Bredgar
Church of England
Primary School
Prospectus
Welcome
to Bredgar Church of
England Primary School.
We believe that we should all show respect
for God, for each other and for ourselves.
Bredgar Church of England Primary School is a
caring community underpinned by a strong Christian
ethos. It is our aim to help each child realise their
full potential, by promoting the highest Christian and
educational values in all aspects of school life.
We believe that each child must be valued as a
person who has an equal right to our care, time and
professional attention as a reflection of God’s love for
that child.
Our purpose is to provide a secure and happy learning
environment where all members of our school
community are valued as individuals and where their
achievements are recognised and celebrated.
Our aim is to fully develop and educate the whole
child, preparing them for the future.
2
Contents
School Details
4
School Meals
Our School
4
Admissions11
The School Day
4
Organisation11
Religious Education
5
Discipline12
Collective Worship
5
Uniform12
The Curriculum
6
Equipment13
10
Sport7
Pupil Welfare
Swimming7
Medicines14
Homework8
Charging for School Activities
Assessment8
Problems15
Parental and Community Involvement 9
Where are we?
Extended School Activities
14
15
16
9
3
School Details
Bredgar Church of
England Primary School
Bexon Lane,
Bredgar,
Sittingbourne,
Kent.
ME9 8HB
Tel. 01622 884359
www.bredgar.kent.sch.uk
Our School
The School Day
Bredgar is a small Voluntary Aided Church of
England Primary School. The original buildings
date from 1868 and stand in the centre of the
village of Bredgar, between the parish church and
the village hall. The village lies about two and a
half miles South West of Sittingbourne.
The school day begins at 09.00, after morning
bell at 8.55, with the morning session finishing at
12.15.
Extensive building work was completed in 2005
and we now have four classrooms, a library, and a
small teaching room. In addition a new reception
area and office block were completed in 2010
along with a staff room and meeting room above
the classrooms in the extension.
Total teaching time each week for the Bears and
Butterflies, is 22.5 hours.
For the Badgers 23 hours, and the Beavers 23.5
hours.
There is gated access to our environmental
garden and pond behind the Y5/6 classroom.
We are very proud of our school garden that is
maintained by the Gardening Club.
During the academic year there are five days
allocated for staff training. These are called Staff
Development Days and the children do not attend
school.
We also have a one-third acre playing field
between the school playground and the village
hall with a hard surfaced footpath linking the two
buildings with gates at either end.
For Staff Development dates in the school
year see the document “Term Dates” in the
“Additional Documents” folder.
The hall is used for whole school worship, P.E,
drama, serving lunches and other activities. At
the end of the school field, is a Health and Fitness
activity area.
4
The afternoon session starts at 13.15 and ends at
15.15 for the Bear class, 15.20 for the Butterfly
Class, 15.25 for the Badgers, and 15.30 for the
Beavers.
Religious Education
The Education Reform Act 1988, requires that
school should provide a broad and balanced
curriculum, including the spiritual and moral
development of pupils.
Religious Education is specifically concerned
with spiritual and moral development and seeks
to explore responses to questions about God
and Humanity, good and evil, forgiveness and
salvation, life and death and especially meaning
and purpose. The Act states that Religious
Education must be taught to all pupils.
The Act makes provision for parents to
withdraw their child from all or part of Religious
Education. Any child so withdrawn will work
with another class. However, we would hope
that enrolment of a child in a Church of England
Aided school demonstrates commitment to the
religious principles of the Church of England.
We ask that they discuss this fully with the head
teacher before making a decision.
As a Church school, we give RE high priority in
the curriculum. It is taught for 0.5 hours a week
in the Foundation Stage, for 1 hour a week in Key
Stage 1 and for 1.25 hours a week in Key Stage 2.
Our RE follows the REact Kent Agreed Syllabus
2006, as required by law. This focuses mainly on
Christianity, with Hinduism and Judaism at Key
Stage 1 and Judaism, Islam and Sikhism at Key
Stage 2.
We use the scheme of work devised by
Canterbury Diocese for Church of England
schools, and recommended by Rochester
Diocese. These documents may be seen at the
school, along with our RE policy statement.
The syllabus reflects the fact that religious
traditions in Great Britain are mainly Christian,
but provides knowledge and understanding of
other faiths in order to encourage attitudes of
respect and tolerance towards those whose beliefs
are different. As we are an aided school, we have
a separate RE Ofsted inspection. A copy of our
most recent inspection report can be acquired
from the school office or is available on our
website
Collective
Worship
In accordance with the Education Reform Act
(1988), every child has the opportunity to take
part in a daily act of worship, the aim of which
is to involve all children. However, the Act also
gives parents the right to withdraw children from
acts of collective worship and any children so
withdrawn, work in another part of the school
under the supervision of a classroom assistant
at this time. Worship takes the form of Whole
School Assembly once per week and five
minute acts of worship on the other four days.
