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Queen’s Park CE/URCPrimary SchoolProspectus

www.queenspark.st-helens.sch.uk

Queen’s Park CE/URC Primary SchoolRivington Road, St.HelensMerseyside WA10 4NQTelephone: 01744 678202Fax: 01744 677506Email: [email protected]

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Contents1 Introduction

2 Mission Statement and Aims

3 Collective Worship

3 Attendance and Punctuality

4 School Details and Admissions Policy

5 The School Day

6 Staff

7 The Governors

7 Brief Overview of the School

7 School Organisation

8 The Foundation Stage Curriculum

8 Uniform

9 Charging Policy

10 Welfare and Safety Procedures

10 Equal Opportunities

10 Special Educational Needs

12 Community Links

12 Complaints

13 Curriculum

16 Sex Education

16 Homework

16 Extra-Curricular Activities

16 Videos and Photographs

18 Queen’s Park CE/URC policy for Pupil Premium

IntroductionQueen’s Park CE/URC Primary School is a unique Church of England and United Reformed Church School.We are the result of an amalgamation of Knowsley Road URC Primary School and St. Luke’s CE PrimarySchool in September 1995.

The school has occupied its present site on Rivington Road since September 1996. The school shares thesite, but is separate from St.Helens Council Offices.

Infants are arranged into 6 classes and Juniors into 8. There are two temporary classrooms adjacent to theschool’s main entrance.

The current site is spacious and has extensive grounds including playing field (rugby, football and cricketpitches). The school has its own kitchen for the provision of hot meals. There are also two halls, one smallerwhich is used as a dining hall for PE and worship. The large hall is used for worship, PE, and presentations.There is a separate outdoor area for Foundation Stage. We have two modern ICT suites.

You may be sure that everyone associated with Queen’s Park CE/URC Primary School will be workingtogether to ensure your child is happy, safe and is given every opportunity to achieve success in a Christianenvironment.

Ethos Statement“Recognising its historic foundations, the school will preserve and develop its religious character inaccordance with the principles of the Church of England and the United Reformed Church and in partnershipwith the churches at parish, diocesan and local level. The school aims to serve its community by providing aneducation of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages anunderstanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through theexperience it offers all pupils.”

Dear All,

If your child is to join us at Queen’s Park CE/URC Primary School for the first time, we welcome youand look forward to a happy and successful association over the coming years. If you already have achild in school, we are pleased to renew the links between us.

This prospectus gives you an insight into our school activities and a feeling of the caring andstimulating environment of which we are proud.

Confidence in a school comes from knowing and understanding what is happening within it. We hopethat you will extend your knowledge through contact and discussions with myself and members of ourschool community. It is important that there is mutual understanding and trust in our partnership sothat your child can achieve and attain all that he/she is capable of during the time spent at Queen’sPark School.

Yours sincerely,

David Thorpe

Headteacher.

Queen’s Park Church of England andUnited Reformed Church Primary School

"The school through its distinctive Christian character is outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners."(Church School Inspection February 2013)

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Mission Statement and Aims (Revised 2012)Working together to value achievement, effort and others in a Christian environment.

“Teach a child how he should live and he will remember it all his life.”(Proverbs 22:6)

Our vision for Queen’s Park CE/URC School is to be a safe and happy place where we learn and liveaccording to the example set by Jesus.

Respect is central – of self, of others, and of our environment. Through this, our children will becomeindependent learners, independent thinkers and God-loving citizens.

At Queen’s Park CE/URC School, we aim to:

• Create a Christian atmosphere in which each person is valued.

• Provide high standards of learning and teaching.

• Provide a rich and meaningful curriculum that challenges all to achieve their best.

• Promote independence in thought and behaviour which allows everyone to contribute in a positive way.

• Be a school family, fostering strong partnerships between home and school, our local community and ourchurches.

• Provide a safe and caring, happy and stimulating working environment where both children and adultsenjoy themselves and are encouraged to do their best.

• Support the development of our children’s social skills, personal development and healthy lifestyles.

All members of our school community are important and we believe that by fulfilling our aims we will bedemonstrating that every person matters.

