Welcome to St Helen’s

Foreword from the Bishop of Wakefield

1.Christian Ethos and Daily Worship

2.School Aims

3. The School

Achievements and Awards

Staff Gallery

4.The Curriculum

Curriculum Enrichment

Homework

5.School Council

6.Special Educational Needs

7.Gifted and Talented

8.Dress Code

Uniform for Boys

Uniform for Girls

PE Kit for Boys

PE Kit for Girls

8.School Meals

9.Breakfast Club

10.Health and Pastoral Care

Child Protection Procedures

Safety and Security

11.Absences

12.Transfer to Secondary School

13.Assessment and Reporting

14.Parents and School

Partnership with Parents

Parents’ Association

Parental Contributions and Remissions

15.Behaviour and Discipline

16.Admissions Procedure

Admissions Criteria:-

17.Concerns and Complaints Procedure

18.School Times

19.School Calendar 2007/2008

20.School SAT Results

Home

Home

Foreword from the Bishop of Wakefield

From the earliest times the Christian faith has held learning and teaching at its heart – the monasteries of Yorkshire were centres of Education. The Church of England helped pioneer education for all and the Diocese of Wakefield now has 104 church schools within its boundaries. For all those reasons we welcome you and your child to this school. We hope you will find it a happy community where young people are nourished in every way. St Helen’s J&I school offers all that our education system requires, but it aims to do this within the context of the Christian faith, where teaching and learning are rooted in faith in God as seen in Christ Jesus, and handed on by the Church over the centuries. Alongside this must stand the respect for children of other faiths. Church schools work to foster those attitudes in children which prepare them to be good, reliable and honest members of the wider community. But good citizenship is also dependent upon and nurtured by the guidance and example received through family life. We invite you, then, to work with the school staff in helping your child to develop into a mature and responsible member of the community. This will mean guiding your child to grow spiritually, socially and intellectually, thereby encouraging self-respect, respect for others and faith in God.  We welcome you most warmly and I commend you to God’s blessing.

The Right Reverend Stephen Platten

1.Christian Ethos and Daily Worship  

St Helen’s School Mission Statement:

Working together with parents, church and community to create a distinctive environment where the unique nature of each child is respected and fostered”

 St Helen’s is a Church of England Aided School, supported by St Helen's Parish Church through prayer, active involvement and financial assistance. The school recognises the uniqueness of each individual and respects their cultural background.  We provide an environment in which we aim to encourage each child to become a responsible, caring person, learning to be increasingly aware of their own cultural values and to respect those of others. Our teaching is contained in a multi- faith and multi-cultural context where there is no suggestion of religious or cultural superiority. 

The daily act of worship is central to our life in school and is an important part of each school day.  It is one of the means whereby Christian values and principles are reflected and affirmed. We aim to create an environment where children are offered the opportunity to start to develop a relationship with God. It also, provides a means by which pupils may learn and understand more about the Christian faith. While experiencing and learning about worship, they also see what it means to those who take part.  Through the values that are embodied in our worship we seek to create a positive and Christian environment, which promotes excellence in every aspect of school life.

Our daily act of worship follows the diocesan guidelines for ‘Worship’; where parents wish to exercise their right of withdrawal of their children from religious worship and education (under section 26 of the 1944 Education Act), alternative supervision for the children will be provided. However these arrangements can only be made upon written request from a parent.

Parents are invited to attend weekly class assemblies, “Good Work” Assemblies and for special services. The School Council pupils invite parents to remain in school for a Coffee Morning, each half term following the Good Work Assembly.

Top

2. School Aims

We believe that education is a partnership between parents and teachers, and that only with full co-operation, mutual support and respect, can we develop each child’s potential to the full.

It is our intention to create a loving and happy atmosphere in which children and teachers can work. We aim to provide a Christian environment in which the children can develop into thoughtful and caring people.

We expect our children to work hard, behave well, show politeness and try to achieve high standards of attainment.

