Parents’ Booklet

Parental Support

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:32:41 +0100

The role of parents

We believe that parents have a fundamental role to play in helping children to learn. We do all we can to inform parents about what and how their children are learning:

• by holding parents' evenings to explain our school strategies for curriculum issues such as literacy, numeracy and health education and also in preparation for residential visits
• by sending information to parents, at the start of each half term, which outlines the topics that the children will be studying during that period at school
• by sending parents detailed annual reports in which we explain the progress made by each child, and indicate how the child can improve further
• by explaining to parents how they can support their children with homework, and suggesting, for example, regular shared reading with very young children, and support for older children with their projects and investigative work

We believe that parents have the responsibility to support their children and the school in implementing school policies. We would therefore like parents:

• to ensure that their child has the best attendance record possible and arrives punctually each morning
• to ensure that their child is equipped for school with the correct uniform and PE kit
• to do their best to keep their child healthy and fit to attend school
• to inform school if there are matters outside of school that are likely to affect a child's performance or behaviour
• to promote a positive attitude towards school and learning in general

Special events
There are many opportunities for parents to attend school events during the year including Christmas plays, concerts, class assemblies, sports days and other events.

Parent helpers in school
A distinctive feature about our school is the tremendous support we receive from parent volunteers to assist with many activities. These include weekly swimming sessions, help in the classroom, supporting children in their reading and phonics work, art and craft activities, accompanying children on visits out of school and so on.

The Berry Buddies

We are most fortunate in having an active and vibrant friends of Cronk y Berry association called the ‘Berry Buddies’. The aims of this group are:

• to advance the education of the pupils by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities that the Department of Education does not normally provide
• to foster more extended relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school
• to engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of the pupils attending it.

During the year, we are grateful for the work of the Berry Buddies in helping to organise events such as discos, car boot sales, quiz nights and the summer fayre.

School fund
Normally there are several events a year in aid of School Fund varying from optional dress day to our main sponsored event. We often decide to purchase items for school use or pay towards travel, theatre companies and so forth, to benefit our pupils. The Department of Education with its limited budget cannot always provide everything that we require.
We are very pleased with the generosity of our parents with fund raising at Cronk y Berry School. This ensures that our children are not disadvantaged in any way. Thank you very much.

Health

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:23:40 +0100

Health
The school health service consists of a team of people with special training and experience in child health and development. The team includes school health advisers, school doctors, speech therapists and dentists. The School Health Adviser for CYB is Mrs. Clare Horne. Clare is available in school every Monday morning to assist parents who have any concerns
regarding their child’s health and well-being. Alternatively you can contact her at the School Health Advisory Team, Crookall House, Demesne Road, Douglas, telephone number 642605 or 642606.

Head lice
The School Nurse does not inspect children’s hair for the presence of head lice. This check is part of a parent’s duty.
1. CHECK hair weekly combing wet, conditioned hair with a fine tooth comb.
2. TREAT- if your child does become infected medication can be obtained from any chemist or G.P.’s surgery.
3. TELL - friends and school.
4. NO alert letters will be sent home to all parents by school - parents of an infected pupil will be informed if spotted at school.
5. Pupils are not to be excluded if infected.
(Recommendations from the D.H.S.S .- Health Services - booklet “Management of Communicable Diseases in Schools, Nurseries and Workplaces”).
The School Nurse is available for advice.

Asthma
If your child takes an inhaler there is an asthma card that needs to be completed and returned to school. This is available from the office.

Allergies
If your child has an allergy, ie, to nuts, dairy products, etc., school needs to be informed so precautionary measures can be put into place.

Medicines in school
CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BRING MEDICINES TO SCHOOL. It is the policy of the Department that parents are responsible for the administration of medication during school time and school staff should not normally be expected to be involved with such duties, unless doses are long term (e.g. asthmatics using inhalers), in which case the management of administration should be negotiated between school staff, school nurse and parents. Parents are welcome to come into school and give their child medicine if they wish. In the case of children having to have 6 hourly antibiotics, for example, the Department's view is that, generally, such children should not be at school. If, of course, there are exceptional circumstances then please contact Mr. Sellors in order to discuss special arrangements.
Generally, teachers cannot take on the responsibility for dispensing medication. Pupils who are so unwell should not be sent to school.