Giving children opportunities to reflect with awe and wonder on what they learn in school and the worldaround them, fosters their spiritual development. Throughout their time at Queen’s Park CE/URC School,children are encouraged to express experiences, feelings, questions and ideas in their own words. With agrowing self-awareness also comes greater ability to respect and learn from the ‘inner world’ of other people.Developing this kind of spiritual maturity is vital if our children are to take responsibility for their own actionsand to understand the needs of others.

"The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Queen's Park as a Church school are outstanding."(Church School Inspection February 2013)

Collective WorshipAn act of worship is held each day and is normally led by the headteacher, the deputy head, another memberof the teaching staff, a representative from the Church of England/United Reformed Church or the childrenthemselves. Parents are invited to class assemblies and other acts of worship during the year. If a parentrequests that their child(ren) be wholly or partly withdrawn from attendance at worship in school, the schoolwill ensure that they are supervised, but are not obliged to provide alternative work. Such requests must bemade in writing to the headteacher. The worship at Queen’s Park School is wholly Christian in accordancewith our foundation.

Attendance and PunctualityAt Queen’s Park School we strive to maximise each child’s attendance, as we can only directly influence achild’s education if they are in school. The law requires that attendance registers are taken twice a day; onceat the start of the morning session and once in the afternoon. Staff and pupils should regard registration as anintegral part of the school day. Punctuality is vital and children should arrive in school no later than 8.55am.Where children are late or absent, a satisfactory explanation must be offered by the parent or carer. Only theheadteacher can authorise absences. A telephone call should be made to the school office on the first day ofabsence, informing staff of the reasons for absence. On return to school, a note should be sent into school bythe parent/carer giving a written explanation of the reason for absence. In cases where punctuality orabsence is a concern, we look to work in partnership with support services and parents to support the childand family until attendance improves.

Holidays in Term TimeWe do not condone holidays taken at this time but realise that, for some families, an annual holiday cannot betaken at any other time because of work commitments. If this is the case, then authorisation can be requestedby filling in a form, available from the school office at least four weeks prior to the holiday. Authorisation canbe given at the discretion of the headteacher for up to a maximum of 10 school days. Authorisation willusually be declined in the following circumstances:

• shopping trips;

• second holidays, even if the first was for less than 10 days;

• holidays in SATS weeks;

• if the child’s attendance is a cause for concern (i.e. less than 85%)

Our school values are the Christian values of:

• Love

• Joy

• Peace

• Patience

• Kindness

• Goodness

• Faithfulness

• Self-control

• Tell the truth

• Keep promises

• Build up self-esteem

• Respect the beliefs, rights and propertiesof others

• Act considerately towards others

• Help those less fortunate and weaker thanourselves

• Take personal responsibility for one’s actions

• Demonstrate self-discipline

• Be an inclusive school community, supportingthose with special needs or disabilities

Queen’s Park School rejects:

• Bullying

• Cheating

• Deceit

• Cruelty

• Irresponsibility

• Dishonesty

The school sees education as a partnership between home, school and our two churches. We aim to makeour school a warm, open and welcoming place where children can feel secure, where parents are able todiscuss their children with staff in confidence, and where staff have opportunities to speak with parents whennecessary to inform them of their child’s progress. The school also aims to develop the child’s ability to beself-reliant and, over the time with us, increase their responsibilities and independence.

We encourage all members of our school community to:

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School Details and Admissions PolicySchool: Queen’s Park Church of England and United Reformed Church Primary School

Address: Rivington Road

St. Helens

Merseyside

WA10 4NQ

Telephone: 01744 678202

Fax: 01744 677506

Email: [email protected]

Chair of Governors: Mr. R. Quinn

Headteacher: Mr. D. Thorpe

Classification of the SchoolThe school is a Voluntary Controlled Primary School which is affiliated to both the Church of England and theUnited Reformed Church. It is for boys and girls within the age range 4 to 11.

Admission ArrangementsParents wishing to admit their child to school should either visit school or telephone for an appointment. Theywill be issued with a Primary Admission form at the appropriate time, which should be returned to school.Records are kept on a list of each child’s details.