We will encourage children to think for themselves, become self-reliant, and develop both self-respect and respect for others regardless of their gender, race or culture.

We trust that parents will give every encouragement to their children to take full advantage of the opportunities that are offered

Top

3.The School

St Helen’s Church of England School is a voluntary Aided Primary School.The school was first opened in 1952 as a Junior School. During the 1970’s the school was reorganised to become a 9-13 Middle School. In September 1996 the school buildings were extensively refurbished to provide quality purpose built accommodation for pupils ranging from three to eleven years of age. A new nursery was also provided to accommodate pre-school children. This is equipped to a high standard and has its own secure hard and soft playing areas. Information about the Nursery and the Nursery Admission's Policy are contained in a separate booklet, which is available to parents on request.

The school is a well-maintained, single storey brick building. Extensive playing fields and play areas surround the school with space for team sports. There is a hard-play area with basketball nets, garden areas and seating.

The main school building has ten class bases, two libraries, a purpose built music/audio visual room and a gymnasium that is equipped with apparatus appropriate to the age range. The school has its own kitchens preparing and serving a choice of meals to pupils in the small hall. The school also has a fully equipped ICT suite which is a dedicated facility with twenty networked computers with internet access and a range of ICT equipment for all curriculum areas. Additionally, six of the classrooms have internet access and interactive whiteboard facilities.

All exterior doors are fitted with security locks to prevent unlawful access to the building and all exterior areas are bounded by secure palisade fencing.  Parents and visitors wishing to enter the building during school sessions must do so via the main reception door. The building has ramps and low-level access points to accommodate disabled children and adults. Toilet facilities suitable for wheelchair access are also available.

Top

Achievements and Awards

 In both 2000/1 and 2001/2 the school was pleased to receive the “School Achievement Award” from the Department for Education and Skills in recognition for the hard work put in by all who work in our school, adults and children alike. The “Healthy Schools Award” was achieved in 2006. The school is currently working toward the “Investors in Pupils” award.

Staff Gallery

Top

4.The Curriculum

St Helen’s School is dedicated to providing the best possible education for each child. Our curriculum is broad and balanced.  For children in our Nursery and Reception age groups the school has an Early Years Curriculum, which is designed to cater more specifically for the needs of younger children. This is entitled “The Foundation Stage” and is a national initiative. It emphasises aspects of children’s personal and social development, language and literacy, mathematics, physical and creative development and knowledge and understanding of the world.  This introduces our younger children to the National Curriculum, which is developed further from Year 1.  The National Curriculum is followed at all levels in English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Music and Physical Education (including swimming for Years 5 and 6).

We have a dedicated ICT suite, as well as a set of laptop computers for classroom use,and these resources are used to enhance learning and teaching across all subject areas and ensure that the children are equipped with the skills required for today’s hi-tech world.

 Religious Education is also part of the basic curriculum and promotes the understanding of fundamental issues, values and beliefs. St Helen’s is a Church of England school but, along with the opportunity to study Christianity, children also learn about other major religious beliefs and traditions. The school works within the Wakefield Diocesan Syllabus.

 Whatever the subject, children are encouraged to work co-operatively as a member of a class or a small group, and to respect the ideas and views of others. They work both with c hildren of similar ability and in mixed ability groups. A wide variety of teaching methods is practised to ensure that every child has equal access to the curriculum.

Curriculum Enrichment

The Governing Body, in supporting a broad and balanced curriculum, recognises the value of a range of additional activities to enrich pupil's experiences. These include educational visits, practical experiences, clubs and residential visits. In discharging its responsibilities the Governing Body wishes to encourage such activities, both as part of the general curriculum for all pupils, and as additional optional activities.

Educational visits may be arranged to enhance the learning and understanding of a topic being taught in class. These are classed as part of a normal school day and children are therefore expected to attend.All visits are subjected to a formal risk assessment in accordance with the LA’s advice and guidelines on “Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits”.

