Click to enter Drapers Mills Primary School and Little Millers Nursery

1. Click to enterDrapers Mills Primary Schooland Little Millers Nursery Prospectus 2009

2. Welcome to our School • Introduction • Admissions • Mission Statement • Our Staff • The school day • Term Dates • Keeping in touch • Lunchtime arrangements • School Uniform Next Prospectus 2009

3. Admission • Admission to Drapers Mills Primary School is in line with the current policy operated by the Local Education Authority. Places are allocated by: • Parental wishes • Attendance at a linked school • Denominational preference • Brothers and sisters in the school at the time of entry • Health reasons • Nearness of child’s home and ease of access to school • We would welcome the opportunity to show you round Drapers Mills School – please contact the office to make an appointment. Prospectus 2009

4. Introduction Drapers Mills is among the oldest of Margate’s schools. Our buildings range from the original Victorian building to a state-of-the- art block for pupils in the Foundation Stage. It is a happy school where teaching is good and children are well cared for. OFSTED (2005) described it as “an effective school where pupils achieve well” This presentation tells you more about us. Prospectus 2009

5. Mission Statement At Drapers Mills Primary School we declare that every child really matters. The school is committed to developing the whole child and striving for excellence in academic and non-academic areas. We offer our pupils a balanced, relevant curriculum that realises potential of all kinds and develops life skills. Our school provides a welcoming, comfortable environment that enhances and stimulates learning and enjoyment. Drapers Mills Primary is a focal point in the community that promotes learning within our families. We aim for our staff, pupils and families to work in partnership in order to achieve excellence. Prospectus 2009

6. Our Staff Prospectus 2009

7. Pastoral Support Department • Mrs Mary Brown – Lead FLO • Mrs Jane McGee – Behaviour Mentor • Mrs Jill Hitch – Lead Learning Mentor • Mrs Jan Gibbs – Family Liaison Officer • Miss Jayde Ellison, Mrs Tina Matthews, Mrs Kerrie Clark The Pastoral Support Department work with families who need help and with children who have behavioural problems or other barriers to learning. Prospectus 2009

8. Support Staff Prospectus 2009

9. The School Day • The School Day for children begins at 8.55 a.m. and finishes at 3.15 p.m. No staff are on duty until 8.45 a.m. and there is no access to the school grounds before this time. Where a child is unwell during the day every effort will be made to contact you so please ensure that we are kept fully informed of any change of emergency contact numbers, address etc. • Reception lunch is from 12.00pm to 1.00pm • lunch is from 12.15pm to 1.15pm Prospectus 2009

10. Term Dates • Autumn 2008 Term 1: 1 September to 24 OctoberTerm 2: 3 November to 19 December • Spring 2009Term 3: 5 January to 13 FebruaryTerm 4: 25 February to 4 April • Summer 2009Term 5: 20 April to 22 MayTerm 6: 1 June to 17 July For a full list of term dates see the school website Prospectus 2009

11. Keeping in touch We want our parents to keep in touch with us about their children. There are three formal occasions when teachers meet the parents and there is an annual progress report but, if you have any concerns at all then you must talk to us. Please make an appointment and we will ensure that the right person is available to talk to you. Your children are important to us so do share any concerns early. Prospectus 2009

12. Lunchtime Arrangements • Reception children have lunch from 12.00 to 1.00; Key Stage 1 & 2 from 12.15 to 1.15. • Lunch is served in our separate canteen where children can choose from a range of cooked or cold meals or eat their own packed lunch. • The cost of a school meal is currently £1.70. There is a cash till system Prospectus 2009

13. School Uniform • WHITE polo shirt (logo wear has the logo in black) RED sweatshirt (logo wear has the logo in white)   BLACK Trousers or skirts (skirts to be knee-length)   In Summer BLACK cropped trousers or shorts may be worn   WHITE shirts / blouses are acceptable with a RED tie. • In Summer girls may wear RED Gingham dresses.WHITE socks (when worn with skirts/shorts) Black tights   Reversible fleeces will be offered as logo wear. Otherwise RED fleeces are acceptable   • BLACK school shoes   Children must change into trainers to play football at breaks. Otherwise trainers are not acceptable as school uniform   For PE   BLACK shorts worn with a T-Shirt in house colours (red, blue, green or yellow). Prospectus 2009

