LARKHOLME
PRIMARY
SCHOOL
Workingtogethertodoourbest
LARKHOLME
PRIMARY
SCHOOL
Workingtogethertodoourbest
Awarm
welcometo
Larkholme
PrimarySchool
DearParents,
WorkingtogethertodoourbestIam delightedforyourinterestinLarkholmePrimarySchool.Thisprospectusisintendedto
helpyouknow moreaboutthelifeandworkofourschool.Ihopethatthisprospectus
providesyouwithalltheinformationthatyouneed.
AtLarkholmewebelievethatwecanachievethebestforyourchildrenbyworkingin
closepartnershipwithhomeandschool.Wewantyoutoshareinyourchild’seducation
andtoencourageyoutoparticipateinschoollife.
Ourchildrenareattheheartofeverythingthatwedo.Weinvestalotoftimeandsup-
portinboththeacademicandpersonaldevelopmentofourchildren.
Asaschoolweconsiderourselvestobealearningcommunitywherebothstaffand
pupilscontinuealongalearningjourney.Wecontinuetodevelopallaspectsofthe
schoolandhaveaclearvisionforourfuturesuccesstoensurethatallchildrenareen-
couragedtofulfiltheirpotential.
Weprideourselvesinourabilitytoprovideacaringstimulatingandhappyenvironment
inwhichchildrenfeelsecureandcangrow intoindependentlearnersandresponsible
citizens.
Weareahardworkingschoolthathasastrongvisionandpositiveethos.Weensurethat
allofourchildrenaresupportedtofulfiltheirpotentialineveryaspectofschoollife.
Wearecontinuingtodevelopourschoolbuildingandgrounds.Thestaffworkhardto
provideavarietyofexcitinglearningexperiencesforthechildren.Wehaverecentlyre-
visedourcurriculum toamorecreativeapproachthatisunderpinnedbyaccountability
andrigour.
Weengagethechildreninavariedselectionoflearningopportunitiesandexperiences,
includingthemeweeksandthemeddays.Wealsouseeducationalvisitstoenrichthe
learningwithintheclassroom.Inadditiontothis,wehaveaverystrongprogrammeof
extra-curricularactivitieswhichtakeplacebothafterschoolandduringlunchtimes.
Thesearewellattendedandourchildrenoftensuggestideasforthenexttermspro-
gramme.
Iam veryprivilegedtobeHeadteacherofLarkholmeandwouldliketohavetheoppor-
tunitytowelcomeyoutoourschool.Iam alwayshappytoshow parentsandvisitors
aroundtheschoolsothatyoucanexperienceatfirsthandalloftheabove.Visitorstoour
schooloftencommentonourpositiveethosandthepolitenessofourchildren.
Pleasedonothesitatetocontactmetoarrangeanappointmenttocomeandhavea
lookround.Inthemeantime,pleasekeepthisprospectusforreference.
Furtherdetailsabouttheschoolcanbefoundonourwebsite:
www.larkholme.lancs.sch.uk
Yourssincerely
MissWolstanholme
SchoolVision
andAims
EnrichingLives•NurturingHearts•InspiringMinds
•AtLarkholmeweaim tocreateahappy,secureandstimulatinglearningenvironmentin
whichallchildrencangrow inconfidence,developtheirfullpotentialandwhereaca-
demicexcellencecanbeWachoiervekdi.ngtogethertodoourbest
•Wearecommittedtothedevelopmentofthewholechild,creatinghappy,confident
andindependentchildrenwhoareenthusedbylearning.
•AtLarkholmeeverychildwillbeprovidedwithanopportunitytoshineandbesuccess-
ful,buildingself-esteem andapositivesenseofwell-being.
•Weaim toprovideanurturingenvironmentandvalueandrecognisetheuniquenessof
everychild.
•Weaim toequipthechildrenwiththeresilienceandperseverancetobecomecreative
andindependentthinkersandtobecomelearnersforlife.
•Weaim toprovideengagingandvariedlearningactivitiesacrossthefullbreadthofthe
NationalCurriculum andequipthechildrenwithathoroughunderstandingofthebasic
skillsofEnglish,Mathematics,ScienceandComputing.
•Weaim tochallengethechildren’smindsandbodiesandgivethem adesiretolearn
andachieve.
•WepromoteBritishValuesandensurethechildrenbecomecaring,tolerantandre-
spectfulcitizenswithintheWschooorlkainndwgidetrocogmmeutnhitiees.rtodoourbest
•Weaim topreparethechildrenwellforthenextstepsintheirlivesbypromotingself-dis-
ciplineandthepositivemindsetwhichwillallow them toaim highinalltheydoandtake
responsibilityfortheiractions.
•Wewillensurechildrenknow how tokeepthemselvessafewhenusingtechnology
•Weaim topromotehealthandwell-beingandweencouragephysicalactivityand
activelearning.
OurSchool
LarkholmePrimarySchooloffersprimaryeducationforchildrenbetweentheagesoffour
andelevenyears.Theschoolhadare-buildin2013andisnow brightandmodernwith
fantasticfacilities.Theschoolcomprisesamainbuildingof11classrooms,amulti-pur-
posehall,alibrary,astudiowithstage,anurtureroom,akitchen,cloakroomsandtoilets,
stockrooms,officesandstaffroom .Alloftheclassroomshaveinteractivefacilitiesand
largewhiteboards.
Wearealsofortunatethatwehavetwolargeplaygrounds,anextensivesportsfield,a
WorkingtogethertodoourbestMUGA(multi-usegamesarea),aschoolgardenandlandscapedgrassyareasaround
theschoolwhichcreateaverypleasant,attractiveoutdoorenvironment.Wealsohave
anoutsideplay/learningareaforouryoungestchildren.
Theschoolhasacapacityfor315childrenonrollandisorganisedinto11classes–5Key
Stage1and6KeyStage2classes.
Themaximum numberofchildrenwhocanbeadmittedtoanyyeargroupis45.
Atpresent,theclassesareorganisedasfollows:
Reception
Reception
Year1
Year1andYear2
Year2
Year3
Year3andYear4
Year4
Year5
Year5andYear6
Year6
WhatOfstedsaidontheir2013Inspection:
“Thisisagoodschool.Achievementisgood.Pupilsmakegoodprogressinbothreading
andmathematicsandoutstandingprogressinlearningtowrite.”
