Osborne Close, Hastings,
East Sussex, TN34 2HU
Tel: 01424 429279
Fax: 01424 719277
Email: admin@blacklands.e-sussex.sch.uk
Welcome
Admissions
East Sussex Admissions Policy
Blacklands’ Ethos and Values
Goals of Blacklands School
Vision Statement
Acts of Worship
Arrangements for school discipline
Blacklands’ Code of Behaviour
Bullying
Extra curricular activities
School Uniform
Special Educational Needs
Equal Opportunities
Attendance and Absence
Results of the National Curriculum Assessments of 7 year olds
Results of the National Curriculum Assessments of 11 year olds
Targets
School Terms and Holidays
Holidays during term time
School Organisation
Teaching Times
Teaching Hours
Lunches
Free Meals
Communication with Parents
Summary of the Charging and Remissions Policy
Curriculum Information
Homework
Complaints Procedure
Parent/Teacher Association
School Council
And finally…
Blacklands is a Community Primary School.
Head Teacher: |
Mrs. A. Baines |
Chairman of Governors: |
Mr. M.Croft |
Assistant Head – KS1: |
Mrs. L. White |
Assistant Head – KS2: |
Mrs. V. Harvey |
Assistant Head – Learning and Behaviour Support: |
Miss G. Hutchinson |
A detailed description of the policy is contained in the booklet “Applying for a School for your Child 2009/2010.”
In the event of there being insufficient places available in September 2009, to meet the demand, then the following priorities apply for the allocation of places:
The admission details, for the 4+ age group, in September 2008 were:
Published admission limit for 2007/2008 |
75 |
Number of 1st preferences received by the initial closing date |
159 |
Over the years the staff and governors at Blacklands have striven to achieve the atmosphere of a village school in our large urban school. We are rightly proud that this has for the most part been achieved. We have strong parental and community support and an active and successful P.T.A.
The vision of the school is encapsulated in the statement:
Caring Happy Individuals Learning and Developing together.
The first letter of the main words spells CHILD. The Blacklands’ vision is centred on the needs of individual children. Each child is important and special. We want all children to be happy in school. If any child is not, then we try to find out why and seek to put the matter right.
At Blacklands we seek to ensure the spiritual, moral, cultural and social development of each child. This is undertaken within the classroom and as part of the pattern of assemblies. It will include the citizenship programme as suggested in the National Curriculum for England. While Blacklands is a Community School with no religious affiliation, local vicars and rectors regularly lead assemblies and acts of worship within the school.
These take place on a daily basis, usually as part of an assembly. They are conducted by phase, year group or class. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the act of worship and any assembly that is religious. The school will provide adequate supervision at these times.
All children are expected to follow the school’s code of behaviour. The code of behaviour was written through discussion and consultation involving staff, pupils and governors. It follows the principle that in order for the school to be a happy, thriving community, children should show respect for each other. The vast majority of children do follow the code of behaviour. Where a child does not, it is pointed out quite clearly what the problem behaviour is. Where further action is required there are sanctions, such as missing a break time. In extreme cases exclusion is available. Fortunately this sanction is rarely needed.
Children will be expected and encouraged to:
At Blacklands we define bullying as follows:
“Bullying is the wilful, conscious desire to hurt or threaten or frighten someone else.”
For the children the definition of a bully is:
“Someone who likes making others feel hurt or frightened or sad, and keeps on doing it. Sometimes a bully gets up a gang to help him or her, but not always. A bully might try to make you too scared to tell an adult about what he or she does.”
It is essential that children are encouraged to tell someone if they are being bullied and that parents are contacted straight away so that the issue can be dealt with as soon as possible. Similarly, if a parent suspects that their child is developing bullying tendencies or is being bullied it is essential that they contact the school.
All members of the school community are entitled to work in a safe environment. At Blacklands we recognise that everyone is an individual within school life. Our Anti-bullying Policy seeks to ensure that all members of the school community are able to learn within a safe and supportive environment.
Blacklands offers a wide range of extra curricular activities, usually for older children. During the last year these activities included: football, netball, dance, art, chess, athletics and cricket.
