General Information

Mission Statement

Quote

Admissions Policy

Induction for new reception children and their families.

Policy for children with Special Educational Needs.

Arrangements to visit the school

Information about Cheddar Valley Schools

Management Structure

School Uniform

PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Times of the school day

Arrival at school

Departure from school

Class Structure 2007/8

How to make a complaint

Health and Welfare

Giving Medicine

Asthma

Illness

Accidents

General Information

Welcome to our school prospectus. We hope that the information contained within this folder provides you with a picture of what we do and what we stand for here at Mark C of E VC First School The pages on this side of the folder give you general information and the ones on the other side outline our aims and ethos. Please feel free to contact the school at anytime if you have any questions that have not been answered here.  

 

Back to top

Mission Statement

.We aim to secure a happy safe environment where everyone feels valued and is able to develop their full potential. Back to top

Quote

‘Mark Church of England VC First school has a very good ethos, which is distinctively Christian of which staff, pupils and governors are justly proud, and with well established church links. The school is a very welcoming community with a strong family feeling, displaying caring attitudes and very good relationships amongst all who work and learn there.’

 

                               Section 23 Inspection 2003.

 

 

Back to top

Admissions Policy

We are a one-form entry first school, our total number on role at present is 146. Children can join our school at anytime after the September before they are five and leave in the July of the academic year that they are nine.

 

 

 

Children are admitted to the school according to the criteria below, in the September before their fifth birthday. Preference is given in this order:

 

 

 

·        Children who live in the catchment area with an older sibling at the school at the time of admission, and who live at the same address.

 

·        Children living in the catchment area.

 

·        Children living outside the catchment area, with an older sibling at the school at the time of admission, and who live at the same address.

 

Children who are practising members of the Church of England. Where necessary this may be conformed with a member of local clergy

Back to top

Induction for new reception children and their families.

Close liaison exists between the school and the local playgroups and every effort is made to make the transition to school a happy one. Pre school children can attend school for one session a week and join us for playtime and assembly during the summer term. WE aim to introduce both you and your child to the school in the first few weeks of the Autumn term, holding ‘Learning through play sessions, Literacy and Numeracy workshops and individual parent consultations. We have no set policy for when a child should start full time, preferring to follow the needs of the individual child. Children can start full time education from the week before the October half term, coming mornings only before that.

 

Back to top

Policy for children with Special Educational Needs.

Children with specific or general learning difficulties are identified as early as possible so that they may receive help from our Special Educational Needs Assistant and be part of targeted groups within the classroom. Our Special Educational Needs Assistant works with the class teacher to provide additional support through a range of remedial and practice activities. 

 

 

 

Children can be referred for special help by the class teacher or the parent who refers the child to the headteacher. Once the child has been identified s/he will be monitored by the assessment procedure advised by the County Special Needs Advisors.  Parents will be involved in the assessment and will be kept informed at all times of the date their child is due for review and the progress s/he is making. When appropriate the help of the county Special Needs Advisory Teacher, the Speech Therapist and the Educational Psychologists will be enlisted, always with the knowledge and consent of the parents.

 

 

 

Children who have been identified as having a specific need before entry to school are inducted in the normal way with the addition of a ‘ School Entry Plan’ which outlines any special arrangements that might have to be made and is discussed at a special meeting with all agencies involved. 

 

 

Back to top

Arrangements to visit the school

You are welcome to come and look around the school at anytime, meeting the headteacher, staff and children. Please contact the school office to arrange this.

 

 

 

We hold two open morning s during the year, one in the Autumn term and one in the Spring term, when you are also welcome to come and have a tour of the school with the older children as your hosts and guides. Please contact the school office for details.

 

  

 

‘Mark Church of England VC First School is a very popular school that provides good education for its pupils. It has a number of specific strengths. Very committed staff at all levels are successful at maintaining and raising academic standards while providing an interesting and relevant curriculum. Staff know and value each pupil as an individual and consequently provide very effective care, guidance and support for them all’’. OFSTED 2007

Back to top

Information about Cheddar Valley Schools

The Cheddar Valley group of schools serves an area stretching from Lympsham and East Brent in the west to Wedmore in the east, up to the Avon boundary in the north and down the A38 to Biddisham.  This area is part of the Sedgemoor District of Somerset, largely agricultural with other points of employment in Bridgwater, Wells, Glastonbury, Street, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol.

 

 

 

In 1976 the schools were re-organised into a three tier system of 9 First Schools for ages 4-9, two Middle Schools for ages 9-13 and an Upper School for ages 13-18.  The Middle Schools are Fairlands in Cheddar and Hugh Sexey in Blackford.  The Upper School, Kings of Wessex is also in Cheddar.