 In addition to teaching National Curriculum subjects St Helen’s School prides itself on the range of extra-curricular activities it offers, thus allowing children to develop a wide variety of talents and abilities. In Years 3 and 4 children are taught some basic French language. There is an after-school baking/cookery class. Throughout the school pupils are encouraged to take part in various musical activities, such as singing in the choir and learning to play a musical instrument under instruction from qualified peripatetic teachers. Sports also feature strongly. The school has a football team and rounders matches are organised against other local schools. There is generally good liaison between the school and the P.E. department at Hemsworth Arts and Community College. Other opportunities may arise throughout the school year and these will noted on the monthly newsletter as they arise.

 Through PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship) the children are encouraged to think and talk about issues which they encounter in their lives or lives of others. Citizenship helps children develop a sense of their place in the community. We focus on their responsibilities and experience of life as they grow.

 Sex education is part of the national science and PSHE curricula.  It is studied with the objective of developing a caring and loving family environment. As a church school our teaching in lessons and in the daily act of worship will always encourage children to see relationships in the context of the family unit within a framework of love, honesty and morality. Parents may ask for a copy of the Sex Education Policy. 

Homework

 All pupils are expected to undertake homework tasks. Where appropriate it is set to extend and supplement learning and should be a relevant and purposeful activity. We see homework as a shared responsibility between home and school and encourage parents to become involved by allowing children time, space and access to an interested adult. From the Foundation Stage onwards children will bring home books to share with parents. From Year 1 children will be encouraged to read at home daily and will have lists of spellings to learn on a weekly basis as well as some number facts. Key Stage Two pupils may have assignments from a range of subjects in addition to maths and English to develop their independent learning which will prepare them for secondary education.

Top

5. School Council

The children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own environment and to have some input into decision making.  Each Key Stage 2 class votes for two representatives to sit on the council. The School Council meets regularly with a teacher to discuss whole school issues or events. The meetings, which are led by the children, are fun, lively and impact positively on the life of the school.  The Council also develop and publish a newsletter each term.

Top

6. Special Educational Needs

A minority of pupils have particular learning and/or behaviour difficulties which may create barriers to learning. In order that the children are able to overcome this special need, the school creates an environment that meets the needs of each pupil. Our Special Educational Needs Policy (currently under revision) and the Code of Practice provide the framework for identifying and helping children who have a special educational need, whatever its nature. All staff, led by the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, work within this. A team of teaching assistants support the work of the teaching staff and the expertise of outside agencies is called upon where necessary.  SEN children are included in most lessons and the school endeavours to provide access to all elements of the curriculum. These children then tend to make good progress.

 Parents will always be informed of any concerns we may have regarding the educational and/or social development of their child, and of the steps we are taking to help their child.

 Parents who have any concerns about their child should not hesitate to contact school.

Top

7. Gifted and Talented

 A gifted and talented pupil demonstrates a significantly higher level of ability than most pupils of the same age in one or more curriculum area. This talent could be general intellectual ability, creativity, physical, or artistic ability.  St Helen’s aims to provide opportunities to help gifted pupils develop their personalities, skills and abilities – both intellectually and socially. We provide teaching which makes learning challenging and enjoyable in the classroom situation and in smaller, differentiated working groups. This practice enables each pupils to realise their full potential.

Top

8. Dress Code

  Our uniform gives the pupils a sense of communal identity. We are proud of our school and hope you will support us by ensuring that children look smart at all times.

 The children lead active lives in school and it therefore recommended that practical and sensible shoes (no high heels) and clothing are worn.

 Children are expected to have sensible hair styles consistent with their age.   The school reserves the right to exclude children with extreme or unconventional styles.   Coloured or streaked hair is strictly not permitted and will result in exclusion from lessons.  Girls with long hair must have it neatly tied back or plaited.

 Children may wear watches but responsibility for these must remain with the child.   Children with pierced ears may wear one stud in each ear.   Other jewellery is not acceptable for school.   All other personal equipment and belongings should be kept to a minimum and be clearly marked with the child’s name.    Please do not allow your child to bring valuable items of clothing or property to school, as the school’s insurance does not cover personal property lost or stolen from the premises. Therefore, responsibility cannot be accepted for any lost items.

