, may wear plain black trainers so long as these are kept in school for the purpose.

For indoor P.E:

• White T shirt and black shorts (boys)
• White T shirt and black shorts, skirt or leotard (girls)

Outdoor P.E as for indoor but with trainers, sweatshirt/track suit/jogging bottoms and top for colder weather.

The Authority takes the view that there is a risk associated with the wearing of jewellery for Physical Education and the elimination of that risk may be achieved by the removal of jewellery. Pupils will be asked to remove the jewellery themselves and under no circumstances should teachers assist pupils in removing any jewellery through piercing. The school will try to ensure that removal of jewellery forms a part of the regular routine for changing and registration. There may be some occasions when a personal adornment cannot reasonably be removed, this would be in the case of the healing period following piercings. This may sometimes lead to long periods when pupils are not taking part in their entitled physical education lessons. If pupils are wishing to have piercings, parents should be advised that this should be undertaken at the commencement of the long vacation to allow healing time and thus allow removal for physical education at the start of the Autumn Term.

A school will achieve very little without high standards of discipline.

• Our policy is based on a positive approach. It is very easy to notice when children’s behaviour is less than acceptable, less noticeable when they behave well. It is not enough to punish bad behaviour; good behaviour should be praised.
• a fair and consistent throughout the school.
• realistic expectations. We cannot expect the same standards of behaviour from five-year-olds that we expect from eleven-year-olds. Nor do all children benefit from the same influences outside school. We must allow for this in dealing with individual children. All children must accept certain rules for their safety and to allow themselves and other children to learn effectively.

The children have developed a code of conduct which states that at Thurlstone Primary School we:

• have safe hands and feet;
• make teaching and learning easy;
• speak politely to everyone;
• move safely and sensibly around school;
• look after things and one another.

Bullying includes any act which results in other children being shamed or intimidated. It includes things like teasing and calling names as well as violence. It is extremely important that we are made aware as quickly as possible so that we can take steps to stop bullying which may be occurring.

Advice to parents:

• Watch out for signs of distress; reluctance to get to school, feeling ill, excuses for not taking part in activities.
• Talk to your child about school: show an interest, discuss friendships, activities in the playground and on the way home.
• Inform the school immediately if you think your child is being bullied.
• Do not encourage your child to hit back. Instead encourage them to recruit friends, not for defence, but because groups are less likely to be bullied.

Sanctions are used in school. They range from a ‘quiet word’, through to exclusion from school. Only in extreme cases is exclusion used and LA guidelines must be followed.

The schools full conduct and discipline policy is currently under review but a draft copy is available on request from the school office.

Not all children learn at the same rate. Many children experience difficulties at some stage in their school career. The school keeps a careful record of these children and where it is felt appropriate prepares an Individual Education Plan to meet their needs. Special needs are reviewed on a termly basis. Children with statements of educational need will receive both a termly review and in certain circumstances, an annual statutory review. We try to meet all of our children’s needs by carefully matching of work in the classroom to individual ability levels. We also try to offer whatever additional support we can, within our limited resources, for those children that need it. We always inform and involve parents when a child’s learning gives cause for concern.

There is an act of collective worship each day, in keeping with the requirements of the 1988 education act. Sometimes this involves the whole school, at others separate meetings of juniors and infants. This worship reflects the broadly Christian beliefs of our society but is not distinctive of any particular denomination. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from these acts of worship though they are still required to attend that part of assemblies devoted to more general school issues and to be sharing of work done by other children in school. Religious education is taught in each class. Parents have the right of withdrawal. Children withdrawn will be supervised and provided with suitable alternative work.

We place a high priority on providing children with first hand experience. This means that many visits to places of interest are planned as part of the teacher’s programmes of work. This sometimes includes a residential visit for years 5 and 6 children. If visits take place during school hours the law states that we cannot make a charge but we ask parents to make a voluntary contribution. We try, whenever possible through our own limited funds, to subsidise the cost of some of these visits. However, we are sure that you will appreciate that insufficient parental contributions are likely to lead to the cancellation of planned trips and visits.

As part of the entitlement curriculum children learn about themselves and others. Sexuality and personal relationships is a subject that must be treated with care and sensitivity. In the primary school, it becomes an integral part of themes such as, “the family”, “ourselves”, etc. In general we approach the subject as it arises, considering the age and maturity of the children.