Local Authority Admissions PolicyThe current admissions policy is operated by St.Helens Council on behalf of the school via the publication“Admissions to Primary School – Information for Parents”, copies of which are available through the school.Points to note in this policy are:

1. A child cannot be registered at a primary school until a year before the child is due to be admitted.

2. Children become of statutory age at the beginning of the first term after they reach the age of five, but it hasbeen practice in St.Helens Authority to admit children at an earlier date wherever and whenever possible.The Authority’s policy has been for all pupils to have the opportunity to be admitted to Reception Class on afull-time basis in September, i.e. at the beginning of the academic year in which the child is five.

3. Whilst parents can exercise preference as to which school they wish their child to attend, such a schoolwould normally be the one which serves the area in which they reside.

4. An admission form can be obtained from the headteacher of the school.

5. Procedures for admission:

a) Parents should contact the headteacher of the school they wish to attend, in order to complete anadmission form. The forms should be returned to the school. This is normally done in the Autumn Term.

b) Parents residing outside the Borough of St. Helens should contact the Director of Children and YoungPeople’s Services, Admissions Section, for further advice.

c) Every attempt will be made to meet parents’ first preference, but if demand exceeds the number of placesavailable, a place may be offered elsewhere. It is, therefore, essential on the Admissions form to state a 1st,2nd and 3rd preference of school.

d) At the present time, the admission limit for Queen’s Park CE/URC Primary is 60 pupils per year group. Ifdemand exceeds this number, then priority is given to:

i. Children who have a brother or sister presently attending Queen’s Park School.

ii. Children whose family home is nearest school, the measurement being taken from the front door of thefamily home to the nearest school gate via the shortest route along public highways.

e) A parent may appeal against the allocation of a child to a particular school by completing the Appeal Formwhich is provided when the first preference cannot be met. The completed form must reach the Childrenand Young People’s Services Appeals Board. The parent will have the opportunity to attend and make oralrepresentations, and may be accompanied by a friend or be represented. Parents will receive the decisionin writing.

The School DayInfant Children are taught for 22 hours 30 minutes each week, Juniors are taught for 24 hours 30 minutes.This does not include playtimes, registration or worship times.

Foundation Stage (Reception Classes)8.55am School day begins

9.45am - 10.00am Worship (Friday 1.35pm)

11.50am - 12.55pm Lunch

3.00pm School day finishes

Key Stage 1: (Year 1 & 2)8.55am School day begins


10.45am - 11.00am Playtime

11.50am - 12.55pm Lunch

2.00pm - 2.15pm Playtime


Key Stage 2: (Years 3, 4, 5 & 6)8.55am School day begins

10.35am - 10.50am Playtime


12.15pm - 1.10pm (Y3/4) Lunch

12.30pm - 1.25pm (Y5/6) Lunch


Teaching staff are in their rooms by 8.45am but parents are requested to leave any discussions they wish tohave with them until 3.15pm, this is to allow the children to have the full attention of their teacher as they startthe day. Prior appointments are advised.

"Pupils are polite and well mannered to each other and to adults.Pupils enjoy school and are cared for very well."

(OFSTED February 2013)

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StaffTeaching Staff:Mr. D. Thorpe Mrs. J. Kellett

Miss S. Hope Miss N. Ellis

Miss R. Fisher Miss J. Simm

Mrs. L. Snee Mrs. K. Lister

Mr. S. Warner Mrs. H. Potter

Mrs. B. Collier-Nelson Mr. P. Everett

Mrs. G. Hanson-Jones Mrs. S. Cardwell

Miss J. Cunliffe Mrs. S. Platt

Mr. R. Bishop Mrs. C. Taylor

Pastoral Manager:Mr. R. Curran

Learning Assistants:Mrs. J. Marsh Mrs. G. Heavey Mrs. L. Ashton

Mrs. K. Paton Mrs. J. Harrison Miss J. Lockett

Mrs. S. Baskett Mrs. J. Connor Mrs. E. Innes

Mrs. A. Riley Ms. E. Gauld Mrs. J. Ellison

Miss A. Monsvoll Mrs. T. Bates

One-to-one support staff:Mrs. A. Fishwick Miss R. Pallett Mrs. E. Baron

Mrs. L. Unsworth Mrs. R. Wilmott Mrs. H. Evans

Mrs. W. Parkinson Miss M. Quinn Mrs. E. Tickle

Office Manager:Mrs. J. Wilson

Receptionist & Clerical:Mrs. C. Towey

Caretaker:Mr. P. Cunliffe

Crossing Patrol:Mrs. S. Williams

Cook:Mrs. C. Bolan

The GovernorsName: Type of Governor:Mrs. M. Horabin Foundation (URC)