Sick children
If your child is injured or becomes unwell at school, we will make him/her comfortable and then call you immediately. If you cannot be reached, we will
attempt to contact emergency numbers that you listed on your child's school records. Please make sure that we are kept up to date.
Information regarding recommended periods of exclusion and actions in cases of certain skin conditions can now be found in the Health services document:
“Management of Communicable Diseases in Schools, Nurseries and Workplaces”
This is available at school, your GP’s surgery or at the health advisory service.

School Meals

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:21:22 +0100

Meals at school
The school has its own kitchen and two-course meals are available, as well as the aditional option for children to choose from our exciting new salad bar. There are also facilities for children to have packed lunches.
Dinner money should be brought to school on the first day of the school week, except in the case of absence. Dinners can also be paid half termly in advance. The eating of sweets is not permitted at school so please bear this in mind when making packed lunches. This rule helps to support dental hygiene and healthy eating teaching given in school.
Children who stay at school during the lunch break, whether for the school meal or for a packed lunch, are expected to behave themselves and to display good table manners. They should be able to handle correctly a knife, fork and spoon. Moving from table to table and eating with hands, instead of the cutlery provided, is not permitted. Children having packed lunches should provide their own knife, fork, spoon and cup, etc. and bring them to school in a suitable
container. Drinking directly from flasks or cans will not be permitted.

Milk and apple juice
Milk and apple juice is available at school and payment for this is requested half termly in advance on the last day of the previous half term. By paying half termly in advance for milk and/or dinners it saves greatly in administration time. Thank you for your co-operation - it benefits everybody. If there is a problem don’t hesitate to contact the office. Children are also encouraged to bring a named, empty water bottle into school which can be filled regularly from school water coolers.

Mid morning snack
Children throughout the school are encouraged to bring a small portion of fresh or dried fruit for a mid morning snack. This is again in support of healthy life styles and in introducing this recently, we have seen an increase in concentration levels during the second half of the morning.

Free school meals
Full information about free meals and the
necessary application forms are available on request from the school office.

Payments - money in school
If possible, do not let your child bring money other than that required for school reasons. Teachers are not required to look after money in connection with matters other than school ones.
Dinner money is due for payment on MONDAY MORNING - or the FIRST DAY of the school week. It may be paid a half term in advance if preferred. We ask that drinks money is paid half termly, in advance the LAST DAY of each previous half term (except the first week of the Autumn Term when there is no milk or juice). If payment is not received by the end of the previous half term, we will assume you do not wish your child to have a drink. If there is a problem please do not hesitate to contact the school secretary.
Please put money in an envelope clearly marked stating your child’s name and class.
Cheques should be made payable to “Cronk y Berry School.”

Absences

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:19:20 +0100

Absences and Lateness
Please inform school by telephone if your child is going to be absent or late so that we can account for them. We expect children to be punctual and we keep a record if a child is late. If a child is absent and you do not inform us, school will phone to find out where they are. This is a Department procedure.
The Department of Education and Children’s regulations regarding taking your child out of school for a family holiday are as follows:-

“Authorised leave of absence for this purpose MUST NOT EXCEED TWO WEEKS in any educational year. Leave taken in excess of this two week period must, therefore, be recorded as unauthorised absence.” Extended holidays or consistent lateness can have a detrimental effect on your child’s performance at school. School requires parents to complete the appropriate holiday form if taking their children out in term time. These are available from the school office.

Car Parking

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:28:35 +0100

Car parking
Parents are requested to observe the signs showing restrictions on access to the school grounds.
The main entrance is for staff and visitors (with car parking provided). Parents should use the access and car parking provided at the rear of the school and observe those signs. Please do not drive into the school grounds unless essential. This also includes parents of children attending our Nursery.

The taxis for the Sensory Impaired children and the bus for the IOM Children’s Centre do need to drive in daily.
Adults and children are encouraged to cross the road at the appropriate places.

