School

Brochure

Delves Lane, CONSETT, Co Durham, DH8 7ES

Acting Head Teacher: Mrs B Woods

Tel: 01207 503984, Fax: 01207 588880

delveslaneprimary@delveslane.co.uk

http://www.delveslaneprimary.durham.sch.uk

Dear Parent/Carer

On behalf of all governors, staff and children, I would like to welcome you and your child to

Delves Lane Primary School. I look forward to meeting with you and your family and hope that this

will be the beginning of a successful and happy partnership between home and school.

We have:

• A supportive, friendly and professional environment, which is very welcoming.

• Fantastic pupils who are eager to learn.

An excellent team who are committed to raising standards, and providing a high standard of

education for all our children.

Our aim is for the children in our school to become independent, self-disciplined, caring and

tolerant young people. We hope to inspire them to have a love of learning and to work hard in

order to make good progress and reach their full potential.

At Delves Lane we welcome your involvement in every aspect of your child’s learning and will

provide many opportunities for you to play an active part in your child’s education.

This brochure tells you a great deal about the school but if after reading it you wish to know more,

please do not hesitate to contact me when you will be welcome to visit the school. The

information is correct at the time of publication.

Yours sincerely

R Woods Mrs R Woods

Head Teacher

Learn, Achieve, Inspire

In our school our vision is to

Develop

Enthusiastic

Learners

Valuing

Everyone’s

Success

We achieve this through our aims to

Promote strong community links and a secure sense of belonging.

Provide a safe, welcoming, and caring environment in which each individual is

valued and learning can flourish.

To provide a stimulating and creative curriculum which develops children’s love of

learning.

Inspire a sense of co-operation, self discipline and responsibility.

Develop lively, enquiring minds with the ability to question and discuss rationally.

Encourage the enjoyment of physical activities and games, increasing awareness of

the importance of healthy living.

Enable children to understand and appreciate the world in which they live and

develop sensitivity towards individuals, groups and nations within it.

Governing Body

Chair (Co-opted) Mrs C Fewster

Head Teacher Mrs R Woods

Co-opted Mr C Shield, Mr M Miller

Local Authority Appointed Cllr J Brown

Parent Governors Mr L Emery, Mrs T A Howe, Mrs A Hurst, Mr D Walton

Staff Mrs S Teneur

Staff

Head Teacher Mrs R Woods

Acting Deputy Head Teacher Miss H Webb (Class 3)

Teacher Mrs S Gibson/Mrs K Moody (Nursery)

Teacher Mrs A Randell (Class 1)

Teacher Miss G Forbes (Class 2)

Teacher Mrs A Schenker (Class 3)

Teacher Miss H Kirkbride (Class 4)

Teacher Mrs A Shaw (Class 5)

Teacher Miss A Smith (Class 6)

Teacher Mr A McMeiken (Class 7)

Teacher Mrs M Donnelly (Class 8)

Teacher Mr C Turnbull (Class 9)

Teacher Mr J Hannon (Class 10)

Teacher Miss L Haddow (Class 11)

Teacher Miss V Kelly (Class 12)

Higher Level Teaching Assistant Miss N Sinden (Class 11/12)

Teaching Assistant Mrs R Armstrong (Class 5)

Teaching Assistant Mrs S Beauvoisin (Class 4/5/8/9)

Teaching Assistant Mrs J Bridgewater (Class 7/8)

Teaching Assistant Mrs J Clark (Class 1/2)

Teaching Assistant Mrs L Gettings (Class 1/2)

Teaching Assistant Miss J Kane (Class 3)

Teaching Assistant Mrs J Nixon (Nursery)

Teaching Assistant Mrs C Skilbeck (Nursery - 2 year old provision)

Teaching Assistant Miss C Stephenson (Class 6/7)

Teaching Assistant Mrs S Teneur (Class 6/8/9)

Teaching Assistant Mrs M Winskill (Class 3)

Apprentice Teaching Assisting Miss R Cowan (Class 10/11)