Children in Year 6 are invited to take part in a residential visit during the Easter holiday.
Blacklands has a school uniform. It is expected that all children will wear it. The sweatshirts, cardigans, fleece and hoodie with a logo, can only be bought at Wards, in Hastings, but all other items of school uniform can be purchased from any high street store. The uniform list is:
During the summer green and white checked or striped dresses may be worn, as can green or black shorts.
The PE kit is a green t-shirt, black shorts and plimsolls.
Miss Hutchinson is the Assistant Head in charge of Learning and Behaviour Support. Her role is to lead the planning and provision of work for children with special educational needs.
In the first instance the class teacher refers the child to the Learning and Behaviour Support Leader who will initiate one or more of the following:
The Learning and Behaviour Support Leader organises the work for small groups of children in order to undertake the IEP. This is delivered either in the child’s classroom or through withdrawal.
Mrs. M. Croft is the Governor with a particular interest in Special Educational Needs.
Blacklands also has a Gifted and Talented Pupils Policy.
Gifted and talented pupils are those who excel, or demonstrate the potential to excel, in general or specific areas. Provision is made for gifted and talented pupils through a range of enrichment activities. During the last year these have included: able writers groups, extension maths activities, art projects, music group, science activities.
Blacklands follows an equal opportunities policy which underpins everything that the school does. A copy of this policy is available on request.
The attendance for the school year 2006/2007 is reported below. Authorised absences are recorded where a child is ill or where the Governors have agreed an absence. Unauthorised absences are for all other absences, including holidays and when a child arrives in the classroom, for no good reason, after the register has been called and closed.
The possible number of attendance sessions |
196023 |
The number of actual attendances |
186069 |
The number of authorised absences |
8184 |
As a percentage |
4.2% |
The number of unauthorised absences |
1770 |
As a percentage |
0.9% |
Percentage of attendances |
94.9% |
At the end of KS1 children are assessed using teacher assessment. There were 75 children in the year group and the results of the assessments are indicated in the following tables:
TEACHER ASSESSMENT – School results 2008 |
|||||||||
|
Percentage at each level (figures may not total 100% because of rounding) |
||||||||
|
W |
1 |
2 |
2C |
2B |
2A |
3 or above |
Dis |
Abs |
Speaking & lis. |
1 |
12 |
48 |
- |
- |
- |
13 |
0 |
0 |
Reading |
2 |
11 |
- |
8 |
17 |
24 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
Writing |
4 |
13 |
- |
12 |
23 |
18 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
Mathematics |
2 |
3 |
- |
14 |
21 |
21 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
Science |
1 |
5 |
48 |
- |
- |
- |
20 |
0 |
0 |
Below for comparative purposes, are the National KS1 SAT results.
TEACHER ASSESSMENT – National results 2008 |
|||||||||
|
Percentage at each level (figures may not total 100% because of rounding) |
||||||||
|
W |
1 |
2 |
2C |
2B |
2A |
3 or Above |
Dis |
Abs |
Speaking & lis. |
2 |
11 |
65 |
|
|
|
22 |
0 |
0 |
Reading |
3 |
13 |
|
13 |
22 |
24 |
26 |
0 |
0 |
Writing |
5 |
15 |
|
22 |
27 |
20 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
Mathematics |
2 |
8 |
|
16 |
24 |
27 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
Science |
2 |
9 |
66 |
|
|
|
23 |
0 |
0 |
W = working towards level 1
At the end of KS2 all children undertake the Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) in English, maths and science. Additionally, they are assessed by the teachers. In the tables that follow you will be able to compare the school’s results with those achieved nationally. Where results do not tally to 100%, it is caused by the rounding process. There were 86 children tested in the KS2 SATs.
