From mountain to sea Alford Primary School Handbook 2021/22 2 | Contents Introduction to Alford Primary School 4 Our Vison, Values and School Ethos 8 Curriculum 10 Support for Children and Young People 22 Getting it Right for Every Child 22 Wellbeing 22 Children’s Rights 24 Educational Psychology 25 Enhanced Provision & Community Resource Hubs 25 Support for Learning 26 The Child’s Plan 27 Child Protection 27 Further Information on Support for Children and Young People 28 Parent & Carer Involvement and Engagement 30 Parental Involvement and Engagement Strategy 30 Parental Engagement 30 Communication 30 ParentsPortal.scot 31 Learning at Home 31 Parent Forum and Parent Council 32 Parents and School Improvement 32 Volunteering in school 32 Collaborating with the Community 32 Addressing Concerns & Complaints 32 School Policies and Useful Information 34 Attendance 34 Holidays during term time 35 Dress Code 36 Clothing Grants 37 Transport 37 Privilege Transport 38 Early Learning & Childcare Transport 39 | 3 Special Schools and Enhanced Provision 39 School Closure & Other Emergencies 39 Storm Addresses 40 Change of address and Parental Contact Details 41 Anti-bullying Guidance 41 School Meals 42 Healthcare & Medical 44 Schools and Childcare – Coronavirus 45 Exclusion 45 Educational Visits 46 Instrumental Tuition 46 Public Liability Insurance 46 School Off Site Excursion Insurance 47 Data we hold and what we do with it. 47 The information we collect from you 48 Your Data, Your Rights 48 Parental Access to Records 48 Information Sharing 49 ScotXed 49 Further Information 50 4 |Introduction to Alford Primary School All information in this handbook is correct as of November 2021 Introduction to Alford Primary School Dear Parent, Welcome to Alford Primary School. We take pride in the fact that this is a happy and industrious school with a real sense of team spirit. We firmly believe that education is a joint venture and we hope to work closely with you. This school handbook explains what you can expect of the school and also indicates what the school expects of you in the way of partnership, help and support. We hope that our partnership will be productive and enjoyable and your child enjoys his/her time at Alford Primary School. Aberdeenshire Council School Handbooks are designed to inform parents of as many aspects of school life as possible, and this generic handbook has been written in response to ‘School Handbook Guidance (Scotland) Regulations 2012’ We hope you find the handbook clear and informative. Please feel free to contact us with any suggestions for improvements. Yours sincerely Mrs Elaine McGowan Head Teacher Please note – “Parent” includes guardian and any person who is liable to maintain or has parental responsibilities (within the section 1 (3) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995) in relation to, or has care of a child or young person. Please note that whilst all information within this handbook is correct at the time of printing, it is possible that some items may change during the course of the year. Introduction to Alford Primary School | 5 School Contact Details Head Teacher Elaine McGowan School Name Alford Primary School Alford Community Campus Address Greystone Road Alford AB33 8TY Telephone Number 019755 20390 Nursery Number 019755 20393 Website www.alford-pri.aberdeenshire.sch,uk Parent Council Email [email protected] Adverse weather and emergency closure https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Apps/schools-closures/ Information Line 0370 054 4999 School Pin 021190 (Please do not use this line to leave messages for the school.) Alford Primary School is a non-denominational school with a role of Nursery: 36 and School: 362. The school serves Alford Community Campus catchment area. Alford Primary and Nursery are accommodated within the newly built Alford Community Campus. Devolved budgets are managed in accordance with authority guidelines in order to support planned improvements in the school. 6 |Introduction to Alford Primary School Useful Numbers: Marr, Kincardine & Mearns Education, Learning and Leisure Area Office Queen’s Road Stonehaven AB32 2QQ Tel: 01569 690535 Fax 01569 768489 Quality Improvement Officer Quality improvement Team Marr Education and Children’s Services Area Office Queen’s Road Stonehaven AB32 2QQ Tel: 01569 690535 Fax 01569 768489 Director of Education & Children’s Services Mr Laurence Findlay Woodhill House Westburn Road Aberdeen AB16 5GB 01224 665420 Organisation of the School Day Nursery Morning Session 8.00 am - 1.00 pm Nursery Afternoon Session 1.00 pm - 6.00 pm (Full days available) P1-7 Morning Session 8.40 am - 12.20 pm P1-7 Afternoon Session 1.20 pm - 3.00 pm P1-7 Interval 10.20 am - 10.40 am Introduction to Alford Primary School | 7 Our Leadership team: Mrs McGowan Head Teacher Mrs Forbes Deputy Head Teacher Mr Lofthouse Deputy Head Teacher Mrs Grant Deputy Head Teacher Mr Neil Young Acting Deputy Head Teacher Mr Gray Principal Teacher Mrs Angela Stewart Senior Early Years Practitioner Our Admin team: Mrs Harvey School Administrator (part time) Miss Quin Clerical Assistant/School Administrator (part time) Our Janitorial team: Mr Smith Supervisory Janitor Mr Malcom Janitor Mr Wilkinson Janitor 8 | Our Vision, Values and School Ethos Our Vision : Nurturing, Achieving and Inspiring through Respect, Challenge and Enjoyment Our Values: Respect, Learning, Kindness, Friendship, Responsibility, Honesty, Trust. Our aims: • To be the best we can be • To learn from each other • To take responsibility for our own words and actions • To care and support each other • To speak respectfully and truthfully • To keep everyone safe Positive Behaviour Management and Expectations Positive Behaviour Management is a vital component in helping Alford Primary School to achieve its aims and values. Our Positive Behaviour Management Policy also provides our pupils with the1369 13 boundaries and rules that they need in order to fulfil their potential and contribute to the wellbeing of others. Discipline is essential to good learning situations. The general aim of the school is to provide an atmosphere of mutual respect and collective responsibility. Pupils, parents and teachers all have an important part to play in achieving this atmosphere. The rules of the school are of a common sense nature, bearing in mind the interest and safety of all concerned. • We are the best we can be • We take responsibility for our own words and actions • We are kind to each other • We speak respectfully and truthfully • We listen and follow instructions • We are helpful and support each other • We are gentle and keep each other safe • We look after our own and other people’s property | 9 Bullying Bullying may be defined as a range of pre-meditated, persistent and often deliberate actions, undertaken by a person or a group of people, which cause the victim(s) physical or emotional distress. It may be useful at this point to draw a distinction between acts of bullying and incidents which, although not to be encouraged, are commonplace when groups of children play together. An occasional tussle or quarrel between two children will be treated as a breach of discipline by staff, but it is not bullying. Similarly, reciprocal or casual name-calling is not to be condoned, but it is not bullying. Sustained victimisation is bullying. The crucial distinction is where the imbalance of power is such that the victim clearly needs positive support. At the same time the bully needs to be made aware of the damage, which his/her actions are causing. The school is opposed to all forms of bullying behaviour, be this physical, verbal, threatening and intimidating behaviour or ostracism from groups, games or activities, and we will do everything in our power to prevent such behaviour amongst our pupils, and to deal effectively with any incidents which might occur. Victims of bullying are supported by a range of strategies and resources depending upon the needs of the child and the nature of the incidents. However, please be reassured that incidents of bullying in Alford Primary School are few and far between. We believe that a strong, positive school ethos and constant work on building a caring school community, together with close contact with parents, offer the best way forward. Whilst many believe that children who bully must be punished for their behaviour, it is widely accepted that this type of response can at times be ineffective and dangerous. It breeds resentment and can make the situation worse. Punishment can make a person resentful instead of reflective. Children who bully must be given the opportunity to hear about and face up to the pain, hurt, distress and anger they have caused to others. Punishment does not help to restore relationships and can result in further retaliation. Aberdeenshire Council has a responsibility to protect those being bullied but also to provide an education for all pupils including children who bully or those with behavioural problems. Whilst appropriate action will be taken by the school, it is also important that all parents involved work with the school to resolve the problems in the best interests of their child or young person. Exclusion Where pupils who repeatedly display behaviours which compromise the good order of the school i.e. disruption of learning and teaching, unsafe practices, bullying and other forms of abuse and where other forms of support and sanctions have proved unsuccessful, the authority exclusion policy will apply. For further information on exclusions contact the school, or go to www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/departments/GuidelinesForExclusion.pdf 10 |Curriculum Curriculum Within our school, we aim to provide a curriculum that is both inclusive and ambitious for all – a curriculum which is both academically challenging as well as providing opportunities to develop skills for learning, life and work. Our curriculum will be based around the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence – to ensure our pupils are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens. Our curriculum will also reflect the principles of curriculum design to ensure breadth, depth, personalisation & choice, challenge & enjoyment, progression, coherence, and relevance. We will therefore, have a curriculum which we will adapt continuously over time to meet the needs of our pupils. Following the principles of Curriculum for Excellence, achievement of children and young people is celebrated in its broadest sense. This means looking beyond formally assessed learning, to recognise activities like volunteering and participation in arts, sports, and community-based programmes. This approach complements the nurturing and aspirational outcomes of Getting It Right for Every Child, and our aim in Aberdeenshire to overcome inequality by Raising Attainment for All, promoting Equity and Excellence in schools, and Closing the Gap. Further information on the school’s approach to Curriculum for Excellence including information for parents, can be found on the school website at www.alford-pri.aberdeenshire.sch,uk. Curricular Areas • Literacy and English Language: Listening, Talking Reading, and Writing. • Numeracy and Mathematics: Number, Money and Measure, Information Handling, Shape, Position and Movement. • Health & Wellbeing: Mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing, Physical education, activity and sport, Food and health, Substance misuse, Relationships, sexual health and parenthood. • Social Studies: People, past events and societies, People, place and environment, People, society, economy, and business. • Sciences: Planet Earth, Forces, electricity and waves, Biological Systems, Materials, Topical Sciences. • Technologies: Technological developments in society, Business technology skills and knowledge, Computing science, Food and textiles, Craft, design, engineering, and graphics. • Expressive Arts: Music, Drama, Art and Design and Dance. • Religious and Moral Education: Christianity, World Religions, Development of beliefs and values. • Modern Languages: French and Spanish