Business Manager Mrs C O’Malley

Secretary Mrs C Hunter

Secretary Miss E Scott

Site Manager Mr J Milburn

Cleaner in Charge Mr L Matthews

Cleaner Mrs L Skidmore

Cleaner Mrs E Turner

Play Leader Ms T Henderson

Supervisory Assistants Mrs J Bell, Miss K Castling, Mr L Clennell, Mrs E Dixon,

(Breakfast/Lunchtime) Mrs K Galloway, Mrs M Gibson, Mrs L Gray, Mrs A Lister,

Mrs S Mawson, Mrs M McCabe, Mrs V Shield, Mrs V Testo,

Mrs C Tilney, Mrs G Weaver

School Cooks (Taylor Shaw) Miss E Oteng

Mrs C Tilney

School Organisation

Delves Lane Infants and Junior Schools federated in 2008 to form Delves Lane Community School

and subsequently became Delves Lane Primary School on 1 April 2014. In September 2016 the

school started a small 2 year old provision, thereby providing education for children between the

ages of 2 to 11 years.

There are currently approximately 305 pupils on roll in the school and 60 children attending part

time in the Nursery. The school is housed in two separate buildings adjacent to one another.

The Infants accommodation includes four class areas and an Early Years Unit sharing a practical

work space. In addition there is a library and a multi use hall.

The Junior department comprises seven classrooms, three intervention rooms and a multi use hall.

Delves Lane has a Nursery Unit, which includes 2 year olds, linked to the Early Years Department.

Accommodation comprises indoor and outdoor play and learning areas.

Class Organisation

There are 12 classes in the school organised to suit children’s needs from Reception Year to Year 6.

Children are taught in a range of year groupings.

All pupils in the same year group will have the opportunity to experience a full range of activities.

Children will be taught as a class, in small groups and where appropriate, individually. Work will

be planned and presented in a variety of ways to ensure that every child makes the best possible

progress.

The School Day

The school day is divided into two sessions as follows:-

Different times for the Infants and Junior departments are intended to assist parents when bringing

and collecting their children to and from school.

During the school day a certain amount of time is spent on registration, the daily act of collective

worship, playtime and lunchtime. The remaining time is lesson time.

In addition, a Breakfast Club is held every morning in the Junior building for children. This is open

from 8.00 am until the beginning of the school day at 8.50 am and costs £1.50 per day, which

includes breakfast, drinks and a range of activities.

Morning Afternoon

Foundation Stage 8.50 am - 12.00 noon

Doors open at 8.50 am 1.00 pm - 3.25 pm

Key Stage 1 (Infants) 8.50 am -12.30 pm

Doors open at 8.50 am 1.30 pm - 3.25 pm

Key Stage 2 (Juniors) 8.50 am -12.30 pm

Doors open at 8.50 am 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm

The structure of the school day is as follows:

Please note that school starts at 8.50 am and all children should be in school

for the beginning of registration.

Assembly/Collective Worship

This takes place in each department for 15 minutes every day, the time of which varies throughout

the week. Every Friday we have a ‘whole school’ assembly when the KS1 children join the KS2

children in the junior hall. We use this time for celebrating national and international events (such

as World Book Day), welcoming visitors from our community and celebrating individual and group

achievements/successes across the week, as well as collective worship.

Attendance and Punctuality

In partnership with parents, the Governors and Staff of Delves Lane Primary School are committed

to maximising the full potential of every child. Consistent attendance and punctuality at school is

crucial to providing your child with the best chance of success. The Department for Education

considers acceptable attendance to be 96.1% or above.

If your child is unable to attend school, please notify the school office of the reasons for absence

as soon as possible on the first day, and no later than 9.00 am. Notification of absence can be

made by letter, e-mail, in person, by telephone or by sending a message with a responsible adult.

The school is required by law to record attendance every morning and afternoon and to record

any absences as authorised or unauthorised.

An authorised absence is when a child is away from school with an appropriate reason for

absence, eg illness. An unauthorised absence occurs when a parent/carer gives an invalid

reason or no reason at all for their child’s non-attendance at school.

Through working together, it is hoped that we can avoid unauthorised absences and give our

children their full educational entitlement by maintaining high levels of attendance and

punctuality.