“Teachingisgood.Someteachingisoutstanding.Teachersmakelessonsfun.Classrooms
hum tothehappysoundofpupilsenjoyingtheirlearning.”
“Behaviourisoutstanding.Pupilsareproudoftheirschool,eagertoworkhardinlessons
andthoughtfultowardsothers.”
“Asuperbrangeofactivitiesinsportandmusicmakeslearningexcitinganddevelop
pupils’personalqualities.”
Thechildrenaredividedintofourhouseteams,whichcelebrateandrememberFleet-
wood’sfamoustrawlersandkeyfiguresinitsthrivingfishingindustryinthepast-Hewitt,
Boston,MarrandWyre.Eachteam hasaHouseCaptainandeachteam workshardto
earnjewelsfortheirteam.Jewelsarerewardedforbeinghelpful,respectful,kind,
thoughtful,considerateandalsoforhardworkanddedication.Eachterm thejewelsfor
eachhouseareweighedandthewinninghouseteam receivesatreat.
OurSchool
LarkholmePrimarySchooloffersprimaryeducationforchildrenbetweentheagesoffour
andelevenyears.Theschoolhadare-buildin2013andisnow brightandmodernwith
fantasticfacilities.Theschoolcomprisesamainbuildingof11classrooms,amulti-pur-
posehall,alibrary,astudiowithstage,anurtureroom,akitchen,cloakroomsandtoilets,
stockrooms,officesandstaffroom .Alloftheclassroomshaveinteractivefacilitiesand
largewhiteboards.
Wearealsofortunatethatwehavetwolargeplaygrounds,anextensivesportsfield,a
WorkingtogethertodoourbestMUGA(multi-usegamesarea),aschoolgardenandlandscapedgrassyareasaround
theschoolwhichcreateaverypleasant,attractiveoutdoorenvironment.Wealsohave
anoutsideplay/learningareaforouryoungestchildren.
Theschoolhasacapacityfor315childrenonrollandisorganisedinto11classes–5Key
Stage1and6KeyStage2classes.
Themaximum numberofchildrenwhocanbeadmittedtoanyyeargroupis45.
Atpresent,theclassesareorganisedasfollows:
Reception
Reception
Year1
Year1andYear2
Year2
Year3
Year3andYear4
Year4
Year5
Year5andYear6
Year6
WhatOfstedsaidontheir2013Inspection:
“Thisisagoodschool.Achievementisgood.Pupilsmakegoodprogressinbothreading
andmathematicsandoutstandingprogressinlearningtowrite.”
“Teachingisgood.Someteachingisoutstanding.Teachersmakelessonsfun.Classrooms
hum tothehappysoundofpupilsenjoyingtheirlearning.”
“Behaviourisoutstanding.Pupilsareproudoftheirschool,eagertoworkhardinlessons
andthoughtfultowardsothers.”
“Asuperbrangeofactivitiesinsportandmusicmakeslearningexcitinganddevelop
pupils’personalqualities.”
Thechildrenaredividedintofourhouseteams,whichcelebrateandrememberFleet-
wood’sfamoustrawlersandkeyfiguresinitsthrivingfishingindustryinthepast-Hewitt,
Boston,MarrandWyre.Eachteam hasaHouseCaptainandeachteam workshardto
earnjewelsfortheirteam.Jewelsarerewardedforbeinghelpful,respectful,kind,
thoughtful,considerateandalsoforhardworkanddedication.Eachterm thejewelsfor
eachhouseareweighedandthewinninghouseteam receivesatreat.
SchoolUniform
Weareproudofourhighstandardofuniform atourschool.Ouruniform coloursareblue
andgoldandconsistofthefollowing:
•Royalblueschooljumper,cardiganorsleevelesssweaterwithgoldpipingandschool
logo
•Whiteshirtorblouse
•Navy/goldstripedschooltie
•Greytrousers/shorts/skirts/pinafore
•Navybluesummerdressforgirlsinthesummerterm (optional)
Workingtogethertodoourbest•Sensibledarkshoes.Trainersarenotpermittedtobewornasschoolshoes.
•Coatorjacketsuitableforallweatherconditions
Werequestthathairbobblesandclipsareplainandinschoolcoloursandchildren’s
hairstylesshouldbeappropriateforschool.Itisnotpermittedtohavedesignsshaved
intoveryshorthaircuts.Childrenwithhairlongerthanshoulderlengthmusthavetheir
hairtiedbackwithasuitablehairaccessoryinschoolcolours.Thisisforthehealthand
safetyofchildrenduringclasslessonsandduringPE.
Toavoidaccidentsanddistresscausedbyloss(accidentalorotherwise),wedonot
allow jewellerytobeworninschool.Childrenmayhoweverwearawristwatch.Only
small,studearringsarepermittedandparentsarerequestedtohavetheirchildren’sears
piercedatthebeginningofthesummerholidaysothattheyhavehealedforthestartof
thenew schoolyear.EarringsmustbetakenoutforPElessons.Staffarenotpermittedto
helpremoveearringsorcoverwithplasters.Nailpolishshouldnotbewornatschool.
PEUniform
Toensuresafety,weaskparentstoprovidethefollowing:
•Goldpoloshirtwithschoollog
•Blackshorts
•Blackpumps
•Navybluesweatshirtwithschoollogo(optional)
•Navyblue/darkjoggingpants(optional)
Allitemsofschooluniform canbepurchaseddirectfrom theschooloffice.
LostProperty
Pleaseensurethatallyourchildren’sclothesandpossessionsareclearlymarked.Ifany
item doesgetmislaidthe‘lostpropertybox’islocatedintheschoolofficearea.
PEUniform
Toensuresafety,weaskparentstoprovidethefollowing:
•Goldpoloshirtwithschoollog
•Blackshorts
•Blackpumps
•Navybluesweatshirtwithschoollogo(optional)
•Navyblue/darkjoggingpants(optional)
Allitemsofschooluniform canbepurchaseddirectfrom theschooloffice.
LostProperty
Pleaseensurethatallyourchildren’sclothesandpossessionsareclearlymarked.Ifany
item doesgetmislaidthe‘lostpropertybox’islocatedintheschoolofficearea.