Rev. G. McGowan Foundation (URC)

Rev. P. Day Foundation (St. Luke’s)

Mr. R. Quinn Foundation (St. Luke’s)

Mrs. M. Quinn LA (St.Helens Council)

Mr. K. Roughley LA (St.Helens Council)

Mr. I. Thomas Community

Mrs. D. Wilde Community

Vacancy Community

Mrs. Atherton Associate

Mrs. C. Towey Associate

Mrs. G. Hughes Parent

Miss K. Devine Parent

Mr. J. Griffiths Parent

Mrs. C. Cairns Parent

Mrs. R. Summerskill Parent

Vacancy Parent

Miss A. Riley Staff

Mrs. H. Potter Teacher

Mr. D. Thorpe Headteacher

The Chair of Governors is Mr. R. Quinn, who can be contacted through the school.

The Clerk to Governors is an officer of the Local Authority who can be contacted at the Democratic ServicesDepartment, Town Hall, Victoria Square.

Brief Overview of the SchoolQueen’s Park is a co-educational Church of England/United Reformed Church Controlled Primary School forpupils of four years to eleven years of age. In addition to this, Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holidayprovisions are available. These are run by the Newtown ABC Group in their own premises, on our site. Theschool has extensive playing fields and a very large playground. Internally, the main building comprises 14classrooms. We have three computer suites, two of which are mobile and can be used in any classroom.Every classroom has interactive whiteboard facilities.

School OrganisationThe school is organised into three Departments – Foundation Stage, (Reception) Key Stage 1 (Infants), andKey Stage 2 (Juniors).

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The Foundation Stage CurriculumThe Early Years Curriculum develops the “whole child” socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically sothat they are thoroughly prepared for full-time Key Stage 1 education. The Foundation Stage extendschildren’s experiences by welcoming visitors and experts into school to work with us.

Key Stage 1 (Infants)Key Stage 1 is divided into two year groups. Each year group has its own teacher who is helped at specifictimes by Learning Assistants. Our classrooms are well-equipped with areas that support activities thatdevelop and extend skills.

Key Stage 2 (Juniors)Children move into Key Stage 2 at the age of seven, when they start Year 3. At the end of Year 6, the majorityof our pupils move to our associate high school – Cowley International College.

UniformBoys:Grey trousers

White polo shirt

Royal blue sweatshirt/pullover/cardigan

Black shoes (not trainers)

Girls:Grey skirt/pinafore dress

White polo shirt

Royal blue sweatshirt/pullover/cardigan

Black shoes with a reasonable heel (not trainers)

Summer Dress for girls:Gold & white or blue & white checked dress

Winter Dress for girls:As above, but with an option to wear thick woolly tights – black/navy/grey (not bright colours or patterns)and/or trousers (but these must be grey school trousers – not flairs, jeans, leggings, tracksuit or any othernon-school uniform issue)

PE and Games• Yellow/gold T-shirt

• Plain royal blue shorts

• Black pumps (trainers only to be worn for outdoor PE/games)

• Tracksuits are useful for cold weather

• This kit should be kept in school in a pump bag

• All clothing should be clearly labelled with your child’s name

JewelleryThe school’s Health and Safety Policy, following the guidelines of St.Helens Council. discourages the wearingof jewellery in school. The wearing of jewellery (except for religious reasons) is not considered appropriate forschool. Except for watches, jewellery should not be worn. We are concerned that the children should not hurtthemselves with jewellery catching on furniture. The school cannot be held responsible for items brought intoschool which become lost or damaged.

Please note that long hair should be tied back and the boys should have a tidy haircut.