Early Years Infant Department Junior Department

Registration 8.50 am - 9.00 am 8.50 am - 9.00 am 8.50 am - 9.00 am

Lesson time 9.00 am - 12.00 noon Early Years children have

continuous provision

both in and outdoors

9.00 am - 11.15 am 9.00 am -11.15 am

Playtime 11.15 am - 11.30 am 11.15 am - 11.30 am

Lesson time 11.30 am - 12.30 pm 11.30 am - 12.30 pm

Lunchtime 12.00 noon - 1.00 pm 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm

Lesson time 1.30 pm - 2.20 pm 1.30 pm - 2.30 pm 1.00 pm - 3.25 pm Early Years children have

continuous provision

both in and outdoors

Play time 2.20 pm - 2.30 pm No play time

Lesson time 2.30 pm - 3.25 pm 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm

Medical And Dental Appointments

Children may attend appointments where confirmation has been received from parents either by

letter, e-mail, in person, by telephone and on the production of an appointment card. However,

we would urge parents to make appointments outside of school hours wherever possible to ensure

your child receives a full education. Your child will be marked as present if they are in school at

registration time. For reasons of security, any parent collecting or returning their child must report to the school office first.

If your child’s attendance falls below the Department for Education’s acceptable level, the

school will contact you to try to improve the situation. If poor attendance persists, the Educational

Welfare Officer will contact you and possibly visit you at home. The same is true for children who

are persistently late for school.

Absence due to family holidays during term time

Unfortunately, since 2014, parents are no longer entitled to withdraw their child from school during

term time to go on a holiday, and any absences due to holidays taken during term time will be

recorded as ’unauthorised’. Fixed term penalty notices may be issued by the Local Authority, with

a possible fine if your child does not attend school regularly.

Punctuality Good time keeping is essential and you should ensure that your child arrives on time for school

(8.50 am). We also ask that your child is collected promptly at the end of the school day,

however, if, as a result of an unexpected emergency, you will be late to collect your child, please

telephone the school office so that we can re-assure your child that you are on your way.

Children will be supervised from 8.45 am but we would ask you not to send your children into

school before this time. The doors open at 8.50 am and when children make their way to their

classes for registration.

If a child is late then they must register at the school office.

Pastoral Care

At Delves Lane Primary School we are committed to ensuring the development of the ‘whole'

child. We hope to help your child to develop positive relationships with other children and adults

in order to achieve and enjoy school. Children learn and make progress when they are happy

and feel secure. If a child appears unhappy at school and is not behaving in his or her usual

manner then parents will be contacted to discuss ways in which together we can help to improve

the situation. Similarly we ask you to let us know if you or your child is unhappy about any aspect

of school life. Please feel welcome to come and discuss any concerns with us.

The Head Teacher is also available at the gate at the beginning of school to answer any queries

or address any concerns you may have in an informal manner.

Child Protection

The staff has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children in the school. The Local

Authority requires referrals of any serious concerns to be made either to the Head Teacher or

other nominated member of staff.

Parents are asked to keep the school informed of any unusual or serious injuries which their child

has suffered, and of any circumstances at home which might cause a change in a child’s

behaviour at school. Staff may on occasions wish to speak to you to discuss and clarify the cause

of a particular injury or sudden change in behaviour. If this happens please remember that we

have a responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of the children in our care.

In those instances where staff have serious concerns about the welfare of a child then the school

is under a duty of care to make a referral to staff at the First Contact and Intervention Service

(Social Services).

School Nurse

The school nurse is available to give advice on a range of health related matters. If you would like

to talk to her in confidence please speak to your child’s teacher or a member of our office staff to

ask for this to be arranged. Our nurse is Mrs Karen Humphries.

School Rules and Discipline

High standards of discipline are essential for effective learning and for the well being of everyone

in the school community. At Delves Lane Primary School we want children to learn to care for

themselves, for other people, and the environment. As soon as a child starts school he or she will

be encouraged to act responsibly and with consideration towards everyone he or she meets in

and outside school.

Our school promotes a culture of positive reinforcements for good behaviour and it is everyone’s

responsibility to promote this.

As a result of the positive ethos we promote, incidents of inappropriate behaviour are reduced

considerably.

