Dent C of E Primary School

 

Dent, Cumbria, LA10 5QJ
Telephone 015396 25259
Fax 015396 25076
Email - admin@dent.cumbria.sch.uk

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 STATEMENT OF ETHOS AND AIM

 ‘I can and I will’

We are a happy, friendly school where everyone works together to achieve their best.  As a Christian family we treasure each other and give the care we need, to live happily in the world.

We aim for our children to:

·      Achieve high academic standards and success in learning.

·      become energetic and enthusiastic learners with the ability to apply themselves to tasks with independence.

·      take responsibility for their own actions and learning pathways, making informed choices.

·      acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to the changing world in which they live.

·      make a positive contribution as citizens of the wider world.

·      develop healthily in mind, body and spirit.

·      have an insight into Christian religious and moral values, as well as an understanding and appreciation of the religions  and beliefs of others.

DENT SCHOOL DETAILS
The School

WELCOME FROM THE HEADTEACHER

Dear Parent/Carer,

Welcome to Dent C. of E. School, which is a special place where I hope that all your family will feel welcome and supported.  We are a small, rural primary in an enviable location in the centre of the village. We believe in a strong community partnership and as your child starts their school career with us, we wish for them every success and happiness.

Dent School is always looking for willing volunteers to support the children’s learning.  If you have any spare time and you would like to come in to help please contact me. 

I look forward to meeting you and having the opportunity to work together for the benefit of your child.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Phillipa Summers

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR OF THE GOVERNING BODY
DENT CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL

The role of the governing body is to help the school provide the best possible education for its pupils by having a strategic overview. I am very pleased to have been appointed its Chair for another year and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the school’s development.  This term we have welcomed Susan Johnson and Tim Deighton as new members, and we are very grateful to those past members who remain very committed to the school and continue to be involved with it.

As always, the governors are guided by the school’s statement of aims and the school improvement plan, and Mrs Summers, her staff and volunteers continue to provide rich experiences for the children to enjoy. The children are working hard on a daily basis and have been involved in many activities in the community, including the church celebrations. They have been consulted on matters that affect their community and have been able to express their views through the school council and in many other ways.

Our last Ofsted inspection in 2006 rated the school as good with some outstanding features.  Reports from our Annual Review meetings carried out by the Local Authority continue to confirm this.

As well as having an overview of the children’s education, the Governors, the Head Teacher and the Diocesan Education Team have been involved in a major refurbishment project for the school.  We were lucky to have been allocated a capital grant by the government which enabled us to upgrade the heating and the fabric of the building, and to purchase storage equipment for the school.

We are very proud of our school, its pupils and all their achievements and we welcome the input from the community and from parents, who do so much to support the school and play an important part in its development.

Kate Cairns
Chair of Governors

THE SCHOOL’S LINKS WITH OUR CHURCH

The School is a Church of England Aided School.  This has both practical and legal implications in the way the school is run on a daily basis.  The School is linked to the Board of Education of the Diocese of Bradford who appoints seven foundation governors to the Governing Body, including the Vicar of Dent who is also an ex-officio foundation governor.  In practice, the foundation governors are usually drawn from members of local churches (including the Methodist Church, which has a strong presence in the Dale).  The Board of Education has staff and resources, which support the work of the school in a variety of matters. They have been very helpful in assisting the governing body to develop the school buildings to the benefit of the children and the community.

During the school week, the School holds daily collective worship, (an act of worship for the School community).  Grace is said before lunch, and the children are encouraged to say a prayer before going home at the end of the day. The School regularly participates in the worshipping life of the nearby St. Andrew’s Church, attending Mothering Sunday Service, the Easter Service for children, Harvest Festival and the annual Christingle Service, which has become very popular.  The end of the year School Leavers Service, a very important highlight in the school year, also takes place in the Church.  The School prepares very carefully for each of these special services and members of the church community take an active role in assisting the School in their preparation, (e.g. supervising the making of the Christingle candles with the children at Christmas).  The involvement of the School in the Church’s year is a vital part of the religious life of this community.

