Rothwell Church of England Primary AcademyPart of The LEAF Academy Trust

PROSPECTUS

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CONTENTS

Welcome 1

Curriculum 2-3

Our Children 4-5

Achievement 6-7

Key Information 8-9

WELCOME

Dear Parent/Carer,

Joining the LEAF Trust has meant a fresh start for Rothwell Church of England

Primary Academy as a new academy with new leadership within a small and

passionate Trust that serves children in Leeds. Our Trust is built upon the

cornerstones of love, enterprise, aspiration and faith and what makes LEAF

Academies unique is their commitment to serve pupils and their families

and to educate children in an environment that nurtures and inspires.

We are a rapidly improving academy. Our culture is based around Christian

values and a Growth Mindset; a learning theory which sees potential as

limitless and that achievement is a result of hard work, learning from

mistakes and identifying next steps on the learning journey. I believe that

every child can and should have a positive attitude to learning, make good progress and develop life skills. Our pupils embrace challenge,

work hard, co-operate well and are articulate and happy.

We set high standards of behaviour and pupils are courteous, well-mannered and considerate. As a one form entry academy we retain

a family feel and we actively encourage our older pupils to take a lead in community events and in supporting younger pupils. The

welfare of our pupils is paramount and we pride ourselves in the care we extend to pupils and their families. Our pupils have a strong

identity and a sense of pride in their academy.

As a Church of England Academy we have close links with Holy Trinity church and attend services there. Christian teaching is part of

our curriculum and helps to make our academy special. Our daily collective worship reflects out Christian values and our pupils know

our clergy well and look forward to their time in the academy. Although we have a strong Christian character we welcome families of

all faiths and none; our school reflects the local area we serve.

As an Academy, we are ambitious for ourselves and our pupils and have high aspirations. I am blessed to be the Principal of an academy

with such amazing pupils, supportive parents and a dedicated staff. I hope that this prospectus is not just informative but also gives

you a flavour of what our Academy is like. If you have any questions or would like any further help then please don’t hesitate to contact

me. I truly hope that you choose Rothwell C of E for your child and wish them every success in their future school career.

Yours Sincerely,

Darren Foulke

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MISSION AND ETHOSAt Rothwell C of E Primary Academy we are proud of our links with the parish

church. We recognise that success is a journey rather than a destination. The

contributions made by parents, governors, staff, children, the church community

and wider community throughout this journey are greatly valued.

Aims:

• To create an ethos which ensures that all children and adults working within our

school feel valued and are able to value others.

• To give children and adults the opportunity to realise their full potential.

• To provide a curriculum which is broad, balanced and appropriate to individual needs.

• To provide a happy, caring, disciplined and stimulating environment in which

everyone is encouraged to achieve the highest possible standards of work.

• To work in partnerships with parents and carers.

• To develop with children an understanding of their responsibility to themselves,

the Academy and wider community.

• To extend and enrich links with the church community.

• To develop new and strengthen old relationships within the wider community.

• To be reflective and innovative.

To serve and to learn, to challenge and to love.

LEAFRothwell Church of England Primary Academy is part of the LEAF Academy Trust. The trust consists of primary and secondary academies and the Diocese of West Yorkshire and

the Dales, who work together to serve local communities by providing innovative educational practice within traditional values.

The LEAF Academy Trust believes that every child in our care is unique, a child of God, and that our mission is to serve them by providing the highest possible standard of

education, suited to their needs and aptitudes, within an atmosphere of trust

and love. Our academies nurture productive and supportive relationships based

on mutual respect, dignity and love, and work within a framework of discipline

which is confident of forgiveness.

LEAF Academy Trust is based on a set of principles that we follow in all aspects

of school life:

LOVE ENTERPRISE ASPIRATION FAITH

COLLECTIVE WORSHIPAs part of our day we have a worship session which is predominantly Christian in nature. We explore a range of themes and

give children the opportunity to reflect and give thanks. We attend Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell at least twice a term and

parents are most welcome to join us. Our Clergy deliver regular whole Academy acts of collective worship as well as

conducting class visits. Pupils in Year 6 also have the opportunity to attend confirmation classes. It is our belief that our

Academy is made even more special by our Christian values and links with the local church and these contribute to the

warm and welcoming Academy that we have. If parents would like to withdraw their children from worship an application

must be made through the Principal.