Uniform for Boys

• Royal blue v-neck jumper

• Grey trousers

• Grey shorts may be worn in the summer

• White shirt

• School tie (£2)

• Dark coloured socks

• Sensible flat black shoes

Uniform for Girls

• Royal blue v-neck jumper or cardigan

• White blouse

• Grey trousers, skirt or pinafore dress

• Blue and white checked dresses can be worn in the summer

• School tie (£2)

• White socks or tights

• Sensible flat black shoes

PE Kit for Boys

• Plain navy shorts and plain white T-shirt

• Socks

• Trainers or plimsolls

• Football boots (optional)

• Tracksuits may be worn for outdoor games in winter.

PE Kit for Girls

• Plain navy shorts or navy games skirt

• Plain white T-shirt

• Socks

• Trainers or plimsolls

• Tracksuits may be worn for outdoor games in winter.

Pupils in years 5 & 6 need swim wear

It is the policy of the governors and the LA for all pupils to undertake PE activities in bare feet.

Top

8. School Meals

The school is fortunate to have excellent kitchen and dining facilities. A cafeteria system is in place offering a choice of hot and cold dishes each day. Alternatively children may bring a packed lunch to school. One week's notice is required either to begin or cease bringing sandwiches.

 Money to pay for school meals must be brought on Monday of each week. It should be placed in an envelope bearing the child's name, class and the amount enclosed. The school secretary can provide information about free school meal entitlement.

Non-teaching supervisors carry out lunchtime supervision. Children are expected to behave in a sensible and polite manner towards these supervisors. Children who consistently fail to behave may not remain at school for lunch.

 Children may go home to lunch, but dining and playing with other children is an important aspect of their social education. Pupils who do leave the premises for lunch should return 10 minutes before the start of after­noon session.

Top

9. Breakfast Club

This is open daily from 8am to the start of school. Breakfast can be taken on any day but must be paid for one week in advance. Parents who may be interested in the Breakfast Club should approach Ms Forrest, the Learning Mentor.

 Top

10.Health and Pastoral Care

It is a legal requirement that your child attends school every day. When your child starts school you will be asked for addresses, telephone numbers and other points of contacts to enable us to contact a member of the family in case of emergency or sudden illness. This information needs to be kept up to date throughout the child’s time at school. The school works within procedures laid down by the Data Protection Act. Parents wishing to have access to information held on school records may do so through prior arrangement with the Headteacher.

It is important that any medical conditions, which might affect your child’s education and well being, are reported to the school. Provision can be made should children need any form of prescribed medication during the school day. Parents of asthmatic children are urged to ensure that inhalers are brought to school every day.

Medicine brought to school must be clearly marked with the child's name and be accompanied by a letter from parents. All medicines must be given to the school secretary and must never be left in the child's possession.

Child Protection Procedures

Due to day-to-day contact with children, schools are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour, or failure to develop. Parents should be aware, therefore, that where it appears to a member of school staff that a child may have been abused, the school is required, as part of the local Child Protection Procedures, to report their concern to the Social Services Department immediately.

Safety and Security

 In the interest of safety pupils must use the pedestrian gate when entering or leaving the school premises. Pupils may not leave the school premises without the written permission of parents.

 All exterior doors are fitted with security locks to prevent unlawful access to the building and all exterior areas are bounded by secure palisade fencing. Parents and visitors wishing to enter the building during school sessions must do so via the main reception door, which is subject to a controlled security system.

Top

11. Absences

All schools are required by law to keep a record of authorised and unauthorised absences. Poor attendance by pupils is a matter of grave concern for teachers and the Governors. Parents are expected to ensure that their child attends school whenever possible and to arrive promptly for the start of each day.