Annual consent form
As part of the latest Data Protection Guidelines it is necessary for school to obtain a ‘Parental Consent form’ for each child, which is signed by parents giving permission for them to be taken out of school on educational visits, to sporting events, being photographed/videod for school events, newspapers, parents’ booklet, etc. (pupils’ names may be printed).
Teachers will also send out letters regarding educational visits and sporting events requiring transport outside of school. This does not include weekly swimming transport to the N.S.C.
Please read carefully before signing and returning to school.

DISCLAIMER
The information in this booklet is accurate at the time of publication, but may be altered at a future date. No responsibility can be accepted by the Department or school for any inconvenience such changes may cause. It is hoped that the contents prove useful and give a brief insight into life within Cronk y Berry School. If you wish to learn more do not hesitate to get in contact.

Inclusion

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:18:04 +0100

All children are special, and at some time in their school life they may encounter difficulties; even those identified as being exceptionally able will need additional support on occasions. Our policy of inclusion aims to offer all pupils a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum, within the classroom setting wherever possible.

At Cronk y Berry School, we seek to identify pupils’ individual educational needs as early as possible and, working in partnership with parents and carers, meet those needs. Parents have a vital role to play in supporting their child’s education. When concerns about a pupil are raised by parents or teachers, assessments and diagnostic tests can be carried out to identify the area of need.
The Inclusion Manager (SENCO) can then advise teachers on differentiating work or the use of intervention programmes.

Parents are contacted about concerns by the class teacher or Inclusion Manager and kept informed of the provision made for their children and the progress made by their children. Specific targets are set, usually each term, but sometimes more frequently, and parents and pupils are invited to discuss these with staff.

The needs of children vary greatly: some pupils have physical impairments - those with hearing impairments are supported by the staff of the Sensory Support Base. Others have social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. An increasing number of pupils are arriving at Cronk y Berry school unable to speak the English language fluently and support for these children as soon as possible is vital to help them fully access the curriculum.

Should there be minor difficulties in a specific area of the curriculum, these can, once identified, be overcome quickly; in the case of long term difficulties, we work to enable pupils to manage them and reach their potential. A small but important percentage of pupils are identified as having outstanding abilities.

In the event that the help of agencies outside the school is needed such as Speech Therapy or Occupational Therapy, or the department of Education’s Special Needs and Psychology Service, the Inclusion Manager will discuss this with parents before making the referral.

Whatever the needs of every pupil in Cronk y Berry School, the dedication of staff, parents and all others concerned will ensure the best possible result for the children in our care.

School Uniform

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:15:05 +0100

School uniform

Our pupils take pride in wearing their school uniform and we feel that wearing this does help to develop both a sense of personal pride and togetherness.

• School Sweatshirt or Cardigan (Black) - only available from school
• Fleece (Black) is also available from School
• White Polo Shirt or Blouse.
• Grey (or dark coloured) Skirt or Trousers.
• The Polo Shirt, with badge on, is also available from school.
• Waterproof reversible jackets.

During the summer term parents may wish the girls to wear a lemon/yellow checked dress.
The children attending the Nursery have their own coloured sweatshirt and polo shirt which is available for purchase from school.
Shoes should be sensible, black, stout leather type lace ups or T-bars. Fancy heels, platforms or slip-ons are not suitable on safety grounds. Trainers (including black ones) are not school uniform.
Items of clothing, because of their similarity, should be marked with a special name tape or at least with ball-point on the manufacturers label. Jewellery (other than watches) is not permitted. Earrings, if worn, should be simple plain studs. Make-up and nail varnish are not to be used. Necklaces are a hazard in school.

Valuables
Please note the following information, circulated to all schools by the Department of Education and Children in February 2003:
“Parents are advised that if children bring valuable property to school, neither the Department of Education and Children or the teachers or other employees of the Department will be responsible for any loss or damage to such property.”
Mobile telephones are not welcome in our school. On the rare occasion that a child needs to bring one in to school then the phone must be given to the school secretary for the day.