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FOUNDATION STAGEThe Foundation Stage of learning is taught to

Reception (4 and 5 year olds). When children first

join us our priority is to help them feel happy and

secure in their new environment. They are taught the

routines and procedures of life in the academy and

are supported by a dedicated and talented early

years’ team. Children follow the Early Years

Foundation Stage Curriculum.

Throughout the day children enjoy a range of

experiences and play forms an important part of

their learning. Pupils are also taught as a whole class

and in small group’s with a teacher or teaching

assistant. Key challenges are used alongside open

ended learning activities to ensure that pupils are

able to apply prior learning, develop new skills and to

be successful, engaged and happy in their learning.

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Half termly Cycle 1 Cycle 2 topics

Term A History Geography

Term B Enterprise History

Term C History Geography

Term D Geography Community/Citizenship

Term E Community/ ScienceCitizenship/Global

Term F Current Event/ Current Event/Pupil Led Pupil Led

Computing, MFL and PE will be taught as stand-alonesubjects.

Science RE and PSHE will be taught as a mix of stand-alone subjects and as part of cross curricular andtopics where appropriate.

Art, DT, Music and PSHE to be taught as part of crosscurricular topic work

KEY STAGE 1 & 2The curriculum has been designed differently to

many other curriculums. We have started from the

premise that we know our pupils, know their needs

and know our aspirations for them. First and

foremost our curriculum has been designed to meet

these requirements. Our core values and needs are

listed below and our topics are designed to meet

these requirements as well as ensuring that the

National Curriculum is covered.

Key features of our Curriculum:

• It promotes a love of learning and wider

aspirations.

• It is rich in speaking opportunities.

• It promotes a rich literacy heritage.

• It focuses upon pupils being numerate and able to

apply these skills in different situations.

• It provides opportunities for using and applying

ICT and computing skills.

• It develops in our pupils Growth Mindset and

skills of risk taking, respect, resilience, reflectivity,

responsibility and resourcefulness.

• It develops pupils awareness of their place in the

world.

• It ensures there are opportunities for pupils to

learn beyond the classroom.

• It encourages parents to be involved in their

child’s learning in a variety of ways.

• It involves pupils in the planning of curriculum

topics in age appropriate ways.

All curriculum topics:

• Are planned in phase teams that enable

maximum collaboration in their construction.

• Are memorable learning experiences that are

based on individual subject skill development.

• Where knowledge is woven into the topics at age

appropriate points that ensures pupils have a bank

of facts that are useful to them as they develop an

understanding of the world in which they live.

• Includes at least two trips each year.

• Are planned on the following two-year cycle:

Themes may be moved between half terms

within each cycle depending on best fit.

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EXTRA-CURRICULARTo ensure that every child’s experience is as enriching as possible we offer a wide range of clubs and activities which

take place at lunchtimes and after school. The variety we offer depends on areas of staff expertise, but has included, in

the past year: music, drama, DT and sport.

PERFORMING ARTSWe have a proud tradition in this area. Our academy has been

represented at Young Voices for a number of years and we ensure that

throughout the course of the year pupils have the opportunity to

perform to parents and star in academy productions.

CHARITYCharity begins at the Academy! In the last year alone

we have supported Operation Christmas Child, Lent Charities, St

George’s Crypt, Comic Relief, Children in Need, NSPCC, PDSA and

MacMillan. Our fundraising for the last academic year exceeded

£1500 which is a huge achievement for a small academy.

TRIPS AND FIRST HAND EXPERIENCESWe believe that first hand experiences and trips build lifelong memories and inspire a love of learning and lead to better pupil outcomes. For this reason we are committed

to providing as many of these as we can throughout the Academic Year. In Autumn 2014, the first year of our new Curriuclum, activities included: Barnabas in Schools

(Y3/4 Why Narnia? Y1/2: Who am I? Y3-6 What Price Peace?), Y3/4 Evacuation to Lotherton Hall, Y6 residential to Robinwood Activity Centre,Y1/2 a Victorian Christmas at

Thwaite Mill and a Y5/6 visit to see Peter Pan at the Leeds Grand Theatre.

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PUPIL SUPPORTWe take the pastoral care of our children very seriously and have

support mechanisms and activities in place to develop your child as a

well-rounded and responsible citizen. To support wider social

development we offer a number of opportunities including an academy

council, planned community work, play leader roles, peer support such

as buddy reading and staff to student mentoring.