TEST RESULTS – School results 2008 |
|||||||||
|
Percentage at each level |
||||||||
|
W |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Dis |
Abs |
English |
0 |
0 |
1 |
15 |
52 |
32 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Maths |
0 |
0 |
4 |
14 |
54 |
24 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Science |
0 |
0 |
2 |
12 |
47 |
38 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
TEST RESULTS – National results 2008 |
|||||||||
|
Percentage at each level |
||||||||
|
W |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Dis |
Abs |
English |
0 |
1 |
4 |
17 |
48 |
29 |
0 |
|
|
Maths |
0 |
1 |
4 |
17 |
45 |
33 |
0 |
||
Science |
0 |
0 |
2 |
12 |
47 |
38 |
0 |
|
|
Dis = Disapplied; Abs = Absent
It is our intention that academic achievement will continue to rise until we consistently achieve all SAT and TA scores in the 90% range. This is a medium term target. It is the responsibility of everyone – staff, children, governors and parents – to work towards this target.
We set about this is the following manner:
If all children achieve their targets each year, then Blacklands will reach the academic standards to which it aspires.
Please see the term dates page of our website for holiday dates. Please note that there is a statutory requirement that the school closes for 5 training days known as INSET days in each year. These will be communicated to parents, through the weekly newsletter, providing as much warning as possible.
It is important that wherever possible children do not take time off during the term to go on holiday. Blacklands is required to deliver the National Curriculum to all children. Absence to go on holiday can seriously detract from this. Children have targets for each year, they are challenging and all children should be given the best opportunity to achieve them.
Should you request your child to be away from school for holiday purposes, please note the following:
The Foundation Stage consists of three teaching groups with a total of 75 children. The groups are mainly organised by age so that autumn, spring and summer born children form the three classes, however, this may vary depending on the number of children in each age group. Children are of statutory school age from the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday. Blacklands Primary School admits children at the beginning of the school year in which their fifth birthday falls.
In KS1 there are two Y1 classes, two Y2 classes and one mixed age class of Y1 and Y2 children. All classes have a maximum of 30 children. Parents have the opportunity to indicate their views when classes are constructed for each September.
In Y3,Y4, Y5, and Y6, the pattern of classes is the same as in Y1 and Y2. All classes have a maximum of 30 children.
Parents have the opportunity to indicate their views when classes are constructed for each September.
For the whole school:
8.55am |
School begins – children should arrive on the playground from 8.45am |
12.00 |
End of the morning session |
1.00 pm |
Start of the afternoon session |
3.15pm |
End of the formal school day |
For Reception only:
Children who are at school on a part-time basis can be collected from the Reception teaching area at 12.00 noon. However, all part-time children are encouraged to stay to lunch, and if this is the case with your child then the collection time is 12.45pm.
The hours spent on teaching during a normal week, excluding collective acts of worship, registration and breaks are:
KS1 |
21 hours and 15 minutes |
KS2 |
23 hours and 40 minutes |
There are three options available:
For those children eating a cooked meal, for KS1 children this consists of a set meal as described on the menu which is on display on the parents’ notice board.
For KS2 children there is an alternative meal. Additionally there is a vegetarian option. Menus are sent home on a regular basis. Please note that Blacklands’ meals are provided by Initial Caterers who are responsible for their effective delivery, including a balanced diet. The Head Teacher will endeavour to deal with any queries that may occur concerning the lunch time arrangements.
All lunch money is paid directly to the kitchen. Every child in KS1 is given a named film pot. Each morning the correct dinner money for that day should be put in the film pot (sorry, no change can be given) and these will be passed to the kitchen. Any child who has free school meals will have their card in their film pot. A dinner register will be taken each day by the class teacher. If a child forgets their money we will have a very small amount of money to lend but this must be returned to the school office the next day. Do note that you can vary what your child does, i.e. between packed and cooked meals, provided that the class teacher is clear about your intentions.
Junior aged children bring their lunch money into school each day and pay at the till.
Currently the price of a school meal is £1.83 but this is subject to increase. Parents are informed as soon as the school is.
If you believe that your child is entitled to free school meals then contact the School Secretary, Mrs A Upton, in the School Office. She will deal with the situation. All such matters are dealt with in confidence.
Teachers are happy to discuss with parents, their children and all aspects of school life. Parents can approach the teachers in three ways.
In a busy school, such as Blacklands, teachers often have commitments e.g. meetings, after school clubs, courses etc., so the best and most effective way is through a note in the contact book. In this way, a mutually convenient time can be found rapidly.
