General Information

The School Day

8.45-8.50 School gates open

9.00 School day starts

9.15 – 9.35 Assembly (Weds)

10.35 Reception & KS1 snack time

10.45-11.00 Break

12.00 Lunchtime

1.00 Start of afternoon session

2.30-2.45 Reception & KS1 break

2.45-3.05 Assembly (Mon,Tues,Fri)

3.15 End of school day

We do not have a before-school supervision time; children arriving at school are expected to go straight to their classroom when the gates are opened between 8.45 and 8.50am. We are legally responsible for children on site for ten minutes before and after the school day. At the end of school, children not collected within this time will be taken to wait in the school office.

If for any reason you are unable to collect your child at the usual time, or if a different adult is coming to collect them, please let us know as soon as possible. We will always let your child know of any change to their normal arrangements.

School Staff 2005/2006

Headteacher Reception Year 1/2 Year 1/2 Year 1/2 Year 3/4 Year 3/4 Year 4/5 Year 5/6 Year 5/6

Mrs Celia Greenaway Mrs Jane Reynolds /Mrs Mary Gale Miss Kate Medlow Mrs Elaine Moorcroft /Mrs Mary Gale Miss Maria Burke Mr Andrew Westcott Mrs Pauline Marsh Mr Tony Reynolds /Mrs Elizabeth Welch Mr David Hunns Mrs Sue Smith (4 days) /Mrs Elizabeth Welch (1 day) Mrs Pam Nutall Mrs Elizabeth Welch

Assessment and Reporting, Staff Development co-ordinator, Child Protection, Gifted, More able and Talented pupils Foundation Stage, History Art & Design KS1 Co-ordinator, Science Design Technology Deputy Head Teacher, Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), Curriculum Development Co-ordinator, Child protection, Maths KS2 Co-ordinator, Literacy, P.S.H.C.E. I.C.T. R.E., Health & Safety Music P.E. KS2 - PPA cover (art) KS2 - PPA cover, Dep.Head/SENCO release cover

Teaching Assistants Administrative Assistants Site Manager

Mrs Joy Colley Mrs Elizabeth Denton Mrs Sue Gentry Mrs Jacqui Handley Mrs Julie Morris Mrs Jane Newbigging Mrs Carole Peacock Mrs Beverley Prime Mrs Carol Wood Mrs Christine Woodhouse Mrs Alison Kitching Mrs Nicki Ramsdale Mrs Karen Stearn Mrs Frances Thomson Mr David Bridgman

Lunchtime Supervisors Catering Assistants Cleaners

Mrs Julia Allen Mrs Marion Buchholzer Mrs Joy Colley Mrs Ann Gordon Mrs Margaret Jeffery Mrs Alison Kitching Ms Caroline Lee Mrs Julie Morris Mrs Sheila Robinson Mrs Joanne Vincent Mrs Jackie Warrington Mrs Wendy Hodson Mrs Marion Buchholzer Mrs Jane Jeffery Mrs Tracey Missen

School Organisation

The organisation within the school depends on pupil numbers in each year group. In September 2007 we have 258 pupils aged 4 – 11 years old, organised into 8 classes and a Foundation unit. As a Primary School we cover three phases -

Foundation Stage (Reception) – 4-5 year olds

Key stage one (Years 1 and 2) - 5-7 year olds

Key stage two (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) - 7-11 year olds.

For 2007-2008 there will be a Foundation unit, three mixed Year 1/2 classes, two mixed Year 3/4 classes, one mixed Year 4/5 class and two mixed Year 5/6 classes.

Visitors

Visits by existing or prospective parents are welcomed. All visitors to the school are required to report to the school office in order to sign the visitors’ book. Any visitors remaining on the premises, including parent helpers, will be required to wear a visitors' badge.

Travelling to School

It is Over Primary School’s policy to actively encourage walking and cycling to school in order to improve health, confidence, social responsibility and independence, while reducing pollution and traffic congestion and benefiting the environment. Parents, carers and pupils can learn about the benefits of walking or cycling to and from school while being aware of the dangers that exist. The safety and well being of the children is our priority.

Children may only travel to school by bicycle if they wear a cycle helmet.

