Welcome to Harborne Primary School

1. Welcome to Harborne Primary School

2. Welcome to Harborne Primary School. We would like to welcome you and your child(ren) to our school and hope that this induction meeting is the first step in a happy, successful partnership between your family and our school. Any period of transition involves an exchange of information. We need to find out about your child and you need to find out about the school, it’s policies and practices. We appreciate that the transition to school is very different for each family involved- some of you have older children at our school or know many other “Harborne Primary” families. However, some of you have little prior knowledge of our school, or indeed of Primary School practice in 21st century Britain! We hope the induction meeting and this booklet answer many of your questions but invite you to contact us for more information if required. ( email enquiry@harborne.bham.sch.uk or tel. 4642705)

3. About our school • We are a popular, high achieving, community primary school. Our reception provision was judged as ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED in March 2010. • Our results are in line with the top 20% of the best performing primary schools nationally • We celebrate our rich and diverse school community • We are constantly striving to improve our provision and build on our previous best • We aim to work in close partnership with our parents and community • Visit our website to find out more at: www.harborne.bham.sch.uk

4. Staff for the 2014 Intake • Principal-Mr M Slater • Head of School-Mrs M Hughes • Assistant Head (Reception)-Mrs J Hallam • Class RGS-Mrs Gaynor/Mrs Sprackling and Miss Fleming • Class RNT Mrs Terrana and Mrs Lawrence/Mrs O’Connor • Class RDB-Mrs Blunn/ Mrs D’Arcy and Miss Warner Please speak to Mrs Hallam today if you do not wish your child to be known by their full name (as on the list shown) or if there is a spelling mistake on our list.

5. Class RDB Group C Alex Ben R Elliot M Hannah L-W Jaine James P Lamess Mansehaj Saori Serenay Zac Group A Amelie R Annabelle C Catherine David P Freddie Lizzy Manolis Olive Olivia Teshae Group B Adam Ali A Aran Ben E Joseph Lucie Maryam A Sara H Taha

6. Class RGS Group C Alistair David L Esme Ethan Hassan Lacey Natalie Rhys Sally Sharanya Group A Abhishek Annabelle P Coral Eshan Eva Hannah B Kenzo Leena Maria Mia Group B Amy Elliot F George Kellen Rowan Sara M Sebastian Sophie Veeran Zaynab

7. Class RNT Group A Akaal Alexis Dylan Hannah S Jahmarni Kaiden Karthika Lexi Sienna Spike Thomas Group B Ali R Amelie D Anna Charlie Demi Lily Manha Maryam H Thora Group C Achira Ayaan Barney Hafsah James M Owen Rosa Sophie M William Zane

8. Staff for the 2014 Intake Principal-Mr M Slater Head of School-Mrs M Hughes Assistant Head (Reception)-Mrs J Hallam Class RGS-Mrs Gaynor/Mrs Sprackling and Miss Fleming Class RNT Mrs Terrana and Mrs Lawrence/Mrs O’Connor Class RDB-Mrs Blunn/ Mrs D’Arcy and Miss Warner Please speak to Mrs Hallam today if you do not wish your child to be known by their full name (as on the list shown) or if there is a spelling mistake on our list.

9. Staff for the 2014 Intake • Principal-Mr M Slater • Head of School-Mrs M Hughes • Assistant Head (Reception)-Mrs J Hallam • Class RGS-Mrs Gaynor/Mrs Sprackling and Miss Fleming • Class RNT Mrs Terrana and Mrs Lawrence/Mrs O’Connor • Class RDB-Mrs Blunn/ Mrs D’Arcy and Miss Warner Please speak to Mrs Hallam today if you do not wish your child to be known by their full name (as on the list shown) or if there is a spelling mistake on our list.

10. Induction • Children will come into school in groups of about ten per class • Children will initially attend school for mornings only • Children will stay through dinner time before going home in the third week • Your child’s teacher will arrange a time to visit you and your child in your home • Children in group A (youngest non-siblings) will start school on Thursday 4th September at 9.15 am. • On the following day they will start at 8.50am (normal school hours) • Children in group B will start school on Monday 8th September at 9.15 am then 8.50 am each day • Children in group C will start school on Wednesday 10th September at 9.15am then 8.50am each day.