Our rewards system ensures that pupils can access a variety of incentives to celebrate success

and achievements—please see next page.

Rules

At school, we do as we are told straight away.

We keep our hands, feet and unkind words to ourselves.

We look after everything in our school.

We walk sensibly and quietly in school.

We are always polite and helpful to everyone—good manners are important.

Please note that it is never acceptable for anyone, child or adult to use bad language in or

around school.

Rewards for Good Behaviour

1 Verbal praise

2 Merit stickers

3 House points

4 Star badges

5 Certificates to be taken home to parents eg for ‘Star of the Week’

6 Letters/texts to parents

7 Golden Time/SMART Club

Consequences of Bad Behaviour

These vary slightly between Infants and Junior classes

1 Child is spoken to by an adult

2 Warning from an adult

3 A short time working away from the group or class

4 Time out away from class and miss playtime/lunchtime

5 Child is sent to Deputy Head or Head Teacher

6 Phone call or letter home to parents or a request to see parents

7 For more serious disruptive behaviour, children will be spoken to by a senior member of

staff and will spend some play and/or lunch time sessions in the ‘Inclusion Room’.

8 Depending on the severity of an event, a fixed term exclusion may be considered.

The ethos of the school is that the discipline of pupils should be based on good personal and

professional relationships between staff and pupils. On very rare occasions it may prove

necessary for members of staff to use reasonable force to control a pupil who may otherwise be in

danger of hurting him or herself or others.

It is essential that parents support the school’s Behaviour Policy. If a child has persistent difficulties

parents will be contacted and meetings arranged to discuss a positive way forward to help the

pupil follow the rules in the future.

Home School Agreements

Home School Agreement. This agreement outlines what school and home will do to ensure an

effective partnership, and reinforces the school’s Behaviour Policy. A copy of our Home School

Agreement can be found at the back of this brochure which is reviewed annually. Parents are

asked to sign this document.

Additional Support

Special Educational Needs/Disabilities (SEND)

At Delves Lane Primary School it is our policy to provide learning experiences that are

differentiated to take account of the needs and attainments of all our children. Children with

special needs will be identified at the earliest possible opportunity and supported by the staff of

the school in accordance with government legislation. The Special Educational Needs Co-

ordinator (SENCO, Mr Hannan) is employed to give additional support to children and staff and to

co-ordinate advice for other professionals including the Local Authority Special Needs Team and

Educational Psychologist.

Parents will regularly be invited to share their knowledge, views and experience of their child’s

special needs in order to ensure the most appropriate provision. Children will also be given the

opportunity to reflect on their needs and have their views taken into account.

Our Special Educational Needs Policy reflects the changes recommended by the Special

Educational Needs Code of Practice 2014.

Please see our website for further information regarding SEND.

Equal Opportunities and British Values

We seek to ensure that all children have full access to the curriculum regardless of race, creed, or

gender. Appropriate individual and groups programmes of work are planned according to the

abilities, interests, skills and needs of the child.

At Delves Lane Primary we encourage our children to be creative, unique, open minded and

independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, as well as in our

local community and the wider world. We cover such topics as social responsibility, freedom of

speech, equality, inclusion, democracy, family values, helping those in need, supporting charities,

respect, law and order, choices, tolerance, embracing differences, heritage and traditions, and

monarchy.

The breadth and balance of our curriculum and ethos promotes life in modern Britain. We work

hard to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring,

democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and

the world.

Statutory Assessment

Schools are required to assess children’s progress using National statutory assessment tests in

English and Mathematics at the end of Key Stage 1 in Year 2, when the majority of pupils are 7.

Statutory tests are administered at the end of Key Stage 2 in Year 6 when the majority of pupils are

11. The results of these and teacher assessments are reported to parents in the annual report,

which include Science and foundation subjects.

Parents will have many opportunities to talk to staff to discuss their child’s progress. An annual

report will be written for each child informing parents of the progress that their child is making in

relation to the above expectations provided. Targets for future work will also be identified.

School Records and Pupils' Annual Reports

The school keeps a record on every child. This record includes comments on your child's

educational development and progress. You will receive your child's annual report, at the end of

the Summer term, each year. You will have the opportunity to write any comments you wish to

make in response and discuss the report with your child’s teacher.