 

East Brent                                                       Cheddar First

 

Lympsham                                                      Axbridge

 

Mark                                                                Shipham

 

Weare                                                             Draycott &  Rodney Stoke

 

Hugh Sexey Middle                                         Fairlands Middle

 

 

 

Kings of Wessex Upper School

 

 

 

Traditionally Axbridge, Cheddar, Draycott and Rodney Stoke and Shipham First schools transfer pupils to the purpose built Fairlands Middle School.  Wedmore, Weare, Mark, East Brent and Lympsham First Schools transfer to Hugh Sexey Middle School at Blackford, on the site of the original grammar school which was extended and adapted to its new role.

 

 

 

The Kings of Wessex Upper School is on the site of a Saxon palace.  It is a modern building and the focal point of our schools system in the Cheddar Valley.  Strong ties exist between all the schools, Heads and staff meet frequently to exchange views and help keep the high standard for which the area is known.  The Upper School has a large sixth form and has an enviable reputation of success for pupils of all ability levels.

 

 

 

Special provision exists for children with hearing impairment throughout the age range.  Great care is also taken of those with learning difficulties.  Records are kept in detail of childrens' progress and passed on from school to school. Many of the first schools are small, providing very caring communities where every pupils needs are met in some detail.  The larger schools have good systems of pastoral care so that even in the largest unit - our upper school - each child is known, courses are planned to meet his or her needs and support is available whenever required by the individual.

 

 

 

Parents contribute a great deal throughout the area and the Heads all appreciate the active co-operation of the parents in the education of their children and the provision of extra facilities.

 

 

 

Parents moving into the area and longer established families may quite properly choose to which school they send their children.   Undoubtedly the vast majority of families find themselves very well served by the nearest first school and its middle school and also by the upper school to which pupils travel from the whole catchment area.

 

 

Back to top

Management Structure

Management Structure – Teaching

 

Local Education Authority

 

Governors Chair – Mr Graham Ross (Parent)   Vice-Chair: Ms J Biggadike (Parent)   Ms Lesley Stepehson  (LEA)   Mr S Rogers (MLA)   Mr J Fear (Dioceses)   Mr J Francis (PCC)   Mr J Pickles   Mr S Tutt (Parent)   Mr M Tatton (Parent)   Mrs G Soffe (Parent)   Mrs K Moncrieff (PCC)   Mrs M Skeen (Staff)   Mrs C Girling (Teacher)   Miss W Nelder (Headteacher)
Headteacher   Miss W M Nelder   Assistant Headteacher   Mrs F Robertson
Class Teachers Mrs C Girling   Miss N Lewis   Mrs K Constable   Mrs A Yates Mrs F Robertson   Miss Bradley   Mrs A Leaback
Classroom Assistants Mrs Mason   Mrs Oughton   Mrs Howe   Mrs Skeen   Mrs Reason   Mrs George   Mrs Voit   Mrs Stockwell	Lunchtime Supervisors   Mrs Winn   Mrs Gregory   Mrs Jones   Mrs Panayi   Mrs Cotton   Mrs Stockwell	AEN/SENCO Mrs C Brierley       Office Staff   Mrs S Pickering   Mrs S Riley

Back to top

School Uniform

Girls

Winter Grey pinafore dress or skirt

 

white blouse

 

royal blue cardigan or jumper or school sweat shirt*, or cardigan*

 

school tie*

 

white or grey socks or tights

 

 

 

Summer         small blue/white check dress

 

white socks

 

 

 

Boys

Winter Grey trousers

 

grey or white shirt

 

royal blue jumper or sweat shirt*

 

school tie*

 

grey socks

 

 

 

Summer         grey shorts, short sleeved mid-blue polo shirt*

 

 

 

No coloured trainers please

 

 

 

Book Bags and Water Bottles and High Visibility Waist Coats are available from school office*

 

 

 

 

 

P.E. KIT         (Essential for Safety)

 

 

 

1 pair gym shoes (elastic fastening preferred for younger children)

 

1 white school P. E. shirt*

 

1 pair navy blue shorts

 

1 school drawstring bag* for carrying  these

 

 

 

*These items available from school only.

 

 

 

EVERYTHING  NAMED  PLEASE

 

 

 

Jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces and watches should not be worn for P.E. and ear studs are the only type of earring to be allowed.   Children can wear a simple watch which should be removed for P.E.   Please keep hair slides plain and simple and we discourage the use of hair gel.

 

 

Back to top

PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

There is an active PTA which supports Mark First School.   As a parent with a child/children attending the school you are automatically a member, and are welcome at any of our meetings.

 

 

 

To make organisation easier we work with a committee of 10-15 people made up of parents and teachers.   This "committee" is elected at the A.G.M. usually held in September or October.   The committee meets approximately every half term in the school.   We have a Chairperson, treasurer and secretary but the meetings are very informal and a good opportunity for parents to get together.

 

 

 

Our main task is fund raising to improve and enhance the facilities for OUR children. In recent years the AGM has voted to ask for a small voluntary contribution from each family each term.

 

 

 

We also try to arrange different sorts of events to appeal to all tastes and ages.   This social contact with parents and the rest of the community is very valuable.

