Special Education Needs

 

Specialist Centre for Pupils with Complex Special Education Needs

We have a Specialist Centre within our school which caters for children who have physical and learning disabilities. The children come from a wide geographical area. They have a Statement of Special Education Needs and are integrated, when appropriate, with the mainstream children.

The teacher with responsibility for Special Educational Needs works closely with children in our Specialist Centre. In addition, support is given by special needs teaching assistants, speech therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists together with clinical and educational psychologists, the learning support service, the School Medical Officer and school nurse. The children attending our Specialist Centre enjoy a variety of therapies including music, horse riding and swimming


Children with Special Education Needs

Throughout a child’s school career, all aspects of development are closely assessed and monitored. From time to time children may need additional support at school. We are fortunate to be able to call on the services of a number of people, with specific expertise, to guide us in our support. Parental partnership is a significant aspect of the process of any additional support. If you are concerned, in any way, about your child’s progress, please discuss the matter with the class teacher, or Headteacher.

The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice sets out stages of support for children experiencing difficulties at school. Our School Special Educational Needs Policy reflects this. A copy of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice is available for you to borrow, on request from the School Office.

We positively welcome children with disabilities to our school. All children at our school are treated equally. Our Equal Opportunities Policy sets out quite clearly how the school aims to prevent discrimination. Facilities exist at Badshot Lea for children with physical difficulties to move around the school. All areas of the school (except the upstairs office) are accessible to non-ambulant children and parents. Parking facilities can be made available for parents of children with physical difficulties, or indeed if parents are themselves disabled.


People you will meet in School

Staff

Governors

The full Governing Body meets once each term to discuss aspects of school life ranging from the
National Curriculum and school improvement, through finance, to the security of the site. The
agenda and minutes, for each full meeting, are posted on the notice board outside the school
office, should you wish to view them.

Governors sit on three main committees

•   Children and Learning
•   Finance and Resources
•   Staffing
  
  Governors have particular interests and roles in the following aspects of school life:
   

Members of the Governing body:

Governors are always pleased to hear from parents and may be contacted through the School.

The ‘Friends’

The school has a very active and highly supportive Friends Association. All parents are automatically members of the Friends of Badshot Lea Village Infant School. The Friends Committee, consisting of parents and teaching staff, meets regularly to arrange a varied programme of activities for the children, parents, staff and community. Activities include social events, educational talks and fund raising activities.

Regular newsletters will keep you informed of all activities and events. We do hope that you will feel able to support our thriving village school and look forward to welcoming you as a member of The Friends of Badshot Lea Village Infant School.

When your child starts School

Before children are admitted to school, a number of induction activities are arranged for both parents and children. There will be an opportunity for your child to meet their new class teacher and for you to discuss aspects of school life in an informal group.

Shortly after your child has been admitted to school there will be an opportunity for you to discuss, with the class teacher, how your child has settled. A curriculum meeting will also be arranged to familiarise you with our approach to Literacy (reading, writing, spelling) and Numeracy (mathematics). Please, if at any time you should wish to discuss your child’s progress, do contact the class teacher or Headteacher to make an appointment. On occasions the class teacher or Headteacher may invite parents into school to discuss specific concerns.

The first day at school is a big step for both parents and children. We aim to make the transition between home, playgroup, nursery and school a pleasurable experience.

On the first day of School

• Please bring your child to their classroom, where you will be met by the class teacher or teaching assistant.
• If your child is staying all day, please do not forget to bring dinner money or a packed lunch.
• If your child is in school mornings only, please collect your child promptly at 12 mid-day.
• For those children staying all day, please could parents wait in the playground at 3 p.m. The class teacher will bring your child to meet you. It may be helpful to find a particular place in the playground where you can meet your child

Do expect your child to be tired by the end of the first day and exhausted by the end of the first week!

Before children start school, it is always helpful if they can:

• dress and undress themselves
• remove outdoor clothing and hang them on a peg
• use a knife, fork and spoon
• use the toilet properly
• wash and dry hands for themselves
• use scissors and pencils correctly
• tidy up after using toys, equipment and books
• share with others
• enjoy sharing books.