An open/drop in evening is arranged at the end of the Summer term for parents to discuss

anything regarding their child’s end of term report.

Staff also report to parents during the Autumn and Spring terms about pupil progress.

The School Curriculum

At Delves Lane we aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum for children of all ages.

Children in the Nursery and Reception years follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

(EYFSF) and children from Year 1 to Year 6 follow the new National Curriculum September 2014.

School curriculum planning maps can be found on the school website under ‘Our Curriculum’.

Religious Education (RE) and Collective Worship

Religious Education is taught in the school in accordance with the agreed syllabus adopted by

the Durham Local Authority. The content of the syllabus reflects the fact that the religious

traditions in this country are in the main, Christian. Account is taken of the teaching and

practices of other principal religions represented in this country. The content is not based on the

teachings of any particular denomination.

All children attend an act of worship during the school day. This may be either as a whole school

or in groups. The content of the majority of these acts of worship reflect the broad traditions of

Christian belief.

Health, Sex & Relationships Education

At Delves Lane Primary School we aim to prepare pupils, at the appropriate time in a child’s

stage of development, about the physical and emotional changes that will take place in their

lives. We want to equip children with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that they will

need in order to help them cope successfully with their present and future lives.

Many aspects are taught in a cross curricular approach through a range of subjects, including

English, Science, PE, RE and PSCHE (Personal, Social, Cultural and Health Education). At all times

accurate information and the correct terminology will be used.

Sex education is not taught as a separate subject but is gradually introduced through health

education and topics dealing with growth and change. Individual questions asked by children

are always answered honestly and at a level appropriate to the child’s age and level of

understanding. Each year the school nurse talks to Year 6 children about the changes which

take place during puberty. Parents are always informed about this and may withdraw their

children if they wish to.

School Uniform

Wearing school uniform enables the children in the school to have an identity and to be proud to

be pupils at Delves Lane Primary School. Uniform for the school is a combination of navy and grey

and most items can be bought from high street shops. Some items are sold in school which

contain the school logo, see below. Please speak to our office staff for details of prices. Please also remember to put your child’s name on all items of clothing.

For girls:

Grey or navy skirt/pinafore dress or trousers

Pale blue blouse or pale blue polo shirt (with logo available from school office)

Navy sweat shirt/cardigan (with logo available from school office)

For boys:

Grey or navy trousers

Pale blue shirt or pale blue polo shirt (with logo available from school office)

Navy sweat shirt with school logo (with logo available from school office)

Reversible waterproof coats, with the school logo, suitable for boys and girls are also available.

In the summer time girls can wear blue and white checked dresses and boys can wear navy or

grey shorts.

Shoes should be flat, black and appropriate for school. Please do not send your child to school in

shoes which prevent them from running in the playground. Your child should be in shoes which

he or she can manage to fasten independently. High boots are not suitable for indoor wear at

school.

Jewellery

For health and safety reasons children are not permitted to wear any jewellery in school

(this includes earrings and watches). Should your child arrive at school wearing jewellery,

parents will be contacted and asked to come into school to remove the jewellery. We would

politely ask that should you wish your child to have piercings that this is done at the beginning of

the summer holidays so that it does not cause an issue of removing items of jewellery when your

child is at school. Please note that we must insist on a no jewellery policy for the health and safety

of you child. PE Kit

Children need a change of clothes and footwear for PE for health and hygiene and a draw-string

bag in which to keep the kit at school. PE kit should be brought to school on a Monday and

taken home on a Friday.

Girls and boys wear:

navy shorts

plain light blue T-shirt (with logo available from school office)

a pair of Plimsolls – elasticated ones are essential for younger children

navy or black jogging bottoms for outdoor lessons in cold weather

T-shirts, shorts and PE bags may be bought from the school office.

All school uniform and PE kit MUST be named. Children can become upset and much time can

be wasted and as a result of lost clothing, please help us by naming everything.