The Vicar organises an after school club for the children, known locally as the “Crazy Club” (all volunteers have CRB clearance and have regular training in best practices in safeguarding children).  It runs every Tuesday afternoon during term time and is in effect a weekday Sunday school for Dent children.  Activities and songs help children to understand more about the Christian faith, but there is also a strong emphasis on fun and games.

Ofsted highlighted how the club’s activities assist the children in learning social skills that help them enjoy school life more.

Living Churchyard Project - Wildlife in Sacred Places

In 2008 we approached Cumbria Wildlife Trust for help in 'greening'   St Andrew's churchyard.  The Trust sent a team of botanists from the Grange Support Group of CWT to survey the existing plant life.  This survey resulted in a detailed management plan with several recommendations, including planting a wildlife meadow in one corner of the lower field.  We also discussed the possibility of involving our School in nature projects, both in the churchyard and in the school grounds

So far, the most visible change in the churchyard has been the planting of a living willow fence to mask the compost heaps.  Early in 2009 Phil Bradley, a noted willow grower from Cockermouth, arrived with a truckload of willow whips.  These were planted and woven together with the children's help.  The hedge has grown strongly throughout the year and will be pruned in November. The Trust also supplied bird boxes for both the Church and the School. This autumn the Trust is offering us bulbs, compost bins and trees.

An important recommendation from the Trust was to vary the time we cut the grass, which at the moment is too lush. Late mowing and the removal of grass cuttings would allow more flowers to set seed and provide shelter for other wildlife; encouraging plants that provide food for caterpillars, butterflies and birds.

Future plans include planting up areas of the churchyard extensions with wildflowers, bushes and trees to encourage wildlife, and eye-catching notices giving information about the wildlife in the churchyard for visitors and residents.   We hope that the schoolchildren will help design the notices and monitor progress. This should be an exciting project for us all.

We are very grateful for the financial help and invaluable advice that Cumbria Wildlife Trust continues to give us.

St Andrew’s Church Bells Restoration Project

St Andrew’s Church is working in partnership with “Your Heritage” (part of English Heritage) to restore the bells to full circle ringing. The children are invited to make some visits to the church and do some work on the significance of bells in the life and history of the church.

 THE SCHOOL DAY

The school day starts at 8.50 a.m.  Playground supervision is provided from 8.40 a.m.

No child should be in the playground before this time.

Parents are asked to ensure that children arrive punctually in the morning.

The rest of the day is as follows:

PASTORAL CARE

Our small school creates a family atmosphere and in this community every member of staff takes pastoral care for each child. If there are any problems either at home or in school, we are always willing to discuss them with the parents/carers concerned.

Child Protection

Because of the day to day contact with children, schools are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop.  Parents should be aware therefore that where it appears to a member of school staff that a child has been abused, the school is required as part of Cumbria Child Protection procedures, to report their concern to the social services department.  We have a named Child Protection Officer in school.

Safeguarding

Dent School does everything possible to protect and educate your children in all aspects of safeguarding.  This includes keeping them in a safe secure environment, where they feel happy and able to trust the adults around them.  We teach personal skills to the children through P.S.H.E. (see paragraph in this document).  We follow recognised procedures for safer recruitment, which includes ensuring that people working with your child have the correct level of police/CRB checks.

THE SCHOOL COUNCIL

The School Council aims to give the children of Dent School ‘a pupil voice’ and to enable them to make a contribution to school life through decision-making, supporting the school rules, developing positive relationships, and to help the children become more confident.  The school councillors are elected by their peers.  Regular meetings are held with the Headteacher and their peers to discuss current issues and to report back on developments and the views of other children.  Class 1 are represented by two KS2 children.

STAGES OF EDUCATION

Dent Pre-School/Nursery

Pre-school in Dent is organised by a voluntary committee of parents employing trained staff. The Pre-school is a thriving group catering for children from birth to 4 years 11 months old. It has very close links with school, meeting in an adjoining room.

• Mothers and toddlers/babies meet on Tuesday mornings in the hall.
• Nursery meets every weekday morning from 9am – 12 noon.