ACADEMY COUNCILOur Academy Council consists of children from each class who are

elected by their peers to represent all pupils in academy affairs. At

Rothwell we understand the importance of giving all our pupils a ‘voice’

so their ideas and opinions can be considered. The Academy Council

empowers our pupils and encourages them to make a positive

contribution to their learning environment. The recommendations

made are considered by the Senior Leadership Team and the academy

responds to their needs. The Academy Council have also participated in

the appointment of staff. As well as raising awareness of issues, the

Academy Council serves to increase the confidence and develop the life

skills of our pupils.

CHURCH COUNCILWe also elect a Church Council each academic year. Like the Academy

Council, children are chosen by their peers to work with our Clergy, RE

Co-ordinator and Senior Leadership Team. This ensures that pupils have

a say about collective worship and their RE curriculum.

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LEARNING MENTORSWe have Learning Mentors who support our children and their families during good and difficult times. Our Learning Mentors work with individuals, groups

and families to assist them and if necessary, contact outside agencies whose expertise may be of assistance. Our Learning Mentors are available for children to

confide in and put specific programmes of support in place to help children cope with any difficulties.

SAFE GUARDING Our academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff,

volunteers and outside agencies involved in the academy have been subject to an enhanced DBS check.

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THE ACADEMY DAY08.50 Academy starts

12.00 – 1.00 Lunch

3.20 Academy ends

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITYTo ensure your child is safe, secure and engaged in learning we are very keen to maintain our high standards of attendance and punctuality. Parents are asked to

report any absences to the Academy by 9.00am on the first day of the absence. Our Learning Mentors will monitor absence and telephone home if there are any

discrepancies.

As regular attendance at the academy is vital to help children achieve and get the best possible start in life we follow the Local Authority guidelines on monitoring

attendance, supporting parents/carers and issuing Penalty notices (fines) for non-attendance and holidays taken in term time. We are happy to discuss our

attendance policy further with you or you can view it yourself on the academy website.

UNIFORM • Purple Sweatshirt or cardigan (preferably with school logo

• White/yellow polo shirt

• Black or grey trousers or shorts (summer), skirts or pinafore dresses

• In summer girls may wear yellow or purple gingham dresses

• Black shoes (outdoor)

• Black Pumps (indoors)

PE KIT• Black shorts.

• Plain white T-shirt.

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SCHOOL MEALSAll children in Reception to Y2 are entitled a free school meal under the government’s

universal free school meal plan. Meals from Y3-6 are charged at a flat rate of £2 per

day (2014-2015). This represents extremely good value for money. Our meals are

cooked on site by Leeds City Council catering agency staff who use fresh ingredients

and prepare meals from scratch. As such, our meals have a home cooked feel and are

enjoyed by staff and pupils. All meals are nutritionally balanced and children are able

select from a choice of mains and desserts. A favourite is Roast Dinner Wednesday and

children who would normaly bring a packed lunch are able to choose to have this on a

week to week basis.

PACKED LUNCHESThe food children eat has a great impact on their mood, behaviour and temperament

and we urge parents and carers to keep this in mind when preparing packed lunches. To

ensure your child is ready for an afternoon of learning we do not allow chocolate,

sweets or fizzy drinks (glass containers are also not permitted).

OUT OF SCHOOL CLUBSBefore and after school care is provided on the Academy site.

PARKINGWe appreciate that there is a very limited amount of parking in and around the Academy site. To ensure the safety of our children, we ask parents, carers and any visitors to

park away from the Academy and walk the short distance.

ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTSThere will be 30 places available for admission to Rothwell C of E Primary Academy in September 2015 (dependent on the number of applicants with special educational

need). Children will be admitted in accordance with the Academy’s Admission Policy, which is available to view on our website (hard copies can be obtained from the

Academy). Application for admission can be made online or by completing the local authority’s Common Preference Form. Forms should be returned no later than

15th January 2015.

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Rothwell Church of England Primary Academy, Queensway, Rothwell, Leeds LS26 0NB

Tel: 0113 273 9190 Email: rothwell.info@leafacademytrust.org.uk Website: www.rothwellcofe.org.uk

Serve . Learn . Challenge . LoveROTHWELL

CHURCH OF ENGLANDPRIMARY ACADEMY

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