School Uniform

We expect all children to wear our smart School Uniform of:

• grey joggers, shorts, trousers, skirts or tunics
• red and white check or stripe dresses
• white polo shirts or blouses
• school sweatshirts or cardigans
• white school T-shirt for P.E.
• red shorts for P.E.
• plimsolls (the black slip-on plimsolls are the most useful)
• old trainers for outside games (optional)

All clothing for physical education MUST be kept in a named bag.

You may purchase uniform from school by completing an order form and arranging a convenient collection time with an administrative assistant.
The following items are available for purchase at school:

• grey joggers
• red sweatshirt, with the school logo
• red cardigan with the school logo
• white P.E. T-shirt with the school logo
• white polo shirt with the school logo
• red P.E. bag with the school logo
• red baseball cap with the school logo
• plain red P.E. shorts
• red fleece with the school logo
• red reversible coat
• red school book bag.

All children regularly take books home to share and read with their families. It is extremely important that all children have a school book bag which may be purchased at the same time as school uniform and physical education clothing.

For health and safety reasons, children are discouraged from wearing jewellery and watches to school. Earrings must not be worn during P.E. lessons.

Please label all clothing, book bags and personal items.

The School Day

What time does School start?

The School Day begins promptly at 9am, although children may start coming into school from 8.50am. The morning session ends at 12mid-day. The children return at 1pm and finish for the day at 3pm.

Supervision in school is NOT provided before 8.50am. Children on the premises before that time are there at their parents own risk. Please, do not bring children to school before 8.50am. We consider, however, that children should arrive on time. Our day starts promptly at 9am, when the registers are called. Children arriving at school after 9am will be marked late.

Please telephone the school first thing in the morning if your child will not be in school, or is likely to be late in the morning. Please provide a written note when your child returns to school, explaining any absence. We are required to keep detailed records of authorised and unauthorised absence making returns to both the local Education Authority and the Government. It is very important that you let the school know, in advance, when your child is due to visit the dentist, hospital or clinic.

Where do I park?

The following arrangements are to ensure the safety of children in their school playground.  Parents are asked to comply at all times so that children are NOT at risk from traffic.

 Parents or others, collecting and delivering children are asked NOT to enter the school grounds in a vehicle, but to park well away from the double yellow and zig-zag lines.  Please, at all times, show consideration for our neighbours when parking at drop-off and collection times. The pedestrian entrance is the single gate in Lower Weybourne Lane.

 Children attending our Specialist Centre are delivered to, and collected from school in minibuses.  If these vehicles are to enter and leave our school safely, it is necessary to restrict parking.  It is therefore vital, in the interest of children’s safety, that only authorised persons use the school car park.  It is also important that cars do not stop immediately outside the school fence, as this makes it very dangerous for children and parents to cross the road in safety.

Please, do NOT walk across the school car park with your child. ALWAYS use the pedestrian gates.

Lunch

Hot School Dinners are available daily. Dinner money must be sent in advance, each Monday morning, for the entire week. Alternatively, parents may wish to pay half-termly through the School office or online, details of which will be available in our School Induction Pack. Children who do not have School Dinners may bring a packed lunch, together with a cold drink in a plastic container. Facilities will be provided, in the hall, for the children to eat their packed lunch. During the summer months we sometimes enjoy eating our packed lunch in a shady spot on the field.

Lunch-time supervision is provided by supervisory assistants. On fine days the children play outside, whilst activities are provided inside during bad weather. The sand-pit and activity trail are open in fine weather. Children use these facilities, together with bicycles, scooters and other playground equipment on a rota system.

What time does School finish?

School finishes at 3pm. If it is likely that you will be late collecting your child, please telephone the school in plenty of time for us to arrange supervision. Similarly, if your child is to go home with an adult other than yourself (or regular collector), please inform both the class teacher and administrative assistant in the school office. If, for any reason you are delayed, or your child cannot find you in the playground, your child will be expected to come back into school and wait for you. Please remind your child, at regular intervals, about this. If you need to take your child out of school during the school day you will be asked to sign the ‘going out’ book.
 

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