Charging PolicyThe Governing Body follow the St.Helens’ guidelines of not charging for school curriculum activities. Avoluntary contribution is requested for certain activities, school trips etc. when these take place. Parents mayalso be asked to cover the cost of lost or damaged books or equipment.

Arrangements for Inspection of DocumentsAnyone wishing to inspect any of the following documentation should do so, in writing, by contacting theSchool Office and stating clearly which particular documents they wish to inspect.

• Statutory instruments and circulars sent to school by the Department of Education concerning thecurriculum, including the National Curriculum.

• The OFSTED Report.

• Schemes of work.

• Minutes of Governing Body Meetings (Part 1 only).

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Welfare and Safety ProceduresRegularly updated contact telephone numbers are important links in case of illness or accident or otheremergencies. Please advise us of changes in circumstances. Staff are not allowed to administer medicines.Parents should come into school to give their child the medicine. On some occasions, staff may supervisechildren taking their medication, but only where written instructions are provided by the parent. All medicinesshould be stored in the school office where self-administering will be supervised. All medicines must becollected by an adult at the end of the school day.

Non-prescribed medicines (Tunes, Lockets, Calpol etc.) are not allowed in schools.

Inhalers may be kept in school after parents/carers have signed the appropriate consent form.

IllnessIf your child is unwell at school, you will be asked to collect him/her. It is vital that we have up-to-date contactdetails. Children will only be sent home if they are really ill (high temperature/vomiting/diarrhoea) or if theyhave a head injury.

Care of Pupils“An established strenth of the school is the excellent quality of care, guidance and support

based on the Christian values of love and forgiveness.”(Church School Inspection February 2013)

All authorised visitors to school are given identity badges to wear. All staff and voluntary helpers in school arepolice-checked if they are to have unsupervised contact with pupils.

As our first priority is your child’s welfare, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agenciesabout your child even before we contact you. The procedures we follow have been laid down by the LocalAuthority Safeguarding Board.

All staff take a caring interest in the children. Should any problems develop either in school or at home whichcould affect your child’s future mental or physical development, please contact your child’s own teacher in thefirst instance.

The staff treat the children as would a reasonable parent. There are school rules based on safety and respectfor other people, their property and their feelings. Children work with teachers on their own class rules whichare displayed in each classroom. The school’s discipline and behaviour policy and our Code of Conduct areissued to all parents. Children are encouraged towards positive behaviour through the use of stickers, teampoints, badges, certificates etc. There is a system of sanctions and the involvement of parents, if theoccasion arises, in setting, with the child and teacher, targets for improved behaviour. Parents are expectedto pay for damages or defacement resulting from their child’s behaviour.

Equal OpportunitiesAll of our children are equally valued regardless of gender, ability, race and belief. Pupils with disabilities aregiven equal opportunities in both the academic and social life of the school. The Governors have carefullyconsidered the issues of equal opportunity to ensure that disabled pupils are given equal access to allfacilities. All children are encouraged to involve themselves in all school activities in and out of school hours.

Special Educational NeedsThe school aims to identify children with Special Educational Needs as quickly as possible and to ensure alearning atmosphere where all pupils can make the greatest possible progress. To this end, all children areregularly assessed according to the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs. The school worksclosely with external agencies including the School Psychology Service. At all times, the emphasis is on apartnership between home and school. There are designated support staff and Learning Support Assistantsto deliver aspects of Individual Education Programmes.

Included in the definition of Special Educational Needs are those who are Gifted or Talented. Parents arealways fully informed and play a key role in the partnership between home and school.

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Pastoral CareEach child is valued and cared for in a Christian atmosphere. During break and lunchtimes, the children arewell-supervised and older children act as “Activity Leaders” and ‘Buddies’ to ensure that children are happyand included in games. If children experience difficulties with behaviour at lunch or break times, the ClassTeacher is the first to be informed, and if a child repeatedly misbehaves, lack of privileges or extra work mayresult. If a child experiences ongoing difficulties at any time, parents and staff work together to resolve thedifficulties.