 

 

 

The financial support we are able to give the school has recently helped the school purchase new books, musical instruments, a digital camera, and computers.  

 

Back to top

Times of the school day

School starts at 8.55am and ends at 3.30pm

 

Children have a 20 minute break in the morning.

 

Key stage one children have lunch at 12noon until 1.20pm.

 

Key stage two children have lunch at 12.20pm until 1.20pm. 

 

 

 

Children start the day with ‘Wake up and Shake’ in the playground!

Back to top

Arrival at school

All children should arrive between 8.40a.m. and 8.55 a.m.    We can accept no responsibility for supervising children before this. Please drop them off so that they can come into school independently through the front gates.  If you need to come into school with your child please ensure that you do not obstruct the free passage of other vehicles.   Please feel free to use the car park at the rear of the school if you intend to stay more than a few moments, or are dropping off reception children, (first term only).    Please try to leave your departure until after 9.00 a.m. in this case, so as not to impede incoming traffic in the narrow lane.   Please do not stop your car on the yellow zig-zags or park in front of the gates.

 

Back to top

Departure from school

All children should be collected from their classrooms at 3.30pm. Please find a place to park outside the school, leaving the lay-by and zig-zag lines free. For the safety of all children we advise that you leave enough room on the inside of your car to allow parents and children to return their car without having to walk in the road on the outside of cars.

 

 

 

High Visibility Waistcoats are available to buy from the school office.

 

 

 

We would like to emphasise our view that no child should leave this school unattended unless we have a parents permission in writing, even if they live or are visiting near the school.   If your child is not to be collected by a parent, please notify the school and if possible introduce the class teacher to the person responsible.   This applies even if the child has stayed for an after-school club or activity, which is organised by or on behalf of the school, and is for the child's safety and protection.

Back to top

Class Structure 2007/8

Class                          Approximate Numbers

 

 

 

Reception                  30                   

 

Year 1                         24                                           

 

Year 2                         30

 

Year 3                         31

 

Year 4                         29

 

 

Back to top

How to make a complaint

We hope that any complaints that parents may have can be resolved by the school.  Therefore any complaints, in the first instance, should normally be made to the Headteacher, and it is hoped that in most cases complaints will be dealt with at this informal level.  

 

 

 

If the complaint is still not resolved then the parent should submit his/her complaint in writing to the Clerk to the Governors who will acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and inform the Local Education Authority.   If the matter cannot be resolved by the Governing Body it can be referred in writing to the Local Education Authority which will arrange for an investigation to take place.

 

 

 

We hope that any complaints can be resolved by the parent concerned discussing the matter with an appropriate member of staff.   If you require further information on the procedure full details are available from the school office.

 

 

 

If help or advice is ever required from our County Education Department you will find friendly staff at County Hall Taunton 01823 333451.

 

 

 

If you should need to contact a social worker you should telephone the office at 11 Victoria Street, Burnham-on-Sea 01278 780181.

Back to top

Health and Welfare

As children now receive a pre-school medical carried out by their family doctor, we no longer have in-school medical examinations.   Certain year groups will receive hearing, dental and vision checks from appropriate County personnel.

 

 

 

Unfortunately we have cases of head lice from time to time.   Inspections for head lice are no longer carried out by the School Nurse.   Please check your child's hair regularly and notify us immediately if anything untoward is discovered.   In this way we hope to prevent recurrent infestation which can happen quickly if just one person fails to keep up the routine checking.

 

Back to top

Giving Medicine

We prefer not to administer medicines.  If medicine has to be brought to school it should be in a small dosage container and be clearly labelled with the child's name and dosage and should be handed to the office staff by the parent.  Parents are encouraged to come to school at lunch times to administer the medicine themselves if at all possible.  The staff will endeavour to follow instructions, of course, but the school accepts no responsibility either for remembering or giving the required dosage Back to top

Asthma

As a school we recognise an increasing number of pupils have problems concerning asthma and have inhalers prescribed by their doctor.   If your child has an inhaler please label it with the child's name and any instructions.   It should then be left in a place which is easily accessible e.g. the child's drawer or bag, so that he/she can get it and use it as required.   Please tell the teacher in writing if your child has been prescribed an inhaler and will be bringing it to school, and any instructions which might be helpful to the teacher if your child has an attack in school Back to top

Illness

If your child becomes ill during the school day we will telephone you to collect him/her as we have very limited facilities for nursing someone feeling unwell.   It is important that you give us an up-to-date workplace telephone number if you are likely to be there rather than at home.   Please do not send your child to school if there is any doubt about his/her state of health.

 

Back to top

Accidents

However closely the children are supervised accidents do occasionally happen.   First aid is given if necessary and if a medical opinion or further treatment is considered advisable parents will be contacted immediately.

 

 

Back to top

  Back to top

  Back to top

  Back to top

  Back to top