All parents are members of our home/school association known as Thurlstone Action Group or T.A.G. T.A.G. supports the school in a variety of ways, they help to raise considerable funds for the school and organise activities for both parents and children. Parents are always welcome in the school. Some help in the classroom, both on a regular and occasional basis. The teachers find their support extremely valuable and parents involved seem to enjoy it enormously. The school is host to ‘Daisy Chains’ a charitable pre-school and D.C's after-school club, which offers high quality learning experiences in a caring environment. A separate prospectus is available on request.

The school premises are used both during and after school hours for community purposes including adult education, community computer-user support group, keep fit and local history classes.

Each Friday, all parents receive a copy of ‘The Shuttle’, which gives information about a range of school related issues. Parents and carers also benefit from regular information up dates via the school's mobile phone texting service. Additional letters on specific subjects frequently supplements this. From time to time we invite parents to complete questionnaires on aspects of our provision. When reviewing aspects of policy we produce succinct ‘flyers’, which are circulated to parents on a regular basis. Parents may contact school by personal visit, phone, via the website and letter or e-mail whichever is most convenient to them.

At the end of Y6 most children usually transfer to Penistone Grammar School. Both schools endeavour to make the transition from primary to secondary education as smooth and trouble-free as possible. In preparation for the transfer, representatives from Penistone (including staff and pupils) visit Thurlstone to discuss any issues that may be of interest or concern to our children. Parents of prospective pupils are invited to an open evening and additionally, all children will have the opportunity to spend a day together, working at the Grammar School towards the end of the Summer Term.

• 8.50am Doors open
• 9.00am Morning session commences
• 10.35am Mid-morning break
• 10.50am Lessons resume
• 12.00noon Lunch break
• 1.00pm Afternoon session begins
• 2.20pm Mid-afternoon break
• 2.30 pm Lessons resume
• 3.30pm School day ends

Recent activites ran by staff or other professionals include:

• French club
• creative writing club
• cooking club
• art and craft club
• games club
• ICT club
• Booster club
• dance
• Karate

In addition to the above, some of our oldest children have devised and run their own clubs; these include:

• Art club
• Football coaching
• Book club
• ICT club
• Rap club
• Outdoor games club
• Road safety club
• 'Sticky Little Fingers

These child run clubs are of great value, both to the children who run them and the younger children who attend.

Excellent cooked meals are prepared in the school kitchen. These can be ordered each half term and paid for on the Friday of each week. Alternatively, children may bring packed lunches in which case, the meal should be packed in a sturdy container marked with your child’s name. Visit our Healthy Schools page to find out how we promote healthy food choices. Some of you will be able to claim free school meals. Under Barnsley’s scheme of aid you may also be entitled to clothing allowances and assistance with school trips. A form may be obtained from Penistone Youth Club every second Friday of the month between 9.00 & 11am or the school office.

We are constantly working with parents to make sure that children receive their full entitlement of school provision. To that end, we trust that parents will ensure that children attend school promptly and regularly. A child may be entitled to be absent from school for the purpose of a family holiday for up to 10 days but this is only at the discretion of the headteacher. In such circumstances, the headteacher will need to receive a request for leave of absence in advance. If your child is absent as a result of illness or the need for a medical appointment please notify school as soon as possible in writing or by phone.

Staff, and we hope parents, are rightfully proud of Thurlstone School. There are some ways you can help us with its smooth operation.

• Parents and visitors are asked to report to the office for security reasons when they enter the school on business. The car park may only be used in school hours by staff and official visitors.
• The entrance to the school does become congested at the beginning and end of the school day with parents dropping children off from cars. Please do not obstruct the entrance to the school for safety reasons.
• Dogs (guide dogs excepted) are not allowed on the premises, again for the children’s safety and to prevent soiling.
• Please try to ensure that your child arrives on time and is collected at the end of the school day. Obviously in an emergency we will look after your child when school has finished.
• If your child is absent from school please try to remember to send a note giving the reason for the absence. This helps us to administrate school attendance more effectively.
• If your child suffers from an ongoing illness, such as asthma, please make sure that you discuss arrangements for possible medication with staff at the school.