Community LinksVisits to, and connections with, the local community are viewed as being important. Our children visit andlead worship at St. Luke’s Church. Our school choir occasionally sings at Civic Events (Christmas LightingCeremony, Remembrance Service etc.) The headteacher regularly preaches at St. Luke’s, Newton UnitedReformed Church and Ormskirk Street URC We welcome visitors to lead worship in school, such as TheSeedlings Trust.

Many community visits take place, Ruskin Lodge Residential Home being one example.

We have very good links with St. Helens RLFC and visit the Saints Smart School on an annual basis.

We have very strong links with our feeder high school – Cowley International College. Children visit regularly,sampling lessons in games, technology, languages etc., as well as Cowley staff and pupils visiting our schoolto share assemblies.

Parents as PartnersParents are encouraged to come into school and work alongside teachers. This allows parents to gain aninsight into school life and helps children to realise that school and home can work happily together. Theschool has a number of courses for parents each year for which there is no charge.

FundraisingQueen’s Park School has a Friends’ Association to which all parents/carers are automatically members. Wework hard to raise funds to buy extra materials and resources to benefit all the children. Money raised alsosubsidises school trips and visitors to school throughout the year.

ComplaintsWe hope that any concerns can be resolved by discussions with the class teacher, deputy headteacher orthe headteacher. If, however, you wish to make a formal complaint, the following procedure applies:

• All complaints should be addressed to the headteacher in the first instance.

• If you feel that the problem has not been resolved to your satisfaction, contact the Chair of Governors(details available from the school office).

• Contact with the LA can be made (contact number in the office).

The full complaints procedure can be obtained at the school office.

LunchtimesLunchtime lasts from 11.50am - 12.55pm for the infants, and from 12.15pm - 1.10pm for the juniors, in Years 3and 4, whilst Years 5 and 6’s lunch hour is from 12.30pm to 1.25pm. Parents can choose between taking theirchildren home for lunch, supplying them with a healthy packed lunch, or allowing them to stay for schooldinners. Meals are cooked on the premises. Children who remain in school for lunch are, of course, subject tothe school behaviour policy throughout the lunch break, and will not be allowed to leave the premises.

Children of parents who are in receipt of Income Support are automatically entitled to free school meals whichmust be applied for via the Local Authority. Please note that every care is taken to avoid identification ofpupils on free school meals.

Curriculum“The curriculum is well planned and provides opportunites for pupils to develop a wide range of skills

in a stimulating learning environment that has a positive impact on pupils' progress.”(OFSTED February 2013)

The whole school curriculum follows national guidelines. Work planned for all children is stimulating andrelevant. Children are taken on field trips, visits of special interest, and people with special expertise areencouraged to visit the school.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Curriculum, the curriculum is divided into two mainareas, core subjects and foundation subjects. The core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, ICT andRE. The foundation subjects are Design Technology, History, Geography, PE, Art and Music.

Religious Education is based on the Christian traditions of the Church of England and the United ReformedChurch. We follow the locally agreed syllabus which is supplemented by the syllabus of the LiverpoolDiocese. Parents can, if they so wish, ask to withdraw their child from RE lessons. If this happens, the childwill be given extra work and sent to another classroom to be supervised. However, we do not encouragechildren to be withdrawn from any lessons – this way, the child receives a broad and balanced curriculum.Parents also have the right to remove their children from Collective Worship. Please inform the school if this isyour wish.

We also teach the wider skills and knowledge connected with health education.

Teaching Methods"Good teaching provides pupils with many opportunities to be actively involved in lessons."

(OFSTED February 2013)

We try to use a variety of teaching methods at Queen’s Park as we feel each topic and subject cannot betreated in the same way. Within the infant department, the teachers tend to use the topic approach, linkingseveral subjects together, under a particular title such as 'Toys'. In the junior classes, more subject-basedteaching is undertaken, so that we can cover aspects of the National Curriculum in a way that does not leadto tenuous links between the subjects.

English is taught following the programmes of study laid down in the National Curriculum. Generally, the dailyEnglish lessons are divided into three or four parts, with the children working as a whole class for part of thetime, and working in smaller ability groups the rest of the time, either working independently or under thedirection of the teacher. The children all return at the end of the lesson to review what they have learnt.