Each child, from Reception to Year 2, has a contact book. This should be carried to and from school each day. A plastic wallet is provided for this, though many children prefer to use the book bag, which can be bought, at the school office (current price £3.75). Parents are invited to make any communication they wish in the book e.g.:
Similarly the teacher will send you notes as appropriate. Parents and teachers should always initial and date their comments. Do note that it is not the intention of this book to have lengthy discussions; these should be undertaken face to face.
Confidential matters should always be sent by letter in a sealed envelope.
Parent/Teacher interviews take place twice a year:
Additionally there is an open evening towards the end of Term 6 in the Summer, after written reports have been sent to parents. The children take on the responsibility of showing their work, classroom and the school to their parents. The teachers are present to discuss issues with parents should they wish.
Occasionally it may be appropriate to contact someone other than the class teacher. This may well be one of the Assistant Heads. This can either be done through the school office or by direct approach.
If it is appropriate, you are welcome to make an appointment to see the Head Teacher. Her commitments are such that it may not be possible to see the Head straight away. Appointments should be made through the school office. At the time of making the appointment you should indicate what the discussion will be about.
The Head Teacher can normally be contacted for informal discussions, somewhere on the school grounds before and after school.
Parents wishing to see:
should contact the Head Teacher.
A copy of the school policies and curriculum guidelines are available for inspection in school.
At various times during the school year, as part of the curriculum offered to your children, visits and activities occur which involve the school in additional costs. In order to cover these costs, we invite voluntary contributions from the children involved. Hopefully families will be prepared to make such contributions. This being the case then the activity will go ahead. We do have to reserve the right to cancel any event where we do not receive sufficient contributions to cover the vast majority of the cost. Naturally, this would result in contributions already made, being refunded.
We are aware that for some families such charges may cause hardship. In these cases families can be exempt from either voluntary contributions or charges – there is a small fund of money to cover this. If this applies to you then please contact the Head Teacher. All such matters are treated in confidence.
The full policy document is available at school for you to inspect.
There is only enough space to provide outline information here. More detailed information is available on request.
Please note that although there is an outline of the curriculum areas, subjects are often linked together to form “Learning Journeys.”
English is one of the National Curriculum core subjects. Every child is involved in an hour of literacy teaching each day, which includes the whole class in reading and writing activities, group reading and writing, and independent tasks related to all aspects of literacy.
We encourage the children to gain enjoyment from books from the beginning. All children in the school have the opportunity to borrow books from our well-equipped library.
Parents should note that much of the teaching of reading is based upon a group of children reading the same book together, rather than an individual child reading to an adult.
We are always happy to discuss with parents the ways in which they can help their children at home.
Mathematics is a core subject in the National Curriculum. All children are involved in a daily maths lesson. This is a three-part lesson that consists of a mental/oral starter, the main teaching activity and a plenary. The children are involved in learning number facts, developing mathematical skills and understanding.
In Years 5 and 6 the children are set by ability. This means that the most able children are taught in a separate group.
Science is another core subject in the National Curriculum and provides children with opportunities to develop their natural curiosity. Children develop the skills of investigation and exploration in a variety of contexts. By the time the children have reached the later years at Blacklands we hope they will be able to set up and carry out their own scientific investigations. This involves posing questions, organising, predicting and carrying out experiments, answering the questions posed and presenting their information and findings.
In addition to computers in every classroom, Blacklands has 3 banks of laptops. Children work with their class teachers, to learn a large variety of skills. All of the computers in school are networked and have internet access.
These are the Foundation subjects and, whilst they do not command the same amount of teaching time as the core subjects, play a vital role in providing a broad curriculum.
Apart from class music, children are invited to learn to play musical instruments. These are taught by peripatetic music teachers. Currently we are offering recorder, violin, guitar, keyboard, clarinet and trumpet.
From time to time, children are given the opportunity of performing before an audience of children. Parents are invited to join us. At approximately mid-summer, there is an evening concert when all instruments are represented, playing to a packed lower hall of parents, governors and guests.
During their 7 years at Blacklands, children have the opportunity to study the world’s six major religions. Approximately half the time is spent on Christianity. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and therefore to supply their own self-learning alternative religious activities.