11. Induction Arrangements for September 2014 • Until 19th September 8.50 -12.00 noon. Home visits in the afternoon • All groups: Week beginning 22nd September 8.50 -1.30 pm to include lunch (hot meal) Some home visits in the afternoon • Thursday 25th September-Reading meeting 1.30pm. Your child can remain with class teacher until the meeting is finished. They should go home at 1.30pm if no-one is attending meeting. Please try to make arrangements for younger siblings-this meeting is not likely to interest them very much! • Friday 26th onwards all can do full day from 8.50 am -3.20pm. • Home visits will be arranged for most afternoons between 4th and 25th September (not Thursdays). Please sign up today for a time slot on a convenient date that falls after your child’s first day at school.

12. School dinners • Under a new scheme all children in Reception and Years One and Two will be given a free school meal every day.You may take your child home for dinner or provide a packed lunch instead but these may need to be eaten in a different part of school(dependent on numbers) • Each class has a named lunchtime supervisor and at the start of the year teaching staff stay with them until they have finished eating. We will let you know if we are concerned about their eating. • Children can wear badges to indicate any allergies/dietary restrictions • Every child is provided with a piece of fruit at snack time each day • Children should bring a water bottle daily-we will give you one! • Milk or squash are available as an additional drink in class each morning (pay termly -can only change at end of a term) • We are a nut-free school and we do not share sweets and snacks in school

13. Medical matters. • Mrs Hallam should be made aware of any medical needs. • Home visit is a good time to discuss concerns with class teacher and teaching assistant. • We can work with you and medical practitioners to draw up a care-plan for your child if necessary. • Any medication in school must be prescribed with your child’s name and dosage instructions. No “over the counter “ medicines can be given (even Calpol or Piriton) • Nits! Inform class teacher and check/ treat whole family. We will let you know if there are reported cases. Think carefully about hairstyles for school. • If your child is ill and unable to attend school please phone on the day and send an explanatory note on their return • If your child has diarrhoea or is vomiting please ensure you keep them off school for a full 48 hours after the last episode.

14. First Aid/ Emergency contact • You will get a note if your child has needed treatment at our First Aid station. • We will inform you of any head bumps via a different form which tells you how to recognise signs of concussion. • We will telephone you if we have concerns or need you to collect your child. • Please ensure we have up-to-date contact details at all times. Order these if possible so we know who to contact first. • Consider how to protect your child in very hot weather- they need sunhats and sun cream ( please apply at home) and don’t forget their water bottle!

15. Preparing your child for school When starting school it is helpful if your child can: Dress and undress themselves independently Use the toilet independently Be confident and express their needs Recognise their own belongings Use a knife and fork independently Listen to others and take turns Be used to being left with another adult for short periods of time Write their own name (correct formation and pencil grip)

16. Check list for under-fives Speech by Sir Michael Wilshaw (Ofsted) 4/4/14 “To be properly prepared for full-time education children should be able to: • Sit still and listen • Be aware of other children • Understand the word “NO” and the borders it sets for behaviour • Understand the word “STOP” and that such a phrase might be used to prevent danger

17. Check list for under-fives (continued) • Be potty trained and go to the toilet • Recognise their own name • Speak to an adult and ask for needs • Take off their coat and put on shoes • Talk in sentences • Open and enjoy a book

18. Early Years Curriculum Since September 2012- 7 areas of learning • Three PRIME areas- crucial for being ready and able to progress in the further four SPECIFIC areas • Much of the learning is assessed through self initiated learning and exploratory play • A careful record is kept of children’s progress across these 7 areas and reported to you at end of Reception • We are always aware of the impact of birthdate on our Reception children. Our tracking systems compare children by month of birth aswell as purely by attainment • Assessment- observation and discussion. Not all evidence on paper or in books. Parent’s contributions are valued and vital

19. Communication and Language • Listening and attention • Understanding • Speaking

20. Personal social and emotional development • Making relationships • Self-confidence and self- awareness • Managing feelings and behaviour

21. Physical development • Moving and handling • Gross motor • Fine motor • Using equipment and tools • Health and Self-care • Keeping healthy and safe • Self help and personal hygiene

22. Literacy Reading- phonics, sight vocabulary, comprehension, reading for pleasure. Writing- for a range of purposes, using phonic knowledge, some words spelt correctly.