We are a registered Nursery having had successful Ofsted inspections. We aim to provide a full pre-school curriculum based on the Government’s Early Learning Goals. Children who have had pre-school experience move happily and confidently on into school, feeling secure away from home. Nursery leaders are Mrs. Sue Owen and Miss Jolene Cragg and Mrs Carolyn Knapton.

The curriculum is organised into six areas of learning – personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and literature, mathematical development, knowledge and understanding of the world, physical development and creative development.  We have a structured planned programme to offer the children purposeful, challenging and supportive experiences through this curriculum of learning opportunities and choices in working towards the Foundation stage. 

A Handbook of information is available.  For further information please contact:

Early Years – Foundation Stage

This is the name given to the stage of education for children aged 3 to 5, in Nursery and Reception classes. These children follow the curriculum called The Foundation Stage, both in Nursery (FS1) and Reception(FS2). The work in reception is a continuation of activities, knowledge and understanding and skills acquired in Nursery. Much of this learning is achieved through play i.e. sand, water, role-play situations, construction toys, farmyard, art activities and physical education. The acquisition of number and language skills is taught through the Foundation Stage curriculum.  Much work is carried out in small groups in which the child is developing their personal and social skills of sharing, co-operating and turn taking, with their peers. Jill Mitchell our Higher Level Teaching Assistant, supports the work in Class One.

Key Stage 1

This key stage incorporates the children in Y1 and Y2 and is often referred to as the infants.  When children begin their second year in school they start work on activities described in KS1 of the National Curriculum.  (Children who attain highly in Foundation stage 2 may already be working on the National Curriculum in the reception class).  The curriculum focuses on the core subjects of English, mathematics, science and information technology, as well as R.E.  In addition, the foundation subjects of design technology, history, geography, art, P.E. and music are also studied.  Time is also spent on Personal, Social, Health Education and ‘being a good citizen’.  Many aspects of all these curriculum areas are developed around a centre of interest or topic, for example “Journeys”, “the Seaside” and “St. Lucia.  The subject of the topic generally changes each half term.

Key Stage 2

This key stage covers the years 3, 4, 5 and 6 and is often referred to as the juniors.  The work in this key stage is a natural development of skills and knowledge gained at key stage 1.  We aim to provide a stimulating and imaginative curriculum to build on the enjoyment in learning that is fostered in the early years and KS1. 

The core and foundation subjects are the same as KS1, with the addition of a modern foreign language – French and outdoor adventurous activities and swimming in P.E.

The curriculum in KS2 is becoming more integrated with, when possible cross-curricular work.  Home research and the development of personal interests are encouraged within the topic work.

THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF OUR WORK

The development of literacy is of the greatest importance in every aspect of the curriculum.  Reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, expressions of feelings and thoughts, speaking and listening are woven into all curriculum areas. 

We need to remember that children are different from each other.  They differ in temperament, and physical and intellectual ability, just as they differ in appearance.  Children should not be compared with one another, but with their own attainment over a day, week, month or year.  We want our children to work to their own capacity, whether they are in a mixed age class or small ability group.  Work is structured so that children can work at their own speed, with revision and review as needed.

Special Educational Needs

As a school, we are alert to the needs of children who appear to be experiencing learning difficulties and work closely with parents to ensure that children are given appropriate help from within school, at home and in co-operation with outside agencies when required. Early detection of difficulties is important and as soon as a problem is noticed, the parents and teachers together write an Individual Educational Plan for the child concerned, which is regularly revised. Teaching usually takes place within their own age group, with regular withdrawal into small groups for specific help. At any point a parent may discuss a child’s progress with the teacher or Head Teacher. Kath Parkin is the Special Needs Coordinator.  She is also the named person for Child Protection.

Kath Parkin is the Special Needs Coordinator.  She is also the named person for Child Protection.

Gifted and Talented

Support is given for those children who show particular gifts or talents.  In teacher’s planning and through differentiated tasks the children are encouraged to extend their thinking and to develop their skills at a higher or wider level.  Homework is matched to the child’s ability level with challenge provided as appropriate.  Specific talents such as in P.E., music and the arts are supported through clubs, additional tuition and by providing opportunities for the children to demonstrate these talents to others.  Additional teaching support will be provided if the child’s needs cannot be met within the class grouping.