Food in School

Children are well supervised during the midday break. School meals are cooked on the

premises and it is hoped that most children use this service provided for them. Meals are

provided free of charge to children of Reception and KS1 age (Infants). Meals for KS2 children

(Juniors) are heavily subsidised and cost only £2.00 per day. Please give one week’s notice if

changing meal arrangements for your child. If you are unsure if you are entitled to free school

meals, please ask the office staff. Please note that if you pay for your child’s meals, payment should be made at the beginning of the week, and meals should always be paid for in advance.

Packed Lunches

Packed lunches are permitted by prior arrangement with the Head Teacher, but please note

that fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate bars must not be included. Children who wish to have

packed lunch should be provided with a suitable plastic lunch box, clearly marked with the

child's name and class.

School Milk

Milk is available for children in the Infants and Junior departments. Milk is free to all under 5s,

and to those children attracting Pupil Premium funding, however, if you would like your child to

benefit from a 1/3 pint of milk each day, please ask for further details from the school office.

Fresh Fruit

Infants children are provided, free of charge, with a piece of fresh fruit each day as part of the

National School Fruit Scheme.

Parental Involvement

At Delves Lane Primary School we believe that strong links between home and school extend

the learning opportunities available to our children. Parents are always welcome to come into

school and work with the staff (subject to a satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check).

We are most appreciative of the voluntary help given by parents. We need help in a variety of

ways, for example, playing educational games, helping with reading, assisting with displays and

art work, cooking and going on school visits, etc. If you are interested or would like more infor-

mation please speak to our office staff.

Medical Matters

If your child is ill, please keep him or her at home until well, or until your doctor advises a return to

school. This is particularly important in the case of infectious disease. If you are unsure as to

whether your child should be at school, please feel free to ring us as we can access advice on

specific conditions, or contact the School Nurse.

We ask all parents to provide us with an emergency contact number so that you can be notified

if your child becomes ill or has an accident during the school day. If we are unable to contact

parents and the child is in need of urgent medical attention, a member of the school staff will

take action on your behalf.

A designated person is available in school to administer prescribed medication such as inhalers

and medicine. Please note that we are unable to administer ointments, eye and ear drops or

medicine bought ‘over the counter’. Parents should contact the school office if their child needs

medication during the school day so that the necessary written permission form can be

completed. Please note that we will only administer medication at lunchtime if the prescription advises medication to be taken 4 times a day. We ask parents to administer medication at

home if the prescription advises 3 times a day or less. Medicines etc must not be sent to school

with your child.

A health care plan will be devised for children who have long term medical needs.

If you need to discuss any specific medial matters, Mrs Bridgewater is available on Thursdays and

Fridays. We would appreciate it if you could make an appointment to see Mrs Bridgewater on

those days.

Access to School Site and Car Parking

Unfortunately, we do not have facilities for parents to park on school premises when taking chil-

dren to and from school. This also includes dropping off children at Breakfast Club and collecting

children from After School Clubs. The exception is for parents collecting a sick child from school.

We would also ask you to consider the needs of local residents when parking in the surrounding

side roads. We appreciate your co-operation in this matter, as this is for the health and safety of

your children in a very busy car park.

Please note that parents visiting school, except to pick up and drop off children, at the usual

time, should report to the main school office in the Junior building. Parents should not enter the

building before or after school unless attending an appointment or specific event such as an as-

sembly. This is for the safety of everyone’s children.

Please note that dogs are not allowed on the school site (except for guide dogs), and we would

request that dogs are not left unattended outside the school gates.

Similarly, please note that smoking is not permitted anywhere in the school grounds, and we

would request that you refrain from smoking outside the school entrance when children are

entering and leaving the premises.

Theft and Loss of Property

The Local Authority is not legally responsible for any clothing or possessions brought to school by

pupils and if lost, have no responsibility to replace them or grant financial compensation. Please

bear this in mind when your child asks to bring any personal items to school. Please remember to label all items of your children’s clothing.

Homework

Homework plays an important role in actively involving you and other adults in your child's work

and ongoing development. Homework is set for all children, regardless of ability. Tasks and the

amount of time to be spent on them will vary from child to child. Some children will require

extra work to practice basic skills, others will require work to extend their skills to a higher level.

Parents are advised each September of the homework requirements for their child’s year group.

