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Ladbrooke JMI School |
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Aims | Staff and Governors
| Location |Contacting the
school | Curriculum| |History
Staff and Governors - Back to top The Governing Body of Ladbrooke School consists of fourteen members. The current Governing Body has the following membership:
School Staffing - Back to top
Support Staff - Back to top
Location - Back to top The school is located in Watkins Rise, which is off The Walk in Potters Bar. A crossing patrol is provided at the junction of Watkins Rise and The Walk at appropriate times during term time. There is no parking on the premises for parents during the normal school day, although parents may park in the adjacent car park which the school shares with Potters Bar Town F.C. Parking is normally provided within the school grounds for functions, which take place at the weekends or in the evenings. Parents should collect their children at the end of the school session from the pedestrian area between the pedestrian entrance, the main entrance and the school car park. There is a pedestrian entrance at the rear of the school which is open from 8.45 a.m. to 9.15 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. only. The school may be entered only via the main entrance and we request that all visitors report to the school office to sign the visitors book and collect a visitors badge before proceeding about their business on the school site. The nursery class has its own entrance. The school grounds consist of two asphalt playgrounds, an outdoor play area for Key Stage 1, a playing field, an area of grass which is used by the children in Key Stage 2 when the season permits and a conservation area. The conservation area is used only under the direction of the staff. How to contact the school - Back to top Parents who are considering sending their child to Ladbrooke are invited to telephone the Secretary and make an appointment to see the Headteacher who will answer any questions they may wish to raise and will show them round the school. Parents currently have to apply separately for places in the nursery and reception classes and it should be noted that attending the nursery class does not guarantee the offer of a reception class place. Children are admitted to the school twice yearly -those with birthdays between 1st September and 29th February join the school in the Autumn term while children with birthdays between 1st March and 31st August join in the Spring term. If the school's nursery or reception class is oversubscribed then the County Council will allocate places according to the following criteria:
We apply these rules in the order that they are printed above. If more children qualify under a particular rule than there are place available, we use a tiebreak by applying the next rule to those children. An application has not been made until the main Hertfordshire application form has been filled in. A child's ability and whether or not the family is resident in Hertfordshire are not factors which are taken into consideration. A Nursery place will be provided for three terms whenever possible but as a result of the distribution of birthdays in any given year it may be possible to offer only two terms to some children. The allocation of two or three term nursery places is made with reference to the Admissions Criteria above. In the event of there being surplus places in the Nursery parents may apply for these places. Parents whose children have been allocated a place will be invited by the Headteacher to make a preliminary visit to the school, with their child, in the term before he/she begins school. Further Communication - Back to top If parents wish to see their child's class teacher or the Headteacher they are always welcome. However, an appointment should be made with the Head or class teacher if this is likely to be anything other than a very brief encounter, so that the normal routine of the school is not disrupted. Consultation evenings take place in the Autumn and Spring terms and a written progress report is made in the Summer term. The school hosts an open evening during the Summer Term when parents have the opportunity to visit the whole school to see the work which goes on in all classes. The active involvement of parents in school is strongly encouraged. Parents organise the school library and help with a wide range of educational activities. They provide transport to and from inter-school sports fixtures and accompany class visits to museums etc. Letters & Flyers from Outside Agencies The school often receives various letters and flyers from organisations, agencies and charities, which we do from time to time send home. This does not mean we are approving or recommending the activity we are only acting as a distributor Absences It is essential that parents inform the school of the reasons for a child's absence from school either personally, by telephone or preferably by letter. The school is required by law to record reasons for absence and is obliged to record unexplained absences as unauthorised absences. Children who arrive late at school are considered to be absent and unless a reasonable explanation is received are categorised as an unauthorised absence. Statistics concerning unauthorised absences must be published for each year group in the school. In the last reported year (2004/2005) the unauthorised absence rate was 0.1% of all possible attendances, while the authorised absence rate was 5.2%. The total number of pupils on roll for at least one session during 2004/2005 was 180. School Library There are libraries in each wing of the