P.E. Kit
P.E. T-shirt - available from school, shorts, slip-on pumps,
Named bag for clothing.
It should be noted that outdoor trainers are not allowed to be worn in the Sports Hall.

KS2 1. Football boots for Years 4 to 6 children.
To avoid unnecessary expense these need not be purchased until each years' timetable has been finalised.
2. A track suit, or similar warm clothing, is advisable.
3. Swimming costume and towel.
Please note that the Swimming Pool rules are as follows:
(a) No jewellery is allowed.
(b) Swimming Trunks, not shorts, to be worn.
(c) All girls and boys with long hair must wear a swimming hat.
(d) Goggles are discouraged as they can cause serious injuries.
Please note that much upset and aggravation can be avoided if all clothes and kit are clearly marked with your child's name.

House teams
All of the children are allocated to one of the four Houses,which are named after Manx Kings, to help foster a feeling of belonging to a team. Brothers and sisters are placed in the same team to avoid any friendly family disputes. Throughout the year competitions will be held for sporting and academic awards.
Magnus - Blue
Ragnall - Red
Crovan - Green
Olaf - Yellow

Headteacher’s Welcome

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:10:57 +0100

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Cronk y Berry School.

At this school we are committed to ensuring high standards of teaching and learning within a safe and secure environment where your child will develop confidence, responsibility and respect. We aim to involve you as parents in the life of the school as much as possible so there is an effective partnership, which serves to strengthen the prospects for your child.

We hope this brochure provides you with valuable information, which will help you make the most of the opportunities available to you and your child while attending Cronk y Berry School. Please feel free to question, query, challenge and praise any aspect of our school and we will endeavour to listen and take on board your ideas. We are here to serve you as parents as well as your children.

We look forward to meeting you throughout your child’s education at Cronk y Berry School. Should you require further information about anything, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any member of staff.

You can also log on to our websites for further information and an up-to-date blog with photographs and commentary about all our recent events and achievements:
http://pcastserver.sch.im/groups/cronkyberry1/

http://www.sch.im/cronkyberry/CronkyBerry/Home/Home.html

RSellors

Rob Sellors
Headteacher

Contact Information

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:09:22 +0100

Aiming High

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:07:56 +0100

Teaching and Learning

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:49:58 +0100

At Cronk y Berry School, we believe in the concept of lifelong learning, and in the idea that both adults and children learn new things every day. We maintain that learning should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone; in short, it should be fun. Through our teaching, we equip children with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make informed choices about the important things in their lives. We believe that appropriate teaching and learning experiences help children to lead happy and rewarding lives.

Research tells us that people learn in many different ways, and respond best to different types of input (visual, auditory and kinaesthetic); we must therefore deliver teaching in different ways to address the needs of all our learners. We take into account the different forms of intelligence (e.g. mathematical/logical, visual/spatial, interpersonal, musical) when planning our teaching. We ensure the best possible environment for learning by developing a positive atmosphere in which pupils feel safe and feel they belong, in which they enjoy being challenged, but in which they enjoy learning, and know that they will succeed (because they know the challenge will have been set at the right level). All teaching will be structured to maximise learning opportunities, and lessons will be planned in accordance with the following principles:
• the teaching should build on previous learning ;
• it should give pupils the 'big picture' of the lesson;
• the teacher should explain the learning objectives, and why the lesson is important;
• the lesson should be presented in a range of styles;
• it should allow opportunities for the pupils to build up their own understanding through various activities;
• it should allow opportunities for the children to review what has been learnt;
• it should have built-in opportunities for feedback to the children, celebrating success and reviewing learning strategies;
• the teaching should indicate what the next step in the learning will be.

We offer opportunities for children to learn in different ways. These include:
• investigation and problem-solving;
• research and discovery;
• group work;
• pair work;
• independent work;
• whole-class work;
• asking and answering questions;
• use of ICT;
• fieldwork and visits to places of educational interest;
• creative activities;
• watching television and responding to musical or tape-recorded material;
• debates, role-plays and oral presentations;
• designing and making things;
• participation in athletic or physical activity.

