School Brochure

Welcome to Meadow Farm Community Primary School.  Our school is a Derby City LEA school for children aged 3 to 11 years and we have approximately 250 children on roll. This brochure is an introduction to our school and how we work, but you will get a much better feel for our school if you come and visit us.  (To arrange a visit please telephone 01332-662631).  Our web page – www.meadowfarmschool.co.uk also contains additional information such as children’s work, newsletters and reports on events. 

We are a friendly school and proud of our children and their achievements, both in and out of the classroom.  Our mission statement is ‘Confident, caring and accomplished children’ and everyone at Meadow Farm works hard to achieve this for each child. 

The day-to-day management is the responsibility of the Headteacher who can be contacted in school.  The Governing Body are responsible for strategic management and can be contacted through the school.  A full list of staff and Governors is attached. 

When you come into school please go to the office where someone will be happy to deal with your enquiries.   We have an open policy in school where parents/carers are able to speak to their child’s class teacher or the Headteacher at a mutually convenient time.   

PARENTS/CARERS 

We regard parents/carers as partners and endeavour to work with them to further each child’s education.  We celebrate each child’s achievements and parents/carers are invited into school for ‘good work’ assemblies, performances, meetings and other activities.  We also have parent/carer interview evenings, which take place during the year.  

There are an increasing number of parents/carers helping in school both in and out of the classroom and also on educational visits.  (Everyone who comes into contact with the children has the relevant police checks).   We welcome parents/carers to come and help us in school.  Please see your child’s teacher or the Headteacher who will be happy to discuss this with you. 

MEADOW FARM PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 

We have a Parent Teacher Association who raise a great deal of money for the school, as well as organising social events.  Every parent is automatically a member of the PTA and all parents/carers are invited to attend the half-termly meetings, which are held in school.  The dates and minutes of meetings are displayed in the ‘family room’.     

THE SCHOOL ORGANISATION AND CURRICULUM 

The teachers and teaching assistants work closely together to ensure that a broad and balanced curriculum is taught to each child enabling them to reach their potential.   

Foundation Stage - Children in Foundation one (Nursery) and Foundation two (Reception) follow the Statutory Foundation Stage Curriculum.  An integral part of this curriculum is the assessment of children during their time in the Foundation Stage. 

Key Stage 1 - (5 to 7 year olds) and Key Stage 2 - (7 to 11 year olds) follow the National Curriculum.  This is composed of the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology and Religious Education; and the foundation subjects of History, Geography, Design and Technology, Music, Art, Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education, Citizenship /MFL. 

An integral part of teaching and learning is ongoing informal and formal assessment.  At the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, children take Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs). 

Further details of the Foundation and National Curriculum subjects, and any aspect of assessment are available from school on request. 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND COLLECTIVE WORSHIP 

At Meadow Farm we have collective worship each day.  Religious Education is broadly Christian, following the Derbyshire Agreed Syllabus. 

Parents/ carers have the right to withdraw their child from any aspect of Religious Education in school. 

HEALTH AND DRUGS EDUCATION 

A Health and Drugs Education programme, which is age appropriate, is taught throughout school within the planned PSHE and Science curriculum.  In the final two years of primary school part of this programme introduces the children to sex education.  Parents/carers may request to view the materials that are used and have the right to withdraw their children from these lessons. 

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 

Meadow Farm is an inclusive school and children with special needs are taught in the classroom alongside their peers.  The school has adopted the city policy for identifying and monitoring special needs.  If a child has special needs parents/carers are encouraged to play an active part in all elements of their child’s progress.  Parents/carers attend termly reviews where progress is discussed and targets are set for the child, staff and parents/carers to work on.  For some children the targets that are set will require specialist teaching from other agencies.  

As with all matters regarding your child, if you feel your child has special needs, please come and discuss your concerns with the class teacher who will then refer the matter to the Special Needs Coordinator or Gifted & Talented Coordinator.   

THE SCHOOL DAY 

We encourage all of our children to walk (or ride their bikes) to school as we are part of the school travel plans project.  We do appreciate that some children have to come to school by car but parking around school is very difficult.  Please be considerate to our neighbours and allow people’s access when parking and ensure the children are safe from the danger of being injured by other cars. 

Foundation One (Nursery) – Morning Nursery begins at 9.00 am. and finishes at 12.00 pm.  Afternoon Nursery begins at 12.30 pm, and finishes at 3.30 pm.

Foundation Two (Reception) and Key Stage 1 - School begins at 8.55 am.  The children need to be on the playground by 8.50 am. and no earlier than 8.45 am.  The infants break for lunch at 12 noon.  Afternoon school begins at 1.05 pm.  Children who go home for their lunch should return to school no earlier than 1.00 pm.  School ends at 3.15 pm.