14. School Organisation • School Structure • The curriculum • Extra curricular clubs • Behaviour Management • Homework • Educational Visits • Religious Education and Collective Worship • Charging for activities Next Back Prospectus 2009

15. The Curriculum • The school curriculum comprises the Core and Foundation subjects of the National Curriculum, plus Religious Education, personal, social and health education (PSHE), citizenship and Modern Foreign Languages • We use a creative approach to the curriculum so that it is exciting and stimulating to our learners. • English • Maths • Science • ICT • Foundation Subjects • Sex Education Back Next Prospectus 2009

16. English Our literacy curriculum is reflected through all subjects. Pupils develop their speaking and listening skills by participating in many drama activities such as hot-seating and role play. There is a strong emphasis on the teaching and joy of reading through text and technology. This leads to opportunities for pupils to write in depth, applying the skills they have learned. Continuous assessment ensures that every child is helped to develop their literacy potential Our literacy curriculum is reflected through all subjects. Pupils develop their speaking and listening skills by participating in many drama activities such as hot-seating and role play. There is a strong emphasis on the teaching and joy of reading through text and technology. This leads to opportunities for pupils to write in depth, applying the skills they have learned. Continuous assessment ensures that every child is helped to develop their literacy potential Prospectus 2009

17. Maths We provide a rich learning environment where each child can develop their potential in mathematics. We are well resourced and our lively, hands-on curriculum is carefully planned and further enhanced by a wide range of ICT activities. We place a strong emphasis on pupils’ learning styles and matching the work to the needs of the pupils. Wherever possible we relate maths to the real world and provide opportunities to develop problem solving skills by integrating maths in other subjects. Children’s progress is assessed from entry so that their learning can be planned and targets set for each individual. Prospectus 2009

18. Science • We believe that understanding science begins though hands on practical work and this style of learning is becoming embedded in our science curriculum. In all year groups, children learn scientific ideas through investigations that are either teacher lead or directed by the natural inquisitive nature of the children. • There are many opportunities for our older pupils to share their knowledge through local competitions and visits. • Each year a science day is held for children in Years 4 to 6. On these occasions they have the chance to apply their knowledge while working in small teams towards the same goal. Prospectus 2009

19. ICT We have a suite of 30 computers and use a wide range of other ICT resources including interactive whiteboards in Years 5 and 6, digital cameras, Intel microscopes and optical mice and keyboards. Each classroom is equipped with a data projector, laptop and PC. The school uses a wide selection of programs and software to support the teaching of the National Curriculum for ICT and other curriculum subjects Prospectus 2009

20. Foundation Subjects We use the International Primary Curriculum to study Geography, History, Art, Design Technology, Music and Physical Education. In addition pupils learn aspects of Citizenship, Health Education. Our pupils will also gain some experience of a modern foreign language. Our key intention is for pupils to enjoy learning so that they develop positive attitudes to education that will sustain them for life. Prospectus 2009

21. Sex Education • The school aims to provide a programme of sex and relationships (SRE) education in line with the Personal Social Health Citizenship Education (PSHCE) scheme of work. Year Six children will, in addition, be shown a sex education video • We shall attempt to deal with questions in a sensitive, open, frank, and matter of fact way. Questions concerning homosexuality, sexually transmitted diseases and contraception will be answered if raised. We will notify parents in advance of this showing and they will be offered the opportunity to view the programme first. Parents may decide whether or not to withdraw their child from this activity. Prospectus 2009

22. Extra Curricular Clubs • The school promotes a range of extra-curricular activities including football, netball, rounders, gymnastics, drama, choir and computing. • The school also works with Adult Education to provide Family Fun events. • Further details of these clubs are sent home through regular parent newsletters. In addition the school runs a Breakfast Club for junior aged pupils between 7.40am and 8.40am Prospectus 2009

23. Behaviour Management • We follow these five “Golden Rules” and expect all our pupils to comply with them at all times. • Do as all members of staff ask you the first time you are asked. • Look after the belongings of yourself, other children, adults and the school. • Walk around the building quietly and sensibly • Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself • Show respect for others • There is a range of rewards and sanctions for encouraging good behaviour. • Pupils who do not behave acceptably may be asked to remain at school from 3.30 to 4.30 (detention), or may be excluded and be asked to attend the Launch Pad. Prospectus 2009

