Welcome to Buckingham Primary School

1. Welcome to Buckingham Primary School Tuesday 5th July 2011 Foundation Stage 2 (Reception) Meeting

2. Our Aims We want your child to be happy with us at Buckingham Primary School. We encourage your child to become an independent learner!

3. The Foundation Stage Curriculum The foundation stage curriculum is organised into six areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication, Language and Literacy Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Knowledge and Understanding of the World Physical Development Creative Development

4. Daily Routine The children wait for their class teacher on the F2 playground. The class teacher will then walk the children in a line to their classroom.(Please can parents allow their child to walk in with their teachers so that they do not become mixed up with the buggies etc trying to get through the gates) Children are to come in on their own and put their belongings away with support from the class teacher and teaching assistants. Each child will have a named peg and drawer to place their belongings on/in.

5. Classroom Teachers We have two Foundation 2 (F2) classes at Buckingham Primary School. Mrs Brown and Misss Viszked will work closely together to deliver the Foundation 2 curriculum to the children along with the 2 supporting adults in the classroom. Mrs Brown is the AHT and will oversee the Foundation Stage. Mrs Roach works with Miss Viszked�s class and Mrs Bridgman works with Mrs Brown�s class.

6. Playtimes and Lunchtimes At 10.00am the class teacher will take the children directly to their own playground once they have eaten their healthy snack. (we are a part of the National Fruit and Vegetable Scheme). A Foundation Teacher Assistant stays with the children during break and lunch time. At the end of playtimes a whistle is blown and the children line up the same as in the morning. The teacher collects their class and they walk in a line to the classroom.

7. Learning through play takes place both indoors and outdoors Play is fundamental to young children�s learning and development. Children learn best when they are actively involved in enjoyable, absorbing and stimulating activities. The children learn through the structured activities provided for them - e.g role play area, sand play, water play, play dough, construction kits, jigsaws, sorting activities, independent writing activities, painting and much more.

8. At the end of the day Children must be collected from the classroom door by an adult to go home. (Please can we ask that parents stand back from the door so that the children can come out safely) After school club children will be taken to nursery once the other children have gone home.

9. Here is a list of things your child will need for starting school Named Book bag with a key-ring on that your child will recognise. Named PE kit - t-shirt, shorts, plimsolls Named water bottle Named Wellington boots and rain coat in a bag for the outdoor curriculum (The foundation curriculum is taught both inside and out - even on wet days!) Hats, gloves and scarves will be needed for the colder months! Named sunhat for the hotter months.

10. We are a healthy school Every child in the Foundation Stage is entitled to a daily free carton of fresh milk (a form is available from the office). Every child in the Foundation Stage is provided with a healthy snack for their break time - therefore you do not need to send in an extra snack for your child. Lunch: You can either provide your child with a packed lunch or opt for providing your child with a hot school meal. Learning and having fun can be thirsty work! Fresh drinking water is available. You can also send in a plastic bottle of water with your child.

11. Reading and sharing books All children will receive a reading record book and two books to begin with. All children will receive a set of �Tag Cards� to practise reading daily at home too! The children are not expected to be-able to read straight away. Books are sent home as a sharing activity between you and your child. The books will be changed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please can you read all books twice with your child before they are changed. The children will be heard to read in school, either individually or through a guided reading session. All reading must be practised at home to help your child to learn.

12. Reading Record Book - could parents please write a comment in the reading record book - this might be the words they might have recognised, what they found in the pictures�any lettersounds they knew�

13. Checking progress Assessment of your child�s learning is ongoing and informs future planning. All children are tracked closely to ensure that all achieve their potential. Children have individual profiles.

14. Consultation Evenings Every parent will have a 10 minute consultation parent meeting with their child�s class teacher in the Autumn and Spring term - with an optional consultation meeting in the Summer term to discuss any questions arising from the annual reports.

15. Homework Children are not given formal homework in the F2 class. Daily home reading is an expectation as well as reading and sharing the �Tag Cards� to enable your child to read the High Frequency Words. From time to time your child�s class teacher may encourage the children to bring in objects and books related to certain topics - you will be clearly informed by either letters or by a simple poster on the classroom window. Each child will have a learning journey and the class teacher welcomes any parent feedback comments on the bottom of each sheet sent home.

16. What extras can we offer at Buckingham Primary School? An informative website and VLE section After school sports clubs. Choir during the school day Music specialist teacher/French Project Weeks each term. Performing Arts Studio Weekly ICT sessions

17. Events within school From time to time we have visiting theatres, music shows, fund raising events etc. Any money which is sent in needs to be in a clearly labelled envelope with your child�s name on the front, the amount in the envelope and the event the money is for. We are encouraging all parents to use Parent Pay when possible

18. At the end of this morning At 11.45 your child will have finished their morning in F2. If your child is not going back to Nursery please come to the classroom doors where your child will be returned to you.

19. Concerns and Questions Visit our website www.buckinghamprimary.co.uk If you do wish to discuss anything with your child�s class teacher, please do not hesitate to arrange a meeting. If you have any other questions or queries please ask.