Maths is taught following the National Numeracy Strategy. Part of the lesson involves the whole class, whilethe work set by the teacher is differentiated into the three broad ability bands within the classes.

EnglishThis includes reading, writing, handwriting, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and speaking and listening. Weaim to give a balanced approach to both reading and writing.

We teach most of our English lessons through ‘The Literacy Hour’ – a highly structured and effective way toteach all aspects of reading, writing and spelling. In these lessons the children learn about books, the waythey are written and their structure, both fiction and non-fiction, about phonics, word derivation and grammar.The children read and write together as a class, in small ability groups and individually. All children areexpected to take home books, to read to their parents and to develop an enjoyment of reading. Other lessonsinclude longer sessions for writing stories and articles, and speaking and listening. We use a highlystructured phonics programme for the teaching of reading, and this is taught every day.

MathematicsMathematics is taught following the National Curriculum programmes of study. A strong emphasis is placedon mental calculation skills and strategies. Children are expected to learn the times tables, and parents arerequested to help children with these. The Curriculum for Mathematics expects all children to know, by heart,their times tables (up to 12 x 12) by the age of 9 (the end of Year 4).

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ScienceThis subject covers not only different aspects of science such as light, sound, colour, electricity, forces andthe world about us, but also ways of working scientifically. Much stress is placed on asking questions,devising ways of finding out and experimenting fairly. Work is recorded in a variety of ways, includinggraphically, pictorially and descriptively.

Information & Communication Technology (ICT)Children are introduced to computers from Reception class onwards. They use a variety of hardware andsoftware to support their learning. The children use ICT appropriately in a wide variety of ‘real life’ scenarios,e.g. to present, manipulate and communicate information and interrogate data, to sense changes in scientificexperiments and to control devices. Every child uses the ICT suite each week.

Religious EducationQueen’s Park School is a Church School. We follow the locally agreed syllabus and supplement this with theLiverpool Diocesan Syllabus. This enables children to explore Christianity and other faiths and thereby makeinformed choices in later life. The balance between Christianity and other faiths is 80% Christian, 20% otherfaiths. The Worship and Religious Education provided by the school is in accordance with the ChristianFoundation. This Foundation is also reflected in the curriculum and the whole life of the school community.

HistoryThis includes local and British history, as well as ancient history. The idea of time and ‘long ago’ are taught aswell as the ideas of progression, change and seeing things from different points of view. Visits to museumsand galleries are used to give children experiences of artefacts.

GeographyThe geography curriculum investigates places and themes across a widening range of scales. Within thesethematic and locality studies, the children are taught geographical skills and undertake fieldwork.The children are also taught about weather, rivers, settlements and environmental change.

MusicParticipation and music-making are emphasised; singing and playing both tuned and untuned percussioninstruments are experienced by all the children. They are introduced to a wide variety of musical stylesthrough recorded music. Some of the older children are able to learn a musical instrument.

Physical EducationThe PE curriculum includes gymnastics, games, dance, outdoor adventure and swimming. We aim todevelop skills and the attitudes of co-operation and fair play. The school encourages links with local clubsand sporting organisations. Access to Physical Education for all pupils is ensured by providing activitieswhich are appropriate to individual abilities.

ArtWide-ranging artistic skills are taught, including drawing, painting, and model building, and sewing. Theworks of famous artists are used to demonstrate techniques and styles. A wide variety of media is availableso that children can fulfil their need for self-expression in a purposeful way. The emphasis is on enjoyment,participation and stimulation.

Design TechnologyThis includes designing, planning, making and evaluating models. The children are taught how to use simpletools safely. Design and Technology enables children to become creative problem-solvers both as individualsand members of a team. It combines practical skills with an understanding of how things work and how tomake them better. As they carry out tasks, children are encouraged to evaluate existing design andtechnology and reflect on its usefulness and relevance.

Personal, Social and Health Education, including CitizenshipHealth and Sex Education is taught as part of the wider Health, Personal and Social Education, usingcross-curricular themes. As part of the PSHE curriculum, the children in Year 6 have the opportunity todiscuss their development within a sympathetic environment. Questions arising spontaneously will beanswered in an appropriate manner for the child’s stage of development. The children are encouraged to beresponsible for their health by taking part in physical activity and eating healthily. The school promoteshealthy eating. Our School Council provides a forum through which children’s ideas can be discussed andused to inform decisions.