23. Mathematics Numbers –count, order, add, subtract, double, halve, share Shape space and measures- time, length, weight, pattern, position, capacity, money

24. Understanding the world • People and communities • The World • Technology

25. Exploring and using materials and medi and media. Being imaginative Expressive arts and design

26. Reporting to Parents • Home visit and reading meeting in September • Autumn and Spring term Parent’s evenings- without child if possible. • Interim report in spring-targets for development • End of year report and progress against 17 ELGs • Emerging, Expected or Exceeding for each goal

27. Tapestry-something new!! • Online learning journal for you to see more of what your child is learning at school. • Secure and private • You can set or switch off alerts • You can comment and add your own observations http://eyfs.info/tapestry-info/introduction#overview

28. Uniform Please see separate sheet for uniform requirements Please label all items and show your child where to look for their name! If something is lost tell the teacher and try to check our lost property box regularly (named items are usually returned promptly) P.E. kit should be in a named bag and left in school in term time We will send P.E. kits home every holiday for you to wash and check for fit Practice dressing/undressing in uniform and P.E. kit! Remember how changeable the English weather can be and equip your child accordingly! We are happy to receive good quality uniform to pass on to other families and to use when children need to be changed during the school day You may wish to put a change of underwear into your child’s P.E. bag-incase of accidents. If you do please make sure the teacher and your child know they are there! Footwear should be black and suitable for outside play in all weathers. When buying shoes and coats choose a style your child can manage independently.

29. Behaviour We employ positive behaviour management strategies. We use stickers and tick charts as rewards. We use a ‘zone board’ to re-enforce agreed school rules We will let you know if we have concerns about aspects of your child’s behaviour We teach children to say “Stop I don’t like it” and then tell a teacher if it doesn’t stop. We never recommend that a child is taught to “hit back”

30. Attendance and Punctuality • Our usual school hours are 8.50 am to 3.20pm. Reception staff are on the door to greet children from 8.50 to 9am – any latecomers need to come via the school office • We encourage children to arrive on time and they should be collected promptly each day. This will be from the school office if you arrive after 3.30pm and will be recorded in our “late book” • All children must be collected at their classroom door by an authorised adult (16+)- if your arrangements are complex please put in writing and give to class teacher and/or discuss at home visit • We will not let your child leave with anyone if we do not have your authorisation so remember to inform us of any changes- put the school number into your mobile! We are happy to use a “password” system if you require it • If you need to take your child out of school during term time please apply by using the appropriate form. These are available from the school office and school website. Apply early as only Head/Principal can authorise this. Permission can not be granted for holidays in term time. • website

31. Parents in school • We recognise the vital role you as parents play in the education of your child • We ask you to sign our ‘home: school agreement’ • Teachers are available at the end of the school day for informal contact • You are welcome to make an appointment to discuss any concerns with your child’s teacher, the Phase Leader or the Head Teacher • Every parent is a member of the ‘Friends of Harborne School Parents’ Group and we look forward to your involvement in our many social and fund raising events • We welcome your support with class activities and trips • We will be keen to hear of any ways you can help enrich the school experience for all children-business links, coming in to talk to groups, sharing occupational or cultural artefacts, clothing etc. • If you can make a regular commitment we would welcome your help as a volunteer in school.

32. Communicating with school • Face to face with staff –beginning / end of every day • Absence/ time pressured-phone call to office • Non urgent-email enquiry@harborne.bham.sch.uk • Information/diary dates- website and newsletter • Emergency- text alert • Reading diary- only for dialogue about reading • Notes in bookbag-tell adult on door or clip to top of bag and tell your child! Please check and empty bags regularly.

33. Further Information visit our website • www.harborne.bham.sch.uk • Weekly newsletters are on our website or you can get a paper copy from the school office. They include weekly menus for school dinners and all dates for diaries • Reading guidance-will be given out 26/9/14 • Sign up for email contact and look out for occasional letters in book bags and notices in classroom windows • Get to know other parents! Coffee morning in first half term, most classes have social events, consider attending “Friend’s” meetings and events or being a class rep. • Please sign up for easyfundraising.co.uk and choose the school as your “cause”

34. Forms to Complete Before the End of Term • Registration form with passport or birth certificate and proof of address • Admission form –as soon as possible please • Home/School Agreement • Home visit times – please sign up on sheet today • General Permission Form for local visits • Ethnic monitoring form • Meal preference • Permission to change your child’s clothes form • School nurse consent form