Car Parking

During the school day the car park is for staff and visitors only. If children are brought to school by car, please park on the road, avoiding the zig-zag lines. Under no circumstances must parents drive into the car park, neither to turn round, nor to collect or drop off children. This is extremely hazardous, especially at the beginning and end of the day.

School Security

The front and side gates are opened between 8.45 and 8.50am and locked at 9.05am. The school site remains secure throughout the day until the gates are unlocked at 3.00pm.

Health & Safety

In the interests of health and safety the Governors request that no-one visiting the school, including parents collecting or delivering children, bring dogs onto the premises. Also, in the interest of safety, cycling, scooters, skateboards and roller skates are all prohibited in the school grounds.

Parents/Carers must take full responsibility for all children in their care in the periods before and after the school day - closely supervising them at all times.

In line with the latest no smoking legislation the school operates a ‘Smoke Free’ policy in the school building and school grounds.

Admissions

The school year is from 1^st September to 31^st August. Children are entitled to start school in the academic year in which they become five years of age but legally they do not have to start school until the term following their fifth birthday.

In order of priority, school places are offered to:

1. Children with a statement of special educational need which names the school or for whom this is the only school that can meet their long term medical needs.

2. Children living in the catchment area with a sibling at the school at the time of admission.

3. Children living in the catchment area.

4. Children living outside the catchment area who have a sibling at the school at the time of admission.

5. Children living outside the catchment area who have been unable to gain a place at their catchment area school because of oversubscription.

6. Children living outside the catchment area, but nearest the school according to the shortest available travel route.

In cases of equal merit, priority will go first to children who are looked after (i.e. in public care) and then to children living nearest the school according to the shortest available travel route.

In the Summer Term there will be various opportunities for parents and new pupils to visit the school and meet the staff.

The intake of new children into Reception is staggered over the first weeks of the autumn term, with all children attending part time initially. This gradually builds up to full time during the first half of term according to age and readiness. The Reception teacher will be happy to discuss the needs of any particular child with parents.

Childcare Arrangements

Before and after school childcare is available locally at The Oaks Before and After School Club, based at the Methodist Church and from various childminders in Over and the surrounding villages. Details can be found at the end of the Prospectus.

Equal Opportunities

Equality of opportunity at Over School means that all children, taking account of gender, age, ability, disability, ethnic origin, faith, culture, social circumstance and sexual orientation have full access to all the curricular, pastoral and social opportunities offered by the school. It also means that all members of the school community, including staff, parents and governors, enjoy equal access to all opportunities. We aim to provide equality for all; to foster respect for, and understanding of, the differences between individuals and communities; and to celebrate the individuality of each person and the diversity of the school community. The policy underpins the school’s aims and ethos and provides a framework for ensuring that all procedures and practices are inclusive and equitable.

The school will take steps to:

· Promote equality of opportunity

· Promote racial equality and good race relations

· Oppose all forms of prejudice and discrimination

School Dress

School uniform for primary age children is not compulsory, but we do encourage it as far as possible. Please choose from the following:

Skirts/pinafores/trousers– grey, black or navy (no jeans please).

Shirts/blouses/polo shirts – white or jade.

Jumpers/cardigans/sweatshirts – navy or jade.

Summer dresses – blue or green and white,

plain, checks or stripes.

Footwear – ‘sensible’ shoes – no high heels or backless shoes please.

Jewellery should not be worn to school and children with pierced ears should wear studs.

P.E. Kit

All children must have a change of clothing for P.E.

Indoors – Navy or white shorts/gym skirt/leotard; plain white T-shirt/polo shirt; plimsolls or trainers.

Outdoors – As for indoor P.E. plus jogging bottoms and a jumper/sweatshirt for very cold weather. If football boots are appropriate for some aspects of games, children will be told by the class teacher. Girls wearing tights for school will need a pair of socks to change into for P.E.

In accordance with Local Authority Health and Safety guidance, earrings may not be worn during P.E. lessons. As we are not allowed to take out or put in children’s earrings, it is advisable for you to send your child to school without earrings on P.E. days. Studs in newly pierced ears must be covered with protective tape.

We recommend P.E. kit is brought in a named drawstring bag as cloakroom space is limited and sports bags are not easy to store.