school which serve Key Stages 1 and 2 respectively. The school libraries are organised by parent volunteers. Children are encouraged to borrow books for up to two weeks from the library. Parents are asked to ensure that the books are looked after and returned safely to school at the appropriate time. In the event of books being lost or badly damaged a charge is made equivalent to the cover price of the book to assist in its replacement. Responsibility Book If parents remove their child from school during a school session, we request that you indicate the reason for this in the responsibility book kept in the Office, so that we are aware of the absence of any pupil should the need arise for this information (e.g. in the case of a fire drill). Holidays during School Time Parents should not arrange holidays in term time. Absence from school for this reason will not be authoriseunless under exceptional circumstances. Illness & Medication If your child is taken ill at school we will contact you to request that he/she should be taken home. Although the school has a medical room, children who are "under the weather" feel much happier in comfort at home. In principle no medication (with the exception of inhalers) should be brought to school but where this is unavoidable it should be given, clearly marked with the child's name and the dosage required, to the Welfare Assistant. Parents should also accompany this medicine with a note requesting that the school administer the medicine on their behalf. Under no circumstances should children be given medication to administer themselves. Please note that the school will only administer prescribed medicines. Medicals In the year children join the Reception class they have a vision, hearing and growth check carried out by the School Medical Service nurse. Full medicals for which parents are required to be present are carried out on a selective basis only, although parents may request a full school medical. The basis for this selection is the medical forms completed by parents and the school after the child's first term. Occasionally re-inspections may be carried out later in the child's school career if there is felt to be a need for this. The school also receives termly visits from the school nurse, who will discuss any problems concerning the child's well being if requested. Collecting your child At the end of the day Key Stage 1 parents should wait by the classroom exits to collect their children. Key Stage 2 parents should wait in the pedestrian area between the main entrance, car park and pedestrian entrance to collect their children. For safety reasons we ask that you leave by the pedestrian entrance and not through the main vehicle entrance even if the gates are open. Car parking for parents at the beginning and end of the school day is provided in the car park we share with Potters Bar Town Football Club. Parents should not wait in their cars on Watkins Rise as this creates congestion and on no account should parents park in the car park of Mayfair Lodge Elderly Persons Home. Parents are permitted to use the pick-up area in the main school car park if they are collecting their children during the school day. At the beginning and end of the school day the rear pedestrian gate is open for approximately half an hour to allow parents to use that route if they so wish. School day
Assemblies The daily assembly at Ladbrooke assumes a variety of forms. The majority of assemblies are based on a Christian or moral theme and normally include a hymn and prayer. We also use assemblies to explain the festivals of other major faiths and once a week we celebrate the children's achievements in assembly. The children lead assemblies from time to time and parents are invited to attend these occasions. Parents may approach the Headteacher for details of any arrangements, which could be made to enable their child not to attend religious worship or religious instruction if they so wish. Assembly timetable
Curriculum - Back to top The overall aim of the curriculum at Ladbrooke is to provide children with their National Curriculum entitlement through a broad-based challenging curriculum. The National Curriculum consists of three core subjects, (English, Maths, Science) and six foundation subjects (Art, Technology, History, Geography, Music, P.E.) at Key Stages 1 and 2. In addition the school must ensure that Religious Education is included in the basic curriculum. Subjects are taught as discrete subjects and/or as part of a structured topic as appropriate. In all subject areas teachers plan and follow carefully prepared schemes of work designed to meet the needs of children as individuals and the requirements of the National Curriculum. Individualised or modified programmes of work are provided for children who are very able or who have learning difficulties if appropriate. English
The school follows a carefully prepared scheme designed to meet the needs of the children as individuals and the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy. Full use is made of a broadly resourced reading scheme that uses Ginn 360 as a basic core. Positive provision is made for the able reader in the well stocked Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Libraries and individual class book collections. The school places emphasis on the early formation of clear, well defined cursive writing and supports this with the Cripps Handwriting Scheme. The children are encouraged to take a pride in their work by its frequent display. Word processing skills are developed from Key Stage 1. Great importance is placed on lucid written language and the formation of skills needed to communicate ideas appropriately in different situations (Poetry, narrative, factual writing, letters etc.). Areas covered include Grammar, Comprehension and Spelling. Science