Attendance at special services is also encouraged.
5
The Curriculum
This is an “LEA Partnership School” and
follows the Kent Curriculum Guidelines. All
children in state schools follow the National
Curriculum, which consists of the core subjects
of: Maths, English, Science, R.E., and I.T and
the foundation subjects of Technology, History,
Geography, Music, Art and Physical Education.
The core curriculum is taught through a specific,
subject based approach. The foundation subjects
are sometimes taught through cross-curricular
topics in KS1 , but more often from subject based
topics at KS2. In addition to specific teaching
the core curriculum is taught where appropriate
through topic work.
The curriculum is planned by teaching through
programmes of work, which are structured to
match the progress of individual pupils with
particular regard being given to those children
who have identified special educational needs.
The schemes of work also identify strategies
for teaching different parts of the curriculum ie,
whole class, small groups or individually.
A Policy Statement for Special Educational
Needs will be found in the “Additional
Documents” folder.
6
Objectives, called attainment targets, define the
work the pupils will cover at each stage of their
education. There are four stages in The National
Curriculum. These are called Key Stages.
Key Stage 1 - from 5 to 7 years
Key Stage 2 - from 7 to 11 years.
Key Stage 3 - from 11 to 14 years.
Key Stage 4 - from 14 to 16 years.
Sport
Swimming
The aims of Physical Education are to develop
the ability of all pupils to move safely, effectively
and efficiently and understand what they are
doing and how it is achieved. We aim to promote
understanding of the benefit of exercise and a
healthy lifestyle. Pupils will develop their gross
and fine motor skills, extending and refining their
control and co-ordination and practising these
skills in small-sided team games.
Swimming tuition for KS2 pupils takes place
at the Swallows Leisure Centre. We have one
member of staff who is a fully trained swimming instructor and we employ one external
swimming instructor. We request a voluntary
donation in order to cover the cost of tuition,
entrance to the pool and transport from the
pool back to school.
Apart from the school’s own playing field and
playground, use is made of the Village Hall and
Recreation Ground for sport and games.
Children are taught sport for 2 hours per week.
At the junior level 6% of total (ie all subject)
teaching time is given over to team games and
4% to individual sporting activities.
Occasional inter-school team games take place
after school and our Year 6 children also engage
in a sports day with children from other small
local schools.
Members of our staff have attended training
courses in the teaching of rugby, short tennis,
netball, basket ball, swimming, dance and Top
Gymnastics and lead extra curricular clubs
along with the local sports partnership teachers
(SSCOs).
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Homework
Assessment
The parents of younger children in particular are
encouraged to read with their children at home on
a daily basis. A carefully structured programme
of work, suited to individual need will be fully
explained.
At the ages of 7 and 11 children are tested to
assess how they are performing relative to
the National expectations. These assessments
illustrate how much progress children
are making and highlight when they need
additional support.
Although homework is not compulsory for the
younger children, older children often enjoy
the involvement of parents and family in their
learning and will be given homework on a regular
basis. This can be very beneficial, particularly for
Year Six children. However, great care needs to
be taken to ensure that pupils are not put under
undue pressure and parents are expected to accept
the professional advice of the teacher.
An excessive amount of time should not be
spent on homework by children of this age but
we follow the Government recommendations
of: 1 hour per week in Years 1 & 2; 1 ½ hours a
week in Years 3 & and 30 minutes per night for
years 5/6 (equivalent to 2 ½ hours per week). It
is hoped that many pupils will spend more than
the minimal time suggested, because they enjoy
it. We look for as many ways to include all the
family in homework with specially designed
‘Kitchen Table’ projects.
8
In the Beaver and Badger classes children are
given a homework diary in order to make a note
of homework set and the date due in. Parents are
asked to check and sign homework diaries. A
copy of our Homework Policy may be obtained
from the office and online.
The standardised assessment tasks are
nationally organised and currently in place for 7
and 11 year olds.
7 year olds are tested in Mathematics and
English using teacher assessment. 11 year olds
are tested in English, Mathematics. Schools are
selected for Science sampling otherwise the
school uses internal tracking to assess children
progress in science. The tests for 11 year olds
are marked externally.
Teacher assessment is recorded in all National
Curriculum subjects for both groups of
children. In addition to the statutory testing
of children, assessment is continuous and
guides the content of programmes of work
in accordance with individual progress. The
overall aim of the school is to develop to the
fullest extent the potential of the individual
pupil in the areas of academic achievement,
spiritual, social and personal development. This
aim is affected through the implementation of
a curriculum that is broad, balanced, relevant
to the present and future needs of the child
and appropriate to individual age, aptitude and
ability. It must always be remembered that no
two children are alike and they do not progress
at uniform rates. Children differ in their ability
and aptitude. Personality also influences
development. Our most recent National
Test results can be found in the “Additional
Documents” folder.