24. Manners matter • We place a high value on our pupils learning to treat adults and each other with courtesy and respect. Our Manners Matter programme has won national acclaim on TV and in the press. We expect out children to show good manners and we teach the good manners we expect them to show. • Use the hyperlink below to connect to the BBC TV report on our Manner Matter programme (requires RealPlayer) • http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/40883000/rm/_40883168_manners_vtdisco_vi.ram Prospectus 2009

25. Homework • The amount and frequency of homework will vary between year groups. A general guideline for things you can do at home would be: • Weekly or daily reading • Weekly spelling tasks • Weekly multiplication tables • We setting Homework projects each term linked to your child’s topics. Prospectus 2009

26. Educational Visits • Our curriculum is enriched through a wide range of visits to local places of interest and through specialist visitors bringing their skills into school. • We place high importance on the benefits of rich and varied additional experiences that broaden horizons and challenge thinking. • In Key Stage 2 pupils have opportunities to take part in two residential visits; to the Isle of Wight (for years 3 and 4) and to Paris (for years 5 and 6) Prospectus 2009

27. Religious Education and Collective Worship • At Drapers Mills we hold a daily act of collective worship, which is broadly Christian. Parents may withdraw their child from all or part of the religious education and collective worship on religious grounds. Religious Education in class is, again, broadly Christian with an overview of other faiths and is taught according to the Kent Locally Agreed Syllabus. Prospectus 2009

28. Charging for Activities • Under the provision of the Education Reform Act 1988, education provided during school time must be free of charge. However to enable school to continue its practice of organised visits and extra curricular activities, parents may be given the opportunity to voluntarily contribute towards some or all of the costs involved. We will also charge for swimming or music tuition, for residential visits, loss of and wilful damage to school property. • The Governing Body may wish to remit in full or in part the cost of other activities for particular groups of parents, for example, in the case of family hardship. When arranging a chargeable activity such parents will be invited in confidence for the remission of charges in full or in part. Prospectus 2009

29. Early Years and Key Stage 1 Nursery Year R Year 1 Year 2 Key Stage 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 School Structure Prospectus 2009

30. Little Millers Nursery Little Millers Nursery offers five free maintained nursery sessions per week to children aged 3-5. From September 2007 we also offer full day care from 8.00 to 5.30 for children over 2½ at very reasonable rates. To find out more about booking a place at Little Millers or to buy additional day care contact our Nursery Manager, Gemma Keeble on 01843 236122 Prospectus 2009

31. Year R • In the Reception Class of Drapers Mills Primary School we aim to provide high quality early education, which will make a positive contribution to your child’s early development and learning. We aim to work in partnership with parents and carers and other early years providers to build a picture of each child’s stage of development on entry. • We provide a varied and enriched curriculum, which is designed to provide stimulating first-hand experiences in both indoor and outdoor settings. They will have opportunities to develop early learning that will help them achieve the goals of the foundation curriculum. Prospectus 2009

32. Year 1 • The year 1 curriculum is built upon the foundation stage. The children carry on a foundation style approach but with National curriculum objectives linked to it. This entails the children having topics to follow and developing their work inside and out. This is through role-play, discussions, games, working in groups and many more child centred styles of learning. Children will also meet a range of outside visitors and go on many small trips to bring the subjects alive. • Reading is a big focus in year 1 along with learning how to blend and segment sounds. The children are expected to read for at least ten minutes every night to help support the work that the teacher is doing in the class. Once the children have developed the concept of reading they started to build up their writing skills producing simple sentences by the end of the year. • In numeracy we concentrate on number bonds to ten and ensuring they have a clear grasp of what numbers are. Topics like shape and space are covered in the outside area. Prospectus 2009

33. Year 2 • The foundations in learning that the children have gained in Year R and 1. We use cross-curricular themes to bring subjects alive. This is through role-play, talk for writing, games and many more child centred styles of learning. This is similar to year R and 1 but more in-depth thinking and reflection is expected. • Literacy is also cross-curricular but we have 15to 20 minutes everyday on sounds or high frequency words. Children use these words to develop their own reading and writing. Reading is still very important and we encourage the children to answer open-ended questions to develop their thinking. Again we expect at least 10 minutes reading at home every night. • Numeracy builds on their knowledge of number bonds previously learnt and progresses on to understanding concepts of money with change, doubles and much more. • The manners and behaviour that is previously learnt is praised through house points, stickers and celebration certificates. Children can become house captains and have extra responsibilities. Prospectus 2009