Parents are asked to adopt the following procedure irrespective of the length of time their child may be absent from school:

1.Send a note

2.Telephone the school on 01977 723700

3.Call at school

Parents must request leave of absence for any holiday that needs to be taken in school time. Only in very exceptional circumstances may pupils be granted more than 10 days for holidays. Days taken in addition to these have to be counted as unauthorised absence.

Pupil attendance and absence statistics as at 26th May 2006

Pupils on roll:              176

Authorised absences:      5.2%

Unauthorised absences     0.2%

Top

12. Transfer to Secondary School

Pupils generally apply to transfer to Hemsworth Arts and Community College in the September after their eleventh birthday. All parents are now required to complete school admission forms; the LA issues these in the autumn term.

Top

13. Assessment and Reporting

The progress of each child is continuously monitored throughout the school year. Teachers assess each child’s achievements as part of our on-going assessment procedures.

Pupils in Year 2 will undertake statutory Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) in English and maths in May.

Pupils in Year 6 will undertake statutory SATs in English, maths and science in May.

 Pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 will undertake optional SATs in English and maths in May.

 Parents have the opportunity to meet with teachers in the autumn and spring terms to review and discuss the progress of their child. These are the most important events in the school calendar and parents are urged to make every effort to attend either on the designated evening or at another time by prior arrangement with teachers.

 Written reports are sent to parents at the end of each academic year.

Top

14. Parents and School

Partnership with Parents

 The relationship between parents and the school is very important as we are partners in your child's education. We warmly welcome your involvement and value your help with a variety of activities and after school clubs. Parents are welcome to visit school to discuss the welfare and education of their child. Other than in an emergency, arranging an appointment beforehand is preferred.

School policies and the National Curriculum are available by arrangement with the school office. 

A newsletter and calendar are sent to all parents at the start of each month. This helps us to keep you informed about our life in school and activities for parents and children, dates when school will be closed etc.

Parents’ Association

 We have an active Parents’ Association ‘The Friends of St Helens’ who meet regularly to raise extra funds for the school. New members are always welcome and meetings are advised in the parent newsletter.

 We also have a small group of parents who give their time to work with children in school. We are very grateful for their hard work and effort. If you feel that you would like to help us by hearing children read or working on a practical activity with a small group please contact school.

Parental Contributions and Remissions

The Governing Body, in supporting a broad and balanced curriculum, recognises the value of a range of additional activities to enrich pupil's experiences. In this we rely significantly on voluntary financial contributions for such things as educational visits, practical experiences, clubs and residential visits. Parents will be given details of the educational value of each event that requires funding. Insufficient support for an activity could render it liable to cancellation in which case refunds would be made. We do not wish any pupil to be excluded from activities for financial reasons. In cases of need, assistance may be available in accordance with the school’s remissions policy, which is summarised below.

 The Governors will consider remissions either in full or in part for cases of exceptional family hardship, which makes it difficult for the pupil to participate. This applies only to board and lodgings for residential visits, which are considered to be essential to the curriculum. Equally the Governors will also consider remissions to financial aspects of the Instrumental tuition Scheme, for families receiving income support or family credit. However, consideration will not be given where negligence is involved in the damage or loss of an instrument.

 Parents of pupils who receive tuition from the Authority's Peripatetic Music Service will be responsible for meeting the annual fee for this service. In addition further charges may be made for special music, replacement parts and examinations. In cases of negligence and deliberate damage to school instruments, repairs or replacement will be the responsibility of the borrower.

Please note that the Governors retain the option of amendment to this policy. Similarly they retain the option of cancellation of an activity should sufficient financial resources not be available. The Headteacher will administer this option on behalf of the Governors.

Top

15. Behaviour and Discipline

As a church school, high standards of behaviour, self discipline and a caring attitude to others are encouraged. All children are expected to be polite and well behaved in order to work and co-operate with others effectively. Members of the local community form judgements about our school by the manner in which its pupils behave as they travel to and from school. We are proud of our school and hope that you will support us by ensuring that your child is a good ambassador.