Key Stage 2 -  School begins at 8.55 am.  The children need to be on the playground by 8.50 am. and no earlier than 8.45 am.  The juniors break for lunch at 12.05 pm.  Afternoon school begins at 1.05 pm.  Children who go home for their lunch should return to school no earlier than 1.00 pm.  School ends at 3.15 pm. There is a morning break of 15 minutes for the infant and junior children and an afternoon break of 15 minutes for the infant children. 

BREAKFAST CLUB 

We run a breakfast club in school each morning from 8.15 am. to 8.45 am.  Children (and their parents/carers if they would like) can come to school and start the day off with a very reasonably priced breakfast with a choice of cereals, toast and fruit juice.    

PLAYTIME SNACKS AND DRINKS 

We are members of the Healthy Schools Project and also part of the Free Fruit for Schools scheme.  Children in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 are encouraged to have a piece of fruit, provided free of charge.  All  children may bring a piece of fruit, cheese, dried fruit or a cereal bar (no chocolate or chocolate flavouring) to eat during playtime.  In addition to their snack the children are encouraged to bring a drink for playtime (no fizzy drinks or fruit juice substitutes such).   

As part of our Healthy Schools Project all children have access to drinking water each day and are encouraged to bring their own spare drinks too.  The infant children will be given a drink break during the afternoon and the junior children have access to water at all times.  There is an opportunity for children to have their drink bottles filled with water during lunchtime.

We occasionally have celebration ‘Tuck shops’ in school when cakes are made by parents/carers and/or children and then sold during playtime. The proceeds go either to the charity for which we are raising funds or the PTA. 

DINNERS 

Our school dinners are cooked in our own kitchens and are eaten in the school hall.  They offer real value for money and the dinners are nutritionally balanced each week.  Children need to bring their dinner money in a sealed, labelled envelope each Monday morning clearly stating the child’s name, their class and the amount of money enclosed.  Dinners may be paid for by cash or cheque (Cheques made payable to ‘Derby City Council’). 

Some families may be eligible for free school meals – further details are available, from either school or the Education Office, in strictest confidence.   

Packed lunch are eaten in the hall with the children who have a cooked dinner.  (Plastic containers and flasks only please). 

SCHOOL CLOTHING 

Meadow Farm School has a school uniform.

Children should wear… 

No tapered heels please as these damage the hall floor.  Please can sweatshirts and polo shirts be free of logos and patterns other than the school badge. 

Sensible sandals may be worn in the Summer (no jelly / croc type sandals) with socks to protect the children’s feet. 

All clothing must be clearly marked with the child’s name.

Clothing with the school logo on can be purchased from:

Morleys, 446 Nottingham Road, Chaddesden, Derby, DE21 6FS 

PE KIT

Indoors

Navy or black shorts

White T shirt

Black pumps

Spare socks

Outdoors (Key Stage 2 only)

Blue or black tracksuit or jogging bottoms and sweatshirt.

White T shirt

Pumps or trainers

Spare socks 

All PE kit must be clearly marked with the child’s name and should be kept in a suitable small bag. 

Foundation One (Nursery children) do not require a PE kit. 

JEWELLERY, HAIR AND BODY DECORATION  

Hair should not be cut shorter than a grade two and kept a natural colour.  Longer hair needs to be tied back with a suitable bobble (not a headscarf) to help prevent head lice spreading.  For safety reasons children are not allowed to wear ‘hair extension’ bobbles. 

Furthermore, for safety reasons, children who have pierced ears may only wear one pair of small studs to school and these must be removed for PE (no other body piercing is allowed).  If a child has recently had their ears pierced they will be provided with tape to cover their studs.  Any child wearing earrings does so at their own risk and parents/carers must sign an exemption form.  Jewellery must not be worn in school.  Key Stage 2  children may wear a sensible watch. 

We ask that body decoration and coloured hair is kept for out of school activities such as parties.  Children who wear make-up or nail varnish to school will be provided with the materials to remove it. 

SWIMMING 

The year 4 children go swimming throughout the year.  This has proved a real success as it gives even the most nervous swimmer the opportunity to learn to do something that may one day save their life.  Girls are required by the swimming baths to wear a full costume and boys to wear trunks and not swimming shorts.  The instructors insist that earrings are removed for swimming therefore please ensure your child is able to remove their own earrings.  Children with longer hair are required to wear swimming caps (available from school).  There is currently the opportunity for year 5 children to continue swimming to allow them to reach Level One. 

CHILDREN’S WELFARE 

At Meadow Farm children are constantly encouraged to become ‘confident, caring and accomplished’.  We readily reward good behaviour and have appropriate sanctions for children who break the rules.  Bullying is not tolerated under any circumstances and any parent who believes their child is being bullied should contact the class teacher as soon as possible.  The class teacher will then investigate the allegation and decide on the appropriate action.  This is normally all that is required but if it is necessary to take further action the class teacher will refer it to the Headteacher. 