At times, as part of the work in the classroom, children may ask questions that have a connection with sex education e.g. why has the hamster had babies? These questions will be dealt with, in a sensitive and truthful fashion, by the teacher.
Sex Education is part of the curriculum in Y4 and Y6. It is intended that all children should have factual knowledge of human reproduction within the context of a loving, caring family. The contents of this work are presented to parents during an evening meeting prior to its start. Parents have the right to request their child’s withdrawal from this area of the curriculum. Should you be considering this then initially open up a discussion with the class teacher or the Head Teacher.
This topic is dealt with throughout the school, concentrating on the use of drugs as medicines in the early years and alerting children to the dangers of illegal substances in later years. A copy of the curriculum guideline is available for your inspection.
The school has its own swimming pool in which children have the opportunity to:
Swimming takes place during terms 5 and 6.
All work is marked, but there are distinct rules for undertaking this:
A full copy of the marking policy is available in school for your scrutiny.
The aims of health education within the curriculum are:
Much of this work is dealt with incidentally, at appropriate times, through opportunities that arise within the classroom. It may well form part of a topic. Support from external agencies is actively encouraged, particularly from the school nurse. There is a programme of medical examinations: parents are informed in writing if it affects their child and parents are expected to attend the school for these (except for routine eye and hearing tests.)
All children are expected to do homework. Parents are encouraged to play their full part by supporting their children with this.
SCHEDULE OF HOMEWORK
Year Group |
Recommended Time |
Activity |
Reception |
10 to 20 minutes reading each day |
Daily: Reading with adult or listening whilst adult reads. Discussion of the story with adult. |
Year 1 |
10 to 20 minutes reading each day plus 10 minutes per week |
Daily: Reading with adult, listening to stories. Discussion of story with adult. |
Year 2 |
10 to 20 minutes reading each day plus 10 minutes per week |
Daily: Reading to adult, |
Year 3 |
15 minutes reading each day plus up to 1 hour per week |
Daily: Reading to an adult |
Year 4 |
15 minutes reading each day plus up to 1 hour per week |
Daily: Reading alone and discussion with an adult about the book |
Year 5 |
15 minutes reading each day plus up to 1½ hours per week |
Daily: Reading alone and discussion with an adult about the book |
Year 6 |
15 minutes reading each day plus up to 1½ hours per week |
Daily: Reading alone |
The timings are intended to be a guide as children do work at different speeds. The children in KS2 have homework diaries where they record homework set and when it should be handed in.
Should a parent wish to make a complaint about the curriculum, or any aspect of school life then, in the first instance, this should be made directly to the school. The Head Teacher will deal with the complaint as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible.
Should the parent wish to formalise the complaint, this should be made to the Governors, through the Chair, currently Mr Richard Keeble. The Governors will deal with the complaint as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible.
Should the complaint need to be taken further, then a formal complaint should be made to the Local Education Authority through the Director of Children’s Services at County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes.
Full details of the DfES circular on complaints can be obtained through the school.
As a parent you are automatically a member of this active organisation which is a registered charity with the sole aim of providing extra equipment etc. for use by the children. The PTA raises several thousand pounds each year. The basic programme of activities is:
September |
New term disco |
October |
Annual General Meeting |
November |
Fireworks |
November |
Christmas Bazaar |
March |
A social activity |
June |
Bonanza (our version of a fete) |
July |
Barbecue |
Parents are invited to join the committee, which undertakes the organisation of the events and activities. We are always keen to recruit new people and undertake new ideas. Currently the officers of the PTA are:
Chair |
Mrs Mairi Scott |
Secretary |
Mrs Vanessa Osborne |
Treasurer |
Mrs Jayne Aslett |
Children are encouraged to play a full part in the development of the school. Each of the Upper Junior classes elects two school council reps who represent not only their own class but also a lower junior and an infant class. They meet regularly with their classes to talk about issues and feed back decisions. School Council meets with the head, staff and governor reps at approximately fortnightly intervals. Once each term, some of the reps meet with the governing body to report on the work they have done.
I hope our prospectus has given you an insight into life at Blacklands. If you would like to know more about the school, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I am always delighted to show visitors round.