Homework tasks usually relate to English and Mathematics work, including the development of

reading skills, the learning of spellings and tables or number facts.

Reading at Home

Parental involvement with a child's reading at home is very important and greatly contributes to

a child’s progress and enjoyment. Within the first few weeks of your child starting, school they

will join the School Library. He or she will choose one book a week to bring home to share with

you. We would encourage you to read with your children at home as this plays a vital part in

their overall learning experience and will have a direct impact on their achievement. Parents

are also encouraged to visit the School Library on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 3.25

pm until 4.00 pm to help your children in choosing books and have a further opportunity to read

with them.

All children also receive reading books on a regular basis to read and parents will be invited into

school, particularly when your child first start school, to explain the school’s approach to the

teaching of reading and to offer you further advice on how to help at home.

Talking to your Child’s Teacher or Head Teacher

We are always happy to talk to parents. If you have any concerns or wish to talk to your child’s

Teacher or the Head Teacher, please come into school to arrange an appointment. We will be

equally happy to talk with you on the telephone. If you need to speak to a member of staff

urgently, please telephone or come into school either before 8.30 am or at the end of the day

at 3.30 pm. We will try to ensure that any issues are resolved as quickly as possible.

Members of staff are also available at the school gates on most mornings to meet and greet

children and their families and to answer any queries or concerns you may have on a more in-

formal basis.

Parent Meetings

At regular intervals during the year parents are invited to talk privately to staff about their child’s

progress. Information meetings will also be held advising parents how to help their child at

home and how to prepare for the end of key stage, as well as Year 2 and Year 6 tests and

assessments (SATS).

Charging for School Activities

The Education Reform Action 1988 states that education provided during school hours must be

free of charge. The school, therefore does not charge for activities taking place in the school

day. However, parents are requested to make a voluntary contribution of a minimum of 50p

each week to the school fund. This helps to pay for educational visits, theatre groups, cooking

ingredients etc. From time to time, if school funds are low, parents may be asked for a voluntary

contribution towards the cost of a school visit.

No child will be left out of an activity because of his or her parents’ unwillingness or inability to

contribute. Unfortunately, it may be necessary, on occasion, to cancel a proposed visit or

activity if the school does not receive sufficient contributions to support it.

Most after school clubs are voluntary clubs and therefore subject to a small charge.

Please see Delves Lane Primary School’s Charging Policy on the school website.

Communication

We aim to keep parents up to date with everything that goes on in school by the following

methods:

Text messages. We are able to send text messages in bulk to remind parents of

important dates, advise of emergency closures or cancellation of after school clubs,

for example.

The school also has an APP to keep parents informed of events. If you would like to

receive messages in this manner, please contact the school office.

Letters home.

Telephone calls.

Termly class newsletters to inform parents about individual class curriculum or activities.

Whole school newsletters each half term.

The school website.

The school’s Facebook page.

When children join the school, we ask for contact details in case of emergency in order that we

can keep you informed.

We ask that parents keep us informed of any changes in address, telephone numbers

(particularly mobiles) and family contacts.

Our website is http://www.delveslaneprimary.durham.sch.uk/. Much of the information you

require, including recent letters home, will be added to the site regularly.

If you have any queries, please speak to the office staff in the first instance. They will be able to

either answer your question or refer you to the relevant person.

We are confident that your child will enjoy their time at Delves Lane Primary School, and we look

forward to working in partnership with you and your child at the beginning of their educational

journey.

DATA PROTECTION ACT Schools, local education authorities and the Department for Education (the government

department which deals with education) all hold information on pupils in order to run the

education system, and in doing so have to follow the Data Protection Act 1998. This means,

among other things, that the data held about pupils must only be used for specific purposes

allowed by law. We are therefore writing to tell you about the types of data held, why that data

is held, and to whom it may be passed on.

The school holds information on pupils in order to support their teaching and learning, to monitor

and report on their progress, to provide appropriate pastoral care, and to assess how well the

school as whole is doing. This information includes contact details, National Curriculum

assessment results, attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, special

educational needs and any relevant medical information.