We encourage children to take responsibility for their own learning, to be involved as far as possible in reviewing the way in which they learn, and to reflect on how they learn – what helps them learn, and what makes it difficult for them to learn.
At Cronk y Berry School, we design our curriculum and learning experiences to promote the following life skills which we call the six R’s:
Readiness - positive self-esteem and concentration
Relationships which are positive
Resourcefulness - using initiative
Resilience - solving problems, being flexible
Remembering skills - learning from experience
Reflectiveness - having a sense of pride

Effective teaching and learning

When we are teaching, we focus on motivating all the children, and building on their skills, knowledge and understanding of the curriculum, so that they reach the highest level of personal achievement. We use the school curriculum plan to guide our teaching. This sets out the aims, objectives and values of the school, and details what is to be taught to each year group.

Teachers make ongoing assessments of each child's progress, and they use this information when planning their lessons. It enables them to take into account the abilities of all their children. Our prime focus is to develop further the knowledge and skills of all our children. We strive to ensure that all tasks set are appropriate to each child's level of ability. When planning work for children with special educational needs, we give due regard to information and targets contained in the childrens’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs). Teachers modify teaching and learning as appropriate for children with different learning needs. We value each child as a unique individual, and teachers are familiar with the relevant equal opportunities legislation covering race, gender and disability. We will strive to meet the needs of all our children, and to ensure that we meet all statutory requirements related to matters of inclusion.

We plan our lessons with clear learning objectives. We take these objectives from the Manx National Curriculum or the national literacy or numeracy strategies. Our lesson plans contain information about the tasks to be set, the resources needed, and the way in which we assess the children's work. We evaluate all lessons, so that we can modify and improve our future teaching.

Each of our teachers makes a special effort to establish good working relationships with all the children in the class. We treat the children with kindness and respect. We recognise that they are all individuals with different needs, but we treat them fairly, and give them equal opportunity to take part in class activities. All of our teachers follow the school policy with regard to discipline and classroom management. We set and agree with children the class code of conduct, and we expect all children to comply with the rules that we jointly devise to promote the best learning opportunities for all. We praise children for their efforts and, by so doing, we help to build positive attitudes towards school and learning in general. We insist on good order and behaviour at all times. When children misbehave, we follow the guidelines for sanctions as outlined in our policy on positive self-discipline.

We ensure that all tasks and activities that the children perform are safe. When we plan to take children out of school, we follow a strict set of procedures to ensure safety: the venue is visited, risk assessments are completed, and various permissions are obtained. We inform parents, and obtain their permission, before the visit takes place.

We deploy Educational Support Assistants and other adult helpers as effectively as possible. Sometimes, they work with individual children, and sometimes they work with small groups. Our adult helpers also assist with the preparation and storage of classroom equipment.

Our classrooms are attractive learning environments. We change displays at least once a term, so that the classroom reflects the topics studied by the children. We ensure that all children have the opportunity to display their best work at some time during the year. All classrooms have a range of both fiction and non-fiction books, as well as displays relating to literacy and numeracy. We also use displays as learning prompts for the children. We believe that a stimulating environment sets the climate for learning, and that an exciting classroom promotes independent use of resources, which results in high-quality work by the children.

All of our teachers reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, and plan their professional development accordingly. We do all we can to support our teachers in developing their skills, so that they can continually improve their practice.

We conduct all our teaching in an atmosphere of trust and respect for all.

Safety at School

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:44:38 +0100

Safety at School
The whole of the school is secure. The doors have one way locks that open from the inside, which prevents strangers walking into school through the many exterior doors. The Department have installed fire alarm and sensor detectors in school to increase safety and combat vandalism after school hours. We also have extensive CCTV cameras covering most of the external areas of the building.

Parents and visitors, unless entering by the main entrance at the front of school, will have to wait outside the school exit doors until they are opened at the start or end of the school day. Parents (and prams) are requested not to block passageways or classroom exit areas.
Visitors / parents on other business should enter via the main entrance by the office. There is a window into the secretary’s office where you can request entrance when the main entrance door is locked.
Visitors to school and parent helpers are required to sign our Visitors’ Book. The book is kept outside the school office, and needs to be filled in both on entering and departing the premises. This will also ensure that you are accounted for in the event of fire. You will also be required to wear a Visitor’s Badge which are to be found next to the Visitors’ Book. This is Department of Education and Children Policy - thank you for your co-operation.