 We operate a positive approach to discipline, with the emphasis on rewarding good behaviour and work. The school has a Rewards Policy, which is consistently applied by all staff. Children are rewarded through the use of stickers, stars, Special Mention Certificates and the Good Work Assembly.

 The school’s conduct procedures have been designed to directly support the safety and welfare of the children and the general community. Class teachers are responsible for the behaviour of pupils in their care and will deal with incidents as they arise. Further disciplinary procedures are undertaken strictly in accordance with the School’s Behaviour Policy. This could result in parents receiving a letter to invite them into school to discuss the problem. When all measures have failed to bring about an acceptable standard of behaviour the Governing Body may exclude a child as a final sanction.

Top

16. Admissions Procedure

 Parents applying for a place in our school must complete a Wakefield Common Application Form expressing up to three preferences in rank order of preference. A full copy of the school’s admissions policy is available from the school office. 

Children are admitted to the Reception Class at the beginning of the school year ( i.e. September) in which their fifth birthday falls.

 Date of Fifth Birthday             1st September to 31st December

                                       1st January to 30th April

                                       1st May 31st August

 The closing date for applications for Reception Class for September 2008 is 16th December 2007. The standard admission number for our school is 45.  If the number of applications received does not exceed the admission number, then all preferences will be met.   If there are more applications received than places available the Governing Body applies the school’s admission criteria which is determined by the Governing Body.

 The admission criteria sets out the order in which places will be offered. Where there are more applications on the same criteria level than places available, then places will be offered in order of proximity to the school, so those living closest to the school as the ‘crow flies’ will be offered places in priority to those living further away on any particular criteria level.

Admissions Criteria:-

1.  Children with Statements of Special Educational Need for whom this school is appropriate. (Parents applying under this category will have had discussion with both the Head Teacher and LEA Officers before applying).

2.  Children who live in the Local Education Authority (LEA) catchment area for the school and who are in public care at the time of admission. 

3. Children whose parents are regular worshipping members of St Helen's Parish Church and whose names are entered on the Church's Electoral Roll.

4. Children with a brother or sister (including a half-, step- or adoptive brother or sister) attending the school at the proposed date of admission.

5. Children who have special needs on social, medical or other religious grounds (supporting letters from social worker, medical specialist or Church Minister are required and must be included with the application form, in a sealed envelope.)

6. Children resident within the admission Priority Area of the School.

7. Children resident within the ecclesiastical Parish of Hemsworth.

8. Children resident outside the Parish.

(a) refers to the child's permanent home at the date of application. Parents may be asked to provide evidence of permanent residence. If a house move is anticipated between the date of application and the date when the child would enter school, the new address can only be taken into account by the Governors if written proof of exchange of contracts can be supplied.

 (b) Where the above criteria are not adequate to distinguish between requests for admission which cannot all be accepted without exceeding the Planned Admission Limit, priority will be decided on the basis of the distance from the school to home measured by the shortest safe walking route, those living nearest being given priority.

 This information is published by the Governors of St Helen's Church of England Aided School in accordance with Section 82B of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and in accordance with the Education (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (Primary Schools) (England) Regulations 2002.

 The annual admission limit for 2008-2009 is 45

Top

17. Concerns and Complaints Procedure

If a parent has any worries or concerns about their child at school they should initially talk to the class teacher or a member of the school management team. Most concerns are resolved at this level.

If necessary a complaint will be dealt with by the head teacher.

If a problem is not resolved by the school, the Chairman of the Governors can investigate the issue.

 The matter can be pursued further by contacting the Local Authority and finally the Department for Education. Further details of the complaint procedure are available from the school.

Top

18.School Times>

Pupils are encouraged to come into main school from 8.50 am to ensure a prompt start to the day.

Top

19. School Calendar

Top

20. School SAT Results

 These tables show the results for children aged 7 and 11 in 2006 in their Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests.

Key Stage 1 is the Standard Attainment Test for 7 year olds. The expected attainment level at this stage is level 2B.

Key Stage 2 is the Standard Attainment Test for 11 year olds. The expected attainment at this stage is level 4.

Top