Equal Opportunities

We operate an equal opportunities policy within the school for both the staff and children. We seek to promote and maintain both quality and equality of opportunity in education.  The policy is available from the school office upon request.

OTHER INFORMATION

Special Assembly

Each half term the children share their work in school with parents and members of the local community.  The assembly at the end of each term is held in our church St. Andrew’s.

Clubs

Crazy Club run by the Church is a fun club with a strong Christian message and Sports Club which runs throughout the year is open to years 3 to 6.  An additional sports club will be available for KS1 during some of the year

During lunchtime instrumental tuition is provided, for example brass.   Additional music tuition is available during the year.  At present there are a gardening club, sewing and knitting club during school hours.

Lunch-time Arrangements

Children can enjoy a hot mid-day meal cooked on the premises.   Almost all our children choose to have school meals, which is a credit to our excellent kitchen staff and enables pastoral care to continue throughout the lunch period.  If you feel that you qualify for free school meal entitlement please contact the Head Teacher.  Children may however bring a packed lunch if they wish. Lunchtime is from 12 noon to 1.00pm. A paid supervisor and the Headteacher supervise them.

Children who have a packed lunch can also eat this in the hall.  The supervisors monitor their eating as part of their duty of care.  Uneaten food is kept in the child’s box so that parents are able to monitor what their child has eaten.  All our children are encouraged to eat healthily, bringing fruit and vegetables and water to drink.  For more details of our food policy please contact the office for a copy.

Friends of Dent

The Friends of Dent (F.O.D.) group meets regularly to arrange both fund raising and social events for the children.  They are a registered charity and through their voluntary fund raising have provided a variety of experiences and resources for the school. These include laptops, monitors, books, carpets, improved toilet facilities and outdoor equipment, as well as end of term BBQs and Beetle Drives.  They are always looking for new members and ideas. Please contact Thomas Hartley (Chairman of the committee) or the Headteacher for more details.

Fund Raising

Our main fund raising ventures are the Promise Auction organised by The Friends of Dent School and the Dentdale Run organised by the Dentdale Run Committee.  Additionally we receive donations from local charities and organisations, which we rely on to provide resources for our children, which normally lie outside the School’s budget.

If you would like to join the above committees, please contact the school for more details.

We also raise funds for charities.  We support children in the Third World through PLAN sponsorship, collect money for Children in Need and Comic Relief, the local hospice, UNICEF and other charities.

STATISTICAL INFORMATION

Summary results for Key Stages 1 and 2 for 2009 are listed below:

Key Stage 1

Due to the small number of children in Key Stage 1 results are not reported.

Key Stage 2

Number of children in year group: 8

Attendance

The attendance rate is above the national average and was 96.63% for the period 2008/2009

TRANSFER TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Annex 1

Click HERE for a printable copy of the Agreement below

DENT CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

and DENT C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL

THE SCHOOL will:

• Endeavour to meet all the educational needs of the pupil, including areas of special need and high ability;
• Encourage him/her to be aware of their own behaviour by involving them in creating rules.  To be aware of the need for good behaviour towards everyone;
• Inform parents regularly of the pupil’s progress at school;
• Be open and welcoming to pupils and their parents/carers keeping them informed of events and issues of significance affecting the school/pupils;
• Offer opportunities for parents, carers, families and ‘friends of the school’ to be involved in the life of the school.

PARENTS/CARERS and FAMILIES will:

• Promptly inform a teacher of any concerns or problems which may affect the work or behaviour of the pupil;
• Ensure the pupil attends school regularly and on time;
• Support the school’s policies on behaviour and learning;
• Encourage and support the pupil in homework and other home learning opportunities, particularly with reading and numeracy;
• Endeavour to attend meetings and events arranged to keep parents and families informed about the school and pupils’ progress.

CHILDREN will:

• Care for each other and the school;
• Be kind and considerate to everybody;
• Be honest and tell the truth;
• Listen carefully;
• Always try to do their best.

Signed _____________________          ______________________

                                        (Child)                                            (Parent)

________________________ (Headteacher)

Date _______________

The policies of the school, agreed by the governors and implemented by the staff, may be consulted at the school.

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