SchoolSession
Times
Thechildrencanentertheschoolform 8:45a.m.andtheschoolbellringsat8:55a.m.so
allchildrenneedtobeintheclassroom bythistime.Parentsareaskedtodroptheirchil-
drenoffattheschoolgatesfrom 8:45a.m.andthechildrenshouldwalkroundtotheir
classroomsindependently.Staffareonhandatthegatesandontheplaygroundto
makesureeveryonegetstowheretheyneedtobe.Receptionchildrenshouldentervia
thetopgateandparentsshouldtakethechildrenstraighttotheirclassroom.
Wecannottakeresponsibilityforchildrenarrivingbefore8:45a.m.
ReceptionandKeyStage1(Years1&2)
Doorsopen:8.45a.m.
Registration:8.55a.m.(allchildrenshouldbeinclassandsatdownattheirplacesby
8.55am)
Break:10.20am –10.35a.m.
Lunch:12noon–1p.m.
Endofday:3.15p.m.
KeyStage2(Years3,4,5&6)
Doorsopen:8.45a.m.
Registration:8.55a.m.(allchildrenshouldbeinclassandsatdownattheirplacesby
8.55am)
Break:10.40am –10.55a.m.
Lunch:12noon–1p.m.
Endofday:3.20p.m.
Attheendoftheschoolday,thechildrenaretobecollectedfrom theschoolplay-
groundandtheyoungestchildrenarehandedoveronlytodesignatedadults.Youmust
thereforeinform theschoolifsomeonedifferentistopickyourchildup.Receptionchil-
drenexitviatheirclassroom,soparentsneedtocollectfrom theReceptionplayground.
Weaskthattoys,scooters,bikesetcarenotriddenontheplaygroundbeforethestart
andendoftheschoolday,forsafetyreasons.
Admissions
Childrenmovingintotheareacanbeadmittedatanytimeintheschoolyearbyar-
rangementwiththeHeadteacher.Thisisdependentonaplacebeingavailableinthe
requiredyeargroup.
ChildrenarenormallyadmittedtotheReceptionclassesatthebeginningoftheaca-
demicyearinwhichtheyarefive.Parentsareverywelcometolookaroundtheschool
butitwouldbeappreciatedifanappointmentcouldbemadebeforehand.
TheLocalAuthorityisresponsibleforallocatingplaces. Forty-fivechildrencanbeadmit-
tedeachyearandplaceswillbeallocatedaccordingtotheadmissionscriteria.Parents
maycompletetherequired‘CommonAdmissionForm’andsubmititonlineat:www.lan-
cashire.gov.uk/e-admissions
Itistheparents’responsibilitytoensuretheirlegalapplicationissubmittedbeforethe
deadlinetotheAuthority.
BritishValues
WehaveastatutorydutytopromoteBritishValuesinourschoolandensuretheyare
taught.
ThefiveBritishValuesare:
•Democracy
•Theruleoflaw
•Individualliberty
•Mutualrespect
•Toleranceofthoseofdifferentfaithsandbeliefs
Larkholmeiscommittedtoservingitscommunity.Itrecognisesthemulti-cultural,
multi-faithandever-changingnatureoftheUnitedKingdom.Italsounderstandsthevital
roleithasinensuringthatgroupsorindividualswithintheschoolarenotsubjectedtoin-
timidationorradicalisationbythosewishingtounduly,orillegally,influencethem.
Democracy
AtLarkholmeweensurethatthepupilshaveavoiceandthattheyareheard.Eachyear
thechildrenvoteforHouseCaptains,SchoolCouncilMembersandSportsCaptains.The
childrenalsocompleteapupilquestionnairewhichenablesthem togivetheirviewpoints
ontheschoolandtheirlearningandwhichempowersthem toknow thattheirthoughts
andideasarevalued.
TheRuleofLaw
Thechildrenaretaughtthevaluesandreasonsbehindlaws,thattheygovernandpro-
tectus,theresponsibilitiesthatthisinvolvesandtheconsequenceswhenlawsare
broken.Thechildrenarehelpedtolearntomanagetheirbehaviourandtakeresponsibil-
ityfortheiractions,throughourBehaviourPolicy,Home/SchoolAgreementandschool
rulestosupportthem inmakingtherightchoices.
IndividualLiberty
ThechildrenatLarkholmeareencouragedtobecomegoodandvaluedcitizens.Weed-
ucateand supporteachchildinbecomingasindependentaspossibleandweprovide
asafeenvironmentinwhichthechildrencanmaketheirownchoices.Thechildrenare
encouragedtoknow,understandandexercisetheirrightsandpersonalfreedom.Our
childrenaretaughthow tokeepthemselvessafethroughourPSHEandOnlineSafetyles-
sons.
MutualRespect
Larkholmechildrenareencouragedandsupportedtodevelopgoodspokenmanners
andtobepoliteandconsideratetowardsothersatalltimes.Thechildrenaretaughtto
workcollaborativelywithinaculturewhichrespectsothers’likesandambitions.Theyare
encouragedtoshow kindnessandempathyandgreetvisitorswarmly.
Respectofdifferentfaithsandbeliefs
ThroughourR.E.curriculum,thechildrenaretaughtaboutthemajorreligionsoftheworld
andtheirbeliefs.Theyvisitdifferentplacesofworshipinthelocalandwidercommunity
andenjoyvisitstoschoolbypeopleofdifferentfaithswheretheylearnfirst-handabout
differentculturesandbeliefs.Ourschoolassembliespromoteanunderstandingandtoler-
anceofdifferentfaithsandcelebrationdaystakeplaceinlinewiththereligiouscalen-
dar.
TheEarlyYears/
FoundationStage
Curriculum(EYFS)
(ReceptionYear)
Thesevenareasoflearningare:
●Personal,socialandemotionaldevelopment
●Communicationandlanguage
●Literacy
●Maths
●UnderstandingtheWorld
●Exploringandusingmediaandmaterials
●Physicaldevelopment
Thisprovidesthefoundationuponwhichallotherlearningisbased.
TheKeyStage1
(Years1&2)andKey
Stage2(Years3&6)
Curriculum
Thekeysubjectscoveredare:
●English
●Maths
●Science
●Computing
●Artanddesign
●History
●Geography
●DesignandTechnology(D.T.)
●PhysicalEducation(P.E.)
