All
children are special. At Guardian Angels' we do everything possible
to ensure that every child is cared for, sensitively, in every way.
The children's safety is at the fore of our minds.
The school has one pedestrian entrance and all doors in the school are only operable from inside. The main entrance is monitored by CCTV in both the school office and in Mr Harrison's office. This makes Guardian Angels' a very secure school. A new attractive fence has been erected to increase security around the school buildings.
Sex and Relationship Education
Aspects of sex education are now part of the National Curriculum. At Guardian Angels’ we feel, from a young age, that children should have appropriate access to education in the wonder of life, in plants, animals and humans and specifically in context with our Roman Catholic traditions.
The education of children in sexual matters is primarily the right and duty of parents. The school does have a complementary role to play in supporting parents. In school the matter is not dealt with as a separate subject but is placed in the context of the child’s spiritual, moral, emotional and social development. In this way it can be seen as part of a loving, caring human relationship.
We have agreed a Sex Education course for our children in partnership with parents, governors, staff and the local Catholic primary schools. It is called ‘God Loves Us’ and is a sensitive and carefully considered policy. Any parent wishing to see a copy of this document can do so by asking at the office. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Sex and Relationship Education.
Health
Our school nurse is a Registered General Nurse with a certificate in School Nursing and Health Education. She is part of the Primary Health Care Team based at Tottington Health Centre. Normal health checks for vision, hearing etc. are carried out at appropriate times. Our school is very fortunate to have a number of qualified first aiders who deal with many of the day-to-day health issues.
Administering Medicine
We do not normally undertake the administration of medicines in school except for asthma and in exceptional circumstances - and only prescription medicines with written permission from the parents.
Child Protection Procedures
At Guardian Angels’ we firmly believe that each child is precious.
If we feel a child is in trouble and needs protection then we must apply the Child Protection Policy, which fulfils all aspects of the Children Act. Of course, no decision would ever be taken without great care. Thankfully these matters rarely arise and are nearly always resolved positively.
Any family who feels they need support in a time of need can be assured of the best advice we can give. We can often put you in touch with professional agencies who can help with wide ranging problems.
The behaviour of children at Guardian Angels’
The standards of children’s behaviour at Guardian Angel’s Primary School is a source of pride for the whole school community. There are many reasons why this is so. Please read ‘Guardian Angel’s R.C. Primary School Policy for Discipline ’ which is available from the office.
Special Educational Needs
In line with the school's Mission Statement, we value and celebrate all children's individual talents and gifts. The school's Governing Body is, therefore, committed to identifying and providing for their special needs.
We believe that all pupils are entitled to have access to the whole curriculum by matching tasks within the normal classroom activities to their particular needs. The school can also provide appropriate support through the resources identified within the delegated budget made available by the LEA.
At Guardian Angels we are lucky to have the support of Mrs Geraldine Harrison, our SEN co-ordinator, who has many years experience in this field.
At Guardian Angels' we have adopted the LEA guidelines and the DfES New Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs. The SEN process has two stages School Action and School Action Plus. At School Action parents are informed and involved in discussions. The class teacher will receive support from the SEN co-ordinator and parents are fully involved. Hence, as a child has a need identified that requires additional support that cannot be met within the everyday curriculum, we place the child at School Action. The teacher will receive support from the Special Needs Co-ordinator at this stage and parents are fully involved.
Occasionally a child's learning needs are more long term and the school seeks the assistance of external agencies and support services. This is called School Action Plus, and again parents are fully involved. If a child has on going needs that are significantly different from his / her peers and needs the longer term protection of a Statement of Special Educational Needs, the school requests the Local Authority to take a Formal Assessment. All involved are asked to contribute.
If a Statement is provided it gives the legal protection to provide additional resources for the child's needs. We have a detailed Special Educational Needs policy and parents can have a copy on request.
Children with Disabilities
We do all we can to provide for children with disabilities. There is good access to all areas of the school (see Accessibility Plan) with ramps to all entrances and two toilets suitable for disabled people. Teaching spaces are all carpeted. We pride ourselves on our inclusive nature. Many children with disabilities have attended Guardian Angels over the years and enjoyed their school days very much.
Able / Gifted Children
Many children at Guardian Angels' surprise us with their exceptional progress. In some cases a child can be doing so well that we need to make special provision for his/her abilities. We, therefore, have a policy for very able or gifted children to ensure that we provide the best provision for those who show remarkable potential in one or all areas of the curriculum. Again, details of this policy can be obtained via the school office.
Complaints Procedure
If you should ever need to make a formal complaint about any aspect of the school, the following procedure should be adopted:
Make an appointment with the class teacher to discuss your worry
If you are not satisfied make an appointment to see the Headteacher
If you are still not satisfied approach the Headteacher again and clearly emphasise your complaint and that you are still not satisfied and put your complaint in writing.
If you are still not satisfied you can make your complaint formally to the Governing Body.
In theory you could even go to the Secretary of State for Education who can help to solve the problem.
Fortunately, at Guardian Angels' we pride ourselves on our partnership with parents and so we hope that it is unlikely that you find a complaint not dealt with satisfactorily in the early stages.
The complaints procedure can be viewed in full by asking at the office.
Attendance and Absence
All schools are required by law to record the reason for any absence or late attendance and whether it is authorised or unauthorised. To help your child’s education and to avoid the disruption to other children’s learning caused by late attendance, we would welcome your co-operation in the following way:
Please contact the school either by telephone, or send in a note in advance, if your child is to be absent for any reason.
If you need to collect your child for dental or hospital appointments, at any time during the day, please call at the office. We cannot allow children to leave school without an adult. Children must be signed in or out of school at times outside normal school hours.
In order to minimise the spread of infection, please keep your child at home if you suspect an infectious illness or contagious condition.
If your child has suffered from a bout of sickness or diarrhoea, please keep him / her at home for at least twenty four hours after it has ceased.
Families are strongly discouraged from taking holidays in the school time. It always causes disruption to a child’s education. If it is unavoidable and the holiday has to be taken during school time then the school is prepared to authorise one break within a school year of no more than 10 days duration. Request for the necessary Leave of Absence form should be made at least two weeks before your holiday.
In cases where we suspect illness, or if a child is involved in an accident at school, parents are contacted by telephone. Please keep us informed of any change in home and work telephone numbers. It is also important that we have the name and telephone number of a relative or friend who could be contacted in an emergency if you cannot be reached.
Pupil attendance 2007/08 school year
There were 238 pupils on roll in this year.
percentage of half days missed through authorised absence 3.44%. (This was 6.09% in 1997. Attendance is excellent – well done to all our families.)
percentage of half days missed through unauthorised absence 0%
School Meals
Excellent meals are prepared on the premises. A choice of menu is offered daily which ensures there is always something which appeals to each child. Notice is requested for a change in lunchtime arrangements.
Dinner Money for the week should be sent in on Monday morning.
Please put the correct amount in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name and class. Cheques for dinner money should be made payable to M.B.B. with your address on the back. These can cover a week, month or longer if it is more convenient.
The current cost of a meal can be obtained from the school secretary Mrs Cunliffe.
Parents should advise the school if a child has any food allergies. The catering supervisor will then be able to ensure that your child is offered foods which do not cause an allergic reaction.
All
children are special. At Guardian Angels' we do everything possible
to ensure that every child is cared for, sensitively, in every way.
The children's safety is at the fore of our minds.