All children in the school follow a topic based programme designed to deliver Science as a core subject. Each class studies six science topics each year, often within a cross-curricular approach and with an emphasis on practical work. Maths
Mathematics at Ladbrooke has as its framework the National Numeracy Strategy which is supported by the Collins Mathematics Scheme. This is supplemented by a programme of activities and investigations. The school uses a range of formal and informal approaches with the emphasis on individual achievement. Use is made of computers in school, with particular emphasis on data handling. The school is well supplied with calculators which are used from year 5. Parental participation in this area of the curriculum is encouraged and great value is placed on the work that can be done, particularly with tables. Music All classes undertake basic music lessons, which cover singing, music appreciation and simple composition. History and Geography Our aim in History and Geography is to enable children to acquire information and knowledge of the world in which they live. History and Geography are taught as distinct parts of cross-curricular topics, which are carefully planned to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. Technology Technology, which includes Information Technology, is taught throughout the school. Each classroom is equipped with a computer and there is a wide range of software to support this. Practical design and making activities, which aim to challenge the child at an appropriate level, are used throughout the school. Children are also taught to use a number of simple tools in order to carry out this work. Art A wide range of skills is taught to the children in order to enable them to express themselves through a range of media including drawing, painting, printing, collage and sculpture. They are also introduced to the art of Western Europe and other cultures through the use of reproductions and artefacts. R.E The aim of Religious Education at Ladbrooke School is to provide a programme of study, which will enable the child to learn about:
It is our intention that the study of religious education should be approached by our children in an open enquiring manner which should encourage an understanding of different religions, their followers and customs and make them aware of prejudice. The basis for religious education at Ladbrooke is the Hertfordshire document 'Recognising Achievement in Religious Education' which has been interpreted as a series of modules which form the programme of study. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education but are asked to discuss this decision with the Headteacher before doing so. Sex Education Sex education is covered as part of the Science and Health Education curricula at Ladbrooke and occurs in topics such as Myself, the Human Body etc. During year 4 the current B.B.C Sex Education broadcasts are seen and discussed. Parents are invited to preview these videos. At any stage of the child's school career questions appertaining to sexual matters are answered frankly but with careful regard given to the age of the listeners. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from certain aspects of Sex Education but are requested to discuss this decision with the Headteacher before doing so. P.E
Broadly speaking our P.E lessons, which are planned according to the child's state of development and abilities, cover games skills, educational gymnastics, swimming and movement. Extra Curricular Activities - Back to top The school currently offers the following extra-curricular activities,:- Badminton, Cricket, Netball, Football (boys & girls), The school's representative teams are selected from the members of these school clubs. The teams play friendly matches against other schools. In addition the school participates in the Herts Schools Badminton Tournament, the Mount Grace Boys and Girls Soccer Tournaments, the Potters Bar Schools 7 a side soccer tournament and the Legros Netball Tournament. The Key Stage 2 children take part in the annual Oakmere Mini Marathon. The school holds a Sports Day, which is activity based and where the emphasis is on the maximum level of participation for each child. The Key Stage 1 children are organised into teams, which compete for the infants sports trophy, and the Key Stage 2 children compete in House teams for the Inter House trophy. The school occasionally awards the Martin Cup for outstanding sporting achievement. Homework Every encouragement is given to supportive work at home but children are not expected to take school text books and exercise books home to do repetitive exercises that might be of only limited value. In Key Stage 2 the older children receive four pieces of homework each week. These are spellings and tables to learn and an English exercise and one other exercise each week. The maximum amount of time spent on any single homework exercise should be half an hour. We hope that parents will enrich their children's experience in school through discussion and extension of the material presented during the busy school day. Close co-operation is fostered between teaching staff and parents particularly in the teaching of reading. At the beginning of Key Stage 1 parents are issued with a notebook that goes to and fro between teacher and parents containing helpful comments. School Journeys All classes make educational visits to places of interest. In year 4 the children visit Cuffley Camp and in year 6 a