34. Year 3 In Year 3 we build on the good foundations that were laid in Key Stage 1. In Year 3 we introduce our pupils to the higher expectations of Key Stage 2 and help them to become more independent in their learning. In particular we focus on strengthening pupils’ knowledge and understanding of basic skills since these are key to their later success in the Junior years. Prospectus 2009

35. Year 4 Year 4 is a year where we build on the work in Year 3 and prepare pupils for transferring to the upper part of Key Stage 2 at the end of the school year. We continue to encourage pupils to be independent learners and able to work both on their own and collaboratively. Prospectus 2009

36. Year 5 In Year 5 we are grouping pupils not by ability but according to their preferred learning style. There is one class of auditory/visual learners, two parallel classes of visual and kinesthetic learners and one smaller class of those who learn best by doing (kinesthetic). We believe that this will help all pupils in the year to receive appropriate teaching and so make good learning gains. Prospectus 2009

37. Year 6 • In Year 6 we group pupils according to learning style, as in Year 5. We provide opportunities to develop research skills and responsibility in preparation for a comfortable and confident transition to secondary school. Our studies encompass a wide range of writing, including Shakespeare, and a greater emphasis on mathematical problem solving. In science students link understanding from practical investigation to understanding data. • There is a strong emphasis on pupils preparation for the 11+ tests, which take place in January and for the Key Stage 2 SATs in May. When SATs are over pupils receive an exciting “golden curriculum” aimed at developing independence and maturity. • Besides a wide range of PE and games, students have opportunities to learn to swim, attend a cycling course and contribute to drama and dance productions. Sex & Relationships Education provided in the final term. Prospectus 2009

38. Secondary Transfer • Kent is an area where pupils are selected for secondary school according to ability. There are a number of Secondary High and Secondary Grammar Schools to which our pupils transfer. • Information regarding this and the arrangements for grammar school selection, through the 11+ test, will be shared with parents as soon as the school is given the necessary information from the Local Education Authority. A meeting is held in school for parents of Y6 pupils in order to explain the process and help parents make a well-informed decision. Next Prospectus 2009

39. Supporting the School • Becoming a Governor • The Parent, Teacher & Friends Association • Helping in School • The School Council • Employment opportunities Next Prospectus 2009

40. Becoming a Governor • The Governing Body is responsible for overseeing the school’s work. Governors are drawn from the LEA, the community, teaching and support staff and parents. • Governors serve for 4 years between elections and elections for parent governors are held to fill vacancies. • Governors receive support and training from the LEA. • If you are interested in becoming a governor then speak to our Office Manager, Sally Brough, who will put you in touch with Ian White, our Chair of Governors. Next Prospectus 2009

41. The PTFA • Every parent is automatically a member of the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association. • The PTFA holds social or fund-raising events throughout the year and always welcomes offers of help. • There is a small organising committee who are always looking for enthusiastic members. • If you would like to join the committee or just offer to help call into the school office to leave a message for the PTFA Chair. Next Prospectus 2009

42. Helping in School • We welcome parents who offer their services to help in school. There are a number of ways in which you can help, from hearing children read to helping the teacher to prepare materials. Just tell your child’s teacher or ask at the office. Please note that all volunteers have to be subject to a police check. Next Prospectus 2009

43. The School Council • The School Council members are elected by their fellow students to serve for a year. The Council gives the students a voice and is where questions can be asked of senior management. The council is able to take certain decisions and has a small budget. (library photograph) Next Prospectus 2009

44. Employment Opportunities • From time to time vacancies occur for professional, support and administrative staff. • Teacher and TA vacancies are advertised on www.kent-teach.com; • Sometimes TAs are recruited via the local press; • Enquiries are welcome from people interested in TA or midday supervisor vacancies. Details will be kept on file. Drapers Mills is an Investor in People Next Prospectus 2009

45. Contact us • General Enquires – Mrs Sally Brough • Special Needs – Mrs Imogen Taylor • Family Support – Mrs Jan Gibbs • Behaviour – Mrs Jane McGee or Mrs Jill Hitch • Support for our Czech families – Mrs Michaela Gordon Drapers Mills Primary School St Peter’s Footpath Margate CT9 2SP Tel: 01843 223989 Fax: 01843 000000 Email; headteacher@drapers-mills.kent.sch.uk Website: www.drapersmillsprimary.ik.org Start Again Prospectus 2009