●Music
●Personal,Social,Health&Citizenship(PSHCE)
●PrimaryModernLanguages(PML)thisiscurrentlyFrenchandistaughtinKeyStage2
●ReligiousEducation(RE)
ChildrenaretaughttheNationalCurriculum attheirownabilitylevel.Teachersplancare-
fullytoensurecontinuityandprogressionforallchildren.
Carefulconsiderationisalsogiventoensuringthatthecurriculum ismeaningfulandrele-
vanttothechildren.Forthisreason,subjectsareusuallygroupedtogetherunderatopic
ortheme.ThebasicskillstaughtinMathsandEnglisharealsopromotedthroughother
areasofthecurriculum.
Wealsorecognisetheimportanceofenrichingthecurriculum,soofferspecialcurriculum
eventsandactivities,suchassportsdays,awiderangeofextra-curricularactivities,visit-
ingspeakers,visits,classassemblies,schoolmusicanddramaproductionsandoutdoor
activities.
ReligiousEducation
ReligiousEducationatLarkholmePrimarySchoolisbasedontheLancashireAgreedSylla-
busforReligiousEducation2011.ThesyllabusrequiresthatReligiousEducationistaught
foronehourperweek,Duringthistimechildrenlearnaboutavarietyofreligionssuchas
Christianity,(thismakesupfiftypercentoftheREcurriculum),Islam,Buddhism,Hindu
Dharma,SikhDharmaandJudaism.
OurassembliesareofabroadlyChristianemphasis,butstilltakeintoaccountotherworld
religions.Theyareanimportantgatheringofthewholeschool,promotingafamilyidenti-
tyandasenseofbelonging.
Parentshavetherighttowithdraw theirchildrenfrom ReligiousEducationlessonsandas-
semblies.
PSHCE
PSHCEispartofthewholeschoolcurriculum.Itaddressesissuesrelatingtohealtheduca-
tion,encouragingchildrentoreflectonwaysinwhichtheycanlookafterthemselves
andkeephappy,healthyandsafe.
PSHCEincludesissuesoffriendship,bullying,disability,roadsafety,strangerdanger,keep-
ingsafeandsexandrelationships.
PSHCEencourageschildrentodevelopgoodrelationshipsandrespectthedifferences
betweenpeople.Itprepareschildrentoplayanactiveroleascitizens,andhelpsthem to
developconfidenceandresponsibilityandmakethemostoftheirabilities.
SexandRelationships
Ourschoolgovernorsareresponsibleforthenatureofsexandrelationshipseducation
withintheschool.Thesubjectofsexualdevelopmentishandledsensitivelyandina
mannerappropriatetotheageandmaturityofthechildren.Itissetwithinthecontextof
PSHCEandemphasisesthevaluesoffamilylife,selfrespectandrespectforothers.A
copyofourpolicyisavailablefrom theSchoolOffice.
PE
AtLarkholme,wevaluegreatlytheimportanceofPhysicalEducationintheschoolcurric-
ulum.TheschooliswellequippedforPEandphysicalactivity,withahallandextensive
grounds.EverychildisexpectedtotakepartinPElessons,unlesstheschoolhasbeen
notifiedbytheparentthatthechildismedicallyunfittodoso.Thereisabroad-ranging
PhysicalEducationprogramme,including:netandwallgames,strikingandfielding
games,invasiongames,athletics,dance,gymnastics,swimmingandoutdooradventure
activities.
SwimmingformsaregularpartofthePEcurriculum duringKeyStageTwo.Weteach
swimmingingroupsaccordingtoability,undertheguidanceofclassteachersandquali-
fiedswimmingstaff.Allchildrenfollow theswimmingsyllabussetoutbyLancashire
CountyCouncil.
ThereareextracurricularopportunitiesforKeyStageTwochildrenin:netball;football;
cricket;tagrugby;athletics;dance;multi-sports;tri-golfandswimming.Extracompeti-
tionsareorganizedwhichofferabreadthofopportunityfortargetedabilitygroupsand
avarietyofagegroups.Thecompetitionsinclude:aquasplash,basketball,boccia,quick
stickshockeyandspeedstacking.
OurteamstakepartintheWyreandFyldeSchoolsLeaguesandwetakepartinfriendly
matcheslocally.TheschoolholdsanannualsportsdayduringNationalSportsWeekin
thesummerterm inwhichallthechildrenparticipateandtowhichparentsareinvited.
WealsotrainsomeofourUpperKeyStageTwochildrentobePlaygroundLeaders.The
focusisonempoweringyoungleadersinbuildingeffectiveplanning,communication
andtimemanagementskills.
Computing
AtLarkholmethereareinteractivewhiteboardsineveryclassroom andtheclassrooms
alsohaveclasscomputersorlaptopstoenhanceyourchild’slearningexperience.
ICTisanintegralpartoftheclassroom environmentandistaughtcross-curricularthrough-
outmanyofourcreativetopics.Wealsohaveawidevarietyofhandheldresourcesfor
yourchildtousesuchasbee-bots,pro-bots,flipcamsanddigitalcameratomentionjust
afew!
Theschoolisabletodeliver,successfully,theNationalCurriculum requirementsofInfor-
mationTechnologyandthechildrenlearnareasofcomputingsuchascoding,logoand
control,textandmulti-media,datahandling,spreadsheets,soundanddatalogging.
Ourfantasticschoolwebsiteallowsyoucankeepuptodatewithwhatisgoingon
throughouttheschool.Thewebsiteincludeskeyinformationsuchasevents,themed
days,fundraisingactivitiesandpicturesofourfantasticchildrenenjoyingtheirlearning.
Thereisalsoaspecificclasspagewhereexamplesofthechildren’slearningandwork
aredisplayed.Takealookatourschoolwebsiteatwww.larkholme.lancs.sch.uk
PrimaryForeign
Languages-French
Bonjour!
AtLarkholmeallKeyStageTwochildrenaretaughtFrenchaspartofthecurriculum.Les-
sonstotal60minutesofteachingtimeduringtheweekandoftenincludeshort,sharpop-
portunitiesfordevelopment.Songs,games,andDVD’sofnativespeakersareused
alongsidesessionscentredaroundinterculturalunderstandingandthechildrenareen-
couragedtodeveloptheirskillsinFrenchthroughlinkswiththelocalhighschoolsand
themedays.Weview thelearningoflanguagesascrosscurricularandaspartofour
creativecurriculum makeslinkstosubjectssuchasGeographyandArt.