All through school children are encouraged to be independent and are given ‘responsibilities’ that need to be carried out both in and around their classrooms.  The older children have additional responsibilities such as answering the telephone at lunch time, preparing the hall for assemblies and giving registers out.  Year 2 and Year 4 are Friendship monitors at break times.  We have a class and school councils. 

MEDICAL 

It is essential that we have current telephone numbers where you, as well as another relation or close friend can be contacted should any need arise.  Please keep us updated. 

If your child needs medicine then please ask you doctor or chemist to provide you with medication that can be taken before and after school.  If this is not possible you are more than welcome to come into school to administer medication yourself.  If you have problems with this please see the Headteacher or secretary who will make alternative arrangements for you. 

If your child is absent a letter informing us why is required when they return.  In order to prevent the spread of infection, children who have sickness and/or diarrhoea should only return to school if forty eight hours have elapsed since they were last ill. 

The School Medical Team make visits to school for medicals, eye tests and teeth examinations as necessary. 

In addition to this it may be suggested that your child has an up to date hearing or eyesight test if they appear to be struggling with such things as following instructions or reading text. 

HOMEWORK 

All children have a learning log to bring home each week to share with their parents/carers.   

This includes spellings, a Literacy and/or Numeracy activity and a topic based challenge.  In addition children will also have a reading book to bring home. 

Please support your child with their homework and encourage the children to bring their completed learning log back to school on the appropriate day.  Children may take advantage of our lunchtime Home Work club. 

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES 

These take place at lunchtime and after school and are an excellent opportunity for children to widen their interests and develop their social skills.  Our school teams play in friendly games and matches with other schools.  We run a wide variety of activities dependant on staff and pupil interests. 

We are part of the cluster of schools who benefit from Lees Brook Community Sports College and West Park Community School.  They provide children with opportunities to take part in activities both during and out of school hours.  We are fortunate that other outside agencies may occasionally offer additional activities for various year groups before, during and after school. 

VISITS 

At Meadow Farm we arrange activities and visits to enhance the children’s learning and/or to widen their experiences.  As a result of careful organisation, costs are kept to an absolute minimum. We see these activities and visits as important and rely upon parents/carers’ support through voluntary contributions. 

We also run extremely popular residential visits where the children spend a few days and nights away from home.  On these visits the children develop their independence and social skills as well as having a great deal of fun. They are carefully and properly supervised at all times. 

CHILD PROTECTION 

The school is required to take reasonable action to ensure the safety of our children.  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, the Headteacher is obliged to follow the Child Protection Procedures.  This involves informing the Social Services department with the Children and Young People’s Service, of the concern. 

DATA PROTECTION 

The school and the Local Authority are registered with the data protection agency and follow their guidance regarding all matters of disclosure about pupils.  By law information may only be disclosed to other persons in accordance with this registration.  The school keeps basic information about pupils on computer to assist with the efficient organisation of the school and the individuals educational needs.  Security measures are taken to ensure the information is kept confidential. 

Children use computers in the computer suite and in their classrooms but they do not have access to personal records. 

If you are concerned about any aspect of personal information held on computer please speak to the Headteacher or write to: 

The Data Protection Liason Officer, Education Department, Children and Young People’s Services, Middleton House, 27 St. Mary’s Gate, Derby, DE1 3NN.

CHARGES 

To guide the school in charging for activities, the governors have agreed a policy which is:

·        that the school will provide free education;

·        the school will provide books, equipment and materials;

·        when parents/carers wish to have a finished product made by their child, a charge will be made to cover the cost;

·        a charge will be made to cover the cost of board and lodgings for residential trips;

·        a charge will be made to cover the cost of books or kit lost by children;

·        a charge will be made to cover the cost of deliberate damage caused by identified children. 

Voluntary contributions will be requested in order to pay for organised activities and educational visits.  Sufficient contributions will have to be made in order for a visit to go ahead.  Parents/carers experiencing financial difficulty can see the class teacher or Headteacher in strictest confidence to discuss possible alternatives. 

CONCERNS/COMPLAINTS 

If you have a concern or complaint about your child’s schooling, you should raise it with your child’s class teacher.  They will be willing to discuss the matter with you at an appropriate time.  It is expected that the majority of questions and anxieties can be easily solved by the class teacher.  If concerns or complaints cannot be dealt with in this way, then the Headteacher is willing to discuss things with you.  If matters cannot be resolved, a formal process involving the governors and LA can be used, a copy of which can be obtained from the school. 

FURTHER INFORMATION 

If you require further information or details about our school, it is available from the above address, telephone number or web site. 

CONCLUSION 

Meadow Farm Community Primary School is happy, friendly and hardworking.  We strive to create a stimulating environment in which all our pupils can become confident, caring and accomplished, whilst achieving their personal goals.  Please help us by encouraging your child to enjoy school, be independent and make learning a life long pleasure. 

NOTE 

The information in this brochure is correct at the time of printing, but it may change during or after the year in question.  Parents/carers will be notified of any changes in the newsletter, school web site and in the school profile.