From time to time we are required to pass on some of this data to the Local Authority (LA), to

another school to which the pupil is transferring, to the Department for Education (DfE), and to

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) which is responsible for the National Curriculum

and associated assessment arrangements. Local arrangements exist to transfer relevant

information to primary health care services.

The Local Authority uses information about pupils to carry out specific functions for which it is

responsible, such as the assessment of any special educational needs the pupil may have and

arrangements for the transport of pupils to and from school. It also uses the information to derive

statistics to inform decisions on (for example) the funding of schools, and to assess the

performance of schools and set targets for them. The statistics are used in such a way that

individual pupils cannot be identified from them.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority uses information about pupils to administer the

National Curriculum tests and assessments for Key Stages 1 to 3. The results of these are passed

on to DfE in order for it to compile statistics on trends and patterns in levels of achievement. The

QCA uses the information to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Curriculum and the

associated assessment arrangements, and to ensure that these are continually improved.

The Department for Education uses information about pupils for statistical purposes, to evaluate

and develop education policy and to monitor the performance of the education service as a

whole. The statistics (including those based on information provided by the QCA) are used in

such a way that individual pupils cannot be identified from them. The DfE will feed back to LAs

and schools information about their pupils where they are lacking this information because it

was not passed on by a former school. On occasion information may be shared with other

Government departments or agencies strictly for statistical or research purposes only.

Pupils, as data subjects, have certain rights under the Data Protection Act, including a general

right of access to personal data held on them, with parents exercising this right on their behalf if

they are too young to do so themselves. If you wish to access the personal data held about your

child, then please contact the relevant organisation in writing:

the school at Delves Lane Primary School, Delves Lane, Consett, DH8 7ES;

the LA’s Data Protection Officer at The Education Department, County Hall, Durham,

DH1 5UJ;

the QCA’s Data Protection Officer at QCA, 83 Piccadilly, LONDON, W1J 8QA;

the DfE’s Data Protection Officer at DfE, Caxton House, Tothill Street, LONDON, SW1H 9NA

Delves Lane Primary School

Home – School Agreement

Vision Statement – Learn, Achieve, Inspire

In our school we Develop Enthusiastic Learners Valuing Everyone’s Success

We achieve this through our aims:

Promote strong community links and a secure sense of belonging.

Provide a safe, welcoming caring environment in which each individual is valued and learning can

flourish.

Provide a stimulating and creative curriculum which develops children’s love of learning.

Inspire a sense of co-operation, self-discipline and responsibility.

A commitment to develop lively, enquiring minds and the ability to question and discuss rationally.

Encouraging the enjoyment of physical activities and games and increasing awareness of the importance

of healthy living.

Enable children to understand and appreciate the world in which they live and develop sensitivity towards

individuals, groups and nations within it.

Child’s name ________________________________________

The school will:

Provide a stimulating and creative curriculum which develops children’s love of learning.

Expect and encourage pupils to do their best at all times.

Promote high standards of work and behaviour, and provide clear guidelines for children and parents.

Expect and encourage pupils to take care of each other and their surroundings.

Celebrate your child’s academic and personal achievements.

Care for your child’s safety and well-being by observation and listening to them.

Provide a safe, friendly and caring environment (to include supervision from 8.45am each morning).

Contact you if we have any concerns, and keep you informed about your child’s progress and how you

can help them at home.

Be open and welcoming to parents and keep parents informed about school activities.

Set, mark and monitor homework.

Signed R Woods Mrs R Woods, Head Teacher

The parent/carer will:

Make sure my child attends school regularly and arrives on time (8.50 am), fit and well prepared to learn.

Make sure that my child is wearing named school uniform and that their PE kit is brought into school at the

beginning of each half term.

Inform school as soon as possible on the first day if my child is unable to attend.

Support the school’s policies and guidelines for behaviour.

Support my child in responding positively to the general expectations and regulations of the school.

Attend Parents’ Evenings and discussions about my child’s progress.

Support my child with his/her homework and home learning opportunities and ensure my child completes

their homework on time.

Inform school of any changes of address or emergency contacts.

Inform school about any concerns or problems which might affect my child’s work or behaviour.

Signed____________________________________ Parent/Carer

Please sign and return to school