SchoolCouncil
MembersoftheSchoolCouncilareelectedannuallyandrepresenteachclass.Theterm
ofofficeisfrom SeptembertoJulyandmembersareexpectedtorepresenttheschool
andensurethattheirbehaviour,presentationandattitudesareamodelfortherestof
theschool.Thecouncilmeetseachweektodiscussschoolissuesandrecentissuescov-
eredinclude:
•Makingplaytimesmoreactiveandfun
•Anew healthyeatinginitiative–‘MakingHealthyChoices’
•Anew tuckshopsellinghealthysnacks
•Thedevelopmentofournew schoolgarden
ExtraCurricularActivities
Childrenareencouragedtoextendtheirschoollearningbeyondtheclassroom by
meansofextra-curricularactivities.Theschooloffersarangeofsportingandnon-sporting
activitiesaspartofthisprovision.Theseincludenetball,football,tennis,athletics,
pentathlon,boccia,orienteering,choir,performingarts,cookery,drama,cricketand
gymnastics.Theyareopenequallytoboysandgirls.Childrenalsohavetheopportunity
formusicalinstrumenttuition.
Clubsavailabledependonstaffexpertiseandinterestandalsoonthespaceavailable
inschool.Arangeofactivitiesrunthroughouttheyearwithaplannedprogrammeof
activitiesforeachterm.Wealsoseektoprovideopportunitiestodevelopourchildren’s
interestsandtalentsandarehappytotakeonboardsuggestionsfrom thechildrenfor
new clubs.
WealsoofferWakeandShakesessionstwomorningsaweekbeforethestartofthe
schoolday.
Assemblies/Collective
Worship
Wehavewholeorkeystageassemblieseveryday.Wehaveawholeschoolcelebration
assemblyeachFridayandeachkeystagehavetheirownassemblyduringtheweek.
Eachterm,eachclasshastheirownassemblytowhichparentsareinvited.
OurassembliesreflectthetraditionsofChristianvalueswithoutbeingdistinctiveofany
denomination,andBritishValues.
Someassembliesreflectnationalorworldwideevents.
Thereisalsotheopportunitytolearnaboutfestivalsandtraditionsfrom otherreligions.
Parentswhowishtowithdraw theirchildfrom assembliesshouldputtheirrequestinwriting
totheheadteacher.
EducationalVisits
Ourchildrenvisitplacesofinterestoutsideoftheschooltoextendorenhanceclasswork.
Wealso,from timetotime,havevisitorsintoschooltoprovideworkshopsinvarious
subjectareas.
Visitsmainlytakeplaceduringschoolhours.However,eachyear,childreninYear6have
theopportunitytoparticipateinaresidentialvisittoBorwickHallinLancashire.Thisvisitis
basedonparentalchoiceandwillingnesstomeetthechargesmet.
Alleducationalvisitsarecarefullyriskassessedandmonitored.Anamedmemberofstaff
hasbeentrainedasaneducationalvisitscoordinator.
Thefrequencyandimpactofeducationalvisitsisreportedtotheschoolgovernorsina
reportpresentedbytheheadteacher,educationalvisitsco-ordinator,classteacheror
children.
Forvisitsduringtheschoolday,avoluntarycontributiontowardsthecostofthe
activity/visitisrequestedandeachvisitwillonlygoaheadifenoughcontributionsby
parentsarereceivedtoenableustofundit.
Homework
Homeworkactivitiesaresetthroughouttheschool.OurHomeworkPolicyaimstoclarify
thefollowing:
●Thetimeallocationforeachyeargroup
●Whatparentscandotohelp
●How homeworkisdesignedtosupportchildren’slearning
●Whoparentsshouldcontactiftheyhaveanyqueriesabouthomework
Weaim to:
●Developaneffectivepartnershipbetweenschoolandparentsandothercarersinpur-
suingtheaimsoftheschool
●Promotepositiveattitudetoworkandschool
●Consolidateandreinforceskillsandunderstandingacrossthecurriculum,particularlyin
literacyandnumeracy
●Developindependenceinpupils’learning
●Developresourcesforlearning,forexample,throughadditionalreading
●Encouragepupilsastheygetoldertodeveloptheconfidenceandselfdiscipline
neededtostudyontheirown
●Topreparepupilsfortherequirementsofsecondaryschool
●Ensureconsistencyofapproachthroughouttheschool
●Ensuretheneedsoftheindividualpupilaretakenintoaccount
InclusionandSpecial
EducationalNeeds
(includingDisability)
Weareaninclusiveschool,andallthestaffatLarkholme,acceptresponsibilityto
recogniseeverychildasanindividualandtakepositivestepstoensureequal
opportunitiesforalltoreachtheirpotentialregardlessofgender,race,creedorcolour.
AtLarkholmeanyspecialneedsareidentifiedbytheclassteacherthroughobservation
orassessment,consultationwithparentsorpreviousschoolrecordsetc.
Ifneedsareidentified,parentswillbeinvitedtoattendmeetingswiththeclassteacher
andourSpecialEducationalNeedsCo-ordinatorateachstage.OurSENDCO willwork
closelywiththeclassteachertoprovidesupport,monitorprogressandtoadvisesuitable
programmesofwork.Regularreviewsofthechild’sSpecialEducationalNeedswillbe
held.OurSpecialEducationalNeedsGovernorworksinclosepartnershipwithschool.
CopiesofourSpecialEducationalNeedsPolicy,AccessibilityPlanandDisabilityEquality
Schemeareavailableonourschoolwebsite.
ChildProtectionPolicy
Theschoolhasan“Anti-BullyingPolicy”andstrategiesareemployedtopreventbullying.
Larkholmeiscompletelyopposedtobullyingandwillnottolerateit.Itisentirelycontrary
tothevaluesandprinciplesweworkandliveby.Wefirmlybelievethatallmembersof
ourschoolcommunityhavearighttoworkinasafe,secure,caring,inclusiveenviron-
mentandtheyalsohavearesponsibilitytocontribute,inwhateverwaytheycan,tothe
protectionandmaintenanceofit.
