The Governors and staff would like to welcome you and your children to our school. We hope that you will find this booklet helpful in providing you with information about what we do to ensure that your child has a happy and fulfilling primary education.
Provide a secure and caring community in which children can work happily, learning to respect each other, the school and their environment. Ensure that each child feels valued and has the self-confidence to discover abilities and strengths. Our children are the citizens of tomorrow. We aim to foster self-discipline and motivation, responsibility and a sense of belonging to a wider community.
Pupils are taught in three classes: Key Stage 1 (4+ to 7+ years) - Foundation Stage, Y1 and Y2 Lower KS2 (7+ to 9+ years) - Y3 and Y4, Upper KS2 (9+ to 11+) - Y5 and Y6 Each class has its own separate teaching and learning area. Two Teaching Assistants and a significant number of helpers help the teaching staff by providing structured and focused support in Literacy and Numeracy for specific Year groups each day. We have 12 networked computers We have a hall which is used for the pre-school group in the mornings and for PE and music in the afternoons. KS2 children also have the use of the swimming pool and Sports Hall at Upper Wharfedale School for two hours each week. The full range of curriculum subjects are taught in school with particular emphasis on Mathematics and English, which are taught for at least one hour every day. Other areas of learning are addressed throughout the year, including Personal and Social Development, Health awareness and thinking skills. Some subjects are taught separately and some are taught together as part of a theme. Pupils within a class usually all work at the same time on similar aspects of a subject but at different levels appropriate to their age and ability. In this way we can ensure that each pupil is challenged and extended.
The successful teaching of English develops a pupil’s ability to communicate effectively, both orally and through the written word. The acquisition of English skills is crucial to the learning that takes place in all areas of the curriculum and as such it has the highest priority. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills take up a major amount of each pupil’s time. Information texts, fictional stories, playscripts and poems all form part of the English programme of study. Time is allocated on a weekly basis to the learning of the more formal aspects of grammar, spelling , handwriting and dictionary work. Children then practise these skills in class and as homework. Pupils are given the chance to read each day and are encouraged to take their reading books home. Pupils keep a reading journal which also acts as a home/school book. In the summer term in Years 3, 4 and 5 optional SATs papers are used to assess pupils’ reading, writing and spelling attainment against national standards. At all stages, children are encouraged to read widely, for enjoyment as well as for information. The aim is for pupils to become life-long readers. Parents are regularly informed of their child’s progress and ways in which they can give support. The school has a range of carefully chosen books and computer software to develop language skills amongst children of all abilities.
The school has twelve networked PCs and swift access to the internet via Broadband. Teaching and learning is enhanced in all subjects with the use of Interactive Whiteboards. Pupils use an ever-increasing range of software packages in the course of their work. Staff are involved in regular ICT training to maintain and develop their expertise. At the beginning of the school year parents are asked to sign an internet access agreement with school, this helps us to ensure the internet is not used inappropriately.
The Upper Wharfedale Primary Schools have an effective network that enables us to share expertise and resources that everyone can draw upon; children, parents, teachers and governors take part in many shared experiences. Our children share residential visits, outdoor pursuits and regular curriculum events involving all subject areas. All our schools are small. This helps us to provide an education aimed at the children’s abilities rather than their age. Mixed age groups within each class enable us to offer appropriate programme of work within a sensitive environment. Our highly motivated staff, lead by teaching heads, respond with intelligence and commitment to the challenge of teaching in a society which is rapidly transforming through technological advancement. The Upper Wharfedale Cluster has recently achieved the Investor in People award in recognition of its commitment to the training and development of its staff. In addition to delivering the National Curriculum, our children’s learning is enriched by our links with local people, industry, craftspeople and the wonderful environment in which we are situated. As a group we have successfully bid for money to help us develop our network. We currently have funding to develop teaching and learning in Mathematics. Additional funding enables headteacher to meet to discuss policy and practice and provides training for all staff. We also have funding to introduce the teaching of a Modern Foreign Language (French). We are working closely with the MFL department of Upper Wharfedale School to ensure all our children have an excellent start to learning languages.
Our cluster has many shared resources. We buy expensive but infrequently used items as a group. We have a wide range of group reading books, musical instruments, TOPS sports bags, artefacts from the major world religions and interactive display materials that can be used by all of our schools.
We encourage parents, whenever possible, to take holidays in school holiday periods. If, unavoidably, you cannot do so, then please ask school for a holiday request form in advance. The governing body are legally only allowed to authorise ten days holiday for individual pupils each academic year. Any absences exceeding this limit have to be recorded as unauthorised.
Hot school lunches are available everyday. They are prepared on site by or own cook who ensures the food is healthy and appetising. There is a vegetarian option and fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily. Payment for school lunches can be made on a weekly or half-termly basis. Lunchtime is a social occasion. We have a family service. Older children serve the meals and encourage younger ones to be well mannered and to try food they may not have tried before.
Children are encouraged to wear school uniform consisting of grey or black trousers (or skirts for girls), black shoes, white polo shirts and a royal blue school sweatshirt. For PE, children wear blue shorts and a royal blue T shirt embroidered with the school crests. All items are available at Little’s the school outfitters on Sackville Street in Skipton. Many children also keep a pair of training shoes in school for playing on the field when the weather is suitable.