Modern Foreign LanguagesAt Queen’s Park we believe that children should be encouraged to learn another language. We teach Frenchto different classes at different times during the school year.

Sex EducationThe Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) at Queen’s Park is based on family values and Christianprinciples, and is related to the stage of development of the children and the statutory requirements of theNational Curriculum.

HomeworkAll the children are expected to read at home every evening, and the parents can help their child by taking afew minutes each day to read with them. The teachers will, from time to time, ask the children to find outthings related to their topics or to learn spellings, or multiplication tables.

As the children move up through the school, more homework is set, though no task should take longer thanan hour to complete.

Extra-Curricular ActivitiesQueen’s Park CE/URC School provides a range of opportunities for the children to become involved in. Theseinclude:

• Football

• Rugby

• School holiday for Year 6

• SATs Club

• Choir

• Recorders

• Fit Kids Club

• Judo

• Dodegeball

Videos and PhotographsThe school uses photographs in a variety of ways – as evidence of what a child has achieved, as a form ofart, to enhance displays and as evidence of where a class has been on school trips. We may also video thechildren at work, at class assemblies and productions. The school has developed a website on which we willshow what our school is like.

The school’s policy is clear. Photographs will be displayed around the school, and may have some of thechildren identified. However, no work, photographs or video clips will be placed on the website so thatindividual children can be identified by name.

Parents will be asked to sign a consent form at the beginning of their school time with us, which allows us,and other parents, to take photographs and videos of key events in school (such as the Nativity, end of yearproduction, class assemblies and sports days). It is essential that the school has a copy of this agreement.

Should parents not wish their child to be photographed or videoed by other parents, as, for example, duringa class assembly, we must know; but this may mean that your child will not be able to take part. Please feelfree to talk to either the class teacher or the headteacher about this subject.

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Queen’s Park CE/URC policy for Pupil Premium

School vision

We want everyone at Queen’s Park CE/URC Primary School to succeed and thrive.

The targeted and strategic use of pupil premium will support us in achieving our vision.

Principles

• We ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all of the pupils

• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups, this includesensuring that the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils are adequately assessed and addressed

• In making provision for socially disadvantaged pupils, we recognise that not all pupils who receive freeschool meals will be socially disadvantaged

• We also recognise that not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for freeschool meals. We reserve the right to allocate the Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil or groups ofpupils the school has legitimately identified as being socially disadvantaged. At least 70% of any groupwill be made up of FSM children

• Pupil premium funding will be allocated following a needs analysis which will identify priority classes,groups or individuals. Limited funding and resources means that not all children receiving free schoolmeals will be in receipt of pupil premium interventions at any one time

Provision

• The range of provision the Governors may consider making for this group could include:

• Reducing class sizes thus improving opportunities for effective AfL and accelerating progress

• Providing small group work with an experienced teacher focussed on overcoming gaps in learning

• 1-1 support

• Additional teaching and learning opportunities provided through trained LAs or external agencies

• All our work through the pupil premium will be aimed at accelerating progress moving children to at leastage related expectations. Initially this will be in English and maths

• Pupil premium resources may also be used to target able children on FSM to achieve L3 or 5

• Provision will not be aimed at children on the SEN register

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Reporting

• It will be the responsibility of the Headteacher, or a delegated member of staff, to produce regular reportsfor the Governors’ curriculum, sub committee on:

• the progress made towards narrowing the gap, by year group, for socially disadvantaged pupils

• an evaluation of the cost effectiveness, in terms of the progress made by the pupils receiving a particular provision, when compared with other forms of support

• It will be the responsibility of the Chairperson of the curriculum committee to ensure that this information ismade known to the full governing body

• The Governors of the school will ensure that there is an annual statement to parents on how the PupilPremium funding has been used to address the issue of ‘narrowing the gap’, for socially disadvantagedpupils. This task will be carried out within the requirements published by the Department for Education andpublished on our website

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