Weaim tomakeLarkholmePrimarySchoolasafeplacetowork,learnandplayin.The
healthandsafetyofallchildren,parents,staffandvisitorsisseentobeofparamountim-
portance.
Wefullyrecognisethecontributionsthisschoolcanmaketosupportandprotectour
pupils.
OurschoolChildProtection andSafeguardingPolicyprovidesexplicitguidancetostaff
andallwhoworkinourschoolaboutthewayinwhichtodealwithchildprotectionpro-
cedures.
Allchildprotectionconcernsandreferralsarehandledsensitivelyandprofessionally.
Therearethreemainelementstoourpolicy:
●Prevention–Throughapositiveschoolethos,effective teachingand pastoralsupport
forchildrenwhoneedit
●Protection–Byfollowingagreedproceduresandensuringthatstaffaretrainedand
supportedtorespondappropriatelyandsensitivelytoanychildprotectionconcerns
●Support–topupilsandschoolstaffwhomayhavebeenabused
AcopyofourChildProtectionandSafeguardingPolicycanbefoundontheschool
website.Thisappliestoalladultswhoworkinschoolincludingvolunteerhelpersandstu-
dents.
Becauseofdaytodaycontactwithchildren,schoolsareparticularlywellplacedtoob-
serveoutwardsignsofabuse,changesinbehaviourorfailuretodevelopappropriately
inlinewiththechild’sage.
Parentsshouldbeawarethereforethatwhereitappearstoamemberoftheschoolstaff
thatachildmayhavebeenabused,theschoolisrequired,aspartoftheLocalChildPro-
tectionProcedure,toreporttheirconcerntoChildren’sSocialCareimmediately.
Theheadteacheristhedesignatedseniorpersoninchargeofchildprotectionandsafe-
guarding.
PositiveBehaviour
Theemphasisinourschoolistopraisechildrenforpositivebehaviourforlearning.We
encouragechildrentotakeresponsibilityfortheirbehaviourandtothinkcarefullyabout
how theirbehaviouraffectsothers.Occasionally,consequencesarenecessaryto
reinforceourrulesandexpectations.Allconsequencesareadministeredinlinewithour
BehaviourPolicy,whichisavailableontheschoolwebsite.
Eachweek,onMondays,theeffortsofourchildrenisacknowledgedandcelebrated
throughour‘CelebrationAssembly’.Thechildrenareawardedwithavarietyof
certificatesforreading,spelling,maths,handwritingandarangeofsports.EveryFriday,
wehavea‘StaroftheWeek’assembly.Eachclassteacheridentifiesa‘StaroftheWeek’
andthechildreceivesacertificateandbadgeintheFridayassembly.Parentsare
invitedalongtothe‘StaroftheWeek’assemblytocelebratetheirchild’sachievement.
Wealsoencouragethechildrentoshareanysuccessesfrom outsideschoolandbringin
trophiesandcertificatestoshow totheschool.Weneverceasetobeamazedatthe
talentsofourchildren.
Wehavea‘jewel’system inschool,linkedtoourhouseteam system,whichrewards
childrenforbeingthoughtful,kind,helpfulorcaring.Ifachildhelpsanotherchildorholds
adoorforanadult,forexample,theywillberewardedwithajewel.Thejewelsarethen
placedintoatreasurechestinthechild’sclass.Everyterm thejewelsareemptiedinto
tubesinthehallandweighed.Thehouseteam withthehighestweightwinsatreat.
.
Ourschoolrulesare:
•Ready -bereadytolearn,workhardanddoyourbest
•Respectful-show respecttoothersatalltimes
•Safe -keepyourselfandotherssafethroughyouractionsandchoices
Therulesareembeddedandreinforcedacrosstheschoolbyallmembersoftheschool
communityandeveryoneknowsthem byheart.Theyarealsovisiblydisplayedaround
theschoolastheyareanimportantpartofourwholeschoolethos.
Attendance
MayIremindallparentsthattakingaholidayinterm timewillaffectyourchild’s
schoolingasmuchasanyotherabsence.New legislationintroducedbytheGovernment
inSeptember2013meansthatnoholidaysinterm timewillbeauthorised.Onlyleave
deemedtobe‘exceptional’maybeauthorisedattheHeadteacher’sdiscretion.
Ifyouwishfurtherclarificationtothisdecision,pleaserefertoourAttendancePolicy
whichisavailableonourwebsiteorfrom school.
Thenationallyexpectedlevelofattendanceforprimaryschoolpupilsis96%.
AtLarkholmeweworkinpartnershipwiththeeducationauthoritytomaintain
acceptablelevelsofattendance.Wearerequiredtoinform theLAifachild’s
attendancefallsbelow anacceptablelevel,isrepeatedlylateorwhoisabsentwithno
reasonprovided.
Topromoteandencouragegoodattendanceatschoolthechildrencanearn
attendanceawards.Weaward100%attendancebadgesandtreatsforeachterm and
thewholeyear,andalso96%andabovecertificatesforeachterm andthewholeyear.
Wealsohavea‘LarkholmeRaceforGreatAttendance’incentive.Eachclasshasa
horsewhichrepresentsthem intherace.Ifaclasshasattendanceof96%oraboveeach
week,theycanmovetheirhorsealongthetrack.Thehorsewhichisfurthestalongatthe
endoftheterm winsandtheclassreceivesatreat.
Volunteer/parent
helpersinschool
AtLarkholmewevaluethehelpandsupportofvolunteerandparentalhelpinschool.If
youfeelyoucouldregularlygivesometimetotheschoolwewouldgladlywelcomeyou
andwhateverskillsyoucouldbringwithyou.Itisourpolicythatyouwouldnotbe
placedinyourchild’sclassandthatyouwouldneedaDBScheckbeforebeginningyour
placement.Whenyoucommenceyourplacementyouwillbegivenguidanceon
safetyandconfidentialityandchildprotectionandsafeguarding.
‘FriendsofLarkholme’
Ourschoolbenefitsfrom thehardworkingsupportandfundraisingeffortsofour‘Friendsof
Larkholme’.Allparentsarewelcometojoinatanytime.Duringtheyear‘Friends’organ-
iseavarietyoffundraisingandsocialeventstowhicheveryoneisinvited.Allfundsraised
areusedtodirectlybenefityourchildandrecently‘Friends’madealargedonationto-
wardsthecostofthenew MUGA(Multi-UseGamesArea)Eventshaveincludeda
summerfair,bingoevenings,quiznightsandtheeverpopularschooldiscos.