Parental and
Community
Involvement
Parents and members of the local community
are actively involved in the life of the school
through our parent teacher association, The
Friends of Bredgar School (FOBS). The school
is particularly fortunate in the level of support
received from parents, Governors and FOBS.
Donations to funds and many hours each week
of voluntary help in the classrooms, enriches
the childrens’ learning environment and makes
an invaluable contribution to the quality of the
curriculum.
There is a very close association with the Parish
Church of St. John The Baptist, most of our
School services are held in the church. The Excite
Group along with Pat Tatchell (Tunstall Parish)
and Graham Nunn (Church army Captian) lead
regular worship sessions for the children and
staff.
Extended School
Activities
A number of extra curricular activities are
available throughout the year which are provided
both by internal staff and external agencies.
Among the clubs we offer are Football, netball,
basketball, street dance and skipping.
Bredgar School offers Breakfast and After School
care in a mobile situated on the back playground
called the `Beehive’. This is an Ofsted registered
Out of School provision. Details about this
provision can be obtained from the school.
9
School Meals
School Lunch:A hot, two course meal is available. This is
provided by a contract caterer and cooked in a
large local primary school. Money should be
paid weekly in advance, on Monday morning or
the first day after a school holiday. Weekly cash
payments should be placed in an envelope clearly
marked `Dinner Money’ with the child’s name,
class and amount on the front. Unfortunately
Eden no longer accept cheques. Dinners cannot
be ordered without prior payment.
Some children are entitled to free school meals.
Contact the School Office for an application
form.
Packed Lunch:Children may bring their own healthy lunch.
Glass containers or canned drinks are not
permitted for safety reasons. Chocolate, sweets
and crisps are discouraged in line with the
governments guidelines on healthy eating. Any
wrappers or remains must be taken home at the
end of the school day.
Lunch boxes should be placed in the designated
lunch box area at the start of each day. Lunch
boxes should be collected again at the end of the
day.
10
Bredgar School supports the Healthy Schools
Initiative and we encourage parents to provide a
plain biscuit/piece of fruit for a snack at morning
break. Children in the Bears and butterfly class
are provided with fruit at morning break as part
of the Free fruit scheme.
School lunches are taken in the Village Hall,
served by a Dining Room assistant. Packed
lunches are eaten in the classrooms supervised
by the Lunchtime Supervisors. There are three
Lunchtime Supervisors on duty. The midday
meal is considered to be a part of the children’s
social training and the staff participate.
You may change the arrangements for your
child’s lunch at the beginning of each school
week, by written request giving at least one
week’s notice.
Admissions
Organisation
The school’s admission policy is based upon the
criteria established by the Canterbury Diocesan
Board of Education. (See Admissions Policy)
Children are admitted to the school in September,
ensuring at least eight terms of infant education.
The Governors and staff firmly believe that the
size of a school has a specific influence on the
quality of the education that can be provided.
The standard number may be exceeded in the
event of new families moving into the parish
of Bredgar, for the admission of the siblings of
pupils already on roll or to maintain a financially
viable total roll number.
The pupils are grouped into four classes, which
are identified as: Bears, Butterflies, Badgers and
Beavers. They include age ranges as follows:-
Parents who would like to know more about the
school should telephone to make an appointment
to talk with the headteacher. A child to be
enrolled in the reception class will follow an
induction programme of half-day visits, one day a
week, in the half term preceding their enrolment.
The foundation stage staff will also offer home
visits leading up to the child’s admission to
the school. We hold a new parents evening in
May to welcome our new parents and share
vital information which will enable your child’s
transition into Bredgar to be smooth as possible.
Class
Bears
Butterflies
Badgers
Beavers
Year
Foundation
1
2
3
4
5
6
Age
4 to 5 years
5 to 6 years
6 to 7 years
7 to 8 years
8 to 9 years
9 to 10 years
10 to 11 years
Age ranges in the three classes may overlap;
where it is considered appropriate, in order to
meet the particular needs of individual children.
To take the best possible advantage of curricular
expertise, the staff may teach their specialist
subjects in classes other than their own.
Children may also work in a class to which they
are not permanently assigned, in accordance with
any particular strength, weakness or personal
interest.
Children may be taught in whole class or small/
large groups depending on the lesson structure.
11
Discipline
Uniform
Bredgar is a happy school which encourages
the development of a close relationship and
understanding of the individual child and their
family. The rigid observation of a code of
behaviour directed towards the Christian ethic
of concern for the well-being of others, provides
an environment of security in which the least
confident child is able to thrive. The principles
of this code are detailed in the Behaviour and
Discipline Policy. Failure to observe this code is
considered a serious matter and may result in loss
of certain privileges such as recreation, Golden
Time and social activities. Parents are involved
at the on-set of any discipline problems and their
advice and co-operation is given a high priority.