Swimming – In the Summer Term – one piece swimming costume/trunks, towel and plastic bag (armbands if your child normally uses these).

Art

To protect clothing when your child is painting or modelling, an adult’s shirt with elastic in the cuffs, worn back to front, makes an ideal art smock.

Polo shirts, sweatshirts and waterproof fleeces are all available with or without the school logo, through the PTA. Order forms are available in the school office.

Lost Property

Lost property is stored in a unit at the front of the main hall. From time to time this will be laid out after school and what remains will be disposed of. Mislaid valuables are kept in the school office.

Naming all personal property, especially items of clothing, significantly increases the likelihood of things being returned to their rightful owner!

Order forms for name labels are available at the school office.

School Meals

School dinners are cooked in our own kitchen which is run by Cambridge Catering Service. There is a varied selection of healthy main courses and desserts each day. The menus comply with all recent legislation and follow a 3 week cycle. Printed menus are sent home at the beginning of each half-term so that you can help your child make an appropriate selection. Meals must be paid for in advance £1.85 a day, £9.25 a week.

The kitchen staff are very flexible and dinners may be taken on different days each week as long as we know in advance.

Please send dinner money to school on Mondays - in a sealed envelope, with your child’s name, class and the meal requirements for the week.

Parents are most welcome to have dinner with their children on any day of the week. Pay and order on Monday - as for children’s meals. Please arrive at school at the beginning of the lunch break – 12.00pm and take your child in to the first sitting. When you have both finished eating we ask you to say your goodbyes and leave your child to enjoy the rest of the lunch break with their friends.

School meals must be ordered by 10.00am each day. If your child has an appointment which means s/he will arrive at school after 10.00am, please let as know in advance so that a meal can be ordered.

Free school meals are available for families in receipt of Income Support, an income –based Job Seeker’s Allowance or other eligible benefits. Please ask for details at the school office. For both you and your child this will be dealt with sensitively and confidentially.

Children may bring packed lunches to school. These are eaten in the school hall under the supervision of our lunchtime supervisors. Lunch boxes should be clearly named to avoid confusion.

A drink is essential but in the interests of safety, please do not send these in glass bottles. Water is available in the dinner hall. It is very helpful for younger children to have fruit peeled and cut into manageable pieces.

Our School Food Policy which complies with the Government’s food-based standards, does not allow sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks at break or lunchtime, so please do not include these in packed lunches. A chocolate biscuit (e.g. Kit-Kat) is acceptable as a dessert.

Breaktime Snacks

Children may bring a snack of fresh or dried fruit, vegetables, plain biscuits or cheese for break time. This should not be inside packed lunch boxes as children do not have access to these before lunch time.

Milk

Milk (semi-skimmed - in line with latest government food standards) can be bought at school for morning breaktime - 15p a day for 1/3pt. This must be paid for half-termly in advance, at the school office. (Separate cheque or cash in a named envelope.) Milk will be distributed to classes before KS1 snack time.

National School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

Each child in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 is entitled to receive a FREE piece of fruit or vegetable each school day.

Snack Time

Foundation and Key Stage 1 classes have snack time before morning break. The aim of this is to encourage more children to eat their fruit and drink their milk, as they will then be able to use play-time for playing.

Water

We are aware of the positive effects of regularly drinking water, on health and well-being. Children may bring water to school in a sports bottle which may be kept in the classroom for easy access during lessons, subject to the following rules –

· all bottles must be named

· plain water only

· no sharing of bottles

· no drinking when the teacher is talking

· drink quietly, without a fuss

Secondary Transfer

Children normally transfer to secondary school in the September following their eleventh birthday. A booklet setting out transfer arrangements will be sent to you during your child’s final year at primary school. Most children from Over Primary School transfer to Swavesey Village College. Staff from the village college visit us to talk to staff and meet with the children prior to transfer. Children in Year 6 transferring to the village college take part in various transition activities in school and at the village college, towards the end of the Summer Term.

These include:

· a ‘Science Key Skills Day’ visit,

· 2 consecutive induction day visits,

· completion of Y6/7 transition units of work.

Information about Swavesey Village College can be found on their website at:

www.swaveseyvc.cambs.sch.uk

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