ParentalInvolvement
Weverymuchvalueopencommunicationbetweenourparentsandfamilies.Weaim to
keepyouinformedaboutyourchild’sprogressandsuccessatourschool.Onoccasions,
itmaybenecessarytoengageyoursupportinaparticularaspectofyourchild’stimeat
school.Weaskthatyoukeepusinformedofanyissuesthatmayaffectyourchild’s
progressandhappinessatourschool.Inthisway,wecanprovideappropriatehelpand
supporttoovercomeanyproblemsorworries.
TheHeadteacherishappytodiscussissuesatanytime,butonoccasionsitmaybe
necessarytomakeanappointment.Similarly,teachersareavailableattheendofa
schooldayorarehappytomakeappointmentsforamutuallyconvenienttime.
InSeptemberweholda‘MeettheTeacher’eveningsothatparentscanmeettheir
child’snew classteacherandbeprovidedwithimportantinformation,suchasan
overview ofthelearningthatwilltakeplacethatyear,homeworkexpectationsandthe
waysinwhichparentscansupporttheirchild’slearninginschoolathome.
Weprovidetheopportunityforamoreformalreview ofyourchild’stimeatschool
throughconsultationeveningsthatareheldintheAutumnandSpringTerms.Thisisan
opportunitytodiscussyourchild’sprogressandtargets.
Attheendoftheschoolyear,inJuly,allparentsareprovidedwithanannualreport
whichgivesfulldetailsofprogress,attitude,strengths,areasfordevelopmentand
attendance.WealsoprovideashorterInterim Reporthalfwaythroughtheschoolyear,
usuallyinFebruary.
Everytwoweekswesendhomeaschoolnewsletterwhichprovidesinformationon
achievementsthroughouttheweekandalsoofforthcomingeventsanddates.Itisalso
anopportunitytogiveimportantmessagesandreminders.Inthiswehopethatparents
feelinformedandfullyinvolvedinthelifeoftheschool.Wesendthenewsletterouteach
Fridayanditisalsoavailableonourschoolwebsiteandbye-mail.
Wealsoofferarangeofparentalworkshopsduringtheyearwhichguideparentsona
varietyofareastosupportchildrenwiththeirlearning.
Complaintsand
Concerns
AtLarkholmeweendeavourtodoourbestforallofourpupils.Onoccasionsitmaybe
thatyouareunhappyaboutanissueinschool.Itisimportantthatyoubringthisconcern
totheattentionoftheclassteacherorHeadteacher.Ifyoudonotshareyourconcerns
withtheschoolthenwearelessabletoputthingsright.
Weassureyouthatyourconcernwillbetreatedwithrespectandpromptandappropri-
ateactionwillbetaken. Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutanything,youmaycontactthe
schoolbytelephoneorinwriting.Hopefully,yourconcerncanbequicklyandeffectively
addressed.
Ifyouarenothappywiththewayaconcernhasbeenhandledortheresultingaction
wehaveacomplaintsprocedurewhichyouareinvitedtofollow.
Firstly,thereisaninformalstagewhereyouareinvitedtospeaktoamemberofstaffdi-
rectly.Secondly,ifyouarestillnothappy,youcanputyourcomplainttotheHead-
teacher(ifthecomplaintinvolvestheHeadteacheryoushouldcontacttheChairof
Governors,inwriting,viatheschool).
Afullcopyofthecomplaintsprocedureisavailableonourwebsite.
ParkingArrangements
Weonlyhaveasmallcarparkanditiskeptforstaffparking.Thereisparkingavailable
onlocalsidestreetshowever,wedoaskthatyouparkconsideratelyanddonotobstruct
thedrivewaysoflocalresidents.Pleasetakecarewhenparkingthatyellow linesandzig
zagsareobservedandthatthechildrenarenotendangeredwhencrossingtheroad.
Withapproximately 300childrenleavingschoolat3:20p.m.trafficcongestion,careless
parkingandchildrenorparentsinahurrycouldleadtoaseriousaccident.
SchoolMeals
OurKeyStage1children(Reception,Years1and2)areallentitledtoaUniversalFree
SchoolMealortheycanbringtheirownpackedlunch. ChildreninKeyStage2can
purchaseaschoolmealorbringapackedlunch.Afabulouschoiceofmealsisalways
availabletogetherwith asaladbaranddrinkisprovidedalso.LarkholmePrimarySchool
operatesazerotolerancepolicyondinnermoneydebt,thereforeallschoolmealsmust
bepaidforinadvance.Thecostatpresentforaschoolmealis£2.20perday(£11.00
perweek).Thisispayableincashattheschooloffice,bychequemadepayableto
LarkholmePrimarySchooloronlinebyloggingintoyourownpersonalaccount.
Certainbenefitsthatparentsreceivemeanssomechildrenwillbeentitledtoreceivefree
schoolmeals.Ifyoufeelyouareentitled,pleasecollecttherelevantform from the
schoolofficeandtheywillprocessthisforyou.
Yourchildmaybringapackedlunchtoschool.Wedohaveahealthyeatingpolicyat
Larkholmeandwouldsuggestthatthisisreflectedinyourchild’slunchbox.Whenpack-
ingalunchboxparents/carersshouldremembertoinclude:
•Foodsthatthechildwillenjoy
•Avarietyoffood
•Portionsizesthatwillresultinahealthyweightforthechild
•Foodsrichinfibre
•Lotsoffruitandvegetables
•Few fattyfoods
•Few sugaryfoodsanddrinks
•Nofizzydrinks
•Nochocolateorsweets
How willitallfitinalunchbox?
Packingalunchboxisallaboutmaximum nutritioninminimum space.Seeexamples
below:
•Chickenwithsaladonwholemealbread,anapple,carrotsticks,grapesandwater
•Ham andcheeserollswithanorange,strawberries,celerysticksandfruitjuice
•Aminipizzawithsidesalad,fruitsaladandmilk
•Aflaskofvegetablesoupwithcrackers,abanana,cherriesandtomatojuice
Pleasesenddrinksinawell-sealednon-breakablecontainer.Glassbottlesandcansare
notpermitted.