school journey takes them further afield. Parents are asked to make a voluntary contribution to defray the cost of School Journeys and Class Visits to places of educational interest in accordance with the Educational Reform Act 1988. Without this support these activities would not be viable. Special Needs - Back to top Ladbrooke is committed to providing all of our pupils with their National Curriculum entitlement and meeting their all round needs. Pupils who give cause for concern are usually identified through the routine processes of classroom observation, assessment and recording in the first instance. In 2003 17 pupils were assessed as being at stage 2 or above on the Special Needs Code of Practice. The school received £8883 in the 2003/04 budget share for Special Needs provision. This funding will offset some of the costs of special needs provision in terms of staffing and resources. Parents with concerns about their child's development are encouraged to discuss this with the school. When the school has identified a pupil with needs at Code of Practice Stage 2 or above an individual education plan (IEP) will be drawn up to detail the steps which will be taken to meet the child's individual needs. Currently the school uses Mrs. Francis, our part-time teacher, as Special Needs Co-ordinator. The Special Needs Co-ordinator administers special needs in the school and is responsible for organising appropriate support for children identified as having special needs. This support may take the form of an amended curriculum which the child may undertake in the mainstream classroom or a programme of work carried out on a withdrawal basis, with support from the Special Needs Co-ordinator, welfare assistant or other adult helper. In addition to the Special Needs Co-ordinator the school employs two classroom assistants, part of whose role is to support children with non-statemented special needs. If the child's needs are not being met by the IEP then further IEPs will be drawn up. If this is unsuccessful in meeting the child's needs the school will seek advice from outside agencies such as the Learning Support Service. If necessary children may be referred to the Educational Psychologist and finally, subject to the Educational Psychologist's advice, may proceed to a statement of special educational need, which could result in a number of specific forms of support being offered. If a child is identified as being very able the school adopts the same policy as in the case of any child with special needs. The school currently employs a part time teacher to provide some support for very able children on one morning per week. It should be stressed that the school's policy is that none of these steps take place without parents being consulted from the earliest possible stage and throughout the process. The school maintains a small library of information regarding special needs and will offer whatever support we are able to parents of children with special needs. Lunches- Back to top At present we have a cafeteria service at school offering the children a wide choice of hot meals and salads including a vegetarian dish. Apply to the office for the current price. The majority of parents pay by cheque for the meals half a term in advance; credits for absence are deducted from the next half-term. Cheques should be made payable to Hertfordshire County Council. Alternatively cash may be brought at the beginning of each week. Children may bring a packed lunch if preferred. Packed lunches, which are eaten under supervision in the main hall with the other children at lunchtime, may not contain hot soup or drinks (hot or cold), chocolate bars (e.g. Milky Way, Mars etc.) or sweets but may contain chocolate biscuits (Twix, Kit Kat). Water is provided for drinking. Snacks may not be taken from the child's lunch box at other times. A fortnight's notice is required if parents wish a child to change from school lunch to packed lunch or vice versa. Milk Key Stage 1 & 2 children may take milk but it is paid for in advance and no refund is made for absences. Nursery children and those children in receipt of free school meals are entitled to milk free of charge. School Uniform - Back to top School uniform is an essential part of the ethos of Ladbrooke School and we expect pupils to conform to the following details precisely. However, we do not feel that school uniform is appropriate for nursery age children and for this reason the following applies only to children from Reception class on.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ITEM OF UNIFORM IS CLEARLY NAMED Discipline - Back to top We have few formal
school rules at Ladbrooke although we expect a high level of self-discipline,
courtesy and respect for others in our pupils. School Rules
At the beginning of each school year the class teacher will discuss and agree a set of class rules with the children. A copy of these agreed rules is sent home for parents to discuss with their child. It is our belief that in order to maintain the high standard of behaviour expected at Ladbrooke we require the support of parents. Cases of poor behaviour are dealt with by the class teacher, duty teacher or meal-time supervisor in the first instance. If it is felt that the incident merits further attention it is brought to the notice of the Deputy Headteacher, who may then refer to the Headteacher if it is deemed sufficiently serious. Sanctions used in cases of poor behaviour range from a verbal reprimand to loss of break/lunch time play when a child may be required to complete a personal response form. The personal response form is designed to encourage the child to reflect on his/her