The school colours are royal blue, white and grey.
The school uniform is:
A copy of the Behaviour and Discipline Policy
including the School Rules may be found in
the in the “Additional Documents” folder along
with a copy of the “Home School Agreement”
document.
Grey or Black Trousers or shorts
Grey Skirt or Pinafore
Royal blue sweatshirt or jumper, cardigan or
Fleece
Grey or white socks
Flat black shoes
White long or short sleeved shirt or blouse
or Blue and white checked/striped dress for
summer
It is possible to purchase a good quality,
sweatshirt, cardigan, or fleece, embroidered with
the school crest and a printed school tee shirt and
baseball cap, via www.yourschooluniform.com
(commission is paid to the school for each item
sold).
At all times the pupils should keep a change of
clothes at school for P.E., drama and games. A
plain white (or school) tee shirt and a pair of
dark blue shorts should be provided and a pair
of ordinary plimsolls. Trainers can be used for
outdoor games only. A draw string bag is the
easiest method of storage.
It may be beneficial to provide a tracksuit for
winter games.
All items of clothing and footwear MUST be
clearly marked with the child’s name.
12
Equipment
Basically the school will provide everything that
your child needs. However, if your child is in the
Beaver class or if in any other classes and wishes
to bring in their own resources, then we would
recommend the following:HB Pencil
30 cm Ruler
Felt tip pens and colouring pencils
A simple calculator
A painting/model making/technology/science
apron or shirt
A glue stick eg Pritt stick
Y6 pupils – an ink pen with a medium width
nib, or a Berol handwriting pen.
On starting school, some children may feel the
need of a comfort toy, such as a favourite teddy
or blanket, to help them settle into school.
All children are encouraged to bring to school,
books and items of educational interest related to
work in progress in the classrooms.
The children are not allowed to write with a
ballpoint pen.
Reading book bags and P.E/Swimming bags,
printed with the school name and crest, may be
purchased through FOBS (Friends of Bredgar).
These are useful for both infants and juniors. The
following equipment is also helpful:Painting/model making/technology/science
apron or shirt
Reading book bag, Colouring pencils.
We discourage the children from bringing big
bags to school as they take up too much space
in the cloakroom areas. We would recommend a
small rucksack or sports bag as sufficient.
13
Pupil Welfare
Medicines
Legislation requires that we record the reason for
a child’s absence.
A child who is taking antibiotics is not
sufficiently well to attend school, so please
avoid asking the school to administer medicines.
The legal implications of giving an inaccurate
dose are serious. Wherever it is practicable for
a parent to administer medicine to a child at
school this would be the preferred method. In
some cases of chronic problems such as asthma,
diabetes or epilepsy, arrangements for the school
to administer the treatment may be agreed by
the completion of the appropriate forms and
the signing of an indemnity in favour of the
Headteacher.
Parents should telephone the school on the child’s
first day of absence and send in a written note
when the child returns to school.
Absence is either authorised or unauthorised.
Authorised absence may include sickness, dental
or medical appointments. Any child arriving at
school later than 9.10 am will be recorded as a
late an and therefore an unauthorised absence.
Since September 2010 the Governing Body
have adopted the local authority policy of zero
tolerance toward term time holiday requests. Any
request for leave due to special circumstances,
such as bereavement, should be put in writing to
the head teacher.
As each type of absence has to be recorded in
a different way, it is essential that a telephone
call is received, or a note of explanation is sent
to school when a child is absent. If no note is
received, then parents will be asked to complete
an absence form. Unauthorised absence is either
not notified or for an inappropriate absence.
14
Charging for
Problems
School Activities
The Governors have adopted the County Policy
for charging for school activities. Parents are
asked to make a voluntary contribution to such
activities as educational outings. If payment creates any difficulty for a family, the Headteacher
should be contacted and help will be provided in
most cases. No child should be excluded from
activities because of problems with payment.
Parents should not hesitate to contact the school
if they are concerned about their child’s progress
or happiness. Making an appointment may save
you wasting time and ensure that the problem
will receive undivided attention.
**Copies of any of our school policies are
available from the School Office at a nominal
charge. They can also be downloaded for free
from our website
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Where are we?
A2
Sittingbourne
A249
M2
Oad
Street
M
Tunstall
2
Highsted
ad
Wrens Ro
Bicknor
Primros
e
Lane
Bredgar
Primary
School
South
Green
Milstead
Gore Road
er
Silv
The
Stre
et
et
e
Str
Bredgar
Bredgar
School
Hall
Bexo
n La
16
ne
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