Playtimes
AtLarkholmewearefortunateinthatwehaveaccesstolargeplayareas.Wehavea
largeplaygroundthatissplitintoseparateplayzonesandalsoalargefieldthatprovides
amplespaceforplay.InadditionwehaveaMulti-UseGamesArea(MUGA)thatisused
byourchildrenforfootball,netballandotherexcitinggames.OurEYFSareaalsohada
woodenadventuretrail,severalwoodlandareas,astageandothernumerousoutdoor
playareas.
Whentheweatherisnotsuitable,thechildrenremainintheirclassroomsandactivities
areprovidedforthem.Thechildrenarefullysupervisedthroughout.
ChildreninKeyStageOneareprovidedwithafreepieceoffruitorvegetabledaily.Chil-
dreninKeyStageOnealsohaveaccesstomilkdaily.
ChildreninKeyStageTwocanbringtheirownhealthysnackforplaytime,suchasa
pieceoffruit.WealsohaveaTuckShopwherethechildreninKeyStageTwocanbuya
healthysnackfor20p.
Ifyouareentitledtofreeschoolmealsthenmilkisalsofreeotherwiseasmallchargeis
payabletermlytoourproviderofmilk.
Inadditiontothisallchildrenhaveaccesstowaterfountainsthroughouttheschoolor
canbringtheirownbottlesofwaterintoschool.
Medicine
Somechildrenwillsufferfrom asthmaandrequireregularmedication.Ifyourchildis
prescribedaninhalerwecanarrangeforthemedicationtobetakenduringschool
time.Pleasecompleteagreenform withyourchild’sdetails,thetypeofmedication,
dosageetc.andarrangeforaspareinhalerwhichcanbekeptinschool.
Childrenwhohavealongterm illnesse.g.asthma,diabetesetc.willhavetheirneeds
cateredfor.OftenthisisthroughaCarePlanproducedinconjunctionwiththefamily
andtheschoolnurse.
•Parentsshouldprovidewritteninformationandinstructionregardingadministrationof
themedicine
•Anychildwhoneedsaninhalershould carryitatalltimesorshouldhaveitinan
accessibleplacewithintheclassroom
•Allstaffshouldbeawareofchildrenwithmedicalneeds
Non-prescriptionmedicinesarenotallowedinschool.ItisschoolpolicyNOTto
administermedicineforshort-term illnesses,howeverparentsmaycomeintoschooland
administerthemedicinethemselves.
Pleasetrytoarrangenon-urgentdoctorordentalappointmentsoutofschoolhours.
Sometimesappointmentsduringtheschooldaycannotbeavoided.Inthesecases,
pleaseinform theschoolofficeinadvanceensuringtheofficestaffknow whois
collectingthechild,atwhattimeandwhenhe/sheisexpectedtoreturn.
HealthChecks
TheschoolnursescomeintoschooltocheckheightandweightinReceptionandYear6.
DuringReceptionthenursescomeinandgivetalksabouthealthyeatingand
handwashing.DuringYear5and6thenursesvisittogivetalksaboutpuberty.The
governmenthasrecentlybegunofferingafluvaccinationtoallYear1and2children
whichtakesplaceinSeptemberorOctobereachyear.Parentsareinformedin
advanceofanyhealthchecksandmayrequestthattheirchildiswithdrawn.
SchoolGovernors
Underthe1988EducationReform Act,Governorstakeanimportantroleintherunningof
theschool.Ourgovernorshavetheresponsibilityforthecontentofthecurriculum,
schoolimprovement,theappointmentofstaffandcontroloftheschoolfinances.
Thegovernorsmeetinfullatleastonceaterm whilstsub-committeesmeetmore
frequently.TheHeadteacherreportstothecommitteesonceaterm andtheyinturn
reportbacktoallthefullgoverningbodyeachterm.Parentgovernorsarerepresented
onthegoverningbodyaswellasstaff.
Breakfastand
After-SchoolClubs
Skylarksrunabreakfastandafter-schoolclubforusebyLarkholmechildren.Wehave
qualifiedandexperiencedstaffwitharangeofrecognisedqualifications.
TheBreakfastClubisopenfrom 8:00a.m.untilthestartoftheschoolday.Cereals,yo-
ghurts,freshfruitandtoastareavailableforbreakfastandvariousphysicalactivitiesare
availableforthechildrentotakepartin.BreakfastClubpromoteshealthyeating.The
costfortheclubis£4.00persession.
TheAfter-SchoolClubrunsdailyfrom 3:15p.m.until5:45p.m.throughoutterm time.We
providealight,nutritionalteaandextensive,funactivitiestailoredtomeetthechildren’s
interestsandrequirements.Thecostfortheclubis£6.50persession.
PleasecontactMrs.Huttonon01253870900forfurtherdetails.
SchoolGovernors
Underthe1988EducationReform Act,Governorstakeanimportantroleintherunningof
theschool.Ourgovernorshavetheresponsibilityforthecontentofthecurriculum,
schoolimprovement,theappointmentofstaffandcontroloftheschoolfinances.
Thegovernorsmeetinfullatleastonceaterm whilstsub-committeesmeetmore
frequently.TheHeadteacherreportstothecommitteesonceaterm andtheyinturn
reportbacktoallthefullgoverningbodyeachterm.Parentgovernorsarerepresented
onthegoverningbodyaswellasstaff.
Breakfastand
After-SchoolClubs
Skylarksrunabreakfastandafter-schoolclubforusebyLarkholmechildren.Wehave
qualifiedandexperiencedstaffwitharangeofrecognisedqualifications.
TheBreakfastClubisopenfrom 8:00a.m.untilthestartoftheschoolday.Cereals,yo-
ghurts,freshfruitandtoastareavailableforbreakfastandvariousphysicalactivitiesare
availableforthechildrentotakepartin.BreakfastClubpromoteshealthyeating.The
costfortheclubis£4.00persession.
TheAfter-SchoolClubrunsdailyfrom 3:15p.m.until5:45p.m.throughoutterm time.We
providealight,nutritionalteaandextensive,funactivitiestailoredtomeetthechildren’s
interestsandrequirements.Thecostfortheclubis£6.50persession.
PleasecontactMrs.Huttonon01253870900forfurtherdetails.
LarkholmePrimarySchool,
WindermereAvenue,
Fleetwood,FY78QB
01253874024