actions and to consider ways in which they could try to put things right. The child might also be asked to complete unfinished or extra work. Serious incidents of misbehaviour are rare at Ladbrooke, but when they occur we will inform parents informally (personally if possible, otherwise by letter). In the event of a child's behaviour causing such concern that we feel a more formal approach is required there is a three-stage procedure we adopt, which is as follows:- 1. Letter requiring meeting with parents If a child's behaviour continues to be inappropriate after the third of these stages has been reached a period of exclusion may be imposed. The school's Behaviour Policy is supported by an Anti-Bullying Policy and an Anti-Racism Policy. When allegations of either of these types of incident are made the school always speaks to the alleged perpetrator and the victim to establish the facts if possible. We then monitor the situation more closely to observe what is actually occurring or to make sure that there is no recurrence of this behaviour. If we clearly establish that a child is bullying the procedures outlined above would be followed. Money -Back to top Children should not bring money to school unless requested to do so. When money is brought to school it should be put in a carefully sealed envelope clearly marked with the child's name, class and the purpose for which it is intended. Complaints Procedure - Back to top A copy of the School's Complaints Procedure is available from the School Office.It is designed to help If there is a problem.In the first instance it is best to speak directly to the school either through the class teacher or Headteacher.We hope to answer your questions and resolve any difficulties quickly. If you are not satisfied with action taken by the school you should approach the Governing Body of the school. If you are still dissatisfied you may appeal to the County Council if you feel the school has: · failed to carry out its duties in providing the National Curriculum according to the law. · failed to provide information to parents according to legal requirements. · failed in the way it provides Religious Education and collective worship. The department which is responsible for dealing with complaints is: Conciliation and
Advice Service, Telephone - 01992 588542 History of the School - Back to top The first National School to serve Potters Bar was erected on a site between St. Vincent's Way and Hill Rise, in 1839. George Byng, M.P., gave the land and helped defray the cost of the building. It admitted 41 boys and girls in October. In August 1861, the Infants' School with a teacher's residence which later became Ladbrooke School was erected on land belonging to the Rev. H.G. Watkins at the sole cost of himself and Mrs. Watkins, from designs by Edwin Lingen Barker Esq., architect. In that year (1861), the infants transferred from the National School to the building which still faces the High Street today, and which is now a Grade II listed building. Miss Harriet Cherrill was appointed headmistress on 1st April, 1865, and held the post for 36 years. She was succeeded by the Misses Kate and Emma Haybittle on the 26th August, 1901, who were employed for £85 p.a. with the School House, including coals and gas. In 1930 a new school was opened behind the Infant's School and was called 'Potters Bar Senior Council School'. Miss Goodacre took the seniors of over 8 years to these new premises, whilst the infants of 5 to 8 years went to St. John's School, which was located in Southgate Road. The former Infant's School became the domestic science centre for the Senior School and a hut built in the playground was the manual or woodwork centre. In 1933, when Cranborne School was opened, the district was re-organised according to the Hadow Report. The High Street school became a Senior Mixed School for children over 11, with Miss D. Goodacre in charge. Later when Parkfield School was built in The Walk, and opened in 1938, the High Street school was taken over by Juniors and Infants, and re-named Ladbrooke after the farm to the West of the High Street which had just disappeared under newly constructed housing. In 1954 Ladbrooke Juniors (7 to 11 years) went to Parkfield (the seniors having moved to the newly built Mount Grace School), and Ladbrooke became the Infants' School. Parkfield and Ladbrooke had over 1200 children before Oakmere Primary School (1958), and Sunnybank Primary School (1960) were built. Ladbrooke was then re-organised as a Junior and Infants' School once more. In 1965 Potters Bar was absorbed into Hertfordshire. At that time the large wooden classroom dating from the 1930's was still on the infant playground, close to the Church Hall and the main toilet facilities of the school were housed in old fashioned brick buildings. The classroom was destroyed by fire in December 1986 and replaced by a modern temporary building for a short time until it was finally removed. In 1994 a proposal was made to rebuild the school on the Parkfield site which had been earmarked for a replacement Ladbrooke School since the 1960's. The proposal was deferred until 1995 when it was given approval. Construction of the new Ladbrooke School began in May 1997 and the new school was completed in April 1998 in time for the start of the Summer Term when the children marched from the old school to the new. The building was opened formally on 13th October, 1998 by the Rt. Hon. David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Education. The new road in which the school is situated was named Watkins Rise in memory of the school's founder. |
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