Annual Consent forms

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:44:11 +0100

Annual consent form
As part of the latest Data Protection Guidelines it is necessary for school to obtain a ‘Parental Consent form’ for each child, which is signed by parents giving permission for them to be taken out of school on educational visits, to sporting events, being photographed/videod for school events, newspapers, parents’ booklet, etc. (pupils’ names may be printed).
Teachers will also send out letters regarding educational visits and sporting events requiring transport outside of school. This does not include weekly swimming transport to the N.S.C.
Please read carefully before signing and returning to school.

Staffing

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:41:09 +0100

Early Years Foundation Stage Booklet

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:28:32 +0100

Click on the link below to download the Early Years Foundation Stage Booklet

FS Booklet 2010.pdf

School Information

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:23:52 +0100

Holiday Dates

Thu, 20 May 2010 19:37:18 +0100

Extra Curricular Activities

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:57:39 +0100

We believe at Cronk y Berry School that the children’s experiences are greatly enriched by additional activities outside normal lesson time. Our staff are committed to running a large number of lunchtime, before and after school clubs and organise a wide variety of educational visits both on and off the Island.
Examples of some of the clubs which are offered for children include the following:
• choir
• newspaper
• instrumental music making
• computer/media
• football
• cross country
• netball
• gardening
• art and craft
• chess
• games
• hockey
• scrabble
• commets (broaden general knowledge)
• dance
• keep fit
• manx folk dancing
• school council

Visits to local places of interest which enriches the children’s experiences include local museums, beach studies, nature walks, castles, local environment, churches.
Children in Y5 are invited to attend a 3 day residential at the Maughold Venture Centre in May whilst Y6 make the journey across the sea to visit a recreational centre in North Wales where many new and exciting outdoor adventurous activities are undertaken.

In addition, our children take part in many local events and support competitions such as the annual cross country championships, football and netball matches with local school, the Manx Music Festival in music making and dance, tag-rugby, swimming gala etc.
We believe it is important to involve the work of the local community in our school and for this reason we invite local people in, including parents and others with interesting skills and experiences to support the learning for our children. Our children also benefit from visits by theatre companies, artists, writers, musicians and other agencies.

Ethos

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:57:39 +0100

Our positive self discipline strategy is used with uniformity across the school from class to class and the emphasis on this is to reward and praise the expected level of behaviour which the vast majority of our children display on a daily basis.

There are many occasions when children’s attitudes, behaviour and successful achievements are rewarded such as through superstars assembly every other Friday, the handing out of plastic money as part of our new banking reward system, use of stickers, notes to parents, referrals to the Headteacher and so on.

When the whole class has worked very well the teacher will add a tick to a chart. They work for 20 ticks, then receive a treat, usually towards the end of a term. When an individual has done something exceptional we reward this by adding their name onto a board for an extra merit at the end of the day.

When children behave/work to the expected level, their names stay on this board and at the end of the day they receive a merit.

On the rare occasion that a child disrupts the lesson then we give him/her at least one verbal warning. If he/she does not respond positively, then we put the child’s name on the ‘Warning’. If the child is still disruptive then we move his/her name down and remove the child from the situation. Should the child still not respond positively then we move their name down again. The child will then be issued with a sanction which may be to miss the morning playtime.
A child always has the opportunity to have his/her name moved up again during the lesson as and when their behaviour improves.
The red section is only used in extreme situations when a child is behaving in an extremely disruptive or aggressive manner, has hurt someone or seems a threat or danger to others. On these very rare occasions, the child will have to report to a senior member of staff and it is likely that their parents will be contacted so we can work out a plan to encourage and support a higher level of pupil self-discipline.

THE MAIN FOCUS IS TO MAINTAIN A
POSITIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT!