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About St Albans
Introduction
St Alban's is a Church of England (Aided) single form entry Primary School with approximately 220 children on roll aged between four and eleven years. We aim to provide a well targeted challenging curriculum for all of our children. In addition the school, together with the church and home, seeks to help children to understand that the basis of good living is to be found in the practice of Christian principles.
The school was built in 1958 when it was intended to meet the needs of pupils "who had previously attended a C of E Aided School and whose parents had removed from Portsmouth to Leigh Park". (Minutes of the Education sub Committee 4.1.55.) A major extension to the building was made in March 1979 when the school became a First and Middle School and a further extension was opened in September 1994 when Hampshire started admitting four year olds. St Alban's is fortunate in having a large open site which includes extensive playing fields as well as an environmental area with a pond, both of which are used in much of our science and geography work and the former for PE and games.
With the help of our Home School Association we have carried out many improvements to our school grounds. A hedge was planted by children and parents in Autumn 1997 with many families sponsoring trees. Games tables and an adventure trail have been installed and both playgrounds have been re-surfaced and marked in a way that encourages playground games. A quiet area of seating has been set up in both playgrounds.
The school building is spacious and well equipped. We have a large hall which is used for PE as well as for assemblies and school lunches. A newly fitted library was opened in the Spring of 1996. Each class has timetabled use of the library and the school has developed a scheme of work to develop library skills. All school books are accessed, distributed and monitored by the computer and scanner system 'Microlibrarian'. The library will be staffed by our school librarian for three afternoons each week. At other times parents help with the running of the library. In addition some of our Year 6 pupils are trained to help in the library during break and lunchtimes.
The children in our Reception class benefit from having a large class base, their own entrance and lobby as well as a secure, fenced outdoor area for use in fine weather.
In addition to their own classrooms Years 1 and 2 share a central area which is used to house resources which need to be easily accessible to the children. It also provides an area where classroom assistants or parents can work with small groups of children. The children of Years 5 and 6 share a similar resource area which includes provision for art/science and food technology as well as a class library.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) including the use of ICT tools and information sources to analyse, process and present information, and to model, measure and control external events, is part of our Core Curriculum.
Music plays an important part at St Alban's and the children have opportunities to learn the piano, brass instruments, woodwind, violin and recorders. Children are able to prepare for Associated Board Examinations up to grade 6 for piano and brass. We have two bands and two choirs who work towards several performances during the school year.
We naturally have very close links with St Alban's Church and local clergy regularly take our school assemblies as well as being represented on our Governing body. Each term a Communion Service is held either in St Alban's Church or at school. Parishioners of St Alban's are welcome visitors at our parent assemblies and special events and we have performances in church at Christmas and in the summer.
In Autumn 2007 our new ICT suite was updated with flat screened computers. The suite incorporates 17 PCs and 2 printers, one of which is a laser printer. The suite will enable an entire class to work there at one time. The school has also recently purchased six interactive whiteboards which can be operated with a computer and have internet access.
GENERAL INFORMATION
School hours
Morning session 8.55am - 12 midday
Afternoon session 1.00pm - 3.30pm
School office hours 8.45am 9.30am
3.00pm 3.45pm
Children should not arrive at school before 8.45 am when a member of the teaching staff will be on duty in each playground.
On wet mornings children should arrive as close to 8.55 am as possible and go straight to their classrooms.
Emergency Telephone numbers
If your child becomes ill or has an accident during the school day it is essential that we are able to make contact with you. Please ensure that the School has emergency telephone numbers where you may be contacted. In exceptional circumstances where the problem is serious and contact cannot be made the Headteacher or Deputy will act "in loco parentis".
Medicines
Children requiring medication during the school day must bring the medicine to school clearly labelled with the child's name and instructions for its administration, signed by the parent. All medicines are administered by Mrs Mann. Medicines will be kept in the medical room and all children will be aware where they can find their own medicine. No medicines can be given by teachers in the classrooms and all medicines will be given in the medical room.
Asthma
Inhalers for children with asthma are kept in the medical room and are easily accessible by the children. Each inhaler should be clearly marked with the child's name.
Medical/Dental Appointments
If your child has a medical or dental appointment we would normally expect him/ her to be collected from school. If you require other arrangements to be made please inform us in writing. All children returning to school after such appointments must report to the school office as it is essential we know which children are in the school building at any time.
Absence
Regular and full time attendance is essential if children are to benefit fully from their education. This is a responsibility that the Governors and staff share with parents.
In the event of absence from school, please telephone the school before 9.00am and provide a brief note on their return to school to enable the school to deem the absence authorised or unauthorised as defined by the DFEE. Unauthorised absences will be recorded on a child's annual report to parents and it should be noted that unauthorised absences may include parentally condoned absences for such events as celebrating a child's birthday or the need to shop for clothing. A telephone call on the first day of an absence is very important in order that we can keep track of absent children.
Child Protection
In order to promote the safety and protection of children in the school and to comply with DFEE and Working Together guidance, the school shall refer any concerns about the well being of its pupils to the Social Services department.
Lateness
Children who are late in arriving at school should report to the school office in order that they may be registered. Lateness is recorded in the register and in the child's annual report. The gates at the St Alban's Road side of the school are locked for security reasons at 9.00am. Please do not leave young children here after that time but bring them to the school office.
Lunchtimes
Parents may choose a cooked lunch at school for their children or provide them with a packed lunch. Cooked meals are prepared in our kitchen by Hampshire Caterers and are excellent value and nutritionally balanced. We have a family style of service for cooked lunches where children may sit with their brothers or sisters. Children of all ages share a table and the older children are able to help the younger children. Any children from families in receipt of Income Support are entitled to free meals. Forms for claiming free meals are available from the school office.
Uniform
The school has a school uniform which all children are expected to wear.
Car Parking
The school car park is very small and is for the use of staff only. The gates are shut at 9.00am unless opened for a delivery.
Parking is very restricted in Littlegreen Avenue; please do not park closer than 15m to the junction with St Alban's Road and do not double park on the area outside the school. Please remember that access is needed by Emergency vehicles to both the local houses and to the school, so the space in front of the double gates into the playground must be left clear at all times. Consideration for local residents would be appreciated.
Visitors
We try to make our school as secure as possible and for this reason it is essential that all visitors to the School use only the main entrance and report to the school office. Anyone staying on the premises (except for Friday assemblies) will be expected to sign in on arrival and out when leaving the school. They will be asked to wear an appropriate visitor's badge whilst in school.
Discipline
St Alban's School expects the highest standards of behaviour from all of its pupils and sees the development of self-discipline as being of supreme importance.
The quality of relationships between all adults and children in school is vital to the development of self-esteem and self-discipline and children are made aware that the following is expected of them. They should:
have a positive attitude to their work
have a caring attitude to others
respect the opinions and property of other people
be courteous to everyone they meet
persevere and become independent learners
be reflective and self critical.
We believe that good behaviour and effort should be applauded and this is done by a system of house points and merits which reward both effort and achievement as well as courtesy. Badges are given out to Key Stage 2 children to wear on their uniform for the week and stickers are given to Key Stage 1 children. There is also an opportunity each week for children who have made achievements outside of school to celebrate their successes. A merit board can be seen in the front corridor, displaying the weeks awards.
Any member of the school community can also nominate a child for a Gold Award. These could be given for children being particularly helpful, thinking of others, persevering, being honest etc. By involving the whole school community, the children can see how we all value ways of behaving
and attitude to others.
If a child's behaviour falls below our expectations a clear distinction is made between minor and more serious offences. Parents will be informed if a child's behaviour gives us cause for concern and we would hope to be able to work together to remedy the problem.
A copy of our behaviour policy is available.
Bullying
There are many definitions of bullying. Roland (1989)* defines it as a "long standing violence, physical or psychological, conducted by an individual or a group and directed against an individual who is not able to defend himself in the actual situation". (Roland E and Munth E (eds). Bullying an international perspective - D. Fulton 1989.)
All staff at St Alban's are aware of the need to be vigilant and responsive to bullying behaviour. Children are encouraged to seek help from an adult if they feel that they are the victim of bullying. Parents should be confident that any allegation of bullying is taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
A school policy to deal with allegations of bullying was developed with parents and Governors. It forms part of our behaviour policy.
Reporting to Parents
Parents will be sent a written report of their child's progress each year in July. This will include an invitation to discuss any particular aspect of the report felt to be necessary. In addition there will be two Parents' evenings - one in early November and one in March when you may look at your child's work and discuss his / her progress with the class teacher. The open evening in July provides an opportunity to look around the school and to look at your childs work. The headteacher is always available on parents' evenings to discuss any matters with parents.
Special Educational Needs
At any one time St Alban's School has approximately 20% of its pupils with identified special needs. The school has a comprehensive policy for both the identification and teaching of these children. Our special needs co-ordinator is responsible for deploying special needs teaching and special needs assistants and in supporting our class teachers. Parents of children who have special educational needs will be kept fully informed of their children's progress.
Able Learners
Children in years 3-6 who are identified as being able learners are withdrawn for enrichment work in English and mathematics.
Collective Acts of Worship
Each day all children will be involved in a collective act of worship. These take various forms - on three occasions each week the whole school meets together.
On Monday the music played each day before and after worship is introduced by the member of staff who has selected it. Children's achievements in and out of school are celebrated. Wednesday is often a day when we have a visiting speaker and our Friday assembly at 9.10am may be a class presentation open to parents and friends. A crèche, run by parents, operates on Friday mornings.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays children meet in their Key Stage groups. Once a fortnight they participate in a class act of worship with their own teacher. We are keen to ensure that worship does not always follow the same format, as children will quickly accept a ritual without thought. A quiet atmosphere is always created and opportunities are offered to the children to respond, reflect and revere.
Each term a Communion Service is held either at St Alban's Church or in school. Parents are invited to these services.
Sex Education
St Alban's School has a written policy for sex education which was drawn up in consultation with the full governing body whose duty it is to review it annually.
The policy sets out our aims, and the context against which sex education will be provided. Any parent of the school may ask to see the policy at the school office, or may ask to speak to the Headteacher about it.
In the early years much of the teaching will arise naturally and immediately from other activities and frequently in response to pupils' questions. Such questions will be handled sensitively and promptly according to the age and maturity of the pupils concerned.
We are committed to partnership and collaboration with parents in the sensitive area of sex education and encourage the pupils to discuss their work with parents at home.
All parents have the right to withdraw their child from specific sex education, but it is the hope of the governors and staff that through sensitive handling of the issues by the staff, parents will not feel the need to exercise this right. Nevertheless the views of parents will be respected.
Home / School Links
We believe that good links between home and school benefit us all and to that end parents are always welcome in school to carry out a variety of roles. We are very fortunate that we have a strong tradition where parents offer help in the form of classroom support, often taking a small group of children for a practical activity. Parents help in our school library either in administration or assisting children who are working there. School visits are often only possible when parents are prepared to join us to ensure the required child/adult ratio. We ask all parents who help in school to undertake a Police check.
The St. Alban's Home/School Association supports the school by arranging fund-raising events. All parents are automatically members of the Association which has its annual general meeting in the Autumn term. The Chairman and committee meet in school. The money raised by the Association has been used to enrich all aspects of school life. New volunteers to help maintain this important resource are always welcome.
Building Fund
The School Governors are responsible for the proper maintenance of the building fabric, and receive a grant from the Department of Education for a large part of any costs incurred.
Here at St Alban's you are invited to contribute to the Building Fund the sum of £15 per family per year which is collected in the autumn term. Over the years the Fund has helped to maintain and improve the facilities of our school by paying for costs incurred which are not covered by Department for Education grants.
Covenanting
A Covenanting scheme has been set up over the past year for parents who wish to contribute to the Schools Building Fund.
Homework
Parents are essential partners in their childs learning and all children have a home/school reading diary to encourage reading at home with a parent or other adult.
The school values the contribution homework can make to a childs learning and homework guidelines for each year have been developed.
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